Significant reduction of ammonia emissions while increasing crop yields using the 4R nutrient stewardship in an intensive cropping system

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions should be mitigated to improve environmental quality.Croplands are one of the largest NH₃sources,they must be managed properly to reduce their emissions while achieving the target yields.Herein,we report the NH₃ emissions,crop yield and changes in soil fertility in a long-term trial with various fertilization regimes,to explore whether NH₃ emissions can be significantly reduced using the 4R nutrient stewardship (4Rs),and its int...     

Yield gap and production constraints of mango (Mangifera indica) cropping systems in Tianyang County,China

Mango is an important cash crop in the tropics and subtropics. Determining the yield gap of mango and production constraints can potentially promote the sustainable development of the mango industry. In this study, boundary line analysis based on survey data from 103 smallholder farmers and a yield gap model were used to determine the yield gap and production constraints in mango plantations in the northern mountain, central valley and southern mountains regions of Tianyang County, Guangxi, China. The results indicated that the yield of mango in three representing regions of Tianyang County,Northern Mountains, Central Valley and Southern Mountains, was 18.3, 17.0 and 15.4 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1), with an explainable yield gap of 10.9, 6.1 and 14.8 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1), respectively. Fertilization management, including fertilizer N, P_2O_5 and K_2O application rates, and planting density were the main limiting factors of mango yield in all three regions. In addition, tree age influenced mango yield in the Northern Mountains(11.1%) and Central Valley(11.7%) regions. Irrigation time influenced mango yield in the Northern Mountains(9.9%) and Southern Mountains(12.2%). Based on a scenario analysis, the predicted yield would increase by up to 50%, and fertilizer N use would be reduced by as much as approximately 20%. An improved understanding of production constraints will aid in the development of management strategy measures to increase mango yield.     

Response of soil Olsen-P to P budget under different long-term fertilization treatments in a fluvo-aquic soil

The concentration of soil Olsen-P is rapidly increasing in many parts of China, where P budget(P input minus P output) is the main factor influencing soil Olsen-P. Understanding the relationship between soil Olsen-P and P budget is useful in estimating soil Olsen-P content and conducting P management strategies. To address this, a long-term experiment(1991–2011) was performed on a fluvo-aquic soil in Beijing, China, where seven fertilization treatments were used to study the response of soil Olsen-P to P budget. The results showed that the relationship between the decrease in soil Olsen-P and P deficit could be simulated by a simple linear model. In treatments without P fertilization(CK, N, and NK), soil Olsen-P decreased by 2.4, 1.9, and 1.4 mg kg~(–1) for every 100 kg ha~(–1) of P deficit, respectively. Under conditions of P addition, the relationship between the increase in soil Olsen-P and P surplus could be divided into two stages. When P surplus was lower than the range of 729–884 kg ha~(–1), soil Olsen-P fluctuated over the course of the experimental period with chemical fertilizers(NP and NPK), and increased by 5.0 and 2.0 mg kg~(–1), respectively, when treated with chemical fertilizers combined with manure(NPKM and 1.5 NPKM) for every 100 kg ha~(–1) of P surplus. When P surplus was higher than the range of 729–884 kg ha~(–1), soil Olsen-P increased by 49.0 and 37.0 mg kg~(–1) in NPKM and 1.5 NPKM treatments, respectively, for every 100 kg ha~(–1) P surplus. The relationship between the increase in soil Olsen-P and P surplus could be simulated by two-segment linear models. The cumulative P budget at the turning point was defined as the "storage threshold" of a fluvo-aquic soil in Beijing, and the storage thresholds under NPKM and 1.5 NPKM were 729 and 884 kg ha~(–1)P for more adsorption sites. According to the critical soil P values(CPVs) and the relationship between soil Olsen-P and P budget, the quantity of P fertilizers for winter wheat could be increased and that of summer maize could be decreased based on the results of treatments in chemical fertilization. Additionally, when chemical fertilizers are combined with manures(NPKM and 1.5 NPKM), it could take approximately 9–11 years for soil Olsen-P to decrease to the critical soil P values of crops grown in the absence of P fertilizer.     

