Soil Physicochemical Parameters Research Articles

Fertility and quality of arable soils in Poland: spatial–temporal analysis of long-term monitoring

Soil quality is a globally important issue from the point of view of food production, maintenance of appropriate environmental quality and ecological balance. Assessing its quality and fertility using indices is one of the methods that make it possible to formulate recommendations for good soil management. The aim of the study was, therefore, to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of soil properties in the context of soil quality assessment (SQI) and soil fertility assessment (SFI, SEF, NIV, and SSFI) using the example of a Central European country (Poland). The inverse distance-weighted spatial interpolation technique was used to estimate the spatial distribution of soil quality and fertility indicators. So far, no research has been carried out that would include a comprehensive analysis of soil fertility and quality indicators in such a large research area over many years. The results of 216 points of monitoring the chemistry of arable soils in Poland from the period 1995–2020 for 28 physicochemical soil parameters were considered. The analyses carried out showed significant variability in the properties of the described soils in Poland, as evidenced by the principal component analysis (PCA) and the coefficient of variation (exceptions: bulk density, pH). It was found that heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Cu) were responsible for the deterioration of soil properties. The results obtained for different indices were different (SFI – most soils with good fertility, SEF – high fertility, NIV – soils highly enriched with nutrients, SQI – average soil quality). It was found that the SSFI is the most appropriate indicator among the analyzed indicators for Polish conditions in relation to arable soils, as it is adapted and calibrated to the specifics of this area. The Spearman correlation matrix showed that the largest group of statistically highly significant parameter pairs belonged to heavy metals (Ni/Zn, Zn/Pb, Zn/Cu, Ni/Cu). In contrast, the strongest correlations were recorded for Ni (with effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), Mn, Mgav, Zn, Cu). The assessment revealed limiting factors and temporal trends in the overall evaluation of the quality of the country’s agricultural soils, which are important from the point of view of both sustainable development and agricultural production.

Fertilizing drug resistance: Dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in soil and plant bacteria under bovine and swine slurry fertilization

The increasing global demand for food production emphasizes the use of organic animal fertilizers, such as manure and slurry, to support sustainable agricultural practices. However, recent studies highlight concerns about antibiotic resistance determinants in animal excrements, posing a potential risk of spreading antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in agricultural soil and, consequently, in food products.This study examines the dissemination of ARGs within the soil and plant-associated microbiomes in cherry radish following the application of swine and bovine slurry. In a 45-day pot experiment, slurry-amended soil, rhizospheric bacteria, and endophytic bacteria in radish roots and leaves were sampled and analyzed for 21 ARGs belonging to 7 Antibiotic Resistance Phenotypes (ARPs). The study also assessed slurry's impact on soil microbiome functional diversity, enzymatic activity, physicochemical soil parameters, and the concentration of 22 selected antimicrobials in soil and plant tissues.Tetracyclines and β-lactams were the most frequently identified ARGs in bovine and swine slurry, aligning with similar studies worldwide. Swine slurry showed a higher prevalence of ARGs in soil and plant-associated bacteria, particularly TET genes, reflecting pig antibiotic treatments. The persistent dominance of TET genes across slurry, soil, and plant microbiomes highlights significant influence of slurry application on gene occurrence in plant bacteria. The presence of ARGs in edible plant parts underscores health risks associated with raw vegetable consumption. Time-dependent dynamics of ARG occurrence highlighted their persistent presence throughout the experiment duration, influenced by the environmental factors and antibiotic residuals. Notably, ciprofloxacin, which was the only one antimicrobial detected in fertilized soil, significantly impacted bovine-amended variants. Soil salinity modifications induced by slurry application correlated with changes in ARG occurrence. Overall, the research underscores the complex relationships between agricultural practices, microbial activity, and antibiotic resistance dissemination, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable and health-conscious farming approaches.

