山东省褐土土壤容重对玉米生长发育及产量形成的影响

以郑单958为材料,采用盆栽试验,以原状土壤不打破犁底层为对照(CK),设置容重1.2、1.3、1.4、1.5、1.6 g/cm3共6个处理水平,探索了山东省褐土不同土壤容重条件下玉米生长发育和产量差异。结果表明:随着土壤容重增加,玉米株高、茎粗、单株叶面积、总根量、植株干物质累积和籽粒产量总体呈现减少趋势,且容重越大,降幅越显著。土壤容重1.5 g/cm3时,玉米生长发育受到明显抑制,土壤容重由1.2 g/cm3增加到1.6g/cm3,玉米株高、茎粗、单株叶面积分别降低15.7%、12.6%、28.7%,且玉米生长中后期叶片衰老速率加剧;玉米根条数、根长、根干重、根冠比、植株干重分别降低17.9%、47.0%、36.8%、20.1%、20.7%,容重增加对根系生长的影响明显高于地上部。与CK相比,容重1.2~1.6 g/cm3各处理的穗粒重分别增加11.1%、18.0%、4.6%、-4.5%、-14.6%。因此,适当降低有效耕层内土壤紧实度,可促进玉米根系生长和干物质积累,提高单株生产能力。     

不同磷水平外源独脚金内酯和独脚金内酯抑制剂对油菜根系形态和产量的影响

为明确外源独脚金内酯及其抑制剂对不同磷水平油菜根系形态和地上部生长的影响,本研究采用营养液培养和根箱土培试验,研究正常磷(250μmol/L)和低磷(5μmol/L)水平下外源独脚金内酯(GR24)和独脚金内酯合成抑制剂(TIS108)对甘蓝型油菜中双11号根系发育、地上部生长、磷和生长素含量、分枝数和产量等的影响。结果表明,在0～5μmol/L范围内,随着营养液GR24浓度的增大,油菜根系和地上部生长受到的抑制越来越严重。在0～1μmol/L范围内,随着营养液TIS108浓度的增大,油菜根和地上部生物量逐渐增加,在0.1μmol/L时达到最大;在1～5μmol/L范围内,随着营养液TIS108浓度的增大,油菜根和地上部生长受到的抑制程度加剧,在5μmol/L时抑制作用达到最大。低磷和正常磷处理外源添加GR24(5μmol/L)油菜根系生长均受到抑制,添加TIS108(0.1μmol/L)油菜根系生长均受到促进。GR24对油菜根系生长的抑制主要表现为主根长和总根长变短,根系总表面积和总体积变小,根尖数减少,根干重降低,根系磷含量降低,根系生长素含量降低,但地上部生长素含量增加。TIS108对油菜根系生长的促进作用主要表现为主根长和总根长增加,根系总表面积和总体积增大,根尖数显著增加,根干重增加,根系磷含量增加,根系生长素含量增加,地上部生长素含量降低。土培盆栽试验结果表明低磷处理喷施GR24油菜株高增加,分枝数减少,地上部干重减小,产量降低;低磷处理喷施TIS108株高降低,分枝数增加,地上部干重增大,产量增加。综上可知,利用外源独脚金内酯合成抑制剂能够调控油菜根系形态,地上部分枝数和产量,在作物减磷增效中具有较好的应用前景。     

适宜灌水施氮方式利于玉米根系生长提高产量

为研究不同灌水方式和施氮方式对玉米根系生长分布的影响,2011年在大田条件下采用垄植沟灌技术,设交替灌水、固定灌水、均匀灌水和交替施氮、固定施氮、均匀施氮2因素3水平的随机完全组合试验方案。分抽雄期、灌浆期和成熟期对0~100 cm土层监测植株正下方、植株正南侧和植株正北侧的根系生长状况。结果表明,灌水方式对各位置根长及根系总量影响均达显著水平,施氮方式只对植株南侧根长和根系总干质量影响显著,二者的交互作用只对植株北侧根长和总根长影响显著。交替灌水均匀施氮在监测时期内维持了较大总根长,并使得灌浆期植株不同位置根长、总根量(总根干质量除外)均较大,并最终获得较大的产量(11 524 kg/hm2)。而固定灌水固定施氮总根长最小,产量最低。各处理下0~40 cm土层根长所占整个土层根长比例均较高,该比值以交替灌水均匀施氮最大。对比发现,根系生长分布对灌水方式更加敏感,通过不同灌水与施氮调控玉米根系生长分布应集中在0~40 cm土层,交替灌水均匀施氮最有利于根系的生长和产量的提高,为垄植沟灌下较好的灌水施氮方式。该研究为通过不同灌水施氮方式调控作物根系生长并获得高产提供了一定理论依据。     

