Effects of Slow-release Nitrogen on Dry Matter Accumulation,Translocation and Yield of Summer Maize

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on dry matter accumulation and translocation of summer maize.[Methods]With Zhoudan 9 as the test variety,six different treatment were set up:blank control(CK1),slow-release urea 75 kg/hm^(2)(C1),slow-release urea 150 kg/hm^(2)(C2),slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C3),slow-release urea 300 kg/hm^(2)(C4)and ordinary urea 300 kg/hm^(2)(CK2),to study the change law of dry matter accumulation and translocation in summer maize.[Results]Treatment slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C4)showed summer maize yield,dry matter translocation between organs,grain contribution rate and proportion of grain dry matter in the full ripe stage higher than other treatments.Considering the weight loss and cost factors,slow-release urea 225 kg/hm^(2)(C3)could be recommended as the fertilizing amount for summer maize.[Conclusions]This study provides theoretical reference for rational selection of fertilizers for reducing fertilizer application and increasing fertilizer efficiency,and for production of summer maize in Shajiang black soil region.

Combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer alleviates the kernel position effect in summer maize by promoting post-silking nitrogen uptake and dry matter accumulation

Adjusting agronomic measures to alleviate the kernel position effect in maize is important for ensuring high yields.In order to clarify whether the combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer(CAOFCF)can alleviate the kernel position effect of summer maize,field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons,and five treatments were assessed:CF,100%chemical fertilizer;OFCF1,15%organic fertilizer+85%chemical fertilizer;OFCF2,30%organic fertilizer+70%chemical fertilizer;OFCF3,45%organic fertilizer+55%chemical fertilizer;and OFCF4,60%organic fertilizer+40%chemical fertilizer.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments significantly alleviated the kernel position effect by increasing the weight ratio of inferior kernels to superior kernels and reducing the weight gap between the superior and inferior kernels.These effects were largely due to the improved filling and starch accumulation of inferior kernels.However,there were no obvious differences in the kernel position effect among plants treated with CF,OFCF3,or OFCF4 in most cases.Leaf area indexes,post-silking photosynthetic rates,and net assimilation rates were higher in plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2 than in those treated with CF,reflecting an enhanced photosynthetic capacity and improved postsilking dry matter accumulation(DMA)in the plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments increased post-silking N uptake by 66.3 and 75.5%,respectively,which was the major factor driving post-silking photosynthetic capacity and DMA.Moreover,the increases in root DMA and zeatin riboside content observed following the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments resulted in reduced root senescence,which is associated with an increased post-silking N uptake.Analyses showed that post-silking N uptake,DMA,and grain yield in summer maize were negatively correlated with the kernel position effect.In conclusion,the combined application of 15-30%organic fertilizer and 70-85%chemical fertilizer alleviated the kernel position effect in summer maize by improving post-silking N uptake and DMA.These results provide new insights into how CAOFCF can be used to improve maize productivity.

Effects of Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield and Nitrogen Accumulation of Summer Maize in Shajiang Black Soil Area

[Objectives] This study was conducted to verify the field application effect of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on summer maize in Shajiang black soil area by simultaneous sowing and fertilization, and explore the application scope and nitrogen metabolism mechanism, so as to lay a foundation for fertilizer reduction and efficiency improvement. [Methods] With maize variety Beiqing 340 and sulfur-coated urea as experimental materials, five nitrogen application levels were set, namely, control (C0), slow-release nitrogen 70 kg/hm^(2) (C70), slow-release nitrogen 140 kg/hm^(2) (C140), slow-release nitrogen 210 kg/hm^(2) (C210) and slow-release nitrogen 280 kg/hm^(2) (C280). The phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were all in accordance with the unified standard. [Results] With the application rate of slow-release nitrogen increasing, the nitrogen accumulation in organs increased first and then decreased after tasseling stage of maize. In order to reduce the fertilizing amount and increase efficiency, 210 kg/hm^(2) of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer was the best fertilizing amount for summer maize in Shajiang black soil area. [Conclusions] This study provides reference for fertilizer reduction, efficiency improvement and sustainable development of summer maize in Shajiang black soil area.

