Influence of ammonia fertilization on cotton production in conservation tillage systems

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to determine the influence of ammonia fertilization on cotton grown in conservation tillage systems. The studies were located on a Decatur silt loam (Rhodic Paleudult) in the Limestone Valley and a Norfolk sandy loam (Typic Paleudult) in the Coastal Plain of Alabama. Winter annual legumes, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L. at the Norfolk site) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth at the Decatur site) were established as whole plots along with a winter fallow area. Sources of fertilizer differing widely in their NH₄+‐N contents were used for split plot treatments applied at time of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) planting. Fertilizer treatments included calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, urea, urea with dicyandiamide, and a no N check. The cotton was planted with a strip‐till conservation planter. Nitrogen production by winter legumes was adequate to meet N requirements for cotton on the Decatur silt loam (67 kg N/ha) but not at the Norfolk sandy loam site (101 kg N/ha). Cotton populations were 24% higher in fallow than legume whole plots. Differences in plant growth and N concentrations were highly variable and treatment trends were not found. Seed cotton yields were 4% higher in fallow than legume plots. Maximum populations and yields were achieved with ammonium nitrate in fallow area and urea in legume areas.     

Land management effects on nitrogen and carbon cycling in an Ultisol

Abstract

Soil carbon (C) content in agro‐ecosystems is important in a global context because of the potential for soil to act as a sink for atmospheric CO₂. However, soil C storage in agro‐ecosystems can be sensitive to land management practices. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of land management systems on C and nitrogen (N) cycling in an Ultisol in Alabama. Soil samples (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) were collected from a Marvyn sandy loam soil (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults) under five different farm scale management systems for at least 5 years. The five systems were cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production managed with 1) conventional tillage only, 2) conventional tillage with a grazed winter cover crop (wheat, Triticum aestivum L.), 3) conservation tillage with a winter cover crop grown for cover only with strip tillage; or taken out of cotton production with either 4) long‐term fallow (mowed), or 5) Conservation Reserve Program with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) (CRP‐pine). Total N, total organic C (TOC), total P, and soil C:N ratios were determined. Potential C mineralization, N mineralization, C turnover and C:N mineralization ratios were determined on samples during a 30‐day laboratory incubation study. The fallow system had significantly higher TOC concentration (7.7 g kg^‐1 C) while the CRP‐pine system had lower TOC concentration (3.1 g kg^‐1 C) compared with the farmed management systems (=4.7 g kg^‐1 C). The fallow system had a significantly lower C turnover at all three soil depths compared with the other management systems. At the 0–10 cm depth, the highest C:N mineralization ratio levels were observed in management systems receiving the most tillage. Our results indicate that for Ultisols in the Southeast the use of surface tillage in land management systems is a controlling factor which may limit soil C sequestration.     

Reducing ammonia loss from urea and improving soil-exchangeable ammonium retention through mixing triple superphosphate, humic acid and zeolite

Ammonia losses from soil following fertilization with urea may be large. This laboratory study compared the effect of four different, urea–triple superphosphate (TSP)–humic acid–zeolite, mixtures on NH₃ loss, and soil ammonium and nitrate contents, with loss from surface‐applied urea without additives. The soil was a sandy clay loam Typic Kandiudult (Bungor Series). The mixtures significantly reduced NH₃ loss by between 32 and 61% compared with straight urea (46% N) with larger reductions with higher rates of humic acid (0.75 and 1 g kg^?1 of soil) and zeolite (0.75 and 1 g kg^?1 of soil). All the mixtures of acidic P fertilizer, humic acid and zeolite with urea significantly increased soil NH₄ and NO₃ contents, increased soil‐exchangeable Ca, K and Mg, and benefited the formation of NH₄ over NH₃ compared with urea without additives. The increase in soil‐exchangeable cations, and temporary reduction of soil pH may have retarded urea hydrolysis in the microsite immediately around the fertilizer. It may be possible to improve the efficiency of urea surface‐applied to high value crops by the addition of TSP, humic acid and zeolite.     

