This diploma thesis focuses on the use of thermogravimetry as quick and low-cost method in the analysis of soil quality. Most of the currently used methods for analyzing some soil properties are, unlike thermogravimetry, demanding especially for pretreatment and analysis time. Previous research has shown an interesting correlation between thermogravimetry data and some soil properties, but to obtain these correlations, it is necessary to keep the analyzed soils at 76% relative humidity. The aim of this work was to determine whether similar correlations can also by achieved at lower relative humidities. Therefore, soil samples in this work were thermogravimetrically analyzed at 43% relative humidity. That humidity is closer to laboratory conditions and it is also easier to be reached by most of commercially available thermogravimeters. Next aim of this thesis was to find whether thermogravimetric data correlate with other soil properties, especially microbiological indicators of soil quality. Results showed that thermogravimetry of soil samples correlates with standard methods even at 43% humidity. Furthermore, it was found that they also correlate with selected microbiological parameters, such as anaerobic ammonification or urease activity. These results suggest the possibility of using thermogravimetry analysis at broader spectrum of soil properties, without the need for pretreatment of samples and at different (relevant) soil moisture.

Several studies have reported agronomic benefits by improving soil health/quality, but uncertain knowledge remains when determining specific impacts on water quality off-field. This study investigated the links between runoff water quality and soil health/quality in agricultural fields of the Mississippi delta under three land management scenarios: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), vegetative buffer (VB), and row crops (RC). Using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), a Soil Quality Index (SQI) was obtained based on ten soil health/quality indicators from 2008 and 2012 datasets. The SMAF identified significant differences in soil health/quality improvements among scenarios over a four-year period. Varied relationships between water quality parameters, SQI, and soil health/quality indicators were determined. Individually, physical and chemical soil indicators were also correlated with runoff water quality. Overall, the evidenced relationship between soil health/quality and water quality parameters was stronger in areas under CRP.

No description available.

No description available.

Aux Antilles, dans les plantations de bananes en monoculture mécanisée, l'un des principaux problèmes à résoudre est le contrôle des populations de nématodes phytoparasites. Dans cette thèse, les effets d'apports de différentes matières organiques (MO), brutes ou compostées, sur la régulation biologique des nématodes ont été étudiés, cet effet suppresseur ayant déjà été montré sur d'autres cultures. L'analyse de la littérature sur le sujet montre que les effets d'un apport de MO sur les populations de nématodes phytoparasites et sur leurs dégâts sont complexes et varient fortement en fonction de la nature biochimique du produit et de l'espèce de nématode. Ainsi, les matières organiques qui libèrent beaucoup d'azote minéral en se décomposant favorisent la croissance des racines, ce qui peut augmenter la ressource alimentaire des nématodes phytoparasites et/ou la tolérance des plantes à leurs attaques. La décomposition des matières apportées peut libérer des composés nématotoxiques. Enfin, l'apport de carbone peut entrainer une diversification des communautés de nématodes, une complexification des réseaux trophiques et, par la suite, favoriser la régulation biologique des nématodes phytoparasites par les espèces appartenant aux niveaux trophiques supérieurs et par la microflore. Nous avons, par une étude fine de la structure des communautés de nématodes et le suivi de la croissance des jeunes plants de bananier, cherché à évaluer l'induction de la régulation biologique des nématodes parasites du bananier dans une sole bananière par un apport de MO, au moyen de deux expérimentations en pots conduites pendant 13 semaines. Les MO testées étaient quatre MO brutes et quatre MO compostées. L'expérience sur les MO brutes a montré que trois des quatre MO (bagasse, écumes de sucrerie et déchets verts) ont entrainé une diminution des populations de nématodes parasites dans les racines du bananier, l'intensité de cette régulation dépendant de