Effects of Salinity and Mixed Ammonium and Nitrate Nutrition on the Growth and Nitrogen Utilization of Barley

The absorption and utilization of nitrogen (N) by plants are affected by salinity and the form of N in the root medium. A hydroponic study was conducted under controlled conditions to investigate growth and N uptake by barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) supplied with five different NH₄⁺-N/NO₃⁻-N ratios at electrical conductivity of 0 and 8 dS m⁻¹. The five NH₄⁺-N/NO₃-N ratios were 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0, each giving a total N supply of 100 mg N l⁻¹ in the root medium. A mixed N supply of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ resulted in greater accumulation of N in plants than either NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺ as the sole N source. Plants produced a significantly higher dry matter yield when grown with mixed N nutrition than with NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone. Total dry matter production and root and shoot N contents decreased with increasing salinity in the root medium. The interaction between salinity and N nutrition was found to be significant for all the variables. A significant positive correlation (r=0.97) was found between nitrogen level in the plant shoot and its dry matter yield.     

A Rapid Method for Measuring Freezing Resistance in Crop Plants

The objective of this study was to develop a technique based on chlorophyll fluorescence to assess freezing injury and resistance of leaves. Optimization was done with faba bean leaves and applicability to other crops was examined at winter and spring with types of barley, oats, rape and faba beans. Selected leaves from young hardened beans were subjected to standardized freezing tests with different minimum temperatures ( T _min) and fluorescence was monitored. After a dark period basic fluorescence ( F _O was induced by 0.2 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ pulsed red light and maximum fluorescence ( F _m) was assayed at different light intensities. 1500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ rendered to give the maximum possible output of Fm and best differentiation of differently damaged leaves by F _n= F _m - F _O. Leaf temperature during measurement and during a short storage (± 2 h) should be kept at about 0°C to avoid biases between differently damaged leaves. The measuring spot on the leaf must be standardized since fluorescence response differed at the tip and base of a leaflet, but not between the two leaflets of a faba bean leaf. The applicability of F _rr (ratio of F _r of stressed to unstressed leaves) as a measure of resistance was demonstrated by comparison of winter hardiness of cultivars with freezing resistance calculated from the relationship of F _vr and the T _min used in freezing tests.     

The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Population Density of the Field Bean (Vicia faba L. minor) of Indeterminate and Determinate Growth Habit on the Symbiosis with Root Nodule Bacteria and on the Seed Yield

Field beans of indeterminate (cv. Nadwiślański) and determinate (cv. Tibo) growth habits were grown on field plots with a density of 20, 40 and 80 plants m⁻² at two levels of nitrogen fertilization: low (20 kg N ha⁻¹) and very high (150 kg N ha⁻¹). At the phase of intense pod growth the number and the dry matter weight of root nodules as well as their nitrogenase activity and some features of the plants growth were determined, and in the period of ripeness the components of seed yield were established.
It was found that increased density of sowing as well as the high level of nitrogen fertilization inhibited the growth and development of root nodules and limited their nitrogenase activity in both cultivars. Plants of both varieties were characterized by a similar potential of forming the root nodules, however, in plants of the cv. Tibo the nitrogenase activity of nodules was much lower than in the cv. Nadwiślański.
Increased population density of the plants has in both varieties given increased seed yield when calculated per m² of the soil, compensating in excess the depression of the seed yield from one plant. Such compensation did not occur in the case of the depression of nitrogen fixation under intense nitrogen fertilization.     

Influence of Solar Radiation and Vapour Pressure Deficit on Transpiration Efficiency of Rainfed Sorghum

Besides assimilation, plant water relations are important aspects of physiological basis of productivity of crops in water limited environment. The relationships of photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) during pre-flowering (panicle initiation to ear emergence) and grain filling (from anthesis to maturity) stages of a sorghum hybrid (cv. CSH-6 ) grown under rainfed conditions were studied. Photosynthesis rate declined when PAR was above 1300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. during both the growth stages. Higher transpiration rate during grain filling stage at higher PAR caused the transpiration efficiency to be lower than during pre-flowering stage when PAR was above 1200 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹.Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance decreased with increase in PAR. Leaf water potential was higher during pre-flowering than during grain filling stage but maximum photosynthesis rate was similar during both the growth stages. Changes in VPD did not qualitatively alter the relationships of the physiological variables with PAR.
Decreasing photosynthesis rate and LWP at high PAR suggest that photosynthesis rate was limited by low leaf water potential when PAR was optimal, and by low PAR even when leaf water potential was high in rainfed sorghum during rainy season.     

