Clay Addition to Sandy Soil——Influence of Clay Type and Size on Nutrient Availability in Sandy Soils Amended with Residues Differing in C/N ratio

Addition of clay-rich subsoil to sandy soil results in heterogeneous soil with clay peds(2-mm) or finely ground( 2 mm) clay soil(FG), which may affect the nutrient availability. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clay soil particle size(FG or peds)and properties on nutrient availability and organic C binding in sandy soil after addition of residues with low(young kikuyu grass,KG) or high(faba bean, FB) C/N ratio. Two clay soils with high and low smectite percentage, clay and exchangeable Fe and Al were added to a sandy soil at a rate of 20%(weight/weight) either as FG or peds. Over 45 d, available N and P as well as microbial biomass N and P concentrations and cumulative respiration were greater in soils with residues of KG than FB. For soils with KG residues,clay addition increased available N and initial microbial biomass C and N concentrations, but decreased cumulative respiration and P availability compared to sandy soil without clay. Differences in measured parameters between clay type and size were inconsistent and varied with time except the increase in total organic C in the 53 μm fraction during the experiment, which was greater for soils with FG than with peds. We concluded that the high exchangeable Fe and Al concentrations in the low-smectite clay soil can compensate a lower clay concentration and proportion of smectite with respect to binding of organic matter and nutrients.     

Composting Pulp and Paper Mill Sludge—Effect of Temperature and Nutrient Addition Method

Pulp and paper mill sludges (PMS) are a significant byproduct of the paper making industry world-wide, and composting with mineral nutrients in Tasmania is viewed as the most environmentally suitable method to convert this material into a horticultural product, thus eliminating the need for landfilling. The major control variables for composting PMS with a high C:N ratio are nutrient and temperature management. Addition of the nutrient requirement prior to composting can result in significant nutrient loss by leaching and may lead to ground water pollution. Alternatively, the nutrient requirement may be added incrementally during composting, thereby decreasing the risk of nutrient loss. Control of temperature is also important as this affects the metabolic activity of microorganisms and may determine the rate at which a cured compost can be produced. This study therefore examined the relationship between the method of nutrient addition and temperature on composting of PMS, using small-scale reactors designed to simulate conditions in a large-scale mechanically turned windrow. The rate of PMS decomposition as determined by the rate of CO₂ production and O₂, consumption was higher at 55°C than at 35°C. The time to produce a cured compost could be shortened by 30-50 days if composting was undertaken at the higher temperature. The method of nutrient addition had no effect on the respiratory activities of compost microbiota or rates of decomposition, but had a major influence on pH which determined the intensity and period of ammonia volatilization. If pH was controlled, then incremental nutrient addition could be advantageous from the perspective of nutrient conservation.     

Effect of Zinc × Boron Interaction on Plant Growth and Tissue Nutrient Concentration of Corn

ABSTRACT

A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse on a calcareous soil (fine, mixed, mesic, Fluventic Haploxerepts) to study the interaction of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on the growth and nutrient concentration of corn (Zea mays L.). Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of seven levels of B (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg kg^{? 1}as boric acid), two sources of Zn [zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O) and zinc oxide (ZnO)], and three levels of Zn (0, 5, and 10 mg kg^{? 1}) in a completely randomized design with three replications. Plants were grown for 70 d in 1.6 L plastic containers. Applied Zn significantly increased plant height and dry matter yield (DMY) of corn. Source of Zn did not significantly affect growth or nutrient concentration. High levels of B decreased plant height and DMY. There was a significant B × Zn interaction on plant growth and tissue nutrient concentration which were rate dependent. In general, the effect of B × Zn interaction was antagonistic on nutrient concentration and synergistic on growth. It is recommended that the plants be supplied with adequate Zn when corn is grown in high B soils, especially when availability of Zn is low.     

