Effects of nitrogen application rate and hill density on rice yield and nitrogen utilization in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields

Soil salinity and alkalinity can inhibit crop growth and reduce yield,and this has become a global environmental concern.Combined changes in nitrogen (N) application and hill density can improve rice yields in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields and protect the environment.We investigated the interactive effects of N application rate and hill density on rice yield and N accumulation,translocation and utilization in two field experiments during 2018 and 2019 in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields.Five N application rates (0 (control),90,120,150,and 180 kg N ha~(-1) (N0–N4),respectively) and three hill densities(achieved by altering the distance between hills,in rows spaced 30 cm apart:16.5 cm (D1),13.3 cm (D2) and 10 cm (D3))were utilized in a split-plot design with three replicates.Nitrogen application rate and hill density significantly affected grain yield.The mathematical model of quadratic saturated D-optimal design showed that with an N application rate in the range of 0–180 kg N ha~(-1),the highest yield was obtained at 142.61 kg N ha~(-1) which matched with a planting density of 33.3×10~4 ha~(-1).Higher grain yield was mainly attributed to the increase in panicles m~(–2).Nitrogen application rate and hill density significantly affected N accumulation in the aboveground parts of rice plants and showed a highly significant positive correlation with grain yield at maturity.From full heading to maturity,the average N loss rate of the aboveground parts of rice plants in N4 was 70.21% higher than that of N3.This is one of the reasons why the yield of N4 treatment is lower than that of the N3 treatment.Nitrogen accumulation rates in the aboveground parts under treatment N3 (150 kg N ha~(-1)) were 81.68 and 106.07% higher in 2018 and 2019,respectively,than those in the control.The N translocation and N translocation contribution rates increased with the increase in the N application rate and hill density,whereas N productivity of dry matter and grain first increased and then decreased with the increase in N application rate and hill density.Agronomic N-use efficiency decreased with an increase in N application rate,whereas hill density did not significantly affect it.Nitrogen productivity of dry matter and grain,and agronomic N-use efficiency,were negatively correlated with grain yield.Thus,rice yield in sodic saline–alkaline paddy fields can be improved by combined changes in the N application rate and hill density to promote aboveground N accumulation.Our study provides novel evidence regarding optimal N application rates and hill densities for sodic saline–alkaline rice paddies.     

玉米行距变化对间作系统生产力及玉米生长的影响

间作系统中作物种间距离的变化直接影响着系统的生产力,因此,合理的种间配置是间作获得高产的前提。本研究总结归纳了2010年甘肃武威和2014年甘肃张掖的小麦/玉米、蚕豆/玉米间作系统玉米行距试验,旨在探明间作玉米在不同种植行距下对间作体系生产力的影响及玉米生长的差异。试验设置5个间作玉米的种植行距处理（D0：10 cm、D20：20 cm、D40：40 cm、D60：60 cm、D80：80 cm）,测定了作物产量、产量构成、生物量累积。结果表明：间作玉米行距变化对间作配对作物产量无显著影响,主要影响间作玉米产量; 2010年,两间作体系间作玉米产量、体系混合产量、系统生产力（system productivity）均以D60最高,2014年均以D40最高;随玉米行距增大,系统生产力先增加后减小,拐点均出现在D60;玉米行距变化显著改变了玉米的穗粒数、百粒重、单株粒重;小麦/玉米体系,两年单株粒重峰值分别出现在D60（132 g·株^-1）和D40（216 g·株^-1）;蚕豆/玉米体系均出现在D40,分别为158 g·株^-1（2010年）和220 g·株^-1（2014年）;不同行距处理下玉米共生期和单独生长期生长速率均存在差异,共生期各处理生长速率显著低于单独生长期,无论哪个时期,D40和D60处理的生长速率均占优。河西灌区小麦/玉米和蚕豆/玉米间作中玉米种植的最佳行距为40 cm和60 cm,此行距下间作系统可得到最大系统生产力。     

Effects of mechanized deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer rate and type on rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Chuanxi Plain,China

