外源钙对不同钙敏感型番茄幼苗生理特性的影响

利用钙不敏感型番茄品种(江蔬1号)和钙敏感型番茄品种(L-402)为试材,研究了不同浓度的外源钙对其根系活力、钙调素含量、叶绿素a、b含量和比值及活性氧清除酶系统活性的影响.结果表明,根系钙调素(CaM)含量随介质钙浓度增加而增加,不敏感品种江蔬1号高于敏感品种L-402.根系活力、生长点和真叶chla/b比值在低钙强度下(1和4 mg·L^-1)以江蔬1号显著高于L-402,在充足供钙时(100 mg·L^-1)L-402显著高于江蔬1号,表明江蔬1号品种具有较强的耐低钙和光胁迫的能力.对活性氧清除酶系统活性来说,在三个钙浓度下敏感品种L-402的POD、CAT酶活性均显著高于江蔬1号,降钙使两酶活性升高,SOD酶活性下降,且L-402下降的幅度高于江蔬1号,表明低钙造成的胁迫对L-402品种影响较大,江蔬1号较耐受缺钙胁迫.     

Mechanism of 3-phenylpyruvate-induced insulin release. Secretory, ionic and oxidative aspects.

1. 3-Phenylpyruvate caused a dose-related stimulation of insulin release from rat pancreatic islets deprived of exogenous nutrient or incubated in the presence of 5.6 or 8.3 mM-D-glucose. 2. 3-Phenylpyruvate inhibited insulin release evoked by high concentrations of D-glucose (16.7 or 27.8 mM) or 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate (10.0 mM). This inhibitory effect appeared to be attributable to impairment of 2-oxo-acid transport into the mitochondria, with resulting inhibition of D-glucose, pyruvate or 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate oxidation. 3. 3-Phenylpyruvate failed to affect the oxidation of, and secretory response to, L-leucine, and did not augment insulin release evoked by a non-metabolized analogue of the latter amino acid. 4. L-Glutamine augmented 3-phenylpyruvate-induced insulin release. The release of insulin evoked by the combination of 3-phenylpyruvate and L-glutamine represented a sustained phenomenon, abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ or the presence of menadione and potentiated by theophylline. 5. Whether in the presence or in the absence of L-glutamine, the secretory response to 3-phenylpyruvate coincided with an increase in O2 uptake, a decrease in K+ conductance, a stimulation of both Ca2+ inflow and 45Ca2+ net uptake and an increase in cyclic AMP content. 6. It is concluded that the release of insulin induced by 3-phenylpyruvate displays features classically encountered when the B-cell is stimulated by nutrient secretagogues, and is indeed attributable to an increase in nutrient catabolism.     

Under-storey Nutrient Content in an Age Sequence of Douglas-fir Stands

The nutrient concentrations and contents of the under-storeyspecies were estimated for a series of Pacific North-west Douglas-fir[Pseudotsuga menxiessii (Mirb.) Franco] stands ranging in agefrom 9 to 95 years. Analyses were carried out for ash, N, P,K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn and Na and significant differences innutrient concentrations were found to exist between species;species rejecting certain nutrients and accumulating others.General trends for mean concentrations of some nutrients areassociated with stand maturity in that ash, K and Mg decline,P and Mn increase and N and Ca reaches a peak at 20–30years and then declines. The nutrient contents (kg ha^–1)of the under-storey component of the stands are presented andtrends discussed. Mineral nutrient content, under-storey vegetation, Pseudotsuga menziessii stands, Douglas-fir     

Nutrient return with leaf litter fall in Fagus sylvatica forests across a soil fertility gradient

