施钙量对不同花生荚果发育时期光合碳在植株-土壤系统分配的影响

探究施钙对不同花生荚果发育时期光合碳在植株-土壤系统分配的影响,有利于改善钙肥管理,提升花生产量和土壤有机碳含量。本研究选用普通大花生品种‘花育22’,设置Ca O 0、75、150和300 kg hm^–2 4个施钙梯度,分别记为T0、T1、T2、T3,于盆栽条件下研究施钙量对花生产量和不同荚果发育时期光合碳在花生植株-土壤系统中分配的影响。结果表明,不同施钙量对花生植株总干物质积累无明显影响。适宜施钙量可显著降低花生千克果数和千克仁数,提升花生出仁率、饱果率和荚果产量,在2018年和2019年,T2处理荚果产量较T0可分别提升17.5%和25.1%。基于施钙量与花生荚果和籽仁产量的拟合分析发现,当钙肥施用量为165 kg hm^–2和173 kg hm^–2时,可分别获得最高的花生荚果和籽仁产量。适宜施钙量可明显提升鸡咀幼果期和荚果膨大期花生植株光合¹³C的积累量,提升各荚果发育时期¹³C在花生籽仁中的分配比例,其中,在荚果定型期和籽仁充实期,T2和T3处理下¹³     

不同农业废弃物还田对玉米氮素吸收利用及氮平衡的影响

为研究秸秆、牛粪和鸡粪不同还田量对玉米氮素吸收积累、氮素利用率及氮平衡的影响。通过探讨不同农业废弃物还田对土壤-玉米系统的氮素表观平衡,为农业废弃物与化肥合理配施,提高氮素吸收利用效率、减少氮素损失提供理论依据和技术支撑。在等养分量(N240kg/hm²,P2O5154kg/hm²,K2O197kg/hm²)的条件下,进行田间小区试验。研究结果表明：适量的秸秆、牛粪和鸡粪还田与单施化肥相比均可显著提高玉米籽粒、茎叶和植株的氮素吸收积累量,其中25%鸡粪有机氮还田配施75%化肥氮（S10处理）玉米籽粒、茎叶和植株的氮素吸收积累量最高,分别为129.4、98.4、227.8kg/hm²。农业废弃物与化肥配施能有效降低氮素表观损失,其中S10处理氮素表观损失最低为37.7kg/hm²。适宜的秸秆、牛粪和鸡粪还田量能明显的提高氮肥表观利用率,在秸秆还田处理中,75%秸秆粉碎还田配施化肥N191.2kg/hm²(S4)氮肥表观利用率最高为44.7%比单施化肥(S1)高4.3%;在牛粪还田处理中,25%牛粪有机氮还田配施75%化肥氮(S6)的氮肥表观利用率最高为51.2%,比单施化肥处理高10.8%;在鸡粪还田处理中,25%鸡粪有机氮还田配施75%化肥氮(S10)的氮肥表观利用率最高达56.84%。比单施化肥处理高16.5%。因此,综合玉米的氮素吸收量、氮素损失量以及氮素利用率等因素,最佳还田方式为25%鸡粪有机氮还田配施75%化肥氮(S10)。     

抚仙湖北部农田区不同施肥对水稻产量、氮素吸收及利用率的影响

针对抚仙湖北部农田区的蔬菜施肥过量导致土壤养分残余量大,会对后作水稻施肥造成影响的问题,采用田间小区开展不同施肥试验研究。结果表明,砂壤土和粘壤土在施氮量为150~360 kg/hm²范围内,水稻植株氮素积累量随着施氮量的增加而提高,而增加的氮素积累量主要表现在茎叶部位;穗肥施用氮肥可提高籽粒氮素积累量。水稻氮肥吸收利用率和产量,砂壤土以施氮255 kg/hm2时最高,分别为45.1%和10594 kg/hm²;而粘壤土施氮150~360 kg/hm²之间,氮肥吸收利用率为20.9%~22.4%之间,产量为10486~10596 kg/hm2之间;当对砂壤土和粘壤土的水稻穗肥施用氮肥时,水稻氮肥吸收利用率（分别为42.8%、23.5%）和产量（分别为10445 kg/hm²、10564 kg/hm²）最高。水稻的氮素收获指数、氮肥农学利用率、氮肥生理利用率及氮肥偏生产力,均以砂壤土明显高于粘壤土,且随着施氮量的增加而显著下降。蔬菜后作水稻施氮量以150~255 kg/hm²范围为宜,氮肥分基肥50%+分蘖肥30%+穗肥20%施用     

