INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF SULFUR AND NITROGEN ON GROWTH AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF OILSEED CROPS (BRASSICA CAMPESTRIS L. AND ERUCA SATIVA MILL.) DIFFERING IN YIELD POTENTIAL

Field experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effect of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) on growth and yield attributes of oilseed crops [Brassica campestris L. (V₁) and Eruca sativa Mill. (V₂)] differing in yield potential. Two combinations of S and N (in kg ha^?1): 0S + 100N (?S+N;T₁) and 40S + 100N (+S+N;T₂) were used. Biomass accumulation, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), and photosynthetic rate in the leaves were determined at various phenological stages. The results showed that the combined application of S and N (+S+N) significantly (P<0.05) improved the growth and yield attributes of both the genotypes compared with N applied alone (?S+N). Genetic variability was observed between the two genotypes in response to combined application of S and N (T₂). Genotype V₁ had higher biomass accumulation, photosynthetic rate, seed yield, oil yield, biological yield, and harvest index when compared with genotype V₂. Treatment T₂ resulted in 142, 95, 56, and 349% enhancement in biomass accumulation, leaf-area index (LAI), leaf-area duration (LAD) and photosynthetic rate, respectively in comparison with treatment T₁ in genotype V₁. Seed yield, oil yield, biological yield, and harvest index were improved by 141, 171, 85, and 30%, respectively, by treatment T₂ in comparison with T₁. In the case of genotype V₂, increase in biomass accumulation, LAI, LAD, and photosynthetic rate due to application of treatment T₂ were 156, 137, 125 and 467%, respectively, over the results of T₁. Seed yield, oil yield, biological yield and harvest index improved by 193, 251, 98, and 48%, respectively, with this treatment. On the basis of results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that sulfur must be included in the nutrient management package for optimum growth and yield attributes of oilseed crops. Furthermore, the yield potential of oilseed crops with low seed and oil yield can be improved using this treatment as achieved in our study in case of taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.), a genotype with low seed and oil yield.     

不同氮素供应水平对菘蓝生长及药材质量的影响

为探究低氮营养对菘蓝生长及药材质量的影响,采用盆栽试验,研究不同氮素水平0(N0)、2.5(N1)、5.0(N2)、10.0(N3)、15.0 mmol·L^-1(CK)下菘蓝生物量积累、光合参数、根与叶中可溶性糖、游离氨基酸、硝态氮含量以及主要活性成分含量的响应。结果表明,不同供氮水平下菘蓝生长与药材质量的响应存在差异。随着氮素浓度的增加,叶与根的干重均逐渐增加,根冠比则先增加后减小,且在N1处理下达到最大值。叶中可溶性糖含量随着氮素浓度的增加呈先减少后增加的趋势,N0处理下达到最大值,根中可溶性糖含量的变化趋势与叶中存在差异,在2.5~15.0 mmol·L^-1氮水平下,根中可溶性糖含量呈先增加后减少的趋势,在N2处理下达到最大值。随着氮素浓度的增加,根与叶中游离氨基酸的含量均呈先增加后减少的趋势,且在N3处理下达到最大值,根和叶中硝态氮含量则呈先减少后增加的趋势,N3处理下硝态氮含量显著低于其他处理。净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)随着氮素浓度的增加均表现出先增加后减少的趋势,在N3处理下达到最大值,胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)呈逐渐降低的趋势。随着氮素浓度的增加,叶中靛蓝含量随之逐渐增加,靛玉红含量则表现出先减少后增加的趋势,N3处理下为最小值,总黄酮含量则呈逐渐减少的趋势。根中(R,S)-告依春含量随着氮浓度的增加呈先增加后减少的趋势,在N3处理下最高,表明适当的氮素供应有利于靛蓝与(R,S)-告依春的积累,而低氮条件有利于提高靛玉红与总黄酮含量。根中(R,S)-告依春单株产量在N3处理下最高,表明可以适当降低施氮量以获得活性成分含量较高的板蓝根。本研究结果为菘蓝规范化栽培中合理施氮提供了理论参考。     

