Grass Cultivation Research Articles

Non-native Brachiaria humidicola with biological nitrification inhibition capacity stimulates in situ grassland N2O emissions.

Brachiaria humidicola, a tropical grass, could release root exudates with biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) capacity and reduce soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from grasslands. However, evidence of the reduction effect in situ in tropical grasslands in China is lacking. To evaluate the potential effects of B. humidicola on soil N2O emissions, a 2-year (2015-2017) field experiment was established in a Latosol and included eight treatments, consisting of two pastures, non-native B. humidicola and a native grass, Eremochloa ophiuroide, with four nitrogen (N) application rates. The annual urea application rates were 0, 150, 300, and 450 kg N ha-1. The average 2-year E. ophiuroides biomass with and without N fertilization were 9.07-11.45 and 7.34 t ha-1, respectively, and corresponding values for B. humidicola increased to 31.97-39.07 and 29.54 t ha-1, respectively. The N-use efficiencies under E. ophiuroide and B. humidicola cultivation were 9.3-12.0 and 35.5-39.4%, respectively. Annual N2O emissions in the E. ophiuroides and B. humidicola fields were 1.37 and 2.83 kg N2O-N ha-1, respectively, under no N fertilization, and 1.54-3.46 and 4.30-7.19 kg N2O-N ha-1, respectively, under N fertilization. According to the results, B. humidicola cultivation increased soil N2O emissions, especially under N fertilization. This is because B. humidicola exhibited the more effective stimulation effect on N2O production via denitrification primarily due to increased soil organic carbon and exudates than the inhibition effect on N2O production via autotrophic nitrification. Annual yield-scaled N2O emissions in the B. humidicola treatment were 93.02-183.12 mg N2O-N kg-1 biomass, which were significantly lower than those in the E. ophiuroides treatment. Overall, our results suggest that cultivation of the non-native grass, B. humidicola with BNI capacity, increased soil N2O emissions, while decreasing yield-scaled N2O emissions, when compared with native grass cultivation.

Difference in total N and its aggregate-associated N following cropland restoration in a karst region, Southwest China.

Cropland conversion has been cited as one of the most effective measures for increasing soil nitrogen pool in karst degraded regions. However, it is still unclear how N associated with aggregate patterns and their contribution to net soil N accumulation after cropland conversion. The experiment included four treatments with one control and three restoration strategies, that is, maize-soybean rotation cultivation (the control), sugarcane, mulberry, and forage grass cultivation. Soil samples were selected to determine the soil aggregate amount and its associated N content and stock across 0-30 cm soil layer. Macro-aggregate (> 2mm) was the predominant aggregate fraction in all cropland use types and had the largest N stock. Forage grass cultivation substantially increased N stocks in bulk soil and aggregate fractions. The N contents and stocks associated with aggregate were shown to be positively correlated with bulk soil N stocks. Furthermore, the increase in N stock in forage grass soil was largely caused by an increase in N stock within macro-aggregates (> 2mm), which is further attributed to the increased N content within macro-aggregates. Overall, forage grass cultivation replaced maize-soybean cultivation which was proposed as an ecological restoration model to improve soil N sequestration capacity due to its function in increasing the N stock of aggregate in the karst degraded region of Southwest China.

Dynamics of aggregate-associated organic carbon after long-term cropland conversion in a karst region, southwest China

Cropland conversion has a major impact on soil C sequestration. However, it remains unclear about the changes in soil aggregate and their contribution to C accumulation following cropland conversion in a karst region, southwest China. In this study, three different cropland use types (sugarcane, mulberry and forage grass cultivation) were selected to replace maize-soybean cultivation. The soil was collected at a depth of 0 to 30 cm for analysis of soil aggregates and their OC content. Results showed that macro-aggregate was the predominant component underlying four cropland use types. Forage grass cultivation remarkably increased the OC stock and aggregate stability (MWD and GMD). OC content and stock associated with aggregate varied with cropland use types and soil depth, but were typically highest in forage grass fields. Macro-aggregates contained higher OC content and stock than other aggregate fractions, along with soil depth underlying four cropland use types. The increases in OC stock in forage grass field was mainly due to increased OC stocks within macro-aggregates, which is further attributed to the increase in OC content within macro-aggregates. Overall, forage grass cultivation replaced maize-soybean cultivation was suggested as an ecological restoration model to enhance soil C sequestration potential, owing to its role in increasing OC stock of aggregation and aggregate stability, in the karst region of southwest China.

