Effects of tillage and seeding methods on soil physical properties and yield of upland rice for an ultisol in southeast Nigeria

The yield of direct-seeded and transplanted upland rice was investigated for seven tillage methods for an ultisol in a high rainfall region of southeastern Nigeria. The tillage methods were: two compaction passes of a 6-t roller with and without residue mulch; six compaction passes with mulch; ploughing with and without mulch and no-till with and without mulch. Soil compaction decreased seedling emergence and shoot and root growth. Residue mulching decreased seedling emergence by 35.6% in direct-seeded rice. There were more leaves, productive tillers and dry matter in the ploughed plots. Root densities at 10–20- and 20–30-cm depths were higher by 157 and 47%, respectively, in ploughed treatments. The highest grain yields of 6.3 and 6.1 Mg ha⁻¹ in ploughed plots for the first and second seasons, respectively, were associated with greater uptake of P, Na, Fe and Zn at flowering and of N, Mg, K, Mn and Cu at both maximum tillering and flowering growth stages. The grain yield in the first season was 2.1 and 2.5 Mg ha⁻¹ for two- and six-compaction pass mulched plots, respectively. In the second season, the yields of no-till and compacted treatments were identical and ranged from 1.5 to 2.4 Mg ha⁻¹. Mulching decreased grain yield by 43, 27 and 12% on compacted, no-till and ploughed plots, respectively, due to transient flooding and mechanical impedance to seedling emergence by the mulch cover. Within the unmulched treatments, ploughing increased rice yield by 71 and 35% over two compaction passes and the no-till treatments, respectively. The least bulk density and penetrometer resistance were also observed in ploughed plots.     

Maize growth responses to deep tillage, straw mulching and farmyard manure in coarse textured soils of N.W. India

Abstract. The effects of deep tillage, straw mulching and farmyard manure on maize growth in loamy sand and sandy loam soils were studied in experiments lasting three years. Treatments included all combinations of conventional tillage (10 cm deep) and deep tillage (35–40 cm deep), two farmyard manure rates (0 and 15 t/ha) and two mulch rates (0 and 6 t/ha), replicated three times in a randomixed block design.
Deep tillage decreased soil strength and caused deeper and denser rooting. Mulching decreased maximum soil temperature and kept the surface layers wetter resulting in better root growth. Farmyard manure also improved root growth, and the crop then extracted soil water more efficiently. All three treatments increased grain yield in the loamy sand, but in the sandy loam only tillage and farmyard manure increased yields significantly. Deep tillage and straw mulch effects varied with soil type and amount of rainfall in the growing season. In the loamy sand the mean responses to deep tillage and mulching were largest in a dry year. A tillage-mulch interaction was significant in the loamy sand.     

Effect of tillage and mulching on soil environment and cowpea seedling growth under arid conditions

A study was conducted during 1982 and 1983 to determine the effect of tillage and mulching on soil environment and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. FS-68) seedling growth under arid conditions. One disking and three diskings with a disc harrow up to 15-cm depth improved the soil environment and increased the final seedling emergence count, but did not affect the population of Macrophomina phaseolina in soil. Disking also increased plant growth and markedly reduced seedling mortality. Placement of weed mulch in-between the crop rows at the rate of 6 t ha⁻¹ along with disking treatments significantly increased the mean moisture status of the 15-cm soil depth by 1.4% on a dry weight basis (P_w), significantly decreased the mean maximum temperature of the 10-cm depth (measured at 2 p.m.) by 3.9°C and thus increased plant growth and dry matter production. Mulching also markedly reduced the population of M. phaseolina and the mortality of the cowpea seedlings.     

Interactive effect of tillage depth and mulch on soil temperature, productivity and water use pattern of rainfed barley (Hordium vulgare L.)

