Estimating Percolation and Lateral Water Flow on Sloping Land in Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem

Abstract

Quantifying water losses in paddy fields assists estimation of water availability in rainfed lowland rice ecosystem. Little information is available on water balance in different toposequence positions of sloped rainfed lowland. Therefore, the aim of this work was to quantify percolation and the lateral water flow with special reference to the toposequential variation. Data used for the analysis was collected in Laos and northeast Thailand. Percolation and water tables were measured on a daily basis using a steel cylindrical tube with a lid and perforated PVC tubes, respectively. Percolation rate was determined using linear regression analysis of cumulative percolation. Assuming that the total amount of evaporation and transpiration was equivalent to potential evapotranspiration, the lateral water flow was estimated using the water balance equation. Separate perched water and groundwater tables were observed in paddy fields on coarse-textured soils. The percolation rate varied between 0 and 3 mm/day across locations, and the maximum water loss by lateral movement was more than 20 mm/day. Our results are in agreement with the previously reported findings, and the methodology of estimating water balance components appears reasonably acceptable. With regard to the toposequential variation, the higher the position in the topoesquence, the greater potential for water loss because of higher percolation and lateral flow rates.     

Relay-Intercropping of Stylosanthes guianensis in Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem in Northeast Thailand

We evaluated the usefulness of the Stylosanthes guianensis (stylo)- rice relay-intercropping system for increasing agricultural productivity in Northeast Thailand. Although large production variability was observed, the relay-intercropping system produced an average of 350 g m-² stylo dry matter during the dry season under non-irrigated and non-fertilized conditions in the experimental fields at the Ubon Rice Research Center. Utilization of the stylo production as green manure increased rice yield, but only slightly. The relay-intercropping also slightly improved soil chemical properties, but not significantly. The trial of the relay-intercropping in farmer’s fields produced a maximum of 367 g m-² stylo dry matter. Since the stylo production did not decrease the subsequent rice production, the rice-stylo relay-intercropping system is worth considering as one way to utilize the paddy fields during the dry season in Northeast Thailand.     

Toposequential Variation in Soil Fertility and Rice Productivity of Rainfed Lowland Paddy Fields in Mini-Watershed (Nong)in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

Mini-watersheds called Nongin Thai are geographical components of rainfed lowland rice culture in Northeast Thailand, and constitute distinct units in understanding environmental constraints for low and unstable rainfed rice production there. The toposequential variation of soil fertility and its relation to rice productivity within mini-watersheds, was examined by phytometry of sampled soils and field measurements of rice growth and yield. The phytometry experiment with irrigated potted rice using soils sampled from various rice fields within each mini-watershed, revealed that soil fertility as evaluated by rice dry matter production showed a 5 times difference among the fields at most. The difference in the soil fertility was ascribed primarily to that in nitrogen (N) supply capacity, which itself had a strong correlation with soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Accordingly, the biomass production of pot-grown rice was proportional to SOC. content, which suggested the usefulness of SOC as an index for soil fertility evaluation. The effect of clay on the soil fertility was much less than that of SOC. The actual rice yield in each field also showed quite large field-to-field variation, most of which was explained by the SOC content, rice growth duration and fertilizer application rate even though water availability also affected the yield. The yield positively correlated with growth duration and hence with earlier transplanting. Both SOC and clay contents of fields showed steep gradients with ascending field elevation within mini-watersheds, resulting in a marked toposequential distribution of rice yield. The toposequential distributions of SOC and clay contents imply that rice culture after deforestation accelerated soil erosion from upper to lower fields. The large toposequential gradient in soil fertility requires different resource and crop management for each toposequential position, in order to improve rice productivity of the mini-watershed as a whole.     

Nutrient Deficiency in the Rice-Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) Relay-Intercropping System in Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem in Northeast Thailand

Abstract

The rice-stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) relay-intercropping system in paddy fields has previously been shown to increase agricultural productivity in Northeast Thailand, but successive relay-intercropping conducted without irrigation and fertilization during the stylo cropping has resulted in reduced production of stylo. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutrient deficiency on the stylo production. The experiment was conducted using pots to control fertilization accurately. The results showed that, after three successive relay-intercroppings, the soil was severely deficient in sulfur, phosphorus, and molybdenum. Sulfate application to the soil after the successive relay-intercroppings was suggested to improve stylo production. We recommend the use of a rain-fed shallow, favorable subecosystem as a field for stylo production in relay-intercropping and the stylo production with a cycle of several years.     

