Denitrification, N2O and CO2 fluxes in rice-wheat cropping system as affected by crop residues, fertilizer N and legume green manure

Use of renewable N and C sources such as green manure (GM) and crop residues in rice-wheat cropping systems of South Asia may lead to higher crop productivity and C sequestration. However, information on measurements of gaseous N losses (N₂O+N₂) via denitrification and environmental problems such as N₂O and CO₂ production in rice-wheat cropping systems is not available. An acetylene inhibition-intact soil core technique was employed for direct measurement of denitrification losses, N₂O and CO₂ production, in an irrigated field planted to rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in an annual rotation. The soil was a coarse-textured Tolewal sandy loam soil (Typic Ustochrept) and the site a semi-arid subtropical Punjab region of India. Wheat residue (WR, C:N=94) was incorporated at 6 t ha^-1 and sesbania (Sesbania aculeata L.) was grown as GM crop for 60 days during the pre-rice fallow period. Fresh biomass of GM (C:N.=18) at 20 or 40 t ha^-1 was incorporated into the soil 2 days before transplanting rice. Results of this study reveal that (1) denitrification is a significant N loss process under wetland rice amounting to 33% of the prescribed dose of 120 kg N ha^-1 applied as fertilizer urea-N (FN); (2) integrated management of 6 t WR ha^-1 and 20 t GM ha^-1 supplying 88 kg N ha^-1 and 32 kg FN ha^-1 significantly reduced cumulative gaseous N losses to 51.6 kg N ha^-1 as compared with 58.2 kg N ha^-1 for 120 kg FN ha^-1 alone; (3) application of excessive N and C through applying 40 t GM ha^-1 (176 kg N ha^-1) resulted in the highest gaseous losses of 70 kg N ha^-1; (4) the gaseous N losses under wheat were 0.6% to 2% of the applied 120 kg FN ha^-1 and were eight- to tenfold lower (5-8 kg N ha^-1) than those preceding rice; (5) an interplay between the availability of NO₃^- and organic C largely controlled denitrification and N₂O flux during summer-grown flooded rice whereas temperature and soil aeration status were the primary regulators of the nitrification-denitrification processes and gaseous N losses during winter-grown upland wheat; (6) the irrigated rice-wheat system is a significant source of N₂O as it emits around 15 kg N₂O-N ha^-1 year^-1; (7) incorporation of WR in rice and rice residue (C:N=63) in wheat increased soil respiration, and increased CO₂ production in WR- and GM-amended soils under anaerobic wetland rice coincided with enhanced rates of denitrification; and (8) with adequate soil moisture, most of the decomposable C fraction of added residues was mineralized within one crop-growing season and application of FN and GM further accelerated this process.     

Yields of wheat and soil carbon and nitrogen contents following long-term incorporation of barley straw and ryegrass catch crops

Abstract. Three successive crops of winter wheat were grown on a sandy loam to test the residual effect of long‐term annual incorporation of spring barley straw at rates of 0, 4, 8 and 12 t ha^?1, and ryegrass catch crops with or without additions of pig slurry. Soil receiving 4, 8 and 12 t ha^?1 of straw annually for 18 years contained 12, 21 and 30% more carbon (C), respectively, than soil with straw removal, and soil C and nitrogen (N) contents increased linearly with straw rate. The soil retained 14% of the straw C and 37% of the straw N. Ryegrass catch‐cropping for 10 years also increased soil C and N concentrations, whereas the effect of pig slurry was insignificant. Grain yield in the first wheat crop showed an average dry matter (DM) increase of 0.7 t ha^?1 after treatment with 8 and 12 t straw ha^?1. In the two subsequent wheat crops, grain yield increased by 0.2–0.3 t DM ha^?1 after 8 and 12 t straw ha^?1. No grain yield increases were found after 4 t straw ha^?1 in any of the three years. Previous ryegrass catch crops increased yields of wheat grain, but effects in the third wheat crop were significant only where ryegrass had been combined with pig slurry. Straw incorporation increased the N offtake in the first wheat crop. In the second crop, only 8 and 12 t straw ha^?1 improved wheat N offtake, while the N offtake in the third wheat crop was unaffected. Ryegrass catch crops increased N offtake in the first and second wheat crop. Again, a positive effect in the third crop was seen only when ryegrass was combined with slurry. Long‐term, annual incorporation of straw and ryegrass catch crops provided a clear and relatively persistent increase in soil organic matter levels, whereas the positive effects on the yield of subsequent wheat crops were modest and transient.     

3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) – a new nitrification inhibitor for agriculture and horticulture

3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is a new nitrification inhibitor with highly favourable properties. It has undergone thorough toxicology and ecotoxicology tests and application-technology experiments, and has been shown to have several distinct advantages compared to the currently used nitrification inhibitors. Application rates of 0.5-1.5 kg ha^-1 are sufficient to achieve optimal nitrification inhibition. DMPP can significantly reduce NO₃^- leaching, without being liable to leaching itself. DMPP may reduce N₂O emission, apparently without a negative effect on CH₄ oxidation of the soil. The use of DMPP-containing fertilizers can improve yield. This offers the possibility of saving mineral fertilizer N, reducing the number of N-application rounds, and obtaining higher crop yields with current fertilizer-N rates.     

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil and Plant Nutrients and Yields of Pearl Millet and Wheat under Semi-arid Inceptisols in India

A study was conducted to assess fertilizer effect on pearl millet–wheat yield and plant-soil nutrients with the following treatments: T₁, control; T₂, 100% nitrogen (N); T₃, 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (NP); T₄, 100% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); T₅, 100% NPK + zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at 25 kg ha^?1; T₆, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) at 10 t ha^?1; T₇, 100% NPK+ verimcompost (VC) at 2.5 tha^?1; T₈, 100% NPK + sulfur (S) at 25 kg ha^?1; T₉, FYM at 10 t ha^?1; T₁₀, VC at 2.5 t ha^?1; T₁₁, 100% NPK + FYM at 10 t ha^?1 + 25 kg S ha^?1 + ZnSO₄ at 25 kg ha^?1; and T₁₂, 150% NPK treatments. Treatments differed significantly in influencing soil-plant nutrients and grain and straw yields of both crops. Grain yield had significant correlation with soil-plant N, P, K, S, and zinc (Zn) nutrients. The study indicated superiority of T₁₁ for attaining maximum pearl millet grain yield (2885 kg ha^?1) and straw yield (7185 kg ha^?1); amounts of N (48.9 kg ha^?1), P (8.8 kg ha^?1), K (26.3 kg ha^?1), S (20.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.09 kg ha^?1) taken up; and amounts of soil N (187.7 kg ha^?1), P (13.7 kg ha^?1), K (242.5 kg ha^?1), S (10.1 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.70 kg ha^?1). It was superior for wheat with grain yield (5215 kg ha^?1) and straw yield (7220 kg ha^?1); amounts of N (120.7 kg ha^?1), P (13.8 kg ha^?1), K (30 kg ha^?1), S (14.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.18 kg ha^?1) taken up; and maintaining soil N (185.7 kg ha^?1), P (14.5 kg ha^?1), K (250.5 kg ha^?1), S (10.6 kg ha^?1), and Zn (0.73 kg ha^?1). Based on the study, 100% NPK + FYM at 10 tha^?1 + Zn at 25 kg ha^?1 + S at 25 kg ha^?1 could be recommended for attaining maximum returns of pearl millet–wheat under semi-arid Inceptisols.     

Effect of rice straw management on nitrogen balance and residual effect of urea-N in an annual lowland rice cropping sequence

Two field experiments were conducted in 1999 (wet season) and 2000 (dry season) on a Ustic Endoaquerts in central Thailand to examine the impact of rice straw management practices on rice yield, N uptake and fertilizer-N use efficiency. Treatments included a combination of urea broadcast at a rate of 70 kg N ha^у with either straw or compost which were incorporated at a rate of 5 Mg ha^у. At maturity of the wet season rice, ¹⁵N recovery by the grain was low (11-14%) as well as straw-N derived from labeled N (5-7%). After harvest, 25-29% of applied N still remained in the soil, mainly in the 0 to 5-cm layer. Large amounts of fertilizer-N (53-55%) were lost (unaccounted for) from the soil/plant system during the first crop. Residual fertilizer-N recovery in the second rice crop was less than 3% from the original application. During both fallow seasons NO₃^m-N remained the dominant form of mineral N (NO₃^m + NH₄⁺) in the soil but its concentration was low. In the wet season grain yield response to N application was significant (P =0.05). Organic material sources did not significantly change grain yield and N accumulation in rice. In terms of grain yield and N uptake at maturity, there was no significant residual effect of fertilizer-N on the subsequent rice crop. These results indicated that the combined use of organic residues with urea did not decrease total N losses or increase crop yield or uptake of N compared to urea alone.     

Assessing Nitrogen Fertilization Strategies in Winter Wheat and Cotton Crops in Northern Greece

The management of fertilizer application is crucial for agricultural production and environmental safety.The objective of this study was to assess the effciency of different fertilization strategies,applying fertilizers with and without nitrification inhibitors(NIs) in split application,in Greece.The assessment criteria used were based on crop yield,soil nitrogen(N)concentrations and economic effciency.For this purpose two crops(winter wheat and cotton)were seffected in order to explore the optimum fertilization strategy for each crop.Three treatments combining fertilizers with NIs were tested compared with conventional fertilization(CF).Slight differences in the quantity and the combination of fertilizers with NIs applied resulted in variable effects on crop yield,soil N and economic return.Split N application of 102 kg ha^-1,with half of the total amount applied at seeding,resulted in higher grain yield of winter wheat,lower NO₃^--N in soil and higher economic return.This result reveals the importance of N application at seeding in wheat crop.Fertilization strategy with 109.5 kg N ha^-1 and split P application resulted in higher cotton yield and higher economic profit.Split P application seemed to increase yield,even though it is not a common practise in the area.     

Comparison of the decomposition and N and P mineralization of canola, pea and wheat residues

Insight into nutrient cycling is gained by understanding the dynamics and quantifying nutrient mineralization from decomposing crop residues. Since wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), canola (Brassica napus L.) and pulse crops such as pea (Pisum sativum L.) are commonly grown in rotation, our objectives were to: (1) compare, using the mesh bag technique, the dry matter (DM) loss and release of N and P of straw and root residues of those crops in the 10-11 months following harvest, and (2) determine the influence of N fertilizer on residue decomposition and nutrient release. The no-tillage study started in autumn 1997 when straw residues were placed on the soil surface and root residues were buried in the soil, and sampled periodically through the 1998 growing season. Wheat was grown in 1998 and received 0 or 60 kg N ha^-1. The study was repeated in 1998/1999. Wheat straw decomposed more slowly than canola or pea straw (losing an average of 12%, 24% and 25%, respectively, of initial DM in 10-11 months), however, the converse was noted for root residues (42%, 26% and 19% of initial DM). Average net N mineralization from wheat, canola and pea straw was essentially 0, 0.7 and 5.6 kg N ha^-1, respectively. Phosphorus released from straw ranged from 0.5 kg ha^-1 for pea to 0.75 kg ha^-1 for canola. Net N and P mineralization from root varied little between crop species: 0.9-1.6 kg N ha^-1 and 0.1-0.3 kg P ha^-1. Nitrogen fertilization increased DM loss, and N and P release from straw residues.     

Effects of dicyandiamide, farmyard manure and irrigation on crop yields and ammonia volatilization from an alluvial soil under a rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system

Volatilization of NH₃ from soil is a major N-loss mechanism that reduces the efficiency of applied N fertilizers, and causes environmental pollution. Strategies are needed to reduce the loss. The influences of dicyandiamide (DCD), farmyard manure (FYM) and irrigation on NH₃ volatilization from an alluvial soil in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system was studied using the acid trap method. The loss of NH₃ in the rice-wheat system ranged from 38.6 kg N ha^-1 from the unfertilized soil to 69.0 kg N ha^-1 in the treatment with urea+DCD. Substitution of 50% N provided through urea by FYM reduced NH₃-N volatilization by 10% in rice and wheat as compared to the urea treatment. Application of DCD increased NH₃ volatilization in wheat by 7% but in rice it had no effect. The irrigation level had no effect on NH₃ volatilization in rice but fewer irrigations with fewer splits of N in wheat resulted in higher NH₃ volatilization. Application of DCD and FYM with urea had similar effects on grain yield and N uptake by rice and wheat as that of the urea treatment. The study showed that integrated use of organic manure and chemical fertilizer has the potential to reduce the loss of N due to volatilization and thereby minimize environmental pollution. Nitrification inhibitors, which are reported to be useful in increasing the N-use efficiency by reducing the leaching and denitrification losses of N, however, may increase N loss due to volatilization.     

Alysimeter study of the effects of a ryegrass catch crop, during a winter wheat/maize rotation, on nitrate leaching and on the following crop

The effects of an intercrop catch crop (Italian ryegrass) on (i) the amounts and concentrations of nitrate leached during the autumn and winter intercrop period, and (ii) the following crop, were examined in a lysimeter experiment and compared with that from a bare fallow treatment. The catch crop was grown in a winter wheat/maize rotation, after harvest of the wheat, and incorporated into the soil before sowing the maize. A calcium and potassium nitrate fertilizer labelled with ¹⁵N (200 kg N ha^?1; 9.35 atom per cent excess) was applied to the winter wheat in spring. Total N uptake by the winter wheat was 154 kg ha^?1 and the recovery of fertilizer-derived N (labelled with ¹⁵N) was 60%. The catch crop (grown without further addition of N) yielded 3.8t ha^?1 herbage dry matter, containing 43 kg N ha^?1, of which 4.1 % was derived from the ¹⁵N-labelled fertilizer. Two-hundred kg unlabelled N ha^?1 was applied to the maize crop. During the intercrop period the nitrate concentration in water draining from the bare fallow lysimeters reached 68 mg N1^?1, with an average of 40 mg N1^?1. With the catch crop, it declined rapidly, from 41 mg N I^?1 to 0.25 mg N I^?1, at the end of ryegrass growth. Over this period, 110 kg N ha^?1 was leached under bare fallow, compared with 40 kg N ha^?1 under the catch crop. ¹⁵N-labelled nitrate was detected in the first drainage water collected in autumn, 5 months after the spring application. The quantity of fertilizer-N that was leached during this winter period was greater under bare fallow (18.7% of applied N) than when a catch crop was grown (7.1 %). In both treatments, labelled fertilizer-N contributed about 34% of the total N lost during this period. With the ryegrass catch crop incorporated at the time of seedbed preparation in spring, the subsequent maize grain-yield was lowered by an average of 13%. Total N-uptake by the maize sown following bare fallow was 224 kg N ha^?1, compared with 180 kg ha^?1 with prior incorporation of ryegrass; the corresponding values for uptake of residual labelled N were 3% (bare fallow) and 2% (ryegrass) of the initial application. Following the maize harvest, where ryegrass was incorporated, 22.7% of the previous year's labelled fertilizer addition was present in an organic form on the top 30 cm of lysimeter soil. This compares with 15.7% for the bare fallow intercropping treatment. Tracer analyses showed overall recoveries of labelled N of 91.7% for the winter wheat/ ryegrass/maize rotation and 97% for the winter wheat/bare fallow/maize rotation. The study clearly demonstrated the ecological importance of a catch crop in reducing N-leaching as well as its efficient use of fertilizer in the plant-soil system from this particular rotation. However, the fate of the organic N in the ploughed-down catch crop is uncertain and problems were encountered in establishing the next crop of maize.     

Influence of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in comparison to dicyandiamide (DCD) on nitrous oxide emissions, carbon dioxide fluxes and methane oxidation during 3 years of repeated application in field experiments

In a 3-year field experiment, the effect of the nitrification inhibitor (NI) 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on the release of N₂O, CO₂, and on CH₄ oxidation, was examined in comparison to that of dicyandiamide (DCD) on N-fertilized and unfertilized experimental sites. Soil samples were analysed simultaneously for the concentrations of N₂O retained in the soil body, NH₄⁺, NO₂^-, NO₃^-, and for the degradation kinetics of DMPP as well as DCD. DMPP decreased the release of N₂O on fertilized plots by 41% (1997), 47% (1998) and 53% (1999) (on average by 49%) while DCD reduced N₂O emissions by 30% (1997), 22% (1998) and 29% (1999) (on average by 26%). In addition, the NIs seemed to decrease the CO₂ emissions of each fertilized treatment. DCD reduced the release of CO₂ by an average of 7% for the 3 years (non-fertilized 10%), and DMPP reduced it by an average of up to 28% (non-fertilized 29%). Furthermore, both NIs failed to affect CH₄ oxidation negatively. The plots that received either DCD or DMPP even seemed to function as enhanced sinks for atmospheric CH₄. DMPP apparently stimulated CH₄ oxidation of N-fertilized plots by ca 28% in comparison to the control. In total, DCD and DMPP reduced the global warming potential of N-fertilized plots by 7% and 30%, respectively. Further, DCD and DMPP diminished the amount of N₂O retained in the soil by 52% and 61%, respectively. The concentrations of NH₄⁺ remained unaffected by both NIs, whereas the amounts of NO₂^- diminished in the plots treated with DCD by 25% and with DMPP by 20%. In both NI treatments NO₃^- concentrations in the soil were 23% lower than in the control. DMPP and DCD did not affect the yields of summer barley, maize and winter wheat significantly. DCD was mineralized more rapidly than DMPP.     

Effects of nitrogen fertilization on soil nitrogen pools and microbial properties in a hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) plantation in southeast Queensland, Australia

A field study was conducted to investigate the effects of N fertilization on soil N pools and associated microbial properties in a 13-year-old hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) plantation of southeast Queensland, Australia. The treatments included: (1) control (without N application); (2) 300 kg N ha^-1 applied as NH₄NO₃; and (3) 600 kg N ha^-1 as NH₄NO₃. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Soil samples were taken approximately 5 years after the N application. The results showed that application of 600 kg N ha^-1 significantly increased concentrations of NH₄⁺-N in 0-10 cm soil compared with the control and application of 300 kg N ha^-1. Concentrations of NO₃^--N in soil (both 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm) with an application rate of 600 kg N ha^-1 were significantly higher compared with the control. Application of 600 kg N ha^-1 significantly increased gross N mineralization and immobilization rates (0-10 cm soil) determined by ¹⁵N isotope dilution techniques under anaerobic incubation, compared with the control. However, N application did not significantly affect the concentrations of soil total C and total N. N application appeared to decrease microbial biomass C and N and respiration, and to increase the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) in 0-10 cm soil, but these effects were not statistically significant. The lack of statistical significance in these microbial properties between the treatments might have been associated with large spatial variability between the replicate plots at this experimental site. Spatial variability in soil microbial biomass C and N was found to relate to soil moisture, total C and total N.     

Nitrous oxide emissions from kharif and rabi legumes grown on an alluvial soil

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions were monitored for a period of 60 days in a pot culture study, from two kharif (June-September) and two rabi (October-March) season legumes, which were grown on a Typic Ustochrept, alluvial sandy loam soil. Black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper), var. T-9, and soybean (Glycine max L. Merril), var. Punjab 1, were taken up in kharif season whereas lentil (Lens esculenta Moench), var. JLS-1, and Bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.), var. BGD-86, were grown in rabi season. All the crops were grown with and without urea and one pot (containing soil but with no fertilizer or crop) was used as a control. Nitrous oxide emissions were significantly higher in unfertilized cropped soil than in the control, while the addition of urea to the crops further increased the emissions. Significant emissions occurred during third and seventh week after sowing for all the treatments in both kharif and rabi seasons. In kharif, soil cropped with soybean had higher total N₂O-N emission than soil sown with black gram both under fertilized and unfertilized conditions; while in rabi, lentil had a higher total N₂O-N emission than Bengal gram under both fertilized and unfertilized conditions. In kharif, total N₂O-N emissions ranged from 0.53 (control) to 3.84 kg ha^-1 (soybean+urea), while in rabi it ranged from 0.45 (control) to 3.06 kg ha^-1 (lentil+urea). Higher N₂O-N emissions in kharif than in rabi was probably due to the favorable effect of temperature on nitrification and denitrification in the former season. The results of the study indicated that legume crops may lead to an increase in N₂O formation and emission from soils, the extent of which varies from crop to crop.     

Importance of soil mineral N in early spring and subsequent net N mineralisation for winter wheat following winter oilseed rape and peas in a milder climate

Abstract

Nine biennial field experiments, 2000–2004, in south Sweden, 55–56°N, with winter wheat following winter oilseed rape, peas, and oats, were used to estimate the impact of a future milder climate on winter wheat production in central Sweden, 58–60°N. The trials included studies 1) on losses during winter of soil mineral nitrogen (N_min, 0–90 cm soil), accumulated after the preceding crops in late autumn, 2) on soil N mineralisation (N_net) during the growing season of the wheat (early spring to ripeness) and 3) on grain yield and optimum N fertilisation (Opt-N rate) of the wheat. Average N_min in late autumn following winter oilseed rape, peas, and oats was 68, 64, and 45 kg ha^?1, respectively, but decreased until early spring. Increased future losses of N_min during the winter in central Sweden due to no or very short periods with soil frost should enhance the demand for fertiliser N and reduce the better residual N effect of winter oilseed rape and peas, compared with oats. Their better N effect will then mainly depend on larger N_net (from March to maturity during the winter wheat year). Owing to more plant-available soil N (mainly as N_net) Opt-N rates were lower after oilseed rape and peas than after oats despite increased wheat yields (700 kg ha^?1) at optimum N fertilisation. In addition to these break crop effects, a milder climate should increase winter wheat yields in central Sweden by 2000–3000 kg ha^?1 and require about 30–45 kg ha^?1 more fertiliser N at optimum N fertilisation than the present yield levels. Increased losses and higher N fertilisation to the subsequent winter wheat in future indicates a need for an estimation of the residual N effect at the individual sites, rather than using mean values as at present, to increase N efficiency.     

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Growth,Yield, and Juice Quality and Residual Effects on Ratoon Crops of Sugarcane

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were carried out for three consecutive years (2003–2006) at Bangladesh Sugarcane Research Institute farm soil on plant (first crop after planting) and subsequent two ratoon crops of sugarcane. The main objectives of the study were to assess the direct and residual effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer on growth, yield, and juice quality of plant and ratoon crops. The plant crop consisted of four treatments. After harvesting of plant crop to evaluate the residual effects on ratoon crop the plots were subdivided except the control plot. Thus, there were seven treatments in the ratoon crop. Application of recommended fertilizer [nitrogen (N₁₅₀), phosphorus (P₅₂), potassium (K₉₀), sulfur (S₃₅), and zinc (Zn₃) kg ha^{? 1}] singly or 25% less of it either with press mud or farmyard manure (FYM) at 15 t ha^{? 1} produced statistically identical yield ranged from 67.5 to 69.0 t ha^{? 1} in plant crop. In the ratoon experiment when the recommended fertilizer was applied alone or 25% less of its either with press mud or FYM at 15 or even 7.5 t ha^{? 1} again produced better yield; it ranged from 64.8 to 69.2 in first ratoon and 68.2 to 76.5 t ha^{? 1} in second ratoon crops. Results showed that N, P, K, and S content in leaf progressively decreased in ratoon crops over plant crop. Juice quality parameters viz. brix, pol, and purity % remained unchanged both in plant and ratoon crops. Furthermore, organic carbon (C), available N, P, K, and S were higher in post harvest soils that received inorganic fertilizer in combination with organic manure than control and inorganic fertilizer treated soil. It may be concluded that the application of 25% less of recommended fertilizer (N₁₁₂, P₄₀, K₆₈, S₂₆, and Zn_2.2.5 kg ha^{? 1}) either with press mud or FYM at 15 t ha^{? 1} was adequate for optimum yield of plant crop. Results also suggest that additional N (50% extra dosage) keeping all other fertilizers at the same level like plant crop i.e. N₁₆₈, P₄₀, K₆₈, S₂₆, and Zn_2.25 kg ha^{? 1} either with press mud or FYM at 7.5 t ha^{? 1} may be recommended for subsequent ratoon crops to obtain good yield without deterioration in soil fertility.     

Lysimeterstudie zum Einfluss von Düngung und Bewirtschaftung auf die Ertragsbildung,den Wasserhaushalt und die Nährstoffauswaschung im Trockengebiet der Uckermark

Lysimeter study about the effect of fertilization and management on yield, water balance, and solute leaching in the dry region of the Uckermark Results are presented of a lysimeter study on the effects of fertilization and management on yield, seepage rate, and solute leaching in the dry region of the Uckermark (Northeast Germany) from 1992 to 1999. The crop rotation included sugar beet, summer barley, pea, and winter wheat with fertilization of 280 and 400 kg N ha^—1 within the crop rotation. Additionally to the mineral fertilization, sugar beet was fertilized with the sugar beet leaf or slurry. The average annual seepage rate was 13.7 mm, the nitrogen leaching was 4.3 kg N ha^—1, and the phosphorus leaching was 0.008 kg P ha^—1. Differences between the treatments were negligible and insignificant. The amount of the precipitation from April to September had a significant influence on yields. Furthermore, results of water use efficiency and the effect of different nitrogen rates on yields are presented.     

施肥对甜玉米物质形成累积特征影响研究

采用田间试验,研究不同施肥水平对秋播（2007年）和春播（2008年）甜玉米（粤甜9号）物质形成累积特征的影响。结果表明,从苗期开始,甜玉米各主要生育期的物质形成累积都保持较高的速率; 从拔节开始至抽雄,吐丝开始至成熟收获期间出现两个高峰。在本试验条件下,氮素供应是提高植株物质形成累积和获取高产的主导因素。施氮分别增加了秋播和春播甜玉米成熟期干物量445%和142.9%; 商品产量627%和193%。春播N、P2O5、K2O最佳经济施用量分别为373.8 kg/hm2、68.1 kg/hm2和230.8 kg/hm2; 秋播甜玉米最佳经济施氮量为N 371.4 kg/hm2,磷、钾肥虽未获显著增产效果,生产上可参考春播结果施用磷、钾肥料,以保证养分的收支平衡。施氮可显著提高了甜玉米的单苞鲜重和子粒率,增加鲜子粒维生素C含量; 而施用磷、钾肥则趋于提高子粒的可溶性糖含量。春播的生育期较秋播延长了12 d,但各处理收获期的干物量和商品产量平均分别降低41.5%和26.0%,反映了季节性变化对甜玉米生长发育的显著影响。     

Effect of incorporation of crop straw residues on the yield of mustard and wheat

Abstract The effect of incorporating straw of Vigna radiata L. (moong) into the soil at 3.2 t ha^-1 on the grain yields of mustard and wheat was investigated with and without 0, 50 and 100% of optimum levels of fertilizers (100 kg N + 50 kg P₂O₃ ha^-1 for mustard and 125 kg N + 62.5 kg P₂O₃+ 30 kg k₂O ha^-1 for wheat). In the two-year field experiment, the incorporation of moong residue reduced the grain yield of mustard by 24 to 31% and wheat by 13 to 17%. This adverse effect was, however, diminished with the application of fertilizers. It was concluded that management of crop residues is possible without any adverse effect on the subsequent crop yield when incorporated with adequate levels of N and P fertilizers.     

The mineralisation and fate of nitrogen following ploughing of grass and grass-clover swards

This project aimed to investigate the release of mineral N following the ploughing of clover-rich and grass-dominated swards, previously subject either to cutting or grazing regimes. The hypotheses tested were firstly that N mineralisation and losses following incorporation of grass-clover swards are greater than from grass swards, and secondly that N mineralisation and losses following incorporation of previously grazed swards are greater than from previously cut swards. Following ploughing of previously grazed swards in 1992 and swards that had been subjected to an unfertilised, ungrazed regime in 1993, N uptake, N leaching losses (measured by soil solution samplers with drainage estimation from a nearby experiment) and N₂O losses (measured by the closed chamber method) were determined on both resown and fallow plots. Results showed: (1) higher N release after ploughing from the grass-fallow treatment (449 kg N ha^-1) than from the grass-clover fallow treatment (244 kg N ha^-1) over 18 months; (2) the net release of N after ploughing and reseeding, compared with a continued unfertilised sward, was about 85 kg ha^-1 for the grass-clover plots and 140 kg ha^-1 for the grass-only plots, over the following 18 months. Of this, the net releases in the second cropping season after incorporation were 19 and 25 kg N ha^-1 on the resown grass-clover and grass-only plots, respectively; (3) the net release of mineral N after ploughing in 1993/1994, when swards had not been grazed for over a year, was only about 40 kg ha^-1 and no effect of the previous sward was evident; (4) in the 7 weeks after the 1992 ploughing, there was a considerable short-term input of N₂O to the atmosphere (1.5-3.7 kg N ha^-1), due to the supply of readily available C. Leaving swards ungrazed and unfertilised over winter before ploughing in spring has the potential to reduce such emissions considerably. We conclude that N release following cultivation of grazed swards is more a function of grazing intensity and history prior to ploughing rather than of sward composition.     

Small-Scale Spatial Variability in Winter Wheat Production

Spatial variability is well documented in agricultural crops. Research has shown that average differences in grain yield for neighboring corn (Zea mays L.) plants can vary by as much as 4211 kg ha^?1; however, little work has been done in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to determine the amount and scale of spatial variability that exists in grain yields. This study used 22-m?×?0.9-m transects, partitioned in 0.9-m?×?0.9-m subplots, to document the spatial variability that occurred in winter wheat yields. Average yields of each transect ranged from 1023 to 3807 kg ha^?1. Within transects, there was a 1.7- to 2.3-fold difference between the highest and lowest yielding units. This study documented large levels of variability over distances of <1 m. Agronomists working toward precisely managing crop inputs for their most efficient use should account for spatial variability, as significant differences in winter wheat grain yield were found in adjacent 1-m?×?1-m plots.     

水氮互作对小麦土壤硝态氮运移及水、氮利用效率的影响

为给强筋小麦(Triticum aeativum L.)高产优质栽培的水、氮合理运筹提供理论依据,在高产地力条件下,选用强筋小麦品种济麦20,设置不施氮（N0）、施氮180 kg/hm2 （N1）、240 kg/hm2 （N2）3个施氮水平,每个施氮水平下设置不灌水（W0）、底墒水+拔节水+开花水（W1）、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水（W2）、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水+灌浆水（W3）4个灌水处理,每次灌水量均为60 mm,研究了水氮互作对麦田耗水量、土壤硝态氮运移、氮素利用效率和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,（1）增加施氮量,开花期和成熟期0—140 cm各土层的土壤硝态氮含量显著升高;增加灌水时期,土壤硝态氮向深层的运移加剧,成熟期0—80 cm各土层的土壤硝态氮含量降低,120—140 cm土层的土壤硝态氮含量升高。N1W1处理在开花期0—60 cm土层的土壤硝态氮含量较高,成熟期土壤硝态氮向100—140 cm土层运移少,有利于植株对氮素的吸收。（2）随施氮量的增加,子粒产量先升高后降低,以N1最高。N1水平下,W1处理获得了较高的子粒产量、子粒氮素积累量、氮素利用效率、氮肥农学利用率和氮肥偏生产力;在此基础上增加冬水(W2),上述指标无显著变化;再增加灌浆水(W3),上述指标显著降低。（3）施氮提高了小麦对土壤水的利用能力,随施氮量增加,土壤供水量及其占总耗水量的比例显著升高。N1水平下,W1处理获得了最高的水分利用效率;再增加灌水时期,水分利用效率显著降低,开花至成熟阶段的耗水模系数显著升高,灌水量占总耗水量的比例升高,降水量和土壤供水量占总耗水量的比例降低。本试验条件下,施氮为180 kg/hm2,灌底墒水＋拔节水＋开花水3水的N1W1处理,是兼顾高产、高效的水氮运筹模式。