Seasonal variations of leaf water potential and growth in fertigated carob-trees (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

Variations of predawn and midday leaf water potential and relative growth rates were studied in mature carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua L. cv Mulata) submitted to a fertigation experiment. Three levels of irrigation were tested: 0%, 50% and 100%, based on daily standard evaporation values. For each irrigation level two nitrogen amounts were applied –21 and 63 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 as ammonium nitrate. The experiment was run between July 91 and August 1993. Measurements of leaf water potential and absolute branch length increments were made at monthly intervals, during the entire experimental period or during seasonal growth, respectively. Leaf water potential was related to soil volumetric water content, maximum and minimum air temperature and daily evaporation. Predawn leaf water potentials were always higher than –1.1 MPa. Midday leaf water potential values presented very large seasonal variations and very low values independent of treatments. The low leaf water potentials observed for the fertigated trees during summer, suggest that this parameter may be related not only to the evaporative demand but also to growth investment. The amount of fertigation was positively correlated with vegetative growth increment and fruit production. Practical implications for irrigation schedules of leaf water potential patterns together with drought adaptation mechanisms of carob tree are discussed.     

涌泉根灌下水氮耦合对陕北山地苹果光合特性、产量和水氮利用的影响

以陕北山地7年生‘寒富’苹果树为试验材料,设置3个灌水水平[高水(W₁,85%～100%θ_f,θ_f为田间持水量)、中水(W₂,70%～85%θ_f)、低水(W₃,55%～70%θ_f)]和3个施氮水平[高氮(N₁,600 kg·hm^-2)、中氮(N₂,400 kg·hm^-2)、低氮(N₃,200 kg·hm^-2)],研究涌泉根灌条件下水氮耦合对山地苹果树光合特性、产量和水氮利用的影响。结果表明: 相同灌水条件下,随着施氮量的减少,苹果树叶片的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)和瞬时水分利用效率(WUE_i)降低,但胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)增加;相同施氮条件下,随着灌水量的减少,叶片P_n、T_r、g_s和WUE_i降低,而C_i增加。W₁N₁处理的P_n、T_r日均值最大,但与W₁N₁处理相比,W₂N₂处理的WUE_i最大。苹果产量、灌溉水利用效率(IWUE)和氮肥偏生产力(NPFP)受灌水和施氮量的显著影响,W₂N₂处理的产量最高(26761 kg·hm^-2),减小灌水量和增大施氮量使IWUE显著提高,而增大灌水量和降低施氮量使NPFP显著增加。回归分析表明,产量和IWUE同时获得最优解时,灌水量和施氮量组合最接近W₂N₂处理。因此,W₂N₂处理为涌泉根灌条件下陕北山地苹果最佳的水氮组合模式。     

沟灌水氮耦合对毛白杨林木生长及水氮吸收利用的影响

为探索沟灌水氮耦合对幼年生毛白杨林木生长及水氮吸收利用的影响,以4年生砂地三倍体毛白杨为对象,研究3个灌溉水平(W₂₀、W₃₃、W₄₅,即沟渠正下方40 cm土壤水势分别达到-20、-33和-45 kPa时灌溉),4个施N水平(N₁₂₀、N₁₉₀、N₂₆₀、N₀,即施肥量为120、190、260和0 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)和自然条件(对照,CK)下幼年生毛白杨林木生长和水氮吸收利用规律,并结合林木生长状况,分析4年生三倍体毛白杨的最佳沟灌水氮耦合策略。结果表明:W₂₀N₁₂₀(高水低肥;土壤水势-20 kPa,施N量120 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)处理对三倍体毛白杨的林地生产力提升最为显著,其林地生产力最高可达33.37 m³·hm^-2·a^-1,仅有树高和总株生物量受到水氮耦合交互作用的显著影响。增加灌溉量或施N量都会提高林木吸氮量,但吸氮量主要受施N量影响;W₂₀N₂₆₀处理总株吸氮量最高,达112.17 kg·hm^-2·a^-1,较CK增加74.0%。各处理中,W₂₀N₁₂₀氮吸收效率和氮肥偏生产力最高,且显著高于其他处理,其总株、地上部、地下部氮吸收效率可达36.8%、28.5%、6.4%,总株氮肥偏生产力可达221.4 kg·kg^-1。不同水氮耦合处理灌水量对灌溉水的利用效率影响显著,其中,W₄₅N₂₆₀灌溉水利用效率最高,达13.66 g·kg^-1;而W₂₀N₁₂₀吸水量和水吸收效率最高,分别为13268.28 t·hm^-2和129.4%。为达到较大的收益,在三倍体毛白杨的幼年生长期间,应保持充足的水分灌溉(-20 kPa)和相对偏低的施氮量(120 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)促进幼年生毛白杨的生长发育。     

