Nitrogen use efficiency of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as influenced by wheat–cotton cropping systems

Wheat–cotton rotations largely increase crop yield and improve resources use efficiency, such as the radiation use efficiency. However, little information is available on the nitrogen (N) utilization and requirement of cotton under wheat–cotton rotations. This study was to determine the N uptake and use efficiency by evaluating the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) N use and the soil N balances, which will help to improve N resource management in wheat–cotton rotations. Field experiments were conducted during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 growing seasons in the Yangtze River region in China. Two cotton cultivars (Siza 3, mid-late maturity with 130 days growth duration; CCRI 50, early maturity with 110 days growth duration) were planted under four cropping systems including monoculture cotton (MC), wheat/intercropped cotton (W/IC), wheat/transplanted cotton (W/TC) and wheat/direct-seeded cotton (W/DC). The N uptake and use efficiency of cotton were quantified under different cropping systems. The results showed that wheat–cotton rotations decreased the cotton N uptake through reducing the N accumulation rate and shortening the duration of fast N accumulation phase as compared to the monoculture cotton. Compared with MC, the N uptake of IC, TC and DC were decreased by 12.0%, 20.5% and 23.4% for Siza 3, respectively, and 7.3%, 10.7% and 17.6% for CCRI 50, respectively. Wheat–cotton rotations had a lower N harvest index as a consequence of the weaker sink capacity in the cotton plant caused by the delayed fruiting and boll formation. Wheat–cotton rotations used N inefficiently relative to the monoculture cotton, showing consistently lower level of the N agronomic use efficiency (NAE), N apparent recovery efficiency (NRE), N physiological efficiency (NPE) and N partial factor productivity (NPFP), particularly for DC. Relative to the mid–late maturity cultivar of Siza 3, the early maturity cultivar of CCRI 50 had higher N use efficiency in wheat–cotton rotations. An analysis of the crop N balance suggested that the high N excess in preceding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in wheat–cotton rotations led to significantly higher N surpluses than the monoculture cotton. The N management for the cotton in wheat–cotton rotations should be improved by means of reducing the base fertilizer input and increasing the bloom application.     

Estimating spatial mean soil water contents of sloping jujube orchards using temporal stability

Estimating spatial mean soil water contents from point-scale measurements is important to improve soil water management in sloping land of semiarid areas. Temporal stability analysis, as a statistical technique to estimate soil water content, is an effective tool in terms of facilitating the upscaling estimation of mean values. The objective of this study was to examine temporal stability of soil water profiles (0–20, 20–40, 40–60 and 0–60 cm) in sloping jujube (Zizyphus jujuba) orchards and to estimate field mean root-zone soil water based on temporal stability analysis in the Yuanzegou catchment of the Chinese Loess Plateau, using soil water observations under both dry and wet soil conditions. The results showed that different time-stable locations were identified for different depths and the temporal stability of soil water content in 20–40 cm was significantly (P < 0.05) weaker than that in other depths. Moreover, these time-stable locations had relatively high clay contents, relatively mild slopes and relatively planar surfaces compared to the corresponding field means. Statistical analysis revealed that the temporal stability of root zone soil water (0–60 cm) was higher in either dry or wet season than that including both, and soil water exhibited very low temporal stability during the transition period from dry to wet. Based on the temporal stability analysis, field mean soil water contents were estimated reasonably (R² from 0.9560 to 0.9873) from the point measurements of these time-stable locations. Since the terrains in this study are typical in the hilly regions of the Loess Plateau, the results presented here should improve soil water management in sloping orchards in the Loess Plateau.     

基于能值分析的甘肃农业生态经济系统发展态势及可持续发展对策

运用能值分析方法,对甘肃农业生态经济系统的能值产投结构、能值指标进行了计算,井从纵向和横向的比较中对甘肃农业生态经济系统发展水平进行了诊断.分析表明:(1)甘肃省自然资源相对丰富,经济发展的资源基础相对雄厚,但由于对本地资源的过分依赖,加之购买能值投入的严重不足,导致甘肃本地资源得不到有效的利用,农业经济发展程度不高,是一种高资源消耗型经济发展模式;(2)农业生态经济系统的封闭性较强,不符合农业可持续发展的需求.土地生产力水平较低,人均能值用量较低;(3)经济总量还不够大,经济发展中应用的资源能值有很大部分来自本区环境和资源系统而无需付费.农业生态经济系统仍属于资源消耗型,但由于人口众多,入均占有纯能值量较低,且生产和管理过程的科技含量较低,存在着资源的浪费和破坏,系统对干环境的压力较大.因此必须通过增加系统投入,保护环境资源,优化投入结构,调整农业产业结构,依靠科学技术等,以实现甘肃农业可持续发展.     

