Biological Quality Indicators Research Articles

The Effect of Biochar Used as Soil Amendment on Morphological Diversity of Collembola

Biochar was reported to improve the chemical and physical properties of soil. The use of biochar as a soil amendment have been found to improve the soil structure, increase the porosity, decrease bulk density, as well increase aggregation and water retention. Knowing that springtails (Collembola) are closely related to soil properties, the effect of biochar on morphological diversity of these organisms was evaluated. The main concept was the classification of springtails to the life-form groups and estimation of QBS-c index (biological quality index based on Collembola species). We conducted the field experiment where biochar was used as soil amendment in oilseed rape and maize crops. Wood-chip biochar from low-temperature (300 °C) flash pyrolysis was free from PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) and other toxic components. Results showed that all springtail life-form groups (epedaphic, hemiedaphic, and euedaphic) were positively affected after biochar application. The QBS-c index, which relates to springtails’ adaptation to living in the soil, was higher in treatments where biochar was applied. We can recommend the use of Collembola’s morphological diversity as a good tool for the bioindication of soil health.

The effect of mangrove restoration on avian assemblages of a coastal lagoon in southern Mexico.

BackgroundMangrove forests provide many ecosystem services, including the provision of habitat that supports avian biodiversity. However, hurricanes can knock down trees, alter hydrologic connectivity, and affect avian habitat. In 1995, Hurricanes Opal and Roxanne destroyed approximately 1,700 ha of mangrove forest in Laguna de Términos, Mexico. Since then, hydrological restoration has been implemented to protect the mangrove forest and its biodiversity.MethodsSince avian communities are often considered biological indicators of ecosystem quality, avian diversity and species relative abundance were evaluated as indicators of mangrove restoration success by comparing undisturbed mangrove patches with those affected by the hurricanes. Using bird surveys, similarity analyses, and generalized linear models, we evaluated the effects of water quality variables and forest structure on the relative abundance and diversity of the avian community in disturbed, restored, and undisturbed mangrove patches.ResultsHigher bird species richness and relative abundances were found in disturbed and restored sites compared to the undisturbed site. After restoration, values of frequency of flooding, water temperature, tree density, and the number of tree species were more similar to that of the undisturbed site than to the values of the disturbed one. Such variables influenced the relative abundance of bird guilds in the different habitat conditions. Furthermore, some insectivorous bird species, such as the Yellow Warbler and Tropical Kingbird, were found to be similarly abundant in both undisturbed and restored sites, but absent or very low in occurrence at the disturbed site.ConclusionsCollectively, our results strongly suggest that hydrologic restoration helps to enhance niche availability for different bird guilds, including water and canopy bird species. Our work can help inform management strategies that benefit avian communities in mangrove forests and wetland systems.

MEMS cytometer for porcine oocyte deformation measurement

Mechanical properties of cells are indicators of biological potential, quality and presumptive pathological status. Mammalian oocytes are particularly important cells from the point of view of testing their fertilizing potential and performing in vitro fertilization. However, only occasionally are their mechanical parameters measured.A new method for deformation measurement of in vitro-matured porcine oocytes has been developed and presented in this study. The method was used for multiparametric characterization of gametes using a MEMS-type microcytometer and a new methodology for determining cell deformability. The novel chip design, principle of operation, and fabrication processes are described in the study. Using original analysis of microscopic images with the usage of dedicated software and data analysis algorithms, deformation parameters were determined. Results indicate the relationships between parameters under the influence of cell compression and show that the behaviour of oocytes during measurements depends on the morphological quality of the cumulus-oocyte complexes they originated from.

