Soil Microbiological Activity Research Articles

Сравнително проучване на коренова и почвена микробиологична активност при самостоятелно и съвместно отглеждане на зеле (Вrassicа oleraceae L. var. capitata L.)

A comparative study of root and soil microbiological activity was carried out during independent and co-cultivation of cabbage with other crops: leeks, beans, tagetes, fennel and flower mix. The intercropping of cabbage and flower mix increases the amount of microorganisms in the immediate vicinity of the cabbage roots to the highest degree. The biogenicity of the root zone is the lowest in the variant with cabbage and tagetes. In the independent cultivation of cabbage, a higher value of the total microflora is established compared to the variants with the main cabbage crop and additional tagetes or leek crops. Combining cabbage with flower mix, beans or fennel increased the amount of microorganisms from the rhizoplane and rhizosphere to a higher degree than growing cabbage alone. The main share in the composition of the total microflora is occupied by non-sporeforming bacteria, followed by bacilli. Regrouping was found in the co-cultivation of cabbage and flower mix, and in this variant the amount of spore-forming bacteria was higher than that of non-spore-forming bacteria. Actinomycetes and mold fungi are less represented. Catalase activity was highest in the control, followed by the variant with co-cultivation of cabbage and leek, and lowest in cabbage and flower mix, and cabbage and fennel, depending significantly on the humidity of the variants. Cellulase activity was higher in the variants with crops compared to the control - highest in the co-cultivation of cabbage and leek, and cabbage and tagetes, and lowest in cabbage and beans, depending significantly on the total microflora.

Impact of anthropogenic land uses on soil microbiological activity in a peri-urban landscape.

Land use and land cover patterns impact soil properties and negatively affect soil microbial community and related processes. However, the information regarding the influence of urban land use on soil microbial composition and functioning is limited. Here, we investigated the impact of urban land use patterns on soil microbiological parameters by comparing five contrasting anthropogenic land use classes, i.e. agriculture, park, roadside plantation, street green, and bare land. Soil physicochemical properties, basal respiration (BR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and enzyme activities were estimated and correlated. The results revealed that soil physicochemical and microbiological properties greatly varied across the five land use classes. Among all the land use types, the roadside plantation had the highest nutrient content, i.e. soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and mineral nitrogen (MN) (1.33%, 0.13%, 84.0mgkg-1, respectively), while the soil functional capacities measured in terms of BR, MBC, microbial quotient (QCO2), soil microbial activity (SMA), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (9.90 C µg g-1h-1, 300µgg-1, 0.045µgh-1/ µg MBC, 9.0µgml-1, 1.30 TPF g-1h-1, respectively) were highest in the park. Disturbed street greens were markedly nutrient depleted and apparently exhibited lower microbial activity. Variations in soil BR, MBC, and enzyme activity were revealed to be primarily influenced by soil moisture, available phosphorus, and SOC content. We concluded that the negative impacts of anthropogenic land use soil quality and microbiological functioning can be managed by integrating proper management approaches for various land use classes in urban systems.

Aftereffect of Seven Years of Straw Handling on Soil Sustainability and Vitality

Straw, as organic material, contains macronutrients and a wide range of micronutrients. Properly treated straw can become a valuable source for soil improvement and crop nutrition needs. The field experiment was carried out at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, in 2014–2021 on Cambisol. On a shallow ploughless tillage background, eight treatments were investigated: chopped straw + ammonium nitrate (CSA), chopped straw + ammonium nitrate + NPK (CSA+F), chopped straw + microorganisms (CSM), chopped straw + microorganisms + NPK (CSM+F), straw removed, not fertilized (SR), straw removed, fertilized (SR+F), chopped straw, not fertilized (CS), chopped straw, fertilized (CS+F). We hypothesized that treatment of straw with microbiological products in combination with mineral NPK fertilizers is a more efficient technology than treatment/non-treatment of straw with ammonium nitrate, either with or without NPK fertilizers. The aim of this work was to investigate the aftereffects of seven years use of mineral NPK fertilizers and bioproducts containing soil bacteria and microscopic fungi (Bacillus megaterium, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Trichoderma reesei) in combination with straw management on soil sustainability (soil C sources, soil water release characteristics, pore-size distribution, aggregate stability, crop yielding capability) and soil vitality (CO2 exchange rate-NCER). It was revealed that NCER was highest in the treatment CSM+F (Bacillus megaterium, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Trichoderma reesei + NPK). It was 32.95% higher than in CSA (chopped straw without fertilizers) and 45.34% higher than in CSA+F (chopped straw + ammonium nitrate + NPK). Bioproducts applied favored soil vitality in general by exhibiting higher soil microbiological activity. As a result, a healthy and more viable Cambisol produced a higher winter wheat grain yield.

