Nitrogen transfer from green manure to organic cherry tomato in a greenhouse intercropping system

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the nitrogen transfer, the yield and the nutrient contents of organic cherry tomatoes intercropped with legumes in two successive years. The randomized block experimental design was used with eight treatments and five replicates, as follows: two controls with single cherry tomato crop (with and without corn straw cover); cherry tomato intercropped with jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis DC); white lupine (Lupinus albus L.); sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.); velvet bean-dwarf [(Mucuna deeringiana (Bort) Merrill)]; mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). The number of total fruits, the weight of total fruit and an average weight of the total fruit in the first year was 25%, 33% and 13% higher than the second-year, respectively. The lower N-content of cherry tomato leaves in the treatment with mung bean can be reflected of lower %N transfer of cherry tomato leaves in the same treatment compared to treatment with cowpea bean. The N-content and %N transfer of cherry tomato leaves was 50 and 42% higher in year 1 than in year 2, successively. Nevertheless, in general, the legumes used in this study contributed equally in the N transfer to the cherry tomato plants. The P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn content in the leaf and shoot were no difference between the treatments. However, the Mg, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn content of the leaf were higher in year 2 than year 1.     

Quantitative effects of field water deficits on N2(C2H2) fixation in selected legumes grown in the Indian desert

Summary The nitrogenase activity of irrigated and rainfed plants of mung bean, cluster bean and moth bean was studied throughout the growth period in order to estimate the reduction in the potential nitrogen fixation (C₂H₂ reduction) rate due to field water deficits. Nitrogenase activity followed a similar trend in all crops and was dependent on both plant ontogeny and soil moisture levels. The loss of activity due to water deficits varied from 13% to 100% at different growth stages and was related to the plant water potential. The specific activity was directly correlated with the plant water potential under both the treatments. The average loss of nitrogen fixation rate during the season did not differ markedly among crops. There was an accumulation of ureides in the nodules with increasing field moisture stress in mung bean and moth bean while no such effect was found in cluster bean. The significance of these results is discussed in the N-economy of these legumes grown in the drought-prone areas of the Indian desert.     

IAA and 4‐Cl‐IAA Increases the Growth and Nitrogen Fixation in Mung Bean

A commonly occurring auxin indole‐3‐aceticacid (IAA) and a rarely occurring chlorosubstituted auxin (4‐Cl‐IAA) were compared for their impact on growth and nitrogen metabolism in mung bean for the first time. The plants were generated from healthy and Rhizobium coated seeds in earthen pots. The seedlings at 7 and/or 14 days were percolated with 0, 10^?10, 10^?8, or 10^?6 M of IAA or 4‐Cl‐IAA. The plants were sampled at 30 days after sowing (DAS) to assess the growth and various biochemical characteristics. The auxins significantly enhanced the growth (length and dry mass of shoot and root), nodule fresh mass, nitrogenase activity in fresh nodules, leaf carbonic anhydrase activity, chlorophyll content, and rate of photosynthesis. The effect of the auxins lasted up to the harvest where the seed yield, 100 seed mass, and number of pods per plant were significantly affected by the auxins. At a moderate concentration (10^?8 M), 4‐Cl‐IAA generated the best response. However, a comparable response was generated by the higher concentration (10^?6 M) of 4‐Cl‐IAA. The application of the hormone twice (at 7 and 14 DAS) was much more effective than single application (at 7 or 14 DAS). It was concluded that IAA and 4‐Cl‐IAA improved the growth and nitrogen fixation in mung bean. The 4‐Cl‐IAA proved more effective than IAA.     

Effects of Cd on the fluxes of K+ and H+ in excised roots

As a result of Cd treatment, K concentrations decreased in Cd sensItive maize and kidney bean calli (Obata et al. 1994) and in intact roots of kidney bean plants (Obata et al. unpublished). Potassium may be extruded from the roots or the absorption of K may be depressed by the Cd treatment in these Cd sensitive plants. Obata et al. (1996) observed that Cd inhibited both the efflux of H⁺ and influx of K⁺ following K⁺ addition in intact roots of bean. Thus Cd may affect the activity of proteins essential to ion movement., i.e. ioncarriers, channels and ATPase embedded in the membranes and/or may affect the permeability of the lipids of the membrane.     

