Influence of Garlic Intercropping or Active Emitted Volatiles in Releasers on Aphid and Related Beneficial in Wheat Fields in China

In order to develop biological control of aphids by a "push-pull"approach, intercropping using repellent emitting plants was developed in different crop and associated plant models. Garlic is one of the potential plant that could be inserted in crops to decrease the pest occurrence in neighboring crop plots. In this study, field works were conducted in wheat fields in Langfang Experimental Station, Hebei Province in China from October 2009 to July 2010 during wheat developmental season. The effect of wheat intercropping with garlic but also the volatiles emission on the incidence of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius (Homoptera: Aphididae) was assessed. Natural beneficial occurrence and global yields in two winter wheat varieties that were susceptible or resistant to cereal aphid were also determined comparing to control plots without the use of garlic plant intercrop nor semiochemical releaser in the fields. S. avenae was found to be lower in garlic oil blend treatment (GOB), diallyl disulfide treatment (DD) and wheat-garlic intercropping treatment (WGI) when compared to the control plots for both two varieties (P<0.01). Both intercropping and application of volatile chemicals emitted by garlic could improve the population densities of natural enemies of cereal aphid, including ladybeetles and mummified aphids. Ladybeetle population density in WGI, GOB and mummified aphids densities in WGI, DD were significantly higher than those in control fields for both two varieties (P<0.05). There were significant interactions between cultivars and treatments to the population densities of S. avenae. The 1 000-grain weight and yield of wheat were also increased compared to the control. Due to their potential alternatives as a biological control agent against cereal aphid, garlic intercropping and related emitted volatiles are expected to contribute to the further improvement of integrated pest management systems and to potentially reduce the amount of traditional synthetic pesticides applied in wheat fields.     

Experiences and Research Perspectives on Sustainable Development of Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems in the Chengdu Plain,China

The rice and wheat cropping pattern is one of the main cropping systems in the world. A large number of research results showed that successive cropping of rice and wheat resulted in a series of problems such as hindering nutrition absorption, gradual degeneration of soil fertility, decline of soil organic matter, and increased incidence of diseases and pests. In China, especially in the Chengdu plain where rice-wheat cropping system is practiced, productivity and soil fertility was enhanced and sustained. This paper reviews the relevant data and experiences on rice-wheat cropping in the Chengdu Plain from 1977 to 2006. The principal sustainable strategies used for rice-wheat cropping systems in Chengdu Plain included： 1） creating a favorable environment and viable rotations; 2） balanced fertilization for maintenance of sustainable soil productivity; 3） improvement of crop management for higher efficiency; and 4） use the newest cultivars and cultivation techniques to upgrade the production level. Future research is also discussed in the paper as： 1） the constant topic： a highly productive and efficient rice-wheat cropping system for sustainable growth; 2） the future trend： simplified cultivation techniques for the rice-wheat cropping system; 3） the foundation： basic research for continuous innovation needed for intensive cropping. It is concluded that in the rice-wheat cropping system, a scientific and reasonable tillage/cultivation method can not only avoid the degradation of soil productivity, but also maintain sustainable growth in the long run.     

Effects of maize-soybean relay intercropping on crop nutrient uptake and soil bacterial community

Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency, which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China. To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake, soil chemical properties, and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems, we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments, including monoculture maize(MM), monoculture soybean(MS), maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS), and fallow(CK). The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM. Compared with MS, the yield and uptake of N, P, and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5, 24.4, 9.6, and 22.4% in IMS, respectively, while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS. The soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK. Moreover, the soil protease, soil urease, and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK. The phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments. Shannon's index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK. The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content, respectively. These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P) uptake and soil bacterial community diversity, both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.     

