On-farm soil N supply and N nutrition in the rice–wheat system of Nepal and Bangladesh

On-farm research to evaluate the productivity and nitrogen (N) nutrition of a rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system was conducted with 21 farmers in the piedmont of Nepal and with 21 farmers in northwest Bangladesh. In Nepal, two levels of N-fertilizer (0–22–42 and 100–22–42 kg N–P–K ha⁻¹) and farmers’ nutrient management practices were tested in the rice season, and three levels of N (0–22–42, 70–22–42, and 100–22–42) and farmers’ practices were evaluated in the wheat season. The treatments in Bangladesh included a researchers managed minus-N plot (0–22–42) and the farmers’ practices. Rice and wheat yields were higher in all treatments than the 0–22–42 control plots, with the exception of rice with the farmers’ practices at one location in Bangladesh. The researchers’ treatment of 100–22–42 in Nepal resulted in larger yields of both rice and wheat than the farmers’ practices, indicating that farmers’ rates of N-fertilizer (mean 49 kg N ha⁻¹) were too low. Delaying wheat seeding reduced yields in the fertilized plots in both countries, especially as N-fertilizer dose increased. Soil N-supplying capacities (SNSC), measured as total N accumulation from the zero-N plots (0–22–42), and grain yields without N additions were greater for rice than for wheat in both Nepal and Bangladesh. Higher SNSC in rice was probably due to greater mineralization of soil organic N in the warm, moist conditions of the monsoon season than in the cooler, drier wheat season. However, SNSC was not correlated with total soil N, two soil N availability tests (hot KCl-extractable NH₄⁺ or 7-day anaerobic incubation), exchangeable NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻. Wheat in Nepal had greater N-recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency of N, and physiological efficiency of N than rice. Nitrogen internal-use efficiency of rice for all treatments in both countries was within published ranges of maximum sufficiency and maximum dilution. In wheat, the relationship between grain yield and N accumulation was linear indicating that mobilization of plant N to the grain was less affected by biotic and abiotic stresses than in rice.     

The characterization of soil profile distribution for nitrate leached in the paddy soil

Experiment was conducted for five successiveyears under large undisturbed monolith lysime-ters(2m×2m in square,l m in depth).Thesoil was silty clay loam texture and had a con-tent of total N 1.55 g/kg.The soil was flood-ed with penetration rate controlled at approxi-mate 3 mm per day in duration of double-riceseason and laid fallow and natural in winterand spring.Results showed that nitrate was the mainform of nitrogen in percolates.The change of     

Bed planted rice–wheat rotation at differential soil moisture regimes on soil hydro-physical properties, root growth, nitrogen uptake, and system productivity

Along with most widely practiced resources conserving technology zero-tillage wheat after rice, adoption of permanent beds for rice–wheat rotation is also gaining popularity. Since relatively a new approach particularly for dry-seeded rice and permanent beds for wheat, very little information is known about permanent beds on soil properties, nutrient (N) use efficiency, and system productivity. A field experiment was carried out in a Typic Haplustept soil of New Delhi, India to study the effect of permanent beds on soil hydro-physical properties, root growth, nitrogen uptake, and system productivity of irrigated rice–wheat rotation. Results revealed that direct-seeded rice followed by wheat on permanent beds irrigated at different soil water tensions (field capacity, 20 and 40 kPa) reflected a significant variation in soil hydro-physical properties, reduced total nitrogen uptake, contribution by different plant parts, and N use efficiency compared to wheat after flooded transplanted rice system. Rice root weight density at flowering was also significantly low at 0–15 cm depth but higher at 15–60 cm depth in dry-seeded rice on beds. System productivity of rice–wheat rotation was 25–33% lower in permanent beds compared to flooded transplanted system. For wider acceptability of permanent beds as a promising resource conserving technology, system productivity needs to be improved.     

Alkaline phosphatase activity and its relationship to soil properties in a saline–sodic soil reclaimed by cropping wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) with drip irrigation