Comparative Effects of No-dig and Conventional Cultivation with Vermicompost Fertilization on Earthworm Community parameters and Soil Physicochemical Condition

Because of the numerous ecosystem services provided by soil, such as elemental cycling, food production, and water filtration and storage, this resource requires special protection to maintain total efficiency of these services. However, standard agricultural practices can have a degrading effect, not only on the physical and chemical properties of soil, but may also threaten soil invertebrate communities. Soil macrofauna, and earthworms in particular, play a critical role in soil ecosystems because their activities affect the availability of nutrients for plants, shape soil structure, and significantly impact organic matter dynamics. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of two systems used in plant cultivation (no-dig and conventional digging). Both used vermicompost as an organic fertilizer and looked at selected characteristics of Lumbricidae groupings and the dynamics of selected soil physicochemical properties. This study was conducted over three years in the same area to ensure that the soil characteristics were the same. The NDG (no-dig) and DG (conventional digging) sites were prepared as appropriate with a perennial hay meadow (MW) used as a control site. An electrical extraction (octet) method was used to collect earthworms. The same six species of earthworm were found at each site: Dendrodrilus rubidus (Sav.), Lumbricus rubellus (Hoff.), Aporrectodea caliginosa (Sav.), Aporrectodea rosea (Sav.), Octolasion lacteum (Örley), and Lumbricus terrestris (L.). Earthworm abundance and biomass were found to be significantly higher at the NDG site compared to DG (NDG > DG; abundance by 24% (p < 0.05), biomass by 22% (p < 0.05)). No significant differences between NDG and MW were shown. Moisture, temperature, and soil organic carbon content likely influenced the abundance and biomass of Lumbricidae. The NDG site showed significantly higher organic carbon and moisture content and significantly lower temperatures than the DG site. The average number of earthworms damaged by digging was 0.85 ind. m−2, but did not significantly affect the other results. Overall, NDG is preferable to DG for enhancing the earthworm and physicochemical parameters of soil.

Concentration of heavy metals in soil and leaves of Conocarpus Erectus Tree: A Biomonitoring Study, Ahvaz, Iran.

Heavy metals biomonitoring was performed using the Conocarpus erectus tree in Ahvaz city. Composite leaf and soil samples were collected from 23 selected stations. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn) in leaf and soil samples, and bioavailability of metals in soil samples were determined. Examination of soil physicochemical parameters proved neutral to slightly alkaline nature, and low organic matter content in the soil samples. The mean concentration of heavy metals in soil was: Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu. Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals was in the range of safe to low risk (RI < 150). Although the concentration of metals in the more polluted areas was higher in both leaf and soil samples, there was no significant relationship between the concentrations of metals in the leaf and soil samples. This relationship is even lower between the bioavailable component of metals in the soil and the concentration of metals in the leaves. Transfer factor values based on total contents of metals in soil samples indicated that Conocarpus erectus is mostly contaminated with Zn and Cu. The results of Accumulation factor of plant revealed that Pb, Zn, and Fe were mostly enriched in the plant by anthropogenic activities. MAI values in heavy and light traffic, and industrial areas were 11.88, 8.01 and 8.15, respectively. In general, it is evident that the Conocarpus erectus leaves accumulate heavy metals in polluted areas, so it can be used as a bioindicator of air pollution with heavy metals in regions with similar conditions.

Analysis of Soil Samples for its Physicochemical Parameters of Soil in Bawal Block of Haryana

Without a question, the oldest occupation on Earth is agriculture. The soil was virgin in the early stages of evolution, and farming was done very differently than it is now. Growing more food in a less amount of space has made it necessary to plant more crops more frequently and to use omnicides and fertilizers frequently. Excessive use of fertilizers and omnicides negatively impacts soil characteristics, air and water pollution levels. The study of agricultural science or soil science has piqued people's curiosity. An attempt has been made to address the aforementioned issues in this work. The soil in the area being studied has been physicochemical characterized. Key Words: Water Holding Capacity, High-performance Liquid Chromatography, Nutritive index, Fertility index

Effect of Mineral Fertilizers and Pesticides Application on Bacterial Community and Antibiotic-Resistance Genes Distribution in Agricultural Soils