Yield performance and optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates in wheat and faba bean intercropping

Yield performance in cereal and legume intercropping is related to nutrient management, however, the yield response of companion crops to nitrogen (N) input is inconclusive and only limited efforts have focused on rationed phosphorous (P) fertilization. In this study, two multi-year field experiments were implemented from 2014–2019 under identical conditions. Two factors in a randomized complete block design were adopted in both experiments. In field experiment 1, the two factors included three planting patterns (mono-cropped wheat (MW), mono-cropped faba bean (MF), and wheat and faba bean intercropping (W//F)) and four N application rates (N0, 0 kg N ha^–1; N1, 90 and 45 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively; N2, 180 and 90 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively; and N3, 270 and 135 kg N ha^–1 for wheat and faba beans, respectively). In field experiment 2, the two factors included three P application rates (P0, 0 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1; P1, 45 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1; and P2, 90 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1) and the same three planting patterns (MW, MF, and W//F). The yield performances of inter- and mono-cropped wheat and faba beans under different N and P application rates were analyzed and the optimal N and P rates for intercropped wheat (IW) and MW were estimated. The results revealed that intercropping favored wheat yield and was adverse to faba bean yield. Wheat yield increased by 18–26%, but faba bean yield decreased by 5–21% in W//F compared to MW and MF, respectively. The stimulated IW yield drove the yield advantage in W//F with an average land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.12. N and P fertilization benefited IW yield, but reduced intercropped faba bean (IF) yield. Nevertheless, the partial LER of wheat (pLER_wheat) decreased with increasing N application rates, and the partial LER of faba bean (pLER_{faba bean}) decreased with increasing P application rates. Thus, LER decreased as N input increased and tended to decline as P rates increased. IW maintained a similar yield as MW, even under reduced 40–50% N fertilizer and 30–40% P fertilizer conditions. The estimated optimum N application rates for IW and MW were 150 and 168 kg ha^–1, respectively, and 63 and 62 kg ha^–1 for P₂O₅, respectively. In conclusion, W//F exhibited yield advantages due to stimulated IW yield, but the intercropping yield benefit decreased as N and P inputs increased. Thus, it was concluded that modulated N and P rates could maximize the economic and ecological functions of intercropping. Based on the results, rates of 150 kg Nha^–1 and 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1 are recommended for IW production in southwestern China and places with similar conditions.     

The potential of green manure to increase soil carbon sequestration and reduce the yield-scaled carbon footprint of rice production in southern China

Green manure (GM) has been used to support rice production in southern China for thousands of years. However, the effects of GM on soil carbon sequestration (CS) and the carbon footprint (CF) at a regional scale remain unclear. Therefore, we combined the datasets from long-term multisite experiments with a meta-analysis approach to quantify the potential of GM to increase the CS and reduce the CF of paddy soils in southern China. Compared with the fallow–rice practice, the GM–rice practice increased the soil C stock at a rate of 1.62 Mg CO₂-eq ha^–1 yr^–1 and reduced chemical N application by 40% with no loss in the rice yield. The total CF varied from 7.51 to 13.66 Mg CO₂-eq ha^–1 yr^–1 and was dominated by CH₄ emissions (60.7–81.3%). GM decreased the indirect CF by 31.4% but increased the direct CH₄ emissions by 19.6%. In the low and high CH₄ emission scenarios, the CH₄ emission factors of GM (EF_gc) were 5.58 and 21.31%, respectively. The greater soil CS offset the increase in GM-derived CF in the low CH₄ scenario, but it could not offset the CF increase in the high CH₄ scenario. A trade-off analysis also showed that GM can simultaneously increase the CS and reduce the total CF of the rice production system when the EF_gc was less than 9.20%. The variation in EF_gc was mainly regulated by the GM application rates and water management patterns. Determining the appropriate GM application rate and drainage pattern warrant further investigation to optimize the potential of the GM–rice system to increase the CS and reduce the total CF in China.     

