Monitoring wheat phenology and irrigation in Central Morocco: On the use of relationships between evapotranspiration,crops coefficients,leaf area index and remotely-sensed vegetation indices

The monitoring of crop production and irrigation at a regional scale can be based on the use of ecosystem process models and remote sensing data. The former simulate the time courses of the main biophysical variables which affect crop photosynthesis and water consumption at a fine time step (hourly or daily); the latter allows to provide the spatial distribution of these variables over a region of interest at a time span from 10 days to a month. In this context, this study investigates the feasibility of using the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from remote sensing data to provide indirect estimates of: (1) the leaf area index (LAI), which is a key-variable of many crop process models; and (2) crop coefficients, which represent the ratio of actual (AET) to reference (ET₀) evapotranspiration.A first analysis is performed based on a dataset collected at field in an irrigated area of the Haouz plain (region of Marrakesh, Central Morocco) during the 2002–2003 agricultural season. The seasonal courses of NDVI, LAI, AET and ET₀ have been compared, then crop coefficients have been calculated using a method that allows roughly to separate soil evaporation from plant transpiration. This allows to compute the crop basal coefficient (K_cb) restricted to the plant transpiration process. Finally, three relationships have been established. The relationships between LAI and NDVI as well as between LAI and K_cb were found both exponential, with associated errors of 30% and 15%, respectively. Because the NDVI saturates at high LAI values (>4), the use of remotely-sensed data results in poor accuracy of LAI estimates for well-developed canopies. However, this inaccuracy was not found critical for transpiration estimates since AET appears limited to ET₀ for well-developed canopies. As a consequence, the relationship between NDVI and K_cb was found linear and of good accuracy (15%).Based on these relationships, maps of LAI and transpiration requirements have been derived from two Landsat7-ETM+ images acquired at the beginning and the middle of the agricultural season. These maps show the space and time variability in crop development and water requirements over a 3 km × 3 km irrigated area that surrounds the fields of study. They may give an indication on how the water should be distributed over the area of interest in order to improve the efficiency of irrigation. The availability, in the near future, of Earth Observation Systems designed to provide both high spatial resolution (10 m) and frequent revisit (day) would make it feasible to set up such approaches for the operational monitoring of crop phenology and irrigation at a regional scale.     

Long-term consequences of tillage,residue management,and crop rotation on maize/wheat root rot and nematode populations in subtropical highlands

Densely populated and intensively cropped, the subtropical highlands of the world have severe agricultural sustainability problems resulting from soil erosion and fertility decline. In 1991, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) initiated a long-term field experiment with zero tillage under rainfed conditions at its semi-arid highland experiment station in Mexico (2240 m asl; 19.31°N, 98.50°W; Cumulic Phaeozem) to evaluate the effects of tillage, residue management, and rotation on maize and wheat production. Long-term effects on root rot and nematode populations – and their possible detrimental effects on yield – were monitored from 1998 to 2003 to evaluate the sustainability of the cropping system. In general, wheat showed less root rot incidence than maize. Crop residue retention reduced the numbers of the nematode Pratylenchus thornei in both crops, as did zero tillage compared with conventional tillage. Conventional tillage with continuous maize and residue removal, the common farmer practice in this region, reduced yield and dramatically increased P. thornei. Zero tillage with residue removal resulted in low values for yield, root rot, and nematode populations, especially under maize monoculture. Under zero tillage and residue retention, root rot incidence in maize was moderate, parasitic nematode numbers were low, and yield was highest compared to alternative practices. In wheat, the highest yields were observed under zero tillage and residue retention, with intermediate root rot incidence. Zero tillage with rotation and residue retention enhanced water availability, soil structure, and nutrient availability more than conventional tillage. Microbial life diversity increased under zero tillage and residue retention, which may useful for biological control and integrated pest management.     

渭北旱塬不同覆盖材料对旱作农田土壤水分及春玉米产量的影响

为了探索半湿润区沟垄覆盖栽培条件下春玉米田的蓄墒效果和增产增收效应,2009—2010年在渭北旱塬采用普通地膜、生物降解膜和液态膜,设置了不同沟垄覆盖栽培模式,连续2a对土壤水分、产量和经济效益进行分析研究。结果表明,在玉米全生育期,普通地膜和生物降解膜能有效改善土壤的水分利用状况。与传统平作(对照)相比,普通地膜和生物降解膜覆盖处理,0~200 cm土壤平均贮水量分别增加了9.2%和8.6%,液态膜覆盖表现不稳定。2 a玉米平均产量普通地膜和生物降解膜分别较对照提高19.23%和17.82%(P<0.05),水分利用效率平均提高21.49%和20.25%;经济效益以普通地膜和生物降解膜最高,2 a平均纯收益分别较对照增收22.09%和20.44%,而液态膜处理的产量、水分利用效率及经济效益与对照均无显著差异。可见,覆盖生物降解膜和普通地膜有良好的蓄水保墒效果,显著增加了作物产量和水分利用效率,因此生物降解膜可以代替普通地膜应用于农业生产。     

The influence of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and combustion quality of whole grain crops for solid fuel use

