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Studies on the impact of human agricultural activities on the soil microbiome and soil quality are extremely important, but such studies on floodplains in river valleys are lacking. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the impact of blackcurrant cultivation on Fluvisols located in the Vistula River valley (Poland). The dehydrogenases (DHa) and phosphatases (acid-AcP, and alkaline-AlP) activities, carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) contents of the microbial biomass, the metabolic potential of the microbial community (EcoPlate™ Biolog) and taxonomic diversity of the soil microbiome were determined (next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the 16S rRNA gene). Enzymatic activity and metabolic potential and diversity (EcoPlate™) were higher in the soils from meadows, but MBC and MBN and biodiversity indices derived from NGS were higher in the cultivated soils. It can be confirmed that human activities affect the physicochemical, biological and microbiological parameters of Fluvisols. This may indicate that microorganisms are numerically more abundant and taxonomically more diverse in the cultivated soils, but are more active in the soils from meadows.

Fungi have increased tolerance to environmental stress (also related to the access of pollutants, e.g., trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs). The aim of the study was to evaluate the mycobiome and functional diversity of fungi in long-term crude-oil contaminated soils as the potential bioremediators of oil contaminated sites. Samples were taken from three historical oil wells (over a century old) at two distances: within a 0.5 m radius of the oil wells (OWP1, OWP2, and OWP3) and within a 3 m radius from the oil wells as the controls (OW1, OW2, and OW3). Next generation sequencing (for the ITS region) was accompanied with determination of the functional fungal community based on Biolog FFPlates, glomalin related soil protein (GRSP) content, trace element and PAHs concentration. The research hypothesis assumed that long-term natural bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soils can contribute to intensive development of a unique fungal community adapted to the contamination conditions. The identification of such fungi can be of particular importance in soil bioremediation. There were significant differences in the fungal community and functional diversity between the soil samples. The soils collected directly from the oil wells were characterized by higher biological activity and higher diversity of PAH-degrading fungal candidates compared to the soils collected within 3 m of the oil wells. The total glomalin-related soil proteins (T-GRSP) and easily-extractable glomalin-related soil proteins (EE-GRSP) contents were lower in soil samples taken directly from the crude oil well. The control soil (OW) subjected to a long-term natural remediation may already have sufficient conditions for the growth and development of mycorrhizal fungi. The mycobiome of the soils collected directly from the oil wells (OWP1, OWP2, and OWP3) was characterized by a 35% share of PAH-degrading candidates, compared to the soil collected at the 3 m distance from the oil wells (OW1, OW2, and OW3) at < 5%. The main PAH-degrading fungal candidates belong to genera Ilyonectria, Chaetomium, Gibberella, Paraphoma, Schizothecium, Pseudorobillarda, Tetracladium, Ganoderma, Cadophora, Exophiala, Knufia, Mycoleptodiscus, Cyphellophora, Fusicolla, Devriesia, Didymella, Plenodomus, Pyrenochaetopsis, Symbiotaphrina, Phallus, Coprinellus, Plectosphaerella, Septoriella, and Hypholoma. The share of three- and four-ringed PAHs in soil was higher as the distance from the oil well increased. These results may indicate that more effective degradation processes occur closer to the oil wells.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the glomalins content (total glomalin (TG), easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP)) in the soil under winter wheat from different crop production systems. The experiment involved four different cultivation systems: organic, integrated (INT), conventional (CON), monoculture-conventional (MON). The highest content of TG and GRSP proteins were observed in organic system. A strong positive correlation was observed between the total number of glomalins and dehydrogenase activity and organic matter. A strong correlation between TG and GRSP content was observed (r = 0.93) as well as between EEG and GRSP (r = 0.79). The highest yields of winter wheat were observed in CON (9.12 t/ha) and INT (9.04 t/ha) systems, while the lowest in monoculture (4.47 t/ha).

The aim of the study was to compare the activity and functional biodiversity in soil under two different cereals: common maize and winter wheat, both grown in the same pattern of cultivation techniques: conventional (to 25 cm depth) and reduced (to 10 cm depth). Soil samples for comparative analysis were collected at the same time (July 2016) at a long-term field experiment, which was carried out in 2013-2016. Soil biological activity was determined by measurement of dehydrogenases activity (DHa) with TTC (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) application, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) content by fumigation-extraction method, and functional diversity of soil microorganisms using the Biolog EcoPlate System. The results demonstrated that the cultivation technique had a greater impact on the soil biological activity, compared to the type of cereal. Higher biological activity was found in the soil under reduced tillage in both cereals. Calculated correlations showed that DHa, MBC, MBN and acid phosphatases were positively correlated with each other. The negative correlation obtained between yield and biological parameters of activity in soil was not expected.