This paper investigates the yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of machine-transplanted rice cultivated using mechanized deep placement of N fertilizer in the rice–wheat rotation region of Chuanxi Plain, China. It provides theoretical support for N-saving and improves quality and production efficiency of machine-transplanted rice. Using a single-factor complete randomized block design in field experiments in 2018 and 2019, seven N-fertilization treatments were applied, with the fertilizer being surface broadcast and/or mechanically placed beside the seedlings at (5.5±0.5) cm soil depth when transplanting. The treatments were: N0, no N fertilizer; U1, 180 kg N ha^–1 as urea, surface broadcast manually before transplanting; U2, 108 kg N ha^–1 as urea, surface broadcast manually before transplanting, and 72 kg N ha^–1 as urea surface broadcast manually on the 10th d after transplanting, which is not only the local common fertilization method, but also the reference treatment; UD, 180 kg N ha^–1 as urea, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M1, 81.6 kg N ha^–1 as urea and 38.4 kg N ha^–1 as controlled-release urea (CRU), mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M2, 102 kg N ha^–1 as urea and 48 kg N ha^–1 as CRU, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting; M3, 122.4 kg N ha^–1 as urea and 57.6 kg N ha^–1 as CRU, mechanically deep-placed when transplanting. The effects of the N fertilizer treatments on rice yield and NUE were consistent in the 2 yr. With a N application rate of 180 kg ha^–1, compared with U2, the N recovery efficiency (NRE), N agronomic use efficiency (NAE) and yield under the UD treatment were 20.6, 3.5 and 1.1% higher in 2018, and 4.6, 1.7 and 1.2% higher in 2019, respectively. Compared with urea alone (U1, U2 or UD), the NRE, NAE and yield achieved by M3 (combined application of urea and controlled-release urea) were higher by 9.2–73.3%, 18.6–61.5% and 6.5–16.5% (2018), and 22.2–65.2%, 25.6–75.0% and 5.9–13.9% (2019), respectively. Compared with M3, the lower-N treatments M1 and M2 significantly increased NRE by 4.0–7.8% in 2018 and 3.1–4.3% in 2019, respectively. Compared with urea surface application (U1 or U2), the yield under the M2 treatment was higher by 4.3–12.9% in 2018 and 3.6–10.1% in 2019, respectively. Compared with U2, the NRE and NAE under the M2 treatment was higher by 36.9 and 36.3% in 2018, and 33.2 and 37.4% in 2019, mainly because of higher N uptake. There was no significant difference in the concentration of nitrate in the top 0–20 cm soil under U1, U2 and M2 treatments during the full heading and maturity stages. During the full heading stage, U2 produced the highest concentration of nitrite in 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil among the N fertilizer treatments. In conclusion, mechanized deep placement of mixed urea and controlled-release urea (M2) at transplanting is a highly-efficient cultivation technology that enables increased yield of machine-transplanted rice and improved NUE, while reducing the amount of N-fertilization applied.     

Effect of wide-narrow row arrangement in mechanical pot-seedling transplanting and plant density on yield formation and grain quality of japonica rice

Mechanical pot-seedling transplanting is an innovatively developed transplanting method that has the potential to replace mechanical carpet-seedling transplanting. However, the initial pot-seedling transplanting machine lacked optimized density spacing and limited yield potential for japonica rice. Therefore, ascertaining the optimized density by wide-narrow rows and the appropriate transplanting method for yield formation and grain quality of japonica rice is of great importance for high-quality rice production. Field experiments were conducted using two japonica rice cultivars Nanjing 9108 and Nanjing 5055 under three transplanting methods in 2016 and 2017: mechanical pot-seedling transplanting with wide-narrow row(K, average row spacing of 30 cm); equidistant row(D, 33 cm×12 cm); and mechanical carpet-seedling transplanting(T, 30 cm×12.4 cm). In addition, five different density treatments were set in K(K1–K5, from 18.62×10~4 to 28.49×10~4 hills ha~(–1)). The results showed that the highest yield was produced by a planting density of 26.88×104 hills ha~(–1) in mechanical pot-seedling transplanting with wide-narrow row with a greater number of total spikelets that resulted from significantly more panicles per area and slightly more grain number per panicle, as compared with equidistant row, and yield among density in wide-narrow row showed a parabolic trend. Compared with mechanical carpet-seedling transplanting, the treatment of the highest yield increased yield significantly, which was mainly attributed to the larger sink size with improved filled-grain percentage and grain weight, higher harvest index, and increased total dry matter accumulation, especially the larger amount accumulated from heading stage to maturity stage. With the density in wide-narrow row decreasing, processing quality, appearance quality, and nutrition quality were all improved, whereas amylose content and the taste value were decreased. Compared with mechanical carpet-seedling transplanting, mechanical pot-seedling transplanting improved processing quality and nutrition quality, but decreased amylose content and deteriorated appearance quality. These results suggested that mechanical pot-seedling transplanting with wide-narrow row coupling produced a suitable planting density of 26.88×10~4 hills ha~(–1) and may be an alternative approach to improving grain yield and quality for japonica rice.     

