Sources of Nitrate in Snowmelt Discharge: Evidence From Water Chemistry and Stable Isotopes of Nitrate

To determine whether NO₃ ^? concentration pulses in surface water in early spring snowmelt discharge are due to atmospheric NO₃ ^?, we analyzed stream δ¹⁵N-NO₃ ^? and δ¹⁸O-NO₃ ^? values between February and June of 2001 and 2002 and compared them to those of throughfall, bulk precipitation, snow, and groundwater. Stream total Al, DOC and Si concentrations were used to indicate preferential water flow through the forest floor, mineral soil, and ground water. The study was conducted in a 135-ha subcatchment of the Arbutus Watershed in the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the Adirondack Region of New York State, U.S.A. Stream discharge in 2001 increased from 0.6 before to 32.4 mm day^?1 during snowmelt, and element concentrations increased from 33 to 71 μmol L^?1 for NO₃ ^?, 3 to 9 μmol L^?1 for total Al, and 330 to 570 μmol L^?1 for DOC. Discharge in 2002 was variable, with a maximum of 30 mm day^?1 during snowmelt. The highest NO₃ ^?, Al, and DOC concentrations were 52, 10, and 630 μmol L^?1, respectively, and dissolved Si decreased from 148 μmol L^?1 before to 96 μmol L^?1 during snowmelt. Values of δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O of NO₃ ^? in stream water were similar in both years. Stream water, atmospherically-derived solutions, and groundwaters had overlapping δ¹⁵N-NO₃ ^? values. In stream and ground water, δ¹⁸O-NO₃ ^? values ranged from +5.9 to +12.9‰ and were significantly lower than the +58.3 to +78.7‰ values in atmospheric solutions. Values of δ¹⁸O-NO₃ ^? indicating nitrification, increase in Al and DOC, and decrease in dissolved Si concentrations indicating water flow through the soil suggested a dilution of groundwater NO₃ ^? by increasing contributions of forest floor and mineral soil NO₃ ^? during snowmelt.     

样品前处理对斑头雁组织稳定同位素碳、氮比值的影响

为了更好地确定不同处理方法对样品稳定同位素分析的影响,以斑头雁(Anser indicus)为研究对象,对比了不同酸化条件、干燥方法和粉碎形式对组织材料稳定同位素碳、氮比值的影响。结果表明,不同温度和盐酸浓度对卵壳δ1 3C值有影响,80℃较40℃、60℃条件下得到的卵壳δ1 3C值富集,3 mol·L-1HCl较1、5 mol·L-1HCl浓度条件下得到的卵壳δ1 3C值贫化;冷冻干燥和烘干2种干燥方法对肌肉稳定同位素δ1 3C、δ15N的影响均未达到显著水平,液氮研磨和直接剪碎2种粉碎形式下测得的羽毛δ1 3C、δ15N值差异不显著。本研究为使用稳定同位素技术开展鸟类学相关研究提供了参考依据。     

Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Concentrations and Ratios of Dissolved Organic Carbon to Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Throughfall and Soil Waters in Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Forest Stands Throughout Norway

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) plays an important ecological role in forest ecosystems, and its concentration is related to that of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We investigated DON concentrations and ratios of DOC to DON in throughfall and soil waters in 16 Norway spruce and two Scots pine forest stands sampled at weekly intervals between 1996 and 2006. The stands are all included in the ICP Forests Level II monitoring program and are located throughout Norway. DON concentrations were significantly and positively related to DOC concentrations in throughfall (r ²?=?0.72, p?<?0.0001) and soil water at 5, 15, and 40 cm (r ²?=?0.86, 0.32, and 0.84 and p?<?0.0001, 0.04, and <0.0001, respectively). At most sites, the annual median DOC/DON ratio in throughfall ranged from 20.3 to 55.5, which is lower than values in soil water, which ranged from 24.5 to 81.3, gradually decreasing with soil depth. DON concentrations varied seasonally in throughfall at many plots and in soil water at 5-cm depth at one plot only, with higher values in the growing season, but there was no noticeable seasonality at greater depth. The ratios of DOC/DON in soil water were significantly positively related to the C/N ratio in soil at the same depth. Above-ground litter input was the main factor having a significant, negative relationship to DOC/DON in soil water at all depths studied. This might reflect the effect of site conditions on both DOC/DON ratios and litter quantity.     

