不同施肥对缺钾红壤性水稻土的生态效应

【目的】研究不同配方施肥对缺钾水稻土的生态效应。【方法】采取盆栽方式对长期缺施钾肥水稻土进行了三年半施肥试验。施肥处理为氮、磷、钾平衡施肥同时结合施用适量的与水稻营养密切相关的硅、钾、有机肥。【结果】平衡施用氮、磷、钾肥能使水稻健康生长,显著提高了养分利用率和水稻产量,水稻增产幅度达27.7%(NPK处理)至51.5%(NPKSi处理)。水稻健康生长又促使其根系分泌物量增大,泌氧增多,稻田土壤细菌数量、微生物活度、微生物量碳、微生物量磷及微生物量氮含量显著提高,其中MBC增幅达33.9%(NPK处理)至47.3%(NPKSi处理),从而强化了微生物生态系统的供肥能力,增强了稻田生态系统功能。而长期过量施用钾肥(NPhK)虽提高了土壤钾含量,但相对不施钾肥处理(NP)水稻增产不显著,土壤微生物非正常生长,稻田生态系统质量没有明显改善。各处理比较,NPKSi处理生态效应最佳,以下依次是NPKM、NPhKM和NPK。NPhK对稻田生态系统产生负效应。【结论】平衡施用氮、磷、钾肥是改善缺钾水稻土质量的有效措施,其中在平衡施用无机氮、磷、钾肥的基础上增施硅肥或有机肥效果尤为显著。

不同配方施肥对长期缺施钾肥的红壤性水稻土微生物特性的影响

为了验证平衡施肥对长期缺施钾肥的南方红壤性水稻土的修复效果,通过2年盆栽试验,以五种不同施肥处理(NPK、NPKSi、NPKOM、NPhK、NPhKOM),研究了长期缺施钾肥的水稻土的微生物特性,结果发现,在对照(NPK)基础上增施硅肥(NPKSi)、钾肥(NPhK)能促进细菌和放线菌数量的增长,提高微生物活度,加速微生物量N、P的转化.同时也能提高微生物量C。相反,在淹水条件下配施有机肥(NPKOM),由于降低了水稻根际环境的氧化还原电位,使根际微生物生长萎缩,微生物活度、微生物量C无显著提高;虽然土壤微生物量N、P随之增加,但有机N的矿化减弱,植株可吸收的有效态养分减少。增施钾肥的同时配施有机肥(NPhKOM)具有增施钾肥的优点,即可提高微生物活度提高微生物量C,加速有机N、P的矿化,但同时也会减少微生物数量。因此在缺钾水稻土的修复实践中,常规施肥的基础上对水稻增施硅肥、钾肥应是有效举措。而配施有机肥则须谨慎,有机肥或需适量酌施,或需结合增施钾(硅)肥。

我国籽实和饲草大麦土壤钾素丰缺指标和.推荐施钾量初步研究

为了给我国大麦测土施钾提供科学依据,采用“零散实验数据整合法”和“养分平衡-地力差减法新应用公式”,开展了我国大麦土壤钾素丰缺指标和推荐施钾量研究。结果表明,我国大麦土壤速效钾第1~3级丰缺指标依次为≥341、165~341和<165 mg/kg;土壤全钾第1~5级丰缺指标依次为≥85、19~85、4.1~19、0.9~4.1和<0.9 g/kg。当钾肥当季利用率40%~60%时,目标产量3~7.5 t/hm^(2)籽实大麦第1~5级土壤推荐施钾量分别为0、13~47、25~94、38~141和50~188 kg/hm^(2);目标产量6~15 t/hm^(2)干草大麦第1~5级土壤推荐施钾量分别为0、16~60、32~120、48~180和64~240 kg/hm^(2);目标产量15~45 t/hm^(2)青贮大麦第1~5级土壤推荐施钾量分别为0、14~63、28~126、42~189和56~252 kg/hm^(2)。本研究初步建立了我国籽实和饲草大麦土壤钾素丰缺指标推荐施肥系统,为我国大麦测土施钾奠定了科学基础。

Effects of Different Application Amounts of Potassium Fulvate on Yield and Quality of Tomato and Soil Physical and Chemical Properties

This study was conducted to study the optimum dosage of potassium ful- vate （PF） on greenhouse tomato, the effects of different amounts of PF on yield and quality of greenhouse tomato and soil physical and chemical properties were investigated by a field plot experiment. The results showed that the bottom applica- tion of PF increased tomato yield, plant dry matter weight and root dry matter weight by 14.0%, 14.4 and 50.6%, respectively; Vc and soluble sugar content of tomato increased by 1＆5% and 10.0%, respectively; and soil bulk density de- creased by 3.6%, and CEC increased by 5.0%. All the indexes increased with the increase of PF application amount, and reached the maximum value when the PF application rate was 4 500 kg/hm2. In consideration of the cost of fertilizer and all indexes, the optimum dosaqe of PF fertilizer was 4 500 kg/hm2.

