Effect of different concentrations of urea with or without nickel addition on spinach (Spinacia oleracea E.) growth under hydroponic culture

To improve the growth of spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv, Okarne) and to decrease shoot nitrate contents, different concentrations of urea were used as a source of nitrogen in the nutrient solution For hydroponically grown plants. Spinach was grown in a hydroponic got culture amended with 0,20, or 58% urea with or without nickel addition (Ni; 0.05 mg L^-1) while the dotal concentration of N (17.33 mmol L^-1) remained constant in all the cases. In order to identify the most eEective conceniration of Ni for the growth of spinach, another experiment was conducted using various concentrations sf Ni in a 50% urea solution. Addition of 0.05 mg Ni L^-1 to the nutrient solution gave the best results in terms of qualitative and quantitative charaeteristies Naximuna vegetative production was achieved with a 28% urea solution contaimnang Ni. Shoot NO₃-N content significantly decreased with increasing level sf urea in the solution. The urea-N content in the shoots was significantly inc~easedw ith both 20 and 50% urea solution without Ni addition. The total-N content in the shoots was almost the same in all the experimental treatments except those utilizing 50% urea solution without Ni addition. The content of Ca in the shoots increased by the addition of Ni with urea in the nutrient soleation, Fe eontent in the shoots was slightly affected by nrea nutrition, except for the treatment utilizing 20% urea solution with Ni addition. The contents of K, Mg, and Zn were significantly agected by urea in the nutrient solution. Ni in the shoots was not detected when it was not supplied in the nutrient solution. Also, the Ni content in the shoots was within the range of natural abundance when Ni was added to the 20 and 50% urea solutions.     

Influence of Organic Manure and Lime on Cadmium Mobility in Soil and Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Spinach grown in cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils accumulates Cd compounds in toxic concentration contaminating the food chain leading to the chronic toxic effects on human and animal health. A study was conducted in a Cd-contaminated soil to examine the ameliorative effect of lime and organic manure on the mobility of Cd and its uptake in spinach. Application of lime or organic manure or both decreased the Cd concentration in soil and shoots and increased chlorophyll content of leaves. As compared to the control treatment, combined application of lime and organic manure decreased the level of Cd in soil by 54.7%, in spinach shoot by 61.3%, and the transfer factor of Cd by 35.0% and increased in leaf chlorophyll content by 29.4%. Combined application of lime and organic manure emerged as a viable option in reducing the mobility of Cd in contaminated soil for growing spinach.     

Metabolite profiling of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves by altering the ratio of in the culture solution

To observe the effect of different forms of N, we have applied metabolic profiling using gas chromatography mass spectrometry to evaluate the metabolite composition of spinach. The aim of the present study was to find an appropriate indicator of overall metabolic response to N source. The effect of the     ratio on spinach tissue was investigated, comparing two cultivars that differed in their ability to use N. There was wide variation in     absorption without any distinct growth inhibition in either cultivar. Statistical analysis revealed that the metabolites could be broadly divided into two types, correlating either positively or negatively with     uptake in the culture solution. Principal component analysis (PCA) was an effective tool that extracted the indexes of the effect of the ratio of N forms as PCA scores. Close relationships between metabolite profiles and     uptake were observed, indicating that metabolic profiling is able to distinguish the invisible metabolic change in mature leaves of spinach and may provide a new tool for the investigation of quality features or rhizosphere nutritional condition.     

小孢子培养获得松花型花椰菜DH再生植株

对5个松花型花椰菜(Brassica oleraceavar.botrytisL.)杂种一代的小孢子培养研究表明,小孢子胎胚发生主要依赖于基因型,庆农65天的每花蕾胚状体产量最高,平均达15.5个。松花菜的胚状体萌发率一般在30%左右,并有效地获得了大量的DH再生植株。冷激预处理能显著地影响花椰菜小孢子的胚胎发生,但供体材料间存在不同的结果。结球期和开花结角期再生植株的生育期与育性出现较大分离,可育且能正常结角的比例约占全部小孢子再生植株的50%以上,因而不再需要加倍处理。     

