Yellow melon yield in response to mineral or organic fertilization

Although current recommendations in Brazil suggest the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, there is little information regarding the interaction between them in melon plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral and organic fertilization in the plant development, nutritional status, and fruit yield of yellow melon. The following fertilizations were evaluated: mineral fertilization; bovine manure; bovine manure associated with mineral fertilization; poultry litter; and poultry litter associated with mineral fertilization. Bovine manure and poultry litter were applied at rates equivalent to 15 m³ ha^?1 and 5 m³ ha^?1, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium were applied based on the results of the soil analysis and nitrogen based on the expected yield of 20 to 30 t ha^?1 of fruits. Phosphate and organic fertilizers were applied at the time of preparation of the beds, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied daily through irrigation water. Goldex F1 melon hybrid seedlings were used in the experiment. Plants were collected to evaluate the dry matter production at beginning of flowering, beginning of fruiting, fruit growth, and fruit harvest. Leaves were collected at flowering stage to evaluate the nutritional status of plants. Harvest was made when the fruits reached the intense yellow coloration. Organic fertilizers alone and combined to mineral fertilizer did not affect the dry matter yield of leaves, stems, fruits and shoot, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in melon leaves, the nitrogen accumulation in the plant, and the yield of the yellow melon. The application of bovine manure associated to mineral fertilization showed the lowest values of nitrogen recovery applied. Bovine manure application resulted in increase of nitrogen organic forms in soil.     

INFLUENCE OF FOLIAR FERTILIZATION AND GROWTH REGULATOR ON MILK THISTLE SEED YIELD AND QUALITY

The effects of foliar fertilization and a growth regulator 5-tert-butyl-N-m-tolylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (MD148/II) on the growth, seed yield, and silymarin content of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) plants were evaluated. The study was conducted over two years at an experimental field on a slightly acid-leached cinnamonic meadow soil. The MD148/II was applied in the beginning of milk thistle flowering stage. Foliar fertilizer was applied at different plant developmental stages with different proportions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Treatments with foliar fertilizer and MD148/II resulted in improvement of plant biomass, number of plant lateral shoots, flowering rate, and seed yield and the content of some active substances in milk thistle seeds. A reduction of high molecular fatty acids was observed. The increase of seed yield was a result of the flower head setting enhancement. Therefore the combined treatment of foliar fertilizer and MD148/II was efficient in elicitation milk thistle production under field conditions.     

Foliar and Radicular Absorption of Boron by Beetroot and Tomato Plants

The isotopic technique was employed to study boron (B) mobility in tomato and beetroot plants under protected cultivation conditions. An experiment was conducted in which both species grew in 10-dm³ vases filled with coconut fiber, under hydroponic conditions. The plants were subjected to four different treatments: (1) no B in the substratum and no foliar fertilization; (2) no B in the substratum, with foliar ¹⁰B fertilization; (3) B in the substratum, with foliar ¹⁰B fertilization; and (4) ¹⁰B in the substratum and no foliar fertilization. The biological growth variables and total B and ¹⁰B contents in the plant parts grown after the application of the nutrient were evaluated. For increasing B content in young tissues, the foliar application of this element was not as efficient as application via root system, indicating low mobility of B in the tissues of both beetroot and tomato plants.     

Tomato growth responses to foliar application of ammonium sulfate in hydroponic culture

This study was done to evaluate the growth responses of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to foliar application of ammonium sulfate in different concentrations of 0, 50, 100, or 200 mM once per week, as well as 50 mM in every other day under greenhouse and hydroponic culture system. The results showed that foliar application of ammonium restricted the plant height, yield, and vitamin C content of fruits, but it increased the chlorophyll content in treated plants. The highest and the lowest yield were obtained from zero (control) and 200 mM treated plants, respectively. Fruit hardness was not affected by treatments, while blossom end rot disorder was increased by higher concentrations of ammonium sulfate. In general, the result indicated that tomato plant is rather sensitive to foliar application of ammonium sulfate particularly to higher concentrations and application numbers.     

