An Effect of Various Nitrogen Forms Used as Fertilizer on Lupinus albus L. Yield and Protein, Alkaloid and α-Galactosides Content

The influence of various forms of nitrogen supplied to the ground as N₂, NH, NO, [NH + NO], –NH₂, and Nd (N‐deficiency) on Lupinus albus L. cvs. Butan (sweet) and Bac (bitter) yield and protein, alkaloid and α‐galactoside biosynthesis in their seeds were studied. The experiments were performed in a greenhouse on perlite using, in all cases, the same dose of P, K, Mg and micronutrients (B, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo, Fe). The Nd treatment contained only macro‐ and micronutrients without any nitrogen support. We found that different nitrogen forms used as a fertilizer had a significant influence on the development and yield structure of both lupin cultivars. It was found that the plants developed most favourably when nitrogen was supplied as N₂ and [NH + NO]. For the other forms, the anomalies like necrosis, chlorosis, leaves with small surface of assimilation were noticed. However, these observations were not always reflected by all parameters of yield structure. The forms of nitrogen had a pivotal influence on yield of generative and vegetative parts of lupin. Moreover, significant differences in protein, alkaloid and α‐galactoside content in seeds were observed.     

Effect of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Nitrogen Dynamics and Microbial Activity During Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth on a Subtropical Inceptisol in India

Using phytotron growth chambers, a short‐term pot experiment under non‐limiting water condition was conducted to investigate the individual and interactive effects of elevated carbon dioxide (650 ± 10 μmol mol^?1 vs. ambient), temperature (3 °C above ambient vs. ambient) and different levels of urea–N (control, 100 % N and 200 % N of recommended dose) on growth and yields of wheat crop and changes in potential nitrogen mineralization (PNM), nitrification and denitrification activities, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and nitrifying and denitrifying organisms in a semiarid Inceptisol. The plant parameters (root, shoot and grain) responded positively (10–23 %) to elevated CO₂ and negatively (?17 to ?38 %) to higher temperature. Interactive effect of elevated CO₂ and temperature caused a negligible impact on root, shoot (≈?5 %) and grain yields of wheat. Soil –N content was not affected, but –N was reduced significantly. Nitrate reductase activity was decreased by 14–20 % at elevated CO₂. There was positive effect of elevated temperature on PNM (+9–16 %), whereas negative effects were observed for potential nitrification activity (PNA), MBC, MBN and DOC. Elevation of atmospheric CO₂ or temperature did not affect the population of ammonia (AOB) and nitrite oxidizers (NOB), but elevation of CO₂ has decreased the population of denitrifiers by 4–14 %.     

Optimum allocation of test resources and relative efficiency of alternative procedures of within‐family selection in hybrid breeding

Selection within families can be conducted as family deviation (FDS) or strict within‐family selection (WFS). Our objectives were to (i) investigate two breeding schemes combining selection among families with FDS or WFS and (ii) compare the optimum allocation of test resources for these breeding schemes. We focused on selection among S₁ families and doubled haploid (DH) lines within S₁ families and used Monte Carlo simulations to determine the selection gain (Δ?), its standard deviation (SD_Δ?), and the average coefficient of coancestry among the selected DH lines (). For breeding schemes focusing only on within‐family selection, as employed in animal breeding, the maximum Δ?, its SD_Δ?, and were larger for FDS than for WFS. However, for breeding schemes combining among‐ and within‐family selection, as employed commonly in plant breeding programmes, the maximum Δ?, SD_Δ?, and were almost equal for FDS and WFS. Furthermore, the optimum allocation of test resources was similar for FDS and WFS. We conclude that FDS and WFS are equally suited for short‐ and long‐term success in breeding schemes where among‐family selection is followed by within‐family selection.     

