No-Tillage Enhanced the Dependence on Surface Irrigation Water in Wheat and Soybean

Abstract

No-tillage often affects crop root development due to the higher mechanical impedance to root elongation, resulting in yield reduction under an unfavorable rainfall pattern, such as drought. In this study, we analyzed the changes in water source of wheat and soybean under drought stress in a continuous no-tillage field. Deuterium-labeled irrigation water was applied at different growth stages of crops to analyze their water uptake pattern. Mechanical impedance of the surface soil was 3.5 and 4.4 times higher in the no-tillage than in the conventional tillage under wet and drought conditions, respectively. Root length density and root branching index (the length of lateral roots per unit axile root length) of soybean in the surface soil layer were higher in the no-tillage field. This indicates that the increased branching by the higher mechanical impedance of undisturbed surface soil causes roots to accumulate in the surface soil layer. The deuterium concentration in the xylem sap of both crops was significantly higher in the no-tillage than in the tillage under a drought condition. This indicates that the crops in the no-tillage field depend highly on the newly supplied easily accessible water (irrigation water and/or rainfall) as compared with those in the conventional tillage field under a limited water supply. In conclusion, enhanced surface root growth in the no-tillage condition would result in higher dependence on surface supplied irrigation water than in the conventional tillage under drought.     

橡胶树细根的研究进展

综述橡胶树根系形态特征和细根的划分、生长规律和动态、橡胶树细根对士壤环境的响应及农业措施对细根的影响等方面的研究,旨在推动对橡胶树根系的进一步深入研究,为提高橡胶树对水分及养分的利用率和设计人工调控措施营造细根发挥良好作用的土壤环境提供理论基础.     

Water supply from pearl millet by hydraulic lift can mitigate drought stress and improve productivity of rice by the close mixed planting

The authors have proposed the close mixed planting technique using mixed seedlings of two different crop species that results in close tangling of their root systems. Especially, the combination of drought-adaptive upland crops (e.g. pearl millet or sorghum) and flood-adaptive lowland crop of rice would be beneficial to overcome the drought and flood conditions and to reduce the risks of crop failure. In our previous studies, we found that upland crop yield losses by flood stress was mitigated by mix-cropped rice, owing to the oxygen gas released from the rice roots into the aqueous rhizosphere. In the present study, we conducted two experiments to assess whether mixed cropping a drought-resistant cereal, pearl millet, would improve the performance of co-growing drought-susceptible crop, rice under drought conditions. In the field experiment, some grains were obtained from the rice plants mix-cropped with pearl millet under drought condition. However, no rice matured in the single cropping system. In the model experiment using deuterium analysis, it was confirmed that water absorbed by pearl millet roots from deep soil layer was utilized by rice, suggesting that mix-cropped rice could withstand drought stress and complete grain filling using water released into the upper soil layer by hydraulic lift.     

Development and Distribution of Root System in Two GrainSorghum Cultivars Originated from Sudan under Drought Stress

Abstract

The difference in rooting pattern between two grain sorghum cultivars differing in drought tolerance was investigated under drought stress. The cultivars, Gadambalia (drought-tolerant) and Tabat (droughtsusceptible), were grown in bottomless wooden or acrylic root boxes to examine root parameters. Gadambalia consistently exhibited higher dry matter production and leaf water potential than Tabat under drought stress in both root boxes. In the experiment with wooden root boxes, under a drought condition, Gadambalia extracted more water from deep soil layers (1.1-1.5 m), which was estimated from the reduction in soil water content, than Tabat. This was because Gadambalia had a significantly higher root length density in these soil layers. The high root length density was due to enhanced lateral root development in Gadambalia. In the other experiment with acrylic root boxes, though total root length in the upper soil layer (0-0.5 m) was declined by limited irrigation in both cultivars, the reduction in Gadambalia was moderate compared with that in Tabat owing to the maintenance of fine root growth. Unlike Tabat, Gadambalia had an ability to produce the nodal roots from higher internodes even under drought, which resulted in the high nodal root length of Gadambalia. The growth angle of nodal roots was significantly correlated with root diameter, and the nodal roots from the higher internodes had large diameters and penetrated into the soil more vertically. These results indicate that the responses of roots (i.e. branching and/or growth of lateral root, and nodal root emergence from higher internodes) to soil dryness could be associated with the drought tolerance of Gadambalia.     

