Ratios of Nutrients in Lowland Rice Grown on Two Iron Toxic Soils in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a widespread nutritional soil constraint affecting rice production in the wetland soils of West Africa. Critical levels of total iron in plant causing toxicity is difficult to determine as different rice cultivars respond to excessive Fe^{2 +} in various ways in what is called “bronzing” or “yellowing” symptoms (VBS). An investigation was conducted to evaluate the relationship between plant growth and nutrient ratios at four iron levels (1000, 3000, 4000 μ g L^?1) and control. This involved two rice cultivars (‘ITA 212’ and ‘Suakoko 8’), and two soil types (Aeric Fluvaquent and Aeric Tropaquept). The experimental design was a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial in a completely randomized fashion with four replications. The results showed that nutrient ratios [phosphorus (P)/Fe, potassium (K)/Fe, calcium (Ca)/Fe, magnesium (Mg)/Fe, and manganese (Mn)/Fe), Fe content, and Fe uptake vary widely with the iron levels as well as with the age of the cultivars. The iron toxicity scores expressed as VBS increased with increasing Fe^{2 +} in the soils, resulting in simultaneous reduction of the following variables: plant height, tiller numbers/pot, relationships grain yield (GY) and dry matter yield (DMY). There were no significant difference between nutrient ratios, Fe contents, Fe uptake, the GY and DMY of both rice cultivars on both soil types. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that Fe uptake and Fe contents contributed 42% and 17% respectively to the variation in the grain yield of ‘ITA 212’ on Aeric Tropaquept. On both soil types and cultivars, Fe uptake and Fe content contributed between 26 and 68% to the variation in the DMY, while the nutrient ratios (P/Fe, K/Fe, Ca/Fe, and Mn/Fe) contributed between 3% and 13% DMY. Thus, it could be concluded that iron toxicity in rice is more a function of a single nutrient (Fe) rather than nutrient ratios.     

Soil in Suitability Evaluation for Irrigated Lowland Rice Culture in Southwestern Nigeria: Management Implications for Sustainability

Rice grows in all agro‐ecological zones in Nigeria and it is largely grown by small‐scale farmers. An investigation was conducted to assess the representative pedons used for rice cultivation in the southwestern part of Nigeria. The aims were to assess how suitable these lands are for rice cultivation and what constraints to continuous and sustained rice production occurs on these soils. Data (climate, soil, water, etc.) were collected from rain‐forest agro‐ecological zones (AEZ) in which these pedons are located. After laboratory analyses, the land qualities/characteristics (LQ/LC) of these pedons were compared with the land‐use requirements (LUR) for cultivating lowland rice using two methods of evaluation (conventional/FAO approach and the parametric method). Results showed that the two methods rated the aggregate suitability of these pedons for rice between marginal (S3) and unsuitable (N1). Major constraints identified in these pedons are poor soil texture, which translates to poor water management coupled with suboptimal nutrient contents [i.e., available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), and cation exchange capacity (CEC)], which may predispose rice plants to excessive iron (Fe²⁺) uptake (or bronzing or yellowing symptoms). Grain yields (GYs) collected from the farmers' field (1994 and 1995 cropping seasons) showed that in the current state of two of the soil series (Apomu and Matako), the GY of the two rice cultivars ranged between 0.61 and 2.13 t/ha and declines progressively across years in the two cropping seasons. The result suggests that in spite of good climate for irrigated lowland rice cultivation in SW Nigeria and indeed all Nigeria, special attention must be paid to the soils on which this crop is grown in terms of the soil texture, appropriate water management, and optimum contents of soil nutrients, especially available P, exchangeable K, and CEC. Thus for a sustained and continuous rice production on these soils, it is important that nutrient contents of the soil be augmented with fertilizer (organic and inorganic) coupled with appropriate water management.     