水氮互作对固定道垄作栽培春小麦根系生长及产量的影响

为探讨固定道小麦栽培方式下适宜的水氮组合,以低水1200 (W₁)、中水2400 (W₂)、高水3600 m³·hm^-2 (W₃)为主处理,0 (N₀)、低氮90(N₁)、中氮180 (N₂)、高氮270 kg·hm^-2 (N₃)为副处理,采用裂区设计,对固定道垄作栽培方式下水氮互作对春小麦根系生长及产量的影响进行了研究.结果表明:水氮互作能显著影响春小麦根干质量密度(RWD),RWD随着小麦生育期的进程表现为先增大后减小的趋势,在灌浆期达最大;RWD对施氮量的响应取决于灌溉量,在W₁下,RWD在N₁处理下最大,在W₂下,RWD随着施氮量的增加在N₂处理下最大,在W₃下,RWD随着施氮量的增加在N₃ 处理下最大;不同灌溉处理下RWD表现为W₂>W₃>W₁;施氮与灌水显著影响RWD,表现为灌水>氮肥>水氮互作,在W₂N₂处理下最大.根冠比随着灌水量与施氮量的增加逐渐减小,在W₁N₀处理下根冠比最大;85%以上的小麦根系分布于0～40 cm土层,产量与0～40 cm土层RWD呈显著抛物线回归关系,与40～60 cm土层RWD呈显著线性正回归关系.W₂灌溉条件可以促进小麦根系向中下层(40～60 cm)分布;灌水施氮能显著影响春小麦籽粒产量与生物产量,生物产量随着施氮量和灌水量的增加而增加,籽粒产量在W₂N₂最大;灌水生产力随灌水量的增加逐渐降低,氮肥农学利用率随施氮量的增加而减小.因此,在固定道垄作栽培方式下,施肥量与灌水量控制在N₂ (180 kg·hm^-2)与W₂(2400 m³·hm^-2)条件下有利于促进根系生长,进而提高春小麦籽粒产量及水氮利用效率,是河西灌区固定道小麦栽培方式下适宜的水氮组合.     

Seasonal changes in some photosynthetic properties of Ceratonia siliqua (carob tree) leaves under natural conditions

Rates of photosynthesis and leaf conductance of the leaves of carob trees ( Ceratonia siliqua L.) growing in natural conditions were measured during the course of the seasons to define the effects of the main climatic factors limiting growth in the region: temperature during the winter and water in the summer. The highest photosynthetic rates were measured in spring and autumn and could reach 25 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ with optimal temperature and available water. Due to lower temperatures (4 to 6°C in the night) these values were frequently around 15 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ during winter, but the strongest depression was due to prolonged drought in summer. However a reduction in photosynthesis rate down to 5 μmol m₋₂ s₋₁ occurred only after depletion of all the available water in the soil layer up to a depth of 50 cm. In the end of the summer, leaf conductance and water potential were in the order of 20 mmol m₋₂ s₋₁ and −3 MPa respectively. Compared to other trees that make up the Mediterranean sclerophyll forest, the photosynthetic activity of carob is high, and the tree tolerates a considerable depletion of soil water.     

富营养化河水灌溉对稻田土壤氮磷养分贡献的影响——以太湖地区黄泥土为例

以太湖地区主要稻田土壤类型黄泥土为对象,利用当地富营养化河水对回填土柱和植稻原状土渗漏池进行模拟稻田灌溉试验,系统研究了灌溉水对稻田土壤氮磷营养的贡献.在回填土柱灌溉试验中,在试验初期,不同形态的氮素均有较高的淋失量,以后逐渐降低,表明初期淋失的氮素主要来自土壤,而不是灌溉河水.在整个水稻生长季,均观测到有可溶性有机氮淋失,表明富营养化河水灌溉条件下可溶性有机氮是稻田土壤主要的氮素淋失形态.在本试验中,磷素的淋失动态与氮素的淋失动态截然相反,淹水后很长一段时间内均没有土壤磷素淋失,但在淹水灌溉后期有大量的土壤磷素淋失损失,这可能是淹水后期土壤对磷的吸持已达到饱和状态,不能继续固持土壤中多余的磷所致.与回填土柱模拟灌溉淋洗试验相比,在当前供肥条件下,原状土渗漏池试验氮磷淋失量远低于回填土柱试验,而灌溉水对土壤氮磷养分的贡献远高于回填土柱.通过富营养化河水灌溉带入当季稻田的N量达到每公顷56.3 kg,其中有55.8 kg N可被土壤吸持和作物吸收,表明太湖地区稻田土壤对氮磷养分来说是一个环境友好的生态系统.在利用当地富营养化河水进行稻田土壤灌溉时可适量减少肥料施用量、优化氮磷肥料管理.     