不同供氮水平对春玉米干物质积累及氮素吸收利用的影响

为了掌握玉米适宜施氮量,研究不同供氮水平对春玉米干物质积累和氮素吸收利用的影响。本研究采用田间小区试验的方法,设置0、120、240、360 kg/hm² 4个施氮水平,研究了玉米各器官干物质吸收积累、氮素吸收利用及产量的变化。结果表明,不同供氮水平下春玉米干物质积累和氮素吸收均符合Logistic方程[y=K/(1+ae^bx)],氮肥施用量可明显影响干物质最大积累速率和氮素最大吸收速率,各施氮水平下均表现为N₃₆₀＞N₂₄₀＞N₁₂₀＞N₀。玉米产量随施氮量的增加而增加,施氮量为360 kg/hm²时,玉米产量最高,达10081.5 kg/hm²,但相较N₂₄₀玉米增产效果并不显著,同时氮肥利用率较N₂₄₀降低15.5%。本试验条件下,综合考虑产量和氮素利用效率两因素,施氮量240 kg/hm²为玉米最佳氮肥用量。     

不同生育时期水分胁迫对花生生长发育和产量的影响

旨在明确花生水分敏感时期,为花生进行科学合理灌溉、提高产量提供理论依据和技术指导。以中早熟大果型‘豫花9326’和早熟小果型‘豫花9936’为材料,在全自动防雨干旱棚条件下,通过人工控水的方法研究了苗期、花针期、结荚期和成熟期干旱胁迫对花生营养生长、生殖生长、产量、水分利用效率等的影响。结果表明：不同生长发育时期干旱胁迫均导致花生生长发育受抑制、产量降低。其中花针期干旱,影响最大,花针期干旱主茎高、侧枝长分别降低了42.1%、37.5%,产量降低了22.2%。其次是结荚期干旱和苗期干旱,成熟期干旱影响最小。通过对各指标的分析,苗期干旱、花针期干旱主要是影响了单株结果数,从而降低了产量;结荚期干旱、成熟期干旱则是降低了饱果率、百仁重、出仁率,进而影响了产量。本研究明确了花针期是花生对水分胁迫最为敏感的时期,对提高花生水分利用效率和我国干旱半干旱地区花生单产具有重要意义。     

缓释氮肥对砂姜黑土区夏玉米产量及氮代谢的影响

为了明确砂姜黑土区夏玉米氮肥代谢及产量变化,探究缓释氮肥施用范围,本研究以玉米品种‘北青340’及硫包衣尿素为试验材料,设置不施氮肥(C0)、施缓释氮肥70 kg/hm²(C70)、施缓释氮肥140 kg/hm²(C140)、施缓释氮肥210 kg/hm²(C210)、施缓释氮肥280 kg/hm²(C280) 5个水平,磷钾肥均按统一标准施用。检测和分析缓释氮肥对砂姜黑土区夏玉米氮素吸收、积累、运转及同化的影响。结果显示,随缓释氮施用量的增加,玉米抽雄期以后,器官氮素吸收、积累、转运、同化量均呈先增后降低的趋势;器官氮素吸收、积累、转运、同化与产量的相关性有差异,与抽雄期-乳熟期氮素积累量、成熟期叶片氮素积累量呈负相关,其他正相关,同时器官氮素积累量及转运量与产量性状存在显著的线性相关关系。以减肥增效为标准,发现210 kg/hm²的缓释氮肥是砂姜黑土区夏玉米较优的施肥量。本研究为砂姜黑土区夏玉米生产减肥增效提供参考。     

