Organic Recycling for Soil Quality Conservation in a Sub-tropical Plateau Region

The long-term effect of organic recycling on some aspects of quality in a lowland rice soil of an Indian plateau region was studied. The experiment was set up at the agricultural experimental farm of the Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, Bihar, India. Two rice cultivars, and treatments with four organic supplements (cowdung manure, Leuceana leaves, decomposed farm residue and Sesbania ), chemical fertilizers (urea, superphosphate and muriate of potash) and no input were arranged in a factorial randomized block design. Organic supplements improved soil quality parameters such as water holding capacity, total organic C, microbial biomass C, urease and acid phosphatase activities of soils in comparison to chemical fertilizers and no input. Among the organic supplements, cowdung manure gave significantly higher organic C (1.39%), microbial biomass C (276.46 μg g⁻¹ dry soil), urease activity (32.79 and 21.22 μg urea hydrolized g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹ at 37 °C by the buffer and non-buffer method, respectively) and acid phosphatase activity (1.99 μmol p-nitrophenol released g⁻¹ dry soil h⁻¹ at 37 °C) than the others. The conversion of organic C into biomass C (2.46%) was highest in Leuceana -treated soil.     

Effect of Soil Temperature on the Carbohydrate Status in the Potato Plant (S. tuberosum L.)

Seed tubers of the variety Ostara were raised in growth chambers of 16°C air temperature continuously. The vessels were placed in a water bath of automatic temperature regulation so that soil temperatures of 16°C and 28°C could be maintained. Four weeks after emergence the plants were treated with ¹⁴CO₂ and 24 hours later the plants were harvested. Three more treatments and time harvests followed in two weeks intervals. C-14 activity was determined in soluble carbohydrates, in insoluble carbohydrates, and in non extractable residues respectively of the various plant parts in order to obtain information about the translocation of assimilates in the plant.
While the plants at 28°C soil temperature reduced the soluble sugar levels to 50% up to 70 days after emergence, the plants at 16° brought it down to 33% much faster. — The C-14 activity in insoluble carbohydrates amounted to only 50 % in the plants at 28°C while at 16°C it was more than 2/3 (Tables 1 and 2). — The C-14 activity in non extractable residues is much less at 28°C than at 16°C (Tables 3 and 4). — The starch weight reaches only 30% of the value obtained at lower temperature 70 days after emergence (Table 5). — At the higher temperature starch is also increasingly transferred to the tubers but to a much lesser extent and not from the stems and stolons (Table 6).
Possible causes, particularly the role of phytohormones, and consequences are discussed.     

Effect of Intercropping on Yield Attributes of Chickpea and Safflower Under Different Soil Moisture Regimes and Population Densities

An experiment with eight cropping systems (pure and intercropping) with three levels of irrigations I₀, I₁ and I₂ based on the physiological growth stages of safflower and chickpea was conducted during the rabi (winter) season of 1983—84 and 1984—85. The eight cropping systems were CS₁— sole chickpea, CS₂— sole safflower, CS₃— paired rows of chickpea, CS₄— paired rows of safflower, CS₅— chickpea + 50% safflower, CS₆— safflower + 50% chickpea, CS₇— chickpea + 75% safflower and CS₈— safflower + 75% chickpea. Sole crop of chickpea always had higher yield component than inter-cropping. However, none of the yield components in safflower was influenced by intercropping except number and weight of capsules per plant in 1983—84 only. With regard to levels of irrigation chickpea and safflower responded to two irrigations.     

Effect of Low Soil Temperature on Weight Increase, Gas Exchange and Distribution of 14C-Assimilates in Seedlings of a Maize Hybrid

Seedlings of a maize hybrid sensitive to chilling initially grew in the growth chamber of the phytotron at 20/ 17°C (day/night) and after the formation of the fourth leaf, the soil temperature was lowered to 5°C. Under such growth conditions the dynamics of dry weight change, gas exchange and the distribution of ¹⁴C-assimilates in seedlings were examined. The low soil temperature inhibited daily growth of dry weight of whole seedlings more than their photosynthesis. Simultaneously, it was also responsible for a greater increase in dissimilative losses.
During 37 hours (day-night-day), following exposure to ¹⁴CO₂, dissimilation in seedlings in cool soil (5°C) and in non-chilling conditions amounted to 35.1 % and 23.4 % of assimilated ¹⁴C (AC), respectively. At lower soil temperature relatively high dissimilative losses were observed on the first day after exposure (23.5 %), lower at night (9.9 %) and the lowest on the following day - merely 1.7 % AC. Higher losses of ¹⁴C under chilling conditions occurring on the first day were a result of limited photosynthetic refixation of ¹⁴CO₂ At night, however, they were associated with a prolonged period of intensive translocation of assimilates to the stem. It was assumed that an excessive accumulation of assimilates in leaf blades might be an additional factor responsible for increased dissimilative losses at low temperature during the first twenty-four hours. In the third period of measurements, as a result of a limited transport of ¹⁴C, dissimilative losses were lower than in previous ones and were not dependent upon soil temperature.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Transport during Grain Filling in Rice Under High-temperature Conditions

