Leaf elemental concentrations and grain yield of sorghum grown on an acid soil

Abstract

Determination of the nutrient requirements of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown on acid soils is, a critical step in the development of plants which are adapted to these problem soils. Sorghum genotype, environment, and soil type interact with the uptake of elements and affect plant growth and production. This study compared the yields of a sorghum grain hybrid grown on a sandy loam soil at four acid pH levels. Nutrient concentrations in sorghum leaves on these soil regimes were also investigated. Grain yields declined 96% as soil pH decreased from 5.5 to 4.4. Leaf element analysis revealed that as pH decreased from 5.5 to 4.4, there was an increase in plant Al, Fe, Mn, K, P and a decrease in Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca. Interactions among several of these elements were readily apparent. Additional data involving different sorghum genotypes and different soil types are needed to establish a consistent pattern of element uptake on acid soils in relation to yield and plant production.     

Nitrogen efficiency in grain sorghum

Grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (1.) Moench has not been fully evaluated for its variability in nitrogen efficiency. A 2‐year study using 12 hybrids was conducted and nitrogen efficiency was calculated as: 1. total dry matter (DM) per unit N uptake (NE₁), 2. total grain yield per unit N uptake (NE₂), and 3. the product of NE₂ and the grain N:stover N ratio (NE₃). NE₁ values increased with plant age and were significantly different among hybrids at all stages of growth. A 20% difference in NE₁ was found between the least and most efficient hybrids at maturity. A significant hybrid x year interaction showed that the environment strongly influenced hybrid ranking. Hybrids which ranked high in one year often did poorly the other year and visa versa for NE₁, NE₂, or NE₃. Each N efficiency criterion ranked the hybrids differently, although NE₁ and NE₂ appeared to be the most closely related. Hybrids generally maintained satisfactory values for NE₃ if one parent (either male or female) had a high NE₃ value in hybrid combination. Differences were more dramatic for partitioning of N between grain and stover than for NE values among hybrids. Due to environmental influences, it appears that at least 3 or more years of data may be needed in order to establish consistent trends for N efficiency in grain sorghum.     

Growth,yield and nutrient uptake of taro grown under upland conditions

There is a scarcity of basic information on dry matter accumulation by various plant organs, nutrient uptake, and yield of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] grown under upland conditions. These data are essential for the development of technological packages, growth simulation models, and decision support systems designed to promote agrotechnology transfer of the crop in the tropics. Two taro cultivars were planted and harvested for biomass about every six weeks during the growing season. At each harvest, plants were separated into various plant parts and their dry matter and nutrient content were determined. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in total and edible dry matter content between cultivars. However, cultivar ‘Lila’ absorbed significantly smaller amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and zinc (Zn) than cultivar ‘Blanca’, suggesting that it had a higher nutrient‐use efficiency. Fresh corm yields were not significantly different and averaged 20,221 kg/ha for both cultivars.     

Biochars influence sweet‐potato yield and nutrient uptake in tropical Papua New Guinea

Currently, the biomass of an invasive and obnoxious weed, kunai grass (Imperata cylindrica), is uncontrollably burnt in Papua New Guinea in subsistence farming systems resulting in unwarranted negative environmental consequences. We explored the possibility of sustainable utilization of biochar produced from the weed biomass along with a standard feedstock‐rice husk (Oryza sativa). Biochars were produced with lab‐scale pyrolysis at 550°C, characterized for chemical properties and plant nutrient composition. Further, agronomic efficacy of soil incorporation of biochars (5 t ha^?1) or co‐applied with mineral fertilizers (100, 11, and 62 kg ha^?1 N, P, K, respectively) was tested for sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) in a field experiment. The two biochars differed significantly (P < 5%) with respect to recovery from the feedstocks, chemical characters and nutrient composition. Kunai grass biochar was poorer in nutrients (< 1%) with distinctly alkaline pH and higher electrical conductivity. Biochar amendment to soil showed significant (P < 5%) improvement of soil moisture, while co‐application of biochars along with mineral fertilizers showed soil moisture decrease. Biochar amendment improved the growth parameters and total tuber yield of sweet potato by about 20%, while co‐application with mineral fertilizers augmented total tuber yield by 100% and above‐ground biomass yields by > 75%. Besides, improving agronomic performance of sweet potato crop, co‐application of biochars with mineral fertilizers enhanced uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S. Production and utilization of biochar in sweet‐potato production could offer an efficient means of disposing biomass of kunai grass with concomitant productivity improvement in Papua New Guinea.     

