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.     

Soil erosion estimation in conservation tillage systems with poultry litter application using RUSLE 2.0 model

Soil erosion is a major threat to global economic and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated long-term effects of conservation tillage with poultry litter application on soil erosion estimates in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plots using RUSLE 2.0 computer model. Treatments consisting of no-till, mulch-till, and conventional tillage systems, winter rye (Secale cereale L.) cover cropping and poultry litter, and ammonium nitrate sources of nitrogen were established at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Belle Mina, AL (34°41′N, 86°52′W), beginning fall 1996. Soil erosion estimates in cotton plots under conventional tillage system with winter rye cover cropping declined by 36% from 8.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1997 to 5.1 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2004. This result was largely attributed to cumulative effect of surface residue cover which increased by 17%, from 20% in 1997 to 37% in 2004. In conventional tillage without winter rye cover cropping, soil erosion estimates were 11.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 1997 and increased to 12.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in 2004. In no-till system, soil erosion estimates generally remained stable over the study period, averaging 0.5 and 1.3 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹with and without winter rye cover cropping, respectively. This study shows that cover cropping is critical to reduce soil erosion and to increase the sustainability of cotton production in the southeast U.S. Application of N in the form of ammonium nitrate or poultry litter significantly increased cotton canopy cover and surface root biomass, which are desirable attributes for soil erosion reduction in cotton plots.     

Soil strength, cotton root growth and lint yield in a southeastern USA coastal loamy sand

Inverse linear relationships between soil strength and yield in Coastal Plain soils that have subsurface genetic hard layers have previously been developed for corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under management systems that include annual or biannual non-inversion deep tillage. In a field study in the southeastern Coastal Plains of the USA, we tested this relationship for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in wide (0.96 m) rows, hypothesizing that root growth and lint yield of cotton would increase with a decrease in soil strength associated with annual deep tillage or cover crop. Root growth and yield were evaluated for treatment combinations of surface tillage or none, deep tillage or none, and rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop or none. Root growth increased (r²=0.66–0.68) as mean or maximum soil strength decreased. Cotton lint yield was not significantly affected by the treatments. Lack of yield response to tillage treatment may have been the result of management practices that employed a small (3 m wide) disk in surface-tilled plots and maintained traffic lanes, both of which help prevent re-compaction. These results indicate that less than annual frequency of subsoiling might be a viable production practice for cotton grown in traditionally wide (0.96 m) rows on a Coastal Plain soil (fine loamy Acrisol–Typic Kandiudult). Thus, annual subsoiling, a practice commonly recommended and used, need not be a blanket recommendation for cotton grown on Coastal Plain soils.     

径流曲线法在黄土区小流域地表径流预测中的初步应用

径流曲线法是目前国际上预测无径流观测资料地区降水地表产流的主要模型,由于气候、水文及下垫面的差异,在黄土高原地区的应用受到限制。利用黄土高原地区3个小流域的303场降雨径流资料,针对黄土高原降雨地表径流特点优化模型中的初损率λ,并提出降雨强度修正函数,将降雨强度因子引入径流曲线法。优化后的模型效率E达到0．812,实测径流深与预测径流深的线性回归决定系数R2达到0．822。改进后的SCS．CN模型可用于黄土区小流域降雨地表产流预报,对黄土高原无资料地区侵蚀产流预报、指导水土保持工程配置和设计具有重要的理论和工程实践意义。     

