Effects of urea nitrogen and residual composted municipal waste and sheep manure on the growth and chemical composition of two triticale genotypes

In 2012, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of field soil (C0), residual composted municipal waste (CMW), and residual composted sheep manure (SM) on the growth of triticale in pots previously growing oilseed rape in 2011. To each soil group, one of three levels of urea nitrogen (N) fertilizer was added. Results demonstrated that triticale grown in pots previously containing oilseed rape plants containing SM or CMW with 150 kg urea N ha^?1 had the highest N content. Plants grown in SM with 150 kg N ha^?1 had the greatest seed yield, but yield was not significantly different from plants grown in CMW receiving 150 kg N ha^?1. Triticale plants enriched by either SM or CMW had a higher amount of N, copper, zinc, and manganese compared to the field soil control.     

Organic amendments and urea nitrogen effects the growth and nutrient content of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum) and goat pea (Securigera securidaca)

Abstract

In Iran, the recent spike in herbal medicines has led to a corresponding price increase. Therefore, these montane species are now widely field cultivated. Medicinal plant consumers strongly prefer organically grown plants, and farmers are responding to this market. However, the effects of organic amendments on medicinal plant nutrient content and yield have been poorly studied. Therefore, this study measured the effects of different organic treatments on the growth of fenugreek and goat pea. Plants were grown to compare the effects of composted municipal waste (CMW), vermicompost (VC), and urea nitrogen (N) to untreated field soil (C0). Germination percentage was significantly higher in urea N (76.5%), CMW (75.5%), and VC (51.6%) compared to C0 (36.3%). Fenugreek performed better in organic amendment treatments than goat pea. Urea N also increased fenugreek plant dry matter significantly compared to C0, but this increment was not as high as CMW or VC. Plants grown in VC had higher whole plant N content (3.2%) than those grown in CMW (2.8%) and plants grown in urea N (2.6%). Plants treated with CMW (8613?mg kg^?1) and VC (8503?mg kg^?1) had a significantly higher P content than those treated with N (7430?mg kg^?1) or C0 control grown (7236?mg kg^?1). Application of VC significantly increased plant K content (2483?mg kg^?1) compared to CMW (1850?mg kg^?1), N (1750?mg kg^?1), and C0 control (1716?mg kg^?1). Even without fertilization, both plant species contained a considerable amount of micronutrient elements.     

Influence of colored plastic mulch on soil temperature,growth, nutrimental status,and yield of bell pepper under shade house conditions

The aim of this study was to determine if plastic mulch films may have positive effects on bell pepper plants grown under shade house conditions. The experimental design was split-plot, where large plots contained four plastic mulch films (black, aluminum, silver, and white) compared to bare soil and small plots contained two bell pepper cultivars. Plant shoot dry weight was higher in plastic mulch treatments than in bare soil. The net photosynthesis rate in the cultivar SWG-46 exceeded in net photosynthesis with respect to the cultivar SWG-42 in one of three sampling dates. Nutrients in leaf showed a similar behavior in plastic mulch treatments than the control but the total content of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) was increased. The total yield was higher in black plastic mulch than in the other plastic mulch colors and lowest in the control.     

MYCORRHIZAL INFLUENCE ON FRUIT YIELD AND MINERAL CONTENT OF TOMATO GROWN UNDER SALT STRESS

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yields are known to decrease for plants grown in saline soils. This study was conducted to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on fruit yield and mineral content of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive tomato cultivars grown with varied levels of salt. NaCl and CaCl₂were added to soil in the irrigation water in equal molar ratios to give EC_e values of 1.4 (nonstressed) and 4.9 dS m^?1 (salt stressed). Plants were grown in a greenhouse using unsterilized, low phosphorus (P) (silty clay) soil-sand mix. Mycorrhizal root colonization occurred whether cultivars were salt stressed or nonstressed, but the extent of AMF root colonization was higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants. The salt tolerant cultivar ‘Pello’ generally had higher AMF root colonization than the salt sensitive cultivar ‘Marriha’. Shoot dry matter (DM) yield, fruit fresh yield, and AMF colonization were higher for plants grown under nonstressed than for plants grown under salt stressed conditions. Shoot DM and fruit fresh yields were higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown with or without salt stress. Pello generally had higher fruit fresh yield per plant and fruit weight than Marriha, but these differences were only significant for fruit weight in unioculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in fruit fresh yield due to AMF inoculation was 26 and 23% under nonstressed and 28 and 46% under salt stressed treatments for Pello and Marriha, respectively. For both cultivars, fruit contents of P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) were higher in AMF inoculated compared with uninoculated plants grown under nonstressed and salt stressed conditions. Fruit Na concentrations were lower in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe acquisition due to AMF inoculation was more pronounced in Marriha than in Pello cultivar under salt stressed conditions. The results of this study indicated that AMF inoculated plants had greater tolerance to salt stress than unioculated plants.     

