LEAF NUTRIENT CONTENT AND TOMATO FRUIT YIELD AS AFFECTED BY SINGLE SUPER PHOSPHATE RATES APPLIED BY DRIP IRRIGATION

A drip fertigation system should use low-cost phosphorus fertilizer available in small markets to smallholders such as especially Brazilian tomato growers. A study was conducted in an unheated greenhouse to establish an optimum rate of single superphosphate (SS) to formulate an aqueous solution that can be applied to tomato plants through a low-pressure drip irrigation system. Five rates of SS [18% phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)] 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 g·plant^?1, were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replications. Each rate was subdivided into 15 equal parts. Each part was dissolved in water (210 mL for each plant) and the mixture left to settle for 24 hours. The supernatant was applied by drip irrigation every week for 15 weeks. The tomato plants were grown in 9 dm³ plastic bags containing fertilized substrate in an unheated greenhouse. The leaf contents of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were not affected by the treatments. The highest phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) leaf contents were obtained from plants fertilized with SS at 79; 0; 0 g·plant^?1, respectively. The marketable tomato fruit yield, measured up to 123 days after transplanting, increased with the increasing SS up to 54 g·plant^?1, resulting in a yield of 6.16 kg·plant^?1, corresponding to 10.3 kg·m^?2. A settled aqueous solution of SS (54 g·210 mL^?1 of water) can be applied weekly to tomato plant through a low-pressure drip irrigation system during the plant cycle.     

PANSY FLORAL DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE,NITROGEN FORM,AND STAGE OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT

Production temperatures can affect the marketability of pansies (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.) by influencing plant growth, the presence of nutrient disorders, and the rate of floral development. The choice of nitrogen (N) form in fertility can also influence pansy growth and nutrition, but the effect of fertility on pansy flowering is not clear. Whether or not temperature and N fertility work together to influence nutrient absorption at different stages of the pansy life cycle is unknown. Our objectives were to determine the influence of temperature and N form on pansy floral development, and to identify the peak nutrient demand periods at different temperatures and ratios of NO₃ ^? to NH₄ ⁺ in fertility. Pansies cv. ‘Crown White’ were grown in nutrient solution cultures until lateral branches had open flowers. Treatments consisted of two temperatures (12°C and 22°C) and three stages of floral development (five true leaf stage until visible bud, visible bud until first flower, first flower until flowering on lateral branches), and three NO₃ ^? :NH₄ ⁺ molar % ratios (100:0, 62:38, 25:75) with a total concentration of 100 mg N L^?1. A modified Hoagland's solution was used with NO₃ ^??N supplied as Ca(NO₃)₂ and KNO₃ and with NH₄ ⁺?N as (NH₄)₂SO₄. The effects of temperature and N form on the time required for development of different floral stages were assessed. In addition, the influence temperature and N form on nutrient absorption was determined for three pre‐determined stages of floral development to identify peak nutrient demand periods. The timing of flower bud development and first flower was not influenced by treatments. At 22°C, pansies flowered earlier on lateral branches than at 12°C, but these plants also suffered a loss in quality due to unfavorable growth characteristics and the development of nutritional disorders. Individual absorption of plant nutrients at different stages of development varied with temperature and N regime. Overall, pansies absorbed the greatest quantity of magnesium (Mg) before flower bud development, calcium (Ca) after flower bud development, and NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^? phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) after anthesis. In addition, pansies absorbed more NO₃ ^?, Ca, Mg, and P at 12°C than at 22°C. At times, the absorption of NO₃ ^? was dramatically decreased with increasing NH₄ ⁺ in solutions. Results suggest that nutrient absorption by pansy in different stages of development is influenced by production temperatures and the choice of N form in fertilization. Adjusting fertility programs according to peak demand periods and production temperatures will help prevent periodic nutrient disorders during the life cycle, and may reduce fertilization costs.     