Soil CO2 Emissions as Affected by 20-Year Continuous Cropping in Mollisols

Long-term continuous cropping of soybean （Glycine max）, spring wheat （Triticum aesativum） and maize （Zea mays） is widely practiced by local farmers in northeast China. A field experiment （started in 1991） was used to investigate the differences in soil carbon dioxide （CO2） emissions under continuous cropping of the three major crops and to evaluate the relationships between CO2 fluxes and soil temperature and moisture for Mollisols in northeast China. Soil CO2 emissions were measured using a closed-chamber method during the growing season in 2011. No remarkable differences in soil organic carbon were found among the cropping systems （P〉0.05）. However, significant differences in CO2 emissions from soils were observed among the three cropping systems （P〈0.05）. Over the course of the entire growing season, cumulative soil CO2 emissions under different cropping systems were in the following order： continuous maize （（829±10） g CO2 m2）〉continuous wheat （（629±22） g CO2 m^2）〉continuous soybean （（474±30） g CO2 m-2）. Soil temperature explained 42-65% of the seasonal variations in soil CO2 flux, with a Q10 between 1.63 and 2.31; water-filled pore space explained 25-47% of the seasonal variations in soil CO2 flux. A multiple regression model including both soil temperature （T, ~C） and water-filled pore space （W, %）, log（]）=a＋bT log（W）, was established, accounting for 51-66% of the seasonal variations in soil CO2 flux. The results suggest that soil CO2 emissions and their Q10 values under a continuous cropping system largely depend on crop types in Mollisols of Northeast China.     

Soil mineral nitrogen and yield-scaled soil N_2O emissions lowered by reducing nitrogen application and intercropping with soybean for sweet maize production in southern China

The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize(Zea mays L.saccharata)in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of chemical nitrogen fertilizers.A promising method for improving crop production and environmental conditions is to intercrop sweet maize with legumes.Here,a three-year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of four different cropping systems(sole sweet maize(SS),sole soybean(SB),two rows sweet maize-three rows soybean(S2B3)intercropping,and two rows sweet maize-four rows soybean(S2B4)intercropping),together with two rates of N fertilizer application(300 and 360 kg N ha~(–1))on grain yield,residual soil mineral N,and soil N_2O emissions in southern China.Results showed that in most case,intercropping achieved yield advantages(total land equivalent ratio(TLER=0.87–1.25)was above one).Moreover,intercropping resulted in 39.8%less soil mineral N than SS at the time of crop harvest,averaged over six seasons(spring and autumn in each of the three years of the field experiment).Generally,intercropping and reduced-N application(300 kg N ha~(–1))produced lower cumulative soil N_2O and yield-scaled soil N_2O emissions than SS and conventional-N application(360 kg N ha~(–1)),respectively.S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate(300 kg N ha~(–1))showed the lowest cumulative soil N_2O(mean value=0.61 kg ha~(–1))and yield-scaled soil N_2O(mean value=0.04 kg t~(–1))emissions.Overall,intercropping with reduced-N rate maintained sweet maize production,while also reducing environmental impacts.The system of S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly cropping system.     

The Ecological Effects of Young Elm Trees Belt-Pumpkin Strip Intercropping System at the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone in Northern China

Young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping was studied to solve the actual problem of resource losses in the large barren area resulted from reconverting cultivated land into forest in the agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China. The final objective was to realize effective utilization of the barren land with both ecological improvement and economic development. Field experiments were conducted together with laboratory analysis. The results indicated that the soil moisture level was remarkably increased in young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intereropping because the pumpkin vines covered the gap between pumpkin planting-furrow and elm trees belt. The water use efficiency of the intercropping system was increased by 23.7-163.3% as compared with the single cropping. Elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping changed the sequential succession trend of the grasses growing in the gap of the pumpkin planting-furrow. The annual grasses become the dominant vegetation. The nutritive value as fodder and yield of the annual grasses were also increased remarkably. The biomass of pumpkin, elm trees and grasses under intercropping increased by 24.4, 28.4 and 144.4%, respectively, as compared with those under single cropping. The land use efficiency was increased by 132%. It was also indicated that the soil erosion from the intercropping land was not increased due to pumpkin plantation. The differences in the soil erosion among intercropped area, elm trees belt and pumpkin strip with single cropping were not remarkable. Therefore, it was concluded that young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping is an effective way to utilize the barren land between the young elm trees belt and realize synergistic enhancement of ecological benefit and economic profit.     

