Response of Cherry Rootstocks to Boron and Salinity

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present research was to study the effects of boron (B) and potassium chloride (KCl) induced salinity on growth, nutritional status, and chlorophyll content of the cherry rootstocks CAB 6P (Prunus cerasus L.) and Gisela 5 (Prunus cerasus L. × Prunus canescens L.). Plants produced the longest shoots, more leaves, and the greatest fresh weights of shoots and leaves when treated with 0.025 mM B combined with the lower level of salinity (0.75 dS m^?1). CAB 6P plants retained most of their leaves until the end of the experiment, whereas Gisela 5 plants showed higher leaf shedding. Irrigation of plants with solutions containing 0.2 mM B and electrical conductivities (EC) of 4 dS m^?1 resulted in lower leaf chlorophyll contents (SPAD units) when compared with all other treatments. Nitrogen (N) concentrations of leaves from both rootstocks decreased as the EC of the nutrient solution increased from 0.75 to 4 mM. Potassium (K) concentrations of leaves from both rootstocks increased as salinity levels increased.     

Sugarcane bagasse amendment mitigates nutrient leaching from a mineral soil under tropical conditions

Large quantities of organic by-products are generated by the sugarcane industry during sugar extraction process. These by-products may be used as soil amendments to improve soil quality, as nutrient leaching is common in mineral soils of Florida in USA due to their sandy texture and frequent rain events. A soil column study was designed to evaluate the effects of bagasse application at 85 t ha^-1 of fresh bagasse, 170 t ha^-1 of fresh bagasse, and 170 t ha^-1 of fre...     

Applicability of Different Indices to Evaluate Nutrient Status of Winter Wheat in the Organic System

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrient status of two winter wheat cultivars (Kobra and Juma) in the organic crop production system was compared with integrated and conventional systems. This research was conducted between 1998 and 2000 at the Experimental Station in Osiny (Lublin province, Poland) on a grey-brown podzolic soil. To determine N, P, and K contents shoot samples of wheat were taken at the shooting and earing growth stages. Measurements of chlorophyll content were performed with a chlorophyll meter (SPAD) to estimate N nutrient status. Four different methods [Nitrogen Nutrient Index (NNI), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), Diagnostic Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), and Sufficiency Range (SR)] of nutrient status evaluation were compared. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) nutrient status of wheat cultivated in the organic system was lower compared with the other farming systems. Assuring sufficient supply of nitrogen to cereals under the conditions of organic farming is particularly difficult in early growth stages. In the integrated and conventional systems wheat was sufficiently supplied with NPK. Kobra cv. proved to be more adapted to the organic system. Results indicate that classical nutrient status indices are of lesser use for organic farming.     

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.     

河口湿地红树林植被恢复对土壤养分动态的影响

以泉州湾河口人工红树林湿地为研究对象,以光滩为对照,采集0—10,10—20,20—30 cm土层土壤,研究不同红树林恢复(桐花树、秋茄、秋茄-桐花树混交林)对河口湿地土壤pH、有机质及主要养分元素(氮磷钾)的影响。结果表明:不同植被恢复模式下土壤pH和有机质含量呈明显的垂直变化特征,相对于无植被的光滩(恢复前),红树林植被恢复显著降低了土壤pH (P＜0.05),但增加了土壤有机质含量(P＜0.05)。不同红树林恢复模式下,土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和全钾含量均大致表现为随土层深度的增加而增加,而全磷含量则表现为随深度的增加而降低。相对于恢复前,红树林植被恢复均增加了表层土壤主要养分(氮磷钾)含量,其中,以桐花树—秋茄混交林的影响最为显著(P＜0.05)。综上,不同模式红树林植被恢复对河口湿地土壤理化性质和养分动态具有明显的调节作用,其中,混交林模式通过高效利用地上地下空间,改善土壤结构和质量,增加生物量和养分归还量,显著改善了土壤养分动态,是河口区植被恢复的优选手段。研究结果可为加强河口红树林湿地养分管理、维护湿地系统养分平衡提供科学参考。     

EFFECT OF SWINE MANURE EXTRACT ON LEAF NITROGEN CONCENTRATION,CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT,TOTAL POTASSIUM IN PLANT PARTS AND STARCH CONTENT IN FRESH TUBER YIELD OF CASSAVA

