Abstract

In a greenhouse, radish (Raphanus sativus L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max Merr), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown in soil‐based medium with captan at 60 mg/kg and truban at 30 mg/kg and with different levels of N from (NH₄)₂SO₄ or NaNO₃. Growth of radish, soybean, and corn was restricted by NH₄‐N compared with NO₃‐N. Captan and truban stunted growth of radish and soybean. As NH₄‐N or NO₃‐N fertilizer increased, the concentration of Ca and Mg in all plants decreased, and the percentage of K in corn, soybean, and wheat increased. Application of captan and truban increased all cation concentrations in corn, wheat, and soybean but decreased Ca concentration in radish. The amount of residual NH₄‐N in the medium supplied with (NH₄)₂SO₄ was increased by application of captan or truban. Captan increased the residual NO₃‐N in the medium treated with NaNO₃. Chemical names used: captan, (N‐(trichloro)methylthio)‐4‐cyclo‐hexene‐l, 2‐dicarboximide); truban, (5‐ethoxy‐3‐trichloromethyl‐l, 2, 4,‐thiadiazole).     

Effect of repeated phosphate fertilization on the heavy metal accumulation in soil and plants under protected cultivation

Abstract

In order to study the effects of repeated phosphate fertilization under protected cultivation, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), celery (Apium graveolens L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants were grown in subsequent cycles on the same substrate and fertilized with increasing amounts of superphosphate containing varying amounts of heavy metals. The accumulation of metals in the soil and the consequent increased uptake of metals by plants did not result in any reduction in the marketable production. The reduced plant yield observed in lettuce and in radish with the increase in the addition of superphosphate was most likely due to the increased salinity of the growth substrate, which affected the metabolic processes of the plants. The high concentration of salts as a result of the addition of high amounts of phosphorus fertilizer made it unadvisable to reuse the substrate under the experimental conditions adopted.     

Elemental Composition of Twelve Plant Species Grown with Irradiated Municipal Sludge

The objective of this research was to determine the availability to plants of elements in sewage sludge irradiated with high-energy electrons for disinfection. Irradiated raw sludge (irradiated with an electron dose of 400 krad) and non-irradiated raw sludge were obtained from the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant of Boston, Massachusetts. The sludges were used to grow 12 plant species under controlled-environmental conditions. The species were: bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), sweet corn (Zea mays L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), mustard (Brassica juncea Coss.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum Nym.), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris cicla L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.). Plants were also grown with inorganic fertilizer added at recommended rates or with tap water. At the end of the experiment (44 days after planting), dry weight and elemental composition of the plants and soil (fine sandy loam, Typic Ustifluvent) were determined. There was no measurable difference in nutrient composition of soil treated with irradiated and non-irradiated raw sludge. In general, plants treated with irradiated raw sludge grew as well as plants treated with non-irradiated raw sludge. Most plants treated with sludge grew as well as plants treated with inorganic fertilizer. Elemental composition of plants treated with irradiated sludge was similar to that of plants treated with non-irradiated sludge. Sludge-treated dill, parsley, spinach, and Swiss chard had high concentrations of one or more of the following heavy elements: Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr. The results showed that plants grown with sludge irradiated with high-energy electrons were similar to plants grown with non-irradiated sludge.     

Response of fall greenhouse COS lettuce to clear mulch and nitrogen fertilizer

Application of clear plastic mulch with or without N fertilizer did not significantly increase (P > 0.05) yield of cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Paris Island), grown in Fall in a greenhouse in the Mediterranean mountains. Yield ranged from 31 to 38 kg/50 heads. Leaf NO₃‐N and total P levels were higher in mulched than unmulched plants, and in fertilized than in unfertilized plants, and always above the sufficiency level in all treatments. Soil levels of NO₃‐N were higher under mulched than unmulched plots, and under fertilized than unfertilized plots, which had more than 50 ppm NO₃‐N at harvest. This indicates ample supply of N and thus explains the lack of response to added N. It may be concluded that in mild climates and on soils with adequate N, lettuce will not respond to the use of clear mulch and N fertilizer.     