The Common Modelling Protocol: A hierarchical framework for simulation of agricultural and environmental systems

A modular approach to simulation modelling offers significant advantages for its application to agricultural and environmental questions, including re-use of model equations in different contexts and with different user-interfaces; configuration of model structures that are most appropriate to a given problem; and facilitation of collaboration between modelling teams. This paper describes the Common Modelling Protocol (CMP), a generic, open and platform-independent framework for modular simulation modelling that is in widespread use. The CMP is distinguished from existing simulation frameworks by taking an explicitly hierarchical view of the biophysical system being simulated and by representing continuous and discontinuous processes equally naturally. Modules of model logic are represented in the CMP by entities known as “components”. Each component may possess “properties” that convey the value of the quantities in its equations and “event handlers” that compute model logic. Low-level information-transfers in the CMP are carried out by means of a message-passing system. Co-ordinated sequences of messages carry out tasks such as initialization, exchange of variable values and the control of computation order. Extensible Markup Language (XML) is used in the protocol for tasks such as denoting data types, submitting simulations for execution and describing components to user-interface software. Examples are presented showing how the CMP can be used to couple modules developed by different teams and to configure a complex model structure. The choices and trade-offs encountered when building a framework for modular simulation are analyzed, using the CMP and other simulation frameworks as examples. The kinds of scientific issues that arise when the CMP is used to realize collaboration between modelling groups are discussed.     

Laboratory prescreening of Bradyrhizobium japonicum for low pH,Al and Mn tolerance can be used to predict their survival in acid soils

We examined whether strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum selected for growth on acid media in vitro would also survive and grow better in acid soils. Four agar screening media for acid-tolerant rhizobia, which differed in the number of acid soil stresses imposed (pH, low calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), high aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn)), were assessed for their effects on the survival of 14 Indonesian strains and two commercial strains of B. japonicum. Survival of B. japonicum in the agar media was compared with that in two acid soils. A repeat stab inoculation method which provided a declining range of inoculum cell number to 10³ cells per stab was used to assess the daily growth of the strains on the screening media at 5 pH levels (3.8, 4.2, 4.5, 5.0, and 6.8). The growth and survival of the 16 strains were then measured at days 1, 8, 18, and 28 after inoculation in two acid soils (pH 4.24 and 4.35) sterilized using γ-irradiation at 5.0 Mrad. Selectivity of the agar media improved as more acid stress factors were incorporated in the media. Those strains of Bradyrhizobium identified as acid, Al and Mn-tolerant in acidic agar media, also had better survival in the low pH soils. There was no relationship between acid or alkali production on agar media and acid tolerance on agar or in soil. There was no apparent relationship between symbiotic performance and acid tolerance, and one acid-tolerant strain was as effective as the commercial inoculant strain CB1809. The most acid-tolerant strain was also the most ineffective.     

黄土丘陵区柠条人工林土壤呼吸速率对碳输入方式改变的响应

凋落物和植物根系作为土壤碳储量的主要植物性碳源,其质及量的改变可影响土壤碳汇功能。以黄土丘陵区柠条人工林为对象,设置移除凋落物、双倍凋落物、切根、移凋切根和保持原状5种碳输入方式,利用LI-8100土壤碳通量测量仪测定生长季（5-10月）土壤呼吸速率,以期阐明柠条人工林土壤呼吸速率对碳输入方式改变的响应。结果表明:1）各碳输入方式5-10月土壤呼吸速率呈单峰趋势,均在7月最高,10月最低;相比保持原状,双倍凋落物下5-10月累计土壤呼吸速率增加了22.73%,而移凋、切根和移凋切根的5-10月累计土壤呼吸速率分别减少27.57%、40.90%和33.83%;2）根系呼吸、凋落物呼吸和土壤矿质呼吸对土壤呼吸的相对贡献率由大到小分别为土壤矿质呼吸(68.58%)>根系呼吸(38.41%)>凋落物呼吸(24.65%);3）各碳输入方式下土壤呼吸速率与土壤温度呈显著指数相关,而与土壤湿度的二次关系不显著;土壤温度和湿度的双变量复合模型对土壤呼吸速率月变化解释率53%~93%,高于土壤温度和湿度的单因子模型对土壤呼吸速率月变化解释率53%~74%和0.6%~23.2%;相比保持原状,去凋、双倍凋落物、切根和移凋切根均降低了土壤温度敏感性。研究表明,柠条人工林地表凋落物的积累过多可能减弱土壤碳汇功能。     

Land Management History of Canadian Grasslands and the Impact on Soil Carbon Storage

Grasslands represent a large potential reservoir in storing carbon (C) in plant biomass and soil organic matter via C sequestration, but the potential greatly depends on how grasslands are managed, especially for livestock and wild animal grazing. Positive and negative grazing effects on soil organic carbon have been reported by various studies globally, but it is not known if Canadian grasslands function as a source or a sink for atmospheric C under current management practices. This article examines the effect of grassland management on carbon storage by compiling historical range management facts and measurements from multiple experiments. Results indicate that grazing on grasslands has contributed to a net C sink in the top 15-cm depth under current utilization regimes with a removal rate of CO₂ at 0.19 ±  Mg · C · ha^-1 · yr^-1 from the atmosphere during recent decades, and net C sequestration was estimated at 5.64 ±  Mg · C · ha^-1 on average. Naturalization of 2.3 M ha of previously cultivated grasslands in the 1930s has also led to C sequestration in the Canadian prairies but has likely abated as the pool has saturated. Efforts made by researchers, policymakers, and the public has successfully led to the restoration of the Canadian prairies to a healthier state and to achieve considerable C sequestration in soils since their severe deterioration in the 1930s. In-depth analysis of management, legislation, and agricultural programs is urgently needed to place the focus on maintaining range health and achieving more C storage in soils, particularly when facing the reduced potential for further C sequestration.     

