Maturity indices for composted dairy and pig manures

Bulking agents and bedding materials used on farms for composting manures affect the time required for composts to mature. The effects of these materials on guidelines for the use of composted manures in potting mixes are not fully known. Several chemical and biological compost characteristics were mentioned and a cucumber plant growth greenhouse bioassay was performed on samples removed from windrows during composting of: (i) dairy manure amended with wheat straw; (ii) dairy manure amended with sawdust (mostly Quercus spp.); and (iii) pig manure amended with sawdust and shredded wood (mostly Quercus spp.). Dry weights of cucumber seedlings grown in fertilized and unfertilized potting mixes amended with composts (30%, v/v) having stability values of <1 mg CO₂-C g^-1 dw d⁻¹, did not differ significantly from those in a control peat mix. Only the most mature dairy manure-wheat straw compost samples consistently established sufficient N concentrations in cucumber shoots in unfertilized treatments. For the dairy manure-wheat straw compost, all possible subset regression analyses of compost characteristics versus cucumber plant dry weight revealed that any of several compost characteristics (electrical conductivity-EC, compost age, total N, organic C, C-to-N ratio, ash content, CO₂ respirometry, Solvita CO₂ index and the Solvita^® Compost Maturity Index) predicted growth of cucumber in the unfertilized treatments, and thus maturity. In contrast, at least two characteristics of the dairy manure-sawdust compost were required to predict growth of cucumber in the unfertilized treatments. Effective combinations were EC with compost age and the Solvita^® maturity index with total N. Even five compost characteristics did not satisfactorily predict growth of cucumber in the non-fertilized pig manure-wood compost. Nutrient analysis of cucumber shoots indicated N availability was the principal factor limiting growth in potting mixes amended with the dairy manure-sawdust compost, and even more so in the pig manure-wood compost even though the compost had been stabilized to a high degree (<1 mg CO₂-C g⁻¹ dw d⁻¹). Maturity of the composted manures, which implies a positive initial plant growth response of plants grown without fertilization, could not be predicted by compost characteristics alone unless the bulking agent or bedding type used for the production of the composts was also considered.     

EFFECTS OF GYPSUM ENHANCED COMPOSTS ON YIELDS AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS OF BROCCOLI AND TALL FESCUE

Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) addition during composting of manure or biosolids can reduce ammonia nitrogen losses and represents a new method for controlling odors. Additional work is needed, however, to test the ability of the gypsum-containing composts to support plant growth and affect uptake of nutrients and heavy metals. A field study using broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) and a growth chamber study using tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) were conducted by application of composts at 10 Mg ha^?1 for broccoli and 10 and 25 Mg ha^?1 for tall fescue. Compared to composts without gypsum, at 10 Mg ha^?1, gypsum composts significantly increased or had a strong trend to increase yields of broccoli and tall fescue. Gypsum composts affected concentrations of nutrient elements but did not increase concentrations of environmental concern elements in broccoli flowers and tall fescue tissue. Thus gypsum composts can be safely applied to soils to enhance crop growth.     

Use of Acacia Waste Compost as an Alternative Component for Horticultural Substrates

The rising cost of peat and pine bark has boosted the demand for alternative organic materials for container growing media. Here, composts of invasive acacia (Acacia longifolia and Acacia melanoxylon) residues were evaluated as alternative organic materials for horticultural substrates. Compost bulk density was less than 0.4 g cm^?3 and total pore space was more than 85 percent of the total volume, as established for an ideal substrate. The matured acacia compost air capacity, easily available water, buffering capacity, and total water-holding capacity were also within acceptable recommended values. With increased composting time the physical characteristics of the composts were improved, but the same was not true for chemical characteristics such as pH and electrical conductivity. The replacement of pine bark compost by acacia compost in a commercial substrate did not negatively affect either lettuce emergence or lettuce growth, suggesting that acacia compost can be successfully used as an alternative component for horticultural substrates.     

