Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain proteome response to elevated [CO2] varies between genotypes

The impact of rising carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) in the atmosphere on wheat grain protein concentration and proteome was investigated in this study. Wheat genotypes (H45, SB003, SB062 and Yitpi) were grown in the Australian Grains Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (AGFACE) facility, Horsham, Victoria, Australia under ambient [CO₂] (a[CO₂], 391 μmol mol⁻¹) and elevated [CO₂] (e[CO₂], 550 ± 20 μmol mol⁻¹). Grain yield and grain protein concentration were measured. Global grain proteome comparison was carried out using stable isotope dimethyl labelling followed by liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Grain yield was significantly increased at e[CO₂], whereas protein concentration was significantly decreased and responses varied between genotypes. Proteome-wide analysis revealed that protein composition was also altered under e[CO₂]. Grain protein concentration and composition of SB003 was very responsive to e[CO₂]. Mainly storage proteins were decreased at e[CO₂] and the responses varied between genotypes. These findings suggest that e[CO₂] may have a major impact on grain protein quality and thus bread quality and human and animal nutrition. Further, these findings suggest that [CO₂] insensitive cultivars can be identified for grain quality improvement under changing climate.     

Intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality in response to elevated [CO2] at two sowing times under rain-fed and irrigation treatments

In order to investigate the intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality response to elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (e[CO₂]), eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)cultivars were grown at two CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) (current atmospheric, 389 CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹vs. e[CO₂], FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment), 550  ±  10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹), at two water levels (rain-fed vs. irrigated) and at two times of sowing (TOS₁, vs. TOS₂). The TOS treatment was mainly imposed to understand whether e[CO₂] could modify the effects of timing of higher grain filling temperatures on grain quality. When plants were grown at TOS₁, TKW (thousand kernel weight), grain test weight, hardness index, P, Ca, Na and phytate were not significantly changed under e[CO₂]. On the other hand, e[CO₂] increased TKW (16%), hardness index (9%), kernel diameter (6%), test weight (2%) but decreased grain protein (10%) and grain phytate (11%) at TOS₂. In regard to grain Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations and some flour rheological properties, cultivar specific responses to e[CO₂] were observed at both sowing times. Observed genetic variability in response to e[CO₂] in terms of grain minerals and flour rheological properties could be easily incorporated into future wheat breeding programs to enable adaptation to climate change.     

Growth and carbon economy of nodulated white clover in the presence and absence of combined nitrogen

An investigation of the carbon economy of single S184 white clover plants nodulated with an effective strain of Rhizobium trifolii growing on N-free nutrient solution and supplied with 150 parts/10⁶ N as NH₄NO₃ has shown that 10% more of the C fixed per day is available for growth in the plants supplied with combined N. The difference between the two groups of plants is a result of higher respiratory activity in the roots of plants growing exclusively on N₂. In terms of shoot growth, however, the difference in growth rate is likely to be less than 10%, because the rate of root growth is greater in the plants supplied with a moderate level of combined N. There is no evidence that NO^-₃ and CO₂ compete for photosynthetically produced reductant in the leaves of plants grown on N₂+NH₄NO₃, since no reduction in net photosynthesis was observed in plants assimilating combined N. An experiment carried out on detached leaflets of white clover grown on N₂ and on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ has shown that NO^-₃ -reducing activity is present in the leaflets of plants grown on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ but not in plants grown on N₂ and that the activity is light-dependent. Measurements of ¹⁴CO₂ respired in the light and dark by leaflets previously allowed to photosynthesize ¹⁴CO₂ showed that the ratio of ¹⁴CO₂ output in the light to ¹⁴CO₂ output in the dark was no higher in plants grown on N₂+ NH₄NO₃ than in plants grown on N₂. This observation is consistent with the finding that N source does not affect net photosynthesis in whole plants.     

