EFFICACY OF GYPSUM AND MAGNESIUM SULFATE AS SOURCES OF SULFUR TO RAPESEED IN LATERITIC SOILS

A field experiment conducted on rapeseed (Brassica juncea L.) during 2005–2006 in a typical lateritic soil (Alfisol) of West Bengal, India revealed that sources of sulfur viz. gypsum and magnesium sulfate and levels of sulfur (0, 20, 40, 60 kg S ha^?1) have significant influence on grain yield, total biological yield, sulfur concentration in grain and stover, total sulfur uptake, oil content and oil yield and chlorophyll content. The maximum grain yield (18.28 q ha^?1) and oil yield (8.59 q ha^?1) was obtained with magnesium sulfate followed by gypsum yielded the grain yield of 17.99 q ha^?1 and oil yield of 8.22 q ha^?1 at 40 kg S ha^?1. Overall, the best performance was recorded when sulfur was applied at 40 kg S ha^?1 either as magnesium sulfate or gypsum. Results revealed that magnesium sulfate may be considered as the better source of sulfur than gypsum to raise the mustard crop in sulfur deficient acidic red and lateritic soils of West Bengal and if farmers apply either magnesium sulfate or gypsum to soils, the possible deficiency of sulfur and magnesium/calcium in soils and plants can be avoided.     

SUSTAINABLE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PACKAGE FOR COST-EFFECTIVE BIOENERGY BIOMASS PRODUCTION

Commercial fertilizer (particularly nitrogen) costs account for a substantial portion of the total production costs of cellulosic biomass and can be a major obstacle to biofuel production. In a series of greenhouse studies, we evaluated the feasibility of co-applying Gibberellins (GA) and reduced nitrogen (N) rates to produce a bioenergy crop less expensively. In a preliminary study, we determined the minimum combined application rates of GA and N required for efficient biomass (sweet sorghum, Sorghum bicolor) production. Co-application of 75 kg ha^?1 (one-half of the recommended N rate for sorghum) and a modest GA rate of 3 g ha^?1 optimized dry matter yield (DMY) and N and phosphorus (P) uptake efficiencies, resulting in a reduction of N and P leaching. Organic nutrient sources such as manures and biosolids can be substituted for commercial N fertilizers (and incidentally supply P) to further reduce the cost of nutrient supply for biomass production. Based on the results of the preliminary study, we conducted a second greenhouse study using sweet sorghum as a test bioenergy crop. We co-applied organic sources of N (manure and biosolids) at 75 and 150 kg PAN ha^?1 (representing 50 and 100% N rate respectively) with 3 g GA ha^?1. In each batch of experiment, the crop was grown for 8 wk on Immokalee fine sand of minimal native fertility. After harvest, sufficient water was applied to soil in each pot to yield ～1.5 L (～0.75 pore volume) of leachate, and analyzed for total N and soluble reactive P (SRP). The reduced (50%) N application rate, together with GA, optimized biomass production. Application of GA at 3 g ha^?1, and the organic sources of N at 50% of the recommended N rate, decreased nutrient cost of producing the bioenergy biomass by ～$375 ha^?1 (>90% of total nutrient cost), and could reduce offsite N and P losses from vulnerable soils.     

Acidulated activation of phosphate rock enhances release,lateral transport and uptake of phosphorus and trace metals upon direct-soil application

Phosphate rock (PR) was activated via acidulation with HCl, EDTA, and oxalic acid to enhance its reactivity. The release, lateral transport, and uptake of phosphorus (P) along with trace metals from pristine and activated PRs were investigated in a soil micro-block system over a period of 27 days, using wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of available soil P, Fe, Mn, and Zn were released from all the PRs after application to soil within first 9 days of seedling transplantation, while the release of other trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) was minimal (<1.2 mg kg^?1). On cumulative basis, APR-O (oxalic acid activated PR) was the most efficient amendment releasing 164% more available P, followed by APR-E (EDTA activated PR) releasing 130% more available P, compared to the pristine PR. Similar results were also observed in the release of available Fe, Mn, Zn, and other trace metals. The highest diffusive mass fluxes for available P, Mn, Fe, and Zn in soil were observed after 3 days of seedling transplantation, which reduced subsequently. The uptake of P, Fe, Mn, and Zn by wheat plants was increased by 394%, 715%, 92%, and 91%, respectively, in APR-O application compared to the pristine PR, while it was increased by 280%, 188%, 16%, and 27%, respectively, in APR-E application compared to the pristine PR. Subsequently, APR-O and APR-E amendments resulted in enhanced shoot lengths, root lengths, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter contents of wheat plants. Hence, it was concluded that activation of PR with oxalic acid and EDTA prior to direct soil application may enhance the reactivity of PR and could serve as a cost-effect fertilization strategy for higher wheat crop production.     

