Tillage and residue management effects on soil physical properties and rice yield in northwestern Himalayan soils

Field experiments were conducted on a silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf) during 1988–1990 to study the effect of tillage practices, such as puddling (P), compaction (C) and non-puddled dry tillage (NP) with four rates of lantana (Lantana camara L.) residue incorporation (0(M₀), 10(M₁), 20(M₂) and 30 (M₃) t ha⁻¹), on soil physical properties and yield of rice. Greatest water retention was noticed under PM₃, followed by CM₃ and NPM₃. The soil penetration resistance was lowest for NPM₃, followed by PM₃ and CM₃. Puddled treatments either with or without residue impeded infiltration as compared with C and NP. Puddled treatments either with or without residue had higher soil as well as flood water temperature. Residue addition invariably reduced the ploughing energy required after rice harvest; however, among puddling and compaction treatments, puddling consumed less energy. The rice grain yields under puddled treatments were significantly higher than under C and NP irrespective of residue addition.     

太湖地区水稻土的物理特性与少免耕法的关系

本文从土壤物理特性和作物生长的关系探讨了耕作的要求.土壤水分能量特性可被机械扰动改变,这是导致土壤粘闭的重要原因.水稻土的含水量和有效水均以表土高,而下层低,含水量和容重成线性负相关(n=62,r=-0.909^**).土壤扰动可提高持水量,长年免耕在干旱年份可能会出现水分不足问题.土壤含水量、气容量和机械强度三者的变化相互联系.由三个因素决定的小麦生长最佳范围是在水分吸力0.02-0.5巴内,而田间持水量大于塑性限,所以秋季耕作必然导致土壤粘闭.免耕土壤的容重一般在1-1.25g/cm₃之间,是稻麦生长的较佳环境,所以水稻土本身存在适合稻麦免耕生产的条件.根据水稻和三麦分别52和23组次对比试验,水稻免耕增产19斤/亩,三麦49斤/亩,均达到极显著水平(p=0.01).平田地区连续三年免耕土壤不恶化,囊水型土壤第二年开始有变差趋势,但产量不减低.免耕有保护土壤结构的作用,但不利于结构发展.     

黑土坡面垄侧少耕措施的土壤侵蚀特征分析

为探究黑土区坡耕地垄侧少耕措施对土壤侵蚀特征的影响,在5°和7°坡面开展人工模拟降雨试验,降雨强度为75,100 mm/h,横垄处理方式包括全松（土壤容重均为1.00 g/cm³）、上松下实（土壤容重分别为1.00,1.20 g/cm³）、上实下松（土壤容重分别为1.20,1.00 g/cm³）及全实（土壤容重均为1.20 g/cm³）4种。结果表明：垄侧少耕措施有助于延缓横垄溢流时间,具有明显的调控土壤侵蚀作用。土壤侵蚀量大小总体表现为全松>上松下实>全实>上实下松。除75 mm/h降雨强度下的5°坡面外,与全松处理相比,上实下松和全实处理的径流量分别减少16.1%~19.4%和6.6%~11.4%,土壤侵蚀量分别减少25.0%~52.5%和17.9%~31.6%,且上实下松和全实处理的径流率和土壤侵蚀速率随降雨历时的变化相对比较平稳。可见,垄侧少耕措施在调控总径流量和土壤侵蚀量的同时,也具有较好地调控径流侵蚀过程的作用。因此,建议根据黑土区坡耕地具体降雨特征和地形坡度等因素科学选用垄侧少耕措施。     

