Small amounts of chromium (VI) are carcinogenic in mammals. Concentrations of Cr in marine algae and seagrasses range from 0.06-7.17 /g DW and 0.1-30.6 g/g DW respectively. To test for an effect of these concentrations, production (change in organic material), righting response, feeding rates, absorption efficiency and fecal production were measured in Lytechinus variegatus from Sarasota fed prepared diets containing 0, 4.1, and 32g Cr/ g DW and individuals from Ft. DeSoto fed diets containing 0, 41 and 82g Cr/ g DW. The urchins were fed for 4-5 weeks, with weekly measurements of their feeding rates, absorption efficiency and fecal production. At the end of the experiment the urchins were righted to note any changes in behavior. Their gonads, gut, lantern and test with spines were weighed and ashed to calculate gonadal and gut indices and inorganic and organic percentage and content. After five weeks individuals in all treatments from experiment one showed no significant results. Urchins in all treatments from experiment two showed a significant decrease Individuals in all treatments had a significant increase in wet (P<0.001) and dry (P=0.005) weights as well as total organic material (P<0.001) in the gut of the urchins recieveing 82µg Cr/ g DW. There was significant decrease in the feeding rate (P<0.001) and absorption efficiency (P<0.001), countered by a significant increase in fecal production. The righting times were significantly different between the 0µg Cr/ g dry weight, 82µg Cr/ g DW and initial (P=0.031), but not the 41µg Cr/ g DW. Chromium in the feed at the concentrations used in this experiment does not affect the production or absorption efficiency of Lytechinus variegatus, but it does affect feeding rates, fecal production and righting response.

Resumo: O uso de sistemas conservacionistas de preparo do solo tem ganhado importância, devido à necessidade de conservação do solo e sequestro de carbono da atmosfera. Com o objetivo de avaliar a estruturação do solo determinaram-se os atributos físicos e o teor de carbono orgânico do Latossolo Vermelho de textura argilosa, em área sob mata reflorestada (MR), sistemas de semeadura direta (SSD) e sistema de preparo convencional do solo (SPC). Para avaliação dos atributos do solo foram amostradas áreas próximas às coordenadas geodésicas 21°14’47’’S, 48°17’08’’W e altitude média de 550 metros. Foram amostrados 20 pontos em cada área e coletadas amostras indeformadas e deformadas, nas camadas 0,00-0,10 m, 0,10-0,20 m e 0,20-0,30 m de profundidade. Para avaliação dos atributos do solo amostraram-se a MR e três áreas com semeadura de milho no período da safra, sendo duas áreas sob SSD e uma área sob SPC. A diferença entre as duas áreas sob SSD foi a cultura da entressafra, milho na primeira, constituindo assim uma sucessão de culturas gramínea-gramínea (SSD-gr) e crotalária na segunda, sendo uma sucessão gramínea-leguminosa (SSD-le). As áreas SSD-gr, SSD-le e SPC permaneceram nesses sistemas de preparo por mais de 10 anos. Os atributos do solo determinados foram: diâmetro médio ponderado dos agregados, classes de agregados, índice de estabilidade de agregados, carbono orgânico do solo, macroporosidade, microporosidade, densidade do solo e resistência do solo à penetração. Para a caracteri... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The use of conservational systems of soil cultivation has gained importance due to the need for soil preservation and carbon sequestration from the atmosphere. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical attributes and organic carbon contents of a clayey Red Oxisol in an area under reforested forest (RF), no-tillage system with grass-grass succession (NTS-gr), no-tillage systems with grass-legume succession (NTS-le) and conventional soil tillage system (CTS). The areas used for evaluation of soil attributes were located close to the geodetic coordinates 21°14’47’’S and 48°17’08’’W, at average altitude of 550 meters. Each area was sampled at 20 points and undisturbed and disturbed samples were collected in the layers of 0.00-0.10 m, 0.10-0.20 m and 0.20-0.30 m. The areas used for evaluation of soil attributes were RF and three areas with sowing of corn during the main season, two areas under NTS and one area under conventional tillage system (CTS). The difference between the two areas under NTS was the off-season crop, corn in the first one, thus constituting a grass-grass succession (NTS-gr) and crotalaria in the second one, constituting a grass-legume succession (NTS-le). NTSgr, NTS-le and CTS areas have been under these tillage systems for more than 10 years. The soil attributes determined were: mean weight diameter of aggregates, classes of aggregates, aggregate stability index, soil organic carbon, macroporosity, microporosity, soil bulk density and soil resi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The breakdown of contaminants in soil resulting from microbial activity that is enhanced in the presence of the plant root zone, rhizosphere, has been termed rhizoremediation. To date, Australian native plants have not been assessed for their hydrocarbon rhizoremediation potential. The use of native plants offers an economically feasible and environmentally sustainable cleanup option for the rehabilitation and restoration of hydrocarbon contaminated sites in Australia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of Australian native grass species for the rhizoremediation of aliphatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil from a mine site. Candidate Australian native grass species Poaceae were selected following the development of essential