Plant, Soil and Environment, 2011 (vol. 57), issue 11
Effects of root pruning on physico-chemical characteristics and biological properties of winter jujube rhizosphere soil
S.J. Yang, Z.Y. Du, Y. Yu, Z.L. Zhang, X.Y. Sun, S.J. Xing
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):493-498 | DOI: 10.17221/38/2011-PSE 
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,...
Effects of earthworms and mycorrhizal fungi on the growth of the medicinal herb Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae)
J.G. Zaller, F. Saccani, T. Frank
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):499-504 | DOI: 10.17221/189/2011-PSE
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,...
Changes in species diversity and above-ground biomass of shrubland over long-term natural restoration process in the Taihang Mountain in North China
X. Liu, W. Zhang, Z. Liu, F. Qu, X. Tang
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):505-512 | DOI: 10.17221/216/2011-PSE
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...
Effect of long-term organic amendments on chemical and microbial properties of a luvisol
H.W. Scherer, D.J. Metker, G. Welp
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):513-518 | DOI: 10.17221/3283-PSE
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...
Effect of tungsten on growth, biochemical constituents, molybdenum and tungsten contents in wheat
A. Kumar, N.C. Aery
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):519-525 | DOI: 10.17221/345/2011-PSE
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...
The influence of citric acid on mobility of radium and metals accompanying uranium phytoextraction
J. Mihalík, P. Tlustoš, J. Száková
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):526-531 | DOI: 10.17221/3285-PSE
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,...
Efficacy and selectivity of post-emergent application of flumioxazin and oxyfluorfen in sunflower
M. Jursík, J. Andr, J. Holec, J. Soukup
Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(11):532-539 | DOI: 10.17221/285/2011-PSE
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...