Growth and nutrient uptake in grain sorghum grown under mulch

Mulches can alter plant growth by changing the soil environment, but their effects on mineral uptake in grain sorghum are unknown. A 3‐year study was conducted to measure nutrient uptake in plants grown under 0, 2200, 4400, and 8800 kg/ha mulch. Plants were irrigated to insure that moisture was not limiting. Dry‐matter production, total mineral uptake and concentrations were determined at 7‐ to 9‐leaf, late boot, soft dough, and physiological maturity growth stages. Mulches altered sorghum growth by delaying plant maturity and by increasing dry‐matter yields. Nutrient uptake increased with increased dry‐matter production although elemental concentrations declined. Hybrid reaction to mineral uptake was dependent on the specific environment created by the mulch. Hybrids did not respond the same to given mulch rates each year. Management considerations for soil fertility under mulch conditions should be made on the basis of expected dry‐matter yields for the specific environment.     

Growth and nutrient uptake by cotton roots under field conditions

Abstract

The relationship between nutrient uptake and root growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was studied under field conditions. This basic information could be beneficial when making best management decisions concerning the time of application and placement of fertilizer. A field study was conducted in North Alabama on a fertile Dewey silt loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Paleudult). Aboveground whole plants were harvested at approximately 10‐day intervals beginning at 211 cumulative heat units (CHU) after planting (37 days after planting: 4‐true leaves). Root length of harvested plants was also measured by depth and distance from the plant. Maximum root length was obtained at 1174 CHU (117 days after planting), while dry matter continued to increase until a maximum was obtained at 1317 CHU (128 days after planting). Maximum root length density of 1.60 cm cm³ was obtained in the surface 0–15 cm layer in the in‐row position at 912 CHU (99 days after planting). After first bloom approximately 70% of the cotton root system was in the surface 30 cm of soil. Average daily influx of S per m of root length increased with plant age until 1317 CHU (near cut‐out), after which influx declined. Nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) influx peaked very early in the season (291–469 CHU) followed by a general decrease with plant age. Maximum daily influx of potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) per meter of root occurred at approximately peak‐bloom (764–912 CHU, 87–99 days after planting) and decreased with plant age. Copper, Fe, Mn, and Zn influx rates were ～ 1000 times lower as compared to the other nutrients.     

Root growth,nutrient uptake and yield of soybean cultivars grown in the field

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars differ in their root morphology and their nutrient uptake capabilities. The relation between root growth, P and K uptake, and grain yield was investigated using eight cultivars grown in the field on Raub (Aquic Argiudoll) silt loam which received 49 kg P/ha and 93 kg K/ha. Hobbit (maturity group III, determinate) was among the highest in grain yield, P and K uptakes, and root system length. However, this cultivar was intermediate in its relative efficiency to utilize P and K to produce grain yield; among the most efficient cultivars were Asgrow 3127 (maturity group II) and Williams‐79 (maturity group III). The hay cultivar, Wilson‐6, was the least efficient. It was concluded that even though grain yield was correlated with nutrient uptake, selection for higher yields was not necessarily a selection for higher efficiency in utilization of fertilizer for grain production.     

Bio-inoculants enhance growth,nutrient uptake,and buddability of citrus plants under protected nursery conditions

ABSTRACT

Bio-inoculants have been used for enhancing plant growth in horticultural crops even in nutrient-limited soils. The present research evaluated the effect of inoculation of two growing media with six biofertilizer consortia on the growth and buddability of ‘Rough lemon’ rootstock subsequently budded with ‘Kinnow’ mandarin variety. Soil + FYM + Cocopeat (SFC) with Azospirillum (Azo) + AM fungi consortium improved seed germination, seedling growth, chlorophyll, P, K, root growth, root epidermis, and cortical region thickness; xylem and phloem diameter in rough lemon; budding success and growth in Kinnow mandarin saplings. It also increased OC, P, and K levels in growing media. AM spore count and AM root colonization showed a positive correlation with budding success, root P and soil P content. SFC fortified with Azo + AM fungi resulted in better growth and buddability of rough lemon seedlings along with better growth of Kinnow mandarin saplings.     