Substituting urea by organic wastes for improving maize yield in alkaline soil

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deficiency is a very common problem of alkaline soils. Incorporation of organic residues with urea could be promising practice for improving soil properties and crop yield. This study was aimed, to evaluate the responses of two maize cultivar (Azam and Jalal) to organic wastes and Urea (sole organic residues i.e. seed cake (SC), poultry manure (PM), press mud (PrM) and mineral nitrogen (urea) and their combinations with urea (25%, 50% or 75%) applied at 150?kg N ha^?1 under field conditions. Significant differences were recorded for leaf area index, plant height, number of grains ear^?1, 1000 grain weight, biological and grain yield to N sources. Maize cultivar Jalal performed significantly better than Azam for all tested traits. The performance of both cultivars was significantly better when N was applied as either SC/PM with urea at 25:75, SC and PM with urea at 25:25:50, 100% sole urea, SC/PrM with urea at 50:50, or all organic N sources (25%) with urea (75%). Integration of organic wastes with urea gave the higher maize yield however, it was similar to the yield obtained from sole urea but due to allied environmental and health hazards, the sole use of urea could not be encouraged.     

Grain yield,seed weight,seed N concentration,and nodule activity of soybean as influenced by defoliation and N fertilizer

It is unknown if nitrogen (N) fertilizer application will ameliorate the yield loss associated with severe defoliation of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] at the R5 stage of growth. The objective of this field study was to investigate the interaction of N fertilization rate and extent of defoliation on soybean yield, seed weight, seed N concentration, and nodule activity. Field experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 on a Drummer silty clay loam (Typic Haplaquolls). Treatment variables were three cultivars: BSR 101, Chamberlain, and Elgin 87; three N fertilizer rates applied one day after defoliation: 0, 84, and 168 kg N ha^‐1 as urea; and three levels of defoliation: 0, 50, and 75%. Grain yield was not significantly affected by N rate but did decrease with defoliation. Fertilizer N did not ameliorate the yield reduction associated with defoliation. Seed weight decreased linearly with increasing defoliation. Plants exposed to the most severe defoliation produced seed which weighed 1 g 100^‐1 seed less than seed from nondefoliated plants. In 1989 seed weight of only the nondefoliated plants increased slightly with N rate, seed weight was not affected by N rate for any other year by defoliation treatment combination. Seed N concentration was not affected by N rate. Seed N concentration increased with defoliation in 1988 but not in 1989. Seed N concentration was not affected by defoliation in 1989. N fertilizer application and defoliation decreased nodule activity. Defoliated plants utilized nitrates in preference to dinitrogen fixation. Fertilizer N increased the concentration of nitrates in the plant, but the increase did not ameliorate the yield loss. Developing pods and seed are the predominate sink. The additional energy presumably required for dinitrogen fixation did not exacerbate the yield loss.     

