Carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables

Because hydroponic production of vegetables is becoming more common, the carotenoid composition of hydroponic leafy vegetables commercialized in Campinas, Brazil, was determined. All samples were collected and analyzed in winter. Lactucaxanthin was quantified for the first time and was found to have concentrations similar to that of neoxanthin in the four types of lettuce analyzed. Lutein predominated in cress, chicory, and roquette (75.4 +/- 10.2, 57.0 +/- 10.3, and 52.2 +/- 12.6 microg/g, respectively). In the lactucaxanthin-containing lettuces, beta-carotene and lutein were the principal carotenoids (ranging from 9.9 +/- 1.5 to 24.6 +/- 3.1 microg/g and from 10.2 +/- 1.0 to 22.9 +/- 2.6 microg/g, respectively). Comparison of hydroponic and field-produced curly lettuce, taken from neighboring farms, showed that the hydroponic lettuce had significantly lower lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin contents than the conventionally produced lettuce. Because the hydroponic farm had a polyethylene covering, less exposure to sunlight and lower temperatures may have decreased carotenogenesis.     

Fertilization impacts on green leafy vegetables supplied with slow release nitrogen fertilizers

Conventional over-fertilization in green leafy vegetables has promoted the need for alternative nitrogen management practices. A novel slow-release fertilizer, coated with inorganic minerals, was developed in our lab. The membrane structural characteristics and nitrogen release profile of the product were systematically studied. Furthermore, different fertilization treatments were prepared to study the potential nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica chinensis L., cultivated under open field and greenhouse cultivation patterns. With a relatively smooth surface, coating layer of the newly developed fertilizer stacked by bonded multi-layer of polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate was formed by tightly arraying solid phosphate rock powder granules. After immersing the fertilizer in water, there was about 13% nitrogen released after 24 h and 30% of nitrogen released in 7 days. Moreover, the fertilizer significantly enhanced the yield of Brassica chinensis L. by 28.2%. Nitrogen use efficiency of vegetables treated with the fertilizer was much higher than that of conventional fertilization.     

Extraction of light filth from canned green leafy vegetables: collaborative study.

The official first action method, 44.108, for the extraction of light filth from whole or chopped canned greens specifies a water-heptane flotation that results in the flotation of an excessive amount of interfering plant material and in low recoveries. A new method has been developed using a 40% isopropanol-water-mineral oil flotation. The new method yielded a decreased amount of plant material and 84.9% recovery of the aphid spike compared with 42.5% recovery of the spike by the official method. The new method has been adopted as official first action to replace the existing method, except for broccoli.     

冬季绿肥对江西猕猴桃园土壤养分和果实品质的影响

为探讨不同绿肥对猕猴桃园土壤养分、产量和果实品质的影响,在江西猕猴桃园间作冬季绿肥,设置自然生草(CK)、箭筈豌豆(VS)、肥田萝卜(RS)、油菜(BN)、毛叶苕子(VV)和黑麦草(LP)6个处理,盛花期前测产并翻压,连续两年测定果实成熟期各处理土壤养分,翻压次年测定猕猴桃产量和果实品质。结果表明:(1)各绿肥处理均可显著提高土壤养分和pH,随时间推移呈下降趋势,0～20 cm土层土壤以LP、VS、VV培肥效果较全面,20～40 cm土层土壤以BN、VV、VS培肥效果较好;(2)各绿肥处理可显著提高果实单果重6.65%～10.75%,降低果实可滴定酸含量5.94%～18.81%,VS、VV果实可溶性固形物和抗坏血酸含量最高,分别为16.67%、16.23%和181.55、176.99 mg/g,较CK分别提高了24.40%、21.12%和13.77%、10.91%,果实干物质、可溶性糖含量以VS(19.31%、17.75%)和LP(19.01%、14.90%)最高,较CK分别提高了26.62%、66.04%和24.66%、39.38%;(3)综合各绿肥处理对土壤养分、产量和果实品质等方面的因素,江西‘红阳’猕猴桃园间作并翻压以VS最佳,VV和LP次之,且二者效果相当。     

