β-Glucanase Activity and Molecular Weight of β-Glucans in Barley After Various Treatments

β-Glucanase activity interferes with molecular characterization of mixed-linkage (1→3)(1→4)-β-d -glucans (β-glucans). Reductions in β-glucanase activity were determined after barley cvs. Azhul, Waxbar, and Baronesse were treated with autoclaving (120°C, 45 min), calcium chloride (0.05M, 1 hr), 70% ethanol (80°C, 4 hr), hydrochloric acid (0.1N, 1 hr), oven heating (120 and 140°C, 40 min), sodium hydroxide (0.0025M, 1 hr), and 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (40°C, 1 hr). High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) of α-amylase-treated aqueous extracts was used to demonstrate the effects of treatments on the molecular weights of β-glucans. The HPSEC system included multiple-angle, laser light scattering, refractive index, and fluorescence detectors. β-Glucanase activities, ranging from 52 to 65 U/kg of barley, were reduced by autoclaving (50–75%), hot alcohol (67–76%), oven heating (40–96%), CaCl₂ (75–95%), NaOH (76–89%), and TCA (92–96%). Some malt β-glucanase activity remained after most treatments. HCl and TCA treatments reduced extraction and molecular weights of β-glucans. Weight-average molecular weights (M_w) for β-glucans extracted with water at 23°C were low (most <8 × 10⁵). Base treatment (pH 9) and extraction at 100°C for 2.5 hr resulted in the greatest extraction of β-glucans and highest M_w. As a result, the conditions seem appropriate for measurement of physical characteristics of β-glucans in cereal products.     

Studies on the Glutathione-Dehydroascorbate Oxidoreductase (EC 1.8.5.1) from Wheat Flour

Glutathione (GSH) dehydrogenase was partially purified from wheat flour after extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ionic-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) Sepharose CL6B. Kinetic studies showed that the optimum pH was close to 7.5. The K_m values varied between 0.15 and 0.28 mM for dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and between 1.8 and 0.62 mM for GSH when pH was varied from 5.5 to 7.5. The kinetic pattern was consistent with a sequential mechanism for the binding of GSH and DHA. NaCl is a competitive inhibitor with respect to GSH and is uncompetitive with respect to DHA, which suggests that the enzyme combines with DHA before it does with GSH. IsoDHA can replace DHA as hydrogen acceptor but with a K_m of 1.2 mM. γ-Glu-cys was enzymically oxidized but much less efficiently than GSH (V_m = 47 nkat/mL and K_m = 5.5 mM compared to V_m = 362 nkat/mL and K_m = 1.8 mM for GSH), whereas cysteine and cys-gly were not substrates. In the presence of DHA, addition of cysteine and cys-gly to small amounts of GSH causes a large activation of the enzymatic formation of ascorbic acid suggesting coupled oxidation of these thiols.     

GROWTH AND POTASSIUM TRANSPORT IN COMMON AND DURUM WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY ALUMINUM AND NITRITE STRESS

Aluminum (Al) toxicity has been identified as one of the most important factors limiting plant growth in acid soil. Besides Al, nitrite (NO₂ ^?) may also be a significant stress factor in an acid environment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Al and NO₂ ^? stress on the growth and potassium (K⁺) uptake of roots and their transport toward the shoots of an Al-resistant common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Jubilejnaja 50) and an Al-sensitive durum wheat (T. durum Desf. cv. GK Betadur) grown in 0.5 mM CaSO₄ solution at pH 4.1 or 6.5. Root elongation of durum wheat was inhibited with 30% at 10 μM AlCl₃ treatment, while this low Al-concentration did not show a significant effect on root growth of common wheat. In all cases shoot growth was not influenced under low-salt conditions by 10 μ M AlCl₃, but exposure to 100 μM KNO₂ (alone or in combination with Al) had a definite stimulatory effect on growth. Aluminum was found to stimulate the K⁺(⁸⁶Rb) influx in short-term (6 h) experiments, but to inhibit it in long-term (3 days) experiments. This treatment was thought to damage the plasma membrane. When 10 μM 2,4-dinitrophenol was present in the uptake solution the Al-stimulated K⁺ uptake stopped even in short-term experiments. In the case of nitrite and nitrite + Al treatment combinations, however, a striking inhibition was observed in the K⁺(⁸⁶Rb) influx and the K⁺ concentration of the roots and shoots of both species.     