Protective role of selenium on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) exposed to cadmium and lead stress during reproductive stage role of selenium on heavy metals stress

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of selenium on flowering indices, sex determination of flowers, and yield of cucumber plant under heavy metal stress conditions. Treatments consisted of selenium (0, 4, 6, 8 mgL^?1) and heavy metals of cadmium (0, 20, 25 µM) and lead (0, 60, 100 µM), which were applied in three stages during the experiment period. The results of this study showed that the stress of heavy metals with a negative effect on flowering indices resulted in delayed flowering and changing flower’s sex toward male flowers. Furthermore, delayed fruiting and significant decreases in fruit growth indices and total yield was observed in plants treated with cadmium and lead. Adding selenium to the culture medium resulted in accelerated flowering (reducing the time and number of nodes needed until the first flower emerges), the emergence of more male flowers, increased the ratio of the number of female flowers to male flowers in plants under stress, and the highest effect of this element was observed at the concentration 6?mg/L. Based on this results, the application of 4and 6mg/L selenium in stress and non-stress conditions enhanced fruiting (a significant reduction in the time required from cultivation to fertilize the first flower and the formation of fruit in lower nodes) and significantly increased the number of fruits, fruit length and diameter, single fruit weight and total yield, and the greatest effect of this element was observed in 6?mg/L concentration. The results of this study showed that selenium has a positive effect on control of stress conditions and improvement of flowering indices and total yield in cucumber plant under the stress of heavy elements of lead and cadmium.     

Essential Oil Variation of Salvia officinalis Leaves during Vegetation after Treatment with Foliar Fertilizer and Thidiazuron

The essential oil yield and chemical composition of Salvia officinalis L. (Dalmatica origin) have been analyzed. Leaf samples for essential oil analysis were harvested at different developmental stages after treatment with foliar fertilizer Agroleaf^® and foliar fertilizer + thidiazuron. In total, 10 constituents were identified and quantified. The main compounds in the essential oil that increased during the vegetative to the fruiting‐set stage are α‐thujon and camphor, whereas borneol, viridoflorol, and manool decreased. The effect of thidiazuron applied together with foliar fertilizer was established mainly at the flowering stage, increased essential oil yield by 16% over the control, and positively affected the percentage of β‐caryiophylene, α‐humulene, viridoflorol, and manool. Application of foliar fertilizer resulted in a greater increase of essential oil yield at the flowering stage in the combined foliar and thidiazuron application over the control. Both treatments decreased camphor at flowering and fruiting stages.     

Effect of top-dressed potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of cucumber

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of top-dressed potassium (K) application on the production of hybrid cucumber “Sapphire.” The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five blocks of 0.80 × 0.40 m² each and eight replicate plants per block. The five fertilization rates of K used were 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg K₂O ha^?1. Data collection consisted of the estimation of fruit diameter, fruits length, fruit fresh and dry weights, the number of fruits per plant, and the weight of fruits per plant. The number of fruits per hectare and the fruit fresh weight per hectare were calculated. Fruit tissue was analyzed for determination of macronutrient concentrations, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, sugar contents, and protein content. The data were statistically analyzed using regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant effect of the fertilization rate of K on fruit diameter, fruit fresh and dry weights, macronutrients concentrations in fruits, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and reducing sugars. A quadratic equation was adjusted for the number of fruits per plant and per hectare; fruit yield per plant and per hectare, with maximum top-dressing doses, was estimated to be between 60 and 95 kg K₂O ha^?1. A linear increase was obtained in the pH. An increase in the K fertilization rate caused a linear decrease in the fruit length.     

