Acid Sandy Soils Research Articles

Acute Ecotoxicological Effects of Bauxite Residue Addition on Mortality and Motion-frequency of Dendrobaena veneta and Enchytraeus albidus (Annelida) in Three Types of Soils

The bauxite residue is produced in high amounts all over the world. This industrial waste is a possible soil-amendment material. Although the material has been produced in high amounts, it is not frequently reused. We investigated its ecotoxicological effects on two annelid species: Dendrobaena veneta and Enchytraeus albidus. Two forms of bauxite residue (BR: S – untreated; G – dried, filter pressed, and gypsum neutralized) and three natural soils (NH: Nagyhörcsök, NY: Nyírlugos, OB: Őrbottyán) were examined. To determine the safe concentration of bauxite residue in soil on the short, acute mortality and sublethal behavioral tests (peristaltic motion-frequency) were performed. The bauxite residue addition (<5/10%) raised the pH and water holding capacity level of soils. Both types of the bauxite residue increased the motion-frequency of the worms. The untreated type had an acute mortality effect (>25%). Both species refused the soils containing both bauxite residue types at higher concentrations (>10%). Slight bauxite residue addition may improve the life circumstances of annelids in acidic sandy soils because of the potential rise of the pH level and water holding capacity.

Impact of Duration of Land Abandonment on Infiltration and Surface Runoff in Acidic Sandy Soil

Sandy soils are less fertile and, therefore, often abandoned in the Central European region. Land abandonment can cause the recovery of ecosystems by the replacement of crop species by vegetation that disperses from surrounding habitats and will be subsequently established (secondary succession). The objective of this study was to find the impact of secondary succession during more than 30 years of lasting abandonment of agricultural fields with acidic sandy soil on infiltration and surface runoff. The method of space-for-time substitution was used so that the fields abandoned at different times were treated as a homogeneous chronosequence. The impact of abandonment on infiltration and surface runoff was characterized by the changes in soil organic carbon content, pH, water and ethanol sorptivity, hydraulic conductivity, water drop penetration time, repellency index, time to runoff, and surface runoff coefficient. It was found that the abandoned soils previously subjected to agriculture showed a decrease in pH, a significant increase in soil water repellency, and a decrease in infiltration, which can lead to serious problems in terms of surface runoff and soil erosion. The pH(H2O) and pH(KCl) decreased monotonously and ethanol sorptivity did not change significantly during abandonment. The time to runoff did not change significantly between 10 and 30 years of abandonment, and it was not measured after 1 year of abandonment because no runoff occurred. The dependence of the other characteristics on the duration of field abandonment was not unambiguous. Water sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity showed a decrease between 1 and 10 years followed by a slight increase between 10 and 30 years of abandonment. On the other hand, soil organic carbon content, water drop penetration time, repellency index, and surface runoff coefficient showed an increase between 1 and 10 years followed by a slight decrease between 10 and 30 years of abandonment. To prevent soil water repellency and its consequences in sandy soils, an adequately high soil water content should be maintained, and mixed forest afforestation should be preferred to pine afforestation. This is extremely important in the context of climate change and the increasing frequency of prolonged dry periods.

Correction to: Effects of N Application Rate and Dicyandiamide on the Fate of 15N Fertilizer and the Abundance of Microbial Genes in a Sandy Soil Amended with Sugarcane Litter

Renewable energy produced from sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) has clear advantages over fossil fuels in mitigating climate change. However, N2O emissions and NO3− leaching from fertilizer nitrogen (N) addition can jeopardize the sustainability of sugarcane production worldwide. One of the possible approaches to mitigating these N-loss pathways is the use of nitrification inhibitors such as dicyandiamide (DCD). However, the effects of DCD on the fate of fertilizer-derived N in soil pools and functional N genes (e.g., nitrifiers and denitrifiers) remain unclear. We performed a laboratory incubation study for 54 days to evaluate the influence of DCD and fertilizer N rate ((15NH4)2SO4 applied at 40, 80, 120, and 160 µg N g−1) on 15N transformation and abundance of total prokaryotes (16S rRNA), nitrifiers (ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB)), and denitrifiers (nirK and nosZ) in a tropical sandy soil amended with sugarcane residues. Especially for high N rates (120 and 160 µg N g−1), DCD not only increased the NH4+-15N recovery by inhibiting nitrification but also stimulated microbial immobilization. However, the nitrification inhibitor decreased N losses (i.e., unrecovered 15N). The abundance of total archaea and bacteria was unaffected by both the fertilizer N rate and DCD. While the abundance of AOB and nirK was suppressed by DCD, AOA and nosZ abundance increased, with the latter gene being the highest at 160 µg g−1. We conclude that DCD mitigates N losses from ammonium-based fertilizer by inhibiting NO3− production and changing nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms in sandy acidic soil.

