Effects of different organic apple production systems on seasonal nutrient variations of soil and leaf

An organic apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard was established to study the interaction effects of ground cover management systems (GMS) and nutrient sources (NS) on soil and tree nutrients in the Southern U.S.A. GMS mulches as follows: green compost (GC), wood chips (WC), shredded paper (SP), and mow-and-blow (MB). Across GMS, one of three NS treatments was applied: commercial organic fertilizer (CF), poultry litter (PL), and no fertilizer (NF). GC-treated plots had greater soil solution nitrate concentrations in year 3. GC plots also maintained greater seasonal soil organic matter and macronutrient concentrations during 3 years compared with the other GMS. Seasonal foliar nutrient concentrations grown under GMS in year 3 tended to follow nutrient concentration patterns similar to those observed in conventional apple orchards. GC and WC trees had overall greater leaf area, dry weight, and total foliar nutrient contents in year 3 than the SP and MB trees.     

不同基质对甜瓜育苗效果的影响

研究了2种基质(椰糠和TS1)对甜瓜幼苗的影响,结果表明,基质TS1(经加工后的椰糠)培养的幼苗各种形态指标(株高,茎粗,地上部和根的鲜、干重,壮苗指数,真叶长度、宽度,子叶长度、宽度和叶绿素含量)显著高于椰糠培养的幼苗。TS1基质有利于甜瓜幼苗的生长。     

Growth and flower quality of four Rosa hybrida L. cultivars in response to propagation by stenting or cutting in soilless culture

Performance of four Rosa hybrida L. cultivars (‘African Dawn’, ‘Ilios’, ‘Maroussia’ and ‘Soprano’) was evaluated. They were grown either on their own roots or grafted (stenting) onto Rosa canina L. ‘Inermis’ rootstock in a polyethylene greenhouse with hydroponics system. Parameters of plant growth and flower quality were investigated for two successive harvesting years (2005 and 2006). Results indicated that, all the cultivars were superior for most of the parameters studied when grafted onto rootstock compared to being on their own roots. Flowering stem fresh weight and diameters, flower fresh and dry weight, flower diameter and length, petal number, leaf chlorophyll content and quality index were higher in grafted plants compared to those propagated by cuttings. However, highest flowering stem length and number were observed in plants propagated by cutting, although not significant as compared with stenting method.     

Effects of irradiance on nutrient uptake,growth and cold hardiness of Viburnum opulus L. ‘Nanum’

Viburnum opulus L. ‘Nanum’ was grown under 100, 70, 53 and 37% of available sun. Heavy shade and full sun decreased foliar N content, while P and K contents were constant at all light levels. Plants receiving 70 and 53% of available sunlight grew significantly larger than plants in full sunlight or heavy shade. Heavy shade also decreased cold hardiness in late winter.     

卓亿有机肥配施化肥对小白菜生长和产量的影响

在蔬菜产区小白菜上进行施用卓亿有机肥的田间试验,探讨其对小白菜产量、经济性状和效益的影响。结果表明:在氮、磷、钾养分等量的条件下,施用有机肥加化肥的处理小白菜表现最好,比不施肥的对照和单施有机肥的处理,产量分别增加62.1%和36.3%,667m2分别增收1499.9和806.3元。     

Productivity and quality of statice (Limonium sinuatum cv. Soiree Mix) and cockscomb (Celosia argentea cv. Chief Mix) under organic and inorganic fertilization regiments

