Einfluß der Stickstoffernährung auf den Gehalt an Chlorophyll und Galaktolipiden alter und junger Rapsblätter (Brassica napus L.)

Effects of nitrogen nutrition on the contents of chlorophyll and galactolipids in young and older leaves of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) The effect of nitrogen nutrition upon chemical characteristics of chloroplasts from young and older leaves of oil-seed rape (Brassica napus L.) were investigated. Nitrogen influenced the chlorophyll content especially of older leaves. As compared to the optimum supply, the values of young leaves were only reduced at the extreme deficiency and the excessive supply. In contrast to the content of chlorophyll the amounts of monogalactosyl diglyceride of both young and older leaves depended strongly on N-supply. Generally, the amounts of digalactosyl diglyceride were not related to leaf-age and N-supply. With the exception of extreme deficiency the contents of linolenic acid in galactolipids were influenced by nitrogen mainly in older leaves. (Brassica napus L., N-supply, Leaf-age, Chlorophyll, Galactolipids)     

Einfluß der Stickstoffernährung auf qualitative und quantitative Sameneigenschaften von Raps (Brassica napus L.)

Influence of the nitrogen-nutrition on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of seeds of rape (Brassica napus L.) An experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions to analyse the influence of nitrogen nutrition on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of seeds of rape, variety “Erglu”. Increasing the level of nitrogen fertilization raised the crude protein content during the whole period of seed growth but decreased the lipid content during the main seed growth stages. Nitrogen nutrition only changed the fatty acid composition significantly during the early stages of seed growth. Increasing nitrogen fertilization resulted at maturity in a trend towards higher contents of palmitic and linoleic acids but in a lower content of oleic acid. At maturity the lipid content was not influenced by the level of nitrogen nutrition. The differences in seed-yield per pod between the main branch and axillary branch 5 became smaller when nitrogen nutrition was increased.     

Response of oilseed rape plant to low root temperature and nitrate: Ammonium ratios

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) response to root temperature regimes (20/20, 16/8 and 12/12°C day/night) at constant 20°C air temperature was studied. At each regime, three NO₃ ^‐:NH₄ ⁺ ratios (10:0, 8:2, or 6:4), at constant 10 mM N, in the irrigation solution were tested. Plant growth, transpiration, ionic composition and level of cytokinins and gibberellins in the xylem exudate were monitored. The two low root temperature regimes, 12/12 and 16/8°C, reduced rape shoot growth by 28 and 22%, and increased the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates by 42 and 26% in the roots, respectively, as compared to the 20/20°C regime. Low root temperatures reduced plants transpiration. The NO₃ ^‐:NH₄ ⁺ ratios had no effect on rape growth. At low root temperatures NO₃ ^‐contents increased in the shoot and decreased in the roots. The sum of cations and that of anions at 12/12 and 16/8°C root temperatures decreased significantly as compared to 20/20°C. The presence of NH₄ ⁺ in the irrigation solution decreased the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the shoots and roots and increased that of Cl^‐ in the shoots and of H₂PO₄ ^‐ in the roots at all root temperatures. Cytokinins and gibberellins contents in the xylem exúdate decreased at the low root temperature regimes. Low root temperature reduced total upward transport of the mineral nutrients and phytohormones, most probably because of reduced water flow through the plant.     

Growth and ion uptake of four Brassica species as affected by Na/Ca ratio in saline sand culture

