Water and nutrient uptakes efficiencies in rosemary plants under different fertigation treatments

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of different fertigation treatments: T₀ (control treatment), T₁ (raw leachates from C. melo) and T₂ (raw leachates from C. melo blended with tap water (50/50% v/v)) on plant growth, nutrient concentration in leachate and water and nutrient use efficiencies of rosemary. At the end of experiment, rosemary plants fertigated with leachates decreased the total dry weight and the water use efficiency compared to the control treatment. The fertigation with leachates from C. melo affected the values of the nutrient concentrations in leachates from rosemary plants during the experimental period and improved the nitrogen (NUE) and phosphorus (PUE) use efficiencies compared to the control treatment. Our results indicate that reuse of horticultural leachates for the fertigation of rosemary plant in containers assumes a water and nutrient savings, but from an environmental point of view, there is a risk of pollution.     

Improved RP‐HPLC and anion‐exchange chromatography methods for the determination of amino acids and carbohydrates in soil solutions

In spite of their low concentrations in soil solutions, low–molecular weight organic substances (LMWOS) such as amino acids, sugars, and uronic acids play a major role in the cycles of C and N in soil. With respect to their low concentrations and to possible matrix interferences, their analysis in soil leachates is a challenging task. We established two HPLC (high‐performance liquid chromatography) methods for the parallel determination of amino acids and carbohydrates in soil leachates. The pre‐column derivatization of amino acids with an o‐phthaldialdehyde (OPA) mercaptoethanol solution yields quantitation limits between 0.03 and 0.44 µmol L^–1 and S_D values of <8.3% (n = 9). High‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography (HPAEC) on a Dionex CarboPac PA 20 column with a NaOH acetate gradient combined with pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) was used for the determination of carbohydrates. The calibration curves obtained for 11 carbohydrates showed excellent linearity over the concentration range from 0.02 to 50.0 mg L^–1. Recovery studies revealed good results for all analytes (89%–108%). Interferences from Hg(II) salts and chloroform used for stabilization of the leachates did not occur with both chromatographic methods. The optimized method was successfully used for quantitative determinations of amino acids and carbohydrates in soil leachates.     

Allelopathic Potential of Shoot and Root Leachates of Certain Weed Species

The allelopathic potential of shoot and root leachates of seven weed species was assessed using sorghum and blackgram as test crops. Weeds differed significantly among themselves in their allelopathic effect. Shoot leachates of weeds, in general, showed more allelopathic effect than their root leachates. Phenolic content of weed leachates has positive association with the allelopathic potential of the weed species.     

Sickersaft-Austrag und Stickstoff-Fracht aus Mistmieten

Leachates and nitrogen leakage from farmyard manure heaps
Leachates from differently covered cattle manure heaps amount to 88.7–117.4 1/m³ within 177 days, nitrogen leakage to 89.0–119.0 g, respectively. A total protection against precipitation with plastic foil led to the lowest quantity of leachates indeed, but not to the lowest nitrogen leakage. During the first decomposition period no rain fell, but the quantities of leachates as well as the leakage of nitrogen were highest. After 20 days (11,7% of the experimental period) already 55.0–81.3% of total leachates and 71.2-87.0% of total nitrogen leakage were found, but only 1.7 % of the precipitate, fallen within 177 days. This clearly shows, that only the covering of manure heaps can not be sufficient either to reduce liquid leaching or nitrogen leakage significantly.     

Sequential foliar application of vermicompost leachates improves marketable fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of foliar application of vermicompost leachates on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Cv. Chandler). For this, three leachates collected from vermicomposting of cow dung (FCD), vegetable waste (FVW) and mixture of cow dung and vegetable waste in 1:2 ratio (FCVW) were used at 2 ml l⁻¹ at monthly interval (total five sprays) in strawberry. The results indicated that foliar application of vermicompost leachates improved leaf area (10.1–18.9%), dry matter of plant (13.9–27.2%) and fruit yield (9.8–13.9%) significantly over control (water spray only). Foliar application of FCVW reduced albinism (from 12.1 to 5.7%), fruit malformation (11.2–8.5%) and grey mould (5.1–2.6%) thus improving marketable fruit yield (26.5% higher) with firmer fruits of better quality. The foliar application of FCD and FVW also improved these parameters and resulted in to higher marketable fruit yield (12.6 and 17.8% higher, respectively) compared to control. The study confirmed that leachates derived from composting processes have potential use as foliar fertilization for strawberry.     

