MINERAL ELEMENT DISTRIBUTION AND ACCUMULATION PATTERNS WITHIN TWO BARLEY CULTIVARS

Growth stage effects on distribution of mineral nutrients or beneficial elements phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), silicon (Si) and nickel (Ni), and the elements bromine (Br), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), and uranium (U) in two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars and how the distribution of these elements changed were determined during the 2006–2007 growing season in a field experiment. Barley plants were sampled from the field at shooting, heading, soft dough, hard dough and harvest stages, and mineral nutrients and other elements concentrations of spike, flag leaf, old leaf, and stem samples were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Distribution patterns varied considerably from element to element. At the end of the season much of the Ca, Mg, S, Si, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Sr, Ba, La, Ce, and U were located in the spikes. However, much of the P, K, Zn, Cl, Na, Br, and Rb remained in the old leaves or stem.     

Combined Effect of Arsenic and Phosphorus on Mineral Element Concentrations of Sunflower

This study was undertaken to examine the combined effect of soil‐applied phosphorus (P) and arsenic (As) on P, As, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lantanium (La), and cerium (Ce) concentrations of sunflower plants under glasshouse conditions determined by polarized‐energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Three levels of As (0, 30, and 60 mg kg^?1) and four levels of P (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to soil‐grown plants. Increasing levels of both As and P significantly increased As concentrations in the plants. Plant growth was significantly reduced with increased As supply regardless of applied P levels. Arsenic toxicity caused significant increases in the concentrations of Mn, La and Ce, but it decreased K, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Zn, Cu, Rb, and Sr concentrations. Applied P increased the concentrations of Ti, Sr, and Ba and decreased Zn and Cu. In conclusion, the use of P fertilizers in As‐contaminated soils should be carefully considered in respect to increased As, Ti, Sr, and Ba availability and reduced Zn and Cu availability.     

Influence of Silicon on Sunflower Cultivars under Drought Stress,II: Essential and Nonessential Element Uptake determined by Polarized Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence

Abstract: There is no information regarding genotypic variation in essential and nonessential nutrient accumulation of sunflower grown under drought stress with the presence or absence of supplemental silicon (Si) despite the role of this element in improving growth of some cultivars under drought conditions. Accumulation of elements in sunflower cultivars might be important for the genetic improvement of the crop's response to drought. An experiment under controlled conditions was carried out to study the genotypic response of 12 sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars to drought and Si and the relationship to the uptake of elements [phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chloride (Cl), molybdenum (Mo), Si, sodium (Na), vanadium (V), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), rubidium (Rb), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), bromine (Br), and barium (Ba)]. This was determined by polarized energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). It was observed that uptake of nutrient and nonessential elements by sunflower cultivars were differentiated in response to applied Si and drought stress. Drought stress decreased mineral uptake of all the cultivars, and generally, application of Si under drought stress significantly improved Si, K, S, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Na, Cl, V, Al, Sr, Rb, Ti, Cr, and Ba uptake whereas Zn, Mo, Ni, and Br uptake were not affected.     

Pecan leaf analysis: I. Varietal,fertilizer, and seasonal effects

Abstract

Differences in elemental content of pecan [Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch] leaves among cultivars were found for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn. Of the 7 elements studied, only leaf K indicated a date by cultivar interaction. Differences in leaf K among cultivars became greater as the season progressed. Increasing rate of application of N‐P‐K fertilizer increased leaf N, Ca, Mn, and Al, but had very little or erratic effect on leaf P, K, Fe, B, Cu, Zn, and Sr. There were very few consistent significant fertilizer rate by date interactions for the 13 elements tested. Seasonal trends for element leaf contents from mid‐May through October were generally downward for N, upward for Ca, Mn, Fe, B, Cu, Al, and Ba and changed very little for Mg, Zn, and Sr. Leaf P and K responses to sampling date varied with year. Large year to year variations in leaf trends over dates suggests difficulty in selecting a period for leaf sampling where little change in leaf levels consistently occurs.     

Element interconnections in Lotus japonicus: A systematic study of the effects of element additions on different natural variants

Lotus japonicus was used to study the distribution and interconnections of 15 elements in plant tissues, including essential and non-essential elements: boron (B), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd) and cesium (Cs). Large amounts of B and Ca accumulated in plant leaves, while Fe, Na, Ni, As and Cd tended to mainly occur in the roots, and Mo was the only element to accumulate in the stems. The elemental compositions within plants were severely disturbed by treatment with toxic elements. Competition between element pairs in the same group (e.g. K and Cs; Ca and Sr) was not found. Iron, Cu and Zn accumulation were induced by Cd and Ni addition. When natural variants grew in a nutrition solution with subtoxic levels of As, Cd, Cs, Ni, Mo and Sr, intriguing relationships between the elements (such as Fe, As and K; Mg and Ni; Mn and Ca) were revealed using principal-component analysis. This study on the plant ionome offers detailed information of element interactions and indicates that chemically different elements might be closely linked in uptake or translocation systems.     