不同年代冬小麦品种的产量和磷生理效率对土壤肥力水平的响应

【目的】 本研究利用长期施肥定位试验构建的不同土壤肥力梯度,探索陕西关中地区小麦品种演替过程中产量、产量构成因素以及磷生理效率的变化,以期了解品种演替对土壤肥力水平以及磷效率的响应,为今后品种选育提供参考。 【方法】 长期试验包括 7 个处理,分别为不施肥处理 (CK)、单施两个水平有机肥处理 (M1 和 M2)、两个水平有机肥与两个水平无机肥配施处理 (M1N1P1、M1N2P2、M2N1P1、M2N2P2)。小麦品种为小偃 6 号 (80 年代)、小偃 22 (90 年代末) 以及西农 979 (当前品种)。 【结果】 小麦品种演替过程中单产水平逐步提高,同时小麦产量随着土壤肥力水平提高呈显著增加趋势;品种更替的增产效应主要反映在高肥力土壤上 (有机无机配施的 4 个处理),而在低肥力 (CK、M1、M2) 土壤上品种更替产量差异不显著。小麦品种演替过程中,在低肥力情况下穗数表现为 90 年代末的小偃 22 低于 80 年代的小偃 6 号,而当前品种西农 979 又高于小偃 6 号的趋势;但在高肥力情况下随品种演替穗数基本呈现为增加的趋势。在低肥力情况下随品种演替穗粒数的变化不一致,而在高肥力情况下穗粒数随品种演替基本呈增加的趋势。随着品种演替,无论在高肥力还是低肥力情况下,千粒重均呈逐渐增加的趋势。三个品种的穗数、穗粒数以及千粒重均随土壤肥力水平提高以及养分投入增加而呈增加的趋势。随着品种更替,无论高肥力还是低肥力土壤 100 kg 小麦需磷量均呈下降趋势,具体为小偃 6 号 > 西农 979 > 小偃 22 号;不过低肥力土壤的 100 kg 需磷量高于高肥力土壤。随品种的演替,无论高肥力土壤还是低肥力土壤磷生理效率均呈现升高的趋势,但是高肥力土壤的磷生理效率高于低肥力土壤。 【结论】 陕西关中地区随品种更替小麦单产逐渐提高,其中西农 979 单产的提升是由于穗数和千粒重的提高,而小偃 22 号单产的提升则由于穗粒数和千粒重的提高。品种更替在低肥力土壤上并没有表现出产量及磷效率的优势,在高肥力土壤上表现出产量及磷效率的协同提高。因此,品种更替对土壤肥力水平的要求更高,土壤培肥以及定向育种的有机结合是实现陕西关中小麦高产高效、可持续发展的有效方略。      

Manganese seed content and take‐all of cereals 1

Manganese (Mn) is a critical regulator of many physiological defense reactions of plants to disease; and the severity of take‐all root, crown, and foot rot of cereals has been correlated with such cultural practices as form of nitrogen (N), pH adjustment, and crop rotation which all influence the availability of Mn. This study was initiated to determine if the content of Mn in seed influences the severity of take‐all. Five cultivars of soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown under two widely different ecological conditions (alkaline, low Mn soil and Mn sufficient soil) to modify their Mn seed content Four cultivars (Cardinal, Lincoln, Steele, and Twain) differed by 10 to 18 μg g^‐1 in Mn seed content (0.33 to 60 ug seed^‐1) while the Mn seed content of one cultivar (Caldwell) was similar from both locations. All cultivars were grown at three field locations in Indiana with natural infestations of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt). Under these moderately‐severe to severe disease conditions, plants from seed with the higher Mn seed content were generally more vigorous, had an average of 11% less take‐all (white heads), and yielded an average of 165 kg/ha more grain than plants from seed of the same cultivar with a lower Mn content No significant differences in vigor, yield, or take‐all severity were observed with either source of the cultivar grown from seed produced under widely different environments unless there was a significant difference in Mn seed content.     

