Root turnover of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and its interaction with P and K supply

An increased root turnover can be a mechanism of improved nutrient‐uptake efficiency. The objectives of this study were to investigate P and K efficiency of faba beans (Vicia faba L.), to determine their root growth and root turnover, and to assess the relevance of root turnover on P and K uptake at limited supply. Faba beans were grown as part of a long‐term fertilization experiment on fertilized plots (control) and plots that had not received any P or K fertilizer for 16 years (P0, K0). Although the unfertilized soils were low and very low in their P‐ and K‐supply level, respectively, no differences in shoot‐dry‐matter production occurred compared to the control. However, relative K concentration in dry matter of the K0 plants (control plants = 100) decreased during the experiment and was only 60% of the control at the final harvest. This indicated a high K‐utilization efficiency of faba bean. Relative phosphorus concentration increased in the P0 treatment and was not different from the control at the last harvest, indicating an improvement in P‐uptake efficiency with time. The size of the standing root system determined by sequential auger sampling (net development) was not influenced by P and K supply. Total root production as measured by the ingrowth‐core method was about 6 times higher than the average size of the standing root system and even increased under low‐K conditions. This indicated a fast root turnover. Modeling soil nutrient transport and uptake revealed that calculated uptake of the control was up to 48% higher when root turnover was taken into account, compared to calculations based on the net development of the root systems. This is due to a better soil exploitation. Under K shortage, root turnover resulted in a 117% higher calculated uptake, which was close to measured K uptake. Root turnover was also of benefit for P uptake, but calculated P uptake was significantly less than measured, indicating that root turnover was of little importance for P uptake of faba beans.     

Phosphorus acquisition and wheat growth are influenced by shoot phosphorus status and soil phosphorus distribution in a split‐root system

Root proliferation and greater uptake per unit of root in the nutrient‐rich zones are often considered to be compensatory responses. This study aimed to examine the influence of plant phosphorus (P) status and P distribution in the root zone on root P acquisition and root and shoot growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a split‐root soil culture. One compartment (A) was supplied with either 4 or 14 mg P (kg soil)^–1, whereas the adjoining compartment (B) had 4 mg P kg^–1 with a vertical high‐P strip (44 mg kg^–1) at 90–110 mm from the plant. Three weeks after growing in the split‐root system, plants with 4 mg P kg^–1 (low‐P plants) started to show stimulatory root growth in the high‐P strip. Two weeks later, root dry weight and length density in the high‐P strip were significantly greater for the low‐P plants than for the plants with 14 mg P (kg soil)^–1. However, after 8 weeks of growth in the split‐root system, the two P treatments of compartment A had similar root growth in the high‐P strip of compartment B. The study also showed that shoot P concentrations in the low‐P plants were 0.6–0.8 mg g^–1 compared with 1.7–1.9 mg g^–1 in the 14 mg P kg^–1 plants after 3 and 5 weeks of growth, but were similar (1.1–1.4 mg g^–1) between the two plants by week 8. The low‐P plants had lower root P concentration in both compartments than those with 14 mg P kg^–1 throughout the three harvests. The findings may indicate that root proliferation and P acquisition under heterogeneous conditions are influenced by shoot P status (internal) and soil P distribution (external). There were no differences in the total root and shoot dry weight between the two P treatments at weeks 3 and 5 because enhanced root growth and P uptake in the high‐P strip by the low‐P plants were compensated by reduced root growth elsewhere. In contrast, total plant growth and total root and shoot P contents were greater in the 14 mg P kg^–1 soil than in the low‐P soil at week 8. The two P treatments did not affect the ratio of root to shoot dry weight with time. The results suggest that root proliferation and greater P uptake in the P‐enriched zone may meet the demand for P by P‐deficient plants only for a limited period of time.     

