A novel ambipolar‐resin membrane for extracting soil nutrients

We have synthesized a novel ambipolar membrane for the simple, rapid, and simultaneous extraction of key nutrients from soil. The membrane was made by adding an anion‐ and a cation‐exchange resin to a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel in the presence of glutaraldehyde as a cross‐linking agent. The synthetic membrane was efficient in adsorbing (extracting) NO , PO , K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions from soil simultaneously. The ion‐adsorption capacity of the membrane was related to the soil nutrient status, duration of membrane–soil contact, and soil water content. The importance of these factors followed the order: soil nutrient status > contact time > soil water content. Adsorption by the membrane of NO and Mg²⁺ ions from soil leveled off after 48 h of membrane–soil contact but uptake of Ca²⁺, PO , and K⁺ ions required a longer contact time for equilibrium to be established. When the soil water content exceeds 55% w/w, this factor ceased to influence ion adsorption by the ambipolar‐resin membrane. The synthetic membrane is potentially useful for the in situ assessment of the nutrient requirement of certain crops at a given point in time.     

Species‐specific differences in nitrogen uptake and utilization by six European tree species

Species‐specific uptake and allocation mechanisms for N are scarce, in particular when trees are cultivated in potted soil under more natural conditions than in hydroponic culture. The objective of this study was to compare specific N‐uptake rates for economically and ecologically important tree species in Central European forests: pine (Pinus sylvestris), spruce (Picea abies), oak (Quercus petraea), beech (Fagus sylvatica), lime (Tilia cordata), and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) when they grow in mineral soil from an old fallow site with a pH of 6. We used an ¹⁵N‐labeling method to measure tree seedling ¹⁵N uptake in potted soils (Humic Cambisol) when both N forms NH$ _4^+ $ and NO$ _3^- $ were simultaneously present in the soil solution for interspecies comparison and assessment of relationships between specific ¹⁵N‐uptake rates and amino acid–accumulation rates or relative growth rates (RGR). The results demonstrate that tree species varied significantly in their capacity to take up NH$ _4^+ $ or NO$ _3^- $ into roots, stems, or leaves, but indicate only marginal differences in their preference for NH$ _4^+ $ or NO$ _3^- $ when they grow in mineral soil. The ranking of specific ¹⁵N‐uptake rates for NH$ _4^+ $ and NO$ _3^- $ was oak < beech < spruce < pine < lime < ash. Fine roots of all species had the highest specific ¹⁵N‐uptake rates for both N forms, followed by total roots, leaves/needles, and stems. As regards tree seedling species, we found negative relationships between glutamine (Gln)‐accumulation rates in leaves/needles and total ¹⁵N‐uptake rates in fine roots. Noteworthy was the fact that, at high Gln‐accumulation rates, the N‐uptake system in fine roots of ash was probably lower under feedback inhibition by the amino acid.     

Depletion of non‐exchangeable NH$ _4^+ $ at the root–soil and hyphae–soil interface of VA mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum)

Mobilization of non‐exchangeable ammonium (NH ) by hyphae of the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glumus mosseae was studied under controlled experimental conditions. Maize (Zea mays) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum) were grown either alone or in symbiosis with Glomus mosseae in containers with separated compartments for roots and hyphal growth. In one experiment, ¹⁵NH was added to the soil to differentiate between the native non‐exchangeable NH and the non‐exchangeable NH derived from N fertilization. Non‐exchangeable NH was mobilized by plant growth. Plant dry weight and N uptake, however, were not significantly influenced by mycorrhizal colonization of the roots. The influence of root infection with mycorrhizal fungus on the mobilization of non‐exchangeable NH was negligible. In the hyphal compartment, hyphal uptake of N resulted in a decrease of NH in the soil solution and of exchangeable NH . However, the NH concentration was still too high to permit the release of non‐exchangeable NH . The results demonstrate that, in contrast to roots, hyphae of VAM fungi are not able to form a non‐exchangeable‐NH depletion zone in the adjacent soil. However, under conditions of a more substantial depletion of the exchangeable NH in the mycorrhizal sphere (e.g., with longer growth), an effect of mycorrhiza on the non‐exchangeable NH might be found.     

