Interaction between nitrogen and sulfur by foliar application and its effects on flour bread‐making quality

BACKGROUND: Optimization of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) nutrition of wheat influences the bread‐making quality of grain. This study was conducted to determine whether the application of N and S in winter wheat at anthesis stage during two field trials could influence the absorption and distribution of N and S in grain and flour bread‐making quality RESULTS: The incorporation of ¹⁵N and ³⁴S tracers in various plant parts (leaves, stems, spikes) was determined by isotopic ratio mass spectrometry coupled with an elemental analyser (EA‐IRMS). The effects of foliar fertilization on percentage of ¹⁵N and ³⁴S recovery in various plant parts, grain yield, flour protein content, and dough properties were investigated after a combination of treatments: N (urea), S (micronized elemental S) and NS (both urea and micronized elemental S). Nitrogen (70–80%) and S (35–55%) were quickly assimilated during the days following application. Sixty days after application, 42–68% N and 6–12% S were recovered in the grain. When N and S fertilizers were applied simultaneously, N and S recoveries (68% and 12%), N/S ratios (11–14), flour protein content (115 g kg^?1) and dough strength (310 × 10^?4 J), swelling (21.8 mmH₂O) and extensibility (96.4 mm) were increased. CONCLUSION: A synergistic effect between the foliar applied N and S fertilizers appears to increase N and S assimilation in grain and may improve bread‐making qualities. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Uptake of foliar-applied urea by winter wheat (Triticum aestivum): The influence of application time and the use of a new 15N technique

A new ¹⁵N technique (termed the negative discard method) for measuring recovery of foliar-applied N by crops in the field is described. ¹⁵N-labelled fertiliser solution is sprayed on to a small area of crop, using a hand sprayer, while the surrounding area is sprayed with unlabelled N at the same rate. An area considerably larger than that given ¹⁵N is harvested with a small-plot combine-harvester, and crop recovery of foliar-applied N is calculated from the ¹⁵N enrichment of the resulting sample containing a mixture of labelled and unlabelled material. The technique was used to measure recovery of N from ¹⁵N-labelled urea solution sprayed on to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L cv Avalon) at six different times from growth stage 39 (3 weeks before anthesis) to growth stage 73 (2 weeks after anthesis). Each treatment of 40 kg N ha^?1 was divided into two equal portions, the second being applied 1–2 days after the first, to minimise the risk of leaf damage. The crop had earlier received 210 kg N ha^?1, as ‘Nitro-Chalk’, in spring (50 kg ha^?1 at growth stage 22 and 160 kg ha^?1 at growth stage 31) which was more than sufficient to achieve maximum grain yield. At harvest, 70% of the foliar-applied N given at anthesis (growth stage 65) was recovered in the above-ground crop, including 64 % in grain. The proportion of labelled N recovered in the grain (92% of that in the above-ground crop) was slightly greater than with soil-applied N given earlier in the growing season. Recovery of foliar-applied N was slightly less for the earliest (growth stage 39) and latest (growth stage 73) times of spraying: 64% and 58% in above-ground crop, and 56% and 54% in grain, respectively. All of the foliar applications of 40 kg N ha^?1 increased %N in grain to the same extent as an additional 40 kg N ha^?1 applied to soil in spring.     

Effects of tillage and nitrogen fertilisation on triticale grain yield,chemical composition and nutritive value

BACKGROUND: Given the interest in the development of cultivation systems with low agronomic input and environmental impact, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of tillage system (conventional tillage (CT), two‐layer tillage (TT), surface tillage (ST) and minimum tillage (MT)) and nitrogen (N) fertilisation rate (0, 50 and 100 kg ha^?1) on triticale grain and protein yields, chemical composition and nutritive value. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among tillage treatments in grain and protein yields. ST resulted in significantly higher crude protein (CP) and true soluble protein (TSP) contents as well as in vitro crude protein digestibility (CPD). Neutral detergent fibre concentration was significantly higher with ST than with MT, and this led to a small reduction (2 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)) in in vitro true DM digestibility (IVTDMD). N fertilisation significantly increased grain and protein yields as well as CP, non‐protein nitrogen and TSP contents and CPD. IVTDMD was significantly lower with 0 kg N ha^?1 than with 50 and 100 kg N ha^?1. CONCLUSION: Reducing tillage intensity improved the CP content and CPD of triticale grain. The application of 50 kg N ha^?1 resulted in good grain quality parameters and grain and protein yields. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of nitrogen and manure fertilizer on grain quality,baking and rheological properties of wheat grown in sandy soil