Short-Term Decomposition and Nutrient-Supplying Ability of Sewage Sludge Digestate, Digestate Compost, and Vermicompost on Acidic Sandy and Calcareous Loamy Soils

Organic waste and the compost and vermicompost derived from it may have different agronomic values, but little work is available on this aspect of sewage sludge. A 75-day pot experiment with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as the test plant aimed to investigate the fertiliser value and organic matter replenishment capacity of digested sewage sludge (DS) and the compost (COM) and vermicompost (VC) made from it, applied in 1% and 3% doses on acidic sand and calcareous loam. The NPK content and availability, changes in organic carbon content and plant biomass, and the efficiency of the amendments as nitrogen fertilisers were investigated. The final average residual carbon content for DS, COM, and VC was 35 ± 34, 85 ± 46, and 55 ± 46%, respectively. The organic carbon mineralisation rate depended on the soil type. The additives induced significant N mineralisation in both soils: the average increment in mineral N content was 1.7 times the total added N on acidic sand and 4.2 times it on calcareous loam for the 1% dose. The agronomic efficiency of COM and VC as fertilisers was lower than that of DS. In the short term, DS proved to be the best fertiliser, while COM was the best for organic matter replenishment.

Effects of Application of Recycled Chicken Manure and Spent Mushroom Substrate on Organic Matter, Acidity, and Hydraulic Properties of Sandy Soils.

Soil organic matter is a key resource base for agriculture. However, its content in cultivated soils is low and often decreases. This study aimed at examining the effects of long-term application of chicken manure (CM) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on organic matter accumulation, acidity, and hydraulic properties of soil. Two podzol soils with sandy texture in Podlasie Region (Poland) were enriched with recycled CM (10 Mg ha−1) and SMS (20 Mg ha−1), respectively, every 1–2 years for 20 years. The application of CM and SMS increased soil organic matter content at the depths of 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm, especially at 0–20 cm (by 102–201%). The initial soil pH increased in the CM- and SMS-amended soil by 1.7–2.0 units and 1.0–1.2 units, respectively. Soil bulk density at comparable depths increased and decreased following the addition of CM and SMS, respectively. The addition of CM increased field water capacity (at –100 hPa) in the range from 45.8 to 117.8% depending on the depth within the 0–60 cm layer. In the case of the SMS addition, the value of the parameter was in the range of 42.4–48.5% at two depths within 0–40 cm. Depending on the depth, CM reduced the content of transmission pores (>50 µm) in the range from 46.3 to 82.3% and increased the level of residual pores (<0.5 µm) by 91.0–198.6%. SMS increased the content of residual pores at the successive depths by 121.8, 251.0, and 30.3% and decreased or increased the content of transmission and storage pores. Additionally, it significantly reduced the saturated hydraulic conductivity at two depths within 0–40 cm. The fitted unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at two depths within the 0–40 cm layer increased and decreased in the CM- and SMS-amended soils, respectively. The results provide a novel insight into the application of recycled organic materials to sequester soil organic matter and improve crop productivity by increasing soil water retention capacity and decreasing acidity. This is of particular importance in the case of the studied low-productivity sandy acidic soils that have to be used in agriculture due to limited global land resources and rising food demand.