Whole grain crops can be suitable for the production of solid biofuels because they have a high biomass yield and can be harvested with a low water concentration. The concentrations of water, ash, nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), chlorine (Cl) and potassium (K) in solid biofuels should be as low as possible and calcium (Ca) concentrations high to avoid technical problems and environmentally harmful emissions during the combustion process. Since N fertilization can negatively influence the combustion quality of biomass, a conflict between yield and quality aims can arise. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the dosage of N fertilization on the yield and quality of the whole crop biomass of triticale, rye and wheat. In 1996 and 1997, field trials with winter triticale, winter rye and winter wheat were conducted at three locations in South-West Germany. N fertilizer doses were varied from 0 to 70 and 140 kg N ha⁻¹ a⁻¹. All N doses were applied between March and May. The whole crop biomass was harvested. The water concentrations and concentrations of ash, N, K, Cl and Ca in straw and grain were measured. A dose of 70 kg N significantly increased the yield of all cereal species, but yield increases at 140 kg N were not always significant when compared with 70 kg N. At 70 kg N the energy yields reached 137–249 GJ ha⁻¹, for wheat, 142–263 GJ ha⁻¹ for rye and 182–250 GJ ha⁻¹ for triticale. The water concentration of the biomass, mainly of the straw, was significantly increased by N fertilization when the harvest was performed early at comparatively high water concentrations. For all cereal species a significant increase of N concentrations, especially in the grain, was measured at increased N fertilizer levels. The K concentrations of the straw and the Ca concentrations of straw and grain of all cereal species were also increased by N fertilization. N fertilization had little or no effect on the ash and Cl concentrations, which slightly decreased with increased N fertilization. N fertilization can, therefore, be used as a tool to influence the concentrations of N and K in the biomass. When combining yield and quality aims, 70–100 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ N fertilizer was the best dosage for the whole grain crops at the southwestern German locations tested here.     

接种菌剂腐熟稻草育秧基质提高机插稻秧苗素质及产量

为探明稻草育秧基质在机插稻生产中的应用效果,该文以水稻土(CK)为对照,研究了接种自制腐秆菌剂的稻草基质(T1)、不接种腐秆菌剂的稻草基质(T2)2种基质理化性状及其对机插稻秧苗素质、机插质量及产量形成的影响。结果表明,T1、T2容重显著低于CK,含水量、孔隙度(通气孔隙度和持水孔隙度)和养分含量则显著高于CK;接种腐秆菌剂改善了稻草育秧基质的理化性状,可降低基质有机质含量、提高速效养分浓度及减小碳氮比(C/N)。与T2和CK相比,T1培育出的秧苗综合素质较好、机插质量高,有利于促进大田分蘖早生快发,同时增加了各时期叶面积指数、干物质质量及N、P、K吸收量,可形成较多的有效穗和充足的总颖花量,最终促进水稻高产的形成。T1产量比CK提高了4.37%,增产效果显著。可见,接种腐秆菌剂的稻草基质能满足水稻秧苗正常生长,与当前机插技术兼容性强,有利于提高机插稻产量及稻草的资源化利用,是一种较为理想的机插稻育秧基质。     

Seasonal changes in the effects of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on dry matter production and distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

It is reported that stimulating effect of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] on photosynthesis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is likely to be reduced during the plant growth period. However, there is little information on seasonal changes in dry matter (DM) production and distribution of rice under elevated atmospheric [CO₂]. A free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted at Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, in 2001–2003, using Wuxiangging 14, a japonica cultivar. The rice was grown at ambient or elevated (ca. 200 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient) [CO₂] and supplied with 25 g N m², which is the normal N application rate for local farmers. DM accumulation of rice in FACE plots was significantly increased by 40, 30, 22, 26 and 16% on average at tillering, panicle initiation (PI), heading, mid-ripening and grain maturity, respectively. Rice DM production under FACE was significantly enhanced by 41, 27, 15 and 38% on average during the growth periods from transplanting to tillering (Period 1), tillering to PI (Period 2), PI to heading (Period 3) and heading to mid-ripening (Period 4), respectively, but significantly decreased by 25% in the period from mid-ripening to grain maturity (Period 5). In general, seasonal changes in crop response to FACE in both green leaf area index (GLAI) and net assimilation rate (NAR) followed a similar pattern to that of the DM production. Under FACE the leaves decreased significantly in proportion to the total above-ground DM over the season, the stems showed an opposite trend, while the spikes depended on crop development stage: showing no change at heading, significant increase (+4%) at mid-ripening and significant decrease (−3%) at grain maturity. Grain yield was stimulated by an average of 13% by FACE, due to increased total DM production rather than any changes in partitioning to the grain. We conclude that the gradual acclimation of rice growth to elevated [CO₂] do not occur inevitably, and it could also be altered by environmental conditions (e.g., cultivation technique).     

