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This study was carried out to determine the effect of soil properties on enzyme activities of paddy soils, the sample of which were taken from Üçpınar, Harız, Doğancı, Kaygusuz, Emenli, Sarıköy and Gelemenağarı villages where rice cultivation is an intensive agricultural system. In this study, soil properties having effects on urease, phosphatase, ß-glucosidase and catalase enzyme activities were setforth. Urease enzyme activities of soil samples varied from 24.12 to 39.03 mg N 100 g dry soil -1 . Significant correlations were determined between urease enzyme activities and organic matter (r = 0.89**), extractable Mn (r = 0.74**), exchangable K (r = 0.73**) and total P content of soil (r = 0.81*). Acid phosphatase enzyme activity varied between 3.00-17.44 mg phenol 100 g dry soil -1 , alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity between 12.00-25.53 mg phenol 100 g dry soil-1 . Exchangable Mg (r = 0.71*) and extractable Cu (r = 0.74*) were found to have positive effect on acid phosphatase enzyme activity and pH (r = 0.73*), exchangable Ca (r = 0.74*), exchangable Mg (r = 0.71*), exchangable total basic cations (r = 0.79*) and extractable Cu (r = 0.70*) had positive effects on alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity, whereas total P (r = - 0.84**) affected the activity negatively. ß-glucosidase enzyme activity was measured to vary between 1.12-3.64 mg salingen 100 g dry soil -1 . It was also observed that extractable Zn content of soil samples (r = - 0.97**) had negative effect on ß-glucosidase activity, wheras total exchangable acidic cations (r = 0.70*) affected the activity positively. Catalase enzyme activities of soils changed between 5.25 - 9.00 mg O2 5 g dry soil -1 . Significant correlations were found between catalase activities and fraction of soils and extractable Fe content. Positive correlations, however, were determined between catalase activities and clay fraction (r = 0.82*) and salt content (r = 0.83**) of samples.

Bu araştırmada, Terme - Ünye yöresinde fındık tarımı yapılan topraklarda üreaz, ß- Glikosidaz, asit ve alkali fosfataz enzim aktiviteleri belirlenmiş ve bu aktiviteler ile toprakların bazı önemli özellikleri ile, iz element ve ağır metal içerikleri arasındaki ilişkiler ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Yapılan regrasyon-korelasyon analiz sonuçlarına göre, üreaz enzim aktivitesi ile organik madde, azot ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cu , asit fosfataz aktivitesi ile organik madde, organik C ve azot arasında pozitif, ekstrakte edilebilir Mn arasında da negatif bir ilişki belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, alkali fosfataz enzim aktivitesi ile pH, alınabilir P, ekstrakte edilebilir Cu, Zn ve Pb arasında önemli pozitif ilişki bulunmuştur. Toprakların ß-Glikosidaz aktivitesi ile toprak özellikleri arasında C/N oranı ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cd miktarı hariç, hiçbir önemli ilişki bulunamamıştır.

Bu çalışma, Bafra Ovasında yoğun bir şekilde çeltik tarımı yapılan Üçpınar, Harız, Doğancı, Kaygusuz, Emenli, Sarıköy ve Gelemenağrı köylerinden alınan toprakların enzim aktiviteleri üzerine toprak özelliklerinin etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Alınan toprak örneklerinde üreaz, fosfataz, ß-glikosidaz ve katalaz enzim aktiviteleri üzerine toprak özelliklerinin etkileri ortaya konulmuştur. Toprakların Üreaz enzim aktivitesi 24.12 ile 39.03 mg N 100 g kuru top-1 arasında değişmektedir. Üreaz enzim aktivitesi ile toprakların organik madde (r = 0.89**), ekstrakte edilebilir Mn (r = 0.74*), değişebilir K (r = 0.73*) ve total P (r = 0.81*) kapsamları arasında pozitif ilişkiler belirlenmiştir. Toprakların Asit fosfataz enzim aktivitesi 3.00 ile 17.44 mg fenol 100g kuru top -1 arasında, alkali fosfataz aktivitesi ise 12.00 ile 25.53 mg fenol 100 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmektedir. Asit fosfataz enzim aktivitesi üzerine, değişebilir Mg (r = 0.71*) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cu (r = 0.74*)'ın pozitif yönde; Alkali fosfataz enzim aktivitesi üzerine ise pH (r = 0.73*), değişebilir Ca (0.74*), değişebilir Mg (r = 0.71*), total değişebilir bazik katyonlar (r = 0.79*) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cu (r = 0.70*)'ın pozitif yönde, total P (r = - 0.84**)'un negatif yönde etki ettiği tesbit edilmiştir. ß-glikosidaz enzim aktivitesi 1.12 ile 3.64 mg salingen 100 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmekte olup, ß-glikosidaz enzim aktivitesi üzerine toprakların ekstrakte edilebilir Zn kapsamları (r = - 0.97**) negatif yönde, total değişebilir asidik katyonların (r = 0.70*) ise pozitif yönde etki ettiği saptanmıştır. Toprakların Katalaz enzim aktivitesi 5.25 ile 9.00 mg O2 5 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmekte olup, katalaz enzim aktivitesi ile toprakların kum (r = - 0.92**) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Fe kapsamları (r = - 0.85**) arasında negatif, kil (r = 0.82*) ve tuz (r = 0.83**) kapsamları arasında ise pozitif ilişkiler bulunduğu belirlenmittir.

