Combining experimentation and modelling to estimate primary and secondary infections of take-all disease of wheat

Primary and secondary infections are important processes in the epidemiology of plant diseases but can be difficult to quantify experimentally as they often occur at the same time. This problem is all the more challenging in the case of soil-borne diseases, as most processes are hidden in the soil and destructive sampling is time-consuming and makes it difficult to obtain enough observations of disease progress. Here we show how a combination of experimentation and modelling can be used in order to obtain parameters for primary and secondary infections for take-all disease of wheat. First, an experiment with one infected seedling and varying numbers of target seedlings allowed us to estimate the probability of secondary infection by growth of the mycelium through the soil and by growth via the crown of the plant. Several equations were tested for the contact term between susceptible and infectious roots. Secondly, an experiment with primary inoculum placed at different depths allowed us to estimate the probability of primary infection, taking into account secondary infections and the time needed for the roots to reach inoculum depth. In both experiments, the use of simple models was effective in isolating the desired effect from uncontrollable effects occurring in the soil. The probability of secondary infection through the crown was higher than the probability of infection through soil, and the contact term following the mass action or Reed-Frost equation gave a better fit to the data than the other equations tested. The probability of primary infection was higher when inoculum was placed just below the soil surface than when it was placed deeper in the soil.     

MICROBIAL POPULATIONS AND NITROGEN IN SOIL GROWING CONSECUTIVE CEREAL CROPS INFECTED WITH TAKE-ALL

Annually, for the past 12 years, a consecutive cereal-cropping sequence was begun. During 1969–72 soil was collected from plots with similar fertilizer treatments, but with different sequences of crops. In 1971 and 1972 wheat seedling bioassays showed that take-all disease became miximal after two or three crops, decreased to the fifth or sixth crop and then remained fairly constant in the‘take-all decline’state. The sequence with maximum disease had most NH₄⁺ -N and least NO₃^- -N in the rhizosphere soil in spring 1972, but there were no similar relationships in bulk soil in either of 2 years. Soil and rhizoplane populations of ammonifying and denitrifying bacteria were notably smaller in autumn 1970 and 1971 in short cereal sequences (2-5 yr.) than in the longer sequences. After γ-irradiating or autoclaving irradiated soils, all sequences contained much NH₄⁺ -N and although disease developing from added inoculum differed among soils, it did not follow the take-all decline pattern. Diffusate from sterilized soil favoured growth of the pathogen (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici) least when it originated from the sequence that supported maximum disease.     

基于近地成像光谱的小麦全蚀病等级监测

小麦全蚀病是检疫性的土传病害,对小麦生产危害极大,对其发生的监测是治理的根本。遥感技术可实时、宏观监测病害发生发展,尤其是成像光谱技术的图谱合一,可精准对病害识别和分类。该文首先通过主成分分析提取不同小麦白穗率的冠层光谱特征;再通过灰色聚类分析方法,研究白穗率等级的可分性;最后利用基于径向基(RBF,radial basis function)核函数的支持向量机对全蚀病害的近地成像高光谱图像进行分类,从而验证近地成像光谱在全蚀病监测上的可行性。研究结果显示:该方法对5种程度的小麦全蚀病白穗率的分类精度均达94%以上,Kappa值大于0.8。研究表明利用该方法,通过近地成像光谱图像可以准确监测小麦全蚀病的病情,对小麦全蚀病的治理有指导意义。     

宁夏不同地区农田土壤磷素养分的空间变异特征

在宁夏灌区和旱区30块农田分别采集了0~120 cm深土壤剖面样品,测定了土壤全磷和速效磷含量,分析了土壤磷素养分含量的空间变异性。结果表明,在0~120 cm深土壤剖面中的全磷和速效磷含量,灌区土壤显著高于旱区土壤,在剖面点之间和土壤层次之间存在极显著差异,而且在土层间还存在着正相关。其变异系数总体上是旱区土壤大于灌区土壤,速效磷大于全磷。从地区来看,旱区土壤全磷和速效磷含量的变异系数随剖面深度的增加而增大,灌区土壤全磷量的变异系数在剖面层次之间差别不大,而速效磷的变异系数随剖面深度的增加而呈降低趋势。在0~120 cm深土壤剖面中,土壤全磷和速效磷的累积量灌区较旱区分别高出26.8%和65.0%,在土类间也存在较大差异。     

