Short and long‐term distribution with depth of soil organic carbon and nutrients under traditional and conservation tillage in a Mediterranean environment (southwest Spain)

The impacts of tillage and cropping sequences on soil organic matter and nutrients have been frequently reported to affect the uppermost soil layers, but there is little published information concerning effects at greater depth. This article reports results on the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), active carbon (AC), N, Olsen‐P and extractable K within 100 cm in short (4 yr) and long (16 yr) term experiments under different tillage systems. Short (TT₄) and long (TT₁₆) traditional tillage are compared with conservation tillage, reduced (RT₁₆) and non‐tillage (NT₄). The results show more accumulation of SOC in the near‐surface under RT₁₆ and NT₄ in both experiments compared with traditional tillage. Moreover, greater C content occurs to 40 cm depth in the long‐term experiment. The results demonstrate the importance of time on C accumulation, not only in near‐surface layers but also at greater depths. Active C is an indicator of the increase in soil quality in the long‐term experiment. This trend is only apparent for the first 10 cm in the short‐term experiment. Patterns in N, Olsen‐P and extractable K are similar to that of SOC. However, only extractable K is significantly greater in soil under conservation tillage (RT₁₆ and NT₄) after short and long periods. Potassium availability is a good indicator of the changes caused by tillage. Our results indicate that studies of soils at depth could be very useful in long‐term experiments to demonstrate the effect of conservation tillage on C and nutrient distribution.     

营养限制与补偿对蒙古羔羊体重和血液中生长相关激素的影响

试验研究不同能氮水平的营养限制与补偿对蒙古羔羊体重和血液生长相关的激素影响。选用内蒙古草原上健康的、平均体重15 kg左右的蒙古羔羊64只,随机分为对照组(CG)、限制1组(RG1)和限制2组(RG2)三个组,营养限制期(60 d)分别饲喂ME 10.88 MJ/kg、CP 13.0%(CG),ME10.88 MJ/kg、CP 8.9%(RG1),ME 8.62 MJ/kg、CP 5.7%(RG2)三个营养水平的日粮;营养补偿期(90 d)各组饲喂同一能氮水平饲粮(ME 9.75 MJ/kg,CP 12%)。结果表明:①随着营养水平的逐步降低,在限制末期,RG1组和RG2组羔羊的平均体重显著低于CG组(P<0.05),在补偿期,RG2组平均日增重显著高于CG组(P<0.05)。②在限制末期RG2组血液中GHRH及RG1、RG2组血液中GH浓度显著高于CG组(P<0.05),而RG2组血液中SS、IGF-I浓度显著低于CG组(P<0.05)。在补偿期,RG1、RG2组血液中IGF-I浓度有升高的趋势(P>0.05)。结果提示,营养限制所导致的羔羊血液中GHRH浓度升高和SS浓度降低可能是其在限制期血液中GH浓度升高及其在补偿期快速生长的原因之一。     

Soil Chemical Properties and Nutrient Composition of Cocoyam Grown in an Organically Fertilized Soil

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the influence of cow dung and rice husk application rates on soil chemical properties and nutrient composition of cocoyam cormels. The treatments comprised four rates each of cow dung and rice husk (0, 10, 20, and 30 t/ha) arranged as a factorial experiment using randomized complete block design with three replicates. The treatments were incorporated into the soil 2 weeks before planting of cocoyam each year. After 2 years of cropping, soil samples were collected from the respective plots and analyzed so also cocoyam cormels. Cow dung application positively and significantly (P < .05) affected soil pH, organic matter (OM), and the soil nutrients (r = 0.95, 0.98, and 0.94–1.00, respectively) while rice husk application significantly and positively influenced soil OM, nitrogen and phosphorus (r = 0.98, 0.95, and 0.98, respectively). Aside potassium content that was enhanced, cow dung application did not significantly affect the nutrient composition of the cocoyam cormels. However, 30 t/ha of applied rice husk caused significant reduction in crude protein and fiber contents but significant increase in carbohydrate. There was negative and significant correlation between rice husk and the cormels crude protein (r = ?0.97). A total of 20 t/ha each of the organic fertilizers was found to be optimum for improving soil fertility and invariably yield without compromising the nutrient content of the cocoyam cormels.     

Needle Collection Time for Nutrient Evaluation in Christmas Tree Production

Christmas tree needle sampling to evaluate nutrient need is an established practice. Data to support the recommended fall sampling time in Oregon and Washington were not found. In addition, the recommendation for needle sampling of Fraser fir in North Carolina was made without data from winter months. The goal for this article is to affirm or modify recommended needle sampling time. Needles of Douglas fir, Turkish fir, Nordmann fir, Noble fir, Grand fir, and Fraser fir Christmas trees were collected monthly for a year, dried, and analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and boron (B). No single period was found for any species when needle nutrient concentration was stable for all elements determined. Needle collection time was chosen by integrating cultural practices, likelihood of nutrient deficiency, and needle nutrient concentration changes for species grown in an area. Needle collection is recommended during February in western Oregon and Washington. The current sampling time, fall, is logical for Fraser fir Christmas tree production in North Carolina.     