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation of White Clover in a Mixed Sward is not Limited by Height of Repeated Cutting

The aim of this study was to investigate whether symbiotic nitrogen fixation in white clover nodules limits nitrogen supply and hence clover growth by repeated defoliation at two cutting heights. Other possible factors governing symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the field were also elucidated. Using ¹⁵N, a 2-year field experiment including white clover ( Trifolium repens L. cv. Ladino) and perennial ryegrass ( Loliumperenne L. cv. Bastion) in monocultures and in mixtures was conducted in Eschikon, Switzerland. The effect of two cutting heights (4 cm and 10 cm above ground level) on the performance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation of white clover in the different sward-types was investigated. After each harvest, the plots were fertilized with 3 g N m^-2(equivalent to 30 kg N ha^-1 cut^-1 or 210 kg N ha^-1 year^-1). In both years, white clover grown in a mixture with grass received a significantly higher percentage of nitrogen from symbiotic fixation compared with clover grown in monoculture. This phenomenon is attributed to the strong competitiveness of ryegrass in soil nitrogen uptake. Consequently, white clover in the clover-ryegrass mixture was more dependent on symbiotic nitrogen fixation than that grown in monoculture. The cutting height did not preferentially influence symbiotic nitrogen fixation, as opposed to the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil. From this finding it is suggested that symbiotic nitrogen fixation did not limit the supply of nitrogen to clover and hence its growth. It is proposed that symbiotic nitrogen fixation in white clover is regulated by the demand for nitrogen rather than by the availability of carbohydrate reserves in the stolons. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation should thus be looked upon as an integrated plant growth factor and not as an isolated phenomenon.     

Differential Nitrogen Uptake, Utilization and Biomass Accumulation by Some Sorghum Cultivars

Five cultivars of sorghum viz: PU-7, Sarokartuho, Bagdar, Redjanpur and Potobar 4–8 were studied for their growth, N uptake and utilization efficiency at 5 mM N in solution culture. These cultivars differed significantly in their dry matter accumulation and relative growth rate of shoot. Differences in shoot/root of the cultivars were also notable. Markedly different mean N intake rate among the sorghum cultivars was 108 μmol g⁻¹ root dry wt. hr⁻¹ in Bagdar and 53 μmol g⁻¹ root dry wt. hr⁻¹ in PU-7 and Redjanpur. Both relative accumulation rate of N and efficiency of biomass accumulation per unit N absorbed also differed appreciably among the cultivars.     

Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrate Assimilation of Determinate, Semi-determinate and Undeterminate Soybeans (Glycine max L.)

Soybean ( Glycine max L.) nitrogen nutrition is ensured by both symbiotic nitrogen fixation and mineral nitrogen assimilation. The relationship between these two modes of N nutrition was analysed in 3 growth types (determinate, semi-determinate and undeterminate) of soybean. The nitrate reductase activity and nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) of plants grown in the field and greenhouse showed that these enzymatic activity acted simultaneously or successively during the growth cycle, depending on the availability of inorganic nitrogen in the growing medium. Undeterminate soybean types had a higher potential nitrate reductase activities than determinate types.
The proportion of N₂ fixed as measured by ¹⁵N labelling or stem ureide content indicated that determinate soybeans derived a higher proportion of their N from N₂ fixation than the undeterminates.     

