Interactions of nitrogen fertilizers and forest humus—II. Beech and oak

Laboratory incubation experiments with and without added urea or NH₄NO₃ were performed on humus from stands of beech (Fagus silvatica) grown on soils from limestone, schists, flysch and peridotites and on humus from oak (Quercus conferta) stands on soils from limestone and schists.Beech and oak humus from stands grown on soils from limestone and flysch showed considerable nitrification with a concurrent high mobilization rate of the nutrient elements Ca, Mg and K, especially in the presence of increasing urea concentrations, but no net humus N mineralization was observed. Beech humus from stands grown on soils from schists and peridotites showed no nitrification and increasing concentrations of added urea did not modify their inability to nitrify. Non-nitrifying types of humus showed considerable ammonification but their Ca, Mg and K mobilization rates were about one-tenth those observed in nitrifying humus and were inversely correlated with urea concentrations.Exchangeable Al³⁺ and extractable Mn were present in high concentrations in the underlying inorganic soils in all cases where nitrification was absent from the overlying humus but addition of 500 parts Al³⁺ and 1000 parts Mn/10⁶ separately or in combination to a nitrifying humus failed to inhibit nitrification.An interpretation of these findings is attempted with reference to the possibility of absence of nitrification in climax vegetations and the preference of certain forest species for NH⁺₄ or NO^?₃.     

Nitrification and ammonification in acid forest litter and humus as affected by peptone and ammonium-n amendment

Samples of strongly acid forest litter and humus from beneath Sitka spruce, heather, Scots pine and larch from two sites in north-east Scotland were incubated aerobically at 20°C in the laboratory. At the Glen Tanar site, spruce litter and larch humus showed significant nitrification and ammonification whereas spruce humus and Scots pine humus produced only NH₄⁺-N. Heather humus showed no net mineralization. At the Fetteresso site, application of fertilizer N, P and K to Sitka spruce up to 3 yr previously, significantly stimulated the production of NO₃⁻-N in both litter and humus.Amendment of the samples with organic N as peptone caused significant increases in NO₃⁻-N production in those samples that already showed nitrification. The increases in NO₃⁻-N generally represented a low proportion of the added peptone-N. Amendment with NH₄⁺-N as (NH₄)₂SO₄ either had no effect or significantly reduced NO₃⁻-N production (in larch humus). The results suggest the occurrence of heterotrophic nitrification in some of these forest samples.Net immobilization of NH₄⁺-N was typically greater in NH₄⁺-N amended than in peptone amended samples, except for heather humus which showed complete immobilization of both N sources.Total mineral N produced at the end of the aerobic incubation was correlated (P < 0.01) with NH₄⁺-N produced during a 30-day anaerobic incubation at 30°C. Net NO₃⁻-N production was greater in litter than in the corresponding humus samples and was correlated (P < 0.001) with initial organic N soluble in 1 m KCl.     

Effect of partial urea application on nutrient absorption by hydroponically grown spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. Okame) was grown in hydroponic pot culture with an Enshi nutrient solution amended with 0, 20, or 50% urea with or without nickel addition (Ni; 0.05 mg L^-1), while the total concentration of N (17.33 mmol L^-1) remained constant in all the cases to evaluate the effect of partial urea application, with or without the addition of Ni, on the absorption of NO³-N, urea-N, NH₄-N, minerals (e.g. Ca, K, Mg, P) by plants. Fresh and dry weight of the shoots was highest when a 20% urea solution with Ni addition was used. The variation in spinach yield was related to the absorption of total-N by the plants. The absorption of total-N, attributed mainly to NO₃-N and urea-N, differed between the treatments. In the case of short-term absorption, determination by using ¹⁵N-urea and ¹⁵N-KNO₃ showed that, the urea-N absorption significantly increased with the increase in the urea concentration in the nutrient solution. When the urea solutions were used, regardless of Ni addition, the absorption of NO₃-N was more than four times higher than that of urea-No The addition of Ni in the urea solutions stimulated and increased both urea-N and NO₃-N absorption. In the case of long-term absorption, the NO₃-N absorption decreased with the decrease of the NO₃-N concentration when NO₃-N was partially replaced with urea in the nutrient solution. The addition of Ni in the urea solutions resulted in the increase of the absorption of both urea-N and NO₃-N, but the NO₃-N absorption remained lower in all the treatments compared to the control. In the urea solutions, the absorption of urea-N with or without the addition of Ni increased at a lower rate over time (sampling stages). Application of urea, with or without the addition of Ni in the nutrient solution, increased Ca absorption but decreased K and Mg absorption, whereas, P absorption was unaffected. It is suggested that spinach could grow adequately in an Enshi nutrient solution modified with 20% urea with the addition of 0.05 mg Ni L^-1, when urea totally replaced NH₄-N and partially replaced NO₃-N.     