Wheat grain quality under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in a semi-arid cropping system

We investigated wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) of 550 ± 10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹. In each of two full growing seasons (2008 and 2009), two times of sowing were compared, with late sowing designed to mimic high temperature during grain filling. Grain samples were subjected to a range of physical, nutritional and rheological quality assessments. Elevated CO₂ increased thousand grain weight (8%) and grain diameter (5%). Flour protein concentration was reduced by 11% at e[CO₂], with the highest reduction being observed at the late time of sowing in 2009, (15%). Most of the grain mineral concentrations decreased under e[CO₂] - Ca (11%), Mg (7%), P (11%) and S (7%), Fe (10%), Zn (17%), Na (19%), while total uptake of these nutrients per unit ground area increased. Rheological properties of the flour were altered by e[CO₂] and bread volume reduced by 7%. Phytate concentration in grains tended to decrease (17%) at e[CO₂] while grain fructan concentration remained unchanged. The data suggest that rising atmospheric [CO₂] will reduce the nutritional and rheological quality of wheat grain, but at high temperature, e[CO₂] effects may be moderated. Reduced phytate concentrations at e[CO₂] may improve bioavailability of Fe and Zn in wheat grain.     

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus application on soil nitrogen morphological characteristics and grain yield of oil flax

In order to identify effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on soil nitrogen morphological characteristics and grain yield of oil flax, a two-factor experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in typical semi-arid and hilly-gully area of Loess Plateau with 3 replicates in 2013 and 2014. Two levels of N application included 150 ​kg/hm² (N₂) and 75 ​kg/hm² (N₁). P application included 150 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² (P₂) and 75 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² (P₁). Temporal and spatial variation of soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) contents in 0–60 ​cm soil layer, and relationship between soil NO₃⁻-N accumulation (SNA) and grain yield of oil flax were analyzed. Results showed that SNA increased with evaluated N application rate in different soil layers (0–20 ​cm, 20–40 ​cm and 40–60 ​cm). With the increased P application, SNA increased at N₁ level but decreased at N₂ level. SNA under N₂P₁ treatment increased by 73.33% in 2013 and 74.97% in 2014 respectively, compared with control treatment (CK) at maturity stage. Grain yield of oil flax also increased by 44.27% in 2013 and 56.55% in 2014, compared with CK under the same treatment. Correlation analysis showed that SNA in different soil layers were respectively positively correlated with grain yield. In conclusion, this research suggested that the optimal fertilizer application rate was 150 ​kg ​N/hm² and 75 ​kg P₂O₅/hm² in the Northwest of China.     

On-farm soil N supply and N nutrition in the rice–wheat system of Nepal and Bangladesh

On-farm research to evaluate the productivity and nitrogen (N) nutrition of a rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system was conducted with 21 farmers in the piedmont of Nepal and with 21 farmers in northwest Bangladesh. In Nepal, two levels of N-fertilizer (0–22–42 and 100–22–42 kg N–P–K ha⁻¹) and farmers’ nutrient management practices were tested in the rice season, and three levels of N (0–22–42, 70–22–42, and 100–22–42) and farmers’ practices were evaluated in the wheat season. The treatments in Bangladesh included a researchers managed minus-N plot (0–22–42) and the farmers’ practices. Rice and wheat yields were higher in all treatments than the 0–22–42 control plots, with the exception of rice with the farmers’ practices at one location in Bangladesh. The researchers’ treatment of 100–22–42 in Nepal resulted in larger yields of both rice and wheat than the farmers’ practices, indicating that farmers’ rates of N-fertilizer (mean 49 kg N ha⁻¹) were too low. Delaying wheat seeding reduced yields in the fertilized plots in both countries, especially as N-fertilizer dose increased. Soil N-supplying capacities (SNSC), measured as total N accumulation from the zero-N plots (0–22–42), and grain yields without N additions were greater for rice than for wheat in both Nepal and Bangladesh. Higher SNSC in rice was probably due to greater mineralization of soil organic N in the warm, moist conditions of the monsoon season than in the cooler, drier wheat season. However, SNSC was not correlated with total soil N, two soil N availability tests (hot KCl-extractable NH₄⁺ or 7-day anaerobic incubation), exchangeable NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻. Wheat in Nepal had greater N-recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency of N, and physiological efficiency of N than rice. Nitrogen internal-use efficiency of rice for all treatments in both countries was within published ranges of maximum sufficiency and maximum dilution. In wheat, the relationship between grain yield and N accumulation was linear indicating that mobilization of plant N to the grain was less affected by biotic and abiotic stresses than in rice.     

