Effect of calcium carbonate and organic matter on the growth and concentration of iron and manganese in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Summary The effect of CaCO₃ and organic matter on the availability of iron and manganese was studied on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Addition of calcium carbonate caused significant decrease in dry matter and grain yield. But yields tended to increase with the addition of organic matter at the rate of 15 t/ha. The iron concentration decreased with the addition of CaCO₃ at all the stages of crop growth. Like iron, concentration of manganese also decreased with the increase in added CaCO₃. Organic matter increased the iron concentration both at seedling and flowering stage. The concentration of manganese was, however, dependent on the stage of the crop.     

Effect of farm yard manure and iron on dry matter yield and nutrients uptake by oats (Avena sativa)

A pot culture experiment was conducted on a loamy sand soil to study the effect of FYM and Fe on dry matter yield and uptake of nutrients by oats (Avena sativa) crop in green-house. Application of Fe @ 5 and 20 ppm increased dry matter yield by 5.11 and 11.55 per cent, respectively. The per cent increase in dry matter yield over control with the application of 0.5 and 1.0 percent FYM was 19.06 and 30.07, respectively. Application of FYM increased concentration and uptake of P significantly. Phosphorus uptake increased by 23.60, 54.38, 91.01 and 134.61 per cent over control with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 per cent FYM, respectively. Phosphorus concentration decreased at 20 ppm Fe but uptake increased significantly at 5 ppm Fe. Concentration and uptake of Ca increased with increasing amounts of Fe and application of FYM decreased concentration of Ca but uptake increased upto 1.0 per cent FYM over control. The Mg concentration and uptake decreased significantly with increased amount of Fe. Application of FYM also decreased Mg concentration but its uptake increased upto 1.0 per cent FYM and then decreased.Iron concentration and uptake increased upto 2 per cent FYM and then decreased. Whereas concentration of Fe decreased with increased amount of applied Fe but its uptake increased nonsignificantly with increased amount of added Fe.Managenese concentration and uptake decreased significantly with increased amount of applied Fe. Managenese concentration increased upto 0.5 per cent FYM but its uptake continued increasing with increasing amounts of applied FYM.     

Effect of salinity,alkalinity and iron application on the availability of iron,manganese, phosphorus and sodium in pea (Pisum sativum L.) crop

Summary The effect of the salinity, alkalinity and Fe application on the dry matter yield and availability of Fe, Mn, P and Na were studied in the greenhouse on pea (Pisum sativum L.) crop. The highest dry matter yield was recorded in normal soil which decreased with the increase in the salinity and alkalinity, minimum being at 40 ESP. Alkalinity was more harmful to pea crop than salinity.Fe at 10 ppm increased the dry matter yield significantly. Highest Fe concentration (408.12 ppm) was recorded in 40 ESP soil followed by 20 ESP (395.2 ppm). Salinity alongwith marginal or higher alkalinity reduced harmful effect of alkalinity. The uptake of Fe was the highest in normal soil due to the high dry matter yield. All the three sources increased the concentration of Fe and its uptake than the control in all the soils but did not show much distinction among themselves.The concentration of Mn decreased more with the increase in alkalinity than salinity but salinity with alkalinity improved Mn concentration. Similarly uptake of Mn also decreased sharply with the increase in salinity and alkalinity. The application of Fe sources decreased Mn concentration but increased the uptake. The highest decrease was caused with FeSO₄ and lowest with Fe rayplex.Like Mn the concentration and uptake of P decreased with the increased levels of salinity and alkalinity. The addition of Fe decreased the concentration of P, highest depression being with Fe KE-MIN.Increase in ESP increased the concentration and the uptake of Na greatly. Addition of Fe through all the sources increased Na concentration and uptake significantly but sources did not differ much in their effect on Na.     