Fertilizer‐use efficiency of different inorganic polyphosphate sources: effects on soil P availability and plant P acquisition during early growth of corn

Polyphosphate‐based fertilizers are worldwide in use, and their effect on crop yield is often reported to be similar to orthophosphate products, although some studies showed higher yields with polyphosphate applications. However, information on how these fertilizers may influence plant P acquisition is very limited. A pot experiment was carried out under controlled conditions with corn (Zea mays L.) growing on a sandy soil (pH 4.9) and a silty‐loam soil (pH 6.9) differing in P‐sorption properties. The objective was to evaluate phosphorus fertilizer–use efficiency (PFUE) of several polyphosphate (poly‐P) compounds (pyrophosphate [PP], tripolyphosphate [TP], and trimetaphosphate [TMP]) using orthophosphate (OP) as a reference. Focus was put on evaluating plant parameters involved in plant P acquisition, i.e., root length and P uptake per unit of root length. Furthermore, soil P availability was characterized by measuring ortho‐P and poly‐P concentrations in soil solution as well as in CAL (calcium‐acetate‐lactate) extracts. The P availability was differentially influenced by the different P sources and the different soils. In the silty‐loam soil, the application of poly‐P resulted in higher ortho‐P concentrations in soil solution. In the same soil, CAL‐extractable ortho‐P was similar for all P sources, whereas in the sandy soil, this parameter was higher after OP application. In the silty‐loam soil, poly‐P concentrations were very low in soil solution or in CAL extracts, whereas in the sandy soil, poly‐P concentrations were significantly higher. Phosphorus fertilizer–use efficiency was significantly higher for poly‐P treatments in the silty‐loam soil and were related to a higher root length since no differences in the P uptake per unit of root length among poly‐P and OP treatments were found. However, in the sandy soil, no differences in PFUE between OP and poly‐P treatments were observed. Therefore, PFUE of poly‐P compounds could be explained by better root growth, thereby improving plant P acquisition.     

Effect of one phosphorus rate placed in different soil volumes on p uptake and growth of wheat

Abstract

The volume of soil treated with P fertilizer affects P uptake by the crop. Earlier studies have shown that the stimulation of root growth in P‐fertilized soil was similar for both corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr). The objective of this research was to determine the effect of fertilizer P placement on P uptake and shoot and root growth of spring wheat (Triticum vulgare L.). Wheat was grown for 34 days in Raub silt loam (Aquic Argiudolls) in a controlled climate chamber. One rate of phosphate per pot, 150 mg P per three kg of soil, was mixed with 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100% of the soil in the pot. The P was equilibrated with moist soil for 5 days at 70°C followed by 21 days at 25° C before transplanting 8‐day‐old wheat plants into each 3 L pot. The P stimulation of root growth in the P‐treated soil was similar to that for corn and soybeans. The effect could be described by the equation y = x^0.7 where y is the fraction of the root system in the P‐fertilized soil where P is mixed with x fraction of the soil. The greatest P uptake and plant growth occurred when added P was mixed with 20% of the soil.     

基于Hydrus-1D模型的玉米根系吸水影响因素分析

为探索土壤质地、植物生长状况和气象条件对不同土壤水分条件下根系吸水速率的影响机理,该文以相对根吸水速率与土壤含水率的关系衡量土壤水分有效性,利用Hydrus-1D模型模拟了3种土壤（壤黏土、黏壤土和砂壤土）中不同玉米生长状况（包括叶面积指数、根系深度和根系剖面分布）或蒸发力条件下根系吸水速率随含水率的动态变化,确定了不同条件下根系吸水速率开始降低的临界含水率。结果表明：土壤质地、植物的叶面积指数和根系分布及大气蒸发力都对根系吸水动态曲线的临界含水率有一定影响,其中根系深度和根系分布形状还影响根系吸水速率与含水率关系曲线的形状,但在3种土壤中,根系吸水速率的动态变化对植物生长和大气蒸发力的响应不同。总体而言,3种土壤临界含水率的大小是壤黏土＞黏壤土＞砂壤土;临界含水率随大气蒸发力的升高而升高,随根系深度和深层根系分布的增加而降低;各因子对玉米根系吸水影响程度的大小是土壤质地＞根系分布形状＞根系深度＞大气蒸发力＞叶面积指数。     