Effect of deep placement of calcium cyanamide,coated urea,and urea on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed yield in relation to different inoculation methods

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to increase the productivity of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Enrei] seed by deep placement of controlled release nitrogen fertilizers and by the application of different methods of inoculation of bradyrhizobia. Ten days old seedlings in an inoculated paper pot (IPP), in a non-inoculated paper pot (NIPP), and those grown in a vermiculite bed without paper pot (DT) were transplanted to an upland field converted from a drained paddy field in Nagaoka. In addition to the basal application of 16 kg N ha^?1 in the surface layer (Control), deep placement of 100 kg N ha^?1 of urea (Urea), 100-day type coated urea (CU-100), and calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂) treatments were applied at the depth of 20 cm. In the IPP method, a significantly higher seed yield was obtained with the deep placement of CaCN₂ and CU-100 compared with the Urea and Control treatments. A similar tendency was observed for the DT and NIPP methods. Among the same N fertilizer treatments, the seed yield for IPP and DT tended to exceed that for NIPP, although the NIPP roots also showed nodulation probably due to infection with indigenous bradyrhizobia. The percentage of nitrogen derived from atmospheric N₂ estimated by the simple relative ureide method was higher in the plants with CU-100 and CaCN₂ compared with those with the Urea and Control treatments at the RI stage, suggesting that the basal deep placement of CaCN₂ or CU-100 for soybean cultivation enabled the supply of N without concomitant depression of N₂ fixation. Thus the deep placement of cheaper CaCN₂ was found to be as effective as that of CU-100 for enhancing the soybean seed yield.     

NaCl对大麦硝态氮吸收动力学特征的影响

采用营养液培养方法研究了不同盐分和氮水平对大麦‘鉴四’(Hordeum vulgare L.)生长及硝态氮(NO3?-N)吸收动力学参数特征的影响。结果表明:不同浓度NO3?-N与Na Cl预处理后,大麦对NO3?吸收符合离子吸收动力学模型,其吸收动力学参数表现为NO3?预处理浓度增加后,Vmax增大,Km值增加,但增加的幅度不一致。对高亲和力系统来说,所有预处理大麦的NO3?-N吸收曲线均符合Michaelis-Menten方程的描述。1 mmol?L?1NO3?-N预处理中,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理比1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理显著提高了NO3?-N的吸收速率;10 mmol?L?1NO3?-N预处理时,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理无显著性差异。表明低氮环境下生长的大麦,其根系NO3?-N高亲和力系统受Na Cl影响较大。对低亲和力系统来说,所有预处理大麦的NO3?-N吸收曲线均符合Michaelis-Menten方程的描述。在1 mmol?L?1 NO3?-N预处理中,与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理相比,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl胁迫的大麦NO3?-N吸收速率显著提高;10 mmol?L?1 NO3?-N预处理中,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl处理相比,降低了大麦的NO3?-N吸收速率。表明低氮环境下生长的大麦,盐胁迫对其根系低亲和力系统有促进作用,而高氮环境下生长的大麦,盐胁迫对其低亲和力系统的NO3?-N吸收没提高作用。     

Rapid and Inexpensive Steam Distillation Method for Routine Analysis of Inorganic Nitrogen in Alkaline Calcareous Soils

Determination of inorganic nitrogen (N) in soil is important in making N fertilizer recommendations for crops. To find a rapid, reliable, and economical method for the estimation of inorganic N in alkaline calcareous soils of Pakistan, three steam distillation methods were compared using soils varying in ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃) N contents and other physicochemical properties. In the standard method, the soil sample is shaken with 2 N potassium chloride (KCl) for 1 h, and the extract is then analyzed by steam distillation. In the other two methods, the soil sample is distilled directly with either 2 N KCl or distilled/deionized water. Based on the results of the present work, a method that involves steam distillation with only distilled/deionized water and that requires half the quantity of magnesium oxide (MgO) of the standard method has been proposed, as all the three methods yielded identical results for NH₄- and NO₃-N contents. Being economical, the proposed method for inorganic N estimation by direct distillation of soil with distilled/deionized water deserves consideration for adoption by soil-testing laboratories.     

