轮作提高土壤磷生物有效性改善后茬作物磷素营养

  【目的】  豆科作物与禾本科作物轮作能够提高轮作体系的磷效率,本研究调查了前茬作物收获后的土壤磷状况,并尝试采用基于生物有效性的磷素分级方法 (BBP) 评价其对后茬玉米磷营养状况的影响。  【方法】  设置室内模拟盆栽试验,前茬作物处理包括蚕豆 (Vicia faba)、小麦(Triticum aestivum)、黑麦草 (Lolium perenne) 和毛叶苕子 (Vicia villosa Roth),以不种植作物为对照。作物收获后,后茬均轮作玉米。每个轮作前茬作物处理均分为基施P₂O₅ 60 mg/kg和不施磷肥两个处理。在前茬作物收获后,测定土壤Olsen-P含量,并将土壤磷分为CaCl₂-P、Citrate-P、Enzyme-P、HCl-P,评价土壤的有效磷状况。玉米收获后,测定产量和植株地上部磷含量及吸收累积量。  【结果】  轮作显著提高了后茬玉米地上部生物量,前茬不施磷肥处理对后茬玉米的增产效果高于施用磷肥处理。不施磷肥条件下,与对照相比,蚕豆后茬玉米的地上部生物量增加最多 (185.7%),且增幅显著高于小麦和毛叶苕子的后茬;施磷条件下,蚕豆、黑麦草后茬玉米的地上部生物量之间没有显著差异,但均显著高于小麦和毛叶苕子后茬。不施磷条件下,轮作显著提高了后茬玉米地上部含磷量,以黑麦草茬口的增幅最高,达到66.7%,且显著高于蚕豆和毛叶苕子;施磷条件下,4个茬口玉米地上部磷含量与无前茬作物对照没有显著差异,但黑麦草茬口仍显著高于蚕豆、小麦和毛叶苕子茬口的。前茬不施磷肥条件下,Enzyme-P在蚕豆、小麦、黑麦草和毛叶苕子茬土壤显著高于对照土壤;施磷肥条件下,只有蚕豆和黑麦草茬土壤显著高于对照土壤,这与轮作处理的促生效应相吻合。不施磷蚕豆、小麦、黑麦草和毛叶苕子土壤Citrate-P含量比其对照显著低20.99%、13.30%、5.05%和10.66%,而施磷土壤降幅更大,分别比对照低32.56%、22.86%、20.32%和27.62%。不论是否施磷肥,蚕豆与毛叶苕子均显著降低了土壤的HCl-P含量,而小麦茬对土壤的HCl-P含量无显著影响。  【结论】  不论是否施用磷肥,轮作显著降低了土壤中Olsen-P的含量,但是却显著促进了后茬玉米的生长。依据BBP分级方法,轮作不同程度地降低了土壤中Citrate-P和HCl-P含量,而增加了Enzyme-P的含量,进而提高了土壤中磷的生物有效性,增加了玉米吸磷量。在4种前茬作物中,黑麦草挖掘土壤供磷能力的潜力最大。     

不同形态氮肥对设施土壤盐分含量和离子组成的影响

通过室内模拟培养实验,研究了尿素、碳酸氢铵和硝酸钙对设施土壤盐分含量和离子组成的影响.结果表明:(1)随着培养时间延长,不同形态氮肥处理土壤含盐量总体呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势.施肥处理的土壤含盐量较对照(CK)明显增加,但不同氮肥处理与未施氮肥处理(N0)间的土壤含盐量在整个培养期间内总体差异不显著.且氮肥用量对含盐量的影响也不显著.(2)设施土壤中尿素和碳酸氢铵处理的电导率与含盐量呈极显著正相关,硝酸钙处理电导率与含盐量呈显著正相关.且随培养时间的延长呈波浪状变化.其电导率显著高于相同氮用量时的其他两种氮肥处理;电导率与氮肥用量呈极显著正相关.(3)不同形态氮肥处理的土壤盐分离子组成相近,均以阴离子为主.设施土壤阴离子占盐分总量的76.29%～93.81%,露地土壤为75.16%～96.63%,以SO_4~(2-)含量最高,分别占67.37%和67.28%,NO_3~-含量次之;土壤中阳离子含量较少,以Ca~(2+)为主,K~+,Na~+,Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)的含量随氮肥用量的增加而增加.(4)土壤电导率受阳离子的影响较大.阴离子的影响较小.设施土壤的电导率与Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),K~+.NO_3~-含量呈极显著正相关,与Cl~-1呈显著正相关.露地土壤电导率与Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)含量呈极显著正相关,与HCO_3~-呈显著负相关.     