Synthesis of 15N-labelled microbial biomass in soil in situ and extraction of biomass N

Summary A Pakistani soil (Hafizabad silt loam) was incubated at 30°C with varying levels of ¹⁵N-labelled ammonium sulphate and glucose (C/N ratio of 30 at each addition rate) in order to generate different insitu levels of ¹⁵N-labelled microbial biomass. At a stage when all of the applied ¹⁵N was in organic forms, as biomass and products, the soil samples were analysed for biomass N by the chloroform (CHCl₃) fumigation-extraction method, which involves exposure of the soil to CHCl₃ vapour for 24 h followed by extraction with 500 mM K₂SO₄. A correction is made for inorganic and organic N in 500 mM K₂SO₄ extracts of the unfumigated soil. Results obtained using this approach were compared with the amounts of immobilized ¹⁵N extracted by 500 mM K₂SO₄ containing different amounts of CHCl₃. The extraction time varied from 0.5 to 4 h.The amount of N extracted ranged from 27 to 270 g g^–1, the minimum occurring at the lowest (67 g g^–1) and the maximum at the highest (333 g g^–1) N-addition rate. Extractability of biomass ¹⁵N ranged from 25% at the lowest N-addition rate to 65%a for the highest rate and increased consistently with an increase in the amount of ¹⁵N and glucose added. The amounts of both soil N and immobilized ¹⁵N extracted with 500 mM K₂SO₄ containing CHCl₃ increased with an increase in extraction time and in concentration of CHCl₃. The chloroform fumigation-extraction method gives low estimates for biomass N because some of the organic N in K₂SO₄ extracts of unfumigated soil is derived from biomass.     

The effect of soil pH and high urea concentrations on urease activity in soil

The rate of hydrolysis of urea in soil over the wide range of concentrations, up to 10 moles N per dm³ soil solution, found in fertilizer practice, was examined in Begbroke sandy loam adjusted to different pH values. On rewetting air-dry soil, urease activity increased rapidly, reached a maximum within the first 24 h and then decreased slowly to level off after about 4 days. Pretreatment of the soil with urea or ammonium had no effect on the urease activity. Urease activity increased with substrate concentration, reached an optimum value and then decreased with rising urea concentration. The results could be explained by substrate inhibition at higher urea concentrations, and the data are well described by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation involving three parameters, V_max, K_m and K_i where K_i is an inhibition constant. K_m decreased linearily with rise in pH whereas K_i increased slightly between pH 4.9 and 7.0 and steeply between 7.0 and 8.4. V_max increased with rise in pH, reached a maximum value at pH 6.0 and then declined at higher pHs. There was a further reaction, reaching a maximum rate at a urea concentration of about 0.2 molar N in the soil solution, that followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. K_m for this high affinity reaction increased up to pH 7.2 and then decreased at higher pH values; V_max increased up to pH 6.8 and then decreased. The contribution of the high affinity reaction was small except at low concentrations of urea.     

Exploring the enzymatic landscape: distribution and kinetics of hydrolytic enzymes in soil particle-size fractions

The location of extracellular enzymes within the soil architecture and their association with the various soil components affects their catalytic potential. A soil fractionation study was carried out to investigate: (a) the distribution of a range of hydrolytic enzymes involved in C, N and P transformations, (b) the effect of the location on their respective kinetics, (c) the effect of long-term N fertilizer management on enzyme distribution and kinetic parameters. Soil (silty clay loam) from grassland which had received 0 or 200 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ was fractionated, and four particle-size fractions (>200, 200-63, 63-2 and 0.1-2 μm) were obtained by a combination of wet-sieving and centrifugation, after low-energy ultrasonication. All fractions were assayed for four carbohydrases (β-cellobiohydrolase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase), acid phosphatase and leucine-aminopeptidase using a microplate fluorimetric assay based on MUB-substrates. Enzyme kinetics (V_max and K_m) were estimated in three particle-size fractions and the unfractionated soil. The results showed that not all particle-size fractions were equally enzymatically active and that the distribution of enzymes between fractions depended on the enzyme. Carbohydrases predominated in the coarser fractions while phosphatase and leucine-aminopeptidase were predominant in the clay-size fraction. The Michaelis constant (K_m) varied among fractions, indicating that the association of the same enzyme with different particle-size fractions affected its substrate affinity. The same values of K_m were found in the same fractions from the soil under two contrasting fertilizer management regimes, indicating that the Michaelis constant was unaffected by soil changes caused by N fertilizer management.     