旱地高产小麦品种籽粒锌含量差异与氮磷钾吸收利用的关系

【目的】明确旱地条件下高产小麦品种籽粒锌含量差异与氮磷钾吸收利用的关系,为品种选育和科学施肥提供依据。【方法】于2013—2016年连续三年在黄土高原旱地进行田间试验,试验采用裂区设计,主处理为不施肥(CK)和施肥(NP),副处理为来自我国主要麦区的123个品种。施肥处理为N 150 kg/hm^2 (尿素,含N46%)、P_2O_5 100 kg/hm^2 (过磷酸钙,含P_2O_5 16%)。成熟期在每个品种中间2行随机抽取30穗小麦,连根拔起后,从根茎结合处剪断弃去根系,分为茎、叶、颖壳(含穗轴)和籽粒,称风干重。分析了样品中氮、磷、钾、锌含量,计算了养分的吸收量及转移量。【结果】施肥条件下高产小麦品种籽粒锌含量存在显著差异,高锌品种比低锌品种显著高54%。高锌品种的籽粒氮、磷含量分别比低锌品种显著高9%、7%,钾含量无显著差异,施肥使两组品种的氮含量显著提高,磷钾含量降低。高产高锌品种具有更高的籽粒和地上部氮、磷吸收能力,钾吸收能力与低锌品种相比无显著差异,施肥可使高锌品种的氮磷钾吸收量增幅高于低锌品种;两组品种间的氮、磷转移能力无显著差异,而高锌品种的钾转移能力较低,且两组品种的氮磷钾转移能力因施肥降低幅度一致。【结论】旱地条件下土壤养分供应充足时,高产高锌小麦品种的氮磷吸收能力强,钾转移能力弱,籽粒氮磷含量高,与低锌品种相比钾含量无显著差异。通过品种选育可同时提高旱地高产小麦籽粒锌和蛋白质含量,并提高磷含量。考虑到磷含量高时会降低籽粒锌的生物有效性,生产中通过施肥措施,适当调控磷肥,增加氮肥,在提高小麦籽粒氮锌含量的同时提高籽粒锌的生物有效性。     

Effects of nitrogen feeding for extraradical mycelium of Rhizophagus irregularis maize symbiosis incorporated with phosphorus availability

In terrestrial ecosystems, plants are frequently in symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with mineral nutrients and photosynthesis carbon exchanges in between. This research sought to identify the effects of phosphorus (P) levels on the nitrogen (N) uptake via extraradical mycelium (ERM) and the mycorrhizal growth response (MGR) of maize plants within the AMF symbiosis. Pots were separated into root compartments and hyphae compartments (HCs) with two layers of a 30‐μm mesh membrane and an air gap in between, where only hyphae could pass through, to avoid both N diffusion and root growth effects. Maize plants were inoculated with Rhizophagus irregularis with different N fertilization in HCs under two different P fertilization levels. Our results indicated that a strong increase in MGR with low‐P fertilization. The same tendency was not observed with high‐P fertilization, although both had a large increase in P concentration as a potential source of growth in shoot tissue of mycorrhizal plants. Substantial effects (10.5% more N) were observed in the case of high‐P availability for the host plants from ERM fed with N, whereas under low‐P conditions ERM may prioritize P uptake rather than N uptake. The AM fungi increase the uptake of N and P, which are most limiting in the soil with fewer forces from soil resources. In addition, there was still more P accumulated than N due to the high N for ERM with high‐P supply. Low N in HCs corresponded with a lower colonization rate in roots but with high hyphae density in HCs; this result suggest that N and P availability might change the ratio of extraradical to intraradical hyphae length.     

