Use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict nitrogen uptake by winter wheat within fields with high variability in organic matter

In this study, the ability to predict N-uptake in winter wheat crops using NIR-spectroscopy on soil samples was evaluated. Soil samples were taken from unfertilized plots in one winter wheat field for three years (1997–1999) and in another winter wheat field nearby for one year (2000). Soil samples were analyzed for organic C content and their NIR-spectra. N-uptake was measured as total N-content in aboveground plant materials at harvest. Models calibrated to predict N-uptake were internally cross-validated and validated across years and across fields. Cross-validated calibrations predicted N-uptake with an average error of 12.1 to 15.4 kg N ha⁻¹. The standard deviation divided by this error (RPD) ranged between 1.9 and 2.5. In comparison, the corresponding calibrations based on organic C alone had an error from 11.7 to 28.2 kg N ha⁻¹ and RPDs from 1.3 to 2.5. In three of four annual calibrations within a field, the NIR based calibrations worked better than the organic C based calibrations. The prediction of N-uptake across years, but within a field, worked slightly better with an organic C based calibration than with a NIR based one, RPD = 1.9 and 1.7, respectively. Across fields, the corresponding difference was large in favour of the NIR-calibration, RPD = 2.5 for the NIR-calibration and 1.5 for the organic C calibration. It was concluded that NIR-spectroscopy integrates information about organic C with other relevant soil components and therefore has a good potential to predict complex functions of soils such as N-mineralization. A relatively good agreement of spectral relationships to parameters related to the N-mineralization of datasets across the world suggests that more general models can be calibrated.     

Restoring natural seepage conditions on former agricultural grasslands does not lead to reduction of organic matter decomposition and soil nutrient dynamics

In the central part of the Netherlands, wetland restoration projects involve the rewetting of former agricultural land, where low water levels were artificially maintained (polders). Many of these projects do not result in the expected reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus availability and subsequent re-establishment of a diverse wetland vegetation. The aim of the present study was to investigate which mechanisms are responsible for this lack of success. Thereto, we studied the effect of rewetting of former agricultural grasslands on acidified peat soil (pH = 3.5) on organic matter decomposition, nitrogen cycling and phosphorus availability in the soil for three seasons. To provide an explanation for the observed effects, we simultaneously studied a set of potentially controlling abiotic soil conditions that were expected to change after rewetting. It was found that rewetting of these grasslands with natural, unpolluted seepage water did not affect nitrogen cycling, but raised decomposition rates and almost doubled phosphorus availability. The main cause of these effects is a raise of soil pH to about 7 due to the hydrochemical composition of the soil pore water after rewetting, which reflects groundwater with high amounts of buffering ions. This effect overruled any reduction in process rates by the lowered soil redox potential. The counterintuitive finding of eutrophication after rewetting with natural and unpolluted water is considered to represent a new form of internal eutrophication, triggered by the restoration of natural site conditions of former agricultural land on acid peat soil.     

Near infrared spectroscopy and aquaphotomics: Novel approach for rapid in vivo diagnosis of virus infected soybean

Near infrared spectroscopy with aquaphotomics as a novel approach was assessed for the diagnosis of soybean plants (Glycine max) infected with soybean mosaic virus (SMV) at latent symptomless stage of the disease. Near infrared (NIR) leaf spectra (in the range of 730-1025 nm) acquired from soybean plants with and without the inoculation of SMV were used. Leaf samples from all plants were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to confirm the infection. Previously reported NIR band for water at 970 nm and two new bands at 910 nm and 936 nm in the water specific region of NIR were found to be markedly sensitive to the SMV infection 2 weeks prior to the appearance of visual symptoms on infected leaves. The spectral calibration model soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), predicted the disease with 91.6% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity when the second order derivative of the individual plant averaged spectra were used. The study shows the potential of NIR spectroscopy with its novel approach to elucidate latent biochemical and biophysical information of an infection as it allowed successful discrimination of SMV infected plant from healthy at the early symptomless stage of the disease.     