Wheat grain quality under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in a semi-arid cropping system

We investigated wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) of 550 ± 10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹. In each of two full growing seasons (2008 and 2009), two times of sowing were compared, with late sowing designed to mimic high temperature during grain filling. Grain samples were subjected to a range of physical, nutritional and rheological quality assessments. Elevated CO₂ increased thousand grain weight (8%) and grain diameter (5%). Flour protein concentration was reduced by 11% at e[CO₂], with the highest reduction being observed at the late time of sowing in 2009, (15%). Most of the grain mineral concentrations decreased under e[CO₂] - Ca (11%), Mg (7%), P (11%) and S (7%), Fe (10%), Zn (17%), Na (19%), while total uptake of these nutrients per unit ground area increased. Rheological properties of the flour were altered by e[CO₂] and bread volume reduced by 7%. Phytate concentration in grains tended to decrease (17%) at e[CO₂] while grain fructan concentration remained unchanged. The data suggest that rising atmospheric [CO₂] will reduce the nutritional and rheological quality of wheat grain, but at high temperature, e[CO₂] effects may be moderated. Reduced phytate concentrations at e[CO₂] may improve bioavailability of Fe and Zn in wheat grain.     

Effects of nitrogen rate on nitrate–nitrogen accumulation in forage kale and rape crops

Nitrogen fertilizer is applied to supplement soil nitrogen supply to maximize forage brassica crop dry-matter production. However, nitrogen fertilizer applications in excess of that required to maximize growth result in potentially toxic nitrate–nitrogen (NO₃–N) concentrations in grazeable plant tissues. Three experiments, two for forage kale at Lincoln (Canterbury) and one for forage rape at Hastings (Hawke's Bay) in New Zealand were grown under different rates of nitrogen (0–500 kg N ha⁻¹) to determine the effect of different rates of nitrogen on NO₃–N content of different plant parts of the crops. One of the kale experiments was grown with either full irrigation or no rain and no irrigation over summer, hereafter referred to as summer drought. The NO₃–N concentration on a whole plant (weighted average) basis increased from 0·1 mg g⁻¹ dry matter for the control plots to 2·30 mg g⁻¹ for the 500 kg N ha⁻¹ plots for forage kale. It increased from 0·99 for the control plots to 3·37 mg g⁻¹ for the 200 kg N ha⁻¹ plots for forage rape crops. However, NO₃–N concentration increased with N supply under the summer-drought plots from an average of 0·33 mg g⁻¹ when ≤120 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied to 2·30 mg g⁻¹ for the 240 kg N ha⁻¹ treatments but was unaffected by N supply under irrigation. The NO₃–N concentrations were higher in the stems and the petiole (which included the midrib of the leaf) than leaves in all three experiments. The NO₃–N concentration was highest at the bottom of the kale stem and decreased towards the top. We recommend N application rates based on soil tests results, and for conditions similar to the current studies up to 300 kg N ha⁻¹ under irrigation and adjusted lower N rates for regions prone to dry summers.     

Effects of alternate wetting and drying irrigation on percolation and nitrogen leaching in paddy fields

The widely adopted alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation for rice production is increasingly needed to quantify the different water outflows and nitrogen leaching losses. We investigated the effects of AWD on percolation, water productivity, nitrogen leaching losses, and nitrogen productivity through in situ experiments. Results show that AWD reduced irrigation water without a significant impact on grain yields and increased the mean water productivity by 16.9 % compared with continuously flood irrigation (CFI). The mean nitrogen productivity of 135 kg ha^?1 N level was 22.2 % higher than that of 180 kg ha^?1 N level, although grain yields substantially increased because of nitrogen fertilization application. The percolation was also reduced by 15.3 % in 2007 and 8.3 % in 2008 compared to CFI. However, the cumulative percolation of the first 5 days after irrigation in AWD plots is significantly larger than that in CFI plots. The NH₄ ⁺–N and TN leaching losses of AWD and CFI had no significant variations while the NO₃ ^?–N leaching losses were increased caused by AWD. The total NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₃ ^?–N, and TN leaching losses of AWD in the first 3 days after irrigation were higher than that of contemporaneous CFI. The results indicate that the bypass or preferential flow and strengthened nitrification–denitrification nitrogen transformation processes because of alternate wetting and drying potentially decrease the water saving effectiveness and increase the NO₃ ^?–N loading to the groundwater.     