Deficit irrigation affects seasonal changes in leaf physiology and oil quality of Olea europaea (cultivars Frantoio and Leccino)

The olive tree is a traditionally nonirrigated crop that occupies quite an extensive agricultural area in Mediterranean-type agroecosystems. Improvements in water-use efficiency of crops are essential under the scenarios of water scarcity predicted by global change models for the Mediterranean region. Recently, irrigation has been introduced to increase the low land productivity, but there is little information on ecophysiological aspects and quality features intended for a sagacious use of water, while being of major importance for the achievement of high-quality products as olive oil. Therefore, deficit irrigation programmes were developed to improve water-use efficiency, crop productivity and quality in a subhumid zone of Southern Italy with good winter–spring precipitation. The response of mature olive trees to deficit irrigation in deep soils was studied on cultivars Frantoio and Leccino by examining atmospheric environment and soil moisture, gas exchange and plant water status, as well as oil yield and chemical analysis. Trees were not irrigated (rainfed) or subjected to irrigation at 66% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ET_C), starting from pit hardening to early fruit veraison. Improvements in the photosynthetic capacity induced by increasing soil water availability were only of minor importance. However, plant water status was positively influenced by deficit irrigation, with 66% and 100% of ET_C treatments hardly differing from one another though consistently diverging from rainfed plants. The effect of water stress on photosynthesis was mainly dependent on diffusion resistances in response to soil moisture. Leccino showed higher instantaneous water-use efficiency than Frantoio. Crop yield increased proportionally to the amount of seasonal water volume, confirming differences between cultivars in water-use efficiency. The unsaturated/saturated and the monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios of the oil also differed between cultivars, while the watering regime had minor effects. Although irrigation can modify the fatty acid profile, polyphenol contents were scarcely affected by the water supply. Irrigation to 100% of ET_C in the period August–September might be advisable to achieve high-quality yields, while saving consistent amounts of water.     

Effects of 15N application frequency on nitrogen uptake efficiency in citrus trees

Two irrigation systems were used to compare nitrogen uptake efficiency in citrus trees and to evaluate the NO₃⁻ runoff in «Navelina» orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] on Carrizo citrange rootstock (Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata Raf.). These were fertilized with 125 g N as labelled K¹⁵NO₃ and grown outdoors in containers filled with a sand-loamy soil. Two groups of 3 trees received this N dose either in five equally split applications by a flooding irrigation system or in 66 applications by drip. Trees were harvested at the end of the vegetative cycle (December) and the isotopic ratios of ¹⁵N/¹⁴N were measured in the soil-plant system. The N uptake efficiency of the whole tree was higher with drip irrigation (75 percnt;) than with flooding system (64 percnt;). In the 0-90 cm soil profile, the N immobilized in the organic fraction was similar for both irrigation methods (around 13 percnt;), whereas the N retained as NO₃⁻ was 1 percnt; of the N applied under drip and 10 percnt; under flooding. In the last case, most of NO₃⁻ remained under root system and it could be lost to leaching either by heavy rainfalls or excessive water applications. These results showed that a drip irrigation system was more efficient for improving water use and N uptake from fertilizer, in addition to potentially reduced leaching losses.     