黄腐酸对蒜套棉制度下棉花产量品质及土壤性状的影响

为明确黄腐酸在蒜套棉生产中棉花上的应用效果,实现棉花高产优质高效施肥,进行两季大田试验,试验设不施肥(CK)、常规施肥(BF)、常规施肥配施低、中、高量黄腐酸微生物菌剂(FA20、FA30、FA40)、常规施肥配施黄腐酸叶面肥(BFL50)、常规施肥配施低量黄腐酸微生物菌剂及黄腐酸叶面肥(FA20L50)共7个处理,研究不同黄腐酸肥料与常规肥料配施对蒜套棉制度下棉花产量、纤维品质及土壤养分的影响。结果表明:(1)与常规施肥相比,皮棉产量随着黄腐酸微生物菌剂用量的增加而增大,FA30、FA40皮棉产量较BF显著增产12.07%和22.41%,在苗期和盛花期显著提高土壤硝态氮、铵态氮和速效钾含量,FA40还提高了土壤有效磷含量。(2)常规施肥配施黄腐酸叶面肥处理皮棉产量较常规施肥处理平均增产7.19%,在盛花期叶片SPAD提高7.78%,并显著提高了气孔导度和净光合速率,降低胞间CO2浓度。(3)FA20L50较FA20和BFL50皮棉产量提高7.68%~27.51%,同时提高了纤维长度、整齐度指数和断裂比强度,并提高了土壤硝态氮、铵态氮、有效磷和速效钾含量,土壤磷酸酶活性显著高于其他各处理。FA20L50处理的棉花茎和叶中氮、磷和钾总量与FA40差异不显著,但显著高于其他各处理;在铃壳中的养分总量较其他各处理提高8.96%~47.35%,净光合速率显著高于未施用黄腐酸叶面肥的处理。综上所述,常规肥料配施300kg/hm^2黄腐酸微生物菌剂与750mL/hm^2黄腐酸叶面肥处理田间施用效果最佳,能够提高棉花各生育期土壤速效养分供应,有利于养分在生殖器官中的积累,促进棉花叶片的净光合速率,提高棉花产量及品质。     

Effect of Soil Fertilizer,Foliar Fertilizer,and Growth Regulator Application on Milk Thistle Development,Seed Yield,and Silymarin Content

Abstract

An important consideration for milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) cultivation is regulating development to lengthen the reproductive stage and increase seed yield with high silymarin content. The treatment of milk thistle with foliar fertilizers and growth regulators—thidiazuron (Dropp^®), 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acid (Tiba^®), mepiquat chloride (Pix^®), and prohexadione‐Ca (Regalis^®)—resulted in an increase in the proportion of mature flower heads. Highest seed yield was observed in plants treated with Pix^® and mineral soil fertilization, whereas in plants treated with foliar fertilizers, highest yields were observed with Pix^® and Regalis^®. The highest content of silymarin was found in plants treated with Dropp^® and foliar fertilizer. Generally, treatment of milk thistle with plant‐growth regulators in combination with soil or foliar mineral fertilizers increased the total amount of silymarin by increasing seed yield per hectare.     

Effect of Molybdenum Foliar Sprays on Yield,Berry Size,Seed Formation,and Petiolar Nutrient Composition of “Merlot” Grapevines

Abstract

Field experiments with irrigated “Merlot” vines were carried out at 3 sites in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia over 3 years to examine the effects of molybdenum (Mo) foliar sprays on bunch yield, berry size, and nutrient composition of petioles. Bunches were divided into different size grades for black and green berries. Basal petioles were sampled at flowering and veraison for nutrient analyses. In year 3, seed number per berry was assessed at sites 2 and 3. Two Mo foliar sprays (each spray contained 118 g Mo as sodium molybdate/ha in 410–800 L/ha of water) applied before flowering increased yield per vine and bunch weight in all experiments in year 2 and at site 3 in year 3. Yield responses ranged from 221% at site 1 to 750% at site 2 in year 2 and 70% for site 3, year 3. Average bunch weight increased from 243% at site 2 to 425% at site 1 for year 2 and by 69% at site 3 in year 3, and was the main yield component affected by Mo application. In year 1, the application of Mo did not affect yield or bunch weight at any site. In year 2, the application of Mo increased the yield of 5–15 mm colored berries by 301, 499, and 258% at sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and by 70% at site 3, year 3. Mo application increased the percent of berries, which had one or more functional seeds (when assessed at sites 2 and 3 in year 3). Molybdenum concentrations in petioles sampled at flowering and veraison increased in response to applied Mo in all years. Petiolar Mo concentrations in unsprayed vines were consistently higher in year 1 compared with other years. The effect of applied Mo on the concentration of other nutrients in basal petioles sampled at flowering and veraison were small and of little practical importance. Nitrate-N did not accumulate in the petioles of unsprayed plants in any year. Changes in petiolar Mo concentrations between flowering and veraison were dependent on supply. Nitrate-N, total-N, and phosphorus (P) concentrations declined with time, while calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) tended to increase. At flowering, Mo concentrations in basal petioles of 0.05–0.09 mg/kg were associated with significant bunch yield response to applied Mo. Molybdenum deficiency can be a major factor in the occurrence of berry development disorders such as shot berry formation and hens and chickens (millerandage) in “Merlot” grapevines. The increased percent of colored berries with one or more functional seeds and the decrease in the proportion of green berries suggests that Mo application affected pollination and/or fertilization, and thereafter berry development.     

