The emission of N2O during single SBBR completely autotrophic nitrogen removal system

Three single autotrophic denitrification biofilm reactors with artificial water are applied to study the influence of aeration treatments and carbon source on the N2O emission and N2O emission characteristics. The results show that the accumulative N2O emission amount and the conversion rate of N2O of reactor 1,2 and 3 in an operation cycle are 13.69,14.28,2.51 mg,and 1.36%,1.49%,0.236%,respectively. The comparative results of reator 1(continuous aeration) with reactor 2(intermittent aeration) show their accumulative N2O emission amounts and N2O conversion rates are similar. The accumulative N2O emission amount and the N2O conversion rate of reactor 3(organic carbon) are about 1/6 of those of reactor 2(without organic carbon). Aeration treatments have great influence on N2O emission characteristics,for reactor 1,the accumulative N2O emission amount increases persistently,the mean N2O emission rate and dissolved N2O concentration performance continue to decline after the first rise to the maximum. For reactor 2,N2O emissions are mainly in aeration period. The mean N2O emission rate and dissolved N2O concentration reduce after first increase. The N2O conversion rate of single autotrophic nitrogen removal process is lower than those of other biological denitrification processes.     

SBBR反应器SND脱氮的影响因素分析及响应曲面优化

采用活性炭涂层改性悬浮填料,在连续曝气的条件下,考察了SBBR反应器脱氮性能。结果表明,SBBR反应器表现出良好的同步硝化反硝化(SND)脱氮性能,对NH₃-N和TN的去除率分别为80.7%和63.1%。典型周期内反应器同步硝化反硝化率可达82.7%。单因素试验发现,脱氮率随着曝气时间t的增加而增加,随着溶解氧质量浓度ρ_DO和填料投加量δ增大而先增大后减小。同时,以溶解氧质量浓度、填料投加量和曝气时间为考察因素,脱氮率为评价指标,采用响应曲面法建立了二次多元回归模型。通过模型求解得出最佳工况:溶解氧浓度为2.37 mg/L,填料投加量为40.10%,曝气时间为5.17 h,此时,脱氮率得到最大值为69.28%。验证试验表明,回归模型的预测值与实测值偏差率为1.57%。     

Soil nitrogen availability indices as predictors of sugarcane nitrogen requirements

Nitrogen recommendation systems for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) generally does not consider the N supply from soil. Identifying a reliable soil test for estimating N availability is crucial to avoid yield losses or environmental pollution. Therefore, the objective of this study was to correlate and calibrate N availability indices with field–based measures of soil N supply. Between 2006 and 2013, 15 trials for rate–response to N fertilizer by sugarcane ratoons were performed in São Paulo, the main sugarcane–producing state in Brazil. The following indices were tested: KMnO₄ oxidizable C, hot KCl extractable N, phosphate–borate buffer distillable N, NaOH distillable N, Illinois Soil N Test, organic C, total N, mineral N, anaerobic incubation, soil respiration, substrate–induced respiration, microbial biomass C, metabolic quotient, microbial quotient, and gross N mineralization. The indices were then correlated with sugarcane yield (Y_0N) and N content of the crop (N_0N) in N–unfertilized plots, relative yield (RY), and the N rate predicted to achieve 90% of the RY (NR 90%RY). Although weak correlations were found between Y_0N with anaerobic incubation, total N, and soil respiration, as well as between N_0N and anaerobic incubation, no index correlated with RY or NR 90%RY. Grouping sites based on soil texture or byproduct management did not improve prediction of RY. Therefore, we concluded that none of the fifteen laboratory indices is a reliable predictor of soil N supply, and hence could not be used to adjust N fertilization rate for sugarcane.     

Genetic differences for nitrogen uptake and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies in winter wheat

