Exploring options to combine high yields with high nitrogen use efficiencies in irrigated rice in China

In Jiangsu province, Southeast China, high irrigated rice yields (6–8000 kg ha⁻¹) are supported by high nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs (260–300 kg N ha⁻¹) and low fertilizer N use efficiencies (recoveries of 30–35%). Improvement of fertilizer N use efficiency can increase farmers’ profitability and reduce negative environmental externalities. This paper combines field experimentation with simulation modeling to explore N fertilizer management strategies to realize high yields, while increasing N use efficiency. The rice growth model ORYZA2000 was parameterized and evaluated using data from field experiments carried out in Nanjing, China. ORYZA2000 satisfactorily simulated yield, crop biomass and crop N dynamics, and the model was applied to explore options for different N-fertilizer management regimes, at low and high levels of indigenous soil N supply, using 43 years of historical weather data.On average, yields of around 10–11,000 kg ha⁻¹ were realized (simulated and in field experiments) with fertilizer N rates of around 200 kg ha⁻¹. Higher fertilizer doses did not result in substantially higher yields, except under very favorable weather conditions when yields exceeding 13,000 kg ha⁻¹ were calculated. At fertilizer rates of 150–200 kg ha⁻¹, and at the tested indigenous soil N supplies of 0.6–0.9 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, high fertilizer N recovery (53–56%), partial N productivity (50–70 kg kg⁻¹) and agronomic N use efficiency (20–30 kg kg⁻¹) were obtained with application in three equal splits at transplanting, panicle initiation and booting. Increasing the number of splits to six did not further increase yield or improve any of the N use efficiency parameters.     

Use of the APSIM model in long term simulation to support decision making regarding nitrogen management for pearl millet in the Sahel

Soil fertility and climate risks are hampering crop production in the Sahelian region. Because experiments with only a few fertility management options on a limited number of sites and years cannot fully capture the complex and highly non-linear soil–climate–crop interactions, crop growth simulation models may suitably complement experimental research to support decision making regarding soil fertility and water management. By means of a long term (23 years) scenario analysis using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model, this study investigates millet response to N in view of establishing N recommendations better adapted to subsistence small-holder millet farming in the Sahel. Prior to this, the APSIM model was tested on a rainfed randomized complete block experiment carried out during the 1994 and 1995 cropping seasons, having contrasting rainfall conditions. The experiment combined, at three levels each, the application of cattle manure (300, 900 and 2700 kg ha^?1), millet residue (300, 900 and 2700 kg ha^?1) and mineral fertilizer (unfertilized control, 15 kg N ha^?1 + 4.4 kg P ha^?1 and 45 kg N ha^?1 + 13.1 kg P ha^?1) at ICRISAT Sahelian Center, Niger. The model suitably predicted plant available water PAW and the simulated water and nitrogen stress were in agreement with measurement (water) and expectation (N) regarding the fertilizer and rainfall conditions of the experiment. APSIM simulations were in satisfactory agreement with the observed crop growth except for the highest crop residue application rates (>900 kg ha^?1). For biomass and grain yield, the model performance was relatively good in 1994 but biomass yields were slightly overpredicted in 1995. The model was able to adequately reproduce the average trend of millet grain yield response to N inputs from manure and fertilizer, and to predict the overall observed higher grain yield in 1995 compared to 1994, despite the better rainfall in 1994. The 23-year, long term scenario analysis combining different application rates of cattle manure, millet residue and mineral fertilizer, showed that moderate N application (15 kg N ha^?1) improves both the long term average and the minimum yearly guaranteed yield without increasing inter-annual variability compared to no N input. Although it does imply a lower average yield than at 30 kg N ha^?1, the application of 15 kg N ha^?1 appears more appropriate for small-holder, subsistence farmers than the usual 30 kg N ha^?1 recommendation as it guarantees higher minimum yield in worst years, thereby reducing their vulnerability.     

