Nutrient release pattern of organic and inorganic resources used in cassava production (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

The major constraint in the promotion of organic farming, a safe and sustainable alternative, is lack of availability of quality organic resources in sufficient quantities. The quality of resources can be ascertained by monitoring its nutrient release pattern, which has not yet been attempted. A controlled condition pot experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India, in completely randomized design to study the nutrient dynamics of various organic and inorganic resources, commonly used in cassava production, at monthly intervals up to six months. The release of almost all nutrients and activity of soil enzymes were higher at the middle (3 or 4?months) of the incubation period. The pH showed an increasing trend and electrical conductivity, organic C and Fe content declined from initial. Averaging over stages, organic practice favored the activity of soil enzymes and release of almost all nutrients over conventional system significantly, except N.     

Synergistic effect of bio-inoculants on yield,nodulation and nutrient uptake of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) under rainfed conditions

The use of efficient bio-inoculants in chickpea is the best way to increase crop productivity under rainfed conditions. To assess the combined effect of bio-inoculants on crop yield, field experiments were conducted during Rabi seasons at Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Ballowal Saunkhri, Punjab, India. The application of different bio-inoculants significantly improved number of pods, grain and straw yield of chickpea over the un-inoculated treatment. The combined application of Rhizobium + PSB?+?AM fungi?+?azotobactor inoculums as seed treatment with 75% of recommended phosphorus produced highest grain yield. The nodule count, nodule weight, per cent root colonization of AM fungi and different enzymes activities in soil were also highest in combined bio-inoculants treatment. The present study concluded that combined application of bio-inoculants (Rhizobium, PSB, AM fungi and azotobactor) can save 25% of recommended phosphorus by sustaining the crop yield and improving the soil health.     

The effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on nutrient uptake and yield of alley-cropped cassava in a degraded Alfisol of southwestern Nigeria

Leaf and root (tuber) nutrient uptake patterns of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) alley-cropped with gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), and senna [(Senna (syn. Cassia) siamea] as influenced by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation in a degraded Alfisol were investigated in consecutive years. The cassava plants were mulched with fresh prunings of each hedgerow tree species at 2-month intervals in the second and third years of alley cropping. While VAM inoculation significantly influenced the root uptake of nutrients, the leaf uptake was not affected except for the uptake of P. In most cases, there was no difference in the nutrient concentration between inoculated and uninoculated plants, either in the leaf or in the root, indicating that the productivity of cassava was regulated by the amount of nutrients the roots could absorb. In spite of similar total soil N in all inoculated and uninoculated alley-cropped cassava plots and similar exchange-able soil K contents in inoculated and uninoculated alley-cropped cassava plots with leucaena and senna, greater uptake of N, P, and K and greater concentrations of K were observed in roots of inoculated alley-cropped cassava with gliricidia and leucaena than with senna. These results indicated that greater mineralization and availability of nutrients to cassava roots from prunings of nodulating gliricidia and leucaena than from non-nodulating senna may be important, particularly with efficient VAM inoculation, in these alley-cropping systems. Also, for similar nutrients in the inoculated and uninoculated cassava soils alley-cropped with each hedgerow species, VAM inoculation significantly enhanced cassava root dry weights, indicating that an effective VAM fungus can be an agent of greater nutrient uptake in a competitive environment.     

Effects of microbial inoculations on soil chemical,biochemical and microbial biomass carbon of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) growing Vertisols