EFFECTS OF WEED CONTROL METHODS ON WEEDS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF RANGE GRASSES IN SEMI-ARID KENYA

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Weeds are a common occurrence and challenge in different crops eventually influencing crop development and yields. Weed control and management are key in enhancing the productivity of cultivated pastures. In semi-arid Kenyan drylands, the main methods employed for weed management are manual cultural practices and recently, the application of commercial herbicides. <strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the effects of two weed control methods on weed characteristics and productivity of four rangeland grasses commonly used in reseeding and pasture improvement in a semi-arid environment. <strong>Methodology:</strong> In a randomized complete block design in a field experiment, we determined the effects of two weed control methods (manual and herbicide use) in four rangeland cultivated grasses. These are Buffel grass (<em>Cenchrus ciliaris</em>), Horsetail grass (<em>Chloris roxburghiana</em>), Masaai love grass (<em>Eragrostis superba</em>) and Bush rye (<em>Enteropogon macrostachyus</em>). Weed characteristics (species, density, diversity and weed biomass,) were evaluated, as well as the effectiveness of the weed control methods in the grasses. <strong>Results:</strong> Broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses were prevalent in the established grasses. Generally, higher grass dry matter yields were obtained in <em>Cenchrus ciliaris</em> grasses (2.05 t h<sup>-1</sup>) while lowest yields were in <em>Chloris roxburghiana</em> (1.2 ton ha<sup>-1</sup>). Weed management interventions increased biomass production in the grasses by a mean of 19% in general. The mean yield increase varied with species and weed control method ranging from 8-39%. Weed control methods significantly reduced weed density, diversity and eventually weed biomass within the grass species. The efficacy of manual weed control and chemical application was in the range of 27-74%. <strong>Implications: </strong>Weed control is, therefore, necessary if one is to realize higher productivity and returns in cultivated pasture and fodder systems in semi-arid environments. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Both chemical and manual control methods of weed control are important and effective approaches to manage weeds in pasture systems in semi-arid environments.<strong> </strong></p>

The Phytoremediation Potential of Local Wild Grass Versus Cultivated Grass Species for Zinc-Contaminated Soil

The aim of the study was to compare the phytoremediation potential of cultivated grasses with local wild grass for soil contaminated with zinc. Two pot experiments were carried out on soil artificially contaminated with Zn. Four species of cultivated grasses were used as test plants: Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra, Festuca pratensis, and one wild, native grass: Deschampsia caespitosa. Wild grass seeds were collected from soil contaminated with heavy metals near a zinc smelter. The phytoremediation potential of grasses was determined on the basis of the tolerance index (TI), bioaccumulation (BF), and translocation (TF) factors. Differences were found between the species in the reduction in the shoot and root biomass with increasing soil contamination with Zn. The tolerance of the studied grasses to excess Zn in the soil was in the following order: D. caespitosa > L. perenne > F. rubra > F. pratensis > P. pratensis. In addition, there were differences in the accumulation and distribution of Zn between the roots and shoots, which is related to the different defense mechanisms of the studied grasses against Zn phytotoxicity. Of the five grasses tested, the highest phytoremediation potential was shown by D. caespitosa. This grass had a significantly higher tolerance to Zn and a lower transfer of Zn from the roots to shoots than the other cultivated grasses tested. All four cultivated grasses can be useful for phytostabilization because they accumulated Zn mainly in the roots and limited its translocation to the shoots. Unlike wild grass seeds, cultivated grass seeds are readily available commercially and can be used for the phytoremediation of HM-contaminated sites.

