Spatial and Temporal Variability of Sorghum Grain Yield: Influence of Soil,Water, Pests,and Diseases Relationships

This study was conducted to determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and to generate information needed to improve the management of site-specific farming (SSF). The effects of water (80% evapotranspiration (ET) and 50% ET), hybrid (drought-tolerant and -susceptible), elevation, soil texture, soil NO₃--N, soil pH, and greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum) (Gb) on sorghum grain yield were investigated at Halfway, TX on geo-referenced locations on a 30-m grid in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Grain yields were influenced by interrelationships among many factors. Grain yields were consistently high under 80% ET treatment and in the upper slopes where the clay and silt fractions of the soil were high. Soil NO₃--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yields were seasonally unstable. Soil NO₃--N increased grain yield when water was abundant and depressed grain yields when water was limiting. Plant density effects on grain yield were confounded with hybrid responses to drought and Gb infestation. Managing seasonally unstable factors is a major challenge for farmers and better ways to monitor crop growth and diagnose causes of poor plant growth are needed. To improve the management of SSF, effects of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors on crop yield must be integrated and evaluated as a system. Based on our study, information on seasonally stable factors like elevation and soil texture is useful in identifying management zones for water and fertilizer application. Water and fertilizers management should be complemented by in-season management of seasonally unstable factors like soil NO₃--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yield.     

Effect of Long-Term Fertilization on Soil Productivity and Nitrate Accumulation in Gansu Oasis

A long-term （1982-2001） field experiment was conducted in a calcareous soil under wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-maize （Zea mays L.） rotation system at Zhangye, Gansu Province, China to determine the effects of long-term fertilization on crop yield, nutrients interactions, content and accumulation of nitrate-N in soil profiles. Twenty- four plots in a split-plot factorial with a combination of eight treatments （from nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） and farmyard manure （M） applications） and 3 replications were selected. Main treatments were M and without M, and the sub-treatments were no-fertilizer （CK）, N, NP and NPK. When P and K fertilizers were part of treatments, their ratio to N was 1N：0.22P：0.42K. All M, P and K fertilizers were applied as the basal dressing. The grain yield was harvested each experimental period and straw yield for the period from 1988 to 1997. After crop harvest in 2000, the soil was sampled from the 0-20, 20-60, 60-100, 100-140 and 140-180 cm depths to determine NO3^--N content. Maize yield of CK in 2000 was only 28.2% of that in 1984, and wheat in 2001 was 25.7% of that observed in 1982. Average impact of fertilizers on grain yield decreased in the order of N 〉 M 〉 P 〉 K. Yield response to N and P fertilizers increased with progress of the experiment. The impact of K fertilizer showed no increase in grain yield during the initial 6 years （1982-1987）, moderate increase in the next 5 years （1988-1992）, and considerable increase in the last 9 years （1993-2001）. The straw yield trend was similar to grain yield. Accumulation and distribution of NO3^--N in soil was significantly affected by annual fertilizations. Mineral fertilizers （NP and NPK） led to NO3^- -N accumulation in most subsoil layers, with major impact in the 20-140 cm depth. The combination of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure （MNP and MNPK） reduced soil NO3^--N accumulation in comparison to mineral fertilizers, It can be argued that long-term fertilization significantly enhanced grain and straw yield in this rotation scheme. The findings of this research suggest that it is important to balance application of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure in order to protect soil and underground water from potential NO3^--N pollution while sustaining high productivity in the oasis agro-ecosystem.     

