Influence of sowing windows and genotypes on growth,radiation interception,conversion efficiency and yield of guar

Crop growth largely depends on radiation. Radiation is the main impetus for photosynthesis and movement of photosynthates from source to sink. Therefore, identification of the optimum sowing windows and suitable cultivars for efficient utilization of radiation is of prime importance. A field study was conducted in red clay soil during 2014 and 2015 Kharif season and the treatments consisted of three genotypes and three sowing windows by using randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of genotypes and sowing windows was found significant with respect to number of trifoliate leaves, leaf area ratio, dry matter production, grain numbers, pod length, test weight, grain yield, and stover yield of guar during 2014 as compared to 2015 sown crop. Statistically significant plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of branches, leaf area ratio, absolute growth rate, leaf area index, dry matter, grain number, pod length, grain yield, stover yield and a higher cumulative radiation interception were recorded with 15th August sown crop as compared to other sowing windows. The plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of branches, leaf area ratio, absolute growth rate, leaf area index, dry matter, grain number, pod length, grain yield, stover yield and maximum cumulative interception of radiation were significant with RGC-1003 as compared to RGC-936 and HG-365. It is observed that the incident PAR to dry matter accumulation conversion efficiency was varied with cultivars and different sowing windows which ranges from 0.74 g MJ⁻¹ to 0.79 g MJ⁻¹.     

Effects of sowing date and volunteers on the infectivity of soil infested with Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and on take-all disease in successive crops of winter wheat

In a field experiment on winter wheat, take‐all on plants and the infectivity of the soil were studied in crop sequences with different combinations of sowing dates. Take‐all was negligible in the first wheat crop, but thereafter the mean disease intensity (measured using a take‐all rating, TAR, with a maximum of 300) was 108, 190, 118 and 251 in the second to fifth successive crops. In each growing season, the disease differed amongst sequences and built up more rapidly and was more intense on plants sown in mid‐September than on plants sown in mid‐October. In late‐sown plots, where volunteers had been present during the mid‐September to mid‐October period, take‐all reached an intensity intermediate between that in early‐sown plots and that in late‐sown plots that had been kept free of volunteers. Volunteers, therefore, partially offset the expected beneficial effect of decreased disease with later sowing. Differences in take‐all amongst sequences were most pronounced in the second wheat crop and early sowing of the previous wheat increased intensity of disease. In the following (third) crop, differences in disease intensity amongst sequences were smaller. Soil infectivity (measured by seedling bioassay after harvest) built up progressively from a low level after the first crop to peak after the third crop. In this build‐up phase, soil infectivity estimates were always numerically greater after harvest of early‐sown treatments than after later‐sown treatments, although never significant at P= 0.05. The greatest difference (P= 0.06) was recorded in October before sowing of the third crop, where the comparison was between soil after two previous early sowings and soil after two previous later sowings and control of volunteers. In the same autumn, presence of green cover (i.e. volunteers) was associated with a smaller loss of soil infectivity between harvest and later sowing than occurred in an absence of green cover. In 2^nd–4^th crops, where comparisons were available and mean TARs indicated moderate levels of take‐all, sowing later had no yield benefit, despite more take‐all and greater soil infectivity associated with early sowing. Important considerations for the management of crops at risk of take‐all are 1) choosing appropriate sowing dates to minimize take‐all or to encourage take‐all decline and 2) controlling volunteers and weed hosts where crops are sown late to minimise take‐all.     

底墒与磷肥互作对春小麦产量形成的影响

研究了浇底墒水和施磷肥对春小麦产量形成的影响.实验设4个处理对照(CK);耕作层施磷(P);浇30 nm底墒水(W);施磷加浇30mm底墒水(PW).测定土壤含水量、根系生物量、地上生物量和测产等.结果表明,WP处理根重和中下层分配比例均较高.与W处理相比,WP处理利用底墒并没有增加,但水分利用效率和产量均增加.决定产量的主要因素是小麦早期小穗和小花形成的数量和质量.W和WP两个浇底墒水的处理,其土壤水分利用量平均为34.6 mm,略高于所浇的底墒水的量(30 mm).CK、P、W、WP等4个处理的籽粒产量分别为91 7.7,1191.1,2516.5,2734.1 kg/hrm2,水分利用效率分别为0.186,0.192,0.172,0.207 g/(mm.m2).     