不同株高夏玉米品种的氮素吸收与利用特性

选用鲁单981 (LD981)、郑单958 (ZD958)和登海661 (DH661) 3个不同株高玉米品种, 在大田和栽培池条件下分别设67 500株 hm^-2和82 500株 hm^-2 2个种植密度, 0和180 kg hm^-2 2个施氮量。大田试验的氮肥以开沟方式施入, 栽培池试验氮肥分别以5、20和40 cm深度分层施入, 利用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术研究不同株高夏玉米对氮素的吸收与利用特性。结果表明, 与67 500株 hm^-2种植密度比较, 82 500株 hm^-2种植密度夏玉米籽粒产量及氮素偏生产力显著提高。夏玉米吸收的氮素69.3%~77.3%来自土壤, 22.7%~30.7%来自肥料, 土壤氮和肥料氮收获指数分别为54.6%和57.5%。与67 500株 hm^-2种植密度比较, 82 500株 hm^-2种植密度矮秆品种DH661氮素积累来自肥料的比例显著降低, 中品种ZD958和高秆品种LD981没有显著变化; 中、高秆品种肥料氮收获指数显著降低, 矮秆品种增加。5 cm土层施氮对植株肥料氮积累量贡献率最大, 40 cm土层施氮对植株肥料氮的贡献率最小, 随着株高增加, 深层(40 cm)氮对植株肥料氮积累量的贡献率逐渐增加, 浅层(5 cm)氮对植株肥料氮积累量的贡献率逐渐降低。中、高秆品种对土壤深层40 cm施氮的氮肥回收率较高, 而矮秆品种对土壤浅层20 cm施氮的氮肥回收率较高; 20 cm和40 cm ¹⁵N在20~40 cm和40~60 cm土层残留量分别达到60%, 说明矮秆品种对20~40 cm土层氮素回收率较高, 中、高秆品种对40~60 cm土层氮素回收率较高。     

播期播量氮肥三因子对‘渭麦9号’群体结构和籽粒品质的影响

为明确栽培措施对优质专用小麦品种‘渭麦9号’产量及品质的影响,开展播期、播量、氮肥三因素试验。于2021—2022年在田间采取裂区和随机区组试验设计,施氮量分别为210 kg/hm²(A₁)、105 kg/hm²(A₂)、不施肥(A₃),播期分别为10月2日(B₁)、10月18日(B₂)、10月27日(B₃),播量分别为180×10⁴苗/hm²(C₁)、270×10⁴苗/hm²(C₂)、360×10⁴苗/hm²(C₃)。结果表明：氮肥施入量对产量影响不显著,播期和播量对产量影响显著。‘渭麦9号’在10月18日,270×10⁴苗/hm²和360×10⁴苗/...     

生物炭用量对灌区春小麦干物质和氮素积累、转运及产量的影响

研究了单施不同量生物炭与氮肥减量配施生物炭对灌区春小麦干物质和氮素积累、转运及产量的影响,为化肥减量和生物炭的农业利用提供科学依据。设置4个生物炭用量水平（0、10、20、30t/hm²）和2个氮肥用量水平（0、150kg/hm²）,通过2年田间定位试验,于2020年对春小麦干物质和氮素积累、分配、转运及春小麦产量进行分析。结果表明,与单纯施氮相比,施用不同量生物炭或氮肥减量配施生物炭均显著提高了春小麦产量（P<0.05）,增产幅度为6.4%~20.2%,其中氮肥减量配施中量生物炭（N 150kg/hm²,生物炭20t/hm²）时,春小麦干物质积累量及转运量较对照分别提高18.8%和85.0%,转运效率也显著提升;氮素转运量及转运效率分别提高52.8%和19.8%。生物炭施用对促进春小麦干物质和氮素积累、转运效果显著,有利于春小麦产量提升。在本试验条件下,氮肥150kg/hm²配施生物炭20t/hm²的增产效果最佳。     