Morphophysiological responses of table beet irrigated with saline water under application of humic substances

The use of saline water is an alternative for irrigating agricultural crops, especially in the Brazilian Northeastern semi-arid region, where water quality is limited in most cases. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the morphophysiological responses of table beet cv. “Wonder” irrigated with saline waters under the application of humic substances. The experiment was conducted under a randomized block design, with six replications in a 6 x 4 x 5 factorial scheme, referring to six electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw): 0.5; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5; 4.5 and 5.5 dS m-¹, four humic substances rates (HS) (0; 10; 20 and 30 ml per plant), and five stages of assessment (23, 38, 53, 68 and 83 days after emergency). The characteristics evaluated were: plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content (a, b and total), stomatal conductance, transpiration, net photosynthesis and CO2 internal concentration, and in the soil, the soil pH and the electrical conductivity of saturated paste extract. The increase of salinity reduced growth, chlorophyll a content, and the stomatal conductance of beet plants. The application rate of 30 ml per plant of humic substances promotes an increase in stomatal conductance. The application of humic substances raises the pH in sandy acidic soils. It is recommended to irrigate table beet plants with water of 0.5 dS m-1 associated with the application of 30 mL per plant of humic substances

Study on Damage Tests Based on Structure and Operating Parameters of Wire Ropes Used by Conveyors in Orchards

Abstract The regularity of wire rope breakage of new-type rail conveyors used in orchards is not clear yet. The breakage may be mainly associated with the diameter and material of pulleys, wire rope tension, and linear speed, as well as exposure to acid rain and sandy soil. This paper took wire rope structure and operating parameters as the research object, designed and built a simulation conveyor wire rope winding test platform based on programmable logic controller (PLC), and verified the feasibility of the system to automatically control wire rope tension, and then conducted the wire rope winding test. According to the tests, a wire rope will have earlier wire breakage and faster wear if it works at a higher speed or in greater tension—a wire rope reached the scrapping criterion after 2,000 cycles of working at the speed of 29.35 m/s or at the tension of 6,500 N. Sandy soil and acid rain are also great contributors to wire breakage, and finer sandy soil or greater acidity of acid will cause more severe wire breakage—a wire rope reached the scrapping criterion after 3,300 cycles of work if exposed to acid rain with pH value of 2.0. Pulley diameter also counts: the smaller the pulley diameter is, the less wear the pulley will cause; and pulley material also plays a part—Q235 steel pulley may cause greater wear than a nylon pulley. Wear and plastic deformation of outer wires lead to surface material loss of a wire rope, thereby resulting in crack or even fracture of single wires, greater tension of other unbroken wires, and accelerated wear of the whole wire rope to the scrap criterion. The study aims to provide a reference for optimizing the safety performance of conveyors in orchards, as well as for maintenance and care of wire ropes in other applications.

Screening and Ranking Methodology Applied to Biochars Aimed at Acidic and Calcareous Sandy Soil Improvement

The application of biochar (the by-product of biomass pyrolysis), as a soil amendment has been accepted as a sustainable solution to improve soil quality. The current study aims to establish a decision support tool for characterizing, ranking, and selecting biochars of different origins for soil improvement, thereby contributing to the development of a systematic approach, which lacks in the existing literature.The development of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support Approach applying a banded and weighted rating and scoring system allowed the selection and ranking of various biochars suitable for improving sandy soils before application. First, 14 selected, different biochar products (produced from industrial by-products, herbaceous, wood-based and manure-based feedstocks) were characterized with several physicochemical, biological and ecotoxicological methods taking into account both the technological and the environmental efficiency aspects of biochar utilization. Then, a system for the assessment and ranking of biochars for acidic, and calcareous neutral sandy soil improvement was developed, which could be flexibly adapted to different soil problems as well. Based on their performance in the tests, scores from (−5) to (+5) were assigned to each biochar. As a result, the grain husks and paper fiber sludge biochar was ranked as the most suitable for both acidic and neutral calcareous sandy soil improvement, with 55 and 43 scores, respectively (from the maximum 100). The applicability of this innovative multicriteria scoring-ranking system, as a tool for potential biochar users, was verified in microcosms and field-scale experiments, demonstrating the positive influence of this biochar on the acidic sandy soil.