还田方式对绿肥油菜腐解特征与土壤养分含量的影响

为了明确果园绿肥在不同机械方式还田后腐解特征与土壤养分的变化规律,为南疆果园绿肥短期内高效还田、充分利用提供理论参考,在南疆香梨园行间种植油菜绿肥进行田间小区试验,设置4个处理（3种机械还田方式）：旋耕机浅旋还田（T1-t1）、正常旋耕还田（T2-t2）、绿肥粉碎旋耕一体机还田（T3-t3）和1个对照（CK）,探究不同还田方式下油菜的腐解、养分变化特征及土壤养分的变化规律。结果表明：3种还田处理下油菜的腐解特征和碳氮的释放规律相似,整体都表现为前期快、后期逐渐缓慢的趋势,其中t3处理相较其他处理更有利于油菜的腐解及养分的释放,且利用一级动力学方程能够很好地拟合相关规律;3种还田方式下土壤pH值呈现先降低后升高的趋势,其余指标均呈先升高再降低的趋势,各指标相较第0 d增降幅度大小依次为速效钾>碱解氮>有效磷>有机质>pH值,T1、T2、T3处理下土壤各指标均与CK存在显著性差异（P<0.05）,其中T3处理下土壤各指标增降幅度较为明显,且整个试验期内3个处理下土壤各指标间均存在一定的相关性。综上说明,在短期内T3-t3的还田方式下油菜的腐解及其对土壤养分的影...     

Traditional leafy vegetables and their use in the Benin Republic

Seventy-three villages randomly selected in 29 ethnic areas and three regions or agro-ecological zones of Benin were investigated by a participatory rural appraisal survey to assess the diversity of the species used as traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs). In total, 187 plant species belonging to 141 genera and 52 families were recorded. Among these, 47 (25.13%) were cultivated and 140 (74.87%) were gathered from the wild. Herbs (64.78%) were the most numerous followed by shrubs (19.78%) and trees (15.50%). The Shannon–Weaver diversity index calculated was 3.232. The total number of TLVs used highly varies, across ethnic groups, from 15 (Toli tribe) to 58 (people Mahi) with, on average, 36 species per ethnic group. The relative proportions of the wild and cultivated species used also vary with the tribes but on average appeared almost the same. Of the species inventoried, 18 of national importance were found among which Solanum macrocarpon, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus cruentus and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum ranked first. The matrix scoring technique yielded 12 criteria of different natures used to define preference. Among these, four (taste, ease of preparation, availability and quantity of required condiments) were the most important and represent, all together, more than 72% of responses. Despite the diversity of species used as leafy vegetables, they were all basically consumed in the same way. Sauces were the main type of preparation and involved all the species. The perceived nutritional and medicinal (curative, regulative and stimulative) properties of the species as well as their cultural significance were documented. Some TLVs are known and consumed by all or many ethnic groups while many others were simply ethnospecific or used by only a few peoples. However, no correlation was found between the distribution of the utilisation of the species and their degree of consumption which all depend on the eating habits of the peoples. Cluster analysis revealed that peoples sharing a common geographical space and/or cultural identity or origin seem to consume almost the same types of TLVs and cluster together. Given the large quantity of evidence of the importance of the TLVs, there should be a systematic effort to improve their understanding and their uses to reduce if not alleviate rural poverty and malnutrition in Benin.     

Effects of soil amendments on antimony uptake by wheat

Purpose

Environmental chemistry of antimony (Sb) is still largely unknown. Many questions remain about its availability to plants and effects of fertilizers on mobility of Sb in the rhizosphere soil. In this work, we focused on the following problems: (1) uptake of Sb by wheat seedlings grown in soil enriched with this metalloid and (2) impact of soil amendments on the plant growth, Sb uptake from soil, and its transfer from roots to upper plant parts.

Materials and methods

To obtain further information on the possible transfer of Sb into plants, greenhouse pot experiments were carried out. Soil was spiked with 15 mg kg^?1 of Sb and amended with either chicken manure or natural growth stimulator Energen. Wheat Triticum aestivum L. seedlings were grown in the soil during 17 days. Plants together with rhizosphere soil were collected several times in the course of the experiment. The ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques were applied to determine the concentrations of macro- and trace elements in the plant and soil material.

Results and discussion

Growth of wheat seedlings in Sb-spiked soil resulted in Sb accumulation in roots and leaves of the plants. Energen and especially chicken manure were capable of stimulating transfer of Sb to more mobile and, as a consequence, more available to the plants form, thus enhancing both uptake of Sb from soil and its transfer from roots to upper plant parts. The accumulation of Sb by plants led to a decrease of Sb concentration in the rhizosphere soil with time, and the most significant decrease was observed after amendment of soil with fertilizers.

Conclusions

Fertilizers may be used to increase phytoextraction of Sb and its removal from contaminated soils. However, such an amendment of soil should be done with caution in order to exclude or at least reduce the negative effects on plants.     

