Effects of Different Irrigation Regimes and Mulches on Yield and Macronutrition Levels of Drip-Irrigated Cucumber Under Open Field Conditions

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of different mulch types on fruit yield, leaf-nutrient composition, and normal plant growth parameters was investigated in order to maximize water use efficiency (WUE) in cucumber grown under water stress. Treatments were (1) bare soil + water stress (WS), (2) bare soil + unstressed (control, C), (3) black polyethylene mulch + water stress (BPM + WS), (4) wheat straw mulch + water stress (WSM + WS), and (5) wheat straw mulch plus black polyethylene mulch + water stress (WSM + BPM + WS). Seasonal crop evapotranspiration was between 492 and 960 mm. Seasonal irrigation water amounts were 965 and 485 mm for the C and WS treatments, respectively. The WUE ranged from 3.40 to 5.78 kg m^?3, while irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE) was between 3.39 and 6.08 kg m^?3. IWUE and WUE were increased under WS treatments with mulching compared with the control treatment, as mulching significantly reduced the amount of irrigation water required. Both BPM and WSM improved the fruit yield, fruit size, plant dry matter, total leaf area, and chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations in leaves under the stressed treatments, while these two mulches in combination (BPM + WSM) caused further increases in these parameters. This study confirms that limiting soil evaporation with mulches is a key action to take to save irrigation water and to improve WUE and IWUE. Because use of drip irrigation with mulching can increase WUE, this strategy might be used for vegetable production in semi-arid regions where irrigation water is limited.     

Yield and water use efficiency of hybrid Bt cotton as affected by methods of sowing and rates of nitrogen under surface drip irrigation

Field experiments were conducted for two years to find out the appropriate sowing configuration and rate of nitrogen (N) for sustained yield and improved water use efficiency of hybrid Bt cotton irrigated through surface drip irrigation. Drip irrigation under normal sowing, in which equal quantities of water and N were applied as check-basin irrigation, resulted in an increase of 389 and 155 kg ha^?1 in seed cotton yield compared with check-basin irrigation during the first and second year, respectively. Normal paired row sowing under a drip irrigation system, in which only 50% of irrigation water was applied compared with normal sowing, produced a yield similar to normal sowing under drip irrigation during both years, resulting in 22% higher water use efficiency. Dense paired row sowing under drip irrigation, in which only 75% irrigation water was applied compared with normal sowing, increased the mean seed cotton yield by 5% and water use efficiency by 19%. Decrease in the rate of nitrogen application (from 150 to 75 kg N ha^?1) caused a decline in seed cotton yield and water use efficiency under all the methods of sowing, but the reverse was true for agronomic efficiency of N.     

Manure and nitrogen fertilizer effects on corn productivity and soil fertility under drip and furrow irrigation

A field experiment was conducted at the Arkansas Valley Research Center in 2005 through 2007 to study the effects of manure and nitrogen fertilizer on corn yield, nutrient uptake, N and P soil tests, and soil salinity under furrow and drip irrigation. Manure or inorganic N was applied in 2005 and 2006 only. There were no significant differences in corn yield between drip and furrow irrigation even though, on average, 42% less water was applied with drip irrigation. Inorganic N or manure application generally increased grain yield, kernel weight, grain and stover N uptake, and grain P uptake. Nitrogen rates above 67 kg ha^?1 did not increase grain yield significantly in 2005 or 2006, nor did manure rates in excess of 22 Mg ha^?1. High manure rates increased soil salinity early in the season, depressing corn yields in 2005 and 2006, particularly with drip irrigation. Salts tended to accumulate in the lower half of the root zone under drip irrigation. Residual nitrate nitrogen from manure and inorganic N application sustained corn yields above 12.0 Mg ha^?1 in 2007. More research is needed to develop best manure and drip irrigation management for corn production in the Arkansas Valley.     