Nutrient constraint of rainfed rice production in foot slope soil of Guinea Forest in Côte d’Ivoire

Soil nutrient deficiencies can affect rice yield and grain mineral content wherever they occur, but an understanding of their effect on upland rice production in humid forest zone of West Africa is still limited. Therefore, a nutrient omission trial was conducted on foot slope soil in 2003, 2004 and 2005 in Côte d’Ivoire using rice variety WAB 56–104. The effect on rice grain yield (GY) and nutrient content of complete fertilizer (Fc with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn)) was compared with Fc from which a specific nutrient was excluded (Fc – N, Fc – P, Fc – K, Fc – Ca, Fc – Mg and Fc – Zn). Before the trial, soil K (0.10 cmol kg^?1) and Mg (0.20 cmol kg^?1) contents were suitable, but available P-Bray I (4.2 mg kg^?1) was found to be deficient. In course of the study, K, Mg and P deficiencies were observed. An antagonistic effect was observed between rice GY and grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca for treatments Fc – Mg, Fc – P and Fc – K, respectively. Therefore, the use of P, K and Mg fertilizers is recommended for successive cropping seasons in order to rich stable and high rice yield while decreasing of grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca can be observed.     

Effect of Organic Manure and Crop Residue Based Long-Term Nutrient Management Systems on Soil Quality Changes under Sole Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) and Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) – Finger Millet Rotation in Rainfed Alfisol

A long-term experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of integrated use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on soil quality and its relation to finger millet yield under two predominant crop rotations viz., groundnut–finger millet and finger millet monocropping in hot moist semiarid rainfed Alfisol soils in South India. Two experiments were laid out separately for each cropping system in a randomized complete block design with five treatments individually with FYM and maize residue-based combinations viz., Control (T1), FYM @ 10t ha ^?1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha ^?1 (T2), farm yard manure (FYM) @ 10t ha ^?1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha ^?1 + 50% RDF (Recommended Fertiliser Dose) N, P₂O₅ &; K₂O (T3), FYM @ 10t ha ^?1 or Maize residue (MR) @ 5t ha ^?1 + 100% RDF N,P₂O₅ &; K₂O (T4), Recommended N, P₂O₅ &; K₂O (T5). Thus, four sets of nutrient management systems were evaluated. The results showed that farm yard manure or maize residue application in combination with recommended dose of fertilizer significantly improved the soil physical, chemical, and biological properties compared to control and application of inorganic fertilizers alone. Based on evaluation of 19 soil quality parameters under each of the four nutrient management systems, the common key soil quality indicators emerged out were: organic C (OC), available nitrogen (N), available sulfur (S), and mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates. A significant correlation between the finger millet yield and the relative soil quality indices (RSQI) indicates the importance of soil quality in these semiarid Alfisol soils. The results and the methodology adopted in the present study could be of importance in improving the soil quality not only for the region of the study, but also in other identical soils and cropping systems across the world.     

Effects of rice cropping intensity on soil nitrogen mineralization rate and potential in buried ancient paddy soils from the Neolithic Age in China’s Yangtze River Delta

Purpose

Rice cropping density, rice cropping duration, and fertilization can affect soil nitrogen (N) supply, but rice cropping intensity (RCI) on soil N fertility is not fully understood, particularly for ancient paddy soils without N fertilization.

Materials and methods

Eight buried ancient paddy soils from the Neolithic Age in China’s Yangtze River Delta, and its parent material, and seven present paddy soils in the same fields were used to investigate the effects of RCI on soil nitrogen mineralization rate and potential. In the present study, concentration of phytolith of rice in soils was used to indicate the RCI.

Results and discussion

Soil N content was obviously greater in the buried Neolithic paddy soils than in the parent material. Total soil N increased with increasing phytolith from 5,200 to 60,000 pellets g^?1, but tended to decrease with increasing phytolith from 60,000 to 105,000 pellets g^?1. A possible reason for RCI-induced increase of soil N was due to biological N₂ fixation in the rice field because there was a significant negative relationship between total N and δ¹⁵N in the buried Neolithic soils. The mineralization rate constant (k) ranged from 0.0126 to 0.0485 d^?1 with an average of 0.0276 d^?1, which was similar to that of the parent material, but lower than those in the present paddy soils. The k value increased with increasing RCI in the Neolithic paddy soils. There was a significant positive relation between RCI and the percentage of cumulative mineralizable N in the 14 d of that within 103 d incubation.