Winter wheat was grown under various nitrogen (N) fertilizer regimes (with/without manure application) under calcareous sandy soils, control wheat being grown without fertilization. Six levels of N fertilizer were applied. The technological and baking characteristics of the wheat were closely related to N and nitrogen + manure (NM) fertilization. Contents of protein increased with increase in fertilization level, which also improved the rheological properties of dough and baking quality. N fertilization increased farinograph stability time, which increased with increasing flour protein content. NM fertilization affected protein content as well as farinograph stability time and farinograph maximum viscosity, thereby affecting the relationship between these properties. The increase in bread volume due to fertilizers was more noticeable with NM than with N. Application of 60 t ha^?1 manure along with 200 kg ha^?1 N onwards improved technological properties of flour in comparison with wheat grown with the basic N fertilizer only. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Seedbed fertilizer requirements of winter oilseed rape

Thirty-four field experiments were carried out on the seedbed fertilizer requirements of winter oilseed rape in the main rape-growing areas of England and Scotland. Average seed yield was increased by seedbed N from 2.711 ha^?1 to 2.881 ha^?1 (when 200 kg ha^?1 N was given in spring). Economic analysis showed 60 kg ha^?1 as likely to be the most profitable rate of seedbed N for most situations. P fertilizer increased yield significantly on soils with low or moderate levels of available soil P but there was little response to K fertilizer on soils of high or medium K status and too few experiments on low K status soils to quantify requirements thereon. S application to the seedbed (as calcium sulphate) did not increase yield. Seedbed N decreased seed oil content slightly and not always significantly while P, K and S had no effect. Nutrient removal in the seed of an average 3 t ha^?1 crop would be 90 kg ha^?1 of N, 17 kg ha^?1 of P (40 kg ha^?1 P₂O₅) and 17 kg ha^?1 of K (20 kg ha^?1 K₂O).     

Changes in yield and seed quality traits in rapeseed genotypes by sulphur fertilization

Sulphur is considered more as a soil amendment to remedy alkaline soils rather than a fertilizer in crop production. However, as one of the macronutrients, just as N–P–K, it is able to have a direct and significant effect on yield and quality in some crops. There might be a sound potential of increasing seed yield and quality of rapeseed, the second important oil crop around the world, with the use of sulphur as a fertilizer in cultural practices. Our objective in this study is to determine the effects of sulphur fertilization on seed yield and several seed and oil quality traits in rapeseed. Five rapeseed genotypes were grown for two consecutive growing seasons in Çanakkale, in a RCB design with three replications. The experimental plots were given 0, 100 or 200 kg ha^?1 sulphur along with a fixed amount of 240 kg ha^?1 N. Results indicated that sulphur fertilization had positive effects on seed yield and some of the seed and oil quality components. On the other hand, excessive sulphur fertilization, or naturally occurring high levels in the soil, may have adverse effects in elevating some undesired compounds, such as glucosinolates.     

The effect of fertilizer nitrogen input to grass-clover swards and calving date on the productivity of pasture-based dairy production

