A simulation model-assisted study on water and nitrogen dynamics and their effects on crop performance in the wheat-maize system I: The model

Based on data collected from field experiments, a comprehensive model was built on the Ithink (a registered trademark of iSee Systems) platform to simulate the dynamics of water and nitrogen, and crop performance in the winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system of the North China plain. The model, consisting of seven sub models, i.e. weather generator, phenology, biomass, dry matter partitioning, water balance, nitrogen balance, and nitrogen absorption and partitioning, well reflects water and nitrogen use and their relationship with crop yield under field conditions. A vertical water movement equation is employed in the water balance sub model to account for movement between layers. Crop transpiration and soil evaporation are simulated separately according to potential evaporation, crop cover and a soil water deficit coefficient. Soil evaporation is from the surface layer only while crop transpiration comprises the total amount of water absorbed by the root system from all soil layers. The model considers that nitrogen transformations, transfers and uptake are fulfilled by root systems. Transformation of nitrogen as mineralization, fixation and denitrification are responsive to soil moisture and temperature. Nitrogen movement is simulated with a convection-dispersion equation with nitrate as the soil solute. Nitrogen absorption and partitioning sub model includes the effects of water and nitrogen supply, crop nitrogen demand and nitrogen content in various crop organs. The model can be used to simulate crop yield, water-and nitrogen-use efficiencies and water-nitrogen leaching to specific soil layers in different water and nitrogen management practices.     

滴灌施肥对作物生长及土壤氮素特征影响的研究进展

滴灌施肥是将施肥与灌溉相结合的灌溉施肥技术,在农业生产中具有广阔的应用前景。综述了滴灌施肥对作物根系及地上部生长的影响:滴灌施肥可以促进作物根系及地上部的生长,提高多数作物的产量与品质;同时可以改善土壤无机氮环境,提高氮素利用率,减少氮素的淋溶损失。目前关于滴灌施肥对作物生长及土壤氮素特征影响的研究尚不够深入,制约了滴灌施肥技术的发展。未来应重点研究滴灌施肥对作物根系发育规律、养分吸收、运输及利用机制、土壤环境等的影响,明确滴灌施肥对作物-土壤系统的影响机制,同时研发新型水溶性肥料,结合现代农业信息技术,建立兼顾优质、高产、高效、生态、安全的滴灌施肥技术。     

黄淮海平原冬小麦生长期土壤水氮利用效率模拟分析

 【目的】以黄淮海平原为研究区域，采用基于地理信息系统（GIS）的模拟模型对区域农田土壤水氮行为进行模拟和评价。【方法】建立和验证土壤水、热、氮和作物生长联合模型并与GIS相结合，在1999～2000年黄淮海平原的农村社会经济和土壤、气候等条件背景下，对冬小麦生长期土壤水氮利用效率和氮素损失量的区域分布规律进行分析。【结果】区域模拟结果表明，水分利用效率(WUE)、氮素利用效率(NUE)及土壤氮素淋失情况的空间分布在各地貌区之间有明显差异。多元线性逐步回归分析表明，1 m土体的氮素淋失量与灌水和降水量、施氮量、土壤饱和导水率（Ks）呈极显著的正相关；WUE与施氮量和日照时数呈极显著的正相关，而与降水和灌水量、Ks呈极显著的负相关；NUE与降水和灌水量、日照时数呈极显著的正相关，与施氮量、Ks呈极显著的负相关。【结论】黄淮海平原区域农田土壤水氮行为受自然条件和农田管理措施的显著影响，其空间分布规律可利用基于GIS的过程模型进行模拟和评价。     