Effects of tillage methods and water regimes on soil properties and yield of lowland rice from a sandy loam soil in Southwest Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted on a sandy loam soil (Aeric Tropaquent) during 1981 adn 1982 to assess the effects of compaction, puddling and no-till systems on soil physical properties and on rice growth and yield with and without supplementary irrigation. Soil compaction decreased macro- and micro-pores more than puddling or no-till treatments. The equilibrium infiltration rates were 0.12, 0.15 and 1.65 μm s⁻¹ in compacted, ploughed and no-till treatments, respectively. The saturated hydraulic conductivity, void ratio and moisture content at −0.01 and −1.5 MPa water potential followed a similar trend. The mean weight diameters were 2.40, 2.36 and 2.09 mm for compacted, puddled and no-till treatments, respectively. The mean grain yields for 4 consecutive crops were 6.4, 5.1 and 4.9 Mg ha⁻¹, the compacted being significantly greater than the puddled and no-till treatments. Compared with both puddling and no-till treatments, soil compaction resulted in significant yield increases of about 20% under the rain-fed regime and from 34 to 40% in the flooded moisture regime. There was about 26% increase in rice grain yield by continuous flooding over the rain-fed treatments, with the rice producing greater dry matter and biological yields due to a higher uptake of P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe and Zn.     

Integrated tillage-water-nutrient management effects on selected soil physical properties in a rice-wheat system in the Indian subcontinent

We studied few soil physical indicators after eighth cropping cycle of rice-wheat. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with two tillage (rice: puddling vs. non-puddling; wheat: conventional tillage vs. no-tillage), three water management (rice: submergence vs. drainage; wheat: five/three/two irrigations) and nine nutrient (N) management treatments (inorganic vs. integrated nutrient management). The bulk density (t m^?3) in non-puddled soil (1.33) was significantly less than puddled soil (1.59); while mean weight diameter (0.55 mm) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (0.43 cm h^?1) were higher in the former treatment. Irrigation after 3-days of drainage was found to enhance soil aggregation (0.54 mm) and moisture retention (71.6%) during rice. No-tillage in wheat had overall positive impact. Organic sources of nutrients increased soil water retention (biofertilizer for rice), water conductivity and aggregate stability (combined organics for rice and wheat). Interactions between (tillage × N), (water × N), (tillage × water) revealed crop-wise variations. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil aggregation for rice; and bulk density, water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity for wheat were identified as sensitive soil physical indicators. We suggest an effective combination of no tillage and intermittent irrigation with integrated nutrient management for sustaining soil physical quality in rice-wheat rotation.     

Effect of deep ploughing on the water status of highly and less compacted soils for coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) production in Sri Lanka

Soil compaction limits soil water availability which adversely affects coconut production in Sri Lanka. Field experiments were conducted in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations with highly and less compacted soils in the intermediate climatic zone of Sri Lanka. Soil physical properties of sixteen major soil series planted with coconut were evaluated to select the most suitable soil series to investigate the effect of deep ploughing on soil water conservation. Soil compaction and soil water retention with respect to deep ploughing were monitored during the dry and rainy seasons using cone penetrometer and neutron scattering techniques, respectively. Evaluation of soil physical properties showed that the range of mean values of bulk density (BD) and soil penetration resistance (SPR) in the surface soil (0–10 cm depth) of major soil series in coconut lands was from 1.38 ± 0.02 to 1.57 ± 0.07 g/cm³ and 55 ± 10 to 315 ± 16.4 N/cm² respectively. The total available water fraction increased with clay content of soil as a result of high micropores. However, due to soil compaction, ability of soils to conserve water and to remain aerated was low for those series. Deep ploughing during the rainy and dry periods in highly compacted soils (BD > 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR > 250 N/cm²) greatly increased conserved soil water in the profile, while in less compacted soils (BD < 1.5 g/cm³ and SPR < 250 N/cm²) conserved water content was adversely affected. Soil water retention in bare soils of both highly and less compacted soil series was higher than that of live grass-covered soil. Amount of water conserved in ploughed Andigama series with respect to bare soils and grass-covered treatments during the severe dry period was 10.4 and 16.9 cm/m, while water storage reduction in the same treatments with ploughed Madampe series was 6.55 and 5.45 cm/m respectively. In addition, deep ploughing even in the effective root zone with live grass-covered highly compacted soils around coconut tree was favorable for soil water retention compared to that of live grass-covered less compacted soils.     