铁和不同形态氮素对玉米植株吸收矿质元素及其在体内分布的影响——Ⅰ.对氮、磷、钾、钙、镁等营养元素的影响

用营养液培养方法研究了铁和两种形态氮素(NO₃^--N和NH₄⁺-N)对玉米植株吸收氮、磷、钾等大量元素和钙、镁等中量元素及其在体内分布的影响。结果表明:与NO₃^--N相比,供应NH₄⁺-N促进了玉米对氮的吸收,在缺铁条件下,降低了对磷、钾、钙及镁的吸收。铁和NH₄⁺-N都显著提高了玉米植株各器官中氮的含量。与NH₄⁺-N处理相比,NO₃^--N处理的新叶中磷含量显著增加,但铁的供应对植物体内磷的含量无显著影响。使用NO₃^--N显著提高了玉米新叶和老叶中钾的含量,根和茎中钾的含量无明显影响。铁的供应降低了新叶和老叶中钾的含量。供铁时,NH₄⁺-N处理的玉米新叶中钙和镁的含量显著低于NO₃^--N处理,而在缺铁时则无显著差异。     

Indirect effects of N and S deposition on a Norway spruce ecosystem. An update of findings within the Skogaby project

In this paper we try to interpret results from different investigations where an ecosystem with Norway spruce was manipulated with increased N and S deposition via the soil system. The site, in Skogaby in Southwest Sweden, had 1989–93 an annual deposition of 9 kg NH₄-N; 7 kg NO₃-N and 20 kg SO₄-S ha^–1. The stand was treated during 6 years with 100 kg N and 114 kg S ha^– y^–1 in the form of ammonium sulphate (NS treatment). The stand reacted with increased above ground production of 31% after 3 years of treatment. The uptake above ground of N was 155 kg ha^–1 higher than in the control. Those trends were even stronger after 6 years of treatment. There were no decreases in the uptake of P, K, Ca or Mg (but for B) after 3 or 6 years of NS-treatment. Needle macro nutrient concentrations in relation to N decreased for several nutrients due to dilution effects. As result of the NS treatment pH increased markedly in the litter layer, and less, but significantly, in the humus layer. A decrease in pH value by about 0.3 units was found in the rest of the soil profile down to 50 cm. Dry mass of needle litter fall and litter layer both increased as a result of 6 years of NS-treatment. After three years of treatment 77–80% of all living fine roots in both control and NS treatment were found in the humus layer and the upper 10 cm of the mineral soil. The amount of living fine roots in the humus layer of NS-treated trees decreased to about one third of the control, and the amount of dead fine roots increased by 150% compared with untreated trees after 6 years of treatment. It is argued that the decreased amount of living and increased amount of dead fine roots not necessarily are indications of decreased root vitality. It can also be explained by increased root turnover rate and decreased decomposition rates of N rich new and old fine root litter. No inorganic N was leached from the control plots whereas the NS treated plots started to leach NO₃ the second year of treatment. During 1989–1993 a total of 44 kg NO₃-N and 30 kg NH₄-N per ha was lost from the system which means that 88% of the N supplied was retained by the ecosystem. At first SO₄ was adsorbed in the soil, but after five years of treatment the output was almost equal to the input.     