Effect of zinc,phosphorus and nitrogen on tryptophan concentration in rice grains grown on limed and unlimed soils

Summary The effects of Zn, P, N and CaCO₃ on tryptophan concentration in rice grain were studied in greenhouse at Haryana Agricultural University. Zinc application upto 20 ppm increased tryptophan concentration in rice grain. Zn-EDTA gave highest increase followed by ZnSO₄ and then ZnO. Liming at the rate of 4 and 8 per cent decreased tryptophan concentration significantly. Phosphorus application upto 100 ppm also decreased tryptophan significantly but Zn in combination with P increased tryptophan and overcame negative effect of P. Nitrogen application upto 120 ppm increased tryptophan concentration. There was positive interaction between Zn and N. Ammonium sulphate gave highest tryptophan followed by ammonium nitrate and then urea. The tryptophan concentration ranged between 766 ppm and 2011 ppm in paddy grain. The lowest tryptophan concentration was in the plants treated with 8 per cent lime in absence of added Zn and highest with 10 ppm Zn through Zn-EDTA. Department of Soils.     

Effect of farm yard manure and CaCO3 on the dry matter yield and nutrient uptake by oats (Avena sativa)

A pot culture experiment was conducted in loamy sand soil to study the effect of different levels of FYM and CaCO₃ on the dry matter yield and nutrients uptake by oats. Application of different levels of CaCO₃ (0, 2, 4 and 8%) and FYM (0, 0.5, 1,2%) resulted in significant increase in dry matter yield of oats. But, a little decrease in dry matter yield was obtained at 4% FYM. The interaction of FYM×CaCO₃ was also significant on dry matter yield of oats. There was a significant decrease in the concentration and uptake of P with increased levels of applied CaCO₃. But, application of FYM resulted in a significant increase in concentration and uptake of P. A significant increase in concentration and uptake of Ca was observed with the increasing levels of CaCO₃. The concentration of Ca decreased with the increased application of FYM in the presence as well as in the absence of added CaCO₃. However, at 0.5 and 1.0 percent FYM with 4 per cent CaCO₃ a little increase in Ca concentration was recorded. The Mg concentration in oat decreased significantly with the increasing levels of CaCO₃ and FYM. The effect of CaCO₃ levels was more pronounced in the absence as well as in the presence of FYM. The Mg uptake followed a different pattern. At 0 and 2% CaCO₃ and application of FYM @ 1 per cent the Mg uptake increased but then it decreased with increasing levels of FYM and CaCO₃ both alone as well as in the presence of each other. The concentration and uptake of Mn decreased with increasing levels of applied CaCO₃. However, in the absence of CaCO₃, the application of FYM increased the concentration and uptake of M_n in oats. In the presence of CaCO₃, Mn concentration decreased at all levels of FYM application but at 8 per cent CaCO₃ there was a slight increase in Mn concentration with 0.5, 2 and 4 percent FYM. Iron concentration and uptake was also affected adversely by increasing levels of CaCO₃ but FYM application removed the harmful effect of CaCO₃ to some extent.     

Yield of submerged paddy and uptake of Zn,P and N as affected by liming and Zn fertilizers

The effects of CaCO₃, Zn sources and levels on the yield of submerged paddy and uptake of Zn, P and N to paddy were studied in green-house at Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar. Powdered CaCO₃ was mixed at 0,4 and 8 per cent and Zn was added at 0,5 and 10 ppm through ZnSO₄.7H₂O, ZnO and Zn EDTA separately. Dry weight at tillering and heading and grain and straw at maturity decreased significantly with 4 and 8 per cent CaCO₃ in comparison to the control. Increasing Zn application increased the dry weight and grain yield. Zn EDTA gave highest yield of paddy followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO.Increasing the application of CaCO₃ from 0–8 per cent decreased the concentration and uptake of Zn and increasing Zn application from 0–10 ppm increased concentration and uptake of Zn in paddy at tillering, heading and maturity. Zn EDTA gave the highest concentration and uptake of Zn followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO. There was interaction between Zn sources and CaCO₃.The concentration and uptake of N and P in paddy dry matter at tillering and heading and straw and grain at maturity decreased as compared to control with increasing CaCO₃ addition. The concentration and uptake of N increased and that of P decreased in paddy dry matter straw and grain with increasing Zn application. The highest concentration of N was observed with ZnO, followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and Zn EDTA. But highest uptake of N was observed with Zn EDTA followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and ZnO. As regards concentration and uptake of P, it was highest with ZnO followed by ZnSO₄.7H₂O and Zn EDTA.     