The effects of swine manure extract (SME) as foliar fertilizer (FSME), soil fertilizer (SSME), and both soil and foliar fertilizer (FNSSME) on leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, total potassium (K) in plant parts and starch content in the fresh roots, compared to a conventional, chemical fertilizer (CF) were studied in cassava cultivar ‘Hauybong 60’. The results showed that plants on FNSSME had the highest chlorophyll contents and SPAD values at four months after planting (MAP). Cassava plants treated with SSME and FNSSME had highest starch content and was significantly higher than in plants treated with CF and a FSME. There was a strong, positive relationship between the leaf nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll content in cassava at 6 MAP. The results of the study indicated that an application of FNSSME to cassava plants could provide a higher chlorophyll content and higher tuber quality of the plants than those applied with chemical fertilizer.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigates heavy metal toxicity adverse effects in sewage water contaminated soil on Tagetes erecta L

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus constrictum on the biomass production, flower quality, chlorophyll content, macronutrients and heavy metals content of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) planted under uncontaminated soil and watered with various rates of sewage water. Sewage water utilization significantly decreased biomass production, characters of flower, nutrient concentration and rates of mycorrhizal colonization of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) marigold as compared to control untreated plants especially at the higher rates, but the reduction rate was proportionally higher in non-AM treatments. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly greater yield, relative chlorophyll content, leaf area, flower quality and element (P, N, K and Mg) content compared to non-inoculated marigold plants irrigated with or without sewage water. Furthermore, AM inoculation had highly decreased heavy metal (Zn, Co, Mn, Cu) content in tissues as compared to equivalent non-inoculated plants grown under sewage water application. Growing marigold with AM inoculum can reduce toxicity of heavy metals and enhance biomass production and P uptake. The results support the view that AM have a protective function for the host plant, hence playing a potential function in soil polluted immobilization processes, and thus are of assessing the potential of phytoremediation of heavy metals in sewage water contaminated soil.     

Effect of salinity on stomatal resistance,proline, and mineral composition of pepper

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants grown in pots were irrigated with the nutrient solutions containing 50, 75, and 100 mM NaCl or a control solution. Salinity markedly decreased plant growth. Increasing salinity levels increased stomatal resistance and sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), proline contents of the plants. Potassium (K), total‐nitrogen (N), and chlorophyll content of the plants were decreased under high salinity conditions.     

Ameliorative Effect of Hydro Gel Substrate on Growth,Inorganic Ions,Proline, and Nitrate Contents of Bean under Salinity Stress

The effect of varying hydrogel (0, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w) supply on some agro-physiological properties, such as dry matter, nutrient contents, chlorophyll contents, proline content, and ionic balance of bean plants in different salt sources and stress due to doses were investigated. Plants were treated with eight salt sources [sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), calcium sulfate (CaSO₄), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), magnesium chloride (MgCl₂), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)] and four concentrations (0, 30, 60, and 120 mM doses) for 60 days in a growth media. Salt type, doses, and hydrogel (HG) affected the soil electrical conductivity. Soil salinity affected the parameters considered, and changed the nutrient balance of plants. High salt concentration caused substantial reduction in plant growth. Different salt concentrations negatively affected plant dry weight. The highest decrease of plant root dry weight was obtained with NaCl application followed by Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, CaSO_4, MgCl₂, MgSO₄, KCl, and K₂SO₄, and similarly NaCl, Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, CaSO_4, KCl, K₂SO₄, MgCl₂, and MgSO₄ in root dry weight. Total chlorophyll and nitrate contents of plants decreased with increasing salt doses, and the lowest value was obtained for NaCl application. Proline contents of plants were increased with increasing salt doses, and the highest value was obtained with the NaCl application. The effects of salt concentrations in nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) content of plants were significant. The presence of salt in the growth medium induced an important decrease the macro nutrient of the root and shoot part of plant such as N, P, K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content, but the N and P content of root and shoot part of the plant were increased with increasing of the HG application doses. The highest N and P increases were obtained with the 1.0 HG application for all salt types for both the root and shoots of plants. The HG added to saline soil significantly improved the variables affected by high salinity and also increased plant N and P, reduced soil electricity conductivity, nitrate, proline, and electrolyte leakage of plants, enhanced plant root and shoot dry weight by allowing nutrients and water to release to the plant as needed. The results suggested that HG has great potential for use in alleviating salinity stress on plant growth and growth parameters in saline soils of arid and semi-arid areas. This HG appears to be highly effective for use as a soil conditioner in vegetable growing, to improve crop tolerance and growth in saline conditions. It is intended to confirm the results of these studies by field trials.     

