Productivity and water use of alfalfa and subsequent crops in the semiarid Loess Plateau with different stand ages of alfalfa and crop sequences

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plays an important role in crop–livestock mixed farming on marginal land in the semiarid Loess Plateau. However, the duration, yield performance and water use of long-term alfalfa stands and choice of appropriate subsequent crops are not clear. A 5-year field experiment was conducted at Zhonglianchuan, Gansu Province, China from 2001 to 2005. Productivity and water use were determined and compared between (1) three alfalfa stands that were 1–5 (A1–5), 6–10 (A6–10) and 11–15 (A11–15) years old during the trial; (2) alfalfa using conventional cultivation and a water-harvesting technique (RA1–5); and (3) conventional crop rotation (CK) and four 5-year crop sequence rotations sown after 10-year-old alfalfa had been ploughed, being millet–wheat–potato–pea–potato (MWLPL); millet–corn–corn–wheat–wheat (MCCWW); millet–potato–wheat–corn–corn (MLWCC) and millet–fallow–pea–potato–pea (MFPLP). Forage yield peaked in 7-year-old alfalfa (5740 kg ha⁻¹), but 9-year-old alfalfa had the maximum forage yield profit (4477 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) in terms of whole growing years. Soil water use efficiency (WUE_S in terms of forage yield and soil water use) of alfalfa increased dramatically up to the 11th year, and then leveled off from year 12 to 15. Forage yield and WUE_B/ET (WUE in terms of aboveground biomass and evapotranspiration) of alfalfa were significantly higher using water harvesting compared with conventional cultivation, but were significantly lower than CK. Soil water content did not change in CK as stand age increased, but it decreased in conventional alfalfa stands. After 10 years of alfalfa, a fallow year was not necessary before planting annual crops as soil water was greatly restored after sowing subsequent annual crops. Yield of some crops in the four crop sequence rotations did not differ significantly from CK. MWLPL and MLWCC had more aboveground biomass than MCCWW and MFPLP but the choice of crop sequence needs to be further considered.     

Forage soybean yield and quality response to water use

Forages could be used to diversify reduced and no-till dryland cropping systems from the traditional wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system in the semiarid central Great Plains. Forages present an attractive alternative to grain and seed crops because of greater water use efficiency and less susceptibility to potentially devastating yield reductions due to severe water stress during critical growth stages. However, farmers need a simple tool to evaluate forage productivity under widely varying precipitation conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the relationship between crop water use and dry matter (DM) yield for soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), (2) evaluate changes in forage quality that occur as harvest date is delayed, and (3) determine the range and distribution of expected DM yields in the central Great Plains based on historical precipitation records. Forage soybean was grown under a line-source gradient irrigation system to impose a range of water availability conditions at Akron, CO. Dry matter production was linearly correlated with water use resulting in a production function slope of 21.2 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹. The slope was much lower than previously reported for forage production functions for triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) and millet (Setaria italic L. Beauv.), and only slightly lower than slopes previously reported for corn (Zea mays L.) and pea (Pisum sativa L.) forage. Forage quality was relatively stable during the last four weeks of growth, with small declines in crude protein (CP) concentration. Values of CP concentration and relative feed value indicated that forage soybean was of sufficient quality to be used for dairy feed. A standard seed variety of maturity group VII was found to be similar (in both productivity and quality) to a variety designated as a forage type. The probability of obtaining a break-even yield of at least 4256 kg ha⁻¹ was 90% as determined from long-term precipitation records used with the production function. The average estimated DM yield was 5890 kg ha⁻¹ and ranged from 2437 to 9432 kg ha⁻¹. Regional estimates of mean forage soybean DM yield ranged from 4770 kg ha⁻¹ at Fort Morgan, CO to 6911 kg ha⁻¹ at Colby, KS. Forage soybean should be considered a viable alternative crop for dryland cropping systems in the central Great Plains.     