Due to economic and ecological factors, European agricultural practices are likely to go towards extensive systems with lower inputs of nitrogen (N) fertilisers. The objective of this study was to assess varietal differences for N use at two nitrogen levels. A set of 20 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was studied over 2 years in northern France on a deep loam soil without (N0) and with 170 kg ha⁻¹ N fertiliser (N+) as ammonium nitrate. Results were consistent on both years as the genotype×year or genotype×year×N level interactions were not significant. The genotype×N level interaction was highly significant except for total N utilisation efficiency (total above-ground dry weight/total above-ground N) and grain N concentration. The genotype×N level interaction for grain yield was mainly due to three contrasting genotypes: Cappelle, a cultivar from the 1940s, had the same yield at N0 and N+; Arche had a high yield at both N levels; and Récital had a high yield with added N and a very low one without N. The number of kernels/ear explained most of the variations of grain yield at N0 (48%) and N+ (80%), and of the interaction (67%). N uptake efficiency (total above-ground N/soil N supply) accounted for 64% of the variation in N use efficiency (grain yield/soil N supply), while at N0 and at N+ it accounted for only 30%. N utilisation efficiency (grain yield/total above-ground N) was then more important at N+ than at N0. Grain N explained most of total plant N variation at both N levels. The interaction for N use efficiency was best explained by the interaction of N uptake (63%). The applications of these results to a breeding programme to create varieties adapted to low-input management systems are discussed.     

节水减氮对土壤硝态氮分布和冬小麦水氮利用效率的影响

针对当前关中平原冬小麦生产中氮肥投入过量、灌溉水资源不足的问题,研究节水减氮栽培模式下冬小麦籽粒产量、水氮利用及硝态氮淋失情况,能为确定冬小麦节水减肥环保增效的生产模式提供理论依据。于2017—2019年在陕西杨凌开展冬小麦节水减氮田间栽培试验,采用二因素裂区设计,施氮量为主处理,灌水量为副处理,设施氮量处理N300 (300 kg hm^–2)、N225 (225 kg hm^–2)、N150 (150 kg hm^–2)、N75 (75 kg hm^–2)、N0 (不施氮)和灌水量处理W2 (1200 m³ hm^–2)、W1 (600 m³ hm^–2)、W0 (0),分析小麦产量、水氮利用效率及土壤硝态氮淋失情况。结果表明,2017—2018年和2018—2019年小麦季灌水处理较不灌水处理分别增产14.88%～15.01%和4.11～4.16倍,但处理间差异不显著,而越冬期灌水600 m³ h...     

旱地冬小麦产量、氮肥利用率及土壤氮素平衡对降水年型与施氮量的响应

研究不同降水年型施氮量对旱地冬小麦产量、氮素利用及土壤氮素表观平衡的影响,探讨渭北旱塬旱作麦田稳产增效的最佳氮素投入量,为高效施氮提供理论依据。田间定位施氮试验于2017—2020年连续3年在陕西合阳县开展,以长6359为试验材料,设置5个施氮量处理包括0、60、120、180和240 kg hm^-2 (分别以N0、N60、N120、N180和N240表示),研究旱地冬小麦产量、氮肥利用率及土壤氮素平衡对降水年型与施氮量的响应。连续3年定位试验表明:(1)降水年型对冬小麦产量和经济收益影响显著,丰水年较平水年和欠水年分别增产33.6%和113.3%,经济收益提高2～3倍以上。冬小麦氮肥回收利用率和农学效率与产量有相似的变化规律,丰水年氮肥回收利用率和农学效率较平水年和欠水年分别提高4.7个百分点、0.6 kg kg–1 (平水年)和11.9个百分点、2.5 kg kg–1 (欠水年)。(2)无论何种降水年型,冬小麦产量、氮肥回收利用率和农学效率均随施氮量增加呈现先增加后下降的趋势。在丰水年和平水年,均以N180处理下最高,收获期0～100 cm土层土壤硝态氮积累分...     

滴灌玉米临界氮稀释曲线与氮素营养诊断研究

旨在建立宁夏引黄灌区滴灌玉米临界氮稀释曲线模型,探讨氮营养指数(NNI)用于实时诊断和评价玉米氮素营养状况的可行性,为实现滴灌玉米合理施用氮肥提供理论依据。以天赐19为试验材料,采用滴灌水肥一体化技术,设6个氮肥水平,利用2年定位试验构建并验证了临界氮稀释曲线模型。结果表明:(1)在一定范围内,滴灌玉米干物质积累量随施氮水平的提高而增加,根据方差分析结果,将玉米各生育时期的地上部生物量分为限氮和非限氮2类;(2)滴灌玉米植株氮浓度均随着施氮量的增加而提高,但随生育期的推进和地上部干物质量的增加,玉米植株氮浓度均呈下降趋势;(3)滴灌玉米临界氮浓度(Nc)、最大氮浓度(Nmax)和最小氮浓度(Nmin)稀释模型与地上部干物质累积量之间均呈现幂函数关系,其决定系数R2分别为0.982、0.907、0.918,利用均方根误差(RMSE)和标准化均方根误差(n–RMSE)的验证表明,该模型稳定性好,误差范围小;(4)氮素营养指数模型(NNI)可衡量滴灌玉米氮素营养状况,滴灌水肥一体化条件下,宁夏引黄灌区玉米以270kghm–2为最佳施氮量;(5)根据模型推算,NNI与相对吸氮量(RNupt)、...     