蚯蚓粪缓解草莓连作土壤障碍的作用

【目的】土壤灭菌处理已成为草莓生产中土传病害综合管理的重要措施,但是土壤灭菌明显抑制了土壤微生物的活性,影响草莓植株的生长。有机肥中含有大量的生物活性物质,尤其是蚯蚓粪。本研究通过观测连作土壤灭菌后施用不同有机肥对草莓植株地上部和地下部的影响,为减缓草莓植株生长的连作障碍提供有机肥选择。【方法】采用温室盆栽草莓模拟试验,首先在去除土壤化感效应影响基础上设置土壤灭菌和正常土壤栽培两个处理,探讨土壤灭菌对草莓植株不同阶段地上部叶片及地下部根系生长影响,在此基础上以相同连作土壤进行另一个盆栽试验,设置不灭菌土壤加无机肥料(LW)、 加牛粪(LN)、 加蚯蚓粪(LQ)处理,灭菌土壤加无机肥料(LMW)、 加牛粪(LMN)、 加蚯蚓粪(LMQ)共6个处理。调查了不同处理开花前苗期草莓植株地上部叶片及地下部根系的生长状况。【结果】土壤灭菌处理较相应未灭菌处理显著抑制了草莓花前幼苗阶段植株地下部的生长(P＜0.05),在果实成熟期、 盛果期及盛果末期植株生长均存在补长效应。土壤灭菌改变了草莓植株地上部和地下部正常的生长发育进程,植株不同发育阶段根冠比发生变化。无论连作土壤灭菌与否,施用无机肥料处理较施用有机肥处理显著抑制了根系生长(P＜0.05)。在不灭菌土壤上,施用蚯蚓粪处理草莓植株根系总长、 根系总表面积、 根尖数及根叉数与施用牛粪处理差异不显著,但灭菌土壤上,施加蚯蚓粪与施加牛粪相比,显著增加了草莓植株根系总长、 根系表面积及根叉数(P＜0.05)。【结论】蚯蚓粪与牛粪和无机肥料相比具有显著的生物活性。在草莓连作土壤灭菌后施用具有生物活性的蚯蚓粪,可以促进根系生长,缓解土壤灭菌对草莓植株生长发育的影响,是值得推荐的有效措施。     

有机肥与种植密度对旱作玉米根系生长及功能的影响

在大田条件下研究了基施有机肥及3种种植密度（60,75,90千株/hm2）对旱作玉米根系生长和功能的影响。结果表明,在大喇叭口期,基施有机肥显著降低了30—100cm土层内的根长与根表面积,但对根干重影响不显著;由于基施有机肥处理地上部生物量更大,因而显著降低了根冠比;种植密度对该时期根系生长的影响较小。在蜡熟期,基施有机肥限制了30—100cm土层及1/4行间、行间与膜下位置的根系分布,但对根冠比的作用不显著。该时期根长、根表面积及根干重均有随密度增加而减少的趋势,该趋势在0—30cm土层和株上位置表现显著;种植密度的增加也降低了根冠比。有机肥延缓根系衰老作用不明显,其根系导水率与不基施有机肥处理无显著差异;而在种植密度增加情况下,单位根系表面积吸水功能的提高弥补了根量减少带来的损失,表现出一定的适应性。     

夏播玉米根系分布与含氮量对氮肥类型与施氮量的响应

连续两年施用不同氮肥和用量,考察了夏玉米（郑单958）根系在不同土层的分布与含氮量,分析其与产量、地上部氮素累积量的相关性。结果表明:1）施氮抑制夏玉米生育前期根系生长与下扎,抑制作用表现为:复合肥＞包膜尿素＞尿素;施氮使吐丝期0—25与50—80 cm土层根量增大,25—50 cm土层根量减少;总根量表现出:尿素＞复合肥＞包膜尿素,且差异显著。2）施氮显著提高夏玉米9叶展开期0—25 cm土层与吐丝期25—80 cm土层根系含氮量;氮肥类型影响根系含氮量,且差异显著。3）吐丝期25—80 cm土层根系含氮量与产量呈显著正相关（P＜0.05),与地上部氮素累积量呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01﹚;在25—50 cm,根系鲜重密度、体积密度和干重密度与产量及氮素累积量表现为负相关,在其他土层表现为正相关。其中,0—80 cm土层根系干重密度与产量呈显著正相关（P＜0.05),0—25 cm土层根系鲜重密度与产量、0—80 cm土层根系鲜重密度与氮素累积量呈明显正相关（P＜0.1）。可见,玉米根系分布与含氮量明显受到氮肥类型与施氮量的影响,施氮主要通过提高表土层根系鲜重、根系总鲜重与总干重及中下层根系含氮量实现夏玉米增产增效目的。     

