A Preliminary Assessment of the Effect of Urban Waste Pollution in the Korle Lagoon Area of Accra, Ghana, on Nutrition and Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants

Disposal of domestic and industrial waste into the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon in Accra, Ghana, has led to pollution of the lagoon and surrounding soils. This study compared the elemental concentrations of heavy metals (lead and zinc) and essential plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) in soils from the Korle Lagoon Area to those in baseline soils from the University of Ghana Agricultural Farm (UG Farm), also in Accra. A comparative pot experiment, using maize (Zea mays L.) as test plant, was conducted to assess the effect of each soil type on plant growth. Soil samples from the Korle Lagoon Area were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) concentrations than samples from the UG Farm. Mean plant height and mean leaf width of maize plants harvested 7 weeks after planting (WAP) were both significantly higher (P < 0.003) for samples from the Korle Lagoon Area soil compared to those from the UG Farm soil. Higher accumulation of Zn (448.3 ± 45.5) in maize shoot within 3 weeks of planting in the Korle Lagoon Area soil had phytotoxic effects on growth, resulting in shoot growth inhibition and reduced uptake of P and K in 11-week-old plants. The findings indicate that though nutrient enrichment due to sewage disposal into the lagoon may increase crop production, the nutritional quality of the crop produced could be compromised by heavy metal accumulation in the soil and subsequent uptake by the plant.

Use of the Biostimulant Based on the Mycorrhizae Consortium of the Glomeraceae Family in the Field to Improve the Production and Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants in Central Benin

Excessive use of mineral fertilizers in maize farming negatively affects farmers’ income and impacts long-term soil health. This study aims to appreciate the effectiveness of biostimulant based on native Glomeraceae arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the production and uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium of maize (Zea mays L.) plants in central Benin. The trials were set up in a farming environment with thirty-four producers. The experimental design was composed of three treatments installed at 34 producers. Three growth parameters were evaluated on 60 ème days after sowing. Grain yield, nutritional status of maize plants and mycorrhization parameters were determined at harvest. The results showed that the Glomeraceae + 50% NPK (NPK: azote-phosphore-potassium)_Urea treatment improved the height, the crown diameter and the leaf area by 17.85%, 21.79% and 28.32% compared to the absolute control and by 0.41%, 1.11% and 1.46% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment, respectively. Similarly, grain yield improved by 45.87% with the use of Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea compared to the absolute control and by 3.96% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment. The Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea significantly improved the phosphorus and potassium uptake of maize plants. With respect to nitrogen uptake, no statistical difference was observed between treatments. The mycorrhizae strains used improved root infection in the maize plants. We recorded 66% frequency and 40.5% intensity of mycorrhization. The biostimulant based on indigenous Glomeraceae combined with 50% NPK_Urea can be used as a strategy to restore soil health and improve maize productivity in Benin.

XIV International Symposium on Iron Nutrition and Interactions in Plants

The ＂XIV International Symposium on Iron Nutrition and Interactions in Plants＂ （14th ISINIP） will be held in Beijing, China, on 11-15 October 2008. It will be held together with the Annual Meeting of HarvestPlus-China. The joint symposium will provide opportunities to scientists from soil sciences, plant nutrition, plant breeding, animal and human nutrition around the world to communicate their new results and experiences in studying iron nutrition of plants, animal and human for a better understanding of the mechanisms of iron from soils, over plants to animals and human beings. The scientific topics of the symposium are as follows：

A plant nutrition strategy for ex-situ conservation based on "Ecological Similarity"

This paper reviewed a large scale conservation work of rare and endangered plants currently conducted in main botanical gardens in China, and the existed, predictable and neglected problems on plant growth and reproduction in ex-situ conservation process. Considered the status quo in plant ex conservation, a nutritional strategy on the plant conservation was proposed based on ＇Ecological Similarity＇. Its main idea was that the ex-situ conservation plants coming from natural ecosystem were compulsively allocated in the agro-ecosystems and would return to natural ecosystem ultimately. Therefore, research on plant nutrition of the ex-situ conservation plants should neither just pursue yield and quality as that in agro-ecosystems nor merely stay on intrinsic natures without human intervening. We should give attentions to both of their attributes as in natural ecosystems and in agro-ecosystems, i.e., taking full advantage of plant nutritional measures as in agro-ecosystems to solve actual survival problems of the ex-conservation plants, and ensuring the final goal of returning to nature and playing its ecological role.

