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Research section of Pedology has about 20 years of experience on study of genesis, improvement of classification, mapping and soil evaluation methods, elaboration of technology of environmental protection, research of physical, chemical, physico-chemical, agrochemical and biological soil regimes for their utilization in the agricultural production processes; application of composts on the basis of local organic matter.
. Since 1988, organic matter trend, biological activity and chemical characterization of soil humic substances derived from different source and the effects of humic substances separated in fractions with different molecular weight on plant metabolism have been studying.
Phenolic compounds of low molecular weight occur widely in soils they arise mainly from decomposing plant materials, although some of the compounds may be synthesized by soil micro-organisms. Phenolic compounds in soils may play a dominant role controlling many aspects of plant-soil interactions, interfering directly with ion transport, protein synthesis, hormone activity and energy metabolism, this may have ecological consequences; in fact, in forestry, problems of natural regeneration and reforestation are often ascribed to the presence of phenolic substances, thus, the role of phenolic compounds, in forest ecosystem as well as the effect of phenols on seed germination and seedling growth are also objects of study.
Recent studies have been designed to determine the effects of forest management on soil properties, organic matter trend, microbial biomass, nutrient cycles and enzyme activities in forest soils. The overall objective of the research programme is to ensure that forest management practices do not compromise soil sustainability.
