不同施肥方式对稻麦轮作田土壤杂草种子库的影响

为揭示不同施肥方式(纯施化肥、有机肥配施化肥、秸秆还田配施有机无机肥、有机无机复合肥)对稻麦两熟制地区农田土壤杂草种子库的影响, 在江苏常州金坛区进行了固定施肥试验。经过连续4年试验处理后, 对不同施肥处理下农田土壤杂草种子库杂草种子种类及密度进行了调查, 并对杂草种子多样性、数量、分布与施肥措施的关系进行了分析。结果表明, 与不施肥相比, 施肥有减少稻麦轮作田土壤杂草种子库杂草种子种类数、杂草种子群落均匀度指数和物种多样性指数的趋势, 并使稻麦轮作田土壤杂草种子库杂草种子总密度明显降低。施肥明显提高了土壤杂草种子库菵草(Beckmannia syzigachne)、日本看麦娘(Alopecurus japonicus)、看麦娘(A. aequalis)种子的密度, 施用猪粪堆肥配施化肥处理提高程度更为显著; 秸秆还田配施化肥、秸秆还田配施有机肥化肥、有机无机复合肥施用处理有减少菵草、日本看麦娘、看麦娘杂草种子密度的趋势。施肥明显降低了土壤杂草种子库阔叶杂草种子密度; 施用有机肥有增加土壤杂草种子库水苦荬(Veronica undulata)、蛇床(Cnidium monnieri)种子密度的趋势; 施用猪粪堆肥有增加土壤杂草种子库鸭舌草(Monochoria vaginalis)种子密度的趋势。因此, 不同种类杂草对不同肥料存在偏好性差异, 不同施肥方式造成了土壤杂草种子库优势物种组成的差异。     

Effects of elevated nitrogen and exotic plant invasion on soil seed bank composition in Joshua Tree National Park

We investigated the effects of exotic species invasion and 3?years of nitrogen (N) fertilization on the soil seed bank in Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA at four sites along an N deposition gradient. We compared seed bank composition and density in control (no N added) and fertilized (30?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1) plots to determine if the seed bank would reflect aboveground changes due to N fertilization. Soil samples were collected and germinated in a greenhouse over 2?years. In the field, invasive species cover responded positively to N fertilization. However, we did not observe increased seed density of exotic invasive species in fertilized plots. While no significant differences were detected between treatments within sites, exotic invasive grass seeds overwhelmed the seed bank at all sites. Significant differences between sites were found, which may be due to differences in level of invasion, historic N deposition, and soil surface roughness. Sites experiencing low N deposition had the highest seed bank species richness for both control and fertilized treatments. Aboveground plant density did not correlate well with seed bank density, possibly due to the inherent patchiness of soil seed banks and differential ability of species to form seed banks. This seed bank study provided insight into site-specific impacts on native versus invasive species composition of soil seed banks, as well as magnitude of invasion and restoration potential at invaded sites.     

陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区水土保持耕作及施肥下农田土壤种子库特征

为了探明多年免耕下农田恶性杂草发生的机理,提高保护性耕作下作物对农田恶性杂草持久稳定的抑制效果,依据陕西安塞田间4a的定位试验, 采用小区调查取样和室内实验相结合的方法,从物种组成、密度特征、多样性以及相似性特征等方面,研究了黄土丘陵旱作农区大豆(Glycine max)、玉米(Zea mays)、红小豆(Semen Phaseoli)、马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum)在翻耕化肥(CF)、翻耕有机肥(CM)、翻耕无肥(CN)、免耕化肥(NF)、免耕有机肥(NM)、免耕无肥(NN)等水平下的农田土壤种子库.结果表明: (1) 4种作物24种土样中共萌发出12个物种1965株幼苗,隶属于7科12属.1年生杂草占94%,棒头草(fugax nees ex steud)、苋菜(Acalypha australis)、马唐(Digitaria sanguinalis)、早熟禾(Poa sphondylodes)为优势种,占87%.(2)在0～20cm土层不同处理间,土壤种子库的密度变动于(282.9±63.4)～(7482.5±1078.3)粒·m- 2,其中,红小豆小区＞马铃薯小区＞大豆小区＞玉米小区;翻耕小区＞免耕小区;有机肥小区＞化肥小区＞无肥小区,差异极显著. (3)土壤种子库密度NM红小豆最高,NN玉米最低;丰富度指数CF大豆为2.30;NN红小豆为0.29;多样性指数NN大豆为5.56,CF红小豆为0.45;生态优势度NF玉米为1.35,CF大豆为0.17.玉米、大豆是黄土丘陵沟壑旱作农区免耕下农田抑制杂草最为适宜的作物, NM玉米、NF大豆和NM大豆是黄土丘陵沟壑旱作农区较优的耕作管理方式,其农田的生态效应是能够竞争性抑制恶性杂草的蔓延,优化土壤环境,杂草的多样性高且比较均衡,杂草的土壤种子库密度低.     