In order to ascertain the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and its relationship with soil properties in saline–sodic soils during reclamation, a study was conducted in a saline–sodic soil reclaimed by cropping wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) with drip irrigation, in Ningxia Plain, Northwest China. The soil EC_e, pH and SAR in 0–30 cm were 12.3 dS m^?1, 9.4 and 44.1 (mmol/L)^0.5, respectively. Soil transects with different planting years were intensively sampled, which had a wide gradient of salinity and sodicity. Ranging from 1.1 to 42.4 μg g^?1 h^?1, soil ALP activities increased with the increasing planting years, and showed a large spatial variability within transect. The higher ALP activities were always found beneath the drip emitters. More soil physicochemical properties became related significantly to the ALP activities as the planting years increased, indicating that the ALP activities could be better predicted by other properties after reclamation. Path analyses showed that the negative direct effects of soil pH on ALP activities became clearly dominant as the planting years increased. The positive effects of organic matter on ALP activities exerted indirectly, mainly through pH, total N, and available P. Soil ALP activities decreased exponentially with pH, which varied from 7.38 to 10.00. Our findings demonstrated that soil pH was the limiting factor for improving soil ALP activities in this saline–sodic soil, and after three planting years, soil biological activities and fertility level increased significantly.     

Relationship between physical property of soil and growth of Monochoria vaginalis under paddy condition of organic farming—analysis using settled soil volume in water of superficial layer.

Field experiments were conducted to analyze the relationship between the settled soil volume in water (SSVW) and the growth of Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Kunth under organic farming conditions. SSVW corresponds to the mud volume per dry matter weight. Soil was sampled from the superficial layer of the topsoil (<10 mm), which was of a finer texture than the rest of the topsoil. Without the application of rice bran, there was a negative correlation between SSVW and the number of individuals of M. vaginalis. This finding suggests that SSVW is useful as a physical indicator for the growth suppression of M. vaginalis. The application of rice bran dramatically reduced the number of M. vaginalis. The values of SSVW with rice bran were greater than those without rice bran. The analysis of SSVW indicates that the change in soil physical properties following the application of rice bran was one of the factors responsible for the suppression of M. vaginalis growth.     

Assessment of soil enzyme activities of saline–sodic soil under drip irrigation in the Songnen plain

A field experiment was carried out to research the changes and spatial distributions of soil enzyme activities in saline–sodic soil for a different number of cultivated years under drip irrigation. The distributions of alkaline phosphatase, urease, and sucrase activities within 40 cm in both horizontal and vertical directions of the emitter in saline–sodic soils planted with Leymus chinensis for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year were studied. A mathematical method was used to determine the relationships between soil enzyme activities and soil environmental factors contain the electrical conductivity of saturated-soil extract, pH value, available nutrient, and organic carbon. Alkaline phosphatase, urease, and sucrase activities all increased with cultivated years in saline–sodic soil under drip irrigation: from 4.5, 1.39 and 19.39 to 20.25, 3.17, and 61.33 μg g^?1 h^?1, respectively, after planting L. chinensis for 3 year. Alkaline phosphatase, urease, and sucrase activities all decreased with increased horizontal and vertical distance from the emitter. After 3 year of drip irrigation, the correlations between soil enzyme activities and soil environment factors had stronger correlations than in the unreclaimed land. After 4–6 years, the soil enzyme activities should attain the level of the natural L. chinensis grassland.     

Regulation technique in soil moisture at paddy field

Early cultivator Zhongzao 1 (indica) and late rice cultivar Xiushui 2 (japonica) were used for field experiments. Seedlings were transplanted on May 13 and Jun 28 respectively in spaced at 5cm between row and 4 cm within row with 4 plants per hill. Treatments were started at the time when the young plants had 80% available earbearing tillers. Deep water irrigation and drained water accompany with sun-drying were used to control the tiller development. For the deep water irrigation treatment, the depth of water was increased with the plant growth in order to keep the top leaf on the main stem above the water. When 50% of inverted secondary leaves were emerged from main stem the water was drained off. For the drained water with sun-drying treatment, the water was drained until which about 40 cm below to the field surface. The soil moisture content reached about 70% of saturation soil moisture content while the treatment is over.     

Soybean–chickpea rotation on Vertic Inceptisols: I. Effect of soil depth and landform on light interception,water balance and crop yields

