Diagnostic techniques for cereals based on plant analysis II. Diagnosis and yield prognosis models

Abstract

In a relationship between the grain yields and concentrations of a nutrient element at a well defined stage of development under varying growing conditions, i.e. 2.0 g Dry Matter weight (DMw) per hill, the boundary line concept dictates that the grain yield corresponding to the points along the boundary of data points is predominantly determined by the varying concentrations of the respective nutrient element. These concentrations, defined as “Pure‐effect Concentrations,”; form the bases to develop the pure‐effect yield curves. Pure‐effect yield curves were developed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. The absolutely optimal concentrations or absolute reference values, i.e. the concentrations of various nutrient elements at 2.0 g DMw level corresponding to maximum grain yield, were found to be 3.3% N, 0.36% P, 3.9% K, 1.3% Ca, 0.25% Mg and 0.03% Na.

The relationships were developed between the concentrations of other nutrient elements corresponding to pure‐effect concentrations of a nutrient element in question in all combinations by treating each nutrient element as pure‐effect nutrient at a time. These relationships enable one to determine the varying optimal concentrations of other nutrient elements corresponding to the concentrations of the pure‐effect nutrient. These concentrations are defined as “Relatively Optimal Concentrations”; or “Relative Reference Values.”;

The absolute and relative reference values are the bases for developing the diagnosis and yield prognosis models which can be used to evaluate the nutritional status of lowland rice plants and to predict the grain yield based on the elemental composition of plants at 2.0 g DMw per hill. The procedure for the application of diagnosis and yield prognosis models is demonstrated. A very good agreement was found between the grain yield predicted by using these models and the actual yields, thus indicating a high degree of accuracy in predicting the grain yield.     

Diagnostic techniques for cereals based on plant analysis III. Nutrient element therapy and correction models

Abstract

Quantitative methods as the basis to predict the amount of nutrient to be supplemented to overcome deficiency, diagnosed by using the diagnosis and yield prognosis models, are defined as “Therapy Models.”; These models are developed based on the relationships, at 2.0 g Dry Matter weight (DMw) per hill, of increasing concentration as a function of varying initial concentration of a topdressed nutrient element for varying levels of topdressing, and changes in the concentration of other nutrient elements as a function of increasing concentration of topdressed nutrient. Nitrogen and K therapy models were developed in this study and the procedure for applying these models discussed.

Correction models were developed for N, P and K as an aid to convert the concentrations of these nutrient elements corresponding to the DHw level at sampling to those at the 2.0 g DMw level. This conversion is necessary for the application of diagnostic models on the results of plant analysis.     

Macro‐ and micronutrients removed by upland and lowland rice cultivars in West Africa

Abstract

Plant analysis is an important component of soil fertility and plant nutrition research. Plant analysis at harvest of the crop forms the basis for constructing nutrient balances and assessing the nutrient needs of production systems. Amounts of macro‐ and micronutrient elements removed by improved, upland and lowland rice cultivars were determined in field experiments at two sites in Ivory Coast. Amounts of nitrogen (N), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) removed for 11 rice grain yield by upland and lowland rice cultivars were similar, but the amounts of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) removed were higher for lowland than upland rice. The nutrient element harvest indexes (amount in grain/amount in grain plus straw) varied between the cultivars, but more importantly, among nutrient elements. On average the nutrient harvest index was highest for P (69%) and lowest for K (10%). The results suggest that the nutrient requirement of rice for K can be met to a large extent through the recycling of K in rice straw. The amounts of other major nutrients, N and P in the straw were small and hence less scope for supplying these nutrients through the recycling of rice straw.     

Chlorophyll meter readings in corn as affected by plant spacing

Abstract

Heightened environmental consciousness has increased the perceived need to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency by crops. Synchronizing fertilizer N availability with maximum crop N uptake has been proposed as a way to improve N‐use efficiency and protect ground water quality. Chlorophyll meters (Minolta SPAD 502) have the potential to conveniently evaluate the N status of corn (Zea mays L.) and help improve N management. A potential problem with the use of chlorophyll meters is the effect of within‐row plant spacing on meter reading variability. Chlorophyll meter readings and leaf N concentration of irrigated corn at anthesis and grain yield at harvest were measured on plants grouped into eight within‐row plant spacing categories. Leaf N concentration was not affected by plant spacings, but chlorophyll meter readings and grain yield per plant increased as plant competition decreased and N fertilizer rate increased. These data indicate that avoiding plants having extreme spacings can greatly increase precision when using chlorophyll meters to evaluate the N status of corn.     

