scholarly journals Influence of soil fertility on waterlogging tolerance of two Brachiaria grasses

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan De la Cruz Jiménez ◽  
Juan Andrés Cardoso ◽  
David Arango-Londoño ◽  
Gerhard Fischer ◽  
Idupulapati Rao

As a consequence of global warming, rainfall is expected to increase in several regions around the world. This, together with poor soil drainage, will result in waterlogged soil conditions. <em>Brachiaria</em> grasses are widely sown in the tropics and, these grasses confront seasonal waterlogged conditions. Several studies have indicated that an increase in nutrient availability could reduce the negative impact of waterlogging. Therefore, an outdoor study was conducted to evaluate the responses of two <em>Brachiaria</em> sp. grasses with contrasting tolerances to waterlogging, <em>B. ruziziensis </em>(sensitive) and <em>B. humidicola</em> (tolerant), with two soil fertility levels. The genotypes were grown with two different soil fertilization levels (high and low) and under well-drained or waterlogged soil conditions for 15 days. The biomass production, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B) contents in the shoot tissue were determined. Significant differences in the nutrient content of the genotypes and treatments were found. An increase of redoximorphic elements (Fe and Mn) in the soil solution occurred with the waterlogging. The greater tolerance of <em>B. humidicola</em> to waterlogged conditions might be due to an efficient root system that is able to acquire nutrients (N, P, K) and potentially exclude phytotoxic elements (Fe and Mn) under waterlogged conditions.  A high nutrient availability in the waterlogged soils did not result in an improved tolerance for <em>B. ruziziensis</em>. The greater growth impairment seen in the <em>B. ruziziensis</em> with high soil fertility and waterlogging (as opposed to low soil fertility and waterlogging) was possibly due to an increased concentration of redoximorphic elements under these conditions.

Plant Methods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Miricescu ◽  
Tomás Byrne ◽  
Catherine M. Doorly ◽  
Carl K. Y. Ng ◽  
Susanne Barth ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Crop yield is dependent on climate conditions, which are becoming both more variable and extreme in some areas of the world as a consequence of global climate change. Increased precipitation and flooding events are the cause of important yield losses due to waterlogging or (partial) submergence of crops in the field. Our ability to screen efficiently and quickly for varieties that have increased tolerance to waterlogging or (partial) submergence is important. Barley, a staple crop worldwide, is particularly sensitive to waterlogging. Screening for waterlogging tolerant barley varieties has been ongoing for many years, but methods used to screen vary greatly, from the type of soil used to the time at which the treatment is applied. This variation makes it difficult to cross-compare results. Results Here, we have devised a scoring system to assess barley tolerance to waterlogging and compare two different methods when partial submergence is applied with either water or a starch solution at an early developmental stage, which is particularly sensitive to waterlogging or partial submergence. The use of a starch solution has been previously shown to result in more reducing soil conditions and has been used to screen for waterlogging tolerance. Conclusions Our results show that the two methods provide similar results to qualitatively rank varieties as tolerant or sensitive, while also affecting plants differently, in that application of a starch solution results in stronger and earlier symptoms than applying partial submergence with water.


2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kübler ◽  
K. Hoppenheidt ◽  
P. Hirsch ◽  
A. Kottmair ◽  
R. Nimmrichter ◽  
...  

Operational results of a co-digestion facility were assessed over a period of 18 months. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) contains a considerable amount of contaminants and grit (up to 6% w/w). A BTA-Pulper efficiently treated the different waste streams and converted a high amount of volatile solids (VS) into the digester feedstock. The seasonal fluctuations of the waste composition significantly influenced the biogas production. The impact of this seasonally variant degradability of VS had to be considered by evaluating the operation results. The waste streams investigated did not show any negative impact on digester performance. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the digester considerably affected the VS-reduction. Despite a considerable decrease of VS-degradation a reduction of HRT from 14 to 8 days slightly improves the gas production rate (GPR). An activated sludge system efficiently reduced the pollution of the effluent.The nutrient content of the anaerobic compostwas favourable and the content of pollutants was low. The facility produced surplus electrical power up to 290 MJ/t. An overall energy balance shows that the facility substitutes primary energy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (NA) ◽  
pp. 157-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Kreutzweiser ◽  
Paul W. Hazlett ◽  
John M. Gunn

