Corn stubble height and residue placement in the northern US Corn Belt II. Spring microclimate and wheat development

Crop residue management systems are yet needed in the northern Corn Belt of the USA that hasten sowing and early establishment of crops in the spring. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn stubble height and residue placement on the soil microclimate and associated development of wheat in early spring. Treatments were established after corn harvest in the autumn of 1993–1995 and included 60 cm stubble, 30 cm stubble, 30 cm stubble with adjacent interrows devoid of and covered with prostrate residue (30 cm stubble with banded residue), 0 cm stubble, and 0 cm stubble without prostrate residue. Five rows of wheat were sown by hand into one corn interrow on 12 April 1994, 3 April 1995, and 24 April 1996. Leaf development on the main stem was assessed twice weekly until late May. Net and reflected global radiation, soil temperature, and soil water content were measured in each treatment throughout the spring. Vegetative development of wheat was hastened in soils with little residue cover (0 cm stubble without residue treatment and the bare interrow of the 30 cm with banded residue treatment). Averaged across years, the phyllochron ranged from 75 °C day per leaf for treatments with little residue cover to 92 °C day per leaf for the residue interrow of the 30 cm stubble with banded residue treatment. Vegetative development in treatments with little residue cover was hastened by soil temperatures that were at least 1 °C higher throughout spring than those of the residue interrow of the 30 cm stubble with banded residue treatment. The 0 cm stubble without residue treatment was warmer because of a smaller albedo (at least 0.03) and greater net radiation (at least 0.5 MJ m⁻² per day) compared with all other treatments. Little difference in soil water content was found among treatments, although treatments with little residue cover were wetter in two of the three springs. Based on the results of this study, one can conclude that soils with little residue cover or that have taller stubble on the surface will absorb more radiation and thereby enhance soil warming and early development of plants in the northern Corn Belt of the USA.     

冻融期灌水和覆盖对南疆棉田水热盐的影响

为了探索不同冬灌定额和地表覆盖模式对棉田水热盐的影响,该文设置了冬灌裸地(winter irrigation with bare land,WIB)、冬灌留秆(winter irrigation with high cotton stubble,WICS)、冬灌玉米秸秆覆盖(winter irrigation with corn straw mulching,WICM)、免冬灌裸地(no winter irrigation with bare land,NWIB)、免冬灌留秆(no winter irrigation with high cotton stubble,NWICS)和免冬灌玉米秸秆覆盖(no winter irrigation with corn straw mulching,NWICM)6个处理。经过2013-11-15-2014-04-04和2014-11-15-2015-04-04冬季大田试验,得到:灌水和地表覆盖可以平抑土壤温度的变幅,免冬灌或冬灌条件下,温度变异幅度均为裸地留秆玉米秸秆覆盖。玉米秸秆覆盖更有利于土壤水分保持,WICM土壤储水量比WIB和WICS分别多29.10%和10.36%,NWICM土壤储水量比NWIB和NWICS分别多14.97%和2.21%,经过两年冻融过程NWIB、NWICS和NWICM 0~100 cm土壤储水量平均减少了18.32、7.36和2.62 mm。(免)冬灌0~30 cm土壤含盐量均为裸地留秆玉米秸秆覆盖;0~100 cm土壤范围冬灌盐分淋洗率为玉米秸秆覆盖(34.86%)留秆(15.82%)裸地(7.26%);免冬灌0~100cm积盐率为裸地(10.11%)留秆(7.96%)玉米秸秆覆盖(3.01%)。研究结果可为南疆冬季休闲期棉田土壤水热盐调控提供科学依据。     

Soil acidity and aluminium toxicity as affected by surface liming and cover oat residues under a no-till system

