Productivity and Sustainability of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System as Influenced by Prilled Urea, Farmyard Manure and Azotobacter

Field experiments were conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2001–2002 and 2002–2003, to study the effect of inorganic, organic and Azotobacter combined sources of N on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and their residual effect on succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The results indicated considerable increase in yield attributes and mean seed cotton yield (2.33 Mg ha^?1) with the combined application of 30 kg N and farmyard manure (FYM) at 12 Mg ha^?1 along with Azotobacter (M₄). The treatment in cotton that included FYM, especially when fertilizer N was also applied could either improve or maintain the soil fertility status in terms of available N, P and K. Distinct increase in yield attributes and grain yield of wheat was observed with the residual effect of integrated application of 30 kg N ha^?1 + FYM at 12 Mg ha^?1 + Azotobacter. Direct application of 120 kg N ha^?1 resulted 67.4 and 17.7 % increase in mean grain yield of wheat over no N and 60 kg N ha^?1, respectively. Integrated application of organic and inorganic fertilizer is therefore, recommended for higher productivity and sustainability of the cotton–wheat system.     

Effect of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Fertilization on Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Nitrogen Uptake and Yield

Little is known about the effect of combined phosphorus and nitrogen (P‐N) fertilization on the N requirement of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of varying levels of P and N, as well as the interaction P × N, on the N uptake, yield and N apparent utilization efficiency under field conditions. Split‐plot design experiments were conducted in the mid‐western Pampas in Argentina. Four levels of N (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg N ha^?1) and three levels of P (0, 12 and 40 kg P ha^?1) were applied to two Typic Hapludolls over two growing seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99). N uptake and soil N‐NO₃ contents were determined at the V₇, R₅ and R₉ growth stages. The sunflower yield ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 Mg ha^?1. The total N requirement was around 45 kg N Mg^?1 grain, and this result suggests that it is not necessary to use different N requirements (parameter b) for fertilized crops when a yield response is expected. To achieve a 100 % yield maximum a N supply (soil plus fertilizer) of 181 kg N ha^?1 at P₄₀ was needed. However, at P₀, the highest yield was about 80 % of the maximum yield with a N supply (soil plus fertilizer) of 164 kg N ha^?1. P application increased the apparent use efficiency of the supplied N.     

Recovery of 15N-Labelled Urea Applied to Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Ethiopian Highlands as Affected by P Fertilization

Soil degradation and depletion of soil nutrients are among the major factors threatening sustainable cereal production in the Ethiopian highlands. Fertilizer use as a means of mitigating nutrient depletion has become widely accepted. The fate of fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to a semidwarf bread wheat system was determined in microplots receiving 41 kg N ha^?1 in the form of urea labelled with 5.617 % atom excess ¹⁵N, without and with the application of phosphorus (P) at 20 kg P ha^?1. The study was conducted in three different agro‐ecological zones at 2200, 2400 and 2800 m above sea level (masl) (Kulumsa, Asasa and Bekoji, respectively) in the south‐eastern Ethiopian highlands. Yield and yield response to N diminished with elevation, while the response to P increased with elevation, with a significant increase in wheat grain yield observed at Bekoji (2800 masl). N harvest index and N use efficiency improved in response to P application at Asasa (2400 masl). Crop removal accounted for 25–64 and 36–64 % of the applied N without and with P, respectively. The corresponding fractions of ¹⁵N recovered in the soil ranged from 2.9 to 3.5 % and from 3.2 to 3.7 %, respectively. Recoveries of applied ¹⁵N were 67 and 52 % at Kulumsa and Asasa, but only 25 % at the highest elevation site, Bekoji. Fertilizer P significantly enhanced N recovery at Asasa (60 %) and Bekoji (36 %), but not at Kulumsa, where the soil had a high level of residual P from previous applications. The fraction of ¹⁵N recovered in the soil–plant system was rather low at Bekoji. However, the rate of ¹⁵N recovery was significantly improved (by 37 %) when fertilizer P was added to the soil. Across all locations, the unaccounted ¹⁵N may have been lost primarily through denitrification and volatilization.     

