CRITICAL DEFICIENCY LEVEL OF ZINC FOR CORN ON CALCAREOUS SALT-AFFECTED SOILS IN CENTRAL IRAN

A greenhouse experiment with 11 soil series and two zinc (Zn) rates (0 and 15 mg Zn kg^?1 as zinc sulfate) was performed to determine critical deficiency level of Zn for corn (Zea mays L.) on calcareous salt-affected soils in central Iran. In addition, the most important soil properties affecting Zn phytoavailability were determined. Critical Zn deficiency levels were determined using the Cate-Nelson and Mitscherlich procedures. In most soils, application of Zn increased the dry matter yield, and Zn concentration and content in the shoot and root of corn. A positive correlation was observed between the soil electrical conductivity (EC) with Zn concentration in shoots, roots and whole plant while shoot Zn content was negatively correlated with buffer capacity of Zn in soil. Critical deficiency levels of Zn in soil for corn based on the Cate-Nelson and Mitscherlich method were 1.35 and 1.23 mg kg^?1 for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extracted soil Zn, respectively.     

DISTRIBUTION AND PHYTOAVAILABILITY PREDICTION OF ZINC IN AGRICULTURAL CALCAREOUS SOILS

The extractability and distributions of zinc (Zn) were evaluated in calcareous agricultural soils from South-West Iran. Both single [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)] and sequential extraction procedures (Singh scheme) were applied to 20 representative soils. The DTPA extractable zinc levels were low (on average 3.34%). The sequential extraction procedures were also utilized for the study of zinc phytoavailability in maize plants (Zea mays L.) in a greenhouse experiment. The Singh scheme was significantly better than DTPA plus soil properties in phytoavailability prediction of zinc in soils. Significant correlations were found between the amounts of DTPA extractable zinc and the iron (Fe) oxides-bound (AFe and CFe) and residual fractions extracted by the Singh procedure. Zinc concentrations in plant samples (mean value of 27.49 mg kg^?1) were poorly correlated with the different extracted soil fractions (single and sequential). The Singh procedure provided better predictions of zinc uptake by plants than DTPA extraction method.     

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.     

CUMULATIVE AND RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF ZINC SULFATE ON GRAIN YIELD,ZINC, IRON,AND COPPER CONCENTRATION IN CORN AND WHEAT

Re-application of zinc (Zn) sulfate for corn (Zea mays L.) production in rotation of wheat-corn has varied effects on yield of crops grown in Zn deficient soils. Therefore, this study was done as split plots in a complete randomized block design (CRBD) where the main plots were control with and without Zn application in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Sub-plots were of control, without Zn fertilizer, base application of 75 kg per hectare (kg Zn ha^?1), 25% and 50% less than base application and as foliar spray in combination with the 4 soil Zn treatments for corn production. Effect of previous Zn application on grain Zn concentration of corn was significant (P < 0.01). Zinc concentrations in treatments of without previous Zn (nil Zn) application and with Zn application were 28.1 and 31.8 mg kg^?1, respectively. Soil application of 75 kg ha^?1 and foliar application of Zn sulfate gave the highest yield (8853 kg ha^?1) showed an increase of 25 percent in compared with nil-Zn. Although re-application of Zn has small effect on yield, but resulted in was the highest grain concentration.     

ROOT ZONE TEMPERATURE INFLUENCES ZINC REQUIREMENT OF MAIZE CULTIVARS ON A CALCAREOUS LOAM SOIL

The zinc (Zn) requirement of a maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid (‘FHY-396’) and an indigenous variety (‘EV-7004’) was measured at low (22.4 ± 5°C) and high (28.8 ± 5°C) root-zone temperatures (RZT). Four Zn rates (0, 3, 9 and 27 mg kg^?1 soil) were applied to a calcareous loam soil in pots for the glasshouse study. Shoot and root dry matter yields were significantly more at the higher RZT. Regardless the RZT, maximum relative shoot dry matter yield in hybrid and variety was produced, respectively, at 9 and 3 mg Zn kg^?1 soil. Zinc concentration in roots and shoots of both the cultivars increased with Zn rates and it was significantly more at the higher RZT. Cultivars differed in critical Zn concentration (C_ZnC) required for maximum shoot dry matter yield. The C_ZnC ranged from 25 to 39 μg Zn g^?1 plant tissue for optimum growth of both the cultivars at low and high RZT.     