Spraying Arginine at 5 Days before Harvest Delays Postharvest Broccoli Senescence via Nutrient Accumulation

To determine the effects of preharvest arginine spraying on the nutritional level of broccoli and the mechanism of action of arginine in improving the storage quality of broccoli,arginine spraying(5 mmol/L)was conducted at 0,1,3,and 5 days before harvest.The appearance,respiration rate,mass-loss rate,electrolyte leakage,glucosinolate,ascorbic acid,total phenol,total flavonoid,total sugar and sucrose contents,and sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS),invertase(INV),sucrose synthase synthesis(SSS)and cleavage(SSC)activities of broccoli samples were observed after 0,2,4,6,8,and 10 days of storage.The results showed that spraying arginine at 5 days preharvest(5-ARG)helped to inhibit broccoli respiration during storage,delay electrolyte leakage,and maintain broccoli color.Furthermore,during the growth stage,total sugar accumulation was higher in the 5-ARG group.In addition,during the storage period,sucrose synthesis was accelerated,while sucrose cleavage was inhibited,resulting in more sucrose retention in postharvest broccoli.In conclusion,5-ARG resulted in the accumulation of more nutrients during the growth process and effectively delayed the quality decline during storage,thereby prolonging the shelf life of broccoli.Therefore,this study provides a theoretical basis for improving postharvest storage characteristics of broccoli through preharvest treatments.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate, Density and Seedling Age on Dry Matter Accumulation of No-tillage Rape in Seedling Stage

[Objective] The aim of the research was to find the optimal nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age for no-tillage rape in seedling stage. [Method] With the D-optimal quadratic regression design for three factors, the 310 scheme was designed to study the effects of nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age on dry matter accumulation of no-tillage rape in seedling stage. [Result] With the increase of nitrogen application rate, density and seedling age, the dry matter content appeared like a parabola, increasing firstly and then declining. The change of nitrogen application rate caused greater influence than that of density and seedling age; the interaction effects between nitrogen application rate and density were greater than that between nitrogen application rate and seedling age as well as between density and seedling age. [Conclusion] Considered comprehensively, the dry matter content of no-tillage rape in seedling stage reached the highest level (4 768.2 kg/hm2) when the nitrogen application rate, the density and the seedling age were 195 kg/hm2, 93 000 plants/hm2 and 33 d, respectively.

The influence of Nitrogen Nutrition on Starch Accumulation in the Process of Tuber Development in Autumn Solanum tuberosum L.

Taking two varieties, high and low starch content respectively, as tested materials, experiments were conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer in different levels on tuber starch accumulation characteristics under autumn planting condition, and thus to provide technical support in optimized planting techniques of autumn potato. The results showed that during tuber development the changes in concentrations of total starch, amylopectin and amylose were ＂S＂ shaped curve un-der different nitrogen fertilizer treatments, in line with the Logistic equation Y=K/（1＋ae-bT）, but both starch accumulation intensity and the time reaching to maximum ac-cumulation intensity were not exactly the same in different nitrogen fertilizer levels so is it with different varieties. Furthermore, high starch concentration variety ‘XS-1’, the largest accumulation of strength of amylase was the lower in the middle fertil-ization and higher in low and high fertilization treatments. The contents of amy-lopectin, total starch were first increasing and then dropping with the amount of ni-trogen increasing. To low starch concentration variety ‘XS-2’, with nitrogen fertilizer content increase, the largest accumulation of strength was reducing in amylose, but was rising in amylopectin and changed from rising to fal ing in total starch. The time reaching to maximum accumulation strength in amylose and total starch changed from increasing to decreasing and amylopectin kept declining.