Genotypic Variations in Response of Lateral Root Development to Fluctuating Soil Moisture in Rice

Abstract

Developmental plasticity in lateral roots may be one of the key traits for the growth of rice plants under soil moisture fluctuations. We aimed to examine responses in seminal root system development to changing soil moisture for diverse rice cultivars. Special attention was paid to the two different types of lateral roots ; the generally long, thick L type capable of branching into higher orders, and the non-branching S type. Plants were grown in half-split polyvinyl chloride tubes fixed with transparent acrylic plate for root observation under glasshouse conditions. When plants were grown first under drought conditions, then rewatered, the seminal root system development in terms of dry weight and total length was promoted as compared with plants grown under continuously well-watered conditions in IR AT 109 and Dular, drought tolerant cultivars. Promoted production of L type lateral roots mainly contributed to the development of the longer seminal root system. Plants exposed to soil submergence before they were grown under drought conditions did not show such promoted responses in these two cultivars. However, in KDML 105, a drought tolerant cultivar, the production of especially L type laterals was substantially promoted under drought and rewatered conditions. Honenwase was characterized by the shallow root system and great reduction in root system length when soil moisture becomes limited. These facts show that genotypic variations exist in the plastic response of rice seminal root system and that the L type lateral root plays a key role in manifestation of this plasticity.     

不同土壤水分条件下吲哚丁酸钾对大豆根系形态建成及生理代谢的影响

为了研究吲哚丁酸钾（IBA-K）在减轻干旱对大豆根系的伤害中的作用,以垦丰16（干旱敏感型）和合丰50（耐旱型）为材料,采用盆栽法研究IBA-K拌种对两个品种大豆在正常供水、干旱和复水条件下根系形态建成及生理代谢的影响。结果表明,与正常供水相比,干旱胁迫抑制了大豆根系的生长发育,而IBA-K处理后,大豆根系干物质积累量、形态建成、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量在不同土壤水分条件下均高于其干旱对照,膜受损程度减轻。IBA-K处理下,大豆根系SOD活性、POD活性、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量在干旱条件下均显著高于其干旱对照;MDA含量、相对电导率显著低于其干旱对照。IBA-K处理下的两个品种大豆根表面积、根平均直径、根体积、POD活性和CAT活性在复水条件下分别高于其干旱对照,均未达到显著性差异。复水后,IBA-K处理下的垦丰16根干重和总根长分别较其干旱对照显著增加了3.13%和24.51%,合丰50根干重和总根长较其干旱对照未达到显著性差异。IBA-K处理下的合丰50相对电导率和MDA含量分别较其干旱对照显著降低11.80%和15.09%,SOD活性和可溶性糖含量分别较其干旱对照显著增加14.90%和3.94%,垦丰16相对电导率、MDA含量、SOD活性和可溶性糖含量较其干旱对照未达到显著性差异。IBA-K处理下的两个品种大豆根系脯氨酸含量分别较其干旱对照显著增加了10.62%和10.70%。IBA-K处理和不同土壤水分处理对两个品种大豆根系形态和生理指标存在显著或极显著影响,二者间的交互作用无明显调控作用。综上,IBA-K通过提高根系干物质积累量、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量,降低MDA含量和相对电导率,减轻干旱胁迫对苗期大豆根系的伤害。     