Determination of chemical transport properties for different textures of undisturbed soils

Agrichemicals usually contaminate groundwater via preferential flow, therefore determination of the preferential flow characteristics of soil is needed. One model that predicts solute transport due to preferential flow is the mobile–immobile (MIM) solute-transport model, which partitions total water content (θ; m³ m^?3) into mobile (θ_m) and immobile fractions (θ_im). In undisturbed soils, a method is proposed for determining the MIM model parameters, i.e. immobile water fraction (θ_im), mass transfer coefficient (α) and hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient (D _h). Breakthrough curves were obtained for five different soil textures in three replicates, by miscible displacement of Cl^? in undisturbed soil columns. Cl^? breakthrough curves were evaluated in terms of the MIM model. Analysis suggests that the values of D _h and α increased with lighter soil textures and θ_im increased with heavier soil textures. The values of θ_im ranged from 5.31 to 14.28% in different soil textures. Furthermore, values of θ_im were found to be related to soil clay content. Values of α ranged from 0.0257 to 0.32 h^?1 and values of D _h ranged from 0.36 to 11.2 cm² h^?1 in different soil textures. A significant linear correlation was obtained between α, θ_im, D _h and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (K _s) and pore water velocity (v). A multivariate pedotransfer function was developed to estimate α, θ_im and D _h based on the geometric mean (d _g) and the standard deviation (σ_g) of the diameter of soil particles and soil organic matter content. The pedotransfer functions for D _h, θ_im and α were validated by independent data sets from other investigators.     

Sulfate adsorption by variable charge soils: Effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids

Sulfate (SO₄ ^2–) movement and transport in soils has received considerable attention in recent years. In most soils, SO₄ ^2– coexists with a variety of natural organic compounds, especially organic acids. Studies were conducted to assess the effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids (eight aliphatic and five aromatic acids) on SO₄ ^2– adsorption by variable charge soils from Chile and Costa Rica. The effects of type of organic acid, pH, type of soil, and organic acid concentration were investigated. In one experiment, a 1.0 g soil sample was equilibrated with 25 ml 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, or 6.0 mM K₂SO₄ in 1 mM NaCl in the presence or absence of 5 mM citric acid. In the second set of experiments, the adsorption of 2 mM SO₄ ^2– in soils at pH 4 or pH 5 in the presence or absence of one of 13 organic acids at a concentration of 2 mM or 5 mM was studied. Results showed that citric acid significantly decreased SO₄ ^2– adsorption by the two soils. Sulfate adsorption decreased with increasing pH of the equilibrium solution. Aliphatic acids, with the exception of cis-aconitic acid, decreased the amount of SO₄ ^2– adsorbed by the two soils, with oxalic, tartaric, and citric acid showing the greatest effect. The differences in pH values of the equilibrium solutions in the presence and absence of organic acids were significantly, but negatively, correlated with the amount of SO₄ ^2– adsorbed, suggesting chemisorption of SO₄ ^2– and the release of hydroxide ions. The ionization fraction values of the organic acids at the equilibrium pH were correlated with the amounts of SO₄ ^2– adsorbed, suggesting that the protonation of surface hydroxyl groups of the mineral phase increased as the strength of the ionization of the acid increased, thus creating more positively charged surfaces. Received: 12 February 1997     

A comparison of methods for estimating phosphorus uptake kinetics under steady‐state conditions 1

Michaelis‐Menten kinetic parameters (I_max and K_M) are useful for describing nutrient uptake by plants. This paper compares two methods for estimating the kinetics of P uptake. Both methods employed a steady‐state hydroponic system to measure P uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. In one method, uptake was measured from two P concentrations in nutrient solution, with I_max and K_M estimated by direct linear plot (DLP). In an alternate, multiple concentration (MC) method, uptake was measured from five P concentrations, and kinetic parameters were estimated by either nonlinear regression or the Hanes plot. The I_max and K_M, estimates obtained by the DLP method were compared to those obtained by the MC method. The MC method offered practical advantages. Unlike the DLP, it allowed estimation of the external P concentration at which net influx = 0 (C_min), and did not require a priori estimates of K_M and C_min. The MC method provided more precise median parameter estimates as indicated by smaller nonparametric confidence intervals. Using the median C_min value of 1.9 μM, the best estimates of I_max and K_M (and 96% confidence intervals) derived by nonlinear regression were 2.2 (1.6 to 2.8) nmol P g^‐1s^‐1, and 11 (10.6 to 12.9) μM, respectively.     