Compaction and tillage depth combinations for water management and rice production in low-retentive permeable soils

Excessive percolation loss and low water retention adversely affect the production of rice in coarse-textured lateritic soils. A tillage scheme has been developed from long-term field experimentation during 1973–1978 to measurably reduce the percolation losses and enhance the productivity of rice in this soil under both lowland and upland conditions. Artificially compacted surface and subsurface layers were induced in soil by suitably combining level of compaction as obtained by one (D₁), two (D₂), four (D₃) or six (D₄) passes of a 800 kg iron roller at a load intensity of 0.21 kg cm⁻² and post-compaction tillage or puddling depth of o cm (T₀), 5 cm (T₁), 10 cm (T₂) or 15 cm (T₃). An additional no-compaction treatment (D₀) was included in lowland experiments. where the effect of either the depht or intensity of puddling was also studied. The utility of this tillage scheme in increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use was characterized by a separate upland experiment in 1976 with a lower rate (60 kg N ha⁻¹) of N application than that (100 kg N ha⁻¹) applied in all other experiments.Rice yield was significantly increased on upland by artificially compacting the soil to D₂. However, with further compaction to D₃ and D₄, the yield decreased. When postcompaction tillage was adopted, the grain yield decreased at low compaction level (D₁, D₂) but increased at high compaction level (D₃, D₄) with increase in tillage depth from 0 to 15 cm. The maximum grain yield occurred at D₃T₁.Higher grain yield at D₃T₁, D₂T₀ and D₄T₂ is attributable to a more favourable soil bulk density profile, a lower infiltration rate and higher surface retention of water. The efficiency of applied nitrogen fertilizer was apparently increased at these compaction—tillage depth combinations, where the upland rice yield experienced insignificant reduction with decrease in nitrogen application rate from 100 to 60 kg ha⁻¹.Similar trends of yield response to compaction—tillage combinations were also observed under lowland conditions. When the soil was puddled (following high compaction) with a wedge plough or a power tiller, rice yields were increased by 48 and 56%, respectively, over yields using conventional puddling (without compaction). The yield increased further with the increase in intensity of puddling using a power tiller.     

Puddling and N management effects on crop response in a rice-wheat cropping system

Coarse-textured soils are puddled to reduce high percolation losses of irrigation water under rice (Oryza sativa L.). This practice, however, reduces yield of succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) owing to deterioration in soil physical conditions. The 6 year field study reported in this paper evaluated the effects of puddling level and integrated N management on the development of subsurface compaction and growth and yield of rice and the following spring wheat grown in 1 year sequence on a sandy loam soil. Treatments were combinations of three puddling levels: low (one discing and one planking), medium (two discings and one planking), and high (four discings and one planking), and three nitrogen sources: (1) 120 kg N ha⁻¹ from urea, (2) 60 kg N ha⁻¹ from urea plus sesbania (Sesbania aculeata Pers.) green manure, and (3) 60 kg N ha⁻¹ from urea plus 20 Mg ha⁻¹ farmyard manure. Percolation rate decreased from 14 mm day⁻¹ with low puddling to 10 mm day⁻¹ with high puddling, with a corresponding reduction in irrigation water requirement of rice of about 20%. Bulk density profiles in the 0–30 cm soil layer showed the formation of a compact layer at 15–20 cm depth, and bulk density increased with puddling level and cropping season. The impact of organic amendments in reducing bulk density was immediate, but the rate of increase in bulk density with time was the same in all the nitrogen sources. Organic amendments did not affect percolation rate and irrigation requirement of rice. Rice yields were not significantly affected by puddling and N source treatments throughout the study period. Residual effects of treatments on wheat yield were observed from the second season onwards. Interactive effects of puddling and N source on yields of rice and succeeding wheat were not significant. Yield differences in wheat between high and low puddling were 8% and 11% during the second and the fifth cropping season, respectively. This study indicates that medium puddling was optimum, as it reduced percolation without decreasing yield of succeeding wheat.     

