Effects of applied cadmium on its accumulation, dry matter production and net photosynthesis in okra and amelioration of cadmium toxicity through lime application

Aim: Vegetables grown in cadmium contaminated soils accumulate cadmium in their tissues and are risky for consumption. The aim of the study was to get an insight into the effect of different levels of cadmium in soil, on accumulation in different plant parts of okra and its effect on overall growth, biomass production and photosynthesis rate so that suitable management option is explored to produce safe vegetable in cadmium contaminated soils. Methodology: The study was conducted in replicated pots with three soil pH (5.46, 6.54 and 7.45) attained through addition of CaCO3 as main treatment and four Cd levels viz., 0, 3, 6 and 9 mg kg-1 of soil as sub-treatment. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was taken as the test crop. The experiment was conducted in a net house. Results: The Cd concentrations were minimum in fruits (0.54, 0.31 and 0.14 mg kg-1) and higher in leaves at acidic pH (5.5), while in soil limed to slightly acidic (6.5) and alkaline pH (7.5) roots retained maximum Cd among plant parts. Net photosynthesis and biomass production decreased significantly with higher Cd doses at acidic pH (5.5). The rate of decline in net photosynthesis was lesser at higher soil pH. The transfer factors decreased with increase in soil pH. The DTPA extractable soil Cd decreased from 8.5 to 2% when soil pH increased rendering the Cd less available for plant uptake. Interpretation: Liming can be an effective ameliorative measure to mitigate Cd toxicity in acidic soils and can ensure safe consumption. Lowest accumulation of cadmium in fruit part suggests okra to be a potential vegetable crop for Cd polluted soils.

Short-term effects of byproduct amendments and lime on physicochemical and microbiological properties of acidic soil from Jiaodong Peninsula of China / Efeitos de alterações de subprodutos e cal em solo ácido da Península de Jiaodong da China

ABSTRACT: The influences of byproduct amendments, containing silicon, calcium, magnesium and potassium, on acidic soil quality in Jiaodong Peninsula of China had been studied and compared with that of lime through monitoring physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of acidic soil over a 120-day period. Byproduct amendments (1125, 2250, 4500 and 9000 kg ha-1) and lime 2250 kg ha-1 was applied in the acidic soil. Results showed that both byproduct amendments and lime significantly increased the pH, EC and enzyme activities of soil. The by-product amendments inhibited microbial biomass carbon and soil respiration. Nevertheless, the lime-treated soil had a much more higher level of CO2 emission than the by-product amendments-treated soil. Compared to the by-product amendments-treated soil, the lime-treated soil had the higher pH, peroxidase activity, phenol oxidase activity and invertase activity. Therefore, lime might be a better choice over by-product amendments to improve chemical and biological properties of the acidic soil in Jiaodong Peninsula of China. For soils lacking available calcium and magnesium, the mixture of 4500 kg ha-1 amendments and 2250 kg ha-1 lime was recommend to treat the soil.

RESUMO: As influências do emprego de subprodutos que contêm silício, cálcio, magnésio e potássio, sobre a qualidade do solo ácido na Península de Jiaodong da China, foram estudadas e comparadas com a da cal através do monitoramento das propriedades físico-químicas e atividades enzimáticas do solo ácido ao longo de um 120- período do dia. Os resultados mostraram que as alterações dos subprodutos e a cal aumentaram significativamente as atividades de pH, CE e enzimas do solo. As alterações dos subprodutos obviamente inibiram o carbono da biomassa microbiana e a respiração do solo, mas o solo tratado com cal apresentou um maior nível de emissão de CO2. Em comparação com as modificações do subproduto, o solo tratado tinha o maior pH, a atividade da peroxidase, a atividade da fenol oxidase e a atividade da invertease. Portanto, o cal pode ser uma escolha melhor em relação às alterações dos subprodutos para melhorar as propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo ácido na Península de Jiaodong da China.