Experiment and meta-analysis on the effects of grass cultivation in the orchard on fruit yield and quality

Grass cultivation in orchard technology has been implemented in some parts of the world, and different regions have different effects on fruits due to their different geographical environments. In this paper, Xinjiang, China, which has a temperate continental climate, is selected as the research area. Through orchard experiments and meta-analysis, the influence of grass cultivation on orchards in this area is studied. Experiments and the meta-analysis both showed that the single fruit weight, yield per plant and fruit quality were improved after grass cultivation in the orchards. This indicates that grass cultivation is of great significance to orchards in Xinjiang.

PHOTOSYNTHETIC PRODUCTIVITY OF MELILOTUS ALBUS IN SINGLE-SPECIES AND COMBINED CROPS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RIGHT-BANK FOREST STEPPE OF UKRAINE

There is a significant shortage of high-protein feed in all regions of Ukraine. One of the ways to solve this problem and a powerful reserve for reducing the cost of livestock production is the cultivation of perennial leguminous grasses, among which Melilotus albus deserves special attention - a valuable fodder crop that, even under extreme hydrothermal conditions, forms stable and high yields of vegetative mass, each kilogram of which contains 34-44 g of digestible protein. Today, there is insufficient scientific information about the high fodder and agrotechnical value of Melilotus albus, regarding the peculiarities of its cultivation for fodder in mixed crops with cereal crops. Photosynthetic activity of crops belongs to the main factors of formation of productivity of fodder agrophytocenoses. The aim of the research was to establish the influence of technological factors of cultivation on the photosynthetic productivity of Melilotus albus in single-species and crops compatible with cereal components. The research was conducted during 2015-2018 at the experimental fields of the Department of Fodder Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology in the conditions of the SS NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station" on typical low-humus chernozem. It was established that under the investigated rates of mineral fertilizers and grass mixture models, the most developed photosynthetic apparatus was formed by crops with a Melilotus albus seeding rate of 16 kg/ha. As it increased, the leaf surface of fodder agrophytocenoses decreased. Before the onset of harvest maturity, the largest leaf area in the experiment was formed by binary crops of Melilotus albus with Sorghum drummondii against the background of - N60P90K90 application - 52.5 thousand m2/ha. Sowings of the indicated variant of the experiment also provided the maximum photosynthetic potential - 1279.7 thousand m2×day/ha and the maximum productivity in the experiment in terms of dry matter yield – 7.94 t/ha.

Effects of hairy vetch cultivation on soil quality and productivity in Chinese orchards: a meta-analysis

To find out the effects of hairy vetch cultivation on soil quality and productivity in Chinese orchards, all relevant papers in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) published from 2000 to 2021 were collected to quantitatively analyze the effects of hairy vetch cultivation in orchards on soil physicochemical properties and nutrient content, soil enzyme activity, microbial activity, fruit yield and quality based on meta-analysis. The results showed that the effect sizes of hairy vetch cultivation on soil quality and productivity changed in a positive direction, but part of the effect sizes did not change significantly. This paper provides some support and reference for the development of grass cultivation in orchards.

Performance of Fall Armyworm Preimaginal Development on Cultivars of Tropical Grass Forages.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest species capable of feeding on almost all forage and grain crops, although the food quality for the larvae likely varies among plant species and cultivars. The cultivation of grass forage species with grains has increasingly been adopted in Brazil, within both no-tillage and crop-livestock integration systems. In this study, we evaluated the performance of S. frugiperda larvae on 14 forage cultivars of Brachiaria, Panicum, and Cynodon, which are widely used in integrated cropping systems in Brazil. The biological performance of S. frugiperda varied among the cultivars. The larval survival rates were lower on Panicum maximum 'Massai' and P. maximum 'Tamani' cultivars. The insects had the highest performance indexes on Brachiaria brizantha 'Paiaguás', B. brizantha 'Marandu', and B. brizantha 'Xaraés' cultivars, followed by Brachiaria ruziziensis, previously proposed as a standard grass forage for comparisons with other species. On P. maximum, the insect had the lowest performance indexes, with values equal to zero when feeding on the P. maximum 'Massai' and 'Tamani' cultivars. These results will help make management decisions when cultivating grass forage plants in crop production systems in which S. frugiperda infestation is of concern.