Effects of N, P and K on Output and Nutrient Cycle of Vegetables in Greenhouses

ObjectiveThe aim was to increase farmers’ income and reduce the waste of fertilizer by exploring effects of N, P and K fertilizations on vegetable yields and the accumulation of N, P and K in vegetable and soils. MethodThe fertilization tests were conducted on tomato, cauliflower and celery in greenhouses. ResultWhen N, P and K were not applied in tomato, cauliflower or celery, the yields reduced in 6.0%-13.8% and total annual income reduced by 39 220, 36 902 and 22 023 yuan/hm 2 respectively, suggesting that N, P and K are limiting factors of yield. The absorbed N amounts of tomato and cauliflower were higher compared with celery; the absorbed P amount of cauliflower was higher compared with tomato and celery; the absorbed K amount of tomato was the highest, followed by celery and cauliflower. The absorbed N in tomato fruit was lower than that of cauliflower and the absorbed N amount of other parts of tomato was also lower. Furthermore, the absorbed amounts of P and K by tomato and cauliflower fruits were higher than it absorbed by the other parts, especially the absorbed of K was significantly high. Total absorbed amounts of N, P and K from high to low were cauliflower, tomato and celery. After harvesting of tomato, cauliflower and celery, N, P and K in soils were all higher compared with soils before planting. Influenced by fertilizers, residual N content in soils grown with tomato and residual P content in soils grown with celery both doubled compared with base soils. Cauliflower plants were not applied with organic fertilizer, and residual N and K contents in soils were lower compared with tomato and celery. ConclusionResidual P content in soils is higher, which is a kind of waste and would cause pollution on soils. It is necessary to improve the proportion of organic and inorganic fertilizers in fertilization.

Spatial and Temporal Variability of N, P and K Balances for Agroecosystems in China

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium balances for agroecosystems in China from 1993 to 2001 were calculated at national and provincial levels using statistical data and related parameters, and their spatial and temporal variabilities were analyzed with GIS to estimate the potential impacts of nutrient N, P and K surpluses or deficits to soil, water and air. At the national scale, the N and P balances from 1993 to 2001 showed a surplus, with the nitrogen surplus remaining relatively stable from 1997—2001. Although during this period the P surplus pattern was similar to N, it had smaller values and kept increasing as the use of phosphate fertilizer increased year by year. However, K was deficient from 1993 to 2001 even though from 1999 to 2001 the K deficit decreased. The spatial analysis revealed higher N surpluses in the more developed southeastern provinces and lowest in the western and northern provinces where there was less chemical fertilizer input. The serious K deficit mainly occurred in Shanghai and Beijing municipalities, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hubei provinces, and Xinjiang autonomous regions. For the years 1992, 1996 and 2001, N surpluses and K deficits had significant positive spatial correlations with per capita gross domestic product (GDP), per capita gross industrial output value, and per capita net income of rural households. This showed that the level of economic development played an important role on nutrient balances in the agroecosystems.

Interaction of NPK Fertilizers During Their Transformation in Soils: I. Dynamic Changes of Soil pH

Dynamic changes of soil pH as influenced by ammonium sulfate (AS),monocalciuin phosphate (MCP), potassium chloride (KCl) and their interaction in soils were evaluatedin incubation experiments. Applying these fertilizers significantly reduced soil pH values in allcases and followed sequences of AS > MCP > KCl, MCP > KCl > AS and KCl > AS > MCP for the paddy,calcareous and red soils, respectively. The AS-induced reduction of pH in the three soils followedthe sequence of red soil > paddy soil > calcareous soil, while in MCP and KCl systems the reductionof pH followed the sequences of calcareous soil > paddy soil > red soil and red soil > calcareoussoil > paddy soil, respectively. The interactions of the NPK fertilizers on pH were significant. MCPplus KCl or MCP plus AS reduced pH values more than the fertilizers applied solely in the paddysoil, but AS partly counteracted the effect of MCP on pH in the 1 d sample of the calcareous soil.The effect of MCP on pH was trivial when MCP was applied in combination with KCl or AS in the redsoil. When applied in combination with AS, KCl did not affect soil pH initially, but suppressed thereduction of pH at the later incubation stage, which was related to inhibition of nitrification byKCl in the soils.

