Ion distribution in leaves of varying age in salt‐tolerant lines of alfalfa under salt stress

Two lines of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a salt‐tolerant AZ‐Germ Salt II and a salt‐sensitive Mesa Sirsa, were grown for three weeks in solution culture containing 0 or 100 mol/m³ sodium chloride (NaCl) in half‐strength Hoagland nutrient solution. Distribution of cations and chloride (Cl) in the leaves of varying ages was determined. The older leaves (age‐dependent) of both lines contained more sodium (Na) in the laminae and petioles than the younger leaves at the salt treatment, whereas the reverse was true for potassium (K) in the laminae. Age‐dependent Cl distribution was only found in the laminae of AZ‐Germ Salt II. Distribution of calcium (Ca) in the lamina and petioles was strongly age‐dependent in both lines, but such a pattern was not found for magnesium (Mg) concentrations. AZ‐Germ Salt II accumulated considerably higher concen‐ trations of Na and Cl in the laminae compared with Mesa Sirsa. The lower Na and Cl concentrations in the laminae of Mesa Sirsa were due to relatively higher accumulation of these ions in the stems. It is concluded that distribution of Na, Cl, and Ca in the leaf laminae is age dependent. Salt tolerance in alfalfa is related to inclusion of Na and Cl in the leaf laminae.     

Effect of nitrogen on the growth and photo‐synthetic activity of salt‐stressed barley

Pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to study the effect of nitrogen (N) nutrition on photosynthesis and water relations of barley plants under salinity conditions. Nitrogen decreased the sodium (Na) content and increased the potassium (K) content in shoots. The net photosynthetic rate of leaves increased significantly with added N increasing from 0 to 100 mg N/kg soil. The activity of ribulose 1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC_ase) in leaves of high‐salt plants was lower, and in leaves of the low‐salt plants higher than that in control plants. The photosynthetic rate was reduced by sodium chloride (NaCl) and was significantly correlated with total soluble protein per unit leaf area. At each N level, stomatal conductance in leaves was reduced considerably by salt. Proline content of leaves increased with increasing N level. It was higher in leaves of salt‐treated plants than in those of control plants. The osmotic potential of leaves decreased with increasing N applied, and the turgor pressure of high N plants remained higher under salt treatment condition.     

Responses of a salt‐tolerant and a salt‐sensitive line of sunflower to varying sodium/calcium ratios in saline sand culture

The effects on two‐week‐old plants of a salt‐tolerant line (Euroflor) and a salt‐sensitive (SMH‐24) line of sunflower, of varying sodium/calcium (Na/ Ca) ratios in a saline growth medium were assessed after three weeks growth in sand culture under greenhouse conditions. The different Na/Ca ratios of the salt treatment were 36.5, 74.0, and 149, at a constant concentration of 150 mol m^‐3 NaCl. Euroflor was superior to SMH‐24 in fresh and dry matters of shoots and roots at varying external Na/Ca ratios. The leaf Na⁺ concentration in SMH‐24 increased consistently with increase in external Na/Ca ratio, whereas that in Euroflor remained almost unaffected. Although leaf chlorine (Cl^‐) was significantly greater in SMH‐24 than Euroflor, there was no effect of decreasing Ca²⁺ concentration of the saline growth medium on the leaf Cl^‐ concentrations of both lines. The lines did not differ in K⁺, Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ concentrations of both shoots and roots. The leaf K/Na and Ca/ Na ratios, K versus Na selectivity were considerably higher in Euroflor than in SMH‐24. The lines also did not differ in leaf water potential and gas exchange and these variables were not affected due to decreasing Ca²⁺ concentration of the saline growth medium. Stomatal conductance and transpiration remained unchanged in Euroflor, whereas those in SMH‐24 decreased significantly at the highest external Na/Ca ratio. Euroflor had significantly greater stomatal conductance and transpiration than those of SMH‐24 at almost all external Na/Ca ratios, whereas the reverse was true for water use efficiency. It was established that Euroflor was tolerant to low Ca²⁺ concentrations of the saline growth medium as compared with SMH‐24. This was mainly attributable to accumulation of relatively low Na⁺ and Cl^‐ in the leaves, and maintenance of high leaf K/Na and Ca/Na ratios and K versus Na selectivity in Euroflor.     

