Festuca Rubra Research Articles

Assisted phytostabilization of soil from a former military area with mineral amendments.

Due to the presence of toxic pollutants, soils in former military areas need remedial actions with environmentally friendly methods. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the aided phytostabilization of multi-heavy metals (HMs), i.e. Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, in post-military soil by Festuca rubra and three mineral amendments (diatomite, dolomite and halloysite). The amendments were applied at 0 and 3.0% to each pot filled with 5 kg of polluted soil. After seven weeks of the phytostabilization, selected soil properties, biomass yield of F. rubra and immobilization of HMs by their accumulation in plant and redistribution among individual fractions in soil were determined. In addition, ecotoxicology parameters of non-amended and amended soil were established using Phytotoxkit (Sinapsis alba) and Ostracodtoxkit (Heterocypris incongruens) tests. The addition of halloysite significantly increased F. rubra biomass. Diatomite significantly increased both the Cd, Cu, Pb and Cr concentrations in the roots and the pH of the soil. The application of halloysite significantly decreased the Cd and Zn contents of the soil after the completion of the experiment. Dolomite and halloysite were more effective in HM immobilization in soil by decreasing their content in an exchangeable fraction than diatomite. These soil amendments significantly differentiated the length of S. alba roots and had a positive effect on the development of H. incongruens.

Perennial cover crop influences on soil C and N and maize productivity

New management systems are needed that enhance the sustainability of crop residue harvesting for use as feedstock in the emerging biofuel industry. We investigated whether a novel perennial cover crop management system, designed to overcome yield drag, would enhance sustainability of maize (Zea mays L.) residue harvesting. Overall the perennial cover crop treatments [Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (BG) and creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) (RF)] increased the soil potential mineralizable N (8.5%), decreased the loss of total soil organic C (10.1%) and N (6.5%) relative to the no-cover crop controls [with (RR) and without (RS) removal of crop residues]. Respired CO2, measured during 28 day incubations, decreased in the following order: RF > RS ≈ BG > RR for both in-row and in-between-row samples implying high microbial activity under cover crop treatments. SPAD readings, growth stage, and end of season maize-stalk nitrate test results varied by site-year but were consistent with soil NH4+/NO3− dynamics. Results indicate that competition between the maize and perennial cover crops for water and N resources was weather dependent. Although previous research documented that the management system employed was able to overcome the yield drag associated with perennial cover crops, in our study maize yields for the perennial cover crop treatments were only one-third the yields for the controls. Overall, we conclude that the perennial cover crop system is capable of enhancing the sustainability of maize residue harvesting, but more work is needed to overcome the yield drag which may be caused by perennial cover crops under some conditions.

Remediation of degraded soils: effect of organic additives on soil properties and heavy metals’ bioavailability

In a three-month experiment influence of different organic amendments (coal humate, peat-gel, biochar) in comparison with mineral ameliorants (NPK and CaCO3) on chemical and physical properties of soils at different stages of degradation has been shown. Objects of the research were abrazem and podzol soils of technogenic barrens near Monchegorsk city, Murmansk region (Russia). Festuca rubra was used as a test-culture. According to the obtained data, we can conclude that organic applicants may be suitable for remediation of soils, contaminated by heavy metals. Applicants, selected for the experiment, unequally affected the soil properties and the test-culture growth. For the most disturbed and contaminated soils – abrazems –we suggest coal humate and calcium carbonate as the most promising additives for both toxicants’ immobilization and preventing bioaccumulation. Biochar and peat-gel in the tested concentration showed a more expressed positive effect on podzol soils with a lower level of contamination. In both soils, abrazem and podzol, biochar favors to the test-culture growth more, than other amendments. The potential advantage of used organic amendments, coal humate and biochar, in contrast to ameliorants is their ability to improve the physical soil properties.