Response of corn to NPK fertilization grown in a Latosol in South Sulawesi,Indonesia

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is next to rice as an important food crop grown in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. However, yields obtained by farmers are rather low, around 0.6 to 1.0 ton/ha. Efforts to increase yield have been tried through the application of NPK fertilizers. A study was conducted to determine the effects of N, P and K application on corn yield and what soil constrains, in terms of nutrient elements in the corn plants, exist in the latsols found at Desa Tokka, Sinjai, and South Sulawesi. It was found that application of K significantly increased the growth and corn grain yields on the latosols at Sinjai. Without K, grain yield and the K content in the ear leaf were low. The correlation between grain yield and rate of K shows that an application of 72 kg K₂O/ha together with 90 kg N and 80 kg P₂O₅ per ha produce the best yield of 3.6 tons/ha. The K content in the ear leaf of 1.8% was related to this maximum yield.     

Nutrient Accumulation and Utilization in Rice Under Film‐Mulched and Flooded Cultivation

Abstract

In recent years, plastic film mulched cultivation has been widely used in China as a strategy to reduce irrigation water consumption and increase water use efficiency (WUE). Experiments were conducted to study nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation and utilization in flooded rice comparing plastic film mulched (PFM) and conventionally flooded cultivation (CFC) in two successive years. In comparison with the plants under CFC, the plants under PFM had significantly higher N concentration at booting stage and lower K and P concentrations at heading and maturity stages and N concentrations after booting stage. More N accumulation was found in PMC‐treated plants than in CFC‐treated plants before booting, while thereafter CFC showed a significant increase in nutrient accumulation. N, P, and K accumulation ratios were significantly larger for PFM than for CFC at early stage (before booting), but the trend was just opposite after booting. The PFM‐treated plants substantially showed smaller nutrient accumulation rate through the whole growing process relative to the CFC‐treated plants. Although PFM‐treated plants had significantly higher physiological efficiency (PE) of all three nutrients than the CFC‐treated plants, its fertilizer recovery efficiency (RE) and agronomic nutrient utilization efficiency (AE) was markedly lower due to lower biomass and grain yield. In addition, the PFM‐treated plants had lower P/N and K/N in terms of nutrient accumulation, suggesting the importance to improve the P and K availability in rice film‐mulched cultivation.     

树木年轮中养分元素含量的角分布及其环境信息

The effects of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium application level,seed rate and transplanting density on the growth and development of rice plants were studied to find out nutrient status in high-yielding rice plants and to increase grain yield by adequate fertilization.There was an equilibrium relationship among nutrient elements for high-yielding rice plant populations.The equilibrium index of nutrient amount ,content and distribution in high-yielding rice plants should be generally greater than-2 but less than 2.The optimum nutritive proportion of nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium assimilated by the plants was about 10:2:9 at the ripening stage.But the content and the proportion varied with the growth stages,Therefore,the nutrient in rice plant populations should be in a dynamic equilibrium.So as to achieve high yield.     

Effects of Rhizobium inoculation and magnesium application on growth and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is one of the major nutritional problems in tropic and subtropic areas, where the most soils are acidic. In this study, the effects of Mg application and Bradyrhizobium inoculation on growth, nodulation, symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation as well as N nutrition status in soybean (Glycine max L.) were investigated in hydroponics under greenhouse conditions. With the increase of Mg up to 0.75?mM at low N and up to 0.5?mM at high N solutions, the dry weights of shoots, roots, and pod grain yield in soybean were increased, while further increase in Mg supply inhibited soybean growth. The availability of Mg was found to entail an improved uptake of N by plants and nodulation process in the root by Bradyrhizobium. Inoculation with rhizobial inoculants not only formed many nodules, but also increased soybean shoot, root biomass and yield, as well as plant N nutrient status.     

