不同耕作方式对砂姜黑土物理性质和玉米生长的影响

砂姜黑土结构不良是影响其生产力的主要限制因子。为改良其土壤结构,基于安徽龙亢农场砂姜黑土耕作定位试验基地,设置免耕、旋耕、深松和深翻四种处理,研究不同耕作方式对砂姜黑土0～40 cm土层土壤物理结构、玉米根系发育及其产量的影响。结果表明:1)在玉米生育期内,免耕处理下0～40cm土壤平均容重和紧实度分别为1.52～1.57g·cm~(–3)和926～1 748 kPa,高于其他耕作处理;0～10 cm土层有效水分库容和饱和导水率低于其他耕作处理,分别仅为0.12 cm~3·cm~(–3)和3.5×10~(–5)mm·min~(–1);根系发育受到明显抑制,根长密度和根干物质的量密度较其他耕作方式分别降低42.5%～117%、35%～73.9%;2016—2017周年作物产量较深松和深翻降低8%～12%。2)与旋耕和深松相比,深翻处理下10～20cm土壤容重和10～30 cm土壤穿透阻力分别降低至1.39～1.51 g·cm~(–3)和725～1 575kPa,0～10 cm土壤饱和导水率显著提高至4.15×10~(–2) mm·min~(–1),0～20 cm土壤有效水分库容提高至17.9%～18.4%,促进了0～10 cm土层根系发育,具有较好的增产效果。3)相关分析表明根长密度与土壤容重(r=–0.74**,P 0.01)和穿透阻力(r=–0.73**,P 0.01)呈极显著负相关关系。综上所述,深翻改良砂姜黑土结构效果明显,有利于作物生长,为该区较适宜的耕作模式。     

不同土壤类型对玉米根系干重变化及其分布的影响

利用根系双向切片法，研究了潮土与砂姜黑土两种土壤类型玉米根系干重的动态变化及其在土层中的分布．结果表明：两种土壤类型对玉米根系干重及其分布的影响差异较大．砂姜黑土玉米单株根系干重较大，且增加与减少时间较早，下扎速度快，深层根量多；而潮土玉米单株根系干重较小，且增加与减少时间较迟，下扎速度慢，整个根系主要集中分布于０～２０ｃｍ土层．     

深松深度对砂姜黑土耕层特性、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响

研究深松深度对砂姜黑土耕层特性、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响,可为构建砂姜黑土合理耕层的耕作深度指标提供依据。本研究基于多年定位大田试验,采用大区对比设计,设置4个深松深度(30 cm、40 cm、50 cm、60 cm)处理,以旋耕(RT,平均耕作深度为15 cm)作为对照,研究不同深松深度对土壤紧实度、土壤三相比(R)值、作物根系形态、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响。研究结果表明,深松深度增加能显著降低土壤紧实度,使土壤的三相比(R)更加合理,进而促进作物根系生长。不同深松深度中,深松60 cm处理的土壤紧实度和三相比(R)值与对照相比降幅最大,深松40 cm处理的冬小麦根系生物量最大,深松50 cm处理的夏玉米根系生物量最大。深松不仅增加作物产量,还提高作物水分利用效率。深松30 cm处理的周年作物产量最高,比对照增产12.2%,但与深松40 cm处理差异不显著。深松50 cm处理的周年水分利用效率最高,但与深松30 cm和深松40 cm处理差异不显著。深松30 cm、40 cm和50 cm的周年水分利用效率比对照分别增加9.1%、8.8%和12.7%。因此,砂姜黑土适宜的深松深度为30~40 cm。     

