Changes in nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of silicon‐fertilized rice grown on organic soil 1

Rice grown on the organic soils of the Everglades is routinely fertilized with silicon (Si). The objective of this research was to investigate changes in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration in various plant parts in response to Si fertilization. Two cultivars were grown in lysimeters filled with low‐Si soil. Half the lysimeters were fertilized with calcium silicate to provide 2Mg Si ha^‐1 and the other lysimeters remained unfertilized as a control. Nitrogen concentration decreased in all plant parts with Si fertilization. Phosphorus concentration increased with Si. Maturity was earlier in the Si fertilized rice.     

Microsite assessment of forest soil nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium supply rates in‐field using ion exchange membranes

Abstract

A new method for microsite assessment of soil nutrient supply in forest soil was developed. The method involves the use of ion exchange membranes to assess differences in soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) supply rates in‐field over small depth increments in the forest floor (i.e., the L, F, and H horizons). Ion exchange membranes were buried and retrieved from the forest floor in an aspen forest stand in Saskatchewan, Canada. Small (6 mm diameter) sections of the membrane were cut out and ion concentration on the sections measured to provide a nutrient supply rate at that location. Soil nutrient supply rates at the site ranged from 4.6–6.0, 7.3–8.5, 11.6–21.5, and 122–196μg 10 cm²#lb2 h^‐1 for NH₄ ⁺‐N, NC₃ ^‐‐N, P, and K, respectively. On average, the highly humified H horizon had the highest N and P supply rates, followed by the F horizon, with the surface litter (L horizon) having the lowest N supply rates. The simplicity and sensitivity of the procedure make this method appropriate for in‐field assessment of differences in soil nutrient supply over small vertical and horizontal distance and was especially appropriate for the forest floor horizons in forest soils.     

Fixation of potassium in some soils of the sub‐humid zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Studies of potassium (K) fixation in the soil were conducted by evaluating the effect of applied K on the extractability of K with time. A series of five K‐sorption treatment solutions, 0.11, 0.22, 0.45, 0.90, and 1.80 cmol/kg were prepared and applied as potassium chloride (KCl) to three sets of soils. The first set of soil samples was extracted with one normal ammonium acetate (1N NH₄OAc) extractant for K after one day of incubation. The second and third sets were extracted with the same extractant after seven and 42 days of incubation, respectively. The amount of K fixed was determined. Correlation between applied K and K fixed was carried out. The mean proportion of K fixed ranged from 0 in soils from Kurmin Biri to 55% in soils from Funafuna upon addition of 0.11 cmol K/kg. While fixation increased with increase in the concentration of added K, there was no linear relationship between the proportion of K fixed and the amount added at higher incubation periods. Potassium recovered also increased with added K in all the incubation periods with the 42‐day period having the highest amount of K recovered. Potassium added was highly correlated (P<0.01) with K fixed during all the incubation periods.     

Evaluation of euf‐potassium quotient as a measure of potassium buffering capacity of illite‐dominant soils under intensive cropping

Abstract

Suitability of the electro‐ultrafiltration (EUF)‐potassium (K) quotient, a ratio between strongly held and easily desorbable EUF fractions of K to measure K‐buffering capacity of illite‐dominant soils under intensive cropping, was studied. EUF‐K quotients which ranged from 0.333 to 0.580 before cropping increased to the range of 0.405 to 0.710 after the cropping. As a result of cropping, the mean K‐ replenishment rate decreased from 6.98 kg/ha/day to 0.2 kg/ha/day, whereas the mean EUF‐K quotient increased from 0.43 to 0.53. EUF‐K quotient showed significant positive correlation with dry matter yield (r = 0.78*) and K uptake (r = 0.79*) in the first harvest of crop and in the subsequent harvests it maintained correlations of lower order. While other EUK‐K fractions, i.e. EUF 20°C, EUF 80°C, and EUF 35 min increased or maintained the same extent of correlation with conventional soil test methods after cropping, EUF‐K quotient failed to have significant correlation with those soil test methods after cropping. The current study brought out that exhaustive cropping differentially depleted the EUF fractions leading to an increase in the estimated buffering capacity (EUF‐Q) which failed to show satisfactory relationship with K removal by the crop.     

