坡面氮素流失的坡度和雨强效应模拟研究

为了研究坡面径流和壤中流中全氮(TN)的流失特征,探索坡度和雨强对TN流失的影响,以风化花岗岩母质发育的土壤为研究对象,选定坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)和降雨强度(60,90,120,150mm/h)作为可变量,采用原状土搬迁的方式,在室内设计的径流槽上进行人工模拟降雨试验,设计试验降雨时长为坡面径流产流后90min,壤中流水样收集延续直至无出流为止。结果表明:(1)坡面径流TN流失浓度在产流初期快速下降,随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大,产流后期浓度趋于稳定且差距不大。(2)壤中流TN流失浓度均明显高于坡面径流,其流失过程规律为"上升—下降—略有上升—平稳",总体上随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大。(3)坡面径流和壤中流的TN流失量均随雨强或坡度的增大而增大。壤中流是坡面TN流失的主要途径,流失比例可达91.26%~99.61%。坡面径流中TN流失量占坡面TN总流失量的比例随雨强的增大而增大。(4)雨强、流量与坡面径流、壤中流TN总流失量均呈极显著正相关,而坡度只与壤中流TN总流失量呈显著正相关。(5)在雨强90mm/h与120mm/h之间存在一个临界雨强,超过这个临界雨强,坡面径流TN流失量及其占总流失量的比例都会大幅上升。     

人工模拟降雨条件下石灰土养分流失规律

通过对三峡库区香溪河流域选取具有代表性石灰土坡耕地进行原位人工模拟降雨试验,研究了在不同降雨强度下石灰土中氮磷养分随地表径流的流失规律。结果表明:雨强越大,地表径流量、径流总量、泥沙流失量越大,初始产流时间越短,但是雨强对泥沙流失浓度的影响不显著;不同雨强下TP、TN浓度都随着产流时间的延长逐渐变小,最后趋于平衡,而且雨强越大,TP、TN浓度流失越严重,其中TP主要以PP形式流失,达到80%以上,TN的流失在大雨时PN占优,中雨时以DN占优;地表径流磷素的流失主要以泥沙携带为主,泥沙养分流失浓度与雨强无关,但是泥沙养分流失量却与雨强和泥沙流失量成正比。     

紫色土坡面壤中流养分输出特征

壤中流作为紫色土坡面一种产流形式,其引起的养分流失往往被忽视,针对这一问题.采用人工模拟降雨法,在3.0 m长、1.0 m宽的土槽上.通过4个不同坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°)、5个不同雨强(0.6,1.1,1.6,2.12,2.54mm/min)的组合实验,对三峡库区紫色土坡面壤中流养分输出特征进行了研究.结果表明:实验条件下,壤中流占总径流量的0.2%～2.7%,且紫色土坡面壤中流的产生存在着一个临界坡度和临界雨强,临界坡度大约在10°左右,临界雨强约为2.1 mm/min.实验条件下.紫色土坡面壤中流养分含量为地表径流养分含量的4.32～63倍,因此,尽管壤中流总量在总径流量中的比例并不高,但由其携带而流失的养分仍不容忽视.壤中流携带而流失的总氮量占坡面总氮流失量的0.36%～7.82%,因此,要控制紫色土坡面氮素流失,不仅要控制地表径流,更重要的是要提高土壤的持水能力,减少壤中流.磷素迁移流失主要与侵蚀产沙量有关.在地表径流及壤中流中的含量都很低,由此而引起的总磷流失量也较小,二者合计占总磷流失量的不足7%,甚至不足1%,控制紫色土坡面磷素流失的关键是控制坡面侵蚀产沙.     

侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地降雨产流及水文过程研究

为研究坡地的降雨产流分配及水文动态过程,以侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地为研究对象,采用室内人工模拟降雨的方法研究不同降雨强度(30,60,90,120,150mm/h)和不同坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)条件下坡面径流和壤中流的分配特征与水文过程。结果表明:坡面径流的初始产流时刻均随降雨强度和坡度的增大而提前,壤中流的初始产流时刻明显滞后于坡面径流。壤中流径流量在不同坡度下随降雨时间的延长呈先递增后趋于平稳的现象,雨强越大达到峰值的时间越早,在降雨停止一段时间后径流量开始下降。多数情况下,壤中流所占总径流量的比重均大于坡面径流,坡面径流量比重随雨强的增大而增大,随坡度的变化幅度较小。坡面径流的径流系数与雨强的相关性较强,而壤中流径流系数与坡度之间的拟合效果较好。不同坡度下坡面径流、壤中流和混合流(坡面径流与壤中流同时发生)的径流模数与雨强呈正相关关系,不同类型径流的径流模数大小依次为混合流壤中流坡面径流。     

不同管理方式竹林坡地降雨径流中氮磷流失特性模拟试验

针对不同管理方式竹林坡地水土流失过程中携带养分流失的特征,于2008年和2009年在浙江省临安市和安吉县,分别选择用材竹林坡地和挖笋竹林坡地,建立径流小区(面积3 m×1.5 m,坡度20°),设计用材林不锄草、清鞭和施肥,笋林地除草清鞭每年1次和2年1次、每年施肥1次,共3种管理方式,采用人工模拟降雨的试验手段,设定6个降雨强度(0.53～1.90 mm/min),定时采集径流泥沙样,测试径流中的总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)含量,研究不同管理方式下竹林地N和P的流失过程特征,分析流失差异的原因.结论如下:(1)在相同管理方式下,径流中TN和TP的流失量随雨强在增加,以雨强为1.01 mm/min为界,小于该雨强时增加量很微弱,大于这一雨强时增加速率很快;(2)在相同雨强作用下,笋竹林地径流中TN的流失量是用材竹林地的3～7倍,但径流中TP的流失量却略小于用材竹林地的流失量;(3)泥沙中TP的流失量,笋竹林地是用材竹林地的数百倍;(4)在N和P随径流泥沙的流失过程中,产流前期浓度起主要作用,后期径流量和产沙量起决定作用.研究结果可为竹林地管理、笋用竹林地锄草、清鞭和施肥的科学合理安排提供参考依据.     