Nitrification and denitrification in an acidic soil of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) field estimated by δ15N values of leached nitrogen from the soil columns treated with ammonium nitrate in the presence or absence of a nitrification inhibitor and with slow-release fertilizers

Forty-two-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. Asakazekomugi) plants were treated with complete, K-free (—K), Ca-limited (—Ca), and Mg-free (—Mg) nutrient solutions for 10 days using 2 mM NH₄NO₃ as the nitrogen source, which was replaced with 4 mM ¹⁵ NH₄C1 or Na¹⁵NO₃ for the subsequent 2 days to investigate the absorption, translocation, and assimilation of inorganic nitrogen in relation to the mineral supply. In another experiment plants were grown on NO₃ ^?, NH₄ ⁺, NH₄N0₃, and K-free and Ca-limited NH₄N0₃ nutrient solutions for 10 days, and then in the latter three treatments the nitrogen source was replaced with NO₃ ^? and half of the —K plants received K for 6 days to examine the changes in the nitrate reductase activity (NRA).

Wheat plants absorbed NH₄ ^?N and NO₃-N at a similar rate. Influence of K on the absorption of N0₃-N was stronger than that on the absorption of NH₄-N in wheat plants. The supply of K to the —K plants increased the absorption of NO₃-N, while the absorption of NH₄-N still remained at a lower rate in spite of the addition of K. A limited supply of Ca and lack of Mg in nutrient media slightly affected the absorption of NH₄-N. The influence of K was stronger on the translocation of nitrogen from roots to shoots, while Ca and Mg had little effect. When K was supplied again to the —K plants the translocation of NO₃,-N was more accelerated than that of NH₄-N. Incorporation of NH₄-N into protein was higher than that of NO₃-N in all the tissues; root, stem, and leaf. Assimilation of NH₄-N and NO₃-N decreased by the —K and —Mg treatments.

Leaf NRA of wheat plants decreased in the —K and —Ca plants. Higher leaf NRA was found when K was given again to the —K plants than when the plants were continuously grown in K-free media. Replacement of NO₃ ^? with NH₄ ⁺ as the nitrogen source caused a decline of leaf NRA, while the supply of both NH₄ ^?N and NO₃-N slightly affected the leaf NRA.     

Behavior of heavy metals in forest microcosms: II. Effects on nutrient cycling processes

Effects of heavy metals on forest nutrient cycling processes were investigated using intact forest microcosms. Baghouse dust from a primary Pb smelter in southeastern Missouri was applied on the microcosms to approximate one annual deposition of metals at 0.4 km from the smelter. Contaminated litter from a forest adjacent to the smelter was also placed on the microcosms. Total dosage of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu was 11.0, 0.128, 0.748, and 0.161 mg cm^?2, respectively. Sustained increases in leaching rates of Ca and NO₃-N were found in microcosms amended with heavy metals. After 20 mo, extractable Ca, NH3-N, NO₃-N and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were significantly lower in treated soil to a depth of 5 cm. In addition, extractable NH₃-N, NO₃-N and DOC were significantly lowered to a depth of 10 cm. Results from this experiment indicate that forest microcosms can be used for determining the effect of heavy metals on forest ecosystems.     

Effects of reduced atmospheric deposition on soil solution chemistry and elemental contents of spruce needles in NE—Bavaria,Germany