Soil Management Systems Improve Water Use Efficiency of Rainfed Rice in the Semi-Arid Tropics of Southern Lombok,Eastern Indonesia

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa) grown on rainfed Vertisols in the semi-arid tropics of southern Lombok, Eastern Indonesia, is usually flooded in the short wet season, creating a considerable demand for water. However, rice crops and secondary crops frequently suffer from water stress as the soil dries after the wet season. Four systems of soil management for rice were studied at Wakan and Kawo, with average annual rainfalls of 984 mm and 1665 mm respectively. The objective was to improve water use efficiency (grain yield/m³ water consumed). The four systems were unflooded permanent raised beds with tillage (RMT) or without tillage (RNT), and flooded flat land with tillage (FMT, the conventional system, gogorancah), or without tillage (FNT). Water was kept at 0.1 m depth in the furrows (RMT, RNT) or at 0.05 m depth on flat land (FMT, FNT). Excess water was collected in a dam (embung), and used when necessary to keep the water at the desired depth. Compared with FMT, RNT reduced crop water requirement for rice by 50% at Wakan and by 44% at Kawo. Water use efficiency in RNT was increased by 90% at Wakan, and by 56% at Kawo, compared with that in FMT. There were no differences between treatments in the yield of rice at Kawo (4.5 t/ha), but at Wakan yield was better in FMT or FNT (4.2 t/ha) than RMT or RNT (2.8 t/ha). Hence, on rainfed Vertisols of Southern Lombok, rice grown on permanent raised beds, with or without tillage, could successfully replace rice grown under the conventional flooded system with tillage on flat land (gogorancah), where the rainfall is higher. The extra water saved with permanent raised beds could be used to irrigate secondary crops.     

Identification of Nutrients Limiting Rice Growth in Soils of Northeast Thailand under Water-Limiting and Non-Limiting Conditions

Summary

Glasshouse nutrient omission trials are useful in identifying nutrient limitations for plant growth in soils under the same environmental conditions. Soils of low fertility are commonly used for production of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.), and the crop often encounters water stress. Nutrient requirements may be modified when standing water disappears from the field. Two experiments with rice seedlings were conducted in a glasshouse at Ubon Rice Research Center, Thailand, to identify the nutrients which limit rice growth in soils of Northeast Thailand, and to determine whether nutrient limitations are affected by water availability. In Experiment 1, rice was grown on two soils (Roi et and Ubon series) under well-watered and water-limiting conditions, and 15 nutrient treatments were imposed. In Experiment 2, six soils from Northeast Thailand were examined using the same 15 nutrient treatments. The nutrients which clearly limited the growth of rice plants in soils of Northeast Thailand were nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). In some cases, potassium (K) and sulfur (S) also limited growth, and in one soil zinc (Zn) and boron (B) also limited growth. A shortage of N was the most important limitation for plant growth in all soils except one in which P was more important. The low supply of P decreased plant height and leaf area development during early growth ; low N supply had a greater effect later during growth. The omission of P had a larger detrimental effect on growth when water supply was limited. In the Roi et soil, the omission of S had a large effect on leaf area and total dry matter production only under water stress conditions, but this was not found in the other soils examined. These results from glasshouse studies show that the nutrients limiting rice growth depend on soil type and water availability in soils of Northeast Thailand.     

稻瘟病抗性基因对安徽省稻瘟病菌种群抗性的影响

为分析抗稻瘟病基因对安徽省稻瘟病菌株的抗性水平的影响,采用10个水稻抗稻瘟病单基因品系对安徽不同地区的稻瘟病菌株进行致病力测定,同时对201份水稻品种的抗稻瘟病基因Pi9进行扩增,结合田间抗性表现,分析抗性基因Pi9的利用价值。抗性基因Pi9、Pik、Pizt等对安徽地区的稻瘟病菌株具有较好的抗性,抗性频率分别为66%、60%和54%,其中携带Pi9抗性基因的水稻品种的田间抗性表现也较好,说明Pi9可直接作为分子标记辅助安徽地区水稻品种选育抗原基因。     

Effects of Silicon on Tolerance to Water Deficit and Heat Stress in Rice Plants (Oryza sativa L.), Monitored by Electrolyte Leakage