次降雨条件下鲁中南山区砂质壤土赤松林地产流与氮磷流失特征

为了研究水源地上游林地产流及其氮磷运移规律,采用人工模拟次降雨试验方法,选择鲁中南山区泰安市黄前水库上游药乡小流域赤松林地作为研究对象,以荒草地为对照,对其地表径流和壤中流及其氮磷流失特征进行研究。结果表明:(1)次降雨条件下赤松林地地表径流量低于荒草地,而荒草地壤中流量低于赤松林地,赤松林地及荒草地土壤入渗量与植被覆盖度呈正相关。随着降雨的进行,赤松林地和荒草地地表径流产流量不断增加且趋于稳定,壤中流产流时间比地表径流晚,径流量较平稳。(2)次降雨条件下地表径流全氮(TN)流失量呈现初期输出浓度较高,随降雨的进行,输出浓度减少并逐渐趋于稳定状态,壤中流呈现相对稳定的状态。TN流失量与输出浓度呈正相关。赤松林地地表径流及壤中流TN流失量均低于荒草地。(3)次降雨条件下赤松林地地表径流全磷(TP)的输出浓度与流失量呈正相关;赤松林地地表径流及壤中流TP流失量均低于荒草地的。(4)赤松林地及荒草地前期降雨TN、TP总流失量均低于次降雨的;次降雨TN总流失量是前期降雨的1.11倍;次降雨TP总流失量是前期降雨的1.15倍。同时,次降雨赤松林地TN、TP流失量均低于荒草地的。因此,与荒草地相比,赤松林地具有较好的调控氮磷流失的作用。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150mm·h~(-1))和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon,TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明,在坡面径流中,坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小,且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系,TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响;在壤中流中,TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势;在试验条件范围内,各坡度条件下,随着雨强的增大,坡面径流中TC流失量增大,而壤中流中TC流失量减小;在大雨强下,坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系,而随着雨强的增大,坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加;在试验雨强和坡度下,雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著,而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系,R~20.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀及氮磷流失的影响

采用人工模拟降雨的手段,在2种雨强(50,75mm/h)、4种坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°)条件下,研究了雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀和养分流失的影响。结果表明:(1)降雨强度从50mm/h增大到75mm/h,相同坡度的坡面开始产流时间提前了2.75~4.79min。(2)随着雨强的增大,同一坡度的坡面径流量增加了12.53~15.80mm/m2,增加幅度为1.24~1.31倍;同一坡度的坡面产沙量增加了0.47~3.61kg/m2,增加幅度为0.77~2.90倍。坡面侵蚀过程中,存在临界坡度,为15°左右。(3)氮素流失以径流流失为主,泥沙中总氮的流失量较低,仅占径流总氮流失量的1.4%~9.7%。坡度较小时,磷素流失途径以径流流失为主,随着坡度的增加,磷素的流失途径以泥沙流失为主。(4)径流总氮流失浓度与径流强度呈线性正相关,泥沙总氮和总磷流失浓度与产沙率也分别呈显著的线性正相关。     

碎石土坡地不同植被配置下的养分流失途径

为了解不同植被类型及覆盖度对碎石土壤坡地养分流失途径的影响,采用模拟径流小区降雨,研究了6种植被配置模式下地表径流、壤中流及侵蚀泥沙氮、磷养分流失特征。结果表明:植被覆盖坡地氮流失量比裸地减少了0.91~4.60倍,磷流失量减少了6.25~63.9倍,养分控制效果排序为草灌草本灌木裸地。6种植被配置下的地表径流、壤中流及侵蚀泥沙养分流失量存在显著差异,裸地氮、磷的主要损失途径是侵蚀泥沙,灌木是地表径流,草本与草灌结合处理则是地表径流和壤中流;而草本、灌木以及草灌结合土壤磷的主要损失途径是侵蚀泥沙与地表径流共同作用的结果。不同植物覆盖措施对含碎石土裸地氮、磷的流失起到显著的截留作用,主要通过由侵蚀泥沙向非侵蚀泥沙途径转化而实现对氮磷的截留。灌木覆盖度与地表径流的氮磷流失量、径流总量的氮磷流失量之间呈现显著的正相关性,与壤中流的氮磷流失量呈现显著的负相关性。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150 mm?h^-1)和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon，TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明，在坡面径流中，坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小，且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系，TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响；在壤中流中，TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势；在试验条件范围内，各坡度条件下，随着雨强的增大，坡面径流中TC流失量增大，而壤中流中TC流失量减小；在大雨强下，坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系，而随着雨强的增大，坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加；在试验雨强和坡度下，雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著，而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系, R²＞0.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.