Depth and Width of the Wetted Zone in a Sandy Soil after Leaching Drip‐Irrigation Events and Implications for Nitrate‐Load Calculation

Abstract

The quantitative assessment of nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) leaching below the root zone of vegetable crops grown with plasticulture (called load) may be done using 150‐cm‐deep soil samples divided into five 30‐cm‐long subsamples. The load is then calculated by multiplying the NO₃‐N concentration in each subsample by the volume of soil (width×length×depth, W×L×D) wetted by the drip tape. Length (total L of mulched bed per unit surface) and D (length of the soil subsample) are well known, but W is not. To determine W at different depths, two dye tests were conducted on a 7‐m‐deep Lakeland fine sand using standard 71‐cm‐wide plasticulture beds. Dye tests consisted of irrigation lengths of up to 38 and 60 h, digging transverse sections of the raised beds at set times, and taking measurements of D and W in 30‐cm‐deep increments. Most dye patterns were elliptically elongated. Maximum average depths were similar (118 and 119 cm) for both tests despite differences in irrigation duration and physical proximity of both tests (100 m apart in the same field). Overall, D response (cm, both tests combined) to irrigation volume (V, L/100 m) was quadratic (D_comb.avg=?2×10^?7 V²+0.008 V+34), and W responses (using maximum and mean values at each 30‐cm increment depth, W_max and W_mean, respectively) to D (cm) were linear (W_max=?0.65D+114 and W_mean=?0.42D+79). Predicted W_max were 104, 84, 64, 44, and 25 cm in 30‐cm depth increments. Load calculations using NO₃‐N concentrations of 7.2, 5.0, 3.9, 3.0, and 2.9 µg/kg for the 15, 46, 77, 107, and 137 cm depths, respectively, were 21.2, 37.6, 28.2, and 39.1 kg/ha for W values of 40 cm, bed width (71 cm), W_mean, and W_max, respectively. These load calculations ranged from simple to double based on the choice of W estimate used, which illustrates the importance of knowing W accurately when load is calculated from field measurements. These W_max and W_mean values may be used for load calculations on sandy soils but are likely to overestimate load because they were determined without transpiring plants and may need to be adjusted for different soil types.     

Effects of Organic Anions on Phosphate Adsorption and Desorption from Variable—Charge Clay Minerals and Soil

Effects of citrate and tartrate on phosphate adsorption and desorption from kaolinite,goethite,amorphous Al-oxide and Ultisol were studied.P adsorption was significantly decreased as the concentration of the organic anions increased from 10^-5 to 10^-1 M.At 0.1 M and pH 7.0,tartrate decreased P adsorption by 27.6%-50.6% and citrate by 37.9-80.4%,depending on the kinds of adsorbent.Little Al and/or Fe were detected in the equilibrium solutions,even at the highest concentration of the organic anions.Effects of the organic anions on phosphate adsorption follow essentially the competitive adsorption mechanism.The selectivity coefficients for competitive adsorption can be used to compare the effectiveness of different organic anions in reducing P adsorption under given gonditions. Phosphate desorption was increased by 3 to 100 times in the presence of 0.001 M citrate or tartrate compared to that in 0.02 M KCl solution alone.However,for all the soil and clay minerals studied the amount of P desorbed by citrate or tartrate was generally lower than or close to that of isotopically exchangeable P.The effect of organic anions on phosphate desorption arises primarily from ligand exchange.     

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Rice Yield,Soil Nutrient Profile,and Cyanobacterial Nitrogenase Activity under Rice–Wheat Cropping System

We assessed the cyanobacterial inoculation, green manure (GM) application, and chemical nitrogen (N) fertilization on grain/straw yield, nutrient balance, and nitrogenase activity under individual and integrated nutrient management mode in a rice–wheat cropping sequence. Individual and integrated application of cyanobacterial biofertilizer (CB) and GM with chemical fertilizer improved the soil health and production of rice crop. Integration of cyanobacterial and green manure resulted in a savings of 50 kg N ha^?1. Functional relationships (R2, –83.5 to 95.7%) between the different sources of nutrients revealed that the maximum positive contribution of cyanobacteria was on final available N (45.2%) and available phosphorus (P, 18.5%). Green manure had the greatest contribution to total N, total P, zinc, iron, and manganese (Mn). However, cyanobacteria had a negative relationship with Mn and sodium (Na, –30.19%). A negative relationship with Na indicates the possibility of using cyanobacteria as an ameliorating agent for salt-affected soil.     

