Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Wyszkowski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: A. Ziółkowska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Title: Content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils polluted with petrol and diesel oil after emediation with plants and various substances Abstract: The study was undertaken to determine the influence of compost, bentonite and calcium oxide on the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils polluted with petrol and diesel oil, using plants as phytoremediators. Contamination of soil with petrol and diesel oil caused an increase in the total PAHs in soil. The effect of diesel oil on the content of PAHs in soil was stronger than that of petrol in the treatments with spring barley and yellow lupine - maize, in reverse to spring rape - oat. Pollution of soil with petroleum substances led to the increased contribution of naphthalene to the total PAHs at the expense of other hydrocarbons. Bentonite and CaO produced an evidently stronger effect on soil properties than compost, in general causing a decline in the content of PAHs in soil. The phytoremediatory effect of plants was the most beneficial in the treatment with spring rape and oat, but the weakest in trials with yellow lupine and maize. Plants were particularly effective in soil polluted with petrol. Keywords: oil-derived substances, neutralisation, PAHs, amendments, phytoremediation, soil contamination Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 287-294 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/21/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/21/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:21-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Ji Author-Workplace-Name: Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural and Rural Council of Xingyang, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: X. Mu Author-Workplace-Name: Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: K. Liu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Engineering, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Canada Author-Name: C. Li Author-Workplace-Name: Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, P.R. China Title: Effects of tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize in loam and clay in central China Abstract: Subsoil compaction can result in unfavourable soil physical conditions and hinder the root growth of maize. The effects of deep tillage and conventional tillage on soil physical properties and root growth of maize were studied during 2010-2011 at two sites (loam at Hebi and clay at Luohe) in central China. The results showed that soil penetration resistance, bulk density, water content and root length density were significantly affected by tillage, soil depth and year. Deep tillage had lower penetration resistance and lower soil bulk density, but higher soil water content than conventional tillage across years and depths. Averaged over the whole soil profile, deep tillage not only significantly decreased penetration resistance and soil bulk density, but significantly increased soil water content and root length density on loam, while deep tillage only significantly increased the root length density on clay. We conclude that deep tillage on the loam is more suitable for the root growth of summer maize. Keywords: soil compaction, penetration resistance, deep tillage, conventional tillage, root length density Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 295-302 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/57/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/57/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:57-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. De la Mata Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: P. De la Haba Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: J.M. Alamillo Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: M. Pineda Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: E. Agüera Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Title: Elevated CO2 concentrations alter nitrogen metabolism and accelerate senescence in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants Abstract: Elevated CO2 concentrations were found to cause early senescence during leaf development in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants, probably by reducing nitrogen availability since key enzymes of nitrogen metabolism, including nitrate reductase (NR); glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), were affected. Elevated CO2 concentrations significantly decreased the activity of nitrogen assimilation enzymes (NR and GS) and increased GDH deaminating activities. Moreover, they substantially rose the transcript levels of GS1 while lowering those of GS2. Increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations doubled the CO2 fixation and increased transpiration rates, although these parameters decreased during leaf ontogeny. It can be concluded that elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations alter enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, thereby boosting mobilization of nitrogen in leaves and triggering early senescence in sunflower plants. Keywords: leaf development, GS isoforms, transcript levels Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 303-308 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/70/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/70/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:70-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Satrapová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: T. Hyvönen Author-Workplace-Name: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Plant Production Research, Jokioinen, Finland Author-Name: V. Venclová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Soukup Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Growth and reproductive characteristics of C4 weeds under climatic conditions of the Czech Republic Abstract: Climate change could promote the altitudinal spread of C4 weed species since they can benefit from warmer climate. The effects of altitude and climatic conditions (the sum of temperatures above 5°C and precipitation) on the biomass and seed production of two annual C4 weeds - Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. - were studied in the Czech Republic. We included both temperature and precipitation variables in the study since they both serve as basic indicators of climate change and thus they have the greatest impact on plant development. The experiment was carried out by sowing both weed species on m2 area with four replicates in seven localities differing in altitude in 2010 and 2011. We found no significant impacts due to altitude on any variables measured. However, climatic factors