Spinach-irrigating and fertilizing for optimum quality,quantity, and economy

The increasing scarcity of water for irrigation and environmental pollution due to excessive use of fertilizers are the important problems in vegetable production. A field experiment with combination of three levels of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization was employed to optimize the irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer usage of spinach. Traits, yields, quality, and economic factors of spinach under different regimes were determined. The yield was the highest when spinach was grown under the condition of the soil water content at 16.5% combined with 170 kg ha^?1 of nitrogen fertilizer, while the lowest yield was recorded for the one under the soil water content at 12.5% with 0 kg ha^?1. Nitrate and oxalate contents of spinach were highly dependent on levels of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization significantly decreased nitrogen use efficiency. Both water use efficiency and profit responded positively to increased nitrogen fertilizer usage. To optimize the quality and earnings of spinach, and consider the fact that nitrogen fertilizer could degrade the quality of spinach, application of the nitrogen fertilizer at 85 kg ha^?1 and maintenance of the soil water content at 16.5% could be recommended for spinach cultivation under field conditions. Therefore, the findings in this present study are important to improve our knowledge of the irrigation and fertilization for the sustainable agriculture.     

INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND N ON PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) YIELD,WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND ROOT ZONE AND DRAINAGE SALINITY

The aim of this study was to determine the salt tolerance of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under greenhouse conditions and to examine the interactive effects of salinity and nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on yield. The present study shows the effects of optimal and suboptimal N fertilizer levels (270 kg ha^?1 and 135 kg ha^?1) in combination with five different irrigation waters of varying electrical conductivity (EC) (EC_iw = 0.25, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 dS m^?1) and three replicates per treatment. At optimal N level, yield decreased when the irrigation water salinity was above EC_iw 2 dS m^?1. At the suboptimal N level, a significant decrease in yield occurred only above EC_iw 4 dS m^?1. At high salinity levels the salinity stress was dominant with respect to yield and response was similar for both N levels. Based on the results it can also be concluded that under saline conditions (higher than threshold salinity for a given crop) there is a lesser need for N fertilization relative to the optimal levels established in the absence of other significant stresses.     

Evaluation of Water–Nitrogen Schemes for Rice in Iran,Using ORYZA2000 Model

The model ORYZA2000 simulates the growth and development of rice under conditions of potential production and water and nitrogen (N) limitations. Crop simulation models could provide an alternative, less time-consuming, and inexpensive means of determining the optimum crop N and irrigation requirements under varied irrigation and nitrogen conditions. Water productivity (WP) is a concept of partial productivity and denotes the amount or value of product over volume or value of water used. For the evaluated ORYZA2000 model in Iran, a study was carried out in a randomized complete block design between 2005 and 2007, with three replications at the Rice Research Institute of Iran, Rasht. Irrigation management (three regimes) was the main plot and N application (four levels) was the subplot. In this study, simulation modeling was used to quantify water productivity and water balance components of water and nitrogen interactions in rice. Evaluation simulated and measured total aboveground biomass and yield, by adjusted coefficient of correlation, T test of means, and absolute and normalized root mean square errors (RMSE). Results showed that with normalized root mean square errors (RMSE_n) of 5–28%, ORYZA2000 satisfactorily simulated crop biomass and yield that strongly varied among irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer conditions. Yield was simulated with an RMSE of 237–443 kg ha^?1 and a normalized RMSE of 5–11%. Results showed that the significant (28–56%) share of evaporation into evapotranspiration, using the actual yield (measured) and simulated water balance (ORYZA2000), the calculated average WP_ET was significantly lower than the average WP_T: 37%. The average WP_I, WP_I+R, WP_ET, WP_T, and WP_ETQ were 1.4, 1.07, 1.07, 1.57, and 0.82 kg m^?3. Results also showed that irrigation with 8-day intervals and 60 kg N ha^?1, nitrogen level was the optimum irrigation regime and nitrogen level.     

Response of red pepper to deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertigation

The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the response of red pepper grown in a subhumid climate to different irrigation and nitrogen levels. Open-field trials were conducted in the Marmara Region, Turkey. Plants were subjected to three water levels [full irrigation (FI) = 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two deficit irrigations (DIs)= 66 and 33% ETc restoration] and four levels of N (0, 80, 160, and 240 kg N ha^?1) during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. A split-plot experimental design was used. The highest values of biomass and marketable yield (MY) were observed under FI. DI significantly increased the fruit soluble solids content. The biomass yield, MY, and fruit weight significantly improved with increasing nitrogen levels. The 240 kg N ha^?1 treatment under FI provided the maximum net income. Increasing N supply under DI conditions enhanced the water-use efficiency based on both biomass yield and MY. These results indicate that with respect to the yield, the net income, and the water productivity of red pepper, the FI with a nitrogen supply of 160–240 kg ha^?1 is recommended for drip irrigated and N-fertigated red pepper under subhumid climate conditions.     