Very little information is available on organic specialty cut flower production, especially fertilization requirements. In order to better understand organic fertilization requirements of two specialty cut flower crops, Limonium sinuatum and Celosia argentea, we initiated a field and greenhouse experiment to study the effect of compost (organic) and conventional (inorganic) fertilization treatments on the growth and productivity of these crops. Optimum yields in the field, expressed as fresh weight per plot, were achieved at compost applications of 98.8 t ha⁻¹ for both Limonium and Celosia. However, when number of stems, height of the stems, and the environmental impacts of such compost applications are considered we concluded that the optimal organic fertilizer amounts were 12.4 and 24.7 t ha⁻¹, for Limonium and Celosia, respectively. Limonium and Celosia plants in the greenhouse experiment were fertilized with 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L⁻¹ nitrogen, combined with 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg L⁻¹ phosphorus. The generation of response surfaces for total weight per pot, number of stems per pot, average weight per stem, and average stem length were attempted for each species. The results showed that nitrogen did not significantly contribute to any of the models, except for Celosia average weight and length per stem models. Total weights per pot on the other hand showed both a linear and quadratic relationship over the range of phosphorus applications we tested. Maximum number of stems and total weight per pot were observed between 30 and 46 mg L⁻¹ P in both Limonium and Celosia. Our results suggest that organic fertilizer recommendations, in the form of animal manure composts should be based on phosphorus content of the compost rather than nitrogen content especially for soils high in initial phosphorous content.     

钾、硼、锌肥配施对砂田西瓜生长及养分吸收的影响

【目的】在砂田注水补灌基础上,探讨钾、硼、锌肥不同配施处理对西瓜生长发育及养分吸收利用的影响。【方法】以西瓜‘陇抗九号’为试材,采用随机区组施肥方法,测定不同处理的西瓜光合特性、产量、品质和氮、磷、钾吸收及积累量。【结果】与对照氮磷肥处理相比,所有施钾处理均可显著提高西瓜光合参数、产量、品质指标及养分的积累利用率。施硼有利于西瓜维生素C含量的提高和氮的吸收积累,NPKB处理的西瓜果实维生素C含量和氮素总积累量较NPK分别提高了9.94%和16.87%;施锌则有利于西瓜果实含糖量的提高和钾素的吸收,NPKZn处理的西瓜果实边糖含量和钾素吸收量较NPK分别提高了6.52%和12.96%,且果实糖分梯度显著降低,糖酸比增加。钾、硼、锌3者配施除具有以上单因素效应外,西瓜产量、磷素总积累量较NPK处理分别提高了10.27%和22.59%,而钾素总积累量及利用率则显著高于钾肥单施或钾硼、钾锌两者配施。【结论】钾、硼、锌肥同时配施对促进西瓜生长,提高产量、品质及养分的吸收利用效果最为显著。     

有机无机肥料对大棚西瓜生长、养分含量及品质的影响

采用等量的氮、磷、钾施用量,研究施用有机肥、无机肥和配施有机无机肥对大棚西瓜生长、叶片养分含量、西瓜产量、果实成分和品质的影响。结果表明,植株生长,功能叶养分含量,西瓜产量,果实性状、各种糖分、有机酸含量及糖酸比在3种施肥处理间均无显著差异,但纯施有机肥的西瓜口感更好。施用有机肥的西瓜肥料成本比常规栽培高,但经济效益好。667m2施用商品有机肥1000kg可以满足西瓜生长发育对矿质养分的需求。     

The effect of plant-associative bacteria (Azospirillum and Pantoea) on the fruit quality of sweet pepper under limited nitrogen supply

This study investigates the influence of a commercial product, Biopron^®, consisting of the bacteria Azospirillum brasilense and Pantoea dispersa on sweet pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.) under limited N supply. When the N supply was reduced from 12 (control) to 7 mmol L⁻¹, the concentration of total-N in the fruits was significantly reduced in both inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The N supply or inoculation did not affect the dry matter content or fruit firmness, but non-inoculated fruit with low N showed a decrease in pericarp thickness and a significant increase in the color parameter a^* compared with the control. Under limited N, inoculation increased the concentration of citric, ascorbic and succinic acids in green fruit compared with non-inoculated fruit, which showed lower values than control fruit. At a later (yellow) stage of development, only succinic acid showed a response to inoculation. Fruit peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) activity in fruit of inoculated plants was lower than that observed for non-inoculated fruit grown at both high- and low-N. In contrast, in yellow fruit, total phenolic compounds were increased under N limitation, with no inoculation effect. Our study shows that the effect of plant associative bacteria is not directly related with the increased potential availability of nutrients for uptake, especially for fruit quality characteristics.     

