The influence of planting and soil characteristics on mineralization of 2,4,5-T in rhizosphere soil

• Published in: Journal of environmental quality Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 704 - 709
• Main Authors: Boyle, J.J. (Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.), Shann, J.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison, WI American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America 01.05.1998; Crop Science Society of America; American Society of Agronomy
• Subjects: 2,4,5-T; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; BIOMASA; BIOMASS; BIOMASSE; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES; MICROORGANISME; MICROORGANISMOS; MICROORGANISMS; MINERALISATION; MINERALIZACION; MINERALIZATION; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; Ohio; United States; North America; America; Biodegradation; Monocotyledones; Phleum pratense; Pesticides; Alfisols; Trifolium pratense; Compositae; Soil pollution; Clay loam soil; Entisols; Rhizosphere; Helianthus annuus; Silt loam soil; Leguminosae; 2,4,5-T; Decontamination; Gramineae; Mineralization; Dicotyledones; Chlorine Organic compounds; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Bioremediation; Performance
• ISSN: 0047-2425; 1537-2537
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700030030x

Phytoremediation is a potential means of addressing soil contamination. It is not understood, however, what limits or fosters the degradation of xenobiotics in planted soil. This study examined the relative influence of plant species and soil type on biodegradation in the rhizosphere. In a complete design, three plant species (sunflower, Timothy grass, and red clover) were grown in three field-collected soils (Jules silt loam [a coarse-silty, mixed (calcareous), mesic Typic Udifluvent]; Miamian clay loam [a fine, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf]; Parke silt loam [a fine-silty, mixed, mesic Ultic Hapludalf]). Soil characteristics and microbial activity, biomass, and mineralization of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), were determined in soil before and after planting. In general, the characteristics of an unplanted soil were correlated to its microbial biomass and activity. Not suprisingly then, soil type was the most significant determinant of xenobiotic degradation in both planted and unplanted systems. In spite of this strong soil effect, planting always resulted in a significant increase in 2,4,5-T mineralization. The magnitude of this effect varied with soil. The soil initially low in organic matter, K, and P, appeared to gain the most from being planted. The plant species used produced a minor effect, but resulted in significant (mineralization) differences only in higher fertility soils