Nitrogen use efficiency of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) as influenced by wheat–cotton cropping systems

Wheat–cotton rotations largely increase crop yield and improve resources use efficiency, such as the radiation use efficiency. However, little information is available on the nitrogen (N) utilization and requirement of cotton under wheat–cotton rotations. This study was to determine the N uptake and use efficiency by evaluating the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) N use and the soil N balances, which will help to improve N resource management in wheat–cotton rotations. Field experiments were conducted during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 growing seasons in the Yangtze River region in China. Two cotton cultivars (Siza 3, mid-late maturity with 130 days growth duration; CCRI 50, early maturity with 110 days growth duration) were planted under four cropping systems including monoculture cotton (MC), wheat/intercropped cotton (W/IC), wheat/transplanted cotton (W/TC) and wheat/direct-seeded cotton (W/DC). The N uptake and use efficiency of cotton were quantified under different cropping systems. The results showed that wheat–cotton rotations decreased the cotton N uptake through reducing the N accumulation rate and shortening the duration of fast N accumulation phase as compared to the monoculture cotton. Compared with MC, the N uptake of IC, TC and DC were decreased by 12.0%, 20.5% and 23.4% for Siza 3, respectively, and 7.3%, 10.7% and 17.6% for CCRI 50, respectively. Wheat–cotton rotations had a lower N harvest index as a consequence of the weaker sink capacity in the cotton plant caused by the delayed fruiting and boll formation. Wheat–cotton rotations used N inefficiently relative to the monoculture cotton, showing consistently lower level of the N agronomic use efficiency (NAE), N apparent recovery efficiency (NRE), N physiological efficiency (NPE) and N partial factor productivity (NPFP), particularly for DC. Relative to the mid–late maturity cultivar of Siza 3, the early maturity cultivar of CCRI 50 had higher N use efficiency in wheat–cotton rotations. An analysis of the crop N balance suggested that the high N excess in preceding wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in wheat–cotton rotations led to significantly higher N surpluses than the monoculture cotton. The N management for the cotton in wheat–cotton rotations should be improved by means of reducing the base fertilizer input and increasing the bloom application.     

Achieving legislation requirements with different nitrogen fertilization strategies: Results from a long term experiment

The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC, Anonymous, 1991) was developed in Europe to limit environmental threats from intensive livestock farming and N fertilizer applications to crops. It imposed several rules on farmers and public bodies, one of which was nutrient fertilization plan adoption. Here we use results from the Tetto Frati (Northern Italy) Long-Term Experiment to verify the terms and coefficients in the official Italian guidelines and evaluate the limitations imposed to organic fertilization amounts. For this purpose, we mined long-term experimental data of crop yield, N uptake, N use efficiency, and soil organic matter content from miscellanea cropping systems fertilized with farmyard manure (FYM) and bovine slurry (SLU), typical of a dairy farm in Northern Italy. N fertilization efficiency indicators (Removal to Fertilizer ratio, Apparent Recovery and Nitrogen Fertilizer Replacement Value) indicated that in the long run, FYM behaved similarly to urea, and better than SLU. Even N supply rates as high as 250 kg N ha⁻¹ were justified by high rates of crop removal. In fact, among the terms of the mass-balance equation, SOM mineralization was found to be most relevant, followed by meadow rotation residual effects. We conclude that a revised Nitrates Directives application scheme could be more relaxed in its application limit of manure-N, but should be more ambitious in setting efficiency coefficients for manure fertilization.     

利用Wood模型拟合中国荷斯坦牛乳脂率变化的效果分析

为了解中国荷斯坦牛乳脂率变化规律,本文利用Wood模型对我国南方5个大中型奶牛场2008~2010年1~3胎中国荷斯坦牛33 194条测定日乳脂率进行曲线拟合。结果表明:中国荷斯坦牛乳脂率变化曲线为典型的倒抛物线形,第一胎拟合度最高(0.9820),第三胎最低(0.9789)。二胎牛乳脂率最先达到最低点(第16周),而三胎乳脂率最后达到(第19周)。就最低乳脂率而言,二胎牛最大(3.54%),而三胎牛最小(3.45%)。综合各方面情况得出,Wood模型适用于中国荷斯坦牛乳脂率变化的曲线拟合。     

Estimation of phenotypic variability in symbiotic nitrogen fixation ability of common bean under drought stress using 15N natural abundance in grain

