Effect of K Fertilizer on Absorption of Mineral Elements in Greenhouse-grown Strawberry Fruits

[Objectives]The paper was to explore the effect of K fertilizer on the absorption of mineral elements in greenhouse-grown strawberry fruits.[Methods]A systematic investigation was conducted on the effects of K fertilizer dosage levels on the absorption of mineral elements in Fengxiang strawberries,an excellent variety suitable for cultivation in Anhui Province.The investigation was carried out under medium N and P conditions in a greenhouse.[Results]The N content of strawberry fruits increased as the K_(2)O dosage increased within the range of 0-250 kg/hm^(2).Similarly,the P content of strawberry fruits increased gradually with the increase of K_(2)O dosage within the range of 0-125 kg/hm^(2).[Conclusions]This study presents a basis for enhancing the absorption of mineral elements in strawberry fruit by applying K appropriately.

Study of the Mineral Element Status in Sickle Cell Patients Attending the Mixed Medicine and Sickle Cell Anemia Center “Yolo Mabanga” in Kinshasa in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a genotypic disorder prevalent in the black population;it is characterized by a hemolytic type anemia and can worsen following a deficiency of copper, zinc and serum iron. Methods: It was a question of evaluating the plasma status of copper and zinc by the photometric method, serum iron was measured by spectrophotometry, and finally ferritin and transferrin were measured by the immunoenzymatic method;in subjects with sickle cell disease and healthy subjects of all ages followed at the mixed medicine and sickle cell anemia center in Kinshasa (CMMASS). Results: A total of 60 subjects participated in this study. The sex ratio was 1.30;the average age of sickle cell patients was 7.4 years ± 3.8 and 27.4 years ± 5.1;for the control group, the average age was 8.2 years ± 4.2 and 29 years ± 6.7. 13.3% of children with sickle cell disease presented hypocupremia and 13.3% hypercupremia. For adults with sickle cell disease, 26.7% had hypocupremia and 13% had hypercupremia. Regarding zincemia, 67% of children and adults with sickle cell disease presented hypozincemia;60% of child subjects with sickle cell desease demonstrated hyposideremia;in adults with sickle cell desease 20% have hyposideremia and 13% have hypersideremia. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate not only the effective presence of iron overload in adult sickle cell patients, but also an iron deficiency in controls and sickle cell patients, ignoring hemolysis. .

Effects of Ca^(2+)concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark of Pteroce/tis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing XuanPaper. The effects of Ca^(2+) concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark,leaf and root of Pteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled conditions. The types ofHoagland nutrient solution with three Ca^(2+) concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 μg·g^(-1))and a control (without Ca^(2+)) were designed to culture Pteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months,contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and barkwere analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark hadpositively relation with Ca^(2+) concentrations (200, 400, 600 μg · g^(-1)), and the order of theCa content in the three components was root>leaf>bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 μg·g^(-1) Ca^(2+) concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times ashigh as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 μg/g Ca^(2+) concentrations respectively. On thecontrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca^(2+)concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order ofleaf>root>bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 μg ·g^(-1) Ca^(2+) concentrations was 39.3%of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200 μg ·g^(-1)and 400 μg ·g^(-1) Ca^(2+) concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600μg ·g^(-1) Ca^(2+) concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% ofthat of the bark treated with 200 and 400 μg·g^(-1) Ca^(2+) concentrations respectively. Comparedwith the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca^(2+)concentrations and their contents were in the order: root>leaf>bark. Based on the results of thisstudy, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality ofPteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil.

Mineral Elements in Different Varieties of Camellia sinensis

To understand the mineral elements in different varieties of tea （ Camellia sinensis）, 17 mineral elements in eight tea varieties including Yunnan Dayezhong, No. 43 Longjing and No. 6 Zaobaijian, were measured. The results showed that nine elements, such as P, K, Ba, Mn, Cu, were significantly different among varieties, others did not. Black tea varieties usually contain high contents of Cu and K. As a conclusion, mineral elements should be extensively considered in breeding tea varieties.

