The Effect of Chloride on Yield and Nutrient Interaction in Greenhouse Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) Grown in Rockwool

The effect of increasing chloride content in nutrient solution on nutrient composition in root environment, interaction of nutrients in leaves and yield of greenhouse tomato cv. ‘Grace F₁’ grown in rockwool were searched. In Experiment I (2004–2005) the levels of 15, 30, 60, and 90 mg Cl·L^?1 but in Experiment II (2006) 30, 60, 90 and 120 mg Cl·L^?1 of nutrient solution were tested. The sources of chloride were water (9.6–10.7 mg Cl·L^?1) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂·2H₂O) but the rest of nutrients and sodium in all treatments were on the same levels. It was found that increasing content of chloride from 15 to 60 mg Cl·L^?1 enhanced the total and marketable fruit yield. Within the range of 60 to 90 mg Cl·L^?1 the yield was on the optimum level but the content of 120 mg Cl·L^?1 declined it. Increasing chloride content in the nutrient solutions was reflected in rising of chlorine content in leaves. The concentration of chloride above 60 mg C·L^?1 reduced the content of nitrogen but above 90 mg C·L^?1 declined the content of calcium, sulfur and zinc in leaves. The antagonism between Cl:N, Cl:Ca: Cl:S and Cl:Zn was appeared. More variable interaction were between Cl:K and Cl:B. At the low levels of chloride, from 15 to 60 mg Cl·L^?1, potassium and boron content were decreased but at the higher ones, from 90 to 120 mg·L^?1, these nutrients had increasing course. It was not found out the effect of chloride contents on macro and microelement contents in nutrient solution emitted from drippers however their content upraising in root medium (rockwool). The highest increase was found out for Na 95.1 and 64.9 % (Exp. I and II - respectively), next for Ca (76.0, 70.1 %), Cu (62.5 and 71.0 %), Cl (43.6, 24.4), B (33.3, 21.0 %), N-NO₃ (30.4, 49.6 %), Zn (29.5, 32.8 %), S-SO₄ (25.9, 25.5 %), K (24.5, 24.1 %), Fe (19.8, 19.2 %), Mn (17.5, 21.3 %) and Mg (14.9, 11.7). Advantageous effect of chloride on tomato yield justified the need to introduce for the practice adequate chlorine nutrition, and recommend to maintain 60 to 90 mg Cl·L^?1 in nutrient solution. The best yield appeared when content of chlorine in leaves (8th or 9th leaf from the top) was in the range 0.48-0.60 % of Cl in d. m.     

Diagnosis of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) nutrient imbalance by DRIS and CND-clr methods at two stages during early growth

High yield of sugar beet require adequate mineral nutrition. To be diagnosed across interacting nutrients using appropriate interpretation models, the plant must be sampled at a critical physiological stage. This study aimed to develop and validate norms at the 7-leaf and well-developed rosette stages, for diagnostic purposes using the Diagnosis and Recommended Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis based on centered log ratios (CND-clr). Data on nutrient concentrations and plant performance were obtained from 409 plots in West-Central Poland. With respect to the growth stages, for physiological and practical reasons, the 7-leaf stage is preferable for diagnostic purposes. At this growth stage, the high-yield subpopulation characterized by higher concentration of potassium and sodium compared to other nutrients. CND-clr indices were closely related to DRIS indices (R² > 0.93). The CND-clr indices, however, better explained the differences in the white sugar yield within the validated dataset than the DRIS indices.     

Nutrient availability and interactions between soil arthropods and microorganisms during decomposition of coniferous litter: a mesocosm study

Summary The functional roles of the fungivorous collembolan Tomocerus minor and the detritivorous isopod Philoscia muscorum during the decomposition of Pinus nigra needles were studied in mesocosms filled with two different types of F1 litter, obtained from two different forest soils. The effects of the animals on the availability of K⁺, Ca²⁺, NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , and PO _inf4 ^sup3- and on the respiration, dehydrogenase, and cellulase activity of microorganisms were measured over one growing season. The animals were introduced into the F1 litter in three densities. The most important animal effect was a buffering effect, in that addition of the animals increased nutrient availability and microbial activity where the corresponding values in control mesocosms without animals were low, and decreased the nutrient availability and microbial activity where control values were high. This effect occurred for both species and was most evident in the substrate with the highest temporal fluctuations. The effects on nutrient availability are attributed to an animal effect on the activity of and successional stage reached the microbial community, with NH _inf4 ^sup+ availability seen as the most important factor. The concept of functional groups in relation to these animal effects is discussed.     

EFFECT OF DELAYED EMERGENCE ON CORN (ZEA MAYS L.) GRAIN YIELD

Uneven crop stands result in a reduction in corn yield production. This study was conducted to determine the effect of delayed emergence on corn yields and the effect of nitrogen (N) applications to compensate for yield reductions. The design used was a randomized complete block, with 4 sequences of delayed planting (0,4,7,and 10 days after planting) and 3 rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80 kg N ha^?1). At maturity, individual plants were tagged in sets of three and hand harvested. Corn ears were shelled, and yield per plant calculated. Grain yield of the delayed plant compared to that of the neighbors was reduced by 27, 8, 20 and 12 kg ha^?1day^?1 for 2007 LCB1, 2007 LCB2, 2010 LCB1 and 2010 LCB2, respectively. Over locations and years, the mean grain yield decrease of the delayed plant versus neighboring plants for each day delay was 122 kg ha^?1.     

