Antagonistic effect of gibberellic acid and boron on protein and carbohydrate metabolism of soybean germinating seeds

Lots of soybean seeds (Glycine max L. Merr. cv MG 13 G2) were pretreated with solutions of boron (1 or 2 μg/ml) or/and gibberellic acid (GA₃) (0.1 μg/ml) during three hours, and germinated in a culture chamber at 24°±1°C. Germination and seedling growth were inhibited by boron. GA₃ activated both processes and partially reversed the inhibitory effect of the microelement. This protective effect of GA₃ against the negative action of boron is particularly due to the antagonism GA₃ /boron on protein and carbohydrate metabolism during the seed germination process.     

Root‐zone temperature affects nutrient uptake and growth of snapdragon

Nutrient uptake by snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L. ‘Peoria') was compared at five root‐zone temperatures: 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36°C. Uptake of nitrate (NO₃ ^‐‐N), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺‐N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) responded quadratically to increasing root‐zone temperature. Greatest nutrient uptake temperature varied with nutrient but ranged from 15 to 29°C. Uptake of copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were unaffected by root‐zone temperature. Dry weight gain and stem length also responded quadratically to increasing root‐zone temperature. Optimal temperatures for nutrient uptake and growth were similar, averaging 22°C. These results indicate increasing or maintaining root‐zone temperatures near 22°C maximizes growth and nutrient uptake of snapdragons.     

A procedure for the determination of soluble boron in soils ranging widely in boron concentrations,sodicity, and pH.

Abstract

Soils in southern Australia within the Mediterranean‐type climate zone vary widely in boron concentrations, from potentially deficient to toxic for plant growth. A general method is needed for the determination of boron in soils ranging from acidic to alkaline, with wide ranges of clay content and sodicity.

The amounts of boron extracted were compared following boiling in 0.01M CaCl₂ in test tubes in temperature‐controlled programmable digestion blocks, or in Erienmeyer flasks on hot plates under different analytical conditions. Comparisons were also made between CaCl₂, hot water, and mannitol extractable boron. All analyses of boron were made by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICPS).

The extraction of boron was dependent on extraction time and temperature of the heating block. Addition of 20 ml of 0.01M CaCl₂ to 10g of soil in 250 ml test tubes fitted with air condensers and placed in a pre‐heated temperature‐controlled digestion block set at 140°C and boiled for 30 minutes. This method was found to be a suitable extractant of boron in soils with a wide range of sodicity, pH and extractable boron (from concentrations potentially deficient to toxic for plant growth).     

Effect of Sample Preparation Methods on Analytical Values of Some Micro‐ and Secondary Nutrients in Plant Tissues

Abstract: Plant tissues of rice and wheat crops (n = 5) collected at harvest time were wet‐ashed in di‐acid mixture [analytical‐grade nitric acid (HNO₃)–perchloric acid (HClO₄), 3:1, v/v] on a sand bath at 200 °C or dry‐ashed in a muffle furnace at 550 °C for 3 h in triplicate. The samples were analyzed for calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and molybdenum (Mo) using double‐beam atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GBC‐Avanta ∑ model) and for boron (B) by colorimetry (UV‐VIS spectrophotometer, ECIL‐GS 5705 model) using Azomethine‐H procedure. As per the paired t‐test, both wet‐ashing and dry‐ashing procedures resulted in statistically similar analytical values for B, Ca, Fe, and Mo. However, the mean coefficients of variation were higher with the wet‐ashing procedure (6.19 to 9.64%) as compared to the dry‐ashing procedure (2.14 to 3.45%). The dry‐ashing procedure was found to be the best for routine chemical analysis of B and Mo in plant samples.     

