Plant, Soil and Environment, 2016 (vol. 62), issue 7
Connection between normalized difference vegetation index and yield in maizeOriginal Paper
T. Spitkó, Z. Nagy, Z.T. Zsubori, C. Szőke, T. Berzy, J. Pintér, C.L. Marton
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):293-298 | DOI: 10.17221/676/2015-PSE 
The preliminary estimation of expected yields and the accuracy of this evaluation provide information for decisions related to the harvest. The quantification of predictions makes it possible to estimate the accuracy of the prognosis. The yields that can be expected at the end of the vegetation season depend on the intensity of the photosynthetic activity. Numerous devices are now available to measure the quantity of photosynthetically active pigments in leaves, including the instrument GreenSeekerTM used in the present experiments, which records the value of normalized difference vegetation index. The present work attempted to answer the...
Effects of plant density and nitrogen rate on lodging-related stalk traits of summer maizeOriginal Paper
D.Y. Shi, Y.H. Li, J.W. Zhang, P. Liu, B. Zhao, S.T. Dong
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):299-306 | DOI: 10.17221/720/2015-PSE
Stalk lodging is a major constraint to limit grain yield under increased planting density in modern maize (Zea mays L.) production. A 3-year field experiment was imposed to study the effects of plant density and nitrogen (N) rate on stalk lodging and lodging-related stalk traits of two maize hybrids of contrasting susceptibility to lodging. The results indicated that the stem diameter, rind penetration strength (RPS), bending strength (BS), rind thickness, vascular bundle sheath's thickness (Vbs) and number of vascular bundle (Vb) of both hybrids all significantly decreased at the high density, while ear height and ear ratio clearly increased...
Variation of glucosinolates concentration and root growth of horseradish as affected by nitrogen and sulphur supplyOriginal Paper
A.R. Rivelli, F. Lelario, R. Agneta, C. Möllers, S. De Maria
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):307-313 | DOI: 10.17221/750/2015-PSE
The aim of the study was to evaluate total and individual glucosinolates concentration, root weight and diameters of horseradish accessions (Cor and Mon) grown by adding nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) and harvested at the beginning (late autumn) and towards the end (early spring) of the harvest period. The concentration of the 9 glucosinolates (GLS) quantified in roots varied greatly between accessions (6-fold higher in Cor) and with fertilization (N alone led to an increase of 64% of GLS with an additional enhancement of 65% when S was added to N). Root GLS concentration was significantly higher in early spring compared to the previous harvest in late...
Accumulation capacity of ions in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) supplied with sea waterOriginal Paper
M.F. Gu, N. Li, T.Y. Shao, X.H. Long, M. Brestič, 5, H.B. Shao, 6, J.B. Li, S. Mbarki7
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):314-320 | DOI: 10.17221/771/2015-PSE
Cabbage seedlings were grown hydroponically to study the effects of different concentrations of seawater on the seedling growth, ion content under one-fourth strength Hoagland's nutrient solution in the greenhouse. The biomass of various organs of cabbage seedlings as well as the whole plants was significantly higher in the treatments with 1 g and 2 g sea salt/L than the no-salt control, but the treatments with 4, 5 or 6 g sea salt/L caused a decrease in growth. Root/shoot ratio remained at the level of control regardless of the sea salt treatment. Na+ and Cl- concentration in different parts of cabbage seedlings increased significantly,...
Relationship between microbial functions and community structure following agricultural intensification in South American ChacoOriginal Paper
C. Pérez-Brandán, J. Huidobro, M. Galván, S. Vargas-Gil, J.M. Meriles
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):321-328 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2016-PSE
Intensification of agricultural systems through the use of intensive agriculture and the advance of deforestation have led to a decrease of soil biological quality. Soil functional and structural microbiota are sensitive parameters to monitor changes caused by agricultural use. Different sites under soybean monoculture (continuous soybean) and soybean/maize rotation practices were selected. Samples were collected from agricultural soils under different periods of implantation: 4-year rotation; 15-year rotation; 5-year monoculture; and 24-year monoculture (M24). A site of native vegetation recently under agricultural production (RUA) was also sampled....
The effect of different post-anthesis water supply on the carbon isotope discrimination of winter wheat grainOriginal Paper
I. Raimanová, P. Svoboda, G. Kurešová, J. Haberle
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):329-334 | DOI: 10.17221/118/2016-PSE
Isotopic carbon discrimination (Δ13C) of winter wheat grain grown under different water and nitrogen supplies was determined. In two field experiments during years 2004-2007 (A) and 2008-2013 (B), a water shortage was induced from the flowering stage on with a mobile shelter (S), while an optimal water supply was ensured with drip irrigation (I), and a rain-fed crop served as the control treatment (R). Water supply had a statistically significant effect on grain Δ13C values in both experiments (P < 0.01). The average values of grain Δ13C in treatments I, R and S were 19.43, 18.68 and 17.70‰...
Correlation between photosynthetic traits and yield in sunflowerOriginal Paper
P. Pepó, A. Novák
Plant Soil Environ., 2016, 62(7):335-340 | DOI: 10.17221/202/2016-PSE
The impact of sowing dates (early, normal and late) on the crop physiological parameters (leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content (SPAD)) and yield of sunflower cultivars (NK Neoma, NK Ferti, PR64H42) was observed in 2012, 2013, and 2014 on chernozem soil in Eastern Hungary. The obtained LAImax values were 5.1-5.3 m2/m2 (early sowing date), 4.5-5.2 m2/m2 (normal sowing date) and 4.4-5.2 m2/m2 (late sowing date). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a close negative correlation between LAImax and sowing date in 2013 and 2014 (r = -0.920**,r...