配方施肥对水稻养分吸收动态及产量的影响

本文主要研究配方施肥与常规施肥对水稻养分吸收和产量的效应,检验大配方的区域适宜性和合理性。以水稻品种晚稻187为材料,采用大小区随机区组设计,在安徽省怀宁县进行了大配方小调整田间试验,结果表明,整个生育期内,水稻对氮素的总吸收量以小调整配方T4处理 （施肥量为N150 kg/hm2、 P2O5 120 kg/hm2、 K2O 105 kg/hm2）最高,为N 1.25 g/plant;对磷、 钾的吸收总量配方施肥均高于常规施肥,也以小调整配方T4处理最高（P2O5 0.18 g/plant、 K2O 0.95 g/plant）。配方施肥的产量均高于常规施肥,以大配方2（T3, 施肥量为N 232.5 kg/hm2、 P2O5 120 kg/hm2、 K2O 120 kg/hm2）的产量最高,达到了11129 kg/hm2,但小调整配方（T4）的产投比优于大配方。总体而言,配方施肥的施肥配比与肥料运筹较之常规施肥更为科学合理,大配方适宜该地区的水稻生产。     

Macro-element absorption at maturity in relation to grain yield in high-yielding rice cultivars

Abstract

By applying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers at different rates and times to high-yielding rice cultivars, we determined the absorption of N, P, and potassium (K) in relation to the grain yield. The results showed that, at a higher top-dressing rate of N, the grain yield increased and the absorption of N, P, and K was stimulated, whereas top-dressing of P did not significantly increase the grain yield and nutrient absorption. The absorption of N, P, and K differed markedly among the cultivars, even at the same level of grain yield in the same field (for Yangdao 4 and Suweon 258). N absorption in line 9004 was 29.2 g m^?2 for a paddy grain yield of 1,250 g m^?2 (brown rice: about 1,000 g m^?2), being much higher than the value reported in the literature. The ratio of N : P : K absorption at different yield levels revealed that, with the increase of grain yield of the cultivars, the absorption of P and K relative to the absorption of N decreased. The absorption amounts and ratios of N, P, and K depended on the cultivars, yield levels~, and possibly, soils of the field.     

Nutrient management and submergence-tolerant varieties antecedently enhances the productivity and profitability of rice in flood-prone regions

Abstract

Poor productivity of rice in rainfed lowlands is due to complete submergence as it is a major abiotic stress of these regions. For enhancing the rice productivity of these areas, better nutrient management options are required and results may even better when combined with stress tolerant cultivars, even when tested under natural conditions of farmers’ field. For supporting the above statement, the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus in graded doses was evaluated for submergence tolerance in controlled conditions and the results obtained were tested and validated at farmers’ field in Cuttack, Odisha, India. Shoot elongation, leaf senescence and lodging were lowest with the application of higher phosphorus (60?kg ha^?1). Highest dose i.e. 100-60-40 NPK kg ha^?1 resulted in higher plant survival of all the varieties by 90–170% over no nutrient application, it was also reflected in the higher growth after recovery, leaf greenness, leaf and stem growth, chlorophyll and carbohydrate concentrations and ultimately higher grain yield. At farmers’ field, application of basal P, K and post-flood N management practice resulted in overall better performance of Swarna and Swarna-Sub1 showing higher yield attributes leading to 65.7 and 37.9% higher grain yield, over conventional practices followed by farmers. Apart from that results were more positive if post-flood nitrogen was applied as urea foliar spray might be due to quick absorption of N by plant leaves and also spraying helps in removing the silt of flood water sticking to the leaf surface and facilitated the plants to photosynthesize and survive after desubmergence. These cost-effective management options may enhance the productivity and profitability of rice in the flood-prone areas where farmers hesitate to apply nutrients.     

