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.     

不同氮肥用量对蔬菜硝态氮累积的影响

利用盆栽试验,研究了氮肥用量对蔬菜硝态氮累积的影响。结果表明,施用氮肥使蔬菜的生长量提高1.1～6.1倍,但增长并不与氮肥用量同步。氮肥用量较高时,蔬菜生长受到抑制,生长量有降低趋势;硝态氮含量却随氮肥用量增加而不断升高,两者呈显著正相关（r=0.933～0.957）。蔬菜各器官、部位的硝态氮含量存在明显差异。不施氮肥时,根的硝态氮含量大于茎叶,茎又大于叶;施氮后根的含量小于茎叶,茎小于叶;无论施氮与否,叶柄的含量均高于叶片。把蔬菜的生长、硝态氮吸收及还原转化联系起来分析,可以看出,增加氮肥用量虽然提高了硝酸还原酶活性,但硝态氮的还原作用仍小于吸收,从而导致蔬菜体内出现硝态氮累积。而且,随氮肥用量增加,硝态氮累积量的增加远超过了生长量的提高,使硝态氮含量迅速升高。     

氮肥对大白菜硝酸盐累积的影响及合理施用量研究

对宁夏灌淤旱耕人为土氮(N)肥与大白菜产量及菜体和土体中硝酸盐累积的关系进行了田间试验研究。结果表明,在设计范围内,银川平原复种大白菜的产量及净菜率与施N量成正比;施N肥增加大白菜硝酸盐含量;复种大白菜的最高产量施N量为448.5㎏/hm2,最佳产量施N量为427.5㎏/hm2;大白菜外叶硝酸盐含量高于内叶,内叶硝酸盐含量随施N肥量的增加而增加,外叶硝酸盐含量在高施N时,随生育期延长而增加;施用N肥明显增加土体各土层中的硝态N含量。     

施氮水平对大豆氮素积累与产量影响的研究

以绥农14为材料,利用砂培和15N标记的方法研究了施氮水平对大豆氮素积累及产量的影响。结果表明:随着施氮水平的提高,大豆全株氮素积累量及叶柄、荚皮、籽粒中氮素积累量呈现先增加后下降的趋势;高氮水平增加了叶片和茎中氮素积累量,N150较N0处理叶片的氮素积累量增加了3倍,而茎增加了5倍,但减少了根中氮素积累,降低了大豆全株和籽粒中根瘤固氮量及其所占比例,降低了肥料氮和根瘤氮的收获指数,其中根中氮素积累N150较N50处理降低了60.3%,全株根瘤氮和籽粒中根瘤氮N150较N0分别降低了74.9%、85.7%,肥料氮的收获指数N150较N50降低19.8%,根瘤氮的收获指数N150较N0降低25.5%。随着施氮水平的增加,大豆产量也呈现先增加后下降的趋势,施氮水平的增加促进了大豆植株株高、结荚高度和始荚节位的显著增加,但对节数没有明显影响,N150和N0比较株高增加了55.2%,结荚高度增加了199.7%,始荚节位增加了142.9%。     

施氮模式对春玉米养分累积特性的影响

通过田间试验,研究了施氮模式对春玉米养分累积特性的影响.结果表明,施氮明显提高了春玉米干物质和NPK的累积量及累积速度,这种影响均在拔节期以后更明显.随着生育期推进,春玉米干物质及NPK的累积量均增加,但增加幅度不同.干物质及NP累积量的增加幅度在大喇叭口期以前较小,大喇叭口期以后较大;K累积量的增加幅度则正好相反,大...     

镉硫交互处理对水稻吸收累积镉及其蛋白巯基含量的影响

研究了不同硫镉浓度组合短期处理 (6d)对水稻幼苗吸收累积镉的影响及其植株体内蛋白质和非巯基硫蛋白含量的变化。结果表明 ,短期单镉胁迫处理下 ,水稻幼苗的生物量没有明显变化 ,但是镉硫交互作用明显地影响镉在水稻苗中的累积。供硫处理能有效地增加镉在水稻叶片中的累积。不同镉、硫处理下植株体内缓冲液可提态蛋白质含量变化不明显。镉胁迫明显增加植株体内NPT含量 ,尤其是根中NPT的含量。供硫也能显著地提高NPT的含量。硫镉交互作用对植株体内NPT含量的影响更为明显。上述结果证实 ,介质中硫的充分供应在有效地提高植物对镉胁迫耐性的同时 ,也显著地促进镉在水稻地上部的积累。     