Boron Foliar Application in Nutrition and Yield of Beet and Tomato

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the application of boron (B) by foliar spraying for the yield of beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. An experiment for each crop was done in a greenhouse at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal campus, in Brazil. The experiments evaluated the B concentrations of 0, 0.085, 0.170, 0.255, and 0.340 g L^?1; applied in the 20, 35, and 50 days after the transplant (DAT) of beet cv. ‘Tall Top Early Wonder’, and in the 20, 40, and 60 DAT for the tomato cv. ‘Raisa N’. The plants were cultivated in pots with washed sand with 5 dm³ for the beet crop and 10 dm³ for the tomato crop. The beet and tomato crops were harvested 58 and 154 DAT, respectively. The leaves and fruits numbers; the foliar area; the dry matter of leaves, bark and roots; the fresh and dry matter of the fruits and the tuberous root; the dry matter of the total plant and the B foliar content were evaluated. The total dry matter of beet and tomato the plant were influenced by the concentration of the foliar B spray. The highest yield of the tuberous root and the total plant dry matter of beet occurred with B foliar concentration of 0.065 g L^?1 and it was associated with the B foliar content of 26 mg kg^?1. The highest yield of fruit and total plant dry matter of tomato occurred with the B foliar spraying of 0.340 g L^?1 and it was associated with the B foliar content of 72 mg kg^?1.     

Response of Cotton to Potassium Fertilizer on Effectiveness of Fruiting Sites in Aridisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of fruiting positions along sympodia under varying levels and sources of potassium (K) fertilizer on field-grown cotton in an arid environment. Treatments consisted of four rates of K (0, 62.5, 125.0, 250.0 kg K ha^{? 1}) and two types of K (K₂SO₄ and KCl). Cotton cultivar S-12 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was used as a test crop. Plant mapping data showed that the total number of fruiting positions, number of intact fruit on sympodia/monopodia, and percent of bolls per position on sympodia differed greatly under different doses of K fertilizer. The percentage of fruit retention was markedly improved under increasing doses of K fertilizer as compared with the K-unfertilized treatment. The percent survival of harvestable bolls for the first five positions along sympodia at the end of the season was 30%, 25%, 18%, 13%, and 8%, respectively. Potassium fertilization stimulated cotton crop in lengthening sympodial branches and retaining more fruit on the first three positions and also at the bottom of the plant during the early reproductive phase. The fruiting pattern was 2–3 and 6–7 d vertical and horizontal fruiting interval, respectively.     

Potassium,Calcium, and Magnesium Distribution in an Oxisol under Long‐Term Potassium‐Fertilized Apple Orchard

Abstract

Most Brazilian soils do not possess sufficient concentrations of available potassium (K) to produce maximum apple yield. Potassium distribution was evaluated with a depth profile of a Humic Xanthic Hapludox receiving K fertilization in an apple orchard, cv. Gala/MM106, at Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four rates of annual maintenance K fertilization. After 12 years of cultivation, soil was sampled in eight depth increments. Potassium, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents were extracted by Mehlich I, ion‐exchange resin, and ammonium acetate pH 7.0. Long‐term application of K fertilizer resulted in K accumulation mainly in the 0‐ to 30‐cm surface layer, with low K mobilization to deeper layers. Increasing rates of K fertilizer did not affect soil Mg concentration but induced a lower Ca concentration extracted by Mehlich I, especially in the 0‐ to 20‐cm layer. The estimated K₂O rate for maximum apple yield was 86.5 kg/ha/year.     