Uptake and distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus in grain sorghum hybrids and their parents

Grain sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench genotypes responded differently to nitrogen and phosphorus additions to soil, but very little information is available correlating responses of hybrids and their parents. A two‐year study of a set of four male and three female parents and their resulting hybrids was conducted under control and added N, P, or N + P conditions. The treatments caused differences in grain yield and total grain phosphorus among the genotypes. Days to bloom, stover yield, or percent grain and stover nitrogen were not influenced by additions of nitrogen or phosphorus in this soil. The only significant difference detected among groups (females, males or hybrids) was for total grain nitrogen; i.e., male parents had lower grain yields than female parents or hybrids. Differences were found among the four males only for total grain phosphorus and among the females only for days to bloom. Hybrids differed for days to bloom and stover yield. A significant genotype by year interaction occurred for all traits measured, which was due primarily to environmental stress in the first year that significantly lowered the magritude of genotypic differences in the first year compared with those in the second year. Nitrogen and phosphorus applied together generally exerted more influence on most of the measured traits than either element applied singly. The responses of hybrids were correlated more closely with the response of the female than of the male parent for the traits. The only exception was for percent stover nitrogen where the influence of the male and female parents was equal.     

Starter fertilizer to spring barley and spring wheat in south-east Norway: Effects on growth and nutrient uptake

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out on three representative soils, to evaluate the effect of various starter fertilizers, together with different rates of band placed phosphorus (P), on nutrient uptake and yield of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The starter fertilizers were placed in the immediate vicinity of the seed, while the band placed P was placed at about 5 cm below the seeds and spaced at 25 cm between alternate seed rows. As starter fertilizer, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), calcium nitrate (CAN), ammonium nitrate (AN) and triple superphosphate (P20) were compared. In both species, effects of starter fertilizer on P uptake were most marked early in the growing season. At GS 13 application of 20 kg P ha^?1 as MAP increased the P uptake by 50% in barley and by 35% in wheat, compared to no seed-placed nutrients. For grain, the increase in P content was 8% for both species. The higher P uptake at GS 13 was supported by observations of higher plant vigour in the treatments with either P20 or MAP as starter fertilizer. The use of N only as starter fertilizer did not increase the vigour of the plants. Band placement of P also gave more vigorous plants in spring barley. The grain yield increased on the silty clay loam and on the silt soil when starter fertilizer was applied, especially with the use of MAP. Smaller and non-significant yield differences were found when starter fertilizer was used on the loam soil. No delay or reduction of emergence was observed with starter fertilizer. Therefore, on soils where root growth or nutrient uptake becomes limited during the first weeks after sowing, application of starter fertilizer is recommended in Norway for both spring barley and spring wheat. Crops grown on silty soils seem to have an especially high demand for easily available P given as starter fertilizer.     

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.     

Variability in growth and nutrient accumulation in sorghum grown in waterlogged soils

Abstract

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a potential crop for use in lowland paddy soils following rice in the Philippines. Little is known about the variability in sorghum germplasm with respect to yield potential in these soils, or the alterations in mineral uptake which might occur if late season rains resulted in waterlogging. Eight sorghum cultivars including the most widely used Philippine cultivar were grown after rice under flooded or non‐flooded conditions. Flooding was initiated 30 days after seeding and terminated when most cultivars were at or near the boot growth stage. Flooding markedly reduced dry matter production, and delayed bloom date on the average of 5.5 days. Grain yield was reduced about 57% over all cultivars. Early maturing cultivars were not reduced in days to bloom as much as the late maturing types, and there was a significant cultivar x treatment interaction for both bloom date and grain yield. Later maturing cultivars outyielded the other cultivars at physiological maturity in both flooded and non‐flooded conditions. Concentrations of the major nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were decreased in foliage at the boot stage due to flooding. The only nutrient to fall below published “critical” levels in leaf tissue, however, was N, and plants growing in these conditions showed classical N deficiency symptoms. Iron and Mn concentrations were significantly higher in foliage at the boot stage with flooding, but not high enough to be considered toxic. Most differences observed at boot still existed at maturity, but of less magnitude. Marked variability existed in the response among cultivars to waterlogging. It would appear that flooding tolerant genotypes could be selected which would improve existing cultivar choices for use in these difficult soils.     

