Influence of crop residue management, cropping system and N fertilizer on soil N and C dynamics and sustainable wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production

Management of N is the key for sustainable and profitable wheat production in a low N soil. We report results of irrigated crop rotation experiment, conducted in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan, during 1999–2002 to evaluate effects of residue retention, fertilizer N application and mung bean (Vigna radiata) on crop and N yields of wheat and soil organic fertility in a mung bean–wheat sequence. Treatments were (a) crop residue retained (+residue) or (b) removed (−residue), (c) 120 kg N ha⁻¹ applied to wheat, (d) 160 kg N ha⁻¹ to maize or (e) no nitrogen applied. The cropping system was rotation of wheat with maize or wheat with mung bean. The experiment was laid out in a spit plot design. Postharvest incorporation of crop residues significantly (p < 0.05) increased the grain and straw yields of wheat during both years. On average, crop residues incorporation increased the wheat grain yield by 1.31 times and straw yield by 1.39 times. The wheat crop also responded strongly to the previous legume (mung bean) in terms of enhanced grain yield by 2.09 times and straw yield by 2.16 times over the previous cereal (maize) treatment. Application of fertilizer N to previous maize exerted strong carry over effect on grain (1.32 times) and straw yield (1.38 times) of the following wheat. Application of N fertilizer to current wheat produced on average 1.59 times more grain and 1.77 times more straw yield over the 0 N kg ha⁻¹ treatment. The N uptake in wheat grain and straw was increased 1.31 and 1.64 times by residues treatment, 2.08 and 2.49 times by mung bean and 1.71 and 1.86 times by fertilizer N applied to wheat, respectively. The soil mineral N was increased 1.23 times by residues, 1.34 times by mung bean and 2.49 times by the application of fertilizer N to wheat. Similarly, the soil organic C was increased 1.04-fold by residues, 1.08 times by mung bean and 1.00 times by the application of fertilizer N. We concluded that retention of residues, application of fertilizer N and involvement of legumes in crop rotation greatly improves the N economy of the cropping system and enhances crop productivity in low N soils.     

Effects of cropping systems,maize residues application and N fertilization on promiscuous soybean yields and diversity of native rhizobia in Central Kenya

Agriculture intensification has resulted in severe soil nutrient depletion in Africa. Alternative agricultural practices have been promoted to reduce the use of expensive mineral fertilizers and to restore and sustain soil fertility. The use of mineral fertilizer combined with organic inputs (such as crop residues) and different cropping systems (cereal–legume association or rotation) have been particularly promising. Impacts of these agricultural practices on soil communities have been widely studied, yet little is known on the effect on more specific groups such as rhizobia. A field trial was set up in Chuka (Kenya) to assess the impact of different cropping systems (maize and soybean in intercropping, rotation or monocropping) combined with N fertilization and residues application on the genetic diversity of promiscuous soybean rhizobia during two seasons. Soybean yields were severely reduced by moisture stress and the association with maize compared to mono-legume and rotation systems. Nodulation was generally low but was positively affected by residues application. Diversity of native rhizobia was very low (Shannon indices H′ < 0.8) across the experiment and was not affected by the treatments. Only 5 IGS profiles were obtained after RFLP analysis and all isolated rhizobia were identified as Bradyrhizobium elkanii. The distribution of the different IGS groups within the experiment was more affected by season and residues application than by cropping system and nitrogen fertilizer application. These results suggest a limited population and a low diversity of indigenous rhizobia, and emphasize the need of alternative managements to increase and sustain soybean yields in Central Kenya.     

