Search

Copyright of Research in Complementary Medicine / Forschende Komplementärmedizin is the property of Karger AG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Irrigation water of poor quality that is high in salts, alkalinity-inducing compounds, and boron (B) threatens global agricultural production. The objective of the present study was to determine whether supplementary calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) ameliorate the response of tomato plants to a simultaneous combination of these stress conditions. Irrigation water high in alkalinity, salinity, and B reduced plant growth, which was associated with a partial impairment in the antioxidant system (reduction in catalase activity), impairment in water relations (reduced relative water content), decreased nutrient acquisition [lower nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), K, Ca, and magnesium (Mg) content]; and specific toxicity due to the increase in shoot sodium (Na) and B. However, stressed plants exhibited partially improved growth when supplemented with greater concentrations of Ca and K, which were associated with enhanced P concentration, maintenance of chlorophyll a concentration, and/or partially restored N, P, K, Ca, and Mg uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nutrients status of soils under rice cultivation in Cross River State Nigeria was evaluated to ascertain the present status and suggest management practices needed for an increased rice production. A reconnaissance survey of the entire State was undertaken. A total number of eight Local Government Areas, namely Odukpani, Biase, Yakkur, Abi, Obubura, Ogoja, Yala, and Bekwara were identified to have comparative advantage in rice production, which cut across the entire Agricultural zones of the state. A free survey method was adopted in sampling the soils at 0-15 cm depth in sixteen communities of the identified Local Government Areas. A total of 108 composite samples were collected and analyzed in laboratory. The results revealed that the soils had a mean pH value of 5.26, exchangeable Ca ( 4.98 cmol kg-1), exchangeable Mg (1.40 cmol kg-1), exchangeable Na (0.28 cmol kg-1), exchangeable K (0.07 cmol kg-1), ECEC ( 9.08 cmol kg-1 ), organic carbon( 0.98 % ), total N ( 0.07 %), available P (17.64 mg kg-1), available Fe ( 898.33 mgkg-1), available Zn ( 3.05 mgkg-1) and available Mn ( 92.90 mgkg-1). For increased rice yield in the area some good management practices such as planting of iron tolerant rice varieties and application of deficient nutrient elements are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although herbage biomass and nutrient status are widely assessed from hyperspectral measurements, certain difficulties are encountered in semiarid and arid regions with low canopy cover. This study investigated the potential of band depth approaches using partial least squares ( PLS) regression to estimate herbage biomass and the concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the Inner Mongolia grassland. Field hyperspectral measurements and plant sampling were conducted in desert and typical steppes with different fertilizer levels. The PLS analyses of typical steppe, desert steppe and combined datasets were based on canopy reflectance and first derivative reflectance ( FDR) at wavelengths of 400-1000 nm, with consideration of six band depth features extracted from the red absorption region (580-740 nm). The predictive accuracy of the standard full-spectrum PLS ( FS- PLS) was compared with that of the iterative stepwise elimination PLS ( ISE- PLS) via the cross-validated coefficient of determination ( R2cv) and the ratio of prediction to standard deviation ( RPD). In most of the datasets, the ISE- PLS provided better predictive results than the FS- PLS. The final models used band depth features to estimate herbage biomass ( R2cv = 0.624-0.952, RPD = 1.506-4.539) and pasture N ( R2cv = 0.437-0.888, RPD = 1.331-2.869) and reflectance and FDR to estimate pasture P ( R2cv = 0.686-0.815, RPD = 1.754-2.267). The models could accurately estimate most of the grass parameters ( RPD >1.5), with the exception of pasture N concentrations in the desert steppe dataset due to a range of variation that was too small. The band depth approach with ISE- PLS improved the predictive ability of the method for estimating herbage biomass and the nutrient contents of grasses in sparse grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 30 tea samples of different origins, thirteen green tea samples, thirteen black tea samples, two semi-fermented tea samples and one white tea, imported to the Czech Republic, were collected and analysed for the total content of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in tea leaves and tea infusions. The total contents of metals in tea leaves differ according to the type of tea (green or black) and are probably influenced by many other factors, e.g. soil properties. The total contents of Mn were much higher compared to the total contents of Cu, Fe, and Zn, and varied between 511-2220 mg/kg. To compare easily hot water soluble concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, 5 min, 60 min, and 24 h infusions were prepared. The extractability of the elements was in the order Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe. The proportions of the element contents in the infusion related to the respective total contents in leaves were 30 ± 16% Cu, 26 ± 10% Zn, 18 ± 10% Mn, and 1.5 ± 0.8% Fe, respectively. The results confirmed that tea infusion can be an important dietary source of Mn.

