An evaluation of the Olsen test as a measure of plant-available phosphorus in grassland soils derived from basalt parent material

Abstract. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence have suggested that the Olsen test underestimates plant-available phosphorus (P) in basaltic soils in Northern Ireland. Therefore, the ability of this test to predict plant-available P in basaltic (and non-basaltic) soils was investigated by regressing Olsen-P data against herbage P indices calculated from plant tissue test data using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system. The average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on basaltic soils was considerably lower than the average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on non-basaltic soils, and yet mean sward P status, as given by the herbage P indices, was similar for both groups of fields. Herbage P indices were also much better correlated with Olsen-P measurements in non-basaltic soils than in basaltic soils. Furthermore, at low Olsen-P values (≶9mgPL⁻¹) some swards on basaltic soils were genuinely deficient in P, while others were sufficient or even in surplus for this nutrient. The results confirm that Olsen-P is inadequate as a predictor of plant-available P in basaltic soils. It is concluded that an alternative soil test is needed to provide a reliable assessment of plant-available P in basaltic soils, to prevent overuse of fertilizer and manure P and to minimize the amounts of P entering local watercourses.     

Evaluation of two N cycle models for the prediction of N mineralization from grassland soils in the UK

Abstract. The ability of two nitrogen cycle models, of contrasting complexity, to predict N mineralization from a range of grassland soils in the UK, was evaluated. These were NCYCLE, a simple mass balance model of the N cycle in UK grasslands, and CENTURY, a more complex model simulating long-term C, N, P & S dynamics in grassland ecosystems. The models were tested using field measurements of net N mineralization from a range of grassland soils (differing in soil type, history & management practice), obtained over a 2 year period using a soil core incubation technique. This method was considered to measure the total net release of mineral N from the soil organic matter over a specified time, including N which may have been recycled several times. NCYCLE consistently under-estimated mineralization rates at all sites. By contrast, there was some correlation between CENTURY predictions of net N mineralization and field measurements. This may have reflected the different abilities of the two models to simulate N recycling. Neither model, however, was able to predict adequately the effect of cultivation and reseeding on net N mineralization.     

Nitrogen uptake by ryegrass from organic wastes applied to a sandy loam soil

Sandy‐textured Mediterranean soils are invariably depleted in organic matter and supply only small amounts of N to crops. To compensate for these deficiencies, we tested the N supply from six organic wastes applied to a Cambic Arenosol in pots growing ryegrass. The results showed that the behaviour of the wastes in supplying N to a ryegrass crop grown in this soil can be predicted by observing their performance in laboratory aerobic incubations. The N made available during these incubations fitted well to a one‐pool kinetic model.     

Response of Mustard to Ethrel Spray and Basal and Foliar Application of Nitrogen

In a field trial conducted during 1992–93 and 1993–94, the effect of basal (B) nitrogen (N) (45 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹) and foliar application (F) of water (W) or 10 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 or 600 ppm ethrel (E) (2-Chloro ethyl phosphonic acid) at 70 days after sowing was studied on leaf area index and dry mass at 90 days and pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil vield at harvest of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. T-59. Recommended basal (B) application of 90 kg N ha (BN₉₀) was used as control. On the basis of 2 year data it was found that basal application of 60 kg N and foliar spray of 10 kg N ha ⁻¹ and 600 ppm ethrel gave higher values for growth and yield characteristics and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 12.5 and 14.8%, respectively over control BN_90.     

Growth performance, energy, and nitrogen balance of weanling pigs fed a cereal-based diet supplemented with Chinese rhubarb

Forty Swiss Large White piglets of 4 weeks of age were used to determine the effect of dietary Chinese rhubarb on growth performance, as well as on energy and nitrogen metabolism by means of indirect respiration calorimetry studies. A cereal-based diet, supplemented with four different dosages of Chinese rhubarb (0.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%), was offered ad libitum to the piglets. Gaseous exchange was measured, and urine, faeces, and blood samples were taken. The addition of 0.25% dietary rhubarb increased feed intake (+32%) and daily weight gain (+67%) compared to the diet containing the greatest amount of rhubarb (1%). The piglets fed diet supplemented with 0.25% rhubarb digested and metabolised more energy and nitrogen relative to the animals of treatment 1%. As a consequence, the same group (0.25%) converted more energy and nitrogen into body protein than piglets receiving diet supplemented with 1% rhubarb. However, compared to the control group, the addition of 0.25% rhubarb to the diet resulted in not significantly alter growth performance, energy, and nitrogen metabolism of the animals.Blood parameters were not affected by the rhubarb supplementation. The dose-responding effect of Chinese rhubarb was reflected by the dry matter content of faecal samples. According to the laxative effect of higher doses of rhubarb, the addition of 1% rhubarb to the diet reduced dry matter content of faeces. This effect was well visible in practice, although not relevant in statistical terms. The addition of 0.5% dietary rhubarb had no relevant effect on growth performance or on energy and nitrogen metabolism of treated animals.     