Ionic contents of leachate from grassland soils: a comparison between ceramic suction cup samples and drainage

Abstract. Ceramic suction cups were used to obtain samples of soil solution from permanently grazed swards receiving 200 kg N/ha/y. The suction cups were installed in 1 ha plots at 10, 30 and 60 an depth in a poorly drained, heavy clay soil in S. W. England. The plots were hydrologically isolated from each other by perimeter drains which channelled surface runoff water into v-notch weirs. In one treatment, artificial drainage by a system of field and mole drains also converged to outfalls through v-notch weirs, which enabled samples to be taken. Nitrate and a range of other ionic constituents were examined over a 12 month period in soil solutions taken from the suction cups and compared with leachate obtained from the field drains and surface channels. Field drain samples frequently exceeded the EC limit of 11.3 mg nitrate-N/1, but concentrations in suction cups obtained during the same period did not, and were up to ten-fold less. Although correlations for ions were found between different sampling depths and drainage samples, no clear patterns emerged. It was concluded that suction cups were inappropriate for the determination of the overall leaching losses in this soil type, but provided useful data on changes in ionic concentrations which occurred in different soil horizons through to drainage outfalls.     

Soil absorption of atmospheric nitrogen in florida

Abstract

Nitrogen content of rain water and that of leachates through quartz sand and two sandy soils of Florida were measured over a 3‐year period. Only NO₃‐N was found in appreciable amounts. Annual rainfall of 45 to 50 in. contributed only from 2 to 3 lb N/acre. Leachates, from naturally occurring rain passing through Tavares and Placid fine sands, contained from 40 to 50 lb of N/ acre annually. Changes in soil pH and loss of base cations indicate that nitrification was taking place. Because there was little loss of organic N by the soils, atmospheric NH₃ is assumed to be the main source of N.     

Assessment of allelopathic interference of Chenopodium album through its leachates,debris extracts,rhizosphere and amended soil

Abstract

A study conducted to assess the allelopathic interference of invasive weed Chenopodium album indicated that aqueous leachates of C. album plant parts (roots, whole plant, and leaves), debris extracts and rhizosphere soil deleteriously affected the germination and initial growth of two test plants – Cassia occidentalis (a weed) and Phaseolus aureus (a crop). Further, the plant growth in terms of height, biomass, chlorophyll and protein content was significantly lesser in soil amended with C. album debris. Aqueous leachates, debris extracts, rhizosphere soil and debris amended soil were found to contain significantly higher amounts of water-soluble phenolics – the known phytotoxins. These phytotoxins in root, above-ground parts and leaves were phenolic acids, namely gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, vanillic, p-coumaric, syringic and ferulic. Among these, chlorogenic acid was present in the maximum amount in the leaves and roots. The study concludes that C. album releases phenolics into the soil and these are probably involved in the growth inhibitory effect of C. album.     

生物反应器模拟生活垃圾填埋降解产甲烷性能

该文采用生物反应器模拟生活垃圾填埋降解过程,跟踪测试了垃圾在厌氧消化过程中产甲烷进程及渗滤液特性,并探索两者之间的关系,旨在筛选出可以预测垃圾厌氧消化产甲烷进程的指标。结果表明渗滤液pH值、TOC/TN(total organic carbon/total nitrogen)、乙酸/戊酸(HAc/HVa)的变化对系统产甲烷进程及稳定性有一定的指示作用。消化系统产甲烷初期,渗滤液pH值稳定在5.77~5.91。产甲烷高峰期,渗滤液pH值会迅速升高达到峰值。渗滤液中TOC/TN≥11时,垃圾厌氧发酵系统稳定,产甲烷正常。而当渗滤液中TOC/TN11时,发酵系统因氨积累失稳,产气量小。戊酸在垃圾厌氧消化过程中生成与转化较为活跃,HAc/HVa变化较大且有明显的拐点,拐点处可预测消化系统进入产甲烷期。此外,采用16S r RNA基因标记技术对反应器中3个阶段的垃圾渗滤液样品(水解酸化期A、产甲烷高峰期B、产甲烷末期C)以及试验结束时垃圾样品和覆盖土样品进行群落评估。聚类树分析得出生活垃圾(municipal solid wastes,MSW)样品与渗滤液样品其微生物种类及丰度都较为接近,有较近的亲缘关系,且反应期越长相似度越高。测定渗滤液样品的微生物群落组成可一定程度反映出系统内垃圾的群落结构。覆盖层是系统进行硝化反应的主要场所。垃圾厌氧消化末期,系统中氨积累抑制产甲烷菌活性,是导致系统产甲烷能力下降的主要原因。     

Effects of Litter Leachate on Plant Community Characteristics of Alpine Grassland in Qinghai Tibetan Plateau

Plant litter dynamics are sensitive to grassland productivity and the spatial heterogeneity of plant community. In this study, we investigated the effects of litter leachates on plant community characteristics using three plant species that represent different successional stages of alpine grasslands located on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We tested four concentrations of leachates (0, 50, 100, and 200 g L⁻¹) from Kobresia setchwanensis, Elymus nutans, and Ligularia virgaurea. The leachates from the three plant species generally responded similarly, but the responses to the varying concentrations were significantly different. Addition of litter leachates negatively impacted the aboveground biomass and species richness. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was positively correlated with the litter leachate addition. The effects of the litter leachate’s addition on plant functional groups varied—grasses were inhibited, forbs and legumes were promoted, and sedges were not significantly affected. This study demonstrates that litter leachates are a critical determinant of species diversity, grassland productivity, and community structure in QTP alpine grasslands.