Bu araştırmanın amacı Eldivan yöresinde yetiştirilen kirazların makro ve mikro besin elementleri bakımından beslenme durumunun belirlenmesidir. Bu amaçla yöreyi temsilen seçilen 14 üretici bahçesinden eş zamanlı olarak toprak ve yaprak örnekleri alınmıştır. Toprak örneklerinin bazı fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikleri ile, hem toprak hem de yaprak örneklerinin N, P, K, Ca, Mg, ve Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn gibi makro ve mikro besin maddeleri kapsamları belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre araştırma alanı topraklarının nötr ve hafif alkali pH’ya, sırasıyla kumlu killi tın, killi tın ve kil bünyeye, orta derecede kireç ve düşük organik maddeye sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. N, K, Fe, Mn gibi bitki besin maddeleri toprak ve bitki örneklerinde yetersiz bulunmuştur, fakat yüksek düzeyde Mg ve yeterli düzeyde Cu ve Zn belirlenmiştir. Toprakların Ca, N ve Mn içerikleri ile bitkilerin Ca, N ve Mn içerikleri arasında önemli ilişkiler saptanmıştır P< 0.05

A field experiment was conducted during 2008-09 to compare the efficacy of different organic inputs in the production of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv Allahabad Safeda. The highest number of fruits (363/tree) and yield (41.45 kg/tree) was recorded by application of 250 g rhizospheric soil of Ficus bengalensis + 5% Amritpani + organic mulching followed by 328 fruits/tree and yield of 31.76 kg/tree by biodynamic compost (30 kg/tree). Maximum TSS (11.7 °Brix) in fruits was recorded through application of biodynamic compost fortified with BD-500 (30 kg/tree) and cow pat pit (100 g/tree) followed by 11.3 °Brix with of vermicompost (30 kg/tree) + Azospirillum culture (250 g/ tree) + PSB (50 g/tree). The treatments did not affect acidity, ascorbic acid and reducing sugars significantly. Microbial analysis of different organic inputs indicated that cow pat pit contained maximum load of Azotobacter sp (1.5 × 106 cfu/g) and Azospirillum sp (1.3 × 106 cfu/g). Rhizospheric soils of Ficus bengalensis contained maximum number (1.5 × 105 cfu/g) of Azotobacter and (1.4 × 107 cfu/g) Azospirillum as compared to mango (2 × 104 cfu/g and 1.2 × 104 cfu/g, respectively). After two years of experimentation, maximum organic carbon (0.818%) was recorded in the basin soil of treatment biodynamic compost fortified with BD-500 (30 kg/tree) and cow pat pit (100 g/tree). On the other hand, highest build of available P (67.6 ppm) was maximum with application of biodynamic compost @ 30 kg/ tree, while available K (384 ppm), Zn (14.12 ppm), Cu (11.20 ppm) and Fe (15.7 ppm) were maximum with application of biodynamic compost fortified with BD-500 (30 kg/tree) and cow pat pit (100 g/tree), compared to initial soil nutrient status. Improvement in leaf nutrient status was also noticed and maximum leaf N (1.68%), P (0.244%), K (1.74%), Ca (1.49%), Zn (33.8 ppm) with application of rhizospheric soil of Ficus bengalensis @ 250 g/tree + 5% Amritpani + organic mulching, Mg (0.63%); with vermicompost (30 kg/tree) + Azospirillum culture (250 g/tree) + PSB (50 g/tree), Cu (78.7 ppm) and Mn (195.1 ppm) were recorded with FYM (30 kg/tree as compared to control (1.21%, 0.212%, 1.23%, 1.33%, 0.21 ppm, 27.5 ppm, 46.4 ppm and 167.6 ppm, respectively).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying Effective Microorganisms (EM), at a varied CRF (controlled release fertilizers) fertilization as starter fertilization, on macroelement contents in leaves and yielding of tomato grown in a peat substrate. Application of EM had significant effect – when applied either as seed inoculation or combined seed inoculation + spraying of plants on increase of total and commercial yields of tomato (35.8% and 40%; 44.6% and 35.9%, respectively). In contrast the application of CRF resulted in a significant increase in leaf contents of N (22.3–24.4%), K (13.6–16.6%) and Na (25%) at a simultaneous reduction of contents in case of Ca (9.9–15.7%) and Mg (21.9–23.9%) in comparison with the control combination. In view of environmental protection it is pointless to use starter fertilization in the form of slowrelease fertilizers in case of a cyclical use of fertigation in crop growing. Due to the advantageous effect of Effective Microorganisms on crop yielding it seems advisable to consider their application in commercial crop growing.