Conclusions

Soil N content tended to increase with the increasing intensity of rice cropping and then decreased under the high intensity of rice cropping; the excessive high intensification of rice cropping could facilitate fast N mineralization (labile N) fraction in the cumulated mineralized N. The unfertilized paddy field could only meet soil N supply under the low intensification of cropping rice in the Neolithic Age. The N fertilization is necessary in order to improve soil fertility for sustaining the present high-yield rice production.     

Diagnosis and Amelioration of Iron Deficiency under Aerobic Rice

ABSTRACT

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the serious nutritional disorders in aerobically grown rice on upland alkaline and calcareous soils, which leads to a decline in productivity. With a view to resolve the Fe-deficiency syndrome in aerobic rice, the influence of soil moisture regimes, farmyard manure (FYM) and applied Fe on the release of Fe was assessed under an incubation study. A field experiment was also conducted to evaluate the relative effectiveness of soil and foliar applications of Fe in alleviating Fe deficiency using four rice cultivars (‘IR 36’, ‘IR 64’, ‘IR 71525-19-1-1’ and ‘CT 6510-24-1-2’). Results of incubation study indicated that the application of FYM marginally improved the diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Fe status of soil over control. However, application of iron sulfate (FeSO₄ · 7H₂O) at 14 mg Fe/kg with FYM released as much Fe as did the application of 27 mg Fe/kg as FeSO₄ 7H₂O alone. Comparatively higher amounts of Fe were released under water saturation than that under drier soil moisture regimes and the effect of incubation period in releasing Fe was pronounced only under water saturation.

Under field study, supplementation of Fe through integrated or inorganic source caused improvement in the DTPA and ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) extractable Fe similar to that recorded under incubation. The foliar application of Fe (3% FeSO₄ 7H₂O solution, thrice at 40, 60, and 75 days after sowing of rice, i.e., 45 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O/ha) was most effective and economical in correcting Fe deficiency in aerobic rice, followed by soil application of 150 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O + 10 t FYM/ ha and 305 kg FeSO₄.7H₂O/ha. Among the rice cultivars, ‘CT 6510-24-1-2’ and ‘IR 71525-19-1-1’ performed better under aerobic condition compared to ‘IR 36’ and ‘IR 64’. Differential response of rice cultivars to applied Fe was not related to Fe-nutrition; rather it was apparently related with inherent ability of cultivars to grow under water-stress condition. Ferrous iron (Fe^II) content in rice plants proved to be a better index of Fe-nutrition status compared to total plant Fe and chemically extractable soil Fe. The Fe^II concentration of ≥ 37 mg kg^?1 in plants (on dry weight basis) appeared to be an adequate level at 60 days after sowing for direct seeded rice grown under upland aerobic condition.     

EFFECTS OF A MULTISTRAIN BIOFERTILIZER AND PHOSPHORUS RATES ON NUTRITION AND GRAIN YIELD OF PADDY RICE ON A SANDY SOIL IN SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Field experiments during two successive rainy seasons were conducted in southern Vietnam to evaluate the effects of a commercial inoculant biofertilizer (‘BioGro’) and fused magnesium phosphate (FMP) fertilizer on yield and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition of rice. Inoculation with BioGro containing a pseudomonad, two bacilli and a soil yeast significantly increased grain yield in the second season and straw yield in both seasons by 3–5%. The FMP fertilizer significantly increased grain yield from 1.72–2.33 t ha^?1 to 2.99–3.58 t ha^?1 along with total N and P accumulation at all rates in both cropping seasons. In the first season the difference in grain yield between BioGro treated and untreated plots was marginal but in the second season BioGro out-yielded the control at all the rates of added P. Overall, BioGro application did not compensate for low P fertilizer application to the same extent previously demonstrated for low N fertilizer applications.     