Impact of sulfur applications on the agronomic performance of rapeseed–clover mixtures

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a crop requiring high levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for growth and to optimize yield and seed quality. To limit the environmental pollution associated with intensive N fertilizer use, rapeseed–clover (Trititcum incarnatum L.) mixtures were grown in lysimeters under low N conditions (100 kg N ha⁻¹). Considering the high sulfur (S) requirements of both rapeseed and clover, two inputs of S fertilizer (30 and 60 kg S ha⁻¹) were applied. The effects S input on the agronomic performance of rapeseed in mixture and monocrops considered as reference, the N₂‐fixing capacity of clover, and the leaching of nitrate and sulfate were monitored. This study showed that the N₂‐fixing capacity (%Ndfa) of clover was improved (1.3‐fold) when it was grown in mixture with rapeseed at S60. However, irrespective of the type of cropping (monocrops or mixtures) and S application level (30 or 60 kg S ha⁻¹), the biomasses and total N and S contents of both plants were not significantly different, nor was the rapeseed seed quality. Moreover, the yield of rapeseed grown in mixture at S60 was significantly lower than the yield of rapeseed grown as a monocrop (331.5 ± 9.8 versus 380.8 ± 3.5 g DW m⁻², respectively). The results demonstrate that, in our field conditions, rapeseed mixed with clover required only 30 kg S ha⁻¹ to maintain yield and seed quality, despite the high S needs of both plants. More surprisingly, compared to the rapeseed monocrop, the rapeseed–clover mixture led to an increase in N (‐N) and S (‐S) leaching during the early winter period of cultivation.     

Soil Plus Foliar Nitrogen Application increases Cotton Growth and Salinity Tolerance

Soil or foliar application of nitrogen (N) can increase plant growth and salinity tolerance in cotton, but a combination of both methods is seldom studied under salinity stress. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil application (S), foliar application (F), and a combination of both (S+F) with labeled nitrogen (¹⁵N) on cotton growth, N uptake and translocation under salinity stress (ECe = 12.5 dS m^?1). Plant biomass, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content, leaf net photosynthetic (Pn) rate, levels of ¹⁵N and [Na⁺] and K⁺/ Na⁺ ratio in plant tissues were determined at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after N application (DAN). Results showed that soil or foliar nitrogen fertilization improved plant biomass, leaf area per plant and leaf photosynthesis, and a combination of soil- plus foliar-applied N was superior to either S or F alone under salinity stress. Although foliar application favored a rapid accumulation of leaf N and soil application a rapid accumulation of root N, S+F enhanced N accumulation in both leaf and root under salinity stress. The combined N application also maintained significantly greater [K⁺] and K⁺/Na⁺ than either soil or foliar application alone. Therefore, the improved plant growth and salinity tolerance under S+F relative to soil or foliar N application alone was attributed to the increased total uptake of N, balanced N concentrations in different tissues through enhanced uptake and accumulation in both leaves and roots, and higher ratio of K⁺/Na⁺.     

Effect of potassium on growth and the electrophoretic pattern of leaf proteins of sunflower supplied with ammonium or nitrate

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was grown on liquid medium containing either nitrate, ammonium or ammonium + nitrate, with or without potassium. The growth of plants supplied with nitrate or ammonium + nitrate in the presence of potassium (5 mmol/l) was comparable. Plants grown on ammonium‐N only showed significantly lower growth. Dry matter and organic nitrogen content in plants supplied with ammonium + nitrate (total nitrogen 10 mmol/1) in the presence of potassium (5 mmol/l) was higher than in nitrate grown plants. Leaf protein pattern on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) was not affected by the nitrogen source provided in the medium.

Potassium deficiency led to reduced growth, necrotic spots on the leaves and specific alterations in leaf protein pattern, expressed by an increase or decrease in several polypeptides. This was common to all the nitrogen forms tested. A most pronounced change was the increased expression of polypeptides of molecular weight 60 and 62 kilodaltons.     

Does the Sulfur Assimilation Pathway Play a Role in the Response to Fe Deficiency in Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants?