分室磷添加下菌根对滇池流域红壤间作玉米生长及磷素利用的影响

随着全球范围内磷矿资源短缺问题的日益严重,间作或菌根技术强化作物对土壤磷(P)的利用及增产增收的效应受到越来越多的关注。通过三室隔网盆栽模拟试验研究了分室磷处理[不添加磷(P0)、添加有机磷(OP50)、添加无机磷(IOP50)]和根室不接种(NM)、根室接种丛枝菌根真菌Glomus mosseae(GM)对与大豆间作的玉米的生长及磷素利用的影响。研究结果表明:所有复合处理中,以间作?GM?IOP50组合处理下的玉米根系最短和地上部生物量最高;OP50处理下,间作玉米的菌根侵染率显著高于单作处理。间作条件下,无论分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的玉米地上部生物量明显高于NM处理;接种GM处理的玉米根系生物量和株高均显著高于NM处理,且根系生物量以间作?GM?OP50组合处理下最高。接种GM条件下,P0、IOP50、OP50处理下的间作植株生物量较单作处理分别提高45.98%、111.33%、33.56%。单作条件下,无论分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的玉米地上部磷含量均显著高于NM处理;无论何种种植模式及分室磷添加与否,接种GM处理的植物根系磷含量均显著高于NM处理。无论磷添加与否,间作?GM组合条件下的玉米地上部磷吸收量均显著较高,其中IOP50处理下的地上部磷吸收量显著高于OP50处理。间作?GM组合条件下,IOP50处理玉米根系的磷吸收效率均显著高于OP50处理。可见,接种GM、分室磷添加和间作各自在一定程度上促进了玉米的生长。综合菌根侵染、生物量及磷含量与吸收量、磷吸收效率等指标,所有复合处理中以间作?GM?IOP50组合对玉米地上部的促生作用最好,玉米磷素吸收最多,可望有效强化滇池流域红壤坡耕地磷素的利用。     

施肥方式对春玉米||蔬菜条带间作边行效应的影响

粮菜条带间作系统中作物的种间相互作用主要集中在条带的边行区域,加强粮菜条带间作系统的中间行与边行区域的作物地上部、地下部生长差异的研究,对深化条带间作的认识及构建可持续的条带间作系统具有重要的意义。通过在粮菜条带间作体系的蔬菜条带中设置单施化肥和有机无机配施两种施肥方式,对春玉米||(矮生菜豆?秋白菜)的条带间作系统中边行、次边行和中间行的作物产量、干物质累积和分配、根层土壤速效氮、磷、钾养分含量以及根系空间分布的测定,研究了粮菜条带间作系统中作物生长的边行竞争效应及施肥方式对边行效应的影响。结果表明:单施化肥和有机无机配施方式下,边行春玉米的产量、地上部干物质量均显著高于中间行,产量分别比中间行提高58.7%、40.8%;边行蔬菜植株的生长均受到抑制。两种施肥条件下边行、次边行矮生菜豆的生长均受到抑制,其中单施化肥下的边行、次边行矮生菜豆的产量显著低于中间行,分别比中间行降低49.7%和45.6%。春玉米吐丝期时,边行春玉米的根系下扎深度比中间行深,且呈现偏向蔬菜条带一侧的"偏态"生长。有机无机配施菜田春玉米条带边行区域表层土壤的根长密度、根系质量密度比单施化肥分别提高104.3%、77.5%,边行矮生菜豆根长密度显著降低,且有机无机配施的边行矮生菜豆根系生长受到的抑制最为严重。结合春玉米和蔬菜作物的地上部生长情况分析可以发现,蔬菜条带的有机无机配施加剧了边行春玉米植株与边行蔬菜的竞争程度。边行春玉米的养分吸收优势使得边行区域根区土壤的速效氮、磷、钾养分含量显著降低。     

