Search Results (80)

Reclaiming marginal lands such as saline soils or mining waste for livestock grazing through Technosols and phytostabilisation can provide a solution to the growing food demand. This study evaluated the enhancement of soil properties by two Technosol constructions, along with pasture development. The experimental set-up consisted of gossan waste (G), Fluvisol (VF), Technosol/gossan (TG), and Technosol/Fluvisol (TVF), both Technosols consisting of G and VF, respectively, mixed with organic and inorganic amendments. These substrates were sown in pasture in pots (1.5 dm³) that was cut one and two months after sowing to simulate grazing. Both Technosols improved soils properties, with the acidity of G neutralising in TG. Yet, in TVF, a 65% reduction in salinity and a 60% drop in exchangeable Na occurred compared with VF. Nutrient pool, aggregate stability, and microbiological activity were also improved. Dehydrogenase activity was practically 0 in G, while in TG it was 15 times higher, and with pasture it increased 6-fold. In FV, some activity was already present, but in TVF it was six times higher and even increased with pasture. Finally, these improvements allowed the establishment of a healthy pasture, with twice the biomass and less accumulation of potentially hazardous elements in TG, and considerable growth in TVF. Thus, the co-application of Technosols and pasture may be effective in converting marginal lands into productive areas (grazing, foraging, biomass energy). Full article

The glomalin content is generally considered an indicator of the soil organic matter (SOM) quality. The content of easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and the total glomalin (TG) content was investigated across 71 different sites in the Czech Republic with arable soil and crop production (12 chernozems, 30 luvisols, 17 cambisols, and 12 fluvisols). The majority of the crops in the crop rotation were cereals (45.5%—mainly winter wheat, winter barley, and spring barley). The proportion of winter canola within the crop rotation was 15.9%. The contribution of other crops was substantially smaller (alfalfa, clover, potatoes, beet, silage maize, grain maize). The representation of crops in the crop rotation is standard for conventional farming in the Czech Republic. Based on the results of long-term field monitoring at 71 sites in different soil–climate conditions, we can state the following. The TG content was significantly correlated with the soil organic matter carbon content (C_SOM), as well as another important indicator of SOM quality (humic and fulvic acid carbon content ratio—C_HA/C_FA). A significant and positive correlation was also determined for the TG and clay content (size < 0.002 mm), as well as particles smaller than 0.01 mm. The easily extractable glomalin content (EEG) did not differ based on the reference soil group (RSG). On the other hand, the total glomalin content (TG) was significantly higher in the chernozem RSG in comparison with other RSGs (luvisols, cambisols, fluvisols). There was no relationship between the pH_CaCl2 and glomalin (EEG; TG). The same can be said about the relationship between glomalin (EEG; TG) and the bulk density and porosity. No link was established between the glomalin content (EEG; TG) and phosphorus plant-available content. There was no relationship between the amount of applied organic matter (carbon inputs) and the soil glomalin content (EEG; TG). This relationship was not influenced by the type of applied organic fertilizer. No significant relationship was found for either straw, manure, or compost. The data on the glomalin content are significantly influenced by the site (soil type and soil texture). Full article

The main aim of this study was to assess the amount of carbon (C) stored in the upper 30 cm layer of mineral soils in eucalypt plantations in Portugal, with a Mediterranean-type climate. Soil sampling data (2468 samples), field evaluations (soil profile description) and relevant information on the particle size distribution, climate, bedrock and reference soil group were accomplished. Bulk density per sample was assessed using pedo-transfer functions and soil C stock was estimated. The results showed an average of 41.2 t C ha⁻¹ stored in the soil. In the northern regions of Portugal, the coldest and wettest areas of the country with better stand productivity, a higher soil organic carbon (SOC) is achieved (median SOC of 39.2 g kg⁻¹ and soil C stock of 55 t ha⁻¹) than in southern and inland regions, with a warmer and drier climate (median SOC of 15.2 g kg⁻¹ and soil C stock of 28 t ha⁻¹). The assessment of mean soil C stock per bedrock type revealed higher C stored in granites followed by conglomerates, coal shales and clay shales. Regarding soil type, the results showed a higher C stock in Cambisols, Leptosols and Fluvisols (>50 t C ha⁻¹), whereas Regosols and Luvisols stored less, following the same trend presented for reference soil groups in Europe. Comparing the geographic distribution of the C stock in the upper layer of the mineral soils with the amount of C in eucalyptus stands (root and aboveground biomass—data from national forest inventory), the mineral soil pool can represent more than two-thirds of the total C stored in eucalyptus plantations in Portugal. Further studies should focus on the evolution of C stocks in eucalypt plantations during different stages of stand growth and under different management practices. Full article