Introgression of a gene for delayed pigment gland morphogenesis from Gossypium bickii into upland cotton

The presence of gossypol and its derivatives above the WHO/FAO standards (0.02–0.04%) in cotton seed oil and meal limits its usage as food and feed. To the contrary, the presence of pigment glands filled with gossypol and its derivatives helps to protect cotton plants from phytophageous pests. Thus a desirable cultivar would have glandless seeds on a glanded plant. This paper describes results on the successful introgression of this trait from Gossypium bickii into cultivated upland cotton. Five different tri‐specific hybrids (ABH1, ABH2, ABH3, ABH4 and ABH5) were obtained by crossing the amphidiploid F₁ (G. arboreum × G. bickii) with different gland genotypes of G. hirsutum as male parent. The hybrids were highly sterile, and their chromosome configuration at meiosis metaphase 1 (M1) in pollen mother cell (PMC) was 2n = 52 = 41.04 I + 4.54 II + 0.57 III + 0.04 IV. All five hybrids were similar in morphological characters, except for the gland expression and gossypol contents. The hybrid (ABH3) derived from genotype Gl₂Gl₂gl₃gl₃ of upland cotton (a single gene dominant line) had completely introgressed the target trait of G. bickii. While ABH1 and ABH2, which derived from recessive (gl₂gl₂gl₃gl₃) or dominant (GlGl) glandless upland cotton genotypes, had glandless seeds too, but the density and size of the glands on the plant were reduced significantly.     

Mineral nitrogen dynamics in irrigated rice–wheat system under different irrigation and establishment methods and residue levels in arid drylands of Central Asia

Increasing water shortage and low water productivity in the irrigated drylands of Central Asia are compelling farmers to develop and adopt resource conservation technologies. Nitrogen (N) is the key nutrient for crop production in rice–wheat cropping systems in this region. Nitrogen dynamics of dry seeded rice-(aerobic, anaerobic) planted in rotation with wheat (well drained, aerobic) can differ greatly from those of conventional rice cultivation. Soil mineral N dynamics in flood irrigated rice has extensively been studied and understood, however, the impact of establishment method and residue levels on this dynamics remains unknown. Experiments on resource conservation technologies were conducted between 2008 and 2009 to assess the impact of two establishment methods (beds and flats) in combination with three (R0, R50 and R100) residue levels and two irrigation modes (alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation (all zero till), and a continuously flooded conventional tillage (dry tillage)) with water seeded rice (WSR) on the mineral N dynamics under dry seeded rice (DSR)-surface seeded wheat systems. N balance from the top 80 cm soil layers indicated that 32–70% (122–236 kg ha⁻¹) mineral N was unaccounted (lost) during rice cropping. The amount of unaccounted mineral N was affected by the irrigation method. Residue retention increased (p < 0.001) the unaccounted mineral N content by 38%. With AWD irrigation, the N loss was not different among dry seeded rice in flat (DSRF), dry seeded rice in bed (DSRB), and conventional tillage WSR. Under different irrigation, establishment methods and residue levels, unaccounted mineral N was mainly affected by plant N uptake and soil mineral N content. Major amounts (43–58%) of unaccounted mineral N from DSR field occurred between seeding and panicle initiation (PI). During the entire rice and wheat growing seasons, NH₄N consistently remained at very high levels, while, NO₃N remained at very low levels in all treatments. In rice, the irrigation method affected NH₄N content. Effect of residue retention and establishment methods were not significant on NH₄N and NO₃N dynamics in both crops and years. Further evidence of the continuously fluctuating water filled pore spaces (WFPS) of 64% and the microbial aerobic activity of 93% at the top 10 cm soil surface during rice growing season indicates soil in the DSR treatments was under frequent aerobic–anaerobic transformation, a conditions very conducive for higher amounts of N loss. In DSR treatments, the losses appeared to be caused by a combination of denitrification, leaching and N immobilization. When intending to use a DSR management strategies need to be developed for appropriate N management, irrigation scheduling, and residue use to increase mineral N availability and uptake before this practices can be recommended.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy on combine harvesters to measure maize grain dry matter content and quality parameters

Dry matter (DM) content and quality parameters of maize grain are important traits in breeding of maize hybrids. New developments in near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allow to determine DM content and product quality parameters directly on plot combine harvesters. The main objective of our study was to examine the potential of NIRS on combine harvester (NOCH) for determination of DM, crude protein (CP) and starch (ST) contents in maize grain. Plot combine harvesters equipped with spectrometers were used. Eleven locations were harvested in Europe during 2003 and 2004. The NOCH calibration models were developed with standard error of prediction (SEP) and coefficient of determination for validation (R) of 1.2% and 0.95 for DM, 0.3% and 0.88 for CP, and 1.0% and 0.79 for ST, respectively. NOCH is a promising technology for determination of DM, CP and ST contents of maize grain for breeding purposes, because it automates the assessment of each harvested plot, and the information for making selection decision is rapidly available to plan the next generation.     

