昼夜连续照射LED红蓝光对不同品种生菜生长和品质的影响

为探究生菜对全生长期连续光照的响应及品种差异性,在密闭式植物工厂内,以LED红蓝光为光源研究了水培条件下常规光照（12h/12h,NL）与连续光照（24h/0h,CL）对5种生菜生长和品质的影响。结果表明：与常规光照（NL）处理相比,连续光照（CL）处理显著提高了除“大卫”外其它4种生菜的地上部鲜重,其中“绿罗”生菜增加幅度最高。生长初期连续光照（CL）处理下5种生菜叶片叶绿素含量显著高于常规光照（NL）处理,但在生长后期,5种生菜两个处理下的叶绿素含量均无显著差异。与常规光照处理相比,连续光照处理显著提高了5种生菜可溶性糖、总酚和类黄酮含量,以及其中2种紫叶生菜的花青素含量。除“绿罗”外,其它4个品种连续光照处理下的抗坏血酸总量均略有或显著升高,其中主要提高了还原型抗坏血酸的含量,对脱氢抗坏血酸含量的影响不显著。总之,全生长期连续光照能显著提高生菜的产量,促进可溶性糖和抗氧化物质合成;5个品种生菜对连续光照的适应性存在差异,其中“绿罗”的适应性最强;全生长期连续光照运用于植物工厂生菜生产对提高产量和品质的潜力较大。     

VARIATION IN PHOSPHORUS EFFICIENCY AMONG BRASSICA CULTIVARS I: INTERNAL UTILIZATION AND PHOSPHORUS REMOBILIZATION

Plants have adapted a number of mechanisms to cope with widespread phosphorus (P) deficiency in arable lands. Crop species and even cultivars differ widely in one or more of these adaptive mechanisms hence, in P efficiency. Identification of these mechanisms is pre-requisite for long term breeding programs. Two independent experiments were conducted to study the possible mechanisms of P efficiency in Brassica cultivars. Eight Brassica cultivars (‘B.S.A.’, ‘Toria’, ‘Toria Selection’, ‘Brown Raya’, ‘Peela Raya’, ‘Dunkeld’, ‘Rainbow’, and ‘CON-1’) were selected on the basis of differences in growth under P deficiency from preliminary experiment. In the first experiment, cultivars were grown for 40 days in sand supplied either with sparingly soluble phosphate rock (PR) or soluble mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP). Cultivars differed significantly (P<0.05) for biomass production, P contents and P use efficiency. Low P availability in PR treatment resulted in significantly lower dry weights and P contents than those grown with MAP. The cultivars ‘Rainbow’, ‘Brown Raya’ and ‘Dunkeld’ accumulated more biomass (3.2 g/pot) and P contents (3.0 mg/pot) than other cultivars when grown with PR. Root dry weight was significantly correlated with shoot dry weight, shoot P content and total P content (r > 0.65) indicating significance of improved root growth for P acquisition. While in the second experiment cultivars were grown with adequate P for 30 days and then P was withdrawn from the nutrient solution by replacing fresh P free nutrient solution for 10 days. Induced P deficiency increased P contents in young leaves by two folds indicating remobilization of P from older leaves and shoot. Nonetheless cultivars varied for remobilization but differences in P remobilization could not explain the differences in P utilization efficiency among cultivars. Hence further experimentation to study root morphology, P uptake, and organic acid exudation by these cultivars in relation to P deficiency is recommended.     

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF TWO OLIVE CULTIVARS TO EXCESS MANGANESE