The influence of supplemental Ca² in saline nutrient solutions on germination, growth, and ion uptake of four Brassica species, B. campestris L., B. carinata, A.Br., B. juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss., and B. napus L. was studied in sand culture. The addition of 11.25 mM CaC1² to nutrient solution containing 225 mM NaC1 improved percentage of germination of B. napus and B. juncea, but had no significant effect on the germination speed of the four species. There was no significant effect of additional amount of Ca² in the saline medium (150 mM NaC1) on the shoot biomass and seed yield of B. carinata and B. campestris. By contrast, shoot dry matter of B. napus and B. juncea increased significantly with the increased in Ca² concentration of the growth medium, but their seed yield remained unaffected. Decreased Ca² concentrations of the saline growth medium reduced percent oil content in B. carinata, B. juncea, and B. campestris. Increasing Na/Ca ratio of the external medium affected ion uptake differently in different species. In B. carinata, a relatively salt-tolerant species, the concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the shoots remained unaffected, but the C1 concentration was reduced linearly with the increase in external Na/Ca ratios. Root K⁺ and Ca²⁺ of the species decreased with the decrease in Ca²⁺ supply. In B. campestris increasing Na/Ca ratios of the saline medium had no effect on the concentrations of Na⁺, C1, and Ca²⁺ in the shoots and Na⁺, C1, and K⁺ in the roots. Only shoot K⁺ and root Ca²⁺ decreased consistently. In the highly salt-sensitive species, B. napus, the shoot Na⁺ was reduced by the addition of Ca²⁺ in the salt treatment, whereas the C1 and Ca²⁺ uptake was promoted by supplemental Ca²⁺. The root K⁺ concentrations decreased with the increase in Na/Ca. In B. juncea, which was similar to B. napus in biomass production, high Ca²⁺ concentration in the salt treatment reduced the shoot Na⁺ and root C1 concentrations and promoted the K⁺ uptake. Shoot Na/Ca and Na/K ratios were increased in B. napus and B. juncea at the highest Na/Ca ratio of the growth medium. Shoot K⁺ selectivity, S^K,Na (determined as molar ratio of K: Na in tissue to molar ratio of K:Na in external medium) of all species remained unaffected except for B. juncea in which it decreased significantly at the highest Na/Ca ratio. The root K⁺ selectivity increased in B. carinata.     

Einfluß von Chelatoren auf die Calcium-Verlagerung im Sproß höherer Pflanzen

Influence of chelating agents on calcium translocation in the shoots of higher plants Using 28-day-old plants and shoots of bush beans as well as isolated haulms of barley taken from the field 24-hour experiments were carried out to investigate how equimolar additions of the chelating agents Na₂H₂ EDTA (EDTA) or citric acid to the ⁴⁵CaCl₂ uptake solution (0.5–1.0 mM/l) influenced Ca-translocation in the shoot. The following results were obtained:

• 1 If Ca²⁺ was taken up by the intact root system, equimolar additions of EDTA to the CaCl₂-uptake solution reduced Ca-uptake, and therefore the translocation of Ca to and within the shoot was also lowered.
• 2 Chelating agents favoured Ca-translocation in the shoots only when Ca-uptake as a chelate by the plasmalemma of the root cells was prevented using DNP or when the roots were by-passed by injecting chelates or by removing the roots themselves.
• 3 Additions of MgCl₂ (0.5 mM/l) or DNP (10^?5-10^?4 M/l) to the ⁴⁵CaCl₂ uptake solution (0.5 mM/l) of isolated shoots reduced the favourable effect of equimolar EDTA-levels on Ca-translocation because Mg²⁺ and DNP themselves increased Ca-translocation.
• 4 From the effects of Mg²⁺ and DNP it was concluded that the favourable influence of chelating agents on Ca-translocation within the shoot can be explained on the one hand by the reduction in adsorption of Ca²⁺ on negatively charged cell walls of the xylem and on the other hand by the diminished accumulation and precipitation of Ca in the xylem-surrounding tissue.
• 5 On the basis of the results obtained here, stem injections of chelating agents or treatments which influence the content of native chelating agents in the plants appear to be possible starting points for the improvement of Ca-translocation within the shoot.

