Effects of root-zone temperature and N,P, and K supplies on nutrient uptake of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings in hydroponics

The nutrient uptake and allocation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings at different root-zone temperatures (RZT) and different concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrients were examined. Plants were grown in a nutrient solution for 30?d at two root-zone temperatures (a diurnally ?uctuating ambient 10°C-RZT and a constant 20°C-RZT) with the aerial parts of the plants maintained at ambient temperature (10°C–30°C). Based on a Hoagland nutrient solution, seven N, P, and K nutrient concentrations were supplied to the plants at each RZT. Results showed that total plant and shoot dry weights under each nutrient treatment were significantly lower at low root-zone temperature (10°C-RZT) than at elevated root-zone temperature (20°C-RZT). But higher root dry weights were obtained at 10°C-RZT than those at 20°C-RZT. Total plant dry weights at both 10°C-RZT and 20°C-RZT were increased with increased solution N concentration, but showed different responses under P and K treatments. All estimated nutrient concentrations (N, P, and K) and uptake by the plant were obviously influenced by RZT. Low root temperature (10°C-RZT) caused a remarkable reduction in total N, P, and K uptake of shoots in all nutrient treatments, and more nutrients were accumulated in roots at 10°C-RZT than those at 20°C-RZT. N, P, and K uptakes and distribution ratios in shoots were both improved at elevated root-zone temperature (20°C-RZT). N supplies were favorable to P and K uptake at both 10°C-RZT and 20°C-RZT, with no significantly positive correlation between N and P, or N and K uptake. In conclusion, higher RZT was more beneficial to increase of plant biomass and mineral nutrient absorption than was increase of nutrient concentration. Among the three element nutrients, increasing N nutrient concentration in solution promoted better tolerance to low RZT in cucumber seedlings than increasing P and K. In addition, appropriately decreased P concentration favors plant growth.     

Broiler Litter as a Sole Nutrient Source for Cotton: Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Calcium, and Magnesium Concentrations in Plant Parts

Abstract

The ability of poultry litter to support plant growth by supplying essential plant nutrients in the absence of other sources of the nutrients has not been studied thoroughly. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the ability of poultry litter, as the sole nutrient source, to provide macronutrients and support growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (2) evaluate the distribution of these nutrients within the different plant parts, and (3) estimate the efficiency with which these nutrients are extracted by cotton. The research was conducted in plastic containers filled with a 2:1 (v/v) sand:vermiculite growing mix under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included broiler litter rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 g pot^?1 with or without supplemental Hoagland's nutrient solution. Broiler litter supplied adequate amounts of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and supported normal growth of cotton. Tissue nutrient analysis showed that the concentration of N, P, K, and Mg in the upper mainstem leaves was within published sufficiency ranges for cotton growth. Evaluation of the N distribution indicated that the cotton plant partitions N to reproductive parts when faced with deficiency of this nutrient and favors allocating N to new leaf growth once the requirement for reproductive growth is met. The partitioning of P was similar to that of N but less distinct. Cotton extracted Mg and K with greater efficiency (up to 58%) than the other nutrients and stored these nutrients in older leaves. The extraction efficiency of N ranged between 21% at 120 g pot^?1 litter and 27% at 30 g pot^?1 litter. Phosphorus was the most poorly extracted nutrient, with only 16% of the total applied P extracted when 30 g pot^?1 litter was applied and only 6% extracted at the higher litter rates. This suggests that the same problem of P buildup that has been reported in soils under pasture may also occur when poultry litter is repeatedly applied to the same soil planted to cotton. These results show that broiler litter not only supplied enough N but also supplied the four other macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg) in amounts sufficient to support normal cotton growth. This research implies that poultry litter can effectively substitute for several fertilizers to meet crop macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) needs in soils deficient in any or all of these nutrients.     

