Development of Critical Values for the Leaf Color Chart,SPAD and Fieldscout CM 1000 for Fixed Time Adjustable Nitrogen Management in Aromatic Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The nitrogen (N) requirement of hybrid rice is generally greater than in conventional rice varieties. Recommendations for N monitoring at regular intervals of 7–10 days through leaf greenness are available, but farmers are accustomed to apply fertilizer N at selected growth stages only. An inexpensive leaf color chart (LCC) and nondestructive chlorophyll meters were evaluated for site-specific N management strategy in world’s first aromatic rice hybrid PRH-10 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Two field experiments were conducted on PRH-10 with four levels of N (0, 70, 140, and 210 kg ha^?1) during June–October of 2010 and 2011 to determine the LCC, soil–plant analysis development (SPAD), and Fieldscout CM 1000 (CM 1000) values for achieving economic optimum grain yield at three critical growth stages (tillering, panicle initiation, and flowering). Quadratic regression between N levels and grain yield were used to determine economic optimum grain yield (6427 kg ha^?1 in 2010 and 6399 kg ha^?1 in 2011) corresponding to optimum economical dose of 151 kg N ha^?1 (2010) and 144 kg N ha^?1 (2011). Nitrogen concentration in fully expanded youngest leaf correlated significantly (P < 0.01) and positively with LCC score, SPAD value, CM 1000 value, and total chlorophyll concentration at tillering, panicle initiation, and flowering for both years. The critical LCC score, SPAD, CM 1000 values, chlorophyll concentration, and leaf N concentration obtained were at tillering 4.4, 42.3, 285, and 2.16 mg g^?1 fresh weight and 3.29%; at panicle initiation 4.4, 43.0, 276, and 2.16 mg g^?1 fresh weight and 3.02%; and at flowering 4.5, 41.7, 270, and 2.05 mg g^?1 fresh weight and 2.83%, respectively. Corrective N application should be done when observed leaf N indicator values at a particular growth stage reach or go below the critical values.     

Influence of Long‐Term Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer to Build Up Soil Fertility and Nutrient Uptake in Mint‐Mustard Cropping Sequence

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted for 7 years continuously to evaluate the influence of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on soil fertility buildup and nutrient uptake in mint (Mentha arvensis) and mustard (Brassica juncea) cropping sequence. Maximum organic carbon was observed under full supply of organic manure (T₂; FYM at 20 t ha^?1) averaged across all the Stages of cropping sequence. It was increased by 38, 50, and 51% in T₂ in Stages I (after mint harvest/presowing of dhaincha), II (after incorporation of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)/presowing of mustard), and III (after harvest of mustard/preplanting of mint), respectively, over their respective controls. In general, magnitude of organic carbon was recorded higher in Stage II after green manuring of Sesbania compared with Stages I and III. Nitrogen availability in treated plots was increased by 26.0–89.9, 15.2–64.5, and 4.9–52.0% in Stages I (after mint harvest/presowing of Sesbania), II (after incorporation of dhaincha/presowing of mustard), and III (after harvest of mustard/preplanting of mint), respectively, over their respective control. Average across all the three Stages showed a positive balance of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in soil under different treatments. Mean of the three Stages indicated that maximum available N, P, and K were increased by 36.1, 129.0, and 65.20% in T₄ (N:P:K: 133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1), T₄ (N:P:K::133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1), and T₃ (N:P:K::100:30:30 and FYM at 10 t ha^?1), respectively, over their initial status. Supply of organic and inorganic fertilizer (T₄; N:P:K::133:40:40 and FYM at 6.7 t ha^?1) was found most suitable combination with respect to N, P availability in soil, and productivity of mint and mustard crop.     

Influence of Gypsum and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity in Degraded Black Soils of Central India

ABSTRACT

Attempts were made to ameliorate sodic black calcareous soils by using different crop residues (composted cotton stalk and biomulch 5 t ha^?1, respectively) and green manures (in-situ Crotalaria juncea, Sesbania aculeata, Vigna unguiculata, Vigna radiata, and ex-situ Leucaena leucocephala loppings 5 t ha^?1) and gypsum 2.5 t ha^?1. The organic amendments were outperformed with respect to improvement in soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity, not gypsum. The application of dhaincha significantly improved the mean weight diameter by 14% over control. The application of gypsum and dhaincha recorded a significant drop in pHs (0.1 and 0.07 units) and exchangeable sodium percentage (26.7% and 20.6%) over control. After 2 years of experiments, dhaincha (14.8%) and sunhemp (15.5%) also showed the commensurable potential of improving yields of chickpea as compared to gypsum (14.8%) over control. Hence, dhaincha and sunhemp can be a better alternative choice to gypsum in sodic soils.     

Nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen cycling in managed grassland in Southern Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were measured and nitrogen (N) budgets were estimated for 2?years in the fertilizer, manure, control and bare plots established in a reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grassland in Southern Hokkaido, Japan. In the manure plot, beef cattle manure with bark was applied at a rate of 43–44?Mg fresh matter (236–310?kg?N)?ha^?1?year^?1, and a supplement of chemical fertilizer was also added to equalize the application rate of mineral N to that in the fertilizer plots (164–184?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1). Grass was harvested twice per year. The total mineral N supply was estimated as the sum of the N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and gross mineralization of manure (GMm), soil (GMs), and root-litter (GMl). GMm, GMs and GMl were estimated by dividing the carbon dioxide production derived from the decomposition of soil organic matter, root-litter and manure by each C?:?N ratio (11.1 for soil, 15.5 for root-litter and 23.5 for manure). The N uptake in aboveground biomass for each growing season was equivalent to or greater than the external mineral N supply, which is composed of N deposition, chemical fertilizer application and GMm. However, there was a positive correlation between the N uptake in aboveground biomass and the total mineral N supply. It was assumed that 58% of the total mineral N supply was taken up by the grass. The N supply rates from soil and root-litter were estimated to be 331–384?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1 and 94–165?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. These results indicated that the GMs and GMl also were significant inputs in the grassland N budget. The cumulative N₂O flux for each season showed a significant positive correlation with mineral N surplus, which was calculated as the difference between the total mineral N supply and N uptake in aboveground biomass. The emission factor of N₂O to mineral N surplus was estimated to be 1.2%. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis suggested that the N₂O emission factor increased with an increase in precipitation. Consequently, soil and root-litter as well as chemical fertilizer and manure were found to be major sources of mineral N supply in the grassland, and an optimum balance between mineral N supply and N uptake is required for reducing N₂O emission.     

Relationships between microbial biomass nitrogen,nitrate leaching and nitrogen uptake by corn in a compost and chemical fertilizer-amended regosol

Abstract

To determine the relationships between microbial biomass nitrogen (N), nitrate–nitrogen leaching (NO₃-N leaching) and N uptake by plants, a field experiment and a soil column experiment were conducted. In the field experiment, microbial biomass N, 0.5 mol L^?1 K₂SO₄ extractable N (extractable N), NO₃-N leaching and N uptake by corn were monitored in sawdust compost (SDC: 20 Mg ha^?1 containing 158 kg N ha^?1 of total N [approximately 50% is easily decomposable organic N]), chemical fertilizer (CF) and no fertilizer (NF) treatments from May 2000 to September 2002. In the soil column experiment, microbial biomass N, extractable N and NO₃-N leaching were monitored in soil treated with SDC (20 Mg ha^?1) + rice straw (RS) at five different application rates (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 Mg ha^?1 containing 0, 15, 29, 44 and 59 kg N ha^?1) and in soil treated with CF in 2001. Nitrogen was applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ at rates of 220 kg N ha^?1 for SDC and SDC + RS treatments and at a rate of 300 kg N ha^?1 for the CF treatment in both experiments. In the field experiment, microbial biomass N in the SDC treatment increased to 147 kg N ha^?1 at 7 days after treatment (DAT) and was maintained at 60–70 kg N ha^?1 after 30 days. Conversely, microbial biomass N in the CF treatment did not increase significantly. Extractable N in the surface soil increased immediately after treatment, but was found at lower levels in the SDC treatment compared to the CF treatment until 7 DAT. A small amount of NO₃-N leaching was observed until 21 DAT and increased markedly from 27 to 42 DAT in the SDC and CF treatments. Cumulative NO₃-N leaching in the CF treatment was 146 kg N ha^?1, which was equal to half of the applied N, but only 53 kg N ha^?1 in the SDC treatment. In contrast, there was no significant difference between N uptake by corn in the SDC and CF treatments. In the soil column experiment, microbial biomass N in the SDC + RS treatment at 7 DAT increased with increased RS application. Conversely, extractable N at 7 DAT and cumulative NO₃-N leaching until 42 DAT decreased with increased RS application. In both experiments, microbial biomass N was negatively correlated with extractable N at 7 DAT and cumulative NO₃-N leaching until 42 DAT, and extractable N was positively correlated with cumulative NO₃-N leaching. We concluded that microbial biomass N formation in the surface soil decreased extractable N and, consequently, contributed to decreasing NO₃-N leaching without impacting negatively on N uptake by plants.     