Soil Organic Carbon,Black Carbon,and Enzyme Activity Under Long-Term Fertilization

The present study aims to understand the effects of long-term fertilization on soil organic carbon (SOC), black carbon (BC), enzyme activity, and the relationships among these parameters. Paddy field was continuously fertilized over 30 yr with nine different fertilizer treatments including N, P, K, NP, NK, NPK, 2NPK (two-fold NPK), NPK+manure (NPKM), and CK (no fertilization), N, 90 kg urea-N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; P, 45 kg triple superphosphate-P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; K, 75 kg potassium chloride-K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹; and pig manure, 22 500 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Soil samples were collected and determined for SOC, BC content, and enzyme activity. The results showed that the SOC in the NPKM treatment was significantly higher than those in the K, P, and CK treatments. The lowest SOC content was found in the CK treatment. SOC content was similar in the N, NP, NK, NPK, 2NPK, and NPKM treatments. There was no significant difference in BC content among different treatments. The BC-to-SOC ratios (BC/SOC) ranged from 0.50 to 0.63, suggesting that BC might originate from the same source. Regarding enzyme activity, NPK treatment had higher urease activity than NPKM treatment. The urease activity of NPKM treatment was significantly higher than that of 2NPK, NP, N, P, K, CK, and NPKM treatment which produced higher activities of acid phosphatase, catalase, and invertase than all other treatments. Our results indicated that long-term fertilization did not significantly affect BC content. Concurrent application of manure and mineral fertilizers increased SOC content and significantly enhanced soil enzyme activities. Correlation analysis showed that catalase activity was significantly associated with invertase activity, but SOC, BC, and enzyme activity levels were not significantly correlated with one another. No significant correlations were observed between BC and soil enzymes. It is unknown whether soil enzymes play a role in the decomposition of BC.     

Correlation of production constraints with the yield gap of apple cropping systems in Luochuan County,China

Apple occupies a dominant position in fruit production globally, and has become the main income source of local smallholder farmers in Luochuan County in the Loess Plateau area, one of the largest apple production areas in China. However, the annual productivity of apple orchards in this region remains low and has gradually declined over the years. The distinction and correlation of production constraints can contribute to the promotion of apple orchard productivity and the development of a sustainable orchard system. In the present study, survey data from 71 smallholder farmers were analyzed using a yield gap model to distinguish the production constraints and determine their correlation with the yield gap based on the structural equation model(SEM). The results indicated that the average apple yield in Luochuan County was 29.9 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1), while the attainable yield(Y_(att); the highest yield obtained from the on-farm surveys) was 58.1 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1). The average explained and unexplainable yield gaps were 26.3 and 1.87 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1). According to the boundary line analysis, crop load,number of sprayings and base fertilizer N were the top three constraints on apple production in 9.8, 7.8 and 7.8% of the plots, respectively. Among the production constraints, crop load and fruit weight affected apple yield through direct pathways,whereas other constraints influenced apple yield through an indirect pathway based on the SEM, explaining 51% of the yield variance by all the main production constraints. These results can improve the current understanding of production constraints and contribute to the development of management strategies and policies for improving apple yield.     

Emission and Fixation of CO2 from Soil System as Influenced by Long-Term Application of Organic Manure in Paddy Soils

The observations of 25-yr long-term experiment in Zhejiang paddy soils showed that the soil organic matter could increase continuously with applying organic manure, and the increase in rate enhanced along with the application rates of organic manure. By mathematical modeling, the soil organic matter increased by 22 kg when 1 t of fresh FYM was applied. The CO2 emission resulting from the mineralization of soil organic matter increased with the increase in the application rate of the organic manure as well as the increase in the root residues. It is expected that the CO2 emission will be at 10.04-21.61 t ha^-1 yr^-1 when 16.5-49.5 t ha ^-1 yr^-1 of fresh FYM is applied. The soil organic carbon from mineralization and release of applied organic carbon （fresh FYM and root residues） will affect the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. So, the higher the application rate of organic manure, the more is the fixed organic carbon. The CO2 fixation will be at 1.885-3.463 t ha^-1 yr^-1 when 16.5-49.5 t ha^-1 yr^-1 of fresh FYM is applied. Thus, the CO2 fixation will increase by 46.7 kg by applying 1 t fresh FYM. To apply organic manure continuously in rice fields may reduce the contribution to the increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.     