Impact of Phosphorus from Dairy Manure and Commercial Fertilizer on Perennial Grass Forage Production

Increased recovery and recycling of manure phosphorus (P) by crops on dairy farms is needed to minimize environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to compare P utilization by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) from dairy manure or inorganic fertilizer. The study was conducted from 1994 to 2000 at the Cornell University Baker Farm, Willsboro, NY, on a somewhat poorly drained Kingsbury clay (very–fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Epiaqualfs). The design was a split‐plot in a randomized complete block with two manure rates (16 800 and 33 600 kg ha^?1) and one nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate (84 kg N ha^?1 at spring greenup and 56 kg N ha^?1 prior to each regrowth harvest) as the main plots and grass species as subplots replicated six times. Fertilizer P [Ca(H₂PO₄)₂] was applied to the fertilizer treatment in 1995 and 1996 at 11 kg P ha^?1 year^?1. Orchardgrass P removal averaged 21 % higher than tall fescue P removal for the spring harvest, but orchardgrass averaged 24 % lower P removal than tall fescue removal for all regrowth harvests from 1995–99. Phosphorus herbage concentration in the fertilizer treatment was in the range of 1.9–2.7 g P kg^?1 compared with 2.2–5.3 g P kg^?1 in the manure treatments. Seasonal P removal ranged from as low as 9.2 kg P ha^?1 to as high as 48.5 kg P ha^?1. Morgan extractable soil P in the top 0–0.20 m remained high through 1999, with 29.1 kg P ha^?1 at the highest manure rate in tall fescue compared with 8.4 kg P ha^?1 measured in 1993 prior to the experiment. In 2000, soil P at the highest manure rate in tall fescue dropped to 10.1 kg P ha^?1, following cessation of manure application in 1998. Intensively managed harvested orchardgrass and tall fescue have the potential to remove large quantities of manure P.     

Response of Rice Varieties Grown in Semi-deepwater Ecosystem to Foliage Pruning and Nitrogen Fertilization

Field experiments were conducted at Cuttack, India, in 1992 and 1993 using two semi-tall (Panidhan and CR 580-5 of 180 days duration) and two tall (Amulya and CR 626-26-2-3 of 170 days duration), elongating and photosensitive rice varieties to study their response to foliage pruning at varying levels of nasally applied N fertilizer (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^?1). Pruning at the collar level of the topmost leaf was done either once at 90 or 120 days of growth, or twice at both the stages. The crop was sown during the end of May in dry soil and subsequently grown under a semi-deepwater regime (0–80 cm water depth). The dry weight of pruned foliage was more in the tall than in the semi-tall varieties and it increased with an increase in the level of N fertilization and delay in pruning. Two prunings produced greater foliage yield than one pruning. Foliage pruning once at 90 days of growth had no effect on the grain yield of all varieties. However, pruning at 120 days of growth decreased the yield of Amulya and CR 626-26-2-3, particularly in 1992, possibly because of less time (25–30 days) available for the crop recovery before flowering. Further, pruning twice at 90 and 120 days of growth reduced the grain yield of all the varieties significantly due to a reduction in their panicle weight. Application of N fertilizer beyond 30 kg N ha^?1 did not increase the grain yield under no pruning treatment, but the crop responded significantly up to 60 kg N ha^?1 under one pruning and up to 90 kg N ha^?1 under two prunings, despite its adverse effect on crop performance. The crop lodging in response to increased N application was delayed by about a fortnight due to foliage pruning but its beneficial effect was not reflected in the grain yield. The results indicated that the green leafy foliage of the tall elongating rice varieties could be harvested 40–50 days before flowering for feeding the cattle without impairing their productivity under semi-deepwater ecosystem.     

Effects of Time and Rate of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on the Growth and the Seed and Oil Yields of Canola (Brassica napus L.)