深松与包膜尿素对玉米田土壤氮素转化及利用的影响

耕作方式和氮肥施用是影响土壤中氮肥转化、利用效率和作物产量的重要因素。通过夏玉米田的2a(2011—2012)定位试验,研究了两种耕作方式(深松、旋耕)配合不同尿素类型(包膜尿素、普通尿素)的施用对玉米田土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量、脲酶活性、硝化细菌和反硝化细菌数量、玉米产量以及氮肥农学效率的影响。研究结果表明:相同耕作方式下,包膜尿素处理土壤中脲酶活性较稳定,且增加了旱田土壤亚硝酸细菌数量而降低了反硝化细菌数量,有利于土壤硝态氮含量的提高,尤其是作物生长的中后期;包膜尿素处理的产量比普通尿素提高7.25%—10.82%,同时提高氮肥农学效率。深松处理增加了土壤中的反硝化细菌数量,配合施用包膜尿素进一步提高了土壤脲酶活性,增加了亚硝酸细菌数量;旋耕与包膜尿素配合施用在一段时期内能显著增加土壤硝态氮含量,减少反硝化细菌数量。深松配合包膜尿素处理能够显著的增加玉米产量,2a分别比旋耕配合包膜尿素增加1.41%和10.62%。因此,深松措施配合施用包膜尿素能够增强土壤脲酶活性,增加亚硝酸细菌数量,提高氮素转化速率,增加作物产量和氮肥农学效率,其稳产效果在干旱年份尤为显著。     

Nitrogen fertilization to optimize the greenhouse gas balance of hemp crops grown for biomass

Nitrogen trials were carried out on hemp crops grown in Ireland over a 3 year period to identify nitrogen fertilization strategies which optimize the greenhouse gas (GHG) and energy balances of hemp crops grown for biomass. Nitrogen rates up to 150 kg N ha^?1 were used in the study. Yield increased with nitrogen rate up to 120 kg N ha^?1 for early (Ferimon), mid (Felina 32) and late maturing (Futura 75) varieties. Variety had a significant effect on yield with yields increasing with maturation date. In 2 years of the study, certain application rates of nitrogen were applied either at sowing, at emergence, after emergence or split between these dates to determine if nitrogen rates could be reduced by delaying or splitting the applications. The application of nitrogen at times later than sowing or in splits during the early part of the growing season had no significant effect on biomass yield compared with the practice of applying nitrogen at the time of sowing. Late applications of nitrogen reduced leaf chlorophyll content and height early in the growing season. Later in the growing season, there was no difference in height between treatments although the highest concentrations of chlorophyll were found in the leaves of the late application treatment. Nitrogen rate and the timing of nitrogen application had no effect on plant density. Biomass yield, net energy and net GHG mitigation increased up to an application rate of 120 kg N ha^?1, this result was independent of soil type or soil nitrogen level. Net GHG and energy balance of hemp crops grown for biomass are optimized if late maturing varieties are used for biomass production and a nitrogen rate of 120 kg ha^?1 is applied at sowing.     

不同降雨年型磷肥对旱地小麦根系特征、磷素吸收利用和产量的影响

为了明确旱地小麦生育特性、养分运转对磷肥的响应机制,探索不同降雨年型旱地小麦磷肥施用技术,于2012-2016年在山西农业大学旱地小麦试验示范基地开展大田试验,研究不同降雨年型中4个施磷量(0、75、150和225 kg· hm-2)对旱地小麦根系生长、产量形成和磷肥利用的影响.结果 表明:与不施磷相比,施磷可以显著增...     

半湿润地区农田夏玉米氮肥利用率及土壤硝态氮动态变化

以土垫旱耕人为土为供试土壤,通过田间试验,研究了不同施氮量下（0、45、90、135和180 kg·hm^-2）夏玉米生育期土壤剖面NO₃^--N的变化特征、氮素利用率及施氮量与土壤NO^₃--N残留的关系.结果表明：在整个生育期内,土壤NO₃^--N含量均以0～20 cm土层最高,且施氮量越高,NO₃^--N含量也越高;0～60 cm土层NO₃^--N含量变化显著,60～100 cm土层NO₃^--N含量变化不大.夏玉米整个生育期,受玉米对氮素的需求和降雨的影响, 0～100 cm土层NO₃^--N累积量呈波动式降低趋势;当施氮量小于135 kg·hm^-2时,作物氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加而显著提高,但当施氮量超过135 kg·hm^-2时呈下降趋势. 氮肥农学利用率随施氮量的增加而减小,氮肥生理利用率随施氮量的增加而递增.土壤中残留NO₃^--N与施氮量呈极显著正线性相关关系 (R²=0.957^**,n=5);施氮处理籽粒产量显著高于不施氮处理(P<0.05）;施氮量与籽粒产量呈极显著正线性相关关系（R²=0.934^**,n=5）.在本试验条件下,夏玉米生长季适宜施氮量为135 kg·hm^-2.该施氮水平可保证效益和环境的双赢.     