The objective of this systems-scale study was to investigate grazing season timeframes on pasture and milk production and on milk processability of dairy systems with compact spring-calving dairy cows grazing white clover (Trifolium repens L.) based grassland. Fifty-four primiparous and multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used in a one-factor study with 3 systems (n = 18) and repeated over 2 yr (2008/09 and 2009/10). The 3 systems were: early spring calving with annual fertilizer N input of 100 kg·ha^?1 applied in spring (ES100N; 2.1 cows·ha^?1; grazing February to November), early spring calving without fertilizer N (ES0N; 1.6 cows·ha^?1; grazing February to November) and late spring calving without fertilizer N (LS0N; 1.53 cows·ha^?1; grazing April to January). Annual pasture production was affected by an interaction between grazing system and year: Mean annual pasture yields for 2008 and 2009 were ES100N; 10.35 and 9.88, ES0N; 8.88 and 8.63, LS0N; 9.18 and 10.31 t of dry matter (DM)·ha^?1 (SEM 0.39). LS0N had higher pasture DM yield in 2009 due to higher clover DM production and biological N fixation compared with the other systems. Clover stolon and root mass in the following February was correlated with stolon and root mass in the previous November with 64% of stolon mass present on LS0N in February (R² = 0.84). There were no detectable differences in per-lactation milk yield (6,335 kg·cow^?1), fat, protein and lactose yields (271, 226, 297 kg·cow^?1, respectively), cow liveweight (585 kg) or body condition score (3.02). Although winter grazing favored subsequent clover DM production, biological N fixation and pasture DM production, delaying calving date in spring and extending lactation into the following winter led to inefficient use of this pasture by the grazing herd and lowered the quality of late-lactation milk for processing purposes. Hence, a mean calving date in mid- to late-February is recommended for zero-fertilizer N input clover-based grassland.     

Influence of sulfur fertilization on S-containing, phenolic, and carbohydrate metabolites in rosy garlic (Allium roseum L.): a wild edible species in North Africa

Allium roseum L., a North African endemic species, is a rich source of many important nutrients and bioactive compounds responsible for many promising beneficial health physiological effects. The influence of sulfur fertilization (S fertilization) on the flavor, total polyphenols, and carbohydrates content in A. roseum was studied, using three sulfur concentrations (0.01, 1.50 and 4.50 mmol L^?1) under controlled conditions. S fertilization showed a significant increase in the allicin concentration of A. roseum bulbs with an average of 0.859–2.285 g kg^?1 FW for bulbs grown at 0.01 and 1.50 mmol L^?1 SO₄ ^2?, respectively. The same trend was observed for total polyphenol content. On the contrary, the highest level of S decreased the content of reduced carbohydrates. These results provide evidence that the concentrations of allicin and polyphenols in A. roseum are increased by S fertilization, potentially amplifying its beneficial impacts on health.     

Use of nitrification inhibitors to improve recovery of mineralised nitrogen by winter wheat

Nitrification inhibitors were applied in September 1980, after ploughing of a grass ley, to prevent formation of NO_3-N which could be lost by leaching and denitrification. Laboratory tests indicated that nitrapyrin or etridiazole at 1 μg g soil^?1 and dicyandiamide (DCD) at 10 μg g^?1 could inhibit nitrification by approximately 40%, compared with untreated soil, for 10 weeks at 10°C. In the field, nitrapyrin, etridiazole and DCD had little effect on NH₄ and NO₃ levels in the soil throughout autumn and winter. In April uptake of mineralised N by wheat was greater in plots treated with DCD (but not with nitrapyrin or etridiazole) than in untreated plots. Spring fertiliser N applications (35 or 70 kg N ha^?1) increased ear numbers, as did the two rates of all inhibitors except etridiazole. At harvest, grain and straw yields were increased by both rates of DCD with and without fertiliser N in spring, but there were no consistent increases from nitrapyrin or etridiazole. The mean increases in N uptake by wheat grain plus straw were 12 and 15% for 5 and 20 kg ha^?1 DCD respectively. DCD could be of use in preventing losses of NO₃-N, particularly in situations where large amounts of N may be mineralised during autumn and would be liable to loss prior to crop uptake.     

