scholarly journals Soil pH and Organic Matter Content Affects European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) Crown Defoliation and Its Impact on Understory Vegetation

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Turczański ◽  
Paweł Rutkowski ◽  
Marcin K. Dyderski ◽  
Dorota Wrońska-Pilarek ◽  
Mirosław Nowiński

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) dieback caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (T. Kowalski) Baral, Queloz, and Hosoya has been affecting European forests since 1992. The disease drives severe crown defoliation, branch loss, and finally tree mortality in European ash. The environmental factors affecting the disease process are still not fully recognized. We hypothesized that the level of crown defoliation in ash, as well as its impact on understory vegetation, will differ along the pH gradient in soil. We examined 27 ash stands in western Poland. We assessed the crown defoliation of 15 dominant and co-dominant trees, soil parameters (pH and soil organic matter contents; SOM), and also recorded the understory vegetation species composition. Most moderately and severely damaged trees occurred within the plots with a high SOM content (>7.5%) and neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH (>7.0) in the A horizon. We noted significantly lower crown defoliation in mesic sites with acidic soils and lower SOM contents. The results also showed the influence of ash crown defoliation on the species functional composition. Ash dieback led to the creation of gaps, and their colonization by other species frequently found in forest sites, especially forest-edge tall herbs.

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1326
Author(s):  
Calvin F. Glaspie ◽  
Eric A. L. Jones ◽  
Donald Penner ◽  
John A. Pawlak ◽  
Wesley J. Everman

Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of soil organic matter content and soil pH on initial and residual weed control with flumioxazin by planting selected weed species in various lab-made and field soils. Initial control was determined by planting weed seeds into various lab-made and field soils treated with flumioxazin (71 g ha−1). Seeds of Echinochloa crus-galli (barnyard grass), Setaria faberi (giant foxtail), Amaranthus retroflexus (redroot pigweed), and Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf) were incorporated into the top 1.3 cm of each soil at a density of 100 seeds per pot, respectively. Emerged plants were counted and removed in both treated and non-treated pots two weeks after planting and each following week for six weeks. Flumioxazin control was evaluated by calculating percent emergence of weeds in treated soils compared to the emergence of weeds in non-treated soils. Clay content was not found to affect initial flumioxazin control of any tested weed species. Control of A. theophrasti, E. crus-galli, and S. faberi was reduced as soil organic matter content increased. The control of A. retroflexus was not affected by organic matter. Soil pH below 6 reduced flumioxazin control of A. theophrasti, and S. faberi but did not affect the control of A. retroflexus and E. crus-galli. Flumioxazin residual control was determined by planting selected weed species in various lab-made and field soils 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after treatment. Eight weeks after treatment, flumioxazin gave 0% control of A. theophrasti and S. faberi in all soils tested. Control of A. retroflexus and Chenopodium album (common lambsquarters) was 100% for the duration of the experiment, except when soil organic matter content was greater than 3% or the soil pH 7. Eight weeks after treatment, 0% control was only observed for common A. retroflexus and C. album in organic soil (soil organic matter > 80%) or when soil pH was above 7. Control of A. theophrasti and S. faberi decreased as soil organic matter content and soil pH increased. Similar results were observed when comparing lab-made soils to field soils; however, differences in control were observed between lab-made organic matter soils and field organic matter soils. Results indicate that flumioxazin can provide control ranging from 75–100% for two to six weeks on common weed species.


2020 ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Tahsina Sharmin Hoque ◽  
Shafia Afrin ◽  
Israt Jahan ◽  
Md. Joinul Abedin Mian ◽  
Mohammad Anwar Hossain

Soil depth can significantly influence the availability of nutrients in soil. An experiment was conducted with seven soil samples from seven land use types to observe the effect of soil depth on soil properties under various land use systems. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, available phosphorus (P), available sulphur (S) and different forms of potassium (K) such as water soluble, exchangeable and non-exchangeable were determined from the soil samples collected from four soil depths (viz. 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm). Soil pH varied from 6.30-7.39 irrespective of depths and land uses and it increased with increasing soil depth. Electrical conductivity of the soils ranged from 42-310 µS cm-1 and organic matter status of most of the soils was very low to medium in level. Both EC and organic matter content decreased with the increase of soil depth. Available P concentration showed no specific changing trend with soil depth whereas available S concentration under different land use systems decreased with increasing soil depth. The concentrations of water soluble, exchangeable and non-exchangeable K in soils varied from 12.30-39.60, 20.90-53.16 and 163.30-684.30 mg kg-1, respectively and showed no specific changing pattern with soil depth. Water soluble K content was higher in rice growing fertilizer and manure-treated soil but higher exchangeable and non-exchangeable K contents were observed in banana growing soil. In rice growing soils, nutrient concentration is mostly higher in nitrogen (N), P and K + farm yard manure (FYM) - treated plots compared to rice growing control plots.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Bosiacka ◽  
Helena Więcław ◽  
Paweł Marciniuk ◽  
Marek Podlasiński