Soil nitrogen and carbon status following clover production in louisiana

Abstract

Field studies were conducted for four to seven years on two soils, Tangi silt loam (Typic Fragiudalf, fine‐silty, mixed, thermic) and Dexter loam (Ultic Hapludalf, fine‐silty, mixed, thermic), to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) applications on growth and nitrogen (N) content of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranum L.) and on ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐ and nitrate (NO₃ ^‐)‐N, total N, and organic carbon (C) levels in the soils at the end of the study. Phosphorus applications consistently and significantly increased forage yields and led to significantly higher N yields by the clovers. Increases in plant yields and N₂‐fixation, however, were not reflected in higher soil N and C levels. On Tangi soil, NH₄ ⁺‐ and NO₃ ^‐‐N levels were lowest where no P was applied but no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among P rates above 20 kg/ha. On the Dexter soils, no significant differences were found at any P application level. Significant differences due to higher clover yields at increasing P rates were not found in total N or organic C . levels in either soil. Greenhouse evaluations showed no differences in bermuda‐grass yield, N concentration, or total N recovery despite increasing subclover yields in the field during the previous seven years. Harvesting nearly all above ground clover growth caused plant roots to be the major N and C contributor to the soil. It is possible that root production was not increased in proportion to forage production as P applications increased. Perhaps increased microbial activities and some leaching losses also minimized accumulations of N and C released by clover roots.     

Impact of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil gross nitrogen transformations in a temperate desert steppe

Nutrient addition has a significant impact on plant growth and nutrient cycling. Yet, the understanding of how the addition of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) significantly affects soil gross N transformations and N availability in temperate desert steppes is still limited. Therefore, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to study these processes and their underlying mechanism in a desert steppe soil that had been supplemented with N and P for 4 years in northwestern China. Soil N mineralization was increased significantly by P addition, and N and P additions significantly promoted soil autotrophic nitrification, rather than NH₄⁺-N immobilization. The addition of N promoted dissimilatory NO₃⁻ reduction to NH₄⁺, while that of P inhibited it. Soil NO₃⁻-N production was greatly increased by N added alone and by that of N and P combined, while net NH₄⁺-N production was decreased by these treatments. Soil N mineralization was primarily mediated by pH, P content or organic carbon, while soil NH₄⁺-N content regulated autotrophic nitrification mainly, and this process was mainly controlled by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria rather than archaea and comammox. NH₄⁺-N immobilization was mainly affected by functional microorganisms, the abundance of narG gene and comammox Ntsp-amoA. In conclusion, gross N transformations in the temperate desert steppe largely depended on soil inorganic N, P contents and related functional microorganisms. Soil acidification plays a more key role in N mineralization than other environmental factors or functional microorganisms.     

Effect of tebuthiuron on soil N mineralization and nitrification

Abstract

Herbicides have potential for economical and efficient site preparation following timber harvest. The effects of tebuthiu‐ron, one of the herbicides approved for this use, on soil nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification were determined in laboratory incubations. Tebuthiuron was added at rates from 0 to 1000 μg g^‐1 to three soils. There was no effect of tebuthiuron additions of less than 1 μg g^‐1 on soil N mineralization and nitrification. Tebuthiuron reduced nitrification in all soils at 1000 μg g^‐1 and in two of the soils at 100 μg g^‐1 . All soils had increased net mineralization with tebuthiuron added at 100 and 1000 μg g^‐1. The addition of 50 μg NH⁺ ₄‐N and 1000 μg tebuthiuron g^‐1 resulted in increased net mineralization in the three soils. Nitrification was affected differently in each of the three soils by the addition of both NH⁺ ₄‐N and tebuthiuron. The added NH⁺ ₄‐N either removed the inhibition of nitrification by the herbicide or had no effect on the inhibition in two of the soils. In the third soil, nitrification was reduced by the addition of NH⁺ ₄‐N.

