Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S.J. Yang Author-Workplace-Name: Yantai Institute, China Agricultural University, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Z.Y. Du Author-Workplace-Name: Shandong Forestry Academy, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Yu Author-Workplace-Name: Yantai Institute, China Agricultural University, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: Z.L. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Yantai Institute, China Agricultural University, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: X.Y. Sun Author-Workplace-Name: Yantai Institute, China Agricultural University, Yantai, Shandong, P.R. China Author-Name: S.J. Xing Author-Workplace-Name: Shandong Forestry Academy, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China Title: Effects of root pruning on physico-chemical characteristics and biological properties of winter jujube rhizosphere soil Abstract: The root system of six-year-old winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Zhanhua) trees were manually pruned at 3, 5 or 7 times trunk diameter distance along both inter-row sides, to study the effects of root pruning on physico-chemical characteristics and biological properties of winter jujube rhizosphere soil. The results showed that the root pruning of 3 and 5 times trunk diameter distance increased the available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium[concentrations and pH values in the rhizosphere soil and decreased organic matter concentrations, the contents of amino acids, organic acids and total sugars in the root exudates, the populations of bacteria, actinomyces and fungi, and inhibited the activities of catalase, invertase and urease enzymes in contrast to the control in early stage when root pruning was applied. The determined indexes presented a reverse trend as those in early stage after new roots appeared. Compared to the control, the trees by root pruning had higher pesticides residues of the rhizosphere soil in the whole experiment. No differences were noticed between 7 times trunk diameter distance and the control. It is proposed that root pruning had greater impacts on physico-chemical characteristics and biological properties of the rhizosphere soil depending on root pruning intensity. Keywords: nutrient, soil enzyme, root exudates, microorganism, pH, pesticide residue Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 493-498 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/38/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/38/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:38-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J.G. Zaller Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria Author-Name: F. Saccani Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria Author-Name: T. Frank Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Zoology, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria Title: Effects of earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the medicinal herb Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae) Abstract: Both earthworms and symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) often co-occurr in ecosystems, however very little is known on their interrelationships. Here we tested to what extent earthworms (Annelida) or AMF (Glomales) separately or in combination affect the growth of the pharmaceutical plant species, pot marigold (Calendula officinalis, Asteraceae). We conducted a greenhouse experiment using non-sterilized field soil where we manipulated the factors earthworms (addition/no addition of the vertical burrowing species Lumbricus terrestris) and AMF (addition/no addition of a mix of the four Glomus taxa G. geosporum, G. mosseae, G. intraradices, G. claroideum). Leaf length and flower stem length was significantly increased by earthworms but remained unaffected by additional AMF. The longest leaves and flower stems were observed in pots containing earthworms but no additional AMF. The number of flower buds was unaffected by earthworms but marginally significantly increased by AMF. Plant shoot biomass production was significantly higher when earthworms were present; AMF inoculation had no effect on biomass production. Root biomass production and total plant biomass production remained unaffected by earthworms or AMF. These results indicate that in soil already containing AMF earthworm addition primarily affects vegetative growth while additional AMF inoculation tended to affect reproductive plant parts. Keywords: belowground-aboveground interactions, biomass production, earthworm-plant interactions, ecological engineers, Glomus, pot marigold Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 499-504 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/189/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/189/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:189-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: X. Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China Author-Name: W. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China Author-Name: Z. Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Dynamic Solutions, LLC, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Author-Name: F. Qu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, P.R. China Author-Name: X. Tang Author-Workplace-Name: Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Title: Changes in species diversity and above-ground biomass of shrubland over long-term natural restoration process in the Taihang Mountain in North China Abstract: In order to restore the impaired forest ecosystem in China, great efforts including the banning of the animal grazing and cutting woods for fuel, and implementation of the 'Grain for Green' program have been made by the central and local government of China. The objective of this research was to investigate the changes in above-ground biomass and species diversity after 22 years of vegetation recovery efforts in the lower Taihang Mountain of China. The results indicated that over the natural restoration process shrubs became the dominant species in 2008, while herbs were the dominant species back in 1986. Community coverage, height and above-ground biomass showed significant increases in 2008 compared to 1986. Shrubs showed significant increases in coverage, height, and above-ground biomass, whereas herbs significantly increased in height, but decreased in above-ground biomass. Over the 22-year natural restoration process, the species richness index and the Shannon-Wiener's index had been significantly decreased, whereas the Simpson's predominance index and the Pielou's evenness index had been significantly increased. Long-term vegetation recovery efforts improved the impaired forest ecosystem in lower Taihang Mountain to some extent: significant increases in both community coverage and above-ground biomass. The significant increase in community coverage can reduce the soil loss by wind and water erosion, and increase in the above-ground biomass will improve the soil chemical properties and physical structure. A comprehensive assessment of the success of vegetation recovery should include the evaluation of the changes in ecological process such as soil biological activities in the future research. Keywords: shrub-herb community, vegetation recovery, community succession, species composition Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 505-512 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/216/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/216/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:216-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H.W. Scherer