Effect of Growth Season and Slow-Release Fertilizers on Quality Characteristics of Tomatoes

This study discusses the effect of growth season and fertilization on quality characteristics of tomatoes. In a pot experiment, established in an unheated glasshouse, tomatoes were grown in two widely differing soils during two different seasons (winter and summer). Conventional fertilizers, applied in two doses, and corresponding slow-release fertilizers, applied in a single dose, were used. Summer fruits contained greater lycopene content and had a more reddish coloration than those harvested by the end of winter. Slow-release fertilizers further increased lycopene content compared to the conventional fertilizers. The widely different electrical conductivities between the two soils had no effect on the lycopene content. Fertilization contributed to an increase of soluble solid content (Brix) in fruits, but there was no difference among fertilizers used. Similarly, there was no significant response of pulp pH to growth season or fertilizer treatments.     

Citrus Seedling Growth and Susceptibility to Root Rot as Affected by Phosphite and Phosphate

The growth of ‘Ridge Pineapple’ sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] seedlings and their susceptibility to Phytophthora root rot were studied under contrasting supplies of phosphate (Pi) or Phosphite (Phi). After 10 weeks of repeated applications of nutrient solutions, Phi concentrations were barely detectable in soil. Soil Pi was higher in Phi treatments than in pots that received Pi alone. Seedling growth was greatest when supplied with Pi or Phi separately, but when Pi and Phi were combined, growth was reduced to levels comparable to plants that received no P. Phi was found in both stems and leaves after it was applied to soil supporting the mobility of Phi within the plant. In addition, a small amount of Phi was found in roots after applications of Phi in foliar sprays. Different sources of soil-applied P did not affect the amount of Pi in roots, while the amounts of Pi in leaves were higher in plants that received Phi and Pi combined. Root resistance to Phytophthora root rot of citrus seedlings treated with Phi alone or in combination with Pi was greater than in plants treated with Pi alone, confirming the antifungal effect of Phi.     

用缓释指数评价化学缓释肥的缓释特性及其生物效应

在实验室条件下,采用简化的工艺制备了对氮、磷、钾三元素均有部分缓释作用的复混肥(化学缓释肥),用特定淋洗装置测定肥料各养分随时间的溶出率,通过双曲线方程Xt=b-a/t对其养分累计溶出率与时间的关系进行拟合,以方程常数b和a计算出的缓释指数(SR I)来定量评价肥料缓释特性,同时进行盆栽试验,探讨了缓释指数与复混肥中相应缓释添加剂百分含量(X)之间、各复混肥处理的油菜产量与复混肥中缓释添加剂总含量(X')之间的关系。结果表明:各养分的缓释指数(SR I)与相应缓释添加剂含量(X)均有很好的线性正相关;各化学缓释肥处理的油菜产量随缓释添加剂总含量(X')增加而增加;化学缓释肥以较少的荚数获得更高的产量。这预示着通过肥料的室内淋洗试验得到的缓释指数SR I不仅可以用来评价肥料的缓释性能,且在一定程度上可预测肥料的增产效应。     

Vegetative and Reproductive Responses of Apple Trees to Zinc Fertilization under Conditions of Acid Coarse-Textured Soil

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine response of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees to zinc (Zn) fertilization under conditions of acid coarse-textured soil with low 1M hydrochloric acid (HCl)-soluble Zn level. The experiment was carried out during 2004-2005 at a commercial orchard in Central Poland on mature ‘Jonagold’ apple trees/M.26 EMLA, planted at a spacing of 4 × 2.5 m. The trees were sprayed with Zn: (i) prebloom, at the stage of silver tip, and tight cluster at a rate of 140 and 100 g ha^{? 1}, respectively, (ii) postbloom, at the stage of petal fall, and 2 weeks later at a rate of 80 g ha^{? 1} in each spray treatment, and (iii) postharvest, 4–5 weeks before the natural leaf fall at a rate of 500 g ha^{? 1}. Other trees were supplied with Zn to soil at a rate of 3 kg ha^{? 1}. In all the studied treatments, Zn was used as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Trees unsupplied with Zn served as the control. Tree vigor, fruit set, yield and fruit quality at harvest (mean fruit weight, firmness, color, russeting, soluble solids concentration, and acidity) were not influenced by Zn fertilization. Postharvest Zn sprays slightly damaged leaf tissues but did not cause defoliation. Soil Zn application raised Zn concentrations in flowers, and leaves 28, 56, and 84 days after petal fall. Pre- and postbloom Zn sprays increased Zn status in flowers and leaves 28 days after flowering, respectively. The obtained results indicate that Zn fertilization of ‘Jonagold’ apple trees with Zn status in mid-summer leaves and flowers of 17 mg kg^{? 1} and 27 mg kg^{? 1}, respectively, is not successful in improving vigor and tree yield.     