Tomato growth and nutrient uptake patterns as influenced by nitrogen form and light intensity 1

Tomato plants were grown in sand culture with NH₄ or NO₃ forms of N and at two levels of light. Plants were harvested at 0, 5, 9, or 12 days after starting treatments. NH₄‐N nutrition reduced growth, suppressed K, Ca, and Mg accumulation in shoot, increased P and N content and markedly reduced K, Ca, and Mg uptake per unit of root surface. Reduced light level decreased the toxic effects of NH₄ and markedly decreased NH₄ accumulation in shoots.     

Effect of Ammonium: Nitrate Ratio on Yield,Calcium Concentration,and Photosynthesis Rate in Strawberry

The effect of ammonium:nitrate (NH₄:NO₃) ratio in nutrient solution on growth, photosynthesis (Pn), yield, and fruit quality attributes in hydroponically grown strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cvs. ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva’ was evaluated. There were four nutrient solutions of differing NH₄:NO₃ ratios as follows: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25. Plants grown in solution with 75% NH₄ had lower leaf fresh and dry weights and leaf area than those with 25% NH₄ in both cultivars. High ratios of NH₄ and NO₃ in the solution always reduced the yield. The yield was increased by 38% and 84% in ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva,’ respectively, when the plants were grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution compared with plants grown in a higher NH₄ ratio solution. The increased yield at the 25 NH₄:75NO₃ ratio was the result of the increase in fruit size, i.e., length and fresh weight of fruits. Plants grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution had the highest rate of Pn, while those grown in 75NH₄:25NO₃ solution had the lowest Pn rates in both cultivars. Increasing the NH₄ ratio in the solution from 0 to 75% significantly reduced the calcium (Ca) concentration and postharvest life of the fruits in both cultivars. Both higher leaf area and Pn rate appeared to be the reason for the increased yield and plant growth in the 25:75 ratios of nitrogen (N). The results indicate the preference of strawberry plant growth toward a greater nitrate N form in a hydroponic solution. Therefore, a combination of two forms of N in an appropriate ratio (25NH₄:75NO₃) appears to be beneficial to plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruits.     

Effect of placement of urea and coated urea fertilizers on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds

The objective of the present study was to record the seed yield and to examine visually the quality of soybean seeds cultivated under different types and placements of urea fertilizers. In addition to the conventional fertilizer application (including ammonium sulfate 16 kg N ha^-1 broadcasting (100 kg N ha^-1 of urea (0B) and X00-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUB), and deep placement (100 kg N ha^-1) of urea (UD) and 100-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUD) was conducted in separate plots in a paddy field converted to an upland field located at Shindori Experimental Station of Niigata University. Soybean plant growth was periodically analyzed and the quality of harvested seeds was also visually examined (hereafter referred to as “visual quality”). It was found that the deep placement treatments were more conducive 1o nitrogen (N₂)fixation, based on the relative mreide N concentration in the xylem sap, which is a good indicator of N~fixation by soybean. Also the total seed yield was the highest in CUD (82 g plant^-1) and 0D (81 g plant^-1), compared to the control (62 g plant^-1), UB (68 g plant^-1), and CUB (68 g plant^-1). The visual quality of harvested seeds showed that CUD enhanced the quality of seeds compared to the other treatments, in which the percentage of good quality seeds, hereafter referred to as "good seeds," based on the dry weight was 51 (control), 65 (K3B), 61 (CUB), 61 (0D), and 6696 (CUD). In terms of diseased seeds, the percentage of turtle wrinkle and broken seed coats was found to decrease by N application compared to the control. Thus, it is suggested that N fertilization management is important for maximum yield of soybean as well as for the enhancement of seed quality.     