     

Effects of Acid Mist and Ascorbic Acid Treatment on the Growth,Stability of Leaf Membranes,Chlorophyll Content and Some Mineral Elements of Carthamus tinctorius,the Safflower

Safflower shoots were sprayed with either HNO₃,HCl and H₂SO₄ acid solutions of pH 2.0 ordistilled water as a control and then sprayed with 0and 100 mg L^-1 ascorbic acid solutions. In theabsence of ascorbic acid, membranes of leaf discsexcised from acid misted plants were more injured bydehydration (40% polyethylene glycol, P.E.G.) andheat (51 °C) stress than those taken fromunmisted plants. Safflower plants sprayed with HCl andH₂SO₄ solutions had lower contents ofchlorophyll (Chl.), soluble sugars (S.S.),hydrolysable carbohydrates (H.C.), soluble proteins(S.P.); total free amino acids (T.A.A.) and producedless biomass in their shoot and root systems than theunacidified control. The reverse held true in theplants received HNO₃ solution. Proline contentincreased with exposure to an HCl acid mist of pH 2.0.An acid spray of pH 2.0 did not affect shoot Na⁺,K⁺ and Mg²⁺ content but reduced theircontents in the root. Shoot and root Ca²⁺contents were substantially lower in acid sprayedplants than in the unsprayed analogues. Ascorbic acidtreatment counteracted the deleterious effects of acidmist on the parameters tested, effectively protectingthe plant membranes from dehydration and heat stressinjury. Ascorbic acid protection was more pronouncedin plants that received HCl solution (e.g. chlorophyllcontent was about three-fold higher than that ofascorbic acid untreated analogues) in contrast toeither HNO₃ or H₂SO₄ treated plants.The effects of single factors, acid mist (pH),ascorbic acid (A.A.) and their interaction (pH × A.A)on the parameters tested were statisticallysignificant. The coefficient of determination(η²) indicated that: (1) acid mist (pH) hada dominant role in affecting the stability of leafmembrane to dehydration stress, Chl content, shootlength and dry mass production, shoot S.P. and H.C.,and root S.S., S.P., T.A.A., Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺contents. (2) The effect of ascorbic acid (A.A.) wasdominant for shoot Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ andproline contents as well as for root H.C. (3) Theshare of pH × AA. interaction was dominant for thestability of leaf membrane to heat stress, root dryweight, shoot S.S., T.A.A. and root Na⁺ content.(4) The role of pH and A.A. was equally dominant inaffecting root length.     

氮、磷、钾、硼肥对甘蓝型油菜籽品质的影响

以多个正在大面积应用的甘蓝型油菜品种为研究对象,在长江流域冬油菜主产区的10个省（市）布置氮、磷、钾和硼肥田间肥效试验共284组,通过多点试验分别探讨当前生产条件下施用氮、磷、钾、硼肥对双低和双高甘蓝型油菜籽含油量、蛋白质、芥酸、硫甙的影响。结果表明,双低油菜籽平均含油量为41.66%,双高油菜含油量明显低于双低油菜,仅为38.92%。氮、磷、钾和硼肥施用对油菜籽的品质效应在不同试验点表现不尽相同,其总体趋势是:在磷、钾、硼肥基础上施用氮肥提高籽粒蛋白质含量而降低油分含量,且随氮肥用量的增加效果更明显,施氮对双高油菜油分及蛋白质含量的影响程度大于双低油菜;施磷、钾或硼肥有提高油菜籽含油量而降低蛋白质含量的趋势;施肥对油菜籽硫甙和芥酸含量有一定影响,但对品质影响不大。油菜籽含油量与收获指数、千粒重显著正相关,与蛋白质含量呈负相关。研究结果显示,在施氮的基础上配合施用磷、钾和硼肥能减少因施氮引起的油分损失。     

Cumulative Effect of Soil and Foliar Application of Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Sulfur on Growth,Physico-Biochemical Parameters,Yield Attributes,and Fatty Acid Composition in Oil of Erucic Acid-Free Rapeseed-Mustard Genotypes