Priority areas for conservation of orchid bees (Apidae, Euglossini) in the Atlantic Forest

Given the decline of pollinators around the world, preserving these animals has become a priority. This is especially urgent in threatened areas that concentrate high biodiversity such as the Atlantic forest (AF) in South America. Orchid bees are among the most important pollinators in the AF and are considered as good biological indicators of environmental quality. However, the populations of these bees have been reduced in size as a result of environmental impacts caused by human activities. In the present study, we used historical climate modelling to infer the refuge areas within the AF that concentrate high genetic diversity of orchid bees. From a total of 235 records of ten species, we built species models for the current days, Mid-Holocene and Last Glacial Maximum periods using MaxEnt program. Our results show refuge areas separately for each species, which may harbor their high levels of individual genetic diversity in the AF. On the other hand, the assemblage-scale model of climate stability shows a large continuous range of suitable areas from the southern to the northern AF, divided into three main stability zones (northeastern, central and southeastern-southern) where putatively are concentrated high levels of genetic diversity for most of these bees. This inference of stability zones should be useful to direct the choice of new conservation units in the AF, mainly in the northern portion of the AF, where the zone of greater suitability for orchid bees analyzed is present, which has been under protected and has experienced an increase of deforestation in the recent years. Finally, we point out that phylogeographic studies with these bees are necessary and might validate our findings.

Evaluation of reclamation success in an open-pit coal mine using integrated soil physical, chemical and biological quality indicators

The evaluation and success of ecological reclamation can be assessed by measuring soil physical, chemical and biological variables, either in isolation or combined into composite indicators. In this study we tested the suitability of biological, chemical and physical quality indicators–and their combination in a General Indicator of Soil Quality (GISQ)—to monitor soil quality in restored areas of an open cast coal mine. These composite indicators were computed with principal component analyses (PCA) and co-inertia multivariate analyses (CoIA). Our biological indicator showed a significant recovery of soil invertebrate communities along the chronosequence. Taxonomic richness increased from 7 taxa the 1st year to 13–17 taxa in 6–20-y sites, far less than in forests (19–20). Soil pH, bulk density and proportion of physical and macro aggregates were highest in the 1-y site, while soil organic matter (SOM), total N and proportion of biogenic aggregates were highest in older sites. In general, the three sub-indicators and the GISQ yielded the lowest values in the 1-y site (from 0.1 to 0.3 on a scale of 0.1 to 1.0), intermediate in the 16- and 20-y sites, (0.4–0.7) and reached highest values in the two forests (0.4–1.0). The GISQ methodology proved efficient in assessing progress in the reclamation process which should not be achieved only by monitoring vegetation cover changes.

Agroecosystem resilience in response to extreme winter flooding

Evidence suggests that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events (e.g. excessive rainfall, heat, wind). The winter of 2013-14 saw exceptional levels of rainfall across the UK leading to extreme and prolonged flooding (up to 3 months with floodwater depths up to 3 m) in several low-lying agricultural areas (e.g. Somerset Levels, Thames Valley). The impact of extreme flooding and the speed of ecosystem recovery at the field-scale, however, remain poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were therefore to: (1) assess the effect of this extreme winter flooding event on a range of soil physical, chemical and biological quality indicators at 15 flood-affected sites (arable and grassland), (2) determine if these changes in soil health were reversible in the short term (< 1 year), and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of different mechanical interventions (sward-lifting, subsoiling, slot-seeding and aerating) to accelerate the amelioration of the damage caused by winter flooding at 2 of the 15 sites. Once the floodwater had receded (April 2014), we found that several of the measured soil quality indicators were negatively affected in the flooded areas in comparison with non-flooded areas. This included a decrease in soil bulk density (by 19%), soil pH (by 0.4 units), and available P (by up to 42%). Flooding increased soil microbial biomass (60%), induced a shift in soil microbial community structure and reduced earthworm numbers. After 8 months of recovery, only soil pH remained significantly reduced (by 0.3 units) in the flooded areas in comparison to the unflooded areas. Flooding had a negative impact on the overlying vegetation at the arable sites (biomass production was reduced by between 19 and 34%) but had no major impact at the grassland sites in the long-term. In the flood amelioration experiment, the subsoiled plots produced grass with a higher nutrient content (e.g. N - up to 35%, Ca - up to 19% and Mg - up to 58%). However, the four different interventions appeared to have little positive impact on most of the soil quality indicators measured. In conclusion, extreme winter flooding was found to induce short-term alterations in key soil quality indicators and to destroy winter crops, although these effects did not persist in the longer term. Our results therefore indicate that the temperate agroecosystems evaluated here were highly resilient to winter flood stress and that recovery to a pre-flood state could be achieved within 1 year. Improved management strategies are still needed to speed up the rate of recovery after flood events to facilitate a faster return to agricultural production.

