Effects of long-term contrasting lime and phosphorus applications on barley grain yield,root growth and abundance of mycorrhiza

Lime and phosphorus (P) applications are common agricultural management practices. Our aim was to quantify the effects of long-term application practices on root growth and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under field conditions. We assessed the effects of lime and P fertilizer applications on barley yield, root growth and AMF abundance in 2016. Treatments were no, low, medium and high liming rate corresponding to application of 0, 4, 8 and 12 Mg lime ha⁻¹ every 5–9 years since 1942 combined with no or yearly application of 15.6 kg P ha⁻¹ since 1944. At harvest, grain yield, root intensity (core-break) and AMF abundance at different soil depths were estimated. Root development was monitored during early growth with minirhizotrons in treatments receiving low, medium and high liming rates and P fertilization. A quadratic model relating grain yield to liming rate estimated yields to peak at 6.4 Mg lime ha⁻¹ with yields of 4.2 and 3.2 Mg grain ha⁻¹ with and without P fertilization, respectively. Low and medium liming rates resulted in greater AMF abundance, especially in the no P treatments. During early growth in P-fertilized treatments, 77% and 65% more roots developed in the soil profile when treated with medium and high liming rate, respectively, compared to low liming rate. We conclude that long-term application of lime in soils receiving yearly P fertilization improved conditions for root growth in soil layers below 30 cm, but at the high liming rate, this did not translate into higher yield.     

Phosphorus Availability in Lolium perenne L. in Acidic and Limed Soils

Soil liming may increase phosphorus (P) availability, but this increase may also be achieved with generous P applications. However, it is not well known which practice has longer-term effects. Thus, in a pot experiment, an acidic soil (pH 4.57), limed to pH 6.5, was added with P and sown with Lolium perenne L. We conducted three cuttings (on Days 40, 80, and 120) in order to evaluate P dynamics in each of the treatments. As expected, biomass increased significantly with liming. We also found that plant P concentration increased in the liming treatment, but not in the P-added treatment, although the difference was reduced on Day 120. This shows that in severely acidic soils, liming should be preferred over P addition, although the beneficial effects may not last for a very long time, since in this experiment, they only lasted for 4 months. Similar conclusions were drawn from soil P extraction results.     

填闲与减少施肥措施提高华北温室种植体系中的番茄产量及土壤养分

Overuse of fertilizers and the resultant pollution and eutrophication of surface and groundwater is a growing issue in China. Consequently, improved management strategies are needed to optimize crop production with reduced nutrient inputs. Conventional fertilization (CF), reduced fertilization (RF), and reduced fertilization with maize (Zea mays L.) as a summer catch crop (RF+C) treatments were evaluated in 2008 and 2009 by quantifying tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit yield and soil nutrient balance in a greenhouse tomato double-cropping system. Fertilizer nitrogen (N) application was reduced by 37% in the RF and RF+C treatments compared to the CF treatment with no significant reduction in fruit yield. Mean soil mineral N (N_min) content to a depth of 180 cm following tomato and maize harvest was lower in the RF and RF+C treatments than in the CF treatment. Residual soil Nmin content was reduced by 21% and 55% in the RF and RF+C treatments, respectively, compared to the CF treatment. Surplus phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents in the RF+C treatment were significantly lower than those in the RF treatment, mainly due to additional P and K uptake by the catch crop. We concluded that for intensive greenhouse production systems, the RF and RF+C treatments could maintain tomato fruit yield, reduce the potential for nitrate (NO₃^--N) leaching, and with a catch crop, provide additional benefits through increased biomass production.     

