Tillage effects on soil properties and maize productivity in western Turkey

Information regarding the evaluation of long-term tillage effects on soil properties and summer maize growth after winter vetch in western Turkey is not available. Therefore, this study was conducted for 5 years with three types of tillage including conventional (mouldboard plough) and conservation (rototiller and chisel). Results indicated that tillage had no significant effect on penetration resistance, except at the bottom of 20 cm soil depth where it was higher in mouldboard plough than in rototiller and chisel. Bulk density in the topsoil of 10 cm decreased with the degree of soil manipulation during tillage practices. Rototiller caused significantly higher root, leaf and stems biomass and plant height than the other systems. The root dry weight was higher in the topsoil of 10 cm than at the bottom of this soil depth for all systems. The highest root dry weight was found in fourth year of chisel, but the lowest was recorded in the same year of plough, especially at the bottom of 20 cm due to higher penetration. Rototiller improved soil properties and maize growth compared to other systems in 2 of 5 years. We concluded that using rototiller for maize after winter vetch will be more effective compared with other systems.     

Water and Bromide Recovery in Wick and Pan Lysimeters under Conventional and Zero Tillage

Abstract

Quantifying in situ solute transport through soils and the landscape has been widely acknowledged as important and yet challenging. The objective of this study was to evaluate water and bromide movement in no‐tilled (NT) and conventionally tilled (CT) corn using two different types of in situ lysimeters—pan and capillary wick—for single rainfall events. Four zero‐tension pan and four capillary‐wick lysimeters were installed 1.2 m deep on opposite sides of four soil pits. Two were under NT corn, and two were under CT corn. Bromide (Br) was either surface applied or applied with an initial 25 to 27 mm of irrigation (33 to 34 g Br m²). A total of 120 to 147 mm of irrigation was applied continuously at 8.8 mm h^?1. Leachate was collected on 15 min intervals for 24 h and on greater intervals for up to 350 h. Lysimeter discharge and Br concentration were determined for each interval. After drainage began and until rainfall was discontinued, the water drainage rate was, on average, greater in NT (7.2 mm h^?1) than in CT (5.6 mm h^?1) based on results from the pan lysimeters. By contrast, the water drainage rate for the wick lysimeters was, on average, greater in CT (7.3 mm h^?1) than in NT (3.0 mm h^?1). The wick lysimeter appears to have behaved as a sink under the CT conditions, likely representing water flow in smaller channels. Under NT conditions, greater discharge observed with the pan lysimeter implicates the response from larger channels as the conduit for water flow. Flow‐weighted mean Br concentration was less when Br was applied on the soil surface (17.9 mg L^?1) than when Br was applied with the irrigation water (50.6 mg L^?1). Implications from preferential flow studies are often determined based on a single method of evaluation for solute transport, which are likely subject to the limitation of the method used. This study illustrates that contrary to the conventional understanding about preferential flow in NT, water flow and Br transport to the 1.2-m depth was as great as or greater with CT than with NT based on the results from the wick lysimeters for single rainfall events.     

Mulch effects on rainfall interception, soil physical characteristics and temperature under Zea mays L.

Application of organic amendment to the soil surface is widely used in order to ameliorate topsoil physical conditions, especially with respect to temperature, evaporation and water content. Water intercepted by mulch and crop canopy involves loss through evaporation that never replenishes the soil water. In this study, hydrological and temperature conditions beneath mulches of manufactured materials, organic waste, wheat straw (Tritium aestivum L.) and soybean straw (Glycine max L. Merrill) applied at different thickness were investigated in glasshouse and field conditions in southern England. Interception loss by a maize (Zea mays L.) canopy and mulch modified the soil water balance by adversely affecting soil water content beneath thicker application. Mulching had a beneficial effect on soil water and temperature regimes. These findings are important for identifying mulching practices for dryland agriculture and under scenarios of climatic change that predict lower rainfall and higher temperatures in summer.     