长期绿肥与氮肥减量配施对水稻产量和土壤养分含量的影响

为探明湘南双季稻区绿肥还田下的氮肥适宜施用量,设计了始于2008年冬季开展的长期田间定位试验(2009-2017),研究绿肥与氮肥减量配施对双季稻的产量、氮肥农学效率、氮肥偏生产力以及2017年稻田耕层土壤养分含量的影响。共设计6个施肥处理:不施氮肥空白对照、仅紫云英、习惯施肥、紫云英与100%无机氮配施、紫云英与80%无机氮配施、紫云英与60%无机氮配施。结果表明:与习惯施氮量相比,绿肥结合习惯施肥以及绿肥与化肥氮减量20%～40%配施均能保持甚至提高2009-2017年稻谷周年产量,显著提高早、晚稻氮肥偏生产力和氮肥农学效率。绿肥与化肥氮减40%时,产量变异系数最低和产量可持续指数最高。试验9 a后,与2008年相比,稻田土壤有机质和全氮含量呈上升趋势。与习惯施肥相比,绿肥与化肥氮减量20%～40%能维持土壤磷素与钾素的供给。综合考虑,紫云英还田下,化肥氮减施40%仍能获得高产稳产,且氮肥利用率最高,产量稳定性最好,并可缓慢提高土壤肥力,是湘南双季稻种植区较好的施肥模式。     

Determination of beta-carotene and lutein available from green leafy vegetables by an in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation method

Green leafy vegetables (Spinacea oleracea, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, and Solanum americanum) contain a high amount of beta-carotene (27-52 mg/100 g of dry sample) and lutein (140-193 mg/100 g of dry sample). The amount of beta-carotene and lutein released from the food matrix by the action of digestive enzymes ranged from 22 to 67% and from 27 to 77%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the enzymatic release of carotenoids (lutein + beta-carotene) and the content of Klason lignin, nonstarch polysaccharides, and resistant protein. The carotenoids released by the in vitro colonic fermentation ranged from 2 to 11%, and part of them (0.251-4.03 mg/100 g of original dry sample) remained intact in the fermentation media and could be potentially absorbed in the colon. A significant part of carotenoids seems to be unavailable in the intestinal tract (16% in S. oleracea to 58% in C. aconitifolius).     

长期不同养分缺乏对冬油菜土壤微生物群落组成及多样性的影响

为探明长期不同养分缺乏对冬油菜根际与非根际土壤细菌和真菌群落组成结构及多样性的影响,以江汉平原中稻 -冬油菜田间定位试验为研究对象,选取施磷钾肥不施氮肥(-N)、施氮钾肥不施磷肥(-P)、施氮磷肥不施钾肥(-K)和施用氮磷钾肥(NPK)4个处理,于成熟期采集各处理冬油菜非根际土壤(标记为 0)和根际土壤(标记为 1)。基于 Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术对土壤样本的细菌 16S rDNA和真菌 ITS进行扩增、测序,并结合生物信息学分析根际和非根际土壤中细菌和真菌群落组成和多样性。结果表明:长期养分的投入缺乏造成土壤 pH和养分含量均有不同程度的降低。相比非根际土壤,冬油菜根际土壤的有机质、有效磷和速效钾含量有富集的趋势,而缓效钾差异不显著。长期平衡施肥(NPK处理)条件下,油菜根际土壤的细菌多样性比非根际土壤高,而根际真菌多样性低于非根际土壤。门分类水平上,各处理土壤中的细菌优势物种是绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门和变形菌门,平均相对丰度分别为 30.9%、25.7%和 17.6%;真菌优势物种是子囊菌门和担子菌门,平均相对丰度分别为 52.0%和 6.3%。相比 NPK处理,-N、-P和 -K处理对冬油菜根际和非根际细菌、根际真菌群落分布有显著影响,但对非根际真菌群落分布无明显作用,从而导致各处理的优势属种类型和相对丰度差异显著。冗余分析结果表明,pH、速效钾和有效磷含量对土壤细菌群落结构的影响最为显著,而有机质和碱解氮含量对真菌群落结构的影响最为明显。可见,长期不同养分缺乏会显著改变冬油菜根际细菌和真菌群落的组成结构及其多样性,尤其是缺磷、缺氮,其次是缺钾。因此,平衡施肥仍是维持农田微生物生态系统平衡与稳定的重要措施。     

