Soils In Poland Research Articles

Testing of grassland soils in Poland

Abstract The grassland soils in Poland generally have higher organic matter contents than arable soils, so a special soil testing system is needed. An 0.5M HC1 extract is adapted for determination of available form of nutrients, but in many cases a total content is desired. Much attention is paid to the determination of soil exchange and sorption properties.

Baseline concentrations of As, Ba, Be, Li, Nb, Sr and V in surface soils of Poland

The objective of the research was to establish baseline concentrations of As, Ba, Be, Li, Nb, Sr, V in the surface soils of Poland. The sampling programme was designed to obtain data representative (∼ 130 samples) of arable soils in Poland, under typical management. Locations directly affected by pollution (e.g. point source pollution, roads with heavy traffic) were avoided. Since frequency distributions for most of the concentrations of elements in the soils, except Ba, were positively skewed, the data were transformed to logarithms (base 10) and central tendency and variation expressed as geometric means (GM) and geometric deviations (GD), respectively. For Ba the arithmetic mean and S.D. were used as a measure of average value and scatter, respectively. Mean concentrations of the elements (mg kg −1, dry wt) in the soils were: As 2.6; Ba 271.2; Be 0.71; Li 11.3; Nb 3.2; Sr 53.4 and V 18.4. The element contents of the soils correlated very well with amounts of particles <0.002 and <0.02 mm diameter ( r = 0.71–0.94), and with concentrations of Al and Fe ( r = 0.72–0.97), which indicate that the occurrence of the elements in the soils is controlled mainly by pedogenic factors. All the elements studied had significantly ( P < 0.05) higher concentrations in silty and loamy soils, considered as one group, than in sandy soils.

The concentrations of some scandium subgroup trace metals in soils of Poland

A survey was conducted to establish baseline contents of Ce, La, Nd, Sc, Th, Y, Yb (metals of the IIIB group of the periodic table of elements) in the surface soils of Poland. The sampling programme was designed to obtain data representative ( n = 130) of arable soils in Poland, under typical management. Locations directly affected by pollution (point source pollution, roads with heavy traffic, etc.) were avoided. The metal concentrations in the soil samples were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Since frequency distributions of the metal contents of the soils were positively skewed, the data were transformed to logarithms (base 10) and central tendency and variation were expressed as geometric means (GM) and geometric deviations (GD), respectively. Mean concentrations of the metals (in mg/kg, dry weight) in the soil samples studied were: Ce 22.7, La 11.9, Nd 9.9, Sc 2.6, Th 3.5, Y 6.5, and Yb 0.9. The metal contents of the soils correlated very well ( r is 0.90–0.96) with amounts of particles < 0.02 m diameter, and with concentrations of Al and Fe, which indicate that the occurrence of the metals in the soils is controlled by pedogenic factors. All the metals studied had significantly ( P < 0.05) higher concentrations in silty and loamy soils, considered as one group, than in sandy soils.

Counteracting soil erosion in Poland

Soils in Poland are predominantly of the sandy and loess types. In the southern part of the country agricultural fields are common in upland and mountain areas and this is the main reason for their denudation. Investigations into the erosion of cultivable soil have been conducted in Poland for many years and an awareness of the problem is reflected in administrative regulations which impose a statutory duty to protect soil from erosion. The present paper discusses both the legal resolutions as well as the physical measures employed to counter soil erosion in Poland.

SOME CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SERPENTINE SOILS FROM WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND

Two serpentine soils from western Newfoundland have been described and their chemical and physical properties documented. The Blomidon soil series is a moderately well to imperfectly drained Gleyed Regosol, cryoturbic phase, and the Round Hill series a well to moderately well drained Orthic Regosol, cryoturbic phase. Both soils developed from base-rich very stony, sandy-loam colluvium and till, derived mainly from serpentinized rocks. Horizon development is restricted by cryoturbation and this factor, combined with high Mg content (12–16%, total) (6.8–16.64 meq/100 g, available) and low essential macronutrient content, create adverse conditions for plant growth. In addition, there are present possibly toxic quantities of Ni (0.308–0.389% total) (0.008–0.031 meq/100 g available). The Ca/Mg ratios are 0.008–0.190, total and 0.030–0.361, available; soil textures are loam to sandy loam. Comparison is made to serpentine soils in Poland, Sweden, Great Britain, Rhodesia and the U.S.A., similarities and differences being noted.

Comparative Erosion Rates of Loess Soils in Poland and Iowa

ABSTRACT THE erosion consequences of historic land man-agement in the loess hills region of western Iowa were evaluated by comparison with similar loess terrain in Poland. Application of the Universal Soil Loss Equa-tion, using inputs based on available cropping, man-agement, topographic, soils and climatic data, indicate that the Iowa sheet-rill erosion rates are more than double those in Poland, primarily due to the greater rainfall erosivity (R) and field slope length (L). Gullying is serious at both locations, although present Polish gullying rates are probably less than historic rates and present Iowa rates.

Seminatural cultivation of economically important plant species growing in the wild state

It is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to cultivate in the field plants which show specific ecological requirements and occur in the wild state only under strictly determined conditions. In such cases, ‘semi-cultivation’ of these species may be applied in their natural environment or under conditions approaching the natural. The author presents the results of original studies on the possibility of introducing into cultivation or semi-cultivation the Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. This is one of the most important ‘herbs’ in Poland, being intensively exploited as medicinal raw-material. The plant occurs in the Pineto-Vaccinietum myrtilli arctostaphyletosum subassociation. It grows most often on sandy soil containing small amounts of organic matter, with the pH ranging from 4·5 to 5·0. It stands strong insolation and high temperatures (up to 50°C), and also great amplitudes in these factors. Both endotrophic mycorrhiza of the tolypophagous type, and electrophic mycorrhiza, occur in the wild and in plots. Among others, the mycorrhiza induced by Cenococcum graniforme was observed. This is a common Fungus occurring in all kinds of soil in Poland. Reproduction from ‘seed’ is possible but uneconomic, whereas propagation by vegetative methods, namely planting of cuttings and offsets, is comparatively easy. Both herbaceous and ligneous cuttings become rooted. The hormonizing of cuttings with a solution of the potash salt of indolebutyric acid accelerates their rooting and leads to increased annual growth. Quantitative analysis of Bearberry leaves with respect to the content of such active compounds as arbutin and tannins or multiphenols, has shown that the raw material is of high quality and equal value—irrespective of its provenance from natural localities or cultivation plots.

Ivanova E. N. &amp; Nogina N. A.: Soils in Poland and their classification

Ivanova E. N. &amp; Nogina N. A.: Soils in Poland and their classification