Effects of Cadmium (Cd) on Dry Matter and on Cd Concentration in Leaves and Roots of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of Cd on leaves dry matter (LDM), root dry matter (RDM) and on Cd concentration in leaves (Cd-leaves) and roots (Cd-roots) of purple coneflower (E. purpurea) grown in an acid and in a neutral substrate. A completely randomized block design with four treatments (0-control, 1, 2, and 5 mg Cd L-1) and six replications for each treatment and each substrate (acid, neutral) was conducted in pot experiments. Cd concentration in leaves grown in acid substrate as well as in roots of plants grown in neutral substrate increased at Cd rates greater than 2 mg Cd L-1. Cd concentration in roots of the plants grown in neutral substrate raised with increasing doses of Cd. In general Cd concentration in the roots and leaves of purple coneflower grown either in acid or in neutral substrate was affected by Cd applications

The Influence of Olive Orchards Copper-Based Fungicide Use, in Soils and Sediments—The Case of Aetoliko (Etoliko) Lagoon Western Greece

In this study, soil and aquatic sediments were sampled in the Aetoliko Lagoon and its catchment area, which is exclusively dominated by olive orchards. For the first time in Greece, soil as well as sediments samples of one coherent protected aquatic ecosystem were directly compared. In order to determine the influence that the usage of copper-based fungicides have on the lagoon sediments and on the soils of the surrounding area, twenty five (25) soil samples from different olive orchards that are bordering the water body and ten (10) sediment samples from the bottom of the lagoon were taken. The samples were analyzed for total copper content (total digestion) and extractable copper (diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid, DTPA, extraction method). Furthermore, soil/sedimentological and geochemical analyses such as pH, grain size, total organic carbon, total sulfur, total nitrogen, and calcium carbonate content were carried out. The results show that the total copper in soils ranges from 58.37 to 671.33 mg kg −1 . In addition the DTPA-extractable copper in soils has an average value of 45.00 mg kg −1 . The average value of total copper in soils (286.24 mg kg −1 ) is higher than the threshold value for the Cu concentration (100 mg kg −1 ) set by the EU countries. Total copper content in the lagoon sediments is lower than in soils and varies between 43.85 mg kg −1 and 71.87 mg kg −1 . The DTPA-extractable copper in sediments is in low ranges from 0.14 to 0.60 mg kg −1 . On average, the total copper value for the lagoon sediments (55.93 mg kg −1 ) exceeds the Toxicity Screening Value (25.20 mg kg −1 ) for Cu in freshwater sediments. From the present study, it is clear that, although the copper in soils of the surrounding lagoon area exceeds the threshold limit for ecological risk, the lagoon sediments are influenced in a smaller degree. Our study can be used as a valuable reference and baseline for future studies on the environmental monitoring of the Aetoliko lagoon, as well as for studies in similar ecosystems

Nickel (Ni) Effects on Shoots and Roots Dry Matter and on Ni Concentration in Shoots of Mojito (Mentha × villosa) and Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Nickel is an essential trace element for plants, but excessive Ni levels in the soil can result in toxicity to plants. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of Ni on shoots dry matter (SDM), roots dry matter (RDM) and on Ni concentrations in SDM (Ni-SDM) of mojito and lavender plants. A completely randomized block design with five treatments (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg Ni L-1) and five replications for each treatment and plant species was conducted in pot experiments. Nickel was applied to the pot medium as NiCl26H2O. No visible toxic or inhibitory symptoms were observed on the plants due to the increasing rates of Ni applications. The SDM and RDM were not affected by Ni in the studied plants. Ni-SDM of mojito and lavender raised with increasing rates of Ni above 20 and 10 mg Ni L-1, respectively

Salinity, chitin and GA 3 effects on seed germination of chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