The combination of localized phosphorus and water supply indicates a high potential for savings of irrigation water and phosphorus fertilizer

Water and phosphorus (P) are often unevenly distributed in the soil profile, thus limiting water and P uptake and plant growth. A soil column and a split‐root experiment were conducted to quantify the effect of localized water and P supply on shoot growth, root morphology, specific P uptake (SPU), P‐use efficiency (PUE), and water‐use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Zea mays L.). Our results indicate that roots preferentially grow in the layer or compartment with both adequate water and P supply, subsequently stimulating SPU, PUE, and WUE, and enhancing shoot growth. Compared with the treatments in which both layers and compartments were supplied with adequate P and/or water, the growth of maize was maintained or minimally affected. SPU, PUE, and WUE were increased when both P and water were supplied in one layer or one compartment only. These findings show that normal plant growth with an adequate P uptake was achieved even if part of the roots were supplied with 2/3 (soil column experiment) and 1/2 (split‐root experiment) of the phosphorus and water supplied in the full‐phosphorus and full‐water treatment. Changes in root morphology under water stress conditions induced by the application of phosphorus and water in deeper soil layers or to a part of the roots may have substantial practical implications for agricultural production and environmental protection.     

Metabolic and anabolic responses of arable and forest soils to nutrient addition§

The increase in microbial C content, cumulative respiration and changes in ”︁available” C were determined after adding glucose (2 mg glucose-C (g soil)^—1, ”︁C”), glucose + nitrogen (”︁C+N”) or glucose + nitrogen + phosphorus (”︁C+N+P”) to four soils. In two sandy soils, one agricultural and the other from a beech forest in Germany, available C was still present approximately 7 days after C addition. The supplement N and N+P decreased the content of available C and stimulated respiration rate and microbial growth. In two loamy forest soils from Italy, which had a high native content of microbial C, available C was present in the beech soil but not in a silver fir soil treated with C+N. In the Italian beech and fir soil, microbial growth was highest with C+N+P and C+N addition respectively. Available C remaining in the soil was related to some extent to the native microbial C content. However, microbial growth and respiration response varied between soil and treatment. The respiratory coefficient, that is the ratio of assimilated to respired C, varied between 0.0 and 1.45 μg C_mic (μg CO₂-C)^—1 and was generally higher when a large amount of native biomass was present. The eco-physiological strategy of the soil microbiota in using C seemed to shift according to the biomass content, the added concentration and composition of available substrates, and emergent system properties.     

Influence of Sludge Incineration Ash on Ryegrass Growth and Soil Phosphorus Status

Phosphorus(P) is a limited resource that could be depleted. Consequently, recycling the P contained in sewage sludge, including sewage sludge incineration ash(SIA), from wastewater treatment plants is a possibility to be explored. A greenhouse experiment using annual ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum L.) was performed with an experimental design of three completely randomized blocks of two soils and 29 treatments: one control without P and two levels of 9 and 26 kg total P ha~(-1) from 14 different sources: twelve SIAs(not contaminated by trace metals) from the US and Canada, one commercial synthetic fertilizer(triple superphosphate(TSP)), and one commercial rock phosphate(RP). Higher ryegrass biomass levels were achieved at the higher fertilization rate(26 kg total P ha~(-1))and when using the SIAs with the highest P solubility percentage(PSP)(≥ 54% of total P). The biomass increases following SIA application were as high as 29% and 59% more than the control for the sandy loam and clayey soil, respectively, but 40% less than in TSP for both soils. A similar behavior was observed for P uptake, with a maximum increase of 26% for the clayey soil, and 165% for the sandy loam soil. The ryegrass biomass and P uptake increases due to SIA application were larger than those due to RP application in the clayey soil, but similar to those in the sandy loam soil. The SIAs with a PSP of ≥ 54% significantly increased soil available P stocks and saturation. According to our findings, we conclude that the SIAs from municipal and agrifood industries have a potential for P agricultural recycling, but their efficiencies vary.     