Effect of pre-planting irrigation, maize planting pattern and nitrogen on weed seed bank population

Pre-planting irrigation and planting patterns are important factors in weed management that effect on seed bank. Additionally, the nitrogen is the most important factor in plant growth that affects weed-crop competition and ultimately, seed rain into the soil. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen application rates, pre-planting irrigation and maize planting patterns on weed seed bank population. Experimental factors were nitrogen rates at 4 levels (200, 300, 400 and 500 kg per hectare) as main plot; and pre-planting irrigation at 2 levels (irrigation before planting plus weeding emerged seedlings and, irrigation after sowing), and maize planting patterns (one-row and two-row planting of maize with same density per square of row length) that were assigned in a factorial arrangement to the sub plots. Soil samples were taken at the beginning of the season (before planting of maize) and at the end of the season (after harvest) at depth of 0-5 cm in the fixed quadrates (60 cm x 60 cm). The weed seeds were extracted from the soil samples and were identified using standard methods. The majority of weed seed bank populations included 6 weed species: Portulaca oleracea, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Sorghum halepense, Daturea stramonium, Xanthium strumarium. Results showed that population of weed seed bank increased significantly with increasing nitrogen rate. The increasing rate was different between one-row and two-row planting patterns. The parameters indicated that seed bank population was much higher in a one row planting pattern of maize. With two-row planting, seed bank was decreased by 34, 26, 20 and 5% at 200, 300, 400 and 500 kg N/ha, respectively. Pre-planting irrigation was also found an effective implement to reduce the weed seed bank. When pre-planting irrigation was applied, seed bank was decreased by 57, 43, 34 and 9% at 200, 300, 400 and 500 kg N/ha. Increasing nitrogen because of weed's better growth and higher seed production neutralized the decreasing effect of pre-planting irrigation and two-row planting of maize on weed seed bank population.     

Long‐term farming systems and last crop sown shape the species and functional composition of the arable weed seed bank

Questions: The assembly of arable weed communities is the result of local filtering by agricultural management and crop competition. Therefore, soil seed banks can reflect the effects of long‐term cumulative field management and crop sequences on weed communities. Moreover, soil seed banks provide strong estimates of future weed problems but also of potential arable plant diversity and associated ecological functions. For this, we evaluated the effects of different long‐term farming systems under the same crop rotation sequence on the abundance, diversity and community assembly of weed seed bank, as well as on the functional diversity and composition. Location: DOK (biodynamic [D], bioorganic [O], conventional [K]) long‐term trial, Therwil, Switzerland. Methods: The effects of long‐term contrasted farming systems (i.e., biodynamic, organic, conventional, mineral and unfertilised systems) and last crop sown (i.e., wheat and maize) were evaluated on different indicators of species and functional diversity and composition of the weed soil seed bank. Results: The results showed significant influences of 40 years of contrasted farming systems on the diversity and composition of the seed bank, with higher diversities being found in unfertilised and organic farming systems, but also higher abundances than those found under conventional systems. Organic farming also allowed higher functional richness, dispersion and redundancy. Different farming systems triggered shifts in species and functional assemblies. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of organic management for the maintenance of a diverse arable plant community and its functions. However, such results emphasise the need for appropriate yearly management to reduce the abundance of settled weediness and prevent affecting crop production. The farm management filtered community composition based on functional traits. Although the soil seed bank buffers the long‐term farming and crop sequence, the last crop sown and, thus, the yearly management were important determinants of seed bank composition.     