Seed Yield and Lodging Assessment in Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.) Sprayed with Trinexapac-Ethyl

Red fescue (Festuca rubra) is used in seed mixtures for lawns and pastures. It is prone to lodge at flowering, and plant growth regulators (PGRs) are used to prevent lodging, ensuring sufficient pollination. Seed yield and lodging were studied over three years in a red fescue field established with four seeding rates (2, 4, 6 and 8 kg ha−1) and sprayed each year with three doses of the PGR trinexapac-ethyl (250 g L−1) (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 L ha−1). Half of each plot was sprayed with the PGR and the other half was left unsprayed as control. The degree of lodging was assessed by analysing drone images in the second year of the experiment and using a 10-point scale for scoring lodging at the ground. Generally, application of PGR increased the seed yield but the effect varied between years. There was no interaction between the PGR dosage and seeding rate. We found a positive correlation between the blue intensity of the images and lodging. PGR dosage significantly affected lodging evaluated by visual ranking and the blue intensity of the images, while the seeding rates did not affect lodging. Lodging affected seed yield negatively.

Пропозиції щодо реконструкції парку села Піківець Уманського району

Парк у с. Піківець Уманського району Черкаської області було закладено у 50-60-х роках ХХ ст. у центрі села, а саме біля сільського клубу. Насамперед потрібно провести санітарне рубання та обрізування дерев. Пропонуємо підсіяти мавританський газон, а в місці, де зростає пирій повзучий (Elytrigia repens L.), повністю замінити травостій на газон. Згідно з проектом розширюється стежкова мережа. Запропоновано створення доріжок з бетонної тротуарної плитки завширшки 0,75 та 1,5 м. Деякі стежки виконуватимуть транзитну роль, а деякі сполучатимуть окремі елементи парку. З малих архітектурних форм у парку встановлюємо альтанку для відпочинку. Також запропоновано збільшити кількість лавок, додавши дугоподібну лавку на круглому майданчику, у центрі якого розміщуватиметься клумба. Позаду кругової лавки, у північно-східній частині парку запроектовано створення декоративної групи з кущів. Асортимент рослин для цієї групи включає: Berberis thunbergii DC, Forsythia europaea Deg. et Bald., Pyracantha coccinea (L.) M. Roem, Syringa vulgaris L., Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne. Для клумб використовуємо цибулькові ранньоквітучі види, а також переважно тіньовитривалі багаторічники. Рекомендуємо створити мавританський газон, до складу якого входять: костриця червона (Festuca rubra L.), райграс пасовищний (Lolium perenne L.), тонконіг лучний (Poa pratensis L.), мак польовий (Papaver rhoeas L.), льон великоквітковий (Linum grandiflorum Desf.), ромашка лікарська (Matricaria recutita L.), низькорослі сорти космеї (Cosmos Cav.), чорнобривці мексиканські (Tagetes tenuifolia Сav.), гіпсофіла повзуча (Gypsophila muralis L.), гіпсофіла витончена (Gypsophila elegans M. Bieb.).

Evolutionary potential of a widespread clonal grass under changing climate.

Adaptive responses are probably the most effective long-term responses of populations to climate change, but they require sufficient evolutionary potential upon which selection can act. This requires high genetic variance for the traits under selection and low antagonizing genetic covariances between the different traits. Evolutionary potential estimates are still scarce for long-lived, clonal plants, although these species are predicted to dominate the landscape with climate change. We studied the evolutionary potential of a perennial grass, Festuca rubra, in western Norway, in two controlled environments corresponding to extreme environments in natural populations: cold-dry and warm-wet, the latter being consistent with the climatic predictions for the country. We estimated genetic variances, covariances, selection gradients and response to selection for a wide range of growth, resource acquisition and physiological traits, and compared their estimates between the environments. We showed that the evolutionary potential of F.rubra is high in both environments, and genetic covariances define one main direction along which selection can act with relatively few constraints to selection. The observed response to selection at present is not sufficient to produce genotypes adapted to the predicted climate change under a simple, space for time substitution model. However, the current populations contain genotypes which are pre-adapted to the new climate, especially for growth and resource acquisition traits. Overall, these results suggest that the present populations of the long-lived clonal plant may have sufficient evolutionary potential to withstand long-term climate changes through adaptive responses.