Shoot and Root Production and Nitrogen Uptake in Barley, with and without Nitrogen Fertilization

Two barley crops, one fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (B120) and the other without nitrogen fertilization (BO), were cultivated for the second year on the same plot. In 1981 the growth and nitrogen content of the whole plant, above- and below-ground parts were measured by sampling every second week. Production was calculated as the difference between annual maximum and minimum amounts of biomass found above- and below-ground. Nitrogen uptake was estimated as the sum of the peak amounts of nitrogen present in the roots and shoots. The amount and concentration of nitrogen in partly decomposed plant debris in the soil was estimated simultaneously with the biomass.
Total net production in B120 was 1004 g m⁻² of which the roots constituted 16%. The unfertilized barley produced 558 g m⁻² of which 23% were produced below-ground. The maximum amount of living roots found in B120 was 160 g ash-free dry mass m⁻² and 128 g m⁻² in BO.
In the fertilized treatment 15 g N m⁻² (21% in roots) was taken up by the plant, compared to 5.8 g N m⁻² (28% in roots) in the unfertilized crop.     

Phototropic Leaflet Reorientation in Alfalfa Germplasm Selected for Leaf Color and Size

Solar tracking has been described in several agronomic and wild species, yet variation within a given species has not been reported. To address that issue, photoperiod leaflet reorientation in response to vectorial light was measured in three alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) germplasm pools selected from the cultivar Ladak 65. Dark-leaf germplasm responded to all photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) (100 to 700 μmol/m²/s) with no detectable lag period. Following a 24-h dark treatment only high PPFD (600 to 700μmol/m²/s) elicited reorientation. Pale-leaf germplasm responded to intermediate (300 to 400 μmol/m²/s) and high PPFD in a similar manner; however, the low (100-125μmol/m²/s) PPFD treatment had little effect on reorientation. The 24-h dark treatment decreased reorientation at all PPFD. Small-leaf germplasm responded equally to all PPFD and was not affected by the 24-h dark treatment. The results suggest that available energy levels may influence the reorientation response. Carbonyl cyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone, an inhibitor of photophosphorylation, and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, an inhibitor of non-cyclic photosynthetic electron transport, reduced reorientation only in the pale-leaf type. These results suggest that stored energy reserves were adequate to maintain leaflet reorientation in the absence of photosynthesis in all but the pale-leaf germplasm. In that germplasm photosynthetically generated energy may be required to support reorientation.     

Stickstoff-Eintrag und -Verbleib im Boden unter offenen und abgedeckten Mistmieten

Nitrogen penetration and persistence in soil under uncovered and covered farmyard manure heaps
After deposition of cattle manure for 308 days neither the total nitrogen nor the nitrate but onlv the ammonia content in the soil (0–70 cm) was significantly increased. During a 258 days period from autumn to spring the observed microbial oxidation of penetrated ammonia to nitrate was tardy and by no means quantitative. So leaching of nitrate was hardly to be detected during the whole period. In the soil layer 40–70 cm a maximum of 1.6 g NO₃⁻-N/m² was measured, which was in an equivalent range with the amounts detected by large scale investigations in agricultural soils at the same season. Therefore the manure heaps in question did not lead to an uncommon increase of nitrate in soil. The protection of the heaps against precipitation simply brought about small and only a few times significant reductions in soil N_min content.     

N-Dynamik des Bodens, Ertragsbildung und Stickstoffentzug von Winterweizen bei unterschiedlicher Höhe und Verteilung der mineralischen N-Düngung