Screening chickpea for adaptation to water stress: Associations between yield and crop growth rate

Robust associations between yield and crop growth rate in a species-specific critical developmental window have been demonstrated in many crops. In this study we focus on genotype-driven variation in crop growth rate and its association with chickpea yield under drought. We measured crop growth rate using Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) in 20 diverse chickpea lines, after calibration of NDVI against biomass accounting for morphological differences between Kabuli and Desi types. Crops were grown in eight environments resulting from the combination of seasons, sowing dates and water supply, returning a yield range from 152 to 366 g m⁻². For both sources of variation – environment and genotype – yield correlated with crop growth rate in the window 300 °Cd before flowering to 200 °Cd after flowering. In the range of crop growth rate from 0.07 to 0.91 g m⁻² °Cd⁻¹, the relationship was linear with zero intercept, as with other indeterminate grain legumes. Genotype-driven associations between yield and crop growth rate were stronger under water stress than under favourable conditions. Despite this general trend, lines were identified with high crop growth rate in both favourable and stress conditions. We demonstrate that calibrated NDVI is a rapid, inexpensive screening tool to capture a physiologically meaningful link between yield and crop growth rate in chickpea.     

Innovative cropping systems to reduce N inputs and maintain wheat yields by inserting grain legumes and cover crops in southwestern France

The reduction in crop diversity and specialization of cereal-based cropping systems have led to high dependence on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer in many areas of the globe. This has exacerbated environmental degradation due to the uncoupling of carbon (C) and N cycles in agroecosystems. In this experiment, we assessed impacts of introducing grain legumes and cover crops to innovative cropping systems to reduce N fertilizer application while maintaining wheat yields and grain quality. Six cropping systems resulting from the combination of three 3-year rotations with 0, 1 and 2 grain legumes (GL0, GL1 and GL2, respectively) with (CC) or without (BF, bare fallow) cover crops were compared during six cropping seasons. Durum wheat was included as a common high-value cash crop in all the cropping systems to evaluate the carryover effects of rotation. For each cropping system, the water use efficiency for producing C in aerial biomass and yield were quantified at the crop and rotation scales. Several diagnostic indicators were analyzed for durum wheat, such as (i) grain yield and 1000-grain weight; (ii) aboveground biomass, grain N content and grain protein concentration; (iii) water- and N-use efficiencies for yield; and (iv) N harvest index. Compared to the GL0-BF cropping system, which is most similar to that traditionally used in southwestern France, N fertilizer application decreased by 58%, 49%, 61% and 56% for the GL1-BF, GL1-CC, GL2-BF and GL2-CC cropping systems, respectively. However, the cropping systems without grain legumes (GL0-BF and GL0-CC) had the highest water use efficiency for producing C in aerial biomass and yield. The insertion of cover crops in the cropping systems did not change wheat grain yield, N uptake, or grain protein concentration compared to those of without cover crops, demonstrating a satisfactory adaptation of the entire cropping system to the use of cover crops. Winter pea as a preceding crop for durum wheat increased wheat grain production by 8% (383 kg ha⁻¹) compared to that with sunflower − the traditional preceding crop − with a mean reduction in fertilizer application of 40–49 kg N ha⁻¹ during the six-year experiment. No differences in protein concentration of wheat grain were observed among preceding crops. Our experiment demonstrates that under temperate submediterranean conditions, properly designed cropping systems that simultaneously insert grain legumes and cover crops reduce N requirements and show similar wheat yield and grain quality attributes as those that are cereal-based.     

Contribution of green manure legumes to nitrogen dynamics in traditional winter wheat cropping system in the Loess Plateau of China

Excessive application of N fertilizer in pursuit of higher yields is common due to poor soil fertility and low crop productivity. However, this practice causes serious soil depletion and N loss in the traditional wheat cropping system in the Loess Plateau of China. Growing summer legumes as the green manure (GM) crop is a viable solution because of its unique ability to fix atmospheric N₂. Actually, little is known about the contribution of GM N to grain and N utilization in the subsequent crop. Therefore, we conducted a four-year field experiment with four winter wheat-based rotations (summer fallow-wheat, Huai bean–wheat, soybean–wheat, and mung bean–wheat) and four nitrogen fertilizer rates applied to wheat (0, 108, 135, and 162 kg N/ha) to investigate the fate of GM nitrogen via decomposition, utilization by wheat, and contribution to grain production and nitrogen economy through GM legumes. Here we showed that GM legumes accumulated 53–76 kg N/ha per year. After decomposing for approximately one year, more than 32 kg N/ha was released from GM legumes. The amount of nitrogen released via GM decomposition that was subsequently utilized by wheat was 7–27 kg N/ha. Incorporation of GM legumes effectively replaced 13–48% (average 31%) of the applied mineral nitrogen fertilizer. Additionally, the GM approach during the fallow period reduced the risk of nitrate-N leaching to depths of 0–100 cm and 100–200 cm by 4.8 and 19.6 kg N/ha, respectively. The soil nitrogen pool was effectively improved by incorporation of GM legumes at the times of wheat sowing. Cultivation of leguminous GM during summer is a better option than bare fallow to maintain the soil nitrogen pool, and decrease the rates required for N fertilization not only in the Loess Plateau of China but also in other similar dryland regions worldwide.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on nitrate leaching in relation to grain yield response on loamy sand in Sweden

High rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer may increase N leaching with drainage, especially when there is no further crop response. It is often discussed whether leaching is affected only at levels that no longer give an economic return, or whether reducing fertilization below the economic optimum could reduce leaching further. To study nitrate leaching with different fertilizer N rates (0–135 kg N ha⁻¹) and grain yield responses, field experiments in spring oats were conducted in 2007, 2008 and 2009 on loamy sand in south-west Sweden. Nitrate leaching was determined from nitrate concentrations in soil water sampled with ceramic suction cups and measured discharge at a nearby measuring station. The results showed that nitrate leaching per kg grain produced had its minimum around the economic optimum, here defined as the fertilization level where each extra kg of fertilizer N resulted in a 10 kg increase in grain yield (85% DM). There were no statistically significant differences in leaching between treatments fertilized below this level. However, N leaching was significantly elevated in some of the treatments with higher fertilization rates and the increase in nitrate leaching from increased N fertilization could be described with an exponential function. According to this function, the increase was <0.04 kg kg⁻¹ fertilizer N at and below the economic optimum. Above this fertilization level, the nitrate leaching response gradually increased as the yield response ceased and the increase amounted to 0.1 and 0.5 kg kg⁻¹ when the economic optimum was exceeded by 35 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively. The economic optimum fertilization level depends on the price relationship between grain and fertilizer, which in Sweden can vary between 5:1 and 15:1. In other words, precision fertilization that provides no more or no less than a 10 kg increase in grain yield per kg extra N fertilizer can be optimal for both crop profitability and the environment. To predict this level already at fertilization is a great challenge, and it could be argued that rates should be kept down further to ensure that they are not exceeded due to overestimation of the optimum rate. However, the development of precision agriculture with new tools for prediction may reduce this risk.     

Is it possible to forecast the grain quality and yield of different varieties of winter wheat from Minolta SPAD meter measurements?

To optimize wheat segregation for the various markets, it is necessary to add to genotype segregation, a prediction before harvest of the values of yield and grain protein concentration (GPC) for the different fields of the collecting area. Different tools allowing a prediction of crop production exist. Among them, the evaluation of nitrogen concentration by a chlorophyll meter (Soil–Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) readings), classically used to adapt the nitrogen fertilizer application, has been used in few works to foresee grain yield and grain protein concentration. But the relationships between N crop status and SPAD measurements varies among varieties and this genotypic effect has rarely been incorporated in models of forecasting grain quality.This paper compares several models to forecast yield, nitrogen uptake in grain (NUG) and grain protein concentration from trials carried out in 2001 and 2002 at the INRA experiment station of Grignon (West of Paris). Trials crossed nine varieties by four (2002) or five (2001) nitrogen rates. Input variables of those models are mainly chlorophyll meter measurements (SPAD) on the penultimate leaf at GS65 and on the flag leaf at GS71 Zadoks growth stages and ear number per square meter (NE).A square root model of yield based on NE × SPAD gave the best fit (RMSE = 0.6 t ha⁻¹ for both stages) if considering three different groups of genotypes. Based on the same variable, NE × SPAD, a quadratic model for NUG without significant effect of genotypes gave the best fit (RMSE, between 21 and 30 kg ha⁻¹ depending of the growth stage). And, for GPC, considering the same three groups of genotypes, the slope of the linear model with the ratio of predicted grain nitrogen concentration to predicted yield, is the same at both stages and very close to the standard value used to calculate protein concentration from nitrogen concentration (5.7), but the predictive quality of the model is more than 10% higher at GS71 (R² of 0.77) than at flowering (R² of 0.64). Finally, the sensibility of the models to delay in the stage of measurement is discussed.     