Leaf litter fall is an important nutrient flux in temperature deciduous forests which supplies a large part of the rapidly mineralisable nutrient fraction to the soil. This study investigates nutrient return with leaf litter fall in 36 old-growth forest stands of Fagus sylvatica across a broad gradient of soil fertility covering 9 mesozoic and kaenozoic parent material types (three limestones, two sandstones, two clay stones, one sand and one loess substrate). Study objectives were to analyse (i) the dependency of leaf litter nutrient concentrations on soil fertility, and (ii) the relationship between soil fertility and nutrient return with leaf litter at the stand level. Beech stands on the nine parent material types produced similar annual leaf litter masses irrespective of soil fertility or acidity. Leaf litter from the nine parent materials showed only minor variation with respect to N and K concentrations (factors of 1.5 and 1.4), moderate variation for Ca, Mg and P concentrations (factors of 2.2 to 2.9), and high variation for Al and Mn concentrations (factors of 6.7 and 10.5). Consequently, annual nutrient return with litter fall (leaf litter mass x litter nutrient concentration) was more similar among the parent materials for N (165–273 mmol m⁻² yr1) ⁻¹ and K (16–30 mm m⁻² yr⁻¹) than for Ca, P, Mg, Mn and Al. A possible explanation is increased N deposition in recent time. According to a correlation analysis, return rates of N, P, K and Mg (but not Ca) were independent of the pool size of the respective nutrient in the soil. N return rate was neither influenced by the soil pools of Nt, plant- available P (Pa) or exchangeable Ca, K and Mg, nor by soil acidity or the exchangeable Al pool. P return, in contrast, showed a negative relation to soil fertility. We hypothesize that nutrient fluxes with leaf litter fall do not necessarily reduce the fitness of tree populations as has been postulated from a tree-centred view. Rather, we suggest that nutrient fluxes with litter fall can increase, instead of decrease, plant fitness by improving nutrient availability in the densely rooted topsoil which reduces the roots’ carbon and nutrient costs of nutrient acquisition.     

The Effect of Titanium Amendment in N-Withholding Nutrient Solution on Physiological and Photosynthesis Attributes and Micronutrient Uptake of Tomato

Titanium (Ti) is a beneficial element that promotes growth and biomass production although the mechanism by which this improvement takes place is still unclear, as are other effects on plants, although it is believed that Ti can compensate for N deficiency. To prove this hypothesis, a hydroponic experiment was designed to investigate the effect of adding Ti to a nutrient solution on the nutrient uptake of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) by withholding N within the nutrient solution (NS) by 25?% (NS2) and by 50?% (NS1). Ti was added at 1 and 2?mg?L^?1. When Ti was added to nutrient solution, the elemental concentration in tomato changed significantly: K, Ca, Fe, and Zn decreased while Ti increased. As the concentration of N in nutrient solution decreased, the Ca and Ti concentration of tomato leaves decreased and the K, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn concentration increased. As the N concentration in nutrient solution increased, the Ca concentration decreased although the application of Ti compensated for Ca concentration in NS1. All the photosynthetic attributes and physiological characteristics, including flower induction, decreased when the N concentration of NS decreased by 50?%, although this decrease could be compensated by applying 1?mg?L^?1 Ti. This has valuable and practical applications and implications for tomato hydroponic culture.     

Determination of calcium responsiveness towards exogenous application in two genotypes of Eleusine coracana L. differing in their grain calcium content

In order to investigate the influence of exogenous application of calcium (Ca) on its accumulation in finger millet, two genotypes (GPHCPB-1 and GPHCPB-45), which posses low and high grain Ca contents, respectively, were subjected to regular fertigation of varying levels of Ca in Hoagland’s nutrient medium. The responsiveness of both the genotypes towards increasing exogenous application of Ca (0.1, 5.0, 10 and 20) was determined in terms of changes in tissue Ca levels, agro-morpho-physio-biochemical parameters. Sharp increase of Ca content in root, stem and spike was observed up to excess level of Ca (10 mM) in GPHCPB-1 while in case of GPHCPB-45 an increase in Ca content was observed only up to sufficient level of Ca (5 mM) and above that its accumulation remained constant or declined in both the genotypes. In case of leaf the level of Ca increased linearly at all concentrations of supplied Ca in both the genotypes. Both the genotypes behave differentially as GPHCPB-45 genotype accumulated more Ca and was also superior in root length, root dry matter accumulation, plant height and relative water content at Ca deficient condition (0.1 mM) as compared to GPHCPB-1 genotype. The continuous rise in stem diameter, biomass, seed yield, chlorophyll content, SPAD value, seed oxalic acid and phytic acid content were recorded in both the genotypes up to excess or toxic levels of supplied Ca. On the basis of present study it was concluded that Ca accumulation in plant is determined by both genetic (genotype dependent) as well as environmental factors (availability of Ca in rhizosphere).     