NO₃ dynamics in the soil, yield formation and N uptake of winter wheat as influenced by dosage and distribution effects of N-fertilizer application
In a 4 year series of field trials carried out with 9 regimes of nitrogen fertilizer application at two trial sites with rather shallow top soil layers but large deviations in soil characteristics, grain yield varied between 50 dt/ ha and 120 dt/ha with nitrogen doses from 0–170 kg N/ha. Soil nitrogen supply for wheat grain formation on unfertilized plots reached 80 kg N/ha/year within the narrow range of 75–95 kg N/ha in different years at both sites which amounts to 1.5 % and 0.5 % of the highly different N-content of the trial sites.
The most successful nitrogen application regimes are characterized by modest fertilizer doses in early spring and the delay of supplemental fertilizer doses until growth stage EC 32. They resulted into modest NO) soil content from EC 29 to EC 32 and/or a noticable decrease of soil NO₃ content during growth stage EC 30–32, which seems to be responsible for the development of only modest stand densities and reduced straw yield, while the delayed supplementation with nitrogen fertilizer overcompensated these effects mainly by increased grain numbers/ear and a remarkable improvement of harvest index.
The contribution of soil borne nitrogen to kernel yield formation started to decrease with even low dosages of supplemental nitrogen fertilization with the exception of the highest yielding season 1987/88. Top levels of grain yield have been regularly obtained with supplemental nitrogen fertilizer dosages about 40 kg N/ha below grain yield nitrogen extraction if they were added within favorable application regimes.     

Some Agronomic and Physiological Aspects of Salt Tolerance in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Evaluation of commonly grown cotton (Gossypium hir-sutum L.) genotypes under saline environment may help to cope with the venture of the crop failure in salt-affected soils. In a pot experiment, four cotton genotypes (MNH-93, NIAB-78. S-12, and B-557) were grown to compare their relative performance on a sandy clay loam soil (original ECe = 1.9 dS m⁻¹) salinized with a salt mixture (Na₂SO₄, NaCl, CaCl₂, MgSO₄ in the ratio of 9:5:5:1 on equivalent basis) to EQ levels of 10 and 20 dS m⁻¹. The crop was raised to the flower initiation stage. The imposed salinity stress exhibited deleterious effect on the germination and vegetative growth with significant differences among the genotypes. Leaf area, stem thickness, shoot (stem + leaves) and root weights decreased with the increase in substrate salinity. NIAB-78 showed the least decline followed by MNH-93. Leaf thickness showed an opposite trend as an increase in this parameter was observed with the rising salinity, the maximum increase being in the case of NIAB-78. Analysis of the leaf sap showed increased Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations and decreased K⁺ concentration with the increase in substrate salinity. A better osmotic adjustment, a lower Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and a lower Cl concentration were found in the leaves of NIAB-78 followed by MNH-93. This contributed towards their better growth performance under saline conditions.     

Soybean Genotypic Variation for Nitrogen Fixation

Eighteen soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr) cultivars from maturity groups V and VI were screened with two Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains (USDA 110 and TAL 378) in the greenhouse to determine N₂ fixation (C₂H_2: reduction) rates. Antibiotic resistant markers were used for observing nodule occupancy. Cultivars L.-76-0132, PI 159319, Hoberland, Lee, PI 22173 and Centennial showed high nitrogenase activity of 6.25, 5.54, 17.43, 4.73, 6.94, and 4.81 μM C₂H₄/Pl/hr, respectively. Cultivars PI417419, PI 230978, Ogden , and FC 31665 showed low nitrogenase activity of 1.51, 0.80, 0.62 and 0.94 μM C₂H₄/Pl/hr, respectively. The data from this screening experiment suggest that the N₂ fixation varied among genotypes and all the nodules were occupied by the inoculated strains only. Rhizobial strain effect was observed among soybean cultivars (MGVI).     

Effects of Root-Zone Temperature on Growth and Development of Roots of Two Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Clones as Influenced by Plant Age, Nutrient Supply, and Light Intensity

The effects of supraoptimal root-zone temperature (30 °C) on growth and development of roots were investigated in water and soil culture with cuttings of two potato clones DTO-2 (heat tolerant) and LT-1 (heat sensitive) at different plant ages, with different compositions of the nutrient solution, and different light intensities. It is suggested that the negative relation between cutting age and heat susceptibility observed in our experiments, is a reflection of the decreasing shoot/root dry weight ratio rather than of age. Heat damage of root systems increased with the concentration of the nutrient solution, nitrate being the main factor responsible. The influence of light intensity on temperature mediated restriction of root growth was relatively small. However the roots of plants grown under low light intensity (60 W m⁻² PAR) appeared to be less stressed by supraoptimal temperature, i.e. roots appeared brighter, thinner and more ramified than plants growing at high light intensity (190 W m⁻²).     

