Deficit irrigation based on drought tolerance and root signalling in potatoes and tomatoes

Agriculture is a big consumer of fresh water in competition with other sectors of the society. Within the EU-project SAFIR new water-saving irrigation strategies were developed based on pot, semi-field and field experiments with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and processing tomatoes as model plants. From the pot and semi-field experiments an ABA production model was developed for potatoes to optimize the ABA signalling; this was obtained by modelling the optimal level of soil drying for ABA production before re-irrigation in a crop growth model. The field irrigation guidelines were developed under temperate (Denmark), Mediterranean (Greece, Italy) and continental (Serbia, China) climatic conditions during summer. The field investigations on processing tomatoes were undertaken only in the Po valley (North Italy) on fine, textured soil. The investigations from several studies showed that gradual soil drying imposed by deficit irrigation (DI) or partial root zone drying irrigation (PRD) induced hydraulic and chemical signals from the root system resulting in partial stomatal closure, an increase in photosynthetic water use efficiency, and a slight reduction in top vegetative growth. Further PRD increased N-mineralization significantly beyond that from DI, causing a stay-green effect late in the growing season. In field potato and tomato experiments the water-saving irrigation strategies DI and PRD were able to save about 20-30% of the water used in fully irrigated plants. PRD increased marketable yield in potatoes significantly by 15% due to improved tuber size distribution. PRD increased antioxidant content significantly by approximately 10% in both potatoes and fresh tomatoes. Under a high temperature regime, full irrigation (FI) should be undertaken, as was clear from field observations in tomatoes. For tomatoes full irrigation should be undertaken for cooling effects when the night/day average temperature >26.5 °C or when air temperature >40 °C to avoid flower-dropping. The temperature threshold for potatoes is not clear. From three-year field drip irrigation experiments we found that under the establishment phase, both potatoes and tomatoes should be fully irrigated; however, during the later phases deficit irrigation might be applied as outlined below without causing significant yield reduction:

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Potatoes

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After the end of tuber initiation, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

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Fresh tomatoes

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From the moment the 1st truce is developed, DI is applied at 85-80% of FI for two weeks. In the middle period, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

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Processing tomatoes

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From transplanting to fruit setting at 4th-5th cluster, the PRD and DI threshold for re-irrigation is when the plant-available soil water content (ASWC) equals 0.7 (soil water potential, Ψ_soil = −90 kPa). During the late fruit development/ripening stage, 10% of red fruits, the threshold for re-irrigation for DI is when ASWC = 0.5 (Ψ_soil = −185 kPa) and for PRD when ASWC (dry side) = 0.4 (Ψ_{soil, dry side} = −270 kPa).

The findings during the SAFIR project might be used as a framework for implementing water-saving deficit irrigation under different local soil and climatic conditions.     

冀鲁豫夏玉米区玉米杂交种群体生育型演变──Ⅰ．演化阶段与演进基本途径

在实验基础上,从群体生育型演变进化角度分析了冀鲁豫夏玉米区六十年代初至九十年代初三十年间玉米杂交种种性提高的自然现象,明确了玉米杂交种群体生育型以产量行为与抗斑一倒行为的持续改良为基本途径演进。极端杂交种株粒重提高了４８．４％,叶斑指数与倒折率分别下降了４．３与１．２个百分点。演进过程界定为四个演化阶段：Ⅰ．六十年代,以新单１、白单４为代表;Ⅱ．七十年代前期,以群单１０５、丹玉６为代表;Ⅲ．七十年代后期至八十年代初,以郑单２、博单１为代表;Ⅳ．八十年代前期至九十年代初,以烟单１４和掖单２为代表。玉米杂交种群体生育型演变进化遵循“多元动态代谢结群,系统吐纳循序渐进”的生物进化规律。     

高原亚寒带湿润草甸区植被生育期耗水量与耗水规律研究

根据１９８５￣１９９４年高原亚寒带湿润草旬区植被生育期定点观测的土壤水分、气象要素,地上初级生物量等资料,分析该区域植被生育期耗水量和耗水规律及其影响因素,研究了地上初级生物量与耗水量的季节变化及两者之间的关系。     

Isotopic evidence and quantification assessment of in situ RDX biodegradation in the deep unsaturated zone

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is an explosive compound whose extensive use has resulted in significant contamination of soils and groundwater worldwide. We studied its in situ biodegradation along the unsaturated zone beneath an explosives wastewater lagoon using compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of RDX in the unsaturated zone, together with biodegradation slurry experiments under anaerobic conditions. We found the highest degradation potential of RDX and its nitroso derivatives in the upper part of the soil profile while in the lower parts, RDX-degradation potential was lower and the nitroso derivatives tended to persist. This was also observed in the field, as reflected by the isotopic composition of RDX along the profile. We also found a correlation between biodegradation potential and clay content: biodegradation was further enhanced in layers characterized by high-clay content or in those influenced by the high-clay layers. In addition, in the presence of high organic matter content, further enhancement of biodegradation was observed. We obtained different isotopic enrichment factors (?) for RDX biodegradation in different sections of the unsaturated profile and suggest that different degradation pathways exist simultaneously in situ, in variable proportions. Using the range of enrichment factors, we were able to assess the biodegradation extent of RDX at different sampling points along the profile, which ranged between 30 and 99.4%. The novel application of CSIA together with slurry experiments provides better insight into degradation processes that are otherwise difficult to detect and assess.     