In this research, enzyme activities of soil cultivated for hazelnut in Terme and Ünye townships were determined and the relationships between the activities and some soil properties, trace elements and heavy metals were evaluated. Correlation and regression analysis showed that there was significant positive correlation between urease activity and organic carbon, nitrogen and extractable Cu; strong positive correlation between acid phosphates activity and organic matter, organic carbon and nitrogen; but negative correlation between the activities and extractable Mn content. Additionally, positive correlation was found between alkaline phosphatase activity and pH, available P, extractable Cu, Zn and Pb contents. With the exception of C/N ratio and extractable Cd content, no significant correlation was observed between ß- glikosidase activity and soil properties.

Coastal areas are facing increasing heavy metal pollution as a result of various anthropogenic activities, posing a serious threat to ecosystems. Modeling and understanding the sorption behavior of heavy metals in soils are essential for assessing their mobility and risk in the coastal landscapes. The aim of this study was to examine the adsorption behavior of Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by common soil types of the Lower Don and the Taganrog Bay coast in Russia to better understand their potential environmental implications. The soil capacities for heavy metal adsorption and retention were determined using isothermal models. The maximum adsorption capacity and the binding strength parameter for the heavy metals were calculated, revealing significant differences among the soils. Haplic Chernozem emerged with superior values, while Gleyic Solonchak Sulfidic and Umbric Fluvisol trailed the lowest. All soils exhibited a greater adsorption capacity and binding strength for Pb compared to the other metals. The influence of soil characteristics on sorption and retention was also examined. The Pseudo-second-order model provided a more accurate description of the adsorption kinetics of heavy metals by the studied soils. The co-presence of metals in the system affected their sorption by the soils due to competition: soils adsorbed fewer metals but retained them more strongly. These findings are important for developing effective strategies to reduce heavy metal pollution in coastal ecosystems.

Chernozem soils, known for their high organic matter and fertility, are crucial for agricultural productivity in northern Kazakhstan's Kostanay region. This study evaluated the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these soils to assess their suitability for crop production and propose sustainable management practices. Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depths across various locations to represent the region's main nutrient profile. Physical analyses included texture determination, while chemical analyses measured pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, and nutrient levels (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) using standard methods. Biological assessments focused on microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), basal soil respiration (BSR), dehydrogenase and catalase activities, as well as Cmic: Corg and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) ratios. Results indicated high organic matter content (mean 4.49%), sufficient total nitrogen (>0.25%), and high levels of potassium and calcium. However, phosphorus levels were low (

Analytical techniques for elemental analysis in the soil-plant system have significance importance, especially emerging techniques such as synchrotron radiation (SR). Improved techniques allow samples to be examined in a non-invasive manner at high speed and resolution, resulting in better sample data. By applying various analytical techniques based on SR, it is possible to gather different information about the structure of the studied samples. In mining ecology, such techniques are widely used in assessing heavy metal-polluted sites, i.e., overburden dumps and areas around operating and mothballed mines. The present review elaborated insights into different analytical techniques for applying SR in plant-soil samples. The review also compared traditional research techniques with SR-based emerging and improved techniques. The need to use SR techniques for the complex diagnostics of sample structures to study their elemental and phase composition is substantiated. Using an integrated approach with SR, we can study the dynamics and speciation of HMs with carrier phases and uncover the mechanisms underlying the interactions between the adsorption centers of minerals, organic components, and heavy metals. It also improves the efficiency and accuracy of analysis and broadens the range of information obtained, which could lead to a more precise analysis of samples.

The main regularities of pollutant distribution through the soil profile were established based on the analysis of the content of 15 priority PAHs in 29 soil sections of different soil types located in the coastal zone of the Lower Don and Taganrog Bay with different anthropogenic loads. It was shown that the total content of PAHs in the 0-20 cm layer of soils of coastal territories varies from 172 µg kg-1 to 16006 µg kg-1. In addition, according to the total pollution indicator, (Zc) determines the level of soil pollution, which varies from "not polluted" to "extremely polluted". The influence of pollution sources falls on the 0-20 cm layer of soils of different types and is especially pronounced for subordinate landscapes. With increasing sampling depth, the total PAH content decreases with the redistribution of individual compounds of the PAH group towards the dominance of low molecular weight and 4-ring compounds in the composition of the sum of 15 PAHs and depends largely on the content of organic matter and soil pH. Based on the cluster analysis results, the main factor determining the profile distribution of PAHs is the type of pollutant origin source and its intensity.

Rice, a fundamental staple globally, plays a pivotal role in addressing food security and nutrition. This study explores the intricate interplay between soil characteristics, productivity challenges, and solutions in Azerbaijan's rice farming landscapes, acknowledging the agricultural importance of rice and its contribution to human nutrition. This study aims to assess the physical and chemical properties of soil samples from Azerbaijan's rice cultivation areas, with a focus on nutrient content and the identification of elements limiting productivity and plant nutrition. By synthesizing these perspectives, the study enriches the understanding of the complex relationship between soil fertility class and rice productivity, offering insights for sustainable rice farming. Soil samples were collected from representative rice fields across Azerbaijan and analyzed for various parameters, including soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and nutrient content. The soil sampling and preparation process maintained the integrity of collected samples, providing a reliable basis for scientific analysis. The results reveal diverse soil properties, with clayey texture prevailing. Soil acidity, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies pose challenges, emphasizing the need for corrective measures. The majority of soils exhibit unsuitable pH levels and elevated sodium content, necessitating interventions such as soil acidification and sodicity remediation. Soil salinity issues highlight the importance of drainage and leaching practices. Low organic matter and nutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc and manganese, underscore the need for targeted interventions, including foliar applications. Overall, Azerbaijan's rice-cultivated areas face challenges related to soil fertility, salinity, and nutrient deficiencies, impacting productivity. Corrective measures, such as soil reclamation, proper fertilization, and foliar applications, are crucial for enhancing crop yields. The study contributes valuable insights for local practices and the broader global pursuit of sustainable rice farming, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies in addressing specific regional challenges.

