Antioxidant activity of flavonoids isolated from young green barley leaves toward biological lipid samples

Natural plant flavonoids, saponarin/lutonarin=4.5/1, isolated from young green barley leaves were examined for their antioxidant activity using cod liver oil, omega-3 fatty acids, phospholipids, and blood plasma. The saponarin/lutonarin (S/L) mixture inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation from cod liver oil by 76.47+/-0.11% at a level of 1 micromol and 85.88+/-0.12% at a level of 8 micromol. The S/L mixture inhibited MA formation from the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 45.60+/-1.08 and 69.24+/-0.24%, respectively, at a level of 8 micromol. The S/L mixture inhibited MA formation from the phospholipids lecithin I and II by 43.08+/-0.72 and 69.16+/-2.92%, respectively, at a level of 8 micromol. It also inhibited MA formation from blood plasma by 62.20+/-0.11% at a level of 8 micromol. The antioxidant activities obtained from the S/L mixture were comparable to those obtained from alpha-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) in all lipids tested.     

Antioxidant properties of pearled barley fractions

Two barley varieties (Falcon and AC Metcalfe) were separated by pearling into seven fractions and subsequently extracted with 80% methanol. The extracts, after solvent removal, were evaluated for their radical scavenging efficacy using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The radical scavenging capacity of the extracts was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC(FL)), and superoxide radical assays and a photoinduced chemiluminescence technique. In both barley varieties the outermost fraction (F1) yielded the highest phenolic content. In general, Falcon had a significantly higher total phenolic content than AC Metcalfe. A similar trend was observed for TEAC, DPPH, and superoxide radical scavenging capacities of the extracts. The contents of water-soluble antioxidants of Falcon and AC Metcalfe were 1.15-12.98 and 2.20-12.25 micromol of Trolox equiv/(g of defatted material), while the corresponding lipid-soluble counterparts varied from 1.44 to 4.70 micromol of alpha-tocopherol equiv/(g of defatted material). Phenolic acids, namely, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids, were identified by HPLC in barley fractions.     

Flavonoids with potent antioxidant activity found in young green barley leaves

Saponarin, a flavonoid found in young green barley leaves, possesses potent antioxidant activities, which are determined by its inhibition of malonaldehyde (MA) formation from various lipids oxidized by UV light or Fenton's reagent. Lipids used were squalene, ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, ethyl arachidonate, octadecatetraenoic acid (ODTA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), cod liver oil, lecithin I, lecithin II, and blood plasma. The addition of saponarin inhibited the formation of MA from squalene upon UV irradiation at the level of 2 μmol/mL by almost 100%, whereas BHT inhibited its formation by 75% at the same level. Saponarin showed potent antioxidant activity toward fatty acid ethyl esters at levels >100 μg/mL. Saponarin inhibited MA formation in ODTA by 60%, in EPA by 50%, and in DHA by 43% at the level of 15 μmol/mL. Saponarin exhibited strong antioxidant activities with dose-response levels toward cod liver oil and lipoproteins (lecithins I and II), higher than those of α-tocopherol. A mixture of saponarin/lutonarin (4.5:1, w/w) inhibited MA formation appreciably from all lipids tested with dose response. This mixture exhibited highest effect toward cod liver oil (86%), followed by DHA, lecithin II, blood plasma, EPA, and lecithin I. Supplementation of young green barley leaves containing saponarin should be beneficial to health and may prevent diseases caused by oxidative damage such as various cancers, inflammations, and cardiovascular diseases.     

不同肥料处理对麦绿素专用大麦嫩叶产量和品质的影响

研究了不同肥料处理(有机肥、有机肥+海藻肥、有机肥+菌肥、有机肥+化肥、化肥)对麦绿素用大麦产量和有关品质性状的影响。结果表明,有机肥基施配合追施化肥三期鲜叶总产和品质性状优于单施有机肥和化肥处理,嫩叶蛋白质、SOD酶、叶绿素及氨基酸含量显著高于其它处理;单施化肥干物质积累虽略高于有机肥基肥配合追施化肥,但嫩叶Vc含量显著较低;追施海藻肥、菌肥产量显著低于有机肥基肥配合追施化肥。     

Distribution of microbial biomass across the rhizosphere of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in soils

