Nutrient Concentrations and Leaf Chlorophyll of Yellow Passion Fruit Seedlings as a Function of Substrate Composition and Boron

This study evaluated nutrient accumulation of yellow passion fruit seedlings produced in substrates containing proportions of decomposed buriti (Mauritia vinifera Mart.) stem (DBS) and the boron in this process. Four experiments were conducted in Federal University of Piauí in Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 6 × 2 + 1, referring to the substrates [DBS (100%), soil and sand 1:1 (20%) + DBS (80%), soil and sand 1:1 (40%) + DBS (60%), soil and sand 1:1 (60%) + DBS (40%), soil and sand 1:1 (80%) + DBS (20%), commercial substrate (additional treatment without boron) and soil, sand and manure 1:1:2] with (0.5 mg B.dm^?3) and without boron. The following variables were recorded: total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, boron, absorption efficiency index and chlorophyll. No influence concerning the substrate composition was noticed on nutritional status, but boron influenced on K and Mg of yellow passion fruit seedlings.     

生物氢烷工程沼渣用于油菜及菠菜育苗的效果

为探究将生物氢烷工程沼渣应用于蔬菜育苗基质生产的可行性,以油菜品种"华绿四号"、菠菜品种"先锋菠菜"为材料,按不同体积比将生物氢烷工程沼渣与土壤或草炭、蛭石和珍珠岩三者混配作为育苗基质,通过穴盘育苗试验研究生物氢烷工程沼渣对基质理化性质和油菜、菠菜幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:添加生物氢烷工程沼渣可显著改善基质的容重、总孔隙度、有机质含量、pH值和电导率EC(electronical conductivity)值等理化性质;适宜配比的生物氢烷工程沼渣对幼苗生长发育有一定的促进作用,其中T6(生物氢烷工程沼渣20%、草炭30%、蛭石25%、珍珠岩25%)的基质配方较为适宜,T6中油菜出苗率显著高于CK3(草炭50%、蛭石25%、珍珠岩25%)(P0.05),提高了14.3%,菠菜出苗率提高了12.4%,幼苗的株高、茎粗、单株叶面积显著高于或接近CK3(P0.05),幼苗根冠比和壮苗指数与CK3无显著差异;添加生物氢烷工程沼渣可使幼苗地下部生物量显著升高(P0.05),促进根系生长,使幼苗地上部、地下部生物量分配更加均衡。因此,生物氢烷工程沼渣具有一定的肥效,可部分替代草炭用于叶菜育苗基质生产,但使用前可考虑进行好氧堆肥处理进一步腐熟或与氮肥配施以提高肥效。     

Critical values of alternative organic amendments on kiwi seedling growth

The present research was conducted to explore the impact of alternative organic amendments on physicochemical properties of soil and their critical value for kiwi seedlings growth. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replications and 20 seedlings per replication. The highest pH (8.0) was recorded in T3 (compost + silt) and the highest electrical conductivity (EC) of 5.91 dS/m, organic matter (24.11%), organic carbon (13.99%), organic nitrogen (1.51%) were recorded in T8 (compost + peat moss (PM) + leaf manure) and the highest soil porosity (SP) (45.95%) and lowest bulk density (0.67) were recorded in T4 (PM + garden soil (GS)). EC higher than 1.99 and SP (45.95%) were found critical and adversely affected seedling survival. The highest plant height (103 and 93 cm), number of leaves (23 and 20), number of first-order lateral roots (NFLRM) (9 and 8.5), whole seedling fresh mass (75 and 72 g), fresh root mass (FRM) (35 and 35 g), shoot fresh mass (46 and 40 g), root collar diameter (RCD) (13 and 12 mm), and shoot diameter (10 and 9 mm) were recorded in T5 (compost + GS) and T7 (compost + PM + GS). Strong and positive correlations were observed among NFLRP, RFM, and RCD (R² = 0.89 and 0.96) and all the above-ground seedling traits (R² = 0.86–0.98). It is concluded that compost is a good soil amendment for producing good quality graftable kiwi seedlings and evaluation of seedling root system architecture could be used to predict the potential and success of seedlings in the field.     