咖啡连作根际土壤水提液对其幼苗根系发育的影响

咖啡是世界三大饮料之一,营养丰富,经济价值高,深受消费者欢迎。咖啡是热区重要的多年生经济作物,长期的连作产生了严重的连作障碍,已成为影响咖农增收、制约产业可持续发展的严重问题,亟待解决。本研究采集咖啡园病株根际土壤,开展室内盆栽试验,研究其4个浓度的水提液（0、0.50、1.00和2.00 g/mL,分别表示为CK、T₁、T₂和T₃）对咖啡幼苗根系生长发育的影响,以期明晰咖啡连作障碍产生的机理,为克服咖啡连作障碍提供科学和试验依据。结果表明：发病植株根际土壤水提液导致其幼苗根系表皮细胞变小、排列更加紧密,并且随着浓度的升高,根系细胞壁及内膜系统逐渐被破坏,形成空腔;初生木质部细胞的木质化程度逐渐增加。根系鲜重、干重、总根长、根体积、根尖数、总根表面积以及根系活力均随根际土壤水提液浓度的升高而下降,T₂处理与CK相比差异显著（P<0.05）,T₃处理差异极显著（P<0.01）。随着根际土壤水提液浓度的升高,根系木质素含量和相对电导率逐渐升高,T₁处理与CK相比,木质素含量增加29.53%,差异显著,T₂、T₃处理木质素含量分别增加42.38%、66.52%,差异均达极显著;T₂、T₃根系相对电导率分别增加34.40%、58.30%,差异均达极显著。根系可溶性蛋白含量随着土壤水提液浓度的升高呈现先升高后下降的变化趋势,T₂处理与CK相比,可溶性蛋白含量增加61.75%,差异显著。MDA含量、SOD、POD和CAT活性均随着土壤水提液浓度升高而升高,T₃处理与CK相比,SOD活性增长56.77%,差异显著;POD活性增加96.28%,差异极显著。综上可知,发病咖啡植株根际土水提液中存在自毒物质,破坏咖啡幼苗根系结构、抑制根系生长发育。     

Forage Legumes for Sustainable Cropping Systems

SUMMARY

Perennial and annual forage legumes are important components of sustainable cropping systems. Forage legumes are a primary source of forage to supply protein and fiber for livestock rations. They can be grazed, or stored as hay or silage. They contribute biologically fixed N and sustain the soil by reducing erosion and increasing soil organic matter levels. Diversifying cropping systems by including legumes can also reduce weed, insect, and disease incidence. Potential new uses of legumes include phytoremediation of N contaminated sites and capturing N lost from cropping systems. Legumes also have potential use as a feedstock for renewable energy production. Legumes have traditionally been used in rotation with grain crops but more recently have been shown promise as winter cover crops, intercrops with grain crops, and as living mulches. In this review, we discuss traditional and new roles of forage legumes in sustainable cropping systems with examples primarily chosen from northern USA and Canada.     

Relation of Root Growth of Rice Seedling with Nutrition and Water Use Efficiency Under Different Water Supply Conditions

The arid/semiarid regions contribute the forty- three percent of crop planted each year. In these regions, rice is mostly grown under rainfed conditions, where the chances plants to face drought are during the growing season. The primary determinant of cr…     

Nutrient Dynamics

Summary

Environmental concerns currently trigger the development of more sustainable soil fertility management strategies. It appears that effective sustainable practices are those that enhance natural soil processes. Soil processes include the decomposition of residues and mineralization of organic matter, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, nitrate leaching, denitrification and sulfur reduction. Natural soil processes also include less well-understood interactions, namely, those leading to the dissolution of minerals by organic acids, as well as rhizospheric and mycorrhizospheric interactions. Plants, associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts, supply and distribute carbon and energy, sustaining most of the biotic mechanisms responsible for nutrient release from soil, and maintaining organic pools of nutrients. Among these pools, the microbial biomass and fine roots pools, with their very fast turnover time, are particularly important as they can maintain large amounts of nutrients in very labile form and, therefore, increase soil fertility. Agricultural soil systems are very dynamic and are characterized by large spatial and temporal variations, which are largely driven by plant development. In addition, nutrient dynamics in agricultural soil systems seem particularly influenced by temperature, moisture, and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization. Nitrogen losses from soil are reduced in systems where nitrogen release corresponds to plant demand. Biological nitrogen fixation is a sound way to input nitrogen in cropping systems. Phosphorus losses can be reduced through increased reliance on the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis of crops. Soils are diverse and complex systems, which, furthermore, respond to increasingly unpredictable climatic variations. Optimal agricultural soil management is a moving target and, hence, a challenging goal that will never be totally reached.     