A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of variable rates of application of N and P fertilizers in splits at various times on the growth and the seed and oil yields of canola (Brassica napus L.) during 1995–97. Rates of fertilizer application were 0 and 0 (F0), 60 and 0 (F1), 0 and 30 (F2), 60 and 30 (F3), 90 and 60 (F4) and 120 and 90 (F5) kg N ha^?1 and kg P₂O₅ ha^?1. All the P was applied at sowing while N was applied in splits, i.e. all at sowing, half at sowing and half with first irrigation, or half at sowing and half at flowering. The responses of growth, seed yield and components of yield were consistent in both years. Increasing the rate of fertilizer application from F4 (90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) to F5 (120/90 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) increased the leaf area index (LAI) relative to the control and to lower rates of fertilizer application. For both crops, application of 90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1 significantly enhanced total dry matter (TDM) and seed yield. Seed yield increased mainly due to a greater number of pods per plant and seeds per seed‐pod. The time of fertilizer application did not significantly affect seed yield or components of yield in either season. Oil yield generally followed seed yield, increasing with increasing rate of fertilizer application up to 90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1. The maximum oil contents were obtained from the control. The results show that seed and oil yields of canola were maximized at the F4 (90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) rate of application under the agro‐ecological conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan.     

Effects of Nitrogen and Foliar Sulphur Interaction on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Barley

In this study, conducted from 1979 to 1986 in southern Spain, the objective was to analyze the effects of a possible interaction between soil-applied N and foliar S applied to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) during tillering on grain yield and to identify the mechanism involved. From 1979 to 1982, we used rates of 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg a.i. N ha^?1, together with 12.5 or 25 kg foliar a.i. S ha^?1 during tillering. The results demonstrated that foliar S at both dosages acted as a partial (but not total) substitute for N, when the latter was applied at levels of 40 to 60 kg ha^?1. These effects of S did not appear to result only from a nutritive mechanism, but rather from a hormonal mechanism through the increase in ethylene biosynthesis. Therefore, during 1983 to 1986, we used 40, 60 and 80 kg a. i. N ha^?1, together with 12.5 a. i. S ha^?1 and 0.55 kg a.i. ethrel (2-chloroethyl-phosphonic acid) ha^?1. The results showed that the effects of S and ethrel on yield were practically the same. Assayed with 40 and 60 kg N ha^?1, S and ethrel acted as partial (but not total) substitutes for N, exceeding the yield of the control without S or ethrel, and equalling the yield obtained with 20 kg more of N ha^?1. The S or ethrel applied with 80 kg N ha^?1 presented an additive effect with the N. The increases in yield using S or ethrel were in all cases due to the increased final number of spikes m^?2, which was principally a consequence of the higher number of tillers formed but also a result of increased survival of tillers to form a viable spike. In addition, the positive effects of S on yield were greater the smaller the N dosage and the lower the annual yield. Finally, we present a possible mechanism of hormonal action, to explain how foliar S applied during tillering affects grain yield in barley.     

公顷产10000kg小麦氮素和干物质积累与分配特性

以泰山23和济麦22为试验品种,通过连续2年的田间试验,对单产高达10 000 kg hm^-2的小麦进行了施氮量和氮素吸收转运和分配特性的研究。在2006-2007年生长季,随着施氮量的增加,小麦籽粒产量先增加后降低,施纯氮240 kg hm^-2 (N240)和270 kg hm^-2(N270)处理的产量分别达9 954.73 kg hm^-2和10 647.02 kg hm^-2,比不施氮肥处理(N0)分别增加11.20%和18.93%。与N0处理相比,施氮处理显著增加了小麦植株氮素积累量、籽粒氮素积累量和开花后营养器官氮素向籽粒的转运量;随着施氮量的增加,成熟期小麦植株氮素积累量呈先增后降趋势,以N270处理最高;开花后营养器官氮素向小麦籽粒转运量和转运率先升后降,转运量以N270处理最大,为213.78 kg hm^-2;而转运率以N240处理最高,为67.98%。随施氮量的增加,小麦成熟期各器官干物质积累量、花后营养器官干物质再分配量和再分配率先增后降,均以N270处理最高;开花后干物质积累对籽粒的贡献率亦呈先增后降的趋势,以N240处理最高。2005-2006年的试验结果呈相同变化趋势。在本试验条件下,小麦产量水平达10 000 kg hm^-2时的适宜施氮量为240~270 kg hm^-2,可供生产中参考。     

Strategies to Improve the Use Efficiency of Mineral Fertilizer Nitrogen Applied to Winter Wheat

