Beet vinasse applied to wheat under dryland conditions affects soil properties and yield

The effect of six doses of beet vinasse (0, 3, 6, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹, respectively) on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cajeme) yield in dryland conditions (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) for 3 years on a Typic Xerofluvent was studied. The results showed that at low doses, beet vinasse is of agricultural interest due mainly to its organic matter concentration. The application of this byproduct to the soil increased soil microbial biomass and mineralization of its organic matter increased NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil. This caused an increase in grain yield in the three seasons. When the vinasse was applied with high doses, NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil, soil microbial biomass, soil structure, bulk density, electric conductivity, nutrient uptake, crop yield and grain quality were negatively affected. We assume that the high amounts of monovalent cations, particularly Na⁺, and of fulvic acids, which had been transported into the soil by the vinasse, destabilized the soil structure. This may have led to anaerobic soil conditions being presumably responsible for restricted N mineralization or even for denitrification. This explains the lower N supply to the crops reflected by the low N concentrations in the leaves of treatments A4 and A5.     

Fertilisation of irrigated maize with pig slurry combined with mineral nitrogen

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a very important crop in many of the irrigated areas of the Ebro Valley (NE Spain). Intensive pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) production is also an important economic activity in these areas, and the use of pig slurry (PS) as a fertiliser for maize is a common practise. From 2002 to 2005, we conducted a field trial with maize in which we compared the application of 0, 30 and 60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS combined with 0, 100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹ of mineral N at sidedress. Yield, biomass and other related yield parameters differed from year to year and all of them were greatly influenced by soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting and by N (organic and/or mineral) fertilisation. All years average grain yield and biomass at maturity ranged from 9.3 and 18.9 Mg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 14.4 and 29.6 Mg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. Grain and total N biomass uptake average of the studied period ranged from 101 and 155 kg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 180 and 308 kg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. All years average soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting and after harvest were very high, and ranged from 138 and 75 kg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 367 and 457 kg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. The optimal N (organic and/or mineral) rate varied depending on the year and was influenced by the soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting. For this reason, soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting should be taken into account in order to improve N fertilisation recommendations. Moreover, the annual optimal N rates also gave the lowest soil NO₃⁻-N contents after harvest and the lowest N losses, as a consequence they also could be considered as the most environmentally friendly N rates.     

Monitoring nitrogen forms in soil/plant systems under different fertilizer managements. A preliminary investigation

A field experiment was carried out on maize (Zea mays, L.) to study the effects of different fertilizer management on nitrogen status in soil and plant response. Three different fertilizers, mineral (MN), mineral plus buffalo manure (MN + BM) and organo-mineral with peat (OMP), were added at the usual (140, 61 and 116 kg ha⁻¹) and the reduced (70, 31 and 58 kg ha⁻¹) rates of N, P and K. respectively. Soil samples were analyzed for N by both the Kjeldahl method and the electro-ultrafiltration technique (EUF). The soil Kjeldahl-N concentrations were scarcely affected by the different fertilizer treatments, while the EUF-N concentrations were closely correlated with the amounts of N added. The EUF also discriminated between the NO₃-N and the sum of the ammonium and the easily extractable organic N forms (EUF-N_org + NH₄). The largest proportions of EUF-Norg + NH₄ were found in the untreated plots and in the plots treated with buffalo manure. The different fertilizer treatments significantly affected grain yield, which ranged from a minimum of 6.3 t ha⁻¹ from the untreated plots, to a maximum of 11.9 t ha⁻¹ from those supplied with 140 kg N, 61 kg P and 116 kg K ha⁻¹ by OMP fertilizer. The highest agronomic efficiency index for N was exhibited in the OMP treatment at the reduced rate. The grain yield was closely correlated with the total extractable EUF-N, but different relationships were found between the rate of N added, the level of EUF-NO,-N in soil and grain yield for the different fertilizer treatments.     

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.     