Long-term continuous cropping in the Pacific Northwest: Tillage and fertilizer effects on winter wheat, spring wheat, and spring barley production

Conventional tillage winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) (WW)–summer fallow reduces soil productivity and increases soil erosion. Conservation tillage management, together with intensive cropping may have the potential to reverse these sustainability concerns. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems on grain yield of long-term annual cropping of monoculture WW, spring wheat (SW), and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) (SB) grown with or without fertilizer, in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA. In unfertilized crops, grain yield of WW, SW, and SB was 15%, 25%, and 50% higher, respectively, in CT than in NT plots, an indication of the involvement of yield limiting factors under the NT cropping system. When fertilized, there were no significant differences in grain yield of WW. Yields of SW and SB, however, remained 21% and 15% higher, respectively, in CT than in NT, an indication that factors other than fertility were involved. These results suggest that in order for NT management to be widely adopted by area growers, the yield-limiting factors need to be addressed.     

不同水稻种植模式对氮磷流失特征的影响

过量施用化肥造成的氮、磷流失已成为农业面源污染的主要污染源。为探究不同种植模式对氮、磷流失的影响,采用大田试验,研究比较了常规种植、绿色蛙稻和有机蛙稻3种水稻种植模式下稻田生态系统的田面水氮、磷浓度特征规律,以及径流、渗漏的氮、磷流失特征和产量差异。结果表明,3种水稻种植模式中,田面水总氮(TN)平均浓度为:常规种植绿色蛙稻有机蛙稻,分别为18.87 mg-L-1、8.98 mg-L-1和8.20 mg-L-1。与常规种植模式相比,绿色蛙稻模式和有机蛙稻模式在整个水稻季中的TN总流失负荷分别减少15.27%和25.76%。径流流失负荷为:绿色蛙稻常规种植有机蛙稻,氮的主要形态为铵态氮(NH4+-N);渗漏流失负荷为:常规种植绿色蛙稻有机蛙稻,氮的形态以硝态氮(NO3--N)为主。田面水总磷(TP)平均浓度为:有机蛙稻绿色蛙稻常规种植,分别为0.82 mg-L-1、0.64 mg-L-1和0.37mg-L-1。总磷(TP)总流失负荷为:有机蛙稻绿色蛙稻常规种植,总流失负荷占施磷量的比例为:绿色蛙稻常规种植有机蛙稻,并且以溶解性磷(DP)为主。3种模式下水稻产量为:常规种植有机蛙稻绿色蛙稻,与常规种植模式相比,绿色蛙稻模式和有机蛙稻模式分别减产19.33%和8.51%。研究结果表明,有机蛙稻和绿色蛙稻模式能够有效地控制水稻田中氮、磷流失,但会造成水稻减产。由于有机蛙稻模式要求种、养条件更高,因此有机蛙稻模式下的产品往往品质最好,经济效益最高。     

Tillage effects on soil properties and wheat cultivars traits

Information regarding the evaluation of tillage effects on soil properties and rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars of Iranian fields is not available. Therefore, this research was conducted in Sanandaj (west of Iran) using a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement. Three types of tillage including conventional tillage (moldboard plow to soil depth of 30 cm plus disk harrow twice), minimum tillage (chisel plow to soil depth of 15 cm plus disk harrow once) and no-tillage are assigned to the main plots. Wheat cultivars (Sardari and Azar2) were randomly distributed within the subplots in each tillage system. Results showed that the greatest bulk density and cone index were found in the minimum tillage and no tillage systems. The highest rate of grain yield was obtained in the minimum tillage system. The grain yield of Sardari cultivar (1624.1 kg ha^?1) was significantly greater than that of Azar2 (1572 kg ha^?1). Minimum tillage improved soil physical properties and wheat growth compared with the other tillage systems. No tillage increased microbial biomass carbon and bacteria number in soil compared with the other tillage systems. We conclude that using minimum tillage for Sardari cultivar will be more effective compared with other treatments.     

Chloride effects on corn

Abstract

Chloride (Cl) toxicity was suspected in corn (Zea mays L.) growing in a poorly‐drained Atlantic Coast Flatwoods soil where Cl toxicity of soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merr.} was a problem. Field and greenhouse research was conducted with rates of applied Cl in an effort to induce Cl toxicity in corn.

‘Trojan 114’ corn was grown in the greenhouse with Cl rates (KCl) of 0, 364, and 728 ug/g and in the field with rates of 0, 85, 170, and 340 kg/ha. Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) treatments were included to supply equivalent amounts of K as that in KCl.