Effects of soil physics, chemistry, and microbiology on soil carbon sequestration in infertile red soils after long‐term cultivation of perennial grasses

AbstractDetermining the effect of perennial energy crop (PEC) cultivation on soil organic carbon (SOC) in marginal land soil is vital for carbon neutrality and bioeconomy development. However, a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the response of SOC content to different PECs and its underlying drivers is still lacking. We used soil data collected from infertile red topsoil (0–20 cm) after 10 years of cultivation with Miscanthus (MS), Panicum virgatum (SG), and Saccharum arundinaceum (SA) to explore the changes in SOC stock induced by PEC. The roles of physical, chemical, and microbiological factors driving the increase in the SOC stock were investigated. Results revealed that SA and MS enhanced SOC stock by 87.97% and 27.52% relative to the uncultivated control. Conversely, PEC increased the percentage of soil mega‐aggregates, geometric mean diameters, soil chelate iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) oxides, and reduced soil acidity for the infertile red soils. In addition, fungal richness and diversity for PEC soils were enhanced compared to the unplanted soil. It is possible that PEC cultivation reduced the relative abundance of copiotrophic fungi but increased the relative abundance of oligotrophic fungi. Furthermore, variance partitioning analysis revealed that chemical and microbiological factors accounted for 80.54% of the total variation for the SOC stock. The partial least squares path model showed that PEC cultivation enhanced soil carbon (C) stock via soil deacidification and increased soil bacterial function. In conclusion, this study confirms the SOC sequestration potential of PEC cultivation in marginal land and the underlying mechanism driving SOC stock. The main positive factors controlling soil C sequestration included “pH,” while the negative factors were “bacterial community,” “fungal community,” and “bacterial function.” Our research may help encourage and support decision‐makers of wasted marginal land conversion to PEC cultivation.

Effects of different factors on fly ash-based functional soil and its oat grass cultivation.

Using fly ash as the main matrix for plant ecological restoration is effective for constructing a sustainable and ecological environment. The relevant properties of functional soil change due to different factors. Based on the orthogonal experiment of functional soil and the pot experiment of oat grass, fly ash was used as the matrix material for functional soil. Afterward, MX (large granules dispensing certain nutrients), SJJXWS (a water-retaining agent), and AF (a nutrient conditioner) additives were added to study the physical, chemical, and agronomic properties of functional soil, such as the emergence rate and weight of plants. The results showed the high pH and conductivity of functional soil, implying alkaline soils with high salinity. The contents of organic matter and available phosphorus and potassium were relatively high, indicating its high nutrient content. Further analysis revealed that the MX was the key factor affecting functional soil's electrical conductivity and evaporation, and thus, the corresponding plant emergence rate, plant weight, and other related indicators. The influence of each factor on the corresponding plant emergence rate, plant weight, and other indicators of functional soil was arranged in the order of MX (large granules dispensing certain nutrients), SJJXWS (a water-retaining agent), and AF (a nutrient conditioner). The optimum additive ratio in functional soil was 0.45 t·hm-2 of MX, 0.12 t·hm-2 of SJJXWS, and 1.65 t·hm-2 of AF. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further development of functional soil for ecological cycle restoration purposes.

Modification of gasification slag-based functional soil for oat grass cultivation

Gasification furnace slag is a substrate that can be used effectively in plant ecological restoration projects. Using this substrate can contribute to sustainable development in the ecological environment construction. This study used a gasification furnace slag sample as the matrix material of functional soil based on an evaporation experiment of functional soil and a pot experiment of oat grass. Therefore, fly ash, YJF (organic nutrient regulator), and SJJXWS (water retaining agent) amendments were applied to study the physical, chemical, and agronomic characteristics of the functional soil, such as the seedling emergence rate and plant weight. The results showed that the water evaporation capacity, pH, conductivity, bulk density, available phosphorus, available potassium, organic matter, and other relevant agronomic properties of the functional soil changed according to the amendment type used. Also, it was found that the functional soil amended with YJF and SJJXWS could promote plant growth compared to the control. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for further development of functional soil for ecological cycle restoration purposes.