Quantification of individual phosphorus species in sediment: a sequential conversion and extraction method

Common sequential phosphorus (P) extraction methods are not specific to particular chemical species and have several limitations. This work presents the first chemical method for quantification of individual mineral and sorbed P species. It was developed by combining a conversion technique with a sequential extraction procedure. Mangrove sediments with different characteristics were incubated in pH‐adjusted 0.01 M CaCl₂ with and without reference material additions of octacalcium phosphate (Ca₈H₂(PO₄)₆·5H₂O; OCP), hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH), strengite (FePO₄·2H₂O) or variscite (AlPO₄·2H₂O). The changes in soluble phosphate concentration were measured in the supernatant solution, while pH‐induced variations in P composition were determined by subsequent sequential extraction of the sediments. Dissolved phosphate concentration was controlled by adsorption below pH 7.8. Above this pH, soluble phosphate concentration was governed by OCP, which was qualitatively determined by plotting the experimental values of pH + pH₂PO₄ and pH – 0.5 pCa on a solubility diagram including the isotherms of known crystalline phosphate compounds. In contrast to the often‐predicted slow dissolution rate of crystalline phosphates in soils or sediments, drastic changes in P composition by dissolution, precipitation and adsorption processes were detected after 7 days. These were mainly not observed indirectly by changes in dissolved phosphate through adsorption effects, but were determined quantitatively by subsequent sequential extraction, thus enabling the quantification of individual species. Evaluation of the method was performed by standard addition experiments. Besides P species quantification, the method provides the means for other applications, such as the determination of P mineral dissolution kinetics in soils and sediments, the prediction of P composition in changing environmental settings and the refinement of theoretical models of phosphate solubility in soil and sedimentary environments.     

Effect of boron and sulfur interaction on some important biological indices in an inceptisol

In most soil ecosystems, soil biological activity and associated processes are concentrated in the rhizosphere soil and is influenced by the external application of plant nutrients. The impacts of boron and sulfur on soil biological properties were evaluated in an Aeric Haplaquept (pH 5.7) growing rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) as a test crop. Application of boron (B) at 2 mg kg^?1 in combination with sulfur (S) at 30 mg kg^?1 (B₂S₃₀) resulted in highest available Boron and sulfur of 0.239 and 15.4 mg kg^?1, respectively and registered 62.5% and 71.3% increase over control (B₀S₀) at 60 days of crop growth compared to individual applications. The microbial populations viz. phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) and nitrogen fixing bacteria (NFB) were the highest of 52.63 and 85.87 × 10⁵ g^?1 soil, respectively, CFU in B₂S₃₀ treatment at 60 days and adjudged as the best treatment combination for enhancement of soil biological indices and seed yield.     

The influences of temperature on aqueous aluminium chemistry

Temperature affects the solubility of Al(OH)₃(s), the solubility product formed, the hydrolysis and molecular weight distribution of aqueous Al species as well as the pH of the solutions. In the present work, identical solutions of inorganic Al (400, 600, and 800 μg Al L^?1) were stored for 1 mo at either 2 or 25 °C. In the solutions stored at 25 °C pH varied from 4.83 to 5.07, while in the corresponding solutions stored at 2 °C pH varied from 5.64 to 5.78. In spite of the relatively low pH at 25 °C, significant amounts of high molecular weight Al species were precipitated from the solution and the solubility product (log^* K _s ) of (Al(OH)₃) (s) was low (9.0). Substantial amounts of high molecular weight Al species were also formed at 2 °C, but the majority was present as colloids in the solution. The solubility product (converted from 2 into 25 °C) was 10.2, reflecting a solubility product of an amorphous (Al(OH)₃)(s) phase. The different physico-chemical forms of Al present at 2 and 25 °C should have relevance for water/soil chemistry modeling.     

Utilization of biochar impregnated with anaerobically digested slurry as slow‐release fertilizer

We examined the possibility of an environment‐friendly slow‐release fertilizer (SRF) made of biochar impregnated by anaerobically digested slurry. The biochar materials were produced from three types of feedstocks (orange peel, residual wood, water‐treatment sludge) at different temperatures of 300°C, 500°C, and 700°C via pyrolysis. The release behaviors of the water‐soluble K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ were similar for all impregnated biochars and the commercial SRF used. The water‐retention capacity was greatly improved by mixing the biochar‐SRF with the soil. The yield of lettuce was lower for the biochar‐SRF applications of 3.7 to 34.2 t ha^–1 than for the commercial SRF application of 51.4 t ha^–1. This might be due to excessive increase of soil pH for the biochar‐SRF application. Based on these results, the authors concluded that the biochar impregnated with nutrients could become an effective slow‐release K⁺ fertilizer.     