An Evaluation of the Introduction of Modified Cropping Practices in Yunnan Province, China, Using Surveys of Farmers＇ Households

Problems associated with land degradation are serious in China. Sloping land in South China has experienced a decline in crop productivity by 30-60% due to soil erosion and it has been predicted that most topsoil will be lost within the next 100 years if current erosion rates continue. Considering these situations, an agro-environmental research and development project （Sustainable Highland Agriculture in South-East Asia- SHASEA） was conducted in a catchment in Yunnan Province, China, to address the objectives of increasing crop productivity in sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways. A range of cropping practices was developed and implemented in a rural upland catchment （Wang Jia）. At the end of the project, farmers were surveyed to evaluate project effectiveness. All farmers from Wang Jia Catchment, who were involved in project implementation, were surveyed. A sample of farmers working in an adjacent catchment （not associated with the project） was surveyed for comparative purposes. Farmers had different perceptions of the cropping practices employed. Contour cultivation was preferred and likely to be adopted. Others practices such as straw mulching and intercropping were seen as less appropriate and unlikely to be adopted. Polythene mulch was recognized as effective, but likely to be adopted only if financial returns were favourable. The availability of relevant information had an important impact on the extent of technology testing by farmers and their willingness to adopt the practices in the future.     

Fate of Nitrogen from Organic and Inorganic Sources in Rice-Wheat Rotation Cropping System

The lower availability of N is one of the most important limiting factors impeding crop yield enhancement among the various factors that affect crop yield under the multiple-cropping agroecosystem in China.In this study,the recovery of a single application of 15N-labeled fertilizer or residues in rice-wheat cropping system was determined,in order to provide theoretical foundation for the nitrogen management in sustainable agricultural production.A continuous trace experiment was conducted for 15N microplots by using randomized block design with four treatments and four replications（T1 = 15N-labeled fertilizer with crop residue incorporation,T2 = 15N-labeled residues,T3 = 14N fertilizer to generate unlabeled crop residue,and T4 = 15Nlabeled fertilizer without crop residue incorporation）.Our results showed that,on average,17.17 and 12.01% of crop N was derived from N fertilizer and 15N-labeled residues,respectively during the first growing season,suggesting that approximately 82.83 or 87.99% of crop N was derived directly from soil N pool.There was a larger difference in the 15N recovery pattern in crop when N was applied as fertilizer or residues,i.e.,most of crop N derived from N fertilizer was absorbed in the first growing season（92.04%）,and the relevant value was 38.03% when 15N-labeled residues were applied.This implied that most of N fertilizer was recovered in the present cropping season,while a longer residue effect will be found for 15N-labeled residues.Thus,the average recovery of N fertilizer and N residue in the soil after the first growing season was 33.46 and 85.64%,respectively.The recovery of applied N in soil when N was applied as residues was significantly higher than that when N was applied as fertilizer.There was a larger difference in the total 15N recovery in plant and soil when N was applied as fertilizer or residues.By the end of the fifth or sixth cropping season,the total 15N recovery in plant and soil when N was applied as fertilizer or residues were estimated at 64.38 and 79.11%,respectively.On the contrary,there was little difference between the practices of residue incorporation and residue removal following the N fertilizer application.N fertilizer appeared to be more readily available to crops than residue-N,and residue-N replenished soil N pool,especially N in soil organic matter,much more than N fertilizer after six growing seasons.Therefore,residue-N is a better source for sustaining N content of soil organic matter.Thus,one possible management practice is to use both organic and inorganic N sources simultaneously to improve the use efficiency of N while protecting the sustainability of soil.     

Effects of Cropping System Change for Paddy Field with Double Harvest Rice on the Crops Growth and Soil Nutrient

The effects of the cropping system change for paddy field with double harvest rice on crops growth and soil nutrient in red soil were studied. The results indicated that the economic benefit and the ratio of the output to input were all increased in terms of the market price for the crops under various treatments. The greatest economic benefit was obtained in the treatment of paddy-upland rotation, and the corresponding economic benefit was increased by 34.7, 21.4, and 2.2% in comparison with that of control （rice-rice-astragali）, pasture, and upland cropping treatments. The economic benefits in pasture and upland cultivation treatments were increased by I 1.0 and 31.8%, respectively, when compared with that of the control treatment （CK）. The ratio of output to input in pasture, paddy-upland rotation, and upland cropping treatments was enhanced by 0.9, 0.6, and 0.3, respectively, in comparison with that of control. To grow pasture is beneficial for improving soil fertility since the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus are all enhanced significantly. However, the concentrations of the soil available nitrogen, the total potassium, the available potassium were somewhat reduced in all the treatments, suggesting that increasing the input of nitrogen, particularly potassium, was necessary under the present fertilization level. Based on the conditions of fertility, climate, cultivation, and management of paddy field with double harvest rice in red soil regions, it is feasible to alter the cultivation system of paddy field with bad irrigation condition. In particular, cultivation systems such as pasture and paddy-upland rotation can be selected to extend because better economic benefit and improvement of soil fertility in the purpose region were obtained.     