不同施肥处理土壤及不同C/N比有机物料中有机N的矿化进程

采用室内恒温控湿好气培养试验研究长期不同施肥制度培育的土壤有机N库的供氮能力及不同C/N比有机物料掺混土壤后有机N的矿化特征与进程。结果表明:长期不同施肥制度培育的土壤有机N库的供氮能力各不相同,与不施肥处理相比,长期施用化肥或有机肥均能提高土壤的供氮能力,二者相结合可明显提高土壤供氮力;不同C/N比有机物料掺混土壤后有机N的矿化特征与物料的C/N比密切相关,有机N的矿化进程可区分为前期的快速分解和后期的缓慢分解。     

Evaluation of the 15Nitrogen Isotope Dilution Technique for Estimating Crop Nitrogen Uptake from Organic Residues

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to test the new approach for estimating crop nitrogen (N) uptake from organic inputs. The soil was prelabeled with ¹⁵N by applying ¹⁵N fertilizer to sunflower crop (Helianthus annuus L. var. Viki). The ¹⁴N plots, which received unlabelled fertilizer, were also set up. At harvest, ¹⁵N labeled residues were added to the unlabeled soils at a rate of 73 kg N ha^?1 (direct technique) and unlabeled residues were added to the ¹⁵N‐labeled soils at the same rate (indirect technique). Control plots without residues were also established. All plots were sown with the wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var merchouch)–fababean (Vicia faba L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var merchouch) cropping sequence.

In the cropping sequence, the first, second and third crop derived respectively 12.01, 2.4, and 1.93 kg N ha^?1 from crop residues estimated by the direct method and 14.77, 3.3, and 1.85 kg N ha^?1 estimated by the indirect method. The results showed no significant difference between the two techniques, which suggests that the new soil prelabeling technique compares well with the direct technique.     

Stable Isotope and Chloride, Boron Study for Tracing Sources of Boron Contamination in Groundwater: Boron Contents in Fresh and Thermal Water in Different Areas in Greece

Boron is biologically an essential element but is toxic at high concentrations to plants (above approximately 1 mg/L in irrigation water) and probably to humans: The EU Drinking Water Directive fixes a threshold of 1 mg/L and the World Health Organisation (WHO) set a recommended limit at 0.3 mg/L now increased to 0.5 mg/L. Because of this potential toxicity and the need of implementation of EU regulation on national level, the study of the boron levels in both ground- and surface water is of great significance for water management. In Greece, a significant number of thermal, mineral and superficial water springs are found especially in Northern Greece, that present high boron values rendering such water unacceptable according to the European standards. Nevertheless, such ground waters or borehole water with high temperature and high boron content are used for irrigation and drinking purposes, and could therefore have an antagonistic effect on crop yield and health. In order to study the boron contamination and to elucidate the origin of B, we collected a number of hot and fresh water all over Greece. In all the water sampled, the boron concentration exceeds the limit of 0.3 mg/L, which is the former recommended WHO limit. Moreover, in the irrigation water examined, the boron concentration exceeds the value of 0.75 mg/L, which is the limit for sensitive plants (for plants of moderate and plants of high tolerance, these values vary between 0.75–3 and > 3 mg/L respectively). In all cases, elevated boron could be attributed to natural sources, geothermal activity and/or seawater intrusion into the aquifers. This finding has important implications for water management: In a setting of high natural geochemical background values, source control of the pollution is not possible and water managers have to cope with a local to regional geochemical anomaly that implies boron specific water treatment or mixing with unpolluted resources to bring concentrations down.     

水位波动条件下土层中硝态氮迁移转化数值模拟

将溶质运移方程、一维饱和-非饱和土壤水分运动控制方程和Kool-Parker滞后模型联立耦合,建立了地下水位波动条件下土层中硝态氮迁移转化模型。采用有限元数值分析方法,模拟了在地下水位波动条件下硝态氮的迁移过程且与室内土柱实验结果进行对比。结果表明,所建模型的模拟结果与室内土柱实验结果吻合,地下水位波动对硝态氮迁移转化影响显著,其浓度随水位的下降而上升,随浓度的上升而下降。水位波动幅度越大,其浓度波动范围越大。所建数学模型能较好反应硝态氮随水位波动的迁移转化规律。     

Nitrate Reductase,Micronutrients and Upland Rice Development as Influenced by Soil pH and Nitrogen Sources