INFLUENCE OF INTERCROPPING ON SOIL MICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND STRAWBERRY DEVELOPMENT

Strawberry is one of the most important berry crop grown around the world and their consumption increases every year. The introduction of new practices promoting farm sustainability and long-term soil health in strawberry production systems is very essential. Towards environment- and climate-friendly farming practices intercropping can be used to improve soil microbiological activity and biodiversity, and reduce the use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, while the right choice of intercropped plants is of great importance to achieve these goals. The trials on strawberry intercropping were established in Latvia in 2021. Three treatments with different intercropping plant rotations, including crimson clover, pea, garlic, marigold, and winter rye mix with vetch, were compared to conventional strawberry growing using straw mulch. Trial was installed in three locations: two organic farms and the Institute of Horticulture (LatHort). Thus representing climatically different regions and different soil conditions. Strawberries were grown in 1.2 m distant rows, where in the intercropping treatments, each second interrow was occupied by companion plants. Soil microbial activity was evaluated during vegetation seasons by determining soil respiration rate (SRR) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) several times per season in 2021 and 2022. Strawberry vegetative development was evaluated at the end of each vegetation season. During the investigation period, soil microbial activity fluctuated during vegetation seasons, depending on growing conditions. In 2021, SRR varied from 1.9 – 3.3 CO2 mg L- 1, while in 2022, from 2.1 - 3.4 CO2 mg L-1. DHA varied from 46 – 134 INTF, µL×????−1 × h in 2021 and 60 – 101 INTF, µL×????−1 × h in 2022. Intercropping had low influence on microbial activity and results differed within each location. Strawberry plant biomass differed among locations and treatments with the highest above-ground biomass observed in LatHort during second growing season in conventional growing system (790 g plant-1).

Beneficial Microorganisms Affect Soil Microbiological Activity and Corn Yield under Deficit Irrigation

Water scarcity is one of the main factors that decrease the growth and productivity of corn, since it negatively affects gas exchange and the general metabolism of the crop. The use of beneficial microorganisms (BM) has been considered a potential attenuator of water stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BM and water deficit on growth, gas exchange, grain yield, and soil microbial activity. A field experiment was carried out, in which the treatments were composed of a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two irrigation levels (100% of ETc and 50% of ETc) and to four treatments (T) referring to the soil inoculation with BM (C: control; T1: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens + Azospirillum brasiliense; T2: B. subtilis; and T3: A. brasiliense). The evaluations were carried out in the flowering phase (plant growth, gas exchange, and foliar nitrogen content) and at the end of the plant cycle (grains yield, mineral nitrogen, and microbiological activity). The 50% reduction in irrigation depth severely restricted corn growth and gas exchange and decreased the grain yield by 38%. The water deficit increased the protein content in the grains and the concentration of mineral nitrogen in the soil when the plants were inoculated with BM. Under water stress, inoculation with BM increased corn productivity by 35% and increased soil microbial activity. The inoculation of plants with BM, either in combination (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens + A. brasiliense) or alone (B. subtilis), attenuated the adverse effects of water deficit in maize.