Soils are a hotspot for the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The effects of agrochemical treatments on the bacterial community of agricultural soils and the content of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) were studied. Treatments included the following: control, mineral fertilizers (NPKs), pesticides, and the combined treatment of soils under soya (Glycine max), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Bacterial community taxonomic composition was studied using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The content of 10 ARGs and 3 integron genes (intI1, intI2, intI3) was determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the treatments had little effect on the taxonomic composition and diversity of the soil bacterial community. The most significant factors determining differences in the microbial community were sampling time and soil physico-chemical parameters. A significant role of the bacterial community in ARG distribution in soils was demonstrated. Representatives of the Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, Arthrobacter genera, and the Nocardioidaceae and Micrococcaceae families were likely ARG hosts. The presence of integron genes of all three classes was detected, the most numerous being intI3. This work provides important information on the role of agricultural soils in ARG transfer, and the findings may be useful for sustainable and safe agricultural development.

Soil contamination in a cemetery area: a case study in Nova Hartz City—RS, Brazil

We conducted a study in a cemetery area covering 2608.53 m2 in the municipality of Nova Hartz, Metropolitan Region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Soil samples were collected to determine the physicochemical parameters of the local soil at nine points within the study area and at three different depths (0 cm, 50 cm, and 120 cm). Granulometry and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil were assessed, and chemical analyses for Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, and Chromium were performed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry technique.The results revealed that the soil exhibited average values of 78.34% sand, 8.25% silt, and 13.41% clay, classifying it as sandy loam. The saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured at 5.7 × 10–4 cm s−1 across the profile (from 0 to 120 cm). Chemical analyses identified concentrations exceeding the allowed limits for Cadmium (points 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), Cobalt (points 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8), and Copper (points 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), with only two values for Chromium (both at point 7). Some points exhibited concentrations above the maximum allowed values at multiple depths. Evaluating vertical distribution, Cadmium did not show depth variations, suggesting a possible natural origin unrelated to cemetery activities. Conversely, Copper, Cobalt, and Chromium displayed increased concentrations with depth. In conclusion, significant changes in concentrations of Cadmium, Cobalt, and Copper were observed, especially between depths of 0 and 120 cm.

Exploring the interplay between the core microbiota, physicochemical factors, agrobiochemical cycles in the soil of the historic tokaj mád wine region.

A Hungarian survey of Tokaj-Mád vineyards was conducted. Shotgun metabarcoding was applied to decipher the microbial-terroir. The results of 60 soil samples showed that there were three dominant fungal phyla, Ascomycota 66.36% ± 15.26%, Basidiomycota 18.78% ± 14.90%, Mucoromycota 11.89% ± 8.99%, representing 97% of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Mutual interactions between microbiota diversity and soil physicochemical parameters were revealed. Principal component analysis showed descriptive clustering patterns of microbial taxonomy and resistance gene profiles in the case of the four historic vineyards (Szent Tamás, Király, Betsek, Nyúlászó). Linear discriminant analysis effect size was performed, revealing pronounced shifts in community taxonomy based on soil physicochemical properties. Twelve clades exhibited the most significant shifts (LDA > 4.0), including the phyla Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Rokubacteria, the classes Acidobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Betaproteobacteria, the order Sphingomonadales, Hypomicrobiales, as well as the family Sphingomonadaceae and the genus Sphingomonas. Three out of the four historic vineyards exhibited the highest occurrences of the bacterial genus Bradyrhizobium, known for its positive influence on plant development and physiology through the secretion of steroid phytohormones. During ripening, the taxonomical composition of the soil fungal microbiota clustered into distinct groups depending on altitude, differences that were not reflected in bacteriomes. Network analyses were performed to unravel changes in fungal interactiomes when comparing postveraison and preharvest samples. In addition to the arbuscular mycorrhiza Glomeraceae, the families Mycosphaerellacae and Rhyzopodaceae and the class Agaricomycetes were found to have important roles in maintaining soil microbial community resilience. Functional metagenomics showed that the soil Na content stimulated several of the microbiota-related agrobiogeochemical cycles, such as nitrogen and sulphur metabolism; steroid, bisphenol, toluene, dioxin and atrazine degradation and the synthesis of folate.