The decrease in anthropogenic deposition, namely SO₄^2— and SO₂, in European forest ecosystems during the last 20 years has raised questions concerning the recovery of forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the long term data of element concentrations at the Fichtelgebirge (NE‐Bavaria, Germany) monitoring site indicates a relationship between the nutrient content of needles and the state of soil solution acidity. The soil at the site is very acidic and has relatively small pools of exchangeable Ca and Mg. The trees show medium to severe nutrient deficiency symptoms such as needle loss and needle yellowing. The Ca and Mg concentrations in throughfall decreased significantly during the last 12 years parallel to the significant decline in the throughfall of H⁺ and SO₄^2— concentrations. Soil solution concentrations of SO₄^2—, Ca and Mg generally decreased while the pH value remained stable. Aluminum concentrations decreased slightly, but only at a depth of 90 cm. Simultaneously a decrease in the molar Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios in the soil solution was observed. Ca and Mg contents in the spruce needles decreased, emphasizing the relevance of soil solution changes for tree nutrition. The reasons for the delay in ecosystem recovery are due to a combination of the following two factors: (1) the continued high concentrations of NO₃^— and SO₄^2— in the soil solution leading to high Al concentrations and low pH values and, (2) the decreased rates of Ca and Mg deposition cause a correlated decrease in the concentration of Ca and Mg in the soil solution, since little Ca and Mg is present in the soil's exchangeable cation pools. It is our conclusion that detrimental soil conditions with respect to Mg and Ca nutrition as well as to Al stress are not easily reversed by the decreasing deposition of H⁺ and SO₄^2—. Thus, forest management is still confronted with the necessity of frequent liming to counteract the nutrient depletion in soils and subsequent nutrient deficiencies in trees.     

The wood-decaying fungus Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca increases P availability in acid forest humus soil, while N addition hampers this effect

We evaluated the influence of the brown rot fungus Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca on P solubility in the humus layer of a podzolic forest soil. This fungus is known to exude large amounts of oxalic acid that may stimulate weathering of minerals and increase dissolution of humus, which in turn may increase P availability in the soil surrounding the fungus. Humus was inoculated using small wooden pieces colonised by the fungus. The presence of the fungus resulted in elevated concentration of PO₄⁻ in the humus solution. In a second experiment birch seedlings grown in the same humus were able to utilise the PO₄⁻ mobilised by the fungus to increase their internal P content. The factor determining this increased P uptake and the increased available P might be oxalate produced by fungus. The acid may directly dissolve P or change organic forms of P making it more susceptible to reaction with phosphatases. This fungal effect on P solubility diminished when N was added to the soil in the form of a slow release N fertilizer (methyl urea), or when a soil with a higher soil N concentration was used. We found a strong correlation between NH₄⁺ concentration and total organic carbon in the soil solution at high NH₄⁺ concentrations, suggesting the dissolution of humus as a result of the high NH₄⁺ content in the solution. This study demonstrates that the wood-decaying fungus H. aurantiaca influences nutrient turnover in forest soil, and thereby nutrient uptake by forest trees. An intensified harvest of forest products such as whole tree harvesting may decrease the active biomass of the wood decomposers and may thereby change the availability of P and the leaching of N.     

EFFECT OF PETUNIA STOCK PLANT NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON FERTILIZER RESPONSE DURING PROPAGATION

Fertilization strategies during stock plant and cutting production are linked in terms of cutting nutrient levels and quality. Objectives were to evaluate (1) the effect of stock plant nutrition on tissue nutrient concentration and growth during vegetative propagation and (2) response to fertilizer during propagation for cuttings with 4 different initial tissue nutrient concentrations. ‘Supertunia Royal Velvet’ petunia stock plants were grown under constant fertigation of 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg nitrogen (N)^.L^?1 for 21 days. The 200 mg N^.L^?1 solution contained 150 nitrate (NO₃-N), 50 ammonium (NH₄-N), 24 phosphorus (P), 166 potassium (K), 40 calcium (Ca), 20 magnesium (Mg), 0.7 sulfur (S), 1.0 iron (Fe), 0.5 manganese (Mn), 0.5 zinc (Zn), 0.24 copper (Cu), 0.24 boron (B), and 0.1 molybdenum (Mo). Providing a complete fertilizer during propagation of petunia, beginning immediately after sticking of cuttings, reduces the risk of nutrient deficiency. Particularly in situations where fertilizer is not applied early during propagation, stock plants should be managed to ensure unrooted cuttings have adequate nutrient reserves.     