Effect of Foliar and Substrate Fertilization on Lady Palm Seedling Growth and Development

Lady palm, [Rhapis excelsa (Thunberg) Henry ex. Rehder] is one of the most cultivated ornamental palms in the world, for use as a vase plant or in shaded landscapes. Because limited information exists on lady palm response to fertilizers, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of fertilization and substrates on lady palm seedling growth and development. Three year old lady palms were planted in 8-L pots, filled with a mix of soil, manure, and sand 1:1:1 (v:v:v), placed under a 50% shade, and irrigated with microspray. Treatments were substrate fertilization with 500 g P₂O₅ and 100 g K₂O per m³; fertilization with 1.8 kg of P₂O₅ (simple superphosphate) per m³; 50 g of nitrogen (N), P₂O₅, and K₂O of a granulated fertilizer (10:10:10) per m³, control (without fertilization), and a foliar fertilization in addition to these treatments using the commercial product Biofert® (8:9:9). Treatments were replicated four times in a randomized block design. Each treatment plot consisted of four plants. Data were collected at 140, 170, 200, 230, 260, and 290 days after transplanting (DAT) for plant heights, stem diameter at substrate level, number of leaves, shoots, and canopy, roots fresh and dry matter samples were harvest at 290 days. Foliar fertilization resulted in significantly greater plant height in a 140, 120, 200, and 230 DAT and plant diameter on the 140, 260, and 290 DAT. There was interaction among factors for number of leaves with fertilization based on P₂O₅ and K₂O when leaf fertilizer was added that resulted in a greater number of leaves.     

Sources,Rates and Time of Nitrogen Application on Maize Crops under No-Tillage System

Quantitatively, nitrogen (N) is the foremost nutrient for maize crops (Zea mays L.), but the N source to increase the grain productivity still needs more investigation. Thus, the aim of this experiment was to study sources, rates and time of N application on the crop yield and agronomic characteristics of the maize under no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out during two growing seasons on an Oxisol under the factorial 5 × 3 × 3 scheme with five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha^?1) and three sources (ammonium-sulfate-nitrate as inhibitor of the nitrification (ASN+I), ammonium sulfate (AS) and urea); we applied them two times with four replicates: first time at the sowing or later under side dressing when the plants had the six leaves stage. In the first year, the sources of N had no influence on the number of grain line /ear (NGLE), grain number/line (GNL), total number of grain/ear (TNFE), biomass of 100 grain, plant height (PH), height of the first ear insertion (AFEI) and stalk diameter, in contrast with the foliar N content and the crop yield. Early fertilization with N at the sowing time can afford applications as well as the total side dressing. The increase of the rates had positive influence on the N foliar content, plant height and 100 grains biomass. The highest productivities were found with rates above the threshold of 150 kg ha^?1, no matter the sources and the fertilization time.     

Preliminary Study of Variable Rate Application – Organic Liquid Fertilizer by Using SPAD Chlorophyll Meter on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Cultivation

Knowing actual nutrient requirements for rice plants is crucial in supplying the correct amount of fertilizer, especially nitrogen since nitrogen is one of the most key limiting nutrients in rice cultivation. A preliminary study of variable rate application (VRA) on System of Rice Intensification (SRI) planting by using organic foliar fertilizer was carried out to determine the effectiveness of precision fertilization. Foliar fertilizer was formulated based on actual nitrogen needed by rice plants using Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter measurements. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments (50% fixed rate, 100% fixed rate, 150% fixed rate and VRA) and four replications for each treatment. Plant growth performances (plant heights, number of tillers, number of panicle and flower) and yield performances (grain yield, number of grain, 1000-grain weight and number of spikelets) were recorded during the study. The results showed that foliar application of VRA resulted in significantly higher yield performances; grain yield (13.65 g), number of grain (807.50), 1000-grain weight (16.79 g), and number of spikelets (7.50) compared to uniform fertilizer applications. VRA treatments had the highest SPAD readings at every planting stage during the experiment; however, a high nitrogen supply was needed during the mid-tillering stages (35 DAT) compared to other fertilizer rates. Besides, VRA application shows the most savings in term of total nitrogen supply (415 µg) compared to uniform rates application; 50% fixed rate (400 µg), 100% fixed rate (810 µg), and 150% fixed rate (1210 µg).     