华南地区6种乡土树种凋落物持水特性研究

为了全面了解华南地区典型乡土树种的生态水文效应,以该地区的米老排(Mytilaria laosensis)、马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)、樟树(Cinnanomum camphora)、红椎(Castanopsis hystrix)和火力楠(Michelia macclurei)6种乡土树种为研究对象,分别测定其凋落物的储量、持水量、持水率和吸水速率。采用野外定位采样与内业相结合的办法,对6种乡土树种凋落物储量与持水量进行定量表达。结果表明,林龄相近的6种乡土树种凋落物储量大小为,米老排(2.220×10³ kg/hm²)>火力楠(2.105×10³ kg/hm²)>樟树(2.051×10³ kg/hm²)>红椎(1.434×10³ kg/hm²)>杉木(1.225×10³ kg/hm²)>马尾松(0.898×10³ kg/hm²);凋落物的持水量呈现米老排>火力楠>红椎>樟树>杉木>马尾松;米老排、火力楠、樟树、红椎、杉木和马尾松的凋落物最大持水率依次为458%、403%、408%、404%、351%、280%;凋落物的持水量和持水率随浸泡时间增加而增加,与浸泡时间呈对数关系,吸水速率与浸泡时间呈幂函数关系。该研究为系统评价华南地区典型乡土树种的生态水文特征奠定了基础。     

节水减氮对土壤硝态氮分布和冬小麦水氮利用效率的影响

针对当前关中平原冬小麦生产中氮肥投入过量、灌溉水资源不足的问题,研究节水减氮栽培模式下冬小麦籽粒产量、水氮利用及硝态氮淋失情况,能为确定冬小麦节水减肥环保增效的生产模式提供理论依据。于2017—2019年在陕西杨凌开展冬小麦节水减氮田间栽培试验,采用二因素裂区设计,施氮量为主处理,灌水量为副处理,设施氮量处理N300 (300 kg hm^–2)、N225 (225 kg hm^–2)、N150 (150 kg hm^–2)、N75 (75 kg hm^–2)、N0 (不施氮)和灌水量处理W2 (1200 m³ hm^–2)、W1 (600 m³ hm^–2)、W0 (0),分析小麦产量、水氮利用效率及土壤硝态氮淋失情况。结果表明,2017—2018年和2018—2019年小麦季灌水处理较不灌水处理分别增产14.88%～15.01%和4.11～4.16倍,但处理间差异不显著,而越冬期灌水600 m³ h...     

Genetic differences for nitrogen uptake and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies in winter wheat

Due to economic and ecological factors, European agricultural practices are likely to go towards extensive systems with lower inputs of nitrogen (N) fertilisers. The objective of this study was to assess varietal differences for N use at two nitrogen levels. A set of 20 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was studied over 2 years in northern France on a deep loam soil without (N0) and with 170 kg ha⁻¹ N fertiliser (N+) as ammonium nitrate. Results were consistent on both years as the genotype×year or genotype×year×N level interactions were not significant. The genotype×N level interaction was highly significant except for total N utilisation efficiency (total above-ground dry weight/total above-ground N) and grain N concentration. The genotype×N level interaction for grain yield was mainly due to three contrasting genotypes: Cappelle, a cultivar from the 1940s, had the same yield at N0 and N+; Arche had a high yield at both N levels; and Récital had a high yield with added N and a very low one without N. The number of kernels/ear explained most of the variations of grain yield at N0 (48%) and N+ (80%), and of the interaction (67%). N uptake efficiency (total above-ground N/soil N supply) accounted for 64% of the variation in N use efficiency (grain yield/soil N supply), while at N0 and at N+ it accounted for only 30%. N utilisation efficiency (grain yield/total above-ground N) was then more important at N+ than at N0. Grain N explained most of total plant N variation at both N levels. The interaction for N use efficiency was best explained by the interaction of N uptake (63%). The applications of these results to a breeding programme to create varieties adapted to low-input management systems are discussed.     