Continuous fermentation to produce fungal protein. Effect of growth rate on the biomass yield and chemical composition of Fusarium moniliforme

Fusarium moniliforme was grown on a carob aqueous extract in a chemostat for fungal protein production. The substrate was adjusted to provide 0.5% carob sugars supplemented with inorganic salts. The dilution rate varied from 0.086 to 0.227 hr^?1 under constant conditions of temperature (30°C), pH (4.5), and oxygen saturation (60–80%). A yield of 0.709 g dry mycelium/g consumed carob sugar and a productivity value of 0.687 g dry mycelium/liter hr^?1 were obtained at μ = 0.205 hr^?1. The maintenance coefficient was 0.077 g carob sugar/g dry mycelium hr^?1. While the carbohydrate and purine content of dry mycelium increased at μ values from 0.114 to 0.205 hr^?1 both true (Lowry) and crude (N × 6.25) protein contents decreased at the same μ range. Maximum values of 36.3% true and 47.9% crude protein of dry mycelium were obtained at μ = 0.114 hr^?1, whereas a minimum purine content of 99.8 μmol/g corresponding to 6.42% nucleic acids was recorded at μ = 0.086 hr^?1. It was concluded that a continuous fermentation of carob aqueous extract using F. moniliforme should be operated at growth rates of approximately 0.205 hr^?1 in order to maximize protein production.     

Vegetative and reproductive responses,oil yield and composition from olive trees (Olea europaea) under contrasting water availability during the dry winter‐spring period in central Argentina

In Argentina, the climatic pattern of the olive production areas is characterised by a marked water deficit during winter and spring months. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of water availability during the pre‐flowering–flowering period on vegetative, reproductive and yield responses of olive trees grown in central Argentina. From the end of autumn to mid‐spring, four irrigation treatments were imposed to olive trees (Olea europaea, cv. Arbequina and Manzanilla) at 0, 25, 50 and 75% estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Also, a control treatment was kept at 100% ETc for the entire year. For the first crop year evaluated, water deficit applied at early June, approximately 4 months prior to bloom, reduced the vegetative shoot growth and delayed the flowering time, resulting in shortening of the fruit maturation period and, ultimately, decreased fructification. Trees irrigated with high (75% of ETc) and full (100% of ETc) winter‐spring water supply presented significantly higher values of flower density, fruit density and final fruit yield which resulted in water productivity (kg fruits mm^?1 of irrigation/ha) enhancements of about 500% (cv. Arbequina) and 330% (cv. Manzanilla) with respect to those obtained from the corresponding unirrigated treatments. Differences between treatments in oil content and composition were primarily attributed to variations in fruit maturity. Differences in fatty acid composition were stronger in cv. Arbequina where a gradual increase in oleic acid content was registered in parallel to the increase in irrigation water supply. From a practical stand point, results obtained from most of the analysed parameters were quite similar for both T75 and T100 treatments. Thus, the possible convenience of irrigation at T75% ETc should be considered since it may warrant profitable olive production while saving a considerably quantity of irrigation water in the olive production area in central Argentina.     

Study of docosahexaenoic acid production by the heterotrophic microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crypthecodinium cohnii</Emphasis> CCMP 316 using carob pulp as a promising carbon source

In this work, carob pulp syrup was used as carbon source in C. cohnii fermentations for docosahexaenoic acid production. In preliminary experiments different carob pulp dilutions supplemented with sea salt were tested. The highest biomass productivity (4 mg/lh) and specific growth rate (0.04/h) were observed at the highest carob pulp dilution (1:10.5 (v/v), corresponding to 8.8 g/l glucose). Ammonium chloride and yeast extract were tested as nitrogen sources using different carob pulp syrup dilutions, supplemented with sea salt as growth medium. The best results were observed for yeast extract as nitrogen source. A C. cohnii fed-batch fermentation was carried out using diluted carob pulp syrup (1:10.5 v/v) supplemented with yeast extract and sea salt. The biomass productivity was 420 mg/lh, and the specific growth rate 0.05/h. Under these conditions the DHA concentration and DHA production volumetric rate attained 1.9 g/l and 18.5 mg/lh respectively after 100.4 h. The easy, clean and safe handling of carob pulp syrup makes this feedstock a promising carbon source for large-scale DHA production from C. cohnii. In this way, this carob industry by-product could be usefully disposed of through microbial production of a high value fermentation product.     

The effect of deficit irrigation on seasonal variations of plant water use in Olea europaea L.