减量施肥对保护地土壤养分淋失及番茄产量的影响

田间试验研究了减量施肥对巢湖沿岸的保护地土壤养分淋失及番茄产量的影响。结果表明,习惯施肥用量高,氮、磷、钾施用量分别为番茄养分吸收量的6.41、11.01、3.31倍,导致土壤中一些中微量元素供应不足;减量施肥能提高番茄产量,而添加硫、硼、锌的改进减量施肥技术增产效果较好,分别比不施肥、习惯施肥、减量施肥增产20.0%、10.3%、8.9%。习惯施肥养分淋失明显,20—80 cm土层NO3--N和有效磷含量分别比对照高498.9、52.4 kg/hm2;改进减量施肥技术可使土壤NO3--N淋失量减少65.7%,有效磷并未向深层移动。因此,改进减量施肥技术是提高巢湖蔬菜生产基地的番茄产量,增加收入,减少氮、磷养分淋失,防止面源污染的平衡施肥技术。     

Effect of water treatment sludge on growth and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots

Abstract

The impact of a water treatment sludge on the fertility of a silt loam soil was assessed by monitoring the yield and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots in a greenhouse study. Application of sludge at rates from 2–10% (air dry weight basis) raised the soil pH from 5.3 to 8.0 which enhanced plant growth. A substantial reduction in metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni) uptake was observed with sludge amendments, even at the highest rates. The alkaline nature of this sludge (pH=9.3, calcium carbonate equivalence=53%) suggests its potential use as a liming material for agricultural soils. Overly alkaline conditions should be avoided however, as high application rates combined with ammonia fertilization had an antagonistic effect on plant growth, possibly from P deficiency induced by struvite (MgNH₄PO₄) formation.     

不同质地潮土夏玉米推荐施肥方法研究

为推动夏玉米科学施肥,在河南省砂壤、中壤和黏壤质潮土上采用田间试验研究了Nutrient Expert(NE)和Agro Services International Inc(ASI)法推荐施肥对夏玉米产量和经济效益的影响及基于NE推荐施肥的氮磷钾肥利用效率。结果表明,各推荐施肥处理夏玉米产量、纯收益和蛋白质产量均表现为黏壤>中壤>砂壤,NE推荐施肥处理的产投比最高,其次是ASI推荐施肥处理,推荐施肥可显著增加夏玉米植株养分积累量,促进籽粒产量和蛋白质产量的提高。在砂壤、中壤和黏壤上的NE推荐施肥处理比农民习惯施肥处理分别增产7.22%、3.84%和11.32%,ASI推荐施肥分别增产13.44%、10.60%和11.20%。NE推荐施肥处理中施氮对夏玉米的增产效应最大,氮肥农学效率和氮磷钾肥利用率均表现为黏壤>中壤>砂壤,磷、钾肥农学效率均表现为砂壤>黏壤>中壤,3种质地潮土的肥料农学效率均表现为磷肥>钾肥>氮肥。由此得出,NE推荐施肥适宜在黏壤质潮土推行,而ASI法推荐施肥适宜于砂壤和中壤质潮土。     

Yield response of corn to lime and urea application on an acidic tropical soil

Abstract

The effects of liming (7 500 kg CaCO₃/ha) and rate of urea application (0,50,100, and 200 kg N/ha) and its placement at the surface or at 5 cm depth on grain yield and nutrient uptake by corn grown on an acidic tropical soil (Fluventic Eutropept) were studied. Liming significantly increased grain yield, N uptake, and P and K uptake although Ca and Mg uptake, generally, were unaffected. Sub‐surface application of urea increased N uptake only. Yield response to applied N was observed up to 50 kg N/ha when limed but at all rates in the absence of liming. It therefore, reduced the fertilizer N requirement for optimum grain yield. Liming the acidic soil also reduced exchangeable Al but increased nitrification rate and available P in the soil profile (at least up to 0.6 m depth).     

