EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF SOLUBLE SILICIC ACID ON GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETERS OF WETLAND RICE IN HILLY AND COASTAL ZONE SOILS OF KARNATAKA,SOUTH INDIA

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of soluble silicic acid on growth and yield parameters of wetland rice. The results revealed a significant effect on achieving higher grain and straw yield with foliar silicic acid over control. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 2 and 4 ml L^?1 increased the grain and straw yield and application of 8 ml L^?1 decreased the yield. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 4 ml L^?1 along with half dose of recommended pesticide effectively increased the yields over all other treatments. The content and uptake of silicon in grain and straw was recorded higher with the foliar spray of silicic acid over control. This investigation concludes that application of silicic acid at 4 ml L^?1 along with half dose of recommended pesticide as foliar spray increased the grain and straw yield, besides Si content and its uptake over control.     

GROWTH AND LEAF YIELD DYNAMICS OF COOL SEASON CORIANDER AS INFLUENCED BY CUTTING AND FOLIAR NITROGEN APPLICATION

An experiment was conducted to study regrowth and yield of coriander influenced by nitrogen (N) with five different urea doses (0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0% by volume) as foliar spray. Spraying of urea has a significant impact on growth and yield in the second cut. Leaf emergence rate (LER) was higher during initial growth phase and then drastically reduced until first cutting, whereas the stem elongation rate (SER) recorded its peak value during 75-105 DAS. Impact of foliar spray was conspicuous during the later phase of regrowth with the treatment of 2.5% urea achieving the highest SER. Additional return due to spraying was positive up to a dose of 2.5% urea and decreased thereafter. Hence, the study indicated that a foliar spray of nitrogen (2.5% urea) may be beneficial for coriander leaf production under multicut system and the crop is sensitive to rainfall, phototemperature, and morning humidity.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCES AND RATES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SILAGE CORN

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) application source and rate on silage corn (Zea mays L.). Urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate were compared at 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha^?1. The application of ammonium sulfate produced the highest plant height, leaf area index (LAI), total yield, and stem, leaf, and ear dry matter, followed by ammonium nitrate and urea. However, nitrogen sources had no marked effects on the content of protein, ash, oil, soluble carbohydrates, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). As the rate of nitrogen increased plant height, LAI, total yield, and stem, leaf, tassel, and ear dry matters, and protein, ash and oil contents increased while soluble carbohydrates, ADF, and NDF contents decreased. Ammonium sulfate was the most effective N source on production and 200 kg N ha^?1 was the most effective N rate on corn yield and quality.     

EFFECT OF FOLIAR BORON APPLICATION ON GROWTH,REPRODUCTION, AND OIL QUALITY OF OLIVE TREES CONDUCTED UNDER A HIGH DENSITY PLANTING SYSTEM

Boron (B) foliar treatments (300 mg L^?1 as Solubor DF) were applied at two different dates in 2006 and 2007, prior to flowering and just after fruit set, on olive (Olea europaea L.) trees with no visual symptoms of B deficiency. Leaf B level increased after the first application as compared to control (?B). After July treatment, leaf B levels in ?B and +B treated trees increased when compared to the first sampling date. Foliar B application did not significantly affect vegetative growth in either year. During the first year of study (considered as an “on year”), B application had no significant effect on several phenological characteristics including fruit set, yield oil contents and oil quality. In the second year (“off year”), B sprays improved blooming rate, which increased from 20% in ?B to 30% in + B treated trees, and olive yield, which increased by 27% in response to B.     

YIELD,FRUIT QUALITY AND NITROGEN UPTAKE OF ORGANICALLY AND CONVENTIONALLY GROWN MUSKMELON WITH DIFFERENT INPUTS OF NITROGEN,PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM

The effects of varied amounts of fertilization on yield, fruit quality, and nitrogen (N) uptake of muskmelons (Cucumis melo L. var reticulatus Naud) grown under both organic and conventional farming conditions were evaluated. Organic fertilizer (0.0, 0.55, 1.1, and 2.2 kg m^?2) and mineral fertilizers containing the same amounts of estimated plant available nutrients [N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] were applied to organic and conventional farming plots, respectively, in both the spring and autumn seasons of 2005. In comparison to conventional farming conditions, muskmelons grown under organic farming conditions had the same yield, total soluble solids (TSS) and soluble sugar contents in both growing seasons, and fruit pulp nitrate content was significantly reduced by 12% on average in spring and 16% on average in autumn. At harvest maturity the aboveground plant N concentration was significantly higher in the conventional treatments than in the organic treatments. At the vine growth stage, the plant N concentrations were similar in all treatments in both seasons. The ratios of nitrate N to total N amount in aboveground biomass were higher in conventional and high fertilized organic treatments than in low or not fertilized organic treatments under limited N supply from the soil. Muskmelon plants absorbed mainly inorganic N, and the protein N fraction in the xylem sap was larger than the amino acid N fraction. Plants grown in the organic system had a higher proportion of organic N in their xylem sap, especially when manure input was low.     

THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SALAD ROCKET GROWN IN DIFFERENT MONTHS OF THE YEAR

The effects of months of the year and nitrogen (N) sources on salad rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) yield, quality, and nitrate accumulation was investigated during the years 2002 and 2003. In both years, seeds were sown on the first day of April, May, June, July, August and September. Three different nitrogen sources were used: farmyard (cattle) manure (100 tonnes·ha^?1), calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂]-15.5% N (150 kg N·ha^?1) and ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄)]-21% N (150 kg N·ha^?1). Yield, leaf color, dry matter, vitamin C and total glucosinolate content and nitrate accumulation was assessed. Growing months affected all the assessed parameters significantly both years, with the exception of hue angle in 2003, whereas nitrogen source only influenced yield and nitrate accumulation in 2003. In both years the highest yield was obtained in April, but vitamin C and total glucosinolate contents were higher during summer months, and leaves were slightly darker colored. Chemical fertilizers increased the yield compared to farmyard manure; however, they also increased nitrate accumulation slightly, without any significant difference between them. Nitrate accumulation never exceeded 300 mg kg^?1 fresh weight (FW), which is well below the acceptable daily intake of 3.7 mg nitrate per kg^?1 bodyweight set by European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food.     

氮磷钾硼对甘蓝型黄籽油菜产量和品质的影响

采用四元二次回归正交旋转组合设计,以氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)、硼(B)肥为主要探讨因子进行田间试验,建立N、P、K、B4因素与黄籽油菜籽粒产量、含油量、产油量以及蛋白质含量的施肥模型。对模型解析发现,在供试条件下N、P、K、B单因子对产量和产油量的影响均是X1(N)>X2(P2O5)>X4(B)>X3(K2O),对含油量的影响是X1(N)>X4(B)>X2(P2O5)>X3(K2O),对蛋白质的影响为X1(N)>X4(B)>X3(K2O)>X2(P2O5)。施肥模型寻优结果表明施N163.7～179.2kghm-2、P2O585.0～95.0kghm-2、K2O100.7～124.3kghm-2、B6.7～8.3kghm-2,可使黄籽油菜产油量达到1000kghm-2,饼粕蛋白质含量达40%以上;饼粕蛋白质含量大于45%时,各养分因子的取值区域分别是施N236.6～255.4kghm-2、P2O580.3～99.7kghm-2、KO103.2～126.8kghm-2、B8.9～10.3kghm-2。     

模拟酸雨胁迫对菠菜中草酸积累及营养品质的影响

在田间试验条件下,研究了模拟酸雨胁迫对菠菜中草酸积累及相关营养品质的影响,旨在为优质蔬菜生产提供一定的理论依据。结果表明,经酸雨胁迫处理后菠菜根、叶柄和叶片等器官中草酸的积累量均明显增加,并与酸雨pH值呈显著负相关(r =-0.93*、-0.88*、-0.86*),同对照相比,pH5.0,pH4.0和pH3.0处理增幅分别高达81.2%、147.8%和158.5%;菠菜中蛋白质、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、Vc等营养成分的含量随着酸雨pH值的减小而逐渐降低,其降幅可分别高达44.98%、64.58%、44.98%和63.23%,不同pH模拟酸雨胁迫下多种营养成分含量的差异达到极显著水平(P< 0.01)。酸雨胁迫会导致菠菜营养及卫生品质劣变。     

太湖地区黄泥土氮肥对水稻产量、叶片碳氮同化及不同土层氮的影响

在长期定位试验的基础上研究了太湖地区黄泥土不同施氮水平对水稻产量、碳氮同化及不同土层氮的影响。结果表明，长期施氮量（N）在161．0kg hm^-2处理和高于该施氮量处理的产量之间没有显著差异。拔节期、孕穗期和灌浆期施氮量在161．0kg hm^-2处理和高于该施氮量处理的碳氮同化水平之间几乎没有差异，但都高于施氮量在57．5kg hm^-2处理的。不同土层氮分布结果表明，长期施氮量在161．0kg hm^-2和高于该施氮量各处理中，长期施入有机肥配施NPK肥处理残留最深，其次是长期施入化肥N的处理，长期秸秆还田配施N肥处理较浅。     

INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC AND MINERAL FERTILIZATION ON GERMINATION,LEAF NITROGEN,NITRATE ACCUMULATION AND YIELD OF VEGETABLE AMARANTH

