Effect Of Soil Treatment Research Articles

Bioinoculants and organic soil amendments affect nematode diversity in apple orchards

Nematodes with their versatile lifestyles provide a suitable lens to decipher the conditions of agroecosystems, but less is known about how they are affected by bioinoculants and organic soil amendments. To test if treatments modify the nematode community, we studied nematode communities in two different apple orchards under organic and integrated farming. Soil was treated with products containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, bioeffectors, and organic amendments. The comparison between baseline and control samples indicated an overall higher nematode richness in organic than the integrated orchard. Sampling time more than treatment had a significant effect, and higher community richness was observed during spring as compared to autumn. The variation in nematode community composition was mainly explained by sampling time followed by treatment, and orchard type. Although all treatments reduced nematode richness, their effect generally varied across treatments. In both orchards, season-dependent effects of treatment on nematode families and trophic guilds were observed, with a higher percentage of bacterivorous and lower percentage of herbivorous nematodes during spring. The effect was driven by a few families, i.e. Rhabditidae and Tylenchidae. Our study provides insights about the effect of soil treatment on nematodes with implications for the development and modification of bioinoculants.

Effect of soil treatment on the growth and foliage chemistry of three Eucalyptus species grown in a plantation as a food source for koalas

Koalas in captivity are often provided with food from purpose-grown eucalypt plantations. In this study the growth/establishment of a long-term koala food plantation and the foliage chemistry of three Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus microcorys, E. propinqua and E. tereticornis) that had applications of soil treatments (Terracottem™, mycorrhiza or a combination of both, and a control) at the time of planting were investigated. As well as tree growth, the foliage chemistry measured included total nitrogen (N), available N, ash, and moisture contents, and dry matter digestibility. Shortly after planting, the soil treatments had significant effects on tree growth but after approximately 2.5 years, they did not impact either tree growth or foliage chemistry. However, foliage age affected foliage chemistry, with new foliage having higher moisture and total N concentrations and lower ash contents than mature foliage. There were significant differences in tree growth and foliage chemistry between replicate blocks, which may have been related to environmental or geographical variables. This research provided critical information concerning the establishment of a suitable feed source for captive koalas and, more generally, furthered knowledge of Eucalyptus foliage chemistry. Future studies should investigate impacts of soil treatments on plant secondary metabolites including formylated phloroglucinol compounds. Understanding dietary selection is an important consideration when selecting species and managing food plantations for koalas. Providing captive koalas with a variety of different Eucalyptus species and foliage maturity ensures that they can select species and nutrients that they require.

Effect of Lime Filling on the Compactibility of Clay Soils

Abstract Insufficient resilience of the natural environment is one of the many problems with the foundation of linear structures, and one of the ways to solve the foundation of a linear structure is the stabilization of soils. Fine-grained soils are problematic for traffic construction. The properties of clay soils change due to climatic conditions. They swell and become plastic in the presence of water, shrink in dry conditions, increase in volume, and freeze due to frost. Improving the properties of fine-grained soils with lime is a suitable solution to the problem in traffic construction. The purpose of soil improvement is to modify soil properties such as creating soil without cavities and gaps, increasing shear strength, reduce compressibility and permeability, the soil must be able to transfer the load without further settling (or unnatural compression). Soil improvement can be defined as an intervention in the natural geological environment or artificially built earth structures (embankments, notches), the purpose of which is to increase the resistance of the subsoil, achieve even settlement of the structure or object, accelerate consolidation, optimally build earth structures, etc. We can encounter the stabilization of the subsoil in all types of constructions, but most often in line constructions and water management construction. In our article, we focus on the effects of soil treatment with lime. The treated soil was F8 (CH) clay with high plasticity.