Cropping sequence and tillage system influences annual crop production and water use in semiarid Montana,USA

Available water is typically the biggest constraint to spring wheat production in the northern Great Plains of the USA. The most common rotation for spring wheat is with summer fallow, which is used to accrue additional soil moisture. Tillage during fallow periods controls weeds, which otherwise would use substantial amounts of water, decreasing the efficiency of fallow. Chemical fallow and zero tillage systems improve soil water conservation, allowing for increased cropping intensity. We conducted a field trial from 1998 through 2003 comparing productivity and water use of crops in nine rotations under two tillage systems, conventional and no-till. All rotations included spring wheat, two rotations included field pea, while lentil, chickpea, yellow mustard, sunflower, and safflower were present in single rotations with wheat. Growing season precipitation was below average most years, resulting in substantial drought stress to crops not following fallow. Preplant soil water, water use, and spring wheat yields were generally greater following summer fallow than wheat recropped after wheat or alternate crops. Water use and yield of wheat following summer fallow was greater than for chickpea or yellow mustard, the only other crops in the trial that followed summer fallow. Field pea performed best of all alternate crops, providing yields comparable to those of recropped spring wheat. Chickpea, lentil, yellow mustard, safflower, and sunflower did not perform well and were not adapted to this region, at least during periods of below average precipitation. Following summer fallow, and despite drought conditions, zero tillage often provided greater amounts of soil water at planting compared to conventional tillage.     

Growth,PAR use efficiency,and yield components of field-grown Vicia faba L. under different temperature and photoperiod regimes

N-fixing legume crops may be a good component of a general plan to improve cropping system efficiency. For this purpose, crop suitability to specific environments must be established. To estimate the yield potential we examined the growth and yield response of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops to different thermal and photoperiod regimes. Irrigated field experiments were conducted in northwest Spain for 3 years (2004–2007) with cv. ‘Alameda’ sown on five different dates in each year from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Environmental conditions experienced by plants across sowing dates were largely different. Sowing date had a great influence on biomass, grain yield and its components. This effect was associated with changes in PAR captured, PAR use efficiency (PUE) and biomass allocation to the different organs. Critical leaf area index (LAI_cr) tended to increase and the extinction coefficient, k, to decrease as the sowing date was delayed. Earlier sowing dates intercepted more radiation over the whole season than the spring sowing dates. Greatest crop growth treatments (2nd and 3rd sowing dates) had the highest values of PAR use efficiency probably due to more adequate temperatures for photosynthesis and a large number of reproductive sinks. The highest grain yield (7733 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained with the mid-February sowing date, which produced the most pods and seeds per m², the largest harvest index (62.0%), and large maximum leaf area index (5.41). Low yields of mid-autumn (1st) and mid-spring (5th) sowing dates were associated with reduced pods and seeds per m². Temperature and photoperiod had a large impact on faba bean growth, development, and yield. Best yields were obtained when abundant assimilate supply and moderate temperatures were available during pod set.     

Productivity and sustainability of a spring wheat–field pea rotation in a semi-arid environment under conventional and conservation tillage systems