The response of three-month-old rooted cuttings of the olive cultivars ‘Picual’ and ‘Koroneiki’ grown in black plastic bags containing perlite as a substrate to excess manganese (Mn) (640 μM) was studied. The rooted cuttings were irrigated with 50% modified Hoagland nutrient solution. At the end of the experimental period, which lasted 130 days, the total fresh and dry weights, as well as the shoot elongation of ‘Picual’ plants were significantly reduced under excess Mn (640 μM), compared to the control plants (2 μM), whereas the growth of ‘Koroneiki’ plants was similar in both Mn treatments. The tolerance index, which is derived from the ratios between the plant growth data of different treatments and the control one, of ‘Picual’ plants to excess Mn was about half of this of ‘Koroneiki’ plants. In both cultivars, the concentrations of Mn in various plant parts (root, basal stem, top stem, basal leaves, top leaves) were significantly increased as Mn concentration in the nutrient solution increased. Furthermore, in the 640 μM Mn treatment, 2 to 2.5-fold greater Mn concentrations were recorded in almost all plant parts of ‘Koroneiki’, than those of ‘Picual’. Similar results were recorded with regard to the total Mn content per plant (‘Koroneiki’ absorbed much more Mn from the nutrient solution than ‘Picual’). On the other hand, excess Mn negatively affected the absorption of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), depending on the olive cultivar. In both cultivars, while the Mn use efficiency was significantly decreased under excess Mn conditions, the nutrient use efficiencies of P, Ca, and Fe were significantly increased, compared to the control plants (2 μM Mn). It was also found that excess Mn resulted in a significant increase of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of both cultivars, whereas the photosynthetic rate was significantly increased only in ‘Koroneiki’. In ‘Picual’, similar photosynthetic rates were recorded in both Mn treatments. The measurement of the various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, F_v/F_m and F_v/F₀ ratios, revealed that the functional integrity of photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis was not affected due to excess Mn, irrespectively of the cultivar. In conclusion, although ‘Koroneiki’ tissues had much higher Mn concentrations than those of ‘Picual’, the parameters related to the growth and photosynthetic performance of plants indicates that the internal tolerance of ‘Koroneiki’ tissues to excess Mn was higher than this of ‘Picual’.     

Earthworm-Processed Organic Wastes as Components Of Horticultural Potting Media for Growing Marigold and Vegetable Seedlings

We germinated and grew tomato, pepper, lettuce, and marigold seedlings in a standard commercial soilless plant growth medium (Metro-Mix 360), and in coir/perlite and peat/perlite-based container media substituted with 10% or 20%, by volume, of vermicompost derived from pig manure or food wastes. Half of the treatments were watered with liquid inorganic fertilizer while the other half received only water. Germination rates of tomato, pepper, lettuce, and marigold seeds in the coir/perlite mixture did not differ significantly from that in Metro-Mix 360. However, the germination rate of tomato, pepper and lettuce seedlings was very low in the peat/perlite mixture. Substituting some of the peat/perlite mixtures with equal amounts of vermicomposts, particularly pig manure vermicompost, enhanced germination rates greatly, making it comparable to that in the commercial medium (Metro-Mix 360). Pepper, lettuce, and marigold seedlings grown in Metro-Mix 360, which already contains a starter nutrient fertilizer in its formulation, had greater root and shoot dry weights than those grown in the control media (coir/perlite mix and peat/perlite mix). Substituting coir/perlite and peat/perlite mixtures with 10% or 20% of either vermicompost enhanced the growth of seedlings significantly, resulting in an overall plant growth as good as and sometimes better than that in Metro-Mix 360. When the plants were provided daily with a complete fertilizer solution, marigold seedlings in peat-based substrate with 20% pig waste vermicompost, and lettuce seedlings in both coir and peat-based substrates, mixed with 20% food wastes vermicompost, produced greater shoot dry weights than those grown in the commercial potting medium. The growth enhancements tended to be greater in peat/perlite-based mixes than in coir/perlite-based mixes, more so with the addition of pig manure vermicompost than with food waste vermicompost. Earthworm-processed pig manure and food wastes would be suitable materials for inclusion into the formulation of soilless potting media, since substitution of these media with relatively low concentrations of vermicomposts can promote plant growth.     

Effect of soil zinc,pH, and cultivar on cadmium uptake in leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa)

Abstract

Six noncrisphead lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L.) were grown in pots, using soil from field plots that had been amended annually with 90 MT/ha of an industrial sludge as part of a continuous study initiated in 1981. Two greenhouse experiments (each replicated 6 times) were completed—one in the spring and one in the fall. Variables included 6 cultivars, 2 soil pH levels and 2 soil Zn levels. All variables appeared to influence Cd accumulation in the leaf tissue. Uptake of Cd and Zn increased with decreasing soil pH for all cultivars. ‘Grand Rapids’ accumulated the least leaf Cd and ‘Summer Bibb’ the most. A positive correlation between leaf Zn and leaf Cd was observed, but the correlation between soil Zn and leaf Cd was variable.     