“旋松一体”耕作对潮土和砂姜黑土物理性质及作物生长的影响

为改善潮土和砂姜黑土容重大,穿透阻力强,犁底层紧实等结构障碍。研究提出一种“旋松一体”耕作方式,并在山东德州的典型潮土和安徽怀远的典型砂姜黑土进行试验。其中,潮土设置旋耕15 cm、旋松一体30 cm两个处理;砂姜黑土设置旋耕15 cm、深翻30 cm和旋松一体30 cm三个处理,研究旋松一体耕作对两种土壤0 ~ 40 cm土层土壤容重、紧实度、水分动态和小麦玉米根系及产量生长的影响。结果表明:与旋耕相比,旋松一体耕作显著降低了潮土和砂姜黑土容重和穿透阻力,与深翻相比,旋松一体耕作也显著降低了砂姜黑土容重和穿透阻力。旋松一体耕作显著提高了降水后土壤水分下渗速度、下渗量及下渗深度,进而提高潮土深层,砂姜黑土小麦季表层及玉米季深层土壤体积含水量。与旋耕相比,旋松一体耕作分别增加潮土和砂姜黑土小麦产量11.4%和7.1%,玉米产量6.7%和37%（受涝害胁迫）,提高直接经济收益1748和3277元hm?2。旋松一体耕作有效改善了潮土和砂姜黑土物理性质,提高作物产量和经济效益显著,可作为华北平原土壤耕层结构改良的新型耕作模式。     

不同秸秆还田方式对春玉米产量、水分利用和根系生长的影响

为探究耕作方式和秸秆还田对春玉米产量、土壤水肥及根系分布的影响,通过连续两年设置耕作方式(旋耕、翻耕)与秸秆还田方式(秸秆还田、秸秆不还田)两因素田间定位试验,研究了春玉米产量和水分利用效率、根系及土壤水肥分布的特性。结果表明:旋耕和翻耕处理春玉米产量和水分利用效率差异不显著,但前者显著增加了干旱年份(2015年)0—30cm土层的根长密度、根表面积密度和根干重密度,而后者显著降低了10—30cm土层的土壤容重和紧实度,降低了0—40cm土层的土壤含水量、有效磷和速效钾含量,提高了干旱年份30—60cm和湿润年份(2016年)0—60cm土层的根长密度、根表面积密度和根干重密度;秸秆还田较秸秆不还田处理显著增加了春玉米产量和水分利用效率,增加幅度分别为9.5%和7.3%,促进了干旱年份0—60cm土层的根长密度和湿润年份30—60cm土层的根长密度、根表面积密度和根干重密度的增加,还提高了0—60cm土层的土壤含水量、硝态氮、有效磷和速效钾含量。因此,实施旋耕秸秆还田和翻耕秸秆还田可以改善土壤水肥分布,促进深层根系发育,提高春玉米的产量和水分利用效率。     

秸秆覆盖对滴灌棉花土壤水盐运移及根系分布的影响

干旱区棉田残膜污染日益严重, 秸秆覆盖能从根本上杜绝农田残膜增量。为探索秸秆覆盖代替塑料薄膜与滴灌结合的可行性, 需了解秸秆覆盖对滴灌棉田土壤水盐分布及棉花根系的影响特点, 同时探索耕作层以下30 cm处埋设一层秸秆进行深层秸秆覆盖与滴灌结合的效果。本文采用测坑试验研究了3种秸秆覆盖方式(表层覆盖、30 cm深层覆盖和无覆盖)与滴灌结合在2种土壤条件下(非盐碱土和盐碱土), 棉花根系分布稳定后的絮期土壤水盐运移及棉花根系分布特征。结果表明: 表层覆盖对于土壤整体保水性较好, 能有效抑制耕层水分散失和盐分聚集; 30 cm深层覆盖整体保水性优于无覆盖, 相对表层覆盖仅在秸秆层以下靠近滴灌带的有限范围内具有优势, 并显著提高耕层以下土壤水分含量, 但在棉花絮期对于盐分抑制作用不明显。秸秆覆盖通过对水盐运动的影响而显著影响棉花根系分布, 尤其对深层根系分布影响更大。非盐碱土条件下, 0~28 cm土层, 无覆盖处理根长密度、根重密度、根长密度比重均最大, 表层覆盖根长密度最小, 但根重比重最大, 30 cm深层覆盖根重密度最小; 在28~70 cm土层, 30 cm深层覆盖根长密度最大, 表层覆盖根长密度最小, 但根长密度比重最大, 无覆盖根长密度比重最小, 其中在28~56 cm土层30 cm深层覆盖根重密度和根重比重均最大。盐碱土条件下, 0~28 cm土层, 表层覆盖与30 cm深层覆盖根长密度和根长比重均高于无覆盖处理, 同时表层覆盖根重密度最高, 30 cm深层覆盖根重密度和根重比重均最低; 在28~70 cm土层情况相反, 30 cm深层覆盖处理根重比重最大, 但根重密度最小。说明表层覆盖可促进非盐碱土及盐碱土耕作层根系发育, 30 cm深层覆盖限制上层根系发育, 但促进30 cm以下土层根系发育, 在盐碱逆境下秸秆覆盖可促进根系向更细更长方面发育。秸秆覆盖与滴灌结合在干旱区具有良好应用前景。     

