Interaction of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of maize with extractable soil phosphorus levels and nitrogen-potassium fertilizers

Summary A field experiment was conducted for 3 years to determine whether increasing extractable soil P levels would affect vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) of maize (Zea mays L.) and the subsequent uptake of P and production of dry matter. Five levels of extractable soil P were established on an Aquic Dystrochrept soil with high and low NK fertilization. The results show that as extractable soil-P levels increase the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae of maize decrease, but P concentrations in both leaf and root tissue increase. There was a significant interaction between the extractable soil-P levels and NK treatment. At the low soil-P level NK fertilization increased mycorrhizae, while at the high soil-P levels NK fertilization reduced mycorrhizae. Dry-matter production generally paralleled extractable soil-P levels from 1.0 mg P kg^–1 to a maximum at 10 mg P kg^–1 soil (by ammonium acetate, pH 4.8). The reduction in vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae at the highest levels of extractable soil P apparently was not critical to either P uptake or dry-matter production.Scientific contribution No. 1196 Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station     

Soil Properties Influence Distribution of Extractable Boron in Soil Profile

Depth distribution of boron (B) extractable by hot calcium chloride (HCC), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (PDP), and tartaric acid (TA) in some typical B‐deficient Inceptisols, Entisols, and Alfisols in relation to soil properties was studied. The magnitude of B extraction followed the order HCC > PDP > TA for Inceptisols, TA > HCC > PDP for Entisols, and PDP > HCC > TA for Alfisols and showed a decrease along soil depth. The low pH of TA and effective desorption of B by phosphate of PDP are attributed to their higher efficiency in extracting B in Entisols and Alfisols, respectively. A decrease in organic carbon (C), clay, and amorphous iron oxide content was responsible for the observed decrease in extractable B along depth of soil profile. The HCC showed more efficiency than PDP and TA for extracting B in soils high in organic C. Multiple regression equations explained only 21, 57, and 59% of the variability in PDP‐, HCC‐, and TA‐extractable B content in soils by the soil properties analyzed, of which organic C and clay were the most important. There were dynamic equilibria among the amount of B extracted by the extractants, indicating B extraction by them from more or less similar pools in the soils.     

Effects of floating Azolla on phosphorus fluxes and recovery from former agricultural lands in wetland microcosms

The long-term fertilization results in accumulation of phosphorus especially in the top layer of the soils. Inundation of agricultural lands leads to a switch to anaerobic soil condition, causing reduction of iron and leaching of phosphate simultaneously. From the ecological and environmental perspective, high nutrients flux especially phosphorus will increase the possibility of eutrophication in aquatic system. The fern Azolla had a good potential to adsorb phosphorus, it also has distinctive nitrogen-fixing capacity. We conducted a 10-week aquarium experiment to investigate the phosphorus release capacity from two agricultural soils in the Netherlands with different Fe and P concentrations but comparable Fe/P ratios. Besides, the research questions rose to whether Azolla could use the mobilized phosphate released from the soils for growth. We also tried to find an effective indicator to estimate the actually phosphate mobilization from sediment to water layer. Results showed that the soils with high Fe and P concentrations had higher phosphate release rate compared with the soil with low Fe and P concentrations. Pore water Fe: PO₄^3? ratios were valid to identify P release to surface water, when the Fe: PO₄^3? ratios less than 8 mol mol^?1 substantial phosphorus mobilization occurred. The conclusions showed that the actual mobilization of phosphate is more important than the phosphorus retained in the sediments for the internal PO₄^3? fluxes. From 10-week experimental results, we found that Azolla can reuse the phosphate retained in soils thus removed the mobilized phosphate in a moderately low surface water nutrient loading.     