Zinc nutrition of rice as influenced by crop establishment methods,rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization and inoculation with microbial consortia

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) fertilization in rice is important to enhance productivity and increase Zn concentration in rice grain to improve its nutritional status. A field experiment was conducted in wet seasons of 2013 and 2014 to study Zn nutrition of rice in three different crop establishment methods (CEMs) viz. puddled transplanted rice (PTR), system of rice intensification (SRI) and aerobic rice system (ARS), under three different rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) viz. 0, 75 and 100% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (120?kg N ha^?1 and 25.8?kg P ha^?1) and two different sources of N and P viz. chemical fertilizer and microbial inoculation (MI). Concentration and uptake of Zn at different growth stages and in straw and milled rice was significantly higher in PTR and SRI than ARS. Soil DTPA–extractable Zn content of soil was increased by 1142.4, 1140.3 and 755.8?g ha^?1 in PTR, SRI and ARS after two year of Zn fertilization (soil application of 5?kg Zn ha^?1). Zinc nutrition increase its Zn concentration in straw and milled rice and improvement in total uptake was 38.1, 40.3 and 40.8?g ha^?1 when Zn was applied with RDF, 75% RDF + Anabaena sp. (CR1) + Providencia sp (PR3) consortia (MI1) and 75% RDF + Anabaena-Pseudomonas biofilmed bio-fertilizer (MI2), respectively. Positive correlation between milled rice yield and Zn concentration (R²= 0.95 and 0.97) showed the importance of Zn nutrition in improving rice yield. Zinc concentration at 70?days after sowing (DAS) and 100 DAS was also found positively correlated with dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass carbon in soil.     

Long‐Term Integrated Nutrient Management for Rice‐Based Cropping Pattern: Effect on Growth,Yield, Nutrient Uptake,Nutrient Balance Sheet,and Soil Fertility

Abstract

A 7‐year‐long field trial was conducted on integrated nutrient management for a dry season rice (Boro)–green manure (GM)–wet season rice (T. Aman) cropping system at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Farm, Gazipur during 1993–1999. Five packages of inorganic fertilizers, cow dung (CD), and GM dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) were evaluated for immediate and residual effect on crop productivity, nutrient uptake, soil‐nutrient balance sheet, and soil‐fertility status. Plant height, active tiller production, and grain and straw yields were significantly increased as a result of the application of inorganic fertilizer and organic manure. Usually, the soil‐test‐based (STB) fertilizer doses for a high‐yield goal produced the highest grain yield of 6.39 t ha^?1 (average of 7 years) in Boro rice. Application of CD at the rate of 5 t ha^?1 (oven‐dry basis) once a year at the time of Boro transplanting supplemented 50% of the fertilizer nutrients other than nitrogen (N) in the subsequent crop of the cropping pattern. A positive effect of GM on the yield of T. Aman rice was observed. Following GM, the application of reduced doses of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) to the second crop (T. Aman) did not reduce yield, indicating the beneficial residual effect of fertilizer applied to the first crop (Boro rice) of the cropping pattern. The comparable yield of T. Aman was also observed with reduced fertilizer dose in CD‐treated plots. The total P, K, and S uptake (kg/ha/yr) in the unfertilized plot under an irrigated rice system gradually decreased over the years. The partial nutrient balance in the unfertilized plot (T₁) was negative for all the nutrients. In the fertilized plots, there was an apparent positive balance of P, S, and Zn but a negative balance of N and K. This study showed that the addition of organic manure (CD, dhaincha) gave more positive balances. In the T_4c treatment at 0–15 cm, the application of chemical fertilizers along with the organic manures increased soil organic carbon by (C) 0.71%. The highest concentration of total N was observed with T_4c followed by T_4d and T_4b, where CD was applied in Boro season and dhaincha GM was incorporated in T. Aman season. The sixfold increase in soil‐available P in T_4b‐, T_4c‐, T_4a‐treated plots was due to the addition of CD. Dhaincha GM with the combination of chemical fertilizer helps to mobilize soil‐available P by 3 to 6 ppm. The highest amount of soil‐available S was found in T_4c‐ and T_4a‐treated plots. It was 2.5 times higher than that of the initial soil. The application of CD and dhaincha GM along with chemical fertilizers not only increased organic C, total N, available P, and available S but also increased exchangeable K, available Zn, available iron (Fe), and available manganese (Mn) in soil.     