不同覆盖作物模式对茶园土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

为探讨覆盖作物对土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响,选择湖北省十堰市郧阳区谭家湾镇圩坪寺村茶园为研究对象,以自然留养杂草为对照(CK),设置黑麦草+白三叶2种作物混播(EZ)、黑麦草+白三叶+早熟禾+红三叶4种作物混播(SZ)、黑麦草+白三叶+早熟禾+红三叶+紫羊茅+毛苕子+波斯菊+百日草8种作物混播(BZ)三种覆盖作物模式,研究了不同覆盖作物模式对茶园0～15、15～30 cm两个土层土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响。结果表明:SZ处理0～15 cm土层的土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和磷酸酶活性均高于其他处理,15～30 cm土层土壤脲酶、过氧化氢酶和磷酸酶活性均高于其他处理,而蔗糖酶活性低于其他覆盖作物处理。与CK处理相比,覆盖作物增加了0～15 cm土层土壤微生物群落碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD),且覆盖作物可改善0～15 cm土层土壤微生物丰富度指数、均匀度指数和优势度指数,而对15～30 cm土层影响较小。研究表明,覆盖作物可提升茶园土壤微生物群落功能多样性,且4种作物混播处理0～15 cm土层效果最优。     

增施有机肥改善黑土物理特性与促进玉米根系生长的效果

为改善东北黑土区粘重耕层的土壤物理特性,通过玉米秸秆还田基础上增施有机肥试验,拟明确增施有机肥对黑土物理特性和根系生长的提升效果。利用2015～2018年吉林省公主岭市和黑龙江省克山县黑土区的定位试验,测定了玉米抽雄期3种秸秆还田处理及其增施有机肥(旋耕秸秆还田+有机肥RSM、深翻秸秆还田+有机肥DSM、深松秸秆还田+有机肥SSM)处理的土壤物理指标;并采用微根管法原位测定了根系生长指标,计算出增施有机肥后各土壤物理特性与根系生长指标的变化量。结果表明,相比秸秆还田处理,增施有机肥降低了土壤容重、土壤紧实度,提升了土壤含水量,同时根长密度、根尖数密度和根平均直径均显著增加,其中根长密度和根尖数密度各土层平均增加了0.18 cm/cm~2和34.9×10~(-3)个/cm~2。不同秸秆还田方式增施有机肥后对黑土物理特性和根系生长的改善效果不同,其中0～15 cm土层RSM处理改善效果最明显,15～45 cm土层SSM和DSM处理改善效果最明显。有机肥和秸秆还田方式互作对黑土物理特性和促进根系生长指标具有显著的正向互作效应。上述结果表明,深松秸秆还田和深翻秸秆还田基础上增施有机肥模式更有利于改善黑土物理特性和促进根系生长,是改善东北黑土区粘重耕层的技术选择。     

黄土丘陵苜蓿与柠条深层土壤干化状况及根系与养分特征

[目的]探究宁夏南部黄土丘陵区雨养苜蓿及柠条地的深层根系与土壤水分和养分的协同关系，进而为宁南山区人工植被建设与管理以及生态环境高质量发展提供科学依据。[方法]采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法，对宁南黄土丘陵区人工种植18 a的紫花苜蓿地与20 a的柠条林地0—1 000 cm土层中土壤水分、根系垂直分布、土壤N,P含量变化进行了分析。[结果](1)苜蓿地和柠条林地土壤200 cm以下全剖面已经处于干化状态，其中苜蓿和柠条地土壤处于极度干燥化水平的土层分别为200—720 cm和360—720 cm, 0—1 000 cm深度范围土壤水分储量较相似地形的雨养农田分别少987.55,977.78 mm;(2)苜蓿和柠条根系主要集中在表层0—120 cm土层，该层根系占0—1 000 cm剖面总根干重的45.66%,57.54%,根长密度占44.45%,67.58%;(3)苜蓿和柠条土壤N,P养分分布规律与根系分布规律一致，表层0—120 cm范围内平均全N含量分别为0.53,0.58 g/kg,是0—1 000 cm土壤全N含量平均值的1.77倍和1.87倍，在0—120 cm范围内全...     

