Legume–barley intercropping stimulates soil N supply and crop yield in the succeeding durum wheat in a rotation under rainfed conditions

Legume–cereal intercropping is increasingly being appreciated in dryland areas, where severe climatic conditions and intensive agricultural practices, generally dominated by continuous cereal cultivation, determine depletion of soil nutrient resources and decline of soil fertility. This research aimed to assess whether and to what extent a newly introduced legume-based intercropping system is able to ameliorate the biological fertility status of an arable soil in a way that is still noticeable during the succeeding durum wheat cropping season in terms of changes in bacterial community structure, soil C and N pools, and crop yield. A field experiment was carried out under rainfed conditions in Southern Italy on a sandy clay loam soil cultivated with durum wheat following in the rotation a recently established grain legume (pea, faba bean)–barley intercropping. Soil chemical, biochemical and eco-physiological variables together with compositional shifts in the bacterial community structure by LH-PCR fingerprinting were determined at four sampling times during the durum wheat cropping season. Soil fertility was estimated by using a revised version of the biological fertility index. Results showed that even though the microbial biomass was significantly altered, the preceding legume intercrops stimulated C-related functional variables thus leading to an increased release of mineral N, which was larger in crop treatments succeeding pea-based than faba bean-based intercropping. The increased N made available in soil enabled the succeeding durum wheat to achieve an adequate grain yield with a reduced N-fertilizer use. Soil type and environmental conditions rather than crop treatments were major determinants of bacterial community structure. The biological fertility status was not varied, suggesting that in intensively managed rainfed areas long-term crop rotations with intercropped legumes are needed to consistently ameliorate it.     

1961—2010年东北农作区春小麦需水量的时空变化特征

利用东北农作区58个气象站点1961—2010年的逐日气象数据,基于Simulation of Evapotranspiration of Applied Water(SIMETAW)模型分析气候变化背景下东北农作区春小麦生育期内作物需水量(Crop evapotranspiration,ETc)和灌溉需要量(Evapotranspiration of applied water,ETaw),以及典型站点春小麦的灌溉需求指数(Irrigation demand index,IDI)的时空变化特征。结果表明:近50年来,东北农作区日平均温度呈显著上升趋势,平均降水量下降趋势不明显,平均太阳辐射及作物蒸散量呈显著下降趋势。春小麦生育期作物需水量和灌溉需要量呈下降趋势,其分布均表现为西多东少。50年来春小麦作物生育期需水量下降主要集中于松辽及兴安岭南部地区,东部地区变化趋势不明显;生育期灌溉需要量下降集中于松辽及兴安岭地区,三江平原地区略有增加,长白山地区多年保持平稳。     

Responses of soil nematode community structure to soil carbon changes due to different tillage and cover crop management practices over a nine-year period in Kanto,Japan

The response of the soil food web structure to soil quality changes during long-term anthropogenic disturbance due to farming practices has not been well studied. We evaluated the effects of three tillage systems: moldboard plow/rotary harrow (MP), rotary cultivator (RC), and no-tillage (NT), three winter cover-crop types (fallow, FL; rye, RY; and hairy vetch, HV), and two nitrogen fertilization rates (0 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ for upland rice, and 0 and 20 kg N ha⁻¹ for soybean production) on changes in nematode community structure. Sixty-nine taxa were counted, total nematode abundance (ALL), bacterial feeders (BAC), predators (PRD), omnivores (OMN), and obligatory root feeders (ORF) were more abundant in NT than in MP and RC, but fungal feeders and facultative root feeders (FFR) were more abundant in RC than in NT and MP. Cover crop also influenced nematode community structure; rye and hairy vetch were always higher in ALL, BAC, FFR, ORF, and OMN than fallow. Seasonal changes in nematode community structure were also significant; in particular, as soil carbon increased, nematode abundance also increased. The relationship between nematode indices and soil carbon was significant only in NT, but not in MP and RC. In NT, with increasing soil carbon, enrichment index and structure index (SI) were positive and significant and channel index was negative. Bulk density was significantly negatively correlated with FFR and ORF. Seasonal difference in nematode community between summer and autumn was larger in an upland rice rotation than in a soybean rotation. Over the nine-year experiment, SI increased not only in NT but also in MP and RC, suggesting that repeated similar tillage inversions in agroecosystems may develop nematode community structures adapted to specific soil environmental conditions. Because NT showed the highest values of both SI and soil carbon, the increase of soil carbon in NT is expected to have a great impact on developing a more diverse nematode community structure.     

