Plant, Soil and Environment, 2011 (vol. 57), issue 2

Competitive ability of Rhinanthus minor L. in relation to productivityin the Rengen Grassland Experiment

M. Hejcman, J. Schellberg, V. Pavlů

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):45-51 | DOI: 10.17221/197/2010-PSE  

Rhinanthus minor (yellow-rattle) can be used for restoration of species-rich grasslands but is vulnerable to competitive exclusion from high total aboveground biomass production of vascular plants. We asked (1) whether there is a threshold limit for total annual aboveground biomass production of vascular plants above which R. minor cannot establish viable population in grasslands and (2) how is cover of R. minor in grassland related to standing biomass of bryophytes. Data were collected in the Rengen Grassland Experiment (RGE) established in Germany in 1941 with following fertilizer treatments: unfertilized control, application...

Comparison of allelopathic effects of some brassica species in two growth stages on germination and growth of sunflower

E. Jafariehyazdi, F. Javidfar

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):52-56 | DOI: 10.17221/139/2010-PSE  

Members of Brassicaceae have been frequently cited as allelopathic crop. The toxic effect of Brassica spp. may be caused by hydrolysis products of glucosinolates that occur in substantial amounts in the vegetative parts of Brassica spp. This study investigated the allelopathic potential of Brassica napus, B. rapa and B. juncea on the sunflower seed germination and seedling growth. Aqueous extracts of three species from two stages (full flowering and straw) of sampling were separately made with 0 (distilled water), 10, 20, 30 and 40% concentrations. This experiment was conducted in 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement...

Allelopathic activity of extracts from Impatiens species

N. Vrchotová, B. Šerá, J. Krejčová

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):57-60 | DOI: 10.17221/156/2010-PSE  

We have tested the effect of water, methanol and dichloromethane extracts from the leaves of several species of Impatiens (I. noli-tangere, I. parviflora, I. glandulifera) on germination of seeds Leucosinapis alba and Brassica napus. All of the tested extracts had inhibitory effects to seeds of all studied plants (except the dichloromethane extracts). The highest activity revealed methanol extract and extract from I. glandulifera.

Effects of phosphorus concentration on adaptive mechanisms of high- and low-P efficiency soybean genotypes when grown in solution

M. Shujie, Q. Yunfa

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):61-66 | DOI: 10.17221/143/2010-PSE  

Low availability of phosphorus (P) in soil is a major constraint for crop production in agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, it is very important to explain the adaptive mechanism of crops under low P conditions. The response of high- and low-P efficient soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes to various external P level was carried out in nutrient solution culture. Results showed that Dongnong1031 (low P-efficient genotype) undergoes major changes in terms of dry mass, root length, root number and root surface, while these response of Hai 616 (high P-efficient genotype) was lower after five weeks of growth. The higher P level in solution, the smaller...

Microbial properties, enzyme activities and the persistence of exogenous proteins in soil under consecutive cultivation of transgenic cottons (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Z.H. Chen, L.J. Chen, Y.L. Zhang, Z.J. Wu

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):67-74 | DOI: 10.17221/237/2010-PSE  

One Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and two stacked Bt and cowpea trypsin inhibitor (Bt + CpTI) cottons and their non-transgenic isolines were consecutively cultivated to investigate the soil persistence of Cry1Ac and CpTI proteins and their effects on microbial properties and enzyme activities involving C, N, P, and S cycling in soil. Results showed that there were the persistence of Cry1Ac and CpTI proteins in soil under 4-year consecutive cultivation of transgenic cottons. Cry1Ac proteins varied from 6.75 ng/g to 12.01 ng/g and CpTI proteins varied from...

Using soil heavy metal enrichment and mobility factors to determine potential uptake by vegetables

V.M. Ngole

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):75-80 | DOI: 10.17221/125/2010-PSE  

This study investigated copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) enrichment factor (EF) and mobility factor (MF) as possible indicators of their uptake by spinach (Spinaceae oleraceae) and carrots (Daucus carota) grown on a sludge-amended luvisol (SAL). Sewage sludge was applied to luvisol at different rates and spinach and carrots planted. Enrichment of Cu and Pb in SAL was determined, and values regressed with those of Cu and Pb concentrations in spinach and carrots. Concentration of Cu and Pb in vegetables was calculated using the regression model obtained, and calculated values compared with actual values. Pb MF were higher than Cu MF but Cu...

The development of lucerne root morphology traits under high initial stand density within a seven year period

J. Hakl, P. Fuksa, J. Šantrůček, K. Mášková

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):81-87 | DOI: 10.17221/186/2010-PSE  

The root system of plants is generally regarded as a factor, which is in relation to important agronomic and ecological characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high initial stand density on the reduction in development of lucerne root morphology traits and how long-term this effect would be. In spring 2003, a field experiment with six lucerne entries in randomized blocks was established. Broadcast sowing was used and the seeding rate was 5000 germinated seeds per m2. In 2003-2009, the plants were sampled in each plot in autumn; the average depth of sampling was 0.2 m. The stand density reached an average value of 860...

Microbiological characterization of land set-aside before and after Roundup desiccation

M. Růžková, L. Růžek, K. Voříšek, P. Vráblík, D. Musilová

Plant Soil Environ., 2011, 57(2):88-94 | DOI: 10.17221/226/2010-PSE  

Luvic chernozem (set-aside from 1996) was evaluated. The first period, before Roundup desiccation (2002-2003), was characterized by black, spontaneous and controlled fallows (mowed with the removal of plant biomass or mulched); the following period (2003-2004) by black fallow with repeated Roundup applications; and the last period (2004-2006) involved re-grassing by a mowed Lolium multiflorum Lam. monoculture. The characterization included microbial biomass, available organic carbon, basal respiration, metabolic quotient, biomass-specific available organic carbon, arylsulfatase activity, soil organic matter carbon and total nitrogen. Mulching...