A 3-year field trial examined in a long-term no-till system the effects of surface-applied lime and cover black oat ( Avena strigosa Schreb) residues on soil chemical attributes, root growth and grain yield of corn ( Zea mays L.) and soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox in Paraná State, Brazil. The treatments consisted of dolomitic lime broadcast on the soil surface at 0 or 12 t/ha, with and without cover of black oat residues. Corn and soybeans were grown without rainfall limitation. Applying lime on the surface improved soil acidity and decreased aluminium (Al) toxicity to a 10-cm depth 1 year after application. Surface liming increased pH and the content of exchangeable Ca²⁺ to a 20-cm depth, and decreased Al toxicity to a 40- to 60-cm depth, 3 years after application, indicating that the surface-applied lime moved deeper. Cover black oat residues did not favour the mobility of surface-applied lime to alleviate subsoil acidity and an increase in the Al³⁺ saturation level at the soil surface was found in unlimed plots with black oat residues. Root growth and grain yields of corn and soybean were not influenced by surface liming with or without cover black oat residue. Despite the soil acidity level, root length of corn and soybean ranged from 55 to 60% at 0- to 10-cm depth. The results suggest that Al toxicity is low in no-till systems during cropping seasons with adequate and well-distributed rainfall, but this effect is not related to the presence of cover oat residues.     

Barley yield and evapotranspiration governed by tillage practices in interior Alaska

Tillage and residue management practices are sought in the subarctic where small grain production is often curtailed by the lack of soil water. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain yield and evapotranspiration were compared among four tillage and three residue management practices near Delta Junction, Alaska, USA from 1988 through 1991. Barley was hand-harvested in the fall whereas soil water content was determined biweekly during the growing season by neutron attenuation. Grain yield was similar for spring disk, fall chisel, and conventional (fall and spring disk) tillage across years. No tillage, however, resulted in a 260 kg ha⁻¹ greater yield as compared with fall chisel and conventional tillage in 1990 when evaporative demand exceeded that in other years by nearly 10%. In 1990 and 1991, grain yield from plots devoid of stubble and loose straw was at least 200 kg ha⁻¹ greater than from plots with stubble or stubble and loose straw. Barley consumed at least 15 mm more water to achieve the greater yield on no tillage or no stubble and loose straw plots. Water-use efficiency did not vary among tillage treatments, but was greatest in 1990 for plots devoid of stubble and loose straw. This study suggests that, in dry years with high evaporative demand, no tillage or removal of stubble and loose straw from the soil surface will enhance grain production and water-use efficiency of barley in the subarctic.     

麦秸覆盖条件下土壤蒸发阻力及蒸发模拟

模拟覆盖条件下的土壤蒸发对于农田水管理具有重要的作用。该文分析了留茬和秸秆覆盖模式下影响土面蒸发的因素,提出了留茬覆盖模式下蒸发阻力和土面蒸发模型,基于试验数据确定了公式中的参数。主要结果和结论:当表层2 cm土壤含水率高于0.23 cm3/cm3(约60%田持)时,土面相对蒸发量(土面蒸发量与20 cm蒸发皿蒸发量比值)基本保持稳定;当表层2 cm土壤含水率在0.05~0.23 cm3/cm3之间时,土面相对蒸发量随土壤含水率的降低而线性减小。覆盖会明显降低土壤蒸发,覆盖阻力随秸秆覆盖量增加呈指数增长。当表层2 cm土壤含水率在0.05~0.23 cm3/cm3之间时,土壤表面阻力随土壤体积含水率降低而线性增加。验证结果显示建立的土面蒸发模型及相应阻力参数能较好的模拟覆盖条件下的土面蒸发量。     