保护性耕作对黄壤坡耕地水土流失及作物产量的影响

[目的]分析保护性耕作对黄壤坡耕地水土流失及作物产量的影响,为贵州省坡耕地水土流失治理及农业可持续发展提供科学依据。[方法]在西南地区典型黄壤坡耕地设置不施肥+顺坡平作(TR_1)、常规施肥+顺坡平作(TR_2)、优化施肥+顺坡平作(TR_3)、优化施肥+横坡垄作(TR_4)、优化施肥+横坡垄作+秸秆覆盖(TR_5)、优化施肥+横坡垄作+秸秆覆盖+等高植物篱(TR_6)共6个不同试验处理的监测小区,于2017—2018年监测了不同处理间作物产量、地表径流量、氮磷流失量、土壤养分含量的差异,并分析其相关性。[结果]①TR_4,TR_5,TR_6较TR_3的径流量分别减少了59.72%,74.13%和89.18%,氮磷流失总量与径流量趋势相同;②TR_5,TR_6对全量养分含量影响最大,其中全氮比TR_4作高20.00%,23.67%,比TR_3高23.53%,27.31%;③TR_4,TR_5,TR_6处理下的玉米在保持较高产量的同时,作物产量稳定性(SI)和可持续性(SYI)最好;④玉米、油菜产量与全氮、全磷、有效磷、有机质呈极显著正相关(p0.01),与速效氮呈显著正相关(p0.05);玉米产量与氮素流失量、磷素流失量、径流量呈极显著负相关(p0.01)。[结论]在坡耕地实施保护性耕作能有效降低地表径流发生,减少氮磷流失,保持土壤养分肥力的同时促进作物高产,并实现稳产及可持续生产,且实施综合保护性耕作的效能大于单项保护性耕作。     

Experimental assessment of runoff and soil erosion in an olive grove on a Vertic soil in southern Spain as affected by soil management

Abstract. Three different management systems were compared in an olive grove on a Vertic soil, near the city of Cordoba, Spain. Rainfall, runoff and soil loss were recorded from experimental plots of 6×12 m for three years. Results indicated that the no-tillage system, which was kept weed-free with herbicides, gave the largest soil loss (8.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and average annual runoff coefficient (21.5%), due to increased soil compaction, particularly outside the canopy projection area. A system that used a grass cover gave the lowest soil losses (1.2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and average annual runoff coefficient (2.5%) due to the protective effects of the cover and increased soil aggregate stability. The third system, conventional tillage, gave intermediate results, with a soil loss of 4.0 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and an average runoff coefficient of 7.4%. The search for alternative soil management to conventional tillage should consider occasional light tillage to establish a grass cover that would keep both soil erosion and runoff losses to a minimum.     

Soil organic carbon pools in ploughed and no‐till Alfisols of central Ohio

No‐till (NT) farming can restore the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool of agricultural soils, but the SOC pool size and retention rate can vary with soil type and duration of NT. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of NT and soil drainage characteristics on SOC accumulation across a series of NT fields on Alfisols in Ohio, USA. Sites under NT for 9 (NT9), 13 (NT13), 36 (NT36), 48 (NT48) and 49 (NT49) years were selected for the study. Soil was somewhat poorly drained at the NT48 site but moderately well drained at the other sites. The NT48 and NT49 on‐station sites were under continuous corn (Zea mays), while the other sites were farmers' fields in a corn–soybean (Glycine max) rotation. At each location, the SOC pool (0–30 cm) in the NT field was compared to that of an adjacent plough‐till (PT) and woodlot (WL). At the NT36, NT48 and NT49 sites, the retention rate of corn‐derived C was determined using stable C isotope (¹³C) techniques. In the 0‐ to 10‐cm soil layer, SOC concentration was significantly larger under NT than PT, but a tillage effect was rarely detected below that depth. Across sites, the SOC pool in that layer averaged 36.4, 20 and 40.8 Mg C/ha at the NT, PT and WL sites, respectively. For the 0‐ to 30‐cm layer, the SOC pool for NT (83.4 Mg C/ha) was still 57% greater than under PT. However, there was no consistent trend in the SOC pool with NT duration probably due to the legacy of past management practices and SOC content differences that may have existed among the study sites prior to their conversion to NT. The retention rate of corn‐derived C was 524, 263 and 203 kg C/ha/yr at the NT36, NT48 and NT49 sites. In contrast, the retention rate of corn‐C under PT averaged 25 and 153 kg C/ha/yr at the NT49 (moderately well‐drained) and NT48 (somewhat poorly drained) sites, respectively. The conversion from PT to NT resulted in greater retention of corn‐derived C. Thus, adoption of NT would be beneficial to SOC sequestration in agricultural soils of the region.     