Crop Yield,N Uptake and Nitrates in a Fluvo-Aquic Soil Profile

The effects of different chemical fertilizer combinations (N, P and K) oncrop yield, N uptake and nitrate distribution and accumulation to a depth of 100 cm were studied ina cinnamon fluvo-aquic soil profile (Beijing) with a continuous winter wheat-summer maize croppingsystem for nine years. The experiment consisted of 7 treatments: no fertilizer control (CK); Nalone, N in combination with K (NK), P (NP), and P and K (NPK and N1PK); and P and K in combinationwithout N (PK). The rate of N was 150 kg ha^(-1) for the N treatments except Treatment N1PK withhigher N rate (195 kg ha^(-1)), and the rates of P (P_2O_5) and K (K2O) were 75 and 37.5 kg ha^(-1),respectively. The applications of N combined with P and K (NK, NP and NPK) resulted in higher cropyields than a single application of N. The yields followed the order: NPK > NP > N1PK > PK > NK > N> CK for winter wheat, and NPK > N1PK > NP > NK > N > PK > CK for summer maize. Supplement of N withP or K, or both P and K resulted in a higher average N uptake of the two crops, which was in adecreasing order NPK > NP > N1PK > NK > N > PK > CK. The combinations also increased apparent Nrecovery more than N alone and CK. The nitrate content in the profile was thus reduced more in thecombination treatments. The nitrate accumulation in the soil profiles followed the order: N > NK >N1PK > NPK > NP > CK > PK. Higher N uptake by the adequately fertilized crops (Treatment NPK)reduced nitrate accumulation in the profile and thus reduced nitrate leaching. The optimum N:P:Kratio was thus of paramount importance in increasing yields and N uptake of crops and reducingnitrate leaching losses.

Effects of N,P and K Fertilizers on Growth of Clover Nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia and Soil Fertility after Plantation

In order to develop organic rice and increase paddy soil fertility by cloverorganic rice rotation, the effects of N, P and K fertilizers on growth of clover nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and soil fertility after plantation were investigated, thereby providing certain reference for reasonable cultivation of clover and improvement of soil fertility. A two-year experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2013. The clover was cultivated after rice every year, and different levels of N, P and K fertilizers were applied before winter. In the treatment group, no fertilizer was applied. The effects of different fertilizers and different application amounts on clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight and soil fertility after plantation were analyzed. The results showed that the application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage had significantly effect on the growth of clover. When the application amount of N fertilizer was 75 kg/hm^2（N 46%）, the clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight were highest. The soil nitrogen content after plantation increased with the increase of the application amount of N fertilizer, while the P and K content decreased and then increased with the increased application amounts. Soil available P content increased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers, but it did not change significantly with the increased application amount of K fertilizer. Soil available K content increased first and then decreased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers.When the application amounts of N and P fertilizers were 150（N 46%） and 300（P_2O_5 12%） kg/hm^2, soil available K content reached the maximum. Soil organic matter content increased with the increased application amounts of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in the cultivation of clover, appropriate application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage can improve clover yield and soil fertility.

Influence of pH on Formation of Taranakites

Monoammonium phosphate (1 mol L-1), monopotassium phosphate (1 mol L-1) and aluminum ohloride (5×10-3 mol L-1) were used to investigate the influence of pH on the formation of NH4-taranakite and K-taranakite in systems with a high NH4H2PO4 or KH2PO4 concentration. The experimental data indicated that the reaction products of aluminum with NH4H2PO4 or KH2PO4 changed with the pH in the systems. In a pH range of 2.5 to 10.0, as the pH increased, the products in either ammonium or potassium system followed the sequence: taranakite, amorphous (NH4, K)2AlH(PO4)2 .4H2O, and then crystalline (NH4, K)AlPO4OH.2H2O. However, the pH ranges of the formation of these products in ammonium system were different from potassium system. NH4-taranakite formed from pH 2.75 to PH 5.75, whereas K-taranakite formed in the pH range of 3.00 to 5.00. From the theoretical calculation by a computer program (GEOCHEM version 2.0), NH4-taranakite and K-taranakite could form at the pH from 1.50 to 8.30 and from 1.25 to 8.45,respectively. These pH ranges were much wider than the experimental results. The difference between the experimental data and theoretical data was attributed to the lack of kinetic data and/or the incompleteness and inaccuracy of the thermodynamic data in the data base of the program. The PH ranges of the formation of the taranakites indicated that the taranakites could exist in the immediate vicinity of phosphate fertilizer zone as reaction products of phosphate fertilizers with soils, especially acidic soils, resulting in the fixation of not only phosphate but also nitrogen and/or potassium in soils.