Standardization of Potting Mix and Pot Volume for the Production of Vegetable Seedlings in Paper Pot

Effect of four different proportions of farmyard manure (FYM) in a soil based mix and three different pot volumes on growth of tomato, eggplant and chili peppers in paper pots were studied. Recycled newspaper (density 50 g m^?2) was used to prepare pots of volume 45, 82, and 126 cm³. Potting mixes made up of FYM, sand and soil with the FYM proportion ranging from 20% to 80% in equal proportion of sand and top soil were used. Seedling height and dry weight were measured at the end of the seedling stage. The best combination of potting mix and pot volume for the large scale production of seedlings was identified using non-dominated sorting technique. Paper pots of volume 82 cm³ filled with a mix of 80% FYM and rest 20% with equal proportions of sand and top soil were found to be the best option for the large scale production of paper pot seedlings.     

Effect of salinity and soil temperature on the growth and physiology of drip-irrigated rice seedlings

Drip irrigation offers potential for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in regions where water resources are limited. However, farmers in China’s Xinjiang Province report that drip-irrigated rice seedlings sometimes suffer salt damage. The objective of this study was to learn more about the effects of soil salinity and soil temperature on the growth of drip-irrigated rice seedlings. The study consisted of a two-factor design with two soil salinity treatments (0 and 1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) and three soil temperature treatments (18°C, 28°C and 36°C). The results showed that shoot biomass, root biomass and root vigor were greatest when seedlings were grown with no salt stress (0 g kg^?1 NaCl) at 28°C. Moderate salt stress (1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) combined with high temperature (36°C) significantly reduced root and shoot biomass by 39–53%. Moderate salt stress and high temperature also increased root proline concentration by 77%, root malonyldialdehyde concentration by 60% and seedling mortality by 60%. Shoot and root Na⁺ concentrations, shoot and root Na⁺ uptake and the Na⁺ distribution ratio in shoots were all the greatest when moderate salt stress was combined with high temperature. In conclusion, high soil temperature aggravates salt damage to drip-irrigated rice seedlings. Therefore, soil salinity should be considered before adopting drip-irrigation for rice production.     

LEAF-MACRONUTRIENT STATUS AND FRUIT YIELD OF BIOFERTILIZED YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANTS

Biofertilizers instead of synthetic chemicals are known to improve plant growth through the supply of plant nutrients and they may help sustaining environmental health and soil productivity. An experiment was carried out to evaluate fruit yield and macronutrient foliar contents of yellow passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) as a function of biofertilizers and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertilizing in Brazil (2005–2007). The experimental design was randomized in blocks with treatments, which were distributed in a factorial arrangement (3 × 2) referring to biofertilizer application [without biofertilizer, simple biofertilizer and enriched biofertilizer] and mineral fertilizing with NPK (fertilized and non-fertilized), with three replications of nine plants. Nutritional status of yellow passion fruit is affected by biofertilizer. Simple biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, calcium and sulfur, while enriched biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sulfur. Both biofertilizers stimulated fruit yield, with results above Brazilian average.     