不同轮作模式下基于机插粳稻稳产和氮肥高效的氮肥运筹方式

  【目的】  研究不同旱作茬口对水旱轮作系统中机插粳稻生长和产量的影响,探索不同轮作模式中机插粳稻氮肥减施方式,实现减肥不减产、节约成本、减少环境污染的目标。  【方法】  在云南省保山市隆阳区选择油菜–水稻、小麦–水稻和蚕豆–水稻3种主要轮作模式,以当地主推的粳稻品种隆科16号为试材,设置6个穗肥氮素用量 (N 0、90、120、150、180和210 kg/hm2) 处理,分别以N0、N90、N120、N150、N180、N210表示,按6∶4的比例用作促花肥和保花肥,并以当地高产施氮技术处理 (共施N 285 kg/hm2,基肥、蘖肥、促花肥和保花肥各1/4) 为对照 (CK),研究了机插粳稻产量及其构成因素和氮素吸收、运转及利用效率。  【结果】  前茬为油菜的稻田土壤含氮量最高,其次为小麦茬,最低的为蚕豆茬。3种轮作模式下,不同穗肥施用量间水稻产量和氮素利用效率差异达到极显著水平。相同氮素用量下,油菜茬口水稻的产量、氮素吸收量和氮肥表观利用率最高,其次是小麦茬口,最低的是蚕豆茬口。3个轮作茬口下,两年平均水稻产量均以N 180 kg/hm2处理最高,与CK相比,在施N减少36.84%的情况下,油菜和小麦茬口的稻谷产量基本保持稳定,蚕豆–水稻模式稻谷增产3.94%。但第二年继续同样处理,油菜、小麦和蚕豆茬口的水稻平均产量分别减少1.07、0.30和0.29 t/hm2。只施穗肥氮可增加水稻的有效穗,虽然有效穗的增加量略低于对照,但总颖花量与对照差异不显著。油菜–水稻模式中穗肥用量为N 180 kg/hm2的处理氮肥农学利用率最高。  【结论】  在水旱轮作系统中,油菜茬口残留的肥力要高于小麦和蚕豆茬口。小麦–水稻和蚕豆–水稻轮作,两年内水稻可不施基肥和分蘖肥,只施N 180 kg/hm2作穗肥,按促花肥∶保花肥为6∶4的比例施用,能够实现减肥不减产的目标。而油菜–水稻轮作体系采用此施肥方法,减氮效果明显,但持续减氮栽培可能会大幅降低水稻产量。     

三种作物根际土壤水浸液对当归的化感效应

为探究适宜当归育苗的熟地土壤资源,本研究在当归道地产区甘肃省岷县培育小麦、蒙古黄芪和马铃薯茬口基础上,通过盆栽试验研究3种作物根际土壤对当归种子萌发和幼苗生长的化感效应。结果表明,小麦根际土壤水浸液对当归种子萌发出苗及幼苗生长均表现出低促高抑的浓度效应,而蒙古黄芪和马铃薯根际土壤水浸液均表现出抑制效应,其中蒙古黄芪抑制作用更强;当归幼苗的化感敏感部位为根部,可抑制当归幼苗根的加粗生长,但对幼苗根伸长生长的效应因作物不同而异,小麦根际土表现为低浓度促进效应,其余2种作物土均表现为抑制效应。0.2 g·mL~(-1)小麦根际土壤水浸液条件下,当归幼苗的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性最高,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性较低,且均显著高于蒙古黄芪和马铃薯根际土壤水平,幼苗氨基酸泄漏率维持在较低水平;根际土壤水提液浓度为0.8g·mL~(-1)时,3种作物根际土壤水浸液培育的当归幼苗CAT活性均较高,但氨基酸泄漏率较大。综上所述,低浓度小麦根际土壤水浸液在一定程度上可促进当归种子萌发出苗率,并奠定幼苗抗逆生化基础,岷县正茬小麦茬口是适宜当归熟地育苗的床土资源。本研究结果为制定合理的当归轮作倒茬制度提供了科学依据。     

