Insect communities related to wheat and coriander cropping histories and essential oils in the Rolling Pampa, Argentina

Intensive land use in the Rolling Pampa of Argentina have resulted in a mosaic of fields with different cultural histories creating different soil environments, which interact with crops and cropping activities producing a wide range of habitats for insects. Species and functions in canopy structure, food quality and essential oils of the crop–weed associations may vary depending on the field's cropping history and management (i.e. crops, soil degradation, weeding and fertilization). Species composition and functional structure of insect communities may respond to these changes. We studied insect communities in wheat and coriander crops that differed in their canopy structures, essential oil production, and the cropping histories of the fields on which they grew. For this purpose we planted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and two coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) landraces in plots with two levels of weeding and fertilization. The crops were grown in two consecutive years at two locations differing in cropping history and related to this in level of soil degradation. Insects were sampled in all plots at crop full flowering, and were classified and related to agronomic variables and to essential oils using multivariate techniques. Among all the environmental factors tested in this study, year and soil degradation were the main factors explaining insect community structure; and also weed community structure in unweeded plots. The proportion of essential oil components varied with cropping history, suggesting an association among soil properties indicative of soil degradation, plant chemical signals and insect distribution. Although insect community composition varied widely, functional structure was very similar among crop–weed communities. Soil degradation appeared to have affected directly crop–weed communities and insects’ assemblages, since no consistent relationship was found between plant composition and insect community structure. It can be hypothesized that soil degradation might have affected the amount of volatiles produced especially by coriander, generating a “soil degradation scent” that determined the structure in the insect community, and/or the soil itself emitted different signals, in relation to changes in its physical, chemical and biological characteristics.     

Drought and heat stress reduce yield and alter carbon rhizodeposition of different wheat genotypes

Drought and high temperature are major environmental stress factors threatening wheat production during grain filling stage resulting in substantial yield losses. Four wheat genotypes (Suntop, IAW2013, Scout and 249) were planted under two temperature levels (25 and 30°C) and two water levels (15% and 25% soil moisture content). Wheat yield, leaf δ¹³C, plant rhizodeposition, shoot biomass and root traits were examined. Low moisture (drought stress) and high temperature (heat stress) decreased the grain yield of all wheat genotypes, in particular 249, while combined drought and temperature stresses had the most pronounced negative effect on plant biomass and grain yield. Decreasing soil water availability decreased the allocation of plant‐derived C to soil organic carbon (SOC) and to microbial biomass through rhizodeposition. Leaf δ¹³C decreased with increased yield, suggesting that higher yielding genotypes were less water stressed and allocated less C to SOC and microbial biomass through rhizodeposition. Wheat genotypes with lower root/shoot ratios and thinner roots were more efficient at assimilating C to the grain, while genotypes with higher root/shoot ratios and thicker roots allocated more C belowground through rhizodeposition at the expense of producing higher yield. Therefore, improving these traits for enhanced C allocation to wheat grain under variable environmental conditions needs to be considered.     

Effect of Alley Cropping on Crops and Arthropod Diversity in Duzce, Turkey

The influence of alley cropping practices on trees, agricultural crops and arthropod diversity was studied in Duzce, Turkey. Six replications of three crops, maize (Zea mays L. var. rugosa), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), were planted in the alleyways between rows of hybrid poplar [Populus euramericana (Dode) Guinier] in a plantation setting. Control plots included a poplar plot without crops and the three crops planted in plots without trees near the plantation. Sweep netting, sticky traps, pitfall traps, and cloth shaking were used four times throughout a growing season to sample arthropods in the research area. Alley cropping practices had both negative and positive effects on crop yield and a significant negative effect on poplar growth. A total of 10 284 arthropod specimens (15 orders and 122 families) were collected, 118 families in the agroforestry plots, 57 families in the treeless plots and 44 families in the poplar control plot. Diversity indices did not differ among plots, except for the Shannon index, for all dates and sampling methods combined. Evenness indices and family richness measures did not differ significantly among plots, but significant differences were found among collection dates and sampling methods. The tree canopy had a greater arthropod diversity than the ground vegetation. Beneficial arthropods were found in significantly greater numbers in the agroforestry plots compared to the monocrop plots. This suggests that trees provided a more favourable habitat for beneficial arthropods than herbaceous plants. We conclude that agroforestry may contribute to increasing arthropod diversity compared with monocrops.     