低钾胁迫下水稻钾高效基因型若干生长特性和营养特性的研究

采用溶液培养筛选,结合田间试验,提出了采用低钾胁迫下水稻体内钾利用效率作为衡量水稻钾利用效率的指标;探讨了钾高效基因型水稻的若干生长特性和营养特性;指出低钾胁迫导致水稻生物量减少,植株生长缓慢,分蘖能力差,根系生长受到抑制,根系吸收的钠增加。水稻钾高效基因型低钾胁迫下仍具有较强的生长势(相对干重、相对株高、相对根长较大),其地上部钾/钠比值高而根部钾/钠比值较低,地上部和根部钾/氮吸收量比值较低。     

不同供钾水平对西瓜幼苗生长和根系形态的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究5个供钾水平(0、60 kg.hm 2、240 kg.hm 2、500 kg.hm 2和700 kg.hm 2)下西瓜苗期生长指标和根系形态参数的变化。结果显示:240 kg.hm 2钾浓度下,西瓜幼苗茎鲜重、叶鲜重、茎干重、叶干重、子叶面积、茎粗、株高、根长、比根长、表面积、根体积、根尖数和根平均直径分别比不施钾处理增长46.05%、31.31%、57.56%、29.87%、2.92%、12.71%、37.18%、67.23%、64.00%、64.03%、58.88%、154.11%和6.25%。700 kg.hm 2钾浓度下,西瓜幼苗茎鲜重、叶鲜重、茎干重、叶干重、子叶面积、茎粗和株高比240kg.hm 2钾浓度处理分别降低40.24%、25.31%、36.90%、23.08%、31.09%、9.81%和41.44%。700 kg.hm 2钾肥处理对西瓜幼苗根系生长的抑制作用不明显。所有处理的西瓜幼苗直径≤1.0 mm的根长占总量的90%以上,直径≤0.5 mm的根尖数占总量的98%以上;直径≤2.0 mm的比根长、根体积和根表面积占总量的50%以上;钾素对西瓜幼苗直径≤2.0 mm、2.5 mm<直径≤3.0 mm、3.5 mm<直径≤4.0 mm的根长、比根长、根表面积、根体积影响最明显。由于细根的吸收活力比较强,而西瓜细根所占比例最大,因此缺钾条件下,西瓜幼苗钾营养状况受到的影响较根系生长受到的影响更为严重。适宜的钾浓度有利于西瓜幼苗的生长,提高幼苗的生长质量,促进根系的生长发育,而不施钾和高钾处理会抑制幼苗的生长,但高钾对根系生长的抑制作用不明显。在本试验条件下,综合考虑经济因素,240 kg.hm 2钾肥施用量对西瓜幼苗生长和根系形态建成效果最明显。     

不同耐密性玉米品种地上部与根系性状的协同效应

【目的】阐明不同玉米品种在增密种植条件下地上部性状和根系构型的协同响应,为耐密性玉米的遗传改良提供理论支撑。【方法】以我国18个主栽玉米品种为试材,设置2个种植密度(6万株/hm²和7.5万株/hm²),分别在吐丝期和成熟期测定14个地上部农艺性状和8个根系构型性状,利用方差分析与回归分析等统计方法解析耐密高产品种的地上地下协同关系。【结果】随着种植密度的增加,玉米单株地上部和根系生物量及籽粒产量等指标下降,群体地上部生物量和籽粒产量显著提高。根据两个种植密度下的群体产量,受试品种中6个被划分为高低密度下均高产的双高型(DH);3个品种为仅高密度下高产的高密高产型(HH);7个品种为高低密度下均低产的双低型(DL);2个品种为仅低密度下高产的低密高产型(HL),供试品种主要为双高型(DH)和双低型(DL)。在高密度下,DH品种比DL品种具有更多的吐丝前干物质累积量和更高的收获指数,DH品种在减少根系干重、节根数和根系宽度的同时,保持了较高的根系表面积与总根长。综合两个种植密度下地上部与根系性状对产量的贡献,发现吐丝期茎秆干物质、成熟期籽粒干物...     