Phenotypic and genetic variation in natural populations of Festuca rubra s.l. in Europe

ABSTRACTBackground: Phenotypic variation within species challenges the identification of meaningful taxonomic units and the quantification of evolutionarily relevant biodiversity.Aims: We studied usefulness of the present taxonomic classification of species and subspecies within Festuca rubra complex.Methods: We categorised F. rubra s. l. plants collected from natural populations across Europe such as the endemic species of F. rothmaleri and F. rubra subspecies (subsp. rubra and arctica) or between-subspecies hybrids (arctica × rubra). The plants were grown in a common garden, which was followed by an examination of variation in regard to 17 morphological traits, ploidy levels, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and chloroplast DNA.Results: Phenotypic and cpDNA markers demonstrated stronger differentiation between geographic regions than between species or subspecies. Of the morphological traits, only lemma hairiness distinguished between F. rubra subspecies. Ploidy level varied within the F. rothmaleri and F.rubra subspecies. cpDNA and nrDNA markers showed no genetic differentiation among the F. rubra subspecies and their hybrids but clustered F. rubra taxa and F.rothmaleri as separate groups. Several additive polymorphic sites in nrDNA sequences indicated hybridisation in the F. rubra taxa.Conclusion: Commonly used traits may not be reliable in determining evolutionary relevant taxonomic entities within F. rubra complex.

Nitrogen fertilization and its legacy have inconsistent and often negative effect on plant growth in undeveloped post mining soils

Nitrogen supplement by adding N-fertilizer and/or growing of N-fixing trees are considered as important stimulus for the development of early vegetation. We performed pot experiments to determine the responses of legumes (N-fixing) and grasses (non-N fixing) in respect to their biomass to N fertilization, legacy of N, and combination of these two in various ages of post mining soils. N legacy was achieved either by long-term mineral N fertilization (legacy of inorganic N) (experiment 1) or growing of N2 fixing plant (legacy of N-fixing) (experiment 2). The first pot experiment was conducted to test N fertilization and legacy of inorganic N and these two on growth of Festuca rubra and Lotus corniculatus when grown separately. Following this, plant-soil feedback was defined as positive or negative by comparing the second generation of plant biomass in soils with and without plants in the previous generation. In the second pot experiment, we compared the performance of P. compressa and L. corniculatus in the presence of legacy of N-fixing and N fertiliaztion when grown together, and at the same time, plant-soil feedback was determined.N fertilization increased the growth of grasses, but only increased biomass of legumes in young soils. N-legacy induced variable plant growth, in particular often decreased the biomass of legumes. Legacy of inorganic N was only beneficial for grasses rather than legumes in medium soils. When growing in the same pot, legacy of N-fixing showed positive effects on grasses, depending on soil age and N fertilization. Repeated growing of plants in the same soil mostly resulted in negative plant-soil feedback. Negative plant-soil feedback was not alleviated by N fertilization and legacy of inorganic N for both grasses and legumes when grown separately. However, growing grasses and legumes together can induce positive plant-soil feedback with no legacy of N-fixing.In conclusion, N addition often stimulates plant growth more than long-term N effect. Legacy of N tends to be only beneficial for non-N fixing plants in medium aged soils. While negative plant-soil feedback occurs for grasses and legumes both grown separately or together, legumes can induce positive plant-soil feedback when grown with grasses in no legacy of N-fixing soils.