Influence of an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus on Competition for Phosphorus Between Sweet Orange and a Leguminous Herb

Grass or herb intercropping with trees is widely practiced as an orchard-floor management strategy, but nutrient competition from grass species can inhibit the growth of intercropped fruit trees. Two experiments were conducted to investigate whether inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus versiforme can alleviate such competition and thus promote the growth of intercropped fruit trees by increasing soil nutrient exploitation. In the first experiment, intercropping was established in rhizoboxes containing sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and the leguminous herb Stylosanthes gracilis inoculated with the AM fungus. Mycorrhizal inoculation did not appear to decrease competition, but increased the biomass of the herb much more than that of sweet orange. Inoculation had little effect on phosphorus (P) content of sweet orange, but significantly increased that of the legume roots. The AM fungal contribution to P uptake of the herb was twice that of sweet orange. Lateral roots of the herb tended to branch horizontally, with a large proportion entering the soil volume occupied by sweet orange; AM inoculation enhanced this effect. In Experiment 2, growth of the plants in monoculture revealed that the mycorrhizal dependency of the legume was much higher than that of sweet orange. It is suggested that mycorrhizal dependency can have a large influence on the role of the AM fungus in mediating competition in an intercropping system, and that fruit trees with high mycorrhizal dependency, together with a grass or herb with low mycorrhizal dependency, may be the optimum intercrop combination in orchards.     

Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Fertilizer Use on Vegetative Growth of Drip Irrigated Cherry Trees

ABSTRACT

The effects of deficit irrigation and fertilizer use under drip irrigation (DI), on vegetative growth of mature cherry trees were studied in two field experiments. Treatments for the assessment of deficit irrigation consisted of two drip line arrays: double drip lines (T1) and loop (T2) as main treatments. Three irrigation levels: irrigation at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc or I1), 75% ETc or I2, and 50% ETc or I3, constituted the sub-treatments. To assess soil fertility practices, the main treatments consisted of T1 and single drip line (T3) arrays; sub-treatments were two fertilizer regimes: basic fertilizer recommendation plus 0.5 m³ sheep manure per tree (F1) and basic fertilizer recommendation plus 1300 g potassium sulfate, 350 g of zinc (Zn), 140 g of iron (Fe), and 600 g ammonium phosphate (F2). Total irrigation amount, which was applied routinely in control treatment (7466.7 m³ha^{? 1}), was less than the crop water requirement (8764.5 m³ ha^{? 1}). A significant correlation between both the length of young branches and canopy volume with annual applied irrigation water was observed. Mean canopy volume under T1 was 26.0 m³ tree^{? 1}, which was significantly less than 28.6 m³ tree^{? 1} under T2. Water use efficiency (kg m^{? 3}) was increased by water stress, but there was no significant yield reduction from I1 to I2. Concentration of Fe, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) in leaf samples increased with the use of double drip lines array compared to use of single drip line array and it was higher under F2 fertilizer level. The concentration of calcium (Ca) in leaf samples was higher than critical level in all treatments. We conclude that I2 irrigation level and F2 fertilizer management was the most efficient practice for cherry trees in the study area.     