The average yield of upland rice under no-tillage system (NTS), a sustainable soil management, is lower than in conventional tillage (one plowing and two disking). One of the reasons given for this drop in crop grain yield would be the low-nitrate assimilation capacity of rice seedlings, due to the low activity of the nitrate reductase (NR) enzyme in the early development phase. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the soil acidic and nitrogen source in the micronutrient concentrations, NR activity and grain yield of upland rice growing under NTS. The soil used in the experiment was an Oxisol. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 3 × 4. Treatments consisted of three levels of soil acidity (high, medium, and low) combined with four nitrogen sources (nitrate, ammonium, ammonium + nitrification inhibitor, and control – without N fertilization). The reduction of soil acidity reduced the concentration of zinc and manganese in rice plants. Generally, the activity of the NR enzyme was higher in plants grown in soils with low acidity and fertilized with calcium nitrate. There was a greater response in growth and yield in rice plants grown in soils with high acidity. Under medium acidity, rice plants grown with ammonium sulfate were more productive (no differences were detected with the addition of the nitrification inhibitor).     

减氮配施有机肥对夏玉米——冬小麦土壤硝态氮及氮肥利用的影响

为实现华北平原夏玉米-冬小麦的高产及氮肥的高效利用,采用田间小区试验方法,研究了氮肥减量及其与有机肥配施对夏玉米-冬小麦轮作体系内土壤硝态氮分布及氮肥利用的影响。结果表明:与不施氮处理(CK)相比,施用氮肥增加了冬小麦和夏玉米的生物量和产量,而在农民习惯施氮基础上减量1/3不会显著影响到生物量和产量。其中减氮配施有机肥(ONM)处理的周年总产最高,相比习惯施氮(CN)和减氮处理(ON)分别提高了1.85%和3.78%。处理CN的0~180 cm土壤硝态氮累积量的周年变化均值达502.7 kg hm^-2,分别是处理CK、ONM、ON的2.95、2.17、1.56倍。与处理CN相比,处理ONM显著降低了剖面(0~180 cm)土壤中的硝态氮含量,其中在夏玉米季和冬小麦季的降低幅度分别为18.1%~66.7%和37.3%~87.2%。处理ON和ONM相比处理CN,植株周年总吸氮量无显著性差异,氮肥利用率却得到了显著提高。其中处理ONM的周年氮肥利用最高,比处理CN提高了36.9%。综合分析,减氮与有机肥配施不仅显著降低了0~180 cm土壤硝态氮含量,大幅度提高了氮肥利用率,且有助于增加冬小麦和夏玉米的生物量及产量。     

Effects of Some Organic Nitrogen Sources and Antibiotics on Callus Growth of Indica Rice Cultivars

A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replicates was conducted to evaluate effects of sixteen different mixtures of organic nitrogen sources and antibiotics which were supplemented to an Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 mg L^?1 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 0.4 mg L^?1 benzyl-aminopurine (BAP), 30 g L^?1 sucrose, 8 g L^?1 Agar-agar on fresh weight and dry weight (assessed after three days of drying at 70°C) of calli and in vitro callogenesis from scutellum of four indigenous Iranian Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, including ‘Hashemi’, ‘Gerdeh’, ‘Hasani’, and ‘Gharib’. It was found that proline at 2.8 g L^?1 is the most effective source of organic nitrogen in enhancing growth, whereas asparagine at 0.75 g L^?1 inhibited the calli growth. Hygromycin at 50 mg L^?1, with slight differences between the cultivars, could effectively stunt the growth of untransformed calli. Mixture of cefotaxime (250 mg L^?1) and vancomycin (250 mg L^?1) did not have any significant effects on calli growth, although this treatment was slightly phytotoxic.     

Fruit Quality and Nitrogen,Potassium, and Calcium Content of Apple as Influenced by Nitrate: Ammonium Ratios in Tree Nutrition

Evaluations of fruit quality and nitrogen, potassium, and calcium concentration of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cvs. Gala and Golab) grown with five treatments of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were made in pot culture. The concentrations of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺ ratios were 2.5:0.1, 6:1, 6:0.7, 6:0.5, 6:0.3 meq L^?1. Fruit size, percent dry matter, total dissolved solids, total acidity, or juice pH was not affected by increased ammonium in the ratio. Firmness decreased as the proportion of NH₄⁺ increased. Gala and Golab differed in some of these parameters. Concentrations of N and K increased as NH₄⁺ increased, whereas Ca had no trend or decreased. Generally, the treatment of 2.5:0.1 produced fruits with lower N but higher K and Ca concentrations than the other treatments. This research showed that some parameters such as fruit weight, length, and diameter, juice pH, and dry matter were not affected significantly by NH₄⁺ concentration whereas composition was affected.     

