Factors Influencing Runoff P Losses from Farmlandsof the Dianchi Lake Watershed in Yunnan, China

Effects of factors such as slope, surface soil texture, fertilization and crop cover with different rainfall intensitieson phosphorus (P) losses in farmland runoff of the Dianchi Lake Watershed in Yunnan Province of China were studiedthrough a rainfall simulation test using a red soil, one of the most widely distributed soils of the study area. Resultsshowed that the runoff concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and P losses differed with the slope, being highest whenthe slope was 18~. At two different rainfall intensities, the runoff TP and P losses had a similar decreasing trend asthe surface soil texture became coarser, therefore applying the grit would decrease P in runoff from soils of farmland onslopes with heavier textures. With wheat as a crop cover the runoff TP concentrations and P losses were significantlylower than those of the bare soil. This showed that plant cover would greatly decrease P in runoff from the farmland ofthe study area. The TP concentration in runoff from the soil two days after fertilization doubled when compared withthat from the non-fertilized soil, indicating that fertilization could mean a dramatic rise in P runoff if irrigation or heavyrainfall occurred immediately after application and that no fertilization before a rain and no irrigation immediately afterfertilization would reduce runoff P loss from the farmland of the study area.     

Humic Substance Fractions and Attributes of Histosols and Related High‐Organic‐Matter Soils from Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge of the distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) fractions is important in managing soils toward a sustainable agricultural system in a tropical environment. However, data on Histosols is limited. This study developed 19 profiles of Histosols and soils with high organic-matter content from different regions of Brazil. Soil organic matter was fractionated into fulvic acids (FAF), humic acids (HAF), and humin (HUM). The ratios HAF/FAF and AE (alkaline extract)/HUM were calculated. The objectives were to evaluate the method for SOM fractionating in Histosols and related soils and to correlate the distribution of organic fractions with other soil attributes. The humic fractions presented significant correlations with other soil attributes, the best being the correlation between FAF and nutrient level. The HAF and HUM presented high correlation with cationic exchange capacity, active acidity (H⁺) and pH. Humin and the alkaline extract absorbance measured at 380 nm and 465 nm and presented good correlation with total organic carbon.     

Effect of High‐Molybdenum Compost on Soils and the Growth of Lettuce and Barley

A pot experiment evaluated the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgar) and accumulation of molybdenum (Mo) in plants and soils following amendments of Mo compost (1.0 g kg^?1) to a Truro sandy loam. The treatments consisted of 0 (control), 12.5, 25, and 50% Mo compost by volume. The Mo compost did not affect dry‐matter yield (DMY) up to 25% compost, but DMY decreased at the 50% compost treatment. The 50% compost treatments increased the soil pH an average of 0.5 units and increased the nitric acid (HNO₃)–extractable Mo to 150 mg kg^?1 and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable Mo to 100 mg kg^?1 in the growth medium; the same treatment increased tissue Mo concentration to 569 and 478 mg kg^?1 in the lettuce and barley, respectively. Plants grown in the 25% compost produced about 55 mg kg^?1 of total Mo in the growth medium; this resulted in tissue Mo concentration of 348 mg kg^?1 in lettuce and 274 mg kg^?1 in barley without any phytotoxicity. Our results suggested that 55 mg Mo kg^?1 soil would be an appropriate limit for Mo loading of soil developed from compost additions, a value which is presently greater than the Canadian Council for Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Guidelines for the use of type B compost in Canada.     

Agronomic Efficiency of Indian Rock Phosphates in Acidic Soils Employing Radiotracer A‐Value Technique

Abstract

A greenhouse pot culture study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of two rock phosphates from Mussoorie (MRP) and Purulia (PRP) in two acidic soils from Dapoli (Maharashtra) and Aruvanthklu (Karnataka), India, by growing maize (cv. Ganga) as the test crop and using ³²phosphorus (P) single superphosphate (³²P=SSP) as a tracer (A‐value technique). Dry‐matter yield and P uptake increased significantly with the application of P fertilizers compared to control treatment (without P) in both the soils. There was no significant difference with respect to dry‐matter yield among the P fertilizer treatments. However, P uptake by the shoots was found to be significantly higher in the PRP treatment in only Dapoli soil compared to other P fertilizer treatments. Phosphorus derived from fertilizer decreased in rock phosphate treatments compared to standard ³²P‐SSP treatment in both the soils, indicating an excess availability of P from the rock phosphates. A‐values of soil and rock phosphate indicate a relatively higher P availability from Aruvanthklu soil compared to Dapoli soil; A‐values for the rock phosphates were in the order PRP>MRP. The substitution ratio showed that the availability of P from both the rock phosphates were less than SSP in both the soils.     

