辽宁设施栽培土壤盐分累积变化规律研究

对辽宁省主要设施栽培地区土壤盐分累积变化规律的凋查研究结果表明：（1）设施栽培土壤盐分含量和电导率较露地土壤有明显增加，且变化幅度较大，是露地的2.0～6.0倍。沈阳、北宁两地设施土壤的盐分含量分别为1347.48mg／kg（CV=59.3％），1274.25mg／kg（CV＝40.5％）。（2）设施土壤连续种植到4年左右为盐分累积的高峰期，此时土壤的平均含盐量为1861.28mg／kg，EC值为0.53mS／cm，已超过所种作物的生育障碍临界点（EC〉0.5mS／cm）。此后，盐分含量因设施使用率的降低及采取的相关措施而有一定程度的降低。（3）设施土壤各盐分离子的含量均较露地土壤大大增加，盐分的累积以NO3^-、SO4^2-和Ca^2＋的相对富集为主要特征。（4）盐分在设施土壤中的运移同时存在着向下迁移和向表层聚集两种方式，且以表聚为主。各盐分离子的含量随土层深度的增加而降低，NO3^-、CI^-、Ca^2＋、Na^＋的累积迁移量较大，在0～100cm各土层内的含量都高于对应露地层次，其中，硝酸盐的大量累积和向下迁移势必对环境造成不利影响。     

设施土壤盐分的累积、迁移及离子组成变化特征

通过对我国不同地区设施栽培现状的野外调查和取样分析,研究了设施栽培条件下土壤盐分的累积、迁移及离子组成变化特点。结果表明:1)设施栽培条件下,土壤含盐量的变化幅度大,且均明显高于露地土壤,各研究区域内已有40%8～9%的土壤含盐量超过了作物正常生长的临界浓度。2)设施栽培的可持续利用周期较短,连续种植到4年左右的设施土壤,其耕层盐分的累积量可达到作物的生长障碍临界点,之后因设施使用率的下降以及采取的措施而有所降低,但仍高于露地土壤。设施连续使用会导致土壤环境质量的不断恶化。3)设施土壤剖面(0100.cm)盐分含量均高于相邻露地,盐分含量随土层深度增加而降低,其中耕层(020.cm)的盐分含量显著高于其下各层;盐分离子在土壤剖面的运移同时存在着明显的向底层迁移和向表层聚集两种方式,但以表聚为主;此外,盐分离子的大量累积和向底层迁移,特别是NO3-的淋溶已严重影响到部分地区的地下水水质。4)设施栽培后,土壤中的NO3-、SO42-、Cl-、Ca2+、Mg2+、K+、Na+均有不同程度的累积,阴离子以NO3-和SO42-为主,阳离子以Ca2+为主。盐分的大量累积以及某些离子的相对富集在一定程度上引起了作物养分的供需失衡、土壤酸化、棚室内CO2供应不足等生产问题。     

新疆盐渍化区土壤盐分离子的空间变异特征

土壤中盐分含量与空间分布是了解多孔介质中水盐运移规律并进而因地制宜提出盐渍土改良措施的关键。利用地统计学,结合地理信息系统（GIS）,在面积约为2 000 km2的新疆典型盐渍化区渭干河流域布设了土壤取样点43个,测定了土壤表层（0～30 cm）盐分及其组成（Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋、K^＋、Na^＋、SO4^2-、Cl^-、HCO3^-）的空间变异性规律。结果表明：Ca^2＋、HCO3^-为正态分布,其余盐分离子符合对数正态分布;半方差分析得出总盐分符合球状模型,Mg^2＋、K^＋、Na^＋、Cl^-、SO4^2-符合指数模型,Ca^2＋符合高斯模型,而HCO3-则是纯块金效应;盐分离子的变程在14.3 km～64.1 km之间;盐分离子均表现为中等强度的空间自相关,但程度有所差异。用Kriging插值法对未测点的盐分离子进行最优估计,绘制含量分布图,从而可以更直观的反映研究区土壤盐分离子的空间变异特征。     