Short‐Term Effect of Lime,Phosphorus, and Iron Amendments on Water‐Extractable Lead and Arsenic in Orchard Soils

Abstract

Lead arsenate was extensively used to control insects in apple and plum orchards in the 1900s. Continuous use of lead arsenate resulted in elevated soil levels of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). There are concerns that As and Pb will become solubilized upon a change in land use. In situ chemical stabilization practices, such as the use of phosphate‐phosphorus (P), have been investigated as a possible method for reducing the solubility, mobility, and potential toxicity of Pb and As in these soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of calcium carbonate (lime), P, and iron (Fe) amendments in reducing the solubility of As and Pb in lead‐arsenate‐treated soils over time. Under controlled conditions, two orchard soils, Thurmont loam (Hapludults) and Burch loam (Haploxerolls), were amended with reagent‐grade calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), iron hydroxide [Fe(OH)₃], and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and incubated for 16 weeks at 26°C. The experimental results suggested that the inorganic P increased competitive sorption between H₂PO₄ ^? and dihydrogen arsenate (H₂AsO₄ ^?), resulting in greater desorption of As in both Thurmont and Burch soils. Therefore, addition of lime, potassium phosphate, and Fe to lead‐arsenate‐contaminated soils could increase the risk of loss of soluble As and Pb from surface soil and potentially increase these metal species in runoff and movement to groundwater.     

Effect of foliar boron application on boron,chlorophyll, phenol,sugars and hormones concentration of olive (Olea europaea L.) buds,leaves, and fruits

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different time and rates of boron (B) foliar application on olive (Olea europaea L.) tree's tissue boron concentration, total phenol, chlorophyll, total soluble sugars, and endogenous hormones. A field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 using 20 years old olive trees cv. Frantoio. The trees are grown in sandy soil planted at 5 × 5 m apart under drip irrigation system at the Nuclear Research Center Experimental Farm, Inshas, El-Qaliubiya Governorate, Egypt. Boron was applied foliarly as boric acid at the following rates (0.0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L^?1) at flower initiation and after 1 and 2 months from flower initiation. Results showed that boron was significantly effective in increasing leaf, bud, and fruit boron concentration. Total phenol concentration in leaves and buds were significantly highest in the control treatment, significantly decreased as the boron application rate increased. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, and total soluble sugars significantly increased as the boron application rate increased and the highest increase was achieved at 200 mg L^?1 boron concentration rate. Leaf and bud endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were highest in the control treatment; they decreased as the boron application rate increased. However, gibberellic acid (GA₃) increased in response to boron treatments compared with the control. The maximum increase was observed at 200 mg L^?1 boron rate. We concluded that boron is mobile in olive tree as reproductive organs accumulated more boron than vegetative organs. There is evidence that boron is involved in reduction of phenols, increase in fruit set, and in sugar transport. A balance in endogenous hormones (IAA, GA, ABA) concentrations in olive tree has induced the maximum fruit set and yield.     

Determination of phosphate desorption characteristics in soils using successive resin extractions

Abstract

An alternative method for examining phosphate desorption characteristics in soil was tested. Five tropical soils with very different phosphate sorption capacities were incubated with added phosphate under three different conditions: 2 days at 25°C, 55 days at 25°C, and 2 days at 50°C. After incubation the phosphate was desorbed from the soil using successive cation‐anion resin extractions. The data from these extractions were fitted to a first order rate equation describing desorption. From the equation, an asymptote (B) was found to represent the ultimate amount of phosphate desorbable from each soil after incubation. It was found that increasing the incubation time or increasing the temperature of the incubation lowered this parameter ‘B’ suggesting that the slow reaction of adsorbed phosphate had reduced the amount of readily desorbable phosphate. Differences between soils as reflected in this parameter may indicate differences in the residual value of added phosphate in the field.     