Phytotoxicity of corn did not occur in greenhouse or field experiments with any fertilizer treatment. In the greenhouse Cl concentrations in 26‐day old corn plants grown in a poorly‐drained Flatwoods soil (Leefield sand ‐ arenic Plinthaquic Paleudult) for the 0 and 728 ug Cl/g treatments were 5.0 and 32.7 g/kg in shoots, 1.6 and 14.9 g/kg in ear leaves, and 1.3 and 16.5 g/kg in stalks, respectively. In the field, Cl treatments applied to corn grown in a poorly‐drained Flatwoods soil (Alapaha sand ‐ arenic Plinthic Paleaquults) were not as effective in increasing Cl concentrations in shoots and ear leaves as that for corn grown in a well‐drained soil (Tifton loamy sand ‐ thermic Plinthic Paleudult) apparently because of the greater amount of residual soil Cl in the poorly‐drained soil. Concentrations of Cl in shoots of corn receiving O and 340 kg Cl/ha were 3.8 and 18.0 g Cl/kg, respectively, for corn grown in the well‐drained soil and 16.1 and 18.0 g Cl/kg, respectively, for corn grown in the poorly‐drained soil. Grain yields were not affected by fertilizer treatments on either soil and Cl concentration in grain for corn grown in the Tifton soil was not different among treatments. These data indicate that corn is not very susceptible to high levels of soil Cl.     

Wheel traffic and tillage effects on runoff and crop yield

Traffic and tillage effects on runoff, soil water and crop production under rainfall were investigated over a period of 6 years on a heavy clay vertosols (vertisols) in Queensland, Australia. A split plot design was used to isolate traffic effects, while the cropping program and treatments were broadly representative of extensive grain production practice in the northern grain region of Australia. Treatments subject to zero tillage and stubble mulch tillage each comprised pairs of 90 m² plots, from which runoff was recorded. A 3 m wide controlled traffic system allowed one of each pair to be maintained as a non-wheeled plot, while the complete surface area of the other received a single annual wheeling treatment from a working 100 kW tractor.

Mean annual runoff from controlled traffic plots was 81 mm (36.3%) smaller than that from wheeled plots, while runoff from zero tillage was reduced by 31 mm (15.7%). Traffic and tillage effects appeared to be cumulative, so the mean annual runoff from controlled traffic and zero tillage plots, representing best practice, was 112 mm (47.2%) less than that from wheeled stubble mulch plots, representing conventional cropping practice. Rainfall infiltration into controlled traffic zero tillage soil was thus 12.0% greater than into wheeled stubble mulched soil. Rainfall/runoff hydrographs show that wheeling produced a large and consistent increase in runoff, whereas tillage produced a smaller increase. Treatment effects were greater on dry soil, but were still present in large and intense rainfall events on wet soil.

Plant available water capacity (PAWC) in the 0–500 mm zone increased by 10 mm (11.5%) and mean grain yields increased by 337 kg/ha (9.4%) in controlled traffic plots, compared with wheeled plots. Mean grain yield of zero tillage was 2–8% greater than that of stubble mulch plots for all crops except for winter wheat in 1994 and 1998. Increased infiltration and plant available water were probably responsible for increased mean grain yields of 497 kg/ha (14.5%) in controlled traffic zero tillage, compared with wheeled stubble mulch treatments. Dissipation of tractive and tillage energy in the soil is the apparent mechanism of deleterious effects on the soils ability to support productive cropping in this environment. Controlled traffic and conservation tillage farming systems appear to be a practicable solution.     

No-tillage and conventional tillage effects on durum wheat yield, grain quality and soil moisture content in southern Italy

