Relation between the initial nitrogen content of mushroom compost and the duration of composting

With a 3-day duration of Stage I of composting, an initial nitrogen (N) content of about 1.4% of the dry matter resulted in a shorter time in Stage II and a 14-day earlier start to cropping than a 2.4% N content. In 6 weeks cropping from each compost, the yields of mushrooms were similar.Following 13 and 23 days in Stage I, initial N content had little or no effect on the duration of Stage II or on the start of cropping, but the yield of mushrooms was greater from composts with the higher N content. These results support the proposition that with increasing duration of composting a higher initial N content of the compost is acceptable, and probably desirable, for preparing a successful compost.A direct relation between duration of composting and losses of water and dry matter from the compost was confirmed.The occurrence of Coprinus spp. (ink caps) fruit bodies during mushroom cropping was not a good indication of subsequent yield of mushrooms.     

The effect of intermittent irrigation with cold nutrient solution on the growth of tomato seedlings propagated in rockwool

Seedlings of tomato, cv. Counter, propagated in rockwool blocks were irrigated five times every 24 h with nutrient solution at 10°C or 18°C for up to three weeks. The mean block temperature was lowered by 3.5-4.0 degrees C by irrigation at 10°C. One week of irrigation at the lower temperature caused the seedlings to develop a characteristic dark purplish colour. This treatment reduced fresh weight and leaf area but not dry weight which suggests that water uptake was also reduced. Dry weight was reduced following two or more weeks of irrigation at 10°C. When seedlings which had been irrigated at 10°C were returned to irrigation at 18°C, the purple colour slowly disappeared and the percent dry matter decreased. When plants were grown on, the total yield of fruit was unaffected by these seedling treatments.     

丛枝菌根真菌对重茬草莓产量和品质的影响

于日光温室条件下,研究了丛枝菌根真菌Glomusmosseae(Nicol.&Gerd.)Gerd.&Trappe,GlomusintraradicesSchenck&Smith和Glomusversiforme(Karsten)Berch对重茬土壤中草莓生长、结实和品质的影响。结果表明,供试真菌在同一时期的侵染率不同,同一菌种在不同时期侵染率有较大区别;无论土壤消毒与否,它们均可促进草莓的生长发育,提早开花4～12d,显著提高草莓单果重、单株果数和单株产量,单株产量提高27.6%～39.5%,提早4～6d成熟,而且有利于草莓前期产量的形成。接种处理还提高了草莓果实中维生素C和糖的含量,降低了可滴定酸的含量,改善了草莓果实品质。其中以Glomusversiforme接种效应最大。     

The Effects of Nitrogen,Potassium and Sub-Irrigation on the Yield,Quality and Composition of Single-Truss Tomatoes

The effects of nitrogen and potassium on the growth of single-truss tomatoes and on the yield and quality of the fruit have been examined. Two successive crops of cv. Minicraigella were grown with sub-irrigation in a tiered-trough system, the troughs containing a 7:3:2 mixture of loam, peat and grit. Four concentrations of nitrogen in solution (100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm N) were tested in factorial combination with three concentrations of potassium (200, 300 and 400 ppm K), the treatments being replicated four times.

Plant height and leaf length increased markedly with N concentration, as also did the numbers of flowers and marketable fruits per plant, the mean weight per fruit and the total yield. Low N levels delayed harvesting. The proportion of unevenly ripened fruit decreased with increasing concentrations both of N and K. The percentage of hollow fruits was decreased by high K but increased with N concentration.

The titratable acidity of the expressed fruit juices increased significantly with N concentration (P<0.001) but was little affected by K treatment. The N concentration of the nutrient solution also largely controlled the percentage of K in the leaves and the total uptake of this nutrient. These unexpected results were attributed to stimulation of growth by N, leading to increased water requirement and hence to increased application of both N and K by the automatic sub-irrigation system.

The highest yields and best quality fruit were obtained with 250 ppm N and 400 ppm K in the solution, although lower concentrations of K might be preferable after continued cropping in the same compost.     

