Dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of onion seed crop

Abstract

Dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of crops must be determined to optimize fertilizer scheduling. This study assesses the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of onion seed crop. Plant samples were collected between 0 and 120?days after planting, and their nutrient content was analyzed to determine the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns. The quantity and period of nutrient uptake and the mobility of nutrients within the plant parts varied for different nutrients. The absorption of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) was the highest during vegetative stage, whereas phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) uptake was the highest during flower initiation stage. N, P, K, and S, which had accumulated in the vegetative parts, moved from the senesced vegetative parts to the inflorescence during the reproductive stages owing to their high mobility in the phloem. The onion plants continued to absorb zinc, copper, manganese, and iron throughout their growth owing to the immobility of these elements in plant system. The result of this study may facilitate efficient scheduling of fertilizer application to increase nutrient uptake and yield.     

NITROGEN HARVEST INDEX AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CROP YIELDS

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most yield-limiting nutrients in crop production around the world. The main reasons of N deficiency are low recovery efficiency (RE) of applied N fertilizers. The RE efficiency of N by most crop plants is lower than 50%. The lower RE of this element is associated with losses by volatilization, leaching, denitrification, and soil erosion. Some part of N is also immobilized in undecomposed organic materials and by soil microbial population. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) is a ratio between N accumulated in grain to N accumulated in grain plus straw. The NHI is an important index in determining crop yields because it is positively associated with grain yield. Relationship between GHI and crop grain yield may be positive linear or quadratic depending on crop genotypes and soil and crop management practices adopted. In cereals retranslocation of previously assimilated N in the vegetative parts is the predominant source of N for the grain. The most important practices that can improve NHI are liming acid soils, use of adequate N rates, source and timing, planting N efficient crop species or genotypes within species, and use of appropriate crop rotation.     

基于减少土壤硝态氮淋失的作物搭配种植模式研究进展

农业生产中为获得较高作物产量而投入大量的化学肥料,同时不合理的田间管理措施使硝态氮在土壤中大量累积,增加了淋溶风险。不同作物搭配生长及种植模式在协同提高作物产量、充分利用光热资源、提高集约化生产能力方面是一种有效的栽培措施,同时在高效利用土壤养分、改善生态环境、降低硝态氮污染方面具有很大潜力。本文从不同类型作物搭配生长及不同种植模式(设施蔬菜与填闲作物、粮食作物与经济作物、粮食作物与粮食作物、粮食作物与露地蔬菜、蔬菜与蔬菜)方面综述了高效利用土壤氮素、降低土壤硝态氮累积与淋失的效果,并根据不同类型作物特点进行了机理上的解释。文末以搭配作物根系为突破点对作物种植模式进行了研究展望。     

Furrow diking and N management for dryland wheat production in permanent raised beds

The permanent bed planting system for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has recently received additional attention. Studies using hard red spring wheat (cultivar Nahuatl F2000) were conducted at two locations in central Mexico. The studies included the installation of three furrow diking treatments, two granular N timing treatments and three foliar N rates applied at the end of anthesis. The objective was to evaluate the effect of these factors on wheat grain yield, yield components and grain N in a wheat–maize (Zea maize L.) rotation with residues of both crops left as stubble. Results indicated that diking in alternate furrows increased both grain yield and the final number of spikes per m². The split application of N fertilizer enhanced the number of spikes per m² and grain N uptake, but the effect on grain yield was inconsistent. Similarly, grain protein increased with the foliar application of 6 kg N ha^?1, depending upon the maximum temperature within the 10 days following anthesis. The normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) readings collected at four growth stages were generally higher for the split N application than for the basal N application at planting. Grain N uptake was associated to NDVI readings collected after anthesis.     

Productivity and nutrient use efficiency of maize,sorghum, and cotton in the West African Dry Savanna

