Radioactivity of Selected Agricultural Soils in Croatia: Effects of Soil Properties, Soil Management, and Geological Parameters

To investigate the bioconcentration and potential health risks of metal(loid)s in a particular agro-ecological area, 230 pairs of soil and corresponding crop grain samples were collected from typical corn and wheat plants. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo), bioconcentration factors (BCF), health risk assessment (the target hazard quotient), and Receptor Prediction Model (PCS-SMLR) analysis were adopted to study the spatial distribution, assess the health risks, and predict the relationship between metal(loid)s and soil properties. It was found that the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Cd in the study area’s agricultural soils exceeded the background soil concentrations, especially for Cd (0.2 mg/kg), Meanwhile, the corresponding Cd concentration in wheat samples was higher than the food quality limit. The results of the Igeo showed that the samples with a value higher than 0 for Cd and Hg accounted for 47.83% and 33.48%, respectively. The results of BCF of Cu, Zn, Cd, and As were higher in wheat than in corn, except for Ni. The target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of health risk of wheat, corn, and soil were higher for children (2.48) than adults (1.78), showing a potential health risk for individuals who mostly consume wheat. In addition, the PCS-SMLR analysis of the BCF prediction model for Cu, Zn, As, and soil properties showed differences in terms of the influences from wheat and corn. These results provide valuable information that not only can help local residents improve the staple food structure, but also can get provide a reference metal(loid)s concentration level for agricultural soils in the study area and restore a sustainable agro-ecological environment.

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Soil Nutrients Effects on the Performance of Durum Wheat Inoculated with Entomopathogenic Fungi

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10040589 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 589

Author(s):

Adrián González-Guzmán ◽

Daniel Sacristán ◽

Antonio Rafael Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽

Vidal Barrón ◽

José Torrent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Entomopathogenic Fungi ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Soil Available Phosphorus ◽

Mutualistic Relationship ◽

Fungal Inoculation

Entomopathogenic fungi (EFs) are widely used as biological control agents. However, some strains of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum can also promote plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. We examined the effects of soil properties on the performance of Triticum durum inoculated by seed dressing with these EFs and grown on 12 agricultural soils. The plants were supplied with all nutrients except P and Zn (essential for yield and the grain quality of wheat). Fungal inoculation increased the grain yield and harvest index significantly with B. bassiana (17% and 14%, respectively) but not with M. brunneum (6% and 6%, respectively). The increase in grain yield was positively and moderately correlated with the soil available phosphorus (POlsen) in plants inoculated with B. bassiana and with the soil content in poorly crystalline Fe oxides with M. brunneum. In addition, the increase in aerial dry matter resulting from inoculation with B. bassiana was negatively correlated with soil available Zn. Furthermore, the observed increase in grain yields due to fungal inoculation resulted in P and Zn grain dilution (grain nutrient concentrations decrease). Inoculation with B. bassiana increased grain Zn uptake and the proportion of Zn in grain relative to that in aerial dry matter. Success in the mutualistic relationship between EF and wheat plants depends on the fungal strain and soil properties.

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Separation of soil and canopy reflectance signatures of Mid German agricultural soils

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/3589-pse ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 51 (No, 7) ◽

pp. 296-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. Behrens ◽

K. Gregor ◽

W. Diepenbrock

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Water Content ◽

Soil Water ◽

Soil Water Content ◽

Vegetation Index ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Soil Reflectance

Remote sensing can provide visual indications of crop growth during production season. In past, spectral optical estimations were well performed in the ability to be correlated with crop and soil properties but were not consistent within the whole production season. To better quantify vegetation properties gathered via remote sensing, models of soil reflectance under changing moisture conditions are needed. Signatures of reflected radiation were acquired for several Mid German agricultural soils in laboratory and field experiments. Results were evaluated at near-infrared spectral region at the wavelength of 850 nm. The selected soils represented different soil colors and brightness values reflecting a broad range of soil properties. At the wavelength of 850 nm soil reflectance ranged between 10% (black peat) and 74% (white quartz sand). The reflectance of topsoils varied from 21% to 32%. An interrelation was found between soil brightness rating values and spectral optical reflectance values in form of a linear regression. Increases of soil water content from 0% to 25% decreased signatures of soil reflectance at 850 nm of two different soil types about 40%. The interrelation of soil reflectance and soil moisture revealed a non-linear exponential function. Using knowledge of the individual signature of soil reflectance as well as the soil water content at the measurement, soil reflectance could be predicted. As a result, a clear separation is established between soil reflectance and reflectance of the vegetation cover if the vegetation index is known.