Short-term responses of soil physical properties to corn tillage-planting systems in a humid maritime climate

The fertile, but naturally poorly drained soils of the western Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada are located in an area subject to about 1200 mm of rainfall annually. These soils were under intensive conventional tillage practices for years, which contributed to their poor infiltrability, low organic matter, and overall poor structure. Development of tillage practices that incorporate winter cover crops and reduce traffic in spring is required to reduce local soil degradation problems. The objective of this study was to determine short-term responses of soil physical properties to fall and spring tillage (ST) and fall and no spring tillage (NST) systems, both using spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as winter cover crops. Field experiments were conducted for 3 years following seeding of the winter cover crops in fall 1992 on a silty clay loam Humic Gleysol (Mollic Gleysol in FAO soil classification). Average aeration porosity was 0.15 m³ m⁻³ on NST and 0.22 m³ m⁻³ on ST, while bulk density was 1.22 Mg m⁻³ on NST and 1.07 Mg m⁻³ on ST at the 0–7.5 cm depth. Neither of these two soil properties should limit seedling and root growth. After ST, mechanical resistance was consistently greater for 500–1000 kPa in NST than in ST, but never reached value of 2500 kPa considered limiting for root growth. The NST system did not increase soil water content relative to ST, with soil water contents being similar at 10 and 40 cm depth in all years. In 2 out of 3 years NST soil was drier at the 20 cm depth than was ST soil. Three years of NST did not result in a significant changes of aggregate stability relative to ST. This experiment showed that limiting tillage operations to the fall did not adversely affect soil physical conditions for plant growth in a humid maritime climate.     

Impact of a no-till with mulch soil management strategy on soil macrofauna communities in a cotton cropping system

Systematic exportation, burning of crop residues and decreases in fallow periods have led to a large-scale depletion of soil organic matter and degradation of soil fertility in the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping systems of Cameroon. The present study tested whether soil management systems based on a no-till with mulch approach intercropped with cereals, which has been shown to restore cotton production, could boost the biological activity of soil macrofauna. The impacts of no tillage with grass mulch (Brachiaria ruziziensis Germain and Eward) (NTG) and no tillage with legume mulch (Crotalaria retusa L. or Mucuna pruriens Bak.) (NTL) on the abundance, diversity and functional role of soil invertebrates were evaluated during the third year of implementation in northern Cameroon (Windé and Zouana), compared to conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) without mulch. Macrofauna were sampled from two 30 cm × 30 cm soil cubes (including litter) at the seeding stage of cotton, and 30 days later. The collected organisms were grouped into detritivores, herbivores and predators. Examination of the soil macrofauna patterns revealed that the abundance and diversity of soil arthropods were significantly higher in NTG and NTL than in CT plots (+103 and +79%, respectively), while that of NT plots was in-between the no tillage groups and CT (+37%). Regarding major ecological functions, herbivores and predators were significantly more abundant in NTG and NTL plots than in CT plots at Windé (+168 and +180%, respectively), while detritivores, predators and herbivores were significantly more abundant in the NTG plots than in CT plots at Zouana (+92, +517 and +116%, respectively). Formicidae (53.6%), Termitidae (24.7%) and Lumbricidae (9.4%) were the most abundant detritivores while Julidae (46.1%), Coleoptera larvae (22.1%) and Pyrrhocoridae or Reduviidae (11.8%) were the dominant herbivores. The major constituents of the predatory group were Araneae (33.8%), Carabidae (24.6%), Staphylinidae (15.7%) and Scolopendridae (10.3%). Direct seeding mulch-based systems, NTG and NTL, favoured the establishment of diverse macrofaunal communities in the studied cotton cropping system.     