Role of ger proteins in nutrient and nonnutrient triggering of spore germination in Bacillus subtilis

Dormant Bacillus subtilis spores germinate in the presence of particular nutrients called germinants. The spores are thought to recognize germinants through receptor proteins encoded by the gerA family of operons, which includes gerA, gerB, and gerK. We sought to substantiate this putative function of the GerA family proteins by characterizing spore germination in a mutant strain that contained deletions at all known gerA-like loci. As expected, the mutant spores germinated very poorly in a variety of rich media. In contrast, they germinated like wild-type spores in a chemical germinant, a 1-1 chelate of Ca(2+) and dipicolinic acid (DPA). These observations showed that proteins encoded by gerA family members are required for nutrient-induced germination but not for chemical-triggered germination, supporting the hypothesis that the GerA family encodes receptors for nutrient germinants. Further characterization of Ca(2+)-DPA-induced germination showed that the effect of Ca(2+)-DPA on spore germination was saturated at 60 mM and had a K(m) of 30 mM. We also found that decoating spores abolished their ability to germinate in Ca(2+)-DPA but not in nutrient germinants, indicating that Ca(2+)-DPA and nutrient germinants probably act through parallel arms of the germination pathway.     

Effect of Root Zone Temperature and Shoot Demand on Uptake and Xylem Transport of Macronutrients in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of shoot demand for nutrients on nutrient uptakeand translocation in the xylem exudate was studied in maizegrowing in nutrient solution at uniform shoot zone (24/2C,day/night), but different root zone temperatures (RZT: 12C,18C, 24C). The shoot base (apical shoot meristem and zoneof leaf extension) was either kept within or lifted above thecooling zone. In plants with their shoot base above the coolingzone (RZT: 12C and 18C) shoot growth was significantly increasedbut not root growth. Therefore, at suboptimal RZT shoot freshweight increment d^–1 g^–1 root fresh weight, whichwas taken as a parameter for the shoot demand for nutrientsper unit root, varied strongly depending on the temperatureof the shoot base (shoot base temperature, SBT). In short-term studies (2 h and 1 d after onset of temperaturetreatment) rates of nutrient (nitrogen, N; potassium, K; phosphorus,P; calcium, Ca) uptake or translocation in the xylem exudatewere markedly decreased at suboptimal RZT (12C, 18C), irrespectiveof the SBT. In long-term studies (3, 5, and 10 d after onsetof temperature treatment) uptake and translocation of K, N,and Ca, but not P, increased in plants at suboptimal RZT whenthe shoot demand was high (shoot base above the cooling zone)but decreased when the shoot demand was low (shoot base withinthe cooling zone). These results suggest, that the increase of translocation ratesof N, K, and Ca after long-term exposure to suboptimal RZT wasa consequence of a higher shoot demand per unit root fresh weightand not due to a direct temperature effect on the nutrient uptakesystem. Key words: Xylem exudate, nutrient translocation, root zone temperature, shoot demand, nutrient circulation     

钙离子对盐胁迫小麦幼苗氮代谢的影响

为探讨增强小麦抗盐能力的调控途径,以普通小麦豫麦34为材料,研究了Ca2+对盐胁迫下小麦幼苗氮代谢及生长的影响.采用全营养液培养小麦幼苗至第一片叶完全展开,更换无钙营养液,并开始不同处理.处理分别为低盐胁迫(150 mmol · L-1 NaCl)、低盐胁迫+4 mmol · L-1 Ca2+、高盐胁迫(300 mmol · L-1 NaCl)、高盐胁迫+4mmol · L-1 Ca2+,以无NaCl胁迫的小麦为对照.5 d后取样,测定了氮同化酶活性、代谢物含量、积累量及幼苗生长状况.结果表明,Ca2+明显缓解了低盐胁迫对小麦幼苗的生长抑制,表现在鲜重、叶绿素及可溶性蛋白含量的增加,而对高盐胁迫下小麦幼苗的生长无明显改善效果;Ca2+改善了低盐胁迫下小麦幼苗的氮营养状况,表现在氮积累量的增加,这一效应主要是通过硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)以及异柠檬酸脱氢酶(NADP-ICDH)活性的增强而实现的.Ca2+未能改善高盐胁迫下小麦幼苗氮营养状况的主要限制因子在于NADP-ICDH活性未明显增加.     