Evaluation of Dolomite Phosphate Rock–N‐Viro Soil Mixtures for Growth of a Horticultural Crop in an Acidic Sandy Soil

Abstract

Most agricultural soils in the Indian River area, South Florida, are sandy with minimal holding capacity for moisture and nutrients. Phosphorus (P) leaching from these soils has been suspected of contributing to the eutrophication of surface waters in this region. Dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) and N‐viro soil are promising amendments to increase crop production and reduce P loss from sandy soils. Soil incubation and greenhouse pot experiments were conducted to examine the effects of Florida DPR–N‐viro soil mixtures on the growth of a horticultural crop in an acidic sandy soil and to generate information for developing a desired formula of soil amendments. Dolomite phosphate rock and N–viro soil application increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), extractable P, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). N–viro soil had greater effect on soil pH, organic matter content, and microbial biomass than the DPR. Comparatively higher nitrification rates were found in the N–viro soil treatment than the DPR treatment. A systematic decrease in soil‐extractable P was found with increasing proportions of N‐viro soil from the combined amendments. Greenhouse study demonstrated that the application of DPR and N‐viro soil significantly improved dry‐matter yield and increased plant P, Ca, and Mg concentrations of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Based on dry‐matter yield and plant N uptake, the combined amendments that contained 30% or 20% of DPR materials appear to be optimal but remain to be confirmed by field trials.     

Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter on the Solubility of Heavy Metals in Sewage‐Sludge‐Amended Soils

Abstract

Sewage‐sludge‐amended soils generally contain elevated levels of organic matter and heavy metals compared to control soils. Because organic matter is known to complex with heavy metals, the solubility behavior of the organic matter in such soils may exert a significant influence on the solubility of the metals. Little is known about such a process. Using batch experiments in which the solubility of organic matter in a heavily sludge‐amended soil was artificially manipulated, we show that the solubilities of the heavy metals copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) show a strong positive relationship to the solubility of organic matter, particularly at high pH. The results suggest that under field conditions, spatiotemporal variations in the solid–solution partitioning of organic matter may have a bearing on the environmental significance (mobility and bioavailability) of these heavy metals.     

Rice Yields Enhanced through Integrated Management of Cover Crops and Phosphate Rock in Phosphorus‐deficient Ultisols in West Africa

The relatively low solubility and availability of phosphorus (P) from indigenous phosphate rock could be enhanced by legumes in the acid soils of humid forest agroecosystems. Crotalaria micans L. was grown in a screenhouse without P or with P from triple superphosphate (TSP) and Malian Tilemsi Rock P. The P response of 20 cover crops was field‐evaluated using TSP and Rock P. In both experiments, the fertilized cover crops were followed by upland rice without mineral N or P application. Mean rice grain yield and agronomic residual P‐use efficiency were similar for both P sources. In the field, 1‐year fallow treatment of Canavalia ensiformis (velvet bean) supplied with Mali Rock P gave the highest rice grain yield of 3.1 Mg ha^?1, more than 180% that of 2‐year continuous unfertilized rice (cv. ‘WAB 56‐50’). Among continuous rice plots, ‘NERICA 2’ (interspecific rice) supplied with Rock P produced the highest yield (2.0 Mg ha^?1), suggesting that ‘NERICA 2’ might have greater potential to solubilize rock P. Results indicate that when combined with an appropriate legume, indigenous rock‐P can release sufficient P to meet the P requirement of the legume and a following upland rice crop in rotation.     

Comparison of Extraction Procedures Used in Determination of Phosphorus Species by 31P‐NMR in Chilean Volcanic Soils

Abstract

Four procedures were employed to extract phosphorus (P) from volcanic soils for ³¹P‐NMR experiments. The procedures involve 0.5 M NaOH extraction, 0.5 M NaOH and Chelex 100 cation exchange resin extraction, NaOH‐EDTA extraction, and HCl‐NaOH two step sequential extraction with Chelex 100 clean up. Results showed that inorganic‐P, monoester‐P, diester‐P and pyrophosphate were present. Their detection was dependent on the extraction procedure used.