No-tillage (NT) is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers because it clearly reduces production costs relative to conventional tillage (CT). However, many producers in southern Italy are reluctant to adopt this practice because NT can have contrasting consequences on grain yield depending on weather conditions. The effect of NT and CT on continuous durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) under rainfed Mediterranean conditions was studied, over a 3-year period (2000–2002) at two locations (Foggia and Vasto) in southern Italy. Yield, grain quality [thousand kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW) and protein content (PC)] and soil water content were assessed.Higher yield was obtained with NT than CT in the first 2 years at Foggia. In contrast, mean yield and quality parameters at Vasto were similar for the two treatments, except in the third year in which CT produced more than NT (4.6 Mg ha⁻¹ versus 2.9 Mg ha⁻¹). At Foggia, TW and TKW were higher in NT than CT in all years. Highest PC was obtained under CT (19.6% and 15.5% for CT versus 14.7% and 11.4% for NT, respectively, in the growing season 2000–2001 and 2001–2002) indicating that grain was shriveled with low starch accumulation.At Foggia, where this study was part of a long-term experiment started in 1995, a strong correlation was observed between yield and rainfall during the wheat growing season. The coefficient of determination (R²) values for CT and NT were 0.69^* and 0.31 ns, respectively, and the regression straight line crossed around 300 mm of rainfall. These results indicate that NT was superior below this rainfall value, whereas more rainfall enhanced yield in CT. We conclude that NT performed better at Foggia with limited rainfall during the durum wheat growing season. The superior effect of NT in comparison to CT, was due to lower water evaporation from soil combined with enhanced soil water availability.     

Impact of tillage on maize rooting in a Cambisol and Luvisol in Switzerland

Soil conditions under no-tillage (NT) are often unfavorable for the growth of maize roots in comparison to conventional tillage (CT). In 1997 and 1999, the impacts of tillage on the morphology and spatial distribution of maize (Zea mays L.) roots at anthesis were investigated in a 5-year field trial at two sites (loamy silt and sandy loam soils) in the Swiss midlands. Four soil cores, perpendicular to the maize row, were taken to a depth of 100 cm in each plot; the root length density (RLD), the mean root diameter (MD), and the relative length per diameter-class distribution (LDD) of the roots were determined.

Roots were longer and thinner in 1999 than in 1997. The RLD was significantly higher and the MD was smaller on the loamy silt than on the sandy loam. The RLD and MD decreased with the distance from the plant row. Most of the maize roots, about 80% of the total root length, were in the layer from 0 to 40 cm, with maximum values from 5 to 10 cm; the thickest roots were in the soil layer from 10 to 50 cm. Significant differences in RLD with increasing distance from the row of plants were found in the top 30 cm.

Averaged over the whole soil profile, RLD was higher and MD was smaller under CT than under NT. The impact of tillage on RLD and MD interacted with spatial factors and years. Within the soil profile, RLD was significantly higher under NT than under CT at a depth of 5 cm, whereas it was higher under CT than under NT below 10 cm. Below 50 cm, there was no difference in RLD between the tillage systems. In a horizontal direction, MD was consistently higher in the row and lower in the mid-row under NT than under CT.

Our results show that differences in maize root growth between tillage systems, which were reported in previous studies, persist until anthesis. The accumulation of maize roots near the soil surface in NT suggests that subsurface-banding of starter fertilizer is a more efficient way of applying fertilizer (particularly immobile nutrients such as phosphorus) compared with broadcasting in order to supply sufficient nutrients for NT maize.     

Effect of mulch and tillage system on soil porosity under wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Crop residues and reduced tillage become current tendency in modifying tillage due to better water management, organic and nutrient supply and increasing crop production. This study was carried out to quantify the effect of fodder radish mulching and different tillage systems in wheat production. In 2004–2006 the field trial was set up on Luvic Chernozems derived from loess. This experiment consisted of two factors: tillage system (conventional or reduced) and mulch (with or without). The air–water properties of soil with particular focus on macropore characteristics were investigated.The tillage system and mulch application significantly influenced physical properties of investigated soil. Reduced tillage, without mouldboard plough, increased the soil density with respect to conventional tillage. However, in the upper soil layer (0–10 cm) with mulch residues the bulk density decreased and reached the similar value as those obtained at conventional tillage (1.25 g cm⁻³). The macroporosity of soil with conventional tillage (14.79%) was significantly higher in comparison with reduced tillage (6.55%). The mulch of fodder radish added at reduced tillage increased the macroporosity in pore diameter range of 50–500 μm. These changes referred to all shape classes: regular, irregular and elongated pores. The lowest transmission pores content (0.078 cm³ cm⁻³) was noticed at the reduced tillage without mulch at the 0–10 cm layer. Due to lack of differences in storage pores the tillage and mulching had no effect on both AWC (available water content) and PWC (productive water content) values. The higher value of AWC was noticed in the upper soil layer (0.198 cm³ cm⁻³ in average), whereas in the 10–20 cm soil layer it was 0.186 cm³ cm⁻³. Similar relation was recorded in PWC values, 0.165 and 0.154 cm³ cm⁻³, respectively. The results obtained in physical properties of soil reflected in wheat yields. The yields obtained at reduced tillage system without mulch (5.54 t ha⁻¹) were significant lower with respect to treatment when mulch applied (6.79 t ha⁻¹). The mulch residues did not affect yields at conventional tillage (6.53 t ha⁻¹ without mulch and 7.00 t ha⁻¹ with mulch). The main conclusion is that the mulching can help to avoid yield reduction in wheat production when reduced tillage is used.     