Soil porosity and organic matter content influence the hydrology, thermal status and productivity of agricultural soils. Shape, size and continuity of soil pores are determined by tillage practices. Thus appropriate tillage and mulch management can conserve residual soil moisture during the post rainy season. This can play a key role in enhancing productivity under the rainfed ecosystem of subhumid region in eastern India. A field study was carried out on a fine loamy soil from 1993–1994 to 1995–1996. Two tillage treatments were conventional ploughing (150 mm depth) and shallow ploughing (90 mm) depth. Each tillage practice was tested with three mulch management viz., no mulch, soil dust mulch and rice (Oryza sativa L.) straw mulch. Soil organic carbon, bulk density, moisture retentivity, soil temperature with productivity and water use pattern of barley (Hordium vulgare L.) were measured.Reduction in ploughing depth resulted in nominal increase in profile (0.0–1.2 m) moisture status, yield, and soil thermal status at 14:00 and water use efficiency (WUE). However, it decreased the magnitude of soil temperature in the morning (07:00). Straw mulch conserved 19–21 mm of moisture in the profile (1.2 m) over the unmulched condition. Both soil dust and rice straw mulching elevated soil thermal status at 07:00 as compared to unmulched condition, but this trend was reversed at 14:00. Straw mulching significantly increased grain yield and WUE over soil dust mulch and unmulched condition. Impact of straw mulch was more pronounced under shallow ploughing depth. Shallow tillage with rice straw mulching is recommended to the farmers to obtain higher level of yield and water use efficiency.     

Nutrient availability and cocoyam yield under different tillage practices

Research information on the effect of tillage systems on cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) growth, nutrient status and yield is lacking in Africa. The effects of zero tillage with mulch, zero tillage without mulch, manual mounding, manual ridging and conventional tillage on cocoyam yield, growth and nutrient availability were compared during 2 years on an Alfisol (Oxic Tropuldaf) at Owo in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. The surface soil (0–20 cm) was chemically analyzed before and after crop harvest and selected soil physical properties were determined. Concentration of soil organic C, N, P, K and Mg and the leaf N, P and K were significantly influenced (p = 0.05) by tillage, with zero tillage with mulch being the most effective treatment in conserving the fertility of the surface soil (0–20 cm). Soil fertility, as indicated by organic C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg, declined significantly (p = 0.05) over time in all tillage systems, but this decline was more pronounced in the conventional tillage. Zero tillage with mulch, zero tillage without mulch, manual mounding, manual ridging and conventional tillage reduced the soil organic C concentration by 20, 23, 23, 24 and 33%, respectively over the 2-year period. The decreases in soil N concentration were 25, 31, 31, 38 and 56%, soil P concentration were 13, 15, 17, 16 and 26%, and soil K concentration were 16, 26, 31, 37 and 53%, respectively. Tillage did not affect corm and cormel yields in the first year. In the second year, due to the elimination of ploughing, significant differences were obtained in the cormel yield but not of corm yield. In 2005, zero tillage with mulch produced the highest cormel yield (13.5 mg ha⁻¹) of cocoyam followed by zero tillage without mulch (13.2 mg ha⁻¹), manual mounding (12.7 mg ha⁻¹) and manual ridging (12.5 mg ha⁻¹). The lowest cormel yield (9.5 mg ha⁻¹) of cocoyam was produced by conventional tillage. Soil water contents in zero tillage with mulch and zero tillage without mulch were significantly higher (p = 0.05) than in the other tillage systems. Soil bulk density ranging from 1.21 to 1.40 mg m⁻³ correlated positively with leaf nutrient concentration and yield. Cocoyam can be grown successfully on zero tillage, with mulch and without mulch or minimum tillage systems on an Alfisol of the humid tropics.     

Direct drilling and soil loosening for spring cereals on a fine sandy loam in Atlantic Canada

Changes in soil structure and properties, plant growth and diseases and agronomic aspects were determined, after 3 years, on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam, an Orthic Podzol with a perhumid soil moisture regime, subjected to three tillage systems for spring cereals. The tillage systems consisted of direct drilling, soil loosening with a “paraplow” followed by direct drilling and mouldboard ploughing.

