Straw mulching with fertilizer nitrogen: An approach for improving crop yield,soil nutrients and enzyme activities

Field experiments were conducted to study soil properties, soil enzymes activities, water use efficiency (WUE) and crop productivity after six years of soya bean straw mulching in the semi‐arid conditions of China. The experiment included four treatments: CK (Control), N (240 kg N ha^‐1), H (soya bean straw mulching at half rate 700 kg ha^‐1 with 240 kg N ha^‐1) and F (soya bean straw mulching at full rate 1,400 kg ha^‐1 with 240 kg N ha^‐1). Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil labile organic carbon (LOC), soil available N (AN), available P (AP) and enzyme activities were analysed after wheat harvesting in 2016 and 2017. Results show that straw amounts had positive effects on the soil fertility indices being higher for treatment F. The SOC, LOC, AN, AP and enzyme activities (i.e. saccharase, urease and alkaline phosphatase) were in the order of F > H > N > CK. High wheat grain yield and WUE were observed for F treatment. A total of six years mulching along with 240 kg ha^‐1 nitrogen fertilizer application is sufficient for wheat yield stability and improving soil properties except urease activities in the semi‐arid condition of China. However, the straw mulching amount should be further studied with minimum nitrogen fertilizer for an environment‐friendly and effective approach for improving the soil biological properties with adequate crop production on a sustainable basis in the semi‐arid region of China.     

Changes in soil and water quality at sediment–water interface of Penaeus vannamei culture pond at varying salinities

The health of the pond environment in shrimp farming is important for sustainable and profitable aquaculture, in which sediment–water interface is the most important influencing area. With this objective, the key parameters of water and sediment at the interface was studied in shrimp ponds with varying salinities and compared with the surface water and soil to understand the variations and the underlying causes. Total ammonia nitrogen and total alkalinity were higher in water at the interface as compared to surface water, whereas pH, nitrite, oxide forms of nitrogen (NO₃), phosphorus (PO₄) and oxidizing bacteria were observed to be lower. There was no significant difference with respect to macrominerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium between water at the interface and surface. These changes are profoundly influenced by the uppermost 1.0‐cm thick sediment layer, where the maximum transition of nutrients takes place with the water column. The outcome of the study highlights the effectiveness of water sampling for metabolites at the interface, which reflects at an early stage any potential deterioration of pond environment, which will help the farmer to initiate timely mitigation measures.     

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon(SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch(Mv). We conducted a 10-year(2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application(22.5 Mg ha~(–1)). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination(sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80(by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index(SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input(22.5 Mg ha~(–1)), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate(with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%),whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers(e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.     

科尔沁草甸湿地土壤碳氮剖面分布及生长季动态特征

采用定位观测的试验方法,于2016年5-10月及2017年8月对科尔沁草甸湿地0~100 cm土层土壤有机碳、全氮剖面分布及生长季动态特征进行了实验分析,旨在为科尔沁草甸湿地保护提供科学指导并为干旱半干旱地区湿地土壤碳氮储量估算提供借鉴。结果表明:1)科尔沁草甸湿地土壤有机碳、全氮含量整体随土层深度下降,0~20 cm土层间下降显著,20 cm以下趋于相对稳定,范围分别为11.9~23.5 g·kg^-1和0.66~1.50 g·kg^-1。2)各土层土壤碳氮含量月间差异显著(全氮40~60 cm土层除外),变化幅度随土层深度先减小后增大;土壤碳氮密度(100 cm)生长季变化大于年际变化,有机碳密度全生长季呈上升趋势,范围为15.44~20.82 kg·m^-2,全氮密度生长初期明显下降,之后趋于相对稳定,范围为1.01~1.16 kg·m^-2。3)土壤有机碳含量与全氮含量呈极显著正相关;植被和水文是影响其分布、变化的关键因子。科尔沁草甸湿地生长季土壤有机碳、全氮密度变化较大,且表现为潜在的碳汇和氮源,但年际间碳汇潜力未充分发挥,本研究建议禁牧力度应加大并增加氮肥投入以提高科尔沁草甸湿地生态系统功能。     

蚯蚓养殖对幼龄胶园土壤养分及橡胶树根系生长的影响

本研究旨在探讨林下蚯蚓养殖对幼龄胶园土壤养分及橡胶树根系生长的影响。以牛粪作为原料，于 2017年4—11 月在 4 年生幼龄胶园铺设粪垄养殖蚯蚓，并测定土壤养分和根系生长情况。结果表明，与对照（CK）相比，铺设粪垄无蚯蚓养殖（WQ）和铺设粪垄蚯蚓养殖（Q）处理总体上可显著提高土壤硝态氮、速效磷、速效钾和土壤水分含量以及土壤 pH，而对土壤铵态氮、有机质、微生物活性及微生物群系数量无显著影响（p<0.05）；和 CK 相比，WQ和 Q 处理显著促进根的生长，并提高吸收根的比例（p<0.05）。综上所述，在幼龄胶园养殖蚯蚓短期内（半年）可提高土壤速效养分含量，促进根系生长。     

Phenotypic plasticity of two invasive alien plant species inside a deciduous forest in a strict nature reserve in Italy

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) represent one of the main biological threats to biodiversity worldwide. Information about their phenotypic plasticity are needed to increase awareness about their future invasive potential. A study about phenotypic plasticity in response to contrasting light regimes and its quantification by a plasticity index (PI) of two IAPs (Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia) inside a Strict Nature Reserve was conducted. R. pseudoacacia showed a 70% higher PI, with a strongly greater value at morphological leaf level, associated with a greater ability to survive and grow in forest understory, explaining its greater widespread. Otherwise, A. altissima showed its highest PI at physiological level, which was associated with the ability to colonize and grow in environments with high-light regimes. Based on these results, the conservative management has limited the presence of A. altissima by its lower ability to grow in forest understory. In fact, the small-scale gaps in the forest infrastructure, that could allow its recruitment, are originated only from the death of a single tree or small group of trees. Regarding R. pseudoacacia, it is critical to maintain this type of management because any disturbances resulting in large openings could further promote its presence inside the Reserve.     