Seasonal patterns and vertical distributions of fine roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Seasonal patterns and vertical distributions of alfalfa root systems were investigated with field experiments and a simulation model. We carried out root excavations on an established alfalfa stand at Davis, California, in 1982 and 1983. Thirty-six soil cores to a depth of 150 cm were taken seven times in 1982 and seventy-two soil cores to 30 cm were taken nine times in 1983 over the growth seasons. Live fine roots were recovered through six (in 1982) or seven (in 1983) procedures, including detailed hand sorting for removing debris. Our studies revealed that fine root mass was generally greatest in spring and fall and least during summer. Secondary minima were found within each harvest cycle. At all samplings, root mass declined exponentially with depth.A simulation model was developed for studying dynamics of alfalfa fine roots. The model has two components: root growth and death. Actual growth rate of fine roots was determined by potential growth rate and dependent on soil temperature, water and carbohydrate supply. Root death was controlled by the maximum death rate and influenced by soil temperature and nonstructural carbohydrate in roots. Through differential changes in simulated growth and death rates, the model predicted well the temporal and vertical distributions of fine root mass. A high amount of fine root mass was maintained in spring by rapid growth and moderate death rates. Frequent harvests reduced root mass in summer. Root mass increased in fall again due to a prolonged high growth rate. Sensitivity analyses indicated vertical distributions varied strongly with carbohydrate supply and soil temperature.     

Improved waterlogging tolerance of barley (Hordeum vulgare) by pretreatment with ethephon

ABSTRACT

Root growth into hypoxic or anoxic waterlogged soil relies on internal aeration in plants. The plant hormone ethylene helps adapt to waterlogging by inducing the formation of aerenchyma, which provides a low-resistance pathway for the transport of oxygen from the shoot to the root apex. Waterlogging-susceptible crops including barley start to form aerenchyma after suffering waterlogging stress. But waterlogging can be fatal if aerenchyma formation is not fast enough. Here, we investigated whether pre-treating barley with ethephon, an ethylene-releasing agrochemical, could improve its tolerance to mimicked waterlogging conditions (using stagnant deoxygenated agar nutrient solution). In barley growing in aerated nutrient solution, ethephon treatment enhanced aerenchyma formation at the root tips and induced the development of shorter and shallower roots. Pre-treating barley leaves also delayed waterlogging-caused whiting and increased the percentages of viable root-tips under waterlogging conditions. However, the pretreatment did not noticeably increase fresh weight or shoot length. Further studies are needed to optimize ethephon treatment conditions to improve barley production under waterlogged conditions.     

Genotypic variations in the plasticity of nodal root penetration through the hardpan during soil moisture fluctuations among four rice varieties

Rainfed lowland rice fields are characterized by soil moisture fluctuations (SMF) and the presence of hardpan that impedes deep rooting and thus limits water extraction from deep soil layer during the periods of drought. In this study, we used rootboxes with three layers; shallow layer, artificial hardpan, and deep and wet layer below the hardpan, to evaluate differences in the plasticity of nodal roots elongation through the hardpan and promote root branching below the hardpan in response to SMF among four rice varieties; Sasanishiki, Habataki, Nipponbare, and Kasalath. Experiments were conducted during the summer and autumn seasons. Plasticity was computed as the difference in root traits within each variety between the SMF and continuously well-watered treatments. In both experiments, Habataki consistently tended to exhibit higher root plasticity than the other three varieties by increasing number of nodal roots that penetrated the hardpan during rewatering period in SMF, when the soil moisture increased and penetration resistance decreased. This root plasticity then contributed to greater water use at the deeper soil during the subsequent drought period and overall shoot dry matter production. Habataki had significantly higher δ¹³C value in roots at deep layer than roots at the shallow and hardpan layers under SMF, which may indicate that these were relatively newly grown roots as a consequence of root plasticity. This study also indicates that CSSLs derived from Sasanishiki and Habataki varieties may be suitable for the analysis of QTLs associated with root plasticity expression in rainfed lowland with hardpan and experiencing SMF.     