This study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt, to investigate the response of Manfalouty pomegranate trees for Azotin (bio-fertilizer) and Enciaben (slow release-N fertilizers) during 2013 and 2014 seasons. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design with six treatments and three replications, each one tree. The results of this study showed that all studied fertilization treatments significantly increased the leaf area as well as percentage of N, P and K in leaves compared to use the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) as fast mineral nitrogen source only. No significant differences on these traits due to use slow release-N fertilizer at any dose as well as 60% of RDN as two or three forms. All studied fertilization treatments studied significant increasing the yield/tree and decrease the fruit splitting percentage compared to use (RDN) as fast mineral-N source only. The maximum yield/tree and least fruit splitting percentage were recorded on the trees that fertilized by three different fertilization source (three forms). Fertilization with the slow release dose, two forms (mineral plus bio) or three forms (mineral plus bio and slow release) significantly improved the fruit quality in terms of increasing the fruit weight, pulp % and total soluble solids % as well as sugar, vitamin C and anthocyanin contents and decreasing the total acidity and tannin content compared to use the RDN as release mineral-N source. Hence, the cost wise evaluation of the application of these N sources is in favour of 60% RDN at either two, three forms or slow release-N. It is evident from the obtained results that such fertilization programs are very important for the production of pomegranate fruits since it improves the fruit quality and packable yield and reduces the production costs and environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on investigation data of Sichuan soil testing and fertilizer recommendation project, the nutrient status was analyzed and nutrient change situation including pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen, effective phosphorus and available potassium was compared with the situation in 1985. The evaluation results showed that: The nutrient situation of Nanchong cultivated soil was relatively balanced as a whole. pH was in the range of 3. 8- 8. 6 and the proportion of acid soil was higher in yellow soil and paddy soil. The soil organic matter was 17. 57 g/kg which was in medium content. The content of total nitrogen was 1. 19 g/kg which was above the medium level. The content of alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen was 96. 50 mg/kg which was in medium content. The effective phosphorus content was 9. 87 mg/kg and it was relatively appropriate in general. The available potassium content was 96. 6 mg/kg which was below the medium level. Since1985, the pH range has slightly expanded to two terminals while the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen, effective phosphorus and available potassium improved in different degree. Although soil nutrient conditions have been largely improved, the low status of organic matter and available potassium still existed, especially the dry land which the proportion of low fertility soil area was large. In paddy soil, we should control nitrogen fertilizer and increase phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, the prevention of soil acidification was also necessary. The comprehensive fertility of Fluvo-aquie soil, yellow soil and purple soil should be improved. The organic matter and nitrogen should be added in alluvial soil to prevent fertility degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The priming effect (PE) is one of the most important interactions between C input and output in soils. Here we aim to quantify patterns of PE in response to six addition rates of C-labeled water-soluble C (WSC) and determine if these patterns are different between soil organic and mineral layers in a temperate forest. Isotope mass balance was used to distinguish WSC derived from SOC-derived CO respiration. The relative PE was 1.1-3.3 times stronger in the mineral layer than in the organic layer, indicating higher sensitivity of the mineral layer to WSC addition. However, the magnitude of cumulative PE was significantly higher in the organic layer than in the mineral layer due to higher SOC in the organic layer. With an increasing WSC addition rate, cumulative PE increased for both layers, but tended to level off when the addition rate was higher than 400 mg C kg soil. This saturation effect indicates that stimulation of soil C loss by exogenous substrate would not be as drastic as the increase of C input. In fact, we found that the mineral layer with an WSC addition rate of 160-800 mg C kg soil had net C storage although positive PE was observed. The addition of WSC basically caused net C loss in the organic layer due to the high magnitude of PE, pointing to the importance of the organic layer in C cycling of forest ecosystems. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of PE on SOC mineralization of forest soils and warrant further in situ studies of PE in order to better understand C cycling under global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorous (P) fractionation of the surficial sediment of high altitude lakes (HAL) i.e. P.T.Tso and Sella lakes of Arunachal Pradesh State, India were studied with an objective to investigate the phosphorus availability in the environment, nutrient status of the lake and the role of climate change. Moreover, the variation in phosphorous fraction was investigated through mineralogical studies like grain size analysis and X-ray diffraction. The findings revealed that the surficial sediment of lakes are least influenced by anthropogenic sources, since a slight increase in each of the P-Fractions was observed from year 2011 to 2012, except organic P. Loosely sorbed exchangeable phosphorous was found to be slightly high which was due to difference in atmospheric precipitation, which is one of the strong factors in high altitude regions. Decrease in organic fraction of P indicated that lakes became more oligotrophic in nature. Mineralogical investigation shows that illite-montmorillonite and montmorillonite are the main minerals in Sella Lake, whereas montmorillonite and graphite are main minerals in P.T.Tso lake. Factor analysis of seasonal data of P fractionation in surface sediments, along with physical parameters of Sella Lake water indicates three factors for the 2011 data principle factors are pH, EC, oxide-bound and organic P. Factor analysis of P.T.Tso lake water indicates three factors for the 2011 data with principle factors are adsorbed P and authigenic P, pH, oxide-bound P. This study shows that except organic fractions all other fractions are increasing in the following year. It implies that even at such remote high altitude locations P characteristics are changing year to year which sought for further investigation and enables HALs to show the early impacts of climate change related changes. A clear influence of long range transported air pollutants has been found through HYSPLIT back trajectory models which needs to be substantiated through long-term monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of nutrient aspects of organic fertilisers is of much relevance in assessing their availability and long-term effect to the soil and crop and in formulating sound fertiliser recommendation. Around 619 organic fertiliser samples under different categories, which were received by the analytical laboratory of UPASI Tea Research Institute, Valparai, were examined for their nutrient status. The trend in the number of samples received every year for the past 5 years showed that there is a gradual, steady and linear increase in the number of samples received by the laboratory which, in turn, authenticates the increase in the production and utilisation of organic fertilisers in agricultural sector. This also reveals the awareness of organic farming among farmers in recent times. The organic fertilisers received by the laboratory were categorised into different groups based on their nomenclature. The number of samples received each year under different categories varies to a larger extent. The nutritional status was unpredictable based on the nomenclature of the sample received. In addition to this frequency distribution, the nutritional values analysed are discussed in this paper. Correlation matrix was worked out between all the parameters estimated. It is evident that if maintenance of proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and moisture content is ascertained in the finished product, one can guarantee the quality of the organic fertiliser in terms of nutrient content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial extracellular enzyme activity is responsible for much of the carbon and nutrient cycling in freshwaters, and logically there should a relationship between the chemical properties of a system and its enzymatic profile. To evaluate this concept, we surveyed extracellular enzyme activity in five large rivers (the Upper Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas) of the Mississippi River Basin, one of the world's largest river systems. The rivers drain areas of different climate, physiography, and land use, and differ in their physicochemical properties. Despite differences in nutrient concentrations, there were no consistent differences in enzyme activity between the five rivers, with as much variation in activity between sites on the same river as among different rivers. Enzymatic profiles were dominated by leucine aminopeptidase, phosphatase, and β-glucosidase, and appreciable enzymatic activity was still present following the removal of particles (3-micron filtration) or cells (0.22-micron filtration). The proportion of particle- or cell- associated enzymatic activity contributing to overall activity varied between enzymes, being higher for β-glucosidase, leucine aminopeptidase, and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase than for sulfatase or cellobiohydrolase. Dissolved elemental stoichiometry suggested that bacterioplankton in all rivers were limited by C overall, with P also being more limiting than N. While regional-scale patterns in enzyme activity in large rivers may indicate anthropogenic influences, this study demonstrates that finer-scale variation, such as between sites on the same river, or between particles and free-living bacterioplankton, may be equally as important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn) is a