Recent advances in the chemistry of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium as fertilizers in soil: A review

The advent of civilization has made humans dependent on plants for food and medicine, leading to the intensification of agricultural production. The intense cultivation of crops has resulted in the depletion of available nutrients from soil, thereby demanding the application of excess nutrients to soil to improve yield. Thus, mineral fertilizer discovery and application have, in many ways, contributed greatly to meeting global food demands. However, aside from the positive effects of mineral fer...     

Carbon,nitrogen, and gaseous profiles in a humid,temperate region,maize field soil under no‐tillage

Abstract

The effect of four consecutive years of tillage method [conventional tillage (CT) or no‐tillage (NT)] and fertilizer N rate (84, 168, 336 kg N·ha^‐1·yr) on soil carbon, nitrogen and and gaseous profiles was examined in a Wharton‐Cookport (Aquic Hapludults‐Aquic Fragiudults) silt loam soil in West Virginia cropped to continuous maize (Zea mays L.). At midseason (July) of the last cropping year, soil mineral N profile differences were generally discernible only at the high N (336 kg·ha^‐1) rate in the topsoil (0‐ to 30‐cm layer). Ammonium (NH₄ ⁺‐N) levels at this time were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under CT, while NO₃ ^‐‐N levels were the same under both tillage methods. However, after silage harvest in September NH₄ ⁺‐N levels were the same under both tillage systems, while NO₃ ^‐‐N levels were significantly higher under CT. Although no significant (p ≥ 0.05) tillage effects were found for TC, the level was increased by ～16% under NT in the surface soil (0 to 15‐cm) layer at the low N (84 kg·ha^‐1) rate treatment. Total N (TN) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased under NT compared to CT only in the soil surface layer at the high N rate treatment. Soils under both tillage methods after cropping appeared to be equally well aerated to the deepest layer (60 cm) as O₂ levels were near atmospheric concentrations, and no gases commonly associated with more anaerobic environments (CH₄, C₂H₄) were detected. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels increased 30‐ to 40‐times atmospheric levels in the deepest layers, and were generally higher under NT. The incidence of detectable N₂O (‐0.36 × 10 ^‐2μg·ml^‐1) was two‐ to seven‐times more numerous at the high N rate, and twice as numerous under NT compared to CT. These results generally corroborate previous results for soil mineral N changes as related to tillage method, but not for organic C, N and microbial activity, as has usually been reported, especially for more arid region soils.     

No‐tillage corn response to placement of fertilizer nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium

Abstract

Fertilizer placement for corn (Zea mays L.) has been a major concern for no‐tillage production systems. This 3‐yr study (1994 to 1996) evaluated fertilizer phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) rates and placement for no‐tillage corn on farmers’ fields. There were two sites for each experiment involving fertilizer P or K. Treatments consisted ofthe following fertilizer rates: 0,19,and 39 kg P ha^‐1 or 0, 51, and 102 kg K ha^‐I. The fertilizer was broadcast or added as a subsurface band 5 cm beside and 5 cm below the seed at planting. Early plant growth, nutrient concentrations, and grain yields were measured. At the initiation of the study, soil test levels for P and K at the 0–1 5 cm depths ranged from optimum (medium) to very high across sites. Effects of added fertilizer and placement on early plant growth and nutrient concentrations were inconsistent. Added fertilizer had a significant effect on grain yields in two of twelve site‐years. Therefore, on no‐tillage soils with high fertility, nutrient addition, and placement affected early plant growth and nutrient utilization, but had limited effect on grain yield. Consequently, crop responses to the additions of single element P or K fertilizers under no‐tillage practices and high testing soils may not result in grain yield advantages for corn producers in the Northern cornbelt regardless of placement method.     

Spatial variation of soil test phosphorus and potassium,oxalate‐extractable iron and aluminum,phosphorus‐retention index,and organic carbon content in soils of Western Australia

Abstract

Spatial variation of bicarbonate soil test phosphorus (P) and bicarbonate soil test potassium (K) was studied by measuring soil test values for 40 individual soil samples collected from random locations within eight uniform 100 m by 100 m field sites in south‐western Australia. In addition, for five of the sites, spatial variation of the three P sorption indices (ammonium oxalate extractable iron, ammonium oxalate extractable aluminum, and the P retention index) and of organic carbon (C) was measured for 20 individual soils samples. Spatial variation was found to be large, with coefficient of variation (CV) exceeding 20% in most cases, and 50% in some cases. It is therefore essential to collect an adequate number of soil samples from uniform areas in paddocks in order to provide a representative composite sample to measure the soil properties.     