Vertic Inceptisols are prone to land degradation because of excessive run-off and soil erosion during the rainy season. Productivity of soybean-based systems on these soils needs to be improved and sustained by better management of natural resources, particularly soil and water. During 1995–1997 a field study was conducted in Peninsular India on a Vertic Inceptisol watershed to study the effect of two soil depths, namely shallow (<50 cm soil depth) and medium-deep (≥50 cm soil depth) and two landform treatments, namely flat and broadbed-and-furrow (BBF) systems, on productivity and resource-use efficiency of soybean–chickpea rotation (soybean in rainy season followed by chickpea in post-rainy season). Soybean grown on flat landform on medium-deep soil had a higher leaf area index and more light interception compared to the soybean grown on the BBF landform. This resulted in an increase in mean seed yield for the flat landform (2120 kg ha⁻¹) compared to the BBF landform (1870 kg ha⁻¹). However, the landform treatments on shallow soil did not affect soybean yields. The soybean yield was higher on the medium-deep soil (1760 kg ha⁻¹) than on the shallow soil (1550 kg ha⁻¹) during 1995–1996, but were not different during 1996–1997. In both years chickpea yields and total system productivity (soybean + chickpea yields) were greater on medium-deep soil than on the shallow soil. Total run-off was higher on the flat landform (25% of seasonal rainfall) than on the BBF landform (20% of seasonal rainfall). This concomitantly increased profile water content (10–30 mm) of both soils in BBF compared to the flat landform treatment during 1995–1996, but not during 1996–1997. Deep drainage was higher in the BBF landform than in flat, especially for the shallow soil. Across landforms and soil depths, water use (evapotranspiration) by soybean–chickpea rotation during 1996–1997 ranged from 496 to 563 mm, which accounted for 54–61% of the rainfall. These results indicate that while the BBF system is useful in decreasing run-off and increasing infiltration of rainfall on Vertic Inceptisols, there is a need to increase light use by soybean on BBF during the rainy season to increase its productivity. A watershed-based farming system needs to be adopted to capture significant amount of rain water lost as run-off and deep drainage. The stored water can be used for supplemental irrigation to increase productivity of soybean-based systems leading to overall increases in resource-use efficiency, crop productivity, and sustainability.     

Phosphorus efficiency in long-term (15 years) wheat–maize cropping systems with various soil and climate conditions

Long-term (over 15 years) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) crop rotation experiments were conducted to investigate phosphorus (P) fertilizer utilization efficiency, including the physiological efficiency, recovery efficiency and the mass (the input–output) balance, at five sites across different soil types and climate zones in China. The five treatments used were control, N, NP, NK and NPK, representing various combinations of N, P and K fertilizer applications. Phosphorus fertilization increased average crop yield over 15 years and the increases were greater with wheat (206%) than maize (85%) across all five sites. The wheat yield also significantly increased over time for the NPK treatments at two sites (Xinjiang and Shanxi), but decreased at one site (Hunan). The P content in wheat was less than 3.00 g kg⁻¹ (and 2.10 g kg⁻¹ for maize) for the N and NK treatments with higher values for the Control, NP and NPK treatments. To produce 1 t of grain, crops require 4.2 kg P for wheat and 3.1 kg P for maize. The P physiological use efficiency was 214 kg grain kg⁻¹ P for wheat and 240 kg grain kg⁻¹ P for maize with over 62% of the P from P fertilizer. Applying P fertilizer at 60–80 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ could maintain 3–4 t ha⁻¹ yields for wheat and 5–6 t ha⁻¹ yields for maize for the five study sites across China. The P recovery efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency averaged 47% and 29%, respectively. For every 100 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ P surplus (amount of fertilizer applied in excess of crop removal), Olsen-P in soil was increased by 3.4 mg P kg⁻¹. Our study suggests that in order to achieve higher crop yields, the long-term P input–output balance, soil P supplying capacity and yield targets should be considered when making P fertilizer recommendations and developing strategies for intensively managed wheat–maize cropping systems.     

Distribution of the Si-deficiency rice soil in Hubet Province

There are about 1 million ha of Si-deficiency paddy soils in Hubei Province, Practically, it is essential to study the Si nutrient status in those Si-deficiency rice soil and its regional distribution before the application of Si-fertilizer.     

Distribution of the Si-deficiency rice soil in Hubei Province

There are about 1 million ha of Si-deficiency paddy soils in Hubei Province. Practically, it is essential to study the Si nutrient status in those Si-deficiency rice soil and its regional distribution before the application of Si-fertilizer. According to the analysis of 50 rice soil samples which collected from 20 counties/cities in Hubei Province, the available Si content in rice soils derived from different parent materials varied greatly. The Si content from high to low was in sequence of limestone, redpurplish sandy shale with carbonate, alluvium and lacustrine deposits, quaternary period red clay, granitic gneiss, and sandy shale. In addition, the Si content in rice soil was remarkably related with its pH. It seems that the pH 6.5 might be a demarcation line that divided the supplying Si ability of rice soils into the low and high categories (Table 1). Integrating the results with a critical soil Si-deficiency as 100 mg/kg, the evaluation index of soil Si supplying capability of a rice soil     