Analysis of Mineral Elements in 13 Famous Tea Varieties in Sichuan Province

This study was to analyze the mineral elements in famous tea varieties in Sichuan Province. Eighteen mineral elements in the samples of 13 famous tea varieties in Sichuan Province were measured via related instruments. The results showed, of all the 18 measured samples, that the contents of K, P, S, Ca and Mg were relatively higher（ 〉1 500 mg/kg） in famous tea varieties in Sichuan Province, while those of Ba, Cr, V, Co and Se were relatively lower（ 〈 10 mg/kg） ; compared to common green tea, the famous tea varieties in Sichuan Province contained higher contents of K, Zn, P, Na, Ni, Cu, S, Se and Co（0.38% -115.65% higher than that in common green tea）, and lower contents of Mg, Mn, AI, Ca, V, Rb, Fe and Cr（7.20% -46.67% lower than that in common green tea）; of the 13 tested tea varieties, Hongyanyingchun, Yongchuanxiuya and Qingchengxueya were rich in mineral elements, while Yuchengyunwu and Yuqiancha lacked in mineral elements. The re- suits show that Hongyanyingchun, Yongchuanxiuya and Qingchengxueya are the elites in the famous tea varieties in Sichuan Province.

Variation of the Mineral Elements in the Barks of Pinus armandii Infected by Cronartium ribicola

[ Objective] The difference of mineral element content in healthy bark of P. armandii and bark affected by C. nbicola were compared, which would provide theoretical foundation for exploring new ways to control the disease by artificial water and fertilizer. [ Method] Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer（ ICP-OES）was adopted to measure the variation of mineral elements content in bark after P. armandii was affected by C. nbicola. [Result] 45 mineral elements in the healthy bark and 46 mineral elements in affected bark caused by C. ribicola were detected. These mineral elements contained 14 kinds of mineral elements which were necessary for plant growth and 31 kinds of other mineral elements （32 kinds after affected disease）. The total content of mineral elements in affected bark of P. armandii decreased for 15.77%, in which necessary elements for plant growth decreased for 15.54% and other elements decreased for 17.07%. The content of Ca decreased the most, decrease rate was about 75%. The order of content was also changed, they were Na 〉 Ca 〉 B 〉 K 〉 Si 〉 Mg 〉 S 〉 P in healthy bark, and Na 〉 B 〉 K 〉 Ca 〉 Mg 〉 P 〉 Si 〉 S in affected bark. [ Conclusion] The results laid foundation for controlling C. ribicola through application of mineral elements.

Correlation Analysis between Quality Characteristics and Fruit Mineral Element Contents in 'Fuji' Apples

[Objective] The aims were to explore the relationship between the contents of fruit mineral elements and quality features of the ＇Fuji＇ apple, screen major mineral elements of the fruit affecting fruit quality features, and set up optimum proposals of fruit mineral elements for good fruit qualities, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable orchard soil and foliar fertilizer applications to increase fruit quality and reduce the physiological diseases related to the ＇Fuji＇ apple. [Methods] The fruit mineral elements and quality indicators of ＇Fuji＂ apples were in- vestigated and analyzed, which were collected from the 153 commercial apple or- chards of ＂Fuji＇ apple located in 51 counties. The variable importance for projection （VlP） of partial least squares regression （PLS） method was used to analyze the model effect and weight analysis impact of the fruit mineral element contents to fruit quality, screen out major factors of fruit mineral elements influencing the different fruit qualities, and set up the regression equation of the fruit qualities and major fruit mineral elements. Linear programming was used to obtain optimum proposals of the fruit mineral elements to achieve good ＇Fuji＇ apple qualities. [Results] The mineral elements content and quality characteristics in ＂Fuji＇ apple fruit had great differences in the different produce regions in which the maximum content of nitro- gen, iron, zinc and boron in the ＇Fuji＇ fruit were12.06, 6.17, 7.7, and 10.08 times greater than the minimum respectively, and the differences for titratable acid and the SSC/TA ratio were 2.33 and 2.16 times respectively. The correlation analysis between the fruit mineral element contents and qualities showed that the nitrogen content of fruit had a significantly negative correlation with the soluble solid content, SSC/TA ratio and red color area, while the calcium and iron contents in the fruit were in significantly positive correlation with the soluble solid content and SSC/TA ratio. The model effect and weight analysis showed that the content of nitrogen and iron in the fruit had a greater influence on the integral fruit quality, followed by phosphorus, potassium and calcium. The variable importance for projection （VlP） technology of PLS found that the mean fruit weight was primarily affected by nitro- gen, phosphorus and potassium, and the soluble solid was primarily affected by ni- trogen, calcium and iron, while the red color area was primarily affected by nitro- gen, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc. The regression equation between fruit quality and mineral element contents showed that the mean fruit weight had a greater pos- itive effect coefficient with the content of phosphorus and potassium, and a greater negative effect coefficient with the content of nitrogen in the fruit. Moreover, the sol- uble solid had the largest negative effect coefficient with nitrogen and largest posi- tive effect coefficient with calcium and iron in the fruit. [Conclusion] The maximum content of soluble solid and titratable acid were 1.5 times more than the minimum, and nitrogen, iron, zinc and boron were 6 times more than in the ＇Fuji＇ apple fruit in the different produce regions. Therefore, it is a key technological measure to improve the overall qualities of the ＂Fuji＇ apple by decreasing the content of nitrogen, and increasing the contents of iron, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in the fruit.