Sodium hydrosulfide modifies the nutrient ratios of soybean (Glycine max) under iron deficiency

Iron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous soils is a major limiting factor which influences production and yield of field crops. The present study investigated the effect of NaHS, a donor of H₂S, which is emerging as a potential signaling molecule, on the nutrient ratios of soybean (Glycine max L.) under Fe deficiency. Soybean seedlings with and without NaHS were subjected to Fe deficiency and Fe sufficiency for 18 d. Subsequently, we determined the biomass of seedlings, chlorophyll concentration, Fe concentration, as well as the ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The growth of soybean seedlings was inhibited by Fe deficiency. However, under Fe deficiency the application of NaHS increased the biomass as well as the Fe, N, P, and K concentrations compared to the controls. Furthermore, our results also show that the application of NaHS affected the ratios of C : N, C : P, C : K, N : P, N : K, and P : K in soybean seedlings under Fe deficiency and sufficiency. H₂S played an important role in promoting the growth of soybean seedlings by enhancing the accumulation of nutrients under Fe deficiency.     

White-light emitting diodes’ spectrum effect on photosynthesis and nutrient use efficiency in Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings

Abstract

Fast urbanization and population increase resulted in the demand for ornamental seedling supply in a high efficiency under the culture of continuous artificial lighting. Light emitting diode (LED) can be considered as the replacement of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps by providing lights with specific wavelengths for plant growth at low energy cost. In this study, nutrient use efficiency was detected in Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings under lighting spectra generated by white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (red (R)/green (G)/blue (B)=8.4:75:16.6) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps (R/G/B/=4.3:69.3:26.5). Compared to seedlings under the HPS spectrum, those under white LED spectrum had better growth, greater biomass accumulation, higher photosynthesis and gas exchange. In contrast, LED-spectrum treated seedlings had greater nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents than HPS-spectrum treated ones. The LED spectrum promoted nutrient use index for both N and P in seedlings compared to the HPS spectrum. The LED spectrum induced steady-state uptake of P but resulted in the dilution of N. In conclusion, white LED can be considered to replace the usage of HPS lamps for the culture of tree seedlings due to the spectrum effect on N utilization, P uptake and the use efficiencies of N and P.     

AM真菌对田间山银花生长、矿质营养及绿原酸含量的影响

Lonicera confusa, a traditional Chinese medicine herb for treating cold, flu, acute fever, and so forth, is often grown artificially in acidic soils and suffers from phosphorus (P) deficiency. A five-year field experiment was carried out to study the colonization rate, growth, nutrition, and chlorogenic acid content of Lonicera confusa seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus etunicatum and Glomus intraradices. Before transplanting into a field, both AM-inoculated and uninoculated control plants were cultured in nursery beds. In the plants inoculated with the AM fungi, the colonization rate decreased linearly with time and a greater decrease was observed in the plants inoculated with G. intraradices than with G. etunicatum, while the AM colonization increased from 0% to 12.1% in the uninoculated control plants 5 years after transplanting. Plant height, crown diameter, number of new branches, and flower yield increased significantly by AM inoculation as compared to the uninoculated control. Phosphorus concentrations in leaves and flowers increased, and plant uptake of nutrients, e.g., nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K), was also enhanced significantly by AM inoculation. The Lonicera confusa seedlings had a better response to inoculation of G. intraradices than G. etunicatum in both growth and chlorogenic acid content in flowers. In contrast, both plant P uptake and P concentrations in leaves and flowers were similar between two fungal inoculations. The positive responses of Lonicera confusa to AM inoculation in growth, nutrient uptake, flowering, and chlorogenic acid content in flowers suggested that AM inoculation in nursery beds could promote the plant growth and increase chlorogenic acid content in flowers of Lonicera confusa when grown on acidic and P-deficient soils.     

