Assessment of uncertainty and sensitivity analyses for ORYZA model under different ranges of parameter variation

We explore the effects of different ranges of parameter variation (RPV) on sensitivity and uncertainty analyses for ORYZA_V3 model. In this study, a latin hypercube sampling (LHS) technique is used to generate parameter sample sets, and a regression-based method is employed for the sensitivity analysis on 16 crop parameters. Then, a top-down concordance coefficient (TDCC) is calculated to assess the stability of parameter sensitivity rankings across diverse RPV. Furthermore, coefficients of variation (CV) and 90% confidence intervals (90CI) of daily model outputs are analyzed by considering uncertainty in observations. We find that the increasing RPV multiplies the CV of daily model outputs, whereas the RPV has no effect on the CV’s change rule over time. The 90CI of model outputs include most of the observations when the RPV is more than ±30% perturbation. The standardized regression coefficient (SRC) of some parameters are obviously minified when the RPV is ±5% or ±50% perturbation. The results highlights the importance of RPV selection in the sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of crop model, and ±30% perturbation was suggested when the RPV cannot be specifically obtained.     

Planting density and sowing proportions of maize–soybean intercrops affected competitive interactions and water-use efficiencies on the Loess Plateau,China

In field trials on the Loess Plateau, China, in 2012–13, maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) were sole cropped and intercropped at three densities and with three sowing proportions. Maize was generally more growth efficient for biomass accumulation than soybean during the entire growth interval, as assessed using the relative efficiency index (REI_c). However, most of sowing proportion at each density displayed a trend of decreased growth with development. Throughout the growth period, the dry matter production and leaf area index (LAI) of maize increased as the plant density increased irrespective of whether it was grown as a sole crop or as an intercrop. However, the effect of increasing cropping density was less obvious for soybean. The LAI values of the sole crop treatment for both maize and soybean were greater than that of the intercropping system, indicating that the presence of maize and soybean together suppressed the respective growth of the two crops. At the final harvest, land equivalent ratios (LER) of 0.84–1.35 indicated resource complementarity in most of the studied intercrops. Complementarity was directly affected by changes in plant densities; the greatest LER were observed in 2 rows maize and 2 rows soybean intercrops at low density. The water equivalent ratio (WER), which characterized the efficiency of water resource use in intercropping, ranged from 0.84 to 1.68, indicating variability in the effect of intercropping on water-use efficiency (WUE).     

Community structure of prokaryotes and their functional potential in subsoils is more affected by spatial heterogeneity than by temporal variations

Spatial and temporal dynamics of microbial community structure and function in subsoils have been rarely studied in the past. In this paper we present data on how bacterial communities as well as selected functional groups of microbes change in the rhizosphere, the drilosphere, and in bulk soil over time in topsoil as well as in subsoil. We show that the overall richness of bacteria and abundance of nitrifiers and denitrifiers decreases in bulk soil with soil depth. However, these effects were not or to a much lower degree observed in the rhizosphere and the drilosphere. Temporal fluctuations contributed by far less than spatial factors to the dynamics of bacterial communities and abundance of nitrifiers and denitrifiers in all compartments independent from the soil depth.     

Predicting soil organic matter stability in agricultural fields through carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes

In order to evaluate the sustainability and efficiency of soil carbon sequestration measures and the impact of different management and environmental factors, information on soil organic matter (SOM) stability and mean residence time (MRT) is required. However, this information on SOM stability and MRT is expensive to determine via radiocarbon dating, precluding a wide spread use of stability measurements in soil science. In this paper, we test an alternative method, first developed by Conen et al. (2008) for undisturbed Alpine grassland systems, using C and N stable isotope ratios in more frequently disturbed agricultural soils. Since only information on carbon and nitrogen concentrations and their stable isotope ratios is required, it is possible to estimate the SOM stability at greatly reduced costs compared to radiocarbon dating. Using four different experimental sites located in various climates and soil types, this research proved the effectiveness of using the C/N ratio and δ¹⁵N signature to determine the stability of mOM (mineral associated organic matter) relative to POM (particulate organic matter) in an intensively managed agro-ecological setting. Combining this approach with δ¹³C measurements allowed discriminating between different management (grassland vs cropland) and land use (till vs no till) systems. With increasing depth the stability of mOM relative to POM increases, but less so under tillage compared to no-till practises. Applying this approach to investigate SOM stability in different soil aggregate fractions, it corroborates the aggregate hierarchy theory as proposed by Six et al. (2004) and Segoli et al. (2013). The organic matter in the occluded micro-aggregate and silt & clay fractions is less degraded than the SOM in the free micro-aggregate and silt & clay fractions. The stable isotope approach can be particularly useful for soils with a history of burning and thus containing old charcoal particles, preventing the use of ¹⁴C to determine the SOM stability.     

