Reduced tillage in temperate organic farming: implications for crop management and forage production

To promote conservation tillage in organic farming systems, weed control and ley removal within arable-ley rotations need to be optimized. A long-term field trial was thus established in Frick, Switzerland in 2002 on a clayey soil and with a mean precipitation of 1000 mm/year. The tillage experiment distinguished between conventional tillage with mouldboard ploughing (CT, 15 cm depth) and reduced tillage (RT), including a chisel plough (15 cm) and a stubble cleaner (5 cm). Results of a 2-year grass-clover ley (2006/2007) and silage maize (2008) are presented. Due to dry conditions, mean grass-clover yields were 25% higher in RT than in CT, indicating better water retention of RT soils. Clover cover and mineral contents of the fodder mixture were also higher in RT. The ley was successfully removed in autumn 2007 in RT plots, and a winter pea catch crop was sown before maize. In CT, ploughing took place in spring 2008. Maize yields were 34% higher in RT than in CT, despite a two- to three-fold higher but still tolerable weed infestation. Maize in RT plots benefited from an additional 61.5 kg of easily decomposable organic N/ha incorporated into the soil via the pea mulch. Measurement of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize roots indicated a similar mechanical disturbance of the topsoil through the reduced ley removal system compared with ploughing. It is suggested that RT is applicable in organic farming, even in arable-ley rotations, but long-term effects need further assessment.     

作物产量差研究与展望

作物实际产量与潜在产量间存在较大差距,地区间甚至同一地区不同田块间作物产量也存在显著差异,这种现象在世界范围内的农业生产中广泛存在.缩小该差距对于提高粮食产量,确保粮食安全具有重要意义.本文在阐述开展作物产量差研究重要性和必要性的基础上,从产量差的内涵、研究尺度的扩展及分析方法等方面介绍了目前国内外有关作物产量差的研究进展,并综述了作物生长模拟模型在产量差研究中的应用,最后分析了目前作物产量差研究中存在的问题和不足之处,并探讨了未来作物产量差研究的发展方向.     

Soil carbon dioxide flux, carbon sequestration and crop productivity in a tropical dryland agroecosystem: Influence of organic inputs of varying resource quality

In view of the significance of agricultural soils in affecting global C balance, the impact of manipulation of the quality of exogenous inputs on soil CO₂–C flux was studied in rice–barley annual rotation tropical dryland agroecosystem. Chemical fertilizer, Sesbania shoot (high quality resources), wheat straw (low quality resource) and Sesbania + wheat straw (high + low quality), all carrying equivalent recommended dose of N, were added to soil. A distinct seasonal variation in CO₂–C flux was recorded in all treatments, flux being higher during rice period, and much reduced during barley and summer fallow periods. During rice period the mean CO₂–C flux was greater in wheat straw (161% increase over control) and Sesbania + wheat straw (+129%) treatments; however, during barley and summer fallow periods differences among treatments were small. CO₂–C flux was more influenced by seasonal variations in water-filled pore space compared to soil temperature. In contrast, the role of microbial biomass and live crop roots in regulating soil CO₂–C flux was highly limited. Wheat straw input showed smaller microbial biomass with a tendency of rapid turnover rate resulting in highest cumulative CO₂–C flux. The Sesbania input exhibited larger microbial biomass with slower turnover rate, leading to lower cumulative CO₂–C flux. Addition of Sesbania to wheat straw showed higher cumulative CO₂–C flux yet supported highest microbial biomass with lowest turnover rate indicating stabilization of microbial biomass. Although single application of wheat straw or Sesbania showed comparable net change in soil C (18% and 15% relative to control, respectively) and crop productivity (32% and 38%), yet they differed significantly in soil C balance (374 and −3 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ respectively), a response influenced by the recalcitrant and labile nature of the inputs. Combining the two inputs resulted in significant increment in net change in soil C (33% over control) and crop yield (49%) in addition to high C balance (152 g C m⁻² y⁻¹). It is suggested that appropriate mixing of high and low quality inputs may contribute to improved crop productivity and soil fertility in terms of soil C sequestration.     