红壤丘陵区林地根系对土壤抗冲增强效应的研究

对不同林地根系分布特征及其对土壤抗冲增强效应进行研究,结果表明:毛竹林根系的63%集中在0～30cm土层;混交林有64%的根系分布在0～20cm土层;杉木林0～20cm土层中有占总根数42%的根系;柑橘林41%的根系分布在0～10cm土层,各林区根系随土层深度增加而迅速减少。根系对土壤抗冲性增强值表现出随土层深度增加而减小,同时也得出根系对土壤抗冲性增强值在小雨强下>中雨强下>大雨强下。直径≤1mm根系密度与土壤抗冲性增强值相关性达到极显著水平,并得出它们之间的函数关系。土壤抗冲性随冲刷历时的增加而迅速增强,增强值的大小表现出毛竹林>混交林>杉木林>柑橘林。     

Soil bulk density and porosity of homogeneous morphological units identified by the Cropping Profile Method in clayey Oxisols in Brazil

Soil structure is important to root development and crop yield. The objective of this study was to test the Cropping Profile Method in Brazilian soils, in order to evaluate the soil structure in the field. Grouped different structures determined by the Cropping Profile Method were compared to laboratory determinations for soil bulk density, total porosity and mercury porosity. The study was conducted in clayey Oxisols submitted to different uses and management including annual crops, orchards and natural forests in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. Homogeneous morphological units (HMUs) were determined in trenches using the Cropping Profile Method, and the different structures were grouped as: (a) non-compacted; (b) compacted; (c) in-process-of-compacting. Results of field evaluation were compatible with those obtained in the laboratory. More compacted and in-process-of-compacting structures corresponded to soil bulk density values of 1.42 and 1.33 Mg m⁻³, which were significantly higher than the 1.18 Mg m⁻³ value obtained for soil bulk density in non-compacted HMU. The total porosity of compacted HMU and in-process-of-compacting HMU was 0.49 and 0.52 m³ m⁻³, respectively. These were significantly lower than the value obtained for the non-compacted HMU (0.60 m³ m⁻³). The Cropping Profile Method is useful mainly in field research works when it is important to verify the effect of management practices on soil structure.     

Effect of soil compaction on photosynthesis and carbon partitioning within a maize–soil system

Soil compaction is known to affect plant growth. However, most of the information regarding the effects of this factor on carbon partitioning has been obtained on young plants while little is known about the evolution of these effects with plant age. The objective of this work was to investigate how soil compaction affects carbon assimilation, photosynthate partitioning and morphology of maize plants during vegetative growth up to tassel initiation. A pressure was applied on moist soil to obtain a bulk density of 1.45 g cm⁻³ (compacted soil (CS) treatment) while the loose soil (LS) treatment (bulk density of 1.30 g cm⁻³) was obtained by gentle vibration of soil columns. Plants were grown in a growth chamber for 3–6 weeks and carbon partitioning in the plant–soil system was evaluated using ¹⁴C pulse-labelling techniques. Soil compaction greatly hampered root elongation and delayed leaf appearance rate, thereby decreasing plant height, shoot and root dry weights and leaf area. The increase in soil bulk density decreased carbon assimilation rate especially in early growth stages. The main effect of soil compaction on assimilate partitioning occurred on carbon exudation, which increased considerably to the detriment of root carbon. Furthermore, soil microbial biomass greatly increased in CS. Two hypotheses were formulated. The first was that increasing soil resistance to root penetration induced a sink limitation in roots and this increased carbon release into the soil and resulted in a root feedback that regulated carbon assimilation rate. The second hypothesis relies on soil–plant water relations since, due to compaction, the pore size distribution has to be considered. In a compacted soil, the peak of the pore size distribution curve is shifted towards the small pore size. The volume of small pores increases and the unsaturated conductivity decreases substantially, when compared to non-compacted soil. Due to small hydraulic conductivity, the inflow into the roots is well below optimum and the plant closes stomata thus reducing carbon assimilation rate. The effects of soil compaction persisted with plant age although the difference between the two treatments, in terms of percentage, decreased at advanced growth stages, especially in the case of root parameters.     