The effects of irrigation,nitrogen fertilizer and grain size on Hagberg falling number,specific weight and blackpoint of winter wheat

The effects of irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on Hagberg falling number (HFN), specific weight (SW) and blackpoint (BP) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were investigated. Mains water (+50 and +100 mm month^?1, containing 44 mg NO₃^? litre^?1 and 28 mg SO₄^2? litre^?1) was applied with trickle irrigation during winter (17 January–17 March), spring (21 March–20 May) or summer (24 May–23 July). In 1999/2000 these treatments were factorially combined with three N levels (0, 200, 400 kg N ha^?1), applied to cv Hereward. In 2000/01 the 400 kg N ha^?1 treatment was replaced with cv Malacca given 200 kg N ha^?1. Irrigation increased grain yield, mostly by increasing grain numbers when applied in winter and spring, and by increasing mean grain weight when applied in summer. Nitrogen increased grain numbers and SW, and reduced BP in both years. Nitrogen increased HFN in 1999/2000 and reduced HFN in 2000/01. Effects of irrigation on HFN, SW and BP were smaller and inconsistent over year and nitrogen level. Irrigation interacted with N on mean grain weight: negatively for winter and spring irrigation, and positively for summer irrigation. Ten variables derived from digital image analysis of harvested grain were included with mean grain weight in a principal components analysis. The first principal component (‘size’) was negatively related to HFN (in two years) and BP (one year), and positively related to SW (two years). Treatment effects on dimensions of harvested grain could not explain all of the effects on HFN, BP and SW but the results were consistent with the hypothesis that water and nutrient availability, even when they were affected early in the season, could influence final grain quality if they influenced grain numbers and size. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Germination alters the chemical composition and protein quality of lupin seeds

The chemical composition and protein quality of the kernels from Lupinus angustifolius seeds were compared with that for sprouts after 6 days germination. Germination resulted in an apparent increase in protein content from 395 g kg^?1 to 435 g kg^?1 DM. Fat and carbohydrate contents decreased. The oligosaccharide content of the sprouted lupin fell to a negligible level, while the phytate and alkaloid concentrations fell from 4.7 g kg^?1 to 1.6 g kg^?1 and from 0.72 g kg^?1 to 0.16 g kg^?1, respectively. The quality of lupin kernel protein was poor with a protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.45±0.15. Supplementation of kernel with DL-methionine (2.0 g kg^?1) increased the protein quality (PER = 2.87±0.17) to that of casein (PER = 2.86±0.18). Germination reduced protein quality (PER = 0.44±0.16), and did not improve apparent protein digestibility (APD kernel = 80.4%; APD sprout = 77.5%). Supplementation of sprout protein with DL-methionine (2.0 g kg^?1) increased the protein quality (PER = 2.57±0.20). The total sulphur-containing amino acid concentration of lupin kernel protein, 1.9 g per 16 g N was low, and decreased further to 1.3 g per 16 g N in the sprout, a drop of 32%. The results showed that germination of lupin seeds reduced the concentration of the anti-nutritive factors; however, it also reduced protein quality.     

Influence of nitrogen fertilizer application rate on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour quality and Chinese noodle quality