Rate of plant growth and other crop measurements were not changed by the tillage systems, except for the depth of seeding. Direct drilling reduced the accumulation of N and K in the plant, and reduced grain N, compared with mouldboard ploughing. Soil loosening prior to direct drilling prevented the decline in N and K accumulation, and increased grain yield and N content, in comparison with mouldboard ploughing. Direct drilling caused changes in soil macro-aggregation and reduced the evaporation rate, and increased microbial biomass C and N, total organic C and N and extractable ions at the soil surface (0–5 cm), compared with mouldboard ploughing. In addition, earthworm numbers were increased under direct drilling. Root lesion and spiral nematodes were not influenced by tillage differences.

Soil loosening prior to direct drilling alleviated the significant reductions in soil macroporosity, and prevented the increase in soil bulk density, soil strength and percentage water-filled pore space (%WFPS) associated with direct drilling alone. Although soil permeability was optimum under direct drilling alone, the relative increase in %WFPS and reduction in soil aeration were associated with a concomitant increase in common root rot.     

黑土稻田连续深耕改善土壤理化性质提高水稻产量大田试验

为了明确深耕对水田土壤理化性质及水稻产量影响,该文在黑土型水稻土上开展深耕研究,应用自主研发的水田深翻犁,开展深翻、浅翻与旋耕大区对比研究。结果表明:浅翻和深翻可以降低土壤固相比率和容重,与旋耕相比,土壤固相比率降低幅度分别为0.74%~4.80%和1.86%~3.90%;10~20 cm土层土壤容重分别下降0.09 g/cm~3和0.08 g/cm~3,20~30 cm土层深翻处理土壤容重比旋耕下降0.03 g/cm~3;10~20 cm土层土壤的通气系数和饱和透水系数浅翻处理比旋耕分别提高4.04倍和2.71倍,深翻提高4.42倍和2.14倍;20~30 cm深翻比旋耕提高1.86倍和2.87倍,2年趋势一致;深翻可使土壤养分指标在各层趋于平均化;深耕可促进水稻根系生长,根系的生长量与根长增加幅度为6.53%~16.33%和10.81%~21.62%,深翻好于浅翻;深耕提高水稻产量,2015年浅翻和深翻处理水稻实测产量分别比旋耕增产6.91%和9.81%,2016年增产6.59%和7.84%,2年增产趋势一致。     

盐化草甸土和黑土型水田土壤连续深耕改土效果

为明确深耕在不同类型水田土壤上的改土效果及对水稻产量的影响,该研究应用自主研发水田深耕犁,在黑土和盐化草甸土上开展深翻、浅翻与旋耕对比试验研究。结果表明,深耕在不同类型土壤上对水稻产量及土壤理化性质影响存在差异:1)黑土深翻区增产7.28%~8.37%,浅翻区增产6.02%~7.72%,盐化草甸土深翻区和浅翻区与旋耕相比第1年水稻产量差异不大;第2年减产9.96%~11.03%;2)翻耕促进黑土土壤养分均一化,耕作层土壤养分降低不明显,土层间养分含量差异变小,盐化草甸土深耕后造成表层养分浓度降低,0~20 cm土层浅翻区和深翻区土壤有机质与对照相比分别下降4.57和6.68 g/kg,全氮分别下降0.24和0.29 g/kg,碱解氮0~10 cm土层分别比对照降低2.31和11.52 mg/kg,pH值明显增加,0~30cm土层交换性Na+浓度增加;3)与对照相比,浅翻和深翻降低了黑土下层土固相比率、容重,提高土壤通气、透水性,10~20 cm土层土壤固相比率比对照分别降低4.23%和3.23%,土壤容重下降0.09 g/cm3和0.08 g/cm3,通气系数分别提高3.04倍和3.42倍,透水系数提高1.71倍和1.14倍;20~30 cm土层深翻区土壤固相比率降低1.86%,通气系数和饱和透水系数比对照提高0.86倍和1.87倍;盐化草甸土浅翻区和深翻区均有增加下层土固相率和容重,降低通气、透水性的趋势。盐化草甸土水田不适合深耕,黑土型水田土壤深耕可改善土壤理化性质,提高水稻产量。     