and desirable growth criteria. Nine perennial Australian grasses were evaluated for seedling emergence in sandy loam soil sourced from a mine site which was artificially contaminated with a 60:40 diesel/oil mix at concentrations of 30 000 mg/kg, 10 000 mg/kg, 5 000 mg/kg and 0 mg/kg control. Seedling emergence was not adversely affected by the presence of hydrocarbon contamination at the exposed concentrations for eight of the nine species studied p > 0.05. Three promising species were assessed for relative growth performance in diesel/oil contaminated 10 000 mg/kg, 5 000 mg/kg and uncontaminated control soils in greenhouse studies to assess their tolerance of aliphatic hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Cymbopogon ambiguus Lemon Scented grass is a summer growing perennial with widespread distribution throughout Australia including the region where the mine site is situated. Brachiaria decumbens Signal grass – naturalised - is adapted to humid tropical areas of Australia and is native to the site and sourced from seed banks. Microlaena stipoides Weeping grass var. Griffin is a cool season grass, widely distributed throughout Australia in moister regions. The three evaluated species survived for 120 days in the diesel/oil contaminated soil at the exposed concentrations without adverse growth affect p > 0.05. In some instances e.g. C. ambiguus growth stimulation occurred in the presence of contamination producing significantly more root biomass compared with the control p < 0.0001. Most hydrocarbon degradation is believed to occur through microbial processes, and so the plant-associated microbial community was examined in the three tolerant species. The assessment of the influence of grass on the abundance and activity of microorganisms in the rhizosphere revealed species-specific plant-induced changes in the soil microbial community. Selective enrichment of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms was demonstrated in the rhizosphere soil of the Australian grasses tested, to varying degrees. C. ambiguus appeared to have the greatest influence on stimulation of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms, followed by the cool season grass M. stipoides. B. decumbens showed consistently lower numbers of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms in rhizosphere soil over time compared to the other two species p < 0.01. The influence of grasses on microbial community structure - defined as community DNA fingerprint - in diesel/oil contaminated soil suggested no new microbial population was favoured by the grasses - qualitative shift - rather there were relative quantitative changes in existing members of the microbial population. Soil lipase activity did not appear to be an optimal bioindicator of rhizoremediation and may encompass total soil microbial activity not exclusively the hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms of interest. The assessment of biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil is essential to characterise the effectiveness of plant species in rhizoremediation. Residual diesel and oil concentrations as total petroleum hydrocarbons, TPH were measured using Gas Chromatography. The presence of single species successfully enhanced the removal of hydrocarbons from soil for all species. All showed significantly lower residual hydrocarbon concentrations than those in unplanted soil after 100 days p < 0.01. Significantly, it was not necessary to add N and P to achieve up to 90% reduction in hydrocarbon concentrations in the soil. The relative performance of each grass species varied. In soil planted with C. ambiguus hydrocarbon concentrations were reduced faster and to a greater extent than the other species studied, from 10 000 mg/kg to approximately 1 100 mg/kg TPH, 88% removal. Similar endpoint success was recorded for M. stipoides which facilitated 80% reduction in hydrocarbon concentrations. Interestingly, B. decumbens, the only naturalised species, did not perform as well as the other species, although still significantly better compared to unplanted controls, with hydrocarbon concentrations reduced to approximately 4 500 mg/kg, 49%. Hydrocarbon concentrations in unplanted control soil were reduced by 45% through natural biodegradation processes. Plant root and shoot tissue was periodically assessed for hydrocarbon accumulation and was shown to be negligible. A multispecies planted trial using C. ambiguus plus B. decumbens had no additional influence on total TPH removal. The final TPH removal efficiency in the multispecies trial was not significantly different p > 0.05 from that of the best single species performer of the two i.e. C. ambiguus. In a field application the planting of multiple species may still be desirable in order to preserve site biodiversity and assist rehabilitation of the area. A strong relationship between abundance of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms in the rhizosphere and hydrocarbon biodegradation was demonstrated for all species p < 0.01. Those species which showed greatest stimulation of the microbial population resulted in enhanced TPH removal from soil. These species were the summer grass C. ambiguus and the winter species M. stipoides. This may allow for broader application both seasonally and geographically across Australia. B. decumbens showed successful rhizoremediation to a lesser degree, but may still be an option in multiple planting strategies. This investigation identified three Australian grass species from the nine evaluated that are candidates for further investigation for in situ rhizoremediation potential at field scale.