ABSTRACT

The feasibility of split (soil + foliar) applications of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and addition of a small quantity of sulfur (S) in the spray was tested for improving performance of rapeseed-mustard genotypes in a factorial randomized field experiment. Three genotypes (two erucic acid free, viz. Brassica napus L. cv. ‘Hyola PAC – 401’ and Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss. cv. ‘TERI (0E) M 21-Swarna’, and one best performing high yielding Brassica juncea L. cv. ‘Rohini’ as a check) were grown with four soil (B) plus foliar (F) applications of N, P, and S with uniform basal 30 kg potassium (K) ha^{? 1} (K₃₀), viz. (i) the optimum soil-applied treatment supplemented with the spray of deionized water (B_N90P30 + Fw) comprising control, (ii) B_N70P30 + F _N20, (iii) B_N70P28 + F_N20P2, and (iv) B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2. Soil Plus foliar application of nutrients, particularly B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2, improved their performance with respect to growth characteristics (shoot length plant^{? 1}, leaf number plant^{? 1}, area leaf^{? 1}, leaf area index, fresh weight plant^{? 1}, and dry weight plant^{? 1}), physico-biochemical parameters (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, water use efficiency, carbonic anhydrase activity, leaf NPK content, and N use efficiency), yield attributes (pod number plant^{? 1}, seed number pod^{? 1}, 1000-seed weight, seed yield ha^{? 1}, oil content, and oil yield ha^{? 1}), and fatty acid composition in oil of these genotypes. The cultivar ‘Hyola PAC-401’ performed best particularly with B_N70P28 + F_N20P2S2. The improvement in the response of genotypes to the split application of nutrients may be attributed to their ready availability through foliar application.     

Short-term effects of a simulated acid rain upon the growth and nutrient relations of Pinus strobus,L.

Acidified precipitation may affect the productivity of forests by altering the availability of plant nutrients or by affecting the ability of trees to absorb and assimilate those nutrients. In this study, the short-term effects of simulated acid rain (pH range 5.6 to 2.3) upon the growth and nutrient relations of Eastern White Pine seedlings (Pinus strobus, L.) grown in a sandy loam soil were examined. Soil chemistry, soil leachate chemistry, seedling tissue chemistry, and seedling productivity were monitored. Inspite increased leaching of cations from the soil, resulting in near depletion of available K⁺¹, Mg⁺², and Ca⁺¹ at pH 2.3, seedling productivity increased with acidity through the 20-week experimental period. Foliar nitrogen concentrations indicate that fertilization with NO ₃ ^?1, added to the rain as HNO₃, may have caused the growth increase. Implications of cation losses and NO₃ ^?1 fertilization are discussed.     

油菜叶片扩展的功能性需硫量及其作为缺硫诊断的探讨

利用人工气候室进行了双低冬油菜Canola（Brassicanapus L.）苗期的控流试验，以探讨供硫不足条件下对植株不同生长参数动态变化的影响效应。结果表明，单位重量叶面积（即A／W）的变化是反映植株硫营养状况的最敏感指示参数。根据其相对增产率的变化求得了对油菜叶片扩展的功能性需硫（S）量为0.32％。这一数值较传统方法，即采用全株或某一器官的干物重（DM）变化所求得的临界值，能更有效地反映植株（器官）的硫素丰缺状况。当再利用能力较弱的硫元素供应不足时，最先受到影响的是幼叶的扩展速率，而植株（或叶片）的干物量往往因净同化率（EA）和相对生长率（RW）在缺硫后的一定时间内相对增加而产生累积效应。因此，油菜叶片扩展的功能性需硫量可以作为油菜缺硫的诊断指标。     

磷胁迫条件下油菜、肥田萝卜对难溶性磷的活化与利用

通过砂培试验研究了北方食用油菜和南方绿肥作物肥田萝卜两种植物在缺磷胁迫条件下对难溶性磷酸盐Ca₃(PO₄)₂和AlPO₄的活化利用情况。试验结果表明,在仅供应一种难浴性磷酸盐时,油菜和肥田萝卜对磷酸铝和磷酸三钙都有较大程度的活化与利用。在施用AlPO₄时肥田萝卜地上部吸磷量达到供应等磷量水溶性磷酸盐时的90％;在施用Ca₂(PO₄)₂时油菜地上部吸磷量达到供应等磷量水溶性磷酸盐时的49％。植物干物重的测定结果说明,在缺磷时,难溶性的Ca₃(PO₄)₂及AlPO₄对油菜和肥田萝卜均有促进生长的作用。但是,油菜与肥田萝卜对Ca₃(PO₄)₂和AlPO₄的活化利用程度却存在着一定差异。表现为油菜对Ca₃(PO₄)₂的利用能力强,而肥田萝卜对AlPO₄的利用能力强。     

