Influence of Sulfur Fertilization on Infection of Potato Tubers with Rhizoctonia solani and Streptomyces scabies

ABSTRACT

Under conditions of sulfur (S)-deficient soil, applied S fertilization had a significant repressive effect on fungal infections such as that of oilseed rape and grapes with light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) and powdery mildew (Uncinula necator), respectively. For potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) it has been shown in earlier literature that elemental sulfur fertilization increased yield of potato tubers and improved tuber quality and resistance against Streptomyces scabies; the bactericidal effect was attributed to a reduced soil pH. So far, however, no information is available about the influence of S supply on bacterial and fungal diseases in potatoes. It was the aim of the present investigation to quantify the influence of S form and dose on infections of potato tubers with Rhizoctonia solani and Streptomyces scabies as a contribution to plant nutrition strategies for healthier plants. Field experiments with potatoes were conducted in 2001 and 2002 in Poland in a split-plot design with different sulfur forms (elemental S and K₂SO₄) and rates (0, 25, and 50 kg ha^{? 1} S). The application of sulfur significantly increased tuber yield in both years of experimentation. Generally, with increasing sulfur dose a significant decrease of the infection rate with Rhizoctonia solani was found for elemental S as well as for K₂SO₄ applications. Infection rate and severity of the disease was improved only by elemental S application due to a reduction in soil pH in the case of Streptomyces scabies. Thus it can be concluded that the health-promoting effect of sulfur fertilization was related mainly to the S status of the plant in case of infections with Rhizoctonia solani, while for Streptomyces scabies no mechanisms of S-induced resistance were found. The identification of differences in the S metabolism of Rhizoctonia solani and Streptomyces scabies may therefore elucidate S-induced resistance mechanisms in plants.     

Mycorrhiza and soil fertility effects with growth,nodulation and nitrogen fixation of leucaena grown on a typic eutrustox

Abstract

The rapidly growing, woody perennial legume, Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit), is adaptable to a wide range of neotropical soil conditions. Effective Rhizobium inoculation and endophyte mycorrhizal colonization are essential for high levels of production and symbiotic N₂ fixation. The objective of this study was to determine growth, nodulation, nitrogenase activity and nodule composition of inoculated Leucaena as affected by mycorrhizal colonization and factorial soil fertility treatments of a Typic Eutrustox. Highly significant increases in top growth, nodule fresh wt. and nitrogenase activity resulted with Glomus fasciculatum colonization, soil K and linear increases with low‐soluble P fertilization to 300 mg P kg^‐1 soil. Highly significant interactions for increased nodulation and nitrogenase activity resulted with K × mycorrhiza. Interactions of all three factors P, K and mycorrhiza were highly significant for nodule fresh wt. However, responses comparing inoculation with G. fasciculatum and with combined G. fasciculatum, G. microcarpus and G. clavium were not significant. Highly significant increases with applied K levels to 300 mg K kg^‐1 soil resulted with top and root growth, nodulation and nitrogenase when applied with soluble P at 100 mg kg^‐1 soil and 500 mg Ca kg^‐1 soil. Significant and highly significant interactions of P, Ca and K level resulted for all parameters. Plant nutrient element composition of nodules increased with the fertilization treatments for P, Ca and increased K levels. A highly significant inverse relation was apparent with decreased Na resulting with increased K levels. Half or more of total nodule K, P and Mg but less than 20% of Ca and Na were within the nodule cytosol. Sodium, Mg, P, and Ca decreased in the cytosol fraction with increased K content.     