microelement, but it is also a heavy metal whose excess may have a toxic effect on plants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an application of increasing Mn concentrations added to a nutrient solution on the content of macro- and mi- cronutrients in tomato leaves (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv. Alboney F1 and Emotion F1). Plants were grown in rockwool using a nutrient solution with the following content of manganese (mg dm-3): 0.06; 0.3; 0.6; 1.2 (experiment I, in 2008-2011); 2.4, 4.8; 9.6; 19.2 mg dm-3 (experiment II, in 2012)--designated the symbols Mn-0; Mn-0.3; Mn-0.6; Mn-1.2; Mn-2.4; Mn-4.8; Mn-9.6; Mn-19.2. The nutrient solution used for plant fertigation had the following chemical composition (mg dm-3): N-NH 2.2, N-NO3 230, P 50, K 430, Ca 145, Mg 65, Cl 35, S-SO4 120, Fe 2.48, Zn 0.50, Cu 0.07, pH 5.50, EC 3.00 mS cm-1. Manganese significantly influenced the content of other macro- and microelements in leaves. In variant Mn-0, the content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn decreased, while that of of Fe, Zn, Cu was higher; in Mn-1.2, the content of N, Mg, Fe, Zn decreased and that of P, K, Ca, Mn increased compared with the variants which ensured optimal yielding. In the range of manganese nutrition from Mn-4.8 to Mn-19.2, N, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu were lower and the content of P and Mn was higher (above optimal). The cultivar significantly modified the nutrient status of plants concerning nitrogen (for Mn-9.6 and Mn-19.2), phosphorus (for Mn-1.2 and Mn-2.4), potassium (for Mn-4.8 and Mn-9.6), calcium (for Mn-0, Mn-1.2, Mn-9.6), magnesium (Mn-0 and Mn-0.6), iron (Mn-0, Mn-0.3, Mn-9.6), manganese (Mn-0.3, Mn-1.2, Mn-2.4, Mn-19.2), iron (Mn-0, Mn-0.3, Mn-9.6), zinc (Mn-0.6, Mn-1.2, Mn-2.4, Mn-9.6) and copper (Mn-2.4, Mn-4.8, Mn-9.6, Mn-19.2). Briefly, both deficit or excess manganese nutrition could induce disorders in the uptake of other nutrients, which may influence plant yielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the relationship between sarcopenic obesity (SO) and nutrition status, according to sex in Korean adults who were 60 years or older. Body composition was categorized as SO, sarcopenic nonobesity, nonsarcopenic obesity, and nonsarcopenic nonobesity. Obesity was defined by body mass index. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by weight (Wt) of less than 1 SD below the sex-specific mean for young adults. Subjects included 1433 subjects (658 men and 775 women) who were 60 years or older and who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2010. Sarcopenic obesity was more prevalent in women (31.3%) than in men (19.6%). Individuals with SO had significantly higher fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (male: 3.2 ± 1.4, female: 3.4 ± 2.1), and triglycerides (male: 167.3 ± 90.6 mg/dL, female: 160.7 ± 85.0 mg/dL). High-density lipoprotein was under the normal criteria (50 mg/dL) in women. Intake of nutrients associated with muscle loss (protein, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C) was significantly different among the male but not the female groups. Although protein intake was normal, calcium and vitamin D intakes were insufficient in all groups. In conclusion, body composition changes were related to nutrient intakes in elderly (60 years or older) men but not elderly women. Women had a higher prevalence of SO than did men, suggesting that early nutritional intervention in elderly women may help them address age-associated body composition changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: For the mountain forests of the Alps, limited comprehensive information is available about soil stocks of important nutrients (N, P, K), stand nutrition, and relationships between soil status and stand nutrition. Methods: We investigated total and plant-available soil N, P, and K stocks and the nutritional status of Picea abies concerning these elements on 14 forest soil monitoring sites in the Bavarian Alps. Results: Mean soil N, P, and K stocks are 8.0 Mg N ha, thereof 14 % bound in the forest floor, 1.7 Mg P ha (2 % in forest floor), and 42 Mg K ha (0.2 % in forest floor). Citric acid-extractable orthophosphate and exchangeable K contribute to 3 and 0.7 % of total P and K, respectively. Spruce N, P, K, and Mn nutrition differs considerably among sites, with Rendzic Lithosols being most critical, whereas trees on deeply weathered soils are well supplied. Conclusions: According to our estimation, the forest is characterized by an insufficient supply with N, P, and/or K at about 30, 20 and 10 % of the forest area in the Bavarian Alps, respectively. A large part of the Bavarian Alps can be judged critical and prone to nutrient shortage in the course of humus degradation and associated SOM losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on bottom-up processes that might be controlling the trophic structure of the East China Sea. Topics covered include the regulation of phytoplankton, zooplankton and larval fish abundance, transfer efficiency indicated by the biomass ratio of zooplankton and phytoplankton, temperature's co-action with resource availability in the determination of trophic structure, and decrease in the zooplankton-phytoplankton biomass ratio with increasing phosphate concentration.

