Soil Biology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Macro-organisms contribute significantly to soil fertility improvement. The influence of conservation agriculture (CA) in southern Africa on their populations has not yet been fully understood. Thus, the objective of the current study was... more

Macro-organisms contribute significantly to soil fertility improvement. The influence of conservation agriculture (CA) in southern Africa on their populations has not yet been fully understood. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of CA and conventional tillage on below ground biological activity in a CA long-term trial in Monze, Zambia from 2011 to 2013. The study had ten treatments which differed by tillage systems (conventional ploughing, planting basins and direct seeding) and crop diversification intensity (sole cropping, 2- or 3-year crop rotations) involving maize, cotton and sunn hemp. These factors were combined to create rotation-tillage (RotTill) treatments. Sampling of macrofauna was done once per year using a metal frame measuring 0.25 m2, hand-sorted to 30-cm depth. RotTill treatments had a significant effect on earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), termites (Coptotermes formosanus), dung beetles (Scarabaeus viettei) and centipedes (Lithobi...

The maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for long-term productivity. Simulation models of SOC dynamics are valuable tools in predicting the impacts of climate on carbon storage and developing... more

The maintenance of soil organic carbon (SOC) in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for long-term productivity. Simulation models of SOC dynamics are valuable tools in predicting the impacts of climate on carbon storage and developing management strategies for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, however, their utility is generally reduced due to need for specific data. The SOCRATES model is a

In laboratory experiments, earthworms are often observed to burrow through compacted soil layers, leading to the general assumption that these animals play a significant role in regenerating compacted soils in agricultural plots. To... more

In laboratory experiments, earthworms are often observed to burrow through compacted soil layers, leading to the general assumption that these animals play a significant role in regenerating compacted soils in agricultural plots. To demonstrate this role under field conditions, the abundance of earthworm macropores inside compacted zones was estimated on plots under reduced (RT) or conventional tillage (CT). Then, different

Salinity is one of the important environmental factors, which influence fertility and quality of the soil. In semiarid and arid regions of the world, salinity is the main constraint that is affecting productivity and yield of the crop... more

Salinity is one of the important environmental factors, which influence fertility and quality of the soil. In semiarid and arid regions of the world, salinity is the main constraint that is affecting productivity and yield of the crop plants. Many crop plants are very sensitive to high concentration of salinity. A recent concept of biochar application to soil is enhancing various physicochemical properties under acidic and saline conditions. Biochar is a carbonaceous compound and can be utilized as a better soil ameliorant in comparison to other organic amendments for improving the fertility of soil for an elongated time period. The present review chapter is based on the results of many research papers, showing that the application of biochar to soil is potentially suitable for highly weathered soils as it enhances physicochemical properties and reduces soil loss. Although the information on biochar for enhancing the soil chemical properties is well-known, information on physical pr...

Rice fields represent “hot spots of biodiversity” – encompassing a complicated network of aerobic, anaerobic and facultative micro-organisms, whose interactions with the resident macro flora and fauna lead to unique and complex... more

Rice fields represent “hot spots of biodiversity” – encompassing a complicated network of aerobic, anaerobic and facultative micro-organisms, whose interactions with the resident macro flora and fauna lead to unique and complex biochemical and physicochemical reactions. In turn, these reactions fuel the major nutrient cycles. The dynamics of microbiological activity of rice soil, especially in the rhizosphere, represents a model system to study the fundamentals of microbial ecology, such as the mechanisms for maintenance and communication between diverse and overlapping bacterial populations. Modern molecular tools such as innovative micro-scale-measuring devices and use of extensive long-term field data have revealed the culturable/unculturable diversity – which includes not only the commonly recorded eubacteria and cyanobacteria but also members of Archaea, Planctomycetes, β-Proteobacteria, and an increasing number of associated endophytes. This compilation presents the current knowledge about this key soil habitat and its global significance to agriculture and the environment.

The physiological effects of humic substances (HS) on some aspects of plant growth and metabolism are examined. Evidence has been presented on that the effect of HS on plant growth depends on the source, concentration and molecular weight... more

The physiological effects of humic substances (HS) on some aspects of plant growth and metabolism are examined. Evidence has been presented on that the effect of HS on plant growth depends on the source, concentration and molecular weight humic fraction. While a low molecular size (LMS<3500Da) fraction easily reaches the plasmalemma of higher plant cells and, in part, is taken up into them, a high molecular size fraction (HMS>3500Da) is not absorbed and can interact only with the cell wall. Therefore, a LMS fraction is the major candidate for determining the positive effects of HS on plant growth. The latter effects are in part exerted at the level of the plasma membrane by positively influencing the uptake of some nutrients, and in particular that of nitrate. The effects on the intermediary metabolism are less understood, albeit it seems that HS may influence both respiration and photosynthesis. Humic matter appears also to display an hormone-like activity. It is not clear if...

Pengambilan dan Persiapan Contoh Tanah
Penetapan Populasi Mikrob Tanah Metode Cawan Hitung
Penetapan Populasi Mikrob Tanah Metode MPN
Pengamatan Morfologi Sel Bakteri dan Fungi
Respirasi Tanah
Fauna Tanah