Measurement of available soil phosphorus under conventional and no‐till management

Abstract

The objective of the investigation was to compare the predominant forms of P in fields of an acid Matapeake soil under no‐till and conventional‐till management. The fields, which differed in extent of contact between soil and fertilizer P, also differ in forms of P. Fertilizer P remained in the uppermost layer of no‐till fields and was, therefore, not in as close proximity to the plant (corn) roots as P was in conventional‐till fields. Nevertheless, fertilizer P in the no‐till fields underwent only limited conversion to forms less available to plants and thus, in part, may have accounted for similar plant uptake rates of P in no‐till and conventional‐till fields.

One method used to analyze P in the Matapeake soil was the double‐acid‐extraction method. This method is used by several state soil‐testing laboratories of the eastern and southeastern United States, where acid soils like Matapeake are common. The double‐acid‐extraction method underestimated the soil P available for plant uptake.     

Comparison of broiler litter and inorganic nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium for double‐cropped sweet corn and broccoli

Two rates of broiler litter (20 and 40 mt/ha) were compared to recommended rates of inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in a double cropping system of spring sweet corn (Zea mays L. ‘Silverqueen') and fall broccoli (Brassica oleracea L, ‘Southern Comet')‐ Sweet corn matured one week earlier both years when fertilized with 40 mt/ha of broiler litter compared to commercial fertilizer. The early maturity may be due to improved P nutrition. Similar or higher yields of fall broccoli were produced with broiler litter following sweet corn than with commercial fertilizer.     

Effect of addition of organic residues,farmyard manure and fertilizer nitrogen on soil fertility in rice‐wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted for 3 crop years (July‐June) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effects of Sesbania and cowpea green manuring (GM) and incorporation of mungbean residues after harvesting grain, Leucaena loppings, FYM and wheat straw incorporation before planting rice and application of 0,40,80 and 120 kg N ha^?1 to rice on the soil organic carbon (SOC), alkaline permanganate oxidizable N (APO‐N), 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate extractable P (SBC‐P) and 1N ammonium acetate exchangeable K (AAE‐K) in surface 0–15 cm soil after the harvest of rice and wheat grown in sequence. Green manuring and addition of organic residues prevented the decline in SOC. On the other hand addition of N fertilizer tended to decrease SOC after rice harvest. On the contrary application of green manures, organic residues, FYM and fertilizer N increased APO‐N, which indicates the benefit of these treatments to a more labile soil organic N pool. Also application of green manures, organic residues, FYM and fertilizer N increased SBC‐P. Not much change was observed in AAE‐K by the treatments applied.     

Interactions of gamma‐irradiated sewage,nitrogen and phosphorus for Sorghum on a calcareous soil

Abstract

The interaction of gamma‐irradiated sewage sludge, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake of sorghum was examined. Three crops of sorghum were grown in the greenhouse in 19 1 plastic buckets. The phosphorus and sludge treatments were applied at the initiation of the experiment only. Nitrogen was applied to the corresponding nitrogen treatment pots before each of the three croppings.

There was a significant nitrogen x sewage interaction for dry matter production, phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake in each harvest. There was a significant phosphorus sewage sludge interaction in the first harvest for phosphorus uptake. All other possible interactions were not statistically significant. The 67 metric ton/ha sludge rate produced nearly the same yield as the nitrogen treatment. In the first harvest, sludge significantly increased plant phosphorus uptake from the fertilizer phosphorus. The phosphorus uptake in sorghum from 472 and 944 kg P/ha from the sludge treatments was comparable to that from 1299 and 2598 kg P/ha from triple superphosphate.     

Variation of early growth and nutrient content of no‐till corn and soybean in relation to soil phosphorus and potassium supplies

Abstract

Knowledge of relationships between variation in early plant growth and soil nutrient supply is needed for effective site‐specific management of no‐till fields. This study assessed relationships between soil test phosphorus (STP) and potassium (STK) with early plant growth and P or K content of young corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants in eight no‐till fields. Composite soil (0–15 cm depth) and plant (V5‐V6 growth stages) samples were collected from 400‐m² areas at the center of 0.14‐ha cells of a 16‐cell square grid and from 2‐m² areas spaced 3 m along each of two 150‐m intersecting transects. Correlation, regression, multivariate factor analyses were used to study the relationships between the variables. Variability was higher for samples collected from the transects. Plant dry weight (DW), P uptake (PU), and K uptake (KU) usually were correlated with STP and STK but the correlations varied markedly among fields. Relationships between soil and plant variables could not always be explained by known nutrient sufficiency levels for grain production. Plant P concentration (PC) was not always correlated with STP and sometimes it increased linearly with STP, but other times increased curvilinearly until a maximum was reached. Plant K concentration (KC) usually was correlated with STK, however, and increased linearly with increasing STK even in fields with above‐optimum STK. The results suggest greater susceptibility of early growth to STP than to STK and greater plant capacity to accumulate K compared with P over a wide range of soil nutrient supplies. Variation in STK likely is a major direct cause of variation in KC over a wide range of conditions but variation in STP is not likely a major direct cause of variation in PC when high STP predominates.     

