Effects of Ozone Stress on Rhizosphere Soil of Poplar Seedlings

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Good Manuscript. The results are clear. But I think you should state the further implications of the results. For example, how these results will assist in future research or the stakeholders who can use your research results further. Thank you very much for your hard work. 

Moderate editing of the English language is required. Please consult a native English speaker plant biologist. 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors

It is requested to revise the manuscript as suggested

Regards

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

The engllish is readable and good

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors presented an interesting paper on the effect of high ozone concentrations on the soil microbial community. Despite the unconditional relevance and scientific significance, the manuscript has a number of serious shortcomings. First of all, the statement that ozone affects the composition of the microbial community indirectly - through changes in the physicochemical properties of soils - is speculative. There is no reliable evidence of an indirect effect in the manuscript.

Notes on the text:

Lines 96-97: It is necessary to describe in detail the content of the two treatments. It is not at all clear what the first treatment is. Why was this particular ozone concentration chosen for the second treatment?

Table 1. Soil acidity is a fairly stable value that is determined to a large extent by the mineral matrix of the soil. It is quite strange to see that ozone treatments cause a significant change in this property, with the standard deviation or error of the mean (this is not clear from the table) being hundredths (except for the last option). What is the mechanism of these changes?

Figure 1. The text states that the values indicated by the green and yellow bars have significant differences. At the same time, the lines indicating the error (?) in these columns clearly intersect. Please clarify.

Line 174: What correlation coefficient was used with such a small sample of data? Did the sample follow the law of normal distribution?

Line 338 and others. The influence of ozone on the physical and chemical properties of soil is stated. I would like to see explanations of the mechanisms of such influence, especially since we are talking about a relatively short time. It is logical to assume that, on the contrary, ozone affects the structure of the microbial community, and under its influence a change in the chemical and biological properties of the soil occurs.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

see attached

Recommended reference:

Scarascia-Mugnozza, G., R. Ceulemans, T.M. Hinckley, R.F. Stettler, J.G. Isebrands, and P.E. Heilman. 1999. Production physiology and morphology of Populus species and their hybrids grown under short rotation. III. Seasonal carbon allocation patterns from branches. Can. J. For. Res. 27:285-294.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Generally well written.

Occasional incorrect or confusing use of prepositions.

Too many, poorly defined abbreviations used.

Author Response

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Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

After the corrections made by the authors, the paper became significantly better. However, the question of significant differences between the values indicated by the green and yellow bars in Figure 1A remains. What is indicated by the line segments on these bars - error or standard deviation? This should be specified in the legend or title of the figure.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

I have no further suggestions.  I thank them for diligently responding to my questions, comments, and suggestions.

Author Response

Thank you very much for your valuable and constructive suggestions.