Effects of 60-year N,P, K and Ca fertilization on EUF-nutrient fractions in the soil and on yields of rye and potato crops

Summary In field experiments carried out uninterruptedly since 1923 on a sandy, grey-brown luvisol (8% clay) the EUF-nutrient fractions were determined after potato and rye crops in 1982 had been harvested.Annual applications of N fertilizer (90 kg N/ha) over a 60-year period raised both the organic and inorganic EUF-N fractions (Table 1). EUF-N_org values increased depending on crop rotation from 1.1–1.9 to 2.4–3.6 mg/100 g. This increase in EUF-N amounts was higher under rye monoculture than under potato monoculture. N leaching was more intensive under potato monoculture than under rye monoculture.Application of P, K and Ca fertilizers raised the EUF-P, EUF-K and EUF-Ca values at 20°C as well as at 80°C (Figs. 1, 2, 3). Analyses of soil samples from the 25–75 cm layer showed that the contents of EUF-Ca and EUF-K in this layer are as high as in the topsoil or even higher (Table 3).High yields of rye (>4 t/ha) and of potatoes (>30 t/ha) were obtained when in samples taken after harvest EUF-amounts of 3.5 mg N, 2 mg P, 3 mg K (in both topsoil and subsoil), 1.7 mg Mg and 20 mg Ca/100 g were released within 35 min. These levels were obtained with annual fertilizer application rates of 90 kg N, 60 kg P₂O₅ and 110 kg K₂O/ha.Applications of 1.6 t CaO/ha every 4 years were sufficient to maintain the soil pH at 6.0–6.5. Calculated on the basis of EUF-Ca contents, with the amounts of K-selective minerals being taken into account, this rate of liming corresponds with the needs of acid sandy soils.     

Application of the EUF procedure in grape production

Summary The relationships between the nutrient contents in vine leaves and grape yield on the one hand and the nutrient contents in the soil on the other are described on the basis of results from pot and field experiments conducted over several years. The soils were analysed by means of conventional methods as well as by electro-ultrafiltration (EUF). The following results were obtained: The application of high K and P fertilizer amounts in pot experiments increased the availability of Mg, Mn and Fe. A marked rise in the Mg, Mn and Fe contents was observed in the vine leaves. The exchange processes due to fertilizer addition were well indicated by the EUF method, whereas the results obtained by extraction with ammonium lactate (AL) and CaCl₂ were unsatisfactory. Close and highly significant correlations were found between the EUF-P, EUF-K and EUF-Mg contents on the one hand and the P, K and Mg contents in vine leaves on the other. A close correlation also exists (r=0.91^***) between grape yield and EUF-K contents. Grape yield increases with increasing EUF-K values up to 25 mg/100 g/30 min at 20°C in pot experiments (30 cm rooting depth) and only up to 12 mg/100 g/30 min at 20°C in field experiments. The soil in this field experiment had, however, EUF-K values of 12 mg/100 g in the topsoil as well as in the subsoil. When assessing the limit values, it is therefore important to consider the depth of the horizon in which the nutrients are present. After addition of very high amounts of P fertilizer the P contents in vine leaves markedly decrease after one year, as there is a decline in the availability of phosphates. The EUF-P values measured immediately after the application of high doses of P fertilizer can only characterize the P supply status of a soil for a period of one or two years. The P availability after application of different forms of phosphate fertilizers (superphosphate, hyperphosphate) is well indicated by means of EUF, but not by means of the AL method. When assessing the required K and Mg values in the soil (whatever the method) the vine variety has also to be taken into account, whereas the utilization of soil phosphates depends less on the varietal differences.     

Relationship between EUF-K contents,K uptake and sugar yield of sugar beet in deep loess soils

Summary In field experiments with varying K fertilization (1981 and 1982) changes in EUF-K contents were studied in deep loess soils of Southern Lower Saxony under sugar beet. A significant positive linear relationship was found between EUF-K contents at 20°C and 200 V (15 mA) of the topsoils and quantities of K absorbed by sugar beet in both years. The corresponding regression lines for 1981 and 1982 are almost parallel, the only difference being the yield level which was higher in 1982.The relationship between EUF-K contents at 20°C of topsoils and sugar yields showed the same parallelism for the two years. Not much increase in sugar yield was found at EUF-K contents over 12 mg/100 g soil at EUF-K 80°C/EUF-K 20°C ratios between 0.5 and 0.7. To attain a sugar yield of 10 t/ha an EUF-K 20°C value of at least 12 mg/100 g soil is required for these deep soils at the beginning of the K uptake period. This finding confirms experiences gained over an 8-year period at the Tulln Sugar Factory (Austria) with fertilizer recommendations based on EUF.     