Preliminary Study on the Accumulation Characteristics of Mineral Elements in Potted Poa crymophila under Drought and Water Stress

[Objective] This study was conducted to explain the mechanism of the accumulation characteristics of mineral elements in alpine grassland plants. [Method] Cultivated alpine grassland plant, Poa crymophila, was treated with drought and wa- ter stress, and then the samples were collected and analyzed. [Result] Compared with the control group, under drought and water stress, multiple mineral elements tended to accumulate and increase, and there were significant differences in the contents of Cu, Mn, Ni and P （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] Under drought and water stress, mineral elements in potted Poa crymophila tended to accumulate and in- crease, which is the adaption and response of Poa crymophila to drought and water stress, as well as the re-verification of the starvation effect hypothesis of mineral effects. The starvation effect of mineral elements is one of the endogenic forces for the accumulation and differentiation of mineral elements in grassland plants.

Effects of Ca2+concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark of Pteroceltis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing Xuan Paper. The effects of Ca2+ concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark, leaf and root of Pteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled condi-tions. The types of Hoagland nutrient solution with three Ca2+ concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 靏g-1) and a control (without Ca2+) were designed to culture Pteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months, contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and bark were analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark had positively relation with Ca2+ concentrations (200, 400, 600 靏g-1), and the order of the Ca content in the three components was root】leaf】bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 靏g-1 Ca2+ concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times as high as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 靏/g Ca2+ concentrations respectively. On the contrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca2+ concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order of leaf】root】bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 靏g-1 Ca2+ con-centrations was 39.3% of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200 靏g-1 and 400靏g-1 Ca2+ concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600 靏g-1 Ca2+ concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% of that of the bark treated with 200 and 400 靏g-1 Ca2+ concentrations respectively. Com-pared with the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca2+ concentrations and their contents were in the order: root】leaf】bark. Based on the results of this study, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality of Pteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil.

Heavy Metal Control in Domestic Rubbish by Source Screening and Suitability of Nutrient Elements as Turfgrass Medium

This paper, probing into heavy metal control in domestic rubbish by source screening and nutrient element analysis, revealed the feasibility of source control of heavy metals and the suitability of rubbish as turfgrass medium. Heavy metals in domestic rubbish were controlled by source screening before composting. The study consisted of a control with garden soil. The contents of main mineral elements and heavy metals in rubbish compost and control were determined by the method of ICP-AES. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in rubbish were lower than those in garden soil, and little difference occurred between rubbish and garden soil in main mineral element concentrations. Based on this, it was concluded that rubbish compost was favorable for using as turfgrass medium and heavy metal control in rubbish by source screening was effective.

Correlation of Plant Morphological and Grain Quality Traits with Mineral Element Contents in Yunnan Rice

Correlations between four grain quality, 24 plant morphological traits and eight element contents of 653 accessions from Yunnan rice were analyzed. P, K, Ca and Mg contents of core collection were closely correlated to the most plant morphological and grain quality traits, and there were highly significant correlations （P 〈0.01） among some traits including P content to number of stems and tillers, K content and amylose content, Ca content and plant height, Mg content and protein content. Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe contents of core collection were closely related to a few traits, such as Fe content and gel consistency （-0.1121^＊＊）, Zn content and seed setting rate （-0.1411^＊＊）, Cu content and number of grains per panicle （-0.1398^＊＊）, Mn content and plant height （-0.2492^＊＊）.

Analysis on Mineral Element Contents in Associated with Varietal Type in Core Collection of Yunnan Rice

Eight-element contents of 653 unpolished rice samples harvested from Xingping experiment farm, Yunnan Province under the same ecological conditions were analyzed by ICP-AES method. The mineral elements content were closely related to low diversity, high-yielding, and multi-resistance breeding; The K, Mg, Ca and Mn content in high-yielding and resistant varieties were high, and other nutrients such as P, Fe, Zn and Cu were low, which was connected with the heredity and physiological mechanism of mineral nutrients. There is zonal distribution of mineral elements content from Yunnan rice, especially for P, Fe, Zn and Cu co-related with the diversity center, paddy versus upland, glutinous and non-glutinous, glume-hair versus nuda, rice color, rice flavor, soft rice versus non-soft rice, but it did not find any association with indica-japonica types. The results supported the ecological variety group view of 5-grade taxonomic system species-subspecies-ecological groups-ecological variety groups - varietal types' .