Evaluation of mesotrione tolerance levels and [14C]mesotrione absorption and translocation in three fine fescue species

AbstractFine fescues (Festucaspp.) are cool-season grasses used in low-maintenance turf areas. Mesotrione is a PRE and early-POST herbicide used during establishment of most cool-season turfgrasses, excluding fine fescues. Currently, efforts are being made to breed for increased tolerance to mesotrione in fine fescues to enhance weed control during establishment. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of foliar and root uptake of [14C]mesotrione with the tolerance of three lines each of Chewings fescue [Festuca rubrassp. commutataGaudin; syn.F. rubrassp.fallax(Thuill.) Nyman], hard fescue [Festuca trachyphylla(Hack.) Hack.], and strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubraL. ssp.rubra) lines. From a rate-titration experiment, the hierarchical rank of species for mesotrione tolerance from highest to lowest was: hard > Chewings > strong creeping red fescue. The hierarchical rank of species for foliar uptake from highest to lowest was: Chewings > strong creeping red > hard fescue. Translocation of foliar-absorbed14C was not associated with differential tolerance levels of the three species. Root absorption was comparable among species, but differences between lines were detected within the species. The most susceptible lines of Chewings and strong creeping red fescue exhibited greater root uptake than lines with greater tolerance. Hard fescue translocated the least amount of root-absorbed radioactivity to shoots, while Chewings and strong creeping red fescues were comparable.

Effects of living mulch on young vine growth and soil in a semi-arid vineyard

Although the use of under-trellis plants as weed control (living mulch) in vineyards has been gaining popularity, its effects on soil quality and especially soil biology have not been well studied. Due to functional trait differences, plants may differ in how they compete with vines, and may also change abiotic and biotic soil properties. A living mulch trial was established in the semi-arid Okanagan valley of British Columbia comparing vine growth as well as soil abiotic and biotic outcomes for four living mulch treatments: buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides), Chewing's fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. commutata), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) with two industry standards: herbicide and cultivation. After two seasons, strong vine growth responses were seen that depended on living mulch identity, e.g., reduction in leaf N status with grasses, reduction in leaf water potential with the legume, birdsfoot trefoil. These effects were related to plant-induced changes to soil C:N ratio and soil moisture. Although treatments did not change abundance of the measured fungal guilds in bulk soil, abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in vine roots was lowest with birdsfoot trefoil as living mulch. This study may help growers to select living mulch species appropriate for the soil conditions and resource availability of their site.

Role of Festuca rubra and Festuca arundinacea in determinig the functional and genetic diversity of microorganisms and of the enzymatic activity in the soil polluted with diesel oil

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two grass species, i.e. red fescue (Festuca rubra) and tall fescue (F. arundinacea), on the functional and genetic diversity of soil-dwelling microorganisms and on the enzymatic activity of soil not polluted and polluted with diesel oil. Grasses were examined for their effectiveness in accelerating degradation of PAHs introduced into soil with diesel oil. A growing experiment was conducted in Kick-Brauckman pots. The soil not polluted and polluted with diesel oil (7 cm3 kg-1 d.m.) was determined for the count of bacteria, colony development index, ecophysiological diversity index, functional diversity (using Biolog system), genetic diversity of bacteria (using NGS), enzymatic activity, and content of hydrocarbons. Study results demonstrated disturbed homeostasis of soil. The toxic effect of diesel oil on grasses alleviate with time since soil pollution. The yield of the first swath of red fescue decreased by 98% and that of tall fescue by 92%, whereas the yields of the second swath decreased by 82% and 89%, and these of the third swath by 50% and 47%, respectively. Diesel oil diminished also the functional and genetic diversity of bacteria. The use of grasses significantly decreased contents of C6-C12 (gasoline total), C12-C35 mineral oils, BTEX (volatile aromatic hydrocarbons), and PAHs in the soil, as well as enabled restoring the microbiological equilibrium in the soil, and increased functional and genetic diversity of bacteria. For this reason, both analyzed grass species, i.e. Festuca rubra and F. arundinacea, may be recommended for the remediation of soil polluted with diesel oil.