根层调控措施对甜玉米-黄瓜设施蔬菜轮作体系土壤硝态氮的影响

【目的】以甜玉米作为填闲作物,探讨不同的根层调控措施对消减土壤剖面累积硝态氮及下茬黄瓜生长的影响。【方法】在华北平原传统棚室蔬菜的休闲季种植甜玉米,针对甜玉米设置添加土壤调理剂和秸秆还田2种根层调控措施,以甜玉米传统种植作为对照,进行田间小区试验。试验于2008年5月至2011年5月进行,共3次甜玉米-黄瓜轮作,6季作物。每年6月初至9月底种植甜玉米,10月初至次年1月底扣棚育黄瓜苗,当年2月初种植黄瓜。在甜玉米季,共3个处理,随机排列,重复3次。小区面积为4 m×2 m,小区间隔0.3 m,区组之间布设1 m的保护行。【结果】甜玉米种植季,调理剂处理的玉米籽粒产量最高,2008、2009和2010年的产量分别为6.2、7.4和7.9 t·hm^-2;土壤调理剂和秸秆还田2种根层调控处理的甜玉米总吸氮量高于传统种植。秸秆还田和调理剂处理能够促进20-60 cm土层根系的生长发育,促使根系吸收更深层的土壤养分。2种根层调控措施均能降低土壤剖面NO₃^--N的累积,尤其对100-200 cm的作物根区NO₃^--N的消减能力更强,NO₃^--N消减趋势大致为：调理剂>秸秆还田>传统种植。3季黄瓜种植季,不同前茬处理的黄瓜产量、生物量和吸氮量差异均不显著;3季平均土壤NO₃^--N在0-200 cm土层的残留量为秸秆还田<调理剂<传统种植。3个轮作季后,传统种植、调理剂和秸秆还田处理在0-200 cm土层的氮素盈余量分别为1 911.6、1 966.3和1 930.2 kg·hm^-2,调理剂处理显著高于传统种植。【结论】在硝态氮高累积的设施土壤上,随着种植年限的增加,加入土壤调理剂和适当的秸秆还田对100-200 cm的作物根区土壤剖面NO₃^--N的消减能力更强。填闲作物种植第二年对下茬黄瓜土壤NO₃^--N的消减作用最为明显。土壤调理剂和秸秆还田措施能够显著提高甜玉米对土壤剖面NO₃^--N的消减能力,减缓土壤NO₃^--N 的淋失,提高经济效益。     

Use of soil nitrogen parameters and texture for spatially-variable nitrogen fertilization

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential importance of using soil texture to modify fertilizer N recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine (i) if surface clay content can be used as an auxiliary variable for estimating spatial variability of soil NO₃–N, and (ii) if this information is useful for variable rate N fertilization of non-irrigated corn [Zea mays (L.)] in south central Texas, USA across years. A 64 ha corn field with variable soil type and N fertility level was used for this study during 2004–2007. Plant and surface and sub-surface soil samples were collected at different grid points and analyzed for yield, soil N parameters and texture. A uniform rate (UR) of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in 2004 and variable rates (VAR) of 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ in 2005 through 2007 were applied to different sites in the field. Distinct yield variation was observed over this time period. Yield and soil surface clay content and soil N parameters were strongly spatially structured. Corn grain yield was positively related to residual NO₃–N with depth and either negatively or positively related to clay content depending on precipitation. Residual NO₃–N to 0.60 and 0.90 m depths was more related to corn yield than from shallower depths. The relationship of clay content with soil NO₃–N was weak and not temporally stable. Yield response to N rate also varied temporally. Supply of available N with depth, soil texture and growing season precipitation determined proper N management for this field.     

填闲种植对棚室菜田累积氮素消减及黄瓜生长的影响

【目的】在中国集约化蔬菜种植区,传统的高水肥投入导致土壤氮素大量累积,致使氮素淋洗到土壤深层或进入地下水,造成地下水硝酸盐污染。种植填闲作物可控制和减少土壤深层硝态氮的累积,因此,本研究探讨不同填闲作物种类对消减土壤剖面累积硝态氮及下季作物生长的影响,筛选出适宜的填闲作物种类。【方法】以华北平原传统棚室黄瓜菜田为对象,在蔬菜休闲期通过种植深根型填闲作物,利用其根系发达、生长迅速、吸氮量大的特点,促使土层中硝态氮大量消耗,以消减土壤剖面根层NO₃^--N累积和降低土壤剖面NO₃^--N淋失。以此为目标,设置甜玉米、苋菜、甜高粱及休闲田间小区试验,采集测定土壤、植株及根系样品,分析不同填闲作物的消减效果。【结果】在这3种填闲作物中,甜玉米的生物量和吸氮量最大,整体根长密度大于其它填闲种类。从对土壤剖面NO₃^--N的消减能力来说,甜玉米的消减能力最高。2008、2009及2010年,甜玉米对0-200 cm土层土壤NO₃^--N的消减量分别为153.8、605.7和56.3 kg·hm^-2。3年休闲期后,第一季前茬休闲处理的黄瓜产量、生物量及吸氮量均最高,在产量、吸氮量上与其他处理差异显著;第二季、第三季,前茬休闲的产量、生物量和吸氮量与其他处理差异不显著;填闲作物的种植并没有对黄瓜产量造成影响,并且黄瓜收获后土壤NO₃^--N含量明显降低。氮素表观平衡中0-200 cm土层,甜玉米-黄瓜的氮素亏缺量较大,说明甜玉米能显著降低土壤NO₃^--N的残留。种植填闲作物能够达到经济效益和生态效益的双赢,甜玉米、苋菜与甜高粱可分别为农民带来39 467、497和16 522元/hm²的净收入。【结论】棚室菜田夏季种植填闲作物不仅可以消减土壤剖面根层NO₃^--N累积,而且对下茬黄瓜产量未造成显著影响,黄瓜收获后土壤NO₃^--N含量也会明显降低;在设施蔬菜轮作体系中引入填闲作物具有可行性,甜玉米为较佳的填闲作物。     