Effects of plant density on grain yield,protein size distribution,and breadmaking quality of winter wheat grown under two nitrogen fertilisation rates

Nitrogen (N) and plant density are two crucial factors that affect winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and quality, but little is known regarding the effects of interactions between these two factors on the amount and size distribution of protein fractions and quality traits. We grew the bread wheat cultivar Jinan17 in two successive seasons (2012–2013 and 2013–2014) at three densities of 120 plants m⁻² (low), 180 plants m⁻² [the usual rate for a multiple-spike cultivar with high tillering ability in the North China Plain (NCP)], and 240 plants m⁻² (high) and two levels of N fertilisation of 0 (low N availability treatment without N fertilisation) and 240 kg ha⁻¹ (the usual N rate for winter wheat production in the NCP) to evaluate the effect of N level × plant density interaction on grain yield, grain protein concentration, the amount and composition of protein fractions, dough development time, dough stability time, and loaf volume. The effect of plant density on Jinan 17 grain yield and quality differed between the two N levels. As plant density increased, all the parameters listed above decreased under 0 kg ha⁻¹ N fertilisation, but increased under 240 kg ha⁻¹ N fertilisation. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the dough rheological properties and breadmaking quality of Jinan 17 were affected by plant density under both N levels, primarily through changes in the polymerisation degree of glutenins in the flour.     

不同有机肥培肥对旱作农田土壤团聚体的影响

【目的】研究不同有机肥施用量和玉米秸秆还田量对土壤团聚体组成和有机质含量的影响。【方法】在渭北旱塬连续3年(2007-2009年)进行有机培肥定位试验,以不施肥处理为对照,研究施用不同量秸秆(9 000、13 500kg/hm2)和有机肥(鸡粪,15 000、22 500kg/hm2)后,不同土层(0～10,10～20cm)土壤团聚体组成和有机质含量的变化。【结果】9 000,13 500kg/hm2秸秆还田和15 000,22 500kg/hm2有机肥处理0～20cm土层土壤有机质含量分别较对照提高了8.92%(P<0.05),9.85%(P<0.01)和7.41%(P<0.05),12.03%(P<0.01)。施用有机肥处理和秸秆还田处理0～20cm土层粒径>0.25mm机械稳定性团聚体含量显著高于对照(P<0.05)。粒径>0.25mm水稳定性团聚体含量随秸秆还田和有机肥施用量的增加而增大,高秸秆和高有机肥处理较对照差异显著(P<0.05)。干筛法测定的土壤团聚体平均质量直径极显著高于对照(P<0.01)。土壤团聚体分散度和不稳定团粒指数在0～20cm土层表现为高秸秆和高有机肥处理较对照明显降低。不同培肥处理粒径≤5～>2和≤1～>0.5mm水稳定性团聚体含量与有机质含量呈极显著正相关关系。【结论】有机培肥可以显著提高粒径>0.25mm机械稳定性团聚体和水稳定性团聚体含量及有机质含量,有机培肥通过提高有机质含量直接促进了渭北旱塬土壤粒径≤1～>0.5mm水稳定性团聚体的形成,对旱地土壤理化性质具有一定的改善作用。     

丹江口库区坡耕地不同作物对土壤溅蚀的影响

选取位于丹江口库区的代表性坡耕地,通过野外调查与室内分析,研究种植不同作物(黄姜、红薯、芝麻与玉米)对土壤溅蚀的影响,同时探讨土壤溅蚀与作物株高、覆盖度及其土壤含水量、温度的相关性。结果表明:在作物生长前期,各处理土壤溅蚀差异不显著;在生长盛期,种植作物显著降低土壤溅蚀,其中相对于对照处理,黄姜处理降低幅度最小,芝麻与玉米次之,红薯则最大。相关分析表明,土壤溅蚀与作物覆盖度、土壤含水量及土温呈显著的一元二次曲线相关。因此,种植作物改变了坡耕地局部空间格局,使降雨发生空间再分布。     

基于机插晚稻分蘖成穗特性获取基本苗定量参数

为精确定量机插晚稻适宜的群体起点,合理利用分蘖成穗,以3个晚稻(H优518、H优159和五优308)高产品种(组合)为材料,研究了机插晚稻分蘖成穗特性及基本苗公式参数。结果表明,机插晚稻1次分蘖集中在主茎第3~7叶位,第3~6叶位为分蘖发生与成穗的优势叶位;2次分蘖在3/0~5/0上均有发生,但成穗以1/3和1/4为主;主要依靠1次分蘖成穗,2次分蘖成穗较少;单株分蘖成穗数4.5个左右;主茎及优势蘖位穗部性状较好,穗粒结构协调,产量较高,对群体产量贡献大。晚稻在4叶1心期机插,移栽分蘖缺位叶龄(bn,blemish number)为0.7~0.8,校正系数(a)为0.6左右,有效分蘖发生率(r)在0.8左右。生产中机插晚稻应在保证合理基本苗的基础上,争取分蘖早生快发,在充分发挥1次分蘖的分蘖成穗优势的同时,合理利用低位2次分蘖成穗,以获取适宜的穗数而实现高产。该研究揭示了高产条件下机插晚稻分蘖成穗规律及基本苗公式参数,为大面积生产中机插秧基本苗精确定量及分蘖高效利用提供技术参考。