A long-term rotation experiment was established in 2001 to compare conservation tillage techniques with conventional tillage in a semi-arid environment in the western Loess Plateau of China. We examined resource use efficiencies and crop productivity in a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–field pea (Pisum arvense L.) rotation. The experimental design included a factorial combination of tillage with different ground covers (complete stubble removal, stubble retained and plastic film mulch). Results showed that there was more soil water in 0–30 cm at sowing under the no-till with stubble retained treatment than the conventional tillage with stubble removed treatment for both field pea (60 mm vs. 55 mm) and spring wheat (60 mm vs. 53 mm). The fallow rainfall efficiency was up to 18% on the no-till with stubble retained treatment compared to only 8% for the conventional tillage with stubble removed treatment. The water use efficiency was the highest in the no-till with stubble retained treatment for both field pea (10.2 kg/ha mm) and spring wheat (8.0 kg/ha mm), but the lowest on the no-till with stubble removed treatment for both crops (8.4 kg/ha mm vs. 6.9 kg/ha mm). Spring wheat also had the highest nitrogen use efficiency on the no-till with stubble retained treatment (24.5%) and the lowest on the no-till with stubble removed treatment (15.5%). As a result, grain yields were the highest under no-till with stubble retained treatment, but the lowest under no-till with no ground cover treatment for both spring wheat (2.4 t/ha vs. 1.9 t/ha) and field pea (1.8 t/ha vs. 1.4 t/ha). The important finding from this study is that conservation tillage has to be adopted as a system, combining both no-tillage and retention of crop residues. Adoption of a no-till system with stubble removal will result in reductions in grain yields and a combination of soil degradation and erosion. Plastic film mulch increased crop yields in the short-term compared with the conventional tillage practice. However, use of non-biodegradable plastic film creates a disposal problem and contamination risk for soil and water resources. It was concluded that no-till with stubble retained treatment was the best option in terms of higher and more efficient use of water and nutrient resources and would result in increased crop productivity and sustainability for the semi-arid region in the Loess Plateau. The prospects for adoption of conservation tillage under local conditions were also discussed.     

Crop establishment method and irrigation schedule effect on water productivity,quality, economics and energetics of aerobic direct-seeded rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

Rice is cultivated through transplanting of seedling in submerged field which is a cumbersome, labour intensive and water-guzzling practice. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of crop establishment methods and irrigation schedules on water productivity, economics and energetics of aerobic direct-seeded rice at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, during Kharif 2012–2013. The experiment was laid out in split plot design, keeping combinations of two tillage system (no-tillage and conventional tillage) and two methods of sowing (uni-directional and bi-directional) in main plots and four irrigation schedule [(30, 45, 60 and 75 mm CPE (cumulative pan evaporation)] in sub plots. Aerobic direct-seeded rice sown after conventional tillage gave significantly higher grain yield than no-till with 15.4 % higher water expense efficiency. The energy gain and net monetary returns were 13.2 and 21.2 % higher in conventional sown crop than no-till, respectively. Bi-directional sowing resulted in 26.5 % higher grain yield than uni-directional with no effect on quality traits of grains. The net energy gain and net monetary returns were 26.5 thousands MJ/ha and 125.3 $/ha higher from bi-directional sown crop than uni-directional sown crop. Crop irrigated at 30 mm CPE schedule resulted in significantly higher grain yield than that irrigated at 45, 60 and 75 mm CPE. The energy gain, energy use efficiency and net returns were also maximum at 30 CPE schedule than at 45, 60 or 75 CPE. However, brown, milled and head rice recoveries were statistically at par between irrigation scheduling at 30 and 45 mm CPE but significantly better than 60 and 75 mm CPE. Bi-directional sowing with conventional tillage and irrigation at 30 CPE is an energy efficient and economical viable technique for direct-seeded rice.     

Dryland maize yields and water use efficiency in response to tillage/crop stubble and nutrient management practices in China

Rainfed crop production in northern China is constrained by low and variable rainfall. This study explored the effects of tillage/crop residue and nutrient management practices on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and N agronomic use efficiency (NAE) at Shouyang Dryland Farming Experimental Station in northern China during 2003–2008. The experiment was set-up using a split-plot design with 3 tillage/crop residue methods as main treatments: conventional, reduced (till with crop residue incorporated in fall but no-till in spring), and no-till (with crop residue mulching in fall). Sub-treatments were 3 NP fertilizer rates: 105–46, 179–78 and 210–92 kg N and P ha⁻¹. Maize grain yields were greatly influenced by the growing season rainfall and soil water contents at sowing. Mean grain yields over the 6-year period in response to tillage/crop residue treatments were 5604, 5347 and 5185 kg ha⁻¹, under reduced, no-till and conventional tillage, respectively. Grain yields under no-till, were generally higher (+19%) in dry years but lower (−7%) in wet years. Mean WUE was 13.7, 13.6 and 12.6 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ under reduced, no-till, and conventional tillage, respectively. The no-till treatment had 8–12% more water in the soil profiles than the conventional and reduced tillage treatments at sowing and harvest time. Grain yields, WUE and NAE were highest with the lowest NP fertilizer application rates (at 105 kg N and 46 kg P ha⁻¹) under reduced tillage, while yields and WUE tended to be higher with additional NP fertilizer rates under conventional tillage, however, there was no significant yield increase above the optimum fertilizer rate. In conclusion, maize grain yields, WUE and NAE were highest under reduced tillage at modest NP fertilizer application rates of 105 kg N and 46 kg P ha⁻¹. No-till increased soil water storage by 8–12% and improved WUE compared to conventional tillage, thus showing potentials for drought mitigation and economic use of fertilizers in drought-prone rainfed conditions in northern China.     

