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Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II
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Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 22854

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jim Moir

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Professor, Soil Science Department, Lincoln University, Christchurch, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
Interests: soil fertility; nutrient cycling in soil/plant/animal systems; soil acidity; fertilizer and lime; plant nutrition; pasture and forage legumes; nutrient use efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil fertility management and nutrient cycling are complex and central to plant function and agricultural productivity. Many factors influence the availability of soil nutrients to plants and soil organisms, including site fertiliser history, soil type, local climate, vegetation type (species, rooting depth, root architecture), and soil parent material. Whether or not the nutrients are cycled back to the soil or are transported away from the site will also have major effects on soil fertility status. In pasture and extensive grassland-based ecosystems, some aspects of nutrient cycling are still poorly understood. We require more knowledge on nutrient efficient forages, especially nitrogen-fixing legumes and the soil/plant mechanisms involved. Further, in arable systems, fertiliser nutrient use efficiency by plants is often very low. New fertiliser technologies are on the horizon to improve efficiencies and are showing considerable promise. The ability of some plant species to persist and flourish in extremes of acid or alkaline soil pH conditions is also of considerable interest. If soil/plant interactions under such conditions are better understood, there is potential to improve yields and to develop large areas of unproductive land. This Special Issue of Plants will focus on the importance of soil fertility in terms of nutrient supply to plants and the complex interactions between soils and plants.

Dr. Jim Moir
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • soil fertility
  • nutrient cycling
  • fertilisers
  • soil pH
  • grassland
  • arable crops
  • soil nutrient availability
  • soil/plant interactions
  • plant growth and function

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1069 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Cultivating Tobacco and Supplying Nitrogenous Fertilizers on Micronutrients Extractability in Loamy Sand and Sandy Soils
by Jacob B. Lisuma, Ernest R. Mbega and Patrick A. Ndakidemi
Plants 2021, 10(8), 1597; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081597 - 4 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3298
Abstract
This research was conducted to evaluate the trends of the extractable micronutrients boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in soils differing in textures and collected before tobacco cultivation, and in after unfertilized and fertilized (N10P18 [...] Read more.
This research was conducted to evaluate the trends of the extractable micronutrients boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in soils differing in textures and collected before tobacco cultivation, and in after unfertilized and fertilized (N10P18K24 and CAN 27%) plots. The soils and tobacco leaves were assessed on the contents of the micronutrients after unfertilized and fertilized tobacco cultivation. In soils, tobacco cultivation with fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.10, 11.03, 8.86, and 0.08 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased the extractable B by 0.04 mg kg−1. The effects of fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.14, 14.29, 9.83, and 0.24 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased B by 0.08 mg kg−1. The combination effects of tobacco cultivation and fertilization increased the extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by 0.24, 25.32, 18.69, and 0.32 mg kg−1, respectively, but decreased the extractable B by 0.12 mg kg−1. The results revealed that the solubility of the extractable Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe in soils were increased by both tobacco and fertilization, but the extractable B was decreased. The fertilization of the studied soils with NPK + CAN fertilizers significantly increased the concentration of the extractable micronutrients in tobacco leaves. Based on the findings of this study, further research must be conducted to investigate the effects of tobacco cultivation on soil health and fertility beyond considering only soil pH, SOC, micronutrients, and macronutrients. These studies should include the relationship between soil fertility (pH, texture, CEC, base saturation, etc.), micronutrients, and agronomic practices on the effect of tobacco cultivation on the extractability of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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17 pages, 2931 KiB  
Article
Performance of Winter-Sown Cereal Catch Crops after Simulated Forage Crop Grazing in Southland, New Zealand
by Brendon Malcolm, Shane Maley, Edmar Teixeira, Paul Johnstone, John de Ruiter, Hamish Brown, Stewart Armstrong, Steven Dellow and Mike George