Growth,P uptake and rhizosphere properties of wheat and canola genotypes in an alkaline soil with low P availability

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of soil type on growth, P uptake and rhizosphere properties of wheat and canola genotypes in an alkaline soil with low P availability. Two wheat (Goldmark and Janz) and two canola genotypes (Drum and Outback) were grown in a calcareous soil (pH 8.5) at two P levels [no P addition (0P) or addition of 200 mg kg⁻¹ P as Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (200P)] and harvested at flowering or maturity. Shoot and root dry weight, root length and shoot P content were greater in the two canola genotypes than in wheat. There were no consistent differences in available P, microbial P and phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of the different genotypes. Shoot P content was significantly positively correlated with root length, pH and phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere. The microbial community composition, assessed by fatty acid methylester analysis, of the canola genotypes differed strongly from that of the wheat genotypes. The weight percentage bacterial fatty acids, the bacteria/fungi (b/f) ratio and the diversity of fatty acids were greater in the rhizosphere of the canolas than in the rhizosphere of the wheat genotypes. In contrast to the earlier studies in an acidic soil, only small differences in growth and P uptake between the genotypes of one crop were detected in the alkaline soil used here. The results confirmed the importance of root length for P uptake in soils with low P availability and suggest that the rhizosphere microbial community composition may play a role in the better growth of the canola compared to the wheat genotypes.     

Effect of cadmium on the chemical composition of xylem exudate from oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a good technique for removing cadmium (Cd) from farmland soils. To remove Cd from these soils effectively, it is necessary for Cd ions to be transported to the shoot organs for later harvest. However, the mechanism of Cd translocation to shoot organs via xylem vessels has not yet been elucidated. We selected oilseed rape plants (Brassica napus L.) and established a method to collect xylem exudates from these plants. After 3 days of Cd treatment (10 µmol L^?1 and 30 µmol L^?1) the Cd concentrations in the xylem exudates were approximately 6.5 µmol L^?1 and 16 µmol L^?1, respectively. The detection of Cd in the xylem exudate indicated that Cd was moving to shoot organs via xylem vessels. The effect of these Cd treatments on the amino acid, organic acid and protein composition of xylem exudates from oilseed rape plants was investigated. The level of amino acids and organic acids detected was enough to bind Cd transported via the xylem. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that proteins with molecular weights of 36 kDa and 45 kDa clearly increased in the exudates with Cd treatment. The possibility that these compounds are binding Cd in the xylem exudates was discussed.     

Kinetics of nutrient release from different organic residues using a laboratory system

Organic residues play a vital role in maintaining soil fertility in arid and semi-arid regions. Knowledge of the nutrient release from organic residues will help in optimizing nutrient efficiency in agricultural crop production systems. This study was conducted to assess the continuous release of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) from eight different organic residues (sheep manure, beet, waste material, rape, poultry manure, sunflower, potato and garlic) using successive extractions with distilled water. The residues were shaken for 1 h and equilibrated for longer intervals (1, 3.5, 18, 42, 72, 192, 768, 1248, 1608, 1968 and 2328 h) with successive extractions. Cumulative nutrient release curves by different organic residues versus time showed an initial rapid phase followed by a slow phase. The average percentage of nutrients released and the average release rate of nutrients found using a power model was different and were in the order K > P > Ca > Mg and Ca > Mg > P > K, respectively. According to MINTEQ software, the partitioning of total P between HPO₄ ^2? and H₂PO₄ ^? is sensitive to the type of organic residue. On average (pooled over all extractions), between 13% (rape) to 40% (poultry) and 27% (poultry manure) to 79% (beet) of total P in aqueous solutions present as HPO₄ ^2? and H₂PO₄ ^?, respectively. Among the various organic residues and in the first stage of release, sunflower residue, beet residue, poultry manure and garlic residue had the highest rate constant for Ca, Mg, P and K, respectively, indicating the high potential availability of these nutrients in the early stage of application to soils.     