Elevated CO2 Improves Growth and Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency in Cereal Species Under Sub-Optimal Phosphorus Supply

Cultivars of Triticum aestivum, T. durum, and Secale cereale were grown at low (2 μM) and sufficient (500 μM) phosphorus (P) under ambient carbon dioxide (380 μmol mol^?1; aCO₂) and elevated CO₂ (700 μmol mol^?1, eCO₂) to study responses of cereal species in terms of growth and P utilization efficiency (PUE) under P x CO₂ interaction. Dry matter accumulation increased under eCO₂ with sufficient P. Nevertheless, dry matter accumulated at eCO₂ with low-P was similar to that obtained at aCO₂ with sufficient P. Leaf area was 43% higher under eCO₂ with sufficient P. Significant increase in lateral root density, length and surface area were noted at low-P under eCO₂. Phosphorus use efficience (PUE) increased by 59% in response to eCO_2­ in low-P plants. Thus, eCO₂ can partly compensate effect of low-P supply because of improved utilization efficiency. Among cereals, durum wheat was more suitable in terms of PUE under high CO₂ and limiting P supply.     

A rapid method for nitrogen determination in plant tissue

Abstract

A method is described for determining the total N content of plant tissue by a modified Kjeldahl digestion employing a Technicon Auto‐Analyzer. It is faster than the manual AOAC Kjeldahl method. Reproducibility is not as good as that for the AOAC method, but coefficients of variability are comparable with those for the analyses of mineral elements in plant tissue by emission spectroscopy.     

Phosphorus Stress Induced Variations in Growth Behavior and P Efficiency among Brassica Cultivars Grown with Sparingly Soluble P Sources

To evaluate phosphorus (P)–stress–induced relative growth responses, P-efficiency characteristics, P remobilization, and redesign in root architectural systems, Brassica cultivars were grown with sparingly soluble rock phosphate and calcium phosphate [Ca₃(PO₄)₂] or with low/high P supply in solution and sand culture experiments. Tested cultivars showed considerable genetic diversity in biomass accumulation, concentration and contents of P, P-stress factor (PSF), and P-efficiency characteristics [P-utilization efficiency (PUE), P efficiency (PE), and P-efficiency ratio (PER)]. Statistically significant correlations were observed between P efficiency and growth parameters. Elongation rates of primary roots decreased but the length of lateral roots and branched zone elongation rates increased under P starvation. Cultivars remobilized P from metabolically inactive to active sites in P-stressed plants that may have helped low-P-tolerant cultivars to establish a better rooting system, which provided basis for enhanced P-use efficiency and tolerance against P stress. Cultivars depicting high P efficiency and low PSF values were more tolerant and are a better choice to grow under P-stress environments.     

Applied Mn extracted by four methods correlated with Mn concentrations in soybean leaf tissue on a southeastern soil

Abstract

Four extractants for soil Mn were compared for their sensitivity to changes in Mn availability caused by rates and sources of added soil Mn and soil pH variations. Their ability to extract amounts of Mn correlated with plant Mn concentrations was also determined. Two field experiments were conducted on a sandy, high water table soil (Ultic Haplaquod‐Arenic Plinthaquic Paleudult) which included 5 Mn rates, 4 Mn sources and 3 soil pH levels. Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cultivar Ransom] were grown and leaf tissue and soils sampled at the late pod‐fill stage. All four extractants separated the high‐ Mn rates, but the small exchange method did not separate the low Mn rates. Few differences were observed among extractants due to Ma sources. The DTPA method was the only procedure to correctly distinguish soil pH levels by showing decreasing extractable Ma with increasing soil pH. Including pH in multiple regressions significantly increased the plant Mn‐soil Mn correlation coefficients. The DTPA method and the 0.1N H₃PO₄ method had the highest correlation coefficients and the double acid method the lowest. The small exchange method was intermediate. Considering all the results, the DTPA was the most promising method for extracting Mn from this sandy, southern Coastal Plain soil.     

Organic phosphorus compounds as a phosphorus source for higher plants through the activity of phosphatases produced by plant roots and microorganisms

Summary The efficiency of phosphatases produced by clover, barley, oats and wheat was investigated in soils treated with sodium glycerophosphate, lecithin and phytin. Root exudates of aseptically grown clover were also examined for the breakdown of different organic P compounds in order to test the efficiency of plant-produced phosphatases. In general, the plants were able to use P from all the organic sources used in the study almost as efficiently as inorganic sources. Dry-matter yield, P uptake, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity and microbial population were increased in all the P treatments. Organic P enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity. Lecithin increased fungal, and phytin bacterial growth. There was no alkaline phosphatase activity in the asepticallly grown clover root exudates. Phosphatase released in aseptic culture after 4 weeks of clover growth was able to efficiently hydrolyse sodium glycerophosphate, lecithin and phytin. The amount of organic P hydrolysed in this and in the soil experiment surpassed plant uptake by a factor of 20. This suggests that the limiting factor on plant utilization of organic P is the availability of hydrolysable organic P sources.     