Study on Soil Nutrient Contents and Nutrient Characteristics of Ginger(Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

[Objective] This study was conducted to provide scientific basis for fertilization of ginger with high quality and high yield. [Method] The soil nutrient contents and plant nutrient characteristics of Zhugen ginger（Zingiber officinale Rosc.） were studied. [Result] The results showed that： the soil of ginger planting area in Chongqing（Yongchuan） Seedlings of science and technology city was acidic overall,the soil organic matter content was low and alkali-hydrolyzable N was at moderate level; and the contents of available P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were extremely rich, while the available S was in lack. The contents of N and K were abundant and P was little in ginger plants, the content of K was more than N in ginger roots and stems, while the content of N was more than K in ginger leaves. [Conclusion]In practical production, it was necessary to fertilize rationally and control the ratio of N fertilizer to K fertilizer according to local conditions, thereby promoting ginger growth and realize high-yield ginger production.

Effect of Heavy Metal Pollution on Potassium Behavior in Typic Udic Ferrisol

The indirect influence of heavy metal contamination of soil on nutrient availability, an important aspect of soil quality, may need to be taken into consideration when determining overall effects of heavy metals. A laboratory experiment was performed to study the effects of combined pollution of Cu, Ph, Zn and Cd on soil K status as indicated by chemical fractions, adsorption-desorption and quantity/intensity (Q/I) relationship of K in a Typic Udic Ferrisol (generally called red soil), by employing uniform design and single factor design. Compared to the control, content of exchangeable K was decreased, but that of soluble K increased in the samples contaminated with heavy metals. Due to heavy metal pollution, potassium adsorption was reduced by 5% to 22%, whereas the desorption percentage of adsorbed K increased by 2% to 32%. The Q/I curves shifted downward, potassium buffering capacity (PBCK) decreased, and equilibrium activity ratio values (ARoK) increased with increasing heavy metal pollution. These influences followed the sequences of Ph>Cu>Zn and combined pollution>single one. Displacement of K from canon exchange sites and decrease in soil CEC due to heavy metals should be responsible for the changes of soil K behaviours. The findings suggest that heavy metal pollution of soil might aggravate the degradation of soil K fertility by decreasing K adsorption and buffering capacity and increasing desorption.

Genotypic Variations in Potassium Absorption and Utilization by Amaranthus spp.

The kinetics of K+ absorption and the utilization of both applied K and K in a calcareous alluvisol with low available K by different genotypes of grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), an ancient pseudo-cereal that produces a large biomass and a rich source of healthy nutrients and mineral elements, were studied by means of ion depletion technique and pot experiments. Grain amaranth had a high affinity for K+ uptake in comparison with corn and cotton. However, there were differences among Amaranthus spp. in K absorption and utilization. Some cultivars such as R104, CX-4, Du001, Hy015 and Hr029 which had a higher rate of K absorption and stronger affinity for K+ were typical varieties with high K-use efficiency (KUE). The results showed that high KUE cultivars grew quickly, possessed stronger ability to take up soil slowly available K and mineral K, and did not respond to K fertilization in the soil with low available K. Correspondingly, grain amaranth cultivars CX-77, Cr024, Vd001, Re003 and Sn003 were relatively low in KUE. Compared with high KUE cultivars, they took up more soil available K and both of their dry matter accumulation and K uptake responded to K applied significantly.