Early changes due to sorghum biofuel cropping systems in soil microbial communities and metabolic functioning

Evaluation of biofuel production cropping systems should address not only energy yields but also the impacts on soil attributes. In this study, forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cropping systems were initiated on a low organic matter soil (<0.9 %) with a history of intensively tilled low-input cotton production in the semiarid Southern High Plains of the U.S. Sorghum cropping systems were evaluated in a split-plot design with sorghum cultivar as the main plot and the combination of irrigation level (non-irrigated and deficit irrigated) and aboveground biomass removal rate (50 % and 100 %) as the split plot. The sorghum cultivars used varied in yield potential and lignin content, which are important features for feedstock-producing crops. Within 1 year, the transition from long-term cotton cropping systems to sorghum biofuel cropping systems resulted in increased soil microbial biomass C (16 %) and N (17 %) and shifts in the microbial community composition as indicated by differences in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. Additionally, enzyme activities targeting C, N, P and S cycles increased 15–75 % (depending on the enzyme) after two growing seasons. Increased enzyme activities (16–19 %) and differences in FAME profiles were seen due to irrigation regardless of aboveground biomass removal rate. Biomass removal rate and the cultivar type had little effect on the soil microbial properties during the time frame of this study. Early results from this study suggest improvements in soil quality and the sustainability of sorghum biofuel cropping for low organic matter agricultural soils.     

Soil nutrient status and yield of rice as affected by long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers

Nutrient balance is the key component to increase crop yields. Excess and imbalanced use of nutrients has caused nutrient mining from the soil and deteriorated crop productivity and ultimately soil health. Replenishment of these nutrients has a direct impact on soil health and crop productivity. Based on this fact, the present research was conducted to determine the effects of long-term integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil nutrient status and yield (grain and straw) in rice. Different combinations of inorganic nitrogen (N) and organic sources (sewage sludge and compost) were applied to the soil. Data revealed that application of mineral NPK in combination with 50% N through compost significantly increased the organic matter content (0.36%), available phosphorus (16.50 kg/ha) and available potassium content (239.80 kg/ha) in soil. The maximum available N (225.12 kg/ha) was found by the substitution of 50% N through sewage sludge. This improvement in soil nutrient status through combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers produced significant increase in grain and straw yield as compared to inorganic fertilizers alone. Maximum grain (6.96 t/ha) and straw (8.56 t/ha) yields were found in treatment having substitution of 50% N (recommended) through compost @10t/ha. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between soil nutrients and straw and grain yield in rice. Thus the study demonstrated that substitution of 50% inorganic N through compost will be a good alternative for improving soil fertility.     

Tropical Rice Cultivars from Lowland and Upland Cropping Systems Differ in Iron Plaque Formation

In iron toxic wetlands, ferric hydroxide is commonly deposited on rice roots. This study aims to to evaluate the differences in iron plaque formation in rice cultivars from different cropping systems. Thirty days old seedlings of Brazilian rice cultivars from the lowland cropping system (‘BRS Atalanta’ and ‘Epagri 107’) and upland cropping system (‘Canastra’) or both systems (‘BRSMG Curinga’) and the cultivar ‘Nipponbare’ were exposed to iron excess [4 mM iron sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄.7H₂O)] for seven days in nutrient solution. It was observed iron plaque formation and ruptures of the root epidermal cells. The lowland cultivars showed higher Fe content in iron plaque. Iron stain was detected in the root hairs, epidermis, hypodermis, and exodermis. The root exodermis may be contributed to prevent the deposit of iron in the cortex of the lowland cultivars and in the cultivar ‘BRSMG Curinga’. It was observed in plants with iron plaque formation significant reductions in the shoot content of phosphorous, manganese and magnesium due to different causes. The differences in iron plaque formation among the cultivars might be an indicative of variations in exodermis selectivity, root oxidative capacity, and iron nutrition mechanisms.     

Differences in soil organic carbon stocks and fraction distributions between rice paddies and upland cropping systems in China

Purpose

A large body of research suggests that rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping facilitates soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, while the stability of the sequestered carbon is still not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in SOC stocks and fraction distributions between rice paddies and upland cropping fields and their variation in different rice cropping areas.