l'espèce. En revanche, le quatrième type de MO, des boues de station d'épuration, n'a pas permis de diminuer la pression parasitaire. Les différences de croissance des systèmes racinaires n'ont pas été un facteur explicatif des régulations observées et les meilleures conditions de croissance observées n'ont pas réduit les impacts des nématodes phytoparasites sur les racines. Seules les écumes de sucrerie ont entrainé un impact positif global sur la plante, en diminuant la pression parasitaire tout en augmentant sa croissance. La bagasse et les déchets verts, principalement composés de lignines et de cellulose, ont entrainé une modification significative de la structure des communautés de nématodes, avec un fort accroissement des populations de nématodes fongivores et, avec la bagasse, de nématodes carnivores. L'expérience en pot sur les MO compostées a montré que les trois composts commerciaux produits par SITA VERDE (Biogwa, Ecogwa B, Ecogwa D) et l'amendement organique commercial Vegethumus (de Phallipou-Frayssinet) avaient engendré une diminution du parasitisme et que ce contrôle dépendait de l'espèce de nématodes phytoparasites. Dans cet essai, le contrôle des nématodes parasites du bananier est apparu lié à la biomasse racinaire totale des bananiers. L'apport des composts Ecogwa D et Vegethumus a augmenté la taille des populations de nématodes microbivores, mais seul Vegethumus a accru la voie de décomposition fongique. [...] Suite et fin du résumé dans la thèse. / In French West Indies, banana crops are generally managed as an intensive mechanized monoculture, and one of main problems to solve is the control of plant-parasitic nematodes. In this study, the effects of the input of different organic materials, gross or composted, on the biological control of nematodes were investigated. The analyze of the literature showed that the effects of an organic material input on plant-parasitic nematode populations and on their damage on the plant are complex and vary highly according to the biochemical characteristics of the products and the plant-parasitic nematode species. Thus, organic materials that release great amounts of mineral nitrogen during their decomposition promote root growth, which increases the feeding resource for plant-parasitic nematodes and/or plant tolerance to their attacks. Organic material decomposition can also release nematotoxic chemical compounds. Lastly, carbon input can lead to nematode community diversification, soil food web complexification, and, as a result, favoring the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes by top predators or microflora. We evaluated the induction of the biological control of banana parasitic nematodes by an organic input, using soil nematofauna analyses and measuring the growth of young banana plants. We thus conducted two pot experimentations during 13 weeks. The organic materials tested were four raw and four composted organic materials that were locally available. The raw organic materials trial showed that three amongst the four amendments (sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane refinery sludge and plant residues) led to a decrease of parasitic nematode populations within banana roots, the control efficiency depending on nematode species. In contrast, the fourth type of organic material, sewage sludge, did not induce the decrease of the parasitic pressure. Changes in root growth were not an explanatory factor and the better soil conditions for plant growth did not reduce the impact of plant-parasitic nematode. Only sugarcane refinery sludge engendered overall positive effect on the banana plant, decreasing parasitic pressure and enhancing plant growth. Sugarcane bagasse and plant residues, mainly composed of lignins and cellulose, led to significant changes in nematode community structure, increasing fungivorous nematode populations and, only after bagasse supply, those of carnivorous nematodes. The compost trial showedndment that the three commercial composts produced by SITA Verde (Biogwa, Ecogwa B, Ecogwa D) and the commercial organic amendment Vegethumus (Phallipou-Frayssinet) induced a decrease of plant-parasitic nematode populations and that this control depended on banana parasitic nematode species. In this trial, the control of banana parasitic nematodes was linked to overall biomass of banana root system. The input of Ecogwa D and Vegethumus composts boosted microbivorous nematode populations, but only Vegethumus favored the fungal decomposition pathway. Last and final summary in the thesis.

