Extractable sulphate and organic sulphur in soils and their availability to plants

Ten soils collected from the major arable areas in Britain were used to assess the availability of soil sulphur (S) to spring wheat in a pot experiment. Soils were extracted with various reagents and the extractable inorganic SO₄-S and total soluble S(SO₄-S plus a fraction of organic S) were determined using ion chromatography (IC) or inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), respectively. Water, 0.016 M KH₂PO₄, 0.01 M CaCl₂ and 0.01 M Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ extracted similar amounts of SO₄-S, as measured by IC, which were consistently smaller than the total extractable S as measured by ICP-AES. The amounts of organic S extracted varied widely between different extractants, with 0.5 M NaHCO₃ (pH 8.5) giving the largest amounts and 0.01 M CaCl₂ the least. Organic S accounted for approximately 30–60% of total S extracted with 0.016 M KH₂PO₄ and the organic C:S ratios in this extract varied typically between 50 and 70. The concentrations of this S fraction decreased in all soils without added S after two months growth of spring wheat, indicating a release of organic S through mineralisation. All methods tested except 0.5 M NaHCO₃-ICP-AES produced satisfactory results in the regression with plant dry matter response and S uptake in the pot experiment. In general, 0.016 M KH₂PO₄ appeared to be the best extractant and this extraction followed by ICP-AES determination was considered to be a good method to standardise on.     

Positive versus negative environmental impacts of tree encroachment in South Africa

Woody plant encroachment in grasslands is a worldwide phenomenon. Despite many studies, the consequences of woody plant encroachment on sub-canopy vegetation and soil properties are still unclear. To better understand the impacts of trees on grassland properties we examined the following questions using a mountainous sub-tropical grassland of South Africa encroached by an indigenous tree, Acacia sieberiana as a case study: (1) Do trees increase sub-canopy herbaceous diversity, quality and biomass and soil nitrogen content? (2) Do large trees have a stronger effect than medium-sized trees on grass and soil properties? (3) Does the impact of trees change with the presence of livestock and position of trees in a catena? We studied grass and non-graminoid species diversity and biomass, grass quality and soil properties during the wet season of 2009. Nitrogen in grass leaves, soil cation exchange capacity and calcium and magnesium ion concentrations in the soil increased under tall Acacia versus open areas. Medium-sized Acacia decreased the gross energy content, digestibility and neutral detergent fibre of grasses but increased the species richness of non-graminoids. Tall and medium Acacia trees were associated with the presence of Senecio inaequidens, an indigenous species that is toxic to horses and cattle. The presence of livestock resulted in a decrease in herbaceous root biomass and an increase in soil carbon and leaf biomass of grass under Acacia. Tree position in the catena did not modify the impact of trees on the herbaceous layer and soil properties. For management of livestock we recommend retaining tall Acacia trees and partially removing medium-sized Acacia trees because the latter had negative effects on grass quality.     

Positive and negative impacts of insect frass quality on soil nitrogen availability and plant growth

Frass deposition to soil is an important pathway by which herbivorous insects impact decomposition and soil nutrient availability. However, little is known about how frass quality influences ecosystem properties. Here, we examined the effects of frass quality on the decomposition process, soil nitrogen (N) availability, and plant growth, using frass of Mamestra brassicae (L.) that fed on fertilized or unfertilized Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis Bailey. The frass quality was largely dependent on the host plant quality. Frass excreted by larvae that fed on the fertilized plants had higher N than that of larvae that fed on the unfertilized plants. The decomposition rate of the frass did not differ between N-rich and N-poor frass, except during the early decomposition period. The inorganic N concentration decreased during decomposition in both frass types. However, difference in the initial inorganic N concentration led to different consequences regarding soil N availability. Furthermore, addition of frass to the soil differently influenced the growth of B. rapa plants depending on the frass quality: plant biomass was increased by N-rich frass addition but decreased by N-poor frass addition, compared to the biomass without frass addition. These results indicate that frass quality is an important factor in determining the impact of herbivorous insects on nutrient dynamics, and that frass positively or negatively influences soil N availability and plant growth, depending on its quality.     