Effect of varied soil nitrogen supply on growth and nutrient uptake of young Norway spruce plants grown in a shaded environment

To understand the effect of increased soil N supply on tree growth and nutrient uptake, three-year-old Norway spruce seedlings were grown in pots on low-nutrient mineral forest soil supplemented with N in mineral or organic form. Outdoor shaded growth conditions were used, to test the hypothesis that shaded plants are particularly susceptible to high soil N supply. Plants were harvested eleven months after planting. Shoot growth was not affected by the N supply, but N concentrations in needles and roots were increased in plants supplied with mineral N (150 or 300 mg N [kg soil]^—1). Root growth was drastically reduced and root/shoot ratios were decreased in plants with higher N uptake. A high supply of mineral N to soil also decreased the concentrations of other essential elements (P, K) in the needles and thus had effects on plant growth which may impair the stress resistance of trees. Organic N in the form of keratin (150 mg N [kg soil]^—1) did not influence plant growth significantly. The adverse effects of high mineral N supply were particularly pronounced under shaded conditions in comparison to results from other experiments using higher light intensity and temperature conditions.     

Growth,phosphorus uptake,and rhizosphere microbial‐community composition of a phosphorus‐efficient wheat cultivar in soils differing in pH

In a pot experiment, the P‐efficient wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Goldmark was grown in ten soils from South Australia covering a wide range of pH (four acidic, two neutral, and four alkaline soils) with low to moderate P availability. Phosphorus (100 mg P kg^–1) was supplied as FePO₄ to acidic soils, CaHPO₄ to alkaline, and 1:1 mixture of FePO₄ and CaHPO₄ to neutral soils. Phosphorus uptake was correlated with P availability measured by anion‐exchange resin and microbial biomass P in the rhizosphere. Growth and P uptake were best in the neutral soils, lower in the acidic, and poorest in the alkaline soils. The good growth in the neutral soils could be explained by a combination of extensive soil exploitation by the roots and high phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere, indicating microbial facilitation of organic‐P mineralization. The plant effect (soil exploitation by roots) appeared to dominate in the acidic soils. Alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in acidic soils were lower than in neutral soils, but strongly increased in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil, suggesting that microorganisms contribute to P uptake in these acidic soils. Shoot and root growth and P uptake per unit root length were lowest in the alkaline soils. Despite high alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in the alkaline soils, microbial biomass P was low, suggesting that the enzymes could not mineralize sufficient organic P to meet the demands of plants and microorganisms. Microbial‐community composition, assessed by fatty acid methylester (FAME) analysis, was strongly dependent on soil pH, whereas other soil properties (organic‐C or CaCO₃ content) were less important or not important at all (soil texture).     

Effect of Induced Soil Compaction on Changes in Soil Properties and Wheat Productivity under Sandy Loam and Sandy Clay Loam Soils: A Greenhouse Experiment