不同水氮供应对小南瓜根系生长、产量和水氮利用效率的影响

【目的】针对西北半干旱区温室蔬菜灌水施氮不合理等问题,通过不同灌水施氮水平处理,探讨作物根系生长与分布、产量和水氮高效利用与水氮供应的关系,揭示根系生长分布对灌水施氮模式的响应机制,为提高蔬菜作物产量和水氮利用效率提供科学依据。【方法】采用不同施氮灌水处理的田间试验,以“金童”小南瓜为供试作物,设置3个总灌水量水平：常规灌水（高水W3、1 500 m3•hm-2）、常规灌水减27%（中水W2、1 100 m3•hm-2）、常规灌水减54%（低水W1、700 m3•hm-2）和3个施氮量水平：常规施氮（高氮N3,350 kg•hm-2）、常规施氮减28.5%（中氮N2,250 kg•hm-2）、常规施氮减57%（低氮N1,150 kg•hm-2）,试验采用完全随机区组设计,共9个处理,研究膜下滴灌不同水氮供应对温室小南瓜根系生长分布、产量和水氮利用效率的影响。【结果】小南瓜90%根系主要集中在0-40 cm土层,且随土层深度的增加,根系密度呈指数下降;当灌水量相同时,低水（W1）和中水（W2）处理根系长度、产量、水分利用效率（WUE）均随施氮量的增加先增加后减少,而高水（W3）处理根系长度随施氮量的增加而增加,不同施氮量处理小南瓜产量差异不显著;与高氮（N3）处理相比,低氮（N1）和中氮（N2）处理小南瓜根系长度、产量随灌水量增加而增加,当灌水量超过1 100 m3•hm-2时,小南瓜根系长度和产量均有所下降;随着灌水量增多,水分利用效率亦显著下降,低水中氮（W1N2）处理水分利用效率最高,为35.59 kg•m-3;灌水量较高（W2和W3）时,氮素利用率（NUE）均随施氮量增加而显著降低,灌水量较低（W1）时,低氮和中氮处理氮素利用率显著高于高氮处理;灌水和施氮对小南瓜总根长作用表现为：氮素作用＞水分作用＞水氮交互作用;细根（直径小于2 mm根系）根长随灌水量和施氮量增加呈抛物线型变化;小南瓜产量与细根根长和根表面积之间均有显著的线性关系。【结论】灌水和施氮过高或过低均可以导致小南瓜产量、水氮利用效率以及根系各项特征参数显著降低,中水中氮（W2N2）处理小南瓜产量和根系各项特征参数均达到最大值;不同水氮处理主要通过对细根根长的影响进而影响小南瓜的产量。综合考虑产量、水氮利用效率以及根系生长分布,灌水量为1 100 m3•hm-2、施氮量为250 kg•hm-2为小南瓜较优的灌水施氮组合。     

Modelling impacts of precision irrigation on crop yield and in-field water management

Precision irrigation technologies are being widely promoted to resolve challenges regarding improving crop productivity under conditions of increasing water scarcity. In this paper, the development of an integrated modelling approach involving the coupling of a water application model with a biophysical crop simulation model (Aquacrop) to evaluate the in-field impacts of precision irrigation on crop yield and soil water management is described. The approach allows for a comparison between conventional irrigation management practices against a range of alternate so-called ‘precision irrigation’ strategies (including variable rate irrigation, VRI). It also provides a valuable framework to evaluate the agronomic (yield), water resource (irrigation use and water efficiency), energy (consumption, costs, footprint) and environmental (nitrate leaching, drainage) impacts under contrasting irrigation management scenarios. The approach offers scope for including feedback loops to help define appropriate irrigation management zones and refine application depths accordingly for scheduling irrigation. The methodology was applied to a case study in eastern England to demonstrate the utility of the framework and the impacts of precision irrigation in a humid climate on a high-value field crop (onions). For the case study, the simulations showed how VRI is a potentially useful approach for irrigation management even in a humid environment to save water and reduce deep percolation losses (drainage). It also helped to increase crop yield due to improved control of soil water in the root zone, especially during a dry season.     

中国冬油菜氮素养分管理策略

油菜是中国重要的油料作物,长江流域是其最主要种植区域,该区域的气候、土壤和种植制度决定了土壤养分供应特征、油菜生长和养分需求特征。作物高产、经济和养分高效是农业生产及其可持续发展的决定因素,油菜氮素吸收和土壤氮素供应在时间和空间上的不协调造成氮的缺乏或过量是油菜产量和收益的重要限制因子,合理的氮肥施用是保证油菜高产和氮肥高效的关键。论文从作物氮素需求、土壤氮素供应、氮肥施用关键技术及其配套措施等方面综述了国内外油菜氮肥管理的进展。在此基础上,结合中国冬油菜种植区域土壤和作物的特点,提出以"前促后稳"为核心,协调作物氮素需求和土壤氮素供应的冬油菜氮素养分综合管理策略。该策略的核心内容是:通过调节氮肥施用时期、比例和配比,满足油菜前期快速生长的氮素需求,后期则主要通过发挥土壤氮素供应,促进油菜氮素转移再利用;综合考虑不同轮作、秸秆还田条件下土壤氮素供应特点及后效,统筹氮肥的施用;配合合理密植、水肥管理、同其他元素肥料配施、机械深施等措施,以协同增效的方式实现油菜的高产和氮肥的高效。     