Abstract

The finding that the methionine is the sole precursor of the mugineic acid family phytosiderophores induced us to evaluate whether sulfur assimilation pathway has a role in plant response to Fe deficiency. Maize plants were grown for 10 days in nutrient solution (NS) containing 80 µM Fe in the presence (+S) or absence (?S) of sulfate. After removing the root extraplasmatic iron pool, half of the plants of each treatment (+S and ?S) were transferred to a new Fe deficient NS (0.1 µM final Fe concentration) (?Fe). The remaining plants of each pre‐culture condition (+S and ?S) were transferred to a new NS containing 80 µM Fe (+Fe). Leaves were collected 4 and 24 hours from the beginning of Fe deprivation period and used for chemical analysis and enzyme assays. Results showed that iron content in the leaves was lower in plants grown in S‐deficiency than in those grown in the presence of the macro‐nutrient. Iron deprivation produced an increase in the level of SH compounds in both nutritive conditions (+S and ?S). These observations are suggestive of some relationship between S nutrition and Fe uptake. For this reason, we next investigated the influence of Fe availability on S metabolism through the evaluation of changes in ATPs and OASs activity, the first and the last enzyme of S assimilation pathway respectively. Results showed that S‐starvation increased the activity of both enzymes, but this effect disappeared in plants upon Fe deficiency suggesting that S metabolism is sensitive to Fe availability. Taken together these evidences suggest that S metabolism is sensitive to soil Fe‐availability for plant nutrition and support the hypothesis of S involvement in plant response to Fe deprivation.     

Nitrogen Sources and Rates Effect on Yield,Nutritional Status,and Yield Components of Sunflower

Due to the high levels of crude protein in the achene, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the main oilseeds grown worldwide, particularly for the oil and meal production for animal feed. Despite these advantages, there are few studies on nutrient use efficiency under tropical conditions, especially nitrogen (N). The experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effects of N sources and rates on sunflower achene yield (AY), yield and physiological components, and nutritional status of sunflower. The five N sources (calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), ammonium nitrate (NO₃NH₄), ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄), and urea (CO(NH₂)₂)), and four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg^?1) were studied. AY was reduced with the ammonia sources application from the 100 mg N kg^?1. Plant height and capitulum dry weight (CDW), capitulum diameter, shoot dry weight (SDW), and chlorophyll content were significantly related with N sources and rates. Except for potassium (K), the N rates changed the N, P, Ca, Mg, and S concentration in the leaves and N concentration in achene. In the comparison of sources, on the average of N rates, urea application was more effective than the other N fertilizers in the AY.     

减氮和秸秆还田对旱地土壤微生物和硝化潜势的影响

通过3年田间试验,研究减氮和秸秆还田对黄土高原南部旱地春玉米产量、硝态氮残留量及微生物学特性等指标的影响。研究共设置不施肥（CK）、传统施氮（N250）、传统施氮配合秸秆还田（N250+S）、减氮20%（N200）、减氮20%配合秸秆还田（N200+S）5个处理。结果表明：（1）连续3年减氮20%和秸秆还田可以提高玉米产量,阻控土壤硝态氮淋溶,N200较N250处理玉米增产5.9%,N200+S较N200处理玉米增产7.4%,N250+S较N250处理玉米增产9.1%;0－300 cm土层,N200较N250处理硝态氮残留量减少51.3%,N200+S较N200处理硝态氮残留量减少18.0%,N250+S较N250处理硝态氮残留量减少41.2%。（2）减氮和秸秆还田是调控土壤硝化潜势的有效措施,N200较N250处理硝化潜势降低8.8%,N250+S较N250处理硝化潜势降低14.2%,N200+S较N200处理硝化潜势降低20.4%。（3）秸秆还田显著提高土壤微生物量碳氮（SMBC、SMBN）含量,N250+S较N250处理SMBC、SMBN分别显著增加17.5%和24.0%,N200+S较N200处理SMBC、SMBN分别显著增加18.4%和31.3%。（4）施氮和秸秆还田对氨氧化古菌（AOA）影响较小,但增加了氨氧化细菌（AOB）数量。（5）氨氧化细菌（AOB）丰度与硝态氮、铵态氮、土壤微生物量碳氮（SMBC、SMBN）和硝化潜势均呈极显著正相关,而氨氧化古菌（AOA）丰度和影响因子没有明显的相关性。研究结果可为黄土旱塬春玉米种植区氮肥管理和农业可持续发展提供科学依据。     