Ammonium nitrogen in soil solution and seed nitrogen affect the percentage of establishment of rice plants in submerged soil

The effect of ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution on the establishment of rice plants was examined. The increase of the concentration decreased the percentage of establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, although most of seeds sown on submerged soil became established. Therefore, the increase of ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution may impair the establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, which would occur presumably because the increase delays the spear growth and emergence without the decline of soil redox potential. Several seed lots with various nitrogen contents were obtained from rice plants grown under various conditions. The percentage of establishment of low-nitrogen seeds sown in submerged soil was much lower than that of high-nitrogen seeds, especially in soils whose solution contained a large amount of ammonium nitrogen. However, the difference in the percentage of establishment between high- and low-nitrogen seeds sown on submerged soil was much smaller. Therefore, the increase of seed nitrogen content may improve the percentage of establishment of seeds sown in submerged soil, presumably because the increase accelerates the spear growth and emergence. Consequently, for direct sowing in submerged soil, ammonium nitrogen concentration in soil solution should remain low because ammonium nitrogen exerts an adverse effect on seedling establishment, and vigorous seeds with a high nitrogen content should be sown because seed nitrogen exerts a beneficial effect on seedling establishment.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve the growth and phosphorus uptake of mung bean plants fertilized with composted rock phosphate fed dung in alkaline soil environment

Abstract

Inoculation effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on phosphorus (P) transfer from composted dung of cattle with a diet supplemented with powdered rock phosphate (RP) and their successive uptake by mung bean plants was assessed in alkaline soil. The efficacy of composted RP fed dung alone or/and in combination with AMF inoculums containing six different species were compared with SSP in six replicates per treatment in pots. The results showed that the association of AMF with composted RP fed dung had a positive effect on mung bean shoot (3.04?g) and root (2.62?g) biomass, chlorophyll (a, b), carotenoid contents and N (58.38?mg plant^?1) and P (4.61?mg plant^?1) uptake. Similarly, the percent roots colonization (56%) and nodulation of mung bean plant roots and their post-harvest soil properties were also improved by the inoculation of AMF together with composted RP fed dung. It is concluded that the combined application of AMF with composted RP fed dung has almost the same effect as SSP for improving mung bean plants growth and their nutrients uptake. Moreover, AMF inoculants can be used as a suitable biofertilizer in combination with locally available organic sources of fertilizers for improving P status and growth of plants in alkaline soils.     

Urea as an organic nitrogen source for hydroponically grown tomatoes in comparison with inorganic nitrogen sources

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Momotaro) plants were grown in nutrient solutions with several levels of urea, nitrate, and ammonium alone or in combination to evaluate the role of urea as an organic nitrogen source compared with that of nitrate and/or ammonium as inorganic nitrogen sources. Nitrogen deficiency and excess symptoms were detected in the urea-fed plants at lower (28 mg N L^-1) and higher nitrogen levels (336, 504 mg N L^-1), respectively. The effect of urea on plant growth and leaf elemental composition was intermediate between that of nitrate and ammonium. Solution pH under urea nutrition slightly increased or remained stable. When plants were cultured with the solution containing 168 mg N L^-1, the total dry weight of the plants which received urea+nitrate was significantly higher than that of the plant which received urea and was almost equal to that of the plants which received nitrate or nitrate+ammonium. Both absorption and utilization of nitrogen in the plants fed with urea decreased compared with those of the plants fed with nitrate or ammonium. The insufficient absorption and utilization of nitrogen were estimated to be the main factors associated with the growth reduction of tomato plants under urea nutrition. However, combined application of urea and nitrate is useful for adequate plant growth without a reduction of the cation absorption in tomato while maintaining a stable solution pH.     

Influence of crop residue management, cropping system and N fertilizer on soil N and C dynamics and sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production

Management of N is the key for sustainable and profitable wheat production in a low N soil. We report results of irrigated crop rotation experiment, conducted in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan, during 1999–2002 to evaluate effects of residue retention, fertilizer N application and mung bean (Vigna radiata) on crop and N yields of wheat and soil organic fertility in a mung bean–wheat sequence. Treatments were (a) crop residue retained (+residue) or (b) removed (−residue), (c) 120 kg N ha⁻¹ applied to wheat, (d) 160 kg N ha⁻¹ to maize or (e) no nitrogen applied. The cropping system was rotation of wheat with maize or wheat with mung bean. The experiment was laid out in a spit plot design. Postharvest incorporation of crop residues significantly (p < 0.05) increased the grain and straw yields of wheat during both years. On average, crop residues incorporation increased the wheat grain yield by 1.31 times and straw yield by 1.39 times. The wheat crop also responded strongly to the previous legume (mung bean) in terms of enhanced grain yield by 2.09 times and straw yield by 2.16 times over the previous cereal (maize) treatment. Application of fertilizer N to previous maize exerted strong carry over effect on grain (1.32 times) and straw yield (1.38 times) of the following wheat. Application of N fertilizer to current wheat produced on average 1.59 times more grain and 1.77 times more straw yield over the 0 N kg ha⁻¹ treatment. The N uptake in wheat grain and straw was increased 1.31 and 1.64 times by residues treatment, 2.08 and 2.49 times by mung bean and 1.71 and 1.86 times by fertilizer N applied to wheat, respectively. The soil mineral N was increased 1.23 times by residues, 1.34 times by mung bean and 2.49 times by the application of fertilizer N to wheat. Similarly, the soil organic C was increased 1.04-fold by residues, 1.08 times by mung bean and 1.00 times by the application of fertilizer N. We concluded that retention of residues, application of fertilizer N and involvement of legumes in crop rotation greatly improves the N economy of the cropping system and enhances crop productivity in low N soils.     