甜瓜有机生态型无土栽培基质的筛选

以金美丽甜瓜品种为试材,炉渣、菇渣、黄沙等为栽培基质材料,用发酵秸秆反应堆、复合肥代替营养液,进行甜瓜有机生态型无土栽培试验,分析比较5种配方组合基质对甜瓜生长、产量及品质的影响。结果表明,甜瓜无土栽培基质以泥炭∶珍珠岩∶菇渣∶炉渣(9∶3∶4∶4)+(2kg发酵生物秸秆反应堆+0.5kg复合肥)/m2配方最佳,在甜瓜幼苗生长期主蔓最长,采收后单果质量最大,相应的果实纵径、横径和果肉厚度均达到最大值,中心可溶性固形物为13.1%,折合667m2产量高达3264.3kg,显著高于对照和其他处理;其次为泥炭∶珍珠岩∶菇渣(9∶3∶8)+(2kg发酵生物秸秆反应堆+0.5kg复合肥)/m2配方。     

玉米秸秆、棉籽壳菇渣替代草炭作为番茄和甜椒育苗基质研究

利用腐熟玉米秸秆、棉籽壳菇渣与草炭和蛭石按照不同的比例组配成复合基质,进行番茄和甜椒穴盘育苗的结果表明：番茄穴盘苗培育以等体积的棉籽壳菇渣、草炭、蛭石混配基质的效果最好,其次是等体积玉米秸秆、草炭、蛭石混配的基质;玉米秸秆2 V、蛭石1 V 混配的基质适于甜椒穴盘育苗,其次是等体积的棉籽壳菇渣、草炭、蛭石混配的基质。合理使用腐熟玉米秸秆和棉籽壳菇渣可以减少草炭用量,改善基质理化性状,促进番茄和甜椒幼苗生长,培育优质壮苗。     

Effect of the duration of composting on the amount of compost produced and the yield of mushrooms

Prolonging duration of composting, especially of Stage II (peak-heating), increased loss of material, reduced bulk density and resulted in a lower weight of compost prepared per tonne of original straw,Yield of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) per tonne of prepared compost was unaffected by prolonging Stage II, but was reduced when expressed per unit area, per tonne of compost filled, or per tonne of original straw, because of loss of materials and reduced bulk density.Fruit bodies of a weed mould, Coprinus sp., were more numerous during mushroom cropping on composts which had been prepared with the shortest Stage II, but there was no correlation between occurrence of Coprinus sp. and the yield of mushrooms per tonne of prepared compost.A basis is proposed for comparing composts prepared by a wide variety of methods.     

Using mini-rockwool blocks as growing media for limited-cluster tomato production

Rockwool is an excellent growing medium for the hydroponic production of tomato; however, the standard size rockwool blocks [4 x 4 x 2.5 inches (10 x 10 x 6.3 cm) or 3 x 3 x 2.5 inches (7.5 x 7.5 x 6.3 cm)] are expensive. The following experiments were conducted with less expensive minirock wool blocks (MRBs), on rayon polyester material (RPM) as a bench top liner, to reduce the production cost of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown in a limited-cluster, ebb and flood hydroponic cultivation system. Fruit yield for single-cluster plants growing in MRBs [2 x 2 x 1.6 inches (5 x 5 x 4 cm) and 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches (4 x 4 x 4 cm)] was not significantly different from plants grown in larger sized blocks (3 x 3 x 2.5 inches). When the bench top was lined with RPM, roots penetrated the RPM, and an extensive root mat developed between the RPM and the bench top. The fruit yield from plants on RPM was significantly increased compared to plants without RPM due to increases in fruit size and fruit number. RPM also significantly reduced the incidence of blossom-end rot. In a second experiment, single- and double-cluster plants were grown on RPM. Fruit yield for double-cluster plants was 40% greater than for single-cluster plants due to an increase in fruit number, although the fruit were smaller in size. As in the first experiment, fruit yield for all plants grown in MRBs was not significantly different from plants grown in the larger sized blocks. MRBs and a RPM bench liner are an effective combination in the production of limited-cluster hydroponic tomatoes.     

A possible influence of pedicel dimensions on fruit size and yield in strawberry

During the investigation of factors affecting fruit size in strawberry, the physical characteristics of the fruiting structure were examined as a possible cause of size limitation in fruit. The greatest total weight of fruit which can be sustained at any one time on an inflorescence appeared to be related to the dimensions of the main peduncle. At this limit the fruit yield may be no more than half the potential fruit yield of the inflorescence, indicating that unless ripe berries are removed development of immature berries may be restricted or stopped.This implies that under conventional management high yields will require frequent picking to achieve full potential. Once-over cropping, as in mechanical harvesting, may entail accepting yields one half or less of those now being obtained by conventional hand picking.It is suggested that if evaporative losses from ripe berries can be reduced, as by cloching, tunnelling, windbreaks, or plant breeding for less permeable cell walls, increased yields might be expected.     