Effects of different agricultural treatments on narrowing winter wheat yield gap and nitrogen use efficiency in China

Under the limited cultivated land area and the pursuit of sustainable agricultural development,it is essential for the safety of grain production to study agricultural management approaches on narrowing the winter wheat yield gap and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in China.In this study,DSSAT-CERES-Wheat Model is used to simulate winter wheat yield under different agricultural treatments,and we analyze yield gaps and NUE with different management scenarios at regional scales and evaluate the suitable approaches for reducing yield gap and increasing NUE.The results show that,the potential of narrowing yield gap ranges 300–900 kg ha~(–1) with soil nutrients increase,400–1 200 kg ha~(–1) with sowing date adjustment and 0–400 kg ha~(–1) with planting density increase as well as 700–2 200 kg ha~(–1) with adding nitrogen fertilizer.Contribution rates of management measures of soil nutrients,sowing date adjusting,planting density,and nitrogen fertilizers are 5–15%,5–15%,0–4%,and 10–20%,respectively.Difference in nitrogen partial productivity ranges 3–10 kg kg~(–1) for soil nutrients,1–10 kg kg~(–1) for sowing date adjusting,1–5 kg kg~(–1) for planting density increase,and–12–0 kg kg~(–1) for adding nitrogen fertilizers,respectively.It indicates that four treatments can narrow yield gap and improve the NUE in varying degrees,but increasing nitrogen fertilizer leads to the decrease of NUE.     

Impacts of soil fertility management on productivity and economics of rice and fodder intercropping systems under rainfed conditions in Odisha,India

Under small and marginal farm conditions, allocation of land exclusively for forages is not possible. Hence, integration of forages in existing crop geometry can ensure production of grain and fodder, simultaneously under rainfed conditions. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on rice and fodder intercropping systems under rainfed conditions during 2015–2017. The intercropping system comprised (i) sole rice (R), (ii) rice and cowpea (5:2) (CP) and (iii) rice and ricebean (5:2) (RB) whereas the different nutrient management practices comprised (i) application of farm yard manure (FYM) at 5 t ha^–1 (farmers’ practice) (N₁), (ii) application of inorganic fertilizer (recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) of rice, 60:30:30 kg ha^–1 of N:P₂O₅:K₂O) (N₂) and (iii) application of both FYM at 5 t ha^–1 and 50% of RDF inorganic fertilizer (N₃). The results of the experiment revealed that the growth attribute such as leaf area was influenced significantly when fodder crops were taken as intercrops because rice plant was getting more nitrogen from soil due to nitrogen fixation of leguminous fodder crops. Among the nutrient management practices, significant differences in leaf area were found beween N₂ and N₁, and between N₃ and N₁ treatments. However, regarding total number of effective tillers, significant differences were found neither between nutrient management practices nor between cropping systems. The rice equivalent yield (REY) based on price (REY_P) was found to be significantly lower in CP (2 615 kg ha^–1; –6.4%) and RB intercropping systems (2 571 kg ha^–1; –8.0%) than in R monocropping system (2 794 kg ha^–1). However, the REY based on energy (REY_E) of CP (2 999 kg ha^–1; +7.3%) and RB (2 960 kg ha^–1; +5.9%) were found to be significantly higher than that of R (2 794 kg ha^–1) irrespective of nutrient management practices. Between different nutrient management practices, the N₃ treatment recorded the highest REY_P and REY_E which was at par with the N₂ treatment and significantly higher than the N₁ treatment irrespective of cropping systems. The combined application of both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients helped to supply nutrients throughout the growing season, which led to improved growth parameters and rice yield. The R monocropping system resulted in more income and rain water use efficiency (RWUE) closely followed by rice and fodder intercropping systems. However, the REY_E and energy use efficiency (EUE) of rice and fodder intercropping systems were higher than those of R. Also, fodder helped to meet the requirement of cattle feeding in the off-season. Hence, the intercropping system is advocated in the study zone. Further study can be done on ecosystem services and carbon sequestration potential of the intercropping system, as well as the system’s coping ability in response to short drought through observing periodic soil moisture regime in root zone.     