Effects of soil crust and crop on runoff and erosion in Loess Plateau

Soil crust formed after rainfall has a strong influence on soil erosion, water use, and crop growth on sloping farmland. To study the effect of soil crust on sloping farmland on runoff amount and erosion sediment yield, the soil crust on sloping farmland has been studied in this paper for plantings of corn, soybeans, millet, and winter wheat. Using an outdoor rainfall simulator, the influence of soil crust on runoff rate and sediment yield on sloping farmland covered by crops has been observed. The results revealed that soil crust thickness was increased after rainfall and soil crust coverage showed little change after rainfall. Soil crust had a significant impact on runoff and sediment yield on sloping farmland. Slopes with soil crust showed higher runoff rate and less soil loss than slopes without soil crust. On slopes planted with four crops (corn, soybeans, millet, and winter wheat), runoff rates on slopes with soil crust were respectively 20%, 25%, 25%, and 21% higher than on slopes without soil crust; sediment yield on slopes with soil crust was respectively 15%, 14%, 14%, and 8% lower than on slopes without soil crust. Crops enlarged the runoff difference between the two kinds of slope and decreased the sediment yield difference between them. Crop growth enhanced these differences in runoff and sediment yield between slopes with and without soil crust.     

基于分层抽样的中国水稻种植面积遥感调查方法研究

及时准确的统计水稻种植面积对国家和区域的粮食生产、贸易及粮食安全预警有重要意义。传统的按行政单元逐级上报和农业产量抽样调查方法在数据获取过程中受人为因素的干扰，难以避免的出现诸如错报、漏报、空报等问题。遥感技术具有及时、准确、客观的特点，对于农作物种植面积监测具有其他方法不可替代的优势。但是，一般的作物面积遥感监测是全覆盖或典型地区调查。在大尺度农作物遥感调查时，全面普查(卫星遥感数据全覆盖)的方法在时间和经费方面是不可行的，以典型调查代替总体的方法缺乏科学依据。科学合理的抽样方法是可运行的大尺度作物面积监测的关键因素。研究在背景数据库的支持下，以土地利用数据库为辅助变量，设计了基于分层抽样的中国水稻种植面积遥感监测方法。以全国稻田面积为总体，采用1∶5万比例尺标准地形图幅为分层抽样的抽样单元。以遥感与地面调查相结合的方法监测样本的当年和上一年水稻种植面积，在给定精度条件下估算水稻种植面积年际变化率。结合上年统计部门发布的水稻种植面积统计数据，推算当年水稻种植面积。该项研究为农业部全国水稻遥感监测提供了可行的大尺度水稻遥感监测的运行方案。     

The effects of minimal tillage and contour cultivation on surface runoff, soil loss and crop yield in the long-term Woburn Erosion Reference Experiment on sandy soil at Woburn, England

Abstract. Over a 10-year period, runoff and soil erosion on the plots of the Woburn Erosion Reference Experiment were concentrated in periods with sparse vegetation cover: in winter after the late planting of cereals; in spring after the planting of beets; or when soils were bare after harvest. The mean event runoff of 1.32 mm from plots cultivated up-and-downslope was significantly greater ( P <0.05) than that from plots cultivated across-slope (0.82 mm). However, mean event soil loss was not significantly different between the two cultivation directions. No significant differences were found between minimal and standard cultivations. Mean event runoff from the across-slope/minimal tillage treatment combination (0.58 mm) was significantly less ( P <0.01) than from the up-and-downslope/minimal tillage (1.41 mm), up-and-downslope/standard tillage (1.24 mm), and across-slope/standard tillage (1.07 mm) treatment combinations. Runoff from the across-slope/standard treatment combination was significantly ( P <0.05) less than from the up-and-downslope/minimal tillage treatment. The across-slope/minimal tillage treatment combination had a significantly smaller ( P <0.05) event soil loss (67 kg ha⁻¹) than the up-and-downslope/standard tillage (278 kg ha⁻¹) and up-and-downslope/minimal tillage (245 kg ha⁻¹) combinations. Crop yields were significantly ( P <0.05) higher on across-slope plots in 1988, 1996 and 1997 than on up-and-downslope plots, and were also higher (but not significantly) on the across-slope plots in 7 of the 8 remaining years. Minimal cultivation decreased yield compared with standard cultivation in one year only. We recommend that across-slope cultivation combined with minimal tillage be investigated at field scale to assess its suitability for incorporation into UK farming systems.     