Recovery of fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to winter wheat crops at tillering in spring is lower than that of N applied at later growth stages because of higher losses and immobilization of N. Two strategies to reduce early N losses and N immobilization and to increase N availability for winter wheat, which should result in an improved N use efficiency (= higher N uptake and/or increased yield per unit fertilizer N), were evaluated. First, 16 winter wheat trials (eight sites in each of 1996 and 1997) were conducted to investigate the effects of reduced and increased N application rates at tillering and stem elongation, respectively, on yield and N uptake of grain. In treatment 90‐70‐60 (90 kg N ha^?1 at tillering, 70 kg N ha^?1 at stem elongation and 60 kg N ha^?1 at ear emergence), the average values for grain yield and grain N removal were up to 3.1 and 5.0 % higher than in treatment 120‐40‐60, reflecting conventional fertilizer practice. Higher grain N removal for the treatment with reduced N rates at tillering, 90‐70‐60, was attributed to lower N immobilization (and N losses), which increased fertilizer N availability. Secondly, as microorganisms prefer NH₄⁺ to NO₃^? for N immobilization, higher net N immobilization would be expected after application of the ammonium‐N form. In a pot experiment, net N immobilization was higher and dry matter yields and crop N contents at harvest were lower with ammonium (ammonium sulphate + nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide) than with nitrate (calcium nitrate) nutrition. Five field trials were then conducted to compare calcium nitrate (CN) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) nutrition at tillering, followed by two CAN applications for both treatments. At harvest, crop N and grain yield were higher in the CN than in the CAN treatment at each N supply level. In conclusion, fertilizer N use efficiency in winter wheat can be improved if N availability to the crops is increased as a result of reduced N immobilization (and N losses) early in the growth period. N application systems could be modified towards strategies with lower N applications at tillering compensated by higher N dressing applications later. An additional advantage is expected to result from use of nitrate‐N fertilizers at tillering.     

公顷产10000kg小麦氮素和干物质积累与分配特性

以泰山23和济麦22为试验品种,通过连续2年的田间试验,对单产高达10 000 kg hm^-2的小麦进行了施氮量和氮素吸收转运和分配特性的研究。在2006—2007年生长季,随着施氮量的增加,小麦籽粒产量先增加后降低,施纯氮240 kg hm^-2 (N240)和270 kg hm^-2(N270)处理的产量分别达9 954.73 kg hm^-2和10 647.02 kg hm^-2,比不施氮肥处理(N0)分别增加11.20%和18.93%。与N0处理相比,施氮处理显著增加了小麦植株氮素积累量、籽粒氮素积累量和开花后营养器官氮素向籽粒的转运量;随着施氮量的增加,成熟期小麦植株氮素积累量呈先增后降趋势,以N270处理最高;开花后营养器官氮素向小麦籽粒转运量和转运率先升后降,转运量以N270处理最大,为213.78 kg hm^-2;而转运率以N240处理最高,为67.98%。随施氮量的增加,小麦成熟期各器官干物质积累量、花后营养器官干物质再分配量和再分配率先增后降,均以N270处理最高;开花后干物质积累对籽粒的贡献率亦呈先增后降的趋势,以N240处理最高。2005—2006年的试验结果呈相同变化趋势。在本试验条件下,小麦产量水平达10 000 kg hm^-2时的适宜施氮量为240~270 kg hm^-2,可供生产中参考。     

Effect of Different Crop Densities of Winter Wheat on Recovery of Nitrogen in Crop and Soil within the Growth Period