自然生草桃园表层土壤水分和草地地上生物量的空间分布及其关系

【目的】阐明桃树果园短期自然生草条件下土壤水分空间分布特征及其与草地地上生物量的关系。【方法】以信阳沙壤土五月鲜桃园为研究对象,在冬春季短期自然生草条件下,采用1 m×1 m网格采样法,以经典统计学和地统计学半方差函数为工具,研究表层(0~5 cm)土壤水分和草地地上生物量空间分布特征。【结果】表层(0~5 cm)土壤含水量和地上草地生物量符合正态分布,平均体积含水量为10.08%,95%置信区间为9.84%~10.32%,变异系数为16.36%,0.2 m×0.2 m草地地上生物量均值为9.17 g,变异系数为56.71%。区域田块尺度上,自然生草桃园草地地上生物量和表层(0~5 cm)土壤水分空间分布均符合指数函数模型,模型块金值/基台值分别为0.477 3和0.499 8,变程分别为7.20和2.51。即二者均具有中等程度的空间依赖性,草地地上生物量较表层(0~5 cm)土壤含水量具有更强的空间依赖性。克里格插值结果表明,表层(0~5 cm)土壤含水量和草地地上生物量空间上呈斑块状分布,且表现为距离树体越远值越大的分布特征。相关分析结果表明,地上生物量与表层(0~5 cm)土壤含水量之间极显著正相关(P<0.001)。【结论】果园短期自然生草有利于保蓄表层土壤水分,改善土壤水分条件,草地地上生物量是影响果园表层土壤水分空间分布的重要因素。     

饲草作物对土壤健康与农业可持续发展的作用

饲草作物是指为增加土壤肥力,防止土壤侵蚀,累积和保护土层,增加土壤养分和含水率以及提高土壤质量而种植的植物。饲草作物为农田土壤提供了诸多益处,其还有助于增加和维持土壤中的微生物多样性。本文对多种饲草作物对土壤特性的作用,如土壤含水量、土壤微生物的活动、土壤碳固存、土壤硝态氮淋失、土壤水分和土壤健康等进行综述。饲草作物的选择通常取决于其自身对土壤的作用,其他考虑因素还包括天气条件,播种时间,是否为豆科植物以及杀灭饲草作物的时间和方法。研究表明,饲草作物也可用于减缓气候变化,抑制作物中的杂草,增加可交换的营养物质如Mg2+和K+,具有一定的经济性。另外,覆盖作物也会存在一些问题,包括杀灭覆盖作物的方法,其可能成为病原体的寄主,饲草作物的再生性以及短期收益不明显。尽管有一些局限,饲草作物仍被认为可以明显改善土壤整体健康状况,为主栽作物提供可持续的生态环境。     

混播比例和施氮肥对箭筈豌豆/燕麦草地根系特性的影响

豆科和禾本科牧草混播是栽培草地的重要模式之一,能显著改善土壤,提升系统可持续生产能力。牧草根系是土壤有机质返还的重要来源,但混播草地中牧草根系特性的变化尚不清楚。以箭筈豌豆和燕麦草地为对象,研究了不同施氮肥水平和混播比例下其根生物量、根性状的变化。结果表明:1)混播比例和施氮肥对草地根生物量和根性状有显著交互作用,混播草地根生物量显著大于单播;与高氮肥处理相比,根生物量在低、中氮肥处理下更高;高氮肥对根长、比根长、根表面积和比根面积在植物生长前期表现为抑制作用,在生长后期随混播中箭筈豌豆比例的增大,抑制作用减轻。2)混播条件下土壤硝态氮含量大于单播,而土壤铵态氮含量仅在乳熟期时大于单播,且随混播中箭筈豌豆比例增大,矿质氮含量增加;施氮肥对0~30 cm土层中的矿质氮含量有显著影响,其含量在施氮肥100 kg·hm^-2下最高,不施肥下最小。3)根生物量与土壤硝态氮含量间显著正相关,根长、根表面积、根体积与土壤硝态氮含量间显著负相关。综上,混播中箭筈豌豆比例的增加有助于改善土壤矿质氮,优化混播草地根性状。     

喀斯特山区不同土地利用方式下石灰土化学风化特性

研究喀斯特山区不同土地利用方式（耕地、荒草地、退耕还草地和林草间作地）石灰土剖面化学风化特征，探讨矿质元素在石灰土剖面的分布、迁移和富集特征，从不同土地利用方式下土壤风化度，元素淋溶度、迁移度和残积度的角度分析土壤化学风化特征。结果表明：喀斯特山区石灰土剖面氧化物含量以SiO₂、Al₂O₃、Fe₂O₃为主，其他氧化物含量相对较低，均属于中等变异元素，SiO₂、Al₂O₃、MgO含量以荒草地较高，CaO、Na₂O含量以林草间作地较高，Fe₂O₃、MnO、P₂O₅、K₂O以耕地较高；研究区土壤处于中等化学风化阶段，富铝化程度弱，不同土地利用方式下荒草地土壤化学蚀变系数较强，林草间作地土壤富铝化程度较高；研究区土壤K、Na、Ca淋失严重，荒草地盐基离子淋失明显，林草间作地盐基离子淋失程度相对较低；土壤Fe、Al相对富集明显，残积程度高，林草间作地Al含量积累明显，退耕还草地Fe含量富集显著；实施“退耕—还草”等增加植被覆盖度的治理模式对土壤的保护作用显著。