Influence of tillage practices and nutrient management on crack parameters in a Vertisol of central India

The frequency, size and rate of development of cracks influence the transport of water, nutrients and gases in the soil profile and plant growth processes in Vertisols. Despite their importance, studies on characterising cracks in Vertisols of India are limited. This study attempts to evaluate the influence of different tillage practices, nutrient management and cropping systems on cracking behaviour of a Vertisol in central India. The length, depth, width, area and volume of cracks were recorded after the harvest of the wet season crops, i.e. soybean (Glycine max L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) from three ongoing tillage experiments with three different cropping systems, i.e. soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean–linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and rice–wheat. The results revealed that all the crack parameters were significantly negatively correlated with the water content of the 0–15 cm soil layer and, crack width and crack volume were significantly positively correlated with the bulk density of the 0–15 cm soil layer. Gravimetric water content and bulk density of the 0–15 cm soil layer together explained 79% variation in the crack volume. The crack volume was significantly negatively correlated (r=0.86,P=0.01) with the root length density of the previous soybean crop. Rice grown under puddled condition significantly enhanced different crack parameters viz., length, depth, width, surface area and volume of the cracks over nonpuddled direct seeded rice. Sub-soiling practised in soybean under the soybean–linseed system significantly reduced the width, depth, length and surface area of cracks by 12.5, 10, 5 and 12%, respectively, over conventional tillage. No tillage practised in soybean under soybean–wheat system resulted in significant increase in width, depth and volume of the cracks but decrease in length and surface area of cracks over conventional tillage and mould board tillage practice. Application of manure reduced the magnitude of different crack parameters in soybean–linseed cropping system. Thus cracking in Vertisols can be favourably managed by the selection of proper tillage practice, cropping system and organic manure amendments.     

Effects of tillage and traffic on crop production in dryland farming systems: I. Evaluation of PERFECT soil-crop simulation model

Agricultural production systems are complex involving variability in climate, soil, crop, tillage management and interactions between these components. The traditional experimental approach has played an important role in studying crop production systems, but isolation of these factors in experimental studies is difficult and time consuming. Computer simulation models are useful in exploring these interactions and provide a valuable tool to test and further our understanding of the behavior of soil–crop systems without repeating experimentation.Productivity erosion and runoff functions to evaluate conservation techniques (PERFECT) is one of the soil–crop models that integrate the dynamics of soil, tillage and crop processes at a daily resolution. This study had two major objectives. The first was to calibrate the use of the PERFECT soil–crop simulation model to simulate soil and crop responses to changes of traffic and tillage management. The second was to explore the interactions between traffic, tillage, soil and crop, and provide insight to the long-term effects of improved soil management and crop rotation options. This contribution covers only the first objective, and the second will be covered in a subsequent contribution.Data were obtained from field experiments on a vertisol in Southeast Queensland, Australia which had controlled traffic and tillage treatments for the previous 5 years. Input data for the simulation model included daily weather, runoff, plant available water capacity, and soil hydraulic properties, cropping systems, and traffic and tillage management. After model calibration, predicted and measured total runoffs for the 5-year period were similar. Values of root mean square error (RMSE) for daily runoff ranged from 5.7 to 9.2 mm, which were similar to those reported in literature. The model explained 75–95% of variations of daily, monthly and annual runoff, 70–84% of the variation in total available soil water, and 85% of the variation in yield. The results showed that the PERFECT daily soil–crop simulation model could be used to generate meaningful predictions of the interactions between crop, soil and water under different tillage and traffic systems.Ranking of management systems in order of decreasing merit for runoff, available soil water and crop yield was (1) controlled traffic zero tillage, (2) controlled traffic stubble mulch, (3) wheeled zero tillage, and (4) wheeled stubble mulch.     