An evaluation of C and N on fresh and aged crop residue from mixed long-term no-till cropping systems

Conservation crop residue management increases soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, nutrient cycling and availability and improves soil quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the amount of residue biomass, residue carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio, residue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), and residue N fertilizer deficit (supplemental N fertilizer requirement) from crop residue decomposition in long-term no-till production. Aboveground aged and fresh residues were collected in spring 2011 and fall 2012, respectively. Results showed slightly greater residue dry matter weight in aged residue than fresh residue. C:N ratios were wider in fresh residue than the aged residue. Both aged and fresh residue also showed wider C:N ratio in the corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation (66.6 and 64.4, respectively) and narrower C:N ratio in the spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)-alfalfa-corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) (45.6 and 35.7, respectively). Individual fresh crop residues showed narrower C:N ratios for legume and cover crops than non-legume crops. Analysis of potential supplemental N fertilizer requirements showed greater potential N requirement for the fresh residue than the aged residue.     

长期定位施肥对夏玉米光合特性及产量的影响研究

在长期定位试验基础上,采用以化肥为主处理、玉米秸秆为副处理的二因素裂区设计,通过对夏玉米叶面积、叶面积指数、功能叶叶绿素含量等光合特性及产量构成等的研究,探讨了秸秆与氮磷化肥配施对夏玉米光合特性及产量的影响.研究结果表明:长期施用秸秆对夏玉米增产有积极作用,但产量的增加主要靠化肥的投入,秸秆和化肥配施能更大幅度地增加夏玉米产量.从植株光合特性看,随氮磷化肥用量的增加,夏玉米叶面积和叶面积指数增大,到灌浆后期叶面积指数维持在3.5左右.长期不施肥和仅施秸秆处理玉米功能叶叶绿素含量低.长期施用秸秆促进了玉米叶面积的增加,其增产作用表现在穗粒数的增加上.化肥和秸秆配施在促进玉米生长的同时还能延缓叶片衰老,更大程度地增加穗粒数,提高千粒重,进而增加夏玉米产量.秸秆还田和氮磷化肥配施是该区较好的施肥模式.     

秸秆还田方式和氮肥类型对黄淮海平原夏玉米土壤呼吸的影响

为了研究黄淮海平原不同秸秆还田方式和施氮类型对夏玉米农田生态系统土壤呼吸的影响,于2010年6—10月,采用LI-COR-6400-09土壤气室连接红外线气体分析仪(IRGA)对玉米农田行间掩埋秸秆区的土壤呼吸作用进行了连续测定。结果表明,常规施肥下,玉米生育期内秸秆行间掩埋处理(ISFR)的平均土壤呼吸速率显著高于秸秆移除(NSFR)和秸秆覆盖(SFR)处理(P<0.05)。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用化学氮肥处理中,配施50.4 kg(N).hm 2处理(ISF3)的平均土壤呼吸速率为(178.85±46.60)mg(C).m 2.h 1,显著高于配施33.6 kg(N).hm 2处理(ISF2)的(124.11±23.18)mg(C).m 2.h 1(P<0.05)。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用鸡粪处理中,鸡粪施用量为33.6kg(N).hm 2(ISOM2)处理的平均土壤呼吸速率为(208.08±31.54)mg(C).m 2.h 1,施用16.8 kg(N).hm 2(ISOM1)和50.4 kg(N).hm 2(ISOM3)处理的为(135.07±21.97)mg(C).m 2.h 1、(171.43±43.31)mg(C).m 2.h 1,相比ISOM2处理,ISOM1和ISOM3处理的平均土壤呼吸速率降低了35.09%和17.61%。ISOM2处理玉米季CO2排放累积量为499.39 g(C).m 2,显著高于ISF2处理的297.86 g(C).m 2。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用化学氮肥对土壤呼吸速率的影响小于配合施用鸡粪的影响,配合施用16%总氮的鸡粪,即33.6 kg(N).hm 2时C/N比最适宜土壤微生物的代谢活动。     

Soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen as affected by cropping systems