Effect of Potassium and Moisture on Rape Growth and Its Nutrient Uptake

The Interaction between potassium and moisture during the growth of and nutrient uptake by rapeseed plants grown on K-deficient soils has been investigated in this Study. The results show that the dry weight of the above-ground parts of the plant appears to be somewhat reduced when the volume water content of the soil remains 0.15 for 3 successive days. As the shortage in the soil water continues, the height of the plant root and the permeability of the root plasmalemma are markedly affected; the stem thickness and leaf area are reduced. However, K application can increase the dry matter weight of the above-ground parts, the thickness of the stem, and the area of the leaf. Application of K can also maintain a comparatively low water potential(ψ) and a comparatively high moisture content in the leaves, thus increasing the drought-resisting ability of the plant. When the volume water content of the soil is raised to 0.30, leaf yellowing as a symptom of nutrient deficiency appears on rapeseed plants grown on K-deficient soils. With increase in soil moisture content, the Ca concentration of the aerial parts of the rapeseed plant without K application increases while the K concentration decreases. Both K application and the soil moisture regime have very little effect on the Mg concentration in the plant. Under soil moisture stress, the nitrogen content and total amount of alnino acids in rape leaves increases; and thus more proline and glutamic acid is formed. On the other hand, the impact of soil moisture on plant's dry matter is governed by the status of potassium nutrition. On soils with low K, the moisture content has very little effect on yield; when K fertilizer is applied, however, the moisture content shows a very significant effect on yield increase.

Preferential Fixation of Ammonium to Potassium by Soils

Ten soils collected from different parts of China were used in a series of experiments to study fixation of NH￣+_4 and K￣+ by soils. When K￣+ was added concurrently with or prior to NH￣+_4, the soils were found to fix more moles of NH￣+_4 than those of K￣+, irrespective of the mole ratios of NH￣+_4 to K￣+ that were added.

Effect of Oxalic Acid on Potassium Release from Typical Chinese Soils and Minerals

Oxalic acid plays an important role in improving the bioavailability of soil nutrients. Batch experiments were employed to examine the influences of oxalic acid on extraction and release kinetics of potassium （K） from soils and minerals along with the adsorption and desorption of soil K^＋. The soils and minerals used were three typical Chinese soils, black soil （Mollisol）, red soil （Ultisol）, and calcareous alluvial soil （Entisol）, and four K-bearing minerals, biotite, phlogopite, muscovite, and microcline. The results showed that soil K extracted using 0.2 mol L^-1 oxalic acid was similar to that using 1 mol L^-1 boiling HNO3. The relation between K release （y） and concentrations of oxalic acid （c） could be best described logarithmically as y = a ＋ blogc, while the best-fit kinetic equation of K release was y = a ＋ b√t, where a and b are the constants and t is the elapsed time. The K release for minerals was ranked as biotite 〉 phlogopite 〉〉 muscovite 〉 microcline and for soils it was in the order： black soil 〉 calcareous alluvial soil 〉 red soil. An oxalic acid solution with low pH was able to release more K from weathered minerals and alkaline soils. Oxalic acid decreased the soil K^＋ adsorption and increased the soil K^＋ desorption, the effect of which tended to be greater at lower solution pH, especially in the red soil.

Effects of Straw Covering and Different Types of Potassium Fertilizer on Salinity Accumulation in Surface Layer of Tobacco-planted Paddy Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigation the effects of straw covering and different types of potassium fertilizer on salinity accumulation in surface layer of tobacco-planted paddy soil in southern China. [Method] Tobacco variety ‘Yunyan87’ was used as the experimental material to investigate the effects of salinity accumulation in surface layer of tobacco-planted paddy soil on the growth and development of flue-cured tobacco using different types of potassium fertilizer and mulching cultivation methods. [Result] The results showed that K＋ , Ca2＋ , SO42and NO3-were the major salt ions in topsoil at different growth stages of flue-cured tobacco, Na ＋ and Mg2＋ contents were also relatively high at vigorous growth stage, indicating that these salt ions were easily accumulated in surface layer of soil; to be specific, the absolute increase of salt ion concentration showed a decreasing order of K＋ SO42- NO3-Ca2＋ Mg2＋ Na＋ Cl-, while the relative increase of salt ion concentration showed a decreasing order of Ca2＋ K＋ Na＋ NO3-SO42-Mg2＋ Cl-. At 60 d posttransplanting, total salt content in topsoil reached the minimum of 359.1 mg/kg in Treatment 2, total salt content in topsoil reached the maximum of 536.1 mg/kg in Treatment 5 （CK）, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. At 90 d post-transplanting, no significant difference was observed in total salt content among various treatments. At harvesting period, total salt content in topsoil reached the maximum of 3 278.4 mg/kg in Treatment 1, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. Topsoil pH showed no significant differences among various treatments at three different periods, ranging from 5.39 to 5.59. Straw covering could effectively reduce salt content in topsoil, accelerate vigorous growth of tobacco, shorten vigorous growth period and increase plant height, leaf number and lead area; at vigorous growth stage, root vitality and root volume of tobacco were improved, but the yield and output value were relatively low. Major agronomic traits and yield of tobacco showed no significant difference among various treatments. Output value of tobacco reached the maximum of 24 196.8 yuan/hm2 in Treatment 3, which was significantly higher than that in other treatments. [Conclusion] Appropriate types and proportions of potassium fertilizer and straw covering can effectively reduce the total salt content in tobacco-planted paddy soil and increase the effective supply amount of K＋ , Ca2＋ , SO42-and NO3-, thereby promoting and improving the root vitality of tobacco, which is conducive to the growth and development of tobacco and will eventually enhance the yield, quality and economic benefits of flue-cured tobacco.