Toward yield improvement of early-season rice: Other options under double rice-cropping system in central China

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yields vary considerably between seasons under subtropical irrigated conditions. Reports on comparisons of grain yield between early- and late-season rice in subtropical environments are lacking. In order to evaluate the role of climatic and physiological factors under double rice-cropping system in determining rice grain yield in farmers’ fields, six field experiments were conducted in both early and late seasons from 2008 to 2010 in Wuxue County, Hubei province, China. For early season crop, the attainable yield was highest under dense planting (38.5 hills m⁻²) when N was applied at a rate of 120–180 kg ha⁻¹. However, the effect of hill density on grain yield was relatively smaller for late season crop, while moderate hill density (28.1 hills m⁻²) and nitrogen rate (120 kg ha⁻¹) were advantageous in terms of grain yield and lodging resistance. Remarkably higher grain yields were achieved in late season crops compared with early season crops, as the former had superiority over the latter in sink size (sink capacity, such as spikelets per m²) and biomass production. The comparatively lower yield under early season mainly resulted from slower growth during the vegetative phase, which can be attributed to the lower temperature rather than reduced mean daily radiation. Summary statistics suggested that there was ample opportunity to improve rice yield in early season crops, compared with late season crops. Correlation analysis further showed that spikelets per m², panicles per m², leaf area index at panicle initiation and flowering, biomass at physiological maturity and biomass accumulation after flowering should be emphasized for increasing grain yield, especially in early season crops under the double rice-cropping system in central China. Current breeding programs need to target strong tillering ability, large panicle size and greater grain filling (%) for early season crops, and high yield potential and lodging-resistance for late season crops as primary objectives.     

Performance of DSSAT-Nwheat across a wide range of current and future growing conditions

Crop models are widely used in agricultural impact studies. However, many studies have reported large uncertainties from single-model-based simulation analyses, suggesting the need for multi-model simulation capabilities. In this study, the APSIM-Nwheat model was integrated into the Decision Support System for Agro-technology (DSSAT), which already includes two wheat models, to create multi-model simulation capabilities for wheat cropping systems analysis. The new model in DSSAT (DSSAT-Nwheat) was evaluated using more than 1000 observations from field experiments of 65 treatments, which included a wide range of nitrogen fertilizer applications, water supply (irrigation and rainout shelter), planting dates, elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, temperature variations, cultivars, and soil types in diverse climatic regions that represented the main wheat growing areas of the world.DSSAT-Nwheat reproduced the observed grain yields well with an overall root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.89 t/ha (13%). Nitrogen applications, water supply, and planting dates had large effects on observed biomass and grain yields, and the model reproduced these crop responses well. Crop total biomass and nitrogen uptake were reproduced well despite relatively poor simulations of observed leaf area measurements during the growing season. The low sensitivity of biomass simulations to poor simulations of leaf area index (LAI) were due to little changes in intercepted solar radiation at LAI >3 and water and nitrogen stress often limiting photosynthesis and growth rather than light interception at low LAI.The responses of DSSAT-Nwheat to temperature variations and elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations were close to observed responses. When compared with the two other DSSAT-wheat models (CERES and CROPSIM), these responses were similar, except for the responses to hot environments, due to different approaches in modeling heat stress effects.The comprehensive evaluation of the DSSAT-Nwheat model with field measurements, including a comparison with two other DSSAT-wheat models, created a multi-model simulation platform that allows the quantification of model uncertainties in wheat impact assessments.     

Understanding effects of multiple farm management practices on barley performance

Because of the complexity of farming systems, the combined effects of farm management practices on nitrogen availability, nitrogen uptake by the crop and crop performance are not well understood. To evaluate the effects of the temporal and spatial variability of management practices, we used data from seventeen farms and projections to latent structures analysis (PLS) to examine the contribution of 11 farm characteristics and 18 field management practices on barley performance during the period 2009–2012. Farm types were mixed (crop-livestock) and arable and were categorized as old organic, young organic or conventional farms. The barley performance indicators included nitrogen concentrations in biomass (in grain and whole biomass) and dry matter at two growing stages. Fourteen out of 29 farm characteristics and field management practices analysed best explained the variation of the barley performance indicators, at the level of 56%, while model cross-validation revealed a goodness of prediction of 31%. Greater crop diversification on farm, e.g., a high proportion of rotational leys and pasture, which was mostly observed among old organic farms, positively affected grain nitrogen concentration. The highest average grain nitrogen concentration was found in old organic farms (2.3% vs. 1.7 and 1.4% for conventional and young organic farms, respectively). The total nitrogen translocated in grain was highest among conventional farms (80 kg ha⁻¹ vs. 33 and 39 kg ha⁻¹ for young and old organic farms, respectively). The use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides increased biomass leading to significant differences in average grain yield which became more than double for conventional farms (477 ± 24 g m⁻²) compared to organic farms (223 ± 37 and 196 ± 32 g m⁻² for young and old organic farms, respectively). In addition to the importance of weed control, management of crop residues and the organic fertilizer application methods in the current and three previous years, were identified as important factors affecting the barley performance indicators that need closer investigation. With the PLS approach, we were able to highlight the management practices most relevant to barley performance in different farm types. The use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides on conventional farms was related to high cereal crop biomass. Organic management practices in old organic farms increased barley N concentration but there is a need for improved management practices to increase biomass production and grain yield. Weed control, inclusion of more leys in rotation and organic fertilizer application techniques are some of the examples of management practices to be improved for higher N concentrations and biomass yields on organic farms.     