Impact of Residual Soil Nitrate on In-Season Nitrogen Applications to Irrigated Corn Based on Remotely Sensed Assessments of Crop Nitrogen Status

Spatial and temporal variability of soil nitrogen (N) supply together with temporal variability of plant N demand make conventional N management difficult. This study was conducted to determine the impact of residual soil nitrate-N (NO₃-N) on ground-based remote sensing management of in-season N fertilizer applications for commercial center-pivot irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) in northeast Colorado. Wedge-shaped areas were established to facilitate fertigation with the center pivot in two areas of the field that had significantly different amounts of residual soil NO₃-N in the soil profile. One in-season fertigation (48 kg N ha⁻¹) was required in the Bijou loamy sand soil with high residual NO₃-N versus three in-season fertigations totaling 102 kg N ha⁻¹ in the Valentine fine sand soil with low residual NO₃-N. The farmer applied five fertigations to the field between the wedges for a total in-season N application of 214 kg N ha⁻¹. Nitrogen input was reduced by 78% and 52%, respectively, in these two areas compared to the farmer’s traditional practice without any reductions in corn yield. The ground-based remote sensing management of in-season applied N increased N use efficiency and significantly reduced residual soil NO₃-N (0–1.5 m depth) in the loamy sand soil area. Applying fertilizer N as needed by the crop and where needed in a field may reduce N inputs compared to traditional farmer accepted practices and improve in-season N management.     

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.     

不同氮肥水平下玉米根际土壤特性与产量的关系

【目的】明确不同生育时期根际土壤特性与玉米籽粒产量之间的关系,能够为生产上合理施肥、提高氮素利用效率和减轻环境污染提供理论依据。【方法】2012年大田设置5个氮肥梯度固定施肥样地（对照、180 kg·hm^-2、240 kg·hm^-2、300 kg·hm^-2和360 kg·hm^-2,分别简写为CK、N180、N240、N300和N360）,并于2012、2013和2014年连续3年在玉米拔节、吐丝、成熟3个关键生育时期测定玉米根际和非根际土壤铵态氮、硝态氮、脲酶、过氧化氢酶、pH,同时测定玉米根系和地上部生物量及其氮素累积量,重点分析CK、N240和N360 3个处理根际土壤特性以及植株氮素累积量与玉米籽粒产量之间的关系。【结果】与CK相比,4个施肥处理（N180、N240、N300和N360）3年产量的平均值分别增加了23.85%、36.40%、39.87%和34.78%;其地上部不同阶段氮素累积量均显著高于CK（2012年播种-拔节除外）,并随施肥量增加呈先增加后降低趋势。与CK相比,4个施肥处理根际土硝态氮含量分别增加23.38%、57.13%、57.87%和69.74%,非根际土壤硝态氮分别增加59.49%、92.01%、132.08%和179.35%。随施氮量的增加根际土铵态氮含量显著增加;与CK相比,4个施肥处理3年的非根际土壤铵态氮含量分别增加4.27%、3.51%、5.04%和26.26%。根际土壤pH和非根际土壤pH均随着氮肥施用量的增加而降低,其中根际土壤和非根际土壤pH的变化范围分别为4.5-6.7和5.5-7.2。与非根际土pH相比,根际土壤pH平均降低5%。根际土壤脲酶活性随氮肥用量的增加呈先增加后降低趋势。与对照相比,4个施氮处理3年非根际土壤脲酶活性平均值分别增加了4.02%、14.73%、24.55%和19.64%。根际土和非根际土过氧化氢酶活性均随氮肥用量的增加而降低,与CK相比,4个施氮处理3年的非根际土壤过氧化氢酶活性平均值分别降低了3.03%、5.09%、8.24%和12.67%。CK、N240和N360 3个处理不同生育时期玉米根际土壤特性以及植株氮素累积量与籽粒产量之间的相关分析结果表明,拔节期根际土壤硝态氮含量连续3年均与产量呈显著正相关。吐丝期玉米根际和非根际土壤硝态氮、根际土壤铵态氮和非根际土pH均与籽粒产量呈显著正相关;其中2013和2014年根际脲酶活性和根际土壤pH与产量的相关性也达到显著水平。2013和2014年成熟期根际和非根际土硝态氮含量也与玉米产量呈显著相关。主成分分析表明,玉米籽粒产量与拔节期土壤硝态氮含量、根际过氧化氢酶、地上部生物量和氮素累积量相关性较强;与吐丝期根际和非根际土壤硝态氮含量、根际土壤铵态氮含量和土壤pH以及地上部生物量及氮素累积量、根系生物量相关性较强;与成熟期地上部生物量和氮素累积量相关性较强。【结论】根据不同生育时期玉米根际土壤特性与籽粒产量之间的关系,进行合理施肥,能够保证玉米根际养分的有效供应,营造良好的根际土壤环境,提高氮素利用效率、增加玉米籽粒产量。     