我国南方主推水稻品种氮效率筛选及评价

【目的】评价我国南方地区主推水稻品种氮效率,筛选氮高效和氮低效品种,并探索其高效和低效的原因及其生理机制。【方法】选用34份我国南方主推水稻品种,采用大田小区试验和盆栽试验,进行正常氮和低氮处理,利用产量法并结合产量构成因子、叶片SPAD值以及水稻地上部氮素累积量,筛选出氮高效和氮低效品种。【结果】 1）在2011年大田试验中,34个品种正常氮处理产量大多高于低氮处理的产量。通过对氮效率的分析发现,徽两优6号、广两优35和天优华占3个品种具有较高的氮效率,分别达到1.11、1.02和1.00,而秀水134、富稻2号和五丰优7025的氮效率较低,分别为0.55、0.61和 0.61。通过对各品种的产量构成因子分析发现,正常氮处理下,各品种产量构成因子大多高于低氮处理。在低氮条件下,氮高效品种的穗数和穗粒数以及千粒重均较高。通过筛选发现徽两优6号、广两优35和天优华占3个水稻品种表现为氮高效;秀水134、富稻2号和五丰优7025 3个品种表现为氮低效。2）通过2012年大田和盆栽试验的复筛,发现大田与盆栽试验结果基本一致。实际产量和理论产量均表现出徽两优6号和广两优35的产量和氮效率较高,秀水134、五丰优7025和富稻2号的氮效率较低。通过对各品种的产量构成因子分析发现,2012年大田试验中,在正常氮条件下,高效品种广两优35的穗数、千粒重均显著高于低效品种。在对SPAD值的分析中发现,2012年大田试验中,低氮处理下氮高效品种在同一生育时期其SPAD值普遍高于或者显著高于低效品种。2012年盆栽试验中,正常氮处理下,高效品种叶片SPAD值略高于低效品种。在对水稻地上部氮累积量的研究中发现,在正常氮处理下,不同生育期高效品种与低效品种间普遍没有显著性差异,仅低效品种秀水134显著低于其他几个品种;而在低氮处理下,在分蘖期高效品种与低效品种并无显著性差异,甚至高效品种徽两优6号氮素累积量还要低于低效品种;但在灌浆期和成熟期,两个高效品种的氮素累积量高于或显著高于低效品种。【结论】确定广两优35为高效品种,秀水134为低效品种。氮高效品种在低氮胁迫下,能够获得较高的穗数和穗粒数,从而获得较高产量。特别在生育后期,高效品种地上部能够积累更多的氮素,从而可促进光合作用,提高碳、氮同化效率,并获得较高产量。     

Modern wheat cultivars have greater root nitrogen uptake efficiency than old cultivars

The availability of nitrogen (N) contained in crop residues for a following crop may vary with cultivar, depending on root traits and the interaction between roots and soil. We used a pot experiment to investigate the effects of six spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (three old varieties introduced before mid last century and three modern varieties) and N fertilization on the ability of wheat to acquire N from maize (Zea mays L.) straw added to soil. Wheat was grown in a soil where ¹⁵N‐labeled maize straw had been incorporated with or without N fertilization. Higher grain yield in three modern and one old cultivar was ascribed to preferred allocation of photosynthate to aboveground plant parts and from vegetative organs to grains. Root biomass, root length density and root surface area were all smaller in modern than in old cultivars at both anthesis and maturity. Root mean diameter was generally similar between modern and old cultivars at anthesis but was greater in modern than in old cultivars at maturity. There were cultivar differences in N uptake from incorporated maize straw and the other N sources (soil and fertilizer). However, these differences were not related to variation in the measured root parameters among the six cultivars. At anthesis, total N uptake efficiencies by roots (total N uptake per root weight or root length) were greater in modern than in old cultivars within each fertilization level. At maturity, averaged over fertilization levels, the total N uptake efficiencies by roots were 292?336 mg N g^?1 roots or 3.2?4.0 mg N m^?1 roots for three modern cultivars, in contrast to 132?213 mg N g^?1 roots or 0.93?1.6 mg N m^?1 roots for three old cultivars. Fertilization enhanced the utilization of N from maize straw by all cultivars, but root N uptake efficiencies were less affected. We concluded that modern spring wheat cultivars had higher root N uptake efficiency than old cultivars.     

Carbon dioxide assimilation efficiency of four spring wheat cultivars grown under low and high nitrogen 1

Little is known about varietal differences in carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation efficiency of leaves during the grain filling period under nitrogen (N) stress. The objective of this study was to compare four cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in the growth chamber under high and low soil N regimes for their CO₂ assimilation efficiency indices (AEI), CO₂ exchange rate (CER), leaf N concentration (NL) and spike grain yield and its components. The cuitivars used in the study had different characteristics. Nesma is an older cultivar, but adapted to a large range of environments in northern Africa, Merchouch 8 is a newer cultivar adapted to the semi arid and arid areas, 5/70–32 is adapted to more favorable conditions (high moisture), and Saada was used because it has high tillering capacity and resists Hessian fly (Maeytiola destructor Say.). Measurements were taken at stem elongation, boot and dough stages on the last well developed leaf for AEI, CER, and NL and at physiological maturity for grain yield and its components. This study showed that increased N supply improved the values of CER, AEI, and grain yield and its components. Cultivars differed under both high and low N conditions for all the variables measured. Merchouch 8 had the highest AEI and NL at all stages, and its seed number/head and seed weight were less affected by N stress. Saada had higher values of CER, especially at stem elongation, while 5/70–32 had the lowest values for the parameters measured. Nesma was intermediate for AEI. From this study, we concluded that Merchouch 8 was the most stable cultivar under different soil N environments and can tolerate low N regimes. Although the number of cultivars in the test was small, they represented a wide range of adaptation and/or use. On this basis, it appears that physiological measures of AEI and CER may assist in identifying wheat cultivars which are superior for use in reduced N environments.     