Effects of NaCl application to hydroponic nutrient solution on fruit characteristics of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

NaCl was applied to nutrient solution (5 dS m⁻¹ versus 1.4 dS m⁻¹ in the control) of hydroponically-grown tomato and its effects on taste grading and chemical composition of fruit were investigated. Taste panels indicated NaCl treatment increased sweetness, acidity, umami (i.e. the taste of deliciousness) and overall preference. Hexose concentration of the fruit grown on NaCl treated plants significantly increased; and at the same time, chloric ion, organic and amino acids in general had higher concentrations in NaCl treated plants than the control. Our results showed that (1) consumer grading of the tomato fruit was influenced not only by sugar content but also by the organic and amino acids; (2) increased concentration of soluble solids in the fruit of NaCl treated plants was not the result of simple overall condensation due to the reduction of water transport. The relation of diversified consumer preference, fruit chemical composition, and appropriate evaluation of tomato fruit are also discussed.     

Modelling the effects of soil water potential on growth and quality of cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

A complete dynamic model was developed to describe the effects of soil water potential (WP) on the growth and external quality of standard cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) in order to optimise water management of greenhouse crops. Experiments using chrysanthemum cv. ‘Jinba’ with different planting dates and levels of water treatment were conducted in a lean-to type greenhouse from 2006 to 2008. The dynamics of leaf area index (LAI), dry matter partitioning, and external quality traits (plant height, number of leaves per plant, flower-head diameter and peduncle length) were first determined as functions of accumulated photothermal index (PTI). Impacts of WP on leaf photosynthetic rate, LAI, dry matter partitioning, and the external quality traits were quantified via introducing the experimentally identified effects of WP on the parameters in the light response curve of leaf photosynthetic rate and the PTI-based functions. These quantitative relationships were incorporated into a generic crop growth model SUCROS. Using independent experimental data, the model was found to give good predictions for biomass production, dry weight of organs, and the external quality traits of the chrysanthemum cultivar grown under different levels of water supply. The coefficient of determination (r²) between the predicted and measured results was 0.91 for LAI, 0.88 for biomass production, and varied between 0.83 and 0.93 for organ dry weight and the external quality traits. Further evaluation is needed when applying this model to a wider range.     

Effects of air humidity and K/Ca ratio in the nutrient supply on growth and postharvest characteristics of cut roses

Single node cuttings with one mature leaf were taken from the rose cv. Baroness and rooted in water culture. The rooted plants were grown in nutrient solutions and subjected to two levels of relative air humidity (RH): high (90%) and moderate (70%), in combination with high (12/1), medium (1/1) and low (1/5) K/Ca ratios in the nutrient solution. High RH plants accumulated less Ca in leaves and flowers than moderate RH plants. Roses grown at moderate RH had a longer postharvest life than high RH roses, irrespective of the K/Ca ratio of the nutrient solution. In general, a high K/Ca ratio had a negative impact on postharvest life. When grown at a high K/Ca ratio the ornamental value declined rapidly, mainly due to the appearance of necrotic petals as well as chlorotic and necrotic areas on the leaves. Bent neck occurred only with high RH plants but changes in the K/Ca ratio had no differential effect. Dry spots and brittle leaves were observed on high RH roses, and the occurrence increased with increased K/Ca ratio in the nutrient solution. Stomatal conductance increased in parallel with increases in RH and K/Ca ratio when measured on intact roses placed in dry air (40% RH).     

Effects of soil fertility on growth,nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal development of Liriodendron tulipifera seedlings inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular fungus, Glomus fasciculatus

Seedlings were grown in 3.28-liter containers under greenhouse conditions and were inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus fasciculatus (Thaxter) Gerdemann and Trappe. Inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were treated with 0, 2 or 4 g l^?1 nitrogen (N) as 19-6-12 controlled-release fertilizer. Mycorrhizal development increased growth of seedlings infected by G. fasciculatus at both 2 and 4 g l^?1 N. Without supplemental fertilizer, there was no growth increase of mycorrhizally infected seedlings.     