The continuous use of heavy machinery and vehicular traffic on agricultural land led to an increase in soil compaction, which reduces crop yield and deteriorates the physical conditions of the soil. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions to study the effects of induced soil compaction on growth and yield of two wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties grown under two different soil textures, sandy loam and sandy clay loam. Three compaction levels [C₀, C₁, and C₂ (0, 10 and 20 beatings)], two textural classes (sandy loam and sandy clay loam), and two genotypes of wheat were selected for the experiment. Results indicated that induced soil compaction adversely affected the bulk density (BD) and total porosity of soil in both sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils. Compaction progressively increased soil BD from 1.19 Mg m^?3 in the control to 1.27 Mg m^?3 in C₁ and 1.40 Mg m^?3 in C₂ in sandy loam soil while the corresponding increase in BD in sandy clay loam was 1.56 Mg m^?3 in C₁ and 1.73 Mg m^?3 in C₂ compared to 1.24 Mg m^?3 in the control. On the other hand, compaction tended to decrease total porosity of soil. In case of sandy loam, porosity declined by 5% and 17% in C₁ and C₂, respectively, and declined in sandy clay loam by 29% and 54%, respectively. Averaged over genotypes and textures, shoot length decreased by 15% and 26% at C₁ and C₂, respectively, and straw yield decreased by 21% and 61%, respectively. The compaction levels C₁ and C₂ significantly decreased grain yield by 12% and 41%, respectively, over the control. The deleterious effect of compaction was more pronounced on root elongation and root mass, and compaction levels C₁ and C₂ decreased root length by 47% and 95% and root mass by 41% and 114%, respectively, over the control. Response of soil texture to compaction was significant for almost all the parameters, and the detrimental effects of soil compaction were greater in sandy clay loam compared to sandy loam soil. The results from the experiment revealed that soil compaction adversely affected soil physical conditions, thereby restricting the root growth, which in turn may affect the whole plant growth and grain yield. Therefore, appropriate measures to avoid damaging effects of compaction on soil physical conditions should be practiced. These measures may include soil management by periodic chiseling, controlled traffic, conservation tillage, addition of organic manures, and incorporating crops with deep tap root systems in a rotation cycle.     

Root‐growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3‐year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root‐growth characteristics contributing to N‐uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root‐length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer‐N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil N_min contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N‐efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root‐length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N‐efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N‐uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root‐length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N‐efficient cultivars.     

Verformungsverhalten künstlicher Makroporen unter variierenden Druck‐ und Bodenfeuchtebedingungen

Structural deformation of artificial macropores under varying load and soil moisture In the present study, the stability and deformation behavior of artificial macropores under varying load and soil moisture levels was investigated by means of X‐ray computed tomography (CT). The results should be a reference for similar studies on soil samples from field trials. The soil tested was a well structured humic silt loam with a bulk density of 1 g cm^—3. Round‐shaped pores of vertical and 45 degree angle orientation were drilled into the samples with a plastic needle (∅︁ 5 mm). These samples were compacted in an uniaxial compression device at four different moisture levels and four pressure stages each. Stepwise CT imaging and its 3‐dimensional reconstruction enabled us to study systematically the mode and intensity of pore deformation. As a result four different deformation stages could be identified in dependence from load, soil moisture, and pore orientation. The deformation stage ”︁stable” was characterized by mostly unaffected pore dimensions and shapes. Increasing load and/or moisture content led to prominent bottle necks within the pores which was named ”︁structure deformation”. Due to the shape and size of these bottle necks it seems to be most likely that still intact aggregates were moved into the inner pore space, reducing the mean cross sectional areas. The deformation stage ”︁total deformation” appeared with further increase of load and/or moisture. The aggregated structure disappeared while the inner roughness of the pores became smoother again. This represents a viscoplastic deformation. Cross sectional areas, pore lengths, and volumes significantly decreased. The stage ”︁extinction” was finally reached at water contents around the liquid limit, where the pore structure was completely lost, at least on CT resolution level. The deformation stages could be attributed to load stages depending from pore orientation. Unexpectedly, all pores kept their originally round shape over all stages until extinction.     

Adaptive attributes of tropical forage species to acid soils I. Differences in plant growth,nutrient acquisition and nutrient utilization among C4 grasses and C3 legumes

