Two sweet sorghum varieties, Brandes and Rio, were grown in full strenght and diluted nutrient solutions till completing the life cycle wherein mineral analyses were carried out. As a rule both varieties showed the same capacity to absorb nutrients in the two rates supplied. Dry matter yield, however was different in the dilute nutrient solution. The variety Brandes produced more fresh stalks in the full strength solution than Rio; under nutricional stress the yield was lower. Dry matter of stalks in the case of the variety Rio was consistently higher.

In order to obtain the following informations: a) dry matter production and extraction of nutrients by the fruits at different ages; b) dry matter production and extraction of nutrient by the leaves and "trunk + branches" collected at the flowering stage; c) dry matter production and export of nutrients by pruning (leaves and branches) at the begining dormant stage; A trial was conducted on Latossolo Vermelho Escuro Orto group (Orthox) at Buri, São Paulo State, Brazil. The material was collected from 'Ohio Beauty' and 'Brazil' apples grafted on 'Doucin' 1-2; 3-4; 4-5 and 6-7 years old. The main conclusions were as follows: a) differences were observed on dry matter production by two varieties at the different stages of growth; b) differences were also observed between the two varieties on the matter production in the leaves and "trunk + branches" at the flowering stage, as well as by the leaves and branches pruned at the begining of dormant stages; c) differences were observed betwen the two varieties concerning to nutrient concentration (on dry matter basis) on the fruits collected at different stages of growth. Same results were observed on leaves and "trunk + branches" collected at flowering period; d) differences were observed on the exportation of the nutrients referring to growth period of fruit; e) at the flowering and dormant period, differences were observed on the contents of nutrients in the leaves, 'trunk + branches', on the two varieties; f) the nutrient exportation by the fruits obyed the following order: K>N>P>S>Ca>Mg>Fe>B > Cu > Mn > Zn > Mo; g) the nutrient extration by the aerial part the apple trees obyed the following order: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > B > Cu = Mn = Zn.

An experiment was undertaken to understand the present status of availability of fertilizer and its role in adoption of modern rice in Bangladesh. The result showed that yields of modern and local varieties were almost the same when no fertilizer was applied. Under moderate and optimum levels of fertilizer application, the yield of modern varieties was higher than that of local varieties by 24% and 37% respectively. The average yield response of modern varieties to application of 80-60-40 pound NPK/acre was 7.2 lb of grain per pound of plant nutrient applied while that of the local variety was 4.5 lb

Statistical analysis showed that varietal differences in the ability to utilize nutrients were existent. There was a preponderence of cases of high statistical significance in percentage content of N, P, and K in plant tissues and total nutrient uptake from a unit area of land. On the other hand, fertilizer effects showed significance only in potassium content in stem and leaf and total NPK absorption from a unit land area. In terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation in the plant tissues, two varieties stood out: Clark 63 and Improved Pelican at 5.06 percent and 4.98 percent, respectively. In total N, P, and K absorption from a unit land area, the same varieties, Clark 63 and Improved Pelican, were the highest ranking on account of their high dry matter production. In terms of bean yields, Clark 63 ranked highest and Improved Pelican, fourth. On the other hand, CES 16-38 ranked poorly in nutrient accumulation at only 4.40 percent in the plant tissues. However, it produced the highest total dry matter of plant tissues and, subsequently, ranked third in total NPK absorption. In terms of bean yields, CES 16-38 ranked second. Similarly, CES 65-39 ranked poorly in nutrient accumulation at 4.67 percent in the plant tissues, but ranked well (fifth) in total NPK absorption. In terms of yields, CES 65-39 ranked second.