盐氮效应对棉花氮素分配、转运和利用效率的影响

探究盐氮效应对棉花氮素动态积累、运转及利用效率的影响机制。以棉花“新陆中68号”为材料,设置土壤盐分含量为S1(2.5~3 g/kg)、S2(5~6 g/kg)和S3(8~9 g/kg),施氮量分别N1(105 kg/hm²)、N2(210 kg/hm²)、N3(315 kg/hm²)处理进行田间小区试验。通过Logistic生长函数模型对各器官生物量氮素累积进行拟合,以V m(最高累积速率)和Δt(持续时间)为2个动态特征指标分析盐氮对棉花生物量氮素快速累积时间和速率的影响。结果表明,营养器官(根、茎、叶)生物量S1N3处理最大,棉铃生物量S1N2处理最大,S3条件下棉铃生物量表现为N3>N2>N1。各营养器官积氮量S2处理均达到较大,在S1和S2中茎积氮量为N2>N3>N1。在S2和S3中叶积氮量为N3>N2>N1,棉铃积氮量为S1>S2>S3和N3>N2>N1,根积氮量N3>N2>N。N1S3处理各营养器官生物量积氮量Δt最小,V m最大。盐分显著抑制棉花各器官生物量和氮素积累量及V m(P<0.5)。施氮量与土壤盐分存在明显的互作效应。氮肥在盐分S1和S2中N2和在盐分S3中氮肥N3最利于生殖器官生物量积累及V m。盐分越高,氮素运转率越低。施氮量促进氮素运转率。各器官积氮量累积和营养器官氮分布使作物氮分布更均衡,导致产量的最优。S1N2产量最大达到6683 kg/hm²。氮肥在盐分S1和S2中N1氮利用效率最优,盐分S3中氮肥N2最利于氮利用效率。因此在盐分<6 g/kg土壤施用氮肥105 kg/hm²或210 kg/hm²,最利于棉花生产和效益。盐分在8~9 g/kg土壤应施用氮肥315 kg/hm²。研究结果为合理利用盐碱土和施肥管理提供科学依据。     

Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Synthetic and Organic Sources of Nitrate Water Contamination in Spain

This work aims to identify the sources of nitrogencontamination in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) of Spain by means of the nitrogen isotope method. Three categories of nitrogen sources (synthetic fertilisers, animal wastes, and sludges and effluents from waste-water treatment plants) from three NVZs were analysed for their nitrogen isotopic composition (δ¹⁵N) in order to assess the applicability of the method to the identification of these N sources. The mean δ¹⁵N values were: +1.48‰ for synthetic fertilisers, +15.98‰ for animal wastes and +11.52‰ for sludges and effluents. The synthetic fertiliser sources were significantly different from the organic sources and so, the method can be used for their identification. The highest variability was found within the animal waste category. The range of values found for the different kinds of animal wastes (+5.86 to +36.74) was very wide and overlappedthe range found for sludges and effluents from waste-water treatmentplants (+4.57 to +20.18). Accordingly, these two nitrogen sources areisotopically indistinguishable.     