Relationships Between Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Yield of Spring Wheat Under Different Water and Nitrogen Levels

ABSTRACT

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the relationships between foliar carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) and above ground dry matter (ADM) at different stages during a plant's life cycle, and grain carbon isotope discrimination and grain yield (GY) at maturity of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different nitrogen (N) and water levels. Results showed that ADM and GY both increased significantly with decreasing water stress, while the effects of nitrogen on ADM and GY varied with the water conditions. Foliar and grain carbon isotope discrimination decreased with increasing water stress and increasing nitrogen levels. For all water conditions, relationships between carbon isotope discrimination (foliar and grain) and yields (ADM and GY) were significantly positive (P < 0.001) at various growth stages. However, at the same water level, the correlations were complex, and under well-watered conditions, ADM and GY were strongly and negatively correlated with foliar and grain carbon isotope discrimination at all growth stages (P < 0.001). The correlations were inconsistent and not significant at moderate water level, but were positive under drought. Our results showed that water and nitrogen both significantly affected the relationships between yield and carbon isotope discrimination of spring wheat, that there are interactions between these two parameters, and that environmental conditions such as water and fertilizer must thus be considered in future research on the relationship between yield and carbon isotope discrimination of spring wheat.     

Sources and Pathways of Particulate Organic Carbon in a Submarine Cave with Sulphur Water Springs

The origin, quality and pathways of particulate organic carbon (POC) were studied from May 1991 to May 1995 in a submarine cave (Grotta Azzurra, Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) with warm sulphur springs that support dense mats of sulphur-oxidizing bacteria. Multifactorial sampling designs were used to specifically address: (1) differences in the quantity and quality of suspended and sedimenting particles in two distinct regions of Grotta Azzurra, a weakly-illuminated outer region (Central Hall) and an innermost dark region (Snow Hall) characterized by the presence of sulphur waters; (2) the composition and fluxes of particulate material above and below the sulphurous boundary. The water and sediment trap samples were analysed for total particles, POC, particulate organic nitrogen (PON), chlorophyll a (Chl a) and phaeopigments (Phaeo). The microbial mats were assayed for carbon fixation and RubisCo activity. Stable carbon isotope ratios of the bacteria, benthic fauna and sediments were measured. The overall amount and flux of POC did not differ between the two regions of the cave. By contrast photosynthetic pigments decreased significantly from the outer to the inner region. The average POC:PON ratios of suspended and sedimenting material were lower than 10.2, and there was no apparent ageing or degradation from the Central Hall to the Snow Hall. Fluxes of POC above the boundary were on average 23.8% of fluxes measured below the boundary, and no Chl a was detected above the boundary. The mats of sulphur-oxidizing bacteria had a 13C depletion of -30 to -31‰, providing a marker for tracing POC from this source. The majority of the benthic animals showed ?C from -20 to -24‰. Some polychaete worms and echinoderms were more depleted (-25‰), indicating greater consumption of bacterial carbon, while sponges were not depleted compared with the benthos of the control cave (?13C-18 to -19‰). It is estimated that bacteria supply about 31% of the suspended POC in the Snow Hall. A larger input may be available to animals living close to the bacterial mats and to those in the more sulphurous Grotta Sulfurea cave.     

Comparison of Factors Affecting Soil Nitrate Nitrogen and Ammonium Nitrogen Extraction

