Soil Aluminum Effects on Growth and Nutrition of Cacao

In acid soils, Al toxicity and nutrient deficiencies are main constraints for low yield of cacao ( Theobroma cacao L.). A controlled growth chamber experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three Al saturations (0.2, 19, and 26%) adjusted by addition of dolomitic lime on growth and nutrient uptake parameters of cacao. Overall, increasing soil Al saturation decreased shoot and root dry weight, stem height, root length, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate. However, increasing soil Al saturation increased leaf area, specific leaf area (total leaf area/total leaf dry wt), and leaf area ratio (total leaf area/shoot+root wt). Increasing soil Al saturation decreased uptake of elements. Nutrient influx (IN) and transport (TR) decreased significantly for K, Ca and Mg, and showed an increasing trend for S and P as soil Al saturation increased. However, increasing soil Al saturation significantly increased nutrient use efficiency ratio (ER, mg of shoot weight produced per mg of element in shoot) of Ca, Mg and K and decreased ER for other elements. Reduction of soil acidity constraints with addition of lime and fertilizers appear to be key factors in improving cacao yields in infertile, acidic, tropical soils.     

Adaptive attributes of tropical forage species to acid soils I. Differences in plant growth,nutrient acquisition and nutrient utilization among C4 grasses and C3 legumes

Low supply of nutrients is a major limitation of forage adaptation and production in acid soils of the tropics. A glasshouse study was conducted to find differences in plant growth, nutrient acquisition and use, among species of tropical forage grasses (with C₄ pathway of photosynthesis) and legumes (with C₃), when grown in two acid soils of contrasting texture and fertility. Twelve tropical forage legumes and seven tropical forage grasses were grown in sandy loam and clay loam Oxisols at low and high levels of soil fertility. After 83 days of growth, dry matter distribution among plant leaves, stems, and roots, leaf area production, shoot and root nutrient composition, shoot nutrient uptake, and nutrient use efficiency were measured. Soil type and fertility affected biomass production and dry matter partitioning between roots and shoots. The allocation of dry matter to root production was greater with low soil fertility, particularly in sandy loam. The grasses responded more than the legumes to increased soil fertility in both shoot and root biomass production. Leaf area production and the use of leaf biomass for leaf expansion (specific leaf area) were greater in legumes than in grasses, irrespective of soil type and fertility. But soil type affected shoot biomass production and nutrient uptake of the grasses more than those of the legumes. There were significant interspecific differences in terms of shoot nutrient uptake. The grasses were more efficient than legumes in nutrient use (grams of shoot biomass produced per gram of total nutrient uptake) particularly for nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca).     

Effect of Lime and Flooding on Phosphorus Availability and Rice Growth on Two Acidic Lowland Soils

Abstract

Loss of soil‐water saturation may impair growth of rainfed lowland rice by restricting nutrient uptake, including the uptake of added phosphorus (P). For acidic soils, reappearance of soluble aluminum (Al) following loss of soil‐water saturation may also restrict P uptake. The aim of this study was to determine whether liming, flooding, and P additions could ameliorate the effects of loss of soil‐water saturation on P uptake and growth of rice. In the first pot experiment, two acid lowland soils from Cambodia [Kandic Plinthaqult (black clay soil) and Plinthustalf (sandy soil)] were treated with P (45 mg P kg^?1 soil) either before or after flooding for 4 weeks to investigate the effect of flooding on effectiveness of P fertilizer for rice growth. After 4 weeks, soils were air dried and crushed and then wet to field capacity and upland rice was grown in them for an additional 6 weeks. Addition of P fertilizer before rather than after flooding depressed the growth of the subsequently planted upland rice. During flooding, there was an increase in both acetate‐extractable Fe and the phosphate sorption capacity of soils, and a close relationship between them (r²=0.96–0.98). When P was added before flooding, Olsen and Bray 1‐extractable P, shoot dry matter, and shoot P concentrations were depressed, indicating that flooding decreased availability of fertilizer P. A second pot experiment was conducted with three levels of lime as CaCO₃ [to establish pH (CaCl₂) in the oxidized soils at 4, 5, and 6] and four levels of P (0, 13, 26, and 52 mg P kg^?1 soil) added to the same two acid lowland rice soils under flooded and nonflooded conditions. Under continuously flooded conditions, pH increased to over 5.6 regardless of lime treatment, and there was no response of rice dry matter to liming after 6 weeks' growth, but the addition of P increased rice dry matter substantially in both soils. In nonflooded soils, when P was not applied, shoot dry matter was depressed by up to one‐half of that in plants grown under continuously flooded conditions. Under the nonflooded conditions, rice dry matter and leaf P increased with the addition of P, but less so than in flooded soils. Leaf P concentrations and shoot dry matter responded strongly to the addition of lime. The increase in shoot dry matter of rice with lime and P application in nonflooded soil was associated with a significant decline in soluble Al in the soil and an increase in plant P uptake. The current experiments show that the loss of soil‐water saturation may be associated with the inhibition of P absorption by excess soluble Al. By contrast, flooding decreased exchangeable Al to levels below the threshold for toxicity in rice. In addition, the decreased P availability with loss of soil‐water saturation may have been associated with a greater phosphate sorption capacity of the soils during flooding and after reoxidation due to occlusion of P within ferric oxyhydroxides formed.     