深松条件下不同地表覆盖对马铃薯产量及水分利用效率的影响

水分不足是限制旱区作物生长的主要因素,覆盖耕作能够改善土壤的微环境,从而显著提高作物的产量和水分利用效率。为探讨深松结合地表覆盖对土壤物理性状、马铃薯生长、产量及水分利用效率的影响,2013-2015年在宁南旱区采用深松覆盖秸秆、深松覆盖地膜、深松不覆盖3种覆盖耕作模式,以传统耕作不覆盖为对照,对土壤体积质量、团聚体、水分、马铃薯产量和水分利用效率等方面的影响进行了研究。结果表明,与传统耕作相比,深松结合地表覆盖可有效降低耕层土壤体积质量,改善土壤孔隙状况,以深松覆盖秸秆处理效果最佳,深松覆盖秸秆处理0~40 cm平均土壤体积质量较传统耕作降低17.1%。与传统耕作相比,深松覆盖地膜和深松覆盖秸秆处理可使0~40 cm土层0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体数量显著增加30.7%和17.4%。深松结合不同覆盖方式能有效改善马铃薯生育期0~200 cm土层土壤水分状况,深松覆盖地膜对作物生育前期土壤水分保蓄效果较好,深松覆盖秸秆对生育中后期土壤水分状况的改善效果最佳。深松结合不同覆盖方式下马铃薯植株株高、茎粗及地上部生物量均显著高于传统耕作。作物生育前期以深松覆盖地膜处理效果最佳,中后期以深松覆盖秸秆处理促进作用明显。深松结合地表覆盖能明显提高马铃薯的产量和水分利用效率,深松覆秸秆处理的马铃薯产量、商品薯率和水分利用效率分别较传统耕作处理平均提高37.3%、93.3%和41.2%。通过两年试验研究,在宁南旱区采用深松结合地表覆盖措施具有良好的蓄水保墒效果,对马铃薯生长有利,以深松覆盖秸秆处理的增产和提高水分利用效率效果最为显著。     

耕作方式与秸秆覆盖对夏玉米根系分布及产量的影响

为探究夏玉米根系分布及水分利用效率对不同耕作结合秸秆覆盖模式的动态响应,于2017年和2018年在河套灌区开展不同耕作模式田间试验。试验设置,常规(CK)、秸秆表覆(BF)、深翻结合秸秆深埋(SM)和深翻结合秸秆深埋与表覆(BFSM)4种处理。结果表明,BF处理显著提高水平向根长密度,较CK处理高24.7%,SM、BFSM处理显著提高深层根长密度,较CK处理高23.8%;2017年夏玉米根长密度与标准化根深呈显著的三阶多项式函数关系,用2018年实测值率定效果较好,可较好描述不同耕作模式根长密度分布。BF、SM、BFSM处理较CK处理根冠比显著提高3.8%、20.8%、26.4%(P<0.05),较CK处理夏玉米产量及水分利用效率分别显著提高8.6%、19.5%、19.7%和13.6%、32.3%、34.8%(P<0.05),SM与BFSM处理差异不显著。该研究为河套灌区农业耕作模式提供一定借鉴。     

耕作措施对土壤特性及作物产量的影响

通过夏玉米田间试验研究了不同耕作措施及秸秆覆盖对土壤特性、水分状况、作物产量及水分利用效率的影响。试验处理包括常规耕作、深松、秸秆覆盖、垄作、浅坑及免耕。结果表明,秸秆覆盖可显著提高土壤蓄水量、作物产量及水分利用效率。其保水增产效果在干旱年份更加明显。深松可有效打破犁底层降低其密度,可增加作物根深、根长及根重,提高作物产量和水分利用效率。免耕可提高夏玉米早期田间土壤含水率,保持相同产量。     

