Hydrologic impact of climate change with adaptation of vegetation community in a forest-dominant watershed

This study evaluated the impact on watershed hydrology by predicting future forest community change under a climate change scenario. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was selected and applied to Chungju dam watershed (6,642 km²) of South Korea. The SWAT was calibrated and validated for 6 years (1998–2003) using the daily streamflow data from three locations. For the future evaluation of forest community and hydrology, the MIROC3.2 HiRes monthly climate data were adopted. The future data were corrected using 30 years (1977–2006, baseline period) of measured weather data, and they were daily downscaled by the Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator statistical method. To predict the future forest vegetation cover, the baseline forest community was modeled by a multinomial LOGIT model using variables of baseline precipitation, temperature, elevation, degree of base saturation, and soil organic matter, and the future forest community was predicted using the future precipitation and temperature scenario. The future temperature increase of 4.8 °C by 2080s (2070–2099) led to prediction of 30.8 % decrease of mixed forest and 75.8 % increase of coniferous forest compared to the baseline forest community. For the baseline evapotranspiration (ET) of 491.5 mm/year, the 2080s ET under the forest community change was 591.1 mm/year, whereas it was 551.8 mm/year with the remaining forest community stationary. The different ET results considering the future forest community clearly affected the groundwater recharge and streamflow in sequence.     

A procedure to estimate cover coefficient and parameters of soil moisture stress function using soil moisture monitoring data

A procedure to determine soil moisture threshold (θ*), cover coefficient (k _c), and parameters of soil moisture stress function (k _s) is proposed in this study. These coefficients can be further applied to estimate daily actual evapotranspiration in a hydrological model. Two soil moisture stress functions are used to describe k _s. One of the functions is proposed by this study, which assumes moisture stress is inversely proportional to matric potential described by van Genuchten retention curve. The procedure is applied to identify the coefficients for three kinds of reference potential evapotranspiration based on soil moisture monitoring. Soil moisture was measured by Watermark soil moisture sensors. These sensors were tested in a laboratory to establish the relationship between soil moisture and recorded tensor. Then, these sensors were installed in an experimental forest watershed. The verification study shows that the calibrated coefficients can provide reasonable estimate of actual evapotranspiration. The R ² = 0.85 for using the Penman–Montieth equation for tall maize along with k _c = 1.81 can be obtained for the validation period with soil moisture stress. Besides, the results also indicate the proposed soil moisture stress function can have better performance on estimating daily actual evapotranspiration at early stage of a dry period. The proposed procedure and soil moisture stress functions can be successfully applied to estimate daily evapotranspiration when soil moisture is known. However, their performance in a hydrological model requires further study, since a hydrological model can only provide estimated soil moisture.     

Estimation of evaporation from arid-irrigated region using MODIS satellite imagery

For sustainable development of irrigated agriculture in arid regions, improvement of water use efficiency is essentially required to maintain current production levels and meet food and fiber for population growth in future. To achieve high water use efficiency, a key consideration is to reduce unnecessary soil water loss due to evaporation. In this article, regional daily evaporation over Hetao Irrigation District in a typical arid region during the irrigation period of 2009 was determined by a developed maximum surface temperature model combining Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite imagery. The results showed that maximum land surface temperature (LST) from MODIS satellite imagery was relatively higher in the western and middle parts than that of the eastern part of the district. At the same time, the mean minimum LST was shown somewhat higher in the eastern part. Mean daily evaporation was relatively higher in the eastern part, which showed water consuming is higher in the eastern part of the district. During the irrigation period of 2009, the total income water (irrigation water and rainfall) amount is 590.3 mm, and the outcome water (drainage discharge and evaporation) amount is 497.5 mm. The surplus of 92.8 mm in the irrigated season is considered to be consumed in winter season. Throughout the irrigated season, income and outcome almost equals each other. The daily evaporation distribution map could specify particular water consuming areas over the district where high daily evaporation may be occurred.     