几种蔬菜对硝态氮、铵态氮的相对吸收能力

采用溶液培养方法探讨了莴笋、菠菜、小白菜和大青菜 4种蔬菜作物对硝、铵态氮的相对吸收能力以及这两种氮源对它们生长发育的影响。结果表明 ,单独供给NO3-N ,4种作物均生长发育良好 ;供给NO3--N +NH4+-N(NO3-∶NH4+=1∶1) ,生长量均有所下降 ,而单独供给NH4+-N时 ,生长量则大幅度下降。莴笋单独供给NO3--N时 ,其吸氮量显著高于供给NO3--N +NH4+-N的处理 ,大青菜、菠菜供给NO3--N +NH4+-N与单独供给NO3--N相比吸氮量大体相当 ;小白菜同时供应NO3--N +NH4+N时吸氮量最高 ,供给NO3--N时次之 ,供给NH4+-N时显著降低。供给NH4+-N时 4种作物吸氮量均比其它氮源显著降低。 4种作物对NO3--N与NH4+-N的吸收具有明显的偏向性。供给等氮量铵、硝态氮 (NO3--N +NH4+-N处理 )时 ,菠菜、小白菜吸收的NO3-N显著多于NH4+-N ,表现出喜硝性 ,莴笋则与此相反 ,表现出喜铵性 ;而大青菜对两种形态氮素的吸收量相差不多 ,表现出兼性吸收的特点。但上述偏向性具有阶段特点 ,即喜硝作物可能在某一阶段表现出喜铵性状     

不同有机物及其堆肥与化肥配施对小麦生长及氮素吸收的影响

采用15N示踪技术,选用水稻土和灰潮土在宜兴进行小麦盆栽试验,研究了稻草、猪粪及其堆肥与化肥配施对作物生长及氮素吸收的影响。结果表明,在水稻土和灰潮土上,不同有机物及其堆肥与化肥配施分别比单施化肥增产4.46%～24.82%和1.01%～20.53%,稻草堆肥和猪粪堆肥配施化肥处理籽粒产量分别高于稻草和猪粪直接与化肥配施处理。稻草和猪粪堆肥后更利于作物吸收氮素,增加植物体内15N累积。两种土壤上15N回收率表现为相同配比的堆肥处理未堆肥处理单施化肥处理。随着小麦生育期的推进,土壤微生物量氮和矿质态氮含量均呈下降趋势,稻草和猪粪处理的微生量氮含量始终高于稻草堆肥和猪粪堆肥处理。有机无机肥配施处理土壤矿质态氮在小麦生育前期低于单施化肥,成熟期则高于单施化肥。整个生育期中,稻草堆肥和猪粪堆肥处理土壤矿质态氮含量分别高于稻草和猪粪处理。因此,有机物堆肥后与化肥配施更有利于提高产量,促进作物对氮素的吸收利用。     

Evaluation of Pine Bark or Pine Bark with Goat Manure or Sewage Sludge Cocomposts As Growing Media for Vegetable Seedlings

The suitability as growing media of composts made from pine bark or pine bark cocomposted with goat manure or sewage sludge and either inoculated or not inoculated with effective microorganisms, was evaluated under greenhouse conditions with and without fertilization using cabbage as the test crop. The treatments were replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design in a fibre glass covered greenhouse. Cabbage seedlings were grown in cavity trays for five weeks, after which plants were harvested and fresh and dry weights determined. Samples were also analyzed for N, P, K and selected heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed that pine bark-goat manure cocomposts supported good seedling growth and could thus be good substitutes for pine bark alone as a growing medium where goat manure or similar manures are available. The results also showed that despite the superior nutritional value of these alternative growing media, nutrient supplementation may still be necessary where seedlings are kept in the nursery for extended periods due to nutrient exhaustion through plant uptake and leaching. Pine bark-sewage sludge compost also had positive effects on seedling growth but could only be recommended as a growing medium for nonfood plants because its composting did not reach the thermophillic temperatures necessary for adequate pathogen kill. Inoculation with effective microorganisms improved seedling growth in sewage sludge and goat manure based composts but the mechanisms involved remain to be established.     