Real-time nitrogen management in aerobic rice by adopting leaf color chart (LCC) as influenced by silicon

Leaf color chart (LCC) guides fertilizer nitrogen (N) application to rice as per requirement of the crop on the basis of a critical leaf color. Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of silicon (Si) and LCC based N management in aerobic rice. Following LCC-based N management, from 60 to 90 kg N ha^?1 and 75 to 100 kg N ha^?1 with 10–40% and 25–30% less fertilizer N was used without any reduction in yield as compared to the package of practices of 100 (50 kg N ha^?1 as basal + two split of 25 kg N ha^?1) kg N ha^?1 respectively, during both the seasons. The highest grain yield was noticed with 90 kg N ha^?1 (30 kg N ha^?1 as basal + LCC-3) and 100 kg N ha^?1 (50 kg N ha^?1 as basal + two split of 25 kg N ha^?1) along with the application of calcium silicate (CaSiO₃) at 2 t ha^?1 as sources of Si and on par with 60 kg N ha^?1 (no basal + LCC-3) and 75 kg N ha^?1 (30 kg N ha^?1 as basal + LCC-3), respectively, during the season in 2008 and 2009. Higher fertilizer N use efficiency was recorded with Si and need-based N management using LCC-3 rather than recommended dose of fertilizer N.     

Productivity,nutrient uptake and post-harvest soil fertility as influenced by cotton-based cropping system with integrated nutrient management practices in semi-arid tropics

Field experiments were conducted on cotton to evaluate the different cotton-based intercropping system along with balanced nutrient management practices on enhancing cotton productivity. Cropping systems have been considered as main plots and nutrient management practices have been considered as subplots. The results showed that cotton + onion system recorded the highest cotton equivalent yield (CEY) of 2052 and 1895 kg ha^?1 which was on par with cotton intercropped with dhaincha, which recorded 2010 and 1894 kg of CEY ha^?1 in both the seasons. Combined application of 100% recommended NPK with bioinoculants (S₅) registered highest CEY in both the seasons. Cotton intercropped with dhaincha (M₂) recorded highest uptake of N, P, and K. Among the nutrient management practices, application of 100% recommended NPK with bioinoculants (S₅) showed highest uptake of N, P, and K. A similar trend was noticed in the post-harvest soil fertility too and it is significantly higher under cotton + dhaincha and application of 100% recommended NPK with bioinoculants treatment compared to 100% recommend NPK alone. It could be concluded from these results that crop productivity can be improved and soil fertility status can be sustained with integrated plant nutrient management practices.     

NITROGEN UPTAKE AND RECOVERY FROM N FERTILIZER AND LEGUME CROPS IN WETLAND RICE MEASURED BY 15N AND NON-ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES

Intensive rice-based cropping systems rely on nitrogenous fertilizer for optimum grain production and legume crops could be used as an alternative nitrogen (N) source for rice. We investigated the fate of N applied to dual cropping wetland rice in the form of legume residue and ¹⁵N labeled fertilizer. In 2001–2002, hairy vetch and broad bean accumulated 131 and 352 kg N ha^?1 of which 41 and 78% was derived from N₂ fixation. In 2002–2003, hairy vetch accumulated 64 kg N ha^?1 and broad bean accumulated 320 kg N ha^?1 of which 21 to 24% was derived from hairy vetch and 31 to 82% N was derived from broad bean by N difference and ¹⁵N-natural abundance method. Our results reveal that hairy vetch and broad bean can supply 50–100% of N required for intensive wetland rice and can be a viable alternative N source to enhance soil fertility.     