Leaching and Transformation of Nitrogen Fertilizers in Soil After Application of N with Irrigation： A Soil Column Method

A soil column method was used to compare the effect of drip fertigation （the application of fertilizer through drip irrigation systems, DFI） on the leaching loss and transformation of urea-N in soil with that of surface fertilization combined with flood irrigation （SFI）, and to study the leaching loss and transformation of three kinds of nitrogen fertilizers （nitrate fertilizer, ammonium fertilizer, and urea fertilizer） in two contrasting soils after the fertigation. In comparison to SFI, DFI decreased leaching loss of urea-N from the soil and increased the mineral N （NH4^＋-N ＋ NO3^--N） in the soil. The N leached from a clay loam soil ranged from 5.7% to 9.6% of the total N added as fertilizer, whereas for a sandy loam soil they ranged between 16.2% and 30.4%. Leaching losses of mineral N were higher when nitrate fertilizer was used compared to urea or ammonium fertilizer. Compared to the control （without urea addition）, on the first day when soils were fertigated with urea, there were increases in NH4^＋-N in the soils. This confirmed the rapid hydrolysis of urea in soil during fertigation. NH4^＋-N in soils reached a peak about 5 days after fertigation, and due to nitrification it began to decrease at day 10. After applying NH4^＋-N fertilizer and urea and during the incubation period, the mineral nitrogen in the soil decreased. This may be related to the occurrence of NH4^＋-N fixation or volatilization in the soil during the fertigation process.     

Effect of Incorporation of Wheat Straw and Urea into Soil on Biomass Nitrogen and Nitrogen-Supplying Characteristics of Paddy Soil

Pot experiments were carried out to study the effect of incorporation of wheat straw and/ or urea into soil on biomass nitrogen and mineral nitrogen and its relation to the growth and yield of rice.The combined appliation of wheat straw and urea increased much more biomass nitrogen in soil than the application of wheat straw or urea alone and consequently increased the immobilization of urea nitrogen added and reduced the loss of urea nitrogen.An adequate nitrogen-supplying process to rice plant could be obtained if C/ N ratio of the material added was about 20.The three yield components of rice were affected significantly by the status of nitrogen supplying.More than 30mg N/ kg soil of mineral nitrogen at effective tillering stage,panicle initiation stage and filling stage should be maintained in order to get high rice yield,though the criteria varied with the different experimental conditions.     

Bioresource Nutrient Recycling and Its Relationship with Biofertility Indicators of Soil Health and Nutrient Dynamics in Rice–Wheat Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted for 3 years during 2006–2009 in India to study the effects of plant nutrient recycling through crop residue management, green manuring, and fertility levels on yield attributes, crop productivity, nutrient uptake, and biofertility indicators of soil health in a rice–wheat cropping system. The study revealed that soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution were significantly greatest under crop residue incorporation (CRI) + Sesbania green manuring (SGM) treatment and were found at levels of 364 μg g^?1 soil and 1.75 μg g^?1 soil h^?1, respectively; these were increased significantly by recycling of organic residues. Activities of dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymes increased significantly after 3 years, with maximum activity under CRI + SGM treatment. The CRI with or without SGM significantly influenced the plant height, number of tillers m^?2, number of grains panicle^?1 or ear^?1, and 1000-grain weight. Mean yield data of rice and wheat revealed that CRI or crop residue burning (CRB) resulted in slightly greater yield over crop residue removal (CRR) treatment. The CRI + SGM treatment again observed significantly greatest grain yields of 7.54 and 5.84 t ha^?1 and straw yields of 8.42 and 6.36 t ha^?1 in rice and wheat, respectively, over other crop residue management treatments. Total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake in rice–wheat system was greatest with amounts of 206.7, 37.2, and 205.6 kg ha^?1, respectively, in CRI + SGM treatment. Fertility levels significantly influenced the rice and wheat yield with greatest grain yields of 6.66 and 5.68 t ha^?1 and straw yields of 7.94 and 5.89 t ha^?1 in rice and wheat, respectively, with the application of 150% of recommended NPK. Total NPK uptake in rice–wheat system also increased significantly with increase in fertility levels with greatest magnitude by supplying 150% of recommended NPK. Overall, nutrient recycling through incorporation of crop residues and Sesbania green manuring along with inorganics greatly improved the crop productivity, nutrient uptake, and biofertility indicators of soil health with substantial influence on SMBC, CO₂ evolution, and dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities. This indicates that crop residue management along with Sesbania green manuring practice could be a better option for nutrient recycling to sustain the crop productivity and soil health in intensive rice–wheat cropping system in India as well as in similar global agroecological situations, especially in China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.     