Determination of the critical nitrogen concentration of white cabbage

A measure of a crop's nitrogen (N) status can be obtained by relating the actual N concentration of the crop to the critical plant nitrogen concentration (PNC_c), the minimum N concentration required for maximum growth. In annual crops, PNC_c declines as plant size increases. Describing this decline is one of the main challenges for the implementation of the PNC_c concept in fertilizer management strategies. From two field experiments with repeated harvests of Dutch white cabbage and with N supply ranging from limitation to excess, the relation between PNC_c and weight per unit ground area of plant dry matter exclusive of roots (W) was estimated as: PNC_c = 5.1W^−0.33% for the linear growth phase (W > 1.5 t ha⁻¹; LAI > 1.4). From a third field experiment, a value of 4.5% N was estimated for PNC_c for the pre-linear growth phase. Also a power function: LAR = 0.011W^−0.33 described the relationship between leaf area ratio and weight. The exponent of the power function determines the rate of the decline. Therefore, having the same value of the exponent: −0.33, LAR and PNC_c declined at the same rates. The proportional decline in LAR and PNC_c corresponded to a constant nitrogen content on a leaf area basis of 4.7 g N m⁻² until onset of head formation.     

Long-term application of manures plus chemical fertilizers sustained high rice yield and improved soil chemical and bacterial properties

Compared to the short-term experiment, we have a lack of understanding about the long-term effect of fertilizers on rice yield and paddy soil properties under the conditions of frequent soil disturbance and intensive cropping cultivation. Thus, a 32-year (1984–2015) field experiment was established on a red clay soil (typical Ultisols) near Nanchang, Jiangxi province, China, to assess the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers on rice yields, soil chemical properties and bacterial communities in early rice-late rice-Astragalus sinicus L. rotation system. Manure applications in combination with different proportions of chemical fertilizer in terms of nitrogen, particularly 70 M + 30CF (70% manure in combination with 30% chemical fertilizer), sustained high rice yields and increased soil OM, 1 N NaOH-hydrolyzed N, Olsen phosphorus, microbial biomass, and bacterial diversity but alleviated soil acidification. The soil receiving MCF had a great number of bacterial operational taxonomic units and high richness indexes. Compositions and abundances of predominant bacteria in soils varied among the fertilizer treatments and all of bacterial communities were dominated by three major phyla (Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria), which were more than 70% of the total sequences in each of the soils examined. Among the top 15 predominant bacteria, seven were commonly found in all studied soils and only 1–2 phylotypes were unique in each soil. A large number of facultative anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, including Thiobacillus thioparus, Bradyrhizobium, and Nitrospira, were present in all studied soil. Therefore, bacterial community compositions can reflect soil processes such as acidification, greenhouse gas emission and nitrogen recycling in response to tillage and fertilizer managements.     

Early assessment of ecological services provided by forage legumes in relay intercropping