Effect of continuous and intermittent irrigation methods on rice (cv. Koohrang) yield

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of permanent and intermittent irrigation on the yield of rice (cv. Koohrang) in Lordegan rice-growing areas in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (Iran). The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications during 2003 and 2004. Irrigation treatments were: I1, continuous irrigation with a 5-cm water head every day; I2, alternative irrigation with a 5-cm water head every 2 days; I3, alternative irrigation with a 5-cm water head every 4 days; and I4, alternative irrigation with a 5 cm water head every 6 days. Results showed that the paddy yield was highest under treatment I2 (5655.6 kg ha^?1) and lowest under treatment I4 (3421.3 kg ha^?1). The highest rate of water use was obtained in I1 with 17 687.5 m³ ha^?1 and the lowest in I4 with 9325 m³ ha^?1. Paddy yield, plant height, panicle length and 1000-seed weight did not show a significant difference at the 5% level among I1, I2 and I3, but differed significantly to I4. Thus irrigation treatment I3 is appropriate for paddy irrigation in the Lordegan region with 10 645 m³ ha^?1 water use and 5483.7 kg ha^?1 paddy yield.     

Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield,economics, and energetics of pepper and soil properties in naturally ventilated polyhouse

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2009 and 2010 at Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Hawalbagh, Almora, Uttarakhand, under the mid-hills of north-western Himalaya, to study the effect of farmyard manure and fertilizers on fruit yield, economics, energetics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and on soil chemical properties. The highest level of farmyard manure (20 t ha^?1) along with 125% of recommended NPK (125, 27.5, and 52.1 kg N, P and K ha^?1) resulted in significantly higher fruit yield (33.9 t ha^?1) over other combinations. Both farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased fruits/plant, average fruit weight, plant height, fruit length, and fruit diameter. The maximum net returns (4520 $ ha^?1) was achieved at 20 t of FYM along with 125% of recommended NPK. Energy ratio of 1.29 and 1.13 was the highest under 20 t FYM ha^?1 and 125% of recommended NPK, respectively. Available nutrients (N, P, and K) improved the status of the soil significantly due to 20 t ha^?1 of FYM and 125% of recommended NPK over other treatments.     

Modeling of Interactive Effects of Rainfall,Evaporation, Soil Temperature,and Soil Fertility for Sustainable Productivity of Sorghum + Cowpea and Cotton + Black Gram Intercrops under Rotation Trials in a Rain-Fed Semi-arid Vertisol

Long-term effects of the different combinations of nutrient-management treatments were studied on crop yields of sorghum + cowpea in rotation with cotton + black gram. The effects of rainfall, soil temperature, and evaporation on the status of soil fertility and productivity of crops were also modeled and evaluated using a multivariate regression technique. The study was conducted on a permanent experimental site of rain-fed semi-arid Vertisol at the All-India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, Kovilpatti Centre, India, during 1995 to 2007 using 13 combinations of nutrient-management treatments. Application of 20 kg nitrogen (N) (urea) + 20 kg N [farmyard manure (FYM)] + 20 kg phosphorus (P) ha^?1 gave the greatest mean grain yield (2146 kg ha^?1) of sorghum and the fourth greatest mean yield (76 kg ha^?1) of cowpea under sorghum + cowpea system. The same treatment maintained the greatest mean yield of cotton (546 kg ha^?1) and black gram (236 kg ha^?1) under a cotton + cowpea system. When soil fertility was monitored, this treatment maintained the greatest mean soil organic carbon (4.4 g kg^?1), available soil P (10.9 kg ha^?1), and available soil potassium (K) (411 kg ha^?1), and the second greatest level of mean available soil N (135 kg ha^?1) after the 13-year study. The treatments differed significantly from each other in influencing soil organic carbon (C); available soil N, P, and K; and yield of crops attained under sorghum + cowpea and cotton + black gram rotations. Soil temperature at different soil depths at 07:20 h and rainfall had a significant influence on the status of soil organic C. Based on the prediction models developed between long-term yield and soil fertility variables, 20 kg N (urea) + 20 kg N (FYM) + 20 kg P ha^?1 could be prescribed for sorghum + cowpea, and 20 kg N (urea) + 20 kg N (FYM) could be prescribed for cotton + black gram. These combinations of treatments would provide a sustainable yield in the range of 1681 to 2146 kg ha^?1 of sorghum, 74 to 76 kg ha^?1 of cowpea, 486 to 546 kg ha^?1 of cotton, and 180 to 236 kg ha^?1 of black gram over the years. Beside assuring greater yields, these soil and nutrient management options would also help in maintaining maximum soil organic C of 3.8 to 4.4 g kg^?1 soil, available N of 126 to 135 kg ha^?1, available soil P of 8.9 to 10.9 kg ha^?1, and available soil K of 392 to 411 kg ha^?1 over the years. These prediction models for crop yields and fertility status can help us to understand the quantitative relationships between crop yields and nutrients status in soil. Because black gram is unsustainable, as an alternative, sorghum + cowpea could be rotated with cotton for attaining maximum productivity, assuring sustainability, and maintaining soil fertility on rain-fed semi-arid Vertisol soils.     