Improving quality of composted biowaste to enhance disease suppressiveness of compost-amended, peat-based potting mixes

Biowaste can be converted into compost by composting or by a combination of anaerobic digestion and composting. Currently, waste management systems are primarily focused on the increase of the turnover rate of waste streams whereas optimisation of product quality receives less attention. This results in low quality composts that can only be sold on bulk markets at low prices. A new market for quality compost could be potting mixes for horticultural container-grown crops to partially replace non-renewable peat and increase the disease suppressiveness of potting mixes. We report here on the effect of wetsieving biowaste prior to composting on compost quality and on disease suppressiveness against the plant pathogen Pythium ultimum of peat mixes amended with this compost. The increased organic matter and decreased salt content of the compost allow for significantly higher substitution rates of peat by compost. In this study up to 60% v/v compost peat replacement did not affect cucumber growth. However, disease suppressiveness of the potting mixes strongly increased from 31 to 94% when the compost amendment rate was increased from 20 to 60%. It was shown that general disease suppression for P. ultimum can only be effective when the basal respiration rate is sufficiently high to support microbial activity. In addition, organic matter of the compost should reach a sufficient stability level to turn from disease conducive to disease suppressive. Increasing the compost addition from 20 to 60% did not significantly affect plant yield, yield variation were due to differences in nutrient levels. It can be concluded that compost from wetsieved biowaste has high potential to replace peat in growing media for the professional market.     

Effects of Ammonium Nitrate and Monosodium Glutamate in Waste Water on the Growth,Antioxidant Activity,and Nitrogen Assimilation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

It has been hypothesized that the uptake of organic as opposed to inorganic nitrogen compounds found in wastewater can be properly substituted for plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to compare effects of applying monosodium glutamate wastewater (MGW) and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) (AN) on nitrogen metabolism and growth of lettuce. The results showed that while NH₄NO₃ (AN), NO₃^-, nitrite content and NR activity increased the protein content of lettuce. Applying MGW with a high concentration of 17 amino acids and macro- and microelements improved the fresh weights of shoot and root as well as the protein content of lettuce. Antioxidant activities were not affected by AN and MGW, and their interaction effects only increased POD after 8 weeks. In conclusion, substituting a portion of the chemical fertilizers with MGW improved lettuce growth, but did not increase NO₃^- accumulation in leaves.     

Cadmium Uptake by Lettuce in Fields Treated with Cadmium‐Spiked Phosphorus Fertilizers

The rate of cadmium (Cd) uptake by lettuce (Lactuca savita var. longifolia) over an entire growing season was investigated in a field treated with phosphorus (P) fertilizers spiked to different Cd levels. Romaine lettuce was planted following the standard cultivation practices. Over the growing period, soil and plant samples were taken to determine the total soil Cd content, Cd concentration of 1:0.5 (soil‐to‐water) extracts, and Cd content of plant tissue. Results indicated that lettuce can accumulate as much as 20 mg Cd per kilogram dry biomass without adverse effects on growth. The Cd content in the plant tissues decreased exponentially with time, indicating a dilution factor existing along with the plant growth. The plant uptake rate on a per‐unit‐area basis increased over time and can be simulated by a sigmoid pattern model. The plant uptake coefficient (α, L solution kg biomass^?1 day^?1) decreased as the Cd treatment level increased.     

