Application of fertilization in changing light adaptability and improving growth of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. seedlings under various light conditions in temperate forests.

Non-timber forest plants have always played a significant role in livelihood security by providing valuable non-timber forest products, especially in less-developed countries. Artificial cultivation is a key approach to sustainably develop non-timber forest plants, for which, in-forest planting is vital. Light conditions in forests severely affect in-forest planting, and the growth of many plants may be restricted due to inappropriate light conditions. Thus, to fully and effectively utilize forest spaces with various light environments, fertilization, as an important practice to supply nutrients for promoting plant growth, was selected to mitigate light constraints in forests. Aralia elata (a valuable non-timber forest plant species) was chosen as the subject to explore the effects of fertilization on photosynthetic and morphological adaptation to light and the growth of in-forest planted seedlings by simulating different light environments. The results showed that the effects of fertilization on light adaptability (i.e., photosynthesis and leaf traits) of A. elata seedlings were limited; that is, only the variations in light-saturated photosynthetic net rate (PNmax), specific leaf area (SLA), and chlorophyll (Chl) content of A. elata seedlings between different shade intensities were noticeably affected by fertilization. Fertilization was positive for growth, and a half fertilization treatment (50 g per plot) was optimum for improving the growth of A. elata seedlings under light conditions of 0-75% shade intensities. These results can provide some practical references for the application of fertilization in in-forest planting and management of transplanted non-timber forest plant seedlings under various light conditions in the forests.

Efficiency of water use and nitrogen for goat milk production in irrigated pasture to different management / Eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para produção de leite de cabra em pastagem irrigada sob diferentes manejos

The aim was to determine the efficiency of use of water and nitrogen for forage production and goat-milk production on an irrigated Tanzania Guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) pasture subjected to different management practices. The management levels tested were combinations among nitrogen fertilization levels and post-grazing residual heights (ResH): Intensive (ResH = 33.0cm and 600.0kg N/ha.year-1); Moderate (ResH = 47.0cm and 300.0kg N/ha.year-1); Light (ResH = 47cm and 0kg N/ha.year-1); and Conventional (ResH = 33cm and 0kg N/ha year-1). The efficiency of water use for forage production was higher in intensive and Moderate management. The Conventional management was recommended only for forage production since there is no nitrogen input available because this result was similar to Intensive management in water efficiency. The efficiency of water use to produce goat milk was higher in Intensive management. Moderate management presented higher efficiency of nitrogen to produce forage. On the other hand, Intensive management was more efficient using nitrogen in goat milk production. The amount of water needed to produce one liter of goat milk varied from 893.20 to 3,933.50L. In the moderate management, up to 121.48kg forage and 21.56kg of milk were produced for every kilogram of N utilized. Intensive management is advantageous for water use efficiency as well nitrogen efficiency to produce goat milk in cultivated pasture.(AU)

Objetivou-se determinar a eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para a produção de forragem e de leite de cabra em pasto irrigado de capim-tanzânia, submetido a diferentes manejos. Os manejos testados foram combinações entre níveis de adubação nitrogenada e alturas residuais pós-pastejo (Altr): intensivo (Altr = 33,0cm e 600,0kg N/ha.ano-1); moderado (Altr = 47,0cm e 300,0kg N/ha.ano-1); leve (Altr = 47,0cm e 0kg N/ha.ano-1) e convencional (Altr = 33,0cm e 0kg N/ha.ano-1). A eficiência do uso de água para produção de forragem foi obtida nos manejos intensivo e moderado. O manejo convencional só foi interessante no caso da produção de forragem em situação de ausência de nitrogênio, não diferindo do manejo intensivo para a eficiência de uso de água. A eficiência de uso de água para a produção de leite foi maior no intensivo. A maior eficiência do uso de nitrogênio para produzir forragem foi no moderado, enquanto a maior eficiência de nitrogênio para a produção de leite foi no intensivo. A quantidade de água para produzir um litro de leite de cabra variou de 893,20 em manejo intensivo a 3.933,50L em convencional. Manejo intensivo é vantajoso para eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para a produção de forragem e de leite de cabra.(AU)