New organic substrates and boron fertilizing for production of yellow passion fruit seedlings

The identification of alternative substrates suitable for seedling production is very important, while boron nutrition is also relevant due to plant requirement and its difficult management. Thus, four experiments were carried out from October 2012 to April 2013 to evaluate the effect of substrates using decomposed buriti (Mauritia vinifera Mart.) stem (DBS) and boron fertilizing for seedling production of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 6 × 2 + 1, referring to the substrates [S1: DBS, S2: soil and sand 1:1 (20%) + DBS (80%), S3: soil and sand 1:1 (40%) + DBS (60%), S4: soil and sand 1:1 (60%) + DBS (40%), S5: soil and sand 1:1 (80%) + DBS (20%), S6: commercial substrate (additional treatment) and S7: soil, sand and manure 1:1:2] with and without boron. The seedling emergence, emergence rate, plant height, stem diameter, root length, root volume and dry mass of roots and shoots were recorded. The substrates S2 (without B fertilizing) and S4 (B fertilized with 0.5 mg dm^?3) produced seedlings with more than 3.0 g of shoot dry mass and at least 30 cm in height, and can be used for production of high-quality yellow passion fruit seedlings.     

Nitrogen concentrations and proportions of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition and growth of yellow passion fruit seedlings

Abstract

Despite the importance of nitrogen (N) supply to plants, there are still doubts concerning the optimal relations of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition of yellow passion fruit seedlings. This study aims to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen concentrations and ammonium and nitrate proportions in the nutrition, growth, and dry matter production of passion fruit seedlings grown in a substrate with a nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in randomized complete block design with three replications in a 4 × 5 factorial design, consisting of four N concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0?mmol L^?1) and five ammonium proportions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in relation to the total N supply). At 60?days after transplanting, green color index; accumulation of N, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in roots and shoots; stem diameter; leaf area; root length; nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); and dry matter of roots and shoots were evaluated. For the formation of seedlings of yellow passion fruit, the nutrient solution should have 13?mmol L^?1 of N, with 40% of this nutrient in the form of ammonium. The passion fruit is a plant tolerant to ammonium. However, a critical concentration above 5.7?mmol L^?1 of NH₄⁺ in the nutrient solution decreases absorption of cations, NUE, and production of dry matter.     

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。     

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。     

基质中添加适宜玉米秸秆促进马铃薯脱毒苗生长

马铃薯微型薯常用栽培基质中,草炭是不可再生的,可供利用的资源有限。蛭石一般可使用一年,重复利用率低,且生产成本高。在马铃薯微型薯栽培基质中,玉米秸秆基质还未得到有效利用,玉米秸秆资源丰富,价格低廉。该试验对玉米秸秆基质在马铃薯微型薯生产上的应用效果进行了研究,通过比较分析试验结果,以期找到玉米秸秆在马铃薯微型薯栽培基质上较适宜的应用比例。该试验以马铃薯‘春薯四号’脱毒苗为试验材料,将玉米秸秆进行发酵腐熟,草炭过1 cm筛后,用玉米秸秆、草炭、蛭石、沙子、田园土5种基质材料按照不同体积比混配成6种复合基质,分别为M1(草炭:蛭石=1:1)、M2(玉米秸秆:草炭:蛭石=1:1:2)、M3(玉米秸秆:草炭:沙子=1:3:4)、M4(玉米秸秆:草炭:沙子=1:1:2)、M5(玉米秸秆:沙子:田园土=3:4:1)、M6(玉米秸秆:田园土=3:2)。基质材料按比例混配均匀后使用50%的多来宝可湿性粉剂500倍液和50%的多菌灵可湿性粉剂1 000倍液进行杀虫灭菌。将试验棚内土地耙平整,地面上方铺设防虫网,用砖砌9个2.4 m×1 m(长×宽)的试验槽,槽间过道宽40 cm,将每个试验槽分隔成2个面积相等的试验小区,共18个,每个小区面积1.2 m2。采用随机区组试验设计,设3次重复试验。马铃薯脱毒苗定植前在试验棚上方放置透光率为50%的遮阳网,待马铃薯脱毒苗缓苗期过后将其取下。从马铃薯脱毒苗定植开始每隔15 d进行随机采样,测定指标,分析比较6种不同配比基质对马铃薯脱毒苗形态指标株高、茎粗、叶片数、茎节数、地上部分及地下部分鲜质量的影响,及生理指标叶绿素a、叶绿素b、叶绿素总量、根系活力的影响。结果表明:M2(玉米秸秆:草炭:蛭石=1:1:2)的更有利于马铃薯脱毒苗的生长,缓苗时间短,植株较健壮,其中株高、茎粗、地下部鲜质量增长量多于其他基质,叶绿素a、叶绿素总量增长稳定且优于其他基质,可以有效地为微型薯的生长发育积累更多营养物质。     

YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANT NUTRITIONAL DIAGNOSIS AT DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES BY THE DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM METHOD

This work was performed in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate the nutritional status of yellow passion fruit plants along different phenological stages, using the DRIS method. Fifty-four passion fruit cultivated areas with an annual yield productivity ranging from 6.95 to 33.8 t ha^?1 year^?1 and average productivity of 16.9 t ha^?1 year^?1 were selected in the region. The contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) were evaluated. The reference standards were established (mean and variation coefficient) for the values of the nutrient concentration ratios, two by two, on samples from high yield productivity plantations and analyzed by the DRIS index of nutrients for the medium and low yield productivity areas. The established standards differed according with the phenological stage of the culture. In a general way, the mean content of the evaluated nutrients did not differed between the two productivity levels into each phonological stage. There was a difference for the Nutritional Limitation Order between different phenological stages of yellow passion fruit plants. The most negative DRIS indexes and the highest absolute values for the Average Nutritional Balance on yellow passion fruit plants in the region, were found for potassium in May, phosphorus in October and iron in January.     

Effects of Organic Materials on Growth,Yield, and Fruit Quality of Honeydew Melon

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure compost (ChMC) on growth, yield, and fruit quality of honeydew melon and to determine the most suitable rate of SMS for honeydew melon production. Honeydew melon seedlings grown in four different rates of SMS were planted in the net house with two different organic material rates (M1, M2). The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design. The results showed that increasing of organic materials in the net house increased growth, yield, and quality of honeydew melon, due to enhancing of pH, organic matter (OM,) and the nutrient concentrations in the soil. However, growing media with 40 % SMS + 60 % ChMC in the nursery period and the rate of 10 tons SMS + 10 tons ChMC ha^?1 in the net house period gave the best yield and fruit quality of honeydew melon.     

沼液与化肥配合基施对大棚番茄产量和品质的影响

采用不同比例沼液与化肥配合做基肥施用来研究沼液施用对番茄产量和品质的影响,以期为沼液的资源化合理利用提供理论参考。基于N平衡原理,本研究采用完全随机区组设计,共设计了7个基肥处理,分别为CK(空白)、CF(常规施肥)、HF(化肥)、ZF(沼液)、ZF80%+HF20%(80%沼液+20%化肥)、ZF50%+HF50%(50%沼液+50%化肥)、ZF20%+HF80%(20%沼液+80%化肥)。研究结果表明,与化肥处理相比,在番茄定植后的40和80 d沼液配施所占的比例越大,其对土壤有效养分和有机质含量抑制作用越强,但在番茄定植后160 d沼液对土壤有效养分和有机质含量却有明显的促进作用。沼液与化肥配施提高了番茄叶片叶绿素含量,其中以ZF80%+HF20%处理最高,且在番茄定植后的40、80、160 d分别比CF和HF处理提高了19.60%、11.91%、2.92%和184.25%、23.08%、35.03%。沼液与化肥配施还提高了土壤阳离子交换量和重金属含量,且含量的高低与沼液施用量呈正相关关系。沼液与化肥配施提高了番茄果实中Vc和可溶性糖含量,降低了可滴定酸含量,虽然ZF处理中检测到重金属,但均未超过国家标准,可以忽略不计。番茄产量以ZF80%+HF20%处理最高,分别是CK、CF、HF、ZF、ZF50%+HF50%和ZF20%+HF80%处理的2.58、1.05、1.02、1.05、1.01和1.01倍。综合分析认为,ZF80%+HF20%能明显提高土壤养分含量,改善土壤生态环境,促进番茄产量提高和品质改善。     