Previous experiments have shown that, at harvest of winter wheat, recovery of fertilizer N applied in early spring [tillering, Zadok’s growth stage (GS) 25] is lower than that of N applied later in the growth period. This can be explained by losses and immobilization of N, which might be higher between GS 25 and stem elongation (GS 31). It was hypothesized that a higher crop density (i.e. more plants per unit area) results in an increased uptake of fertilizer N applied at GS 25, so that less fertilizer N is subject to losses and immobilization. Different crop densities of winter wheat at GS 25 were established by sowing densities of 100 seeds m^–2 (S_low), 375 seeds m^–2 (S_cfp= common farming practice) and 650 seeds m^–2 (S_high) in autumn. The effect of sowing density on crop N uptake and apparent fertilizer N recovery (aFNrec = N in fertilized treatments ? N in unfertilized treatments) in crops and soil mineral N (N_min), as well as on lost and immobilized N (i.e. non‐recovered N = N rate ? aFNrec), was investigated for two periods after N application at GS 25 [i.e. from GS 25 to 15 days later (GS 25 + 15d), and from GS 25 + 15d to GS 31] and in a third period between GS 31 and harvest (i.e. after second and third N applications). Fertilizer N rates varied at GS 25 (0, 43 and 103 kg N ha^–1), GS 31 (0 and 30 kg N ha^–1) and ear emergence (0, 30 and 60 kg ha^–1). At GS 25 + 15d, non‐recovered N was highest (up to 33 kg N ha^–1 and up to 74 kg N ha^–1 at N rates of 43 and 103 kg N ha^–1, respectively) due to low crop N uptake after the first N dressing. Non‐recovered N was not affected by sowing density. Re‐mineralization during later growth stages indicated that non‐recovered N had been immobilized. N uptake rates from the second and third N applications were lowest for S_low, so non‐recovered N at harvest was highest for S_low. Although non‐recovered N was similar for S_cfp and S_high, the highest grain yields were found at S_cfp and N dressings of 43 + 30 + 60 kg N ha^–1. This combination of sowing density and N rates was the closest to common farming practice. Grain yields were lower for S_high than for S_cfp, presumably due to high competition between plants for nutrients and water. In conclusion, reducing or increasing sowing density compared to S_cfp did not reduce immobilization (and losses) of fertilizer N and did not result in increased fertilizer N use efficiency or grain yields.     

不同氮肥和密度对油菜机械收获损失率的影响

以华油杂62为材料,采用机械直播的方式,设置不同氮肥和密度处理,在油菜籽粒含水量10.86%~13.17%时研究油菜机械收获各部分损失率及损失组成的差异。结果表明,机械收获总损失率在不同处理间存在差异,变幅在6.13%~7.82%之间。不同部分的损失占总损失比例差异较大,其中,自然脱落损失比例最小,各处理占总损失的比例在2.41%~3.90%之间;其次是割台损失,各处理占总损失的比例为17.99%~21.99%;清选和脱粒损失比例最大,占总损失的74.15%~79.52%,其中主要是夹带损失,占总损失的65.51%~69.05%,而未脱粒角果比例损失较小,占8.64%~10.47%。随着氮肥用量和密度的增加,产量增加;总损失率与产量、氮肥用量及密度的相关系数分别为0.970^**、0.918^**和0.358。本研究表明,在油菜机械化生产过程中首先要确定适宜的施氮量和种植密度以获得高产,在高产的基础上再降低收获损失率。     

渭北旱塬免耕/深松轮耕麦田产量和土壤水分对施肥的响应模拟

为探索不同肥力水平对渭北旱塬连作冬小麦田在长周期免耕/深松轮耕措施下土壤蓄水保墒和作物增产效应的影响,在模拟精度验证基础上,应用Win EPIC模型长周期定量模拟研究了1980–2009年渭北旱塬免耕/深松轮耕连作麦田5个不同施肥水平下(T1,N 75 kg hm–2+P2O5 60 kg hm–2;T2,N 120 kg hm–2+P2O5 90 kg hm–2;T3,N 150 kg hm–2+P2O5 120 kg hm–2;T4,N 180 kg hm–2+P2O5 150 kg hm–2;T5,N 255 kg hm–2+P2O5 90 kg hm–2)冬小麦产量和土壤水分效应。在30年模拟期间,各处理的冬小麦产量、年度耗水量和水分利用效率均呈波动下降趋势,下降幅度表现为T5T4T3T2T1。0~5 m土层土壤有效含水量呈季节性波动降低趋势,且随施肥水平的升高而降低,5个处理的麦田平均干燥化速率依次为每年13.5、17.1、17.4、20.1和23.9 mm。0~1.5 m土层土壤湿度随季节降水波动;各处理在不同深度形成稳定的土壤干层,其中T1在1.5~2.0 m,T2和T3在1.5~3.0 m,T4和T5在1.5~4.0 m。上述结果表明,随着肥力水平的增加,旱作冬小麦产量和耗水量也增加,土壤干层加厚。综合考虑认为,在渭北旱塬免耕/深松轮耕长期连作小麦田适宜的施肥量为纯氮150 kg hm–2+P2O5 120 kg hm–2。     