增铵营养对番茄幼苗生长和有机酸含量的影响

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effect of partial replacement of NO(3^-)-N by NH -N on theseedling growth and organic acid content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). A completely randomized designwas established with three replications and five treatments, i.e., NO(3^-)-N/NH(4^ )-N of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and0/100. Results showed that 25% replacement of NO(3^-)-N by NH(4^ )-N significantly (P = 0.05) improved fresh and dryweight, revealing that a proper percentage of NH -N was important for tomato nitrogen nutrition. This could increasethe plant growth even though tomato was a crop that preferred nitrate nutrition. Also an increase in the proportion ofNH -N in the nutrient solution led to a significant decrease (P=0.05) in malate, citrate and fumarate. However, the25% NH(4^ )-N plus 75% NO(3^-)-N treatment had no significant effect (P = 0.05) on the 2-ketoglutarate, succinate or oxalicacid content, showing that only some organic acids in tomato plants were affected. Only pyruvate increased significantly(P=0.05), and it only increased for 25% and 50% replacement of NO(3^-)-N by NH(4^ )-N. Metabolism of these organicacids, especially malate, citrate and fumarate, should be further studied at the molecular level in vegetables applied withdifferent nitrogen forms.     

Effect of methods of application on the efficiency of urea broadcast onto lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Summary We evaluated the effect of different methods of application on the efficiency of urea broadcast at a rate of 100 kg N ha^-1 onto lowland rice (Oryza sativa L. var. SPR 60) in a field experiment conducted on a Phimai soil (Fluvic Tropaquepts) during the dry season of 1989. Analysis of the floodwater on the first day after the fertilizer application showed a high initial concentration of urea-N. Addition of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (nBTPT), broadcast with the urea into the floodwater, caused an apparent reduction in the rate of urea disappearance and a subsequent accumulation of NH₃–N in the floodwater; this ureas inhibitor also suppressed the rise in floodwater pH, with a resultant reduction in the partial pressure of ammonia (pNH₃) compared with the unamended urea application. The use of nBTPT did not decrease the N loss from broadcast urea not did it increase the grain yield. Among the different methods of applying broadcast urea that we tested, the broadcast application of granular urea onto drained soil shortly after removing floodwater followed by flooding 2 days later appeared to be a good N management practice, offering considerable potential for improving the efficiency of urea applied to lowland rice crops.     

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM AN ALKALINE SALINE SOIL CULTIVATED WITH MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) AND AMENDED WITH ANAEROBICALLY DIGESTED COW MANURE: A GREENHOUSE EXPERIMENT

Sludge derived from cow manure anaerobically digested to produce biogas (methane; CH₄) was applied to maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated in a nutrient-low, alkaline, saline soil with electrolytic conductivity 9.4 dS m^?1 and pH 9.3. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission increased 3.1 times when sludge was applied to soil, 1.6 times when cultivated with maize and 3.5 times in sludge-amended maize cultivated soil compared to the unamended uncultivated soil (1.51 mg C kg^?1 soil day^?1). Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from unamended soil was -0.0004 μg nitrogen (N) kg^?1 soil day^?1 and similar from soil cultivated with maize (0.27 μg N kg^?1 soil day^?1). Application of sludge increased the N₂O emission to 4.59 μg N kg^?1 soil day^?1, but cultivating this soil reduced it to 2.42 μg N kg^?1 soil day^?1. It was found that application of anaerobic digested cow manure stimulated maize development in an alkaline saline soil and increased emissions of CO₂ and N₂O.     