鄱阳湖生态经济区畜禽养殖土壤环境承载力及污染风险研究

[目的]测算和评价鄱阳湖生态经济区畜禽养殖过程中的土壤环境承载力及其污染风险,为合理规划鄱阳湖生态经济区畜禽养殖空间布局、实现可持续养殖提供参考。[方法]利用2000—2012年鄱阳湖生态经济区24个县(市)的统计数据进行土壤环境承载力及畜禽污染物排放量的测算和评估。[结果]2000—2012年鄱阳湖生态经济区畜禽粪便耕地负荷警报值在0.7左右,总氮耕地负载警报值为0.5~0.6,总磷耕地负载警报值超过了1,畜禽养殖对环境造成了污染威胁。畜禽养殖污染风险较高的地区为高安市、东乡县、余江县、德安县以及南昌县。[结论]污染风险较高的地区应强制实行畜禽养殖总量控制和污染物消减措施,而湖口县、都昌县和彭泽县畜禽污染风险较低,可以适当扩大养殖规模。     

LED补光和根区加温对日光温室起垄内嵌式基质栽培甜椒生长及产量的影响

田间条件下采用起垄内嵌式基质栽培(soil ridged substrate-embedded cultivation,SRSC)方法,研究了日光温室LED冠层补光和电热线根区加温对甜椒生长和产量的影响。该试验设不加温不补光对照(CK)、根区加温15℃处理(T15)、根区加温18℃处理(T18)、单一补光处理(L)、根区加温15℃+补光处理(T15+L)、根区加温18℃+补光处理(T18+L),共6个处理。结果表明,与对照相比,根区加温均能提高SRSC甜椒根区的温度,但根区温度仍呈现出随环境温度变化而变化的趋势,T18的根区全天保持较高温度。根区热通量的变化与根区温度变化相对应,T15和T18处理的根区热通量昼夜变化较CK剧烈,其根区侧面白天向内传热滞后,晚间侧面向外传热提前,传递量增加;根区垂直方向白天向内传热滞后,传递量减少,晚间垂直向外传热提前,但传递量增加。T15和T18均显著提高了甜椒的株高、冠层厚度和冠层直径,且T18比T15效果更明显。T15对甜椒的地上及地下干鲜重没有显著的提升作用,而T18的提升效果显著。根区加温补光处理的甜椒生物量普遍高于单一根区加温或补光处理,其中T18+L处理提升效果显著优于T15+L处理。T15、T18和L相对CK均提高了甜椒单产,单产分别提高30.74%、53.0%和14.81%。而根区加温和LED补光协同作用比单一的根区加温或冠层补光都能表现更好的增产效果,T15+L和T18+L分别比T15和T18的产量分别提升32.86%和15.50%,分别比L产量提升51.29%和53.87%。总之,根区加温与LED补光是日光温室甜椒增产有效的调控措施,两者在增加单株产量上存在显著的协同效应,二者共同作用比单一作用效果更加明显,且根区加温对甜椒生长和产量的促进效果比冠层补光更加显著,在实际生产中具有重要的指导意义。     

典型自然带土壤氮磷化学计量空间分异特征及其驱动因素研究

植物生活型、地形及区域气候特征等对土壤养分的空间分布有着重要的影响。通过对我国典型自然带土壤氮磷化学计量与植物生活型、地形及气候因素间相互关系的研究,探讨了我国土壤氮磷的空间变异与分布特征及其主要控制因素。结果发现,5个自然带的土壤全氮(TN)和氮磷比(N/P)存在显著差异(p0.01);除温带荒漠带较低(0.47 mg g~(-1))外,土壤全磷(TP)均值总体变化不明显(p0.05)。在不同自然带区域内,TN、TP及N/P变化与海拔、温度及降水呈现出显著的线性和非线性二次相关,即表现出线性与单峰模式。暖温带落叶阔叶林带、温带草原带、温带荒漠带森林土壤中TN,以及青藏高原高寒植被带草本土壤中TP、温带荒漠带森林土壤的N/P主要受海拔因素的影响,而温带草原带草本植物的土壤TP则主要受降水的影响。同时,研究还发现,在多要素共同作用时,其影响程度也略有差异,温度和海拔作为控制因素影响亚热带常绿阔叶林带森林和温带草原带草本土壤TN变化,但前者受温度控制更为明显,后者则以海拔为主要驱动因素,而温带荒漠带草本土壤和森林土壤的TN主要受海拔和降水作用的影响,但以降水影响为主;亚热带常绿阔叶林带森林土壤TP,温带草原带、温带荒漠带和青藏高原高寒植被带草本土壤的N/P受植物生活型、地形及气候的共同影响,但程度略有不同,其中TP表现为降水温度海拔,而N/P为温度海拔降水。因此,在自然带和植物生活型的主控背景下,海拔、温度和降水的主控或交互作用直接驱动土壤氮磷及其化学计量特征的空间分异。     