The Effectiveness of Plastic Mulch for Maintaining the Potato Farmland in Dieng Plateau Using Soil Biological Quality Index

Dieng farmers apply plastic mulch to reduce erosion and to prevent the loss of nutrients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of plastic mulch in maintaining the quality of potato farmland using the Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar) based on the existence of microarthropods. Soil sampling was conducted in six different locations, i.e., flat area with mulch, sloped area with mulch, the flat area without mulch, sloped area without mulch, flat forest area, and sloped forest area. Microarthropods were obtained from soil samples using a Berlese Funnel method. Soil quality was analyzed using QBS-ar index which was calculated based on Eco-morphological Index (EMI). The results showed that the value of QBS-ar index in potato farmland with the use of plastic mulch was much higher than in farmland without plastic mulch in bothflat and sloped area. Compared to the soil in the forest area, the value of QBS-ar index in farmland with the use of plastic mulch, especially in the flat area, was relatively similar. Hence, the use of plastic mulch for potato cultivation in the hilly area is effective in maintaining soil quality. This finding would be beneficial for developing a soil conservation strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture in Dieng agricultural area.

The content of macroelements in white mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agrochemical and biological quality indicators of soil and to determine the best harvest time to maximize the nutrient contents of white mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) from two different cultivars. Mulberry leaves were analysed to determine the seasonal changes in the contents of Ca, K, P, Mg and S. The study was carried out on 7-year-old mulberry trees belonging to Morus alba L. cultivated in an organic farm in the Kaunas District of Lithuania in 2016 and 2017. The soil agrochemical and biological indicators and mulberry leave samples were analysed two times during the tree vegetation period. The soil samples were collected in May and September (in the 2nd ten-day period) and leaves in June and September (in the 2nd ten-day period). The study revealed that a decreasing tendency for soil agrochemical indicators was observed throughout the entire period of growth of mulberry trees. At the end of the vegetation period the contents of nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium significantly decreased by 7.93, 24.85 and 25%, respectively, compared with that taken in May. At the end of the mulberry tree vegetation period the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity in the soil significantly decreased, by 20.39 and 17.95%, respectively, compared with that taken in the beginning of the vegetation period. The study revealed that harvest months had a statistically significant impact on the levels of the examined elements among the two Morus cultivars. It was found that the main macroelement in the leaves of both cultivars was Ca followed by K, P, Mg and S. However, the highest Ca, Mg, P and S contents in ‘Turchanka’ leaves increased with maturity. Importantly, the amount of macronutrients in the mulberry leaves varied in accordance with the cultivar and the harvest time. These results can help farmers to select a cultivar and harvest time that would allow them to produce mulberry leaves with superior quality. Leaves collected from mulberry plants grown in Lithuania plantations may be used as a food supplement to help meet the recommended daily intakes of some macrominerals for adults.