In Limpopo Province of South Africa, poor soil fertility and low crop yields are serious problems facing resource poor smallholder farmers. A survey of over 60 farmers in 2 villages (Gabaza and GaKgoroshi) found that most of the smallholder farmers were women (68%), elderly (50% above 68 years of age) and had not attended school or only attended up to the primary level (80%). Very few farmers kept livestock (usually in small numbers) and most grew cereal and legume crops (on 1ha of land) for home consumption and livestock feed, with legumes being planted on 13% of the land. The study showed that 80% of farmers were not fully aware of the benefits of legumes in fixing nitrogen (N) and improving yield. A field study at the survey village of Gabaza found that the application of fertiliser N and grass mulch combination and fertiliser N plus guarbean mulch significantly increased plant height and maize shoot growth at 4 and 8 weeks after planting. However, when grass mulch was without N fertiliser, there was no increase in maize growth relative to the control (0N). A farming systems simulation model (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator - APSIM) was used to simulate this field study as well as over the long-term (1971 to 2008). Simulation analysis showed poor average maize yield (<3000 kg ha⁻ ¹) with the application of grass residues even when used with 30 kg N fertiliser. However, the application of guarbean residues as mulch with or without N fertiliser and as green manure increased maize yields to >4000 kg ha⁻ ¹. Simulation showed that the grass mulch with or without the addition of N fertiliser reduced water stress and soil water evaporation but increased N stress during the reproductive phase of the crop in most seasons. When guarbean mulch was used as green manure by itself, or mulch plus N fertiliser, N stress was reduced but water stress and soil water evaporation were increased which could have been due to faster decomposition of legume mulch as compared to grass mulch. Addition of N fertiliser reduced N stress to maize but increased water stress and soil water evaporation similar to the guarbean mulch because of high soil evaporation. APSIM analysis clearly showed the importance of N x soil water interactions in determining maize growth and yield at Gabaza. Therefore, two studies were undertaken in the laboratory in Australia to determine the dynamics of carbon (C) and N where residues of different qualities [canola (C:N 43), wheat (26), pea (9) and mucuna (14)] were applied to clay loam (Tarlee) or sandy (Waikerie) soils. In experiment 1, where residues were incorporated into the two soils, the cumulative CO₂-C evolution for the wheat and canola treatments at the end of the incubation period were fairly similar but significantly higher than for pea, mucuna and the control. In general, the application of residues increased microbial biomass C more than the control, with highest increases up to 1.48 and 1.56 mg C g⁻ ¹ soil for canola and wheat in Tarlee soil, respectively and 0.82 mg C g⁻ ¹ soil for pea in Waikerie soil. Even though the Tarlee soil showed greater C release than Waikerie soil, the C turnover from the residues between the 2 soils was not significantly different except for pea residues. Canola and wheat residues were found to immobilise N whereas N content increased in both soils with the application of legumes (pea and mucuna). In experiment 2, mucuna, pea and wheat residues were either incorporated or applied as surface mulches on Waikerie soil. Initially the CO₂-C release was higher for incorporated than mulched residues and CO₂-C released was higher for pea residues. However, at the end of the incubation more CO₂-C was released with the application of wheat residue indicating differences between residue types in the pattern of soil respiration. Microbial biomass C was higher for incorporated than mulched residue treatments; pea residue showed the highest biomass C for incorporated (0.78 mg C g⁻ ¹ soil) whereas mucuna had the highest microbial biomass (0.11 mg C g⁻ ¹ soil) treatments. The method of residue application resulted in a significant difference in C turnover between residues, with pea residue showing significant increase in C utilisation than mucuna and wheat. The pea residues, which had the lowest C:N, increased soil mineral N more than other treatments in both incorporated and mulched treatments. Lower mineralisation of N observed in residues of high C:N ratio compared to the control could be due to immobilisation of N. Therefore, understanding the nutrient dynamics of different crop residues could play an important role in the management of residues in different soil types. Based on these results it can be concluded that legume residues have the potential to improve soil fertility and crop yields in dryland farmers’ fields in Limpopo. Extension programs aimed at increasing farmers’ knowledge of the benefits of N fixation by legumes may increase their adoption and thereby improve soil fertility and maize yield. / Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2010