Characteristics of mineral elements in shoots of three annual halophytes in a saline desert, Northern Xinjiang

Halophytes are valuable salt-, alkali- and drought-resistant germplasm resources. However, the char- acteristics of mineral elements in halophytes have not been investigated as intensively as those in crops. This study attempted to investigate the characteristics of mineral elements for annual halophytes during their growth period to reveal their possible physiological mechanisms of salt resistance. By using three native annual halophytes （Salsola subcrassa, Suaeda acuminate and Petrosimonia sibirica） distributed in the desert in Northern Xinjiang of China, the dynamic changes in the mineral element contents of annual halophytes were analyzed through field sampling and laboratory analyses. The results demonstrated that the annual halophytes were able to absorb water and mineral nutrients selectively. In the interaction between the annual halophytes and saline soil, the adaptability of the annual halophytes was manifested as the accumulation of S, Na and CI during the growth period and maintenance of water and salt balance in the plant, thus ensuring their selective absorption of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and other mineral nutrients according to their growth demand. By utilizing this property, halophyte planting and mowing （before the wilting and death periods） could bioremediate heavy saline-alkali soil.

Comparative Study on Mineral Elements in the Roots of Rheum tanguticum from Qinghai-Plateau

In the present paper,the authors analysed 10 mineral elements in the roots of Rheum tanguticum collected from 30 different habitats.The mean concentration values of the 10 elements decreased as follows: Ca>Mg>K>Fe>Mn>Cr>Zn>Ni>Cu>Se. Ca,Mg,K and Fe were abundant in this herb.Most elements varied over a wide range depending on the different habitats.The mineral element data were evaluated by principal component analysis to reveal the distribution pattern of elements in root.Four principal components(K-Ca factor,Cu factor,Mg factor and Zn-Se factor) of plant elements were selected.The authors' study provided a new scientific foundation for further studies and general application of this Chinese herb.

Correlation Analysis between Cracking and Mineral Element Content of Apricot Fruit

This study aimed to clarify the effectsof mineral nutrient contents on fruit cracking so as to provide certain reference for further study on fruit cracking in apricot and basis for reasonable fertilization in the production. The 39-year-old apricot trees, with plant and row spacing of 3.0 m×4.0 m, were selected as the test materials, and the effects of contents of 7 kinds of mineral elements on the fruit cracking in apricot were analyzed. The results of variance analysis showed the intensity of correlation between mineral element content and apricot fruit cracking ranked as Ca＇s 〉 Zn＇s 〉 Mn＇s 〉 Fe＇s 〉 K＇s 〉 Mg＇s 〉 Cu＇s, The content of Ca was negatively correlated with cracking index, and the correlation ,coefficient was larger; the correlations between the contents of Zn and Mn and cracking index were weaker; and the correlations between the contents of Fe, K, Mg and Cu and cracking index were extremely weak. In conclusion, Ca deficiency is the main factor affecting fruit cracking in apricot.

Annual Variation of Mineral Nutrition Elements Content in Macadamia integrifolia

[Objective] To investigate the annual variation of 9 mineral nutrition ele-ments content in Macadamia integrifolia leaves. [Method] Twenty 6-year-old ＆quot;Guire No. 1＆quot; healthy plants were selected. On the 15th of every month in 2011, 1 leaf in the second round from top-branch in 4 directions of the 20 trees was col ected. The content of 9 mineral elements of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were deter-mined. [Result] The results showed that the N, P, K content in leaves reached a peak in April, then N content decreased slowly, P content stayed stable, and K con-tent increased slightly; Ca, Fe content decreased in April to different degrees and then increased slowly. Mg content was consistent al year round, meanwhile Mn content decreased slightly. Cu and Zn content reached a peak in April, and then presented a rise-fal trend. [Conclusion] N, K, Ca, Mg should be supplemented in time in practice.

Effects of Exogenous Manganese (Mn) on Mineral Elements, Polyamines and Antioxidants in Apple Rootstock Malus robusta Rehd.

