Plant, Soil and Environment, 2008 (vol. 54), issue 2
Lead uptake by Matricaria chamomilla L.
A. Grejtovský, K. Markušová, L. Nováková
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):47-54 | DOI: 10.17221/2784-PSE 
Investigations were carried out under laboratory conditions in a nutrient solution according to Knop to observe the influence of increasing concentrations of Pb (5, 25, 50, 75 μmol/l) on its uptake and accumulation in chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), diploid cv. Novbona. The essential part of Pb taken up by chamomile plants accumulated in roots; only minor portion of the metal was translocated to the above-ground part of the plant. Addition of Pb to the growth medium reduced significantly the root biomass (-46.3% at the highest supply of Pb); reduction in the above-ground dry matter (-18.3%) was insignificant. Pb treatment also reduced...
Estimation of ethylene production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in plants by means of gas chromatography
H. Fišerová, Z. Mikušová, M. Klemš
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):55-60 | DOI: 10.17221/2782-PSE
The paper deals with problems associated with preparation and collection of samples when estimating the production of ethylene and content of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) in plants by means of gas chromatography. A proper method of sampling can significantly influence not only the reliability of obtained data but also their interpretation. Attention was paid to cultivation of plant material, sampling vessels, conditions of ethylene production, sampling procedure, and storage of gaseous samples. The estimation of ACC as a precursor of ethylene is more laborious but it supplements the information about the endogenous level of ethylene...
The impact of cadmium and mercury contamination on reproduction and body mass of earthworms
S. Lapinski, M. Rosciszewska
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):61-65 | DOI: 10.17221/439-PSE
The accumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of earthworms is a helpful indicator of environmental contamination. The degree of substrate contamination can be additionally evaluated on the basis of survivability, reproduction and body mass of earthworms. In this study Eisenia fetida Sav. earthworms were exposed to a series of increasing concentrations of cadmium and mercury. The numbers of animals and their body mass were checked after 4 and 8 months. The strongest impact of substrate contamination was exerted upon the number of young individuals and cocoons. The cadmium contamination did not affect adversely the mass of earthworms, whereas...
Effect of nitrogen sources on the nitrogenous forms and accumulation of amino acid in head cabbage
E. Atanasova
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):66-71 | DOI: 10.17221/438-PSE
The effect of two different nitrogen sources: ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate, applied at increased rates, on the content of the total nitrogen, protein and non-protein nitrogen, and the content and composition of amino acids in head cabbage leaves was studied. The higher nitrogen accumulation was established at the ammonium nitrate fertilization compared to the calcium nitrate, but the application of Ca(NO3)2 resulted in a higher content of nitrate nitrogen. More protein nitrogen was also observed in plants with Ca(NO3)2 fertilization. The highest applied fertilizer rate of ammonium nitrate resulted...
Identification of organic acids produced during rice straw decomposition and their role in rock phosphate solubilization
A. Kumari, K.K. Kapoor, B.S. Kundu, R.K. Mehta
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):72-77 | DOI: 10.17221/2783-PSE
The production of organic acids and changes during decomposition of rice straw amended with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Udaipur rock phosphate (URP) were studied under laboratory conditions. The organic C content of rice straw decreased and total N increased with time, resulting in a decrease in C:N ratio as the decomposition progressed. The pH decreased to acidic range in all the treatments on day 15, but became alkaline again later on. Soluble P increased at 15 days after incubation, declined later during decomposition, and was highest in the treatments containing TCP and Aspergillus awamori inoculation. Citric, oxalic, formic and maleic...
Biomass production and survival rates of selected poplar clones grown under a short-rotation on arable land
M. Trnka, M. Trnka, J. Fialová, V. Koutecký, M. Fajman, Z. Žalud, S. Hejduk
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(2):78-88 | DOI: 10.17221/437-PSE
Fast-growing woody plants that can be grown under short-rotation systems offer an alternative to food production on arable land, and serve as a potential source of renewable energy. In order to establish the feasibility of future large scale production under the conditions of the Czech-Moravian highland, a high density experimental field plantation including a range of available clones of Populus sp. and Salix sp. with the total area of 1.5 ha was established in early 2001 in Domanínek (Czech Republic, 49°32'N, 16°15'E and altitude 530 m). The clone experiment of Populus sp. covered 0.3 ha in the center of the plantation...