Sustainable agricultural practices are needed to improve food security and support livelihoods in West Africa, where soil nutrient deficiencies and rainfed production systems prevail. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies of three dominant crops (maize, sorghum, and cotton) under different soil management strategies in the dry savanna of northern Benin. Data were collected for each crop in experiments with (1) an un‐amended soil as control, (2) a low use of external inputs, (3) an integrated soil–crop management practice, and (4) a high mineral fertilizer use, as treatments. Data were collected through researcher‐managed and farmer‐managed on‐farm trials in 2014 and 2015, and analyzed using linear robust mixed effects model and Pearson's correlation. Above‐ground biomass accumulation did not differ significantly among the control, integrated soil–crop management practice, and high mineral fertilizer use up to 30, 50, and 60 d after planting for maize, cotton, and sorghum, respectively. Thereafter, the differences in growth were substantial for each crop with highest biomass monitored with high mineral fertilizer use and lowest with the control. Biomass and economic yields at harvest were highest under high mineral fertilizer use and integrated soil–crop management practice, although the magnitude was crop‐specific. With the integrated soil–crop management practice and high mineral fertilizer use, N and P uptake by all crops was higher than for the un‐amended soil conditions. Inter‐seasonal changes in N uptake were higher for sorghum and cotton, but lower for maize. The highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery of N and P as well as positive N and P partial balances were obtained with the integrated soil–crop management practice for all three crops tested. The integrated soil–crop management strategy gave the highest yields and significantly improved N and P use efficiencies. The findings can contribute to formulating site and crop‐specific recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices in the Dry Savanna zone of West Africa.     

DYNAMICS OF FABA BEAN GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH GRAIN YIELD

Growth parameters and nutrient uptake of faba bean with 12 different genotypes were studied at the end of four subsequent growth periods, viz. first vegetative (V1), second vegetative (V2), first reproductive (R1) and second reproductive (R2) periods for two years and correlated with final grain yield. All parameters including plant height, leaf number, leaf area index (LAI), above ground plant dry matter (DM) and root DM, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) uptake and concentration of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg showed different patterns with advancement of the growth period. All the mentioned parameters were fitted in either quadratic or linear equations. Significant correlations were found among nutrients, growth parameters and grain yield during different growth stages. On the basis of these experiments it was clear that nutrient uptake was directly related to biomass. In V2 and R1 biomass production was greatest resulting in high nutrient uptake. Among the growth parameters, biomass and LAI showed the highest significant correlation with grain yield. The findings especially models derived from two year data across twelve genotypes can be used for better fertilizer management of faba bean.     

Effects of NPK fertilizer combinations on yield and nitrogen balance in sorghum or pigeonpea on a vertisol in the semi-arid tropics

A long-term experiment was carried out on a Vertisol from 1986 to 1992 to examine the combined effects of NPK fertilizers on yield using sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. CSH 5) and short-duration pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp. cv. ICPL 87). The fertilizer treatments were as follows: 0 (no fertilization), N (150 kg N ha^-1 ), P (65.5 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1), K (124.5 kg K₂O ha^-1), and all possible combinations (NP, NK, PK, and NPK). In this study we continued this experiment during the period 1993 to 1994 and analyzed the crop yield response to fertilizers and the N balance. The amount of N derived from the atmosphere and fertilizer was estimated by the ¹⁵N natural abundance method and ^l5N isotope dilution method, respectively. A combined application of Nand P fertilizers gave the highest grain yield for the two crops under the 8th and 9th continuous croppings, unlike the application of K fertilizer. The values of total N for the two crops were significantly higher in the NP and NPK plots. These crops took up N mainly from soil. There was a significant positive relationship between the uptake of N_dff and N_dfs by each crop. Pigeonpea or sorghum took up more N from the soil in the N fertilizer plots than in the plots without N, suggesting that soil N fertility was enhanced and the amount of N supplied from soil increased in the plots with consecutive application of N fertilizer for 7 y. Even pigeonpea, which fixes atmospheric N inherently, needed N fertilizer to achieve high grain yield, suggesting that N fixation by the nodules was not always sufficient to meet the N requirements of the crop under these conditions. Although fertilizer N exerted a beneficial effect on plant growth and yield in the two crops, the values of fertilizer N recovery (FNR) by the two crops were considerably low. Therefore, it is suggested that the development of N fertilizer management which could maximize FNR of each crop should be promoted.     

Yield Physiology of Dry Bean

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food legume for the world population. However, its average yield is low worldwide. The main reasons for low yield are biotic and abiotic stresses. Maximum economic yield of a crop can be achieved with appropriate balance between plant and environmental factors during crop growth cycle. Adopting appropriate management practices in favor of high yields can modify some of these factors. Hence, knowledge of yield physiology of dry bean is important for understanding yield formation components during crop growth and development and consequently improving yield. Dry bean growth cycle is divided into vegetative and reproductive growth stages. During vegetative stage, development of roots, trifoliate, node, and branches take place. Main features of reproductive growth stage are flowering, pod and grain formation. Important plant traits associated with yield are root and shoot dry matter yield, pod number, 100 grain weight, leaf area index, grain harvest index, and nitrogen harvest index. These plant traits are genetically controlled and also influenced by soil and plant management practices. Higher yield is possible only when there is an adequate balance among various physiological processes or yield components. The objective of this review is to discuss growth and development of bean plant including yield formation process or traits during crop growth cycle and importance of these yield components in determining yield.     