Effect of Magnesium Chloride–Induced Salinity on Carbon Dioxide Evolution and Nitrogen Mineralization in a Silty Clay Loam Soil

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of magnesium chloride–induced salinity on carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution and nitrogen (N) mineralization in a silty loam nonsaline alkaline soil. Magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) salinity was induced at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, and 40.0 dS m^?1 and measured CO₂ evolution and N mineralization during 30 days of incubation. Both CO₂ evolution and N mineralization decreased significantly with increasing salinity. The cumulative CO₂ evolution decreased from 235 mg kg^?1 soil at electrical conductivity (EC) 0.65 dS m^?1 to 11.9 mg kg^?1 soil at 40 dS m^?1 during 30 days of incubation. Similarly, N mineralization decreased from 185.4 mg kg^?1 at EC 0.65 dS m^?1 to 34.45 mg kg^?1 at EC 40.0 dS m^?1 during the same period. These results suggested that increasing magnesium chloride salinity from 4 dS m^?1 adversely affect microbial activity in terms of carbon dioxide evolution and N mineralization.     

Effect of Molybdenum Foliar Sprays on Yield,Berry Size,Seed Formation,and Petiolar Nutrient Composition of “Merlot” Grapevines

Abstract

Field experiments with irrigated “Merlot” vines were carried out at 3 sites in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia over 3 years to examine the effects of molybdenum (Mo) foliar sprays on bunch yield, berry size, and nutrient composition of petioles. Bunches were divided into different size grades for black and green berries. Basal petioles were sampled at flowering and veraison for nutrient analyses. In year 3, seed number per berry was assessed at sites 2 and 3. Two Mo foliar sprays (each spray contained 118 g Mo as sodium molybdate/ha in 410–800 L/ha of water) applied before flowering increased yield per vine and bunch weight in all experiments in year 2 and at site 3 in year 3. Yield responses ranged from 221% at site 1 to 750% at site 2 in year 2 and 70% for site 3, year 3. Average bunch weight increased from 243% at site 2 to 425% at site 1 for year 2 and by 69% at site 3 in year 3, and was the main yield component affected by Mo application. In year 1, the application of Mo did not affect yield or bunch weight at any site. In year 2, the application of Mo increased the yield of 5–15 mm colored berries by 301, 499, and 258% at sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and by 70% at site 3, year 3. Mo application increased the percent of berries, which had one or more functional seeds (when assessed at sites 2 and 3 in year 3). Molybdenum concentrations in petioles sampled at flowering and veraison increased in response to applied Mo in all years. Petiolar Mo concentrations in unsprayed vines were consistently higher in year 1 compared with other years. The effect of applied Mo on the concentration of other nutrients in basal petioles sampled at flowering and veraison were small and of little practical importance. Nitrate-N did not accumulate in the petioles of unsprayed plants in any year. Changes in petiolar Mo concentrations between flowering and veraison were dependent on supply. Nitrate-N, total-N, and phosphorus (P) concentrations declined with time, while calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) tended to increase. At flowering, Mo concentrations in basal petioles of 0.05–0.09 mg/kg were associated with significant bunch yield response to applied Mo. Molybdenum deficiency can be a major factor in the occurrence of berry development disorders such as shot berry formation and hens and chickens (millerandage) in “Merlot” grapevines. The increased percent of colored berries with one or more functional seeds and the decrease in the proportion of green berries suggests that Mo application affected pollination and/or fertilization, and thereafter berry development.     

The Relationship Between pH Value and Magnetic Susceptibility of Soil——A Case Study of Mountain Red Soil and Red Limestone Soil

通过对昆明西山山原红壤和红色石灰土的pH值和磁化率测试研究发现,山原红壤的pH值在4.0～5.8之间,呈酸性,质量磁化率在56 × 10-8～ 174× 10-8 m3/kg之间,pH值与磁化率呈明显的正相关关系;而红色石灰土pH值在6.0～8.4之间,磁化率为752× 10-8 ～5056×10-8m3/kg,pH值和磁化率呈负相关关系.该研究表明,在我国西南地区,土壤pH值和磁化率既存在明显的负相关关系也存在正相关关系.结合前人在其他地区的研究资料,进一步发现,土壤的酸碱环境可能是决定这些关系的重要因素.     