Revealing hidden diversity and community dynamics of land snails through DNA barcoding: implications for conservation and ecological studies

IntroductionLand snails play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem sustainability within their habitats. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of their communities is vital for ecological studies and the development of effective conservation strategies. In this study, land snail communities inhabiting the Hyrcanian forest were identified and the variations in their community composition along elevational gradients were investigated.MethodsSnail samples were collected from three distinct elevations in three different forest locations within the Hyrcanian area of Iran. This study utilized DNA barcoding to identify land snail species. By employing statistical analyses such as ANOVA and PERMANOVA, significant differences in the features of snail communities across different elevations were examined. Concurrently, soil samples were collected from each site to assess soil physicochemical parameters about snail presence.ResultThrough this comprehensive analysis, a total of 10 OTUs, were further classified into seven families, and nine genera were identified. Five of these genera had never been reported in the study region before. We observed a decline in OTU richness with increasing elevation; however, the maximum abundance of snails was found at higher elevations. CCA demonstrated that Ca, Mg, and moisture saturation predominantly shape snail community composition.DiscussionThe unique climatic conditions and spatial distribution of precipitation from lowlands to highlands, as well as from west to east, make the Hyrcanian forests an ideal case study area for understanding the dynamics of land snail communities. In summary, this study provides new insights into the land snail communities thriving in the Hyrcanian forests. The findings from our research can contribute to the development of effective conservation management strategies for forest ecosystems. By understanding the factors influencing the distribution and composition of land snail communities, we can make informed decisions to protect and preserve land snails and the balance they maintain within their habitats.

Физические и физико-химические свойства почв рекреационных территорий г. Воронежа

Using the example of four key sites, soil formation factors, morphogenetic features of soils exposed to recreational stress are described, and the physical and physico-chemical properties of the soils of the studied territories are studied. Keywords: PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF SOILS, PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF SOILS, GRANULOMETRIC COMPOSITION, HUMUS, RECREATIONAL LOAD, PROPERTIES OF FOREST SOILS

Analysis of functional microorganisms and their relationship with physicochemical parameters of soil in a reserved forest

This study addresses the need to understand the presence of functional microorganisms in tropical soils, providing valuable information for conservation and sustainable management. The main objective is to analyze the variability of functional microorganisms at different soil depths and their correlations with physicochemical parameters. To this end, soil samples were collected from 15 random points in a reserved forest and analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological properties at two depths (10 and 20 cm). The following functional microorganisms were quantified: viable aerobes, lactobacilli, actinomycetes, fungi, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria using specific protocols. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used to determine differences between depths, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (|ρ| ≥ 0.8) was used to analyze correlations between physicochemical parameters and microorganisms. The results suggest that the abundance of viable aerobic microorganisms, Lactobacillus, Actinomycetes, and Fungi decreases with soil depth, while nitrogen-fixing bacteria show no significant differences. The decrease in abundance is related to factors such as nutrient and oxygen availability and microenvironmental conditions. There is a strong positive correlation between the amount of viable aerobic microorganisms and Lactobacillus with phosphorus content, and a negative correlation between Actinomycetes and clay content. Actinomycetes prefer sandy soils, while Fungi thrive in soils rich in organic matter. The negative correlation between Fungi and Actinomycetes suggests competition for limited resources and possible chemical interactions, such as the production of antibiotic compounds by Actinomycetes. This study demonstrates that a detailed understanding of soil microbiota can offer new opportunities to improve agricultural practices, especially in terms of soil fertility management and environmental sustainability.

Effects of Four-Year Oilseed Flax Rotations on the Soil Bacterial Community in a Semi-Arid Agroecosystem