NUTRIENT BALANCES AS AFFECTED BY INTEGRATED NUTRIENT AND CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT IN COTTON-WHEAT SYSTEM IN ARIDISOLS. I. NITROGEN

A five-year cotton–wheat rotation field experiment was conducted on two alkaline-calcareous soils, i.e., Awagat (coarse loamy) and Shahpur (fine silty), to investigate the impact of integrated nutrient and crop residue management on soil and crop productivity. Apparent nitrogen (N) balances were developed. Minimum five-year mean yield (Mg ha^?1), obtained with Farmers’ Fertilizer Use (FFU) treatment was: cotton – Awagat, 2.19; Shahpur, 2.45; wheat – Awagat, 3.03; Shahpur, 3.94. With Balance Nutrient Management (BNM), yields increased (P ≤ 0.05) for cotton, 24% in Awagat and 18% in Shahpur soil; and wheat, 37% in Awagat and 24% in Shahpur soil. Maximum crop yields were obtained with Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), i.e., 3–5% higher than with BNM. Crop residue recycling increased the yields further, cotton by 2?7% and wheat by 2–10%. All nutrient management treatments, except for FFU without crop residue recycling, resulted in positive apparent N balances. INM improved SOM and NO₃-N, contents.     

CALIBRATING CHLOROPHYLL METER (SPAD-502) READING BY SPECIFIC LEAF AREA FOR ESTIMATING LEAF NITROGEN CONCENTRATION IN SWEET SORGHUM

The chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502) is used to estimate nitrogen status of various crops. However, the relationship between SPAD readings and leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) in sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has not been fully established. We examined the relationship between SPAD readings and LNC in sweet sorghum in a two-year study; and the effects of leaf thickness on the relationship was also examined. There was a significant relationship between the SPAD reading and LNC at each of two growth stages, but the correlation was weaker when the data for the two growth stages were pooled. This correlation improved when the specific leaf area was introduced as a second independent variable in the multiple regression analysis. This regression equation was applicable to not only different growth stages but also different seasons. The results suggest that the regression equation developed in this study can help in optimizing nitrogen fertilization for sweet sorghum production.     

CANOLA OIL PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING AND SULFUR OXIDIZING BACTERIA

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a very important agricultural and industrial crop. Hence, the effects of chemical and biological treatments on canola oil production and nutrient uptake, under calcareous conditions, were evaluated in a field experiment. Phosphorus (P) fertilizer and sulfur (S)-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus sp.) increased canola oil production by a maximum of 548 and 335 kg ha^?1, respectively. P-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus sp.) and Thiobacillus sp. enhanced the uptake of different nutrients including nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). Monthly measurements of soil P indicated that soil P fluctuations can be managed using the applied treatments for proper P fertilization in canola production. The results indicated the important role of chemical and biological (Bacillus sp.) P sources and S-oxidizing bacteria for canola growth and oil production as they resulted in significant increase in canola oil production and nutrient uptake. This can be very beneficial for the farmers and industry.     

EFFECTS OF LIGHT LEVEL,CO2 ENRICHMENT,AND CONCENTRATION OF NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON GROWTH,LEAF NUTRIENT CONTENT,AND CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE OF BOSTON FERN MICROCUTTINGS

ABSTRACT

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Schott. “Rooseveltii”) is often propagated in vitro. Microcuttings grow slowly after transfer from in vitro to ex vitro conditions. The aim of this study was to accelerate growth and to improve quality of plantlets by optimization of mineral nutrition, irradiance and CO₂ concentration. Two irradiance levels (50 and 150 μmol m^?2 s^?1), two concentrations of CO₂ (350 and 1200 μmol mol^?1), and five concentrations of nutrient solution (electrical conductivity: EC 0.3, 0.7, 1.4, 2.1, and 2.8 mS cm^?1) were tested. Microcuttings grown at higher irradiance accumulated more leaf fresh and dry weights than microcuttings grown at low irradiance. The higher irradiance level enhanced leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content. Carbon dioxide enrichment enhanced dry weight accumulation and plant height, decreased N and increased K content of leaves. The highest fresh and dry weight of leaves was measured at EC 2.1–2.8 mS cm^?1. Leaf N, P, and K content increased with increasing concentration of nutrient solution, leaf calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations decreased with increasing concentration of nutrient solution. Microcuttings grown under high level of irradiance and high EC had higher chlorophyll fluorescence (F _m , F _v /F _m , S _c ) values than those grown under low light and low EC. Quality of propagation material of Boston fern can be significantly enhanced with the best combination of PPFD, mineral nutrition and CO₂ enrichment.     

