Phosphorus and silicon effects on growth,yield, and phosphorus forms in potato plants

Silicon (Si) can increase phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PUE) by increasing P availability in the soil and altering P metabolism in the plant, thus resulting in improved yield under low soil P conditions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of P (10, 50, 100, and 200?mg dm^?3) and Si (0, 50, and 200?mg dm^?3) interrelationship on P and Si uptake by plants, forms of P in leaves and tubers, plant growth, and tuber yield of potato plants. Silicon supply increased organic and inorganic P in the leaves. At low soil P rates, Si also increased organic P in the tubers. However, alterations in the P metabolism of potato plants with Si supply did not promote significant changes in dry matter (DM) production and tuber yield. Phosphate fertilization increased growth and yield of plants. Silicon uptake by the plants were also increased by phosphate fertilization with soil Si supply.     

Hydroxycinnamic acids as affected by different fertilization of Rebula grapevines

The phenolic composition of white grapes is important since browning reactions may dramatically compromise the overall quality of musts and wines. Only few scientific contributions are available, which investigated how fertilization can influence this class of compounds. Thus, the aim of this work was to examine the effects of NPK soil fertilization coupled with soil or foliar applications of Mg, Fe, and Zn on the concentrations of K, Mg, Fe, and Zn of grape berries and leaf petioles of potted Rebula grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.), also revealing the change of hydroxycinnamic acids in grape juice. The results obtained over the three‐year study (2009–2011) showed that NPK fertilization positively affected K and Zn concentrations of petioles and grape berries, and negatively Mg. In addition, K (synergistic) and Mg (antagonistic) had an influence on Zn uptake. Our findings suggest that the supply of NPK was profitable for a reduction of trans‐caftaric acid in grape juice, while only few differences were observed with further application of nutrients.     

The Effect of Humic Substances and Phosphate Fertilizer on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of the Potato

ABSTRACT

The use of applied phosphorus (P) and the uptake of nutrients from the soil by plants can be improved when the fertilizer is combined with the application of humic substances (HS). However, these beneficial effects are inconsistent and can depend on the type of soil. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the application of HS (0, 1.25, and 7.50 mL pot^–1), as Humic HF®, and fertilizer-P (10, 50, 100, and 200 mg P dm^–3), as triple superphosphate, on root morphological characteristics, dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, and tuber yield of potatoes grown in sandy and clayey soils. Only under low P supply in the sandy soil did the supply of HS, at the rate of 1.25 mL pot^–1, increase the plant growth, yield of tubers, and uptake of macronutrients by the plants, without affecting the efficiency of the P fertilization. In the clayey soil, which had a higher organic matter content, the application of HS did not affect plant growth, tuber yield or nutrient uptake. In both soils, P fertilization increased plant growth, tuber yield, and nutrient uptake. The combined application of HS and P increased the root length of potatoes in sandy soil.     

Seed potato minituber production in an aeroponic system under tropical conditions: electrical conductivity and plant density

Abstract

Most seed potatoes in Brazil are produced in beds, pots or boxes containing substrate, but the yields are low. Aeroponic systems are one strategy for increasing the yield. However, the concentration of nutrient solutions, managed by varying the electrical conductivity (EC), is of upmost importance and can alter plant responses. Plant density is another important factor for obtaining high yields. The objective of this study was thus to determine the effect of nutrient-solution EC and plant density on plant and seed potato production in aeroponic system. The experimental design was a randomized block with a split-plot design and four replicates, with plots for EC and subplots for plant density. Two potato cultivars were tested. The best ECs for “Agata” and “Asterix” were 2.1 and 1.7?dS?m^?1, respectively. The highest plant density (100 plants m^?2) for both cultivars produced the highest minituber yield and economic feasibility.     

Effects of potassium supply on growth and yield of safflower as compared to sunflower§

Safflower may have a certain production potential under German conditions, particularly in organic farming where the putatively low nutrient requirement is highly welcomed. However, current knowledge regarding the nutrient requirements of safflower as compared to similar oil crops is limited. It was thus the aim of this study to determine the growth and yield response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as compared to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with respect to potassium (K) supply. Three safflower and two sunflower plants were cultivated in 5 L Mitscherlich pots. Both species responded strongly to increasing K supply with respect to plant growth and yield. Growth and yield of safflower increased up to 1 g K per pot, while the optimum for sunflower was 3.0 g K per pot. Safflower out‐yielded sunflower at low K supply, while at high K level, the opposite was observed. Supply of K affected virtually all yield components in both species, though to different degree. The number of capitula in safflower was only slightly affected, and the number of achenes per capitulum was only reduced under severe K deficiency, while single‐achene mass increased with increasing K supply. In sunflower, the number of achenes per capitulum strongly responded to the K supply, as did the single‐achene mass. Oil yield in safflower was affected by K deficiency mainly due to reduced achene yield, not oil concentration. However, oil yield in sunflower was severely affected by low K supply due to both reduced achene yield and lowered oil concentration. Multiple‐regression analyses indicate that in sunflower, the stem dry matter (DM) and the total amount of K accumulated in the aboveground biomass were most important, while in safflower the total amount of K and N accumulated had the highest impact. It is concluded that sunflower is more sensitive to inadequate K supply than safflower.     