Crop rotation aims to improve the sustainability and production efficiency of agricultural ecosystems, especially as demands for food and energy continue to increase. However, the regulation of soil microbial communities using crop rotation with oilseed flax and its relationship with key soil physicochemical driving factors are still not clear. In order to investigate this matter, we carried out a field study lasting four years involving various crop rotation sequences including FWPF, FPFW, PFWF, FWFP, ContF, and ContF1. In addition to evaluating soil physicochemical parameters, we employed Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to explore the structure and variety of soil microbial communities. The findings indicated a notable rise in pH value with the FPFW treatment in contrast to other treatments, along with significant increases in AP, MBC, MBN, and qSMBC compared to ContF. The number of OTUs in the FPFW, WFPF, FPFW, and PFWF treatments was significantly increased by 4.10–11.11% compared to ContF (p &lt; 0.05). The presence of Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria was greatly impacted by the FPFW treatment, whereas the presence of Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi was notably influenced by the ContF treatment. The soil bacterial community was primarily influenced by TC, pH, and NO3−-N according to correlation analysis. Specifically, the FPFW therapy notably raised the soil pH level while lowering the TC level. Furthermore, the FPFW therapy led to a notable rise in the proportion of Acidobacteria and a significant decline in the proportion of Actinobacteria. These findings provide important theoretical support for using FPFW rotation to regulate soil microbial communities and solve the problems of continuous cropping.

The Bacterial and Fungal Compositions in the Rhizosphere of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. in a Typical Planting Region.

Asarum is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, and its dried roots are commonly used as medicinal materials. Research into the traits of the bacteria and fungus in the Asarum rhizosphere and how they relate to the potency of medicinal plants is important. During four cropping years and collecting months, we used ITS rRNA gene amplicon and sequencing to assess the population, diversity, and predominant kinds of bacteria and fungus in the rhizosphere of Asarum. HPLC was used to determine the three bioactive ingredients, namely asarinin, aristolochic acid I, and volatile oil. The mainly secondary metabolites of Asarum, relationships between microbial communities, soil physicochemical parameters, and possible influences on microbial communities owing to various cropping years and collecting months were all statistically examined. The cropping years and collecting months affected the abundance and diversity of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi, but the cropping year had a significant impact on the structures and compositions of the bacterial communities. The rhizosphere microorganisms were influenced by both the soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities. Additionally, this study revealed that Trichoderma was positively correlated with the three bioactive ingredients of Asarum, while Tausonia showed entirely opposite results. Gibberella and Leptosphaeria demonstrated a significantly negative correlation with asarinin and violate oil, but they were weakly correlated with the aristolochic acid I content. This study revealed variations in the Asarum rhizosphere microorganism population, diversity, and dominant types across four cropping years and collecting months. The relationship between Asarum secondary metabolites, the soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and rhizosphere microorganisms was discussed. Our results will guide the exploration of the soil characteristics and rhizosphere microorganisms' structures by regulating the microbial community to enhance Asarum quality.

The spatial variability of physicochemical parameters of mangrove soil and mangrove species in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka

Mangrove forests are unique and invaluable ecosystems due to their role in biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. This study examined spatial variability of selected physicochemical parameters of mangrove soil and species distribution at the Negombo lagoon. Eighteen sampling sites were selected based on judgmental sampling techniques. A 10 m x 10 m area was selected within the 1 km x 1 km grid to get the replicate soil samples from 0 − 15, 15–30 and 30–45 cm depths from the surface. Further, a vegetation survey was conducted to identify mangrove species in the same 10 m x 10 m area. Soil temperature, pH, salinity, and soil organic matter (OM) were analyzed using standard laboratory methods. Results show that temperature varied spatially from 25.2 °C to 30.0 °C, with the highest temperature recorded in the topsoil layer. Soil pH and salinity spatially varied from 5.39 to 8.31 and 0.56 % to 8.83 %, respectively. Soil organic matter spatially varied from 2.56 % to 15.7 % and increased with the increasing depth. Soils with high salinity tend to reduce OM by accelerating the mineralization of OM. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between salinity and OM (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronate and Avicennia marina were associated more in soils with high salinity (3.72 % − 7.15 %) and neutral to weakly alkaline pH. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza was more prevalent in soils with higher salinity (7.69 % − 8.83 %) and lower pH, while Lumnitzera racemosa was found in acidic to slightly alkaline pH but with low salinity (1.35 % − 1.92 %) soils. Sonneratia caseolaris was recorded in soils with the lowest salinity (0.83 % − 1.04 %). The findings offer valuable insights for decision-making processes for conserving and restoring mangrove forests, providing effective and sustainable environmental management strategies.

