Association between climate indices,aridity index,and rainfed crop yield in northeast of Iran

Agricultural drought occurs when there is a deficit in soil water supply to crops. Severe drought limits crop water availability and reduces yield. Rainfed crop production is very vulnerable to drought conditions and farmers in northeast of Iran who heavily depend on their rainfed cereals production usually suffer from drought occurrence. Based on history, any severe drought resulted in severe financial problems and forced the affected farmers to move to cities in search of alternative jobs. Any possibility to enable the farmers to mitigate or adapt to drought is highly required. In this study, the relationship between aridity index (AI) and detrended crop yield (1985–2005) of selected crops (wheat and barley) and the influence of three climate indices (AO, NAO and NINO-3.4) were assessed for Khorasan province in northeast of Iran. All associations were assessed at annual, seasonal (wet and dry seasons) and monthly scale considering both concurrent and lag correlations (1-year and 2-year lag). Our results indicated a significant correlation (P < 0.05) between the AI and crops yield mostly in central Khorasan province. Our study also showed that correlation coefficient between AI and barley yield was stronger than AI and wheat yield across all study locations. Seasonal (wet) AI showed significant correlation with crops yield. These results demonstrated that, in some areas of Khorasan, drought is one of the key causes of interannual yield variability. We also observed a significant association between NAO and NINO-3.4 with AI. Precipitation is one of the components of AI, so AI response to NAO and NINO-3.4 can be related to the observed association between this index and precipitation. It seems that these indices could be useful tools to monitor drought patterns and subsequent yield variability in some regions of Khorasan province.     

1961—2010年气候变化对西南冬小麦潜在和 雨养产量影响的模拟分析

利用农业气象试验站作物资料及土壤资料,评价 APSIM-Wheat 模型在西南地区的适应性,应用该模型分析该地区1961—2010年冬小麦潜在和雨养产量的时空变化特征,通过逐步回归分析揭示小麦生长季主要气象因子对潜在产量和雨养产量的影响及相对贡献率。研究结果表明： APSIM 模型对该区5个常用小麦品种的模拟效果较好,模拟与实测生育期的均方根误差(RMSE)在7.0 d 以内,地上部分生物量和产量模拟值与实测值的归一化均方根误差(NRMSE)均低于25%,模型在西南地区具有较好的适应性。1961—2010年研究区域36%的站点冬小麦生长季总辐射显著降低,其中北部、东南部和南部中区最显著;68%的站点生长季≥0℃有效积温显著增加,西部增温显著;30%的站点生长季平均气温日较差显著减小,南部中区最显著;全区生长季总降水大面积减少但不显著,减少区主要位于最南端和东南部。模拟的冬小麦潜在产量在65%的站点呈显著减产趋势,南部中区和北部变化最明显;雨养产量在25%的站点显著降低,北部地区较明显,全区减产趋势较弱。减产显著的站点中,生长季辐射降低、温度升高、气温日较差减小对潜在产量降低的贡献率分别为45%、36%和2%,对雨养产量降低的贡献率分别为36%、39%和－8%,而降水减少对雨养产量降低的贡献率为7%。西南冬小麦生长季辐射降低、温度升高及降水减少共同导致了冬小麦潜在和雨养产量的显著下降,而气温日较差的降低对冬小麦潜在和雨养产量的影响分别表现为负作用和正作用,整体上辐射和温度的影响程度最大。     

Spatial distribution of soil hydro-physical properties and morphometric analysis of a rainfed watershed as a tool for sustainable land use planning