The NaOH procedure gives only a broad and vaguely defined signal with poor signal to noise ratio. The incorporation of Chelex 100 in the extraction enhanced the signal to noise ratio and allowed the distinction of inorganic‐P, monoester‐P, diester‐P and pyrophosphate. The two step sequential extraction involving HCl, NaOH, and Chelex 100 significantly improve the signal to noise ratio. The NaOH‐EDTA extraction procedure is efficient only in samples with low OC contents.

When soils have low OC content, any of the four extraction procedures can be successfully used. If the OC and the Fe concentration in the extracted solutions are high, the Chelex 100 became essential in clean up the metallic ions. Both the NaOH and Chelex 100 and the HCl‐NaOH‐Chelex produced satisfactory results and the later procedure by far the best resolved spectra.     

Effect of Salinity and Some Chemical Properties of the Under‐ and Intercanopy Soils on Range Plants in a Dry Region of Southern Iran

Abstract

The present study was conducted in a dry region in southern Iran to evaluate the effects of different Atriplex species on the salinity, soluble ions, and some of the other chemical properties of under‐ and intercanopy soils. The research region was divided into five separate sites with vegetation cover of the range plants Atriplex lentiformis, A. nummularia, and A. halimus (all newly introduced species) and A. leucoclada and Salsola rigida (both native species). Four 1‐kg soil samples (from under‐ and interspaces of the canopy of tested plants, each in two depths of 0–10 and 10–40 cm, were taken from each of the plant sites and analyzed for different determinations. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment in a complete random design with six replicates.

Regardless of distance and depth, different plant species resulted in different salinity (based on the EC values of saturation paste) and soluble cation contents in the tested soils. The results showed that the increase in EC values were associated with decreases in pH values of the tested soils.

The SAR values followed exactly the same pattern as EC values and Na⁺ concentrations. In the case of soluble anions, the Cl^? contents followed exactly the same pattern as the EC values of the tested soils, which indicates that the salts are predominantly chlorides of various cations (especially Na⁺). The OM and total nitrogen (N) contents of the undercanopy were greater than those of the interspace and those of the surface layer were greater than those of the sublayer. Moreover, although the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of undercanopy and interspace were not significantly different from each other, the P and K contents of the surface layer were greater than those of the subsurface layer. As seen from the results, except for the effect of depth of Mn contents and the interactive effect of distance and depth on Fe contents, neither the single effects (other than plant species) nor the interactive effects were significant on microminerals of the tested soils.

Moreover, copper (Cu) was particularly antagonistic toward iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn).     

Screening of Seven Plant Species for Short‐Term Improved Fallows in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon

Seven short‐fallow plant species were evaluated for their aboveground biomass production, nutrient accumulation, and weed suppression potential in Nkolbisson, Cameroon. The fallow species included Arachis pintoi, Vigna radiata, Desmodium intortum, Centrosema pubescens, Indigofera hirsutus, Indigofera spicata, and Pueraria phaseoloides. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications and seven treatments (fallow species). Twelve months after planting, highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed among fallow species for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, respectively, in plant tissue. Similarly, highly significant differences (p = 0.0013) occurred among fallow species for aboveground biomass production, which ranged between 3.12 t ha^?1 (I. spicata) and 9.16 t ha^?1 (A. pintoi). Potassium only showed highly significant differences among plant species for nutrient accumulation (p = 0.0001). However, A. pintoi, C. pubescens, I. hirsutus, and P. phaseoloides yielded substantial amounts of recycled N (>100 kg ha^?1 year^?1) that can benefit the subsequent crop. For small‐scale producers, these species are likely to supply adequate nitrogen for cereal crops. A total of 26 weed species belonging to 15 botanical families were encountered in the various plots. Weed dry weight differed significantly (p = 0.02) among the fallow plots and ranged from 0.12 t ha^?1 (in P. phaseoloides plots) to 2.32 t ha^?1 (in A. pintoi plots). Results of this study suggest that there are a wide range of plant species that could be used in improved fallow technologies aimed at improving nutrient‐degraded soils and suppressing weeds.     