Persistence of effects of nitrification inhibitors added to soils

Abstract

The persistence of the effects of four nitrification inhibitors (2‐ethynylpyridine, nitrapyrin, etridiazole, 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide) on nitrification in soil was assessed by measuring the ability of two soils to nitrify NH₄ ⁺ [added as (NH₄)₂SO₄] after they had been treated with 5 μg inhibitor g^‐1 soil and incubated at 10, 20, or 30°C for 0, 21, 42, 84, 126, or 168 days. The soils used differed markedly in organic‐matter content (1.2 and 4.2% organic C). The data obtained showed that the persistence of the effects of the inhibitors studied decreased markedly with increase in soil temperature from 10 to 30°C and that, whereas the initial inhibitory effects of the test compounds on nitrification were greatest with the soil having the lower organic‐matter content, the persistence of their effects at 20 or 30°C was greatest with the soil having the higher organic‐matter content. The inhibitory effects of 2‐ethynylpyridine and etridiazole on nitrification were considerably more persistent than those of nitrapyrin or 3‐methylpyrazole‐l‐carboxamide and were significant even after incubation of inhibitor‐treated soil at 20°C for 168 days.     

Response of mango tree nutritional status and biochemical constituents to boron and nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Al Malak Valley Farm, El-Sharkeya Governorate-Egypt (30°–51° N; 32°–53° E) using 15 years old productive mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees cv. Zebda. The experiment was repeated for two successive seasons (2014/2015) and (2015/2016). The trees were planted 8×8 meters apart in sandy soil under drip irrigation system using the Nile water. Treatments included three concentrations of boron (0.0, 250, 500?mg L^?1) and three concentrations of nitrogen (1000, 1250, 1500?g nitrogen/tree/year). Boron was applied as foliar spray of boric acid and nitrogen was applied to the soil as ammonium sulfate. Treatments were arranged in a factorial Completely Randomized Block Design with three replicates for each treatment. Results show that boron application has improved mango tree nutritional status. Leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron concentrations significantly increased as the boron application rate increased. In addition, boron application resulted in significant increase in leaf total chlorophyll, total carbohydrates, total sugars, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and decrease in total phenol content. Boron showed higher impact than nitrogen on all tested parameters. The interaction treatment of 250?mg L^?1 boron and 1500?g/tree nitrogen proved to be the best treatment.     

Wheat response to interactive effects of boron and salinity

Abstract

In semiarid regions with irrigated agriculture, excess boron (B) often occurs in association with moderate to high salinity. However, little information is available on plant uptake of B under saline conditions. This greenhouse study was conducted to determine the interactive effects of salinity and varying concentrations of boron on growth, yield and ion relations of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. ‘Yecora Rojo'). Plants were grown in sand cultures that were irrigated four times daily with modified Hoagland's nutrient solution. Sixteen treatments were initiated 4 d after planting in a completely randomized factorial experiment with 4 salinity levels (electrical conductivities of the irrigation waters=1.5, 4, 8, and 12 dS m^?1) and 4 B concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 15 mg L^?1). Salinizing salts were NaCl and CaCl₂ (2:1 molar basis). Symptoms of B toxicity were closely correlated with B concentration in the leaves and injury became severe when leaf‐B exceeded 400 mg kg^?1. At each concentration of external B, shoot‐B was least under nonsaline conditions and increased significantly as salinity increased. Shoot‐calcium (Ca) concentration increased with increasing salinity, but was unaffected by applied B. Shoot‐magnesium (Mg), and potassium (‐K) decreased significantly in response to increases in salinity and substrate B. Salinity and B as well as their combined effects significantly reduced wheat biomass production, yield components, and final grain yield.     