Managing crop losses from plant diseases with foliar fungicides, rotation and tillage on a Black Chernozem in Saskatchewan, Canada

The impact of tillage system, rotation sequence and foliar fungicides on diseases and seed yield and quality of wheat, barley, pea, canola and flax was determined in the second cycle of three, 4-year rotations from 1998 to 2001 on a Black Chernozem (Udic Boroll) at Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of reduced-tillage production systems, broadleaf cropping intensity and fungicide use on cereal, oilseed and pulse crops in northeastern Saskatchewan, a sub-humid region of the northern Great Plains. A split-split plot design was used with three tillage systems (conventional, minimum and no-till) as main plots, three rotations of increasing broadleaf crop intensity (1. canola-wheat-barley-barley; 2. canola-barley-pea-wheat; and 3. canola-pea-flax-barley) as sub-plots, and fungicide treatments (treated or untreated) as sub-sub-plots. Fungicides appropriate for the diseases of concern were applied at recommended crop development stages and application rates, followed by assessment of diseases. Tillage system had little impact on diseases of any crop, although seed yield was usually greater under no-till for most crops under dry conditions. Rotation was not a major factor in disease severity of most of the crops, except barley in the rotation where it was grown for two consecutive years. Under dry conditions, barley yield was reduced when it followed flax compared with other crops, most likely due to less available soil moisture after flax. Fungicide application had the greatest impact on disease control and seed yield increase, although results varied among crops and years. In conclusion, the findings indicate that tillage system had little effect on disease severity, rotation contributed to greater disease severity only when a crop was grown intensively, such as on its own stubble, and fungicide application had variable effects on both disease control and seed yield.     

Management Effects of Disease-Suppressive Rotation Crops on Potato Yield and Soilborne Disease and Their Economic Implications in Potato Production

Soilborne potato diseases are persistent problems in potato production. Use of disease-suppressive rotation crops, such as Brassica spp. (mustards, rapeseed) and sudangrass, has shown potential for management of soilborne diseases and enhanced yield in various crop production systems. However, how to best implement these crops into productive potato cropping systems has not yet been determined. In this research, potential disease-suppressive crops were evaluated under four different types of production management (as a cover crop, green manure, harvested crop-residue incorporated, and harvested crop-residue not incorporated) in potato rotation field trials, and their effects on disease, yield, and economic viability determined. Mustard blend, sudangrass, and rapeseed rotations reduced the tuber disease black scurf (by 16–27 %) and increased yield (by 6–11 %) relative to a barley rotation control, but only mustard blend consistently reduced common scab (by 11 %). All rotation crops managed as green manures produced lower disease (by 15–26 %) and higher yields (by 6–13 %) than other management practices. Overall, the combination of mustard blend managed as a green manure was most effective, reducing scurf by 54 % and increasing yield by 25 % relative to a soybean cover crop. The use of mustard or rapeseed as a harvested crop with incorporation provided the best economic return, increasing net income by more than $860/ha relative to the standard barley rotation, but mustard blend grown as a green manure or non-incorporated harvest crop also substantially increased net income ($600 to $780/ha).     