Change in the balance of ammonium-N and nitrate-N content in soil under grazed grass swards over 7 years

The pool of nitrate-N (NO₃^–-N) in the soil is more prone to losses than that of ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N) so any shift towards NO₃^–-N dominance in the soil pools, caused by management intensity, could have environmental implications. The change in the balance of soil NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^–-N content with time was studied using grazed grass swards receiving different fertilizer N inputs. In addition, the effect of past management on net nitrification of 400 μg NH₄⁺-N g^–1 was investigated in a soil incubation study. Mineral N was determined at frequent intervals (at least every 2 weeks) throughout the year in the top 5 or 7·5 cm of a sandy clay-loam soil at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough, County Down, for a 7-year period (1989–90 to 1995–96). The treatments were a perennial ryegrass–white clover sward receiving no fertilizer N, together with perennial ryegrass swards receiving 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 as calcium ammonium nitrate. The plots were continuously grazed by beef steers from April to October to maintain a constant sward height of 7 cm. There was little or no change in average soil NO₃^–-N and NH₄⁺-N content from 1989–90 to 1995–96 on the grass–clover sward and plots receiving 100 and 200 kg N ha^–1 year^–1. However, with the plots receiving 300, 400 and 500 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 NO₃^–-N became progressively more dominant with time. The incubation study confirmed that this was due to an increase in net nitrification rate. There was evidence that rapid microbial assimilation of NO₃^–-N occurred during the soil incubations. Past management history can play an important role in determining soil NO₃^–-N content and hence potential losses of N to the environment.     

Effect of drip irrigation on soil nutrients changes of saline–sodic soils in the Songnen Plain

A field experiment was carried out to research the changes and spatial distributions of soil nutrients in saline–sodic soil for different number of cultivated years under drip irrigation. The distributions of available potassium (AK), available phosphorus (AP), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^?–N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺–N), as well as the amount of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and organic carbon (OC) in the 0–40 cm soil layers in saline–sodic soils planted with Leymus chinensis for 1, 2, and 3 years were studied. The results showed that the distance from the emitter had an obvious effect on soil nutrients. Drip irrigation had substantial effects on levels of AK, AP, and NO₃ ^?–N. The contents of AK, AP, and NO₃ ^?–N were very high in the area near the emitter in the horizontal direction. In the vertical direction, levels of all of the available and total soil nutrients decreased with increased soil depth. Levels of AK, AP, NO₃ ^?–N, NH₄ ⁺–N, TN, TP, and OC all increased with continued cultivation of crops on saline–sodic soil using drip irrigation. Compared to the nutrients found in soils from the natural L. chinensis grasslands, the contents of AK and TP were higher in the drip-irrigated soils, although the contents of AP, NO₃ ^?–N, and NH₄ ⁺–N were broadly comparable. Given the rate of improvements in nutrient levels, we forecast that the nutrients in drip-irrigated saline–sodic soils should match those of the natural L. chinensis grasslands after 3–6 years of cultivation.     

The effects of nitrogen rate and the ratio of NO3:NH4 on Bemisia tabaci populations in hydroponic tomato crops

Nitrogen fertilization is one of the factors that influences Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) population density. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of three N application rates (75, 205 and 335 mg/l) and three ratios of NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺ ions (92:8, 75:25 and 55:45) in standard nutrient solution (205 mg/l N) on the population density of B. tabaci. The experiments were conducted on spring-summer hydroponic crops of tomato. The effect of plant stratum on the whitefly population was also determined. The aggregation of B. tabaci adults as well as their oviposition rate was higher at 205 and 335 mg/l N than on plants grown at 75 mg/l N. By the end of the experiment (60 d after infestation), the number of nymphs on plants at 205 mg/l N was higher than on plants at 75 mg/l N. The number of pupae was lowest on plants supplied with 75 mg/l N. An increase in NH₄⁺ percentage in standard nutrient solution (from 25% to 45% of the total N) reduced adult population density and oviposition rate. The density of nymphs and pupae, at 60 d after infestation, was lower on the tomato plants grown at 75:25 and 55:45 NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺ ratios compared to the 92:8 ratio. The 75:25 and 55:45 NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺ ratios resulted in a higher incidence of blossom-end rot of tomato fruit, with a lower incidence of disorder at 75:25 than at the 55:45 ratio. Plant stratum influenced adult whitefly distribution in two years of the study. Middle stratum leaves were more attractive to adults in both years. The results demonstrate the effects of N fertilization (N rate and the ratio of NO₃⁻:NH₄⁺) and plant stratum on B. tabaci population density.     