Nitrogen mineralization in sandy loam soils under an intensive double-cropping forage system with dairy-cattle slurry applications

Nitrogen (N) mineralization and soil mineral N contents were measured at 2-week intervals over a 2-year period (June 1994–May 1996) on two different sites in the North West region of Portugal. The experiment was established in fields, which had for many years been under a double-cropping forage system with maize from May to September and a winter crop (mixture of cereals and Italian ryegrass) during the rest of the year. In addition to N fertilizers, dairy-cattle slurry was applied regularly at the sowing of each crop. On this intensive forage system, quantification of N released from slurry, crop residues and soil organic matter becomes important when better N use efficiency and reduced environmental impact from agricultural practices are required. Net N mineralization rates of the 0–10 cm soil layer fluctuated considerably between consecutive incubation periods and ranged from −0.88 to 1.87 mg N kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ with annual average rates of between 0.41 and 0.65 mg N kg⁻¹ day⁻¹. The total N mineralized in the 10 cm depth soil layer reached values between 122 and 224 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, showing that mineralization was a very important N source for the crops. The amounts of N released during the cold season (November–February) were equivalent to 27–48% of the yearly total. Regression analysis indicated that seasonal variation in N mineralization was only poorly explained by soil moisture and temperature. The changing balance during the year between soil moisture and temperature will contribute to the relatively constant N mineralization rates. Soil mineral N contents during the maize crop were high and exceeded the nutrient requirements for the optimum yield of this crop. Under the climatic conditions of the region and due to the poor development of the winter crop plants at the time, the mineral N left in the soil after the maize crop and released by mineralization during the cold season is particularly vulnerable to nitrate leaching losses.     

大田长期水氮处理对土壤氮素及小麦籽粒淀粉糊化特性的影响

土壤氮素和水分含量对小麦产量和品质有重要影响。为优化水肥管理实现优质高效栽培, 2014—2015和2015—2016小麦生长季在河南省温县大田水氮长期定位试验地块, 以中筋品种豫麦49-198为材料进行灌水与施氮两因子裂区试验。主区为灌水处理, 设全生育期不灌水(W0)、拔节期750 m ³ hm ^-2 (W1)和拔节期750 m ³ hm ^-2 +开花期750 m ³ hm ^-2 (W2) 3个水平, 副区为氮素处理, 设不施氮(N0)及总氮量180 (N1)、240 (N2)和300 kg hm ^-2 (N3) 4个水平。与W0处理相比, 2个灌水处理均显著降低耕层土壤(0~20 cm)中的硝态氮含量, 灌水处理的籽粒支链淀粉含量、总淀粉含量、淀粉峰值黏度、谷值黏度和最终黏度均显著高于不灌水处理。灌水还增加了籽粒中小淀粉粒(粒径<5.0 μm)的体积百分比, 2014—2015年度增幅显著, W1、W2处理分别较W0处理增加3.4%和4.8%。施氮提高耕层土壤硝态氮含量, 但籽粒直链淀粉含量和小淀粉粒体积百分比低于不施氮处理。在0~240 kg hm ^-2施氮量范围内, 籽粒支链淀粉含量、总淀粉含量及峰值黏度、谷值黏度、最终黏度均随施氮量增加而增加。相关分析表明, 耕层土壤硝态氮含量与总淀粉含量、峰值黏度、谷值黏度和最终黏度间呈极显著正相关。拔节期灌1水、施氮量240 kg hm ^-2条件下, 耕层土壤硝态氮含量为19.64~20.55 mg kg ^-1, 小麦籽粒黏度值较高, 同时改善了淀粉品质。     

N2 fixation and N supply in organic pea (Pisum sativum L.) cropping systems as affected by weeds and peaweevil (Sitona lineatus L.)

Grain legumes, especially peas, could play a key role in organic cropping systems. They could provide nitrogen (N) to the system via N₂ fixation and produce grain rich in protein while improving soil N for the succeeding crop. Thus, maximising N₂ fixation and optimising grain N production together with N contribution to soil is a challenging issue for organic pea crops. However, pest, disease and weed infestation are less easy to control in organic systems than in conventional systems. Therefore, the effects of weed infestation and pea weevil (Sitona lineatus L.) attacks on N nutrition and N₂ fixation of organic pea crops were examined by on-farm monitoring over two years. The magnitude of the net contribution of the crops to the soil N balance in relation to their productivity was also assessed. In many situations, weed infestation together with pea weevil damage severely limited the nitrogen nutrition and grain yield. Percentage of N derived from fixation (%Ndfa) increased with weed biomass because weeds appeared more competitive than peas for soil N. But %Ndfa decreased with pea weevil leaf damage score. The interaction between these two biotic factors affected N yields and the net contribution of the crops to soil N. This latter ranged from −133 kg N ha⁻¹ to 69 kg N ha⁻¹ depending on %Ndfa and nitrogen harvest index (NHI). Optimising both grain N and net balance would require a reduction in root nodule damage by weevil larvae in order to maximise %Ndfa and a reduction in the NHI through the choice of cultivar and/or suitable crop management.     

