Due to the role of azotobacteria in nitrogen fixation and to their potential biotechnological applications, there is some challenge in developing an effective strategy for the selective isolation of these micro-organisms from soil. One hundred ninety-six Gram-negative strains were isolated from 35 soils sampled in central Italy, by using and comparing three different methods. The screening of s...

The adaptations of root morphology, physiology, and biochemistry to phosphorus supply have been characterized intensively. However, characterizing these adaptations at molecular level is largely neglected under field conditions. Here, two consecutive field experiments were carried out to investigate the agronomic traits and root traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at six P-fertilizer rates. ...

Improved predictions on the fate of organic pollutants in surface environments require a better understanding of the underlying sorption mechanisms that control their uptake by soils. In this study, we monitored sorption of nine aromatic compounds with varying physicochemical properties (hydrophobicity, electron-donor/acceptor ability and polarity), including two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon...

The state of soil Being the largest country in the world as to its territory, Russia has not managed to escape the problem of land loss in the face of challenges connected with modern social development. One such problem relates to the loss of the fertile layer of the land surface known as soil. The causes of these negative processes seem to be widely known and similar in many countries. Howeve...

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 sa...

in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, shrubs may act as fertility islands but theireffect may vary depending on their morphology and ecological impacts. this research wasaimed to study effect of three shrubs scariola orientalis, astragalus heratensis, and rosapersica on soil properties and on the microclimate conditions (temperature, luminance, andsoil moisture) of their understory in the steppe ra...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been used in recent years to simulate overturning processes in trees. This study aimed at using FEM to determine the role of individual roots in tree anchorage with regard to different rooting patterns, and to estimate stress distribution in the soil and roots during overturning. METHODS The FEM was used to carry out 2-D simulations of t...

despite of suitable geological and climatic conditions for forming and evolution of alluvial fans and importance of this landform as soil and water resources in arid regions, there are limited studies about this landform in iran. in the present study, evolution and pedogenic development of geomorphic surfaces of an alluvial fan in eastern isfahan were studied by using remote sensing, field and ...