A field experiment on olive trees (Olea europaea L.) was designed with the objective to search for an optimum irrigation scheduling by analyzing the possible effects of deficit irrigation. Treatments were: a non-irrigated control (rainfed) and three treatments that received seasonal water amount equivalent to 33 and 66% of crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) in the period August–September (respectively 33II and 66II), and 66% of (ET_C) from late May to early October (66I-II). Atmospheric evaporative demand and soil moisture conditions were regularly monitored. Irrigation effects on plant water relations were characterized throughout a growing season. Whole-plant water use, in deficit irrigated (66I-II) and rainfed olive trees, was determined using a xylem sap flow method (compensation heat-pulse technique). The magnitude of variations in water use and the seasonal dynamic of water relations varied among treatments, suggesting that olive trees were strongly responsive to both irrigation amount and time. Physiological parameters responded to variations in tree water status, soil moisture conditions and atmospheric evaporative demand. All measurements of tree water status were highly correlated with one another. There was a considerable degree of agreement between daily transpiration deduced from heat-pulse velocity and that determined by calibration using the water balance technique. Deficit irrigation during the whole summer (66I-II) resulted in improved plant water relations with respect to other watering regimes; while, severe regulated deficit irrigation differentiated only slightly 33II treatment from rainfed plants. Nevertheless, regulated deficit irrigation of olive trees after pit hardening (66II) could be recommended, at least in soil, cultivar and environmental conditions of this study.     

不同水氮条件下灌溉方式对玉米干物质量和氮钾利用的影响

由于作物需水随生育期的变化,分根区交替灌溉(AI)的节水效果也会随生育期而发生变化,探明不同生育期分根区交替灌溉对玉米生长和水分养分利用的影响,以期为分根区交替灌溉的实施和充分发挥其节水节肥效果奠定理论基础。通过盆栽试验,在2种灌水水平(正常灌水和轻度缺水)和2种有机无机氮比例(100%无机氮和70%无机氮+30%有机氮)下,以常规灌溉(CI)为对照,分别研究苗期—灌浆初期、苗期—拔节期以及拔节期—抽雄期进行AI对玉米干物质量、氮钾含量和吸收量以及土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量的影响。结果表明,在轻度缺水和有机无机氮肥配施下,与CI相比,拔节期—抽雄期分根区交替灌溉玉米地上部和总干物质量分别增加29.6%和27.4%,地上部和总N吸收量增加50.7%和50.4%。与单施无机氮肥相比,有机无机氮肥配施会在不同程度上增加地上部和总N吸收量,但是一般降低土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量,这说明在轻度缺水和有机无机N肥配施下,拔节期—抽雄期进行分根区交替灌溉提高玉米总干物质量和N吸收量。     

水肥互作对滴灌玉米氮素吸收、水氮利用效率及产量的影响

优化水、氮供应是实现作物高产与水肥资源高效利用的有效途径.本文研究了田间试验条件下,水(4500、6750、9000 m³·hm^-2)、氮(0、225、330、435、540 kg·hm^-2)互作对高密度(≥105000 株·hm^-2)滴灌玉米干物质积累、氮素吸收及产量的影响.结果表明: 玉米干物质积累与吸氮量均随灌溉和施氮水平的增加明显升高,当施氮量大于435 kg·hm^-2和灌溉量大于9000 m³·hm^-2时则呈减少趋势.完熟期玉米干物质积累对灌水的响应表现为W₆₇₅₀(36359 kg·hm^-2)>W₉₀₀₀(35077 kg·hm^-2)>W₄₅₀₀(33451 kg·hm^-2),施氮对玉米吸氮量的变化表现为N₄₃₅(459.9 kg·hm^-2)>N₅₄₀(458.1 kg·hm^-2)>N₃₃₀(416.3 kg·hm^-2)>N₂₂₅(351.3 kg·hm^-2),N₄₃₅比N₃₃₀、N₂₂₀分别升高9.1%、32.7%,N₅₄₀比N₄₃₅降低0.6%.在施氮量0～435 kg·hm^-2范围内,玉米最大氮素吸收速率随施氮量增加而升高,在施氮量为435 kg·hm^-2时达最大(6.57 kg·hm^-2·d^-1).灌水与施氮均可显著增加玉米产量、穗粒数和穗粒质量,二者有明显的正交互作用,且以氮为主效应.在施氮0～435 kg·hm^-2范围内,氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加而升高,此后反而降低;灌溉水分生产率随施氮量升高而增加,随灌水量增加而明显下降,灌溉定额为4500～6750 m³·hm^-2时,灌溉水分生产率可达2.57～3.80 kg·m^-3.玉米最高产量18072 kg·hm^-2的施氮量为567.0 kg·hm^-2.最佳经济施氮量为427.9～467.7 kg N·hm^-2时,玉米产量在17109～17138 kg·hm^-2,氮素偏生产力和氮肥利用率分别达122 kg N·hm^-2和45.0%.水氮一体化施肥可实现滴灌玉米高产协同水、氮利用效率的共同提高.     