高产麦田氮素利用、氮平衡及适宜施氮量

选用大穗型小麦品种兰考矮早八, 研究了施氮水平对小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质含量、氮素利用及氮平衡的影响。结果表明, 适量增施氮肥有利于提高籽粒产量, 且以180 kg hm^-2 (N3)、360 kg hm^-2 (N4)处理的产量最高, 且在N4条件下, 继续增施氮肥仍能显著提高籽粒蛋白质含量。随施氮量的增加, 植株地上部氮积累量提高。氮平衡分析结果表明, 未被当季作物利用的氮主要以氮表观损失和残留无机氮的形式损失, 且随施氮水平的增加, 氮表观损失量和土壤残留量均随之增多。通过环境经济学的Coase原理和边际收益分析, 综合考虑蛋白质含量、籽粒产量、经济和生态效益, 确定202~239 kg hm^-2为兰考矮早八兼顾多目标适宜的氮肥用量, 其相应的产量水平为8 628~8 680 kg hm^-2, 蛋白质含量为14.6%~14.8%。     

Transfer of Grain Legume Nitrogen within a Crop Rotation Containing Winter Wheat and Winter Barley

In a crop rotation trial, conducted from 1985 to 1988 at TU-Munich's research station in Roggenstein, the transfer of grain legume nitrogen was evaluated in crop rotations containing fababeans and dry peas as well as oats (reference crop) and winter wheat and winter barley as following crops. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: Dinitrogen fixation by fababeans ranged from 165 to 240 kg N ha¹, whereas N₂-fixation by peas amounted from 215 to 246 kg N ha^?1. In all seasons the calculated N-balance where only grain was removed was positive, with a net gain being on average 106 (peas) and 84 (fababeans) kg N ha^?1. After the harvest of peas 202 kg N ha^?1 remained on the field on average over seasons (158 kg N ha^?1 in the above ground biomass and 44 kg N ha^?1 as NO₃-N in 0–90 cm depth). As compared to peas, fababeans left 41 kg N ha^?1 less due to smaller amounts of nitrogen in the straw. After oats very small amounts of residual nitrogen (33 kg N ha^?1) were detected. After the harvest of grain legumes always a very high nitrogen mineralization was observed during autumn especially after peas due to a close C/N-relationship and higher amounts of nitrogen in the straw as compared to fababeans. In comparison with fababeans, N-mineralization after the cultivation of oats remained lower by more than 50%. During winter, seepage water regularly led to a considerable decrease of soil NO₃-N content. The N-leaching losses were especially high after cultivation of peas (80 kg N ha ^?1) and considerably lower after fababeans (50 kg N ha^?1) and oats (20 kg N ha^?1). As compared to oats, a higher NO₃-N content in soil was determined at the beginning of the growing period after preceding grain legumes. Therefore, winter wheat yielded highest after preceding peas (68 dt ha^?1) and fababeans (60 dt ha^?1) and lowest after preceding oats (42 dt ha^?1). The cultivation of grain legumes had no measurable effect on yield formation of the third crop winter barley in either of the growing seasons.     