Characterization of soil physical properties and organic matter under long-term primary tillage in a humid climate

Chisel ploughing is considered to be a potential conservation tillage method to replace mouldboard ploughing for annual crops in the cool-humid climate of eastern Canada. To assess possible changes in some soil physical and biological properties due to differences in annual primary tillage, a study was conducted for 9 years in Prince Edward Island on a Tignish loam, a well-drained Podzoluvisol, to characterize several mouldboard and chisel ploughing systems (at 25 cm), under conditions of similar crop productivity. The influence of primary tillage on the degree of soil loosening, soil permeability, and both organic matter distribution throughout the soil profile and organic matter content in soil particle size fractions was determined. At the time of tillage, chisel ploughing provided a coarser soil macrostructure than mouldboard ploughing. Mouldboard ploughing increased soil loosening at the lower depth of the tillage zone compared to chisel ploughing. These transient differences between primary tillage treatments had little effect on overall soil profile permeability and hydraulic properties of the tilled/non-tilled interface at the 15–30 cm soil depth. Although soil microbial biomass, on a volume basis, was increased by 30% at the 0–10 cm soil depth under chisel ploughing, no differences were evident between tillage systems over the total tillage depth. Mouldboard ploughing increased total orgainc carbon by 43% at the 20–30 cm soil depth, and the carbon and nitrogen in the organic matter fraction ≤ 53 μm by 18–44% at the 10–30 cm soil depth, compared to chisel ploughing.     

地膜覆盖与秸秆深埋对河套灌区盐渍土水盐运动的影响

为探索不同耕作措施的控抑盐效果,采用大田试验方法,以耕翻(CKT)、地膜覆盖(CKP)、秸秆深埋(CKS)为对照,研究了地膜覆盖与秸秆深埋(P+S)措施对河套灌区盐碱葵花田土壤水盐时空动态变化的影响。结果表明:1)P+S措施可稳定蓄水保墒,尤其针对20～40cm土层具有持续保墒效果,收获期P+S处理>20～40cm土层含水率为20.69%,比CKP高5.62%,比CKS高38.03%,比CKT高39.80%;2)P+S措施可显著抑制积盐。播前到收获期,P+S处理积盐量为0.06g/kg,分别比CKS、CKP和CKT处理低35.11%、133.78%和276.89%;3)P+S措施可建立"高水低盐"的土壤溶液系统,显著提升并延续灌溉淋洗在>20～60cm土层形成的淡化效果,形成"苗期根域淡化层";4)P+S措施可降低土壤体积质量,增加土壤有机质和含水率,从而抑制矿化度较高的潜水蒸发,防止"盐随水来",提高产量。研究成果可为内蒙古河套灌区盐渍土实施地膜覆盖与秸秆深埋改良措施提供参考。     

Effect of deep tillage on soil physical properties and maize yields on coarse textured soils

The effects of deep tillage on soil physical properties and maize yields were evaluated on a loamy sand soil in which the bulk density distribution did not show a distinct root-limiting soil zone. Sub-soiling, mould-board ploughing and deep digging to 45 cm were compared with conventional tillage with and without irrigation. The tillage operations slightly decreased the bulk density of soil at all working depths. Sub-soiling and deep digging decreased the soil penetration resistance in the 20–40-cm layer to one-tenth of that in the control. They induced deeper and greater rooting and increased profile water use compared with conventional tillage. Sub-soiling, mould-board ploughing and deep digging increased plant height by 30–35 cm and yielded 80–100% more stover and 70–350% more grain than the control in different experiments.     