Effects of pretreatment and solution chemistry on solubility of rice‐straw phytoliths

Rice is a Si‐accumulator plant, whereby Si has physio‐chemical functions for plant growth. Its straw contains high shares of plant silica bodies, so‐called phytoliths, and can, when returned to the soil, be an important Si fertilizer. Release of Si from phytoliths into soil solution depends on many factors. In order to improve prognosis of availability and management of Si located in phytoliths, in this study we analyzed the effect of pretreatment of rice straw by dry and wet ashing and the soil‐solution composition on Si release. Dry ashing of rice straw was performed at 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C and wet ashing of the original straw and the sample from 400°C treatment with H₂O₂. To identify the impact of soil‐solution chemistry, Si release was measured on separated phytoliths in batch experiments at pH 2–10 and in presence of different cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺) and anions (Cl^–, NO$ _3^- $ , SO$ _4^{2-} $ , acetate, oxalate, citrate) in the concentration range from 0.1 to 10 mmol_c L^–1. After burning rice straw at 400°C, phytoliths and biochar were major compounds in the ash. At an electrolyte background of 0.01 mol_c L^–1, Si released at pH 6.5 was one order of magnitude higher than at pH 3, where the zeta potential (ζ) was close to zero. Higher ionic strength tended to suppress Si release. The presence of cations increased ζ, indicating the neutralization of deprotonated Si‐O^– sites. Monovalent cations suppressed Si release more strongly than bivalent ones. Neutralization of deprotonated Si‐O^– sites by cations might accelerate polymerization, leading to smaller Si release in comparison with absences of electrolytes. Addition of Al³⁺ resulted in charge reversal, indicating a very strong adsorption of Al³⁺, and it is likely that Si‐O‐Al‐O‐Si bonds are formed which decrease Si release. The negative effect of anions on Si release in comparison with deionized H₂O might be due to an increase in ionic strength. The effect was more pronounced for organic anions than for inorganic ones. Burning of rice straw at low temperatures (e.g., 400°C) appears suitable to provide silicon for rice in short term for the next growing season. High inputs of electrolytes with irrigation water and low pH with concomitant increase of Al³⁺ in soil solution should be avoided in order to keep dissolution rate of phytoliths at an appropriate level.     

Preparation and Solubility of Phosphorylated β-Cyclodextrins

β-Cyclodextrin (CD) was phosphorylated with phosphoryl chloride in aqueous alkaline media at different temperatures and pH values. The phosphorylated cyclodextrin (PCD) were characterized by phosphorus contents and positions of substitution as determined by ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. Reaction of CD with equivmolar POCl₃ for 3 hr at pH 12 and 45°C yielded in a PCD with a phosphorus content of 5.67%. The ratio of monoand diphosphate esters increased when the reaction temperature was raised from 25 to 60°C. The monoesterified phosphate groups were mainly located at C-6 of the anhydroglucose units when the reaction pH was 11 or 12. Reactions at pH 10, however, led to a higher degree of substitution at C-2 than at C-6. Phosphorylation enhanced the water solubility of CD. Solubility of a PCD (5.65% phosphorus) was 35% at pH 8 and 25°C. Simultaneously, solubility of the PCD in 25% ethanol in water was much greater than unsubstituted CD (22.3 vs. 2.8%). The PCD enhanced the water solubility of nonpolar compounds, such as β-carotene.     

Effect of Root Zone Temperature on Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus) Response to Boron

Abstract

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is sensitive to low boron (B) supply, and its growth response to B may be influenced by soil temperature. To test the relationship between B and temperature, oilseed rape (cv. Hyola 42) seedlings were grown at 10°C (low) root zone temperature (RZT) with B supply from deficient to adequate B levels until growth of low B plants just began to slow down. Half of the pots were then transferred to 20°C (warm) RZT for 11 days before they were moved back to 10°C RZT for the final 4 days. Both plant dry mass and B uptake increased after plants were exposed to warm RZT. However, plant B deficiency was exacerbated by warm RZT in low B plants because of increased relative growth rate and shoot–root ratio without a commensurate increase in B uptake rate. It is concluded that RZT above the critical threshold for chilling injury in oilseed rape can nevertheless affect the incidence of B deficiency by altering shoot–root ratio and hence the balance between shoot B demand and B uptake.     