低pH影响大豆和菜豆对氮素形态的响应

通过室内水培试验，模拟了植株生长的缺氮、纯铵、纯硝3个不同氮素营养环境，研究了两种豆科作物（大豆和菜豆）幼苗生长对氮素及氮素形态的响应，同时对溶液pH进行了实时监测；在单一供铵的基础上，研究了在不同pH（pH 4.5，pH 6.5）下两种豆科作物对铵态氮的响应特征，并利用实时定量PCR技术，探究了植株体内的铵转运蛋白（AMT）基因对pH的响应规律；通过构建系统进化树、关键位点序列比对，对不同物种的AMT蛋白进行了生物信息学分析。研究结果表明：与缺氮处理相比，纯硝处理显著增加了大豆和菜豆的生物量，尤其是根系生物量，而纯铵处理下无显著变化；但是纯铵与纯硝处理下植株体内的氮积累量基本相同，且发现纯铵处理下溶液pH显著下降。通过控制纯铵处理的溶液pH，我们发现相比于pH 6.5，pH 4.5显著降低了两种豆科作物的生物量。进一步研究了大豆体内的主要铵转运蛋白基因的表达情况，结果显示相比于pH 6.5，pH 4.5显著降低了大多数铵转运蛋白基因的表达量；生物信息学分析表明，大豆和菜豆的AMT在亲缘关系上高度相近，而与喜铵作物水稻的亲缘关系较远。本研究表明大豆和菜豆对铵态氮的吸收会导致根际环境酸化，从而限制植株生长，这为田间提高豆科作物的氮素营养提供了一个视角。     

绿豆干法脱皮设备关键参数优化与试验

绿豆干法脱皮设备脱皮合格率低、出米率低,关键参数研究缺乏的现状已成为制约产业健康发展的问题之一。针对这些问题,该文结合绿豆物理特性研究,采用二次正交旋转组合设计试验及响应曲面分析方法,开展绿豆干法脱皮设备关键参数中脱皮滚筒转速、砂辊转速、脱皮时间优化与试验,利用Design-Expert对数据进行了分析并探讨了各参数及其交互作用对脱皮合格率、整米率的影响,并利用该软件进行了多目标优化。试验结果表明:影响脱皮合格率的因素依次为:脱皮滚筒转速作业时间砂辊转速;影响出米率的因素依次为:作业时间脱皮滚筒转速砂辊转速;脱皮滚筒转速与作业时间交互作用对脱皮合格率影响极显著(P0.01),其余参数交互作用影响不显著;脱皮滚筒转速与作业时间交互作用对出米率影响极显著(P0.01),脱皮滚筒转速与砂辊转速交互作用对出米率影响不显著。多目标优化结果表明:绿豆干法脱皮设备作业关键参数的最优参数组合为脱皮滚筒转速25.20r/min、砂辊转速1 642.61 r/min、脱皮时间108.8 min。此时,脱皮合格率、出米率均达最大值,分别为99.72%、86.57%。将最优组合参数应用在设备上并开展累计20批次绿豆脱皮加工作业,得到脱皮合格率、出米率的均值分别为99.32%、85.63%,脱皮质量大幅提升,有效降低了脱皮损失。该研究可为绿豆脱皮机作业质量改善提供参考。     

不同品种绿豆的品质及饮料加工特性研究

为研究绿豆品种品质差异并从中筛选适宜饮料加工的优良品种,本研究选取16个国内主栽绿豆品种,研究了品种的营养组成及制成饮料的营养、感官、稳定性等指标,并对原料与产品指标间的关系进行了相关性分析。结果表明,国产绿豆品种间的营养与加工品质特性存在不同程度的差异,绿豆原料组成中粗脂肪含量虽然较低,平均仅为1.33%,但变异系数较大,CV达到38.31%;淀粉、蛋白质平均含量分别达50.23%和27.08%,但品种间差异较小,CV仅4.53%和6.86%。不同绿豆品种所制备的饮料中,感官评分最高的为中绿1号(92分)。相关性分析结果显示,饮料中蛋白含量由原料中粗蛋白含量决定,两者呈极显著正相关(r=0.937**)。根据营养成分、稳定性和感官评价等指标,筛选出适合制作饮料的绿豆品种有:中绿1号、冀绿7号和白绿8号。     