Effects of Two Different Ozone Exposure Regimes on Chlorophyll and Sucrose Content of Leaves and Yield Parameters of Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) and Rape (Brassica Napus L.)

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris cv. Loretta) and rape (Brassica napus cv. Licolly) plants were exposed under equaldose conditions in closed fumigation chambers under twodifferent ozone (O₃) pattern: Var₁₃₀ (17:00–09:00 h: 40 μg O₃ m^-3; 09:00–17:00 h: 130μgO₃ m^-3) and Var₂₂₀ (16:00-12:00 h: 40 μgO₃ m^-3; 12:00–16:00 h: 220μg O₃ m^-3).Control plants were exposed under carbon filtered airconditions (ozone free, CF-control). Sugar beet plants wereexposed four weeks each during 6-leaf-stage and lateralgrowth respectively. Rape plants were exposed for 14 daysduring flowering (f) or as young plants (y). In between andafter the end of exposure, plants were kept in carbonfiltered air (CF; < 10 μg O₃ m^-3). With respect to sucrose and chlorophyll content of leaves andseed weight, rape plants were most sensitive duringflowering. Under equal dose conditions, the most pronouncedeffects on chlorophyll and sucrose content of leaves as wellas fresh weight of taproots (CF: 100%; Var₁₃₀: 97%;Var₂₂₀: 83%) and of rape seeds (CF: 100%; y:Var₁₃₀: 122%; Var₂₂₀: 99%; f: Var₁₃₀: 84%;Var₂₂₀: 78%) were detected after exposure under shorttime high ozone peak conditions (Var₂₂₀). Howeverglucose content in taproots (CF: 100%; Var₁₃₀: 43%;Var₂₂₀: 79%) and fatty acid content in rape seeds wasaffected most after exposure to moderate ozone peaks(Var₁₃₀). Var₁₃₀-plants seem to recover better fromozone stress than Var₂₂₀-plants, but glucose content oftaproots and fatty acid content of rape seeds indicate long-lastingeffects especially in Var₁₃₀-plants.Although experiments were conducted in a closed chambersystem it can be concluded, that current ozone concentrationscan induce adverse effects on these crops.     

H+, Ca++, and Mn++ influence on sorghum seedling shoot growth

Plant response mechanisms for acid soil tolerance adaptability are generally unknown. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars (Funk G522DR, GP 140, SC 599, TAM 428, SC 283, and SC 574) were grown in white quartz flintshot sand and watered with 0.01 M sodium acetate buffer at pH 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0 with concurrent treatments of Ca⁺⁺ (0, 10, 100 mgl^‐1 as CaCl₂) or Mn⁺⁺ (0, 1.4, 140.0 mgl^‐1 as MnCl₂). At the acid soil tolerance impact response phase (<10 days old), Ca⁺⁺ or Mn⁺⁺ did not influence seed germination (i.e., radicle exsertion). Ca⁺⁺ did not influence initial shoot growth. Increased H⁺ concentration greatly inhibited juvenile shoot growth equivalently in all six cultivars. This inhibition was explicable as an influence of gibberellic acid (GA) availability to the aleurone layer and was explained as an accumulation (partitioning) of GA into lipid cellular constituents. Excess Mn⁺⁺ further exacerbates this condition by limiting GA biosynthesis.     

Calcium,Magnesium, Sodium,and Potassium Release during Decomposition of Some Organic Residues