Nitrates content in table potato tubers under the influence of herbicides and biostimulants

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of herbicides and biostimulants on the potato tuber content of nitrates. The experimental material consisted of tubers harvested in a field experiment which examined the following factors: three medium early potato cultivars (Bartek, Gawin, Honorata) and five methods of herbicide and biostimulant application (Harrier 295 ZC (linuron?+?chlomazon), Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin), growth regulator Kelpak SL (algae extract from Ecklonia maxima ? auxins and gibberellins), growth regulator Asahi SL (sodium para-nitrophenol, sodium ortho-nitrophenol, sodium 5-nitroguaiacol) and a control unit where weeds were mechanically controlled). The tuber content of nitrates was determined in fresh matter with an ion-selective nitrate electrode and silver–silver chloride reference electrode. Herbicides and biostimulants increased the potato tuber content of nitrates compared with control tubers. However, they did not pose a threat to consumer health. Tubers of plants sprayed with the herbicide Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin) and the biostimulant Asahi SL (sodium para-nitrophenol, sodium ortho-nitrophenol, sodium 5-nitroguaiacol) contained the most nitrates whose accumulation was also affected by cultivars and weather conditions in the study years.     

紫云英不同翻压时期对土壤养分和水稻产量的影响

为了明确紫云英作为稻田绿肥利用的最佳翻压时期,通过田间试验,研究紫云英不同翻压时期配合常规施肥对土壤养分、水稻主要农艺性状及产量的影响。结果表明,在盛花期翻压紫云英,土壤耕层速效氮和速效钾含量,分别比常规施肥、盛花期前和盛花期后翻压紫云英高22.8%、11.0%、2.1%和23.2%、11.5%、4.4%,盛花期翻压紫云英为水稻的生长发育提供更多的氮钾养分;盛花期翻压紫云英水稻产量达到9 288.0 kg/hm2,比常规施肥、盛花期前和盛花期后翻压紫云英分别高16.3%、4.9%、3.1%。盛花期是翻压紫云英的最佳时期。     

Growth and composition of cabbage as affected by nitrogen nutrition

Abstract

The effect of cultivar and rate of N application on nitrate accumulation in cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata, L.) was investigated in a field study. At harvest, significant differences in nitrate accumulation among cultivars occurred, with the greatest differences occurring at the highest rate of N applied, 450 kg N/ha. Two of three straight‐leaved varieties, Market Prize and Market Victor, accumulated more nitrate than three savoy‐leaved varieties, Savoy Ace, Savoy King, and Chieftain Savoy. The third straight‐leaved variety studied, Harris Resistant Danish, accumulated the least nitrate. Pattern of nitrate accumulation was closely correlated with date of maturity, with the earliest‐maturing variety, Market Victor, accumulating the highest levels of nitrate, and the latest‐maturing variety, Harris Resistant Danish, accumulating the least nitrate. For all six varieties, outer wrapper‐leaf samples showed higher nitrate levels than head samples.

In a second study, the effect of cultivar, N source, and nitrapyrin on yield and nutritional status of cabbage was studied under greenhouse conditions. The six cabbage cultivars showed no significant differences in nitrate accumulation after 65 days. The presence of 10 ppm of nitrapyrin, 2‐chloro‐6‐(trichloromethyl) pyridine, resulted in a restriction in fresh and dry weight production in cabbage. No visual, foliar symptoms of nitrapyrin toxicity were evident. Calcium levels were reduced in the presence of nitrapyrin regardless of N source. Adding nitrapyrin had no sign:ficant effect on Mg concentration, and highest Mg levels occurred under ammonium nutrition. Potassium levels were increased in the presence of nitrapyrin when the soil was not supplemented with K, whereas differences in K content due to the inhibitor were insignificant when KNO₃ was supplied.     