Rice ( Oryza sativa cv. Koshihikari) seedlings were grown in a sandy dune soil in pots with a basal dressing of N (0.5 g N), P and K. Two N treatments were applied, a +N treatment in which a top dressing of ¹⁵N-labeled 0.5 g N was supplied on July 20 and a −N treatment in which no additional fertilizer was supplied. During the grain-filling stage from August 6 to 13, plants were subjected to one of three temperature treatments; controlled low temperature, LT (day/night 28/23 °C), controlled high temperature, HT (35/30 °C) and uncontrolled glasshouse temperature, UT (day/night averages, 38/26 °C). All plants were then exposed to ¹³CO₂ for 1 h on August 11 in a growth chamber at 25 °C. On August 13, all plants were harvested and the ¹³C and ¹⁵N abundances and starch and sugar concentrations in the ears, shoots and roots were determined. The ¹³C content of the ear was lower in UT than in LT irrespective of the +N or −N treatment. The translocation of ¹⁵N to the ears was also slightly depressed in UT compared with LT. Under high-temperature conditions (HT and UT), the starch content per plant was reduced for −N, but for +N, it was not significantly different among the temperature treatments. A high accumulation of sucrose was observed in all plant parts under UT conditions. It is suggested that extreme high day temperatures during the grain-filling period may reduce starch synthesis in the grains and, especially so under N-deficient conditions. High temperatures also induce an accumulation of sucrose and a decrease in carbon and nitrogen transport from the shoots to the ears via the phloem.     

Zum Einfluß von Untersaaten zur Begrünung von Ackerbrachen auf die Vegetationsentwicklung und die Nitratdynamik

The influence of undersown green manure crops for fallows – set-aside land – in view of vegetation-development and the dynamic of nitrate
In view of the establishment of rotational fallows - set-aside land - as well as the bridging of the vegetation-free winter period the suitability of different undersown grasses and legumes m winter cereals was investigated in field trials. Festuca rubra developed well in winter barley and winter wheat. The success of the cultivation of Lolium perenne, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens in winter cereals is uncertain because of the risk of light and water deficiences. Dactylis glomerata caused an negative influence on the yield of the cover crop. During the fallow period only low levels of nitrate could be found in the soil. Under fallow tilled repeatedly complete fallow- a nitrate accumulation could be observed during the fallow period. After ploughing up the fallow vegetation, nitrate concentrations - depth 0–150 cm – increased to 60 kg NO₃-N · ha^-1 after the natural fallow without seeding, between 60 and 130 kg NO₃-N · ha^-1 after Trifolium and between 160 and 210 kg NO₃-N · ha^-1 after complete fallow. Lowest nitrate levels were observed from the grass-sites. Undersown Festuca rubra seems to be the best choice in order to compete with weeds, to form a dense sod and to prevent nitrate leaching. In general a seed rate of 8 kg · ha^-1 can be recommended.     

Soil Temperature Simulation with Varying Residue Management

Maintaining crop residue on the soil surface is an important part of conservation tillage. Although broad effects of residues on soil temperature (T_s) are well documented, the methods to predict soil temperatures under various surface residues and tillage conditions are limited. Using the T_s at 0-, 0.05-, 0.10-, and 0.30-m depths, we developed a simplified model to predict T_s for a uniform soil from air temperature (T_a) data. Data were collected under various tillage and surface residue conditions after wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) harvest. Residue management treatments were disk, sweep, and no-tillage (with standing or shredded residues). The model predicts maximum and minimum T_s at 0-, 0.05-, 0.10-, and 0.30-m depths using maximum and minimum T_s measured at 2-m above the soil surface, residue mass, apparent thermal diffusivity, and initial Ts profiles. Mean absolute deviation between simulated and measured maximum and minimum surface T_s were 0.53 and 0.44 °C or less, respectively. Root zone maximum and minimum T, were simulated within 0.14 to 0.91 and 0.27 to 0.95 °C, respectively, of the measured T_s. Greater precision of maximum and minimum soil temperature predictions with depth was obtained by using apparent thermal diffusivity calculated from initial T_s profiles. The proposed model can be useful in predicting T_s profiles required for crop growth modeling.     

Conversion of SO2−4-S and Changes in Glucosinolate Content in Leaves of Rape Seedlings Transplanted

The conversion of SO^2-₄ -S and changes in content of S in various constituents in leaves of rape seedlings transplanted were investigated by using (NH₄)₂³⁵SO₄ as a tracer to exploit formation and accumulation of glucosinolates in oilseed rape. Seedlings grown under sandy culture absorbed ³⁵SO^2-₄ which was added to the cultural solution and incorporated into amino acids, glucosinolates and proteins rapidly. Distribution of extractable ³⁵S with 70 % methanol in glucosinolates in leaves declined with time from labelling, while those in amino acids rised correspondingly. Per cents of ³⁵S incorporated into bound form in total ³⁵S increased linearly and those of ³⁵S into glucosinolates and amino acids decreased with time within five days from labelling. After that the relative amounts of ^3SS in three constituents was basically constant. Content on dry weight basis of labelled glucosinolates and amino acids expressed as μmol S/g.d.w. increased linearly with time from labelling with absorption of ³⁵SO^2-₄from soil by the seedlings under soil culture. Compared with seedlings grown under sandy culture, more ³⁵S was incorporated into glucosinolates in leaves of seedlings grown under soil culture.     

Nomogramm zur Keimung von Wintergerste (Hordeum vulgare L.) zwischen Teigreife und Ernte in Abhangigkeit von Temperatur und Niederschlag

Nomogram of germination of winter barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) between dough stage and harvest, as influenced by temperature and rainfall
Winter barley, cv. Katja , was cultivated on loess soil near Göttingen in three seasons (1982–1984). After passing the dough stage, barley seeds were separated at regular intervals and incubated at 12 °C for germination.
For the germination (Y, in probits), the following regression equation was found: Y = 3.91 + 0.1186 X₁– 0.0267 x₂, where x₁= daily mean temperature (°C), and x₂= quantity of rainfall (mm) in the four days before the separation of the seeds.
The relationship among germination, temperature and rainfall was presented in the form of a nomogram which shows a convenient method to solve the regression equation graphically.     

Physical Properties Affecting Water Entry in some Humid Tropical Soil

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of physical properties on water entry in three soils, differing appreciably in texture. The results indicate that the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) of lateritic soil was manifold higher than the alluvial soil. In lateritic soil the value of K was 10⁻¹ cm/hr and it ranged from 10⁻² to 10⁻³ cm/hr in alluvial soil. In general, the conductivity decreases in the sub surface layers and may be attributed high bulk density resulting from compact blocky structure of the soil. The infiltration rate of lateritic soil was found to be 4 times more as compared to the alluvial soils.     

Effect of Low Temperature of Irrigation Water on Rice Growth and Nutrient Uptake

The study was designed to investigate the effect of cold irrigation water on rice growth and on uptake of N, P, K and Zn applied ca. 50, 20, 35 and 5 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Cold temperature of irrigation water reduced rice shoot and root dry weight and plant height, significantly compared to hot temperature treatment. Under low temperature stress N was a major rice growth determinant. Increased shoot concentrations of both P and Zn allevated the low temperature stress. The uptake of N, P, K and Zn reduced significantly at low temperature (16.5–20 °C soil and 20–24 °C flood water) compared to high temperature (24.5–27 °C soil and 26.5–29.0 °C), with the strongest effect being noticed for N, followed by P, K and Zn. Application of N, P, K and Zn increased their uptake in rice shoots. Nitrogen and K had synergistic effect on their uptake. Responses to N and K application and their uptake behavior were well marked at higher than at low temperature whereas reverse was true for P and Zn.     

内陆河流域不同播期对春玉米土壤温度及生物量的影响

土壤温度是限制玉米高产的主要环境因子,为了寻求合理的播种时间,使玉米生长发育处于适宜的土壤温度环境中,从而保证干物质的积累和产量的形成。通过在内陆河流域代表区域武威开展不同播期对大田地膜春玉米进行试验,采用全生育期连续定点观测春玉米发育期、产量结构和20 cm、40 cm两个深度的土壤温度变化,分析了不同播期对春玉米生物量和土壤温度的影响。结果表明：营养生长期不同播期处理各层次地温均随生育进程的推进呈逐渐升高的趋势,拔节之后即进入生殖生长期,地温呈降低趋势。第二播期（4月20日）生长状况好,干物质累积量高,尤其是乳熟期和成熟期差异明显(P<0.05)。第二期产量构成优于第三期（4月30日）和第一期（4月10日）。第二播期处理,可以在苗期获得较高的地温,土壤增温明显,而在拔节期以后可保证适当较低的温度,从而保证干物质积累时间和产量结构的形成,是当地最适宜的地膜春玉米播种期。第一播期生物量则表现最差,说明正常情况下作物适当提前播期,延长生长期的做法在玉米的生产上是有一定风险的。     

Soil Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activities as Influenced by Organic Manure Incorporation into Soils of a Rice-Rice System

A fertilizer management study involving incorporation of poultry manure, farm yard manure, sesbania and gliricidia into soils of a rice-rice system was initiated in May 1993. In order to determine the effects of organic manure incorporation on soil microbial biomass and enzyme activity, soils were collected from the respective plots at the end of the second rice crop in February 1996. and were incubated with and without the respective organic manure at the rate of 15 Mg ha⁻¹ at 25°C, under submergence. The total viable microbial counts, bacteria, actinomycetes, N flush, biomass C and activities of urease, amidase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase and L-glutaminase were determined after 60 days of incubation.
Soils freshly amended and soils previously amended with organic manures registered significantly greater microbial biomass and enzyme activity than the unamended control. The microbial biomass and enzyme activity, however, varied with the type of organic manure incorporated into the soil. Except for acid phosphatase, which showed slight inhibition, all the other enzymes were activated to different degrees by organic manure incorporation. A significant and positive relationship of enzyme activity with organic C and total N suggested that the addition of organic manure to soils increased C turnover, N availability and microbial activity which in turn led to greater enzyme synthesis and accumulation in the soil matrix.     

A Quantitative Method to Assess Freezing Resistance in Faba Beans

In order to quantify freezing resistance (R₅₀) of winter faba beans from a limited number of plants, leaves were exposed to artificial freezing stresses with different test temperatures (TT_i). Injury (I_i) was assessed by rating (score: 0—8) and by conductivity measurements. The basic assumption that I_i depends almost linearly on TT_i over a sufficiently broad range with a constant ΔI/ΔTT could be verified and hence a formula is presented to compute freezing resistance R₅₀= (I_i—I₅₀) ×ΔTT/ΔI + TT_i with I₅₀ being a medium injury. This formula allows to quantify resistance by assessing I_i after freezing test(s) with definite TT_i. About 25 leaves are required. Rating appeared preferable to conductivity measurements because of easier and quicker performance and a slightly better discrimination between samples of different resistance. Based on a standardized freezing test, ΔI/ΔTT was determined. Application of the formula with ΔI/ΔTT = 2.5 units/°C for unhardened and hardened leaves, restrictions and experiences are discussed.     

Effect of Low Night Temperatures on Photosynthetic Activity of the Maize Seedlings (Zea mays L.)

Night chilling (5 °C) subsequently lowered photosynthetic intensity in the leaves of maize seedlings at 20 °C through an increase in leaf diffusive resistance brought on by lower tissue water content in morning hours. A more significant increase in leaf diffusion resistance was observed when soil temperature was lowered than in the case of lower air temperature.
The unfavorable effect of soil and air cooling temperature on photosynthesis was limited by air saturated with water vapour. However, as a result of lowering the night temperature from 5 °C to 1 °C, the efficiency of the protective influence of higher atmospheric humidity was decreased. This demonstrates that the participation of factors unrelated to plant water status in inhibiting photosynthesis increases with lower night temperatures.
An additional reason for inhibited photosynthesis following cool nights was a decrease in chlorophyll accumulation, below 50 μg per 1 cm² of leaf area.     

拉萨市青稞田杂草发生情况调查

采集拉萨市4个县13个乡的青稞田土样，通过室内诱萌方法，研究青稞田杂草的发生情况。结果表明：拉萨市青稞田常见杂草分属于12个科，26个种，多为一年生杂草。主要危害杂草为禾本科杂草，有早熟禾、狗尾草、无芒稗等；从土壤分层培养结果来看，表现为：0~10 cm土层杂草出苗量要高于10~20 cm土层杂草出苗量。该研究将为拉萨市青稞田的杂草有效防治提供科学依据。     

Soil Temperature and Planting Depth Effects on Tef Emergence

Tef [ Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an annual C4 grass crop that originated in Ethiopia. It has potential as a grain crop in the Great Plains because of its tolerance to drought and high temperatures. In Ethiopia, tef seed is typically broadcast on the soil surface and lightly incorporated. Shallow planting depths are used because the seed is very small and emergence can be limited by soil crusting. If planting equipment is to be used, planting depth may be important for successful tef production. The objective of this study was to identify optimal depths and soil temperatures to aid in developing tef planting recommendations for the central Plains. Tef was planted at five depths (0, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5 and 5.0 cm) in pots filled with a silt loam soil, and pots were placed in growth chambers at four temperature regimes (day/night: 15/19 °C; 19/23 °C; 23/27 °C and 27/31 °C). No plants emerged from the 5.0-cm depth, so this depth was not included in the analysis. Emergence was greatest for planting depths of 0.6 and 1.3 cm and lower at 0 and 2.5 cm depths. Temperature did not affect final emergence, measured 21 days after planting (DAP), but did influence emergence rates during the first 9 DAP. Plant dry matter production increased as planting depth increased, but plant dry matter per pot was not different among planting depths greater than 0.9 cm, suggesting that compensation between plants across different plant densities began early in the plants' life cycles. Our results show that tef seed can emerge from depths between 0.6 and 1.3 cm and that soil temperatures below 19 °C can slow emergence but should not affect final stands.     

Seed Composition, Seedling Emergence and Early Seedling Vigour of Red Kidney Bean Seed Produced at Elevated Temperature and Carbon Dioxide

Understanding the influence of growth temperature and carbon dioxide (CO₂) on seed quality in terms of seed composition, subsequent seedling emergence and early seedling vigour is important under present and future climates. The objective of this study was to determine the combined effects of elevated temperature and CO₂ during seed-filling of parent plants on seed composition, subsequent seedling emergence and seedling vigour of red kidney bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ). Plants of cultivar 'Montcalm', were grown at daytime maximum/nighttime minimum sinusoidal temperature regimes of 28/18 and 34/24 °C at ambient CO₂ (350 μmol mol⁻¹) and at elevated CO₂ (700 μmol mol⁻¹) from emergence to maturity. Seed size and seed composition at maturity and subsequent per cent emergence, early seedling vigour (rate of development) and seedling dry matter production were measured. Elevated CO₂ did not influence seed composition, emergence, or seedling vigour of seeds produced either at 28/18 or 34/24 °C. Seed produced at 34/24 °C had smaller seed size, decreased glucose concentration, but significantly increased concentrations of sucrose and raffinose compared to 28/18 °C. Elevated growth temperatures during seed production decreased the subsequent per cent emergence and seedling vigour of the seeds and seedling dry matter production of seed produced either at ambient or elevated CO₂.     

不同耕播期对杂草控制及土壤残留农药的影响

【研究目的】为了控制农田杂草,加速土壤残留农药降解,生产无公害农产品是非常重要的。【方法】对于残效农药长期使用的地区,可以采用连续2~3年秋收浅耕、翌年春播时早浅耕晚播种或直接晚耕播种三种措施,来研究杂草的控制效果。通过取样测量作物幼根长和鲜重,分析这三种措施对土壤残留农药的削减程度。【结果】研究结果表明：氟乐灵在油菜田长期使用时,土壤残留农药抑制下茬青稞幼根生长,幼根较对照株缩短3.0~3.1cm/株,鲜重量减少0.19~0.20g/株;甲磺隆在青稞田长期使用时,下茬油菜幼根较对照株缩短1.9~2.0cm/株,鲜重量减少0.13~0.14g/株;秋收后及时浅耕可将落入地表的杂草种子全耙入0~10cm耕层内;翌年春播早浅耕可诱发土壤表层的杂草种子提前萌发出苗,10d后耕种,能防除40%左右的杂草株数;较正常播种期推迟10d后直接晚耕播种,可防除30%左右杂草株数;苗期或后期拔（捋）出残余杂草种子时,除草效果理想,对下茬作物幼苗生长发育及产量无任何不良影响。【结论】在长残效农药长期使用地区进行2~3年秋收浅耕及不同耕播期加人工锄草,能有效控制农田杂草的危害,不污染农田土壤和生活环境,且加速对土壤残留农药的降解。     

Stickstoff-Eintrag und -Verbleib im Boden unter offenen und abgedeckten Mistmieten

Nitrogen penetration and persistence in soil under uncovered and covered farmyard manure heaps
After deposition of cattle manure for 308 days neither the total nitrogen nor the nitrate but onlv the ammonia content in the soil (0–70 cm) was significantly increased. During a 258 days period from autumn to spring the observed microbial oxidation of penetrated ammonia to nitrate was tardy and by no means quantitative. So leaching of nitrate was hardly to be detected during the whole period. In the soil layer 40–70 cm a maximum of 1.6 g NO₃⁻-N/m² was measured, which was in an equivalent range with the amounts detected by large scale investigations in agricultural soils at the same season. Therefore the manure heaps in question did not lead to an uncommon increase of nitrate in soil. The protection of the heaps against precipitation simply brought about small and only a few times significant reductions in soil N_min content.