Soil heavy metal (HM) control has become a pressing global ecological and environmental issue, with a significant focus on the western Dabie Mountain in China, a region that is recognized for its ecological barriers and water sources. We analyzed the concentrations, pollution status, and potential ecological risks of 10 HMs (i.e., Cu, +Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, As, Hg, and Mn) in the topsoil of different ecosystems in this region. The effects of four soil groups (Anthrosol, Fluvisols, Gleysol, and Alisols) and three soil texture types (sandy, clayey, and loamy soils) on the above aspects were also analyzed. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) models were performed to identify and quantify the potential sources and contribution rates of these HMs. Results showed that the level of HM pollution may be negligible, and there was no potential ecological risk. Of all metals, Pb and Cd exhibited the highest levels of pollution. The potential ecological risk associated with soil HMs decreased from croplands to urban and further to forests. Cu and Co were more likely to accumulate in Anthrosols, while Alisols were more likely to accumulate Pb, Cd, and Hg and had a higher overall potential ecological risk. The overall risk in clayey and loamy soils is both higher than in sandy soils. The HM accumulation in topsoil was closely related to the soil organic matter and clay contents. The potential main sources of HMs in this region can be agricultural activities, soil parent material, mining, industrial activities, and vehicle emissions. These findings suggest that special attention should be paid to soil Pb and Cd in western Dabie Mountain. Future efforts can focus on reducing mining, smelting, and industrial emissions, as well as strengthening the research on the migration patterns and mechanisms of HMs. Full article

Honey contains a wide range of inorganic substances. Their content can be influenced, i.e., by the type of soil on which the bee pasture is located. As part of this study, the mineral profile of 32 samples of honey from hobby beekeepers from the Czech Republic wasevaluated and then compared with soil types in the vicinity of the beehive location. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to express the relationship between mineral substances and soil type. There was a high correlation between antroposol and Zn (R = 0.98), Pb (R = 0.96), then between ranker and Mn (0.95), then regosol and Al (R = 0.97) (p < 0.05). A high negative correlation was found between regosol and Mg (R = −0.97), Cr (R = −0.98) and between redzinas and Al (R = −0.97) (p < 0.05). Both positive and negative high correlations were confirmed for phaeozem. The CART method subsequently proved that the characteristic elements for individual soil types are B, Ca, Mg, Ni, and Mn. The soil types of cambisol, fluvisol, gleysol, anthrosol, and kastanozem had the closest relationship with the elements mentioned, and it can therefore be assumed that their occurrence indicates the presence of these soil types within the range of beehive location. Full article

Eucalyptus urophylla is important for the establishment of commercial forest plantations in Mexico. Genetic improvement programs are currently being implemented to increase timber productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the adaptability and growth stability of 26 clonal lines of E. urophylla in Acrisol and Fluvisol soils and to identify the most suitable genotypes for each soil type. Tree survival, diameter at breast height, and total height were measured annually for six years. These variables were used to estimate individual volume, volume per hectare, and mean annual (MAIv) and current annual (CAIv) volume increment. Survival ranged from 14 to 100% in the Acrisol soil and from 0 to 89% in the Fluvisol soil. Volume per hectare ranged from 65.3 to 488.7 m³, MAIv from 11.1 to 83.1 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and CAIv from 2.4 to 134.7 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Individual heritability ($H_i^2$) was moderate (0.29–0.49) while the mean heritability of the cloned lines was high (0.73–0.90), indicating that growth is subject to high genetic control. Diameter, height, and volume presented no genotype × environment interaction effects, demonstrating stability in the growth of the clonal lines in both soil types. Full article