Pyrite oxidation in acid sulphate soils: The role of miroorganisms

Summary A study has been made of microbial processes in the oxidation of pyrite in aicd sulphate soil material. Such soils are formed during aeration of marine muds rich in pyrite (FeS₂). Bacteria of the type ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans are mainly responsible for the oxidation of pyrite, causing a pronounced acidification of the soil. However, becauseThiobacillus ferrooxidans functions optimally at pH values bellow 4.0, its activity cannot explain the initial pH drop from approximately neutral to about 4. This was shown to be a non-biological process, in which bacteria play an insignificant part. AlthoughThiobacillus thioparus andThiobacillus thiooxidans were isolated from the acidifying soil, they did not stimulate oxidation of FeS₂, but utilized reduced sulphur compounds, which are formed during the non-biological oxidation of FeS₂.Ethylene-oxide-sterilized and dry-sterilized soil inoculated with pure cultures of mixtures of various thiobacilli or with freshly sampled acid sulphate soil soil did not acidify faster than sterile blanks.Thiobacillus thiooxians. Thiobacillus thioparus. Thiobacillus intermedius andThiobacillus perometabolis increased from about 10⁴ to 10⁵ cells/ml in media with FeS₂ as energy source. However, FeS₂ oxidation in the inoculated media was not faster than in sterile blanks.Attempts to isolate microorganisms other thanThiobacillus ferrooxidans, like metallogenium orLeptospirillum ferrooxidans, which might also be involved in the oxidation of FeS₂ were not successful.Addition of CaCO₃ to the soil prevented acidification but did not stop non-biological oxidation of FeS₂.     

Effect of temperature on rice growth in nutrient solution and in acid sulphate soils from Vietnam

Climatic and soil factors are limiting rice growth in many countries. In Vietnam, a steep gradient of temperature is observed from the North to the South, and acid sulphate soils are frequently devoted to rice production. We have therefore attempted to understand how temperature affects rice growth in these problem soils, by comparison with rice grown in nutrient solution. Two varieties of rice, IR64 and X2, were cultivated in phytotrons at 19/21°C and 28/32°C (day/night) for 56 days, after 3 weeks preculture in optimal conditions. Two soils from the Mekong Delta were tested. Parallel with the growing experiments, these two soils were incubated in order to monitor redox potential (E _h ), pH, soluble Al and Fe, soluble, and available P. Tillering retardation at 20°C compared to 30°C was similar in nutrient solutions and in soils. The effect of temperature on increasing plant biomass was more marked in solutions than in soils. The P concentrations in roots and shoots were higher at 20°C than at 30°C, to such an extent that detrimental effect was suspected in plants grown in solution at the lowest temperature. The translocation of Fe from roots to shoots was stimulated upon rising temperature, both in solutions and in soils. This led to plant death on the most acid soil at 30°C. Indeed, the accumulation of Fe in plants grown on soils was enhanced by the release of Fe²⁺ due to reduction of Fe(III)-oxihydroxides. Severe reducing conditions were created at 30°C: redox potential (E _h ) dropped rapidly down to about 0 V. At 20°C, E _h did not drop below about 0.2 V, which is a value well in the range of Fe(III)/Fe(II) buffering. Parallel to E _h drop, pH increased up to about 6–6.5 at 30°C, which prevented plants from Al toxicity, even in the most acid soil. Phosphate behavior was obviously related to Fe-dynamics: more reducing conditions at 30°C have resulted in enhancement of available P, especially in the most acid soil.     

Mechanisms of adaptation of plants to acid soils

Major constraints for plant growth on acid mineral soils are toxic concentrations of mineral elements like Al, of H⁺, and/or low mineral nutrient availability either as a result of solubility (e.g. P and Mo), low reserves, and impaired uptake (e.g. Mg²⁺) at high H⁺ concentrations. Inhibition of root growth particularly by Al leads to more shallow root systems, which may affect the capacity for mineral nutrient acquisition and increase the risk of drought stress. Of the two principal strategies (tolerance and avoidance) of plants for adaptation to adverse soil conditions, the strategy of avoidance is more common for adaptation to acid mineral soils. Examples are (i) root-induced changes in the rhizosphere such as pH increase, (ii) release of chelators for Al, higher activity of ectoenzymes (acid phosphatases), and (iii) increase in root surface area via mycorrhizae. In order to have a better understanding of the principles of the mechanisms by which plants adapt to acid mineral soils more attention should thus be given to conditions at the root-soil interface.     