休耕和种植作物对黑麻土壤肥力的影响

为了明确不同茬口土壤养分的固持残留水平,建立高效合理的轮作顺序以解决连作再植障碍问题。2018年在甘肃定西渭源县莲峰镇绽坡村随机区组设计、“S”形取样休耕1季、种植1季春小麦、马铃薯、蒙古黄芪和当归后0-20 cm层次的黑麻土壤,测定土壤全量、速效养分和阴阳离子含量。结果表明:休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪增加了0-20 cm层次土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量,种植1季当归降低了0-20 cm层次土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量。方差分析显示,休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪后0-20 cm层次黑麻土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、阴阳离子、Mg^2+、SO4^2-和Cl^-含量显著高于种植1季当归。主成分回归分析发现,休耕1季和种植1季蒙古黄芪后0-20 cm层次黑麻土壤肥力综合指数为0.98和0.56,种植1季当归的综合指数得分仅为0.07。休耕1季是黑麻土壤用养结合的简便有效方法,种植1季蒙古黄芪是培肥黑麻土壤肥力的适宜作物。     

免耕与常规耕作潮棕壤交换性阳离子的剖面分布特征

通过田间定位试验.研究了不同耕作方式对潮棕壤0-100 cm深度6个土层土壤交换性阳离子的影响.结果表明,与常规耕作相比,免耕使土壤表层pH显著增,.而电导率下降;同时,免耕增加了表层土壤可交换性K~+含量,降低了可交换性Na~+含量,但对可交换性Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)和阳离子交换量没有产生显著影响.相关分析结果表明,可交换性K~+与土壤养分含量没有显著相关性,而可交换性Na~+,Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)和阳离子交换量与有机质和全氮含量均呈负相关关系.     

滨海湿地土壤盐离子对植物群落的响应研究

对黄河三角洲柽柳、碱蓬、芦苇、棉田4种群落土壤剖面可溶性盐离子差异进行了分析,结果表明:(1)土壤全盐在0~10cm土层含量大小表现为柽柳碱蓬芦苇棉田,在20cm以下土壤全盐含量为碱蓬柽柳芦苇棉田,这与碱蓬对Na~+、Cl~-吸收能力较强有关。(2)变异分析反映了阳离子、阴离子含量受不同植被类型的影响,柽柳群落以Mg~(2+)的变异系数最大,碱蓬群落以CO_3~(2-)的变异系数最大,芦苇群落以SO_4~(2-)的变异系数最大,棉田群落以Cl~-的变异系数最大。(3)Cl~-、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Na~+与土壤中全盐的含量呈显著性相关,且Cl~-与土壤全盐呈显著线性关系,能作为反映土壤全盐变化的重要指标。     

休耕轮作对农田土壤微生物量碳的影响

以休耕轮作13年黑土农田为研究对象,探讨耕层土壤中微生物量碳(MBC)对不同耕作方式的响应及其影响因素。结果表明:耕层土壤中,休耕轮作下覆盖带、休闲带MBC平均含量分别比常规耕作高17.27%、8.92%(P0.05);覆盖带MBC含量比种植带和休闲带高17.64%、7.66%(P0.05)。MBC含量土层差异极显著(P0.01),休耕轮作和常规耕作处理下表层土壤MBC含量明显高于下层土壤,休耕轮作的三个条带及常规耕作下的MBC均随土壤深度降低而降低;0~10 cm土层MBC含量显著高于10~20 cm、20~40 cm土层。休耕轮作及常规耕作条件下MBC含量均随土壤深度增加而降低,达极显著差异水平(P0.01),土壤MBC的变化主要受到土壤活性组分与水热状况的影响,土壤MBC与易氧化态碳(EOC)、水溶性碳(DOC)均呈显著正相关(P0.05);休耕轮作有利于耕层中水分与温度的保持,为微生物提供了适宜的生存条件,更有利于微生物的生长繁殖,促进MBC含量高于常规耕作处理。     