Heavy metal uptake and translocation by Justicia gendarussa Burm F. from textile sludge contaminated soil

Abstract

Heavy metals are dangerous environmental pollutants that can be transferred and accumulated in human and animal bodies causing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and carcinogenic effects. A glass house experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of Justicia gendarussa Burm F. to absorb heavy metals from textile industry sludge. Justicia gendarussa seedlings were planted on six different growth media (soil+sludge) comprising: 100% soil, 100% sludge, 80% sludge+20% soil, 60% sludge+40% soil, 40% sludge+60% soil and 20% sludge+80% soil. The maximum height increment and number of leaves were found in 20% sludge+80% soil while the highest basal diameter increment was recorded in the 100% sludge. Copper and iron were highly concentrated in the roots, zinc in the leaves, while aluminium was concentrated in both leaves and stems. Justicia gendarussa seems to have a high potential to absorb high amounts of Al and Fe in the leaves and roots. This species showed high translocation (TF) and low bioconcentration factor (BCF) in the contaminated soil. Justicia gendarussa was able to tolerate and accumulate a high concentration of heavy metals. Therefore, this species can be considered as a potential phytoremediator.     

有机无机肥配施对日光温室番茄连作土壤微生物的影响

  目的  为解决日光温室番茄连作障碍,必须弄清有机无机肥配施对番茄连作土壤微生物的影响。  方法  试验共设置6个处理,分别为不施肥（CK）、20%有机肥 + 80%化肥（M20C80）、40%有机肥 + 60%化肥（M40C60）、60%有机肥 + 40%化肥（M60C40）、80%有机肥 + 20%化肥（M80C20）、100%有机肥 + 0%化肥（M100）。测定了连作土壤理化性质、细菌和真菌的微生物群落结构、物种组成和丰度等相关指标。  结果  M40C60处理使连作土壤孔隙度在54.38% ~ 55.61%,pH维持在7.19 ~ 7.22,有机质和速效钾含量分别维持在49.70 ~ 59.21 g kg?1和536.1 ~ 605.5 mg kg?1的中等水平,速效磷含量则维持在680.4 ~ 783.0 mg kg?1的高水平。增施有机肥,可以改善土壤微生物群落组成,分别提高芽孢杆菌（Bacillus）、土胞杆菌（Terrisporbacter）、链霉菌（Streptomyces）以及头束霉菌（Cephalotrichum）等有益菌群落相对丰度0.86%、0.60%、0.12%和47.82%,降低变形菌（Proteobacteria）酸杆菌（Acidobacteriota）等有害菌群落相对丰度3.47%和1.74%。  结论  增施有机肥改善番茄连作土壤的基础理化性质,保持土壤中的养分含量。同时有益于微生物群落演替,维持或提高有益菌群的丰度,抑制或降低有害菌群的丰度,使连作土壤维持在一个较稳定的微生物群落结构。减少番茄连作土壤病害的发生,维持良好的土壤状态。     

土壤含水量对于油桐苗生长的影响

一、目的测定油桐(Aleurites fordii)幼苗生长适宜的土壤含水量。植物幼苗生长健圣与否对于以后生长的关系很大,像最近种植水稻采用秧田施肥,收效非常的好,就是一个明例,成长的树木在野外比较难管理,所以更要注意幼苗的培育,这也许是一种值得提倡的增产途径。     

Effect of the Substrates on the Production of Engrafted Vine Cuttings in Heated Greenhouses