土壤紧实度与土块分配对水稻生长的影响及耕作方法的调节

本文就苏南地区二种粘质水稻土的土壤紧实度和土块组成对水稻生长的影响进行了研究,并对不同方法耕作后耕层土块的组成状况进行了观测,结果指出:土壤紧实度和土块/细土比例的不同对水稻生长有明显的影响,土壤紧实度对水稻生长的影响是通过土壤对根的机械阻力,抑制土壤养分的转化及水分物理特性的改变所致;而土块组成的影响可能主要是影响土壤养分的转化。研磨细了的土壤转化成NH₄-N的量最高,土块大于1厘米者对NH₄-N的产生受到严重抑制,因此认为,春耕后耕层中小于1厘米的土块是评定春耕质量的一个重要指标,耕层土块大于8厘米时妨碍栽秧操作,8-4厘米者影响次之,1-4厘米者对栽秧无影响。对于要获得较小土块组成的耕作质量,旋转耕作效果最好,机耙最差,但土壤经过充分晒垡后,各种耕作方法均可获得较好的相同效果,这时,对合适机具的选择主要可从经济效益考虑。渍水条件下土垡经过挤压受损后,可使土块膨软,这或对土壤养分的释放有利,故一般用于春耕机具,只考虑其切割效果而不同时考虑挤压作用是不足的。     

Assessing the impact of Diplocardia ornata on physical and chemical properties of compacted forest soil in microcosms

 The influence of compaction on Diplocardia ornata (Smith) burrowing and casting activities, soil aggregation, and nutrient changes in a forest soil were investigated using pot microcosms. Treatments included two levels each of compaction, organic matter, and earthworms. Both burrowing and casting activities were more abundant in uncompacted soil than in compacted soil. Bulk density decreased in microcosms of compacted soil containing D. ornata from 1.76 g cm^–3 to 1.49 g cm^–3 over the study period. The overall percent of aggregates in the same size classes in compacted soil was less than the percent of aggregates in uncompacted soil. The mean percent of aggregates in earthworm casts for size classes 0.25–1.00 mm was higher for compacted soil than for uncompacted soil. The reverse was true for aggregates in class sizes 2.00–4.00 mm. Soil compaction also affected soil microbial biomass carbon and soil inorganic N concentrations. These results indicate that the burrowing and casting activities of earthworms in compacted forest soils, as in soils of agricultural and pastured lands, can help ameliorate disturbed soils by improving aggregation, reducing bulk density, and increasing nutrient availability. Received: 1 September 1999     

Organic matter production in rice field flood water

To assess the contribution of organic matter produced in the flood water to the fertility of a rice soil, the primary productivity and the algal biomass therein were examined throughout one crop. Primary productivity was estimated from the diurnal curve of dissolved oxygen.

Just after transplanting, an algal bloom developed due to fert,ilizer or ploughing or both. After submerged weeds occupied the whole paddy no distinct algal growth was found. At the ripening stage, the rice plant canopy suppressed the growth of aquatic plants. Benthic algal biomass did not change much throughout the crop period. The standing crop of algae ranged from 2 to 114 kg/ha by fresh weight, while the maximum standing crop of submerged weeds (Najas sp., Chara sp.) was 400 kg/ha by dry weight.

The primary productivity of the flood water community was high (0.6-3.3 g 0 1 m^-2day^-l) and equivalent to productivity values in eutrophic lakes. The total gross primary production of the flood water community during the cropping period corresponded to 10% and 15% of that of rice plant in the fertilized plot and non-fertilized plot, respectively.

Considering the movement of CO₂ in the flood water, it is suggested that the photosynthesis activity in the flood water prevents surplus CO₂ from being lost.     