喀斯特石漠化过程中植被演替及其对径流水化学的影响

通过对贵州中部喀斯特地区进行植被调查以及土壤和径流样品的分析，探讨石漠化过程中植被演替及其对径流水化学组成的影响。结果表明：喀斯特石漠化后，土壤出现粘质化，有机质含量急剧下降，土壤毛管孔隙度下降，干旱季节表层和次表层土壤的含水量明显减少，改变了生态系统的水分运动规律。喀斯特地表径流中离子浓度的大小排序为HCO3^-＞SO4^2-＞Ca2^2＋＞Mg^2＋＞K^＋、NO3^-、Cl^-＞Na^＋＞NH4^＋＞PO4^3-，地表径流水化学类型以HCO3-Ca型为主；随着石漠化程度的增加，地表径流中PO4^3-输出量明显增加，其次是Ca^2＋、NO3^-，这部分养分的流失造成土壤养分水平下降，同时影响受纳水体的环境质量。地下径流离子组成与地表径流总体相似，但HCO3^-、Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋的含量高于地表径流，而K^＋、NH4^＋的含量低于地表径流；石漠化发生后，地下径流中HCO3^-、Mg^2＋浓度明显减少，岩溶作用减弱，而NH4^＋、NO3^-浓度明显增加，对地下水质产生一定的影响。     

咸水结冰灌溉对盐化潮土盐基离子剖面迁移规律的影响

利用土柱模拟试验,设置淡水、咸水灌溉、咸水结冰和咸水结冰覆盖4个灌溉方式,研究咸水结冰灌溉条件下盐分运移及盐基离子Cl^-、SO4^2-、HCO^3-、Na^＋、Mg^2＋、K^＋和Ca^2＋的土层剖面迁移规律。结果表明：咸水直接浇灌使各土层土壤盐度提高,且盐分具有明显表层聚集特性,而咸水结冰后灌溉则显著降低表层0-40 cm土层的盐分盐度,配合秸秆覆盖措施则使表层的脱盐率进一步提高,特别是0-10 cm土层,土壤盐度仅为0.15 dS/m,与淡水处理尚未达显著性差异（P〉0.05）。咸水结冰灌溉显著改变盐基离子Cl^-、SO4^2-、HCO^3-、Na^＋、Mg^2＋、K^＋和Ca^2＋的土壤剖面分布特征,但不同离子的响应方式和影响程度存在差异。咸水结冰灌溉显著（P〈0.05）降低表层危害性较高的Na^＋、SO4^2-和Cl^-浓度,而对危害性较小的Mg2＋、K＋和Ca2＋则影响较小。咸水结冰灌溉可促进表层土壤的脱盐作用,淋洗主要危害性离子Na^＋、Cl^-等,保持土壤根系分布密集层较低盐分水平和盐基离子平衡,缓解或消除盐分和盐基离子对作物生长的危害,配合秸秆覆盖则效果更加明显。     

我国主要菜区耕层土壤盐分总量及离子组成

【目的】评价全国主要菜区温室、 大棚和露地菜田土壤盐分及离子组成状况,为土壤次生盐渍化防治、 蔬菜合理施肥和土壤可持续利用提供一定的理论依据。【方法】在我国北方3个区域(东北、 华北、 西北地区)和南方4个区域(华中、 西南、 华东、 华南地区)主要蔬菜种植区不同栽培方式典型菜田耕层土壤展开调查,共采集501个土壤样品,分析了盐分总量及其离子组成。【结果】 1)全国主要菜区设施(温室和大棚)菜田土壤盐分总量及其各离子含量(NO-3、 SO2-4、 Cl-、 Na+、 K+、 Ca2+、 Mg2+)均显著高于露地菜田土壤,盐分总量平均高69.3%,离子组成增加幅度在36.2%~170.0%之间。2)设施菜田土壤次生盐渍化的土样数比例显著高于露地菜田土壤,但设施菜田土壤盐化程度总体上较轻,居于轻度盐化水平的比例占38.2%,处于中度盐化以上水平的比例仅占4.7%。 3)设施菜田土壤盐分总量及主要盐分离子(NO-3、 SO2-4和Ca2+)含量积累总体上随种植年限的延长呈先增后降并趋于平缓的变化趋势,在连续种植5~6年时达到高峰期,之后因采取的各种管理措施而有所降低,但仍显著高于露地菜田土壤。 4)设施菜田土壤盐分离子组成以NO-3和SO2-4为主,其次是Ca2+,分别占盐分总量的27.9%、 26.9%和15.3%。露地菜田土壤主要盐分离子组成总体上是SO2- 4 NO- 3 Ca2+、 HCO-3,分别平均占盐分总量的29.0%、 21.1%、 16.1%和14.1%,但西北地区露地菜田土壤盐分离子组成以HCO-3为主,其次是SO2-4、 NO-3和Ca2+。【结论】设施菜田土壤次生盐渍化的土样数比例虽然显著高于露地菜田土壤,但土壤盐化程度总体上较轻,盐分离子主要是NO-3、 SO2- 4和Ca2+,NO-3、 SO2-4含量大于Ca2+含量; 露地菜田主要盐分离子是SO2-4、 NO- 3、 Ca2+和HCO-3,含量为SO2- 4 NO- 3 Ca2+、 HCO-3。     