Abundance and Community Composition of Ammonia-Oxidizers in Paddy Soil at Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates

Ammonia oxidation, the first and rate-limiting step of nitrification, is carried out by both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） and ammonia-oxidizing archaea （AOA）. However, the relative importance of AOB and AOA to nitrification in terrestrial ecosystems is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the nitrogen input amount on abundance and community composition of AOB and AOA in red paddy soil. Soil samples of 10-20 cm （root layer soil） and 0-5 cm （surface soil） depths were taken from a red paddy. Rice in the paddy was fertilized with different rates of N as urea of N1 （75 kg N ha＂ yr-1）, N2 （150 kg N ha~ yrl）, N3 （225 kg N ha1 yrl） and CK （without fertilizers） in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Abundance and community composition of ammonia oxidizers was analyzed by real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） based on amoA （the unit A of ammonia monooxygenase） gene. Archaeal amoA copies in N3 and N2 were significantly （P〈0.05） higher than those in CK and N1 in root layer soil or in surface soil under tillering and heading stages of rice, while the enhancement in bacterial amoA gene copies with increasing of N fertilizer rates only took on in root layer soil. N availability and soil NO3--N content increased but soil NH4＋-N content didn＇t change with increasing of N fertilizer rates. Otherwise, the copy numbers of archaeal amoA gene were higher （P〈0.05） than those of bacterial amoA gene in root lary soil or in surface soil. Redundancy discriminate analysis based on DGGE bands showed that there were no obvious differs in composition of AOA or AOB communities in the field among different N fertilizer rates. Results of this study suggested that the abundance of ammonia-oxidizers had active response to N fertilizer rates and the response of AOA was more obvious than that of AOB. Similarity in the community composition of AOA or AOB among different N fertilizer rates indicate that the community composition of ammonia-oxidizers was relatively stable in the paddy soil at least in short term for three years.     

Impacts of Fertilization Alternatives and Crop Straw Incorporation on N2O Emissions from a Spring Maize Field in Northeastern China

Spring maize is one of the most popular crops planted in northeastem China. The cropping systems involving spring maize have been maintaining high production through intensive management practices. However, the high rates of nitrogen （N） fertilizers application could have introduced a great amount of nitrous oxide （N2O） into the atmosphere. It is crucial for sustaining the maize production systems to reduce N2O emissions meanwhile maintaining the optimum yields by adopting alternative farming management practices. The goal of this study was to evaluate effects of alternative fertilization and crop residue management practices on N2O emission as well as crop yield for a typical maize field in northeastern China. Field experiments were conducted during the 2010-2011 maize growing seasons （from early May to late September） in Liaoning Province, northeastern China. N2O fluxes were measured at the field plots with six different treatments including no N fertilizer use （CK）, farmers＇ conventional N fertilizer application rate （FP）, reduced N fertilizer rate （OPT）, reduced N fertilizer rate combined with crop straw amendment （OPTS）, slow-release N fertilizer （CRF）, and reduced N fertilizer rate combined with nitrification inhibitor （OPT＋DCD）. The static chamber method combined with gas chromatography technique was employed to conduct the measurements of N2O fluxes. The field data showed that N2O emissions varied across the treatments. During the maize growing season in 2010, the total N2O emissions under the treatments of CK, FP, OPT, OPTS, and CRF were 0.63, 1.11, 1.03, 1.26, and 0.98 kg N ha-1, respectively. The seasonal cumulative N2O emissions were 0.54, 1.07, 0.96, 1.12, and 0.84 kg N ha1, respectively, under CK, FP, OPT, OPTS, and OPT＋DCD in 2011. In comparison with FP, CRF or OPT＋DCD reduced the N2O emissions by 12 or 21%, respectively, while the crop yields remained unchanged. The results indicate that the reduction of N-fertilizer application rate in combination with the slow-release fertilizer type or nitrification inhibitor could effectively mitigate N2O emissions from the tested field. The incorporation of crop residue didn＇t show positive effect on mitigating N2O emissions from the tested cropping system. The field study can provide useful information for the on-going debate on alternative N fertilization strategies and crop straw management in China. However, further studies would be needed to explore the long-term impacts of the alternative management practices on a wide range of environmental services.     

