郑麦103是一个高抗条锈病的小麦新品种,为明确其携带的抗病基因,用郑麦103与感条锈病品种农大399杂交构建分离群体,用条锈菌CYR32、CYR33和CRY34(V26)混合菌系进行田间接种和成株期抗性鉴定,对214个F2:3家系的条锈病抗性进行遗传分析,...郑麦103是一个高抗条锈病的小麦新品种,为明确其携带的抗病基因,用郑麦103与感条锈病品种农大399杂交构建分离群体,用条锈菌CYR32、CYR33和CRY34(V26)混合菌系进行田间接种和成株期抗性鉴定,对214个F2:3家系的条锈病抗性进行遗传分析,初步确定郑麦103的抗条锈性由单个主效基因控制,定名为Yr ZM103。通过BSR-Seq技术开发了6个与Yr ZM103紧密连锁的分子标记,将Yr ZM103定位于染色体臂7BL分子标记ZM215和ZM221之间,遗传距离分别为11.8 c M和6.9 c M。利用7BL染色体上与其他已知抗条锈病基因紧密连锁的分子标记进行比较作图,发现Yr ZM103是不同于7BL末端其他抗条锈病基因的新基因。展开更多
Partial substitution of chemical fertilizers by organic amendments is adopted widely for promoting the availability of soil phosphorus(P)in agricultural production.However,few studies have comprehensively evaluated th...Partial substitution of chemical fertilizers by organic amendments is adopted widely for promoting the availability of soil phosphorus(P)in agricultural production.However,few studies have comprehensively evaluated the effects of longterm organic substitution on soil P availability and microbial activity in greenhouse vegetable fields.A 10-year(2009–2019)field experiment was carried out to investigate the impacts of organic fertilizer substitution on soil P pools,phosphatase activities and the microbial community,and identify factors that regulate these soil P transformation characteristics.Four treatments included 100%chemical N fertilizer(4 CN),50%substitution of chemical N by manure(2 CN+2 MN),straw(2 CN+2 SN),and combined manure with straw(2 CN+1 MN+1 SN).Compared with the 4 CN treatment,organic substitution treatments increased celery and tomato yields by 6.9-13.8%and 8.6-18.1%,respectively,with the highest yields being in the 2 CN+1 MN+1 SN treatment.After 10 years of fertilization,organic substitution treatments reduced total P and inorganic P accumulation,increased the concentrations of available P,organic P,and microbial biomass P,and promoted phosphatase activities(alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterase,phosphodiesterase,and phytase)and microbial growth in comparison with the 4 CN treatment.Further,organic substitution treatments significantly increased soil C/P,and the partial least squares path model(PLS-PM)revealed that the soil C/P ratio directly and significantly affected phosphatase activities and the microbial biomass and positively influenced soil P pools and vegetable yield.Partial least squares(PLS)regression demonstrated that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi positively affected phosphatase activities.Our results suggest that organic fertilizer substitution can promote soil P transformation and availability.Combining manure with straw was more effective than applying these materials separately for developing sustainable P management practices.展开更多
Soil aggregation,microbial community,and functions(i.e.,extracellular enzyme activities;EEAs)are critical factors affecting soil C dynamics and nutrient cycling.We assessed soil aggregate distribution,stability,nutrie...Soil aggregation,microbial community,and functions(i.e.,extracellular enzyme activities;EEAs)are critical factors affecting soil C dynamics and nutrient cycling.We assessed soil aggregate distribution,stability,nutrients,and microbial characteristics within>2,0.25-2,0.053-0.25,and<0.053 mm aggregates,based on an eight-year field experiment in a greenhouse vegetable field in China.The field experiment includes four treatments:100%N fertilizer(CF),50%substitution of N frtilizer with manure(M),straw(S),and manure plus straw(MS).The amounts of nutrient(N,P20,and K20)input were equal in each treatment.Results showed higher values of mean weight diameter in organic amended soils(M,MS,and S,2.43-2.97)vs.CF-amended soils(1.99).Relative to CF treatment,organic amendments had positive effects on nutrient(i.e.,available N,P,and soil organic C(SOC))conditions,microbial(e.g,bacterial and fungal)growth,and EEAs in the>0.053 mm aggregates,but not in the<0.053 mm aggregates.The 0.25-0.053 mm aggregates exhibited better nutrient conditions and hydrolytic activity,while the<0.053 mm aggregates had poor nutrient conditions and higher oxidative activity among aggregates,per SOC,available N,available P,and a series of enzyme activities.These results indicated that the 0.25-0.053 mm(<0.053 mm)aggregates provide suitable microhabitats for hydrolytic(oxidative)activity.Interestingly,we found that hydrolytic and oxidative activities were mainly impacted by fertilization(58.5%,P<0.01)and aggregate fractions(50.5%,P<0.01),respectively.The hydrolytic and oxidative activities were significantly(P<0.01)associated with nutrients(SOC and available N)and pH,electrical conductivity,respectively.Furthermore,SOC,available N,and available P closely(P<0.05)afected microbial communities within>0.25,0.25-0.053,and<0.053 mm aggregates,respectively.These findings provide several insights into microbial characteristics within aggregates under dfferent frilization modes in the greenhouse vegetable production system in China.展开更多