This diploma thesis inquires into the quality of the soils at 30 archaeological sites from the periods from Late Bronze Age to Early Bronze Age (1 250 - 450 BC). The aim of the thesis is to prove the dependence of the ratio of the cultivated cereals on the soil and other environmental factors in various regions. The secondary aim is the general observation of the changes, which could appear from this period until now. These changes are represented by the erosion, researched by various methods. The overview of the literature aims to the short description of the archaeological sources from the period, various approaches to the soil evaluation until present as well as information about the soil erosion and tools for its research. The conclusion of the thesis is that the ratio of the cultivated cereals depends mostly on the sea level, secondly on other environmental factors (included the soil quality). The results of the thesis are influenced by number of factors, discussed in the conclusion Keywords: soil quality, cereals, archaeological sites, perimeter of kilometre, soil erosion, late bronze age, early iron age

Impactos ambientais podem interferir nas características da biomassa microbiana, no processo de ciclagem de nutrientes, nas características físicoquímicas e também na diversidade da microbiota e da macrofauna. O objetivo desse trabalho foi conhecer as diferentes interações entre estes atributos e identificar os indicadores da qualidade do solo envolvidos com o tempo de recuperação. Três áreas com estágios diferentes de recuperação (5, 10 e 20 anos) foram comparadas com uma floresta Estacional Semidecídua nativa (NT) com intuito de estudar o comportamento da microbiota, da macrofauna e de suas interações com os atributos físico-químicos. Foram coletadas amostras em 15 pontos por áreas, escolhidos aleatoriamente. Dentre os atributos microbiológicos, a maior atividade das enzimas urease, fosfatase ácida e desidrogeanse foi encontrada na área nativa. O mesmo foi constatado para a respiração basal e para o carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana. A análise da estrutura da comunidade de Bacteria, feita a partir de TRFLP, separou as áreas, nativa e de 20 anos de recuperação, das demais, somente no verão. A densidade do solo, a umidade e a microporosidade afetaram negativamente os indicadores microbiológicos do solo, sendo em conjunto com o carbono total do solo os principais fatores discriminantes das áreas. Ocorreu maior presença das espécies de FMA A. spinosa, A. colossica, A. lacunosa, G. decipiens e Gigaspora sp. na área NT e das espécies G. viscosum, A. mellea, A. scrobiculata e S. heterogama na área R05 e G. rosea nas áreas R10 e R20. As principais variáveis ambientais que explicam a relação com as espécies de FMA foram microporosidade, macroporosidade, atividade da fosfatase ácida e densidade, umidade, CBM, NBM e N-NO3. Efeito sazonal sobre as espécies de FMA também foi observado. Maiores valores de proteína do solo relacionada com glomalina (GRSP) foram encontrados no inverno e somente a proteína do solo relacionada com glomalina facilmente extraível (EE-GRSP) separou a área NT das demais. Observou-se, também, alta correlação dessa glicoproteina com os atributos físico-químicos e microbiológicos. Em relação à fauna edáfica ocorreu efeito da sazonalidade e do método de coleta utilizado (armadilhas e monolito). Houve diferença entre os índices de Shanon, Simpson e Pielou somente na época seca, sendo as maiores diferenças nas áreas mais antigas (NT e R20). Maior riqueza foi encontrada ao se utilizar o método de monolito. De acordo com a análise discriminante, Diplopoda foi o principal grupo para as duas épocas e os dois métodos de coleta. Porosidade, densidade basal, umidade, nitrogênio total do solo e atividade das enzimas desidrogenase e urease foram fatores importantes para a separação dos grupos da fauna no gradiente de recuperação ambiental. Esse trabalho mostrou que os atributos biológicos e físicoquímicos de qualidade do solo interagem e se modificam de acordo com a idade das áreas e com a sazonalidade. / Environmental impactation can affect microbial biomass, nutrient cycling, processes, physical-chemical characteristics and also the diversity of microbes and edaphic fauna. The aim of this study was to understand the different interactions between these attributes and to identify the indicators of soil quality involved in the recovery process. Three areas with different stages of recovery [5 (R05), 10 (R10) and 20 (R20) years] were compared with a native semideciduous forest (NT) in order to study the behavior of microbes, macrofauna and their interactions with the physical and chemical attributes. Samples were collected at 15 points in each area. Greater activity of urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase were found in the native area. The same result was found for basal respiration, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN). The structure of Bacteria analyzed by T-RFLP discriminated the native and R20 from R05 and R10, only in the summer. Soil bulk density, humidity and microporosity negatively affected soil microbiological indicators and together with total soil carbon they were the main discriminant factors. A. colossica, A. lacunosa, G. decipiens and Gigaspora sp. were more abundant in NT and the species G. viscosum, A. mellea, A. scrobiculata and S. heterogama in R05 and G. rosea in R10 and R20. Porosity, soil bulk density, humidity, acid phosphatase activity, MBC, MBN and N-NO3 - were the principal environmental variables related to AMF species distribution. Seasonal influences on AMF species were also observed. Higher glomalin related soil protein (GRSP) content was found only in the winter and NT had only EE-GRSP (easly extracted glomalin related soil protein) different from the recovery areas. Correlations among glomalin and physical-chemical and microbiological attributes were observed. Edaphic fauna groups were influenced by seasonality and by sampling methodology (pitfall traps and monoliths). Shannons, Simpsons and the evenness index were significant only in the dry season and in the oldest areas. Richness was higher when the monolith method was used. Diplopoda was the principal group that discriminated the recovery gradient for both seasons and methodologies. Porosity, soil bulk density, humidity, total nitrogen, urease and dehydrogenase were important factors to separate faunal groups. This work showed that biological and physico-chemical soil quality attributes interact and changed according to gradient recovery and seasonality.