施肥对幼龄腰果植株生长和结果的影响

采用L9(34)正交设计,探讨氮、磷、钾肥配施对幼龄腰果植株生长和结果的影响.试验结果表明,对于2龄腰果植株,最佳施肥组合为N1P1K1,年施氮(N)150 g/株、磷(P2O5) 50 g/株和钾(K2O) 50 g/株处理,可以促进植株生长;对于3龄腰果植株,年施氮250～450 g/株处理,植株的冠幅、株高增量随着氮施用量增加而增大,磷、钾影响不显著;现蕾期和初花期,P2O5 90 g/株和K2O 200 g/株处理的植株现蕾、开花枝梢比例最高,施氮影响不显著;盛花坐果期,施N 350 g/株、P2O5 150 g/株和K2O 150 g/株处理的植株现蕾开花枝梢比例最高.氮和钾对3龄植株结果影响较大,年施N 250～450 g/株处理,平均株产量随着氮施用量的增加而增加,最佳施肥组合为N3P1K2,施N 450 g/株、P2O5 90 g/株和K2O 150 g/株处理,可以促进3龄腰果植株结果.3龄植株腰果产量与初花期叶片钾(K)含量(0.43%～0.47%)和盛花坐果期叶片N含量(1.89%～2.20%)呈直线显著正相关.     

Alleviation of alternate bearing phenomenon in mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees using boron and nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

This investigation was conducted during two successive seasons (2014/2015) and (2015/2016) using 15?years old productive mango (Mangifera indica) trees cv. Zebda. The trees were grown at AlMalak Valley Farm, El-Sharkeya Governorate- Egypt (30–51° North; 32–53° East). Trees were planted 8?×?8 meter within and between rows in sandy soil under drip irrigation system using the Nile water. The objective of this study is to alleviate alternate bearing in cv. Zebda using mineral nutrients (nitrogen in the on year and boron in the off year). Treatments included three concentrations of nitrogen (1000, 1250, 1500?g/tree/year) and three concentrations of boron (0.0, 250, 500?mg L^?1). Nitrogen was applied to the soil as ammonium sulfate and boron was applied as foliar spray of boric acid. The extra amount of nitrogen fertilizer (250 and 500?g N/tree) was applied at three installments in (May, June and July). Treatment was arranged in a factorial Completely Randomized Block Design with three replicates for each treatment. Results show that the on-year nitrogen fertilization significantly increased mango tree vegetative growth (number of shoot/branch, shoot length, shoot thickness, number of leaves/meter and leaf area) and yield. The average yield in the on year is 85.5?kg/tree at 1250?g N/tree but 67.4?Kilogram/tree at 1000?g N/tree (the control treatment). While in the off year boron foliar application resulted in a significant increase in flowering, initial fruit set, final fruit set and fruit yield. The average yield in the off year is 47?kg/tree at 250?mg L^?1 boron but 9?kg/tree at 0.0?mg L^?1 boron rate (the control treatment).The interaction treatment of 250?mg L^?1 boron + 1500?g nitrogen/tree is the best treatment as it resulted in the highest values for all the tested parameters. The average yield of this treatment is 53.5?kg/tree. This treatment helps alleviate alternate bearing phenomenon by 41% and obtain the highest economic yield in the off-year, i.e. increased yield by 5.9 fold.     

Response of no‐tillage and conventional‐tillage cotton to starter fertilization on loess soils