Logging disturbances in boreal forest watersheds can alter biogeochemical processes in soils by changing forest composition, plant uptake rates, soil conditions, moisture and temperature regimes, soil microbial activity, and water fluxes. In general, these changes have often led to short-term increases in soil nutrient availability followed by increased mobility and losses by leaching to receiving waters. Among the studies we reviewed, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exports usually increased after logging, and nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification often increased with resulting increased N availability and exports to receiving waters. Similar processes and responses occurred for phosphorus (P), but to a lesser extent than for N. In most cases, base cations were released and exported to receiving waters after logging. Several studies demonstrated that stem-only or partial-harvest logging reduced the impacts on nutrient release and exports in comparison to whole-tree clear-cutting. Despite these logging-induced increases in soil nutrient availability and movement to receiving waters, most studies reported little or no change in soil chemical properties. However, responses to logging were highly variable and often site specific. The likelihood, extent and magnitude of logging impacts on soil nutrient cycling and exports in boreal forest watersheds will be dependent on soil types, stand and site conditions, hydrological connectivity, post-logging weather patterns, and type and timing of harvest activities. Additionally, logging impacts can interact with, and be confounded by, atmospheric pollutant deposition and climate change. Further watershed-level empirical studies and modeling efforts are required to elucidate these interactions, to improve predictive capabilities, and to advance forest management guidelines for sustaining forest soil productivity and limiting nutrient exports.


Author(s):  
Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about the effect of farm land management practices and soil depth on the distribution of major soil physico-chemical properties in eroded soils of Aboy Gara watershed. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 64 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods were used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. According to farmers response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile where it comprise black color, cracks during dry season, good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain plants and presence of plants in a dry environment whereas the infertile is where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted plant growth, presence of rocks and stones and wilting or dying of crops in a hot environment. A total of eight indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home, type of weeds grown and cultivation intensity) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility. The results of administered questions showed that the principal indicators mentioned by farmers as very important were soil colour (82.8%), continuous cropping land (72.2%), soil texture (62.8%), distance from home (61%), type of weeds grown (56%), soil depth (55.6%), topography (51.1%), and soil drainage (28.7%) as very important. So, among sixty four interviewed farmers: deep soil (60 farmers), soils near to home (60 farmers), forest soil (59 farmers), smooth fine soil (59 farmers), black color soil (58 farmers) and gentle slope soil (57farmers) are categorized as fertile whereas 59, 57, 56, 55, and 44farmers said that Sandy/coarse soil, shallow soil depth, steep slope soils and yellow/white, red soils and continuously cultivated soils are infertile, respectively. The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators. The soil laboratory analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to-day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreu Cera ◽  
Estephania Duplat ◽  
Gabriel Montserrat-Martí ◽  
Antonio Gómez-Bolea ◽  
Susana Rodríguez-Echeverría ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Gypsum soils are P-limited atypical soils that harbour a rich endemic flora. These singular soils are usually found in drylands, where plant activity and soil nutrient availability are seasonal. No previous studies have analysed the seasonality of P nutrition and its interaction with the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) colonisation in gypsum plants. Our aim was to evaluate the seasonal changes in plant nutrient status, AMF colonisation and rhizospheric soil nutrient availability in gypsum specialist and generalist species. Methods We evaluated seasonal variation in the proportion of root length colonised by AMF structures (hyphae, vesicules and arbuscules), plant nutrient status (leaf C, N and P and fine root C and N) and rhizospheric soil content (P, organic matter, nitrate and ammonium) of three gypsum specialists and two generalists throughout a year. Results All species showed arbuscules within roots, including species of Caryophyllaceae and Brassicaceae. Root colonisation by arbuscules (AC) was higher in spring than in other seasons, when plants showed high leaf P-requirements. Higher AC was decoupled from inorganic N and P availability in rhizospheric soil, and foliar nutrient content. Generalists showed higher AC than specialists, but only in spring. Conclusions Seasonality was found in AMF colonisation, rhizospheric soil content and plant nutrient status. The mutualism between plants and AMF was highest in spring, when P-requirements are higher for plants, especially in generalists. However, AMF decoupled from plant demands in autumn, when nutrient availability increases in rhizospheric soil.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 2615-2624
Author(s):  
Muzaffer İpek ◽  
Şeyma Arıkan ◽  
Ahmet Eşitken ◽  
Lütfi Pırlak ◽  
Mesude Figen Dönmez ◽  
...  