Study of K+ uptake kinetics of flue-cured tobacco in K+-enriched and conventional tobacco genotypes

Screening of potassium efficient genotypes will be one of the best ways to solve the low potassium content of flue-cured tobacco. The study was conducted to determine whether the potassium efficient genotypes could be screening with high K⁺ uptake efficiency. The K⁺ uptake characteristics of a high K⁺ content line (GK8) and the conventional cultivated variety (K326) of flue-cured tobacco were compared at the seedling stage. K_m, C_min, and I_max values were higher in young seedlings (4?～?5 versus 6?～?7 leaf stage) and cultures with high initial K⁺ concentration (0.35 versus 0.25?mmol?L^?1). Culture solutions with a high K⁺ concentration (2.0 versus 0.6?mmol?L^?1) showed a high K_m, and C_min, but the I_max was lower as compared with the young seedlings and the solution with high initial K⁺ concentration. In conclusion, the GK8?line had a stronger ability for limited K⁺ uptake than K.     

Isolation,distribution, and characterization of peach seedling nitrate reductase 1

Nitrate reductase (NR) was extracted from leaf, root, and stem tissue of ‘Lovell’ peach seedlings [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] grown for 8 weeks in nutrient solution containing 15 mM nitrate. Enzyme activity of NR in leaf, stem, and root tissue was 10.20: 0.07: 0.04 nM N0₂/min/g tissue extracted, respectively. When seedlings wee transferred to nutrient solution containing 15 mM NH₄, NR activity was not detected after 72 hours. The enzyme was specific for NADH and had a pH optimum of 7.5. The K_m for NO₃ was 1.3 x 10–3 M and the rate of reaction remained linear for 45 min. Enzyme activity of leaf tissue was dependent on NO₃ concentration in the nutrient solution. At NO₃ concentrations of 15, 7.5, 1.5, and 0.15 mM, the NR activity was 22.8, 16.2, 13.8, and 2.2 nM NO₂/mg protein/hr.     

Purification and Characterization of a Hexose Oxidase with Excellent Strengthening Effects in Bread

Hexose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.5) (HOX) was purified 51-fold from the red algae Chondrus crispus, by several chromatography methods, including hydrophobic interaction, chelating Sepharose, anion exchange, gel filtration, and chromatofocusing. Purified HOX was subjected to native PAGE and activity staining with nitroblue tetrazolium. For HOX electroeluted out of the gel and digested with endoproteinase Lys-C, the internal peptide sequence determined was: D-P-G-Y-I-V-I-D-V-N-A-G-T-(V or P)-D-K-P-D-P-X. The molecular mass, determined by gel filtration, was 126 kDa, versus 65 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE. The pI was determined to 4.64 and 4.79 as a double band on an isoelectrofocusing gel. K_m was determined to 2.7 mM for D-glucose, 3.6 mM for D-galactose, 20.2 mM for cellobiose, 43.7 mM for maltose, 90.3 mM for lactose, 102 mM for xylose, and 531 mM for arabinose. The oxidation of thiol groups in gluten was determined by using Ellman's reagent: 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). The effect of HOX was compared to that of glucose oxidase. Both enzymes caused a dose-responsive reduction in the free thiol groups. Extensigraph measurements and baking tests confirmed that HOX caused increased dough strength and increased bread volume more efficiently than glucose oxidase used in the same dosage.     

Equilibria of weak acids and organic Al complexes explain activity of H+ and Al3+ in a salt extract of exchangeable cations