Impact of Soil Water Content and Core Sampler Diameter at Sampling for Dry Soil Fragment‐Size Distributions

Soil conditions at sampling and the dimensions of the sample are critical factors when soil aggregation is indirectly characterized by determining the distribution of soil fragments. Our objective was to determine the effects of gravimetric soil water content and core sampler diameter (16, 54, and 84 mm) at sampling on the dry‐fragment‐size distribution of two soils (Typic Paleudalf and Typic Hapludalf) under undisturbed Festuca arundinacea L. sod and recently rototilled treatments. The 16‐mm core diameter sampler compressed the rototilled soil, and it was not appropriate for soil aggregation studies. The fragmentation of samples taken with core diameters greater than 54 mm decreased with decreasing soil water content. A greater probability of discriminating between undisturbed and fragmented silt loam or clay loam soils was observed when sampling with a 54‐mm‐diameter probe and when the soil had a mean soil water content of 237g kg^?1 or at a potential of ?0.61MPa.     

Long‐Term Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice‐Based Cropping Pattern: Effect on Growth,Yield, Nutrient Uptake,Nutrient Balance Sheet,and Soil Fertility

Abstract

A 7‐year‐long field trial was conducted on integrated nutrient management for a dry season rice (Boro)–green manure (GM)–wet season rice (T. Aman) cropping system at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Farm, Gazipur during 1993–1999. Five packages of inorganic fertilizers, cow dung (CD), and GM dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) were evaluated for immediate and residual effect on crop productivity, nutrient uptake, soil‐nutrient balance sheet, and soil‐fertility status. Plant height, active tiller production, and grain and straw yields were significantly increased as a result of the application of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure. Usually, the soil‐test‐based (STB) fertilizer doses for a high‐yield goal produced the highest grain yield of 6.39 t ha^?1 (average of 7 years) in Boro rice. Application of CD at the rate of 5 t ha^?1 (oven‐dry basis) once a year at the time of Boro transplanting supplemented 50% of the fertilizer nutrients other than nitrogen (N) in the subsequent crop of the cropping pattern. A positive effect of GM on the yield of T. Aman rice was observed. Following GM, the application of reduced doses of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) to the second crop (T. Aman) did not reduce yield, indicating the beneficial residual effect of fertilizer applied to the first crop (Boro rice) of the cropping pattern. The comparable yield of T. Aman was also observed with reduced fertilizer dose in CD‐treated plots. The total P, K, and S uptake (kg/ha/yr) in the unfertilized plot under an irrigated rice system gradually decreased over the years. The partial nutrient balance in the unfertilized plot (T₁) was negative for all the nutrients. In the fertilized plots, there was an apparent positive balance of P, S, and Zn but a negative balance of N and K. This study showed that the addition of organic manure (CD, dhaincha) gave more positive balances. In the T_4c treatment at 0–15 cm, the application of chemical fertilizers along with the organic manures increased soil organic carbon by (C) 0.71%. The highest concentration of total N was observed with T_4c followed by T_4d and T_4b, where CD was applied in Boro season and dhaincha GM was incorporated in T. Aman season. The sixfold increase in soil‐available P in T_4b‐, T_4c‐, T_4a‐treated plots was due to the addition of CD. Dhaincha GM with the combination of chemical fertilizer helps to mobilize soil‐available P by 3 to 6 ppm. The highest amount of soil‐available S was found in T_4c‐ and T_4a‐treated plots. It was 2.5 times higher than that of the initial soil. The application of CD and dhaincha GM along with chemical fertilizers not only increased organic C, total N, available P, and available S but also increased exchangeable K, available Zn, available iron (Fe), and available manganese (Mn) in soil.     