Growth and yield of spring cereals during transition to zero tillage on clay soils

Due to the high cost of fuel and labour associated with conventional tillage, and because of their advantageous environmental consequences, interest in reduced and zero tillage systems has increased. Direct drilling into zero tilled (ZT) soil of two spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (six-rowed Rolfi and two-rowed Saana), spring oats (Avena sativa L., cultivar Roope), and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cultivar Kruunu) was compared with conventional tillage (CT) and drilling into ploughed soil. Two field experiments were conducted on clay soils (clay content > 50%) between latitudes 60° and 61° N. Seed and fertilizer were placed in the same row in ZT and in separate rows in CT. Oats was the most productive spring cereal species in ZT. Establishment of spring wheat was often poor. Barley was most vulnerable to water surplus during early growth and drought during late growth. High levels of crop residues caused problems in soil drying in spring and growth of monocultures of oats and wheat. A higher seeding rate was advantageous in zero tilled clay soil. The substantial grain yield decrease suggests need for improving ZT.Long-term trials are required to determine whether ZT suits clay soils as soil structure can change over time and weather conditions play a major role in the productivity of differently tilled soils.     

Exogenous Abscisic Acid Application During Grain Filling in Winter Wheat Improves Cold Tolerance of Offspring's Seedlings

Low temperature seriously depresses seed germination and seedling growth in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, wheat plants were sprayed with abscisic acid (ABA) and fluridone (inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis) at 19 days after anthesis (DAA) and repeated at 26 DAA. The seeds of those plants were harvested, and seed germination and offspring's seedling growth under low temperature were evaluated. The results showed that exogenous ABA application decreased seed weight and slightly reduced seed set and seed number per spike. Under low temperature, seeds from ABA‐treated plants showed reduced germination rate, germination index, growth of radicle and coleoptile, amylase activity and depressed starch degradation as compared with seeds from non‐ABA‐treated plants; however, activities of the antioxidant enzymes in both germinating seeds and seedling were enhanced from those exposed to exogenous ABA, resulting in much lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ concentrations and production rate. In addition, the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II was also enhanced in ABA‐treated offspring's seedlings. It is concluded that exogenous ABA treatment at later grain‐filling stage could be an effective approach to improve cold tolerance of the offspring during seed germinating and seedlings establishment in winter wheat.     

Genetic variation for sinapate ester content in winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and development of NIRS calibration equations

Increasing the meal and protein quality of winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) for food and feed purposes is gaining importance in rapeseed breeding programmes. Rapeseed meal has a high content of phenolic acid esters, mainly sinapate esters, which have been shown to cause a dark colour and a bitter taste in rapeseed meal and derived protein products. The aim of the present study was to analyse the genetic variation for individual and total sinapate ester content, to develop Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations, and to identify genotypes with a low sinapate ester content after testing in the field. The following sinapate esters were analysed by HPLC: sinapoylcholine (sinapine), sinapoylglucose, and a minor group of ‘other sinapate esters’ which includes free sinapate. A genotypically diverse set of seed samples of winter oilseed rape (old and new cultivars, breeding lines, resynthesized rapeseed) from different years and locations was collected, their NIRS spectra recorded and the samples were further analysed by HPLC. The complete NIRS calibration seed sample set (n = 575) showed a large variation in total sinapate ester content, ranging from 3.2 to 12.7 mg sinapate equivalents per g seeds. The NIRS calibration equations showed high fractions of explained variances in cross validation () ranging from 0.75 (other sinapate esters) to 0.85 (sinapoylglucose). The standard errors of cross validation (SECV) ranged from 0.38 (other sinapate esters) to 0.70 mg/g seed (total sinapate esters). In validation and in independent validations the predicted results were not always acceptable, indicating that the NIRS calibrations need to be extended by analysing samples from new populations. Following replicated field experiments, a doubled haploid line obtained from the old Dutch cultivar Mansholts’ Hamburger Raps, and related DH lines from the cross DH Mansholts’ × Express were confirmed to have a 30–40% lower sinapate ester content compared to check cultivars.     