Summary

To evaluate the positive efTects of silicon on the stress tolerance of rice plants, we measured the electrolyte leakage (El) from leaf tissue caused by desiccation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and by high temperature to estimate the integrity of cell membranes. The El caused by 30% and 40% solutions of PEG decreased with the increase in the level of Si in leaves. In leaves of plants grown with 100 ppm Si02, the level of polysaccharides in cell walls, which is one of the factors related to tolerance to desiccation, was 1.6-fold higher than that in leaves of plants grown without Si. Ultrastructural observations of leaves revealed that polymerized Si accumulated in the walls of epidermal cells but not in those of the mesophyll cells, which are probably the main sites of El. These findings suggested that silicon in rice leaves is involved in the water relations of cells, such as mechanical properties and water permeability and plays a role in preventing El through the synthesis and functions of cell walls. The El caused by high temperature (42.5° C) was also lower in the leaves grown with Si than in the leaves grown without Si, suggesting the involvement of silicon in the thermal stability of lipids in cell membranes. These results suggested that silicon prevents the structural and functional deterioration of cell membranes when rice plants are exposed to environmental stress.     

Effect of puddling intensity on physical properties of a silty clay soil under laboratory and field conditions

Conventional tillage and planting method for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in northern Iran is wet tillage (puddling). Effect of different puddling intensities on physical properties of a silty clay soil (Typic Haplodalfs) was investigated under laboratory and field conditions. Changes in soil physical parameters and water requirement for puddling were measured. For laboratory experiments, undisturbed cylindrical soil samples (diameter and height of 50 cm), were used. A laboratory puddling apparatus was designed and constructed. The puddling intensity was measured by duration of puddling. Four levels of puddling intensity were used as: P ₀ (no puddling, control), P ₁ (low), P ₂ (medium) and P ₃ (high). For field tests, 12 plots of 8 × 4 m were selected. The first tillage was performed with a moldboard plow and then the plots were puddled with different intensity using a rotary tiller. The results showed that under laboratory conditions, water content of the puddled layers decreased with an increase in settling time. During drying period, P ₀ dried faster than P ₁, P ₂ and P ₃. Puddling with low intensity in laboratory and field conditions caused bulk density of 0–15 cm soil layer to decrease by 24.07 and 25.45%, respectively. Increasing puddling intensity increased the bulk density. Bulk density increased with time as particles settled after halting the puddling. Bulk density increased with depth as well. Under laboratory conditions, increasing puddling intensity from P ₁ to P ₂ reduced percolation rate significantly. For all puddling intensities, soil moisture characteristic curves of both field and laboratory samples showed that puddling increased the amount of water retained over the whole range of suctions. More water was needed for P ₃ as compared to P ₁ and P ₂. Under the laboratory and field conditions, the P ₃ required 27.72 and 28.58% more water as compared to P ₂, respectively. Although the mechanisms implemented for puddling were different under laboratory and field experiments, the results were similar. Bulk density, soil moisture content and water percolation rate decreased faster in the puddled soil under field and laboratory conditions. Therefore, to reduce the cost and time, the laboratory method could be used to study the effects of puddling intensity on physical properties of paddy soils. Medium intensity puddling was shown to be the proper tillage practice for paddy fields with silty clay soil.     

Phosphorus Balance and Soil Phosphorus Status in Paddy Rice Fields with Various Fertilizer Practices

Abstract

Excess phosphorus (P) has accumulated in Japanese paddy soils, due to fertilizer P inputs over crop requirement for several decades, and improvement of the excess of P is necessary in view of environmental conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the input/output balance of P related to soil P status in paddy rice systems, and to obtain a practical indication. Irrigated rice (Oryza sative L.) was cultivated on a gley soil from 1997 to 2006. Six field plots fertilized with commercial fertilizer, animal waste composts, green manure and none were included. Phosphorus input varied among plots from 0 to 73 kg ha-¹ yr-¹. Rice P uptake was approximately 20 kg ha-¹, indicating no response to the P input. This was attributed to a large amount of plant-available Bray- and Truog-P in our soils. In our fields, paddy rice could be cultivated with no P-containing fertilizer or amendment. As a result, increase in the P input led to an increase in partial P balance (PPB). Cumulative increase in PPB resulted in the increase in soil total P, whereas cumulative decrease of PPB tended to decrease it. Excess accumulation of the soil P results in a loss of P into the environment. We concluded that P fertilization should be restricted to 20 kg ha-¹ yr-¹ (corresponding to 46 kg ha-¹ yr-¹ as P₂O₅), based on evenly balanced P input with the rice P uptake. It is also important to include all of the P-containing fertilizers and amendments when determining the amount of application.     