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important food legume, cultivated by small farmers and is usually exposed to unfavorable conditions with minimum use of inputs. Drought and low soil fertility, especially phosphorus and nitrogen (N) deficiencies, are major limitations to bean yield in smallholder systems. Beans can derive part of their required N from the atmosphere through symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). Drought stress severely limits SNF ability of plants. The main objectives of this study were to: (i) test and validate the use of ¹⁵N natural abundance in grain to quantify phenotypic differences in SNF ability for its implementation in breeding programs of common bean with bush growth habit aiming to improve SNF, and (ii) quantify phenotypic differences in SNF under drought to identify superior genotypes that could serve as parents. Field studies were conducted at CIAT-Palmira, Colombia using a set of 36 bean genotypes belonging to the Middle American gene pool for evaluation in two seasons with two levels of water supply (irrigated and drought stress). We used ¹⁵N natural abundance method to compare SNF ability estimated from shoot tissue sampled at mid-pod filling growth stage vs. grain tissue sampled at harvest. Our results showed positive and significant correlation between nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) estimated using shoot tissue at mid-pod filling and %Ndfa estimated using grain tissue at harvest. Both methods showed phenotypic variability in SNF ability under both drought and irrigated conditions and a significant reduction in SNF ability was observed under drought stress. We suggest that the method of estimating Ndfa using grain tissue (Ndfa-G) could be applied in bean breeding programs to improve SNF ability. Using this method of Ndfa-G, we identified four bean lines (RCB 593, SEA 15, NCB 226 and BFS 29) that combine greater SNF ability with greater grain yield under drought stress and these could serve as potential parents to further improve SNF ability of common bean.     

放牧和氮添加对半干旱沙质草地优势种糙隐子草及群落功能性状的影响

为探究氮沉降背景下放牧对半干旱沙质草地植物功能性状的影响,本试验探究了放牧和短期氮添加(20 g·m^-2·a^-1)对半干旱沙质草地优势种糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)和群落功能性状的影响。结果表明：放牧和氮添加增加了糙隐子草的重要值,放牧降低了糙隐子草叶面积,氮添加显著降低了围封草地中糙隐子草叶干物质含量,增加了围封和放牧草地中糙隐子草叶氮含量(P<0.05);相同氮素水平下放牧降低了植物群落高度,氮添加增加了围封样地植物叶面积和叶氮含量,增加了放牧样地植物比叶面积和叶氮含量,降低了叶干物质含量(P<0.05);回归分析表明,糙隐子草叶面积和叶氮含量能较好地解释群落水平植物叶面积和叶氮含量的变化。半干旱沙质草地植物群落通过改变植株大小和主要叶性状来响应放牧和氮沉降,对预测未来草地生态系统结构与功能具有重要意义。     

青藏高原湿草甸土壤氮组分对氮添加浓度的响应

为研究青藏高原湿草甸土壤氮组分对氮添加程度的响应规律,分析氮素大量输入生态系统后可能产生的环境和生态问题,本研究以青藏高原东北边缘碌曲县尕海-则岔国家自然保护区境内的湿草甸土壤为研究对象,设置空白对照(CK,0 g·m^-2)、低浓度(N₅,5 g·m^-2)、中浓度(N₁₀,10 g·m^-2)和高浓度(N₁₅,15 g·m^-2)4种处理,分析不同氮添加下的土壤氮组分含量(铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性有机氮)的垂直和季节变化。结果表明:不同氮添加处理均能增加土壤氮组分含量,其增加程度依次为N₅＞N₁₀＞N₁₅＞CK;在土壤垂直剖面上,土壤氮组分含量随土层深度增加而降低;在植物生长季内,氮添加处理后的土壤氮组分含量较高值出现在植物生长末期。本研究表明氮添加对青藏高原湿草甸土壤有效氮的增加具有显著促进作用。     

施氮对高寒区垂穗披碱草饲草生产性能及营养品质的影响

为探究高寒区施氮对垂穗披碱草饲草生产性能和营养品质的影响,本研究以建植第二年的垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans）为研究对象,设置不同施氮处理：即纯氮N0（0 kg·hm^-2）,N10（100 kg·hm^-2）,N15（150 kg·hm^-2）,N20（200 kg·hm^-2）,N25（250 kg·hm^-2）,N30（300 kg·hm^-2）处理,旨在确定高寒区垂穗披碱草刈割型草地的合理施氮量。结果表明：施氮处理提高了垂穗披碱草的生产性能,显著增加了垂穗披碱草的分蘖数、株高和干草产量,其中干草产量较不施氮处理的平均增幅为48.34%;并且施氮处理能够改善垂穗披碱草的营养品质,显著提高了其粗蛋白（Crude protein,CP）、粗脂肪（Ether extract,EE）、淀粉含量,其中粗蛋白含量较不施氮处理的平均增幅为49.67%。中性洗涤纤维（Neutral detergent fiber,NDF）,酸性洗涤纤维（Acid detergent fiber,ADF）和粗纤维（Crude fiber,CF）含量随施氮量的增加呈先降低后升高趋势;一定的施氮处理（N10,N15,N20,N25）显著降低杂草的株高和密度,在N25处理下冷地早熟禾（Poa crymophila）、芸香叶唐松草（Thalictrum rutifolium）和沼生水马齿（Callitriche palustris L.）的密度较不施肥处理分别降低了27.52%,57.69%和35.21%,施氮处理能够有效抑制非播种草种的生长。综合分析得出,在果洛高寒区施氮量为250 kg·hm^-2时,垂穗披碱草的产草量和品质最优,且经济效益最好。     