Optimized nitrogen application methods to improve nitrogen use efficiency and nodule nitrogen fixation in a maize-soybean relay intercropping system

In China, the abuse of chemical nitrogen(N) fertilizer results in decreasing N use efficiency(NUE), wasting resources and causing serious environmental problems. Cereal-legume intercropping is widely used to enhance crop yield and improve resource use efficiency, especially in Southwest China. To optimize N utilization and increase grain yield, we conducted a two-year field experiment with single-factor randomized block designs of a maize-soybean intercropping system(IMS). Three N rates, NN(no nitrogen application), LN(lower N application: 270 kg N ha–1), and CN(conventional N application: 330 kg N ha–1), and three topdressing distances of LN(LND), e.g., 15 cm(LND1), 30 cm(LND2) and 45 cm(LND3) from maize rows were evaluated. At the beginning seed stage(R5), the leghemoglobin content and nitrogenase activity of LND3 were 1.86 mg plant–1 and 0.14 m L h–1 plant–1, and those of LND1 and LND2 were increased by 31.4 and 24.5%, 6.4 and 32.9% compared with LND3, respectively. The ureide content and N accumulation of soybean organs in LND1 and LND2 were higher than those of LND3. The N uptake, NUE and N agronomy efficiency(NAE) of IMS under CN were 308.3 kg ha–1, 28.5%, and 5.7 kg grain kg–1 N, respectively; however, those of LN were significantly increased by 12.4, 72.5, and 51.6% compared with CN, respectively. The total yield in LND1 and LND2 was increased by 12.3 and 8.3% compared with CN, respectively. Those results suggested that LN with distances of 15–30 cm from the topdressing strip to the maize row was optimal in maize-soybean intercropping. Lower N input with an optimized fertilization location for IMS increased N fixation and N use efficiency without decreasing grain yield.     

Phosphorous Fertilization Influenced Weeds Attributes and Phenological Characteristics of Mungbean Cultivars (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L.)

Weeds are abundant in nature having supreme growth characters over the other economic crop. Weeds show aggressive behavior in term of growth, development, reproduction and for water and nutrients uptake through which dominantly spread over the ground and reduced yield of the economic crop. Weeds frequency and density responded positively to phosphorous application and may retard the production potential of the economic crop. Therefore present study was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Agriculture Extension Demonstration plot Matta Circle Swat Pakistan, in summer 2014. Five levels of phosphorous (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg ha^–1) with one control in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) and three cultivars of mungbean (SWAT-I, SWAT-II and NM-54) were used during the experiment. Results revealed that weeds density and phenological traits of mungbean varied with P₂O₅ application. A linear increase in weeds density was observed with increase in P2O5 levels. Fewer days to flowering (40 days) were observed in plots received P at the rate of 80 and 100 kg ha^–1 followed by 60, 40, 20 and 0 kg P ha^–1, while more (44 days) were recorded in control plots. In case of varieties late flowering (42 days) was observed in variety SWAT I followed by SWAT-II, while early flowering (41 days) was recorded in cultivar NM-54. Minimum days (48 days) to pods formation was noticed in P₂O₅ at the rate of 80 and 100 kg ha^–1, while more days (52 days) to pod formation were recorded in control plots. In case of varieties NM-54 took less days (49 days) while SWAT-I were statistically at par. Highest plant height (73.9 cm) was recorded with 60 kg P ha^–1 while at par plant height was noted at the rate of 80 and 100 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1. Shorter plant height (57.3 cm) was recorded in control plots. Maximum leaves plant^–1 (23) were noted at the rate of 80 kg ha^–1, while control plots produced minimum number of leaves plant^–1 (16). In case of mungbean varieties SWAT-I produce maximum leaves plant^–1 (21) followed by SWAT-II (20), while NM-54 produced minimum leaves plant^–1 (19). Biological yield (3978 kg ha^–1) was obtained in the plots treated with 80 kg P ha^–1 while the minimum biological yield (2668 kg ha^–1) was recorded in control plots. Among the varieties SWAT-I produced maximum biological yield (3551 kg ha^–1) followed by SWAT-II (3440 kg ha^–1) and NM-54 (3317 kg ha^–1) respectively.     