吉林玉米带不同玉米//小麦间作模式对作物产量及水分利用率的影响

采用田间试验,设置4∶2(四垄玉米两垄小麦)、3∶2(三垄玉米两垄小麦)、2∶2(两垄玉米两垄小麦)3种不同的玉米//小麦间作模式及玉米、小麦单作共5个处理,探讨不同玉米//小麦间作模式对作物产量、水分利用率及种间竞争等方面的影响。两年试验表明,玉米//小麦间作模式与单作模式相比具有显著优势,间作处理的土地当量比(LER)均大于1。玉米//小麦间作系统中,小麦相对玉米的竞争力(Awm)均大于0。在小麦收获后,3种不同间作处理的玉米相对生长率(RGR)相比单作玉米提高显著。在作物耗水等方面,玉米//小麦的全生育期耗水量及水分利用率均高于单作。间作模式能显著增加玉米//小麦间作的子粒产量,其中2∶2处理组在产量表现等方面为最优。     

Modeling responses of dryland spring triticale,proso millet and foxtail millet to initial soil water in the High Plains

Dryland farming strategies in the High Plains must make efficient use of limited and variable precipitation and stored water in the soil profile for stable and sustainable farm productivity. Current research efforts focus on replacing summer fallow in the region with more profitable and environmentally sustainable spring and summer crops. In the absence of reliable precipitation forecasts for the crop growing season, farmers rely mainly upon knowledge of plant available water (PAW) in the soil profile at planting for making crop choice decisions. To develop a decision support strategy for crop selection based on initial PAW, experiments were conducted with spring triticale (XTiticosecale Wittmack), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) under artificially controlled Low, Medium, and High initial PAW levels during 2004 and 2005 at Akron, Colorado, and Sidney, Nebraska. The objectives of this study were to adapt an existing cropping systems model for the simulation of triticale and millet and to evaluate simulations from the adapted model by comparing results with field data collected under varying initial PAW conditions. The Root Zone Water Quality Model with DSSAT v4.0 crop growth modules (RZWQM2) was used. Specifically, the Cropping System Model (CSM)–CERES–Wheat module was adapted for simulating triticale, and CSM–CERES–Sorghum (v4.0) module was adapted for simulating proso millet and foxtail millet. Soil water, leaf area index, grain yield, and biomass data for the highest PAW treatment from one crop season for each of the three crops were used to adapt and calibrate the crop modules. The models were then evaluated with data from the remaining PAW treatments. The proso millet module was further tested with four years of data from a crop rotation experiment at Akron from 2003 to 2006. Simulation results indicated that the adapted and calibrated crop modules have the potential to simulate these new crops under a range of varying water availability conditions. Consequently, these models can aid in the development of decision support tools for the season-to-season management of these summer fallow replacement crops under dryland conditions in semi-arid environments.     

Weed and disease incidence in no-till facultative wheat in the Pacific Northwest,USA

Weeds and diseases are major problems in the tillage-based winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)/summer fallow (WW/SF) cropping system of the low precipitation zone (≤300 mm) of the Pacific Northwest. Computer models have estimated that no-till spring crops may reduce soil erosion susceptibility by 95%. However, these annual cropping systems were not economically viable alternatives to the WW/SF rotation. Late-planted WW, also examined as an alternative, was similarly not viable with 35% lower grain yields than WW planted at the normal seeding date for the area. In 2002, two facultative wheat (FW) rotations were incorporated into a long-term, multidisciplinary field study to compare weed and disease incidence with a WW/reduced tillage summer fallow (WW/RSF) system for 4 years. Facultative wheat, not synonymous with late-planted WW, is often derived from SW by WW crosses and exhibits strong photosensitivity and partial sensitivity to vernalization. The two FW systems compared with WW/RSF were no-till FW/no-till spring wheat (FW/SW) and no-till FW/chemical fallow (FW/ChF). Facultative wheat was planted in early-November compared to WW planted in early-September and SW in the following March. Although 16 weed species were present during the study, Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus were the most pervasive weeds and were found at the highest densities in FW following SW (FW_(SW)). Populations of B. tectorum were often 90% higher in FW_(SW) than in either WW or FW following ChF. The FW/ChF, WW/RSF, and SW following FW had similarly low weed populations when averaged over 4 years. Facultative wheat had less root disease than WW throughout the study. Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) was severe in SW in 2005, but did not affect either FW. Based on the low weed and disease incidence coupled with the no-till planting of FW, the FW/ChF system showed promise as an alternative sustainable system to WW/SF.     