The Early Effects of an Agrivoltaic System within a Different Crop Cultivation on Soil Quality in Dry–Hot Valley Eco-Fragile Areas

The co-allocation of photovoltaic arrays with crops presents a promising strategy to mitigate the conflict between photovoltaics and agricultural land. However, there is a notable lack of quantitative research on the impact of agrivoltaic system on land quality in fragile areas. In this study, peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were cultivated in photovoltaic array in the dry–hot valley of southwest China, with an off-site native land serving as the control. Sixteen soil physicochemical and biochemical parameters were measured in the gap and under-panel and control area. Results demonstrated that the agrivoltaic system significantly enhanced soil moisture, organic carbon, nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium nutrients, microbial biomass, and urease activity. It also led to varying degrees of increase in soil pH and electrical conductivity, along with reduced soil sucrase and phosphatase activity. In comparison to the control, the agrivoltaic system notably improved soil quality and multifunctionality. Specially, gap cultivation had a more pronounced positive impact on soil quality than under-panel cultivation, and the cultivation of peanuts had a greater effect on soil quality and multifunctionality improvement than ryegrass. This study provides fundamental data to support the improvement of land quality in photovoltaic developed regions, and to alleviate the conflict between photovoltaics and agricultural land.

Assessment of the extent of soil degradation over different land uses in the Kebbi area, northwestern Nigeria

This paper assessed soil degradation over land use in the Kebbi area, Northwestern Nigeria. The specific objectives entailed identifying major forms of soil loss in the study area, estimating soil loss, and examining the responses of soil physico-chemical properties over dominant land use types. Slope angles were determined using a GPS, a handheld Abney level, ranging poles, and a 30 m measuring tape while gully depths, widths, and lengths were taken at 5 m-30 m intervals. Key soil physico-chemical parameters were determined using standard procedures. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were used to summarize the data generated from the study. The analysis of variance and the student’s t-test were used to test for significant association between and within pairs of land uses. The results show that slopes range from 4⁰ - 16⁰, while the magnitude of soil loss ranged between 3580.32 m3 in K1 (Kalgo 1), 3550.89 m3 in G2 (Goru 2) and 161.01 m3 in A1 (Angwar Daji 1). Results show significance at p≤ 0.05 in bulk density values over the different land uses, with the highest bulk density value of 1.78 g/cm3 in badland and the lowest value of 1.35 g/cm3 in plantation land use. Total nitrogen ranges between 0.01 – 0.38%, with the lowest values in badland and scrubland, while soil base saturation is highest over plantation (76.3%) and lowest in badland (50.4%). The study concludes that the dominant geomorphic responses identified in the study area are gully initiation and development and varying amounts of soil degradation over the different land uses. The findings should facilitate policy initiation to rehabilitate degraded lands and adopt sustainable soil management practices like tree planting while linking geomorphological information to infrastructural planning and development.

Biostimulation potentials of pig dung and oil palm fruit chaff on a diesel fuel polluted soil

The study was carried out to examine the biostimulatory effect of pig dung and oil palm fruit chaff on remediation of soil contaminated with diesel fuel. Different rates (0, 1 and 2kg) of pig dung and 1kg of oil palm fruit chaff and were applied to diesel fuel contaminated soils at (0, 1litre and 2litre /ha) of diesel fuel respectively were used. A total of twelve (12) treatments combination with three (3) replicates each summing to thirty-six (36) plots were used. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. The soil physicochemical parameters that were examined are pH, total organic content (TOC), nitrogen (N), carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N), phosphorus (P) CEC, TPH and PAH. The results for soil physicochemical parameters showed significant variations (P&lt;0.05) in the levels of pH, phosphorus, Cation Exchange Capacity, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) associated with pollution and biodegradation occurring within the soils, the result shows high levels in total organic carbon (TOC) and Nitrogen. Soil analysis during the experiment revealed a general negative correlation coefficient implying enhanced remediation during the trial periods. The research has shown that pig dung and oil palm fruit chaff are good biostimulatory agent in the remediation and restoration of diesel fuel polluted soil.