Tillage effects on soil physical properties and performance of rice–wheat-cropping system under shallow water table conditions of Tarai, Northern India

This study was conducted for 3 years in silty clay loam (Aquic hapludoll) associated with water tables fluctuating between 0.05 and 0.96 m depths from the surface. Tillage treatments for rice (Oryza sativa L.) were puddling by four passes of rotary puddler (PR), reduced puddling (ReP) for two passes of rotary puddler, conventional puddling (CP) and direct seeding without puddling (DSWP) in four replications. Tillage treatments for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT) superimposed over the plots of rice tillage treatments. Puddling caused a significant reduction in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), infiltration rate (IR), and specific volume (Rv). The reduction in Ks in the PR plot at 30 days after transplanting was 27 and 46% (3-year average) higher than in the ReP and DSWP plots, respectively, but was statistically at par with that in the CP plot in the surface tilled layer. This indicates that puddling by four passes of rotary puddler and that by conventional method adopted by farmers in those conditions gives the same level of control on percolation rate. Highest rice yield (5607 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained in the PR plot, which was statistically equal to that in the ReP plot. Wheat yield was highest (4020 kg ha⁻¹) in the DSWP plot of rice under CT condition. Total average grain production (rice + wheat) was highest under ReP–CT treatment combination. Results thus show that quality of soil puddle obtained by half the efforts in conventional puddling was sufficient for a significantly high yield of rice with minimum deterioration of soil properties. Similarly, wheat sowing by conventional tillage in such a reduced puddling plots of rice was sufficient for a significantly high yield of wheat.     

Effects of Exogenous Abscisic Acid on Antioxidant System in Weedy and Cultivated Rice with Different Chilling Sensitivity under Chilling Stress

Two chilling‐tolerant genotypes, that is, weedy rice WR03‐45 and cultivated rice Lijiangxintuanheigu and two chilling‐sensitive genotypes, that is, weedy rice WR03‐26 and cultivated rice Xiuzinuo were used in this study to investigate the effects of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) on protection against chilling damage as well as on changes in physiological features. The results showed that under chilling stress the increased levels of superoxide radical (), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in WR03‐45 and Lijiangxintuanheigu were lower than those in WR03‐26 and Xiuzinuo. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR)) and non‐enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate acid (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH)) were enhanced in WR03‐45 and Lijiangxintuanheigu, whereas they were decreased significantly in WR03‐26 and Xiuzinuo. Application of exogenous ABA reduced the chilling damage in the four genotypes. The pre‐treatment with ABA decreased the levels of , H₂O₂ and MDA caused by chilling stress in the four genotypes through increasing the activities of SOD, CAT, APX, GR and the contents of AsA and GSH in the four genotypes under chilling stress. Moreover, pre‐treatment with Fluridone, the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor, prohibited the effects of ABA through enhancing the oxidative damages and suppressing the antioxidant defence systems under chilling stress. The results indicate the mechanism for rice with chilling tolerance is to enhance the capacity of antioxidant defence systems under chilling stress. Furthermore, ABA plays important roles in the tolerance of rice against chilling stress for it could induce the capacity of whole antioxidant defence systems including enzymatic and non‐enzymatic constitutions under chilling stress.     