施磷量与施磷深度对玉米-大豆套作系统磷素利用率及磷流失风险的影响

为充分发挥间套作种植体系磷素高效利用优势、降低土壤磷素流失,采用田间试验分析了3种施磷(P_2O_5)水平(CP:168 kg·hm^-2;RP_1:135 kg·hm^-2;RP_2:101 kg·hm^-2)与3个施磷深度(D_1:集中施在距离地面5 cm处;D_2:集中施在距离地面15 cm处;D_3:于距离地面5、15 cm处各施一半)处理下玉米-大豆套作系统作物地上部生物量、籽粒产量、植株吸磷量、土壤全磷与速效磷含量、磷吸附-解吸特征,以期为优化西南玉米-大豆套作系统磷素管理提供理论依据.结果表明:与对照不施磷处理(P_0)相比,各施磷处理显著增加了作物地上部生物量、籽粒产量、植株吸磷量、土壤全磷和速效磷含量.相同施肥深度下,处理RP_1与CP相比,作物籽粒产量差异不显著,但显著提高了植株地上部吸磷量,因此RP_1处理的磷素表观利用率显著高于CP处理.相同施磷量下,不同施磷深度间比较,作物地上部生物量、籽粒产量、植株吸磷量、土壤全磷和速效磷含量均以D_2处理最高.依据土壤磷的吸附-解吸特征参数可知,当施磷深度为D_2、施磷量为RP_1时,土壤对磷的固持能力最强,在降低磷素流失上表现出较强优势.因此,玉米-大豆套作系统中适当减少磷肥施用量和加大磷肥施用深度在保证作物产量的同时,有利于提高磷素利用率,减少土壤磷流失.     

半干旱黄土高原地区春小麦地膜覆盖研究概述

在黄土高原半干旱地区春小麦上进行的地膜覆盖试验表明,地膜覆盖通过改善耕层土壤生态环境条件,即通过改善水,热状况,活化土壤养分,对提高水分和养分利用效率,实现粮食增产具有重要作用,但近年来在生产实践和科学实验中发现,不合理的长期全生育期地膜覆盖,因在作物生长前期和中期覆膜作物较不覆膜作物生长好,覆膜作物在生长期水分蒸腾损失严重,土壤水分的蒸散（蒸发＋蒸腾）损失远比不覆膜土壤严重,在作物生长后期降水少或没有补充灌溉时,会产生严重的水分肋迫现象,显著抑制小穗分化和灌浆,最终导致收获得指数和产量下降,同时,地膜覆盖的增产作用在一定程度上是以耗竭土壤肥力,特别是在有机物质为代 的,因此,不正确的地膜覆盖（如全生育期的地膜覆盖）,不仅有时起不到显著的增产作用,而且易造成土壤养分,特别是土壤中硝态氮的累积和损失,肥料利用效率降低,土壤生态条件恶化,下降,难以持续高产,因此在确定地膜覆盖范式时,必须要考虑底墒,作物生育期降水,地膜覆盖的阶段性和氮肥的施用等。     

秸秆还田下施氮量对稻茬晚播小麦土壤氮素盈亏的影响

在大田条件下,研究了不同施氮量对秸秆还田下晚播小麦土壤矿质氮含量变化、秸秆氮释放及小麦产量的影响.结果表明： 0～50 cm土层土壤矿质氮含量随着施氮量的增加而显著增加,随生育进程的推进,N₂₇₀和N₃₆₀处理下层土壤的矿质氮显著积累.秸秆氮素释放量随施氮量增加而增加,越冬至拔节期氮释放量最低,拔节至成熟期释放量占总释氮量的50%以上.全生育期施氮量超过180 kg·hm^-2,土壤氮素开始出现显著的盈余,播种至拔节期氮素表观盈余量显著高于拔节至成熟期.籽粒产量在270 kg·hm^-2施氮量下最高, 更高施氮量下氮素利用效率显著降低.施氮量为270 kg·hm^-2时,有利于秸秆全量还田下晚播小麦兼顾产量和生态效益.     