Low supply of nutrients is a major limitation of forage adaptation and production in acid soils of the tropics. A glasshouse study was conducted to find differences in plant growth, nutrient acquisition and use, among species of tropical forage grasses (with C₄ pathway of photosynthesis) and legumes (with C₃), when grown in two acid soils of contrasting texture and fertility. Twelve tropical forage legumes and seven tropical forage grasses were grown in sandy loam and clay loam Oxisols at low and high levels of soil fertility. After 83 days of growth, dry matter distribution among plant leaves, stems, and roots, leaf area production, shoot and root nutrient composition, shoot nutrient uptake, and nutrient use efficiency were measured. Soil type and fertility affected biomass production and dry matter partitioning between roots and shoots. The allocation of dry matter to root production was greater with low soil fertility, particularly in sandy loam. The grasses responded more than the legumes to increased soil fertility in both shoot and root biomass production. Leaf area production and the use of leaf biomass for leaf expansion (specific leaf area) were greater in legumes than in grasses, irrespective of soil type and fertility. But soil type affected shoot biomass production and nutrient uptake of the grasses more than those of the legumes. There were significant interspecific differences in terms of shoot nutrient uptake. The grasses were more efficient than legumes in nutrient use (grams of shoot biomass produced per gram of total nutrient uptake) particularly for nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca).     

Einfluss eisenhaltiger Klärschlämme auf Kenngrößen der P‐Verfügbarkeit in Ackerböden

Influence of iron content in sewage sludges on parameters of phosphate availability in arable soils The use of iron salts for the P elimination in sewage plants is widely used. But it is not clear whether the P availability in arable soils is negatively influenced by iron compounds or not. The aim of the investigations was, therefore, to study the influence of two sewage sludges with a high and a low Fe content respectively on P sorption and phosphate concentration (P_i) in the soil solution after application of CaHPO₄ or sewage sludge to 5 loamy and 4 sandy soils (pot experiments and 1 silty loam (field experiment)). Soils were analyzed 1, 6, and 13 months after P application. Sludge Gö contained 12 kg P and 65 kg Fe (t DM)^—1 (P : Fe = 1 : 5.4) and sludge Sh 25 kg P and 39 kg Fe (t DM)^—1 (P : Fe = 1 : 1.5). The basic P application was 60 kg P ha^—1 (= 30 mg P (kg soil)^—1 in the pot experiment, as sludge or as CaHPO₄). P uptake by maize was determined in a separate pot experiment with a loamy soil and the same P application rate. The P sorption capacity remained similar in all soils after application of sludge Sh (P : Fe = 1:1.5) compared with soils without sludge, however, after application of sludge Gö the P sorption increased by 16% (0—59%). After application of sludge Sh the mean P_i concentration increased in loamy soils by 34% and in sandy soils by 15%. On the other hand the P_i concentration decreased after applying sludge Gö by 13% and 36% as compared to the controls of the respective soils. In the field experiment the P_i concentration of plots with a high P level (50 mg lactate soluble P (kg soil)^—1) was also significantly decreased after application of 10 t sludge Gö (126 kg P ha^—1) in comparison with triple phosphate. One month after the application of increasing amounts of sludge Gö (5, 10, 15 t DM ha^—1) both the concentration of oxalate‐soluble Fe in the soil and the P sorption were increased. The elevated relationship between these two parameters was highly significant (r² = 0.6 — 0.97). Plant uptake of P was less after application of sludge Gö than after application of sludge Sh and much less than P uptake from CaHPO₄. Sewage sludges with a P : Fe ratio of 1 : 5 should not be recommended for agricultural use, as the P availability is significantly reduced. Iron salts should not be used for conditioning of sludges.     