Информационно-энергетическая оценка плодородия почв

The paper proves that the formation of soil properties (ΣУ) is determined by a combination of rock properties (ΣП) and the weight of the influence of soil formation factors (Xi) on the rock (Ki) and the duration of their influence (t): ΣУ = ΣP ·ΣKiXit It is proposed to take into account, as factors of soil formation, the geophysical fields of the Earth and the microbiological activity of soils. The properties, processes and regimes of soils change over time and in space, the hysteresis of their change is manifested, the open loop of which is inversely proportional to the degree of equilibrium of the combination of soil properties with the influence of the environment. Keywords: SOIL, GENESIS, FERTILITY

Long-term conservation tillage results in a more balanced soil microbiological activity and higher nutrient supply capacity

Soil health depletion due to intensive tillage operations is a global issue in the agricultural sector. Conservation tillage (CT) which involves non-inversion tillage and leaving ∼30% of the soil surface covered with crop residues, is a strategy designed to enhance soil health. However, no comprehensive study to investigate the long-term effect of CT on soil biological activity and the soil nutrient supply has yet been widely carried out. Biological and chemical soil properties were assessed at depths 0–5, 10–15, and 20–25 cm depths after 18 years of CT and conventional tillage practice (PT). Various stages in the vegetative growth of maize were investigated in 2021 in Hungary. The findings indicated that tillage intensity, soil depth, and growth stages all significantly influenced soil enzyme activities and the concentration of soil nutrients. Less soil disturbance resulted in a significantly larger concentration of soil carbon parameters (total organic carbon and labile carbon) in CT plots, where the activity of β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase (DHA) in the upper soil layer increased significantly (0.7–2.6 and 2.6–4.7 times, respectively) compared to PT. The high amount of organic matter and the greater resistance to erosion observed in CT also contributed to the higher concentration of available nutrients (NH4, NO3, Ca, K) and total P in the surface soil layer. Phosphatase activity was highest in the mid-stage of vegetative growth and was positively correlated to the total P concentration. The alterations in soil water content were clearly negatively correlated with the change in DHA and phosphatase activity. Overall, due to the more balanced environmental conditions, the decomposition of organic substances was more balanced and slower in CT than in PT. This implied that the mobilization of nutrients in the soil was more balanced as well, and that the nutrients were released gradually. The enhancement of the soil nutrient-supplying capacity achieved by means of long-term conservation tillage provides a promising strategy for sustainable nutrient management.

A SENSITIVE SANDY SOIL UNDER PASTURE AS MICROORGANISM HABITAT PROVIDER

The sandy soils are sensitive ecosystems, being in a precarious equilibrium with the pedolandscape conditions, any changes could bring drastically modifications into the soil environment. The researches had been performed in Suceava Tableland, in Stephan the Great area, on a Luvosol albic-psamic, lamelar. The researches in the paper focused on the upper part of the argic horizon, on Bt1 sub-horizon characteristics at macro- and microscopic scale. In this respect, at the macro-morphological level, the Bt1 sub-horizon is composed of a sequence of thick lamellae (3–5 cm) separated by the inter-lamellar spaces. The granulometric analysis showed that the lamellae had a medium loamy texture, while the inter-lamellar spaces had coarse granulometric composition. At micromorphological level, the image emphasized, in the lamellae, the presence of the clayey±Fe±humiccoating the mineral grains and clogging part of the inter-granular spaces. The results of the microbiological investigation showed a concentration of the microorganisms into the lamellae, while in the inter-lamellar spaces, their development has been scarce. The total counts of bacteria and fungi registered low number (16.81 x 106 viable cells x g-1d.s. and 1.026 x 103cfus x g-1d.s., respectively). Despite of these results, the data of the global indicator of the soil microbiological activity, the soil respiration respectively, attend high level of activity (31.357 mg CO2 x g-1d.s.). The researches pointed out that the sandy soil is a very sensitive environment for the soil life, but the presence of the clayey±Fe lamellae proved to be a hospitable habitat.

MICRIBIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IN A HIGHLY POLLUTED SOIL

To emphasize the microbiological activity in a polluted soil, the microbiologicalindicators (the number of bacteria; the number of fungi; and the soil respiration) had been analyzed, both from the qualitative and the qualitative point of view. The researches had been performed in Patranjeni area, in ApuseniMountains on a slope of the AmpoiValley. The soil is AlosolRodicanthropic polluted (with dioxide and trioxide sulphur emissions). The results showed that total counts of bacteria showed very low (220 x 106 viable cells x g-1d.s.) to medium (1270 x 106 viable cells x g-1d.s.) viable cells in the plant root active layer, while the fungi total counts showed a very low number in all the pedogenetic horizons (ranging between 2.40 x 103cfus x g-1d.s. and 3.70 x 103cfus x g-1d.s.). The global indicator of the soil microbiological activity is soil respiration, to which data pointed out low activity (64.20 mg CO2 x g-1d.s.) in the soil profile, except the top horizon, where the activity is medium (11.3 – 11.4 mg CO2 x g-1d.s.). The results of the taxonomic identification showed for bacteria the dominance of Baccilus and Pseudomonas, while for fungi, the dominance of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium.

Alternative technology of safflower cultivation by sewage sludge use as a fertilizer-ameliorant

The effect of sewage sludge as a fertilizer-ameliorant in the safflower cultivation was studied. Sewage sludge from Volzhskij wastewater treatment plants prepurified by enzyme-cavitation method was used as a fertilizer-ameliorant in the safflower cultivation. It was found that prepurified sewage sludge is environmentally friendly and has a high fertilizing value. The amino acid composition of safflower seeds was studied. The obtained data indicate that sewage sludge introduction made it possible to significantly increase the safflower nutritional value and the soil microbiological activity. It was found that the greatest increase in the safflower crop yields was observed in the case of sewage sludge introduction at a dose of 10 t/ha with chisel tillage. It can be stated that the technology of safflower cultivation proposed by us, including the application of sewage sludge as a fertilizer-ameliorant in combination with the chisel tillage, significantly affects its productivity. The increase in safflower crop yields over the years of the studies was 8.4-15.3%. In general, it can be concluded that sewage sludge has a complex effect on the soil: improves its water-physical, agrochemical and physico-chemical properties, increases the activity of soil biota and the content of organic matter – one of the main indicators of soil fertility.

Study on the Influence of Sideration on Soil Microbiological Activity

In the fall, siderate is used in cotton fields in its pure state; 7.81-31.38 t/ha of biomass was accumulated per heke when rapeseed and rapeseed + rapeseed were planted in a mixed state. When this biomass is crushed in siderate quality and buried in the soil, the microbiological activity increases along with the improvement of the soil properties, and the rapid and short retention of the biomass in the soil accelerates the decay, as a result, it has a positive effect on the increase in the amount of nutrients in the soil.

Effect of effluent on spring barley yield and soil microbiological activity indicators

Effect of effluent on spring barley yield and soil microbiological activity indicators

Информационная оценка взаимосвязей свойств, процессов и режимов почв

The interrelationships of soil properties, processes and regimes occurring in them characterize the genesis, agroecological state and fertility of soils. The use of organic and mineral fertilizers changes the properties of soils and the relationship between soil properties. The effect of the introduction of siderates and NPK into the soil on the enzymatic and microbiological activity of soils is shown. Data on changes in the fractional composition of iron in different horizons of podzolic soil are presented. It is proved that the relationship between soil properties is one of the factors determining soil fertility and the MPC of elements in soils. Keywords: SOIL, RELATIONSHIPS OF PROPERTIES, INFORMATION

Plant Performance and Soil Microbial Responses to Irrigation Management: A Novel Study in a Calafate Orchard