A study of the measurement of fracture toughness in cohesive soil – relationship between the size of initial crack and diameter of specimen

The phenomenon of hydraulic fracturing is considered to be one of the causes of leakage in fill-type dams. In recent years, it has been found that an estimate of the fracture toughness of a given type of soil could be used as an indicator of the soils resistance to hydraulic fracturing. One of the problems encountered in its estimation is the assumption that fracture toughness has been theoretically defined for samples of infinite sizes. In this study, laboratory tests were conducted to determine the fracture toughness of samples (of the same size) prepared with initial cracks of various lengths. The main objective was to investigate the relationship of the initial crack length to fracture toughness. The stress distribution around the crack tip for each laboratory test sample was estimated by FEM analysis and by a theoretical equation. These analytical results corresponded reasonably well to results from laboratory tests to determine the appropriate length of the initial crack for the test specimens.     

Multiyear analysis of the dependency of the planting date on rainfall and soil moisture in paddy fields in Cambodia, 2003–2019

The dependencies of the planting date on rainfall and soil moisture in paddy fields in Cambodia were analyzed to quantify farmers’ empirical knowledge regarding their decision of the planting date. Remote sensing data from multiple satellites covering the 2003–2019 period were analyzed. The planting dates in rain-fed paddies ranged from April to August, with large spatial variations and year-to-year fluctuations. In years when planting was suppressed in April and May, planting was extensively enhanced in June and August compared to normal years, and vice versa. Over the northeastern side of Tonle Sap Lake and south of Phnom Penh city, the areas planted in April and May were found to have positive correlations with rainfall and soil moisture, suggesting that wetter-than-average conditions encouraged farmers to plant earlier in the season. In contrast, this relationship was unclear on the western side of Tonle Sap Lake, where the rainfall amounts were larger throughout the year than in other areas in Cambodia. In this region, the relationship between the planting area and soil water availability was either unclear or was even slightly negative from June to August. Since more frequent dry spells have been detected after the onset of the rainy season in recent years, further studies and disseminations of potential changes in dry spells are important for the agronomic adaptation of planting dates under climate change.

     

Cooperative effects of sand application and flushing during the sensitive stages of rice on its yield in a hard saline–sodic soil

Application of sand can ameliorate rice paddy fields converted from saline–sodic land. However, the requirement of huge amount of sand has been limiting its practical application. In this study, flushing during saline sodic-sensitive stages of rice plant growth was incorporated into the ameliorating system to reduce the sand usage. A split-plot design was adopted with sand application (SA) with two levels as main plots and flushing during the sensitive stages (FL) with two levels as subplots in a hard saline–sodic soil, Northeast China. Four treatments included CK (no-sand, no-flush flooding), NF (non-sand, flush flooding), SN (sand, no-flush flooding), and SF (sand, flush flooding). The results showed that both SA and FL significantly affected all the investigated yield parameters. The combined effect of SA and FL on the grain yield was additive in the first year in respect of the effect on panicle density and seed weight per panicle; while it showed synergistic effect on the seed weight per panicle and grain yield in the second year. The rice yield in different treatments was in the order of SF > SN > NF > CK in both years, with the highest yield (4.37 t ha^?1) obtained by SF treatment in the second year. Our results demonstrate that half the traditional amount of sand in combination with water-flushing during the saline–sodic-sensitive growth stages of rice is sufficiently effective in ameliorating saline–sodic soil and thereby enhancing rice grain yield in saline–sodic paddy fields.     

Plant available soil water at sowing in Mediterranean environments—Is it a useful criterion to aid nitrogen fertiliser and sowing decisions?