Availability and extractability of soil manganese in a liming experiment

Abstract

The availability of soil Mn to corn in relation to extractability of soil Mn by EDTA, Mg(NO₃)₂, CH₃COONH₄, hydroquinone, H₃PO₄, and NH₄H₂PO₄ as affected by liming was evaluated under field conditions on a single soil type. EDTA, Mg(NO₃)₂ and CH₃COONH₄‐extractable Mn were related inversely to available Mn. No useful relationships were found between hydroquinone, H₃PO₄, and NH₄H₂PO₄‐extractable soil Mn and Mn uptake by sweet corn.     

Inclusion of nitrate and nitrite in the Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of soils and plant materials using sodium thiosulphate

Abstract

Soil applications of boron were applied shortly before transplanting dormant strawberry plants into the field in early April. Composite samples of ‘Benton’ and ‘Tristar’ grown under soil applied B fertilizer rates of 0, 1.1, 2.2, and 4.5 kg/ha B were taken during June, August, and September in 1985. ‘Benton’ plants were resampled in April 1986. Tissue concentrations and dry weights were determined for up to ten plant parts. Concentrations decreased over time. Differences in B content between treatments were greatest early in the season and gradually disappeared. The amounts of boron in different plant parts were similar by September for ‘Tristar’ and in the following spring for ‘Benton’. Even though total boron content in strawberry plants could be doubled with the high boron application, little change occurred in nonleaf tissues. Approximately 90% of the additional boron in a plant resulting from soil application of B was found in the leaves. Total B content of nonleaf tissues was similar regardless of B treatment. Interpreting boron concentrations was difficult because all plant parts were signficantly correlated to leaf concentrations, even though total boron uptake of nonleaf tissues did not differ between treatments. Elevated B concentrations were partly due to decreases in dry weight. Leaf tissue analysis did not accurately indicate B status of other plant parts and tissue concentrations can be misleading if total B contents are not evaluated.     

An examination of the total analysis of major elements in soil samples

Recently conventional chemical analyses were mostly replaced by instrumental analysis. Although results from both methods were examined in details after the samples had been solubilized or extracted by appropriate techniques, the solubilization method was considerably altered so as to be convenient for the following analysis. In atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), for example, fusion technique was mostly inadequate because of the higher salts concentration in the obtained solution. The use of H₂SO₄ must also be avoided in acid digestion for SO₄ ^2- precipitates with Sr²⁺ or La³⁺ which must be added to eliminate interferences in the succeeding procedure. Therefore, it is essential to consider the whole scheme including sample treatments to evaluate the suitability of instrumental analysis. In this experiment, the suitability of the methods which have been employed in our laboratory was examined by analyzing 9 rock standards.     

Nutrient solution growth of sorghum and corn in mineral nutrition studies

The growth of plants in nutrient solutions is an invaluable tool for mineral nutrition studies. Successful growth of plants in nutrient solutions require special attention and consideration. Details and helpful ideas for the growth of plants in nutrient solutions are often omitted in publications where techniques like these are used. The objective of this report is to focus on some of the concerns, successes, experiences, and problems noted for the growth of sorghum and corn in nutrient solutions. Topics discussed are nutrient solution composition, pH of nutrient solutions, phosphorus concentrations, sources of Fe in solutions, plus several suggestions and comments for successful growth of sorghum and corn in nutrient solutions.     