Possible ways of negative influence of acid gases on plants

The degree of negative influence of acid gases on plants is considered in dependence of their solubility in water. The linkage of water in the processes of hydration of gases forming acids can decrease the chemical potential of water in leaf apoplast. It causes the decrease in water inflow into leaf symplast. The more solubility of acid gases in water and the higher their concentration in the air, the lower water inflow from apoplast to symplast. At high concentration of toxicant water chemical potential in leaf apoplast is lower, than in symplast, and the water flows out into apoplast, i.e. plasmolis takes place. Plasmolis leads to the increase in toxicant concentration in leaf symplast and finally to the necrosis of cells. When air with acid gases are dissolving in apoplast water, "concentrating" of acid gases takes place because the acid components are more soluble in water than the main components of the air (nitrogen and oxygen). The lower acid dissociation in apoplast water, the higher speed of receipt from apoplast to symplast and even to inner cell compartments through cell membranes. It can explain why sulfur dioxide and fluoric hydrogen forming weak acids, are more toxic than nitric dioxide. Exogenous acids producing the hydrogen ions negatively influence on different metabolic processes of plants.     

Daily free sulphate fluctuations in tropical plants with crassulacean acid metabolism

A difference in the dawn and dusk concentrations of free sulphatein leaf-cell sap, similar to the typical oscillation of titratableacidity in CAM plants, was observed in Fourcroya humboldtiana(Agavaceae) sampled in the succession of a cloud forest in Venezuela.Similar results were found in Clusia rosea and Clusia sp. (Clusiaceae),Tillandsia flexuosa (Bromeliaceae) and Subpilocereus ottonis(Cactaceae) growing in a natural oil spill. The concentrationof free sulphate was related to the pH of the cell sap. Theleaf-cell sap of F. humboldtiana dusk samples was titrated withmalic acid to obtain the low pH usually present in the morning,and the sulphate concentrations were compared. An increase inthe initial value of sulphate was observed, as found in thefield in the dawn samples where the acidity is high. The presenceof K₂SO₄ stored mainly in the vacuole and its dissociation atlow pH almost completely explains the daily oscillation of sulphatein F. humboldtiana. The salts MgSO₄ and CaSO₄ can also be dissociated,but the daily oscillations of soluble Mg and Ca are much lowerthan that of soluble K. In C. rosea, Clusia sp. and S. ottonisthe fluctuation of sulphate is higher than the oscillation ofcations and in C. rosea the oscillation of Ca is twice as muchas that of K. Key words: Sulphate, CAM, Fourcroya humboldtiana, Clusiaceae     

Frankia in acid soils of forests devoid of actinorhizal plants

The capacity of some acid forest soils to induce nodulation on a hybrid between Alnus incana (L.) Moench and A. glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. was investigated. Soil was sampled from tree stands devoid for decades of actinorhizal hosts. Seven-week-old Alnus seedlings growing m liquid culture were inoculated with soil dilutions. The nodules were counted after 6 weeks and classified as Sp⁻, if they lacked spores, or as Sp⁺. if spores were present, according to microscopy of microtome sections. Frankia was found in all the forest soils studied, apart from a soil from a Betula swamp. The highest nodulation capacities on Alnus , caused predominantly by Frankia of the Sp⁻ type. were observed in mineral soil sites with Betula stands — even higher than in soil from an A. incana stand. A positive correlation was found between the pH and the noduiation capacity of the soil.     

Toxicity and tolerance of aluminum in plants: tailoring plants to suit to acid soils

Aluminum (Al) stress is one of the serious limiting factors in plant productivity in acidic soils, which constitute about 50 % of the world’s potentially arable lands and causes anywhere between 25 and 80 % of yield losses depending upon the species. The mechanism of Al toxicity and tolerance has been examined in plants, which is vital for crop improvement and enhanced food production in the future. Two mechanisms that facilitate Al tolerance in plants are Al exclusion from the roots and the ability to tolerate Al in the symplast or both. Although efforts have been made to unravel Al-resistant factors, many aspects remain unclear. Certain gene families such as MATE, ALMT, ASR, and ABC transporters have been implicated in some plants for resistance to Al which would enhance the opportunities for creating crop plants suitable to grow in acidic soils. Though QTLs have been identified related to Al-tolerance, no crop plant that is tolerant to Al has been evolved so far using breeding or molecular approaches. The remarkable changes that plants experience at the physiological, biochemical and molecular level under Al stress, the vast array of genes involved in Al toxicity-tolerance, the underlying signaling events and the holistic image of the molecular regulation, and the possibility of creating transgenics for Al tolerance are discussed in this review.     