Growth and ion uptake by maize seedlings on solutions variable in calcium and flow rate

Summary Growth and ion uptake by maize seedlings was studied as functions of calcium concentration and rate of flow of nutrient solutions. With calcium concentrations established at 1, 10, and 100 ppm Ca, all other nutrients being kept at constant concentration, the solutions passed through narrow culture trays at velocities of 2, 8, and 24 liter/day.Fresh and dry weights of seedlings increased as the concentration of calcium increased from 1 to 10 or 100 ppm for any value ofV.Positive response in the plant calcium content was particularly noticed when Ca increased to 100 ppm in the nutrient solution. Phosphorus content of tops decreased with increasing (Ca) in the nutrient solution, while the other elements were more or less unaffected. In the case of roots, phosphorus was generally increased, iron decreased and potassium showed inconsistent trends.Estimates of the uptake efficiency relative to calcium were made by calculating the ratio of the amount of calcium taken up by the entire seedling to the product of calcium concentration and daily flow rate of the solution. It appears that the uptake efficiency diminishes with increasing flow rate. Other instances points to the maintenance of the same uptake efficiency as (Ca) increased with the decreasingV or vice versa. These observations point to the critical nature of environmental factors on the effective contacts between supply and uptake belts that have been adopted as model in this study.     

Effect of CaC03 and iron application on the availability of manganese in light-textured soil

The effect of added CaCO₃ and iron as ferrous sulphate on the availability of various forms of manganese in light-textured soil was studied in laboratory at room temperature. All forms of manganese decrease with increase in added CaCO₃ upto 16%. Application of iron as ferrous sulphate also decreased all forms of manganese. The addition of iron and CaCO₃ together showed additive negative effect on the forms of manganese through various reactions. The increase in the time of incubation decreases manganese extracted with all forms of extractants due to oxidation and hydration of manganese to higher insoluble oxides and hydroxides. Ammoni um acetate (pH 7.0) + 0.1 % hydroquinone extracted highest amount of manganese by reducing some of the higher oxides along with lower oxides.     

Self-diffusion of zinc and iron in soils as affected by pH,CaCO3, moisture,carrier and phosphorus levels

Summary Self-diffusion coefficients of zinc and iron were determined in acid soil of Palampur and alluvial soil of Ludhiana under varying pH, CaCO₃, moisture, carrier and phosphorus levels. Increase in pH caused tremendous reductions in self-diffusion coefficients (D_a) of both zinc and iron in soil. The selfdiffusion coefficients of both these elements were drastically reduced as a result of CaCO₃ application. The D_a values of zinc and iron increased with the decrease in moisture tension and increase in carrier and phosphorus levels. The decrease in D_a values were associated with increase in capacity factor.     

Effect of iron plaque outside roots on nutrient uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.): Phosphorus uptake

Under anaerobic conditions, ferric hydroxide deposits on the surface of rice roots have been shown to affect the uptake of some nutrients. In the present experiment, different amount of this iron plaque were induced on the roots of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. TZ88-145) by supplying different Fe(OH)₃ concentrations in nutrient solutions, and the effect of the iron plaque on phosphorus uptake was investigated. Results showed that 1) iron plaque adsorbed phosphorus from the growth medium, and that the amount of phosphorus adsorbed by the plaque was correlated with the amount of plaque; 2) the phosphorus concentration in the shoot increased by up to 72% after 72 h at concentration of Fe(OH)₃ in the nutrient solution from 0 to 30 mg Fe/L, corresponding with amounts of iron plaque from 0.2 to 24.5 mg g^-1 (root d. wt); 3) the phosphorus concentration in the shoots of rice with iron plaque was higher than that without iron plaque though the concentration in the shoot decreased when Fe(OH)₃ was added at 50 mg Fe/L producing 28.3 mg g^-1 (root d. wt) of plaque; and 4) the phosphorus concentrations in Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient rice plants with iron plaque were the same, although phytosiderophores were released from the Fe-deficient roots. The phytosiderophores evidently did not mobilise phosphorus adsorbed on plaque. The results suggest that iron plaque on rice plant roots might be considered a phosphorus reservoir. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of algal growth on the availability of phosphorus,iron and manganese in rice soils