耕作方式对冬小麦-夏玉米光合特性及周年产量形成的影响

【目的】作物的光合特性及干物质积累与转运是影响产量的重要因素。研究不同耕作方式对冬小麦-夏玉米光合特性、干物质积累转运及周年产量的影响,以期为冬小麦-夏玉米两熟地区选择适宜的耕作方式提供理论和实践依据。 【方法】以黄淮海地区2003~2014年连续12年定位试验为平台,在秸秆还田前提下,试验设4种耕作方式:传统翻耕（PC）为对照、免耕（PZ）、深松（PS）和旋耕（PR）。对2014~2015季冬小麦和2015季夏玉米各项光合参数、干物质积累和产量进行了测定。 【结果】长期不同耕作方式对冬小麦-夏玉米光合特性和周年产量影响显著,免耕、深松和旋耕处理的光合特性和周年产量均优于对照传统翻耕,依次为PS > PZ > PR > PC。PZ、PS和PR耕作方式显著提高了生育后期冬小麦和夏玉米功能叶的叶绿素含量、光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率,其中冬小麦灌浆后期叶绿素含量分别提高了97.0%、121.1%和71.4%,光合速率分别提高了57.6%、71.6%和51.2%;夏玉米灌浆期叶绿素含量分别提高23.6%、28.1%和10.4%,光合速率分别提高18.6%、26.5%和19.2%,延缓了叶片衰老,使光合作用始终维持在较高水平。PZ、PS和PR处理冬小麦花后同化物对籽粒的贡献率分别达65.3%、67.8%和65.0%,夏玉米为66.3%、70.6%和63.4%,而对照处理（PC）冬小麦和夏玉米的贡献率仅为59.3%和60.9%。PZ和PS处理冬小麦和夏玉米的穗粒数和千粒重显著高于PC处理,穗数显著低于PC和PR。PZ、PS和PR可显著提高周年产量,分别提高15.4%、18.2%和11.0%。 【结论】在黄淮海地区,采用长期秸秆还田下免耕、深松和旋耕均可提高冬小麦和夏玉米叶绿素含量和光合速率,提高胞间CO₂利用能力,降低非气孔限制,增强花后干物质积累能力,增加花后同化物对籽粒的贡献率,协调产量构成因素的关系,提高单季和周年产量,其中深松效果最佳,免耕次之。     

棉田土壤上几种磷肥用量估算法的比较研究

本文通过田间试验和室内模拟试验研究了不同磷肥估算法在棉田土壤上的应用。结果表明: 肥效函数法、土壤吸附等温线法、土壤磷酸盐吸收系数法和磷指标法均能应用于棉田土壤,砂壤质棉田由此估算的施磷量分别为P2O5 148、173、168和150 kg/hm2,壤质棉田施磷量分别为P2O5 138、160、153和172 kg/hm2,其中以土壤磷酸盐吸收系数法操作最简便且精度与肥效函数法相当。     

应用重标度极差分析法（R/S）分析无定河流域水沙变化

河流水沙变化是降水、蒸发及下垫面条件改变的客观反映,揭示流域水沙演变规律及成因,可为水资源合理利用提供决策依据。应用R/S分析法对时变指数Hurst的计算及其检验,分析无定河流域赵石窑站和白家川站径流与输沙量时间序列的长程相关性。结果表明：两站的径流时间序列的Hurst指数分别为0.56、0.61,均大于0.5,呈现长程正相关;而两站的输沙量时间序列的变化存在差异,赵石窑站的输沙量时间序列有2个突变点,分别发生在1966和1979年,3个标度分布范围的Hurst指数分别为0.97、0.71和0.90,均明     

Effect of tillage,cropping, and mulching pattern on crop yield,soil C and N accumulation,and carbon footprint in a desert oasis farmland