Critical Ratio of Calcium and Boron in Maize Shoot for Optimum Growth

Boron (B) deficiency is widely reported in alkaline calcareous soils of the world, including Pakistan. High calcium (Ca) content in such soils can affect the availability and utilization of B by plants. Effect of applied B at different levels of Ca addition on maize was studied in hydroponics. Four maize cultivars (‘EV-5089’, ‘SWL-2000’, ‘EV-6089’, and ‘Sultan’) were grown at three levels of Ca (0.25 mM, 1 mM, and 2 mM) and two levels of B (0 and 25 μ M). Application of both the nutrients increased shoot dry matter production. However, application of Ca antagonized the B concentration in shoot of four maize cultivars. A curvilinear relationship existed between Ca/B ratio in shoot and relative shoot dry matter of maize cultivars. Implication of using of Ca/B ratio for managing commonly occurring B deficiency in calcareous soils is suggested.     

Seedling vigor and nitrogen use efficiency of Moroccan wheat as influenced by level of soil nitrogen

Abstract

One of the characteristics that can help wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants escape late season drought in the semiarid areas of Morocco is early stand establishment and adequate vigor. Little is known about the effect of nitrogen (N) on early seedling vigor in wheat. The objective of this study was to determine how N supply affects early root and shoot growth, N partitioning between the two parts and N use efficiency of seedlings. To reach this objective, three spring wheat cultivars were grown in pots in a growth chamber under N conditions which were low, adequate and high. Data showed that optimum N rates increased shoot and root growth but high N concentrations reduced their dry matter accumulation and inhibited root elongation. The cultivars tested behaved differently. ‘Nesma’, an older cultivar, produced 60% more dry matter and accumulated 93% more N in the shoot and root than the newer cultivars ‘Merchouch 8’ and ‘Saada’. Because of its high N uptake, ‘Nesma’ probably reduced soil N concentration at the root zone and avoided the negative effect of high N concentration on root growth. Although, ‘Nesma’ performed better and produced more dry matter, it used N less efficiently than the other two cultivars.

From this study, we can conclude that use of optimum N rates at time of seeing will result in quicker establishment and higher vigor of wheat seedlings. However, excessive N supply may retard seedling growth. The cultivars that produce more seedling dry matter with greater N accumulation are not necessarily the ones that use N more efficiently.     

VARIATION IN PHOSPHORUS EFFICIENCY AMONG BRASSICA CULTIVARS II: CHANGES IN ROOT MORPHOLOGY AND CARBOXYLATE EXUDATION

Increased phosphorus (P) efficiency is needed to sustain agriculture productivity on soils with low available P. Significant differences were found among Brassica cultivars for growth, P utilization, and remobilization under P deficiency (see our companion paper, Aziz et al., 2011a). To identify the possible mechanisms of P acquisition from low soluble P compounds, four cultivars (‘Rainbow’, ‘CON-1’, ‘Dunkeld’, and ‘Peela Raya’) were selected to ascertain the relationship of their differential P acquisition and growth with their root length in soil and with organic acid release pattern in solution culture experiments. For this purpose their growth and P acquisition from phosphate rock (PR) was compared with calcium di-hydrogen phosphate (Ca-P) when adding uniform dose of 100 mg P kg^?1 soil separately from the two sources. Biomass accumulation, root length, root fineness, plant P uptake and ash alkalinity was significantly (P < 0.01) different in plants of all the four cultivars when supplied with PR or Ca-P in soil. Minimum biomass produced by ‘Peela Raya’ grown with either P source was followed by ‘CON-1’, ‘Dunkeld’, and ‘Rainbow’ in ascending order. Shoot dry matter production had a significant positive correlation with root dry matter production (r = 0.85, P < 0.01), root length (r = 0.59, P < 0.05) and root P uptake (r = 0.95, P < 0.01). Cultivars varied significantly for organic acid secretion in solution culture experiment. Higher quantities of secreted citric acid, malic acid and tartaric acid in solution culture experiment were measured for ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Dunkeld’ cultivars. Efficient performance of these two cultivars for growth and P uptake was associated with their longer roots and more secretion of organic acids especially citric acid.     

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.     