膜下滴灌条件下水氮供应对棉花根系及叶片衰老特性的调节

【目的】探讨膜下滴灌条件下,水氮运筹对棉花产量形成期根系及叶片衰老特性、产量和水分利用效率的调节效应,为调控滴灌棉花早衰和提高棉花产量提供依据。【方法】在土柱栽培条件下,采用膜下滴灌技术控制水氮的供应量及分配比例,共设置4个水分、2个氮肥运筹共8个处理,研究水氮供应方式对膜下滴灌棉花根系生长、根系活力、根系及叶片保护性酶活性、产量和水分利用效率的影响。【结果】与其它水氮供应方式相比,播前灌条件下盛花期前限量滴灌后恢复充分滴灌配合重施花铃肥的水氮供应方式显著促进了棉花深层根系生长、增强了根系活力,根系及叶片SOD活性较高、MDA含量较低,延缓了植株衰老进程,提高光合产物向生殖器官分配的比例、增加铃重,从而获得了较高的产量和水分利用效率。【结论】播前灌溉条件下,适当减少盛花前水氮供应、增加生育中后期水氮的分配比例是提高膜下滴灌棉花产量和水分利用效率的有效水氮运筹方式。     

渭北旱塬不同施肥与覆盖栽培对冬小麦产量形成及土壤水分利用的影响

 【目的】研究不同施肥和覆盖栽培模式对渭北旱塬旱地冬小麦产量和水分利用的影响。【方法】通过田间试验,研究测土推荐施氮、顶凌追肥、垄覆沟播、秸秆还田覆盖等措施对冬小麦产量、生物量、收获指数、水分利用效率及土壤水分周年变化的影响。【结果】旱地早春追肥使冬小麦增产6%—14%,水分利用效率提高7%—10%,达到12.2—13.6 kg•hm-2•mm-1;“减氮+垄覆沟播”增产达15%—41%,水分利用率提高10%—30%,达到12.2—16.5 kg•hm-2•mm-1。主要原因是,通过测土优化氮肥用量,采用基肥﹕追肥（3﹕1）方式,并与起垄覆膜栽培措施相结合可促进冬小麦利用深层土壤水分,提高冬小麦抽穗开花期植株含水量和成熟期的生物量及收获指数;虽然生育期耗水增加,但水分利用效率也提高。而单纯减少氮肥用量,不利于水分利用效率的提高;夏季垄上覆膜沟内覆盖作物秸秆可提高休闲效率,利于土壤水分恢复,实现土壤水分周年平衡和旱地小麦可持续增产。【结论】优化施氮结合垄覆沟播是黄土高原渭北旱地小麦增产增效的栽培模式。     

水分亏缺下有机无机肥配施比例对棉花水氮利用效率的影响

【目的】探究不同水分条件下有机无机肥配施对棉花水氮利用效率和产量的影响,为河西走廊棉区合理利用有机肥提供理论依据。【方法】于2020—2021年进行田间定位试验,采用裂区试验设计,主区为充分灌溉（W1）和亏缺灌溉（W2）;副区为不施肥（CK）、单施化肥（CF）、25%有机肥+75%化肥（OF1）、50%有机肥+50%化肥（OF2）和75%有机肥+25%化肥（OF3）,分析不同水分条件下施肥对棉花生育期土壤含水量、阶段耗水量、干物质和氮素积累及转运分配、水氮利用效率、籽棉产量和经济效益的影响。【结果】棉花籽棉产量和水氮利用特征受不同水肥处理及交互作用的显著影响。亏缺灌溉下棉田土壤含水量、总耗水量、植株干物质积累量、氮素积累量和籽棉产量显著下降,而水分利用效率显著提高。适宜的有机无机肥配施处理能够提高0—40 cm土层土壤含水量,降低棉花苗期和蕾期耗水,增加花铃期耗水量,提高棉花干物质和氮素积累量,并促进其向生殖器官中分配。充分灌溉条件下,25%有机肥配施处理（OF1）籽棉产量最高,两年平均较单施化肥（CF）提高10.5%;50%有机肥配施处理（OF2）与单施化肥（CF）无显著差异,但75...     