Tolerance of spring wheat to a salt‐fluxing residue containing potassium and magnesium

Abstract

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted in Idaho in 1985 to document the maximum levels of a salt fluxing residue (slag) material that can be safely applied to agricultural soils without reducing spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth. The slag material, which contains significant quantities of Mg and K, was applied to Mission (coarse‐silty, mixed, frigid Andic Fragiochrepts) and Palouse (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Pachic Ultic Haploxerolls) silt loam soils at rates ranging from 0 to 40,000 kg/ha. Parameters evaluated included: (1) germination, (2) plant vigor, (3) yield, and (4) soil and plant tissue K, Ca and Mg.

Under field conditions slag application rates of 4,000 and 8,000 kg/ha reduced wheat stands and vigor; however, yields were not adversely affected when compared with the control. Application rates in excess of 8,000 kg/ha resulted in reduced germination, plant vigor, and yield and are consequently not recommended. Greenhouse studies provided further evidence to substantiate the field results.     

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.     

Gas exchange,water relations,and Ion concentrations of salt‐stressed tomato and melon plants

Abstract

Tomato and melon plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with nutrient solution having an EC of 2 dS m^?1 (control treatment) and 4, 6, and 8 dS m^?1, produced by adding NaCl to the control nutrient solution. After 84 days, leaf water relations, gas exchange parameters, and ion concentrations, as well as plant growth, were measured. Melon plants showed a greater reduction in shoot weight and leaf area than tomato at the two highest salinity levels used (6 and 8 dS m^?1). Net photosynthesis (Pn) in melon plants tended to be lower than in tomato, for all saline treatments tested. Pn was reduced by 32% in melon plants grown in nutrient solution having an EC of 4 dS m^?1, relative to control plants, and no further decline occurred at higher EC levels. In tomato plants, the Pn decline occurred at EC of 6 dS m^?1, and no further reduction was detected at EC of 8 dS m^?1. The significant reductions in Pn corresponded to similar leaf Cl^? concentrations (around 409 mmol kg^?1 dry weight) in both plant species. Net Pn and stomatal conductance were linearly correlated in both tomato and melon plants, Pn being more sensitive to changes in stomatal conductance (g_s) in melon than in tomato leaves. The decline in the growth parameters caused by salinity in melon and tomato plants was influenced by other factors in addition to reduction in Pn rates. Melon leaves accumulated larger amounts of Cl^? than tomato, which caused a greater reduction in growth and a reduction in Pn at lower salinity levels than in tomato plants. These facts indicate that tomato is more salt‐tolerant than melon.     

Evaluation of efficient soil test methods for Zn and their critical vales in salt‐affects soils for rice

Abstract

Soil pot culture experiment was conducted on 22 soils of Balewal‐Phaguwala‐Narike (BPN) and 24 soils of Isri‐Langrian‐Narike (ILN) associations using rice (PR 106) as test crop at 0 and 7.5 ppm Zn levels. Chelating extractants 0.005M DTPA, 0.01M EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ and 0.05M EDTA, extracted more soil Zn than double‐acid and were significantly correlated with each other as well as with soil pH and clay in BPN and only with clay in ILN soil association. Soil CaCO₃ governed the double‐acid extractable Zn in these soils. Dry matter yield and Zn uptake by rice significantly increased with 7.5 ppm Zn application. The response was higher in ILN than BPN soil association, The DTPA method gave the highest correlation with Bray's yield and Zn uptake (r =0.72 and 0.55) followed by 0.05M EDTA (r ‐ 0.75 and 0.61) or EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ (r =0.70 and 0.61). The predictability of rice yield improved from 18–27 to 27–35, 32–43, 34–44 and 51–55 percent as a result of stepwise inclusion of pH, CaCO₃, organic carbon (OC) and clay respectively in the regression equation alongwith Zn extracted by chelating agents.