不同氮效率紫花苜蓿叶特征及其产量效应研究

为探讨不同氮效率紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa）叶特征差异及其对产量的影响,本研究采用田间小区试验,设4个不同氮效率紫花苜蓿品种（‘LW6010’、‘甘农3号’、‘甘农7号’和‘陇东苜蓿’）和2个施氮处理（0,103.5 kg·hm^-2）,对比研究不同氮效率紫花苜蓿的叶特征及其生产性能,并采用通径分析法探讨叶特征各因子对产量的影响。结果表明,在不施氮和供氮103.5 kg·hm^-2时,‘LW6010’的叶面积、比叶重、叶片数、叶蛋白含量、维管束、韧皮部、木质部面积、导管数量和总产量显著大于‘陇东苜蓿’。通径分析表明,‘LW6010’叶特征各因子对产量的影响依次为：叶面积>叶重>叶片数>叶增量>比叶重>叶茎比。综上,紫花苜蓿的叶特征在不同氮效率品种间存在差异,无论氮水平高低,氮高效紫花苜蓿品种‘LW6010’叶特征综合表现总是优于‘陇东苜蓿’。利用通径分析发现,紫花苜蓿叶特征各因子中叶面积和叶重的产量效应最突出。     

Dose requirement and cardiopulmonary effects of diluted and undiluted propofol for induction of anaesthesia in dogs

ObjectiveTo compare the dose, cardiopulmonary effects and quality of anaesthetic induction in dogs using propofol (10 mg mL^–1) and diluted propofol (5 mg mL^–1).Study designRandomized, blinded, clinical study.AnimalsA total of 28 client-owned dogs (12 males/16 females).MethodsFollowing intramuscular acepromazine (0.02 mg kg^–1) and methadone (0.2 mg kg^–1), propofol (UP, 10 mg mL^–1) or diluted propofol (DP, 5 mg mL^–1) was administered intravenously (0.2 mL kg^–1 minute^–1) by an anaesthetist unaware of the allocated group to achieve tracheal intubation. Sedation, intubation and induction quality were scored from 0 to 3. Pre- and post-induction pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (f_R) and systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure were compared. Time to first breath and induction dose were recorded. Data were analysed for normality and Mann–Whitney U or Student t tests were performed where appropriate. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (range).ResultsThe propofol dose administered to achieve induction was lower in the DP group (2.62 ± 0.48 mg kg^–1) than in the UP group (3.48 ± 1.17 mg kg^–1) (p = 0.021). No difference was observed in pre- and post-induction PR, SAP, MAP, DAP and f_R between groups. The differences between post-induction and pre-induction values of these variables were also similar between groups. Time to first breath did not differ between groups. Sedation scores were similar between groups. Quality of tracheal intubation was marginally better with UP 0 (0–1) than with DP 1 (0–2) (p = 0.036), but overall quality of induction was similar between groups [UP 0 (0–1) and DP 0 (0–1), p = 0.549].Conclusion and clinical relevanceDiluting propofol reduced the dose to induce anaesthesia without significantly altering the cardiopulmonary variables.     

施用不同氮肥对盐碱地湖南稷子生产性能以及养分吸收的影响

为探讨盐碱地湖南稷子(Echinochloa frumentacea)高效生产的最佳施氮种类和施氮量,采用单因素随机区组设计,通过在湖南稷子拔节期设置不施肥(CK)、尿素和硫酸铵(N1,N2)轻施肥(F1:50 kg·hm^-2)、中施肥(F2:100 kg·hm^-2)、重施肥处理(F3:150 kg·hm^-2),研究不同氮肥和施氮水平下湖南稷子田间农艺性状、养分吸收及氮肥利用率的变化,探讨盐碱地湖南稷子实现高效生产的适宜氮肥和施氮量。结果表明：与对照相比,施氮量为F2和F3时能够显著提高盐碱地湖南稷子产量及氮磷钾吸收量(P<0.05),植株不同部位氮含量上升,施氮量F3时能够显著提高氮肥利用效率(P<0.05),且同一施氮量下追施硫酸铵后湖南稷子产量、养分吸收及氮肥利用率均高于尿素。综上所述,氮肥追施量在150 kg·hm^-2时,有利于盐碱地湖南稷子的产量的提升和养分的吸收,且同一条件下追施硫酸铵较追施尿素效果显著。