Effect of Soils Treatment and Inorganic Fertilizers for the Gossypium Seed Germinability in the Karabakh Zone (Azerbaijan)

In field experiments, the effect of soil treatment and various doses of inorganic fertilizers on gray-brown (chestnut) soils on the field seed germinability of Gossypium in the conditions of the Karabakh zone of Azerbaijan was studied. It was established that on each background, soil treatment and applied inorganic fertilizers had a positive effect on the field seed germinability of Gossypium. An analysis of the comparison of soil cultivation showed that the highest field seed germinability of Gossypium was noted against the background, in autumn 27–30 cm plowing + 14–16 cm soil disking depth and the rate of inorganic fertilizers N120P150K120kg/ha active ingredient. In order to obtain high field seed germinability of Gossypium and restore the fertility of irrigated gray-brown (chestnut) soils in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan, it is recommended that farms use 27–30 cm plowing depth annually in autumn + 14–16 cm depth of soil disking and application of inorganic fertilizers before sowing normal N120P150K120kg/ha active ingredient.

Effects of soil treatments and tree species on reforestation of well pads

Anthropogenically induced arrested succession is a global problem in forest ecosystems. In northern Michigan (U.S.A.), oil development has arrested succession in forest landscapes since the 1970s and oil well pads have not reforested up to 30 years after being vacated. To explore pathways for reforestation, we evaluated survivorship and growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), and red pine (P. resinosa) at monthly intervals during growing seasons from 2015 to 2019 on pads, which had been vacated 9–34 years prior to the initiation of our study. We planted trees in four soil surface treatments—experimental control (planting only, no treatment), disking, fertilization, and disking with fertilization. While monitoring survivorship and growth of planted trees, we concurrently examined natural reforestation in untreated control areas on each pad and differences between soil characteristics of pads and surrounding forests. Pinus resinosa displayed highest overall survivorship regardless of treatment, but maximum survivorship in disked soils and experimental control areas. Other species had highest survivorship in disked soils. There was no significant reforestation in untreated control areas during the 5‐year study period. Pads had higher levels of Bray P, Ca, and Mg, but lower levels of Fe, organic matter, and moisture than forest soils. Concentrations of toxic chemicals associated with drilling activities were not different between pad and forest soils or, if different, within acceptable levels for plant growth. In reforesting well pads, restorationists should plant P. resinosa in disked soil to achieve highest tree survivorship and density.

Effects of soil treatment on cotton yield

Effects of soil treatment on cotton yield

Cultivar and Soil Fertilizer Treatment Affect Seed Production of Sweet Yellow Yam (<i>Dioscorea dumetorum</i>) on Highly Acidic Soils of the Western Highlands Region of Cameroon

The popularization of Dioscorea dumetorum (Dioscoreaceae), a nutritious yam species is still marginal due to constraints such as the low interest of research, poor cultural practices, insufficient and expensive seeds, pests, and diseases. The latter pushes producers to use about 50% of their harvest as seed for the next planting season. The lack of a specific fertilizer formulation for yam production on the oxysols of Cameroon is another constraint. This study was aimed at enhancing the availability of quality seeds through the characterization of five yam accessions. One experiment was performed to determine the effect of cultivar and origin of tuber sets on their germination rate. The second concerned the evaluation of cultivars and soil treatment effects on agronomic parameters of yam seedlings. Yam cultivars were subjected to nine fertilizer formulations as follows: T0: no fertilizer; T1: mycorrhizal fungi (MF) + 150 g manure + peanut waste; T2: 25 g chemical fertilizer (20.10.10); T3: MF + peanut waste; T4: 16 g chemical fertilizer (12.6.20); T5: 25 g (20.10.10) +100 g CaO + 150 g manure; T6: 100 g CaO + 150 g manure; T7: 20 g tropicote + 2 g DAP (Diammonium phosphate, a reference starter fertilizer coded N18P46) + 100 g CaO + 150 g manure; and T8: mycorrhiza. These treatments were tested in a factorial design. Results show that Ibo sweet 3 and Mabondji sweet white 1 yam accessions were less affected by anthracnose disease on the aerial parts. Guzang 1 showed the best germination rate and yield, making it appropriate for cultivation in the region. Soil treatments, T2, T5, T7 and T8 significantly increased the yield of yam cultivars. Mycorrhiza treatment alone gave a better response to seed weight, indicating the interest of this biofertilizer as a solution for good seedling production. These fertilizer treatments can be recommended to farmers for more seed production with optimum seed weight (300 g).