改良剂对玉米和大豆间作植株锌铬积累的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究改良剂石灰和过磷酸钙对玉米、大豆间作植株各器官锌铬积累的影响。结果表明,不同改良剂处理后,能显著降低土壤中锌、铬有效态含量,植株各器官锌含量为:对照>低浓度石灰>高浓度石灰;铬含量为:对照>高浓度过磷酸钙>低浓度过磷酸钙,单作>间作。在间作下施用低浓度过磷酸钙改良效果最优,其中玉米根、茎、叶的锌、铬含量分别比只施用低浓度过磷酸钙单作降低30.72%、35.96%和29.51%,69.98%、64.21%和51.56%;比不施加改良剂的对照间作玉米降低55.57%、59.68%和66.57%,64.10%、76.79%和80.75%;大豆根、茎、叶的锌、铬含量分别比其只施用低浓度过磷酸钙单作降低0.26%、4.91%和16.42%,14.25%、8.16%和23.33%,比不施加改良剂的对照间作降低63.95%、69.54%和65.49%,54.15%、57.14%和57.14%。间作条件下,低浓度过磷酸钙处理在不增加大豆对锌铬吸收的前提下,大幅降低玉米对重金属的吸收,显著增加玉米产量。     

USING PSEUDOMONAS SPP. AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI TO ALLEVIATE THE STRESS OF ZINC POLLUTION BY CORN (ZEA MAYS L.) PLANT

The objective was to test the single and combined use of Pseudomonas spp. and Glomus versiforme on the stress of high zinc (Zn) concentration in soil on corn growth as such data are little. Accordingly, in a greenhouse research work the effects of Zn concentrations (control, 100, 200 and 300 mg kg ^?1 ) and the microbial treatment (control, Pseudomonas spp. and G. versiforme) were tested on corn (single cross 704) growth. Almost three months after planting, plants were harvested. Plant dry weight and Zn uptake were determined. Zn significantly (P = 0.01) affected different measured parameters. The microbes increased plant dry weight related to the control treatment and the highest increase was related to the bacterial application (1.28 times higher). Both bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi and their combined use decreased Zn concentration in plant. The right combination of soil microbes can efficiently affect the process of bioremediation with respect to plant properties.     

BORON NUTRITION OF PEANUT GROWN IN BORON-DEFICIENT CALCAREOUS SOILS: GENOTYPIC VARIATION AND PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Field studies were conducted to assess boron (B) requirement, critical concentrations in diagnostic parts based on yield response curves and genotypic variation by growing three peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (‘Golden’, ‘BARD-479’, ‘BARI-2000’) on two B-deficient calcareous soils. Boron application significantly increased pod yield of all the cultivars over control. Maximum pod yield increases were: ‘Golden’, 16?23%; ‘BARD-479’, 21?27%; and ‘BARI-2000’, 25?31%. The cultivars varied in B efficiency and cv. ‘Golden’ was the most B efficient (81?86%) while cv. ‘BARI-2000’ was the least efficient (76?80%). Boron requirements for near-maximum (95%) dry pod yield were 0.65 kg ha^?1 for ‘Golden’, 0.75 kg ha^?1 for BARD-479 and 0.80 kg ha^?1 for BARI-2000. Critical B concentrations in shoots and seeds were: ‘Golden’, 33 mg kg^?1 and 26 mg kg^?1; ‘BARD-479’, 38 mg kg^?1 and 31 mg kg^?1; and ‘BARI-2000’, 42 mg kg^?1 and 33 mg kg^?1.     