鼎湖山马尾松林降水再分配对养分动态影响

在鼎湖山马尾松林中 ,降水到达森林重新分配后 ,pH值的大小变化顺序为 :茎流 >径流 >穿透雨 >降水 ,且它们均呈酸性。与 pH值变化基本上相类似 ,养分元素浓度在各过程中均以茎流最高 ,降水最低。不同元素比较 ,其大小次序为 :Ca>N >Mg>P。Ca、P和Mg三种元素浓度在各过程中的月变化较明显 ,但pH值和N元素浓度的月际变化不强。该生态系统养分元素呈积累状态 ,大气降水的养分输入为 (kg·hm 2 ·a 1) :2 0 .62 9(N)、1 .0 1 5 (P)、46.3 3 2 (Ca)、3 .5 0 8(Mg) ;输出为 (kg·hm 2 ·a 1) :7.1 2 0 (N)、0 .63 2 (P)、2 3 .640 (Ca)、2 .1 3 3 (Mg)。此外 ,还对该生态系统生物地球化学循环特征进行了讨论。     

Nutrient Dynamics in the Litter-Fall and Forest Floor of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest and Pinus yunnanensis Forest in Central Yunnan

The quantity of litter-fall and the standing crop of H sublayer in the forest floor of evergreen broad-leaved forest were higher than that of Pinus yunnanensis forest. The quantity of the forest floor changed with the quantity of litter-fall, and thera was a dynamic equilibrium between the litter-fall and forest floor. The content of nutrient elements of the forest floor was higher than that of litter-fall in both types. The order of nutrient element content in the forest floor differed from that in litter-fall. In the evergreen broad-leaved forest, the order was N > Ca > Si>K>Mg>Al>P>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu,and in Pinus yunnanensis forest it was Ca>N>Si>K>Al>Mg >Fe>P>Mn>Zn>Cu. But the order of nutrient element content in the forest floor had changed: in evergreen broad-leaved forest it was Si > N > Al > Ca > Fe > K>Mg>P>Mn>Zn>Cu, the Pinus yunnanensis forest it was Si > AI>N>Ca>Fe>K>M>P>Mn>Zn>Cu. With increase in the intensity of litter decomposition Ash, Si and Al had obviously increased, N, Fe, P and K had also increased in varying degrees, but there was some reduction in Ca, Zn and Mg. The ratio of carbon and nitrogen in litter decreased' with increase in litter decomposition.     

The effect of sodicity on cotton: plant response to solutions containing high sodium concentrations

Solution culture was used to investigate whether the high solution Na concentrations and Na:Ca ratios found in sodic soils could directly affect the early growth and nutrient uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Cotton was grown in nutrient solutions with three Na:Ca ratios (46:1, 4:1 and 0.2:1 mM) and three electrical conductivities (EC) (2.5, 4.25 and 6 dS m^?1) combined in a factorial design with four replicates. Most cotton growth parameters (including shoot and root dry weight, fruit number and weight) were unaffected by increasing solution EC or Na:Ca ratio, but at the highest Na concentration (56.6 mM), plant height was reduced. It was concluded that young cotton has the ability to tolerate solution Na concentrations up to those found in moderately sodic soils. Increasing solution Na:Ca increased plant root and shoot concentrations and plant accumulation for Na, and decreased them for Ca. Increasing EC also increased plant Na concentration and accumulation. Shoot K and P concentrations decreased with EC, but actually increased as the sodicity (Na:Ca ratio) of the nutrient solution increased. The results suggest that the low K and P concentrations commonly found in cotton grown in sodic soils are not a direct result of Na:Ca ratio in the soil solution.     

Nutrient requirements and stress response of Populus simonii and Paulownia tomentosa