In organic agriculture, weeds and nitrogen deficiency are the main factors that limit crop production. The use of relay-intercropped forage legumes may be a way of providing ecological services such as weed control, increasing N availability in the cropping system thanks to N fixation, reducing N leaching and supplying nitrogen to the following crop. However, these ecological services can vary considerably depending on the growing conditions. The aim of this study was to identify early indicators to assess these two ecological services, thereby giving farmers time to adjust the management of both the cover crop and of the following crop.Nine field experiments were conducted over a period of three years. In each experiment, winter wheat was grown as sole crop or intercropped with one of two species of forage legumes; Trifolium repens L. or Trifolium pratense L. Two levels of fertilization were also tested (0 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹). After the intercropping stage, the cover crop was maintained until the end of winter and then destroyed by plowing before maize was sown. Legume and weed biomass, nitrogen content and accumulation were monitored from legume sowing to cover destruction.Our results showed that a minimum threshold of about 2 t ha⁻¹ biomass in the aboveground parts of the cover crop was needed to decrease weed infestation by 90% in early September and to ensure weed control up to December. The increase in nitrogen in the following maize crop was also correlated with the legume biomass in early September. The gain in nitrogen in maize (the following crop) was correlated with legume biomass in early September, with a minimum gain of 60 kg N ha⁻¹ as soon as legume biomass reached more than 2 t ha⁻¹.Legume biomass in early September thus appears to be a good indicator to predict weed control in December as well as the nitrogen released to the following crop. The indicator can be used by farmers as a management tool for both the cover crop and following cash crop. Early estimation of available nitrogen after the destruction of the forage legume can be used to adjust the supply of nitrogen fertilizer to the following crop.     

Nitrogen uptake and N-use efficiency of Mediterranean cotton under varied deficit irrigation and N fertilization

Efficient N management is essential to optimize yields and reduce degradation of the environment, but requires knowledge of deficit irrigation effects on crop yields and crop N outputs. This study assessed the N content and N-use efficiency of cotton over the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons in a single field site of the Thessaly Plain (central Greece). The experiment consisted of nine treatments with three fertilizer rates (60, 110 and 160 kg N ha⁻¹) split into three irrigation levels (approx. 1.0, 0.7 and 0.4 of the amount applied by the producer). Reduced water supply induced a shift in the distribution of N within the plant with seeds becoming an N sink under conditions of water stress. Total crop N increased linearly with irrigation level and reached a maximum average of 261 and 192 kg N ha⁻¹ in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Fertilizer application did not trigger a crop N or yield response and indicated that N inputs were in excess of crop needs. Variation in weather patterns appeared to explain annual differences of nitrate-N in the top soil and N uptake by the crop.The index of lint production efficiency (iNUE) detected crop responses caused by irrigation and annual effects, but failed to account for excessive N inputs due to mineral fertilizer applications. A maximum average iNUE of 9.6 was obtained under deficit irrigation, whereas an iNUE of 8.1 was obtained under 40 cm irrigation when crop N uptake was not excessive (192 kg ha⁻¹ in 2009). In contrast, NUE, as an estimator of N recovery efficiency, identified excessive fertilizer inputs as N losses to the environment and indicated that 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was a rate of high N removal efficiency and long-term N balance. However, NUE failed to account for crop N responses to irrigation and weather/management patterns. In this case study, neither index was able to detect all the factors influencing the N mass balance and both were required in order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental performance of our cropping system.     

Combined impacts of climate and nutrient fertilization on yields of pearl millet in Niger

Effects of climate variability and change on yields of pearl millet have frequently been evaluated but yield responses to combined changes in crop management and climate are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the combined effects of nutrient fertilization management and climatic variability on yield of pearl millet in the Republic of Niger. Considered fertilization treatments refer to (i) no fertilization and the use of (ii) crop residues, (iii) mineral fertilizer and (iv) a combination of both. A crop simulation model (DSSAT 4.5) was evaluated by using data from field experiments reported in the literature and applied to estimate pearl millet yields for two historical periods and under projected climate change. Combination of crop residues and mineral fertilizer resulted in higher pearl millet yields compared to sole application of crop residues or fertilizer. Pearl millet yields showed a strong response to mean temperature under all fertilization practices except the combined treatment in which yields showed higher correlation to precipitation. The crop model reproduced reported yields well including the detected sensitivity of crop yields to mean temperature, but underestimated the response of yields to precipitation for the treatments in which crop residues were applied. The crop model simulated yield declines due to projected climate change by −11 to −62% depending on the scenario and time period. Future crop yields in the combined crop residues + fertilizer treatment were still larger than crop yields in the control treatment with baseline climate, underlining the importance of crop management for climate change adaptation. We conclude that nutrient fertilization and other crop yield limiting factors need to be considered when analyzing and assessing the impact of climate variability and change on crop yields.     