模拟氮沉降对湿性常绿阔叶次生林土壤碳氮组分和酶活性的影响

为了研究氮沉降对次生林土壤碳氮组分和酶活性的影响,以华西雨屏区湿性常绿阔叶次生林为对象,从2014年1月起进行野外定位模拟氮沉降试验,分别设置对照(CK,+0 g/(m^2·a))、低氮(LN,+5 g/(m^2·a))和高氮(HN,+15 g/(m^2·a))3个氮添加水平。在氮沉降进行27个月后,按照腐殖质层和淋溶层表层进行取样,测定不同土层土壤总有机碳(TOC)、可浸提溶解性有机碳(EDOC)、易氧化碳(ROC)、全氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO_3^-—N)和铵态氮(NH_4^+—N)含量以及蔗糖酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性。结果表明:模拟氮沉降显著增加该次生林腐殖质层土壤的TOC和NH_4^+—N含量,显著增加腐殖质层和淋溶层表层土壤的NO_3^-—N含量,腐殖质层土壤C/N显著升高。淋溶层表层土壤TOC、NH_4^+—N、C/N以及2层土壤的EDOC、ROC、TN和NH_4^+—N/NO_3^-—N均无显著影响。2层土壤的多酚氧化酶活性均随着氮添加量的升高而降低,其中淋溶层表层达到显著差异。模拟氮沉降对蔗糖酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性均无显著影响。腐殖质层中,NH_4^+—N和NO_3^-—N含量与TOC含量存在极显著正相关关系。2层土壤的多酚氧化酶活性均与NO_3^-—N含量呈极显著负相关。结果说明,模拟氮沉降使该次生林中原本较高的腐殖质层土壤TOC含量进一步显著增加,并且促进土壤无机氮的积累,而模拟氮沉降对多酚氧化酶的抑制作用更加有利于土壤有机质的积累。     

NITRATE ACCUMULATION IN SPINACH AS INFLUENCED BY SULFUR AND PHOSPHORUS APPLICATION UNDER INCREASING NITROGEN LEVELS

Nitrate (NO₃) accumulation by spinach was studied under increasing nitrogen (N) levels (60, 120 and 240 kg N ha^?1) along with sulfur (45 kg S ha^?1) and phosphorus (P; 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) application. Plants were harvested at 50 and 65 days after sowing. Plant samples were analyzed for NO₃-N and total N, P, S, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Radio assay of 35S was done to estimate percent sulfur derived from fertilizer and percent fertilizer sulfur utilization. Spinach maintained a very high level of NO₃-N in its tissue throughout the growing period. NO₃-N was increased with increasing nitrogen level and was reduced with phosphorus and sulfur application and also with advancement in growth. Total N, P, S, K, Ca and Mg uptake were increased with increasing nitrogen levels as well as with application of sulfur and phosphorus. Sulfur application caused increase in percent sulfur derived from fertilizer and percent utilization of fertilizer sulfur.     

作物残茬翻埋对土壤性质的影响

Chemical transformation, nutrient release and changes in the energy content of decomposing rape, sunflower and soybean residues confined in buried fiberglass bags were assessed in a laboratory study during a 340-day incubation period. The organic C decreased by about 70% while total N, after initial decay, remained almost constant for each type of residue. The NH₄⁺-N was progressively oxidized and, consequently, the NO₃^--N increased. The C/N ratio narrowed with loss of C. Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin decreased with different trends for each crop residue. The energy content, was reduced to about 25% in rape, 30% in sunflower and 20% in soybean residues. Total P, K, Ca and Mg contents decreased for each type of residue. The results suggest that the three residues could improve the nutrient pool of the soil.     

Ion interactions in calcium‐efficient and calcium‐inefficient tomato lines 1

Two Ca‐efficient and 3 Ca‐inefficient tomato lines selected on the basis of dry matter production, Ca concentrations in tissues, and severity of Ca deficiency symptoms were grown in nutrient solutions containing 6 levels of total Ca ranging from 15 to 365 mg in 70 mg increments. All lines responded to increased Ca supply by increasing in dry weight and by accumulating Ca. The critical Ca concentrations in the shoots were 0.25% and 0.40% on a dry weight basis for the efficient and inefficient lines, respectively. Concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, P, and NO₃ ^‐ were lower in shoots and except for Mg were lower in roots of efficient plants than in the inefficient plants. For all lines as more Ca was available in the media and as Ca increased in the shoots and roots, the concentrations of the nutrients other than Ca declined. The declines in concentrations of K and Mg were not due to dilution by higher dry matter production in the efficient lines relative to the inefficient ones, although the total accumulation of Ca, P, and NO₃ ^‐ did not vary with Ca supplied. Antagonism among cations may account for differences in efficiency among lines of tomato.     