磷素水平对大豆氮素积累及产量的影响

利用砂培方法和15N示踪技术研究了磷素水平对大豆氮素积累、根瘤固氮和产量的影响。结果表明:大豆植株氮素积累、根瘤固氮和产量均随磷素营养水平的提高而呈单峰曲线变化,营养液磷素浓度31mg/L左右时达到峰值,当营养液磷素浓度达11mg/L时,再提高磷素浓度对大豆根瘤固氮率无明显促进作用;而对于大豆植株氮素积累、根瘤固氮量和产量,只有当营养液磷素浓度达到21mg/L时,再提高磷素浓度才无明显促进所用,表明满足根瘤固氮的磷素营养水平较产量形成的水平要求低。     

施肥水平对冬大麦干物质和氮素积累与转运的影响

为合理利用氮肥,进一步提高大麦产量和品质,以扬饲麦3号、港啤1号、扬农啤2号和Frankin共4个品种为供试材料,研究了0(CK),90(NL),180(NM)和270kg/hm2(NH)4个氮肥水平下冬大麦干物质和氮素积累、转运及对籽粒贡献的规律。结果表明,随着施氮量的提高,大麦干物质花前积累量呈增加趋势,积累率及对籽粒的贡献率呈下降趋势,各器官的转运量在NM处理(180kg/hm2)范围内呈增加趋势,高于此范围则下降。氮素营养花前积累量和转运量各品种均呈上升趋势,花前积累率、转运率和对籽粒氮的贡献率都呈下降趋势。不同品种不同氮肥处理下大麦干物质转运量以茎秆为最大,转运率大部分以芒壳+穗轴为最高,对籽粒的贡献率以茎秆为最高。各器官氮素转运量以叶片最高,转运率以芒壳+穗轴最大,氮素转运对籽粒的贡献率以叶片最高。大麦各品种籽粒产量与施氮量呈二次曲线关系,氮素积累量与施氮量呈显著线性正相关关系。表明在本试验条件下,大麦最高产量的最佳施氮范围为212.42～261.97kg/hm2。     

PHYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF CADMIUM EXPOSURE AND METAL ACCUMULATION IN SUNFLOWER

The phytotoxicity imposed by cadmium (Cd) in sunflower was investigated on biomass, Cd accumulation, superoxide and lipid peroxidation product as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase. Plants accumulate substantial amount of Cd in different parts, the maximum being in roots, i.e., up to 820 μg g^?1 dry matter. Cadmium induced oxidative stress, indicated by increase in lipid peroxidation and superoxide content with increase in metal supply. Under Cd stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase declined to a greater extent in roots than in leaves. Even though the peroxidase activity increased in leaves, a decreasing trend was observed in root due to Cd stress. The threshold of toxicity (10% growth reduction) and toxicity (33% growth reduction) values of Cd in sunflower were 14 and 72 μg g^?1 in leaves, 19 and 90 μg g^?1 in stem and 65 and 250 μg g^?1 Cd in roots, respectively.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON NICKEL ACCUMULATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COFFEE PLANTS DURING FRUIT DEVELOPMENT

Nutritional and physiological significance of micronutrients in coffee plants, especially with regard to nickel (Ni) is still unknown. The dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Ni accumulation in coffee fruits, as well as their relationships with total soluble protein, amino acids, reducing sugars, and starch content during coffee fruit development (green, ripe, and dry fruits), were investigated. Coffee trees received three N fertilizer rates (0, 150, and 300 kg of N ha^?1) as ammonium sulfate split into three applications per year. Nitrogen fertilization increased reducing sugars and starch concentrations in ripe fruits. In contrast, green fruits showed the highest amino acid and Ni concentrations. Fruit Ni concentration decreased in both green and ripe fruits as N rates increased; thus, indicating the possibility of either a N-associated dilution effect on Ni concentration or that Ni uptake by roots and/or transport to developing fruit was limiting. Plant nutritional status and fruit development stage influenced the coffee grain chemical composition. Furthermore, the variation in reducing sugars and starch content was more closely linked to the stage of fruit development than to N supply. A supposed relationship among the decreased of caffeine, starch, amino acids, and proteins with Ni content during green fruit development suggests a fundamental role for Ni in coffee fruit ripening. The interaction between N and Ni metabolism during fruit ripening might influence the chemical parameters involved in the coffee grain quality. This is the first report documenting changes in Ni concentrations of coffee fruit as a function of N fertilization rates and the development stage, but further research is needed to better understand the significance of N-Ni interaction in developing coffee fruit.     