氮素对玉米幼苗生长、根系形态及氮素吸收利用效率的影响

采用水培试验,比较分析了氮素对高产玉米杂交种幼苗生长、根系形态及氮素吸收利用效率的影响。结果表明,在一定氮素范围内供氮量的增加能够促进玉米地上部的生长,也促进东单90（DD90）和沈玉21（SY21）根系干重的增加,而高量供氮会抑制根系的生长,导致根冠比下降。郑单958（ZD958）在8.0 mmol/L氮水平下地上部受抑制的程度大于根系,造成根冠比有所增加。在各氮素水平下,东单90具有很好的根系形态,提高了氮素的吸收能力,从而提高氮素积累量。随氮浓度的增加,玉米植株氮素吸收效率增大而氮素生理利用效率减小,无论在低氮还是高氮条件下,郑单958和东单90的氮素吸收效率均显著高于沈玉21和郝育12（HY12）,氮素生理利用效率却显著低于沈玉21和郝育12。不同品种对氮素的响应存在显著差异,东单90和郑单958耐低氮和对氮素吸收的能力强,郑单958耐高氮能力相对较弱,沈玉21和郝育12对氮素需求量大,耐低氮能力弱。适宜的氮素供应能更好地协调根系与地上部的关系,促进根系形态发育,增加根系对氮素的接触面积,促进根系对氮素的高效吸收。     

在富营养土壤斑块中根增值对玉米养分吸收和生长的贡献

Root proliferation can be stimulated in a heterogeneous nutrient patch; however, the functions of the root proliferation in the nutrient-rich soil patches are not fully understood. In the present study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to examine the comparative effects of localized application of ammonium and phosphorus (P) at early or late stages on root growth, nutrient uptake, and biomass of maize (Zea mays L.) on a calcareous soil in an intensive farming system. Localized supply of ammonium and P had a more evident effect on shoot and root growth, and especially stimulated fine root development at the early seedling stage, with most of the maize roots being allocated to the nutrient-rich patch in the topsoil. Although localized ammonium and P supply at the late stage also enhanced the fine root growth, the plant roots in the patch accounted for a low proportion of the whole maize roots in the topsoil at the flowering stage. Compared with the early stage, fine root length in the short-lived nutrient patch decreased by 44%-62% and the shoot dry weight was not different between heterogeneous and homogeneous nutrient supply at the late growth stage. Localized supply of ammonium and P significantly increased N and P accumulation by maize at 35 and 47 days after sowing (DAS); however, no significant difference was found among the treatments at 82 DAS and the later growth stages. The increased nutrient uptake and plant growth was related to the higher proportion of root length in the localized nutrient-enriched patch. The results indicated that root proliferation in nutrient patches contributed more to maize growth and nutrient uptake at the early than late stages.     

土壤氮异质性与种间地上竞争对玉米和马铃薯生长的影响

由于不均匀施肥、有机质分解和群体结构复杂化等因素,氮在间作农田土壤中的分布具有异质性。因此,间作作物的生长同时受到种间竞争和异质性氮的影响。然而,人们对作物种间关系(特别是地上竞争)与异质性氮在影响作物生长中有何关系还知之较少。本研究以玉米与马铃薯间作模式为试验对象,在盆栽条件下采用控释性氮肥构建异质性,利用根管分隔去除地下竞争后,通过目标植物法设计地上竞争处理,探讨作物的觅养精确度、生物量生产、功能性状、竞争能力和总相对生产力对氮分布和地上竞争的响应。结果表明:异质氮处理的总相对生产力高于均质氮处理,这可能是因为与无竞争相比,地上竞争提高两作物的觅养精确度。但在地上竞争下异质氮抑制马铃薯的生长,玉米生长得以提高,而在无竞争下异质氮处理提高两作物的生长;这些生长变化在功能性状上得到进一步体现,包括根冠比、根叶比、叶重比和根重比;从竞争能力来看,相对于均质氮处理,异质氮处理促进玉米但降低马铃薯的竞争能力,故马铃薯在均质氮条件下有竞争优势,而玉米则在异质性氮条件下具有竞争优势。总之,地上竞争改变作物对异质性氮的觅养行为,而异质性氮提高作物生长,改变玉米和马铃薯的相对竞争能力,因此地上竞争和氮异质性在调控作物生长过程中存在相互影响,这一发现可增加对间作体系中氮利用特征的认识,也有助于理解农田间作系统中作物生长变化的复杂性。     