The effect of seeding and tillage methods on productivity of rice–wheat cropping system

Many farmers in southeast Asia are growing rice on unpuddled soil. This practice does not permit breaking of the deadlock of increase in productivity in spite of using high yielding varieties and practising all known scientific technologies. Furthermore, farmers do dry seeding which leads to heavy infestation of weeds and reduces response to other inputs. Similarly, in rice–wheat belt due to short turn around time farmers resort to broadcast sowing of wheat after rice and no data on benefits or otherwise of tillage are available. A field study was therefore conducted for 3 years (1993–1994 to 1995–1996) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of tillage and seeding methods in rice–wheat cropping system. Treatments included four combinations of two puddling treatments (puddling and no puddling) and two methods of rice seeding (direct seeding and transplanting) in rice and two tillage treatments (zero and conventional tillage) in wheat. Results indicated that puddling increased grain yield of rice by 0.7–1 t ha⁻¹ and of succeeding wheat by 0.2–0.4 t ha⁻¹, straw yield of rice by 0.8–1.7 t ha⁻¹ and of succeeding wheat by 0.1–1.0 t ha⁻¹.

Puddling reduced water requirement of rice by 75 mm ha and increased net return of rice–wheat system by US $175 ha⁻¹. Transplanted rice gave significantly higher grain and straw yields and net returns than direct seeded rice both on puddled and unpuddled seedbed. Conventional tillage in wheat also increased productivity of rice–wheat cropping system significantly over zero tillage after both puddled and non-puddled rice. Our results thus show that rice should be grown on puddled soil and wheat after rice should be sown after conventional tillage.     

土壤紧实胁迫对黄瓜生长、产量及养分吸收的影响

用容重分别为1.2、1.4和1.6.g/cm3的土壤进行盆栽试验,研究了土壤紧实度对黄瓜生长、产量及养分吸收的影响。结果表明,当土壤紧实度增大时,黄瓜秧苗的株高在定植后的15.d后受到显著抑制;第4叶的叶宽和叶长在定植后9～17.d内增加;茎粗则是在稍紧的土壤中(R.1.4)最大,过紧的土壤中(R.1.6)最小;根系伸长生长受阻,干物质质量及活力显著下降,根冠比降低;生物学产量、经济产量、经济系数的变化情况及植株对氮、磷、钾吸收量的变化与茎粗的变化趋势相同。在本试验条件下,容重为1.2.g/cm3的土壤利于株高及根系的生长,容重1.4g/cm3的土壤则利于茎粗、根系养分的吸收及产量的增加。     

长期有机养分循环利用对红壤稻田土壤供氮能力的影响

通过15年的田间定位试验结合盆栽试验,研究了长期有机养分循环利用和不同化肥配施对红壤稻田土壤供氮能力的影响。结果表明,土壤有机碳、全氮、微生物生物量氮(MB-N)和土壤氮的矿化量与生物吸氮量有极显著的正相关关系,是良好的土壤供氮能力指标。长期有机养分循环利用或配合化肥施用能显著提高土壤有机碳、全氮含量和氮的矿化量,提高幅度分别为20.1%4～0.9%、0.460～.60.g/kg和55.0%(6周);明显提高土壤MB-N含量,提高幅度平均为70.3%。长期纯化肥处理对土壤碳、氮库的积累和氮的矿化量的提高作用甚微。盆栽试验表明,长期施用氮肥和氮、磷、钾肥土壤供氮量提高量极小,与长期不施肥相比提高幅度分别为2.1%和6.2%,而有机养分循环利用能显著提高土壤供氮量,提高幅度为33.7%8～9.0%。随着有机养分循环利用和NPK肥配合程度的提高,土壤供氮量提高幅度呈上升的趋势。     