Role of Molybdenum on Yield,Quality, and Photosynthetic Efficiency of White Clover as a Result of the Interaction with Liming and Different Phosphorus Rates in Andisols

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of liming, molybdenum (Mo), and phosphorus (P) rates on yield, mineral and nutritional quality, and photosynthetic efficiency of Trifolium repens L. in two Andisols. The experiment used a factorial design with four, three, and two rates for Mo, P, and lime. Molybdenum and P application increased both shoot dry weight and Mo shoot concentration (10–30%). A strong competition for sorption sites between phosphate and molybdate resulted in an increase of available Mo in soil solution and therefore an increase of Mo uptake (20–40%). Significant increases (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in plants' mineral and nutritive quality and photochemical efficiency. This effect was greater in limed soils. Our results suggest a SPAD 50 value can be used as indicator of an adequate N shoot concentration in T. repens, and Mo fertilization is required to improve pasture yield and quality for livestock production.     

Flow and deformation behavior at the microscale of soils from several long‐term potassium fertilization trials in Germany

The effect of K fertilization on microstructural soil stability is rarely analyzed until now although the ambiguous impact on bulk soil structure was reported quite often, e.g., with regard to higher erodibility on the one hand and higher water storage on the other. Soil material from different long‐term fertilization trials in Germany was examined rheologically by means of an amplitude sweep test where the samples were subjected to oscillating shearing with increasing deflection. The resulting shear stress was recorded, and the maximum stress denoted the maximum shear strength of the sample. Results showed an ambiguous influence of K which depends strongly on the soil properties. On the one hand, an increased ion concentration in the soil solution leads to increasing attractive forces as defined by the DLVO theory and therefore higher shear resistance. With increasing desiccation, K⁺ like other salts can precipitate at the contact areas between particles and lead to cementation. On the other hand, K⁺ as a monovalent ion impedes covalent and ionic bonding between clay minerals which holds true for most of the examined soil types while only sandy soils showed an increase in soil strength due to K fertilization. Potassium depletion further resulted in increased interaction of fertilization with other impact factors, e.g., climate and soil properties. Thus, the destabilizing effect of K⁺ was more pronounced under liming as without liming. Subsequent modeling with selected soil parameters confirmed the high influence of matric potential. The modeling also revealed the interactions with other soil parameters, e.g., pH, oxides, texture, exchangeable cations as well as lack or surplus of K in relation to recommended K content. In conclusion, microstructural stability of soil depends on several soil parameters and requires the inclusion of many chemical and physical soil properties.     

Evaluation of potassium application on tomato performance and rhizosphere bacterial communities under negative pressure irrigation of greenhouse-grown

Abstract

The study investigated the response to five levels of potassium (K) fertilizer addition on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) performance and soil bacterial communities by negative pressure irrigation (NPI) over two consecutive years. The application of K fertilization positively affected tomato performance under NPI, as indicated by increased yield, quality, growth, and nutrients’ contents of tomato compared with no K addition treatment. High-throughput sequencing of the rhizosphere soil revealed that K additions significantly affected in the bacterial diversity indices according to Chao1, Ace, and Shannon. K addition significantly increased the relative abundance of Gemmatimonadetes and decreased the level of Planctomycetes. There were very prominent increases in the levels of the genus Opitutus, but reduced the content of Sphingomonas and Bdellovibrio compared with no K addition treatment. Furthermore, application of 150?kg K ha^?1 (K150) was considered to be beneficial for plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial diversity of tomato. The tomato yield under K150 was considerably increased by 58% and 47% compared with no K addition treatment in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The K150 showed the highest K fertilizer utilization efficiency compared with other K treatments, with K contribution rate and K agronomic efficiency reaching 36.7 and 62.9 as well as 32.0 and 53.6 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Therefore, these findings also demonstrate that K application under NPI not only promotes yield and quality of tomato fruits but also positively affects the rhizosphere microbiome.     