COMPARISON OF YIELD,NUTRIENT SOLUTION CHANGES AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF GREENHOUSE TOMATO GROWN IN RECIRCULATING AND NON-RECIRCULATING NUTRIENT SOLUTION SYSTEMS

Studies were carried out in the years 2005–2007 with greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cv. ‘Emotion F₁’ grown in rockwool with the recirculating and non-recirculating nutrient solution systems. No significant differences were found in yields of fruits in both systems. In the recirculating system there was more intensive accumulation of sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), and zinc (Zn) in the root environment. Leaves of tomato grown in the recirculating nutrient solution system showed a higher content of Ca, magnesium (Mg), and Zn. There were no differences in the contents of nitrates and nitrites in fruits. In the recirculating system, the following savings were recorded: 42.5% of water and (in%): 42.1 nitrogen (N)- ammonium (NH₄), 56.0 N- nitrate (NO₃), 31.4 phosphorus (P), 52.1 potassium (K), 63.5 Ca, 47.9 magnesium (Mg), 49.4 sulfur (S)- sulfate (SO₄), 51.9 Cl, 50.9 iron (Fe), 47.9 Zn, 24.6 manganese (Mn), 53.3 copper (Cu) and 47.2 boron (B). A high effectiveness in decreasing of bacteria number in drain water by UV irradiation was found.     

VARIABILITY OF GRAIN AND OIL YIELD IN SPRING SAFFLOWER AS AFFECTED BY NITROGEN APPLICATION

This research was carried out to determine the effects of rate and time of nitrogen (N) application on safflower in a calcareous soil. The nitrogen rates were 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 kg ha^?1 and three split application methods were used. Experimental treatments were conducted as a factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) indicated that the three split application of 100 kg ha^?1 of nitrogen in stages of sowing date, early stem elongation, and early flowering had higher grain yield (2627 kg ha^?1) than other treatments. This result was forecasted by results of increases in number of heads per square meter (heads m^?2), number of grains per head (grains/head), and thousand grain weight (TGW). The highest oil yield was 755 kg ha^?1 with the 100 kg ha^?1 nitrogen application and was 727 kg ha^?1 in treatment of three split application.     

GROWTH,PHOTOSYNTHESIS, CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT AND NUTRIENT PARTITIONING OF KENAF AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CARBON

The effects of carbon (C) levels on growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and nutrient partitioning on five kenaf varieties were investigated. Kenaf plants were grown in pots containing sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil. Organic carbon at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 t ha^?1, were applied to the pots. The results showed that plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate increased with an increase in carbon levels up to 20 t ha^?1but decreased with additional increase in carbon levels. The proportion of nitrogen in leaves was minimum at 0 and maximum at 20 t ha^?1carbon levels. In stem and roots, proportion of nitrogen (N) decreased after 10 t ha^?1carbon, while in leaves phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) increased after 20 t ha^?1. Variety HC2 showed maximum N, P, and K in leaves and total nutrient content.     

NUTRIENT BALANCES AS AFFECTED BY INTEGRATED NUTRIENT AND CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT IN COTTON-WHEAT SYSTEM IN ARIDISOLS. III. POTASSIUM

Potassium (K) uptake, uptake trend and apparent balances as influenced by integrated nutrient and crop residue management were investigated in a five-year field experiment on two calcareous soils, i.e., Awagat (coarse loamy) and Shahpur (fine silty) in cotton-wheat sequence. Total K uptake by cotton and wheat plants differed significantly due to nutrient management treatments, i.e., farmers’ fertilizer use (FFU); balanced nutrient management (BNM); integrated nutrient management (INM); and balanced nutrient management plus green manuring (BNM+GM). Minimum mean K uptake (kg ha^?1) by cotton with FFU was 87.1 in Awaga and 108.1 in Shahpur. Corresponding maximum mean K uptake with INM was 115.1 and 132.2, respectively. Nutrient treatments effect on K uptake by wheat was similar to cotton. Potassium uptake was further enhanced by crop residue recycling. Potassium uptake by both crops exhibited non-significant trends and large negative apparent K balances were observed in both the soils.     