氮素水平对不同氮效率基因型水稻的物质生产与分配的影响

研究了在群体水培条件下,3种氮素水平(5、15和25mg.kg-1)对6种不同氮效率利用基因型迟熟中粳水稻物质生产与分配的影响。结果表明:氮素水平、基因型对水稻氮素干物质生产效率(NUEdm)、氮素籽粒生产效率(NUEg)均有极显著的影响。6种不同氮效率基因型可分成氮高效和氮低效利用型2类。NUEdm在2类基因型水稻中总体上均随着氮素水平升高呈现上升趋势;而NUEg在氮低效基因型中表现为随氮素浓度升高而先升后降。在水稻的4个关键生育期,不同氮素水平、2类基因型之间水稻干物质积累量差异显著。成熟期,氮素水平对水稻茎鞘、根、穗的干物质分配比例影响显著,对叶片干物质分配比例影响不显著。相同氮素水平下,就平均值而言,水稻茎鞘、叶片、根系干物质比例均表现为氮低效基因型>氮高效基因型,而穗的干物质比例均表现为氮高效基因型>氮低效基因型。氮素水平对不同基因型水稻产量影响显著,同一氮素水平下均表现为氮高效型基因型水稻产量显著高于氮低效型基因型,且施氮量越大差异越大。相关分析表明,水稻各关键生育期的干物质生产量、产量、每穗粒数均与氮素水平、基因型的NUEg、NUEdm显著或极显著相关,与成熟期水稻各器官干物质分配比例相关性则相对较弱。     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN NUTRITION ON FRUIT QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE OF CUCURBITACEOUS VEGETABLE BITTER GOURD

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of nitrogen (N) nutrition on fruit quality and shelf life of cucurbitaceous vegetable, bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) using poultry manure as an organic source. Three levels of nitrogen (200, 250 and 300 kg N ha^?1) were applied in three ratios of organic-chemical N substitutions (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) at three different frequencies of application. The experiment was laid out as confounded 3³ design in 9-plot blocks with two replications confounding LR²F in RI and LRF² in RII. The crude protein, total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and iron (Fe) content of fruits increased with increasing levels of N application and were highest with 300 kg. Highest iron content was recorded (0.10%) with higher doses of N. Higher levels of N nutrition reduced the ascorbic acid content in fruits. More frequent split application of nutrient N or greater proportion of organic source enhanced the shelf life of fruits.     

SOIL-CROP NITROGEN RELATIONSHIPS IN MAIZE GROWN ON CALCAREOUS FIELDS

Maize yield is mainly controlled by nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Failure to predict economic optimum N rate causes over-fertilization of N through traditional application methods. Five field trials were conducted to study soil-crop N relationships in maize under field conditions. Optimum level of N application in this study was much lower than conventional N fertilization in calcareous soils of southern Iran, demonstrating over-fertilization of N fertilizers by farmers. Linear regression equations were found between total nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll meter readings (CMR) (years 2001 and 2002) in both locations demonstrating that chlorophyll meter might be used in predicting TN in maize shoot. Results indicated that soil sampling location influenced on soil NO₃-N concentration at 4–6 leaf stage. In conclusion, N use efficiency can be improved by in-season soil NO₃-N testing. It appears that in Kooshkak and Bajgah experimental stations, soil samples for NO₃-N testing should be collected from shoulder and bottom of furrows, respectively.     

COURSE OF DRY MATTER AND NITROGEN ACCUMULATION OF SPRING WHEAT GENOTYPES KNOWN TO VARY IN PARAMETERS OF NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY

Field experiments were conducted for two years to compare and identify bread spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes which make the most efficient use of nitrogen (N). Such information is required for breeding strategies to reverse the negative relationship between yield and protein content. Three Swiss spring wheat cultivars (‘Albis’, ‘Toronit’, ‘Pizol’) and an experimental line (‘L94491’) were grown without (N0; 0 kg N ha^?1) and with high fertilizer N [(NH₄NO₃); (N1; 250 kg N ha^?1) supply on a clay loam soil with low organic matter content. Biomass and nitrogen accumulation in biomass as well as the leaf growth and senescence patterns (SPAD) were investigated in an attempt to explain the physiology of growth and N translocation of these genotypes. The pre-anthesis accumulation of biomass and N in the biomass depended on genotype only at N1 in 2000. In this year, conditions were less favorable for the pre-anthesis accumulation of biomass and N, which was, on average, 10 and 20% lower, respectively, of the total than in 1999. The contribution of pre-anthesis assimilates to the grain yield (CPAY) was higher in 1999 for all genotypes (36.9%) compared to 2000 (13.5%) except ‘Toronit’. Between anthesis and maturity the climate influenced the genetic variability of some N use efficiency components: N translocation efficiency (NTE) and dry matter translocation efficiency (DMTE). NTE was higher in 1999 (68.1%) compared to 2000 (50.7%); 1999 was a year in which the post-anthesis period was drier and warmer than usual. ‘Toronit’ produced the highest biomass by maturity due mainly to greater and longer lasting green leaf area after anthesis. ‘Albis’ performed relatively well under low input conditions, with considerable amounts of N being re-translocated to the seeds at maturity (NHI), whereas ‘Pizol’ accumulated in grains N as high as for ‘L94491’. In a humid temperate climate breeding for greater N uptake and partitioning efficiency may be a promising way to minimize N losses and produce high phytomass and grain yields. Using high protein lines as selection material and combining them with high biomass genotypes may lead to high protein contents without decreasing yield.     