Soil pollution caused by heavy metals has emerged as one of the most significant environmental problems in the world. In such environments, specific plant species are able to grow, adapt and absorb heavy metals. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology in which higher plants are used to reclaim the contaminated environment. In this study, the possibilities of removing the pollution caused by Zn, which is applied to the loamy soil together with and without sewage sludge at increasing levels (0, 75, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 μg g-1), has been researched with certain hyperaccumulator plants such as Brassica juncea, Raphanus sativus and Silene vulgaris grown in Bafra ecological conditions. In order to clean Zn added to the soil at increasing levels with or without sewage sludge by using phytoremediation technology, Silene vulgaris was found to remove the highest amount of Zn in the soil by producing the greatest amount of biomass in the ecological conditions of the region compared to Brassica juncea and Raphanus sativus, and other hyperaccumulator plants grown in the plots. Significant differences were determined in the development of plants and Zn removal between the sludge treated and untreated plots. Water-soluble Zn, which was found at high levels in the cultivation of plants at 600 and 1200 μg g-1 Zn application doses in the sewage sludge treated plots, was determined at lower levels at the end of the harvest of the plants. In the application of increasing levels of Zn with sewage sludge, the lowest organic bound Zn was determined in the plots where Silene vulgaris was grown. The highest exchangeable Zn concentration was determined in soil samples taken after the harvest of the Raphanus sativus plant among the hyperaccumulator plants grown at all Zn application doses in the trials with and without sewage sludge application.

In modern economic and industrial realities, agricultural lands are often located next to industrial areas, which leads to soil contamination and, as a result, agricultural products with pollutants. Pollution of soils and plants by several pollutants of various nature has acquired huge proportions. There is a threat of migration of dangerous ecotoxicants, including heavy metals and benz[a]pyrene, one of the main persistent compounds, a marker of PAH soil contamination, along trophic chains that may be dangerous to public health. This study examines the use of various types of mineral sorbents (Tripoli, Brown coal, Diatomite) and mineral sorbents (Biochar, Granular activated coal) to reduce the toxic effects of pollutants on the sources of anthropogenic emissions of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adjacent to the sources. Using scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the sorbents have a high specific surface area. With the help of phytotesting in combined contaminated soils, the optimal dose of sorbent administration was determined at the level of 1% and 2% for various pollution variants. In addition, the analyzed sorbents are ordered by the effect of reducing the phytotoxicity of combined soil pollution. It was found that the introduction of sorbents into contaminated soil contributed to an increase in the morphometric parameters of the test culture - barley (Hordeum sativum distichum), which confirms the effectiveness of the sorption remediation of jointly contaminated soils with heavy metals and benz(a)pyrene.

The use of agricultural chemicals has adversely affected soil health and the environment. Organic farming practices, particularly vermicompost (VC), are gaining attention for their potential to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. This study investigated VC rate applications on lettuce growth, yield, soil fertility, nutrient dynamics, enzyme activity, biological parameters, and biochemical aspects under greenhouse conditions in Samsun, Turkey during 2022–2023. Experimentally, VC was applied at rates of V1: 1%, V2: 2%, and V3: 4% w/w, with a control group without VC application, V0: 0% w/w. Batavia lettuce, which is sensitive to environmental conditions and nutrient deficiency, was subjected to these treatments in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Results showed consistent improvements in plant dry weight across all VC treatments, with the 2% application rate (V2) yielding the highest increase in lettuce yield (56.43%). Soil pH varied across treatments, with V1 being slightly alkaline and V3 showing high electrical conductivity and increased nitrogen content. Phosphorus content increased in all treatments, while potassium varied, with V3 having the highest values. Soil enzyme activities increased with VC concentrations, with V3 showing the highest urease activity. Pearson correlations confirmed positive associations with growth parameters and soil enzymatic activity. These findings highlight vermicompost as a sustainable solution for lettuce production and soil improvement.

The influence of Ilkompost and Micromix bacterial consortium inoculation during sewage sludge (SS) with wheat straw (WS) composting was assessed. The effect of inoculation on compost quality parameters such as pH, temperature, nutrient contents and C/N, bacterial and fungal population were determined. Compared to the control treatment, the temperature of piles and population of microorganism increased after inoculated bacterial consortiums at the beginning of compost. But, WS addition did not effect on compost quality parameters and microbial population. Fungal and bacterial population, the peak temperature, or heating rate, of Micromix bacterial consortium based on Streptomyces pratensis, Bacillus mesentericus, Azotobacter chroococcum inoculated treatments was clearly higher than that of Ilkompost bacterial consortium based on Pediococcus pentosaceus, Streptomyces sindenensis, Bacillus megaterium inoculated treatments.