NH4+-N/NO3--N比例对不同不结球小白菜品种的生长和部分生理指标的影响

The responses of three cultivars of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.), one of the main vegetable crops in China, to different ratios of NH4+-N/NO3--N was investigated to find the optimal ratio of ammonium to nitrate for maximal growth and to explore ways of decreasing the nitrate content, increasing nitrogen use efficiency of Chinese cabbage, and determining distributions of nitrogen and carbon. Three cultivars of Chinese cabbage were hydroponically grown with three different NH4+-N/NO3--N ratios (0:100, 25:75 and 50:50). The optimal ratio of NH4+-N/NO3--N for maximal growth of Chinese cabbage was 25:75. The increase in the ratio of NH4+-N/NO3--N significantly decreased nitrate content in various tissues of Chinese cabbage in the order of petiole > leaf blade > root. The highest total nitrogen (N) content was found when the ratio of NH4+-N/NO3--N was 25:75, and N contents in plant tissues were significantly different, mostly being in the order of leaf blade > petiole > root. At the NH4+-N/NO3--N ratio of 25:75, the biomasses of Chinese cabbage cultivars 'Shanghaiqing', 'Liangbaiye 1' and 'Kangre 605' increased by 47%, 14% and 27%, respectively. The biomass, SPAD chlorophyll meter readings and carbon content of 'Shanghaiqing' were all higher than those of 'Liangbaiye 1', while nitrate and total nitrogen contents were lower. Thus, partial replacement of nitrate by ammonium could improve vegetable production by both increasing yields and decreasing nitrate content of the plants.     

Genetic diversity of 38 spinach (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spinacia oleracea</Emphasis> L.) germplasm accessions and 10 commercial hybrids assessed by TRAP markers

Target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) markers were used to assess genetic variability among 38 germplasm accessions and 10 commercial hybrids of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), an economically important leafy vegetable crop in many countries. Germplasm accessions with different geographic origins and 10 commercial hybrids were examined. For assessing genetic diversity within accessions, DNA was extracted from 12 individual seedlings from six germplasm accessions and two hybrids. A relatively high level of polymorphism was found within accessions based on 59 polymorphic TRAP markers generated from one fixed primer derived from the Arabidopsis-like telomere repeat sequence and two arbitrary primers. For evaluating interaccession variability, DNA was extracted from a bulk of six to 13 seedlings of each accession. Of the 492 fragments amplified by 12 primer combinations, 96 (19.5%) were polymorphic and discriminated the 48 accessions from each other. The average pair-wise genetic similarity coefficient (Dice) was 57.5% with a range from 23.2 to 85.3%. A dendrogram indicated that the genetic relationships among the accessions were not highly associated with the geographic locations in which the germplasms were collected. The seven commercial hybrids were grouped in three separate clusters, suggesting that the phenotype-based breeding activities tended to reduce the genetic variability. This preliminary study demonstrated that TRAP markers are effective for fingerprinting and evaluating genetic variability among spinach germplasms. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

氮肥优化减施对土壤-莴苣系统氮磷平衡及产量效益的影响

采用田间小区试验, 研究了氮肥减施20%(80%N)与施肥优化[施缓释尿素并减氮20%(80%N+CRU)、氮肥减施20%并添加脲酶抑制剂/硝化抑制剂(80%N+QD)、氮肥减施20%并添加土壤调理剂(80%N+SC)]对土壤-莴苣系统氮磷平衡以及产量效益的影响。结果表明: 3 种优化减氮处理均在一定程度上降低了菜地土壤NO₃^--N(硝态氮)、Olsen-P(有效磷)含量及硝化率水平, 从而降低了氮磷流失进入环境的风险; 同时减氮处理还提高了土壤氮素的利用效率, 增加了蔬菜鲜样产量及菜农实际收入, 效益明显。其中, 80%N+CRU 处理降低土壤NO₃^--N 和Olsen-P 含量最为明显, 但该处理植株可食部分容易累积硝酸盐, 收获时莴苣茎硝酸盐含量显著高于常规施肥处理(CF)和《农产品安全质量无公害蔬菜安全要求》(GB18406.1—2001)(P<0.05); 80%N+QD 处理对各时期土壤Olsen-P 及蔬菜可食部分硝酸盐含量影响较小, 却显著降低了菜地土壤的硝化率水平(P<0.05),从而提高了养分利用效率, 同时与CF 处理相比, 该处理较大幅度增加了莴苣鲜样产量(茎21.7%, 叶7.6%)、总收入(13.0%)、实际收入(14.0%)和产投比(14.2%), 是最佳减氮优化处理。试验地80%N+SC 处理效果不稳定,与常规施肥差异不显著。兼顾经济、食用风险、生态环境等效益, 建议在高肥力菜地土壤中, 氮肥减量与脲酶抑制剂、硝化抑制剂配合施用。     