根表铁胶膜对镉污染土壤水稻吸镉量的影响(英文)

通过采用镉污染的土壤—河砂—营养液联合培养的方法,研究了在水稻分蘖期施铁对水稻根表铁胶膜中铁及铁胶膜吸附镉的影响。设四个亚铁(Fe~(2+))处理水平分别为:0、30、50、70mg/L,研究施铁浓度与水稻根表铁氧化物胶膜的数量和吸附镉量之间的关系。结果表明,施铁处理的铁胶膜中铁的含量比不施铁(0处理)的高,但在其他三种处理 (30、 50、70mg/L)中,随施铁浓度的升高而降低。另外,施铁浓度与铁胶膜的数量呈正相关,所以,铁胶膜吸附镉与施铁浓度呈正相关。在水稻的另外三个时期:拔节、孕穗、灌浆期,对该问题将作进一步研究。     

栽培模式对水稻土脲酶活性及土壤碱解氮含量的影响

为研究水稻栽培模式对土壤性质的影响,以南方典型双季稻田为研究对象,于湖南浏阳试验田采取土样,测定不同水稻栽培模式下土壤脲酶活性及碱解氮含量,结果表明：1）高氮水平处理的脲酶活性最高,氮空白对照的脲酶活性最低,处理间土壤脲酶活性高低为：超高产栽培〉高产高效栽培〉高效超高产栽培〉常规栽培〉氮空白;2）随着土层深度的增加碱解氮含量逐渐减少,脲酶活性在一定土层深度范围内随深度增加而降低;3）超高产栽培模式可提高耕作层下层土壤碱解氮含量及脲酶活性,说明超高产栽培能改变深层土壤性质。     

栽培稻和普通野生稻居群根表铁膜形成能力的比较研究

根表铁膜形成能力反映了水稻根系氧化力的强弱。为了了解普通野生稻根系氧化力,采用水培铁胁迫试验对5个水稻品种和2个普通野生稻居群根表铁膜形成能力进行评价。结果表明:同亚洲栽培稻相比,普通野生稻拥有较高的根孔隙度,但其根表铁膜含量较低;供试植株的根孔隙度与根表铁膜含量之间没有相关性,这很可能与侧根的数量有关。     

Comparative analysis of farmers engaged in participatory research to cope with climate change versus non-participants in Northeast Thailand

ABSTRACT

To assess the extent of improvement of rainfed rice production by using a participatory approach, we compared research project participants and non-participants (total of 206 rice-growing households) with regard to yield variability and their perspective on climate change at seven sites in Northeast Thailand. The participants were characterized by membership in local groups, an active learning attitude, and confidence in their farming. Compared to non-participants, the participants produced crops with higher yield and had more knowledge about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) message and advanced farming technologies. Both groups had similar reactions to past climatic damage experiences, but the participants tended to have a more positive attitude about adaptation to climate change and mitigation by refraining from residual straw burning than the non-participants. The farmers’ attitude about adaptation to climate change was positively associated with their active learning and close relationship with researchers. There was a large yield gap between the bottom 10 percentile farmers (0.63 t/ha) and the top 10 percentile farmers (4.05 t/ha), with an average yield of 2.18 t/ha. Yield was associated with the level of market orientation, with the market-oriented farmers attaining higher yield, including yield from broadcast seeding (2.71 t/ha), than the subsistence farmers (1.66 t/ha). Our findings suggest that technical improvement of rice production in the region by using the participatory approach could be enhanced by selecting participants who are linked with local groups, tend to be market orientated, and are willing to learn with researchers.     

Grain Protein Content of Interspecific Progenies Derivedfrom the Cross of African Rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) and Asian Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The protein contents of the grain of 50 interspecific progenies developed from the cross between WAB56-104, an Oryza sativa variety, and CG 14, an Oryza glaberrima line, were investigated. In contrast to the higher protein content of O. glaberrima than O. sativa on the average, the protein content of CG 14 was always lower than that of WAB56-104. However, judging from the average of three seasons, 72% of the interspecific progenies had a higher protein content than the mid-parent and 50% of them had a higher protein content than WAB56-104. Although the actual values of protein content of the interspecific progenies were significantly different among the seasons, a highly significant correlation was always observed in protein content between any two of the three seasons. Protein content therefore was considered character of each interspecific progeny though it was also affected by environment. A significant correlation was not observed between paddy yield and protein content in any season; several interspecific progenies showed higher protein content and paddy yield than the mid-parents. A low paddy yield is likely to be associated with high protein content through physiological regulation without a genetic linkage between the two traits. However, the results suggest that the transgressive segregation of protein content observed in the interspecific progenies is attributed not to this physiological regulation but to a certain mechanism to concentrate protein in grains with a genetic background.     