• Haskap plant establishment, growth, and productivity vary widely among orchards in Nova Scotia due to growers' management practices, and environmental and edaphic factors. • Haskap cv. Indigo gem had low leaf tissue P and K, but high Ca compared to the other cultivars. • Haskap cvs indigo gem and Tundra have similar nutrient uptake pattern. • Evidence of an antagonistic association among haskap leaf N, Mg, and K, and a synergistic association between haskap leaf K and Mg. Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a rapidly emerging and promising berry crop and gaining popularity in Nova Scotia (NS). The establishment and productivity of haskap varies widely in NS and it is largely dependent on soil-plant interactions. A multi-locational field survey was carried out to evaluate and determine the relationship between soil and leaf nutrient concentrations of haskap cultivars grown in Nova Scotia. Soil samples were collected in mid-May, and leaf samples were collected starting from late June to early July in both years at the stage where 50% of the berries had turned color from green to blue. Among the studied cultivars, 44% were adequate in leaf N, 33% were adequate in leaf P, 45% had adequate leaf K, 52% adequate in Ca, and 74% adequate in leaf Mg. However, 26% had excessive leaf P and Mg content, while 47% was deficient in leaf K. Indigo Gem and Tundra cultivars had similar nutrient uptake response, while correlation analysis revealed significant negative relationships between leaf Mg versus leaf N and K. The relative comparison of Indigo Gem with other haskap cultivars revealed that Aurora had 48% more leaf P content, and Borealis had 39% more leaf Mn content than Indigo Gem. However, in most cases all cultivars were within 40% of the Indigo Gem value, and in many cases within 20%. It could be concluded that Indigo Gem can be used as a reference cultivar when assessing nutritional levels of Tundra and Borealis cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation was carried out in the experimental orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt, to study the effect of soil inoculation with yeast or phosphorin (P- dissolved bacteria) only or combined with 50 or 25% mineral-P on growth and fruiting of Balady mandarin trees during 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. Calcium superphosphate was applied once in December. Yeast and phosphorin were applied once in March followed by the trees were irrigated. The obtained results were summarize as follow: -Using yeast or phosphorin as bio-fertilizers only or combined with 50 or 25% of the recommended phosphorus dose (RPD) significantly increased the shoot and leaf traits. -Leaf content of chlorophyll and nutrient elements as well as the total carbohydrates and C/N ratio of shoots were significantly increased due to use of ei-ther yeast or phosphorin singly or combined with phosphours at 50 or 25%of RPD compared to use the RPD via mineral-P source alone (check treatment). -Yield components and fruit quality was significantly improved due to use of either yeast or phosphorin, singly or combined with either 25 or 50% of RPD compared to use mineral-P only. Using yeast or phosphorin only or combined with 25% mineral-P was very effective in improving the growth and fruiting of the trees. Moreover, using yeast was superior in improving the yield and fruit quality than using phosphorin, where, using yeast at 200 ml/tree gave the best results. It is evident from the foregoing results that using yeast either 200 ml/tree only or yeast at 150 ml plus 25% of RPD as mineral-P as well as phosphorin either 400 ml/tree only or phosphorin at 300 ml with 25% of RPD as mineral-P improve the superphosphate use efficiency through increasing the P availability and consequently, decreasing the amount of applied phosphatic fertilizer and reducing both the agriculture cost and the pollution impact of superphosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on grapevine cv. Sibera was carried out in a vineyard located near Kraków (Poland) in 2010 and 2011. The plants were treated with three nitrogen application rates (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha-1), administered as ammonium nitrate in a single application three weeks before flowering. Samples of leaf petioles and blades, as well as grapes, were taken. After wet microwave digestion in HNO3, the nutrient elements boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and sodium (Na), and the trace elements aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V), were measured using the ICP-OES technique. Environmental factors such as temperature and available water had a significant effect on the nutrient concentration in the grapes. In the wet and warm 2010 vintage, higher amounts of B, Cu, Cd, Ti and V were measured in the leaves, and of Mn, Al, Ba and Ti in the grape juice. The dry season of 2011 increased the leaf Fe, Mn, Zn, Mo, Na, Ba, Cr, Li and Ni content, which was associated with a higher Zn, Mo, Na, Sr, Cd and Ni concentration in the grape must. The study showed that, in slightly acid soils, mineral N fertilisers containing ammonium can augment the uptake and accumulation of microelements such as Fe, Mn, Zn, Al and Ti by the grape must. In contrast, nitrogen fertilisation depressed the concentrations of some elements, such as B, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Ti in the leaves. Correlations between the mineral content of the analysed plant tissues are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inappropriate utilization of biosolids may adversely impact agrosystem productivity. This article addresses the response ofH. vulgareandP. monspeliensisto different doses (0, 100, and 150 t ha−1) of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost in a greenhouse pot experiment. Plant growth, heavy-metal uptake, gas exchange, and photosynthetic pigment concentrations and photosynthesis parameters were considered. Results showed that compost supply significantly increased shoot and root dry weights of both species, and this was positively correlated with nutrient uptake. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were positively influenced, especially inH. vulgareat rate of 100 t ha−1. Furthermore, MSW compost application increased net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (Gs), and water-use efficiency (WUE) in both species. Alternatively, MSW compost amendment increased plant heavy-metal contents but levels remained lower than phytotoxic thresholds. This preliminary study suggests that a MSW supply at moderate doses (100 t ha−1) could be highly beneficial for plant productivity on saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Eutrophication remains a major stress for freshwater biodiversity. Its deleterious consequences on biodiversity are well documented for large waterbodies. However, the impact of eutrophication may differ in smaller waterbodies, such as ponds and small lakes, which generally support naturally high levels of nutrients in lowlands. Furthermore, this response could depend on the scale considered, from local (individual waterbody, alpha diversity) to regional (the network of waterbodies, gamma diversity). It is also unclear whether the richness of threatened species responds in the same way as the richness of the whole assemblage., The present study investigates local- and regional-scale consequences of eutrophication on taxonomic richness (all taxa) and conservation value (threatened taxa) in temperate lowland small waterbodies. Five taxonomic groups were investigated: macrophytes, gastropods, water beetles, adult dragonflies and amphibians, in a set of natural waterbodies and a set of enriched waterbodies covering a large nutrient gradient from mesotrophic to hypertrophic conditions., Globally, our study did not reveal consistent, systematic responses to eutrophication. For macrophytes, the richness and conservation value suffered from eutrophication at both local and regional scales. In contrast, for amphibians and gastropods, eutrophication did not impair biodiversity at the local nor the regional scale. Dragonflies and water beetles showed intermediate situations, with an impairment by eutrophication varying according to the type of waterbodies considered. At the regional scale, each trophic status, even the nutrient richest, brought an original contribution to biodiversity., Synthesis and applications. The management of eutrophication for small lowland waterbodies has to be considered differently than for lakes. For an individual waterbody (the local scale), nutrient enrichment is not necessarily a major impairment and its impact depends on the taxonomic group considered. Conversely, at the landscape scale, eutrophication is a major pressure on small waterbody biodiversity, especially because nutrient-rich small waterbodies are dominant in the landscape. Therefore, conservation efforts should integrate the notion of pond regional networks or 'pondscapes', where the regional biodiversity is supported by a mosaic of trophic conditions, and promote the presence of less rich waterbodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Spartina argentinensis may be useful in phytorremediation. [•] Diesel contamination resulted in negative effects on the growth of S. argentinensis. [•] Mycorrhizal roots of S. argentinensis were reduced by the presence of diesel fuel. [•] But diesel fuel did not affect the nutritional status of S. argentinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macropinocytosis mediates non-selective bulk uptake of extracellular fluid. It is the major route by which axenic Dictyostelium cells obtain nutrients and has emerged as a nutrient-scavenging pathway in mammalian cells. How environmental and cellular nutrient status modulates macropinocytic activity is not well understood. By developing a high-content imaging-based genetic screen in Dictyostelium discoideum we identified Slc15A, an oligopeptide transporter located at the plasma membrane and early macropinosome, as a novel macropinocytosis regulator. We show that deletion of slc15A but not two other related slc15 genes, leads to reduced macropinocytosis, reduced cell growth and aberrantly increased autophagy in cells grown in nutrient-rich medium. Expression of Slc15A protein or supplying cells with free amino acids rescues these defects. In contrast, expression of transport-defective Slc15A or supplying cells with amino acids in their di-peptide forms fails to rescue these defects. Therefore, Slc15A modulates the level of macropinocytosis by maintaining the intracellular availability of key amino acids through extraction of oligopeptides from the early macropinocytic pathway. We propose that Slc15A constitutes part of a positive feedback mechanism coupling cellular nutrient status and macropinocytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] New correlations have been established among growing media fertility methods using different substrates in actual field conditions. [•] There was a correlation between the water extract method and the induced percolate method. [•] For all parameters, there was a correlation between leachate method and