O estudo de indicadores biológicos da qualidade do solo em áreas com araucária é muito importante para entender os processos ecológicos que ocorrem nestes sistemas, já que a fauna edáfica atua na decomposição e mineralização da matéria orgânica e, também, nas propriedades e processos físicos, químicos e biológicos do solo. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a possibilidade de utilizar alguns grupos da fauna edáfica e das variáveis ambientais como indicadores da qualidade do solo em áreas com araucária natural e reflorestada, impactadas ou não pela queima acidental, por meio de técnicas de análise multivariada. As áreas estudadas incluem: 1. floresta nativa com araucária (NF); 2. reflorestamento de araucária (R); 3. reflorestamento de araucária submetido a incêndio acidental (RF); e 4. pastagem natural com araucárias nativas e ocorrência de incêndio (NPF). Em cada área, amostras de solo para avaliação da comunidade da fauna edáfica e das variáveis ambientais foram coletadas em 0,3 ha, perto de dez árvores de araucária selecionadas ao acaso, em três épocas contrastantes, usando diferentes métodos de coleta (monólitos e armadilhas). As análises de componentes principais (ACP), canônica discriminante (ACD) e de correlação canônica (ACC) foram aplicadas às variáveis ambientais [carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal (C-CO2) e quociente metabólico (qCO2), estoques de serapilheira, umidade do solo, pH (CaCl2), matéria orgânica (MO) e teores de P, K, Ca, Mg, H+Al] e atributos da fauna edáfica. Foram encontradas cinco espécies de minhocas (2 famílias), 20 famílias de aranhas e oito famílias de colêmbolos nestas áreas. A diversidade da fauna, CBM, C-CO2, estoques de serapilheira e MO foram sempre superiores na área NF e inferiores na NPF. A comunidade de fauna do solo e as variáveis ambientais apresentaram potencial para serem usadas como indicadores da qualidade do solo. Houve alta correlação canônica entre as variáveis ambientais e a fauna edáfica. Os grupos Collembola, Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Isoptera, Araneae, Oligochaeta, biomassa da macrofauna, índice de diversidade de Shannon (H), estoques de serapilheira, P, CBM e C-CO2 foram responsáveis por praticamente toda a separação entre as áreas, sendo bons indicadores das modificações que ocorrem nos ecossistemas com araucária. A ACD demonstrou que a contribuição de cada atributo para separar as áreas sofreu efeito de sazonalidade. As técnicas de análise multivariada (especialmente ACC e ACD) são importantes ferramentas no estudo de indicadores biológicos de qualidade do solo. / The study of biological soil quality indicators in areas with Araucaria is very important to understand ecological processes in these systems, since groups of the soil fauna are major factors in the decomposition and mineralization of organic matter, as well as modifiers of soil physical, chemical and biological properties and processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of soil fauna and environmental variables as quality indicators in natural and reforested Araucaria areas, impacted or not by fire, by means of multivariate analysis techniques. Four study areas included: native forest with Araucaria (NF); Araucaria reforestation (R); Araucaria reforestation submitted to an accidental fire (RF); and native grass pasture with native Araucaria , submitted to an intense accidental fire (NPF). Soil samples containing the soil fauna community and environmental variables were taken in a 0.3 ha area in each area, close to ten Araucaria trees selected at random, in three contrasting seasons, using different collection methods (soil monolith, Pitfall traps). Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) were applied to the environmental variables [(carbon of the microbial biomass (CMB), basal respiration (C-CO2) and metabolic quotient (qCO2), litter stocks, soil humidity, pH (CaCl2), organic matter (OM), P, K, Ca, Mg, H+Al] and soil fauna attributes. Five earthworm species (two families), 20 spider families and eight springtail families were found in these areas. Soil fauna diversity, CMB, C-CO2, litter stocks and OM were always higher for the NF area and lower for the NPF. The canonical correlation between environmental variables and soil fauna was highly significant. Soil fauna and environmental variables have a great potential as indicators of soil quality. The groups Collembola, Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Isoptera, Araneae, Oligochaeta, biomass of macrofauna, Shannon's diversity index (H), litter stocks, P, CMB and C-CO2 were mostly responsible for the separation between areas, and are therefore good indicators of the changes that occur in the Araucaria ecosystems. CDA identified that the contribution of each attribute for the separation of the areas varied according to the seasonal variation. Multivariate analyses (such as CDA and CCA) are important auxiliary tools in the study of soil quality indicators.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:44:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARIA CECILIA ALVES DE VASCONCELOS.pdf: 1811097 bytes, checksum: 7225cbf224da270e10a80f038703183e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-11 / Among the parameters used by the scientific community, the biomass evaluation is the most precise one in terms of presenting the biological components of the soil. Intending to evaluate the potential of the legumes Campo Grande Stylo, calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides) and pigeon pea regarding the recovery of damaged soil, sixteen plats of these legumes were planted in latin square form for later microbial biomass analysis. The microbial biomass was analyzed according to the Vance et. (1987) principles. No significant differences were found compared to the fallow, although circumstances like the lack of precipitation, the time of the year and the production of dry matter affected the microbial biomass development. The studied legumes that presented the largest microbial biomass production were the Campo Grande Stylo and the calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides), showing a trend of improvement compared to the fallow. Despite the stress factors, the microbial biomass showed a trend of improvement on the plats where the legumes were seeded, and it can be considered a prior parameter of agrisystem changes. / Dentre os parâmetros utilizados pela comunidade científica, o que apresenta maior sensibilidade na caracterização dos componentes biológicos do solo é a avaliação de biomassa microbiana (BMS). Com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial das leguminosas Calopogônio, Estilosantes e feijão Guandu na recuperação dos solos degradados e na melhoria da biomassa microbiana, foi realizado o plantio das leguminosas e posterior análise da biomassa microbiana em dezesseis canteiros distribuídos em um quadrado latino. A biomassa microbiana foi analisada conforme os princípios de Vance et. (1987). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas em relação ao pousio, porém fatores como a baixa pluviosidade, época de plantio e produção de massa seca influenciaram o desenvolvimento da BMS. As leguminosas estudadas que apresentaram maior produção de BMS foram o Estilosantes e o Calopogônio, evidenciando uma tendência de aumento em relação ao pousio. Mesmo com fatores de estresse, a biomassa microbiana nos canteiros com as leguminosas evidenciou um potencial de aumento, podendo ser considerado um parâmetro que antecede alterações no agrosistema.