The effect of lupins as compared with peas and oats on the yield of the subsequent winter barley crop

New high yielding early maturing cultivars of lupins have been introduced in north-west Europe as grain protein crops in crop rotations. This paper reports on a comparative study of lupins with peas and oats, and of their effect on yield of subsequent winter barley crops. These crops were given five levels of N under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on sand and loam. Under rain fed conditions the grain yield of pea, oat and lupin varied between 24–36, 34–53 and 18–37 hkg DM ha⁻¹, respectively. Supplemental irrigation raised grain yield of oat to 50–60 hkg DM ha⁻¹, while grain yield in pea was not affected and grain yield in lupin in most cases decreased due to gray mould attack and excessive vegetative growth in the indeterminate lupin variety. Under rain fed conditions, the grain nitrogen content of pea, oat and lupin varied between 137–172, 61–80 and 189–226 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, and was significantly higher in lupin as compared with pea. On sandy soil, similar low-root densities were found for pea, oat and lupin below 30 cm depth. On sand, at final harvest the residual soil-N of lupin and pea, as measured in a subsequent winter barley crop not supplied with N fertilizer, was 15 and 8–10 kg N ha⁻¹ higher than in winter barley following oat, respectively. The nature of the probably more N-root residues of lupin is discussed. On loam, the residual N of lupin and pea was similar, 18–27 kg N ha⁻¹. On sand, under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea as compared with oat, increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application 77 and 49%, respectively; the effect of lupin was significantly higher than that of pea until the highest N-level 120 kg N-application ha⁻¹. On loam under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application by 36 and 62%, respectively, as compared with oat; at N-application>60 kg N ha⁻¹ the grain yield was similar after all three crops. For both soil types the same level of effect was found under irrigated conditions. Conclusions: Supplemental irrigation might result in lower grain yield in lupin due to gray mould attack and excessive growth if indeterminate lupin varieties are used. Grain nitrogen yield of lupin is significantly higher than that of pea. On sand, the effect of lupin on the subsequent winter barley grain yield is significantly higher than that of pea, probably due to greater N-root nitrogen residues. On loam, lupin and pea have similar effects on the subsequent winter barley crop.     

Uptake and partitioning of sludge-borne copper in field-grown maize (Zea mays L.)

Accumulation of sludge-borne copper (Cu) by field-grown maize and its distribution between the different plant organs was studied in detail in a long-term sewage sludge field trial. Since 1974, field plots on a coarse sandy soil have been amended each year with farmyard manure (FYM) at a rate of 10 t dry matter (DM) ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and with sewage sludge at the two levels of 10 t DM ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (SS 10) and 100 t DM ha⁻¹ per 2 years (SS 100). All field plots have been cropped annually with maize. In 1993, five replicate plants per treatment were examined at six different growth stages from seedling to grain maturity. Each plant was separated into at least 12 different parts and the Cu content of each was determined. Regarding growth parameters, no visible deleterious effects on plant development due to the different soil treatments could be observed, although the dry matter yield of roots and stalks of SS 100-treated plants was significantly reduced. Significantly increased Cu concentrations of up to 60 mg Cu kg⁻¹ DM in the roots of young SS 100-grown maize plants and of up to 20 mg Cu kg⁻¹ DM in the upper leaves at silage stage were found. No critical Cu amounts were reached in the grains until harvest.     