Seed size variability: from carob to carats

The seeds of various plants were used as weights because their mass reputedly varies so little. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), which has given its name to the carat, is particularly famous in this regard. But are carob seeds unusually constant in weight and, if not, how did the myth arise? The variability of seeds sampled from a collection of carob trees (CV=23%) was close to the average of 63 species reviewed from the literature (CV=25%). However, in a perception experiment observers could discriminate differences in carob seed weight of around 5% by eye demonstrating the potential for humans to greatly reduce natural variation. Interestingly, the variability of pre-metrication carat weight standards is also around 5% suggesting that human rather than natural selection gave rise to the carob myth.     

滴灌水氮耦合对欧美108杨林木生长和土壤氮素的影响

采用地表滴灌技术,田间设计9个水氮耦合处理,以不灌溉不施肥为对照(CK),9个耦合处理由3个灌溉水平(灌溉土壤水势起始阈值为-75、-50、-25 kPa)和3个施N水平(150、300、450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)组合,于2012和2013年2个生长季的滴灌水氮耦合措施后,研究耦合措施对欧美108杨林木胸径、树高和蓄积量的年增量及0～60 cm土层全氮含量的影响.结果表明: 水氮耦合措施可显著促进108杨林木生长并有效提高林地生产力,耦合措施第一年,9个耦合处理中高水高肥处理(土壤水势-25 kPa+施N量450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)使108杨蓄积年增量达到11.54 m³·hm^-2·a^-1,相比CK的8.01 m³·hm^-2·a^-1提高了44.1%,耦合措施第二年,中水高肥处理(土壤水势-50 kPa+施N量450 g·tree^-1·a^-1)使108杨蓄积年增量达到27.85 m³·hm^-2·a^-1,较CK的20.48 m³·hm^-2·a^-1提高36.0%.连续的水氮耦合措施显著提高了林地0～20 cm土层全N含量,耦合措施第一和第二年高水高肥处理各土层全N含量分别比CK高出12.3%～59.4%和71.1%～81.1%.108杨胸径和树高增量与土壤全N含量呈显著正相关,施N水平和水氮交互作用对林木生长和土壤全N含量具有显著的影响,而灌溉水平的影响不显著.综合表明,滴灌水氮耦合措施可通过改善林地土壤肥力,尤其是浅土层全氮含量来有效促进林木生长并提高林地生产力.     

Effects of moderate shade and irrigation with eutrophicated water on the nitrogen economy of Mediterranean oak seedlings

We evaluated the effects of moderate shade (43% vs. 100% of full sunlight) and irrigation with eutrophicated river water (daily vs. alternate-day watering) on growth and nitrogen economy of seedlings of three Mediterranean oak species, two evergreen (Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) and a deciduous (Quercus faginea), grown in pots outdoors. Seedling biomass, N pool, N concentration and N losses by litter fall were measured at the beginning (March 2002) and end (November 2002) of a growing season. All species showed an increase of biomass and N pool under shade and/or high irrigation, while only Q. coccifera – from more arid regions – did the same under full sunlight and low irrigation. At the end of the experiment, biomass of the evergreens was higher in shade than in sun, and in high than in low irrigation, while Q. faginea – from more humid zones – responded to irrigation only. Shade-induced growth was accompanied by a decline in N concentration in the evergreens, but irrigation reduced N concentration only of Q. faginea. Shade, but not irrigation, reduced above-ground N loss. We conclude that both treatments differentially affected the evergreen and the deciduous oaks, probably due to differences in plant hydraulic and stomatal conductance. Although both treatments have similar effects on the growth of evergreens, they produced different effects on seedling N economy, which may have important consequences on future field seedling performance.     