生态集约化养分管理对春玉米产量和氮素利用率的影响

通过两年田间试验,研究了吉林玉米带不同氮素管理措施对春玉米产量、氮素吸收、氮素平衡状况以及经济效益的影响。两年的结果表明:与农民习惯施肥（FP）相比,生态集约化养分管理措施（EI）在减少氮肥用量28%的情况下,并未影响作物的产量和氮素吸收,而其氮素回收率,农学效率,偏生产力和经济效益却分别提高了48.1%、56.9%、43.8%和11.0%; 第一年不施氮肥第二年补施氮肥不会影响第二年春玉米产量和氮肥利用率。在氮素输出项中,EI处理两季作物氮素总表观损失仅为97 kg/hm2,而FP处理高达226 kg/hm2。因此,在考虑高产的基础上兼顾保护环境的要求,基于氮肥农学效率、作物目标产量和作物施肥反应的生态集约化养分管理措施是一种较为理想的氮素管理措施。     

Nitrogen uptake within sequential vegetable cropping Systems 1 , 2

A study was conducted to determine the effect of previous crop, nitrogen (N) rate and planting density on N uptake within different vegetable cropping sequences. Spring crops included tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.). Each spring crop was followed in the fall by broccoli (Brassica olerácea L. Italica group), collard (Brassica oleracea L. Acephala group) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.). Higher N rates resulted in greater N uptake for all plants at some point in the growing season. Final N accumulation exceeded N fertilizer applied at 1 or more N rates for all six crops. However, higher N rates resulted in greater final N accumulation only with the tomato/broccoli sequence. Plants grown at lower density generally had greater N accumulation per plant, but N uptake per hectare was greater for the high density planting. The greatest previous crop effect was in 1984 when N accumulation for pumpkin following tomato exceeded that of other sequences. Cultural practices probably led to these differences.     

Kemink subsoiling before and after planting

The Kemink exact soil management system is a non-inversion soil management system based on subsoiling, ridges and controlled traffic. Previous studies have documented benefits of the Kemink system used in its entirety, but the isolated effect of Kemink subsoiling has not been investigated before. To determine the isolated effect of Kemink subsoiling before and after planting two field experiments in sugar beet and barley were conducted in 1999 and 2000 under low nutrient input conditions in a conventional soil management system without recognized compaction problems. Kemink subsoiling after planting generally showed a negative effect on the growth and yield of both crops, whereas subsoiling before planting increased sugar beet yield from 8.4 to 9.5 t ha⁻¹ and sugar beet nitrogen uptake from 48.5 to 57.4 kg ha⁻¹. There was no effect of subsoiling before planting on the grain yield of barley. The negative effect of subsoiling after planting was more pronounced in 1999 than in 2000, and more pronounced in spring barley. The study shows that Kemink subsoiling after planting involves a significant risk of crop damage and cannot be expected to improve crop performance in conventional soil management systems in its current form, whereas Kemink subsoiling before planting may have potential as a measure to increase yield of sugar beet and possibly other row crops too, under low nutrient input conditions.     

Root‐growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3‐year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root‐growth characteristics contributing to N‐uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root‐length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer‐N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil N_min contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N‐efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root‐length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N‐efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N‐uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root‐length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N‐efficient cultivars.     

Contributions from carbon and nitrogen in roots to closing the yield gap between conventional and organic cropping systems

This study investigates the effect of different crop rotation systems on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in root biomass as well as on soil organic carbon (SOC ). Soils under spring barley and spring barley/pea mixture were sampled both in organic and conventional crop rotations. The amounts of root biomass and SOC in fine (250–253 μ m), medium (425–250 μ m) and coarse (>425 μ m) soil particulate organic matter (POM ) were determined. Grain dry matter (DM ) and the amount of N in harvested grain were also quantified. Organic systems with varying use of manure and catch crops had lower spring barley grain DM yield compared to those in conventional systems, whereas barley/pea showed no differences. The largest benefits were observed for grain N yields and grain DM yields for spring barley, where grain N yield was positively correlated with root N. The inclusion of catch crops in organic rotations resulted in higher root N and SOC (g C/m²) in fine POM in soils under barley/pea. Our results suggest that manure application and inclusion of catch crops improve crop N supply and reduce the yield gap between conventional and organic rotations. The observed positive correlation between root N and grain N imply that management practices aimed at increasing grain N could also increase root N and thus enhance N supply for subsequent crops.     