The pressure of human activity in river valley environments has always been high. Even today, despite the increasing awareness of societies around the world regarding the need to protect water and biodiversity, there are concerns that the current river valley management systems are insufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the state of knowledge about the soils and forest ecosystems of river valleys in terms of the possibility of protecting river valley environments. This study used data obtained from the Forest Data Bank (FDB) database, which focuses on forests in Poland. After analyzing 17,820 forest sections where the soils were described as fluvisols, it was found that forest areas associated with fluvisols (typical, fertile soils of river valleys) are quite well recognized and protected in Poland. Most (55%) forested fluvisols are located in Natura 2000 sites (an important European network of biodiversity hotspots), 4% in nature reserves, and 1% in national parks. Additionally, the main forest habitat type associated with fluvisols is riparian forest, composed mainly of Quercus, Ulmus, and Fraxinus, which is protected as Natura 2000 habitat type 91F0. Preserving the sustainability of the forest is also a form of soil protection. Despite the identification of soils and forests in river valleys, as well as appropriate legal tools, their protection may be ineffective due to the fragmentation of forms of protection and the lack of a coherent system for managing river valleys. Because the conservation status of the river valleys is also influenced by the management of areas located outside the river valleys, in order to protect river valley ecosystems, integrated conservation plans for entire catchments should be implemented. Due to potential conflicts related to the management of areas with diverse expectations of local communities, it would be advisable for such plans to be created by local experts but under the supervision of a specialist/specialists from outside the area covered by a given river basin. Full article

Studies on the impact of human agricultural activities on the soil microbiome and soil quality are extremely important, but such studies on floodplains in river valleys are lacking. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the impact of blackcurrant cultivation on Fluvisols located in the Vistula River valley (Poland). The dehydrogenases (DHa) and phosphatases (acid-AcP, and alkaline-AlP) activities, carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) contents of the microbial biomass, the metabolic potential of the microbial community (EcoPlate™ Biolog) and taxonomic diversity of the soil microbiome were determined (next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA gene). Enzymatic activity and metabolic potential and diversity (EcoPlate™) were higher in the soils from meadows, but MBC and MBN and biodiversity indices derived from NGS were higher in the cultivated soils. It can be confirmed that human activities affect the physicochemical, biological and microbiological parameters of Fluvisols. This may indicate that microorganisms are numerically more abundant and taxonomically more diverse in the cultivated soils, but are more active in the soils from meadows. Full article

Soil is a natural capital which supplies valuable ecosystem services including carbon and nitrogen storage. Agroecosystems play an important role in soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (NT) accumulation. The aim of this study was to analyse SOC stock (SOCS) and NT stock (NTS) in relation to land use (arable land-AL, permanent grasslands-PG), management, soil depth, and selected soil properties of six soil subtypes (Rendzic Leptosol—LPrz, Dystric Cambisol—CMdy, Stagnic Cambisol—CMst, Haplic Fluvisol—FLha, Gleyic Fluvisol—FLgl, Haplic Chernozem—CHha) which are the most widespread in Slovakia. SOCS for a 50 cm deep soil profile ranged from 161 t.ha⁻¹ in CHha to 59 t.ha⁻¹ in FLgl in grasslands, and in arable lands from 111 t.ha⁻¹ in CHha to 38 t.ha⁻¹ in CMst. In grasslands, FLs and CMst showed the significantly lowest SOCS and NTS in comparison to CMdy, LPrz, and CHha. The mean soil NT content in arable land and grasslands was 2.21 g.kg⁻¹ and 2.82 g.kg⁻¹, respectively. ANOVA showed that soil subtype, land use, and site have significantly affected SOCS but not NTS. The correlation analysis revealed correlations between SOCS and NTS. SOCS was also correlated with C:N, pH, P, and K. This study should help to encourage practices to maintain soil C and soil properties and to ensure the sustainability of the functions of many soil types in Slovakia. Full article