EUF-analysis of tea soils of Southern India and tea productivity

Summary The relationship between EUF extractable nutrients and conventional soil test extractable nutrients in the acid soils of Southern India on one hand and that between EUF values and tea productivity on the other are described. Close correlation exists between EUF-NO₃–N at 20°C and CuSO₄–Ag₂SO₄-extractable NO₃–N (r=0.98^***), EUF-N_org and Morgan's reagent extractable NH₄–N (r=0.97^***), total EUF-N and CuSO₄–Ag₂SO₄-extractable NO₃–N plus Morgan's reagent NH₄–N (r=0.96^***), EUF-P at 20°C and modified Bray II-P (r=0.93^***) and EUF-P at 20°C plus that at 80°C and modified Bray II-P (r=0.91^***). The EUF-K at 20°C shows close correlation with NH₄OAc–K (r=0.80^***), Ag-thiourea-K (r=0.86^***) and Morgan's reagent-K (r=0.84^***) whereas the EUF-K at 80°C shows close correlation with the difference in K contents of NH₄OAc–K and Ag-thiourea-K (r=0.92^***) or of NH₄OAc–K and Morgan's reagent-K (r=0.93^***) and fixed NH₄–N (r=0.89^***). EUF-Ca, EUF-Mg and EUF-Mn do not show any relationship with conventional soil test values. Tea productivity is strongly associated with EUF-N and EUF-P extracted at 20°C.     

Comparative study on EUF and other methods of soil analysis for the determination of available potassium in soils from Northern Greece

Summary Twenty-one representative soils from Northern Greece could be grouped into three categories based on the EUF-K curves which displayed marked differences in the magnitude of K release by the soils employed. The cumulative K desorption by EUF within 35 min and the cumulative K-uptake values of ryegrass (10 cuts) were found to be correlated (r=0.87***). Although this correlation is rather close, the K dynamics of a soil can be better characterized by the course of the K-desorption curves. Because the quotient EUF-K-80°C/EUF-K-20°C can give information on the course of K desorption it is therefore sufficient in routine investigations to know the EUF-K-20°C contents and the numerical values of the quotients EUF-K-80°C/EUF-K-20°C.The EUF procedure does not only indicate the close relationship between K extracted and K uptake by plants, but it can also provide information on other nutrients in the same soil sample. With this extra information it was possible to explain why in some of the analysed soils K uptake was low despite high K availability, the reason being that P availability was not optimal in one of the experimental soils and that the Mn concentration of the soil solution was too high in another. At equal K availability the K uptake was also dependent on the amount of EUF-extractable N.     

Experiments on the reproductibility of results from EUF soil extracts with possible improvements resulting from these experiments

Summary The reproducibility of EUF-Ca, K, Na, P, B, NO₃–N and EUF extractable N for fraction 1 (200 V, 20° C, 30 minutes) was within a CV range of 4.54–12.28%.The summation of results for fraction 1 (200 V, 20°C, 30 minutes) and fraction 2 (400 V, 80°C, 5 minutes) gave an improved CV range of 4.23–8.81%.EUF-Mg obtained from fraction 1 (200 V, 20°C, 30 minutes), fraction 2 (400 V, 80°C, 5 minutes) and the acid fraction gave a CV of 6.81%.Results from the acid fraction gave poor reproducibility for Zn, (CV=45.1%). The CV of 12.5% for Mn is low compared to the CV of 30–40% usually obtained.The recovery of Zn, Mn and Mg from the acid fraction was improved. The reproducibility of Zn and Mg was also improved by (a) reducing the sources of contamination; (b) introducing a second filter at the cathode; (c) steeping the filters for 48 hours.     