Distribution of Exchangeable Calcium，Magnesium and Potassium as Affected by Fertilizer Application to Red Soil

A leaching experiment was carried out with repacked soil columns in laboratory to stndy the leachingprocess of a red soil derived from sandstone as affected by warions fertilization practices. The treatments wereCK (as a control), CaCO_3, CaSO_4, MgCO_3, Ca(H_2PO_4)_2, Urea, KCl, Mnltiple (a mixture of the above-mentioned fertilizers), and KNO_3. The fertilizers were added to the bare surface of the soil columns, andthen the columns were leached with 120 mL deionized water daily through peristaltic pumps over a periodof 92 days. At the end of leaching process, soils were sampled from different depths of the soil profiles, i.e.,0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-40 cm, and 40-60 cm. The results showed when applying Ca, Mg, andK to the bare surface of the soil columns, exchangeable Ca￣(2+), Mg￣(2+), and K￣+ in the upper layer of thesoil profile increased correspondingly, with an extent depending mainly on the application rates of Ca, Mg,and K and showing a downward trend. CaCO_3, CaSO_4, MgCO_3, and Ca(H_2PO_4)_2 treatments had scarcelyany effect on movement of exchangeable K￣+, while CaCO_3, and CaSO_4 treatments significantly promotedthe downward movement of exchangeable Mg￣(2+) although these two treatments had no obvious effect onleaching losses of Mg. The fact that under Urea treatment, exchangeable Ca￣(2+) and Mg￣(2+) were higheras compared to CK treatment showed urea could prevent leaching of exchangeable Ca￣(2+) and Mg￣(2+). Theobvious downward movement of exchangeable Ca￣(2+) and Mg￣(2+) was noticed in KCl treatment. In Multipletreatment, the downward movement of exchangeable Ca￣(2+) and Mg￣(2+) was evident, while that of K￣+ was lessevident. Application of KNO_3 strongly promoted the downward movement of exchangeable Ca￣(2+) and Mg￣(2+)in the soil profile.

Bio-Mobilization of Potassium from Clay Minerals: I. By Ectomycorrhizas

A pot experiment was carried out to investigate effect of ectomycorrhizal fungi on eucalyptus growth and K bio-mobilization from soils and clay minerals. In the experiment, sands mixed with soil, KCI-saturated vermiculate and mica, respectively, were used to nurse eucalyptus seedlings which were nonectomycorrhized or ectomycorrhized by an ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius strain XCI (Pt XC1) isolated from a forest soil from Xichang, Sichuan Province, China, and a worldwide well-known ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius strain 2144 (Pt 2144) obtained in Australia. More depletion of HCl-soluble K by mycorrhizas from the soil and minerals than nonmycorrhizas suggested that mycorrhizas had a great ability to mobilize K present in the interlayer and feldspar. Mycorrhizal seedlings depressed greatly K digested with HF-HCIO4 from substrates after consecutive extractions of soils and minerals by water, ammonium cetate and boiling HCl, while nonmycorrhizal seedlings reduced it little if any, showing that the mycorrhizal seedlings could mobilize and then utilize the structural K in mineral lattice. Ectomycorrhizal fungi played a very important role not only in promoting the growth of eucalyptus seedlings but also in mobilizing K in soils and minerals. The infection of Pt XC1 led to a better growth of eucalyptus seedlings and more K accumulation in the seedlings than that of Pt 2144. The large differences in K accumulation by the seedlings might be due to different abilities of the two ectomycorrhizal fungi to mobilize K in interlayer and lattice pools in the clay minerals.