Antioxidant activity and soluble sugars of African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) in response to irrigation regimen and nitrogen levels

African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus), as a medicinal plant, is known for its medicinal properties, containing various antioxidant compounds and carbohydrates. Rhizome yield is improved by water regimens and fertilizers applied at plant phenological stages. However, the rhizomatous herb, which is traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, inflammation and malaria has limited information on water and nitrogen requirements for its production. This study assessed the effect of irrigation regimens (30%, 50% and 70% allowable depletion level (ADL) and nitrogen (N) levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200?kg?ha^?1) on antioxidant activity and carbohydrates on plant leaf, root and rhizome. The interaction treatment effect of severely stressed (70% ADL) with the N application of 100?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on leaf phenolic concentration (87.02?±?2.51?mg?g^?1 gallic acid equivalent). Interaction effect of moderately stressed (50% ADL) and severely stressed (70% ADL) treatment with N application rate of 0?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on plant flavonoids and phenolics in all plant parts. In plant carbohydrates, root had high sucrose content (47.68?±?9.0?mg?g^?1 dry weight) with the application of low N (0?kg?ha^?1) grown under severely stressed treatment. In conclusion, this implies that different S. aethiopicus parts can produce substantial amount of antioxidants and carbohydrates, as exhibited under low N and reduced water supply applied during the phenological cycle.     

Response surface optimization of cultivation conditions for yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in greenhouses

There is a great potential for greenhouse tomato fruit yield improvement in China for the low yield per hectare. We evaluated the effects of multi-factors (plant density, nitrogen (N) and K₂O fertilizer) on fruit yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Jinfan 4) by response surface methodology with a 5-level-3-factor central composite design. A multivariate quadratic regression model of fruit yield was established. Results showed that N fertilizer was the most significant for fruit yield, followed by K₂O fertilizer and plant density. Fruit yield showed a parabolic trend with increasing fertilizer levels or plant density. There was a significant interaction effect between plant density and fertilizer levels. Optimal conditions were obtained: 4.83 × 10⁴ plants ha^?1 for density, 262 kg ha^?1 for N and 513 kg ha^?1 for K₂O. Under these conditions, the predicted fruit yield was 119,381 kg ha^?1, while the actual fruit yield from verification test was 121,005 kg ha^?1.     

Effect of nitrogen rates on drip irrigated maize grown under deficit irrigation

Nitrogen fertilization management under water limited conditions needs to be refined to save environmental ecosystems and increase economic returns. Two-year field studies in a split-plot design were conducted to investigate the response of maize to different nitrogen rates (N₁₀₀ = 100, N₁₃₀ = 130, and N₁₆₀ = 160?kg N ha^?1) under two irrigation levels (100 or 75% of water requirements). Under deficit irrigation, water and N were used more efficiently than normal water supply. N-fertilization of drip irrigated maize grown under deficit irrigation with N₁₆₀ increased the uptake of N, P and K by 35, 29 and 70% compared with N_100. Fertilization of maize grown under deficit irrigation with N₁₆₀ increased the grain, straw and biological yield and water use efficiency by 50, 14, 22 and 33% compared with N₁₀₀. Based on the obtained results, 160?kg of N ha^?1 is the optimum rate of N for maize irrigated by 75% of water requirements.     