Effects of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Application on Growth and Dry Matter Accumulation in Mulberry

In this paper, the effect of different fertilizer treatments on the main indexes of growth and development and dry matter accumulation of perennial mulberry, which is cut and pruned in summer, were studied with ‘3414’ field experiment design. The results showed that N, P, and K at proper amounts could promote mulberry growth and development, improve its dry matter content, increase its dry matter accumulation. The effects of N, P, K on leaf yield per plant were respectively expressed as follows： N2 N3 N1 N0 , P2 P1 P3 P0 , K2 K1 K3 K0 . It can be concluded that the recommended fertilizer amounts of dry matter accumulations in mulberry leaf were 694.36 kg/hm2 of N, 198.15 kg/hm2 of P, and 274.26 kg/hm2 of K and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 8 045.04 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amounts of accumulated dry matter in branch were 1 000.05 kg/hm2 of N, 242.04 kg/hm2 of P, and 218.01 kg/hm 2 of K, and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 5 969.05 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amount in young shoots were 883.76 kg/hm2 of N, 204.48 kg/hm2 of P and 426.59 kg/hm2 of K and dry matter achieved the maximum at 1 410.24 kg/hm2 . This paper could provide reference for the construction of highly-qualified mulberry field in Sichuan hilly area.

Effects of Cadmium Pollution in Soil on Contents and Accumulation Amounts of Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium and Cadmium Elements in Potato Tubers

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of cadmium contamination in soil on contents and accumulation amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and cadmium elements in potato tubers. [Method] Pot experiment was conducted using potato variety ‘Favorita＇ as experimental material, to determine the contents and accumulation amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and cadmium elements in potato tubers after treatment with different concentrations of cadmium. [Result] The results showed that different concentrations of cadmium had various effects on the contents and accumulation amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus,potassium and cadmium elements in potato tubers. Nitrogen content in potato tubers was reduced under low cadmium stress and increased under moderate and high cadmium stress. Nitrogen accumulation amount in potato tubers in various cadmium treatments was significantly lower than that in control group（P0.05）; with the increase of cadmium concentration in soil, phosphorus content increased extremely significantly（P0.05）; potassium content in potato tubers in various cadmium treatments was extremely significantly higher than that in control group（P0.01）. Potassium accumulation amount in potato tubers under low cadmium stress reached the highest, which was reduced with the increasing level of cadmium contamination; both content and accumulation amount of cadmium in potato tubers had extremely significantly positive linear correlation with different cadmium concentrations in soil（P 0.01）. [Conclusion] Under cadmium-contaminated conditions, the application level of nitrogen fertilizer is reduced, and the application level of phosphorus fertilizer maintains unchanged. Under low cadmium-contaminated conditions, the application level of potassium fertilizer increases. Severely cadmium-contaminated soil is not suitable for potato cultivation.

Effects of Cadmium Stress on Key Enzymes Involved in Nitrogen Metabolism and Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium Accumulation of Different Varieties of Rice

In this study, the pot experiment was used to explore the differences of activity of key enzymes involved in N metabolism and NPK accumulation under Cd stress during the til iering stage of differen varieties of rice. The results showed that：Cd stress could increase the NPK concentration of different rice type in the til ering stage, while Shen-Liangyou 5867,Yongyou 5550 and Wu-Yunjing 27 showed the highest amplification respectively. Morever, Cd stress can also contribute to the ac-tivity of NR,GS,GOGAT increasing.A s for NR,the Cd stress significantly contribute to NR activity increasing of Huang-Huazhan and Yongyou 538 but is not significant for Wu-Yunjing 27, Shen-Liangyou 5867 and Yongyou 5550, however, the difference among them is not obvious.However, for the activity of GS , Cd stress promote the GS activity. Huang-Huazhan and Wu-Yunjing 27 with low activity in Cd normal level are the most sensitive. Meanwhile the difference between two treatment is the most significant. To the contrary, restrain the GS activity of Shen-Liangyou 5867, Yongy-ou 5550 and the difference is not significant. And under Cd stress, either difference reached significant in GS activity. Cd stress also improve the activity of GOGAT, Wu-Yunjing 27 showed the highest inprovement which showed the lowest GOGAT activity under Cd normal level. Cd stress on rice growth and development of ad-verse, make its lower seed setting rate, 1 000 grain weight decreased, resulting in different degrees of reduction of output of rice.