Characterizing Spatial Patterns of Phenology in Cropland of China Based on Remotely Sensed Data

This study used time-series of global inventory modeling and mapping studies （GIMMS） normalized difference vegetation index （NDVI） datasets at a spatial resolution of 8 km and 15-d interval to investigate the spatial patterns of cropland phenology in China. A smoothing algorithm based on an asymmetric Gaussian function was first performed on NDVI dataset to minimize the effects of anomalous values caused by atmospheric haze and cloud contamination. Subsequent processing for identifying cropping systems and extracting phenological parameters, the starting date of growing season （SGS） and the ending date of growing season （EGS） was based on the smoothed NVDI time-series data. The results showed that the cropping systems in China became complex as moving from north to south of China. Under these cropping systems, the SGS and EGS for the first growing season varied largely over space, and those regions with multiple cropping systems generally presented a significant advanced SGS and EGS than the regions with single cropping patterns. On the contrary, the phenological events of the second growing season including both the SGS and EGS showed little difference between regions. The spatial patterns of cropping systems and phenology in Chinese cropland were highly related to the geophysical environmental factors. Several anthropogenic factors, such as crop variety, cultivation levels, irrigation, and fertilizers, could profoundly influence crop phenological status. How to discriminate the impacts of biophysical forces and anthropogenic drivers on phenological events of cultivation remains a great challenge for further studies.     

作物间套作种植方式间作效应研究

阐述了国内外作物间套作方式的研究进展及内容,总结近五年来作物间套作方式的研究特点:土壤容重、光照强度、叶绿素含量、抗病虫性、土壤水分变化规律、施肥水平对间套作作物性状的影响和经济效益方面研究较多;间套作水土保持作用,土壤水分和养分利用状况及作物地下部分等方面研究较少。提出间套作在栽培措施方面应注意的关键问题:合理安排间套作作物的播种期和移栽期;采用共生系统施肥法(即施肥时要同时考虑间套作作物);种植密度要适宜。     

作物间套种中的化感作用研究进展

综述了国内外有关植物间的化感作用和作物间套种中的化感作用的研究成果,提出了有待进一步研究的问题。     

辣椒-玉米的不同间作密度对作物产量的影响

[目的]找出辣椒产量最高的辣椒-玉米的最佳间作密度。[方法]研究辣椒-玉米不同面积比下辣椒产量(值)、玉米产量(值)和净增产值,并采用插值分析近似获得玉米-辣椒其他占地面积比值间作密度下辣椒的产量情况。[结果]辣椒-玉米的不同间作密度其产量和产值有显著的区别,间作模式的总产值大小顺序依次为:辣椒-玉米(10∶2)、辣椒-玉米(15∶5)、辣椒-玉米(8∶4)、辣椒-玉米(8∶1)、辣椒单作。[结论]采用合理的间作密度可以有效地提高辣椒的产量和产值。     

三种林农间套作新模式

为充分发挥资源优势,营造较好的林木生长环境,提高土地资源利用率,实现生态系统的良性循环,对我区示范推广的“马褂木/西瓜—鲜食玉米—蚕豆”、“早红李/(小麦 西瓜)—秋玉米”、“意扬/冬瓜—大蒜”等三种林农间套作新模式,从种植方式、品种选用、茬口布局、栽培技术、产量与效益等方面进行了介绍和论述。     

赤峰旱作地区粮菜套作高效种植的几种新模式与技术

通过多年的生产调研，总结出适应赤峰旱作地区粮菜套作高效种植的几种新模式与技术。这几种新模式在赤峰旱地生产中的应用，不但有效 地利用了光热、降雨等条件，提高了产量，同时使农民获得了可观的经济效益。     