Nitrogen Uptake by Radish,Spinach and “Chingensai” from Composted Tea Leaves,Coffee Waste and Kitchen Garbage

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of the application of composted tea leaves (TC), coffee waste (CC), and kitchen garbage (KC) on the nitrogen and nitrate accumulated in radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. ‘radicula pers’), Chingensai (Brassica campestris L. cv. ‘Choyo No. 2’), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. ‘Ban chu paruku’) as compared with the effect of inorganic ¹⁵N labeled fertilizer (IN) application. The compost was applied at the rate of 24 g kg^?1 soil, corresponding to about 250 to 300 kg N ha^?1; the A value method was used to estimate nitrogen uptake. Dry matter production was significantly higher in the IN and TC treatments than in the KC and CC treatments for all the species and tissue. Of the composts used, TC was most effective in increasing N uptake and N content in the vegetables. The composts derived N recovery as a percentage of total N uptake varied with plant species, 50.8%-62.9% in radish root, 35.3%-60.4% in radish leaf, 29.9%-48.2% in spinach leaf, and 31.3%-54.8% in Chingensai leaf. The N-use efficiencies of IN, TC, CC, and KC were 6.3%, 6.3%, 5.3%, and 6.6% in radish root; 13.6%, 9.7%, 8.4%, and 6.7% in radish leaf; 22.4%, 14.4%, 3.6%, and 5.8% in spinach leaf; and 61.2%, 39.5%, 25.5%, and 21.5% in Chingensai leaf, respectively. Nitrate accumulation in edible portions was highest in plants provided with IN as compared with those grown with composts, and nitrate content in radish root was markedly higher than that in the leaf. It is observed that the fate of compost derived N differed noticeably with vegetable species, plant part, and compost source.     

Growth and mineral composition of radish under different nitrification inhibitors and nitrogen sources

Abstract

Captan [N‐(trichloromethylthio)‐4‐cyclo‐hexene‐l, 2‐dicarboximide] and benomy¹[methyl 1‐(butylcarbamoyl)‐2‐benzimidazolecarbamate] were evaluated as nitrification inhibitors and compared with nitrapyrin [2‐chloro‐6‐(trichloromethyl)pyridine]. Nitrapyrin, captan, and benorayl were applied at 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg with three nitrogen sources, KNO₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄, and urea, at 300 mg N/kg to ‘Cherry Belle’ radish (Raphanus sativusL). Nitrapyrin and captan inhibited nitrification effectively, but benomyl was not an effective inhibitor. Growth of radish roots and shoots was restricted with application of nitrapyrin and captan combined with (NH₄)₂SO₄or urea relative to the comparable KNO₃treatments. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, and NO₃‐N in plants, especially in shoots, fell, and the percentage of ? was increased with the addition of nitrapyrin and captan. Benomyl did not affect plant growth or composition     

Response of triticale,wheat, and rye to N in a greenhouse

Abstract

Triticales (X Triticosecale, Wittmack), 6TA 131, 6TA 298 and 6TA 298 and 6TA 385, Arthur wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and Abruzzi rye (Secale cereale L.) were grown in a soil treated with 0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm N. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of N rate on dry matter yields, N uptake, and N utilization efficiency.

The dry matter and N uptake increased while the N utilization efficiency decreased with increasing N fertilizer applied to the soil for all the cultivars. At high N rate, rye had higher dry matter and N uptake than the triticales and wheat; no consistent differences were obtained between triticale and wheat. However, rye and triticale tended to be more efficient in utilizing absorbed N than wheat at the lower N rates.     

Cadmium Phytoextraction Efficiency of Arum (Colocasia antiquorum), Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Grown in Hydroponics

Selection of a phytoextraction plant with high Cd accumulation potential based on compatibility with mechanized cultivation practice and local environmental conditions may provide more benefits than selection based mainly on high Cd tolerance plants. In this hydroponics study, the potential of Cd accumulation by three plant species; arum (Colocasia antiquorum), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) were investigated. Arum (Colocasia antiquorum L.) plants were grown for 60 days in a nutrient solution with 0, 10 or 50 μM Cd, while radish and water spinach plants grew only 12 days in 0, 1.5, 2.5, 5 or 10 μM Cd. Growth of radish and water spinach plants decreased under all Cd treatments (1.5 to 10 μM), while arum growth decreased only at 50 μM Cd. At 10 μM Cd treatment, the growth of arum was similar to the control treatment indicating higher tolerance of arum for Cd than radish and water spinach. Cadmium concentrations in different plant parts of all plant species increased significantly with Cd application in the nutrient solution. Arum and water spinach retained greater proportions of Cd in their roots, while in radish, Cd concentration in leaves was higher than in other plant parts. Cadmium concentrations in arum increased from 158 to 1,060 in the dead leaves, 37 to 280 in the normal leaves, 108 to 715 in the stems, 42 to 290 in the bulbs and 1,195 to 3,840 mg kg^?1 in the roots, when the Cd level in the solution was raised from 10 μM Cd to 50 μM Cd. Arum accumulated (dry weight?×?concentration) 25 mg plant^?1 at 10 μM, while the corresponding values for radish and water spinach were 0.23 and 0.44 mg plant^?1, respectively. With no growth retardation at Cd concentrations as high as 166 mg kg^?1 measured in entire plant (including root) of arum at 10 μM Cd in the nutrient solution, arum could be a potential Cd accumulator plant species and could be used for phytoremediation.     