Comparisons of Composts with Low or High Nutrient Status for Growth of Plants in Containers

Abstract

Composts may be incorporated into container mixes for several purposes, including to supply nutrients, add organic matter, or suppress plant diseases. The objective of this research was to assess the nutritional benefits of two composts derived in common from composted chicken manure and used in formulation of container media for growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The composts differed in extractable and total plant nutrients so that one of the composts was considered a nutrient‐rich material and the other a nutrient‐poor material. Media were formulated from soil or peat with the composts added in a progressive array of concentrations from a medium with no compost addition to a medium that was all compost. Half of the media were treated with a water‐soluble, complete fertilizer and half were left unfertilized. Optimum growth occurred in media in which compost did not exceed 25% of the volume. The beneficial effects of the composts on plant growth were associated with increased supply of nutrients for the plants. The suppressive effects were attributed to restricted accumulation of nutrients with the nutrient‐poor compost and to excessive potassium supply and accumulation with the nutrient‐rich compost. Fertilization was beneficial in increasing plant growth with the nutrient‐rich compost and was essential for plant growth with the nutrient‐poor compost. The research demonstrated that composts can be used in formulation of media for container growth of plants.     

Uptake and metabolism of nitrate in mycorrhizal plants as affected by water availability and N concentration in soil

We compare the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and PO₄^?3 fertilization on nitrate assimilation, plant growth and proline content in lettuce plants growing under well‐watered (?0.04 MPa) or drought (?0.17 MPa) conditions. We also tested how AM‐colonization and PO₄^?3 fertilization influenced N uptake (¹⁵N) and the percentage of N derived from the fertilizer (% NdfF) by plants under a concentration gradient of N in soil. Growth of mycorrhizal plants was comparable with that of P‐fertilized plants only under well‐watered conditions. Shoot nitrogen content, proline and nitrate reductase activity were greater in AM than in P‐fertilized plants under drought. The addition of 100 μg g^?1 P to the soil did not replace the AM effect under drought. Under well‐watered conditions, AM plants showed similar (at 3 mmol N), greater (at 6 mmol N) or lesser (at 9 mmol N) %NdfF than P‐fertilized plants. Comparing a control (without AM inoculation) to AM plants, differences in % NdfF ranged from 138% (3 mmol N) to 22.6% (6 mmol N) whereas no differences were found at 9 mmol N. In comparison with P fertilization, mycorrhizal effects on %NdfF were only evident at the lowest N levels, which indicated a regulatory mechanism for N uptake in AM plants affected by N availability in the soil. At the highest N level, P‐fertilized plants showed the greatest %NdfF. In conclusion, AM symbiosis is important for N acquisition and N fertilizer utilization but this beneficial mycorrhizal effect on N nutrition is reduced under large quantities of N fertilizer.     

施氮量对嘎啦幼苗~(15)N、~(13)C分配利用特性影响

【目的】采用15N、13C同位素示踪技术,通过对不同施氮量下嘎啦幼苗生长状况及氮、碳分配、利用特性等的研究,以期为苹果生产合理施肥提供依据。【方法】将2年生盆栽嘎啦幼苗进行低、中、高三个氮水平处理,同时进行15N标记。在新梢旺长初始期、新梢旺长期、新梢缓长期分别进行整株13C标记,72小时后,整株解析为叶、梢、根三部分,进行15N、13C测定。样品全氮用凯氏定氮法测定,15N丰度用ZHT-03质谱计测定。13C丰度用DELTA V Advantage同位素比率质谱仪测定。【结果】1)中、高氮水平的施肥处理可在不同程度上提高整株及叶片干物质量和新梢长度。新梢旺长初始期和新梢缓长期嘎啦幼苗整株干物质量、新梢旺长期叶片干物质分配比率在中、高氮水平处理间差异不显著,中氮水平经济有效。新梢旺长期以后新梢长度以中氮高氮低氮,三者间差异性显著,中氮处理有利于新梢生长。2)在新梢旺长初始期,低氮处理植株叶片15N分配率达50%,比其他处理高出13个百分点左右,表明低氮处理更多的氮被叶片所利用,中氮和高氮处理间差异不显著,说明在本试验施氮条件下中氮供应水平已能满足氮素营养需求。3)新梢旺长期和新梢缓长期幼苗13C固定量均以中氮处理最高,新梢旺长初始期3个处理间根系13C分配率中氮高氮低氮,表明中氮处理有利于碳同化物在嘎啦幼苗中的分配。4)不同施氮量处理的嘎啦幼苗,15N利用率随施氮水平提高而降低,高氮处理对碳同化物分配没有显著贡献。【结论】低、中、高氮不同处理新梢缓长期碳同化物在各器官间的分配比较均衡,氮素水平不能影响碳同化物的分配。盆栽试验表明,中氮水平在保证营养供应的同时,能够促进新梢生长和树势健壮。     