Quantitative analysis of soil chemical properties with diffuse reflectance spectrometry and partial least-square regression: A feasibility study

Soil chemical properties from different locations in the Trier region, Rhineland-Palatinate, SW Germany were evaluated using VIS/NIR reflectance spectrometry (ASD FieldSpec-II spectrometer, 0.4–2.5 m) and partial least-square regression (PLS). Generally, laboratory spectrometry performed better than field spectrometry probably due to strong interferences of soil structure. In a plot experiment reliable estimations were obtained for total amounts of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and K but not for organic carbon and nitrogen. In the landscape-scale context the estimations for organic carbon could be significantly improved but it was also concluded that the development of statistical prediction models is limited to geologically homogeneous areas. In both experiments CAL extractable nutrients could not be satisfactorily estimated. This excludes diffuse VIS/NIR spectrometry as a diagnosis tool of short- or medium-term changes of the soil's nutrient status. However, the method can be used as a quick screening method in questions where the spatial distribution of organic carbon and total metal contents is addressed, as in soil development and soil degradation monitoring, and when time or laboratory costs are critical factors.     

Increased soil moisture content increases plant N uptake and the abundance of 15N in plant biomass

The natural abundance of ¹⁵N in plant biomass has been used to infer how N dynamics change with elevated atmospheric CO₂ and changing water availability. However, it remains unclear if atmospheric CO₂ effects on plant biomass ¹⁵N are driven by CO₂-induced changes in soil moisture. We tested whether ¹⁵N abundance (expressed as δ¹⁵N) in plant biomass would increase with increasing soil moisture content at two atmospheric CO₂ levels. In a greenhouse experiment we grew sunflower (Helianthus annuus) at ambient and elevated CO₂ (760 ppm) with three soil moisture levels maintained at 45, 65, and 85% of field capacity, thereby eliminating potential CO₂-induced soil moisture effects. The δ¹⁵N value of total plant biomass increased significantly with increased soil moisture content at both CO₂ levels, possibly due to increased uptake of ¹⁵N-rich organic N. Although not adequately replicated, plant biomass δ¹⁵N was lower under elevated than under ambient CO₂ after adjusting for plant N uptake effects. Thus, increases in soil moisture can increase plant biomass δ¹⁵N, while elevated CO₂ can decrease plant biomass δ¹⁵N other than by modifying soil moisture.     

Selenium uptake by plants as a function of soil type,organic matter content and pH

In pots containing sandy soils at two levels (pH 5 and 7) to which 0.5 mg Se L^-1 soil had been added, an increase in the proportion of clay soil or peat soil led to a decrease in the uptake of Se by spring wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L., var. Drabant) and winter rape plants (Brassica napus L., var. Emil). The effect was most pronounced for the smallest additions of clay and peat soils. Differences in Se uptake between the two pH levels were greatest in treatments where the additions of clay and peat soils were small. At the high pH, an increase in clay content from 7% to 39% resulted in a decrease in Se uptake of 79% for wheat and 70% for rape. At the low pH, the uptake decreased by 72% and 77%, respectively. At the higher pH, an increase in the content of organic matter from 1.4% to 39% resulted in decreases in Se uptake of 88% for wheat grain and 69% for rape. At the low pH, Se uptake decreased by 63% and 48%, respectively. Adding peat soil to clay soil had little effect on Se uptake. Among the limed, unmixed clay, sand and peat soils to which Se had not been added, uptake was highest from the sandy soil, i.e. 8.3 ng Se/g wheat grain and 42 ng Se/g rape. The lowest uptake rates were obtained in the clay soil, i.e. 3.0 ng Se/g for wheat grain and 9.0 ng Se/g for rape.     