Phosphorus(P) leaching is a major problem in greenhouse vegetable production with excessive P fertilizer application. Substitution of inorganic P fertilizer with organic fertilizer is considered a potential strategy t...Phosphorus(P) leaching is a major problem in greenhouse vegetable production with excessive P fertilizer application. Substitution of inorganic P fertilizer with organic fertilizer is considered a potential strategy to reduce leaching, but the effect of organic material addition on soil P transformation and leaching loss remains unclear. The X-ray absorption nearedge structure(XANES) spectroscopy technique can determine P speciation at the molecular level. Here, we integrated XANES and chemical methods to explore P speciation and transformation in a 10-year field experiment with four treatments: 100% chemical fertilizer(4 CN), 50% chemical N and 50% manure N(2CN+2MN), 50% chemical N and 50% straw N(2CN+2SN), and 50% chemical N and 25% manure N plus 25% straw N(2CN+2 MSN). Compared with the 4 CN treatment, the organic substitution treatments increased the content of labile P by 13.7–54.2% in the 0–40 cm soil layers, with newberyite and brushite being the main constituents of the labile P. Organic substitution treatments decreased the stable P content;hydroxyapatite was the main species and showed an increasing trend with increasing soil depth. Straw addition(2CN+2SN and 2CN+2 MSN) resulted in a higher moderately labile P content and a lower labile P content in the subsoil(60–100 cm). Moreover, straw addition significantly reduced the concentrations and amounts of total P, dissolved inorganic P(DIP), and particulate P in leachate. DIP was the main form transferred by leaching and co-migrated with dissolved organic carbon. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that straw addition decreased P leaching by decreasing labile P and increasing moderately labile P in the subsoil. Overall, straw addition is beneficial for developing sustainable P management strategies due to increasing labile P in the upper soil layer for the utilization of plants, and decreasing P migration and leaching.展开更多
Powdery mildew,caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici,is one of the most severe wheat diseases.Mining powdery mildew resistance genes in wheat cultivars and their appliance in breeding program is a promising way to ...Powdery mildew,caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici,is one of the most severe wheat diseases.Mining powdery mildew resistance genes in wheat cultivars and their appliance in breeding program is a promising way to control this disease.Genetic analysis revealed that a single dominant resistance gene named PmTm4 originated from Chinese wheat line Tangmai 4 confers resistance to prevailing isolates of B.graminis f.sp.tritici isolate E09.Detailed comparative genomics analyses helped to develop closely linked markers to PmTm4 and a fine genetic map was constructed using large F2population,in which PmTm4 was located into a 0.66-c M genetic interval.The orthologous subgenome region of PmTm4in Aegilops tauschii was identified,and two resistance gene analogs(RGA)were characterized from the corresponding sequence scaffolds of Ae.tauschii draft assembly.The closely linked markers and identified Ae.tauschii orthologs in the mapping interval provide an entry point for chromosome landing and map-based cloning of PmTm4.展开更多
Knowledge of the stability of soil organic C(SOC)is vital for assessing SOC dynamics and cycling in agroecosystems.Studies have documented the regulatory effect of fertilization on SOC stability in bulk soils.However,...Knowledge of the stability of soil organic C(SOC)is vital for assessing SOC dynamics and cycling in agroecosystems.Studies have documented the regulatory effect of fertilization on SOC stability in bulk soils.However,how fertilization alters organic C stability at the aggregate scale in agroecosystems remains largely unclear.This study aimed to appraise the changes of organic C stability within soil aggregates after eight years of fertilization(chemical vs.organic fertilization)in a greenhouse vegetable field in Tianjin,China.Changes in the stability of organic C in soil aggregates were evaluated by four methods,i.e.,the modified Walkley-Black method(chemical method),13C NMR spectroscopy(spectroscopic method),extracellular enzyme assay(biological method),and thermogravimetric analysis(thermogravimetric method).The aggregates were isolated and separated by a wet-sieving method into four fractions:large