培肥和耕作措施季节性干旱下对红壤剖面水分变化和产量的影响

为了探讨培肥和耕作措施下红壤旱地的土壤剖面水分变化和产量对季节性干旱的响应规律,本研究在大田试验条件下系统分析了稻草覆盖、有机肥和常免耕对土壤剖面含水量、表层土壤温度及作物产量变化趋势。结果表明,在猪粪施用、常耕和免耕处理的土壤含水率不存在显著差异。而在相同耕作和猪粪条件下,稻草覆盖与否对土壤含水量影响较大,在春玉米和秋玉米季中连续干旱条件下,稻草覆盖处理下0—5,5—10,10—20 cm土壤含水量均高于不覆盖处理,稻草覆盖处理下0—5,5—10,10—20 cm土壤含水量均高于不覆盖处理,春玉米季的增幅分别为27.93%,5.91%,1.41%,秋玉米季分别为15.74%,7.71%,2.59%。同时,稻草覆盖可以显著影响表层土壤的温度变化,在春玉米开花期,0—10 cm和10—20 cm的土壤温度覆盖比不覆盖分别降低了13.92%和2.26%。在秋玉米开花期0—10 cm和10—20 cm的土壤温度覆盖比不覆盖分别降低了0.30%和2.69%。在所有处理中,春玉米和秋玉米季均表现出稻草覆盖+施猪粪+常耕的秸秆和籽粒产量最高。     

秸秆和有机肥配合替代部分化肥提高作物水分利用率减少土壤硝态氮残留

【目的】研究长期秸秆和有机肥配合替代部分化肥对小麦玉米一年两熟种植制度下农田生产力及氮肥残留的影响,为改善旱地土壤肥力,提高作物产量,降低环境风险提供科学依据。【方法】依托中国农业科学院洛阳旱农试验基地始于2007年的长期定位培肥试验,选取不施肥对照(CK)、常规氮磷钾化肥(NPK)、秸秆和有机肥配合替代1/3的氮磷钾养分(SOR) 3个处理。调查了2015—2020年度夏玉米、冬小麦及周年产量、生育期耗水量、水分利用效率;分析了2020年冬小麦收获期0—60 cm土层土壤养分含量,以及硝态氮在0—380cm土层剖面的分布积累量。【结果】与2007年试验开始时相比,2020年CK处理0—20 cm土层土壤养分(除速效钾外)含量显著下降,而NPK和SOR处理不同程度地提高了土壤养分含量。与NPK处理相比,SOR处理0—60 cm土层土壤有机质含量显著提高了10.4%～16.4%,0—40 cm土层全氮含量显著提高了16.7%～20.0%,0—20 cm土层土壤速效磷和速效钾含量分别显著提高了12.9%和15.4%。与NPK处理相比,SOR处理夏玉米产量在干旱年(2015和2017年)及5...     

微润灌对作物产量及水分利用效率的影响

为探明微润灌对作物生长及产量的影响,以夏玉米和冬小麦为研究对象,采用完全随机试验设计,对比研究微润灌不同毛管间距布置(20 cm、40 cm、60 cm)、地下滴灌和无灌溉对大田作物产量、水分利用效率和土壤电导率的影响。结果表明:与地下滴灌相比,微润灌用水量约为地下滴灌的1/4~4/5;由于灌水差异较大,作物产量有所降低,夏玉米产量显著下降(P0.05),冬小麦产量下降,但未达显著水平(P0.05);两作物水分利用效率有所提高,但差异不显著(P0.05);灌溉水分利用效率均显著提高(P0.05)。随微润管布置间距的减小,作物产量呈增加趋势,作物水分利用效率与灌溉水分利用效率均呈减小趋势。综合考虑分析,在较为缺水的塿土区微润管最佳布置间距60 cm,此时可不显著降低产量同时提高水分利用效率。此外,微润灌布置间距对土壤电导率的影响较小。采用微润灌与地下滴灌处理时,随土层深增加,作物各生育期土壤电导率无显著差异(P0.05)且变化趋势基本一致,表明微润灌与地下滴灌对土壤的影响具有一致性。微润灌下作物产量与灌浆成熟期10~20 cm土层土壤电导率和10~80 cm土层土壤平均电导率之间相关性显著。因此,采用灌浆成熟期10~20 cm土层土壤电导率或10~80 cm土层土壤平均电导率预估微润灌下的作物产量具有可行性。上述研究可为微润灌技术推广应用提供依据。     

Effects of soil water content during primary tillage – laser measurements of soil surface changes

Soil water content during tillage can have a large impact on soil properties and tillage outcome. Measurement of soil relief in relation to fixed elevation points provides a non-destructive method of monitoring loosening/compacting processes during the year. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of soil water content during primary tillage on soil physical properties.