Seasonal variation in the competence of the buds of three cultivars from different Citrus species to flower

The role of bud competence in the determination of flowering seasonality was studied in three Citrus cultivars, Bearss lime (Citrus latifolia Tan.), Fino lemon (C. limon [L.] Burm. f.) and Owari satsuma (C. unshiu (Mak.) Marc.), which differ in their adaptation to hot climates and their propensity to produce off-season blooms. Potted plants were kept in a greenhouse under non-inductive conditions (minimum temperature higher than 20°C), and periodically the flowering response was determined of a group of trees exposed for 30 days to an inductive temperature regime (15/8°C). A seasonal change in bud competence was demonstrated, and both bud sprouting and flower formation were highest when the low temperature regime was imposed during February and March. During the summer months, the low temperature regime resulted in a small increase in bud sprouting as compared to non-chilled trees, but only vegetative buds developed and no flowers were formed. The influence of environmental factors on the determination of bud competence was further studied. No effect of photoperiod was found, but raising the minimum air temperature above 25°C during 60 days, eliminated bud competence in Owari satsuma. In Bearss lime trees, the buds reacquired the competence after 4 months at 25/20°C, a temperature regime that does not induce flower formation. The reacquisition of competence was much faster at a lower temperature (15/8°C). A consistent relationship between the flowering response and DNA methylation in buds could not be demonstrated in all cultivars.     

High temperature effects on photosynthesis and water relations of grain legumes

Effects of high temperature on photosynthesis, and its interaction with water relations in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), faba bean (Vicia faba), and five cultivars of field pea (Pisum sativum) were investigated. Responses of all species were compared at 20/15, 30/15, or 30/25 °C day/night, and cowpea and pea were compared at 20/15 and 30/25 °C under well-watered and limited-water conditions. Response of pea to 20/15 and 30/25 °C during flowering was ascertained, and sensitivity of the photosystem of pea and faba bean to 40 °C was determined.High temperature decreased chlorophyll variable fluorescence (F_v), a measure of injury to photosynthesis, in all species except cowpea, which was highly tolerant. Leaf chlorophyll and most measures of growth were favored by high day temperature but not by high night temperature, and photosynthetic rates were enhanced by high temperatures that increased leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen (N) contents. High temperature diminished growth less than water deficiency and increased water use of all three species but only lowered the water potential in faba bean. Water deficiency generally decreased growth, water use, and water potential more at 30/25 °C than at 20/15 °C. Stress from high temperature during flowering of pea decreased all components of yield at maturity, particularly at nodes that flowered latest. Whole-chain photosynthetic activity in thylakoids of pea, faba bean, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were equally sensitive to high temperature, suggesting that Photosystem Il was the most labile component. The results show that high temperature affects photosynthesis, growth, and water relations of grain legumes, and sensitivity to the stress differs among species and genotypes.     

Biochemical differentiation of plastids and other organelles in rye leaves with a high-temperature-induced deficiency of plastid ribosomes

Summary 1. In developing rye (Secale cereale L.) leaves the formation of plastidic ribosomes was selectively prevented in light as well as in darkness, when the seedlings were grown at an elevated temperature of 32° instead of 22° where normal development ocurred. Plastid ribosome deficient parts of lightgrown leaves were chlorotic at 32°. — 2. At both temperatures the leaves contained under all conditions (light or dark, on H₂O or nutrient solution) equal or very similar amounts of total amino nitrogen. In light, the contents of total protein and dry weight were lower at 32° than at 22°, especially when the plants were grown on nutrient solution. — 3. Mitochondrial marker enzymes had normal or even higher activities in 32°-grown leaves. Respiration rates were similar for segments of leaves grown on water in light either at 32° or at 22° but by 20–30% lower for 32°-grown plants when they had been raised in darkness or on nutrient solution. In contrast to 22°-grown tissue, respiration of 32°-grown leaf segments was rather insensitive to KCN. Comparative inhibitor studies indicated the presence of both the cyanide-sensitive and the cyanide-insensitive pathway of respiration in 32°-grown leaves. — 4. Leaf microbody marker enzymes were present in leaves grown at 32°. From chlorotic parts of 32°-light-grown leaves a typical microbody fraction was isolated on sucrose densitygradients. — 5. Leaves of seedlings grown at 32° contained only very low levels of ribulosediphosphate carboxylase activity and of fraction I protein. Photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂-fixation of such leaves was only a few per cent of that observed in normal leaves, and no photosynthetic oxygen evolution was observed in chlorotic leaf segments. However, ten other soluble enzymes which are exclusively or partially localized in chloroplasts reached high activities under all conditions at 32° (Table 4). — 6. From chlorotic parts of 32°-light-grown leaves as well as from etiolated 32°-grown leaves a fraction of intact plastids was isolated and purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation which contained several soluble chloroplast enzymes. From the results we conclude that cytoplasmic protein synthesis must contribute a functional chloroplast envelope including the mechanism for the recognition and uptake of chloroplast proteins which are synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes.     