Starter fertilizers have been utilized to improve cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields, but yield increases have differed with soil type, application method, application rates, and tillage. Starter fertilizer tests were conducted from 1991 through 1993 on a Gigger silt loam (Typic Fragiudalf) in Louisiana and on a Loring silt loam soil (Typic Fragiudalf) in Tennessee to evaluate methods and application rates of 11–37–0 liquid fertilizer for cotton. Treatments were evaluated under conventional‐tillage (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) production systems. Application methods included in‐furrow application at planting (IF), spraying a 4‐inch wide surface band behind the planter (SB), and banding fertilizer two inches to the side and two inches below the seed at planting (2×2). The IF treatments were applied at 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 gal/A. The SB and 2×2 treatments were applied at 7.5 gal/A. Starter fertilizer treatments were supplemented with broadcast granular fertilizers to achieve a total fertilization rate of 80–40–60 (N‐P₂O₅‐K₂O lb/acre). Starter fertilizer treatments were compared to broadcasting 80–40–60 and 80–0–60. Soil test levels for phosphorus (P) were high on both soil types. In‐furrow applications of 3.0 and 4.5 gal/acre usually reduced plant population for both tillage systems on both soil types. The 1.5 gal/acre IF treatment was less detrimental to stand establishment than the higher IF rates. The effect of starters on plant height varied from year to year. Starter fertilizers usually did not affect early‐season plant height relative to broadcast treatments. In several experiments starter fertilization increased plant height compared to one, but not both, of the broadcast fertilization treatments. High IF rates (3.0 and 4.5 gal/acre) reduced plant height in one experiment. The 2×2 starter fertilizer treatment increased leaf area per plant relative to the broadcast fertilization treatments in two of six experiments on the Gigger soil. Responses for NT and CT studies were similar. In one CT experiment on the Loring soil, the 1.5 gal/acre IF treatment increased leaf area relative to the broadcast treatments. Lint yield responses to starter fertilization were inconsistent. Starter fertilization increased lint yield in one of six experiments on the Gigger soil and in two of six experiments on the Loring soil. Increased yields from starters varied with year and application method, however, the 2×2 and SB treatments tended to provide better responses than IF treatments. Starter fertilizer responses for NT and CT tests were generally similar.     

氮磷减量施肥对琯溪蜜柚果实产量和品质的影响

【目的】 针对当前福建省平和县琯溪蜜柚施肥过量问题,研究分析了氮磷减量施肥对琯溪蜜柚果实产量和品质的影响,对提高琯溪蜜柚果实产量和品质,促进当地琯溪蜜柚产业绿色高效发展具有重要意义。 【方法】 采用田间试验方法, 以酸柚砧木白肉琯溪蜜柚为试验材料,以前期问卷调查结果为依据设置氮磷最高施肥量:N 1.60 kg/(plant·a),P₂O₅ 1.30 kg/(plant·a),结合当地土壤养分状况和琯溪蜜柚需肥特性,以30%梯度递减氮肥用量,分别为高氮 (N1)、中氮 (N2) 和低氮 (N3),以35%梯度递减磷肥用量,分别为高磷 (P1)、中磷 (P2) 和低磷 (P3),采用双因素交互设计设置N1P1、N1P2、N1P3、N2P1、N2P2、N2P3、N3P1、N3P2、N3P3共9个处理。分别于促花期 (3月上中旬)、稳果期 (5月中旬)、壮果期 (7月下旬或8月上旬) 和越冬期 (11月中下旬) 将氮磷钾肥以不同配比施入土壤,于3月上中旬在树冠滴水线范围内撒施钙镁肥。 【结果】 减少氮磷肥用量不仅没有引起琯溪蜜柚产量的显著降低,反而使其有不同程度的增产,且氮肥减量的增产幅度大于磷肥减量。氮磷减量施肥可以提高果实可食率、可溶性固形物、固酸比和维生素C含量,并降低纵横比、单果重、果皮厚和可滴定酸含量,尤其以中氮中磷 (N2P2) 处理的果实品质整体较好。随着施氮水平的降低,果皮厚和可滴定酸含量表现出持续减少趋势,中氮水平 (N2) 的可食率、可溶性固形物和维生素C含量与高氮水平 (N1) 相比均显著增加;随着施磷水平的降低,中磷水平 (P2) 的果实纵横比和维生素C含量较高磷水平 (P1) 显著减少,低磷水平 (P3) 的可食率较高磷水平 (P1) 显著增加。氮磷交互作用对单果重、可溶性固形物有极显著影响,对果皮厚、出汁率、可食率和维生素C含量有显著影响。主成分分析和聚类分析结果表明,中氮中磷 (N2P2) 处理果实主成分综合得分最高,达2.20分,高出第二名中氮低磷 (N2P3) 处理167.06%,其果实内外品质整体较好。 【结论】 在当前的氮磷施肥量下,减少氮磷用量不会导致琯溪蜜柚减产,反而具有增产和明显改善果实品质的效果。其中以氮肥减量30%,磷肥减量35%,即施纯N 1.12 kg/(plant·a),P₂O₅ 0.85 kg/(plant·a) 时产量、品质俱佳。