The bioaccumulation of selenium (Se) and heavy metals (HMs) in plants is important because it can affect plant health and human nutrition. Recognizing the factors affecting Se accumulation in plants may have important implications for agricultural practices and human health in selenium-rich regions. The study primarily focused on the interactions between Se and HMs in the soil–plant system of the Lower Dniester Valley. Total concentrations of HMs (Cu, Mn, Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, while Se concentrations were determined by a sensitive single-test-tube fluorometric method in solutions and extracts. Water-soluble Se (0.09 ± 0.03 mg·kg⁻¹) in soils was 32.1% of the total Se (0.33 ± 0.13 mg·kg⁻¹) and increased with the total rising Se content (r = 0.845). The results indicated that plants had a greater Zn accumulation capacity than that of the other HMs, suggesting its importance as a trace element for plant requirements. Se also had a high bioaccumulation rate. Se and Zn accumulation varied in different soil types, reflecting differences in bioavailability. In contrast, Mn and Cu showed low bioaccumulation, which varied with soil conditions and anthropogenic Cu pollution. Despite the Cu contamination of the soils in the investigated region, it can be inferred that the hydrogeochemical province with high Se content in groundwater has favorable conditions for Se mobilization in soils. The absence of antagonistic interactions with HMs in the soil–plant system contributes to the enhanced Se accumulation in plants in the Lower Dniester Valley. These results emphasize the complexity of the interactions between Se and HMs in the soil–plant system and their potential impact on agricultural practices. Full article

Mediterranean agriculture asks for sustainable strategies to prevent actual soil organic matter decline rates. Composting agri-food by-products for application in farmland, besides contributing to a circular economy at regional or local scales, may improve soil resistance to physical degradation. Aggregate stability (AS) is a crucial property for building up such resistance. Olive pomace is an abundant by-product of the olive oil industry that may be valorized through composting. This study aimed to assess the influence on AS of olive-pomace-based composts (OPC) applied to a sandy loam Leptosol and a clay loam Fluvisol. To assess the effects of compost characteristics on AS, three OPCs resulting from different olive pomace proportions in the composting raw material (44, 31, and 25% by volume) were applied to aggregate samples in three doses (10, 20, and 40 t.ha⁻¹, plus control) with fine and coarse grain sizes. Controlled laboratory conditions subjected samples to daily wetting-drying cycles during a 30-day experiment. AS was measured by wet sieving. OPC application significantly increased AS in the Leptosol amended with fine (+15% vs. control) and coarse (+19%) grain-size compost. In well-aggregated Fluvisol, amendment induced a significant increase in AS only in the compost coarse grain size (+12%). The application dose significantly affected AS, with 10 t.ha⁻¹ being the best-performing dose. OPC applications in weakly aggregated soils are seemingly an encouraging soil management practice for improving soil resistance to physical degradation and reducing soil organic matter decline rates in Mediterranean farmland. Full article

The use of highly effective sources of zinc (Zn) in alkaline agricultural soils is essential to achieve crop biofortification, maintain crop quality, and avoid potential environmental risks. This research examines the efficacy of environmentally friendly Zn complexes (citric acid, CIT and glycine, GLY) compared to a traditional source (ZnSO₄) for the lettuce cultivation in alkaline soil. The effectiveness of Zn sources was assessed based on the concentration of total and soluble Zn, plant biomass, and contents of photosynthetic pigments. The soil Zn status was also evaluated. While all Zn sources (Zn-GLY, Zn-CIT, and ZnSO₄) showed positive effects on lettuce growth, Zn-GLY exhibited the highest efficacy. This source exhibited increases of 230%, 502%, 296%, and 409% over the control in Zn concentration in young and mature leaves, soluble Zn, and Zn uptake, respectively. Zn-GLY also resulted in a 371% increase in soil exchangeable Zn concentration, compared to the control treatment. Our findings indicate that Zn-GLY could replace the traditional ZnSO₄ treatment, as it achieved high Zn biofortification of lettuce and a high concentration of Zn available in the medium-long term in the soil. The beneficial effect of the chelating agent GLY on plant chlorophyll and carotenoid contents is also remarkable. Full article