Effect of soil pH on efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis on Salvia miltiorrhiza / 中国中药杂志

By comparing the effects of soil pH on the efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis on Salvia miltiorrhiza， the study is aimed to provide guidance for the use of mycorrhiza in the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza. In this experiment, the inoculant treated and the non-inoculant treated control were grown in different soil pH. The data was collected after 60 days of cultivation including rate of mycorrhizal infection, biomass, and three chemical constituents with known medicinal action. The results showed that Glomus versiforme was more apt to infect S. miltiorrhiza (F>94.00%; M>69.45%; m>73.66%) and promote the growth of S. miltiorrhiza under pH 5-9 soil. The mycorrhizal contribution to the growth of S. miltiorrhiza was the highest when grown in pH 8 soil. Plants grown with mycorrhiza in pH 8 soil had above-ground biomass more than 2 times and root biomass more than 5 times. The uninoculated plants grew better under acidic and neutral conditions, but the inoculated plants grew better under alkaline (pH 8) conditions. This result showed mycorrhiza can play a role in the adaptability of S. miltiorrhiza to the environment. Inoculation of mycorrhiza significantly increased the accumulation of rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, and dihydrotanshinone by 6.59,5.03 and 2.20-folds. Based on our results alkaline soil (pH 8) is most suitable for the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza by inoculation with the mycorrhiza G. versiforme.

Electrochemical attributes of soils influenced by sugarcane vinasse / Atributos eletroquímicos de solos influenciados pela vinhaça

The electrochemistry at the surface of colloidal particles in soils is related to important physical and chemical phenomena, such as flocculation and dispersion of soil particles, cation-exchange-capacity, anion adsorption, pesticides and heavy metals adsorption. Sorption of organic compounds on the surface of soil components may cause important changes on their electrochemical attributes. The vinasse has been applied in soils, mainly in sugarcane crops, as organic fertilizer. Its effects on physical, chemical and biological attributes of soils are well documented; however, little is known about the effects on electrochemical attributes. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of sugarcane vinasse on soil pH and zeta potential of the clay fraction of two Latosols (Oxisols) and an Argisol (Ultisol). The pH of soils amended with vinasse was measured in water and 1M KCl solution (ratio soil:water 1:2.5), and estimated the ∆pH (pH 1M KCl - pH in water). The zeta potential (ζ)) of the clay fraction was determined by electrophoretic mobility in 0,01M NaCl solution adjusted to different pH values (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11), and estimated the point of zero charge (PZC) (ζ) = 0). The soil pH and net charge of soils were clearly influenced by vinasse. These changes may influence important chemical and physical phenomena in soils and also help future studies involving vinasse in soils.

A eletroquímica das partículas coloidais do solo está relacionada com importantes fenômenos físicoquímicos, como floculação e dispersão do solo, capacidade de troca de cátions e ânions, adsorção de pesticidas e metais pesados. A sorção de compostos orgânicos na superfície dos componentes do solo pode causar importantes mudanças em seus atributos eletroquímicos. A vinhaça tem sido aplicada em solos, principalmente na cultura da cana-de-açúcar, como fertilizante orgânico. Embora os efeitos da vinhaça sobre atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos do solo sejam bem conhecidos, estudos envolvendo a eletroquímica das partículas do solo ainda são necessários. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o efeito da vinhaça sobre o pH e potencial zeta da fração argila de amostras de dois Latossolos e um Argissolo. Foi determinado o pH em água e em solução KCl 1M (relação solo:água 1:2,5) e estimado o pH (pH em KCl 1M ­ pH em água). Na fração argila foi determinado o potencial zeta () por mobilidade eletroforética em solução de NaCl 0,01M com diferentes valores de pH (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 e 11) e estimado o ponto de carga zero (PCZ) ( = 0). O pH do solo e as cargas superficiais foram claramente influenciadas pela vinhaça. Essas mudanças podem influenciar importantes fenômenos físico-químicos do solo, bem como, servir de base para estudos futuros envolvendo vinhaça em solos.