Carbon Mineralization of Soils from Native Evergreen Broadleaf Forest and Three Plantations in Mid‐subtropic China

Mineralization of soil organic carbon (C) plays a key role in supplying nutrient elements essential to plant growth. Changes of C mineralization of mixed stands of Chinese fir and Michelia macclurei (a broadleaf tree), pure M. macclurei stands, and pure Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) stands established in 1983 after clear‐felling of a first‐generation Chinese fir forest were analyzed in Huitong, Hunan Province, China, and compared with those of a stand of native secondary evergreen broadleaf forest (NBF). The results showed that NBF soil had the greatest C mineralization. Mixture of Chinese fir and M. macclurei had no effect on total soil organic C in comparison with pure Chinese fir plantation, but significantly increased C mineralization from soils was detected in this study. This positive influence on C mineralization could be explained by the increase of soil labile C pools and soil microbial biomass and activity. From the analysis of C mineralization, soil microbial properties, and labile organic C, mixtures of broadleaf and Chinese fir can be considered to be an effective sustainable management model for a Chinese fir plantation. Given strong correlations with microbiological and biochemical characteristics of soils and an easier process of determination, hot water extraction, hot water–extractable C (HWC) could be used as an integrated measure of forest soil quality in mid‐subtropics.     

Changes in Nutrient Status During Preparation of Enriched Organomineral Fertilizers Using Rice Straw,Low‐Grade Rock Phosphate,Waste Mica,and Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism

An experiment was carried out to study the changes in nutrient contents during preparation of enriched organomineral fertilizers using rice straw, low‐grade rock phosphate (RP), waste mica, and phosphate‐solubilizing microorganism (Aspergillus awamori). Composting reduced the total carbon (C) but increased total nitrogen (N) content with the progress of composting. This was reflected in the decrease of the C/N ratio. Significant increases in total phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were also observed where both RP and waste mica was added along with Aspergillus awamori. Ammonium N (NH₄ ⁺‐N) decreased while nitrate N (NO₃ ^?‐N) increased at the end of composting. Olsen P content increased up to 90 days, thereafter decreased up to day 150, whereas ammonium acetate K (NH₄OAc‐K) increased gradually with the progress of composting. The study thus revealed that crop residue could be converted into a value‐added product through composting technology using low‐grade rock phosphate and waste mica along with phosphate‐solubilizing microorganisms.     

Quantification of Organic Matter in Agricultural Soils from the Central Region of Paraná State,Brazil

The organic matter (OM) quantity in soils is of fundamental importance for agriculture. The indirect determination of the OM through the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) quantity is performed by most soil laboratories in Brazil using the Walkley–Black (WB) method. This procedure involves oxidation with potassium dichromate which is a cancerous reagent. The objective of this study is to optimize the parameters for OM determination by the gravimetric method and to estimate the van Bemmelen factor for the studied soil. The studied region is the second and third plateau of Parana State, Brazil, from which 50 agricultural soil samples were analyzed. The temperature and exposition time in muffle were determined after a thermal analysis. The optimized parameters for the gravimetric method were 3 h at 420°C in the muffle furnace. The results for WB and gravimetric methods presented a good correlation and the van Bemmelen factor for the studied soil was 4.37.     

Comparison of Multi-element to Single‐Element Extractants for Macro‐ and Micronutrients in Acid Soils from Spain

Abstract

Different chemical reagents are used to assess plant‐available nutrients from soils with similar properties. The use of different extractants is a serious limitation when comparing results between different soil‐testing laboratories, often leading to large differences in fertilizer recommendations for similar crops.

In this study, 80 samples from acid soils from Galicia (Spain) were used to compare several soil nutrient extractants. Traditional and tested extractants for acid soil such as Bray 2 and ammonium acetate were used to evaluate multielement extractants such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid–ammonium acetate (EDTA‐aa), ammonium bicarbonate–diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB‐DTPA), and Mehlich 3.

Linear regression analyses were performed to relate the amount of each nutrient obtained by traditional soil extractants to the amount obtained by multielement extractants. Strong correlation was found between extractable Bray 2 P and Mehlich 3 P (r²=0.97, slope=0.87, and intercept=?0.48). The slope of the regression line between EDTA‐aa‐extractable calcium (Ca) and that from ammonium acetate (Aa) approached 1∶1 (r²=0.86). Similar results were obtained for magnesium (Mg) (r²=0.99). Soil zinc (Zn) concentrations extracted by Mehlich 3 and EDTA‐aa were similar; slope of the regression line was 0.95 (r²=0.88). With regard to copper (Cu), Mehlich 3 extracted approximately 20% more Cu than EDTA‐aa.