旱地冬小麦产量、氮肥利用率及土壤氮素平衡对降水年型与施氮量的响应

研究不同降水年型施氮量对旱地冬小麦产量、氮素利用及土壤氮素表观平衡的影响,探讨渭北旱塬旱作麦田稳产增效的最佳氮素投入量,为高效施氮提供理论依据。田间定位施氮试验于2017—2020年连续3年在陕西合阳县开展,以长6359为试验材料,设置5个施氮量处理包括0、60、120、180和240 kg hm^-2 (分别以N0、N60、N120、N180和N240表示),研究旱地冬小麦产量、氮肥利用率及土壤氮素平衡对降水年型与施氮量的响应。连续3年定位试验表明:(1)降水年型对冬小麦产量和经济收益影响显著,丰水年较平水年和欠水年分别增产33.6%和113.3%,经济收益提高2～3倍以上。冬小麦氮肥回收利用率和农学效率与产量有相似的变化规律,丰水年氮肥回收利用率和农学效率较平水年和欠水年分别提高4.7个百分点、0.6 kg kg–1 (平水年)和11.9个百分点、2.5 kg kg–1 (欠水年)。(2)无论何种降水年型,冬小麦产量、氮肥回收利用率和农学效率均随施氮量增加呈现先增加后下降的趋势。在丰水年和平水年,均以N180处理下最高,收获期0～100 cm土层土壤硝态氮积累分...     

滴灌玉米临界氮稀释曲线与氮素营养诊断研究

旨在建立宁夏引黄灌区滴灌玉米临界氮稀释曲线模型,探讨氮营养指数(NNI)用于实时诊断和评价玉米氮素营养状况的可行性,为实现滴灌玉米合理施用氮肥提供理论依据。以天赐19为试验材料,采用滴灌水肥一体化技术,设6个氮肥水平,利用2年定位试验构建并验证了临界氮稀释曲线模型。结果表明:(1)在一定范围内,滴灌玉米干物质积累量随施氮水平的提高而增加,根据方差分析结果,将玉米各生育时期的地上部生物量分为限氮和非限氮2类;(2)滴灌玉米植株氮浓度均随着施氮量的增加而提高,但随生育期的推进和地上部干物质量的增加,玉米植株氮浓度均呈下降趋势;(3)滴灌玉米临界氮浓度(Nc)、最大氮浓度(Nmax)和最小氮浓度(Nmin)稀释模型与地上部干物质累积量之间均呈现幂函数关系,其决定系数R2分别为0.982、0.907、0.918,利用均方根误差(RMSE)和标准化均方根误差(n–RMSE)的验证表明,该模型稳定性好,误差范围小;(4)氮素营养指数模型(NNI)可衡量滴灌玉米氮素营养状况,滴灌水肥一体化条件下,宁夏引黄灌区玉米以270kghm–2为最佳施氮量;(5)根据模型推算,NNI与相对吸氮量(RNupt)、...     

Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹ increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha⁻¹. Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha⁻¹. The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and where tillage intensity and N fertilization rates can be minimized to reduce the costs of energy requirement for tillage and N fertilization while optimizing crop production.     