Compost Maturity Effects on Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization and Plant Growth

Improved predictive relationships between compost maturity and nitrogen (N) availability are needed. A total of 13 compost samples were collected from a single windrow over a 91 d period. Compost stability and maturity were assessed using both standard chemical analyses (total C and N, mineral N, total volatile solids) and other methods (CO₂ evolution, commercial maturity kits, and neutral detergent fiber, and lignin). Compost N and carbon (C) were evaluated during a 130 d aerobic incubation in a sandy loam soil after each compost was applied at 200 mg total kg^?1 soil. The effect of compost maturity on plant growth was evaluated by growing two ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) crops and one barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop in succession in compost-amended soil under greenhouse conditions. Potential phytotoxicity from compost was assessed by growing tomato (Lypersicum esculentum L.) seedlings in compost-amended soil. Regression and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between compost maturity parameters, the rate and extent of net N and C mineralization, plant yield and N uptake, and phytotoxicity. Commonly used maturity parameters like total C, total N, and C:N ratio were poorly correlated with the rate and extent of mineralization, and with plant growth parameters. The N mineralization rate during the first 48 d of aerobic incubation was strongly correlated (r= ?0.82 to ?0.86) to compost fiber and lignin concentration, and to the Maturity Index (r=0.85). Trends in C mineralization were similar. There were few differences in C mineralization between composts after 48 d of aerobic incubation in soil. Ryegrass harvested 35 and 70 d after compost application was not strongly affected by compost maturity, and relatively immature composts were phytotoxic to tomato seedlings. Methods of characterizing compost maturity and stability that more realistically reflect the composting process are better predictors of N release and potential plant inhibition after incorporation into soil.     

Peat replacement in horticultural growth media: the adequacy of coir,paper sludge and biogas digestate as growth medium constituents for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Purpose: Due to environmental concerns, efforts are made to replace the use of peat in horticultural growth media by organic wastes. Four growth media were prepared with the purpose of achieving adequate physical and chemical properties for plant production. Materials and methods: Growth media prepared from mixtures of coir (C) and paper sludge (P), respectively, with two biogas digestates from food waste (D₁ and D₂), were tested. These mixtures, 20% D₁ or D₂?+?80% C or P (v/v), were evaluated as growth media for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Results and conclusion: The growth media were all physically stable during the growing period, provided all the macronutrients and most of the micronutrients necessary for plant growth, adequate pH conditions, as well as an adequate electrical conductivity. The mixture of D₂ and P produced the highest biomass compared to a mineral fertilised peat (control), with a biomass production of 76% of the control for lettuce and 54% for tomato. Causes for the biomass reduction relative to the control may be related to ammonium toxicity effects, and/or limited plant-available water. The digestates, particularly D₁, seemed also to have a phytotoxic effect on the germination.     

紫色土施氮对莴笋营养效应的研究

3种紫色土施用化学氮肥盆栽莴笋的研究结果表明,石灰性紫色土莴笋生长状况最差,施中、高氮明显降低其株高、根重和茎、叶产量,而中性紫色土施氮的生物效应最佳。酸性紫色土莴笋叶片((NO3--N)/(TN)100)值最低、((AAN)/(TN)100)值最高;植株氮素表观利用率为中性土酸性土石灰性紫色土。中性、酸性和石灰性紫色土施氮分别为133、67、67mg/kg土时,莴笋3个生长期叶片N/P、N/K、K/P值变异系数(C.V％)小,生物量高。施氮显著提高中性和石灰性紫色土莴笋叶片NRA(r值0.9275*～0.9956* *),降低CAT活性和Vc含量,使茎中(△NO3-)/(△FN)值高于酸性紫色土2～5倍,但却提高酸性紫色土莴笋水溶性氨基酸、粗蛋白和可溶性糖含量,改善其食用价值。     