Author-Workplace-Name: INRES-Plant Nutrition, Bonn, Germany Author-Name: D.J. Metker Author-Workplace-Name: INRES-Plant Nutrition, Bonn, Germany Author-Name: G. Welp Author-Workplace-Name: INRES-Soil Science, Bonn, Germany Title: Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol Abstract: We studied the long-term effect (about 45 years) of farmyard manure, sewage sludge and compost application in two increments on organic carbon (Corg), the amount (Cmic) and activity of the microbial biomass (soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity), total N content and N delivery of soils as compared to manuring with mineral fertilizers. The application of both increments of compost and the high sewage sludge application rate resulted in an increase in Corg while soils treated with both compost application rates and the high farmyard manure application rate showed a significant increase in Cmic. Cmic/Corg ranged between 1.7 and 3.3. Dehydrogenase activity and soil respiration were the greatest in the soil with the highest compost and farmyard manure application rates. Total soil N content was significantly higher in both compost treatments and in the treatment with the high sewage sludge application rate. This was accompanied by the highest N uptake of ryegrass. Keywords: long-term field experiment, enzyme activity, microbial activity, N delivery, organic manure Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 513-518 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3283-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3283-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:3283-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Kumar Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Geobotany and Biogeochemistry, Department of Botany, University College of Science, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Author-Name: N.C. Aery Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Geobotany and Biogeochemistry, Department of Botany, University College of Science, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Title: Effect of tungsten on growth, biochemical constituents, molybdenum and tungsten contents in wheat Abstract: The effect of various concentrations (3, 9, 27, 81, and 243 mg/kg) of tungsten (W) on growth performance, biochemical constituents and tungsten and molybdenum (Mo) contents in wheat was observed. Lower doses (up to 9 mg/kg) of tungsten showed promotory effects whereas higher doses retarded. An increment in growth, biomass, chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents was observed. Tungsten contents in root and shoot showed a very strong linear dependence on the soil applied W contents. Mo contents in plant tissue showed an increase with an increase in the W contents in plant tissue up to a threshold after which it showed an abrupt decrease. The activity of peroxidase enzyme decreased with lower application of W. Higher administration of tungsten (27-243 mg/kg) resulted in increased total phenol, free proline and activity of enzyme peroxidase. Keywords: oxidative stress, toxic elements, sodium tungstate, plant stress metabolism, pigments, Triticum aestivum L Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 519-525 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/345/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/345/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:345-2011-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Mihalík Author-Workplace-Name: Facultyof Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: National Radiation Protection Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Tlustoš Author-Workplace-Name: Facultyof Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Száková Author-Workplace-Name: Facultyof Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: The influence of citric acid on mobility of radium and metals accompanying uranium phytoextraction Abstract: We have investigated the plant uptake of radium, iron and other elements linked with phytoextraction of uranium induced by citric acid. Experiments were carried out on soil from the surroundings of a uranium mine. Enhancement of U bioavailability was successful. Now we focused our attention on the uptake of the most important elements accompanying uranium in phytoextraction. Radium was analyzed in leaves of willows and sunflowers. Mainly in willows, Ra was accumulated 3-4 times more than in the control group. Analyses of sunflower leaves showed an increasing tendency of Ra activity; however, not as significant as in the willow. During the experiment, we recorded irregular increases of metal contents in leaves week by week. Whereas U did not increase significantly, iron reached a value 9.3 times higher than in the control group. This is the evidence of more effective iron mobilization than of uranium when citric acid was added into the soil. Manganese also competes with uranium in plant uptake. Its content in leaves increases after citric acid treatment and is always higher than uranium uptake. The uptake of ubiquitous metal elements is one of the limiting factors for phytoextraction. Keywords: phytoextraction, radium, uranium, willow, citric acid Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 526-531 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/3285-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3285-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:3285-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Jursík Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Andr Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Holec Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Soukup Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Efficacy and selectivity of post-emergent application of flumioxazin and oxyfluorfen in sunflower Abstract: Four efficacy and selectivity small plot field trials were carried out in four sunflower hybrids at two localities in Middle Bohemia during 2008 and 2009 with herbicides containing the active ingredients flumioxazin and fluorochloridone. For Chenopodium album, an efficacy of 97% was found after pre-emergent application of fluorochloridone + acetochlor; the efficacy of oxyfluorfen was 88-95%; the efficacy of flumioxazin was below 50% at both tested application rates (30 and 60 g/ha) and application timings (2 sunflower leaves and 4 to 6 sunflower leaves); efficacy of flumioxazin increased to 67% and 69%, when surfactants were added (isodecyl alcohol ethoxylate and heptamethyltrisiloxan). Full control of Amaranthus retroflexus was found after all pre-emergent and early post-emergent herbicide treatments; efficacy of late post-emergent herbicide treatments was below 93%. Full control of Mercurialis annua was found only after application of oxyfluorfen. Thlaspi arvense was fully controlled by fluorochloridone + acetochlor (pre-emergent) and oxyfluorfen (in both application terms). Selectivity of the four tested sunflower hybrids to fluorochloridone + acetochlor, bifenox and flumioxazin was acceptable (phytotoxicity 6 to 27%). Higher phytotoxicity (23-45%) was recorded when surfactants were added to flumioxazin. The highest phytotoxicity (68-81%) was recorded after the application of oxyfluorfen. Keywords: weeds, sunflower, herbicide efficacy, phytotoxicity, surfactants Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 532-539 Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Year: 2011 DOI: 10.17221/285/2011-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/285/2011-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201111-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:57:y:2011:i:11:id:285-2011-PSE