The aim of this investigation was to estimate the optimum nutrient requirements and responses to low relative nutrient addition rates of seedlings of two important broadleaf tree species in China, Populus simonii Carr. and Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud. In preliminary experiments the optimum nutrient proportions were estimated under high concentration conditions. The nutrients consumed were replaced by means of daily additions determined by pH and conductivity titrations without changing the nutrient solutions. A relatively high K level was needed in relation to nitrogen; higher than in birch or grey alder seedlings. To obtain a high relative growth rate, suitable proportions by weight were 100 N:70 K:14 P:7 Ca:7 Mg for the Populus seedlings and 100 N:75 K:20 P:8 Ca:9 Mg for the Paulownia seedlings.
In studies of nutrient stress responses the relative nutrient addition rate was used as the treatment variable under low conductivity conditions. The responses and relationships were similar to those described for birch, grey alder and Salix . The relative addition rate, and there was also a strong linear regression between relative growth rate and nitrogen status. Relative growth rates were high and the maximum weight increase was about 19% day⁻¹ in Populus and over 25% day⁻¹ in Paulownia . The nitrogen productivity of Paulownia was very high, 0.26 g dry weight (g N)⁻¹ h⁻¹, and for Populus it was 0.16 g dry weight (g N)⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Effects of glucose on 45Ca2+ outflow, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and insulin release from freshly isolated and cultured adult rat islets

The present study aimed at comparing the effects of glucose on ionic and secretory events in freshly isolated and 5-7 day cultured rat pancreatic islets. The capacity of glucose to provoke insulin release was severely reduced in islets maintained in culture. Whether in freshly isolated or cultured islets, glucose provoked a marked and sustained decrease in 45Ca2+ outflow from islets deprived of extracellular Ca2+. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ throughout, the magnitude of the glucose-induced secondary rise in 45Ca2+ outflow was reduced in cultured islets. Glucose provoked a weaker increase in [Ca2+]i in islet cells obtained from cultured islets than in islet cells dissociated from freshly isolated pancreatic islets. On the other hand, the stimulatory effect of carbamylcholine on 45Ca2+ outflow was unaffected by tissue culture. Lastly, in islet cells obtained from cultured islets, the increase in [Ca2+]i evoked by K+ depolarization averaged half of that observed in control experiments. These results indicate that the reduced secretory potential of glucose in cultured pancreatic islets can be ascribed to the inability of the nutrient secretagogue to provoke a suitable increase in Ca2+ influx.     

Effect of Ca on composition of fat body of peanut seed

Peanut fruits were grown in nutrient media with or without Ca and in a soil with two Ca levels, from the 20th day after penetration of the gynophore. Seed weight was smaller in the nutrient medium without Ca than in the nutrient medium with Ca, and it was also smaller in the soil with 4 meq of exchangeable Ca (L treatment) than in the soil with 10 meq of exchangeable Ca (H treatment). The fat body of seeds from the Ca deficient medium and the L treatment had a decreased phospholipid content and an increased simple lipid content. In the seed from the H treatment, phosphatidylcholine increased from the 30th to 60th day, while caldiolipin decreased. The amount of triglyceride in the simple lipid content of fat body was decreased by Ca deficiency in the nutrient medium, whereas that of diglyceride was increased, but these effects were not observed in the fat body of the seed from the L treatment. No effect of Ca deficiency was observed in the fatty acid composition of triglyceride.     

Role of GerD in germination of Bacillus subtilis spores

Spores of a Bacillus subtilis strain with a gerD deletion mutation (Delta gerD) responded much slower than wild-type spores to nutrient germinants, although they did ultimately germinate, outgrow, and form colonies. Spores lacking GerD and nutrient germinant receptors also germinated slowly with nutrients, as did Delta gerD spores in which nutrient receptors were overexpressed. The germination defect of Delta gerD spores was not suppressed by many changes in the sporulation or germination conditions. Germination of Delta gerD spores was also slower than that of wild-type spores with a pressure of 150 MPa, which triggers spore germination through nutrient receptors. Ectopic expression of gerD suppressed the slow germination of Delta gerD spores with nutrients, but overexpression of GerD did not increase rates of spore germination. Loss of GerD had no effect on spore germination induced by agents that do not act through nutrient receptors, including a 1:1 chelate of Ca2+ and dipicolinic acid, dodecylamine, lysozyme in hypertonic medium, a pressure of 500 MPa, and spontaneous germination of spores that lack all nutrient receptors. Deletion of GerD's putative signal peptide or change of its likely diacylglycerylated cysteine residue to alanine reduced GerD function. The latter findings suggest that GerD is located in a spore membrane, most likely the inner membrane, where the nutrient receptors are located. All these data suggest that, while GerD is not essential for nutrient germination, this protein has an important role in spores' rapid response to nutrient germinants, by either direct interaction with nutrient receptors or some signal transduction essential for germination.     