The role of biochar in retaining nutrients in amended tropical soils

This study investigated the effect of biochar amendments on the retention and availability of plant nutrients and Al in seven acidic tropical soils from Zambia and Indonesia. The experiments carried out investigated whether the adsorption capacity of NH$ _4^+ $ in the soils increased upon the addition of biochar and which effect biochar had on available concentrations of NO$ _3^- $ , K⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺ , PO$ _4^{3‐} $ , and Al³⁺. These nutrients were selected as they represent those important to plant growth and soil quality. No significant increases or decreases in aqueous NH$ _4^+ $ ‐N concentration with additions of biochar were detected. The Gaines–Thomas model was used in order to calculate selectivity coefficients for NH$ _4^+ $ exchange (K_gt values). Following the addition of biochar to soil, K_gt values decreased showing a reduction in the selective binding of NH$ _4^+ $ in the biochar amended soil compared to the control. The concentration of NO$ _3^- $ increased following the addition of biochar to the soils. The addition of 5 and 10% biochar to the Indonesian soil did not significantly alter (t‐test confidence level 0.05) the sorption of PO$ _4^{3‐} $ to the soil–biochar mixtures as compared to the soil alone. However, the addition of biochar to the soil from Zambia increased the sorption of PO$ _4^{3‐} $ compared to the soil alone. The concentrations of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ were significantly increased for almost all soils (t‐test at the 0.05 confidence level) following the addition of biochar. Addition of biochar to all but two soils significantly decreased (t‐test confidence level 0.05) Mn²⁺ concentrations. The concentration of Al³⁺ in the soils decreased exponentially significantly (t‐test confidence level 0.05) following the amendment of biochar in accordance with the increase in pH observed when biochar was added to the soil. These results show that biochar has the ability to release essential plant growth nutrients as well as alleviate Al toxicity in these soils.     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen on seedling emergence,ion accumulation,and seedling growth under salinity in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa

Recently nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key signal molecule in plants. However, little is known about the role of NO in the salt tolerance of halophytes. Effects of the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nitrate (NO ) on growth and ion accumulation in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa under salinity were investigated in the present study. The results showed that higher SNP supply increased seedling emergence, but SNP had no effect on shoot growth and the concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^–, and NO . Higher NO had no effect on seedling emergence of the species. Shoot Cl^– decreased, but NO₃^– increased markedly, with a higher NO supply. The decrease in the estimated contribution of Cl^– to the osmotic potential was compensated for by an increase in that of NO . It appears that NO plays an important osmotic role in S. salsa under high salinity with a higher NO supply, and this trait may increase salt tolerance of the species under high salinity.     

Plant availability and leaching of (heavy) metals from ammonium‐, calcium‐, carbohydrate‐, and citric acid‐treated uranium‐mine‐dump soil

Remediation of an uranium‐mine soil from Settendorf (East Germany) includes phytoextraction under conditions which make its heavy metals more plant‐available but less leachable. A second way is active inhibition of heavy metal uptake by the plant. In a pot trial with Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.), planted and unplanted soil samples were daily irrigated with deionized water or aqueous solutions with a total of (g (kg soil)^–1) CaCl₂ (0.26 Ca), NH₄Cl (1.39), casein, sucrose, citric acid (13), and an extract of rape (B. napus L.) shoots (13 DW) in a phytotron for 26 d. Water‐irrigated plants were also treated with a 50 mM citric acid solution (10.5 g (kg soil)^–1) 6 and 7 d prior to harvesting. Total elements in plant tissue and soluble elements in aqueous extracts from control and postharvest soils were determined by ICP‐AES. Supplements of NH , and the NH ‐generating casein and rape extract reduced soil pH during nitrification, and increased plant uptake of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Citric acid at 50 mM adjusted soil to pH 4.5–6.0 and enhanced uptake of all elements. Long‐term application of sucrose and citric acid increased pH and inhibited uptake of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Contemporarily, leaching of heavy metals and humic substances was lowest with Ca and NH and highest with sucrose and citric acid amendments. It is concluded that Chinese cabbage grown for chelate‐assisted phytoextraction should be supplied with Ca and NH to obtain a high plant biomass on soil with a low hazard of leaching. Metal uptake should be stimulated by application of chelator 7 d prior to harvesting. Undesired uptake of heavy metals by Chinese cabbage determined as food should be inhibited with carbohydrate amendments. Long‐term application of NH or chelator, which reduces the solubility of certain elements but increases their uptake moderately, is recommended as a tool for continuous phytoextraction technologies.     

