Plant, Soil and Environment, 2023 (vol. 69), issue 2

Impacts and mechanisms of biochar on soil microorganismsReview

Kai Huang, Jun Zhang, Guangming Tang, Da Bao, Tangyu Wang, Deping Kong

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):45-54 | DOI: 10.17221/348/2022-PSE  

Biochar is a carbonaceous material derived from the pyrolysis of carbon-rich biomass that has attracted increasing research and attention because of its ability to enhance soil carbon storage, increase soil fertility, fix and transform pollutants in soil, and improve the soil environment. These enhancements directly or indirectly affect soil microorganisms’ metabolic activities and community structure. This paper reviews the effects of biochar on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, nutrients, contaminants, and related microbial activities. In addition, this work summarises the possible mechanisms involved in the interaction between...

Short-term effects of tillage and leaf mulch on soil properties and sunflower yield under semi-arid conditionsOriginal Paper

Koena Rivonia Selolo, Jestinos Mzezewa, Jude Julius Odhiambo

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):55-61 | DOI: 10.17221/160/2022-PSE  

A study was conducted at the University of Venda Experimental Farm, Limpopo province, South Africa to determine the effects of tillage and mulching on selected soil properties, and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons. Treatments consisted of conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT) and three levels of avocado leaf mulch (0, 6 and 12 t/ha). Bulk density (BD), aggregate stability (AS), infiltration rate (IR), soil water content (SWC) and grain yield were determined. Tillage had no significant effect on BD in either...

The effect of drip irrigation for potatoes on soil nitrogen dynamicsOriginal Paper

Milan Čížek, Andrea Svobodová, Jiří Zámečník, Pavel Kasal, Daniel Vejchar

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):55-61 | DOI: 10.17221/422/2022-PSE  

The effects of potato drip irrigation on soil nitrogen dynamics and potato yield was studied in small-plot field trials. The trials were evaluated at during three experimental times seasons (2016-2018). Four variants of irrigation were determined, ie non-irrigated, 60, 65 and 70 ASWC (Available Soil Water Capacity). At the same time, two pre-planting fertilization dates were set at a maximum of 120 kg N/ha a in divided i.e. 60 kg N/ha before planting and 60 kg N/ha by fertigation during vegetation. Pre-planting crop fertilization or in-season fertigation did not have any significant effect on the potato yields of most variants. In all studied parameters,...

A preliminary study on suitability of growing ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) in western Himalayan regionOriginal Paper

Swati Walia, Pawan Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Rakesh Kumar

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):71-80 | DOI: 10.17221/288/2022-PSE  

Panax ginseng Meyer is one of Asia’s most popular medicinal plants, with triterpene saponins as principal bioactive compounds. The present study investigates the possibility of ginseng cultivation in Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India in the Western Himalayas focusing on growth characteristics, and ginsenoside content in the roots. Plant growth parameters increased with an increase in the crop age and reached maximum maturity at the age of five years along with the production of a good amount of seeds and roots. Root fresh and dry weight of the five-year-old plant was 142.6 g and 45.5 g, respectively, which almost doubled as compared...

First cases of herbicide resistance of Tripleurospermum inodorum in the Czech RepublicOriginal Paper

Jaromír Šuk, Jakub Mikulka, Madhab Kumar Sen, Pavlína Košnarová, Kateřina Hamouzová, Josef Soukup

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):81-87 | DOI: 10.17221/427/2022-PSE  

Tripleurospermum inodorum (L.) Sch. Bip. is one of the most economically important and yield-reducing weeds in cereals in Europe. Random and systematic monitoring of this weed might provide an early warning for the farmers and slow down the pace of the evolution of herbicide resistance. This study aimed to identify resistant populations of T. inodorum in the Czech Republic and elucidate their possible resistance mechanism/s. Monitoring and screening of T. inodorum for herbicide resistance against acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors and synthetic auxins was carried out. Greenhouse experiments and molecular-genetics studies were...

Phosphorus behavior under long-term fertilization in the intensive rice cultivation systemOriginal Paper

Vu Van Long, Chau Minh Khoi, Doan Thi Truc Linh, Nguyen Van Qui, Nguyen Minh Dong, Ben Macdonald

Plant Soil Environ., 2023, 69(2):88-94 | DOI: 10.17221/411/2022-PSE  

Advocating proper phosphorus (P) fertilisation is necessary to save this limited natural resource and to save the investment in rice cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate changes in phosphorus availability, total phosphorus in soil, phosphorus buffering capacity, and phosphorus saturation in the long-term phosphorus fertilisation in the paddy rice system. Soil samples were collected in the harvest stage after seven consecutive crops over three years at Can Tho city, Vietnam. The applied phosphorus fertiliser rates were: no phosphorus fertilisation (P0), 17.4 kg P/ha (P17.4), and 26.2 kg P/ha as farmer’s practice (P26.2). The results showed...