Common Spectral Bands and Optimum Vegetation Indices for Monitoring Leaf Nitrogen Accumulation in Rice and Wheat

Real-time monitoring of nitrogen status in rice and wheat plant is of significant importance for nitrogen diagnosis, fertilization recommendation, and productivity prediction. With 11 field experiments involving different cultivars, nitrogen rates, and water regimes, time-course measurements were taken of canopy hyperspeetral reflectance between 350-2 500 nm and leaf nitrogen accumulation （LNA） in rice and wheat. A new spectral analysis method through the consideration of characteristics of canopy components and plant growth status varied with phenological growth stages was designed to explore the common central bands in rice and wheat. Comprehensive analyses were made on the quantitative relationships of LNA to soil adjusted vegetation index （SAVI） and ratio vegetation index （RVI） composed of any two bands between 350-2 500 nm in rice and wheat. The results showed that the ranges of indicative spectral reflectance were largely located in 770-913 and 729-742 nm in both rice and wheat. The optimum spectral vegetation index for estimating LNA was SAVI （R822, R738） during the early-mid period （from jointing to booting）, and it was RVI （Rs22, R73s） during the mid-late period （from heading to filling） with the common central bands of 822 and 738 nm in rice and wheat. Comparison of the present spectral vegetation indices with previously reported vegetation indices gave a satisfactory performance in estimating LNA. It is concluded that the spectral bands of 822 and 738 nm can be used as common reflectance indicators for monitoring leaf nitrogen accumulation in rice and wheat.

Effects of Rhizosphere Dissolved Oxygen Content and Nitrogen Form on Root Traits and Nitrogen Accumulation in Rice

Dissolved oxygen and nitrogen form have important effects on rice root growth and nitrogen availability.An indica hybrid rice,Guodao 1,and a conventional japonica rice,Xiushui 09,were cultured in hypoxic nutrient solution with NH4NO3 or(NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source for six weeks in pools.A portion of the Guodao 1 seedlings after treatment in the pools for four weeks were transferred to a split-root system at different dissolved oxygen contents and cultured for an additional two weeks.Biomass,root morphological traits and nitrogen accumulation were recorded.Under the low rhizosphere dissolved oxygen content(0-1.0 mg/L),plant biomass was significantly increased under NH4NO3-N supply by about 69% in Guodao 1 and 41% in Xiushui 09 compared with those under NH4+-N alone.Similar results were observed for root number,maximum root length,root dry weight and root activity.Nitrogen accumulations in roots and shoots were increased by 60% and 52% for Guodao 1,and by 41% and 33% for Xiushui 09,respectively,in the NH4NO3-N treatment.In the split-root system,the high rhizosphere dissolved oxygen content(8.0-9.0 mg/L) promoted root growth and development.Root biomass was increased by 21.6%,root number by 27%,maximum root length by 14%,and root volume by 10%.Moreover,nitrogen accumulation in roots was increased by 11% under high rhizosphere oxygen conditions.In conclusion,enhanced dissolved oxygen content and combined ammonium-nitrate nitrogen source have positive effects on root growth and nitrogen accumulation of rice plants.

Effects of Nitrogen Forms on Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation in Tomato Seedling

Utilization of organic nitrogen （N） is an important aspect of plant N assimilation and has potential application in sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the plant growth, C and N accumulation in leaves and roots of tomato seedlings in response to inorganic （NH4^＋-N, NO3^-N） and organic nitrogen （Gly-N）. Different forms of nitrogen （NH4^＋-N, NO3^--N, Gly-N） were supplied to two tomato cultivars （Shenfen 918 and Huying 932） using a hydroponics system. The plant dry biomass, chlorophyll content, root activity, total carbon and nitrogen content in roots and leaves, and total N absorption, etc. were assayed during the cultivation. Our results showed that no significant differences in plant height, dry biomass, and total N content were found within the first 16 d among three treatments; however, significant differences in treatments on 24 d and 32 d were observed, and the order was NO3^--N 〉 Gly-N 〉 NH4^＋-N. Significant differences were also observed between the two tomato cultivars. Chlorophyll contents in the two cultivars were significantly increased by the Gly-N treatment, and root activity showed a significant decrease in NHa^＋-N treatment. Tomato leaf total carbon content was slightly affected by different N forms; however, total carbon in root and total nitrogen in root and leaf were promoted significantly by inorganic and organic N. Among the applied N forms, the increasing effects of the NH4^＋-N treatment were larger than that of the Gly-N. In a word, different N resources resulted in different physiological effects in tomatoes. Organic nitrogen （e.g., Gly-N） can be a proper resource of plant N nutrition. Tomatoes of different genotypes had different responses under organic nitrogen （e.g., Gly-N） supplies.

