Response-based selection of barley cultivars and legume species for complementarity: Root morphology and exudation in relation to nutrient source.

Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) use efficiency may be improved through increased biodiversity in agroecosystems. Phenotypic variation in plants' response to nutrient deficiency may influence positive complementarity in intercropping systems. A multicomponent screening approach was used to assess the influence of P supply and N source on the phenotypic plasticity of nutrient foraging traits in barley (H. vulgare L.) and legume species. Root morphology and exudation were determined in six plant nutrient treatments. A clear divergence in the response of barley and legumes to the nutrient treatments was observed. Root morphology varied most among legumes, whereas exudate citrate and phytase activity were most variable in barley. Changes in root morphology were minimized in plants provided with ammonium in comparison to nitrate but increased under P deficiency. Exudate phytase activity and pH varied with legume species, whereas citrate efflux, specific root length, and root diameter lengths were more variable among barley cultivars. Three legume species and four barley cultivars were identified as the most responsive to P deficiency and the most contrasting of the cultivars and species tested. Phenotypic response to nutrient availability may be a promising approach for the selection of plant combinations for minimal input cropping systems.

Aqua regia extractable selenium concentrations of some Scottish topsoils measured by ICP-MS and the relationship with mineral and organic soil components.

BACKGROUND: To provide information concerning the geographical distribution of selenium (Se) in the soils of Scotland, we analysed 47 arable soils selected on the basis of their parent rock, which were expected to have relatively high, low or unclassified Se concentrations. To investigate relationships between the actual minerals in the soils and the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soil, soil minerals were quantified by X-ray diffraction. RESULTS: The aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soils were between 0.19 and 1.46 mg kg(-1). No simple correlation between the aqua regia extractable Se concentrations of the soil and the parent rock classification estimated by soil survey was evident. Partial least squares analysis revealed that the aqua regia extractable Se concentration of the soils was positively related to loss on ignition (LOI) or C concentration and negatively related to the K-feldspar concentration, with other minerals being less important. CONCLUSION: The Se concentration of arable topsoils from Scotland is more related to LOI or carbon concentration, with parent material being less important.

Phosphorus composition of sheep feces and changes in the field determined by 31P NMR spectroscopy and XRPD.

Information on the P species in sheep feces is lacking. Such information is required to understand P-cycling in grazed ecosystems. The P composition of feces from sheep grazing grass in Scotland was assessed on freeze-dried samples by 31P MAS (magic angle spinning) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction). The 31P MAS NMR spectrum showed resonances and sidebands consistent with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (brushite) and ammonium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate (struvite). XRPD confirmed the result and allowed quantification of these minerals, which accounted for 63% of the P. To determine transformations in the field, sheep feces were collected and reapplied to sheep-free pasture in synthetic patches during late summer. The dry weight decreased with time and the feces disappeared between 84 and 112 days following heavy rainfall. The concentration of P in the feces recovered at intervals up to 84 days changed little with time but the contribution from brushite and struvite decreased and within 1 week <50% remained indicating conversion into other forms. Solution-phase 31P NMR spectra of NaOH/EDTA extracts of the feces were dominated by the inorganic orthophosphate with minor amounts of organic P that were attributed to phosphate esters and polyphosphates.