减施化肥配施微生物菌剂对番茄产质量和土壤肥力的影响

试验以樱桃番茄为材料,研究减施化肥配施不同微生物菌剂(EM和春语)对樱桃番茄产量、品质和土壤肥力的影响。结果表明:减施化肥配施EM菌剂处理(RCF+EM)的樱桃番茄产量高于全量化肥处理(CF),但差异未达显著水平(P>0.05),RCF+EM处理番茄可溶性固形物、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量显著高于CF处理(P<0.05),增幅依次为31.05%、27.82%、62.73%;RCF+EM处理的土壤pH、有机质、速效养分和微生物生物量碳氮含量均高于CF处理,其中p H、碱解氮和微生物生物量碳差异达到显著水平(P<0.05),增幅依次为13.07%、20.83%、66.10%。与EM菌剂相比,春语微生物菌剂的效果总体较差。因此,减施化肥配施EM菌剂可提高樱桃番茄产量和果实品质,对土壤肥力也有良好的改善作用。     

Effect of fertilization and irrigation upon NPK composition of corn leaves,on corn yields,and available k in soil

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) was grown for three consecutive years on Congaree loam to measure the effects of rates of N, P, and K fertilization and irrigation on the nutrient concentration of leaves, the level of available K in the soil, and on the yield of corn. Plant nutrients consisting of 0, 56, 140, 224, and 280 kg N/ha; 0, 15, 37.5, 60, and 75 kg P/ha, and 0, 28, 70, 112, and 140 kg K/ha were applied in a central composite rotatable design in each of the three years. All plant residue was removed each year when the corn was harvested, and the plots remained fallow during the winter months. One half of the experiment was irrigated when there was a 50% depletion of available soil moisture in the 0‐ to 46‐cm soil depth.

Leaf composition was affected by fertilization and irrigation. A rapid decrease in available soil K in the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth was evident the first year with all rates of added K. The decline in available soil K was unaffected by irrigation and levels of applied N and P.

There were consistent yield responses each year to added N, no response to added P, and a response to added K only during the second year.     

Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization of a Coastal Plain Cotton–Peanut Rotation

Abstract

A cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)–peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) rotation is widely practiced in the southern coastal plain following the reemergence of cotton as a major crop in the 1990s. Very few plant nutrition studies have been conducted in the coastal plain (CP) with modern cotton varieties and none with the cotton–peanut rotation. Experiments with varying rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were conducted to determine if the recommendations from soil tests provide adequate nutrition for maximizing profit when yield goals are Georgia state averages, due to other conditions. From 1996 through 1998, N, P, and K experiments were conducted in cotton crops, and P and K experiments were conducted in peanut crops on Tifton loamy sand. Initial Mehlich‐1 P was 2 to 3 mg/kg (“low”) and Mehlich‐1 K was 50 to 64 mg/kg (“medium” for cotton and “high” for peanut). Each crop was grown each year. State average yields of cotton and peanuts were produced. There was no response in cotton yield to N rates from 34 to 136 kg N/ha. Lack of response may have been due to the fact that the field had not been in production for several years prior to 1996 and there was ample soil mineral N. In 1997 and 1998, residual N provided by N fixation by the previous peanut crop appeared to be sufficient. Maximum profit from P fertilization in cotton was attained at 50 kg P/ha, the recommendation from the soil test. However, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service recommendation to double the P rate for new land with a “low” Mehlich‐1 P soil test was not validated. Cotton yield did not respond to K fertilization even though an application of 55 kg K/ha/year was recommended from the soil test. Peanut yield and grade did not respond to either P or K fertilization. The recommendation from the soil test was 40 kg P/ha/year and no K. Estimates of P removal were 11 kg/ha for cotton and 8 mg/ha for peanut crops. Estimates of K removal were 25 kg/ha for cotton and 22 kg/ha for peanut crops. Over 3 years, soil P was not depleted, but soil K was depleted. Approximately 12 kg P/ha were required to raise soil test P 1 mg/kg and 18 kg K/ha were required to raise soil test K 1 mg/kg (49 lb. P₂O₅ to increase the P test 1 lb./acre, 38 lb. K₂O to raise the K test 1 lb./acre). Additional studies are needed, but the current studies suggest that revisions in recommendations are needed for both cotton and peanut crops.     

