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.     

Zinc exposure has differential effects on uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen in Chinese cabbage

Zinc (Zn) is a plant nutrient; however, at elevated levels it rapidly becomes phytotoxic. In order to obtain insight into the physiological background of its toxicity, the impact of elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations (1 to 10 μM) in the root environment on physiological functioning of Chinese cabbage was studied. Exposure of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) to elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations (≥ 5 μM) in the root environment resulted in leaf chlorosis and decreased biomass production. The Zn concentrations of the root and shoot increased with the Zn²⁺ concentration up to 68‐fold and 14‐fold, respectively, at 10 μM compared to the control. The concentrations of the other mineral nutrients of the shoot were hardly affected by elevated Zn²⁺ exposure, although in the root both the Cu and Fe concentrations were increased at ≥ 5 µM, whereas the Mn concentration was decreased and the Ca concentration strongly decreased at 10 µM Zn²⁺. The uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen were differentially affected at ≥ 5 µM Zn²⁺. Zn²⁺ exposure resulted in an increase of sulfate uptake and the activity of the sulfate transporters in the root, and in enhanced total sulfur concentration of the shoot, which could be ascribed partially to an accumulation of sulfate. Moreover, Zn²⁺ exposure resulted in an up to 6.5‐fold increase in water‐soluble non‐protein thiol (and cysteine) concentration of the root. However, nitrate uptake by the root and the nitrate and total nitrogen concentrations of the shoot were decreased upon Zn²⁺ exposure, demonstrating the absence of a mutual regulation of the uptake and metabolism of sulfur and nitrogen at toxic Zn levels. Evidently, elevated Zn²⁺ concentrations in the root environment did not only disturb the uptake, distribution and assimilation of sulfate, it also affected the uptake and metabolism of nitrate in Chinese cabbage.     

IMPACT OF SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON DIFFERENT FORMS AND BALANCE OF SOIL SULFUR AND THE NUTRITION OF WHEAT IN WHEAT-SOYBEAN CROPPING SEQUENCE IN TARAI SOIL

A field experiment was conducted at farmer's field in Mollisols of Tarai soils in Uttarakhand (India), to assess the direct and residual effect of sulfur fertilization in wheat-soybean cropping sequence. Four levels of sulfur (S; 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha^?1) were applied to main crop (wheat) along with recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). The direct and residual effect of sulfur at highest level showed 27 and 6 percent increase in grain yield of wheat and soybean over control, respectively. The increase in grain yield of wheat was significant at each sulfur level. The direct as well as residual effect of sulfur showed significant increase in sulfur concentration and its uptake by grain and straw except increase in sulfur concentration and uptake by soybean straw. In wheat-soybean cropping sequence, the agronomic efficiency and apparent sulfur recovery decreased with increase in levels of sulfur, but the percent response increased with increasing sulfur application. Different forms of sulfur such as total sulfur, organic sulfur, calcium chloride extractable sulfur, potassium dihydrogen phosphate extractable sulfur, and non-sulfate sulfur in post-harvest soil increased according to sulfur level applied but it decreased under control and also after residual crops. The buildup of sulfur in surface soils was greater than in the deeper soils. Application of sulfur showed the positive sulfur balance and it increased with increase in sulfur level, while it was negative under control. A major portion (46–62%) of applied sulfur contributed to increase in sulfur content of root zone soil followed by unaccounted component (25–40%) and small portion (11–18%) was absorbed by wheat plant as uptake.     

Effect of Conditioning Zinc Sulfate Heptahydrate (ZnSHH) with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Neem Oil on Growth,Productivity, Zinc Biofortification of Grain and Zinc Uptake by Basmati Rice

Commercial grade zinc (Zn) sulfate hepta hydrate (ZnSHH) is the most widely used source of Zn in India and several other countries for amelioration of Zn deficiency in crops. However, it releases water of hydration at temperature above 30°C and forms lumps on storage, which make it difficult to handle it and apply in fields. Therefore, conditioning of ZnSHH with ZnO and neem oil reduces the release of water of hydration and prevents lumps formation and can be well stored. Field experiments were conducted at the research farm of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India during rice growing seasons (July-November) of 2009 and 2010 to study the effect of conditioning ZnSHH with ZnO and neem oil on growth, productivity and Zn fortification of rice (Oryza sativa) grain and uptake by Basmati rice ‘Pusa 1121’. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with 3 replications comprised of 9 treatments of Zn fertilization. The present study shows that when conditioned with 2% ZnO and 4% neem oil ZnSHH improved yield attributes, grain and straw yields, Zn uptake and partial factor productivity (PFP), agronomic efficiency (AE), recovery efficiency (RE), and physiological efficiency (PE) of Zn in Basmati rice ‘Pusa 1121’. In general, ZnO was inferior to ZnSHH. Application of ZnSHH conditioned with 2% ZnO and 4% neem oil can be a better source of Zn for transplanted puddled Basmati rice on Zn deficient soils.     