Seed Shattering of Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen)

Cañahua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Aellen) is a semi‐domesticated relative of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) with high nutritious quality. It is tolerant to frost, drought, saline soils and pests. One seed yield limitation is seed loss during the maturity stages. Two greenhouse experiments in Denmark and field experiments in Bolivia were carried out to determine seed shattering in landraces and cultivars with different growth habits. 15–21 % of the seed shattering in the fields took place whilst the plants still were flowering and 25–35 % during physiological maturity. Seed shattering varied between locations on the Bolivian Altiplano. Cañahua types with the semi‐prostrate growth (‘lasta’) had the highest seed shattering rate in the greenhouse experiments. The Umacutama landrace had lower seed shattering (1 %) than the cultivar Kullaca (7.2 %) both of the ‘lasta’ type. Under field conditions, the cultivar Illimani with the erect growth (‘saihua’) had the highest seed shattering rate (6.4–33.7 %) at both locations and at four different sowing dates. The Umacutama had the lowest rate (0.5–1.5 %). There were no significant differences between plants of the ‘lasta’ and the ‘saihua’ types. The landrace had significantly less seed loss than the cultivars. However, in the greenhouse, the landrace yield was approximately 25 % lower than the yields of the cultivars. In general, cañahua cultivars had higher yield compared to landraces, but also a higher seed shattering rate. Landraces may be used in breeding programmes to develop high‐yielding cultivars with reduced seed shattering.     

斑茅纤维降解生产燃料酒精的发酵工艺研究

以能源植物斑茅纤维为原料,探讨纤维素糖化液生产燃料酒精的发酵工艺研究,分析了时间、温度、pH、氮源种类、酵母膏用量与酵母用量等因素对斑茅纤维素酒精发酵的影响。结果表明:反应时间72~96h,温度35℃,pH4.8~5.2,酵母膏氮源用量0.8%~1.0%,酵母用量10%~15%时斑茅纤维糖化液的酒精发酵效果最好。通过正交试验确定了最佳发酵条件:时间84h、温度35℃、酵母膏用量1.2%、酵母用量20%,发酵验证酒精值达4.6%(V/V),酒精得率32.62%。     

Can additional N fertiliser ameliorate the elevated CO2‐induced depression in grain and tissue N concentrations of wheat on a high soil N background?

Elevated CO₂ stimulates crop yields but leads to lower tissue and grain nitrogen concentrations [N], raising concerns about grain quality in cereals. To test whether N fertiliser application above optimum growth requirements can alleviate the decline in tissue [N], wheat was grown in a Free Air CO₂ Enrichment facility in a low‐rainfall cropping system on high soil N. Crops were grown with and without addition of 50–60 kg N/ha in 12 growing environments created by supplemental irrigation and two sowing dates over 3 years. Elevated CO₂ increased yield and biomass (on average by 25%) and decreased biomass [N] (3%–9%) and grain [N] (5%). Nitrogen uptake was greater (20%) in crops grown under elevated CO₂. Additional N supply had no effect on yield and biomass, confirming high soil N. Small increases in [N] with N addition were insufficient to offset declines in grain [N] under elevated CO₂. Instead, N application increased the [N] in straw and decreased N harvest index. The results suggest that conventional addition of N does not mitigate grain [N] depression under elevated CO₂, and lend support to hypotheses that link decreases in crop [N] with biochemical limitations rather than N supply.     

西藏地区不同作物秸秆体外发酵特性研究

本试验旨在利用体外产气法评定西藏地区不同作物秸秆的营养价值。选取西藏地区5种常见作物秸秆(豌豆秸秆、玉米秸秆、青稞秸秆、小麦秸秆、油菜秸秆),通过单因素试验设计,利用体外产气法评定5种作物秸秆体外发酵48 h的产气量、理论最大产气量(Vf)、甲烷(CH4)产量、逻辑斯谛-指数(LE)模型产气参数、发酵液p H和氨态氮(NH3-N)浓度、主要挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)产量、体外干物质降解率(IVDMD)和体外中性洗涤纤维降解率(IVNDFD)等指标。结果显示:5种作物秸秆体外发酵48 h的产气量按玉米秸秆、青稞秸秆、豌豆秸秆、小麦秸秆、油菜秸秆的顺序依次降低。体外发酵48 h后,玉米秸秆的Vf、IVDMD、IVNDFD、CH4产量(豌豆秸秆除外)、丙酸和总VFA产量均显著高于其他4种作物秸秆(P0.05),其体外发酵液p H则显著低于其他秸秆(P0.05)。结果表明,玉米秸秆体外发酵效果最佳,与其他试验作物秸秆相比更容易被瘤胃微生物降解利用。     

Response of grain yield and related agronomic traits of oilseed flax to diversified cropping rotations北大核心CSCD