不同质地土壤不同林龄巴旦木叶片及土壤养分动态变化研究

为探明新疆莎车县巴旦木主栽区不同土壤质地下巴旦木土壤养分和叶片营养水平分布特征,笔者分别以沙土和壤土质地巴旦木幼树林和盛果期林为研究对象,测定叶片及0~20、20~50cm深度土壤的有机质和养分含量,分析莎车县巴旦木不同土壤质地、不同发育阶段、不同生长时期土壤肥力状况及对矿质营养元素利用需求模型。结果显示：沙质土壤巴旦木园土壤碱解氮、有效磷、有机质水平较低,土壤速效钾、有效硫与钙含量丰富,镁浓度适中;壤土巴旦木园土壤有机质含量缺乏,速效磷、速效钾、有效硫与钙、镁含量丰富,微量元素中有效锌缺乏;壤质土全氮、有效磷、镁、铜、铁含量均高于沙质土,沙质土微量元素铜、锌、铁、锰含量均缺乏;而巴旦木不同发育期对土壤养分含量影响几乎一致;巴旦木不同树龄叶片在展叶期-果实膨大期-采收期的营养元素含量变化趋势大致相同,巴旦木对大量元素的吸收主要发生在果实膨大期和采收期;展叶期主要以吸收全氮、速效钾为主,膨大期主要吸收速效氮和有机质为主;对微量元素的吸收主要集中在果实采收期,并且主要以吸收铁、锰元素为主,锌次之;膨大期以硼为主,其它微量元素吸收较少。根据平衡施肥的原则得出：巴旦木果实膨大期和硬核期以增施氮磷肥为主,在硬核期以增施钾肥为主,期间适当补充树体所需的微量元素,在采收后或次年年初施足有机肥和氮肥。     

Light absorption and water loss in overwintered and spring–sown evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) crops

Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) is a high-value oilseed crop for temperate areas which may be either overwintered or spring–sown. Light absorption, light use efficiency, water loss and biomass water ratio were compared between overwintered and spring–sown crops of cv. Merlin in two years of field trials. An overwintered crop of cv. Peter was also studied in year two. The energy content of evening primrose plant material was shown to be similar to other crops. Both overwintered and spring–sown crops can achieve full canopy closure and maintain high fractional photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception for long periods but canopy closure occurred much later than in other temperate seed crops. In spring–sown evening primrose, maximum PAR interception did not occur until August, by which time incident light levels were declining and consequently the proportion of incident light energy captured during the main growing season was low. Most light was intercepted by green leaves and very little shading by senescent tissue and flowers occurred. Light conversion efficiencies for the main growing period were comparable with other temperate C₃ crops, but in year two a steep decline in light conversion efficiency was observed as the crops matured and the soil water deficit exceeded 60 mm. In year one, water loss from both the overwintered and spring–sown crops were low and the soil water deficit increased relatively slowly. By contrast, in the year two crop water loss was high and the soil water deficit built up very rapidly between the end of June and crop maturity. No significant differences in biomass water ratio (water use efficiency) were recorded between overwintered and spring–sown crops but ratios were 50% higher in year one than in year two. Although no relationship was detected between biomass water ratio corrected for vapour pressure deficit (“normalised”) and soil water deficit, after canopy closure normalised daily water loss declined with increasing soil water deficit. Earlier canopy closure, particularly in the spring crop, and the avoidance of soil water deficits through irrigation, would lead to substantial improvements in the size and consistency of seed yields of evening primrose crops.     