Influence of long-term different fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity of a paddy soil under rice/rape rotation

A long-term fertilized paddy field under rice/ rape rotation in the Taihu Lake Region was selected to investigate the dynamics of soil weed seed diversity.Four fertilizer treatments were performed,including non-fert-ilizer (NF),chemical fertilizer only (CF),chemical fert-ilizer combined with pig manure (CMF) and chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk (CSF).We recorded the seed numbers and crop yields,estimated the weed seed bank density and identified the kinds of weed seeds in the top-soil (0-15 cm) in the study area using a stereomicroscope.Based on the records,we analyzed the effect of long-term fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity and the rela-tionship between weed seed diversity and crop yields.Comparing the four treatments,it was found that in the cultivating seasons of both rice and rape,the density of soil weed seed bank was the lowest with the treatment of chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk.Whereas,the total num-ber of species and the weed seed bank diversity was the highest.Furthermore,the crop yields were at maximum and kept constant with this treatment.There was a def-inite correlation between fertilizer treatment and soil weed seed bank diversity and crop yields.It was concluded that balancing the fertilizer management was helpful in main-taining soil weed seed bank diversity,increasing crop yields and alleviating crop yield fluctuation.Therefore,among the four fertilizer treatments,chemical fertilizer plus rice crop stalk treatment was the best one to stimulate the productivity of agricultural ecosystems and simulta-neously protect biodiversity.     

Improving integrated management of weed control by determination of weed seed bank in sandy and clay soil

Knowledge of soil weed seed bank is important for population dynamics studied, establishment of appropriate weed management programs, a little effort in understanding weed seed bank can give valuable information about what weeds to expect in growing season, weed density, and when most weed germination will take place. In this study, a two - year''s, two sites were carried out with the aim of assessing weed seed bank status of the soil throughout 2018 and 2019. A site was worked out in Sakha Agriculture Research farm act as a clay soil, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Agriculture Research Center (ARC). Another site was worked out in El-Ismailia Agr; Res; farm act as sandy soil, El-Ismailia Governorate, ARC. At each site, soil samples were selected from nine different places as like three Zigzag shapes divided into three, six and nine sites, “W” to act the whole soil area (30 faddan in Sakha farm, and 15 faddan in El-Ismailia farm). The soil samples were taken from topsoil 0–10 cm depth with an auger (core) 10 cm diameter the soils without tillage and before sowing the summer crop. The result of present the study in two different stations and soils, revealed that the number of soil samples to estimate weed seed banks should be either six or nine sites; each sample weighted 0.50 Kg soil with zigzag shape act a direct seed extraction technique to able recognize the abundance of weed species into the soil and their seed density. The aim is to improve integrated weed control.     

Influence of long-term different fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity of a paddy soil under rice/rape rotation

A long-term fertilized paddy field under rice/rape rotation in the Taihu Lake Region was selected to investigate the dynamics of soil weed seed diversity. Four fertilizer treatments were performed, including non-fertilizer (NF), chemical fertilizer only (CF), chemical fertilizer combined with pig manure (CMF) and chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk (CSF). We recorded the seed numbers and crop yields, estimated the weed seed bank density and identified the kinds of weed seeds in the topsoil (0–15 cm) in the study area using a stereomicroscope. Based on the records, we analyzed the effect of long-term fertilization on soil weed seed bank diversity and the relationship between weed seed diversity and crop yields. Comparing the four treatments, it was found that in the cultivating seasons of both rice and rape, the density of soil weed seed bank was the lowest with the treatment of chemical fertilizer plus crop stalk. Whereas, the total number of species and the weed seed bank diversity was the highest. Furthermore, the crop yields were at maximum and kept constant with this treatment. There was a definite correlation between fertilizer treatment and soil weed seed bank diversity and crop yields. It was concluded that balancing the fertilizer management was helpful in maintaining soil weed seed bank diversity, increasing crop yields and alleviating crop yield fluctuation. Therefore, among the four fertilizer treatments, chemical fertilizer plus rice crop stalk treatment was the best one to stimulate the productivity of agricultural ecosystems and simultaneously protect biodiversity. __________ Translated from Biodiversity Science, 2006, 14(6): 461–469 [译自:生物多样性]     