Summary Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of algal growth on the change of (I) pH, (II) available phosphorus and (III) solubility of iron and manganese content in five waterlogged alluvial rice soils of West Bengal, India. The results showed that the algal growth initially caused an increase in the soil pH, which later declined to the original value in some of the soils. The available phosphorus content decreased upto 90 days of their growth and began to increase towards the later period of incubation. The drastic fall of water soluble plus exchaneable manganese content of the soils due to algal growth was accompanied by similar increase in reducible manganese content. No appreciable change in water soluble plus exchangeable ferrous iron content was encountered but theN-NH₄OAC(pH 3) extractable iron due to algal growth progressively decreased with the progress of the incubation period.     

Preliminary investigations on available and potentially available phosphorus using electro-ultrafiltration (EUF)

Summary Preliminary investigations were carried out on calcareous silty loam (clay content 25%, pH 8.0) at the Cotton Research Institute, Multan to determine the solubility and desorption rates of phosphorus at various soil depths throughout the cotton growing season using the EUF technique. The treatments included two applications of single superphosphate, equivalent to 0, 75, 150, 250 and 350 kg P₂O₅/ha. There was no significant difference in seed cotton yield between the five treatments. EUF-extracted phosphorus decreased with depth in all samples. There was an increase in phosphorus concentration during the growing season, but most of the increase was noted in the slowly available phosphorus fraction (10–30 minutes EUF aliquots). This was attributed to continuous transformation of phosphorus into less soluble calcium phosphate forms. The available phosphorus fraction (0–10 minute EUF aliquots) remained small throughout the growing season. It was concluded that this fraction was in equilibrium with the slowly available phosphorus fraction and was continually being replenished as crop uptake continued. A high level of effectively available phosphorus (0–30 minute EUF aliquots) was recovered in all five treatments and was above the sufficiency level of 12 ppm phosphorus reported by Nemeth and Makhdam⁷. There was therefore no difference between treatments in phosporus concentration nor in phosphorus uptake by plants. This work was carried out under UNDP/FAO Project-PAK 73/026     

Maltobionic acid enhances intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats

ABSTRACT

In Experiment 1, the effects of calcium maltobionate (MBCa) on calcium and magnesium absorption were examined using male rats. Four diets were designed in which 25%, 50%, and 100% of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃, Control) were substituted with MBCa and were designated as MBCa-25, MBCa-50, and MBCa-100, respectively. The cecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids was significantly higher in groups MBCa-50 and MBCa-100; however, pH of cecal contents did not significantly differ among the groups. Retention rates of calcium and magnesium were significantly higher in all MBCa groups as compared to the Control. In Experiment 2, the efficiency of calcium absorption was compared using everted sacs of jejunum and ileum with CaCO₃ and MBCa as calcium sources. More calcium from MBCa was absorbed as the concentration of calcium increased in comparison to CaCO₃. It was concluded that MBCa is a better calcium source than CaCO₃ in terms of both calcium retention and absorption.

Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; Ca: Calcium; CaCO_3: calcium carbonate; ICP-OES: Inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer; Mg: magnesium; MBCa: calcium maltobionate; OCPC: o-cresolphthalein complexone; SCFAs: short-chain fatty acids; SE: standard error; TRPM6: transient receptor potential melastatin 6.     