Cereal–legume rotations in a Mediterranean environment: biomass and yield production

The effects of various crop rotations on the biomass and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions were studied during three growing seasons in the semiarid Spanish Central Plateau. The treatments comprised six crop sequences: barley monoculture, fallow–barley (currently used in the area), faba bean–barley, pea–barley, fallow–barley–faba bean, and fallow–barley–pea. The fallow was of 16-month duration. The site is representative of cultivated areas of the Plateau, and the soil has a loam texture. Results concentrate on barley as the main crop. Season distribution of rainfall restricted the effectiveness of the management practices and in consequence there were few differences between rotations. Barley had greater biomass and yield after fallow than after other crops but significant differences were dependent on year. Legumes, an alternative to fallow, increased land use, permitted alternative weed control measures, and reduced the need for fertiliser. The intensification of the fallow–barley cropping system is best achieved by reducing the frequency of fallow and including other crops of relatively small biomass production, thereby minimising the impact on yield of the succeeding barley crop.     

Key Indicators for Assessing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cereal-Based Agroecosystems

SUMMARY

Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an important objective of agroecosystem management. We define and demonstrate key indicators of NUE that enable a broader assessment of N management strategies. Nitrogen efficiency components and indexes were defined to assess soil and crop physiological processes, and agronomic and environmental factors related to N use. Measurements of grain yield, grain N, aboveground plant N, applied N, post-harvest root-zone soil N, and N losses via subsurface drains were used to assess N retention efficiency, available N uptake efficiency, N utilization efficiency, N harvest index, N yield efficiency, N reliance index, grain N accumulation efficiency, N balance index, N fertilizer utilization efficiency, and N loss index. Nitrogen use indicators were evaluated for two field studies: (1) hard red spring wheat with four N levels and two tillage treatments: no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT); and (2) corn in crop sequences of continuous corn (C-C), corn-soybean (C-S), two years of corn following alfalfa (ALF-C-C), and two years of corn following perennial grass (CRP-C-C). Tillage, crop rotation, and applied N had large and variable effects on different indicators of N use. N efficiency components and indexes were useful for monitoring cropping system N use, assessing N management strategies, and identifying key areas for improvements in NUE.     

Varied previous crops on improving oilseed flax productivity in semiarid Loess Plateau in China

To investigate the effects of crop rotation on oilseed flax growth and yield, three season experiments were carried out in semi-arid area of Dingxi, Gansu from 2017 to 2019. The designed 6 rotational systems were FFF (flax-flax-flax), PFF (potato-flax-flax), WPF (wheat-potato-flax), FPF (flax-potato-flax), PWF (potato-wheat-flax) and FWF (flax-wheat-flax). Flax growth and yield investigation results showed that crop rotation increased leaf area duration, dry matter accumulation, seed nitrogen accumulation, water and nitrogen used efficiency, compared with continuous cropping of flax. Flaxseed yields in rotation systems were 22.23%–44.11% greater than those of continuous cropping system. Those in wheat and potato stubbles had higher tiller number (21.43% and 29.46%), more branches (14.24% and 6.97%), effective capsules (26.35% and 28.79%), higher water use efficiency (40.26% and 33.5%), higher nitrogen partial factor productivity (33.85% and 31.46%) and dry matter (41.98% and 25.47%) than those in oilseed flax stubble. It concluded that crop rotation system was an effective measure for oilseed flax productivity in semi-arid area by improving yield components and promoting biomass.     