苹果砧木对低氮胁迫的响应及适应性评价

  【目的】  明确低氮胁迫对7种苹果砧木生长及生理生化特性的影响,为耐低氮苹果砧木的选育和氮高效吸收利用生理机制的研究提供理论依据。  【方法】  沙培试验以改良1/2 Hoagland营养液为基础,设定硝态氮含量正常水平(NN,5 mmol/L NO₃–)和低氮胁迫(LN,0.5 mmol/L NO₃–)两个处理,供试苹果砧木包括矮化砧T337、Nic29、Pajam2、B9、71-3-150和半矮化砧青砧2号、乔化砧山定子(Malus baccata L. Borkh.),均为一年生健康苗。处理60天后,测定砧木新稍生长、物质积累、根系形态、叶片和根系硝酸还原酶活性、植株氮累积量,利用隶属函数模糊评价法比较不同苹果砧木的耐低氮能力。  【结果】  在正常供氮条件下,乔化砧山定子的植株总干重和氮利用效率明显高于其他5种矮化砧;矮化砧中Pajam2的植株干物质积累量最大,B9的根冠比最高;矮化砧Nic29的新梢生长速率和叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)活性显著高于其余6种砧木;半矮化砧青砧2号的根系NR活性显著高于其余砧木,有利于植株的氮累积。与正常供氮相比,低氮条件下,T337、Nic29和山定子的新稍生长均受到显著抑制;B9、Pajam2和青砧2号的新稍生长未受明显影响;而71-3-150的新稍生长速率提高,叶面积增大,根系中干物质积累量增加,植株根冠比显著增大,为正常供氮处理的2.59倍。低氮条件下,T337、B9、Pajam2和山定子根系总表面积和总根长均显著降低,T337降幅最大;而71-3-150的根系总表面积、总根长、根系总体积、根尖数等根系参数显著升高;Nic29的根系总表面积、总根长和根总体积升高,但根尖数减少,根系分枝数也升高。低氮胁迫条件下,苹果砧木叶片NR活性减小,B9、Nic29、Pajam2和山定子根系中NR活性较正常供氮分别提高了3.70、5.16、2.85和5.14倍。低氮条件下,T337、B9、Pajam2和青砧2号的叶片、茎干和根系中氮累积量均趋于降低,植株氮累积量减小,青砧2号降幅最大,但B9、Nic29、Pajam2和青砧2号的氮利用效率均显著提高,青砧2号的增幅最大;而71-3-150的根系和植株氮累积量均显著升高。基于7种苹果砧木生长、根系参数、氮代谢酶活性、氮累积量和氮利用效率等19个指标的耐低氮胁迫指数,结合隶属函数模糊评价法和聚类分析将7种砧木分为3种耐性类型:第Ⅰ类为耐性强的砧木(71-3-150);第Ⅱ类为耐性较弱的砧木(Nic29、山定子、B9和青砧2号);第Ⅲ类为耐性最弱的砧木(Pajam2和T337)。  【结论】  在正常供氮条件下,乔化砧木山定子和半矮化砧青砧2号在植株干物质积累、根系发育和养分吸收利用等方面均强于矮化砧,但其对低氮胁迫适应性较弱。低氮条件下,苹果砧木通过提高氮利用效率适应养分亏缺,耐性强的砧木植株生长受抑制程度较小,并通过调节自身生理特性,增加根系中的物质和养分积累,提高植株根冠比,以适应低氮环境。     

Biomass and Phosphorus Uptake Responses of Maize to Phosphorus Application in Three Acid Soils from Southern Cameroon

Abstract

A phosphorus (P) greenhouse experiment was carried out with maize (Zea Mays L.) using surface horizons of three contrasted acid soils from southern Cameroon. The objectives were (i) to assess causal factors of maize differential growth and P uptake and (ii) to explore plant–soil interactions in acid soils under increasing P supply. Shoot and root dry‐matter yield and P uptake were significantly influenced by soil type and P rate (P<0.000), but the interaction was not significant. Soil properties that significantly (P<0.05) influenced maize growth variables were available P, soil pH, exchangeable bases [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)], and exchangeable aluminium (Al). Data ordination through principal‐component analysis highlighted a four‐component model that accounted for 88.1% of total system variance (TSV) and summarized plant reaction in acid soil condition. The first component, associated with 36.1% of TSV, pointed at increasing root–shoot ratio with increasing soil acidity and exchangeable Al. The second component (24.6% of TSV) highlighted soil labile P pool increase as a function of P rate. The third and fourth components reflected nitrogen (N) accumulation in soils and soil texture variability, respectively.     