Extraction of soil nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^?-N) and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) by chemical reagents and their determinations by continuous flow analysis were used to ascertain factors affecting analysis of soil mineral N. In this study, six factors affecting extraction of soil NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N were investigated in 10 soils sampled from five arable fields in autumn and spring in northwestern China, with three replications for each soil sample. The six factors were air drying, sieve size (1, 3, and 5 mm), extracting solution [0.01 mol L^?1 calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 1 mol L^?1 potassium chloride (KCl), and 0.5 mol L^?1 potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄)] and concentration (0.5, 1, and 2 mol L^?1 KCl), solution-to-soil ratio (5:1, 10:1, and 20:1), shaking time (30, 60, and 120 min), storage time (2, 4, and 6 weeks), and storage temperature (?18 ^oC, 4 ^oC, and 25 ^oC) of extracted solution. The recovery of soil NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N was also measured to compare the differences of three extracting reagents (CaCl₂, KCl, and K₂SO₄) for NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N extraction. Air drying decreased NO₃ ^?-N but increased NH₄ ⁺-N concentration in soil. Soil passed through a 3-mm sieve and shaken for 60 min yielded greater NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations compared to other treatments. The concentrations of extracted NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N in soil were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by extracting reagents. KCl was found to be most suitable for NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N extraction, as it had better recovery for soil mineral N extraction, which averaged 113.3% for NO₃ ^?-N and 94.9% for NH₄ ⁺-N. K₂SO₄ was not found suitable for NO₃ ^?-N extraction in soil, with an average recovery as high as 137.0%, and the average recovery of CaCl₂ was only 57.3% for NH₄ ⁺-N. For KCl, the concentration of extracting solution played an important role, and 0.5 mol L^?1 KCl could fully extract NO₃ ^?-N. A ratio of 10:1 of solution to soil was adequate for NO₃ ^?-N extraction, whereas the NH₄ ⁺-N concentration was almost doubled when the solution-to-soil ratio was increased from 5:1 to 20:1. Storage of extracted solution at ?18 °C, 4 °C, and 25 °C had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on NO₃ ^?-N concentration, whereas the NH₄ ⁺-N concentration varied greatly with storage temperature. Storing the extracted solution at ?18 ^oC obtained significantly (P < 0.05) similar results with that determined immediately for both NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations. Compared with the immediate extraction, the averaged NO₃ ^?-N concentration significantly (P < 0.05) increased after storing 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively, whereas NH₄ ⁺-N varied in the two seasons. In conclusion, using fresh soil passed through a 3-mm sieve and extracted by 0.5 mol L^?1 KCl at a solution-to-soil ratio of 10:1 was suitable for extracting NO₃ ^?-N, whereas the concentration of extracted NH₄ ⁺-N varied with KCl concentration and increased with increasing solution-to-soil ratio. The findings also suggest that shaking for 60 min and immediate determination or storage of soil extract at ?18 ^oC could improve the reliability of NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N results.     

不同种植方式下农田渗漏水硝态氮含量的动态变化特征研究

该文选取江阴市沿江平原地区的3种典型农业种植区:即大棚葡萄集约化种植基地、蔬菜集约化种植基地和常规种植农田为研究对象,通过田间现场采样分析的试验方法研究了不同种植方式下农田渗漏水硝态氮含量的动态变化特征。结果表明,大棚葡萄集约化种植区渗漏水硝态氮含量随着时间的变化波动较大,硝态氮平均含量达到31.94mg/L,其中硝态氮含量峰值高达45.90mg/L,这主要是由于大棚葡萄集约化种植条件下长期过量施肥导致土壤氮素累积水平过高,过量灌溉又加大了土壤氮素的淋失强度;而蔬菜集约化种植区和常规种植区渗漏水硝态氮平均含量分别仅为4.02,3.54mg/L,显著低于大棚葡萄集约化种植区,其中常规种植区渗漏水硝态氮平均含量最低,这与常规种植区施肥强度较低有关。大棚葡萄集约化种植条件下过量灌溉和施肥加剧了土壤氮素的渗漏损失,是引起农田地下水环境硝态氮污染的主要原因。研究结果可为优化田间管理措施、减轻农田氮素淋失以及防治农业非点源污染提供科学依据。     

金华市郊蔬菜硝酸盐污染现状及分析

用WHO/FAO规定的日允许摄入量换算得到的评价标准 ,调查评价了金华市郊主要蔬菜品种的硝酸盐污染状况。分析结果表明 ,蔬菜的种类、品种及不同部位间硝酸盐含量差异较大 ,其中萝卜的含量最高 ,不同部位的累积量为 :根 >茎 >叶 >果实。另外 ,同一部位不同部分的含量也有较大差异 ,一般外叶 >内叶 ,叶片 >叶柄 ,果皮 >果肉。卫生学评价表明 ,金华市郊蔬菜中根类、叶类、甘蓝类硝酸盐含量超标 ,而瓜果、茄果、豆类食用安全。     

Water Leachates of Nitrate Nitrogen and Cations from Poultry Manure Added to an Alfisol Udalf Soil

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The paper summarizes results of chemical analyses of fog and rime water samples. The samples were collected at Milesovka, the Czech meteorological observatory....     