密闭式立体育秧系统水稻育苗基质配方研究

针对水稻育苗用土资源日益减少、适用于密闭式水稻立体育秧基质缺乏等制约水稻工厂化育苗技术发展的问题,该文以粉碎稻壳、粉碎玉米秸秆、珍珠岩、大田土为基质材料,设计3种单一基质CK1(100%大田土)、CK2(100%盼碎玉米秸秆)、CK3(100%粉碎稻壳)和按体积比配制的6种复合基质S1(80%粉碎稻壳+10%大田土+10%珍珠岩)、S2(60%粉碎稻壳+20%大田土+20%珍珠岩)、S3(40%粉碎稻壳+40%大田土+20%珍珠岩)、T1(80%粉碎玉米秸秆+10%大田土+10%珍珠岩)、T2(60%粉碎玉米秸秆+20%大田土+20%珍珠岩)、T3(40%粉碎玉米秸秆+40%大田土+20%珍珠岩)进行育苗试验,并分析9种基质的理化指标,结果表明,各处理的理化指标含量差异显著;添加粉碎稻壳、粉碎玉米秸秆复合基质的秧苗品质要优于单一基质;添加玉米秸秆的复合基质(T1、T2、T3)秧苗品质要优于添加稻壳的复合基质(S1、S2、S3);粉碎稻壳、粉碎玉米秸秆的添加量对秧苗生长影响较大,其添加量在60%(S2和T2)时,秧苗的各性状表现最优,其他2个处理差异不显著。以秧苗的农艺、生物量、力学性能作为评价指标,最佳的复合基质配方为处理T2。田间栽培结果表明,与常规育苗模式(普通平面大棚+自然光+大田土)对比,经T处理(密闭式立体+LED日光灯+T2基质)的秧苗在穴数上没有差异,株高平均值117.9 cm,低于对照的常规育苗平均值121.8 cm;千粒质量平均值25.35 g;其他各项指标平均值均高于常规育苗,实测增产5.9%。该研究结果可为密闭式水稻立体育秧系统高效稳定生产提供参考。     

Regulatory effects of sulfur on oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) response to selenite

Selenite is a form of selenium (Se) commonly found in Se-excessive soils. To regulate the Se content in plants in high-Se areas, a potted soil experiment was performed on oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) to evaluate the effects of varied amounts of sulfur (S) on the biomass, accumulation and distribution of Se in B. napus under the conditions of different amounts of Se in the soil. The results showed that the seedlings of B. napus were more sensitive to Se than the mature plants were. The addition of S significantly alleviated the growth inhibition in seedlings and facilitated the growth of mature plants under higher Se (15 mg kg^?1) conditions. S treatment significantly decreased soil pH within the range of 0.22–0.60. An appropriate moderate amount (150 mg kg^?1) of S exerted the strongest inhibition on Se concentration and accumulation in B. napus at the seedling stage, but a higher amount (300 mg kg^?1) of S led to a more significant decrease in the mature plants under higher Se conditions, with the maximum reduction in various parts of B. napus reaching 51.3–60.9% and 42.5–53.4%, respectively. The application of S only affected the uptake of Se, and not the translocation of Se; the accumulation of Se in B. napus follows the sequence of pod ≈ stem > rapeseed > root, and the distribution ratio is approximately 1.00:0.97:0.69:0.49. Overall, the application of S alleviated the inhibitory effect on growth caused by excessive Se by reducing the Se concentration in B. napus and facilitating its growth, suggesting that S treatment is a suitable and highly cost-effective method to regulate the content of Se in B. napus.     

Influence of phosphorus application on growth,yield and oil quality of linola

Influence of different phosphorus (P) sources on growth, yield and oil quality of linola was evaluated when randomized in complete block design using three replications. Treatments were control (No P), hydropriming, soil phosphorus (50 kg ha^?1), seed inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB, Bacillus spp.) and seed priming with single super phosphate (2%) alone and combined with reduced soil phosphorus (25 kg P ha^?1). Among treatments, hydropriming and seed inoculation reduced seedling 50% and mean emergence time with highest emergence index, seedling fresh and dry weights and chlorophyll contents. Seed inoculation with soil P (25 kg ha^?1) produced highest seeds per capsule, 100-seed weight, seed and biological yield, harvest index. Maximum oil percentage, low protein contents and high cost benefit ratio with net economic returns were also found for seed inoculation combined with soil phosphorus. Nonetheless, soil phosphorus application can be reduced when seed inoculation with PSB is employed.     