The highly calcareous soil limits plant growth parameters due to inadequate uptake of plant nutrients. Calcareous soil conditions affect plant growth through impaired chlorophyll synthesis, root growth, enzyme synthesis, and nutrient uptake. To overcome the negative effect of calcareous soil, six bacterial strains namely Alcaligenes 637Ca, Agrobacterium A18, Staphylococcus MFDCa1, Staphylococcus MFDCa2, Bacillus M3, and Pantoea FF1 were inoculated in one-year-old plants of peach cultivar ‘Elegant Lady’ grafted onto GF677 and Nemaguard rootstocks. The bacterial treatments were observed to improve plant growth and nutrient content compared to the control. Moreover, the GF677 rootstock was observed to be more tolerant to high calcareous soil conditions than Nemaguard, showing better plant growth and nutrient content. At the Nemaguard rootstocks, the largest leaf area was observed to be upon inoculation with MFDCa2 (29.1 cm2), FF1 (28.8 cm2), and M3 (28.1 cm2), whereas at the GF677 rootstock, the highest leaf area was observed upon inoculation with MFDCa1 (34.7 cm2), FF1 (32.6 cm2), and 637Ca (31.5 cm2). The leaf iron content was higher in bacterial treatments than the control. In the Nemaguard rootstock, the highest iron content was measured in plants inoculated with 637Ca (133.49 mg kg–1) and M3 (127.64 mg kg–1), whereas in the GF677 rootstock, the treatments MFDCa1 (131.51 mg kg–1), 637Ca (131.21 mg kg–1), FF1 (127.72 mg kg–1), and M3 (127.68 mg kg–1) resulted in high iron content. The results indicate that bacterial inoculations have a significant potential to improve plant growth and can be used as biofertilizers for peach grafted onto Nemaguard and GF677 in high calcareous soil conditions.


Author(s):  
H. Haruna

Land use changes from forest into cultivated ecosystems result in negative impact on soil structure and quality. The purpose of this study was to determine effect of land use on soil quality in Afaka forest northern guinea savannah of Nigeria. Land use systems, including natural forest and cultivated land were identified. Eighteen (18) composite disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from depth of 0-5 and 5-10 cm for analysis of pertinent soil properties in the laboratory using grid procedure. Most physical and chemical properties show relative variations in response to land use types and geomorphic positions. Results  indicate  that the soils had  high degree of weathering potentials, low  to moderate  bulk density at 0-5cm depth values between 1.42 to 1.49 Mg m-3 in  forest and  cultivated land, bulk density of  1.34 and 1.46 1.Mg m-3at 5 -1ocm depth   for forest and  cultivated land respectively. The soil water at 0-5cm depth is from 4.20 to 2.63 cm3/cm3, while at 5-10 cm depth these values vary from 4.32 to 2.13 cm3/cm3 under forest and cultivation land use. The pH (H2O) is 6.9 to 7.16 with low electrical conductivity of 0.13 dS/m(forest) and 0.12 dS/m (cultivation). The CEC of soils is recorded as 8.60 cmol kg-1 (forest) to 8.54 cmol kg-1 (cultivated)whereas  total nitrogen content of 1.21 g kg-1 and 1.11 g kg-1 and available phosphorus of 8.78 mg kg-1 (cultivated) and 5.47 mg kg-1 (forest).. Results indicate that soil fertility parameters were moderate to low for cultivated land and at all slope positions, suggesting that soil fertility management is required in order to make agriculture sustainable on Afaka area.


1917 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Russell ◽  
A. Appleyard

The biochemical decomposition of plant residues and other organic matter in the soil is of fundamental importance for soil fertility. It causes the breaking down of coarse plant fragments which otherwise might open up the soil too much: it leads to the production of colloidal complexes known as humus which exert many beneficial effects both chemical and physical, and it brings about the formation of nitrates, the most important of the nitrogenous plant nutrients.


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