Nitrogen budget and relationships with riverine nitrogen exports of a dairy cattle farming catchment in eastern Hokkaido,Japan

Abstract

Dairy farming regions are important contributors of nitrogen (N) to surface waters. We evaluated the N budget and relationships to riverine N exports within the Shibetsu River catchment (SRC) of a dairy farming area in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Five drainage basins with variable land-cover proportions within the SRC were also evaluated individually. We quantified the net N input (NNI) to the catchment from the difference between the input (atmospheric deposition, chemical fertilizers, N fixation by crops and imported food and feed) and the output (exported food and feed, ΔS _liv and ΔS _hu, which are the differences between input and output in livestock and human biomass, respectively) using statistical and measured data. Volatilized ammonia (NH₃) was assumed to be recycled within the catchment. The riverine export of N was quantified. Agricultural N was a dominant source of N to the SRC. Imported feed was the largest input (38.1?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1), accounting for 44% of the total inputs, followed by chemical fertilizers (32.4?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1) and N fixation by crops (13.4?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1). The exported food and feed was 24.7?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1 and the ΔS _liv and ΔS _hu values were 7.6 and 0.0?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1, respectively. As a result, the NNI amounted to 54.6?kg?N?ha^?1?year^?1. The riverine export of total N from the five drainage basins correlated well with the NNI, accounting for 27% of the NNI. The fate of the missing NNI that was not measured as riverine export could possibly have been denitrified and/or retained within the SRC. A change in the estimate of the deposition rate of volatilized NH₃ from 100 to 0% redeposited would have decreased the NNI by 37%, although we believe that most NH₃ was likely to have been redeposited. The present study demonstrated that our focus should be on controlling agricultural N to reduce the impact of environmental pollution as well as on evaluating denitrification, N stocks in soil and the fate of NH₃ volatilization in the SRC.     

NUTRIENT BUDGETING UNDER COCONUT-BASED PATCHOULI FARMING SYSTEM ON HAPLUDALF

Coconut-based farming systems are the tradition of tropical and subtropical regions. But, using patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco)] as an intercrop under coconut is of comparatively recent adoption and no information is absolutely available on the possibility of improving the quality of patchouli through better nutrient supply. A field experiment was, therefore, carried out using different sources of organic manures (M₀–control, M₁–FYM farmyard manure 20 tonnes ha^?1, M₂–pig manure 10 tonnes ha^?1 and M₃–vermicompost 5 tonnes ha^?1) versus inorganic fertilizers (N_o–control, N₁ - 60 kg ha^?1, N₂–80 kg ha^?1, and N₃–100 kg ha^?1) within the interspaces of the coconut plantation on soil taxonomically classified as Orchic Hapludalf under humid tropics of northeast India. Application of treatment M₃ alone produced maximum biomass of leaves (11.24 tonnes ha^?1) followed by M₂ (10.82 tonnes ha^?1), and M₁ (9.54 tonnes ha^?1), all of which were significantly (P < 0.05) superior over M₀ (7.54 tonnes ha^?1). Among the various levels of nitrogen (N), maximum biomass yield of leaves was observed with N₃ (11.63 tonnes ha^?1) ≥ N₂ (11.64 tonnes ha^?1), followed by N₁(8.96 tonnes ha^?1) with the highest yield (19.97 tonnes ha^?1) registered through the combination of M₃N₃. Treatment combination M₃N₃ in turn maintained higher fungal (118 × 10² vs. 31 × 10² with M₀N₀ c.f.u.g^?1 soil) and bacterial populations (48 × 10⁵ vs. 31 × 10³ with M₀N₀ c.f.u.g^?1 soil) for better nutrient acquisition through improvements in the concentration of soil available nutrients. These responses consequently improved the oil concentration in leaves (3.65% with M₃N₃ vs. 2.40% with M₀N₀) and alcohol (49.90% with M₃N₃ vs. 44.52% in M₀N₀) as quality indices. This research verified that the quality of patchouli leaves as an intercrop was raised, besides improving coconut yield (40–55 nuts palm^?1) as main crop, when utilizing combined treatments of vermicompost enriched with inorganic N under coconut-patchouli farming systems.     

Deep Tillage,Soil Moisture Regime,and Optimizing N Nutrition for Sustaining Soil Health and Sugarcane Yield in Subtropical India