Effect of Soil Treatments and Amendments on the Nematode Community under Miscanthus Growing in a Lead Contaminated Military Site

Applying phytotechnologies with energy crops on lands contaminated with trace elements provides cellulosic biomass and improves soil health. The process can be reflected in changes in the soil nematode community structure. This study assessed the nematode community composition of soil with Miscanthus grown with different agronomic practices. The research was conducted at Fort Riley, Kansas, USA, in soil with aged contamination by Pb at 1000 to 1500 mg/kg. The experimental design was a randomized complete block composed of four replications of five treatments: Control-undisturbed mixed plant cover and four conditions of Miscanthus growth, which consisted of No-till, Till (immediately before planting), Till + P, and Till + biosolids. Analysis of abundance, diversity, and community functional status indicators showed differential sensitivity of nematode taxa to agronomic treatments. Significant transformations in the nematode trophic group structure occurred under Miscanthus cultivation compared with the undisturbed mixed plant cover. Shannon and Pielou index response to agronomic treatments illustrated decreasing nematode community diversity with all Miscanthus agronomic conditions. However, agronomic practices led to increasing nematode community maturity, but those effects varied between spring and fall seasons. Increasing herbivores and omnivore-predators were the primary drivers of the observed changes in the nematode community due to planting Miscanthus. The nematode ecological structure indicators suggested that growth in Pb-contaminated land using different agronomical practices likely affects essential soil processes. More study is needed to define the effects of pre-plant tillage and amendments to soil nematode communities and Miscanthus yield over multiple growing seasons of this perennial crop.

Growth and metal uptake of spinach with application of co-compost of cat manure and spent coffee ground

Cat manure (CM) possesses high level of nutrients for growing food crop. However, animal manure may contain toxic elements that may contaminate food crop. Spent coffee ground (SCG) may be used to reduce mobility of heavy metals and reduce crop uptake. In this study, SCG was composted with CM for 31 days to produce a co-compost (SCG-CM) for growing spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The growth rate of spinach was assessed until its maturity, and the metal uptake of spinach shoot was determined thereafter using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The effect of soil treatment with SCG-CM on the height and elemental composition of spinach were compared with that of chicken manure compost (CMC). The prepared composts were primarily organic matter (72.9–81.4 % w/w) with the rest are ash (13.3–23.4 % w/w) and moisture (1.2–2.6 % w/w). Zinc content in SCG-CM (1261 ± 0.1 mg/kg) is significantly higher than that of soil and CMC (p < 0.05) and has exceeded the maximum permissible limit set by European Union Standard (2002) and the Malaysian Compost Quality Standard and Guidelines (2000). Matured spinach reached maximum plant height after 33 days. The amendment of SCG-CM significantly increased the height of spinach (32 ± 6 cm) compared to that of CMC (13 ± 1 cm) (p < 0.05). However, contents of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were not increased for spinach grown in the SCG-CM-amended soil, and the level of those elements are below permissible limit set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985. This study shows that SCG-CM is effective in improving yield without causing accumulation of toxic trace elements in spinach.

Rhizosphere microbial communities associated to rose replant disease: links to plant growth and root metabolites

Growth depression of Rosa plants at sites previously used to cultivate the same or closely related species is a typical symptom of rose replant disease (RRD). Currently, limited information is available on the causes and the etiology of RRD compared to apple replant disease (ARD). Thus, this study aimed at analyzing growth characteristics, root morphology, and root metabolites, as well as microbial communities in the rhizosphere of the susceptible rootstock Rosacorymbifera ‘Laxa’ grown in RRD-affected soil from two sites (Heidgraben and Sangerhausen), either untreated or disinfected by γ-irradiation. In a greenhouse bioassay, plants developed significantly more biomass in the γ-irradiated than in the untreated soils of both sites. Several plant metabolites detected in R. corymbifera ‘Laxa’ roots were site- and treatment-dependent. Although aloesin was recorded in significantly higher concentrations in untreated than in γ-irradiated soils from Heidgraben, the concentrations of phenylalanine were significantly lower in roots from untreated soil of both sites. Rhizosphere microbial communities of 8-week-old plants were studied by sequencing of 16S rRNA, ITS, and cox gene fragments amplified from total community DNA. Supported by microscopic observations, sequences affiliated to the bacterial genus Streptomyces and the fungal genus Nectria were identified as potential causal agents of RRD in the soils investigated. The relative abundance of oomycetes belonging to the genus Pythiogeton showed a negative correlation to the growth of the plants. Overall, the RRD symptoms, the effects of soil treatments on the composition of the rhizosphere microbial community revealed striking similarities to findings related to ARD.