Optimum Seed Rate and Nitrogen Fertilizer Requirement of Rice Under Semi-deepwater Ecosystem

The effect of varying seed rates (100–1000 seeds m⁻²) and nitrogen fertilizer (0–60 kg N ha_-1) applied either in a single basal dose or in splits was investigated on a tall elongating, photosensitive rice variety, Nalini, under semi-deepwater conditions (0–100cm) during 1993 and 1994 at Cuttack, India. Seedling emergence was higher in 1993 (53.9 %) than in 1994 (44.1 %) and it increased proportionately with increasing seed rate, Increase in the number of tillers and panicles m⁻² at higher seed rates was associated with a corresponding decrease in panicle weight. Regression analysis indicated a decrease of 0.91–1.28g in panicle weight for an increase of 100 panicles m⁻². The grain yield of rice was significantly higher at 400 seeds m⁻² in 1993 and at 600 seeds m⁻² in 1994 than at low seed rates but further increase in seed rate did not increase the yield. Application of N fertilizer increased the panicle number and thereby grain yield significantly. The effect of basal and split applied N at active or maximum tillering stages as well as between 30 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was not significant on the grain yield. The results suggest that a basal dose of 30kg N ha⁻¹ and seeding density of 400–600 seeds m⁻², resulting in 40–50 % seedling emergence and 150–200 panicles m⁻², each with 2.0–2.5 g weight, may be adequate for optimum productivity of rice under semideepwater conditions.     

Interactive Effects of Salinity and Biological Nitrogen Fixation on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Growth

The effect of salinity on the nodulation, N-fixation and plant growth of selected chickpea- Rhizobium symbionts was studied- Eighteen chickpea rhizobial strains were evaluated for their growth in a broth culture at salinity levels of 0 to 20 dS m⁻¹ of NaCl + Na₂SO₄. Variability in response was high. Salinity generally reduced the lag phase and/or slowed the log phase of multiplication of Rhizobium. Nine chickpea genotypes were also evaluated for salt tolerance during germination and early seedling growth in Petri dishes at five salinity levels (0–32 dS m⁻¹). Chickpea genotypes ILC-205 and ILC-1919 were the most salt-tolerant genotypes. The selected rhizobial strains and chickpea cultivars were combined in a pot experiment aimed at investigating the interactive effect of salinity (3, 6 and 9 dS m⁻¹) and N source (symbiosis vs. inorganic N) on plant growth. Symbiotic plants were more sensitive to salinity than plants fed mineral N. Significant reductions in nodule dry weight (59.8 %) and N fixation (63.5 %) were evident even at the lowest salinity level of 3 dS m-¹. Although nodules were observed in inoculated plants grown at 6 dS m-¹, N-fixation was completely inhibited. The findings indicate that symbiosis is more salt-sensitive than both Rhizobium and the host plant, probably due to a breakdown in one of the processes involved in symbiotic-N fixation. Improvement of salinity tolerance in field grown chickpea may be achieved by application of sufficient amounts of mineral nitrogen.     

Effect of Seeding Rate on Seed and Hay Yield in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.)

The effects of six seeding rates (50-300 seeds m^−2:) on some morphological traits with hay and seed yield were evaluated in common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) under fall and spring sowing conditions. The mutual correlations among yield and yield components were also determined.
The sowing seasons and seeding rates significantly affected hay and seed yield, and most of the yield components. Fall sowings resulted in significantly higher hay and seed yield than spring sowings at all seeding rates, and the highest seed and hay yield was achieved in densities of 250 and 300 seeds m⁻². In spring sowings there was a positive response in hay yield up to 250 seeds m⁻² while no further increase in seed yield at the seeding rates higher than 150 seeds m⁻². Average protein content of hay and seed was found to be higher in spring sown crops than fall. The highest protein yields of hay and seed were obtained at 250 seeds m⁻² in fall sowings, and 150 seeds m⁻² in spring sowings.
Most of the correlations between both hay and seed yields with the yield components were not consistent and differed with the sowing time. Only the correlations between number of the plants per unit area with hay yield, and number of the pods and seeds per unit area with seed yield were statistically significant in both sowing seasons. Close positive associations were obtained between hay and seed yield.     