Plant density,distribution, and fertilizer effects on yield and quality of irrigated corn silage

Abstract

Grain deficits frequently occur in the Southeastern Atlantic Coastal Plain because erratic rainfall patterns and soil properties often limit corn (Zea mays L.) yields, however, harvesting corn for silage may enable farmers to produce a second grain crop during the same calendar year. Effects of row spacing, plant population, and fertilizer program on yield, quality, and mineral concentrations of corn silage grown with irrigation on Typic Paleudult soils were therefore investigated. Two plant population treatments which averaged 7.0 and 10.1 plants m^‐2 were evaluated with two fertilizer programs that differed in N, N and K, and N, P, and K in 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively. Each plant density by fertilizer combination was evaluated in single rows spaced 96 cm apart and in twin rows which approximately doubled the intrarow plant spacing. Plot size for the 2×2×2 factorial experiment ranged from 30 to 44 m². Yield, quality, and mineral concentrations of corn silage grown in single rows spaced 96 or 75 cm apart and twin rows were also evaluated in large (185 m²) plots under center pivot irrigation during 1981 and 1982.

Dry matter yields of 22 to 26 Mg ha^‐1 were achieved with plant densities of 6.7 to 13.5 plants m^‐2 at both experimental sites. Highest silage yields were produced with stand densities of 9 m or more planted in single 75 cm or twin rows, but yield differences were statistically significant at P(0.05) in only two of five site years. Increasing total N‐P‐K application beyond 200–30–167 kg ha”; increased crude protein slightly in 1980 and significantly in 1981 and 1982. Concentrations of Mn and Zn in silage were increased by higher fertilization, presumably because nitrification reduced surface soil pH and increased their availability. Dry matter yield, fiber, energy, and other mineral nutrients were not significantly influenced by fertilizer program. These experiments identified management practices for the Atlantic Coastal Plain which resulted in corn silage yields equal to those produced in the cooler mountain region of Georgia and that exceeded current average production in South Carolina by approximately 40% without reducing apparent feed quality.     

Tillage effects on soil strength and solute transport

To study the effect of different soil tillage practices and the consequences of soil deformation on the functioning of the pore system, we performed unsaturated leaching experiments (by applying a suction of −10 kPa) on undisturbed soil columns from the Ap-horizon of a luvisol derived from glacial till (agricultural site at Hohenschulen, North Germany). We compared two different tillage practices (conventionally tilled to 30 cm depth, and conservational chiselled to a depth of 8 cm-Horsch system) with respect to soil strength, pore connectivity and their effect on the fate of surface-applied fertilisers. The soil strength was measured by determining the precompression stress value (PCV). The conventionally tilled topsoil had a PCV of 21 kPa at a pore water potential of −6 kPa, while the conservation treatment resulted in a slightly higher PCV of 28 kPa, suggesting a slowly increasing soil strength induced by the formation of aggregates under reduced tillage practice.

The leaching experiments were modelled using the convection dispersion equation (CDE) and a modified version of the mobile–immobile approach (MIM), which included three water fractions: mobile, immobile and totally immobile water. From the CDE mobile water fractions (θ_m) ranging from 47 to 67% were found, and θ_m was slightly higher in the ploughed seedbed compared to the conservation-tilled one. This could be due to higher aggregation in the latter one. Dispersivities were relatively large, ranging from 44 to 360 mm, but no difference was found for the treatments. The MIM could simulate the drop in concentration when leaching was interrupted, but overall did not improve the simulation, despite the larger number of fitting parameters.