免耕留茬覆盖对旱作燕麦土壤养分及微生物量的影响

以旱作燕麦田为试验对象,设置免耕高留茬高覆盖、免耕低留茬高覆盖、免耕高留茬低覆盖、免耕低留茬低覆盖和常规耕作5个处理,研究了免耕留茬覆盖对土壤养分、微生物量及燕麦产量的影响。结果表明,免耕留茬覆盖各处理均能明显提高土壤0—10cm和10—20cm土层中土壤有机质、全量养分及速效养分含量,0—10cm土层各土壤养分含量均高于10—20cm土层;免耕留茬覆盖对土壤微生物碳、氮具有显著的提高作用,整个生育期抽穗期达到最大值,0—10cm土层土壤微生物量碳、氮均大于10—20cm土层,其中免耕高留茬高覆盖处理效果最佳;免耕留茬覆盖对0—10cm和10—20cm土壤微生物商有显著提高作用,免耕留茬覆盖处理间差异不显著;免耕留茬覆盖对燕麦产量影响显著,其中高留茬高覆盖处理产量最高,为2 111.4kg/hm~2,较常规耕作增产18.6%,产量总体表现为免耕高留茬高覆盖免耕低留茬高覆盖免耕高留茬低覆盖免耕低留茬低覆盖常规耕作。     

作物茬口对连作棉田土壤环境及棉花产量的影响

于2007－2008年在连作8 a的棉田上进行不同作物轮作倒茬田间试验,以研究不同茬口对连作棉田土壤养分、土壤微生物区系以及棉花产量的影响,从而筛选出适宜棉田轮作倒茬的最佳作物茬口。研究结果表明：不同作物茬口的土壤有机质、速效养分含量及棉花产量均高于连作棉田,其中加工番茄茬口对土壤的速效磷含量增加最为显著,小麦、玉米茬口对土壤速效钾含量增加显著;各作物茬口土壤微生物总量均比连作棉田有明显的增加,表现为细菌和放线菌数量增加真菌减少;草木樨、番茄茬口土壤氨化细菌、硝化细菌生理群也明显增加。不同作物茬口的棉花产量表现为加工番茄→棉花＞草木樨→棉花＞小麦→棉花＞玉米→棉花＞棉花→棉花;加工番茄、玉米、小麦可作为连作棉田的良好前茬。     

Cropping sequence and nitrogen fertilizer effects on the productivity and quality of malting barley and soil fertility in the Ethiopian highlands

The productivity and quality of malting barley were evaluated using factorial combinations of four preceding crops (faba bean, field pea, rapeseed, and barley) as main plots and four nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 18, 36, and 54 kg N ha^?1) as sub-plots with three replications at two sites on Nitisols of the Ethiopian highlands in 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons. Preceding crops other than barley and N fertilizer significantly improved yield and quality of malting barley. The highest grain yield, kernel plumpness, protein content, and sieve test were obtained for malting barley grown after faba bean, followed by rapeseed and field pea. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly increased yield, protein content, and sieve test of malting barley. All protein contents were within the acceptable range for malting quality. Inclusion of legumes in the rotation also improved soil fertility through increases in soil carbon and nitrogen content. We conclude that to maximize yield and quality of malting barley, it is critical to consider the preceding crop and soil nitrogen status. Use of appropriate break crops may substitute or reduce the amount of mineral N fertilizer required for the production of malting barley at least for one season without affecting its quality.     

Effects of seedbed properties on crop emergence: 1. Temporal effects of temperature and sowing depth in seedbeds with favourable properties

Abstract

Rapid and uniform crop establishment is a prerequisite for efficient crop production and minimal environmental impact. Experiments were carried out in shallow plastic boxes placed directly on the ground in the field for studies of the effects of seedbed properties on emergence of various crops. This paper presents an analysis of the time required for germination and emergence under near-optimal seedbed conditions. The crops studied were barley, oats, wheat, pea, rape seed, white mustard, sugar beet, red clover and timothy. The time required for germination generally increased with size of the seeds, presumably because larger seeds needed more water to initiate germination. This applied both when comparing different crops and different seed sizes of the same crop. However, considerable differences occurred between seed lots of the same crop and there were greater differences between seed lots of the same crop than between the three small grain crops studied. Growth rate of the seedlings generally increased with seed size, presumably because of increased energy content in the seed. Consequently, the most rapid emergence was obtained from small seeds at shallow sowing and from large seeds at deep sowing. The crops studied had a minimum temperature for germination and seedling growth close to 0 °C. Under optimal seedbed conditions, thermal time required for 50% germination of barley was typically about 65 °C days over this base temperature and for seedling growth about 6 °C days cm^?1. From 4 cm sowing depth, about 80 °C days were required for emergence but with considerable variations between seed lots. For rape seed or white mustard about 40 °C days were required for germination and about 8 °C days cm^?1 for the seedling growth.     

Reintroduction of a native Glomus to a tropical Ultisol promoted grain yield in maize after fallow and restored the density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop in central Thailand where fallow is widely practiced and farmers are interested in crop rotation and beneficial soil biota. A pot experiment using a Typic Paleustult (topsoil + subsoil) from the National Corn and Sorghum Research Centre, Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand was undertaken over three successive crops to evaluate effects of agronomic practices on populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and to determine whether reintroduction of a local Glomus was beneficial to maintain maize yield. The three crops and their treatments were: (1) preceding crop: maize grown in all pots; (2) subexperiment 1: agronomic practices [maize, fallow ± soil disturbance, fallow with solarization, non–AM host (cabbage)]; and (3) subexperiment 2: maize ± Glomus sp. 3 at three rates of P fertilization (0, 33, 92 kg P ha^–1). The AM‐fungal community was established under the preceding crop. In subexperiment 1, the three fallow treatments decreased (30%–40%) the total AM spore number in the topsoil whereas there was no change under maize or cabbage. Glomus, the dominant genus, showed sensitivity to fallow. In subexperiment 2, inoculation with Glomus sp. 3 enhanced total AM spore number and root colonization when applied following the three fallow treatments. Furthermore, inoculation promoted grain yield; at nil P following fallow ± soil disturbance, at 33 kg P ha^–1 following fallow without soil disturbance, and following solarization. Two treatments, maize following maize and maize following cabbage, did not respond to inoculation with Glomus sp. 3. Overall, the results suggest that reintroduction of Glomus sp. 3, a local AM fungus in this soil, may overcome negative effects of fallow and promote effectiveness of P fertilizer. Further work is needed to evaluate the benefits of other indigenous AM species that persist under modern fertilization practices.     

硫酸法钛石膏作为土壤调理剂在油菜上的施用效果研究

为研究钛白粉生产过程中经无害化处理的副产品钛石膏作为土壤调理剂的施用效果及安全性,试验对供试钛石膏通过成分鉴定—土柱淋溶—盆栽种植的方式,研究了钛石膏和钛石膏淋溶液中的有害元素含量以及钛石膏与土壤不同比例掺混后对油菜生长、产量和功能叶光合速率影响。结果表明:钛石膏主要成分为CaSO_4和Fe_2O_3,固体中的重金属含量均符合国家安全标准。钛石膏淋溶液中含有较少量的Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+),不含其他有害物质,施用后不会随雨水和灌溉污染土壤和地下水。随着钛石膏添加比例的增加,油菜产量呈先增高后降低的趋势,过量的钛石膏施用会抑制油菜的生长。钛石膏与土壤按照1∶4体积比混合施用后效果最好,与常规土壤栽培方式相比,油菜出苗20天后功能叶蒸腾速率提高了11.86%;出苗30天后功能叶SPAD值增加了4.33%,收获时油菜株高提高了12.97%,产量增加了14.08%。相关性分析显示,油菜产量(y)与钛石膏添加比例(x)的关系为y=0.0001x~3-0.0212x~2+0.6966x+41.815(R~2=0.999 4),综合考虑函数及其他因素,在实际生产中若每公顷施用300t的钛石膏能起到最佳增产效果。     

Crop rotation effects on yield of oilseed rape,wheat and barley and residual effects on the subsequent wheat

Economic conditions are forcing farmers to grow crops with high revenue leading to cereal-dominated crop rotations with increasing risk due to unfavourable preceding crops or preceding crop combinations. Based on a long-term field trial (1988–2001) with 15 different rotations including winter oilseed rape (OSR), winter wheat, winter barley, spring peas and spring oats, the effects of different preceding crops, pre-preceding crops and crop rotations on the grain yield of mainly OSR, winter wheat and winter barley were quantified. In the subsequent 2 years (2001/2002 and 2002/2003), winter wheat was grown on all plots in order to test the residual effects of the former crops (as preceding crops in 2002 and as pre-preceding crops in 2003) and crop rotations on growth, grain yield and yield components.