播期播量对旱地小麦土壤水分消耗和植株氮素运转的影响

为解决旱地小麦等雨播种的生产现状,明确播量对土壤水分利用和产量形成的调控机制,于2015—2017年在山西闻喜试验基地开展大田试验,以早播(9月20日,EB)、晚播(10月10日,LB)两个播期为主区,以低密度(67.5 kg·hm^-2,LD)、中密度 (90 kg·hm^-2,MD)、高密度(112.5 kg·hm^-2,HD)3个播量为副区,研究播期播量对旱地小麦土壤水分消耗和植株氮素运转的影响.结果表明: 早播较晚播生育期土壤总耗水量增加11～22 mm;随播种密度的增加,生育期土壤总耗水量增加2～20 mm,且早播条件下,花前土壤耗水量增加,晚播条件下,花后土壤耗水量显著增加.早播较晚播在低、中密度条件下花前氮素运转量、花后氮素积累量增加,高密度条件下降低.早播条件下,花前氮素运转量,茎秆+叶鞘、穗轴+颖壳花前氮素运转量对籽粒的贡献率以及花后氮素积累量均以低密度条件下最高;晚播条件下,花前氮素运转量和花后氮素积累量随播种密度增加而增加.早播较晚播产量显著提高163～996 kg·hm^-2,提高幅度达5%～26%,水分利用效率提高幅度达2%～21%,氮素吸收效率提高幅度达3%～36%,氮素收获指数提高幅度最高达11%.早播条件下产量、水分利用效率、氮素吸收效率、氮素收获指数以低密度条件下最高;晚播条件下以高密度条件下最高.此外,花前氮素运转量与花前100～200 cm土壤耗水量显著相关,尤其是茎秆+叶鞘、穗轴+颖壳;花后植株氮素积累量与花后100～300 cm土壤耗水量呈显著相关.总之,旱地小麦9月20日配套播量67.5 kg·hm^-2、10月10日配套播量112.5 kg·hm^-2有利于增产增效.     

长期施磷对玉米-小麦轮作系统作物产量和磷素吸收及土壤磷积累的影响

本研究利用位于河北省保定市的7年田间定位试验,探讨了4个磷水平(不施磷、70%优化施磷、优化施磷、130%优化施磷)对玉米-小麦轮作系统作物产量的影响,分析了作物磷素吸收和磷肥利用效率以及土壤磷盈亏的变化。结果表明: 长期(7年)施磷能够显著提高玉米和小麦产量及磷素吸收量,且玉米和小麦产量与磷素吸收量随着施磷量的增加均呈现先上升后下降的抛物线变化趋势。各施磷水平下玉米季磷肥利用率高于小麦季,小麦季磷肥累积利用率呈现下降趋势,下降速率表现为优化施磷>70%优化施磷>130%优化施磷;玉米季磷肥累积利用率均呈现上升趋势,上升速率表现为优化施磷>70%优化施磷>130%优化施磷。长期不施磷条件下土壤表观磷盈亏量和累积磷盈亏量都表现为亏缺状态,施磷条件下土壤磷表现为盈余,且施磷量越高,累积年限越长,土壤磷盈余量越高。河北潮土在秸秆还田条件下小麦施磷量在105～150 kg·hm^-2,玉米施磷量在63～90 kg·hm^-2时,既能保证作物高产,又能使磷肥利用率保持在较高水平,减少磷素在土壤中的累积,降低环境风险。     

Deciphering the environmental impact on spike architectural traits for grain yield consolidation in bread wheat (T. aestivum L.)