Impactos ambientais podem interferir nas características da biomassa microbiana, no processo de ciclagem de nutrientes, nas características físicoquímicas e também na diversidade da microbiota e da macrofauna. O objetivo desse trabalho foi conhecer as diferentes interações entre estes atributos e identificar os indicadores da qualidade do solo envolvidos com o tempo de recuperação. Três áreas com estágios diferentes de recuperação (5, 10 e 20 anos) foram comparadas com uma floresta Estacional Semidecídua nativa (NT) com intuito de estudar o comportamento da microbiota, da macrofauna e de suas interações com os atributos físico-químicos. Foram coletadas amostras em 15 pontos por áreas, escolhidos aleatoriamente. Dentre os atributos microbiológicos, a maior atividade das enzimas urease, fosfatase ácida e desidrogeanse foi encontrada na área nativa. O mesmo foi constatado para a respiração basal e para o carbono e nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana. A análise da estrutura da comunidade de Bacteria, feita a partir de TRFLP, separou as áreas, nativa e de 20 anos de recuperação, das demais, somente no verão. A densidade do solo, a umidade e a microporosidade afetaram negativamente os indicadores microbiológicos do solo, sendo em conjunto com o carbono total do solo os principais fatores discriminantes das áreas. Ocorreu maior presença das espécies de FMA A. spinosa, A. colossica, A. lacunosa, G. decipiens e Gigaspora sp. na área NT e das espécies G. viscosum, A. mellea, A. scrobiculata e S. heterogama na área R05 e G. rosea nas áreas R10 e R20. As principais variáveis ambientais que explicam a relação com as espécies de FMA foram microporosidade, macroporosidade, atividade da fosfatase ácida e densidade, umidade, CBM, NBM e N-NO3. Efeito sazonal sobre as espécies de FMA também foi observado. Maiores valores de proteína do solo relacionada com glomalina (GRSP) foram encontrados no inverno e somente a proteína do solo relacionada com glomalina facilmente extraível (EE-GRSP) separou a área NT das demais. Observou-se, também, alta correlação dessa glicoproteina com os atributos físico-químicos e microbiológicos. Em relação à fauna edáfica ocorreu efeito da sazonalidade e do método de coleta utilizado (armadilhas e monolito). Houve diferença entre os índices de Shanon, Simpson e Pielou somente na época seca, sendo as maiores diferenças nas áreas mais antigas (NT e R20). Maior riqueza foi encontrada ao se utilizar o método de monolito. De acordo com a análise discriminante, Diplopoda foi o principal grupo para as duas épocas e os dois métodos de coleta. Porosidade, densidade basal, umidade, nitrogênio total do solo e atividade das enzimas desidrogenase e urease foram fatores importantes para a separação dos grupos da fauna no gradiente de recuperação ambiental. Esse trabalho mostrou que os atributos biológicos e físicoquímicos de qualidade do solo interagem e se modificam de acordo com a idade das áreas e com a sazonalidade. / Environmental impactation can affect microbial biomass, nutrient cycling, processes, physical-chemical characteristics and also the diversity of microbes and edaphic fauna. The aim of this study was to understand the different interactions between these attributes and to identify the indicators of soil quality involved in the recovery process. Three areas with different stages of recovery [5 (R05), 10 (R10) and 20 (R20) years] were compared with a native semideciduous forest (NT) in order to study the behavior of microbes, macrofauna and their interactions with the physical and chemical attributes. Samples were collected at 15 points in each area. Greater activity of urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase were found in the native area. The same result was found for basal respiration, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN). The structure of Bacteria analyzed by T-RFLP discriminated the native and R20 from R05 and R10, only in the summer. Soil bulk density, humidity and microporosity negatively affected soil microbiological indicators and together with total soil carbon they were the main discriminant factors. A. colossica, A. lacunosa, G. decipiens and Gigaspora sp. were more abundant in NT and the species G. viscosum, A. mellea, A. scrobiculata and S. heterogama in R05 and G. rosea in R10 and R20. Porosity, soil bulk density, humidity, acid phosphatase activity, MBC, MBN and N-NO3 - were the principal environmental variables related to AMF species distribution. Seasonal influences on AMF species were also observed. Higher glomalin related soil protein (GRSP) content was found only in the winter and NT had only EE-GRSP (easly extracted glomalin related soil protein) different from the recovery areas. Correlations among glomalin and physical-chemical and microbiological attributes were observed. Edaphic fauna groups were influenced by seasonality and by sampling methodology (pitfall traps and monoliths). Shannons, Simpsons and the evenness index were significant only in the dry season and in the oldest areas. Richness was higher when the monolith method was used. Diplopoda was the principal group that discriminated the recovery gradient for both seasons and methodologies. Porosity, soil bulk density, humidity, total nitrogen, urease and dehydrogenase were important factors to separate faunal groups. This work showed that biological and physico-chemical soil quality attributes interact and changed according to gradient recovery and seasonality.