Dynamics of the Cumulation of Macroelements – Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium During Development to Maturity of Soybean Seed

Dynamics of the cumulation of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in developing seed of four soybean genotypes under the defined climatic conditions in the course of three years was observed. Samples were being taken at weekly intervals from the point at which the grain reached a size suitable to be analyzed up to the full maturity of the seed. By analyzing the results it was found out that the intense cumulation of the minerals tested took place during the stages III and IV of the seed development, that is, in the course of intense cumulation of dry matter and the most expressive metabolic activity in the seed. Investigation of the impact of climatic conditions provides evidence that cumulation of the tested macroelements has been favourably influenced by increased precipitation along with moderate air temperatures within the seed developing period. The highest content of the minerals found with the cultivar Maksimirka independently of the year investigated reveals that mineral cumulation in soybean seed is affected by the cultivar and genetic particularity.     

Effects of spent mushroom substrates and inorganic fertilizer on the characteristics of a calcareous clayey‐loam soil and lettuce production

We evaluated the effects of the addition of two types of spent mushroom substrate (SMS), SMS from an Agaricus bisporus crop (SMS1) and a mixture of SMSs from an A. bisporus crop and a Pleurotus crop (50% v/v each) (SMS2), on the characteristics of a calcareous clayey‐loam soil and the yield and nutritional status of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), relative to crops receiving mineral fertilizer (M) and a control (C) without amendment. The application of SMS, especially SMS1, improved soil fertility compared with C and M soils. Moreover, the use of these organic substrates as soil amendments did not harm the plants and gave yields similar to that obtained with mineral fertilizer. The nutritional contents of the lettuce plants were greater than or similar to those of the plants from treatment C or M, except for the plant tissue concentrations of K, Fe and Zn, which were significantly reduced by SMS application. However, this latter fact did not reduce the lettuce yield in the amended soils. Therefore, the use of SMSs as organic amendments contributes to residue utilization, in an environmentally friendly way, and to improved soil fertility and crop yield.     

Correlation of Different Biochemical Parameters in Blood Sera of Healthy and Sick Cows

Metabolic diseases of cows represent the leading internal pathology in Lithuania in terms of incidence and economic impact. This paper summarizes the mineral metabolic state of milk cows, and details the influence of feeding on serum levels of calcium, nonorganic phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, glucose, total protein, and urea quantity, and correlationd among them, in healthy dry or post-calving cows as well as in cows with osteomalacia and milk fever after calving. There was less pronounced hypocalcaemia and there were only minor changes in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium in the serum of healthy dry and post-calving cows that had silage and mineral-vitamin supplements, compared to cows that did not have supplements and silage. There was a fall in calcium and phosphorus (to 1.89 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.71 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, respectively) in the blood of cows sick with milk fever after calving, while levels of magnesium and potassium were increased. The correlation between calcium and phosphorus was r = 0.6993, p < 0.001 in the serum of sick cows. There was a fall in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (to 1.86 +/- 0.46 mmol/L, 0.75 +/- 0.37 mmol/L, and 0.60 +/- 0.19 mmol/L, respectively) and an increase in sodium level (to 158.90 +/- 19.30 mmol/L) in the blood of cows with osteomalacia in comparison with healthy cows.     

Cation and total macroelement concentrations influence Ca uptake in micropropagated potato plantlets

Ca uptake by micropropagated ‘Norland’ potato plantlets was investigated in relation to cation and macroelement salt concentrations in modified Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal media. Increased Ca:specific cations, by lowering NH₄, Mg, or K, had little effect on the Ca content of plantlets grown on these media. Increased Ca:total cation ratio, by raising Ca from 3 to 6 mM in the medium, promoted Ca content of micropropagated plantlets. At equivalent Ca:total cation ratio, macroelement dilution increased the osmotic potential of the medium, and had an even greater impact on plantlet shoot Ca content. Root pressure, which is sensitive to variations in salt concentration, was probably the primary Ca delivery method to developing tissues since transpiration was limited in vitro. In vitro systems appear ideal for studying some aspects of nutrient relationships of plants.     