 The impacts of crop rotations and N fertilization on microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) were studied in soils of two long-term field experiments initiated in 1978 at the Northeast Research Center (NERC) and in 1954 at the Clarion-Webster Research Center (CWRC), both in Iowa. Surface soil samples were taken in 1996 and 1997 from plots of corn (Zea mays L.), soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), oats (Avena sativa L.), or meadow (alfalfa) (Medicago sativa L.) that had received 0 or 180 kg N ha^–1 before corn and an annual application of 20 kg P and 56 kg K ha^–1. The C_mic and N_mic values were determined by the chloroform-fumigation-extraction method and the chloroform-fumigation-incubation method, respectively. The C_mic and N_mic values were significantly affected (P<0.05) by crop rotation and plant cover at time of sampling, but not by N fertilization. In general, the highest C_mic and N_mic contents were found in the multicropping systems (4-year rotations) taken in oats or meadow plots, and the lowest values were found in continuous corn and soybean systems. On average, C_mic made up about 1.0% of the organic C (C_org), and N_mic contributed about 2.4% of the total N (N_tot) in soils at both sites and years of sampling. The C_mic values were significantly correlated with C_org contents (r≥0.41**), whereas the relationship between C_mic and N_tot was significant (r≤0.53***) only for the samples taken in 1996 at the NERC site. The C_mic : N_mic ratios were, on average, 4.3 and 6.4 in 1996, and 7.6 and 11.4 in 1997 at the NERC and CWRC sites, respectively. Crop rotation significantly (P<0.05) affected this ratio only at the NERC site, and N fertilization showed no effect at either site. In general, multicropping systems resulted in greater C_mic : C_org (1.1%) and N_mic : N_tot (2.6%) ratios than monocropping systems (0.8% and 2.1%, respectively). Received: 9 February 1999     

玉米生育期的海拔效应研究

为使高海拔地区的玉米生产布局和品种类型利用更加合理,采用作物生态学的田间试验方法,于2006～2007年间,在甘肃省和云南省各设5个试验点,研究了北、南异地不同玉米品种在不同海拔高度的生态效应.结果表明,在播期大体相同的条件下,玉米拔节期、抽雄期、成熟期随海拔的升高而相应延迟,即播种～拔节、拔节～抽雄、抽雄～成熟的"三段生长"时间相应延长.反映生育期长短的出苗～成熟天数与海拔之间呈0.01水平的正相关.本试验条件下,海拔每升降100 m,参试玉米品种的生育期延长或缩短4～5 d,株高和穗上叶数呈随海拔升高而降低趋势.     

N-utilization by maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by crop rotation and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) residue management

Abstract. A five year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of crop rotation and field pea residue incorporation into the soil on maize yield. The data indicated a 30% increase in maize yield grown in rotation with field pea compared to when it was grown after wheat and a further increase of 35% when field pea residues were incorporated into the soil. The effect of field pea and residue incorporation was greater in the presence of fertilizer nitrogen indicating the enhanced capacity of the crop to utilize N from the residue. Legume residue management in sub-tropical regions of the world, having coarse textured soils low in organic matter, could help to increase the yield of cereals besides saving some of the expensive fertilizer input.     

The airborne pollen flow of maize (Zea mays L.) in a multi-crop designed field plot

Previous studies on pollen dispersal helped to identify objective parameters of coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and conventional maize. Nevertheless, data on the quantity and dynamics of airborne pollen flow (APF) in air layers above and around a maize field, and its contribution to the rate of cross-pollination, are still missing. In 2004 and 2005, 690 pollen traps were arranged at different locations relative to three maize fields: in the maize fields itself, and in fields adjacent to the maize fields, consisting either of grassland or wheat stubble. The traps were positioned along strings over maize, wheat stubble and grassland at two fixed heights relative to the maize plants: immediately above (0 m) and 1 m above tassel height (1 m). Whereas the traps positioned at 0 m over maize indicated the amount of pollen shed, those located at 1 m above tassel height indicated airborne pollen flow to this upper air layer. The amount of pollen at 1 m relative to the amount of pollen just above the tassel, ranged from 4% to 40%; very high values correlated with strong winds during flowering. These winds were not strong enough to transport significant amounts of pollen farther than a few meters away from the pollen source because above both adjacent grass and wheat stubble environments, the amount of pollen at 1 m above tassel height was similarly low. In one single experiment and at 0 m above tassel height, a significantly higher amount of pollen was found over wheat stubble than over grassland. During this experiment, high temperatures and low wind speeds coincided with pollen shed, which may have favored the generation of thermals over hot surfaces, capable of lifting pollen grains.     