The combined effects of salinity and nitrogen forms on Catharanthus roseus: The role of internal ammonium and free amino acids during salt stress

Catharanthus roseus is widely cultivated at the seaside of Hainan island of China for production of vinblastine with anticancer activity. Improving growth of this plant and vinblastine content under saline conditions is one of the agronomic challenges. In this study, we compare the responses of C. rosesus upon nitrate (N1) or ammonium nitrate (N2) nutrition to salinity. Biomass accumulation, reproductive growth, photosynthetic gas exchange, and the concentrations of soluble sugars (SS), free amino acids (FAA), ammonium (NH$ _4^+ $ ), sodium (Na⁺), and vinblastine were determined during 3 weeks of treatment in N1‐control, N1‐salt, N2‐control, and N2‐salt plants. The retarded growth caused by salt stress was largely ameliorated by the N2 nitrogen form. One of the reasons for this improved salt resistance in N2‐salt plants was related to the competitive uptake of NH$ _4^+ $ and Na⁺. The N2‐salt plants displayed a more rapid response to salinity, leading to decreased transpiration rate, well‐kept water relations, and reduced uptake of Na⁺. The N2‐control plants rapidly increased the concentrations of soluble sugars and free amino acids, such as sucrose, glucose, proline, and threonine in the first week. These compounds may act as compatible solutes to adjust osmotic stress and retain ion homeostasis in salt‐stressed plants. The increased FAA was found to be at the expense of glutamate accumulation, and the activities of nitrogen assimilation enzymes were tightly linked with this process. The medical alkaloid vinblastine in C. roseus was significantly increased in N2‐salt plants in the first week and in N1‐salt ones in the third week compared to their controls. It is concluded that the supplied nitrogen regime modified salinity‐induced vinblastine production in a time‐dependent way, and this process was tightly related to NH$ _4^+ $ status.     

Effect of alternative anions (Cl– vs. SO$ _4^{2-} $) on concentrations of free amino acids in young tea plants

The quality of green tea is highly dependent on the concentration of free amino acids, whose profile is dominated by the unique amino acid theanine (N⁵‐ethyl‐glutamine). A high quality is associated with a high amino acid–to–catechin ratio, but previous results indicated that excessive chloride (Cl^–) supply is detrimental for amino acid accumulation. Several experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of chloride on growth and concentrations of free amino acids in young tea plants. Soil‐grown tea plants supplied with different levels of potassium (K) as K₂SO₄ or KCl exhibited increased concentrations of free amino acid in young shoots only when supplied with K₂SO₄, and the negative effect of KCl supply was mainly due to a reduced concentration of theanine. Concentrations of other nutrients in plant tissues were not influenced. The uptake of Cl^– and its interaction with nitrogen (N) uptake were further investigated in a second experiment, in which soil‐cultivated tea plants were supplied with varying amounts of Cl^–. Chloride application reduced yield of young shoots, and severity of leaf damage was related to the concentration of Cl^– in leaves. Nitrogen uptake was reduced by Cl^– addition. To verify whether the decrease of free amino acids was simply a result of inhibited NO assimilation, a third experiment was conducted, in which tea plants were NH ‐fed in the absence or presence (equivalent to the NH concentration) of Cl^–. Again, concentrations of theanine and total free amino acids in young shoots were reduced by Cl^– supply, but changes of the free–amino acid pool did not contribute to the maintenance of charge balance. However, concentration of theanine in roots, where it is synthesized, was not influenced by Cl^–. Total N concentrations of roots and mature leaves, uptake rate of NH , and activity of glutamine synthetase in fibrous roots and young leaves were all unaffected by Cl^– as well. It is suggested that translocation of theanine from root to shoot and its catabolism in young shoots might be influenced by Cl^–.     