Soil seed banks in Pinus ponderosa forests in Arizona: Clues to site history and restoration potential

Question: How does the relationship between the viable soil seed bank species composition and the above‐ground vegetation in northern Arizona Pinus ponderosa forests differ under varying historical land use disturbances (low, intermediate, high)? Is above‐ground vegetation correlated to the viable soil seed bank immediately following soil disturbance from restoration thinning treatments? Location: Northern Arizona, USA. Methods: Soil seed bank samples were taken along replicated transects and collected with a 5‐cm diameter bulk density hammer. Samples included a 5 ‐cm diameter O‐horizon sample (at varying depths) plus the underlying mineral soil to a depth of 5 cm. The seedling emergent method was used to quantify seed bank species composition and density. The herbaceous and shrub plant community was quantified along the same transects using the point intercept method. Results: Early‐successional or ruderal species were common in the soil seed bank at all three disturbance sites. Non‐native species, notably Verbascum thapsus, were more numerous (up to 940 seeds/m²) under high disturbance with overgrazing and logging, and less common or absent under low disturbance. Most viable seeds were found in the O‐horizon and the upper 5 cm of mineral soil; there was little correlation between species in the soil seed bank and the above‐ground vegetation. Conclusions: We recommend that restoration plans be geared toward minimizing activities, such as severe soil disturbance, that may promote the spread of non‐native invasive species, and that manual seeding be explored as an option to restore plant species diversity and abundance.     

Cover crops and compost prevent weed seed bank buildup in herbicide‐free wheat–potato rotations under conservation tillage

相似文献   

Seed bank dynamics in tall‐tussock grasslands along an altitudinal gradient

Abstract. We studied the germinable soil seed bank of tall‐tussock grasslands along an altitudinal gradient in the mountains of central Argentina. We selected 10 sampling plots at three altitudinal levels (1200 m, 1600 m and 2200 m). We assessed the composition of the established vegetation and took ten compound soil samples (0 ‐ 5 cm depth) at each plot in autumn and spring. The soil samples were sieved, chilled, and incubated in a glasshouse to assess the composition of the seed bank. The similarity between the composition of the seed bank flora and that of the established vegetation was low throughout the gradient. Most species did not change their seed bank strategy along the gradient. Seed bank richness and density increased with altitude. Most species had a persistent seed bank at all altitudinal levels, and the proportion of such species increased with altitude. These results suggest that a cold climate directly and/or indirectly favours the formation of seed banks and seed persistence in the soil.     

Influence of one or two successive annual applications of organic fertilisers on the enzyme activity of a soil under barley cultivation

The effect of cow manure and two rates of addition of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost on the enzymatic activity of a soil supporting barley cultivation was studied and compared with mineral fertilisation (MF). The experiment was carried out in unirrigated land in field conditions for two years. One set of plots was fertilised only once, at the start of the experiment, while another set of plots was fertilised annually (before each sowing). In general, the organic amendments stimulated soil enzyme activity but mineral fertilisation did not. The annual addition of large quantities of MSW compost, in general, led to lower levels of enzyme activity than similar rates of amendment in the plots receiving a single addition, probably because of the toxic effect which the heavy metals incorporated with the MSW compost had on microbial development. In the second year, plot receiving a single application of organic amendment showed higher protease hydrolysing casein, beta-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities than control or soil with mineral fertilisation. This implied that the addition of organic waste, and particularly MSW compost, had a catalysing effect in the soil which lasted for the following years. Barley yields obtained with organic amendments were, in general, similar to, or even higher, than those obtained with mineral fertilisation. The annual addition of high doses of compost had an inhibitory effect on enzyme activity and barley yield (compared with the results obtained with the low addition of compost) due to the negative effect of the heavy metals incorporated with the compost.     