The influence of calcium on growth of selected vegetable species in the presence of ammonium nitrogen

Growth of cabbage (Brasslca oleracea L.), cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.), squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), chile pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)., radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.) was enhanced when supplied with additional Ca in the presence of NH₄‐N over those with normal Ca. Ammonium uptake as measured by residual NH₄ in soil leachate was lowered indicating possible increased uptake in the presence of additional Ca.     

Effect of nitrate concentration on hydroponially grown primocane‐fruiting red raspberries

Primocane‐fruiting red raspberry plants (Rubus idaeus L.) ‘Redwing’ were grown in six hydroponic solutions containing nitrogen (N) levels of 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 meq N per liter. Plant growth rates and final cane heights were similar in all treatments except for reduced growth in the 2.5 meq per liter treatment. Greatest leaf, stem, and root dry weight accumulation was found in the 10 meq per liter treatment. The greatest numbers of nodes, flowers, and inflorescences per cane were found in the 5, 20, and 10 meq per liter treatments, respectively. Solution N levels had no effect on time of flowering.     

Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Biosolids‐Amended Soil

Abstract

A single biosolids application was made to 1.5×2.3 m confined plots of a Davidson clay loam (Rhodic Kandiudult) in 1984 at 0, 42, 84, 126, 168, and 210 Mg ha^?1. The highest biosolids application supplied 750 and 600 kg ha^?1 of Cu and Zn, respectively. Corn (Zea mays L.), from 1984 to 2000, and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia), from 2001 to 2004, were grown at the site to assess heavy‐metal bioavailability. Extractable (0.005 diethylenetriamine (DTPA) and Mehlich 1) Cu and Zn were determined on 0 to 15‐cm depth samples from each plot. Corn yield increased with biosolids rate each year until 1993 to 1997, when yield decreased with biosolids rate because of phytotoxicity induced by low (<5.0) soil pH. The corn yield reduction was reversed between 1998 and 2000 upon raising the soil pH to approximately 6.0 by limestone addition following the 1997 season. Between 2001 and 2004, radish and lettuce yields were either not affected or slightly increased with biosolids rate, even as soil pH declined to below 5.5. Plant‐tissue metal concentrations increased with biosolids rate and as pH declined but were always within the normal range of these crops. Mehlich 1 and DTPA extractable metals increased linearly with biosolids rate. Extractability of Cu and Zn decreased approximately 50% over the past 20 years despite a decrease in soil organic matter concentration and greater than 95% conservation of the metals.     

Effect of phosphorus,copper, and zinc addition on the phosphorus/copper and phosphorus/zinc interaction in lettuce

The effect of phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) addition on the P‐Cu and P‐Zn interaction in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was analyzed following a factorial design. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse. Two levels of P (62 and 224 ppm), three levels of Zn (0, 0.17, and 0.34 ppm), and three levels of Cu (0, 0.03, and 0.06 ppm) were applied in all combinations to lettuce grown in perlite. The influence of the different treatments on the leaf P concentration suggests that the P‐Cu interaction was positive, whereas P‐Zn was negative. An increase in root absorption and retention and a decrease in translocation to leaves were observed for Zn and Cu when the nutrient solution was supplied at a luxurious consumption level of P.     