Calafate fruits have a high content of phenolic compounds and an antioxidant activity up to four times higher than that of blueberries. The establishment of a calafate orchard and irrigation responses on fruit and soil characteristics have been scarcely studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of water replenishment rate: 0%, 50%, 100% and 150% of reference evapotranspiration (ET0), on soil microbiological activity, plant physiological response, fruit yield and chemical composition in a calafate orchard. The results showed that irrigation at 50% ET0 presented significant increases in soil urease, dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activity. Likewise, irrigation at 50% ET0 significantly increased stomatal conductance and plant chlorophyll index, which led to a significant increase in fruit yield being 60% higher compared to the other treatments. Despite the higher fruit yield, 50% ET0 irrigation had a similar level of total anthocyanins and ORAC antioxidant capacity as the 100% ET0 treatment. In contrast, 0% and 150% ET0 treatments showed a higher degree of stress and got higher values for total anthocyanins and fruit antioxidant capacity. Irrigation rates 50% ET0 increases fruit yield while maintaining fruit quality and optimizing water resources in commercial orchards of calafate.

A comparative evaluation of the effects of seed invigoration treatments with precursor zinc salt and nano-sized zinc oxide (ZnO) particles on vegetative growth, grain yield, and quality characteristics of Zea mays

IntroductionThe zinc micronutrient fertilizers have a critical impact on the grain productivity and quality attributes of maize. However, the low use-efficiency issues of the applied Zn-fertilizers are required to be addressed through the development of novel formulations and alternative application techniques.ObjectivesThis field study investigates the comparative impact of seed invigoration (including seed priming and coating) treatments with bulk zinc and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs).MethodsThe two seed treatments with two different zinc sources at three different concentrations of 0, 20, and 40 mg L−1 each, for a total of ten treatments, were evaluated for vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigments, grain yield, and quality traits in Zea mays.ResultsThe total chlorophyll content was improved by ZnONPs seed priming at the V8 stage. However, there were plants that grew tall, bearing longer ears with bulk ZnSO4 and the untreated control. Yield-contributing factors like number of seeds per cob, and 1000-grain weight were marginally improved by ZnONPs treatment. Overall, only cob weight, starch, total soluble protein, and soil nutrient (N, P, K, and Zn) content were significantly enhanced by ZnONPs treatment. Furthermore, no negative effect was recorded on the soil microbiological and enzymatic activities seed treatment with both the zinc sources.ConclusionThe seed treatment, i.e. coating and priming with ZnONPs, did not significantly alter the grain yield, but the seed starch and total soluble protein content were improved.

Food and agricultural wastes-derived biochars in combination with mineral fertilizer as sustainable soil amendments to enhance soil microbiological activity, nutrient cycling and crop production

The ever-increasing human population associated with high rate of waste generation may pose serious threats to soil ecosystem. Nevertheless, conversion of agricultural and food wastes to biochar has been shown as a beneficial approach in sustainable soil management. However, our understanding on how integration of biochar obtained from different wastes and mineral fertilizers impact soil microbiological indicators is limited. Therefore, in the present study the effects of agricultural (AB) and food waste derived (FWB) biochars with and without mineral fertilizer (MF) on crop growth and soil health indicators were compared in a pot experiment. In particular, the impacts of applied amendments on soil microbiological health indicators those related to microbial extracellular (C, N and P acquiring) enzymes, soil basal as well as different substrate induced respirations along with crop’s agronomic performance were explored. The results showed that compared to the control, the amendment with AB combined with MF enhanced the crop growth as revealed by higher above and below ground biomass accumulation. Moreover, both the biochars (FWB and AB) modified soil chemical properties (pH and electric conductivity) in the presence or absence of MF as compared to control. However, with the sole application of MF was most influential strategy to improve soil basal and arginin-induced respiration as well as most of the soil extracellular enzymes, those related to C, N and P cycling. Use of FWB resulted in enhanced urease activity. This suggested the role of MF and FWB in nutrient cycling and plant nutrition. Thus, integration of biochar and mineral fertilizers is recommended as an efficient and climate smart package for sustainable soil management and crop production.