Effect of depth of fertilizer banded-placement on growth,nutrient uptake and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

A better understanding of crop growth and nutrient uptake responses to the depth of fertilizer banded-placement in the soil is needed if growth and nutrient uptake responses are to be maximized. A two-year field study covering two rape seasons (2010–2011 and 2011–2012) was conducted to examine the effect of banded-placement of N–P–K fertilizer at various depths on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The results showed that fertilization at 10 cm and 15 cm soil depth produced greater taproot length and dry weight than fertilization at 0 cm and 5 cm. 0 cm and 5 cm deep fertilization significantly increased the lateral root distribution at 0–5 cm soil depth, while 10 cm and 15 cm deep fertilization induced more lateral root proliferation at 5–15 cm soil depth. At 36 days after sowing (DAS), 5 cm deep fertilization produced better aboveground growth and nutrient uptake than 10 cm and 15 cm deep fertilization. However, reversed results were observed after 36 DAS. 10 cm and 15 cm deep fertilization produced more rapeseed than 0 cm and 5 cm deep fertilization, moreover, the yield difference was more significant in drought season (2010–2011) than in relatively normal season (2011–2012). In summary, these results preliminarily suggest that both 10 cm and 15 cm are relatively proper fertilizer placement depth when the practice of banding fertilizer is used in oilseed rape production. But from the viewpoint of diminishing the production cost, 10 cm deep fertilization should be recommended in actual farming. Because 15 cm deep fertilization may require higher mechanical power input, and thus resulting in higher cost of production.     

黄土坡面细沟水流输沙能力变化特征

水流输沙能力是土壤侵蚀过程极其重要的参数之一,精确计算细沟水流输沙能力可以有效揭示细沟侵蚀过程机理,为建立坡面细沟侵蚀过程模型奠定重要基础。采用细沟水槽试验方法对黄土坡面细沟水流输沙能力变化特征进行研究。结果表明:不同坡度下,细沟水流输沙能力随流量增加而平缓增大,可用幂函数方程很好地描述;不同流量下,细沟水流输沙能力随坡度的增加而增大,可以用指数方程很好地描述;细沟水流输沙能力随流量及坡度变化的因子模型为二元幂函数方程,其中流量对细沟水流输沙能力的影响大于坡度的影响;ANSWERS模型中的输沙能力方程不能用于计算黄土陡坡细沟水流输沙能力。     

喀斯特地区不同层次土石混合介质对土壤水分入渗过程的影响

桂西北喀斯特地区土壤中常常含有土石隔层,分析其对土壤水分入渗过程的影响有助于深入研究该区水循环机理和促进植被恢复重建进程。通过室内模拟土柱试验,研究了不同土石隔层碎石粒径(5～20,20～40 mm)及土石隔层(土石质量比为1:1)位置(上层(0～20 cm),中层(10～30 cm),下层(20～40 cm))对土壤水分入渗过程的影响。结果表明,碎石粒径为5～20 mm时,土石隔层位于中层时土壤累积入渗量最大。碎石粒径为20～40 mm时,土石隔层位于下层时土壤累积入渗量最大。当土石隔层位置一定时,碎石粒径较小有利于土壤水分入渗;粒径为5～20 mm的土石隔层土壤稳定入渗速率最大,且达到稳定入渗的时间最短,但土层隔层位于下层时均质土壤及不同粒径土壤的稳定入渗速率无显著差异。土石隔层位置和隔层碎石粒径对初始入渗速率没有显著影响;土石隔层位于上层时,土石隔层的存在缩短了水分入渗运移过隔层的时间。土石隔层位于中层时,隔层碎石粒径为20～40 mm时水分入渗到达隔层及运移过隔层的时间最长。土石隔层位于下层时,隔层碎石的存在缩短了水分入渗到达隔层及运移过隔层的时间。Kostiakov入渗模型与Philip方程都可以较好地描述含土石隔层土壤的入渗过程,但Kostiakov入渗模型模拟效果更好。     