Influence of clay mineral type and organic matter content on the uptake of239Pu and241Am by plants

Summary The uptake of²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Am from different clay mineral-organic matter-sand mixtures simulating contrasting soil types was examined in growth chamber experiments. The mixtures represented various combinations of organic matter (0, 5 and 10%), kaolinite (11 type) and montomorillonite (21 type) clay minerals, each at the levels of 5, 10 and 25%, and purified quartz sand (as filler).Results indicated a marked reduction in uptake of both²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Am with increase in organic matter as well as clay content of the mixtures. The Pu Concentration Ratios (CRs) ranged from (2.5–7.0)×10^–3 in the case of kaolinite-organic matter mixtures, and from (0.9–5.5)×10^–3 in the case of montmorillonite-organic matter mixtures. The corresponding values of Am Concentration Ratios (CRs) obtained were (1.9–725.4)×10^–3 in the case of kaolinite-organic matter mixtures, and between (0.7–3.5)×10^–3 for the montmorillonite-organic matter mixtures.Reduction in the uptake of²⁴¹Am with increasing clay content was more pronounced in the montmorillonite clay-organic matter mixtures as compared to that in the case of kaolinite-organic matter mixtures. While similar qualitative reduction in²³⁹Pu CRs with increasing clay content was observed, the reduction was less marked than in the case of²⁴¹Am. The values for Am CRs were higher than the corresponding Pu CRs in kaolinite based mixtures whereas in the case of montmorillonite-organic matter mixtures Pu CRs exceeded the Am CRs.Increasing organic matter content and its interaction with both kaolinite and montmorillonite clay minerals were found to be equally effective in reducing the uptake of²³⁹Pu as well as²⁴¹Am by plants.     

Dynamics of C, N, P and microbial community composition in particulate soil organic matter during residue decomposition

Decomposing residues can be an important source of nutrients for plants, especially of N and P, but the relationship between N and P release and microbial community dynamics have rarely been studied. Two pea (Pisum sativum L.) residues with contrasting chemical composition, shoots from flowering pea (Pea-Y) with 2.9 mg P and 36 mg N kg⁻¹ and from mature pea (Pea-M) with 0.3 mg P and 13 mg N kg⁻¹, were added at a rate of 20 g kg soil⁻¹ to a sandy soil low in nutrients. Particulate organic matter (POM) was isolated on days (d) 0, 5, 15, 28, 42 and 61 after residue addition and analysed for C, N, P and microbial community structure (fatty acid methyl ester analysis). The recovery of POM from residue-amended soils decreased over time to 30–40% of added amounts for both residues. Apart from d 0, the N concentration in POM was lower in residue-amended soil than in the control. Due to a rapid decrease in P concentration during the first 5 days in Pea-Y and a slow increase over the whole experiment in Pea-M, P concentrations in POM on d 61 were similar in all treatments. In Pea-Y, the dynamics of C, N and P were coupled, with amounts of C, N and P decreasing during the first 15 days and remaining stable thereafter. In Pea-M, a steady loss of C from POM was contrasted by a slight increase in P. As a result, the C/P ratio decreased from 1,330 on d 0 to 390 on d 61. The C/N ratio of Pea-M decreased only during the second phase of decomposition. The different nutrient dynamics in Pea-Y and Pea-M led to similar amounts of N and P in POM towards the end of the incubation. Microbial community composition in the POM in Pea-Y and Pea-M remained distinct from the control, even though it changed over time. POM was shown to be an important source of potentially available nutrients after addition of plant residues. In the unamended soil, stable nutrient amounts in POM suggested very low net nutrient release from native POM compared to POM after residue addition.     

Nitrogen deposition effects on soil organic matter chemistry are linked to variation in enzymes,ecosystems and size fractions