Materials and methods

Data from the national soil survey were analyzed to assess the differences in SOC contents between paddy and upland cropping fields at the regional scale. In addition, three pairs of rice and upland cropping systems were selected in Heilongjiang [single rice vs. single corn (Zea mays L.) cropping], Jiangsu [rice-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) vs. corn-wheat cropping], and Jiangxi (double rice vs. double corn cropping) provinces, representing the major cropping patterns in China. Physical fractionation techniques were used to investigate the differences in SOC stocks and distribution among different pools between rice-based cropping systems and non-rice cropping systems in China.

Results and discussion

SOC concentrations were, on average, 74.9% higher at the regional scale and 56.8% higher at the field scale in paddy than in upland cropping fields. Carbon proportion of particulate organic matter within microaggregates increased from 14.4% in upland cropping soils to 25.3% in paddy soils at the Heilongjiang site and from 12.4 to 25.5% at the Jiangxi site. Meanwhile, the free silt and clay-associated carbon was significantly greater in paddy than in upland cropping soils at the both sites. Nevertheless, SOC distribution did not markedly differ between paddy and upland cropping fields at the Jiangsu site where rice was rotated with winter wheat annually.

Conclusions

As compared to upland cropping or rice-upland crop rotation, continuous rice cropping, such as single and double rice cropping, could favor SOC stabilization by occlusion within microaggregates and adsorption to the silt and clay outside microaggregates, which may promote the long-term storage of SOC in paddies.     

Characterization of rhizosphere microbial communities in continuous cropping maca (Lepidium meyenii) red soil,Yunnan, China

ABSTRACT

Continuous cropping maca systems are widespread in Yunan Province, China. However, the relationships between continuous cropping maca systems and microbes are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of continuous cropping maca systems (Maca with 0, 1, 2, and 3 years of continuous cultivation) on the soil microbial community. The results showed that the soil organic matter, total N, total P, and total K contents, as well as maca fresh and dry weight, decreased significantly with increased continuous cropping years. Interestingly, qPCR analysis showed that the bacterial and fungal abundance (DNA levels) decreased and active bacterial and fungal abundance (RNA levels) increased with cropping years from the first to the third cropping (p < 0.05). Moreover, the abundance of actinomycetes in the CK soil was significantly higher than that in the other maca soils. In addition, the continuous cropping system resulted in rich diversity in the fungal structure and had little effects on the bacterial and actinomycete communities. Acidobacteria (50%) and Ascomycota (58.3%) were detected in the continuous cropping maca soils. Based on the present results, continuous cropping of maca not exceeding two years could be optimal to maintain soil nutrition and microbial community.     

Mapping of Chemical Characteristics and Fertility Status of Intensively Cultivated Soils of Punjab,India

Cultivation of high-yielding crop varieties and intensive cropping has depleted the soil fertility in Northwest (NW) India, resulting in the appearance of multi-nutrient deficiencies in different crops and cropping systems. In the present investigation, geo-referenced soil samples from Indian Punjab were analyzed to map fertility status using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Soil texture, which affects soil hydraulic properties and soil strength, varied from sandy to clayey loam, with majority (47.3%) of the cultivated area being sandy loam. About 95% of the total area of the state shows pH between 6.5 and 8.5 (40% of the area between pH 6.5 and 7.5 and 54% between 7.5 and 8.5) and electrical conductivity (EC) <0.8 dS m^?1. Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) with <5% values represents 97% area of the state. The GIS-based maps indicate that irrespective of the agroclimatic variations, more than 90% of the soils showed low to medium soil organic carbon (OC) content and 50% low to medium (<22.4 kg P ha^?1) available phosphorus (P) content with a marginal (7%) deficiency of potassium (K). The dominance of low to medium status of available P in these soils could be due to the mining of soil P by the rice–wheat cropping system practiced in the region. The intensively cultivated soils of Indian Punjab showed 11% of soil samples were low in zinc (Zn), 15% low in manganese (Mn), 2% low in copper (Cu), and 12% low in iron (Fe). Availability of micronutrients increased with increase in OC content and decreased with increase in sand content, pH, and CaCO₃. GIS-based maps are effective in identifying hot spots, which need immediate attention and call for strategic planning for sustainable management.     