Cassava is an important subsidiary food in the tropics. In Tamil Nadu, India, microbial cultures were used to eradicate the tuberous root rot of cassava. Hence, an experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to test the effects of coinoculation of microbes on soil properties. The surface soil from the experimental site was analysed for soil available nutrients, soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended N:P₂O₅:K₂O (NPK) rate (50:25:50 kg ha^?1) significantly increased soil available nitrogen (142.81 kg ha^?1) by 72.66% over uninoculated control. There was a significant increase in available phosphorus in soil by the inoculation of AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate (41.04 kg ha^?1) compared to other treatments. The application of Pseudomonas fluorescens with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased available iron (19.34 µg g^?1) in soil. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma increased urease enzyme activity at the recommended NPK rate (816.32 μg urea hydrolyzed g^?1 soil h^?1). Soil application of all cultures at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased dehydrogenase activity (88.63 μg TPF g^?1 soil) and β-glucosidase activity (48.82 μg PNP g^?1 soil) in soil. Inoculation of Trichoderma alone at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (3748.85 μg g^?1 soil). Thus, the microbial inoculations significantly increased soil available nutrient contents, enzyme activities such as urease, dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity and microbial biomass carbon by reducing the amount of the required fertilizer.     

Effect of PGPR,Phosphate sources and vermicompost on growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce in a calcareous soil

In order to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), vermicompost and phosphate sources on the growth and nutrients uptake by lettuce, a greenhouse experiments was conducted. Treatments consisted of PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) (with and without inoculation), vermicompost (0 and 1% w/w) and phosphate sources (control, rock phosphate (RP), tricalcium phosphate and triple super phosphate (TSP) at 25 mg P kg^?1 level). Biological fertilizers, RP and TSP significantly increased shoot dry matter (SDM) and some measured nutrients uptake. Co-application of PGPR and RP, in non-vermicompost treatments significantly increased SDM, shoot nitrogen, phosphorus (P), potassium, zinc and manganese uptake rates. Shoot P uptake had no significant difference between TSP and RP treatments. Co-application of PGPR, vermicompost and TSP significantly decreased SDM, which may be due to the P toxic levels in the plant aerial parts and/or the inhibition of the bacterial activities in the rhizosphere soil.     

不同氮磷钾处理对木薯产量、 养分积累、 利用及经济效益的影响

于2010和2011年,以木薯品种华南205（SC205）为试验材料,采用3414方案设计,研究了氮磷钾不同施肥处理对木薯产量、 养分积累利用和经济效益的影响,并通过多元回归建立红壤旱地木薯的施肥效益方程。结果表明,施肥处理的鲜薯产量显著高于不施肥处理; 缺氮处理的鲜薯产量显著低于缺磷和缺钾处理,对鲜薯产量的影响N＞K2O＞P2O5; 施肥处理中以N2P2K2处理的鲜薯产量、 鲜薯淀粉含量、 鲜生物量、 养分收获指数和经济效益最高,而产投比以N2P2K0处理最高,N1P2K1处理其次,N2P2K3处理最小。木薯植株养分积累总量K2O＞N＞P2O5,平均100 kg鲜薯养分需求量分别为1.00、 0.91和0.11 kg,平均养分收获指数分别为0.53、 0.33和0.46。相关分析表明,木薯产量与施氮量呈极显著正相关,与施钾量呈显著正相关,与施磷量相关不显著。在本试验条件下,三元二次方程拟合结果表明,达到经济最佳产量时的氮、 磷、 钾施用量分别为205.37、 65.43和311.30 kg/hm2,产投比为6.23。     

Effect of biofertilizers on the nutrient availability in soil in relation to growth,yield and yield attributes of Stevia rebaudiana

A field experiment was conducted at Rani Chandramma Agricultural University (Arabhavi, Belgaum), Karnataka, India, in basic soil to study the nutrient availability in soil, yield and yield attributes of the medicinal plant stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). The results showed that the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the soil increased up to the fifth month; and thereafter, decreased by the same amount with the progress of the plant growth up to the sixth month, irrespective of treatments. Results also showed that the fresh and dry biomass yields significantly increased up to the sixth month with different treatments, but the yield attributes like plant height and the number of branches were observed to be varied with various treatments, being highest in the combined application of biofertilizers over that of their corresponding sole applications.     