Effects of surface fire on litter decomposition and occurrence of microfungi in a Cymbopogon polyneuros dominated grassland

Abstract

Litter decomposition rate, changes in macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from different grades of litter decomposition and occurrence of soil microfungi were investigated in a Cymbopogon polyneuros-dominated tall grass ecosystem from a burned and an unburned site in southern India. The litter decomposition rate was higher at the burned site than at the unburned site. This rate was also higher when the litter was mixed with the mineral soil material than leaving the litter unaffected on the soil surface. The concentrations of N, P, and K in the litter decreased as a result of progressed litter decomposition. Occurrence of microfungi identified from the different decomposition grades of the Cymbopogon polyneuros litter was higher at the burned site compared to the unburned site. Microfungal species present at both sites showed only minor differences.     

Biosorption of macronutrients by Brazilian tropical peats

The objective of this work was to evaluate the adsorption of macronutrients calcium, potassium, magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorus in two Brazilian tropical peat samples, investigating the effect of pH and determining the kinetics of the adsorption process. Two different Brazilian tropical peat samples were characterized using FTIR, TG, and SEM techniques. Different pH conditions were tested, as well as different mass concentrations of the peats. Differences in the chemical structures of the peat samples directly influenced the adsorptive capacities for the macronutrients. The adsorptive capacity for nitrogen was highest at pH 3, while the best adsorption of calcium and potassium was obtained at pH 6. The best fit to the data was provided by the pseudo-second-order model, which confirmed the rapid adsorption of calcium by both peats.     

Investigation of soil compaction on yield and agronomic traits of wheat under saline and non-saline soils

Inappropriate crop management and long-term use of heavy agricultural equipment can lead to soil compaction. On the other hand, soil and water salinity causes reduction in the plant yield in addition to adverse effects on plants tolerance to the various stresses. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between soil compaction and salinity on the macronutrients uptake and wheat yield as well as its agronomic traits. The pot experiment was carried out on the loamy soil in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two salinity types (saline, EC = 6 dS/m and non-saline soil) and five levels of compaction; control, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The results showed that soil compaction had significant effect on the amount of N, P and K in wheat grain, so that the uptake of N, P and K by grain has been decreased by increasing the compaction level of soil. Soil salinity had significant effect on N, P and K content in grain that the content of N, P and K has been diminished in the saline treatments compared to non-saline treatments. Results on the agronomic traits and yield of wheat also revealed that soil compaction and salinity had significant effect (p < 0.01) on straw weight, number of ears, number of grain, and thousand grain weight which caused reduction in these parameters. The interaction between compaction and salinity had only significant correlation (p < 0.01) with thousand grain weight leading to the decrement of thousand grain weight with increasing compaction levels, particularly in the saline treatment.     

Lime and Nutrients Effects on Jatropha curcas Cultivated on an Amazonian Soil

We evaluated the effects of macronutrient and micronutrient omission, and of liming, on Jatropha curcas (JC) in greenhouse study. The experimental design was a factorial combination of 2 liming treatments (nil or 4.5 t. ha^?1 of dolomitic lime) x 7 combinations of fertility status, with five replications. The concentrations and uptake of nutrients by JC plants follow the order: nitrogen > potassium > calcium ≥ Magnesium > sulfur > phosphorus > iron > boron > manganese > zinc > copper (N > K > Ca ≥ Mg > S > P > Fe > B > Mn > Zn > Cu), but the growth of JC plants was negatively affected mainly by omission of macronutrients, in the following order: P > N = K = S, on limed soil. Phosphorus is the most critical element for development. JC is responsive to micronutrients only when applied together with macronutrients. Potassium chloride is not recommended as K⁺ source for JC crop. Lime is recommended to improve growth and nutritional status of JC plants.     

Grain Yield,Quality, and Nutrient Concentrations of Feed,Food, and Malt Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal grown for animal feed, human consumption, and malting. Nutrient concentrations are important as they provide information regarding the dietary values of barley consumed by animals or human beings. In addition, grain nutrient removal may be useful for refining fertilizer recommendations. A study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 investigating the cultivar effects on grain yield, quality, and grain nutrient concentrations and removal under irrigated conditions for two-row barley cultivars. Adjunct and feed cultivars produced the highest yields compared with the all-malt and food cultivars. Specific quality and nutrient values were greater than or equal to in the food cultivar compared to the malt or feed cultivars. Variations in nutrient concentrations were measured among the adjunct and all-malt cultivars, which could potentially affect the malting and brewing qualities. Grain yield, quality, nutrient concentrations and nutrient removal varied among cultivars grown under identical environmental conditions, which may influence end-use.     

Simultaneous use of plant growth promoting rhizobacterium and nitrogenous fertilizers may help in promoting growth,yield, and nutritional quality of okra

This study was conducted to evaluate the simultaneous use of plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (QS1) and different combinations of urea-nitrogen and biogas slurry-nitrogen for improving growth, yield, and nutritional quality of field grown okra. The isolate QS1 was identified as Bacillus sp. QS1 based on its ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequence analysis. Results revealed that among the combinations, the application of 50% urea-nitrogen + 50% biogas slurry-nitrogen was optimal for improving crop performance. This combination significantly (p ≤ 0.05) promoted okra growth viz. plant height (69.63–80.03 cm), no of branches per plant (14–18), shoot fresh weight (86.66–136.25 g/plant), root fresh weight (22.5–26.58 g/plant), and fruit yield (8.5–13.5 kg/plot) compared to the plants receiving 100% urea-nitrogen. The interactive effective of this nitrogen combination and QS1 inoculation produced the highest growth and yield response. Similarly, the same treatment improved nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and protein contents in shoot and fruit of okra compared to other treatments.