Abstract The vegetation of protected salt meadows along the Baltic coast is fairly well known; however, dandelions have been so far treated as a collective species. The aim of our study was to examine the microspecies diversity of the genus Taraxacum in Polish salt and brackish coastal meadows and to analyse soil property preferences of the dandelion microspecies identified. In addition, we analysed the relations between soil properties and vegetation patterns in dandelion-supporting coastal meadows (by canonical correspondence analysis). The salt and brackish meadows along the Polish Baltic coast we visited were found to support a total of 27 dandelion microspecies representing 5 sections. Analysis of vegetation patterns showed all the soil parameters (C:N ratio, organic matter content, pH, concentration of Mg, P, K, electrolytic conductivity of the saturated soil extract ECe) to explain 32.07% of the total variance in the species data. The maximum abundance of most dandelion microspecies was associated with the highest soil fertility, moderate pH values and organic matter content, and with the lowest magnesium content and soil salinity. The exceptions were T. latissimum, T. stenoglossum, T. pulchrifolium and T. lucidum the occur-rence of which was related to the lowest soil fertility and the highest salinity. In addition, several microspecies (T. leptodon, T. gentile, T. haematicum, T. fusciflorum and T. balticum) were observed at moderate C:N ratios and ECe. Four other microspecies (T. infestum, T. cordatum, T. hamatum, T. sertatum) occurred at the lowest pH and organic matter content. The information obtained increases the still insufficient body of knowledge on ecological spectra of individual dandelion microspecies, hence their potential indicator properties.


1998 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. CHAMBERS ◽  
T. W. D. GARWOOD

Lime loss rates were determined for 11 agricultural soils across England (1987–92) under arable cropping (six sites) and grassland management (five sites), receiving commercial rates of fertilizer inputs. Lime additions in the range 0–1500 kg ha−1 CaCO3 (250 kg ha−1 CaCO3 increments) were made annually to the sites. Soil pH (water and 0·01 m CaCl2) and exchangeable calcium concentrations were measured annually. The annual lime loss rates were calculated as the amount of lime needed to maintain the initial site pH or exchangeable Ca concentrations.Lime loss rates based on soil water pH varied between 40 and 1270 kg ha−1 CaCO3, on the basis of CaCl2 pH between 0 and 1370 kg ha−1 CaCO3, and exchangeable Ca between 0 and 1540 kg ha−1 CaCO3. There was a positive relationship between the lime loss rate (based on water pH) and initial soil pH value (r=0·75; P<0·01), and a negative relationship with soil organic matter content (r=0·63; P<0·05) was based on soil pH, organic matter content and nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Lime loss rates were approximately double those predicted by previous models developed in the 1970s, reflecting the greater quantities of inorganic N fertilizer now being applied to agricultural land.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Bryson ◽  
L. Jason Krutz ◽  
Gary N. Ervin ◽  
Krishna N. Reddy ◽  
John D. Byrd

AbstractCogongrass is a highly invasive, perennial grass that is found on all continents, except Antarctica. It continues to spread at an alarming rate in the southeastern United States. Cogongrass has been reported from a wide array of habitats; however, soils from areas where cogongrass grows have never been characterized. Live cogongrass plants, herbarium specimens, and soil samples were collected from 53 cogongrass populations from across the 10 physiographic regions and land use areas in Mississippi. Cogongrass leaf and inflorescence morphology varied among sites, and plants were found in soils varying widely in texture (ranging from 28 to 86% sand, 3 to 48% silt, and 6 to 43% clay), organic matter content (ranging from 0.9 to 5.0%), pH (ranging from 4.4 to 8.0), and nutrient status: 6 to 190 kg ha−1(15 to 470 lb A−1) of phosphorus (P), 46 to 734 kg ha−1of potassium (K), 150 to 7,620 kg ha−1of calcium (Ca), 26 to 1,090 kg ha−1of magnesium (Mg), 1 to 190 kg ha−1of zinc (Zn), 145 to 800 kg ha−1of estimated sulfur (S) based on organic matter, and 57 to 300 kg ha−1of sodium (Na). These soil parameters were highly variable among cogongrass populations, even within physiographic regions or land use areas, and encompassed much of the soil physiochemical diversity within the state. Soil characteristics were significantly correlated with leaf length (Ca, K, Mg, P, Zn, and percentage of sand and silt), leaf width (Ca, P, Mg, and percentage of sand and silt), the leaf length-to-width ratio (K and P), inflorescence length (Na, P, and pH), inflorescence width (S, organic matter, and pH), and the inflorescence length-to-width ratio (S and organic matter). These data indicate that cogongrass is able to establish, emerge, grow, and reproduce on a wide array of soils in Mississippi. This ability provides cogongrass an advantage over other plant species that are more limited in the soil types that support their growth.