macroaggregates(>2 mm),small macroaggregates(0.25–2 mm),microaggregates(0.053–0.25 mm),and silt/clay fractions(<0.053 mm).The results showed that organic amendments increased the organic C content and reduced the chemical,spectroscopic,thermogravimetric,and biological stability of organic C within soil aggregates relative to chemical fertilization alone.Within soil aggregates,the content of organic C was the highest in microaggregates and decreased in the order microaggregates>macroaggregates>silt/clay fractions.Meanwhile,organic C spectroscopic,thermogravimetric,and biological stability were the highest in silt/clay fractions,followed by macroaggregates and microaggregates.Moreover,the modified Walkley-Black method was not suitable for interpreting organic C stability at the aggregate scale due to the weak correlation between organic C chemical properties and other stability characteristics within the soil aggregates.These findings provide scientific insights at the aggregate scale into the changes of organic C properties under fertilization in greenhouse vegetable fields in China.展开更多
Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease that can cause severe yield losses. Identification and utilization of stripe rust resistance genes are essential for e...Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease that can cause severe yield losses. Identification and utilization of stripe rust resistance genes are essential for effective breeding against the disease. Wild emmer accession TZ-2, originally collected from Mount Hermon, Israel, confers near-immunity resistance against several prevailing Pst races in China. A set of 200 F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between susceptible durum wheat cultivar Langdon and TZ-2 was used for stripe rust evaluation. Genetic analysis indicated that the stripe rust resistance of TZ-2 to Pst race CYR34 was controlled by a single dominant gene, temporarily designated YrTZ2. Through bulked segregant analysis (BSA) with SSR markers, YrTZ2 was located on chromosome arm 1BS flanked by Xwmc230 and Xgwm413 with genetic distance of 0.8 cM (distal) and 0.3 cM (proximal), respectively. By applying wheat 90K iSelect SNP genotyping assay, 11 polymorphic loci (consisting of 250 SNP markers) closely linked to YrTZ2 were identified. YrTZ2 was further delimited into a 0.8-cM genetic interval between SNP marker IWB19368 and SSR marker Xgwm413, and cosegregated with SNP marker IWB28744 (co-segregated with 28 SNP). Comparative genomics analyses revealed high level of collinearity between the YrTZ2 genomic region and the orthologous region of Aegilops tauschii 1DS. The genomic region between loci IWB19368 and IWB31649 harboring YrTZ2 is orthologous to a 24.5-Mb genomic region between AT1D0112 and AT1D0150, spanning 15 contigs on chromosome 1DS. The genetic and comparative maps of YrTZ2 rovide a framework for map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection of YrTZ2.展开更多
Because laboratory tests are expensive and time-consuming and may not be available to farmers, soil nitrate quick tests are required for optimal nitrogen management strategies in China to increase nitrogen use efficie...Because laboratory tests are expensive and time-consuming and may not be available to farmers, soil nitrate quick tests are required for optimal nitrogen management strategies in China to increase nitrogen use efficiency and to reduce nitrogen losses. A total of 328 soil samples were collected at different soil depths from 225 sites in China, which covered a wide range of climatic and geographic regions, soil types, croplands and soil textures, to evaluate the suitability of a quick reflectometer test method for analysing soil NO3-N in a wide range of soil NO3 concentrations, soil types and cropping systems in China, mainly by comparison of soil NO3-N assessed by a quick-test method (a reflectometer) and a standard laboratory method, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reflectometer showed excellent agreement with the laboratory HPLC method with regard to soil nitrate contents for all analysed soil samples. The linear regression had slopes of 1 ± 0.08 and intercepts of ± 1.38 mg NO(-,3)-N L^(-1) among different soil types and croplands. Compared with the 1:1 lines, the regression analysis for each soil type showed statistically significant but small differences in slope; the relative difference between the values measured using the two analytical systems varied from -8% to 6%, and there were no differences in intercept except for paddy soil. The reflectometer showed adequate, statistically significant precision in determining soil nitrate contents, and it could therefore be directly used instead of the laboratory methods for soil NO(-,3)-N measurement in China.展开更多