INCREASING SAR OF IRRIGATION WATER AGGRAVATES BORON TOXICITY IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

We evaluated the effect of boron (B) application on shoot growth and shoot B concentration and uptake by two maize cultivars (‘FHY-396’ and ‘Sonari’) on a loam soil irrigated with water of different sodium absorption ratio (SAR) values [control, 5 and 15 (mmol_c L^?1)^1/2]. Plants were harvested after forty days of growth. Shoot dry matter decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with B application due to toxicity marked by leaf injury. Toxic effect of B was further aggravated by increasing SAR of irrigation water. In both cultivars concentration and uptake of B was significantly (P < 0.05) increased over control with B application and SAR of irrigation water. Shoot Ca concentration decreased with increasing SAR and B application. The phenomena of B toxicity and low Ca marked by reduction in shoot dry matter of plants irrigated with high SAR water could be important in management of brackish water used for irrigating crops on arid and semiarid region soils.     

Comparison of Herbaceous Perennial Plant Growth in Seaweed Compost and Biosolids Compost

Liners of angelonia ‘Pink’ (Angelonia angustifolia Benth.), shooting star (Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum), coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ (Coreopsis grandiflorum Hogg ex Sweet.), and scutellaria ‘Purple Fountains’ (Scutellaria costaricana H. Wendl.) were transplanted into containers filled with, by volume, 1) 100% compost; 2) 60% compost, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite; 3) 30% compost, 30% sphagnum peat, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite; 4) 0% compost, 60% sphagnum peat, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite. Two compost products were evaluated: SW, a 1:1 by volume mixture of partially composted seaweed and partially composted yard trimmings and SYT, a 1:1 by weight mixture of biosolids compost and yard trimmings compost. There was no difference in angelonia shoot dry mass among the different percentages of SW compost but angelonia plants grown in 0 and 30% SYT had greater shoot dry mass than plants grown in 60 or 100% SYT. Shoot dry mass of shooting star plants increased as the percentage of SYT compost increased from 0 to 30 % and then decreased while shoot dry mass of plants grown in SW compost decreased as the percentage of compost increased. There was no difference in coreopsis shoot dry mass or scutellaria shoot dry mass between the two compost products and there also was no difference in shoot dry mass among the different percentages of either compost product.     

Genotypic Difference in Arsenic and Cadmium Accumulation by Rice Seedlings Grown in Hydroponics

Genotypic differences in arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) uptake and their translocation within rice seedlings grown in solution culture were investigated. Arsenic uptake and its translocation differed significantly between eight cultivars. The largest shoot and root As concentrations were found in cultivar ‘TN1’ and ‘ZYQ8’, while cultivar ‘JX-17’ had the lowest As concentration. Arsenic concentration in shoot or root of ‘JX-17’ was about 50% of that in cultivar ‘ZYQ8’. Specific Arsenic uptake (SAU) was found significantly different between rice cultivars, which was about 2-fold higher of ‘ZYQ8’ than that of ‘JX-17’. The Cd accumulation also differed significantly between cultivars. Rice cultivar ‘JX-17’ had the highest ability in Cd uptake, but the lowest ability in Cd translocation from root to shoot. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd had an important effect on Cd accumulation by rice seedlings. Arsenic can competitively inhibit P uptake by rice seedlings, P concentrations in shoots, or roots treated with As were significantly lower than those without As addition. However, the concentrations of P and As were positively correlated within these genotypes. The Cd immobilization by cell wall was an important mechanism for Cd detoxification. The cell wall bound 21–44% of total Cd in shoots and 25–59% of total Cd in roots of these tested genotypes. The genotypic differences in As and Cd uptake and translocation within rice seedlings provide the possibility of selecting and breeding genotypes and /or cultivars with reduced levels of As and Cd in rice grains.     