Carbon skeletons for amide synthesis during ammonium nutrition in tomato and wheat roots

Heavy application of ammonium nitrogen to plant roots results in the conversion of ammonium nitrogen to the nitrogen of amides, glutamine, and asparagine, which are stored in roots or translocated to shoot. Since the net synthesis of such amides requires the supply of corresponding carbon skeletons, the carbon metabolism in amide synthesis in response to ammonium supply was investigated in tomato and wheat roots. The content of major primary amino acids was determined in tomato and wheat roots during a 4-d period of ammonium nutrition after 1-d culture in nitrogen-free nutrient solution. Ammonium supply led to a continuous increase in the asparagine content in wheat roots, whereas in tomato roots, the glutamine content increased 1 d after ammonium supply and thereafter the glutamine content was higher than the asparagine content. The amounts of amino acids synthesized from glucose-¹⁴C increased while the amounts of organic acids decreased in tomato roots by the supply of ammonium nitrogen for 1 d, compared to the roots that did not receive nitrogen. In tomato roots, the proportion of labeled glutamine was higher than that of labeled asparagine and the C5 amino acids were more strongly labeled than the C4 amino acids. These findings were different from the previous ones in wheat roots where the proportion of asparagine was found to be extremely high (Koga and Ikeda 2000: J. Fac. Agr. Kyushu Univ45, 7–13). To examine the in vivo asparagine synthesis, aspartate-'4C was fed to the roots. The labeling of asparagine, which was the most strongly labeled amino acid among the free amino acids, was remarkably strong in wheat roots whereas the labeling of glutamine was also pronounced in tomato roots. These results indicate that the ability to replenish carbon skeletons for amide synthesis in ammonium nutrition is different between tomato and wheat roots.     

Some Morpho-Physiological Characteristics of Mung Bean Mycorrhizal Plants under Different Irrigation Regimes in Field Condition

In this study we determined some morpho-physiological characteristics of mung bean plants under various irrigation regimes (irrigation after 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm evaporation from pan class A) and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation (Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices). The highest and lowest seed yield was obtained from plants irrigated after 50 and 200 mm evaporation from pan, respectively. Root dry weight, root volume, leaf phosphorus and relative water content were decreased in plants under water deficit stress. Whereas, under various level of severe water deficit the proline content, total soluble carbohydrates and leaf nitrogen were increased. Mycorrhizal colonization was observed to be higher in well-watered plants rather than in stressed plants. Furthermore, the mycorrhizal plants produced a higher seed yield (161 g/m²), leaf phosphorus, leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll index, proline, total soluble carbohydrates content, relative water content, root length, root volume, root dry weight and root/shoot weight ratio as compared with non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Effect of increased cobalt treatments on sewage sludge amended soil: Nitrogen species in soil and tranference to tomato plants

The effects of increased cobalt additions (0, 50, 100 and 200 v mg v kg m 1 soil) in sewage sludge-amended soil on organic matter, N Kjeldahl, ammonium and nitrate were studied in this experiment. Three different rates of sewage sludge were applied (0, 30 and 60 v tn v ha m 1 ) to soil as main plots, using tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill var. Ramy) such testing cultivation. Plant biomass and nitrogen content in tomato leaf were also monitored. The organic matter in the soil was clearly affected by the fertilization. N Kjeldahl, ammonium and nitrate were favoured by organic treatments. Co seemed to reduce the transformation of ammonium to nitrate on amended soils, with accumulation of ammonium forms, especially at the higher application rates of sewage sludge. This incidence of Co on nitrogen species in soil decreased with the time of experiment, probably due to the reduction of availability of the pollutant. Aerial biomass production and nitrogen content in leaf were increased for the organic fertilization compared to the control. Only very high levels of Co in soil reduced significantly the aerial biomass production of tomato plants in amended soils. Co seemed to induce a decrease of the nitrogen in leaf in the amended soils, but not for the non-fertilized soils.     