Effect of chloride in irrigation water and form of nitrogen fertilizer on Virginia (flue-cured) tobacco

One of the main sources of considerable amounts of chloride to soils is irrigation water. The responses of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to chloride are varied and inconsistent depending on the tobacco type, variety and methods of fertilization, cultivation and harvesting used. In this work, the impact of the interaction between four chloride levels (10, 20, 40, 80 mg L⁻¹) in irrigation water and three nitrogen fertilizer forms (NO₃–N 100%, NH₄–N 100% and NO₃–N 50%:NH₄–N 50%) on growth, agronomic and chemical characteristics of Virginia tobacco was evaluated over 2 years (1999, 2000) in an outdoor pot experiment. The results showed that the adverse influence of chloride in irrigation water on plant height and number of leaves per plant was already substantial above 40 mg L⁻¹, within 30 days after transplanting. In this period, visual toxicity symptoms of chloride appeared on the lower leaves of plants treated with ammonium nitrogen. In addition, the effect of chloride on flowering time, chlorophyll content of leaves, aboveground fresh weight of plant, total cured product yield and chemical characteristics, depended on the form of nitrogen, with nitrate nitrogen restricting the detrimental effects of chloride in irrigation water up to 40 mg L⁻¹. The reduced yield of cured product at 80 mg L⁻¹ was the result of the adverse effects of chloride on the leaves of the middle and upper stalk position. Leaf chloride concentration was highest in the upper leaves and increased linearly with the increase of chloride level in irrigation water at each leaf position on the stalk and this increase was more rapid as ammonium nitrogen percentage was increased. Chloride increased the concentration of reducing sugars in cured leaves at each leaf position, in all nitrogen forms and nicotine mainly in plants treated with nitrate nitrogen. The changes in total nitrogen and ash content are considered as minimal. We conclude that the optimum chloride level in irrigation water is below 20 mg L⁻¹, whereas the level of 40 mg L⁻¹ in combination with nitrate nitrogen fertilizers can be considered as the upper threshold to avoid adverse effects on Virginia tobacco.     

Yield formation of CO2-enriched hybrid rice cultivar Shanyou 63 under fully open-air field conditions

Hybrid indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars play an important role in rice production system due to its heterosis, resistance to environmental stress, large panicle and high yield potential. However, no attention has been given to its yield responses to rising atmospheric [CO₂] in conjunction with nitrogen (N) availability. Therefore we conducted a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment at Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China (119°42′0′′E, 32°35′5′′N), in 2004–2006. A three-line hybrid indica rice cv. Shanyou 63 was grown at ambient and elevated (ca. 570 μmol mol⁻¹) [CO₂] under two levels of supplemental N (12.5 g Nm⁻² and 25 g Nm⁻²). Elevated [CO₂] had no effect on phenology, but substantially enhanced grain yield (+34%). The magnitude of yield response to [CO₂] was independent of N fertilization, but varied among different years. On average, elevated [CO₂] increased the panicle number per square meter by 10%, due to an increase in maximum tiller number under enrich [CO₂], while productive tiller ratio remained unaffected. Spikelet number per panicle also showed an average increase of 10% due to elevated [CO₂], which was supported by increased plant height and stem dry weight per tiller. Meanwhile, elevated [CO₂] caused a significant enhancement in both filled spikelet percentage (+5%) and individual grain weight (+4%). Compared with the two prior FACE studies on rice, hybrid indica rice cultivar appears to profit much more from elevated [CO₂] than japonica rice cultivar (ca. +13%), not only due to its stronger sink generation, but also enhanced capacity to utilize the carbon sources in a high [CO₂] environment. The above data has significant implication with respect to N strategies and cultivar selection under projected future [CO₂] levels.     