Influences of Mo on Nitrate Reductase, Glutamine Synthetase and Nitrogen Accumulation and Utilization in Mo-Efficient and Mo-Inefficient Winter Wheat Cultivars

The objective is to study whether the accumulation and utilization of plant N are controlled by Mo status in winter wheat cultivars. Mo-efficient cultivar 97003 （eft） and Mo-inefficient cultivar 97014 （ineff） were grown in severely Mo-deficient acidic soil （Tamm-reagent-extractable Mo 0.112 mg kg^-1） with （＋Mo） and without （-Mo） the application of 0.13 mg kg^-1 Mo. The accumulation and use efficiency of plant total N were significantly higher in ＋Mo than that in -Mo and in eft than that in ineff under Mo deficiency. N use efficiency was remarkably higher in maturity but it was forwarded to jointing stage after Mo supply, thus indicating that Mo supply promoted the N use efficiency besides N uptake and eff was efficient in N uptake and utilization. The overall activity of nitrate reductase （NR, EC 1.6.6.1） was significantly higher in ＋Mo than in -Mo and ratio of ＋Mo/-Mo was even to 14.8 at filleting stage for ineff. Activity of glutamine synthetase （GS, EC 6.3.1.2） was significantly lower in ＋Mo than in -Mo. Concentration of nitrate and glutamate were also significantly lower in ＋Mo than in -Mo, thus provided evidences for enhancing N use efficiency by Mo supply. Activities of NR and GS were significantly higher and concentrations of nitrate and glutamate were significantly lower in eff than ineff under Mo deficiency, thus indicated eff was more efficient in N reduction and utilization. It is therefore concluded that Mo could promote N accumulation and utilization in winter wheat which was directly related to NR and feedback regulated by GS. Higher Mo status also results in higher accumulation and utilization of plant N in eft.

Effect of Sludge Retention Time on Nitrite Accumulation in Real-time Control Biological Nitrogen Removal Sequencing Batch Reactor

In this study,four sequencing batch reactors(SBR),with the sludge retention time(SRT)of 5,10,20 and 40 d,were used to treat domestic wastewater,and the effect of SRT on nitrite accumulation in the biological nitrogen removal SBR was investigated.The real-time control strategy based on online parameters,such as pH,dissolved oxygen(DO)and oxidation reduction potential(ORP),was used to regulate the nitrite accumulation in SBR. The model-based simulation and experimental results showed that with the increase of SRT,longer time was needed to achieve high level of nitritation.In addition,the nitrite accumulation rate(NAR)was higher when the SRT was relatively shorter during a 112-day operation.When the SRT was 5 d,the system was unstable with the mixed liquor suspended solids(MLSS)decreased day after day.When the SRT was 40 d,the nitrification process was significantly inhibited.SRT of 10 to 20 d was more suitable in this study.The real-time control strategy combined with SRT control in SBR is an effective method for biological nitrogen removal via nitrite from wastewater.