灌水量对日光温室黄瓜水分分配及硝态氮运移的影响

为了揭示灌水量对日光温室黄瓜水分分配及硝态氮运移的影响,以津育5号黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)为试材,研究了常规灌溉、常规灌溉量下浮25%和50%3个灌水量条件下,灌溉水的去向、硝态氮淋洗、根层土壤硝态氮运移、根系分布及产量和水分利用效率。结果表明:减少灌水量使水分深层渗漏、土面蒸发及土壤储水量下降,而植株蒸腾量和含水量不同处理差异不显著;在本试验设定的灌水量范围内,灌水量减少有增产趋势,下浮25%和50%分别比常规灌溉增产10.5%和15.4%,水分利用效率提高10.9%和22.0%;并减少了硝态氮的淋洗量,促使养分更多的分布于根层,对节水和保护地下水环境具有重要意义。     

PAA 对土壤水肥保持作用的研究

在旱地赤红壤上以小白菜(Brassica chinensis L.)为供试作物,分别以水和不同pH值、质量分数为0.02%的聚丙烯酸钠(Polymer acrylic acid,PAA)稀凝胶进行灌水处理,以研究PAA对土壤水肥的保持作用.结果表明,PAA能显著降低氮素淋失量,将更多的肥料养分保留在土壤中,同时又能减少土面蒸发对土壤水分的无效消耗,从而提高水肥的利用率,最终提高小白菜的生物量.在PAA各种处理中,以pH 6.5、质量分数为0.02%的PAA稀凝胶与自来水交替灌溉对水肥保持效果最好,在试验条件下,可使氮素淋失量减少72.0%,水分利用率提高23.27%,作物产量增加33.20%.     

不同管理模式下农田水氮利用效率及其环境效应

 【目的】定量化不同水氮管理模式下的农田水氮利用效率和环境效应,为制定优化的水肥管理措施提供理论指导。【方法】在华北平原北部的冬小麦-夏玉米轮作区,设置了农民习惯和基于土壤水分养分实时监测的优化管理两种水氮管理模式。首先,应用田间系统的观测数据（2004年10月至2006年9月）对水氮管理模型进行了校验,然后应用校验后的模型计算得到了两种水氮管理模式下的作物产量、农田水分渗漏、氮素淋失、气体损失和水氮利用效率等。【结果】2年内农民习惯和优化管理下的灌水量差别不大,而优化管理的施肥量（540 kg N·hm-2）仅为农民习惯施肥量（1 100 kg N·hm-2）的一半。农民习惯和优化管理模式下的作物年平均产量分别为11 579和11 748 kg·hm-2;两者的水分利用效率分别为1.65和1.72 kg·m-3;氮素利用效率分别为15和24 kg·kg-1 N。氮素淋失和氨挥发是氮素损失的主要途径,农民习惯和优化管理下的氮素淋失分别为407和68 kg N·hm-2;氨挥发分别达到了282和104 kg N·hm-2。【结论】优化管理下的作物产量和水氮利用效率都高于农民习惯管理的,并且氮素损失明显低于农民习惯管理。因此,为了保证该地区的农业可持续发展,必须改进当前农民习惯的水氮管理措施。     

不同水肥管理下设施黄瓜地氮素损失及水氮利用效率模拟分析

【目的】利用模型定量分析不同水肥管理对设施菜地氮素损失及水氮利用效率的影响,为设施菜地合理水肥管理措施的制定提供理论指导。【方法】2010—2011年在山东寿光设施大棚设置了4种水肥管理模式：对照+畦灌（CK）、传统施肥+畦灌（FP）、优化施肥+畦灌（OPT）和传统施肥+滴灌（RI）。利用EU-Rotate_N模型模拟了两个生长季（春夏茬和秋冬茬）各处理下设施黄瓜地的产量、氮素淋失和气体损失等,并计算了水氮利用效率。【结果】两个生长季内滴灌处理（RI）比畦灌处理（CK、FP和OPT）节水约60%,且灌溉水利用效率提高了2倍多。在各施肥处理中,春夏茬和秋冬茬黄瓜的氮素气体损失分别占施氮量的16%—19%和6%—11%,氮素淋失量分别占施氮量的14%—57%和20%—55%,其中OPT和RI处理的氮素淋失量比FP处理分别减少了19%—31%和63%—76%。OPT处理两茬黄瓜的氮素利用效率比FP处理分别提高了3%和7%,而RI处理的氮素利用效率比FP处理分别提高了41%和44%。【结论】氮素淋失是设施菜地氮素损失的主要途径,滴灌和优化施肥均能有效地减少菜地土壤硝态氮的淋失,提高氮素利用效率。     