Mycorrhizae enhances horticultural plant yield and nutrient uptake under phosphorus deficient field soil condition

Mycorrhizae can enhance plant growth and phosphorus (P) use efficiency in horticultural plants. This research evaluated the effectiveness of mycorrhizae on increasing growth and yield of nine horticultural plants for two different rates of P fertilization under field conditions. The mycorrhizal inoculums increased the root colonization of mycorrhizal horticultural plants compared with the non-inoculated treatments. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased onion, garlic, chickpea, broad bean, carrot, parsley and cress plants. Mycorrhizal effectiveness showed that without P addition the effect of mycorrhizae on plant yield is much higher than that with P fertilizer addition. Under low P fertilization inoculation effectiveness is much higher than P addition treatments. Mycorrhizal inoculums also increased tissue P and zinc (Zn) for horticultural plant. The improved growth, yield, Zn and P uptake in plants demonstrated the potential of mycorrhizal inoculation to reduce the effects P fertilization on horticultural plants grown under field conditions.     

Mineral nutrient transport by sunflower seedlings grown under saline conditions (NaCl)

Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L., cv. Dwarf) were grown with distilled water only or increasingly saline solutions (NaCl) to determine the influence of salinity on seedling growth and on the distribution of mineral nutrients obtained exclusively from cotyledons. Seedling growth was decreased by moderate (50mM) and high (100mM) concentrations of NaCl in the growth solution. Salinity generally decreased mineral transport (especially Fe, Mn, Mg, and Ca) from seed to seedling, except for K. Transport of Fe, Mg, and Ca to the aerial part was also markedly reduced.     

Growth and nutrient uptake dynamics of Mytilaria laosensis seedlings under exponential and conventional fertilizations

The growth characteristics and nutrient uptake dynamics of Mytilaria laosensis Lec. seedlings treated weekly with conventional and exponential fertilizations were investigated at intervals of 3 weeks for 12 weeks in a greenhouse. Leaf area and pigment compositions were also examined at the final harvest. The fertility treatments (mg nitrogen seedling^–1) included two conventional (50C and 100C) and four exponential (50E, 100E, 200E and 400E) fertilizations, and no fertilization (0) as control. The biomass and nutrient contents of M. laosensis seedlings increased exponentially with time. Steady-state nutrition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were achieved under exponential fertilization treatment of 50?mg?N?seedling^?1 (50E) and conventional fertilization treatment of 100?mg?N?seedling^–1 (100C), resulting from simultaneous increase of their biomass and nutrient contents. The nutrient uptake efficiency continuously increased over time in conventionally fertilized seedlings, but it increased initially and declined or remained stable from 11 weeks after transplanting in the exponentially fertilized seedlings. At the end of the experiment, the conventionally fertilized seedlings performed remarkably better than all exponentially fertilized seedlings except for seedlings in the exponential treatment of 200?mg?N?seedling^–1 (200E) in height, root collar diameter and biomass. The optimum N and P uptake occurred in 200E seedlings because their N and P contents were 71%/60% and 14%/9% higher than both conventionally fertilized seedlings (50C/100C) without significant differences in growth performance between them. The leaf areas and chlorophyll contents of seedlings increased significantly with the increase of fertilizer levels and nearly peaked at the range from 100 to 200?mg?N?seedling^–1, whereas the delivery schedule (conventional and exponential) had little effect on leaf areas and chlorophyll contents of seedlings at the same nutrient level (50 or 100?mg?N?seedling^–1). These findings will provide evidence to make guidelines on fertilization for nursery production of M. laosensis, and help understand the nutrient demands for this species and further benefit the development of its plantations.     