Abstract The seed germination observation of chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) lasted 35 days at a temperature of 20 ο C. The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl), chitin and gibberillic acid (GA 3 ) on seed germination of chervil was studied for 35 days at a temperature of 22 ο C under controlled growth chamber conditions. For this, various aqueous solutions of NaCl (80, 120, 180, 240 mM NaCl), chitin (1, 2, 3, 4% ) and GA 3 (100, 200, 500, 1000 ppm GA 3 ) were used as germination substrates. The above solutions used solely or combined and added on Petri dishes containing fifty chervil seeds. The seed germination of chervil in the control (H 2 O) was 44%. In the 80 mM NaCl concentration there was an increase in the germination (64%) while in higher NaCl concentrations the germination reduced. The seed germination percentage of the chervil in the substrates with 1% and 2% chitin as the 200, 500 and 1000 ppm GA 3 was increased than the corresponding one in H 2 O. With increasing rate of chitin and GA3 the seed germination of the chervil was reduced. In the combinations of 80 mM NaCl+ 1% Chitin, 120 NaCl + 1% chitin, 120 NaCl + 100 GA 3 , 180 NaCl + 2% chitin and 180 NaCl + 200 GA 3 germination increased and the Timson Index of germination velocity was higher than the corresponding velocity in H 2 O

Effects of biochar on pepperoncini (Capsicum annuum L cv. Stavros) germination and seedling growth in two soil types

Abstract Biochar is a solid material obtained from the carbonization of biomass. The effect of biochar on the germination and seedling growth of pepperoncini pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Stavros) was studied under controlled growth chamber conditions in two experiments. The substrates in the pre-test experiment (first experiment) were 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% biochar (at 24°C or 28°C), while in the second experiment they were acidic (pH 6.1) or alkaline soil (pH 7.2), with or without biochar at 24°C. Three replicates (Petri dishes) for each treatment were placed at random in a growth chamber for 12 days at a 16/8h light/dark photoperiod, 12 klx light intensity and 80% relative humidity. In biochar substrates the seed germination percentage in Η 2 Ο-control was high at 24°C and low at 28°C. At 28°C it was also increased (4°C) and it was higher than the corresponding one in the Η 2 Ο-control. At both temperatures (24°C and 28°C) there was a tendency for increased height growth. The percentage of seed germination in acidic soil substrates was low (42%), while in alkaline soil substrates high (82%). All biochar applications in acidic soil substrates increased the seed germination percentage, which varied between 53% and 67%. Biochar application in alkaline soils substrates did not influence seed germination. Seedling height in acidic soil substrates was 0.15cm, while in alkaline soil substrates it was 1.63cm. Biochar application in acidic soils increased the seedling height, while in alkaline soils it was reduced when compared to the control

Synergetic CT, XRF and Geoelectric Imaging for Non-Destructive Soil and Sediment Stratigraphic Study

This paper presents the application of three non-destructive techniques in the study of an agricultural area on the west coast of Peloponnese, Greece. The applied methods include (a) electromagnetic geophysical research using a handheld EM profiler (EMP-400 GSSI), (b) computed tomography (CT) with coring data, and (c) X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) scanning. As electrical conductivity is mainly influenced by the bulk soil, including water content, clay content and mineralogy, organic matter, and bulk density, a comparison of the three applied techniques indicates the same soil stratification and same soil properties with depth. Moreover, the ground-truthing by the undisturbed soil and sediments core retrieved in the centre of the site as well as the laboratory analyses of soil and sediment properties confirm the reliability of the geophysical research and the revealed soil/sediment stratification

Evaluation of an operational participatory system for irrigation recommendations - case study for kiwifruit crop in Greece

In Greece - like many Mediterranean countries - irrigation is by far the major water user. In this framework the development of operational tools that support decisions and provide recommendations aiming to improved irrigation management is of great importance. In this study a web-based participatory system for irrigation management (the system hereafter) that operates from 2015 at the plain of Arta (NW Greece) is evaluated for the case of kiwifruit, an evolving crop for the area which is characterized by high water requirements. Water usage and soil moisture were monitored in a typical for the area orchard of Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward', during three irrigation periods (2016, 2017 and 2018). At the same time the system generated recommendations for future irrigation applications, based on the outcomes of a water balance model that followed the principles of FAO's paper 56. The model took into account: (a) measurements of weather parameters from agro-meteorological stations in the area; (b) soil, crop and irrigation system parameters; (c) time and volume of the actual irrigation applications and (d) weather data forecasting. The soil moisture time series that were produced by the system's model were compared to those measured by the soil moisture sensors. The largest root mean square error (RMSE) was found to be 5,1%. It was also found that following the system's recommendations, could lead to significantly fewer irrigation applications and less water usage per year compared to the applied practice. © 2022 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved