Effects of Soil Water Content on Cotton Root Growth and Distribution Under Mulched Drip Irrigation

The relation between soil water content and the growth of cotton root was studied for the scheme of field water and cotton yield under mulched drip irrigation. Based on the field experiments, three treatments of soil water content were conducted with 90%, 75%θf, and 60%θf （θfis field water capacity）. Cotton roots and root-shoot ratio were studied with digging method, and the soil moisture was observed with TDR （time domain reflector）, and cotton yield was measured. The results indicated that the growth of cotton root accorded with Logistic growth curve in the three treatments, the cotton root grew quickly and its weight was very high under 75%θf because of the suitable soil water condition, while grew slowly and its weight was lower under 90%θf due to water moisture beyond the suitable condition, and the root weight was in between under 60%θf For the three water treatments, the cotton root weight decreased with soil depth, and decreased more significantly in deeper soil layer with the soil moisture increasing. And the ratio of cotton root weight in 0-30 cm soil layer to the total root weight was the highest under 75%θf. The cotton root system was distributed mainly in the soil of narrow row and wide row mulched with plastic film, and little in the soil outside plastic film. The weight of cotton root was the highest in the soil of narrow row or wide row mulched with plastic film under 75%θf. Root-shoot ratio decreased with the soil moisture increasing. The soil water content affected cotton yields, and cotton yield was the highest under 75%θf. The higher soil moisture level is unfavorable to the growth of cotton root system and yield of cotton under mulched drip irrigation.     

Effects of Drip System Uniformity and Irrigation Amount on Water and Salt Distributions in Soil Under Arid Conditions

The dynamics of water and salt in soil were monitored in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons of cotton to evaluate the salinity risk of soil under drip irrigation in arid environments for different management practices of drip system uniformity and irrigation amount.In the experiments,three Christiansen uniformity coefficients(CU) of approximately 65,80,and 95%(referred to as low,medium,and high uniformity,respectively) and three irrigation amounts of 50,75,and 100% of full irrigation were used.The distribution of the soil water content and bulk electrical conductivity(EC b) was monitored continuously with approximately equally spaced frequency domain reflectometry(FDR) sensors located along a dripline.Gravimetric samples of soil were collected regularly to determine the distribution of soil salinity.A great fluctuation in CU of water content and EC b at 60 cm depth was observed for the low uniformity treatment during the irrigation season,while a relatively stable variation pattern was observed for the high uniformity treatment.The EC b CU was substantially lower than the water content CU and its value was greatly related to the water content CU and the initial EC b CU.The spatial variation of seasonal mean soil water content and seasonal mean soil bulk electrical conductivity showed a high dependence on the variation pattern of emitter discharge rate along a dripline for the low and medium uniformity treatments.A greater irrigation amount produced a significantly lower soil salinity at the end of the irrigation season,while the influence of the system uniformity on the soil salinity was insignificant at a probability level of 0.1.In arid regions,the determination of the target drip irrigation system uniformity should consider the potential salinity risk of soil caused by nonuniform water application as the influence of the system uniformity on the distribution of the soil salinity was progressively strengthened during the growing season of crop.     

Estimating distribution of water uptake with depth of winter wheat by hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes under different irrigation depths

Crop root system plays an important role in the water cycle of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.In this study,combined isotope techniques,root length density and root cell activity analysis were used to investigate the root water uptake mechanisms of winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)under different irrigation depths in the North China Plain.Both direct inference approach and multisource linear mixing model were applied to estimate the distribution of water uptake with depth in six growing stages.Results showed that winter wheat under land surface irrigation treatment(T_s)mainly absorbed water from 10-20 cm soil layers in the wintering and green stages(66.9 and 72.0%,respectively);0-20 cm(57.0%)in the jointing stage;0-40(15.3%)and 80-180 cm(58.1%)in the heading stage;60-80(13.2%)and 180-220 cm(35.5%)in the filling stage;and 0-40(46.8%)and 80-100 cm(31.0%)in the ripening stage.Winter wheat under whole soil layers irrigation treatment(T_w)absorbed more water from deep soil layer than T_s in heading,filling and ripening stages.Moreover,root cell activity and root length density of winter wheat under T_w were significantly greater than that of T_s in the three stages.We concluded that distribution of water uptake with depth was affected by the availability of water sources,the root length density and root cell activity.Implementation of the whole soil layers irrigation method can affect root system distribution and thereby increase water use from deeper soil and enhance water use efficiency.     

Effect of Different Irrigation Methods on Dissolved Organic Carbon and Microbial Biomass Carbon in the Greenhouse Soil

The objective of this study was to investigate the contents and distribution of dissolved organic carbon （DOC） and microbial biomass carbon （MBC） at 0-100 cm soil depth under three irrigation treatments, viz., subsurface, drip and furrow irrigation in the greenhouse soil. The soil samples were collected at different depths （0-100 cm）, and the contents of soil total organic carbon （TOC）, DOC and MBC were analysed. The experiment was conducted for 10 yr, during which period the application of fertilizers and crop management practices were kept identical. The results showed that the contents of TOC, DOC and MBC were significantly affected by different irrigation regimes, decreased with the increase of soil depth. TOC at 0-10 and 80-100 cm soil depths followed the order of furrow irrigation 〉 subsurface irrigation 〉 drip irrigation, whereas at the depth of 10-80 cm followed the order of subsurface irrigation 〉 furrow irrigation 〉 drip irrigation. DOC and MBC contents at 0-100 cm soil depths followed the order of furrow irrigation 〉 drip irrigation 〉 subsurface irrigation, and drip irrigation 〉 furrow irrigation 〉 subsurface irrigation, respectively. The ratios of DOC and MBC to TOC accounted for 4.98-12.87% and 1.48-2.82%, respectively, which were the highest in the drip irrigation treatment, followed were in the furrow irrigation treatment, and the lowest in subsurface irrigation treatment. There were significant positive correlations among the contents of DOC, MBC and TOC in all irrigation treatments. The furrow irrigation facilitated the accumulation of TOC and DOC, while drip irrigation increased the MBC. The content of TOC and the ratios of DOC to TOC were the lowest in subsurface irrigation treatment.     

Positive Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Physiological Response and Fruit Yield in Citrus Orchards： Implications for Sustainable Water Savings

Different strategies of deficit irrigation based on water stress dynamics were applied in an 11-year old citrus trees （Citrus sinensis L. Osb. cv. Navelina） grafted on carrizo citrange （Citrus sinensis L. Osb.×Poncirus Trifoliata L. Osb.）. The trees were subjected to two irrigation treatments： （1） sustainable deficit irrigation （SDI） established with water supplied at 60% of the crop evapotranspiration （ETc） and （2） low frequency deficit irrigation （LFDI） irrigated according to the plant water status. In addition, a treatment irrigated at 100% of ETc was included as a control （C）. Midday stem-water potential （ψUstem）, stomatal conductance （gs）, and micrometric trunk diameter fluctuations were measured during the maximum evapotranspirative demand period to evaluate the plant-water status, and establish the main relationships among them. The seasonal pattern of the studied variables had a behavior consistent with the contributions made by the volumes of applied irrigation water. Especially significant close relationships of ψstem with gs, and with the maximum daily shrinkage （MDS） were found. The lowest ψstem and gs values were registered in the treatments with lowest irrigations levels （SDI and LFDI）, being the MDS was significative higher than in the C treatment. The LFDI showed an oscillating behavior in these parameters, which was on line with the supplied irrigation restrictions cycles. Thus, according to the results of the present experiment the physiological stress indexes based in MDS or ψstem allow establishing different irrigation restriction cycles, encouraging important water saving without significant impact on yield and the fruit quality parameters.     

Simulation of water and nitrogen dynamics as affected by drip fertigation strategies

The aim of drip fertigation is synchronising the application of water and nutrients with crop requirements, and maintaining the proper concentration and distribution of nutrient and water in the soil. The wetting patterns and nutrient distributions under drip fertigation have been proved to be closely related to the fertigation strategies. In order to find out the critical factors that affect the nutrient distribution under different drip fertigaiton strategies, a computer simulation model HYDRUS2D/3D was used to simulate the water and nitrate distribution for various fertigation strategies from a surface point source. Simulation results were compared with the observed ones from our previous studies. A 15° wedge-shaped plexiglass container was used in our experiment to represent one-twenty-fourth of the complete cylinder. The height of container is 40 cm, and the radius is 41 cm. The ammonium nitrate solution was added through a no. 7 needle connected to a Mariotte tube with a flexible hose. The soil water content, nitrate and ammonium concentrations were measured. The comparison of simulated and observed data demonstrated that the model performed reliably. The numerical analysis for various fertigation strategies from a surface point source showed that:(1) The total amount of irrigation water, the concentration of the fertilizer solution and the amount of pure water used to flush the pipeline after fertilizer solution application are the three critical factors influencing the distribution of water and fertilizer nitrogen in the soil.(2) The fresh water irrigation duration prior to fertigation has no obvious effect on nitrate distribution. The longer flushing time period after fertigation resulted in nitrate accumulation closer to the wetting front. From the point of avoiding the possibility of nitrate loss from the root zone, we recommended that the flushing time period should be as shorter as possible.(3) For a given amount of fertilizer, higher concentration of the fertilizer applied solution reduces the potential of nitrate leaching in drip irrigation system. While, lower concentration of the fertilizer solution resulted in an uniform distribution of nitrate band closer to the wetted front.     

Effects of Potassium Humate Fertilizers and Irrigation Rate on Potato Yield and Consumptive Use under Drip Irrigation Method

The current study was carried out at Agricultural College, University of Baghdad in the vegetable farm, Department of Horticulture during 2013 spring growing season. Yield response to irrigation of different crops is of major importance in production planning where water resources are limited. This study aims to determine the effect of different irrigation treatment （deficit irrigation） and potassium humate fertilizer on yield, content of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphor in tuber of potato and water use efficiency in the Abu-Graib Region, Iraq. Potato was grown under drip irrigation with three treatments： irrigation applied when evaporation 75%, 100% and 125% from pan A, and three potassium humate fertilizers： 0, 1.2 and 2.4 kg/ha with three times additions. The seasonal potato evapotranspiration ranged from 267 mm to 372 mm. The drip irrigation treatment had significant effecting tuber yield of potato recorder 29,530, 27,630 and 24,880 kg/ha for 125%, 100% and 75% from pan A evapotranspiration, respectively. Humus fertilizers addition has the lowest value of ETa 309 mm and maximum value of yield 2,930 kg/ha. Water use efficiency （WUE） and irrigation water use efficiency （IWUE） values increased with increasing humus fertilizers, recording 9.92, 14.52, 8.59, 12.42 and 7.51, 10.70 kg/m3 for potassium humate K3 （2.4 kg/ha）, K2 （1.2 kg/ha） and KI （0.0 kg/ha）, respectively. Plants irrigated with 125% from class pans A evaporation, produced a significant increase in N, P and K content in tubers recorder 0.96%, 0.58% and 1.52%, respectively. Potassium humus-fertilizer significant differences among K1, K2 and K3 on high of plants reached 41.52, 50.08 and 56.39 cm, respectively, number of stems/plant 2.69, 3.22 and 3.78, respectively, leaves area index recorder 2.80, 3.35 and 3.73.     

Experimental Investigation of Soil Evaporation and Evapotranspiration of Winter Wheat Under Sprinkler Irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation is one of the typical irrigation technologies used for the winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system in the North China Plain. To evaluate the evapotranspiration （ET） of winter wheat under sprinkler irrigation in Beijing area, field experiments were conducted in growing seasons through 2005-2008, in the experimental station located in Tongzhou County, Beijing, China, with different irrigation depths. Results indicated that a relatively large variation of soil water content occurred within 0-40 cm soil layer. The seasonal ET of winter wheat generally increased with increasing irrigation amount, while the seasonal usage of soil water had a negative relationship with irrigation amount. Soil evaporation （Es） was about 25% of winter wheat ET during the period from reviving to maturity. Es increased while Es/ET decreased with increasing irrigation amount. Sprinkler irrigation scheduling with relatively large irrigation quota and low irrigation frequency can reduce Es and promote the irrigation water use efficiency.     

Yield Evaluation ofTwenty-EightAIfalfa Cultivars in Hebei Province of China

Cultivar selection is important for alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） hay production. From 2009 to 2012, a field study was conducted to evaluate the dry matter yield （DMY） of 28 cultivars in Cangzhou District of Hebei Province, China, and to determine the most suitable cultivars for this province and other zones with similar climate conditions. 28 alfalfa cultivars were sown in late March of 2009 and were harvested for hay four times in each subsequent year. The results showed that the climatic conditions resulted in significant differences in annual DMY among years, with the second year being the highest and the first year the lowest. The top five cultivars with the highest total DMY were L2750 （62.75 t ha^-1）, Hom （62.72 t ha^-1）, 86-266 （61.55 t ha^-1）, German （61.44 t ha^-1） and Zhongmu 1 （61.18 t ha^-1）, respectively. Across all four years, first harvest had the highest ratios to annual DMY except the cultivar of Rambler, while the fourth harvest had the lowest ratio. There were positive correlation relationships between DMY of each harvest and annual DMY, and the correlation coefficients were all significant in four years. And the path coefficients of first harvest were always the highest in four years. The qualities showed small variations among these cultivars and the cultivar L3750 presented the highest crude protein in both years. Crude protein had significant positive correlation with relative feed value （RFV） in both years while crude fiber had significant negative correlation with RFV and crude fiber.     

Effects of fertigation scheme on N uptake and N use efficiency in cotton

While fertigation can increase fertilizer use efficiency, there is an uncertainly as to whether the fertilizer should be introduced at the beginning of the irrigation or at the end, or introduced during irrigation. Our objective was to determine the effect of different fertigation schemes on nitrogen (N) uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) in cotton plants. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in year 2004 and 2005. According to the application timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer solution and water (W) involved in an irrigation cycle, four nitrogen fertigation schemes [nitrogen applied at the beginning of the irrigation cycle (N-W), nitrogen applied at the end of the irrigation cycle (W-N), nitrogen applied in the middle of the irrigation cycle (W-N-W) and nitrogen applied throughout the irrigation cycle (N&W)] were employed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Cotton was grown in plastic containers with a volume of 84 l, which were filled with a clay loam soil and fertilized with 6.4 g of N per pot as unlabeled and 15N-labeled urea for 2004 and 2005, respectively. Plant total dry matter (DM) and N content in N-W was significantly higher than in N&W in both seasons, but these were not consistent for W-N and W-N-W treatments. In year 2005, a significantly higher nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDFF) for the whole plant was found in W-N and N-W than that in W-N-W and N&W. Fertigation scheme had a consistent effect on total NUE: N-W had the highest NUE for the whole plant, but this was not significantly different from W-N. Treatments W-N and W-N-W had similar total NUE, and N&W had the lowest total NUE. After harvesting, the total residual fertilizer N in the soil was highest in W-N, lowest in N-W, but this was not significantly different from N&W and W-N-W treatments. Total residual NO3-N in the soil in N&W and W-N treatments was 20.7 and 21.2% higher than that in N W, respectively. The total 15 N recovery was not statistically significant between the four fertigation schemes. In this study, the fertigation scheme N-W (nitrogen applied at the beginning of an irrigation cycle) increased DM accumulation, N uptake and NUE of cotton. This study indicates that Nitrogen application at the beginning of an irrigation cycle has an advantage on N uptake and NUE of cotton. Therefore, NUE could be enhanced by optimizing fertilization schemes with drip irrigation.     

Crisis of Water Resources on the Ulan Buh Desert Oases, Inner Mongolia, China-A Case Study of Dengkou County

Hetao Plain, composed of hundreds of oases, is one of the most important grain-producing areas in China. Most crops, especially wheat and corn, depend on irrigation, thus water availability is a key issue for grain productivity on this land. The Yellow River is the main water source for irrigation and a crisis of water resources for agricultural use occurs because of increasingly reduced river flows and water-using competition with industry and human residential use. In order to understand the current situation and distribution of water resources on these oases, we collected 20-yr’s data of river runoff, irrigation volumes, infiltration and precipitation to examine the relationships between water resources distribution and its agricultural use. We found that the oasis in Dengkou county was short of water resources with a water deficit rate of 5.14% in 2010. Based on the trend of the data, water deficit will continue to increase as the population grows in the future. Water resource is a limiting factor to agricultural development in this region and proper management of water use and strategies for water resource conservation are urgently needed. Especially, based on our results we suggest that current irrigation methods need to be greatly improved to save the water that was lost from evaporation.     

Changes in Soil Properties Under the Influences of Cropping and Drip Irrigation During the Reclamation of Severe Salt-Affected Soils

Reclamation of salt-affected land plays an important role in mitigating the pressure of agricultural land due to competition with industry and construction in China. Drip irrigation was found to be an effective method to reclaim salt-affected land. In order to improve the effect of reclamation and sustainability of salt-affected land production, a field experiment （with reclaimed 1-3 yr fields） was carried out to investigate changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties during the process of reclamation with cropping maize and drip irrigation. Results showed that soil bulk density in 0-20 cm soil layer decreased from 1.71 g·cm-3 in unreclaimed land to 1.44 g ·cm^-3 in reclaimed 3 yr fields, and saturated soil water content of 0-10 cm layer increased correspondingly from 20.3 to 30.2%. Both soil salinity and pH value in 0-40 cm soil layer dropped markedly after reclaiming 3 yr. Soil organic matter content reduced, while total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium all tended to increase after cropping and drip irrigation. The quantities of bacteria, actinomycete, and fungi in 0-40 cm soil layer all greatly increased with increase of reclaimed years, and they tended to distribute homogeneously in 0-40 cm soil profile. The urease activity and alkaline phosphatase activity in 0-40 cm soil layers were also enhanced, but the sucrase activity was not greatly changed. These results indicated that after crop cultivation and drip irrigation, soil physical environment and nutrients status were both improved. This was benefit for microorganism＇s activity and plant＇s growth.     

Effect of Partial Root-Zone Irrigating Deuterium Oxide on the Properties of Water Transportation and Distribution in Young Apple Trees

Partial root-zone irrigation （PRI） has been proved to be an optimal water-saving irrigation technology, however, few studies were done on water transportation and distribution under PRI. The present study was performed to investigate the water transportation and distribution among the wet and dry root-zones and the shoot using deuterium water （D2O） in 1/4 root-zone PRI experiment. It also aimed to determine and analyze the D2O relative abundance within different types of roots and shoots. The results indicated that water could be transported from roots in wet root-zone to roots in dry root-zone and shoots within 2 h after irrigation. Water transportation in roots of wet-zone was carried out by absorbing root, 1-2 mm root, 2-5 mm root, and〉5 mm root progressively, while through a reverse process in three dry root-zones. In shoots, water was transported to trunk, central trunk, annual branches, shoot and leaf progressively. Thus in the young apple trees subjected to PRI, water was distributed ifrst in the roots, including the roots in the wet and dry root-zones, to satisfy the water need of roots itself, and then transported to the shoot within hours of irrigation.     

Root Function in Nutrient Uptake and Soil Water Effect on NO3- -N and NH4＋-N Migration

Root function in uptake of nutrients and the effect of soil water on the transfer and distribution of NO3^--N in arable soil were studied using summer maize （Zea mays L. var. Shandan 9） as a testing crop. Results showed that root growth and water supply had a significant effect on NO3^--N transfer and made NO3^--N distributed evenly from bulk soil to rhizosphere soil. Under a natural condition with irrigation, the difference of NO3^--N concentration at different distance points from a maize plant was smaller, while obvious difference of NO3^--N concentration was observed under conditions of limited root growth space without irrigation. Whether root growth space was restricted or not, the content of soil NO3^--N decreased gradually from 10 to 0 cm from the plant, being opposite to the root absorbing area in soils. When root-grown space was limited, changes of NO3^--N concentration at different distances from a plant were similar to that of water content in tendency. Results showed that NO3^--N could be transferred as solute to plant root systems with water uptake by plants. However, the transfer and distribution of NH4^--N were not influenced by root growth and soil water supply, being different to NO3^--N.     

The Potential Contribution of Subsurface Drip Irrigation to Water-Saving Agriculture in the Western USA

Water shortages within the western USA are resulting in the adoption of water-saving agricultural practices within this region. Among the many possible methods for saving water in agriculture, the adoption of subsurface drip irrigation （SDI） provides a potential solution to the problem of low water use efficiency. Other advantages of SDI include reduced NO3 leaching compared to surface irrigation, higher yields, a dry soil surface for improved weed control, better crop health, and harvest flexibility for many specialty crops. The use of SDI also allows the virtual elimination of crop water stress, the ability to apply water and nutrients to the most active part of the root zone, protection of drip lines from damage due to cultivation and tillage, and the ability to irrigate with wastewater while preventing human contact. Yet, SDI is used only on a minority of cropland in the arid western USA. Reasons for the limited adoption of SDI include the high initial capital investment required, the need for intensive management, and the urbanization that is rapidly consuming farmland in parts of the western USA. The contributions of SDI to increasing yield, quality, and water use efficiency have been demonstrated. The two major barriers to SDI sustainability in arid regions are economics （i.e., paying for the SDI system）, including the high cost of installation; and salt accumulation, which requires periodic leaching, specialized tillage methods, or transplanting of seedlings rather than direct-seeding. We will review advances in irrigation management with SDI.     

Reducing Ammonia Volatilization from Maize Fields with Separation of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Water in an Alternating Furrow Irrigation System

The objective of this 2-yr field trial, with a central composite rotatable design, was to assess and quantify the effects of separation of nitrogen fertilizer and water with alternating furrow irrigation （SNWAFI） practices on soil ammonia （NH3） emission during the summer maize （Zea mays L.） growing season. Ammonia volatilization after N sidedress and irrigation ranged from 4.8 to 17.0 kg N ha-1 and 6.2 to 20.6 kg N hal, respectively, in 2008 and 2009. The lower N input contributed to lower NH3 loss but lower yield, whereas the higher N input induced higher yield as well as higher NH3 loss. Ammonia intensity （NH3 volatilization per crop yield） after N sidedress and irrigation was 1.2-3.0 kg NH3-N t-1 yield in 2008 and 1.1-3.2 kg NH3-N t1 yield in 2009. The predicted minimum NH3 intensity in 2008 was 1.6 kg NH3-N fl yield and was obtained with the combined application of 127 kg N ha^-1 and 108 mm irrigation water. In 2009, the predicted minimum NH3 intensity was 1.3 kg NH3-N t-j yield and was obtained with the combined application of 101 kg N ha-1 and 83 mm irrigation water. We conclude that SNWAFI practices with optimum rates of water and fertilizer can significantly reduce soil NH3 intensity and maintain yield. It was more beneficial for sustainable farming strategies to minimize the NH3 intensity rather than reduce absolute NH3 emissions alone.     

Effects of Ridge-Mulching with Plastic Sheets for Rainwater-Harvesting Cultivation on WUE and Yield of Winter Wheat

A field experiment was conducted in a manural loesial soil in middle of Shaanxi Province of China, a sub-humid area prone to drought, to study the effects of rainwater-harvesting cultivation on water use efficiency (WUE) and yield of winter wheat. Ridge-furrow tillage was used, the ridge being mulched by plastic sheets for rainwater harvesting while seeding in the furrows. Results showed that from sowing to reviving stage of winter wheat, water stored in 0-100cm layer was significantly decreased whereas that in 100-200cm layer did not change. Compared to the non-mulching, plastic mulch retained 6.5mm more water as an average of the two N rate treatments, having a certain effect on conservation of soil moisture. In contrast, at harvest, water was remarkably reduced in both the 0-100cm and the 100-200cm layers, and mulched plots consumed 34.8mm more water as an average of the two treatments: low N rate (75kg N ha^-1) with low plant density (2300000 plants ha^-1) and high N rate (225 kg N ha^-1)with high plant density (2800000 plants ha^-1) , in 0-200cm layer than those without mulching, the former being beneficial to plants in utilization of deep layer water. Mulching was significant in harvesting water and in increase of yield. Mulched with plastic sheets, biological and grain yields were 22.5 and 22.6% higher for the average of the high N rate than for the low N rate,and the high N rate with low plant density was 29.8 and 29.1% higher in both biological and grain yields than that of the low N rate with low plant density. With high N rate and high plant density, the mulched biological and grain yields were 39.5 and 28.9% higher than the corresponding treatments without mulching. Of the treatments, that with high N rate and low plant density was the highest in both biological and grain yields, and the water use efficiency reached 43.7kg mm^-1 ha^-1 for biological yield and 22 kg nn^-1 ha^-1 for grain yield, being the highest WUE reported in the world up to now.     

Effects of different irrigation methods on micro-environments and root distribution in winter wheat fields

The irrigation method used in winter wheat fields affects micro-environment factors, such as relative humidity(RH) within canopy, soil temperature, topsoil bulk density, soil matric potential, and soil nutrients, and these changes may affect plant root growth.An experiment was carried out to explore the effects of irrigation method on micro-environments and root distribution in a winter wheat field in the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons.The results showed that border irrigation(BI), sprinkler irrigation(SI), and surface drip irrigation(SDI) had no significant effects on soil temperature.Topsoil bulk density, RH within the canopy, soil available N distribution, and soil matric potential were significantly affected by the three treatments.The change in soil matric potential was the key reason for the altered root profile distribution patterns.Additionally, more fine roots were produced in the BI treatment when soil water content was low and topsoil bulk density was high.Root growth was most stimulated in the top soil layers and inhibited in the deep layers in the SDI treatment, followed by SI and BI, which was due to the different water application frequencies.As a result, the root profile distribution differed, depending on the irrigation method used.The root distribution pattern changes could be described by the power level variation in the exponential function.A good knowledge of root distribution patterns is important when attempting to model water and nutrient movements and when studying soil-plant interactions.     

Drip Irrigation Scheduling for Tomato Grown in Solar Greenhouse Based on Pan Evaporation in North China Plain

This study has investigated the suitable drip irrigation scheduling for tomato grown in solar greenhouse based on 20-cm pan evaporation (Epan ) in North China Plain. Irrigation treatments included three irrigation frequencies (I1 10, I2 20 and I3 30 mm, and irrigation interval of 2-6 d for I1 , 4-9 d for I2 and 8-12d for I3 ) based on accumulated pan evaporation (Epan ), and four plant-pan coefficients (Kcp1 0.5, Kcp2 0.7, Kcp3 0.9 and Kcp4 1.1). Results indicate that total irrigation amount, seasonal crop evapotranspiration (ET) and tomato yield (Y) were 185.1-365.8 mm, 249.1-388.0 mm and 99.6-151.8 t ha-1, respectively. Irrigation frequency and amount increased the yield, and second-degree polynomial relationship was found between Y and ET (R2=0.8671). Irrigation frequency did not increase mean fruit weight, diameter and length significantly but increased fruit number, total soluble solids content (TSS), TSS yield, fruit firmness and water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation WUE (IWUE) significantly. Irrigation amount increased external quality of tomato but reduced TSS content, TSS yield, fruit firmness, WUE and IWUE significantly. Kcp3 and Kcp4 treatments had the highest fruit yield, but Kcp2 and Kcp3 treatments had the highest WUE. I1 Kcp3 treatment (irrigation interval of 2-6 d, and Kcp =0.9) had higher IWUE, WUE, external quality, yield, and TSS yield, so it is recommended as the suitable irrigation scheduling for tomato grown in solar greenhouse in North China Plain.     

Vertical Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of Fine Root Parameters for Apple Trees of Different Ages on the Loess Plateau of China

The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was used to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots at different root radial distances （1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m from the main tree trunk）. The fine root biomass density （FRD）, fine root length density （RLD）, and specific root length （SRL）, as well as soil water content and soil temperature were also measured. The FRD and RLD for the 10, 15, and 20 years old trees reached peak values in the 20-30 cm soil layer. For the 3 years old tree, the highest FRD and RLD were observed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The FRD and RLD decreased with increased soil depth from the 10-20 or 20-30 cm soil layer for all age apple trees. The SRL declined with the increase of tree age. The FRD at the 1.0 m radial distance from the main tree trunk was higher than that at other radial distances in the 3 and 10 years old orchard. However, in the 15 and 20 years old orchards, especially the 20 years old orchard, the FRD at the 2.0 m radial distance was nearly equal to or higher than that at the 1.0 and 1.5 m radial distances. For all the root radiuses or the tree ages, the FRD, RLD, and SRL were the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The age of an apple tree does not affect the vertical distribution pattern but the biomass of fine roots and the SRL. Radial distance affects the root horizontal distribution of 3 and 10 years old trees but the 15 and 20 years old trees. Additionally, effects of soil temperature and soil moisture on fine root distribution or seasonal dynamics are not significant.