The critical levels of DTPA, EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ and EDTA extractable Zn significantly differed in the two associations and were 0.69, 0.82 and 1.24 ppm in BPN and O.BC, 1.09 and 1.42 ppm in ILN soil association. Soil properties further affected the critical levels. This for DTPA available Zn was 0.80 and 1.03 ppm in soil containing less and greater than 2% CaCO₃, 1.03 and 0.80 ppm in soils containing less and greater than 0.25% OC. These values for EDTA‐(NH₄)₂CO₃ available Zn were 1.09 and 0.91 ppm Zn in soils containing less and greater than 15% clay suggesting that critical levels of Zn for each category of soil properties should be considered while making recommendations of Zn fertilization of crops.,     

Protein synthesis in green‐beans under salt stress with two nitrogen sources

Nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis in plants are severely affected by salt stress, resulting in abnormal plant growth and lower crop yield. The purpose of this investigation was to compare protein synthesis in three green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars ('Tender Improved’, ‘Slim Green’, and ‘Kentucky Wonder') under normal (non‐saline) and salt stress with two sources of nitrogen (ammonium‐¹⁵N and nitrate‐¹⁵N separately). This comparison was achieved by using ¹⁵N under normal (control = 0.3 bars osmotic pressure) and NaCl stress (3.0 bars osmotic pressure), in Hoagland nutrient solution, in a growth chamber. The 5‐day‐old green bean seedlings were grown for 5 additional days in one‐half strength Hoagland solution before and 5 days after the completion of salinization with NaCl. This was followed by a 15‐day ¹⁵N uptake period after either (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ or K¹⁵N0₃ addition to the culture solutions for the ammonium‐¹⁵N or nitrate‐¹⁵N treatments, respectively. Plant tissues were analyzed for the crude protein and protein‐N (total and ¹⁵N) contents. The crude protein and protein‐N (total and ¹⁵N) content of all cultivars significantly decreased under stress conditions for both sources of nitrogen. However, the Tender Improved appeared the least and the Slim Green the most severely affected by salinity among the three cultivars. For all cultivars at each harvest, shoots were more adversely influenced than roots by salt stress when comparing the salinized plants with the controls for each plant part for either source of ¹⁵N. The control (non‐salinized) plants contained substantially higher crude protein and protein‐N (total and ¹⁵N) when treated with NO₃‐N as compared with NH₄‐N source of ¹⁵N.     

H+‐atpase and H+‐transport activities in tonoplast vesicles from barley roots under salt stress and influence of calcium and abscisic acid 1

Seedlings of two barley cultivars differing in NaCl sensitivity were treated with low (100 mM) or high (400 mM) concentration of NaCl for 6 days. Tonoplast vesicles were prepared from roots, and H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities associated with tonoplast were assayed. Both H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities in the two cultivars were increased at 100 mM NaCl. These activities also increased in the salt‐tolerant cultivar at 400 mM NaCl, but in salt‐sensitive cultivar were decreased. In vivo treatment with 10 mM Ca²⁺ stimulated H⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐transport activities at two levels of NaCl, however, treatment with 10⁵M (±) abscisic acid (ABA) inhibited these activities. From these results we propose that the increase of the vacuolar H⁺ pumps in barley roots reflects an adaptation to salt stress. The stimulation of HVATPase and H⁺‐transport activities by calcium (Ca) depends mainly on its effect in maintaining stability of membrane under salt stress.     

Response of Corn Growth in Salt‐Affected Soils of Northeast China to Flue‐Gas Desulfurization By‐product