Thiobacilli and sulphate production from inorganic sulphur compounds in upper horizons of spruce forest soils

The species representation of Thiobacilli was investigated in horizons F, H and A of spruce forest at ten localities. Concentrations of Thiobacilli in the selected localities and ability of the soils to oxidize sulphur compounds to sulphate were determined. Horizons F exhibited a high oxidative activity, a lower activity was found in horizon H and the lowest one was detected in horizon A. The activities showed spring and autumn maxima. Horizons F, H and A contained 10⁴-10⁵, 10²-10³ and 10^l-10³, respectively, Thiobacilli in 1 g dry soil.Thiobacillus thioparus was detected in all three horizons from all localities,T.thiooxidans was found in all horizons F, only in some horizons H and was not detected in horizons A.T.novellus was found only in some samples without any relation to the horizons,T. denitrificans was not detected at all.     

Al-Fe interactions and growth enhancement in Melastoma malabathricum and Miscanthus sinensis dominating acid sulphate soils

Plants growing in acid sulphate soils are subject to high levels of Al availability, which may have effects on the growth and distribution of these species. Although Fe availability is also high in acid sulphate soils, little is known about the effect of Fe on the growth of native plants in these soils. Two species dominating this soil type in Asia, viz. Melastoma malabathricum and Miscanthus sinensis were grown hydroponically in a nutrient solution with different concentrations of Al and Fe. Melastoma malabathricum is found to be sensitive to Fe (40 and 100 microm). Application of 500 microm Al, however, completely ameliorates Fe toxicity and is associated with a decrease of Fe concentration in shoots and roots. The primary reason for the Al-induced growth enhancement of M. malabathricum is considered to be the Al-induced reduction of toxic Fe accumulation in roots and shoots. Therefore, Al is nearly essential for M. malabathricum when growing in acid sulphate soils. In contrast, application of both Fe and Al does not reduce the growth of M. sinensis, and Al application does not result in lower shoot concentrations of Fe, suggesting that this grass species has developed different mechanisms for adaptation to acid sulphate soils.     

Oxidation of pipecolic acid in soils and in rhizosphere soil of different plants

Soil respiration was proportional to its total carbon content. Maximum respiratory activity occurred in garden soil, followed in descending order by chernozem soil, brown soil, and sand. The oxidation of pipecolic acid, as studied by the Warburg manometric technique, in different rhizosphere soils from four crops 7, 13 and 20 days after planting as well as from one crop grown in different soils, was consistently in all cases faster than that by the corresponding non-rhizosphere soils. The curves of the rate of oxygen consumption during pipecolic acid oxidation, by garden soil (whether rhizosphere or non-rhizosphere soil) as well as by chernozem rhizosphere soil of different plants at the three stages of plant growth studied contained two peaks (two phases), whereas in non-rhizosphere chernozem soil as well as in brown soil and sand (whether affected or not affected by plant roots) only one peak was attained in the curves of the rate of oxygen uptake. The rapidity with which pipecolic acid was oxidized in the rhizosphere soil differed from plant to plant and at different phases of plant growth, and also with the type of soil used for plant growing. The extent of pipecolic acid oxidation after the first and second (if it occurred) phases did not differ in the different soils, both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil, but the rate of oxygen uptake was higher in rhizosphere than in the corresponding non-rhizosphere soil. During the first phase, oxygen uptake accounted for slightly less than one-third of the total amount of oxygen required for complete oxidation of the added pipecolic acid. About two-thirds of that total amount were taken up during the both phases of oxidation.     