Large‐scale deployment of grass in crop rotations as a multifunctional climate mitigation strategy

AbstractThe agriculture sector can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, sequestering carbon in vegetation and soils, and providing biomass to substitute for fossil fuels and other GHG‐intensive products. The sector also needs to address water, soil, and biodiversity impacts caused by historic and current practices. Emerging EU policies create incentives for cultivation of perennial plants that provide biomass along with environmental benefits. One such option, common in northern Europe, is to include grass in rotations with annual crops to provide biomass while remediating soil organic carbon (SOC) losses and other environmental impacts. Here, we apply a spatially explicit model on >81,000 sub‐watersheds in EU27 + UK (Europe) to explore the effects of widespread deployment of such systems. Based on current accumulated SOC losses in individual sub‐watersheds, the model identifies and quantifies suitable areas for increased grass cultivation and corresponding biomass‐ and protein supply, SOC sequestration, and reductions in nitrogen emissions to water as well as wind and water erosion. The model also provides information about possible flood mitigation. The results indicate a substantial climate mitigation potential, with combined annual GHG savings from soil‐carbon sequestration and displacement of natural gas with biogas from grass‐based biorefineries, equivalent to 13%–48% of current GHG emissions from agriculture in Europe. The environmental co‐benefits are also notable, in some cases exceeding the estimated mitigation needs. Yield increases for annual crops in modified rotations mitigate the displacement effect of increasing grass cultivation. If the grass is used as feedstock in lieu of annual crops, the displacement effect can even be negative, that is, a reduced need for annual crop production elsewhere. Incentivizing widespread deployment will require supportive policy measures as well as new uses of grass biomass, for example, as feedstock for green biorefineries producing protein concentrate, biofuels, and other bio‐based products.

Land use differentially affects fungal communities and network complexity in northeast China

The soil fungal community is one of the most important drivers of the soil nutrient cycling that sustains plant growth. However, little research has been done on the effects of different land uses on soil fungal communities in northeast China. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of continuous cropping of grass, maize, and alfalfa on their respective fungal communities and co-occurrence networks. We showed that the physicochemical properties of the soil, such as nitrate (NO N), available phosphorus, and soil pH, were the most important driving factors affecting the structure of the soil fungal community in different cropping systems. In addition, compared to the cultivation of grass and maize, the continuous cropping of alfalfa increased the abundance of several beneficial as well as pathogenic species, such as Mortierella and Gaiellales. In addition, the networks differed among plant species and according to the number of years of continuous cultivation. This suggests that the continuous cropping of alfalfa results in greater cooperation among fungi, which may be beneficial to the soil as well as to the development of the alfalfa.

Production and Commercialization Status of Improved Panicum Grass Cultivation in the Lowland Livestock Production System of South Omo South-Western Ethiopia

Lack of information on the production and commercialization status of improved Panicum grass is one of the major livestock production impediments in South Omo. The improved Panicum grass is a perennial grass species used throughout the tropics for livestock feeding. Therefore, the present study was conducted to understand the seed and hay production status and the economic visibility of improved Panicum grass cultivation. The face-to-face interviews were conducted with improved Panicum grass producers. The quantitative data, such as the amount of bales and seed produced, and the qualitative data, such as agro-pastoralists’ perceptions, were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and the Likert scale. The results revealed that the seed yield and herbage productivity after seed harvest were 2.5 quintals and 788 bales per hectare per cut, respectively. The average income generated from the sale of herbage and seed of Panicum grass was 325,350 ETB and 442,500 ETB per hectare per year, respectively. Based on the results, the authors concluded that joint efforts are needed to step the agro-pastoralists out of the poverty vicious cycle through promoting wide-scale improved Panicum grass production by linking products to market sources in addition to legumePanicum grass-based cattle and goat fattening intervention.