Взаимосвязи подвижности тяжелых металлов в почвах со свойствами почв

The paper shows the dependence of the content of mobile forms of heavy metals in soils on the properties of soils (pH, E, humus, content of mobile phosphates). It is shown that an increase in the content of mobile forms of heavy metals in soils leads to a decrease in the intensity of photosynthesis and transpiration in plants, to an increase in the content of heavy metals in plants, to a significant change in the microbiological activity of soils and, in particular, to a decrease in nitrification in soils. The expediency of describing the dependence of the content and mobility of heavy metals in soils using correlation equations and regression equations is shown. Keywords: HEAVY METALS, SOIL, PLANTS, MICROFLORA, POLLUTION, INTERRELATIONS

Integral indicators of the ecological and biological state of soils in Jizzakh steppe, Uzbekistan

In the study of soil fertility, biological factors, especially the microbiological activity of soils, have recently attracted increasing attention. Agronomically important groups of microorganisms that participate in the nitrogen and carbon cycle play an important role in soil fertility. By the number of these organisms, it is possible to indicate the state of the soil and characterize the direction of the processes occurring in it. In this regard, it seemed to us necessary to carry out a quantitative account of the main physiological groups of microorganisms involved in the transformations of nitrogen- and carbon-containing substances. The studied area is included in the semi-desert serozem zone with its characteristic geomorphology, climate and vegetation cover. Agrochemical, agrophysical, physical and chemical properties and the sum of integral indicators of the ecological and biological state of soils, it makes it possible to determine the level of impact of their ecological and genetic properties, as well as natural and environmental factors on soil fertility and land degradation.

Primjena pepela iz biomase na travnjacima

Sve veće oslanjanje na proizvodnju energije iz biomase rezultira povećanjem proizvodnje pepela, kao ostataka nakon izgaranja biomase. Primjena pepela u poljoprivredi postaje sve aktualnija kao alternativa odlaganju na odlagališta. Vrijednost pepela kao materijala za kalcizaciju, gnojiva ili poboljšivača tla, kao i mogućnost i količina primjene pepela u proizvodnji na oranicama ili travnjacima, ovise o sadržaju makro- i mikrohraniva, potencijalnoj neutralizacijskoj vrijednosti pepela te sadržaju teških metala (TM) i ostalih potencijalno onečišćujućih tvari. Pepeo iz biomase sadrži značajne količine hraniva (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe), može se primijeniti kao materijal za kalcizaciju koji utječe na fizikalna i kemijska svojstva tla, mikrobiološku aktivnost tla i razgradnju organske tvari (OT) tla, te u konačnici povećava produktivnost poljoprivrednih kultura. Primjena pepela na travnjacima i proizvodnji voluminozne krme u količini 6-22 t ha-1 rezultira povećanjem produktivnosti krmnih vrsta, povećanjem udjela mahunarki i sijanih trava u tratini i povećanjem hranjive vrijednosti krme.

Diversified production systems in sandy soils of the Brazilian Cerrado: nutrient dynamics and soybean productivity

Increased functional diversity, given by the Integrated Crop-Livestock System (ICLS), is an alternative of quantitative and qualitative technical evolution for soybean (Glycine max) cropping in sandy soils. The objective of the present research was to investigate production systems with different levels of functional diversity in sandy soils of the Brazilian Cerrado regarding their (a) soil microbiological activity, (b) macronutrient accumulation and release, and (c) soybean yield. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications and the treatments corresponded to different levels of functional diversity: very low (Fallow), low (Ruziziensis), medium (Ruziziensis, niger, radish and rattlepod), and high (Ruziziensis, niger, radish and rattlepod with animal entrance). The plants were desiccated and the phytomass contained within a frame was collected at ground level. The evaluation of phytomass decomposition and nutrient release was performed at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after desiccation (DAD) of the plants. Functional diversity levels increase the carbon content of the microbial biomass in the sandy soil, with an emphasis on systems with high plant diversity and the presence of animals. High functional diversity with the presence of the animal results in higher rates of phytomass decomposition and nutrient release with a shorter half-life (t 1/2=85 DAD), mainly with respect to potassium. This functional diversity increases soybean yield by up to 25% in the high diversity system compared to a system with very low diversity. The high functional diversity in ICLS enriches soil microbiological quality and increases soybean productivity in the sandy soil in the short term.