Phosphorus efficiency of ornamental plants in peat substrates

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate factors contributing to phosphorous (P) efficiency of ornamental plants. Marigold (Tagetes patula) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherima) were cultivated in a peat substrate (black peat 80% + mineral component 20% on a volume basis), treated with P rates of 0, 10, 35, 100, and 170 mg (L substrate)^–1. During the cultivation period, plants were fertigated with a complete nutrient solution (including 18 mg P L^–1) every 2 d. Both poinsettia and marigold attained their optimum yield at the rate of 35 mg P (L substrate)^–1 and the critical level of P in shoot dry matter of both crops was 5–6 mg g^–1. After planting, plant‐available P increased at lower P rates to a higher level for poinsettia than for marigold, but no significant change was observed at higher P rates. Balance sheet calculations indicated that at lower P rates more P was fertigated than was taken up by the plants. Root‐length density, root‐to‐shoot ratio, and root‐hair length of marigold were doubled compared to that of poinsettia. Root‐length density increased with crop growth, and 10 d after planting the mean half distance between roots exceeded the P‐depletion zone around roots by a factor of 3 and 1.5 for poinsettia and marigold, respectively. Thus, at this early stage poinsettia exploited only 10% of the substrate volume whereas marigold utilized 43%. Later in the cultivation period, the depletion zones around roots overlapped for both crops. Taking into account P uptake via root hairs, the simulation revealed that this was more important for marigold compared to poinsettia especially at low P‐supply levels. However, increase of P uptake due to root hairs was only 10%–20% at optimum P supply. For the two lower P levels, the P‐depletion profile around roots calculated for 10 d after planting showed that after 2 d of depletion the concentration at the root surface was below the assumed K_m value (5 μM) and the concentration gradient was insufficient to fit the demand. A higher content of plant‐available P in the substrate was observed for poinsettia compared to marigold in the treatment with P application adequate for optimum growth, because more fertigated P was accumulated during early stages of cultivation due to lower root‐length density of poinsettia. The observed difference of root morphological parameters did not contribute significantly to P‐uptake efficiency, since P mobility in the peat substrate was high.     

Transformations and Availability of Iron to Wheat as Influenced by Phosphorus and Manganese Fertilization in a Typic Haplustept Soil

An investigation was conducted using Typic Haplustept, sandy loam soil, to investigate the interactive effects of phosphorus (P) and manganese (Mn) fertilization on native iron (Fe) pools in soil and their availability to wheat (cv. PBW-343) crop. Phosphorus fertilization moved Fe from residual mineral fraction of Fe to manganese oxides (MnOX), organic matter (OM), amorphous (AMPOX), and crystalline (CRYOX) Fe and Al oxide fractions. However, Mn application decreased specifically adsorbed (SAD)–Fe and CRYOX–Fe but increased OM–Fe and mineral fraction of Fe. Available Fe in soil decreased as Olsen P and P:Mn ratio increased in the soil. Higher Olsen P (>60 mg P kg^?1soil) reduced mean Fe uptake by shoot. P content and P:Mn ratio in soil as well as in root and shoot were inversely related to Fe concentration in both the plant parts. The role of soil Fe associated with oxides and organic matter was found most notable in Fe nutrition of wheat.     

Microbial Activity of Cu Contaminated Soils and Effect of Lime and Compost on Soil Resiliency

In vineyards, the long-term use of copper fungicides has increased soil Cu concentrations that can adversely affect the number and activities of soil microorganisms. To better understand this phenomenon and to ameliorate such harmful effects, an incubation experiment was carried out with a sandy loam and a sandy soil to which increasing rates of CuSO₄ were added. By this treatment, the basal soil respiration (7-55%) and decomposition of added vine branches (46-86%) was inhibited. At the application rate of 500 mg Cu kg^?1, soil microbial biomass-C was inhibited (7-66%) in the sandy soil and stimulated (2-10%) in the sandy loam soil. The specific respiration rate was a reliable indicator for Cu stress, and it increased with time and higher Cu concentrations before lime and compost applications. Total number of bacteria and streptomycetes were also strongly inhibited. Fungal population was significantly more tolerant to copper toxicity than the bacteria. A stimulation of fungal population at a dose of 500 mg Cu kg^?1 in both soils was observed. A criterion such as “stimulation” lasting for more than 60 days can also be used as indication of Cu contamination of soils. The order of inhibition (on day 125) at a dose of 500 mg Cu kg^?1 soil was as follows: A. sandy loam soil (pH> 7.0) — fungi < biomass-C < basal soil respiration < bacteria < streptomycetes; B. sandy soil (pH< 6.0) — fungi < basal soil respiration < biomass-C < bacteria < streptomycetes. The application of lime increased soil recovering ability at a moderate rate (for CO₂ production – 22-70% and for biomass-C- 39-156%), but the combination of lime and compost significantly increased soil resiliency (for CO₂ production- 16-518% and for biomass-C- 103-693%). The soil resiliency assessed by number of bacteria in compost treatments was 30-120% in sandy loam soil and 92-700% in the sandy soil. Compost and lime application increased the number of streptomycetes from 52 to 500% in sandy loam soil and from 100 to 700% in sandy loam soil. Fungal population was less increased in sandy soil as compared to sandy loam soil. The ecological dose higher than 5% inhibition of microbial processes and microorganisms appears to be suitable to assess Cu contamination of soils. CO₂ production, biomass-C and specific respiration rate were less sensitive indicators as compared to streptomycetes and bacteria. It appears that compost application effectively promoted the recovery of soil microbial activity and soil fertility of Cu contaminated soils.     