RESPONSES OF TOMATO VAR. TINY TOM TO APPLICATION OF COPPER AND ZINC FERTILIZERS IN THREE LIMED TROPICAL PEAT SOILS OF SARAWAK

We assessed the response of the tomato variety “Tiny Tom” to the application of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers in three tropical peat soils of Sarawak: mixed swamp forest, Alan forest and Padang Alan forest. Limed soils were used because peat soils in their natural condition are unsuitable to sustain healthy growth of most crops. Yield responses were correlated with added Cu and Zn using Mitscherlich model. Adequate levels of applied Cu and Zn were calculated as those which resulted in 90% of the maximum obtainable shoot dry weight. Application of Cu and Zn significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the shoot dry weight and the shoot Cu and Zn concentrations of tomato. Application of the equivalent of 8.3 kg Cu and 5.2 kg Zn per ha was required to achieve 90% of the maximum shoot dry weight. In tomato shoots, the critical concentration for Cu was 18 mg/kg and for Zn, 92 mg/kg. The corresponding concentrations for diethylenetriaminepentaaceticacid (DTPA) extractable Cu and Zn in the soils were 2.3 mg Cu kg ^?1 and 3.6 mg Zn kg ^?1 . However, the addition of Cu fertilizer also increased Zn uptake by tomato plant, probably by displacing native Zn that was weakly sorbed to the soil solid phase.     

EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF WHEAT AND CORN TO IRON DEFICIENCY

This work evaluated the effect of cadmium (Cd) on the physiological responses of corn (Zea Mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to iron (Fe) deficiency. For this purpose, seedlings of corn and wheat were cultivated under controlled conditions, plants were grown in different strength Hoagland's solutions for one month. In the fifth week, some seedlings were still in full strength Hoagland's solution (+Fe) and others were in full strength Hoagland's solutions without iron (?Fe). The plants were exposed to different cadmium (Cd) concentrations for four days. The plant chlorophyll content of young leaves, Fe and Cd content in shoots and roots, biomass production, and phytosiderophores (PS) release by roots were assessed. Results showed that Cd decreased the chlorophyll content of young leaves, accompanied by a significant shoot and root biomass reduction for Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn across all Cd treatments. However, chlorophyll content and shoot and root biomass of Fe-deficient wheat and corn were lower than Fe-sufficient plants at different Cd concentrations. Iron-deficiency induced Cd accumulation compared to Fe-sufficient in wheat and corn; however, a depressive effect of Cd on iron acquisition in shoots and roots of Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn across all Cd treatments was observed. Cadmium also inhibited PS release in Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn. Iron-deficient PS release was higher than Fe-sufficient corn and wheat across all Cd treatments. These results suggested that Cd might reduce capacity of plants to acquire iron from solution by inhibiting PS release.     

深浅施肥的肥料氮在碳酸盐土壤中的转化

利用15_N示踪技术,采用不同追施方法研究碳铵、硫铵、尿素在碳酸盐土壤中的转化表明:在种植作物条件下,肥料氮施入土壤后所发生的矿物固定与生物固定具有负相关关系.由于施用方法不同,肥料氮的矿物固定和损失不同,深施氮素矿物固定与损失呈显著负相关(r=—0.8359)。肥料氮在土壤中转化固定有助于减弱氮素的损失。后茬作物对残留氮的利用与生物固定态氮的多少关系不大。但与矿物固定和无机氮总量之和有密切关系。     

BORON DEFICIENCY IN RAINFED WHEAT IN PAKISTAN: INCIDENCE,SPATIAL VARIABILITY AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Boron (B) deficiency is potentially an important nutrient constraint in calcareous soils. We determined B deficiency incidence and spatial distribution in rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 1.82 Mha Pothohar plateau in Pakistan, its relationship with soil types, crop responses to B, and internal B requirement and B fertilizer use efficiency of wheat. Plant and soil analyses indicated deficiency in 64% of the 61 sampled fields; geostatistics-aided contour maps delineated B deficient areas. In rainfed field experiments, B use increased wheat yields up to 11%. Fertilizer requirement was 1.2 kg B ha^?1; critical B concentration (mg kg^?1) ranges were: young whole shoots, 4–6; flag leaves, 5–7. Boron uptake by wheat was 0.14–0.58% of applied dosage, leaving substantial residual impact. Highly cost-effective B use or B-efficient genotype adoption can enhance wheat productivity and grower-income. Such effective nutrient assessment and management approaches can be beneficially adopted elsewhere as well.     