Growth and fatty acid composition of sesame (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sesamum indicum</Emphasis> L.) genotypes as influence by planting dates and nitrogen fertilization in semiarid region of Northwest,Pakistan

A field experiment was conducted on silty clay loam soil in the years 2011–2012. Two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars (Local Black and Local White) were evaluated using various 3 different sowing dates (20th June, 10th and 30th July) and four agrotechnical level (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^–1) at New Developmental Farm The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sowing dates on growth, yield and oil fatty acid composition of two sesame cultivars grown under different nitrogen fertilization. Results showed that cv. Local Black was characterized by significantly higher content of oil (47%), seed yield (696 kg ha^–1) and oil yield (335 kg ha^–1) while cv. Local White had higher palmitic acid (8%) and linoleic acid (38.7%). Yield and its main components were positively affected by the earlier sowing date. With regard to fatty acid composition, a decrease in oleic and stearic acid and an increase in linoleic and palmitic acid were observed. At early sowing, oleic and palmitic acid decreased whereas linoleic and stearic acid increased. The decrease in the oleic/linoleic acid ratio observed at early sowing, suggests a possible role of temperature on the activity of oleate desaturase in the developing seeds. Intensive technology of cultivation (120 kg N ha^–1), compared to the economical technology (40 kg N ha^–1), significantly increased the seed yield of both sesame cultivars. This was due to higher number of branches, Capsules m^–2, capsules plant^–1, seeds capsule^–1 and 1000 seed weight (g). The intensive technology of cultivation had a beneficial effect on the content of palmitic acid, linolenic acid and oleic acid in sesame seed.     

四川盆地水稻产量对基础地力与施肥的响应

【目的】四川盆地是中国主要的单季稻种植区之一。研究四川盆地稻田土壤基础地力、养分供应能力和施肥效果,评价土壤基础地力和施肥对水稻产量的影响,为四川盆地稻田地力的保育培肥和区域合理施肥提供依据。【方法】依托2005年以来在四川盆地布置的474个水稻田长期定位试验点,选取对照（不施肥CK）、磷钾（PK）、氮钾（NK）、氮磷（NP）和氮磷钾（NPK）5个处理,测定水稻产量和养分吸收量,分析四川盆地稻田土壤基础地力现状、土壤养分供应能力和施肥效果及其之间的关系,基于水稻产量评价不同基础地力稻田的施肥效果及产量稳定性和可持续性。同时通过调研四川盆地水稻研究结果,分析30多年来稻田基础地力的变化趋势。【结果】文献调研表明,四川盆地田基础地力稳定提升,2000年以来稻田基础地力产量在5.6-6.4 t·hm^-2,比二十世纪八九十年代提高了1.5 t·hm^-2,地力贡献率也上升6.7%。田间试验表明,基础地力和肥料对产量的贡献率分别为67.4%-75.9%和24.1%-32.6%。四川盆地稻田土壤氮、磷、钾养分供应量分别为103-120、23.2-27.5和139-185 kg·hm^-2,土壤养分对产量的平均贡献率达到78.2%、88.8%、90.8%,而施肥对产量的贡献率低于30%,且氮肥的增产效果高于磷肥和钾肥。四川盆地不同生态区土壤基础地力和养分供应能力均表现为成都平原＞盆地中部浅丘区＞盆地周边丘陵区＞盆地东部丘陵区;土壤基础地力越高越容易实现水稻高产,土壤基础地力与土壤贡献率呈显著正相关,而与肥料贡献率呈显著负相关;土壤基础地力越高,产量可持续性和稳定性越高。【结论】提高稻田土壤基础地力可促进水稻高产稳产,降低高产对肥料的依赖性,有利于水稻的可持续生产。     

Does heat accumulation alter crop phenology,fibre yield and fibre properties of sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) genotypes with changing seasons?

Field experiments were carried out in split plot design during the dry and wet seasons for two years(two seasons each in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018) with two genotypes(SH4 and SUIN053), two plant geometry(30×15 cm and 45×15 cm main plots) and three levels of NPK(20 kg N ha~(–1), 40 kg P ha~(–1) and 40 kg K ha~(–1); 20 kg N ha~(–1), 60 kg P ha~(–1) and 60 kg K ha~(–1); 20 kg N ha~(–1), 80 kg P ha~(–1) and 80 kg K ha~(–1)) with an objective to study the relationship between fibre yield of sunhmep and thermal indices. The results indicated that the thermal units such as cumulative heat unit(CHU), photo thermal unit(PTU) and helio thermal unit(HTU) were the highest during dry seasons, while relative temperature disparity(RTD) was the highest during wet seasons irrespective of the genotypes, plant geometry and fertilizer levels. The combined analysis of variance showed that the suitability of sunnhemp genotypes for obtaining fibre and seed yields varied with season. The results further indicated that sunnhemp grew during dry seasons with longer photoperiod and higher values of growing degree days(GDD), HTU and PTU resulted in a higher fibre yield, while a higher seed yield and relatively longer, finer and stronger fibres were obtained during wet seasons with higher RTD values. Regression analysis indicated that CHU was positively related to fibre yield, while RTD was positively related to seed yield. CHU beyond 2 000 °C d reduced seed yield and favoured fibre production. In contrary to CHU, RTD values were positively related to seed yield and negatively related to fibre yield. Similarly, HTU had an inverse relationship with fibre yield while PTU had a positive relationship with fibre yield. The genotype SH4 produced a seed yield of 1 361 kg ha~(–1) during wet seasons, which was significantly higher than SUIN053, while a fibre yield of 990 kg ha~(–1)(significantly higher than that of SH4) was obtained for SUIN053 that required less CHU to attain the phenological events during dry seasons. The per unit area yields of seed and fibre with the closer spacing(30 cm×15 cm) by virtue of higher plant density were 17.0 and 14.9% higher than those with the spacing of 45 cm×15 cm, respectively. Higher doses of P and K resulted in higher seed and fibre yields.     