The aim of the study was to determine the glycoproteins content (total glomalin (TG), easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and soil proteins related to glomalin (GRSP)) in soil under long-term monoculture of maize. Soil microbiological and biochemical properties, including microbial biomass and enzymatic activity were also assessed. The presence of total, easily-extractable glomalin and soil proteins related to glomalin was dependent on both the growth phase of the plant and tillage system. The highest content of glomalin was detected in the soils under maize in direct sowing and reduced tillage. The glomalin content was correlated with soil biological activity. The linear regression was observed between TG and GRSP content, but no linear relationship was found between GRSP and Corg. The principal component analysis showed the strong correlations between the parameters of soil quality and biodiversity indicators. Selected indicators of soil microbial parameters explained 52.27% biological variability in soils.

Soil microbial functional diversity under maize grown in different agricultural management practices was determined using the Biolog EcoPlates and other microbial and biochemical methods. Comparisons of substrate utilization and the diversity indices showed differences in community composition of microorganisms related to different cultivation techniques and seasons. The soil samples collected in spring were characterized by statistically significant lower indices of biological activity in comparison to the soil collected from the flowering stage of maize. The soils collected in spring from the plots with full tillage had a similarly high biological activity as the soils obtained from maize flowering season. The principal component of PC analysis, showed the strong correlation between the parameters of soil quality and biodiversity indicators. Selected indicators of soil microbial diversity explained 71.51% of biological variability in soils. Based on the PC analysis, two major groups of soils have been indicated. Management practices and seasons were two important factors affecting soil microbial communities.

The aim of this research was a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of using three preparations which improve soil fertility and yield of plants. Field tests with microbial products: EM (effective microorganisms), EmFarma Plus and UGmax were carried out in the Agricultural Research Centre in Grabowo, Poland. The experimental plants were: spring triticale, spring barley and winter wheat. Bioproducts were applied directly into stubble or straw left in the field after harvesting grain and straw with an addition of nitrogen and were compared against control treatments, without the use of the above preparations. The implied treatments are determined for soil biological activity and the basic chemical properties of the soil. The microbiological tests showed a statistically significant difference between the control treatments and treatments with EM and UGmax preparations (a statistically significant increase in microbial biomass and activity of dehydrogenases). Analysis of principal component analysis (PCA) explained 52.54% of the variation and separated the three groups: I (UGmax), II (EM) and III (control and EmFarma Plus). It was found that the average yield of triticale grains was approximately only by 4% higher in treatments where EM and EmFarma Plus were applied, while in treatments with UGmax, triticale yielded at control level.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) content, microbial diversity and soil physical quality depending on the type of soil measures of soil improvement and changes in soil health. The study was based on a 100-year stationary field microplot experiment where the soil profiles were collected with preserving the natural soil horizons. The microplot experiment was carried out on eight different soil types: Brunic Arenosol (Dystric I), Rendzic Leptosol, Fluvic Cambisol, Haplic Cambisol (Eutric), Gleyic Phaeozem, Brunic Arenosol (Dystric II), Haplic Cambisol (Eutric II) and Haplic Cambisol (Dystric). These soils are the most common types of agricultural soils in Poland. Relatively significant correlations with the soil quality, physical parameters and the glomalin-related soil proteins have been found. The study determined the total GRSP (T-GRSP) and easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) levels in soils as well as the soil physical quality index and soil’s microbial biodiversity. The GRSP depended on the type of soil and correlated with S-Index and also was responsible for the unique chemical and physical properties of soils. Soils characterized by the highest T-GRSP content belonged to the group of very good and good soil physical quality characterized also by high biological activity, for which there were strong correlations with such parameters as dehydrogenase activity (DHA), microbial biomass content (MBC), microbial nitrogen content (MBN) and total bacteria number (B). The highest T-GRSP content and higher microbial diversity were found in Gleyic Phaeozem, Rendzic Leptosol and Fluvic Cambisol. The T-GRSP and EE-GRSP content were additionally correlated with the number of AMF spores. Very poor and poor soil physical quality according to S-Index characterized Brunic Arenosol (Dystric I) and Haplic Cambisol (Dystric). This research indicates that a specific edaphone of soil microorganisms and GRSP content may be of great importance when assessing a soil’s quality and improvements in soil health. The abundance of glomalin-producing fungi significantly affects the quality of the soil. This effect is particularly important for agricultural soils are threatened by ongoing land degradation.