The influence of nitrogen fertilization on growth, yield, nitrate and oxalic acid concentration in purslane ( Portulaca oleracea )

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is widely used for culinary purposes throughout Mediterranean region, and the interest in this plant increased due to it being a source of bio-protective compounds, such as fatty acids and antioxidants. However, the use of purslane could be limited by accumulation of high levels of compounds harmful to human health, such as nitrate and oxalic acid. The main objective of present study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on growth and yield parameters and on nitrate and oxalic acid concentrations in leaves and stems. Plants of golden-leafed purslane of sativa subspecies were grown in styro-foam boxes with substrate and fertilized two times per week during four weeks with ammonium-nitrate solution (16.9% NO3--N and 17.6% NH4+-N), for testing of four nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha-1). Plant growth, yield, nitrate and oxalic acid concentrations were significantly affected by nitrogen application. The best quantity/quality ratio was achieved at fertilization level of 60 kg N ha-1, which gave a yield of 5.1 kg m-2 FW, while nitrate concentration was 48.98 and 43.90 mg g-1 DW in leaf and stem, respectively, and oxalic acid concentration was 1.27 and 0.55 mg g-1 DW, in leaf and stem, respectively: values which are not harmful for consumer health.

Effects of nitrogen level on purslane antioxidant activity.

The high antioxidant activity of purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., gives it a high nutritional and functional value. The commercial production of purslane has increased in Portugal, making it necessary to know the effects of inputs, mainly nitrogen, on the antioxidant activity. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen application on purslane antioxidant activity. The experiment was carried out with for treatments: 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha of nitrogen. Plants of golden-leaf purslane were grown in Styrofoam-boxes filled with substrate and fertigated two times per week, over four weeks with ammonium nitrate solution (16.9% NO3-N and 16.7 NH4+-N). The increase in the nitrogen level decreased the water-soluble proteins content. However the ascorbate, phenols content as well as antioxidant activity measured by FRAP method was not affected by nitrogen level. Plants shoot antioxidant activity, measured by DPPH method decreased significantly in the treatment with 90 kg N/ha (26.20 g/g gallic acid). On the other hand, plant shoot antioxidant activity mediated by peroxidases was higher in treatment 30 kg N/ha (0.459 µmol min-1/mg prot.). Application of 60 kg N/ha allowed a vigorous plant growth without disturb its antioxidants and conservation properties.

Development of super early genotypes for the dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as affected by nitrogen management.

The super early genotypes (SEG) of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have a shorter life cycle (65-75 days) when compared with the season length of traditional cultivars (90-100 days). Timing of nitrogen top-dressing fertilization could be different because of this reduction in length of the SEG life cycle. This study aimed at characterizing, by using growth analysis and vegetation index, super early genotypes of dry bean development as affected by timing of nitrogen application. Field experiments were conducted in the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons in central Brazil with a randomized block experimental design with split plots scheme and four replicates. The plots comprised the dry bean genotypes (Colibri ? check cultivar, CNFC 15873, CNFC 15874, and CNFC 15875), and subplots comprised applications of N at different timings: 90 kg of N at sowing, 90 kg N at top-dressing; 45 kg of N at sowing plus 45 kg at top-dressing, with urea as the source of N. We also used a control treatment without N application. The CNFC 15874 super early genotype of dry bean had the higher grain yield (2776 kg ha-1) and differed from the CNFC 15873 genotype (2492 kg ha-1). Nitrogen fertilization allowed higher grain yield (2619 kg ha-1, when applied N at sowing, 2605 kg ha-1, when applied N at sowing and at top-dressing, and 2680 kg ha-1, when applied N at top-dressing) than the control, 2360 kg ha-1 (no N fertilization). The time of N fertilization in super early genotype of dry bean did not affect grain yield.