Precision farming protocols. part 2. comparison of sampling approaches for precision phosphorus management

Abstract

Research is needed to compare the different techniques for developing site‐specific phosphorus (P) recommendations on a field‐wide basis. The objective of this study was to determine the impact different techniques for developing site‐specific P recommendation maps on yield and profitability. Enterprise analysis combined with a crop simulation model and detailed field characterization was used to estimate the value of spatial P information in a system where N was not limiting. The systems evaluated were continuous corn (Zea mays) and corn and soybean (Gfycine max) rotations where sampling and fertilizer applications were applied annually and semi‐annually, respectively. The sampling techniques tested were: (i) an unfertilized P control; (ii) whole field; (iii) whole field plus historic information (feedlot); (iv) landscape positions; (v) soil type; (vi) soil type plus historic information (feedlot); and (vii) 90‐m grid sampling. The finding of this study were based on soil samples collected from a 30 by 30‐m grid. The value of the spatial information was dependent on the crops response to P, the accuracy of the different sampling techniques, crop rotation, and the length of time between sampling dates. All of the sampling techniques produced different application maps. The recommendation map based on a single composite sample under fertilized 56.5% of the field. Increasing the sampling density reduced the percentage of under‐fertilized land. If corn had a low P response, then simulation/enterprise analysis indicated that applying P did not increased profits. For all scenarios tested: (i) the soil type + historic sampling approach had higher potential profits than the 90 m grid sampling approach; and (ii) there was no economic benefit associated with the 90‐m grid sampling. However, if research shows that amortization of sampling and analysis costs over 3 or 4 years is appropriate, then it may be possible to derive economic benefit from a 90‐m grid sampling. For a corn/soybean rotation, where fertilizer was applied when corn was planted and N and P was not applied to soybeans, enterprise/ simulation analysis (2.8 Mg ha^‐1 soybean yield goal and a moderate P model) showed that soil + historic sampling approach increased profitability $3.74 ha^‐1 when compared to the uniform P treatment.     

Soil Sample Depth in Pasture Soils for Environmental Soil Phosphorus Testing

Phosphorus (P) in runoff from agricultural land is a major contributor to eutrophication of surface waters. This study investigated the relationship between dissolved P in surface runoff and soil-test P measured at different sample depths (0–2 and 0–10 cm). Soil at these depths was collected from 136 sites in southeast New South Wales, Australia, under pastoral agriculture, covering a wide range of soil types and land-use intensity, from native pasture to intensive dairying. Bicarbonate-extractable soil P concentrations at these two depths were curvilinearly related over a very wide range of P (r² = 0.91). Small-plot rainfall simulations were conducted at 14 of these locations, for which the relationship between the sampling depths was even closer (r² = 0.95). After dividing the soils into two groups based on parent material (basalt and nonbasalt), linear relationships were found between extractable soil P and runoff dissolved reactive P, with more of the variance being accounted for with the sedimentary soils (r² = 0.89, 0–10 cm; 0.91, 0–2 cm) compared with basalt soils (r² = 0.63; 0–10 cm; 0.57, 0–2 cm). The results suggest that agronomic soil P testing in pastoral soils (typically 0–10 cm depth) is sufficient for estimating the potential for losses of P in runoff and that there is no need to collect shallow soil samples especially for this purpose.     

Relationship between soil test values and analysis of pecan leaves taken at three dates

Abstract

Leaf samples were collected from 24 pecan trees on three dates 1 month apart in June, July, and August. Soil samples were collected in June from each site at three depths: 0–6, 6–12, and 12–18 inches. Correlations between leaf analyses and soil test values were significant for Zn, Ca, Mg, and P. Values were not correlated for K. There was a high negative correlation for leaf Mn and soil pH. Means of leaf analysis values for the three sampling dates were not statistically different for any element. The data indicate that soil sampling should be a satisfactory means of determining fertility needs of pecan orchards, except for N.     

Influence of inorganic soil N,yield potential,and market class on irrigated spring wheat response to N

Abstract

Fertilizer N recommendations for small grains are frequently based on soil test N but data is limited for irrigated spring wheat. The relative grain yield response of irrigated spring wheat to N as affected by inorganic soil N (NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N), yield potential and market class was evaluated in thirteen Southern Idaho field experiments involving N rates. Experiments were conducted on silt loam soils from 1978 to 1986. Preplant soil NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N to a depth of 60 cm and ranging from 27 to 142 kg/ha accounted for approximately 73% of the relative yield variability. NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N were significantly correlated (r=.72). NH₄‐N with NO₃‐N did not account for more of the relative yield variability than using NO₃‐N alone.