Are mineral nutrients a critical factor for lime intolerance of lupins?

Poor growth of lupins on calcareous soils may be attributed to a number of soil physical and chemical factors. Nutrient imbalances, such as deficiency of phosphorus (P) and micronutrients or calcium (Ca) excess have been reported to be responsible for the calcifuge behavior of the plants. In the present study we investigated the importance of nutrient imbalances for the growth reduction of lupins on a lime‐containing soil. Three lupin species (Lupinus luteus, Lupinus angustifolius, and Lupinus albus) were compared with lime‐tolerant Pisum sativum. Plants were cultivated in a sandy soil containing 0.2% or 10% magnesium (Mg) limestone and were fertilized with a complete nutrient solution except for iron (Fe). In each lime treatment, three of six pots per species were supplied with iron as FeEDDHA. Strong liming greatly decreased shoot growth, rate of leaf appearance, and shoot dry matter accumulation in all Lupinus species, but only marginally in P. sativum. All Lupinus species displayed chlorosis on the strongly limed soil, whereas on the slightly limed soil, only L. luteus did so. Shoot concentrations of P, potassium (K), Ca, Mg, manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were generally in the adequate range. Decreased shoot growth was not associated with increased Ca concentrations. FeEDDHA fertilization alleviated chlorosis in most cases, but was not able to restore shoot growth. Therefore it is concluded, that, at least in the juvenile stage, nutrient imbalances do not play a major role in growth limitation of lupins on calcareous soils.     

PISTACHIO RESPONSES TO SALT STRESS AT VARIED LEVELS OF MAGNESIUM

Crop production in many parts of the world is increasingly affected by soil salinization, especially in the irrigated fields of arid and semi-arid regions. The effects of four magnesium levels [0, 0.5, 1, and 22 millliMolar (mM) magnesium as magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄.5H₂O)], and three salinity levels [0, 45 and 90 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] on growth and the chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L.) cv. ‘Badami-e-Zarand’ was studied in sand culture under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was set up as a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. After 28 weeks the growth parameters of biomass, leaf number, leaf area and stem height were measured. The results demonstrated that salinity decreased biomass, leaf area and stem height; the application of 2 mM magnesium (Mg) significantly reduced biomass, leaf number, leaf area and stem height; salinity stress increased concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in shoot as well as Na concentration in root; however, it decreased Mg and calcium (Ca) concentrations in shoot, as well as Mg, Ca, and K concentrations in root. The application of 2 mM Mg reduced K and Ca concentrations in shoot and Na and K concentrations in root.     

Availability and plant uptake of nutrients following the application of paper pulp and lime to tropical acid soils

Availability and plant uptake of nutrients were evaluated in three tropical acid soils (Kandiudult) amended with paper pulp and lime under greenhouse conditions. Amendments were applied to attain target pH values of 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5. A control treatment (no paper pulp or lime added) was also included. Rye grass (Lolium perenne L.) as a test plant was grown for three successive cycles of 40 days each. Extractable nutrients and cumulative nutrient uptake were determined. The application of paper pulp or lime resulted in a significant increase in exchangeable Ca and K and a decrease in exchangeable Mg and extractable Fe, Mn, and Zn. Amendment of soils with paper pulp or lime increased plant uptake of Ca and Mg and decreased that of K, Mn, and Zn. Both amendments behaved similarly, but the effect of lime seemed generally greater than that of paper pulp. Paper pulp in tropical acid soils behaved as a liming agent rather than an organic amendment. Similar to lime, amendment of soils with paper pulp resulted in an increase in availability of Ca and Mg and in a decrease in availability of K, Mn, and Zn for plants. Soil extractions appeared to be appropriate for assessing the availability of Ca, Mn, and Zn. Soil pH and effective cation exchange capacity positively influenced the availability of Ca and negatively the availability of Mn and Zn. Thus, the precision of predicting nutrient availability in paper pulp amended tropical acid soils could be improved by including soil pH or effective cation exchange capacity in relevant regression equations.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND CALCIUM ON THE GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PISTACHIO SEEDLINGS