Nitrogen assimilation in sunflower leaves and upward and downward transport of nitrogen

The assimilation of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen into amino acids of mature sunflower leaves and their transport to the other plant parts were investigated using nitrogen-15 as a tracer. In the leaf, to which ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium was vacuum-infiltrated, the ¹⁵N content of glutamine was always the highest of the amino acids tested and that of alanine was higher than that of glutamic acid and aspartic acid at 15 min after the infiltration. On the other hand in the leaf to which ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate was vacuum-infiltrated, the ¹⁵N content of glutamic acid and aspartic acid was superior to that of glutamine. The incorporation of ¹⁵N into serine was not active in the case of either ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium or nitrate. In the internodes above and below the treated leaf, through which photosynthates were transported into other parts, the ¹⁵N content of γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamine was markedly high when both nitrogen sources were supplied. There were no differences in the labelling patterns of amino acids between the upper and lower internodes. From these results it may be concluded that glutamine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid play an important role in the assimilation of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in leaves and that nitrogen is transported mainly in the forms of γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamine from the leaves to the other plant parts,     

Nitrogen rate and source affects leaf elemental concentration and plant growth in muscadine grapes

Leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in ‘Sterling’ muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Michaux) grown for two years in sand culture were not influenced by different N‐fertilizer sources. Leaf zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were higher with ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)than ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄]. Shoot growth was greatest with NH₄NO₃. Leaf Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu content decreased and leaf N increased as N‐fertilizer rates were raised. Plant growth was positively correlated with leaf N, but was negatively correlated with leaf Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn content. Percent Mg in the leaves was reduced when N levels, regardless of N source, were raised from the low (1.8 mM) to the middle (5.4 mM) rate. High leaf‐N levels were correlated with lower Ca and Mg in the leaves, indicating a relationship between N fertilization and the late‐season Mg deficiency often observed in muscadine grapes.     

减量施氮及秸秆深埋对春玉米地土壤电导率和硝态氮淋溶的影响

通过在中国科学院长武黄土高原农业生态试验站半覆膜种植春玉米大田试验,研究了减氮及秸秆深埋对土壤电导率、土壤硝态氮淋溶和玉米产量的影响,旨在为提高氮肥利用效率和保护环境提供理论依据。试验设5个处理3个重复,处理包括不施氮(CK)、常规施氮(CON1,N 250kg/hm2)、常规施氮加秸秆(CON2,N 250kg/hm2+秸秆)、减量施氮(CR1,N 200kg/hm2)和减量施氮加秸秆(CR2,N 200kg/hm2+秸秆)。测量了春玉米各生育期土层剖面土壤电导率、收获期土壤硝态氮含量和春玉米产量。结果表明:土壤电导率在分蘖期、拔节期40—150cm土层出现峰值,在抽穗期、成熟期40—200cm土层出现峰值,峰值范围下移。在0—150cm土层范围内,土壤电导率整体呈现CON2CON1,CR2CR1。在0—150cm土层范围内,常规施氮土壤电导率高于减量施氮。与常规施氮相比,减量施氮减少了土壤剖面硝态氮含量,同时,采取秸秆深埋措施也能减少土壤剖面硝态氮含量,并延缓硝态氮的淋溶下移。与常规施氮相比,减量20%施氮增产9.59%。施氮条件下,秸秆深埋时,有利于提高作物产量,提高氮肥增产潜力。秸秆深埋有利于提高土壤电导率,减少土壤硝态氮含量,阻控土壤硝态氮向下淋溶,提高玉米产量。     

Growth,Nutrition, and Photosynthetic Response of Black Walnut to Varying Nitrogen Sources and Rates

ABSTRACT

Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) half-sib 1+0 seedlings were exponentially fertilized with ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) as ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄], nitrate (NO₃ ^?) as sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), or a mixed nitrogen (N) source as ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) at the rate of 0, 800, or 1600 mg N plant^?1 and grown for three months. One month following the final fertilization, N concentration, growth, and photosynthetic characteristics were assessed. Compared with unfertilized seedlings, N addition increased plant component N content, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic gas exchange. Net photosynthesis ranged from 2.45 to 4.84 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for lower leaves but varied from 5.95 to 9.06 μmol m^?2 s^?1 for upper leaves. Plants responded more favorably to NH₄NO₃ than sole NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^? fertilizers. These results suggest that N fertilization can be used to promote net photosynthesis as well as increase N storage in black walnut seedlings. The NH₄NO₃ appears to be the preferred N source to promote black walnut growth and physiology.     