GENOTYPIC VARIATION FOR PRODUCTIVITY,ZINC UTILIZATION EFFICIENCIES,AND KERNEL QUALITY IN AROMATIC RICES UNDER LOW AVAILABLE ZINC CONDITIONS

Zinc (Zn) has emerged as the plant nutrient limiting rice growth in several parts of the world. About 50% of world soils are deficient in Zn and this is also true for India. An analysis of 0.233 million samples taken from different states showed that 47% of Indian soils are deficient in Zn. In India, Zn deficiency is widespread, especially in the rice–wheat cropping system belt of North India, which has high pH calcareous soils. Zinc is also now recognized as the fifth leading health risk factor is developing Asian countries, where rice is the staple food and Zn nutrition of humans and animals has recently received considerable attention. However, no reports are available on the effect of Zn fertilization on kernel quality of aromatic rices. The present study was therefore undertaken to study the effect of Zn fertilization on yield attributes, grain, and straw yield, Zn concentrations in grain and straw, Zn uptake, Zn use indices and kernel qualities of the aromatic rices. A field study at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India showed that Pusa Sugandh 4 (‘PS 4’) is a better than the earlier developed aromatic rice variety Pusa Basmati 1 (‘PB 1’) in terms of grain yield (4.08 tonnes ha^?1), kernel quality, zinc (Zn) concentrations in grain and Zn uptake (1,396.9 g ha^?1), recovery efficiency (5.2%), agronomic efficiency (122.7 kg grain increase kg^?1 Zn applied), partial factor productivity (1,064.7 kg grain kg^?1 Zn applied) and physiological efficiency (39,625 kg grain kg^?1 Zn uptake) of applied Zn. From the grain yield (4.64 tonnes ha^?1) viewpoint an application of 5 kg Zn ha^?1 was found sufficient for the aromatic rices grown on ustochrepts of north Indian rice-wheat cropping system belt. Application of 7.5 kg Zn ha^?1 increased Zn concentrations in the grain (37.0 mg kg^?1 DM) and straw (117.3 mg kg^?1 DM) of aromatic rices studied and this is important from the human and animal nutrition viewpoint under Indian conditions.     

早稻施氮对连作晚稻产量和氮肥利用率及土壤有效氮含量的影响

于20022～005年,在湖南长沙采用连续定位试验,研究了早稻施氮对连作晚稻产量、氮肥利用率、土壤有效氮含量的影响。试验设早稻施氮/晚稻不施氮、早稻施氮/晚稻施氮、早稻不施氮/晚稻不施氮、早稻不施氮/晚稻施氮4个处理。结果表明,在连续4年早季施氮的条件下,连作晚稻施氮处理的平均产量为6.45.t/hm2,地上部干物质重12.13.t/hm2,氮素吸收量183.6.kg/hm2,分别比连作晚稻不施氮处理增加28.4%、35.1%和103.5%,均达到显著水平;在连续4年早季不施氮的条件下,连作晚稻施氮处理的平均产量为6.61.t/hm2,地上部干物质重12.14.t/hm2,氮素吸收量165.6.kg/hm2,分别比不施氮处理增加33.4%、37.6%和95.6%,均亦达到显著水平。连作晚稻在早季不施氮和早季施氮两种情况下氮肥利用率不同,前者的氮肥生理利用率显著高于后者,增幅为37.8%,两者的氮肥农学利用效率、吸收利用率差异不显著,但前者4年氮肥农学利用效率平均值比后者高18.1%,吸收利用率低6.8个百分点。早晚两季均不施氮小区土壤碱解氮含量均明显低于其他施氮小区,但没有出现随试验年度加长而连续下降的趋势;当早稻或晚稻其中有一季施用了氮肥,或者两季均施用了氮肥的小区,土壤碱解氮含量差异不显著。说明连作晚稻产量主要受当季施氮量的影响,而受早季施氮量的影响较小;早季不施氮小区的连作晚稻氮肥的农学利用效率、生理利用率比早季施氮小区高;在一定程度上降低稻田氮肥用量不会导致土壤背景氮含量的下降。     