The presence of NO^‐ ₃‐N in these acid soils and the effects of added NH⁺ ₄‐N on NO^‐ ₃‐N production suggest that heterotrophic nitrification occurs in at least two of the soils. The findings of this study indicate that any effects of tebuthiuron on N mineralization and nitrification at the currently recommended application rates are likely to be transient and localized.     

Screening of Seven Plant Species for Short‐Term Improved Fallows in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon

Seven short‐fallow plant species were evaluated for their aboveground biomass production, nutrient accumulation, and weed suppression potential in Nkolbisson, Cameroon. The fallow species included Arachis pintoi, Vigna radiata, Desmodium intortum, Centrosema pubescens, Indigofera hirsutus, Indigofera spicata, and Pueraria phaseoloides. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications and seven treatments (fallow species). Twelve months after planting, highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed among fallow species for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, respectively, in plant tissue. Similarly, highly significant differences (p = 0.0013) occurred among fallow species for aboveground biomass production, which ranged between 3.12 t ha^?1 (I. spicata) and 9.16 t ha^?1 (A. pintoi). Potassium only showed highly significant differences among plant species for nutrient accumulation (p = 0.0001). However, A. pintoi, C. pubescens, I. hirsutus, and P. phaseoloides yielded substantial amounts of recycled N (>100 kg ha^?1 year^?1) that can benefit the subsequent crop. For small‐scale producers, these species are likely to supply adequate nitrogen for cereal crops. A total of 26 weed species belonging to 15 botanical families were encountered in the various plots. Weed dry weight differed significantly (p = 0.02) among the fallow plots and ranged from 0.12 t ha^?1 (in P. phaseoloides plots) to 2.32 t ha^?1 (in A. pintoi plots). Results of this study suggest that there are a wide range of plant species that could be used in improved fallow technologies aimed at improving nutrient‐degraded soils and suppressing weeds.     

Mobile and readily available C and N fractions and their relationship to microbial biomass and selected enzyme activities in a sandy soil under different management systems

Within different land‐use systems such as agriculture, forestry, and fallow, the different morphology and physiology of the plants, together with their specific management, lead to a system‐typical set of ecological conditions in the soil. The response of total, mobile, and easily available C and N fractions, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities involved in C and N cycling to different soil management was investigated in a sandy soil at a field study at Riesa, Northeastern Germany. The management systems included agricultural management (AM), succession fallow (SF), and forest management (FM). Samples of the mineral soil (0—5, 5—10, and 10—30 cm) were taken in spring 1999 and analyzed for their contents on organic C, total N, NH₄⁺‐N and NO₃^—‐N, KCl‐extractable organic C and N fractions (Corg_(KCl) and Norg_(KCl)), microbial biomass C and N, and activities of β‐glucosidase and L‐asparaginase. With the exception of Norg_(KCl), all investigated C and N pools showed a clear relationship to the land‐use system that was most pronounced in the 0—5 cm profile increment. SF resulted in greater contents of readily available C (Corg_(KCl)), NH₄⁺‐N, microbial biomass C and N, and enzyme activities in the uppermost 5 cm of the soil compared to all other systems studied. These differences were significant at P ≤ 0.05 to P ≤ 0.001. Comparably high C_mic:C_org ratios of 2.4 to 3.9 % in the SF plot imply a faster C and N turnover than in AM and FM plots. Forest management led to 1.5‐ to 2‐fold larger organic C contents compared to SF and AM plots, respectively. High organic C contents were coupled with low microbial biomass C (78 μg g^—1) and N contents (10.7 μg g^—1), extremely low C_mic : C_org ratios (0.2—0.6 %) and low β‐glucosidase (81 μg PN g^—1 h^—1) and L‐asparaginase (7.3 μg NH₄‐N g^—1 2 h^—1) activities. These results indicate a severe inhibition of mineralization processes in soils under locust stands. Under agricultural management, chemical and biological parameters expressed medium values with exception for NO₃^—‐N contents which were significantly higher than in SF and FM plots (P ≤ 0.005) and increased with increasing soil depth. Nevertheless, the depth gradient found for all studied parameters was most pronounced in soils under SF. Microbial biomass C and N were correlated to β‐glucosidase and L‐asparaginase activity (r ≥ 0.63; P ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, microbial biomass and enzyme activities were related to the amounts of readily mineralizable organic C (i.e. Corg_(KCl)) with r ≥ 0.41 (P ≤ 0.01), suggesting that (1) KCl‐extractable organic C compounds from field‐fresh prepared soils represent an important C source for soil microbial populations, and (2) that microbial biomass is an important source for enzymes in soil. The Norg_(KCl) pool is not necessarily related to the size of microbial biomass C and N and enzyme activities in soil.<?show $6#>     