Poor quality of irrigation water (high salinity) has reduced the yields of pistachio over recent years, especially in Kerman. The effects of four salinity levels [0, 30, 60, and 90 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] and three calcium (Ca) levels [0, 0.5, and 1 mM Ca as calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O)] on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings cv. ‘Badami’ were studied in sand culture under greenhouse conditions in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. After 170 days, leaf area, leaf number, shoot and root dry weights were determined. Also shoot and root sodium (Na), potassium (K), Ca, and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were measured. Results showed salinity decreased all growth parameters. Ca application increased shoot and root Ca concentrations and root K concentration, while Ca application decreased shoot K concentration and shoot and root Mg concentrations. Salinity decreased shoot Ca, root K, and root Mg concentrations, while salinity increased shoot and root total sodium uptake, and shoot and root Cl concentrations.     

Soil pH,extractable aluminum and tree growth on acid minesoils

Abstract

Paper birch and hybrid poplar were grown in acid minesoils amended with different rates and types of lime. Growth of the trees was correlated with soil pH, Ca, Mg, K, P and three measures of extractable Al ‐ 1 N KCl, 0.01 M CaCl₂ and H₂O extractable Al. Correlations between soil pH and extractable Al and between the three measures of extractable Al were also determined. Soil pH accounted for the largest share of the total variation in root and shoot growth of both species over all soils. Correlations between tree growth and extractable Al for all soils combined were low and generally non‐significant. Significant correlations were obtained between soil pH and extractable Al and between the three measures of extractable Al, however, the relationships varied among soils.     

Nutrient status of rhizosphere and phosphorus response of radish

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) exhibits a high efficiency in the utilization of sparingly‐soluble phosphates. A greenhouse experiment was designed to investigate the growth response of radish to different phosphorus (P) sources and the nutrient status of the rhizosphere associated with radish growth and nutrient absorption. Radish plants were grown in pots with the roots confined in rhizobags, in such a manner that the concentration of roots was very high within the rhizobag. The rhizosphere soils and non‐rhizosphere soils were analyzed separately for active silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) using Tamm's solution and for “available”; P using the Bray P1 extraction reagent. The radish growth response was mostly attributable to phosphate amount and availability, and the lime level used in the experiment. Concentrations of active Fe, Si, Al, and Mn were reduced in the rhizosphere, especially when lime and rock phosphate (Ps) were added. Available soil P was accumulated in the rhizosphere under lime and Ps addition, whereas its concentration was reduced with the zero lime treatment. Phosphorus utilization, characterized by P accumulation in shoots, was in accordance with the concentration pattern for “available”; P in the rhizosphere, but not with the growth response of radish itself. The calcium (Ca) concentration of the shoot followed the same trend as the radish growth. There was an antagonism between potassium (K) and Ca absorption as well as between Ca and magnesium (Mg) absorption. With the addition of P, shoot Mn concentration increased, while shoot Fe and Al concentrations increased with no lime addition but decreased with lime addition. The high P efficiency of radish is discussed from the view of rhizosphere chemistry. The high Mn efficiency of radish may be influenced by the same rhizosphere processes that are involved in its high P efficiency. It was concluded that rhizosphere processes and the status of nutrients determined the nutrient efficiency of radish and thus influenced its growth response and nutrient uptake.     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cacao Genotypes

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L) is mostly grown on soils with low natural fertility. On such soils nitrogen (N) is one of the most yield limiting nutrients for cacao. Information is lacking on N use efficiency in cacao. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate growth response and N use efficiency by two cacao genotypes. The genotypes used were TSH-565 and ICS-9 and N rates adapted were 0, 120, 240, 360, and 480 mg N /pot. In both genotypes, increasing levels of applied N improved growth (stem girth, dry weight of shoot and roots and shoot/root ratio), and concentration and uptake of N. Genotypes differed significantly for stem girth and ICS -9 produced greater stem girth compared with TSH-565. Nitrogen uptake had a linear relationship with root dry weight of the two genotypes. In both genotypes, increasing levels of applied N overall increased N-uptake efficiency (NEFF = N concentration in shoot x shoot/root), but decreased N-use efficiency by shoot and roots (NUE = g dry matter of shoot or root/mg N) and N-use efficiency of carbohydrate (NUEC = mg of total carbohydrates in shoot/mg of N in shoot). Both genotypes responded differently to applied N, despite the existence of close genetic relatedness between them. The method used here appears to be suitable method for identification of cacao genotypes that are efficient in uptake and utilization of N.     

