Intraspecific variability overlays abiotic site effects on some quality parameters of walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruits from Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz walnut-fruit forests harbour a unique walnut diversity, which has rarely been investigated concerning nut properties and the influence of environmental conditions on these. We evaluated the influence of soil properties and altitude on physical and some chemical walnut properties at three sampling sites differing in altitude by 200 m. Walnut samples were collected from 15 randomly chosen trees. Soil samples from two depths under each tree were analysed for plant available mineral nutrients and soil chemical properties. In contrast to our hypothesis, physical nut and chemical kernel quality parameters did not differ between sampling sites at different altitude and were not affected by soil properties. Only pH showed a relationship with manganese availability in soil and kernel content, and was related to amino acid content of kernels. Tree and site-specific variability overrides abiotic influence caused by different altitude or soil properties and reflect the high genetic variability in these forests.

Switchgrass responses to manganese availability

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient and has a broad range of functions for all plant growth and reproduction. It plays a crucial role in NAD-ME C4 photosynthesis, including as a constituent of the water splitting protein of photosystem II (PSII) and as an activator of NAD-ME which catalyzes the release of CO2 from malate in bundle sheath cells (BSC). Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial NAD-ME C4 grass, is native to much of the United States. Switchgrass is also considered as a promising biofuel species for sustainable production of bioenergy feedstock. As a NADME C4 species, switchgrass may have a high requirement for Mn for optimum growth. However, little is known about switchgrass responses to Mn availability at present. To study the influence of Mn on biomass production and photosynthetic characteristics, one lowland ('Alamo') and one upland ('Cave-in-Rock') switchgrass ecotype were grown in 19-L pots filled with either washed sand, vermiculite, or perlite, and fertilized with nutrient solutions with Mn concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 [micro]M under field conditions in three consecutive years. In the last year (perlite), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) ('KGraze') was also grown. Shoot Mn concentration was highly responsive to increasing Mn in the nutrient solution in all experiments and for all entries. When grown in washed sand and vermiculite, no Mn treatment effects on biomass production were found for either switchgrass ecotype. In perlite, a significant decrease in biomass production grown in the 0 [micro]M Mn treatment compared to 10-25 [micro]M Mn treatments was only observed for Alamo and KGraze, and not for Cave-in-Rock. Late in the season, relative chlorophyll contents of both switchgrass ecotypes were significantly lower in the 0 [micro]M Mn treatment than other treatments, but, in KGraze, relative chlorophyll content was low early in the season, increased throughout the season, resulting in a less pronounced, but still significant Mn treatment effect, at late stages. Leaf Mn concentration of all entries increased with increasing Mn concentration in the nutrient solution. In switchgrass, leaf Mn concentration was significantly greater early compared to late in the season in the absence of Mn in the nutrient solution; however, this was not the case for pearl millet. In switchgrass, the absence of Mn in the nutrient solution significantly decreased photosynthetic rates and maximum PSII efficiency (Fv/Fm) late in the season. In contrast, in pearl millet the effect of 0 ë_M Mn in the nutrient solution on net photosynthesis and Fv/Fm was more pronounced early in the season. Chloroplast ultrastructure in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells were only affected by Mn availability in the lowland switchgrass ecotype. Manganese availability did not influence NAD-ME, NADP-ME and PEPCK activities in switchgrass, but NADME and PEPCK activities were reduced in pearl millet early in the season in the absence of Mn in the nutrient solution. Based on these results, Mn limitation for the oxygen evolving compex of PSII rather than for NAD-ME was the primary limitation of low Mn availability on net photosynthesis. Overall, switchgrass and pearl millet exhibited distinct temporal responses to limited Mn availabillity.

Zinc, copper and manganese availability in soils treated with alkaline sewage sludge from Paraná state (Brazil)

ABSTRACT In Paraná, most of the sludge generated in sewage treatment plants is subjected to the prolonged alkaline stabilization process. Although it is known that the alkaline sewage sludge contains micronutrients such as Zn, Cu and Mn, little is known about the availability of these elements in soils treated with this type of sewage sludge. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of alkaline sewage sludge from Paraná on Zn, Cu and Mn availability in soils. Twenty sewage treatment plants were selected throughout Paraná, where alkaline sewage sludge and the most representative agricultural soil of the each region were collected. Each soil was incubated for 60 days with alkaline sewage sludge rates (0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 Mg ha-1) from their region. Subsequently, Zn, Cu and Mn availability was determined using the Mehlich-1 extractant. The alkaline sewage sludge increased Zn availability and decreased Mn availability in most soils. Cu showed intermediate results, with increased availability, primarily in medium texture soils and decrease in most of the clayey soils. In soils with pH close to ideal for the plant growth, the alkaline sewage sludge rate should be carefully calculated so that there is no excessive increase in the pH and Zn, Cu and Mn imbalance.

EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZERS AND SALICYLIC ACID ON AVAILABILITY OF SOME NUTRIENTS IN SOIL AND PLANT AND SOME VEGETATIVE AND PRODUCTION QUALITY OF BEANS IRRIGATED WITH SALINE WATER

The aim of this study which have been implemented in the AL-mada,an area 40 km southeast of Baghdad in the silty loam soil to evaluate of interaction effect between inoculant with biofertilizers and salicylic acid on Iron and Manganese availability in soils and concentration in leaves and some vegetative growth indicators As well as flowers and quantitative specifications production quantity of plant Beans when irrigation with river and drainage water, the experiment Carried out by using Spilt-Spilt-Plot Design it was treatment of irrigation is the main plot while the treatment of spraying with salicylic acid is sub -plots plots while the treatment of bio-fertilizers are placed under. sub -plots. The triple combination treated between river water, biofertilizer mixture and 0.5mM from salicylic acid W1B3S1 recorded highest values in the concentration of Iron and Manganese availability in soils when recorded (21.65and 21.28) mg.kg-1 and (12.83and 12.57) mg.kg-1 and concentration of same elements in leaves recorded (258.4 and 240.3) mg.kg-1 and (217.0 and 212.3) mg.kg-1 and concentration of chlorophyll (20.54and 19.31)mg.g-1 and total dry matter in shoots (34.73and 31.12)g.plant-1 and flowering date (33.00 and 32.67) day and total number of flowers (127.7and 121.0) flower.plant-1 and early production (9.31and 9.25) ton. Ha-1 further more total production (37.24and 35.14) ton. Ha-1. Treatment W1S2B3 achieved the lowest values in sodium and Chlorine concentration (0.25 and 0.22) and (1.45 and 1.35) for both of them in tow growing season respectively .