The treatments included mouldboard and chisel ploughing of a clay soil on three occasions in the autumn, with gradually increasing water content (0.76, 0.91 and 1.01 × plastic limit). Soil surface height was measured by laser within a 0.64 m² area from fixed steel plates after each tillage occasion, and before and after seedbed preparation in the following spring. The measurements of surface height were compared with measurements of other soil physical properties, such as bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity and seedbed properties.

Tillage at the lowest water content (0.76 × plastic limit) produced the greatest proportion of small aggregates, and generally the most favourable soil conditions for crop growth. Soil loosening, as measured by increase in soil height during primary tillage, was highest for mouldboard ploughing and for tillage at the lowest water content. Differences between tillage treatments decreased with time, but were still significant after sowing in the spring. Natural consolidation during winter was smaller than the compaction during seedbed preparation in the spring. No significant differences in bulk density were found between treatments, and thus soil surface height was a more sensitive parameter than bulk density determined by core sampling to detect differences between treatments.

Late tillage under wet conditions caused a greater roughness of the soil surface and the seedbed base, which was also found in the traditional seedbed investigation. The effect of tillage time on seedbed properties also resulted in a lower number of emerged plants in later tillage treatments.

The laser measurements were effective for studying changes in soil structure over time. The results emphasize the need to determine changes in soil physical properties for different tillage systems over time in order to model soil processes.     

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.     

Ridging in autumn as an alternative to mouldboard ploughing in a humid-temperate region

In the original ridge tillage system as practiced in the US Corn Belt, ridges are formed during the growing season. Several studies have documented that this can reduce leaching of nutrients and improve fertilizer efficiency. This study was conducted to determine whether ridges formed in autumn can be used as an alternative to ploughing to reduce N leaching during autumn and winter, and thereby increase growth and N uptake of a subsequent unfertilized crop. A factorial field experiment with tillage and residues as factors was conducted during 1998–2000. Tillage treatments were autumn ridging and ploughing. Residue treatments were stubble, stubble + straw and stubble + liquid manure in order to create a gradient of C/N ratios. From the time of harvest until planting of a subsequent barley crop (Hordeum vulgare L.), inorganic N was determined 11 times in 1998–1999 and 10 times in 1999–2000 in the 0–10, 10–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm soil layers. Growth and N uptake of barley was quantified nine times in both 1999 and 2000. Barley grain and straw yields were determined. Ridging resulted in lower levels of inorganic N in the 30–90 cm soil layer in November and a significantly higher level of inorganic N in the 0–30 cm soil layer in late April, indicating reduced leaching and increased N availability for the subsequent crop. Ridging significantly increased growth, yield and N uptake of barley whereas incorporation of straw generally reduced growth, yield and N uptake. It is concluded that ridging in autumn has a N conserving effect, and it is suggested that the potential of ridging in autumn as an alternative to ploughing is further investigated in detailed studies of solute movement, N immobilization/mineralization and crop performance.     

Surface versus incorporated residue effects on water-stable aggregates

Reduced tillage methods for field crop production result in less disruption of soil structure and often increased amounts of crop residue maintained on the soil surface. The combination of these two factors produces increased surface soil aggregation. This study was conducted in the field and within pots to determine whether surface residue by itself improves soil aggregation within a short period of time. The soil was a silt loam loess deposit in the Pacific Northwest, USA, where summers are hot and dry, and most precipitation (420 mm) is received during the mild winters. Two pot studies were conducted over winter, one under a shelter with controlled irrigations (183 mm), and the other outdoors receiving natural precipitation (77 mm). In both pot studies 640 g m⁻² wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue was either placed on the surface of the soil or thoroughly mixed into the soil. The field study was conducted on plots where, for the past 7 years, wheat crop residues were either incorporated through chisel/disk tillage or removed before tillage and replaced on the surface after tillage. The field study included plots where wheat was grown with no tillage. In the pots, there was no significant effect due to residue treatment on aggregate mean weight diameter, measured monthly for 4 winter months. This was true despite dissolved organic carbon being leached from the surface residue. In the 7-year-old field plots, replacing residues on the surface resulted in slightly greater mean weight diameter of aggregates at 5–10 cm depth compared to the mixed residue treatment. The no-till plots had significantly greater mean weight diameter at 0–5 cm depth than either tilled treatment. Our conclusion is that surface residue by itself failed to increase aggregation of tilled surface soil within the first rainy season after tillage.     