Delaying senescence of wheat with fungicides has interacting effects with cultivar on grain sulphur concentration but not with sulphur yield or nitrogen:sulphur ratios

Winter wheat was grown in three field experiments, each repeated over two or three seasons, to investigate effects of extending flag leaf life by fungicide application on the concentration, kg ha⁻¹ and mg grain⁻¹ of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) as well as N:S ratio and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume. The experiments involved up to six cultivars and different application rates, timings and frequencies of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole. For every day the duration to 37% green flag leaf area (m) was extended, N yield was increased by 2.58 kg ha⁻¹, N per grain by 0.00957 mg, S yield by 0.186 kg ha⁻¹ and S per grain by 0.000718 mg. The N:S ratio decreased by 0.0135 per day. There was no evidence that these responses varied with cultivar. In contrast, the relationship between flag leaf life and N or S concentration interacted with cultivar. The N and S concentrations of Shamrock, the cultivar that suffered most from brown rust (Puccinia recondita), increased with the extension of flag leaf life whereas the concentrations of N and S in Malacca, a cultivar more susceptible to Septoria tritici, decreased as flag leaf senescence was delayed. This was because the relationships between m and N and S yields were much better conserved over cultivars than those between m and thousand grain weight (TGW) and grain yield ha⁻¹.     

Grain yield, and dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in durum wheat as affected by variety and seeding rate

The influence of crop density on the remobilization of dry matter and nitrogen from vegetative plant parts to the developing grain, was investigated in the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties Creso, Simeto and Svevo cultivated in the field at three seeding rates, 200, 250 and 400 seeds m⁻². Variety × seeding rate interaction was unsignificant for all recorded characters. Grain yield declined in the order Svevo > Simeto > Creso. Yield differences mainly depended on the different number of kernels per unit land and, secondly, on mean kernel weight. Spike components differed among varieties: Svevo and Simeto showed more kernels per spikelet and Creso more spikelets per spike. Grain yield was highest with 400 seeds m⁻² primarily due to the higher number of spikes per unit area, and secondly, to the higher mean kernel weight. Post-heading dry matter accumulation was highest in Svevo and lowest in Creso, but varieties showed a reverse order for dry matter remobilization and contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield. The increase of seeding rate increased both the post-heading dry matter accumulation and the dry matter remobilization from vegetative plant parts to grain. Nitrogen uptake of the whole crop and N content of grain was higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso. The N concentration of grain did not vary among varieties, but Svevo showed a markedly lower N concentration and N content of culms at maturity, which may be consequence of the high N remobilization efficiency performed by this variety. The N uptake by the crop was highest with 400 seeds m⁻², but the N concentration of culms, leaves and even grain was slightly lower than with the lower seed rates. The post-heading N accumulation was by far higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso, whereas remobilization was highest in Svevo and lowest in Simeto. The percentage contribution of N remobilization to grain N was by far higher in Creso than in the other two varieties. Post-heading N accumulation and N remobilization were highest with the highest plant density, but the contribution of N remobilization to N grain content did not differ between seeding rates.     

Biomass yield and energy balance of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) cropped in central Italy as related to different management practices

In order to evaluate the possibility of reducing energy input in giant reed (Arundo donax L.) as a perennial biomass crop, a field experiment was carried out from 1996 to 2001 in central Italy. Crop yield response to fertilisation (200–80–200 kg ha⁻¹ N–P–K), harvest time (autumn and winter) and plant density (20,000 and 40,000 plants per ha) was evaluated. The energy balance was assessed considering the energy costs of production inputs and the energy output obtained by the transformation of the final product. The crop yield increased by +50% from the establishment period to the 2nd year of growth when it achieved the highest dry matter yield. The mature crop displayed on average annual production rates of 3 kg dry matter m⁻², with maximum values obtained in fertilised plot and during winter harvest time.

Fertilisation mainly enhanced dry matter yield in the initial period (+0.7 kg dry matter m⁻² as years 1–6 mean value). The biomass water content was affected by harvest time, decreasing by about 10% from autumn to winter. With regard to plant density, higher dry matter yields were achieved with 20,000 plants per ha (+0.3 kg dry matter m⁻² as years 1–6 mean value).

The total energy input decreased from fertilised (18 GJ ha⁻¹) to not fertilised crops (4 GJ ha⁻¹). The higher energetic input was represented by fertilisation which involved 14 GJ ha⁻¹ (fertilisers plus their distribution) of total energy costs. This value represents 78% of total energy inputs for fertilised crops.