Summary The microbial activity at the soil-root interface (rhizosphere) of barley was examined using a rhizobox system. In this system, the soil was placed in several compartments separated from each other by a 500-mesh nylon cloth. Plants were grown in the central compartment and after a 2-month growing period the roots were still confined to this compartment. The soil from each compartment was then analyzed for ATP, NO₃ ^/–, total N, total C and CO₂ production. The increase in ATP concentration was found in a range of 4 mm around the roots. The ATP content and CO₂ production across the rhizosphere were correlated in all the soils used, but changes in NO₃ ^– were not correlated with ATP changes. The range of NO₃ ^– change was wider than that of the ATP change, indicating that NO₃ ^– production is not influenced by the biological activity in the rhizosphere.     

基于生物质灰的屋顶绿化基质加强层工艺优化

屋顶绿化可有效减少城市径流,减缓热岛效应和温室效应.为了解决屋顶绿化散体基质施工难度大、成本高等问题,该研究以生物质灰为主要原材料,辅以小麦秸秆和污泥,压缩为屋顶绿化基质底部加强层,并分别从粘结剂优选、配合比优化和压缩工艺参数优化3个方面对基质加强层的抗破坏强度进行了研究.结果表明:1)添加比例为4％的黄原胶对生物质灰...     

长期冬种绿肥改变红壤稻田土壤微生物生物量特性

以进行了31年的双季稻-冬绿肥长期定位试验的红壤性水稻土为对象,研究了长期冬种绿肥条件下土壤微生物生物量特性的季节变化,为阐释冬绿肥措施在稻田生态系统土壤碳氮转化中的作用机制提供理论基础。试验包括双季稻-紫云英(RRV)、双季稻-冬油菜(RRP)、双季稻-黑麦草(RRG)及双季稻-冬闲(RRF)4个处理,在典型时期(绿肥盛花期、绿肥翻压后、早稻成熟期、晚稻收获后)采集土壤样品,分析土壤微生物生物量碳氮及微生物商等方面的变化。结果表明,3种冬绿肥均提高了土壤微生物生物量碳(SMBC)、微生物生物量氮(SMBN)和微生物商,在土壤性质相对稳定的晚稻收获后均显著高于对照处理,全年平均值也多显著高于对照处理。豆科绿肥紫云英对SMBC和SMBN的提高作用最显著,晚稻收获后相对冬闲分别提高了21.12%和98.45%,全年平均值分别提高了15.92%和36.49%。取样时期对SMBC、SMBN和微生物商有较大的影响,但变化趋势基本一致,即绿肥翻压前后无明显变化,早稻成熟期降至最低,至晚稻收获后再次上升。SMBC/SMBN比值在不同绿肥处理间差异不大,但有明显的季节变化,早稻成熟期较高而晚稻收获后降低。因此,南方稻田冬种绿肥后土壤微生物特性明显改善,冬种绿肥是提升稻田土壤肥力的高效措施。     

连年翻压绿肥对植烟土壤微生物量及酶活性的影响

通过3年田间定位试验,研究连年翻压绿肥对植烟土壤微生物量碳、氮及酶活性的影响。结果表明,连年翻压绿肥能提高土壤微生物量碳、氮及土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶的活性,且随翻压年限的增加而增加。整个生育期,翻压3年绿肥的处理与对照相比微生物量碳、氮分别提高31.0%~67.1%、23.0%~145.1%;土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶活性分别提高34.4%~51.9%、11.0%~18.6%、58.0%~172.7%、24.0%~50.0%,表明翻压绿肥后土壤生物过程活跃,利于有机物质的转化和烤烟正常生长所需的营养供应。动态变化特征表明,翻压绿肥1、2、3年的各处理微生物量碳、氮均在团棵期出现峰值,土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶均在旺长期出现峰值。在出现峰值时翻压3年的处理与对照相比微生物量碳、氮分别提高67.1%、60.7%;土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶活性分别提高51.9%、14.2%、30.6%。此时正值生育旺期,利于烟株生长发育,说明连年翻压绿肥后培肥土壤效果显著。土壤微生物量C、N和酶活性能灵敏反映土壤肥力的变化,可作为评价土壤质量的生物学指标。     