Daily macronutrient uptake patterns in relation to plant age in hydroponic lettuce

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study and quantify the daily uptake rate of nitrate, ammonium, phosphoric acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate (NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, H₂PO₄^?, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SO₄^2?) and to characterize the uptake daily pattern at different plant ages in a lettuce crop. The uptake rates per gram of plant fresh weight were calculated at 2-hour intervals through sampling the nutrient solution and analyzing it by NO₃^?/NH₄⁺ conductivity and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The uptake rate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) per unit mass of plant decreased with plant age following a reduction in plant relative growth rate. No significant differences were found in the absorption of Ca, Mg and sulfur (S) between the different weeks of growth. The daily absorption patterns showed no preference for the absorption of any of the ions during the daytime. A significant reduction in the absorption peaks of all the ions with increasing plant age was observed.     

Mineralization and N Fertilizer Equivalent Value of Composts as Assessed by Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

The capability to determine nitrogen availability of composts is necessary to ensure that such materials will provide sufficient fertilization to the growing crop and cause minimal environmental degradation. A greenhouse study using tall fescue as a bioindicator was used to evaluate nitrogen availability of two biosolids composts, two mixed yard waste-poultry manure composts, and one commercially-processed poultry litter. Five inorganic nitrogen (as NH₄NO₃-N) treatments applied at 0, 22.5, 45, 67.7, and 90 mg N/kg soil were employed to establish an N calibration curve. Yield, fescue biomass total nitrogen (as total Kjeldahl N (TKN)), and soil TKN and KCl extractable NO₃^?-N and NH₄⁺-N concentrations of the organically amended treatments were compared to the inorganically fertilized treatments to determine amendment N mineralization rates and N fertilizer equivalent values (NFEV). Nitrogen mineralization rates were greatest in the poultry litter (21%) and Panorama yard waste compost (5%) amended pots. The NFEV of these amendments were 49% and 10%, respectively. Wolf Creek biosolids compost and Huck's Hen Blend yard waste compost immobilized N (?5% and 0.18%, respectively), and had percent NFEV of ?0.66% and 0.19%, respectively. Rivanna biosolids compost immobilized N (?15%), but the NFEV was 30% due to the relatively high inorganic N content in the amendment. Nitrogen mineralization and NFEV were generally greater in amendments with greater total N concentrations and lower C:N values. The total N concentration and C:N values were less reliable variables in predicting N mineralization and percent NFEV when a significant portion of the total N was in the inorganic form. Nitrogen equivalency value and N mineralization for each amendment increased with time of sampling, indicating the potential for early season N insufficiency to plants fertilized with compost due to lack of synchrony between N mineralization and plant N needs.     

Modelling and measurement of the nitrogen cycle in a vegetable field in Switzerland. I. A soil-plant model for the nitrogen cycle

Correct nitrogen fertilization is particularly important in vegetable growing, because not only the nitrate content of the product but also leaching of nitrate into the groundwater is affected. To apply the appropriate amount of fertilizer at the right time, the supply of plant-available nitrate throughout the whole vegetation period has to be known. This may be achieved by repeated soil nitrate measurements (KNS-System), however, the work involved in carrying out soil analyses is considerable. A reliable nitrogen-prediction-model would facilitate the task. A dynamic system model for the nitrogen cycle in a soil-plant system is presented to predict yield, nitrate uptake and nitrogen leaching. To account for particularities of the site, specific information collected from the soil profile is required as input. Expected growth and nitrate uptake of the plant, the amount of fertilizer and plant residues applied, time of cultivation and climatic information are also required (list of inputs in table 1). Simulated crop growth is driven by potential relative growth which is dependent on the air temperature. Exponential growth is restricted by either a factor for maximal weight of a single plant, by maximal yield of the crop or by shortage of nitrogen in the plant. The nitrate uptake into the plant is governed by passive uptake through transpiration. It may be enhanced by a sink factor for active uptake when the simulated nitrogen content in the plant is lower than the expected value. Nitrate uptake thus depends on transpiration, water and nitrate availability in the rooted soil layers. Water (and hence nitrate) transport through the soil profile is divided into rapid transport in the macropores of the soil for a water content above field capacity and slow transport in the soil matrix for a water content below field capacity; the corresponding transfer factors have to be estimated in the field. As revealed by a sensitivity analysis (table 2) the input parameters having the greatest influence on final yield and nitrate uptake of lettuce are air and soil temperature, precipitation and the water content at field capacity. Parameters which increase nitrate availability have a favourable effect on nitrate uptake. Nitrate leaching over winter from a fallow plot is approximately proportional to water loss below the rooted soil layers; thus precipitation and water content at field capacity are the main factors affecting nitrate leaching. Calibration and validation of the model against data collected from a commercial vegetable field with different crops is presented in part II of the paper.     