Determining biological value and quality indicators of beverages of the drink­breakfast type

We have developed formulations and production technology for beverages of the “drink­breakfast” type with the elevated content of protein and pronounced antioxidant properties. Components of the composition include cottage cheese, non­fat milk, sesame seeds, walnuts, honey, banana, spinach, psyllium, hydrolyzed collagen (glutin). The beverages are the sources of digestible protein, antioxidant vitamins (C, E, PP) and dietary fiber. By introducing glutin into the composition, a single portion of the developed beverages “Spinach” and “Banana” satisfy a need in proteins by 7.6 % and 7.2 %, respectively. The introduction of spinach and banana to the composition promotes their enrichment with folates. An analysis of mineral composition of the developed beverages allows us to argue on that the beverages are the sources of basic macro­ and micronutrients that satisfy the need in them at a high level. Using psyllium and glutin as active ingredients improves antioxidant activity by 50‒60 times, which is explained by the synergy among all components. We determined the technological conditions for psyllium hydration. It was established that the average size of dry particles of psyllium is 1.79 mm, and that of hydrated is 2.28 mm (5 min, 20 °C). A layer of mucus ‒ soluble food fiber ‒ forms at the particles’ surface, which stabilizes the food system. Using glutin as a foaming agent in the beverages enables the formation of a stable aerated structure. The cell size of foam in the beverage “Spinach” varies in the range 0.05‒0.15 mm, and in the beverage “Banana” ‒ from 0.001 to 0.15 mm. Modeling storage conditions by using the ALST assessment test in terms of change in the microbiological and organoleptic parameters allows us to confirm that the beverages will be competitive in the consumer market of Ukraine. When stored over 36 hours at a temperature of (4±2) °C and at humidity not exceeding 75 % in an air­tight container, the content of sanitary­indicative microorganisms complies with the hygienic requirements to milk­based beverages. The developed “drink­breakfast” beverages could be recommended for children, as well as for the diet of pregnant women, as well as for women in the lactation period

The Effect of Different Land Uses on Some Physical, Chemical and Biological Quality Indicators of Soil

The Effect of Different Land Uses on Some Physical, Chemical and Biological Quality Indicators of Soil

Macroalgae as a tool for assessing the ecological status of coral reefs under the Water Framework Directive: A case study on the reef flats of La Réunion (Indian Ocean)

The monitoring of macroalgae is required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to achieve good ecological status for coastal waters and specific questions arise for tropical ecosystems belonging to the outermost European regions. To assess the suitability of macroalgae as a biological quality indicator for La Réunion reef flats (France), we performed multivariate analyses linking the abundance and composition of macroalgae to water physico-chemistry. Three hydrological groups of stations were identified according to dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations and DIN/PO4 ratios. Some indicator species were found at the N-enriched stations (Bryopsis pennata, Caulerpa lamourouxii, Chaetomoropha vieillardii, Derbesia sp., Blennothrix lyngbyacea, Sphacelaria tribuloides), and others at the non-impacted stations (Anabaena sp1, Blennothrix glutinosa, Codium arabicum, Neomeris vanbosseae). Another key result was the significant increase in red algal cover at the most N-enriched station. Our findings are discussed in the context of the application of the WFD in the outermost French regions.

A cross-cultural study of sex-typicality and averageness: Correlation between frontal and lateral measures of human faces.

Facial averageness and sexual dimorphism are extensively studied attractiveness markers, which are viewed as possible indicators of biological quality. Both are complex morphological traits, and both can be easily assessed from frontal and lateral projection of a human face. Interestingly, examination of mutual relations between the frontal and lateral dimensions of these markers has so far received little attention in published research. In our cross-cultural study, we used geometric morphometric data from male and female faces from Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, and the Czech Republic, and analyzed correlations between frontal and lateral measurements of averageness and degree of maleness/femaleness, that is, the individual variation in features that characterize sexual dimorphism. We also analyzed whether the association between frontal and lateral measurements differed in men and women. In general, our results showed a moderate correlation in sexually dimorphic features between lateral and frontal facial configuration in both sexes, while frontal and lateral facial averageness was moderately correlated only in women. This pattern was less consistent when individual populations were analyzed separately. We suggest that, in general, the weak association between lateral and frontal facial configurations may be the result of selection pressures in favor of individual identity signals. Moreover, especially in women, the frontal and lateral dimension of a given facial attractiveness marker may provide similar information about the qualities of the individual. The absence of a significant correlation in male facial averageness suggests that frontal and lateral averageness convey different information about an individual.