江苏省主要农田杂草种子库物种组成和多样性及其与环境因子的相关性分析

采用水洗镜检法对江苏省31个农田样点(包括旱田和水田)0～15 cm土层土壤杂草种子库的种类组成和物种多样性进行了调查研究;采用典范对应法分析了杂草种子库种类与环境因子(包括淹水天数、土壤有机质含量、土壤pH、年降水量、年均温、样点经度和样点纬度)的相关性并绘制了样点和种类与环境因子的二维排序散点图.调查结果表明:在31个样点的土壤杂草种子库中共检测到杂草种子15科54种,旱田和水田各有41和45种,二者共有种类占多数但优势种有差异,通泉草[ Mazus japonicus (Thunb.) Kuntze]、异型莎草(Cyperus difformis L.)、水苋菜(Ammannia baccifera L.)、千金子[Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees]、棒头革(Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud.)和牛繁缕[ Malachium aquaticum (L.) Fries]等种类为二者的共有优势种;杂草种类最多的为禾本科(Gramineae)和莎草科(Cyperaceae),分别占种类总数的22.6％和20.8％.旱田不同样点杂草种子库的优势种类变化较大,而水田杂草种子库优势种较稳定;二者优势种频度差异较大,旱田中频度高于0.30的杂草有19种,水田中频度高于0.50的杂草有20种;旱田和水田中平均重要值大于0.03的杂草各有11和9种,这些频度高的种类重要值也较大.旱田和水田土壤种子库种子密度分别为21 015和37 847 m-2,平均为31 008 m-2;旱田3层土壤中种子密度差异不显著,而水田上、中层土壤的种子密度显著高于下层.旱田以夏熟和秋熟杂草为主,而水田则以水田和夏熟杂草为主.按形态类型划分,水田及旱田中杂草种类数和密度从大到小均依次排序为阔叶草类、禾草类、莎草类,且水田中这3类杂草的种类数和种子密度均高于旱田.与旱田相比,水田杂草种子库的物种丰富度指数(S)、Shannon-Wiener 指数(H')和Simpson指数(D)较高,但Pielou均匀度指数(E)较低;旱田杂草种子库的S、H'和D指数随土层深度增加而降低、E指数逐渐升高,水田各土层的物种多样性指数则无明显变化趋势.第1种类排序轴与淹水天数负相关性最高(R=-0.8143),第2种类排序轴与年降水量和经度也有较高的负相关性;相关性分析和CCA分析结果均表明淹水天数是影响杂草种子库群落构成的最大因素.通过二维排序可将31个样点分为旱田和水田2大类,旱田可划分为长期旱连作和水旱轮作2个亚类;水田可划分为淮河以北地区和淮河以南长江流域地区2个亚类.研究结果说明:杂草种子库潜群落优势种与地上部农田杂草显群落优势种具有一致性,通过土壤杂草种子库的研究可以预测地上杂草的发生和危害情况.     

The weed seed bank of soils in a landscape segment in southern Bavaria – II. Relation to environmental variables and to the surface vegetation

In the first part of their investigations of the weed seed bank in a 110 ha landscape segment in southern Bavaria, Albrecht & Forster (1996) showed that there was a tremendous spatial variability in seed density as well as in species composition. The intention of the present paper was to elucidate the reasons for this variability. For this purpose, the influence of soil conditions, land use practices, and soil fauna, all of which are environmental factors potentially affecting the weed seed bank, were investigated.Highly significant correlations were observed between the soil seed bank, preceding management variables, and the available field capacity. In contrast, multiple regression analyses between seed banks and the chemical characteristics of the soil, soil fauna, and actual management showed either minor correlation or none at all. Thus, prior management and water supply must be supposed to have had the most decisive influence on the soil seed bank.Several environmental variables affect arable weed populations, not so much through the soil seed bank but through the germination, establishment, and reproduction phases in the field. For this reason the relations between the apparent weed flora and the potential vegetation in the soil also were investigated. The correlation of the soil seed content and the density of individuals on the soil surface was highly significant. The analysis for a single species revealed that the seed bank/field density-ratios of different taxa vary from below 10:1 up to 100:1 and more. This wide range may be related to the life-forms and ecological requirements characteristic for each species.Finally, comparisons of the environmental variables with the soil seed bank and surface vegetation allowed ranking of the variables as to their importance for these two stadia of plant population development. These investigations indicated that the preceding management by different farmers exerted a more decisive influence on the number of seeds in the soil. In contrast, the actual grain yield and N-content in a soil showed a closer relationship to the soil surface vegetation. With regard to the species composition, no distinct differences in the environmental relationships between the soil seed bank and the soil surface vegetation could be observed.     

