Plant, Soil and Environment, 2022 (vol. 68), issue 5

Arsenic-induced response in roots of arsenic-hyperaccumulator fern and soil enzymatic activity changesOriginal Paper

Veronika Zemanová, Daniela Pavlíková, Milan Novák, Petre I. Dobrev, Tomáš Matoušek, Václav Motyka, Milan Pavlík

Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(5):213-222 | DOI: 10.17221/65/2022-PSE  

In a pot experiment, arsenic-hyperaccumulating Pteris cretica cv. Albo-lineata plant ferns were cultivated and exposed to low and high doses of arsenate (20 and 100 mg As/kg, respectively) for six months. Physiological and morphological changes of roots, as well as changes in soil quality of the root zone and bulk soil (water-soluble fraction of elements and activity of soil enzymes), were determined. The results showed that the accumulation of inorganic As, mainly in the form of As3+, did not significantly affect the yield of roots, but caused changes in root morphology (deformation of root cell walls due to lignification) and metabolism (decrease...

Influence of zinc treatments on grain yield and grain quality of different maize genotypesOriginal Paper

Vesna Stepić, Gorica Cvijanović, Nenad Đurić, Marija Bajagić, Jelena Marinković, Vojin Cvijanović

Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(5):223-230 | DOI: 10.17221/93/2022-PSE  

Maize production is intensified with a larger amount of mineral fertilisers in the era of meteorological conditions change, which leads to a decrease in the reserves of microelements in the soil. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of zinc application on grain yield, nitrogen and carbon content in grain of three maize genotypes in the period 2016-2018 (factor A). Factor B: cultivars ZP 427, ZP 548 and ZP 687 belonging to different maturation groups. Factor C: Various zinc treatments were applied: T1 - control; T2 - 25 kg Zn2+/ha (35 g of ZnSO4 on the experimental plot) was introduced into the soil before sowing; T3 - seed treatment...

Enhancing fruit quality of three Physalis sp. throughout foliar nutritionOriginal Paper

Diana Nurus Sholehah, Eko Setiawan, Dini Ermavitalini, Miratul Khasanah, Edy Setiti Wida Utami, Sucipto Hariyanto, Hery Purnobasuki

Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(5):231-236 | DOI: 10.17221/107/2022-PSE  

Foliar nutrients containing macronutrients, micronutrients and a combination of both were applied to Physalis peruviana, P. alkekengi and P. ixocarpa to determine their effect on fruit quality. A randomised complete block design study was conducted in a greenhouse on Madura Island, Indonesia. This study showed significant interactions between Physalis species and foliar nutrition to the physicochemical character of the fruit. Each species responded differently to the given nutrients. The combination of 1 g/L macronutrient (P and K) and 0.0625 g/L micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Mo and Mn) resulted in the highest fruit antioxidant activity, vitamin C,...

Soil solution pH can affect the response of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to mesotrione residuesOriginal Paper

Laura Pismarović, Ana Milanović-Litre, Kristina Kljak, Boris Lazarević, Maja Šćepanović

Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(5):237-244 | DOI: 10.17221/40/2022-PSE  

Soil pH can affect the adsorption of mesotrione and exacerbate crop injury under non-acidic conditions. Soil samples collected from the same location were irrigated with water solutions of pH 7.5, 6.5, 5.5, and 4.5 and treated with 72, 36, 24, 18, 9, 4.5, 2.3, and 1.1 g a.i. (active ingredient) of mesotrione/ha. Bean growth was monitored over 28 days. Soil pH solution did not influence the effect of mesotrione on plant fresh weight, while herbicide-induced visual injury and reduction in carotenoid content were significantly mitigated under acidic conditions. The lowest rate (1.1 g a.i./ha) applied in slightly acidic soil (pH 6.5) caused visual injury...

Afforestation affects vertical distribution of basic soil characteristics and taxonomic status of sodic soilsOriginal Paper

Tibor József Novák

Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(5):245-252 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2022-PSE  

Afforestation, settled before 60-90 years and adjacent solonetzic grasslands, representing the natural vegetation cover were compared in this study based on their basic soil characteristics (pH, CaCO3 content, soil organic carbon (SOC), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)) up to 2 m depth. The assumption was that the plantings of arbour vegetation can change soil characteristics of sodic soils not only in superficial layers but even in larger depths. Grasslands and forest soils were compared by standardised depths. Afforested soils showed lower pH in the depth at 0-100 cm, and slightly higher SOC content in subsoil (20-100 cm). CaCO3 content was...