Response of cotton genotypes to planting date and plant spacing

Cotton growers face a problem of low cotton yield in late planting (after sunflower and maize). The objective of our study was to determine the effects of planting date, plant spacing (plant density), and genotypes on seed cotton yield and its components, ginning outturn (GOT%), and fiber quality traits (fiber length and fiber fineness). Five planting dates (May 1, May 15, May 30, June 15, and June 30), three plant spacings (15, 30, and 45 cm), and three cotton genotypes (CRS-6070, CRS-738, and CIM-496) were evaluated for seed cotton yield with its components and fiber quality traits. The results showed that monopodial branches/plant, sympodial branches/plant, number of bolls/plant, and seed cotton yield differed significantly among different planting dates, plant spacing, and genotypes. While the boll weight was significantly different among genotypes only. GOT%, fiber length, and fiber fineness were different significantly among planting time and cotton genotypes, which were not significantly affected by plant spacing. Cotton grown in early planting dates had higher seed cotton yield (4874 and 4653 kg/hm²) at the highest plant spacing (45 cm). While late sown cotton (June 15 onward) gave higher seed cotton yields (2068 and 1889 kg/hm²) at the lowest plant spacing (15 cm). GOT%, fiber length, and fiber fineness improved significantly in late planting and not affected from plant spacing. From our present study, it is concluded that high seed cotton yield can be achieved at high plant spacing in early planting while at low plant spacing in late planting.     

Local nitrogen application increases maize post-silking nitrogen uptake of responsive genotypes via enhanced deep root growth

Nitrogen (N) is unevenly distributed throughout the soil and plant roots proliferate in N-rich soil patches. However, the relationship between the root response to localized N supply and maize N uptake efficiency among different genotypes is unclear. In this study, four maize varieties were evaluated to explore genotypic differences in the root response to local N application in relation to N uptake. A split-root system was established for hydroponically-grown plants and two methods of local N application (local banding and local dotting) were examined in the field. Genotypic differences in the root length response to N were highly correlated between the hydroponic and field conditions (r>0.99). Genotypes showing high response to N, ZD958, XY335 and XF32D22, showed 50–63% longer lateral root length and 36–53% greater root biomass in N-rich regions under hydroponic conditions, while the LY13 genotype did not respond to N. Under field conditions, the root length of the high-response genotypes was found to increase by 66–75% at 40–60 cm soil depth, while LY13 showed smaller changes in root length. In addition, local N application increased N uptake at the post-silking stage by 16–88% in the high-response genotypes and increased the grain yield of ZD958 by 10–12%. Moreover, yield was positively correlated with root length at 40–60 cm soil depth (r=0.39). We conclude that local fertilization should be used for high-response genotypes, which can be rapidly identified at the seedling stage, and selection for “local-N responsive roots” can be a promising trait in maize breeding for high nitrogen uptake efficiency.     

Screening of okra varieties resistance against insect pests under agro climatic conditions of Dera Ismail Khan,Pakistan

The present study was conducted to screen four okra varieties (Sabz Pari, Sada Bahar, Pusa Sawani, Arka Anamika) against bollworm, whitefly and jassid under field conditions during 2011. It was concluded that none of the tested variety had resistance against okra fruit borer. However, these varieties showed some degree of resistance against sucking insect pests. Okra variety Sada Bahar was less infested with jassid (1.30/leaf) and whitefly (5.36/leaf) compared to other tested varieties and resulted in maximum yield (1529.62 kgha^–1). The plants of Sabz Peri variety attained maximum height (113.7 cm), which was statistically at par with 110.9 cm height attained by the plants of Arka Anamika. Number of fruits pods plant^–1 was found non significantly different on all the tested okra varieties. On the basis of present findings, it was concluded that Sada Bahar variety is suitable for cultivation in Dera Ismail Khan and other parts of the country with similar environmental conditions.     