Reducing nitrogen fertilization of intensive kiwifruit orchards decreases nitrate accumulation in soil without compromising crop production

Excessive nitrogen(N) fertilization of high value horticultural crops is a common problem that not only increases the cost to farmers, but also negatively affects crop growth and the environment. A three-year field experiment was conducted in an intensive kiwifruit orchard in Shaanxi Province, China to compare the effects of reduced N fertilization applied as urea(U), and controlled release urea(CRU) on the N nutrition of kiwi vines, fruit yield and quality, and nitrate-N accumulation in the soil profile. The three treatments included a conventional N application rate(CF-U, 900 kg N ha~(–1) yr~(–1) as urea), two reduced N fertilization treatments where the amount of N fertilizer applied as U and CRU was reduced by 25% in 2013 and 2014, and by 45% in 2015. The 25 and 45% reduced N treatments had no adverse effects on the N concentrations in leaves and pruning branches and the fruit yield and quality of kiwi vines. However, they significantly enhanced the partial factor productivity of applied N(PFPN) and the economic benefits, and reduced nitrate accumulation in the 0–200 cm soil profile. The same benefits of reduced N fertilization were observed for both the U and CRU treatments, but the CRU treatment had the added benefit of decreasing the loss of nitrate through leaching. We concluded that the current level of N fertilization in kiwi orchards is very excessive, and reducing the N fertilizer rate by 25–45% could not only guarantee fruit yield, but also reduce N accumulation and loss.     

Increased ammonification,nitrogenase, soil respiration and microbial biomass N in the rhizosphere of rice plants inoculated with rhizobacteria

Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. However, the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth are little known. This study investigated whether and how A. brasilense and P. fluorescens contribute to the N transformations and N supply capacities in the rhizosphere, and clarified the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N application rate in rice cultivation. Inoculations with A. brasilense and P. fluorescens coupled with N application rate trials were conducted in the paddy field in 2016 and 2017. The inoculations of rice seedlings included four treatments: sterile saline solution(M_0), A. brasilense(Mb), P. fluorescens(Mp), and co-inoculation with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens(Mbp). The N application rate included four levels: 0 kg N ha~(–1)(N_0), 90 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(90)), 180 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(180)), and 270 kg N ha~(–1)(N_(270)). The results indicated that the Mbp and Mp treatments significantly enhanced the ammonification activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_0 treatment, especially for higher N applications, while the Mbp and Mb treatments greatly enhanced the nitrogenase activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_0 treatments, especially for lower N applications. Azospirillum brasilense and P. fluorescens did not participate in the nitrification processes or the denitrification processes in the soil. The soil respiration rate and microbial biomass N were greatly affected by the interactions between the rhizobacteria inoculations and the N fertilizer applications. In the Mbp treatment, N supply capacities and rice grain yields showed no significant differences among the N_(90), N_(180), and N_(270) applications. The N application rate in the study region can be reduced to 90 kg N ha~(–1) for rice seedlings co-inoculated with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens.     