Influence of Long‐Term Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer to Build Up Soil Fertility and Nutrient Uptake in Mint‐Mustard Cropping Sequence

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted for 7 years continuously to evaluate the influence of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil fertility buildup and nutrient uptake in mint (Mentha arvensis) and mustard (Brassica juncea) cropping sequence. Maximum organic carbon was observed under full supply of organic manure (T₂; FYM at 20 t ha^?1) averaged across all the Stages of cropping sequence. It was increased by 38, 50, and 51% in T₂ in Stages I (after mint harvest/presowing of dhaincha), II (after incorporation of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)/presowing of mustard), and III (after harvest of mustard/preplanting of mint), respectively, over their respective controls. In general, magnitude of organic carbon was recorded higher in Stage II after green manuring of Sesbania compared with Stages I and III. Nitrogen availability in treated plots was increased by 26.0–89.9, 15.2–64.5, and 4.9–52.0% in Stages I (after mint harvest/presowing of Sesbania), II (after incorporation of dhaincha/presowing of mustard), and III (after harvest of mustard/preplanting of mint), respectively, over their respective control. Average across all the three Stages showed a positive balance of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in soil under different treatments. Mean of the three Stages indicated that maximum available N, P, and K were increased by 36.1, 129.0, and 65.20% in T₄ (N:P:K: 133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1), T₄ (N:P:K::133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1), and T₃ (N:P:K::100:30:30 and FYM at 10 t ha^?1), respectively, over their initial status. Supply of organic and inorganic fertilizer (T₄; N:P:K::133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1) was found most suitable combination with respect to N, P availability in soil, and productivity of mint and mustard crop.     

Time of Day Effect on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Corn and Soybean

Foliar nutrient concentrations vary during the day. Field research was conducted to quantify and better understand this variation in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) with foliar sampling during the vegetative and reproductive stages. Time of day effects occurred inconsistently across nutrients. Nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) foliar concentrations were generally high early in the day. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) foliar concentrations varied inconsistently with time of day, while concentrations of boron (B) in both crops and copper (Cu) in corn were not affected. Limiting foliar sampling to after 10:00 AM reduced the variation for soybean but not for corn. Interpretation by Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) did not reduce the time of day effect. The variation caused by time of day, along with other causes, affects confidence in interpretation of foliar results suggesting use of the information with either additional foliar sampling or soil testing in making nutrient management decisions.     

Comparative Study of Different Soil Amendments and Microbes for Integrated Nutrient Management and Growth Promotion of Jatropha Curcas

Increased alkalinity caused reduction in growth of Jatropha curcas plant. This experiment was designed to test the efficacy of beneficial microbes and vermicompost individually and in combinations to alleviate the stressful effect of alkaline stress on growth of Jatropha. Plants inoculated with bacterial consortia had significantly increase in vegetative growth parameters. Soil analysis showed increase in total organic carbon (TOC) by 68% compared to soil before plantation treated with Bacterial consortia + vermicompost. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content in the soil was increased by 25% and 84% before plantation treated with Bacterial consortia. Maximum uptake of potassium (K) and sodium (Na) content was observed in consortia. Plant analysis showed that consortia could increase uptake of micronutrients compared to control and other treatments. It can be concluded that multispecies bacterial consortia alone or in combination with mycorrhiza and vermicompost can reduce alkaline stress and enhances the seed germination potential, vegetative growth, and nutrient status of soil.     

Nutrient Balance in Relation to High Yield and Good Quality of Potato on an Acid Purple Soil in Chongqing,China

A field experiment was carried out to study nutrient balance among N,P,K and Mg in potato cultivation on an acid purple soil in Chongqing,China,The experiment included 8 treatments with equal P rate of 120 kg P2O5 hm^-2 :N0K2,N1K2,NK2K2,N3K2,N2K0,N2K1,N2K1Mg and N2K3,where N0,N1,N2 and N3 stand for the N rates of 0,75,150 and 225 kg N hm^-2 ,and K0,K1,K2 and K3 for the K rates of 0,165,330 and 495kg K2O hm^-2,respectively,Among the treatments designed ,Treatment N2K2 with a nutrient suply ration of N:P2O5:K2O:MgO=1.25:1.275:0.28 gave the highest tuber yield nd dry matter ,highest starch and Zn and lowest NO3^- contents in tuber,and high N,P and K use effciency with and uptake ratio of N:P:K:Mg=11.38:1:13.32:0.33 by tuber,Yield and starch and protein contents of tuber were the lowest in Treatment N0K2.Dry matter was the highest N,P and K utilization rates .Statistical analysis showed that yields of tuber and starch were in a positive linear correlation with the uptake amount of various nutrients and protein of the potato tuber was in a significantly positive linear correlation with tuber N content and in a singificantly negative linear correlation with tuber K and Mg contents .Balaced application of N,P,K and Mg fertilizers(Treatment N2K2)was recommended for realiztion of high yield and good quality in potato cultivation.