Yield components and nutrients content in summer cover plants used in crop rotation in no-tillage system

This study aimed at identifying the proper developmental stage for the cutting of cover crops with high nutrients content in the shoots of plants to be used as green manure on crop rotation in the no-tillage (NT) system. Crotalaria juncea, Cajanus cajan, Mucuna aterrima, and Sorghum bicolor were collected at five different vegetative stages for assessing of fresh weight yield (DWY) and dry weight yield (DWY), as well as determining the carbon (C)/nitrogen (N) ratio and the contents of nutrients in the shoots of plants. The experiment was performed on a completely randomized design, with five replicates. Except for the nutrients contents in S. bicolor, for the assessed legumes the DWY, FWY, C/N ratio, nutrient concentration and nutrient accumulation in the shoots have increased with the development of plants. Therefore, it can be inferred that grasses studied will provide greater soil cover, while the legumes will provide a greater nutrient cycling.     

The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on nutrient uptake and yield of alley-cropped cassava in a degraded Alfisol of southwestern Nigeria

Leaf and root (tuber) nutrient uptake patterns of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) alley-cropped with gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), and senna [(Senna (syn. Cassia) siamea] as influenced by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation in a degraded Alfisol were investigated in consecutive years. The cassava plants were mulched with fresh prunings of each hedgerow tree species at 2-month intervals in the second and third years of alley cropping. While VAM inoculation significantly influenced the root uptake of nutrients, the leaf uptake was not affected except for the uptake of P. In most cases, there was no difference in the nutrient concentration between inoculated and uninoculated plants, either in the leaf or in the root, indicating that the productivity of cassava was regulated by the amount of nutrients the roots could absorb. In spite of similar total soil N in all inoculated and uninoculated alley-cropped cassava plots and similar exchange-able soil K contents in inoculated and uninoculated alley-cropped cassava plots with leucaena and senna, greater uptake of N, P, and K and greater concentrations of K were observed in roots of inoculated alley-cropped cassava with gliricidia and leucaena than with senna. These results indicated that greater mineralization and availability of nutrients to cassava roots from prunings of nodulating gliricidia and leucaena than from non-nodulating senna may be important, particularly with efficient VAM inoculation, in these alley-cropping systems. Also, for similar nutrients in the inoculated and uninoculated cassava soils alley-cropped with each hedgerow species, VAM inoculation significantly enhanced cassava root dry weights, indicating that an effective VAM fungus can be an agent of greater nutrient uptake in a competitive environment.     

外源蔗糖对高NH4+胁迫下拟南芥碳氮代谢的影响

以拟南芥野生型、amt1.1和amt1.3为实验材料，采取土培的方法，以正常培养液（4mmol/L NH4+）培养，在20mmol/L NH4+的胁迫下，通过在培养液中添加0%（T1）蔗糖、5%（T2）蔗糖，测定地上部分的鲜重，叶绿素，游离NH4+，可溶性糖，可溶性蛋白，谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸脱氢酶（GDH），矿质元素含量等指标，研究外源蔗糖对NH4+胁迫拟南芥碳氮代谢的影响。结果表明，T1处理下，拟南芥生长受到严重的抑制，鲜重，GS，GDH酶活性降低，游离NH4+含量，叶绿素含量，可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量增加，植株的N、P、K、Ca的含量增加，Mg、Fe的含量减少。其中col-0在T1处理下受到的抑制比amt1.1和amt1.3更为显著。与T1处理相比较，T2处理增加了拟南芥植株的鲜重，显著提高了可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量，提高了GS和GDH的活性；降低了叶绿素和游离NH4+的含量，提高了植株体内的N、P、K、Ca，Mg的含量，降低了植株Fe的含量，其中，外源蔗糖对col-0高NH4+毒害的缓解更为显著。     

Soil Redistribution investigations by combined use of soil 137Cs and selected chemical properties