肥密逆境对玉米果穗高维几何大小的影响及其与产量的关系

为认识玉米果穗体积等高维几何大小特征的动力学特性,明确肥密逆境对玉米果穗大小特征的影响及其与产量的关系,借助图像处理采集穗长(L)、穗粗(D)、穗正纵截面面积(简称穗面积,S)和穗体积(V),对2个玉米品种在无肥高密条件下以及除叶的效果进行典型变量分析、方差分析及曲线拟合.结果显示,吐丝时玉米果穗体积占其终值的7%、穗...     

干湿交替过程中石灰性土壤无机磷的转化及有效性

盆栽试验和培养试验结果表明：淹水能显著提高石灰性土壤磷含量，其作用顺序为，两合土〉淤土；淹水促使土壤无机磷组分中Ｃａ２－Ｐ、Ｃａ８－Ｐ含量增加，说明石灰性土壤淹水后土壤磷有效性的提高主要是Ｃａ－Ｐ体系的活性提高所致。回旱后，土壤速效磷值明显降低，土壤无机磷组分中，Ｃａ２－Ｐ、Ａｌ－Ｐ、Ｆｅ－Ｐ组分均呈降低趋势，土壤无机磷向难溶态转化。淹水降低了外加磷肥的肥效。     

城市土壤有机碳和黑碳的含量特征与来源分析

由于城市化过程中人为活动的深刻影响，城市土壤的一些性质被强烈地改变。城市土壤有机质由于来源的多样性和受到不同程度人为活动的影响，其组成和分布特征表现出异质性和多样性。本研究以南京市为对象，研究了功能区之间土壤有机碳和黑碳含量的差异。与郊区土壤相比，城市土壤的有机碳含量普遍较高。通过对有机碳组成的分析发现其中稳定的黑碳含量较郊区土壤明显偏高，且在不同功能区之间呈现差异性，体现了人为影响过程和污染来源的差别。同时发现路边绿化带土壤正受到来自交通环境的强烈影响，其有机碳和黑碳含量与其他功能区存在显著差异。不同功能区之间因人为影响的差异，土壤中黑碳含量与有机碳含量的比值表现出明显的不同，可以指示黑碳的可能来源。城市土壤环境中黑碳可能构成了总有机碳中的很大部分，这与自然土壤有明显的差别。     

STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF NITROGEN DEFICIENCY ON GRAIN IRON AND ZINC CONCENTRATIONS OF LANDRACE AND BRED WHEAT VARIETIES IN CHINA

It has been reported that nitrogen (N) deficiency can significantly reduce grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in wheat. Here, we investigated the grain Fe (GFeC) and Zn (GZnC) concentrations of 42 Chinese wheat varieties grown in a field trial under low and high N conditions. Analysis of variance revealed that both GFeC and GZnC significantly differed among varieties and between N treatments, and significant interactions existed between variety and N treatment. The GFeC under the low N condition was 94.8% of that under high N condition, ranging from 79.4% to 112.7%; the GZnC under low N condition was 74.8% of that under high N condition, ranging from 59.5% to 102.5%. Wheat varieties with high GFeC and GZnC under both N conditions were identified, and this kind of varieties is desirable in breeding wheat with enriched Zn and Fe under a range of soil N conditions.     