This article highlights the results of a long-term research project on the production of grape stalks engrafted by the desk method. The integrated impact of rootstock varieties, modes of stratification, and different substrates on vegetating vine cuttings, raised in heated greenhouses, and the capacity of their acclimatization after planting was studied. The results of the research show that rootstock variety and modes of stratification influence the output of engrafted vegetating cuttings of vines grown in pots using various substrates. In particular, the engrafted cuttings of variety Rkatsiteli produced on two rootstocks, 5 BB and 101-14, passed stratification (a) in sawdust with local electroheating, (b) on the water with its periodic change, and (c) in the layer of perlite. After preplanting preparations they were planted in pots with six different substrates: (1) soil (control); (2) perlite; (3) sawdust; (4) rice husk + soil + sand (1:1:1); (5) peat + soil + sand (1:1:1); and (6) mold + soil + sand (1:1:1). The cuttings were grown with a covered root system in a heated greenhouse for 35–40 days. Forty-day-old vegetating cuttings, after hardening, were planted into the open ground. Specialties were established during the root and shoot formation on vegetating nursery plant grafts during the rooting period. Optimal substrates for growing engrafted cuttings with a covered root system in heated greenhouses for each rootstock and stratification mode were determined.     

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.     

赣南脐橙叶片黄化及施硼效应研究

采用田间试验,设施硼(Na2B4O7.10H2O 15 g/plant)和不施硼2个处理,探讨赣南纽荷尔脐橙的叶片黄化、落果及其施用硼肥的效应。结果表明,施硼明显改善了脐橙的生长发育和硼营养状况,和不施硼的对照比较,叶片数增加39.8%,老叶黄化叶片数由12.9%下降到3.2%;单株结果数和单果重分别增加10.5%和11.9%,增产达23.3%,经济效益较好。脐橙在果实膨大期需硼量占90%以上,施硼后脐橙植株硼、镁含量和硼吸收量显著提高,并且植株各器官的硼分配比例得到改善。     

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.     

The Determination of Soil Boron Fractions,Their Relationships to Soil Properties and the Availability to Olive (Olea europea L.) Trees

This study was conducted to investigate the various boron fractions in olive tree grown soils. The correlations between boron fractions in leaves, fruits and soil properties were examined. For this purpose cv “Gemlik” olive (Olea europaea L.) orchards were visited. Soil samples from 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm deep, the leaf and fruit samples were collected. The greatest proportion of total soil boron is present in residual form (85–88%). It is followed by organically bound B (2.84–4.50%), specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces (0.93–1.31%), oxides (manganese oxyhydroxides, amorphous Fe and Al oxides, crystalline Fe and Al oxides) bound B (7.27–8.31%). The smallest one readily soluble (extracting plant available) boron values were composed of only 0.40–0.50% of total boron ranging. To determine readily soluble boron five different extraction solutions were in the order Hot water ? 0.01 M CaCl₂ ? 1 M NH₄OAc ? 0.1 M KCl ? 0.005 M DTPA. Fruit boron concentration and soil boron fractions showed close correlations than leaf boron concentration.     

Biomass and Cu and Zn Uptake of Two Turfgrass Species Grown in Sludge Compost–soil Mixtures

Two kinds of common turfgrass, fescue and ryegrass, were grown in soils amended with 20?×?80% sludge compost (SC) in this research. The effects of SC on two kinds of soil and response of fescue and ryegrass to the SC amendment were studied. The results showed that urease activity, extractable content of Cu and Zn and Electrical conductivity of both soils increased while pH decreased with the increase of SC amendment. However, the change of these parameters also depended strongly on soil characteristics. Sludge compost at the ≤40 and ≤60% levels can improve growth of fescue and ryegrass, respectively. The biomass of fescue grown in substrate with 40% SC increased 27% in a red soil and 44% in a yellow loamy soil compared to the control. The biomass of ryegrass grown in substrate with 60% SC increased 120% in the red soil and 86% in the yellow loamy soil. Sludge compost amendment at these levels did not significantly affect soluble salt contents of soil or Cu and Zn in plant tissue. Therefore, rational use of sludge compost can take advantage of its beneficial effect as a nutrient source for plant production while avoiding the potential deleterious effects on soil and plant.     

