The response of Whitegrass [Cortaderia pilosa (D'Urv.) Hack.] to nitrogen nutrition

To investigate the potential for increasing Falkland Island Whitegrass [ Cortaderia pilosa (D'Urv.) Hack.] pasture production through application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, two hydroponic experiments were conducted. First, 5 mg l^–1 N was supplied to plants as nitrate (NO₃^–), urea [CO (NH₂)₂], ammonium (NH₄⁺), or a nine parts NH₄⁺: one part NO₃^– mixture. At harvest, plants grown in a NO₃^– medium had about half the biomass of plants grown in a NH₄⁺ medium. In the second experiment plants were supplied with 1, 3, 10, 30 or 100 mg l^–1 NH₄⁺-N. Plants at 1 and 3 mg l^–1 N had the largest biomass of young root and the lowest shoot–root ratios. Leaf extension rate was low in the 1 mg l^–1 N treatment. Plants given 10 mg l^–1 N had the greatest proportion of green shoot material but little root growth; while those at 100 mg l^–1 N produced very little shoot and root biomass. Preferential assimilation of NH₄⁺-N and a low N requirement make Whitegrass well adapted to dominating vegetation on much of the Falkland Islands.     

THE PATH OF CARBON IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS. XXIX. GLASS MICROBEADS

Glass microbeads are introduced as convenient and applicable mechanical supports for hydroponics that can be released from roots to exhibit visually discernible responses. Moreover, glass microbeads refract light, effectively redistributing light toward the phylloplane. The smallest beads, <300 μm diameter, rose from neutral to ～pH 9 in water and the rise was attributable the raw materials source, sodalime glass. The largest 700 μm diameter beads were relatively stable in buffered nutrients. Photography of unobstructed roots was aided by release of microbeads from ryegrass, coleus, corn, and narcissus. Propagation of ‘Ninsei’ was undertaken in containers constructed with inflow and drainage ports. Photodocumentation of responses to indoxylglucopyranoside exhibited consistent differences as compared to controls when cultured in glass microbeads; and further investigations into increased light intensity by refraction may lead to enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.     

The effects of vermicompost tea on the growth and yield of lettuce and tomato in a non-circulating hydroponics system

The use of vermicompost water extracts (teas) in horticulture to increase plant growth and yield and suppress pests and diseases, is well documented. However, its utilization and effects in hydroponics systems are unknown. Low concentrations of vermicompost teas, produced from food wastes, at rates of 1.6% and 3.2% for lettuce and 0.14%, 0.28% and 0.56% for tomatoes were investigated as additive and supplement in static hydroponic systems. Vermicompost teas significantly increased lettuce yields when concentrations of nutrient solutions were reduced to 25% and 50% of the recommended full rate for nutrient solutions compared to treatments without vermicompost teas. Even lower concentrations of vermicompost teas increased tomato yields significantly as a supplement in reduced nutrient solutions of 50%. The presence of a combination of trace amounts of plant hormones such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins and humic acids in vermicomposts teas are likely the responsible factor that increased yields of lettuce and tomato in static hydroponics systems with lower concentrations of nutrient solutions.     

Microbial mineralization of organic nitrogen into nitrate to allow the use of organic fertilizer in hydroponics

Hydroponics is an excellent technique for the cultivation of vegetable crops and other plants, but organic fertilizers cannot be used in conventional hydroponic systems, which generally use only inorganic fertilizers, because organic compounds in the hydroponic solutions generally have phytotoxic effects that lead to poor plant growth. Few microorganisms are present in hydroponic solutions to mineralize the organic compounds into inorganic nutrients. In this article a novel and practical hydroponic culture method that uses microorganisms to degrade organic fertilizer in the hydroponic solution has been developed. Soil microorganisms were cultured by regulating the amounts of organic fertilizer and inoculum, with moderate aeration. The microorganisms mineralized organic nitrogen via ammonification and nitrification into nitrate at an efficiency of 97.6%. The culture solution containing the microorganisms was usable as a hydroponic solution, and organic fertilizer could be directly added to it during vegetable cultivation. Vegetables grew well in the organic hydroponic system. Organic hydroponics based on this method is therefore a practical tool for the utilization of organic sources of fertilizer.     

Protozoan predation of Escherichia coli in hydroponic media of leafy vegetables

Multiple outbreaks of food poisoning associated with fresh vegetable consumptions have occurred in many countries. Numerous reports have described human pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., that can internalize into fresh vegetables via root or leaf surfaces. While attempting to obtain the threshold concentration of internalization of E. coli inoculated into hydroponic medium during vegetable cultivation, we observed a rapid decrease in E. coli numbers. In the present study, we determined that the rapid decline in E. coli was not due to a physiological change into a viable but non-culturable (VNC) state. The population crash was instead caused by true bacterial death, as the rapid descent was also confirmed by micro-colony fluorescence in situ hybridization, a culture-independent method that can detect VNC cells. We next monitored the number of E. coli inoculated into intact or filter-sterilized hydroponic medium after cultivation of various types of plants. We found that the number of E. coli in intact hydroponic medium decreased markedly, whereas the level in filter-sterilized hydroponic medium was completely unchanged. This result suggests that biotic factors were present that could be eliminated by filtering. Robust predation of E. coli by protozoa (ciliates and flagellates) was observed using fluorescently labeled bacteria incorporated into the hydroponic medium. Finally, morphological identification of flagellates by scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a species of Stramenopiles. These findings suggest the importance of protozoa as bacterial feeders in hydroponic systems and hence the use of these organisms as potential control agents of human pathogenic bacteria.     

