Plant, Soil and Environment, 2008 (vol. 54), issue 5
The effect of different rates and forms of applied sulphur on nutrient composition of planted crops
M. Skwierawska, L. Zawartka, B. Zawadzki
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):179-189 | DOI: 10.17221/398-PSE 
A three-year field experiment was conducted from 2000 to 2002 in North-East Poland. Each year three sulphur fertilization rates in the form of sulphate (S- SO42-) and pure sulphur (S-S0) were applied: 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha. The most beneficial effect on the yields of cabbage, onion and barley was produced by the rates of 40 and 80 kg S/ha, while the dose of 120 kg S/ha (especially when applied as S-SO42-) reduced the yields of these crops. Increasing rates of sulphur used as a fertilizer caused increased concentration of sulphates in plants up to their luxury accumulation. Irrespective of the test...
Influence of the fertilization on the winter wheat in the crop rotations and in the long-term monoculture
M. Babulicová
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):190-196 | DOI: 10.17221/397-PSE
The effect of mineral and organic fertilization on grain yield and quality of winter wheat in crop rotations and in continuous cropping was investigated. The study was conducted in Borovce (near Piešťany) on Luvi-Haplic Chernozem in the years 2002-2004. Mineral and organic fertilization of winter wheat growing in monoculture was more effective than mineral fertilization in crop rotations. In the case of winter wheat growing in monoculture, statistically higher grain yield (5.10 t/ha) was obtained in the variant with straw and green manure incorporation compared to the control variant (4.73 t/ha) and the variant with straw incorporation (4.75 t/ha)....
Fluctuations of nitrogen levels in soil profile under conditions of a long-term fertilization experiment
W. Sądej, K. Przekwas
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):197-203 | DOI: 10.17221/394-PSE
The present study is focused on the correlation between varied long-term fertilization and changes in soil nitrogen concentrations. It was found that all fertilization systems significantly increased the levels of total, mineral and organic nitrogen in the soil profile. Organic fertilizers (manure and slurry) contributed to a more considerable increase in the concentrations of total nitrogen and nitrogen undergoing hydrolysis in 6M HCl, compared to mineral fertilizers. Ammonia nitrogen dominated over nitrate nitrogen among mineral nitrogen forms. Organic fertilization contributed to nitrate nitrogen accumulation, while mineral fertilization to ammonia...
Soil biological activity of mulching and cut/harvested land set aside
M. Růžková, L. Růžek, K. Voříšek
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):204-211 | DOI: 10.17221/396-PSE
Formerly arable luvic chernozem set aside for ten years (1997-2006) with different herbaceous cover (grass, legumes and their mixtures) and agronomical practices (mulching and cut/harvesting) was studied. The experimental plot was maintained as black, spontaneous and controlled fallows from 1997 until July 2003 (BD period). In July 2003 the plots were desiccated by glyphosate herbicide and were run as a black fallow until August 2004 (AD). The last period (AG) was characterized by monoculture of Italian ryegrass cut/harvested twice a year until October 2006. The experimental soils were characterized with 18 parameters. Mulched plots in all periods...
The changes in microbial biomass C and N in long-term field experiments
J. Černý, J. Balík, M. Kulhánek, V. Nedvěd
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):212-218 | DOI: 10.17221/393-PSE
Microbial biomass nitrogen and carbon were studied in long-term field experiments with continuous cultivation of silage maize and with crop rotation. A positive effect of organic fertilizers on the microbial biomass nitrogen and the carbon content in soil was observed. Statistically significant effect of organic fertilizers on the higher content of microbial biomass C and N was established in the first year after their application. During the application the content of microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen decreased, but there were higher biomass C and N contents compared to control, even without statistical significance. A negative effect on microbial...
Long-term field experiments - museum relics or scientific challenge?
W. Merbach, A. Deubel
Plant Soil Environ., 2008, 54(5):219-226 | DOI: 10.17221/395-PSE
By reference to the Eternal Rye trial in Halle, Germany, as an example, it is demonstrated that long-term trials provide indispensable information for contemporary and future land use research. These trials serve as tools for the examination of cultivation measures or the effects of climate on nutrient dynamics and mobilization, microbial biodiversity, mineral composition or soil formation processes. They are therefore essential for the evaluation of land-use strategies or climatic change and, because of that, can provide more accuracy in related political considerations.