Evaluation of fertilizers solubility and phosphate release in slightly acidic arable soil

The geochemical reactivity of single superphosphate (SSP), triple superphosphate (TSP), phosphate rock (PR), partially acidulated phosphate rock (PAPR) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) was evaluated in an incubation trial. The soil was Anthrosols, Ap horizon (Sandy loam). Solubility equilibrium of phosphates was calculated by phosphate (P_Pot = logH₂PO₄ – pH) and calcium (Ca_Pot = logCa + 2pH) potentials. Next, activity ratio (AR°) and Woodruff potential (ΔF) were considered for estimating phosphate dynamics in the soil. Data showed that phosphate potentials stressed on significant solubility process and varied accordingly to the rates of the fertilizers: ?5.50, ?4.81, ?4.47 and ?4.09 for 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg P ha^?1. The values of the Woodruff potential (ΔF) varied widely from ?1929 to 8573 cal mol^?1, i.e., from marginal supplying power in the case of the control treatment to very high supplying power for the TSP (Triple superphosphate). These findings are of practical value for the following reasons: TSP and KH₂PO₄ are recommended for quick and high P supply to plants; SSP and PAPR for moderate supply and finally PR for slow and low supply. Phosphorus efficiency should be treated with priority particularly for areas with intensive cropping and susceptibility to runoffs.     

Herstellung und Verwendung 33P-markierter Carbonatfluorapatite zur Untersuchung der Wirkung rohphosphathaltiger Düngemittel

Preparation and use of ³³P labelled carbonate fluorapatite in studies on the effect of phosphate rock containing fertilizers For a precise evaluation of the effectiveness of the different phosphate fractions in partially acidulated phosphate rocks these fractions were alternatively labelled. For this purpose a technique was developed to prepare synthetic, ³³P labelled carbonate fluorapatite (francolite type). A labelled (NH₄)₂HPO₄ solution (+ Na₂CO₃, NH₄F) was poured into a Ca(NO₃)₂ × 4H₂O solution (pH 12) and the washed precipitate heated until the aimed solubility was reached (e.g. 2 h 400°C + 1.5 h 600°C). After grinding this mother phosphate rock was acidulated with sulphuric acid to fully acidulated superphosphate and partially acidulated phosphate rock. The nonacidulated rock residue was extracted from the partially acidulated phosphate rock. In an identical procedure phosphate rock was prepared without addition of ³³P and in part acidulated to superphosphate. Mixing of labelled phosphate rock and not labelled superphosphate (and vice versa) gave two fertilizer mixtures with alternate labelled fractions equivalent to the fully labelled partially acidulated phosphate rock. Mineralogical properties of the synthetic phosphate fertilizers and their turnover in pot experiments with rye grass were corresponding to that of commercial products. The reactivity of the nonacidulated rock residue was inferior to that of the original phosphate rock after the process of partial acidulation. Fertilizer utilization was determined by use of isotopes (³³P) and total P uptake method. P utilization as determined by total P uptake method was significantly higher compared to the real fertilizer effectiveness measured by ³³P labelling.     

Zinc uptake and distribution in tomato plants in response to foliar supply of Zn hydroxide‐nitrate nanocrystal suspension with controlled Zn solubility

The present study investigated the foliar uptake rate, distribution, and retranslocation patterns of novel, synthesized zinc hydroxide‐nitrate nanocrystals (ZnHN; solubility 30–50 mg Zn L^?1) applied on to the adaxial surface of tomato leaves (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Roma). The total Zn absorption from ZnHN suspension positively increased with ZnHN application rates, but the relative efficacy started to decline at > 400 mg Zn L^?1. Within the 3 weeks, total Zn recovery in the ZnHN‐treated plants was 16% of the total ZnHN‐Zn applied, compared to the near 90% total Zn recovery in the Zn(NO₃)₂‐plants at the same Zn rate. Foliar‐absorbed ZnHN‐Zn was distributed from the treated leaves into other plant parts and preferentially translocated into the roots. Distribution of Zn from ZnHN‐treated leaves to apical parts was not limited by Zn deficiency. These results demonstrate that ZnHN crystals with controlled solubility provided some sort of slow‐release Zn over a certain growth period at a rate slower (but quantitatively effective) than the soluble Zn(NO₃)₂. The efficacy of the prolonged foliar Zn supply could be enhanced if the ZnHN suspension is sprayed over a large leaf surface area at the peak vegetative or early flowering stage.