Study of the defensive mechanism against drought in French bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L.) varieties

The response to drought of six green- and yellow-podded varieties of green bean was investigated in a phytotron. These varieties were also grown without irrigation in field experiments and analysis of leaf samples was carried out three times; before and under flowering and pod ripening, respectively. At first, the carotene and raffinose contents of leaves increase during mild drought (30/15°C). High temperature (35/25°C) combined with water deficiency resulted in a considerable decrease in leaf weight, chlorophyll b, maltose content, as well as the level of water-soluble antioxidants of the leaves, while the content of lipid-soluble antioxidants and raffinose content increased when compared with the control. The yellow-podded varieties of green beans responded to drought much more sensitively than the green-podded ones. The results suggested that a selection method based on the activity of antioxidants in the leaves can be used for testing the adaptability of numerous bean genotypes to drought.     

NaCl胁迫对两种南瓜幼苗离子含量的影响

NaCl胁迫7d明显抑制了两种南瓜——黑籽南瓜（Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche．）和白籽南瓜（Cucurbita moschata Duch．）幼苗地上部和根系的生长,使地上部相对含水量明显下降。随NaCl胁迫浓度（150、300和500mmol／L）的提高,两种南瓜幼苗根、茎和叶片中Na^＋含量明显增加,K^＋含量明显下降。Na^＋和K^＋含量在两个南瓜品种各器官中的分布规律分别是：根〉茎〉叶片和茎〉叶片〉根。NaCl胁迫后黑籽南瓜根、茎和叶片Na^＋含量远低于白籽南瓜,而叶片游离脯氨酸含量、可溶性糖含量和地上部相对含水量明显高于白籽南瓜。表明两者在渗透调节方式、离子的吸收和运输能力上有差异,黑籽南瓜耐盐性较强。     

Response of Douglas fir seedlings to phosphorus fertilization and influence of temperature on this response

Summary Effects of P fertilizers on growth of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var.menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.) seedlings were examined in pots and nursery beds. In pot experiments levels of P equivalent to 300 kg/ha were adequate for maximum growth over 14–18 weeks and resulted in available soil P levels of 80 ppm after 15 weeks' growth. Maximum growth in pots was obtained with shoot P concentrations of 0.18%–0.20%, with higher values at lower temperatures, but the optimum concentration for one-year old (1-0) nursery seedlings was 0.16% P. Growth of seedlings was greatly restricted at a soil temperature of 5°C and an air temperature of 12°C. At a soil temperature of 10°C and an air temperature of 14°C seedling P requirement was greater than at soil and air temperatures of 20°C.Comparison showed that monammonium phosphate was more effective than calcium superphosphate in stimulating growth in pots and nursery. Triple superphosphate was also effective in the nursery. Diammonium phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and phosphoric acid had no advantages as P sources in the nursery. Available P levels of 100–130 ppm, in the loamy sand and sandy loam nurseries studied, and needle P concentrations of 0.18%, when sampled in October, were associated with maximum growth of two-year old (2-0) seedlings.P fertilization decreased root/shoot ratio, but did not alter the allometric relationship of shoot to root. Improving P status from a low level increased root growth capacity in 2-0 seedlings and P fertilization of potted seedlings increased dry weight/height ratio. Uptakes per seed bed ha of 236 kg N, 31 kg P, 81 kg K and 73 kg Ca by 2-0 seedlings were comparable with, or greater than, uptake rates of agricultural crops. Recoveries of 6–11% of P from fertilizer were recorded in the nursery.     