氮素对棉花氮素利用率和产量的影响

在大田栽培条件下,于河南安阳（黄淮棉区）和江苏南京（长江下游棉区）设置棉花氮素水平试验,研究氮素对棉花氮素利用率、产量及产量构成的影响,结果表明：棉株氮素利用率随初花后棉花生育进程的推进,呈现为不规则的S型曲线的变化趋势,计算两试点的氮素利用率、瞬时利用率,安阳试点以360 kg·ha-1的施氮量为最优,南京以240 kg·ha-1最高;氮素对棉花产量形成有一定的调控作用,氮素水平过低或过高均导致产量降低。棉花单铃重、单株铃数是产量的主要决定因素。     

Optimization and performance analysis of nitrogen expansion liquefaction process for CBM with different nitrogen content

A nitrogen expansion liquefaction process which is suitable for small-scale liquefaction plants is proposed for coalbed methane (CBM) with high nitrogen content. In order to investigate the effects of the nitrogen content on the liquefaction system performance, optimizations are done for CBM with nitrogen content among 0~70% via simulation and calculation with HYSYS when the liquefaction rate and the methane recovery rate are fixed respectively, and with the unit product liquefaction power consumption as the major index, the corresponding system performance is compared. The results show that, the system performance of CBM liquefaction process changes greatly along with nitrogen content. However, the changing is not monotonous.     

有机肥氮替代化肥氮对马铃薯光合特性的影响

以陇薯10号为试验材料,通过大田试验,研究了不同有机肥氮替代化肥氮对覆膜马铃薯光合特性的影响。结果表明,与对照(CK)和纯施化肥相比,10%、20%、30%和40%有机肥氮替代化肥氮处理显著提高了马铃薯叶片SPAD值,同时也提高了马铃薯的净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间二氧化碳浓度和蒸腾速率。当有机肥氮替代化肥氮的比例达到30%时,继续增加有机肥用量,各项数据指标都不再增加,甚至会减小,说明在定西市,施氮量为纯氮180kg/hm^2,氮磷钾配比为N∶P2O5∶K2O=4∶3∶3,有机肥氮替代化肥氮的比例为30%是最佳有机-无机配施方式。     

Management practices of antecedent leguminous and non-leguminous crop residues in relation to winter wheat yields, nitrogen uptake, soil nitrogen mineralization and simple nitrogen balance

Many studies have been conducted in examining the effects of N fertilizers on cereal yields and nitrogen (N) uptake, the effects of different kind of crop residues and their management practices on cereal yield, nitrogen uptake and simple N balance have not been studied extensively. We studied the effects of antecedent leguminous (white clover and field pea) and non-leguminous (perennial ryegrass and winter wheat) crop residues, each subjected to four different residue management practices (ploughed, rotary hoed, mulched and burned) on grain yield, nitrogen uptake by succeeding winter wheat crops, soil N mineralization and simple N balance. Grain yield and N uptake by the first wheat crop were significantly higher under leguminous than non-leguminous residues, following the order of white clover>pea>ryegrass>wheat. Grain yield under the mulched treatment was significantly lower than those of other management treatments due to lower plant population established. While N uptake was significantly lower under rotary hoed and mulched treatments as compared to other treatments, mulching had a positive residual effect on the grain yield of second wheat crop. Similar to grain yield, total soil N mineralization was greater under leguminous residues during the growing period of first wheat crop and was significantly correlated with C/N ratio of the residues. The calculated simple N balance showed that positive N balances occurred under white clover after one wheat crop when N inputs from only crop residue tops was considered. This also occurred even after two wheat crops when total N inputs from crop residues (tops+roots) were considered. However, with pea, the positive N balance occurred only after the first wheat crop when total N input from crop residues (tops+roots) were considered. These calculations demonstrated the important contribution of root-N to the N economy of the cropping system, which was largely ignored in most studies. The burning of residues showed no significant advantage over other residue management treatments. This was also evident from N balance calculations, which showed, in general, N balance was lower or more negative under residue-burned treatment as compared with other treatments. Overall, present results showed that it is beneficial to retain crop residues in the field, even though non-leguminous residues may cause substantial soil N immobilization initially reducing N availability to the first wheat crop, this N eventually became available to subsequent wheat crops and also increase the fertility of soils in the long-term. Thus, N inputs from crop residues are far more beneficial to the cropping system as compared to the burning of crop residues in the field or their removal from the field.     