Comparison of urease inhibitor N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and oxidized charcoal for conserving urea‐N in soil

Charcoal‐based amendments have a potential use in controlling NH₃ volatilization from urea fertilization, owing to a high cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) that enhances the retention of NH . An incubation study was conducted to evaluate the potential of oxidized charcoal (OCh) for controlling soil transformations of urea‐N, in comparison to urease inhibition by N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). Four soils, ranging widely in texture and CEC, were incubated aerobically for 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after application of ¹⁵N‐labeled urea with or without OCh (150 g kg^?1 fertilizer) or NBPT (0.5 g kg^?1 fertilizer), and analyses were performed to determine residual urea and ¹⁵N recovery as volatilized NH₃, mineral N (as exchangeable NH , NO , and NO ), and immobilized organic N. The OCh amendment reduced NH₃ volatilization by up to 12% but had no effect on urea hydrolysis, NH and NO concentrations, NO accumulation, or immobilization. In contrast, the use of NBPT to inhibit urea hydrolysis was markedly effective for moderating the accumulation of NH , which reduced immobilization and also controlled NH₃ toxicity to nitrifying microorganisms that otherwise caused the accumulation of NO instead of NO . Oxidized charcoal is not a viable alternative to NBPT for increasing the efficiency of urea fertilization.     

N form–dependent growth retardation of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings as revealed from physiological and microarray studies

Ammonium (NH ) nutrition causes retardation of growth in many plant species. In Arabidopsis grown with NH as the sole N source, growth retardation occurs already at early stages before photosynthesis has come to its full power. In order to describe the peculiarities of these retarded plants, they were compared with nitrate (NO )‐grown plants of the same age of 15 d. Photosynthetic activity as measured by CO₂ uptake per unit chlorophyll is half as high in NH ‐grown seedlings as in NO ‐grown ones. This finding is confirmed by the analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence. Chloroplasts of NO ‐grown, but not of NH ‐grown, seedlings show starch deposits after 5 h of illumination with 40 μmol m^–2 s^–1. Gene‐expression analysis based on cDNA microarray and on Northern blots provide a clue about the biochemical background. After the first 2 weeks of growth, it seems that NO ‐grown seedlings subsist mainly on normal photosynthesis, whereas NH ‐grown seedlings still use lipids from the seeds stored in oleosomes. Corresponding to this observation, the mRNAs for enzymes of β‐oxidation are more strongly expressed in NH ‐grown seedlings. Different carbohydrate sources for sucrose synthesis are indicated by different gene expression. Higher gene expression of fructose bisphosphate aldolase (cytosolic isoform) in NO ‐grown seedlings indicates the dependence on photosynthesis, whereas a higher gene expression of PEP carboxykinase in NH ‐grown seedlings points to a prominent role of β‐oxidation of storage lipids still present.     

Nitrate stability in loess soils under anaerobic conditions—laboratory studies

The objective of this laboratory study with six loess soils (three Eutric CambisoIs and three Haplic Phaeozems) incubated under flooded conditions was to examine the effect of a wide range of NO doses under anaerobic conditions on soil redox potential and N₂O emission or absorption. Due to the fact that loess soils are usually well‐drained and are expected to be absorbers during prevailing part of the season, the study aimed at determination of the conditions decisive for the transition from emission to absorption process. On the basis of the response to soil nitrate level, the two groups of soils were distinguished with high and low denitrification capacity. The soil denitrification activity showed Michaelis‐Menten kinetics with respect to soil nitrate content with K_M in the range 50–100 mg NO ‐N kg^–1. Percentage of nitrates converted to N₂O increased linearly with nitrate concentration in the range from 25 to 100 mg NO ‐N kg^–1 up to 43% and decreased linearly at higher concentrations reaching practically zero at concentrations about 600 mg NO ‐N kg^–1. No denitrification was observed below 25 mg NO ‐N kg^–1. Nitrous oxide absorption in soil occurred only at nitrate concentrations to 100 mg NO ‐N kg^–1 and in this concentration range was proportional to the denitrification rate. Nitrous oxide was formed at redox potentials below +200 mV and started to disappear at negative E_h values.     