Calagem e adubação fosfatada favorecem o crescimento do capim-limão, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf / Liming and phosphate fertilization promote lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. growth

O capim-limão, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf., é uma planta utilizada para fins medicinais e aromáticos, porém pouco se conhece sobre as exigências nutricionais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da elevação do pH do solo e da adubação com fósforo (P) na disponibilidade de nutrientes e no crescimento inicial do capim-limão. O experimento foi conduzido em Lages, SC, de abril a dezembro de 2008, em casa de vegetação. Foi utilizado um esquema fatorial, incluindo quatro níveis de pH (4,1; 5,5; 6,0 e 6,5) e três doses de P (0, 50 e 100 mg kg-1 de solo), com quatro repetições (correspondendo a um vaso com duas plantas). A correção do pH aumentou o Ca e Mg e diminuiu o Al, Mn, Fe, Cu e Zn no solo. A aplicação de 100 mg kg-1 de P elevou em mais de 250% a concentração deste nutriente no solo, independente do pH. A aplicação de P e, principalmente, a elevação do pH do solo incrementaram todos os atributos avaliados nas plantas de capim limão (massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular, número de folhas e altura de plantas), sendo que a interação entre pH e dose de P somente foi significativa para o número de folhas. O maior crescimento das plantas ocorreu no tratamento com pH 6,5, associado à adição de 100 mg kg-1 de P.

Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf., is a plant with medicinal and aromatic uses. However, little is known about its nutrition requirements. This work was carried out to investigate the effects of pH and phosphorus levels on nutrients availability and the initial growth of lemongrass. The experiment was carried out in Lages (SC, Brazil) from April tol December 2008, in greenhouse conditions. The experiment followed a factorial design, with four levels of pH (4.1, 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5), three doses of phosphorus (0, 50, and 100 mg kg-1 of soil), and four replicates (each replicate corresponding to a pot with two plants). The correction of pH increased Ca and Mg, and reduced Al, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the soil. The addition of 100 mg kg-1 P increased by more than 250% the P in the soil, irrespective of pH. The addition of P and the correction of pH, specially the last one, increased all growth attributes of lemongrass (dry matter of shoot and root parts, number of leaves, and plant height), with a significant interaction between pH and the dose of P only for the number of leaves. The highest plant growth was achieved by correcting the soil pH to 6.5, with the addition of 100 mg kg-1 P.

Calagem e adubação NPKS: (I) Efeito no crescimento de mudas de grápia cultivadas em horizontes A e B de um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico / Liming and NPKS fertilization (I): Effect on growth of seedlings of grápia grown in horizons A and B of a Rhodic Paleudalf soil

A grápia (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vog.) Macbride) é uma espécie florestal brasileira de grande interesse madeireiro, encontrando-se, atualmente, em processo de extinção. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos da interação entre níveis de pH do solo e da adubação NPKS no crescimento de mudas de grápia. Foram avaliados 12 tratamentos em esquema trifatorial completo (3x2x2), em que os fatores consistiram da combinação de três níveis de pH (4,8, 5,5 e 6,0), dois níveis de adubação (sem e com adubação NPKS - 40:40:40:30mg kg-1, respectivamente) e dois horizontes (A e B) de um Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico. Como parcela experimental, foram usados vasos (3,5kg), em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições por tratamento. A análise do crescimento das plantas foi realizada mensalmente por meio da altura de planta, do diâmetro do caule e do número de folhas. Aos 150 dias após a emergência das plantas, avaliaram-se, ainda, a matéria seca de raízes, da parte aérea e do total da planta, o comprimento das raízes e a relação entre a matéria seca de raízes e da parte aérea. Houve diminuição do crescimento das plantas pela calagem do solo (horizonte A), sugerindo a adaptação da espécie às condições de solo ácido. A adubação NPKS resultou em aumento de crescimento das plantas somente em condição de solo ácido (pH 4,8).

Grápia (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vog.) Macbride) is a Brazilian forest species with great interest for timber-trade. Additionally, due to deforestation, it bas been considered in extinction process. The present research aimed to evaluate the interaction between levels of soil pH and NPKS fertilization on growth of seedlings of grápia. Twelve treatments were used in a complete trifactorial scheme (3x2x2), represented by the combination of three levels of soil pH (4.8, 5.5 and 6.0), two levels of fertilization (addition or not of NPKS - 40:40:40:30mg kg-1, respectively) and two horizons (A and B) of a Rhodic Paleudalf soil. Each pot of 3.5kg of capacity were arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates per treatment. Plant height, stem collar diameter and leaves number was monthly evaluated. 150 days after plant emergence, above and belowground dry matter, total root length, and root to shoot dry matter ratio were also evaluated. Liming reduced growth of plants grown in soil of horizon A (topsoil), which suggests that grápia is well adapted to acid conditions. NPKS application increased plant growth only under acid soil (pH 4.8).