文摘郑麦103是一个高抗条锈病的小麦新品种,为明确其携带的抗病基因,用郑麦103与感条锈病品种农大399杂交构建分离群体,用条锈菌CYR32、CYR33和CRY34(V26)混合菌系进行田间接种和成株期抗性鉴定,对214个F2:3家系的条锈病抗性进行遗传分析,初步确定郑麦103的抗条锈性由单个主效基因控制,定名为Yr ZM103。通过BSR-Seq技术开发了6个与Yr ZM103紧密连锁的分子标记,将Yr ZM103定位于染色体臂7BL分子标记ZM215和ZM221之间,遗传距离分别为11.8 c M和6.9 c M。利用7BL染色体上与其他已知抗条锈病基因紧密连锁的分子标记进行比较作图,发现Yr ZM103是不同于7BL末端其他抗条锈病基因的新基因。
基金supported by the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-23-B04)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0201001)。
文摘Partial substitution of chemical fertilizers by organic amendments is adopted widely for promoting the availability of soil phosphorus(P)in agricultural production.However,few studies have comprehensively evaluated the effects of longterm organic substitution on soil P availability and microbial activity in greenhouse vegetable fields.A 10-year(2009–2019)field experiment was carried out to investigate the impacts of organic fertilizer substitution on soil P pools,phosphatase activities and the microbial community,and identify factors that regulate these soil P transformation characteristics.Four treatments included 100%chemical N fertilizer(4 CN),50%substitution of chemical N by manure(2 CN+2 MN),straw(2 CN+2 SN),and combined manure with straw(2 CN+1 MN+1 SN).Compared with the 4 CN treatment,organic substitution treatments increased celery and tomato yields by 6.9-13.8%and 8.6-18.1%,respectively,with the highest yields being in the 2 CN+1 MN+1 SN treatment.After 10 years of fertilization,organic substitution treatments reduced total P and inorganic P accumulation,increased the concentrations of available P,organic P,and microbial biomass P,and promoted phosphatase activities(alkaline and acid phosphomonoesterase,phosphodiesterase,and phytase)and microbial growth in comparison with the 4 CN treatment.Further,organic substitution treatments significantly increased soil C/P,and the partial least squares path model(PLS-PM)revealed that the soil C/P ratio directly and significantly affected phosphatase activities and the microbial biomass and positively influenced soil P pools and vegetable yield.Partial least squares(PLS)regression demonstrated that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi positively affected phosphatase activities.Our results suggest that organic fertilizer substitution can promote soil P transformation and availability.Combining manure with straw was more effective than applying these materials separately for developing sustainable P management practices.
基金Fund for China Agriculture Research 3ystem(CAR3-23-B02)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0201001)the Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province,China(2017CXGC0206).
文摘Soil aggregation,microbial community,and functions(i.e.,extracellular enzyme activities;EEAs)are critical factors affecting soil C dynamics and nutrient cycling.We assessed soil aggregate distribution,stability,nutrients,and microbial characteristics within>2,0.25-2,0.053-0.25,and<0.053 mm aggregates,based on an eight-year field experiment in a greenhouse vegetable field in China.The field experiment includes four treatments:100%N fertilizer(CF),50%substitution of N frtilizer with manure(M),straw(S),and manure plus straw(MS).The amounts of nutrient(N,P20,and K20)input were equal in each treatment.Results showed higher values of mean weight diameter in organic amended soils(M,MS,and S,2.43-2.97)vs.CF-amended soils(1.99).Relative to CF treatment,organic amendments had positive effects on nutrient(i.e.,available N,P,and soil organic C(SOC))conditions,microbial(e.g,bacterial and fungal)growth,and EEAs in the>0.053 mm aggregates,but not in the<0.053 mm aggregates.The 0.25-0.053 mm aggregates exhibited better nutrient conditions and hydrolytic activity,while the<0.053 mm aggregates had poor nutrient conditions and higher oxidative activity among aggregates,per SOC,available N,available P,and a series of enzyme activities.These results indicated that the 0.25-0.053 mm(<0.053 mm)aggregates provide suitable microhabitats for hydrolytic(oxidative)activity.Interestingly,we found that hydrolytic and oxidative activities were mainly impacted by fertilization(58.5%,P<0.01)and aggregate fractions(50.5%,P<0.01),respectively.The hydrolytic and oxidative activities were significantly(P<0.01)associated with nutrients(SOC and available N)and pH,electrical conductivity,respectively.Furthermore,SOC,available N,and available P closely(P<0.05)afected microbial communities within>0.25,0.25-0.053,and<0.053 mm aggregates,respectively.These findings provide several insights into microbial characteristics within aggregates under dfferent frilization modes in the greenhouse vegetable production system in China.