A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, with three tillage practices (T₁: Control- two times ploughing with harrow and cultivator, each followed by planking before sugarcane planting; T₂: Deep tillage with disc plough (depth 25–30 cm) before planting followed by harrowing, cultivator, and planking; and T₃: Subsoiling at 45–50 cm and deep tillage with disc plough/moldboard plough (depth 25–30 cm) followed by harrowing, cultivator, and planking before planting, two soil moisture regimes (M₁: 0.5 irrigation water (IW)/cumulative pan evaporation (?CPE) ratio and M₂: 0.75 IW/CPE ratio) at 7.5 cm depth of IW, and four N levels (N₁- 0, N₂- 75, N₃- 150, and N₄-225 kg N ha^?1) in sugarcane plant crop. Deep tillage and subsoiling increased porosity and reduced bulk density in surface/subsurface soil. Further, these physical changes also improved soil biological and chemical properties responsible for higher crop growth and yield. Deep tillage and subsoiling reduced the compaction by 6.12% in 0–15 cm depth in sugarcane plant crop at maximum tillering stage. The highest N uptake (158.5 kg ha^?1) was analyzed with deep tillage and subsoiling compared to all other tillage practices. Maintaining suboptimal moisture regime with deep tillage and subsoiling showed the highest IW use efficiency (157.16 kg cane kg^?1 N applied). Mean soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) in ratoon crop was higher compared to plant crop. During initial tillering stage, ratoon crop showed higher SMBC with application of deep tillage and subsoiling (1209 mg CO₂-C g^?1 soil day^?1) at 0–15 cm depth and 1082.9 mg CO₂-C g^?1 soil day^?1 at 15–30 cm depth. Thus, it could be concluded that besides improving sugarcane yield, soil health could be sustained by adopting subsoiling (45–50 cm depth) and deep tillage (20–25 cm depth), with soil moisture regime of 0.75 IW/CPE and application of 150 kg N ha^?1 in sugarcane (plant crop).     

Nitrogen‐Supplying Capacity of Soils for Rice and Wheat and Nitrogen Availability Indices in Soils of Northwest India

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of soil nitrogen (N) that will become available is important for determining fertilizer needs of crops. Nitrogen‐supplying capacity of soil to rice and wheat was quantified by establishing zero‐N plots at on‐farm locations to which all nutrients except N were adequately supplied. Nitrogen uptake in zero‐N plots ranged from 41.4 to 110.3 kg N ha^?1 for rice and 33.7 to 123.4 kg N ha^?1 for wheat. Availability of soil N was also studied using oxidative, hydrolytic, and autoclaving indices, salt‐extraction indices, light‐absorption indices, and aerobic and anaerobic incubation indices. These were correlated with yield and N uptake by rice and wheat in zero‐N plots. Nitrogen extracted by alkaline KMnO₄ and phosphate borate buffer and nitrogen mineralized under aerobic incubation were satisfactory indices of soil N supply. For rice, 2 M KCl and alkaline KMnO₄ were the best N‐availability indices. Thus, alkaline KMnO₄ should prove a quick and reliable indicator of indigenous soil N supply in soils under a rice–wheat cropping system.     

Effect of phosphorus management in rice–mungbean rotations on sandy soils of Cambodia

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies are key constraints in rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) production systems of Cambodia. Only small amounts of mineral N and P or of organic amendment are annually applied to a single crop of rainfed lowland rice by smallholder farmers. The integration of leguminous crops in the pre‐rice cropping niche can contribute to diversify the production, supply of C and N, and contribute to soil fertility improvement for the subsequent crop of rice. However, the performance of leguminous crops is restricted even more than that of rice by low available soil P. An alternative strategy involves the application of mineral P that is destined to the rice crop already to the legume. This P supply is likely to stimulate legume growth and biological N₂ fixation, thus enhancing C and N inputs and recycling N and P upon legume residue incorporation. Rotation experiments were conducted in farmers' fields in 2013–2014 to assess the effects of P management on biomass accumulation and N₂ fixation (δ¹⁵N) by mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and possible carry‐over effects on rice in two contrasting representative soils (highly infertile and moderately fertile sandy Fluvisol). In the traditional system (no legume), unamended lowland rice (no N, + 10 kg P ha^?1) yielded 2.8 and 4.0 t ha^?1, which increased to 3.5 and 4.7 t ha^?1 with the application of 25 kg ha^?1 of urea‐N in the infertile and the moderately fertile soil, respectively. The integration of mungbean as a green manure contributed up to 9 kg of biologically fixed N (17% Nfda), increasing rice yields only moderately to 3.5–4.6 t ha^?1. However, applying P to mungbean stimulated legume growth and enhanced the BNF contribution up to 21 kg N ha^?1 (36% Nfda). Rice yields resulting from legume residue incorporation (“green manure use”–all residues returned and “grain legume use”–only stover returned) increased to 4.2 and 4.9 t ha^?1 in the infertile and moderately fertile soil, respectively. The “forage legume use” (all above‐ground residues removed) provided no yield effect. In general, legume residue incorporation was more beneficial in the infertile than in the moderately fertile soil. We conclude that the inclusion of mungbean into the prevailing low‐input rainfed production systems of Cambodia can increase rice yield, provided that small amounts of P are applied to the legume. Differences in the attributes of the two major soil types in the region require a site‐specific targeting of the suggested legume and P management strategies, with largest benefits likely to accrue on infertile soils.     