Modern wheat cultivars have greater root nitrogen uptake efficiency than old cultivars

The availability of nitrogen (N) contained in crop residues for a following crop may vary with cultivar, depending on root traits and the interaction between roots and soil. We used a pot experiment to investigate the effects of six spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (three old varieties introduced before mid last century and three modern varieties) and N fertilization on the ability of wheat to acquire N from maize (Zea mays L.) straw added to soil. Wheat was grown in a soil where ¹⁵N‐labeled maize straw had been incorporated with or without N fertilization. Higher grain yield in three modern and one old cultivar was ascribed to preferred allocation of photosynthate to aboveground plant parts and from vegetative organs to grains. Root biomass, root length density and root surface area were all smaller in modern than in old cultivars at both anthesis and maturity. Root mean diameter was generally similar between modern and old cultivars at anthesis but was greater in modern than in old cultivars at maturity. There were cultivar differences in N uptake from incorporated maize straw and the other N sources (soil and fertilizer). However, these differences were not related to variation in the measured root parameters among the six cultivars. At anthesis, total N uptake efficiencies by roots (total N uptake per root weight or root length) were greater in modern than in old cultivars within each fertilization level. At maturity, averaged over fertilization levels, the total N uptake efficiencies by roots were 292?336 mg N g^?1 roots or 3.2?4.0 mg N m^?1 roots for three modern cultivars, in contrast to 132?213 mg N g^?1 roots or 0.93?1.6 mg N m^?1 roots for three old cultivars. Fertilization enhanced the utilization of N from maize straw by all cultivars, but root N uptake efficiencies were less affected. We concluded that modern spring wheat cultivars had higher root N uptake efficiency than old cultivars.     

脲酶硝化双抑制剂缓释肥提高番茄产量及NPK养分吸收

为提高番茄肥料的利用效率,该文采用恒温培养和土培试验研究了自制番茄专用缓释肥（special slow-realease fertilizer for tomato,TSRF1和TSRF2）在酸、中、碱性土中的氮素释放特性以及对番茄产量、NPK养分吸收利用的影响。结果表明,在3种不同土壤中,氮素释放累积量均表现为普通复合肥（ordinary compound fertilizer,OCF）>商品缓释肥（commercial slow-release fertilizer,MSRF）>自制专用肥（special compound fertilizer for tomato,TCF）>自制专用缓释肥1（TSRF1）>自制专用缓释肥2（TSRF2）,且各施肥处理在3种不同土壤类型上的氮素累积释放量大小表现为碱性土>中性土>酸性土。在整个培养期,各施肥处理在3种不同土壤中氮素相对累积释放率大小总体表现为碱性土>中性土>酸性土,且土壤中不同形态氮素累积量均是铵态氮大于硝态氮。铵态氮、硝态氮的累积量大小也表现为碱性土>中性土>酸性土。不同形态氮在3种土壤中的累积释放量动态释放以一级动力学方程拟合最好（r=0.963～0.998）。采用一级动力学方程,不同形态氮素的最大释放量表现为总N>NH4+-N>NO3--N,这与土壤中各形态氮素养分的累积释放特性变化规律表现一致。在土培试验中,两种专用缓释肥（TSRF2和TSRF1）显著提高了番茄果实干物质量,较TCF、MSRF和OCF处理分别增加了18.18%、7.24%、31.40%和13.45%、2.96%、26.15%,且番茄产量在各处理之间的差异达到显著水平。各处理对氮素的积累量大小顺序为TSRF2>TSRF1>MSRF>TCF>OCF,对磷的吸收上表现为TSRF1>TSRF2>MSRF>TCF> OCF,钾素吸收积累量的趋势与氮素基本相同。与普通复合肥相比,两种专用缓释肥处理的N、P、K利用率分别增加了10.66%、20.53%和18.62%（TSRF1）,14.94%、18.48%和21.95%（TSRF2）。两种专用缓释肥（TSRF2和TSRF1）在抑制剂的作用下,能够延缓肥料中N素养分的释放,增加番茄植株对氮磷钾养分的吸收,从而提高了NPK养分利用率和番茄产量。     

AM真菌对田间山银花生长、矿质营养及绿原酸含量的影响

Lonicera confusa, a traditional Chinese medicine herb for treating cold, flu, acute fever, and so forth, is often grown artificially in acidic soils and suffers from phosphorus (P) deficiency. A five-year field experiment was carried out to study the colonization rate, growth, nutrition, and chlorogenic acid content of Lonicera confusa seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Glomus etunicatum and Glomus intraradices. Before transplanting into a field, both AM-inoculated and uninoculated control plants were cultured in nursery beds. In the plants inoculated with the AM fungi, the colonization rate decreased linearly with time and a greater decrease was observed in the plants inoculated with G. intraradices than with G. etunicatum, while the AM colonization increased from 0% to 12.1% in the uninoculated control plants 5 years after transplanting. Plant height, crown diameter, number of new branches, and flower yield increased significantly by AM inoculation as compared to the uninoculated control. Phosphorus concentrations in leaves and flowers increased, and plant uptake of nutrients, e.g., nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K), was also enhanced significantly by AM inoculation. The Lonicera confusa seedlings had a better response to inoculation of G. intraradices than G. etunicatum in both growth and chlorogenic acid content in flowers. In contrast, both plant P uptake and P concentrations in leaves and flowers were similar between two fungal inoculations. The positive responses of Lonicera confusa to AM inoculation in growth, nutrient uptake, flowering, and chlorogenic acid content in flowers suggested that AM inoculation in nursery beds could promote the plant growth and increase chlorogenic acid content in flowers of Lonicera confusa when grown on acidic and P-deficient soils.     