不同芹菜品种镉吸收和运转差异研究

【目的】 研究镉胁迫下芹菜生长、镉吸收和向上运转品种间差异,为筛选镉低积累型芹菜品种减少镉对人体的危害提供依据。 【方法】 以10个芹菜品种为试材进行基质无土栽培试验,基质为蛭石,营养液采用1/2华南农业大学叶菜类营养液配方,以只浇灌营养液的处理作为对照,浇灌含15 mg/L氯化镉（CdCl₂）的营养液为Cd胁迫处理;每3 d浇灌一次,每次浇灌0.2 L,累计浇灌15次,每盆Cd施用量为45 mg。移栽45 d后,测定生长指标与根、叶柄和叶片Cd含量。计算相对生长量（relative growth yield,RGY）和转运系数（translocation factor,TF）,并筛选出高、低Cd积累品种。分别对高、低Cd积累品种进行穴盘基育苗,14 d后采用华南农业大学叶菜类营养液配方进行营养液栽培,21 d后利用非损伤微测技术（non-invasive micro-test technology,NMT）测定根系分生区、伸长区和根毛区Cd2+离子流速。 【结果】 与非Cd胁迫相比,Cd胁迫使‘速生四季西芹王’、文图拉西芹’、‘四季小香芹’、‘实心香芹’、 ‘雪白芹菜’ 地下部受到显著抑制,对地上部无显著影响;Cd胁迫促进了 ‘四季小香芹’ 地上部生长;而 ‘种都金黄芹菜’、‘红芹’、‘鲍芹’ 地上部受到显著抑制,对地下部则无显著影响;‘马家沟芹菜’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 地上部和地下部均生长均受到抑制。食用器官叶柄中Cd含量以 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 最高;‘速生香芹’ 和 ‘实心香芹’ 最低。地上部Cd含量高的 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 对Cd转运能力也最高;Cd含量低的 ‘速生香芹’ 对Cd转运能力也最低。在根系成熟区（根毛区）,‘种都金黄芹菜’ 较 ‘速生香芹’ 有更高Cd2+ 离子流速。 【结论】 Cd胁迫下,芹菜不同品种生长、Cd吸收、转运和积累存在显著差异。‘四季小香芹’、‘速生四季西芹王’、‘文图拉芹菜’、‘实心香芹’ 和 ‘雪白芹菜’ 较为耐镉;而 ‘种都金黄芹菜’、‘红芹’、‘鲍芹’、‘马家沟芹菜’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 对镉敏感。‘雪白芹菜’ 和 ‘种都金黄芹菜’ 为高Cd积累型,‘实心香芹’ 和 ‘速生香芹’ 为低Cd积累型,其中 ‘实心香芹’ 表现为低Cd含量和高生长量。高Cd积累型芹菜较低Cd积累型芹菜有更强Cd2+ 吸收能力和Cd转运能力,根部Cd2+ 流速可用于低积累品种的快速筛选。      

Genetic composition of contemporary proprietary U.S. lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars

Pedigree history of 146 lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars registered in the U.S. by Plant Variety Protection and/or utility patent of the era from 2000 through 2010 facilitates determination of coefficient of parentage among these cultivars, identification of ancestral parental lines, and their genetic contribution. Principal ancestors of leaf lettuce developed in this era are the cultivars ‘Malibu’, ‘Waldmann’s Green’, and ‘Salad Bowl’ contributing 6.4, 6.1, and 3.5% of the genes, respectively. The cultivars ‘Parris Island Cos’ and ‘Tall Guzmaine’ are major ancestors of romaine lettuce, contributing 25.9 and 23.4% of the genes, respectively. Three crisphead lettuce ancestors identified are the cultivars ‘Vanguard’, ‘Salinas’, and ‘Calmar’, the former two descend from interspecific crosses of L. sativa with Lactuca virosa L. and Lactuca serriola L. Among these three, ‘Vanguard’ is the major ancestor contributing 23.8% of the genes to crisphead lettuce. The crisphead cultivar ‘Salinas’ was frequently crossed with romaine lettuce types and the romaine parental cultivar ‘Parris Island Cos’ was crossed with leaf types contributing to romaine and leaf lettuce genetic diversity, respectively. Genetic similarity was less within leaf cultivars (coefficient of parentage = 0.02) than found within romaine (0.15) and crisphead (0.13) cultivars registered in the U.S. during this era.     