Varietal tolerance of zinc toxicity in peanuts

Peanuts (Arachishypogaea) are more susceptible to zinc (Zn) toxicity than other crops. However, there is potential for rapid evolution of Zn tolerance in many species. The objectives of this study were to test a nutrient solution screening procedure for identifying Zn tolerant cultivars and to identify plant characteristics and cultivars which have potential for Zn tolerance. Florunner was used as the test cultivar to determine the optimum Zn and pH levels for the nutrient solution cultivar screening test. The screening test showed that VA 81B and NC 6 (both virginia‐type peanuts) were more Zn sensitive than Florunner and that N. M. Valencia C and McRan (both valencia‐type peanuts) were more tolerant than Florunner. Field tests were carried out at three locations in Tift County, Georgia: Gibbs Farm (1986–87), Richards Farm (1991), and Stephens Farm (1992). Two out of four field tests did not have adequate soil Zn levels to test Zn tolerance; soil pH between 5.0 and 5.5 and Mehlich 1 soil Zn level ranging from 15–20 mg/kg should be adequate for cultivar screening in the field. Spanish‐type cultivars (Pronto, Spanco, and Starr) had the lowest toxicity ratings and highest yields (Gibbs, 1987), but yields were not economically viable for any cultivars. Aboveground plant Zn or calcium (Ca): Zn ratio were not good indicators of cultivar tolerance. However, low hull Zn concentration, high hull Ca: Zn ratio, and high plant Zn: root Zn ratio correlated well with high yield and low toxicity rating. Minimization of Zn uptake by the hulls would evidently be beneficial in aiding peanut plants in tolerating high soil Zn levels while producing economic yields.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN AND SULFUR ON YIELD AND SEED QUALITY OF THREE CANOLA CULTIVARS

In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilizers on yield and seed quality of three canola cultivars, a factorial based on randomized complete block experiment was conducted during 2005–2006 in Iran. Treatments included four nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha^?1 source of urea), four sulfur rates (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg S ha^?1), and three cultivars (‘Pf’, ‘Option-500’, and ‘Hyola-401’). Results indicated cultivar had a significant effect on all studied traits. ‘Option-500’ and ‘Hyola-401’ cultivars had the highest seed yield, protein content, and N:S ratio in seed. The levels of 150 and 220 kg N ha^?1 resulted in the maximum protein content. Increasing N levels resulted in N content and decreased the oil content. The interaction effect between S and N levels showed the highest N content in seed was obtained with 300 kg S ha^?1 and 225 kg N ha^?1.     