Two years of a field study on sesame growth and yield,nutrient uptake by PGP bacteria application and capsule type

Abstract

A two-year field experiment was conducted to study PGP bacteria on growth and yield productivity of sesame. Factors were control, Nitroxin, Biophosphor, and an equal combination of biofertilizers along with sesame capsule type. 1000-seed weight and oil content increased in the second year, but, seed yield reduced (-12.6?g m²), which represented a negative relationship between seed weight and yield. The effect of year on No. of single and multi-cap node plant^?1 was reversed. Seed yield, chlorophyll, protein, and N increased in the multi-cap seed, whereas, 1000-seed weight and seed weight plant^?1 was decreased. Maximum yield and yield components were achieved in the second and first year, respectively, along with the multi-cap seed. Nitroxin, after the equal combination, was approximately showed the maximum enhancement of growth and yield productivity of sesame. The most seed yield (4261 k ha^?1) was performed in the first year, combined biofertilizers and multi-cap seed, whereas, the highest oil content was gained in the second year and single-cap that it was due to the higher N and P use efficiency in the first year. No. of node plant^?1 and capsule No. plant^?1 showed the most correlation with the other parameters. Seed yield was correlated with No. of node plant^?1 (r?=?0.925) and leaf dry weight (r?=?0.885). The N and P use efficiency had been higher in the first year, multi-cap, and equal combination. Nitrogen Use efficiency was higher compared to phosphorous. The uptake of N and P by sesame increased with the integrated application of different bacteria.     

Effect of Thiobacillus,sulfur, and phosphorus on the yield and nutrient uptake of canola and the chemical properties of calcareous soils in Iran

This factorial experiment consists of four levels of sulfur+Thiobacillus and three levels of triple superphosphate arranged in a completely randomized block design in three regions. With an increased sulfur+Thiobacillus and phosphorus (P), grain yield, phosphorus, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) uptake of canola increased in Qom and Mazandaran. Combined treatments of S₂₀₀₀T₄₀ and P_100% showed these properties most. In Safiabad, S₁₀₀₀T₂₀ resulted in a significant increase of P, Fe, and Zn uptake of canola, and no significant effect was found on the grain yield. The highest Fe and Zn concentrations in Qom soil was measured in S₂₀₀₀T₄₀. In Safiabad, maximum Fe concentration in soil was registered by S₁₀₀₀T₂₀ and P_65%. The minimum soil pH of Qom and Mazandaran was recorded by S₁₀₀₀T₂₀ and S₂₀₀₀T₄₀, respectively. The effect of sulfur and Thiobacillus on nutrients uptake and canola yield was good and indicates its potential for alleviating the impacts of calcareous soils.     