In this study, high resolution (5.8 m) multi-spectral satellite data (IRS-P6, LISS IV) along with extensive ground information were used for sustainable land use planning of a rainfed watershed in eastern India (Bahasuni watershed, Dhenkanal, Orissa). Pedo-transfer functions were developed to predict soil water constants using easily measured parameters such as cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, oven-dry bulk density, soil texture, calcium carbonate etc. Different morphometric parameters like drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, bifurcation ratio, relief ratio, relative relief, etc., were analyzed in relation to the development of water resources in the watershed. A circulatory ratio of 0.56 indicated that the shape of the basin was fairly elongated and suggested that the area was not prone to flood. The elongated shape, together with a moderate bifurcation ratio (3.01), indicates moderate flow, moderate runoff and moderate sediment yield. A low drainage density (2.7 km/km²) furthermore implies the presence of permeable strata with high groundwater prospects and supports the assumption of moderate runoff and sediment yield. After studying potentials and prospects of soil hydro-physical properties and morphometric parameters, a suggested land use alternative was implemented in representative, rainfed rice areas of the watershed and was found to be more productive and more profitable.     

Evaluation of post-rainy season crops with residual soil moisture and different tillage methods in rice fallow of eastern India

In eastern India, farmers grow rice during rainy season (June-September) and land remains fallow after rice harvest in the post-rainy season (November-May) due to lack of sufficient rainfall or irrigation facilities. But in lowland areas of eastern India, sufficient carry-over residual soil moistures are available in rice fallow in the post-rainy season (November-March), which can be utilized for growing second crops in the region. During the post-rainy season when irrigation facilities are not available and rainfall is meager, effective utilization of carry-over residual soil moisture and conservation agriculture become imperative for second crop production after rice. Implementation of suitable tillage/seeding methods and other agro-techniques are thus very much important to achieve this objective. In this study four pulse crops (lathyrus, blackgram, pea, and greengram) were sown utilizing carry-over residual soil moisture and with different tillage/seeding methods viz. relay cropping (RC)/farmers’ practice, reduced tillage (only two ploughing) (RT), conventional tillage (CT) and zero tillage (ZT). Study revealed that the highest grain yields of 580, 630, 605 and 525 kg ha⁻¹ were obtained from lathyrus, blackgram, pea and green gram, respectively, with RT treatment. On the other hand, with conventional tillage, 34-44% lower yields were obtained than that of RT. Crops with reduced tillage performed better than that with zero tillage or relay cropping also. Impacts of different tillage methods on important soil physical properties like infiltration, bulk density were also studied after harvesting first crop (rice) and before growing second crops (pulses) in rice fallow. The lowest mean bulk density (1.42) was recorded in the surface soils of CT treatment while the corresponding value under ZT treatment was 1.54 Mg m⁻³.     

Effect of tillage and fertilizer levels on wheat yield, nitrogen uptake and their correlation with carbon isotope discrimination under rainfed conditions in north-west Pakistan

Appropriate cultural practices need to be determined for enhancing crop yields with low inputs under rainfed conditions. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of tillage practices and fertilizer levels on yield, nitrogen (N) uptake and carbon (C) isotope discrimination in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under semi-arid conditions at three sites in north-west Pakistan: NIFA, Urmar and Jalozai. Two fertilizer levels, 60 kg N ha⁻¹+30 kg P ha⁻¹ (L1) and 60 kg N ha⁻¹+60 kg P ha⁻¹ (L2), were applied to wheat grown under conventional tillage (T1) and no-tillage (T0) practices. Labeled urea having 1% ¹⁵N atom excess at 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied as aqueous solution in microplots within each treatment plot. A pre-sowing irrigation of 60 mm was applied and during the growing season, the crop relied entirely on rainfall (268 mm). Biomass yield, N uptake and stable C isotope composition (δ¹³C) of plants were determined at maturity. Yield of wheat was improved by tillage at two sites (Sites 1 and 2), while at the third site yield was reduced by tillage as compared with the no-tillage treatment. At Sites 1 and 2, nutrient addition (L2, 60 kg N ha⁻¹+60 kg P ha⁻¹) increased the yield of all plant parts (straw, grain and root) in contrast to Site 3 where only grain yield was increased significantly. Maximum grain yield of wheat was observed with tillage under nutrient level L2 at all sites. Generally, the tillage treatment did not affect the N content in plant parts compared with no-tillage (T0) treatment at all three sites. However, fertilizer N uptake by wheat was variable under different fertilizer levels and tillage practices. Nitrogen derived from fertilizer (Ndff) for grain at Site 2 was higher in tilled plots but was not affected by tillage practice at the other sites. The C isotope (δ¹³C) values varied from −28.96 to −26.03‰ under different treatments at the three sites. The δ¹³C values were less negative indicating more effective water use at Sites 2 and 3 compared to Site 1. The C isotope discrimination (Δ) values were positively correlated with yield of wheat straw (r=0.578^*), grain (r=0.951^**) and root (r=0.583^*). Further, the Δ in grain had significant negative relationship (r=0.912^**) with Ndff (%). The tillage practice exerted a positive effect on yield, N uptake and plant N derived from fertilizer by wheat compared to no-tillage. The positive correlation of Δ with grain, straw and root yields and negative correlation with the Ndff (%) by wheat suggest that this value (Δ) could be used to predict these parameters. However, further studies on different crops under varied environmental conditions are necessary.     