Effects of Tillage Methods on Soil Carbon and Wind Erosion

Current interest in soil‐conserving tillage in China has developed from the concern that Chinese agricultural land loses 73·8 Mg C annually. Previous research has shown that changing from conventional tillage to conservation tillage field management increases soil C sequestration. The aim of this study is to determine if no tillage with stubble retention can reduce soil carbon loss and erosion compared with conventional tillage for a cornfield in northern China. We found that soil organic C storage (kg m⁻²) under conservation tillage in the form of no post‐harvest tillage with stubble retention increased from 28% to 62% in the soil depths of 0–30 cm (p < 0·01) compared with the conventional tillage. Retaining post‐harvest stubble with a height of 30 cm and incorporating the stubble into the soil before seeding the next spring increased soil organic carbon the most. Carbon storage (kg ha⁻¹) in aboveground and belowground biomass of the corn plants in seedling and harvest stages was significantly greater (p < 0·01) with stubble retention treatments than with conventional tillage. Carbon content in root biomass in all treatments with stubble retention was significantly greater than that with conventional tillage. Soil erosion estimates in the study area under conservation tillage with stubble retention was significantly lower than that under conventional tillage during the monitoring period. Given the complexities of agricultural systems, it is unlikely that one ideal farming practice is suitable to all soils or different climate conditions, but stubble retention during harvesting and incorporation of the stubble into soil in the next spring appears to be the best choice in the dry northern China where farmlands suffer serious wind erosion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Twenty years of tillage research in subarctic Alaska: I. Impact on soil strength, aggregation, roughness, and residue cover

Soil properties and surface characteristics affecting wind erosion can be manipulated through tillage and crop residue management. Little information exists, however, that describes the impact of long term tillage and residue management on soil properties in the subarctic region of the United States. This study examines the impact of 20 years of tillage and residue management on a broad range of physical properties that govern wind erosion processes on a silt loam in interior Alaska. A strip plot experimental design was established in 1983 and included intensive tillage (autumn and spring disk), spring disk, autumn chisel plow, and no tillage with straw either retained on or removed from the soil surface. Soil and residue properties measured after sowing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in May 2004 included penetration resistance, soil water content, shear stress, bulk density, random roughness, aggregate size distribution, and residue cover and biomass. No tillage was characterized by larger aggregates, greater soil strength (penetration resistance and shear stress), wetter soil, and greater residue cover compared to all other tillage treatments. Despite crop failures the previous 2 years, crop residue management influenced residue biomass and cover, but not soil properties. Autumn chisel and spring disk appeared to be viable minimum tillage options to intensive tillage in controlling erosion. Autumn chisel and spring disk promoted greater roughness, aggregation, and residue cover as compared with intensive tillage. Although no tillage appeared to be the most effective management strategy for mitigating wind erosion, no tillage was not a sustainable practice due to lack of weed control. No tillage also resulted in the formation of an organic layer on the soil surface over the past 20 years, which has important ramifications for long term crop production in the subarctic where the mean annual temperature is <0 °C.     

黄土高原苹果园间作油菜对土壤水分与苹果品质的影响

[目的]间作生草是黄土高原苹果优势产区有机肥替代化肥模式之一.由于黄土高原地区年际干旱少雨且降水在季节上分配不均,可能产生果园生草与果树争水的问题.因此,本研究采用不同耗水模式的油菜品种探究其对土壤水分及苹果品质的影响.[方法]试验于2018和2019年在陕西省延安市安塞区南沟流域进行.设置4个生草处理,分别为甘蓝型油...     