Detecting the attributes of a wheat crop using digital imagery acquired from a low-altitude platform

A low-altitude platform utilising a 1.8-m diameter tethered helium balloon was used to position a multispectral sensor, consisting of two digital cameras, above a fertiliser trial plot where wheat (Triticum spp.) was being grown. Located in Cecil Plains, Queensland, Australia, the plot was a long-term fertiliser trial being conducted by a fertiliser company to monitor the response of crops to various levels of nutrition. The different levels of nutrition were achieved by varying nitrogen application rates between 0 and 120 units of N at 40 unit increments. Each plot had received the same application rate for 10 years. Colour and near-infrared images were acquired that captured the whole 2 ha plot. These images were examined and relationships sought between the captured digital information and the crop parameters imaged at anthesis and the at-harvest quality and quantity parameters. The statistical analysis techniques used were correlation analysis, discriminant analysis and partial least squares regression. A high correlation was found between the image and yield (R2 = 0.91) and a moderate correlation between the image and grain protein content (R2 = 0.66). The utility of the system could be extended by choosing a more mobile platform. This would increase the potential for the system to be used to diagnose the causes of the variability and allow remediation, and/or to segregate the crop at harvest to meet certain quality parameters.

ESR and optical absorption studies in copper diethyldithiocarbamate

ESR investigations at X band and optical-absorption measurements have been reported in single crystals of copper (n) diethyldithiocarbamate Cu[S 2CN(C2H5)2]2 diluted to 0.2% with the corresponding zinc complex. The measurements have been made both at room and liquid-oxygen temperatures. ESR measurements gave the following values for the parameters in spin Hamiltonian g11=2.1085, g=2.023(6), A63= 142.4×10-4 cm-1, A65 = 152.0×10-4 cm-1, B = 22.4×10-4 cm-1, Q~3×10-4 cm-1. Polarized optical absorption study has made possible a proper assignment of the absorption bands to their corresponding transitions. This has led to information regarding the ordering of the MO levels of the complex. The coefficients used in the MO description of the complex have been calculated from the observed parameters. The results show that the metal ligand BIσ bond is purely covalent and that the out-of-plane w bonding is appreciably covalent whereas the in-plane Π bonding is ionic. Further, it is noted that the metal ligand binding is more covalent with sulfur as ligand than with oxygen or nitrogen.

A kinetic investigation of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl formals)

Several samples of poly(vinyl formal) having the same vinyl alcohol content (8–9%) but varying contents of vinyl acetate (6–22%) and vinyl formol (70–85%) were prepared and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, in air and nitrogen atmospheres, employing both isothermal and dynamic methods. Kinetic parameters determined from both the isothermal and dynamic TGA data are compared. The activation energy is seen to be largely dependent on the degree of conversion, implying a complex degradation reaction. The activation energy is also much less for degradation in air than in nitrogen, which can be explained by a reaction with oxygen-producing structures favoring degradation. The activation energy is less sensitive to variation in polymer composition for degradation in air than in nitrogen. Thus, in the dynamic process, the activation energy value decreases (from 36 to 23 kcal/mole) with increasing acetate content (from 6 to 22%) in nitrogen atmosphere, while in air the activation energy value increases only moderately (from 21 to 27 kcal/mole) with increasing acetate content (from 6 to 22%). The order of reaction is nearly unity, irrespective of the composition of the polymer, both in air and nitrogen.

A kinetic investigation of thermal degradation of poly(vinyl formals)

Several samples of poly(vinyl formal) having the same vinyl alcohol content (8–9%) but varying contents of vinyl acetate (6–22%) and vinyl formol (70–85%) were prepared and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis, in air and nitrogen atmospheres, employing both isothermal and dynamic methods. Kinetic parameters determined from both the isothermal and dynamic TGA data are compared. The activation energy is seen to be largely dependent on the degree of conversion, implying a complex degradation reaction. The activation energy is also much less for degradation in air than in nitrogen, which can be explained by a reaction with oxygen-producing structures favoring degradation. The activation energy is less sensitive to variation in polymer composition for degradation in air than in nitrogen. Thus, in the dynamic process, the activation energy value decreases (from 36 to 23 kcal/mole) with increasing acetate content (from 6 to 22%) in nitrogen atmosphere, while in air the activation energy value increases only moderately (from 21 to 27 kcal/mole) with increasing acetate content (from 6 to 22%). The order of reaction is nearly unity, irrespective of the composition of the polymer, both in air and nitrogen.