BACKGROUND: Understanding wheat flour noodle quality responses to N management will improve the quality of recommendations made to growers for specific end‐uses. Two winter wheat cultivars, with six N rates, planted during the course of a 2‐year experiment were used to determine the effect of N application rate on Chinese white noodle quality. RESULTS: Wheat flour protein content, development time (DT) and stability time (ST) increased with N application rate, maximal at 360 kg N ha^?1 and decreasing thereafter. When the N fertilizer application rate changed from 0 to 270 or 360 kg N ha^?1, redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) of both flour and noodle increased, while brightness (L*) decreased. The hardness and chewiness of cooked noodles improved at lower N application rate and degenerated at higher N rate. CONCLUSION: A low rate of N fertilizer application (from 0 to 270 kg N ha^?1) improved flour quality. Flour protein content and protein quality parameters displayed a significant negative correlation with brightness (L*) values. Generally, high flour protein content and protein quality, as well as good noodle texture, could be achieved by topdressing N fertilizer (in the range 270–360 kg N ha^?1). Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of nitrogen application rate on the content and composition of oil,essential oil and minerals in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen fertility level on the content and composition of oil, essential oil and minerals in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds. Sixty‐three‐day‐old plants were supplied with varying levels of N, i.e., 0, 30, 60, and 90 kg N ha^?1 soil. The fixed oil content of the seeds ranged from 32.7% to 37.8% and it remained almost unchanged at the two higher external N regimes, i.e., 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1, but at 30 kg N ha^?1 the oil content increased significantly. Of the saturated fatty acids analyzed, palmitic acid increased slightly at all external N levels, but in contrast stearic acid decreased considerably at 60 kg N ha^?1. Of the unsaturated fatty acids of fixed oil, the predominant fatty acid was linoleic acid (18:2) followed by oleic acid (18:1). Linoleic acid and dihomolinoleic acid (20:2) showed no change in their amounts at varying levels of N. In contrast, a marked reduction in α‐linolenic acid (18:3) was found at the two higher N regimes, i.e., 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1. Seed essential oil content did not vary with the change in applied N level. The major component of essential oil of black cumin seed was found to be p‐cymene, which showed an increase at 30 kg N ha^?1, whereas no change in the levels of α‐pinene or β‐pinene was observed at varying levels of N. K, P, Na, Fe, Mn, and Ni were found to be predominant elements in the seeds. Ca, Mg, Cu, and Cr were present in low amounts, but Zn was present in moderate quantity. Increasing N rate did not affect the content of K, P, Ca, Mg, or Cr in the cumin seeds. In contrast, a consistent decrease in seed Mn, Zn, and Ni was observed with increase in external N level. Increasing N level had a marked effect on some of the components of black seed oil. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of residual fertility and direct fertilisation on kernel,protein and oil yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) grown in rice fallows

Kernel (2814–3467 kg ha^?1), protein (555–759 kg ha^?1) and oil (124–1556 kg ha^?1) yields of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) varied significantly due to the residual effect of organic manures and inorganic fertilisers together. It was also observed that direct application of recommended fertilisers (25 N, 72 P₂O₅ and 37-5 K₂O kg ha^?1) gave the highest kernel (3669 kg ha^?1), protein (786 kg ha^?1) and oil (1606 kg ha^?1) yields. The reduction in kernel, protein and oil yield from the recommended level of fertilisers to half the recommended level of fertilisers was about 16, 15 and 12% while it was about 25, 33 and 27% with no fertiliser. Thus, the results revealed that the nutrients applied partly through organic manures and inorganic fertilisers to Kharif rice exhibits significant residual effects on the succeeding upland crop and hence the fertilisation must be considered not only for individual crops but also for the cropping system as a whole.     

Ileal digestibility of defatted soybean,lupin and chickpea seed meals in cannulated Iberian pigs: II. Fatty acids and carbohydrates

Five castrated male Iberian pigs (100 ± 2 kg mean live body weight) fitted with T‐shaped ileal cannulas were used to determine ileal digestibility of legume seed meals. The diets were based on defatted soybean (256 g kg^?1), lupin (451 g kg^?1) or chickpea (731 g kg^?1) seed meals and contained similar amounts of digestible energy (14.2–15.1 kJ g^?1) and protein (107 g kg^?1). Only myristic acid (C14:0) ileal apparent digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) in lupin than in chickpea meal. Ileal apparent digestibility of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) (710–920 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of saturated (480–710 g kg^?1) FA for both seed meals. Ileal digestibility of chickpea starch was 850 g kg^?1. Ileal digestibility of oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, verbascose and ciceritol) in lupin (820 g kg^?1) and chickpea (690 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than that of defatted soybean (510 g kg^?1). However, total amounts of oligosaccharides digested were higher (p < 0.05) for lupin and chickpea meals (29.6 and 24.6 g kg^?1 feed respectively) than for soybean (15.2 g kg^?1 feed). Among individual non‐starch polysaccharide (NSP) sugars, ileal digestibility values for rhamnose and xylose in lupins were higher (p < 0.05) than those for soybean or chickpea. Ileal digestibility of lupin meal NSP (650 g kg^?1) was higher (p < 0.05) than those of soybean (560 g kg^?1) or chickpea (430 g kg^?1). Up to the terminal ileum, higher (p < 0.05) amounts of lupin total NSP (94.1 g kg^?1) than for soybean (24.3 g kg^?1) or chickpea (27.1 g kg^?1) were digested. Lactate, acetate and isobutyrate concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin and chickpea seed meals compared with soybean‐fed animals. It is concluded that higher lactate and short chain fatty acids concentrations in ileal contents of pigs fed lupin or chickpea seed meals compared with soybean are likely to be the result of higher total amounts of lupin NSP and/or lupin and chickpea oligosaccharides digested up to the terminal ileum. This might have a protective effect on Iberian pig's intestinal physiology. Both lupin and chickpea meals are likely to constitute a valuable alternative to defatted soybean in Iberian pig feeding. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Responses of breadmaking quality to sulphur in three wheat varieties

Field experiments were carried out at three sites in England to investigate the effects of S fertilisation on breadmaking quality of three winter wheat varieties (Hereward, Rialto and Spark) in the 1996–1997 season. The soils at the three sites differed in extractable S contents. Depending on site, either 180 and 230 kg ha⁻¹ N or 230 and 280 kg ha⁻¹ N treatments were factorially combined with three S treatments (0, 20 and 100 kg ha⁻¹ S). Addition of S increased loaf volume significantly at two sites where grain S concentration was also significantly increased and grain N:S ratio decreased. Application of the extra 50 kg ha⁻¹ N increased grain protein concentration but did not increase loaf volume at any of the sites. Loaf volume was found to correlate more closely with grain S than with grain protein concentration. Addition of S generally decreased the elastic modulus of gel protein and dough resistance but increased dough extensibility. Despite considerable differences in their dough rheology, the responses in rheology and loaf volume to S were similar in all three varieties. Selected flour samples of Rialto from the Bridgets site were also analysed for the glutenin subunit distribution, showing that S addition increased the relative proportion of low-molecular-weight subunits at the expense of high-molecular-weight subunits of glutenin. This study therefore shows that the beneficial effects of S on breadmaking quality are associated with decreased dough elasticity and increased extensibility resulting from effects on the amount and composition of the glutenin polymers. The results also indicate that S fertilisation is required in some areas of England to maintain breadmaking quality. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Some relationships between grain yield and grain protein of wheat experiments in south-east england and comparisons with such relationships elsewhere

By adopting a uniform method of presentation, the interrelationship between grain yield, %N in grain and N uptake (or protein yield) from diverse experiments and surveys can be compared readily. All three variables can be shown together by plotting yield vs %N and adding the third variable in the form of hyperbolic lines representing equal N uptake (or protein yield). This method is used in two diagrams which display 2000 values derived from 124 experiments on winter wheat and 400 values from 41 experiments on spring wheat, conducted by Rothamsted Experimental Station over 20 years. Both scatter diagrams display well-defined boundaries which have been emphasised by linking points along these boundaries to form ‘envelope curves ’For winter wheat the maximum yield was 9.5 t ha^?1, the largest N concentration about 3% and the largest N uptake 170 kg N ha^?1 (about 970 kg protein ha^?1). Spring wheat had a maximum grain yield of 6.3 t ha^?1, the largest N concentration was 3.1% and the largest N uptake 125 kg N ha^?1. Four examples of other work set within the same framework show applications of our method of presentation. Results from a recent more homogeneous series of experiments in southern England (conducted by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service), showing clear seasonal differences, are seen to lie within the envelope curve defined by the Rothamsted experiments. Further illustrations are taken from an experiment by the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge, comparing varieties of different bread-making qualities, from work of the Nebraskan plant breeding team who have produced grain with larger protein content without sacrificing yield, and from survey data for England and West Germany.     