Air Drying Affects Extractable Sulfate in Soils of Variable Charge: Test of Two Extraction and Two Quantification Methods

Abstract

Fertilizer recommendations need to be based on reliable soil sulfate determinations. Airdrying samples changes irreversibly many properties of soils with variable charge and might affect the extractable sulfate. In this study, sulfate extracted from air‐dry and field‐moist samples was compared. Two extracting solutions [water and 00.1 M Ca(H₂PO₄) ₂] and two quantification methods (turbidimetry and ion chromatography) were assayed on A and B horizon samples of five Humic Acrisols from southeast Mexico. Air drying increased water‐extractable sulfate in Ah horizons, whereas in Bt horizons, it increased the 00.1 M Ca(H₂PO₄)₂‐extractable sulfate. Airdrying increased dissolved organic carbon contents in all samples and increased soil acidity and oxalate extractable iron in 70 and 60% of the samples, respectively. Results showed larger coefficients of variation in air‐dried samples. Turbidimetry resulted less sensible than ion chromatography. To enhance sensitivity and reproducibility, particularly organic soil samples should be analyzed field‐moist and by ion chromatography.     

Comparison of methods for measuring heavy metals and total phosphorus in soils contaminated by different sources

The relationships between the concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) as measured by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), aqua regia, and HNO₃ pressure digestion were studied in soil samples covering a wide range of heavy metal concentrations. The soils were contaminated by sewage sludge, exhaust depositions, river sediments of mining residues, and dump material. The question was addressed whether the source of heavy metals or other soil properties affect the relationship between these three methods. The aqua regia-digestible fraction of the five heavy metals reached on average 64% of the XRF-detectable content. The pressure accelerated HNO₃-digestible fraction of the five heavy metals was on average 71% of the XRF-detectable content; the respective phosphorus (P) fraction reached a median of 75%. This suggests that HNO₃ pressure digestion can also be used for characterizing the total P content of soils. Aqua regia extraction and HNO₃ pressure digestion gave similar values for Zn, Pb, and Cu, which dominate the heavy metal load of most contamination sources. Significantly higher Cr values were obtained by HNO₃ pressure digestion than by aqua regia extraction. Additionally, the Cr contents were affected by the source, e.g. sewage sludge had relatively high contents of aqua regia and HNO₃ pressure extractable contents in comparison to the XRF values. The element-specific relationships between the three methods were all highly significant. However, the respective multiple linear regression models were in most cases affected by soil organic carbon (C), in some cases by clay or soil pH.     

Development of a Soil N Test for Fertilizer Requirements for Corn Production in Quebec

Corn requires high nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, but no soil N test for fertilizer N requirement is yet available in Quebec. Objectives of this research were (1) to determine the effects of soil nitrate (NO₃ ^?)-N, soil ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)-N, and N fertilizer rates on corn yields and (2) to determine soil sampling times and depths most highly correlated with yields and fertilizer N response under Quebec conditions. Soil samples were taken from 0- to 30-cm and 30- to 60-cm depths at seeding and postseeding (when corn height reached 20 cm) to determine soil NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? in 44 continuous corn sites fertilized with four rates of N in two replications using a quick test (N-Trak) and a laboratory method. The N-Trak method overestimated soil NO₃ ^?-N in comparison with the laboratory method. Greater coefficients of determination were observed for soil NO₃ ^?-N analyses at postseeding compared with seeding.     

Comparison of the Ignition Method and the Perchloric Acid Digestion Method for the Determination of Total Phosphorus in Agricultural Soils of Taiwan

The ignition method and the perchloric acid (HClO₄) digestion method for the determination of total phosphorus (P) content in 65 agricultural soils of Taiwan were compared. The average amount of total P obtained by the ignition method was 4.3% less than that obtained by the HClO₄ method. There was a wide range of variation, from 37% less to 21% more in the ignition method than those results obtained by the HClO₄ digestion method. Because the ignition method can also be used for the estimation of soil organic P and is thus worthy of further study, it should be adopted as a routine procedure.     