Inorganic N in the first 30 cm and the second 30 cm were significantly correlated (r=.69) but N in the first depth increment accounted for more of the relative yield variability. The linear regression coefficient relating inorganic N in the first 30 cm to relative yield of unfertilized spring wheat was almost twice as high as the coefficient for the second 30 cm increment (.50 vs .27). Results indicate that inorganic N below 30 cm should be weighted differently than N in the first 30 cm when determining the N requirements of irrigated spring wheat.

Yield potential significantly affected the relative yield response to N. The response to N was not significantly affected by spring wheat market class (hard red vs soft white).

For estimating fertilizer N requirements, the results provide little justification for the current widespread practices of (1) using the combined NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N inorganic soil test N values when NO₃‐N alone has as much predictive value and (2) assigning equal weight to inorganic soil N at all sampling depths.     

田间原位试验分析长期机械作业下稻麦轮作地块土壤入渗性能

田间原位不同深度入渗试验是表达土壤分层状态、展示土层物理分异以及定量土壤剖面水功能变化的关键。为了探究不同深度水稻土的入渗能力及保水作用,该研究以华东稻麦轮作区小农户长期机械化耕整模式下代表地块的土层分异为目标,设计田间原位不同深度入渗试验。在试验地块内开挖7个不同深度的入渗坑并在坑底进行入渗试验,然后渗透48 h分层测取土壤含水率,研究不同坑底深度（坑深）土壤的入渗能力和入渗后各土层含水率的变化。结果表明,不同深度入渗试验准确表达了不同坑深土壤的水分入渗及土层持水分异,同时也能清晰地鉴别出犁底层所在位置和厚度,犁底层始于15 cm深,且耕作层与犁底层分异明显,耕作层平均紧实度为1 005.79 kPa,犁底层平均紧实度为1 910.73 kPa;土壤剖面分析表明,耕作层土壤形态疏松,根系分布稠密,犁底层土壤容重大,孔隙度小,透水性差,心土层土壤铁锰斑点较多,结构性差;土壤入渗参数随坑深的增加而减少,其中0～15 cm坑深范围内平均的平均入渗速率和累计入渗量分别为>20～30 cm的17.04倍和18.06倍;通过对比初始含水率和渗透48 h后含水率,得到坑深在15 cm范围内的...     

Effect of inoculum rate on the performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Rhizobium strains in the field

Summary The influence of three inoculum rates on the performance of three chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Rhizobium strains was examined in the field on a Mollisol soil. Increasing amounts of inoculum improved the performance of the strains. A normal dose (10⁴ cells per seed) applied at different intervals gave non-significant increases in nodulation, nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction assay), nitrogen uptake and grain yield. A ten-fold increase in inoculum increased nodule number, shoot dry weight, nitrogenase activity (ARA) and grain yield, but increases over the control were significant only for nodule dry weight and nitrogen uptake by shoot and grain. The highest level of inoculum (100 × normal) significantly increased nodule dry weight, grain yield, total nitrogenase activity (ARA) and nitrogen uptake by shoot and grain. Strain TAL 620 was more effective than the other two. Combined nitrogen (60 kg N ha^–1) suppressed nodulation and nitrogenase activity (ARA).Research paper No. 4345 from the Experiment Station, G. B. P. U. A. & T., Pantnagar, Nainital, U. P.     

Bacterial numbers in a pine forest soil in relation to environmental factors

Numbers of soil bacteria stained with acridine orange (AO) or fluorescein diacetate (FDA) were studied for 3 and 2 yr respectively. Three pine forest sites were used and both organic and mineral soil layers were included. Different patterns of fluctuation in bacterial numbers were found each year. Significant correlations were demonstrated between AO-stained bacterial numbers and soil moisture content and between FDA-stained bacteria and the accumulated precipitation during a week before the sampling date. In multiple regression analyses 60–80% of the variation in numbers of AO-stained bacteria could be accounted for by soil moisture and numbers of bacterial-feeding nematodes at the sampling dates, and 30–45% of the variation in numbers of FDA-stained bacteria was accounted for by precipitation.     