Nitrogen turnover in bare soil planted subsequently with grass as investigated by electro‐ultrafiltration (EUF)

Changes of EUF‐extractable nitrogen (N) (nitrate, ammonium, organic N) in 20 arable bare soils, subsequently planted with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and cutting three times were investigated in pot experiments. All 20 soils responded qualitatively in the same way. During the period of bare soil, there was a significant increase of EUF‐extractable nitrate (EUF NO ), while extractable ammonium (EUF NH ) remained on the same level and organic N (EUF N_org) decreased. This decrease, however, was not significant. From sowing until the first cutting of the grass, EUF‐NO concentration decreased to almost zero. This low EUF‐NO level was maintained throughout the subsequent experimental period (three cuttings of grass). During the growth of the first cutting, EUF N_org decreased while EUF NH remained constant, however, on a low level. EUF NH fell during the growth of the second and third cutting. In this period, however, the N supply of the grass was insufficient. EUF N_org decreased during the growth of the second cutting, but increased during the growth of the third cutting. This shows that the EUF‐N_org fraction represents a transient pool, which gains and loses N. EUF NO , EUF NH , and EUF N_org correlated with the N uptake of the grass. Strongest correlation for EUF NO was found for the first cutting (p < 0.001), and for EUF NH and EUF N_org for the second and third cutting (p < 0.001). Total soil N was not correlated with the N uptake of the grass. EUF N_org was only about 2% of the total N. This relatively small EUF‐N_org fraction, however, is relevant for the mineralization of organic soil N, and the N quantity indicated by EUF N_org is in the range of the N amount mineralized in arable soils within a growing season.     

Nitrous oxide emissions and dynamics of soil nitrogen under 15N‐labeled cow urine and dung patches on a sandy grassland soil

Grazing animals highly influence the nutrient cycle by a direct return of 80% of the consumed N in form of dung and urine. In the autumn‐winter period, N uptake by the sward is low and rates of seepage water in sandy soils are high, hence high mineral‐N contents in soil and in seepage water as well as large losses of N₂O are expected after cattle grazing in autumn. The objective of this study was the quanitfication of N loss deriving from urine and dung leaching and by N₂O emission. Therefore the deposition of urine and dung patches was simulated in maximum rates excreted by cows by application of ¹⁵N‐labeled cow urine and dung (equivalent to 1030 kg N ha^–1 and 1052 kg N ha^–1, respectively) on a sandy pasture soil in N Germany. Leachate was collected in weekly intervals from free‐draining lysimeters, and ¹⁵N‐NO , ¹⁵N‐NH , and ¹⁵N‐DON (dissolved organic N) were monitored over 171 d. Furthermore, the ¹⁵N‐N₂O emission rates and the dynamics of inorganic ¹⁵N in the upper soil layer were monitored in a field trial, adjacent to the lysimeters. After 10 d following the urine application, the urea was completely hydrolyzed, shown by a 100% recovery of urine‐N in the soil NH . The following decrease of ¹⁵N‐NH in the soil was higher than the increase of ¹⁵N‐NO , and some N loss was explained by leaching. Amounts of 51% and 2.5% of the applied ¹⁵N were found in leachate as inorganic N, 2.4% and 0.7% as DON derived from urine and dung, respectively. Release of N₂O from urine and dung patches applied to the pasture was low, with losses of 0.05% and 0.33% of the applied ¹⁵N, respectively. Overall loss of dung‐derived N was very low, but as the bulk dung N remained in the soil, N loss after mineralization of the dung needs to be investigated.     

Does the source of nitrogen affect the response of subterranean clover to prolonged root hypoxia?

Nitrogen (N) is taken up by most plant species in the form of nitrate (NO ) or ammonium (NH ). The plant response to continuous ammonium nutrition is species‐dependent. In this study, the effects of the source of N nutrition (NO , NH , or the mixture of NO and NH ) on the response of clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. 45C) plants to prolonged root hypoxia was studied. Under aerobic conditions, plant growth was strongly depressed by NH , compared to NO or mixed N nutrition, as indicated by the significant decrease in root and shoot‐dry‐matter production (DW), root and shoot water contents (WC), leaf chlorophyll concentration, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F₀, F_v/F_m). However, the N source had no effect on chlorophyll a–to–chlorophyll b ratio. Under hypoxic conditions, the negative effects of root hypoxia on plant‐growth parameters (DW and WC), leaf chlorophyll concentration, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were alleviated by NH rather than NO supply. Concomitantly, shoot DW–to–root DW ratio, and root and leaf NH concentrations were significantly decreased, whereas root and leaf carbohydrate concentrations, glutamine synthetase activities, and protein concentrations were remarkably increased. The present data reveal that the N source (NO or NH ) is a major factor affecting clover responses to hypoxic stress, with plants being more tolerant when NH is the N form used. The different sensitivity is discussed in terms of a competition for energy between nitrogen assimilation and plant growth.     