Effects of Tobacco-dedicated Plant Nutrition Regulators on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

During 2012-2014,field trials were carried out in Huili County,Dechang County and Mianning County of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture to investigate effects of tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators on yield and quality of fluecured tobacco leaves,aiming at providing reference for tobacco production.According to the results,in tobacco fields applied with tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators,growth period of tobacco was shortened compared with control group;botanical characters（plant height,stem girth,the maximum leaf length,the maximum leaf width,internode length and leaf number） were superior to control group;after application of tobacco-dedicated plant nutrition regulators,yield,output value and the proportion of high-grade and middle-grade leaves were significantly improved compared with control group;moreover,flue-cured tobacco leaves exhibited more coordinated chemical composition.

AtbHLH29 of Arabidopsis thaliana is a functional ortholog of tomato FER involved in controlling iron acquisition in strategy I plants

AtbHLH29 of Arabidopsis, encoding a bHLH protein, reveals a high similarity to the tomato FER which is proposed as a transcriptional regulator involved in controlling the iron deficiency responses and the iron uptake in tomato. For identification of its biological functions, AtbHLH29 was introduced into the genome of the tomato FER mutant T3238fer mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciencs. Transgenic plants were regenerated and the stable integration of AtbHLH29 into their genomes was confirmed by Southern hybridization. Molecular analysis demonstrated that expression of the exogenous AtbHLH29 of Arabidopsis in roots of the FER mutant T3238fer enabled to complement the defect functions of FER. The transgenic plants regained the ability to activate the whole iron deficiency responses and showed normal growth as the wild type under iron-limiting stress. Our transformation data demonstrate that AtbHLH29 is a functional ortholog of the tomato FER and can completely replace FER in controlling the effective iron acquisition in tomato. Except of iron, FER protein was directly or indirectly involved in manganese homeostasis due to that loss functions of FER in T3238fer resulted in strong reduction of Mn content in leaves and the defect function on Mn accumulation in leaves was complemented by expression of AtbHLH29 in the transgenic plants. Identification of the similar biological functions of FER and AtbHLH29, which isolated from two systematically wide-diverged “strategy I” plants, suggests that FER might be a universal gene presented in all strategy I plants in controlling effective iron acquisition system in roots.

Classification of plant functional types based on the nutrition traits： a case study on alpine meadow community in the Zoigê Plateau

The ecological concept of Plant Functional Types（PFTs）, which refers to the assemblage of plants with certain functional traits, has been introduced for the study of plant responses to the environment change and human disturbance. Taking the alpine meadow community in the Zoigê Plateau as a study case, this paper classified PFTs in terms of plant nutrition traits. The sequential results are as follows.（1） The main herbages in the Zoigê Plateau included 16 species in 5 families. Among the five families, Cyperaceae vegetation accounted for 81.37%of herbage area in total, while the remaining 4families occupied less than 20%. As for the species,Kobresia setchwanensis Hand.-Maizz. was dominant,accounting for 48.74% of the total area; while the remaining 51.26% was comprised of Polygonum viviparum L., Anaphalis fiavescens Hand.-Mazz.,Stipa aliena Keng and other species.（2） By using the Principal Component Analysis（PCA）, the assessment of herbages nutrition was carried out based on the comprehensive multi-index evaluation model.Polygonum viviparum L. had the highest nutritional value score（1.43）, and Stipa aliena Keng had the lowest（-1.40）. Nutritional value of herbage species had a significantly positive correlation with altitude（P＆lt;0.01） in the Zoigê Plateau.（3） Based on the nutritional values, herbages in the Zoigê Plateau could be grouped into 3 nutrition PFTs（high, medium and low） by using the Natural Breaks（Jenks） method.

Rootstocks effect on plant nutrition concentration in different organ of grafted watermelon

In this study carried out in 2009 and 2010 growing seasons, effect of rootstocks on plant nutrition partitioning in grafted watermelon onto four gourd rootstocks was investigated. Ferro, RS841 (Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata) and Argentario and Macis (Lagenaria hybrid) were used as rootstocks. Crimson Tide and Crisby watermelon cultivars were used as scion. Grafted and ungrafted seedlings were produced by a commercial seedling company. Plants were grafted by one cotyledon grafting techniques. Experiment was conducted in Alata Horticultural Research Station inMersin. The grafted plants were planted under low tunnel in early spring and regular cultural practices for watermelon were applied. Plant nutrition concentrations were determined in leaf, fruit rind, fruit flesh and seeds. Leaf sample was taken at flowering stage, rind, flesh and seed sample were taken from fully mature fruit. Nitrogen concentration was determined by modified Kjheldahl methods. Phosphorous concentration was determined by vanadomolybdophosphoric acid method. K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu concentration of samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Plant nutrient concentration in leaf, rind, flesh and seed were significantly affected by rootstocks. Increase in concentration of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaves was not observed in grafted plant. Ungrafted plant had higher concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in their leaves. Ca concentration in rind of fruits from grafted watermelon was higher than ungrafted control plant except Crimson Tide/Macis and Crimson Tide/Argentario graft combinations. Plant nutrition content of fruit flesh was significantly affected by rootstocks and scion. Magnesium, Fe, Zn and Mn concentration of seed was not significantly influenced by rootstocks and scion while other plant nutrient content was significantly affected rootstocks and scion.