Effects of soil tillage,canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars and planting date on canola yield,and oil and some biological and physical properties of soil

Determination of different agronomical properties including soil-related parameters for enhanced canola (Brassica napus L.) production can be of great significance. Hence, the objectives were to determine the effects of different tillage systems, canola cultivars and different planting dates on: (i) canola yield and oil, and (ii) soil moisture and microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Two field experiments were planned as split-plot experiments in three replicates. The main plots were different tillage systems including no-tillage (NT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT), and the subplots were the combination of different canola cultivars (PF and Hyola 401) and different planting dates (PD): 8 and 23 September and 7 October. Soil moisture under CT and PF was significantly less than that of MT and NT, and Hyola 401, respectively. Carbon and N microbial biomass was the highest at NT and on the first PD. The tillage method and planting date also significantly affected canola yield, oil content and the amount, and the number of earthworms. We may conclude that although the amount of yield was the highest at CT, it may be more agronomically sustainable to plant canola under NT or MT earlier during the autumn growing season.     

Potassium and magnesium uptake by wheat and soybean roots as influenced by fertilizer rate

Abstract

Greenhouse‐pot experiments were conducted to compare wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] in terms of their potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) uptake. Previously, a field study indicated that various rates of K and Mg fertilization did not produce a significant wheat‐yield response. However, a yield increase with residual K and Mg was measured for the subsequent soybean crop. The 0 to 15 cm layer of Norfolk loamy fine sand (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Kandiudult) from two different sites was used for the pot experiments. Soil from both sites had a pH of 5.1. Potassium as potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) was mixed into the soil from the K‐deficient site and Mg as magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) was mixed into the soil from the Mg‐deficient site. ‘Florida 301’ wheat and ‘Cobb’ soybean were grown in winter and summer, respectively.

Soybean and wheat were similar in K uptake/g of roots on the first and second sampling dates. However, by the third sampling date, K uptake/g of wheat roots was about twice as high as for soybean. Potassium uptake/cm of soybean roots was two to five times that of wheat at each sampling date. Magnesium uptake/g of soybean roots was about four to five times as high as wheat on each sampling date. Similarly, Mg uptake/cm of soybean roots was 10 to 30 times higher than for wheat. Soybean showed higher total K and Mg content than wheat, suggesting that soybean has a higher demand for both K and Mg. The higher demand for K and Mg by soybeans than by wheat suggests that wheat could meet its demand for K and Mg at much lower soil levels than that for soybean. This would also explain a grain‐yield response to K and Mg by soybeans in the previously reported field study, despite a lack of yield response by wheat grown on the same site.     

Time and burial depth influencing the viability and bacterial colonization of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Sclerotia are the primary over wintering inoculum of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. The effects of tillage on the primary inoculum are not well understood. The purpose of this research was to study sclerotial viability over time and between burial depths in soil, to identify bacteria colonizing and degrading the sclerotia, and determine whether these bacteria may be utilized as biological control agents. Correlation analysis indicated that a significant negative relationship existed between sclerotial viability and elapsed temporal factors (R²=−0.68, P<0.0001), and depth of burial (R²=−0.58, P<0.0001). After twelve months, sclerotia on the soil surface had the highest viability (57.5%), followed by those at the 5 cm depth (12.5%), and only 2.5% of those placed at the 10 cm depth remained viable. A significant negative relationship between sclerotial viability and bacterial populations also existed (R²=−0.60, P<0.0001). Two hundred and sixty-eight bacteria were isolated from sclerotia, 29 of which showed strong in vitro antagonism to the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum. Biodiversity of the inhibitory bacterial isolates was minimal on sclerotia from the soil surface and within all depths sampled at three months (i.e. in January). All burial depths within the April and July sampling dates produced bacterial diversities that were distinct from each other.     

Spatial variability of plant analysis phosphorus levels

Abstract

Plant samples were taken from a corn field at an early and later sampling dates in an 82.5 ft. grid. The samples were analyzed for phosphorus (P) using both an acid‐digest method and a simple acetic‐acid extraction. Values for P composition were compared to soil Bray PI levels taken from the same locations. Mapping from the plant analysis methods and soil PI values were compared. Acid‐digest P levels were significantly correlated with soil P levels at each sampling. Acetic acid extracts were significantly correlated with soil P only at the late sampling. Acetic acid and acid‐digest P were strongly correlated with each other at the early sampling and also significantly correlated at the late sampling. Plant analysis using both methods may be useful in mapping relative P uptake levels throughout a field, but the levels may or may not be related to soil PI levels. Some ground truthing with soil sampling may be neccessary to interpret plant analysis P before fertilizer application is directed.     