Assessing the effect of watershed slopes on recharge/baseflow and soil erosion

Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by increasing variability in the hydrologic responses. In particular, the health of river ecosystems in steeply sloping watersheds is aggravated due to soil erosion and stream depletion during dry periods. This study suggested and assessed a method to improve the adaptation ability of a river system in a steep watershed. For this, this study calibrated soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) for runoff and sediment, and quantified the changes in hydrologic responses such as groundwater recharge rate soil erosion and baseflow according to two scenarios for adjustment of the watershed slope (steep to mild). Here, one scenario was set by three measured slopes, and the other was set by fixing the entire watershed slopes with 5 %. Moreover, SWAT and web-based hydrograph analysis tool (WHAT) models were applied to estimate groundwater recharge, soil erosion, and baseflow in the Haean-myeon watershed in South Korea. The results show that the reduction of watershed slope increased groundwater recharge and baseflow, and decreased sediment. Specifically, groundwater recharge rate was increased from 257.10 to 364.60 mm, baseflow was increased from 0.86 to 1.19 m³/s, and sediment was decreased from 194.6 to 58.1 kg/km². Based on these results, the suggested method will positively contribute to aquatic ecosystems and farming environments in a steeply sloping watershed due to improvements in the quantity and quality of river water.     

Analysis of water balance by surface–groundwater interaction using the SWAT model for the Han River basin,South Korea

The water balance and groundwater dynamics due to surface–groundwater interactions for watershed health assessment were investigated for the Han River basin (34,148 km²) of South Korea using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model was established considering 4 multipurpose dams and 3 multifunction weirs. The SWAT was spatially calibrated and validated using daily observed inflows for the dam (2005–2014) and weir (2012–2014) as well as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and groundwater level data (2009–2013). The simulation results revealed the impact of surface–groundwater exchange fluxes on the water balance and baseflow by evaluating the vertical water budget and horizontal water transfer. Evapotranspiration in the surface and return flows from the shallow aquifer for the dry season was estimated to be 29 and 10% higher than for the wet season, respectively. Percolation’s role was also significant, providing approximately 24% of the annual groundwater recharge to shallow aquifers in the rainy season. On average, the February to August period (A) was characterized by a net flux of infiltration into the groundwater. For the September to January period (B), the proportion of groundwater flow into the river of the basin was nearly balanced by a slight increase in surface water infiltration. During period A of average surface water infiltration into the groundwater, the net groundwater recharge was positive and up to 20% of the infiltration during this period resulted from groundwater recharge. These results showed that groundwater recharge is strongly affected by the surface water and groundwater interactions.     

Evaluation of land use change and groundwater use impact on stream drying phenomena using a grid-based continuous hydrologic model

The effect of land use change on drying streams was evaluated using a grid-based continuous hydrological model (PGA-CC). For a drying stream-progressed watershed (398.8 km²), the model was calibrated and validated using 7 years (2005–2011) of streamflow data at the watershed outlet with an average Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency of 0.71. Based on the model simulation results for 36 years (1976 to 2011), both land use change and climate change decreased the 10-day minimum flow by 0.16 m³/s and increased the day counts below the annual average by 40.6 days/year. These changes resulted from the 8.7 % increase in urban area, 1.43-fold increase in groundwater use, and 1.1 °C temperature increase during the 36-year period. From the distributed results of the model, we identified the drying stream location and progression. The spring and winter seasons were relatively strongly affected, and drying streams were identified in more urbanized areas with greater groundwater use.     

Leaf litter decomposition and diversity of arthropod decomposers in tropical <Emphasis Type="Italic">Muyong</Emphasis> forest in Banaue,Philippines

The Muyong forest, an indigenous secondary forest in Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines, plays a crucial role in the Muyong–Payoh system, a continuum of secondary forest and rice terrace, of the Banaue rice terraces by providing water and nutrients to the rice plants in the Payoh terraces. In recent decades, the planting of introduced tree species in the Muyong forest has threatened the sustainable provision of ecosystem services such as water balance and nutrient cycling. To further understand nutrient cycling in the Muyong–Payoh systems, this study was conducted in Poitan, Banaue, Ifugao to gather preliminary baseline data on floral diversity, leaf litterfall rate, leaf litter decomposition rate, and diversity and succession of arthropods in decomposing leaf litter in a Muyong forest. Vegetation analysis was done by identifying and describing the trees growing inside the five 10 m × 10 m quadrat sampling plots. Monthly leaf litter fall was collected in 1 m × 1 m litter traps, and the dry weight was determined after oven-drying at 65 °C for 48 h. Leaf litter decomposition experiment was established by laying out 12 nylon mesh bags containing fresh leaf litter in each of the four sites on the forest floor and one bag was retrieved every month to determine the change in dry weight of the leaf litter. Six bulk soil samples were collected from the Muyong forest floor and analyzed for organic matter, pH, available P and exchangeable K. Fresh leaf litter samples were analyzed for total N, P and K contents. Arthropods in the collected decomposing leaf litter were extracted using Berlese funnel and later identified up to families level using arthropod taxonomic key. The diversity of plants in the Muyong forest includes thirty-eight tree species belonging to 19 families dominated by indigenous tree species. Results showed that the monthly leaf litter fall was higher during the dry months of March to May and lower during the wet months. The estimated total leaf litter fall in Muyong forest was comparable to published litter fall from tropical secondary forests. The N, P and K contents of fresh leaf litter range from 1.0 to 1.2, 0.11 and 0.40%, respectively. The first month of decomposition has the fastest rate while the decomposition rate during the next 4 months ranged from 0.125 to 0.251. Complete decomposition or mass lost in the leaf litter in the Muyong forest took place within 5 months. The soil arthropods identified in the decomposing leaf litter were composed of 13 orders and 28 families. Majority of the collected arthropods were insects while other species including mites, spiders, millipedes and sowbugs were also present. Detrivore and fungivore Families were found to be dominant in the decomposing leaf litter. Moreover, the composition and succession of arthropod decomposer community varied in the three sampling methods and with the changing quality of the litter material as decomposition progressed. The wide diversity and succession of leaf litter decomposers consisting of detritivores, predators, fungivore and herbivore coupled with abundant rainfall and warm temperature are the two main factors that contribute to the fast rate of leaf litter decomposition and nutrient turn over in the Muyong forest. Thus, the Muyong forest can sustain the productivity of rice planted in the adjoining downstream Payoh terraces. Hence, the conservation and management of the Muyong forest is critical in maintaining the ecological functions of the Muyong–Payoh continuum.     

Influence of paddy rice terraces on soil erosion of a small watershed in a hilly area of Northern Vietnam

Soil erosion is the main cause of soil degradation in northern Vietnam. In this study, soil erosion was measured in 2 m² field plots, a 19.1-ha sub-watershed, and a 248.9-ha main watershed in Tam Quan commune, Tam Duong district, northern Vietnam during 2 years, i.e., 2004–2005. The main watershed includes lowland paddy fields, and is representative for watersheds in the northern Vietnamese landscape. Soil erosion was measured for eight events, at all the three scales to increase our understanding of erosional processes and to assess the effects of paddy fields within the main watershed. The results show that total discharge and sediment yield in both sub-watershed and main watershed were much lower than those in the field plots. Total discharge per unit area in the main watershed was higher than in the sub-watershed, because during the growing season, the paddies are filled with water and any rainfall on them therefore becomes runoff. Sediment yield in the main watershed fluctuated, depending on the soil erosion contribution from many sub-watersheds. Annual rainfalls in 2004 and 2005 were 1,172 and 1,560 mm, respectively, resulting in corresponding total discharges of 54 and 332 mm and total soil losses of 163 and 1,722 kg ha^?1 year^?1. High runoff volumes occurred in July, August, and September, but April, June, the last 10 days of September and October, were the susceptible periods for soil erosion in the study area because of low plant cover and many agricultural activities during these periods.     

Seed priming and in situ moisture conservation measures in increasing adaptive capacity of rain-fed upland rice to moisture stress at Eastern Himalayan Region of India

In the uplands of Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR) of India, dry-seeded rain-fed rice occupies considerable area. However, productivity of rice in this region is very low and is mainly due to frequent occurrence of intermittent soil moisture stress, weed infestation, and poor crop establishment. Keeping this in view, a field experiment on rain-fed direct-seeded rice was conducted during two consecutive years 2011 and 2012 at the EHR of India (27° 95′N latitude and 94° 76′E longitude, 662 m above MSL) to evaluate the effect of seed priming (SP) with different durations (0, 12, 18, and 24 h) and in situ furrows at various row intervals as moisture conservation measures (MCM) on seed germination, plant stand, profile moisture recharge, rice productivity, water and energy use efficiency, and harvest monetary benefits. Results revealed that SP for 24 h duration significantly (p < 0.05) improved the seed germination and crop stand, rice grain yield by 30–36 %, water use efficiency by 29–36 %, and energy productivity by 15–22 %. In situ furrows at regular and alternate row intervals also registered 1.89–3.2-fold increase in profile moisture recharge, 20–34 % higher rice productivity, 23–33 % improvement in water use efficiency, and 6–16 % increase in energy productivity over without MCM. Seed priming helped in improving seed germination, seedling establishment, and plant stand, while MCM was useful in mid-season rainfall capture and profile moisture recharge during intermittent moisture stress for better plant growth. However, adoption of in situ furrows (regular and alternate row intervals) as MCM increased the cost of cultivation by 13–27 % over normal practices but was compensated by the significant increase in grain yield, water use efficiency, benefit:cost ratios, and farmers’ profit.     

Evaluation of HEC-HMS and WEPP for simulating watershed runoff using remote sensing and geographical information system

Although a variety of rainfall-runoff models are available, selection of a suitable rainfall-runoff model for a given watershed is essential to ensure efficient planning and management of watersheds. Such studies are relatively limited in developing nations, including India. In this study, rainfall-runoff modeling was carried out using HEC-HMS and WEPP hydrologic models, and remote sensing and GIS (geographical information system) techniques in the Upper Baitarani River basin of Eastern India using daily monsoon season (June–October) rainfall and the corresponding streamflow data of 6 years (1999–2005). Other input data such as soil map, land use/land cover map, and slope map were prepared using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The modeling results revealed that both the models under predict streamflow for 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005 and over predict for 2001 and 2003, whereas HEC-HMS under predicts and WEPP over predicts streamflow for the year 2000. The percent deviation of total runoff volume simulated by HEC-HMS ranges between −2.55 and 31%, while it varies from −13.96 to 13.05% for the WEPP model which suggests that the WEPP model simulates annual flow volumes more accurately than the HEC-HMS model for most years. However, the lower values of root mean square error (RMSE) and RMSE-observation standard deviation ratio coupled with the higher values of Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, percent deviation and coefficient of determination for HEC-HMS during calibration and validation periods indicated that the streamflow simulated by HEC-HMS is more reliable than that simulated by WEPP. Overall, it is concluded that the HEC-HMS model is superior to the WEPP model for simulating daily streamflow in the Baitarani River basin of Eastern India.     

Growth behavior,productivity, leaf rolling,and soil cracks on transplanted rice in response to enforce surface drainage

Intermittent and prolonged dry spell during growth of transplanted rice is an important abiotic problem in north eastern region (NER). However, the productivity of rice in the region is very low, and this is mainly associated with reduced plant population, growth, and yield attributes with lower relative water content and leaf rolling with formation of soil cracks by erratic and aberrant rainfall. Keeping this in view, a field experiment on transplanted rice was conducted during two consecutive years 2011 and 2012 at NER of India, to evaluate the imposition of forced surface drainage (SD) at various growth stages (continuous drainage, SD at tillering, SD at panicle initiation, SD at booting, SD at flowering, SD at milking, and 15 days intermittent SD) and was compared with continuous flooding on growth and yield attributes, yield, relative water content, leaf rolling, and formation of soil cracks. Results revealed that continuous flooding has significant (p < 0.05) improved the plant population, growth and yield parameters, rice grain yield (3,406.7 kg ha^?1) and straw yield (4,683.3 kg ha^?1), relative water content maintained >90 %, no leaf roll, and soil crack. However, imposition of SD at tillering has lower tillers hill^?1, but yield was compensated by improvement in yield attributes. As per the availability of water, growers of the region can utilize the water for scheduling of water and most critical stages can be avoided by moisture stress to obtain higher productivity.     

Seasonal changes in properties of abandoned terraced paddy field soil incubated under different water content conditions

The chemical properties of soil samples collected in August and November from an abandoned terraced paddy field dominated by reeds were examined by in vitro incubation under normal moisture and flooded conditions. Soil pH extracted with water [pH(H₂O)] was higher in soil samples collected from a depth of 0–10 cm in November than in samples collected in August; a high pH(H₂O) was maintained even during nitrification under normal moisture conditions. When soil samples collected in August from a depth of 0–10 cm were incubated under flooded conditions, a significant decrease in reduction potentials (Eh) and an increase in total Fe²⁺ concentrations were observed. Reductive conditions during sampling were strong in soil samples collected in August from a depth of 40–50 cm. Moreover, under normal moisture conditions, soil samples collected in August showed significant decreases in pH(H₂O) and significant production of water-soluble SO₄ ^2? than those collected in November. Glucose addition to soil samples collected from a depth of 0–10 cm caused nitrogen immobilization under normal moisture conditions, increases in exchangeable Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺, and decreases in exchangeable bases (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺) under flooded conditions. Seasonal changes in soil properties were probably due to microbial activity and vegetation phenology; thus, the timing of soil sampling influenced incubation experiment results. When abandoned terraced paddy fields are created as biotopes, seasonal changes in reductive soil conditions and slope position must be considered to prevent soil acidification and base cation elution.     

Modification of SWAT auto-calibration for accurate flow estimation at all flow regimes

To secure accuracy in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulation for various hydrology and water quality studies, calibration and validation should be performed. When calibrating and validating the SWAT model with measured data, the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) is widely used, and is also used as a goal function of auto-calibration in the current SWAT model (SWAT ver. 2009). However, the NSE value has been known to be influenced by high values within a given dataset, at the cost of the accuracy in estimated lower flow values. Furthermore, the NSE is unable to consider direct runoff and baseflow separately. In this study, the existing SWAT auto-calibration was modified with direct runoff separation and flow clustering calibration, and current and modified SWAT auto-calibration were applied to the Soyanggang-dam watershed in South Korea. As a result, the NSE values for total streamflow, high flow, and low flow groups in direct runoff, and baseflow estimated through modified SWAT auto-calibration were 0.84, 0.34, 0.09, and 0.90, respectively. The NSE values of current SWAT auto-calibration were 0.83, 0.47, ?0.14, and 0.90, respectively. As shown in this study, the modified SWAT auto-calibration shows better calibration results than current SWAT auto-calibration. With these capabilities, the SWAT-estimated flow matched the measured flow data well for the entire flow regime. The modified SWAT auto-calibration module developed in this study will provide a very efficient tool for the accurate simulation of hydrology, sediment transport, and water quality with no additional input datasets.     

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice–rice system

Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, biological, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic + inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic + inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth parameters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic + inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons compared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydrogenase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield.     

Water regimes: an approach of mitigation arsenic in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.) under different topo sequences on arsenic-contaminated soils of Bengal delta

Arsenic (As)-contaminated groundwater has been widely used in agricultural purposes especially for summer rice cultivation in South East Asia. Therefore, the present experiments were carried out at low (diara) and medium land topo sequences with the eight water regimes to reduce the As accumulation in summer rice (Oryza sativa L.). Experimental results revealed that the intermittent ponding of 2–4 days after disappearance (DAD) were significantly reduced the As accumulation in root, stem, leaves, flag leaf, husk, and grain (21.86–31.78, 23.55–37.20, 14.83–30.93, 23.53–31.19, 21.33–28.19, and 22.98–25.37 %, respectively), which was followed by aerobic rice (21.34–22.08, 22.49–30.72, 12.21–23.02, 22.06–27.52, 20.14–23.94, and 22.12–22.30 %, respectively), and saturation of top soil (17.43–17.85, 21.91–28.01, 10.76–20.27, 20.59–24.77, 18.96–23.14, and 20.75–21.15 %, respectively) as compared to continuous ponding or farmer practice, where the As accumulation in root: 13.43–17.20 mg/kg; stem: 8.64–10.36 mg/kg; leaves: 2.91–3.44 mg/kg; flag leaf: 0.68–1.09 mg/kg; husk: 1.88–2.11 mg/kg; and grain: 0.52–0.67 mg/kg. However, aerobic rice and saturation of top soil recorded significantly higher grain yield at diara land (7,104–7,141 kg/ha) and only in saturation of top soil at medium land topo sequence (6,654–6,717 kg/ha). The correlation study showed the positive correlation in between grain As and root, straw, husk As, grain Zn, and grain Fe (R ² = 0.893–0.976, p > 0.01), but the negative correlation with the grain P, soil P, soil Fe, and soil Zn (R ² = 0.633–0.841, p > 0.01). About 3.904–6.063 kg/ha of As was added on the surface soil by the contaminated groundwater and most of the added As was accumulated and remained on the top soil (0–30 cm).     

Surface drainage nitrate loading estimate from agriculture fields and its relationship with landscape metrics in Tajan watershed

Pasture, forest, and farmland are the dominant land covers in the Tajan River watershed and this landscape status has a direct connection with nitrate pollution. Understanding the correlations between landscape variables and nitrate pollutant is a priority in order to assess pollutants loading and predicting the impact on surface water quality. The soil and water assessment tool was used to simulate nitrate loads in different land cover types in different years. The landscape pattern was calculated by FRAGSTATS. The contributing share of each land use/land cover shows nitrate pollutant produced by grassland (5.7%) and forest (29%) are less than those produced by agricultural land (64.2%). Agricultural land was identified as the main source of nitrate pollution. Paddy fields and orchards had the most intensive soluble nitrate loss especially in spring and summer. Statistical analysis indicated that nitrate was positively associated with patch density, edge density, patch number, total edge, effective mesh size, largest patch index, and landscape shape index (p ≤ 0.01). We then analyzed how nitrate was related to landscape attributes in six different sites. Also the regression analysis results suggested that landscape metrics could account for more than 94% of the variance of nitrate in the whole catchment. The regression models confirmed the great importance of the agriculture metrics and forest metric in predicting nitrate in watershed. Defining the generation and extent of pollution in this particular watershed which discharges into the Caspian Sea can constitute an important step toward protecting this ecosystem.     

夏玉米长势卫星遥感动态监测指标研究

通过野外样点布设获取地面农学参数平均株高、群体密度、干物重和叶面积指数,经过频数统计分析,获得夏玉米一、二、三类苗苗情农学指标。结合MODIS遥感数据,进行农学参数和归一化植被指数(NDVI)的相关分析,结果显示,NDVI和平均株高、叶面积指数以及生物量都呈显著正相关,其中NDVI和叶面积指数关系最为显著(各生育期R2>0.623),因此可通过建立叶面积指数和NDVI的关系确定夏玉米长势遥感指标,为大面积遥感监测夏玉米长势提供科学依据。     

Mechanical insights into the effect of fluctuation in soil moisture on nitrous oxide emissions from paddy soil