微生物菌剂与耕作方式对冬小麦土壤化学性状的影响

为了解不同的耕作方式和微生物菌剂施用下土壤化学性状的动态变化特征,在玉米秸秆还田的基础上,于冬小麦季通过田间小区试验,研究了旋耕和深耕2种耕作方式以及添加不同外源微生物菌剂条件下,冬小麦不同生育期土壤速效磷、速效钾、土壤微生物量碳氮的动态变化特征。结果表明,2种耕作方式下对土壤速效磷、速效钾、微生物量碳氮含量差异不显著,但小麦季不同生育期对这些的影响达到显著水平。旋耕方式下,施用（沼液+根际促生菌）和EM菌分别对土壤速效磷、土壤速效钾效果最明显;深耕方式下,施用（沼液 根际促生菌）和沼液分别对土壤速效磷、土壤速效钾效果最好;2种耕作方式下施用根际促生菌降低了土壤碳氮比值,有利于秸秆的腐解。土壤速效钾在小麦季收获期根区较非根区含量分别增加了44.31%（旋耕）和32.61%（深耕）。2种耕作方式下的根区土壤微生物量碳、氮显著高于非根区,且添加EM菌均能提高土壤微生物量碳、氮含量。     

Simulation of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) growth and development under Mediterranean conditions: Model adaptation and evaluation

This study reports the adaptation of a simple and mechanistic crop growth model for faba bean (FAGS) to growing conditions in the Mediterranean region. The FAGS model was originally developed for small-seeded cultivars grown in the temperate zone under non-limiting water and nutrient conditions. In order to account for the effect of drought stress on faba bean growth, a submodel for the simulation of soil water balance has been included in the FAGS model. The enhanced FAGS model was calibrated using data from field experiments with a large-seeded faba bean genotype (ILB 1814) conducted in 1993–1994 and 1994–1995 at ICARDA's Tel Hadya research station in northern Syria. In both seasons, crops were sown on two dates under different water supply levels. The model was capable of predicting the faba bean phenology, leaf area development, biomass production, and grain yield as well as the soil water extraction using daily climatic data, genotype-specific parameters, and soil physical properties. The calibrated faba bean model was tested against independent experimental data from the 1991–1992 and 1992–1993 growing seasons at Tel Hadya and was able to satisfactorily predict grain yield of crops grown under different drought intensities. Limitations of the model and aspects requiring better understanding to improve model predictions are discussed.     

不同土壤条件下化学调控对小麦产量和品质的影响

为探究不同土壤条件与不同化控剂结合对小麦产量及品质的调控效应,通过盆栽方式,研究农麦5号在黑土（A1）和潮土（A2）条件下,在拔节初期喷施清水（B1）、矮壮素（B2）和吨田宝（B3）对其籽粒产量和品质的影响。结果表明,小麦株高、穗长、穗粒数、千粒重、籽粒产量和蛋白质产量在相同化控处理下均表现为A1>A2,其中潮土条件下籽粒产量和总蛋白质产量分别较黑土低56.0%和55.1%,小麦的总蛋白质及其组分含量均为A2>A1。小麦籽粒产量和穗粒数在黑土条件B2处理下达到最大值,株高和穗长在B3处理下达到最大值;在潮土条件下使用化学调控剂处理中,小麦籽粒总蛋白质含量显著高于B1处理,其中清蛋白、球蛋白和醇溶蛋白含量均表现为B2>B3>B1,且差异显著。因此,不同土壤条件配合使用适宜化控剂可以有效促进小麦优质高产,即在黑土条件下配合使用化学调控剂可以显著提升小麦产量;在潮土条件下配合使用化学调控剂可以显著提升小麦品质。     

膜侧施肥对旱地小麦产量、籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用效率的影响

覆膜栽培能提高旱地小麦产量,但降低了籽粒蛋白质含量,优化施肥是解决这一问题的有效措施之一。2013年9月至2016年9月,在黄土高原中部典型旱地进行田间定位试验,比较传统平作(不覆盖+均匀施肥)、垄覆沟播(垄上覆膜+垄间沟播+均匀施肥)和膜侧施肥(垄上覆膜+垄间沟播+播种行侧膜下定位施肥)栽培模式下,0~40 cm土层硝态氮含量和0~200 cm土壤水分,以及膜侧施肥对小麦氮素吸收利用、产量、籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用的影响。与传统平作相比,在偏旱的2013—2014和2015—2016年度,垄覆沟播的小麦产量分别提高9.5%和6.3%,籽粒蛋白质含量降低7.1%和9.9%,水分利用效率提高5.8%和8.7%,而膜侧施肥的小麦产量提高18.8%和22.8%,籽粒蛋白质含量无显著变化,水分利用效率提高13.2%和19.6%;在偏湿润的2014—2015年度,垄覆沟播和膜侧施肥对小麦产量无影响,但膜侧施肥的籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用效率分别提高6.0%和17.0%。与垄覆沟播相比,膜侧施肥在偏湿润年份使生长季内100~200 cm土壤水分消耗显著减少,而在偏旱年份使夏休闲季土壤蓄水显著增加,开花和收获期0~40 cm土壤硝态氮、根系全氮以及开花期茎叶全氮含量升高,促进了小麦营养器官氮素吸收、积累及其向籽粒的转运,提高了旱地小麦产量,籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用效率。在偏干旱的2013—2014和2015—2016年度,膜侧施肥较垄覆沟播产量分别提高8.4%和15.5%,籽粒蛋白质含量提高9.9%和8.7%,水分利用效率提高7.0%和10.0%;在偏湿润的2014—2015年度,两处理产量无显著差异,但膜侧施肥的籽粒蛋白质含量提高6.0%。因此,膜侧施肥可维持旱地小麦生育后期的土壤氮供应,提高小麦产量、籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用效率,增加下季播前深层土壤贮水,是适宜于旱区推广的小麦栽培模式。     