Impact of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma atroviride SC1 on soil microbial communities of a vineyard in northern Italy

The fungus Trichoderma atroviride SC1 is an experimental biocontrol agent (BCA) that is active against the fungus Armillaria mellea. Following the application of Trichoderma to the surface soil of a vineyard, we used a highly specific real-time PCR, previously validated for the analysis of soil microcosms, to monitor the populations of this fungus at different soil depths over several months. The quantification obtained using this molecular method was highly correlated with laboratory assays of colony-forming units. The native communities of bacteria and fungi in the soil were analyzed using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), and transient changes were observed following the application of T. atroviride SC1 conidia. A principal component of variance analysis demonstrated that the introduction of T. atroviride SC1 had an effect on the soil microflora during the first two weeks following inoculation. However, at later dates, environmental conditions had a higher influence on the surveyed communities than the BCA application, as confirmed through the use of the Shannon index of biodiversity. Soil depth had a strong influence on the composition and biodiversity of fungal communities.     

Possibilities of direct drilling and reduced tillage in second crop silage corn

Reduced tillage techniques and direct seeding method that can replace the conventional methods, were examined in the western part of Turkey (Trakya Region) during the years of 1999 and 2000. In the experiment five tillage methods and no-tillage (DRD) were used. All tillage methods and direct seeding were applied in the dry soil conditions except conventional method. The tillage methods are heavy-duty disc harrow (DIS), plough (PLO), rotary tiller (ROT), tillage combination of tine, rotor and roller (TIC) and conventional tillage method in which plough is used in wet soil condition.

The effects of the treatments on soil penetration resistance, mean emergence dates, percentage of emerged seedlings, plant height, stem diameter and silage corn yield were measured.

All the parameters tested were found to be statistically significant. Direct seeding method gave the best result for mean of emergence dates (4.93 days) and percentage of emerged seedlings (95.48%). The best result for silage yield (69.32 Mg ha⁻¹) was found in tillage combination. The lowest yield (58.92 Mg ha⁻¹) was found in the heavy-duty disc harrow tillage method. Direct seeding gives the best results for tillage efficiency parameters, such as fuel consumption, effective power requirement and field efficiency. Reduced tillage and direct seeding methods can be used in second crop silage corn in the region.     

Corn (Zea mays L.) Grain and Stover Yield as Affected by Soil Residual Mineral Nitrogen

Evaluation of nitrogen (N) dynamic in soil using regression equations is important for proper determination of N fertilization. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to (1) develop the best-fitted regression model relating corn grain and stover yield to soil residual ammonium (NH₄)-N and nitrate (NO₃)-N for corn yield prediction and (2) evaluate how such a model can be beneficial to the health of ecosystem by predicting the appropriate rates of N fertilization for corn production. Soil NH₄-N and NO₃-N were determined at corn harvest at the depths of 0–30 and 30–60 cm. Nitrogen fertilizer rates and soil mineral N accounted for a maximum of 93% variation in corn grain yield. Soil mineral N enhanced corn yield more than N fertilizer. Totals of 63.1 and 14.1 kg/ha of soil residual NO₃-N and NH₄-N were found in the 0- to 60-cm depth, indicating the importance of performing soil N tests.     

半干旱草原型流域土壤水分变异及其影响因素分析

土壤水分是岩石圈—生物圈—大气圈—水圈间水分循环的重要环节,是半干旱草原型流域植物生长的主要限制因子。该研究基于内蒙古锡林郭勒盟锡林河流域野外实测土壤水分数据,利用主成分分析和冗余分析等方法,对不同土壤类型垂直剖面土壤水分变化特征及其潜在环境影响因子进行了对比分析。结果表明,黑土、红砂土、栗钙土、盐土间土壤水分含量呈依次增大趋势;随着土层深度加深,土壤水分变异性减弱,且各层土壤水分变异性随时间变化受到土壤类型的影响较大;主成分分析表明海拔、植被高度和坡度等包含了解释土壤水分变异68.50%的信息;冗余分析识别出海拔和植被高度是土壤水分变异的关键潜在环境驱动因子。该研究可为半干旱草原型流域生态水文过程研究提供数据和理论支持。