木本泥炭促进设施番茄生长和改良土壤的效果

针对设施菜田土壤连作障碍、蔬菜品质降低等问题,以北京郊区春大棚番茄为研究对象,通过基施木本泥炭及其他添加物料作土壤调理剂,研究其对番茄产量、品质以及设施土壤改良效果的影响。结果表明:木本泥炭+苛性钾处理较常规施肥处理番茄产量显著增加16.73%,果实VC含量显著增加55.77%,同时明显增加了耕层土壤速效磷、钾养分含量,提高了p H值,而单施木本泥炭、木本泥炭+米糠菌剂处理与常规施肥处理均无显著差异。施用木本泥炭及其他添加物料均有降低土壤表层盐分累积的趋势。综上,施用木本泥炭及其他配合物料对设施番茄生长以及土壤改良有良好的促进作用,其中木本泥炭+苛性钾处理效果最佳。     

几种低分子量有机酸对连作平邑甜茶幼苗光合与根系生长的影响

以平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）幼苗为试材,在盆栽条件下研究了田间实测浓度的有机酸（草酸、酒石酸、柠檬酸和苹果酸）对连作幼苗光合特性、叶片保护性酶活性以及根系生长的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,草酸可使平邑甜茶幼苗植株干质量和鲜质量分别增加 24.12%和35.72%。叶片净光合速率、气孔导度分别提高32.27%和76.58%。并显著提高了过氧化物酶（POD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性。酒石酸则降低了平邑甜茶幼苗叶片的气孔导度40.22%,SOD、POD活性亦显著降低。试验结果还表明,柠檬酸和苹果酸也促进了平邑甜茶幼苗的生长。综上,在本试验条件下,草酸能够减轻平邑甜茶幼苗连作障碍现象,酒石酸有加重连作障碍趋势,柠檬酸和苹果酸对连作障碍不明显。     

不同栽培基质配方对番茄生长效应的研究

以农业废弃物蘑菇渣和炉渣为主要原料,采用塑料篮子的栽培方式研究有机型基质配方对保护地主要栽培作物番茄苗期生长发育及生理特性的影响。结果表明:配方T5(草炭∶炉渣∶菇渣=1∶1∶2)基质理化性质良好,番茄植株长势良好,叶绿素含量、叶面积指数和根系活力均显著高于其他处理;单果质量、单株产量和667 m2产量均表现最好,显著高于其他处理,可推广应用。     

The effect of thermal environment,planting date and crown size on growth,development and yield of Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Elsanta

Summary

The effects of environmental conditions, planting date and crown size on the timing, intensity and duration of cropping in the strawberry Fragaria × ananassa cv. Elsanta were investigated. Temperature was positively correlated with the rate of progress to fruiting whereas crown size had no effect. The first fruit reached harvest maturity after an estimated 891 day-degrees had elapsed above a base temperature of 2.9°C for waiting bed plants and 831 day-degrees above a base temperature of 2.4°C for cold stored plants. Temperature was negatively correlated with total yield, berry number and average berry weight for both waiting bed and cold stored plants of different crown sizes. Yield, berry number and average berry weight were positively correlated with crown size. The effect of temperature on the yield components appeared to be due to its effect on vegetative growth of the plants: canopy development was more limited at warmer temperatures. These results can be used to generate models to predict the effect of growth environment on cropping in strawberry.     

Cropping of mushrooms on shallow layers of compost

An inverse relation between quantity of compost per unit bed area and yield of mushrooms per unit weight has been found for mushrooms grown on layers of compost 2.5–12.5 cm deep. The average increase in yield per 1 000 kg of compost was 8.3 kg of mushrooms for each centimeter reduction in depth. The feasibility of a mushroom cropping system based on thin layers has been examined and several factors likely to be important in its development have been identified.     