Grain yield and quality: does there have to be a trade-off?

The effect of agronomic practices and cultivars on grain yield, grain protein and small grain sievings was examined in field experiments over four years in the winter rainfall wheatbelt of Western Australia. Rotation with legume crops and pastures was the main factor responsible for increasing grain protein percent. Grain proteins were increased by 4-5% for crops grown in good legume pasture rotations compared to continuous wheat rotations, but only by 1-2% by factors such as delayed sowing time, applied nitrogen, cultivar or grass weed control. In legume based rotations, wheat crops sown at their highest yielding times produced proteins in the appropriate ranges for premium paying grades. Applying N fertilisers up to the optimum rates for yield did not result in proteins below the levels required for premium paying grades, except for hard wheats at >11.5% grain protein. Legume rotations and appropriate soil types were required for hard wheats to exceed 11.5% at economic N rates. The yield penalty often associated with high quality cultivars has been reduced or eliminated in the modern cultivars used in the experiments. Some longer season cultivars only produced grain proteins >10% if sown after their optimum time for yield, but sowing at optimum time reduced the probability of producing small grain sievings. Some cultivars were more susceptible than others to producing excessive sievings, especially those with inherently smaller than average seed size. Seed rates up to the optimum for grain yield did not result in excessive small grain sievings except where the site was highly fertile, where the crop was sown too late for optimum yield or where too much N fertiliser was used. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Wheat Genotypes under Field and Lysimeter Conditions

Lysimeters and neighbouring fields were used from 1998 to 2000 to assess parameters of N use efficiency of three Swiss spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. An old (Albis), a new (Toronit) and an experimental genotype (L94491) were compared with no and ample (250 kg N ha^?1) N fertilizer supply. N fertilization increased biomass, grain yield and grain N concentration of all genotypes in all years and in both testing systems (field, lysimeters) but only a few genotype × N interactions were observed. Generally, Toronit was superior in producing biomass and grain yield and L94491 in accumulating N in the grain resulting in identical N biomass yields. Albis showed the lowest and Toronit the highest fertilizer recovery, irrespective of the method of calculation (¹⁵N or difference method). The medium yielding L94491 recovered similar amounts of fertilizer N as Toronit, mainly due to the high N concentration in the biomass. The ranking of the genotypes for the investigated traits was similar in both testing systems and results comparable with those reported in the literature, indicating that the lysimeter facility is suitable for investigations of agronomic traits on soil–plant relationships, where a constant recording of the soil properties is required.     

Beet vinasse applied to wheat under dryland conditions affects soil properties and yield

The effect of six doses of beet vinasse (0, 3, 6, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹, respectively) on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cajeme) yield in dryland conditions (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) for 3 years on a Typic Xerofluvent was studied. The results showed that at low doses, beet vinasse is of agricultural interest due mainly to its organic matter concentration. The application of this byproduct to the soil increased soil microbial biomass and mineralization of its organic matter increased NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil. This caused an increase in grain yield in the three seasons. When the vinasse was applied with high doses, NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil, soil microbial biomass, soil structure, bulk density, electric conductivity, nutrient uptake, crop yield and grain quality were negatively affected. We assume that the high amounts of monovalent cations, particularly Na⁺, and of fulvic acids, which had been transported into the soil by the vinasse, destabilized the soil structure. This may have led to anaerobic soil conditions being presumably responsible for restricted N mineralization or even for denitrification. This explains the lower N supply to the crops reflected by the low N concentrations in the leaves of treatments A4 and A5.     