行距配置方式对夏玉米氮素吸收利用及产量的影响

为确定黄淮南部夏玉米产区机械化生产适宜的行距配置方式,2012—2013年同时在河南省方城县和辉县两个试验点设置大田试验,以高、中、低3种株高类型的玉米杂交种‘先玉335’、‘郑单958’和‘512-4’为材料,设置2个种植密度(低:60 000株·hm~(-2);高:75 000株·hm~(-2))、5个行距配置方式(50 cm、60 cm、70 cm、80cm等行距和80 cm+40 cm宽窄行距),研究了不同株型玉米品种在不同密度和行距配置条件下对氮素吸收利用效率和产量的影响。结果显示,低密度种植条件下,高秆的‘XY335’和矮秆的‘512-4’均以60 cm等行距处理产量优势明显;中秆的‘ZD958’在辉县和方城分别以60 cm和70 cm等行距产量最高。在高密度种植条件下,高秆的‘XY335’和中秆的‘ZD958’均以60 cm等行距处理产量最高;而矮秆的‘512-4’则以50 cm等行距种植产量优势明显,但与60 cm等行距处理差异不显著。植株氮积累量随行距的扩大呈先升高后降低的趋势,以60 cm等行距的氮积累量较大,低密度时显著高于80 cm等行距和80 cm+40 cm宽窄行距处理,而高密度下与各行距处理差异不显著;不同品种植株氮积累量对行距反应不同,高秆品种在行距间差异不显著,中秆品种80 cm等行距最低且与其余行距处理差异显著,矮秆品种50 cm和60 cm等行距氮积累量最高且与其余行距差异显著。两个密度种植条件下,籽粒氮积累量和氮素收获指数均随行距的扩大先升高后降低,在60 cm等行距处理达到最大值,并且均显著高于其他行距处理;氮肥偏生产力随行距的扩大呈现先升高后降低的趋势,60 cm等行距处理较高,但在低密度下与其他行距处理差异不显著,高密度时与80 cm等行距处理差异显著。与其他行距处理相比,60 cm等行距处理具有相对较高的氮素吸收利用效率和产量,能够较好地协调玉米土壤与植株的氮素吸收利用关系,兼顾不同株高类型玉米品种在一定密度范围内获得高产,可作为目前黄淮南部地区夏玉米统一的行距配置方式进行推广。     

不同水肥管理对水稻分蘖期根系特征和氮磷钾养分累积的影响

为探讨节水灌溉与氮肥施用对水稻分蘖期根系特征和氮磷钾累积的影响,该试验采用防雨棚池栽试验,研究2个灌溉模式(常规灌溉与控制灌溉)与3个施氮量(90、180和270 kg hm-2)对水稻分蘖期根系活力、最长根长、根直径、根体积、水稻根、茎、叶的含氮、磷、钾量及累积量的影响。研究结果表明,随着施氮水平增加,水稻根茎叶及整株的氮含量、茎及整株的氮累积量、茎的钾含量增加,水稻根系活力、最长根长、根直径、根体积、整株生物干质量、根叶的氮累积量、根叶及整株的磷含量、根叶茎及整株的磷累积量、根叶的钾含量、根茎叶及整株的钾累积量呈先增加后降低趋势;与常规灌溉模式相比,水稻根系活力、根直径、根体积、叶氮累积量、根及整株的磷含量增加。在该试验条件下,以控制灌溉模式下施氮量180 kg hm-2利于水稻分蘖期根系生长和养分吸收利用,水稻根系活力、根体积、整株生物干质量、整株的氮含量、整株氮累积量分别达到0.94%、21.27 cm3、22.68 g plant-1、72.40 mg g-1、1.74 g plant-1。该研究为认识水氮调控下水稻分蘖期根系特征与氮、磷、钾吸收利用,指导水稻节水节肥栽培实践提供支撑。