Nitrogen fertilization does not affect micronutrient uptake in grain maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Due to continuous single nitrogen fertilization, we hypothesized a built-up deficiency of micronutrients in crops that would limit plant growth and crop quality. In 2-year field experiments using urea-N fertilized grain maize (Zea mays L.), hybrid KWS 2376 at 0, 120 and 240 kg N ha^?1 crop uptake of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe was studied at DC 32, DC 61 and in the grain harvested. Micronutrient contents at DC 32 stage – 1st node (aboveground phytomass) and DC 61 – flowering (ear leaf) were all at levels indicative of adequate micronutrient supply to the crop. At both sampling occasions the Fe:Zn and Fe:Mn ratios were adequate implying that Fe did not inhibit the uptake of Zn and Mn. The application of nitrogen increased the Fe content at the 1st sampling in both years; in the second year the same was also the case for the Zn content. Nitrogen nutrition increased the contents of Mn and Fe at the 2nd sampling only in year 2; in the other treatments no changes were observed in the micronutrient contents. Micronutrient correlations in the grain were discovered between Zn and Mn contents and between Fe and Mn contents. In the second year the highest N-rate significantly increased the Fe and Zn content of the grain compared with the lower rates of nitrogen fertilization. Grain yields were not affected by the rate of nitrogen and ranged between 13.65 and 14.34 t ha^?1 (1st year) and between 13.68 and 14.18 t ha^?1 (2nd year). Nitrogen fertilization did not reduce the content of micronutrients in the plant or grain of maize. It is evident that the continuous single use of N fertilization so far has not resulted in a micronutrient deficiency of the plants limiting the nutrient density of the grain or reducing its quality.     

Requirement of Micronutrients by Lowland Rice

Lowland or flooded rice is mainly responsible for about 76% of total rice production at global level, yet information on micronutrient requirements for this crop is limited. Six greenhouse experiments were conducted at the National Rice and Bean Research Center of EMBRAPA, Santo Antônio de Goiás, Brazil, to determine requirements of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) for lowland rice grown on a Brazilian Inceptisol. The levels of micronutrients used were Zn (0, 10 20, 40, and 80 mg kg^?1), Cu (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^?1), B (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^?1), Mo (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg kg^?1), Mn (0, 50, 100, 300, and 600 mg kg^?1), and Fe (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg^?1). Grain yield was significantly increased in a quadratic fashion with the addition of Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Mn, and Fe. The adequate rates of micronutrients for maximum grain yield were Zn 33 mg kg^?1, Cu 25 mg kg^?1, B 26 mg kg^?1, Mo 10 mg kg^?1, Mn 250 mg kg^?1, and Fe 1269 mg kg^?1. In addition to grain yield, plant height, straw yield, panicle density, and root growth of lowland rice were also improved with the addition of most of these micronutrients. Improvement in root growth has special significance in improving nutrient-use efficiency under nutrient-stress conditions. Micronutrient-use efficiency (grain yield per unit nutrient applied) was in the order of Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe > Mo > B.     

Genotypic differences in concentrations of iron,manganese, copper,and zinc in polished rice grains

Identification of genotypic differences in micronutrient concentrations of staple food crops is essential if plant breeding strategies are to improve human mineral nutrition. The concentrations of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in polished grains of 285 rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes and the relationship between concentrations of the four micronutrient elements and concentrations of protein and lysine were examined. Significant differences (P<.01) were found in the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn in polished rice with a fairly normal distribution among rice genotypes. On average, Cu and Zn concentrations of Indica rice were about 2‐fold higher than Japonica rice, while Fe concentrations of Japonica rice were slightly higher than Indica rice. Among Indica rice genotypes, red rice contained higher Zn than white rice. Protein and lysine concentrations differed considerably among the genotypes, but no close relationship between the micronutrients and protein or lysine concentrations was observed among genotypes. Sixteen genotypes with significantly higher grain Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn concentrations were identified.     