Diverse no-till irrigated crop rotations instead of burning and plowing continuous wheat

Field burning of residue is a traditional management tool for irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the Inland Pacific Northwest of the United States (PNW) that can result in reduced air quality. A 6-year no-till field experiment to evaluate two complete cycles of a 3-year irrigated crop rotation of winter wheat–spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)–winter canola (Brassica napus L.) was sown (i) directly into standing residue of the previous crop, (ii) after mechanical removal of residue and, (iii) after burning of residue. The traditional practice of continuous annual winter wheat sown after burning residue and inverting the topsoil with a moldboard plow was included as a check treatment. Over-winter precipitation storage efficiency (PSE) was markedly improved when residue was not burned or burned and plowed after grain harvest. Grain yield of winter wheat trended higher in all no-till residue management treatments compared to the check treatment. Average grain yields of spring barley and canola were not significantly different among the no-till residue management treatments. Winter canola failed in 5 of 6 years due to a combination of a newly identified Rhizoctonia damping-off disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-1 and cold temperatures that necessitated replanting to spring canola. Six-year average net returns over total costs were statistically equal over all four systems. All systems lost from $358 to $396 ha^?1. Soil organic carbon (SOC) increased linearly each year with no-till at the 0–5 cm depth and accumulated at a slower rate at the 5–10 cm depth. Take-all of wheat caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici was most severe in continuous annual winter wheat. The incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia on roots of wheat and inoculum of R. solani AG-8, was highest in the no-till treatments, but there was no grain yield loss due to this disease in any treatment. Residue management method had no consistent effect on Rhizoctonia root rot on barley. The annual winter grass downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) was problematic for winter wheat in the standing and mechanically removed residue treatments, but was controlled in the no-till residue burned and the burn and plow check. Another winter annual grass weed, rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros L.), infested all no-till treatments. This was the first comprehensive and multidisciplinary no-till irrigated crop rotation study conducted in the Pacific Northwest.     

华北平原不同种植模式的水氮利用

2007～2009年在河北省中国农业大学吴桥实验站进行两年的田间定位试验,试验设3个种植模式,分别为冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟常规模式、春玉米一熟优化管理模式和冬小麦-夏玉米-春玉米两年三熟优化管理模式,探讨在华北地区通过调整种植模式的途径实现农业节水减氮的潜力。结果表明,冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟常规模式（对照）具有显著产量优势,但水分利用率和氮肥利用率均较低,水氮浪费较为严重,不利于华北平原地区农业的可持续发展;与对照相比,春玉米一熟模式水氮消耗量最小,水氮利用率均显著提高,具有良好的环境效应,但其产量降低较多,不适宜在生产中单独推广;两年三熟模式两年总灌溉用水量降低了63%,氮肥用量降低了75%,产量降低了21%,节水减氮效果明显,水氮利用效率显著提高,该模式进一步完善后可适当推广。     

Water use and yield of wheat/maize intercropping under alternate irrigation in the oasis field of northwest China

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of alternate irrigation (AI) on the yield, water use and water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system in an oasis region of northwest China in 2006-2008. Three planting patterns, i.e., sole wheat, sole maize and wheat/maize intercropping. Three irrigation levels were applied for each treatment during 3 years. Results showed that land use efficiency of wheat and maize was significantly enhanced by intercropping system; land equivalent ratio (LER) of wheat/maize intercropping system in different treatments was all greater than 1.0. Moreover, significant difference in grain yield was observed between intercropping treatment and sole cropping treatment, in which the yield of intercropped wheat was 55.37-74.88% of sole wheat, and intercropped maize was 66.63-78.87% of sole maize. Wheat/maize intercropping treatments increased water use by 1.8-16.4% than half of the total water use of sole-cropping wheat and maize. Compared to sole cropping wheat treatments, wheat/maize intercropping with alternate irrigation significantly improved water use efficiency (WUE) by 30.5-57.7%, 55.5-71.4% and 12.0-19.8%, and increased by 32.7-37.8%, 9.5-15.8% and 4.0-20.8% than sole cropping maize treatments in 2006-2008, respectively. Our results suggest that AI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method on wheat/maize intercropping in arid oasis field where intercropping planting is decreased because of limited water resource.     