The results showed that Mehlich 3 and EDTA‐aa are suitable for assessment of plant available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and iron (Fe) in acid soils.     

Kinetics of K Desorption from Soils in a Constant Electric Field (Electro-Ultrafiltration) and Its Application

Kdesorption from soils in a constant electric field (field strength:44.5Vcm^-1) by means of electro-ultrafil-tration (EUF) followed second-order kinetics and could be described by the equation dd/dt=k(D-d)2. From theequation, such kinetic parameters relating to K desorption from soils as the maximum desorbable quantity D, quantity of K desorbed within 40 minutes d40, initial desorption rate Vo, desorption rate constant k and half-time t1/2 could be calculated. An expression which describes the relationships between the kinetic parameters on the one hand and the responses of barley to fertilizer-K in the field experiments in different sites and the potassium-supplying power of soils on the other was established. Vo, D and d40 were significantly correlated with barley relative yield, K uptake by barley and the content of soil available potassium. The rate constants of K desorption varied between 4.42×10^-4-1.80×10^-3kg mg^-1 min^-1 and highly correlated with the relative yield of barley.     

Water‐Soluble and Exchangeable Aluminum in Some Forest Soils of the Czech Republic Affected by Acid Precipitation

Abstract

The high contents of soluble and exchangeable aluminum (Al) in soils are believed to be main factors of forest damage in large areas. Krkono?e National Park, in the Czech Republic, is one of the most damaged areas in Central Europe, although the industrial emissions have declined in the past years. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the present concentration of soluble and exchangeable Al in some soils of that area, with different degrees of forest decline. The total Al concentration in water extracts was found to range within the limits 0.022–0.102 mM. According to the commonly used criteria, these values do not exceed the limit of toxicity for most plant species. Aluminum compounds in water extracts are represented predominantly by Al organic complexes and Al polymers. The percentage of the most toxic for plants, Al monomeric hydroxocomplex, ranges within the limits 0–52% of the total Al concentration and is higher in water extracts from the upper parts of the solum as compared with those from the subsoils, in compliance with the increase in pH values down the profile. The molar ratios of calcium (Ca)/Al and (Ca+Mg+K)/Al in water extracts exceed 1, but no clear relation with the forest status is found. The content of exchangeable Al is instead very high, especially in mineral horizons, and the lowest ratios between Ca or the sum of base cations and Al in the exchange complex occurs under the most degraded forest stands.     

Chemical fractions of copper and zinc in organic‐rich particles from aqueous extracts of a metal‐contaminated granite soil

Abstract

Chemical fractions of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the organic‐rich particles collected from filtered aqueous extracts (<20 μm) of an acid soil were determined. A sequential extraction procedure was used to partition the particulate Cu and Zn into four operationally defined chemical fractions: adsorbed (ADS), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) oxides bound (FeMnOX), organic matter bound (OM) and residual (RESD). Total extractable concentrations of Cu and Zn in the fine particles were higher than their total concentrations in the original bulk soil. The concentration of particulate Cu was usually much higher than that of particulate Zn. Addition of lime stabilized sewage sludge cake and/or inorganic metal salts markedly increased the concentrations of particulate Cu and Zn in aqueous extracts, especially from limed soil. The proportional distributions of particulate Cu and Zn were quite similar. The two particulate metals were present predominantly in the ADS and FeMnOX fractions, with less (about 20%) in the OM and RESD fractions. Some of the ADS metal fraction was associated with dissolved organic substances. The concentrations of particulate Cu and Zn in the various extractable fractions were significantly affected by the application of lime, lime stabilized sewage sludge cake, or inorganic metal salts.     

