About Book

Plants are the cornerstone of existence on earth and a vital resource for human prosperity. Plant Science involves study of the morphology, anatomy, taxonomy and physiology of plants. It also includes study and analysis of molecular aspects of plant metabolic pathways, and the ecological relationships existing between various plants. In addition, plant sciences also include the study of basic concepts and applied aspects of experimental plant biology, genomics, proteomics, plant biochemistry, cell biology, evolutionary biology, functional plant breeding and systems biology. The current trends and future prospects of plant science research encompass the development of disease resistant plants through plant biotechnological innovations. All plants need some essential elements in order to germinate properly. These essential elements are ‘mineral nutrients’ and are procured from the soil. This makes it imperative to have a proper comprehension of the soil. Soil has numerous interpretations. Soil is a complex mix of minerals, air and water in numerous microorganisms. It is primarily a medium for food, atmosphere, organisms, water and nutrients. Hence, soil is indispensable and requires much care and attention. This book elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary approach with respect to ecological materials, x-ray fluorescence method, spatial variation, coping mechanisms, phytoextraction, plant-based methods and soil properties. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of agriculture. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of example make this book and invaluable source of knowledge. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Preface............................................................................................................ v

Chapter 1 Biochar: A Sustainable Approach for Improving Plant Growth and

Soil Properties.............................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Biochar production and properties...................................................4

3. Biochar as a soil amendment.............................................................8

4. Stimulation of soil microflora and plant growth.........................10

5. Mixing biochar with other amendments........................................12

6. Conclusion............................................................................................13

Chapter 2 Continuous and Induced Phytoextraction — Plant-Based Methods

to Remove Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soil.........................23

1. Introduction..........................................................................................23

2. Soil factors influencing availability of heavy metals to plants..24

3. Admissible heavy metal contents in soil binding in Poland.....26

4. Contents of heavy metal soluble forms and reaction of surface

horizon (0 - 20 cm) of soils in green belts adjacent to selected

transportation routes in the city of PoznaŃ (western Poland).28

5. Heavy metal contents in leaves of selected ornamental plant

species growing in green areas adjacent to selected transportation

routes in the city of PoznaŃ (western Poland)............................35

6. The principle of phytoremediation..................................................37

7. Continuous and induced phytoextraction.....................................39

8. The phenomenon of hyperaccumulation.......................................43

9. The amount of ash (%) after incineration of aboveground parts

of Miscanthus × giganteus................................................................54

Concluding remarks...........................................................................55

Acknowledgements.............................................................................55

Chapter 3 Coping Mechanisms of Plants to Metal Contaminated Soil.........66

1. Introduction..........................................................................................66

2. Remediation of heavy metal contaminated sites..........................67

3. Resistance..............................................................................................69

4. Conclusion............................................................................................94

Acknowledgements.............................................................................94

Chapter 4 Application of Multifractal and Joint Multifractal Analysis in

Examining Soil Spatial Variation: A Review .................................113

1. Introduction........................................................................................113

2. Methods..............................................................................................118

3. Application of multifractal and joint multifractal analysis in soil

science ................................................................................................126

4. Conclusion and future prospects .................................................137

Acknowledgement ...........................................................................139

Chapter 5 Application of Nondestructive X-Ray Fluorescence Method (XRF)

in Soils, Friable and Marine Sediments and Ecological

Materials....................................................................................................149

1. Introduction ............................................................................. 149

2. Nondestructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of soils, friable

and marine sediments ....................................................................149

3. A case study of the XRF determination of Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S,

Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr and Zr in dry powder of

fish muscle tissue..............................................................................155

4. Conclusion..........................................................................................167

Chapter 6 Aspects on the Accumulation of Trace Metals in Various

Environmental Matrices (Water, Soil, Plant and Sediments):

Case Study on Catchment Area of the Somes River, Romania..171

Abstract...............................................................................................171

1. Introduction........................................................................................172

2. Sample preparation and analytical methods selection for

analyzing contaminant elements in environmental samples...173

3. Experimental......................................................................................176

4. Conclusions........................................................................................192

Citation......................................................................................................197

Index...........................................................................................................199

About Author

Emilio Peters pursued his M.Sc. in Plant Science and Biotechnology from Technological University, Leeds. He has conducted works on genetically modified food production, horticulture, plant science biochemistry, and biotechnology. Peters serves as a Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Public University, San Marcos and has also been presented the “Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award” for his outstanding contribution towards the academic community especially in the higher studies programs. He has also served as a reviewer in several well-known scientific journals. He has written several articles and journals related to agricultural sustainability and genetic engineering in agriculture.