Short-term water management at early filling stage improves early-season rice performance under high temperature stress in South China

Asymmetric warming and frequent temperature extremes are the consequences of climate change that are affecting crop growth and productivity over the globe while heat stress at early filling stage is of serious concern for the early-season rice in double cropping rice system of South China. In present study we assessed different short-term water management strategies to cope with the high temperature at early filling stage in rice. Water was applied as flood irrigation at two various depths i.e., 4–5 cm (I1) and 5–10 cm (I2) during 9:00–18:00 and then drained off at 18:00 as well as applied over-head during different time spans i.e., over-head sprinkle irrigation during 11:00–12:00, 13:00–14:00 and 14:00–15:00 at 60–80% relative humidity (RH) at early filling stage and regarded as S1, S2 and S3, respectively. A control was maintained with the maintenance of 1 cm water layer as normal farmer practice of this region. A fragrant rice cultivar, ‘Yuxiangyouzhan’ in early March (regarded as early season rice) in both 2014–15 and the effectiveness of different water management strategies were measured by estimating physio-biochemical responses, photosynthesis, yield and quality of rice exposed to high temperature stress at early filling stage. Our results showed that water treatments lowered lipid peroxidation (in terms of reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents) whilst proline and protein contents were affected differently. The water treatments also regulated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), nevertheless, improved plant photosynthesis and gas exchange, rice yield and quality attributes considerably by lowering severity of canopy temperatures than control (CK). On average, both flood and sprinkler water application were proved effective against high temperature stress, nonetheless, flood irrigated treatments were remained more effective than sprinkler which provided 26.58 and 43.63% higher grain yields in 2014–15, respectively than CK. On average, 5.58 and 11.92% higher grain yields were recorded in flood irrigation than sprinkler irrigation whereas among individual water application treatments, I1 was noted as the most effective regarding grain yield of rice (26.76 and 49.35% higher yield than CK) in both years which suggests that maintenance of 4–5 cm water layer might be helpful for the rice to withstand against high temperature stress at post heading and/or early filling stage in early-season rice production in South China.     

Cereal yield and quality as affected by nitrogen availability in organic and conventional arable crop rotations: A combined modeling and experimental approach

The effects of nitrogen (N) availability related to fertilizer type, catch crop management, and rotation composition on cereal yield and grain N were investigated in four organic and one conventional cropping systems in Denmark using the FASSET model. The four-year rotation studied was: spring barley–(faba bean or grass-clover)–potato–winter wheat. Experiments were done at three locations representative of the different soil types and climatic conditions in Denmark. The three organic systems that included faba bean as the N fixing crop comprised a system with manure (stored pig slurry) and undersowing catch crops (OF + C + M), a system with manure but without undersowing catch crops (OF ? C + M), and a system without manure and with catch crops (OF + C ? M). A grass-clover green manure was used as N fixing crop in the other organic system with catch crops (OG + C + M). Cuttings of grass-clover were removed from the plots and an equivalent amount of total-N in pig slurry was applied to the cropping system. The conventional rotation included mineral fertilizer and catch crops (CF + C + F), although only non-legume catch crops were used. Measurements of cereal dry matter (DM) at harvest and of grain N contents were done in all plots. On average the FASSET model was able to predict the yield and grain N of cereals with a reasonable accuracy for the range of cropping systems and soil types studied, having a particularly good performance on winter wheat. Cereal yields were better on the more loamy soil. DM yield and grain N content were mainly influenced by the type and amount of fertilizer-N at all three locations. Although a catch crop benefit in terms of yield and grain N was observed in most of the cases, a limited N availability affected the cereal production in the four organic systems. Scenario analyses conducted with the FASSET model indicated the possibility of increasing N fertilization without significantly affecting N leaching if there is an adequate catch crop management. This would also improve yields of cereal production of organic farming in Denmark.     

Effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the production of biogas from maize and sorghum in a water limited environment