Ammonium,nitrite, and nitrate nitrogen levels in the soil under blight‐affected and healthy citrus trees

Abstract

Ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate nitrogen levels in the root zone of blight‐affected and healthy trees in a 35‐year‐old commercial orange grove were monitored at 30‐day intervals for 2 years. There was essentially no difference in NH₄‐N and NO₂‐N; however, at four sampling dates and overall, the NO₃‐N level was slightly higher under healthy trees.     

Nitrogen balance in a soil‐wheat system under plow‐ and no‐tillage in the argentine humid pampa

Abstract

Changing conventional tillage to conservation tillage systems affects nitrogen (N) cycling in agroecosystems. Our objective was to evaluate the role of soil organic pools, specially plant residues, as sources‐sinks of nitrogen in an humid and warm temperate environment cropped to wheat, under plow‐ and no‐tillage. The experimental site was in the Argentine Pampa on a Typic Hapludoll. A balance‐sheet method was used: Nupt+Nres=Nsow+Nmin, where Nupt=N uptake by the crop at harvest; Nsow=soil mineral N as NH₄ and NO₃ at 0–90 cm depth, one month before sowing, plus N added as fertilizer; Nres=residual soil mineral N as NH₄ and NO₃ at 0–90 cm depth, at harvest; Nmin=N mineralized from humus and plant residues during wheat growing period. Nupt did not differ between tillage systems. Nitrogen supply by the mineral N pool, estimated by the difference Nsow‐Nres, was ca. 150 kg N ha^‐1 in both tillage systems. Plant residues decomposed and released N under both treatments. This organic N pool decreased 77% along the crop cycle. Nmin, calculated using the balance equation was 83 kg N ha^‐1, and did not differ between tillage managements, representing 35% of Nupt. This results highlight the importance of the organic pools as sources of N for wheat in the Humid Pampa. They also brink our attention on the importance for evaluate residue decomposition and humus mineralization in warm‐temperate regions when fertilizer requirements are determined, in order to minimize environmental hazard and economic losses by overfertilization.     

Longevities and nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium release patterns of polymer‐coated controlled‐release fertilizers at 30°C and 40°C

Abstract

The weekly nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) release from 17 polymer‐coated controlled‐release fertilizer (CRF) formulations of Nutricote, Apex Gold, Osmocote, and a 9‐month Macrocote were measured at 30.6±0.8°C and 40.0±1.5°C. Five grams of each CRF were placed at a depth of 50 mm in 280x50 mm acid washed then rinsed silica sand columns which were leached with deionized water three times each week until nutrient recovery ceased. The volume of leachate was recorded each week and subsampled for ammonium‐N, nitrate‐N, phosphate‐P, and K analyses. Each CRF treatment was replicated three times at each temperature. Nutrient release profiles were determined. Longevities, measured as weeks to 90% nutrient recovery, were considerably shorter than the nominated release periods for all formulations. Within each CRF product group, the longevity of 9 and 12 month formulations were similar with Apex Gold 12–14 month high nitrate having the longest (38 weeks for N at 30°C) and Osmocote 8–9 month the shortest (23 weeks for N at 30°C). There were consistent trends in the nutrient release periods across all CRFs with P>K>N and with differences of around 10% in duration between nutrients. The P:N release ratio exceeded 0.10 for most CRFs during the early release period indicating an adequate P supply for most plant species. The mean reduction in longevity for Nutricote, Apex Gold, and Osmocote formulations for an increase in incubation temperature from 30°C to 40°C was 19–21 % for N, 13–14% for P, and 14–15% for K. All CRFs released nutrients unevenly with the highest rate occurring during the early part of the release period. This pattern was accentuated at 40°C and by the shorter term release formulations. The nutrient release rates of all CRFs declined steadily after their maxima.     

