The estimation of losses of potassium and magnesium from chalky soils in southern England: laboratory studies

Abstract. Ten chalk topsoils (0-25 cm) were repacked into columns in the laboratory. After leaching similar to one year's throughflow in the field, loss of K was equivalent to between 9 and 74kg K/ha. This represented between 3 and 30% of the initial exchangeable K with which loss was poorly correlated. Loss was dependant on the soil solution concentration and was inversely proportional to potassium buffer power.
The loss of magnesium in the same columns was between 10 and 22 kg Mg/ha (6-21% of the initial exchangeable Mg). Magnesium loss was poorly correlated with exchangeable Mg.
When KCl fertilizer was incorporated into the soils, the increase in leaching of potassium was 1–35% of the K addition. Application to the top of the column resulted in less leaching than when the K was incorporated. Leaching of magnesium was increased by up to 5 kg Mg/ha.
Potassium leaching may be delayed by the underlying A/C horizon but pure chalk, with an extremely low buffer power for K, has little ability to retain K. Extremely calcareous topsoils were the most leaky although in practice it is the organic chalk soils on which it is most difficult to attain adequate K levels. On all chalk soils, maintenance of a high K level with K fertilizer is likely to cause unnecessary long-term leaching losses. Annual, rather than biennial, fertilizer applications are to be preferred.     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica III. Cycles of organic matter and nutrients

Models for cycles for organic matter and nutrients element (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) are presented for the agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) withCordia alliodora orErythrina poeppigiana in Turrialba, Costa Rica. For the models, system reserves (soil, humus, vegetation divided into leaves, branches, stems, fine roots, fruits) and transference between compartments (production and decomposition of litter residues) inputs (fertilizer, rainfall) and outputs (harvests) of the system are considered. The implications of the models are discussed in detail. Aspects of net primary production in the systems studied are considered. N fixation is calculated on the basis of balances. Analysis of soil water showed high variations that coincided with rainfall patterns and pruning of theE. poeppigiana. For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986 For part II see this issue Agroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica III. Cycles of organic matter and nutrients

Models for cycles for organic matter and nutrients element (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) are presented for the agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) withCordia alliodora orErythrina poeppigiana in Turrialba, Costa Rica.For the models, system reserves (soil, humus, vegetation divided into leaves, branches, stems, fine roots, fruits) and transference between compartments (production and decomposition of litter residues) inputs (fertilizer, rainfall) and outputs (harvests) of the system are considered.The implications of the models are discussed in detail.Aspects of net primary production in the systems studied are considered.N fixation is calculated on the basis of balances. Analysis of soil water showed high variations that coincided with rainfall patterns and pruning of theE. poeppigiana.For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986 For part II see this issueAgroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica II. Cacao and wood production,litter production and decomposition

During 7 years (1979–1985) cacao harvests (beans and husks) have been recorded for the agroforestry systems ofTheobroma cacao underCordia alliodora andErythrina poeppigiana shade trees. The mean oven dry cacao yields were 626 and 712 kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ cocoa beans underC. alliodora andE. poeppigiana respectively. Harvests have gradually increased over the years and the plantation has now reached maturity. Annual extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits, which is relatively small, was calculated on the basis of chemical analyses. The following average values were found (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): At the age of 8 years, theC. alliodora trees have reached 26.7 cm diameter (DBH) and 14.0 m in height. Mean annual growth (from age 5 to 7) is 14.6 m³.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. Natural plant residue production has been measured for 4 years (Nov. 1981–Oct. 1985). UnderE. poeppigiana it has reached a value of 8.91 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ and underC. alliodora 7.07 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. The shade trees have contributed 57 and 47% respectively. Transference and decomposition rates are high and important in the nutrient cycles. The nutrient content of the litter was analysed and corresponding average yearly transfers were (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986. Agroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesselschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

钙镁磷肥对元胡种植区酸化土壤改良效果的探究

为了探究钙镁磷肥对元胡种植区土壤酸化的阻控作用,通过连续两年的钙镁磷肥田间定位试验,以上元观镇当地元胡种植户施肥习惯为对照(CK),研究分析了在氮、钾肥用量相同的情况下,施用钙、镁、磷肥750 kg/hm~2、1 500 kg/hm~2和2 250 kg/hm~2,对土壤pH、交换性酸、阳离子交换量(CEC)、交换性盐基离子以及土壤基本肥力水平的影响。通过测算投入、产出效益,结果表明：施用钙镁磷肥能显著提升土壤pH水平,较(CK)处理提升0.27～0.31个单位,T100、T150两个处理能显著降低土壤交换性酸总量和交换性氢含量,对降低交换性铝有一定作用。施用钙镁磷肥较(CK)处理能显著提升阳离子交换量(CEC)以及交换性钙和交换性镁,是阻控土壤酸化的主要作用机制。但当施用量达到2 250 kg/hm~2时,种植元胡的新增纯收益会有所下降,伴随产生土壤中磷素过量的问题,会有造成磷素流失产生农业面源污染的风险。因此在汉中元胡种植区土壤酸化改良中推荐钙镁磷肥施用量750～1 500 kg/hm~2。     