Особливості водоспоживання пайзи, амаранту та кормових бобів при вирощуванні на осушуваних землях

Goal. To determine the characteristics of water consumption of highly productive fodder crops (barnyard grass, amaranth, and fodder beans) for their cultivation on drained lands. Methods. System analysis, generalization of knowledge and materials of scientific research on the peculiarities of water consumption of crops. Results. The values of the total water consumption of barnyard grass, amaranth, and fodder beans according to the phases of their development for the natural and climatic conditions of Polissia (reclamation system of the Sarnensk research station of the Institute of Water Problems and Reclamation (IWPR) of the National Academy of Sciences, Rivne oblast) were established, which are 466, 308 and 432 mm, respectively, and Forest-steppe (drying and humidifying system “Romen”, Sumy oblast) — 291, 272 and 279 mm, respectively. It was proven that the maximum water consumption of barnyard grass, amaranth and fodder beans falls on the II phase of intensive accumulation of organic matter and is 41–54% of its total value. It was established that the critical period for the cultivation of barnyard grass, amaranth, and forage beans was the period from the third decade of June to the third decade of July, therefore, for the formation of a crop of fodder crops at that time, it was necessary to ensure the maintenance of moisture in the root layer of the soil within optimal limits. The dependence of the formation of the green mass of barnyard grass, amaranth, and fodder beans on the amount of their water consumption during the growing season was obtained. Conclusions. Taking into account the characteristics of water consumption of barnyard grass, amaranth, and fodder beans and its distribution by months and decades of the growing season for the natural climatic conditions of the Polissia and Forest Steppe zones will make it possible to solve the task of managing the water regime of the soil and their differentiated and reliable moisture supply for cultivation on drained lands in the conditions of modern climatic changes.

Regime of nitrate nitrogen in chernozem during the cultivation of perennial grasses

The article presents the results of field experiments to study the dynamics of nitrate nitrogen in ordinary chernozem of the forest-steppe zone of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The studies were carried out in 2017-2019 years in three-field grain-steam and 8 grain-grass crop rotations. Melilot and sainfoin were cultivated neat and under the cover of barley, incl. with seed treatment with Rizotorfin inoculant. Winter rye was sown in 2018 in a field of clean fallow in a grain-fallow crop rotation and after mowing the second cut of perennial grasses of the 2nd year of use in grain-grass crop rotations with a stubble seeder SZS-2.1 without preliminary tillage.It has been established that a high supply of nitrate nitrogen is characteristic of a steam field in a 0-20 cm layer of chernozem (19 mg/kg). The average supply of chernozem with nitrate nitrogen was formed by coverless crops of sweet clover and sainfoin and cover crops of sweet clover (9-10 mg/kg). In the crops of winter rye, according to various predecessors, an intensive consumption of mineral nitrogen by plants and a very low supply of soil with nitrate nitrogen (2-5 mg/kg) were noted. Grain-grass crop rotation with the cultivation of winter rye on binary and pure crops of sweet clover created the best conditions for the accumulation of nitrate nitrogen in the 0-40 cm layer of chernozem (6-8 mg/kg). The treatment of sweet clover and sainfoin seeds with the inoculant Rizotorfin determined a more intensive absorption of nitrate nitrogen from the soil and a low supply of nitrate nitrogen to the soil (4-6 mg/kg) in the crop rotation.

Soil- and biodiversity of the former peat mines in Shaturskaya Meshchera in the context of their anthropogenic transformation