Simultaneous determination of soil aluminum,ammonium‐ and nitrate‐nitrogen using 1 M potassium chloride extraction

Abstract

Determination of soil aluminum (Al), ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N), and nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) is often needed from the same soil samples for lime and fertilizer recommendations, but Al has to be extracted and quantified separately from NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N according to present methods. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable method for simultaneous analyses of soil Al, NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N using a Flow Injection Autoanalyzer. Thirty‐five soil samples from different locations with wide ranges of extractable Al, NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N were selected for this study. Aluminum, NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N were extracted by both 1 M and 2 M potassium chloride (KCl), and quantified using a LACHAT Flow Injection Autoanalyzer simultaneously and separately. One molar KCl was found to be a suitable extractant for all three compounds when compared to 2 M KCl. The 1 M KCl extract proposed could aid in decreasing the costs associated with simultaneous NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N, and Al analyses. Results of those three compounds analyzed simultaneously were not statistically different from those analyzed separately in 1 M KCl solution. This new procedure of simultaneous determination of NH₄‐N, NO₃‐N, and Al increases efficiency and reduces cost for soil test laboratories and laboratory users.     

Evaluation of press mud cake as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus for rice–wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Press mud cake (PMC) is an important organic source available for land application in India. Adequate information regarding availability of nitrogen and phosphorous contained in PMC to rice–wheat (RW) cropping system is lacking. In field experiments conducted for 4 years to study the effect of PMC application to rice as N and P source in RW system, application of 60 kg N ha⁻¹ along with PMC (5 t ha⁻¹) produced grain yield of rice similar to that obtained with the 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in unamended plots. In the following wheat, the residual effects of PMC applied to preceding rice were equal to 40 kg N and 13 kg P ha⁻¹. Immobilization of soil and fertilizer N immediately after the application of PMC was observed in laboratory incubation. The net amount of N mineralized from the PMC ranged from 16% at 30 days to 43% at 60 days after incubation. Available P content in the soil amended with PMC increased by about 60% over the unamended control within 10 days of its application. The P balance for the no-PMC treatment receiving recommended dose of 26 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ was −13.5 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The P balance was positive (+42.3 to 53.5 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) when PMC was applied to rice. Application of PMC increased total N, organic carbon, and available P contents in the soil.     

Chrysanthemum cultivation in expanded clay. I. Effect of the nitrogen‐phosphorus‐potassium ratio in the nutrient solution

The hydroponic technique using expanded clay for the production of chrysanthemum was studied for possible use by Brazilian flower producers. Eight varying nutrient solution nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P):potassium (K) ratio treatments in a randomized block configuration with four replications were used. Six of the treatments supplied the same solution over the entire experimental period. The N:P:K ratios in the nutrient solution compared were: 1.0:0.3:1.0, 1.0:0.3:1.5, 1.0:0.3:2.0, 1.0:0.3:2.5, 1.5:0.3:1.0, and 2.0:0.3:1.0. The other two treatments consisted of N:P:K ratios of 2.0:0.3:1.0 during the juvenile stage and 1.0:0.3:1.5 or 1.0:0.3:2.0 ratios during the reproductive stage. There were two or three daily irrigations depending on plant need. The electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the nutrient solution were checked once each day and the nutrient solution was chanced when 50% depleted. The plants were crown to the two‐stem stage under 50 long and 4.0 short days. Harvest was made 115 days after plant establishment. There were not expressive differences in plant characteristics among the treatments. The 1.0:0.3:2.5 N:P:K ratio gave the highest flower numbers per stem, stem length, and fresh and dry weights per plant.     

“Modified Kelowna” test for available phosphorus and potassium in soil

Abstract

A recently described soil testing procedure for simultaneous estimation of plant‐available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in soil uses an aqueous solution containing ammonium fluoride, ammonium acetate, and acetic acid (the “modified Kelowna”; or KM extract). Before adopting a KM method at our laboratory (in 1988) for routine soil testing, we compared its ability to predict crop response to phosphate fertilizer using data from field sites on a wide range of soils in Alberta and Saskatchewan with that of the Olsen and the Miller‐Axley (Bray‐type) soil testing methods. All three methods were unable to predict with great accuracy actual optimum rates of phosphate fertilizer in these trials, but they predicted the likely crop yield response to phosphate reasonably well. The main advantages of the KM test over the others are its analytical convenience and its applicability to calcareous soils.