Canola yield and quality enhanced with sulphur fertilization

Canola cultivars positively responded to sulphur fertilization in term of seed yield and oil quality. Oscar cultivar increased seed yield 53% as compared to control plots. Sulphur @ 45 kg ha^–1 increased seed yield, biological yield, and quality of rapeseed. Number of days to flowering (76), number of pods plant–1 (372), number of seeds pod–1 (24), plant height (173 cm), biological yield (15547 kg ha^–1), seed yield (2209 kg ha^–1), harvest index (19%), glucosinolate (μmol g–1) content (31.03 μmol g–1) and oil content (45.81%) was enhanced significantly with sulphur treated @ 45 kg ha^–1 applied plots as compared to delayed flowering (78 days), shortest plant (151 cm), pods formation (298 pods), seed pod–1 (21), biological yield (11090 kg ha^–1), seed yield (1436 kg ha^–1), and oil content (42.62%) in control plots. Among cultivars “Oscar” ranked first in different growth stages and attain more plant height (164 cm), and examined substantial number of pods plant–1 (359), seeds pod–1 (24), seed yield (2005 kg ha^–1), biological yield (14298 kg ha^–1), harvest index 17%, and oil content (46.29%) as compared to other sowed cultivars. On the basis of the result it is recommended that cultivar “Oscar” treated with sulphur @ 45 kg ha^–1 should be applied for higher yield and quality of rapeseed under the agro-climatic condition of swat valley.     

The effects of water and nitrogen on the roots and yield of upland and paddy rice

It is of great significance to study the root characteristics of rice to improve water and nitrogen(N) use efficiency and reduce environmental pollution. This study investigated whether root traits and architecture of rice influence grain yield, as well as water and N utilization efficiency. An experiment was conducted using the upland rice cultivar Zhonghan 3(a japonica cultivar) and paddy rice cultivar Huaidao 5(also a japonica cultivar) using three N levels, namely, 2 g urea/pot(low amount, LN), 3 g urea/pot(normal amount, NN), and 4 g urea/pot(high amount, HN), and three soil water potentials(SWPs, namely, well-watered(0 kPa), mildly dried(–20 kPa) and severely dried(–40 kPa). The results showed that with decreasing SWP, the percentage of upland rice roots increased in the 0–5 cm tillage layer, and decreased in the 5–10 and 10–20 cm tillage layers, whereas paddy rice roots showed the opposite trend. With increasing amounts of N, the yield of upland and paddy rice increased, and the percentage of root volume ratios of the two rice cultivars in the 0–5 and 5–10 cm tillage layers increased, whereas that in the 10–20 cm tillage layer decreased. The roots of upland rice are mainly distributed in the 10–20 cm tillage layer, whereas most paddy rice roots are in the 0–5 cm tillage layer. These results indicate that the combination of-20 kPa SWP and NN in upland rice and 0 kPa SWP and LN in paddy rice promotes the growth of the root system during the middle and late stages, which in turn may decrease the requirements for water and N fertilizer and increase rice yield.     

氮肥用量和运筹对冷浸田水稻产量和氮素利用率的影响

冷浸田是我国西南地区主要的水稻田,通过合理的氮肥管理,以提高冷浸田水稻产量和氮肥利用率十分必要.本研究通过田间试验研究了不同的氮肥用量和氮肥运筹对稻谷产量及其构成、氮素利用效率的影响,以期为西南地区冷浸田合理的氮肥管理提供依据.试验设5个氮肥施用水平:0(N0),90(N90),120(N120),150(N150),180(N180) kg/hm~2, 3个氮肥运筹方式,即底肥:分蘖肥:穗粒肥氮肥施用比例分别为60∶40∶0(T1),40∶60∶0(T2)和40∶20∶40(T3),以及控释氮肥1次施用处理(T4).结果表明, N120,N150和N180处理水稻产量均显著高于N0和N90处理,其中以N150处理稻谷产量和氮肥利用率最高,分别为9 466.65 kg/hm~2和30.75%,氮肥的回收利用率比N120和N180处理高2.37,3.54个百分点,且N150处理水稻收获指数显著高于N120和N180处理. 3种氮肥运筹方式及控释氮肥处理间水稻产量、生物量及籽粒氮素吸收量差异均无统计学意义,但氮肥采用底肥∶分蘖肥∶穗粒肥=60∶40∶0处理,水稻收获指数、结实率、每穗粒数均高于其余氮肥运筹及控释氮肥处理.鉴于西南地区的冷浸田氮素水平和基础地力较高,施氮量宜为120～150 kg/hm~2;氮肥运筹以普通尿素按底肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥=60∶40∶0施用较为适宜.     