Effect of ammonium and phosphorus supply on h+ production in gel by two tropical forage grasses

The effect of the supply of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and phosphorus (P) in gel on the amounts of hydrogen ion (H⁺) excreted from plant roots was studied with Brachiaria humidicola (a highly acid‐soil tolerant tropical grass) and B. brizantha (less acid‐soil tolerant) grown in soil in a glasshouse. The H⁺ production was measured over 24 h in agar gel containing full nutrient solution with a range of NH/‐N levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 5.0 mM NH₄ ⁺‐N). Highly soluble P, K₂HPO₄, or relatively insoluble P, rock P, was supplied at four concentrations (0, 11.5, 34.5, or 115 μM p) in the gel. Increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration in the gel increased H⁺ production for both grasses, but there was some inhibition of growth for B. brizantha at the highest N concentration. For B. humidicola, but not B. brizantha H⁺ production was greater with 34.5 μM K₂HPO₄ than 11.5 μM K₂HPO₄. At 34.5 μM P for both grasses there was no difference in H⁺ production when P was supplied as rock P or K₂HPO₄. With 11.5 μM P both grasses produced less acid in the gel with the rock P compared with K₂HPO₄. The reduced H⁺ production is probably due to a lower availability of P in the rock P compared with K₂HPO₄. This effect was greater with B. brizantha than B. humidicola, implying that 11.5 μM rock P was not able to supply sufficient P for the growth of B. brizantha. Brachiaria humidicola was able to dissolve more rock P than B. brizantha or alternatively, the growth of B. humidicola was less adversely affected by the low P supply from rock P than B. brizantha. Plant‐induced acidity does not seem to occur as a response to a lack of available P, but rather these grasses only produce acid if there are enough nutrients for growth, i.e., both NH₄ ⁺ and P. If either N or P is limiting, growth is limited as is NH₄ ⁺ uptake, so that H⁺ production is curtailed.     

Effects of solution pH,temperature, nitrate/ammonium ratios,and inhibitors on ammonium and nitrate uptake by Arabica coffee in short‐term solution culture