Effect of a sudangrass green manure in two soil types on the activity, populations and community structure of soil microorganisms, populations of Verticillium dahliae in soil and on potato roots, and potato early dying, were evaluated in a field microplot experiment in the Columbia Basin. Potato cv. Russet Burbank was grown in identical green manure and fallow soil treatments transported from Idaho and Washington where sudangrass previously suppressed or enhanced early dying of potatoes, respectively. Incorporation of sudangrass increased total microbial activity (TMA) by 46.2 and 30.1% in the Idaho soil in 1996 and 1997, and by 43.0% in the Washington soil in 1996 only. Neither green manure or soil type, however, affected soil populations of Fusarium, total bacteria, or actinomycetes. Across soil type, fluorescent pseudomonad populations were unaffected or increased by 107% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Although not repeated across years, Fusarium root populations were 19.7 and 28.3% higher in sudangrass treated soil from Washington in 1996 and Idaho in 1997, respectively, but the proportion of Fusarium species were similar across soil types. Bacterial rhizosphere communities, based on sole-carbon-source utilization patterns on Biolog GN microplates, did not differ among the soil types or green manure treatments. Across soil type, V. dahliae soil and root populations were unaffected in 1996, but were lower by 20.4 and 41.2% in Idaho sudangrass soil treatments in 1997. Apical stem populations of V. dahliae and disease severity, however, did not differ among the treatments. Although tuber yield in Washington soil was 31.5% higher than Idaho soil in 1996, yield was not affected by a sudangrass green manure. Because suppression of early dying of potato observed in Idaho was not replicated in transported soil in the Columbia Basin, the macroenvironment may interact with the sudangrass green manure to regulate the effect, or lack of effect on disease. TMA is not an indicator of disease suppressive ability of a soil following sudangrass as activity increased despite a lack of effect on disease. Based on this study, there is no evidence for differences in microbial populations or communities between the Idaho and Washington soils that could explain the suppression or enhancement of early dying of potato by a sudangrass green manure. / Graduation date: 1998

The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the establishment and peak standing crop of Berber Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata var. "Berber"), Palestine Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata var. "Palestine"), and Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina var. "Covar") ; 2) to assess establishment and production changes resulting from environmental gradients (elevation, slope, aspect, soil texture, precipitation, and resident annual community) across the foothill landscape; 3) develop a mathematical model that predicts site potential for restoration; and 4) evaluate the utility of Geographic Information Systems for creation and analysis of spatial data which identify site production potential. Sixteen sites were chosen which reflect the general character of the foothill rangelands in southwestern Oregon. A Randomized Complete Block design was used to select treatment arrangement on each site. Seeded treatments received both chemical (Glyphosate, Hoelon, and 2,4-D) and mechanical (residue removal) disturbance. Test species were seeded into three replications at each site. Each replication also included a non-treatment control. Standing crop data for test species and resident exotics were collected after three growing seasons. Berber orchardgrass did not establish at most sites and where establishment did take place production was less than 132 kgDM/ha. Palestine orchardgrass established on on a majority of the study sites and produced most aboveground phytomass at mid-elevations where coarser soil textures and deeper soil depths were common. Sheep fescue was the most successful of the three test species and did best on low elevation high clay sites. There was significantly (P=0.001) more phytomass produced by annual exotics on seeded plots than on undisturbed controls at most sites. Both Palestine orchardgrass and sheep fescue treatments significantly suppressed the annual exotics when compared to the Berber treatments. Generally, "Covar" sheep fescue can establish and successfully compete with exotics on heavier textured soils at low elevations. "Palestine orchardgrass is adapted to mid-elevation coarser soils. / Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M. Sc.)(Animal Science)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