Impact of five different tillage systems on soil organic carbon content and the density,biomass, and community composition of earthworms after a ten year period

To assess the impact of different types of soil tillage on the density, biomass, and community composition of earthworms, a long-term field study was performed in which soils were tilled in different ways for ten years. This study included five different types of tillage: (i) plough, (ii) grubber, (iii) disc harrow, (iv) mulch sowing, and (v) direct sowing. At the end of the experiment the earthworm density, biomass, and community composition, and the SOC (soil organic carbon) content were determined. The results show that density, biomass, and community composition of earthworm populations varied in relation to the type of soil tillage used. The density of anecic earthworm species decreased when soils were managed by conventional ploughing, relative to reduced tillage practices, whereas conversely the density of endogeic species increased. Additionally, the varying types of soil tillage influenced the abundance and biomass of different earthworm species in different ways. The density of Aporrectodea caliginosa was positively influenced by ploughing, whereas Aporrectodea longa, Lumbricus castaneus, and Satchellius mammalis showed a positive relationship to the grubber and Allolobophora chlorotica to direct sowing. We attribute these changes to modifications in the vertical distribution of SOC and varying potentials for mechanical damage of earthworms by tillage. A decrease in tillage intensity modified the vertical SOC distribution in the topsoil and consequently revealed positive effects on earthworm biodiversity, thus sustaining soil functioning.     

Spring wheat growth and 15N studies under zero and shallow tillage on the Canadian prairie

Zero-tillage (ZT) farming systems offer the potential of reducing soil erosion and conserving soil moisture on the semi-arid regions of the Canadian prairie. Since changes in soil tillage may alter the soil condition and environment, field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of ZT on spring wheat growth and ¹⁵N urea utilization and recovery. The study compared ZT and conventional shallow tillage (ST, 10 cm) systems, of 2–16-year duration, situated on a range of Chernozemic soils. Generally, ZT produced similar grain and straw yields as the ST; incidences of reduced yield under ZT were associated with poor seedling establishment. Characteristic lower soil temperature (1–4°C in seed row at 5-cm depth) under ZT was not related to crop yield, except for reduced early growth at one site. Soil moisture (to 120 cm) was similar between tillage systems, although moisture variations at the soil surface (0–5 cm), associated with differences in surface mulch, were apparent. Plant uptake of P and K was similar between tillage systems. Differences in N concentration, plant uptake of soil and fertilizer N and indices of available soil N between tillage systems over the growing season, tended to be small and did not differ substantially, although site or location differences were evident. Overall N yield was mainly related to the ability of the plant to utilize N for growth and plant yield. Recovery of the fertilizer N in the soil-plant system was not related to differences in soil tillage.     

Influence of tillage on crop residue cover, soil properties and yield components of cowpea in derived savannah ectones of Nigeria

The effects of five tillage treatments: no tillage (NT), disc harrowing (DH), mouldboard ploughing followed by disc harrowing (MPH), disc ploughing followed by disc harrowing (DPH), and disc ploughing followed by two passes of disc harrowing (DPHH) on crop residue cover, soil properties and some yield parameters of cowpea were investigated for a derived savannah ectone soil. The residue left on the soil surface for NT, DH, and MPH is not significantly different. The NT left 32.1 and 44.3% more residue on the soil surface than the DPH and DPHH treatments, respectively. The NT treatment had least average value of soil bulk density of 1.01 g/cm³. The mean soil bulk densities for the DH, MPH, DPH and DPHH vary between 1.20 and 1.35 g/cm³. The soil moisture content decreased with increasing soil depth. At the soil depth of 10–30 cm, the cone penetration resistance at NT was 1.18 MPa compared with 0.92 MPa for the DH treatment, although these were not significant (p≤0.05). The tillage treatments had a significant effect on grain yield, mass of leaves and stems, root length density, and number of pods per plant of cowpea except on the germination count. DH and NT treatments gave different grain yield and number of pods per plant but these values were not statistically different and represent the highest grain yield and number of pods per plant among the other treatments were considered. The root zone exploration revealed highest root density at shallow depths with the DH and MPH treatments.     