蘑菇渣和园林废物堆肥复配基质在黄瓜育苗上的应用效果

以腐熟的蘑菇渣堆肥、园林修剪废物堆肥、草炭、蛭石为原料,通过将蘑菇渣堆肥与园林废物堆肥以不同比例替代草炭后对复配基质的理化特性及普通白菜生长的影响筛选出适宜的配方,并以草炭∶蛭石=7 V∶3 V为对照,探讨该配方对黄瓜幼苗生长指标的影响。结果表明,蘑菇渣堆肥∶园林废物堆肥∶草炭∶蛭石=3 V∶4 V∶7 V∶6 V为最佳基质配方;受EC值过高的影响,蘑菇渣堆肥和园林废物堆肥替代草炭最大比例不宜超过40 %;所获配方基质培育出的黄瓜幼苗株高、茎粗、干物质积累和壮苗指数等指标均显著优于对照。     

Vermicompost as a substitute for peat in potting media: Effects on germination,biomass allocation,yields and fruit quality of three tomato varieties

Commercial potting media often contain substantial amounts of peat that was mined from endangered bog and fen ecosystems. The main objectives of this study were to assess (1) whether the amendment of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% (v/v) of vermicompost (VC) to a fertilized commercial peat potting substrate has effects on the emergence, growth and biomass allocation of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) under greenhouse conditions, (2) whether possible impacts on seedlings can affect tomato yields and fruit quality even when transplanted into equally fertilized field soil, and (3) whether effects are consistent among different tomato varieties. Amended VC was produced in a windrow system of food and cotton waste mainly by earthworms Eisenia fetida Sav. Vermicompost amendments significantly influenced, specifically for each tomato variety, emergence and elongation of seedlings. Biomass allocation (root:shoot ratio) was affected by VC amendments for two varieties in seedling stage and one field-grown tomato variety. Marketable and total yields of field tomatoes were not affected by VC amendments used for seedling husbandry. However, morphological (circumference, dry matter content, peel firmness) and chemical fruit parameters (contents of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, l-ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose) were significantly affected by VC amendments in seedling substrates; these effects again were specific for each tomato variety. Overall, vermicompost could be an environmentally friendly substitute for peat in potting media with similar or beneficial effects on seedling performance and fruit quality. However, at least for tomatoes, variety-specific responses should be considered when giving recommendations on the optimum proportion of vermicompost amendment to horticultural potting substrate.     

The water requirement of the mushroom crop

Experiments are described in which it was attempted to quantify the water requirement of the mushroom crop for maximum yield.The amount of water applied was positively correlated with crop weight from about the second week of cropping and increasing the amount of water applied reduced the drying of the compost and casing during cropping. The watering treatments affected the character of the mushroom mycelium developing in the casing layer.The amount of water required to maintain the percentage water content of compost and casing unchanged throughout cropping can be calculated from an equation representing the overall balance of water applied to, and lost from, the mushroom trays.     

Salinity effects on strawberry plants grown in rockwool. II. Fruit quality

Fruit development and quality in strawberry cv. Rapella were influenced by salinity (+NaCl) treatments applied to the roots of plants growing in rockwool under heated glasshouse conditions. As salinity increased from 2.5 to 8.5 mS cm-1, fruit yield decreased. Analysis of the fruit showed that the reduction in yield was due to reduced water content, reflected by increasing dry matter percentage (8.32% at 2.5 to 9.78% at 8.5 mS cm-1). The concentration of reducing sugars and acids remained the same on a dry-weight basis after salinity treatment but, on a fresh weight basis, the decreasing water content increased their relative concentrations. Salinity levels had no significant effect on instrumental texture and colour measurements. Sensory evaluation of the colour, texture and flavour of strawberries showed significant differences in colour and flavour but no difference in texture.     

功能性堆肥及其浸提液在设施温室甜瓜栽培上的应用研究

以甜瓜蜜世界为试材,采用单因素完全随机设计,研究了功能性堆肥及其浸提液对甜瓜生长指标、叶绿素荧光参数、品质、单果质量及产量的影响,探讨堆肥及其浸提液在设施温室甜瓜栽培上的应用效果．为其在植物生产上的应用提供依据。结果表明,堆肥及其浸提液促进根系发育,有利于甜瓜叶面积、茎粗和株高的增加及叶片叶绿素的累积;显著提高qP,对Fv／Fm影响不显著;促进果实营养物质的累积,提高产量且改善品质;使甜瓜提前上市5-6d;降低施肥量63．28％以上,进而减少肥料成本42．86％。