The Enhancement of Soil Fertility,Dry Matter Transport and Accumulation,Nitrogen Uptake and Yield in Rice via Green Manuring

Readily available chemical fertilizers have resulted in a decline in the use of organic manure(e.g.,green manures),a traditionally sustainable source of nutrients.Based on this,we applied urea at the rate of 270 kg ha−1 with and without green manure in order to assess nitrogen(N)productivity in a double rice cropping system in 2017.In particular,treatment combinations were as follows:winter fallow rice-rice(WF-R-R),milk vetch rice-rice(MV-R-R),oil-seed rape rice-rice(R-R-R)and potato crop rice-rice(P-R-R).Results revealed that green manure significantly(p≤0.05)improved the soil chemical properties and net soil organic carbon content increased by an average 117.47%,total nitrogen(N)by 28.41%,available N by 26.64%,total phosphorus(P)by 37.77%,available P by 20.48%and available potassium(K)by 33.10%than WF-R-R,however pH was reduced by 3.30%across the seasons.Similarly,net dry matter accumulation rate enhanced in green manure applied treatments and ranked in order:P-R-R>R-R-R>MV-R-R>WF-R-R.Furthermore,the total leaf dry matter transport(t ha−1)for the P-R-R in both seasons was significantly higher by an average 11.2%,7.2%and 36%than MV-R-R,R-R-R,and WF-R-R,respectively.In addition,net total nitrogen accumulation(kg ha−1)was found higher in green manure applied plots compared to the control.Yield and yield attributed traits were observed maximum in green manure applied plots,with treatments ranking as follows:P-R-R>R-R-R>MV-R-R>WF-R-R.Thus,results obtained highlight ability of green manure to sustainably improve soil quality and rice yield.

Cd Toxicity and Accumulation in Rice Plants Vary with Soil Nitrogen Status and Their Genotypic Difference can be Partly Attributed to Nitrogen Uptake Capacity

Two indica rice genotypes, viz. Milyang 46 and Zhenshan 97B differing in Cd accumulation and tolerance were used as materials in a hydroponic system consisting of four Cd levels （0, 0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 μmol/L） and three N levels （23.2, 116.0 and 232.0 mg/L） to study the effects of nitrogen status and nitrogen uptake capacity on Cd accumulation and tolerance in rice plants. N-efficient rice genotype, Zhenshan 97B, accumulated less Cd and showed higher Cd tolerance than N-inefficient rice genotype, Milyang 46. There was consistency between nitrogen uptake capacity and Cd tolerance in rice plants. Increase of N level in solution slightly increased Cd concentration in shoots but significantly increased in roots of both genotypes. Compared with the control at low N level, Cd tolerance in both rice genotypes could be significantly enhanced under normal N level, but no significant difference was observed between the Cd tolerances under normal N （116.0 mg/L） and high N （232.0 mg/L） conditions. The result proved that genotypic differences in Cd accumulation and toxicity could be, at least in part, attributed to N uptake capacity in rice plants.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Accumulation and Distribution of Dry Matter in Broomcorn Millet

[Objective] To understand the effect of nitrogen application on dry matter accumulation and allocation dynamics in broomcorn millet. [Method] The accumulation and distribution of dry matter were studied using cultivars Jin Shu 7 and Huang Mizi at different levels of nitrogen fertilizer at the jointing stage. [Result] The results showed that increasing N application led to the increase of green leaf area and the delay of leaf senescence, which was beneficial to the accumulation of dry matter.Appropriate nitrogen application(90 kg/hm2) could coordinate the translocation rate of dry matter among different plant parts, thereby enhancing the yield of broomcorn millet; among different organs, the contribution rate of stem to kernel was greater than that of leaf to kernel; there was obvious correlation between dry matter and yield. For Jin Shu 7, leaf area and dry weight of spike showed significant negative correlation with yield. [Conclusion] The formation of grain yield of broomcorn millet involved the accumulation and allocation of dry matter, the appropriate amount of nitrogen application(90 kg/hm2) could improve the rates of translocation and contribution of dry matter, thereby promoting the yield of broomcorn millet.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization strategies on nitrogen use efficiency in physiology, recovery, and agronomy and redistribution of dry matter accumulation and nitrogen accumulation in two typical rice cultivars in Zhejiang, China