Decomposition and Nutrient Release from Litter Fall in the Semi‐arid Tropics of Sudan

In Sudan, tree plantations remain the first choice and are widely used in protecting arable lands from sand movement. Decomposition and nutrient changes from leaves of some agroforestry trees (Eucalyptus microtheca, Ficus spp., and Leucaena leucocephala) and litter fall from guava (Psidium guajava) and mango (Magnifera indica) were monitored (in a 12‐week litter‐bag experiment). Rate of dry‐matter weight loss from guava (0.098 wk^?1) was significantly (P < 0.01) faster than from mango residues (0.04 wk^?1). Corresponding values for Leucaena, Eucalyptus, and Ficus were 0.0533, 0.0524, and 0.0438 wk^?1, respectively. In general, micronutrients tend to accummulate during a decomposition period. Potassium (K) was the only element found to be consistently lost by leaching very rapidly from all litters. Nitrogen (N) was released at a significantly (P < 0.03) higher rate from Leucaena (0.0558 wk^?1) compared to Ficus (0.0399 wk^?1) and Eucalyptus (0.0301 wk^?1). Mobility of nutrients from the litters was in the order of K > phosphorus (P) = N > calcium (Ca) > magnesium (Mg). It is concluded that ficus and mango leaves are suitable for improving quality of arid soils through buildup of soil organic matter and supplying easily released organic sulfur (S) (environmentally sound management practice) whereas litter from guava is suitable for temporary nutrient correction. Mixing of guava and mango residues may slow fast decomposition of the former.     

POPs in Mountain Soils from the Alps and Andes: Suggestions for a ‘Precipitation Effect’ on Altitudinal Gradients

POPs are still a priority environmental problem, but can be used as a scientific tool for understanding the distribution phenomena. Both high mountains and polar areas are seen as priority zones for contamination studies. In this context, two altitudinal series of soil samples were analysed for several classes of Persistent Organic Pollutants (PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB and chlordane). Two transects were carried out – one in the Peruvian Andes (Cordillera Blanca) and the other in the Italian Alps (Mount Legnone). In these two areas, POP composition and levels both gave different results, linked to regional emission history. The Italian samples were characterized by high levels of industrial type compounds, and by surprisingly high DDT contamination, due to a defined consistent local source in Northern Italy. The Peruvian samples, on the other hand, were characterized by generally low POP levels with relatively high DDT contamination. The concentration increase in line with elevation was evident only in the Italian transect, where higher precipitation intensities and an increasingly higher precipitation gradient in accordance with altitude was found present. Precipitations are considered a key factor for enhancing the condensation effect at high altitudes and for reducing summer revolatilisation, as they lower soil temperature. In the Italian altitudinal gradient, evidence of fractionation processes, with a shift of the PCB composition towards less chlorinated congeners, and a vegetation effect with a mean woodland/grassland enrichment factor between 2 and 4 were also observed.     

Increase in NAD(P)H‐dependent generation of active oxygen species and changes in lipid composition of microsomes isolated from roots of zinc‐deficient bean plants

The role of zinc (Zn) in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of plant membranes was investigated in the present work. The relationship between the activity of NAD(P)H oxidases generating active oxygen species and changes in lipid composition and peroxidation was evaluated in microsomal membrane vesicles isolated from roots of Zn‐defícient bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Bobis) plants. Zinc content of bean root microsomal membranes was decreased by about 30% by Zn deficiency. Microsomes isolated from roots of Zn‐deficient plants showed higher rates of NAD(P)H oxidation and NAD(P)H‐dependent O₂ ^‐ generation than Zn‐sufficient roots. Microsomal O₂ ^‐ consumption, measured in the presence of pyridine nucleotides, was also considerably enhanced by Zn deficiency. This latter activity was greatly stimulated by Fe(III)EDTA, while inhibited by Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, indicating that active oxygen species were produced during the oxygen consuming enzyme reaction. Zinc deficiency caused a decline in microsomal phospholipid (PL) content. In addition, saturated fatty acids were present at a higher proportion than unsaturated fatty acids in microsomes from Zn‐deficient roots. Sterol content of microsomal vesicles was also modified by Zn deficiency, which led to an increase in the planar sterol campesterol and a concomitant decrease in stigmasterol and sitosterol content. NADPH‐dependent lipid peroxidation, directly measured in microsomal vesicles as malondialdehyde (MDA) production, was slightly enhanced by Zn deficiency. These results support the idea that Zn deficiency determines an enhanced generation of harmful oxygen species by membrane‐associated enzymes and show that this activity can be more pronounced in the presence of iron (Fe), which accumulates in Zn‐deficient tissues. The relationship between the occurrence of this phenomenon and the changes in membrane lipid profile is discussed.