induced percolate method. [•] Induced percolate method is a reliable tool for monitoring substrate fertility of compost-based growing media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake of nitrogen (N) in nitrate or ammonium (NH4 form affects physiological and metabolic processes and toxicity may develop in plants receiving high concentrations of NH4+. The objective of the present study was to delineate the response of bell pepper plants to varying proportions of NH4+ combined with increasing concentrations of potassium (K) in the nutrient solution. Bell pepper plants were tolerant to moderate proportions of NH4+ (25% or less or 50% or less); however, higher proportions resulted in growth reduction. The application of higher K concentrations in the nutrient solution did not ameliorate the growth on vegetative plant parts; however, when K was increased to 9 mM, the yield was sustained even when 50% of total N was in the NH4+ form. Decreased shoot:root ratio and harvest index indicated that biomass accumulation was affected more in the shoot than in the root and in the fruit than in the shoot, respectively. There was a lower concentration of NH4+ in the roots compared with leaves, suggesting that the higher K concentration that resulted from the increased K in the nutrient solution was associated with NH4+ translocation through the xylem. A decrease in calcium and magnesium detected in leaves suggests an antagonistic relationship with NH4+ and K in the nutrient solution, which was correlated with the acidification of the growing medium. Higher yields when K was at 9 mM may be the result of the high photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance (gs) detected in plants fertigated with 25% of total N as NH4+ and the higher leaf water potential when the proportion of NH4+ was 50%. The biochemical composition of fruits was affected because both high NH4+ and increased K resulted in higher ethylene production, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and carotenoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Elementology is the property of Journal of Elementology - issued by Polish Magnesium Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Study of phytoplankton nutrient status, biomass, productivity and species composition was carried out between March 2005 and March 2006, along a transect between north-eastern open Lake Victoria and the large, shallow Nyanza Gulf in order to examine how the terrestrial run-off can influence phytoplankton community and nutrient status and determine whether nutrient management of catchment run-off has the potential to control the algal blooms in the gulf., Hydrological and nutrient differences between the open lake and the gulf create a transition from P deficiency for phytoplankton within the gulf to nitrogen deficiency in open lake. The shallow and turbid gulf was continuously dominated by non-nitrogen-fixing filamentous and chroococcale colonial cyanobacteria, but seasonal stratification and deeper mixing depth in the open lake favoured diazotrophic cyanobacteria and diatoms., Seston ratios and metabolic nutrient assays indicated the gulf to be sufficiently phosphorus deficient to impose P limitation on phytoplankton growth and biomass. In contrast, the open lake is not P deficient and is more likely to experience N deficiency that favours diazotrophic cyanobacteria. Because of high turbidity in the gulf, the euphotic zone is very shallow, limiting integral primary productivity compared to the less turbid open lake; high PAR extinction may also favour Microcystis blooms in the gulf., Increased P loading into the gulf may translate to higher algal biomass, mainly of the bloom-forming and potentially toxic cyanobacteria, and therefore, reduction in P loading into the gulf should be a management priority. However, a review of historical data indicates that the greatest change in water quality in the gulf is increased turbidity that reduces light availability and may limit algal growth more than P deficiency in years of high rainfall and river discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macrophyte-periphyton complex has great importance for the functioning of shallow lakes and reservoirs. Several observations in the field have suggested that macrophyte life-form and architecture seem to be very important for periphytic algal community organization. To test the influence of macrophytes on periphyton, we compared the algal community structure and nutrient status (C, N, P) of periphyton on the stem and leaves of Utricularia foliosa L., and on a nylon thread utilized as an artificial substrate. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the seasonal variation of limnological conditions and their influence on Utricularia-periphyton complex. Spring and summer had higher light conditions, P availability and macrophyte cover than autumn and winter. Algal biomass, total density, and biovolume were higher on natural substrate than on artificial. Algal assemblages changed with season and species descriptors differed among substrates types. Phosphorus content of periphyton was generally more correlated with water nutrient availability than with N and C content. Periphyton on free-floating submersed macrophytes may have great importance on the functioning of shallow tropical reservoirs, particularly in the clear water state. Moreover, seasonal variation of limnological conditions determines the periphyton- Utricularia relationships and either intensifies or minimizes the macrophyte influence on periphyton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]