Manganese(Mn)is one of the essential microelements in all organisms.However,high level of Mn is deleterious to plants.In this study,the effects of exogenous manganese application on mineral element,polyamine(PA)and antioxidant accumulation,as well as polyamine metabolic and antioxidant enzyme activities,were investigated in Malus robusta Rehd.,a widely grown apple rootstock.High level of Mn treatments decreased endogenous Mg,Na,K and Ca contents,but increased Zn content,in a Mn-concentration-dependent manner.Polyamine metabolic assays revealed that,except the content of perchloric acid insoluble bound(PIS-bound)spermine,which increased significantly,the contents of putrescine(Put),spermidine(Spd)and spermine(Spm)all decreased progressively,accompanied with the decreased activities of arginine decarboxylase(ADC,EC 4.1.1.19)and ornithine decarboxylase(ODC,EC 4.1.1.17),and the increased activities of diamine oxidase(DAO,EC 1.4.3.6)and polyamine oxidase(PAO,EC 1.5.3.3).Further antioxidant capacity analyses demonstrated that contents of anthocyanin,non-protein thiols(NPT)and soluble sugar,and the activities of guaiacol peroxidase(POD,EC 1.11.1.7),catalase(CAT,EC 1.11.1.6)and superoxide dismutase(SOD,EC 1.15.1.1),also increased upon different concentrations of Mn treatments.Our results suggest that endogenous ion homeostasis is affected by high level of Mn application,and polyamine and antioxidant metabolism is involved in the responses of M.robusta Rehd.plants to high level of Mn stress.

Comparing Studies on the General Egg Qualities and Mineral Element Contents of Different Layers

[Objective]In order to compare the general egg qualities and mineral element contents of different layers,six commercial breeds in brown shell layer,including Lohmann,Jinghong,Hyline,Xinyang,Hisax,ISA,Suqing green shell layer and Wenchang chicken were used as materials.The general egg quality traits and mineral elements contents of eight breeds at 43 weeks old were mensurated.[Result] There were significant differences in general egg qualities（except yolk weight）of eight breeds.About the mineral element contents,the differences were significant only in P,Mn and Se of some breeds in this experiment.[Conclusion]The results in this study could provide the reference for further researcher,layer producers,nutritionists,consumers and so on.

Effect of ^( 60)Co γ Ray Irradiation on Contents of La, Pr, Yb and Mineral Elements in Fruitbodies of Agaricus biazei Murvill

The effects of 60Co γ ray irradiation on the contents of rare earth and mineral elements and their relativities in the fruitbodies of Agaricus biazei Murvill and their relativities were studied. The results show that there are significant difference at the 0.01 level in the contents of rare earth and mineral elements in the fruitbodies among different treatments, and that the variational laws of different elements contents are different with the varieties of the dosages accordingly. Thereinto, the contents of Pr and Mo increase with the increase of the dosage, but they decrease when the dosage are in a certain degree(1.5 KGy). But the Yb content decreases with the increase of the dosage. The variational laws of the contents of K and Cu were similar along with the variety of the dosage, and they all decrease with the increase of the dosage. But the contents of them increase and are higher than that of the three anterior treatments(0, 0.5, 1.0 KGy) when the dosage are 1.5 KGy. It can be seen that the contents of rare earth and mineral elements in the fruitbodies have something to do with the dosages in different degrees, and that rare earth also has something to do with mineral elements in different degrees. Thereinto there lied good linear relationship between the content of Yb and the dosage.

Physicochemical and elemental studies of Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. for standardization as herbal drug

Objective: To explore the leaves of Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. as a source of safe and effective antibacterial herbal medicine.Methods: The standardization was validated by stepwise physicochemical studies,element analysis, determination of ash values, fluorescence analysis, assessment of moisture content, extractive values in different solvent systems and extraction methods.Heavy metal contents, mineral and element contents were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer and CHNS/O analyser, respectively.Results: The methanol extract of the folklore medicinal plant having antibacterial efficacy contained flavonoids and phenolic OH groups. The ICP multi standard indicated the presence of three major compounds with molecular mass of 161 190 and 221 Da. Heavy metals viz. lead, mercury and copper content were 4.38 ppm, < 0.05 ppm and 24.70 ppm,respectively. Minerals content of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron were 1 190.94 mg/100 g, 375.57 mg/100 g, 2 820 mg/100 g and 340.20 mg/100 g of plant sample, respectively. Elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur contents were38.18%, 5.67%, 2.23% and 0.51%, respectively. Heavy metal profile of the tested plant was within the permissible limits of the regulatory authorities.Conclusions: Hence the present physicochemical and elements studies reveals that the plant Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. could be a potent source of herbal preparation as well as a safe and novel synthetic antibacterial drug.