1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-290
Author(s):  
MN Mondol ◽  
AS Chamon ◽  
B Faiz ◽  
MH Rahman ◽  
SF Elahi

The Tejgaon industrial area is located within the Dhaka Municipality area and about 5 km north of the city centre. At Tejgaon soil pH was around neutrality (mean 6.73) although the minimum value was 5.3 and the maximum 7.6. High buffering capacity resulting from high soil organic matter content (4.87-11.55%) probably influenced soil pH to a neutral value. Electrical conductivity (EC) (25-551 μS), organic matter (OM) (4.87-11.55%) and nitrogen (N) contents were also influenced by the industrial wastes and effluents of the factories. The average Pb concentrations (mg/kg) in different soil fractions were 7.80, 21.85, 56.15 and 130.29 and 11.42, 20.27, 40.33 and 95.08 in water-soluble, NH4OAc extractable, DTPA ( Dietheline-Triamine-Penta-Acetic acid) extractable and total fractions during dry (January) and rainy seasons (September) respectively. Comparing 1st (rainy season) and 2nd (dry season) sampling data, Pb concentrations in different soil fractions were higher in the 2nd sampling data. Concentration of total Pb in soils during 1st sampling were found above the natural background level with few exceptions. Only 4% of total Pb (=20 mg kg-1) samples were in the normal range during wet season. Lead concentration in the group of tolerable level was 58% (>20-<=100 mg kg-1) and 38% (>=100 mg kg-1) were found in the group of in excess of tolerable level during 1st sampling. On the other hand 62.5% (>=100 mg kg-1) were found in the group of in excess of tolerable level (0.01 mg kg-1 Pb) during dry season. In case of water samples, total Pb concentration in the rainy season, all samples were found in the group of in excess of tolerable level during 1st sampling. Plant samples were found to contain untolerable total Pb (>20 mg kg-1) during rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Key words: Speciation; Tejgaon soil; Industrial area; Lead. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i3.9032 BJSIR 2011; 46(3): 277-290


Weed Science ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blake A. Brown ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Donald D. Tyler ◽  
Thomas C. Mueller

Fluometuron adsorption and degradation were determined in soil collected at three depths from no-till + no cover, conventional-till + no cover, no-till + vetch cover, and conventional-till + vetch cover in continuous cotton. These combinations of tillage + cover crop + soil depth imparted a range of organic matter and pH to the soil. Soil organic matter and pH ranged from 0.9 to 2.5% and from 4.7 to 6.5, respectively. Fluometuron adsorption was affected by soil depth, tillage, and cover crop. In surface soils (0 to 4 cm), fluometuron adsorption was greater in no-till + vetch plots than in conventional-tilled + no cover plots. Soil adsorption of fluometuron was positively correlated with organic matter content and cation exchange capacity. Fluometuron degradation was not affected by adsorption, and degradation empirically fit a first-order model. Soil organic matter content had no apparent effect on fluometuron degradation rate. Fluometuron degradation was more rapid at soil pH > 6 than at pH ≤ 5, indicating a potential shift in microbial activity or population due to lower soil pH. Fluometuron half-life ranged from 49 to 90 d. These data indicate that tillage and cover crop may affect soil dissipation of fluometuron by altering soil physical and chemical properties that affect fluometuron degrading microorganisms or bioavailability.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim L. R. Coker ◽  
Jiří Rozsypálek ◽  
Anne Edwards ◽  
Tony P. Harwood ◽  
Louise Butfoy ◽  
...  

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (14) ◽  
pp. 1956-1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
APOSTOLOS KAPRANAS ◽  
ABIGAIL M. D. MAHER ◽  
CHRISTINE T. GRIFFIN

SUMMARYIn laboratory experiments, we investigated how media with varying ratio of peat:sand and two levels of compaction influence dispersal success of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species with different foraging strategies: Steinernema carpocapsae (ambusher), Heterorhabditis downesi (cruiser) and Steinernema feltiae (intermediate). Success was measured by the numbers of nematodes moving through a 4 cm column and invading a wax moth larva. We found that both compaction and increasing peat content generally decreased EPN infective juvenile (IJ) success for all three species. Of the three species, H. downesi was the least affected by peat content, and S. carpocapsae was the most adversely influenced by compaction. In addition, sex ratios of the invading IJs of the two Steinernema species were differentially influenced by peat content, and in the case of S. feltiae, sex ratio was also affected by compaction. This indicates that dispersal of male and female IJs is differentially affected by soil parameters and that this differentiation is species-specific. In conclusion, our study shows that organic matter: sand ratio and soil compaction have a marked influence on EPN foraging behaviour with implications for harnessing them as biological pest control agents.


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