钾、镁交互作用对橡胶幼苗生长及养分吸收的影响

  【目的】  我国植胶区砖红壤钾、镁缺乏现象日益突出,研究钾、镁缺乏对橡胶幼苗根系形态和养分吸收的影响,可为橡胶平衡施肥和优质高产栽培提供理论依据。  【方法】  选用‘热研7-33-97’橡胶 (Hevea brasiliensis) 幼苗为研究材料,在人工气候箱内用营养液培养。采用二因素二水平的析因试验设计,设置4个处理:对照 (CK)、缺钾 (–K)、缺镁 (–Mg) 和缺钾镁 (–K-Mg),培养3个月后,取样测定橡胶幼苗干物质量、根系构型参数、根系活力和养分含量等指标。  【结果】  1) 与CK相比,–K和–K-Mg处理显著降低了单株干物质量和根冠比,干物质量降幅分别为8.4%和27.5%,根冠比降幅分别为20.4%和26.9%,而–Mg处理对干物质量和根冠比均无显著影响;K、Mg交互作用对茎干、根和单株干物质量及根冠比均有显著影响 (P < 0.05)。2) 与CK相比,各缺素处理均显著降低了橡胶幼苗吸收根 (直径 < 2 mm) 的根长、根表面积、根体积、总根尖数及根系活力等根系构型参数,而不同程度增加了平均根粗。方差分析结果表明,K、Mg交互作用对吸收根的根长、根表面积、根体积及总根尖数有极显著影响 (P < 0.01)。3) 各处理下氮和镁、磷和钾以及钙分别在叶片、根系以及茎皮中的平均分配比例高于其他器官。各缺素处理下,地上部的养分占比呈增加趋势。4) 与CK相比,–K处理显著增加了橡胶幼苗单株氮、磷和镁的积累,–K-Mg处理则显著降低了单株氮积累,各缺素处理均显著增加了单株钙的积累;K、Mg交互作用对氮、磷、钙和镁的积累有显著或极显著影响。  【结论】  钾、镁营养显著影响橡胶幼苗对养分的吸收,缺钾、缺镁显著抑制橡胶幼苗特别是根系的生长发育,同时缺钾缺镁加重抑制效果。因此,橡胶生产上不仅要保证培养基质或土壤的矿质营养充足,还要重视钾、镁元素间平衡关系。     

Biochar derived from dairy cattle carcasses as an alternative source of phosphorus and amendment for soil acidity

Two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate biochar derived from dead dairy cattle as a mineral fertilizer, especially phosphorus (P) fertilizer, and to clarify the effect of particle size of biochar on plant growth (Zea mays L.) and P uptake. To produce the biochar, body parts of dead cattle were placed in a charring chamber and allowed to char at 450°C for 4 h. The biochar was of high pH and rich in major plant nutrients, especially P. Application of fine biochar (< 1 mm) increased P uptake by the corn plants grown in soil of low available P status. As a result, plant growth was improved following biochar application and dry matter production was also increased. The effect of the biochar application on the P uptake and plant growth was promoted by the application of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Soil analysis after harvest indicated that the biochar application increased soil pH, available P and exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) compared with the soil before seeding, while soil available N and exchangeable potassium (K) were considerably decreased. The decrease in the soil available N was incomprehensible, because the result of the mass balance given by the difference between input as the applied N from the biochar and fertilizer N and output as the N uptake by the plants was positive. We observed a similar result in the mass balance of K to the case of N. The medium (2–4 mm) and coarse (> 4 mm) grade biochar did not significantly affect plant growth, because P uptake was not, or was only slightly, increased by the application of these biochars. Dissolution of P from the coarser biochars was probably slower than that of the fine biochar. The lower dissolution of P from the medium and coarse biochars was supported by the lower P absorption efficiency of these biochars compared with that of the fine biochar and superphosphate. The effect of fine biochar on plant growth and P uptake was similar to that of superphosphate. We can therefore conclude that fine biochar derived from cattle carcasses is an effective source of P fertilizer and amendment for soil acidity. The N and K contents in the biochar, although relatively high, cannot be relied upon as a mineral fertilizer. Further studies are needed to assess whether the N and K contents of the biochar indicate it can be regarded as a useful fertilizer.     