Impact of soil compaction upon soil water balance and maize yield estimated by the SIMWASER model

The capability of the soil water balance model SIMWASER to predict the impact of soil compaction upon the yield of maize (Zea mays L.) is tested, using the results of a field experiment on the influence of soil compaction by wheel pressure upon soil structure, water regime and plant growth. The experimental site was located on an Eutric Cambisol with loamy silt soil texture at an elevation of 260 m in the northern, semi-humid sub-alpine zone of Austria. Within the experimental field a 7 m wide strip was compacted by a tractor driven trailer just before planting maize in May 1988. Compression effects due to trailer traffic resulted in distinct differences of physical and mechanical soil parameters in comparison with the uncompressed experimental plots down to a depth of about 30 cm: bulk density and penetration resistance at field capacity were increased from 1.45 to 1.85 g/cm³, and from 0.8 to 1.5 MPa, respectively, while air-filled pore space as well as infiltration rate were appreciable lowered from about 0.08–0.02 cm³/cm³ and from 50 to 0.5 cm per day, respectively. The overall effect was a clear depression of the dry matter grain yield from 7184 kg/ha of the non-compacted plot to 5272 kg/ha in the compacted field strip. The deterministic and functional model SIMWASER simulates the water balance and the crop yield for any number of crop rotations and years, provided that daily weather records (air temperature, humidity of air, global radiation, wind and precipitation) are available. Crop growth and soil water regime are coupled together by the physiological processes of transpiration and assimilation, which take place at the same time through the stomata of the plant leaves and are both reacting in the same direction to changes in the soil water availability within the rooting zone. The water availability during rainless seasons depends on the hydraulic properties of the soil profile within the rooting depth and on rooting density. Rooting depth and density are affected by both the type of the crop and the penetration resistance of the soil, which depends on the soil moisture status and may be strongly increased by soil compaction. The model SIMWASER was able to simulate these effects as shown by the calculated grain yields, which amounted in the non-compacted plot to 7512 and to 5558 kg dry matter/ha in the compacted plot.     

Pea growth and symbiotic activity response to Nod factors (lipo-chitooligosaccharides) and soil compaction

Growth and symbiotic activity of legumes are reduced by high soil compaction and mediated by Nod factors (LCO, lipo-chitooligosaccharides) application. Our objective was to assess the combined effects of soil compaction and Nod factors application on growth and symbiotic activity of pea. The experiment was two factorial and included soil compaction (1.30 g cm⁻³ – not compacted (control) and 1.55 g cm⁻³ – compacted soil), and Nod factors concentration (control without addition of Nod factors and use of 260 nM Nod solution) for each soil compaction. The soil (Haplic Luvisol) was packed into pots, pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds were soaked with Nod factors solution or water and then plants were grown for 46 days. This study has shown that soil compaction and treatments of pea seeds with Nod factors influenced pea growth and symbiotic activity. Soil compaction significantly reduced pea growth parameters, namely plant height, dry mass, leaf area, root mass and root length and symbiotic parameters, namely mass of nodules, dry mass of an individual nodule, nitrogenase activity and total nitrogen content in plant in comparison to the non-compacted treatment. Treatment of seeds with Nod factors generally improved nearly all of the above parameters. Nitrogenase activity per pot and total plant nitrogen content were significantly reduced by soil compaction and increased by application of Nod factors in plants grown in not compacted soil. Our results demonstrate that increased symbiotic activity resulting from Nod factors addition may mitigate adverse effect of soil compaction on plant growth.     

Early detection of the effects of compaction in forested soils: evidence from selective extraction techniques

Purpose

Soil compaction resulting from mechanisation of forest operations reduces air permeability and hydraulic conductivity of soil and can result in the development of hydromorphic and/or anoxic conditions. These hydromorphic conditions can affect physico-chemical properties of the soils. However, early detection of these effects on mineralogical portion of soils is methodologically difficult.

Materials and methods

To analyse the effects of soil compaction on iron minerals in loamy Luvisol, three compacted and three non-compacted soil profiles up to the depth of 50 cm were collected from an artificially deforested and compacted soils after 2 years of treatment. Soil was compacted with the help of 25 Mg wheeler’s load to increase the dry bulk density of soil from 1.21?±?0.05 to 1.45?±?0.1 g cm^?3. Soil samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and were treated by citrate bicarbonate (CB) and dithionite citrate bicarbonate (DCB) under controlled conditions. Major and minor elements (Fe, Al, Mg, Si and Mn) were analysed by ICP-AES in the CB and DCB extracts.