In this study, the effects of ground and foliar applications of the NPK fertilizers in hazelnut orchards on the soil chemical and microbiological properties and hazelnut yield were investigated. The fertilization practicesses from ground were done two times using NPK (20:10:10 +trace elements) on March and May while the fertilization practices from leaf were done three times using NK (15:12 +trace elements) on May, June and July at six different hazelnut orchards located on Samegrelo, Guria and Adjara regions in Western Georgia in 2018. The alkaline characterized fertilizer applications from soil generally increased soil reaction (pH), nutrient contents and EC values in different magnitude depends on the soil characteristics of locations. The lowest soil pH (4,40) and EC (0,107 dS m-1) values showed the highest increment (10,7% and 77,6%, respectively) over the control. The basal soil respiration and Cmic values of all hazelnut orchards were generally increased by the NPK ferilization. Increasing soil pH and EC by the fertilization also increased CA and DHA activity. The mean values of percent increase in yield and yield parameters by the NPK fertilization were obtained as 8,3% in yield, 13,3% in shelled nut weight, 10,0% in kernel weight and 5,1% in percent kernel efficiency. The hazelnut yield value had significant positive correlation with soil pH (0,669*), EC (0,652*) and Cmic (0,620*) values. The foliar fertilization and improving the soil properties of hazelnut orchards by the application of alkaline characteristic NPK fertilizer from soil increased hazelnut yield and yield parameters compare with the farmer applications or control treatments. The increments in soil microbiological properties and nutrients are considered as a desirable result in terms of sustainable soil management and plant nutrition for hazelnut orchards.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of two different ratios of Fe-EDDHA chelated fertilizers, (F1:4.8% and F2:6%) having the same amount of 6% soluble Fe content, on dry matter production and Fe uptake of tomato seedlings at different growth periods and Fe forms of a calcareous soil. The experiment was conducted in a factorial experimental design using Fe-EDDHA chelated fertilizers and the plant growth periods (10, 20, 30 and 40 days after seedling) with three replicates under the greenhouse conditions. The results indicated that the dry matter content, Fe uptake, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in plants generally increased over the control with increasing the growth periods. The plant dry matter contents were higher in F1 than F2 fertilization. The plant Fe uptakes in F1 treatment during the growth periods were also higher than that in F2 treatment. The carotenoid content and the chlorophyll formations in terms of both chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b were higher in F2 fertilization at the 20th day and higher in F1 fertilization at the 40th day. The DTPA-Fe and exchangeable-Fe contents in soil samples generally decreased while the organically bounded-Fe content in soil samples increased with increasing growth periods. It can be suggested that 4,8% of Fe-EDDHA fertilizer is more effective on Fe uptake when compared with 6% of Fe-EDDHA chelated Fe fertilizer. Therefore, F1 fertilizer can be used when chlorosis is seen on plants in calcareous soils. On the other hand, F2 fertilizer can be used if long-term Fe fertilization is desired. The differences in effectiveness between Fe-EDDHA chelated fertilizers having the same amount of water-soluble Fe content may be occurred due to differences in their chelating formulas.

Vermicomposting of organic waste has an important part to play in an integrated waste management strategy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida to transform anaerobically digested sewage sludge (SS) amended with hazelnut husk (HH) and cow manure (CM) in different proportions under laboratory condition (in darkness at 25°C0,5 0C). Two approaches investigated in the study were: (1) to find the best medium for growth and reproduction of E. foetida in different feed mixtures, (2) to analyze the heavy metal concentrations in different feed mixtures of SS-HH-CM before and after vermicomposting, and (3) to explore heavy metals accumulation of earthworms in sewage sludge with different feed mixtures. Number and biomass of earthworms and heavy metal contents in feed mixtures and earthworms were periodically monitored. The results indicated that maximum earthworm biomass was attained in feed mixture of 20% SS + 40% CM + 40% HH while the earthworm number was highest in feed mixture of 30% SS + 35% CM + 35% HH during the vermicomposting period. Heavy metals concentration (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr) in all feed mixtures decreased associated with the increasing vermicomposting time. The heavy metals’ content in the feed mixtures was lower than that of initial mixtures. Metal analysis of earthworms revealed considerable bioaccumulation of heavy metals in their bodies’ tissue. Heavy metal analysis of earthworm body showed that increasing proportion of SS in the feed mixtures promoted the heavy metal content of earthworm body.

This study is aimed at elucidating the fractionation of Cu and Zn in Haplic Chernozem and its alteration under the contamination to evaluate the extraction selectivity of different extractants and thus the efficiency of three sequential extraction schemes (Tessier and McLaren five-step and modified BCR three-step methods). General trends in the distribution of Cu and Zn speciations revealed with these three fractionation schemes suggest that they can be applied for the soils and the obtained results can be compared. Low mobility of potentially toxic metals (PTM) in the studied soil is suggested not only by their high content in residual fraction, but also by low contents of exchangeable and carbonate bound fractions (not more than 4-5 % Cu and 5-7 % Zn in the first two fractions). The highest contribution to the absorption and retention of Cu delivered from anthropogenic sources is made by organic matter and sesquioxides (up to 29 %); for Zn, by the nonsilicate Fe and Mn compounds (up to 25 %). However, the pattern of PTM extraction from soils varies during the application of different fractionation methods. The Tessier method is distinguished by a higher extractability relative to organic matter and sesquioxides. Therefore, this method is more informative for the contaminated soils. The McLaren method makes it possible to track the weakly bound species of compounds without the risk of involving other soil components. The BCR method is marked by simplicity of application and, therefore, recommended only for the noncalcic or low-calcic soils.