Micronutrient status of calcareous paddy soils and rice products: implication for human health

Modern agricultural systems have to provide enough micronutrient output to meet all the nutritional needs of people. Accordingly, knowledge on micronutrient status in soil and crop edible tissues is necessary. This study was carried out to investigate zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) concentration of calcareous paddy soil and the relative rice grain. Rice crops (straw, hull, and grain) and associated surface soils (0–25 cm) were collected from 136 fields and analyzed for total and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) available Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. The DTPA-Zn concentration in more than 50% of paddy soils was less than its critical deficiency concentration (2 mg kg⁻¹), while the concentrations of DTPA Fe, Mn, and Cu were sufficient. The grain Zn concentration of more than 54% of the rice samples was less than 20 mg kg⁻¹. About 55% and 49% of the rice samples were deficient in Mn and Cu, respectively, while the Fe concentration in rice grains was sufficient. A significant negative correlation was found between the CaCO₃ content and soil DTPA-extractable Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. There were significant relationships between the total soil phosphorus and DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations. By considering the average daily rice consumption of 110 g per capita, the Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu intake from rice consumption was estimated to be 2.4, 7.7, 1.6, and 0.7 mg for adults, respectively.     

Diagnosis of Micronutrient Imbalance in Lime Crop in Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan,India

Low and unstable fruit yield, poor quality of fruits, and excessive fruit dropping are major problems in a lime crop and are due to either micronutrient deficiencies or nutrient imbalance. A study was conducted to assess the micronutrient status in a lime orchard at the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI)’s research farm in Kota, Rajasthan, India. Plant and soil samples were collected during September and October in 2006–2007. The micronutrients extracted with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in soils were in the order of manganese (Mn) > iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). The mean values of DTPA Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in surface soils varied from 13.98 to 22.70, 2.48 to 8.66, 0.79 to 1.19, and 0.14 to 0.46 mg kg^?1, respectively, whereas in subsurface soils they varied from 12.94 to 23.06, 4.84 to 6.52, 0.51 to 0.83, and 0.07 to 0.20 mg kg^?1, respectively. Results reveal that except for Fe, the other DTPA-extractable micronutrients decreased with depth. Total Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in plant leaves varied from 22 to 83, 70 to 630, 40 to 932, and 37 to 3057 mg kg^?1, respectively, indicating greater or toxic concentrations of total micronutrient in leaf samples. Total Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in petiole samples varied from 7 to 60, 235 to 574, 70 to 827, and 101 to 2623 mg kg^?1, respectively. High concentration of Cu and Zn in leaves resulted in Fe and Mn deficiencies (exhibited as leaf chlorosis) in lime plants. Results of the study indicated that Fe and Mn deficiencies are major disorders in lime plantation. Similarly, the measure of DTPA-extractable micronutrients showed the low statuses of Fe and Cu and marginal status of Zn in soils along the Chambal region.     

Micronutrients distribution in salt-affected soils of the Punjab in relation to soil properties

Salt-affected soils in arid and semi-arid tracts of the Indian Punjab are prone to deficiency of micronutrients. Nine profiles from alluvial terraces, sand dunes and palaeochannels in the southwestern Punjab were investigated for total and diethylenetriamine-penta-acetic acid (DTPA) extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe. Soil physiography exerted significant influence on the spatial distribution of micronutrients. Total contents varied from 20–78 for Zn, 8–32 for Cu, and 88–466 mg kg^?1 for Mn and 0.82–2.53% for Fe. DTPA-extractable contents varied from 0.10–0.98 for Zn, 0.14–1.02 for Cu, 0.54–13.02 for Fe and 0.82–9.4 mg kg^?1 for Mn. Total contents were higher in fine-textured soil than in coarse-textured soils. Concentration of micronutrients in the surface layer was low and there occurred more accumulation in the Cambic horizon. Organic carbon, pH, clay, silt and calcium carbonate exerted strong influence on the distribution of micronutrients. DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe increased with increasing organic carbon but decreased with increase in pH and calcium carbonate content. Total micronutrient contents increased with increase in clay, silt and calcium carbonate contents and decreased with increase in sand content.     

Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Zinc Supply on Seed and Metal Accumulation in Canola Grain

Nutrient supply is important for yield and quality of canola (Brassica napus L.) crop production. A controlled study was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) supply and their interactions on yield and accumulation of four microelements in canola grain. Results showed that seed yield increased 1.45 to 5 times by increasing N and up to 24.4% by increasing P supply, with significant N-by-P interactions. Nitrogen-by-Zn interaction also exhibited large effects on grain metal concentrations, with increased iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) as increasing N supply, and decreased Mn concentration at all N supply levels above 0 N. Zinc concentration was decreased at low N and increased at high N levels compared to 0 N. Increasing P supply reduced grain Fe and Zn accumulations, but had no effect on Mn and Cu. Overall, this study revealed that canola yield and micronutrient accumulations can be improved by appropriate nutrient supply.     

Response of bean micronutrient nutrition to arsenic and salinity

The effects of different levels of arsenic (As) and salinity on bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Buenos Aires) nutrition were investigated. We studied the processes of absorption and accumulation of chloride (Cl) and micronutrient elements: boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). The experiment was performed in soilless culture at two levels of As: 2 and 5 mg As L^‐1 [added as sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)], and three saline levels [only sodium chloride (NaCl) was added]: 1, 2, and 4 dSm^‐1. Sodium arsenite and NaCl significantly affected micronutrients allocation within the bean plant at levels used in this study. Arsenite depressed Mn and Cl concentrations in the root, whereas root B, Cu, and Zn levels were increased. Boron, Cu, Fe, and Cl concentrations were significantly higher in As‐stressed plants compared with controls. The addition of NaCl increased the Cl and Mn concentrations in roots and Cl, Fe, and Mn in leaves.     

稻米和土壤微量元素的空间变异

Consumption of rice is the main source of micronutrients to human in Asia. A paddy field with unknown anthropogenic contamination in Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China was selected to characterize the spatial variability and distribution of micronutrients in rice grain and soil. A total of 96 paired soil and rice grain samples were collected at harvest. The micronutrients in the soil samples were extracted by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). The mean micronutrient concentrations in rice grain were 3.85 μg Cu g-1, 11.6 μg Fe g-1, 39.7 μg Mn g-1, and 26.0 μg Zn g-1. The mean concentrations were 2.54 μg g-1 for DTPA-Cu, 133.5 μg g-1 for DTPA-Fe, 30.6 μg g-1 for DTPA-Mn, and 0.84 μg g-1 for DTPA-Zn. Semivariograms showed that measured micronutrients in rice grain were moderately dependent, with a range distance of about 110 m. The concentrations of the DTPA-extractable micronutrients all displayed strong spatial dependency, with a range distance of about 60 m. There was some resemblance of spatial structure between soil pH and the grain Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. By analogy, similar spatial variation was observed between soil organic matter (SOM) and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in the soil. Kriging estimated maps of the attributes showed the spatial distributions of the variables in the field, which is beneficial for better understanding the spatial variation of micronutrients and for potentially refining agricultural management practices at a field scale.     

Soil micronutrient availability to crops as affected by long-term inorganic and organic fertilizer applications