Results and discussion

It was found that X-ray diffraction is not an enough sensitive method to detect the quick mineralogical changes due to soil compaction. Results obtained from CB-DCB extractions showed that soil compaction resulted in larger CB and smaller DCB extractable elements as compared to non-compacted soil. Labile Fe was found 30 % of total Fe oxides in compacted soil against 10–14 % in non-compacted soils. Compaction thus resulted in Fe transfer from non-labile to labile oxides (s.l.). Results showed that soil compaction leads to the reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺. The effects of hydromorphic conditions due to soil compaction were observed up to the depth of 35 cm in forest soil profile. Furthermore, a close association of Al with Fe oxides was observed in the soil samples, while Mn and Si were mainly released from other sources, Mg showing an intermediate behaviour.

Conclusions

Hydromorphic conditions owing to soil compaction affect the mobility and crystallisation process of iron mineral. CB-DCB selective extraction technique, in contrast to XRD technique, can be effectively used to examine the possible effects of soil compaction on iron minerals.

     

Early Development and Nutrition of Cover Crop Species as Affected by Soil Compaction

Abstract

A good cover crop should have a vigorous early development and a high potential for nutrient uptake that can be made available to the next crop. In tropical areas with relatively dry winters drought tolerance is also very important. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the early development and nutrition of six species used as cover crops as affected by sub‐superficial compaction of the soil. The plants (oats, pigeon pea, pearl millet, black mucuna, grain sorghum, and blue lupin) were grown in pots filled with soil subjected to different subsurface compaction levels (bulk densities of 1.12, 1.16, and 1.60 mg m^?3) for 39 days. The pots had an internal diameter of 10 cm and were 33.5 cm deep. Grasses were more sensitive to soil compaction than leguminous plants during the initial development. Irrespective of compaction rates, pearl millet and grain sorghum were more efficient in recycling nutrients. These two species proved to be more appropriate as cover crops in tropical regions with dry winters, especially if planted shortly before spring.     

Performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy sand in semi-arid sub-tropical India

One of the resource conservation technologies for rice (Oryza sativa) is direct seeding technique, which may be more water efficient and labour cost-effective apart from being conducive for mechanization. The crop establishment during the initial stages may depend upon the method of direct seeding, cultivar and seed rate. A study was carried out during 2004–2005 to evaluate the effect of different seeding techniques, cultivars and seed rates on the performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy sand (coarse loamy, calcareous, mixed hyperthermic, Typic Ustipsamments) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. The treatments in main plots included four seeding techniques (broadcast in puddled plots, direct drilling in puddled plots, direct drilling in compacted plots and direct drilling under unpuddled and uncompacted conditions). The subplots treatments comprised of two cultivars (Pusa Basmati-1 and Basmati-386) and three seed rates (at 30, 40 and 50 kg ha⁻¹).

The moisture retention and bulk density at harvest were sufficiently lower in uncompacted/unpuddled plots than compacted or puddled plots more so in 0–30 cm soil layer. The crop stand establishment was higher in direct-drilled compacted plots with 50 kg seed ha⁻¹. It was higher in Pusa Basmati-1 than Basmati-386. The direct drilling after compaction produced 28% higher biomass than uncompacted/unpuddled plots. Similar trend was observed in leaf area index and effective tillers. Effective tillers were significantly higher with 30 kg seed ha⁻¹and were higher in Pusa Basmati-1 than Basmati-386. The root mass density of basmati rice in 0–15 cm soil layer at 45 days after sowing was 1549 g m⁻³ in compacted soils, 1258 g m⁻³ in broadcasting in puddled soil and 994 g m⁻³ with direct drilling in puddled soil. The grain yield of basmati rice was 44% and 30% higher in direct-drilled compacted and puddled plots, respectively, than uncompacted/unpuddled plots.     