Organic matter and microbial biomass in a soil incubated in the field for 20 years with 14C-labelled barley straw

¹⁴C-labelled barley straw was incubated under field conditions in a sandy soil. After 8 yr, 16% of the labelled C added remained in the soil; after 20 yr 9.3%. During the 8 to 20 yr period the labelled organic matter in the soil decayed at a rate corresponding to a half life of 15 yr. The percentage of residual labelled C in amino acids remained almost constant during the period, being on average 21%. The soil contained 1.9% native C in organic matter; during the 8 to 20 yr period this decayed at a rate corresponding to a half life of 91 yr. The percentage of native C in amino acids increased significantly, from about 14% to about 16%.During the 8 to 20 yr period, microbial biomass was determined yearly by the chloroform fumigation technique. The proportion of total labelled C in biomass remained nearly constant during this period, on average 2.7%. Labelled C in biomass decreased at a rate corresponding to a half life of 8 yr. The native biomass increased during the same period from 0.7 to 1.4% of the total native soil C.As measured by CO₂ produced during periods of 3 months, laboratory incubation increased the rate of decay of the labelled organic matter by a factor of 1.2 and that of the native organic matter by a factor of 4.3.     

Dynamics of microbial biomass and soil fauna in two contrasting soils cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary This study compared the dynamics of shoots, roots, microbial biomass and faunal populations in two different soils cropped to barley. The dynamics of microbial C, protozoa, nematodes, acari, collembola, shoot and root mass were measured between July and October under barley at Ellerslie (Black Chernozem, Typic Cryoboroll) and Breton (Gray Luvisol, Typic Cryoboralf) in central Alberta. Very wet soil conditions in early July reduced the barley yield at Breton. The peak shoot mass was greater at Ellerslie (878 g m^–2) compared to Breton (582 g m^–2), but the root mass did not differ significantly between sites. Microbial C at 0–30 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (127 g m^–2) than Breton (68 g m^–2). The average protozoa population (no. m^–2) did not differ significantly between sites. The average nematode population at 0–20 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (5.1 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) compared to Breton (1.0 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) Acari and collembola populations at 0–10 cm depth at Ellerslie (43 × 10³ and 43 × 10² no. m^–2), respectively) were greater than at Breton (2 × 10⁴ and 9 × 10² no. m^–2) respectively). Tenday laboratory incubations of 0–10 cm soil samples from Ellerslie evolved more CO₂-C (120 g g^–1 soil) compared to samples from Breton (97 g g^–1 soil), but the CO₂-C evolution did not differ when expressed on an area basis (g m^–2) due to the greater soil bulk density at Breton. The soil from Breton respired twice as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of soil C and 1.5 times as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of microbial C, compared to the soil from Ellerslie. The greater CO₂-C: microbial C ratio, lower flush C:N ratio, and greater protozoa population: soil C ratio at Breton compared to Ellerslie suggest that the food web was relatively more active at Breton and was related to greater C availability and water availability at Breton.     

Immobilization of sulphur-35, microbial biomass and arylsulphatase activity in soils from field-grown rape,barley and fallow

Soils under rape, barley and fallow were monitored for S immobilization, microbial biomass and arylsulphatase (ARS) activity. These soils were regularly collected in the field every fortnight from mid-April to the end of June 2001. Then, they were incubated for 1 week at 25°C with carrier-free ³⁵S (Na₂³⁵SO₄). The results showed significant correlation of both immobilized ³⁵S ( r =0.94, P <0.001) and ARS ( r =0.79, P <0.001) with microbial biomass-³⁵S (MB-³⁵S) but not with microbial biomass-C (MB-C). Therefore, only a fraction of MB-C was involved in the immobilization of ³⁵S and hence the release of ARS. In addition, positive correlations appeared between hot water-soluble C (HW-C), ³⁵S immobilization, MB-³⁵S and ARS, indicating the pivotal role of HW-C in regulating S immobilization and turnover. The mean percentage values of immobilized ³⁵S, MB-³⁵S and ARS were higher in soil from the fallow, followed by soils from barley and rape. However, under culture, the mean values of ARS per unit of MB-³⁵S showed the decreasing order: soil from rape (0.58)>soil from barley (0.46)>soil from fallow (0.34). It is concluded that microorganisms under rape were most efficient in producing ARS, a strategy used to cope with the SO₄^2--S limiting conditions.     