Effects of Nitrogen Management on Soil Nitrogen Content and Rice Grain Yield in Double Cropping Rice Production Area with Continuous Full Amount of Straw Returning

ABSTRACT

In order to formulate a nitrogen (N) management strategy under continuous full amount of straw returning (CFSR) for double cropping rice production, long-term (2013–2016) paddy field experiments were conducted in double cropping rice production area in the Jiangxi province, China. Five N fertilizer treatments under CFSR were tested, that is, (i) no N fertilizer application (CK); (ii) conventional N fertilizer application (165kg N ha^?1 and 195 kg N ha^?1 in early and late rice variety with the ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 6:4, respectively) (CNF_6:4); (iii) recommended N fertilizer application (135 kg ha^?1 N and 165 kg ha^?1 N in early and late rice variety with the ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 4:6, 6:4, and 8:2, respectively) (RNF_4:6, RNF_6:4, and RNF_8:2). Nitrogen fertilizer treatments under CFSR had 5.70% and 8.93% higher soil total nitrogen (TN), 1.32% and 0.80% higher available nitrogen (AN), 16.55% and 22.94% higher NH₄⁺-N, and 13.10% and 7.93% higher NO₃^--N than CK treatments in early and late rice variety, respectively. There were no differences in soil TN, AN, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^--N contents between CNF6:4 and RNF6:4 treatments, while CNF6:4 treatment showed higher or significantly higher soil N contents than RNF4:6 and RNF8:2 treatments. N fertilizer treatment under CFSR showed 88.9% and 43.20% higher grain yield and 62.15% and 42.52% higher panicle numbers than CK treatments in early and late rice variety, respectively. Compared with CNF6:4, RNF treatments did not significantly reduce grain yield and yield components in early and late rice variety, respectively, except for RNF8:2. Compared with RNF6:4 and 8:2, RNF4:6 showed higher rice grain yield, while no obvious differences in yield components were obtained among all RNF treatments. We concluded that N fertilizer under CFSR was helpful to improve soil N contents and double rice grain yield and panicle numbers. Appropriate reduction of N application (18% and 15% reduction in early and late rice variety, respectively) on the basis of adjusting ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 4:6 and 6:4 did not significantly reduce soil TN and double rice grain yield and yield components, especially, the 40% basal N dressing and 60% N topdressing was beneficial to increase double rice grain yield under CFSR.     

Changes in the soil C and N contents,C decomposition and N mineralization potentials in a rice paddy after long-term application of inorganic fertilizers and organic matter

A long-term experiment on combined inorganic fertilizers and organic matter in paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation began in May 1982 in Yamagata, northeastern Japan. In 2012, after the 31^st harvest, soil samples were collected from five fertilizer treatments [(1) PK, (2) NPK, (3) NPK + 6 Mg ha^?1 rice straw (RS), (4) NPK + 10 Mg ha^?1 rice straw compost (CM1), and (5) NPK + 30 Mg ha^?1 rice straw compost (CM3)], at five soil depths (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20 and 20–25 cm), to assess the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content and carbon (C) decomposition potential, total nitrogen (TN) content and nitrogen (N) mineralization potential resulting from long-term organic matter addition. The C decomposition potential was assessed based on the methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced, while the N mineralization potential was determined from the potassium chloride (KCl)-extractable ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of anaerobic incubation at 30°C in the laboratory. Compared to NPK treatment, SOC in the total 0–25 cm layer increased by 67.3, 21.0 and10.8%, and TN increased by 64.2, 19.7 and 10.6%, in CM3, RS and CM1, respectively, and SOC and TN showed a slight reduction in the PK treatment by 5.2 and 5.7%, respectively. Applying rice straw compost (10 Mg ha^?1) instead of rice straw (6 Mg ha^?1) to rice paddies reduced methane production by about 19% after the soils were measured under 8 weeks of anaerobic incubation at 30°C. Soil carbon decomposition potential (Co) and nitrogen mineralization potential (No) were highly correlated with the SOC and TN contents. The mean ratio of Co/No was 4.49, lower than the mean ratio of SOC/TN (13.49) for all treatments, which indicated that the easily decomposed organic matter was from soil microbial biomass and soil proteins.     