控释氮肥不同用量对移栽玉米幼苗生长及养分吸收的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了控释氮肥不同用量对移栽玉米幼苗生长及养分吸收的影响。结果表明,玉米育苗期内适宜的控释氮素用量可形成健壮幼苗; 其最大安全控释氮素用量为N 200400 mg/plant,该用量下,移栽时单株可携带N 137290 mg。随控释氮肥用量的增加,植株地上部氮素浓度及氮素累积量增加; 磷素的浓度及累积量与控释氮肥的用量没有显著相关性; 控释氮肥的供应抑制了植株对钾的吸收。     

外源氯处理对向日葵幼苗生长、养分吸收及植株硝态氮含量的影响

通过水培试验,研究了不同水平外源氯处理对向日葵(Helianthus.annuus)幼苗生长、干物质积累、Cl-、NO3-、全N、全P、全K含量的影响。结果表明,不同浓度外源氯(Cl-6.253～00.mmol/L)处理8.d,油葵幼苗的茎生长速率均显著下降,外源Cl-浓度越大,生长下降越显著。Cl-6.252～5.mmol/L处理8.d,油葵幼苗干物质积累速率极显著高于对照,Cl-25、50.mmol/L处理,油葵幼苗的干物质积累速率与对照差异不显著;而Cl-2003～00.mmol/L处理的幼苗干物质积累极显著下降。Cl-处理下,植株体内氯含量极显著上升,而叶片中硝酸盐含量显著下降,其中以Cl-50.mmol/L处理的叶片硝酸盐含量最低。Cl-6.251～00.mmol/L处理,油葵幼苗茎、叶全N、全P含量与对照差异不显著;Cl-200.mmol/L处理下,叶、茎全N含量显著下降,而根系全N、全P含量随Cl-处理的增加而增加。随着Cl-浓度处理的提高,油葵幼苗根、茎、叶的全K含量增加,其中以根、茎增加较快。因此,一定范围的外源氯处理,不影响向日葵生物量甚至促进生物量积累的同时,也可明显的提高向日葵幼苗的氮素利用效率。     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhiza and phosphate rock on uptake of major nutrients by Acacia mangium seedlings on degraded soil

To investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and phosphorus (P) source on the uptake of major nutrients by Acacia mangium seedlings, three P sources were used: (1) Gafsa phosphate rock (GPR), (2) China phosphate rock (CPR), and (3) triple superphosphate (TSP). The plant samples were analyzed at 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, and 135 days after planting (DAP) for their N, P, K, Ca, and Mg contents. The uptake of these nutrients was significantly influenced by AM inoculation. Nutrient use efficiency in the AM-inoculated seedlings was also significantly higher than that in uninoculated seedlings. The effect of P sources on the uptake of these nutrients decreased in the order of TSP>GPR>CPR>control. There was a significant (P<0.05) interaction effect of AM and P source on P and K uptake by A. mangium. The uptake of P and K by mycorrhizal seedlings supplemented with TSP was significantly higher than that provided with other sources of P treatments. As a natural and cheaper P source, GPR might be used in combination with AM for growing A. mangium seedlings on degraded tin tailings.     

Nutrient uptake and utilization in Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.) seedlings exposed to a combination of light-emitting diode spectra and exponential fertilization

ABSTRACT

Exponential fertilization (EF) can cause seedlings to load more nutrients than they need to grow to establish reserves. Lighting spectrum adjustment may strengthen the growth and nutrient utilization of seedlings, which may modify seedling response to EF. In this study, containerized Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.) seedlings were cultured in commercial substrates (275.59 mg nitrogen [N] and 60.05 mg phosphorus [P] per plant) and received EF at 0 (control), low (88 mg N and 36 mg P per plant), and high (130 mg N and 54 mg P per plant) doses under continuous lighting for 18 h daily. Two light-emitting diode (LED) spectra with different red (R), green (G), and blue (B) ratios were used as R-tinted (R7BG1) and G + B-tinted (R3BG10) colours. Under the R7BG1 spectrum, seedlings receiving low-dose EF had the best growth in height of 29 cm (P = 0.0100) and root-collar diameter (RCD) of 4.7 mm (P < 0.0001) and the highest N (170 mg plant^?1; P < 0.0001) and P contents (154 mg plant^?1; P < 0.0001). These seedlings also had the greatest biomass of leaves (P = 0.0005), stems (P = 0.0062), and roots (P = 0.0016) in the high-dose EF treatment. This combined effect resulted in the highest N uptake efficiency of nearly 40%. High-dose EF increased the chlorophyll-a and -b contents, while light spectra modified leaf protein content. Therefore, the LED spectra had an interactive effect with the EF dose on nutrient uptake and utilization in Prince Rupprecht’s larch seedlings with a recommended regime of EF at 88 mg N and 36 mg P per plant under the R7BG1 LED spectrum.     