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.     

根表功能细菌生物膜及其在土壤有机污染控制与修复中的潜在应用价值

土壤中的有机污染物可从根系进入植物体内,并可进一步通过食物链富集,从而威胁人群健康。植物根际微生物种类繁多、数量巨大,其中很多根际细菌可通过成膜作用在植物根表形成细菌生物膜,协助植物抵抗外界的不良环境或促进植物生长。有机污染物在被植物根系吸收的过程中,多需经过根表细菌生物膜这一特殊界面。综述了根际细菌在植物根表的成膜作用,以及根表功能细菌生物膜对污染物根际环境过程的影响及作用机理,分析了利用根表功能细菌生物膜调控植物吸收有机污染物的可行性,试图为防治土壤有机污染、降低作物污染风险、保障农产品安全等提供理论依据。     

Soil amendments and seed priming influence nutrients uptake,soil properties,yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in alkali soils

The effects of soil amendments [i.e., control, gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), and gypsum?+?FYM] and seed priming (i.e., unprimed, seed soaked in water for 10?hr prior to sowing, and seed soaked in 0.4% gypsum solution for 10?hr prior to sowing) were assessed on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in alkali soil in northwestern Pakistan. A split plot design was used, keeping priming methods in main plots and soil amendments in sub-plots. The results showed that the effects of soil amendments and seed priming on grain yield, straw yield, harvest index and number of spikes were significant but their interactive effect was non-significant. The highest crop yields and yield index were obtained with gypsum?+?FYM amendments, and seed priming with gypsum solution. The effect on seed emergence, plant height and number of grains per spike was, however, not significant. Grain yield increased by 104% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment over control and by 16.8% with seed primed in water, followed by 8.5% with priming in gypsum solution, as compared to non-priming. The weight of 1000 grains was significantly increased by 35% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment and by 15.8% in gypsum priming. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content increased with soil amendments. Soil pH and gypsum requirement reduced significantly with soil amendments. The blend of gypsum and FYM has improved the properties of salt-affected soil and enhanced fertility for optimum production of wheat in addition to the beneficial effect of seed priming in gypsum solution on crop yield. Using these amendments could be ameliorative in removing the adverse effect of the salt-affected soils, rendering the soil a good medium for plant growth.     

秸秆还田下氮肥运筹对白土田水稻产量和氮吸收利用的影响

【目的】研究小麦秸秆直接还田条件下不同氮肥基追比例运筹方式对白土稻田水稻产量和氮素吸收利用的影响, 为华中低产白土稻田水稻合理施肥提供科学依据。【方法】设置2种小麦秸秆还田量(0和3000 kg/hm2)及3种氮肥基肥-分蘖肥-穗肥施用比例(80-0-20、 60-20-20 和40-30-30)和不施氮的对照, 共7个处理, 分别为N80-0-20、 N60-20-20、 N40-30-30、 N80-0-20+S、 N60-20-20+S、 N40-30-30+S和CK。水稻收获期采集代表性样品考察水稻产量结构性状, 同时测定水稻籽粒和秸秆产量, 分析籽粒和秸秆氮素含量, 计算水稻氮素吸收量和氮肥利用效率。【结果】基肥-分蘖肥-穗肥施用比例60-20-20的处理水稻籽粒产量最高, 两年试验较不施分蘖肥的对照分别增产9.4%~12.9%和7.4%~8.9%。实施小麦秸秆直接还田后, 水稻籽粒产量较不施秸秆的对照分别提高10.2%~23.4%和0.8%~5.5%。不施秸秆条件下, 基-蘖-穗肥施用比例60-20-20的处理水稻籽粒含氮量最高, 较不施氮的对照提高11.3%, 而秸秆含N量随中后期追肥比例的加大而提高。秸秆还田条件下, 氮肥后移能明显提高水稻籽粒和秸秆含氮量。水稻籽粒氮素吸收量, 基-蘖-穗肥比例60-20-20处理最多, 2011年较对照N80-0-20分别增加13.7%和24.8%, 2012年提高14.5%和9.2%; 秸秆氮素积累量则随中后期追肥用量的增加而增多, 基-蘖-穗肥比例40-30-30处理最多。不施秸秆条件下, 基-蘖-穗肥比例60-20-20的处理氮素干物质生产效率、 氮素稻谷生产效率、 氮收获指数均最高, 百公斤籽粒吸氮量最低。秸秆还田条件下, 氮素干物质生产效率和氮素稻谷生产效率均随中后期追肥量的增加而下降, 而百公斤籽粒吸氮量则最高。氮素农学效率、 氮肥回收利用率和偏生产力也是60-20-20比例的处理最高, 较对照N80-0-20农学效率分别提高4.90和2.44 kg籽粒/kg N, 氮肥利用率提高7.82和21.29个百分点, 偏生产力提高4.90和2.44个百分点。【结论】综合水稻产量、 氮素吸收量以及氮肥利用效率, 安徽省江淮丘陵低产白土地区, 小麦秸秆直接还田条件下, 单季中稻氮肥的基肥-分蘖肥-穗肥施用比例, 以60-20-20运筹方式较为适宜。     

