Lotus tenuis and Schedonorus arundinaceus co-culture exposed to defoliation and water stress

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of defoliation frequency (low and high) and water stress (excess or deficit) on biomass production, P and N nutrition, and symbiosis with native soil microorganisms on a Lotus tenuis and Schedonorus arundinaceus co-culture in a pot experiment. Combined effects of defoliation frequency and water stress affected plant accumulated shoot biomass. L. tenuis root biomass decreased in response to defoliation and water stress, while S. arundinaceus root biomass was similar between non-defoliated and defoliated plants, at all water levels. Low and high frequencies of defoliation in a waterlogged soil can be considered the most stressful scenario for L. tenuis and S. arundinaceus co-culture. Colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in L. tenuis roots and dark septate endophytes colonization in S. arundinaceus roots were affected by both factors, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in S. arundinaceus was affected only by water stress. Both plants tolerated defoliation and water stress due to the interaction between the translocation of nutrients and carbon compounds from roots to shoots, and P and N absorption (plus N2 fixation in L. tenuis). Highlights: Both plants tolerated defoliation and water stress due to the interaction between the translocation of nutrients and carbon compounds from roots to shoots, and P and N absorption (plus N2 fixation in tenuis). Low and high frequencies of defoliation in a waterlogged soil can be considered the most stressful scenario for tenuis and S. arundinaceus co-culture. Defoliation frequency increased AM colonization in plant roots under well watered and water deficit conditions. arundinaceus roots were co-colonized by AM fungi and DSE. Promoting the presence of tenuis through low defoliation frequency would improve forage yield and quality with the maintenance of AM symbiosis in legume–grass communities.

Waterlogging tolerance of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) at germination related to country of origin

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) has a Mediterranean origin and was spread to Western Europe, Africa and South Asia. Over time, this grain legume crop has become important in South Asia, where it is often affected by waterlogging at germination. Therefore, varieties with waterlogging tolerance of seeds at germination are needed. This study evaluated waterlogging tolerance in a grass pea diversity panel. First, morpho-agronomic traits of 53 grass pea genotypes from 7 diverse countries (Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Greece and Pakistan) were measured in a glasshouse. Seeds of the collection were then sown into waterlogged soil for 6 days and is subsequently drained for 8 days. Finally, representative genotypes from each country of origin of the three survival patterns (described below) were then tested to identify the effect of seed priming on germination and seedling growth in waterlogged soil. Canonical analysis of six traits (seed weight, pod length, pod width, flowering time, time to maturity and seedling survival) showed that genotypes from Bangladesh and Ethiopia were similar. There was a significant variation amongst genotypes in waterlogging tolerance. Genotypes from Bangladesh and Ethiopia showed the highest percent seedling survival (54% and 47%), with an ability to germinate under waterlogging and then maintain growth from the first day of draining to the final sampling (Pattern 1). In contrast, genotypes from other origins either germinated during waterlogging, but did not survive during drainage (Pattern 2) or failed to germinate and had low seedling survival during waterlogging and drainage (Pattern 3). Priming seeds reduced seedling survival in grass pea. Despite Mediterranean origin, specific ecotypes of grass pea with greater waterlogging tolerance under warm wet conditions have been favoured in Bangladesh and Ethiopia where adaptation to extreme precipitation events at germination and seedling survival upon soil drainage is critical for successful crops.

Bioenergy from Periodically Waterlogged Cropland in Europe: A First Assessment of the Potential of Five Perennial Energy Crops to Provide Biomass and Their Interactions with Soil

Harvesting of silage maize in late autumn on waterlogged soils may result in several ecological problems such as soil compaction and may subsequently be a major threat to soil fertility in Europe. It was hypothesized that perennial energy crops might reduce the vulnerability for soil compaction through earlier harvest dates and improved soil stability. However, the performance of such crops to be grown on soil that are periodically waterlogged and implications for soil chemical and microbial properties are currently an open issue. Within the framework of a two-year pot experiment we investigated the potential of the cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), giant knotweed (Fallopia japonicum × bohemica), tall wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) for cultivation under periodically waterlogged soil conditions during the winter half year and implications for soil chemical and biological properties. Examined perennial energy crops coped with periodical waterlogging and showed yields 50% to 150% higher than in the control which was never faced with waterlogging. Root formation was similar in waterlogged and non-waterlogged soil layers. Soil chemical and microbial properties clearly responded to different soil moisture treatments. For example, dehydrogenase activity was two to four times higher in the periodically waterlogged treatment compared to the control. Despite waterlogging, aerobic microbial activity was significantly elevated indicating morphological and metabolic adaptation of the perennial crops to withstand waterlogged conditions. Thus, our results reveal first evidence of a site-adapted biomass production on periodical waterlogged soils through the cultivation of perennial energy crops and for intense plant microbe interactions.

THE INFLUENCE OF SOIL HUMIDITY ON THE CONTENT OF CADMIUM, LEAD AND URANIUM MOBILE SPECIES

The content of Cd, Pb, U in the mobile form (Memob) in soil samples of the given moisture content after their keeping at the –18, +15 и +30 °С was established. An increase in the content of Memob after freezing of waterlogged soil was noted. The Pbmob content increased with raising the soil humidity in the range of 5.5–140 % of the total moisture capacity (TMC) at all temperature regimes, Cdmob – 5.5–60 % of the TMC at +30 °C, but Umob – 5.5–60 % of TMC at +15 and +30 °C.