有机肥与尿素配施对设施土壤盐分含量与组成变化的影响

通过室内模拟培养试验,研究了有机肥与尿素配施对设施土壤盐分的影响。结果表明：（1）设施土壤的含盐量和电导率均随着施肥后培养时间的延长,呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势,培养15～30d较高,30—60d降低,60d后又缓慢升高。设施土壤含盐量与有机肥施用量呈极显著正相关,而与尿素用量无明显的相关性;电导率则与尿素和有机肥施用量均有极显著正相关。（2）施用尿素不同程度增加了K＋、Na＋、Ca2＋、Mg2＋,NO3-的含量,施用有机肥显著增加了K＋、Na＋、Cl-的含量,设施和露地土壤盐分总量和离子组成差异不显著。另外研究了土壤盐分总量和电导率分别与K＋、Na＋、Ca2＋、Mg2＋、SO4^2-、Cl-等含量的相关性,均呈极显著正相关。     

上海市浦东新区设施菜地土壤盐分变化规律研究

以上海市浦东新区为例,研宄了设施菜地土壤盐分的变化规律.结果表明:设施菜地耕层土壤已有60%轻度盐化,26%中度盐化.盐分组成中,阳离子以Ca~(2+)、K~+为主,阴离子以NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)为主.H_2PO_4~-与盐分总量无明显相关性,但它可能间接导致了其他盐分离子在土壤中的积累.除HCO_3~-外,在耕层范围内土壤盐分、电导率及各盐分离子都有表聚的趋势,且含量大部分是在种植3年时达到最大.浦东设施栽培土壤的主要问题是盐分大量累积和养分不均衡.     

温室土壤磷素迁移变化特征研究

采用野外调查采样和室内分析相结合的方法,研究了典型温室栽培地区山东寿光土壤磷素状况及其迁移变化特征。结果表明：（1）除Ca10-P外,温室土壤耕层（0～20 cm）全磷及无机磷组分含量均显著高于露地土壤,其平均含量分别为露地土壤的2.9、3.7、5.6、4.1、3.4倍和6.1倍,且以耕层累积为主,表现出明显的表聚特征,并有向下迁移的趋势;（2）在温室栽培的前期,磷素累积较快,连续种植了4～8 a时,全磷含量达到一个较高范围,为露地土壤的2～4倍,随着种植年限的继续增加,其再累积磷素的能力较差,甚至略有下降;（3）Ca8-P、Al-P和O-P是温室土壤磷素累积的主要形态,与露地土壤相比,其在0～20 cm耕层的平均增加量分别为296.5、288.5、306.0 mg.kg-1;（4）温室土壤耕层水溶性磷和速效磷的平均含量为10.9 mg.kg-1和248.4 mg.kg-1,分别为露地土壤的8.7倍和5.4倍,磷淋失并造成环境污染的可能性很大。     

模拟酸雨对砖红壤盐基离子迁移和释放的影响

对发育于玄武岩的砖红壤进行了室内模拟酸雨淋溶试验,结果表明：（1）酸雨淋溶土壤会引起土壤盐基离子的大量淋失。以土壤中的K＋最易于淋失,Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋的淋失量最大。酸雨pH愈低,Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋、K^＋的迁移量愈大。酸雨淋溶土壤的时间越长,盐基离子的迁移量越大。（2）土壤经≥5d的酸雨淋溶后,土壤交换性盐基离子的含量均随淋溶时间的增加而减少。酸雨的pH不同,则土壤交换性盐基离子所受的影响不同。（3）与原土壤相比较,短期（≤5d）的酸雨淋溶,可使土壤交换性Ca^2＋、K^＋以及强酸性（pH≤3.0）酸雨淋溶的交换性Mg^2＋增加;土壤被酸雨较长时间（≥10d）淋溶后,则会降低土壤交换性Ca^2＋、Mg^2＋、K^＋的含量;不同时间的酸雨淋溶,均会降低土壤交换性Na^＋的含量。（4）土壤经酸雨淋溶后,某些矿物会发生风化,释放出盐基离子,也会使部分交换性盐基离子转成非交换态。     

“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.     

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.     

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.     

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.