UV-B辐射增强下施氮对大麦土壤微生物量碳、氮的影响

通过田间试验,研究了UV-B辐射增强下不同施氮量对大麦土壤微生物量碳、氮的影响。UV-B辐射设对照（CK）和增强（E）2水平,施氮量设高、中、低3水平,分别为30、150和300 kg N/ha。结果表明：与对照相比,无论施氮量高低,UV-B辐射增强对非根际土壤微生物量碳、氮含量有促进作用;除低氮外,UV-B辐射增强对根际土壤微生物量碳、氮含量有抑制作用。在一定UV-B辐射强度下,高施氮量会降低根际土壤微生物量氮和非根际土微生物量碳、氮含量。     

Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹ increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha⁻¹. Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha⁻¹. The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and where tillage intensity and N fertilization rates can be minimized to reduce the costs of energy requirement for tillage and N fertilization while optimizing crop production.     

Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogen and on the yield and nitrogen content of maize

Current agricultural practice favours winter cover crops, which can not only optimize N management in field crop rotation; but also affect subsequent crops. Three field experiments were carried out in Eastern Slovenia to examine the effects of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), winter rape (Brassica napus ssp.oleifera (Metzg.) Sinsk), subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as winter cover crops on the mineral N (N_min) content of soil and on the yield and N content of subsequent maize (Zea mays L.), fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Italian ryegrass and winter rape decreased soil N_min contents before winter and in spring more than both clovers. In contrast, clovers accumulated significantly higher amounts of N in organic matter and had lower C/N ratios than winter rape and especially Italian ryegrass. In comparison to the control (bare fallow without cover crop), clovers increased the whole above ground maize dry matter yield, maize grain yield and N contents in whole above ground plants and in grain. The yields and N contents of maize following winter rape were on the same level as the control, while yields and N contents of maize following Italian ryegrass were, in two of the experiments, at the same level as the control. The effects of Italian ryegrass on the maize as subsequent crop in the third experiment were markedly negative. Maize in the control treatment exploited N much more efficiently than in treatments with cover crops. Therefore, cover crop N management should be improved, especially with a view to optimizing the timing of net N mineralization in accordance with the N demands of the subsequent crop.     

不同氮效率玉米基因型苗期对光和氮响应的研究

对氮效率表现差异显著的三个玉米自交系幼苗采用不同光强和氮浓度处理,比较根冠比、生物产量、硝酸还原酶和谷氨酰胺合成酶的响应差异。结果表明：不同氮效率自交系对不同氮浓度与光照强度处理的响应存在显著差异;氮低效材料在低光低氮条件下的生物产量表现比氮高效材料好,在高光高氮条件下时生物产量表现比氮高效差;氮高效材料随着氮浓度增加比氮低效材料更能保持根的发达性,表明根系是氮高效的保证。不同氮效率自交系生物产量和硝酸还原酶光氮最佳耦合点值不同,氮低效自交系出现光氮最佳耦合点时所需要的氮浓度（或光强）要比氮高效自交系低。因此,玉米基因型氮效率的发挥不但需要适宜的供氮水平,还需要合适的光照强度。     

不同耐低氮性玉米品种的花后碳氮积累与转运特征

为了探明不同耐低氮性玉米品种生育后期碳、氮物质积累与转运特性及其对氮肥响应的差异,以期为品种高效施氮技术的制定提供理论依据。以耐低氮品种‘正红311’(Zhenghong311,ZH311)和低氮敏感品种‘先玉508’(Xianyu 508, XY508)为材料,设置4个氮肥用量(0、150、300和450 kg hm–2),于2017—2019年研究氮肥水平对不同耐低氮性玉米品种生育后期物质,包括干物质、全氮和非结构性碳水化合物(non-structural carbohydrate, NSC)积累和转运的影响。结果表明,供氮不足时,玉米通过增加花前贮存碳、氮物质对籽粒的转运以保证产量。增施氮肥能够提高玉米花后干物质和碳水化合物生产及其对籽粒质量的贡献率。与低氮敏感品种先玉508相比,在低氮条件下,耐低氮品种正红311在花前、花后均保持较高的植株干物质、NSC和氮素量,花后物质积累量及其对籽粒质量的贡献率更高,从而拥有更高的籽粒产量;品种间花前物质转运率及其对籽粒质量的贡献率差异不大。面对低氮胁迫,正红311既保证了花前贮存物质充分向籽粒运输,同时维持着较高的同化物积累能力来影响其产量形成。     

不同生育期干旱与氮肥施用对花生氮素吸收利用的影响

为明确不同生育期干旱胁迫与氮肥施用对花生氮素吸收利用的影响,利用¹⁵N示踪技术,研究了不同水分条件下氮肥施用对花生各器官肥料氮吸收利用以及氮肥残留和损失情况的影响。水分设置为正常供水(WW,75%～80%田间持水量)、花针期轻度干旱胁迫(FD,55%～60%田间持水量)和结荚期轻度干旱胁迫(PD,55%～60%田间持水量)3个条件,氮肥水平设置为不施氮(LN)、中氮(MN, 90 kg hm^–2)、高氮(HN, 180 kg hm^–2)。结果表明,与正常供水条件相比,不同生育期干旱胁迫均降低了花生产量和植株氮素积累量,且花针期干旱胁迫的降低幅度大于结荚期干旱胁迫。花生籽仁的氮素积累量占全株氮素积累量的68.42%～77.67%。与WWMN处理相比, FDMN处理下花生各器官氮肥吸收比例(Ndff, the percentage of N derived from ¹⁵N fertilizer)和¹⁵N积累量显著提高,且促进了氮素向籽仁的转运,PDMN处理下籽仁¹⁵     

Tillage,cover crops,and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹ increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha⁻¹. Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha⁻¹. The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and where tillage intensity and N fertilization rates can be minimized to reduce the costs of energy requirement for tillage and N fertilization while optimizing crop production.     

Diversity of crop development traits and nitrogen use efficiency among potato cultivars grown under contrasting nitrogen regimes

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) requires abundant nitrogen (N) to perform well and has low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We assessed phenotypic variation among 189 potato cultivars for NUE and the association between NUE and ecophysiological variables describing canopy development (CDv), under high and low N input. In 2009 and 2010, 189 cultivars were grown with N supply (soil N + fertiliser N) of 75 or 180 kg N/ha at Bant, the Netherlands. CDv was assessed weekly as the percentage of soil covered by green potato leaves (%SC). Data were analysed using a model that described CDv as a function of thermal time, based on the Beta function and estimates of cardinal temperatures. Nitrogen significantly affected model-derived, biologically relevant, curve-fit parameters for each cultivar. The t 1 (i.e., thermal time required to reach maximum soil cover (Vx)) was higher at low than at high N. Other parameters were higher at high than at low N, especially Vx and the period over which it was maintained. Nitrogen also affected tuber dry matter yield, tuber size and weight distributions, N content and N uptake but not tuber dry matter percentage. The total area under the %SC curve was highly correlated with yield in both years. Cultivars performing well under high N also performed well under low N. There was large variation in NUE component traits among cultivars; maturity type partially explained this variation. Variables of the CDv model captured this variation, N effects on light interception and its correlation with yield.     

Straw management, crop rotation, and nitrogen source effect on wheat grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency

Nitrogen fertilizer management from different sources and annual crop rotations are important components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems, especially where air and soil quality issues have prompted a search for alternatives to wheat straw burning. This study examined the effects of two different wheat straw management options (burning and incorporation by tillage), three crop rotations [wheat-sesbania (Sesbania spp.), wheat–maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat-clean fallow] and three N sources (urea, chicken manure, and urea plus chicken manure) on wheat grain yield and N use efficiency. The experiment was conducted as split–split plot treatment arrangement with three replications for eight wheat cropping seasons in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Results indicated that both wheat grain yield and N use efficiency were higher with burning than incorporation of wheat straw and with fertilization with urea or urea plus chicken manure than chicken manure alone. As shown by the crop rotation-by-straw management interaction, planting sesbania following incorporation of the straw by tillage produced comparable grain yields to straw burning treatment. In contrast, wheat in annual rotation with maize produced the lowest wheat grain yield and N use efficiency irrespective of the wheat straw management and N source applied.