Micronutrient status in soils and crops can be affected by different fertilization practices during a long-term field experiment. This paper investigated the effects of different fertilization treatments on total and DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soils and micronutrients in crops after 16 year fertilization experiments in Fengqiu County, Henan Province, China. The treatments of the long-term experiment included combinations of various rates of N, P and K in addition to two rates of organic fertilizer (OF) treatments. Winter wheat and summer maize were planted annually. Soil macro- and micronutrients along with pH and organic matter (OM) were analyzed. Grains and above ground parts of both crops in the final year were harvested and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. The results showed that soil Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations did not change among the different treatments to a significant level, except for a slight decrease of soil Zn in the CK (no fertilizer application) compared to the OF treatment. The DTPA-extractable soil Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations increased from 0.41 to 1.08 mg kg⁻¹, from 10.3 to 17.7 mg kg⁻¹, and from 9.7 to 11.8 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, with increasing soil OM content, thus showing the importance of soil OM in micronutrient availability for crops. The NPK treatment also had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrient concentrations in soil. Deficiency of N or P resulted in a low yield but high micronutrient concentrations in crops except Cu in maize stalks. Higher available soil P significantly decreased crop micronutrients, possibly because of their precipitation as metal phosphates. Maize stalks contained higher concentrations of micronutrients than those of wheat straw, whereas wheat grain had higher micronutrients than those of corn grain. The transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients from straw to grain were significantly different between winter wheat (1.63–2.52 for Cu; 2.31–3.82 for Zn; no change for Fe; 0.55–0.84 for Mn) and summer maize (0.24–0.50 for Cu; 0.50–1.21 for Zn; 0.02–0.04 for Fe; 0.07–0.10 for Mn). In conclusion, application of organic matter significantly increased the DTPA-extractable concentrations of Zn, Fe and Mn compared to the CK, grain and vegetative tissue in the CK and NK had higher micronutrient concentrations than those in other treatments.     

Methods of adding micronutrients to a NPK formulation and maize development

Micronutrients are essential for plant development; however, micronutrient content in soil often is not sufficient. This study compared availability of boron (B), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the soil and their effect in developing maize plants, supplied from a physical mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) granules and micronutrients or from a granulated mixture of NPK coated with these micronutrients. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with a Rhodic Acrustox soil and the formulation 4-30-10 [nitrogen-phosphorus pentoxide-potassium oxide (N-P₂O₅-K₂O)] with 0.1% B, 0.2% Cu, 0.2% Mn, and 0.3% Zn. A randomized block design with four replicates was used and the NPK formula doses used were 0, 150, 300, 600, 1200, and 2400 kg/ha. Coated NPK increased Zn levels in soil in 0.5 mg/dm³ in relation to its initial content, also causing an increase in plant dry matter. Compared with mixture, this increase was more than three times greater. Cu and Zn accumulation and Zn absorption were greater when their supply was made via coated granules. The larger dose of B via coated granules resulted in a greater B accumulation in comparison to the mixture. No differences were observed for the other variables when comparing both sources. Coating NPK granules with micronutrients was better than the mixture when comparing B, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the soil. Dry matter production of maize shoots and the accumulation of B, Mn, Cu, and Zn in it was greater when the fertilizer was coated with micronutrients.     

Influence of Pre-Plant Micronutrient Mixes and Ammonium to Nitrate Ratios in Fertilizer Solution on Growth and Micronutrient Contents of Marigold in Plug Culture

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of pre-plant micronutrient mixes and various ammonium/nitrate (NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^?) ratios in a fertilizer solution on growth and the nutrient uptake of French marigold ‘Orange Boy’ in a plug culture. Two kinds of granular glass frits containing six micronutrients were produced and incorporated into peatmoss+vermiculite (1:1, v/v) substrate at a rate of 0.3 g · L^{? 1}. The five NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^? ratios in fertilizer solution were 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0, each giving a total nitrogen (N) supply of 80, 100, and 120 mg · L^{? 1}in the root substrate during stages 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The plants produced a significantly higher fresh and dry matter yield at 35 days after sowing when grown in 25/75 N nutrition in micronutrient fertilizer 1 (MF1) and 50/50 in micronutrient fertilizer 2 (MF2) than in the other NH₄ ⁺/NO₃ ^? ratios tested. Treatments of the highest accumulation of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) in plants were 25/75, 50/50, 50/50, 25/75 and 50/50 in MF1 and 50/50, 25/75, 50/50, 50/50, 50/50 in MF2, respectively. The trends in accumulations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B in plants were quadratic (Q), linear (L) and Q, L and Q, L and Q, and Q, respectively, in MF1. Those in MF2 were Q, Q, Q, L and Q, and Q, respectively.     