脐橙幼苗新老叶片养分含量对大、中量元素短期缺乏的差异性响应

  【目的】  对比大、中量养分短期缺乏下脐橙新、老叶片中11种必需元素含量及变化,并分析缺素导致的营养元素间的相互影响。  【方法】  以一年生枳砧纽荷尔脐橙幼苗为试材进行了砂培试验。以完全营养液为对照 (CK),设置缺氮 (?N)、缺磷 (?P)、缺钾 (?K)、缺钙 (?Ca)和缺镁 (?Mg)处理,测定不同处理脐橙叶片（老叶和新叶）生长指标及矿质元素含量。  【结果】  所有缺素处理均导致叶片叶绿素含量降低,生物量减少,以缺氮处理最为显著。缺氮降低了叶片N、Ca、Cu、Mo含量;缺磷降低了叶片P、K、Mo含量;缺钾降低了叶片K含量;缺钙降低了叶片N、Cu、Zn、Mo含量但增加了P含量;缺镁降低了叶片Ca、Mg、Zn、Mo含量但增加了K含量。以必需矿质元素为变量分别对各处理老叶和新叶进行主成分分析,老叶中第一主成分 (PC1)明显将缺钾处理与其他处理区分开,与对照相比,缺钾老叶离子组成变化为N (?3%)、P (+1%)、K (?71%)、Ca (+11%)、Mg (+39%)、B (+16%)、Mn (+11%)、Fe (+32%)、Cu (?7%)、Zn (+14%)、Mo (?63%);新叶中PC1明显将缺氮处理与其他处理区分开,缺氮新叶离子组成变化为N (?53%)、P (+8%)、K (+7%)、Ca (?14%)、Mg (+11%)、B (+55%)、Mn (+51%)、Fe (?14%)、Cu (?57%)、Zn (+4%)、Mo (?25%)。老叶和新叶中元素含量呈正相关的元素是N-Cu、N-Ca、Mg-Mn和Cu-Mo,呈负相关的是K-Zn。  【结论】  脐橙幼苗老叶对钾的短期缺乏反应最敏感,缺钾会显著降低老叶中K和Mo含量并增加Mg和Fe含量,而新叶对氮素的短期缺乏最敏感,缺氮显著降低新叶中N、Ca、Cu和Mo含量。短期缺少P、Ca和Mg对脐橙幼苗叶片中的养分含量影响较小。     

Effect of bentonite characteristics on the elemental composition of wine

Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of six bentonites were assessed and related to their elemental release to wine. Extraction essays of bentonites in wine at three pH levels were carried out. The multielemental analysis of bentonites and wines was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Bentonite addition resulted in significantly higher concentrations of Li, Be, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Sc, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ga, Ge, As, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, W, Tl, Bi, and W. In contrast, the concentrations of B, K, Cu, Zn, and Rb significantly decreased. A strong correlation between Na concentrations of treated wines and its content in bentonite exchange complex was observed. Al and Fe contents reflected bentonite extractable aluminous and ferruginous constituents, while Be, Mg, Ca, V, Mn, Ni, Ge, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb, and U concentrations reflected the elemental composition of bentonites. Several nonconformances with OIV specifications demonstrated the need for an effective control.     

Searching the most appropriate sample pretreatment for the elemental analysis of wines by inductively coupled plasma-based techniques

Different sample preparation methods were evaluated for the simultaneous multielement analysis of wine samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Microwave-assisted digestion in closed vessel, thermal digestion in open reactor, and direct sample dilution were considered for the determination of Li, Be, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Tl, Pb, and Bi in 12 samples of red wine from Valencia and Utiel-Requena protected designation of origin. ICP-MS allows the determination of 17 elements in most of the samples, and using ICP-OES, a maximum of 15 elements were determined. On comparing the sample pretreatment methodology, it can be concluded that the three assayed procedures provide comparable results for the concentration of Li, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Sr by ICP-OES. Furthermore, ICP-MS data found for Cu, Pb, and Ba were comparable. Digestion treatment provides comparable values using both total decomposition in open system and microwave-assisted treatment for Cu by ICP-OES and for Cr, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Open vessel total digestion provides excess values for Cr, Mn, Fe, and Zn by ICP-OES and defect values for Se. However, direct measurement of diluted wine samples provided uncomparable results with the digestion treatment for Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ba, and Bi by ICP-OES and for Mg, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn by ICP-MS. Therefore, it can be concluded that microwave-assisted digestion is the pretreatment procedure of choice for elemental analysis of wine by ICP-based techniques.     