基于18O稳定同位素对银川平原北部4种灌木夏季水分利用特征研究

为了分析银川平原北部4种灌木对不同水源的利用特征,测定了20年生多枝柽柳(Tama-rix ramosissima)、3年生多枝柽柳、3年生宁夏枸杞(Lycium barbarum)和3年生四翅滨藜(Atri-plex canescens)木质部水及不同潜在水源稳定氧同位素组成(δ18 O),应用同位素线性混合模型估算了不同灌木对不同水源的利用率。结果表明:不同深度土壤水δ18 O值存在较大差异,并呈规律性变化。表层(0～5cm)土壤水δ18 O值较井水δ18 O值偏正,说明其受蒸发影响较大。120～140cm土层δ18 O值最正,说明该土层同位素分馏作用最大。140～200cm土壤水受蒸发影响最小,土壤水δ18 O与井水最为接近。3年生多枝柽柳、3年生宁夏枸杞、3年生四翅滨藜的木质部水δ18 O值分别为-8.62‰、-8.64‰和-9.23‰,均比20年生多枝柽柳木质部水δ18 O(-9.40‰)偏正。用Iso-Source软件计算的结果显示20年生多枝柽柳和3年生四翅滨藜对地下水和表层土壤水(0～5cm)的利用程度较高,分别利用11.6%和9.3%的地下水,18.2%和14.6%的表层水。3年生多枝柽柳和3年生宁夏枸杞对40～120cm土层水分利用程度较高,分别为93.8%和92.3%。     

Improving agricultural water use efficiency in arid and semiarid areas of China

Water shortage in China, particularly in the north and northwest of China, is very serious. The region accounts for half of the total area of China, but has less than 20% of total national available water resources. While the water shortage in this region is severe, irrigation water use efficiency is only about 40%, with a typical agricultural water use efficiency of about 0.46 kg m⁻³. Excessive irrigation in Ningxia and Inner Mongolia has had a significant influence on downstream water users along the Yellow River. It is widely believed that an increase in the agricultural water use efficiency is the key to mitigating water shortage and reducing environmental problems. This paper reviews water-saving agricultural systems and approaches to improve agricultural water use efficiency in the arid and semiarid areas of China. The paper will cover biological mechanisms of water-saving agriculture and water-saving irrigation technologies, including low pressure irrigation, furrow irrigation, plastic mulches, drip irrigation under plastic, rainfall harvesting and terracing. In addition, the paper addresses the compensatory effect of limited irrigation and fertilizer supplementation on water use efficiency and highlights the need to breed new varieties for high water use efficiency. Considerable potential for further improvement in agricultural water use efficiency in the region depends on effective conservation of moisture and efficient use of the limited water.     

Online decision support for irrigation for farmers

Online decision support for irrigation has been available in Denmark since 1996. This paper describes an Internet implementation of a previous stand-alone PC-program; the Internet version has undergone several modifications and upgrades. The system has a morphological model for crop development based on temperature sums, and a hydrological model for calculating soil water balance. Weather data are supplied automatically from weather databases, precipitation data can be overrode by user inputs. Users can initiate the system with data on fields and crops, and add data on irrigations. Irrigation advice and explanation are provided in tables and graphics. The system had 322 active users in 2004 and 490 in 2005.