Hoagland nutrient solution promotes the growth of cucumber seedlings under light-emitting diode light

Light-emitting diode (LED), as an efficient, energy-saving light source, has been widely used in artificial light plant production systems. It is confirmed that the combination of red and blue LED lights shows good performance on plant growth and development. Based on the hydroponic culture system in plant production factory, selection of a suitable nutrient solution for specific crop would be very important. In this study, four different widely used nutrient solutions (Hoagland, Garden-style, Yamasaki, and SCAU) were tested in perlite culture cucumber seedlings during 40-day growth under 2:1 ratio of LED lights with 12 h photoperiod at 100 ± 5 μmol m^?2s^?1 irradiance. The plant growth, morphology, pigments, biomass, photosynthetic characteristics, and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content were measured. Cucumber seedlings treated with formula SCAU showed weak appearance, less biomass, and reduced photosynthetic activity compared with those supplied with Hoagland. However, the differences between formulae Garden-style and Yamasaki were not obvious, but both of them showed significantly higher plant height, leaf area, total leaf number, and shoot N content compared to SCAU. It is concluded that formula Hoagland shows better performance regarding cucumber seedling growth under LED light.     

Comparison between fertilizers and untreated sewage effluent as sources for nutrient recovery by wheat (Triticum aestivum)-soybean (Glycine max) cropping system

Recovery and recycling of plant nutrients from municipal sewage effluent (SE) can reduce consumption of costly chemical fertilizers, besides reducing eutrophication of water bodies. Field experiment was conducted on Vertisol of central India for six years with the objective of quantifying recovery of major plant nutrients by aboveground biomass of wheat-soybean cropping system from untreated SE. Wheat crop was grown with irrigation (groundwater and sewage effluent) and fertilizer treatments; while soybean was grown without any treatments. Recoveries of nitrogen (N), phosphorus P) and potassium (K) by the aboveground biomass were considerably more from SE than from fertilizers and manures. Recovery of nutrients from SE was the highest by wheat grain for N and by soybean straw for P and K. Straw biomass of both the crops recovered about 31% N, 22% P and 69% K from SE, which can be recycled back into agricultural land of groundwater (GW) irrigated as well as rainfed area.     

Effects of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium on SPAD-502 and atLEAF sensor readings of Salvia

There are various optical sensors in the market for precision nitrogen (N) management, which estimate leaf N status from chlorophyll content of leaves. However, readings may also be affected by the amounts of other nutrients in the plant leaves like potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), as well as sampling location within a plant or leaf. SPAD-502 and atLEAF optical sensors were used on Salvia ‘Vista Red’ plants grown with 0N-7.9P-0K, 41N-0P-0K, 0N-0P-31.6K, 0N-7.9P-0K + 41N-0P-0K, 0N-7.9P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K, 41N-0P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K, or 0N-7.9P-0K + 41N-0P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K fertilizer plus a control. Both sensors were correlated with leaf N and each other. However, both sensor readings were affected by the presence or absence of P and K in the leaves, and thus these nutrients should be analyzed and reported along with leaf N values. Sensor readings were found to vary within a leaf and within leaf canopy location, so sampling needs to be consistent.     