Abstract

In semiarid and arid regions, plant growth is limited by high pH, salinity, and poor physical properties of salt‐affected soils. A field experiment was conducted in the semiarid region of Kangping in northeast China (42°70′ N, 123°50′ E) to evaluate a soil‐management system that utilized a by‐product of flue‐gas desulfurization (FGD). Soil was treated with 23,100 kg ha^?1 of the by‐product. Results of corn growth were grouped into three grades (GD) according to stages of corn growth: GD1, seeds did not germinate; GD2, seeds germinated but corn was not harvested; and GD3, plants grew well and corn was harvested. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?), carbonate (CO₃ ^2?), exchangeable and soluble calcium (Ca²⁺), chloride (Cl), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) in surface soils of the three grades (>20 cm) was measured to assess the correlation between corn growth and soil properties. Vertical differences in subsoil properties (0‐100 cm) between GD1 and GD3 were compared to known benchmark soil profiles. The FGD by‐product significantly increased EC, exchangeable and soluble Ca²⁺, and SO₄ ^2? and decreased CO₃ ^2?, exchangeable sodium (Na⁺), and soluble Na⁺. pH, EC, HCO₃ ^?, CO₃ ^2?, and Cl^? were higher in surface soils of GD1 than GD3. Soil hardness, soil moisture content, Cl^?, and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were higher in GD1 than in GD3, whereas the amount of available P was lower in GD1. Interestingly, the concentration of Cl^?, a toxic element for plant growth, was 2.5 and 1.5 times higher in GD1 than in GD3 and control soil, respectively. In the comparison study of subsoils, GD1 and GD3 were classified as having typical characteristics of saline‐alkali soil (pH>8.5; exchangeable‐sodium‐percentage [ESP]>15; EC>4.0) and alkali soil (pH>8.5; ESP>15; EC<4.0), respectively.     

Distribution of sludge‐borne manganese in field‐grown maize

Abstract

The uptake and distribution of manganese (Mn) in field‐grown maize (Zea mays L.) was studied in a long‐term sewage sludge field trial on an acid sandy soil at Bordeaux. Since 1974, sewage sludge had been applied at levels of 101 dry matter (DM) ha^‐1 year^‐1 (SS 10) and 1001 DM ha^‐1 per 2 years (SS 100) on annually cropped maize plots. Treatment with farmyard manure (FYM) at a rate of 10 t DM ha^‐1 year^‐1 served as unpolluted control. Five replicate plants per treatment were examined at six different growth stages. At each stage, the whole plant was separated into its different organs and the Mn distribution was determined in at least 12 different plant parts. Manganese concentrations were always higher in SS 100 plants compared to FYM and SS 10 treated plants. Significant treatment‐dependent differences occurred almost all in the roots and in the different leaf levels while we found similar Mn concentrations in the stalk and in the reproductive organs. In the different stalk levels and in the ear composites we determined low Mn concentrations with critical deficiency values in FYM and SS 10 plants while Mn concentrations in SS 100 plants were in the normal range. Soil treatment also significantly influenced the initial absorption by the roots. Despite low absolute Mn concentrations in the roots of FYM plants, the Mn transfer coefficient (plant Mn concentration/soil Mn concentration) was highest in FYM plants and lowest in SS 100 plants indicating a relatively low Mn plant availability in the sludge‐treated plots.     

Nutrition of container‐grown freesias

As limited information is available on the nutrition of freesias an experiment was carried out to examine the influence of nutrients on foliage and corm growth, and flowering of container‐grown plants. The experiment ran for 10 months using seedlings grown in a peat:sand (3:1,v:v) medium with combinations of varying levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and lime. Nitrogen fertilization had a significant effect on many aspects of flowering and growth while the response to P was similar except for a lack of influence on spike production. Fertilization of 600–800 g N m^‐3 and at least 200 g P m^‐3 are recommended for strong leaf and corm growth with good flowering. There were few significant responses to added K, except in early foliage growth, while liming increased foliage development. High flowering, leaf, and corm growth should be achieved with a media pH of 5.9 and foliar nutrients of 2.2–2.3% N, 0.25–0.30% P, 4.0–4.5% K, 0.65–0.80% calcium (Ca) and 0.20–0.25% magnesium (Mg).     

Effect of different nitrogen‐forms and iron‐chelates on the development of stinging nettle

The development of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) grown on culture solution containing with either ammonium or nitrate ions, or urea, was investigated under iron deficiency conditions, and with added FeEDTA or FeCto. Both seed‐cultured and vegetatively‐cultured stinging nettle plants produced normally developed green shoots when nitrate and 4 μM FeEDTA or FeCto were supplied. Stinging nettle plants were able to utilize Fe‐citrate, Fe‐ascorbate, and Fe‐malate effectively at the same concentration as well. When K3Fe(CN)6 was supplied, which is impermeable to the plasmalemma, and therefore is used to measure the reductive capacity of the roots, stinging nettle plants became chlorotic because the complex was stable at the pH of the culture solution. Urea did not induce chlorosis but inhibited growth. The plants died when ammonium was supplied as a sole N source. Applying bicarbonate and ammonium together prevented the plants from dying, but the plants became chlorotic. Total exclusion of iron from the culture solution resulted in iron‐deficiency stress reactions as has been described for other dicotyledonous plants (Strategy II).     