土壤添加不同颗粒组成沸石粉对玉米生长及养分吸收的影响

采用土柱试验,研究不同颗粒组成的沸石粉添加到0~20 cm砂壤土耕层对玉米生长、养分累积的影响,为改良沙地提供理论依据。本研究共设8个处理:CK0:不施肥+0 g沸石粉体(简称粉体);CK:施肥+0 g粉体;A:施肥+8 g粉体a;B:施肥+8 g粉体b;C:施肥+8 g粉体c;D:施肥+8 g粉体d;E:施肥+8 g粉体e;F:施肥+8 g粉体f。结果表明,处理A、B、C、D、E、F与CK之间的玉米株高均不存在差异;但其生物量均高于CK,粉体颗粒构成中0.002 mm的含量最高的两个处理E、F达显著水平,分别比CK高71.36%和63.69%。结果还表明,生物量与不同粉体颗粒5个粒级分布的百分比x1、x2、x3、x4、x5即0.05~0.25 mm、0.02~0.05 mm、0.01~0.02 mm、0.002~0.01 mm、0.002 mm百分率之间存在多元回归方程Y=3.69-0.050 6x1+0.082 5x2-0.093 4 x3-0.009 44 x4+0.064 86 x5,表明了玉米生长与颗粒组成之间的密切关系;方程系数表明生物量与细小颗粒含量呈极强的正相关,而与粗颗粒含量呈负相关。与CK处理相比,加粉体处理A、B、C、D、E、F均促进了氮和钾的吸收,但只有处理F对氮的吸收以及E和F处理对钾的吸收达显著水平。显著促进吸收的氮量达74.52%、钾量分别达63.39%和63.62%,而对磷没有显著促进作用。由此可以推论,在此土壤条件下,只有沸石粉体粘粒级颗粒含量高于39%时才显著促进玉米生长发育以及增加植株对氮、钾的吸收和利用。     

Protozoan predation of Escherichia coli in hydroponic media of leafy vegetables

Multiple outbreaks of food poisoning associated with fresh vegetable consumptions have occurred in many countries. Numerous reports have described human pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., that can internalize into fresh vegetables via root or leaf surfaces. While attempting to obtain the threshold concentration of internalization of E. coli inoculated into hydroponic medium during vegetable cultivation, we observed a rapid decrease in E. coli numbers. In the present study, we determined that the rapid decline in E. coli was not due to a physiological change into a viable but non-culturable (VNC) state. The population crash was instead caused by true bacterial death, as the rapid descent was also confirmed by micro-colony fluorescence in situ hybridization, a culture-independent method that can detect VNC cells. We next monitored the number of E. coli inoculated into intact or filter-sterilized hydroponic medium after cultivation of various types of plants. We found that the number of E. coli in intact hydroponic medium decreased markedly, whereas the level in filter-sterilized hydroponic medium was completely unchanged. This result suggests that biotic factors were present that could be eliminated by filtering. Robust predation of E. coli by protozoa (ciliates and flagellates) was observed using fluorescently labeled bacteria incorporated into the hydroponic medium. Finally, morphological identification of flagellates by scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a species of Stramenopiles. These findings suggest the importance of protozoa as bacterial feeders in hydroponic systems and hence the use of these organisms as potential control agents of human pathogenic bacteria.     

Effects of nutrients omission on maize growth and nutrient uptake in three dominant soil types of southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to determine most limiting nutrients for maize performance using nutrient omission treatments in three soil types of southwestern Nigeria. There were six treatments; full nutrient [120?kg nitrogen (N)/ha, 40?kg phosphorus (P)/ha, 80?kg potassium (K)/ha, 10?kg molybdenum (Mo)/ha, and 5?kg zinc (Zn)/ha]; full nutrient minus N, P, K, Mo, and Zn including control was replicated thrice. Treatments were arranged as split plot in a complete randomized design. Data were collected on growth parameters, shoot, root dry weights, and NPK uptakes. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using LSD_0.05. Majeroku and Egbeda soils and full nutrient supported better maize growth and NPK uptakes. Shoot weight was higher in Egbeda while root weight was higher in Itagunmodi soil. Phosphorus was the most limiting in Egbeda and Itagunmodi soils, and nitrogen in Majeroku soil. In conclusion, maize growth, nutrient uptake and most limiting nutrient varied with soil types.     

翻压等量紫云英条件下不同化肥用量对土壤养分有效性及水稻产量的影响

在翻压等量紫云英条件下,研究了不同化肥用量对土壤养分有效性及水稻产量的影响.结果表明,早稻田翻压紫云英22500 kg/hm2后配施化肥,与施用100％化肥(MF100)相比,施用60％～80％化肥,土壤中碱解N、速效钾含量均有增加,增幅为10％～59％;施用40％化肥,土壤中有效磷含量显著增加25％ ～ 80％.翻压...     