氮肥用量及钾肥施用对稻麦周年产量及效益的影响

为探明优化施氮量与高施氮量下不同钾肥施用处理对稻麦周年产量及效益的影响。本试验于2010年5月–2011年7月在江苏省如皋市农业科学研究所试验基地的田间稻麦轮作条件下,对常规粳稻品种镇稻11和春性中筋品种扬麦16设置了两个氮肥用量下不同钾肥用量及施用方法处理,测定稻麦周年的产量和组成因子,成熟期不同器官的氮、钾浓度和累积量,氮、钾利用效率及经济效益。试验结果表明,钾肥的施用显著提高了周年稻麦的产量,同时提高了稻麦的有效穗数、穗粒数和结实率,钾肥的利用效率和经济效益。稻麦周年钾肥(K₂O)的偏生产力(PFP)、农学效率(AE)、回收利用率(RE)和经济效益均以周年钾肥(K2O)土壤施用150 kg hm^-2 + 叶面喷施16.2 kg hm^-2 (K_S150 + K_F16.2)处理最高。氮肥用量的结果表明,相对于优化施氮量,高施氮量有利于提高水稻的氮素营养而增产,但对稻麦周年产量的影响不显著,且优化施氮量的氮肥利用效率及经济效益均高于高施氮量。因此,综合考虑土壤环境因素、经济效益和肥料资源管理,本地区最佳氮肥(N)用量为水稻200 kg hm^-2,小麦180 kg hm^-2;最佳钾肥(K₂O)用量及方法为水稻土壤施用90 kg hm^-2 + 叶面喷施9.7 kg hm^-2 (K_S90 + K_F9.7),小麦土壤施用60 kg hm^-2 + 叶面喷施6.5 kg hm^-2 (K_S60 + K_F6.5)。     

Maturity Class and P Effects on Soya Bean Grain Yield in the Moist Savanna of West Africa

Field trials were replicated at four sites in the moist savanna ecological zone of West Africa to study the effect of maturity class and phosphorus (P) rate on grain yield and total protein yield (TPY) of some new soya bean varieties. Grain yield and TPY averaged 1.43 Mg ha^?1 and 587 kg ha^?1, respectively. Without P application grain yield and TPY were not significantly different among the varieties. In addition, at zero P treatment, grain yield and TPY were not significantly different among three sites where available P was 6.2 mg kg^?1 or less. P application depressed grain yield and TPY at a site where the available soil P was high (16.2 mg kg^?1). With P application grain yield and TPY were in the range of 1.2–2.28 Mg ha^?1 and 505–948 kg ha^?1, respectively, for the varieties compared with 0.99–1.12 Mg ha^?1 and 454–462 kg ha^?1 when P was not applied. The response of grain yield to 30 kg P ha^?1 was substantial at Gidan Waya (113 %), Kasuwan Magani (63 %) and Fashola (60 %), three sites where available soil P was low. The application of 30 kg P ha^?1 increased grain yield by 21 % in early, 26 % in medium and 58–70 % in the late varieties. Significant variety by P rate interaction effects were observed on grain yield and TPY but not on grain protein concentration (GPC). TPY showed greater response to P in the late varieties than in the early or medium. While seed size correlated significantly and positively with GPC, P application had no significant effect on GPC.     

Drip Irrigation Frequency: The Effects and Their Interaction with Nitrogen Fertilization on Sandy Soil Water Distribution, Maize Yield and Water Use Efficiency Under Egyptian Conditions

Irrigation frequency is one of the most important factors in drip irrigation scheduling that affects the soil water regime, the water and fertilization use efficiency and the crop yield, although the same quantity of water is applied. Therefore, field experiments were conducted for 2 years in the summer season of 2005 and 2006 on sandy soils to investigate the effects of irrigation frequency and their interaction with nitrogen fertilization on water distribution, grain yield, yield components and water use efficiency (WUE) of two white grain maize hybrids (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted by using a randomized complete block split‐split plot design, with four irrigation frequencies (once every 2, 3, 4 and 5 days), two nitrogen levels (190 and 380 kg N ha^?1), and two maize hybrids (three‐way cross 310 and single cross 10) as the main‐plot, split‐plot, and split‐split plot treatments respectively. The results indicate that drip irrigation frequency did affect soil water content and retained soil water, depending on soil depth. Grain yield with the application of 190 kg N ha^?1 was not statistically different from that at 380 kg N ha^?1 at the irrigation frequency once every 5 days. However, the application of 190 kg N ha^?1 resulted in a significant yield reduction of 25 %, 18 % and 9 % in 2005 and 20 %, 13 % and 6 % in 2006 compared with 380 kg N ha^?1 at the irrigation frequencies once every 2, 3 and 4 days respectively. The response function between yield components and irrigation frequency treatments was quadratic in both growing seasons except for 100‐grain weight, where the function was linear. WUE increased with increasing irrigation frequency and nitrogen levels, and reached the maximum values at once every 2 and 3 days and at 380 kg N ha^?1. In order to improve the WUE and grain yield for drip‐irrigated maize in sandy soils, it is recommended that irrigation frequency should be once every 2 or 3 days at the investigated nitrogen levels of 380 kg N ha^?1 regardless of maize varieties. However, further optimization with a reduced nitrogen application rate should be aimed at and will have to be investigated.     