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus intraradices and soil microbial community on a model plant community in a post-mining soil

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Rhizophagus intraradices and soil microbial groups and their interactions on a simple plant community in a microcosm experiment. The experiment was performed with two grass species (Poa compressa, Festuca rubra) and two herb species (Centaurea jacea, Lotus corniculatus) which are characteristic of intermediate succession stages in post-mining sites. Three months before the start of the experiment, bacteria, saprophytic fungi, protists, and their combined treatments were inoculated into the soil. At the start of the experiment, half of the pots were inoculated with mycorrhiza. After 60 days, plants were harvested and shoot and root biomass and microbial respiration and biomass were assessed. Above- and belowground plant biomass was significantly lower in the treatments with mycorrhiza. The effect was significant for aboveground biomass of grasses, especially that of Poa compressa, and for grass/herb ratio but not for herbs. Microbial respiration was also lower with mycorrhiza. Among microbial community treatments, saprophytic fungi showed significant effects on plant growth. The results showed the importance of mycorrhizal fungi on plant biomass and its interaction with different plant species and microbial groups which would be useful when extrapolating these results to a natural environment.

Plant adaptation to different climates shapes the strengths of chemically mediated tritrophic interactions

Abstract How plant traits evolve along geographical and climatic gradients has recently received increased attention because of anticipated climate change and associated shifts in insect distribution, whether they are herbivores or predators. This issue is particularly relevant for traits related to growth and anti‐herbivore defence of plants, because both sets of traits are closely tied to fitness, and because being sessile organisms, plants tend to experience strong local selection. Despite widespread recognition that the abiotic environment imposes selection on plant traits, how temperature and water availability independently select for allocation to growth and defence against herbivores is not well‐resolved, and even more so, when considering under‐ground herbivory and tritrophic interactions involving plant herbivores and their predators. To address heritable, climate‐driven variation in root traits mediating tritrophic interactions, we performed a common garden experiment with four populations of common red fescue (Festuca rubra) encompassing the four corners of a precipitation by temperature gradient matrix. We found that plants originating from wetter and warmer conditions, in addition to producing more biomass, also produced a blend of volatile organic compounds more attractive for predatory nematodes of root insect herbivores. Moreover, across populations, variation in nematode attraction was mediated by balancing the emissions of attractive and repulsive volatile compounds. Our work builds towards better understanding how plant adaptation to climate interacts with adaptations to herbivores and their predators. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition determines the competitive response of two grassland forbs.

We performed a greenhouse experiment to assess how differences in AM fungal community composition affect competitive response of grassland plant species. We used a full factorial design to determine how inoculation with natural AM fungal communities from different habitats in Western Estonia affects the growth response of two grassland forbs (Leontodon hispidus L., Plantago lanceolata L.) to competition with a dominant grass (Festuca rubra L.). We used AM fungal inocula that were known to differ in AM fungal diversity and composition: more diverse AM fungal communities from open grasslands and less diverse AM fungal communities from former grassland densely overgrown by pines (young pine forest). The presence of AM fungi balanced competition between forb and grass species, by enhancing competitive response of the forbs. The magnitude of this effect was dependent on forb species identity and on the origin of the AM fungal inoculum in the soil. The grassland inoculum enhanced the competitive response of the forb species more effectively than the forest inoculum, but inoculum-specific competitive responses varied according to the habitat preference of the forb species. Our findings provide evidence that composition and diversity of natural AM fungal communities, as well as co-adaptation of plant hosts and AM-fungal communities to local habitat conditions, can determine plant-plant interactions and thus ultimately influence plant community structure in nature.

Organic orchard floor management impact on soil quality indicators: nutrient fluxes, microbial biomass and activity

