peer reviewed | The effects of enhanced (NH4)(2)SO4 (NS) deposition on Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) fine root biomass, vitality and chemistry were investigated using root-free in-growth cores reproducing native organic and mineral soil horizons. The cores were covered and watered every 2 weeks with native throughfall or throughfall supplemented with NS to increase deposition by 75 kg ha(-1) a(-1) NH4+-N (86 kg ha(-1) a(-1) SO42--S). The in-growth cores were sampled after 19 months and assessed for root biomass, necromass, length, tip number, tip vitality and fine root chemistry. Root biomass and fine root aluminium (Al) concentration were negatively correlated, but NS deposition had no effect on root growth or root tip vitality. NS deposition caused increased fine root nitrogen (N) concentrations in the organic horizon and increased Calcium (Ca) concentrations in the mineral horizon. Fine root biomass was higher in the organic horizon, where fine root Al and potassium (K) concentrations were lower and Ca concentrations higher than in the mineral horizon. Results highlighted the importance of soil stratification on fine root growth and chemical composition.

Investigations on the bacterial communities associated to ectomycorrhized roots of seedlings from three stands with different degrees of regeneration decline (high, intermediate and low) and from seedlings grown on monoliths obtained from the very same stands have been carried out. The results suggest that forest decline does not influence bacterial biomass associated to seedlings roots but induce a clustering of specific bacterial species adapted to the different degree of forest decline

The increased inorganic nitrogen (N) deposition in the last decades has become a major concern for the health of forests. In forest ecosystem, where N might no longer be limiting to primary production, the excess N is thought to be related to forest decline and a concept of ‘N saturation ‘ has been developed. In particular, N, in the form of NH4, in excess to plant and microbial demands could lead to soil acidification if nitrified in the soil and leached, causing loss of base cations or mobilisation of phytotoxic aluminium. As part of the CORE project (CEC), investigating nutrient dynamics in European coniferous forest soils, we studied the effects of continuously increased (NH4)2SO4 deposition and soil characteristics on Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) fine root biomass, vitality and chemistry with an ingrowth core technique. The same experiment was performed in a Norway spruce stand on clay soil (Grizedale, UK) and a Scots pine stand on sandy soil (Wekerom, NL), using soil from each of the two sites. Root-free ingrowth cores reproduced organic and mineral soil horizons to 15 cm depth. They were covered to exclude native throughfall and watered every 2 weeks with throughfall or throughfall with (NH4)2SO4 added to increase deposition by 75 kg ha-1 a-1 NH4+-N. The ingrowth cores were sampled after 19 months, divided into layers, roots washed and analysed for biomass, necromass, root length, root tip number (RTN), root tip vitality and fine root chemistry. A previous field experiment had shown high soil solution Al concentrations at both sites, and an increase in NO3- and Al concentrations in response to increased (NH4)2SO4 deposition at the Grizedale site. The effects of high (NH4)2SO4 deposition depended on tree species, soil type and soil horizon. For Norway spruce, (NH4)2SO4 deposition did not result in any significant changes in root growth or vitality when growing into the native clay soil. However, when growing into the sandy soil, RTN and the proportion of dead roots were increased by N deposition. Norway spruce fine root N content was also increased in the organic horizon of both soil types. For Scots pine, (NH4)2SO4 treatment caused increased fine root Al content and a decreased Mg/Al ratio in the mineral layer of the sandy soil, with opposite effects in the clay soil. This (NH4)2SO4 treatment effect in the sandy soil for Scots pine was the only indication of a potential adverse effect of (NH4)2SO4 deposition on fine roots. Further results demonstrated the dominant importance of inherent soil characteristics and the stratification into soil horizons on fine root growth and chemical composition. For example, a negative correlation between root biomass and fine root Al content was established for Norway spruce.

Fine root distribution was estimated in three spruce stands with different stages of forest decline. At all 3 sites in the 0-5 cm layer the density of living fine root mass exceeds the necromass. However, in the deeper soil layer necromass exceeds biomass by a factor of 2-4 at Modry Dul, ca. 3 at Alzbetinka and by more than 8 at Mumlavska Hora. The distribution of root density was reflected in the distribution of root length and the number of root tips in each soil layer for the 3 sites

The phenolic compounds showed different responses to fertilization. Fine roots of beech showed a significant decrease of (-) epicateching (84-99%) and pecatannol (78-98%) with nitrogen fertilization. Fine roots of fertilized Norway spruce showed decreased concentrations of 4-hydroxyacetophenone (33-48%), p-coumaric acid (44-64%), and pecatannol (36-61%). Concentration of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid were significantly higher in no fertilized roots. However in both tree species fertilization had no effect on vanillin and quercetin concentration in fine roots. It is suggested that roots of beech and Norway spruce are more susceptible to attacks of pathogens when they are exposed to impact of nitrogen

The accumulation of arsenic in crop plants has become a worldwide concern that affects millions of people. The major source of arsenic in crop plants is irrigation water and soil. In this study, Serendipita indica, an endophytic fungus, was used to investigate the protection against arsenic and its accumulation in the tomato plant. We found that inoculation of S. indica recovers seed germination, plant growth and improves overall plant health under arsenic stress. A hyper-colonization of fungus in the plant root was observed under arsenic stress, which results in reduced oxidative stress via modulation of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione, and proline levels. Furthermore, fungal colonization restricts arsenic mobilization from root to shoot and fruit by accumulating it exclusively in the root. We observed that fungal colonization enhances the arsenic bioaccumulation factor 1.48 times in root and reduces the arsenic translocation factor by 2.96 times from root to shoot and 13.6 times from root to fruit compared to non colonized plants. Further, investigation suggests that S. indica can tolerate arsenic by immobilizing it on the cell wall and accumulating it in the vacuole. This study shows that S. indica may be helpful for the reduction of arsenic accumulation in crops grown in arsenic-contaminated agriculture fields.

Technologies for cleaner production of rice in cadmium (Cd) contaminated field are being explored worldwide. In order to investigate the inhibition mechanism of phosphate on Cd transport in soil-plant system, controlled experiments were performed in this study. Experimental results showed that Cd levels in roots, flag leaves, rachises and grains of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) were significantly reduced by supplement of 0.5–2.5 g kg⁻¹ calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (CMP). Path coefficient analysis revealed that phosphorous had significant negative direct effect on Cd, but positive indirect effect on essential and non-essential amino acids. Applying 2.5 g kg⁻¹ CMP made the Cd concentration decreased by 45.7% while free essential and non-essential amino acids increased by 28.0–28.6% in grains. Levels of the branched-chain amino acids in grains were much higher than other essential amino acids, and increased with the amount of CMP fertilization. After application of CMP, pH of soil solution and thickness of the iron plaque around roots increased significantly. Spectra from X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) showed that content of N, P and Fe increased apparently, C, O and Ca had no change, while S decreased by 74.2% in roots after application of 2.5 g kg⁻¹ CMP. Meanwhile, Cd concentration in protoplasts of root cells decreased by 39.5–80.1% with the increase of CMP. These results indicate that application of CMP can effectively inhibit Cd accumulation in root protoplasts by promoting iron plaque formation on the root surface, reduce Cd concentration and increase free amino acids in rice grains.