Ecotoxicity of Pore Water in Meadow Soils Affected by Historical Spills of Arsenic-Rich Tailings

This study was carried out in Złoty Stok, a historical centre of gold and arsenic mining. Two kinds of soil material, containing 5020 and 8000 mg/kg As, represented a floodplain meadow flooded in the past by tailings spills and a dry meadow developed on the plateau built of pure tailings, respectively. The effects of soil treatment with a cattle manure and mineral fertilizers were examined in an incubation experiment. Soil pore water was collected after 2, 7, 21, 90, and 270 days, using MacroRhizon samplers and analyzed on As concentrations and toxicity, and assessed in three bioassays: Microtox, the Microbial Assay for Risk Assessment (MARA), and Phytotox, with Sinapis alba as a test plant. In all samples, As concentrations were above 4.5 mg/L. Fertilization with manure caused an intensive release of As, and its concentration in pore water of floodplain soil reached 81.8 mg/L. Mineral fertilization caused a release of As only from the pure tailings soil. The results of bioassays, particularly of Phytotox and MARA, correlated well with As concentrations, while Microtox indices depended additionally on other factors. Very high toxicity was associated with As &gt; 20 mg/L. Despite an effect of “aging”, pore water As remained at the level of several mg/L, causing a potential environmental risk.

Aqueous extracts from the selected hyperaccumulators used as soil additives significantly improve accumulation capacity of Solanum nigrum L. for Cd and Pb

The effects of soil treatment with aqueous extracts from three hyperaccumulators on Cd and Pb accumulation by Solanum nigrum L. were determined. The stem (S-RG) and leaf extracts (L-RG) of Rorippaglobosa (Turcz.) Thell., and stem extract (S-BP) of Bidens pilosa L. significantly enhanced Cd and Pb total accumulation capacity of S. nigrum compared to control (by 44 %, 47 %, and 29 % for Cd and by 28 %, 28 % and 21 % for Pb, respectively), while EDTA caused its 9 % and 15 % decrease due to the plant biomass reduction (by 33 %). The leaching experiments reflected affinity of additives to metal mobilization in soils. The concentrations of total organic acid in S-RG, L-RG and S-BP were the highest among studied extracts, which besides the beneficial effect on the soil environment (microbe number and enzyme activities), may be partial reasons of strong promotion of S. nigrum accumulation capacity for Cd and Pb. It was shown that hyperaccumulation properties of a plant are not a prerequisite of enhancing effect of the plant-based soil additive on the metal accumulation capacity of the target living hyperaccumultor. The plant-based chelators were found to be promising candidates for EDTA and other chemicals replacement in promoting efficient and environmentally safe phytoremediation.

Effect of soil treatment on pest infestation and crop disease distribution in black soil fields with short rotation crops

We have established the influence of four tillage systems on pest distribution and development of diseases in cultivated cereals during three-year research (2017-2019) in the field stationary of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Ukraine (chernozem grain sprouting with five-course rotation). The population of turnip moth in winter wheat, spring barley, and soya was the highest under application of disk tillage, the lowest – under moldboard tillage. The moldboard treatment limited while the beardless and disk treatments stimulate the development of beet webworm in the cereal crops. The number of pests in soya, winter wheat, spring barley, and maize was higher under combined soil treatment compared to moldboard. We recorded no significant difference in pests towards tillage systems in sunflower crops. In soya, winter wheat and maize crops, the number of wireworm was significantly higher in molded than in molded cultivation; the opposite pattern was observed in the sunflower field, while for spring barley these values were at the same level. The distribution and development of root rot in cereal crops was higher in comparison with control, but this difference was insignificant in spring barley. The development of powdery mildew in spring barley crops was almost the same for these tillage options. In cereal crops, septoriosis lesions were almost at the same level in case of moldboard and combined tillage. Significant deterioration of phytosanitary condition at beardless and disk tillage resulted in significant reduction of crop rotation productivity in comparison with control. In the fields with combined and disk treatments, the productivity value was almost the same.

Влияние обработки почвы в комплексе с применением удобрений и гербицидов на урожайность, качество семян сои и экономическую эффективность

Влияние обработки почвы в комплексе с применением удобрений и гербицидов на урожайность, качество семян сои и экономическую эффективность

Effects of soil treatments on the establishment of Acacia and Eucalyptus following gravel extraction

Effects of soil treatments on the establishment of Acacia and Eucalyptus following gravel extraction

A release of toxic elements from military shooting range soils as affected by pH and treatment with compost

A screening part of this study examined soil enrichment in 7 potentially toxic elements: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn, in two complexes of military shooting ranges situated in SW Poland. For those elements that pose a real threat to the environment, their release into pore water was examined more thoroughly. The highest values of geoaccumulation index Igeo, with the median values above 1.5, were found for Sb, Pb and Cu, therefore further release-oriented experiments focused on these three elements. Their maximum concentrations in soils were: 89.6, 48,400 and 1230 mg kg−1, respectively. A 140-day incubation experiment was carried out with 5 strongly enriched soils treated with acid, lime and commercial green-waste compost, to illustrate the effects of pH and exogenous organic matter on the release of Sb, Pb and Cu into soil pore water. The treatment with lime and/or compost is usually believed to immobilize metals, while various authors reported contradictory effects of soil amendment with organic matter on the solubility of Sb. The present work indicated that liming can induce a release of Sb and Cu into soil pore water, and the treatment with compost can result in increased Cu and Pb solubility in alkaline conditions. The effect of immobilization observed in acid- and lime-treated soils after a prolonged incubation, was in the case of Pb and Cu explained by simple buffering rather than by aging. Long incubation with compost ensured immobilization of Pb, but not necessarily of Sb and Cu. The overall effects of soil treatment with moderately mature compost on the release of Sb, Pb and Cu into pore water of shooting range soils are ambiguous, and for this reason, each case of planned application of compost to polluted soils should be preceded by a thorough experimental examination.

Effects of soil-treatment with fungal biopesticides on pupation behaviors, emergence success and fitness of tea geometrid, Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Abstract Ectropisgrisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is one of the most severe defoliating pests of tea plants. Synthetic pesticides have been widely applied to control this pest in tea plantations, but pesticide residues may decrease the quality and safety of tea products. In the present study, we hypothesized that soil treatment with the two commercial biopesticides (Shuiguxin®) based on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin and Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) could reduce the survivorship and fitness of E. grisescens. Wandering larvae of E. grisescens were allowed to pupate in soil treated with each biopesticide, and the concentrations of M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin®) and B. bassiana (Shuiguxin®) that produced the 50% mortality values (LC50) were 2.9 × 106 and 1.6 × 107 conidia/g soil, respectively. Artificial burying the pupae using soil treated with M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin®) and B. bassiana (Shuiguxin®) (1 × 108 or 1 × 109 conidia/g soil for both biopesticides) also significantly reduced emergence success of E. grisescens. In addition, choice tests showed that soil treated with the high concentration of M. anisopliae (Shuiguxin®) or B. bassiana (Shuiguxin®) had repellent effects on pupating E. grisescens. However, sublethal concentrations (LC25 and LC50) of both biopesticides did not significantly affect fecundity, fertility and longevity of post-emerged adults. Our study showed that soil treatment with the two commercial biopesticides caused direct mortality of pupating E. grisescens, but may not effectively suppress E. grisescens populations at sublethal concentrations. The realistic application of the fungal dosage in fields should be determined in future studies

Temporal variability of soil water content and penetration resistance under different soil management practices

This study analyzed the temporal induced variability of soil penetration resistance (PR) and soil water content (SWC) of eight soil treatments, which ranged four tillage systems (conventional tillage [CT], reduced tillage [RT], no-tillage [NT], and fallow no-tillage [FNT]), to four soil management treatments (abandoned soil [that is, control], compacted soil, CT on compacted soil [tilled], and application of super absorbent polymers [SAP] on abandoned soil). The treatments were arranged in 20 × 4 m (65.6 × 13.1 ft) plots with four replicates. The temporal variability of soil PR and SWC was determined using four measurement repetitions over time, from 2014 to 2015 (December, February, April, and June). A total of 64 soil samples (four replications × eight treatments × two soil depth layers) were collected for the analysis of the temporal variations of SWC at four different times. According to the study, soil PR and SWC were influenced by soil management and tillage systems. Also, the study indicated that PR and SWC varied over time. For different treatments, a second degree polynomial correlation between PR and soil depth was observed during all measurement times. Tillage practice on compacted soils resulted in a decrease in PR during all measurement times and in both depths. In general, for most of the investigated soil treatments, a low variability of SWC between treatments was obtained at a given measurement time. It was discovered that the effect of soil management and soil depth was significant for SWC, but the interaction between depth and management was not statistically significant for any measurement time. The effect of soil treatment and soil depth, and the interaction between them, was significant for PR at p

Side effects of biostimulants against root-knot nematodes on tomato

Plant biostimulants are often reported for their suppressive side effects against root-knot nematodes, due to an enhancement of host-plant resistance or to direct nematoxicity. Effects of soil treatments with four different commercial biostimulants based on quillay extract, sesame oil, neem seed cake or algae were investigated against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in potting mixes. Infested soil, either untreated or treated with Oxamyl, and uninfested soil were used as controls. Numbers of nematode eggs and juveniles and gall formation on tomato roots and plant fresh top and root weight were checked at 75 days after transplanting. Treatments with neem cake, sesame oil and quillay extract formulations resulted in a significant reduction of nematode multiplication and gall formation on tomato roots compared with untreated controls, and were not significantly different from treatment with Oxamyl. Neem cake and sesame oil were also significantly more suppressive than the quillay extract formulation in the first experiment. The algae formulation provided the lowest effect on nematode infestation, causing only a slight significant reduction of eggs and galls on tomato roots only in the first experiment. Almost all treatments with the four biostimulants also significantly increased tomato plant growth, though the best growth effect was always provided by the quillay formulation. Results from these experiments seem to indicate that biostimulants may play a role in sustainable nematode management strategies, either by limiting nematode impact on plant growth and/or by directly suppressing multiplication.

Effects of soil treatment with abattoir effluent on morphological and biochemical profiles of cowpea seedlings (&lt;i&gt;V.unguiculata&lt;/i&gt;) grown in gasoline polluted soil

The effects of abattoir wastewater treated soil on morphological and biochemical profiles of cowpea seedlings ( Vigna unguiculata ) grown in gasoline polluted soil was studied. Percentage germination, shoot length, root length and leaf area of cowpea seedlings grown in gasoline treated soil decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. Moreover, gasoline contaminated soil significantly (p<0.05) decreased levels of total sugar, total protein, total amino acids, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, and β-carotene contents of the leaves as well as significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of α-amylase and starch phosphorylase in the cotyledon compared to seedlings in the control. Cowpea seedlings grown in gasoline contaminated soil also showed alterations in antioxidant enzymes when compared to the control. However, treatment of gasoline contaminated soils with abattoir wastewater (AWW) substantially improved the growth parameters, chlorophyll and β-carotene contents of the cowpea seedlings. The activities of α-amylase and starch phosphorylase, in addition to the antioxidant enzymes were considerably enhanced by AWW treatment. These findings showed in clear terms that abattoir wastewater may be a suitable manorial material for remediating gasoline contaminated soils as well as mitigate toxic effects of gasoline on exposed plants. Keywords : Abattoir, Cowpea, Amylase, Phosphorylase, Antioxidants