Distribution and level of 16 individual and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAHs) were assessed in soils, roots and above-ground tissues of reed (Phragmites australis) on monitoring plots in the city of Kamensk-Shakhtinskyi (Southern Russia, Rostov Region). The total concentration of the 16 PAHs in soil samples ranged between 499.0 to 7177.9 µg kg-1. Samples from the plot no. 4 had the highest PAHs concentrations of 7177.9 µg kg-1. The mean concentration of ∑16PAHs in plot no. 3 was noticeably higher than those in other monitoring sites for both root (363.0 µg kg-1) and above-ground tissues (239.8 µg kg-1). The distribution of PAHs ring size was in the order of 5-6˃4˃3˃2 in soil samples and HMW PAHs fractions represent 57.3% of the total PAHs. The concentrations of 3-4 ring PAHs were higher than HMW PAHs with 5–6 aromatic rings in all P. australis tissues. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs indicated that anthropogenic activities were probably major sources of PAHs. Accordingly, the maximum accumulation was found for phenanthrene among the 16 priority PAHs in the most of the soil and plants samples. More PAHs were accumulated in roots, as reflected by its higher mean concentration of PAHs in each plot. In addition, the BCF and TF values of LMW PAHs with 2- and 3-rings were higher than those of HMW PAHs. Taken together, our results indicated that there were an intensive accumulation of PAHs in the zone of industrial sewage tanks and sludge reservoirs as well as an obvious translocations of PAHs from the polluted soils to plant tissues, therefore, more attention is required to be paid to the PAH contamination in this area.

In this study, the environmental monitoring of the long-term technogenic pollution zone of Novocherkassk, a region containing numerous heavy metal contaminations, was carried out. In the plants growing in the 5 km zone around Novocherkasskaya power station, contamination with the studied elements was revealed. The dependence of the content of Zn and Cd in herbaceous plants of the families Asteraceae and Poaceae on the distance to the source of the anthropogenic load was established. The selectivity of accumulation of metals by studied species of herbaceous plants at different levels of technogenic pollution is revealed. Achillea nobilis has the least pollutants resistant from the soil. Poa pratensis has the highest resistance to Zn and Cd pollution in terms of the set of assessment indicators. The granulometric composition of the soil has a significant impact on the availability of metals to plants.

The objective of this research were to determine the effects of foliar fertilization (20% N: 20% P2O5: 20% K2O) at different growth stages on yield and nutrient contents of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and to reveal proper application time and frequency in Kostanai-Kazakhstan conditions. The field experiment was conducted according to randomized plot design with four replications with a seeding rate of 500 seed per m2 on the plots having a size of 5.0 m length and 4.0 m width. Foliar applications of the fertilizer at 1%rate were done at tillering (T), stem elongation (S), heading (H) stages of wheat and the combinations of these stages (T+S, T+H, S+H and T+S+H). Wheat yield values varied between the lowest 1.32 t/ha in the control and the highest 2.14 t/ha in the foliar fertilization done at tillering and steam elongation stages (T+S). According to control treatment, increases in grain yields by the foliar fertilization done at the different growth stages were determined as follows; T+S (61.7%) > T+H (47.4%) > T+S+H (41.8%) > S+H (41.6%) > T (38.5%) > S (19.1%) > H (16.6%). There was no significant difference among the macronutrient contents in grain obtained by the foliar fertilization at the different growth stages. N, P and K contents in the grain were close the values cited in the literatures. Ca and Mg contents deficiency in grain were determined due to the acidic soil pH condition of Kostanai-Kazakhstan. Nitrogen, P, K and Ca uptakes by grain, except Mg, generally increased with the all application of foliar fertilization. When the foliar fertilization was done at T+S stages, the highest macro nutrient uptakes by grain in wheat were generally obtained. This research indicated that the first foliar fertilization should be applied at the tillering stage and the best foliar fertilization management for high grain yield and nutrient uptake should be done two times at the combination of tillering and stem elongation stages.

Land use and amelioration practices are considered as main drivers in change of biological soil quality indicators in meadow Solonchaks. To gain insight into the impact of amelioration with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on the underlying soil microbiological and biochemical properties, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on biological soil quality indicators such as microorganisms counts, microbial biomass, basal soil respiration and enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, catalase, -glucosidase, protease, urease, alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase) in meadow Solonchak. Post-amelioration with alfalfa cultivation influenced the soil microbiological and biochemical properties and increased soil organic matter content and improved biological soil quality indicators. The results of this study may contribute to future researches for soil microbial communities in different type of amelioration practices in soil quality and sustainable productivity meadow Solonchaks.