The use of organic residues might be appropriate in maintaining long-term nutrient requirements of crops. We investigated under laboratory conditions the dynamics of calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺) release during decomposition of eight plant residues and two manures over 12 weeks of incubation at 25 ^○C. During the processes of decomposition, these nutrients were extracted by 0.1 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The release rate of nutrients for residues was best estimated by the exponential model. There were differences in the rates at which release took place between residues and nutrients. In general, release patterns of nutrients with time for all residues were similar in shape, and two regions could be distinguished: a first one during the first 4 weeks of incubation, corresponding to faster release of nutrients, and a second for longer incubation times (weeks 5–12), when the release of nutrients was slower. A 71% loss of K⁺ was found after 1 week for vegetable waste and only 43% loss of Na⁺ for rape. Generally, based on release rate (% week^–1), nutrient release from residues was in the order K⁺ (–0.363) > Na⁺ (–0.344) > Mg²⁺ (–0.327) > Ca²⁺ (–0.280). The release rate of nutrients was significantly correlated with their residue content. Our results suggest that the use of organic residues as a source for short- and long-term nutrients supply for crops should be encouraged. The quick release of K⁺ and Na⁺ may pose a high risk of K⁺ and Na⁺ losses in sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity.     

Regulation of xylem transport of calcium from roots to shoot of maize by growth-related demand

The aim of the present experiments was to study the effect of growth-related nutrient demand on Ca²⁺ translocation from roots to shoot of maize (Zea mays L.). The plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solution with constant Ca²⁺ supply. The growth-related demand for Ca²⁺ and other nutrients was modified by growing the plants with their apical shoot meristem either at air temperature (24°C/20°C day/night) or at 14°C. Reduction of the shoot meristem temperature (SMT) to 14°C decreased shoot growth without affecting root growth in the first five days, which diminished the growth-related demand of the shoot for nutrients per unit of roots. This decrease in shoot demand led to a reduction not only of Ca²⁺ translocation rates in intact transpiring plants but also of Ca²⁺ fluxes in the xylem exudate of decapitated plants. This indicates that the decrease in xylem flux of Ca²⁺ at low SMT was not only the result of low transpiration-related water flux, and thus possibly low apoplasmic bypass transport of Ca²⁺ into the stele. In decapitated plants precultured at low SMT, the water flux through the roots was diminished even more than Ca²⁺ flux, leading to a significant increase in the Ca²⁺ concentration of the exudate, and thus presumably an increase in the Ca²⁺ gradient between cytosol and apoplast of stelar parenchyma cells. When the osmotically driven water flux was reduced by addition of mannitol to the nutrient solution, Ca²⁺ concentration in the exudate markedly increased, whereas Ca²⁺ translocation was only slightly affected. From these results it is suggested that the decrease in Ca²⁺ translocation rates at low shoot demand was not related to low water flux but to direct effects on the capacity of Ca²⁺ transport mechanisms in the roots.     

Studies on the metabolism in roots of lowland rice (Part II)

In the previous paper¹⁾, we compared the in. organic composition of root with that of shoot of rice plant at successive growth stages, and revealed that the content of inorganic elements in root was generally lower than that in shoot, and that paddy root, sending most of absorbed salts to the top, does not possess a function to store inorganic nutrients.     

Reaktionen von Ca-Montmorillonit und Ca-Vermiculit mit Kohlensäure

Reaction of Ca-Montmorillonite and Ca-Vermiculite with CO₂ The treatment of Ca-montmorillonite and Ca-vermiculite with carbonic acid (Pco₂ = 2 atm) has shown the following results: In the pH range of ± 3.9–6.0 Ca is exchanged by H directly only on pH dependent (variable) charge sites (Cav), whereas, Ca on permanent charge sites (Ca_p) is exchanged only by lattice cations mainly Al released by proton attack. Therefore, with regard to proton uptake from carbonic acid the two Ca-clays behave as extremely weak acids. The exchange of Ca_v proceeds rapidly that of Ca_p much more slowly, the first one is essentially reversible the latter at least not within a short period of time. The proportion of Ca_v is found from a graphical extrapolation of the Ca saturation-pH-function (fig. 3). Al released during the initial stage of the reaction is non exchangeable, prevents the expandable minerals partly from collapsing on K tratement (verm. much more than mont.) and has an OH/Al ratio of about 2. On treating the same clay sample several times or at low suspension concentrations exchangeable Al with OH/Al = O occurs. Exchangeable hydrogen was never detected. Vermiculite is less resistent against carbonic acid than montmorillonite. The results were discussed in respect to the mechanism of release of lattice constituents and in respect to Al release under the influence of CO₂-concentrations of soils.