施镁量对土壤供镁及烤烟生长发育和产质量的影响

为明确福建‘翠碧一号’烤烟适宜的施镁量以及施镁对烟田土壤供镁的影响,采用田间试验研究不同施镁量对烟田不同时期土壤供镁、烟株物质积累和烤后烟叶产质量的影响。结果表明,随施镁量的增加,土壤交换性镁浓度上升,不同时期土壤供镁能力与施镁量表现为显著的直线线性相关关系。终采时烟株不同部位叶片镁含量和积累量也均与施镁量存在显著的直线线性相关关系。施镁处理的均价、产值、上等烟比例和上中等烟比例分别比不施镁处理提高了6.39%~11.67%、6.13%~14.63%、18.43%~31.46%和5.36%~8.96%。随施镁量的增加烤后烟叶总钾含量呈下降趋势。综合烤后不同部位烟叶感官评吸质量以施镁（以MgO计）量在19.5 kg/hm²处理最好,其次为39 kg/hm²处理;产值以施镁58.5 kg/hm²处理最高。施镁量对烟株生物量积累和烤后烟叶产量的影响规律性不明显。综合福建植烟土壤交换性镁含量的实际情况,以及土壤供镁、烟株物质积累和烤后烟叶质量,认为福建‘翠碧一号’烤烟生产中,施镁（以MgO计）量以19.5~39 kg/hm²为宜,既能保证土壤正常供镁和镁营养的相对平衡,又能满足烟株对镁营养的需求,提高烤后烟叶质量。     

Effects of pre‐partum milking of dairy cows on calcium metabolism at start of milking and at calving

This experiment studied the effect of pre‐partal milk removal on calcium metabolism at start of milking and at calving. Nine cows of the Swedish Red breed were milked for 1–7 days pre‐partum. The average milk yield at the first milking was 4.8 l, and the average yield the last day prior to calving was 13.4 l. Five cows were used as control cows and were only milked post‐partum. Samples of plasma and urine were taken to determine the effect of pre‐partum milking and calving on levels of calcium, magnesium, parathyroid hormone and plasma C‐terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type 1‐collagen (CTx), used as a marker of bone resorption. Pre‐partum milking resulted in a decrease in plasma calcium that was evident 2 days after the first milking. Parathyroid hormone increased at the same time, and CTx started to increase from 24 h after the first milking. There were no effects on plasma magnesium or urinary output of calcium or magnesium. The first week after calving, there were no differences between pre‐partum milked cows and control cows in plasma or urine variables, or in milk yield. In conclusion, pre‐partum milking activated the calcium‐restoring mechanisms but did not improve calcium status at calving.     

Use of NaHCO3 and MgO as additives for sheep fed only pasture for a restricted period of time per day: effects on intake,digestion and the rumen environment

Effects of NaHCO₃ and MgO buffer addition on intake and digestive utilization of a pasture were studied in wethers allowed a restricted time of access to forage. Twelve wethers housed in metabolic cages and fed fresh forage (predominantly Lotus corniculatus) ad libitum for 6 h/d were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: a control forage without buffer (C) or a forage plus buffer composed of a mixture of 750 g/kg NaHCO₃ and 250 g/kg MgO at 20 g/kg dry matter intake (B). Feeding behaviour, feed and water intake and digestibility, urine output, Na urine elimination, kinetics of passage, ruminal pH and ammonia concentration, N balance and ruminal microbial N synthesis were determined in vivo, and the ruminal liquor activity was evaluated in vitro by fermentation of wheat straw. Addition of buffer increased total water intake (p = 0.05), Na urinary output (p = 0.01), purine derivative excretion in urine (p = 0.05) and tended to decrease mean total retention time in the digestive tract (p = 0.09). However, buffer addition increased ruminal pH (p < 0.001) and tended to decrease the ammonia concentration (p = 0.05). That use of buffer decreased ruminal activity was evidenced by a lower volume of gas produced in vitro (p = 0.01) possibly due to a lower microbial concentration in rumen liquor. The higher rumen dilution rate, likely due to a higher water intake, seems to have been the key driver of the actions of buffer supplementation on the rumen environment. Moreover, addition of NaHCO₃ led to an increased urinary Na excretion, which should be considered due to its likely negative environmental impacts.     

硅镁锌不同配比对水稻光合作用及产量的影响

为探究硅、镁、锌互作最优配比以提高水稻产量,以水稻品种龙粳29为试材,利用二次回归正交旋转设计方案研究硅镁锌不同配比用量对水稻光合作用及产量的影响。结果表明:净光合速率与产量呈负相关,气孔导度、胞间二氧化碳浓度和蒸腾速率与产量呈正相关,气孔导度对产量的影响最大,施用中间量的硅镁锌肥能使气孔导度达到最大值。