Solution pH, temperature, nitrate (NO₃ ^‐)/yammonium (NH₄ ⁺) ratios, and inhibitors effects on the NO₃ ^‐ and NH₄ ⁺ uptake rates of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) roots were investigated in short‐term solution culture. At intermediate pH values (4.25 to 5.75) typical of coffee soils, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ uptake rates were similar and nearly independent of pH. Nitrate uptake varied more with temperature than did ammonium. Nitrate uptake increased from 0.05 to 1.01 μmol g^‐1 FWh^‐1 between 4 and 16°C, and increased three‐fold between 16 to 22°C. Between 4 to 22°C, NH₄ ⁺ uptake rate increased more gradually from 1.00 to 3.25 μmol g^‐1 FW h^‐1. In the 22–40°C temperature range, NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ uptake rates were similar (averaging 3.65 and 3.56 umol g^‐1 FW h^‐1, respectively). At concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3 mM, NO₃ ^‐ did not influence NH₄ ⁺ uptake rate. However, NO₃ ^‐ uptake was significantly reduced when NH₄ ⁺ was present at 3 mM concentration. Most importantly, total uptake (NO₃ ^‐+NH₄ ⁺) at any NO₃ ^‐/NH₄ ⁺ ratio was higher than that of plants fed solely with either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₄ ^‐. Anaerobic conditions reduced NO₃ ^‐ and NH₄ ⁺ uptake rate by 50 and 30%, respectively, whereas dinitrophenol almost completely inhibited both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ uptake. These results suggest that Arabica coffee is well adapted to acidic soil conditions and can utilize the seasonally prevalent forms of inorganic N. These observations can help optimizing coffee N nutrition by recommending cultural practices maintaining roots in the temperature range optimum for both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ uptake, and by advising N fertilization resulting in a balanced soil inorganic N availability.     

Gradients in N‐cycling attributes along forestry and agricultural land‐use systems are indicative of soil capacity for N supply

Indicators of soil quality associated with N‐cycling were assessed under different land‐use systems (native forest – NAT, reforestation with Araucaria angustifolia or Pinus taeda and agricultural use – AGR) to appraise the effects on the soil potential for N supply. The soil total N ranged from 2 to 4 g/kg (AGR and NAT, respectively), and the microbial biomass N ranged from 80 to 250 mg/kg, being higher in NAT and A. angustifolia, and lower in P. taeda and AGR sites. Activities of asparaginase (ca. 50–200 mg NH₄⁺‐N/kg per h), glutaminase (ca. 200–800 mg NH₄⁺‐N/kg per h) and urease (ca. 80–200 mg NH₄⁺‐N/kg/h) were also more intense in the NAT and A. angustifolia‐reforested soils, indicating greater capacity for N mineralization. The NAT and AGR soils showed the highest and the lowest ammonification rate, respectively (ca. 1 and 0.4 mg NH₄⁺‐N/kg per day), but the inverse for nitrification rate (ca. 12 and 26%), indicating a low capacity for N supply, in addition to higher risks of N losses in the AGR soil. A multivariate analysis indicated more similarity between NAT and A. angustifolia‐reforested sites, whilst the AGR soil was different and associated with a higher nitrification rate. In general, reforestation with the native species A. angustifolia had less impact than reforestation with the exogenous species P. taeda, considering the soil capacity for N supply. However, AGR use caused more changes, generally decrease in indicators of N‐cycling, showing a negative soil management effect on the sustainability of this agroecosystem.     

Arylamidase Activity as an Index of Nitrogen Mineralization in Soils

Abstract

The enzyme arylamidase [EC 3.4.11.2] catalyzes the hydrolysis of N‐terminal amino acids from arylamides. Because it has been proposed that this enzyme may play a major role in nitrogen (N) mineralization in soils, studies were carried out using short‐term laboratory incubations under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and chemical hydrolysis of soil organic N to assess the N mineralization in a range of 51 soils from six agroecological zones of the North Central region of the United States. The enzyme activity was assayed at its optimal pH value. With the exception of the values obtained for field‐moist soils incubated under anaerobic conditions, the amounts of N mineralized by all the biological and chemical methods studied were significantly correlated with arylamidase activity, with r values of 0.54*** for the amounts of inorganic N produced under aerobic incubation, of 0.44** for anaerobic incubation of air‐dried soils, of 0.53*** and 0.55*** for the amounts of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐N released by steam distillation with PO₄‐B₄O₇ for 4 and 8 min, respectively; and of 0.49*** and 0.53*** for the amounts of NH₄ ⁺‐N released by steam distillation with disodium tetraborate (Na₂B₄O₇) for 4 min or 8 min, respectively. The amounts of N extractable with hot potassium chloride (KCl) were most significantly correlated with arylamidase activity (r=0.56***). Arylamidase activity was significantly correlated with organic carbon (C) (r=0.49***), organic N (r=0.55***), and fixed ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐N (r =0.42**).     