Giant reed biomass calorific mean value (i.e., the calorific value obtained from combustion of biomass sample in an adiabatic system) was about 17 MJ kg⁻¹ dry matter and it was not affected by fertilisation, or by plant density or harvest time. Fertilisation enhanced crop biomass yield from 23 to 27 dry tonnes per ha (years 1–6 mean value). This 15% increase was possible with an energy consumption of 70% of the overall energy cost. Maximum energy yield output was 496 GJ ha⁻¹, obtained with 20,000 plants per ha and fertilisation. From the establishment period to 2nd–6th year of growth the energy production efficiency (as ratio between energy output and energy input per ha) and the net energy yield (as difference between energy output and energy input per ha) increased due to the low crop dry biomass yield and the high energy costs for crop planting. The energy production efficiency and net energy yield were also affected by fertilisation and plant density. In the mature crop the energy efficiency was highest without fertilisation both with 20,000 (131 GJ ha⁻¹) and 40,000 plants per ha (119 GJ ha⁻¹).     

施氮量对高粱产量、品质及氮利用效率的影响

为了更好地对高粱进行氮素管理,采用盆栽试验研究了施氮量对高粱生长、籽粒产量及品质、氮素累积及转运利用的影响。选取肥力较低的土壤,设6个氮水平：0（N0）、0.05（N1）、0.1（N2）、0.2（N3）、0.4（N4）和0.6g/kg（N5）（风干土）。结果表明,N3处理干物质累积量、叶片SPAD值、籽粒产量、穗粒数及收获指数均显著高于N0和N5处理;N3处理籽粒淀粉含量低于N1处理,但淀粉产量最高;随施氮量的增加籽粒单宁含量降低,蛋白质含量增加,蛋白质总产量以N3和N4最高。随施氮量的增加叶鞘中NO₃^--N含量增加,N3处理挑旗期和穗花期叶鞘中NO₃^--N含量明显高于N0、N1和N2,但在灌浆期N0~N3处理间硝态氮含量没有显著差异;N3处理从茎叶向籽粒的转运率最高,达到76.76%。综上,适宜的施氮量有利于高粱生长及产量的提高,且在生长前期提高了叶鞘中硝态氮累积,能协调籽粒产量和功能成分的关系,获得较高的淀粉和蛋白总产量。     

Yield and quality components of silage maize in killed and live cover crop sods

In sloping areas with high precipitation, planting maize into live winter cover crop sods may help to alleviate the environmental problems associated with clean-tillage production systems of maize. The present study evaluates the performance of silage maize (Zea mays L.) under several cultivation methods: CC (conventional cropping system, i.e., maize was sown into the bare, autumn-ploughed soil); LGS/CK (maize was planted into a living Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sod which was subsequently herbicidally killed); and LGS/MR (similar to LGS/CK, but the ryegrass was mechanically regulated). The research was conducted in the midlands of Switzerland on a fertile sandy loam under humid conditions during three cropping seasons. With 110 kg N ha⁻¹ (fertilizer nitrogen plus mineral nitrogen of the soil at maize planting), the CC system was much more productive than were the LGS/CK and LGS/MR systems in terms of dry matter and nitrogen yields of maize. Increasing the nitrogen supply to 250 kg N ha⁻¹ considerably reduced the yield advantage of CC over the LGS/CK and LGS/MR systems, indicating that nitrogen was the most limiting factor for maize yield in the mulch seeding systems. With 250 kg N ha⁻¹, the LGS/CK and LGS/MR systems produced greater total yields of digestible organic matter (maize plus ryegrass) than did the CC system, whereas the total nitrogen yield was similar for all cropping systems. The whole-shoot concentrations of nitrogen were highest under CC, irrespective of the level of nitrogen supply. With 110 kg N ha⁻¹, concentrations of phosphorus and magnesium were clearly higher for the mulch seeding systems. There were only minor differences among the cropping methods in the concentrations of potassium and calcium in the whole shoot. When 250 kg N ha⁻¹ were applied, there were no significant variations among the cropping systems in the concentrations of minerals. Changes in the botanical composition of the cover crop sod and in the time and method of cover crop control may help to reduce the competition for nitrogen between maize and the living mulch.     