盐化草甸土和黑土型水田土壤连续深耕改土效果

为明确深耕在不同类型水田土壤上的改土效果及对水稻产量的影响,该研究应用自主研发水田深耕犁,在黑土和盐化草甸土上开展深翻、浅翻与旋耕对比试验研究。结果表明,深耕在不同类型土壤上对水稻产量及土壤理化性质影响存在差异:1)黑土深翻区增产7.28%~8.37%,浅翻区增产6.02%~7.72%,盐化草甸土深翻区和浅翻区与旋耕相比第1年水稻产量差异不大;第2年减产9.96%~11.03%;2)翻耕促进黑土土壤养分均一化,耕作层土壤养分降低不明显,土层间养分含量差异变小,盐化草甸土深耕后造成表层养分浓度降低,0~20 cm土层浅翻区和深翻区土壤有机质与对照相比分别下降4.57和6.68 g/kg,全氮分别下降0.24和0.29 g/kg,碱解氮0~10 cm土层分别比对照降低2.31和11.52 mg/kg,pH值明显增加,0~30cm土层交换性Na+浓度增加;3)与对照相比,浅翻和深翻降低了黑土下层土固相比率、容重,提高土壤通气、透水性,10~20 cm土层土壤固相比率比对照分别降低4.23%和3.23%,土壤容重下降0.09 g/cm3和0.08 g/cm3,通气系数分别提高3.04倍和3.42倍,透水系数提高1.71倍和1.14倍;20~30 cm土层深翻区土壤固相比率降低1.86%,通气系数和饱和透水系数比对照提高0.86倍和1.87倍;盐化草甸土浅翻区和深翻区均有增加下层土固相率和容重,降低通气、透水性的趋势。盐化草甸土水田不适合深耕,黑土型水田土壤深耕可改善土壤理化性质,提高水稻产量。     

Improved root penetration of soil hard layers by a selected genotype

Abstract

Crops can be effectively grown on hardpan soils and water effectively used from deep in the profile if hard layers in soils can be penetrated or if they are broken up by tillage. Addition of gypsum to the soil or exploitation of genetic differences in root penetrability may help improve root penetration through hard layers with less need to depend on the energy requirements of deep tillage. To test this theory, a single‐grained Ap horizon of Norfolk loamy sand soil was compacted into soil columns to compare root penetrability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes Essex and PI 416937 in the presence and absence of gypsum and at two soil compaction levels (columns with uniform compaction at 1.4 g cm^‐1 and columns with increasing compaction with depth from 1.4 to 1.75 g cm^‐1). Compaction treatments were imposed by constructing soil columns composed of 2.5‐cm‐deep, 7.5‐cm‐diameter cylindrical cores compacted to predetermined bulk densities (1.40,1.55,1.65,and 1.75 g cm^.3). Soil penetration resistances were measured on duplicate cores using a 3‐mm‐diameter cone‐tipped penetrometer. Columns were not watered during the study; soybean genotypes were grown in the columns until they died. Both genotypes lived one day longer in columns with lower bulk density and penetration resistance. Although root growth was more abundant for Essex than for PI 416937, root growth of PI 416937 was not decreased by compaction as much as it was for Essex. These results suggest that PI 416937 may possess the genetic capability to produce more root growth in soils with high penetration resistance. This study suggests that genetic improvement for root growth in soils with hard or acidic layers may potentially reduce our dependence on tillage. Gypsum did not affect root growth in this study.     

Assessing the Degree of Physical Degradation and Suitability of Chernozems for the Minimization of Basic Tillage

Results of studies performed in long-term stationary and short-term experiments on ordinary and leached chernozems in the Central Chernozemic Zone are presented. Agrophysical and physicomechanical parameters are proposed for assessing the degree of physical degradation of chernozemic soils. The scale of chernozem degradation has been improved. After the assessment of the agrophysical fertility parameters of old-arable soils, the limits of chernozem suitability for the minimization of basic tillage have been determined. Minimization of basic tillage is recommended for the nondegraded or slightly degraded soils resistant to compaction, with the soil bulk density of no more than 1.1–1.3 g/cm³, soil penetration resistance of 10–30 kg/cm², and the content of coarse blocky fraction of no more than 30%.     