羊粪有机肥与化肥配施对烤烟生长及土壤肥力特性的影响

为探讨羊粪有机肥与化肥配施对烤烟(Nicotiana tabacum L.)生长和土壤肥力特性的影响,以烤烟品种中烟101为试验材料,设置不施加肥料为对照(CK),研究了等量施肥条件下羊粪有机肥与化肥不同配施比例(T0:100%无机肥N;T20:20%羊粪有机肥N+80%无机肥N;T40:40%羊粪有机肥N+60%无机肥N;T60:60%羊粪有机肥N+40%无机肥N;T80:80%羊粪有机肥N+20%无机肥N;T100:100%羊粪有机肥N)对烟株农艺性状、根系形态参数、叶片光合特性、土壤养分含量及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,T0和T20处理在烟株移栽后30 d土壤速效养分含量较高,能更好地促进移栽后0~30 d烟株的生长,但在烟株移栽后60 d土壤速效养分含量明显降低,烟株生长势减弱,且土壤中有机质含量和土壤蔗糖酶活性较低;T80和T100处理土壤有机质含量较高,但在烟株移栽后30 d时土壤蛋白酶和脲酶活性弱,土壤速效养分含量低,不利于移栽后0~30 d烟株的生长;T40和T60处理在烟株移栽后30 d土壤速效养分的供应略低于T0处理,但在移栽后60 d能够显著提高土壤蔗糖酶、蛋白酶和脲酶活性,增加土壤速效养分的供应,既能保障烟株移栽后0~30 d的生长势,也有利于烟株移栽后30~60 d根系发育和地上部分的生长。与T0处理相比,T40和T60处理在烟株移栽后60 d的最大叶面积提高了11.9%和10.7%,地上部干重提高了11.9%和9.6%,根干重提高了12.1%和26.8%,净光合速率提高了17.6%和16.2%。综合来看,配施40%和60%羊粪有机肥N更有利于满足烟叶生长和维持烟区土壤肥力,该研究为洛阳烟区合理利用羊粪有机肥提供了理论依据。     

Mineral Elements Uptake and Growth of Strawberry as Influenced by Organic Substrates

Pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to compare the effect of four organic substrates [S1: Persian turpentine trees leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S2: Oak leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S3: Cypress leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%) and S4: liquorice processing wastes (50%) + Soil (50%)] application on strawberry growth, yield, and nutrient concentration, and on some soil properties. Results showed that leaves mold and liquorice wastes application decreased pH, increased soil organic matter, and increased soil concentrations in all mineral elements studied, except for potassium (K). The amount of mineral elements in substrates had also a great influence on the leaf nutrient concentrations. High levels of nitrogen (N), K, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were obtained in leaves; while phosphorus (P) concentration was lower than sufficient levels. Although, strawberry fresh and dry weights and leaf chlorophyll content were significantly higher in plants grown in S4 with no added fertilizer, the highest fruit yield was obtained in combination substrates with 50% fertilizer. Our results indicate that use of leaf mold and liquorice wastes in soil mixtures can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth and yield.     

Coal Fly Ash and Phospho‐gypsum Mixture as an Amendment to Improve Rice Paddy Soil Fertility

Abstract

Rice is a plant that requires high levels of silica (Si). As a silicate (SiO₂) source to rice, coal fly ash (hereafter, fly ash), which has an alkaline pH and high available silicate and boron (B) contents, was mixed with phosphor‐gypsum (hereafter, gypsum, 50%, wt wt^?1), a by‐product from the production of phosphate fertilizer, to improve the fly ash limitation. Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of the mixture on soil properties and rice (Oryza sativa) productivity in silt loam (SiL) and loamy sand (LS) soils to which 0 (FG 0), 20 (FG 20), 40 (FG 40), and 60 (FG 60) Mg ha^?1 were added. The mixture increased the amount of available silicate and exchangeable calcium (Ca) contents in the soils and the uptake of silicate by rice plant. The mixture did not result in accumulation of heavy metals in soil and an excessive uptake of heavy metals by the rice grain. The available boron content in soil increased with the mixture application levels up to 1.42 mg kg^?1 following the application of 60 Mg ha^?1 but did not show toxicity. The mixture increased significantly rice yield and showed the highest yields following the addition of 30–40 Mg ha^?1 in two soils. It is concluded that the fly ash and gypsum mixture could be a good source of inorganic soil amendments to restore the soil nutrient balance in rice paddy soil.