冬小麦水氮有效利用的研究

本文针对作物高产、高效和节约水肥资源的目的，研究了不同土壤水和氧水平下的小麦冠、根生长状况、籽粒产量、蒸散、N素吸收状况以及水分利用效率（WUE）和小麦氮索利用效率（NUEw）。结果表明，当相对含水量为75％～85％，施N量较高情况下，可以使小麦冠、根发育良好，使蒸散与吸N量提高，从而增加籽粒产量，提高WUE，并使NUEw达适中水平。文中也强调了单纯追求籽粒高产（高产，低效）或高效（低产高效）的不可取性。     

不同滴灌水肥处理对温室甜瓜养分吸收、产量和品质的影响

水氮是影响作物生长的两个重要因素,在设施农业中,广大农户为了追求高产而进行盲目地灌水和施肥,导致产量减少、品质下降、土壤盐碱化、地力破坏等问题。本文针对杭嘉湖地区温室甜瓜灌水和施肥不合理的问题,采用膜下滴灌施肥技术,研究不同水氮输入量对温室甜瓜干物质累积量与养分吸收分配、产量及品质的影响,为温室甜瓜优质高产及水肥高效利用提供理论依据。根据温室内小型气象站数据,采用彭曼-蒙特斯(Penman-Monteith)修正公式计算作物需水量(ET_c),设置ET_c的60%(W₁)、ET_c的80%(W₂)、ET_c的100%(W₃)3个水分水平和70(N₁)、105(N₂)、140 kg·hm^-2(N₃)3个氮素水平,另设传统沟灌施肥CK(ET_c,140 kg·hm^-2)为对照,共10个处理,应用完全随机区组试验设计。与传统沟灌施肥(CK)相比,滴灌施肥下W₃N₃处理的甜瓜叶片净光合速率和叶绿素含量分别增加了52.3%和39.0%。成熟期干物质增加了40.96 g,增幅为39%。整株氮、磷、钾累积量分别增加了75.40%、88.20%、67.08%;产量增加了6.78 t·hm^-2,增幅为35.27%。滴灌条件下,提高灌水和施氮均能够显著提高光合作用效率,增加干物质累积量和养分吸收量,进而提高产量。采用主成分分析法对甜瓜品质指标进行综合评价,其中综合主成分能够反映出全部品质指标的91.27%,综合评价最高的处理为中水中氮(W₂N₂)。温室甜瓜滴灌水肥一体化技术能够达到提质增产和水肥高效利用的目的,滴灌施肥条件下,施氮量为N₃(140 kg·hm^-2),灌水量为W₃(1.0 ET_c)时,甜瓜干物质累积量、养分吸收量和产量均为最高。当同时追求产量和肥料利用效率时,高水中氮(W₃N₂)处理能获得较高的产量和氮肥偏生产力;当追求甜瓜品质和水分利用率时,中水中氮(W₂N₂)处理能获得最大的V_C、可溶性糖、可溶性固形物和较高的水分利用率。     

水肥耦合对保护地辣椒水分利用效率的影响

采用二次回归正交旋转组合设计,研究了水肥耦合效应对辣椒保护地土壤水分的变化和灌溉水利用率的影响。结果表明:土壤含水量的大小不仅与灌水量有关系,而且受作物、棚内小气候等多方面的影响。生物量愈高,吸水愈多,土壤水分消耗越多。灌水、施氮和施磷对辣椒灌溉水利用效率的影响相近,施磷影响稍大。灌水和施肥对灌溉水利用效率的交互作用是相互拮抗的,增加灌水量可降低灌溉水利用效率,施肥能提高灌溉水利用效率,本试验以氮磷固定在零水平,即施纯氮358.7 kg/hm2,施纯磷(P2O5)120.0 kg/hm2时,灌溉水利用效率较高。     

A simulation of winter wheat crop responses to irrigation management using CERES-Wheat model in the North China Plain