Foliar fertilization of nickel affects growth,yield component and micronutrient status of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on low nickel soil

Foliar application of nickel (Ni) has higher use efficiencies and is preferred over soil application in view of its very low requirement. Pot experiments were conducted during winter season of 2012-2013 and repeated during 2013-2014. Treatments consisted of twelve Ni levels applied as nickel sulphate (NiSO4.7H₂O) spray (T₁-Ni_0%, T₂-Ni_0.05%, T₃-Ni_0.1%, T₄-Ni_0.2%, T₅-Ni_0.3%, T₆-Ni_0.4%, T₇-Ni_0.5%, T₈-Ni_0.6%, T₉-Ni_0.7%, T₁₀-Ni_0.8%, T₁₁-Ni_0.9%,and T₁₂-Ni_1.0%,) with recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) applied in all pots. The result showed that growth and yield attributes viz. plant height, leaf greenness index, number of tillers, number of ears pot^-1, number of grains ear^-1, straw yield, grain yield and weight of 1000 grains of barley was the maximum with three foliar application of 0.2% of NiSO4.7H₂O (T₄-Ni_0.2%) at 20, 40, and 60 days after sowing (DAS) during both the years. The concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn in grain increased significantly up to T₄-Ni_0.2% and after this level, a significant decline was recorded during both the years. As regards to the concentration of Ni is concerned, it increased significantly both in grain and straw with increasing levels of Ni spray and the maximum concentration was at T₁₂-Ni_1.0%, during both the years. The uptake of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in grain of barley increased significantly during both the years up to T₄-Ni_0.2%,thereafter, it declined significantly with successive increase in dose of Ni spray. Thus 0.2% foliar spray of NiSO4.7H₂O significantly increased growth, yield and Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn (micronutrients) status in barley.     

Influence of micronutrient and phosphorous levels and chelator to iron ratio on growth,chlorosis, and nutrition of bluecrop highbush blueberries

‘Bluecrop’ blueberry plants were exposed to 2×2×2 factorial treatments of high and low phosphate and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn, and B) and excess or stoichiometric concentrations of a chelator (EDDHA) added to Fe(NO₃), in pH 6.8 solution cultures. The effects on growth, Fe chlorosis and overall nutrition were accessed. Phosphorous was applied at 20 (low) or 400 (high) μM levels, micronutrients at low or high levels and either a 1:1 or 10:1 ratio of chelator to Fe concentration. Plants grown in excess chelator and low micronutrient supply grew normally. Plants grown in all high micronutrient solutions were chlorotic after 34 days. Plants in low micronutrient and stochiometric chelator to Fe ratio solutions were also chlorotic.

Foliar Fe was not a good indicator of Fe chlorosis development. High Cu levels in roots grown in high micronutrients without excess chelator may have been a causative factor in Fe chlorosis development, but not in reducing foliar Fe levels. There was no indication that excess chelator facilitated Fe transport as has been reported for other crops. However, this work demonstrates that highbush blueberry has an effective ability to absorb Fe from strong Fe chelates and remain non‐chlorotic even at high solution pH levels under an all nitrate‐nitrogen regime. Chemical name used: EDDHA‐ethylenediaminedi‐o‐hydroxyphenlyacetic acid.     

Yield and Zinc,Copper, Manganese and Iron Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on Vertisol as Influenced by Zinc Application from Various Zinc Fertilizers