Spatio-temporal variation in a seed bank of a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate variations in the seed bank within a 3-year temporal series in order to answer the following questions: 1) Does the seed bank's species richness and seed density differ among climatic seasons and between years? 2) Are there differences in the richness and density of seed banks between the litter and mineral soil? 3) Can the seed bank's species richness and seed density be explained by characteristics such as the previous year's precipitation and soil depth (litter or mineral soil)? The samples were collected from litter and mineral soil (0–5 cm), in 210 sub-plots, during the dry and rainy seasons of each year (August 2005 through February 2008). Overall, 79 species were recorded. On average, 1 168, 304 and 302 seeds.m⁻² were recorded in the seed bank during years I, II and III, respectively. This study showed that the Caatinga's seed bank is rich in herbaceous species, yet species' density and richness are low in the litter. Furthermore, about 43% of the variation in species richness and density was explained by soil depth (litter and mineral soil) and previous years' rainfall.     

Effects of long-term fertilization on AM fungal community structure and Glomalin-related soil protein in the Loess Plateau of China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial for ecosystem functioning, and thus have potential use for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we investigated the impact of organic and mineral fertilizers on the AMF community composition and content of Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in a field experimental station which was established in 1979, in the Loess Plateau of China. Roots and soils were sampled three times during the growing period of winter wheat in 2008. The treatments including: N (inorganic N), NP (inorganic N and P), SNP (straw, inorganic N and P), M (farmyard manure), MNP (farmyard manure, inorganic N and P), and CK (no fertilization). AMF communities of root and soil samples were analyzed using PCR-DGGE, cloning and sequencing techniques; and GRSP content was determined by Bradford assay. Our results indicated that spore density, GRSP, and AMF community varied significantly in soils of long-term fertilization plots at three different wheat growing stages. The effects of wheat growing period on AMF community in roots were much more evident than fertilization regimes. However, the diversity of AMF was low in our study field. Up to five AMF phylotypes appeared in each sample, with the overwhelming dominance of a Glomus-like phylotype affiliated to G. mosseae. GRSP content was correlated positively with organic carbon, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, soil pH, and spore densities, but correlated negatively with soil C/N (P?<?0.05). The results of our study highlight that the richness of AMF in Loess Plateau agricultural region is low, and long-term fertilization, especially amendments with manure and straw, has beneficial effects on accumulation of soil organic carbon, spore density, GRSP content, and AMF diversity. Host phenology, edaphic factors (influenced by long-term fertilization), and habitats interacted to affect the AMF community and agoecosystem functioning. Additionally, soil moisture and pH make a greater contribution than other determined soil parameters to the AMF community dynamics in such a special semi-arid agroecosystem where crops rely greatly on rainfall.     

Effects of Composts from Agroindustrial Wastes on Microbial Activity of a Typic Xerofluvent Soil Under Mediterranean Conditions,SE Turkey

Supplementing the nutrient requirement of crops through organic manures as compost derived from agroindustrial wastes plays a key role in sustaining soil fertility, and crop productivity and reducing use of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, this work was conducted for investigating the effects of addition of oily cumin compost (CC) and oily oregano compost (OC) (these composts were derived from oily cumin and oily oregano wastes of aromatic plant factory) at rates of 40 t ha^?1 to identify those potential organic amendments that might improve the quality of an Entisol. Additionally, those effects on the biochemical properties of a Typic xerofluvent soil were compared to chemical fertilization (CF) and also control (CT) during a cotton vegetation period under a Mediterranean climatic condition. Soil biological status was evaluated by measuring the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal soil respiration (BSR), N-mineralization (N_min), soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase-DHG, urease-UA, protease-PRO, and alkaline phosphate-ALKPA) in soil samples that were collected on the 19th, 78th and 190th days followed by compost application to the experimental soils. The MBC, BSR and qCO₂, as well as soil enzyme activities, increased significantly in the compost-treated soils compared with the CF-treated soil and nontreated soils (CT) with respect mean values. The level of microbial activity of soil applied chemical fertilizer was almost the same to those of control soil. As a result of cumin compost (CC) application 137-1810% increase of the level of microbial activity with respect to the CT and CF, followed by OC, 47-314% occurred at the end of the experiment. Because of this there were no toxic effects caused by composts observed. The application of these composts to the soil resulted in the most increase in DHG activity significantly. The application of CC with a C/N ratio of 23 resulted a more favorable soil biological properties than the application of OC (C/N ratio = 32) during cotton vegetation period (190 days). Results from this study suggest that composted aromatic plant wastes can be used to enhance the soil microbial activity, thereby promoting plant growth.     