Seasonal nitrogen dynamics in lowland rice cropping systems in inland valleys of northern Ghana

Farmers in the inland valleys of northern Ghana are challenged with nitrogen (N) deficiency as a major production constraint of rainfed lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). With extremely low use of external inputs, there is a need to efficiently use the systems' internal resources such as native soil N. Largest soil nitrate‐N losses are expected to occur during the transition between the dry and wet season (DWT) when the soil aeration status changes from aerobic to anaerobic conditions. Technical options avoiding the build‐up of nitrate are expected to reduce N losses and may thus enhance the yield of rice. A field study in the moist savanna zone of Ghana assessed the in situ mineralization of native soil N, the contribution of nitrate to the valley bottom by sub‐surface flow from adjacent slopes, and the effects of crop and land management options during DWT on seasonal soil N_min dynamics and the yield of lowland rice. Large amounts of nitrate accumulated during DWT with a peak of 58 kg ha⁻¹ in lowland soils, of which 32 kg ha⁻¹ were contributed from the adjacent upland slope. Most of this nitrate disappeared at the onset of the wet season, possibly by leaching and denitrification upon soil flooding. While the incorporation of rice straw (temporary immobilization of soil N in the microbial biomass) had little effect on soil N conservation, growing a crop during DWT conserved 22–27 kg of soil N ha⁻¹ in the biomass and Crotalaria juncea supplied an additional 43 kg N ha⁻¹ from biological N₂ fixation. Farmers' practice of bare fallow during DWT resulted in the lowest rice grain yield that increased from 1.3 (2.2) to 3.9 t ha⁻¹ in case of the transition‐season legume. Growing a pre‐rice legume during DWT appears a promising option to manage N and increase lowland rice yields in the inland valleys of northern Ghana.     

冀鲁豫夏玉米区玉米杂交种群体生育型演变──Ⅱ．第Ⅳ演化阶段群体生育型特征及演进趋向

运用群体生育型特征与演化的观点，分析了冀、鲁、豫夏玉米区玉米杂交种群体生育型演化进程至端的第Ⅳ演化阶段群体生育型基本特征与演化特征及其演进趋向，结果表明，第Ⅳ演化阶段群体生育型基本特征表现为株型紧凑或半紧凑，穗位叶适中，雄穗分枝较少，抗倒性和抗斑性优良，籽粒长，出籽率高；其演化特征主要由穗粒结构与第一叶面积、生育日数决定，其穗长演化将趋于稳态，穗行数、穗粗、百粒重、行粒数与第一叶面积、株高将呈现较明显的持续演进态势，其中生育日数、行粒数和株高将分别向早熟、多粒和高棵方向回归。第Ⅳ演化阶段群体生育型演进临近转型期。     

Strip-till as a means of decreasing spatial variability of winter barley within a field scale

The tillage system, which joins soil tillage, fertilisation, and seed sowing in one pass of a machine, is rarely used in cereal cultivation. This research aimed to study whether strip-till and conventional tillage (post-harvest ripping and mixing of stubble, ploughing, pre-sowing fertilisation, and seedbed preparation) differ in plant density, yield components, and grain yield of winter barley cultivated on Cambisol in a region with low rainfall, the annual average is about 500?mm. To reach this aim, a two-year, large-plot experiment was conducted in a production field. The soil within the field was spatially variable in texture, moisture, and chemical and biological properties, CV 2.3% do 29.6%. Strip-till had lower within-field spatial variability of winter barley grain yield than conventional tillage. The standard deviation was 0.36?t?ha^?1, 0.67?t?ha^?1 in the first year and 0.12?t?ha^?1, 0.30?t?ha^?1 in the second year, respectively. During the period of limited rainfall, strip-till had greater uniformity of plants after emergence; after the winter with low air temperature and a low amount of snow, it had greater plant density. Thus, strip-till can reduce variability of plants and their yield within a field, especially in adverse environmental conditions.