氮素对棉花氮素利用率和产量的影响

在大田栽培条件下,于河南安阳（黄淮棉区）和江苏南京（长江下游棉区）设置棉花氮素水平试验,研究氮素对棉花氮素利用率、产量及产量构成的影响,结果表明：棉株氮素利用率随初花后棉花生育进程的推进,呈现为不规则的S型曲线的变化趋势,计算两试点的氮素利用率、瞬时利用率,安阳试点以360 kg·ha-1的施氮量为最优,南京以240 kg·ha-1最高;氮素对棉花产量形成有一定的调控作用,氮素水平过低或过高均导致产量降低。棉花单铃重、单株铃数是产量的主要决定因素。     

UV-B辐射增强下施氮对大麦土壤微生物量碳、氮的影响

通过田间试验,研究了UV-B辐射增强下不同施氮量对大麦土壤微生物量碳、氮的影响。UV-B辐射设对照（CK）和增强（E）2水平,施氮量设高、中、低3水平,分别为30、150和300 kg N/ha。结果表明：与对照相比,无论施氮量高低,UV-B辐射增强对非根际土壤微生物量碳、氮含量有促进作用;除低氮外,UV-B辐射增强对根际土壤微生物量碳、氮含量有抑制作用。在一定UV-B辐射强度下,高施氮量会降低根际土壤微生物量氮和非根际土微生物量碳、氮含量。     

Tillage,cover crops,and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹ increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha⁻¹. Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha⁻¹. The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and where tillage intensity and N fertilization rates can be minimized to reduce the costs of energy requirement for tillage and N fertilization while optimizing crop production.     

Soil nitrogen availability indices as predictors of sugarcane nitrogen requirements

Nitrogen recommendation systems for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) generally does not consider the N supply from soil. Identifying a reliable soil test for estimating N availability is crucial to avoid yield losses or environmental pollution. Therefore, the objective of this study was to correlate and calibrate N availability indices with field–based measures of soil N supply. Between 2006 and 2013, 15 trials for rate–response to N fertilizer by sugarcane ratoons were performed in São Paulo, the main sugarcane–producing state in Brazil. The following indices were tested: KMnO₄ oxidizable C, hot KCl extractable N, phosphate–borate buffer distillable N, NaOH distillable N, Illinois Soil N Test, organic C, total N, mineral N, anaerobic incubation, soil respiration, substrate–induced respiration, microbial biomass C, metabolic quotient, microbial quotient, and gross N mineralization. The indices were then correlated with sugarcane yield (Y_0N) and N content of the crop (N_0N) in N–unfertilized plots, relative yield (RY), and the N rate predicted to achieve 90% of the RY (NR 90%RY). Although weak correlations were found between Y_0N with anaerobic incubation, total N, and soil respiration, as well as between N_0N and anaerobic incubation, no index correlated with RY or NR 90%RY. Grouping sites based on soil texture or byproduct management did not improve prediction of RY. Therefore, we concluded that none of the fifteen laboratory indices is a reliable predictor of soil N supply, and hence could not be used to adjust N fertilization rate for sugarcane.     

Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogen and on the yield and nitrogen content of maize

Current agricultural practice favours winter cover crops, which can not only optimize N management in field crop rotation; but also affect subsequent crops. Three field experiments were carried out in Eastern Slovenia to examine the effects of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), winter rape (Brassica napus ssp.oleifera (Metzg.) Sinsk), subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as winter cover crops on the mineral N (N_min) content of soil and on the yield and N content of subsequent maize (Zea mays L.), fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Italian ryegrass and winter rape decreased soil N_min contents before winter and in spring more than both clovers. In contrast, clovers accumulated significantly higher amounts of N in organic matter and had lower C/N ratios than winter rape and especially Italian ryegrass. In comparison to the control (bare fallow without cover crop), clovers increased the whole above ground maize dry matter yield, maize grain yield and N contents in whole above ground plants and in grain. The yields and N contents of maize following winter rape were on the same level as the control, while yields and N contents of maize following Italian ryegrass were, in two of the experiments, at the same level as the control. The effects of Italian ryegrass on the maize as subsequent crop in the third experiment were markedly negative. Maize in the control treatment exploited N much more efficiently than in treatments with cover crops. Therefore, cover crop N management should be improved, especially with a view to optimizing the timing of net N mineralization in accordance with the N demands of the subsequent crop.