Availability of soil boron fractions to M.26 apple rootstock

The availability of various boron (B) fractions in soil to M.26 apple (Malus spp.) rootstock was examined. The study was carried out in a greenhouse on soils with diverse chemical and physical properties. The following B fractions were determined: (i) B in soil solution, (ii) B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil surface, (iii) B specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces, (iv) B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides, (v) B occluded in noncrystalline aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides, (vi) B occluded in crystalline Al and Fe oxides, (vii) B fixed with soil silicates, and (viii) total soil B. In the studied soils there were: 0.07–0.17 mg kg^‐1 B in soil solution, 0.01–0.03 mg kg^‐1 B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil surface, 0.04–0.08 mg kg^‐1 B specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces, 0.28–0.67 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in manganese (Mn) oxides, 4.03–17.22 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in noncrystalline Al and Fe oxides, 8.93–50.62 mg kg^‐1 B occluded in crystalline Al and Fe oxides, 12.2–42.5 mg kg^‐1 B fixed with soil silicate, and 52.9–82.2 mg kg^‐1 total B. Simple correlation analysis showed positive correlation between B contents in M.26 apple rootstocks and amounts of B in soil solution (r=0.77), B non‐specifically adsorbed on soil colloid surfaces (r=0.65), B specifically adsorbed on soil surface (r=0.76) and B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides (r=0.77). No relation was found between plant B contents and amounts of B occluded in non‐crystalline and crystalline Al and Fe oxides, B fixed with soil silicates and total B. The results indicated that extraction of B by 0.1 M NH₂OH HCl solution adequately represented amounts of B in soil solution, B non‐specifically and specifically adsorbed on soil compound surfaces and B occluded in Mn oxyhydroxides to assess availability of B to apple trees.     

Nutrient Stress,Ecophysiological, and Metabolic Aspects of Olive Tree Cultivars

This research, aimed at evaluating stress on the olive tree, utilized cultivars ‘Meski’ and ‘Chetoui’ in regards to the removal of major elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in hydroponics culture. Measurements of leaf area showed a non-substantial and weak effect due to phosphorus, potassium, or magnesium deficiency compared to nitrogen. The growth analysis of dry matter showed an early depressive effect of nitrogen deficiency and a similar, but less important effect concerning phosphorus.

The induced nutritional stresses showed an important increase in stomata resistance, caused primarily by nitrogen or potassium deficiency, accompanied by a reduction of chlorophyll concentration, which resulted from the removal of phosphorus, magnesium, and mainly nitrogen supply. Remarkable starch synthesis and storage was also revealed following nitrogen deficiency, but it was very weak after the suppression of magnesium, which may provoke a weakening of growth and development of these plants.     

QUARTZ PORPHYRY TREATMENT ALTERS IRRIGATION WATER CHEMISTRY,AFFECTING HYDROPONIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

This study focused on using quartz porphyry (QP) as a water treatment to improve hydroponic production of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. nothovar; Japanese mustard spinach). We compared the chemistries of the control and QP-treated nutrient solutions and found that magnesium (Mg²⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) concentrations increased linearly up to day 21 following sowing in both conditions, then declined slightly. The QP treatment reduced sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^?) concentrations for the whole cultivation period. In both the control and QP-treated solutions, nitrate (NO^? ₃) and sulfate (SO^2? ₄) showed the same trend to a daily increase. In spite of these similarities, however, komatsuna production was better with the QP-treated nutrient solution compared to control. Treatment with QP during cultivation in August–September reduced the harmful effects of Na⁺, chloride (Cl^?), nitrite (NO^? ₂), and SO^2? ₄ by reducing concentrations of these ions, possibly leading to decreased salinity and toxicity effects in the plants. Mineral concentrations during October–November differed from those of August/September, resulting in variation among the different growth parameters for komatsuna.     

香蕉枯萎病苗期抗性鉴定的水培接种法研究

[目的]探索利用水培法接种进行香蕉枯萎病苗期抗性鉴定的可行性,为香蕉苗期接种技术的改良及香蕉枯萎病抗性种质材料快速筛选提供科学依据.[方法]利用水培接种的方法对比巴西、农科1号、抗枯5号3个不同抗性香蕉品种的枯萎病发病率及平均病情指数间的差异,并与3个香蕉品种的田间病害评价结果进行比较,同时利用K2平板计数法研究香蕉枯萎病菌4号生理小种(Foc4)在水培营养液中的生长动态.[结果]3个已知抗性的香蕉品种通过水培接种法鉴定的结果与抗感品种本身的抗病性程度相吻合,抗感品种的发病率和病情指数差异明显,在接种后第9d即能明显区分.香蕉枯萎病菌在水培营养液中浓度基本恒定,保持在105～106 CFU/mL,水培环境能为病原菌侵染寄主提供稳定的营养条件.[结论]水培接种方法能够快速、准确地区分香蕉品种对枯萎病的抗性,在香蕉抗性种质材料的快速鉴定及筛选中推广应用潜力大.     

营养液浓度对水培马齿苋生长及品质的影响

以华南农业大学叶菜B配方营养液为标准溶液,比较了0.25、0.50、0.75、1.00倍浓度的营养液对马齿苋(Portulaca oleracea Linnaeus)的生长和品质的影响。结果表明,无论是从形态指标还是生理指标看,0.75倍均为最适宜马齿苋的营养液浓度。