Phosphorus Transfer and Distribution in a Soybean-Citrus Intercropping System

A mini-plot field experiment was conducted on a loamy clay Oxisol to compare and evaluate P absorption and transfer in plant organs and P movement in soil profile at three P application depths under the soybean-citrus intercropping versus the monoculture using a ^32p tracer technique. Total P absorption （Pt） by soybean and P accumulation （Pa） in soybean organs decreased significantly （P 〈 0.05） under the intercropping in contrast to the monoculture. With intercropping, when ^32p was applied in topsoil （15 cm soil layer）, total ^32p absorption （^32pt） in soybeans was significantly lower （P 〈 0.05）, but when ^32p was applied to deeper soil layers （35 or 55 cm soil layer）, ^32pt in soybeans was significantly greater （P 〈 0.05）. The percentage of P in leaves to total P （Pa/Pt） and 32p in leaves to total ^32p （^32pa/^32pt） for soybean were ≥ 25% and those of root ≥ 12%. When P was applied ia topsoil and 55 cm soil layer, no significant differences were found between intercropping and monoculture for Pt of citrus. The P absorbed by citrus was transferred rapidly to the growing organs of aboveground during the experiment, and the speed of transferring to the growing organs slowed when P was applied to the deeper soil layers. In intercropping, P mobility was heightened in the soil profile, and P in deeper soil layers moved up to topsoil more rapidly.

Combined Effect of Nutrient and Pest Management on Soil Ecological Quality in Hybrid Rice Double-Cropping System

The mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pesticide, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were applied alone or in combination and the soil sampling was done at different growth stages during the crop cycle to study the changes in soil organic matter, microbial biomass and their activity parameters in a paddy soil with different nutrient and pest management practices in a hybrid rice double-cropping system. A consistent increase in the electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured during the different crop growth stages of rice. The use of fertilizers (NPK) alone or with pesticides increased ETS activity, while a decline of ETS activity was noticed with pesticides alone as compared with the control. Nearly an increasing trend in soil phenol content was observed with the progression of crop growth stages, while the usage of pesticides alone caused maximum increments in the soil phenol content. The soil protein content was found nearly stable with fertilizers and/or pesticides application at various growth stages in both crops taken. But notable changes were noticed at different growth stages probably because of fluctuations in moisture and temperature at particular stages, which might have their effects on N mineralization. Marked depletions in the phospholipid content were found with the advancement of crop growth stages, while the incorporation of fertilizers and/or pesticides also produced slight changes, in which a higher decline was noticed with pesticide application alone compared with the control.

Legal and Economic Aspects of the Operation of Cooperatives in Polish Agriculture

The article presents the legal and economic issues connected with the formation and operation of Polish agricultural cooperatives. Additionally, it shows a brief history of cooperative development on Polish lands and statistical data on agriculture and cooperatives. Most attention is given to dairy cooperatives, cooperative groups of agricultural producers and agricultural production cooperatives. These types of cooperatives are the most popular in Polish agriculture. The fundamental law regulating the issue of cooperatives in Poland is the Cooperative Law Act of September 16, 1982. Other laws, however, also have a big influence on the business activity of agricultural cooperatives, especially the EU legal regulations. Poland membership in the European Union has created new possibilities of development for the cooperative movement.