Nutrient management in low input grazing–based systems of meat production

Abstract. Low input grazing-based meat production is often practised on land where alternative land use is restricted and where high biodiversity warrants specific environmental payments. Although these systems are characterized by low external nutrient inputs, significant nutrient losses may occur per unit of produce, even though losses per unit area are low. If the aim is to have animal production without further eutrophication of watercourses, these losses should be minimized,. However, if nutrient-poor grasslands characterized by high biodiversity are the aim, some losses must be accepted to balance nutrient inputs by atmospheric deposition. The impact of grazing animals on nutrient dynamics in grasslands is reviewed in this paper, and options to further improve nutrient management are discussed. It is concluded that nutrient management should largely be addressed indirectly through management of animal behaviour in relation to grazing and supplemental feeding, as well as through optimization of the seasonal distribution of livestock size. A case study indicated that N losses from a cattle farm could be reduced considerably by these means, while animal production could actually be improved. Sustainability issues and trends in legislative and social pressures on low input grazing-based systems of animal production are discussed in relation to nutrient management and practical recommendations.     

Characteristics and factors controlling the development of ephemeral gullies in cultivated catchments of black soil region, Northeast China

Ephemeral gully erosion is an important process in the black soil region, Northeast China and can be responsible for severe damage to agricultural lands. However, little research on gully formation in this area has been published. The study described in this paper attempted to quantify soil losses, the spatial distribution and morphology of the gullies, and the factors that control their development. Ephemeral gullies were measured in spring and summer of 2005 in two small catchments. The critical periods for ephemeral gully formation were late spring and summer in the study area. Mean soil losses due to ephemeral gully erosion were 0.40 and 0.43 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ for only croplands despite low slope gradients, and this loss is above the tolerable erosion rates of 0.20 kg m⁻² year⁻¹. The erosion rates were greater in spring because the topsoil thawed before deeper layers, reducing infiltration into the soil, and the bare vegetation cover provided no barriers to surface flow. In contrast, summer erosion occurred primarily in response to intense rain events. Development of the gullies was promoted by freeze-thaw cycles in spring and was affected by the type of agricultural operations and crops in summer. A linear regression model for the prediction of ephemeral gully length at the catchment level was established using field data, and although it did not successfully predict the length of individual gullies, it explained 55% of the variation in ephemeral gully length.     

Effects of conventional tillage on biochemical properties of soils

Modification of soil environment by different farming practices can significantly affect crop growth. Tillage causes soil disturbance, altering the vertical distribution of soil organic matter and plant nutrient supplies in the soil surface, and it may affect the enzyme activity and microbial biomass which are responsible for transformation and cycling of organic matter and plant nutrients. In this study, the influence of three conventional tillage systems (shallow plowing, deep plowing and scarification) at different depths on the distribution and activity of enzymes, microbial biomass and nucleic acids in a cropped soil was investigated. Analysis of variance for depth and tillage showed the influence of the different tillage practices on the activity of some enzymes and on the nucleic acids. Glucosidase, galactosidase, nitrate reductase and dehydrogenase activity were significantly affected by the three tillage modalities. Activity in the upper layer (0–20 cm) was higher in the plots tilled by shallow plowing and scarification than in those tilled by deep plowing. Positive relationships were observed between the soil enzymes themselves, with the exception of urease and pyrophosphatase activity. Moreover, significant correlations were found between DNA and β-galactosidase, and between RNA and β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase. α-Glucosidase, β-galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were highly correlated with biomass C determined by the fumigation-extraction method. Received: 27 June 1996     

GAP对茶叶企业环境污染的控制措施分析

茶叶是人类常用饮料之一,但其种植和加工过程可能会产生一些不良的环境影响,良好农业规范(GAP)提倡通过可持续发展措施促进环境保护。简要介绍了茶叶企业环境污染的来源,分析了茶叶种植和加工过程中可能产生的环境污染及GAP标准所采取的控制措施。     

地膜植棉喷灌技术研究

根据内陆干旱区的特点，为了充分发挥喷灌节水增产优势，本文提出地膜植棉喷灌技术、干播湿出及栽培配套措施。     

温室甜瓜秸秆生物反应堆栽培技术应用与示范

为加快西甜瓜新品种配套栽培技术在天津地区的示范、推广,天津市静海县种植业发展服务中心结合本地区设施甜瓜生产实践经验,与天津科润农业科技股份有限公司蔬菜研究所达成共识,在引进的雪龙、甜九、白元首厚皮甜瓜品种上,综合实施农业秸秆生物反应堆技术栽培技术,力求实现设施栽培厚皮甜瓜节本增效,高产优质化生产。     

油菜高产栽培技术要点

对油菜高产技术栽培要点进行总结,指导农户科学管理生产,提高产量。     

广西地区辣椒高产栽培技术

详细叙述从辣椒品种选择直至采摘的整个生长过程的栽培管理。栽培过程中,合理选择辣椒品种和栽培条件,进行科学的大田管理和病虫害防治是辣椒高产的关键技术。     

耕作措施对土壤水稳性团聚体及有机碳分布的影响

通过9a不同耕作的定位试验,研究了深松、旋耕、免耕和传统耕作4种耕作措施对关中塿土小麦-玉米轮作条件下土壤水稳性团聚体及有机碳垂直分布的影响。结果表明,与传统耕作相比,深松、旋耕、免耕措施均提高了0～40cm土层中>2mm和0.25～2mm大团聚体含量、团聚体有机碳贡献率和团聚体平均重量直径,而传统耕作相应地增加了0～40cm土层中0.053～0.25mm微团聚体和<0.053mm粘砂粒含量及其有机碳贡献率。同时深松、旋耕、免耕措施提高了各土层总有机碳和耕层0～10cm所有级别团聚体有机碳含量,相比较而言,深松的作用效果更大。秸秆还田进一步提高了各土壤层次上总有机碳和所有级别团聚体的有机碳含量及大团聚体的形成与稳定。在玉米秸秆不还田的条件下,隔年深松比连年深松更有利于0～30cm大团聚体形成及总有机碳和各级别团聚体有机碳的积累。