Plants 2021, 10(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010108 - 6 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2448
Abstract
(1) Background: Winter grazing of livestock poses significant environmental risks of nitrogen (N) leaching and sediment runoff. (2) Methods: A field study tested the effects of sowing catch crops of oats (Avena sativa L.), ryecorn (Secale cereale L.) or triticale ( [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Winter grazing of livestock poses significant environmental risks of nitrogen (N) leaching and sediment runoff. (2) Methods: A field study tested the effects of sowing catch crops of oats (Avena sativa L.), ryecorn (Secale cereale L.) or triticale (Triticosecale) in June and August (winter) in Southland, New Zealand (NZ), on the risk of N leaching losses from simulated N loads left after winter forage grazing. (3) Results: Catch crops took up 141–191 kg N ha−1 by green-chop silage maturity (approximately Zadoks growth stage 52; November/December). Importantly, early-sown catch crops were able to capture more N during the key leaching period from winter to mid-spring (77–106 kg N ha−1 cf. 27–31 kg N ha−1 for June and August treatments, respectively). At this time, ryecorn and triticale crops sown in June captured 20–29 kg ha−1 more N than June-sown oats (77 kg N ha−1). In October, early-sown catch crops reduced mineral N in the soil profile (0–45 cm depth) by 69–141 kg N ha−1 through the process of plant uptake. At green-chop silage maturity, catch crop yields ranged from 6.6 to 14.6 t DM ha−1. Highest yields and crop quality profiles (e.g., metabolizable energy, crude protein, soluble sugars and starch) were achieved by the oats, irrespective of the sowing date, indicating that trade-offs likely exist between environmental and productive performances of the catch crop species tested. (4) Conclusion: The catch crop of choice by farmers will depend on the desired end use for the crop, its place in the crop rotation and its potential for an environmental benefit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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21 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Role of Organic Anions and Phosphatase Enzymes in Phosphorus Acquisition in the Rhizospheres of Legumes and Grasses Grown in a Low Phosphorus Pasture Soil
by Driss Touhami, Richard W. McDowell and Leo M. Condron
Plants 2020, 9(9), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091185 - 11 Sep 2020
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5303
Abstract
Rhizosphere processes play a critical role in phosphorus (P) acquisition by plants and microbes, especially under P-limited conditions. Here, we investigated the impacts of nutrient addition and plant species on plant growth, rhizosphere processes, and soil P dynamics. In a glasshouse experiment, blue [...] Read more.
Rhizosphere processes play a critical role in phosphorus (P) acquisition by plants and microbes, especially under P-limited conditions. Here, we investigated the impacts of nutrient addition and plant species on plant growth, rhizosphere processes, and soil P dynamics. In a glasshouse experiment, blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown in a low-P pasture soil for 8 weeks with and without the single and combined addition of P (33 mg kg−1) and nitrogen (200 mg kg−1). Phosphorus addition increased plant biomass and total P content across plant species, as well as microbial biomass P in white clover and ryegrass. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for blue lupin. Legumes showed higher concentrations of organic anions compared to grasses. After P addition, the concentrations of organic anions increased by 11-,10-, 5-, and 2-fold in the rhizospheres of blue lupin, white clover, wheat, and ryegrass, respectively. Despite the differences in their chemical availability (as assessed by P fractionation), moderately labile inorganic P and stable organic P were the most depleted fractions by the four plant species. Inorganic P fractions were depleted similarly between the four plant species, while blue lupin exhibited a strong depletion of stable organic P. Our findings suggest that organic anions were not related to the acquisition of inorganic P for legumes and grasses. At the same time, alkaline phosphatase activity was associated with the mobilization of stable organic P for blue lupin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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18 pages, 866 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Phosphogypsum, Soluble Fertilizer and Lime Amendment of Acid Soils on the Bioavailability of Phosphorus and Sulphur under Lucerne (Medicago sativa)
by Moussa Bouray, Jim Moir, Leo Condron and Niklas Lehto
Plants 2020, 9(7), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9070883 - 13 Jul 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4173
Abstract
Legumes play critical dual roles in grazed grassland ecosystems; providing nitrogen inputs and high-quality feed for grazing livestock. However, many species fail to persist in acidic, low fertility soils. A glasshouse study was conducted to investigate the response of lucerne (Medicago sativa [...] Read more.