Recent research has dramatically advanced our understanding of soil organic matter chemistry and the role of N in some organic matter transformations, but the effects of N deposition on soil C dynamics remain difficult to anticipate. We examined soil organic matter chemistry and enzyme kinetics in three size fractions (>250 μm, 63–250 μm, and <63 μm) following 6 years of simulated atmospheric N deposition in two ecosystems with contrasting litter biochemistry (sugar maple, Acer saccharum—basswood, Tilia americana and black oak, Quercus velutina—white oak, Q. alba). Ambient and simulated (80-kg NO₃ ⁻–N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) atmospheric N deposition were studied in three replicate stands in each ecosystem. We found striking, ecosystem-specific effects of N deposition on soil organic matter chemistry using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. First, furfural, the dominant pyrolysis product of polysaccharides, was significantly decreased by simulated N deposition in the sugar maple–basswood ecosystem (15.9 vs. 5.0%) but was increased by N deposition in the black oak–white oak ecosystem (8.8 vs. 24.0%). Second, simulated atmospheric N deposition increased the ratio of total lignin derivatives to total polysaccharides in the >250 μm fraction of the sugar maple–basswood ecosystem from 0.9 to 3.3 but there were no changes in other size classes or in the black oak–white oak ecosystem. Third, simulated N deposition increased the ratio of lignin derivatives to N-bearing compounds in the 63–250 and >250 μm fractions in both ecosystems but not in the <63 μm fraction. Relationships between enzyme kinetics and organic matter chemistry were strongest in the particulate fractions (>63 μm) where there were multiple correlations between oxidative enzyme activities and concentrations of lignin derivatives and between glycanolytic enzyme activities and concentrations of carbohydrates. Within silt-clay fractions (<63 μm), these enzyme-substrate correlations were attenuated by interactions with particle surfaces. Our results demonstrate that variation in enzyme activity resulting from atmospheric N deposition is directly linked to changes in soil organic matter chemistry, particularly those that occur within coarse soil size fractions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Soil retention of 15N in a simulated N deposition study: effects of live plant and soil organic matter content

Background and aims

The impacts of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on terrestrial ecosystem processes remain controversial, mostly because of the uncertainty regarding the fates of deposited N. We conducted a 16-week simulated deposition study to experimentally trace N in a greenhouse plant-soil system.

Methods

Using a two-way factorial design, we added (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ solution twice a week to pots containing different soil organic matter (SOM) content and with or without a live plant (Salix dasyclados). The recoveries of ¹⁵N in soil, plant biomass, and leaching solution were quantified.

Results

We found most ¹⁵N was retained in soil (18.0–59.2%), with significantly more ¹⁵N recovered from high-SOM soils than from low-SOM soils. Plant presence significantly increased ¹⁵N retention in soil. Plant biomass accounted for 10–20% of the ¹⁵N input, with proportionally more ¹⁵N assimilated when plants were grown in low-SOM soils. Leaching loss of ¹⁵N was relatively low (10–17%).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that SOM content and plant presence significantly affect the fates of deposited N. Indeed, N would be preferentially retained in soils with high SOM content and live plant, while plants would assimilate more deposited N when grown in low SOM soils. Global biogeochemical models thus need to incorporate such soil-specific N retention and plant N assimilation.     

Hemoglobin plus myoglobin concentrations and near infrared light pathlength in phantom and pig hearts determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

To noninvasively determine absolute concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) plus myoglobin (Mb) in cardiac tissue by means of regular near infrared (NIR) light diffuse reflectance measurements, a first derivative approach was applied. The method was developed to separately calculate oxygenated and deoxygenated [Hb + Mb] as well as an effective pathlength, which NIR light passes through in the tissue between optodes. Applying a cotton wool-based phantom, which mimics muscle tissue, it was shown that the intensity of the pseudo-optical density first derivative depends linearly on both oxygenated and deoxygenated Hb concentration, thereby validating the Lambert-Beer law in the range of 0 to 0.25 mM tetrameric Hb. A high correlation (R = 0.995) was found between concentrations of Hb loaded onto the phantom and those determined spectrophotometrically, thereby verifying the first derivative method validity. The efficiency of the method was tested using in vivo pig hearts prior to and after ischemia initiated experimentally by left anterior descending artery branches occlusion. The results showed that the total [Hb + Mb] was 0.9-1.2 mM heme, the average tissue oxygen saturation was approximately 70% (which reduced to nearly 0% after occlusion), and the NIR (700-965 nm) light pathlength was 2.3 mm (differential pathlength factor [DPF] = 2.7-2.8) in a living heart tissue.     