Impact of planted hedgerow fallows on nutrient balances in a groundnut/maize/cassava intercrop

ABSTRACT

To assess if the nutrient supply through planted tree fallows meets crop nutrient uptake and export, N, P, K, Ca and Mg uptake and export by a groundnut/maize/cassava intercrop was compared with the nutrient uptake by three planted fallow systems (Senna spectabilis, Flemingia macrophylla, Dactyladenia barteri) and a no-tree control. Three cycles of two years fallow and one year cropping on Ultisol in southern Cameroon were studied. Fallows were slashed and burned. The fallow system had no consistent effect on nutrient uptake by individual crops. Crop nutrient uptake was most often highest in the S. spectabilis system. Nitrogen balances were generally negative due to N loss in the burn. Across three cropping cycles, the balance of fallow nutrient uptake versus total crop nutrient uptake was only in the S. spectabilis system positive for all nutrients. Nutrient export by all crops (mean of three years) was unaffected by fallow systems. The fallow nutrient uptake versus crop nutrient export balance was positive for all nutrients and systems. Planted fallows appear capable of acquiring sufficient nutrient stocks during fallow phases, covering the crops’ demand. Fallow N and K uptake and crop export declined with every fallow/cropping cycle.     

Planting Date and Variety Effects on Rice Main and Ratoon Crop Production in South Texas

Rice ratooning could be a practical way to increase rice production per unit area and per unit time. The objectives of this study were to evaluate variety [two inbreds (Cocodrie and Presidio) and three hybrids (Clearfield XL729, Clearfield XL745, and XL723)] and planting date (early and normal) effects on rice ratoon production in a sandy loam and clay soil at Eagle Lake and Beaumont, Texas, USA, respectively. A randomized design with four replications was used at both sites in 2008 and 2009 with a total of 160 observations. A PROC MIXED model was used to analyze the data with year and site as random factors and planting date and variety as fixed factors, and main crop (MC) and ratoon crop (RC) were analyzed using Repeated Measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The grain yield of MC was only affected by the variety with hybrids having greater yields than inbreds (p < 0.01). However, both RC and total (MC plus RC) grain yields were affected by both planting date and variety (p < 0.01). For both RC and TC crops, early planting had greater (10%) grain yields than the normal planting (p < 0.01). Hybrids had 12% greater rain yields than inbreds (p < 0.001), but only for RC. The rice milling quality of MC was also affected by planting date and variety with greater milling yields with inbreds under normal planting. The results from this study indicate that rice ratoon and total crop yields could be improved through a combination of selected management practices including optimal variety selection and an earlier planting date.     

Availability of residual fixed ammonium to crops

Summary To estimate the availability of residual fixed NH ₄ ⁺ -N to crops and its participation in the general nitrogen cycle, a field experiment without N fertilization was conducted with maize as the test crop planted at two densities. The experiments were carried out on the layout of a previous experiment, where the maize was cropped with identical densities but was fertilized with five different N treatments. Irrespective of planting density, the residual fixec NH ₄ ⁺ -N and KOBr-extractable N content in soil decreased with increase in the period of crop growth. N uptake by the plant was significantly higher in plot with the high- than the low-density planting. Availability of residual fixed NH ₄ ^– -N to the crop is discussed.     

Grain legumes differ in nitrogen accumulation and remobilisation during seed filling

In grain legumes, the N requirements of growing seeds are generally greater than biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and soil N uptake during seed filling, so that the N previously accumulated in the vegetative tissues needs to be redistributed in order to provide N to the seeds. Chickpea, field bean, pea, and white lupin were harvested at flowering and maturity to compare the relative contribution of BNF, soil N uptake, and N remobilisation to seed N. From flowering to maturity, shoot dry weight increased in all crops by approximately 50%, root did not appreciably change, and nodule decreased by 18%. The amount of plant N increased in all crops, however in field bean (17?g?m^?2) it was about twice that in chickpea, pea, and lupin. The increase was entirely due to seeds, whose N content at maturity was 26?g?m^?2 in field bean and 16?g?m^?2 in chickpea, pea, and lupin. The seed N content at maturity was higher than total N accumulation during grain filling in all crops, and endogenous N previously accumulated in vegetative parts was remobilised to fulfil the N demand of filling seeds. Nitrogen remobilisation ranged from 7?g?m^?2 in chickpea to 9?g?m^?2 in field bean, and was crucial in providing N to the seeds of chickpea, pea, and lupin (half of seed N content) but it was less important in field bean (one-third). All the vegetative organs of the plants underwent N remobilisation: shoots contributed to the N supply of seeds from 58% to 85%, roots from 11% to 37%, and nodules less than 8%. Improving grain legume yield requires either reduced N remobilisation or enhanced N supply, thus, a useful strategy is to select cultivars with high post-anthesis N₂ fixation or add mineral N at flowering.     