In regions where rainfall is low and variable, water stored in the soil profile prior to sowing can alter yield expectation and hence management decisions. Thus, wheat farmers in Mediterranean regions may be able to benefit from knowing the amount of soil water at sowing by optimising their nitrogen (N) fertiliser management and by deciding on whether or not to sow a crop. We used the ASPIM-Nwheat model to explore how levels of plant available soil water (PAW) at sowing, N fertiliser rate, soil, site and season-type (below or above median rainfall) affected wheat yields at sites in the Mediterranean area of southwest Australia. Overall, the greatest influence on yield potential and the consequent N fertilisation requirement was season-type. The additional yield per mm PAW at sowing was generally higher in seasons with below median rainfall, except when yields were severely water-limited by below median rainfall of <222 mm combined with <40 mm PAW at sowing on light clay soil with 109 mm plant available water capacity (PAWC). Sowing was generally warranted; only on light clay soil with <10 mm PAW at sowing and below median rainfall of <222 mm was there an opportunity for a conditional sowing strategy. Scope for varying N fertiliser rates with PAW at sowing was limited to soils with higher PAWC (109 and 130 mm, respectively) in below median rainfall seasons at the wetter site (295 mm mean seasonal rainfall), and in both season-types at the drier site (225 mm mean seasonal rainfall). Only in these combinations, soil water at sowing modified the optimal N fertiliser rate for maximum average yield resulting in significant interactions between PAW at sowing and N fertiliser rates. Similar interactions were found for a site in the Mediterranean Basin and a site in the eastern Australian subtropics on soil with high PAWC (183 and 276 mm, respectively). In contrast, there was no benefit from modifying crop management based on PAW at sowing on soil with low PAWC (i.e. sandy soil) and/or under conditions of high in-season rainfall. The conditional N management approach becomes more viable as the proportion of water stored in the soil prior to sowing increases relative to total crop water use and as the PAWC of the soil increases. Knowledge of PAW at sowing × N fertiliser rate interactions in a particular soil × site × season-type context can help to identify sites where a more targeted N management dependent on amounts of PAW at sowing is potentially profitable.     

Study on the incorporation of standing whole straw into the soil

The physical and chemical properties of the incorporation of whole and chopped straw into the soil and the rice yield of the first year in Northeast China are investigated in this study. Since the incorporated straw would become decayed in 2nd and 3rd year and cause favorable effect on rice growing, only the first year yield is evaluated.     

Effects of 42-year long-term fertilizer management on soil phosphorus availability,fractionation,adsorption–desorption isotherm and plant uptake in flooded tropical rice

Soil phosphorus(P) fractionation, adsorption, and desorption isotherm, and rice yield and P uptake were investigated in flooded tropical rice(Oryza sativa L.) following 42-year fertilizer and manure application. The treatments included low-input [unfertilized control without N, P, or K(C0N0)], farmyard manure(FYM)(C1N0), NP(C0NP), NPK(C0NPK), FYM + NP(C1NP), and high-input treatment, FYM + NPK(C1NPK). Grain yield was increased significantly by 74%over the control under the combined application of FYM + NPK. However, under low- and high-input treatments, yield as well as P uptake was maintained at constant levels for 35 years.During the same period, high yield levels and P uptake were maintained under the C0 NP, C0 NPK,and C1 NPK treatments. These are unique characteristics of a tropical flooded ecosystem, which is a self-sustaining system for rice production. The Fe–P fraction was highest compared to the Ca–P and Al–P fractions after 42 years of fertilizer application and was significantly higher under FYM + NPK treatment. The P adsorption capacity of soil was highest under the low-input treatment and lowest under long-term balanced fertilization(FYM + NPK). In contrast, P desorption capacity was highest under NPK and lowest in the control treatment. Long-term balanced fertilization in the form of FYM + NPK for 42 years lowered the bonding energy and adsorption capacity for P in soil but increased its desorption potential, increasing P availability to the plant and leading to higher P uptake and yield maintenance.     

Pea–barley intercropping for efficient symbiotic N2-fixation,soil N acquisition and use of other nutrients in European organic cropping systems

Complementarity in acquisition of nitrogen (N) from soil and N₂-fixation within pea and barley intercrops was studied in organic field experiments across Western Europe (Denmark, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy). Spring pea and barley were sown either as sole crops, at the recommended plant density (P100 and B100, respectively) or in replacement (P50B50) or additive (P100B50) intercropping designs, in each of three cropping seasons (2003–2005). Irrespective of site and intercrop design, Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) between 1.4 at flowering and 1.3 at maturity showed that total N recovery was greater in the pea–barley intercrops than in the sole crops suggesting a high degree of complementarity over a wide range of growing conditions. Complementarity was partly attributed to greater soil mineral N acquisition by barley, forcing pea to rely more on N₂-fixation. At all sites the proportion of total aboveground pea N that was derived from N₂-fixation was greater when intercropped with barley than when grown as a sole crop. No consistent differences were found between the two intercropping designs. Simultaneously, the accumulation of phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) in Danish and German experiments was 20% higher in the intercrop (P50B50) than in the respective sole crops, possibly influencing general crop yields and thereby competitive ability for other resources. Comparing all sites and seasons, the benefits of organic pea–barley intercropping for N acquisition were highly resilient. It is concluded that pea–barley intercropping is a relevant cropping strategy to adopt when trying to optimize N₂-fixation inputs to the cropping system.