Biomass and Phosphorus Uptake Responses of Maize to Phosphorus Application in Three Acid Soils from Southern Cameroon

Abstract

A phosphorus (P) greenhouse experiment was carried out with maize (Zea Mays L.) using surface horizons of three contrasted acid soils from southern Cameroon. The objectives were (i) to assess causal factors of maize differential growth and P uptake and (ii) to explore plant–soil interactions in acid soils under increasing P supply. Shoot and root dry‐matter yield and P uptake were significantly influenced by soil type and P rate (P<0.000), but the interaction was not significant. Soil properties that significantly (P<0.05) influenced maize growth variables were available P, soil pH, exchangeable bases [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)], and exchangeable aluminium (Al). Data ordination through principal‐component analysis highlighted a four‐component model that accounted for 88.1% of total system variance (TSV) and summarized plant reaction in acid soil condition. The first component, associated with 36.1% of TSV, pointed at increasing root–shoot ratio with increasing soil acidity and exchangeable Al. The second component (24.6% of TSV) highlighted soil labile P pool increase as a function of P rate. The third and fourth components reflected nitrogen (N) accumulation in soils and soil texture variability, respectively.     

Differential responses of red clover germplasms to aluminum stress

Toxic levels of aluminum can cause severe yield reduction in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), especially in the presence of drought stress. Aluminum tolerances of 17 red clover cultivars and germplasms representing a broad genetic base were evaluated in a Monmouth soil [26.2% Al saturation (pH 4.8) vs. 2.8% Al saturation (pH 5.7)] and in nutrient solutions (0 vs 111 μM Al; pH 4.5). The soil and nutrient culture studies were harvested 29 and 27 d after seeding, respectively.

Aluminum stress reduced shoot and root growth significantly in soil but not in nutrient culture. Entries differed significantly in shoot vigor in both media and in root vigor in nutrient culture; responses to the two media were positively correlated. Relative weights (dry weight stressed/dry weight unstressed) in soil and nutrient culture were not correlated.

In soil, Al stress significantly reduced shoot growth of all entries except ‘Tristan’, whereas root growth was not affected significantly in ‘Atlas’, ‘Lakeland’, ‘Persist’, ‘Reddy’, ‘Redman’, or Tristan. Reddy, ‘Redland II’, Redman, and Tristan had the highest relative shoot and root weights whereas ‘Kenstar’ had the lowest. In nutrient culture, only the shoot growth of Atlas, Lakeland, Redman and ‘YKYC’ and the root growth of Redman were significantly reduced under Al stress. Atlas, ‘Kenland’, and Redman had among the lowest relative shoot and root weights and Kenstar among the highest. Some entries exhibited a positive growth response to Al.     

酸性土壤上伴矿景天铝毒的缓解技术研究

酸性土壤上易产生铝（Al）毒害作用，缓解Al毒对于污染土壤上超积累植物的生长及重金属有效削减具有重要意义。本研究比较了不同措施对镉（Cd）超积累植物伴矿景天的Al胁迫缓解作用，结果发现：① 在水培条件下，锌添加可促进了Al胁迫下伴矿景天根表Cd2+吸收速率，而添加氯化钙或柠檬酸没有显著的缓解作用；② 在盆栽试验条件下，添加石灰处理显著提高了土壤pH，促进了伴矿景天生长和地上部对Cd的吸收，但添加生物质炭或柠檬酸没有显著缓解Al毒对伴矿景天生长和Cd吸收的抑制，添加柠檬酸反而加剧了土壤酸化，提高了土壤Al的活性；③在伴矿景天与荞麦间作条件下，其一定程度上降低了土壤的Al活性，在合适的种植密度下并未显著影响伴矿景天单株地上部Cd吸收量。综上，酸性土壤上耐Al作物与修复植物间作、结合添加改良剂调控Al毒，能够不显著降低土壤Cd的有效性和修复植物的Cd吸收，进而实现污染土壤的边生产边修复。     