宁南山区保护性农业措施对冬小麦农田休闲期土壤水分的影响

[目的]研究宁南山区冬小麦农田休闲期保护性农业措施对土壤水分的影响,为该区降雨资源的高效利用以及保护性农业的可持续发展提供理论依据。[方法]基于不同时期多个保护性农业试验土壤水分数据比较分析。[结果](1)在干旱的情况下,免耕留茬处理能够显著增加土壤表层(0—20cm)含水量。(2)在免耕的情况下,随着秸秆留茬高度的增加,土壤水分呈现增加趋势。(3)在降雨量较大且降雨量具有连续性的情况下,常规耕作处理在土壤表层保蓄了较多的土壤水分(0—20cm),免耕秸秆覆盖处理能够增加土壤20—80cm土壤水分含量。(4)冬小麦休闲期种植豆科作物,降低了土壤水分,其降低幅度与降雨量以及种植密度有关,种植密度越大,对土壤水分的影响越大。[结论]免耕+留茬耕作措施能够提高冬小麦农田休闲期土壤水分含量,覆盖作物降低了休闲期土壤水分含量。     

微咸水膜下滴灌不同灌水下限对盐碱地土壤水盐运移及玉米产量的影响

为了研究盐碱地上微咸水膜下滴灌不同灌水下限对土壤水盐运移和玉米产量的影响,在长胜试验站开展了微咸水膜下滴灌玉米的大田试验。试验采用负压计指导灌溉,控制滴头下20cm深处的土壤基质势下限分别为-10,-20,-30,-40kPa,每个处理重复3次,按随机区组布置。结果表明:膜下滴灌湿润体形状在垂直于滴灌带的滴头所在竖直剖面上近似为半椭圆形,随着灌水下限的增大,湿润层土体含水率增大;玉米根部附近均出现盐分低值区,膜外表层均出现盐分高值区;-20kPa和-30kPa灌水下限适中,既能较充分淋洗膜内表层土壤盐分,又不会造成微咸水中的盐分滞留累积;在玉米生育期内,膜内、膜外地下100cm土体均积盐;-10kPa和-20kPa下限处理对应的湿润体垂直深度约为60cm;玉米收获后,地下100cm土体均积盐,需要进行秋浇或春汇,大量淋洗土壤盐分,保证耕地盐分不逐年累积;试验条件下,玉米产量随着灌水下限的降低而减少。     

Corn Monoculture Yield Response to Fertilization and Nitrate Nitrogen Distribution

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fertilization system, nitrate (NO₃)– nitrogen (N) distribution along soil profile, and their interaction on corn yield. The study was conducted at the experimental field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad (Serbia) during 2001–2004. Corn monoculture included four fertilization variants: control (Ø), nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers, mineral fertilizer + corn stalks (NPK + S), and mineral fertilizers + manure (NPK + M). The greatest yield was found in the variant NPK + M (9.25 t ha^?1). Path coefficients showed that greatest direct positive effects on corn yield were exhibited by NO₃-N levels at soil depths of 60–90 cm and 30–60 cm. The path analysis showed that winter precipitation (WP) had a direct negative effect on yield performance. However, the effect of the downward movement of NO₃-N from the topsoil to deeper soil layers of WP on yield was positive.     

玉米植株残体培肥土壤的研究

采用土培试验对玉米植株残体施人后土壤理化性质及有机质组成的变化进行了分析。结果表明，土壤加入玉米植株残体后，土壤微生物生物量碳和氮含量提高，土壤的阳离子交换量增强，松结合态、联结合态和紧结合态腐殖质的含量增加，稳结合态腐殖质的相对含量下降，土壤中五碳糖和六碳糖的含量升高，土壤胶体活性变强。玉米秸秆和根茬对土壤的培肥作用存在差异。     

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.