The evolution of glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase and 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase activities and the ortho‐diphenolic content of sunflower leaves cultivated under different boron treatments.

Both enzymatic activities increased under B‐deficient and B‐toxic treatments. The ortho‐diphenolic content did not change with B levels.

Our results suggest that the primary B action on the OPP pathway is at the first enzyme (glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase) level and that the B effect on 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase is secondary to this. The B action on the enzymatic activities seems not to be caused by any direct interaction with substrates, as B infiltration of B‐deficient culture “in vivo”; seems to result in long term effects on cell structures and/or processes not easily r

In this paper the glucose‐6P‐dehydrogenase and 6P‐gluconate ‐ dehydrogenase activities and ortho‐diphenolic content of hydroponically‐cultivated sunflower‐leaves with moderately deficient, normal and toxic B levels were measured. The change in these parameters during time was considered, together with the restoration of enzymatic activities by means of borate infiltration of deficient and normal leaves. The micronutrient content of the leaves was alsversible by B infiltration of leaves. The positive correlation found between the 6P‐gluconate‐dehydrogenase activity and the Zn content in leaves might be interpretable as and indirect B effect on that activity through modification of Zn content.     

Response of alfalfa to a phillipsite‐based slow‐release fertilizer

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Aragon wide leaf) to test the performance of a zeolite (phillipsite) phosphorus‐potassium (P‐K) fertilizer versus soluble potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄) applied to a coarse‐textured substratum consisting of a mixture 1: 4 (in volume) soihbasaltic ash. Plants were sown at four fertilization rates and five harvests were collected after nine months. The nutrient content in plant tissue was higher in the plants treated with zeolitic fertilizer, although the response was primarily due to P. No differences due to the fertilizer source were observed for dry matter yield. When considering nutrient uptake, differences between the two fertilizers were enhanced, although the results for P are more pronounced. The soil nutrient content found after the experiment shows that available P was significantly higher in those pots that received the zeolite fertilizer, but no differences were found for K.     

Time of availability influences mixed‐nitrogen‐induced increases in growth and yield of wheat 1

Previous studies have indicated that under hydroponic conditions, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants produce higher grain yields, more tillers, and increased dry matter when continuously supplied with mixtures of NO₃ and NH₄ than when supplied with only NO₃. The objective of this study was to determine if mixed N needs to be available before or after flowering, or continuously, in order to elicit increases in growth and yield of wheat. During vegetative development, plants of the cultivar ‘Marshal’ were grown in one of two nutrient solutions containing either a 100/0 or 50/50 mixture of NO₃ to NH₄ and, after flowering, half the plants were switched to the other solution. At physiological maturity, plants were harvested, separated into leaves, stems, roots, and grain and the dry matter and N concentration of each part determined. Yield components and the number of productive tillers were also determined. Availability of mixed N at either growth stage increased grain yield over plants receiving continuous NO₃, but the increase was twice as large when the mixture was present during vegetative growth. When the N mixture was available only during vegetative growth the yield increase was similar to that obtained with continuous mixed N. The yield increases obtained with mixed N were the result of enhanced tillering and the production of more total biomass. Although plants receiving a mixed N treatment accumulated more total N than those grown solely with NO₃, the greatest increase occurred when mixed N was available during vegetative growth. Because availability of mixed N after flowering increased the N concentration over all NO₃ and pre‐flowering mixed N plants, it appears that the additional N accumulation from mixed N needs to be coupled with tiller development in order to enhance grain yields. These results confirm that mixed N nutrition increases yield of wheat and indicate that the most critical growth stage to supply the N mixture to the plant is during vegetative growth.     