Effects of Salinity and Copper on Growth and Chemical Composition of Pistachio Seedlings

The effects of five salinity levels and four copper levels on growth and chemical composition of ‘Ghazvini, pistachio seedlings were studied under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with three replications. Leaf area, stem height, shoot and root dry weights were determined on 24th week after planting. Copper (Cu), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and chlorine (Cl) total uptake in shoot and root of plant were measured. The results showed that salinity decreased growth parameters. Low levels of Cu application had no significant effect on leaf area, shoot and root dry weights while decreased stem height. The highest level of Cu (7.5 mg Cu kg^?1 soil) significantly increased leaf area and shoot dry weight but decreased stem height. Salinity decreased Cu and P uptake in the shoot and root, but increased total sodium and chloride uptake. Cu application increased shoot total P uptake and decreased root total Na uptake.     

Der Einfluß von Bodenart,Durchlüftung des Bodens,N-Ernährung und Rhizosphärenflora auf die Morphologie des seminalen Wurzelsystems von Mais

Influence of soil type, soil aeration, nitrogen supply and rhizosphere flora on the morphology of the seminal root system of maize The influence of the soil type (quartz sand – humous loamy sandy soil), soil aeration, nitrogen supply and rhizosphere flora on the morphology of the seminal root system of maize plants grown in pot culture was investigated. The morphological parameters of number, length, diameter and root hair formation (both length and density) of the main and the lateral roots were determined in addition to the total root length and number and the lateral root density. 1. The biomass production of the shoot and root system was nearly identical in both soils. The total root length growth, however, was enhanced in the sandy soil due to the stimulated formation of first order lateral roots. This increase was correlated with a decrease in the mean diameter and root hair length of the main and lateral roots. 2. A decreased O₂-supply to the soil resulted in a drastic reduction of root biomass, which was correlated, however, with a (relative) increase in total root length (due to the stimulation of the length growth of the first order lateral roots). The root hair length, on the other hand, was reduced under O₂-deficiency. 3. Reduced N-supply resulted in a decrease of the shoot/root-ratio with both substrates which could be ascribed to the enhanced formation and length of the first order lateral roots. 4. The presence of soil microorganisms in quartz sand culture resulted in a reduction of shoot biomass. In comparison with the sterile control culture the total length of the main roots was retarded, the main and lateral roots were more slender and root hair formation was reduced. 5. The experimental results show that the lateral root system demonstrates a significantly greater plasticity than does the main root system.     

The significant contribution of mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms to maize protection and phytoremediation in Cd-polluted soils

Mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms can individually or interactively influence plant growth and heavy metal uptake. The influence of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi either alone or in combination on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and cadmium (Cd) uptake was investigated in a calcareous soil artificially spiked with Cd. Soils were contaminated with Cd (10 and 20 mg Cd kg⁻¹), inoculated or un-inoculated with the epigeic earthworm Lumbricus rubellus and two AM fungal species (Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae) for two months of growth under greenhouse conditions. Generally, earthworms alone increased both shoot P uptake and biomass but decreased shoot Cd concentration and root Cd uptake. AM fungi individually often increased total maize P uptake, declined shoot Cd concentration, and consequently produced higher total biomass. However, R. irregularis enhanced shoot Cd uptake at low Cd level and root Cd uptake at high Cd level. In plants inoculated with F. mosseae species, earthworms increased shoot biomass and Cd uptake, decreased root biomass and Cd uptake at all Cd levels, and increased shoot Cd concentration at low Cd level. In plants colonized by R. irregularis species, however, earthworm addition decreased maize biomass only at high Cd level and root Cd concentration and total maize Cd uptake at both Cd levels. Earthworm activity decreased Cd transfer from the soil to maize roots at low Cd level, but this was counterbalanced in the presence of F. mosseae. Mycorrhizal symbiosis significantly reduced the transfer of Cd from roots to shoots, independence of earthworm effect. Overall, it is concluded that L. rubellus and AM fungi, in particular F. mosseae isolate, improved maize tolerance to Cd toxicity both individually and interactively by increasing plant growth and P nutrition, and restricting Cd transfer to the aboveground biomass. Consequently, the single and interactive effects of the two soil organisms might potentially be important not only in protecting maize plants against Cd toxicity, but also in Cd phytostabilization in soils polluted by this highly toxic metal.