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.     

Soil pH Dynamics and Nitrogen Transformations Under Long-Term Chemical Fertilization in Four Typical Chinese Croplands

Long-term fertilization experiment provides the platform for understanding the proton budgets in nitrogen transformations of agricultural ecosystems. We analyzed the historical （1990-2005） observations on four agricultural long-term experiments in China （Changping, Chongqing, Gongzhuling and Qiyang） under four different fertilizations, i.e., no-fertilizer （control）, sole chemical nitrogen fertilizer （FN）, sole chemical phosphorous and potassium fertilizers （FPK） and chemical nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizers （FNPK）. The significant decline in topsoil pH was caused not only by chemical N fertilization （0.29 and 0.89？pH at Gongzhuling and Qiyang, respectively） but also by chemical PK fertilization （0.59？pH at Gongzhuling）. The enhancement of available nutrients in the topsoil due to long-term direct nutrients supply with chemical fertilizers was in the descending order of available P （168-599%）〉available K （16-189%）〉available N （9-33%）. The relative rate of soil pH decline was lower under long-term judicious chemical fertilization （-0.036-0.034 ？pH yr-1） than that under long-term sole N or PK fertilization （0.016-0.086 ？pH yr-1）. Long-term judicious chemical fertilization with N, P and K elements decreases the nutritional limitation to normal crop growth, under which more N output was distributed in biomass removal rather than the loss via nitrate leaching. We concluded that the N distribution percentage of nitrate leaching to biomass removal might be a suitable indicator to the sensitivity of agricultural ecosystems to acid inputs.     

Developing sustainable summer maize production for smallholder farmers in the North China Plain: An agronomic diagnosis method

With an increasing population and changing diet structure, summer maize is increasingly becoming an important energy crop in China. However, traditional farmer practices for maize production are inefficient and unsustainable. To ensure food security and sustainable development of summer maize production in China, an improved, more sustainable farmer management system is needed. Establishing this system requires a comprehensive understanding of the limitations of current farming practice and the ways it could be improved. In our study, 235 plots from three villages in the North China Plain(NCP) were monitored. Maize production on farms was evaluated; our results showed that the maize yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity(PFP_N) were variable on smallholder farms at 6.6~(–1)3.7 t ha~(–1) and 15.4–88.7 kg kg~(–1), respectively.Traditional farming practices also have a large environmental impact(nitrogen surplus: –64.2–323.78 kg ha~(–1)). Key yield components were identified by agronomic diagnosis. Grain yield depend heavily on grain numbers per hectare rather than on the 1 000-grain weight. A set of improved management practices(IP) for maize production was designed by employing a boundary line(BL) approach and tested on farms. Results showed that the IP could increase yield by 18.4% and PFP_N by 31.1%, compared with traditional farmer practices(FP), and reduce the nitrogen(N) surplus by 57.9 kg ha~(–1). However,in terms of IP effect, there was a large heterogeneity among different smallholder farmers' fields, meaning that, precise technologies were needed in different sites especially for N fertilizer management. Our results are valuable for policymakers and smallholder farmers for meeting the objectives of green development in agricultural production.     

Effects of nitrogen application rates and irrigation regimes on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize under alternate partial root-zone irrigation