Positional difference in potassium concentration as diagnostic index relating to plant K status and yield level in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Plant tissue testing is used as a guide for rice (Oryza sativa L.) fertilization and has been extensively used in the diagnosis of potassium (K) deficiency. However, little attention has been paid to the variation in the diagnostic index of K status in different parts of the rice plant. Here, we assessed the feasibility by testing K concentrations of whole plants, leaf blades and leaf sheaths to develop a suitable diagnostic index of plant K status and yield level in rice under different K application rates. The results showed that this research could satisfy the requirements of K status diagnosis, based on the quadratic-plus-plateau relationship between K application rates and grain yield. The K concentrations of the leaf blades and leaf sheaths on the main stem showed differences based on position. Leaf blade K concentrations significantly decreased from the top of the plant to the bottom in the effective tillering and jointing stages. Conversely, K concentrations in the lower leaf blades exceeded those in the upper leaf blades in the booting and full heading stages. K concentrations in the leaf sheath were significantly reduced with declining leaf position except during the jointing stage under high K treatments. Leaf sheath/leaf blade K concentration ratios increased significantly more in lower tissues than in upper plant tissues. Correlation analysis showed that the K concentrations of all sampled plant tissues were positively correlated to plant K uptake and grain yield. However, K concentrations of the whole plant were more useful as a diagnostic index at the effective tillering stage than at other growth stages. Leaf sheaths in lower positions were preferable to upper leaf sheaths and all leaf blades for evaluating plant K status, although their K concentrations were greatly influenced by plant growth stage. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the ratio between the K concentrations of the first and fourth leaf blades (LBKR_1/4) was grouped into significantly exponential curves (P < 0.01) to describe the relationship between plant K uptake and relative grain yield. Thus, LBKR_1/4 could be an ideal indicator of rice plant K status and yield level, as it eliminated the effects of plant growth stage.     

Method for Preparation of Nutrient-depleted Soil for Determination of Plant Nutrient Requirements

ABSTRACT

Research for nutrient optimization and crop nutrient use efficiency requires precise control on soil nutrient status. While nutrient-depleted soils are preferable to artificial soils or hydroponics, reliable and affordable methods for nutrient removal are lacking. We report the systematic standardization and validation of a simple method to wash soil with purified deionized water for the removal of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and organic carbon. Sandy soil was washed with RO water (1:1, w/v) followed by several washes with Type 1 ultrapure water (2:1, w/v) and tested after each wash for the removal of organic carbon, N, P, K, and Ca. After seven washes, total dissolved solids (TDS) were reduced to 5 ppm, conductivity to 10 µS, organic carbon content was reduced by 78%, while N by 19.5%, P by 30%, K by 48% and Ca by 29%. Two genotypes of rice were grown for full life cycle under normal and low N fertilizer (urea) levels to demonstrate that soil depleted with nutrients by our method supports normal plant growth in the greenhouse and allows experiments impossible under field conditions. Precise control on the nutrient status of the soil by our method also helped demonstrate yield differences between genotypes and N regimes and also that higher grain yields can be obtained with low nitrogen (N) input. Thus, our method facilitates better design of experiments for precise determination of nutrient requirements for crop growth and nutrient use efficiency.     

Evaluation of N and P nutritional status of SJ2 soybean by plant analysis

Abstract

Diagnosis and yield prognosis model and method were developed on the basis of data from factorial field experiments on soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) conducted at AIT, Bangkok. Composition of N and P in the aerial parts of the plant at a fixed dry matter weight formed the basis of the model. The method included the determination of absolute and relative nutritional status of the individual nutrients expressed by diagnosis and the complete nutritional status of the young plant expressed by the final yield as yield prognosis.     

Critical nutrient concentrations and DRIS analysis of leaf and grain from high‐yielding corn

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to optimize fertilizer inputs for maximizing the yield of irrigated com (Zea mays L.). This report is a summary of the nutrient composition of leaf and grain samples from the highest yielding treatment in the experiment. The experiment had 15 treatments replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. The N rate treatments were 45,100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N/ha with and without 50 kg P/ha, 67 kg K/ha, and 22 kg S/ha. The plant populations were 74,000 plants/ha (30,000 plants/A) and 100,000 plants/ha. The highest corn yield was 15.6 Mg/ha (250 bu/A with 15.5% moisture) which was produced with 300 kg N/ha combined with complete N, P, K, and S fertilization. It is assumed that samples of corn leaf and grain from a plot yielding that high would have nutrient concentrations in the sufficiency range. Many of the nutrient concentrations from these arbitrarily designated sufficiency ranges are close to the critical ranges and concentrations reported in the literature. It can be concluded that established critical concentrations and ranges could be useful for diagnosing high‐yielding corn. Furthermore, the negative DRIS indices for N, P, K, S, and Cu indicate that these nutrients are most likely to be limiting based on the published norms.     