The expansion of biogas production from anaerobic digestion in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) has stimulated the cultivation of dedicated biomass crops, and maize in particular. A mid-term experiment was carried out from 2006 to 2010 on a silt loamy soil in Northern Italy to compare water use and energy efficiency of maize and sorghum cultivation under rain fed and well-watered treatments and at two rates of nitrogen fertilization. The present work hypothesis were: (i) biomass sorghum, for its efficient use of water and nitrogen, could be a valuable alternative to maize for biogas production; (ii) reduction of irrigation level and (iii) application of low nitrogen fertilizer rate increase the efficiency of bioenergy production. Water treatments, a rain fed control (I0) and two irrigation levels (I1 and I2; only one in 2006 and 2009), were compared in a split–split plot design with four replicates. Two fertilizer rates were also tested: low (N1, 60 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen; 0 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen in 2010) and high (N2, 120 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen; 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen in 2010). Across treatments, sorghum produced more aboveground biomass than maize, respectively 21.6 Mg ha⁻¹ and 16.8 Mg ha⁻¹ (p < 0.01). In both species, biomass yield was lower in I0 than in I1 and I2 (p < 0.01), while I1 and I2 did differ significantly. Nitrogen level never affected biomass yield. Water use efficiency was generally higher in sorghum (52 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) than in maize (38 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹); the significant interaction between crop and irrigation revealed that water use efficiency did not differ across water levels in sorghum, whereas it significantly increased from I0 and I1 to I2 in maize (p < 0.01). The potential methane production was similar in maize and sorghum, while it was significantly lower in I0 (16505 MJ ha⁻¹) than in I1 and I2 (21700 MJ ha⁻¹). The only significant effect of nitrogen fertilization was found in the calculation of energy efficiency (ratio of energy output and input) that was higher in N1 than in N2 (p < 0.01). These results support the hypothesis that (i) sorghum should be cultivated rather than maize to increase energy efficiency, (ii) irrigation level should replace up to 36% of ETr and (iii) nitrogen fertilizer rate should be minimized to maximize the efficiency in biomass production for anaerobic digestion in the Po Valley.     

Wheat yield response to spatially variable nitrogen fertilizer in Mediterranean environment

Farmers obtain high yield when proper crop management is matched with favourable weather. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is an important agronomic management practice because it affects profitability and the environment. In rainfed environments, farmers generally apply uniform rates of N without taking into account the spatial variability of soil available water or nutrient availability. Uniform application of fertilizer can lead to over or under-fertilization, decreasing the efficiency of the fertilizer use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variable rate nitrogen fertilizer application on spatial and temporal patterns of wheat grain yield. The study was conducted during the 2008/2009 and 2009/10 growing seasons in a 12 ha field near Foggia, Italy. The crop planted each year was durum wheat (Triticum durum, Desf.) cultivar Duilio. The field was subdivided into two management zones High (H), and Average (A). Three N rates were identified using a crop model tested on the same field during a previous growing season. The N rates were: low N (T1: 30 kg N ha⁻¹), average N (T2: 70 kg N ha⁻¹), and high N (T3: 90 kg N ha⁻¹). The ANOVA test showed that there were no effects of the N levels for the first growing season for the H and A zone. For the 2009/10 growing season with higher rainfall there was a significant difference in grain yield for the A zone (2955 kg ha⁻¹), but not in the H zone (3970 kg ha⁻¹). This study demonstrates the optimal amount of N for a given management zone is not fixed but varies with the rainfall amount and distribution during the fallow and growing season.     

Factors affecting variation in farm yields of irrigated lowland rice in southern-central Benin

For increasing rice production in West Africa, both expansion of rice harvested area and raising rice yield are required. Development of small-scale irrigation schemes is given high priority in national rice development plans. For realizing potential of the newly developed schemes, it is essential to understand yield level, farmers’ crop management practices and production constraints. A series of field surveys were conducted in six small-scale irrigation schemes in Zou department, Benin during the dry season in 2010–2011 to assess variation in rice yields and identify factors affecting the variation. The schemes were established between 1969 and 2009. Rice yields ranged from 1.3 to 7.8 t ha⁻¹ with an average yield of 4.8 t ha⁻¹. The average yield was only 2.9 t ha⁻¹ for newer irrigation schemes developed in 2002 and 2009. Multiple regression analysis using farmers’ crop management practices as well as abiotic and biotic stresses as independent variables revealed that 75% of the variation in yields could be explained by five agronomic factors (fallow residue management, ploughing method, water stress, rat damage and N application rate) and two edaphic factors (sloped surfaces and sand content in the soil). Removing fallow residue from the fields for land preparation reduced yields. Yields were lower in plots ploughed by hand than by machine. Sloped surface, water stress and rat damage reduced yields. Yield increase due to N application ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 t ha⁻¹. Higher sand content was associated with lowered yields. The low yields in new irrigation schemes caused by sub-optimal crop management practices suggest that farmer-to-farmer learning and extension of good agricultural principles and practices can increase yields. Organizational capacity is also important to ensure the use of common resources such as irrigation water and tractors for land preparation.