Vladimír Šimanský

Soil organic matter in water-stable aggregates under different soil management practices in a productive vineyard

In a productive vineyard, the influence of different soil management practices on carbon sequestration and its dynamic in water-stable aggregates of Rendzin Leptosol was studied. In 2006, an experiment of different management practices in a productive vineyard was established in the locality of Nitra-Dražovce, in the Nitra winegrowing area of Slovakia. The following treatments were established: (1) control (grass without fertilization); (2) T (tillage); (3) T + FM (tillage + farmyard manure); (4) G + NPK3 (grass + NPK 120–55–195 kg ha−1); and (5) G + NPK1 (grass + NPK 80–35–135 kg ha−1). The results showed that the lowest soil organic matter content (9.70 g kg−1) in water-stable microaggregates was determined in G + NPK3, as well as in T. However, the highest soil organic matter content in the highest size fractions of water-stable macroaggregates (>5 mm) was observed in T + FM (19.7 g kg−1). The highest value for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable microaggregates was observed in the ploughed farmyard manure treatment. However, the control treatment showed the highest values for carbon sequestration capacity in water-stable macroaggregates, including agronomically favourable size fractions (0.5–3 mm). In all soil management practices under a productive vineyard the most intensive changes in the soil organic matter content were observed in the highest size fractions (>3 mm) of water-stable macroaggregates.

Soil organic matter and sorption capacity under different soil management practices in a productive vineyard

The effect of soil organic matter (SOM) on sorptive parameters under different soil management practices in Rendzic Leptosol was studied. In 2006, an experiment of different management practices in a productive vineyard was established in the locality of Nitra-Dražovce (Slovakia). The following treatments were established: (1) control (grass without fertilization), (2) T (tillage), (3) T + FYM (tillage + farmyard manure), (4) G + NPK3 (grass + 3rd intensity of fertilization for vineyards), (5) G + NPK1 (grass + 1st intensity of fertilization for vineyards). Soil samples were collected every month during the year 2010. Obtained results showed increased hydrolytic acidity (by 23%), sum of basic cations (by 37%) and decreased total cation exchange capacity (CEC) (by 36%) with higher doses of fertilization in comparison to control. Application of farmyard manure had a positive effect on the increase in the SOM cation sorption capacity. Positive correlations between pH and sum of basic cations (SBC) (r = 0.493, p ≤ 0.001), CEC (r = 0.498, p ≤ 0.001) and cation sorption capacity of SOM (r = 0.391, p ≤ 0.01) were observed. Higher values of labile carbon:potentially mineralizable nitrogen (CL:Npot) ratio corresponded with lesser CEC, SBC and base saturation values in the soil. With increased humus quality (higher values of humic acid:fulvic acid (CHA:CFA) ratio), cation sorption capacity of SOM significantly increased (r = 0.329, p ≤ 0.01). The results of this study proved that the application of farmyard manure had a positive effect on the increase of SOM sorption capacity, but higher doses of mineral fertilizers added to soil had a negative effect.

Impact of tillage, fertilization and previous crop on chemical properties of luvisol under barley farming system.

In this paper is looked for answers on following questions: 1. Which from crop residues and bio-stimulators more affected basal, potential and relative respiration? 2. Which from crop residues and bio-stimulators more affected the changes of potential and relative respiration dynamics during incubation? Therefore a laboratory experiments were established. In pots were added soil samples of loamy Haplic Chernozems (Ch), the crop residues of winter wheat (WR) and oil rape (RR) and bio-stimulators BETA-LIQ (B) and TRICHOMIL (T) were used. Variants of laboratory experiment were following: Ch, Ch+WR, Ch+WR+B, Ch+WR+T, Ch+RR, Ch+RR+B, Ch+RR-T. During incubation optimal temperature and moisture for decomposition of organic matter were kept. During incubation the basal and potential respiration were determined, and the values of relative respiration were calculated. The crop residues of RR had marked effect on increase the basal and potential respiration and on stability of organic substances as compared to crop residues of WR. Crop residues of WR had more marked effect on decreasing of nitrogen utilization. A higher amount of easy-utilized organic substances was found in variants with applied crop residues of WR as well. Tested bio-stimulators had effect on increase of basal respiration, but their effect was more marked in variants with WR. The effect of bio-stimulators was also very intensive in the end of incubation in variants with crop residues of winter wheat. From tested bio-stimulators B had more marked effect on basal and potential respiration. More easy-utilized organic substances were observed in variant with B as well as B had more marked effect on utilization of carbon and stability of organic substances as compared to T. The crop residues of WR had more marked effect on decrease the potential respiration dynamics than crop residues of RR and from bio-stimulators T, but only in variants with applied crop residues of WR.