Glycosidases in soils as affected by cropping systems

Glycosidases are a group of soil enzymes that play a major role in degradation of carbohydrates. This study was conducted to assess the impact of crop rotation and N fertilization on the activities of α‐ and β‐glucosidases and α‐ and β‐galactosidases in plots of two long‐term field experiments at the Clarion‐Webster Research Center (CWRC) and Northeast Research Center (NERC) in Iowa. Surface‐soil (0–15 cm) samples were taken in 1996 and 1997 in corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), oats (Avena sativa L.), or meadow (alfalfa) (Medicago sativa L.) plots that received 0 or 180 kg N ha^–1, applied as urea before corn, and an annual application of 20 kg P ha^–1 and 56 kg K ha^–1. Activities of the four glycosidases were significantly affected by crop rotations in both years at the two sites but not by nitrogen application. In general, higher activities were observed in plots under meadow or oat and the lowest in continuous corn (CWRC) and soybean (NERC). Four‐year rotation showed the highest activity, followed by 2‐year rotation and monocropping systems. Linear‐regression analyses indicated that, in general, the activities of the glycosidases were significantly correlated with microbial‐biomass C (r > 0.302, p ≤ 0.05) and microbial‐biomass N (r > 0.321, p ≤ 0.05), organic‐C (r > 0.332, p ≤ 0.05) and organic‐N (r > 0.399, p ≤ 0.01) contents of the soils. Results of this work suggest that multicropping stimulated the activities of the glycosidases. The specific activities of the glycosidases in soils of the two sites studied, expressed as g p‐nitrophenol released per kg of organic C, differed among the four enzymes. The lowest values were obtained for β‐galactosidase and α‐glucosidase, followed by α‐galactosidase and β‐glucosidase.     

Arylsulfatase activity of microbial biomass in soils as affected by cropping systems

 The impacts of crop rotations and N fertilization on different pools of arylsulfatase activity (total, intracellular, and extracellular) were studied in soils of two long-term field experiments in Iowa to assess the contibution of the microbial biomass to the activity of this enzyme. Surface-soil samples were taken in 1996 and 1997 in corn, soybeans, oats, or meadow (alfalfa) plots that received 0 or 180 kg N ha^–1 before corn, and an annual application of 20 kg P ha^–1 and 56 kg K ha^–1. The arylsulfatase activity in the soils was assayed at optimal pH (acetate buffer, pH 5.8) before and after chloroform fumigation; microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) were determined by chloroform-fumigation methods. All pools of arylsulfatase activity in soils were significantly affected by crop rotation and plant cover at sampling time, but not by N fertilization. Generally, the highest total, intracellular, and extracellular arylsulfatase activities were obtained in soils under cereal-meadow rotations, taken under oats or meadow, and the lowest under continuous cropping systems.Total, intracellular, and extracellular arylsulfatase activities were significantly correlated with C_mic (r>0.41, P<0.01) and N_mic (r>0.38, P<0.01) in soils. The averages of specific activity values, i.e., of arylsulfatase activity of the microbial biomass, expressed per milligram C_mic, ranged from 315 to 407 μg p-nitrophenol h^–1. The total arylsulfatase activity was significantly correlated with the intracellular activity, with r values >0.79 (P<0.001). In general, about 45% of the total arylsulfatase activity was extracellular, and 55% was associated with the microbial biomass in soils, indicating the importance of the microflora as an enzyme source in soils. Received: 23 April 1998     

Soil microbial biomass and nitrogen supply in an irrigated lowland rice soil as affected by crop rotation and residue management