Root growth dynamics of spring cereals with discontinuation of mouldboard ploughing

A vigorous root system is essential for efficient use of plant nutrients. This paper focuses on root growth and its response to tillage changes in the most fertile soil horizon, 0–40 cm depth. The field experiment was established in 1995 on clay soil, with 45–50% clay and 5.5% organic matter in the topsoil. Three tillage treatments were mouldboard plough to a depth of 20 cm (conventional), field cultivator to a depth of 8 cm, and no primary tillage (conservation). The field had an oat (Avena sativa L.)–barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) crop rotation. In 1997–1998 and 2000, root distribution during the growing season was evaluated by a non-destructive minirhizotron (MR) and video recording method. Root length density and root diameter were also measured once a season (1997 and 1998) by destructive root sampling and image analysis of washed roots. At shoot elongation, root numbers increased more under conventional than conservation tillage, at soil depth of 10–25 cm. The effect was clear for both barley (1997) and oat (2000) with maximum root numbers of 175 and 210 per 100 cm² by mouldboard ploughing, but 120 and 170 per 100 cm² under unploughed conditions (in the whole 0–0.4 m region). The suboptimal condition of unploughed soil was also indicated by lower shoot nutrient contents at tillering (studied in 1997) and by higher penetrometer resistance (studied in 1998, 2000) and lower macroporosity (studied in 2000) at 10–25 cm soil depth. Root growth dynamics were similar for both plant species. Root diameter was not significantly affected by the tillage treatments. Discontinuation of mouldboard ploughing reduced root growth (P<0.05) within this clay soil 5 years after the tillage change, although conservation tillage preserved more water for plant use. The data show that a clay soil can be too dense for optimal rooting during the 3rd–6th-years after discontinuation of ploughing.     

The effect of tillage intensity on soil structure and winter wheat root/shoot growth

Despite a vast amount of data on the effect of tillage on crop productivity, surprisingly there is little detailed information available on the influence on below and aboveground crop growth dynamics. Such information is essential for developing sustainable cropping systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of tillage intensity on crop growth dynamics and soil structure. A tillage experiment was established in autumn 2002 on two Danish sandy loams (Foulum and Flakkebjerg) in a cereal‐based crop rotation. The tillage systems included in this study were direct drilling (D), harrowing 8–10 cm (H_8‐10), and ploughing (P). A single‐disc drill was used in the H_8‐10 and D treatments and a traditional seed drill in the P treatment. Measurements were carried out in 2004–05 and 2005–06 and winter wheat was grown in both years (first and second year winter wheat). Shoot and root growth was followed during the growing seasons using spectral reflectance and mini‐rhizotron measurements, respectively. A range of soil physical properties were measured. We found decreased early season shoot and root growth with decreasing tillage intensity. Differences diminished later in the growing season, although significant treatment effects were observed throughout the growing season for the second year winter wheat. The formerly ploughed layer in the D and H_8‐10 treatments was noticeably compacted as indicated by increases in both penetration resistance and bulk density. Nitrate leaching increased with decreasing tillage intensity for the first year winter wheat at Foulum. In general ploughing resulted in the highest grain yields. This study highlights the important interaction between soil structure and crop growth dynamics.     

华北平原秸秆覆盖冬小麦减产原因分析

秸秆覆盖是减少农田棵间蒸发和提高水分利用效率的措施之一。冬小麦/夏玉米一年两作种植中, 秸秆资源非常丰富, 随着机械化作业的发展, 小麦秸秆覆盖夏玉米技术在同类地区得到成功应用和推广。但夏玉米秸秆覆盖冬小麦后对冬小麦的生长发育产生了一些不利影响, 造成了冬小麦不增产或减产, 限制了该项技术的推广。秸秆覆盖造成冬小麦穗数的降低是冬小麦产量降低的主要原因, 其次是千粒重的降低。大部分研究表明秸秆覆盖小麦地表后, 使根区土壤温度白天最高温度低于不覆盖处理, 夜间的最低温度高于不覆盖处理, 土壤温度的日较差减小。秸秆覆盖下根区温度的变化可能是引起小麦生长发育滞后和产量降低的主导因素。本文综述了华北平原秸秆覆盖冬小麦减产原因, 为实现两熟区冬小麦秸秆覆盖提供理论依据。