The influence of manure and diammonium phosphate (DAP) mineral fertilizer on germination, leaf nitrogen content, nitrate accumulation and yield of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) was investigated. Field trials were set up at the University of Nairobi Field Station at the Upper Kabete Campus during the long rains of March–May in 2007 and 2008. Trials were laid out as complete randomized block design with four fertilization treatments: 20, 40, and 60 kg nitrogen (N) ha^?1 supplied by DAP (18:46:0), 40 kg N ha^?1 supplied by cattle manure and an unfertilized control variant. The vegetables were harvested at three maturity stages at 6, 7, and 8 weeks after planting. Results indicated that there were significant differences between treatments in germination percentage, leaf nitrogen content, nitrate accumulation and vegetable yield. Plants that received manure had a higher germination percentage than those that received the same amount of N supplied by the chemical fertilizer DAP. The yields generally increased from week 6 to week 8. The highest yield was recorded in plots receiving 40 kg N ha^?1 from DAP at eight weeks after planting. Plots that were supplied with manure recorded the lowest yield when compared to the fertilizer treated plots at all rates. Leaf nitrogen content increased with increasing rate of N but only when N was supplied by DAP fertilizer. The leaf nitrogen content decreased with increasing age of the plants. The leaf nitrate content increased with increase in DAP application rate. Results indicate that manure application produced quality vegetables in terms of low nitrate levels, but leaf nitrogen and vegetable yields were low. DAP application effected higher yields, but the vegetables had high though acceptable nitrate levels.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON YIELD COMPONENTS,SEED AND OIL YIELDS OF CANOLA

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) levels and their methods of application on canola. Branches plant^?1, pods plant^?1 and biological yield significantly increased with increase in nitrogen level and no significant increase in seed pod^?1 and seed and oil yields occurred beyond 120 kg N ha^?1. However, thousand seed weight consistently decreased with increasing level of nitrogen. Pods plant^?1 and biological yield continually increased with increase in sulfur level. Alternatively, significant increase in branches plant^?1, seed pod^?1, seed weight, seed and oil yields was noted with increase in sulfur level up to 40 kg ha^?1. Applications of sulfur and nitrogen in split significantly decreased seed yield as compared to sole applications. It is concluded that sulfur and nitrogen application as sole at the rate of 40 and 120 kg ha^?1, respectively performed better than the rest of their levels and method of application.     

包膜尿素对夏玉米产量、吸氮量和氮分配的影响

以施氮量调控氮代谢,提高氮肥利用率为目标,利用15 N研究了包膜尿素（CU100、150和225kg/hm2）和普通尿素（150和225kg/hm2）对夏玉米产量、生物量、氮肥利用率以及各器官氮分配的影响。结果表明：包膜尿素比普通尿素显著增加玉米从肥料中的吸氮量,显著增加地上部生物量;15N包膜尿素肥料利用率（15NU...     

氮锌硒肥配合施用对黑麦草锌营养的影响

本文研究在湖北省宜昌县山地黄棕壤上以磷肥为底肥单施锌、硒肥及氮锌硒肥配合施用对单播与混播黑麦草中锌营养状况的影响。试验结果表明 :单施锌肥明显增加混播黑麦草 (混播比例为白三叶∶黑麦草为 1∶4)中的锌含量 ,且随施锌量的增加 ,混播黑麦草中的锌含量也增加 ;单施磷肥的处理与不施肥的对照相比较 ,混播黑麦草中的锌含量降低 ,其主要原因是干物质量增加引起的稀释效应。单施硒肥情况下 ,混播黑麦草中的锌含量随着施硒量的增加呈降低趋势。氮锌硒肥配合施用的 9个处理中 ,混播黑麦草中锌含量最高的处理是N46Zn2 5Se1 ;单播黑麦草中锌含量最高的处理是N30Zn2 5Se5。     

施用氨基酸肥料对连作条件下黄瓜的生物效应及土壤生物性状的影响

为探讨施用氨基酸肥料对连作条件下黄瓜生长及土壤微生物的影响,本研究采用盆栽试验的方法对黄瓜（Cucumis sativus）的生物学效应及土壤微生物群落结构进行测定和分析.结果显示：施用氨基酸肥料（AAF）使黄瓜生物学性状得到显著改善,黄瓜的叶绿素增加、叶面积增大、光合作用增强,干重提高;同时,AAF富含优质碳源,施入土壤后使连作土壤的放线菌数量增加1.57～2.18倍,真菌数量增加2.22～8.43倍,尖孢镰刀菌明显减少,真菌/细菌比值显著提高,尖孢菌/真菌比值显著降低,对枯萎病的防治率最高达80%以上.本研究表明,AAF对连作黄瓜生长具有显著促进和调节作用,对连作土壤微生物活性有激发作用,对黄瓜的连作障碍有明显的缓解作用.但是,从生长趋势看,氨基酸肥料应配合施用一定量的无机肥料,才能使黄瓜持续高产.     