Physiological and nutritional responses by Lactuca Sativa L. to nitrogen sources and mycorrhizal fungi under drought conditions

We measured the growth, nutrition, and N assimilation of arbuscular-mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as affected by forms of N and drought. Moisture was maintained at 80% water-holding capacity, and N was applied as NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , or NO _inf3 ^sup- /NH _inf4 ^sup+ (3:1, 1:1, or 1:3). The growth of Glomus fasciculatum-colonized plants was comparable to that of uncolonized P-supplemented plants when N was provided as NH _inf4 ^sup+ or combined NO _inf3 ^sup- /NH _inf4 ^sup+ . When N was supplied solely as NO _inf3 ^sup- , G. fasciculatum-colonized plants produced a higher yield than P-fertilized plants, suggesting that the uptake and/or assimilation of NO _inf3 ^sup- was particularly affected by mycorrhizal status in this water-limited situation. Nutrient availability, except Ca, was less limited for mycorrhizal plants than for P-fertilized plants. P fertilization increased the growth, glutamine synthetase activity, and protein content of lettuce to the same extent that G. fasciculatum colonization did when N was applied as NH _inf4 ^sup+ . With NO _inf3 ^sup- -fertilization, G. fasciculatum-colonized plants showed increased growth, nitrate reductase activity, and protein content compared to P-fertilizer treatment. Plants colonized by G. mosseae showed increased photosynthetic activity and proline acumulation, and these mechanisms may be important in adaptation by the plant to drought conditions. The present results confirmed that under drought conditions, the uptake or metabolism of N forms is particularly affected in mycorrhizal fungi-colonized plants, depending on the mycorrhizal endophyte and the N source added. Thus the significance of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungus selection for plant growth in drought conditions is a consideration for management strategy.     

Study of conifer nitrogen nutrition using hydroponic cultures: Application to fertigation systems

Nitrogen (N) optimization of a nutrient solution for ornamental conifers was obtained with two different experiments in hydroponic cultures: First, by using three different NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratios (60/40, 55/45, and 40/60 in percentages of the total N supplied); and, secondly by testing three total N levels (3.7; 4.7 and 5.5 mmol L^‐1). Best growth was obtained with a NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratio of 55/ 45 and a total N level of 3.7 mmol L^‐1. With these experiments, reference levels of foliar concentrations of the macronutrients N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and the biochemical indices, such as chlorophyll and starch levels, were obtained with the treatments corresponding to the plants with the higher growth. In the course of a growth cycle, a substrate assay with two different pot mixes (moss peat plus perlite and black peat plus sepiolite 60/40 ‐% v/v‐) was carried out by using the best N ratios and doses in nutrient solutions as obtained in hydroponics. The results indicated that the same N fertilization in fertigation systems changes depending on the different physicochemical properties of the substrates used; in this case, depending on the different physical properties of the two substrates. By applying DRIS to perform nutritional diagnosis, it is possible to find nutritional limitations to plant growth, but not additional factors, such as water‐air relationships in the growth media.