Nutrients Accumulation,Biometric, Chlorophyll and Potassium Indexes and Production in Minituber Potato as Function of Potassium Doses in Organic and Hydroponic Conditions

ABSTRACT

Potato is one of the most economically important crops in Brazil. In this crop, potassium (K) is the most accumulated nutrient and has significant and positive effect on potato plant growth and tuber yield. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the effects of K doses on nutrients accumulation, biometric, chlorophyll, and K indexes in potato plants grown. Two experiments were installed simultaneously in an unheated greenhouse with Agata cultivar. The experiment 1 was carried out in pot with commercial organic substrate with five K doses (0, 0.66, 1.32, 1.98, and 2.64 g dm^3?1). The experiment 2, nominated hydroponic system, with washed sand above a layer of expanded clay pebbles where the plants received daily nutrient solution application. The treatments were five K doses (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 e 10.0 mmol L^?1). The biometrics data were collected 21 days after emergence and at harvest. Both experiments were set at a randomized block design with four replications. In both experiments, no visual symptoms of deficiency or excess were observed but only in plants at 0 mmol L^?1 of K. In both experiments, K doses interacted with some biometric and chlorophyll indexes measured in the fourth completely expanded leaf with portable SPAD and Dualex devices, commonly used as a guide to in-season fertilizer N management, leading to recommend their use only in plants properly nourished in K. K critical concentration in the fourth fully expanded leaf was 61.7 g kg^?1.     

Lettuce yield and root activity as affected by an ion exchange substrate and mineral nutrition level

The study involved investigating the effect of ion exchange substrate (IES) addition to a nutrient solution (2% or 5% v/v) on the yield and root parameters of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. “Justyna”) under the conditions of basic (1.5-times concentrated Hoagland solution, electrical conductivity, EC 2.41–2.47 dS m^?1), and intensive (3-times concentrated Hoagland solution, EC 6.85–7.30 dS m^?1) mineral nutrition level. Regardless of the mineral nutrition level, both experimental additions of IES significantly increased the yield and elevated the volume, as well as the whole (WRA) and the active (ARA) adsorptive surface area of roots. It was confirmed that the substrate did not cause salt stress. Additionally, it was revealed that the substrate constitutes a beneficial component of lettuce in non-salinized (basic) or salinized (intensive mineral nutrition level) environment and that the 2% dose was more favorable than 5% dose.     

Foliar and Radicular Absorption of Boron by Beetroot and Tomato Plants

The isotopic technique was employed to study boron (B) mobility in tomato and beetroot plants under protected cultivation conditions. An experiment was conducted in which both species grew in 10-dm³ vases filled with coconut fiber, under hydroponic conditions. The plants were subjected to four different treatments: (1) no B in the substratum and no foliar fertilization; (2) no B in the substratum, with foliar ¹⁰B fertilization; (3) B in the substratum, with foliar ¹⁰B fertilization; and (4) ¹⁰B in the substratum and no foliar fertilization. The biological growth variables and total B and ¹⁰B contents in the plant parts grown after the application of the nutrient were evaluated. For increasing B content in young tissues, the foliar application of this element was not as efficient as application via root system, indicating low mobility of B in the tissues of both beetroot and tomato plants.     

Influence of Nitrogen and Potassium Supply on Contents of Acrylamide Precursors in Potato Tubers and on Acrylamide Accumulation in French Fries

Fried potato products may accumulate substantial amounts of acrylamide due to high precursor contents, namely reducing sugars and asparagine. In a two-factorial experiment increasing N supply, increased the contents of reducing sugars in most cases, and resulted in higher contents of free amino acids. α -amino-N, which was tightly correlated with the contents of free amino acids, can be regarded a suitable rapid test for free asparagine for a given variety. Increasing K addition always raised the citrate contents, but lessened the contents of reducing sugars. Selected treatments were processed into French fries. Highest acrylamide contents were observed in tubers grown with high N and inadequate K supply, which also contained the highest contents of precursors. The experiment clearly demonstrates that nutrient supply has significant impact on the contents of acrylamide precursors and thus for the acrylamide formation during frying.     

Carbon-allocation dynamics in reed canary grass as affected by soil type and fertilization rates in northern Sweden

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in northern Sweden between 1995 and 1997, with the objectives (1) to quantify the dynamics of carbon accumulation in above- and belowground crop components of reed canary grass (RCG) during the second and third year after sowing and (2) to examine the effect of fertilization and soil type (mineral vs. organic) on C allocation. Across all treatments, carbon accumulation in belowground organs in the top 20 cm was on average 3 and 3.4 Mg C by the end of the second and third year, respectively, with roots and rhizomes accounting for up to 80%. Roots contributed most to belowground C mass during the second growing season but during the preceding winter, root biomass C decreased by 44–67%, and, thereafter, during the third growing season, the proportion of rhizome C increased. The dynamics of root biomass was considerably high, suggesting high root turnover rates. Rhizomes support re-growth during spring and rhizome biomass seems to increase with crop age. Thus, early harvesting before October may impact on the productivity during the following season.