施肥对菜园土壤养分淋溶流失浓度的影响

利用盆栽种植空心菜和菜心并收集测定土壤渗漏水氮磷钾养分浓度,研究了不同施肥水平对土壤氮磷钾淋溶流失浓度的影响。试验表明,在较大施肥量或化肥当季损失量范围内,土壤渗漏水硝态氮、总磷和钾浓度与氮、磷、钾施肥量或损失量之间呈非线性关系,但在中低施肥量时则表现为线性关系。化肥当季损失量与土壤渗漏水养分浓度呈显著水平的线性正相关,由此提出“双速率转折点”概念用以评价土壤养分流失潜力。当施肥量或化肥当季损失量超过双速率转折点X0后,土壤淋溶排水养分浓度将以非线性形式急剧增加。因此,从环保角度看,施肥量不应超过X0。盆栽试验表明,以化肥当季损失量为基础的灰泥土、灰黄泥土和黄泥土的氮肥X0分别为每盆N 0.35、0.32和0.34 g,磷肥X0分别为每盆P 0.06、0.06和0.09 g,灰泥土和灰黄泥土的钾肥X0则分别为K 0.17和0.18 g;与土壤渗漏水养分浓度为基础所确定的氮、磷、钾X0有显著水平的线性正相关。以环保为目标的氮磷钾用量X0大多数低于以产量为目标的经济施肥量。化肥当季损失量参数较易获得,可作为环保施肥的依据。     

Tuber yield and allocation of nutrients and carbohydrates in potato plants as affected by limestone type and magnesium supply

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is a nutrient that affects the development of plants and is mainly supplied through liming performed to correct soil acidity. By acting on photosynthesis and influencing carbohydrate partitioning in the plant, supplementary Mg supplied through soil or foliar application can increase the yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental Mg fertilization by soil or foliar application on plant nutritional status, tuber yield, and carbohydrate partitioning in potato crops in soil corrected with calcitic and dolomitic limestones. The experiment was carried out in pots under greenhouse conditions with a randomized block design in a 2?×?3 factorial scheme with four replications. Dolomitic limestone application and supplemental Mg fertilization via soil increased the concentrations of this nutrient in potato leaves. Liming with dolomitic limestone reduced the uptake of Ca and K by plants, but supplemental Mg fertilization did not alter the uptake of Ca, Mg or K. Supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase plant growth and tuber yield, even when calcitic limestone was used to elevate the base saturation to 60%; the exchangeable Mg concentration in soil was 9?mmol_c dm^?3, and the Ca:Mg relationship was 3.7. Liming with dolomitic limestone or providing supplemental Mg fertilization did not increase sugar and starch partitioning to the tubers.     

Potassium‐fertilizer management in winter oilseed‐rape production in China

Optimal potassium (K) fertilization is beneficial for oilseed‐rape (Brassica napus L.) yield and quality. However, the discrepancy between the high K demand of winter oilseed rape and low soil fertility and insufficient potassium input has limited the sustainable development of oilseed‐rape production. A series of on‐farm experiments in the key winter oilseed‐rape domains of China was conducted from 2004 to 2010 to evaluate K‐fertilizer management for winter oilseed rape. Currently, the average NH₄OAc‐extractable K content in the 0–20 cm soil layer is 89.1 mg kg^–1 indicative of “slight deficiency”. In addition, farmers in China usually fail to use sufficient K fertilizer in oilseed‐rape production, the average mineral‐potassium‐fertilizer input in 2010 being only 35 kg K ha^–1, far lower than the recommended rate of potassium for winter oilseed rape. Adequate potassium fertilization significantly raises seed yield. The average yield‐increase rate for the major production regions due to K‐fertilizer application was 18.5%, and the average K fertilizer–use efficiency 36.1%. Based on the negative correlation between yield response to potassium fertilization and available soil K content, a soil‐K‐test index was established for winter oilseed rape with a threshold value for NH₄OAc‐extractable soil K of 135 mg kg^–1. When available soil K‐content is below this threshold value, more K fertilizer should be applied to achieve high seed yield and to increase soil fertility. The major challenge for K‐fertilizer management in winter oilseed‐rape production in China will be to guide farmers in the different regions in making reasonable use of K fertilizer through soil K‐testing technology in order to maintain both seed yield and soil fertility.     