Nitrogen Availability for Maize from a Rolling Pampa Soil After Addition of Biosolids

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the influence of different rates of biosolids on the soil nitrogen (N) availability for maize and its residuality. A field experiment was developed in a typic Argiudol located in the NE of the Buenos Aires Province. Maize was sown for two consecutive years 1997–1999. Biosolids from a sewage treatment plant of Buenos Aires outskirts were superficially applied to the soil and incorporated by plowing. There were eight treatments: Check; 8, 16, and 24 Mg of dry biosolid ha^?1; 8 and 16 Mg of dry biosolid ha^?1 applied one year before, 100 and 150 kg N ha^?1 of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The sampling and determinations were done during the second maize cycle. At presowing (PS), sowing (S), 6 expanded leaves (V6), 12 expanded leaves (V12), and Flowering (Fl) composite soil samples from 0–40 cm depth were obtained to determine ammonium and nitrate contents. At Fl maize plants were sampled in order to determine total biomass and N content. The N‐nitrate content in the soil was significantly increased by the biosolids application (p < 0.05), and varied for each increment depending on the biosolids rates and the phenological stage. After 30 days from the incorporation the increases of 1.19, 1.34, and 2.05% were observed for N‐nitrates for 8, 16, and 24 Mg ha^?1, respectively. The contribution of mineral N from the biosolids was 2.48, 6.46, and 5.01 kg N Mg^?1 when the rates were incremented from 0–8, 8–16, and 16–24 Mg ha^?1, respectively. The nitrogen mineralization followed a release pattern with a maximum value of 296 kg N‐nitrate ha^?1 at sowing for 24 Mg ha^?1. Since then, the release of mineral nitrogen decreased significantly till Fl. The N‐nitrates values variation with the temperature adjusted to polinomic functions. The mineral N released from the biosolids increased as a response to the increment of soil temperature and then decreased due to the maize nitrogen absorption and the potentially mineralized nitrogen exhaustion. The application of 150 kg N ha^?1 as CAN incremented significantly the soil N‐nitrate content and equalized 16 and 24 Mg of dry biosolids ha^?1 at V6. But, no synchronism between the high nitrate releasing from biosolids and the increment in the nitrogen absorption by maize was observed. This fact generates a surplus of nitrate that incremented the potential of nitrogen loss by lixiviation. We observed a residual effect from the biosolids that were applied the previous year. This contribution represented the 35% of the maize requirements and was similar to the nitrate content observed in Bio 16. The biosolids might be a valuable source of nitrogen for maize crop if the synchronism between the soil supply and maize demand is observed in order to avoid nitrates surplus.     

Effects of Molybdenum,Nickel, and Nitrogen Sources on the Mineral Nutrition and Growth of Rice Plants

Upland rice plants, cultivar ‘IAC 202,’ were grown in nutrient solution until full tillering. Treatments consisted of ammonium nitrate (AN) or urea (UR) as nitrogen (N) source plus molybdenum (Mo) and/or nickel (Ni): AN + Mo + Ni, AN + Mo ? Ni, AN ? Mo + Ni, UR + Mo + Ni, UR + Mo ? Ni, and UR ? Mo + Ni. The experiment was carried out to better understand the effect of these treatments on dry‐matter yield, chlorophyll, net photosynthesis rate, nitrate (NO₃ ^?‐N), total N, in vitro activities of urease and nitrate reductase (NR), and Mo and Ni concentrations. In UR‐grown plants, Mo and Ni addition increased yield of dry matter. Regardless of the N source, chlorophyll concentration and net photosynthesis rate were reduced when Mo or Ni were omitted, although not always significantly. The omission of either Mo or Ni led to a decrease in urease activity, independent of N source. Nitrate reductase activity increased in nutrient solutions without Mo, although NO₃ ^?‐N increased. There was not a consistent variation in total N concentration. Molybdenum and Ni concentration in roots and shoots were influenced by their supply in the nutrient solution. Molybdenum concentration was not influenced by N sources, whereas Ni content in both root and shoots was greater in ammonium nitrate–grown plants. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that there is a relationship between Mo and Ni acting on photosynthesis, although is an indirect one. This is the first evidence for a beneficial effect of Mo and Ni interaction on plant growth.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN APPLICATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS,YIELD AND LEAF NITRATE CONTENT OF GREENHOUSE LETTUCE CULTIVATED DURING THREE SEASONS