不同氮效率小麦品种苗期根系氮代谢及其吸收能力差异分析

为了解不同氮效率小麦品种根系氮代谢特征及其吸收能力的差异,明确小麦氮高效利用的生理机制,在水培条件下,研究了氮高效小麦品种漯麦18和氮低效小麦品种西农509的根系氮代谢特征和对NO-3、NH+4吸收的动力学特征。结果表明,漯麦18的根系GS活性、硝酸还原酶活性、游离氨基酸含量、可溶性蛋白质含量均高于西农509;而西农509的根系硝态氮和铵态氮含量高于漯麦18;漯麦18根系对NO-3、NH+4吸收的最大吸收速率(Vmax)显著高于西农509;漯麦18根系对NO-3、NH+4的亲和力(以Km的倒数衡量)低于西农509。结果说明,氮高效型小麦品种根系对NO-3、NH+4的吸收能力和同化能力均显著高于氮低效型小麦品种;小麦根系对NO-3、NH+4的吸收和同化是相互促进的关系。     

Effect of controlled irrigation and drainage on nitrogen leaching losses from paddy fields

The effect of controlled irrigation and drainage on N leaching losses from paddy fields was investigated by controlling root zone soil water content and water table depth using a lysimeter equipped with an automatic water table control system. Three treatments that combined irrigation and drainage managements were implemented: controlled irrigation (CI) + controlled water table depth 1 (CWT1), CI + controlled water table depth 2 (CWT2), and flooding irrigation (FI) + actual field water table depth (FWT). Controlled irrigation and drainage had significant environmental effects on the reduction of NH₄ ⁺–N and NO₃ ^?–N leaching losses from paddy fields by decreasing water leakage. The NH₄ ⁺–N leaching losses from CI + CWT1 and CI + CWT2 were 3.68 and 4.45 kg ha^?1, respectively, which significantly reduced by 59.2 and 50.7 % compared with FI + FWT (9.02 kg ha^?1). The NO₃ ^?–N leaching losses from CI + CWT1 and CI + CWT2 were 0.88 and 0.43 kg ha^?1 with a significant reduction of 45.2 and 73.2 %, respectively, compared with FI + FWT (1.61 kg ha^?1). The application of CI + CWT1 can be a pollution-controlled water management method of reducing N leaching losses from paddy fields.     

Seasonal changes in the effects of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on dry matter production and distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

It is reported that stimulating effect of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] on photosynthesis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is likely to be reduced during the plant growth period. However, there is little information on seasonal changes in dry matter (DM) production and distribution of rice under elevated atmospheric [CO₂]. A free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted at Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, in 2001–2003, using Wuxiangging 14, a japonica cultivar. The rice was grown at ambient or elevated (ca. 200 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient) [CO₂] and supplied with 25 g N m², which is the normal N application rate for local farmers. DM accumulation of rice in FACE plots was significantly increased by 40, 30, 22, 26 and 16% on average at tillering, panicle initiation (PI), heading, mid-ripening and grain maturity, respectively. Rice DM production under FACE was significantly enhanced by 41, 27, 15 and 38% on average during the growth periods from transplanting to tillering (Period 1), tillering to PI (Period 2), PI to heading (Period 3) and heading to mid-ripening (Period 4), respectively, but significantly decreased by 25% in the period from mid-ripening to grain maturity (Period 5). In general, seasonal changes in crop response to FACE in both green leaf area index (GLAI) and net assimilation rate (NAR) followed a similar pattern to that of the DM production. Under FACE the leaves decreased significantly in proportion to the total above-ground DM over the season, the stems showed an opposite trend, while the spikes depended on crop development stage: showing no change at heading, significant increase (+4%) at mid-ripening and significant decrease (−3%) at grain maturity. Grain yield was stimulated by an average of 13% by FACE, due to increased total DM production rather than any changes in partitioning to the grain. We conclude that the gradual acclimation of rice growth to elevated [CO₂] do not occur inevitably, and it could also be altered by environmental conditions (e.g., cultivation technique).     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 effects on N fertilization in grain sorghum and soybean

Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration has led to concerns about global changes to the environment. One area of global change that has not been fully addressed is the effect of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on agriculture production inputs. Elevated CO₂ concentration alterations of plant growth and C:N ratios may modify C and N cycling in soil and N fertility. This study was conducted to examine the effects of legume, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and non-legume, grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) carbon dioxide-enriched agro-ecosystems on N soil fertility in a Blanton loamy sand (loamy siliceous, thermic, Grossarenic Paleudults). The study was a split-plot design replicated three times with crop species (soybean and grain sorghum) as the main plots and CO₂ concentration (ambient and twice ambient) as subplots using open top field chambers. Fertilizer application was made with ${}^{15}\text{N}$-depleted NH₄NO₃ to act as a fertilizer tracer. Elevated CO₂ increased total biomass production in all 3 years of both grain sorghum (average 30%) and soybean (average 40%). With soybean, while no impact on the plant C:N ratio was observed, the total N content was greatly increased (average 29%) due to increased atmospheric N₂ fixation with elevated CO₂ concentration. With grain sorghum, the total N uptake was not affected, but the C:N ratio was markedly increased (average 31%) by elevated CO₂. No impact of elevated CO₂ level was observed for fertilizer N in grain sorghum. The results from this study indicated that while elevated CO₂ may enhance crop production and change N status in plant tissue, changes to soil N fertilizer application practices may not be needed.     