Maintaining nutrient availability in organic orchards presents challenges. Diverse litter sources may increase nutrient cycling and the efficiency by which microbes utilize carbon (C). Two tree-row treatments: ‘straw-mulch’ (Triticum aestivum L.) and ‘living-mulch’ (Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.), and two alleyway groundcovers: ‘grass’ (Festuca rubra with Lolium perenne L.) and a legume, ‘Birdsfoot trefoil’ (Lotus corniculatus L.) were compared to an industry standard, tillage with a grass alleyway. Tree-row deposited trefoil biomass contributed 0.2 kg additional total nitrogen (N) per tree annually. Soil from tree-rows with trefoil alleyways had 23% greater organic C (+ 3.1 g kg−1), 17% greater total N (+ 0.3 g kg−1), up to 53% greater microbial biomass (+ 204 mg CO2–C kg−1), 32, 34 and 31% greater dehydrogenase (+ 2.3 µg TPF g−1), alkaline (+ 55.9 µg p-nitrophenol g−1) and acid (+ 106.7 µg p-nitrophenol g−1) phosphomonoesterase enzyme activity, 62% greater soil NO3−N (+ 2.05 µg NO3−1 g−1), and 51% higher nitrification rates (+ 0.22 µg NO2−–N + NO3−–N g−1 soil h−1) than tree-row soils adjacent to grass alleyways. Straw-mulch and living-mulch soils did not differ. Metabolic CO2 quotient (qCO2) values were lowest in trefoil (0.0032) and living-mulch with grass treatments (0.0036), indicating greater microbial growth efficiency. Tillage and straw-mulch with grass alleyway treatments had the highest qCO2 (0.0053 and 0.0048) and the lowest microbial biomass (246.3 and 297.6 mg CO2–C kg−1 soil). Higher potential biochemical activity, and total C and N, suggests orchards with trefoil alleyways cut and deposited into tree-rows, enhances soil organic matter and promotes balanced nutrient cycling and retentive processes.

Exploring and collecting perennial forage and grain legume crop genetic diversity in Voronezh and Tambov provinces (Results of the collecting mission, 2016)

Surveying vegetation in various areas within Russia is an important link to successful management of plant genetic resources. Species and forms of wild perennial legumes and forage grasses possess complex adaptability to local environments. The aim of VIR’s collecting mission to Voronezh and Tambov Provinces in 2016 was to replenish the preserved genetic diversity of leguminous and perennial forage crops with samples of interest for breeding for fodder and seed productivity and resistance to limiting environmental factors. The task of the collecting mission was to explore the territory and collect seeds of wild perennial forage and leguminous plants. The exploration route and collecting sites are indicated on the map. Geographical coordinates and descriptions of habitats were recorded for 38 collecting sites. During the survey of fourteen districts in Voronezh Province and two districts in Tambov Province, 169 plant samples were collected, including 140 forage plant accessions (33 species) and 29 leguminous ones (9 species). The most frequently occurring species were identified: Poa pratensis L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Medicago falcata L., Vicia angustifolia L. and Lathyrus tuberosus L. Plants of Onobrychis arenaria (Kit.) DC. occur throughout Voronezh Province in meadow-steppe communities. Of interest are the samples of Agropyron pectinatum (Bieb.) Beauv. collected on the northern border of its area of distribution; three species of lower-growing fescue (Festuca rubra L., F. valesiaca Gaudin. and F. pseudovina Hack. ex Wiesb.); a perennial form of Medicago lupulina L.; a sample of Lotus corniculatus L. found on chalky outcrops of the Kalach Hills; red (Trifolium pratense L.), golden (T. aureum Pollich.) and strawberry (T. fragiferum L.) clovers from the valley of the Khoper River; pisiform vetch (Vicia pisiformis L.) from Kalach District and hairy vetch (V. villosa Roth) from Povorino District of Voronezh Province. The materials collected by the team were added to the holdings of VIR and are available for further study and use in breeding.

The resistance of Lolium perenne L. × hybridum, Poa pratensis, Festuca rubra, F. arundinacea, Phleum pratense and Dactylis glomerata to soil pollution by diesel oil and petroleum

Resistance of common European grasses to diesel oil and petroleum pollution is not well-known. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the level of resistance of selected grasses to pollution by diesel and petroleum using the pot experiment. The achieved results were compared with those determined for grasses grown on the non-polluted soil. Soil pollution with the tested products was found to significantly decrease the yield of all grasses, with the decrease being lower upon soil pollution with petroleum than with diesel oil. The most resistant to the pollution with diesel oil and petroleum were Phleum pratense L., Lolium perenne L. and Lolium × hybridum Hausskn. The degradation of particular groups of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) depended on their chemical properties, on the type of pollutant and grass species. The greatest degradation was determined in the case of BTEX, C<sub>6</sub>–C<sub>12</sub> benzines as well as 2- and 3-ring hydrocarbons, whereas the lowest in the case of 5-and 6-ring hydrocarbons and C<sub>12</sub>–C<sub>25</sub> oils. The most useful species in the remediation of soils polluted with diesel oil and petroleum turned out to be: Lolium perenne L., Lolium × hybridum Hausskn and Phleum pratense L., whereas the least useful appeared to be: Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L.