Growth and Ca,Mg, K,and P uptake by triticale,wheat, and rye at four al levels

This study was conducted to determine relationships between Al toxicity and mineral uptake of triticale (X Triticosecale, Wittmack), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.). Two culti‐vars of each species were grown in 1/5‐strength Steinberg solution with 0, 3, 6, or 12 ppm Al added. The solutions were adjusted to pH 4.8 at transplanting and were not adjusted thereafter. The plants were grown in a growth chamber for 19 days before harvesting to determine nutrient solution pH, dry weights, and Al, Ca, Mg, K, and P levels in plants. Increasing Al concentration reduced the final pH of solutions. The addition of 12 ppm Al severely reduced the growth and increased Al concentration of plant tops. The Al levels in roots generally increased with increments of added Al up to 6 ppm. Increasing Al decreased the uptake of Ca, Mg, and P by plant tops more than that of K. Regression analyses indicated that Al toxicity was associated with increasing K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios and decreasing P concentration in plant tops. Differences between species were: higher Al concentration in rye than wheat with 6 and 12 ppm Al, higher translocation of Ca from roots to tops in wheat than in rye and Mg in triticale and wheat than rye; K/Ca + Mg equivalent ratios associated with 50% reduction in top growth followed the order: triticales > tolerant wheat > sensitive wheat > rye. Differences in mineral uptake associated with Al toxicity in wheat were more indicative of differential Al sensitivity in wheat than in triticale and rye which have higher internal Al tolerance.     

Natural abundance of 15N in nitrate,ureides, and amino acids from plant tissues

The natural ¹⁵N abundances (δ¹⁵N values) were measured for nitrate and free and bound amino acids from the leaves of field-grown spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and komatsuna (Brassica campestris L.), as well as ureides and free and bound amino acids in the leaves and roots of hydroponically grown soybean (Glycine max L.) totally depending on dinitrogen. Nitrate from the spinach and komatsuna leaves and ureides from leaves and roots of soybean showed higher δ¹⁵N values than the total tissue N and N in free or bound amino acid fractions. The δ¹⁵N values of individual free and bound amino acids, determined by GC/C/MS using their acetylpropyl derivatives, were similar in leaf tissues except for proline but varied in soybean root tissues. The order of ¹⁵N enrichment was similar in the four samples: aspartic acid > glutamic acid > threonine, proline, valine > glycine + alanine +serine, γ-amino butyric acid, and phenylalanine.     

Auswirkungen von NaCl und Na2 SO4 auf Substanzbildung,Mineralstoffgehalt und Inhaltsstoffe bei Spinat und Salat

Effect of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ on dry matter production, mineral content and organic compounds of spinach and lettuce . In water culture experiments the effect of 2,5 meq and 25 meq NaCl and Na₂SO₄ respectively on dry matter production and content of mineral elements, chloroplasts pigments and carbohydrates in lettuce (salt sensitive) and spinach (salt tolerant) has been studied. With increasing Na-supply the dry matter production was decreased in lettuce and increased in spinach. With increasing Na-supply in both species the content of K, Mg and Ca in the leaves decreased. This decrease was more pronounced with sulfate as accompanying anion (Na₂SO₄) and induced already deficiency in Ca and Mg. This induced deficiency of Mg was reflected especially in lettuce in lower contents of chloroplasts pigments. In both plant species there was no effect of the Na salt treatments on the content of phosphorus or nitrogen in roots or leaves. The carbohydrate content in both species was strongly affected by the Na salt treatments. Irrespectively of the accompanying anion this effect occured already at the low Na supply and before the dry matter production was influenced. In leaves and roots of lettuce the contents of glucose, fructose and sucrose was considerably decreased; this decrease was less expressed in the starch content. In spinach the Na supply only decreased the carbohydrate content in the roots whereas in the leaves especially the sucrose content was increased. This different effect of Na on carbohydrate content in spinach and lettuce could be an indication of different action of Na on carbohydrate metabolism, namely inhibited synthesis in lettuce and inhibited translocation in spinach. The results demonstrate that in studies on the effect of increasing Na salt concentrations besides the osmotic effects also the ion specific effects have to be carfully considered. These ion specific effects are competition of Na⁺ with other cations during uptake and the influence of Na on the cell metabolism, especially on the pathway of carbohydrates. The authors thanks Mrs. Hwie Juen Tjandraatmadja for her engaged help in various laboratory works.     

Effect of fertilizer,N rate and nitrapyrin on Ca and Mg nutrition of corn (zea hays,L.)

Abstract

Corn was grown with three rates (200, 400, 800 rng N/pot) of sewage sludge (Milorganite), KNO₃, or (NH₄)₂SO. application in the presence (10 ppm) or absence of nitrapyrin, a nitrification inhibitor. Bleached areas appeared on the lower leaves of plants at the lowest application of sludge when nitrapyrin was added. No other visible symptoms were noted.