ROLE OF BORON IN LEAF ELONGATION AND TILLERING DYNAMICS IN FINE-GRAIN AROMATIC RICE

This study was conducted to explore the role of boron (B) in seedling emergence, leaf elongation, and tillering dynamics. Boron was applied as seed priming. For priming seeds of two rice cultivars (Super Basmati and Shaheen Basmati) were soaked in B solutions having 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5% concentrations. Substantial improvement in seedling emergence was observed from hydropriming and seed priming in 0.001 and 0.01% solutions; beyond this B concentration, emergence potential was suppressed. Seeds primed in 0.5% B solution even did not emerge. A linear increase in plant height was recorded up to 30 days from seeds primed in 0.001% solution. Similarly rate of leaf emergence and elongation and rate of tiller appearance were substantially improved in seedlings raised from seeds primed in 0.001% B solution. Overall B plays a significant role in leaf appearance, elongation and tillering dynamics of rice when used in very low concentration.     

硫酸法钛石膏作为土壤调理剂在油菜上的施用效果研究

为研究钛白粉生产过程中经无害化处理的副产品钛石膏作为土壤调理剂的施用效果及安全性,试验对供试钛石膏通过成分鉴定—土柱淋溶—盆栽种植的方式,研究了钛石膏和钛石膏淋溶液中的有害元素含量以及钛石膏与土壤不同比例掺混后对油菜生长、产量和功能叶光合速率影响。结果表明:钛石膏主要成分为CaSO_4和Fe_2O_3,固体中的重金属含量均符合国家安全标准。钛石膏淋溶液中含有较少量的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+),不含其他有害物质,施用后不会随雨水和灌溉污染土壤和地下水。随着钛石膏添加比例的增加,油菜产量呈先增高后降低的趋势,过量的钛石膏施用会抑制油菜的生长。钛石膏与土壤按照1∶4体积比混合施用后效果最好,与常规土壤栽培方式相比,油菜出苗20天后功能叶蒸腾速率提高了11.86%;出苗30天后功能叶SPAD值增加了4.33%,收获时油菜株高提高了12.97%,产量增加了14.08%。相关性分析显示,油菜产量(y)与钛石膏添加比例(x)的关系为y=0.0001x~3-0.0212x~2+0.6966x+41.815(R~2=0.999 4),综合考虑函数及其他因素,在实际生产中若每公顷施用300t的钛石膏能起到最佳增产效果。     

The effects of planting systems on soil biology and quality attributes of tomatoes

This study was carried out to determine the effects of seedling types (grafted and non-grafted) and different plantation systems (raised-bed and flat planting) on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Depar F1) plants organically grown in open-field conditions in Samsun. Soil microbial biomass-C increased by 25% and soil CO₂ contents increased by 16% in raised-bed systems. It was observed that soil microbial biomass-C positively correlated with CO₂ contents, leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and yield (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with soil compaction. The highest chlorophyll content (47.37 CCI), fruit shape index (1.21) and yield (1.95 kg plant^?1) were obtained from grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. The highest stomatal conductance (118.50 mmol m^?2 s^?1) and firmness (79.34%) were obtained from non-grafted seedlings of the raised-bed planting systems. As a result, successful tomato cultivation was carried out with the use of raised-bed and grafted seedlings. However, non-grafted seedlings of the raised-beds had higher yield and quality values than the grafted seedlings of the flat planting.     

Improving of seed quality of black seed (Nigella sativa L.) by increasing seed phosphorus content in a calcareous soil

Phosphorus (P) sufficiency during seed formation and development can affect the quality of seeds production. For increasing P content of black seed (Nigella sativa) in a calcareous soil, series of experiments were conducted in completely randomized factorial design with 4 replications at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2012 and 2013. The combinations of vermicompost (V), sulfur (S), and Thiobacillus bacteria (T) were mixed with a calcareous soil fertilized with 0, 30 and 60 kg P ha^?1 in pots and incubated for 63 days. At the end of incubation period, black seeds were sown in the pots and plants were grown to maturity. Results showed that S+T and V treatments were significantly increased soil available P, emergence, plant P content, seed yield and vigor of the seeds production. There were positive relationship between soil and plant P concentration with the quality of seeds production.     