Nitrogen nutritional status of young maize plants (Zea mays) is not limited by NaCl stress

Maize plants (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3906) were grown in hydroponics with four different NaCl treatments (control, 50, 100, 150 mM NaCl). Nitrogen (N) was supplied as 2 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ in the fully concentrated nutrient solution. Plants of half of the pots were treated with additional 1 mM NH₄NO₃ 2 d after start of the NaCl application. After 23 d, the maize plants were harvested and contents and concentrations of nitrate, reduced N as well as chloride were determined in shoots and roots. With increasing NaCl stress net nitrate uptake and net root‐to‐shoot translocation of total N decreased significantly. Under salt stress, decreased nitrate concentrations in shoots probably caused substrate limitation of nitrate reductase. However, the concentrations of reduced N in shoots were not affected by salt stress and no N deficiency was observed. Additional N application to the 100 and 150 mM NaCl treatments did not improve plant growth. A Cl^?/NO antagonism was only weakly pronounced, probably because of the Cl^? exclusion ability of maize. Thus, although net uptake and net translocation of total N were markedly decreased by NaCl application, the smaller maize plants nevertheless took up enough N to meet their demand pointing to other growth‐limiting factors than N nutrition.     

Water quality under intensive banana production and extensive pastureland in tropical Mexico

The effects of intensive banana production with high mineral‐fertilizer application and of extensive pastures were compared regarding water quality in a lowland region of SE Mexico. We monitored NO$ _3^- $ , NO$ _2^- $ , and PO₄^3– concentrations in groundwater (80 m depth), subsurface water (5 m depth), and surface water (open‐ditch drainage) at monthly intervals for a one‐year period. Irrespective of the land use, the NO$ _3^- $ concentrations in all water bodies were lower than the threshold value for drinking water and aquatic life. Particularly in areas with intense banana production, the NO$ _2^- $ contents in water exceeded the safety thresholds for drinking water of 1.0 mg L^–1 (WHO, 2006) and aquatic ecosystems of 0.2 mg L^–1 (OATA, 2008). Water from pastureland showed significantly higher PO₄^3– concentration than that from the banana plantation, indicating a high risk of eutrophication. There is a need to provide recommendations for optimal time and amount of N application in commercial banana production and for limitation of P inputs in pasturelands to avoid further contamination of water bodies.     

Influence of nitrogen forms and mycorrhizal colonization on growth and composition of Chinese bunching onion

In recent years, interest has grown in cultivating Allium species with enhanced health benefits and/or distinct flavor. Concentrations of phytochemicals determining these desired characteristics may be influenced by nitrogen forms (ammonium or nitrate) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We examined these relations with the test plant bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.). Three different ammonium‐to‐nitrate (NH : NO ) ratios were supplied in combination with or without inoculation with an AM fungus (Glomus mosseae). The plants were evaluated for dry weight, leaf number, and content of nutrients (N, NO , P, S), sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), and organosulfur compounds (measured as pyruvic acid). The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Plants were grown on perlite amended twice a day with nutrient solution. In nonmycorrhizal plants, the application of nutrient solution with predominant NO or NH₄NO₃ as N source supported adequate growth of Allium fistulosum while predominant NH supply resulted in decreased growth and occurrence of wilting symptoms. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased dry weight and leaf number of predominantly NH ‐fed or NH₄NO₃‐fed plants. While shoot P concentration increased with higher NH supply, shoot N concentration increased in predominantly NH ‐fed plants only. Nitrogen form and AM colonization had little effect on shoot S or sugar concentrations. The total content in organosulfur compounds was significantly affected by both, N form and AM colonization. The optimal growth condition for a high formation of organosulfur compounds in this experiment was a nutrient solution with predominant NO supply, but when supported by AM fungi, Allium fistulosum produced similar amounts of pyruvic acid in NH₄NO₃‐fed plants.     