EFFECT OF REDUCED SEED AND APPLIED ZINC ON ZINC EFFICIENCY OF WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER ZINC DEFICIENCY IN NUTRIENT SOLUTION CULTURE

Improving zinc efficiency of cereals especially wheat under zinc deficiency is a priority area of research to determine and manipulate the plant factors that govern zinc uptake and utilization. Experiments conducted to ascertain variability and also the contribution of seed zinc (complete seed and half seed) to zinc efficiency in diverse wheat genotypes raised on zinc sufficient and deficient nutrient solution, showed wide genetic variability and general deficiency response such as, increase in root to shoot ratio and decrease in leaf chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase activity, total plant zinc concentration, and uptake. Since difference in zinc deficiency response were more distinct at the initial growth stage, seed zinc could be crucial for determining plant establishment, vigor, and yield. A few exceptional genotypes, where cutting seed zinc supply infect triggered growth, root characteristics, zinc uptake and use efficiency were identified and their zinc uptake capacity on low zinc soil was measured. The difference in zinc efficiency was attributable to phytosiderophore release capacity of the genotypes.     

NITROGEN,PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM NUTRIENT EFFECTS ON GRAIN FILLING AND YIELD OF HIGH-YIELDING SUMMER CORN

A three-site-year field experiment was conducted to determine nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer effects on grain filling dynamics and yield formation of high-yielding summer corn (Zea mays L.) in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-corn double crop cropping system. Application of combined NPK fertilizers resulted in the greatest grain yield, largest grain number and grain weight when compared with the treatments receiving N, NP, or NK. Grain filling rate and duration, grain volume, and grain yield increased with NPK rates; however, doubling the rate of 180 kg N ha^?1, 40 kg P ha^?1, and 75 kg K ha^?1 fertilizer only led to minimal increases in grain filling rate (0.8%), grain filling duration (1.6%), grain volume (1.3%) and grain yield (0.4%). Our results suggested that for the high-yielding summer corn, a combined NPK fertilization is required to enhance grain filling and yield, and that under well-fertilized circumstances, limited increases in both grain filling and sink capacity might be the main factor restricting further yield improvement.     

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION METHODS AND RATES OF ZINC AND BORON ON NITROGEN,PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM CONTENTS OF MAIZE LEAF

Plant analysis can be a useful tool in determining the general nutritional status of crops during the growing season. For this reason, a field experiment was conducted in the Fars province of Iran during 2008 season to evaluate the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in maize leaf as affected by zinc sulfate and boric acid. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with two factors and three replications. Factor one included four levels of B (0, 3 and 6 kg ha^?1 B added to the soil and B foliar spray with a 0.3% concentration); factor two consisted of five levels of zinc (Zn) (0, 8, 16 and 24 kg ha^?1 Zn added to the soil and Zn foliar spray with a 0.5% concentration). The results of this work showed that the main effect of Zn and B levels and interaction of Zn–B on the leaf N and P concentrations was insignificant. A synergism was seen between Zn and K and also between B and K. The presence of a high amount of Zn or B in the soil prevented from increase of leaf K content, by B or Zn application, respectively.     

恒电荷土壤及可变电荷土壤与离子间相互作用的研究Ⅲ Cu2+和Zn2+的吸附特征

研究了3种典型可变电荷土壤和4种典型恒电荷土壤在不同pH和不同浓度下单纯及共存体系中Cu2 和Zn2 的吸附及其影响因素。结果表明,两类土壤对Cu2 或Zn2 的吸附量均随平衡浓度增加而增大,符合Langmuir吸附等温式;当Cu2 、Zn2 浓度一定时,pH升高使Cu2 、Zn2 吸附量增大,但当pH >5时,Cu2 、Zn2 吸附量随pH变化甚微,出现一个接近最大吸附量的“平台”。当添加Cu2 、Zn2 浓度相同,但二种离子的总浓度不同时,平衡液的Cu2 /Zn2 浓度比均小于1,说明两类土壤对Cu2 的吸附选择性大于Zn2 ,且这种趋势不因pH和离子浓度而改变。当Cu2 、Zn2 共存时,使可变电荷土壤的Zn2 吸附量减小约70 % ,是恒电荷土壤降低量的约1.5倍;可变电荷土壤吸附一个Cu2 或Zn2 时所释放H 的平均数,明显大于恒电荷土壤者,说明可变电荷土壤对Cu2 及Zn2 的吸附中专性吸附的比例较恒电荷土壤大