Legumes play critical dual roles in grazed grassland ecosystems; providing nitrogen inputs and high-quality feed for grazing livestock. However, many species fail to persist in acidic, low fertility soils. A glasshouse study was conducted to investigate the response of lucerne (Medicago sativa) to phosphogypsum (PG), lime and soluble P + S fertilizer (PS) application to two soils. Phosphorus and sulphur were applied through either PG (0, 1, 3 and 9 t ha−1) or P + S fertilizer at equivalent rates to PG. Both PG and PS were applied with or without lime, which was applied at 2 t ha−1. Yield and nutrient uptake of the lucerne was measured, while the soil was analyzed for pH, Olsen P and exchangeable aluminum. Yield responses were significantly different between the two soils. Maximum yields and P and S uptakes were obtained under PG 9 t ha−1 combined with lime. Exchangeable Al decreased in both soils under 1 ha−1 of PG compared with the control. At the highest rate, Olsen P increased by 8 and 6 mg kg−1 for PG and by 6 and 11 mg kg−1 for PS compared with the control for Glenmore and Molesworth soils respectively. Phosphogypsum showed positive effects on P and S bioavailability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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12 pages, 1500 KiB  
Article
Selenium Uptake by Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) as Affected by the Application of Sodium Selenate, Soil Acidity and Organic Matter Content
by Myrto Tsioubri, Dionisios Gasparatos and Maria Economou-Eliopoulos
Plants 2020, 9(5), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9050605 - 9 May 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3231
Abstract
Selenium deficiency in humans and animals can be reduced through dietary supplementation. Therefore, Se biofortification strategy is important in food plants and pastures. In this study, the effects of selenium (Se) addition (4 mg Se/kg) as sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) [...] Read more.
Selenium deficiency in humans and animals can be reduced through dietary supplementation. Therefore, Se biofortification strategy is important in food plants and pastures. In this study, the effects of selenium (Se) addition (4 mg Se/kg) as sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) on lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) and berseem cultivation (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) were investigated. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with two different soil types, an acidic (pH = 6.3) and an alkaline (pH = 8.0) soil with different organic matter content, in a completely randomized design. The results indicated higher Se content in berseem cultivated on acidic soil. It was also observed a significant reduction (~ 45%) in plant biomass of lettuce in the acidic soil combined with Se application. The results showed that leaf Se content was negatively correlated with soil organic matter. The decreased Se content in plants cultivated on the alkaline soil with high organic matter content support that the effect of pH on Se uptake decreased as the soil organic matter content increased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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14 pages, 2603 KiB  
Article
Physiological Responses of Basil (Ocimum Basilicum L.) Cultivars to Rhizophagus Irregularis Inoculation under Low Phosphorus Availability
by Boris Lazarević, Klaudija Carović-Stanko and Zlatko Šatović
Plants 2020, 9(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010014 - 20 Dec 2019
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3391
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) can improve phosphorus (P) nutrition and could serve as an environmentally friendly approach for sustainable crop production under P-limiting conditions. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of AM on different physiological traits and to quantify the [...] Read more.
Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) can improve phosphorus (P) nutrition and could serve as an environmentally friendly approach for sustainable crop production under P-limiting conditions. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of AM on different physiological traits and to quantify the responsiveness of different basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars to AM under low P availability. The basil cultivars ‘Genovese’, ‘Sweet Basil’, ‘Dark Opal’, and ‘Erevanskii’ were inoculated (AMI) using Rhizophagus irregularis. Photochemical efficiency and gas exchange were measured on AMI and non-inoculated (AMC) plants and, at harvest, the shoot biomass, shoot P concentration, root morphological traits, frequency of mycorrhizas in the roots (F%), and extent of root colonization (M%) were determined. Significant differences in F% and M% were found among the examined cultivars, with the highest found in ‘Dark Opal‘ and the lowest in ‘Erevanskii‘. AMI reduced the shoot biomass and increased the shoot P concentration as well as other examined root traits in ‘Genovese’ and ‘Erevanskii’, whereas it did not affect those traits in ‘Dark Opal’ and ‘Sweet Basil’, indicating differences in responsiveness to AM. AMI positively affected the gas-exchange parameters in all examined cultivars, probably due to the increased sink capacity of a bigger root system and/or AM structures within the roots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycling II)
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