Identifying Soil and Plant Nutrition Factors Affecting Yield in Irrigated Mature Pistachio Orchards

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of a hybrid Genetic Algorithm-Artificial Neural Network (GA–ANN) method for predicting pistachio yield and for identifying the determinant factors affecting pistachio yield in Rafsanjan region, Iran. A total of 142 pistachio orchards were selected randomly and soil samples were taken at three depths. Besides, water samples and leaves from branches without fruit were taken in each sampling point. Management information and pistachio yields were achieved by completing a questionnaire. Primarily, 58 variables affecting pistachio yield were measured, and then 26 out of them were selected by minimizing mean square error (MSE) using a feature selection (FS) method. The results showed that the accuracy of the method was acceptable. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis showed that the main determinant features affecting the pistachio yield were the irrigation water amount, leaf phosphorus, soil soluble magnesium, electrical conductivity (EC), and leaf nitrogen.     

Salinity tolerance of earthworms and effects of salinity and vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor

Salinity is a major factor limiting irrigated agriculture in arid regions. Vermi amendments can be used for improving the fertility of salt-affected soils. Current study was aimed to find out the response of different earthworm species to soil salinity and to check the effects of salinity and different vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor under salt stress. Eight earthworm species were subjected to different salinity levels for 4 weeks. Various vermi amendments and salinity treatments were provided in a factorial combination to S. bicolor plants to see their effect on growth and biomass parameters. L. mauritii, E. incommodus and P. posthuma were found to be the most salt-tolerant species showing good survival and growth till soil EC_e value of 10.48 mS cm^?1. Results showed that salinity significantly decreased plant growth that was enhanced by the application of different vermi amendments. Maximum growth of S. bicolor was recorded when vermicompost and vermiwash were used together under both saline and non-saline conditions. The results showed that the application of vermi amendments improved nutritional balance of the soil, delayed salt-induced damage to the plants and supported their growth so can be helpful in increasing crop production on saline soils.     

Irrigation,a productive tool for food security – a review

Water scarcity in agriculture is becoming a major problem due to increasing demand from nonagricultural uses and intensive crop management on existing croplands to meet the needs of an expanding global population. Efficient use of the available irrigation water is therefore of important concern. Even though intensive research in the areas of crop physiology, irrigation engineering, agronomy and agricultural economics has developed several ways to improve the efficiency of irrigation water, a multidisciplinary approach is often regarded as the best future path to achieve further enhancements in meeting the forthcoming challenge of producing more and safety foods. Failure of irrigation production has profound effects on the welfare of all those employed in it and also their customers. Indeed, the scale of the industry is such that world food prices will be influenced by the overall performance of the irrigation farmers, but low food prices are essential to the welfare of the poorest people. The contribution of irrigation and water management to increased food production must come through both expansion of irrigation and improved management of existing water supplies. This review presents the past, current and future panorama of irrigation as a viable tool in ensuring food security on the globe. Considering past trends, this review empathizes that future irrigation technologies should be focused on providing the leadership and capacity to capture, develop and promote new irrigation practices and management systems to optimize production.     

Crop Rotation to Improve Agricultural Production in Sub-Saharan Africa

A three years' trial was conducted in a farmers' field in northern Ghana to evaluate the effect of sole crops (cotton, cowpea, groundnut, soybean, and sunflower) planted once or twice on yield of the staple foods of the region, maize and sorghum. Sole cropping for only one year already resulted in significant yield increases for maize and partly for sorghum compared to the conventional cropping of mixed stands of maize–sorghum or maize–groundnut and natural fallow. Lowest yield of maize and sorghum was obtained where these cereals followed maize–sorghum (monoculture). Intercropping of maize with groundnut led to subsequent maize and sorghum yields which were similar to those obtained after maize–sorghum. After growing legumes and sunflower for one year the grain and straw yield of maize and sorghum was significantly higher in the two consecutive years than after cereal (maize–sorghum) monoculture. In this trial maize and sorghum were found to be not as tolerant to the disadvantages of monoculture or preceding cereals–legumes mixture. The results suggest that continuous intercropping with cereals under the given conditions has negative effects on soil fertility and can lead to an increase in soil-borne pests and troublesome weeds like Striga comparable to monocropped cereals.     