Application of High Copper and Zinc Compost and Its Effects on Soil Properties and Growth of Barley

Abstract

A compost of high copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) content was added to soil, and the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was evaluated. Four treatments were established, based on the addition of increasing quantities of compost (0, 2, 5, and 10% w/w). Germination, plant growth, biomass production, and element [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), Cu, manganese (Mn), and Zn] contents of soil and barley were determined following a 16‐week growing period. Following harvesting of the barley, analysis of the different mixtures of soil and compost was performed. Micronutrient contents in soils as affected by compost additions were determined with diethylene–triamine–pentaacetic acid (DTPA) (Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn) or ammonium acetate [Ca, Na, Mg, K, cation exchange capacity (CEC)] extractions, and soils levels were compared to plant uptake where appropriate. Increasing rates of compost had no affect on Ca, Mg, or K concentration in barley. Levels of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Na, however, increased with compost application. High correlations were found for DTPA‐extractable Cu and Zn with barley head and shoot content and for Mn‐DTPA and shoot Mn content. Ammonium acetate–extractable Na was highly correlated with Na content in the shoot. High levels of electrical conductivity (EC), Cu, Zn, and Na may limit utilization of the compost.     

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric determination of minerals in thyme honeys and their contribution to geographical discrimination

Twenty-four Spanish thyme honey samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Twenty-four minerals were quantified for each honey. The elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, and Zn were detected in all samples; seven elements are very abundant (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, and Si), and six are not abundant (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, and Zn). Eleven of them are trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr, and V) at <1 mg kg(-)(1). Classification of thyme honeys according to their origin (coast, mountains) was achieved by pattern recognition techniques on the mineral data. By means of principal component analysis, a good separation by geographical origin is obtained when scores for the two first principal components are plotted. Classification functions of 11 metals (Al, As, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Na, P, S, and V) were obtained using stepwise discriminant analysis and applied to classify correctly approximately 100% of the honey samples.     

Dynamics of Macro- and Micronutrients in Cuphea

Temporal dynamics of nutrient densities, their interrelationships, and remobilization from leaves to seeds of cuphea were quantified in growth chamber and field studies. Temporal nutrient densities in leaf samples exhibited large levels of variation, whether remobilized and largely accumulated in the seed [copper, (Cu), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn)], remobilized and accumulated in the seed coat [boron (B), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na)] or almost excluded from the seed [barium (Ba), selenium (Se) and strontium (Sr)]. The temporal seed-to-leaf nutrient density “[S]/[L]” ratios and the proportion of variance unique to each nutrient separated the nutrients into a group (Cu, Fe, S, and Zn) with large [S]/[L] ratios and large unique variances, and another group (B, Ca, Mg, Mn and Sr) with small [S]/[L] ratios and small unique variances; the first group was selectively stored in the developing embryo. Nutrients with large densities in leaves at harvest may constitute a resource potentially available for subsequent crops.     

ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF PEPPER PLANTS FERTILIZED WITH PELLETIZED POULTRY MANURE

Poultry manure (PM) has been traditionally applied to crops for decades as an organic fertilizer, because it is a good and balanced source of plant nutrients. Its effect on plant growth and yield has been widely investigated and is well known. However, there has been little effort to relate elemental compositions of the manure applied to their concentrations in the plants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of PM on the growth, and essential and non-essential element composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum) leaves and also fruits. Pepper plants were grown in soil with 0, 10, 20, and 40 g kg^?1 PM under greenhouse conditions. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), chloride (Cl), nickel (Ni), bromine (Br), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lanthanum (La), and cerium (Ce) in leaves at the flowering stage and in fruits were determined by polarized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Poultry manure fertilization significantly improved pepper shoot growth and also fruit yield, and increased leaf and fruit P concentrations but not N, K, Mg, Si, Al, Ni, and Fe. Leaf Ca was significantly reduced by increased rate of PM application. Applied PM increased the concentrations of leaf and fruit Zn and Cl. Poultry manure applications had a positive effect on the concentrations of leaf Cu, and fruit Mn. The concentrations of Rb and Ce in fruits and Br in fruit and leaves were increased by PM treatments. Applied PM levels had no clear effect on the concentrations of Ba and La in pepper leaves. The leaf Ba was the highest with 10 g kg^?1 PM, and leaf La was higher in 20 and 40 g kg^?1 PM treatments than in the control.     