NUTRIENT BALANCES AS AFFECTED BY INTEGRATED NUTRIENT AND CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT IN COTTON-WHEAT SYSTEM IN ARIDISOLS. II. PHOSPHORUS

Impact of integrated nutrient and crop residue management on crop productivity, phosphorus (P) uptake and apparent P balances was investigated in a 5-year field experiment on two calcareous soils, i.e., Awagat (coarse loamy) and Shahpur (fine silty) in cotton-wheat sequence. Minimum mean P uptake (kg ha^?1) by cotton with Farmers’ Fertilizer Use (FFU) treatment was 8.89 in Awagat and 11.54 in Shahpur soil. Corresponding maximum mean P uptake was 15.30 and 17.01 kg ha^?1 with Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), respectively. Nutrient treatments effect on P uptake by wheat was similar to cotton. Phosphorus uptake was further enhanced by crop residue recycling. Phosphorus uptake trend by cotton was negative under FFU without residue recycling and was positive with residue recycling. While P uptake trends were positive under all other treatments. INM yielded positive apparent P balances (kg ha^?1) of 56–306 in Awagat and 24–288 in Shahpur soil.     

INTERACTION BETWEEN WATER ALKALINITY AND NUTRIENT SOLUTION PH ON THE VEGETATIVE GROWTH,CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE AND LEAF MAGNESIUM,IRON, MANGANESE,AND ZINC CONCENTRATIONS IN LETTUCE

Alkalinity of water is considered critical for plant growth. Interactions between water alkalinity and solution pH on lettuce were investigated. Seeds of romaine type lettuce were sown in pots containing perlite and irrigated with a high alkaline nutrient solution at four pH values (5, 6, 7, and 8). Considering the high amount of Fv/Fm at pH 5; higher shoot growth (at pH 5) could be due to the improvement of the efficiency of the photosynthesis apparatus of plants and consequently higher photochemical quantum yield. Although, magnesium (Mg) concentration in leaves increased with elevating pH up to 7 and then decreased at 8, but iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) concentrations decreased at higher solution pH levels, constantly. In commercial lettuce production in which water with high pH and carbonate species is normally used, it is better to use safe acids to reduce the pH in nutrient solutions to 5.     

GROWTH AND LEAF YIELD DYNAMICS OF COOL SEASON CORIANDER AS INFLUENCED BY CUTTING AND FOLIAR NITROGEN APPLICATION

An experiment was conducted to study regrowth and yield of coriander influenced by nitrogen (N) with five different urea doses (0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0% by volume) as foliar spray. Spraying of urea has a significant impact on growth and yield in the second cut. Leaf emergence rate (LER) was higher during initial growth phase and then drastically reduced until first cutting, whereas the stem elongation rate (SER) recorded its peak value during 75-105 DAS. Impact of foliar spray was conspicuous during the later phase of regrowth with the treatment of 2.5% urea achieving the highest SER. Additional return due to spraying was positive up to a dose of 2.5% urea and decreased thereafter. Hence, the study indicated that a foliar spray of nitrogen (2.5% urea) may be beneficial for coriander leaf production under multicut system and the crop is sensitive to rainfall, phototemperature, and morning humidity.     