Antioxidant effects of water extracts from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) prepared under different roasting temperatures

The antioxidant effects of water extracts of roasted barley (WERB) were investigated under different roasting temperatures and compared with those of the water extracts of unroasted barley (WEUB). It was found that the Maillard reaction products increased upon increasing the roasting temperatures. Both WERB and WEUB exhibited significant antioxidant activities in linoleic acid and liposome model systems. Although WERB and WEUB afforded considerable protection against the damage of deoxyribose and proteins, the antioxidant efficiency of roasted samples was weaker than that of unroasted samples because of the reduction of antioxidant components (catechin, tocopherol, and lutein) with increasing roasting temperature. Unroasted samples were more effective in reducing power, quenching free radical, hydroxyl radical, and chelating iron than the roasted samples. The different antioxidant activity among roasted and unroasted barley samples may be partly attributed to the changes in catechin, tocopherol, and lutein contents.     

Lead in women's and children's vitamins

A survey was conducted to determine the extent of lead (Pb) contamination in vitamins labeled for use by women and children. The Pb content of 324 multivitamin-mineral products was determined using microwave assisted nitric acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cryogenic grinding was used to composite soft samples such as oil filled capsules and candy-like products such as gummies and jelly beans. Estimates of Pb exposures from consumption of these products were derived for four population groups: young children (0-6 yrs), older children (7+ yrs), pregnant or lactating women, and adult women. The estimated median and maximum Pb exposures were 0.123 and 2.88 microg/day for young children, 0.356 and 1.78 microg/day for older children, 0.845 and 8.97 microg/day for pregnant and lactating women, and 0.842 and 4.92 microg/day for adult women. The overall median value for Pb exposure was 0.576 microg/day. Five samples would have provided exposures that exceeded 4 microg/day. Estimates of exposures were assessed with respect to safe/tolerable exposure levels that have been developed for the specific age and sex groups. These safe/tolerable levels are referred to as the provisional total tolerable intake levels (PTTI) and are 6, 15, 25, and 75 microg Pb/day for young children, older children, pregnant or lactating women, and adult women, respectively. Estimates of Pb exposures were below the PTTI levels for the four population groups. Median and maximum values were used instead of the mean and standard deviation because of the skewed distribution of results toward lower mass fraction and exposure.     

Relationships of barley biomass and grain yields to soil properties within a field in the arid region: Use of factor analysis

Abstract

Understanding the variability of soil properties and their effects on crop yield is a critical component of site-specific management systems. The objective of this study was to employ factor and multiple regression analyses to determine major soil physical and chemical properties that influence barely biomass and grain yield within a field in the arid region of northern Iran. For this purpose, soil samples and crop-yield data were collected from 108 sites, at regular intervals (20×30 m) in a 5.6 ha field. Soil samples were analysed for total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P_ava), available potassium (K_ava), cation-exchange capacity(CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, mean weight diameter of aggregates (MWD), water-stable aggregates (WSA), field capacity volumetric (FC), available water-holding capacity (AWHC), bulk density (BD), and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE). Results of the factor analysis, followed by regression of biomass and grain yield of barley with soil properties, showed that the regression equations developed accounted for 78 and 73% of the total variance in biomass and grain yield, respectively. Study of covariance analysis among soil variables using factor analysis indicated that some of the variation measured could be grouped to indicate a number of underlying common factors influencing barley biomass and grain yields. These common factors were salinity and sodicity, soil fertility, and water availability. The most effective soil variables to barley production in the study area identified as EC, SAR, pH, TN, P_ava, AWHC, and FC. In this study, factor analysis was effective to identify the groups of correlated soil variables that were significantly correlated with the within field variability in the yield of the barley crop. Our results also suggest that the approach can be applied to other crops under similar soil and agroclimatic conditions.     