Two sequential extractions with unbuffered 0.1 m BaCl₂ were done to study the release of salt-exchangeable H⁺ and Al from mineral horizons of five Podzols and a Cambisol. Released Al was found to have a charge close to 3+ in all horizons and in both extractions. This finding was supported by the near-equality of the titrated exchangeable acidity (EA_T) and the sum of exchangeable acids (EA = H_e + 3Al_e, calculated from the pH and Al concentration of the extract). The ratio between EA of the second and the first extraction was over 0.50 in the Bs2 and C horizons and smaller in the other horizons. H⁺ was assumed to be in equilibrium with weak acid groups, and the modified Henderson–Hasselbach equation, pK_HH = pH ? n log (α/(1 ? α)), was used to explain pH of the extract. The degree of dissociation (α) was calculated as the ratio between effective and potential cation exchange capacity. Value of the empirical constant n was found to be near unity in most horizons. When the monoprotic acid dissociation was assumed in all horizons, pK_HH had the same value in both extractions. For Al³⁺, two equilibrium models were evaluated, describing (i) complexation reactions of Al³⁺ with soil organic matter, and (ii) equilibrium with Al(OH)₃. Apparent equilibrium constants were written as (i) pK_o = xpH ? pAl³⁺, and (ii) log Q_gibbs= log Al³⁺ ? 3log H^+. The two extractions gave an average reaction stoichiometry x close to 2 in all horizons. Results suggest that an equilibrium with organic Al complexes can be used to express dissolved Al³⁺, aluminium being apparently bound to bidentate sites. The value of log Q_gibbs was below the solubility of gibbsite (log K_gibbs = 8.04) in many horizons. In addition, log Q_gibbs of the second extraction was greater than that of the first extraction in all horizons except the C horizon. This indicates that equilibrium with Al(OH)₃ cannot explain dissolved Al³⁺ in the soils. We propose that the models of pK_HH and pK_o can be used to simulate exchangeable H⁺ and Al³⁺ in soil acidification models.     

A method for the determination of β-glucosidase activity in soil

A method is described for the rapid and simple assay of soil β-glucosidase activity. It involves colorimetric estimation of ρ-nitrophenol released by β-glucosidase activity when soil is incubated in McIlvaine buffer (pH 4.8) with ρnitrophenyl βd-glucoside and toluene at 30°C for 1 hr. The method has been applied to three different soils. The range of β-glucosidase activity in cultivated soils was from 10.1 to 15.2 mµ mole per min per gram of dried soil. K_m value for ρ-nitrophenyl β-d-glucoside was 3.3 × 10^-4 M. Optimum pH was 4.8.     

Determination of unsaturated soil hydraulic properties at different applied tensions and water qualities

Irrigation with low-quality water may change soil hydraulic properties due to excessive electrical conductivity (EC_w) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_w). Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of water quality (EC_w of 0.5–20 dS m^?1 and SAR_w of 0.5–40 mol^0.5 l^?0.5) on the hydraulic properties of a sandy clay loam soil (containing ～421 g gravel kg^?1 soil) at applied tensions of 0–0.2 m. The mean unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [K(ψ)], sorptive number (α) and sorptivity coefficient (S) varied with change in EC_w and SAR_w as quadratic or power equations, whereas macroscopic capillary length, λ, varied as quadratic or logarithmic equations. The maximum value of K(ψ) was obtained with a EC_w/SAR_w of 10 dS m^?1/20 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 at tensions of 0.2 and 0.15 m, and with 10 dS m^?1/10 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 at other tensions. Changes in K(ψ) due to the application of EC_w and SAR_w decreased as applied tension increased. Analysis indicated that 13.7 and 86.3% of water flow corresponded to soil pore diameters <1.5 and >1.5 μm, respectively, confirming that macropores are dominant in the studied soil. The findings indicated that use of saline waters with an EC of <10 dS m^?1 can improve soil hydraulic properties in such soils. Irrigation waters with SAR_w < 20 mol^0.5 l^?0.5 may not adversely affect hydraulic attributes at early time; although higher SAR_w may negatively affect them.     