Effects of Compost Source and Timing of Fertigation Initiation on Growth of Potted Poinsettia

Treatment combinations of four poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) cultivars, 20 substrates, and three fertigation treatments were evaluated in a completely randomized block design. Poinsettia cultivars included ‘V-14 Glory’, ‘Red Sails’, ‘Lilo Pink’, and ‘Annette Hegg Top White’. The compost substrates were compost:peat:perlite blended (by vol.) at 2:3:3, 1:1:1, and 2:1:1 ratios. Sunshine Mix 1 and Pro Gro 300S were used as controls. Composts tested were those prepared from crab offal, lime and polymer-dewatered biosolids, municipal solid waste (MSW), yard waste, and poultry litter. Fertigation treatments were initiated on the week of potting, delayed one or two week after potting and applied once per week. Controls produced premium quality plants. Composts prepared from poultry litter, yard waste, polymer-dewatered biosolids, crab offal, and MSW produced good quality plants. Plant width in 25 percent compost treatments were greater than those in 50 percent compost treatments. Total number of branches, plant height, canopy diameter, and plant grade on plants treated with fertilizer on the first week were only three percent greater than in treatments where fertilizer application was delayed one or two weeks.     

CATEGORIZATION OF BRASSICA CULTIVARS FOR PHOSPHORUS ACQUISITION FROM PHOSPHATE ROCK ON BASIS OF GROWTH AND IONIC PARAMETERS

We categorized sixteen Brassica cultivars for their differential growth response and phosphorus (P) acquisition from phosphate rock (PR) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). Plants were grown with both P sources in a nutrient solution experiment for 40 days. Cultivars differed significantly (P < 0.01) both for absolute as well as relative values of growth and physiological parameters at both P sources. Phosphorus deficiency in PR treatment significantly depressed biomass production (more than 2.5 times than control) and P concentration (about 1.5 times) in all of the cultivars. ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ produced significantly more relative biomass than other cultivars grown with PR. Cultivars were classified into three classes on the basis of mean values of different parameters and their standard deviation viz low, medium and high. Cultivars were also classified into different classes while regressing biomass and P contents. Cultivars ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ accumulated maximum shoot dry matter (1.21 and 1.27 g dry matter/plant, respectively) grown with phosphate rock, hence were categorized as high biomass producers. Cultivars ‘Rainbow’, ‘KS-74’, and ‘Poorbi Raya’ accumulated maximum P (5.58, 5.24, and 4.81 mg P plant^?1, respectively) from PR and were categorized as high P accumulators. Cultivars with high biomass and high P contents such as ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ at low available P (Rock P) would be used in further screening experiments to improve P efficiency in Brassica.     

Interacting effects of topsoil water and nitrogen supply on subsoil aluminium toxicity

Abstract

The interacting effects between topsoil water supply, nitrogen (N) placement and subsoil aluminum (Al) toxicity on wheat growth were studied in two split‐root pot experiments. The native nitrate‐N (NO₃‐N) in the topsoil used in each experiment differed and were designated as high (3706 μM) and low (687 μM) for experiments one and two, respectively. Wheat was grown in pots that enabled the root system to be split so that half of the roots were in topsoil and the other half were in subsoils containing varying concentrations of soluble Al. Treatments were imposed which varied the supply of water to the topsoil (either ‘wet’ or ‘dry'). Placement of applied N in either the topsoil or subsoil had little effect on either shoot or root fresh weight, or on the length of roots produced in the subsoil section of the split pots. When water supply to the topsoil was decreased, both shoot and root growth of wheat declined and the yield decrease increased with subsoil Al. In the high‐N experiment, wheat grown in the low Al subsoil with the high native soluble subsoil (NO₃ (3002 μM) was able to exploit the N and subsoil water, hence both shoot and root growth increased considerably in comparison to shoot and root growth of wheat grown in soils containing higher concentrations of subsoil Al. When the native NO₃ was lower (i.e. the low‐N experiment) inadequate root proliferation restricted the ability of plants to use subsoil N and water irrespective of subsoil Al. The results from this study suggest that wheat, grown on yellow earths with Al‐toxic subsoils, will suffer yield reductions when the topsoil dries out (e.g. in the spring when winter rainfall ceases) because subsoil reserves of water and nitrogen are under utilised.     

Comparing the Calcium Requirements of Wheat and Canola

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) is the major crop species grown in south-western Australia and no responses of wheat to applied calcium (Ca) have been obtained in field experiments though responses have been obtained in glasshouse pot studies for wheat grown on the predominantly sandy acidic soils of the region. Since the mid 1990s canola (oilseed rape, Brassica napus L.) has been grown in rotation with wheat and has often developed symptoms of Ca deficiency when grown on sandy acidic soils in the field. The Ca requirement of canola in these soils is not known and was measured and compared with Ca requirements of wheat in the glasshouse study reported here when 5 amounts of Ca (0–630 mg Ca/pot), as calcium sulfate, were applied.