聚丙烯酰胺施用量、初始含水率和容重对土壤水分入渗特性的影响

  目的  聚丙烯酰胺（PAM）被认为是最有潜力的人工合成土壤改良剂。研究PAM对土壤水分入渗的影响,为黄土高原水土流失防治和土壤改良提供依据。  方法  通过室内模拟土柱试验,分析了PAM施用量、初始含水率和容重对一维垂直积水入渗的累积入渗量与湿润锋运移距离的影响,并通过多元回归分析得到各因子影响程度。  结果  （1）不同PAM施用量处理120 min累积入渗量和120 min湿润锋运移距离总体上呈减小趋势,减小程度与PAM施用量有关。（2）无论是否施用PAM,120 min累积入渗量随初始含水率和容重的增加均呈现不同幅度的减少,而120 min湿润锋运移距离随初始含水率和容重的增加分别表现为增大和减小的趋势。（3）各因子对120 min累积入渗量和120 min湿润锋运移距离的影响程度排序均为:容重 > PAM施用量 > 初始含水率。（4）建立了基于非线性回归方法的多元土壤水分入渗经验模型。  结论  PAM对于改良黄土高原地区旱作土壤的水分状况具有良好效果。     

植被恢复和覆土厚度对砒砂岩区土壤水分及养分的影响

[目的]研究植被恢复对砒砂岩区土壤水分和养分的影响状况,明确对于砒砂岩地区土壤保水保肥效果最佳的植被恢复类型,为砒砂岩区的生态修复和区域水土流失治理提供理论依据。[方法]选取准格尔旗暖水乡裸露砒砂岩向覆土砒砂岩过渡区域,以黄土—砒砂岩交界带不同人工恢复植被和自然恢复草地的土壤为研究对象,测定土壤水分和养分含量,分析不同植被恢复和覆土厚度对砒砂岩区土壤水分和养分特征的影响(其中天然草地作为对照)。[结果](1)裸露砒砂岩向覆土砒砂岩过渡区域土壤水分含量主要受黄土厚度影响,黄土的持水性能优于砒砂岩土壤,养分含量主要受植被恢复类型影响;(2)研究区土壤各指标均属于中等变异程度,其中土壤水分、碳、氮含量自北向南随覆土厚度增加逐渐增加,磷素分布则相反;(3)对比天然草地,沙棘和油松恢复对砒砂岩区土壤碳、氮含量的提升效果最好,土壤有机质含量分别提高了43.12%和34.27%,全氮提高了78.95%和42.11%,铵态氮提高25.64%和46.15%,硝态氮提高69.44%和42.22%。其中油松恢复下土壤水分含量高于天然草地54.55%,但人工植被恢复后的土壤磷素水平并没有提升。[结论]黄土较砒...     

黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面不同类型生物土壤结皮养分与微生物养分限制特征

生物土壤结皮的发育类型对土壤养分和微生物代谢起着重要作用。为进一步明确在生物结皮发育过程中微生物的限制性养分与影响因素,研究选择黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面上的裸土(CK)、浅色藻结皮(LA)、深色藻结皮(DA)、藻藓混合结皮(AM)和藓结皮(M)为研究对象,分析了不同生物土壤结皮类型下碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)养分状况与胞外酶活性,并通过胞外酶化学计量来量化微生物的代谢限制。结果表明:LA,DA,AM和M这4种类型生物土壤结皮C,N,P养分含量和微生物生物量C,N,P均显著高于CK(p<0.05),并且SOC,TN,TP和微生物生物量C,N,P随CK,LA,DA,AM和M的顺序逐渐增大,藓结皮微生物量C,N,P分别是CK处理的18.3,27.6,14.1倍。生物土壤结皮的发育显著提高了C,N,P循环酶的活性,冗余分析结果表明土壤养分与酶活性密切相关。此外,通过酶计量的矢量模型结果来看,生物土壤结皮的发育造成微生物相对碳限制的增大与相对磷限制的减小,并受到速效养分含量的影响。偏最小二乘路径模型结果也表明生物土壤结皮的类型会间接影响微生物的代谢限制。总的来说,生物土壤结皮类型的变化会改善土壤养分状况与微生物量等性质,养分资源的供应状况会造成微生物养分代谢的变化。