APPLICATION OF INCREASING LEVELS OF ZINC TO SOIL REDUCED ACCUMULATION OF CADMIUM IN LUPIN GRAIN

Yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) and narrow-leafed lupin (L. angustifolius L.) are grown as grain legumes in rotation with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on acidic sandy soils of south-western Australia. Yellow lupin can accumulate significantly larger cadmium (Cd) concentrations in grain than narrow-leafed lupin. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to test whether adding increasing zinc (Zn) levels to soil increased Zn uptake by yellow lupin reducing accumulation of Cd in yellow lupin grain. Two cultivars of yellow lupin (cv. ‘Motiv’ and ‘Teo’) and 1 cultivar of narrow-leafed lupin (cv. ‘Gungurru’) were used. The soil was Zn deficient for grain production of both yellow and narrow-leafed lupin, but had low levels of native soil Cd (total Cd <0.05 mg kg^?1) so 1.6 mg Cd pot^?1, as a solution of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂·H₂O), was added and mixed through the soil. Eight Zn levels (0–3.2 mg Zn pot^?1), as solutions of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O), were added and evenly mixed through the soil. Yellow lupin accumulated 0.16 mg Cd kg^?1 in grain when no Zn was applied, which decreased as increasing Zn levels were applied to soil, with ～0.06 mg Cd kg^?1 in grain when the largest level of Zn (3.2 mg Zn pot^?1) was applied. Low Cd concentrations (<0.016 mg Cd kg^?1) were measured in narrow-leafed lupin grain regardless of the Zn treatment. When no Zn was applied, yellow lupin produced ～2.3 times more grain than narrow-leafed lupin, indicating yellow lupin was better at acquiring and using indigenous Zn from soil for grain production. Yellow lupin required about half as much applied Zn as narrow-leafed lupin to produce 90% of the maximum grain yield, ～0.8 mg pot^?1 Zn compared with ～1.5 mg Zn pot^?1. Zn concentration in whole shoots of young plants (eight leaf growth stage) related to 90% of the maximum grain yield (critical prognostic concentration) was (mg Zn kg^?1) 25 for both yellow lupin cultivars and 19 for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar. Critical Zn concentration in grain related to 90% of maximum grain yield was (mg Zn kg^?1) 24 for both yellow lupin cultivars compared with 20 for the narrow-leafed lupin cultivar.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN ON THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY METABOLISM AND SYNTHESIS OF FLAVONOIDS IN CHRYSANTHEMUM MORIFOLIUM RAMAT

The effects of nitrogen (N) supply on nitrogen metabolism in leaves of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. were examined in five different stages throughout the growing season. The results suggested that flavonoids content was positively related to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity through the whole growing stage of the plant but with a decreasing correlation coefficient for increasing nitrogen supply. There was no correlation between flavonoids and 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase. Soluble protein content was positively correlated with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity because there was little competition for the phenylalanine in the leaves under low nitrogen supply. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity decreased gradually with increasing nitrogen supply because of the competition for the phenylalanine in protein synthesizes. The results suggest that nitrogen nutrition plays a key role in biosynthesis of enzymes in the leaves of C. morifolium.     

氮锌复合作用对单播和混播牧草氮素来源的影响

在亚热带中山草地黄棕壤上研究了氮锌复合作用对单播和混播牧草氮素来源的影响 ,结果表明 :施氮降低了白三叶前期固氮百分数 ,但低水平施氮显著提高了白三叶后期固氮百分数。在各种施氮水平下 ,施锌 6mg kg之处理 %Ndfa最高。施氮显著降低了氮转移的数量 ,低量施锌促进了氮转移 ;施氮促进了牧草对肥料氮的吸收 ,所有施氮水平下 ,单播黑麦草 %Ndff以施锌 6～ 2 0mg kg较高。在施氮 3 0～ 90mg kg,混播黑麦草和混播白三叶 %Ndff以施锌 6～ 2 0mg kg较低 ;单播和混播黑麦草 %Ndfs随施氮水平增加显著下降 ,施锌对单播黑麦草的 %Ndfs影响不明显。在所有施氮水平下 ,施锌 6～ 2 0mg kg减少了混播白三叶和混播黑麦草对土壤氮的吸收     

EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND PHOSPHORUS SUPPLY ON POTATO DRY MATTER ALLOCATION AND CANOPY MORPHOLOGY

□ Data on combined effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration (CO₂) and phosphorus fertilization (P) on potato are scarce. Growth chamber studies (E1 and E2) that used three P and two CO₂ levels were conducted. Leaf, stem, tuber, and stolon dry matter increased with P. Lateral-stem production was sensitive to P with a minimum 2.5-fold increase in mass. Leaf length increased an average 20.2% in E1 and 38.2% in E2 and leaf area increased an average 336% in E1 and 470% in E2 across CO₂ levels. Tuber dry mass increased 22% in E1 and 38.2% in E2 in response to elevated CO₂ and total dry mass by 14.1 and 15.4%. Tissue P contents increased with P but were unaffected by CO₂. Effects of P on canopy branching were associated with plant N status. The studies suggest elevated CO₂ levels are unlikely to alter potato P requirements on a unit mass basis.     

不同铵硝比例对水稻铵吸收代谢基因表达的影响

以水稻南光为材料,研究了不同铵硝摩尔比例处理时,水稻NH4^＋吸收代谢基因的表达情况.档结果表明：（1）应用荧光定量PCR方法,可以精确检测水稻氮素吸收代谢基因在不同铵硝处理间的表达量变化;（2）从各基因的表达量上来看,吸收基因中以OsAMT1.1表达量最高,编码GS的基因中以OsGln1.1表达量最高,编码GOGAT的基因中,OsGlu表达量最高;（3）总体来说,不同铵硝处理对NH4^＋吸收代谢基因的表达有显著影响,吸收基因对不同铵硝比例的反应要比代谢基因更敏感;（4）氮吸收基因中OsAMT4.1显著受到NO3的抑制,NH4^＋的诱导.而OsAMT1.1,OsAMT1.2,OsAMT1.3和OsNRT2在铵硝摩尔比例由100：0变为50：50过程中,受到NO3^-的显著抑制,在铵硝摩尔比例由50：50变为0：100过程中OsAMT1.2和OsAMT1.3受到NO3^-的显著诱导,OsAMT1.1和OsNRT2变化不显著;（5）编码GS的基因OsGln1.1表达受NO3诱导,受NH4^＋抑制.OsGln2在铵硝摩尔比例由100：0变为50：50过程中,受到NO3^-增加的诱导,同时,OsGln1.2受到NO3增加的显著抑制作用,铵硝达到50：50以后,NO3^-比例的增加对OsGln1.2和OsGln2的表达没有显著影响;（6）编码GOGAT的基因OsGlt1和OsGlu在不同铵硝摩尔比例中的变化趋势一致：铵硝比例由100：0变为50：50过程中没有显著变化,铵硝比例50：50基础上表达量受到NO3^-比例增加的显著抑制,而OsGlt2的表达受NO3^-的显著抑制,NH;的显著诱导.     

NITROGEN ACCUMULATION IN SHOOTS AS A FUNCTION OF GROWTH STAGE OF CORN AND WINTER WHEAT

Midseason fertilizer nitrogen (N) rates based on predicted yields can be projected if the quantity of N accumulated in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) is known especially early in the growing season. This study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to establish the amount of N accumulated in corn and winter wheat over the entire growing season. Plots representing three N fertilization rates 0, 45, and 90 kg ha^?1 at Stillwater and 0, 67, and 112 kg ha^?1 at Lahoma were selected from two long-term wheat experiments located at research stations in Stillwater and Lahoma, Oklahoma. For corn, three N fertilization rates 0, 112 and 224 kg ha^?1 at Lake Carl Blackwell and 0, 56 and 112 kg ha^?1 at Perkins were selected from N studies, located at research stations near Lake Carl Blackwell and Perkins, Oklahoma. Sequential aboveground biomass samples were collected from 1 m² area of wheat and 1.5 m long row (0.76 cm spacing) for corn throughout their respective growing seasons. In general, this work showed that more than 45% of the maximum total N accumulated could be found in corn plants by growth stage V8 (8th leaf collar fully unfolded). For winter wheat, more than 61% of the maximum total N accumulated at later stages of growth could be accounted for by Feekes growth stage 5 (F5, leaf strongly erected). Our findings are consistent with those of others showing that yield potential can be predicted at mid-season since such a large percentage of the total N accumulated was accounted for early on in the growing cycle of either wheat or corn.