Soil nutrient status and yield of rice as affected by long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers

Nutrient balance is the key component to increase crop yields. Excess and imbalanced use of nutrients has caused nutrient mining from the soil and deteriorated crop productivity and ultimately soil health. Replenishment of these nutrients has a direct impact on soil health and crop productivity. Based on this fact, the present research was conducted to determine the effects of long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil nutrient status and yield (grain and straw) in rice. Different combinations of inorganic nitrogen (N) and organic sources (sewage sludge and compost) were applied to the soil. Data revealed that application of mineral NPK in combination with 50% N through compost significantly increased the organic matter content (0.36%), available phosphorus (16.50 kg/ha) and available potassium content (239.80 kg/ha) in soil. The maximum available N (225.12 kg/ha) was found by the substitution of 50% N through sewage sludge. This improvement in soil nutrient status through combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers produced significant increase in grain and straw yield as compared to inorganic fertilizers alone. Maximum grain (6.96 t/ha) and straw (8.56 t/ha) yields were found in treatment having substitution of 50% N (recommended) through compost @10t/ha. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between soil nutrients and straw and grain yield in rice. Thus the study demonstrated that substitution of 50% inorganic N through compost will be a good alternative for improving soil fertility.     

Impact of tillage and crop establishment methods on crop yields,profitability and soil physical properties in rice–wheat system of Indo‐Gangetic Plains of India

Conservation agriculture (CA) based on best‐bet crop management practices may increase crop and water productivity, as well as conserve and sustain soil health and natural resources. In a 2‐year study, we assessed the effects of tillage and crop establishment (TCE) methods on productivity, profitability and soil physical properties in a rice–wheat (RW) system. The six TCE treatments were used to study the impact, which are puddled transplanted rice followed by conventionally tilled wheat (CTPR–CTW), direct‐seeded rice on the flat followed by zero‐till wheat (CTDSR–ZTW), zero‐till direct‐seeded rice with residue followed by zero‐till wheat with residue (ZTDSR+R–ZTW+R), transplanted rice after rotavator puddling followed by zero‐till wheat (RTTPR–ZTW), transplanted rice after rotavator puddling followed by rotary till wheat (RTTPR–RTW) and farmer practice rice–wheat (FP–RW). Result of the study revealed that mean rice yield was not significantly affected by different TCE methods. Wheat planted with ZTDSR+R–ZTW+R gave 30% larger grain yield than FP‐RW. Overall, among all the TCE treatments, the RW system yields and net returns were maximum under ZTDSR+R–ZTW+R. The fastest mean infiltration rate (0.10 cm hr^–1) was registered in ZTDSR+R–ZTW+R plots, whereas the slowest was in FP‐RW plots (0.05 cm hr^–1). Bulk density at 15–20 cm soil depth was least in ZTDSR+R–ZTW+R (1.70 Mg m^–3) and greatest in FP‐RW (1.73 Mg m^–3). Results from this study revealed that conventionally tilled (CT) and transplanting of rice could be successfully replaced by adoption of the profitable double ZT–RW system.     

不同压实水平下铁尾矿砂和土壤的水力学特征比较

由于尾矿砂的不良结构和严重压实,水土流失严重,水分已成为其生态恢复的重要限制因素。因此以水分运移为主线,通过室内土柱模拟,研究铁尾矿砂和土壤在自然状态到最大压实状态间5个压实水平(铁尾矿砂1.50~1.70 g/cm^3,土壤1.30~1.50 g/cm^3)的水力学特征差异,为尾矿砂的合理改良提供依据。结果表明:铁尾矿砂自然容重1.50 g/cm^3的水分入渗能力低于土壤自然容重1.30 g/cm^3的水分入渗能力。随容重的增大,尾矿砂和土壤的水分运移特征均呈幂函数减小的趋势,但分别在1.60,1.40 g/cm^3处入渗能力明显降低。从水分参数入渗率、湿润锋距离、累计入渗量、饱和导水率、剖面水分分布整体来看,在较低容重范围内,土壤水分运移能力高于铁尾矿砂,但由于容重对土壤水分运移的影响大于铁尾矿砂,在较高容重范围内,土壤的水分运移能力则不如铁尾矿砂。铁尾矿砂和土壤的水分特征曲线形状也完全不同,铁尾矿砂呈现"上凸"形,表现为高吸力段缓低吸力段陡,土壤水分特征曲线均为"下凹"形,表现为高吸力段陡低吸力段缓。因此,尾矿砂中可以添加土壤或者类似土壤结构的基质来增强其不良的持水性和导水性,促进生态恢复。