Application of Ca did not affect shoot production of wheat but increased grain yields by about 25% and 50 mg Ca/pot was required to produce 90% of the maximum grain yield. Two canola cultivars were grown, and both showed no shoot yield responses to applied Ca at early growth (GS1.5). However, at flower bud visible (GS3.5) shoots of triazine tolerant canola cv. ‘Karoo’ showed about 17% increase to applied Ca and required ～47 mg Ca/pot to produce 90% of the maximum yield, while corresponding values for cv. ‘Outback’ were 42% and 185 mg Ca/pot. Both canola cultivars showed large seed (grain) yield responses to applied Ca. Canola cv. ‘Outback’ produced no grain when no Ca was applied and showed ～ 97% increase to applied Ca and required about 462 mg Ca/pot to produce 90% of the maximum grain yield. The triazine tolerant cv. ‘Karoo’ produced about 22% of the maximum grain yield when no Ca was applied, showed approximately 78% grain yield response to applied Ca and required about 475 mg Ca/pot to produce 90% of the maximum grain yield. However, to produce 50% of the maximum grain yield, cv. ‘Outback’ required 250 mg Ca/pot while cv. ‘Karoo’ required about 100 mg Ca/pot. The grain yield response curve for cv. ‘Karoo’ was exponential and that for cv. ‘Outback’ was sigmoid so differences in the response curves were largest when small amounts of Ca were applied and decreased as more Ca was applied. Evidently canola cultivars differ in their ability to access soil and applied Ca providing opportunity to breed and select cultivars efficient at accessing soil and applied Ca. For both wheat and canola the concentration of Ca in dried shoots increased as more Ca was applied and, for each amount of Ca applied, the concentration of Ca in shoots decreased as plants matured. Both canola cultivars consistently had larger concentrations of Ca in shoots than wheat, either when no Ca was applied and for each amount of Ca applied, suggesting canola roots were better able to access soil and applied Ca than wheat roots. The Ca concentration in young wheat (GS15) and canola (GS1.5) shoots that was related to 90% of the maximum grain yield (critical Ca concentration) was 0.33% for wheat and 2.5% for both canola cultivars.     

Changes of Growth,Amino Acids,and Ionic Composition in Strawberry Plants under Salt Stress Conditions

Seedlings of two strawberry cultivars ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’ were grown using perlite in a greenhouse for 20 days, and then plants were watered with nutrient solution containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, and 34.0 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for 6 months. Sodium chloride treatments generally reduced the leaf and root dry weight. Relative water content (RWC) of leaves was maintained despite the increased salt concentrations while loss of turgidity was increased by sodium chloride (NaCl) treatments in both cultivars. As the most variable amino acids, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, proline, serine, and alanine were determined under salt stress in plants. Sodium chloride treatments generally increased sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) contents in all plant parts. The plants were able to maintain high potassium (K) levels in the aerial parts with the 8.5 mM NaCl treatment. It can be concluded that ‘Camarosa’ has the ability to osmotic regulation. ‘Chandler’ also tolerates the salt injury at low salt concentrations.     

IRON EFFICIENCY IN KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS NOT RELATED TO PHYTOSIDEROPHORE RELEASE

Some Kentucky bluegrass (KBG; Poa pratensis L.) is susceptible to iron (Fe)-deficiency chlorosis. Under Fe-deficiency stress, phytosiderophore is produced and released by the roots of many grasses to solubilize soil Fe and enhance uptake. In other species, quantifying phytosiderophore screens for Fe-deficiency resistant cultivars. A hydroponic study was conducted at 1 and 10 μM solution Fe to variously stress ‘Baron’, ‘Award’, ‘Limousine’, and ‘Rugby II’ KBG cultivars. One μM Fe solution produced more Fe-deficiency stress in all cultivars compared to 10 μM, resulting in greater chlorosis and phytosiderophore release but reduced shoot and root Fe concentrations and shoot weight. Of the four cultivars, Baron was the most susceptible to Fe deficiency and exhibited severe Fe chlorosis and low shoot Fe but, surprisingly, produced the most phytosiderophore. These results imply that Fe-deficiency susceptibility in KBG may be less related to phytosiderophore release and more related to inefficient uptake or utilization mechanisms.