Soil quality and barley growth as influenced by the land application of two compost types

Agricultural use of organic residues offers an attractive method for their safe disposal and a valuable source of organic amendments and nutrients. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influences of 0, 25, 50 and 100 t/ha spent mushroom compost (SMC), forced aeration compost (FAC) and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare). The considered soil properties (0-15 cm), after a growing season, included pH, EC, available P, Kjeldahl N, available cations, DTPA extractable elements, soil OC content, and bulk density and grain yield was also determined. Application of organic materials increased organic status of the soil and nutrient content. The effectiveness of the two composts on improving the productivity of the soil varied. SMC produced strongest correlations between soil nutrient levels and plant yield. Neither compost raised soil copper and zinc to levels that were of concern and high application rates decreased iron content.     

Seedling Establishment and Survival on Restored Campsites in Subalpine Forest

This study experimented with common restoration techniques (scarification, soil amendments, mulch, and seeding) on six closed wilderness campsites in subalpine forests in Oregon. Effectiveness in encouraging seedling establishment, growth, and survival was assessed every year for the first 7 years following treatment. Closure and restoration of the campsites increased the density of plants established from seed. Despite an original density of virtually zero, mean density of perennial plants was 55 plants/m² 7 years after closure. All the treatments, with the exception of the biodegradable mulch mat, increased plant density. Seven years after treatment, seeding had increased plant density 5‐fold, whereas scarification and soil amendments (organic matter, compost, and soil inoculum) had each increased density 3‐fold. The organic and compost amendments also had the positive benefit of increasing growth rates and shortening the time‐to‐reproductive maturity. Results suggest that restoration of the herbaceous cover on these campsites can occur rapidly using the techniques employed. All but one of the species we seeded established in substantial quantities and survived at densities exceeding their density in the naturally sparse herbaceous cover on these sites. Thirty‐six perennial species volunteered on these sites. The remaining challenge is reestablishment of the shrub species that comprise much of the ground cover in these forests. These species seldom establish from seed.     

Depth distribution and composition of seed‐banks in alien‐invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetation

South African fynbos vegetation is threatened on a large scale by invasive woody plants. A major task facing nature conservation managers is to restore invaded areas. The aim of this study was to determine the restoration potential of fynbos following dense invasion by the Australian tree Acacia saligna. The impacts of dense invasion on seed‐bank composition and depth distribution were investigated to determine which fynbos guilds and species have the most persistent seed‐banks. Soil samples were excavated at three different depths for invaded and uninvaded vegetation at two sand plain and mountain fynbos sites. Seed‐banks were determined using the seedling emergence approach. Invasion caused a significant reduction in seed‐bank density and richness at all sites. There was a significant, but smaller, reduction in seed‐bank density and richness with soil depth at three sites. Seed‐bank composition and guild structure changed following invasion. Low persistence of long‐lived obligate seeders in sand plain fynbos seed‐banks indicates that this vegetation type will be difficult to restore from the seed‐bank alone following alien clearance. The dominance of short‐lived species, especially graminoids, forbs and ephemeral geophytes, suggests that regenerating vegetation will develop into a herbland rather than a shrubland. It is recommended that seed collecting and sowing form part of the restoration plan for densely invaded sand plain sites. As seed density remained higher towards the soil surface following invasion, there is no general advantage in applying a mechanical soil disturbance treatment. However, if the shallow soil seed‐bank becomes depleted, for example following a hot fire through dense alien slash, a soil disturbance treatment should be given to exhume the deeper viable seed‐bank and promote recruitment.