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils and field crops is widespread across the world, including India, resulting in severe reduction in yield. Hence, soil application of Zn fertilizers is recommended for ameliorating Zn deficiency in soil and for obtaining higher crop yield and better crop quality. Zinc sulfate is commonly used Zn fertilizer in India because of its solubility and less cost. However, good quality and adequate quantity of zinc sulfate is not available in the market round the year for farmers' use. Field experiments were therefore conducted during rainy season of 2010 and 2011 at research farm of Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India to assess the influence of Zn application through zinc sulfate monohydrate (33% Zn), zinc polyphosphate (21% Zn) and Zn ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) (12% Zn) on yield and micronutrient concentration and uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). In both the years, grain and vegetative tissue (stover) yield of maize increased significantly with successive application of Zn up to 1 kg ha^?1 added through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Addition of 2.5 kg Zn ha^?1 did not increase yield further but resulted in highest stover Zn concentration. Zinc, copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) concentration in maize grain varied from 22.2 to 27.6, 1.6 to 2.5, 3.5 to 4.7 and 19.9 to 24.5 mg kg^?1 respectively in both the years. Maize stover had 25.9 to 36.2, 7.9 to 9.8, 36.7 to 44.9 and 174 to 212 mg kg^?1 Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe, respectively. Zinc application did not influence Cu, Mn and Fe concentration in both grain and stover of maize. Transfer coefficients (TCs) of micronutrients varied from 0.72 to 0.95, 0.18 to 0.30, 0.08 to 0.13 and 0.10 to 0.15 for Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe respectively. Total Zn uptake significantly increased with Zn application from 0.5 to 2.5 kg ha^?1 supplied through zinc sulfate monohydrate and zinc polyphosphate. Recovery efficiency of Zn declined with increased Zn rates.     

Influence of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Applied Phosphorus on Root Colonization in Wheat and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in a Phosphorus-Deficient Acid Alfisol of Western Himalayas

Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi symbiosis confers benefits directly to the host plant's growth and yield through acquisition of phosphorus and other macro- and micronutrients, especially from phosphorus (P)–deficient acidic soils. The inoculation of three VAM cultures [viz., local culture (Glomus mosseae), VAM culture from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi (Glomus mosseae), and a culture from the Centre for Mycorrhizal Research, Energy Research Institute (TERI), New Delhi (Glomus intraradices)] along with P fertilization in wheat in a P-deficient acidic alfisol improved the root colonization by 16–24% while grain and straw yields increased by 12.6–15.7% and 13.4–15.4%, respectively, over the control. Uptake of nitrogen (N), P, potassium (K), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) was also improved with VAM inoculation over control, but the magnitude of uptake was significantly greater only in the cases of P, Fe, Zn, and Cu. Inoculation of wheat with three VAM cultures in combination with increasing inorganic P application from 50% to 75% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose to wheat through the targeted yield concept following the soil-test crop response (STCR) precision model resulted in consistent and significant improvement in grain and straw yield, macronutrient (NPK) uptake, and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) uptake in wheat though root colonization did not improve at P₂O₅ doses beyond 50% of the recommended dose. The VAM cultures alone or in combination with increasing P levels from 50% to 75% P₂O₅ dose resulted in reduction of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) contents in P-deficient acidic soil over the control and initial fertility status, although micronutrient contents were relatively greater in VAM-supplied plots alone or in combination with 50% to 75% P₂O₅ dose over sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose, thereby indicating the positive role of VAM in nutrient mobilization and nutrient dynamics in the soil–plant system. There was significant improvement in available N and P status in soil with VAM inoculation coupled with increasing P levels upto 75% P₂O₅ dose, although the greatest P buildup was obtained with sole application of 100% P₂O₅ dose. The TERI VAM culture (Glomus intraradices) showed its superiority over the other two cultures (Glomus mosseae) in terms of crop yield and nutrient uptake in wheat though the differences were nonsignificant among the VAM cultures alone or at each P level. Overall, it was inferred that use of VA-mycorrhizal fungi is beneficial under low soil P or in low input (nutrient)–intensive agroecosystems.     