Iron‐stress response of inoculated and non‐inoculated roots of an iron inefficient soybean cultivar in a split‐root system

The objective of this study was to establish whether the iron‐stress responses observed in T203 soybean (Fe‐inefficient) with active nodules are products of the nodules or of the entire root system. A split‐root system was used in which half the roots of each plant were inoculated and actively fixing nitrogen and the other half were not. Soybean cultivar T203 is normally Fe‐inefficient and does not exhibit the Fe‐stress responses, however an iron‐stress response did occur during active N₂ fixation in earlier studies. This implies that the active nodules influenced the plant's ability to respond to Fe‐deficiency stress. In this study, the Fe‐stress response (H⁺ and reductant release) observed in T203 soybean was limited to the inoculated side of the split‐root system. The severe Fe chlorosis which developed in these plants was overcome in a manner similar to Fe‐efficient cultivars undergoing normal Fe‐stress response and the T203 plants completely regreened. Exudation of H⁺ ions was similar in both the presence and absence of Fe, and was generally limited to inoculated roots. Reductant release was nearly nonexistent from the non‐inoculated roots and was greater for the Fe‐stressed (‐Fe) plants than for non‐stressed (+Fe) plants. Thus, the response observed, which alleviated Fe chlorosis, appeared to be associated with N₂ fixation of the active nodules.     

Acid‐soil‐stress influence on mineral‐ion contents of sorghum leaves and juvenile panicles

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv RTX430, SC214, SC574, SC599, TAM428, and SC326xSC103] were grown on soils of pH 4.2 or 6.2–6.5. Leaf and nonexserted juvenile panicle tissues were collected at 75 days after planting. Fresh and dry weights were measured and element contents [sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu)] were measured by atomic absorption. Significant cultivar differences in ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) were found. Juvenile panicles had higher ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) [S, P, Mg, Ca, K, Zn, and Cu) than leaves. Within leaf tissue, ion concentration (μmol/g dry weight) was correlated with tissue water content (g water/g dry weight).     

Re‐analysis of the Relationship between Organic Carbon and Loss‐on‐Ignition in Soil

The suitability of loss‐on‐ignition (LOI) as an alternative to direct measurement of organic carbon (OC) has been debated for decades without resolution. The literature contains an abundance of different linear regression models to describe the LOI–OC relationship, most based on untransformed values of LOI and OC. Such regression is suspect because the variables are unable to occupy Euclidean space. Logratio transformation—based on relative rather than absolute differences—eliminates this constraint. Re‐analysis of the relationship on new and 10 previously published datasets using logratio techniques reveals that the relationship is nonlinear and that the profusion of regression models is in part a function of the range of LOI. Although LOI may offer a crude estimate of OC at high LOI levels, OC/LOI ratios when LOI is less than about 25% are too variable for reliable OC estimation, and interstudy comparisons remain dubious. Direct measurement of OC is recommended.     

Nitrogen fertigation of greenhouse‐grown tomato

Abstract

This greenhouse study was conducted to determine the response of trickle‐irrigated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Dombo) to 6.4, 12.8, or 19.2 mmol N/L applied via the irrigation stream. The plants were grown in pots filled with 12 kg of soil. The amount of N applied in a total of 438 L of water per plant was 39.4, 78.8, or 118.2 g for the three N levels, respectively. The residual NO₃‐N concentration in the root volume was negligible with the 6.4 mmol N/L treatment, whereas, with the highest N level increased sharply for the first 16 weeks before reaching a value around 32 mmol N/L, which continued for the remainder of the experiment. With the highest N level there was also increase of soil solution EC, and NO₃‐N concentration in laminae and petioles was in excess. With the lowest N treatment, NO₃‐N concentration in laminae and petioles was at deficient levels. With 12.8 mmol N/L, NO₃‐N in petioles and laminae was at the sufficient level and yet no substantial increase of soil solution EC or NO₃‐N concentration occurred, suggesting efficient use of N by crop. The highest yield (12.6 kg marketable fresh fruit per plant) was obtained with 12.8 mmol N/L due to increased number of fresh weight of fruits. It was concluded that 12.8 mmol N/L applied via the irrigation stream is adequate for high tomato yield without unduly raising soil salinity or wasting fertilizer N.