Rates of nitrogen application required to achieve maximum energy efficiency for various crops: results of a long-term experiment

A long-term experiment with four rates of mineral nitrogen (N) application (averaged across all the crops in a crop rotation: 0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha⁻¹ per year) was conducted on a fertile loess-derived soil in central Germany. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the rates of mineral nitrogen N application required for maximum net energy output (energy output minus energy input), maximum energy output/input ratio, and minimum energy intensity (energy input per unit grain equivalent) for various crops in a realistic crop rotation (potatoes [Solanum tuberosum L.], winter wheat [Triticum aestivum L.], winter barley [Hordeum vulgare L.], sugar beets [Beta vulgaris L.], spring barley [Hordeum vulgare L.]): (ii) identify long-term trends (from 1968 to 2000) in the rates of mineral N application necessary to achieve the most efficient use of energy in the production of winter wheat and (iii) assess the effects of changing the system boundaries and the energy equivalents assigned to selected inputs on the energy balance by means of a sensitivity analysis. In the last two crop rotations (1989–1993 and 1994–1999), the amount of N fertilizer required to maximize net energy output of the main products (cereal grains, beet roots) increased in the order sugar beets–winter wheat–winter barley. At optimum N fertilization, the net energy output increased in the order winter barley–winter wheat–sugar beets. Averaged across the two rotations, the N fertilizer demand for a maximum output/input ratio and minimum energy intensity increased in the order sugar beets–winter wheat–winter barley. There was no clear-cut time trend in the rate of N application required to maximize grain yield and net energy output of wheat; maximum grain yield, maximum net energy output, and output/input ratio increased significantly with time, whereas the minimum energy intensity decreased over the experimental period. For all the crops, the rate of N application required for the maximum net energy output was much higher than that required for the maximum output/input ratio and minimum energy intensity.     

不同种植模式对冬小麦产量及水分利用特性的影响

为探讨适宜河北山前平原高产限水区冬小麦节水稳产的种植模式,于2014-2015年研究了不同种植模式对最大叶面积指数、群体变化、表层土壤水分含量、耗水特性、产量及水分利用效率的影响。试验设秸秆覆盖(微喷灌)、全膜覆土穴播(不灌水)、垄上覆膜(膜侧条播,淋灌)、免耕沟播(每沟淋灌)、免耕沟播(隔沟淋灌)、微喷灌对照、畦灌对照共7个处理,畦灌对照灌水量为150mm(越冬水和拔节水各75mm),各微灌处理灌水量均为30mm(拔节水)。结果表明,秸秆覆盖处理较微喷灌对照增产2.1%,差异不显著,水分利用效率二者相同;秸秆覆盖处理冬前、返青期、拔节期表层土壤水分含量均高于微喷灌对照。秸秆覆盖处理、微喷灌对照较畦灌对照分别减产0.6%和2.6%,差异不显著,而水分利用效率同为31.7kg·hm-2·mm-1,较畦灌对照增加32.1%,差异极显著。秸秆覆盖处理成穗率显著高于微喷灌对照,微喷灌对照成穗率显著高于畦灌对照;秸秆覆盖处理冬前0~20cm土层含水量较微喷灌对照、畦灌对照分别增加6.36%和5.92%,差异均显著。秸秆覆盖处理下冬小麦生育期土壤水消耗量略低于膜侧条播处理,而高于其他微灌处理,说明秸秆覆盖模式在降水量偏少的年份有利于冬小麦利用0~2m土壤贮水。