地膜覆盖对滴灌土壤湿润区及棉花耗水与生长的影响

土壤湿润范围是滴灌技术设计中必须考虑的指标。以田间试验为基础,通过测定、分析和对比膜下滴灌和无膜滴灌条件下土壤含水率田间分布、土壤耗水量田间分布、棉花生长状态(株高、叶面积指数、产量等)以及产量的差异等指标,对膜下滴灌土壤湿润区的特征进行了研究。研究结果表明：地膜覆盖条件下,整个土壤覆盖面积均被湿润,其土壤湿润比高于无膜滴灌下的土壤湿润比。地膜阻碍了地表积水区向膜外土壤扩展,导致膜外土壤含水率低,单根滴灌毛管控制面积内的土壤耗水量比无膜滴灌条件的耗水量低,土壤水利用率明显高于无膜滴灌条件。但是,这却造成生     

不同耕作与施肥方式下白土水稻产量及养分吸收量

通过定位试验,研究白土上不同耕作措施及有机肥施用对水稻产量、 养分吸收量及土壤理化性状的影响。试验设置2个翻耕深度（10 cm和20 cm）与4种施肥模式（单施化肥、 化肥+畜禽粪、 化肥+秸秆、 化肥+绿肥）。结果表明,单施化肥时,翻耕20 cm处理两年的平均产量较翻耕10 cm处理减产7.6%; 而在翻耕20 cm的基础上,秸秆还田或施用畜禽粪、 绿肥则可以显著提高水稻产量,较单施化肥分别增产14.8%、 16.1% 和14.6%。水稻养分吸收量也表现出相同规律,在翻耕20 cm后补充有机肥能显著增加植株对氮、 磷、 钾的吸收。同时,翻耕 20 cm结合秸秆还田或施用畜禽粪、 绿肥处理的土壤有机质、 全氮、 碱解氮、 速效磷和速效钾含量均高于单施化肥处理。在白土稻田上,翻耕20 cm后增施有机肥有利于提高水稻产量,促进养分吸收,改善白土耕层土壤理化性状,是适合白土区大力推广的施肥模式。     

Growth response and nutrient uptake by forage crops under effluent irrigation

Abstract

The forage crops corn (Zea Mays), sorghum‐sudangrass (Sorghum Vulgare Pers. x Sorghum sundanese stapf.), and kenaf (Hybiscus cannabinus L.) were irrigated with municipal effluent at rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm/week on Lakeland fine sand. Plant samples were collected weekly from each plot to measure green weight, dry matter, and nitrogen content. From these data crop nitrogen (kg/ha) was calculated for each week. Finally, uptake of nitrogen was calculated to determine efficiency of nitrogen recovery from the effluent as the crops matured. In all cases efficiency of uptake decreased with increasing application rates, as expected from fertility studies. For corn, efficiency of uptake continued to increase up to harvest. For sorghum‐sudangrass and kenaf a peak was reached at about 50 days after planting, after which efficiency of uptake declined rapidly.     