Turkey ranks third in the world in terms of tomato production, and approximately 12.5 million tons of tomatoes are produced annually. Especially in greenhouse cultivation, tomato wastes do not stay in the soil and are taken out of the greenhouse. Ten million tons of tomato waste is generated annually in Turkey. Compost is a very important organic material containing plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and microelements. Tomato waste compost is a good organic fertilizer that increases both tomato yield and biological activities in soil. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of tomato compost (TC) on tomato yield and biological properties of soils. For this purpose, a pot experiment was established in the greenhouse and TC was applied in four different doses (TC1—1%, TC2—2%, TC3—4%, TC4—6%) to pots containing 3.5 kg of soil, these doses were also applied with chemical fertilizer (CF) (CF, TC1 + CF, TC + CF, TC3 + CF, TC4 + CF), and then tomato plants were grown. Each application was applied as three replications. Among the compost applications, the highest tomato yield was obtained with the TC4 (0.96 kg/pot, 14.4 t/ha) application: 15.66% higher yield was obtained compared to chemical fertilizers. Among all treatments, TC1 + CF (1.07 kg/pot, 16.10 t/ha), which increased the tomato yield by 28.9%, had the highest yield. All applications have increased CO2 production in the soil; the highest CO2 production was determined in the last harvest period with TC3 + CF and TC4 + CF (0.27 mgCO2 1 gr−1 24 h−1). The maximum microbial biomass carbon content was determined in the first harvest period. Among the applications, the most microbial biomass carbon was determined after the TC4 + CF (114.42 mgMBC 100 gr−1) application. Catalase enzyme activity was obtained the most with TC4 + CF (601.56 mlO2 1 gr−1) application in first florescence. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was obtained the most with TC3 (55.96 μg TPF g−1) application in end of harvest. After compost application, tomato yield increased and biological properties of soil improved.

The aim of the current work was to study the main tendencies in the accumulation and distribution of benzo[a]pyrene in soils of the affected zone of the Novocherkassk regional power plant. Studies were conducted on the soils of monitoring plots subjected to Novocherkassk regional power plant emissions. Monitoring plots were established at different distances from the Novocherkassk regional power plant (1.0–20.0 km). Regularities in the accumulation and distribution of benzo[a]pyrene in chernozemic, meadow-chernozemic, and alluvial soils under the effect of aerotechnogenic emissions from the Novocherkassk regional power plant have been revealed on the basis of long-term monitoring studies (from 2002 to 2011). The tendencies in the distribution and accumulation of BaP in the studied soils coincided during the 10 years of monitoring studies. It has been found the 5-km zone to the northwest from the power station, which coincides with the predominant wind direction, is most subjected to contamination by benzo[a]pyrene, with the maximum accumulation at a distance of about 1.6 km from the source. Dynamics of pollutant accumulation in soils depends on number of Novocherkassk regional power plant emissions. The content of benzo[a]pyrene in the soil is an indicator of the technogenic load impact on the areas, for which the combustion products of hydrocarbon fuel are the major pollutants. A gradual decrease of the pollutant content in the soils was revealed during the period from 2002 to 2011. It explained by the significant decrease in the volume of pollutant emissions from the plant and the self-purification capacity of soils and mechanisms of benzo[a]pyrene degradation.

A dynamic subcritical water extraction method of benzo[a]pyrene from soils is under consideration. The optimum conditions for benzo[a]pyrene extraction from soil are described including the soil treatment by subcritical water at 250 °C and 100 atm for 30 min. The effectiveness of developed method was determined using the matrix spiking recovery technique. A comparative analysis was made to evaluate the results of benzo[a]pyrene extraction from soils using the subcritical water and organic solvents. The advantages of the subcritical water extraction involve the use of ecologically friendly solvent, a shorter time for the analysis and a higher amount of benzo[a]pyrene extracted from soil (96 %). The influence of subcritical water extraction on soil properties was measured the investigation of the processes occurring within soil under the influence the high temperature and pressure. Under appropriate conditions of the experiment there is the destruction of the soil organic matter while the composition of the soil mineral fraction remains practically unchanged.

Recycling the waste such as hazelnut husk, sewage sludge etc. has been one of the issues into the agenda of many countries. Therefore the purpose of the study was to examine the economic feasibility of the vermicompost production. Technical data about composting hazelnut husk and sewage sludge were gathered from past research. The time series data such as production, export, import and price of vermicompost collected from TURKSTAT, FAO and related institutions. Autoregressive integrating moving average model (ARIMA) and smoothing methods such as double exponential model and winter model were used in forecasting process. We followed net present value and internal rate of return procedures when evaluating the financial feasibility of the facility having one ton vermicompost production capacity per day. Research results showed that the profitability of vermicompost production facility was high, while the likelihood of loss was less. Vermicompost production facility with approximately 130 thousands of US dollars initial investment provided net present value of 1.28 million of US dollars during the economic life. The internal rate of vermicompost production facility was 23%. Research results also revealed that production cost of vermicompost was $0.2 per kilogram. Since vermicompost production facility investment with high profitability and low level of risk was good investment alternatives facing with low level of competitive in market, the study suggest to investors who has good back grounding about sector that they should pay attention to marketing system and market observation about organic input market.

The benzo[a]pyrene accumulation and migration regularities in chernozemic soils under the aerotechnogenic emission zone were revealed on the basis of long-term monitoring researches. A new method of subcritical water extraction has been developed for determination of benzo[a]pyrene from soils of the emissions zone of Novocherkassk Power Station one of the largest thermal power enterprises in Russian Federation. It is shown that the soils adjacent to a source of emission are polluted by benzo[a]pyrene at distance to 5 km. Trends in the accumulation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil zones of the thermal power plant influence have been researched over a 5-year period of monitoring observations. The assessment of soils pollution extent by benzo[a]pyrene is given.