The realization of grain yield in wheat is decided by source-sink balance under prevailing environmental conditions. Management conditions like changing the sowing time influence the source-sink capacity through modification in agronomic traits. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to decipher the influence of spike architectural traits (SATs) on grain yield and to open avenues for further grain yield enhancement. Comparatively early sowing over timely sowing gives the advantage of realizing higher grain yield with a positive relationship with SATs namely spike length, spikelets per spike, individual spike weight, individual grain weight, number of grains per spikelet, grain length, and grain width of upper and lower spike portion. Confirmatory factorial analysis revealed that spike length, spikelets per spike, individual spike weight, grains per spikelet were having a significant effect in deciding grain yield in early sown. The presence of a significant effect of genotype by environment interaction over grain yield and SATs allows the exploitation of available genotypic and environmental variability for further yield enhancement. GGE analysis on transformed and standardized grain yield-trait (GY-trait) combinations was used in the selection of genotypes having high GY-trait combinations for both sowing times. In early sowing, WG 11 was the best for high GY with high individual spike weight; grain length and grain width at lower and upper parts of the spike; and shorter days to 50% flowering. Genotypes exclusively having the high GY-trait combination along with low values of remaining GY-trait combinations were also selected with genotype focused GGE approach.     

氮磷高效优质小麦小偃54在京郊的适宜播量与施肥量研究

对小偃54小麦的品质,抗逆性与各年产量变化等特点已进行过大量试验,并已在河南、陕西等省大面积推广。为了在京郊及华北地区能合理栽培这一优质稳产小麦,针对其分蘖力强与耐低营养的特性,1999扑秋在京郊布设了每公顷45kg、75kg、105kg和135kg4个播量等级与每公顷296kgN,31kgP,35kgK和192kgN,62kgP,70kgK2个肥力水平的大田试验。结果表明,该优质小麦在京郊的适宜播量为105kg／hm^2,施肥量为中等肥力即可达6000kg／hm^2的产量,从而可获得投入少,产出高,节约化肥和保护环境的目的。     

The nitrogen fertilization of spring barley

Summary From 1971 to 1979 field trials with increasing rates of fertilizer nitrogen on spring barley with sugar beet as the preceding crop were conducted on a farm on sandy loam in the south western part of The Netherlands. Prior to sowing and fertilizing soil samples were taken and analysed for mineral nitrogen (N_min). The average yield increase through application of fertilizer nitrogen was only 750 kg of grain per ha per year, the maximum yield being about 5 tonnes per ha. In the case of a fixed rate of fertilizer nitrogen per annum it can be derived from the response curves that 60 kg of N would have given the smallest average yield deficit (170 kg grain per ha) in comparison with maximum yields. With an N-advisory system based on soil analysis the average yield deficit would be at a minimum (163 kg of grain per ha) with a value for mineral soil nitrogen+fertilizer nitrogen totalling 120 kg N per ha.No relationship was found between optimum rate of fertilizer nitrogen and the amount of mineral soil nitrogen at the end of the winter. This was ascribed to the relatively small variation in mineral soil nitrogen and the weak response of the crop to fertilizer nitrogen.Promising results from nitrogen fertilizing systems based on soil analysis can be expected from more responsive crops like winter wheat, sugar beets and potatoes.With the average yield deficit compared with maximum yield as a characteristic, the usefulness of any N-advisory system can be compared, taking a fixed rate of nitrogen system as a standard.Seconded by the Agricultural Bureau of the Netherlands Fertilizer Industry (LBNM).     

不同基因型春蚕豆对磷胁迫的适应性反应

利用不同作物或品种吸收利用土壤磷能力的差异提高磷素营养效率,是解决磷资源短缺的重要生物学途径.选择西北地区重要经济作物春蚕豆作为研究对象,选用3个不同春蚕豆品种(系),采用严重缺磷的碱性灌淤土,利用盆栽法研究了在不同供磷水平下不同基因型蚕豆的根系形态特征、酸性磷酸酶活性(APase)及产量的表现, 探讨不同基因型蚕豆对低磷胁迫的适应性反应.结果表明在整个生长过程中根长、根半径、根比表面积和根冠比变动最明显的是临蚕5号,分别为36.40%,65.10%、65.27%和13. 46%;缺磷条件下,蚕豆主要通过减小根半径,增加根长、根表面积,提高根冠比及体内酸性磷酸酶活性来实现对低磷胁迫的适应;不同基因型对低磷胁迫的适应能力不同;缺磷胁迫明显诱导各基因型蚕豆体内酸性磷酸酶活性的上升,临蚕5号增加最快为24.9%,8409为7. 79%,8354为7.29%;同一基因型的不同器官中酸性磷酸酶活性大小表现为根系>茎部>叶片 .根系酸性磷酸酶和根系形态参数可分别作为蚕豆耐低磷品种筛选的选择指标;缺磷导致作物减产,并且不同的基因型作物减产的幅度不同,临蚕5号缺磷比施磷减产30.98%,而8354 的产量在两个磷水平下变化不明显,说明临蚕5号对磷素的反应最强烈,为磷低效基因型,而 8354反应比较迟钝,为磷高效基因型.     