Carbon and nitrogen mineralization and ammonia volatilization from fresh,aerobically and anaerobically treated pig manure during incubation with soil

Summary We studied the decomposition of aerobically and anaerobically treated pig manure during a 2-month incubation with soil. The manure samples had not been in contact with straw or with animal urine. The aerobically decomposed manure proved to be the most stable (23% C mineralization), followed by fresh (75%) and anaerobically treated manure (105%, priming effect). The course of mineralization fitted combined first- and zeroorder kinetics. In the anaerobically treated manure, 76% of NH ₄ ⁺ -N was immobilized during the initial incubation phase, followed by a slow linear mineralization. In the aerobically treated manure there was a slow linear mineralization after 5 days, and in the fresh material, a slightly faster linear mineralization after 6 days. Total mineralized N was very similar after 2 months (12%) in all treatments. Total NH₃ losses were highest from the anaerobically treated manure (14%), reflecting a higher NH ₄ ⁺ content with N mineralization following first-order kinetics. Relating NH₃ losses to the initial NH ₄ ⁺ content showed that all NH₃ in the aerobically treated manure was volatilized, whereas only 28% was volatilized from the fresh and the anaerobically treated manure. Present address: Department of Soil Science, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK     

Biodegradation of an oily waste as influenced by nitrogen forms and sources

Biodegradation rates of oily waste in soil can be limited by mineral nutrients, particularly N and P. A laboratory incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of N forms, nitrate (NO^? ₃-N) vs ammonium nitrogen (NH⁺ ₄-N), and sources, i.e., the conjugate cations/anions, on C mineralization rate (CMR) was determined daily by measuring the CO₂ evolved using gas chromatography. The CMR and the cumulative C mineralized (CCM) varied with the form and/or the source of N applied. The greatest enhancement in CMR occurred in the NO^? ₃-treatments in which the source conjugate cation was Ca⁺². The addition of P fertilizer further enhanced C mineralization rates irrespective of the form and/or the source of N added. The results show that up to 45% of the added oily waste mineralized as CO₂-C in 28 d. The residual P and N (NO^? ₃-N plus NH⁺ ₄-N) data showed that approximately 90% of the added P and N were utilized for oil decomposition. The amount of residual NO^? ₃-N appeared to have an inverse relationship with CCM. The NO^? ₃-N utilization occurred at the expense of NH⁺ ₄-N and this was particularly high in the treatments which received P.     

Influence of ammonium,nitrate, and chloride on solution pH and ion uptake by ageratum and salvia in hydroponic culture

The influence of nitrogen (N) forms and chloride (Cl) on solution pH and ion uptake in the hydroponic culture of Ageratum houstonianum [ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐tolerant] and Salvia splendens (NH₄ ⁺‐sensitive) for a period of 216 hours was investigated. The pH of the hydroponic solution (initially 6.50) containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺+nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) was drastically lowered (3.08), whereas that of the same solution containing NO₃ ^‐ was raised (7.74). Solution pH changed more by ageratum than by salvia. The solution Cl^‐ concentration did not influence pH significantly. However, addition of Cl^‐ in the solution lowered transpiration rate in both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Total N uptake was the greatest in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment and the lowest in the NO₃ ^‐treatment. In the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment, NO₃ ^‐ uptake was suppressed by NH₄ ⁺ (to about 50%), while NH₄ ⁺ uptake was not affected by NO₃ ^‐. The rate of Cl^‐ uptake was the lowest in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment, but was similar in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Uptake of potassium (K⁺), dihydrogen phosphate (H₂PO₄ ^‐), sulfate (SO₄ ^‐2), manganese (Mn⁺²), and zinc (Zn⁺²) was significantly enhanced in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The uptake rate of calcium (Ca⁺²) and magnesium (Mg⁺²) was the highest in the NO₃ ^‐ treatment. Absorption of copper (Cu⁺²) and boron (B) was not affected by N source. Ion uptake was more stable in the solution containing both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ than in the solution containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^‐. The uptake rate of total N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^‐, Mn⁺², Cu⁺², and Zn⁺² was higher, whereas that of Cl^‐ and molybdenum (Mo) was lower in ageratum than in salvia. Amounts of total anion (TA) and total cation (TC) absorbed, the sum of TC and TA, and the difference between TC and TA (TC‐TA) were affected by N source, Cl^‐ level, and their interactions. The NO₃ treatment, as compared to the NH₄ ⁺ or the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐treatment, reduced total cation and anion uptake while increasing TC‐TA, especially in the absence of Cl^‐. Plant tissue ion contents were also affected by N source and Cl^‐ level.     