A comparison of direct and indirect 15N isotope techniques for estimating crop N uptake from organic residues

Experiments were carried out to compare the direct approach for estimating crop N uptake from ¹⁵N labelled organic inputs, to two indirect approaches, ¹⁵N isotope dilution and A value. In the first experiment soils received 25, 50, 75, or 100 mg N kg soil⁻¹ in the form of Casuarina equisitifolia residues in addition to ammonium sulphate fertiliser, to give a total of 100 mg N kg soil⁻¹ added. This was a cross labelling design, thus two matching sets of treatments, were set up, identical in all but the position of the ¹⁵N label. Maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in the soils amended with residues for 11 weeks and N derived from residues (Ndfr) estimated using the A-value or the direct approach. The A-value approach appeared to significantly overestimate %Ndfr compared to the direct method. In the second experiment contrasting residues were added to soil, fababean (Vicia faba L. var. minor), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), soyabean fixing, (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), soyabean non-fixing, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and maize. This was also cross-labelling design, labelled and unlabelled residues were used. Maize plants were grown in these soils for 11 weeks and %Ndfr in the maize plants estimated using ¹⁵ N isotope dilution and the direct approach. The ¹⁵ N isotope dilution approach also overestimated %Ndfr compared to the direct method in this experiment. Pool substitution appeared to be responsible for the discrepancy between the direct and indirect techniques. It was concluded that ¹⁵N isotope dilution and A-value approaches as used in these experiments (i.e where residues and ¹⁵N label are added simultaneously) were not appropriate techniques for estimating N derived from organic residues in soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of near infra-red spectroscopy, neutral detergent fibre assay and in-vitro organic matter digestibility assay for rapid determination of the biochemical methane potential of meadow grasses

This paper investigates near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) as an indirect and rapid method to assess the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of meadow grasses. Additionally analytical methods usually associated with forage analysis, namely, the neutral detergent fibre assay (NDF), and the in-vitro organic matter digestibility assay (IVOMD), were also tested on the meadow grass samples and the applicability of the models in predicting the BMP was studied. Based on these, regression models were obtained using the partial least squares (PLS) method. Various data pre-treatments were also applied to improve the models. Compared to the models based on the NDF and IVOMD predictions of BMP, the model based on the NIRS prediction of BMP gave the best results. This model, with data pre-processed by the mean normalisation method, had an R² value of 0.69, a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 37.4 and a residual prediction deviation (RPD) of 1.75.     

NIR spectroscopy,mineral nitrogen analysis and soil incubations for the prediction of crop uptake of nitrogen during the growing season

To predict the amount of N taken up in above-ground plant parts during the growing season, initial mineral soil N, a soil incubation method, soil organic matter and NIR data were compared as predictors. Soil samples were taken from 15 plots cropped with winter wheat on a farm in south-western Sweden. The plots were not fertilized with N during the 1997 growing season. N contents in above-ground plant parts were measured in mid-June and in mid-August. All methods were capable of predicting the crop uptake of N reasonably well. NIR data gave at least as good predictions as the best traditional method, initial soil NO₃-N. The most important wavelengths, around 1400 and 1700 nm, and above 2000 nm, coincide with the wavelengths reported earlier to be important for the prediction of soil organic matter. However, the data suggest that other soil components influencing mineralization are also spectrally active. Since very few samples were taken, the studies need to be extended in order to be able to use the method in practice. It is recommended that further studies be instigated for the possibility of using the same NIR calibration over several years and to clarify the spatial regions that the calibrations can cover. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Near infrared spectroscopy compared to liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis as a detection tool for peptide reaction monitoring

