Parameter estimates from generation means in swedes (Brassica napus ssp. rapifera L.)

From an experiment involving swede (Brassica napus ssp. rapifera L.) material resulting from a 4 × 4 diallel cross and a 4 × 9 factorial mating design better parent heterosis for dry matter and marketable yield was found in the majority of the hybrids. For breeders preference the better parent heterosis was not that pronounced and the majority of the hybrids were inferior when compared to their better parent. The generation means showed that models containing the mean, m, and the dominance parameter, h, generally resulted in the best fit. In some cases the additive parameter, d, improved the fit. In those cases, however, the additive parameter was substantially smaller than the dominance parameter. The probability of occurrence of recombinant inbred lines that outperform the source F₁-hybrid was, with very few exceptions, found to be low. Implications for swede breeding are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Polyphosphate‐fertilizer solution stability with time,temperature, and pH

Ammonium polyphosphate fertilizers are gaining popularity in agricultural industry due to ease of application and yield benefits in calcareous soils. In this study, the effects of temperature, pH, and time on the stability of ammonium polyphosphate–fertilizer solution simulating a range of storage conditions were evaluated. Ion chromatography was used for the speciation of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and tripolyphosphate in the polyphosphate‐fertilizer solution over time. Polyphosphate solutions were very stable when the pH was maintained close to neutral (pH 6.4) and the temperature was less than 25°C. In contrast, at the lowest pH (2.3) and highest temperature (50°C) almost all tripolyphosphate and 96% of pyrophosphate was hydrolyzed after 28 d. The hydrolysis rate constant for tripolyphosphate at 50°C was calculated to be 9.2 × 10^–7 s^–1 and the half‐life 20 d. At 25°C, the half‐life of tripolyphosphate was 34 d at pH 2.3 and 174 d at pH 5.4. The activation energy at pH 2.3 was 12.7 kJ mol^–1. The results demonstrate that increasing temperature and decreasing pH have a deleterious effect on the stability of condensed P species in polyphosphate fertilizer. The effect of acidification on polyphosphate‐fertilizer composition requires consideration when formulating mixed ammonium polyphosphate blends with acids and trace elements for application in the field.     

Metal uptake in plants from a birch forest area near a copper smelter in Norway

Uptake of Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Al, Rb, Ph, Cu, Zn, and Cd in vascular plants from a birch forest area near a Cu smelter in northern Norway was investigated. The primary objective was to study metal uptake in plants growing in a strong local acidification gradient. Decreased levels of Mn, Mg, and Ca found in Betula pubescens, Vaccinum myrtillus, and Deschampsia flexuosa near the smelter corresponded to a decrease in base saturation of the soil. This suggests that appreciable soil acidification has taken place. The level of Rb in Vaccinum myrtillus and Sorbus aucuparia increased significantly towards the smelter, probably due to the higher soil acidity. Elevated levels of Cu, Zn, Ph, and Cd in surface soil were found with values up to 2500 mg kg^?1 Cu within 1 km from the smelter. These concentrations decreased significantly with distance, but metal contamination was detectable up to 27 km from the smelter along the prevailing wind direction. A corresponding decrease was detected for Cu in the four plant species analyzed. Elevated levels of Zn, Ph, Fe, and Al were found in some, but not all, species.     

Combination of micro suction cups and time-domain reflectometry to measure osmotic potential gradients between bulk soil and rhizosphere at high resolution in time and space

A prerequisite to investigate the importance of osmotic potential (Ψ_o) in relation to matric potential (Ψ_m) in the soil for water uptake is the existence of a method that measures the temporal and spatial dynamics of Ψ_o in the vicinity of roots. One method for measuring Ψ_oin situ is the collection of soil solution with micro suction cups, the spatial resolution of which is suitable for rhizosphere studies. A major drawback of soil solution sampling is the disturbance of soil solution equilibrium, which makes frequent measurements impossible, so another method is required to provide information on the temporal dynamics of Ψ_o. The time‐domain reflectometry (TDR) technique might be suitable as the signal attenuation (σ) shows a close linear correlation with the salt concentration for a known soil water content. The temporal resolution of the TDR technique is high and the measurement has no impact on soil solution equilibrium. However, the spatial resolution of the TDR technique is too coarse to be used on its own in rhizosphere studies. We used a combination of TDR (fine temporal resolution) and micro suction cups (fine spatial resolution) to measure Ψ_o in a model system with Zea mays grown in quartz substrates. Osmotic potential changed continuously with time, and a steep gradient between bulk soil and the root compartment developed during the 39‐day growing period. The steepest gradient measured over a distance of 6 mm across the nylon net, separating the bulk soil from the root compartment, was ?365 kPa. The combination of both methods made it possible to extend the time interval between micro suction cup samplings and thus minimize the impact of sampling on soil solution equilibrium. Problems of separate calibration were avoided by calibrating the TDR measurements against the results obtained with the micro suction cups within the same experiment.     

Andosols and soils with andic properties in the German soil taxonomy

The presence of soils with andic properties on German territory has been suspected for decades and there are numerous reports of sites where they may potentially occur. Andic properties, however, are not adequately represented by the German soil‐classification system. The German taxonomic category “Lockerbraunerde” has not been revised or reconciled with international taxonomic categories since the year 1957, when it was initially proposed. With this review, we show that there are true Andosols of both the silandic (allophane‐containing) and the aluandic (Al‐Humus‐dominated) type in Germany and that their properties differ substantially from other soils which merely exhibit low bulk density. By (1) comparing soil carbon storage between some German Andosols, Chernozems, and nonandic Cambisols with particularly low bulk density and (2) elucidation of the differential pedogenetic pathways leading to Andosol formation, we further demonstrate that Andosols are important objects of study in research issues of contemporary interest. We propose that appropriate measures be taken to lay the foundations for the protection and conservation of these soils, because they are valuable as archives of natural history and provide opportunities to study unique soil processes.