Short-Term Impact of Elemental Sulfur on Cranberry Nutrition and Crop Performance

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is an ammophilous plant grown on acid soils (pH 4.0 - 5.5). Elemental sulfur is commonly applied at a recommended rate of 1120 kg S ha−1 per pH unit to acidify cranberry soils, potentially impacting the plant mineral nutrition. The general recommendation may not fit all conditions encountered in the field. Our objective was to develop an equation to predict the sulfur requirement to reach pHwater of 4.2 to tackle nitrification in acidic cranberry soils varying in initial pH values, and to measure the effect of elemental sulfur on the mineral nutrition and the performance of cranberry crops. A 3-yr experiment was designed to test the effect of elemental sulfur on soil and tissue tests and on berry yield and quality. Four S treatments (0, 250, 500 and 1000 kg S ha−1) were established on three duplicated sites during two consecutive years. We ran soil, foliar tissue, berry tissue tests, and measured berry yield, size, anthocyanin content (TAcy), Brix, and firmness. Nutrients were expressed as centered log ratios to reflect nutrient interactions. Results were analyzed using a mixed model. Soil Ca decreased while soil Mn and S increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Sulfur showed no significant effects on nutrient balances in uprights. The S impacted negatively berry B balance, and positively berry Mn and S balances. A linear regression model relating pH change to S dosage and elapsed time (R2 = 0.53) showed that to reach pHwater of 4.2 two years after S application, 250 - 1000 kg S ha−1 could be applied depending on initial soil pH value. The stratification of surface-applied elemental S in the soil profile should be further examined in relation to plant rooting and nutrient leaching.

Plant growth and metabolism of exotic and native Crotalaria species for mine land rehabilitation in the Amazon

Despite its enormous benefits,mining is respon-sible for intense changes to vegetation and soil properties.Thus,after extraction,it is necessary to rehabilitate the mined areas,creating better conditions for the establishment of plant species which is challenging.This study evaluated mineral and organic fertilization on the growth,and carbon and nitrogen(N)metabolism of two Crotalaria species[Cro-talaria spectabilis(exotic species)and Crotalaria maypu-rensis(native species from Carajás Mineral Province(CMP)]established on a waste pile from an iron mine in CMP.A control(without fertilizer application)and six fertilization mixtures were tested(i=NPK;ii=NPK+micronutrients;iii=NPK+micronutrients+organic compost;iv=PK;v=PK+micronutrients;vi=PK+micronutrients+organic compost).Fertilization contributed to increased growth of both species,and treatments with NPK and micronutrients had the best results(up to 257%cf.controls),while organic fertilization did not show differences.Exotic Crotalaria had a greater number of nodules,higher nodule dry mass,chlorophyll a and b contents and showed free ammonium as the predominant N form,reflecting greater increments in biomass compared to native species.Although having lower growth,the use of this native species in the rehabilitation of mining areas should be considered,mainly because it has good development and meets current government legislation as an opportunity to restore local biodiversity.

Changes in calcium accumulation and utilization efficiency and their impact on recycling,immobilization,and export across the oil palm cycle

Effective calcium(Ca)management is crucial for optimizing oil palm cultivation and enhancing crop yield.This study aimed to gain insights into the dynamics of Ca concentration,accumulation,exportation,immobilization,and recycling in various oil palm organs relative to plant age.The experiment was conducted at the Agropalma enterprise site in the northeastern region of Para State,Brazil,evaluating seven plant age treatments:2,3,4,5,6,7,and 8 years old.Employing a completely randomized design with four replications.The results demonstrated an age-related increase in Ca concentration in petioles,rachis,arrows,male inflorescences,peduncles,and fruits.Furthermore,Ca accumulation exhibited an upward trend in all organs with progressing plant age.Notably,the study revealed an enhanced Ca use efficiency across all plant organs in correlation with the age of oil palm cultivation.These findings underscore the dynamic nutritional demands of oil palm,influencing Ca immobilization,cycling,and export throughout its developmental stages.