Hydroxycinnamic acids and ferulic acid dehydrodimers in barley and processed barley

Hydroxycinnamic acid content and ferulic acid dehydrodimer content were determined in 11 barley varieties after alkaline hydrolysis. Ferulic acid (FA) was the most abundant hydroxycinnamate with concentrations ranging from 359 to 624 microg/g dry weight. p-Coumaric acid (PCA) levels ranged from 79 to 260 microg/g dry weight, and caffeic acid was present at concentrations of <19 microg/g dry weight. Among the ferulic acid dehydrodimers that were identified, 8-O-4'-diFA was the most abundant (73-118 microg/g dry weight), followed by 5,5'-diFA (26-47 microg/g dry weight), the 8,5'-diFA benzofuran form (22-45 microg/g dry weight), and the 8,5'-diFA open form (10-23 microg/g dry weight). Significant variations (p < 0.05) among the different barley varieties were observed for all the compounds that were quantified. Barley grains were mechanically fractionated into three fractions: F1, fraction consisting mainly of the husk and outer layers; F2, intermediate fraction; and F3, fraction consisting mainly of the endosperm. Fraction F1 contained the highest concentration for ferulic acid (from 77.7 to 82.3% of the total amount in barley grain), p-coumaric acid (from 78.0 to 86.3%), and ferulic acid dehydrodimers (from 79.2 to 86.8%). Lower contents were found in fraction F2, whereas fraction F3 exhibited the lowest percentages (from 1.2 to 1.9% for ferulic acid, from 0.9 to 1.7% for p-coumaric acid, and <0.02% for ferulic acid dehydrodimers). The solid barley residue from the brewing process (brewer's spent grain) was approximately 5-fold richer in ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid dehydrodimers than barley grains.     

Suppressing methane emission and global warming potential from rice fields through intermittent drainage and green biomass amendment

Winter cover crops are recommended to improve soil quality and carbon sequestration, although their use as green manure can significantly increase methane (CH₄) emission from paddy soils. Soil management practices can be used to reduce CH₄ emission from paddy soils, but intermittent drainage is regarded as a key practice to reduce CH₄ emission and global warming potential (GWP). However, significantly greater emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are expected when large amounts of cover crop biomass are incorporated into soils. In this study, we investigated the effects of midseason drainage on CH₄ emission and GWP following incorporation of 0, 3, 6 and 12 Mg/ha of cover crop biomass. Methane, CO₂ and N₂O emission rates significantly (P < 0.05) increased with higher rates of cover crop biomass incorporation under both irrigation conditions. However, intermittent drainage effectively reduced seasonal CH₄ fluxes by ca. 42–46% and GWP by 17–31% compared to continuous flooding. Moreover, there were no significant differences in rice yield between the two water management practices with similar biomass incorporation rates. In conclusion, intermittent drainage and incorporation of 3 Mg/ha of green biomass could be a good management option to reduce GWP.     

Antioxidant and antiradical activities in extracts of hazelnut kernel (Corylus avellana L.) and hazelnut green leafy cover

Phenolic compounds in the aqueous systems were extracted, from hazelnut kernel (HK) and hazelnut green leafy cover (HGLC), with 80% (v/v) ethanol (HKe and HGLCe) or 80% (v/v) acetone (HKa and HGLCa). The extracts were examined for their phenolic and condensed tannin contents and phenolic acid profiles (free and esterified fractions) as well as antioxidant and antiradical activities by total antioxidant activity (TAA), antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system, scavenging of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical, and reducing power. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the contents of total phenolics, condensed tannins, and TAA existed among the extracts that were examined. HGLCa extract had the highest content of total phenolics (201 mg of catechin equivalents/g of extract), condensed tannins (542 mg of catechin equivalents/g of extract), and TAA (1.29 mmol of Trolox equivalents/g of extract) followed by HGLCe, HKa, and HKe extracts, respectively. Five phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) were tentatively identified and quantified, among which gallic acid was the most abundant in both free and esterified forms. The order of antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system, the scavenging effect on DPPH radical, and the reducing power in all extracts were in the following order: HGLCa > HGLCe > HKa > HKe. These results suggest that both 80% ethanol and acetone are capable of extracting phenolics, but 80% acetone was a more effective solvent for the extraction process. HGLC exhibited stronger antioxidant and antiradical activities than HK itself in both extracts and could potentially be considered as an inexpensive source of natural antioxidants.     