Die Ertragsentwicklung von Wintergetreide und Zuckerrüben bei dauerhafter Senkung des N-Düngungsniveaus

Effects of Long-term Fertilizer N Reduction on Winter Grain and Sugar Beet Yields
The results of recent field experiments concerning the effect of long-term N-reduction on the yield and quality of sugar beet, winter wheat and winter barley on plots which had previously had received ample amounts of N are studied in this paper.
The yield and quality of crops harvested on plots where N-dressings had been reduced for 6–8 years were similar to those of crops grown on plots where N-application had been reduced for only 1 year. Grain yield of winter wheat and winter barley grown without any N-application decreased to about 60 % of amounts normally harvested under local conditions with recommended N dressings, whereas the white sugar yield still remained at 90 %. The yields decreased slightly with an increase in the duration of the experiments. Yields of both cereals and beets remained constant within each level of fertilization, even 6 years after inition of trials with 50, 75 and 125 % of locally recommended N dressings.
On plots that did not receive nitrogen fertilization, N-contents of grain were between 1.5 and 1.7 % for winter wheat and 1.0 and 1.6 % N for winter barley. These contents remained constant over a trial period of 6 years. The amount of annual export of 55–91 kg N/ha also remained constant. Limited N availability causes a decrease in grain protein content rather than in grain yield.
Compared to winter grain species, sugar beet (with 74–117 kg N/ha in the beet body) could realize the highest annual export of nitrogen from the plot. Differences in annual N export existing between the various locations of the plots cannot be explained by differences in soil quality. Continuous high yields that were found even without any N-dressings may be explained by asymbiotic N-fixation, deposition of atmospheric N and a progressive decrease in soil N with 17–56 kg N/ha removed from soil resources annually.     

Standorterhebungen zur Stickstoffdynamik nach Anbau von Körnerleguminosen

Field studies on nitrogen dynamics after cultivation of grain legumes Field trials were conducted in order to study the nitrogen dynamics in soil after cultivation of grain legumes and to investigate the possibility of reduction of nitrate leaching due to catch crops or suitable following crops. Accordingly, in 1989/90 soil samples were taken on 12 farms at depths of 0–80 cm in 4 week intervals and analysed for NO₃-N. Furthermore, Brassica napus and Sinapis alba were sown after grain legumes on two farms, and at the experimental station Roggenstein field trials were carried out with different catch crops (Sinapis alba, Raphanus sativus, Lolium multiflorum and Pisum sativum) after grain peas. Considerable amounts of nitrogen (100–150 kg N/ha) in the form of crop residues (straw and grains) were left on the fields cultivated with grain legumes. After harvesting, nitrate content in the soil layer 0–80 cm was on grain legume fields almost twice as high as on fields cultivated with winter wheat. During autumn, the soil nitrate contents increased remarkably. In the soil layer 0–80 cm the maximum values rose to 140 kg N/ha after peas, to 120 kg N/ha after faba beans and only to 65 kg N/ha after winter wheat. The more intensive N-mineralization after peas compared to faba beans is due to a lower C/N-ratio of crop residues and an earlier harvest time of 2-3 weeks of peas. In winter extremely high N-leaching was measured on fallow land after cultivation of grain legumes. Cultivation of catch crops makes it possible to retain up to 110 kg N/ha in plant material. Raphanus sativus and Sinapis alba are most suitable for this purpose due to their high N-uptake even when they are sown late. Ploughing up catch crops in autumn results in a fast mineralization of their immobilized nitrogen. This implies the risk of N-leaching into deeper soil layers during winter, depending on the amount of rainfall and water capacity of the soil. Particularly on soils with low water capacity, early N-mineralization needs to be prevented by cultivating catch crops which freeze off or survive in winter. Cultivation of Brassica napus (winter form) after grain legumes leads to an extensive uptake of soil nitrate before the beginning of the seepage period, and therefore almost excludes enhanced N-leaching.     