Abstract

To improve the methods of application of phosphorus or supply of soil P to Azolla (A. microphylld), basal application, split application, inoculation of P-enriched Azolla, and soil disturbance were compared. Soil disturbance did not increase the floodwater P content. Phosphorus was applied to inoculum production plots to enrich Azolla with P. Thus, phosphorus-enriched Azolla could multiply 5–7 times after inoculation until it became P deficient. Trials on the methods of enrichment of Azolla with P showed that the best method was to broadcast twice 4.33 kg P (10 kg P₂O₅/ha) at 2-day intervals and to harvest Azolla 3 days after P application. Addition of P once or twice 2 weeks after the inoculation of P-enriched Azolla further increased the biomass production. Efficiency of P application was analyzed in terms of N gain in relation to the amount of P applied. This ratio in the P-enriched Azolla treatment was higher than the economically sound ratio -5-, and higher than or equal to that in the standard split application.     

Mineral uptake and growth of sorghum colonized with VA mycorrhiza at varied soil phosphorus levels

Mineral nutrient uptake can be enhanced in plants inoculated with vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF). The effects of the VAMF Glomus fasciculatum on uptake of P and other mineral nutrients in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were determined in greenhouse experiments for plants grown on a low P (3.6 mg kg^‐1) soil (Typic Argiudolls) with P added at 0, 12.5, 25.0, and 37.5 mg kg^‐1 soil. Enhancements of growth and mineral nutrient uptake because of the VAMF association decreased as soil applications of P increased above 12.5 nig kg^‐1 soil. Root colonization with VAMF without added soil P resulted in increased dry matter yield equivalent to 12.5 mg P kg^‐1 soil (25 kg P ha^‐1). Total root length colonized with VAMF decreased as soil P level increased. Regardless of P added to the soil, mycorrhizal plants had higher leaf P concentrations and contents than did nonmycorrhizal plants. Enhanced contents, but not necessarily concentrations, of the other mineral nutrients were noted in shoots of mycorrhizal compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants had enhanced shoot contents of P, K, Zn, and Cu which could not be accounted for by increased growth. The VAMF associations with sorghum roots enhanced mineral nutrient uptake when P was sufficiently low in the soil.     

Cobalt‐induced stress in tomato plants: Effect on yield,chlorophyll content,and nutrient evolution

An experiment developed in soilless culture was used to study the effect of several levels of cobalt (Co) (0, 5, 15, and 30 mg.L^‐1) on yield and nutrient evolution of the tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum M. cv. Ramy). The incidence of this pollutant in leaf chlorophyll contents was also studied. Increasing concentration of Co in nutrient solution reduced drastically yield in tomato plants. Total, a and b chlorophyll contents were affected by Co level in nutrient solution. A significant increase of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu) in the fruit in function of Co treatments were observed. Similar evolution in iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) fruit content affected by Co presence in higher treatment were obtained. No significant effect of Co presence on potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) fruit contents were observed. Cobalt absorption was very high, with values of Co in fruit around 250 μg Co g^‐1.     

Calcium and humic acid affect seed germination,growth, and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings under saline soil conditions

The effects of calcium and humic acid on seed germination, growth and macro- and micro-nutrient contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings in saline soil conditions were evaluated. Different levels of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1) and calcium (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to growth media treated with 50 mg NaCl kg^?1 before sowing seeds. Seed germination, hypocotyl length, cotyledon width and length, root size, shoot length, leaf number, shoot and root fresh weights, and shoot and root dry weights of the plant seedlings were determined. Macro- and micro-nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) contents of shoot and root of seedlings were also measured. Humic acid applied to the plant growth medium at 1000 mg kg^?1 concentration increased seedling growth and nutrient contents of plants. Humic acid not only increased macro-nutrient contents, but also enhanced micro-nutrient contents of plant organs. However, high levels of humic acid arrested plant growth or decreased nutrient contents. Levels of 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 Ca²⁺ application significantly increased N, Ca and S contents of shoot, and N and K contents of root.     