The emissions from the Novocherkassk power station comprise 1% of the total volume in the Russian Federation and up to 58% of the emissions in the Rostov oblast. The aim of this work was to assess the regularities of heavy metals accumulation and transformation in soils subjected to aerosol emissions from the power station on the basis of the fractional composition of their compounds. Studies have been conducted on the soils of monitoring plots distances from the power station (1.0–20.0 km) during 15 years. The monitoring plots located on fallow areas. Soil samples for the determination of soil properties and the contents of heavy metals compounds were taken from a depth of 0–20 cm. The soil cover in the region under study consisted of ordinary chernozems, meadow-chernozemic soils, and alluvial meadow soils. The total amount of heavy metals in soils was determined by X-ray fluorescence. Metals in soil extracts were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The fractional composition of heavy metals was determined using combined fractionation. A combined approach for fractioning metal compounds in soils on the basis of and parallel extractions (1 N NH4Ac, pH 8; 1% EDTA in NH4Ac; and 1 N HCl) was used. Aerosol emissions from the power station are the major agents of technogenic impact on the soils under study in the Rostov oblast. The highest degree of contamination with metals (mg/kg: Ni - 64, Cd – 1.3, Cr - 145 and As – 12) was observed for soils located within a radius of 5 km from the power station along the predominant wind direction. It was marked the rise of metals mobility in the polluted soils and predominant participation of Cr and Ni organic-mineral complexes among their mobile species. The increasing of Cd mobility was provided predominantly by exchangeable forms and specifically sorbed by Fe-Mn (hydr)oxides. The environmental contamination hazard increases with the decreasing metal-buffering capacity of soils.

In this study, a novel soil analysis method for fertilization recommendation was developed and validated with 161 soil samples taken from Turkey - Çarşamba plain for determination of potassium as a plant nutrient. In conventional soil analysis methods, available potassium (K) nutrient was determined by ammonium acetate extraction with flame photometer. In this study an alternative to existing method was proposed by developing extraction solutions suitable for interference dynamics of ion selective electrodes in a flow injection setup. Flow injection analysis system was optimized and K ion concentration of 161 soil samples taken from Turkey – Çarşamba plain was determined with potentiometrically. For the same soil samples, K+ ion concentration was determined with ammonium acetate extraction using flame photometer in parallel. Fertilization recommendations for potassium was calibrated on ammonium acetate extraction based measurements. In order to evaluate available potassium nutrient analysis results from new generation soil analysis method in fertilization recommendation process, a correlation model is required for relating new generation method results to conventional method results. An artificial neural network based soft sensor system was developed for this task. Potentiometric K+ ion measurement of soil sample in flow injection analysis system was presented as input to soft sensor system. Soft sensor predicted available K in soil sample based on artificial neural network model which can be used in fertilizer recommendation. Prediction performance of soft sensor was validated with experimental data and fitted with high correlation coefficient (R2= 0.902). Experimental studies have shown that K determined by potentiometric measurements can be used in fertilization recommendations in Çarşamba plain by using soft sensor approach.

Canopy temperature measurements with infrared thermometry have been extensively studied as a means of assessing plant water status for field and row crops. Achieving high quality peach fruit depends on the ability to maintain mild to moderate levels of water stress in the crop during the growing season. The paper examined the spatial distribution of tree canopy temperature (Tc) using thermal images in a peach orchard for irrigation scheduling. The variation of Tc was investigated in three irrigation regime treatments (factor A) that produced various soil moisture content (SMC) values, three cardinal points (factor B): South, North and East-West aspects combined, and five up-down vertical position measurements (factor C: upper, middle upper, middle, middle lower and lower) across the tree canopy thermal images. It was found that Tc was significantly influenced by the irrigation regime. Cardinal point showed a significant Tc difference between South on the one hand and the other aspects. The vertical position within canopy image did not significantly influence Tc.

The main objective of this study was to determine changes in soil dehydrogenase activity in natural macro aggregates development along a slope in forest soils. This study was carried out in Kocadag, Samsun, Turkey. Four landscape positions i.e., summit, shoulder backslope and footslope, were selected. For each landseape position, soil macro aggregates were separated into six aggregate size classes using a dry sieving method and then dehydrogenase activity was analyzed. In this research, topography influenced the macroaggregate size and dehydrogenase activity within the aggregates. At all landscape positions, the contents of macro aggregates (especially > 6.3 mm and 2.00–4.75 mm) in all soil samples were higher than other macro aggregate contents. In footslope position, the soils had generally the higher dehydrogenase activity than the other positions at all landscape positions. In all positions, except for shoulder, dehydrogenase activity was greater macro aggregates of

nsecticides are used in modern agriculture in large quantities to control pests and increase crop yield. Their use, however, has resulted in the disruption of ecosystems because of the effects on non-target soil microorganisms, some environmental problems, and decreasing soil fertility. These negative effects of synthetic pesticides on the environment have led to the search for alternative means of pest control. One such alternative is use of natural plant products such as azadirachtin that have pesticidal activity. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of soil contamination by azadirachtin (C35H44O16) on dehydrogenase (DHA) and catalase activity (CA) of soil under field conditions in Perm, Russia. The tests were conducted on loamy soil (pHH2O 6.7, ECH2O 0.213 dSm-1, organic carbon 0.99%), to which the following quantities of azadirachtin were added: 0, 15, 30 and 60 mL da-1 of soil. Experimental design was randomized plot design with three replications. The DHA and CA analyses were performed 7, 14 and 21 days after the field experiment was established. The results of field experiment showed that azadirachtin had a positive influence on the DHA and CA at different soil sampling times. The increased doses of azadirachtin applied resulted in the higher level of DHA and CA in soil. The soil DHA and CA showed the highest activity on the 21th day after 60 mL azadirachtin da-1 application doses.