缓释氮肥配施尿素对迟播小麦产量形成及氮素利用的影响

为建立稻茬迟播小麦树脂包膜缓释氮肥高效施肥模式与技术,以冬小麦品种扬麦23为材料,以43%树脂包膜缓释氮肥(PCU,含氮43%)和尿素(U,含氮46%)为氮肥,设置“一次性基施”(A)与“一基一追”(B)2种施肥模式,共形成100%树脂包膜缓释氮肥基施(A1)、80%树脂包膜缓释氮肥+20%尿素基施(A2)、60%树脂包膜缓释氮肥+40%尿素基施(A3)、80%树脂包膜缓释氮肥基施+20%尿素返青期追施(B1)、80%树脂包膜缓释氮肥基施+20%尿素拔节期追施(B2)、60%树脂包膜缓释氮肥基施+40%尿素返青期追施(B3)、60%树脂包膜缓释氮肥基施+40%尿素拔节期追施(B4)等7个施肥处理,分析了缓释氮肥与尿素配施对迟播小麦产量及其构成、茎蘖动态、干物质积累、叶面积指数、SPAD值、氮素利用效率等指标的影响。结果表明,一次性基施模式处理(A1～A3)的小麦产量显著低于常规施肥(CK,基肥∶分蘖肥∶拔节肥∶孕穗肥=5∶1∶2∶2);“一基一追”两次施肥模式处理(B1～B4)的产量显著高于CK,泰州与扬州两地分别平均增产5.77%和5.64%,其中B4处理产量最高,分别为8 796....     

不同施氮条件下小麦冠层的高光谱和多光谱反射特征

为了更好地利用冠层反射光谱特征监测小麦生长及氮素营养状况。以宁麦9号、淮麦20、徐麦26和扬麦10号四个小麦品种为材料,通过田间小区试验,研究了不同小麦品种在不同生育时期和不同氮素水平下冠层反射光谱的变化规律。结果表明,相同氮素水平下不同小麦品种冠层反射光谱的反射率有差异,且近红外部分差异较明显。小麦从拔节开始,随生育期的推进,冠层反射光谱在可见光波段的反射率先降低然后升高,以孕穗期反射率最低。随着叶片的逐渐变黄。反射率又增大,并且绿光波段的反射峰也逐渐消失。而近红外区反射率则表现出相反的趋势,以开花期为分界,先上升然后下降,直到成熟前降为最低。随着施氮水平的提高,冠层反射光谱在近红外反射平台（750-1300nm）的反射率呈上升趋势,而可见光部分反射率则下降,并且反射光谱的绿峰和红边位置也随着施氮水平的提高分别向蓝光方向（波长变短）和红光方向（波长变长）移动。     

氮肥运筹技术对淮稻9号群体质量的效应研究

适量增施氮肥能促进淮稻9号分蘖和个体发育,有利于高产群体的形成,增加抽穗期至成熟期的干物质积累量,穗多穗大产量高。增加前期施氮比例可有效增加淮稻9号单位面积有效穗数。     

杂交中稻应用配方推荐施肥的增产效果

为了提高农民施肥水平,对杂交中稻进行了习惯施肥与2种推荐施肥的对比试验。结果表明：杂交中稻配方推荐施肥处理较习惯施肥增产1 507.5 kg/hm^2,增收2 412元/hm^2,增产率为22.2%;而增施硅肥可增产135.0 kg/hm^2,增产率为1.6%,增产效果不显著。配方推荐施肥经济效益显著,可大面积推广应用。     

氮肥对黑小麦“运黑161”产量及氮素利用效率的影响

为了研究不同施肥水平对黑小麦产量和氮利用率的影响,在洪洞县小麦试验基地开展大田试验。试验以“运黑161”为供试品种,采用单因素完全随机设计,设0 kg/hm²（N0）、144 kg/hm²（N144）、192 kg/hm²（N192）、240 kg/hm²（N240）4 个施氮水平,研究黑小麦在不同氮肥水平下的株高、产量、籽粒蛋白质含量和氮利用率的变化。研究表明,与不施肥相比,施氮可增加黑小麦孕穗至成熟期株高。随施氮量的增加,成熟期穗数和穗粒数也增加,产量以施氮量240 kg/hm²最高,达6 048.45 kg/hm²,较其它氮肥提高6.04%~134.30%,但与施氮量192 kg/hm²处理间差异不显著。氮肥农学利用率以施氮量192 kg/hm²最高,达16.26%。总之,施氮量为192 kg/hm²更利于“运黑161”降低氮肥投入,节约成本,实现产量和氮效率的同步提升。