苏南稻田4种冬绿肥养分特性及对翻压前土壤无机氮的影响

为充分利用苏南冬闲稻田发展适宜绿肥作物种植,在大田试验条件下,研究了毛叶苕子（Vicia villosa Roth）、 光叶苕子（Vicia villosa var.）、 紫云英（Astragalus sinicus L.）和肥田萝卜（Raphanus sativus L.）4种绿肥作物的生长、 营养特性,比较分析了绿肥作物翻压前不同处理间耕层土壤无机氮含量与构成的差异。结果表明,在绿肥作物翻压期,4种绿肥作物均达到较高生物量和养分累积量,鲜重、 干重分别为24.8 30.7 t/hm2和3.6 4.2 t/hm2,不同绿肥作物间无显著差异。 4种绿肥作物的吸氮量为69.8 136.4 kg/hm2,毛叶苕子最高,肥田萝卜最低。吸磷量为7.1~11.3 kg/hm2,肥田萝卜最高,紫云英最低。吸钾量为117.6~151.3 kg/hm2,毛叶苕子最高,光叶苕子最低。与对照冬闲相比,种植绿肥作物不同程度地降低了耕层土壤无机氮含量（平均降低38.9 kg/hm2）,其中硝态氮含量下降明显,铵态氮含量均较对照土壤有增加趋势（平均提高6.5 kg/hm2）,毛叶苕子和光叶苕子处理铵态氮含量增加显著。4种绿肥作物均适合苏南冬闲稻田种植,能潜在降低无机氮的损失风险和为后季水稻作物生长提供养分。     

Effect of conjoint use of bio-organics and chemical fertilizers on yield,soil properties under French bean–cauliflower-based cropping system

This study investigates the effect of conjoint use of bio-organics (biofertilizers + crop residues + FYM) and chemical fertilizers on yield, physical–chemical and microbial properties of soil in a ‘French bean–cauliflower’-based cropping system of mid hills of the north-western Himalayan Region (NWHR) of India. Conjoint bio-organics at varied levels of NPK chemical fertilizers increased yield of ‘cauliflower’ over corresponding single application. Incorporation of crop residues with 75% of the recommended NPK application resulted in the highest yield (19 t ha^?1). Conjoint use of bio-organics produced a yield (15.65 t ha^?1), which was statistically on a par with 75% of the recommended NPK application alone. This indicated a saving of 75% NPK chemical fertilizers. In the case of ‘French bean’, the effect was non-significant. The results also showed significant higher soil available N (351.3 kg ha^?1) under 75% NPK + biofertilizers, whereas the highest soil available K (268.3 kg ha^?1) was recorded under 75% NPK + crop residues. Lowest bulk density (1.03 Mg m^?3), highest water holding capacity (36.5%), soil organic matter (10.6 g kg^?1), bacterial (4.13 × 10⁷ cfu g^?1) and fungal (6.3 × 10⁷ cfu g^?1) counts were recorded under sole application of bio-organics. According to our study, we concluded that the combination of NPK fertilizers and bio-organics increased yield except French bean, soil available N, K and saved chemical fertilizers under ‘French bean–cauliflower’-based cropping system.     

Interaction between Grain Yields of Rice and Environment (Soil) in Four Agroecological Zones in Nigeria