Among the factors studied, harvest date was the most influential and affected C allocation in all crop components considerably. Fertilization stimulated growth of shoots, rhizomes, and BSBs (belowground shoot bases) but not that of roots. However, root biomass was higher in the organic than in the mineral soil. In this study, we considered only plant components above 20 cm depth. More detailed studies are needed to calculate more complete soil C balances. However, high belowground biomass production and root turnover indicate a high C input to the soil, which may result in positive soil C balances. Therefore, RCG cropping could have considerable carbon-sequestration potential.     

宁德市耕地土壤养分空间分布特征分析和甘薯施肥建议

利用福建省宁德市9县(市、区)近9年测土配方施肥34 998个土样测定分析结果和序贯高斯模拟,分析宁德市耕地土壤pH值、有机质和速效氮、磷、钾空间分布特征,并提出甘薯施肥建议。结果表明:土壤pH值、有机质和速效氮、磷、钾指标的半变异函数均为指数模型。宁德耕地土壤以pH值≤5.5、土壤有机质≥20 g/kg、碱解氮100~250 mg/kg、有效磷15 mg/kg、速效钾80 mg/kg为主。随着海拔高度下降,宁德耕地土壤pH值均值随之上升,土壤有机质含量均值和碱解氮含量均值随之下降,土壤有效磷含量均值和速效钾含量均值随之呈先降后升的趋势。应根据土壤测定值与推荐施肥量关系表,或海拔与施肥量的回归关系式,在甘薯田酌情施用石灰、氮肥、磷肥、钾肥,还应增施有机肥。     

Uptake and distribution of selenium in tomato plants as affected by genotype and sulphate supply

Aim of this work was to investigate if the variation among tomato genotypes in selenium (Se) uptake and accumulation observed in short term experiments are maintained over longer growth periods and if there is a positive correlation in shoot between sulphur (S) accumulation and Se accumulation across different genotypes or if higher tissue S results in greater feedback inhibition of Se uptake. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions and different genotypes of Lycopersicon lycopersicum (UC82B and LA2711), Lycopersicon pennellii (LA716) and Lycopersicon peruvianum (LA2157) were grown until fruit ripening. The results obtained in the two experiments confirmed that sulphate in the growth solution reduced selenate uptake by plants and increased the S content of the leaves. Under low sulphate treatment there was a clear correlation (R²=0.82) between leaf S content and shoot Se content across genotypes in both experiments, indicating that the overall activity of the S transport systems also determines Se transport. Selenium was translocated from shoot to fruit, but the edible portion of the plant contained much less total Se than the inedible plant parts. The difference in Se content between the low and the high sulphate treatments was significantly higher in shoot than in root, confirming that the Se translocation from root to shoot is probably more affected by high sulphate supply than Se uptake by root. In the first experiment the genotype LA716 showed ah higher Se, accumulation together with higher S content in leaves, indicating a marked ability of this genotype to absorb ions from substrate. In the second experiment UC82B appeared to be more capable to accumulate Se and S rather than LA2711 and LA2157. In both experiments Lycopersicon peruvianum appeared to be less affected by the high concentration of ions in the growth solution and to be able to reduce ion uptake than Lycopersicon lycopersicum and Lycopersicon pennellii.     

Recovery of phosphorus fertilizer in potato as affected by application strategy and soil type

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers are usually supplied prior to or at planting of potato even though most P is taken up 40 to 80 d after emergence. This may lead to inefficient P use as a result of P leaching or fixation in the soil. This study evaluates the effects of split P application at multiple times during the growth period according to the plant's need for P. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Ditta) was grown in pots in climate chambers, and radioactive ³²P isotope was used to distinguish between the fertilizer and soil‐derived P sources. Two soils were tested in combination with five application rates of P, and the plants were harvested at four dates. The results show that the recovery of P fertilizer can be significantly enhanced if the P supply is split. The result also showed that the proportion of soil‐derived P, accumulated in the plant, was significantly reduced both when more fertilizer P was applied to the soil and when P supply was split into several applications. The positive effects of multiple P applications on the P recovery were greatest in the soil with low P status and low buffer capacity.     

