Water management in various crop production systems related to soil tillage

Soil tillage, of different types and intensity and performed at different antecedent soil moisture conditions, is an important tool for agricultural water management. Tillage systems have important applications for increasing irrigation efficiency, enhancing the effectiveness of drainage systems, improving water quality, decreasing runoff losses and minimizing soil erosion, increasing runoff losses for water harvesting and supplemental irrigation, and decreasing percolation losses and creating aquatic environments for rice cultivation. The versatility and diversity of applications of tillage systems depend on the choice of tillage techniques. No-tillage methods with residue mulches are useful to conserve soil water. Chisel tillage and subsoiling methods along with ridge-tillage techniques are useful in increasing irrigation efficiency. No-tillage systems are useful in decreasing sediment density and transport of sediment laden pollutants in runoff, and puddling and wet tillage techniques or soil compaction are used in rice cultivation. Finally soil compaction and techniques to increase water repellence are useful for water harvesting for subsequent use in supplemental irrigation.     

Tillage, mulch and irrigation effects on corn (Zea mays L.) in relation to evaporative demand

The effects of deep tillage, straw mulching, and irrigation on corn (Zea mays L.) yield on a loamy sand (mixed, hyperthermic, Typic Ustipsamment) were studied for early (high evaporativity) and normally sown (relatively low evaporativity) crop for 3 years in a semi-arid sub-tropical monsoon region at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. Treatments included all combinations of two tillage systems (conventional tillage — harrowing the soil to a 10-cm depth; deep tillage — chiselling 40 cm deep, 35–40 cm apart), two irrigation regimes (75 mm irrigation when net open pan evaporation accumulated to 75 mm or 50 mm), and two straw mulch rates (0 and 6 Mg ha⁻¹).

Deep tillage significantly reduced soil strength (cone index) and caused deeper and denser rooting than conventional tillage, more so in the dry season and with the infrequent irrigation regime than in the wet season and frequent irrigation regime. Mulch also improved rooting by influencing the hydrothermal regime of the soil. Better rooting with deep tillage and/or mulch helped the crop to extract stored soil water more efficiently, which was reflected in a favourable plant water status (indicated by canopy temperature). Averaged across years, irrigation, and mulch, deep tillage increased grain yield by 1.6 Mg ha⁻¹ for the early season and 0.5 Mg ha⁻¹ for the normal season crop over the yield of 2.0 Mg ha⁻¹ achieved with conventional tillage regardless of season. Yield increase with mulching was also greater for the early season crop. Crop response to deep tillage and mulching was generally linked to the interplay between water supply (rain + irrigation) and demand (seasonal evaporativity) during the growing season. Increasing irrigation frequency increased crop yield when evaporativity exceeded rainfall early in the growing season. The results show that higher corn yields on coarse-textured soils in these regions may be achieved by advancing the seeding time and by using a proper combination of deep tillage, mulch, and irrigation.     

免耕旧膜再利用对玉米产量及灌溉水生产力的影响

在河西走廊中段边缘绿洲安排田间试验,明确保护性耕作地膜再利用栽培对玉米产量及灌溉水生产力的影响,探讨降低农田残膜污染、节本增效和可持续土地利用的耕作栽培管理方式。试验涉及3种不同质地与肥力水平的土壤,设3个处理:(1)传统耕作与冬灌、覆新膜栽培(NM);(2)免耕少冬灌、旧膜直播(RM);(3)免耕少冬灌、旧膜直播行间秸秆覆盖(RMS)。结果表明,在玉米播种后至拔节期前,日平均土壤温度2个免耕旧膜直播处理较传统覆新膜处理仅低0.6~1.0℃(5 cm土层)和0.5~0.8℃(15 cm土层),表明旧膜直播仍具地膜覆盖提高地温的效应。玉米产量免耕旧膜直播较覆新膜降低4.4%~10.6%,但节省了耕作和地膜投入,收益增加。免耕旧膜直播结合秸秆覆盖栽培方式玉米产量与新覆膜栽培持平,净收入提高12.5%~17.1%。免耕旧膜直播栽培减少了冬灌量,灌溉水生产力提高。土壤质地与肥力水平对作物吸氮量、灌溉水生产力影响显著。在水资源紧缺的干旱区绿洲,适时进行保护性耕作地膜再利用栽培技术是节本增效、土地可持续利用的一种选择。     

不同耕作方式下水分管理对水稻氮素吸收利用的影响?

2008年早季和晚季,以桂旱1号和金优253为试验材料,盆栽条件下利用15N示踪技术研究了湿润灌溉、交替灌溉、水层灌溉3种水分管理模式下和免耕、常耕2种土壤耕作方式下水稻氮素与吸收利用的差异。结果表明：（1）湿润灌溉栽培降低了2种耕作方式水稻的氮肥吸收量,其中对基肥和分蘖肥吸收量的降低达显著水平;（2）湿润灌溉栽培时施入稻田中的氮肥被当季水稻吸收利用的比率下降,在土壤中的残留比率增加;（3）常耕条件下,湿润灌溉水稻氮素吸收总量明显低于水层灌溉和交替灌溉水稻,但免耕条件下湿润灌溉对水稻氮素吸收总量的影响比较小;（4）湿润灌溉时水稻产量和氮素的生产效率下降。     

Amelioration of soil compaction can take 5 years on a Vertisol under no till in the semi-arid subtropics

Heavy wheel traffic causes soil compaction, which adversely affects crop production and may persist for several years. We applied known compaction forces to entire plots annually for 5 years, and then determined the duration of the adverse effects on the properties of a Vertisol and the performance of crops under no-till dryland cropping with residue retention. For up to 5 years after a final treatment with a 10 Mg axle load on wet soil, soil shear strength at 70–100 mm and cone index at 180–360 mm were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in a control treatment, and soil water storage and grain yield were lower. We conclude that compaction effects persisted because (1) there were insufficient wet–dry cycles to swell and shrink the entire compacted layer, (2) soil loosening by tillage was absent and (3) there were fewer earthworms in the compacted soil. Compaction of dry soil with 6 Mg had little effect at any time, indicating that by using wheel traffic only when the soil is dry, problems can be avoided. Unfortunately such a restriction is not always possible because sowing, tillage and harvest operations often need to be done when the soil is wet. A more generally applicable solution, which also ensures timely operations, is the permanent separation of wheel zones and crop zones in the field—the practice known as controlled traffic farming. Where a compacted layer already exists, even on a clay soil, management options to hasten repair should be considered, e.g. tillage, deep ripping, sowing a ley pasture or sowing crop species more effective at repairing compacted soil.     

Integrated tillage-water-nutrient management effects on selected soil physical properties in a rice-wheat system in the Indian subcontinent

We studied few soil physical indicators after eighth cropping cycle of rice-wheat. The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with two tillage (rice: puddling vs. non-puddling; wheat: conventional tillage vs. no-tillage), three water management (rice: submergence vs. drainage; wheat: five/three/two irrigations) and nine nutrient (N) management treatments (inorganic vs. integrated nutrient management). The bulk density (t m^?3) in non-puddled soil (1.33) was significantly less than puddled soil (1.59); while mean weight diameter (0.55 mm) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (0.43 cm h^?1) were higher in the former treatment. Irrigation after 3-days of drainage was found to enhance soil aggregation (0.54 mm) and moisture retention (71.6%) during rice. No-tillage in wheat had overall positive impact. Organic sources of nutrients increased soil water retention (biofertilizer for rice), water conductivity and aggregate stability (combined organics for rice and wheat). Interactions between (tillage × N), (water × N), (tillage × water) revealed crop-wise variations. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil aggregation for rice; and bulk density, water retention and saturated hydraulic conductivity for wheat were identified as sensitive soil physical indicators. We suggest an effective combination of no tillage and intermittent irrigation with integrated nutrient management for sustaining soil physical quality in rice-wheat rotation.     