Effects of fertilization, crop year, variety, and provenance factors on mineral concentrations in onions

Mineral concentrations of onions (Allium cepa L.) grown under various conditions, including factors (fertilization, crop year, variety, and provenance), were investigated to clarify how much each factor contributes to the variation of their concentrations. This was because the mineral concentrations might be affected by various factors. The ultimate goal of this study was to develop a technique to determine the geographic origins of onions by mineral composition. Samples were onions grown under various conditions at 52 fields in 18 farms in Hokkaido, Japan. Twenty-six elements (Li, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Gd, W, and Tl) in these samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fertilization conditions and crop years of onions caused variations of P, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cs, and Tl concentrations in onions; different onion varieties also showed variations in numerous element concentrations. However, the variations of mineral compositions of onions by these factors were smaller than the differences between production places with a few exceptions. Furthermore, Na, Rb, and Cs in group IA of the periodic table, Ca, Sr, and Ba in group IIA, and Zn and Cd in group IIB showed similar concentration patterns by group; this result demonstrated that elements in the same periodic groups behaved similarly in terms of their absorption in onions.     

Etude par spectrometrie de masse a etincelles de la composition minerale de cuticules isolees de feuilles de poirier passe crassane

Abstract

The minerai content of enzymatically isolated pear leaf cuticles has been determined using a technique allowing a high sensitivity and a wide elemental coverage : the spark source mass spectrometry. About thirty elements have been detected, classified in different classes according to their content : N, K (major) Ca, Si, Al, Na (≥ 1 000 ppm) Fe, Cl, Mg (≥ 100 ppm) P, Cu, Zn, Ti, Ba, Mn, Ni, Co, Sr (≥ 10 ppm) B, Ag, Rb, Cr, Sn, V, Pb, Cd, U etc... (traces). These results are compared with analysis of entire pear leaves effected simultaneously and with those reported in literature concerning isolated tomato fruit cuticles. The problem of their validity for cuticles in situ, is discussed.     

Accumulation and distribution pattern of macro- and microelements and trace elements in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay berries

This paper describes the accumulation pattern of 42 mineral elements in Vitis vinifera L. berries during development and ripening and their distribution in berry skin, seeds, and flesh around harvest time. Grape berries were sampled in two different vineyards with alkaline soil and analyzed using a ICP-MS. Although elemental amounts were significantly different in the grapes from the two vineyards, the accumulation pattern and percentage distribution in different parts of the berries were generally quite similar. Ba, Eu, Sr, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn accumulate prior to veraison. Al, Ce, Dy, Er, Ga, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sn, Zr, Th, Tm, U, Y, and Yb accumulate mainly prior to veraison but also during ripening. Ag, As, B, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Se, and Tl accumulate progressively during growth and ripening. With regard to distribution, Ba, Ca, Eu, Fe, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn accumulate mainly in the seeds, Al, B, Ga, Sn, and the rare earths analyzed, except for Eu, accumulate mainly in the skin, and Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Cu, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Na, Rb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, and Zr accumulate mainly in the flesh. A joint representation of the accumulation and distribution patterns for the elements in the berry is also given.     

Micronutrient toxicity in buffalograss

The growth responses of buffalograss [Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.] to elevated micronutrient levels in the fertilizer solution were investigated. Seedling plants established in peat‐lite mix in 11‐cm (0.6 L) pots in the greenhouse were irrigated with solutions containing 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 mM of boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), or zinc (Zn). The control solution contained (in μM): 20 B, 0.5 Cu, 40 Fe, 10 Mn, 0.5 Mo, and 4 Zn. A standard macronutrient concentration was used for all treatment solutions. Boron and Mo induced visual toxicity symptoms more readily than other micronutrients. Boron toxicity was characterized by chlorosis often accompanied by bleached leaf tips, while Mo toxicity resulted in leaf necrosis. The lowest levels that induced visual foliar toxicity were 0.5 mM B, 2 mM Cu, 4 mM Fe, 6 mM Mn, 1 mM Mo, and 4 mM Zn. Chloride did not induce foliar abnormalities in the concentration range tested. Biomass yield was reduced when the nutrient solution contained 2 mM B, 6 mM Cu, or 2 mM Mo. Elevated levels of Cl, Fe, Mn, and Zn did not alter dry matter yield. The relationship between the nutrient and tissue concentrations was determined for each microelement.     