This research aimed to identify a suitable planting pattern for oilseed flax production in a dry-farming region. A long-term field experiment was started in 2012 with a 4-year crop rotation cycle,designed to measure the effects on flax crop performance of previous crop,and various patterns of flax planting interval within the four-year rotation,compared with continuous flax cropping. Crop parameters measured included plant height,stem diameter,dry matter accumulation and distribution,and the experiment included six different crop rotation patterns：Flax→flax →flax→flax［（F）FFF］;Flax→wheat→potato→flax［（F）WPF］;Flax→potato→flax→wheat［（F）PFW］;Flax→ flax→wheat→potato［（F）FWP］;Flax→wheat→flax→potato［（F）WFP］and flax→wheat→potato→wheat［（F）WPW］. Results for the ninth year showed significantly increased grain yield（29. 89%-109. 57%）in crop rotation treatments compared with continuous cropping of oilseed flax. The ranking of the six tested rotations for yield was：（F）WPW>（F）FWP>（F）WFP>（F）PFW>（F）WPF>（F）FFF. The grain yield of oilseed flax was significantly affected by previous crop,frequency and years interval of flax cropping and number of years of continuous flax cropping. Yield was increased by 54. 45%-59. 29% under wheat stubble and potato stubble compared with oilseed flax stubble,and increased by 30. 66% and 109. 57%,respectively,under 50% and 25% frequencies,compared with 100% frequency. The grain yield of oilseed flax under two-year continuous cropping was higher by 29. 89% than four-year continuous cropping,and increased with increase in years interval between flax crops. Correlation analysis identified a significantly positive correlation between oilseed flax grain yield and effective capsule number,branch number and 1000-seed weight. The effective capsule number,branch number and 1000-seed weight of oilseed flax under rotation treatment were increased by 35. 88%-108. 91%,15. 47%-46. 19% and 14. 61%-16. 34%,respectively（P<0. 05）,compared with continuous cropping. In addition,the high grain yield of oilseed flax was accompanied by an increase in plant height,stem diameter and dry matter accumulation and these increases were,respectively,5. 11%-42. 24%,2. 77%-39. 92% and 31. 25%-117. 89% under the rotation regimes,compared with continuous cropping. Reduction in the number of years of continuous cropping years,change of crop stubble,decreased flax planting frequency and increased of interval between flax crops also improved flax crop performance. In summary,crop rotation improved the vigor of oilseed flax,resulting in greater plant height and stem diameter,improved dry matter accumulation and distribution,leading to increased branch number,effective capsule number and 1000-seed weight,and increase in the crop yield of oilseed flax. The results indicated that a multiple-crop rotation pattern was an effective way to avoid the yield reduction caused by continuous cropping in oilseed flax. The rotation： Flax→wheat→potato→wheat performed best among those tested and can be recommended as an appropriate cropping rotation for oilseed flax production in the dry region of northwest China. © 2022 Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.     

近15年国家自然科学基金稻、麦类作物遗传育种领域项目申请情况分析

国家自然科学基金是国家支持基础研究的主要渠道之一。本文以15年(1998—2012年)来国家自然科学基金中稻、麦类作物遗传育种面上类项目申请数据为依据,对稻、麦类作物遗传育种学研究的现状与趋势从研究领域和研究层次2个维度进行了深入分析。分析数据显示,15年来稻、麦类各类型项目申请量呈上升趋势,其中稻类项目的申请总量高于麦类项目。从研究领域来看,稻类研究项目申请量最多的是发育生物学,占稻类申请量的37.4%;其次是抗性,占27.6%。麦类作物研究主要集中在抗性研究领域上,占麦类申请量的38.1%;其次是发育及品质,分别占23.7%和21.5%。从研究层次来看,随着水稻基因组测序的完成,稻类研究领先于小麦研究。稻类研究项目申请量最多的基因克隆与功能分析,占稻类申请量的41.6%;其次是分子标记与基因定位,占28.8%。麦类研究申请量最多的是分子标记与基因定位,占麦类申请量的36.5%;其次是基因克隆与功能分析,占28.2%。综合国内外研究现状,建议今后在继续加强对围绕高产、优质、高效、抗逆等研究持续资助的基础上,积极支持将基因组学、生物技术和生物信息学与传统作物学相结合的基础研究。     

Variation for dry matter yield,seed yield and other agronomic traits in Ladino white clover landraces and natural populations

Summary A set of Ladino white clover ecotypes including the last available landraces and some natural populations collected from old permanent meadows, together with some white clover varieties of various origins, were evaluated as monocultures for dry matter (DM) and seed yield assessed in separate field experiments. Other agronomic traits were also recorded. The best performing variety, Espanso, was significantly outyielded by some ecotypes for DM and seed production. Compared to landraces, natural populations yielded on average far less seed but as much DM and tended towards higher persistence indicating that domestication of the native Ladino at the farm level only improved seed yield of the crop. Natural populations showed, besides lower values of most seed yield components, a distinct canopy architecture characterized by smaller leaves, longer internodes and denser stolons. Seed weight proved the best character discriminating between the two ecotype groups. Significant variation for most traits was found both among landraces, in which it was mostly relatable to differences among provenances, and among natural populations. The relations between the main multivariate patterns of phenotypic variation and a set of environment collecting variables suggested that evolutive adaptation to different agronomic practices was a major determinant of the overall variation found in landraces. Evidence is provided that a relevant part of the variation observed among ecotypes for some important traits could be genetic.Abbreviations DM dry matter - DMY dry matter yield - NRH number of ripe heads - NFH number of florets per head - PL petiole length - LS leaf size - IL internode length - NS number of stolons - PRO protein content - SY seed yield - TSW thousand seed weight - NSF number of seeds per floret - PCA principal components analysis - PC principal component