Peanut response to co‐inoculation of Bradyrhizobium spp. and Azospirillum brasilense and molybdenum application in sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado

AbstractThe use of plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with rhizobia may improve biological N fixation, nutrient acquisition, and grain yield of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). However, few studies have reported the effect of inoculation of rhizobia and PGPR in association with Mo in tropical soil conditions. This study examined the effectiveness of (co)inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. and/or Azospirillum brasilense and Mo application in improving the yield response of creeping peanut crop (‘RUNNER IAC 886’). The effects of rhizobacteria and Mo on nodulation, crop growth, chlorophyll content, and yield of peanut were investigated in a moderately acidic sandy soil (pH 5.0) from the Brazilian Cerrado during the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 growing seasons. Four seed inoculation treatments (control [uninoculated seeds], inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. strains SEMIA 5079 and SEMIA 5080, inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense strains Ab‐V5 and Ab‐V6, and co‐inoculation of Bradyrhizobium spp. and Azospirillum brasilense) and two Mo levels (0 and 200 mg Mo kg−1 of seed) were studied. Results showed that the effects of the interaction between rhizobacteria and Mo application were not significant (p &gt; .05) for all crop traits. Root nodulation, dry matter accumulation, and chlorophyll content were significantly greater in Mo‐treated peanut plants than control plants in both seasons. However, the response of crop grain yield was significantly greater (17.7%) in Mo‐treated plants only in the 2017–2018 season. Therefore, the improved root nodulation, crop growth, and chlorophyll content resulting from Mo application can lead to increased pod and grain yield in peanut. Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium spp. alone or combined with A. brasilense enhanced root nodulation, chlorophyll content, and peanut grain yield. Over two harvests, average peanut grain yield increased by 25.3 and 24.0% with inoculation of Bradyrhizobium spp. alone and combined with A. brasilense, respectively, compared with noninoculated plants. Due to lower cost and higher profitability, inoculation of Bradyrhizobium spp. alone is the most efficient practice for peanut cropping in sandy soils of the Brazilian Cerrado. Together with Mo application, these agricultural practices can be recommended for Brazilian peanut farmers.

Evaluating the combined effect of biochar and PGPR inoculants on the bacterial community in acidic sandy soil

Biochar is used to improve soil fertility and mitigate climate change by carbon sequestration. The potential of using biochar together with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a soil fertilization technique, offers an alternative way for sustainable agriculture. In the present study biochar and acid stress adapted PGPR inoculants were applied in three different quantities in order to improve soil fertility to enhance maize growth and crop yield in an acidic sandy soil (pH 4.4). The objective of the study was to monitor the effect of biochar on soil biota and on the inoculated PGP bacteria. Soil bacterial community structure was characterized with the genotyping sequence-aided terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) technique and the phenotyping phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). T-RFLP method was applied also for detecting and estimating the relative abundance of the inoculated PGP bacteria. Inocula immobilized on the biochar surface, as well as high doses of biochar treatments positively influenced the applied Azospirillum brasilense and Arthrobacter crystallopoietes abundances. In case of Azospirillum brasilense, the positive effect proved to be statistically significant (1–6 times higher relative abundances as compared to the control and small dose). The bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere was significantly influenced both by maize growth stage and by high doses (15 and 30 Mg ha−1) of biochar treatment. In the case of the immobilized PGP bacteria on the biochar surface treatment the maize above-ground biomass was significantly enhanced (2.6–3.2 times of the control). This study revealed that high doses of biochar treatment influenced the abundance of those bacterial groups that might play important roles in soil nutrient cycles.

Fertility Impact of Separate and Combined Treatments with Biochar, Sewage Sludge Compost and Bacterial Inocula on Acidic Sandy Soil

The short-term effects of processed waste materials: sewage sludge compost (up to 0.5%), biochar made of paper sludge and grain husk (BC) (up to 2%) combined with plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) inoculum, on the fertility of acidic sandy soil at 65% of field capacity were tested in a pot experiment in separate and combined treatments. The soil pH, organic matter content, total and plant-available nutrients, substrate-induced respiration, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) root colonisation parameters and maize (Zea mays L.) biomass were investigated in experiments lasting two months. The positive priming (21% organic matter loss) induced by BC alone was not observed after combined application. The combination of compost and PGPR with 1.5% BC resulted in 35% higher P and K availability due to greater microbial activity compared to BC alone. Only compost applied alone at 0.5% gave a 2.7 times increase in maize biomass. The highest microbial activity and lowest AMF colonisation were found in combined treatments. In the short term the combined application of BC, compost and PGPR did not result in higher fertility on the investigated soil. Further research is needed with a wider range of combined treatments on acidic sandy soil for better understanding of the process.