Metal contents of phosphate rocks

Abstract

Significant amounts of phosphate rocks (PRs) are mined around the world annually. The rocks are either applied directly to soils or manufactured to produce water‐soluble phosphorus (P) fertilizers. In this study, we analyzed 12 PRs obtained from various deposits in Africa, United States, and Peru for total P, ten trace metals [cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), and zinc (Zn)] and eight nontrace metals [aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and strontium (Sr)]. The empirical formulae and the unit‐cell a dimension of the apatite contents were also determined. Results showed that the values of the unit‐cell a dimension ranged from 9.324 Å for North Carolina PR to 9.365 Å for Tahoua PR. The total P contents ranged from 109 g/kg for Kodjari PR to 176 g/kg for Parc W PR. The concentration of the trace metals in the PRs varied considerably. Expressed in mg/kg PR, the ranges and median values were: Cd (5–47, 10), Co (6–104, 22), Cu (5–41, 8), Cr (18–331, 46), Li (2–9, 2), Mn (11–6553, 263) , Ni (1–61, 10) , Pb (7–43, 14), Rb (3–18, 6), and Zn (54–576, 124). The corresponding values of the nontrace metals expressed in g/kg were: Al (1.7–20.0, 5.6), Ba (0–4.4, 0.4), Ca (211–330, 298), Fe (1.4–45.7, 6.8), K (0.3–10.9, 1.4), Mg (0.6–16.9, 2.2), Na (1.0‐ 22 .8, 10.4), and Sr (0.3–6.7, 1.0). At the detection limit of 5 ng/mL, no cesium (Cs) was found in the PR analyzed.     

Comparison of major and trace element concentrations in Danish greenhouse tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Cv. Aromata F1) cultivated in different substrates

The concentration of major and trace elements was determined for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumcv. Aromata F1) fruits grown in three different substrate systems. The systems were soil and rockwool irrigated with a normal nutrient solution and rockwool irrigated with a nutrient solution with elevated electrical conductivity (EC). At three harvest times, tomato fruits were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn by ICP-AES and for Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and V by HR-ICPMS. The concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn were significantly different (p < 0.05) for tomato fruits grown on the different substrates. Between the harvest times different levels (p < 0.05) were shown for Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn Na, Ni, Sr, Zn Cu, K, Mg, P, Sn, and V. The concentration of Cd was >15 times higher and the concentration of Ca was 50-115% higher in soil-grown fruits than in rockwool-grown fruits. Principal component analysis applied on each harvest split the data into two groups. One group includes soil-grown fruits, and the other group includes rockwool-grown fruits with the two different nutrient solutions.     

Effect of Sulfur on the Yield and Essential and Nonessential Element Composition of Alfalfa Determined by Polarized Energy Dispersive X‐ray Fluorescence

Alfalfa crops were grown in the field at the University of Ankara (473939 E, 4385149 N), over two seasons between 2001 and 2003 with sulfur (S) supplied at two different rates. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five replicates and three cutting dates in each season. Sulfur was applied at rates of 0 (control), 160 (S₁), and 240 (S₂) kg ha^?1 as gypsum. Alfalfa hay was harvested three times each year, and the concentrations of elements in the hay were measured by polarized energy dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Sulfur fertilization increased S concentrations and improved alfalfa hay yield for both years. Applied S slightly reduced phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the first year and had no significant effect on the potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations of alfalfa hay for either year. The highest S (240 kg ha^?1 S) level increased sodium (Na) concentrations in the first year but decreased them in the second year. Sulfur application also decreased chloride (Cl) concentration in the first year. Molybdenum (Mo) concentration of the alfalfa was significantly reduced by S₁ treatment in year 1. Iron (Fe) concentration was increased by S₂ treatment in the second year, and zinc (Zn) concentration was increased by S₁ treatment in the first year. However, applied S had no effect on manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), uranium (U), and lead (Pb) concentrations for either year. Applied S decreased aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si) and increased bromine (Br) and rubidium (Rb) concentrations of alfalfa in the first year. In addition, strontium (Sr) concentration was increased by S₂ treatment in the first year but was decreased in the second year. The stage of cutting greatly affected mineral concentrations. Compared with the first cutting, S concentrations were higher in the second and third harvest for both years. In general, the concentrations of P, Mg, Na, Cl, Mo, Ti, V, Br, Co, Ba, Sr, Rb, U, and Pb were increased, whereas the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Ni were decreased with later cutting. The concentrations of K and Ca did not vary between cuts.     

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.