长期施用不同剂量氮肥对高粱产量、氮素利用特性和土壤硝态氮含量的影响

To determine a suitable nitrogen fertilizer application rate, an experiment was conducted using Jinza 34, Liaoza 27, Jinsi 2, Jinnuo 3, and Fenjiuliang 1 with six nitrogen (N) fertilization levels, including 0 (N0), 75 (N75), 150 (N150), 225 (N225), 300 (N300), and 450 kg hm^-2 (N450). The effects of long-term nitrogen fertilization with different levels on sorghum grain yield, nitrogen use characteristics and soil nitrate nitrogen distribution were investigated. The grain yield, grain number and N accumulation of sorghum increased initially and then tended to be stabile with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer application. Among them, the maximum increase of sorghum under N75 treatment compared with that under N0 treatment was 23.68%, 48.05%, and 51.86%, respectively. With the increase of nitrogen fertilizer application, the grain starch content decreased, while the grain starch yield increased firstly and then decreased. Nitrogen apparent recovery rate, nitrogen fertilizer agronomic efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency which were accumulated for five years were reduced significantly with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer application. Compared with the N150 treatment, nitrogen use efficiency accumulated for five years under N75 treatment, which was 63.01%, was increased by 76.91%. When nitrogen fertilizer application was beyond 225 kg hm^-2, after four to five years later, nitrate nitrogen residue was increased rapidly in the 60-200 cm soil layer year by year, NO₃^--N accumulation peaks distributed in the 0-200 cm soil layer and the risk of nitrate nitrogen leaching was increased. In view of the yield, starch yield, nitrogen utilization and environmental benefit, the reasonable nitrogen fertilizer application for sorghum was between 75 kg hm^-2 and 150 kg hm^-2.     

Effect of shading and nitrogen application on yield, grain size distribution and concentrations of nitrogen and water soluble carbohydrates in malting spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Experiments to investigate the effects of periods of low radiation, combined with different rates of nitrogen fertilization, on growth, grain yield, mean grain weight, grain size distribution and concentrations of nitrogen and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) were carried out in 1991 and 1993. The low radiation (60% of ambient radiation) was achieved by placing shading nets in fields of barley (cv. Prisma). There was an unshaded control (S1), plus three shading period treatments during the main phenological phases, with three rates of nitrogen fertilization (unfertilized control, 90 kg ha⁻¹ minus soil nitrogen and this rate plus 60 kg ha⁻¹ at the flag leaf stage). It was found that total grain yield was 5% lower after shading during tillering (S2), 35% lower after shading during stem elongation (S3) and 45% lower after shading during grain filling (S4). Treatments S2 and S3 considerably reduced the concentration of WSC in plant organs and increased the nitrogen concentration and, in general, the concentrations returned to the values of the control after the shading period. The S3 treatment markedly reduced the number of grains m⁻², mainly because there were 35% fewer grains per spike. This treatment resulted in a mean grain weight 14% above that of the control, but only in 1991. Weather was probably responsible for this disparity: in 1991, the spring was cold and wet and the summer was warm and dry, but in 1993 the spring was warm and dry and the summer was cool and wet. The S4 treatment reduced mean grain weight by 40% in 1991 and by 25% in 1993 and shifted the median of the size distribution towards smaller grains in both years. In S4, the N concentration in the grains was markedly increased, resulting in unacceptably high protein concentrations (14–21%) for malting quality. Higher rates of nitrogen fertilization increased leaf area index (LAI), total dry matter production and grain N concentration. Nitrogen had a positive effect in establishing yield potential because it increased grain number per unit area; however, it did not improve assimilate supply during grain filling, and hence grain number and mean grain weight were negatively correlated. Only in 1993 did nitrogen increase grain yield. It is concluded that shading during the growing period and high rates of nitrogen fertilization adversely affect the quality (in terms of grain size, size distribution and grain nitrogen concentration) of malting barley.     