Influence of phosphorus application on growth and cadmium uptake of spinach in two cadmium‐contaminated soils

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of phosphate (P) application on diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable cadmium (Cd) in soil and on growth and uptake of Cd by spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Two soils varying in texture were contaminated by application of five levels of Cd (NO₃)₂ (0, 20, 30, 40, and 60 mg Cd kg^–1). Three levels of KH₂PO₄ (0, 12, and 24 mg P kg^–1) were applied to determine immobilization of Cd by P. Spinach was grown for 60 d after seeding. Progressive contamination of soils through application of Cd affected dry‐matter yield (DMY) of spinach shoot differently in the two soils, with 67% reduction of DMY in the sandy soil and 34% in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P increased DMY of spinach from 4.53 to 6.06 g pot^–1 (34%) in silty‐loam soil and from 3.54 to 5.12 g pot^–1 (45%) in sandy soil. The contamination of soils increased Cd concentration in spinach shoots by 34 times in the sandy soil and 18 times in the silty‐loam soil. The application of P decreased Cd concentration in shoot. The decrease of Cd concentration was higher in the sandy soil in comparison to the silty‐loam soil. Phosphorus application enhanced DMY of spinach by decreasing Cd concentration in soil as well as in plants. The results indicate that Cd toxicity in soil can be alleviated by P application.     

Genotypic variation of potato for phosphorus efficiency and quantification of phosphorus uptake with respect to root characteristics

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), an important food crop, generally requires a high amount of phosphate fertilizer for optimum growth and yield. One option to reduce the need of fertilizer is the use of P‐efficient genotypes. Two efficient and two inefficient genotypes were investigated for P‐efficiency mechanisms. The contribution of root traits to P uptake was quantified using a mechanistic simulation model. For all genotypes, high P supply increased the relative growth rate of shoot, shoot P concentration, and P‐uptake rate of roots but decreased root‐to‐shoot ratio, root‐hair length, and P‐utilization efficiency. Genotypes CGN 17903 and CIP 384321.3 were clearly superior to genotypes CGN 22367 and CGN 18233 in terms of shoot–dry matter yield and relative shoot‐growth rate at low P supply, and therefore can be considered as P‐efficient. Phosphorus efficiency of genotype CGN 17903 was related to higher P‐utilization efficiency and that of CIP 384321.3 to both higher P‐uptake efficiency in terms of root‐to‐shoot ratio and intermediate P‐utilization efficiency. Phosphorus‐efficient genotypes exhibited longer root hairs compared to inefficient genotypes at both P levels. However, this did not significantly affect the uptake rate and the extension of the depletion zone around roots. The P inefficiency of CGN 18233 was related to low P‐utilization efficiency and that of CGN 22367 to a combination of low P uptake and intermediate P‐utilization efficiency. Simulation of P uptake revealed that no other P‐mobilization mechanism was involved since predicted uptake approximated observed uptake indicating that the processes involved in P transport and morphological root characterstics affecting P uptake are well described.