 Processes that govern the soil nitrogen (N) supply in irrigated lowland rice systems are poorly understood. The objectives of this paper were to investigate the effects of crop rotation and management on soil N dynamics, microbial biomass C (C_BIO) and microbial biomass N (N_BIO) in relation to rice N uptake and yield. A maize-rice (M-R) rotation was compared with a rice-rice (R-R) double-cropping system over a 2-year period with four cropping seasons. In the M-R system, maize (Zea mays L.) was grown in aerated soil during the dry season (DS) followed by rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in flooded soil during the wet season (WS). In the R-R system, rice was grown in flooded soil in both the DS and WS. Three fertilizer N rates (0, 50 or 100 kg urea-N ha^–1 in WS) were assigned to subplots within the cropping system main plots. Early versus late crop residue incorporation following DS maize or rice were established as additional treatments in sub-subplots in the second year. In the R-R system, the time of residue incorporation had a large effect on NO₃ ^–-N accumulation during the fallow period and also on extractable NH₄ ⁺-N, rice N uptake and yield in the subsequent cropping period. In contrast, time of residue incorporation had little influence on extractable N in both the fallow and rice-cropping periods of the M-R system, and no detectable effects on rice N uptake or yield. In both cropping systems, C_BIO and N_BIO were not sensitive to residue incorporation despite differences of 2- to 3-fold increase in the amount of incorporated residue C and N, and were relatively insensitive to N fertilizer application. Extractable organic N was consistently greater after mid-tillering in M-R compared to the R-R system across N rate and residue incorporation treatments, and much of this organic N was α-amino N. We conclude that N mineralization-immobilization dynamics in lowland rice systems are sensitive to soil aeration as influenced by residue management in the fallow period and crop rotation, and that these factors have agronomically significant effects on rice N uptake and yield. Microbial biomass measurements, however, were a poor indicator of these dynamics. Received: 31 October 1997     

Effects of seed priming, aggregate size and soil matric potential on emergence of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)

Poor crop establishment, due to poor land preparation methods and inadequate soil moisture, continues to be a major constraint to crop production for smallholder farmers in the semi-arid tropics. On-farm seed priming (soaking seed in water) has been offered as a solution to this problem, but the ways in which this technology interacts with soil conditions are not well understood. The interactions between seed priming and soil physical conditions on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) emergence and seedling growth were determined in laboratory pot experiments. The treatments included seed treatment (primed and non-primed), initial soil matric potential (−10, −50, −100, −200 and −1500 kPa) and aggregate size (<1, 1–2, 2–4.75 and 4.75–16 mm). Non-sieved soil was used as a control. The soil used (a Chromic Cambisol) was collected from Save Valley Experiment Station in the southeastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. The pots of soil were allowed to dry out after planting, to simulate a deteriorating seedbed. Emergence was subsequently monitored, and plant growth measured 8 days after planting. Final percent emergence and seedling growth decreased with initial matric potential but increased with priming in both crops. Large aggregate sizes generally had an adverse effect on emergence and growth. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that on-farm seed priming can partly compensate for the negative effects of low soil matric potential and large aggregate sizes on crop establishment.     

Effect of aggregate size and soil water content on emergence of soybean (Glycine max, L. Merr.) and maize (Zea mays, L.)

Rapid wetting of irrigated soils often leads to slaking and slumping, and on drying a surface crust and hard-set conditions may occur. This results in reduced crop emergence unless the surface is kept moist. The effect of aggregate size and water content on the emergence of soybean and maize from an Entic chromustert (heavy cracking clay) was determined using pots of sieved aggregates with size ranges less than 1, 1–2, 2–5 and 5–15 mm at soil water contents of 15, 20 and 25 g (100 g)⁻¹. Unsieved soil was used as a control. Greatest emergence tended to occur from fine (1–2 mm) seedbeds compared with coarse (5–15 mm) seedbeds for both crops. A covered treatment, simulating a stubble mulch, resulted in greater emergence than an uncovered treatment for all water contents and aggregate sizes. Earlier emergence occurred from finer (less than 1 mm and 1–2 mm) seedbeds than from coarse (5–15 mm) seedbeds, and at the greatest water content used. Soil strength, measured with a shear vane, decreased with increasing water content and tended to be less on fine (1–2 mm) seedbeds compared with very fine (less than 1 mm) or coarse (5–15 mm) seedbeds. It is recommended that, for good emergence from this Entic chromustert, seedbeds be brought to a water content of 25 g (100 g)⁻¹ by capillary wetting to prevent hardsetting and consist of 1–2 or 2–5 mm aggregates for soybean and maize, respectively, and have a stubble mulch on the surface. This corresponds to an equivalent depth of water of 15 mm and 9 mm for soybean and maize, respectively, in the top 50 mm of the profile.     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