作物生长模型的应用研究进展

作物生长模型不仅能够进行单点尺度上作物生长发育的动态模拟,而且能够从系统角度评价作物生长状态与环境要素的关系。本文通过梳理当前作物生长模型应用的诸多研究成果,剖析模型在气候变化对农业生产影响研究、作物生长模型区域应用中的关键问题,总结了当前以作物生长模型为核心的农业决策支持系统开发的研究情况,意在促进作物生长模型在生态、农业、区域气候资源和气候变化等研究中更广泛地应用。结果表明,作物生长模型在国内外的研究与应用广泛而深入,在气候变化背景下,应用作物生长模型进行历史时期气候条件和农业气象灾害对作物生产状况和产量的影响研究已相当广泛且相对成熟。利用全球气候模式（GCM）或区域气候模式（RCM）构建未来气候变化情景,再与作物生长模型耦合已发展成为评估未来气候变化对农业生产影响的重要手段。通过集成与整合多作物生长模型、多气候模式集合模拟、优化气候模拟数据订正方法可有效降低气候变化对农业生产影响评估的不确定性。遥感数据同化技术能够将站点模型运用到区域尺度上评价不同环境因子对农业生产的影响,拓宽了作物生长模型的应用尺度范围并有效提高作物产量估算的精度。以作物生长模型为核心的农业决策支持系统的研究与应用越来越多元化,是辅助农业生产管理和决策的重要工具。然而,由于作物生态系统的复杂性,作物生长模型模拟结果仍存在很大的不确定性,今后对作物生长机理及过程间耦合机制的探索还需加强,以便进一步完善和改进模型,促进作物生长模型更广泛地应用。     

Tillage and crop sequence effects on organic carbon and total nitrogen content in an irrigated Alberta soil

A better understanding of tillage effects on soil organic matter is vital for development of effective soil conservation practices. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of tillage and crop sequence on soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) content in an irrigated southern Alberta soil. A field experiment was conducted using a split–split plot design from 1994 to 1998 in Alberta, Canada. There were two crop sequences (Sequence 1: spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)–spring wheat–annual legume; and Sequence 2: spring wheat–spring wheat–annual legume–sugar beet) and two tillage practices (CT: conventional tillage and MT: minimum tillage). Surface soil under MT had significantly higher OC (30.1 Mg ha⁻¹) content than under CT (28.3 Mg ha⁻¹) after 4 years of treatment. The MT treatment retains crop residue at the soil surface, reduces soil erosion and slows organic matter decomposition, which are key factors in enhancing the soil fertility status of southern Alberta irrigated soils.     

应用基于红外热画像技术的CWSI简化算法判断作物水分状态

以不同水分处理下的冬小麦为研究对象,通过基于红外测温技术的Jackson理论模式和Jones简化模式分别计算作物水分胁迫指数（CWSI）,并以理论模式计算值为参考,对Jones模式反映华北地区冬小麦水分胁迫的表现进行初步分析.结果表明,两种计算模式得出的CWSI值与不同水分处理下的冬小麦根层土壤含水量均有较好的相关性,但Jones模式可更好地指示作物缺水状态,对叶片气孔导度的变化更敏感.根据研究结果初步确定了冬小麦高产条件下的CWSI阈值.本研究显示Jones简化模型能准确反映作物水分状态,并易于实现田间多点观测,可用于准确指导农田灌溉.