Silicon effect on growth,nutrient uptake,and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under aluminum stress

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) on growth, nutrient uptake, and yield of peanut under aluminum (Al) stress. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Zhonghua 4) raised with or without Si (1.5?mM) in the growth chamber under 0 and toxic Al (0.3?mM) levels. Aluminum stress significantly decreased the biomass and root dry weight by 12.9% and 10.7%, and the pod yield, number of mature pod per plant and seed number of per pod by 16.7%, 10.7%, and 13.9%. The content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) was significantly decreased, but that of Al increased markedly in shoots and roots of peanut after Al exposure at seedling, flower-needle and pod-setting stage. Under Al stress condition, Si application protected peanut by improving nutrient uptake at different growth stages and favoring the partitioning of dry mass to pod and the allocation of tissue N, P, K, Ca, and Mg to shoots and pod and decreasing Al uptake and accumulation.     

Preliminary nutrient diagnosis norms and optimum ranges in potted ornamental plants grown under saline conditions

Abstract

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl) and sodium (Na) and nutrient sufficiency ranges for Aloe vera, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Lavandula multifidi, and Rosmarinus officinalis were based on two experiments. DRIS norms and nutrient ratios were computed and selected. Nutrient sufficiency ranges were developed using the data of the whole population according to the DRIS approach. The development of DRIS norms revealed that only K. blossfeldiana and R. officinalis showed limiting nutrients. The nutrient sufficiency ranges for each species expressed in mg g^?1 were: A. vera (N (9–28), P (1–3), K (37–48), S (8–10), Cl (47–50), Na (17–37)), K. blossfeldiana (N (16–22), P (2–3), K (35–39), S (7–10), Cl (45–54), Na (7–19)), L. multifida (N (15–16), P (1–7), K (18–37), S (7–8), Cl (41–60), Na (21–49)), R. officinalis (N (9–23), P (2–5), K (31–48), S (7–8), Cl (36–40), Na (7–12)). The establishment of these DRIS norms will useful to manage the nutritional status of the species studied under saline conditions.     

Effect of foliar fertilization of potassium on yield,quality, and nutrient uptake of groundnut

Abstract

Groundnut (Arachis hypogae L.) is the most important oilseed crop of India and it is abundantly grown under rainfed conditions in vertisols of Western India. The objective of this work was to study the effect of potassium (K) basal and foliar fertilization on yield, nutrient concentration in tissue and quality parameters of groundnut. Two varieties, GAUG‐1 (bunch type) and GAUG‐10 (spreading type) were grown during Kharif (rainfed) and Rabi (irrigated) seasons at Junagadh, Gujarat. The experiment compared two foliarapplied K fertilizers (KCl and K₂SO₄) at two different doses (0.5 and 1.0%) with basal KCl application (0 and 50 kg K₂O ha^?1). Field soil was highly calcareous (pH 8.2, NH₄OAc extractable K 188 kg ha^?1 with 40% lime reserve) Vertic ustochrept. The results showed a significant response in pod yield with foliar and soil‐applied potassium as compared to the control treatment. Pod yields were significantly higher when basal and foliar applications were combined. The best results were achieved with foliar application of 1% KCl together with a basal fertilization with 50 kg K₂O ha^?1. Response to foliar‐applied K was higher in rainfed kharif crop than in irrigated rabi crop. Groundnut variety GAUG‐10 out yielded GAUG‐1. Foliar K application increased plant tissue concentration of K. Foliar fertilization with KCl and K₂SO₄ did not cause leaf burn. Potassium application improved the crop harvest index and grain quality parameters of boldness, protein and oil contents. Response to K in quality parameters of protein and oil contents of seed was more consistent with foliar applied K₂SO₄ . The results confirmed that the practice of foliar K nutrition when used as a supplement and not a substitute for standard soil fertilization, is beneficial for groundnut crop in Western India.     