Influence of Tithonia diversifolia and triple superphosphate on dissolution and effectiveness of phosphate rock in acidic soil

An incubation and a pot experiment were conducted to evaluate the dissolution and agronomic effectiveness of a less reactive phosphate rock, Busumbu soft ore (BPR), in an Oxisol in Kenya. Resin (anion and anion + cation)‐extractable P and sequentially extracted P with 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 0.1 M NaOH, and 1 M HCl were analyzed. Dissolution was determined from the increase in anion resin (AER)–, NaHCO₃‐, and NaOH‐extractable P in soil amended with PR compared with the control soil. Where P was applied, resin P significantly increased above the no‐P treatment. Busumbu‐PR solubility was low and did not increase significantly in 16 weeks. Anion + cation (ACER)‐extractable P was generally greater than AER‐P. The difference was greater for PR than for triple superphosphate (TSP). The ACER extraction may be a better estimate of plant P availability, particularly when poorly soluble P sources are used. Addition of P fertilizers alone or in combination with Tithonia diversifolia (TSP, BPR, TSP + Tithonia, and BPR + Tithonia) increased the concentration of labile inorganic P pools (NaHCO₃‐ and NaOH‐P_i). Cumulative evolved CO₂ was significantly correlated with cumulative N mineralized from Tithonia (r, 0.51, p < 0.05). Decrease in pH caused NH ‐N accumulation while NO ‐N remained low where Tithonia was incorporated at all sampling times. However, when pH was increased, NH ‐N declined with a corresponding rise in NO ‐N. Tithonia significantly depressed soil exchangeable acidity relative to control with time. A significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed for P uptake but not dry‐mass production in maize where BPR was applied. The variations in yield and P uptake due to source and rates of application were statistically significant. At any given P rate, highest yields were obtained with Tithonia alone. Combination of Busumbu PR with TSP or Tithonia did not enhance the effectiveness of the PR. The poor dissolution and plant P uptake of BPR may be related to the high Fe content in the PR material.     

Decline of soil fertility during forest conversion of secondary forest to Chinese fir plantations in subtropical China

The effects of forest conversion on soil fertility are still not well understood in subtropical zones. This issue was addressed by comparing chemical properties of soil in a secondary forest and a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata Hooker) plantation at the Huitong Experimental Station of Forest Ecology. Total N, available P, ‐N, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable Al³⁺ and H⁺ of soil were significantly lower in the pure Chinese fir plantation (PCP) than in the secondary forest while soil organic carbon (SOC), total K and exchangeable Na⁺ had a tendency to decrease in the PCP. In contrast, soil pH and percentage base saturation (PBS) significantly increased due to forest conversion, and available K, ‐N and exchangeable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ tended to increase in the PCP. Some underlying processes responsible for the differences in soil fertility between the secondary forest and the Chinese fir plantation were low litterfall and root input to soil and site preparation in coniferous plantations. There was no significant difference in the effect of slope position on chemical properties of soil in the PCP and the secondary forest. Results indicated that the conversion of secondary forests to coniferous plantations leads to a decline in soil fertility. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on availability of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium in soil

Both earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are ubiquitous and important for promoting circulation of plant macronutrients. Two series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of earthworm casts and activities on the growth of PGPR, and the inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on the availability of N, P, and K in soils, respectively. During a short incubation period (0–34 h), the extracts of earthworm (Pheretima guillelmi)‐worked soil significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundance of the three species of PGPR, including N‐fixing bacteria (NFB) (Azotobacter chroococcum HKN‐5), phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (Bacillus megaterium HKP‐1), and K‐solubilizing bacteria (KSB) (B. mucilaginous HKK‐1), in Luria‐Bertani (LB) broth. There were synergistic effects of dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on increasing the concentrations of NH$ _4^+ $ ‐N, (NO$ _3^- $ + NO$ _2^- $ )‐N, NaHCO₃‐extractable P, and NH₄OAc‐extractable K in the corresponding soils. Bioavailable N (the sum of NH$ _4^+ $ ‐N and [NO$ _3^- $ + NO$ _2^- $ ]‐N) in the dual inoculation was 4 to 24 times those inoculated with earthworms or NFB alone, respectively. The significantly higher concentrations of bioavailable N and P in the dual inoculation of earthworms and NFB or PSB may be due to the higher abundance of PGPR and/or higher activities of urease and acid phosphatase than those of single inoculation of NFB or PSB, respectively. Dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR would be most effective in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers in agriculture.