The combined effect of phytostabilization and different amendments on remediation of soils from post-military areas

Army bases and battle fields are areas of high pollution due to the chemicals released there. Soils in these areas suffer from these uses of the land, and ecosystem services are affected. Although, in the 20th century, the production of bombs and the locations of battle fields and army bases were widespread, there is little research on the impact of war on nature. Moreover, there is a need to rehabilitate the disturbed soils. The contents and ecological risks of Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cr in the topsoil from a post-military area (north-eastern Poland) were investigated. In addition, a vegetation experiment was performed with the technique of aided phytostabilization on soils from the study area. The novelty of this study is the assessment of the usefulness of soil amendments (chalcedonite, limestone, activated carbon) in heavy metal (HM) phytostabilization in contaminated soils from post-military areas. Soil samples were also examined for pollution quantification indicators, including the index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), and degree of contamination, and subjected to the Ostracodtoxkit test. The mean contents of the tested HMs were higher than those stipulated in soil environmental quality standards. The highest Igeo (7.38) and CF (346) values were those of Cr and Zn, respectively. The highest increase in soil pH was observed after the application of limestone to the soil. The greatest reduction in Cu, Ni, and Cd contents was caused by addition of limestone. The contents of HMs in Festuca rubra were higher in its roots than in its above-ground parts.

Phytotoxicity of Methiozolin on Fine Fescue

Methiozolin is a new herbicide that controls annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in turfgrasses, but the differential tolerance levels of fine fescues (Festuca sp.) has received limited investigation. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential injury from methiozolin when applied to chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. fallax), strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra), and hard fescue (Festuca brevipila). Nine different fine fescue populations (14W2 Comp, Fairmont, and Survivor chewings fescue; FT345, Miser, and Fenway strong creeping red fescue; and 14H4 Comp, Stonehenge, and Oxford hard fescue) were sprayed with methiozolin at five different rates (0.42, 0.83, 1.25, 1.67, and 2.09 lb/acre) at four different application timings [4 weeks before seeding (WBS), 2 WBS, at seeding (AS), and 2 weeks after germination (WAG)]. Untreated controls were also included for each combination. Significant reduction in germination of fine fescue was observed when methiozolin was applied before emergence for all tested application rates. Methiozolin at 1.25, 1.67, and 2.09 lb/acre applied before or at the day of seeding led to complete inhibition of germination in all fine fescue species tested. It was less injurious compared with methiozolin applied at 2 WAG, although a reduction in the percentage of green cover and biomass was observed for application rates greater or equal to 0.83 lb/acre. The hierarchical ranking of species injury from high to low is as follows: hard fescue, chewings fescue, and strong creeping red fescue. A possible solution for annual bluegrass control in fine fescue species with methiozolin is multiple postemergence applications up to a maximum rate of 0.83 lb/acre. Turf managers need to make adjustments in methiozolin application rates and timings based on fine fescue species to maximize selectivity for annual bluegrass control.

Multivariate characteristics of selected grass varieties for seed production

Data were obtained in a field experiment carried out at Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute Radzikow (central Poland) in 2009–2011. The aim of this study was a multivariate evaluation of 13 advanced lines and cultivars of Festuca rubra, taking into account traits important in seed production. Eleven traits of the grasses and plant resistance to diseases were evaluated. On the basis of multivariate analyses, i.e. hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, groups of varieties were separated and described, relationships between the traits were evaluated as well. The traits with the biggest influence on multivariate diversity of examined varieties were correlated with the first principal component i.e. height of plants, seeds yield, growth rate of plants, leaf width and time to beginning of earing.