Abscisic acid is a key inducer of hydrogen peroxide production in leaves of maize plants exposed to water stress

The histochemical and cytochemical localization of water stress-induced H(2)O(2) production in the leaves of ABA-deficient vp5 mutant and wild-type maize (Zea mays L.) plants were examined, using 3,3-diaminobenzidine and CeCl(3) staining, respectively, and the roles of endogenous ABA in the production of H(2)O(2) induced by water stress were assessed. Water stress induced by polyethylene glycol resulted in the accumulation of H(2)O(2) in mesophyll cells, bundle-sheath cells and vascular bundles of wild-type maize leaves, and the accumulation was substantially blocked in the mutant maize leaves exposed to water stress. Pre-treatments with several apoplastic H(2)O(2) manipulators abolished the majority of H(2)O(2) accumulation induced by water stress in the wild-type leaves. The subcellular localization of H(2)O(2) production was demonstrated in the cell walls, xylem vessels, chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes in the leaves of wild-type maize plants exposed to water stress, and the accumulation of H(2)O(2) induced by water stress in the cell walls and xylem vessels, but not in the chloroplasts, mitochondria and peroxisomes, was arrested in the leaves of the ABA mutant or the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor (tungstate)-pre-treated maize plants. Pre-treatments with the apoplastic H(2)O(2) manipulators also blocked the apoplastic but not the intracellular H(2)O(2) accumulation induced by water stress in the leaves of wild-type plants. These data indicate that under water stress, the apoplast is the major source of H(2)O(2) production and ABA is a key inducer of apoplastic H(2)O(2) production. These data also suggest that H(2)O(2) generated in the apoplast could not diffuse freely into subcellular compartments.     

The effect of organic mulches on yields and phosphorus utilization by plants in acid soils

Summary The effect of organic mulches on the yields of plants and on their utilization of applied phosphate was determined by using a variety of crops grown in a Manitoba acid soil. The plants gave larger yields and utilized a greater portion of applied phosphate when the soil was mulched than when unmulched. The increased utilization of applied phosphate by the plants grown in the mulched soils appeared to be due to two factors. First, mulching resulted in a greater concentration of roots near the soil surface, thus enabling the plants to utilize the surface-applied phosphate. Approximately 60 to 97 per cent of the effect of mulch in increasing yield and phosphate utilization could be attributed to the above factor. Secondly, mulching tended to increase the downward movement of phosphorus and decrease the amount of phosphorus fixed by the soils     

Fungicide impacts on photosynthesis in crop plants

Fungicides are widely used to control pests in crop plants. However, it has been reported that these pesticides may have negative effects on crop physiology, especially on photosynthesis. An alteration in photosynthesis might lead to a reduction in photoassimilate production, resulting in a decrease in both growth and yield of crop plants. For example, a contact fungicide such as copper inhibits photosynthesis by destroying chloroplasts, affecting photosystem II activity and chlorophyll biosynthesis. Systemic fungicides such as benzimidazoles, anilides, and pyrimidine are also phytotoxic, whereas azoles stimulate photosynthesis. This article focuses on the available information about toxic effects of fungicides on photosynthesis in crop plants, highlighting the mechanisms of perturbation, interaction, and the target sites of different classes of fungicides.     

Transformation of urea and ammonium sulphate in different soils

Summary The transformation of urea and ammonium sulphate in Ladwa sandy loam and Balsamand sand was studied in laboratory. Urea took at least one week in sandy loam and 2 weeks in sandy soils to hydrolyse completely. The process of hydrolysis was faster in finer soil with high organic matter than in coarse soil having low organic matter. There was no nitrification upto 3 days in sandy loam and upto 7 days in sandy soils, respectively, but there was immobilization of NO₃-N during these initial periods. The NO₃-N content at the end of incubation period (35 days) was more in case of urea than in case of ammonium sulphate treated samples in sandy loam soil and reverse was true in sandy soil. The hydrolysis of urea did not follow zero or first order kinetics as proposed in previous studies.     

Positive and negative birefringence in chromosomes

By using the optical properties of birefringence of DNA, the arrangement of these molecules has been studied in Dinoflagellate chromosomes and Dipteran polytene chromosomes. These latter are used, here, as a reference material. These observations have been made under a polarizing microscope on intact and stretched chromosomes. — Intact Dinoflagellate chromosomes show a positive birefringence, in contrast with polytene chromosomes bands which are negatively birefringent. From these observations one can deduce the preferential orientation of DNA filaments, in Dinoflagellates, normal to the chromosome axis, and in polytene chromosomes parallel to the same axis. — After stretching, these two kinds of chromosomes are negatively birefringent. In both cases, DNA molecules have been aligned along the stretch axis. — In Dinoflagellate chromosomes the passage from a positive to a negative birefringence is realized without any isotropic stage. The intermediary state presents a biaxial structure.