Evaluation of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) cv. Sathgudi Budded on Five Rootstocks for Differential Behavior in Relation to Nutrient Utilization in Alfisol

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutrient utilization ability of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) budded on five rootstocks (viz., Sathgudi, Rangpur lime, Cleopatra mandarin, Troyer citrange, and Trifoliate orange) in Alfisols at the experimental farm of the Citrus Improvement Project, S. V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Results of the study revealed that all the five rootstocks showed differential behaviors in terms of nutrient absorption from the soil. Rootstocks exhibited significant variation in the leaf content of potassium (K), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) at all the three stages of sampling. Concentrations of the following key nutrient elements significantly varied: phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and Cu at stage 1; K, Ca, Mg, Zn, iron (Fe), and Mn at stage 2; and nitrogen (N), P, Zn, Fe, and B at stage 3. The performances of rootstocks in terms of relative nutrient accumulation indices (RNAIs) were in the order of Sathgudi (1.00) > Rangpur lime (0.98) > Cleopatra mandarin (0.96) > Trifoliate orange (0.76) > Troyer citrange (0.69). The present study clearly demonstrated that citrus rootstocks employed had differential nutritional behavior and different abilities to utilize plant nutrient elements. Thus, the findings of the present study and the methodology adopted can help the horticultural breeders and nutritionists choose the best rootstock/scion combination having the desirable traits of nutrient utilization ability and also to plan effective fertilizer schedule programs for achieving greater yields.     

夏季高温干旱对温州蜜柑果实生长的影响

利用实测气象资料和果园定点观测,对浙江省2003年夏季高温干旱特征及其对温州蜜柑生长的影响进行了分析。结果表明:夏季高温干旱使树体光合作用受阻,座果率明显下降,果径增长缓慢,产量明显下降。据此提出温州蜜柑种植过程中防御旱热害的对策。     

纽荷尔脐橙对建阳橘柚上柑橘衰退病毒分离株构成的影响

建阳橘柚兼具橘和柚的优良性状,为了解其携带的柑橘衰退病毒(CTV)分离株的分子特征及其传播到江西赣州对赣南脐橙产业的影响,将建阳橘柚(Citrus paradisi×C.reticulata)CTV分离株JY-5嫁接接种到赣南脐橙纽荷尔(C.sinensis)品种上,比较接种前后病毒外壳蛋白(cp)基因的HinfⅠRFLP和SSCP变化情况,实验结果表明,建阳橘柚上CTV分离株RFLP组群由接种前的单一组群变为混合组群,SSCP谱带数增加,在建阳橘柚上受抑制的CTV分离株在纽荷尔脐橙上能得到较好地增殖;同时接种前后分离株cp,p23和k17基因片段序列同源性及聚类分析表明,在建阳橘柚上的CTV分离株JY-5与其嫁接接种在纽荷尔脐橙上的JY-5R分离株并未在系统进化树上聚类在一起,表明两者不具有紧密的亲缘关系,结合RFLP和SSCP分析结果推测,JY-5R可能是在建阳橘柚上受抑制的分离株在纽荷尔脐橙上恢复了增殖。研究结果提示,建阳橘柚上的CTV分离株一旦传到赣南脐橙上,对赣南脐橙产业会带来一定的威胁。     

不同施肥处理马尾松幼林生长及其营养元素含量的研究

广西桂平市金田林场马尾松幼林施肥试验已连续４年。测定结果表明：不同施肥处理对马尾松幼林的生长有显著的影响。施氮磷钾肥的４年生幼林的树高、胸径和生物量比不施肥的同龄幼林分别高５５．３％、１０８．４％和１１９．６％；施磷钾肥的幼林依次高５１．９％、１０２．１％和９４．３％；施磷肥的幼林依次高２９．６％、６２．８％和６２．０％。幼林施肥直接增加了林地土壤的有效养分含量，并促进了植株对养分元素的吸收，因而加速了林木的生长     