A Simple Drought‐Sensitive Model for Leaf : Stem Partitioning of Wheat

We investigated the leaf : stem partitioning of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. varieties ‘Dekan’ and ‘Batis’) with and without drought influence. Irrigated and drought‐stressed winter wheat, grown in a rainout shelter in 2009/10 and 2013/14, were sampled during shoot elongation phase at the experimental Farm Hohenschulen located in Northern Germany. The data set contains leaf (DM_L) and stem dry masses (DM_S), as well as measured water contents for several soil layers. A reduced relative dry matter allocation to leaves was observed under drought stress. Our results clearly show that, if simulated leaf : stem partitioning is not sensitive to drought, this will cause a positive bias in simulated leaf and a negative bias in simulated stem dry matter under water‐limited conditions. This is in accordance with previous studies which revealed that crop simulators often overestimate the impact of drought on light‐use efficiency, whereas the consequences on leaf area development are underestimated. However, the drought stress‐induced shift in leaf : stem partitioning is yet not considered by most common wheat crop simulators. Our aim was to fill the gap in simulation of drought stress implications on leaf area development. A simple allometric model for leaf : stem partitioning () was parameterized. Starting from the allometric leaf : stem relationship observed under optimum water supply, a correction term was introduced, which allows to adapt the partitioning to drought stress conditions. The lg‐transformed root‐weighted soil water potential in the rooting zone (lgψ_root, lg(hPa)), calculated as a function of measured water contents and simulated root distribution, was used as a drought stress indicator. The linear correction term assumes an increase of the stem fraction, proportional to the difference between lgψ_root and a drought stress threshold (pF_crit, lg(hPa)). The analysis revealed that the shift in allometric partitioning towards stem fraction starts with lgψ_root greater than 1.92 [lg(hPa)]. The slope of the relative increase of dry matter allocated to the stem fraction was determined with 0.26 [lg(hPa)^?1]. Both parameters of the correction term were found to be highly significant. Implications for crop modelling are discussed.     

播期对山西省冬小麦茎蘖幼穗分化及产量的影响

为探讨不同播期对山西省冬小麦茎蘖幼穗分化及产量的影响,以冬小麦新品种‘临汾8050’为材料,观察了不同播期下冬小麦的主茎分蘖幼穗分化过程及产量表现。结果表明,随着播期的推迟和蘖位的增高,幼穗分化各时期的日期推迟,幼穗分化的总历时缩短,晚播处理穗分化时间比早播处理少121天;随着播期的推迟和蘖位的增高,各分蘖幼穗分化日期推迟,晚播分蘖幼穗比早播的推迟109天;随着播期的推迟,主茎幼穗伸长期呈现短长短趋势,伸长期至雌雄蕊分化期持续时间缩短,雌雄蕊分化后各分化期基本同步;同一播期（早播、中播）随着蘖位的增高,伸长期至二棱期分化持续的时间及总历时明显缩短,之后各分化期历时相差不大;而晚播随着蘖位的增高,各分化持续的时间及总历时稍有增长;但晚播处理至小花分化期第二位蘖和第三位蘖及中播处理的第三位蘖死亡;主茎及分蘖穗的有效小穗数随播期的推迟明显减少,早播和中播有效穗数为643.58×10⁴/hm²和601.66×10⁴/hm²与晚播有效穗数549.38×10⁴/hm²差异显著,产量显著降低。为此,9月25日至10月5日是山西省南部冬小麦适宜播期。     

Yield Formation and Plant Metabolism of Spring Barley in Response to Locally Injected Ammonium

This study was conducted to elucidate the crop physiological basis for yield differences frequently observed in experiments comparing top‐dressing of N fertilizers with injection of ammonium or ammonium/urea solutions into the soil. The effects of diammonium phosphate (NH₄‐N) injected at the two‐leaf stage, calcium nitrate (NO₃‐N) broadcasted and incorporated before sowing, and a control without N fertilization (‐N) were assessed from measurements of growth, N‐uptake and N‐partitioning, light interception, gas exchange, leaf anatomy and the activity of key enzymes of N‐metabolism. The experiment was performed with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown in 80‐l containers in a vegetation hall in Braunschweig, Germany. The plants in the NH₄‐N treatment produced a 20 % higher grain yield than those in the NO₃‐N treatment. The grain yield superiority of the NH₄‐N plants was attributable to a higher number of ears per plant (+13 %) and more grains per ear (+6 %). The NH₄‐N plants exhibited lower concentrations of inorganic cations than plants supplied with NO₃‐N. In the NH₄‐N treatment, the light penetrated more deeply into the crop canopy and the NH₄‐N plants exhibited a higher leaf carbon exchange rate at the different leaf layers than the NO₃‐N plants. It is concluded that as opposed to predominantly nitrate nutrition, provision of a persistent source of ammonium enables plants to take advantage of the positive yield effect of mixed N nutrition.     