Impact of Douglas-fir and Scots pine seedlings on plagioclase weathering under acidic conditions

The weathering of soil minerals in forest ecosystems increases nutrient availability for the trees. The rate of such weathering and its relative contribution to forest tree nutrition, is a major issue when evaluating present and potential forest stand productivity and sustainability. The current paper examines the weathering rate of plagioclase with and without Douglas-fir or Scots pine seedlings, in a laboratory experiment at pH 3–4 and 25 °C. All nutrients, with the exception of Ca, were supplied in sufficient amounts in a nutrient solution. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the potential of trees to mobilise Ca from the mineral plagioclase that contained 12% of Ca. Amounts of nutrients supplied in the nutrient solution, amounts accumulated in the living tissue of the seedlings and amounts leached from the experimental vessels, were measured. A weathering balance, accounting for leached + accumulated − supplied amounts, was established. Bio-induced weathering, defined as the weathering increase in the presence of trees, relative to the weathering rate without trees (geochemical weathering; control vessels), under the present experimental conditions, explained on average, 40% of total weathering (biological + geochemical). These conditions appeared more beneficial to Scots pine (higher relative growth rate, higher Ca incorporation) than to Douglas-fir.     

Photosynthetic performance,chloroplast pigments,and mineral content of various needle age classes of spruce (Picea abies) with and without the new flush: an experimental approach for analysing forest decline phenomena

Summary Damage in the older needles of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in the Fichtelgebirge (NE Bavaria, FRG) appears to result primarily from nutrient imbalances rather than from direct effects of air pollutants on the mesophyll of the needles. Support for this conclusion was obtained by altering the nutrition of older needles through the removal of terminal buds on several branches from a damaged and an undamaged spruce tree in spring. Various photosynthetic parameters, as well as the chloroplast pigment and nutrient concentrations, of 1- to 3-year-old needles on manipulated branches were compared with those of branches on which the new flush was allowed to develop during the course of the growing period. Removal of terminal buds affected only the 1-year-old needles. Elimination of the new flush resulted in a higher Ca and Mn content of the needles of the undamaged tree. This treatment also resulted in an increase of the photosynthetic capacity (under saturating light and CO₂ conditions), carboxylation and light use efficiency, as well as net photosynthesis under natural conditions of the 1-year-old needles on the yellow chlorotic tree. This was accompanied by higher chlorophyll concentrations and an increase in Mg, Ca, Mn, and Zn content, and no visible signs of chlorosis developed in the experiment. By contrast, the needles of twigs in which the new flush was allowed to develop exhibited reductions in mineral content in the middle of the year. This was especially true for the elements Mg and Ca, and was accompanied by needle chlorosis and a depression of the capacity of photosynthesis. Thus it appears that there is a close relationship between the development of needle damage and nutrient imbalances in spruce. The retranslocation of elements from the 1-year-old needles to the new flush seems to play a major role in the development of needle bleaching. This approach thus supports the hypothesis described above and confirms a preliminary test with a similar experimental design, which had been conducted earlier.     

Response of the ground layer community of a cerrado vegetation in central Brazil to liming and irrigation

A split plot design with irrigation as the main plot treatment and liming as subplot treatment was utilized to determine the response of the ground layer community of a cerrado vegetation on a dystrophic dark red latosol (Haplustox) in central Brazil to liming and irrigation. Aerial live biomass of the grasses and nongrasses of the ground layer and their nutrient concentrations were determined over a period of 18 months. As liming rate increased from 0 to 8.4 t ha^-1 the soil pH increased from 5.2 to 5.8. The availability of Ca increased from 0.24 to 6.91 cmol (+) kg^-1 dry soil and that of Mg from 0.10 to 0.17 cmol(+)kg^-1 dry soil. Liming decreased the exchangeable Al from 0.66 to 0.24 cmol (+) kg^-1 dry soil. There was an increase of up to 70% in the biomass concentration of Ca in grasses and 87% in nongrasses as a result of liming up to 8.4 t ha^-1. Concentrations of Mn decreased by 37% in grasses and by 33% in nongrasses. However, liming did not result in any increase in the primary production of either grasses or nongrasses. Irrigation during the dry season did not alter soil pH, nutrient availability in the soil or foliar concentrations of nutrients in grasses and nongrasses. Irrigation during the dry season increased the live aerial biomass of grasses by an average of 41% over the experimental period but not that of the nongrasses.