绿肥压青对粉垄稻田土壤微生物量碳和有机碳累积矿化量的影响

绿肥压青还田是调控现代集约化稻田土壤逆境的重要手段,为评估绿肥压青下粉垄耕作对稻田土壤微生物量碳和土壤有机碳累积矿化量的影响,设置早稻粉垄耕作与常规耕作2种耕作模式,不施肥和同等肥力条件下施化肥、单倍绿肥配施化肥和双倍绿肥配施化肥4种施肥处理,晚稻免耕常规施用化肥,开展双季稻周年大田应用试验。结果表明:单倍绿肥压青下,粉垄耕作能提高稻田土壤微生物量碳含量,可达常规耕作的2倍,能有效增加微生物对土壤碳素的利用率。增加绿肥压青量会提高粉垄耕作稻田土壤有机碳累积矿化量和矿化潜力,与施用化肥相比,单倍绿肥压青下早晚稻分别增加1.6%～32.8%和0.6%～16.6%,双倍绿肥压青下分别增加58.6%～70.9%和29.6%～38.4%。粉垄单倍绿肥压青会降低免耕晚稻齐穗期、收获期土壤呼吸强度,较常规耕作分别降低33.4%和38.7%,较粉垄耕作其他处理降低8.5%～31.4%。单倍绿肥压青下粉垄稻田土壤代谢商较常规耕作累积降低65.5%,与常耕相比,粉垄双倍绿肥压青和粉垄单一化肥的土壤代谢商分别累积增加20.3%和159.2%,粉垄双倍绿肥压青可有效缓解土壤代谢商的提升。微生物量碳含量与有机碳矿化激发效应呈负相关,绿肥压青还田下相关系数达0.44;累积矿化量和代谢商呈极显著正相关,粉垄耕作下相关系数达0.59。可见,绿肥粉垄耦合的模式可作为一种增加稻田土壤微生物量碳含量、减少部分生育时期土壤呼吸强度,增强土壤碳库稳定性及碳固持的重要调控技术措施。     

Antioxidant properties of green tea extract protect reduced fat soft cheese against oxidation induced by light exposure

The effect of two different antioxidants, EDTA and green tea extract (GTE), used individually or in combination, on the light-induced oxidation of reduced fat soft cheeses (0.2 and 6% fat) was investigated. In samples with 0.2% fat, lipid hydroperoxides as primary lipid oxidation products were not detected, but their interference was suggested from the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products such as hexanal and heptanal. The occurrence of these oxidation markers was inhibited by spiking with 50 ppm EDTA or 750 ppm GTE, or a combination of the two prior to irradiation. In contrast, addition of 50 ppm EDTA to samples with 6% fat was ineffective, but 750 ppm GTE (alone or in combination with EDTA) strongly reduced levels of hexanal and heptanal. Accumulation of primary lipid hydroperoxides was not affected by GTE, hence antioxidative activity was ascribed to scavenging of hexanal and heptanal precursors. These radical intermediates result from hydroperoxide disintegration, and subsequent scavenging by GTE, which acts as a radical sink, corroborates the intense signal observed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.     

Effects of animal manure application and crop plants upon size and activity of soil microbial biomass under organically grown spring barley

Temporal behaviour of microbial biomass C, N and respiration was measured under barley crops in two experiments on successive years in a recently converted organic production system in Scotland. Soils were fertilised with farmyard manure or poultry manure. Control soils received no manure at the start of the growing season. The effects of plants was also investigated by maintaining fallow subplots. C-flush values approximately doubled over the growing season in both years of the trial, showing a decline to pre-sowing values between the two seasons. This occurred in all soils, whether manured or not, or planted or fallow. Manure tended to increase the C-flush in the 2nd year only. N-flush in the 2nd year showed no increase in planted control plots but did increase in fallow soils. Manures significantly increased the N-flush. Respiration rates were stimulated by the presence of plants. Respiration rates were measured from soils taken from the field at post-sowing, mid-season and post-harvest occasions and incubated under constant conditions for up to 1 year. Here there was evidence that the effects of sampling and adjusting the moisture status could be as great upon microbial activity as the addition of the manures. C-flush also showed a consistent and persistent increase in these incubated soils. This suggests that the fundamental C-supplying characteristics of these soils was such that the biomass was moving towards a new equilibrium value fuelled by the relatively recent introduction of the organic farming regime. Received: 27 February 1996