双季稻栽培方式对冬闲期杂草生长及土壤养分含量的影响

于2009～2011年,在湖南长沙进行双季稻不同栽培方式（＂三定＂栽培、免耕摆栽、传统栽培）定位试验,研究了双季稻不同栽培方式对冬闲期稻田杂草生长及土壤养分含量的影响。结果表明：与传统栽培相比,＂三定＂栽培和免耕摆栽方式下冬闲期杂草的密度、单株干重和单位面积生物量以及土壤表层（0～5cm）的碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均较高。其中,冬闲期杂草单位面积生物量、单株干重、单位面积密度与土壤表层碱解氮含量呈显著正相关关系,说明冬闲期杂草在双季稻稻田土壤养分循环中起了重要的作用。     

Dissection of QTLs for Hull Silicon Content on the Short Arm of Rice Chromosome 6

The QTL qHUS6 for hull silicon content in rice was previously located on the short arm of rice chromosome 6.By using an F2:3 population segregating in the RM587-RM19784 region harboring qHUS6 in an isogenic background,two QTLs for hull silicon content were detected,of which qHUS6-1 was located in the distal region and qHUS6-2 in the region proximal to the centromere.Three rice plants carrying small heterozygous segments in the target region were selected,of which two covered the qHUS6-1 region and the other...     

Effects of Variations in Starch Synthase on Starch Properties and Eating Quality of Rice

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of functional variation in three starch synthases in rice (Oryza sativa L.)?granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI, wx), starch synthase I (SSI, SSI), and starch synthase IIa (SSIIa, alk)?between indica cultivar Kasalath and japonica cultivar Nipponbare on starch properties and eating quality. We used three near-isogenic lines?NIL(Wx^a), NIL(SSI ^k), and NIL(Alk)?containing chromosomal segments of Kasalath on a Nipponbare genetic background. The Wx^a allele explained most of the difference in amylose content between the two cultivars, and decreased the peak viscosity and breakdown to less than half of those of Nipponbare. These changes reduced the quality of cooked rice both just after cooking and after storage at 5ºC. The variation in SSIIa also affected the eating quality after storage of cooked rice at 5ºC : NIL(Alk) became harder and less sticky than Nipponbare, although the rices were comparable just after cooking. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed faster retrogradation of the once-gelatinized starch in NIL(Alk). The variation in SSI alleles hardly affected these properties.     

Effects of High Temperature on Growth,Yield and Dry-Matter Production of Rice Grown in the Paddy Field

Abstract

The effect of high temperatures on growth, yield and dry-matter production of rice growing in the paddy field was examined during the whole growth period in a temperature gradient chamber (TGC) from 2002 to 2006. Experimental plots, TG1 (control), TG2, TG3 and TG4, were arranged along the temperature gradient (from low to high temperature) in TGC. The mean and maximum air-temperatures in TG4 were 2.0 –3.6ºC and 4.0º7.0ºC higher, respectively, than those in TG1. The plant height was taller and the maximum tillering stage was earlier in TG2, TG3 and TG4 than in TG1. Plant dry weight at maturity in TG2 and TG3 was 12.8?16.4% heavier than that in TG1. In TG4, the increase in the panicle dry weight during the ripening period was smallest and plant dry weight at maturity was 11–16% heavier than that in TG1. The increase in plant dry-matter during the ripening period was smallest in TG4. The decrease in the dry weight of stem and leaf during the ripening period, which represents the amount of assimilate translocation to the panicle, was also larger in TG2-4 than in TG1. The increase in the dry weight of stem in TG2-4 at maturity was also larger than that in TG1. The photosynthetic rate in TG2-4 was up to 35.6% lower than that in TG1 because of the acceleration of leaf senescence. Brown rice yield in TG4 was 6.6?39.1% lower than that in TG1. This yield decline was due to the decrease in the percentage of ripened grains and increase in the percentage of sterile spikelets. The relation between brown rice yield and mean air-temperature during 20 days after heading showed that the brown rice yield declined when mean air-temperature exceeded 28ºC.