Potassium,nitrogen, ammonium/nitrate ratio,and sodium chloride effects on wheat growth

Fertigation with KNO₃ as a means of reducing salinity hazards was tested with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) plants grown on dune sand, resulting in a reduction of plant growth and yield. The objective of this work was to study the interactions between N, K⁺ and NaCl as well as the effects of the NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^‐ ratio on vegetative and reproductive growth. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were grown in polyethylene pots with fine calcareous dune sand with different proportions of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐, under saline (60 mM NaCl) and non‐saline conditions. Three replicates were harvested at the beginning of flowering, and one was grown to grain maturity. NaCl reduced shoot dry weight in all the treatments. Increasing the NH₄ ⁺ proportion in the total of 6 mM N in the nutrient solution, increased shoot dry weight, did not change nitrogen concentration in the dry mass but increased P percentage, either with or without 60 mM NaCl. The number of tillers produced in each treatment was correlated with dry matter yield. The effect of the NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^‐ ratio may be explained by alteration of the cation‐anion balance on the nutrient uptake by roots, which lowered pH of the nutrient solution with increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration, by alteration of the cation‐anion balance on the nutrient uptake by roots, which lowered pH of the nutrient solution with increasing NH₄ ⁺ concentration.     

Influence of NH4-application on gross N turnover rates in soil

Determination of gross N mineralization rate in soil, by use of the isotopic pool dilution approach implies that ¹⁵NH₄⁺ is applied homogeneously to soil. Since the labeling is applied to the product of the mineralization, the application of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ should in theory not alter the mineralization rate. However, recent studies have indicated inverse relation between the amounts of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ applied and the determined gross N mineralization rates, due to overestimated rates when ‘low’ amounts of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ were added, as a result of preferential ¹⁵NH₄⁺ consumption. We present here results from a similar study. We observed no effect from the amount of applied NH₄⁺ on the measured gross N mineralization rates. Our results indicate, that the inverse relation as described earlier, probably was due to underestimated rates when ‘high’ amounts of ¹⁵NH₄⁺ were added, as a result of preferential ¹⁴NH₄⁺ consumption, when the applied ¹⁵NH₄⁺ was incomplete distribution in the soil.     