Influence of different nitrogen forms application on rice photosynthesis: fluorescence with water-saving irrigation in black soil region of Songnen Plain,Northeast China

In order to study the response of the rice photosynthetic-fluorescence characteristics to the application of different nitrogen forms with water-saving irrigation, by using LI-6400XT-type photosynthetic apparatus and other equipment, the fluorescence parameters, stomatal resistance and photosynthetic-CO₂ response curves of rice were measured at the critical stages under water-saving irrigation methods. Results showed that the change trend of ETR and photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (Q_p) with different nitrogen forms were declining–rising–declining. Compared with CK (control treatment), ETR and Q_p with NO₃^? treatment were better than the others, which indicated that this treatment was most advantageous to increasing ETR. The electron flow from PSII oxidation-lateral to PSII was enhanced. The potential quantum efficiency (F_v/F_m) was the lowest at tillering stage and the highest at heading stage. Compared with CK, at heading stage, F_v/F_m with NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments was increased by 1.68, 0.61 and 1.81%, respectively, while NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ played a more important role in promoting the ability to capture light. The change trend of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient with different treatments was not obvious. During the growth period, the stomatal resistance (R_s) was changed dynamically, reaching the second peak at the jointing stage and the highest peak at the milk-ripe stage, and both were higher than CK. The R_s of different nitrogen forms was as NH ₄ ^+? >?NH₄⁺NO ₃ ^?? >?NO₃^?, which showed that with different nitrogen forms, R_s of NO₃^? treatment was low, stomatal opening was correspondingly greater than the other nitrogen forms, and under the same moisture conditions, this treatment of stomatal opening was more beneficial for gas exchange and external CO₂ flowing into the leaf cells, which could increase photosynthetic physiological response. By fitting the parameters of photosynthetic-CO₂ response curve, it was concluded that the photorespiration rate (R_P) was greater than CK, but it was different for three nitrogen treatments during different periods. Rice light saturation point and apparent carboxylation efficiency (α) of NO₃^? treatment during three growth periods were more uniform, indicating that this treatment had a higher utilization rate for low concentration of CO₂. Maximum photosynthetic rate (P_max) with NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments of the three growth periods was 29.396–31.208 and 28.969–31.371, respectively. The CO₂ compensation point and curve angle (θ) had no stable trend during the whole growth period. Therefore, the nitrogen forms could influence the photosynthetic characteristics of the rice leaves, and the result can provide theoretical guidance and scientific basis for increasing the efficiency of nitrogen utilization.     

Effect of the type of fertilizer and source of irrigation water on N use in a maize crop

An experiment in a maize crop evaluated the influence of several types of commercial nitrogenous fertilizers with different action mechanisms — urea (soluble), Floranid-32 (low water solubility) and Multicote 4 (coated fertilizer) — on maize grain and biomass yields, as well as on plant N use. The fertilizers were applied as a top-dressing of 294 kg N ha⁻¹. All treatments additionally received 64 kg N ha⁻¹ as 8.0 (N):6.5 (P):12.5 (K) compound prior to seedbed preparation. The influence of NO⁻₃ content in the irrigation water was also assessed, using water with either 2.5 or 35 mg l⁻¹ of NO⁻₃. Irrigation plus rainfall totalled 513 mm (1.20 potential ET). Nitrogen lost during the cultivation period was calculated from the N balance of the topsoil.Results obtained under these experimental conditions showed that the type of fertilizer did not alter maize grain and biomass yields. Yields for maize irrigated with the higher NO⁻₃ water were systematically greater than those obtained with irrigation water of low NO⁻₃ content.Nitrogen lost from the topsoil during the cultivation period varied between 240 and 280 kg N ha⁻¹ for all treatments, and was well correlated with NO⁻₃-N leached into the aquifer during the same period.