Ecological characteristics of a nitrogen-saturated coniferous forest in The Netherlands

Wekerom forest shows a high nitrogen (N) load, and the first signs of N saturation. This characterization is based on the high N content of the needles, the high nitrate-N (NO₃-N) mobilization and low cation mobilization from the organic horizon. The N cycle in this forest has been transformed into an „open flow” system, in which the ammonium-N, deposited in large quantities from the atmosphere, is transformed into NO₃-N, which is leached into the groundwater. Decomposition of deeper organic layers, such as the fragmented litter and humus layers, is thought to provide additional NH₄-N, which explains the high NO₃-N output. Together with a reduction in the number and vitality of the pine trees, there is an increase in the number of nitrophilous plants, such as Deschampsia flexuosa and Rumex acetosella. The ectomycorrhizal and litter-decaying fungi are specific, N-resistant species. Soil fauna are classified as common inhabitants of dry, acid, nutrient poor forests. Received: 26 June 1997     

Effects of Carbofuran on Availability of Macronutrients and Growth of Tomato Plants in Natural Soils and Soils Amended with Inorganic Fertilizers and Vermicompost

The effects of lower field rate (LFR), field rate (FR), and higher field rate (HFR) applications of carbofuran on ammonium (NH₄)-nitrogen (N), nitrate (NO₃)-N, available phosphorus (P), and available potassium (K) contents in natural soils and those amended with inorganic fertilizers and vermicompost on the growth of tomato plants were studied. The NH₄-N, NO₃-N, available P, and available K contents increased up to FR but the most significant increase in was observed at LFR of carbofuran application. At HFR there was a significant reduction in nutrient availability. With passage of time all these parameters increase up to 30 days; thereafter, a decrease was observed up to the end of the experiment in both unamended and amended soils. The greater plant growth was observed at LFR of carbofuran application and at HFR the plants exhibited phytotoxicity in the form of marginal leaf scorching in both systems. The morphological growth parameters of tomato plants were positively correlated with nutrients availability.     

马尾松采伐迹地火烧黑炭对土壤营养元素含量的短期影响

以中亚热带33年生马尾松人工林采伐迹地为研究对象,分析了炼山1年后移除黑炭(B0)、单倍黑炭(B1)、双倍黑炭(B2)处理和未炼山对照(UB)土壤可提取态常量(P、K、Ca、Na、Mg)和微量(Al、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn)元素含量及其比值的变化特征。结果表明:(1)黑炭输入量对土壤常量元素的影响因土层而异,在0—10 cm土层,B2土壤K、Ca和Mg含量显著高于B0土壤(P0.05),黑炭输入量对10—20 cm土壤常量元素含量没有影响(P0.05)。在0—10,10—20 cm土层,B2土壤速效P含量均显著高于UB土壤(P0.05)。不同黑炭输入量处理土壤速效P含量无显著差异(P0.05);(2)不同黑炭输入量处理土壤微量元素含量无显著差异(P0.05),但在10—20 cm土层,B2土壤Mn含量显著高于UB土壤(P0.05);(3)炼山没有显著影响土壤钠钾吸附比(SPAR)、Ca/Mg和Ca/Al。黑炭输入量对土壤Ca/Mg的影响因土层而异,在10—20 cm土层,B2处理土壤Ca/Mg显著高于B0和B1处理土壤Ca/Mg(P0.05),而在0—10 cm土层不同黑炭处理土壤Ca/Mg没有显著差异(P0.05)。因此,炼山产生的黑炭在短期内有助于提高土壤常量养分元素含量,并对于维持土壤结构稳定性具有积极意义,今后应持续监测黑炭对土壤养分的长期影响,从而完善炼山黑炭在人工林经营管理中的应用。     