甜樱桃砧木PcDHN1的克隆及其对非生物胁迫的响应

为明确甜樱桃砧木脱水素基因特征及其在干旱、高盐和低温胁迫过程中的表达模式,以甜樱桃砧木Y1为材料,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆了甜樱桃砧木脱水素基因Pc DHN1,利用生物信息学分析其编码蛋白特征,并采用qRT-PCR分析该基因的表达模式。序列分析显示,甜樱桃砧木脱水素基因Pc DHN1的c DNA全长893 bp,编码225个氨基酸,推测编码蛋白分子量约为23.98 k D,理论等电点为8.65。氨基酸序列分析显示,Pc DHN1含有2个Y-片段、1个S-片段和2个K-片段,具有植物脱水素蛋白的特征性结构,属于YnSK2型脱水素。表达特性分析显示,Pc DHN1在干旱、高盐和低温胁迫条件下受胁迫诱导而上调表达,但对低温胁迫响应比较迟缓,说明该基因可能参与了甜樱桃砧木对干旱和高盐胁迫的耐受调节过程。本研究结果为甜樱桃砧木抗逆基因工程提供了一定的参考。     

冻害对浙江柑桔产量的影响

对1961－2000年冬季气候资料统计表明，40年来浙江省柑桔主产地不同等级冻害出现的频率，从时间分布特征来看，1月最大，12月次之，2月最小；从年代分布特征来看，60年代出现频率最大，70年代次之，80年代第三，90年代最小。柑桔明显减产时，多出现冻害，而且，较强冻害出现时，可以连续两年减产，冻害是影响浙江柑桔产量的一个重要因子。提出防冻措施，对确保柑桔优势高产有重要的现实意义。     

Absorption and Mobility of Boron in Young Citrus Plants

Boron (B) deficiency is widespread in Brazilian citrus orchards and has been considered an important soil constraint to citrus yield. The aim of this work was to study B uptake and its mobility in young citrus trees, under different B statuses, in two rootstocks. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with ‘Valencia’ sweet orange trees budded on Rangpur lime or Swingle citrumelo. The plants were grown in pots containing nutrient solutions under either adequate or deficient B supply. Plants with different B levels were transplanted into solution with adequate level of B, enriched in ¹⁰B in different stages of development (vegetative growth and fruiting). About 20 to 35% of B content in the new parts of orange tree came from plant reserves. Boron mobility within the plant was influenced by its nutritional status; that is, the longer the period was that the plants were grown under deficient supply, the smaller was the mobility. Boron concentration in the sweet orange trees on Swingle was higher than that on Rangpur, suggesting higher demand of swingle Citrumelo for B.     

长期施用氮磷肥对(土娄)土钾素的影响

以长期定位施肥与小麦一玉米轮作田间试验为平台,研究了施肥对(土娄)土土壤钾素的影响以及冬小麦生育期内(土娄)土土壤速效钾、缓效钾及微生物量钾的变化.结果表明:氮磷肥不同施用量对土壤全钾基本没影响,而对速效钾、缓效钾及微生物量钾的影响较大.土壤速效钾和缓效钾均随施肥量的增加而减少,而微生物量钾随施肥量的增加而增加,且0-20 cm土层土壤速效钾、缓效钾及微生物量钾含量均高于20-40 cm土层.小麦生育期内,土壤速效钾和微生物量钾含量的变化一致,均是先上升再下降,再上升,又下降的变化.土壤中微生物量钾与有机碳、全氮均呈显著正相关关系,而与土壤速效钾和缓效钾无显著相关关系.氮磷肥在一定施用量范围内,促进了土壤无机态钾素的消耗,而提高了土壤微生物量钾的含量.土壤钾素的这种变化是作物吸收、施肥等因素共同作用的结果.     