explained 44.5% of the variation in plant dry biomass and 41.4% of the seed number produced by A. retroflexus. The same variables did not significantly contribute to the variation in above-ground biomass or seed number of E. crus-galli. These results show the impact of climate conditions to vary between species and not to limit reproduction at high altitudes. Keywords: Amaranthus retroflexus L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., biomass, seeds, climate change Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 309-315 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/77/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/77/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:77-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Germ Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: P. Pongrac Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: M. Regvar Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: K. Vogel-Mikuš Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: V. Stibilj Author-Workplace-Name: Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: R. Jaćimović Author-Workplace-Name: Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia Author-Name: I. Kreft Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Title: Impact of double Zn and Se biofortification of wheat plants on the element concentrations in the grain Abstract: Optimisation of the concentrations of essential mineral elements in staple grain diet and reduction in non-essential and potentially toxic elements would considerably alleviate mineral malnutrition and improve the health of humans. Here, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were biofortified with Zn and/or Se to determine the changes across 36 elements in the grain. The element concentrations were determined by multielemental k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k0-INAA). In comparison to grain from non-biofortified plants, Zn fertilisation increased the grain Zn, Ca, and Mo concentrations, whereas the foliar application of Se only increased the grain Se concentrations. Double biofortification (combined Zn fertilisation and foliar Se) was more effective for the increased Se concentrations in the grain, in comparison to the Se-only biofortified plants, with the grain Zn, Ca and Mo concentrations remained at the same levels as those for the Zn-only biofortified plants. Except for Ba, Br and Rb, the concentrations of the elements analysed were below the detection limits. Double biofortification might be a feasible strategy to efficiently coordinate the mineral quality of wheat grain, although the considerable concentrations of other essential and non-essential elements should not be neglected. Keywords: Triticum aestivum, malnutrition, k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 316-321 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:6-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Głowacka Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Zamość, Poland Title: Uptake of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn by maize in the strip cropping system Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in 2008-2010 at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Zamość (50°42'N, 23°16'E), University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of cropping method and weed control methods on the content of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn in maize and on their uptake. Two cropping methods were studied - sole cropping and strip cropping (common bean, dent maize and spring barley in adjacent strips) and two weed control methods - mechanical and chemical. Strip cropping reduced Mn content in maize, did not significantly affect Zn content, and increased accumulation of Cu and Fe. The content and uptake of the elements by maize depended on the position of the row in the strip and on the adjacent plant species. Placement next to beans resulted in higher Fe and Zn content, while placement next to barley increased Cu content. The highest Mn content was noted in maize from the centre row. In general, micronutrient uptake by maize was lowest in the middle row. These results indicate that strip cropping can be an effective agricultural practise for plant biofortification. Keywords: cropping method, interspecific facilitation, micronutrients, weed control Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 322-328 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/122/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/122/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:122-2013-PSE Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Hejcman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Management, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Berková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Kunzová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Management, Crop Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effect of long-term fertilizer application on yield and concentrations of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in grain of spring barley Abstract: Little attention has been paid to the effect of long-term fertilizer application on concentrations of elements in grain of barley produced on the metal non-contaminated agricultural soil. In 2010, we analyzed yield and concentrations of elements in grain of spring barley in unfertilized control, mineral fertilizer application (N4P2K2 - 70, 60 and100 kg N, P and K per ha) and combinations of farmyard manure or poultry litter with mineral fertilizer (FMN4P2K2 and PLN4P2K2) treatments in the Ruzyně Fertilizer Experiment established on Luvisol in 1955 in Prague (Czech Republic). The yield of grain ranged from 4.03 to 9.74 t/ha in the control and FMN4P2K2 treatment. There was a positive effect of fertilizer application on concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorusand potassium, but no effect on concentrations of calcium and magnesium. With the exception of iron, concentrations of micro (copper and zinc) and risk elements (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel) were not significantly affected by the fertilizer treatments. Long-term use of organic and mineral fertilizers with appropriate application rates does not represent any risk for contamination of barley grain by risk elements on mineral rich and metal non-contaminated agricultural soils. Keywords: arsenic, dilution effect, Hordeum vulgare, heavy metals, lead, nitrogen, zinc Journal: Plant, Soil and Environment Pages: 329-334 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/159/2013-PSE File-URL: http://pse.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/159/2013-PSE.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/pse-201307-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:59:y:2013:i:7:id:159-2013-PSE