Accurately mapping the spatial distribution and variation of soil organic matter (SOM) is of great significance for guiding regional soil management. However, the applicability and prediction performance of machine learning techniques in dryland agroecosystems still needs to be further studied. In this study, we collected a total of 733 topsoil samples from the farmland in Xiao County, Anhui Province, which is a typical dryland agroecosystem in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Then, the environmental covariates were selected, and the ordinary kriging (OK), multiple linear stepwise regression (MLR), regression kriging (RK), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and random forest (RF) models were conducted to map the SOM content, and the optimal model was ascertained. The results demonstrated that the alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (26.11%), available potassium (17.73%), mean annual precipitation (13.26%), and pH (11.80%) were the main controlling factors affecting the spatial distribution of SOM in the study area. Meanwhile, the introduction of environmental covariates can effectively improve the SOM prediction accuracy, and the RF model (R² = 0.48, MAE = 2.38 g kg⁻¹, MRE = 12.99%, RMSE = 3.14 g kg⁻¹) has a better performance than the RFBNN, MLR, RK, and OK methods. Although there are local differences in the spatial distribution of SOM predicted by the five methods, the overall spatial distribution of SOM was characterized by the low concentration area (13.44–20.00 g kg⁻¹) distributed in the central and northwest of study area, and the high concentration area (24.00–28.95 g kg⁻¹) distributed in the southeast. Overall, our study demonstrated that machine learning-based models could accurately predict the SOM content in dryland agroecosystem, and the produced maps function as baseline maps for sustainable agricultural management. Full article

Modern times have required studies that take into account the main soil features, aligning the use of land with the protection of more sensitive environments. From this perspective, this study aimed to perform a morphological description and determine the physical and chemical attributes for soil classification in the community of Poção, located in the municipality of Martins/RN, by highlighting the more sensitive attributes in the differentiation of environments through multivariate analysis. Nine soil profiles were identified to perform the morphological description and collect samples for physical and chemical analyses. The study updates the soil classes found in the study area: Acrisols, Planosols, and Cambisols, with the relief being the main factor responsible for the difference between soil attributes. The influence of organic matter on the soil attributes highlights the importance of its maintenance. Aluminum and the clay fraction are responsible for the distinction of the Acrisol class, whereas silt, potassium sodium, total organic carbon, the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract, and the cation exchange capacity allow the differentiation of Fluvisols. Full article

Common sage is a versatile medicinal and aromatic plant that adapts well to unfavorable soil conditions. We determined the effect of Fluvisol and Chernozem soils on sage morphology, leaf yield, essential oil content, and composition under rainfed, temperate conditions for two consecutive years. Based on the plant height, diameter, shoot length, and yield, Chernozem soil was significantly superior to Fluvisol. However, S. officinalis is considered a drought-tolerant plant; our results confirmed the importance of the available water capacity of the different soil types since the yield on both soil types decreased significantly after an extreme drought event in 2022. The essential oil concentration (0.67–1.10 mL/100 g DM) was higher on the Fluvisol, but the total oil content was higher in the case of Chernozem (78.64 ± 20.50 mL/m² DM). The ratio of essential oil components was also influenced by the soil types, but the highest amounts were analyzed for soils viridiflorol, α-humulen, and α-tujone. The essential oil yield showed a strong positive correlation with hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (0.92) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (0.95). Moreover, significant correlations were identified between the harvest time, seasonal precipitation patterns, soil and plant characteristics, and drug quality. On both soil types, the macronutrient content of the soils showed a strong positive correlation with the morphological parameters. The essential oil concentration was higher in the arid season of 2022 in the case of both soil types. The soil type and the seasonal effects can also change the ratio of essential oils. Full article