白洋淀流域种植结构及氮盈余的时空变化特征

针对种植业氮素过量投入造成的流域农业面源污染问题,该研究以白洋淀流域核心区域粮食作物和经济作物为研究对象,以粮经比为种植结构评价指标,从氮素平衡角度考虑,探究白洋淀流域种植结构变化对区域水环境的影响。研究结果显示：1)白洋淀流域种植结构时空变化明显,时间上,研究期内白洋淀流域粮经比总体呈小幅度上升趋势(4.47～5.72);空间上,距白洋淀淀区距离越大,区域内粮经比越小,临白洋淀区粮经比(15.11～19.23)明显高于白洋淀上游粮经比(2.44～2.64);2)白洋淀流域种植业氮盈余量时空分异特征明显,时间上,研究期内白洋淀流域种植业氮盈余量总体呈下降趋势((26.29～18.49)×10⁴ t);空间上,各区域种植业氮盈余量表现为：白洋淀中游((10.39～14.48)×10⁴ t)、白洋淀下游((4.35～7.09)×10⁴ t)、临白洋淀((2.24～2.64)×10⁴ t)、白洋淀上游((1.51～2.58)×10⁴ t);3)白洋淀流域种植业氮盈余强度与粮经比呈显著...     

不同栽培模式和施肥方法对旱地冬小麦氮素吸收运转的影响

通过田间试验研究了旱地不同栽培模式和施肥方法下冬小麦氮素吸收运转的特点。结果表明,与平作相比,垄沟栽培明显降低了开花期地上部分的氮素累积量,但显著增加了成熟期地上部分和子粒的氮素累积量;垄上覆膜有增加开花和成熟期地上部及子粒氮素累积的作用。从花后氮素转运与吸收情况看,垄沟栽培花后累积氮量及其对子粒的贡献率显著高于平作,但其转运氮贡献率显著低于平作;垄上覆膜有较高的氮素转运量和花后累积量。垄下施肥地上部和子粒的氮素累积量比常规施肥分别高1.47和1.75.mg/stem,差异达显著水平。     

Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency and Growth of Bell Pepper in Relation to Time of Exposure to Fertilizer Solution

Irrigation of high‐value vegetable crops on sandy soils with poor water‐retention capacities may result in fertilizer nitrogen (N) displacement below the effective root zone prior to complete crop uptake. As a result, fertilizer N‐uptake efficiency (FUE) of vegetable crops is often relatively low, thereby increasing the potential risk of groundwater contamination. The objective of this study was to determine how time of exposure of the root zone to the N fertilizer (which is referred to as “fertilizer residence time” or t _R), as related to irrigation management, affects N uptake, FUE, growth, and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Plants were grown in PVC columns with 45 kg of soil equipped with a drainage valve in the bottom of the column. Weekly irrigation with dissolved fertilizers (potassium nitrate; KNO₃) was applied 1, 3, or 7 d before weekly removal of residual soil N by leaching. Weekly N uptake rates were calculated by comparing total N recovery between unplanted (reference) and planted columns. At 77 d after planting, increasing the t _R from 1 to 3 or 7 d increased the weekly N uptake from 1.4 to 10.8 and/or 13.3 kg N ha^?1, respectively. Total calculated plant N accumulations were 19, 72, and 106 kg N ha^?1 for the 1‐, 3‐, and 7‐d t _R treatments, with overall FUE values being 8, 31, and 45%, respectively. It is concluded that during initial growth crop, uptake capacity is limiting, and more frequent (daily) fertilizer injection into the irrigation water may be required to enhance FUE. It is proposed also that via sound or innovative irrigation management practices, fertilizer retention in the root zone can be enhanced, thereby improving crop growth, yield, and FUE while reducing production cost and potential environmental impacts.