Fate of Azolla spp. and urea nitrogen applied to wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary Using ¹⁵N, the fate of N applied to wetland rice either as Azolla or urea was studied in a field at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). In bigger plots nearby, yield response and N uptake were also determined with unlabelled N sources. Azolla microphylla was labelled by repeated application of labelled ammonium sulfate. Labelled and unlabelled N were used alternately in applications of Azolla or urea 0 and 42 days after transplanting, in order to determine the effect of the time of application on the availability of Azolla N. The quantities of Azolla N incorporated were 23% more than those of urea N (30 kg N ha^–1) in the isotope plots or 7% less in the yield response plots. Grain yield and total N uptake by the rice plants in the yield-response plots were higher in the urea-treated plots than in the Azolla-treated plots, but the physiological effect of Azolla N (grain yield response/increase in N uptake) was higher than that of rea. The labelled N balance was studied after the first and second crops of rice. Losses of labelled N after the first crop were higher from urea (30%–32%) than from Azolla (0%–11 %). Losses in N applied as a side dressing 42 days after transplanting were less than those of N applied basally. No further losses of ¹⁵N occurred after the first crop. The recovery of Azolla ¹⁵N in the first crop of rice was 39% from the basal application and 63% from the side dressing. The recovery of urea ¹⁵N was 27% from the basal application and 48% from the side dressing. Recoveries of residual N from both Azolla and urea during the second rice crop were similar. Laboratory incubation of the Azolla used and the changes in labelled exchangeable N in the soil showed that at least 65% of Azolla N (4.7% N content) was mineralized within 10 days.     

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.     

Optimum Nutrition for Biosynthesis of Pharmaceutical Compounds in Celandine and Catmint Under Outside Hydroponic Conditions

ABSTRACT

Several experiments were performed to improve the management of biosynthesis of some pharmaceutical compounds (alkaloids, essential oil, tannins, and vitamin C) of medicinal plants celandine poppy (Chelidonium majus L.) and lemon catmint (Nepeta cataria L. f. citriodora) under outside hydroponics of Ararat Valley of Armenia. It was found that growing media and nutrient solutions that differed in concentrations and ratios of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) influenced various pharmaceutical compounds of these herbs. Celandine under hydroponics conditions (with high N at a ratio of N₇₀P₁₅K₁₅ atom%) had an alkaloid content up to 1.53% (calculated in dry raw material), while under soil the content was no higher than 1.22%. The content of tannins in celandine was up to 7.58% in hydroponics and 5.76% in soil. The content of vitamin C was up to 131.67 mg/% when grown in hydroponics and 94.92 mg/% when grown in soil (based on fresh raw material). In catmint, the maximum content and yield of essential oil were 0.246% (with high P at a ratio of N₁₅P₇₀K₁₅ atom%), and 1.56 ml/plant (with high N) under hydroponics conditions, while 0.183% and 0.20 mL/plant were obtained in soil. The highest content of tannins reached in hydroponics was 5.53%, while in soil it was 4.72%. The content of vitamin C reached 119.20 mg/% in hydroponics (with high P) and 93.43 mg/% in soil. The mathematical modeling of results according to Homes predicted that in celandine and catmint optimum ratios of N:P:K (50:22:28 and 53:40:7 atom%, respectively) in nutrient solution should give a maximum content of alkaloids (1.83%) in celandine, and maximum yield of essential oil (2.49 mL/plant) in catmint.     

‘Non-exchangeable’ ammonium in soils from Swedish long-term agricultural experiments: Mobilization and effects of fertilizer application

Abstract

In intensive agricultural systems, efficient nutrient use is necessary for high crop yields as well as for sustainable environmental management. Recent studies in temperate regions indicate that non-exchangeable NH₄ ⁺-N (NEA), which is fixed in clay minerals, may affect crop productivity and soil N dynamics more than previously thought. To estimate the quantity and plant availability of NEA in Swedish soils, ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was grown in a pot experiment using 18 soils that were collected (0–20?cm depth) from two long-term agricultural experiment series at five locations. Initial NEA, total N and soil K contents were measured, as well as NEA content 56, 112 and 168?days after planting of ryegrass. The results show that the soils (0–20?cm) contained 21–217?mg?NEA?kg^?1 sieved soil (5–300?kg?NEA?ha^?1) estimated as corresponding to 0.1–5.1% of the total soil N. Long-term application of farmyard manure (FYM) did not increase contents of soil NEA. Long-term application of K fertilizer increased soil contents of AL-extractable K, but there was no significant correlation with NEA content. Concurrent with ryegrass growth, NEA content decreased on average by 16% between day 0 and day 112, indicating that NEA was released from the soil and taken up by the plants.