蚯蚓菌根互作对土壤酶活、 甘薯根系生长及养分吸收的影响

【目的】蚯蚓和丛枝菌根真菌处于不同的营养级,但在促进植物生长和提高土壤肥力等方面却都发挥着积极作用。单独对土壤微生物或土壤动物的研究较多,但对土壤微生物与土壤动物之间相互作用的研究很少。因此研究它们对土壤和植物生长的作用可为挖掘土壤生物的潜力和提高土壤生物肥力提供依据。【方法】采用盆栽试验,研究了蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)与丛枝菌根真菌(Rhizophagus irregularis)互作对甘薯生长和养分吸收的影响。试验采用两因素完全随机试验设计,分为接种和不接种菌根真菌及添加和不添加蚯蚓。试验共4个处理: 不加菌根和蚯蚓(CK); 接种菌根真菌(AM); 添加蚯蚓(E); 添加蚯蚓和菌根真菌(E+AM),每个处理4次重复。调查了甘薯养分吸收、 根系形态及土壤养分变化,采用Canoco4.5软件对土壤生物与植物对应关系进行RDA (redundancy analysis)分析。【结果】接种菌根真菌显著提高了甘薯地上和地下部生物量(P0.05),而添加蚯蚓的处理仅提高了甘薯地上部生物量。同时添加蚯蚓和菌根的处理显著提高了甘薯地上地下部生物量,并且高于其他三个处理(P0.05)。与对照相比,接种菌根真菌显著提高了土壤磷酸酶活性(P0.01),增幅近一倍; 同时提高了土壤磷的植物有效性,土壤有效磷含量下降了30%左右。添加蚯蚓后土壤脲酶活性从5.45 mg NH+4-N/g显著增加到8.71 mg NH+4-N/g,土壤碱解氮的含量从5.82 mg/kg显著增加到6.89 mg/kg (P0.05)。RDA分析表明蚯蚓菌根互作对甘薯地上和地下部氮磷含量、 根表面积、 根体积、 根平均直径和根尖数均存在显著的正交互效应。蚯蚓菌根互作通过调控土壤酶和改变土壤养分有效性促进甘薯对土壤氮磷养分的吸收。【结论】蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)通过调控土壤脲酶和碱性磷酸酶增加了土壤中氮磷的有效性从而促进甘薯地上部生长。丛枝菌根真菌(Rhizophagus irregularis)通过调控土壤磷酸酶和增加植株地上地下部吸磷量从而促进甘薯生长。添加蚯蚓或接种菌根真菌均能增加根系吸收面积和根体积从而促进甘薯对养分的吸收。蚯蚓和菌根真菌相互作用通过调控土壤酶和改变土壤养分有效性以及促进根系发育从而互补的促进甘薯养分吸收和生长。     

施肥模式对双季稻产量、养分吸收及经济效益的影响

水旱轮作田间定位试验条件下研究了连续4年（20052008）不同施肥模式对双季稻产量、养分吸收及经济效益的影响。结果表明,氮磷钾肥配施能显著提高水稻产量,长期有机无机肥配施增产效果明显。定位4年后,有机无机肥配施处理早稻和晚稻平均产量分别比未施肥处理增产135%和130%。随着产量的增加,稻草与稻谷中氮、磷和钾养分吸收量呈增大的趋势,表明水稻植株养分吸收量与稻谷产量呈显著正相关。不同施肥模式显著影响水稻稻草、稻谷中的氮、磷、钾养分含量。氮磷钾肥配施处理,特别是有机无机肥配施处理稻谷的养分吸收量最高,在土壤中的氮、磷盈余也最少。肥料配施虽增加了支出,但提高了经济产出,其纯收益相对较高,以有机无机肥配施处理的纯收益最高。双季稻生产实践中,有机无机肥配施模式值得推荐且需合理增施磷、钾肥。     

Molecular differentiation,diversity, and folk classification of “sweet” and “bitter” cassava (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Manihot esculenta</Emphasis>) in Caiçara and Caboclo management systems (Brazil)

This study focuses the inter-relationships among the men, the use, and the intra-specific cassava diversity, under the perspective of this crop evolutionary dynamics. The origin, the use and the current local management of varieties with high and low cyanogenic potential are important questions around cassava domestication. We collected 169 local varieties identified as “sweet” or “bitter” cassava by traditional farmers from Atlantic Forest and Amazon (Medium Negro River Basin), Brazil. Using a population genetics and an ethnobotany approach, the diversity and the genetic structure of cassava were evaluated. We found a total of 115 vernacular names, and in the Atlantic Forest sample the average genetic diversity (H _S = 0.654) was higher for the sweet varieties than for bitter ones (0.582). The genetic differentiation coefficient (R _ST), used to estimate the diversity among groups, was 0.057 (P < 0.001), indicating that the divergence between the two groups is low. We obtained a low correlation between the morphological and genetic distances, and the congruence was high when the ethnoclassification and the genetic structure were considered. We discuss the adaptive advantages of the sweet varieties use, the current socio-economic changes in bitter varieties use, and the ecological history of these variety groups.     