Flowering of Watsonia laccata as influenced by corm storage and forcing temperatures

The genus Watsonia, belonging to the family Iridaceae, is comprised of about 50 species including W. laccata (Jacquin) Ker Gawler that flowers from September to November following low temperature and winter rainfall. Therefore, we hypothesized that flowering would be favored by forcing at low greenhouse temperatures. Using clonal W. laccata corms, four experiments were designed to investigate the effect of temperatures during corm storage, forcing, and their interaction on growth and flowering. Corm formation is favored by growing plants at 18°–20°/15°–17 °C and 21°–23°/18°–20 °C, day/night temperatures. Flowering was earliest with corms produced at 24°–26°/18°–20 °C and forced at 18°–20/15°–17 °C, and was significantly delayed when forced at 27°–29°/24°–26 °C. Flowering was, however, favored by 2 or 4 weeks of high temperatures (27°–29°/24°–26 °C) prior to forcing at low temperatures (18°–20°/15°–17 °C). The number of florets was not significantly affected by corm storage, forcing temperatures, or their interaction, although forcing at high temperatures tends to reduce the floret number. Burn symptom at the tips of leaves was frequently observed, and further studies are required to understand the cause of the tip burn and how to correct the symptom.     

Changes in the levels of abscisic acid and its metabolites resulting from chilling of tomato fruits

The 6,6,6-[²H]-analogues of abscisic acid (ABA), phaseic (PA) and dihydrophaseic (DPA) acids were used in GC-MS-SIM determination of free and total alkali hydrolyzable ABA, PA and DPA in the pericarp of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Pik Red) fruit. Determinations were made on breaker-stage fruit stored 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks at 2.5°C or at 10°C, and after subsequent ripening for 1 week in darkness at 20°C. Two-fold increases in levels of ABA occurred after storage at low temperatures with a slightly but significantly greater increase in ABA level occurring with 2.5°C storage. These increases in ABA levels were not associated with the appearance of damage symptoms that occurred with storage at the chilling temperature (2.5°C). Differences in ABA metabolism were found resulting from storage at the two temperatures, 2.5 or 10°C. Significantly greater DPA levels were found after 10°C storage than after 2.5°C storage (2 weeks). Levels of ABA ester-conjugates increased with 20°C ripening only after 10°C storage while free ABA levels decreased after both storage temperature conditions. Levels of DPA conjugates also increased only after 20°C ripening following 10°C storage. A longer period of storage resulted in decreases of free DPA levels after 10°C storage but increased DPA levels were found after 2.5°C storage.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - PA phaseic acid - DPA dihydrophaseic acid - GC-MS-SIM gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring - HPLC high pressure liquid chromatography - fw. fresh weight author for correspondence     

Nutrient uptake by paddy during the main three stages of growth

Summary Uptake of mineral nutrients and production of carbohydrates by paddy during the vegetative, the reproductive, and the ripening stage of growth were determined in a pot experiment.From 59 to 84 per cent of the nutrients present in the ripe plants were absorbed between tillering and flowering. More than 90 per cent of the N and K, 80 per cent of the P and Ca, and 65 per cent of the Mg were absorbed prior to flowering, and the remainder after heading.More than 60 per cent of the carbohydrates present in the ripe stage was produced after flowering.     

Hydroxycinnamic acid amides and ripening to flower of Nicotiana tabacum var. xanthi n.c.

Two kinds of hydroxycinnamic derivatives can be found in tobacco: esters and amides. They do not accumulate in the same way during development. Esters, especially chlorogenic acids, are always present in all organs, whereas amides are observed only during certain periods in specific organs (from 47 days after sowing, in apical leaves, anthers and ovaries). A relationship has been found between accumulation of amides and flowering of plants grown at 20°C. By comparing amide accumulation as well as leaf emergence rate, both at a temperature that allows flowering (20°C) and at a temperature that inhibits flowering (30°C), it appears that amides begin to accumulate whenever a plant is ripening to flower.     

Effect of exogenous hormones on leaf yellowing in cut flowering branches of Alstroemeria pelegrina L.