Balance and concentration of nitrogen and potassium affect growth and nutrient status in soilless cultivated lisianthus

Purpose: Nitrogen (N) / potassium (K) nutrient balance has been studied for some ornamental plants, however, available information is limited. Here we investigate the optimum N and K balance and concentration for lisianthus production in soilless medium.

Materials and methods: The effect of three N / K balances: 1.43, 2.14 and 4.29, prepared by varying the concentration of N and K, were evaluated in lisianthus grown in soilless medium (volcanic rock).

Results: Plants fertigated with a N / K balance of 2.14 exhibited enhanced height and stem dry weight when compared to plants fertigated with a balance of 4.29, and a higher flower buds count and total dry weight than those fertigated with a balance of 1.43 or 4.29. Plants fertigated with a balance of 2.14 exhibited increased dry weight when N was reduced from 15 to 9?meq?L^?1 and K from 7 to 4.2?meq?L^?1, suggesting that lisianthus does not require high levels of these nutrients. Although shoot N concentration was not correlated with N concentration in the nutrient solution or balance, increasing N in the shoot was associated with higher P and Mg in the plant tissues. In general, P, Ca, and Mg in plant tissues were unaffected by the external N / K balance, however, the internal P and Mg concentrations were positively correlated with shoot dry weight. Shoot K concentration significantly increased when the N / K balance decreased, which is related to the higher concentrations of external K when the balance decreased.

Conclusions: The optimum N / K balance for lisianthus was 2.14. However, there was a concentration effect, as fertigation with solutions containing a N / K balance of 2.14 and an N and K concentration of 9 and 4.2?meq?L^?1 respectively, resulted in plants with the greatest dry weight.     

二氧化碳施肥对番茄幼苗生长与养分吸收利用的影响

Exposing tomato seedlings to elevated CO2 concentrations may have potentially profound impacts on the tomato yield and quality. A growth chamber experiment was designed to estimate how different nutrient concentrations influenced the effect of elevated CO2 on the growth and nutrient uptake of tomato seedlings. Tomato (Hezuo 906) was grown in pots placed in controlled growth chambers and was subjected to ambient or elevated CO2 (360 or 720 μL L-1), and four nutrient solutions of different strengths (1/2-, 1/4-, 1/8-, and 1/16-strength Japan Yamazaki nutrient solutions) in a completely randomized design. The results indicated that some agricultural characteristics of the tomato seedlings such as the plant height, stem thickness, total dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems and roots, the G value (G value = total plant dry weight/seedling age),and the seedling vigor index (seedling vigor index = stem thickness/(plant height × total plant dry weight) increased with the elevated CO2, and the increases were strongly dependent on the nutrient solution concentrations, being greater with higher nutrient solution concentrations. The elevated CO2 did not alter the ratio of root to shoot. The total N, P, K, and C absorbed from all the solutions except P in the 1/8- and 1/16-strength nutrient solutions increased in the elevated CO2 treatment. These results demonstrate that the nutrient demands of the tomato seedlings increased at elevated CO2 concentrations.     

Effect of different levels of humic acid on the growth and nutrient uptake of teak seedlings

A greenhouse experiment to study the effect of humic acid (HA) on the growth and nutrient uptake of Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.), a tropical hardwood, was conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria. The plants were grown for four months in top soils (0–30 cm) collected from an Alfisol (high organic matter) and an Oxisol (low organic matter) in Southern Nigeria. Three levels of HA, viz:, 50, 500, and 1000 mg/kg were added to the two soils. The results indicated that HA was beneficial to the growth and nutrient uptake of teak seedlings. Plant monthly growth rates, and height and total dry matter yield increased significantly (p = 0.05) over the controls in the two soils at the three HA application levels. Effects of adding 500 mg/kg and more of HA to the Alfisol were less beneficial while plant parameters and nutrient uptake tended to increase with increasing amounts of HA in the Oxisol. A significant positive correlation was established between rate of HA application and plant height (r = 0.57), stem diameter (r = 0.77) and total dry matter yield (r = 0.67) in the Oxisol, whereas the HA application rate was significantly correlated only with height (r = 0.57) and root/shoot ratio (r = 0.56) in the Alfisol. The addition of HA to the two soils increased the uptake by seedlings of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, and Cu, while Mn was decreased.     

Selecting for nutrient use efficiency within forage grass species: I. Development of a screening system

One means of achieving increased forage grass production on infertile soils is to select plant genotypes which grow efficiently at low levels of available nutrients. This requires methods to identify variability in individual plant nutrient response from among large populations of plants grown under controlled environmental conditions.

A compact, containerized system, partially developed for growing large numbers of forage grass seedlings for use in automatic machine transplanter research, was adapted as the basis for such a screening technique. Three trials were made with 100‐plant samples of a kleingrass‐75 (Panicum coloratum L.) population to test the utility of the system. Results of these trials showed that differences in nutrient use efficiency (= reciprocal of nutrient concentration in the plant tissue, or milligrams dry matter produced per milligram nutrient absorbed) among the grass plants could be effectively identified by using the system in conjunction with laboratory analysis of the material grown. Plants could be maintained in vigorous condition during several harvest periods, and those selections that were retained could be easily transplanted for further propagation and evaluation.     

An investigation of the impact of Glomus clarum (mycorrhiza) on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum mill.) on both sterilized and non-sterilized soils

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of Glomus clarum (mycorrhiza) on the growth of tomato seedlings grown in both sterilized and non-sterilized soils. Highest growth parameter values were recorded in tomato plants inoculated with mycorrhiza but grown in sterilized soil, followed by those grown in non-sterilized soil but inoculated with mycorrhiza also. Sterilized but non-inoculated tomato plants also had growth and were closely followed by non-sterilized, non-inoculated tomato plants. There was no significant difference in all the treatments when girth of the tomato plants used was measured in this study. Nutrient uptake (N,P,K) was significantly found highest in the inoculated sterilized tomato plants while it was found lowest in the non-sterilized, non-inoculated tomato plants. Generally, mycorrhizal-inoculated tomato plants (whether sterilized or non-sterilized) showed better growth in all the treatments used.     

Improved Nutrient Uptake Enhances Cotton Growth and Salinity Tolerance in Saline Media

Two experiments were conducted to determine if improved nutrient uptake increases salinity tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A transgenic cotton line (CMO3) with increased salt tolerance and its wild line (SM3) were grown in pots containing substrate (peat:vermiculite = 1:1, v/v) in the first experiment, while cotton (‘SCRC 28’) was cultured in hydroponics with a split-root system in the second experiment. Contents of essential nutrient elements and Na⁺ in plant tissues, leaf photosynthesis (Pn) and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and plant biomass were determined after salinity [sodium chloride (NaCl)] treatment in both experiments. In the first experiment, salinity stress with 150 mM NaCl reduced plant biomass and photosynthesis (Pn) of both SM3 and CMO3 compared with their non-stressed controls, but the CMO3 suffered significantly lower reductions than SM3, suggesting an increased salinity tolerance of CMO3 relative to SM3. Total uptake and contents of main nutrient elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)] in CMO3 were higher than those in SM3. Also, less sodium (Na⁺) accumulation and lower extreme ratios of Na/N, Na/P, Na/K, Na/Ca, Na/Mg, Na/Fe, Na/Mn, Na/Cu, and Na/Zn were observed in CMO3 than in SM3. Increased salt tolerance in transgenic AhCMO cotton was probably attributed to its superior nutrient uptake compared with SM3. In the second experiment, the non-stressed root half fed with moderate level of nutrient solution and salt-stressed half fed with low level of nutrient solution (CMN/SLN) exhibited higher salinity tolerance than salt-stressed root half fed with moderate level of nutrient solution and non-stressed root half fed with low nutrient solution (CLN/SMN). Plants absorbed more nutrients but less Na⁺ under CMN/SLN than CLN/SMN. The overall results suggest that improved nutrient uptake played an important role in the enhanced salt tolerance of cotton.