Anna Siczek

Soil microbial activity as influenced by compaction and straw mulching

Soil microbial activity as influenced by compaction and straw mulching Field study was performed on Haplic Luvisol soil to determine the effects of soil compaction and straw mulching on microbial parameters of soil under soybean. Treatments with different compaction were established on unmulched and mulched with straw soil. The effect of soil compaction and straw mulching on the total bacteria number and activities of dehydrogenases, protease, alkaline and acid phosphatases was studied. The results of study indicated the decrease of enzymes activities in strongly compacted soil and their increase in medium compacted soil as compared to no-compacted treatment. Mulch application caused stimulation of the bacteria total number and enzymatic activity in the soil under all compaction levels. Compaction and mulch effects were significant for all analyzed microbial parameters (P<0.001).

Leaching of potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron in relation to porosity of tilled and orchard loamy soil

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the leaching of potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron in tilled and orchard silty loam soil. The experimental treatments were: conventionally tilled field (CT) with main tillage operations including pre-plough (10 cm)+harrowing followed by mouldboard ploughing to 20 cm depth, and a 35-year-old apple orchard (OR) with a permanent sward. Leaching of the cations was determined in soil columns of undisturbed structure, 21.5 cm diameter and 20 cm height, from a depth of 0–20 cm. All the columns were subjected to spray irrigation at a level of 1110 ml (30 mm), and leachate in 50-ml increments was collected. Concentration of the cations in the leachate was determined using a spectrophotometer ICP-AS. Pore size distribution data showed that the volume of pores >20 µm under CT was greater at a depth of 0–10 cm and lower in the 10–20 cm soil layer under OR, and the reverse was true with respect to pores <6 µm. At each 50-ml leachate, concentration of all the cations was greater under CT than OR. In most leachates the differences were more pronounced for potassium and magnesium than iron and manganese. Percolation of the leachate was considerably faster in orchard than tilled soil.

The response of rhizosphere microbial properties to flavonoids and Nod factors

Flavonoids and Nod factors (lipo-chitooligosaccharides) influence legume growth, plant–microbe communication and regulate microbial community. To assess the effects of pea (Pisum sativum) seed inoculation with flavonoids and Nod factors on microbial parameters, field study was performed on a Haplic Luvisol. Flavonoids were extracted from sprouted pea seeds, and Nod factors were isolated from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain GR09. Pea seeds were soaked with flavonoids (F), Nod factors (Nod), mixture of both compounds (F + Nod) or water (control, C) and then planted. Enzyme activities (dehydrogenases, protease and acid phosphatase), the numbers of cultivable fungi, bacteria, Pseudomonas and Bacillus were determined in pea rhizosphere. Generally, a significant increase was observed in dehydrogenases and protease activities, bacteria, Pseudomonas and Bacillus numbers under F, Nod and F + Nod treatments compared to control and decrease in fungi number. The effect of F and Nod factors was significant for most of the microbial parameters analysed. Significant interactions between F and Nod factors for a number of fungi and Pseudomonas population were found. The results indicate that the application of F and Nod factors on seeds could improve root–microbes interactions through enhanced microbe number and activity in pea rhizosphere.

Impact of Faba Bean-Seed Rhizobial Inoculation on Microbial Activity in the Rhizosphere Soil during Growing Season

Inoculation of legume seeds with Rhizobium affects soil microbial community and processes, especially in the rhizosphere. This study aimed at assessing the effect of Rhizobium inoculation on microbial activity in the faba bean rhizosphere during the growing season in a field experiment on a Haplic Luvisol derived from loess. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seeds were non-inoculated (NI) or inoculated (I) with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae and sown. The rhizosphere soil was analyzed for the enzymatic activities of dehydrogenases, urease, protease and acid phosphomonoesterase, and functional diversity (catabolic potential) using the Average Well Color Development, Shannon-Weaver, and Richness indices following the community level physiological profiling from Biolog EcoPlate™. The analyses were done on three occasions corresponding to the growth stages of: 5–6 leaf, flowering, and pod formation. The enzymatic activities were higher in I than NI (p < 0.05) throughout the growing season. However, none of the functional diversity indices differed significantly under both treatments, regardless of the growth stage. This work showed that the functional diversity of the microbial communities was a less sensitive tool than enzyme activities in assessment of rhizobial inoculation effects on rhizosphere microbial activity.

Symbiotic Activity of Pea (Pisum sativum) after Application of Nod Factors under Field Conditions

Growth and symbiotic activity of legumes are mediated by Nod factors (LCO, lipo-chitooligosaccharides). To assess the effects of application of Nod factors on symbiotic activity and yield of pea, a two-year field experiment was conducted on a Haplic Luvisol developed from loess. Nod factors were isolated from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain GR09. Pea seeds were treated with the Nod factors (10−11 M) or water (control) before planting. Symbiotic activity was evaluated by measurements of nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction assay), nodule number and mass, and top growth by shoot mass, leaf area, and seed and protein yield. Nod factors generally improved pea yield and nitrogenase activity in the relatively dry growing season 2012, but not in the wet growing season in 2013 due to different weather conditions.