The problem of pedo- and biodiversity of mire ecosystems under the long-term multiple anthropogenic impact was studied in one of the most intensively technogenically transformed areas of Shaturskaya Meshchera, adjacent to power station Shaturskaya in the north and stretching along the route Kerva – Dolgusha – Severnaya Griva. For more than a hundred years, mires in the Shatura area have been under the influence of drainage, peat extraction, fires, attempts to create agricultural land, secondary watering and pollution, resulting from the power station, transport, and settlements wastewaters. Currently, the bio- and soil diversity of secondary ecosystems has increased significantly compared to undisturbed mires. Instead of bog, in some cases there appeared secondary meadow, grass-shrub communities, small-leaved forests, and dry sparse areas. The remaining bogs experience stable eutrophication, which leads to the formation of mesotrophic and eutrophic phytocenoses and, accordingly, peat mesotrophic and oligotrophic secondary eutrophic soils. In addition, the proportion of eutrophic mires is slightly increased by the peat formation in shallow lakes, which at the initial stage of peat extraction were used for storing wood waste. The phenomenon of secondary oligotrophization of the disturbed bogs of Meshchera, noted in the literature, is not observed in the area under consideration due to a significant anthropogenic load. To preserve the local flora of oligotrophic bogs, marginal areas of flooded quarries and cofferdams with undeveloped peat deposits are of great importance. The increase in pedodiversity was facilitated by the agricultural development of drained peatlands for the cultivation of perennial grasses, which resulted in the formation of torfozems and agrotorfyano-gleyzems.

Atropine and Scopolamine in Maize Products from the Retail Stores in the Republic of Serbia.

The cereal grains, which represent the cultivated grasses fruits, supply almost half of the total caloric requirements for humans and provide more nourishment compared with any other class of the food. Out of many cereals used for food, maize, rice, and wheat are the most important food resources for humans, representing 94% of the total cereals consumption. According to the data of the Republic Institute of Statistics for the year 2018, the harvested areas of corn amount to 906,753 hectares. The production of about 7 million tons was achieved with an average yield of 7.7 t/ha according to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia. Serbia is still among the ten largest exporters of wheat and corn in the world for the period of 2014/15–2017/18. More precisely, it ranks seventh in the export of corn. Utilization of maize products for food animal nutrition (1000 t) is 491,48, and for industrial processing (1000 t) 278,862 expressed as the total consumption (1000 t) is 769,910. Therefore, a total of 103 samples of maize products were analyzed for the presence of toxins, i.e., tropane alkaloids (TAs). The samples were collected from the retail stores in the Republic of Serbia in 2021 and analyzed for the presence of atropine and scopolamine (33 corn grits, 39 polenta, and 31 semolina samples). Therefore, the Recommendation 2015/976/EU on the monitoring of TAs in food was adopted by the EU Commission to obtain more occurrence data on TAs in food. The monitoring extent, however, is restricted because reliable analytical methods and appropriate sensitivity are limited. There was a limit of 1 g/kg for each atropine and scopolamine in cereals containing millet, sorghum, buckwheat, or their derivatives. All the samples were analyzed by the LC-MS/MS. The LOQ was set at 1.0 μg/kg. Out of the total 103 tested samples, 32 samples (31.1%) were contaminated with atropine and scopolamine in concentrations above the LOQ. The highest concentrations of the studied TAs were observed in a semolina sample-atropine: 58.80 μg/kg, scopolamine: 10.20 μg/kg. The obtained results indicate that the TAs concentrations are above the LOQ which can be considered potential human and animal health hazards.

Effects of grass cultivation on soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community in a tangerine orchard

Grass co-cultivation has been widely adopted to increase fruit quality by improving soil fertility. However, the response characteristics of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in tangerine orchards under grass co-cultivation environments is still poorly understood. Therefore, in order to reveal the effects of the co-cultivation of different grasses in tangerine orchards on the community structure and diversity of rhizospheric arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as well as soil properties, a 10 year study was undertaken at a tangerine orchard with four treatments: sod cultures with either white clover, ryegrass, natural grass or clear tillage as the control. The results showed that grass co-cultivation increased soil nutrient contents and AMF community richness, but had no significant effect on AMF community diversity (P > 0.05). The AMF detected in all soil samples belonged to one phylum, three classes, four orders, five families and five genera. The composition and structure of the AMF community varied among four treatments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that ​soil physicochemical properties impacted variations in the AMF community characteristics diversely. Furthermore, network analysis showed that grass co-cultivation increased the scale and complexity of the microbial co-occurrence network. In summary, grass co-cultivation in tangerine orchards not only improved soil fertility and soil structure, but also improved the stability and stress resistance of soil AMF community, which is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the tangerine industry.