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Several studies have reported increased copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels in agricultural soils worldwide, mainly due to organic waste and successive leaf fungicide applications in crops. However, the critical transfer thresholds in soils, which can indicate the real risk of environmental contamination and toxicity to plants, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to define the maximum Cu and Zn adsorption capacity (MAC) and threshold (T-Cu and T-Zn) in different soils in Southern Brazil, which present different clay and organic matter (OM) levels. Bw (Oxisol) and A horizon (Inceptisol) samples were used to obtain soils with clay and OM contents ranging from 4 to 70% and from 0.5 to 9.5%, respectively. Cu and Zn adsorption curves were plotted for MAC determination purposes. Based on Cu and Zn MAC values, different concentrations of these elements were applied to the soils for subsequent quantification of available Cu and Zn levels (Mehlich-1 and water). T-Cu in soils with different clay contents ranged from 81 to 595 mg Cu kg−1, whereas T-Zn, from 195 to 378 mg Zn kg−1. T-Cu in soils with different OM levels ranged from 97 to 667 mg Cu kg−1, whereas T-Zn, from 226 to 495 mg Zn kg−1. T-Cu can be calculated through the equation: T-Cu = 75 × (%CL0.34) × (%OM0.39), whereas T-Zn: T-Zn = 2.7 × (CL) + 126 (by taking into consideration the clay content) and T-Zn = − 9.3 × (%OM)2 + 92.4 × (%OM) + 66 (by taking into consideration OM content). T-Cu and T-Zn can be used by researchers, inspection bodies, technical assistance institutions, and farmers as safe indicators to monitor the potential for environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure of soil bacterial and fungal communities in restinga areas of the Atlantic Forest (southern Brazil) after the introduction of Pinus L. Soil samples were collected in the 0–10 cm depth from two arboreal (FR-restinga subject to flooding and DR-dry restinga) and one herbaceous (MR-restinga under marine influence) areas. In addition to these areas, soil samples were collected from FR and DR under the influence of Pinus sp. (FRPinus and DRPinus, respectively), as reference areas. The structure of bacterial and fungal communities was evaluated by PCR-DGGE. Notably, a reduction in the number of amplicons was observed in areas with presence of Pinus sp. In conclusion, the present manuscript highlighted that the allochthonous tree species (Pinus sp.) has a deleterious impact on soil microbes and affects the growth of natural vegetation in a conservation unit in the Atlantic Forest of the Southern Brazilian coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of genetically modified (GM) plants has increased in recent decades, but there are uncertainties about their effects on soil microbial communities. Aiming to quantify root colonization and characterize arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities associated with roots and rhizosphere soil of different maize genotypes, a field trial was carried out in Southern Brazil with three maize genotypes as follows: a GM hybrid (DKB 240 VTPRO), its non-modified isoline (DKB 240), and a landrace (Pixurum). Soil samples were collected to evaluate the occurrence of AMF during the growth of corn genotypes at sowing and V3 (vegetative), R1 (flowering), and R3 (grain formation) stages of the crop. The occurrence of AMF was determined by the morphological identification of spores, and by analyzing AMF community composition in soil and roots of maize, using PCR-DGGE. The GM genotype of maize promoted lower mycorrhizal colonization in the vegetative stage and had lower sporulation at grain development than the conventional hybrid and the landrace maize. Twenty AMF morphotypes were identified and 13 were associated with all maize genotypes. The genera Acaulospora, Glomus, and Dentiscutata had the largest numbers of species. There were no differences in AMF community composition due to maize genotypes or genetic modification, but crop phenological stages affected AMF communities associated with maize roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land area planted with genetically modified (GM) crops has grown rapidly, and Brazil has the second largest area with those plants. There is, however, limited information on the possible effects of that technology on non-target organisms, especially root symbionts, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We evaluated AMF symbiosis development in five maize genotypes: one landrace, two conventional hybrids (DKB 240 and Formula), and two GM hybrids (DKB 240-VT Pro and Formula TL). We evaluated symbiosis response in two separate experiments: one in autumn and the other in summer. Plants were inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus (Rc) and Gigaspora margarita (Gm) and compared to plants without inoculation. We evaluated root colonization, spore number, and plant biomass and phosphorous accumulation 30 and 60 days after inoculation. There were no consistent effects of GM crops, but AMF species and maize genotype affected symbiosis development. Formula genotype (isoline and GM) had a negative response to inoculation, with a decrease of around 30% in biomass and P concentration in Rc-inoculated plants. The maize landrace had a positive response, with increases of 17% and 14% in the same variables. DKB genotype (isoline and GM) showed negative, positive, and neutral effects. The results show that plant genetic identity is a determinant factor in symbiosis performance, suggesting that plants selected in low P availability can make better use of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Given the role that AMF play in different ecosystem processes, use of landrace maize may contribute to agrobiodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]