Mitigation of ammonium toxicity by silicon in tomato depends on the ammonium concentration

Ammonium toxicity in hydroponically grown crops can affect tomato development. However, it has been shown that the silicon (Si) attenuates ammonium toxicity in plants depending on the plant species, the stage of development and the ammonium concentration in the nutrient solution. Thus, in order to investigate how Si attenuates stress caused by ammonium in tomato, a study was carried out involving plants cultivated up to 40 days after seed germination using nutrient solutions containing ammonium concentrations (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8?mmol?L^?1), in the absence or presence of Si (1?mmol?L^?1). The accumulation and efficiency of nitrogen and Si use, as well as the concentrations of chlorophyll, carotenoids, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and growth parameters was assessed. At a concentration of 1?mmol?L^?1 ammonium, Si increases the accumulation of nitrogen and Si, the nitrogen use efficiency, the root area and dry biomass of the shoot. At concentrations of 1 and 2?mmol?L^?1 ammonium, Si increases the leaf area and root dry biomass, and in higher concentrations, there was no effect of Si after the supply of ammonium. It was observed that the addition of Si mitigates ammonium toxicity by 1?mmol?L^?1 ammonium, and we can recommend its use in the nutrient solution (Si?=?1?mmol?L^?1) to grow tomato cropsthat employs ammonium concentration of 1?mmol?L^?1.     

Response of foliar-applied nutrient solution with and without soil-applied fertilizers on growth and yield of mung bean

Hoagland's nutrient solution of 0, 25, 50, or 75% strength with or without soil-applied nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers were sprayed at 7, 14, and 21 days after emergence on two cultivars (AZRI-2006 and NIAB-2011) of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). Hoagland's nutrient solution of 75% strength with soil-applied NPK fertilizers markedly increased the growth and yield of mung bean cultivars if applied at 21 days after crop emergence. However, 75% strength Hoagland's nutrient solution without soil-applied NPK fertilizers was comparable to 0, 25, and 50% strengths without NPK fertilizers. Foliar application of 75% strength of Hoagland's nutrient solution with soil-applied NPK fertilizers might enhance the yield of mung bean in low fertile areas. Performance of NIAB-2011 was superior to the other cultivar. It is concluded that Hoagland's nutrient solution of 75% strength can be sprayed at 21 days after emergence to get better yield of mung bean.     

Effect of sodium‐vinasse application on seed germination and growth of three species differing in salt tolerance

Abstract

The produced vinasse from molasses of sugar beets contains high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, and sodium (Na‐vinasse). In a pot experiment involving plant species of different tolerance to soil salts (cotton, corn, and beans), applications up to 10 t vinasse ha^‐1 did not significantly affect the seed germination, and had a positive effect on plant growth of all species. Increasing the vinasse application to 20 t ha^‐1 had no effect on seed germination of cotton and increased its growth. In contrast, a 20 t ha^‐1 application delayed the time of germination and inhibited corn and bean growth up to one month. Subsequently, plant growth increased and plant height 52 days after sowing was similar to that with the 10 t ha^‐1 treatment. For the bean plants, the negative effect of the 20 t ha^‐1 application continued and resulted in a higher dry matter in leaves, but lower dry matter in stems and fruits compared to the untreated soil. A replacement of potassium by sodium in cotton and corn plants was also observed at this vinasse application. Very high application of vinasse (100 t ha^‐1) resulted in a damage of cotton and bean seeds, while a higher portion of corn seeds germinated (64%). However, corn seeds that germinated collapsed after a few days. Among the three species studied, cotton plants absorbed the highest amount of sodium, corn plants the highest amount of potassium and those of bean the highest amount of nitrogen.     

Influence of ammonium uptake on bean nutrition

A glasshouse experiment was carried out in order to study the effect of ammonium supply [0 and 1.5 mmol L^‐1 in the nutrient solution, whereas total nitrogen (N) concentration was 9.5 mmol L^‐1] on nutrient uptake, leaves, and xylem sap composition and growth of bean plants in sand culture. Ammonium supply caused higher nitrogen, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) uptake. However, K, Ca, and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the plants (in xylem sap and leaves) were lower when ammonium was supplied. Plants vegetative growth was higher with ammonium supply than without it, specially after four weeks of cultivation.     

The absorption and translocation of amino acids and amides in rice plant

It has been well known that the inorganic nitrogen compounds used as the common nitrogen source for the growth of higher plants can be replaced by some organic nitrogen compounds such as amino acids or amides. According to GHOSH and BURRIS (1), who investigated the effect of some amino acids as the nitrogen source, alanine, asparagine, glutamate and histidine were better nitrogen sources than ammonia for clover and tomato plants. For tobacco, however, nitrate and ammonia were superior to all organic nitrogen compounds used. RATNER et al. (2). made the same kind of study by using corn and sunflower plants and reported that the plants could grow with glycine, aspartate, glutamate and arginine, but all of them were inferior to inorganic nitrogen as the nitogen source.