铵态氮和硝态氮营养对水、旱稻根系形态及水分吸收的影响

为研究不同形态氮素营养对水稻和旱稻根系生长及水分吸收的影响,采用水培供应不同形态氮素(铵态氮、硝态氮、铵态氮和硝态氮混合)的方法培养水稻和旱稻,并对水稻和旱稻的根系形态进行了扫描分析;同时,通过测定根系伤流液和采用HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性的方法,比较了水稻和旱稻根系对不同氮素形态响应的差异。 铵态氮营养水稻（或旱稻）的根干质量明显低于硝态氮营养水稻（或旱稻）,但单位根表面积的水分吸收与根系伤流液量比硝态氮营养高;3种形态氮素营养水稻（或旱稻）运输水分的主要方式均是水通道蛋白的跨膜运输途径,但铵态氮营养水稻（或旱稻）的根系通过水通道蛋白跨膜运输途径运输水分的能力明显高于硝态氮营养水稻（或旱稻）;与水稻相比,旱稻对硝态氮营养具有较强的适应性。     

Root plasticity under fluctuating soil moisture stress exhibited by backcross inbred line of a rice variety,Nipponbare carrying introgressed segments from KDML105 and detection of the associated QTLs

In rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, rice plants are often exposed to alternating recurrences of waterlogging and drought due to erratic rainfall. Such soil moisture fluctuation (SMF) which is completely different from simple or progressive drought could be stressful for plant growth, thereby causing reduction in yield. Root plasticity is one of the key traits that play important roles for plant adaptation under such conditions. This study aimed to evaluate root plasticity expression and its functional roles in dry matter production and yield under SMF using Nipponbare, KDML 105 and three backcross inbred lines (BILs) and to identify QTL(s) associated with root traits in response to SMF at two growth stages using Nipponbare/KDML105 F₂ plants. A BIL, G3-3 showed higher shoot dry matter production and yield than Nipponbare due to its greater ability to maintain stomatal conductance concomitant with greater root system development caused by promoted production of nodal and lateral roots under SMF. QTLs were identified for total nodal root length, total lateral root length, total root length, number of nodal roots, and branching index under SMF at vegetative and reproductive stages. The QTLs detected at vegetative and reproductive stages were different. We discuss here that relationship between root system of G3-3 and the detected QTLs. Therefore, G3-3 and the identified QTLs could be useful genetic materials in breeding program for improving the adaptation of rice plants in target rainfed lowland areas.     

干旱胁迫及复水下朱槿生长及根际土壤微生物多样性的变化特征

以朱槿品种‘紫牡丹’为试验材料,采用盆栽试验,研究了苗期重度干旱胁迫及复水对其根系生理特性的影响,并运用高通量测序技术分析干旱胁迫及复水下朱槿根际土壤微生物多样性的变化特征。结果显示：与正常处理（CK）相比,重度干旱胁迫及复水处理（T2）的总根长、根表面积及根尖数等根系生长指标呈现显著减少的结果,但与重度干旱胁迫（T1）处理相比,均显著增加。通过对朱槿根际土壤样品中细菌群落结构的研究发现,属分类水平上,厌氧绳菌属（Anaerolineaceae）,酸杆菌属（Acidobacteria）、酸微菌属（Acidimicrobiales）、幽门螺杆菌属（Sphaerobacter）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）等是不同处理土壤样品中的优势菌群。T1处理下的嗜青霉属（Algiphilus）、奥利螺旋菌属（Aureispira）、绿线菌属（Chloronema）、扁棒壳属（Acrospermum）为不同处理下的特殊细菌。真菌方面,属的分类水平上发现,粪壳菌属（Sordariale）、散囊菌属（Eurotiales）、拟青霉属（Pseudallescheria）、格孢腔菌属（Pleosporales）、枝孢霉属（Cladosporium）等是不同处理土壤样品中的优势菌群;T1和T2处理下的样品中,侧角藻属（Goniomonas）、齿盘菌属（Lamprospora）和索罗迪夫斯菌属（Sorodiplophrys）为不同处理下的特殊真菌属。其中,有促生作用的细菌如酸微菌属( Acidimicrobium)、厌氧绳菌属（Anaerolineaceae）嗜青霉属（Algiphilus）以及具有一定生防作用真菌如拟青霉属（Pseudallescheria）、枝孢霉属（Cladosporium）等均可以合理的应用在农业生产中,为植物的抗干旱胁迫以及提高朱槿在干旱胁迫下的水分利用做出贡献。     