休闲期深翻和探墒沟播对旱地小麦水氮资源利用的影响

为明确旱地麦田休闲期深翻和探墒沟播对农田水氮资源利用的影响,于2016-2018年在山西省闻喜县开展田间试验.试验采用二因素裂区设计,主区为休闲期深翻和免耕,副区为探墒沟播和常规条播.结果 表明:与免耕处理相比,休闲期深翻处理显著提高了土壤蓄水效率(增幅38.3％ ～42.2％)、土壤耗水量(增幅9.2％～13.2％)...     

不同播期冬小麦株型构建及其生育特征

针对黄淮平原中部冬小麦区秋季旱涝频发导致小麦播种推迟的现状,设计冬小麦10月15日(适期播种)、10月30日(中晚期播种)、11月15日(晚期播种)、11月30日(超晚期播种)、2月15日(早春播种)和3月1日(春播)6个播期,研究不同播期冬小麦株型构建及生长发育特征.结果表明： 随着冬小麦播期的推迟,其生长发育进程加快,早春播种和春播与适期播种相比生育期缩短115~130 d;10月30日(中晚期播种)之后的5个播期与适期播种相比株高降低,成穗数和有效小穗数减少;迟播小麦的叶位下移,冠层空间降低,叶面积减少;收获指数随播种期推迟由0.46(适期播种)提高到0.53(春播);冬小麦产量随播种期推迟显著下降,减产幅度最高达43.6%;冬小麦春季播种未经过冬季和早春阶段的自然低温处理,无春化过程依然可形成产量.     

Seed P-enrichment as an effective P supply to wheat

Most fertilizer phosphorus (P) is sorbed by soil rather than being taken up by crops. We hypothesize enriching wheat seed with P before sowing the crop will reduce requirement of fertilizer P for subsequent wheat production. We produced P-enriched wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed by soaking the seed in different concentrations of potassium phosphate solution. We found that ~0.35 M potassium phosphate was the most effective concentration for P-enrichment of the seed. In pot and field experiments we found that the P-enriched seed required ~60% less fertilizer P than seed not soaked with potassium phosphate before sowing. Increases in shoot P content could not be explained only by the increase of seed P-enrichment, suggesting that P acquisition from soil was also enhanced. Under hydroponic conditions we found that root length was greater in seedlings grown from P-enriched seed with higher specific root length than in seedlings grown from non-P-enriched seed. We conclude P-enrichment of wheat seed before sowing reduces fertilizer P requirements of plants.     

Crop response to magnesium fertilization as affected by nitrogen supply

Background

Crop yield depends in large part on the availability and accessibility of nitrogen in the soil. For optimal yield, the soil nitrogen must be available at critical periods of crop development, and in a form that is accessible for plant uptake and use. Ancillary crop nutrients can alter the plant’s ability to access and utilize nitrogen. Therefore, crop fertilization with magnesium should focus on its effect on nitrogen management. This conceptual review aims to assess the present state of knowledge regarding the importance of magnesium in fulfilling both objectives.

Scope

The response to fertilizer magnesium of high-yielding wheat, maize, sugar beet and potato crops was evaluated using published and unpublished data on yield, yield components and nitrogen uptake. A simple, stepwise regression and path analysis was applied to explain the effect of fertilizer magnesium on yield and yield components.

Conclusions

The effect of soil or foliar applied magnesium on yield of crops was inconsistent due to (i) weather experienced during the growth season, (ii) rates of applied fertilizer nitrogen, and (iii) the (natural background levels of?) magnesium available in the soil. The yield increase due to magnesium application was related to the extra supply of nitrogen. In cereals, magnesium application resulted in a higher number of ears and/or thousand grain weight (TGW), stressing the magnesium-sensitive stages of yield formation. The increase of sugar beet yield was most pronounced in dry years. The main conclusion gleaned from the review underlines a positive effect of magnesium on nitrogen uptake efficiency. The optimal yield forming effect of fertilizer magnesium can generally occur under conditions of relatively low nitrogen supply (soil + fertilizer nitrogen), but high supply of magnesium. This phenomenon can best be described as “magnesium-induced nitrogen uptake”.