Carbon estimation in the undershrub layer and the soil of a dry deciduous forest of West Bengal (eastern India)

In the present context of global warming, it is essential to estimate the entrapped carbon in biomass and soil. In India, the dry deciduous forest is the premier forest type. However, in such forest type of West Bengal, there has not been estimation of the carbon contents at any vegetation layer. This article describes the carbon contents in biomass, litter and soil of the undershrub layer as well as its species composition-diversity. Five distinct sites–dry nullah (S1), forest clearing (S2), forest middle (S3), forest edge (S4) and foot track (S5) were identified. The above ground biomass (AGB) and litter were estimated through harvest and forest floor sweeping, respectively. For the measurement of below ground biomass (BGB), soil monoliths were dug out. The total biomass (AGB + BGB + Litter) across the forest ranged between 3.15 t ha− 1 and 37.58 t ha− 1 (av. 18.39 t ha− 1). The AGB-carbon ranged between 0.59 t C ha− 1 and 3.63 t C ha− 1 (av. 1.97 t C ha− 1), the BGB-carbon ranged between 0.51 t C ha− 1 and 12.92 t C ha− 1 (av. 4.91 t C ha− 1) and the litter-carbon ranged between 0.32 t C ha− 1 and 2.39 t C ha− 1 (av. 1.40 t C ha− 1). The organic carbon in acidic sandy soil of the forest ranged between 12.47 t ha− 1 and 17.31 t ha− 1 (av. 15.14 t ha− 1). Of the total entrapped carbon in the forest, the AGB-carbon contributed 8%, the BGB-carbon 21%, while the litter-carbon 6%. The balance pool of 65% was supplied by the soil organic carbon. Seventeen undershrub species were identified with density of 6690 individuals ha− 1 and the average indices of diversity and concentration of dominance was 0.77 and 0.22, respectively. Thus, to contribute in understanding the carbon stocking potential in a specific forest type and also to add to the inventory of carbon budget in the Indian forests, this micro level study was carried out in a dry topical forest (of eastern India).

Prospect of Application of Amendments in a Summer Rice Field: Upholding Soil Properties via Inorganic Blended Amendments

ABSTRACT The application of inorganic fertilizer in rice field is a foremost maneuver to acquire higher yield but effects properties of acidic sandy soil. An alternative strategy is to blend inorganic fertilizer with soil binding materials like magnesium sulfate (0.5 ton/ha), fresh neem (Azadirachata indica) (1 ton/ha) leaves, used tea (Camellia sinensis var assamica) (1 ton/ha) leaves, fresh karanj (Pongamia glabra) (1 ton/ha) leaves, and assess their prospects on soil properties and yield. The results of present investigation showed that the blended amendments exhibited improvement in iron, soil moisture, volumetric water content and bulk density. Inorganic fertilizer blended with karanj showed 4.12% increase in available phosphorus, 20.33% increase in available potassium, and 18.81% increase in zinc compared to inorganic fertilizer alone. Significant correlation between electrical potential and pH (−0.95), soil moisture and volumetric water content (0.93), soil temperature and copper (−0.90), bulk density and manganese (−0.88), and soil temperature and manganese (−0.88) were observed. Also 36.39% of variation in soil properties depended on electrical conductance, available phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, soil temperature, and bulk density. However available phosphorus contributed 13.70% variation in yield.