羊草草原群落氮素平衡和碳水化合物贮藏对氮素添加的响应

草地在世界各种不同的气候带和土壤类型区均有分布，约占陆地面积的24%。尽管二十世纪中叶以来，人类通过各种措施，使氮素由大气圈进入生物圈的量已经翻了一翻，但是，草地生态系统由于没有得到足够的氮素补充，其生产力至少是季节性地受到氮素的制约。我国草原生态系统的退化与氮素匮乏已经引起了广泛重视。尽管一些研究者的工作已经涉及到氮素循环的一些方面，但是关于草原生态系统的氮素平衡过程的系统研究迄今尚未开展。地下器官中贮藏养分的积累是多年生牧草抵御不良环境条件的物质保障，碳水化合物是我国典型草原植物重要的贮藏营养物质。但是关于我国草原生态系统贮藏养分的研究还相当匮乏。值得一提的是，不合理的人类活动也加剧了草地生态系统氮素的损失，甚至对全球环境和人类健康产生了重要影响。为此，我们在中国科学院内蒙古草原生态系统定位研究站的羊草样地设计了氮素添加试验，采用15N稀释法对典型草原羊草群落的氮素吸收利用、氮素平衡进行了研究，并就氮素添加条件下，植物氮素利用与植物竞争的关系、氮素吸收分配与牧草生物产量与品质的关系进行了探讨。同时采用高效液相色谱对羊草群落植物贮藏碳水化合物的种类与含量进行了测定。 15N稀释法的试验结果表明：我国典型草原羊草群落吸收的氮素平均16.41%来源于肥料，83.59%来源于土壤。氮素添加不仅显著促进了羊草群落地上器官对肥料氮索和土壤氮素的吸收量，而且促进了地下器官对肥料氮素和土壤氮素的吸收量。生物量达到最大时，羊草群落吸收的氮素分配到地下器官中的比例平均为74.85%，分配到地上器官中的比例平均为25.15%。植物吸收的肥料氮素在地上和地下器官之间的分配比例约各占50%。 在我国典型草原羊草群落，植物对肥料氮素的回收率仅为31.61%，氮素添加显著影响羊草群落植物对肥料氮素的回收，随着氮素添加量的提高，地上和地下植物器官对肥料氮素的回收量均显著提高。凋落物的肥料氮素回收率为2.92%，地下凋落物的回收率显著高于地上凋落物。肥料氮素的土壤存留率为36.16%，主要分布在地表至40cm的土层范围内(>95%)。各土层存留的标记肥料氮素量均随着氮素添加量的增加而显著提高。肥料氮素的当季损失率为21.77%-43.38%。风险：收益分析表明，在本试验条件下，添加5.25gN/m2与28gN/m2的处理风险大于收益，添加17.5g/m2的处理风险最低，收益最高，在草原生态系统的管理中可以参考。 为了了解羊草群落植物的竞争能力是否对羊草群落植物的相对多度有影响，我们对不同盖度的10个物种的15N吸收速率、15N分配、植物组织氮素含量、单株生物量、根／冠比、氮素生产力等反映植物竞争能力的指标进行了测定和分析。发现向根系的氮素分配比例、根／冠比、和氮素生产力与植物的相对盖度显著正相关，向地上器官的氮素分配比例、氮素吸收速率与相对盖度呈显著负相关，而植物组织氮素含量、和单株生物量与植物相对盖度无关。 试验前，我们认为氮素吸收速率应该与植物的相对多度显著正相关，但是本试验发现却是显著负相关。这一结果说明，高的氮素吸收速率并不能代表较高的竞争能力，而是稀少植物能够与优势植物共存的一种生理机制。 氮素的吸收与分配显著地影响牧草的生物产量和品质。氮素添加提高了羊草生物量，促进了生物量向地上器官的分配比例，降低了向根系的分配比例，使根／冠比显著降低。氮素添加促进了羊草对氮素的吸收以及向茎叶中的分配比例，降低了向根系的分配比例，提高了羊草各器官的氮素含量和地上器官的蛋白质含量，对根系的蛋白质含量无显著影响。本试验条件下，氮素添加水平为17.5gN/m2时，羊草根、茎、叶生物产量均最高。与17.5gN/m2的处理相比较，添加28gN/m2的处理，羊草的生物产量以及牧草蛋白质含量均无显著差异。初步认为，本实验条件下，17. 5gN/m2是较为适宜的氮素添加量。 地下器官中贮藏养分的积累是多年生牧草抵御不良环境条件的物质保障，碳水化合物是我国典型草原植物重要的贮藏营养。采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)对羊草群落地下器官的贮藏性碳水化合物进行了分析。结果表明，羊草群落地下贮藏碳水化合物种类主要包括甘露糖醇、果聚糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖。其中甘露糖醇是最主要贮藏碳水化合物，约占60%;其次是果聚糖，约占30%。氮素添加量对羊草群落地下贮藏碳水化合物有显著影响。在0～50 g NH4N03. m-2.yr-1范围内，随着氮素添加量的增加，总糖、果聚糖、甘露糖醇的含量均逐渐升高。氮素添加时期对羊草群落地下贮藏碳水化合物含量亦有显著影响。7月初（雨季）添加氮素比4月份（牧草开始返青）更有利于牧草地下贮藏碳水化合物的积累。 对羊草根茎中的贮藏性碳水化合物的测定结果表明，羊草根茎中的贮藏碳水化合物组分主要包括果聚糖、甘露糖醇、蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖。其中果聚糖是最主要贮藏碳水化合物，约占60%：其次是甘露糖醇，约占20%。氮素添加量对羊草根茎中的贮藏碳水化合物有显著影响。在0～17.5 g N/m2范围内，随着氮素添加量的增加，总糖、果聚糖、甘露糖醇的含量均逐渐升高。氮素添加时期对羊草根茎中的贮藏碳水化合物的含量亦有显著影响。在7月初添加氮素比4月份添加氮素更有利于贮藏碳水化合物的积累。