不同生态条件下氮高效水稻品种干物质积累和产量特性

  【目的】  研究生态条件和施氮水平及其互作对氮高效水稻品种干物质积累、物质转运和产量的影响,为不同稻区不同施氮水平下选择适宜的水稻品种提供科学依据。  【方法】  本试验于2019年在四川省大邑县(弱光寡照)和云南省永胜县(光温充足)两个生态点进行,以西南地区大范围种植的10个水稻品种为供试材料,采用两因素裂区设计,主区为不施氮(N0)、低氮120 kg/hm2 (N120)和高氮180 kg/hm2 (N180) 3个施氮水平,副区为10个品种。分别于拔节期、抽穗期和成熟期测定干物重,计算不同时期干物质积累和转运量,于收获后测定水稻产量。  【结果】  水稻产量和干物质生产特性为生态条件、施氮水平、品种及其互作效应共同作用的结果。大邑生态点宜香优1108在N120下的产量比N180提高4.68%,永胜点德优4923在N120施氮水平下的产量比N180提高113.4 kg/hm2,结合产量和GGE模型分析,大邑生态点宜香优1108为低氮高效型,晶两优534和F优498为高氮高效型;永胜点德优4923为低氮高效型,中优295和丰优香占为高氮高效型。氮高效水稻干物质积累和转运特征因生态条件和施氮量的变化而变化。大邑低氮高效型品种产量主要来自拔节前干物质的积累和抽穗前光合产物的转化,产量优势在于足量的单位面积有效穗数,移栽至拔节期的群体生长率与产量(r=0.70**)和有效穗数(r=0.41*)呈显著正相关;大邑生态点高氮高效型品种抽穗至成熟期群体生长率和穗后干物质积累量对籽粒的贡献率明显高于其它品种,产量与抽穗至成熟期群体生长率(r=0.56**)和穗后干物质积累量对籽粒的贡献率(r=0.37*)呈显著正相关关系;永胜低氮高效型品种干物质积累特征在于拔节至抽穗期群体生长率和穗前干物质转化对籽粒的贡献率较高,千粒重较同处理平均值提高13.61%;永胜高氮高效型品种具有拔节至抽穗期高群体生长率的物质生产特性,产量优势在于较高的每穗颖花数,该点拔节至抽穗期群体生长率与产量(r = 0.60**)和每穗颖花数(r = 0.68**)均呈极显著正相关关系。  【结论】  在大邑等弱光寡照地区,低氮高效型品种应保证前期较高的生长速率和穗前干物质转化对籽粒的贡献率;高氮高效型品种应保持抽穗后高群体生长率并增加穗后光合产物的积累。在永胜等光温充足地区,拔节至抽穗期较高的群体生长率是低氮高效型和高氮高效型品种共同的物质生产特征。     

Effect of nitrogen application on seed yield,pod and seed characteristics of okra

Four okra cultivars [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] were cultivated for two growing periods at nitrogen (N) application rates of 150, 300 and 450 mg N L^?1. There was no effect of N on pod size (length and diameter) or on the number of seeds per pod and seed size (mean 1000 seed weight), all these characteristics of which related to the genotype. High N application (450 mg N L^?1), increased the seed yield of the cultivar with the lowest flower induction (Boyiatiou), but only in experiment 2. In Veloudo, seed yield was highest at 300 mg N L^?1, whereas in Pylaias and Clemson 450 mg N L^?1 reduced seed yield. In all cultivars, seeds produced at an N rate of 450 mg N L^?1 exhibited a significantly higher percent germination N, possibly by reducing the incidence of seed hardness.     

Effect of seed phosphorus concentration on nodulation and growth of three common bean cultivars

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to evaluate the effects of seed phosphorus (P) concentration on growth, nodulation, and nitrogen (N) and P accumulation of three common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars. Seeds were produced under low or high soil P levels, and soaked, or not, in 200 mM KH₂PO₄ solution. The experiment had a 3×3×2×2 factorial block design: three cultivars (ICA Col 10103, Carioca and Honduras 35), three levels of applied P (15, 30 and 45 mg P kg^?1 soil), two native seed P concentrations, and two seed soaking treatments. Plants were harvested at flowering. Soaked seeds increased the number, dry mass and P content of nodules, but did not affect plant growth. Plants originated from seeds with high native P concentration presented higher shoot dry mass and nodule number and mass at every soil P level, and were less responsive to increased soil P supply, than plants from low seed P. In plants from seeds with high P, soil P levels did not alter significantly root dry mass, while in plants from seeds with low P bean cultivars expressed wider differences in root dry mass. The genotypic variability of nodulation was influenced by soil P levels and seed P concentration. Both higher soil or seed P supply enhanced N and P accumulation in shoots. These results indicate that a high seed P concentration produces plants less dependent on soil P supply, and can enhance nodulation and N₂ fixation of common bean. Seed P supply affected the cultivar performance, and should be considered in evaluation of bean genotypes.     

Genotypic differences in growth,yield and nutrient accumulation of spring wheat cultivars in response to long-term soil fertility regimes

Determining genotypic responses to soil fertility may assist selection of cultivars that can be adapted to varied soil fertility regimes, and such selection under field conditions is still limited. A two-year field experiment was conducted in long-term field trials to investigate wheat genotype effects on early growth, yield and nutrient accumulation as affected by varied long-term soil fertility managements and nitrogen (N) fertilization. Results show that the early growth, grain yield and nutrient accumulation of spring wheat plants were strongly affected by soil fertility managements and genotypes. Early shoot and root biomass of singly grown plants and leaf canopy growth under standard growth density was associated with subsequent grain yield of plants under standard growth density across the gradient in soil fertility levels. Taifun and Thasos had stable higher yield and N and phosphorus (P) uptake across varied soil fertility regimes compared with other genotypes. Økilde, however, increased yield by 8–34% and N and P accumulation by 1–22% only when grown in the high organic manure treatment compared with other genotypes, indicating that it is more adapted to high organic fertility regimes. Therefore, the different responses and adaptations of genotypes to soil fertility regimes should be included during selection of cultivars.     