The effect of winery solid waste compost application on maize growth,biomass yield,and nutrient content under greenhouse conditions

A greenhouse study was conducted to assess the fertilizer value and determine the optimum application rate of five winery solid waste (WSW) composts containing varied filter material (FM) mixed proportions with grape marc and pruning canes using maize. The composts comprised of 4, 10, 20, 30, and 40% FM (w/w) designated C4FM, C10FM, C20FM, C30FM, and C40FM, respectively. Application rates of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 t ha^?1 were used; while unamended control and inorganic NPK fertilizer treatments were included as references. The results showed that application of composts with 20% FM or more at 80 t ha^?1 significantly increased the dry matter yield more than NPK fertilizer but full potential was not reached due to inadequate nitrogen supply. Maize shoot K content from compost treatments exceeded the critical nutrient level while the shoot Zn content from compost treatments with 20% FM or less also exceeded the critical level. The results revealed that these composts could serve as potential good sources of K and Zn for maize production, particularly, in sandy soils where these nutrients are often reported to be deficient. Quantitative estimate of the optimum rate of the composts for dry matter production ranged from 75 to 307 t ha^?1.     

Response of rice to sulphur application under upland conditions

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine the S response and the plant S content of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars OS‐6 and IR‐20 grown in sandy Apomu soil series under upland conditions.

Sulphur application increased growth and dry matter yield. At low S rates OS‐6 gave higher grain yield than IR‐20. With high S rates, OS‐6 responded more in straw production. The leaf S content was highest during early growth and decreased with plant age. At flower emergence, the blade of the Y‐leaf appeared to be a suitable index for measuring the S status of the plant. The critical S level was estimated at 0.15%. The critical S levels in the grain and straw at harvest were estimated respectively at 0.12%, and 0.10%. The N/S ratios for the grain and straw at harvest appeared not to be a useful index for determining the critical S status of the plant.     

Growth,nutrient uptake and yield parameters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) enhance by Rhizobium and Azotobacter inoculations in saline soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive growing seasons (2013 and 2014) to evaluate the effects of inoculations with Rhizobium and Azotobacter on the growth and yield of two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties under saline (5.8 dS m^?1) arid condition. The single treatment of either Rhizobium or Azotobacter exhibited to promote the growth of chickpea to some level, however, co-inoculation produced more effects and increased the shoot dry weight (30.3 and 26.4%), root dry weight (17.5 and 26.3%), nodule number (79.1 and 43.8 piece per plant), nitrogen content in roots (9.62 and 10.9%), in shoots (12.6 and 8.3%) and seed protein (7.1 and 4.3%) in both Flip06-102 and Uzbekistan-32 chickpea varieties compared to the control. Our studies showed that the highest yield response of 429 (27.9%) and 538 (23.9%) kg?ha^?1 over the control was revealed by the co-inoculation with Rhizobium and Azotobacter inoculants in Flip 06-102 and Uzbekistan-32, respectively. A new introduced Flip 06-102 chickpea variety was more salt tolerant and had higher root nodulation than the local Uzbekistan-32 chickpea variety. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents in the shoots and roots were significantly (p?Rhizobium plus Azotobacter could be applied to improve the vegetative growth and yield of chickpea and to alleviate the effects of salt stress.     

Effect of colored plastic mulch on growth,yield and nutrient status in cucumber under shade house and open field conditions

The aim of this study was to realize whether soil mulching, with different plastic mulch colors, is a suitable practice under shade house (SH) conditions for the culture of cucumber. To do so, cucumber was cultured mulched or not with black, blue, red or white-on-black plastic films under SH, and contrasted against mulched cucumber in open field (OF). Red mulch produced the highest shoot dry weight per plant and bare soil the lowest. However, it was the white mulch which produced the highest commercial yield per plant. Contrastingly, bare soil plants produced the lowest commercial yield. SH plants two folded photosynthetic rates compared to OF plants. Mulch color mainly impacted leaf phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) content while the SH affected nitrogen (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). Our results confirm that soil mulching, and shading positively impact the cucumber yield and quality but also show that soil mulching under SH enhances cucumber crop.     