机械化播栽对杂交稻氮素积累分配及碳氮比的影响

【目的】氮素吸收与积累是水稻产量形成的重要基础。随着农村劳动力转移,我国水稻生产机械化的步伐随之加快, 机械化播栽使杂交籼稻的生长发育和各生育阶段所处环境发生了改变,但针对其氮素吸收利用特性的研究还较少。本文以杂交籼稻F优498为材料,探讨机械化播栽条件下杂交稻的氮素积累、 分配及碳氮比特点。【方法】采用二因素裂区设计,主因素为播栽方式,共3个水平,分别为机械精量穴直播、 机插和常规手插;副因素为穴苗数,设2个水平,分别为低穴苗数和高穴苗数。研究播栽方式和穴苗数对杂交稻氮素积累、 分配及碳氮比的影响。【结果】机械化播栽对杂交稻氮素吸收利用及碳氮比产生了明显影响,与常规手插相比,机械精量穴直播显著提高了水稻拔节期和成熟期植株含氮量,同时提高了成熟期植株氮素积累能力。机插植株含氮量在抽穗期显著高于手插,并能在拔节期保持较高的植株氮素积累量。不同播栽方式叶片和茎鞘氮素转运量、 氮素表观转运率以及氮素转运贡献率、 氮素干物质生产效率和氮素偏生力表现为常规手插＞机插＞机械精量穴直播,而穗部氮素增加量和百千克籽粒吸氮量则为机械精量穴直播＞常规手插＞机插,氮素稻谷生产效率和氮素收获指数表现为机插＞常规手插＞机械精量穴直播。水稻植株全碳含量及植株碳氮比在各主要生育时期内均受播栽方式显著或极显著影响。机械化播栽方式配合低穴苗数能加强成熟期各器官碳氮比,配合高穴苗数处理能显著提高杂交稻抽穗期穗碳氮比,并且能够促进碳素在植株内的转化和分配。【结论】机械化播栽方式虽降低了拔节期植株全碳含量及植株碳氮比,但可显著提高水稻拔节期和成熟期植株含氮量,提高成熟期植株氮素积累能力,有利于杂交稻氮素高效吸收利用和植株体内碳氮代谢的平衡,因而获得高产高效。     

Expression of Soil Chemical and Biological Behavior on Nutritional Quality of Aromatic Rice as Influenced by Organic and Mineral Fertilization

The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the yield and nutritional characteristics of aromatic rice as influenced by organic versus mineral fertilization. Aromatic rice was grown on four levels of cattle manure (CM; 5, 10, 15, and 20 Mg ha^?1). Other treatments were equivalent amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in different levels of manure fertilizer and mineral fertilizer. After 6 years of cropping, organically managed plots were superior to mineral-fertilized plots in terms of grain yields of rice at 5, 10, and 15 Mg ha^?1. Cattle manure at 20 Mg ha^?1 and its equivalent NPK through mineral-fertilizer treatment provided 41.1% and 37.9% increases in average grain yield (5.2 and 5.1 Mg ha^?1) over the unamended control. Protein content was greater in mineral-fertilized rice grains at all levels of CM. Soil dehydrogenase, β-glucosidae, urease, and acid phosphatase activities were greater in soil treated with CM than soil treated with the corresponding mineral fertilizer at all levels. There was buildup of soil-available N, K, and iron (Fe) in soils treated with CM. Grain hardness increased with increasing rates of nutrient application for both mineral-fertilized and organically grown rice; in contrast, amylose content was lower in treatments receiving more nutrients, irrespective of nutrient sources. In terms of functional property, phenol content in rice grain increased with increasing nutrient supply. Potassium and Fe contents were more in CM-treated rice than in mineral-fertilized treatments at greater rates of application. Results suggest that after building up the soil nutrient status, comparable yield and better nutritional and functional qualities of rice can be achieved in organically managed soils than in mineral-fertilized soils.     