Benefits of flavonoids and straw mulch application on soil microbial activity in pea rhizosphere

The importance of flavonoids in rhizosphere–legumes symbiosis has been recognized as critical. However, the limited data are available about their impact on soil microbial communities. In rhizosphere, it remains unclear whether flavonoids, mulch or their joint effects influence on soil microbial diversity and enzymes activity. Therefore, in this study, the effects of flavonoids and straw mulching on soil microbial functional diversity, fungi abundance and enzymes activity (dehydrogenases, protease, acid phosphomonoesterase) in pea rhizosphere were evaluated. The field study was conducted in Lublin, Poland (51°15′N, 22°35′E), on a Haplic Luvisol. Flavonoids were applied on pea seeds and after sowing soil surface was covered with straw mulch. In soil rhizosphere sampled three times during the vegetative period of pea were determined: dehydrogenases, protease and acid phosphomonoesterase activities, metabolic potential of soil bacteria, microbes number and predominant fungal species. The results showed that dehydrogenases and protease activities were significantly increased with time during pea growing season. Significant increase in dehydrogenases activity was observed after flavonoids and mulch influence. There was no impact of studied factors on acid phosphomonoesterase. The effects of flavonoids and mulch on biodiversity indices were related to sampling terms. Straw mulching increased potentially antagonistic fungi in pea rhizosphere. The results of this study can be useful in understanding the effects of flavonoids and mulch on microbial activity and dynamics in pea rhizosphere which is very important in soil quality and crop production.

Leaching Kinetics of Atrazine and Inorganic Chemicals in Tilled and Orchard Soils

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify first-order kinetic reaction rate model performance in predicting of leaching of atrazine and inorganic compounds (K+1, Fe+3, Mg+2, Mn+2, NH4 +, NO3 - and PO4 -3) from tilled and orchard silty loam soils. This model provided an excellent fit to the experimental concentration changes of the compounds vs. time data during leaching. Calculated values of the first-order reaction rate constants for the changes of all chemicals were from 3.8 to 19.0 times higher in orchard than in tilled soil. Higher first-order reaction constants for orchard than tilled soil correspond with both higher total porosity and contribution of biological pores in the former. The first order reaction constants for the leaching of chemical compounds enables prediction of the actual compound concentration and the interactions between compound and soil as affected by management system. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of simultaneous chemical and physical analyses as a tool for the understanding of leaching in variously managed soils.

Metabolic and Genetic Properties of Petriella setifera Precultured on Waste

Although fungi that belong to Petriella genus are considered to be favorable agents in the process of microbial decomposition or as plant endophytes, they may simultaneously become plant pests. Hence, nutrition factors are supposed to play an important role. Therefore, it was hypothesized that Petriella setifera compost isolates, precultured on three different waste-based media containing oak sawdust, beet pulp (BP) and wheat bran (WB) will subsequently reveal different metabolic properties and shifts in genetic fingerprinting. In fact, the aim was to measure the influence of selected waste on the properties of P. setifera. The metabolic potential was evaluated by the ability of five P. setifera strains to decompose oak sawdust, BP and WB following the MT2 plate® method and the catabolic abilities of the fungus to utilize the carbon compounds located on filamentous fungi (FF) plates®. Genetic diversity was evaluated using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis performed both on DNA sequences and on transcript-derived fragments. P. setifera isolates were found to be more suitable for decomposing waste materials rich in protein, N, P, K and easily accessible sugars (as found in WB and BP), than those rich in lignocellulose (oak sawdust). Surprisingly, among the different waste media, lignocellulose-rich sawdust-based culture chiefly triggered changes in the metabolic and genetic features of P. setifera. Most particularly, it contributed to improvements in the ability of the fungus to utilize waste-substrates in MT2 plate® and two times increase the ability to catabolize carbon compounds located in FF plates®. Expressive metabolic properties resulting from being grown in sawdust-based substrate were in accordance with differing genotype profiles but not transcriptome. Intraspecific differences among P. setifera isolates are described.

Rate of Leaching of Organic and Inorganic Compounds in Tilled and Orchard Soils

The first-order kinetic reaction rate model is used in predicting the leaching of atrazine and inorganic compounds (\( {\mathrm{K}}^{+1} \), \( {\mathrm{Fe}}^{+3} \), \( {\mathrm{Mg}}^{+2} \), \( {\mathrm{Mn}}^{+2} \), \( {\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+} \), \( {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-} \), and \( {\mathrm{PO}}_4^{-3} \)) from tilled and orchard silty loam soils. This model provided an excellent fit to the experimental concentration changes of the compounds vs. time data during leaching. Calculated values of the first-order reaction rate constants for the changes of all chemicals ranged from 3.8 to 19.0 times higher in orchard than in tilled soil. Higher first-order reaction constants for orchard than tilled soil are in line with both higher total porosity and contribution of biological pores in the former. The first-order reaction constants for the leaching of chemical compounds enable the prediction of the actual compound concentration and the interactions between compound and soil as affected by management system. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of simultaneous chemical and physical analyses as a tool for the understanding of leaching in variously managed soils.