Unfavourable preceding crops significantly decreased yield of OSR, wheat and barley by 10% on average, however, with a large year-to-year variation. In addition, break-crop benefits in both crops, wheat and OSR, persisted to the second year. Wheat as preceding crop mainly decreased the thousand grain weight, and to a lesser extent, the ear density of the subsequent wheat crop. The amount of wheat yield decrease negatively correlated with the simple water balance (rainfall minus evapotranspiration) in May–July. In 2001/2002 and 2002/2003, the preceding crop superimposed the crop rotation effects, thus resulting in similar effects as observed in 1988–2001.

Our results clearly reveal the importance of a favourable preceding crop for the yield performance of a crop, especially wheat and OSR.     

Wheat response to N2 fixed by faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as affected by sulfur fertilization and rhizobial inoculation in semi‐arid Northern Ethiopia

Nitrogen fixation in faba bean (Vicia faba cv. Mesay) as affected by sulfur (S) fertilization (30 kg S ha^–1) and inoculation under the semi‐arid conditions of Ethiopia was studied using the ¹⁵N‐isotope dilution method. The effect of faba bean–fixed nitrogen (N) on yield of the subsequent wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) was also assessed. Sulfur fertilization and inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) affected nodulation at late flowering stage for both 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons. The nodule number and nodule fresh weighs were increased by 53% and 95%, relative to the control. Similarly, both treatments (S fertilization and inoculants) significantly improved biomass and grain yield of faba bean on average by 2.2 and 1.2 Mg ha^–1. This corresponds to 37% and 50% increases, respectively, relative to the control. Total N and S uptake of grains was significantly higher by 59.6 and 3.3 kg ha^–1, which are 76% and 66% increases, respectively. Sulfur and inoculation enhanced the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere in the whole plant of faba bean from 51% to 73%. This corresponds to N₂ fixation varying from 49 to 147 kg N ha^–1. The percentage of N derived from fertilizer (%Ndff) and soil (%Ndfs) of faba bean varied from 4.3% to 2.8 %, and from 45.1% to 24.0%, corresponding to the average values of 5.1 and 47.9 kg N ha^–1. Similarly, the %Ndff and %Ndfs of the reference crop, barley, varied from 8.5 % to 10.8% and from 91.5% to 89.2%, with average N yields of 9.2 and 84.3 kg N ha^–1. Soil N balance after faba bean ranged from 13 to 52 kg N ha^–1. Beneficial effects of faba bean on yield of a wheat crop grown after faba bean were highly significant, increasing the average grain and N yields of this crop by 1.11 Mg ha^–1 and 30 kg ha^–1, relative to the yield of wheat grown after the reference crop, barley. Thus, it can be concluded that faba bean can be grown as an alternative crop to fallow, benefiting farmers economically and increasing the soil fertility.     

Nitrogen acquisition by pea and barley and the effect of their crop residues on available nitrogen for subsequent crops

Nitrogen acquisition by field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on a sandy loam soil and availability of N in three subsequent sequences of a cropping system were studied in an outdoor pot experiment. The effect of crop residues on the N availability was evaluated using ¹⁵N-labelled residues. Field pea fixed 75% of its N requirement and the N₂ fixation almost balanced the N removed with the seeds. The barley crop recovered 80% of the ¹⁵N-labelled fertilizer N supplied and the N in the barley grain corresponded to 80% of the fertilizer N taken up by the crop. The uptake of soil-derived N by a test crop (N catch crop) of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) grown in the autumn was higher after pea than after barley. The N uptake in the test crop was reduced by 27% and 34% after pea and barley residue incorporation, respectively, probably due to N immobilization. The dry matter production and total N uptake of a spring barley crop following pea or barley, with a period of unplanted soil in the autumn/winter, were significantly higher after pea than after barley. The barley crop following pea and barley recovered 11% of the pea and 8% of the barley residue N. The pea and barley residue N recovered constituted only 2.5% and <1%, respectively, of total N in the N-fertilized barley. The total N uptake in a test crop of mustard grown in the second autumn following pea and barley cultivation was not significantly influenced by pre-precrop and residue treatment. In the short term, the incorporation of crop residues was not important in terms of contributing N to the subsequent crop compared to soil and fertilizer N sources, but residues improved the conservation of soil N in the autumn. In the long-term, crop residues are an important factor in maintaining soil fertility and supplying plant-available N via mineralization.     