Nutrient changes in potting mix and Eucalyptus nitens leaf tissue under macadamia biochar amendments

The effect of macadamia nut shell biochar on nitrogen,potassium,phosphorus,magnesium,calcium and sodium concentrations in potting mix used to grow Eucalyptus nitens seedlings was investigated in a glasshouse experiment.The treatments combined two fertiliser rates（50 and 100% rate of the commercial mix commonly used in forestry nurseries） with eight biochar rates(0,2,5,10,20,50,80 and 100 t ha;) arranged in a randomised complete block with three replicates of four sample plants.Nutrients were quantified in the potting mix and seedling leaves at four destructive harvests 135,177,219 and269 days after planting.Biochar significantly increased nitrate-N,Colwell P,Colwell K and exchangeable Na andreduced ammonium-N,Mg and Ca concentrations in the potting mix.Seedling leaf concentrations of P,K and Na were increased by biochar application,while N remained dependent on fertiliser rate only.Mg and Ca leaf concentrations decreased in response to increasing biochar rates.Elevated nitrate-N and decreased ammonium-N concentrations suggest that biochar might have increased nitrification in the potting mix.We presumed that biochar mediated processes that reduced uptake of P and K when high doses of biochar were combined with full fertilisation.Changes in potting mix K,Na,Mg and Ca were consistent with selective adsorption of ions to biochar surfaces.

Growth and mineral nutrient analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) grown on acidic soils in south China

Teak （Tectona grandis L.f.） is widely planted in the world due to its high market demand, economic, ecological and social value. Its plantations have mostly been established and expanded into sites that are acidic to severely acidic in southern China. But, there are no available and specific evidence-based nutrient management techniques. To better recognize and understand the relationship between teak tree growth and nutrient content in the foliage and soil and establish nutrient norms are critical to optimally manage these young plantations. We studied the foliar nutrient and soil chemistry in 19 representative teak plantations aged 5-8 years. Regression analysis indicated that the mean annual increment of teak volume was linearly and positively correlated with foliar N, Ca, Fe and B concentrations, with soil base saturation percentage, available P and Zn concentrations, and negatively correlated with soil Al concentration. Only if the Ca and Mg contents in soil were enhanced, could the increase in soil base saturation percentage benefit teak growth. A revised classification of low-and high-yielding stands was established by using a sorting method of principal components over 6 foliar macro and 8 micro elements in a Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System （DRIS）. Specific DRIS norms for teak plantations in acid soils were derived. The nutrient balance of N, P, K Ca, Mg, Zn, B with Fe or A1, Ca with Mg, and Fe with AI provided a key to promote the growth of teak in acid soils. Meanwhile, soil Zn was also found as a primary trace element that affected teak growth in this study.

Cadmium uptake by different rice genotypes that produce white or dark grains

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate cadmium(Cd) uptake by different rice cultivars that produce white or dark grains. Four cultivars with white grains(hereafter, white rice) and five cultivars with dark colors (hereafter dark rice) were selected for this experiment. Three levels of soil Cd concentrations, background(0), 5 and 10 mg/kg, were used. After harvest, plant biomass, tissue concentrations of Cd, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were analyzed. The results showed that Cd concentrations are significantly different between different genotypes, but when comparing the Cd concentrations for the two groups, no significant difference was found. For other divalent cations, Ca concentrations in dark rice were higher than those in white ones(P<0.001 for shoots, P=0.037 for roots); Fe concentrations in dark rice were also higher than those in white ones(P=0.001 either in shoot or root); Zn concentrations in shoot of dark rice were higher than those in white ones, but no significant difference in roots. The total molar concentrations of divalent cations in dark rice were also significantly higher than in white rice. The potential benefit of higher Ca and Fe concentrations in dark rice and similar Cd concentrations in both groups is also discussed in this paper.

A modified Murashige and Skoog media for efficient multipleshoot induction in G. arborea Roxb.

This paper reports on the effect of various micropropagation factors of Gmelina arborea Roxb. through multiple shoot induction. Factors like the source and age of explants, plant growth regulators （PGRs）, media composition, and carbon source affected multiple shoot-ing in the present study. Among all the explants used, only shoot tips derived from one, two, and three week old seedlings could form multiple shoots. Besides, the formation of multiple shoots depended on the con-centration and combination of PGRs. Among all the PGRs, BAP （6-benzylaminopurine） alone gave the highest regeneration efficiency. Simi-larly, IBA （Indole-3-butyric acid） was the most efficient PGR in inducing root formation in the microshoots. Media composition and carbon source also affected the regeneration efficiency. MS （Murashige and Skoog medium） proved to be the best media for regeneration followed by B5, SH （Schenk and Hilderbrandt medium） and WPM （Woody plant medium） in that order. Similarly, among sugars, only sucrose and glucose sup-ported induction of microshoots. Based on this study we recommend the use of glucose in place of sucrose in MS medium for maximum regenera-tion efficiency.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhance the Efficiency of the Combination of Organic and Chemical Fertilisers in Sugarcane