Fate and plant uptake of persistent organic pollutants in soil

Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs), notably hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), chlorinated cyclodienes, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), remain in Japanese farming soils, more than 40 years after their use as insecticides was prohibited. In recent years, residues of chlorinated cyclodienes in cucurbit fruits have become a problem. But, though HCHs and DDTs have been staying in the soil, residues of these chemicals in crops have not been a problem. So we compared the fates of HCHs (α-, β-, γ-HCHs), chlorinated cyclodienes (dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor exo-epoxide), and DDTs (DDE, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDD, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane) in soil and investigated their uptake by several non-cucurbits and cucurbits. As for the fate of POPs in soil, not only the total concentrations but also the concentrations in soil solution as bioavailable POPs were determined. The half-lives of total β-HCH and DDTs in soil were the longest, and α- and γ-HCHs the shortest. On the other hand, the half-lives of bioavailable POPs ranged from 1/3 to 1/20 of those of total POPs. The ratio of the half-lives of bioavailable POPs to those of total POPs decreased in the order of HCHs > chlorinated cyclodienes > DDTs. Because hydrophobic chemicals were adsorbed strongly to the soil, the bioavailable POPs in soil are controlled by their hydrophobicity, indicated by the values of log K _OW (K _OW: n-octanol-water partition coefficient). The shoot concentrations of chlorinated cyclodienes and DDTs were higher in cucurbits than in non-cucurbits. However, among POP insecticides, HCHs did not show clear differences. As for the root concentrations, all tested POPs were higher in cucurbits than in non-cucurbits. Through the determination of POPs in soil solution, we could compare the abilities of plants to take up the chemicals using soil solution bioconcentration factors (BCF_SS). The values of BCF_SS increased with the magnitude of log K _OW, in the order of HCHs < chlorinated cyclodienes < DDTs. In addition, BCF_SS did not show marked differences among isomers or chemicals with similar structure. Therefore, plant uptake ability was influenced mainly by log K _OW. After being applied to agricultural land, α- and γ-HCHs seemed to disappear quickly, β-HCH persisted longer but the uptake in roots was low because of the low log K _OW, and DDTs also persisted longer but the bioavailability decreased rapidly in the soil because of their high log K _OW. Chlorinated cyclodienes have remained in the soil and have remained available, because they are less likely than HCHs (except β-HCH) to disappear and less likely than DDTs to become adsorbed to the soil. In addition, their higher log K _OW than that of HCHs makes them more easily taken up by roots. However, shoot concentrations were high only in cucurbits, for which they remain a problem in Japan.     

K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

Comparison of Iron Oxide–Impregnated Paper Strips with Other Extractants in Determining Available Soil Phosphorus

Abstract

Iron oxide–coated strips (P_i) can serve as a sink to continuously remove phosphorus (P) from solution. In this way, P extraction is analogous to the P absorption by plant roots. The objective of this study was to compare the iron oxide–coated paper strips with other chemical extraction methods to estimate the plant P availability for corn (Zea mays) growing in the greenhouse in some soils of Hamadan province of Iran. Sixteen soil samples with different physicochemical properties were analyzed for available P using Olsen, Colwell, Mehlich‐1, 0.01 M CaCl₂, AB‐DTPA, and 0.1 M HCl methods and p_i. Furthermore, the effects of two P levels (0 and 200 mg P kg^?1) on the plant indices (P uptake, relative yield, and plant responses) were studied in a greenhouse experiment using 10 soil samples. The results showed that the amount of extractable P decreased in the order of 0.01 M CaCl₂<AB‐DTPA<p_i<Olsen<Colwell<Mehlich‐1<0.1 M HCl. The amount of P extracted by the p_i method was significantly correlated with other extractants. The amounts of P extracted by all chemical methods were significantly correlated. The results of a pot experiment showed that the amount of P extracted by the p_i method was significantly correlated with the plant P uptake. However, the other methods were not significantly correlated with P uptake. The results of this experiment showed that p_i method was able to predict the plant availability of soil P.     

陕西省耕地土壤可蚀性因子

[目的]土壤可蚀性因子是计算土壤侵蚀的一个重要因子,对陕西省耕地土壤可蚀性因子展开研究,可为陕西地区的耕地土壤侵蚀计算及评价提供科学依据。[方法]以陕西省9个地区的耕地土壤实测数据为基础,利用通用土壤流失方程USLE(universal soil loss equation)、修订土壤流失方程RUSLE2(revised universal soil loss equation version 2)、侵蚀生产力影响模型EPIC(erosion productivity impact calculator)中可蚀性因子K值的计算公式以及几何平均粒径公式和几何平均粒径—有机质Dg-OM公式,计算不同耕地土壤质地条件下的土壤可蚀性因子。[结果]RUSLE2的极细砂粒转换公式在陕西黄土丘陵沟壑区平均低约14.53%,在陕南地区平均高约32.91%,使用修正公式后平均误差分别为7.81%和13.14%;对比分析K值的估算值与实测值,子洲县实测K值为0.002 69〔(t·hm2·h)/(hm2·MJ·mm)〕,Dg-OM模拟计算均值为0.0297〔(t·hm2·h)/(hm2·MJ·mm)〕;水蚀预报模型WEPP(water erosion prediction project)中的细沟间可蚀性(Ki)和细沟可蚀性(Kr),与USLE的K值相关系数分别为0.738 6和0.607 4。[结论]极细砂粒转换修正公式的计算误差小于RUSLE2模型;Dg-OM模型适合陕西黄土丘陵沟壑区及长武县、杨凌区和安康市典型耕地土壤;WEPP中Ki和Kr,当土壤砂粒含量小于30%,USLE的K值与WEPP的Ki和Kr值有强相关性。