不同免耕模式对水稻产量及土壤理化性状的影响

为了研究不同免耕栽培模式对水稻产量及土壤理化性状有何不同影响,采用田间定位试验,以常规插秧为对照,研究免耕直播和免耕抛秧对水稻产量的影响及土壤理化性质变化。结果表明:此试验条件下,免耕直播前期分蘖速度较快,株高、结实率及产量都较高,穗粒数和千粒重则与常规插秧相当,而免耕抛秧有效穗较多,但穗粒数、结实率、千粒重及产量均较低。在土壤理化性状方面,与常规插秧比,免耕栽培稻田表层(0～5cm)土壤有机质增加,腐殖质品质改善,>0.25mm水稳性大团聚体、全量氮、速效磷和速效钾养分含量都有提高。两种免耕栽培模式中,免耕直播的腐殖质品质、>0.25mm大粒团聚体含量及速效磷高于免耕抛秧,而土壤有机质总量和速效钾则低于免耕抛秧。免耕栽培模式有利于稻田表层土壤肥力的改善;此试验条件下,免耕直播更有利于提高水稻产量。     

Identifying the limiting factors driving the winter wheat yield gap on smallholder farms by agronomic diagnosis in North China Plain

North China Plain(NCP) is the primary winter wheat production region in China, characterized by smallholder farming systems. Whereas the winter wheat average yield of smallholder farmers is currently low, the yield potential and limiting factors driving the current yield gap remain unclear. Therefore, increasing the wheat yield in NCP is essential for the national food security. This study monitored wheat yield, management practices and soil nutrient data in 132 farmers' fields of Xushui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province during 2014–2016. These data were analyzed using variance and path analysis to determine the yield gap and the contribution of yield components(i.e., spikes per hectare, grain number per spike and 1 000-grain weight) to wheat yield. Then, the limiting factors of yield components and the optimizing strategies were identified by a boundary line approach. The results showed that the attainable potential yield for winter wheat was 10 514 kg ha~(–1). The yield gaps varied strongly between three yield groups(i.e., high, middle and low), which were divided by yield level and contained 44 farmers in each group, and amounted to 2 493, 1 636 and 814 kg ha~(–1), respectively. For the three yield components, only spikes per hectare was significantly different(P0.01) among the three yield groups. For all 132 farmers' fields, correlation between yield and spikes per hectare(r=0.51, P0.01), was significantly positive, while correlations with grain number per spike(r=–0.16) and 1 000-grain weight(r=–0.10) were not significant. The path analysis also showed that the spikes per hectare of winter wheat were the most important component to the wheat yield. Boundary line analysis showed that seeding date was the most limiting factor of spikes per hectare with the highest contribution rate(26.7%), followed by basal N input(22.1%) and seeding rate(14.5%), which indicated that management factors in the seeding step were the most important for affecting spikes per hectare. For desired spikes per hectare(6.598×10~6 ha~(–1)),the seeding rate should range from 210–300 kg ha~(–1), seeding date should range from 3th to 8th October, and basal N input should range from 90~(–1)80 kg ha~(–1). Compared to these reasonable ranges of management measures, most of the farmers' practices were not suitable, and both lower and higher levels of management existed. It is concluded that the strategies for optimizing yield components could be achieved by improving wheat seeding quality and optimizing farmers' nutrient management practices in the NCP.     