不同土地利用下黑土密度分组中碳、氮的分配变化

陆地生态系统植被覆盖会影响有机质在土壤及其各组分中的分布,是控制土壤有机质储量的重要因子。通过对黑土有机碳、氮含量的估算,阐明土地利用变化对土壤有机碳库及轻组、重组有机碳、氮含量和结合态腐殖质有机碳含量的影响以及有机碳、氮的消长变化。结果表明:(1)不同土地利用方式下土壤0～20cm土层总有机碳(TOC)、全氮(TN)含量存在显著差异(p<0.05),自然土壤被破坏或转为农田,土壤总有机碳和全氮含量会持续下降,但农田化肥和有机肥配施后,土壤总有机碳和全氮含量显著增加;草地经过20年的植被恢复,土壤总有机碳含量显著高于农田化肥和无肥处理,有机碳库储量显著提高;(2)游离态轻组(Free-LF)和重组(HF)有机碳和氮含量与土壤总有机碳和全氮呈显著或极显著正相关,闭蓄态轻组(Occluded-LF)有机碳和氮在土壤中呈随机分布;(3)游离态轻组的C/N比高于全土和其他组分,易受微生物作用而降解,是土壤不稳定碳库的主要成分;(4)松结态胡敏酸碳含量与土壤总有机碳显著相关(p<0.05),土壤肥力随着胡敏酸的增加而提高。农田有机培肥不但能够提高有机质含量和土壤质量,也能显著提高农田生态系统抵押大气CO2的能力。     

土壤水湿状况和肥料碳氮比对稻田肥料氮素转化的影响

本文应用¹⁵N示踪法,测定并探讨了土壤中三种水分状况及四种不同C/N值肥料对肥料氮素转化的影响,试验结果表明:土壤水分和肥料C/N值均对水稻产量有较大的影响,相比之下,土壤水分的影响似更大.水稻对肥料氮的吸收利用率,淹水栽植高于旱植,氮素固定在旱地条件下作用加强,淹水并有一定渗漏的土壤上肥料氮的损失最大,示踪结果说明从土壤渗漏液中淋失的氮素80%以上为土壤固有氮素,相对而言肥料氮的损失较低.试验还表明肥料中碳氮值与肥料氮的吸收利用率之间呈负相关,与肥料残留率呈正相关.此外,本试验还测定了土壤水湿状况和肥料碳氮值在土壤氮素转化中的作用,讨论了当土壤氮素矿化和固定作用相等时,有机肥的碳氮临界值及其实用意义.     

江苏省五种主要土壤的氮素供应状况和磷肥肥效的关系

有关磷肥肥效问题,近年来国内已进行了不少的试验研究。就缺磷的酸性土壤来讲,几乎各种类型的磷肥(包括过磷酸钙、钙镁磷肥和磷灰石等)都有不同程度的肥效,只是增产的幅度随作物种类和农业技术措施而有所差异。     

NITROGEN NUTRITION ON LEAF CHLOROPHYLL,CANOPY REFLECTANCE,GRAIN PROTEIN AND GRAIN YIELD OF WHEAT VARIETIES WITH CONTRASTING GRAIN PROTEIN CONCENTRATION

Wheat cultivars (‘AC Barrie’, ‘Brook Field’, ‘Hoffman’, and ‘Norwell’) with different protein concentrations were compared under four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha^?1) in an environment-controlled greenhouse, and the same experiment with an additional N level (200 kg N ha^?1) was repeated in the field in 2007. In the greenhouse experiment, application of 100 kg N ha^?1 resulted in significantly greater grain yield due mainly to higher number of grains per spike and heavier mean grain weight; in the field study, the 150 kg N ha^?1 treatment produced the greatest yield (P<0.01) primarily due to more number of grains per spike. Crude grain protein percentage was increased significantly with each increment of N up to the highest level; however, protein yield (kg ha^?1) increased significantly with fertilizer up to 150 kg N ha^?1. Leaf chlorophyll contents were increased linearly with increment of N levels up to 150 kg ha^?1 both in the greenhouse and field trials while leaf area indices continued to increase up to the highest application rate (200 kg N ha^?1). Canopy reflectance, expressed as normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), attained maximum value with 150 kg N ha^?1 in the field experiment. Among the varieties tested, “Hoffman” out-yielded other three varieties due to heavier grain weight. Although highest grain and/or plant crude protein content were recorded in ‘AC Barrie’, it was the variety ‘Hoffman’ that produced the highest total protein (kg ha^?1) with largest NDVI and leaf area index (LAI) values.     