Response of Mature Phosphorus-Deficient Apple Trees to Phosphorus Fertilization and Liming

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to examine response of mature phosphorus (P) deficient apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees to phosphorus fertilization and liming. The experiment was carried out during 2003–2005 in a commercial orchard in Central Poland on ‘Jonagold’ apple trees/M.26 planted in 1996 on a coarse-textured soil with low both pH (4.6) and organic matter (1.2%). Calcium-lactate soluble phosphorus concentration in the soil was within an optimal range despite appearance of leaf phosphorus deficiency symptoms. Soil and foliar applications of phosphorus, and soil liming were applied. Soil phosphorus fertilization was made in the first year of the experimental at a rate of 100 kg P per ha as triple superphosphate. Foliar sprays of a soluble compound containing organic phosphorus were performed 5 times per season at 2-week intervals, starting 4 weeks after full bloom. Soil liming was applied in the fall 2002 at a rate of 1100 kg Ca ha^?1 as hydrated lime. Additional combination as soil phosphorus fertilization plus liming was also applied. Plots unsupplied with phosphorus and lime served as a control. The results showed that liming and liming plus soil P application increased soil pH, and phosphatase activity in the soil, and improved phosphorus nutrition, tree vigor, yield, fruit color, and firmness after storage; effect of these treatments was not found only in the first year of the study. In all years foliar phosphorus sprays improved phosphorus nutrition of apple trees, and fruit color and firmness after storage. In 2 out of 3 years foliar phosphorus application increased yield. The vegetative and reproductive responses of ‘Jonagold’ apple trees did not depend on soil phosphorus fertilization. It was concluded that maintaining an optimal pH of soils for apple trees limits the incidence of orchard phosphorus deficiency and that foliar phosphorus sprays should be applied in phosphorus-deficient apple orchards to improve yield, and fruit appearance and storability.     

栗茶间作对北方茶树生长及绿茶产量品质的影响

试验观测表明:栗茶间作有效降低了茶园的光照强度,稳定了林间空气温度和土壤温度,增加了空气湿度,提高了北方茶叶的产量和品质,综合经济效益显著,适宜在北方茶区推广。     

Effects of Salinity on Growth,Water-Use Efficiency,and Nutrient Leaching of Three Containerized Ornamental Plants

The scarcity of water in the Mediterranean area has frequently led to the use of saline water to irrigate ornamental plants in nurseries. Aloe vera L. Burm, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poelln, and Gazania splendens Lem. plants were grown in a greenhouse from the University of Almeria in containers with a mixture of sphagnum peat moss and perlite in order to evaluate the effect of salinity levels on plant growth, water-use efficiency, and nutrient leaching. The experimental design consisted of three salinity treatments, four blocks, and four plants (one plant per container) per treatment-block giving a total of 12 plants per species plus border plants placed around the perimeter of the treatment plants to maintain uniform growing conditions for treatment plants. At the end of the experiment, plant dry weight and water-use efficiency were assessed for each salinity treatment. Leachate was collected weekly and analyzed for concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (NO₃^–N, PO₄^3–P, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺). Increasing salinity levels of irrigation water reduced the plant dry weight in all species and affected the leachates volume and their nutrients concentrations. We suggest the use of low salinity levels in water to improve the growth and to reduce the environmental impacts of nutrient runoff.     

控释复肥在盆栽玉米上的肥效研究

本文对采用流化床包膜技术制作的控释复肥进行了玉米盆栽试验,并与普通复肥进行了肥效对比。从玉米的长势变化来看,控释复肥处理的叶绿素值、叶面积、叶数和生长势均比普通复肥有明显优势。植株的平均干重在各施肥处理上均大于普通复肥,而且在施用量减少一半以上的情况下,仍能获得高于普通复肥的生物产量。     

Supplying Zinc Salt Tablets Increased Zinc Concentration and Yield of Coffee Trees

In Brazil there are two usual forms of supplying zinc (Zn) to coffee plants, in the soil with macronutrient fertilizers or by means of foliar sprayings. Both have limitations that compromise the Zn availability to the plant. This study examined the plant responses to the foliar sprays with ZnSO₄ and insertion of Zn salt tablets, made with a mix of Zn sources, into the orthotropic branches of Coffea arabica L. Zinc supplied by foliar sprays or tablets inserted into the trunk both increased leaf Zn content, although the tablets provided more consistent Zn supply. Coffee production was higher with Zn treatments, regardless of the method of supply. The supply of Zn by the insertion of tablets into coffee tree trunks thus proved to be a promising way to supply Zn.