广西发展农作物间套种技术的意义与建议

介绍了国内外农作物间套种概况,阐述广西发展农作物间套种的意义、原则及现状,并对发展广西农作物间套种提出建议。     

间作作物种间相互作用对土壤细菌群落的影响

为揭示作物种植模式对土壤细菌群落组成及功能的影响机制,利用田间定位试验,基于宏基因测序方法,开展连续单作马铃薯(P)、单作玉米(M)、间作马铃薯(IP)、间作玉米(IM)根际土壤细菌群落组成和功能差异研究,分析土壤细菌群落结构、功能与土壤理化性状、间作作物产量间的相互关系。结果表明：与对应单作处理相比,玉米、马铃薯间作整体上具有产量优势。土壤变形菌门、放线菌门和浮霉菌门为不同处理下细菌群落的优势菌群;属分类水平上链霉菌属、慢生根瘤菌属、鞘脂单胞菌属、伍氏束缚菌属、伯克氏菌属、藤黄色杆菌属为优势菌属。马铃薯单作及间作处理下根际土壤鞘脂单胞菌属相对丰度均极显著高于玉米处理(P<0.01)。通过KEGG数据库不同功能层的功能预测表明,不同处理得到455个三级功能类别和9 636个四级类别,其中参与C、N循环的通路数最多。相关性分析表明,土壤含水量(SOW)、土壤呼吸强度(RI)和速效磷(AP)对根际土壤细菌群落组成及功能代谢具有积极影响;SOW、RI和AP与功能类别中K01990和K06147均有显著或极显著相关性。连续6 a马铃薯、玉米间作及单作下作物根际土壤细菌群落组成和功能的变化...     

杨粮间作条件下的作物产量与生物量

通过３ａ对杨粮间作的农作物产量和地上部分生物量的测定，初步确定农作物与幼林（２～４ａ生）间作，随着幼林的生长其产量是递增的，幅度为５．０％～８．０％，同时，间作地产量也比对照提高５．０％以上；与成林（８～１０ａ生）间作时，随着林木生长其产量是逐年下降的，同时在行距７～３０ｍ范围内，农作物产量随行距减少而下降。当行距为３０ｍ时，与对照相比，其小麦产量保证７５％以上，玉米或花生６５％以上。根据试验结果建议幼林间作采取小株距（３～４ｍ）大行距（１０～１５ｍ）的间作方式并且当杨树成林时，行距不应小于３０ｍ。     

早熟马铃薯套作不同密度大豆对作物产量的影响

采用单因素随机区组设计,研究了薯豆套作模式下大豆不同种植密度对作物产量的影响。结果表明,套作大豆产量与密度变化的关系可以用二次抛物线回归方程表达,并随大豆密度的增加,株高、主茎节数、底荚高度趋于升高,而有效分枝数、单株荚数、单株粒数和单株粒重趋于下降,荚粒数、百粒重变化不大,相对稳定。密度对套作马铃薯株高及单株结薯数影响不大,而商品薯率随密度增加而降低。大豆密度为15万株/hm^2时,大豆、马铃薯产量均最高,分别是2136.03、42462.5kg/hm^2。     

红壤低丘旱耕地宽窄带间作模式综合效应研究

为了充分利用红壤地区的光、温、水资源,提高土地利用率,增产增收,通过田间大区比较试验,对红壤低丘旱耕地宽窄带间作模式综合效应进行了研究,结果表明:主副作物宽窄带间作与传统单作比较,综合效应得到明显的提高,年径流深、年泥沙流失量分别减少69.4%、81.8%,耕作层有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾含量分别提高7.1%、9.1%、13.6%、8.1%,主作物玉米株高均值为3.03 m,极显著低于对照;穗行粒数为41.5粒/行,极显著高于对照;穗长、百粒重显著高,玉米季增产75.45 kg/hm2,增产1.7%,与对照差异不显著,各处理分别收获饲料10087.5 kg/hm2、黄豆1270.5 kg/hm2、薯块7668.0kg/hm2;产投比由1.66提高到2.04。