Peptide interaction is normally monitored by liquid chromatography (LC), liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), mass spectrometric (MS) methods such as MALDI-TOF/MS or capillary electrophoresis (CE). These analytical techniques need to apply either high pressure or high voltages, which can cause cleavage of newly formed bondages. Therefore, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is presented as a rapid alternative to monitor the interaction of glutathione and oxytocin, simulating physiological conditions. Thereby, glutathione can act as a nucleophile with oxytocin forming four new conjugates via a disulphide bondage. Liquid chromatography coupled to UV (LC-UV) and mass spectrometry via an electrospray ionisation interface (LC-ESI-MS) resulted in a 82% and a 78% degradation of oxytocin at pH 3 and a 5% and a 7% degradation at pH 6.5. Capillary electrophoresis employing UV-detection (CE-UV) showed a 44% degradation of oxytocin. LC and CE in addition to the NIRS are found to be authentic tools for quantitative analysis. Nevertheless, NIRS proved to be highly suitable for the detection of newly formed conjugates after separating them on a thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate. The recorded fingerprint in the near infrared region allows for a selective distinct qualitative identification of conjugates without the need for expensive instrumentation such as quadrupole or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers. The performance of the established NIRS method is compared to LC and CE; its advantages are discussed in detail.     

Longitudinal and seasonal variation of stream N uptake in an urbanizing watershed: effect of organic matter, stream size, transient storage and debris dams

We examined seasonal and spatial linkages between N cycling and organic matter for a suburban stream in Maryland and addressed the question: How do longitudinal NH₄ ⁺ uptake patterns vary seasonally and what is the effect of organic matter, stream size, transient storage and debris dams? We applied a longitudinal (stream channel corridor) approach in a forested stream section and conducted short-term nutrient addition experiments (adapted to account for the effect of nutrient saturation) covering 14–16 reaches, and compared two distinct seasons (late fall 2003 and late summer 2004). Longitudinal NH₄ ⁺ uptake rate patterns had a distinct seasonal reversal; fall had the highest uptake rates in the upper reaches, while summer had the highest uptake rates in the lower reaches. This seasonal reversal was attributed to organic matter and evidenced by DON patterns. Transient storage did not have an expected effect on uptake rates in fall because it was confounded by leaf litter; litter produced higher uptakes, but also may have reduced transient storage. In summer however, uptake rates had a positive correlation with transient storage. Debris dams had no distinct effect on uptake in fall because of their recent formation. In summer however, the debris dam effect was significant; although the debris dams were hydraulically inactive then, the upstream reaches had 2–5 fold higher uptake rates. The seasonal and longitudinal differences in NH₄ ⁺ uptake reflect interactions between flow conditions and the role of organic matter. Urbanization can alter both of these characteristics, hence affect stream N processing.     

Misconceptions and practical problems in the use of 15N soil enrichment techniques for estimating N2 fixation

The ¹⁵N methods are potentially accurate for measuring N₂ fixation in plants. The only problem with those methods is, how to ensure that the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio in the plant accurately reflects the integrated ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio (R) in soil which is variable in time and with soil depth. However, the consequences of using an inappropriate reference plant vary with the level of N₂ fixation and the conditions under which the study was made. For example, the errors introduced into the values of N₂ fixation are higher at low levels of fixation, and decrease with increasing rates of fixation. At very high N₂ fixation rates, the errors are often insignificant. Also, the magnitude of error is proportional to the rate of decline of the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio with time. Since N₂ fixation in most plants would be expected to below 60%, the question of how to select a good reference plant is still pertinent. In this paper, we have discussed some of the criteria to adopt in selecting reference plants, e.g. how to ensure that the reference plant is not fixing N₂, is absorbing most of its N from the same zone as the fixing plant, and in the same pattern with time, etc. In addition, we have discussed ¹⁵N labelling materials and methods that are likely to minimize any errors even when the fixing and reference plants don't match well in certain important criteria. The use of slow release ¹⁵N fertilizer or ¹⁵N labelled plant materials results in slow changes in the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio of soil, and is strongly recommended. Where ¹⁵N inorganic fertilizers are used, the application of the fertilizer in small splits at various intervals is recommended over a one-time application. The problem with the reference crop, which has sometimes discouraged potential users of the ¹⁵N methods, is surmountable, as discussed in this paper.     