Impact of grazed grassland management on total N accumulation in soil receiving different levels of N inputs

Nitrogen balances and total N and C accumulation in soil were studied in reseeded grazed grassland swards receiving different fertilizer N inputs (100–500 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) from March 1989 to February 1999, at an experimental site in Northern Ireland. Soil N and C accumulated linearly at rates of 102–152 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 and 1125–1454 kg C ha^?1 year^?1, respectively, in the top 15 cm soil during the 10 year period. Fertilizer N had a highly significant effect on the rate of N and C accumulation. In the sward receiving 500 kg fertilizer N ha^?1 year^?1 the input (wet deposition + fertilizer N applied) minus output (drainflow + animal product) averaged 417 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. Total N accumulation in the top 15 cm of soil was 152 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. The predicted range in NH₃ emission from this sward was 36–95 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. Evidence suggested that the remaining large imbalance was either caused by denitrification and/or other unknown loss processes. In the sward receiving 100 kg fertilizer N ha^?1 year^?1, it was apparent that N accumulation in the top 15 cm soil was greater than the input minus output balance, even before allowing for gaseous emissions. This suggested that there was an additional input source, possibly resulting from a redistribution of N from lower down the soil profile. This is an important factor to take into account in constructing N balances, as not all the N accumulating in the top 15 cm soil may be directly caused by N input. N redistribution within the soil profile would exacerbate the N deficit in budget studies.     

Influence of Zeolite Application on Nitrogen Efficiency and Loss in Canola Production under Sandy Soils Conditions

A field experiment was carried out in a semi-arid region of Iran during the 2006–2007 growing season to investigate canola seed yield as affected by nitrogen (N) and natural zeolite (Z) rates. This experiment studied N efficiency and N leaching loss in a sandy soil. Experimental treatments consisted of a factorial combination of three N levels (90, 180, and 270 kg N ha^?1) and four zeolite rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 t zeolite ha^?1). The result showed that the greatest seed yield (2452.3 kg ha^?1) was obtained from the N₂₇₀Z₉ treatment whereas the control treatment (N₀Z₀) produced the lowest seed yield (1038.3 kg ha^?1). Moreover, use of 270 kg N ha^?1 without zeolite (N₂₇₀Z₀) led to the greatest amount of N leaching loss (144.23 kg ha^?1). Zeolite application clearly reduced N leaching loss in all N rates. This justified low N-use efficiency in high N applications. More N uptake and more canola seed yield is attributed to zeolite application.     

Leaching of mineral nitrogen in the soil influenced by addition of compost and N-mineral fertilizer

This paper deals with the problem of mineral N leaching from arable lands due to the fertilization method. The influence of different doses of compost (50 and 100?Mg ha^?1) and N-mineral fertilizer (35-70-140 kg N ha^?1) on leaching of N_min in a lysimetric experiment with winter wheat. The area of our interest represents the main source of drinking water for the city of Brno and its neighborhoods. To demonstrate the effect of compost and mineral nitrogen addition, the lysimetric experiment was established there. Seven variants of the experiment with different fertilization schemes were studied during two vegetation seasons (2013 and 2014), each with three repetitions. The experiment was carried out in plastic experimental containers of 0.3 m diameter and 0.5 m height. Therefore, each lysimeter was the same size and was filled with 25 kg of subsoil and 25 kg of topsoil. The highest leaching of N_min was detected in the variant C2 where 140 kg N ha^?1 was applied, in both vegetation periods (5.97 kg N_min ha^?1 after the first vegetation period and 17.02 kg N_min ha^?1 after the second vegetation period). The positive effect of compost application (individually or in combination with the mineral N) on decrease in mineral N leaching was found during both vegetation period in comparison with variant C2. The highest doses of compost (100?Mg per ha) significantly decreased the concentration of mineral nitrogen in the soil eluate in both periods (3.03 kg N_min ha^?1 and 5.79 kg N_min ha^?1, respectively), by 197% and 293% in comparison with variant C2. There is evidence that the application of compost has a positive effect on the reduction of N_min leaching.