Evaluation of biochar applications combined with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) water management in rice field as a methane mitigation option for farmers’ adoption

ABSTRACT

Biochar application and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) are emerging as promising technologies recommended for reducing CH₄ emissions and water consumption in rice cultivation. In this study, we hypothesized that both technologies could be practiced in combination and this could further reduce CH₄ emissions and water consumption when compared to practicing alone. The effects of biochar application and its co-application with chemical fertilizer or compost under conventional or AWD water management on CH₄ emissions, productivity of rice, water use, and SOC stock, as well as cost and income were investigated. The experiment was carried out in an irrigated paddy field in the central plain of Thailand during both in the wet and dry seasons. Relative to control (CT), biochar application (BI), its co-application with compost (BC) or chemical fertilizer (BF) reduced seasonal CH₄ emissions by 40.6%, 29.5%, and 12.3%, respectively. BI and BC significantly (p < 0.05) reduced grain yield by 19.9% and 10.8%, respectively, while BF significantly increased grain yield by 3.70%. In addition, BI, BC, and BF significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) stock by 21.2%, 21.4%, and 18.3%, respectively. Compared to the CT, higher production costs were found in BC and BF, but the farmer’s net incomes were also higher in BF because of its higher grain yield. On the other hand, water management in all amendment treatments under AWD was resulted in the reduction of CH₄ emissions by the average of 18.8% as compared to the conventional system. AWD decreased rice yield by an average of 2.29%. It significantly reduced irrigation water use by an average of 11.9%, resulting in reducing production cost for water pumping. The results show that the practice that combined biochar application, AWD and chemical fertilizer are feasible for CH₄ emission mitigation, SOC stock increase and irrigation water saving without significant effects on yield and farmer income.     

陕西省关中灌区玉米免耕覆盖播种技术试验

为了探索免耕覆盖技术的保水增产增值效果,2007年在陕西省杨凌区进行了不同播种方法试验。结果表明,免耕覆盖播种比传统耕作1m土层土壤含水率高1.2%;能显著促进玉米幼苗生长和根系发育,孕穗期根系长度26.6m,比对照增加71.6%;每1hm2产量8408kg,增产11.3%,增值1991元。该技术能有效保蓄农田土壤水分,明显增加玉米产量、产值,可在关中灌区及同类地区使用。     

耕作和施肥方式对土壤水分及饲用玉米产量的影响

为探究耕作和施肥方式对西北半干旱区饲用玉米(Zea may L.)土壤水分和产量的影响,以饲用玉米陇饲1号为材料,设置传统旋耕、立式深旋耕2种耕作方式以及单施化肥、有机肥替代化肥2种施肥方式组合,共4个处理,研究不同的耕作和施肥方式对饲用玉米土壤贮水量、花前花后耗水量、单株鲜重和干重以及产量的影响。结果表明,与传统旋耕相比,立式深旋耕能够降低饲用玉米0~300 cm土层土壤贮水量,提高花前耗水量,降低花后耗水量,增加生育期总耗水量,而有机肥替代化肥能够降低立式深旋耕方式下土壤总耗水量;立式深旋耕使成熟期单株干重增加1.3%~10.6%,单株鲜重增加4.9%~21.9%,而且不同程度增加了饲用玉米株高、穗长、穗粗、行粒数、百粒重、双穗率,降低了秃顶长,以上指标的变化均有利于高产试验形成。3年试验中立式深旋耕化肥处理较其他处理的籽粒产量增加1.8%~38.6%,丰水年生物量增加1.2%~15.1%,立式深旋耕有机肥处理较其他处理提高了干旱年生物量4.9%~21.9%、籽粒产量水分利用效率6.3%~34.8%、生物量水分利用效率7.1%~21.5%。综上,立式深旋耕能够改善作物生长土壤环境,有利于饲用玉米对土壤水分的吸收以及干物质量的积累,其组合化肥处理可以增加饲用玉米籽粒产量和丰水年生物量,组合有机肥替代处理可增加干旱年饲用玉米生物量和水分利用效率。本研究为西北半干旱区饲用玉米高产高效可持续生产提供了理论依据。     

The effect of seeding and tillage methods on productivity of rice–wheat cropping system

Many farmers in southeast Asia are growing rice on unpuddled soil. This practice does not permit breaking of the deadlock of increase in productivity in spite of using high yielding varieties and practising all known scientific technologies. Furthermore, farmers do dry seeding which leads to heavy infestation of weeds and reduces response to other inputs. Similarly, in rice–wheat belt due to short turn around time farmers resort to broadcast sowing of wheat after rice and no data on benefits or otherwise of tillage are available. A field study was therefore conducted for 3 years (1993–1994 to 1995–1996) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effect of tillage and seeding methods in rice–wheat cropping system. Treatments included four combinations of two puddling treatments (puddling and no puddling) and two methods of rice seeding (direct seeding and transplanting) in rice and two tillage treatments (zero and conventional tillage) in wheat. Results indicated that puddling increased grain yield of rice by 0.7–1 t ha⁻¹ and of succeeding wheat by 0.2–0.4 t ha⁻¹, straw yield of rice by 0.8–1.7 t ha⁻¹ and of succeeding wheat by 0.1–1.0 t ha⁻¹.

Puddling reduced water requirement of rice by 75 mm ha and increased net return of rice–wheat system by US $175 ha⁻¹. Transplanted rice gave significantly higher grain and straw yields and net returns than direct seeded rice both on puddled and unpuddled seedbed. Conventional tillage in wheat also increased productivity of rice–wheat cropping system significantly over zero tillage after both puddled and non-puddled rice. Our results thus show that rice should be grown on puddled soil and wheat after rice should be sown after conventional tillage.     

Compaction and tillage depth combinations for water management and rice production in low-retentive permeable soils

Excessive percolation loss and low water retention adversely affect the production of rice in coarse-textured lateritic soils. A tillage scheme has been developed from long-term field experimentation during 1973–1978 to measurably reduce the percolation losses and enhance the productivity of rice in this soil under both lowland and upland conditions. Artificially compacted surface and subsurface layers were induced in soil by suitably combining level of compaction as obtained by one (D₁), two (D₂), four (D₃) or six (D₄) passes of a 800 kg iron roller at a load intensity of 0.21 kg cm⁻² and post-compaction tillage or puddling depth of o cm (T₀), 5 cm (T₁), 10 cm (T₂) or 15 cm (T₃). An additional no-compaction treatment (D₀) was included in lowland experiments. where the effect of either the depht or intensity of puddling was also studied. The utility of this tillage scheme in increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use was characterized by a separate upland experiment in 1976 with a lower rate (60 kg N ha⁻¹) of N application than that (100 kg N ha⁻¹) applied in all other experiments.Rice yield was significantly increased on upland by artificially compacting the soil to D₂. However, with further compaction to D₃ and D₄, the yield decreased. When postcompaction tillage was adopted, the grain yield decreased at low compaction level (D₁, D₂) but increased at high compaction level (D₃, D₄) with increase in tillage depth from 0 to 15 cm. The maximum grain yield occurred at D₃T₁.Higher grain yield at D₃T₁, D₂T₀ and D₄T₂ is attributable to a more favourable soil bulk density profile, a lower infiltration rate and higher surface retention of water. The efficiency of applied nitrogen fertilizer was apparently increased at these compaction—tillage depth combinations, where the upland rice yield experienced insignificant reduction with decrease in nitrogen application rate from 100 to 60 kg ha⁻¹.Similar trends of yield response to compaction—tillage combinations were also observed under lowland conditions. When the soil was puddled (following high compaction) with a wedge plough or a power tiller, rice yields were increased by 48 and 56%, respectively, over yields using conventional puddling (without compaction). The yield increased further with the increase in intensity of puddling using a power tiller.     