The desert oasis is one of the major grain production areas in arid land, and many intensive farming practices have been adopted to improve the land utilization in the agriculture system. However, there remains little consensus on how to improve such farming practices for increasing both productivity and environment benefits in this system. A 4-year experiment was conducted in a typical desert oasis farmland to determine the effects of the farming practices on crop yield, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) accumulation, and carbon footprint (CF). The farming practices included two tillage patterns: conventional (CT) and reduced tillage (RT), two cropping patterns: continuous (Con) and rotation cropping (Rot), and two mulching pattern: film (F) and straw mulching (S) with eight combined treatments. The RT did not significant decrease crop yield but increase soil C and N accumulation rate by 59% and 130%, and thus decrease CF for crop production compared with the CT. S can also improve soil C and N accumulation, and cause low CF for crop production, but leading to 14–41% decrease in maize yield compared with F. Rot result in a 14% increase on maize yield also has extra benefit to decrease CF for crop production, but no significant effect on soil C and N accumulation compared with Con. Our study adds a reasonable perspective on how to improve the conventional farming systems in desert oasis, the information about RT, straw mulching, and maize–soybean rotation have positive effect on improving soil quality and decreasing CF for crop production in this desert soil area is critical to develop the sustainable agriculture system in this desert oasis farmland, which both maintaining crop productivity and minimizing negative environmental impacts.     

Effects of tillage depth on organic carbon content and physical properties in five Swedish soils

The soil tillage system affects incorporation of crop residues and may influence organic matter dynamics. A study was carried out in five 15–20 year old tillage experiments on soils with a clay content ranging from 72 to 521 g kg⁻¹. The main objective was to quantify the influence of tillage depth on total content of soil organic carbon and its distribution by depth. Some soil physical properties were also determined. The experiments were part of a series of field experiments all over Sweden with the objective of producing a basis to advise farmers on optimal depths and methods of primary tillage under various conditions. Before the experimental period, all sites had been mouldboard ploughed annually for many years to a depth of 23–25 cm. Treatments included primary tillage to 24–29 cm depth by mouldboard plough (deep tillage) and to 12–15 cm by field cultivator or mouldboard plough (shallow tillage). Dry bulk density, degree of compactness and penetration resistance profiles clearly reflected the depth of primary tillage and substantially increased below that depth. Compared to deep tillage, shallow tillage increased the concentration of organic carbon in the surface layer but decreased it in deeper layers. Total quantity of soil organic carbon and carbon–nitrogen ratio were unaffected by the tillage depth. Thus, a reduction of the tillage depth from about 25 cm to half of that depth would appear to have no significant effect on the global carbon cycle.     

Evaluation of an open portable chamber system for measuring cover crop water use in a vineyard and comparison with a mini-lysimeter approach

Cover crops are largely used in viticultural areas because of the many positive agronomic and environmental benefits they provide. However, there is insufficient data describing the amount of water they use. A portable chamber used as an open measurement system and its suitability to measure the cover crop evapotranspiration (E) in a vineyard are described in this study. The performance of the chamber was tested by a calibration experiment (R² = 0.97). The lowest air flow rate used (9.2 l s⁻¹) was found to be suitable to limit the chamber from overheating beyond 3.1 K above the outside temperature. Furthermore, an experiment was designed to compare the daily cover crop (Festuca arundinacea var. barfelix) water use measured by the chamber system with measurements using a mini-lysimeter (ML) method and with estimates using the FAO-56 PM equation (Eo). The experiment was carried out in one inter row of a vineyard over the course of 4 days following an irrigation event. Although the field experiment was limited to 4 days, the results obtained together with the calibration trials support the possibility of the chamber being a useful tool for measuring the cover crop E. The ability of the MLs to represent the water use of the cover crop in the rest of the vineyard was limited to the first two days of the experiment, after which time the soil water content inside the containers was significantly (p = 0.007, p = 0.03) lower than in the surrounding field.