Medium-term Effects of Different Tillage Practices and Lathyrus sativus Cover Cropping on Selected Biological Soil Quality Indices in Green Bean Cultivation

Medium-term Effects of Different Tillage Practices and Lathyrus sativus Cover Cropping on Selected Biological Soil Quality Indices in Green Bean Cultivation

Long-term ecological effects of the red mud disaster in Hungary: Regeneration of red mud flooded areas in a contaminated industrial region

As one of the most severe ecological disasters ever to take place in Europe, the 2010 red mud accident has left behind long-term environmental impact, prompting the need for monitoring of soil biodiversity. Red mud (wet storage solution) can be regarded as a complex mixture of contaminants due to its extreme alkalinity and the presence of potentially toxic trace elements. After-effect investigations on soil properties and soil microarthropods were carried out in three distinct habitat types (agricultural land, grassland, woodland) in the red mud affected area. Soils in the red mud affected area were moderately to strongly alkaline (pH 7.5 to 8.5). Total content of trace metals Cd, Ni, Cr exceeded threshold concentrations for soil. Acari and Collembola were by far the most abundant taxa, while important groups like Pauropoda, Protura and Symphyla were completely absent from the samples of red mud affected plots. These observations were also reflected by the low values of the soil biological quality (QBS-ar) index. Independently of habitat types, total collembolan abundance tended to be lower in the contaminated area when compared with nearby control samples. Typical species distribution of Collembola communities in the contaminated area generally included one or two very common and abundant species and more, relatively rare species of low abundance. In the red mud affected open habitats, a distinct eudominance of Brachystomella parvula and Parisotoma notabilis was observed; whereas in contaminated woodland Parisotoma notabilis formed the bulk of the community with Sphaeridia pumilis, Folsomia manolachei and F. quadrioculata being subdominant. Species sensitive to alkalinity and red mud components (e.g. Hypogastrura vernalis, Lepidocyrtus tomosvaryi) were completely absent or were present only in limited numbers in the contaminated samples.

Soil Biological Quality Index based on earthworms (QBS-e). A new way to use earthworms as bioindicators in agroecosystems

Traditionally, earthworms are considered one of the most frequently used bioindicators to evaluate the sustainability of soil use. Therefore a new index, called QBS-e (Soil Biological Quality Index based on earthworms) has been provided in order to improve the monitoring of the soil’s biological fertility in the rural environment, as well as for use by non-experts in earthworm taxonomy. We present two case studies to test the application of this new practical tool: one in horticultural agroecosystems and the other in vineyards in North-Eastern Italy, and we compare the QBS-e method with the traditional method of earthworm diversity analysis. We analysed the differences in earthworm fauna between organic and conventional agroecosystems to assess if some particular agronomical practices affect earthworms. The results obtained with the two methods are comparable: this seems to demonstrate the effectiveness of using the QBS-e index in order to save time and costs in soil monitoring programmes. In addition, we propose a simple software to calculate the QBS-e index value and to help with the attribution of the correct ecological category to the sampled specimens.

The effect of olive husk extract compared to the edta on Pb availability and some chemical and biological properties in a Pb-contaminated soil

ABSTRACTIt was found that using chelating agents increases the efficiency of heavy metal extraction, however, they may have negative effects on soil ecosystem quality. A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in order to evaluate the effect of EDTA and Olive Husk Extract (OHE) on some chemical and biological properties of the Pb-contaminated soil. The experimental treatments included EDTA (2 g Na2EDTA salt per kg soil), OHE (2 g TDS of OHE per kg soil) and control (without the chelating agent). The results revealed that the EDTA and OHE treatments increased the Pb availability by 17.7% and 5.5% in comparison to the control treatment, respectively. Although EDTA was more effective in increasing the Pb availability but decreased the soil biological quality index (SBQI). The EDTA treatment significantly decreased the dehydrogenase (DH) activity and germination index (GI). The OHE application significantly increased the available-P, available-K, total N and organic carbon content by 339.92%, 40.79%, 20.9%, and 29.7% compared with control treatment, respectively. Furthermore, OHE considerably increased SBQI from 18.96 to 53.48. Compared to the control treatment higher values of soil respiration activity, DH activity, and carbon availability index (CAI) were observed in OHE treatment.