土壤中Cd、P、Zn含量对水稻产量和植株中矿物浓度的影响

在温室中进行了剖析添加的Cd、P、Zn对稻谷产量、植株和稻草中的矿物含量以及糙米中Cd的浓度的研究。P增加了稻谷和植株产量,而Cd、Zn和P-Zn的交互作用使其降低。稻谷和植株产量有类似的线性回归方程式,其稻谷的线性回归方程为: Y=17.24+0.0466(P)-0.1850(Cd)-0.1115(Zn)-0.0005(P-Zn) 其R²=0.97^**,式中Y为稻谷产量(克/株);P为添加的P浓度(毫克/公斤);(Cd)为添加的Cd浓度(毫克/公斤);(Zn)为添加的Zn浓度(毫克/公斤);(P-Zn)为P和Zn的交互作用。所有处理均明显地影响着稻草中矿物元素的含量。粕米中的Cd浓度随着添加的Cd、P、Zn浓度的增加而增加;但多元回归分析表明只有Cd的影响是显著的。粕米中Cd的浓度与收获时用0.05M HCI所提取的风干土中的Cd浓度有极显著相关性(Y=0.75^**).对糙米中Cd浓度的评价进行了简要的讨论。     

GROWTH AND NUTRITION OF YOUNG BEAN PLANTS UNDER HIGH ALKALINITY AS AFFECTED BY MIXTURES OF AMMONIUM,POTASSIUM, AND SODIUM

High concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO^? ₃) cause alkalinity of irrigation water and are associated with suppression in plant growth and micronutrient deficiencies, such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Because reports indicate that the deleterious effects of alkalinity may be counteracted partially by supplementary potassium (K⁺) or ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) an experiment was designed to evaluate the response of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in high alkalinity conditions to varying proportions of NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, or sodium (Na⁺) (as a potential substitute for K⁺). Plants established in a growth chamber were grown in hydroponics for 21 days in solutions containing 5 mM HCO^? ₃ and a total of 5 mM of a mixture of NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. The proportions of NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ were designed according to mixture experiment methodology. Total N in all the mixture treatments was maintained at 10 mM by using nitrate (NO^? ₃)-N, thus the NH₄ ⁺:NO^? ₃ ratio varied according to the proportion of NH₄ ⁺ in the mixtures. Alkalinity caused suppression in plant growth and chlorophyll concentration in the younger leaves, whereas excessive NH₄ ⁺ was associated with leaf scorching and decreased leaf expansion. High proportions of K⁺ alleviated alkalinity symptoms and produced higher shoot and root dry mass provided that NH₄ ⁺ was included in the mixture. However, a proportion of NH₄ ⁺ higher than 0.333 in the mixture (>1.66 mM NH₄ ⁺) induced toxicity. The highest shoot dry mass occurred if the NH₄ ⁺:NO^? ₃ ratio was 0.19:0.81 and the NH₄ ⁺:K⁺:Na⁺ proportion was 0.38:0.38:0.24 (1.9 mM NH₄ ⁺ + 1.9 mM K⁺ + 1.2 mM Na⁺). Thus, an improvement in plant growth is achieved when NH₄ ⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ are blended together, in spite of the high alkalinity treatment imposed. Optimum NH₄ ⁺ was associated with a decrease in solution pH and an increase in shoot Fe and Zn concentration.     

INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF SULFUR AND PHOSPHORUS ON NODULATION,NITROGEN FIXATION,AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY CHICKPEA GROWN ON CALCAREOUS SOILS IN PAKISTAN

Field experiments were conducted at two different locations under rainfed conditions of Punjab, Pakistan to assess nodulation, nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake by chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in response to application of three rates [0, 40, and 80 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅ ha^?1)] of phosphorus and three rates (0, 15 and 30 kg S ha^?1) of sulfur in different combinations. Effect of phosphorus application was nonsignificant while that of sulfur was significant on percent nitrogen derived from atmosphere. Both phosphorus and sulfur application resulted in increase in nitrogen fixation up to 38% and 33% over control, respectively. Nutrient uptake [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S)] increased significantly with the application of phosphorus and sulfur and correlated positively with nitrogen fixation. There is direct involvement of sulfur in the process of nitrogen fixation whereas effect of phosphorus on nitrogen fixation is indirect mainly through enhanced growth and dry matter production.