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Cropping system effects on soil quality in the Great Plains: Synthesis from a regional project

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1079/raf2005125 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 49-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

B.J. Wienhold ◽

J.L. Pikul ◽

M.A. Liebig ◽

M.M. Mikha ◽

G.E. Varvel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Great Plains ◽

Management Practices ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Soil Management ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Organic C ◽

Environmental Function

AbstractSoils perform a number of essential functions affecting management goals. Soil functions were assessed by measuring physical, chemical, and biological properties in a regional assessment of conventional (CON) and alternative (ALT) management practices at eight sites within the Great Plains. The results, reported in accompanying papers, provide excellent data for assessing how management practices collectively affect agronomic and environmental soil functions that benefit both farmers and society. Our objective was to use the regional data as an input for two new assessment tools to evaluate their potential and sensitivity for detecting differences (aggradation or degradation) in management systems. The soil management assessment framework (SMAF) and the agro-ecosystem performance assessment tool (AEPAT) were used to score individual soil properties at each location relative to expected conditions based on inherent soil-forming factors and to compute index values that provide an overall assessment of the agronomic and environmental impact of the CON and ALT practices. SMAF index values were positively correlated with grain yield (an agronomic function) and total organic matter (an agronomic and environmental function). They were negatively correlated with soil nitrate concentration at harvest (an indicator of environmental function). There was general agreement between the two assessment tools when used to compare management practices. Users can measure a small number of soil properties and use one of these tools to easily assess the effectiveness of soil management practices. A higher score in either tool identifies more environmentally and agronomically sustainable management. Temporal variability in measured indicators makes dynamic assessments of management practices essential. Water-filled pore space, aggregate stability, particulate organic matter, and microbial biomass were sensitive to management and should be included in studies aimed at improving soil management. Reductions in both tillage and fallow combined with crop rotation has resulted in improved soil function (e.g., nutrient cycling, organic C content, and productivity) throughout the Great Plains.

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Effect of Integrated Soil Management Practices (ISMP) on Soil Properties and Soil Quality Indices in Hot Moist Semi-Arid Red Alfisol Soils of Bangalore Region

Indian Journal of Dryland Agricultural Research and Development ◽

10.5958/2231-6701.2018.00021.0 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 54

Author(s):

K.L. Sharma ◽

G. Ravindra Chary ◽

K. Sammi Reddy ◽

A.K. Indoria ◽

D. Suma Chandrika ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Management Practices ◽

Soil Management ◽

Quality Indices ◽

Semi Arid

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Fertility Status of Selected Agricultural Soils Along Major Roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma Areas of Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria

Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria ◽

10.46602/jcsn.v45i4.498 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

Author(s):

J. C. Onwuka ◽

J. M. Nwaedozie ◽

E. H. Kwon – Dung ◽

P. T. Terna

Keyword(s):

Plant Uptake ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Management ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

High Rate

Soil nutrient status determines its crop productivity and provide basis for appropriate soil management. The soil samples which spread across the agricultural farms along major roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria; were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties. Most of the studied Nasarawa Eggon and Doma soils were extremely acidic. Textural class showed high sand content (>80) of the investigated soils, indicating possible high rate of water infiltration in these soils which will lead to their low water holding capacity. The organic carbon (OC) contents in both locations, were rated high as it varied from 1.50 to 1.85 %, whereas total nitrogen (TN) levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.21 % in the studied soils. The levels of available P, Ca, K and Mg were inadequate for satisfactory plant growth, considering their respective critical level established for Nigerian soils. Mineral analysis showed the presence of essential elements such as S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo and Zn. Beneficial/functional elements such as Ti, V, Rb and Sr, were found in significant quantities in the investigated soils of both studied areas. Thus, Potential K and Ca deficiency could be greatly compensated by Rb and Sr uptake. The quantities of non – beneficial elements such as Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba and Sc were significant in soils from Nasarawa Eggon but were insignificant in Doma soils. Thus, this study revealed that nutrient content of the soil differs from the nutrient availability for plant uptake and the fertility of investigated soils in both locations depended on the soil pH and textural class. Also, the conditions of the soils at both studied locations, are unfavourable for plant uptake of certain important nutrients and could lead to low crop yields if there is no effective nutrient and soil management.

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