基金supported by the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS–23-B04)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0201001)。
文摘Phosphorus(P) leaching is a major problem in greenhouse vegetable production with excessive P fertilizer application. Substitution of inorganic P fertilizer with organic fertilizer is considered a potential strategy to reduce leaching, but the effect of organic material addition on soil P transformation and leaching loss remains unclear. The X-ray absorption nearedge structure(XANES) spectroscopy technique can determine P speciation at the molecular level. Here, we integrated XANES and chemical methods to explore P speciation and transformation in a 10-year field experiment with four treatments: 100% chemical fertilizer(4 CN), 50% chemical N and 50% manure N(2CN+2MN), 50% chemical N and 50% straw N(2CN+2SN), and 50% chemical N and 25% manure N plus 25% straw N(2CN+2 MSN). Compared with the 4 CN treatment, the organic substitution treatments increased the content of labile P by 13.7–54.2% in the 0–40 cm soil layers, with newberyite and brushite being the main constituents of the labile P. Organic substitution treatments decreased the stable P content;hydroxyapatite was the main species and showed an increasing trend with increasing soil depth. Straw addition(2CN+2SN and 2CN+2 MSN) resulted in a higher moderately labile P content and a lower labile P content in the subsoil(60–100 cm). Moreover, straw addition significantly reduced the concentrations and amounts of total P, dissolved inorganic P(DIP), and particulate P in leachate. DIP was the main form transferred by leaching and co-migrated with dissolved organic carbon. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that straw addition decreased P leaching by decreasing labile P and increasing moderately labile P in the subsoil. Overall, straw addition is beneficial for developing sustainable P management strategies due to increasing labile P in the upper soil layer for the utilization of plants, and decreasing P migration and leaching.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31371624, 31210103902)
文摘Powdery mildew,caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp.tritici,is one of the most severe wheat diseases.Mining powdery mildew resistance genes in wheat cultivars and their appliance in breeding program is a promising way to control this disease.Genetic analysis revealed that a single dominant resistance gene named PmTm4 originated from Chinese wheat line Tangmai 4 confers resistance to prevailing isolates of B.graminis f.sp.tritici isolate E09.Detailed comparative genomics analyses helped to develop closely linked markers to PmTm4 and a fine genetic map was constructed using large F2population,in which PmTm4 was located into a 0.66-c M genetic interval.The orthologous subgenome region of PmTm4in Aegilops tauschii was identified,and two resistance gene analogs(RGA)were characterized from the corresponding sequence scaffolds of Ae.tauschii draft assembly.The closely linked markers and identified Ae.tauschii orthologs in the mapping interval provide an entry point for chromosome landing and map-based cloning of PmTm4.
基金The authors sincerely acknowledge the financial support provided by the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-23-B02)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0201001)the scientific research projects for talents introduce in Hebei Agricultural University(YJ2020054).