Nutrient uptake and utilization in Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.) seedlings exposed to a combination of light-emitting diode spectra and exponential fertilization

ABSTRACT

Exponential fertilization (EF) can cause seedlings to load more nutrients than they need to grow to establish reserves. Lighting spectrum adjustment may strengthen the growth and nutrient utilization of seedlings, which may modify seedling response to EF. In this study, containerized Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.) seedlings were cultured in commercial substrates (275.59 mg nitrogen [N] and 60.05 mg phosphorus [P] per plant) and received EF at 0 (control), low (88 mg N and 36 mg P per plant), and high (130 mg N and 54 mg P per plant) doses under continuous lighting for 18 h daily. Two light-emitting diode (LED) spectra with different red (R), green (G), and blue (B) ratios were used as R-tinted (R7BG1) and G + B-tinted (R3BG10) colours. Under the R7BG1 spectrum, seedlings receiving low-dose EF had the best growth in height of 29 cm (P = 0.0100) and root-collar diameter (RCD) of 4.7 mm (P < 0.0001) and the highest N (170 mg plant^?1; P < 0.0001) and P contents (154 mg plant^?1; P < 0.0001). These seedlings also had the greatest biomass of leaves (P = 0.0005), stems (P = 0.0062), and roots (P = 0.0016) in the high-dose EF treatment. This combined effect resulted in the highest N uptake efficiency of nearly 40%. High-dose EF increased the chlorophyll-a and -b contents, while light spectra modified leaf protein content. Therefore, the LED spectra had an interactive effect with the EF dose on nutrient uptake and utilization in Prince Rupprecht’s larch seedlings with a recommended regime of EF at 88 mg N and 36 mg P per plant under the R7BG1 LED spectrum.     

Effects of Different Substrate Ratios on the Growth and Physiology of Sequoia sempervirens Container Seedlings

Abstract

Container technology can effectively control soil environment and nutrient status to obtain the optimal plant growth condition. Peat, green waste compost (GWC), soil and perlite were used as substrate materials to study the effects of different substrate ratios on growth and physiology of 1.5-year-old Sequoia sempervirens container seedlings. The optimal substrate ratio of S. sempervirens container seedlings was obtained by L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal design and was finally evaluated by principal component analysis. The volume ratio of peat: GWC: soil: perlite of 4: 1.5: 1: 2 was the best substrate ratio for S. sempervirens across all parameters, whose porosity, bulk density (BD) and gas-water ratio (GWR) were within the ideal ranges. The concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) of 1.40% and total phosphorus (TP) of 0.13% were the highest among the nine different substrates. The total potassium (TK) and electrical conductivity (EC) were 0.13% and 0.70?ms cm^?1, respectively. In addition, the plant height and ground diameter growing in the substrate were increased by 28% and 39% compared to their respective initial values. The content of peat and GCW had significant effects on growth (p?<?0.01). The GWR in T2 (peat: GWC: soil: perlite = 6: 1: 0.5: 2) and T6 (peat: GWC: soil: perlite = 4: 0.5: 0.5: 1) are not suitable for S. sempervirens container seedlings. The PCA ranking of the 9 groups of substrates is: T8?>?T1?>?T4?>?T3?>?T2?>?T5?>?T7?>?T9?>?T6. The combination of peat, GWC, soil and perlite in an appropriate ratio could provide a good environment for S. sempervirens container seedlings.     

Soil Quality Assessment under Restorative Soil Management Practices in Soybean (Glycine Max) after Six Years in Semi-Arid Tropical Black Lands of Central India