旱作和灌溉条件下小麦籽粒淀粉粒粒度的分布特征

在灌溉和旱作2种栽培条件下, 以籽粒淀粉含量不同的小麦品种鲁麦21和德99-3为试验材料, 研究了籽粒淀粉粒的分布特征及基因型差异。结果表明, 与灌溉栽培相比, 旱作栽培条件下2个小麦品种籽粒B型淀粉粒(2.0~9.8 mm和<9.8 mm)的体积、表面积百分比显著增加, 而粒径>18.8 mm的A型淀粉粒的体积、表面积百分比明显减少。水分亏缺降低了2个品种的籽粒直链淀粉和总淀粉含量, 而增加了籽粒蛋白质含量、峰值黏度和最终黏度, 这表明旱作栽培有利于小麦籽粒品质的改善。相关分析表明, 2个品种籽粒的直链淀粉和总淀粉含量均与2.0~9.8 μm和<9.8 mm的淀粉粒体积百分比呈负相关, 与9.8~18.8 mm的淀粉粒体积百分比呈正相关, 籽粒蛋白质含量与2.0~9.8 mm和<9.8 mm的淀粉粒呈显著和极显著正相关, 而与9.8~18.8 mm的淀粉粒呈负相关。表明小淀粉粒(2.0~9.8 mm和<9.8 mm)的直链淀粉和总淀粉含量较低、蛋白质含量较高, 而大淀粉粒(9.8~18.8 mm和>9.8 mm)具有较高的直链淀粉和总淀粉含量。     

Modelling soil detachment rates in rainfed agrosystems in the south-central Pyrenees

Distributed erosion models are potential tools for identifying soil sediment sources and guiding efficient Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) planning. However, the uncertainty of model predictions has yet to be resolved. Splash erosion is one of the most important mechanisms in soil loss. In this study, monthly splash detachment rates were predicted using the Morgan, Morgan and Finney (MMF) empirical erosion model and the more complex Revised Morgan, Morgan and Finney (RMMF) erosion model. These two models were used to assess active and abandoned fields in the Spanish Pyrenees. Land uses were barley fields, pasture, recently and old abandoned fields. Input parameters assessed were rainfall characteristics, soil properties, land forms, and land cover. The splash detachment rates predicted by the MMF and the RMMF models were higher for barley fields than for pasture and abandoned fields. However, the more complex RMMF model predicted lower splash detachment rates, especially in pastures. In contrast, runoff detachment was highest in old abandoned fields although rates were much lower than those of splash detachment. Moreover, soil detachment by runoff was low or equal to zero from November to May for the different land uses since the soil remained unsaturated during this period as a consequence of low rainfall intensities and soil surface roughness. Monthly values for total detachment were highest in barley fields, reaching a maximum of 17.2 and 16.9 Mg ha⁻¹ in September and October. The mean annual detachment rates for barley, pastures and recently and old abandoned fields were 81.1, 0.8, 61.8 and 22.3 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. The splash and runoff detachment rates of the RMMF model appeared to be sensitive to land cover factors, rainfall intensity and soil micro-topography, thus it is a better model for assessing soil detachment for various land uses. The comparison of erosion rates between the ¹³⁷Cs and the MMF and RMMF models shows that the models predict lower erosion rates due to the low estimated rates of the runoff transport capacity. However, the estimated and measured rates are in close agreement and are under the limit of the tolerable soil loss for soils under Mediterranean conditions.     