莱州湾海涂海水灌溉菊芋的磷肥效应的研究

在连续3年莱州湾海涂海水灌溉试验的基础上,2003年就不同浓度海水灌溉菊芋的磷肥效应进行了田间试验研究。结果表明,在海水灌溉下,磷肥对菊芋的增加产量与增产幅度均高于淡水灌溉,在50%海水浓度范围内,随着灌溉海水浓度增加磷肥的增产效应也逐渐提高,以50%浓度海水灌溉磷肥增产效应最大;海水灌溉下,施磷肥能显著促进菊芋对K+、Ca2+和Mg2+等有益离子的吸收与运输,尤其是明显提高菊芋在海水灌溉下的SK,Na,而抑制菊芋对Na+及Cl-等有害离子的吸收;在75%的海水浓度范围内,灌溉的海水浓度越高,磷肥对上述离子的影响强度越大;海水灌溉下,施用磷肥明显促进菊芋根部氮的含量,P3(P2O560kg/hm2)与P1(P2O50kg/hm2)处理相比较,在淡水、25%海水、50%海水、75%海水灌溉处理下,菊芋根部含氮量增加0.43、0.64、0.64、0.51个百分点。     

Tillage and mulch effects on soil physical environment, root growth, nutrient uptake and yield of maize and wheat on an Alfisol in north-west India

Field experiments were conducted for 6 years on a silty clay loam to study the effect of soil management on soil physical properties, root growth, nutrient uptake and yield of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a sequence. Treatments were: no-tillage (NT), NT+pine needle mulch at a rate of 10 t ha⁻¹ (NT+M), conventional tillage (CT), CT+pine needle mulch at a rate of 10 t ha⁻¹ (CT+M) and deep tillage (DT). The soil is classified as a Typic Hapludalf and has compact sub-surface layers. The NT treatment increased the bulk density of the surface layer but this problem was not observed in the no-tilled treatment having mulch at the surface (NT+M). The CT+M and NT+M treatments favourably moderated the hydro-theregime resulting in greater root growth, nutrient uptake and grain yields of maize and wheat. The DT treatment, imposed only once, at the beginning of the study, also enhanced root growth and grain yields. The yields were similar to the mulched treatments for maize and somewhat less than the mulched treatments for wheat. Mulched treatments generally showed significantly greater total uptake of N, P and K than corresponding unmulched ones. Since NT+M was comparable to CT for maize and superior for wheat, the latter is preferable since it does not require ellaborate tillage.     

Effect of tillage systems on weed control, yield and fibre quality of upland (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Asiatic tree cotton (G. arboreum L.)

Asiatic diploid (n = 13) cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) is grown on Vertisols of central India with limited amounts of fertilizers and pesticides under rainfed conditions. In an earlier study it was established that reduced tillage (RT) systems improved productivity of tetraploid (n = 26) upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). Such information is currently not available for the Asiatic cotton. Field studies were continued from 2002–2003 through 2004–2005, to determine the effect of tillage systems on weed control, yield and fibre quality. Tillage treatments continued for 6 years before this phase of the study. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design, with three tillage systems as main plots and combination of species (G. arboreum and G. hirsutum) and N rates (60 and 75 kg N ha⁻¹) as subplots. Conventional tillage (CT) involved mouldboard ploughing + four to five inter-row cultivations and was compared with two levels of RT. RT₁ being pre-emergence herbicide application with two inter-row cultivations by a bullock drawn hoe and RT₂ was only herbicide application with no inter-row cultivation. Weed density (monocot and dicot weeds) was significantly lower on the RT than on the CT plots. Consequently, the RT plots had accumulated less weed dry matter. Seed cotton yield was affected by tillage systems in 1 out of 3 years. In 2002–2003, the yield trend was: RT₁ > CT > RT₂. The tillage × species interaction was significant in 2002–2003 and 2004–2005 and combined-across-years. Averaged over years, Asiatic G. arboreum produced 8% less seed cotton with treatment RT₂ than with CT. Upland, G. hirsutum produced 118–134 kg ha⁻¹ additional seed cotton on the RT than with CT. Differences in maturity and rooting habit probably contributed to the two species differing in their tillage requirement. The Asiatic cottons were early maturing and are known to possess a deeper root system than the upland cotton. The tillage × N and species × N interactions were not significant. Average seed cotton yield with the 75 kg N was 15.7% more than the 60 kg N ha⁻¹ plots. Among fibre properties, fibre length was significantly better with treatment RT₁ than with the CT in 2 out of 3 years. In summary, seed cotton yield of upland G. hirsutum cotton was higher with RT system, whereas converse occurred with G. arboreum. There were no adverse effects of RT on fibre quality.     

Effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria and soil compaction on barley seedling growth, nutrient uptake, soil properties and rhizosphere microflora

Inoculants are of great importance in sustainable and/or organic agriculture. In the present study, plant growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare) has been studied in sterile soil inoculated with four plant growth-promoting bacteria and mineral fertilizers at three different soil bulk densities and in three harvests of plants. Three bacterial species were isolated from the rhizosphere of barley and wheat. These bacteria fixed N₂, dissolved P and significantly increased growth of barley seedlings. Available phosphate in soil was significantly increased by seed inoculation of Bacillus M-13 and Bacillus RC01. Total culturable bacteria, fungi and P-solubilizing bacteria count increased with time. Data suggest that seed inoculation of barley with Bacillus RC01, Bacillus RC02, Bacillus RC03 and Bacillus M-13 increased root weight by 16.7, 12.5, 8.9 and 12.5% as compared to the control (without bacteria inoculation and mineral fertilizers) and shoot weight by 34.7, 34.7, 28.6 and 32.7%, respectively. Bacterial inoculation gave increases of 20.3–25.7% over the control as compared with 18.9 and 35.1% total biomass weight increases by P and NP application. The concentration of N and P in soil was decreased by increasing soil compaction. In contrast to macronutrients, the concentration of Fe, Cu and Mn was lower in plants grown in the loosest soil. Soil compaction induced a limitation in root and shoot growth that was reflected by a decrease in the microbial population and activity. Our results show that bacterial population was stimulated by the decrease in soil bulk density. The results suggest that the N₂-fixing and P-solubilizing bacterial strains tested have a potential on plant growth activity of barley.     

Effect of AM fungi and phosphorus fertilization on P-use efficiency,nutrient acquisition and root morphology in pea (Pisum sativum L.) in an acid Alfisol

Phosphorus (P) availability to plants is a major constraint in acid soils. A study was conducted to determine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under varying inorganic P and irrigation regimes on P availability and P-use efficiency in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) in a Himalayan acid Alfisol. The experiment comprised of 14 treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The results revealed that integrated use of AM fungi and inorganic P at either of the two irrigation regimes (IW/CPE_0.6 or IW/CPE_1.0) enhanced the green pea pod weight, green pod productivity and agronomic efficiency of applied P to the extent of 8.4%, 7.2% and 30.7%, respectively, over non-AMF counterparts as well as “generalized recommended NPK dose and irrigations (GRD).” AMF inoculation also led to enhanced nitrogen (N), P and potassium (K) acquisition (uptake) by 16.3%, 18.2% and 6% over non-AMF counterpart treatments. Further, AMF inoculation at varying P and irrigation regimes sharply enhanced the rooting depth (21.4%), root volume (23.5%), root dry weight (14.9%), root weight density (13.7%) as well as N concentration in root nodules (3.4%) over non-AMF counterparts and GRD practice. AMF also enhanced the mycorrhizal root colonization by 3.2 folds at flowering stage in AMF inoculated pea plants. AMF-imbedded treatments did not alter the available soil nutrient status (macronutrients and micronutrients) significantly in comparison to non-AMF counterparts in pea, available P status, however, increased to the extent of 6.5% over initial status. Further, AMF imbedded plots showed a slight build-up in soil organic carbon with nominal decrease in soil bulk density. AMF inoculation in pea also led to fertilizer P economy by about 25% soil-test-based P dose. Overall, AMF holds great potential in enhancing nutrient acquisition especially P besides influencing root morphology in order to harness better crop yields vis-à-vis fertilizer P economy by about 25% soil-test-based P dose in Himalayan acid Alfisol.     