Vertisol soils of central India are heavy in texture, with high clay content and low organic matter. These soils are prone to degradation and the soil loss is due to poor management practices including excessive tillage. Based on a long-term study conducted for improving the quality of these soils, it was found that management practice such as low tillage (LT) + 4 t ha^?1 compost + herbicide (Hb) recorded significantly higher organic carbon (OC) (6.22 g kg^?1) and available N (188.5 kg ha^?1) compared to conventional tillage (CT) + recommended fertilizer (RF) + off-season tillage (OT) + hand weeding (HW) (OC: 4.71 g kg^?1, available nitrogen (N) (159.3 kg ha^?1). Among the physical soil quality parameters, mean weight diameter (MWD) was significantly higher under LT + 4 t ha^?1 straw + Hb (0.59 mm). The practice of LT + 4 t ha^?1 straw + HW recorded significantly higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (388.8 μg g^?1). The order of key indicators and their contribution towards soil quality was as follows: OC (29%) >, MBC (27%) > available zinc (Zn) (22%) > MWD (9%) > available boron (B) (8%), > dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (5%). The order of the best treatment which maintained soil quality index (SQI) values reasonably good (>1.5) was as follows: LT + 4t ha^?1 compost + HW (1.65) > LT + 4 t ha^?1 compost +Hb (1.60) > LT + 4t ha^?1 straw + HW (1.50). Hence, these treatments could be recommended to the farmers for maintaining higher soil quality in Vertisols under soybean system. Correlation studies revealed stronger relationship between key indicators like OC (R² = 0.627), MBC (R² = 0.884), available Zn (R² = 0.739) and DHA (R² = 0.604) with Relative Soil Quality Index (RSQI). The results of the present study would be highly useful to the researchers, farmers and land managers.     

Effect of time of application and amount of nitrogen fertilizer on seed yield and concentration of oil in canola (Brassica napus)

The seed (grain) yield increases (responses) and concentration of oil in seed responses of canola (Brassica napus L.) to applications of fertilizer nitrogen (N), as urea (46% N), was measured in eight field experiments in south-western Australia (SWA). Nitrogen was applied at five different times of application, either at sowing or at three to four weekly intervals until 12–16 weeks (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 or 0, 4, 8, 12, 16) after seedling emergence. Canola, sown in late May to early June, was grown on a range of soil types in different locations of SWA. The greater the amount of N applied and the closer N was applied to the sowing of the canola seed usually gave the largest seed yield increase at both higher rainfall sites (> 500 mm) and lower rainfall sites (<350 mm). Maximum seed yield of canola were reached within nine weeks after seedling emergence. The exception was for a sandy soil (Fluventic Lithic Xerochrept; Brown Tenosol) at Narrogin where applications of N at six, nine, or 12 weeks after emergence gave higher yields compared to N applied earlier mainly due to N leaching in June and July.

The amount of N required for 90% of maximum seed (N_90%Y) yield ranged from five to 58 kg N ha^?1 with the amount depended on location and growing season. For six of the eight sites the higher amounts of N for N_90%Y were required at sowing and three weeks after emergence. Similarly, N use efficiency (NUE, kg grain produced kg N applied^?1) tended was highest for either the N applied at sowing or within three to four weeks after emergence of seedlings. The exception was for a sandy soil at Narrogin where applications of N at six, nine, or 12 weeks after emergence gave higher NUE compared to N applied earlier. N use efficiency decreased as the amount of N increased for all times of N application. Generally, the amount of N applied decreased the oil concentration of canola seed at each time of application. However, the effect of the time of application of N fertilizer on the decrease in oil concentration of canola seed was largest with the highest N level applied at 12 or 16 weeks after seedling emergence. The percentage the oil concentrations decreased as the amount of N applied increased varied with location and growing season. Further research work is required to elucidate the interaction between the growing season, possible rainfall and temperature, and the effects of N on grain yield and oil concentration in seed.     

