Fertility studies of pasture soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland. 3. Basaltic soils

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (54) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Teitzel ◽  
RC Bruce

Results of thirteen investigations into the fertility status of fifteen basaltic soils in the wet tropical coast of Queensland are presented. Although farming experience has shown these soils to be among the most fertile in the area, a widespread phosphorus deficiency is recorded. Plant growth responses to molybdenum, sulphur and calcium also occurred. The molybdenum deficiency appears to be particularly important in older , pastures where the initailly high soil nitrogen status has been depleted.

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (56) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Teitzel ◽  
RC Bruce

Results of fifteen investigations into the fertility status of soils derived from metamorphic rocks in the wet tropical coast of Queensland are presented. Phosphorus deficiency is general. Molybdenum and potassium deficiencies are also widespread. Significant plant growth increases in seven of the nine general nutritional experiments were brought about by the calcium treatment. However, the involvement of additional calcium in molybdenum release and in alleviating aluminium toxicity appears more important than in correcting a calcium deficiency. There were also some positive responses to sulphur and negative ones to copper.


1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 306 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Teitzel ◽  
RC Bruce

Results of sixteen plant growth experiments examining the nutritional status of mixed alluvial soils in the wet tropics are presented. A phosphorus deficiency is widespread and, in certain situations, extreme. Significant plant growth responses to calcium, copper, molybdenum, calcium + sulphur, magnesium + sulphur, and molybdenum + sulphur + manganese treatments were also recorded.


1981 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Robson ◽  
GW O'hara ◽  
LK Abbott

Effects of phosphorus supply on nodulation and nitrogen fixation in subterranean clover paralleled those on growth and occurred only after, or at the same time as, growth responses. However, correcting phosphorus deficiency increased nitrogen concentrations in tops as well as weight of tops. Effects of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizas on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation operated through effects on phosphorus nutrition of the host. Inoculation with a VA mycorrhizal fungus only stimulated nodulation and nitrogen fixation when insufficient phosphorus was applied for maximum growth of the non-mycorrhizal plant. Phosphorus concentrations in nodules greatly exceeded those in either tops or roots in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants and with phosphorus levels ranging from severely deficient to luxury supply for plant growth. Nitrogen applied after nitrogen fixation had commenced increased fresh weight of tops to a greater extent where phosphorus was non-limiting to growth. This positive interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth of nodulated nitrogen-fixing subterranean clover suggests that phosphorus deficiency does not limit growth in legumes by decreasing nitrogen fixation. It is concluded that increasing phosphorus supply increases nitrogen fixation in subterranean clover by stimulating host plant growth rather than by effects on either rhizobial growth and survival or on nodule formation and function.


1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Teitzel ◽  
RC Bruce

Plant growth studies and chemical analyses revealed severe and widespread deficiencies of phosphorus and copper, but in the case of phosphorus, deficiency is easily changed to toxicity by heavy fertilizer application. Potassium deficiency is less severe but fairly widespread. Calcium treatment functioned in different ways and produced both positive and negative responses. Other deficiencies recorded include zinc, molybdenum, sulphur, and boron.


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Murugesan Chandrasekaran

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate symbionts of higher plants which increase the growth and nutrient uptake of host plants. The primary objective was initiated based on analyzing the enormity of optimal effects upon AMF inoculation in a comparative bias between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants stipulated on plant biomass and nutrient uptake. Consequently, in accomplishing the above-mentioned objective a vast literature was collected, analyzed, and evaluated to establish a weighted meta-analysis irrespective of AMF species, plant species, family and functional group, and experimental conditions in the context of beneficial effects of AMF. I found a significant increase in the shoot, root, and total biomass by 36.3%, 28.5%, and, 29.7%, respectively. Moreover, mycorrhizal plants significantly increased phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium uptake by 36.3%, 22.1%, and 18.5%, respectively. Affirmatively upon cross-verification studies, plant growth parameters intensification was accredited to AMF (Rhizophagus fasciculatus followed by Funniliforme mosseae), plants (Triticum aestivum followed by Solanum lycopersicum), and plant functional groups (dicot, herbs, and perennial) were the additional vital important significant predictor variables of plant growth responses. Therefore, the meta-analysis concluded that the emancipated prominent root characteristics, increased morphological traits that eventually help the host plants for efficient phosphorus uptake, thereby enhancing plant biomass. The present analysis can be rationalized for any plant stress and assessment of any microbial agent that contributes to plant growth promotion.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Teng ◽  
Lei Ba ◽  
Deli Wang ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Jushan Liu

Many studies indicated that saliva from herbivores might be involved in plant growth responses when plants have been grazed. However, there is currently no general agreement on whether saliva can affect plant growth. Our aims were to determine the growth response of plants to sheep saliva after defoliation under diverse environmental conditions (different sward structures), and whether the effect of saliva is influenced by time (duration) after its application. We conducted field experiments with clipping treatments and the application of sheep saliva to the damaged parts of tillers to simulate sheep grazing on the perennial grass Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev during the early growing seasons. Results demonstrated that clipping with saliva application significantly increased tiller numbers 8 weeks after treatments in comparison with clipping alone. A key finding is that the effect of sheep saliva on plant growth was short-lived. Clipping with saliva application increased leaf weight in the second week, while clipping alone had no effect. Moreover, clipping with saliva application promoted the elongation of new leaves (not the old ones) in the first week whereas clipping alone was ineffective. Results also showed that there were no differences between clipping with saliva application and clipping alone for relative height growth rate and aboveground biomass. Therefore, we concluded that saliva application to clipping treatment would produce an additional effect compared to clipping alone for the plant and the positive effects are time dependent. The additional effects primarily embodied in the individual level of plant, such as the changes of leaf weight and leaf length. Beyond the level, the effects of saliva only produced many more tiller numbers rather than the accumulation of aboveground biomass.


Author(s):  
R. P. Mericle ◽  
L. W. Mericle ◽  
A. E. Smith ◽  
W. F. Campbell ◽  
D. J. Montgomery

Author(s):  
Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about the effect of farm land management practices and soil depth on the distribution of major soil physico-chemical properties in eroded soils of Aboy Gara watershed. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 64 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods were used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. According to farmers response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile where it comprise black color, cracks during dry season, good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain plants and presence of plants in a dry environment whereas the infertile is where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted plant growth, presence of rocks and stones and wilting or dying of crops in a hot environment. A total of eight indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home, type of weeds grown and cultivation intensity) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility. The results of administered questions showed that the principal indicators mentioned by farmers as very important were soil colour (82.8%), continuous cropping land (72.2%), soil texture (62.8%), distance from home (61%), type of weeds grown (56%), soil depth (55.6%), topography (51.1%), and soil drainage (28.7%) as very important. So, among sixty four interviewed farmers: deep soil (60 farmers), soils near to home (60 farmers), forest soil (59 farmers), smooth fine soil (59 farmers), black color soil (58 farmers) and gentle slope soil (57farmers) are categorized as fertile whereas 59, 57, 56, 55, and 44farmers said that Sandy/coarse soil, shallow soil depth, steep slope soils and yellow/white, red soils and continuously cultivated soils are infertile, respectively. The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators. The soil laboratory analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to-day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.


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