Silicon effect on growth,nutrient uptake,and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under aluminum stress

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) on growth, nutrient uptake, and yield of peanut under aluminum (Al) stress. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Zhonghua 4) raised with or without Si (1.5?mM) in the growth chamber under 0 and toxic Al (0.3?mM) levels. Aluminum stress significantly decreased the biomass and root dry weight by 12.9% and 10.7%, and the pod yield, number of mature pod per plant and seed number of per pod by 16.7%, 10.7%, and 13.9%. The content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) was significantly decreased, but that of Al increased markedly in shoots and roots of peanut after Al exposure at seedling, flower-needle and pod-setting stage. Under Al stress condition, Si application protected peanut by improving nutrient uptake at different growth stages and favoring the partitioning of dry mass to pod and the allocation of tissue N, P, K, Ca, and Mg to shoots and pod and decreasing Al uptake and accumulation.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphorus supply on the growth and nutrient uptake of Kandelia obovata (Sheue,Liu & Yong) seedlings in autoclaved soil

This study evaluated the interactive effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and exogenous phosphorus supply on soil phosphotases, plant growth, and nutrient uptake of Kandelia obovata (Sheue, Liu & Yong). We aimed to explore the ecophysiological function of AMF in mangrove wetland ecosystems, and to clarify the possible survival mechanism of mangrove species against nutrient deficiency. K. obovata seedlings with or without AMF inoculation (mixed mangrove AMF), were cultivated for six months in autoclaved sediment medium which was supplemented with KH₂PO₄ (0, 15, 30, 60, 120 mg kg−¹). Then the plant growth, nitrogen and phosphorus content, root vitality, AMF colonization and soil phosphatase activity were analyzed. The inoculated AMF successfully infected K. obovata roots, developed intercellular hyphae, arbuscular (Arum-type), and vesicle structures. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization ranged from 9.04 to 24.48%, with the highest value observed under 30 and 60 mg kg⁻¹ P treatments. Soil P supply, in the form of KH₂PO₄, significantly promoted the height and biomass of K. obovata, enhanced root vitality and P uptake, while partially inhibiting soil acid (ACP) and alkaline phosphotase (ALP) activities. Without enhancing plant height, the biomass, root vitality and P uptake were further increased when inoculated with AMF, and the reduction on ACP and ALP activities were alleviated. Phosphorus supply resulted in the decrease of leaf N–P ratio in K. obovata, and AMF inoculation strengthened the reduction, thus alleviating P limitation in plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and adequate P supply (30 mg kg⁻¹ KH₂PO₄) enhanced root vitality, maintained soil ACP and ALP activities, increased plant N and P uptake, and resulted in greater biomass of K. obovata. Mutualistic symbiosis with AMF could explain the survival strategies of mangrove plants under a stressed environment (waterlogging and nutrient limitation) from a new perspective.     

Effect of combined application of Rhizobium,phosphate solubilizing bacterium and Trichoderma spp. on growth,nutrient uptake and yield of chickpea (Cicer aritenium L.)

The effect of a combined inoculation of Rhizobium, a phosphate solubilizing Bacillus megaterium sub sp. phospaticum strain-PB and a biocontrol fungus Trichoderma spp. on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of chickpea were studied under glasshouse and field conditions. Combined inoculation of these three organisms showed increased germination, nutrient uptake, plant height, number of branches, nodulation, pea yield, and total biomass of chickpea compared to either individual inoculations or an uninoculated control. Increased growth and yield parameters were more pronounced when T. harzianum-PDBCTH 10 was inoculated along with the phosphate solubilizing bacterium and Rhizobium. Studies on population dynamics in the rhizosphere showed, there was no significant inhibition between the introduced organisms.