半湿润偏旱区沟垄覆盖种植对冬小麦产量及水分利用效率的影响

为探索半湿润偏旱区沟垄集雨种植模式下冬小麦田土壤蓄水保墒和节水增产效果, 于2007-2010年连续3个小麦生长季在渭北旱塬旱农试验站, 研究了不同沟垄集雨种植模式对土壤水分、冬小麦产量和水分利用效率的影响。设置3个沟垄集雨处理, 分别是垄上覆盖地膜+沟内不覆盖(P1)、沟内覆盖小麦秸秆(P2)、沟内覆盖液体地膜(P3)处理, 以传统平作(CK)为对照。P1、P2和P3处理显著提高冬小麦生育前期0~20 cm和20~100 cm的土壤贮水量, 其中以P2处理蓄水保墒效果最显著, P3处理由于液态地膜的降解, 仅在小麦生长前期有一定的蓄水保墒作用, 在小麦的生长后期与P1处理无显著差异;各沟垄集雨处理100~200 cm土壤贮水量与CK无差异。P2处理对冬小麦平均株高和生物量影响最大, 3年平均株高和生物量分别较对照提高26.7%和60.3%。以P2处理增产效果最显著, 3年平均产量和水分利用效率分别较CK对照提高39.3%和35.6%;且P1和P3之间无显著差异。因此, 垄覆地膜、沟覆秸秆的二元沟垄集雨覆盖种植模式能显著提高冬小麦产量和水分利用效率, 适宜在半湿润偏旱区冬小麦生产中应用。     

The effect of chromosome 1AL/1RS translocation on agronomic performance of 85 F2-derived F6 lines from three Triticum aestivum L. crosses

Summary The effect of the 1AL/1RS chromosome translocation on grain yield and other agronomic characteristics of 85 random F₂-derived F₆ bulks from three 1AL 1RS × 1A bread wheat crosses was determined under optimum and reduced irrigation conditions at CIANO, Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico, during the 1991–1992 and 1992–1993 crop production cycles. Harvest plots of 5.0 m² were arranged in an alpha lattice design with three replications. The 1AL/1RS translocation increased grain yield, above-ground biomass, spikes/m², and test weight under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Homozygous chromosome 1A lines, on the other hand, possessed longer spikes with more grains. The 1AL/1RS cultivars had an advantage in 1000-grain weight, which was detected only under optimum irrigation. The translocation lines showed later maturity and longer grainfilling period than the 1A genotypes under one irrigation treatment. A significant relationship between grain yield and test weight was detected only among the 1AL/1RS genotypes, indicating that they possess heavier and plumper grains than the 1A genotypes. These results encourage the continued use of the 1AL/1RS translocation in wheat improvement.     

Growth and Yield Response of Facultative Wheat to Winter Sowing, Freezing Sowing and Spring Sowing at Different Seeding Rates

Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate. In this study, three sowing times [winter sowing (first week of September), freezing sowing (last week of October) and spring sowing (last week of April)] at seven seeding rates (325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575 and 625 seeds m^?2) were investigated during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, in Erzurum (Turkey) dryland conditions, using Kirik facultative wheat. A split‐plot design was used, with sowing times as main plots and seeding rates randomized as subplots. There was a significant year × sowing time interaction for grain yield and kernels per spike. Winter‐sown wheat produced a significantly higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, spikes per square metre, kernel weight and grain yield than freezing‐ and spring‐sown wheat. The optimum time of sowing was winter for the facultative cv. Kirik. Grain yields at freezing and spring sowing were low, which was largely the result of hastened crop development and high temperatures during and after anthesis. Increasing seeding rate up to 525 seeds m^?2 increased the spikes per square metre at harvest, resulting in increased grain yield. Seeding rate, however, was not as important as sowing time in maximizing grain yield. Changes in spikes per square metre were the major contributors to the grain‐yield differences observed among sowing times and seeding rates. Yield increases from higher seeding rates were greater at freezing and spring sowing. We recommended that a seeding rate of 525 seeds m^?2 be chosen for winter sowing, and 575 seeds m^?2 for freezing and spring sowing.     