Responses of forage grasses to aluminum in solution culture

Growth, nutrient uptake and nutrient uptake efficiency differences in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) were evaluated at 0, 100, 200, and 300 μM Al. In each of the species, cultivar differences were also compared. In the absence of Al stress, cultivars of orchardgrass outperformed other grasses. The presence of Al reduced shoot and root growth; however, the magnitude of the growth reduction depended upon the species and cultivars. The growth of shoots and roots showed a significant difference with respect to species, cultivars, treatment Al and their Interactions. Aluminum reduced the uptake of many essential nutrients. At 100 μM Al Potomac orchardgrass had the highest and climax timothy had the lowest mineral content. The efficiency ratio (ER) assisted in classifying grass entries into efficient and inefficient utilizers of the absorbed nutrients. The ER is defined as milligrams of dry shoot weight produced per milligram of element in the shoot. The ER for P, K, Cu and Zn gave a positive correlation with shoot weight; however, in general, negative relationships were observed for shoot growth and ER for Mg, Fe, and Mn. In all the species increasing Al concentration from 0 to 100 μM increased ER for Mg and decreased ER for K and Zn. With the exception of tall fescue cultivars, the ER for P was reduced by 100 μM Al. The species and cultivars used in this study showed inter‐ and intraspecific differences in growth, uptake, and ER for nutrients in the presence or absence of Al stress. Significant reduction in growth, even at 100 μM Al by all the three species of grass indicates that these grass species are far more sensitive to Al than the field crops. Therefore, experiments with levels of Al lesser than 100 μM would have given a better outlook on the performances of these grass species.     

Sugar-Beet-Processing Lime as an Amendment for Low pH Soils

In the Red River Valley, about 385,000 Mg of lime is used to help refine about 39,000 Mg of sugar beets. In a greenhouse study, sugar-beet-processing lime (spent lime; SL), commercial ag lime (AL), and reagent-grade lime (RL) were added to an acidic soil at rates of 0, 1.96, 3.93, and 7.86 Mg ECC ha^?1. Wheat was planted, and aboveground biomass and root masses were determined after 44 d of growth. Soil pH increased the greatest with the highest lime application rates. Incorporation of lime uniformly increased soil pH in the pots, whereas with surface application, soil pH decreased with increasing depth. The SL yielded more aboveground soil biomass and root mass than the AL and RL. Use of SL for increasing soil pH and reducing exchangeable Al in acid soils would be a viable use for this industrial by-product.     

The influence of Mg fertilization on growth and mineral contents of fine roots in (Picea abies [Karst] L.) stands at different stages of decline in NE-Bavaria

The effect of various Mg-fertilizers (MgSO₄; calcined dolomite) on root growth and mineral composition of 40 yr old Norway spruce at different sites and stages of decline was studied. Two years after fertilization, density of living fine roots of Mg-deficient trees had significantly increased on fertilized compared to non-fertilized plots. Only fertilization of calcined dolomite appeared to induce new root formation in the upper mineral soil. No such changes were observed for healthy looking trees at a second experimental site, where base saturation of the bulk soil was also low but trees were sufficiently supplied with Mg. At the third experimental site where foliar analyses reflected a luxurious Ca and Mg but an insufficient K nutrition at high Mg and Ca saturation of the bulk soil, calcined dolomite caused an increase of root growth due to a reinforced antagonism between Ca and Mg competing with K uptake. In general, at the experimental sites the fine root necromass decreased when base saturation of the bulk soil increased. The elemental contents of fine roots from the minenal soil of all three sites under investigation indicated that fine root growth in the mineral soil is strongly related to the root Ca and Mg contents. Root Ca contents seemed to be mainly a function of the Ca availability in the soil. Since there was no close relationship between fine root growth and the Ca/Al molar ratio in living fine roots, Al toxicity may not completely account for the differences in root growth and nutrition on the experimental sites.     