Zinc uptake and distribution in tomato plants in response to foliar supply of Zn hydroxide‐nitrate nanocrystal suspension with controlled Zn solubility

The present study investigated the foliar uptake rate, distribution, and retranslocation patterns of novel, synthesized zinc hydroxide‐nitrate nanocrystals (ZnHN; solubility 30–50 mg Zn L^?1) applied on to the adaxial surface of tomato leaves (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Roma). The total Zn absorption from ZnHN suspension positively increased with ZnHN application rates, but the relative efficacy started to decline at > 400 mg Zn L^?1. Within the 3 weeks, total Zn recovery in the ZnHN‐treated plants was 16% of the total ZnHN‐Zn applied, compared to the near 90% total Zn recovery in the Zn(NO₃)₂‐plants at the same Zn rate. Foliar‐absorbed ZnHN‐Zn was distributed from the treated leaves into other plant parts and preferentially translocated into the roots. Distribution of Zn from ZnHN‐treated leaves to apical parts was not limited by Zn deficiency. These results demonstrate that ZnHN crystals with controlled solubility provided some sort of slow‐release Zn over a certain growth period at a rate slower (but quantitatively effective) than the soluble Zn(NO₃)₂. The efficacy of the prolonged foliar Zn supply could be enhanced if the ZnHN suspension is sprayed over a large leaf surface area at the peak vegetative or early flowering stage.     

Cadmium and lead affect the status of mineral nutrients in alfalfa grown on a calcareous soil

ABSTRACT

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are toxic trace elements which are not essential for plants but can be easily taken up by roots and accumulated in various organs, and cause irreversible damages to plants. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the individual and combined effects of Cd (0, 10, 20 mg kg^?1) and Pb (0, 500, 1000 mg kg^?1) level in a calcareous soil on the status of mineral nutrients, including K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn, in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants. Soil Pb level considerably (P ≤ 0.05) affected the concentrations of more elements in plants than soil Cd level did, and there were combined effects of soil Cd level and Pb level on the concentrations of some nutrients (Ca, Mg, and Cu) in plants. The effects of soil Cd level and Pb level on plant nutrient concentrations varied among plant parts. Cd and Pb contamination did not considerably affect the exudation of carboxylates in the rhizosphere. An increase in rhizosphere pH and exudation of significant amounts of carboxylates (especially oxalate) in the rhizosphere might contribute to the exclusion and detoxification of Cd and Pb. Neither shoot dry mass nor root dry mass was significantly influenced by soil Cd level, but both of them were considerably reduced (by up to 25% and 45% on average for shoot dry mass and root dry mass, respectively) by increasing soil Pb level. The interaction between soil Cd level and Pb level was significant for root dry mass, but not significant for shoot dry mass. The results indicate that alfalfa is tolerant to Cd and Pb stress, and it is promising to grow alfalfa for phytostabilization of Cd and Pb on calcareous soils contaminated with Cd and Pb.     

红壤交换性钙、镁和钾的分布及施肥对其影响

A leaching experiment was Carried out with repacked soil columns in laboratory to study the leaching process of a red soil derived from sandstone as affected by various fertilization practices.The treatments were CK(as a control),CaCO3,CaSO4,MgCO3,Ca(H2PO4)2,Urea,KCl,Multiple(a mixture of the above mentioned fertilizers) and KNO3,The fertilizers were added to the bare surface of the soil columns,and then the columns were leached with 120 mL deionized water daily through perstaltic pumps over a period of 92 days,At the end of leaching process,soils were sampled from different depths of the soil profiles ,i.o.,of 92 days,At the end of leaching process,soils were sampled from different depths of the soil profiles,I.e.0-5cm,5-10cm,10-20cm,20-40cm,and 40-60cm,The results showed when applying Ca,Mg,and K to the bare surface of the soil columns,exchangeable Ca^2 ,Mg^2 ,and K^ in the upper layer of the soil profile increased correspondingly,with an extent depending mainly on the application rates of Ca,Mg,and K and showing a downward trend,CaCO3,CaSO4,MgCO3,and Ca(H2PO4)2 treatments had scarcely and effect on movement of exchangeable K^ ,while CaCO3,and CaSO4 treatments singnificantly promoted the downward movement of exchangealble Mg^2 although these two treatments had no obvious effect on leaching losses of Mg,The fact that under Urea treatment,exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 ,were higher as compared to CK treatment showed urea could prevent leaching of exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 ,the obvious downward movement of exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 was noticed in KCl treatment ,In Multiple treatment,the downward movement of exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 was evident,while that of K^ was less evident,Application of KNO3 strongly promoted the downward movement of exchangeable Ca^2 and Mg^2 in the soil profile.