Інформаційне забезпечення оптимального керування вирощуванням ентомофагів

The work is devoted to the issues of information support for optimal control of the production of entomophages; its goal is to develop a method, and on its basis an algorithm for the optimal control of the production of entomophages through the use of intelligent algorithms for processing information. Research methods - system analysis, hierarchical tree of inference, fuzzy logic. Object of management - processes of cultivation Ephestia kuehniella , insect-host entomophage Habrobracon hebetor . The сultivation of entomophages is considered from the standpoint of a complex dynamic biotechnical system that has a certain number of interconnected processes - basic, auxiliary and maintenance processes. The main processes are the breeding of the insect-host, the breeding of the insect-parasite (predator), the control of the quality of entomological products, the storage of an insect-parasite (predator). From the point of view of the theory of control, the processes of production of entomophages represent objects whose basic features are hierarchy, organization, limitation, description sets, stochasticity. Identification of the properties of the biological component of the process of production of entomophages, in particular, prediction of the dependence of entomocultural quality indicators on the parameters of technocenoses for their use in the formation of strategies for optimal management of entomophage cultivation, requires the use of new approaches that increase the efficiency of production. The use of intelligent information technologies in the production of entomophages creates conditions for: the adoption of correct decisions to ensure the appropriate quality of entomocultures; automation of weakly structured tasks; formation of production management strategies based on information on biological indicators of entomocultures quality. A technique is developed on the basis of which an algorithm for optimal control of cultivation of entomophages using the hierarchical tree of logical inference and the theory of fuzzy logic has been developed. The criterion for optimizing the management of entomophage cultivation was determined by maximizing the complex index of entomoculture quality. The control algorithm for cultivating entomophages is the control of the biological parameters of the quality of the entomocultures depending on the set of technocenoses parameters, computation of integrated indicators of the quality of entomocultures, search of the technocenoses parameters, which ensure maximization of the complex index of entomoculture quality. Based on the results of experimental studies conducted at the Biotechnica Institute of Technology, the factors influencing the complex quality index of Ephestia kuehniell a , the insect host of the entomophage Habrobracon hebetor , are classified as a hierarchical tree of logical inference, in the form of a hierarchical tree of logical inference, a knowledge base was created and fuzzy inference surfaces were obtained, which allow, on the basis of information on the dependence of the complex quality indicator of entomocultures on technocenosis parameters, to formulate optimal strategies for managing the production of entomophages in conditions of limited input information, reduce energy costs for making decisions to ensure the quality of entomocultures, formalize the poorly structured processes of cultivation entomocultures, increase the economic efficiency of production. Key words: optimal control, cultivation of entomophages, method, hierarchical tree

Concentrations of potentially toxic elements and soil environmental quality evaluation of a typical Prosecco vineyard of the Veneto region (NE Italy)