设施黄沙栽培条件下肥料施用量对番茄生长的影响

为探究在设施黄沙栽培条件下不同生物有机肥、化肥施用量及其配施对番茄生长发育及产量、品质的影响,以黄沙为栽培基质,番茄为试验材料,设置5个不同的施肥处理。测定了不同处理下番茄的生理生化指标。结果显示,黄沙栽培条件下只施生物有机肥时番茄株高、茎粗、根长、植株鲜质量、产量显著低于其他处理;可溶性糖含量、可滴定酸含量、维生素C含量高于其他处理。只施化肥时,可溶性糖含量、可滴定酸含量、维生素C含量、可溶性蛋白含量低于其他处理。在化肥和有机肥配施时植株生长情况、产量均高于只施生物有机肥、化肥的处理;可溶性糖含量、可滴定酸含量、维生素C含量、可溶性蛋白含量高于只施化肥的处理,低于只施有机肥的处理;在黄沙栽培条件下有机肥和化肥搭配施用时产量、营养品质处于各处理中的较高水平,在黄沙栽培条件下能够实现番茄优质高产。     

Effects of conventional and organic nitrogen fertilizers on soil microbial activity,mycorrhizal colonization,leaf antioxidant content,and Fusarium wilt in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

A study was conducted in the greenhouse to determine the effects of conventional and organic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium solani, in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Legacy’). Root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi, soil microbial activity, and leaf antioxidants content was also measured the treatments. Plants grown with organic N fertilizer exhibited a lower incidence of Fusarium wilt than those grown with conventional N fertilizer (5% and 30% by the end of the experiment, respectively). Organic fertilizer also increased the soil biota activity, mycorrhizal colonization, and leaf antioxidant content relative to conventional N source. The results suggest that organic N fertilizer may improve the tolerance of blueberry to soil pathogens, such as F. solani.     

Effect of Glomus mosseae and Entrophospora colombiana on plant growth,production, and fruit quality of ‘Maradol’ papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The effect of inoculating ‘Maradol’ papaya plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae (GM) and Entrophospora colombiana (EC) was assessed. The results showed that both mycorrhizae species increased the number of fruits and yield in papaya plants by 41.9 and 105.2% for GM and 22.1 and 44.1% for EC, respectively, with respect to control plants. GM significantly increased plant height. Sugar content, firmness, color (°Hue), and ripening process of mycorrhized plant fruits were similar to those of the control. Weight loss of mycorrhized plant fruits was considerably less than that of the control. Inoculation of papaya with AMF is recommended, particularly with GM since it increases yield, and fruit weight (45.1%), furthermore, it reduced fruit weight loss during ripening.     

Effects of cultural cycles and nutrient solutions on plant growth,yield and fruit quality of alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) grown in hydroponics

Alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) was grown in hydroponics with the nutrient film technique, in order to evaluate the effects of four buffer concentrations (1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 2.2 mS cm⁻¹) and two cultural cycles (summer-spring versus autumn-spring) in terms of growth, yield and fruit quality (dry and optical residues, sugars, acids, antioxidants, mineral composition). The longer summer-spring cycle gave a correspondingly higher yield than the autumn-spring one. The 1.3 mS cm⁻¹ nutrient solution was the most effective in terms of overall and spring production. However, the autumn and winter yields were not affected by the buffer EC. Fruit quality did not change with the cultural cycle, but the berries harvested in the spring had higher vitamin C and sucrose content and lower nitrate content compared with berries picked up in the winter. Fruit quality was also improved when the nutrient solution concentration increased. From the productive point of view, the cultural cycle choice should be made considering that 71% of the yield of the more productive summer-spring cycle derived from the spring harvest. Moreover, as regards the nutrient solution strength, 1.3 mS cm⁻¹ EC should be preferred during the spring season, whereas the 2.2 mS cm⁻¹ EC proved to be best in the winter in terms of fruit quality.     

