Growth Test with Lepidium sativum L. for Soil Monitoring of Sites, Part of the Bulgarian National Soil Monitoring System

The publication deals with the application of Lepidium sativum L. biotest for the study
of soils from three sites included in the National Soil Monitoring Network. There were no
exceedances of the limit values of the soil indicators in the monitored sites. The obtained
results presented the existence of strong correlations between the bio test seeds and sprouts
development and the variation in nitrogen content and the concentration of cobalt, nickel, zinc
and copper in the soil. The results of this study have shown some possibilities for L. Sativum
L. usage in soil monitoring, especially for the influence of soil nutrient elements (nitrogen)
and microelements on the plants and thus for determining soil functional capacity and ability
to provide material and support services.