The aim of this work was to assess the concentrations of potentially toxic elements and to evaluate the soil quality of a typical Prosecco Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin vineyard of the Veneto region, NE Italy. Soil samples and leaves of Taraxacum officinale and Vitis vinifera were collected during spring–summer 2014. Element determination (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, V, and Zn) were performed with ICP-OES after microwave digestion of samples. Soil quality was assessed via the biological soil quality (BSQ-ar) index. Lipid peroxidation test was performed to evaluate the vegetation oxidative stress, based on malondialdehyde (MDA) content via spectrophotometer. High concentrations of Al, Mg, and P were identified in soil, while high contents of Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn were found in V. vinifera leaves. The high concentrations in soil are probably due to agricultural activities, whereas those in leaves are probably due to atmospheric deposition and repeated use of foliar sprays in viticulture. The bioconcentration factor showed an effective transport of Cu, P, and Zn, from soil to leaf. The BSQ-ar values registered were similar to those obtained in preserved soils; hence, the biological class (VI) of these soils is high. The MDA content in T. officinale and V. vinifera leaves was below the reference value for T. officinale (2.9 ± 0.2 μM), suggesting that the metal content did not stress the vegetation in the investigated site. The MDA value for V. vinifera (1.1 ± 0.7 μM) could be adopted as another control value for soil quality, which in our case is of “good quality.” Moreover, our results suggest that high concentrations of elements detected in the analyzed samples do not influence negatively the quality of soil, but a better agronomic management could improve soil quality in the studied area.

Biological Quality Indicators of a Haplortox Soil Under Different Management Systems in Southern Brazil

The research was looking for the quick response of soil's microbiota to soil changes caused by management systems, changes to which biological indicators of soil quality are sensitive. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of seven soil management systems, including in on hand covers of Pennisetum glaucum (PG), Avena strigosa (AS), Stizolobium aterrimum (SA), EF Pisum sativum (PS) + Avena strigosa (AS), and on the other hand, No soil tillage with gypsum application (NTSG), No soil tillage with scarification (NTSS) and No soil tillage (NTS), on soil quality bioindicators. The bioindicators recorded from top soil samples were collected from the first 10 cm at pre-planting, at pre-flowering and at post-harvest of the soybean, from July 2014 to March 2015 were Total organic carbon (TOC), Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), Soil basal respiration, Respiratory coefficient (qCO2), Microbial coefficient (qMIC), and its relationship with soybean yields. The seven treatments were arranged in the field according to a completely randomized experimental, Analysis of variance (Anova) for each of the bioindicators and comparison of treatment mean values using Tukey test at 5% probability were carried out. SA, the AS+PS consortium and the no-tillage system led to significant improvement of the biological attributes of the soil. The management systems did not change the yield of soybean grain.

Soil Biological Quality index (QBS-ar): 15 years of application at global scale

During the last century, soils have been over-exploited by humans through agriculture and industrial development. The need to assess different aspects of soil degradation has become a priority in the soil protection management. Among several indices developed in the last years, QBS-ar (Soil Biological Quality-arthropod) index joins the biodiversity of soil microarthropods community with the degree of soil vulnerability. Up to now, numerous publications have reported the results of the QBS-ar application. This paper starts a review process for QBS-ar assessment by taking into account its potential in highlighting the relationship between soil quality and different land uses.In order to clarify the relationship between QBS-ar values and land use, we collected 41 published papers that reported of QBS-ar applications. In this framework, another aim of this paper is to make a critical review of the QBS-ar in respect to applications in different environmental contexts, and to obtain critical indication about problem and potential of QBS-ar for monitoring activities.We collected published data on QBS-ar and we individualized eight groupages in relation to soil uses: 1) Agriculture lands (A, several crops, till and no-tillage, organic, conventional), 2) Woods (W, forests, maquis and bushes), 3) Restored (R, plant remediation, restored pit mine, peri-urban uncultivated areas), 4) Natural degradation (ND, soils in natural degraded conditions, e.g. serpentine soils, soil in the brÛlé), 5) Permanent grasslands, pastures and meadows (G), 6) Orchards (O), 7) Urban parks, residual urban woods, public gardens, botanical gardens, home gardens (UP), 8) Soils involved in human degradation (D).The results confirmed that land use significantly affects QBS-ar values. The overall mean of QBS-ar=93.7 can be considered a tentative threshold that separates high quality soils and values which are typical for poor soils. In the end, we would like to affirm the validity of this index, which, allows to evaluate the suffering state of soils and its potentiality for an expeditious use to evaluate soil biological quality in recovery areas.