Physiological Responses of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) –Aegilops Sharonensis Introgression Lines to Excess Copper

Two wheat lines (TL3 and TL5) derived from selection for Cu tolerance among wheat – Aegilops sharonensis hybrids were compared when grown as hydroponics at zero (control), 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻⁵  m CuSO₄. The morphometric measurements showed that the line TL5 with a more inhibited root system under 10⁻⁶  m CuSO₄ had a less inhibited shoot growth under 10⁻⁵  m CuSO₄ as compared to TL3. The decreased maximum efficiency of photosystem II and the more pronounced trend towards increased catalase activity suggested that despite the better shoot growth, the leaves of TL5 were more functionally injured. The increased content of carotenoids at excess Cu and the higher peroxidase and catalase activities of TL3 in control plants might contribute to its better stress tolerance. While no significant changes in enzyme activities were found at 10⁻⁶  m Cu, at 10⁻⁵  m the activities tended to increase. Although the close values of free phenolics concentrations in control plants, at Cu excess their content was higher in TL5 compared to TL3. The free phenolics content in roots at 10⁻⁶  m Cu decreased, and although higher at 10⁻⁵  m Cu, it remained below the control in TL3, and above the control in TL5. From the obtained results TL3 emerged to be more tolerant to excess Cu than TL5.     

Intra-specific Variation for Salt Tolerance in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Thirty-six accessions of linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) were screened for salt tolerance at the seedling stage after 2 weeks growth in solution culture salinized with 150mol m⁻³ NaCL Considerable variation in salt tolerance was observed in this set of germplasm. Two salt-tolerant accessions, T-5(69-S9)B and LS-2 and two salt-sensitive accessions P-70 and Aver-Rer-Seic, selected at the seedling stage, were grown to maturity in sand culture salinized with 0 (control), 70, 140, and 210 mol m⁻³ NaCl. Both the salt-tolerant accessions exceeded the two salt-sensitive accessions in biomass production, seed yield, and yield components, but the accessions did not differ significantly in seed oil content in the salt treatments. The tolerant accessions accumulated greater amounts of Na⁺ in the shoots and less in the roots compared with the salt-sensitive accessions. The shoot K⁺, K: Na ratios, and K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity were lower in the salt-tolerant accessions compared with the salt-sensitive accessions; the reverse was true for their roots. Contributions of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ to osmotic adjustment were much higher in the two salt-tolerant accessions than in the salt-sensitive ones.
It has been established that there is a great deal of variation for salt tolerance in linseed. The degree of salt tolerance of this crop does not vary during ontogeny. The physiological basis of salt tolerance of this species appears to be associated with the inclusion of Na⁺ in the shoots.     

Nitrogen Fixation by Hybrids of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Trifolium nigrescens

Development of hybrids between white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) and Trifolium nigrescens provides a novel route for genetically improving the reproductive capacity of white clover, provided the hybrids are agronomically viable, particularly with respect to N₂ fixation. A comparative study of growth and rates of N₂ fixation over 21 days was conducted with the parental species, F ₁ hybrids and backcross hybrids, in flowing solution culture, without a supply of mineral N to the plants. T. nigrescens was unable to fix N₂ in association with the strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar. trifolii selected for inoculation. Rates of N₂ fixation per plant increased in the order T. nigrescens < F ₁ hybrid < T. repens < backcross 1. Specific rates of N₂ fixation (days 0–21) increased in the order T. nigrescens < F ₁ hybrid < backcross 1 <  T. repens . Dry matter production and nodule biomass per plant increased at a higher rate in backcross 1 hybrids than in T. repens. The results suggest that the potential for N₂ fixation by backcross 1 hybrids is at least as great as that by T. repens .