In present study, geostatistical techniques was applied to assess the spatial variability of exchangeable cations such as; calcium (Ex-Ca2+), magnesium (Ex-Mg2+), potassium (Ex-K+) and sodium (Ex-Na+) in the tillaged layer in a Perm State Agricultural Academy Farm site in Perm region, West Urals, Russia. A 250x100 m plot (approximately 2.35 ha) was divided into grids with 25x25 m spacing that included 51 sampling points from 0-0.2 m in depth. Soil reaction (pH) was the least variable property while the Ex-K was the most variable. The greatest range of influence (237.6 m) occurred for Ex-Ca and the least range (49.7 m) for Ex-Mg.

Bu araştırmada, topraklara %5 düzeyinde uygulanan tütün atığı ve buğday samanının üreaz aktivitesi ve kinetiği üzerine etkisi bir inkübasyon denemesi ile saptanmıştır. Bu amaçla, killi tın bünyeli deneme toprağına organik atıklar, kuru ağırlık üzerinden %5 oranında karıştırılmış ve 30 gün süre ile 25±0.5 C’de inkübasyona bırakılmıştır. İnkübasyon sonunda alınan örneklerin, farklı substrat konsantrasyonları %0, %1, %2, %4, %6, %8, %10 ve %12 , inkübasyon periyotları 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ve 6 saat ve sıcaklıklarındaki 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 ve 0C üreaz aktivitesi ve kinetik parametrelerindeki değişimler araştırılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, topraklara tütün atığı ve buğday samanı uygulamasının üreaz aktivitesini artırdığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, reaksiyon hızının kontrolde %8’lik substrat düzeyine, tütün atığı ve buğday samanı uygulamasında ise %10’luk düzeyine kadar artış gösterdiği ve bu düzeylerden sonra değişmediği belirlenmiştir. Hem kontrol hem de organik atık uygulanmış topraklarda tüm substrat konsantrasyonlarındaki en yüksek reaksiyon hızları 500C’lik inkübasyon sıcaklığında saptanmıştır. Tüm uygulamalarda en yüksek Vmax ve Km değerleri 40 ve 500C’de, en yüksek Vmax/Km oranları kontrol uygulamasında 50 0C’de, tütün atığı ve buğday samanı uygulamasında ise 0C’de belirlenmiştir

Soil enzymes play a major role in the mineralization processes of organic materials. The soil enzymes originate from animal, plant and microbial sources and the resulting soil biological activity including the metabolic processes of all these organisms. Information on soil enzyme activities used to determine soil microbiological characteristics are very important for soil quality and healthy.

Bu çalışma, Bafra Ovasında yoğun bir şekilde çeltik tarımı yapılan Üçpınar, Harız, Doğancı, Kaygusuz, Emenli, Sarıköy ve Gelemenağrı köylerinden alınan toprakların enzim aktiviteleri üzerine toprak özelliklerinin etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Alınan toprak örneklerinde üreaz, fosfataz, ß-glikosidaz ve katalaz enzim aktiviteleri üzerine toprak özelliklerinin etkileri ortaya konulmuştur. Toprakların Üreaz enzim aktivitesi 24.12 ile 39.03 mg N 100 g kuru top-1 arasında değişmektedir. Üreaz enzim aktivitesi ile toprakların organik madde (r = 0.89**), ekstrakte edilebilir Mn (r = 0.74*), değişebilir K (r = 0.73*) ve total P (r = 0.81*) kapsamları arasında pozitif ilişkiler belirlenmiştir. Toprakların Asit fosfataz enzim aktivitesi 3.00 ile 17.44 mg fenol 100g kuru top -1 arasında, alkali fosfataz aktivitesi ise 12.00 ile 25.53 mg fenol 100 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmektedir. Asit fosfataz enzim aktivitesi üzerine, değişebilir Mg (r = 0.71*) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cu (r = 0.74*)'ın pozitif yönde; Alkali fosfataz enzim aktivitesi üzerine ise pH (r = 0.73*), değişebilir Ca (0.74*), değişebilir Mg (r = 0.71*), total değişebilir bazik katyonlar (r = 0.79*) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Cu (r = 0.70*)'ın pozitif yönde, total P (r = - 0.84**)'un negatif yönde etki ettiği tesbit edilmiştir. ß-glikosidaz enzim aktivitesi 1.12 ile 3.64 mg salingen 100 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmekte olup, ß-glikosidaz enzim aktivitesi üzerine toprakların ekstrakte edilebilir Zn kapsamları (r = - 0.97**) negatif yönde, total değişebilir asidik katyonların (r = 0.70*) ise pozitif yönde etki ettiği saptanmıştır. Toprakların Katalaz enzim aktivitesi 5.25 ile 9.00 mg O2 5 g kuru top -1 arasında değişmekte olup, katalaz enzim aktivitesi ile toprakların kum (r = - 0.92**) ve ekstrakte edilebilir Fe kapsamları (r = - 0.85**) arasında negatif, kil (r = 0.82*) ve tuz (r = 0.83**) kapsamları arasında ise pozitif ilişkiler bulunduğu belirlenmittir.