Ecophysiology of Eucalyptus marginata and Corymbia calophylla in decline in an urban parkland

Eucalypt trees are in decline throughout urban landscapes of south western Australia. This study investigated the cause of decline in Eucalyptus marginata and Corymbia calophylla trees in parkland and compared water and nutrient relations with healthy trees in adjacent bushland in Perth, Western Australia. It was hypothesized that: (i) trees were drought stressed through competition for soil water by the vigorous turf; (ii) excessive uptake of nitrogen, because of fertilizer application to turf, caused toxicity; and/or (iii) micronutrient (Cu, Fe, Mn and/or Zn) deficit was induced by high‐pH irrigation water applied to turf around parkland trees. Leaf water potential showed aseasonal variation in the irrigated parkland trees and foliar δ¹³C indicated that parkland trees generally had low water‐use efficiency and were not drought stressed relative to bushland trees. Foliar N levels were not significantly different between parkland and bushland trees indicating that excess N uptake was not a factor in the decline. Foliar total Fe, ‘metabolically active’ Fe, Cu and Zn concentrations were not significantly different between parkland and bushland trees. Foliar manganese concentrations were indicative of deficiency and significantly lower in parkland trees (5–14 µg g^?1) relative to bushland trees (22–35 µg g^?1). It is concluded that application of alkaline irrigation water to the parkland site reduced the plant‐availability of Mn; however, our study of only one parkland site does not allow us to generalize the results across other parklands.     

Effects of water and nutrient supply on amount and on nutrient concentration of litterfall and forest floor litter in Eucalyptus globulus plantations

A field experiment was initiated in March 1986 in central Portugal to evaluate the influence of water and nutrient supply on the productivity of E. globulus. The treatments applied were, irrigation plus fertiliser, irrigation and the application of fertilisers in rainfed plots. The control received neither fertilisers nor irrigation. The annual pattern litterfall was measured over a period of 5 years and the litter layer was quantified 6 years after planting. The amount of litterfall varied with the treatments. Simultaneous water and nutrient supply increased significantly litterfall, in respect to control. In rainfed conditions the timing of the maximum of litterfall was anticipated relative to the irrigated plots. However, the time of maximum litterfall did not coincide with the dry season but rather with period of maximum growth in each treatment. The N and P concentration was higher in the litterfall of the two fertilised treatments than in the others. The lowest concentrations of N and P in the leaf litter were coincident with the summer period in all treatments. The withdrawal of N and P ranged between 32 and 65% according to treatment and season. The deliverance of nutrients through litterfall was strongly increased by simultaneous water and nutrient supply. The supply of fertilisers in rainfed conditions promoted higher deliverance of nutrients than in the plots irrigated only. The mass of the litter layer was significantly increased by simultaneous water and nutrient supply. Application of fertilisers induced an increase in N and P concentration and a decrease in C/N ratio of the litter layer. Treatments and C/N values did not influence apparently the proportion of carbon, N and P released through mineralization from the litter layer. The non-fertilized treatments showed a more efficient N cycling than the others.     

不同水氮水平下小麦品种对光、水和氮利用效率的权衡

通过再裂区设计田间试验,以3个春小麦品种(和尚头、西旱2号和宁春4号)为材料,设置两个灌溉水平(充分灌水4500 m³·hm^-2和有限灌水3000 m³·hm^-2)和5个施氮水平(0、75、150、225、300 kg N·hm^-2),研究小麦光能利用效率(LUE)、水分利用效率(WUE)、氮素利用效率(NUE)对水氮的响应特性及其相互关系.结果表明: 3个小麦品种间LUE、WUE和NUE差异显著.在一定范围内增加灌水和施氮量则LUE升高,过量施氮则LUE下降.强抗旱和中等抗旱品种(和尚头和西旱2号)WUE受灌水量的影响比不抗旱品种(宁春4号)小.施氮可以调节小麦WUE,中等施氮水平(和尚头和西旱2号在150 kg N·hm^-2时,宁春4号在225 kg N·hm^-2时)有最高的WUE.随施氮量增加,植株氮素累积量先增后减,氮素干物质生产效率(NUE_b)、氮素收获指数(NHI)、氮肥农学利用效率(NAE)和氮肥偏生产力(PFP)均显著降低.灌溉水平对NHI无显著影响;随灌水量增加,小麦氮素积累量显著增加,强抗旱和中等抗旱品种NUE_b和NAE显著降低,不抗旱品种 NUE_b和PFP显著升高,对其他指标无显著影响.3个小麦品种氮素获取能力与氮素利用效率呈极显著负相关,NUE_b与LUE、WUE呈显著负相关,LUE与WUE呈显著正相关,春小麦氮素利用效率与光能利用效率、水分利用效率间存在明显的权衡关系.当灌水量为3000 m³·hm^-2,强抗旱和中等抗旱品种在150 kg N·hm^-2,不抗旱品种在225 kg N·hm^-2时,有较高的资源利用效率.