To determine the effects of phosphate and silicate fertilizers on the growth of young rice plants in nursery, relationships between dry matter production and nutrient uptake at different fertilizer application rates were investigated for two rice varieties, Milyang 23 (a Indica - Japonica hybrid) and Akibare (a Japonica). The maximum dry matter production was obtained at 75-150 kg/10a of fused phosphate and 100-200 kg/10a of slag, respectively, however, a some variations between varieties were recognized. The top/root ratio of varieties around 1.0 was proper for healthy seedings and this ratio was reached at application of 75 kg/10a of fused phosphate than in slag. The growth of seedling was severely retarded when soil pH was increased above 7 by the application of more than 225 kg/10a of fused phosphate and 400 kg/10a of slag

In order to obtain informations concerning the dry matter production and extraction of nutrients by the fruits of the varieties 'Ohio Beauty' and 'Brasil', a trial was conducted on a Latossol Vermelho Escuro-Orto (USTOX) at Buri , State of São Paulo, Brazil. The fruits were collected from trees grafted on 'Doucin' being 1-2; 3-4; 4-5, and 6-7 years old. Chemical analysis were run on the fruits for: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo; as well for the dry mat ter production. The main conclusions are as follows: a) differences were observed on dry matter production of fruits by the two varieties at the different stages of growth; b) differences were observed on exportation of nutrients between the two varieties concerning the fruit growth period- the nutrient exportation by the fruits obeyed following order: K>N>P>S>Ca>Mg>Fe>B > Cu > Mn > Zn > Mo.

The differential tolerance of crop varieties to high Al is often related to the amounts of labile Al in the soils in which the plants were developed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Al tolerances of triticale (X Triticosecale, Wittmack) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) developed in different regions. Twenty-seven triticale and 37 wheat cultivars were tested in growth chambers and under greenhouse conditions for Al tolerance in 1/5-strength Steinberg solution containing 0 or 6 ppm Al, highly Al-toxic Bladen soil ((Typic Albaquult), and mildly Al-toxic Dothan soil (Typic Paleudult). The Bladen soil had a pH of 4.6 and KCl-extractable Al of 3.75 me.e/100 g. The corresponding values for the Dothan soil were 4.5 and 1.45, respectively. Each cultivar was also grown in soils limed to pH 5.8. The relative root lengths (A1/no A1) of two triticale and six wheat checks in the nutrient solutions were correlated to their relative top growth (unlimed/limed) in the Bladen soil but not in the Dothan soil. When grown in nutrient solutions, Al tolerance of the triticales followed the order Canada and Mexico > California > Alabama > Oregon while in the Bladen soil Alabama triticales had higher Al tolerance than Canadian triticales. On the average, Brazilian wheats had higher A1 tolerance than U.S. wheats. Wheat varieties from Indiana and the Plains States were more sensitive to A1 than those developed in the Eastern States. There were large differences in the A1 tolerances of triticale cultivars from each region probably reflecting differences in the A1 tolerances of the parent species. More work should be conducted with triticales from stable and non-segregating lines.

The research environment for the biological fields, including nutrition, has been singled out as especially vulnerable to attack, often irrational and disquieting, from different quarters. The result of these attacks is often precarious funding of those investigators seeking basic answers to perplexing nutrition problems. Fortunately, nutrition research achievements continue to add to nutrition and metabolism understanding as it relates to health and disease encouraging support of research on recognized nutrition problems. The control of plant diseases and animal pests that affect crop and animal food production will have high priority for research in the 1980's. Emphasis for research also will be placed on: the development of more efficient crop varieties and animal strains through genetic engineering; assessment of minimum, optimum, and safe maximum intakes of nutrients; nutrient-nutrient interactions; the metabolism and function of nutrients as they relate to health and human development; nutritional surveillance and monitoring; and nutrition and aging. The importance of these and other research areas are discussed in the context of nutrition research priorities and their funding. (wz)

In a feeding-balance trial the intake, nutritive value and digestibility were determined of the barley grain of Dura varieties, of the moisture content of 35.50%. The grain was treated with: propionic acid (combination 1), actic acid (2), formic acid (3), Acidol solution (4) or dried with hot air (5). The preserved grain was stored for 9 weeks and then fed to 15 wethers. There were no differences in the nutrient content in the grain preserved with acids or dried. The intakes of dry matter, digestible crude protein and oat feed units of the treated grain were on average higher by 24% than that of the dried grain. (authors)