Modern agricultural practices involve the extensive use of chemical fertilisers to increase productivity. However less than half of the applied chemical fertiliser nitrogen is used by the target crops, and much of the remaining pollutes air and waterways. Farming systems that sustain productivity while reducing the negative effect on the environment are crucially needed. One avenue is to use plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as bio-fertiliser to reduce the dependency on chemical fertiliser. The potential of PGPR to improve the efficiency of the combination of organic and chemical fertilisers has recently been proposed. Here, we demonstrate that this combination benefits sugarcane grown in field conditions.

Chia Seeds （Salvia hispanica L） Wild Plant Rich in Nutrients

Chia seeds played an important role in different ethnic group＇s diet at pre-Hispanic times. Later, it was domesticated due to high demand by the population and nowadays it＇s cultivated in several states of Mexico. However, seeds are not part of the Mexican average diet. The aim of this research was to asses Chia seed＇s macronutrients and promote consumption among population to decrease malnutrition. Chia seeds were collected at Puebla State （2015） and analyzed according to AOAC [1] methods. Data obtained （g/100 g dry basis） were： proteins 18.51%; lipids 31.33%; minerals 4.45%; fiber 24.45%; soluble carbohydrates 21.38%. Chia seeds absorb water about ten times its weight, is gluten free and contain a good amount of proteins, indispensable for human life In addition, Chia seeds have a balanced amount of polyunsaturated essential lipids, which are important for brain function, minerals, fiber and soluble carbohydrates. Chia seeds are available all year and are well accepted by all social groups, therefore it could be a good option to improve human health.

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees(Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree（Bertholletia excelsa） is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production（kg dry weight）,nutrient uptake and requirements（N,P,Ca,Mg,K） of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.

Near-infrared leaf reflectance modeling of Annona emarginata seedlings for early detection of variations in nitrogen concentration

Nitrogen(N)monitoring is essential in nurseries to ensure the production of high-quality seedlings.Nearinfrared spectroscopy(NIRS)is an instantaneous,nondestructive method to monitor N.Spectral data such as NIRS can also provide the basis for developing a new vegetation spectral index(VSI).Here,we evaluated whether NIRS combined with statistical modeling can accurately detect early variations in N concentration in leaves of young plants of Annona emargiaata and developed a new VSI for this task.Plants were grown in a hydroponics system with 0,2.75,5.5or 11 mM N for 45 days.Then we measured gas exchange,chlorophylla fluorescence,and pigments in leaves;analyzed complete leaf nutrients,and recorded spectral data for leaves at 966 to 1685 nm using NIRS.With a statistical learning approach,the dimensionality of the spectral data was reduced,then models were generated using two classes(N deficiency,N)or four classes(0,2.75,5.5,11 mM N).The best combination of techniques for dimensionality reduction and classification,respectively,was stepwise regression(PROC STEPDISC)and linear discriminant function.It was possible to detect N deficiency in seedlings leaves with 100%precision,and the four N concentrations with93.55%accuracy before photosynthetic damage to the plant occurred.Thereby,NIRS combined with statistical modeling of multidimensional data is effective for detecting N variations in seedlings leaves of A.emarginata.

Solanum lycopersicum: Novelties for Climate Factors and Its Agronomic Management for High Yields

The intensive production of vegetables such as tomatoes depends on various strategies to achieve high yields.Purpose of this manuscript is to provide scientific and technological strategies for the intensive production of tomato or other vegetables in mega-production factories. However, with the advancement of knowledge, new improvements in the strategies will be incorporated. We have carried out research related to growth and yield variables in S. Lycopersicum. From this research we have worked on the intensive production of this noble vegetable at an industrial level. The results obtained are improvements in the production system. The improvements include the selection of the appropriate variety, germination and development of seedlings in a certified nursery. Trans-plantation in soil or hydroponics. The conditions of nutrient applications from the irrigation head system. The ventilation system and monitoring of climatic factors both day and night (temperature and relative humidity). Monitoring of macro- and micronutrients in the plant system, including Ca, K, Fe, and Zn. Soil fertility analyzes should include: primary and secondary macronutrients (ppm), organic matter (OM), EC, pH, bulk density (BD), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The nutritional diagnosis to confirm ranges of sufficiency. As a tool in plant nutrition programs, foliar application can include biostimulants and growth regulators. The foregoing can be considered strategies for the integral management of the tomato crop.