Preservation of Bombay duck (Harpodon nehereus) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) by gamma irradiation

The gamma irradiation procedures for preservation of Bombay duck and rohu were studied in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay. Irradiation at 0.1 M rad extended the storage life of Bombay duck to 20-22 days at 0-2°C due to partial destruction of spoilage organisms as against rapid deterioration of un-irradiated samples within 5-6 days. In the case of the fresh water fish, rohu, the storage life was enhanced by about 7-10 days by the same dose of irradiation over the control under identical storage condition. In all the cases, empirical relations were worked out between organoleptic rating and total volatile nitrogen.

定位施肥对冬小麦生长、产量及水分利用的影响

基于长期定位施肥试验,研究了不同施肥对冬小麦生长、产量及水分利用的影响。结果表明:不同施肥均能促进冬小麦株高、叶面积、生物量的增长,株高、叶面积、生物量均为:单施氮肥处理(N)高于不施肥处理(CK),氮磷配施处理(NP)显著高于CK和N处理,三个有机肥处理(M、NM和NPM)均较高。不同施肥对冬小麦光合速率影响显著,NPM处理的光合速率在各个生育期均最高;其次分别为NM处理和NP处理,而M处理在前期较高,后期下降较快,N和CK处理均较低。不同施肥处理小麦产量:NPM>NM>M>NP>N>CK,不同施肥均能显著增加小麦产量(增产量为341～4388kg/hm2),除M和NM处理,其他处理均有显著差异;冬小麦耗水量和水分利用效率均随施肥水平提高而增加,NPM和NP处理显著高于N和CK处理。表明在本试验年单施氮肥对小麦生长及产量影响较小,单施有机肥及不同肥料配施均能显著促进小麦生长及产量提高,有机肥的增产效应显著高于无机肥,其中NPM处理的产量及水分利用效率均最高。

氮施用量对夏玉米土壤水氮动态及水肥利用效率的影响

采用田间小区试验,监测夏玉米不同生长期土壤水分和硝态氮剖面含量变化,研究不同施氮量对其时空变化及籽粒产量、水肥利用效率的影响,探讨氮肥对水肥资源高效利用的调节作用。结果表明:不同施氮处理,土壤剖面水分和硝态氮随土壤深度的变化趋势基本一致,即表层50 cm土壤水分和硝态氮含量较高且呈降低态,50~110 cm相对较低且波动较小,灌浆期二者均达到最低值;各生长期表层50 cm土壤含水量呈不施氮处理均高于施氮处理,50~110 cm土层则相反;施氮能提高土壤硝态氮含量,土壤硝态氮运移受土壤水分状况和含量的影响,含量越高,向下移动越深;施氮能显著提高水分利用效率及籽粒产量,增产效果明显(增产28.52%~37.86%),二者均以施氮240 kg/hm2处理最高;随施氮量的增加籽粒产量及籽粒吸氮量和水分利用效率增幅均表现为先升高后降低之趋势,当施氮量超过240 kg/hm2后,籽粒产量和水分利用效率提高并不显著;不施氮与施氮处理氮素生产力、氮肥利用率之间均存在极显著差异。在本试验条件下,从控制土壤硝态氮积累及取得较高的产量和氮素利用率综合考虑,夏玉米的适宜施氮量范围应控制在120~240 kg/hm2较好。