Midsummer copper sprays have no effect on ‘delicious’ apple fruit color grade or typiness

Recent reports suggested that multiple midsummer copper (Cu) sprays could improve the proportion of apple fruit (Malus × domestica Borkh.) being packed in the reddest market color grades. We conducted a three‐year field experiment in a low‐Cu orchard with a history of poor fruit coloring. We applied multiple mid‐summer sprays of Cu sulfate and basic Cu sulfate in 1994 and 1995 to ‘Bisbee Delicious’ and ‘Oregon Spur II Delicious’ apple trees. Plant tissue nutrient levels, fruit color grade, and fruit typiness were evaluated in the years of application and the following year. The Cu sprays increased leaf Cu in the years of application; however, leaf Cu in the Cu‐sprayed plots returned to or very near to background concentrations in the year after sprays were terminated. The Cu treatments did not increase the proportion of fruit in the reddest market color grades or influence five fruit typiness indices of either apple cultivar. Although midsummer Cu sprays may not enhance apple fruit red color or typiness, they may be useful for increasing overall tree Cu status, particularly for long‐season cultivars which are harvested too late for postharvest sprays to be effective.     

Light‐induced reduction of FE3+ as related to causes of chlorosis in cotton

In growth chambers, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. genetic selection ‘M8') was grown in a synthetic growth medium under four light regimes: low pressure sodium (LPS), LPS + Incandescent (Inc), cool white fluorescent (CWF) and CWF + Inc lamps at 22 C under LPS lamps. Less chlorosis developed at 26 C than at 22 C and less under LPS + Inc than under LPS lamps. All plants were green under CWF and CWF + Inc light. Green and chlorotic plant tissue contained about the same concentrations of Fe. The proposed hypothesis was that chlorotic tissue’ contained less Fe²⁺ than green tissue. Chlorotic leaves treated with FeSO₄ turned a green color. Enough CWF + Inc light passed through an intact leaf to reduce Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ in vitro. Also in vitro, Fe³⁺ was reduced by CWF, by Inc, but not by LPS light. The amount of Fe³⁺ reduced during an illumination period was directly proportional to the quantity of light used. In vitro, citrate and malate enhanced Fe³⁺ reduction, whereas phosphate, pyrophosphate, OH^‐, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, and F^‐ all inhibited Fe³⁺ reduction by light. Orthophosphate was about 8 times as effective as organic P in decreasing Fe³⁺ reduction. Citrate largely alleviated the inhibitory effects of Pi and pH (up to pH 6). The data also provide a possible explanation of a role for many of the elements known to induce or aggravate Fe chlorosis (inhibit Fe³⁺ reduction). Quantity and quality of light apparently play key roles in plant growth as related to reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ in plant tops.     

Plant Availability of Sulfur Added to Finished Fertilizers

As single superphosphate availability decreases due to closure of aging manufacturing plants increasing attention is being paid to alternative phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) sources. This glasshouse study, conducted under non-leaching conditions was undertaken to evaluate the S supplying capacity of gypsum, S bentonite, elemental S (ES) and a range of P containing fertilizers and those where ES was added as a coating or incorporated. The magnitude of crop response in terms of shoot biomass to applied S fertilizer sources followed the order of sulfates > powdered ES > coated/incorporated ES > S/bentonite. These results indicate that fertilizers containing a mixture of sulfate and micronized ES (<75 µm), either incorporated within the granule or coated onto the fertilizer are agronomically effective. The results also suggest that local S coating of finished fertilizers is a feasible alternative to S incorporation undertaken at a central fertilizer plant.     

基于城市居民特性的温室气体减排支付意愿离散选择研究

基于消费者支付意愿的定量评价是建立我国温室气体减排框架、确定不同地区合理的减排责任和低碳经济发展政策的基础。整个选择过程是系统分量(支付属性)和随机分量(居民特性)共同作用的结果。以2014年成都、重庆、乌鲁木齐3个西部城市收集的意愿性数据为分析基础,借助Logistic离散选择回归模型系统分析影响居民温室气体减排支付意愿的影响因素。结果表明:乌鲁木齐城市居民支付意愿最高,成都次之,重庆最低。所处地域、年龄、受教育程度、年收入、职业、有无子女和支付动机7个变量对支付意愿影响显著。较之与多数完成式数据的研究相比,意愿性调查能更好地通过分析未选择者的约束因素,从而可更好分析居民对温室气体减排的认知和态度。