施氮对春玉米氮素利用及农田氮素平衡的影响

田间试验研究了玉米对不同土壤氮素供应水平下作物氮素吸收利用、土壤氮素供应以及农田氮素平衡的影响。结果表明,玉米产量随施氮量的增加而显著提高,当施氮量高于N 240 kg/hm2时,产量有减少趋势;氮素当季利用率随施氮量的增加逐渐降低。土壤中硝态氮含量在玉米整个生育时期呈现先迅速下降后缓慢升高的趋势;玉米成熟期,施氮处理的各层土壤中硝态氮含量显著高于不施氮处理,各层硝态氮含量基本随施氮量的增加而升高。适量施氮促进玉米对氮素的吸收和利用,进而提高玉米生物量和产量;过量施氮导致硝态氮在土壤中大量累积,提高了硝态氮淋溶风险。施氮处理显著提高了收获后土壤中残留无机氮(Nmin),土壤残留Nmin随施氮量的增加而增加;当施氮量高于N 240 kg/hm2时,残留Nmin有下降趋势。氮素表观损失随施氮量的增加而增加。在本试验条件下,综合产量、氮肥利用率和土壤硝态氮累积情况考虑,合理施氮量应控制在N 1802~40 kg/hm2左右。     

减氮配施有机物质对土壤氮素淋失的调控作用

采用室内土柱模拟试验方法,研究不同氮肥施用下1m土体中氮素的分布和移动特征,揭示土壤氮素动态变化规律。结果表明:FN(农民习惯施无机氮用量)、RN(根据土壤养分供应和作物需求确定的推荐无机氮用量)显著增加了土壤上层NH_4^+-N和NO_3^--N向下层淋失。RN+HA(与推荐无机氮纯养分相等的锌腐酸尿素)和RN40%+OMB(推荐无机氮肥减60%基础上配施自制有机调理物质)可延长上层土壤NH_4^+-N峰值出现时间,降低下层NH_4^+-N。淋溶结束后,等氮量下增施HA较RN降低60cm以下NH_4^+-N残留29.7%～54.2%;降低60—80cm NO_3^--N累积17.4%。RN40%+OMB处理无机氮肥用量最小,0—20cm的NH_4^+-N最高,40—100cm稳定在2.0mg/kg左右;0—20,20—40cm土层NO_3^--N较RN+HA增加12.3%和2.0%,显著降低40cm以下NO_3^--N残留。RN+HA和RN40%+OMB较RN的土壤总无机氮残留分别减少7.4%和20.2%,降低表观淋失率。因此,RN40%+OMB可较好地抑制氮素下移,降低氮素淋失风险,为减少氮素淋失、明确合理氮肥施用方式提供科学依据。     

Nitrogen-15 balance in transplanted and direct-seeded flooded rice as affected by different methods of urea application

Summary Alternative N-fertilizer management practices are needed to increase productivity and the N-use efficiency of flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.). In the 1987 dry season, a field study using ¹⁵N-labeled urea evaluated the effect of the time and method of fertilizer-N application on grain yield and N-use efficiency in transplanted and direct-seeded flooded rice. Conventional fertilizer application (broadcasting and incorporation) was compared with band placement of liquid urea and point placement of urea supergranules. With band or point placement, the grain yields were significantly greater, and the partial pressure of NH₃ (pNH₃) in the floodwater was significantly reduced. In the transplanted rice, conventional fertilizer-N application gave a 64% total ¹⁵N recovery and 38% crop (grain and straw) recovery. Band placement of liquid urea N resulted in 92% total and 73% crop recovery. In the direct-seeded flooded rice, a conventional N application gave 72% total and 42% crop recovery; band placement, 98% total and 73% crop recovery; and urea supergranule point placement, 97% total and 75% crop recovery.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K. Mengel, Giessen, FRG, in honor of his 60th birthday.