Effect of Different Crop Densities of Winter Wheat on Recovery of Nitrogen in Crop and Soil within the Growth Period

Previous experiments have shown that, at harvest of winter wheat, recovery of fertilizer N applied in early spring [tillering, Zadok’s growth stage (GS) 25] is lower than that of N applied later in the growth period. This can be explained by losses and immobilization of N, which might be higher between GS 25 and stem elongation (GS 31). It was hypothesized that a higher crop density (i.e. more plants per unit area) results in an increased uptake of fertilizer N applied at GS 25, so that less fertilizer N is subject to losses and immobilization. Different crop densities of winter wheat at GS 25 were established by sowing densities of 100 seeds m^–2 (S_low), 375 seeds m^–2 (S_cfp= common farming practice) and 650 seeds m^–2 (S_high) in autumn. The effect of sowing density on crop N uptake and apparent fertilizer N recovery (aFNrec = N in fertilized treatments ? N in unfertilized treatments) in crops and soil mineral N (N_min), as well as on lost and immobilized N (i.e. non‐recovered N = N rate ? aFNrec), was investigated for two periods after N application at GS 25 [i.e. from GS 25 to 15 days later (GS 25 + 15d), and from GS 25 + 15d to GS 31] and in a third period between GS 31 and harvest (i.e. after second and third N applications). Fertilizer N rates varied at GS 25 (0, 43 and 103 kg N ha^–1), GS 31 (0 and 30 kg N ha^–1) and ear emergence (0, 30 and 60 kg ha^–1). At GS 25 + 15d, non‐recovered N was highest (up to 33 kg N ha^–1 and up to 74 kg N ha^–1 at N rates of 43 and 103 kg N ha^–1, respectively) due to low crop N uptake after the first N dressing. Non‐recovered N was not affected by sowing density. Re‐mineralization during later growth stages indicated that non‐recovered N had been immobilized. N uptake rates from the second and third N applications were lowest for S_low, so non‐recovered N at harvest was highest for S_low. Although non‐recovered N was similar for S_cfp and S_high, the highest grain yields were found at S_cfp and N dressings of 43 + 30 + 60 kg N ha^–1. This combination of sowing density and N rates was the closest to common farming practice. Grain yields were lower for S_high than for S_cfp, presumably due to high competition between plants for nutrients and water. In conclusion, reducing or increasing sowing density compared to S_cfp did not reduce immobilization (and losses) of fertilizer N and did not result in increased fertilizer N use efficiency or grain yields.     

Population structure and linkage disequilibrium in diploid and tetraploid potato revealed by genome‐wide high‐density genotyping using the SolCAP SNP array

Genome‐wide association (GWA) mapping in potato requires high‐density genotyping. With the Illumina SolCAP potato single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, a first tool for GWA mapping in potato became available. Thirty‐six tetraploid varieties and eight diploid breeding clones were genotyped for 8303 SNPs using this array. The objectives of our study were to examine in this set of germplasm: (i) the degree of polymorphism of the SolCAP SNPs in European germplasm, (ii) the population structure, (iii) temporal trends of genetic diversity and (iv) the genome‐wide extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD). Three‐quarters of the SNPs were polymorphic. In the principal coordinate analysis, a clear separation of tetraploid from diploid genotypes was observed, whereas no distinct subgroups among the tetraploid varieties were detected. The nonlinear trendline of the LD measure vs. the physical map distance decayed within 275 bp to an value of 0.10, indicating that theoretically, about 3 million equally distributed SNPs are required for GWA mapping in this diverse set of germplasm. As the LD decay changes with the population selected for GWA mapping, the number of required markers might be different in other germplasm.     