Potassium Management for Brown Midrib Sorghum × Sudangrass as Replacement for Corn Silage in the North-eastern USA

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (SxS) as a replacement for silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the north‐eastern USA. Recent studies suggest it is suitable for both rotational grazing and as a hay crop and could compete with corn harvested for silage in years when wet spring conditions prevent the timely planting of corn. However, little is known about its suitability as forage for non‐lactating cows that require low potassium (K) forages to prevent health problems. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of K fertilizer management (0, 112 or 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 cut^?1) under optimum N management (112–168 kg N ha^?1 cut^?1) on yield, quality and K concentrations of BMR SxS over a 2‐year period. Field trials were established on a fine loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Fragiaquepts with medium K‐supplying capacity and characteristic of a large region in New York. Potassium application did not affect dry matter yields in either of the 2 years. Averaged over 2 years, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) significantly increased with K addition with similar but non‐significant trends observed in each of the years individually. The digestibility of NDF was unaffected by K application. Crude protein (CP) concentrations showed a significant decrease with K application in 2002 and similar trends were observed in 2003, although differences were not significant at P ≤ 0.05. The changes in NDF and CP did not significantly impact forage quality expressed as milk production per megagram of silage. Potassium application increased forage K concentration up to 13 mg K kg^?1 dry matter (in the first cut in 2003). Forage Ca and Mg concentrations decreased with K addition except for the first cut in 2002 where differences between 112 and 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 treatments were not significant. Without K addition in the 2‐year period, K concentrations in the forage decreased from 23 g kg^?1 for the first cutting in 2002 to 15 g kg^?1 for the second cut in 2003. Low K forage was obtained for all second‐cut forage unless 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 cut^?1 had been added. First‐cut forage was suitable only when no additional K had been applied. These results suggest low K BMR SxS forage can be harvested from initially high K soils without loss in dry matter yield as long as no additional K is added.     

Application of Fertilizers for Increased Saffron Yield

Research was undertaken to determine the response of newly planted saffron to the application of different levels of nitrogen (0, 50 and 100 kg N · ha^?1 · year^?1), phosphorus (0, 25, and 50 kg P₂O₅ · ha^?1 · year^?1), and composted cow manure (0, 20, and 40 tons · ha^?1 · year^?1) in terms of fresh flower weight (FFW), saffron yield (SY) and leaf biomass. The experiments were conducted in Birjand, and Ghaen, Khorasan province, Iran, from 1991 to 1993. Significant differences were found between the two locations and among the years within each location for FFW and SY. Averaged over all treatments and years, mean values for FFW and SY were 644.3 and 9.1 kg · ha^?1, respectively, at Birjand, and 296.0 and 3.7 kg · ha^?1, respectively, at Ghaen. At Birjand, mean FFW in the three consecutive years was 229.0, 796.2, and 907.8 kg · ha^?1 and mean SY was 3.4, 10.6, and 13.4 kg · ha^?1. The corresponding means at Ghaen were 87.5, 225.9, and 574.7 kg · ha^?1 for FFW and 1.3, 3.2, and 6.7 kg · ha^?1 for SY. Simple correlation coefficients between FFW and SY were positive and highly significant. At both locations, FFW and SY increased significantly from year to year. The rate of increase, however, decreased with the age of the saffron field because of overcrowding of new corms. Different combinations of fertilizers had either a negative or nonsignificant effect on FFW and SY. The application of phosphorus fertilizer did not result in increased FFW and SY. The application of 40 tons · ha^?1 of cow manure in the first year followed by no fertilizer in the second year and by 20 tons · ha^?1 in the third year increased FFW and SY at Birjand. The use of 100 kg · ha^?1 nitrogen only in the third year also increased FFW and SY at Birjand. At Ghaen, only the application of 50 kg · ha^?1 nitrogen in the third year resulted in increased FFW and SY.