AM真菌对石漠化地区桑树的促生及养分调控作用

为确定丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌对石漠化地区植物及土壤养分化学计量特征的影响,本研究以石漠化地区经济树种桑树为研究对象,通过模拟石漠化地区季节性干旱,研究水分供应发生变化时,AM真菌对桑树幼苗和土壤中养分调控作用。为模拟石漠化地区季节性干旱,试验设置正常供水和自然干旱2个时期,每个时期均设未接种对照（-M）、接种摩西斗管囊霉（Fm）和接种根内根孢囊霉（Ri）3个处理。桑树收获后,测定植物、土壤中的C、N、P、K含量。结果表明：在正常供水、自然干旱2个时期,接菌处理对桑树幼苗的促生效果显著,干旱胁迫发生之后,Ri菌种与桑树的亲和性、促生效果均强于Fm菌种。接菌处理对桑树幼苗N、P营养改善作用尤为明显,无论水分供应条件如何,接菌处理都显著增加桑苗各部分N、P含量。对比土壤养分含量发现,接菌处理增加了土壤有效P含量,降低了土壤中C含量,正常供水条件下,接种Fm、Ri分别使得土壤C含量下降了7.00%和8.55%。对比土壤养分计量比发现,正常供水条件下,接菌处理显著提高了土壤中的碳磷比（C/P）和氮磷比（N/P）;干旱胁迫条件下,接菌处理显著增加氮磷比（N/P）。综上所述,石漠地区发生季节性干旱时,AM真菌可以影响桑树对C、N、P养分吸收和分配,依据水分供应的变化和对养分资源需求的不同,调控土壤、植物体中C、N、P配比。     

Cereal cyst nematode effects on wheat water use,and on root and shoot growth

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is grown in many arid regions using fallow management whereby no crop is grown in alternate cropping seasons. Although fallowing is important in increasing the availability of water and nitrogen to crops in many environments, experiments in Israel revealed that water carryover from the fallow season for wheat production was rare. This paper examines the possibility that improved water use, and improved root and shoot growth, result from soil sanitation of cereal cyst nematode (CCN, Heterodera avenae Woll.) in the fallow season. Pot experiments in controlled environments revealed a dramatic, negative effect of various populations of CCN on wheat root growth. The decrease in root growth was associated with decreased shoot growth and decreased rates of transpiration. Mechanical pruning of roots mimicked the effects of CCN infestation indicating that root pruning is probably the primary damage of CCN. In the field, dry weight yields of wheat were maintained even in continuous wheat management when a soil biocide was used to control CCN. It is proposed that the success of the fallow management is based on the fact that CCN cysts hatch in wet soil during rainy periods of the fallow year but fail to produce a new generation of cysts because no host plants are present.     

硼素营养对菠萝根系和地上部生长的影响

采用土培试验的方法,研究不同施硼浓度对菠萝根系形态、根系活力、植株生长量、各营养器官含硼量的影响.结果表明,与对照相比,施硼处理对菠萝根系的根长、根数、根粗、根系表面积、根体积都有所增加,表明施用硼肥有利于菠萝根系生长发育:施硼增强了根系活力,增加了菠萝地下根系干重与地上部分干物质积累量;施硼对植株的含硼量有明显影响,更能促进菠萝植株对硼营养的吸取与累积.其中施硼浓度为4.0mg/kg处理的各项指标最佳,植株表现出最旺盛的生长状况.     

大豆连作微量元素营养研究：Ⅰ.连作对锌营养的影响

本文通过田间与盆栽对比试验及室内分析相结合的方法,研究了大豆连作胁迫下,土壤与植株锌营养变化特征。结果表明：不同生育期中各连作年限土壤有效锌总体高于正茬,但连作大豆植株吸收积累的锌却低于正茬,这种差异在大豆营养关键期“盛花－结荚－鼓粒期”表现极明显。