Boron application improves on yield and chemical composition of strawberry

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient required for normal plant growth and development. Boron management is challenging because the optimum B application range is narrow and the application rates vary from one soil to another. Boron deficiency is widespread in the Anatolia region of Turkey. This may impact on yield and mineral contents of leaves and fruits of strawberry (Fragaria 7ananassa cv. Fern) especially in B-deficient calcareous Aridisols in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to study yield and quality response of strawberry to B application. Boron fertilizer application affected plant yield and chemical composition. B application decreased tissue nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) but increased tissue phosphorus (P), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) content. We conclude that a B addition of 5.5 kg ha 121 is sufficient to elevate soil B levels to non-deficient levels

Organic acids, sugars and mineral content of cherry laurel (laurocerasus officinalis roem) accessions in Turkey

In this study we report on the content of organic acids, sugars and miner-als in the pulps of the twelve cherry laurel accessions most commonly consumedin eastern Black Sea Region. Malic acid was the dominant organic acid rangedfrom 43.27 (CL6) to 54.23 (CL3) mg/100 g fresh weight basis. The dominantsugars were glucose and fructose in the pulps that ranged from 4.83 (CL1) to5.74 (CL5) mg/100 g and 4.66 (CL3) to 5.53 (CL7) mg/100 g, respectively. Thepulp of cherry laurel was shown to be rich in potassium (187-241 mg), phos-phorus (26-45 mg), calcium (15-22 mg), magnesium (15-24 mg) and sodium(3.9-6.1 mg) in 100 g fruit pulp. The data may be useful in selecting wild ediblefruit species appropriate for incorporation into diets. © 2016 Academic Publishing House. All Rights reserved

Temperature sensitivity of soil respiration is affected by nitrogen fertilization and land use

Wetlands are an important component of the terrestrial ecosystem, and play a crucial role in sequestering carbon. However, to date, there is little information about the land-use and nitrogen-fertilization effects on temperature sensitivity of soil respiration in wetland. In this investigation, effects of land use and nitrogen fertilization on temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q10) in a freshwater marsh of northeast China were studied. The results showed that change of land use significantly affected Q10-value, which followed the order: Intact Deyeuxia angustifolia wetland soil upland forest soil abandoned cultivated soil cultivated soil. Our data confirmed that soil temperature and moisture were important factors affecting Q10-values. Besides temperature and soil moisture, availability of C and N and microbial activity in soil were important factors affecting Q10-values. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in an increase in Q10-value not only in the intact wetland, but also in the cultivated soil. Although availability of N could stimulate temperature sensitivity of soil respiration, high nitrogen fertilization (i.e., 240 kg N ha-1 in this study) inhibited temperature sensitivity. Further studies are indicated as a means of answering these questions and providing additional information on the effects of nitrogen fertilization on Q10-value

Mineral content of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits

Fruits are considered to be a good source of dietary minerals. In this study, mineral composition was determined in twenty cornelian cherry genotypes sampled from Coruh valley in Turkey. P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B were determined using an inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer. Mineral contents presented significant differences from one genotype to another. K content varied between 2780 mg/kg in CM5 genotype and 3340 mg/kg in CM14 genotype, recording significant differences from the average (3073 mg/kg). The order of nutritive minerals depending on their content as mg/kg of fruits was K > Ca > P > Mg > Na > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Comparing obtained data with comparing the other common fruits, cornelian cherry genotypes sampled from Turkey are richer for most minerals and proved to be important sources of nutritive minerals. Thus, cornelian cherry consumption can contribute to a well balanced diet