Productivity and Chemical Composition of Tomato and Cucumber Plants Growing in Natural Soils Fertilized with Biona‐312

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of small additions of ion exchange substrate, Biona‐312, to soil on the yield and mineral composition of cherry tomato cv. ‘Koralik’ and cucumber cv. ‘Hermes F₁.’ The test plants were grown under greenhouse conditions and subjected to 0, 2, and 5% (mass) Biona‐312 doses introduced into the soil. The study results showed that Biona‐312 introduced into soil significantly increased the yield of the test species at the flowering and fruiting stage. Soil enrichment with 2 and 5% Biona additions generally increased the nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N‐P‐K) content in tomato and cucumber organs at the flowering and fruiting stage with parallel magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) content decrease. Introduction of nutrients together with the ion exchange substrate did not cause negative effects of overfertilization, and thus the ion exchange substrate can be recommended as a fertilizer in tomato and cucumber cultivation.     

In Situ Measurement of Soil Chemical Composition by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Tool Toward Sustainable Vineyard Management

This study evaluated an in-field near-infrared (NIR) instrument to predict the contents of total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC), potassium (K), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), pH, and electric conductivity (EC) in soil vineyard samples (n = 70) sourced from three wine regions of Australia. Samples were analyzed using a portable NIR spectrophotometer (ASD FieldSpec III, 350–1800 nm). Partial least squares (PLS) regressions yield a coefficient of determination in calibration (R2) and a standard error in cross validation (SECV) of 0.74 (0.03) for TN, 0.92 (2.19) for S, 0.81 (0.42) for OC, 0.70 (109.2) for K, 0.84 (0.03) for EC, 0.83 (0.44) for pH, and 0.69 (24.6) for P, respectively. This study showed that it is possible to measure soil chemical properties in the vineyard, and the main advantages of this approach will be the speed, low cost, and ability to better manage and monitor soil fertility.     

大量元素不同浓度组合对试管马铃薯结薯的影响

大量元素在MS培养基中用量最大,如果改变其浓度组合能得到更多、更大的试管薯,这对试管薯的生产是很有利的。本研究以马铃薯品系97-1-1脱毒试管苗为材料,MS 5mg/LB9 8%蔗糖 0.4mg/LIBA为基本培养基,通过改变诱导试管薯培养基中的大量元素浓度倍数,N、P、K浓度倍数,N、P、K分别的浓度(正交设计),以研究诱导试管薯培养基大量元素浓度的最优组合。结果表明,N、P、K整体加倍至2倍,大量元素其他成分不改变为经济效益的最优组合;不加P素,大量元素其他成分浓度不改变为试管薯数量的最优组合;不加N素,P、K加至2倍,大量元素其他成分不改变为试管薯直径的最优组合。     

Nitrate poisoning caused by turnips and redroot

Extract

The loss of production due to footrot and scald is well recognised, as is the use of zinc sulphate footbaths to treat sheep with these diseases. There is also sheep farmer concern over the increasing cost involved in control procedures.     

Evaluation of Soil Degradation Impact on Wheat Yield by Geographical Information System

Soil degradation and its relation to wheat yield were analyzed in a 1041.2-ha catchment in Ustic soil moisture regime in north-central Anatolia, Turkey. The soils in the study area were sampled based on a randomized sampling scheme, using 142 samples from topsoil and 115 samples from subsoil. All the soil samples were analyzed for sand, silt, clay, coarse material (material with a diameter of >2 mm), soil organic matter, phosphorous, nitrogen, boron, zinc, iron, electrical conductivity, pH, hydraulic conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. Wheat yield was measured at 115 sampling locations. Data were evaluated by global information system (GIS) will and variable reduction (factor analysis) techniques. The majority of the soil properties exhibited high variation with a skewed distribution. Low organic-matter content, high penetration resistance, low water-holding capacity, and deficiency in some macro- and microelements were the most important factors limiting wheat yield.     

Irrigation and Fertilization Management Effect on Chinese Cabbage Chemical Composition

Chinese cabbage is a leafy green with great economic potential, mostly in those areas where it has not yet been widely cultivated, but its demand is increasing, due to its high nutritional and therapeutic value. The experimental factors involved three cultivars of Chinese cabbage, different irrigation, and fertilization treatments. The main aims of the present research were to establish the influence of water and fertilization management on Chinese cabbage chemical composition in an organic cropping system and to determine relations between the organic fertilizers and cabbage leaf macroelements, essential microelements, and heavy metal concentrations. The results showed that sheep manure was richer in almost all the studied elements, including heavy metals; plants fertilized with this manure have higher levels of heavy metals; irrigation had a secondary effect on the decreasing heavy metal concentration in plants; and plants fertilized with biofertilizers showed high amounts of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn).