Cassava-legume intercrop: II. Effects of relative planting dates of legumes on the productivity of legumes

ABSTRACT

The degree of complementarity vis-à-vis competition amongst the component crops, which is influenced by their relative planting dates, may affect the productivity of intercrop systems. This study assessed the effect of the relative planting dates of legumes on yield and yield components of three legume species. Field experiments were conducted in two consecutive years at two sites with contrasting soil types. Grain yield and yield components were determined at harvest maturity. A 4-weeks delay in incorporating legumes caused total yield loss of cowpea at both sites, decreased chickpea yield by 82% at the clay soil site, and led to negligible yield of Bambara groundnut in loamy sand soil. In contrast, sowing legumes 2 weeks after cassava decreased grain yield of cowpea (both sites), chickpea (clay soil) and Bambara groundnut (loamy sand soil). Intercropping decreased grain yield of chickpea (year 1) and Bambara (year 2) at the clay and loamy sand soil sites, respectively, but had no effect on cowpea yield. Although planting the legumes same time with cassava gave the highest grain yield, we suggest more studies, including sowing the legumes prior to planting cassava, before making categorical recommendations.     

Impact of planted hedgerow fallows on nutrient balances in a groundnut/maize/cassava intercrop

ABSTRACT

To assess if the nutrient supply through planted tree fallows meets crop nutrient uptake and export, N, P, K, Ca and Mg uptake and export by a groundnut/maize/cassava intercrop was compared with the nutrient uptake by three planted fallow systems (Senna spectabilis, Flemingia macrophylla, Dactyladenia barteri) and a no-tree control. Three cycles of two years fallow and one year cropping on Ultisol in southern Cameroon were studied. Fallows were slashed and burned. The fallow system had no consistent effect on nutrient uptake by individual crops. Crop nutrient uptake was most often highest in the S. spectabilis system. Nitrogen balances were generally negative due to N loss in the burn. Across three cropping cycles, the balance of fallow nutrient uptake versus total crop nutrient uptake was only in the S. spectabilis system positive for all nutrients. Nutrient export by all crops (mean of three years) was unaffected by fallow systems. The fallow nutrient uptake versus crop nutrient export balance was positive for all nutrients and systems. Planted fallows appear capable of acquiring sufficient nutrient stocks during fallow phases, covering the crops’ demand. Fallow N and K uptake and crop export declined with every fallow/cropping cycle.     

Comparisons of the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza on the productivity of hedgerow woody legumes and cassava at the top and the base of a hillslope in alley cropping systems

We investigated the influence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculation on growth and nutrient relationships in two alley-cropping trials, one at the top and the other at the base of a hillslope. Each trial involved three woody hedgerow legumes with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) as the sole intercrop. The hedgerow trees at the base of the slope showed greater survival and higher leaf dry weights than those at the top of the slope, although these parameters were not affected by VAM inoculation, either at the top or the base of the slope. In contrast to survival, the uptake of nutrients, particularly P and N, was higher for inoculated than uninoculated hedgerow trees, both at the top and at the base of slope. Increases in stem and leaf biomass and the uptake of nutrients by the trees were strongly correlated with increases in P uptake, indicating that the improvements were attributable to VAM inoculation. Cassava tuber yields at the base of the slope, from inoculated or uninoculated plants, were significantly greater than the corresponding cassava yields at the top of the slope. These increases at the base of the slope compared to the top of the slope were not attributed to available soil nutrients but to greater VAM spore density. Higher available soil moisture may have been another factor. Increasing the VAM spore density of effective mycorrhiza through proper agronomic practices at the top of a slope may bring about comparable yields on different parts of the slope.     

秸秆腐解物对豇豆连作土壤性质及幼苗生理指标的影响

为探究不同秸秆腐解物对豇豆连作土壤微生态环境和豇豆幼苗相关生理指标的影响,选用豇豆为试验材料,共设置芥菜秸秆腐解(T1)、大蒜秸秆腐解(T2)、对照处理(不加任何植株粉碎物的豇豆连作土,CK)3个处理,测定在不同处理下,豇豆连作地土壤微生物数量、土壤酶活性、土壤pH值和电导率,以及豇豆生长指标、叶绿素含量和抗氧化酶活性。结果表明,与CK相比,T2和T1处理均能显著提高土壤细菌数量,分别增加了50.02%和111.71%,放线菌分别显著增加了46.22%和17.53%,真菌分别显著降低了45.08%和33.80%。T2和T1处理均能提高土壤酶活性,其中T1处理的土壤脲酶、多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性均为最高,与CK相比分别显著增加了10.74%、93.02%和283.83%;而T2处理的酸性磷酸酶活性最高,增幅为175.80%。此外,T2和T1处理均能显著提高豇豆连作土壤pH值,降低土壤电导率。种植豇豆后,T1处理能显著提高豇豆幼苗株高、茎粗、鲜重、干重和壮苗指数等指标,分别较CK增加了34.73%、9.33%、87.11%、100%和108.77%;但T2处理下豇豆的各生长指标与CK相比无显著性差异。T2和T1处理均能显著提高豇豆叶片叶绿素含量,显著降低丙二醛(MDA)含量,其中T1处理能提高豇豆幼苗过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,与CK相比分别显著增加了16.32%、19.21%和10.92%。综上,秸秆腐解物可为土壤生物提供不同的碳源和能源,维持土壤微生物群落多样性,改善土壤理化性质,从而促进豇豆根系吸收更多的养分,进而提高豇豆幼苗叶片叶绿素含量和抗氧化能力,有利于豇豆幼苗生长发育,达到缓解豇豆连作障碍的目的。本研究结果为实现豇豆生产的可持续性发展提供了理论依据。     

Impact of organic‐manure combinations on the productivity and soil quality in different cropping systems in central India

In a field experiment, the effect of combination of different organic manures on the productivity of crops and soil quality were evaluated in deep vertisols of central India. Combinations of cattle dung manure (CDM), poultry manure (PM), and vermicompost (VC) vis‐à‐vis mineral fertilizers were tested in four cropping systems involving soybean (Glycine max L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk). The organic manures were applied based on the N‐equivalent basis and nutrient requirement of individual crop. The grain yields of durum wheat and isabgol were higher in the treatment that received a combination of CDM + VC + PM whereas in mustard, CDM + PM and in chickpea, CDM + VC recorded the higher yields. The yield levels in these organic‐manure combinations were similar to the yields obtained with mineral fertilizers. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat and among the nutrient sources, the combination of CDM + VC + PM recorded the highest total productivity. At the end of the 3‐year cropping cycle, application of organic manures improved the soil‐quality parameters viz., soil organic carbon (SOC), soil available nutrients (N, P, and K), soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase), and microbial biomass C in the top 0–15 cm soil. Bulk density and mean weight diameter of the soil were not affected by the treatments. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat recorded the highest SOC and accumulated higher soil available N, P, and K. In conclusion, the study clearly demonstrated that the manures applied in different combinations improved the soil quality and produced the grain yields which are at par with mineral fertilizers.     

施用生物质炭和生石灰对连作辣椒生长的影响

为探究生物质炭和生石灰对连作辣椒生长的影响,以辣椒为材料,采用大田方式,设置8个处理,即对照处理(不加任何生物质炭和生石灰的辣椒连作土,CK);单施生物质炭处理(1.5 kg·m^-2,T2);生物质炭+生石灰处理(1.5 kg·m^-2生物质炭+0.15 kg·m^-2生石灰,T3;1.5 kg·m^-2生物质炭+0.225 kg·m^-2生石灰,T4;3.0 kg·m^-2生物质炭+0.3 kg·m^-2生石灰,T5);单施生石灰处理(0.15 kg·m^-2生石灰,T6;0.225 kg·m^-2生石灰,T7;0.3 kg·m^-2生石灰,T8),研究各处理对连作辣椒生长指标、果实特征及产量疫病发病率以及土壤理化性质的影响。结果表明,在辣椒连作土壤中添加适量的生物质炭和生石灰能够显著促进辣椒的生长发育,改善辣椒根际土壤环境。单施生石灰或生物质炭对辣椒的各项生长指标促进效果差异较大,而适量的组合施用生石灰和生物质炭处理(T4)的辣椒株高、茎粗以及壮苗指数总体上高于其他处理,对辣椒生长促进作用最为明显。单施生物质炭处理(T2)并不能显著增加辣椒植株的鲜重和干重,而单施生石灰处理后随着施用量的增加会表现出抑制作用。T4对辣椒植株鲜重和干重增加效果明显,定植90 d时,辣椒地上部干重和鲜重、辣椒根系干重和鲜重分别增加了21.34%、21.34%、14.40%、13.34%;同时,辣椒的单株产量和总产量较CK均增加了23.37%,但与其他处理差异不显著。施用生物质炭和生石灰能够显著降低辣椒疫病的发生率,与CK相比,T5的发病率和病情指数均最低,分别为8.33%和3.47,对病害的控制作用最显著。施用生石灰和生物质炭对辣椒土壤中养分含量的增加有促进作用;各处理对土壤pH值无显著性差异(P>0.05),均在6.3~6.8之间。本研究结果为缓解辣椒连作障碍及生产实践提供了理论指导。     

Effects of ridge‐furrow and plastic mulching planting patterns on microflora and potato tuber yield in continuous cropping soil

Planting patterns have distinctive effects on the soil micro‐ecological environment and soil quality. To explore the effects of film mulch ridge‐furrow (FMRF) cropping on soil microbial properties and potato yield, a study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in a continuously cropped field under nonfilm‐mulched flat plot (CK), half‐mulched flat plot (T1), fully mulched ridge cropping (T2), fully mulched furrow cropping (T3), half‐mulched ridge cropping (T4) and half‐mulched furrow cropping (T5) planting patterns. Our results indicate that T3 increased the average bacteria/fungi (B/F) ratio by 253% compared to CK. On average, half‐mulched ridge cropping increased the bacteria population and aerobic Azotobacter by 9 and 19%, respectively, compared with CK. On average, T3 had the greatest inhibitory effect on fungi populations. Half‐mulched furrow cropping had the most anaerobic Azotobacter and nitrifying bacteria. The study showed that FMRF increased soil bacteria, especially Azotobacter but reduced fungi and actinomycetes. Treatment T2 gave the greatest potato yield, followed by T4, whereas the greatest biomass yield was recorded in T4. Full‐mulch furrow cropping methods produced the greatest nutrient use efficiency. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of soil microbe and plant responses to plastic mulch and planting patterns under semi‐arid conditions.     

Effects of tillage on productivity of a winter wheat-vetch rotation under dryland Mediterranean conditions

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of three tillage systems on crop yield in a winter wheat-vetch (Vicia sativa L.) rotation during 3-year growing seasons on a clay-loam soil in the northwest region of Turkey. The three tillage treatments were: (1) conventional tillage (CT); (2) shallow tillage (ST); (3) double disk tillage (DD).The wheat grain yield was significantly affected by tillage when averaged across years. The highest wheat grain yield was obtained with shallow tillage treatment. The year affected wheat grain yield significantly, mainly due to the distribution of rainfall through the growing season and probably due to the wheat-vetch rotation. Heads density and head length increased significantly with shallow tillage when compared with conventional tillage. Tillage practices had no significant influence on thousand kernel weight. Results from this study indicated that for a dryland wheat-vetch rotation cropping system, shallow tillage had higher wheat grain yields than that obtained from conventional tillage. Furthermore, mouldboard ploughing tillage in this crop rotation could be replaced by shallow tillage that would increase yield and would be likely to improve soil properties in the long-term. On the other hand, double disk tillage proved to be a promising soil management practice to improve vetch grain yield when compared with conventional tillage.     

马铃薯与玉米复合种植对土壤化感物质及土壤细菌群落结构的影响

为探究马铃薯与玉米复合种植对化感物质积累与细菌群落结构的影响,分析轮作、间作缓解连作障碍的机制,本研究以马铃薯连作、玉米连作、马铃薯||玉米间作、马铃薯-玉米轮作第8年的土壤为对象,利用GC-MS测定土壤中化感物质含量,并采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术对土壤细菌16Sr DNA V4-V5区域进行测序,分析土壤中细菌多样性和群落结构的变化,并对化感物质和优势菌属进行相关性分析。结果表明:玉米连作和马铃薯连作会导致化感物质的积累,玉米连作土壤积累了更多的油酸、亚油酸、花生酸、木焦油酸等脂肪酸,马铃薯连作土壤积累了更多的硬脂醇、二十烷醇等脂肪醇类物质。轮作降低了大部分化感物质的积累,间作降低的化感物质种类相对轮作较少。不同种植方式下土壤细菌群落结构发生了显著变化,相对于连作,间作和轮作Ace指数和Chao指数显著升高。在门水平上,轮作土壤放线菌丰度显著高于马铃薯连作土壤,间作土壤拟杆菌门丰度显著低于玉米连作土壤,两种连作土壤中酸杆菌门丰度都较轮作显著升高。在属水平上,一些有益细菌如节杆菌属、溶杆菌属等在复合种植土壤中相对丰度更高。通过相关性分析发现土微菌属、小梨形菌属与脂肪醇类物质呈显著正相关,黄杆菌属、溶杆菌属、微杆菌属等与脂肪酸类物质呈显著负相关。马铃薯与玉米复合种植降低了化感物质在土壤中的积累,从而抑制了土壤细菌丰度的降低,提高了有益菌属丰度,消减了连作障碍。     

The Interaction Effects of Potassium and Drought in Field-Grown Barley. I. Yield,Water-Use Efficiency and Growth

Abstract

In order to study the interaction of K application and drought a field experiment with spring barley (Hordewn distichum L. cv. Gunnar) was conducted in 1985, 1986 and 1987 on coarse-textured sandy soil low in natural K content and water-holding capacity. The drought occurred naturally or was imposed by shelters during the grain-filling period. K was applied as KCl at rates of 50, 125 and 200 kg K/ha top-dressed at emergence. High K applications (125 and 200 kg K/ha) significantly increased rate of growth of the vegetative parts of the crop. With high K application the leaf area increased up to 26% at anthesis, and top dry matter accumulation increased up to 15% between anthesis and milk-ripe stages of growth, resulting in about 10% higher straw yield at final harvest. Also, the number of ears increased with high K application. Final grain yield was unaffected by level of K application in fully irrigated plots. Drought during the grain-filling period decreased grain yield by decreasing grain weight and number of grains per ear. However, with high K application at medium level of drought, reduction in grain yield tended to be less.

Water-use efficiency (WUE) for total dry matter production was increased up to 12% by high K application; however, WUE for grain production was unaffected by the level of K application. High K application significantly increased root density in the subsoil in the wet year of 1987, while in the dry year of 1986 no differences could be detected between K levels. Despite the low effect of high K application on final grain yield, the induced increase of the vegetative dry matter accumulation is of economical importance when the total above-ground biomass of the barley crop is used for cattle fodder.     

Effects of different continuous fertilizer managements on soil total nitrogen stocks in China: A meta-analysis

Soil total nitrogen is critical for crop productivity and related to agricultural managements. However, the effects of different fertilizer applications on soil total nitrogen storage are not well understood. To quantify soil total nitrogen storage under different fertilizer management practices and explore the effects of climate, soil texture, experimental duration, and cropping system on soil total nitrogen storage in China, we conducted a meta-analysis of 67 fertilizer management strategies from experiments conducted over a period of at least three years. This meta-analysis included 854 observations of changes in soil total nitrogen stock(TNS) under no fertilizer application(control, CK), chemical fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium(CF), CF plus straw retention(CFS), and CF plus manure addition(CFM) relative to initial soil TNS. The CFM and CFS treatments increased soil TNS, and the CFM treatments increased soil C/N ratio the most. The longer the experimental duration, the greater the increase in soil TNS in the CF, CFS, and CFM treatments.Soil texture and crop type significantly affected the changes in soil TNS. The experimental duration, initial soil TNS, soil C/N ratio, and cropping system had significant linear correlations with the change in soil TNS. Temperature and precipitation were not correlated with soil TNS. Results of random forest modeling indicated that the most important factor affecting changes in soil TNS was experimental duration(positive correlation), followed by initial soil TNS(negative correlation). The CFM treatments had the largest increase in soil TNS under various conditions. We recommend promoting CFM to improve soil fertility in farmlands globally.     

不同土壤条件下节水灌溉对棉花产量和灌溉水生产力的影响

在黑河中游边缘绿洲通过田间试验研究不同土壤条件下节水灌溉对棉花产量及灌溉水生产力(Irrigation Water Productivity,IWP)的影响,为区域农业土壤的合理利用和制定不同土壤的灌溉对策提供依据。田间试验涉及不同肥力和粒级组成梯度的5种土壤(砂土S1、S2;壤砂土S3和砂壤土S4、S5三个质地类型),设三个灌溉水平:常规充分灌溉(I1)、减量10.5%节水灌溉(I2)和减量21.0%节水灌溉(I3)。结果表明,与充分灌溉相比,减量10.5%和21.0%的节水灌溉,在棉花不同生育期的地上单株生物量和叶面积及收获时的茎干生物量有所降低,但籽棉产量增加了11.6%和11.2%。在减量10.5%和21.0%的节水灌溉下棉花IWP分别为0.51 kg m-3和0.57 kg m-3,较传统灌溉(0.41 kg m-3)提高24.4%和39.0%。不同质地土壤棉花生物量、产量及棉花IWP有显著差异。棉花IWP随土壤黏粉粒和有机质含量的增加而增加,但在黏粉粒和有机质含量最高的土壤出现下降,呈多项式关系。土壤质地与灌溉量对棉花霜前花率、生物量及产量有显著的交互效应。有机质和黏粉粒含量最高的砂壤土S5在充分灌溉下营养生长过旺、吐絮期延后,导致霜前花率降低、籽棉产量和IWP降低。节水灌溉可显著提升棉花IWP,在水资源紧缺的边缘绿洲区,对新垦的砂质土壤种植耗水量较低的棉花、并进行节水灌溉管理,是实现区域节水和合理土地利用的适宜选择。     

Amelioration of a highly degraded tropical alfisol by planting I. Changes in soil physical and chemical properties 1989-91

This paper examines soil amelioration by planting 15 leguminous and graminaceous plant species, including herbaceous annuals, perennials and biennials, and woody perennials and biennials. Disturbed and undisturbed natural regrowth were planted with leguminous species, in some cases with fertilizer applied at planting (400 kg ha⁻¹ of 15:15:15 NPK). The studies were made on two highly degraded sites in southwestern Nigeria which had been subjected to intensive mechanized cropping for a period of 10 years. Changes in soil physical and chemical properties were monitored from 1989 to 1991. Acacia difficilis, Brachiaria lata and Mucuna utilis had the lowest survival rates by the following growing season. Soil fertility and compaction levels differed between sites. Planting had no effect on the latter. The decreases in compaction (i.e. macroporosity) between 0.00 and 0.10 m depth at both sites one month before and five and 17 months after planting were 43, 59 and 61 per cent, respectively were attributed to exclusion of heavy machinery from the sites. Large decreases in fertility occurred at both sites and were attributed to a combination of nutrient extraction and to leaching. Between fallow species, exchangeable Ca, pH and the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) were greater and total acids lower for herbaceous cover compared with woody perennials, and was attributed to a higher Ca demand by the latter. Highest and lowest values of Ca, CEC and pH occurred in plots where plant material was returned to the soil (i.e. by cutting or die-back) and in cropped plots, respectively. Natural regrowth was as effective or better than planted species in improving soil physical and chemical properties. Therefore the use of exotic plant species for ameliorating highly degraded alfisols is unnecessary. Amelioration of highly degraded alfisols may be best effected by allowing natural regrowth to occur while excluding all mechanized traffic from the site.     

