The effect of the pesticide Lindane on microbial populations was analyzed in soil with a history of contamination with various chemicals, including this pesticide. Soil microcosms were amended with 100 mg Lindane/kg soil and microbial populations were monitored for 70 days. Bacterial cell concentrations, metabolic versatility (whole community Biolog), and genetic diversity (16S rDNA/denaturing ...

Arabidopsis thaliana grown in soil from field plots amended with composted forms of paper mill residuals (PMR) exhibited reduced symptoms of bacterial speck caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) compared with plants grown in soil from field plots amended with a non-composted PMR or non-amended soils. Similar results were obtained with tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). No relatio...

improvement of soil properties through sustainable agriculture requires suitable management of plant residues. this study was conducted to investigate the effect of different types and managements of plant residue on soil physical properties in a field experiment as factorial based on rcbd with three replicates. the first factor was residue type including barley straw and alfalfa residue, and t...

Concern over nonpoint-source phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural lands to surface waters has resulted in scrutiny of factors affecting P loss potential. A rainfall simulation study was conducted to quantify the effects of alternative P sources (dairy manure, poultry manure, swine slurry, and diammonium phosphate), application methods, and initial soil P concentrations on runoff P losses fro...

Improper use of urea may cause environmental pollution through NH3 volatilization and NO3 (-) leaching from urea. Clinoptilolite zeolite and compost could be used to control N loss from urea by controlling NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) release from urea. Soil incubation and leaching experiments were conducted to determine the effects of clinoptilolite zeolite and compost on controlling NH4 (+) and NO3 (-...

The toxic, genotoxic and teratogenic potential of a municipal sewage sludge was assessed using the micronucleus assay on the larvae of the amphibian Xenopus laevis and with the tobacco somatic mutation test using the yellow-green xanthi Dulieu mutant a(1)(+)/a(1) a(2)(+)/a(2). The teratogenic potential was assessed by means of the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX). Various doses o...

Bioremediation is an effective measure in dealing with such contamination, particularly those from petroleum hydrocarbon sources. The effect of soil amendments on diesel fuel degradation in soil was studied. Diesel fuel was introduced into the soil at the concentration of 5 % (w/w) and mixed with three different organic wastes tea leaf, soy cake, and potato skin, for a period of 3 months. Withi...

To protect terrestrial ecosystems and humans from contaminants many countries and jurisdictions have developed soil quality guidelines (SQGs). This study proposes a new framework to derive SQGs and guidelines for amended soils and uses a case study based on phytotoxicity data of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) from field studies to illustrate how the framework could be applied. The proposed framework...