Paddy fields are subjected to fluctuating water regimes as a result of the alternate drying and wetting water management, which often incurs a sensitive change in N₂O emissions from paddy soils. However, how the soil moisture regulates the emission of N₂O from paddy soil remains uncertain. In this study, three incubation experiments were designed to study the effects of constant and fluctuating soil moisture on N₂O emission and the sources of N₂O emission from paddy soil. Results showed that the N₂O emission from paddy soil at 100 % WHC (water-holding capacity) was higher than that at 40, 65, 80, 120, and 160 % WHC, indicating that 100 % WHC was the optimum soil moisture content for N₂O emission under the incubation experiment. Small peak of N₂O flux appeared when the soil moisture content from 250 % WHC decreased near to 100 % WHC, lower than that triggered by nitrogen (N) fertilization, which was mainly owing to the low NH₄ ⁺ concentration at this period. Nitrification dominated the emissions of N₂O from paddy soil at 250 % WHC (54.96 %), higher than that of nitrification-coupled denitrification (6.74 %) and denitrification (38.3 %). The contribution of denitrification to N₂O emissions (44.10 %) was equivalent to that of nitrification (44.45 %) in soil at 100 % WHC, which was higher than that of 250 % WHC treatment. In conclusion, the finding suggested that the peak of N₂O in paddy soils during midseason aeration could be attributed to the occurrence of optimum soil moisture under sufficient N availability, favorable for the production and accumulation of N₂O.     

Root growth,soil water variation,and grain yield response of winter wheat to supplemental irrigation

Water shortage threatens agricultural sustainability in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China. Thus, we investigated the effect of supplemental irrigation (SI) on the root growth, soil water variation, and grain yield of winter wheat in this region by measuring the moisture content in different soil layers. Prior to SI, the soil water content (SWC) at given soil depths was monitored to calculate amount of irritation water that can rehydrate the soil to target SWC. The SWC before SI was monitored to depths of 20, 40, and 60 cm in treatments of W20, W40, and W60, respectively. Rainfed treatment with no irrigation as the control (W0). The mean root weight density (RWD), triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction activity (TTC reduction activity), soluble protein (SP) concentrations as well as catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in W40 and W60 treatments were significantly higher than those in W20. The RWD in 60–100 cm soil layers and the root activity, SP concentrations, CAT and SOD activities in 40–60 cm soil layers in W40 treatment were significantly higher than those in W20 and W60. W40 treatment is characterized by higher SWC in the upper soil layers but lower SWC in the 60–100-cm soil layers during grain filling. The soil water consumption (SWU) in the 60–100 cm soil layers from anthesis after SI to maturity was the highest in W40. The grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and irrigation water productivity were the highest in W40, with corresponding mean values of 9169 kg ha^?1, 20.8 kg ha^?1 mm^?1, and 35.5 kg ha^?1 mm^?1. The RWD, root activities, SP concentrations, CAT and SOD activities, and SWU were strongly positively correlated with grain yield and WUE. Therefore, the optimum soil layer for SI of winter wheat after jointing is 0–40 cm.     

Effects of temperature and soil moisture on gross nitrification and denitrification rates of a Chinese lowland paddy field soil

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation is widely adopted to save water in rice production. AWD practice shifts lowland paddy fields from being continuously anaerobic to being alternately anaerobic and aerobic, thus affecting nitrogen (N) transformations in paddy field soils. Using the barometric process separation technique, a large number of soil cores sampled from lowland paddy field soil profiles were measured for gross nitrification and denitrification rates under different temperature and soil moisture conditions. The gross nitrification and denitrification rates vary with rice growth stages and range between 1.18–30.8 and 0.65–13.54 mg N m^?3 h^?1, respectively. Results indicate that both gross nitrification and denitrification rates increased with the increase in temperature in all three studied soil layers. Gross nitrification rates significantly decrease with increasing soil moisture while denitrification rates increase, and different soil layers demonstrated different rates of variation to the increase in soil moisture. Gross nitrification rates in the cultivated horizon layer decreased more sharply with the increase in soil moisture. High soil water content is favorable to denitrification of all soil layers.