Differences in mycorrhizal infection and P uptake of sweet potato cultivars (Ipomoea batatas L.) during their early growth in three soils

Summary Mycorrhizal infection in the roots of 10 sweet potato cultivars was assessed 7 weeks after planting in three soils collected from Ibadan, Fashola and Onne in southern Nigeria, three soils which contained 21.0, 7.8 and 54.8 mg P kg^–1, respectively. Mycorrhizal infection averaged 17% in the soil from Ibadan, 24% in the soil from Fashola and 7% in the acid soil from Onne. The plants grown in the Fashola soil contained the same percentage of P as plants grown in the Onne soil. Although the percentage of P in sweet potato was lowest in the Ibadan soil, shoot dry weights were 35% higher in this soil than in the other two soils. There was no correlation between the level of mycorrhizal infection and plant dry weight in the partially sterilized soil from Ibadan. Sweet potato inoculated in this soil with infected roots of Leucaena leucocephala showed a higher level of mycorrhizal infection than uninoculated plants. Dry-matter production was, however, the same for all treatments. The sweet potato cultivars differed in their level of mycorrhizal infection and in their response to applied P. Cultivars TIS 2498 and TIS 70357 consistently showed the lowest percentage of infection; and TIb 4, TIS 8441 and TIS 8524 showed infection levels above 20% in the Fashola and Ibadan soils. When the low-yielding cultivar, TIb 4, and an improved clone, TIS 9265, were grown in the presence of 50 and 100 mg single superphosphate per kg soil, TIb 4 produced more dry matter in the presence of P fertilizer than it did without the fertilizer. Growth and mycorrhizal infection of TIS 9265 were not affected by the fertilizer.     

Responses of Spring Wheat Cultivars to Nutrient Solutions Containing Additional Potassium Chloride

Hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars each respond differently to chloride fertilizer under field conditions. The objective of this research was to investigate cultivar-specific chloride responses under controlled environments. Plants were grown in sand culture ± additional chloride (±20 mM KCl) nutrient solutions for four weeks. Of cultivars given additional chloride, ‘Butte,’ ‘Sharp,’ ‘Ingot,’ ‘Oxen,’ ‘Forge,’ and ‘Ember’ had significantly greater shoot chloride uptake than ‘Marshall.’ In soil-grown plants given 0, 20, 80, or 160 mM KCl from planting to heading, seed number remained constant, while individual seed weight and total yield decreased at higher KCl treatment levels in ‘Butte.’ Individual seed weight remained constant, while seed number and total yield increased in ‘Marshall.’ It was concluded that chloride fertilizer response in ‘Marshall’ under field conditions may have been mediated by reduced chloride uptake, which in turn resulted in decreased chloride toxicity at higher-chloride soil fertility levels.     

Diversified nitrogen rates influence nitrogen agronomic efficiency and seed yield response index of sesame (Sesamum Indicum,L.) cultivars

ABSTRACT

Due to elevating costs of N fertilizer and growing apprehensions about nitrate, experiments evaluating nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) is becoming increasingly important in crop production. NAE and seed yield potentiality of three cultivars of sesame (Shandwel–1, Giza–32 and Sohag–1) were evaluated under four N applications (0, 72, 108, and 144 kg N ha^?1) in a field experiment. Results showed that Sohag–1 recorded the highest values of yield and yields traits surpassing the other two cultivars. Sesame plants received 144 or 108 kg N ha^?1 produced the highest seed yield. In plots fertilized by 108 or 144 kg N ha^?1, Sohag–1 was the potent cultivar for recording higher seed yield. N addition more or less than 108 kg N ha^?1 caused suppression in NAE. Sohag–1 was the most effective and responsive cultivar in N use being exceeded the averages of each seed yield at zero N rate and seed yield response index (SYRI).