砾石覆盖对土壤水热过程及旱作小麦玉米产量的影响

为了揭示砾石覆盖对农田土壤水热变化及作物产量形成的影响,2013—2015年采用小区试验法研究冬小麦-夏玉米轮作条件下土壤水分变化、温度效应以及作物生长和产量之间的相互作用关系。田间试验设置无覆盖(CK)、25%砾石覆盖(GM1)、50%砾石覆盖(GM2)、75%砾石覆盖(GM3)和100%砾石覆盖(GM4)5个处理。结果表明:砾石覆盖度与土壤水分呈显著正相关,100%砾石覆盖处理土壤贮水量最高;干旱胁迫条件下砾石覆盖度越高土壤的保水性越好,降雨条件下砾石覆盖度越高土壤截留雨水的能力越大。砾石覆盖具有明显的增温效应,4个砾石覆盖处理的土壤平均温度大于CK处理,GM4处理土壤平均温度最大;砾石覆盖处理可以认为是一种有效的温度调节方式,具体表现在低温(-5~0℃)条件下GM4处理较CK处理土壤温度增加5℃,高温(40~45℃)条件下GM4处理较CK处理土壤温度降低3.7℃;在寒冷气候和水分亏缺的情况下4个砾石覆盖处理增温能力均大于对照。此外,夏玉米叶面积指数随着砾石覆盖度增加而增大。100%砾石覆盖处理的2季冬小麦和夏玉米平均产量较对照处理分别增加了58.55%和22.50%。可见,砾石覆盖技术可以有效保持土壤水分、增加土壤温度、促进作物生长和提高产量,是干旱半干旱地区应对水分胁迫和气候变化、     

土壤水分对烤烟生长、物质分配和养分吸收的影响

采用室内盆栽试验研究了不同土壤含水率对烤烟生长、物质分配和养分吸收的影响。结果表明,烤烟株高随土壤含水率的增加而增高;生物量随土壤含水率的降低而减小,其减幅为叶茎根,而根冠比则与土壤含水率成反比,反映了烟草对土壤水分含量差异响应的整体特征。不同生育期叶绿素对土壤含水率的响应不同,团棵期、旺长期和成熟期的土壤相对含水率分别为70%～75%、80%～85%和50%～55%时,各处理中叶绿素含量最高。各处理烤烟对养分的吸收表现为对N、K吸收量显著大于P,且当土壤含水率低于烤烟所需的适宜含水率时,随着土壤含水率的降低,烤烟茎、根的养分吸收量均有不同程度的升高,但叶中却有所下降;而各生育期根、茎、叶在土壤含水率过高的情况下,对养分N、P、K的吸收均显著降低。     

Macro-nutrient uptake dynamics in greenhouse tomato crop

This study verified the concentration over time of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) in the leaves, stems, fruits, and roots of tomato plants. An indeterminate growth variety with ball-type fruits suited for greenhouse cultivation was used. The results showed that the distribution of minerals in the different organs of the plant varies over time. The minerals N, P, and K showed a tendency to decrease their concentration, while the concentration of Ca and S increased and that of Mg remained constant over time. The leaves had the highest concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. The concentrations of K, for both leaf and stem, ranged between 20 and 30 g kg^?1. N and K were the most extracted minerals, while P was the least extracted mineral. The information presented in this paper allows a better fertilization plan for growing tomatoes inside greenhouses.     

Lavandula multifida response to salinity: Growth,nutrient uptake,and physiological changes

Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida L.) is a perennial shrub native to Almería with known medicinal properties, which grows in saline soils that are increasingly present in the Mediterranean region. However, the effects of salinity on the mineral nutrition and physiology of L. multifida are unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the salt resistance of this species and compared it with other members of the Lamiaceae . Plants of L. multifida were grown in pots in a mixture of sphagnum peat‐moss and Perlite, and treated with five different NaCl concentrations [10 (control), 30, 60, 100, and 200 mM NaCl] over a period of 60 d. The effects of different levels of salinity on mineral nutrient and osmolyte concentrations and on biomass were evaluated. Our results show that L. multifida plants were able to grow with 60 mM NaCl without significant biomass reduction. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ were the main contributors to the osmotic potential in both roots and leaves, whereas total soluble sugars (TSS) and proline made only a small contribution. The concentrations of TSS and proline showed different trends in the different organs: in roots, both showed the highest concentrations at 60 mM NaCl, whereas in leaves TSS increased and proline decreased with increasing salt stress. To survive salinity, L. multifida plants increased salt excretion (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) by leaves at 100 and 200 mM NaCl and leaf succulence at 60, 100, and 200 mM NaCl. Excessive accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ was avoided by shedding leaves. Our results indicate that L. multifida is better adapted to salinity compared to other members of the Lamiaceae ¸ a consideration that is particularly relevant for their growth in arid saline areas.     

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.     