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., cv. ‘Parris Island’) was grown hydroponically in autumn, winter and spring under five levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization. Plant biomass was highest in spring and lowest in autumn at N rates of 200 and 260 mg L^?1, respectively. Increasing N application correlated positively with rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal carbon dioxide (CO₂) conductance and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal CO₂ conductance, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were higher in spring than in autumn or winter. Nitrate concentrations within the leaves increased with increasing N application in all seasons. It is concluded that lettuce growth and yield is higher in spring than in winter or autumn due to enhanced photosynthesis thanks to increasingly favorable photoperiod. Regardless of season, high N rates promote yield but increase leaf nitrate concentrations. Therefore, for the production of healthy produce the recommended N rate should be based not just on yield but also on the nitrate content.     

Nitrogen metabolism in Nicotian a rustica L. grown with molybdenum. I. vegetative development

Abstract

The effect of 1 ppm of molybdenum on nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1.3) and nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1) activity, and the nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen, total protein content on vegetative development of Nicotiana rustica L. was studied. This molybdenum supply increased the ammonium and nitrite content in leaves and the protein content in the root. Variations in enzymatic activity was not observed. The vegetative stage was shorter in the plants grown with this molybdenum supply.     

Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Sulfur Nutrition in Broccoli Plants Grown Under Salinity

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. ‘Italica’) is a recognized health-promoting vegetable and shows a moderate sensitivity to salinity. As very little is known about the effect of salt stress on broccoli plants, the objective was to evaluate nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and sulfur (S) nutrition in plants grown under saline conditions. For this objective, the contents of nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate, and total nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, as well as related metabolic enzymes, were determined for plants grown with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for two weeks. Nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate concentration in leaves and roots showed a maximum at 40–60 mM NaCl. Up to these salt levels, broccoli plants showed a normal development, but over these salt levels, broccoli plants showed a decrease of nitrate reductase and an increase of the acid phosphatase. From 60 to 100 mM NaCl, the nutritional disorders indicated that the threshold of resistance was exceeded.     

施氮量和采收株高对油菜薹外观性状、养分积累和氨基酸组分含量的影响

为明确施氮量和采收株高对油菜薹外观性状、养分积累和氨基酸组分含量的影响,以油蔬两用型油菜品种富硒1号为材料,采用裂区试验设计,以施氮量为主区,采收株高为副区,测定了油菜薹粗度和鲜重,氮(N)、磷(P)和钾(K)浓度,硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷酰胺合成酶(GS)和天冬酰胺合成酶(AS)活性,亚硝酸盐含量以及16种氨基酸组分含量。结果表明,随着采收株高的增加,油菜薹粗度降低,但施氮量对油菜薹粗度影响不显著;增施氮肥增加了油菜薹鲜重;在各施氮量处理下,采收株高30 cm时,油菜薹鲜重高于其他采收株高。油菜薹N和K浓度随着施氮量的增加先增加后减小,而施氮量对油菜薹P浓度影响不显著。氮代谢过程中NR活性随着施氮量的增加呈先增加后减小的趋势,与氮素浓度变化一致;而GS和AS活性则表现为持续降低。在采收株高20和30 cm处理下,油菜薹氨基酸组分含量主要随施氮量的增加而显著增加;采收株高40 cm时,油菜薹中的缬氨酸等7种氨基酸含量在各施氮量处理下差异不显著,天冬氨酸等8种氨基酸含量在施氮量180 kg·hm^-2处理下最高,采收株高50 cm时,谷氨酸等4种氨基酸含量在施氮量180 kg·hm^-2处理下最高,其余氨基酸组分含量在各施氮量之间无显著差异。综上,在施氮量180 kg·hm^-2、采收株高40 cm时油菜薹具有较好的品质。本研究结果为油蔬两用型油菜薹优质栽培提供了技术参考。