Film fully-mulched ridge-furrow cropping affects soil biochemical properties and maize nutrient uptake in a rainfed semi-arid environment

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of plastic mulched ridge-furrow cropping on soil biochemical properties and maize (Zea mays L.) nutrient uptake in a semi-arid environment. Three treatments were evaluated from 2008 to 2010: no mulch (narrow ridges with crop seeded next to ridges), half mulch (as per no mulch, except narrow ridges were mulched), and full mulch (alternate narrow and wide ridges, all mulched with maize seeded in furrows). Compared to the no mulch treatment, full mulch increased maize grain yield by 50% in 2008 and 25% in 2010, but reduced yield by 21% in 2009 after low precipitation in early growth. Half mulch had a similar grain yield to no mulch in the three cropping years, suggesting half mulch is not an effective pattern for maize cropping in the area. Mulch treatments increased aboveground nitrogen (N) uptake by 21?34% and phosphorus (P) uptake by 21?42% in 2008, and by 16?32% and 14?29%, respectively, in 2010; but in 2009 mulching did not affect N uptake and decreased P uptake. Soil microbial biomass and activities of urease, β-glucosidase and phosphatase at the 0?15 cm depth were generally higher during vegetative growth but lower during reproductive growth under mulch treatments than no mulch. Mulching treatments increased carbon (C) loss of buried maize residues (marginally by 5?9%), and decreased light soil organic C (15?27%) and carbohydrate C (12?23%) concentrations and mineralizable C and N (8?36%) at harvest in the 0?20 cm depth compared with no mulch, indicating that mulching promotes mineralization and nutrient release in soil during cropping seasons. As a result of these biological changes, mineral N concentration under mulch was markedly increased after sowing in upper soil layers compared with no mulch. Therefore, our results suggest that mulched cropping stimulated soil microbial activity and N availability, and thus contributed to increasing maize grain yield and nutrient uptake compared with no mulch.     

Effects of long-term treatments of different organic fertilizers complemented with chemical N fertilizer on the chemical and biological properties of soils

Continuous cultivation has been known to decrease soil organic matter content. Application of organic matter to cultivated soil is an important practice from the point of view of maintaining an adequate amount of soil organic matter. Soil organic matter content significantly affects soil microbial activity, which is an important index of soil quality. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to examine the long-term effects of different kinds of organic matter in combination with inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on chemical and biological properties of soils. There were seven treatments, namely (1) CK (without fertilization), (2) Chem-N (applying chemical N fertilizer only), (3) Comp (applying compost with the same rate of N as the Chem-N treatment), (4) Comp + l/3 N (applying compost complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (5) Comp + 2/3 N (applying compost complemented with 66% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (6) GM + 1/3 N (applying green manure complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment) and (7) Peat + 1/3 N (applying peat complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment). After continuous treatment for 12 years and with cultivation of 24 crops on the same area, soils were sampled for analyses of chemical and biological properties, enzymatic activities and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles. The results showed that compared with CK and Chem-N treatments, applications of compost and peat increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content and altered microbial activities and microbial community structure. However, application of green manure for 12 years had no effect on SOC content. Both microbial activities and PLFA profiles were clearly dependent on the characteristics of the applied organic amendments. In summary, a peat application led to the highest increase in SOC content compared to compost and green manure; however, compost-treated soil had a higher microbial population and higher microbial and enzyme activities, while the effects of both green manure and chemical N fertilizer on soil properties were similar.     

GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN ROOT MORPHOLOGY AND PHOSPHORUS UPTAKE KINETICS IN BRASSICA NAPUS UNDER LOW PHOSPHORUS SUPPLY

Application of phosphorus (P) fertilizer is important in crop production because of the low bioavailability of phosphorus to plants in both acidic and calcareous soils. Although rapeseed (Brassica napus) is generally sensitive to P deficiency, different cultivars differ widely in this respect. Differences in P uptake and utilization between two rapeseed cultivars, one P-efficient (‘97081’) and one P-inefficient (‘97009’), were evaluated in solution culture by studying the changes in root morphology and parameters of P uptake kinetics in response to low-P stress. The P-efficient cultivar had lower Km and Cmin values and higher Vmax and developed longer and denser lateral root hair with greater number of root tips and branches under low-P stress, which resulted in a better developed root system and more efficient uptake of P. That, in turn, led to higher concentration and accumulation of P in the plants, culminating in higher biomass production. However, P utilization efficiency (biomass production per unit P accumulated in plant) of the P-efficient ‘97081’ was lower than that of ‘97009’ when P was deficient. These results suggest that P efficiency in rapeseed is due to a better developed root system as well as efficient uptake of P.     

SUSTAINABLE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PACKAGE FOR COST-EFFECTIVE BIOENERGY BIOMASS PRODUCTION

Commercial fertilizer (particularly nitrogen) costs account for a substantial portion of the total production costs of cellulosic biomass and can be a major obstacle to biofuel production. In a series of greenhouse studies, we evaluated the feasibility of co-applying Gibberellins (GA) and reduced nitrogen (N) rates to produce a bioenergy crop less expensively. In a preliminary study, we determined the minimum combined application rates of GA and N required for efficient biomass (sweet sorghum, Sorghum bicolor) production. Co-application of 75 kg ha^?1 (one-half of the recommended N rate for sorghum) and a modest GA rate of 3 g ha^?1 optimized dry matter yield (DMY) and N and phosphorus (P) uptake efficiencies, resulting in a reduction of N and P leaching. Organic nutrient sources such as manures and biosolids can be substituted for commercial N fertilizers (and incidentally supply P) to further reduce the cost of nutrient supply for biomass production. Based on the results of the preliminary study, we conducted a second greenhouse study using sweet sorghum as a test bioenergy crop. We co-applied organic sources of N (manure and biosolids) at 75 and 150 kg PAN ha^?1 (representing 50 and 100% N rate respectively) with 3 g GA ha^?1. In each batch of experiment, the crop was grown for 8 wk on Immokalee fine sand of minimal native fertility. After harvest, sufficient water was applied to soil in each pot to yield ～1.5 L (～0.75 pore volume) of leachate, and analyzed for total N and soluble reactive P (SRP). The reduced (50%) N application rate, together with GA, optimized biomass production. Application of GA at 3 g ha^?1, and the organic sources of N at 50% of the recommended N rate, decreased nutrient cost of producing the bioenergy biomass by ～$375 ha^?1 (>90% of total nutrient cost), and could reduce offsite N and P losses from vulnerable soils.     

Yield components,light interception and marker compound accumulation of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) affected by planting material and plant density under western Himalayan conditions

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of planting material and plant density on stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) under western Himalayan conditions during 2011 and 2012. The experiment conducted in a split plot design consisted of two types of planting material (rooted slips and fresh seedlings) in the main plot and five inter- and intra-row spacing in subplots with three replications. Yield attributes and dry leaf biomass yield of stevia were not affected by the type of planting material; however, plant density significantly influenced the yield attributes and leaf and stem dry biomass. Although the wider spacing (60 × 45 cm) gave more leaves, higher leaf area index, higher leaf dry mass per plant as compared to closer spacing, it resulted in lower values of these attributes per unit area. Plants spaced in 30 × 30 cm accumulated 41.2% and 42.8% more total biomass than 60 × 45 cm. Steviol glycoside content did not change due to different planting materials and plant densities; however, closer plant spacing (30 × 30 cm) recorded 114.8% and 70.0% higher steviol glycoside accumulation compared to wider row spacing (60 × 45 cm) in 2011 and 2012, respectively.     