Compacting the soil with loads of 70 kPa prior to the leaching experiment did not affect solute transport in the conservational tilled soil. In the conventional-tilled soil, however, the dispersivity decreased and the mobile water content increased compared to the non-compacted soil, suggesting that the former one is less prone to deformation by mechanical loads.     

Effects of tillage systems on soil characteristics, glomalin and mycorrhizal propagules in a Chilean Ultisol

Tillage affects the soil physical and chemical environment in which soil microorganisms live, thereby affecting their number, diversity and activity. However, soil disturbance generally has the greatest impact on biological properties, including both free and symbiotic fungal populations. Interest in more ecologically sustainable agricultural systems is rising with increasing recognition that agricultural intensification can adversely affect environmental quality. This paper discusses the effect of tillage system on some soil characteristics, such as pH, C, N and S levels, total and Olsen-P contents including some P forms associated with organic matter, glomalin contents and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) parameters, such as root colonization, spore number and total and active hyphal length. Measurements were in the sixth year of an on-going tillage-rotation experiment conducted on an Ultisol under no-till (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage with stubble mixed into the soil (CTS) or stubble burnt (CTB). Soil was sampled at two dates; after wheat (Triticum aestivum) harvest (autumn) and 6 months after subsequent grassland seeding (spring). Higher C, N, S, total P and fulvic acid-P concentrations and pH occurred under NT and RT than under CTS and CTB after wheat harvest. However, results at the second sampling were not consistent. AM spore number and active hyphal length were highest under NT having the greatest incidence on AM root colonization and P concentration in shoots of the pasture. Glomalin concentration was higher under NT and RT than under CTS and CTB but no differences in calculated glomalin to total C (ca. 5%) were found. It is concluded that a less disruptive effect of NT influences positively all soil characteristics and also increases P acquisition by the following crop in the rotation system.     

深松耕作和秸秆还田对农田土壤物理特性的影响

[目的]为了增加中国干旱半干旱地区农田土壤蓄水保墒能力。[方法]采用野外试验和室内分析相结合的方法研究了深松和深松结合秸秆还田耕作技术对晋中北部地区两种主要类型土壤物理特性的影响。[结果]深松可以打破土壤犁底层,显著降低黏土和壤土10—30cm土层范围内的土壤容重;调节土壤孔隙度,增加了黏土10—30cm土层范围内的土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度和非毛管孔隙度,同时增加壤土10—30cm土层土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度和20—30cm土层土壤非毛管孔隙度;改善黏土和壤土20—30cm土层土壤固、液、气3相状况;深松结合连年秸秆还田进一步优化了壤土耕层环境,同时显著降低了玉米拔节期土壤地表结皮的厚度和紧实度。[结论]深松结合连年秸秆还田和深松耕作技术可以缓解土壤板结状况,增加降雨入渗。     

横坡垄作对坡耕地产流产沙及氮磷养分流失过程影响研究

横坡垄作是一种常见的水土保持耕作措施,它通过增大坡面拦蓄和入渗能力,进而影响坡面土壤侵蚀过程。为揭示黄土坡耕地养分流失特征,通过人工模拟降雨试验,利用投影面积为4.5 m×1.5 m的径流小区,设计降雨强度（90 mm·h-1）、5个地表坡度（3o、5o、10o、15o、20o）以及横坡垄作和平整坡面两种坡面处理,探究横坡垄作对不同坡度坡耕地产流产沙特性及其携带的氮磷养分流失情况。结果表明：（1）坡面坡度小于20o时,横坡垄作能明显降低降雨过程中坡面的产流产沙量,产流量和产沙量最大分别可降低95%和99%;而当坡度增大至20o时,横坡垄作坡面发生断垄,横坡垄作对径流和泥沙的控制效应随之减弱,产流和产沙量会接近或大于平整坡面。（2）横坡垄作对养分流失浓度的影响较小,但对养分流失量具有明显影响。坡面坡度小于20o时,横坡垄作具有较好的控制坡面养分流失量的效果;当坡度增大至20o时,横坡垄作控制养分流失的作用减弱。径流中全氮的流失量始终大于全磷的流失量;除横坡垄作10o坡面外,泥沙中全磷的流失量均大于全氮的流失量。（3）坡面养分流失量主要由坡面径流量和泥沙量决定。径流养分流失率和产流速率、泥沙养分流失率和产沙速率满足线性正相关关系。横坡垄作对径流和泥沙中养分减少效益分别可以达到45%~100%、59%~100%。整体上而言,横坡垄作是控制坡面土壤侵蚀及减少养分流失的一种有效方法。     