Inclusion of IAA in the vase water had little effect on leaf yellowing in cut flowering branches of Alstroemeria pelegrina L. while kinetin delayed leaf yellowing at 10^–4M (continuous treatment). Chlorophyll was effectively retained by 10^–7M gibberellic acid (GA) in the vase water or by a 20h pulse at 5°C with 10^–5/10^–4M GA. After 16h of ¹⁴C-GA₃ uptake at 20°C relatively high levels of ¹⁴C were found in leaves and low levels in stems and flowers. After this treatment about half of the ¹⁴C-GA₃ in leaves was metabolized into unknown compounds.     

Reversal of adverse effects of heavy ammonium sulphate application on growth and nutrient status of a kikuyu pasture

Summary Adverse effects resulting from fertilization with high rates of ammonium sulphate were determined on a kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) pasture grown on a krasnozem in a sub-tropical environment. Corrective fertilizer practices using lime and phosphorus were evaluated.Ammonium sulphate application (336 kg N/ha/annum for 4 years followed by 672 kg N/ha/annum for 2 years) decreased soil pH from 5.0 to 4.0. Under these conditions, soluble Al in the soil increased, while exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K decreased. Concentrations of Ca, Mo, and P in the kikuyu tops were lowered, while concentrations of Mn were raised. Liming to pH 5.5 promoted growth more at 672 kg N/ha/annum than at 134 kg N/ha/annum, while generally little further yield response occurred as soil pH was raised to about 6.0. Liming increased the concentrations of P, Ca, N, and Mo but decreased Mn in kikuyu tops.Phosphorus application decreased soluble aluminium in the soil in all nitrogen treatments, but only increased kikuyu yield where 672 kg N/ha/annum was applied. It did not alter plant chemical composition, except for an increase in P concentration.Yield increases to liming and P were attributed to the alleviation of Al toxicity in the high N treatments. Lime responses in low N treatments were due to improved N nutrition resulting from mineralization of organic N.Lime application reduced the amount of N fertilizer required for maximum growth of kikuyu from 672 kg N/ha/annum on the unlimed soil to 134 kg N/ha/annum, while maintaining an adequate level of nutrients in the herbage and avoiding the problems of excess soil acidity. re]19760622     

Effect of liming on mineralization of soil nitrogen as measured by plant uptake and nitrogen released during incubation

The effect of lime rates on oat yield and N uptake was measured in a 6-years pot experiment, using 12 acid surface soils (pH 4.7 to 6.0). Mineralization of nitrogen was measured by incubation of soil samples taken after harvest each year from the different lime treatments.Nitrogen uptake was significantly correlated with total N in the soils. Averaged over all 12 soils liming only to pH 7 or above, increased the oat yield significantly. Liming increased the N concentration of grain and the N uptake significantly during a 4-years period, indicating the effect of lime on N mineralization.The mineralization of organic N measured by incubation in the non-limed samples was highly correlated with the total N concentration, but it was not significantly related to the original pH of the soils. The amounts of N released as well as the duration of the lime effect on mineralization varied among soils. When pH was raised to 7 or above, considerable increases in N mineralization occurred in some soils. Based on average values, liming increased N mineralization significantly during a 3-years period. After 3 years, the lime treatments differed only slightly from the non-limed treatments.     

Ga4/7 promotes stem growth and flowering in a genetic line of Aquilegia x hybrida Sims

Rose-White is a unique genetic line of Aquilegia x hybrida Sims that will flower without a cold period, does not have an extended juvenile growth phase, and is responsive to gibberellin treatment. Plants treated at the 7-leaf stage with GA_4/7 bolted and flowered 20 days earlier than untreated plants. Gibberellin treatment did not increase the growth rate (leaves/day), but induced flowering after the production of fewer leaves. Plant height and the number of flowers per plant increased significantly. GA_4/7 treatment delayed flower senescence and abscission. Flower longevity was extended 3-fold when compared to untreated plants. Treatment response was more pronounced at lower temperatures (19°C day/12°C night) than at higher growing temperatures (24°C day/19°C night). GA₃ was much less effective than GA_4/7 in promoting flowering, and there was no response to benzyladenine.