Functional and Structural Changes associated with Cadmium in Mustard Plant: Effect of Applied Sulphur

Abstract

The effect of cadmium (Cd) and sulphur (S) on dry weight, biochemical parameters and anatomical features of mustard (Brassica campestris L. cv. Pusa Bold) plant was investigated in a pot culture experiment using Cd (25, 50, and 100 mg kg^?1 of soil), S (40 mg kg^?1 of soil), and the combination of Cd+S (25+40 mg kg^?1 of soil, 50+40 mg kg^?1 of soil, and 100+40 mg kg^?1 of soil). Sulphur treatment was given at sowing and Cd treatment was given when seedlings were fully established. Observations were recorded at the flowering stage. A significant and antagonistic interaction of Cd and S was observed. Compared to the control, leaf dry weight, total chlorophyll content, sugar content, nitrate reductase activity, and protein content decreased significantly with each Cd treatment, whereas the reverse was observed with S treatment. Combined treatments of Cd+S also reduced these parameters, but this reduction was less than the one observed with Cd treatments alone. However, nitrate accumulation in the leaves was 2.35 times higher with treatment of 100 mg Cd+40 mg S kg^?1 of soil than in the controls, whereas it was 3.5 times higher with Cd (100 mg kg^?1 of soil) alone. The relative proportion of vasculature in the stem, stoma length and width, and stomata length and width were inhibited with Cd treatments, whereas the combined treatments mitigated the adverse effect caused by Cd. Thus, S could alleviate the Cd induced impairment of biochemical and anatomical features of the plant and the enhancement of nitrate accumulation in the leaves.     

EFFECTIVENESS OF SEEDROW-PLACED N WITH POLYMER-COATED AND NBPT-TREATED UREA FOR CANOLA AND WHEAT

Seedrow-placed urea minimizes soil disturbance in reduced tillage systems, but it generally decreases seedling emergence (or stand density) at nitrogen (N) rates adequate for optimum crop yield. Two three-year field experiments were conducted on canola (Brassica napus L.) and spring wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) at Melfort Research Farm, Saskatchewan, Canada, to determine the influence of N rate (40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1), N source [untreated urea (urea), polymer-coated urea (ESN), and urea treated with Dicyandiamide (DCD) and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT or Agrotain^TM) (SuperU) in 2007, or NBPT only (AgrotainU) in 2008 and 2009], and placement (side-banded N and seedrow-placed N, using knives to create 2 cm wide band), plus a zero-N control, on seedling emergence, seed and straw yield, protein concentration (PC) in seed, and N uptake in seed and straw. For both crops, side-banded N had no detrimental effect on seedling emergence compared to the zero-N control for all rates and sources. Seedrow-placed ESN had little or no effect on seedling emergence of wheat or canola. Conversely, seedrow-placed urea, SuperU or AgrotainU reduced seedling emergence for wheat at the 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1 rates and reduced canola seedling emergence substantially at all rates, but particularly at the 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1. Seed yield and N uptake were generally greater with ESN than urea and also SuperU or AgrotainU, when the fertilizers were seedrow-placed at high N rates. The findings suggest the effectiveness of ESN in providing greater seedrow-placed N application options for producers.     

Acknowledgment to the Reviewers

Abstract

Gram-positive bacterium BRF-1 isolated from the rhizosphere of root-rotten diseased soybean plants shows strong antifungal activity on plates. In the present study, the ability of BRF-1 to control brown stem rot disease and to promote plant growth was examined using soybean plants grown in pots. Brown stem rot is a severe soil-borne disease of soybean that is caused by the pathogenic fungus Phialophora gregata. Eighteen-day-old soybean seedlings were grown in a mixture of soil (40 mL) and BRF-1 suspension (10 mL) and were dipped in a suspension of P. gregata (10⁶ c.f.u. mL^?1), and the severity of the disease was judged 62 days after the fungal inoculation. Inoculation with BRF-1 at 10⁷ and 10⁸ c.f.u. mL^?1 significantly lowered the severity of the disease. Soybean seeds incubated in 100 mL of the BRF-1 suspension (2 × 10⁶ c.f.u. mL^?1) were sown in pots filled with sand, and plants were collected 7 days after emergence. The dry weight increase in shoots and roots and mineral absorption were significantly stimulated by the inoculation. These results suggest that BRF-1 might be an effective biocontrol agent to manage brown stem rot disease in soybean. The 16S rDNA sequence of BRF-1 showed high homology with sequences of Paenibacillus polymyxa strains (e.g. 99.7% identity with P. polymyxa strain WY110).