‘FIELD WORKS’ explores landscape experiences that were once common to the tall grass prairie region of Manitoba. The route through this project winds in and out of urban surfaces to reveal memories embedded in the land. It documents forgotten and dormant prairie events so that they might be woven back into the fabric of the city. The purpose of this project is to transfer explored and speculative experience into a physical route through the urban prairie landscape. It is an effort to expose the layers clinging to physical memories rooted in the prairie. / May 2007

The two most common varieties of the grass Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.)Torr. in North America use different strategies of clonal growth and have contrasting continental distributions. Variety caespitosa (phalanx form) ranges from central Texas westward to Arizona and California and var. curtipendula (guerrilla form) occurs in a more mesic region over the North American Great Plains. This study sought to determine whether the strategies had an ecological significance and investigated the possible relationship between changes in environmental factors and characteristics of each clonal growth strategy. Varieties showed to be morphologically variable, but the variability did not follow the pattern of the precipitational gradient. The abundance of var. curtipendula was related to soil depth and parent material (limestone types). Abundance of var. caespitosa could not be explained by any environmental factor separately. The performance of clones of the two growth forms in response to changes in resource availability (light and nutrients) and defoliation suggested similarities between the varieties in photosynthetic rate and only showed differences in water potential under extreme conditions. The major differences were related to the proportion of biomass allocated to structures related with seed production versus propagation by rhizomes. Intra-variety genetic variation for several life history traits was detected even with a very small sample size. The caespitose growth form showed more biomass and rate of tiller recruitment after defoliation on average, but responses between genotypes were dissimilar. Varieties also showed levels of plasticity in the allocation to reproductive structures in response to environmental factors. Responses to fire were compared between varieties by experimental burnings with increasing load of artificial fuel. Plants of the two varieties reached similar maximum temperatures although var. caespitosa suffered temperatures considered to be lethal for longer periods of time. Results from this study suggested that, although characteristic of the pattern of clonal growth were not distinctly associated to resource availability or defoliation, distribution of the varieties may be related to a combination of biotic and abiotic factors beyond the factors studied here.

During the growing seasons of 1999 and 2000 five experiments were performed to test growth of the seagrass Halodule beaudettei (shoal-grass) in nursery pond conditions. Sediment oxidation state, sediment source, container type, flow regime, and light transmittance were tested to improve nursery pond cultivation techniques and to test assumptions about the decline of seagrasses in Galveston Bay, Texas. Oxidized and reduced sediments exhibited no statistical difference as mean percent change in the number of stems of shoal-grass, after 47 days. Sediment from three source locations, West Bay, East Beach Lagoons, and the experimental pond bottoms, showed no significant difference in the mean percent change in the number of stems of shoal-grass at 48 and 95 days. A statistical difference was seen in the container type experiment, trays versus pots, at 48 days where shoal-grass had double the number of stems produced in trays; however no significant difference was found at 93 days. A significant difference was found in the flow regime experiment, no-flow versus flow, at 47 days in the mean percent change of shoal-grass with double the number of stems produced in the flow regime. Significant differences were observed between the low light and high light treatments with shoal-grass, widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima), star grass (Halophila engelmannii), and turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum), with survival and growth occurring in the high light treatment and decline and death occurring in the low light treatment. The importance of reduced sediment may have been overstated in the past as sediment reduction occurs rapidly with submersion. It appears that while West Bay sediment did not have a deleterious effect on shoal-grass, West Bay simulated light conditions did. Container type seems to be important at first but not so much in the long term. Some flow, water movement, or current appears to be important.