Plant, Soil and Environment, 2022 (vol. 68), issue 3
Copper content in soils and litter from fruit orchards in Central Chile and its relationship with soil microbial activityOriginal Paper
J. Tomás Schoffer, Humberto Aponte, Alexander Neaman, Luz María de la Fuente, Eduardo C. Arellano, Pilar M. Gil, Rosanna Ginocchio
Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(3):115-128 | DOI: 10.17221/281/2021-PSE 
This study assessed both the soil and litter copper (Cu) levels and their relationships with soil microbial activity, in fruit-tree production areas of central Chile where Cu-based pesticides are intensively sprayed. Samples of soil (0-20 cm depth) and litter from a number of selected orchards (kiwi, table grape, plum, and cherry) were collected and analysed for their Cu content and C-induced soil microbial activity. Results showed that the mean total soil Cu level was 225 mg/kg and soluble soil Cu was less than 0.01% of total soil Cu, as expected from pH values of study soils (range of 6.33 to 7.93). However, leaf litter Cu content was 3-7 times higher...
Do foliar applications of nickel increase urease activity and nutrient levels in pecan leaflets?Original Paper
Angélica Anahi Acevedo-Barrera, Oscar Cruz-Alvarez, Ofelia Adriana Hernández-Rodríguez, Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza, Laura Raquel Orozco-Meléndez, Mayra Cristina Soto-Caballero, Dalila Jacqueline Escudero-Almanza, Damaris Leopoldina Ojeda-Barrios
Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(3):129-136 | DOI: 10.17221/487/2021-PSE
Nickel (Ni) deficiency limits the production of pecan. Concentrations of mineral nutrients and urease activity in leaflets of young pecan plants cv. Pawnee were evaluated in response to foliar applications of Ni as Ni sulfate or Ni citrate, or as chelates with EDDHA, EDTA, or DTPA. Significant variations were found in N-total concentration with Ni-EDDHA (27.17 ± 0.98 g/kg) and Ni-sulphate (28 ± 0.89 g/kg), where the latter together with Ni-citrate were high in phosphorus concentrations. Levels of Ni2+ (3.70 mg/kg), Mn2+ (222.73 mg/kg) and Zn2+ (38.69 mg/kg) were all increased in leaflets sprayed with Ni-EDDHA...
Spectral characteristics of leaves diffuse reflection in conditions of soil drought: a study of soft spring wheat cultivars of different drought resistanceOriginal Paper
Dmitriy V. Rusakov, Elena V. Kanash
Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(3):137-145 | DOI: 10.17221/483/2021-PSE
Quick and accurate nondestructive methods of water deficiency detection prior to the appearance of visible symptoms of plant deterioration as well as estimation of photosynthesis parameters are needed to effectively control conditions of plant growth, to manage crop productivity and to implement programs of "smart farming". The aim of our investigation was to analyse spectral characteristics of leaves diffuse reflection as evident in soft spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different drought resistance in optimal conditions and under the impact of soil drought; another objective was to determine the reflection indices that could...
Development of soil phosphorus storage capacity for phosphorus retention/release assessment in neutral or alkaline soilsOriginal Paper
Gang Xu, Mengyu Yue, Yuxuan Ren, Jiawei Song, Xiaobing Chen
Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(3):146-154 | DOI: 10.17221/482/2021-PSE
The concept of the soil phosphorus storage capacity (SPSC) was successfully used to evaluate the phosphorus (P) loss risk and the P retention capacity of acidic soil. This study extended the concept of SPSC from acidic soil to neutral or alkaline soil. A total of 95 surfaces (0-10 cm) soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta (YRD) for use in this study. Batch sorption experiments, correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and a split-line model were used to calculate the threshold value of the degree of P saturation (DPS). The SPSC was developed based on the DPS threshold value. Based on a DPS threshold value of 11.5%, we developed...
Effects of mechanochemically activated phosphate rock on maize growth and phosphorus useOriginal Paper
Nana Fang, Zhenhua Chen, Zhiqiang Liu, Huimin Dai, Xueming Yang, Wei Wang
Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(3):155-161 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2022-PSE
It is well known that mechanochemically activated phosphate rock (MAPR) could improve extractable phosphorus (P) (extracted in 2% citric acid) greatly in an ecological way. To evaluate the agronomic effectiveness of MAPR, we conducted a field experiment using spring maize in Luvisol (pH 6.47) soil in Northeast China for three consecutive years. Treatments consist of variation of P levels for substitution of triple superphosphate (TSP) (100% TSP, 10% MAPR, 20% MAPR, 50% MAPR, 100% MAPR). Compared with 100% TSP, all the combined applications of MAPR and TSP were as effective on straw yield. Treatments of 10% MAPR and 20% MAPR had similar effect on grain...