Nitrogen use efficiency in grain production and the estimated nitrogen input/output balance in China agriculture

BACKGROUND Understanding the nitrogen (N) use efficiency and N input/output balance in the agricultural system is crucial for best management of N fertilisers in China. RESULTS In the last 60 years, N fertiliser consumption correlated positively with grain production. During that period the partial factor productivity of N (PFP_N) declined greatly from more than 1000 kg grain kg^?1 N in the 1950s to nearly 30 kg grain kg^?1 N in 2008. This change in PFP_N could be largely explained by the increase in N rate. The average agronomic efficiency of fertiliser N (AE_N) for rice, wheat and maize during 2000‐2010 was 12.6, 8.3 and 11.5 kg kg^?1 respectively, which was similar to that in the early 1980s but lower than that in the early 1960s. Estimation based on statistical data showed that a total of 49.16 × 10⁶ t of N was input into Chinese agriculture, of which chemical N, organic fertiliser N, biological fixed N and other sources accounted for 58.2, 24.3, 10.5 and 7.0% respectively. Nitrogen was surplus in all regions, the total N surplus being 10.6 × 10⁶ t (60.6 kg ha^?1). CONCLUSION The great challenge is to balance the use of current N fertilisers between regions and crops to improve N use efficiency while maintaining or increasing crop production under the high‐intensity agricultural system of China. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Gas Purge Microsyringe Extraction Coupled with Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction for the Determination of Acidic Compounds in Food Packaging Materials

A green, simple and sensitive method was developed for the analysis of volatile carboxylic acids (VFAs) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in food packaging materials. The acidic compounds in food packaging materials were first extracted by gas purge microsyringe extraction (GP–MSE) with 1.0 mL 0.1 mol·L^?1 NaOH solution, then the analytes were dispersive liquid-liquid microextracted (DLLME) by 50 μL chloroform as extraction solvent and 200 μL acetonitrile as dispersive solvent. The 2-(5-Benzoacridine) ethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (BAETS) with excellent fluorescence property was applied to enhance the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) sensitivity. The obtained recoveries for the VFAs ranged from 92.0 to 101 %. The method LODs calculated at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 were in the range of 0.80–3.40 μg·kg^?1, while the LOQs calculated at S/N of 10 were in the range of 2.5–10.2 μg·kg^?1. All compounds were in good linearity with concentration coefficients of higher than 0.997. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found in all of the 15 kinds of samples analyzed with concentrations ranging from 4.86–7.56 μg·kg^?1. Acetic acid, butyric acid, and caprylic acid were found in half of the samples analyzed. The other analytes were also found in more than 30 % samples with concentrations varied between 3.96 and 293 μg·kg^?1.     

Comparison of fruit characteristics,oil properties and fatty acid composition of local Syrian Kaissy cv olive (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis>)

Characterization of Syrian (Kaissy cultivar) olive fruits and evaluation of physic-chemical properties of oils were carried out during 3 years of production. The mean values of data for both measured and calculated variables of fruits were: grain length (21.89 mm), grain width (17.92 mm), length/width (1.22), weight of grain (3.79 g), weight of pulp (flesh) (3.19 g), weight of pit (0.60 g), pulp/pit ratio (5.35), crude oil (17.13%), water content (moisture) (51.34%). The 3 year average values of chemical properties of Syrian Kaissy cultivar olive oils (SKOO) including acid value, peroxide vale, Thiobarbituric acid value, iodine value(IV), saponification value, and phenolic content were 0.58%, 4.33 mEq O₂ kg^??1, 0.028 mg MDA kg^??1 oil, 90.77 g I₂, 100 g^??1, 194.91 mg KOH g^??1, and 218.08 g gallic acid kg^??1, respectively. Pefractive index (RI), and viscosity were 1.4666 nD at 25?°C and 139.56 mPa.s, respectively. However, the 2 years average values of Hunter’s color parameters of SKOO were; the lightness (L*= 66.91), redness (a* = 18.80), yellowness (b* = 29.08) and the color differences (?E?=?65.49). FA analysis of the SKOO used showed a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid 70.82% and palmitic acid 1.01%) and low polyunsaturated fatty acids (Linoleic acid 10.72% and Linolenic 0.82%) and saturated fatty acids (Palmitic 14.10% and stearic 2.57%). Results for 3 years production of Syrian Kaissy cultivar olive fruit and oil are discussed in detail.