冬小麦籽粒受挤压特性的有限元分析及试验验证

为降低小麦籽粒在收获、贮藏、运输过程中的机械损伤,掌握小麦籽粒粉碎机理,运用有限元法建立小麦籽粒的力学模型,研究小麦籽粒在压缩载荷作用下的应力分布规律。在材料力学万能试验机上进行压缩试验,测得不同含水率9.1%～21.6%的小麦籽粒在3种压缩型式下的弹性模量为98.86～206.59 MPa,屈服强度为0.8～1.95 MPa,破碎负载为63.44～154.77 N,最大应变为0.71%～1.02%。结果表明：在3种压缩型式下,破碎负载、弹性模量、屈服强度随着含水率的增加均有明显下降;在同一含水率下,B型压缩时破碎负载最大,L型压缩时次之,H型压缩时最小;屈服强度和最大变形在采用B型和L型压缩时较大,在H型压缩时较小;其主要破碎形式为在腹沟位置产生裂纹。比较3种压缩型式下的试验值的和仿真值,二者最大差异是12%,验证了仿真数值解可行性。     

适当保水剂施用和覆盖促进旱作马铃薯生长发育和产量提高

为明确保水剂、秸秆覆盖及行间覆膜等抗旱保水措施对旱作马铃薯渗透调节物质、质膜体系等生理特性的影响和对产量的作用效果,以夏波蒂品种马铃薯为材料,设对照、秸秆覆盖、行间覆膜、单施保水剂、秸秆覆盖加施保水剂、行间覆膜加施保水剂6个处理田间试验。结果表明:各处理的马铃薯叶片细胞质膜透性苗期较大,而后呈先降后升趋势;丙二醛、脯氨酸含量随生育期推进呈逐渐增加趋势;可溶性糖含量呈"单峰"曲线变化。行间覆膜加施保水剂、单施保水剂、秸秆覆盖、秸秆覆盖加施保水剂处理较好地缓和了土壤的干旱情况,有效降低了马铃薯叶片中的渗透调节物质和质膜体系。马铃薯生育后期,至淀粉积累期,各处理脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、质膜透性和丙二醛含量变化较为稳定,行间覆膜加施保水剂处理脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量、质膜透性和丙二醛含量较对照分别减少15.57%、6.90%、42.79%和17.69%,单施保水剂处理分别减少2.31%、5.17%、10.62%和8.04%,秸秆覆盖处理分别减少28.45%、3.45%、51.63%和25.58%,秸秆覆盖加施保水剂处理分别减少25.14%、12.07%、49.17%和22.58%,降低干旱胁迫程度明显。马铃薯成熟收获期,秸秆覆盖及其加施保水剂处理各土层的土壤含水率变化相对稳定;0～20cm土层加施保水剂处理的土壤含水率相对高于不加保水剂处理。秸秆覆盖、秸秆覆盖加施保水剂、单施保水剂及行间覆膜加施保水剂处理显著增加了马铃薯产量和商品薯率(P<0.05)。总体上,秸秆覆盖处理较有效地缓和了土壤旱情,秸秆覆盖加施保水剂、单施保水剂和行间覆膜加施保水剂处理作用效果也较好,降低了干旱胁迫程度,促进了马铃薯的生长发育、产量提高。     

免耕施肥条件下冬小麦季土壤呼吸速率及影响因素

基于连续8年的田间试验,研究分析了不同耕作施肥措施下冬小麦农田土壤呼吸的季节变化及影响因素。结果表明:不同耕作施肥处理可以显著影响土壤呼吸速率,与传统耕作相比,免耕覆盖处理显著降低了旱地农田土壤呼吸速率;而相同耕作处理下,增施有机肥会显著提高土壤呼吸速率,说明翻耕和增施有机肥均会促进土壤呼吸。冬小麦季土壤温度和水分是土壤呼吸的主要影响因素,其中土壤温度可以解释土壤呼吸变化的83.2%~93.7%,土壤水分可以解释44.0%~76.5%,土壤温度对土壤呼吸的影响大于土壤水分;土壤温度对土壤呼吸的影响程度因不同耕作施肥处理而异,翻耕和增施有机肥均会提高土壤呼吸的温度敏感性(Q_(10)),免耕覆盖条件下减小了土壤呼吸受温度的影响程度。