Rice Growth and Nutrient Accumulation as Affected by Different Composts

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of four different kinds of compost: pea–rice hull compost (PRC), cattle dung–tea compost (CTC), hog dung–rice hull compost (HDR), and hog dung–sawdust compost (HDS). These types of compost differ in nitrogen composition and in the dry matter yield and nutrient accumulation [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], of rice plants. The rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were planted in an Oxisol soil. Plants were cultivated in pots, which contained 3 kg of soil, mixed with the four different composts (PRC, 404 g; CTC, 395 g; HDR, and HDS, 450 g) and chemical fertilizer (CHEM) (N:P₂O₅:K₂O=120:96:72) The residual effect was studied after the crop was harvested. All treatments were replicated four times, with a randomized complete block design. The nutrient concentrations in the root, leaf sheath, leaf blade, stalk, and grain were analyzed at different growth stages. After the first crop, the dry matter yield and the amount of N, P, and K absorbed from the CTC or HDS treatments were higher than those of the other treatments, at the most active tillering stage. The growth and nutrient accumulation of rice plants given the PRC treatment were higher than those given the CHEM treatment at the heading stage or the HDR treatment at the maturity stage. In the second crop, the dry matter yield from the PRC, CTC, and HDR treatments was higher than from the other treatments. The nutrient accumulation of the rice plants was positively correlated with the dry matter yield. The residual effect of the HDS compost was the least among all four composts.     

Rice straw biochar amended soil improves wheat productivity and accumulated phosphorus in grain

Abstract

Biochar is a pyrolyzed biomass produced under limited oxygen or oxygen absent conditions. Few investigations have been conducted to determine the combined effect of biochar with chemical fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern in root, shoot and grain in wheat as well as changes in soil physiochemical properties. This research was designed to study the combined effect of chemical fertilizer and rice straw-derived biochar on soil physio-chemical properties, growth, yield and nutrient distribution pattern within wheat plant tissue and grain. Results showed that rice straw biochar caused a significant decrease in soil pH and increase in soil organic matter as well as nutrients like total nitrogen (TN), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) due to incubation. Result also showed that root biomass and straw did not differ between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and ½ BARC?+?rice straw biochar treatment. Similarly, thousand grain weight and grain yield did not differ between the same treatments. The phosphorus concentration in wheat grain was highest in ½ BARC?+?rice straw biochar as compared to other treatments. The use of rice straw biochar in addition to the chemical fertilizers in wheat production systems is an economically feasible and practical nutrient management practice. Our findings urged that reduction of chemical fertilizer application is possible with supplementation of rice straw biochar.     

Concentrations of nutrient elements in parts of siratro as affected by phosphorus supply and plant age

Abstract

The distribution of some nutrient elements in various parts of Siratro plants of different age and phosphorus status was examined in order to assess which plant parts were best to sample for chemical analysis of nutrient status and to estimate the relative mobility of these elements within the shoot.

With increasing physiological age of leaves, concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and potassium decreased, concentrations of calcium, aluminium, manganese and boron increased and concentrations of magnesium, iron, zinc and copper were little affected. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, aluminium, boron, zinc and copper in plant parts between the tip and the third youngest, expanded leaf changed little with plant age, suggesting that analysis of this portion of the shoot would be a suitable guide to the sufficiency, or otherwise, of these elements in Siratro plants. By contrast, potassium concentration in all plant parts was markedly depressed by increasing plant age, suggesting that a standardized sampling time would be necessary for interpretation of plant potassium status. Concentrations of magnesium, iron and manganese in all plant parts also decreased with plant age, but to a lesser extent than potassium.

Concentrations of all elements, except nitrogen and phosphorus, decreased slightly with increasing phosphorus supply. This decrease could best be attributed to a dilution of these elements with increased plant growth, induced by phosphorus.

The present results suggested that potassium, and possibly iron and magnesium, were redistributed in Siratro shoots with time whereas other elements were relatively immobile.