Yield responses of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. Botrytis) to different water and nitrogen levels in a Mediterranean coastal area

Abstract

Global warming along with the increasing population and fresh water shortages necessitates a specific fertilization programme under water-scarce conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation and nitrogen levels on yield, growth components and water use characteristics of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. Botrytis cv. Tetris-F1) cultivated in a field for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007 in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Four irrigation (Kcp) levels with a drip irrigation system based on adjustment coefficients (0, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25) of pan evaporation were used. Nitrogen (N) treatments were consisted of four different nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg N ha^–1). The following yield and quality parameters were determined: curd weight, curd diameters, number of leaves per crop, above ground biomass (AGB) and curd/AGB ratio. Fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and leaf mineral contents were also determined to clarify the productivity of N treatments. According to the results; the amount of irrigation water and/or total received water affects the plant water consumption, consequently, crop yield in a field grown cauliflower. The highest yield was obtained in Kcp1.0 irrigation level which represents full irrigation treatment. The excess water applications had negative effect on yield and AGB of cauliflower. Highest yield was obtained at 225 kg N ha^–1.

The water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency values increased with decreasing irrigation rate. However, lower Kcp coefficients resulted in lower total yield. The FUE in irrigation treatments showed linear increases from non irrigation to full irrigation plots. However, excessive irrigation caused a decrease in FUE. It can be recommended that the Kcp1.0 crop-pan coefficient with 225 kg ha^–1 nitrogen application can be used to achieve the highest yield for field grown cauliflower in the Eastern Mediterranean coastal region of Turkey.     

Nitrogen use efficiency,water saving and yield of rice transplanting on raised bed over traditional flat method

Flat transplanting with flooded irrigation is commonly used for growing rice, but it results in ineffective use of applied fertilizer and water. The objective of this study was to compare nitrogen use efficiency and water saving of rice transplanted on beds and on flat ground. This field experiment was performed in randomized complete design for three continuous years and all treatments were repeated three times. Results showed that transplanting of four lines of rice nursery on bed and one line in furrow and nitrogen application at 150 kg ha^?1 recorded 16.06, 21.81, 16.0 and 20.21% higher paddy yield, nitrogen (N) uptake in paddy, N use efficiency and N agronomic efficiency than traditional flat method at same N level. Without loss in yield, about 25 kg ha ^?1 of N fertilizer and 24% of water can be saved with bed transplanting of rice as compared to flat method.     

Effect of nitrogen application on growth and yield of pumpkin

Evaluation of any crop response to different nitrogen amounts is important for determining the amount that can be considered as optimum from economical and environmental point of view. This study was conducted to (1) evaluate the growth and yield of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under different nitrogen rates and (2) determine the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of pumpkin in two growing seasons (2013 and 2014). In both growing seasons, nitrogen fertilizer (at three rates including 50, 150, and 250 kg ha^?1) was band-dressed on the planted side of each furrow, coinciding with 4–6 leaves stage and flowering. Crop performance over 2 years was evaluated by measuring shoot dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), intercepted PAR (PAR_i), radiation use efficiency (RUE), shoot nitrogen uptake, water use efficiency (WUE), NUE, and fruit and seed yield. The results showed that in both growing seasons, the highest growth and yield of pumpkin were obtained by applying 250 kg N ha^?1 (using urea fertilizer containing 46% nitrogen). Increased nitrogen rate from 50 to 250 kg ha^?1 resulted in 87.3%, 27.0%, 62.1%, 87.5%, and 84.5% increase in shoot dry weight, RUE, WUE, fruit yield, and seed yield of pumpkin, respectively, across both growing seasons. However, higher application nitrogen rate decreased the NUE of pumpkin, i.e., the NUE decreased by 62.5% when the nitrogen rate increased from 50 to 250 kg ha^?1. The effect of nitrogen applied in 2014 growing season on growth and yield of pumpkin was higher than that in 2013 growing season, which might be due to more suitable weather condition. In conclusion, the nitrogen rate of 250 kg ha^?1 produced the highest amount of fruit and seed yield in pumpkin.     