Effects of different mulches and irrigation methods on root growth,nutrient uptake,water-use efficiency and yield of strawberry

Field studies were conducted for two consecutive years under sub-temperate climatic conditions at Nauni in district Solan of Himachal Pradesh (30°52′N, 77°11′E 1175 asl) on loamy sand Inceptisols to investigate the effect of different mulches (hay: HM, black polyethylene: BP) on root growth, nutrient uptake, water-use efficiency (WUE) and yield of strawberry cv. Chandler under drip (DI) and surface irrigation (SI) systems. Unmulch (UM) and rainfed treatments were kept as control. Higher soil moisture content was registered under both the mulch materials during entire crop growth period. However, it was greater under BP mulch as compare to HM. The moisture conservation increased by 2.80–12.80% under BP mulch as compared to UM. HM treatment, irrespective of irrigation method increased the minimum soil temperature (2.8–5.2 °C) and reduced the maximum soil temperature (2.7–5.8 °C) as compared to UM. BP mulch increased the minimum soil temperature from 0.4 to 2.5 °C. Application of irrigation moderated the soil (minimum 2.6 and maximum 1.4 °C) temperature. Both the mulch materials were effective in enhancing root growth, nutrient uptake, WUE and yield. Application of mulch enhanced the root growth (63%), nutrient uptake (179.20%), WUE (84.40%) and yield (343%) under DI. However, respective increase under SI was 23.60, 83.80, 109.40 and 219.20%. Under DI, 51% of irrigation water was saved and about 19% higher fruit yield was obtained as compared with SI treatment. Linear regression model could significantly describe the variations in nutrient uptake (N, P and K) and WUE of strawberry under sub-temperate climatic conditions, root mass density was better indicator for estimating nutrient uptake of strawberry.     

Effect of application methods of organic fertilizer on growth,soil chemical properties and microbial densities in organic bulb onion production

This study was carried out to maximize the fertilization efficiency of mixed organic fertilizer (OF) for organically managed onion (Allium cepa L.) production during the one growing season of 2005–2006. The organic fertilizer was made of organic materials like sesame oil cake, rice bran and molasses and minerals like illite and mountainous soil. Four organic topdressing treatments, which all followed the same basal fertilization with solid OF, consisted of solid OF without mulch (OF/OFnM), liquid organic fertilizer without mulch (OF/LOFnM), liquid organic fertilizer under mulch (OF/LOFuM) and liquid organic fertilizer over mulch (OF/LOFoM). Chemical fertilizer (CF) and no fertilizer (NF) were treated as controls. The solid organic fertilization base was 2.0 ton ha⁻¹, and 4.57 ton ha⁻¹ and was used for topdressing. The total amount of liquid organic fertilization was 133.2 ton ha⁻¹, which was divided into 6 applications from February through March. The OF/LOFuM and OF/LOFoM topdressings did not reduce onion height, leaf number or bulb diameter as compared to chemical fertilizer, whereas no mulch treatments made onion growth significantly poorer. Onion top weight in CF was significantly higher than that in OF groups at the peak growth stage, while there was not much difference in bulb weight between the CF and OF/LOFoM treatment. Finally, the onion marketable yield was 45.9 ton ha⁻¹ in the OF/LOFoM treatment, which exceeded that in the CF treatment by up to 1.9 ton. Furthermore, OF/LOFoM was the most effective among all the treatments in transferring the nutrients from sink to source. CF made the soil pH more acidic than OF did, and the electrical conductivity (EC) remained higher with CF than OF as well. While organic fertilizer helped to keep the NO₃-N content stable throughout the growing season, the concentration rapidly oscillated up and down according to CF fertilization. Organic fertilizer increased population number of soil microorganisms like aerobes, actinomycetes in the field.     

几种秸秆基质对辣椒生长及果实品质的影响

菊芋是青海高原的特色经济作物,地上部秸秆生物量大,为解决其综合利用问题,将发酵完全的菊芋、小麦、油菜及玉米的秸秆复配羊粪、商品基质土、蛭石和珍珠岩作为辣椒的栽培基质,采用槽式无土栽培,通过对辣椒不同时期生长情况的监测来分析作物秸秆对辣椒生长、品质及产量的影响。结果表明,添加作物秸秆对辣椒生长、品质及产量都有正向影响,尤其是添加了菊芋秸秆的栽培基质在株高、茎粗、株幅等生长指标中都优于对照,果实的可溶性总糖、维生素C含量也都高于其他处理,有效增加了辣椒生物量,提升了果实品质,并且辣椒产量较对照增加了3%~5%。综合试验结果,添加菊芋秸秆可以提高辣椒的生物量、果实品质和产量。