Rice residue incorporation and nitrogen application: effects on yield and micronutrient transformations under rice–wheat cropping system

Abstract

Despite being a major domain of global food supply, rice–wheat (RW) cropping system is questioned for its contribution to biomass burning in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Enhancing the yield and soil quality properties in this system is therefore necessary to reduce environmental degradation and maintain agricultural productivity. A field experiment evaluated the effects of soil management practices such as rice residue (RS) incorporation, and nitrogen (N) application on crop yield and micronutrients transformations in a RW cropping system of north-western India. The results revealed that N application (120?kg N ha^?1) and RS incorporation (7.5 t ha^?1) significantly increased micronutrients cations and crop yield compared with no-residue (RS₀). Irrespective of N application, crop grain yield under RS incorporation (Rs_7.5 t ha^?1) was significantly higher than RS₀ incorporation. Significant increase in all the micronutrient transformations was recorded in N₁₂₀/Rs_7.5 t ha^?1 compared with RS₀. Among different fractions, crystalline Fe bound in Zn, Mn, and Cu and amorphous Fe oxide in Fe fractions were the dominant fractions under N application (N₁₂₀) and RS incorporation (RS_7.5) treatment. Our study showed that application of N₁₂₀ followed by RS_7.5 can be more sustainable practice under RW cropping system for improvement in micronutrients availability and crop yield. This practice also provides an opportunity to incorporation of crop residues as an alternative to burning, which causes severe air pollution in the RW cropping system in the IGP.     

长期施肥对潮土耕层土壤和作物籽粒微量元素动态的影响

Micronutrient status in soils can be affected by long-term fertilization and intensive cropping.A 19-year experiment (1990-2008) was carried out to investigate the influence of different fertilization regimes on micronutrients in an Aquic Inceptisol and maize and wheat grains in Zhengzhou,China.The results showed that soil total Cu and Zn markedly declined after 19 years with application of N fertilizer alone.Soil total Fe and Mn were significantly increased mainly due to atmospheric deposition.Applications...     

长期不同施肥对南方黄泥田水稻子粒与土壤锌、 硼、 铜、 铁、 锰含量的影响

在福建黄泥田长期定位施肥试验的第26年,研究了不同施肥模式对水稻子粒与土壤微量元素含量的影响。结果表明,与不施肥（CK）相比,化肥+牛粪（NPKM）、 化肥+秸秆还田（NPKS）及单施化肥（NPK）处理的水稻子粒Zn、 B、 Cu含量均有不同程度的提高,并尤以NPKM处理最为明显,三种微量元素含量分别提高14.3%、 25.1%、 465.2%,均达差异显著水平。NPKM与NPKS处理还不同程度地提高了子粒Mn含量,但各施肥处理的子粒Fe含量均显著降低。各施肥处理尤其是NPKM与NPKS均显著提高了子粒微量元素吸收量。NPK处理的土壤有效B、 Fe、 Zn、 Cu含量与CK相比均呈下降趋势,且有效Zn、 Mn含量较试验前土壤分别降低了36.4%与24.6%,而NPKM与NPKS处理缓解了下降趋势,且NPKM处理的土壤有效Zn、 B、 Mn含量分别较CK提高46.6%、 52.0%、 43.0%,均达差异显著水平。土壤有机质与子粒B、 Cu、 Zn含量呈显著正相关,子粒必需氨基酸、 粗蛋白与子粒Zn含量呈显著正相关。以上结果说明,长期化肥配施牛粪或秸秆还田有利于提高水稻子粒Zn、 B、 Cu等微量元素含量和产量,改善子粒营养品质,一定程度上又可缓解土壤有效微量元素含量的下降,是适合南方黄泥田的施肥模式。     

Application of micronutrients to citrus trees through microirrigation systems

Using conventional soil and foliar spray applications to correct micronutrient deficiency in citrus has not been completely satisfactory. Therefore, this study was developed to test the effectiveness of micronutrient application through microirrigation (fertigation) at rates similar to those recommended for foliar spray application. Three field experiments were conducted on ‘Valencia’ orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] trees to study the absorption of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu by periodically analyzing leaf samples. The effectiveness of fertigation with micronutriems was found to depend on the fertilizer source. Application of chelated Fe, Mn, and Zn through irrigation systems increased the concentrations of these micronutrients in the leaves. The nitrate forms of Fe, Mn, and Zn were ineffective, as was the sulfate form of Zn. The sulfate form of Mn was occasionally effective, but the sulfate form of Cu was very effective. The application of chelated micronutrients through fertigation shows promise in central Florida.