添加黏土及植物残体混合物对沙质土壤中呼吸作用和微生物量碳、氮有效性的影响

Crop yields in sandy soils can be increased by addition of clay-rich soil, but little is known about the effect of clay addition on nutrient availability after addition of plant residues with different C/N ratios. A loamy sandy soil(7% clay) was amended with a clay-rich subsoil(73% clay) at low to high rates to achieve soil mixtures of 12%, 22%, and 30% clay, as compared to a control(sandy soil alone) with no clay addition. The sandy-clay soil mixtures were amended with finely ground plant residues at 10 g kg~(-1): mature wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) straw with a C/N ratio of 68, mature faba bean(Vicia faba L.) straw with a C/N ratio of 39, or their mixtures with different proportions(0%–100%, weight percentage) of each straw. Soil respiration was measured over days 0–45 and microbial biomass C(MBC), available N, and p H on days 0, 15, 30, and 45. Cumulative respiration was not clearly related to the C/N ratio of the residues or their mixtures, but C use efficiency(cumulative respiration per unit of MBC on day 15) was greater with faba bean than with wheat and the differences among the residue mixtures were smaller at the highest clay addition rate. The MBC concentration was lowest in sole wheat and higher in residue mixtures with 50% of wheat and faba bean in the mixture or more faba bean. Soil N availability and soil p H were lower for the soil mixtures of 22% and 30% clay compared to the sandy soil alone. It could be concluded that soil cumulative respiration and MBC concentration were mainly influenced by residue addition, whereas available N and p H were influenced by clay addition to the sandy soil studied.     

Soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics as affected by long-term tillage and nitrogen fertilization

Quantifying seasonal dynamics of active soil C and N pools is important for understanding how production systems can be better managed to sustain long-term soil productivity especially in warm subhumid climates. Our objectives were to determine seasonal dynamics of inorganic soil N, potential C and N mineralization, soil microbial biomass C (SMBC), and the metabolic quotient of microbial biomass in continuous corn (Zea mays L.) under conventional (CT), moldboard (MB), chisel (CH), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT) with low (45kgNha^–1) and high (90kgNha^–1) N fertilization. An Orelia sandy clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Ochraqualf) in south Texas, United States, was sampled before corn planting in February, during pollination in May, and following harvest in July. Soil inorganic N, SMBC, and potential C and N mineralization were usually highest in soils under NT, whereas these characteristics were consistently lower throughout the growing season in soils receiving MB tillage. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on soil inorganic N, SMBC, and potential C and N mineralization. The metabolic quotient of microbial biomass exhibited seasonal patterns inverse to that of SMBC. Seasonal changes in SMBC, inorganic N, and mineralizable C and N indicated the dependence of seasonal C and N dynamics on long-term substrate availability from crop residues. Long-term reduced tillage increased soil organic matter (SOM), SMBC, inorganic N, and labile C and N pools as compared with plowed systems and may be more sustainable over the long term. Seasonal changes in active soil C and N pools were affected more by tillage than by N fertilization in this subhumid climate. Received: 20 September 1996     

Non-rhizobial peanut nodule bacteria promote maize (Zea mays L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth in a simulated crop rotation system