The improvement of glucose/xylose fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum using calcium carbonate

Batch fermentation of 60g/l glucose/xylose mixture by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was investigated on complex culture medium. Different proportions of mixtures, ranged between 10 and 50g of each sugar/l, were fermented during pH control at 4.8 (optimum pH for solventogenesis) or during CaCO₃ addition. Using xylose-pregrown cells and pH control, an important amount of xylose was left over at the end of the fermentation when the glucose concentration was higher than that of xylose. The addition of 10g of CaCO₃/l (to prevent the pH dropping below 4.8) increased xylose uptake: a substantial decrease of residual xylose was observed when xylose-pregrown cells as well as glucose-pregrown cells were used as inoculum for all the mixture proportions studied. MgCO₃ (Mg²⁺-containing compound) and CaCl₂ (Ca²⁺-containing compound) reduced residual xylose only during pH control at 4.8 by NaOH addition. As butanol is the major limiting factor of xylose uptake in C. acetobutylicum, fermentations were carried out with or without CaCO₃ in butanol-containing media or in iron deficient media (under iron limitation, butanol synthesis occurred early and could inhibit xylose uptake). Results showed that an excess of CaCOCaCO₃ could increase butanol tolerance which resulted in an increase in xylose utilization. This positive effect seem to be specific to Ca²⁺- or Mg²⁺-containing compounds, going beyond the buffering effect of carbonate.     

Studies on the nutrition of forage legumes

Summary Surface samples of six Ontario soils were selected to provide a range in pH, texture and carbonate content. Phosphorus was added to the soil samples at the rate of 200, and 2000 pounds. P₂O₅ per acre and the inorganic phosphates associated with aluminum (Al-P), iron (Fe-P) and calcium (Ca-P) were analysed 15, 30, and 335 days after treatment. Samples of the check soils were leached with the equivalent of 7 litres of soil-percolated water and then analysed for phosphate fractions. In 5 soils with added phosphorus the Al-P fraction increased at both rates of added phosphorus, Fe-P increased only at the higher rate of added phosphorus and Ca-P did not increase at either rate. In the sixth soil (69.9% CaCO₃ equivalent) Ca-P increased at both rates of added phosphorus, but proportionately less than the water-soluble phosphorus. These changes in phosphorus values existed relatively unchanged for 335 days after the addition of phosphorus. Leaching generally removed phosphorus from all phosphorus fraction. At or below pH 7.1 (soil paste) the Al-P decreased proportionately more than the Fe-P and Ca-P. Above pH 7.1 the Ca-P decreased proportionately more than the other two fractions upon leaching.Contribution from Dept. of Soil Science, O.A.C., Guelph, Canada. Part of thesis submitted by junior author to the Graduate School, University of Toronto, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the M.S.A. degree.     

Effects of boron deficiency and calcium supply on the calcium metabolism in tomato plant

Summary Tomato plants were grown in water-culture with a different supply of Ca (10, 100 ppm) and B (0, 0.2 ppm), and the effects of B deficiency on the translocation and subcellular distribution of Ca in tomato plants were studied by using⁴⁵CaCl₂ as a carrier of Ca. Boron deficiency slight increased the total Ca uptake by the plant and inhibited the Ca translocation to the upper leaves. The incorporation of⁴⁵Ca into the cell wall in the upper leaves was increased by B deficiency at both Ca levels. As Ca supply decreased, the distribution of⁴⁵Ca in the 1N NaCl fraction of the cell wall increased only at 0.2 ppm B. As B supply decreased, the distribution of⁴⁵Ca in the 0.6N HCl fraction increased at both Ca levels. These results suggest that B deficiency inhibit the translocation of Ca, and induce the abnormal changes of the Ca metabolism in the cell wall.     