Faced with the scarcity of water resources and irrational fertilizer use, it is critical to supply plants with water and fertilizer in a coordinated pattern to improve yield with high water use efficiency (WUE). One such method, alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI), has been practiced worldwide, but there is limited information on the performance of different irrigation regimes and nitrogen (N) rates under APRI. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of varying irrigation regimes and N rates on shoot growth, grain yield and WUE of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under APRI in the Hexi Corridor area of Northwest China in 2014 and 2015. The three N rates were 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹, designated N₁, N₂ and N₃, respectively. The three irrigation regimes of 45–50%, 60–65% and 75–80% field capacity (FC) throughout the maize growing season, designated W₁, W₂ and W₃, respectively, were applied in combination with each N rate. The results showed that W₂ and W₃ significantly increased the plant height, stem diameter, crop growth rate, chlorophyll SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), biomass, grain yield, ears per ha, kernels per cob, 1 000-kernel weight, harvest index, evapotranspiration and leaf area index (LAI) compared to W₁ at each N rate. The N₂ and N₃ treatments increased those parameters compared to N₁ in each irrigation treatment. Increasing the N rate from the N₂ to N₃ resulted in increased biomass and grain yield under W₃ while it had no impact on those under the W₁ and W₂ treatments. The W₃N₃ and W₂N₂ and W₂N₃ treatments achieved the greatest and the second-greatest biomass and grain yield, respectively. Increasing the N rate significantly enhanced the maximum LAI (LAI at the silking stage) and P_n under W₃, suggesting that the interaction of irrigation and fertilizer N management can effectively improve leaf growth and development, and consequently provide high biomass and grain yield of maize. The W₂N₂, W₂N₃ and W₃N₃ treatments attained the greatest WUE among all the treatments. Thus, either 60–65% FC coupled with 200–300 kg N ha⁻¹ or 75–80% FC coupled with 300 kg N ha⁻¹ is proposed as a better pattern of irrigation and nitrogen application with positive regulative effects on grain yield and WUE of maize under APRI in the Hexi Corridor area of Northwest China and other regions with similar environments. These results can provide a basis for in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of grain yield and WUE to supply levels of water and nitrogen.     

Spring Wheat Response to Fertilizer Nitrogen Following a Sugar Beet Crop Varying in Canopy Color

Experiments were conducted in the Red River Valley (RRV) of Minnesota to determine the responses of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aerstivum L.) to fertilizer N after a sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) crop that varied spatially in canopy color and N content. A color aerial photograph was acquired of the sugar beet field just prior to root harvest, and six sites were selected that varied in sugar beet canopy color, three each of green and yellow canopy sites. The three green sugar beet canopies returned 369, 265, and 266 kg N ha^–1 to the soil while the three yellow sugar beet canopies returned 124, 71, and 73 kg N ha^–1 to the soil. Spring wheat response to fall-applied urea-N fertilizer (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha^–1) was determined the following year at each of the above antecedent canopy sites. Soil NO₃-N in the top 0.6 m of soil varied among the locations with a range of 35 to 407 kg NO₃-N ha^–1 at the green canopy sites and 12 to 23 kg NO₃-N ha^–1 at the yellow canopy sites. Application of fertilizer N according to traditional recommendation methods would have resulted in fertilizer applications at all three yellow canopy sites and two of the three green canopy sites. At the antecedent green sugar beet canopy sites, fertilizer N had little or no effect on spring wheat grain yields, grain N concentration, anthesis dry matter, and anthesis N content. In contrast, fertilizer N increased all four parameters at the antecedent yellow sugar beet canopy sites. The data indicate that fertilizer N management can be improved by using remote sensing to delineate management zones according to antecedent sugar beet canopy color.     

Modelling and mapping soil erosion potential in China

Soil erosion is an important environmental threat in China.However,quantitative estimates of soil erosion in China have rarely been reported in the literature.In this study,soil loss potential in China was estimated by integrating satellite images,field samples,and ground observations based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE).The rainfall erosivity factor was estimated from merged rainfall data using Collocated CoKriging(ColCOK)and downscaled by geographically weighted regression(GWR).The Random Forest(RF)regression approach was used as a tool for understanding and predicting the relationship between the soil erodibility factor and a set of environment factors.Our results show that the average erosion rate in China is 1.44 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1).More than 60%of the territory in China is influenced by soil erosion limitedly,with an average potential erosion rate less than 0.1 t ha~(–1) yr~(–1).Other unused land and other forested woodlands showed the highest erosion risk.Our estimates are comparable to those of runoff plot studies.Our results provide a useful tool for soil loss assessments and ecological environment protections.