Genetic analysis of rainfed lowland rice drought tolerance under naturally-occurring stress in eastern India: Heritability and QTL effects

Drought tolerance is an important rainfed rice breeding objective, but because the heritability (H) of yield under drought stress is thought to be low, secondary physiological traits are considered better targets for selection than yield under stress per se. This assumption has rarely been tested, and there are no reports on H for yield under drought stress from experiments repeated over seasons in rainfed lowland rice. To assess the potential for improving yield under drought stress via direct selection, and to identify associated quantitative trait loci (QTL), doubled haploid lines with a narrow range of flowering dates, derived from the population CT9993-5-10-1-M/IR62266-42-6-2, were screened under full irrigation and severe drought stress induced by draining the paddy before flowering in 2000–2002 at Raipur, India. Drought stress reduced mean yield by 80%. H was similar in stress and non-stress trials, as was the relative magnitude of the genotype and genotype × year variances. The genetic correlation between yield in stress and non-stress conditions was 0.8, indicating that about 64% of the genetic variation for yield under stress was accounted for by differences in yield potential also expressed in irrigated environments. These results indicate that direct selection for yield under drought stress can produce yield gains under stress without reducing yield potential. There was no secondary trait for which selection resulted in greater predicted response in yield under stress than direct selection for stress yield per se. A QTL was detected on chromosome 1 near sd1 that explained 32% of the genetic variation for yield under stress, but only 4% under non-stress. Its effect was consistent across years. This QTL accounted for much of the variation in drought yield not accounted for by variation in yield potential.     

Long-term yield trend and sustainability of rainfed soybean–wheat system through farmyard manure application in a sandy loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

A long-term (30 years) soybean–wheat experiment was conducted at Hawalbagh, Almora, India to study the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on grain yield trends of rainfed soybean (Glycine max)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system and nutrient status (soil C, N, P and K) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplaquept). The unfertilized plot supported 0.56 Mg ha⁻¹ of soybean yield and 0.71 Mg ha⁻¹ of wheat yield (average yield of 30 years). Soybean responded to inorganic NPK application and the yield increased significantly to 0.87 Mg ha⁻¹ with NPK. Maximum yields of soybean (2.84 Mg ha⁻¹) and residual wheat (1.88 Mg ha⁻¹) were obtained in the plots under NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) treatment, which were significantly higher than yields observed under other treatments. Soybean yields in the plots under the unfertilized and the inorganic fertilizer treatments decreased with time, whereas yields increased significantly in the plots under N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments. At the end of 30 years, total soil organic C (SOC) and total N concentrations increased in all the treatments. Soils under NPK + FYM-treated plots contained higher SOC and total N by 89 and 58% in the 0–45 cm soil layer, respectively, over that of the initial status. Hence, the decline in yields might be due to decline in available P and K status of soil. Combined use of NPK and FYM increased SOC, oxidizable SOC, total N, total P, Olsen P, and ammonium acetate exchangeable K by 37.8, 42.0, 20.8, 30.2, 25.0, and 52.7%, respectively, at 0–45 cm soil layer compared to application of NPK through inorganic fertilizers. However, the soil profiles under all the treatments had a net loss of nonexchangeable K, ranging from 172 kg ha⁻¹ under treatment NK to a maximum of 960 kg ha⁻¹ under NPK + FYM after 30 years of cropping. Depletion of available P and K might have contributed to the soybean yield decline in treatments where manure was not applied. The study also showed that although the combined NPK and FYM application sustained long-term productivity of the soybean–wheat system, increased K input is required to maintain soil nonexchangeable K level.