The term “Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria” or PGPB designates a diverse group of prokaryotic microorganisms that can increase plant growth by diverse mechanisms. Some PGPB are capable of colonizing root inner tissues and constitute endophytic populations. Incorporation of these microorganisms into agricultural practices may constitute a valid alternative to increase crop productivity in a sustainable and environmentally friendly production scheme, reducing the application of agrochemicals. In a previous work, we described the characterization of bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Klebsiella obtained from surface sterilized peanut nodules. In addition, we showed that some of these isolates were able to promote several peanut growth and symbiotic parameters. Bounded to the results from this particular study, and considering their potential ability to interact with different plant species, in this work we assessed the effects of their inoculation in maize (Zea mays L.) under controlled conditions. Furthermore, we analyzed growth promotion in a simulated peanut–maize crop rotation system. Finally, we determined the plant growth promoting (PGP) properties present in the isolates. Results indicated that all bacteria are able to significantly promote maize and peanut growth, and that they also displayed plant growth promotion activity in maize growing in a peanut–maize crop rotation sequence.     

秸秆还田施氮调节碳氮比对土壤无机氮、 酶活性及作物产量的影响

秸秆的质量,特别是C/N是影响秸秆分解速率和养分释放的重要因素。在秸秆还田条件下,如何科学合理地施用氮肥是秸秆利用和优化施肥研究的关键问题。本研究以秸秆还田施入碳氮的C/N为切入点,于2012—2013年通过田间试验(设秸秆不还田不施肥、秸秆还田不施氮、秸秆还田施用无机氮肥调节C/N为10∶1、16∶1和25∶1以及秸秆还田施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1处理),研究秸秆还田不同氮输入对小麦-玉米轮作田土壤无机氮、土壤微生物量氮、酶活性以及作物产量的影响。结果表明:1)在C/N为25∶1下,施用有机氮肥和无机氮肥对土壤无机氮含量无显著影响;在施用无机氮肥的情况下,C/N越低土壤无机氮含量越高。2)秸秆还田施氮提高了土壤微生物量氮含量,但是各秸秆还田施氮处理之间差异不显著;秸秆还田不同施氮处理对脲酶活性无显著影响;秸秆还田施氮提高了FDA水解酶活性,并随C/N降低呈升高趋势,施用无机氮肥的效果强于施用有机氮肥的。3)秸秆还田施用无机氮肥显著提高了小麦和玉米地上部生物量,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为10∶1和16∶1相比于C/N为25∶1提高了小麦和玉米的苗期和成熟期地上部生物量;施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1相比秸秆还田不施氮对地上部生物量无显著影响。秸秆还田施用无机氮肥提高了作物产量,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为16∶1产量最高,而施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1有降低作物产量的趋势。综合以上结果来看,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为16∶1较为合理。     

Characterization of the N benefit of a grain legume (Lupinus angustifolius L.) to a cereal (Hordeum vulgare L.) by an in situ 15N isotope dilution technique

Summary A crop of barley was grown on plots which had previously supported pure stands of lupins, canola, ryegrass, and wheat. The plots were labelled with ¹⁵N-enriched fertilizers at the time of sowing of the antecedent crops. The crop of lupins, which derived 79% of its N from symbiotic N₂ fixation at physiological maturity, conferred an N benefit to barley of 3.4 g N m^-2 when compared to barley following wheat. Lupins used less fertilizer N and less unlabelled soil N compared to the other crops, but the ratios of these sources of N in the plant tops were similar. The apparent sparing of soil+fertilizer N under lupins compared with wheat was 13.6 g N m^-2, which was much larger than the measured N benefit. Barley following lupins was less enriched in ¹⁵N compared to barley following wheat, and the measured isotope dilution was used to estimate the proportion of barley N derived from biologically fixed N in the lupin residues. This in turn enabled the N benefit to be partitioned between the uptake of spared N and the uptake of fixed N derived from the mineralization of legume residues. Spared N and fixed N contributed in approximately equal proportions to the N benefit measured in barley following lupins compared to barley following wheat.