移栽叶龄对水稻氮素吸收利用及~(15)N-肥料去向影响

利用15N示踪技术研究了不同叶龄移栽对水稻产量、氮肥吸收利用及其氮素去向的差异。结果表明,随移栽叶龄推迟,水稻产量显著降低,籽粒与秸秆氮肥吸收量、肥料利用率及其残留量也降低,而氮素损失增加。水稻所吸收的氮素约2/3来源于土壤氮,1/3来源于当季肥料施的氮。肥料利用率为20.8%~25.7%,氮肥残留率为17.9%~32.2%,有42.1%~61.3%的肥料损失。无论哪种叶龄移栽条件下,肥料主要残留在0~20cm土层中。研究表明水稻早栽能增加产量、提高肥料利用率,减少肥料损失,降低氮素对环境的污染。     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN APPLICATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS,YIELD AND LEAF NITRATE CONTENT OF GREENHOUSE LETTUCE CULTIVATED DURING THREE SEASONS

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., cv. ‘Parris Island’) was grown hydroponically in autumn, winter and spring under five levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization. Plant biomass was highest in spring and lowest in autumn at N rates of 200 and 260 mg L^?1, respectively. Increasing N application correlated positively with rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal carbon dioxide (CO₂) conductance and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal CO₂ conductance, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were higher in spring than in autumn or winter. Nitrate concentrations within the leaves increased with increasing N application in all seasons. It is concluded that lettuce growth and yield is higher in spring than in winter or autumn due to enhanced photosynthesis thanks to increasingly favorable photoperiod. Regardless of season, high N rates promote yield but increase leaf nitrate concentrations. Therefore, for the production of healthy produce the recommended N rate should be based not just on yield but also on the nitrate content.     

EFFECT OF ZINC NUTRITION ON GROWTH,YIELD, AND QUALITY OF FORAGE SORGHUM IN RESPECT WITH INCREASING POTASSIUM APPLICATION RATES

A two-year field study was conducted to determine the effect of two zinc (Zn) levels [0 and 10 kg zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) ha^?1] in respect with four potassium (K) levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg K₂O ha^?1) on growth, yield and quality of forage sorghum. The soil of the experimental field was loamy sand (Inceptisol), carrying 70, 08, 77, and 0.51 mg nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), K, and Zn kg^?1 soil, respectively. Increasing K levels significantly improved most of the growth, yield, and quality attributes gradually irrespective of the Zn levels. Zinc applied at 10 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 proved significantly better than no zinc application at various K application rates. The benefit of zinc application increased progressively with increasing K rates for most of the parameters studied, indicating significant response of the crop to positive K × Zn interaction in plants in respect with K and Zn application to the soil. Accordingly, 60 kg K₂O ha^?1 applied with10 kg ZnSO₄ ha^?1 boosted most of the attributes maximally. It resulted in about 20–40% increase in growth attributes, 25% increase in fresh matter yield, 36–38% increase in dry matter yield, and 38% increase in protein yield compared to the comparable K level applied without zinc. It also enhanced N uptake by 38%, P uptake by 5–19%, K uptake by 40–42%, and Zn uptake by 114–144%. Across the K rates, application of 10 kg ZnSO₄ surpassed no zinc application by 30–35% in N uptake, by 8–15% in P uptake, by 33–36% in K uptake, by 120–140% in Zn uptake, by 19–21% in fresh matter yield, by 29–31% in dry matter yield, and by 30–34% in protein yield.     

EFFECT OF SWINE MANURE EXTRACT ON LEAF NITROGEN CONCENTRATION,CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT,TOTAL POTASSIUM IN PLANT PARTS AND STARCH CONTENT IN FRESH TUBER YIELD OF CASSAVA

The effects of swine manure extract (SME) as foliar fertilizer (FSME), soil fertilizer (SSME), and both soil and foliar fertilizer (FNSSME) on leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, total potassium (K) in plant parts and starch content in the fresh roots, compared to a conventional, chemical fertilizer (CF) were studied in cassava cultivar ‘Hauybong 60’. The results showed that plants on FNSSME had the highest chlorophyll contents and SPAD values at four months after planting (MAP). Cassava plants treated with SSME and FNSSME had highest starch content and was significantly higher than in plants treated with CF and a FSME. There was a strong, positive relationship between the leaf nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll content in cassava at 6 MAP. The results of the study indicated that an application of FNSSME to cassava plants could provide a higher chlorophyll content and higher tuber quality of the plants than those applied with chemical fertilizer.