Characterization of Soil Physico-Chemical and Microbial Parameters after Revegetation Near Shaoguan Pb/Zn Smelter, Guangdong, P.R. China

The criterion for judging the successful revegetation largely focuses on the aboveground indicators, whereas the information for soil ecosystem during the revegetation is often ignored. To better understand the effects of the revegetation on the development of the soil ecosystem near Shaoguan Pb/Zn Smelter, Guangdong Province of Southern China, we compared the difference of the microbial and physico-chemical parameters between the four revegetated sites and two control sites (bare ground and native forest area). The soil organic C, total N, total P, NH₄-N, NO₃-N, available P, WHC and porosity significantly increased and bulk density decreased in the four revegetated sites compared with those in bare ground, indicating the processive effects of the revegetation on the reestablishment of the soil nutrient pools. The heavy metal contents were higher in the four revegetated sites than in the bare ground, thus the revegetation resulted in the accumulation of heavy metals released from smelter in surface soil. The soil microbial composition and activities, except that the oligotrophic bacterial number decreased over revegetation time, significantly increased in the revegetated sites compared with those in the bare ground, and predominantly correlated with soil organic C, total N, NH₄-N, NO₃-N and WHC. The soil oligotrophic bacteria was negatively related to all individual heavy metal contents, thus was the most sensitive indicator in reflecting heavy metal stress, while other microbial parameters, despite not showing negative relationships to the individual heavy metal contents, were sensitive to the potential availability of Pb and Cu (ratio of available to total heavy metal contents), but less sensitive to those of Zn and Cd. Both the principal component analysis (PCA) and the discriminant analysis (DA) resulted from microbial and physico-chemical datasets not only revealed the shifts of the soil physico-chemical and microbial patterns from the unrevegetated to non-polluted conditions, but also implied the possible loss of effects of revegetation on soil remediation in the sites revegetated for four (RIV) and five (RV) years, respectively.     

Salinity and nitrogen fertilization affecting the macronutrient content and yield of sweet pepper plants

The effects of salinity due to sodium chloride (NaCl) and nitrogen (N) concentration in the nutrient solution were studied with sweet pepper plants. Four saline treatments combined with two N fertilization were used. Nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃ ^‐‐N) presence in the nutrient solution produced an increase of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) contents in leaves as well as N. Salinity promoted a reduction of K, phosphorus (P) and Ca and increased the Na concentration in leaves. Calcium (Ca) concentrations were lower in the higher NO₃ ^‐‐N treatment although N level was reached adding calcium nitrate and salinity increased P, K, Na, Ca, and magnesium (Mg) contents in fruits. Yield was increased in the highest N treatment.     

Nutrient uptake in vegetative poinsettias grown with two fertilizer concentrations and two pinching dates 1

The effects of varying fertilizer application rates [100–15–100 or 300–46–300 mg L^‐1 of nitrogen (N)‐phosphorus (P)‐potassium (K)] and pinching dates on nutrient uptake patterns of poinsettias were studied. During the first seven weeks after potting, varying the N‐P‐K fertilization rate from 100–15–100 to 300–46–300 mg L^‐1 N‐P‐K had no effect on plant height, dry weight, nutrient concentration, or nutrient content of poinsettias. The uptake ratios for NO₃‐N, K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) all were <40% of the amount that was available at the 100 mg L"¹ N and K fertilization rate, indicating that poinsettias require lower levels of NO₃‐N, K, Ca, and Mg than what was available from the 100–15–100 mg L"¹ N‐P‐K fertilization rate. The higher uptake ratios of >60% and >70%, respectively, for NH₄‐N and P at the 100 mg L"¹ N and K fertilization rate indicated the plants utilized a higher percentage of the available NH₄‐N and P, indicating that an application rate >18 mg L^‐1 NH₄‐N and >15 mg L^‐1 P would be required by poinsettias from the week before the plants were pinched through three weeks after pinching. The 300–46–300 mg L^‐1 N‐P‐K fertilization rate provided excessive nutrients that were not utilized by the plants during the early stages of plant growth.