耕作方式对土壤水分入渗、有机碳含量及土壤结构的影响

为探明不同耕作方式对土壤剖面结构、水分入渗过程等的作用机理,采集田间长期定位耕作措施(常规耕作、免耕、深松)试验中的原状土柱(0~100 cm)及0~10 cm、10~20 cm、…、90~100 cm环刀样、原状土及混合土样,通过室内模拟试验进行了0~100 cm土层土壤入渗过程和饱和导水率的测定,分析了不同土层的土壤有机碳含量、土壤结构特征及相互关系。结果表明:从土柱顶部开始供水(恒定水头)到水分全部入渗到土柱底部的时间为:常规耕作免耕深松;土柱土壤入渗速率和累积入渗量为:深松免耕常规耕作;土柱累积蒸发量为:常规耕作免耕深松。土壤的饱和导水率表现为:0~10 cm和50~60 cm土层,免耕深松常规耕作;20~50 cm和60~100 cm土层,深松免耕常规耕作。随土层的加深,0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量和土壤有机碳含量均表现为先增加(10~20 cm)再降低的趋势。在0~40 cm土层和80~100 cm土层,均以深松处理0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量最高。在60 cm以上土层,土壤有机碳含量表现为:免耕深松常规耕作,而60 cm土层以下土壤有机碳显著降低,均低于4 g·kg?1,且在70 cm以下土层,常规耕作免耕深松。综上,耕作措施能够改变土壤有机碳含量,改善土壤结构,促进土壤蓄水保墒;深松更利于水分就地入渗,而免耕则更利于有机碳的提升和水分的储存,其作用深度在0~60 cm土层。     

不同钾肥施用量对玉米抗倒性能及产量的影响

以先玉335和郑单958为试验材料,针对不同钾肥施用量(0、50、100、150、200kg/hm~2)对玉米茎秆形态特征、干物质积累特性及产量的影响进行系统研究。结果表明:随着钾肥用量的增加,两品种穗位高系数均呈"V"型曲线,在K2处理(100kg/hm~2)时最低。与郑单958相比,先玉335第3~6节的节间长/节间直径对钾肥施用量的变化更敏感,呈现增加-降低-增加的变化规律。同一钾肥处理同一节位,郑单958节间长和节间长/节间直径均小于先玉335。钾肥用量对节间直径无显著影响。两个品种节间干物质比、单位节间干重和茎秆强度均随钾肥用量的增加先升高后降低。相关分析表明:玉米茎秆强度与单位节间干重呈极显著正相关。适宜的钾肥施用量对产量有一定的正效应,本试验5个处理中,钾肥施用量为100kg/hm~2时两玉米品种产量最高。     

Effect of pH on soil magnesium and its absorption by corn

Abstract

Lime induced depression of exchangeable Mg had been observed previously and it was postulated that yield decreases, which frequently occur at high pH levels may in some instances be due to Mg deficiency. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of pH on exchangeable Mg in a wide range of acid soils and to determine the effects on recovery of Mg by corn (Zea mays L.) in the greenhouse. Treatments consisted of five pH levels, three P levels, and three Mg levels. Soil Mg was extracted with two neutral salt solutions and double acid. Salt extractable Mg decreased markedly at near neutral pH values, but double acid extractable Mg remained essentially unchanged. In several of the soils where yields were depressed at the highest pH levels, plant Mg content was also significantly lower. However, yield depressions were not ameliorated by Mg applications and could not be ascribed to induced Mg deficiency. Decreased plant uptake of Mg at both low and high pH levels was considered to have resulted from competitive effects between Mg and Al. The evidence suggested that salt extractable Mg did not accurately reflect plant availability.

Because soil reaction has profound effects on the availability of aluminum and many elements essential to plants, liming should be practiced primarily to optimize the utilization of the nutrient resources of soil. While pH values near neutrality are regarded as optimal in many areas of the world, particularly where legumes have traditionally been part of the rotational system, yield depressions have sometimes been reported at such pH levels on highly weathered acid soils of tropical and subtropical origin.