Effects of soil compaction on N-mineralization and microbial-C and -N. I. Field measurements

Soil biological parameters, such as soil respiration or N-mineralization, may be more sensitive to soil compaction than physical parameters. Therefore we studied the effects of soil compaction on net N-mineralization and microbial biomass dynamics in the field. The soils were silty clay loams (Typic Endoaquepts) in either a well-structured permanent pasture with high organic-C content (46 mg g⁻¹) or a site which had been continuously cropped with cereals for 28 years with low organic-C content (21 mg g⁻¹) and a very poor structure. Compaction treatments were applied by five passes of a tractor (total weight 4880 kg, speed 2.2 m s⁻¹). An energy flux of either 2712 J m⁻² (assuming deflecting tyres) or 6056 J m⁻² (assuming rigid tyres) per pass of the rear tyres was estimated. Soil dry bulk densities were initially 1.00 and 1.30 Mg m⁻³ in the pasture and cropped sites, respectively, and increased significantly only in the less dense pasture site. However, soil surface CO₂-fluxes decreased substantially after compaction on both sites (57–69%) because of the highly reduced air permeability of the topsoil. At the cropped site this was also accompanied by a significant decrease in oxygen-diffusion rate (45%). Using the in situ core technique with covered cores the apparent net N-mineralization rate was less in compacted than in non-compacted areas of the pasture ((0.27 and 0.38 μg N g⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively), but did not differ at the cropped site (average 0.15 μg N g⁻¹ day⁻¹). However, N-mineralization measurements by the in situ core technique were found to be problematic as denitrification possibly occurred and concealed actual net N-mineralization. Microbial biomass did not change significantly as a result of the compaction treatment, but was shown to either decrease or increase over time depending on the methodology used to estimate microbial biomass.     

Effects of liming and tillage systems on microbial biomass and glycosidases in soils

This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term influence of lime application and tillage systems (no-till, ridge-till and chisel plow) on soil microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) and the activities of glycosidases (- and -glucosidases, - and -galactosidases and -glucosaminidase) at their optimal pH values in soils at four agroecosystem sites [Southeast Research Center (SERC), Southwest Research Center (SWRC), Northwest Research Center (NWRC), and Northeast Research Center (NERC)] in Iowa, USA. Results showed that, in general, the C_mic and N_mic values were significantly (P <0.001) and positively correlated with soil pH. Each lime application and tillage system significantly (P <0.001) affected activities of the glycosidases. With the exception of -glucosidase activity, there was no lime×tillage interaction effect. Simple correlation coefficients between the enzyme activities and soil pH values ranged from 0.51 (P <0.05) for the activity of -glucosidase at the NWRC site (surface of the no-till) to 0.98 (P <0.001) at the SWRC site. To assess the sensitivity of the enzymes to changes in soil pH, the linear regression lines were expressed in activity/pH values. In general, their order of sensitivity to changes in soil pH was consistent across the study sites as follow: -glucosidase>-glucosaminidase>-galactosidase>-galactosidase>-glucosidase. Lime application did not significantly affect the specific activities (g p -nitrophenol released kg^–1 soil organic C h^–1) of the enzymes. Among the glycosidases studied, -glucosidase and -glucosaminidase were the most sensitive to soil management practices. Therefore, the activities of these enzymes may provide reliable long-term monitoring tools as early indicators of changes in soil properties induced by liming and tillage systems.     

Responses of lettuce to salinity. I. Effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 on growth

Two lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L., cv. Calmar and cv. Climax) were selected to compare their tolerance to salt stress. The plants were grown in a hydroponic system using a 0.5 modified Hoagland solution. Treatments of 0, 40, 80, and 120 mol m^–3 NaCl or 0 and 20 mol m^–3 Na₂SO₄ were started when the second leaf above the cotyledons appeared. The plants were harvested 20 days later. Climax showed a greater tolerance to salinity at the 40 mol m^–3 NaCl concentration; the % decrease in both shoot and root fresh weight was significantly less than Calmar. No differences between the cultivars were found in the Na₂SO₄ experiments. Differences in root Cl^– content at the 40 mol m^–3 concentration corresponded to an enhanced water content of the roots. A mechanism for the observed differences in salt tolerance between the two cultivars is discussed.     

Effects of intensifying organic manuring and tillage practices on penetration resistance and infiltration rate

Soil erosion, along with the contributing factors of soil crusting and sealing, have received minimal scientific attention to date in Latin America. This study was conducted in an Andean hillside environment to determine how the local organic manuring and tillage practices influence the development of soil crusting and sealing, and the extent to which these practices influence soil water infiltration. The aim of this study was to identify treatments that prevented superficial soil structural constraints, i.e. treatments which maintain infiltration and therefore reduce potential soil erosion and run-off.