Increased phosphorus availability to corn resulting from the simultaneous applications of phosphate rock, calcareous rock, and biochar to an acid sandy soil

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the main constraints on crop production in Arenosols (acid sandy soil). The high cost of P fertilizers may represent an insurmountable obstacle in many poor countries, leaving the exploitation of their own calcareous and phosphate rocks as the only low-cost and long-term alternative. Biochar is suggested to have positive effects on soil properties; however, there is no published research on the synergistic effects of biochar and rocky materials in modifying soil properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical and biochemical responses of an acid Arenosol treated with phosphate rock (PR), calcareous rock (CR), and biochar (BC), and the implications for corn yield. A soil from Marracuene District, Mozambique was used, where corn was grown for 90 d with the soil treated with: no addition (control), water-soluble zinc phosphite fertilizer (WSP), PR, WSP+CR, WSP+BC, WSP+CR+BC, PR+BC, and PR+CR+BC. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of babycorn peels for 4 h at 450 °C and applied at 11 g kg−1. The soil pHH2O increased from about 4.54 in the control to 7.38 in the PR+CR+BC treatment. Easily oxidizable organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, and available P were higher in the treatments containing BC than in the control. The treatments containing CR and/or BC led to the highest activities of alkaline phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, and α-glucosidase, which increased P availability and gave the greatest biomass and yields. We suggest that biochar provides additional soluble P and supplies adsorption sites for phosphate, preventing its evolution to unavailable forms. Thus, PR applied together with BC contributed to an 840% yield increase compared to the control. The treatments containing WSP and BC facilitated phosphite oxidation to phosphate and increased crop yield.

Changes in soil pH and nutrient extractability after co-applying biochar and paper mill biosolids

Acidification and metal mobility may present challenges in soil receiving paper mill biosolids (PB). Co-applying biochar and PB could help prevent these issues, but its effect must be assessed. The objective of this 224 d incubation study was to evaluate the effect of amending two acidic soils, a clay and sandy loam, with two PB types varying in pH (PB1, pH = 7.80; and PB2, pH = 4.51) co-applied with three rates (0%, 2.5%, and 5% w/w) of pine (Pinus strobus L.) biochar on soil pH and macro- (P, K, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn). In both soils, co-applying biochar and PB significantly increased soil pH and extractable K concentration compared with PB-only application, whereas amending with PB significantly increased soil extractable P concentration compared with the unamended soil. In comparison with PB only, co-applying 5% biochar and PB decreased extractable Cu concentration in both soils and extractable Fe concentration in the sandy loam soil. This study showed that co-applying biochar and PB can be more beneficial to agricultural soils than application of PB alone by supplying nutrients and helping prevent metal toxicity by raising pH, especially in acidic sandy soils.

Long-term effects of grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar on acidic and calcareous sandy soils – A scale-up field experiment applying a complex monitoring toolkit

Biochar is produced from a wide range of organic materials by pyrolysis, specifically for improvement of poor quality soils. One of the main issues nowadays in studying biochar as soil amendment is to upscale experiments and move from short-term, laboratory conditions to long-term field trials.This paper presents a long-term field study, being the final step of a scale-up technology development, on grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar application for soil improvement with focus on two degraded soil types of a temperate region. The effects of biochar on an acidic and a calcareous sandy agricultural soil were studied applying a complex approach including physico-chemical, biological and ecotoxicological methods. Our study demonstrated that the applied biochar had positive direct and indirect influences on the acidic sandy soil, but these effects were different in terms of extent and time. 30 t/ha biochar addition improved the pH of the acidic sandy soil by 24% and also increased significantly the nutrient concentrations (P2O5 by 68%, K2O by 11% and organic matter by 33%), and the water-holding capacity after 30 months. Furthermore, biochar addition improved also the microbiological activity and diversity in the acidic sandy soil. Biochar application did not induce any negative effects. Biochar had no toxic effect on the plants and the biochar-treated soil provided a more liveable habitat for soil living animals than the untreated acidic sandy soil.The favourable biochar-mediated influences on soil properties were manifested mainly in the acidic sandy soil, proving that the biochar-related advantages have to be verified for different soil types. The benefits of grain husk and paper fibre sludge biochar application in an acidic sandy soil were confirmed on the long term by the applied tiered approach.