Field experiments were conducted in farmers’ rice fields in 2001 and 2002 to study the effects of nitrogen (N) man-agement strategies on N use efficiency in recovery (RE), agronomy (AE) and physiology (PE) and redistribution of dry matter accumulation (DMA) and nitrogen accumulation (NA) in two typical rice cultivars in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. This study aimed mainly at identifying the possible causes of poor fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE) of rice in Zhejiang by comparing farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) with advanced site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) and real-time N management (RTNM). The results showed that compared to FFP, SSNM and RTNM reduced DMA and NA before panicle initiation and increased DMA and NA at post-flowering. There is no significant difference between SSNM and FFP in post-flowering dry matter redistribution (post-DMR) and post-flowering nitrogen redistribution (post-NR). These results suggest that high input rate of fertilizer N and improper fertilizer N timing are the main factors causing low NUE of irrigated rice in the farmer’s routine practice of Zhejiang. With SSNM, about 15% of the current total N input in direct-seeding early rice and 45% in single rice could be reduced without yield loss in Zhejiang, China.

On-Farm Assessment of Biosolids Effects on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Accumulation in Soils

A field plot experiment in a calcareous soil with wheat and maize rotation was carried out for 2 yr. The study aimed to investigate the effects of biosolids （sewage sludge or chicken manure） application on nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） accumulation in soils and to develop a model for the effects of biosolids application on available P （Olsen-P） accumulation in soils, by which the quantities of biosolids that can be safely applied to agricultural soils were estimated. The results showed that heavy application of biosolids to agricultural soils based on the N requirement of a wheat-maize rotation cropping system will oversupply P. Soil total N was increased by 0.010 g kg-1 at application rate of 1 ton sewage sludge per hectare. The high ratio of N to P in grains of wheat and maize （from 4.0 to 7.6） and low ratio of N to P in biosolids （〈2） led to more surplus P accumulated in soils. Although plant yields and P uptake by plants increased with increasing quantities of applied biosolids in soils, there was still an average 2.87 mg kg-1 increase in Olsen-P in the plough layer treated with biosolids for every 100 kg P ha-1 surplus. A predictive model was developed based upon the initial Olsen-P in soils, P input rates, crop yield, soil pH, and cultivation time. From the model, it is suggested that sewage sludge could be applied to calcareous soils for 12 yr using the recommended application rate （9 tons ha-1 yr-1）. The field results will be helpful in achieving best management of biosolids application for agricultural production and environmental protection.

Weakened carbon and nitrogen metabolisms under post-silking heat stress reduce the yield and dry matter accumulation in waxy maize

Post-silking high temperature is one of the abiotic factors that affects waxy maize(Zea mays L. sinensis Kulesh) growth in southern China. We conducted a pot trial in 2016–2017 to study the effects of post-silking daytime heat stress(35°C) on the activities of enzymes involved in leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolisms and leaf reactive oxygen species(ROS) and water contents. This study could improve our understanding on dry matter accumulation and translocation and grain yield production. Results indicated that decreased grain number and weight under heat stress led to yield loss, which decreased by 20.8 and 20.0% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. High temperature reduced post-silking dry matter accumulation(16.1 and 29.5% in 2016 and 2017, respectively) and promoted translocation of pre-silking photoassimilates stored in vegetative organs, especially in leaf. The lower leaf water content and chlorophyll SPAD value, and higher ROS(H2O2 and O2^-·) content under heat stress conditions indicated accelerated senescent rate. The weak activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase(PEPCase), Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase(Ru BPCase), nitrate reductase(NR), and glutamine synthase(GS) indicated that leaf carbon and nitrogen metabolisms were suppressed when the plants suffered from a high temperature during grain filling. Correlation analysis results indicated that the reduced grain yield was mainly caused by the decreased leaf water content, weakened NR activity, and increased H2O2 content. The increased accumulation of grain weight and post-silking dry matter and the reduced translocation amount in leaf was mainly due to the increased chlorophyll SPAD value and NR activity. Reduced PEPCase and Ru BPCase activities did not affect dry matter accumulation and translocation and grain yield. In conclusion, post-silking heat stress down-regulated the leaf NR and GS activities, increased the leafwater loss rate, increased ROS generation, and induced pre-silking carbohydrate translocation. However, it reduced the post-silking direct photoassimilate deposition, ultimately, leading to grain yield loss.