Effect of long-term application of fertilizers on soil quality and rice yield in a salt-affected coastal region of India

The studied soils were collected from a 24-year long-term fertilizer experiment with rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown on tropical Typic Endoaquepts during monsoon season only. The organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) status of the soils improved with the N₁₀₀P₂₂K₄₂ treatment than the initial values at the start of the experiment. The available P status of the soils depleted in the N₁₀₀P₁₁K₂₂ and N₀P₀K₀ treatments than the initial value. Soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and basal soil respiration (BSR), activities of urease, acid and alkaline phosphatases as well as fluorescein diacetate hydrolyzing activity (FDHA) were the highest in the N₁₀₀P₂₂K₄₂ treatment. The highest percentage of MBC in OC in the N₁₀₀P₂₂K₄₂ treatment revealed the accumulation of organic matter with an overall improvement in nutrient status of soil, since MBC is a labile pool of plant nutrients. Long-term application of fertilizers (N₁₀₀P₂₂K₄₂) had no deleterious effect on microbial and biochemical soil quality parameters. Rice grain yields were inconsistent with N₁₀₀P₀K₀ and N₀P₀K₀ while that of N₁₀₀P₂₂K₄₂, N₁₀₀P₁₁K₂₂ and N₁₀₀P₂₂K₀ increased gradually during the course of the experiment for each block period of six years. The grain yield of rice showed high significant correlation with the microbial and biochemical soil parameters.     

秸秆生物反应堆与菌肥对温室番茄土壤微环境的影响

为研究秸秆生物反应堆、微生物菌肥及两者配套措施对土壤理化性质和微生物功能多样性,以及作物生长的长期影响,试验以传统种植方式为对照(CK,常规栽培),研究了菌肥(T1,微生物菌肥4 kg/667 m2)、内置式秸秆生物反应堆(T2,秸秆(4 t/667 m2)+发酵沟菌剂(8 kg/667 m2)+腐熟猪粪(600 kg/667 m2))及2种措施配套处理(T3,秸秆(4 t/667 m2)+发酵沟菌剂(8 kg/667 m2)+微生物菌肥(4 kg/667 m2)+腐熟猪粪(600 kg/667 m2))对土壤理化性质和微生物功能多样性的影响。结果表明:1)与CK相比,秸秆生物反应堆能够在一定时期内提高土壤含水率;而菌肥能够在一定时期内降低土壤含水率,秸秆生物反应堆能够显著降低土壤酸性和电导率(EC,electrical conductivity)值,缓冲土壤酸化和次生盐渍化;而单施菌肥对土壤酸碱性和EC值没有显著影响。2)秸秆生物反应堆(T2)增加了土壤中有机质的含量和土壤微生物量,降低土壤中速效磷、钾的含量;微生物菌肥(T1)降低了土壤中有机质含量和微生物量,而显著提升了土壤的速效磷、速效钾含量,两种措施配套处理效果则更明显。3)菌肥能够改善土壤微生物对多聚物、碳水化合物和氨基酸的利用效率,而秸秆生物反应堆能够促进土壤微生物对于一部分氨基酸、羧酸类、酚酸类和胺类物质的利用。而2种措施同时使用时,其促进和改善微生物碳代谢能力的作用则更加显著。4)各处理均能够在一定程度上增加各年度番茄产量。综合考虑,认为内置式秸秆生物反应堆和菌肥配套处理(T3)能够更好的改善和修复日光温室连作土壤,增加作物产量,是一种较为有效的农艺措施。     

不同气候条件下潮土微生物群落的变化

针对气候变化的背景研究农田土壤微生物对气候变化的响应机制是调控农田土壤养分循环的理论基础。本研究基于设置在3个气候带(冷温带海伦、暖温带封丘和中亚热带鹰潭)的潮土移置试验,利用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)分析方法研究了移置第6年土壤微生物群落的变化特征。结果表明,在3种气候条件下潮土移置6年后土壤部分理化性质显著变化,土壤有机质含量表现为冷温带最高而中亚热带最低;在种植玉米的不同施肥处理中,土壤中微生物总PLFAs、革兰氏阳性细菌(G+)、革兰氏阴性细菌(G-)、细菌和放线菌PLFAs含量均表现为海伦封丘鹰潭,真菌/细菌比值在冷温带最低;PLFA图谱的主成分分析显示气候条件显著影响了土壤微生物的群落结构,海伦和封丘位于PC1正轴,而鹰潭位于负轴,受气候影响较大的特征PLFA包括18:1ω7c、16:1ω5c、16:0、18:0和18:2ω6,9c;逐步回归分析显示温度、降雨和土壤有机质是影响微生物群落的主要因子。总体上,气候条件的变化在短期内(6年)改变了土壤微生物的群落结构,可以影响农田生态系统的生物地球化学循环。     