Impact of secondary succession in abandoned fields on some properties of acidic sandy soils

Abstract Abandonment of agricultural lands in recent decades is occurring mainly in Europe, North America and Oceania, and changing the fate of landscapes as the ecosystem recovers during fallow stage. The objective of this study was to find the impact of secondary succession in abandoned fields on some parameters of acidic sandy soils in the Borská nížina lowland (southwestern Slovakia). We investigated soil chemical (pH and soil organic carbon content), hydrophysical (water sorptivity, and hydraulic conductivity), and water repellency (water drop penetration time, water repellency cessation time, repellency index, and modified repellency index) parameters, as well as the ethanol sorptivity of the studied soils. Both the hydrophysical and chemical parameters decreased significantly during abandonment of the three investigated agricultural fields. On the other hand, the water repellency parameters increased significantly, but the ethanol sorptivity did not change during abandonment. As the ethanol sorptivity depends mainly on soil pore size, the last finding could mean that the pore size of acidic sandy soils did not change during succession.

Comparative biokinetics of pristine and sulfidized Ag nanoparticles in two arthropod species exposed to different field soils

Ag bioaccumulation upon exposure to pristine Ag NPs is of bigger concern in acidic sandy soils, but not in case of the environmentally relevant sulfidized Ag NPs, which do not bioaccumulate in P. scaber or F. candida.

Land Suitability of the Different Cultivars in the South Tyrol Wine Region (Italy)

The geology and geomorphology of the territory as well as microclimate are local geographical features that serve as natural ecological resources. These factors influence the biosynthetic activities of plants and their phenology, promoting biodiversity and the qualitative predispositions of grapes and wine. South Tyrol is one of the smallest wine-growing regions in Italy, but owing to its position amid the Alps, it is also one of the most multifaceted, a region of wide geographical diversity and remarkable ecological range, hosting a concentration of many different vine varieties and high quality wines. This applied territorial research investigates the particular environmental circumstances that favour this case. A data set describing approximately 26,000 vineyards and 5450 hectares has been employed to evaluate 18 subzones of wines and vines selected from 86 new geographical units defined within the DOC wine region. A new environmental mapping scheme called VHTG is proposed, based on the ecological indicators of grape variety, altitude, topoclimate and the geopedology of the vineyards. Using the VHTG method analyses, the comparisons between the territories of origin and their vine varieties can be rendered simpler and more direct, and it can distinguish the most suitable ecological conditions of wine production zones. It is now possible to examine more in detail the land suitability of the different cultivars, defined by the use of the ecological indicators summarized in the VHTG method. White grape varieties such as Sylvaner and Veltliner prefer high altitudes between 600 m and 900 m, a very high solar radiation SRI index from 80 to 95, and acidic sandy soils of silicate minerals. The most complete and intense tannic structure of regional Pinot Noir correlates to quite clayey soils with dolomite mineral, slightly alkaline, on vineyards at altitudes between 350 m and 410 m, with rather low SRI index from 60 to 75. Similar geopedological conditions favour Gewürztraminer, which, however, requests SRI from 75 to 85. Merlot and Cabernet vines are best expressed in the hottest regional sub-zones, on moderately clayey subalkaline soils at 250 - 350 m of altitudes and SRI around 80. The indigenous red grape variety Lagrein is mostly localized on alluvial cone at altitudes under 350 m, on soft and ventilated acid sands with volcanic silicate minerals.

Production data of wine grape gene bank (Vitis spp.) of University of Debrecen, east Hungary

National wine strategy of Hungary promotes the use of “flexible” grape cultivars. These enable producers’ best fit to wine market changes and expectations. This study is aimed to present data on the gene bank of the University of Debrecen, Hungary. Data were collected at a single site, between 2010 and 2018 in east Hungary lowland on acidic sandy soil, own rooted planting material. Our results showed that besides high yield and adequate cane production desired sugar content at convenient pH is to be awaited with moderate deviation between vintages. Presented concept demonstrate technological flexibility of cultivars by their average deviation from regression equation between increasing sugar and pH typical for the vintage composed of data of cultivars of the gene bank. Average positive deviation means higher sugar content at specific pH, thus higher sugar content at desired, conveniently low pH (3.0-3.2 pH).