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 NH₃ sources, 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 interaction with the organic amendments (i.e., manure and straw) in a wheat–maize rotation. Implementing the 4Rs significantly reduced NH₃ emissions to 6 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1 and the emission factor to 1.72%, without compromising grain yield (12.37 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1) and soil fertility (soil organic carbon of 7.58 g kg^–1) compared to the conventional chemical N management. When using the 4R plus manure, NH₃ emissions (7 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) and the emission factor (1.74%) were as low as 4Rs, and grain yield and soil organic carbon increased to 14.79 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1 and 10.09 g kg^–1, respectively. Partial manure substitution not only significantly reduced NH₃ emissions but also increased crop yields and improved soil fertility, compared to conventional chemical N management. Straw return exerted a minor effect on NH₃ emissions. These results highlight that 4R plus manure, which couples nitrogen and carbon management can help achieve both high yields and low environmental costs.     

不同施氮量下缓释氮肥与尿素掺混对玉米生长与氮素吸收利用的影响

【目的】研究不同施氮量下,尿素与缓释氮肥掺混对大田玉米生长、干物质累积量、产量、氮肥利用率和土壤硝态氮残留的影响,为作物高效施氮管理提供理论依据。【方法】试验选用玉米品种郑单958,设置了3种氮肥类型(尿素(U)、缓释氮肥(S)、尿素缓释肥3∶7掺混(SU))和4个施氮水平(N1(90 kg·hm~(-2))、N2(120 kg·hm~(-2))、N3(180 kg·hm~(-2))、N4(240 kg·hm~(-2))),以不施氮肥(N0)为对照,共13个处理。生育期内对玉米株高、茎粗和叶面积指数进行观测,并统计干物质累积量、产量及产量构成因素。【结果】氮肥类型与施氮量及两者交互作用对玉米生长指标、干物质累积量、产量及产量构成要素都有显著的影响。尿素掺混缓释氮肥(SU)在N3施氮量下玉米最大干物质累积量和氮素累积吸收量分别为17 927.9 kg·hm~(-2)和156.1 kg·hm~(-2),较其他处理分别提高了16.0%—61.7%和8.1%—45.2%。尿素掺混缓释氮肥(SU)在N3施氮量下,产量达到最高,为6 200 kg·hm~(-2),比尿素(U)N3处理和缓释氮肥(S)N2处理的产量分别增加了19.8%和20.7%;其中,缓释氮肥处理(S)和尿素掺混缓释氮肥处理(SU)在N2施氮量下比尿素处理施氮量减少30%时,产量无显著性差异。玉米的产量并不是随着施氮量的增加而增加,尿素(U)和尿素掺混缓释氮肥处理(SU)在N3施氮量时玉米产量比N4施氮量分别增加了19.7%和19.0%,缓释氮肥处理(S)中N2施氮量的玉米产量比N3和N4施氮量分别提高10.9%和26.5%。尿素掺混缓释氮肥(SU)N3处理玉米吐丝期后营养器官中氮素向籽粒中转运量最大,比尿素(U)N3处理和缓释氮肥(S)N2处理分别增加了14.7%和8.2%,有利于促进籽粒的增产。土壤硝态氮的累积量随着施氮量的增加而增加,但是尿素掺混缓释氮肥(SU)处理的土壤硝态氮累积量比尿素(U)处理和缓释氮肥(S)处理分别平均减少21.2%和9.5%,尿素掺混缓释氮肥(SU)处理土壤硝态氮含量主要分布在0—40 cm土层,不仅促进玉米的吸收,更减少土壤氮素向更深土层的淋失,提高耕作层的土壤养分。【结论】尿素与缓释氮肥掺混,施氮量180 kg·hm~(-2)是试验区玉米高效生产的最佳施氮量。