Cover crops and their erosion-reducing effects during concentrated flow erosion

Cover crops are a very effective erosion control and environmental conservation technique. When cover crops freeze at the beginning of the winter period, the above-ground biomass becomes less effective in protecting the soil from water erosion, but roots can still play an important role in improving soil strength. However, information on root properties of common cover crops growing in temperate climates (e.g. Sinapis alba (white mustard), Phacelia tanacetifoli (phacelia), Lolium perenne (ryegrass), Avena sativa (oats), Secale cereale (rye), Raphanus sativus subsp. oleiferus (fodder radish)) is very scarce. Therefore, root density distribution with soil depth and the erosion-reducing effect of these cover crops during concentrated flow erosion were assessed by conducting root auger measurements and controlled concentrated flow experiments with 0.1 m topsoil samples. The results indicate that root density of the studied cover crops ranges between 1.02 for phacelia and 2.95 kg m^− 3 for ryegrass. Cover crops with thick roots (e.g. white mustard and fodder radish) are less effective than cover crops with fine-branched roots (e.g. ryegrass and rye) in preventing soil losses by concentrated flow erosion. Moreover, after frost, the erosion-reducing potential of phacelia and oats roots decreased. Amoeba diagrams, taking into account both below-ground and above-ground plant characteristics, identified ryegrass, rye, oats and white mustard as the most suitable species for controlling concentrated flow erosion.     

Subsoil compaction effects on crops in Punjab, Pakistan:II. Root growth and nutrient uptake of wheat and sorghum

Crop yields can be reduced by soil compaction due to increased resistance to root growth, and decrease in water and nutrient use efficiencies. A field experiment was conducted during 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 on a sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA; Luvic Yermosol, FAO) to study subsoil compaction effects on root growth, nutrient uptake and chemical composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Soil compaction was artificially created once at the start of the study. The 0.00–0.15 m soil was manually removed with a spade. The exposed layer was compacted with a mechanical compactor from 1.65 Mg m⁻³ (control plot) to a bulk density of 1.93 Mg m⁻³ (compacted plot). The topsoil was then again replaced above the compacted subsoil and levelled. Both compacted and control plots were hoed manually and levelled. Root length density, measured at flowering stage, decreased markedly with compaction during 1997–1998 but there was little effect during 1998–1999. The reduction in nutrient uptake by wheat due to compaction of the subsoil was 12–35% for N, 17–27% for P and up to 24% for K. The reduction in nutrient uptake in sorghum due to subsoil compaction was 23% for N, 16% for P, and 12% for K. Subsoil compaction increased N content in wheat grains in 1997–1998, but there was no effect on P and K contents of grains and N and P content of wheat straw or sorghum stover. During 1997–1998, K content of wheat straw was statistically higher in control treatment compared with compacted treatment. In 1998, P-content of sorghum leaves was higher in compacted treatment than uncompacted control. Root length density of wheat below 0.15 m depth was significantly reduced and was significantly and negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Therefore, appropriate measures such as periodic chiselling, controlled traffic, conservation tillage, and incorporating of crops with deep tap root system in rotation cycle is necessary to minimize the risks of subsoil compaction.     

不同灌溉策略下冬小麦根系的分布与水分养分的空间有效性

通过田间试验研究了少量多次和少次多量的灌溉方式下冬小麦根系的分布与水分养分的空间有效性。结果表明 :少量多次的灌溉方式降低了冬小麦返青后表层根系的生长 ,减少了拔节后该层根系的衰退。在少次多量的灌溉方式下返青期不灌水促进了表层根系的生长 ,然而拔节后该层根系衰退较多 ,但中层 ( 3 0～ 60cm)根系生长高于少量多次的灌溉方式。不同灌溉策略下根系分布的差异并不影响冬小麦对土壤水分和养分的吸收 ,由于播前土体内蓄水不足 ,三种灌溉方式下 0～ 90cm土壤可用水在收获后均消耗殆尽。灌溉促进了表层硝态氮的吸收和向下迁移 ,但两种灌溉方式下硝态氮在土体内的迁移均未超出 60cm土体 ,仍在根层之内。而不同的灌溉方式对冬小麦全生育期内土体速效磷钾的分布没有影响。扬花前两种灌溉方式下冬小麦的生长发育和养分的吸收并无差异 ,扬花后少次多量的灌溉方式由于水分供应不足 ,影响了灌浆 ,降低了千粒重 ,进而影响了产量 ,同时土壤水分缺乏也减少了该时期养分的吸收。而在少量多次的灌溉方式下 ,扬花后灌水不仅可以促进冬小麦灌浆 ,提高千粒重 ,而且增加了对养分的吸收。