Which soil tillage is better in terms of the soil organic matter and soil structure changes

This study was performed to evaluate effects of minimum (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) on soil organic matter and soil structure in haplic Chernozems and mollic Fluvisols. The content of soil organic carbon (Corg) as well as parameters of stability and vulnerability of soil structure were quantified. The results showed that soil type had statistically significant influence on Corg. In haplic Chernozems the Corg content near the surface (0–0.1 m) was significantly higher under MT (by 6%) compared to CT, however, in layer 0–0.3 m under CT the average Corg content was by 16% higher than under MT. In mollic Fulvisols under MT, the average Corg content (17.5 ± 5.4 g*kg-1) was significantly less for the 0–0.3 m layer than the CT (22.7 ± 0.4 g*kg-1). In Chernozems, total content of water-stable micro-aggregates (WSAmi) was higher in MT (90.8%) than in CT (69.5%). In mollic Fluvisols, the average content of WSAmi was higher in CT (62.5%) than in MT (53.2%). The low aggregate stability and the high structure vulnerability were reflected also due to the high contents of WSAmi in both soils. The stability of aggregates was a higher in mollic Fluvisols than in haplic Chernozems. In haplic Chernozems, better soil structure stability was under CT than MT, on the other hand, in mollic Fluvisols, the average value of coefficient of aggregate stability was lower by 32% in CT than MT.

Water stability of soil aggregates and their ability to sequester carbon in soils of vineyards in Slovakia

Soil water-stable aggregation is an important process for carbon sequestration and is a key factor controlling soil sustainability and resilience; therefore, the objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate the differences in soil organic matter state, its specific and labile fractions and their importance in the formation of water-stable aggregates in vineyard soils differing in their genesis and texture under different soil management (vineyard rows – tilled and grassed in-between strips), and (2) estimate the ability of the vineyard soils to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) into water-stable macro-aggregates (WSAma). The results showed that the WSAma content of the soils ranged from 47% to 97%. Soils with grasses had a higher SOC and labile carbon (CL) contents than the bulk soil and, as a result, the higher total WSAma content. Soils ranged in a decreasing order in their ability to sequester SOC and CL from bulk soil to WSAma: Haplic and Stagni-Haplic Luvisols > Calcaric Fluvisol = Rendzic Leptosol > Haplic and Luvi-Haplic Chernozem > Dystric and Eutric Cambisols. Our results showed that the maximum ratio of SOC content in WSAma to that in bulk soil was 1.0 at the maximum WSAma content regardless of the soil type. An increase in the ratio above this threshold value (1.0) resulted in a decrease in WSAma content.

Is the Period of 18 Years Sufficient for an Evaluation of Changes in Soil Organic Carbon under a Variety of Different Soil Management Practices

ABSTRACT The influence of differing soil management practices on changes seen in soil organic carbon (SOC) content of loamy Haplic Luvisol was evaluated. The field experiment included two types of soil tillage: 1. conventional tillage (CT) and 2. reduced tillage (RT) and two treatments of fertilization: 1. crop residues with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers (PR+NPK) and 2. NPK fertilizers (NPK). The results of SOC fluctuated from 9.8 to 14.5 g kg−1 and the tillage systems employed and fertilization status did not have a statistically significant influence on SOC. The SOC content was higher in RT (12.4 ± 0.86 g kg−1) than in CT (12.2 ± 0.90 g kg−1). On average, there was a smaller higher value of SOC in PR+NPK (12.4 ± 1.02 g kg−1) than in NPK (12.3 ± 0.88 g kg−1). During a period of 18 years, reduced tillage and application of NPK fertilizers together with crop residues build up a SOC at an average speed of 7 and 16 mg kg−1 year−1, respectively, however conventional tillage and NPK fertilizer applications caused a SOC decline at an average speed of 104 and 40 mg kg−1 year−1, respectively.

Antioxidant activity, phenolic content and colour of the Slovak Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Antioxidants are specific substances that oxidize themselves and in this way they protect other sensitive bioactive food components against destruction. At the same time, they restrict the activity of free radicals and change them to less active forms. Grapes and wine are a significant source of antioxidants in human nutrition. One of the most important group occuring in grapes and wines are polyphenols. Many of phenolic compounds have been reported to have multiple biological activities, including cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral and antibacterial properties attributed mainly to their antioxidant and antiradical activity. Therefore, it is important to know the content of polyphenols and their antioxidant effects in foods and beverages. Twenty-eight Cabernet Sauvignon wine samples, originated from different Slovak vineyard regions, were analyzed using spectrophotometry for the content of total polyphenols, content of total anthocyanins, antioxidant activity and wine colour density. Determined values of antioxidant activity in observed wines were within the interval 69.0 - 84.2% inhibition of DPPH (average value was 78.8% inhibition of DPPH) and total polyphenol content ranged from 1,218 to 3,444 mg gallic acid per liter (average content was 2,424 mg gallic acid.L-1). Determined total anthocyanin contents were from 68.6 to 430.7 mg.L-1 (average content was 220.6 mg.L-1) and values of wine colour density ranged from 0.756 to 2.782 (average value was 1.399). The statistical evaluation of the obtained results did not confirm any linear correlations between total polyphenol content, resp. total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity. The correlations between total polyphenol content and total anthocyanin content, resp. the content of total anthocyanins and wine colour density were strong. The results confirmed very strong correlations between wine colour density and total polyphenol content, resp. antioxidant activity.