Competition and persistence of Rhizobium tropici and Rhizobium etli in tropical soil during successive bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultures

Strains of Rhizobium tropici IIB, CIAT899 and F98.5, both showing good N₂ fixation, and a R. etli strain W16.3SB were introduced into a field which had no history of bean culture. Plant dilution estimates showed that in the presence of its host (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Carioca) during the cropping seasons and the subsequent fallow summer periods, the bean rhizobial populations increased from less than 30 to 10³ g^–1 dry soil after 1 year and to 10⁴ g^–1 dry soil after 2 years. In the 1st year crop, the inoculated strains occupied most of the nodules, which resulted in a higher nodulation and C₂H₂ reduction activity. Without reinoculation for the second and third crops, however, little R. tropici IIB was recovered from the nodules and the bean population consisted mainly of R. etli, R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli, and R. tropici IIA. Reinoculation with our superior R. tropici IIB strains before the second crop resulted in R. tropici IIB occupying the main part of the nodules and a positive effect on nodulation and C₂H₂ reduction activity, but reintroduction of the inoculant strain in the third season did not have any effect.     

Multiple cropping in rainfed upland entisol under different soil management conditions in the sub-humid tropics

Field experiments were conducted for 2 years on a well drained upland sandy loam soil under rainfed conditions to study the effects of previous summer season crops of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) and direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in unpuddled and unbunded soil followed by a short duration legume crop (rice bean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi) for forage or greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) for grains) and fallow on the (i) productivity winter crops of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), lentil (Lens esculenta Moench), field peas (Pisum sativum L.), linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), (ii) soil profile moisture storage and (iii) its utilization. The winter crops were established with minimum (making sowing slots of 5 cm depth with a hand-drawn seed drill and without maintenance of mulch over surface) and conventional (four ploughings up to 15 cm depth with bullock drawn plough) methods of land preparation. The results revealed that compared to jute/fallow and jute/legume sequences, rice/fallow and rice/legume sequences resulted in higher soil moisture storage and, hence, a greater degree of seedling emergence per unit area, higher root weight and water use, and consequent higher grain yields and water use efficiency (WUE) of the subsequent winter crops. Winter crops yielded 17% more following direct seeded rice than after jute. Growing of short duration legume (rice bean or greengram) after jute or rice depleted stored moisture but increased yield and WUE of all winter crops.Grain yields of winter crops were 19% higher in tilled than in untilled soils. Under conventional tillage the soil moisture was slightly reduced at the time of sowing of winter crops but it resulted in increments in root weight, water use, grain yields and WUE of winter crops. WUE of barley was highest followed by field peas, which utilized more of soil moisture conserved at lower soil depths than other crops. Mustard gave the highest return (Rs.4663) followed by field peas (Rs.4603).     

The role of tillage and crops on a soil loss of an arable Stagnic Luvisol

The poor physical, chemical and biological properties make Stagnic Luvisol highly susceptible to water erosion on sloping terrains. The objective of this paper is to estimate the effect of different tillage treatments and crops (maize, soybean, winter wheat, spring barley, oilseed rape) on water erosion. The highest erosion in investigation period (1995–2014) was recorded in the control treatment with fallow, followed by the treatment that involved ploughing and sowing up and down the slope. Significantly, lower soil losses were recorded in no-tillage and treatments with ploughing and sowing across the slope. Regarding the crops significantly higher soil losses were recorded in spring row crops (maize and soybean) compared to high-density winter crops (wheat and oilseed rape) and double crop (spring barley with soybean). In the studied period, an average loss of 46 mm of the plough layer was recorded in the control treatment, while in treatment with ploughing and sowing up and down the slope average annual soil loss was 10 mm. According to the results of this study no-tillage and tillage across the slope are recommended as tillage which preserves soil for the next generations in agro-ecological conditions of continental Croatia.