Liming and Copper Fertilization in Dry Bean Production on an Oxisol in No-tillage System

ABSTRACT

A field study was conducted with the objective of determining response of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to liming and copper (Cu) fertilization applied to an Oxisol. The lime rates used were 0, 12, and 24 Mg ha^?1 and Cu rates were 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 kg Cu ha^?1. Liming significantly increased common bean grain yield. Liming also significantly influenced soil chemical properties in the top (0–10 cm) as well as in the sub (10–20 cm) soil layer in favor of higher bean yield. Application of Cu did not influence yield of bean significantly. Average soil chemical properties across two soil layers (0–10 and 10–20 cm) for maximum bean yield were pH 6.4, calcium (Ca), 4.2 cmol_c kg^?1, magnesium (Mg) 1.0 cmol_c kg^?1, H+Al 3.2 cmol_c kg^?1, acidity saturation 40.4%, cation exchange capacity (CEC) 8.9 cmol_c kg^?1, base saturation 63.1%, Ca saturation 45.7%, Mg saturation 18.0%, and Potassium (K) saturation 2.9.     

嫁接与施肥对番茄产量及氮、磷、钾吸收利用效率的影响

为探讨嫁接对番茄产量及养分吸收利用特性的影响,本文采用裂区试验设计方法,研究了栽培方式及施肥处理与番茄产量,氮、磷、钾吸收及养分利用效率的关系。结果表明,嫁接番茄较自根番茄产量提高30.76%,氮（N）、磷（P2O）、钾（K2O）吸收量分别增加27.88%、28.21%和24.23%,氮、磷、钾利用效率分别提高25.67%、20.41%和20.97%。氮、磷、钾配施较单施可显著提高番茄产量,促进养分吸收,提高肥料利用效率,其中氮磷钾配施较氮、磷、钾单施番茄产量分别提高42.52%、68.62%、50.10%,氮、磷、钾利用效率分别提高103.16%、181.58%和93.71%。嫁接栽培及增施肥料还可显著增强土壤氮、磷、钾供应能力。     

Phosphorus Availability in Low-P and Acidic Soils as Affected by Liming and P Addition

Acidic soils typically suffer from high phosphorus (P) retention, a problem that can be dealt with using greater P fertilization, soil liming, or both. The aim of this work was to examine which of these practices bears the more beneficial result for Lolium perenne L. growth. In a pot experiment, five acidic soils were treated as follows: L0P0 (unamended control), L1P0 (liming only), L0P1 (P addition only), and L1P1 (both liming and P addition). We found that P amendment alone was sufficient to increase plant P levels when the initial soil P concentrations were low. Liming without P addition increased plant P satisfactorily only in the high-P soil. We conclude that P addition alone is a better practice than liming alone for improved plant growth conditions in acidic, low-P soils, unless there is relatively high P content in soil, in which case liming alone may be sufficient to increase P availability.     

FERTILIZER RATE EFFECTS ON FORAGE YIELD STABILITY AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF MIDLAND BERMUDAGRASS

Our objectives were to document effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer rates on forage yields and uptake of N, P, and K by Midland bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] on a Minco fine, sandy loam in southern Oklahoma. After six years of this long-term experiment, forage yield responses to fertilization were mixed and depended on year. Stability analysis indicated forage yields responded positively to N fertilization during favorable weather conditions but negatively during poor weather conditions. Application of 112 kg N ha^?1 provided the best yield stability and mean annual forage yield among treatments, 11.5 Mg ha^?1, across years. In years with near-average weather conditions, uptake of N, P, and K increased linearly with N application rate. Limited water holding capacity of the soil and high soil P and K may have contributed to the limited yield responses to fertilization in this semi-arid environment.