Growth responses of rice in ammonium-based nutrient solution with variable calcium supply

It is commonly known that calcium promotes NO₃ ^- uptake in many crop species. However, calcium enhancement of NH₄ ⁺ uptake by plants has received little attention. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ca supplements on NH₄ ⁺ uptake and plant growth in solution cultured rice. Supplemental Ca applied at vegetative and reproductive phases of plant ontogeny tended to stimulate NH₄ ⁺ absorption, and accordingly resulted in a better straw and grain yield. However, excessively supplied Ca (400 ppm) was detrimental to plant growth. Increases in straw and grain yield observed at Ca levels up to 300 ppm were linked to the Ca-enhanced activities of glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco).     

White tea consumption slightly reduces iron absorption but not growth,food efficiency,protein utilization,or calcium,phosphorus, magnesium,and zinc absorption in rats

We investigated the antinutritional effect of white tea extract (0, 15, and 45 mg of the tea solid extract per kilogram body weight) incorporated in the drinking water of rats for 3 and 30 days. Gender-based differences were found for all these variables, except apparent protein digestibility and the apparent absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. White tea extract consumption did not significantly change body weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, apparent protein digestibility, nitrogen balance, or the apparent absorption of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Nevertheless, the apparent absorption of iron was slightly (15–18%) but significantly (P < 0.05) lower in rats that consumed white tea at the highest dose compared with the control groups at both 3 and 30 days. Our results suggest that the usual consumption of white tea is safe, although its effect on long-term iron absorption at high doses warrants more detailed investigation.     

Interaction effect of sulphur and phosphorus on growth and nutrient content of moong (Phaseolus aureus L.)

Summary Sulphur-phosphorus interaction has been studied in a greenhouse experiment on a soil, deficient both in S and P with moong (Phaseolus aureus) as the test crop. The treatments were in the factorial combination of five levels of S and P (0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ppm) applied as CaSO₄. 2H₂O and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂. H₂O respectively. A uniform treatment of N and K was made. The yield of vegetative tissues and grains increased with the application of S and P individually but decreased when S and P were applied in different combinations. Sulphur application increased S content but decreased P content in straw as well as in grains. Total P content increased with applied P and decreased with S application. Applied sulphur increased and phosphorus decreased the protein content in moong grains. Changes in N:S ratio in interaction was found to exist between S and P on the yield, grain quality, concentration and total removal of sulphur and phosphorus by Moong crop The antagonistic effect of sulphur and phosphorus fertilizer on the uptake and utilization of each other was more conspicuous when they were applied together. re]19760106     

The role of calcium in transferrin and iron uptake by reticulocytes

The possible role of calcium in the uptake of transferrin and iron by rabbit reticulocytes was investigated by altering cellular calcium levels through the use of the chelating agents EDTA and $\text{ethyleneglycol-bis}\text{-(3-}\text{aminoethylether}\text{)-N,N′-}\text{tetraacetic}$ acid (EGTA) and the ionophores, A23187 and X537A. Incubation of reticuloyctes with EDTA or EGTA at 4°C had no effect on transferrin and iron uptake but incubation at 37°C resulted in an irreversible inhibition associated with decreased adsorption of transferrin to the cells and evidence of inactivation or loss of the transferrin receptors. Transferrin and iron uptake were also inhibited when the cells were incubated with A23187 or X537A. In the case of A23187 the action was primarily exerted on the temperature-sensitive stage of transferrin uptake and was associated with loss of cellular K⁺ and decrease in cell size. The effect was greater when Ca²⁺ was added to the incubation medium than its absence. X537A produced relatively greater inhibition of iron uptake than of transferrin uptake, associated with a reduction in cellular ATP concentratio. The action of X537A was unaffected by the presence of Ca²⁺ in the incubation medium.The results obtained with EDTA and EGTA indicate that cell membrane Ca²⁺ is required for the integrity or binding of transferrin receptors to the reticulocyte membrane. No evidence was obtained from the experiments with ionophores that an increase of cellular Ca²⁺ affects transferrin and iron uptake directly. The inhibition caused by A23187 was mainly due to a reduction in cell size resulting from increased membrane permeability to K⁺ and that caused by X537A appeared to result from an inhibition of energy metabolism and ATP production.