Mineralization of physically fractionated rotten plant residues under upland conditions

A well-rotten mixture of rice straw and calcium cyanamide (rice straw compost prepared indoors) was separated physically into four fractions using a combination of methods which involved sieving, sedimentation and centrifugation. The four fractions obtained were Fl-3 (>0.043 mm), F4 (sedimented at 4°C), F5 (sedimented by centrifugation at 10⁴ × g for 10 min) and F6 (supernatant). The air-dried and pulverized fractions were mixed with upland soils and incubated for 4 weeks at 30°C under upland conditions. The amount of nitrogen mineralized in each fraction was determined, In a red yellow soil, 11.2% of the organic nitrogen present in the unfractionated, air-dried sample was mineralized, compared with 6.8% in volcanic ash soil. The contribution of fraction F5 to the total amount of mineralized nitrogen in wet compost was the highest, followed by F6. Fraction Fl-3 showed immobilization of inorganic nitrogen in both soil types. On the other hand, fractionated samples obtained after air-drying the wet compost showed no immobilization for Fl-3, although the values obtained for other fractions were similar to those obtained for the corresponding fractions of wet compost.

Well-rotten plant residues such as rice straw (compost prepared outdoors), Timothy and Ladino clover were air-dried, then separated into fractions and analyzed for elementary composition as well as inorganic nitrogen content using the same procedures. Although the amounts of mineralized nitrogen were higher in fractions F5 and F6 compared with other fractions, the values were much lower compared with those of undecomposed plant residues.

It was found that the amount of organic nitrogen mineralized in soil was affected not only by the C/N ratio of the plant residues but also by the differences in characteristics or properties of the plant materials and soils.     

Lime and phosphorus interactions on growth and nutrient uptake by upland rice,wheat, common bean,and corn in an Oxisol

Liming and phosphorus (P) applications are common practices for improving crop production in acid soils of the tropical as well as temperate regions. Four greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Oxisol (clayey, kaolinitic, isothermic, Typic Haplustox) to evaluate response of liming (0,2, and 4 g/kg) and P application (0, 50, and 175 mg P/kg) in a factorial combination on growth and nutrient uptake by upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and corn (Zea mays L.). Phosphorus application significantly (P<0.01) increased dry weight of tops of all the four crop species as well as dry weight of roots of wheat and corn. Liming significantly (P<0.01) improved growth of common bean and corn but had significant negative effects on rice growth. Maximum dry weight of tops of rice and wheat was obtained at 175 mg P/kg without lime. Maximum dry weight of tops in common bean was obtained at 4 g lime/kg with 175 mg P/kg of soil. In all the crops, increasing levels of applied P significantly increased nutrient uptake. With some exceptions, increasing levels of lime tend to reduce uptake of P, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) and increase the uptake of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in all the crop species. Decrease in potassium (K) uptake, due to high lime, is probably due to antagonistic effects of Ca and Mg and reduced micronutrients uptake is probably due to increased soil pH resulting in decreased availability of these elements to plants. Therefore, in these types of acid soils, one should avoid over liming.     

Effects of nitrogen fertilization method and tillage system on squash growth,nutrient uptake and fruit yield

Abstract

Squash, cv Dixie, grown on a Lakeland sand was subjected to factorial combinations of 3 tillage systems and 2 N application methods during 1979 and 1980. Fruit yield was greatest with a combination of moldboard plow tillage and application of 22 kg N/ha preplant and 18 kg/ha increments of N by fertigation 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks after planting. Plant growth and nutrient uptake were greatest and N available for potential contamination of the ground‐water was least with subsoil‐bed tillage and N application by fertigation. Disc harrow tillage with 67 kg N/ha preplant and 45 kg N/ha 4 weeks after planting resulted in 42% less yield, 61% less plant growth, 29 to 64% less nutrient uptake and more than 5 times as much N available for potential contamination of the groundwater as the best practices.     