不同林龄杉木林下套种阔叶树对土壤磷组分的影响

套种是杉木人工林经营的重要措施,磷是南方森林生态系统中主要限制性养分元素之一,但套种模式对土壤磷素的影响尚不明确。以亚热带杉木人工林表层(0-10 cm)土壤为对象,研究套种林(杉阔套种幼林、杉阔套种成熟林)和杉木幼林土壤理化性质和土壤各形态磷含量差异,分析套种对杉木人工林土壤磷含量的影响。结果表明:(1)不同套种林显著改变土壤总磷、土壤总无机磷、土壤总有机磷、土壤微生物生物量磷(MBP)和土壤酸性磷酸酶活性(APA),大小顺序均为杉阔套种成熟林>杉阔套种幼林>杉木幼林。(2)土壤各磷组分中活性磷含量较低,其中NaHCO3-Po在活性组分中占主导;土壤NaOH-Po是中等活性磷的主要组分,杉阔套种成熟林尤为显著;闭蓄态磷(Residual-P)在总磷含量中最高。(3)与杉木幼林相比,杉阔套种成熟林显著增加了树脂提取态磷(Resin-Pi)、碳酸氢钠提取态有机和无机磷(NaHCO3-Pi、NaHCO3-Po)、氢氧化钠提取态有机和无机磷(NaOH-Pi、NaOH-Po)、氢氧化钠残留提取态有机磷(NaOHu.s-Po)、盐酸提取态磷(HCl-Pi)和闭蓄态磷(Residual-P)含量;土壤总无机磷、NaHCO3-Po、HCl-Pi、NaHCO3-Pi、NaOHu.s-Pi和Residual-P对杉阔套种幼林的响应不敏感。(4)除含水率外不同林龄下杉阔套种林土壤磷形态与土壤理化性质(土壤总碳氮、土壤可溶性有机氮、土壤微生物生物量磷、酸性磷酸酶)呈正相关性(P<0.05)。冗余分析表明,土壤磷组分的变化主要受MBP调控,且MBP与有机磷组分(NaOHu.s-Po、NaOH-Po)和HCI-Pi呈显著正相关。总之,套种林的土壤磷素有效性高于杉木幼林,土壤养分状况更佳。     

土壤微生物膜对风沙土固沙保水特性的影响

土壤微生物膜胞外聚合物具有较强的黏结性,为增强风沙土抗蚀性,提高风沙土保水性提供了新途径。鉴于此,该研究采用室内控制试验设置6个微生物菌剂施用水平(0、1、3、5、7和10 g/kg),以期阐明土壤微生物膜对风沙土特性的影响。研究结果表明:1)施用微生物菌剂可产生土壤微生物膜,并胶结风沙土颗粒。2)试验结束时(第49 d),与对照组相比,不同菌剂施用处理的土壤容重降低0.54%～8.88%,孔隙度提高0.39%～3.91%,含水率显著提高0.11%～0.25%(P0.05),大团聚体质量分数增加5.59%～25.01%,土壤pH值由7.16显著增加至8.32～9.23(P0.05)。3)土壤多糖含量对土壤特性的解释率为47%,是影响土壤特性的关键因素。土壤微生物膜能够有效改善风沙土特性,增强风沙土抗蚀性,提高风沙土保水性,但较高的微生物菌剂施用量会增加土壤pH值,造成土壤盐碱化,建议微生物菌剂施用水平为1～5 g/kg。研究成果有利于深入理解微生物膜固沙保水机制,并可为沙化土地防治新技术研发提供重要理论依据和科技支撑。