Tomato response to long‐term potassium and lime application on a sandy ultisol high in non‐exchangeable potassium

In a ten‐year study of potassium (K) and lime application to a Kalmia sandy loam (fine‐loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult), a soil high in nonexchangeable K, corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Herr.] have not responded to applied K. The objectives of this study were to determine if a high K‐requiring crop such as tomato (Lycocersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Redpak) would respond to KCl fertilizer rate or lime type (dolomitic, calcitic, and mixed) and rate on such a soil. Potassium was applied at 0, 56, and 112 kg K/ha every year for ten years. Lime was applied at 0, 2, and 9 Mg/ha in calcitic, mixed, and dolomitic forms twice in ten years (1970 and 1973). In 1980, the tenth year of the study, tomato fruit was harvested by hand once‐over to simulate machine harvest and divided into four maturity groups by color. Soil pH was higher with dolomitic than calcitic lime. Soil K saturation was not influenced by lime rate or type. Fruit yield and leaf phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations increased with increasing lime rates. Leaf K, manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), boron (B), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), barium (Ba), strontium (Sr), and aluminum (Al) concentrations decreased with increasing lime rate. Leaf Mn, Ba, and Sr concentrations were lower with dolomitic than with calcitic lime. Lime type had no effect on tomato yield. Wide ranges in basic cation saturation ratios had little effect on yield. Soil K saturation and leaf K, Zn, and Ba concentrations increased with increasing K rate. Soil Ca and leaf Ca, Mg, and Al concentrations decreased with increasing K rate. Applied K had no effect on total yield but onceover marketable yield increased linearly with increasing K rate. Marketable yield increased 14% with an increase in K rate from 0 to 56 kg/ha. Thus, fruit maturity was apparently hastened by K fertilization.     

Growth,Nutrient Uptake,and Use Efficiency in Dry Bean in Tropical Upland Soil

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. ‘BRS Requinte’) is an important legume crop and nutrient availability is one of the most yields limiting factors for bean production in tropical upland soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in Brazilian Oxisol to study growth, nutrient uptake, and use efficiency of macro- and micronutrients during growth cycle of bean plant. Plants were harvested at 15, 30, 45, 60, 73, and 99 days after sowing for determination of growth parameters and uptake of nutrients. Root dry weight, shoot dry weight and leaf trifoliate increased significantly (P< 0.01) in a quadratic fashion with the advancement of plant age. However, root-shoot ratio decreased significantly with increasing plant age. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) decreased with the advancement of plant age. However, concentrations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) increased significantly with the advancement of plant age. Accumulation of macro- and micronutrients significantly increased with the increasing plant age. Accumulation of N, P, K and Cu was higher in the grain compared with root and shoot, indicating relatively higher importance of these nutrients in improving grain yield of dry bean. Nitrogen, P and Cu use efficiency was higher for shoot weight compared to grain weight. For grain production, nutrient use efficiency was in the order of Mg > Ca > P > K > N for macronutrients and Cu > Zn = Mn for micronutrients.     

Effectiveness of some local liming materials in Nigeria as Ameliorants of soil acidity

The effectiveness of three local liming materials: basic slag (a byproduct of iron and steel industry), cement flue dust (a waste product of cement factory), and ground limestone was compared with that of imported hydrated lime in a greenhouse study using acid soils from two sites in Southern Nigeria. The soils were taken from Onne, near Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Epe near Lagos in Lagos State. The soils were classified as Typic paleudult and Typic udipsamment, respectively. The results show that the four liming materials were capable of neutralizing soil acidity. Their relative effectiveness was in the order: hydrated lime > basic slag > cement flue dust > ground limestone. Uptake of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca), and dry matter yield increased with increasing lime rates up to 500 and 1,000 mg Ca/kg soil for Epe and Onne soils, respectively. The lime requirements of the two soils are in the order of the aluminum (Al) saturation of the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) and are equivalent to exchangeable Al multiplied by 1.74 and 1.50, respectively. While differences among lime rates were significant for nutrient uptake and dry matter yield, there were no significant differences among the lime sources.     

Comparing the effects of paper pulp and lime additions to acid tropical soils using batch experiments

Paper mill residuals may beneficially be used to improve the fertility of tropical acid soils. The effects of paper pulp on soil pH, exchangeable Al and soil solution composition of three acid tropical soils were compared with the effects of equivalent rates of lime in two batch experiments. Paper pulp was more effective than lime in increasing soil pH. However, both amendments were equally effective in decreasing exchangeable Al. Paper pulp and lime similarly influenced the composition of the soil solution by increasing soil solution pH, dissolved organic carbon, inorganic carbon, NO₃, SO₄, Ca and Mg. The supply of nitrate by the soil, however, was reduced in paper pulp treatments compared to lime treatments. Nitrate had a major role in controlling nutrient concentrations in the soil solution. Reduced NO₃ concentrations in paper pulp treated soils compared to limed soils could therefore result in lower nutrient availability and limited losses by leaching.