Growth and nutrition of pansy as influenced by N‐form ratio and temperature

Abstract

Pansy (Viola xwittrockiana Gams.) producers often observe nutrient disorders among plants grown during warm periods (>18°C) of the growing season. These disorders typically are not seen when production temperatures are optimal (≥18°C) even though fertility regimes may remain the same. Our objectives were to assess the effects of temperature and nitrogen (N) fertility on growth and nutrition of pansy. Pansies cultivar ‘Crown White’ were grown until lateral branches had open flowers. Treatments consisted of two temperatures (12 and 22°C) and three NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺ molar % ratios (100:0, 62:38, and 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. Cumulative nutrient absorption and foliar nutrient content were determined when plant lateral branches flowered. Root and shoot growth were limited when NH₄ ⁺ was present in solutions at high ambient air temperature (22°C), but not at low temperature (12°C). Individual absorption and accumulation of plant nutrients varied with N regimes and temperatures. Overall, pansies absorbed more total N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and less iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) at 12°C than at 22°C. In addition, absorption of NO₃ ^? by pansy was negligible if any NH₄ ⁺ was present in solutions at 22°C. Results suggest that pansy growers should adjust fertility programs according to production temperatures to avoid possible nutritional disorders and maximize plant growth. If maximum growth is to be obtained in warm temperatures, the use of NH₄ ⁺‐containing fertilizers should be reduced or eliminated. However, the choice of NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺ ratio for nutrition may be less important under cool growing conditions.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae mediating acidification can promote phytate mineralization in the hyphosphere of maize (Zea mays L.)

Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in two-compartment rhizoboxes, in order to study the effect of mycorrhizal hyphae-mediated acidification on organic P mineralization in the hyphosphere. The soil in the two compartments was supplemented with either KNO₃ or (NH₄)₂SO₄, and phytin (0 or 75 mg P kg⁻¹) was added to the hyphal compartment. P content in the shoots was significantly higher for the NH₄⁺ treatment than for the NO₃⁻ treatment, but only in the combined presence of phytin and AM fungal mycelium (Rhizophagus intraradices). NH₄⁺ treatment under these conditions also led to a decrease in hyphosphere pH, enhanced phosphatase activity in the hyphosphere and accelerated mineralization of phytin compared to the NO₃⁻ treatment. The results show that hyphosphere acidification induced by absorption of NH₄⁺ by the AM fungal mycelium leads to an increase in phosphatase activity, and consequently enhances mineralization of phytin and improves maize uptake of P from phytin-P.     

Effect of N‐form on macronutrient and micronutrient concentration and uptake of creeping bentgrass 1

Abstract

Nitrogen‐form effect on nutrient uptake and the subsequent concentration of nutrients in turfgrass plant tissue has not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluated the effects of clipping regime and N‐form on the tissue concentration of macronutrients and micronutrients and macronutrient uptake in ‘Penncross’ creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.). Turfgrass plugs were grown under greenhouse conditions in a modified Hoagland's solution with a combination of three nutrient solutions (100% NO₃ ^?, 100% NH₄ ⁺, and 50:50 ratio of NH₄ ⁺:NO₃ ^?) and two cutting regimes (cut and uncut). Concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients were determined for shoot, root and verdure. Nutrient uptake was determined weekly. Uncut NO₃ ^?‐treated plants accumulated higher concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, B and Cu in the shoot tissue; P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Mn and Zn in the root tissue; and P, Ca, Mg, B, Fe and Mn in the verdure compared to uncut NN₄ ⁺‐treated plants. Nitrate uptake was greater with uncut NO₃ ^?‐treated plants than was NH₄ ⁺ absorption with uncut NH₄ ⁺‐treated plants. Plants grown with the uncut 50:50 treatment adsorbed more NH₄ ⁺ than NO₃ ^?. Plants grown with the uncut NO₃ ^? and 50:50 treatments adsorbed higher amounts of P, K, and Ca compared to the NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The cut NO₃ ^?‐treated plants accumulated higher concentrations of K in the shoot tissue; P, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Fe and Mn in the root tissue; and B in the verdure than did the cut NH₄ ⁺‐treated plants. Cut NO₃ ^?‐treated plants adsorbed less NO₃ ^? than did cut NH₄ ⁺‐treated plants adsorbed NH₄ ⁺. The cut 50:50 treatment adsorbed more NH₄ ⁺ than NO₃ ^?. Plants grown with NO₃ ^? and 50:50 treatments, under both cutting regimes, resulted in higher concentrations of most macro‐ and micronutrients and greater nutrient uptake compared to the NH₄ ⁺‐treated plants.