地表水-地下水交互下傍河土壤硝酸盐氮迁移规律试验研究

为了研究地表水与地下水不同补给关系下硝酸盐氮在傍河农田的迁移规律,选取大沽河河床沙样作为沙槽试验介质,设计地表水与地下水相互补给装置,模拟无补给、地表水补给地下水和地下水补给地表水3种方式下硝酸盐氮在土壤中的迁移,通过测定各取样点硝酸盐氮含量和到达时间,分析了其迁移规律。结果表明:纯淋洗实验中,淋洗强度与沙样颗粒越小,硝酸盐氮在表层沙中的累积越明显,硝酸盐氮的迁移也越慢。地表水与地下水相互补给试验中,补给水位上升,硝酸盐氮的积累量增加、迁移到饱水带的时间缩短;补给水力坡度为0.5时,硝酸盐氮在细沙饱水带中迁移速度约为5.3 cm/min;水力坡度变为0.7时,迁移速度约为9.4 cm/min;补给水力坡度为0.5时,硝酸盐氮在中沙饱水带的迁移速度约为12.3 cm/min。硝酸盐氮在包气带中的积累量随着沙层深度的增加而减少;淋洗强度、水力坡度及沙样颗粒越大,硝酸盐氮在包气带和饱水带中的迁移速度越快;补给水位越高,硝酸盐氮迁移至饱水带的时间越短。     

Nitrogen Uptake and Use Efficiency in Upland Rice under Two Nitrogen Sources

Upland rice is an important crop in South America, including Brazil. Nitrogen (N) is one of the most yield-limiting nutrients in upland rice production in Brazil. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate N uptake and use efficiency as influenced by N sources. The soil used in the experiment was an Oxisol. The N sources were ammonium sulfate and urea, and N rates were 0, 50, 100, 150, 300, and 400 mg kg^?1 of soil. Nitrogen concentrations in the root, shoot, and grain were significantly influenced by N sources. The N rate and N source significantly influenced the N uptake in root, shoot, and grain. Similarly, nitrogen rate by N source interaction was also significant for N uptake in the root, shoot, and grain, indicating N source has a significant influence on uptake of N. Overall, concentration (content per unit dry weight) of N was greater in the grain, followed by root and shoot. Agronomical efficiency, apparent recovery efficiency, and utilization efficiency of N were significantly influenced by N rate and varied with N sources. However, physiological and agrophysiological efficiencies were only influenced significantly by N sources. Overall, N recovery efficiency was 33% for ammonium sulfate and 37% for urea. Hence, the large amount of N lost from soil–plant system may be by denitrification or voltilization.     

Influence of Nitrate:Ammonium Ratios on Growth and Elemental Concentration in Two Azalea Cultivars

Abstract

Rooted cuttings of Rhododendron canescens “Brook” and Rhododendron austrinum were grown in sand culture with a modified Hoagland's solution under greenhouse conditions. The effect of varying ammonium:nitrate (NO₃ ^?:NH₄ ⁺) ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) on growth, chlorophyll content, plant quality, and elemental tissue concentration were determined. With NO₃ ^? as the nitrogen (N) form, both azalea cultivars exhibited less vegetative growth, lower overall plant quality, with leaves showing visual chlorotic symptoms in comparison to plants receiving NH₄ ⁺ as the N‐form. Leachate pH was highest with NO₃ ^? as the predominate N‐form and decreased significantly with each increment of NH₄ ⁺. With both azalea cultivars, N‐form significantly influenced uptake and utilization of essential plant nutrients. Leaf concentrations of N, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) were highest with NO₃ ^?‐N. Leaf elemental concentrations of phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) increased as NH₄ ⁺ supplied more of the N‐ratio. Significant differences in Mg, Mn, and Zn were observed between species. Results from this study show that foliar N concentration is not an accurate indicator of plant growth response. Further investigations are needed to determine if foliarchlorosis and low growth rates observed with NO₃ ^? fed plants due to an Fe deficiency, to low nitrate reductase (NR) activity in the leaves, or to a combination of these factors.