文摘Knowledge of the stability of soil organic C(SOC)is vital for assessing SOC dynamics and cycling in agroecosystems.Studies have documented the regulatory effect of fertilization on SOC stability in bulk soils.However,how fertilization alters organic C stability at the aggregate scale in agroecosystems remains largely unclear.This study aimed to appraise the changes of organic C stability within soil aggregates after eight years of fertilization(chemical vs.organic fertilization)in a greenhouse vegetable field in Tianjin,China.Changes in the stability of organic C in soil aggregates were evaluated by four methods,i.e.,the modified Walkley-Black method(chemical method),13C NMR spectroscopy(spectroscopic method),extracellular enzyme assay(biological method),and thermogravimetric analysis(thermogravimetric method).The aggregates were isolated and separated by a wet-sieving method into four fractions:large macroaggregates(>2 mm),small macroaggregates(0.25–2 mm),microaggregates(0.053–0.25 mm),and silt/clay fractions(<0.053 mm).The results showed that organic amendments increased the organic C content and reduced the chemical,spectroscopic,thermogravimetric,and biological stability of organic C within soil aggregates relative to chemical fertilization alone.Within soil aggregates,the content of organic C was the highest in microaggregates and decreased in the order microaggregates>macroaggregates>silt/clay fractions.Meanwhile,organic C spectroscopic,thermogravimetric,and biological stability were the highest in silt/clay fractions,followed by macroaggregates and microaggregates.Moreover,the modified Walkley-Black method was not suitable for interpreting organic C stability at the aggregate scale due to the weak correlation between organic C chemical properties and other stability characteristics within the soil aggregates.These findings provide scientific insights at the aggregate scale into the changes of organic C properties under fertilization in greenhouse vegetable fields in China.
基金financially supported by the Science and Technology Service Network Initiative of Chinese Academy of Sciences(KFJ-STS-ZDTP-024)
文摘Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease that can cause severe yield losses. Identification and utilization of stripe rust resistance genes are essential for effective breeding against the disease. Wild emmer accession TZ-2, originally collected from Mount Hermon, Israel, confers near-immunity resistance against several prevailing Pst races in China. A set of 200 F6:7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between susceptible durum wheat cultivar Langdon and TZ-2 was used for stripe rust evaluation. Genetic analysis indicated that the stripe rust resistance of TZ-2 to Pst race CYR34 was controlled by a single dominant gene, temporarily designated YrTZ2. Through bulked segregant analysis (BSA) with SSR markers, YrTZ2 was located on chromosome arm 1BS flanked by Xwmc230 and Xgwm413 with genetic distance of 0.8 cM (distal) and 0.3 cM (proximal), respectively. By applying wheat 90K iSelect SNP genotyping assay, 11 polymorphic loci (consisting of 250 SNP markers) closely linked to YrTZ2 were identified. YrTZ2 was further delimited into a 0.8-cM genetic interval between SNP marker IWB19368 and SSR marker Xgwm413, and cosegregated with SNP marker IWB28744 (co-segregated with 28 SNP). Comparative genomics analyses revealed high level of collinearity between the YrTZ2 genomic region and the orthologous region of Aegilops tauschii 1DS. The genomic region between loci IWB19368 and IWB31649 harboring YrTZ2 is orthologous to a 24.5-Mb genomic region between AT1D0112 and AT1D0150, spanning 15 contigs on chromosome 1DS. The genetic and comparative maps of YrTZ2 rovide a framework for map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection of YrTZ2.
基金the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (No.00330800A)
文摘Because laboratory tests are expensive and time-consuming and may not be available to farmers, soil nitrate quick tests are required for optimal nitrogen management strategies in China to increase nitrogen use efficiency and to reduce nitrogen losses. A total of 328 soil samples were collected at different soil depths from 225 sites in China, which covered a wide range of climatic and geographic regions, soil types, croplands and soil textures, to evaluate the suitability of a quick reflectometer test method for analysing soil NO3-N in a wide range of soil NO3 concentrations, soil types and cropping systems in China, mainly by comparison of soil NO3-N assessed by a quick-test method (a reflectometer) and a standard laboratory method, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reflectometer showed excellent agreement with the laboratory HPLC method with regard to soil nitrate contents for all analysed soil samples. The linear regression had slopes of 1 ± 0.08 and intercepts of ± 1.38 mg NO(-,3)-N L^(-1) among different soil types and croplands. Compared with the 1:1 lines, the regression analysis for each soil type showed statistically significant but small differences in slope; the relative difference between the values measured using the two analytical systems varied from -8% to 6%, and there were no differences in intercept except for paddy soil. The reflectometer showed adequate, statistically significant precision in determining soil nitrate contents, and it could therefore be directly used instead of the laboratory methods for soil NO(-,3)-N measurement in China.