Water use and water use efficiency of cool season grain legumes in low rainfall Mediterranean-type environments

The water use (E_t) and water use efficiency (WUE) of a range of cool season grain legume species (field pea [Pisum sativum L.], faba bean [Vicia faba L.], chickpea [Cicer arietinum L.], lentil [Lens culinaris Med.], albus lupin [Lupinus albus L.], dwarf chickling [Lathyrus cicera L.], ochrus chickling [Lathyrus ochrus L.], grass pea [Lathyrus sativus L.], narbon bean [Vicia narbonensis L.], common vetch [Vicia sativa L.], and purple vetch [Vicia benghalensis L.]) were examined on fine textured neutral to alkaline soils in the low to medium rainfall Mediterranean-type environments in south-western Australia at Merredin and Mullewa in two seasons. There was no difference in the total E_t between grain legumes at either site in either year. There was also no variation in soil water extraction between species on the shallow sandy loam soil at Merredin. However, C. arietinum, L. sativus and L. cicera had greater water extraction and P. sativum the least water extraction at Mullewa where soil conditions were less hostile and root penetration was not restricted. The pattern of water use varied markedly between the grain legume species examined. Grain yield was positively correlated with post-flowering water use (E_tpa) in both erect (r=0.59) and prostrate (r=0.54) grain legume species. Water use efficiencies for dry matter production (WUE_dm) of up to 30 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for V. faba and V. narbonensis at Merredin, and water use efficiencies for grain yield (WUE_gr) of up to 16 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for P. sativum and 13 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for V. faba at Mullewa, were comparable to those reported for cereals and other grain legumes in previous studies in this and other environments. Potential transpiration efficiencies (TE) of 15 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ together with soil evaporation (E_s) values of 100–125 mm were estimated in this and associated studies, and can be used as benchmark values to assess the yield potential of cool season grain legume crops in low rainfall Mediterranean-type environments. The major traits of adaptation for grain legume species producing large yields in this short season environment are early flowering, and pod and seed set before the onset of terminal drought. Early phenology together with rapid ground cover and dry matter production allows greater water use in the post flowering period. This leads to greater partitioning of dry matter into seed, which is reflected in greater harvest index (HI) and WUE_gr, as was observed for V. faba and P. sativum. Improvement in the adaptation of other grain legume species to short season Mediterranean-type environments requires increased early growth for rapid ground cover and improved tolerance to low temperatures (especially for C. arietinum) during flowering and podding.     

黄淮海区域现代夏玉米品种产量与养分吸收规律

为玉米合理施肥,实现高产高效提供理论依据,2016年在济南商河国家农作物新品种展示示范中心和山东农业大学作物生物学国家重点实验室进行试验,于玉米完熟期进行植株取样,测定产量、产量构成因素和植株矿质元素含量,探究黄淮海区域现代夏玉米品种的产量与养分吸收规律。探测分析和正态分布检测结果表明单株生产力、单株生物产量、千粒重和籽粒产量分别符合正态分布N (167.0, 22.722)、N (285.0, 33.472)、N (318.0, 35.752)和N (10.9,1.502),其变化范围为141.55～246.99 g株–1、197.68～389.92 g株–1、226.58～413.76 g和5.84～13.41 t hm~(–2)。每生产100kg籽粒氮素需求量平均为1.95 kg,单位籽粒氮素需求量随籽粒产量提高呈降低趋势。当产量水平由7.0 t hm~(–2)增加到8.0～9.0 t hm~(–2)时,每生产100 kg籽粒氮素需求量从2.15 kg降低到1.96 kg,主要是收获指数升高和籽粒氮浓度降低造成的;当产量水平由8.0～9.0 t hm~(–2)增加到10.0～11.0 t hm~(–2)时,每生产100 kg籽粒氮素需求量从1.96 kg降低到1.84 kg,主要是籽粒氮浓度降低造成的;当产量水平由10.0～11.0 t hm~(–2)增加到11.0 t hm~(–2)时,单位籽粒氮素需求量基本不再变化。生产100kg玉米籽粒的磷素需求量平均为0.97kg,其与籽粒产量呈显著负相关,从产量水平7.0t hm~(–2)的1.07 kg下降到产量水平11.0 t hm~(–2)的0.92 kg,这是由收获指数升高和籽粒磷浓度降低造成的。生产100 kg玉米籽粒钾素需求量平均为1.89 kg,其与籽粒产量呈显著负相关,从产量水平7.0 t hm~(–2)的2.14 kg下降到产量水平11.0 t hm~(–2)的1.74 kg,这是由收获指数升高、茎秆钾浓度增加和叶片钾浓度降低造成的。当前黄淮海区域现代玉米品种籽粒产量为(8.91±1.23)thm~(–2),生产100kg籽粒的氮素、磷素和钾素需求量的变化范围分别为(1.95±0.24)、(0.97±0.11)和(1.89±0.28)kg。氮磷钾需求量随产量的提高而增加,但每生产100kg籽粒产量的氮素、磷素和钾素需求量随着产量升高而下降。     