耕作方式和氮肥用量对旱地小麦产量、水分利用效率和种植效益的影响

为探索旱地小麦增产增效增收协同的耕作方式及其配套施氮技术。2016—2017(欠水年)和2017—2018(丰水年)年度,在豫西典型旱区洛宁县设置夏闲期深松(ST,麦收后2周左右隔年进行)和翻耕(PT,传统的7月或底8月初连年进行)2种耕作方式为主区,设置4个氮肥用量为副区(播前基施纯氮0(N0),120(N120),180(N180),240 (N240) kg/hm~2)的田间定位试验,分析了土壤水分以及小麦产量、水分利用效率和种植效益。结果表明:与翻耕相比,深松提高了休闲效率,播前、开花期和成熟期0—200 cm土壤蓄水量分别提高6.5%～11.7%,5.0%～8.5%,4.7%～8.2%,使欠水年的千粒重、丰水年的穗数和穗粒数显著提高(P0.05),从而使欠水年的产量和经济效益分别提高7.1%～17.8%和5.5%～30.2%,丰水年施氮处理的产量、水分利用效率和经济效益分别提高10.2%～22.0%,3.0%～13.0%,16.1%～35.1%。增加氮肥用量有利于提高休闲效率,使播前土壤蓄水量翻耕下得到恢复、深松下显著提高(P0.05),小麦产量、水分利用效率和经济效益翻耕下N180最优,较其他处理分别提高6.5%～43.9%,8.1%～36.1%,12.4%～61.3%;深松下欠水年以N180较优,丰水年以N240最优,且较其他处理分别提高3.9%～67.9%,1.0%～54.1%,3.6%～95.8%。因此,麦收后2周左右隔年深松有利于提高土壤含水量,进而提高产量、水分利用效率和种植效益,且在欠水年配施纯氮180 kg/hm~2、丰水年配施纯氮240 kg/hm~2效果最优。研究结果可为提高旱地小麦产量、效率和效益提供理论依据和技术参考。     

Effects of tillage methods and water regimes on soil properties and yield of lowland rice from a sandy loam soil in Southwest Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted on a sandy loam soil (Aeric Tropaquent) during 1981 adn 1982 to assess the effects of compaction, puddling and no-till systems on soil physical properties and on rice growth and yield with and without supplementary irrigation. Soil compaction decreased macro- and micro-pores more than puddling or no-till treatments. The equilibrium infiltration rates were 0.12, 0.15 and 1.65 μm s⁻¹ in compacted, ploughed and no-till treatments, respectively. The saturated hydraulic conductivity, void ratio and moisture content at −0.01 and −1.5 MPa water potential followed a similar trend. The mean weight diameters were 2.40, 2.36 and 2.09 mm for compacted, puddled and no-till treatments, respectively. The mean grain yields for 4 consecutive crops were 6.4, 5.1 and 4.9 Mg ha⁻¹, the compacted being significantly greater than the puddled and no-till treatments. Compared with both puddling and no-till treatments, soil compaction resulted in significant yield increases of about 20% under the rain-fed regime and from 34 to 40% in the flooded moisture regime. There was about 26% increase in rice grain yield by continuous flooding over the rain-fed treatments, with the rice producing greater dry matter and biological yields due to a higher uptake of P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe and Zn.     

机械耕作和播种方式对稻茬小麦光合生产和产量的影响

沿淮地区水稻种植后土壤质地黏重加之秸秆还田量大制约了小麦生长,耕作和播种方式的合理搭配是解决这一问题的有效方法。于2017-2019年在泗洪设置了不同耕作方式(耕翻、免耕)和播种方式(中型带播、中型条播、小型带播、小型条播)的田间试验,研究了不同处理对小麦穗数和穗质量形成、光合物质生产和产量的影响。结果表明:1)两年度均以免耕产量最高,比耕翻分别增产25.4%和15.2%。2)两年度采用中型机械播种方式能够稳定实现较高的籽粒产量,小型条播仅2017-2018年度免耕条件下产量与中型机械播种方式差异不显著。带播相比于条播能够提高小麦个体生长空间,增大光合面积,增强了群体干物质生产和转运能力。总的来说,免耕下采用中型带播方式播种是改善沿淮地区稻茬小麦生长发育和提高产量的一种有效农田管理模式,这为当地优化选择和推广适宜的耕播方式组合提供了依据。     

Effects of conventional and deep tillage on mustard for efficient water and nitrogen use in coarse textured soils

Crops grown on coarse textured soils are prone to water and nutrient stresses owing to low water retention, poor inherent fertility, and rapid development of mechanical impedance to root growth. These stresses can be alleviated by enlarging rooting volume in the soil and/or by regulating the supply of water and nutrients. Field investigations were carried for 3 years to assess interactive effects of deep tillage, irrigation regime and nitrogen rate on root growth, dry matter accumulation, water use and yield of mustard in a loamy sand and a sandy loam soil. Treatments included combinations of two tillage systems: conventional tillage (CT) (one discing, two cultivations down to 10 cm depth, and a planking), and deep tillage (DT) (chiseling down to 35–40 cm followed by CT); three irrigation regimes: no irrigation (I₀), 7 cm water 28 days after seeding (DAS) (I₁), and two irrigations of 7 cm each at 28 DAS and at peak flowering (I₂); and four nitrogen rates: 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹. The experiment was replicated three times in a split plot design with tillage and irrigation in main plots and nitrogen in sub-plots.

Deep tillage and early irrigation enhanced the rooting density and the rate of dry matter accumulation of mustard, and as a consequence, there was greater depletion of profile stored water and better plant water status, particularly in the low water retentive loamy sand. Tillage enhanced the synergistic effects of irrigation and nitrogen on crop water use. Interaction effects of the three variables on grain yield were significant in this soil. Regression models relating relative yield to water supply and nitrogen rates showed that, for a given yield, more water and nitrogen were required for CT than for DT in the loamy sand indicating that tillage enhanced the utilization of water and nutrients. The magnitude of tillage effects was much less in the sandy loam.     

适宜节水灌溉模式抑制寒地稻田N_2O排放增加水稻产量

2014年在大田试验条件下,设置控制灌溉、间歇灌溉、浅湿灌溉及淹灌4种水分管理模式,采用静态暗箱-气相色谱法田间观测寒地水稻生长季N2O排放特征,研究不同灌溉模式对寒地稻田N2O排放的影响及N2O排放对土壤环境要素的响应,同时测定水稻产量,以期为寒地稻田N2O排放特征研究提供对策。结果表明:不同灌溉模式下N2O排放的高峰均出现在水分交替频繁阶段,水稻生育阶段前期,各处理N2O排放都处于较低水平,泡田期几乎无N2O排放。与淹灌相比,间歇灌溉使N2O排放总量增加47.3%,控制灌溉和浅湿灌溉使N2O排放总量减少40.7%和39.6%。寒地稻田N2O排放通量与土壤硝态氮含量关系密切,与土壤10 cm温度显著相关(P0.05)。水稻生长期间各处理N2O排放顺序间歇灌溉淹灌,二者均显著高于浅湿灌溉和控制灌溉(P0.05)。各处理水稻产量以浅湿灌溉最低、其他方式差异不显著。可见,间歇灌溉有助于提高水稻产量,但会促进稻田N2O的排放。在综合考虑水稻产量及稻田温室效应的需求下,控制灌溉为最佳灌溉方式,应予以高度重视。该研究可为黑龙江寒地稻作区选择节水减排模式提供科学支撑。     

耕作与植物生长调节剂对优质粳稻产量及光合特性的影响

为探明耕作方式与植物生长调节剂（Plant Growth Regulators,PGRs）对连续旋耕稻田优质粳稻光合特性和产量的影响,解决或缓解不合理耕作带来的产量形成不利问题,该研究于2018-2019年在大田条件下以绥粳18、垦稻12和三江6为试验材料,在连续旋耕稻田上设置深耕（Deep Tillage,DT）与旋耕（Rotary Tillage,RT）2种耕作处理,于剑叶展叶期分别喷施己酸二乙氨基乙醇酯（Diethylaminoethylcaproate,DA-6）,6-苄氨基腺嘌呤（6-benzylaminoadenine,6-BA）和亚精胺（Spermidine,Spd）3种PGRs,并设置清水对照,研究深耕与PGRs对优质粳稻生育中后期产量形成及光合物质生产特性的调控效应。结果表明：与RT相比,DT处理增加了生物量和茎鞘物质转运能力,提高了齐穗期和蜡熟期叶片叶绿素相对含量（Soil and Plant Analyzer Development,SPAD）和净光合速率,增加了齐穗后叶面积指数和群体生长速率,延长了齐穗后绿叶面积持续时间,增加了每平方米有效穗数、每穗粒质量、千粒...     

Effect of tillage practices on irrigation requirement,weed control and yield of lowland rice

Dry soil bulk density increased from 1.42 g/cm³ with ordinary ploughing to 1.69 g/cm³ with puddling twice and to 1.80 g/cm³ with soil compaction. Consequently, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased from 113 mm/day with ordinary ploughing to 48 mm/day with puddling twice and to 29 mm/day with soil compaction. The irrigation requirement was 2295 mm with ordinary ploughing compared with 1350 mm with soil compaction. Dry weight of weeds was only 0.6 and 0.7 t/ha with puddling twice and soil compaction, respectively, and 3.9 t/ha with ordinary ploughing. The highest grain yield of rice (4.5 t/ha) was obtained with puddling twice, due to effective weed control. Weeds shared 57 and 35% of the nutrient (N+P+K) with ordinary ploughing and puddling once, respectively, as compared with only 8 and 15% with puddling twice and soil compaction, respectively. The ratio of total biological yield (grain + straw + weeds) to total nutrient (N+P+K) uptake was 59.0 with puddling twice and soil compaction as compared with 53.5 with puddling once and 50.0 with ordinary ploughing. This suggests that tillage practices may affect the efficiency of the use of soil and applied nutrients by the rice crop.     

Tillage and residue management effects on soil physical properties and rice yield in northwestern Himalayan soils

Field experiments were conducted on a silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf) during 1988–1990 to study the effect of tillage practices, such as puddling (P), compaction (C) and non-puddled dry tillage (NP) with four rates of lantana (Lantana camara L.) residue incorporation (0(M₀), 10(M₁), 20(M₂) and 30 (M₃) t ha⁻¹), on soil physical properties and yield of rice. Greatest water retention was noticed under PM₃, followed by CM₃ and NPM₃. The soil penetration resistance was lowest for NPM₃, followed by PM₃ and CM₃. Puddled treatments either with or without residue impeded infiltration as compared with C and NP. Puddled treatments either with or without residue had higher soil as well as flood water temperature. Residue addition invariably reduced the ploughing energy required after rice harvest; however, among puddling and compaction treatments, puddling consumed less energy. The rice grain yields under puddled treatments were significantly higher than under C and NP irrespective of residue addition.     

带旋和全旋耕作对稻茬小麦生长和土壤理化性质的影响

为明确带旋耕作在稻茬麦区的适用性，该研究于2018-2020年在水稻秸秆切碎匀铺还田条件下，以全旋（full rotary tillage，FRT）耕作为对照，研究了带旋（strip rotary tillage，SRT）耕作对稻茬麦田土壤理化性质、小麦生长和籽粒产量的影响。结果表明，与FRT相比，SRT在土壤偏干状况下大幅提升了0～10 cm土层贮水量，提升幅度为15%～43%，而在土壤偏湿时提升幅度仅为3%～9%。带旋耕作下土壤温度日变化幅度平缓，且在低温条件下有助于提升5和15 cm土层温度。2 a间5～15 cm土层SRT土壤速效氮与速效钾含量较FRT分别增加12%、55%、41%和17%，差异显著（P<0.05），SRT促进了土壤养分在浅层富集。在2019-2020年，SRT较FRT显著增加了幼苗单株次生根数、单株地上部生物量、植株可溶性糖含量和叶片RuBPCase活性（P<0.05），明显提升了幼苗质量，同时2 a间均提高了开花期和乳熟期单茎叶面积、叶片RuBPCase活性以及开花期和成熟期单茎干物质量。2 a间均以SRT产量最高，比FRT分别增产11%和14%，穗粒数比FRT分别增加16%和5%，差异均达显著水平（P<0.05）。综上，带旋耕作下良好的土壤水、热、肥条件有助于幼苗健壮生长，提升了单茎光合生产能力，促进了幼穗发育和穗粒数形成，但带旋耕作出苗率较全旋耕作低了19.3%，未来还需结合其壮苗优势开展农机农艺配套技术研究。