To improve efficiency in the use of water resources in water-limited environments such as the North China Plain(NCP), where winter wheat is a major and groundwater-consuming crop, the application of water-saving irrigation strategies must be considered as a method for the sustainable development of water resources. The initial objective of this study was to evaluate and validate the ability of the CERES-Wheat model simulation to predict the winter wheat grain yield, biomass yield and water use efficiency(WUE) responses to different irrigation management methods in the NCP. The results from evaluation and validation analyses were compared to observed data from 8 field experiments, and the results indicated that the model can accurately predict these parameters. The modified CERES-Wheat model was then used to simulate the development and growth of winter wheat under different irrigation treatments ranging from rainfed to four irrigation applications(full irrigation) using historical weather data from crop seasons over 33 years(1981–2014). The data were classified into three types according to seasonal precipitation: 100 mm, 100–140 mm, and 140 mm. Our results showed that the grain and biomass yield, harvest index(HI) and WUE responses to irrigation management were influenced by precipitation among years, whereby yield increased with higher precipitation. Scenario simulation analysis also showed that two irrigation applications of 75 mm each at the jointing stage and anthesis stage(T3) resulted in the highest grain yield and WUE among the irrigation treatments. Meanwhile, productivity in this treatment remained stable through different precipitation levels among years. One irrigation at the jointing stage(T1) improved grain yield compared to the rainfed treatment and resulted in yield values near those of T3, especially when precipitation was higher. These results indicate that T3 is the most suitable irrigation strategy under variable precipitation regimes for stable yield of winter wheat with maximum water savings in the NCP. The application of one irrigation at the jointing stage may also serve as an alternative irrigation strategy for further reducing irrigation for sustainable water resources management in this area.     

Yield and Quality Response of Cucumber to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Solar Greenhouse

The aims of this research were to compare subsurface drip irrigation scheduling and nitrogen fertilization rates in cucumber, and evaluate yield and quality of cucumber fruit, water (WUE), irrigation water (IWUE), and nitrogen use (NUE) efficiencies in the solar greenhouse in Southwest China. The irrigation water amounts were determined based on the 20 cm diameter pan (Ep) placed over the crop canopy, and cucumber plant was subjected to three irrigation water levels (I1, 0.6 Ep; I2, 0.8 Ep; and I3, 1.0 Ep) in interaction with three nitrogen fertilization levels (N1,300 kg ha-1; N2, 450 kg ha-1; and N3, 600 kg ha-1). The results showed that the cucumber fruit yield increased with the improvement of irrigation water. Irrigation water increased yields by increasing the mean weight of the fruits, and also by increasing fruit number. But the highest values of IWUE and WUE were obtained from 12 treatment. NUE significantly decreased with the improvement of N application, but increased by irrigating more water. The quality of cucumber fruit decreased with the improvement irrigation water and nitrogen fertilization. In conclusion, the optimum irrigation level and nitrogen fertilizer application level for cucunber under subsurface drip irrigation in the solar greenhouse in Southwest China were 0.8 Ep and 450 and 600 kg ha-1, respectively.     

氮肥利用率的研究进展

为了提高作物的氮肥利用率,减少资源浪费、降低环境污染和提高作物产量提供科学依据。文章回顾了国内外近年来氮肥利用率的研究成果,从氮肥利用率的研究方法及影响因素等方面分析了氮肥利用率的研究历史、现状和存在问题。归纳得出中国氮肥利用率较低,施肥缺乏科学性,具体表现为氮肥施用量过大、氮肥挥发及硝化反硝化损失严重、施肥时期及施用量与作物氮素吸收规律不协调、肥料品种较单一等。建议结合测土配方施肥、实时监控管理等技术,合理地确定氮肥种类、用量、施用方式及时期,加强新型肥料及肥料增效剂等新技术的研发和推广,并注重作物氮高效品种资源的挖掘和应用,进而从土壤、肥料、品种、管理方式等多方面提高氮肥利用率。     

Field methods for making productivity classes for site-specific management of wheat

Reducing the decision-making unit to classes within fields can improve yields, efficiency in the use of nutrients and profitability of crops. The objectives were to compare methods for class delimitation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops based on apparent productivity levels and establish similarities among them in terms of spatial overlapping, productive attributes and the use of nitrogen. In three wheat fields, high and low apparent productivity classes (APC) were defined based on eight methodologies: yield maps, soil maps, gramineae vegetation index, rotation crop index, interpretation of satellite images, management records, elevation and integrated soil and yield maps. In each APC, soil and crop yield components were determined under five nitrogen fertilization levels. Among delimitation methodologies, the degree of coincidence varied from 1.4 to 81.7%. The differences in soil properties, nitrogen use efficiency and grain yields were greater among fields than among APC within each field. In each field, the delimitation methodologies identified different single factors that discriminated among the potential management classes and were partially associated with the crop grain yields. The wheat crops at the low APC yielded 39% less and 12% less than at the high APC, respectively. The nitrogen fertilization, at the rate for maximum productivity for each ACP, reduced the yield differences between contrasting APC. Nitrogen fertilization also modified clustering of classes based on expected yields. Making management classes for wheat based on expected productivity is more accurate when based on previous crop production information under similar nitrogen fertilization conditions than the targeted crop.