Organic and inorganic fertilization influenced on yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield and quality of sugar beet genotypes (Beta vulgaris L.). Therefore a field trial was carried out at New Developmental Farm of The University Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during winter 2012–13. The field experiment was layout in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Fertilizers treatments (control, higo organic plus (composted manure, it contains N 2%, P 3%, K 3%, organic matter 40%, organic carbon 11%, Zn 145 mg kg^–1, Cu 56 mg kg^–1, Fe 380 mg kg^–1 and Mg 228 mg kg^–1), maxicrop sea gold (extract of sea weeds i.e., Sargasssum, Laminara Polysaccharide and Ascophyllum Nodosum), farm yard manure, NP (90: 60 kg ha^–1), NP (120: 90 kg ha^–1) and NP (150: 120 kg ha^–1) were allotted to main plots while genotypes (Sandrina, Serenada and Kawe Terma) to the sub plots. Farm yard manure (10 t ha^–1) and higo organic Plus (5 t ha^–1) was incorporated in the soil before seed bed preparation. Maxicrop sea gold (5 lit ha^–1) was sprayed after the emergence of the crop. All phosphorus was applied @ of 60, 90 and 120 kg ha^–1 at the time of sowing while nitrogen @ of 90, 120 and 150 kg ha^–1 in two splits/3 of the dose was applied at the time of sowing while the remaing 1/3 of the dose was applied before earthen up. Plots treated with application of NP ratio 120: 90 kg ha^–1 produced maximum beet yield (76.4 t ha^–1), sugar yield (11.1 t ha^–1), Pol (polarizable sugar) percentage (14.67%) and more economic return (Rs.234 Thousand ha^–1) as compared to control plots. Sugar beet genotype Serenada had significantly produced maximum beet yield (55.5 t ha^–1), sugar yield (7.9 t ha^–1), pol (polarizable sugar) percentage (14.60%), brix percentage (14.60%) and more economic return (158) as compared to other genotypes. It was concluded from the above results that sugar beet genotype Serenada treated with NP ratio 120: 90 kg ha^–1 for improved sugar beet productivity and quality therefore it is recommended for general practice in agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar valley.     

余江县水稻土剖面酸缓冲性能与酸化速率

为探明不同母质发育的水稻土在剖面层次上的缓冲性能特征及酸化速率大小,以红砂岩和河流冲积物母质发育的水稻土为对象,测定不同层次（0~20、20~40、40~60、60~80 cm和80~100 cm）土壤的pH、有机质、全氮、阳离子交换量和酸碱缓冲容量,定量比较不同母质和不同土层酸碱缓冲容量的变化及差异。结果表明：以红砂岩和河流冲积物母质发育的水稻土酸碱缓冲容量在0~20 cm土层比80~100 cm土层分别显著升高10.14 mmol·kg^-1和4.18 mmol·kg^-1,且随着水稻土初始pH（不加酸碱的pH）的增加,其酸碱缓冲容量也呈增加趋势。在0~20 cm土层,红砂岩母质发育的水稻土酸碱缓冲容量比河流冲积物母质显著增加7.38mmol·kg^-1;在20~100 cm土层,2种母质发育的水稻土酸碱缓冲容量无显著差异。红砂岩母质发育水稻土表层酸化速率（0.78kmol H⁺·hm^-2·a^-1）大于河流冲积物母质（0.36 kmol H⁺·hm^-2·a^-1）。水稻土酸碱缓冲容量与pH呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,与交换性盐基总量呈显著负相关（P<0.05）,与阳离子交换量、有机质、全氮和交换性酸呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）;水稻土pH与有机质、全氮和交换性酸呈极显著负相关,与交换性盐基总量呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,与阳离子交换量无相关性。研究表明,酸碱缓冲曲线可以很好地反映不同母质发育的水稻土在不同土层上对加酸、加碱量的敏感程度;随着土层深度的增加,2种母质的酸碱缓冲容量呈下降趋势,其中在0~20 cm土层,红砂岩母质发育的水稻土酸碱缓冲容量和酸化速率最高,其酸碱缓冲容量主要与初始pH、有机质、全氮、阳离子交换量、交换性盐基总量和交换性酸有关,且2种母质发育水稻土均处于铝硅酸盐矿物分解和交换性盐基离子缓冲阶段。     

Effects of plant density and mepiquat chloride application on cotton boll setting in wheat–cotton double cropping system

Sowing cotton directly after harvesting wheat in the Yangtze River Valley of China requires early mature of cotton without yield reduction. Boll-setting period synchronisation and more yield bolls distributed at the upper and middle canopy layers are also required for harvesting. The objective of this study is to quantify the individual and interaction effects of plant density and plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride(MC) on temporal and spatial distributions of yield bolls, as well as yield and yield components. During the 2013–2016 cotton growing seasons, the experiments were conducted on a shortseason cotton cultivar CRRI50 at Yangzhou University, China. Various combinations of plant density(12.0, 13.5 and 15.0 plants m~(–2)) and MC dose(180, 270 and 360 g ha~(–1)) were applied on cotton plants. The combination of 13.5 plants m~(–2) and 270 g ha~(–1) MC resulted in the greatest boll number per unit area, the highest daily boll setting number and more than 90% of bolls positioned within 45–80 cm above the ground. In conclusion, appropriate MC dose in combination of high plant density could synchronize boll-setting period and retain more bolls at the upper and middle canopy layers without yield reduction in the system of direct-seeded cotton after wheat harvest, and thus overcome the labor-intensive problem in current transplanting cropping system.