Carbon sequestration and its dynamics in water-stable aggregates

Abstract Sequestration of organic carbon in soils is an effective strategy to mitigate global climate change. Carbon sequestration leads to an increase in carbon stocks in soil, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil quality and crop production. There are several published articles containing information in which the authors explain carbon sequestration in different soil types under different climatic conditions or farming systems, but on the other hand there is less information about carbon sequestration in water-stable aggregates. In field experiment, the manner in which different soil management practices influence carbon sequestration and its dynamics in water-stable aggregates was studied. We evaluated the soil samples taken from Haplic Luvisol (Dolná Malanta - Slovakia) from all treatments of tillage (conventional, minimal and grassland) and fertilisation (without fertilisation, crop residues together with NPK fertilisers and only NPK fertilisers). The maintenance of carbon concentration within soil under conventional tillage and in native grassland was due to an enhanced incorporation of new organic matter from the coarse fraction of particulate organic matter to macro-aggregates and in treatment with ploughed crop residue together with NPK fertilisers, there was besides of this caused by the reduction of carbon mineralisation from the fine fraction. Soil management practices have a significant effect on the re-distribution of soil organic matter in water-stable aggregates. In conventional and minimal tillage, very important sources of carbon sequestration are agronomical favourable size fractions of water-stable macro-aggregates and in native grassland, as well as in all fertiliser treatments, the most important source of carbon sequestration is water-stable micro-aggregates.

FERTILIZATION OF VINE BY A 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID-BASED FERTILIZER AND ITS PROFITABILITY

In this work we investigated the effect of different doses of NPKS fertilizer added into the soil for nutrient contents in the soil, as well as the quantity and quality of grapes. During the vegetation of the vine, we tested the 5-aminolevulinic acid-based fertilizer (ALA). We summarize that higher doses of fertilizer added into soil caused higher amounts of available nutrients. During the vegetation of the vine an increase of ALA had a positive effect on the optimal balance of nutrients. Fertilization also increased the grape-vine yield, with the strongest effect (by 68%) observed due to the application of ALA during the vegetation period of the vine. Added fertilizers had a statistically significant influence on decreased sugar concentration in the grape-vine however the addition of fertilizer into the soil, mainly the application of ALA during vegetation of the vine (by 57%) had a positive effect on increase of the total content of sugar in the grape-vine, produced on 1 hectare. The year had a significant influence on the economical evaluation.

The Effect of Different Rates of Biochar and Biochar in Combination with N Fertilizer on the Parameters of Soil Organic Matter and Soil Structure

Since biochar is considered to be a significant source of carbon, in this work we have evaluated the changes in soil organic matter (SOM) and soil structure due to application of biochar and biochar with N fertilization, and have considered the interrelationships between the SOM parameters and the soil structure. The soil samples were collected from Haplic Luvisol at the locality of Dolná Malanta (Slovakia) during 2017. The field experiment included three rates of biochar application (B0 – no biochar, B10 – biochar at the rate of 10 t ha-1, B20 – biochar at the rate of 20 t ha-1) and three levels of N fertilization (N0 – no nitrogen, N160 – nitrogen at the rate of 160 kg ha-1, N240 – nitrogen at the rate of 240 kg ha-1). The rate of biochar at 20 t ha-1 caused an increase in the organic carbon (Corg) content. The combination of both rates of biochar with 160 and 240 kg N ha-1 also caused an increase in Corg. In the case of B20 the extractability of humic substances carbon (CHS) was 17.79% lower than at B0. A significant drop was also observed in the values of the extraction of humic acids carbon (CHA) and fulvic acids carbon (CFA) after the addition of biochar at a dose of 20 t ha-1 with 160 kg N ha-1. However, both rates of biochar had a significant effect at 240 kg N ha-1. After application of 20 t ha-1 of biochar the content of water-stable macro-aggregates (WSAma) significantly increased compared to control. This rate of biochar also increased the mean weight diameter (MWDW) and the index of water-stable aggregates (Sw) and decreased the coefficient of vulnerability (Kv). The biochar at a rate of 20 t ha-1 with 240 kg N ha-1 the value of MWDW increased and value of Kv decreased significantly. The contents of Corg and CL correlated positively with WSAma, MWDW and Sw and negatively with WSAmi and Kv. The extraction of CHA and CFA was in negative relationship with MWDW. We conclude that the application of biochar and biochar combined with N fertilizer had a positive influence on SOM and soil structure.