加速土壤侵蚀对养分流失的影响

Soil erosion and nutrient losses on newly-deforested lands in the Ziwuling Region on the Loess Plateau of China were monitored to quantitatively evaluate the effects of accelerated soil erosion, caused by deforestation, on organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus losses. Eight natural runoff plots were established on the loessial hill slopes representing different erosion patterns of dominant erosion processes including sheet, rill and shallow gully （similar to ephemeral gully）. Sediment samples were collected after each erosive rainfall event. Results showed that soil nutrients losses increased with an increase of erosion intensity. Linear relations between the losses of organic matter, total N, NH4-N, and available P and erosion intensity were found. Nutrient content per unit amount of eroded sediment decreased from the sheet to the shallow gully erosion zones, whereas total nutrient loss increased. Compared with topsoil, nutrients in eroded sediment were enriched, especially available P and NH4-N. The intensity of soil nutrient losses was also closely related to soil erosion intensity and pattern with the most severe soil erosion and nutrient loss occurring in the shallow gully channels on loessial hill slopes. These research findings will help to improve the understanding of the relation between accelerated erosion process after deforestation and soil quality degradation and to design better eco-environmental rehabilitation schemes for the Loess Plateau.     

Heavy metals in vegetables and their impact on the nutrient quality of vegetables: A review

Vegetables are vital to the human diet, and in particular provide the well-known nutrients to maintain normal physiological functions. The prolonged application of large amount of fertilizers and pesticides has resulted in heavy metal accumulation in vegetable gardens. Exposure to heavy metals by the consumption of contaminated vegetables and its toxicity is a serious concern. This article reviews the presence of heavy metals in different vegetables, their mechanism of absorption, impact of heavy metals on physiology, and nutrient reduction and associated impact on humans with emphasis on pregnant women based on the existing scientific literature. However, a limited number of studies was found in the data base that examined the reduction of nutrients in the vegetables due to heavy metal contamination. The heavy metals were found in 36 vegetables in 61 regions of the world and were above permissible limits in most of the vegetables. Specific study to human toxicity due to the contamination of heavy metals may be conducted with emphasis on pregnant women, children, and elderly people. Furthermore, strategy and policy should be devised to control the heavy metals in vegetables and those vegetables that are hyper-accumulators of heavy metals should be identified for awareness purposes.     

重庆市近郊区蔬菜地土壤重金属含量变化及污染情况

通过 1999年和 1989年对重庆市近郊蔬菜地土壤中重金属的监测和评价得出 :重庆市近郊蔬菜地土壤重金属中除Hg含量没多大变化外 ,Pb、Cd、As含量变化较大 ,并且沙坪坝区和南岸区受到污染。     

Effects of alumumium on nutrient composition and yield of oats

Spotty chlorosis appeared on the young leaves of Al toxic plants and was severe or high Al level. Stems of the Al‐treated plants were purple While the roots were short, thick and brown in colour with little branching.

The dry matter yield of tops and roots decreased with increased Al level. The concentration of P was greater in roots of Al toxic plants than in the control plants but a converse affect was recorded in tops.

Increased rates of Al caused a decrease in the concentrations of P,K,Ca, M_c and Mn in plant tops, while Al concentration increased both in tops and roots. Iron content in tops affected with increased Al and in root a regular increase was observed. The results indicate that Al toxicity depressed the growth of oats, resulted in abnormal root development with tittle branching and affecting the utilization of several essential plant nutrients by oat plant.     

Effects of phosphorus addition on soil microbial biomass and community composition in three forest types in tropical China

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition in humid tropical regions may aggravate phosphorus (P) deficiency in forest on old weathered soil found in these regions. From January 2007 to August 2009, we studied the responses of soil microbial biomass and community composition to P addition (in two monthly portions at level of 15 g P m^?2 yr^?1) in three tropical forests in southern China. The forests were an old-growth forest and two disturbed forests (mixed species and pine dominated). The objective was to test the hypothesis that P addition would increase microbial biomass and change the composition of the microbial community, and that the old-growth forests would be more sensitive to P addition due to its higher soil N availability. Microbial biomass C (MBC) was estimated twice a year and the microbial community structure was quantified by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis at the end of the experiment. Addition of P significantly increased the microbial biomass and altered the microbial community composition in the old-growth forest, suggesting that P availability is one of the limiting factors for microbial growth. This was also reflected by significant increases in soil respiration after P addition. In contrast, P addition had no effect on the microbial biomass and the microbial community composition in the pine forests. Also in the mixed forest, the microbial biomass did not significantly respond to P addition, but soil respiration and the ratio of fungal-to-bacteria was significantly increased.