Specific ion effect on the accumulation of abscisic acid in wheat

Studies were carried out in the glass house using sand culture to find out the specific ion effect on the accumulation of abscisic acid in wheat. Seeds were sown in sixteen different solutions of chloride, sulphate, nitrate, carbonate salts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium used each at ‐2 bar osmotic potential. The leaf samples taken after 25 days of sowing indicated that osmotic as well as salt stress increased significantly the accumulation of abscisic acid. The accumulation of abscisic acid was significantly less under potassium and calcium salt ions as compared to that under sodium and magnesium salts ions. Overall effect of anions showed that accumulation of abscisic acid was more under PEG (osmotic stress and chloride salts but it was less under sulphate and nitrate salts and was the least under carbonate salts. The accumulation of abscisic acid was exceptionally high under potassium dihydrogen phosphate. In general, the accumulation of abscisic acid‐a growth inhibitor varied not only with the type of the cation but also depended on the accompanying anion indicating differential growth response of plants under different types of saline conditions having dominance of different salt ion(s).     

分室磷添加下菌根对滇池流域红壤间作玉米生长及磷素利用的影响

随着全球范围内磷矿资源短缺问题的日益严重,间作或菌根技术强化作物对土壤磷(P)的利用及增产增收的效应受到越来越多的关注。通过三室隔网盆栽模拟试验研究了分室磷处理[不添加磷(P0)、添加有机磷(OP50)、添加无机磷(IOP50)]和根室不接种(NM)、根室接种丛枝菌根真菌Glomus mosseae(GM)对与大豆间作的玉米的生长及磷素利用的影响。研究结果表明:所有复合处理中,以间作?GM?IOP50组合处理下的玉米根系最短和地上部生物量最高;OP50处理下,间作玉米的菌根侵染率显著高于单作处理。间作条件下,无论分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的玉米地上部生物量明显高于NM处理;接种GM处理的玉米根系生物量和株高均显著高于NM处理,且根系生物量以间作?GM?OP50组合处理下最高。接种GM条件下,P0、IOP50、OP50处理下的间作植株生物量较单作处理分别提高45.98%、111.33%、33.56%。单作条件下,无论分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的玉米地上部磷含量均显著高于NM处理;无论何种种植模式及分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的植物根系磷含量均显著高于NM处理。无论磷添加与否,间作?GM组合条件下的玉米地上部磷吸收量均显著较高,其中IOP50处理下的地上部磷吸收量显著高于OP50处理。间作?GM组合条件下,IOP50处理玉米根系的磷吸收效率均显著高于OP50处理。可见,接种GM、分室磷添加和间作各自在一定程度上促进了玉米的生长。综合菌根侵染、生物量及磷含量与吸收量、磷吸收效率等指标,所有复合处理中以间作?GM?IOP50组合对玉米地上部的促生作用最好,玉米磷素吸收最多,可望有效强化滇池流域红壤坡耕地磷素的利用。     

Comparison of chemical methods of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil

Abstract

We recently developed two rapid and precise chemical methods of assessing potentially available organic N in soils. One method involves determination of the ammonia‐N produced by steam distillation of the soil sample with pH 11.2 phosphate‐borate buffer solution for 8 min. The other involves determination of the ammonium‐N produced by treatment of the soil sample with 2M KCl solution at 100°C for 4 hours. Studies using 33 Brazilian soils showed that the results obtained by these methods were highly correlated with those obtained by anaerobic and aerobic incubation methods of assessing potentially available organic N in soil.

The two methods were further evaluated by applying them to 30 Iowa soils and by comparing their results and those obtained by other chemical methods with the results of the incubation methods considered to be the best laboratory methods currently available for assessment of potentially available organic N in soil. The chemical methods used included the acid KMnO₄ method, the alkaline KMnO₄ method, the CaCl₂‐autoclave method, and the NaHCO₃ UV method. The incubation methods used involved determination of the ammonium‐N produced by incubation of the soil sample under anaerobic conditions for 1 week or determination of the (ammonium + nitrate + nitrite)‐N produced by incubation of the sample under aerobic conditions for 2 and 12 weeks. The data obtained showed that the results of the two chemical methods evaluated were highly correlated with those obtained by the incubation techniques used for comparison and that the correlations observed with these two methods were higher than those observed with the previously proposed chemical methods. It is concluded that these two rapid and simple methods are the best chemical methods thus far developed for laboratory assessment of potentially available organic N in soil.