3种植物对养殖水体中氮磷净化作用研究

为研究养殖水体中适于净化氮磷的植物,选择凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes)、紫背浮萍(Spirodela polyrrhiza)、空心菜(Ipomoea aquatica)等3种植物为试验对象。通过对每种植物设定生物量梯度,每5天取1次水样,测定分析养殖水体的总氮(TN)、硝酸盐(NO₃ ^-)、亚硝酸盐(NO₂ ^-)、氨氮(NH₄ ⁺-N)和总磷(TP)等氮磷指标,进行不同植物、生物量梯度以及试验时间对养殖水体氮磷净化效果的研究。结果显示,3种植物均正常生长,对养殖水体氮磷均有较好净化能力。3种植物对氮净化效果较好的时间在10~15天,对磷的净化效果较好的时间则在15~20天。凤眼莲生物量2000~2500 g/m ³,浮萍生物量150~200 g/m ³,空心菜生物量800~1600 g/m ³对氮磷的净化效果最佳。3种植物均可用于养殖水体的氮磷净化,3种植物对养殖水体中TN、TP、NO₃ ^-去除效果空心菜>浮萍>凤眼莲,对NO₂ ^-、NH₄ ⁺-N去除效果凤眼莲>空心菜>浮萍。凤眼莲更适于养殖水体的氮磷净化。     

水氮耦合对地膜玉米免耕轮作小麦干物质积累及产量的影响

前茬地膜玉米免耕种植后茬小麦水氮高效利用生产技术是绿洲灌区作物高效生产的新型农田管理技术。为构建该区地膜减量和水氮高效生产技术, 2015—2017年通过3年田间试验, 研究两种耕作方式、2种灌水水平和3个施氮量组合对小麦干物质积累和产量及产量构成的协同效应, 其中耕作方式为覆膜玉米茬免耕直播(NT)和玉米茬传统耕作(CT), 灌水量为传统灌水(I2)和传统灌水减量20% (I1), 施氮量为纯N 225 kg hm ^-2 (N3)、180 kg hm ^-2 (N2)和135 kg hm ^-2 (N1)。结果表明, 耕作方式、灌水水平、施氮量对小麦群体生长速率、干物质积累量均有显著影响。与CT相比, NT显著增大全生育期生长速率, 提高22.0%~28.0%, NT促进小麦地上干物质积累, 提高6.4%~7.4%, 收获期生物产量提高5.4%~15.1%。免耕低灌(NTI1)较传统耕作高灌(CTI2)的生长速率增大7.7%~13.4%, 干物质积累量提高3.1%~5.9%, 收获期生物产量提高8.7%~10.5%。免耕低灌中施氮(NTI1N2)较传统耕作高灌中、高施氮(CTI2N2、CTI2N3) 生长速率分别增大6.9%~20.5%与4.1%~14.0%, 收获期生物产量分别提高7.8%~9.7%与4.8%~10.2%。NT比CT增产10.1%~10.4%, NTI1较CTI2、CTI1分别增产13.0%~14.8%与9.4%~10.1%, NTI1N2比CTI2N2、CTI2N3分别增产3.7%~9.8%与15.2%~22.0%。从产量构成因素分析, NTI1N2提高了单位面积成穗数、穗粒数和千粒重, NTI1N2处理组合更有利于穗数、千粒重的增加。通径分析进一步证明, NTI1N2增产的主要原因是增加了单位面积穗数和千粒重。因此, 在施氮量为180 kg hm ^-2的基础上, 玉米茬地膜再利用免耕技术组装减少20%灌溉量(1920 m ³ hm ^-2)轮作小麦模式是河西灌区小麦高效生产的可行措施。