轮耕对小麦–玉米两熟农田耕层构造及作物产量与品质的影响

为了解不同轮耕模式对小麦-玉米两熟制耕层构造、作物产量和品质的影响,从2009年小麦季开始至2012年玉米生长季结束连续3个种植周期设置小麦季免耕、深松或翻耕+玉米季免耕或深松的6种耕作模式组合,研究其对农田土壤孔隙度和水分含量、作物产量、以及籽粒蛋白质含量、油分含量和容重的影响。结果表明,与免耕相比,玉米季深松大幅度提高0~40 cm土壤的周年总孔隙度,小麦季深松或翻耕改善了土壤孔隙状况。小麦季耕作和玉米季耕作的交互效应是各层次土壤毛管孔隙度的决定因素,而玉米季耕作的独立效应是土壤各层次非毛管孔隙度的决定因素。小麦季深松和翻耕促进小麦生育后期对土壤水分的吸收,深松较翻耕和免耕处理的小麦产量显著升高。玉米季深松比免耕提高了玉米在灌浆阶段对水分的吸收,有利于提高玉米产量,同时对后茬小麦有积极作用。从全年产量与品质看,6种耕作模式组合中,全年两季深松效果最佳,其次是小麦季深松+玉米季免耕,这两种轮耕模式均适合在华北平原推广应用。     

稻秸还田下耕作与播种方式对小麦出苗及产量的影响

为了研究稻秸还田下耕作与播种方式对小麦出苗及产量的影响,通过大区试验,分析了稻秸全量还田下不同耕作与播种方式对小麦出苗率、出苗均匀性及产量性状的影响。结果显示,相同的播种方式下,浅耕处理小麦出苗率高于免耕处理,但出苗均匀性差于后者;相同的耕作方式下,播种方式对小麦出苗率和出苗均匀性的影响差异较大,其中,机械匀播方式下小麦出苗率最高,出苗均匀性最好;小麦出苗率和出苗均匀性通过影响穗数、穗粒数、千粒重而影响籽粒产量,同一耕作方式下机械匀播小麦籽粒产量均高于其余2种播种方式,免耕和浅耕下机械匀播小麦产量分别达6484.35 kg/hm~2和6476.20 kg/hm~2。因此,稻秸全量还田条件下,建议采用免耕机械匀播方式,能有效改善小麦田间出苗情况,进而获得较高的籽粒产量。     

Turnover and fate of 15N-labelled cattle slurry ammonium-N applied in the autumn to winter wheat

The fate of ¹⁵NH₄-N labelled cattle slurry applied before sowing in September of a winter wheat crop was studied on a loamy sand soil. The aim was to quantify immobilization of slurry NH₄-N into microbial biomass, the speed at which nitrate derived from the slurry NH₄-N was transported down the soil profile, and the utilization of slurry NH₄-N by the winter wheat crop. Cattle slurry was applied at a rate corresponding to 75 kg NH₄-N ha⁻¹ , with very little loss by volatilization (<4%) due to rapid incorporation by ploughing. The slurry amendment resulted in a doubling of soil surface CO₂ flux, an index of microbial activity, over non-amended soil within the first c. 2 weeks, but ceased again after c. 4 weeks, due to depletion of the easily degradable substances, e.g. volatile fatty acids, in the slurry. Nitrification of the applied NH₄-N was fast and complete by 3 weeks from application, and at this time, the maximum immobilization of slurry NH₄-N into the microbial biomass (23% of applied ¹⁵NH₄-N) was also observed, although no significant increase in total microbial biomass was observed. Rapid turnover of the microbial biomass quickly diluted the assimilated ¹⁵N, with only 6% of applied ¹⁵NH₄-N remaining in the microbial biomass by next spring. Downwards transport of nitrate was rapid in spite of lower than normal precipitation, and slurry-derived ¹⁵NO₃-N appeared in ceramic suction cups installed at 60 cm depth already 2 months after slurry application. Due to the unusually low winter precipitation in the experimental year, wheat yields were high, and the recovery of N in above-ground plant biomass derived from slurry NH₄-N at harvest reached 32%. An additional 45% of the applied slurry NH₄-N could be found in the soil to a depth of 100 cm (mostly in organic form in the plough layer), indicating that 23% had been lost by leaching or in gaseous form. It was concluded that although significant immobilization of slurry NH₄-N did occur, this was not sufficient to prevent leaching of slurry-derived N over the winter and that the relatively high recovery of slurry-derived N in the wheat crop was due partly to lower than normal winter percolation and partly to a relatively high rooting depth on this particular site.