不同树龄骏枣树养分吸收差异研究

【目的】旨在明确不同树龄骏枣树形成单位产量所需的各器官营养元素年吸收量的异同点,以期为骏枣生产中的科学均衡施肥提供理论依据。【方法】以新疆阿克苏地区4、 7和10年生骏枣树作为试材,从枣树地上部分各器官分别采样,测定N、 P、 K、 Ca、 Mg、 Mn、 Fe、 Zn和Cu含量。【结果】骏枣树形成地上部各器官单位生物量所需要的养分含量,不同树龄间相比差异均不显著,但其生物量在总生物量中所占的百分率有差异,4、 7、 10年生骏枣树果实占地上部年总生物量的百分率依次为72.9%、 73.7%、 75.7%,叶片依次为5.4%、 5.2%、 5.1%,花依次为1.3%、 1.5%、 1.4%,茎枝依次为20.4%、 19.5%、 17.6%,三个树龄骏枣树各器官生物量的大少顺序均为果实＞茎枝＞叶片＞花。每形成1000 kg果实的总生物量随着树龄的增大而逐渐减少,茎枝保留和剪掉部分生物量均降低。采前落果率随树龄增加上升,叶片生物量减少,受精花生物量上升,而其掉落部分生物量表现先上升后下降。三个树龄骏枣地上部分生物量年增加量所需要的各营养元素量顺序均为K＞N＞Ca＞Mg＞P＞Fe＞Zn＞Mn＞Cu,每形成1000 kg果实所需要吸收的养分量非常接近,4年生骏枣树为N 22.8 kg、 P 1.7 kg、 K 34.0 kg、 Ca 7.4 kg、 Mg 5.0 kg、 Mn 54.5 g、 Fe 916.9 g、 Zn 202.8 g、 Cu 42.5 g; 7年生骏枣树为N 22.7 kg、 P 1.7 kg、 K 33.9 kg、 Ca 7.3 kg、 Mg 4.9 kg、 Mn 53.9 g、 Fe 907.2 g、 Zn 204.5 g、 Cu 42.0 g; 10年生骏枣树N 22.1 kg、 P 1.7 kg、 K 33.4 kg、 Ca 6.8 kg、 Mg 4.7 kg、 Mn 51.8 g、 Fe 871.3 g、 Zn 204.8 g、 Cu 40.4 g。【结论】3种树龄骏枣树地上部年总生物量中果实生物量与其余生物量的比例约为3∶1,且形成1000 kg果实所需的养分量也基本一致。由于总生物量和果实产量随树龄的增加而增加,因此,对养分的总需求量增加。但是由于果实生物量所占比例有所增加,测算单位产量所需要的各营养元素年吸收量时,也应考虑果实以外器官的年生物量所需要的养分吸收量,才能得到较准确的肥料施入量和各营养元素的比例。     

Mycorrhizal (Rhizophagus Intraradices) Symbiosis and Fe and Zn Availability in Calcareous Soil

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) fractionation patterns in soils of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus-inoculated and uninoculated maize plants fertilized with varying levels of Fe and Zn. Soil samples were collected for Fe and Zn fractions and available Fe, Zn and phosphorus (P) contents besides organic and biomass carbon (BMC), soil enzymes and glomalin. Major portion of Fe and Zn fractionations was found to occur in the residual form. Mycorrhizal symbiosis increased the organically bound forms of Fe and Zn while reducing the crystalline oxide, residual Fe and Zn fractions, indicating the transformation of unavailable forms into available forms. Soil enzymes, viz. dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities in M+ soils, were significantly higher than M? soil consistently. Overall, the data suggest that mycorrhizal symbiosis enhanced the availability of Fe and Zn as a result of preferential fractionation and biochemical changes that may alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in calcareous soil.

Abbreviations: AM: arbuscular mycorrhiza; Fe: Iron; Zn: Zinc; P: Phosphorous; Amox-Zn: amorphous oxide bound zinc; Cryox-Zn: crystalline oxide bound zinc; DAS: days after sowing; DTPA: diethylene Triamine Penta Acetic Acid; MnO₂-Zn: manganese oxide bound zinc; OC-Zn: organically bound zinc; WSEX: water soluble plus exchangeable zinc; MnO₂ Fe: manganese oxide bound iron; OC-Fe: Organically bound iron; WSEX Fe: water soluble plus exchangeable iron.