Organic fertilizer effects on pea yield,nutrient uptake,microbial root colonization and soil microbial biomass indices in organic farming systems

In the present field experiment, horse manure and compost derived from shrub and garden cuttings were supplied at nearly equivalent N amounts but different C amounts to field peas (Pisum sativum L.), either as a sole crop or intercropped with oat (Avena sativa L.). The objectives were: (1) to evaluate the beneficial effects of C-rich manure and compost on pea productivity in different cropping systems (2) to investigate whether these effects were reflected by microbial root colonization, microbial biomass and CO₂ production and (3) to study the residual effects of the organic fertilizers on the yield of succeeding crop. Short term application of horse manure and compost greatly stimulated soil microbial biomass C, N, P, fungal ergosterol and CO₂ evolution, but failed to stimulate productivity of the current crops. However, significant positive residual effects of organic fertilizer, especially horse manure were observed on the grain yield of the succeeding winter wheat. Mycorrhizal colonization and ergosterol concentration were significantly higher in pea than in oat roots. Intercropping is an important tool for controlling weeds on pea plots under organic farming conditions, but did not affect microbial root colonization, soil microbial biomass indices or CO₂ evolution from the soil surface. According to the extrapolation of the CO₂ evolution rates into amounts per hectare, approximately 40% of the manure C and 24% of the compost C were mineralized to CO₂ during the 124-day experimental period. There were close relationships between grain N and P concentrations in both crops and microbial biomass C, N and P, suggesting that soil microbial biomass can be used as an indicator of nutrient availability to plants.     

基肥施用方式对小麦出苗及苗期生长的影响

通过室内盆栽试验研究不同基肥施用方式对小麦出苗及苗期生长的影响。设置种肥混播条播、条播侧方施肥、条播下方施肥、种肥混播宽幅撒播4种播种施肥方式,同时每个播种施肥方式下设置225、375、600 kg/hm² 3个肥料用量水平。结果表明,种肥混播条播方式对小麦的出苗影响极为明显,且随着施肥量的增加小麦出苗率明显降低,条播侧方施肥、下方施肥以及种肥混播宽幅撒播方式对于小麦的出苗率影响不大。在种肥混播方式下,无论条播还是宽幅撒播方式均表现出了随着施肥量增加小麦株高和根系增加的趋势,其中种肥混播宽幅撒播方式下小麦株高和根长数值相对较高。同一播种施肥方式下,小麦地上部生物量随着施肥量的增加而增加,而在等量肥料投入的情况下,地上部生物量均表现为种肥混播宽幅撒播>条播侧方施肥>条播下方施肥>种肥混播条播。本试验条件下,建议小麦基肥采用种肥混播宽幅撒播的方式,以降低化肥用量、保证出苗安全和培育壮苗。     

Importance of P uptake efficiency versus P utilization for wheat yield in acid and calcareous soils in Mexico

There are large agricultural areas in the world where wheat yields are limited by low phosphorus (P) availability. Breeding for P uptake and P utilization efficiency may reduce this problem. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of P uptake and utilization efficiency to grain yield of selected spring wheat genotypes in different environments. Thirty-eight semidwarf spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes were grown in two experiments in Mexico, each on an acid Andisol under rainfed conditions and on a calcareous Aridisol with irrigation, without (−P) and with 35 kg P per ha fertilized (+P). Without P fertilization, grain yield ranged from 0.8 to 4.6 t ha⁻¹ in the acid soil and from 2.4 to 5.2 t ha⁻¹ in the calcareous soil. With P fertilization, this range was even larger. Under conditions of P deficiency, i.e. in the acid soil at −P and +P (high P adsorption) and calcareous soil at −P (P-depleted soil), P uptake explained 71–100% of the variation in grain yield, and was highly correlated with grain yield (r=0.79–0.95). In contrast, at +P in the calcareous soil, P utilization efficiency explained 60–63% of the variation in grain yield. Here, low grain P concentration was related to high grain yield (r=−0.40 to −0.59). In the calcareous soil, the harvest index was correlated with grain yield, irrespective of the P level. In the acid soil, post-anthesis P accumulation was important. It was positively correlated with grain yield, whereas in the calcareous soil, no post-anthesis-P accumulation occurred. Here, grain P accumulation at maturity was completely determined by translocation of pre-anthesis shoot P. We conclude that the combination of improved P uptake and P utilization efficiency in the same genotypes requires selection under both high and low-P conditions.