Rice grows in all agroecological zones (AEZs) of Nigeria as the weather (rainfall, solar radiation, relative humidity) is optimum. Investigation was conducted in four AEZs to evaluate the effect of environment (soil) on the grain yields (GYs) of four new rice cultivars for Africa (NERICA) compared with farmers cultivars (i.e., Ofada and ITA 150). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated 10 times. The treatments were four AEZs [the northern Guinea savanna (NGS), derived savanna (DS), southern Guinea savanna (SGS), and Sudan savanna (SS)], four NERICA rice cultivars [WAB 189-B-B-B-HB (or WAB 189), WbAB 450-1-P-38-HB (or P-38), WAB-450-11-1-P31-1-HB (or P-31), WAB-450-24-3-2-P18-HB (or P-18)], Ofada, and a control (ITA 150). Ten on-farm plots were used as replicates. All trials were farmer managed. Data were collected on the soil physicochemical characteristics before the experiment, while GYs were collected at harvest. Results of the GYs were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Soil properties that significantly related to the GYs of rice were isolated using stepwise multiple regression analysis (SMRA). The most stable rice cultivar across all AEZs was obtained from the slope of a regression equation from the cultivar means versus environmental means. Results of the soil chemical properties showed that across all AEZs, soil fertility status varied between low and medium. Furthermore, the GYs of rice cultivars ranged between 2.55 and 3.44 t ha^?1 and were of the order ITA 150 > P 18 > P 31 > Ofada > P 38 > WAB 1, though not significantly different. However, across AEZs, the GYs of rice were of the order SS > SGS > NGS > DS. The SMRA showed that the only three soil properties (pH, available P, and clay) significantly related to the GY of three of the rice cultivars (Ofada, P31, and WAB 189) with R² values of 36, 53, and 63% respectively. The slopes of regression equations were 0.50, 0.65, 0.69, 0.85, 0.89, and 0.98 respectively for rice cultivars P31, P38, P18, ITA 150, Ofada, and WAB 189. This suggested that the most stable rice cultivars were P31 and P38. However, observations across sites showed that majority of farmers still prefer to grow Ofada on their farms, suggesting most local farmers are not yet aware of these rice cultivars. Results further showed that with proper management of the soil pH and available P and soil moisture (i.e., clay content), the GYs of these rice varieties could be improved. Critical organic carbon, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and clay contents required for a sustained and continuous cultivation of these rice cultivars were 7.0 g kg^?1, 8 mg kg^?1, 0.13 cmol kg^?1, and 198 g clay kg^?1, respectively.     

Iron Toxicity in Wetland Rice and the Role of Other Nutrients

Abstract

Iron (Fe) toxicity is a widespread nutrient disorder of wetland rice grown on acid sulfate soils, Ultisols, and sandy soils with a low cation exchange capacity, moderate to high acidity, and active Fe (easily reducible Fe) and low to moderately high in organic matter. Iron toxicity reduces rice yields by 12–100%, depending on the Fe tolerance of the genotype, intensity of Fe toxicity stress, and soil fertility status. Iron toxicity can be reduced by using Fe-tolerant rice genotypes and through soil, water, and nutrient management practices. This article critically assesses the recent literature on Fe toxicity, with emphasis on the role of other plant nutrients, in the occurrence of and tolerance to Fe toxicity in lowland rice and puts this information in perspective for future research needs. The article emphasizes the need for research to provide knowledge that would be used for increasing rice production on Fe-toxic wetlands on a sustainable basis by integration of genetic tolerance to Fe toxicity with soil, water, and nutrient management.     

Methane emission from paddy fields in Taiwan

 In order to investigate the effect of environmental conditions on CH₄ emission from paddy fields in Taiwan, four locations, two cropping seasons and two irrigation systems were studied. CH₄ emission was high at the active tillering and the booting stages in the first cropping season, whereas it was low at the transplanting and the ripening stages with an intermittent irrigation system. CH₄ emission was high at the transplanting stage in the second cropping season, and decreased gradually during rice cultivation. Daily temperature and light intensity increased gradually during rice growth in the first cropping season (February–June), while it was reversed in the second cropping season (August–December). The seasonal CH₄ emission from paddy fields ranged from 1.73 to 11.70 g m^–2, and from 10.54 to 39.50 g m^–2 in the first and second cropping seasons, respectively. The seasonal CH₄ emission in the second cropping season was higher than that in the first cropping season in all test fields. The seasonal CH₄ emission was 32.65 mg m^–2 in the first cropping season of the National Taiwan University paddy field with continuous flooding, and it was 28.85 mg m^–2 in the second cropping season. The annual CH₄ emission ranged from 12.3 to 49.3 g m^–2 with an intermittent irrigation system, and the value was 61.5 g m^–2 with a continuous flooding treatment. The annual CH₄ emission from paddy fields was estimated to be 0.034 Tg in 1997 from 364,212 ha of paddy fields with an intermittent irrigation system, which was less than the 0.241 Tg calculated by the IPCC method with a continuous flooding treatment Received: 23 February 2000