Artificially remediated plants impact soil physiochemical properties along the riparian zones of the three gorges dam in China

River ecosystem biodiversity and biogeochemical processes are shaped largely by riverside vegetation and soil. Moreover, river ecosystems provide ecological services influenced by the surrounding vegetation and soil interactions. However, the mechanisms by which artificially remediated plants (ARPs) and riparian soil interact to provide these benefits are still unclear among various ARPs. This study fills this gap and examines the impact of ARPs along the riparian zones of Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in Chongqing City, China. We sampled four varieties of ARPs from the Ruxi River Basin in the TGD. These varieties included Cynodon dactylon, Hemarthria altissima, Taxodium disticum, and Salix mastudana. Our results indicated substantial changes in soil physicochemical parameters. Comparably, T. distigum contains significantly higher soil chemical contents. Interestingly, principal component analysis explained almost 100% of the variance for all plant species in this study. Moreover, different vegetation types and soil chemical properties were positively correlated using Pearson correlation analysis (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Furthermore, all plant species exhibited strong negative correlations with physical characteristics (up to r = −1.00). Specifically, these mechanisms explain the interactions between ARPs and soil from riparian areas in the TGD. Hence, this study may facilitate ecological restoration and land management in degraded riparian areas.

Relationship between Carbon Sequestration and Soil Physicochemical Parameters in Northern Campeche, Mexico

For decades, mangroves have been exposed to various pressures, resulting in the loss of large swathes around the world. For this reason, ecological restoration actions are presented as alternatives to recover mangroves that can restore their ecosystem services while helping to mitigate climate change’s effects. Mangroves are crucial, as they capture and sequester carbon in biomass and soil, highlighting their importance in environmental conservation and in the fight against climate change. In this research, the amount of carbon sequestered in a mangrove area restored eight years ago and its relationship with soil physicochemical parameters were evaluated and compared to those of a reference forest. Soil cores were collected at a depth of 30 cm from both sites, and in situ measurements of physical chemistry were made at different depths. In addition, soil salinity, bulk density, and carbon concentration were determined. The results revealed a similar amount of carbon sequestered both in the reference forest (BR) (470.17 ± 67.14 Mg C/ha) and in the restoration area (RA) (444.53 ± 86.11 Mg C/ha) (p &gt; 0.05). A direct relationship was observed between carbon sequestration and soil depth. In the case of the RA, a direct relationship was found between carbon sequestration and soil salinity. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the behavior of carbon sequestration in soil is determined by the physicochemical conditions in both the BR and the RA, as well as by the presence or absence of vegetation.

Can deep fertilization in spring maize fields improve soil properties and their distribution in soil profile?

Deep fertilization strategy has been proven to be an important fertilizer management method for improving fertilizer utilization efficiency and crop yield. However, the relationship between soil chemical and biochemical characteristics and crop productivity under different fertilization depth patterns still needs comprehensive evaluation. Field tests on spring maize were therefore carried out in the Loess Plateau of China for two successive growing seasons from 2019 to 2020. Four distinct fertilization depths of 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, and 35 cm were used to systematically investigate the effects of fertilization depth on soil physicochemical parameters, enzyme activity, and biochemical properties. The findings demonstrated that although adjusting fertilization depths (D15, D25) did not significantly affect the soil organic carbon content, they did significantly improve the soil chemical and biochemical characteristics in the root zone (10–30 cm), with D25 having a greater influence than D15. Compared with D5, the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), Olsen-P, dissolved organic carbon, and nitrogen (DOC and DON) in the root zone of D25 significantly increased by 12.02%, 7.83%, 22.21%, 9.56%, 22.29%, and 26.26%, respectively. Similarly, the urease, invertase, phosphatase, and catalase in the root zone of D25 significantly increased by 9.56%, 13.20%, 11.52%, and 18.05%, while microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (MBC, MBN, and MBP) significantly increased by 18.91%, 32.01% and 26.50%, respectively, compared to D5. By optimizing the depth of fertilization, the distribution ratio of Ca2–P and Ca8–P in the inorganic phosphorus components of the root zone can also be increased. Therefore, optimizing fertilization depth helps to improve soil chemical and biochemical characteristics and increase crop yield. The results of this study will deepen our understanding of how fertilization depth influence soil properties and crop responses.