Carbon sequestration in Norway spruce in south Sweden as influenced by air pollution,water availability,and fertilization

Carbon sequestration in 30 yr old Norway spruce in south Sweden following manipulation of nutrient and water availability is presented. The site has an annual precipitation of 1100 mm and a deposition of about 20 kg N and 25 kg S per ha^?1 yr^?1. The soil type is a poorly developed podzol. Treatment include irrigation; artificial drought; ammonium sulphate addition; nitrogen-free-fertilization and irrigation with liquid fertilizers including a complete set of nutrients. The experiment has a randomized block design with four replicates per treatment. A comprehensive investigation of the above ground C storage on an areal basis was made at the start of the experiment and after 3 yr of treatment. After 3 yr of treatment with simulated N-S deposition using ammonium sulphate (100 kg N, 114 kg S ha^?1 yr^?1), C accumulation rates in the above ground compartments had increased by 37%. Similarly, irrigation caused increased C accumulation rates by 25%, whereas simulated drought during the vegetation period during 2 yr followed by 1 yr of recovery caused a 15% reduction of the C accumulation rates. Irrigation combined with liquid fertilization (100 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1), including all important nutrient elements, led to 65% increase in C accumulation rates compared to the control. The C sequestration of the latter treatment gradually increased and, during yr 5 of treatment, 8.6 Mg C ha^?1 accumulated in stems and branches, compared to 3.6 Mg ha^?1 for the control. It is concluded that there is a strong interaction between N-deposition and C accumulation rates in Norway spruce in south Sweden. The C accumulation rates are also sensitive to water availability. The study indicates a great potential to cultivate Norway spruce in south Sweden as a renewable energy source. A shift in energy source from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources will directly reduce the net emissions of CO₂ to the atmosphere.     

Timing Nitrogen Applications for Quality Tops and Healthy Root Production in Carrot

When carrots (Daucus carota L.) are mechanically harvested, sufficient nitrogen (N) must be balanced between the roots and carrot tops; weak tops reduce yield. A 2-year study was conducted in Montcalm County, Michigan, where four replications of four N treatments (45, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha^?1), were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Results showed the importance of determining pre-existing N sources, in as much as the deep taproot of carrot accessed unmeasured N in the subsoil and nitrate concentrations in irrigation water added N. The greatest yield occurred at 153–189 kg ha^?1 available N while tops continued to take up N through 200–232 kg ha^?1. When the last N application was made less than 35 days before harvest, the rate of N uptake exceeded dry-matter accumulation rate.     

Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Dairy Manure on Winter Wheat Yield,Soil Physical Health,and Nitrate Leaching

ABSTRACT

The effect of deficit irrigation (DI) on wheat crop yield, soil physical parameters and on nitrate nitrogen movement in soil profile was evaluated under application of dairy manure and nitrogen fertilizer. Two levels of DI were taken as I_0.6 (60% FC) and I_0.8 (80% FC) along with two dairy manure levels (20 and 25 Mg ha^?1) and three nitrogen levels (80, 100, and 120 kg ha^?1). The grain yield was high under I_0.8 than I_0.6, whereas the irrigation level has no significant effect on soil organic carbon contents. Dairy manure, irrigation, and nitrogen indicated strong interaction with each other for all yield-related parameters during both years of study, however, results for 2nd year were highly positive. Soil nitrate nitrogen movement was significantly affected under I_0.8 with high rate of dairy manure (25 Mg ha^?1) and nitrogen fertilizer (120 kg ha^?1). Results concluded that combined application of dairy manure (25 Mg ha^?1) and nitrogen fertilizer (120 kg ha^?1) under DI level I_0.8 resulted in high grain yield. To overcome water scarce conditions, further experiments can be designed by addition of various organic matters in different combination that enhances the yield and soil health.     

Effects of Water Stress and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Multi-Cut Forage Pearl Millet Yield,Nitrogen, and Water Use Efficiency

Forage pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum var. Nutrifeed) is a new forage crop in Iran. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Tehran to evaluate the response of pearl millet to four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha^?1) and four irrigation regimes (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of available soil water abbreviated to I₄₀, I₆₀, I₈₀ and I₁₀₀, respectively) during 2006–2007. Total dry matter production reached a maximum of 24.4 and 23.5 t ha^?1at I₄₀ and I₆₀ at N₂₂₅, respectively. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased by adding more fertilizer and minimum nitrogen use efficiency was recorded at N₂₂₅ over all irrigation regimes. At N₂₂₅, water use efficiency reached the maximum of 3.57 and 4.10 kg m^?3 in I₈₀ and I₁₀₀, respectively. Pearl millet forage could be produced in the regions where water is scarce and additional N fertilizer could increase total dry matter and water use efficiency.