Yield and quality of tomato grown under organic and conventional nutrient management

Nutrient management plays an important role in yield and quality of tomatoes. A field experiment was conducted during the years 2008–09 and 2009–10 to analyze the effect of organic and conventional sources of fertilizer on yield and quality of tomatoes in an acid lateritic soil of India. The organic sources of fertilizer were vermicompost (VC), crop residue (CR), vermiwash (VW) and biofertilizer (BF). The conventional input was chemical fertilizer (CF) applied at recommended dose of 100:80:60 kg ha^?1 of N:P₂O₅:K₂O for the tomato. The organic source VC was used to supply 100% N recommendation as single source or 50% N recommendation when combined with CF or organic sources. Maximum fruit yield was recorded when CF was applied at full dose, which was on a par with VC at full recommendation. A higher percentage of large-size fruits (>7 cm) was obtained in VC-based treatments compared with CF treatment. Vermicompost at full dose increased ascorbic acid, beta carotene, total soluble solids and color value compared with its half dose along with other organic sources (CR, BF). The potential exists to improve tomato fruit quality through a better nutrient management, whether it be conventional, organic or a combination of both.     

Environmental factors affecting productivity, indican content, and indigo yield in Polygonum tinctorium Ait., a subtropical crop grown under temperate conditions

Polygonum tinctorium Ait. is a herbaceous subtropical annual plant, belonging to the family Polygonaceae. Within the cells of its leaves P. tinctorium accumulates large amounts of a colorless glycoside, indican (indoxyl beta-d-glucoside), from which the blue dye indigo is synthesized. P. tinctorium is well-known in Japan, where it had been cultivated to produce natural indigo for textile dyeing, whereas it represents a potentially interesting new crop in Europe. To better understand the effects of environmental parameters on P. tinctorium crop production and indigo yield, field experiments were carried out in central Italy under temperate climate. Three lines were tested during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons, and plant/leaf yields as well as indican contents were evaluated. The results showed that P. tinctorium grown in temperate climate conditions can be harvested three times a year. Yields of 82 and 120 t ha(-1) of fresh plant yield were obtained in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The contrasting weather conditions between the two years significantly affected biomass production, which was higher in the 2002 season, characterized by wet weather conditions. The cycle length from sowing to the last harvest was accomplished in 229-238 days when plants had accumulated 2017-2018 degrees C. Green leaves accounted for 40-45% by weight of fresh plant tissue and contained 11-20 g kg(-1) indican. The three lines did not significantly differ in the main productive parameters or in fresh leaf indican content (14.1 g kg(-1) mean value). Photosynthetic active radiation influences indican leaf production according to the model y = 0.0004x + 8.566 (P < 0.01, correlation coefficient = 0.818). Indican content ranged from 12 to 25 g kg(-1) of fresh leaves with PAR daily values from 10000 to 40000 mEinstein m(-2) (recorded in May and at the end of July-beginning of August, respectively). The results indicate that in nonlimiting rainfall conditions a very high indican content and a potentially high indigo yield can be obtained by cultivating P. tinctorium in this pioneer geographical area.     

Nitrogenous constituents of bleeding sap from taro plants grown in nitrate nutrition under a potassium deficiency

The previous work (1) with bleeding sap from taro plants grown in solution culture at varying ammonium sulphate application under aerobic condition revealed that a potassium deficiency led to a contradictory relationship of the variation in amino-N content in bleeding sap to the exudation rhythm; in the earlier period of bleeding experiment a deficient K-application decreased the amino-N content but accelerated the exudation rate. In this connection, there are good reasons for believing that the passage of water and salts into the xylem ducts is largely controlled by the metabolic conditions in adjacent living cells, especially their rate of aerobic respiration (2). Therefore, the effects of potassium nutrition on the exudation phenomenon were reexamined with taro plants grown in solution culture under nitrate nutrition and correlated with information about the effect of aeration through culture medium during bleeding experiment on the rate of exudation and contents of nitrogenous constituents of bleeding sap. Arsenite- or DNP-treatment was also carried out in vivo with the roots in order to elucidate a possible relationship between the respiration in roots and the exudation process of xylem sap.