Five‐week‐old seedlings were harvested, weighed and analyzed for Ca and Mg. Nitrapyrin restricted dry weight production of plants receiving sludge and increased growth in those receiving KNO₃. Concentrations of Ca and Mg were reduced in all plants receiving nitrapyrin except in those grown at the lowest rates of sludge application.     

Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Soil Properties and Vegetables Growth

ABSTRACT

This work investigates the impact of municipal solid waste compost (MSW-compost) application (0, 50, and 100 t/ha) on the growth, and on nutrient and trace elements content in lettuce and tomato plants grown in large, 40-L pots. Our findings showed inhibition of plants’ growth with increasing dose of MSW-compost, compared to plants receiving conventional fertilization. Growth inhibition was associated with a sharp decrease in soil NO₃–N content. On the other hand, a slower decrease in soil NO₃–N content occurred in non-planted pots amended with MSW-compost. These findings provide evidence that N immobilization and/or decreased N mineralization were responsible for inhibited growth by constraining N availability. With regard to the other macro-nutrients, K, P, Mg, Ca, and Fe, their contents in leaves of both crops were maintained at optimum levels. Higher zinc and copper content was measured in leaves of both crops but they did not exceed the optimum range for growth. No accumulation of trace elements was found in the fruits. The content of heavy metals in the tissues of plants grown in MSW-compost amended soil, remained at levels similar to those of the non-amended soil, suggesting that they do not pose a significant risk either for plant growth or public health. The findings of our study suggest that further emphasis should be given on the investigation of the factors regulating N mineralization and availability in order to avoid reductions in crop yield.     

Critical nitrate levels for squash,cucumber and melon plants

Abstract

Squash (Cucurbita pepo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and sweet melon (Cucumis dudain) plants were grown in sand culture with N as the variable and were harvested at the early flowering stage. The plants at this time showed a definite gradation of symptoms from severe to no deficiency of N. The tops were separated into leaves and stems. Leaves were separated into young, mature and old and then subdivided respectively into petioles and blades. The petioles were analyzed for NO₃‐N. The critical NO₃‐N concentration for squash, cucumber and melon on a dry basis was 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, respectively. A relatively high concentration of NO₃‐N in the nutrient solution decreased the growth of squash and cucumber plants significantly, but had no effect on melon plants. Melon plants can tolerate relatively high concentrations of N0,‐N in the plant tissues, while squash and cucumber cannot.     

Phosphorus nutrition of white rose potato in relation to growth and minerals of leaf and root tissues

Abstract

White Rose potato plants (Solanum tuberosum, L.) were grown outdoors, without tuber formation, in a modified Hoagland's nutrient solution with 9 treatments of KH₂PO₄ ranging from 0 to 4.0 mmoles per liter. Deficiency symptoms ranged from very severe to none at harvest after 27 days of growth. Growth of the potato plants increased with increased P supply and was associated with an increased P content of the plant tissues. The critical H₂PO₄‐P concentration at a 10% reduction of top growth, based on a second leaf analysis, was about 1,000 ppm for the petiole and terminal bladelet and about 1,200 ppm for the lateral bladelet, dry weight basis.

Phosphorus nutrition had only a slight effect on the K, Na, Mg and NO₃‐N concentrations of the root tissues but Ca increased as phosphate increased which suggests a calcium phosphate precipitation. Phosphorus stress lowered the K, Na, Ca, Mg and NO₃‐N concentrations of the petiole tissues of the recently matured leaf which suggests that P increases salt accumulation. Phosphorus nutrition had only a slight effect on the concentrations of K, Na, Mg and Ca of the blade tissues of the recently matured leaf but NO₃‐N increased greatly with P supply.     

The role of macronutrients in cabbage-head formation

Abstract

Cabbage plants were grown at graded levels of nitrogen supply and light intensity, and the combined effects on cabbage-head development were studied during the spring and autumn seasons.

The cabbage-head yield (i.e. dry weight of inner head leaves) was the highest at 50 ppm N in the nutrient solution, followed by 500 and 5 ppm N at full light intensity, and decreased with decrease in the, light intensity by shading. The decrease in cabbage-head yield caused by the shading was greater at high nitrogen levels during the autumn (low solar energy) season than during the spring (high solar energy) season. As the nitrogen supply increased or the light intensity decreased during both the spring and autumn seasons, nitrogen, especially soluble N, accumulated and the carbohydrate (sugar and starch) content decreased in the plants. Cabbage-head development occurred efficiently when the total N content in the outer leaves remained at about 2–3% and the carbohydrate production was large at full light intensity.