施氮水平对黄土旱塬区小麦产量和土壤有机碳、氮的影响

施用氮肥是提高作物产量和土壤有机碳(SOC)、氮(TSN)含量的重要养分管理措施。利用长期田间试验(19842~007),定量评价了常规耕作条件下5个施氮水平N 0(N0)、45(N45)、90(N90)、135(N135)和180(N180)kg/hm2处理下,小麦子粒产量、SOC、TSN和氮肥利用效率的变化。研究了施氮水平对黄土旱塬区小麦产量、SOC和TSN积累的影响。结果表明,19842~007年期间,N0、N45、N90、N135和N180处理小麦产量的平均值依次为1.2、2.4、2.9、3.2和3.4t/hm2;N0处理的小麦产量随试验年限而降低,年降低幅度达67 kg/hm2(P<0.001);但增施氮肥处理小麦产量降低趋势得到显著控制,当施氮水平提高到N 90 kg/hm2时,产量随年限呈现出缓慢升高的趋势。随着施氮水平的提高,地上部氮肥利用率由40%(N45)降低到28%(N180)。不同施氮水平条件下,SOC含量随年限呈缓慢升高趋势。23年后(2007年),N0、N45、N90、N135和N180处理下,0—20 cm土层SOC储量依次为16.9、18.2、18.7、19.0和19.1 t/...

旱塬冬小麦水分利用特征及对施肥的响应

为了揭示施肥对黄土高原旱地冬小麦水分利用效率(WUE)的影响,通过对不同施肥处理条件下水分利用效率相关指标的研究发现:增施氮肥降低了小麦生育前期的叶片WUE,而提高了小麦生育后期的叶片WUE,并显著提高了小麦的叶面积指数(LAI),而增施磷肥效果不明显。增施氮肥显著提高了小麦的生物量和产量,从而提高了相应的生物量WUE和产量WUE;增施磷肥对小麦的生物量和产量的提高有一定的促进作用,但对生物量WUE和产量WUE的提高不明显。生物量、产量、LAI和相应的生物量WUE、产量WUE都呈极显著正相关,说明通过施肥提高了小麦的LAI,进而提高了群体光合效率和干物质积累,从而提高了水分利用效率。

施氮量对黄土旱塬区冬小麦产量和土壤水分动态的影响

为了探明施氮量对黄土旱塬区冬小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)籽粒产量和麦田土壤水分动态的影响规律,以抗旱性冬小麦品种长武58为供试材料,于2006～2008年连续两个年度在陕西省长武县对不同施氮量条件下麦田土壤贮水量动态、耗水规律、小麦产量和夏闲期降水补给率等特征进行研究。结果表明,麦田土壤贮水量随季节和降水明显变化,同一生育时期2.7m土层的土壤贮水量基本随施氮量的增加而减少。偏旱年每公顷施氮300kg和平水年每公顷施氮225kg均能够获得当年最大的籽粒产量和水分利用效率。每公顷施氮75kg和225kg均能在夏闲期获得较大的降水补给率。每公顷施氮225kg更有利于黄土旱塬区冬小麦的高产和稳产。

施氮和灌水对冬小麦叶片光合特性和籽粒产量的影响

大田条件下设置不同的施氮和灌水水平,研究施氮量和灌水量对冬小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)叶片光合作用生理及籽粒形成的影响。结果表明,施氮和灌水提高叶片Fv/Fm和Pn,并显著提高冬小麦籽粒产量、单位面积穗数和每穗粒数。施氮明显降低千粒重,而适量灌水明显提高千粒重。