The effects of applied crop residues on losses of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in run-off from a soil prone to crusting

Tillage practices may reduce the organic matter content in near-surface soil horizons causing crust formation. Surface conditions may cause an increase in surface run-off, thus enhancing contaminant transfer of heavy metals or an acceleration in nutrient loss. This study examines the effect of applying crop residues to the surface of tilled soils on heavy metal losses by run-off. Losses in iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were analysed. Run-off and sediment yield were measured on 1 m² plots using a rainfall simulator with a constant 65 mm/h intensity. Four successive rainfall applications were performed, the first three at 25 mm each and the last at 65 mm. Added corn straw varied between 0 and 4 t/ha in the five studied treatments. After 140 mm cumulative rainfall, total heavy metal losses were as follows: Fe from 137 to 950 mg/L, Mn from 2.3 to 12.83 mg/L, Cu from 0.09 to 0.72 mg/L and Zn from 0.31 to 2.46 mg/L. Dissolved fractions were as follows: Fe from 0.014 to 0.229 mg/L, Mn from 0.034 to 1.45 mg/L, Cu from 0.002 to 0.013 mg/L and Zn from 0.02 to 0.12 mg/L. Total concentrations of the studied elements decreased exponentially due to the effect of corn straw on soil loss. However, dissolved contents of Fe and Cu scarcely varied. Significant positive linear correlations were observed between total heavy metal content and soil and sediment loss by run-off. It is concluded that the addition of straw to a soil of low fertility prevents heavy metal loss.     

覆膜甜椒干物质积累与养分吸收分配规律的研究

地膜覆盖栽培提高了土壤的供肥能力,促进了甜椒对养分的吸收。在甜椒整个生育过程中,土壤养分含量前期较高,以后逐减,与植株养分吸收强度成负相关。覆膜甜椒前期需肥较少,吸肥高峰出现在采收至采收盛期,此间养分供需存在尖锐矛盾。对覆膜甜椒增施半腐熟有机肥,磷、钾化肥与有机肥混合栽前全层施入,结果至采收期分次适当多追氮素化肥,将有助子产量的提高。     

Application of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in crucifer seeds using immunofluorescence microscopy

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (PCAs and MCAs) were tested for the detection ofXanthomonas campestris pv.campestris (Xcc) in cabbage seeds using immunofluorescence microscopy (IF). It was concluded that PCA 94, MCAs 20H6, 2F4, 18G12 and a mixture of MCAs 20H6, 18G12, 2F4 and 16B5 could be used to detect Xcc in seed extracts when 5 min and 2.5 h shaking of seeds are used as extraction methods. The reliability of confirming suspect colonies with MCAs and PCA 94 in IF depended in part on the seed lot tested and the antibody used. Some virulent Xcc strains derived from seed lots, did not react with MCAs 10C5, 2F4, 18G12, 17C12 and 16B5. On the other hand, saprophytic isolates obtained from one seed lot cross-reacted with MCA 17C12 and to a lesser extent with MCAs 2F4, 18G12 and PCA 94. No relationship was found between IF-reactions of Xcc strains using MCAs and reactions of Xcc strains in pathogenicity testing. Xcc andX. c. pv.amoraciae (Xca) could in general not be distinguished on the basis of reactions with MCAs and PCAs. Also in pathogenicity tests Xcc and Xca were hard to distinguish.     

Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk of pasture-fed thoroughbred mares

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, S, Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations of milk during the lactation in pasture-fed Thoroughbred mares and then calculate the dietary mineral requirements of the sucking foal and the lactating mare. PROCEDURE: Milk was sampled on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and at various times between 55 to 65, 85 to 95 and 135 to 150 days after parturition from 21 pasture-fed mares. The concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. RESULTS: Concentrations (mg/L) of these elements were highest in colostrum (Mg 302, Na 561, K 955, S 1035, Cu 0.76, Fe 0.79 and Zn 5.5) except for Ca (1245) and P (895), which where highest on day 7. The mean milk mineral element concentrations (mg/L) over days 55 to 150 were Ca 843, P 543, Mg 47, Na 120, K 590, S 219, Cu 0.19, Fe 0.34 and Zn 2.1. The mean plasma element concentrations (mg/L) over the same period were Ca 120, P 77.1, Mg 17.0, Na 3110, K 168, S 983, Cu 1.1, Fe 1.5 and Zn 0.49. Concentration gradients between plasma and milk were observed and, in the case of Ca, P, Mg, K and Zn, their concentrations in milk were greater than those in plasma, while a reverse situation was observed for Na, S, Cu and Fe. CONCLUSION: With the exception of Ca and P, the highest concentrations of mineral elements were observed in the colostrum. The nursing foal should have access to good pasture or creep feed, because the intakes of Ca, P and Cu from milk may be less than optimum to meet the daily mineral element requirements.     

黄土丘陵区流域主要植被类型养分循环特征

以黄土丘陵沟壑区典型小流域纸坊沟流域为例,系统研究流域在植被稳定恢复期1种乔木、4种灌木和9种草地植被类型的养分循环平衡特征。结果表明,乔灌植被类型的叶片养分含量明显高于当年的新生枝条,新生枝条则明显高于枝干;乔木植被类型的生物量、氮磷养分累积量明显高于灌木植被类型,灌木植被类型则高于草地植被类型;乔木的氮养分循环速率是0.789,灌木为0.742,草地为1.000;乔木P2O5循环速率是0.881,灌木为0.758,草地为1.000。乔木的氮养分年盈余量是333.0 kg/km2,灌木为508.5 kg/km2,草地为597.0 kg/km2;乔木的P2O5年盈余量是333.0 kg/km2,灌木为423.0 kg/km2,草地为531.0 kg/km2。