Treatment results were measured with a pocket penetrometer and a mini-rain simulator on nine different cropping systems, mainly based on cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), from February to November 2000 and 2001. The cropping systems were laid out on a Ferrallic Cambisol, an acid, vulcanically influenced soil of the Andean region.

In both cropping cycles, treatments with chicken manure application developed superficial soil crusts during the dry season. For a treatment manured with 8 t ha⁻¹ chicken manure, this crust meant an increase in penetration resistance from 2.3 kg cm⁻² in April 2000 to 16.2 kg cm⁻² in July 2000. The change in superficial soil structure created a notable reduction in final infiltration from 92 to 42.2 mm h⁻¹. A minimum tillage treatment which displayed the highest penetration resistance during the dry periods of up to 46.4 kg cm⁻² presented no restricting effects on soil water intake (76.2 mm h⁻¹ final infiltration in 2000) due to an optimal aggregate development during 10 years of consecutive conservation practice.

Measurements of penetration resistance and infiltration showed that soil conserving treatments, such as minimum tillage and crop rotations, improved the physical soil status and prevented soil crusting developing along with its negative effects on infiltration. These methods can therefore be strongly recommended to farmers.     

Effects of microbial inoculations on soil chemical,biochemical and microbial biomass carbon of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) growing Vertisols

Cassava is an important subsidiary food in the tropics. In Tamil Nadu, India, microbial cultures were used to eradicate the tuberous root rot of cassava. Hence, an experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to test the effects of coinoculation of microbes on soil properties. The surface soil from the experimental site was analysed for soil available nutrients, soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended N:P₂O₅:K₂O (NPK) rate (50:25:50 kg ha^?1) significantly increased soil available nitrogen (142.81 kg ha^?1) by 72.66% over uninoculated control. There was a significant increase in available phosphorus in soil by the inoculation of AM (arbuscular mycorrhizal) fungi with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate (41.04 kg ha^?1) compared to other treatments. The application of Pseudomonas fluorescens with Trichoderma at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased available iron (19.34 µg g^?1) in soil. The treatment of Azospirillum with Trichoderma increased urease enzyme activity at the recommended NPK rate (816.32 μg urea hydrolyzed g^?1 soil h^?1). Soil application of all cultures at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased dehydrogenase activity (88.63 μg TPF g^?1 soil) and β-glucosidase activity (48.82 μg PNP g^?1 soil) in soil. Inoculation of Trichoderma alone at the 50% recommended NPK rate significantly increased microbial biomass carbon (3748.85 μg g^?1 soil). Thus, the microbial inoculations significantly increased soil available nutrient contents, enzyme activities such as urease, dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity and microbial biomass carbon by reducing the amount of the required fertilizer.     

加工番茄连作对土壤理化性状及微生物量的影响

通过在石河子大学农学院试验站开展加工番茄连作定点微区试验,研究了不同连作处理(种植1 a、连作3 a、5 a和7 a)对新疆加工番茄土壤理化性状、微生物生物量和酶活性的影响。结果表明,随着连作年限的延长,土壤p H升高,全磷、速效磷及全钾含量呈先升后降的趋势,土壤容重无明显变化。连作7 a时土壤有机质、全氮及速效钾含量较对照分别下降了8%、21%和29%(p0.05)。土壤微生物量碳(SMBC)、微生物量氮(SMBN)和微生物商(q MB)呈显著下降趋势,与对照相比分别降低了52.3%、78.8%和48.2%(p0.01);微生物量磷(SMBP)呈先升后降趋势,连作3a时,SMBP含量达到最大值,是对照的1.65倍(p0.01)。土壤过氧化氢酶活性呈显著升高趋势,而脲酶、蔗糖酶、多酚氧化酶及磷酸酶活性的变化则相反。连作导致加工番茄产量显著下降,连作7 a时产量下降达34%(p0.01)。相关分析表明,p H、微生物量、q MB、酶活性及养分之间相关性极为密切,说明土壤微生物量和酶活性相结合,可以反映土壤质量的变化。加工番茄连作导致土壤p H和电导率升高,显著抑制了土壤微生物活性,降低了土壤肥力,最终造成产量下降,连作障碍明显。