Photosynthesis and reflectance indices for rainforest species in ecosystems undergoing progression and retrogression along a soil fertility chronosequence in New Zealand

Measurements of photosynthesis at saturating irradiance and CO₂ partial pressure, A _max, “adjusted” normalised difference vegetation index, R _aNDVI, and photochemical reflectance index, R _PRI, were made on trees sampled along a soil chronosequence to investigate the relationship between carbon uptake and ecosystem development in relation to nutrient availability. Measurements were made on the three most dominant species at six sites along the sequence in South Westland, New Zealand with soil age ranging from <6 to 120,000 years resulting from the retreat of the Franz Josef glacier. The decrease in soil phosphorus availability with increasing soil age and high soil nitrogen availability at the two youngest sites, due to the presence of a nitrogen-fixing species, provided marked differences in nutrient availability. Mean A _max was high at the two youngest sites, then decreased markedly with increasing site age. Analysis of the data for individual species within sites revealed separation of groups of species in the response of A _max to N _m and P _m, suggesting complex interactions between the two nutrients. There were strong linear relationships for leaf-level R _aNDVI and R _PRI with A _max, at high irradiance, showing that measurements of reflectance indices can be used to estimate A _max for foliage with a range in morphology and nutrient concentrations. Notwithstanding the change in species composition from angiosperms to conifers with increasing site age, the presence of nitrogen-fixing species, the variability in foliage morphology from flat leaves to imbricate scales and a wide range in foliar nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, there were strong positive linear relationships between site average A _max and foliage nitrogen, N _m, and phosphorus, P _m, concentrations on a foliage mass basis. The results provide insights to interpret the regulation of photosynthesis across natural ecosystems with marked gradients in nitrogen and phosphorus availability.     

A simple model for estimating the contribution of nitrogen mineralization to the nitrogen supply of crops from a stabilized pool of soil organic matter and recent organic input

A simple model was developed to estimate the contribution of nitrogen (N) mineralization to the N supply of crops. In this model the soil organic matter is divided into active and passive pools. Annual soil mineralization of N is derived from the active pool. The active pool comprises stabilized and labile soil organic N. The stabilized N is built up from accumulated inputs of fresh organic N during a crop rotation but the labile N is a fraction of total N added, which mineralizes faster than the stabilized N. The passive pool is considered to have no participation in the mineralization process. Mineralization rates of labile and stabilized soil organic N from different crop residues decomposing in soil were derived from the literature and were described by the first-order rate equation dN/dt =-K*N, where N is the mineralizable organic N from crop residues andK is a constant. The data were groupedK ₁ by short-term (0–1 year) andK ₂ by long-term (0–10 years) incubation. Because the range of variation inK ₂ was smaller than inK ₁ we felt justified in using an average value to derive N mineralization from the stabilized pool. The use of a constant rate ofK ₁ was avoided so net N mineralization during the first year after addition is derived directly from the labile N in the crop residues. The model was applied to four Chilean agro-ecosystems, using daily averages of soil temperature and moisture. The N losses by leaching were also calculated. The N mineralization varied between 30 and 130 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 depending on organic N inputs. Nitrogen losses by leaching in a poorly structured soil were estimated to be about 10% of total N mineralized. The model could explain the large differences in N- mineralization as measured by the potential N mineralization at the four sites studied. However, when grassland was present in the crop rotation, the model underestimated the results obtained from potential mineralization.     

Zinc sources for rice in soil at different moisture regimes and organic matter levels

Summary Laboratory incubation experiment was conducted with a clay loam alluvial lowland rice soil to study the relative effectiveness of two sources of Zn (ZnEDTA and ZnSO₄) in maintaining Zn availability in soil under two moisture regimes (saturated and waterlogged) both in presence as well as absence of added organic matter. The results showed that ZnEDTA was always more effective than ZnSO₄ in maintaining higher amount of zinc in available form in soil for a longer perid. Results of greenhouse experiment conducted with rice showed that concentration and uptake of Zn by roots were generally higher with ZnEDTA than with ZnSO₄ both in presence and absence of added organic matter, whereas in respect of shoot this was true only in absence of added organic matter.