Growth and Nutrient Accumulation of Winged Bean and Velvet Bean as Cover Crops in a Subtropical Region

We examined biomass dry matter and nutrient uptake of live plant parts, leaf area index, and litter of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) 12, 18, 24 and 30 weeks after sowing (WAS). The two plants had similar leaf and stem+petiole biomasses. At 30 WAS winged bean had a significantly lower pod yield than velvet bean. Between 18 and 30 WAS, winged bean produced less litter than velvet bean due to differences in growth stages. The total mulch of live parts and litter of winged bean and velvet bean completely covered the ground by 18 and 12 WAS, respectively. Compared to velvet bean, the leaf and stem+petiole of winged bean had a significantly higher N concentration; significantly higher N uptake at 24 and 30 WAS; significantly lower C/N ratio; and significantly higher P, K and Mg concentrations. In winged bean, P uptake was significantly higher in the leaf at 30 WAS and in the stem+petiole at all harvesting times. The total biomass of the leaf, stem+petiole and litter of winged bean was 317–561 g DM m-², and their N content was 12.3–17.7 g m-². The total biomass of live parts and litter of winged bean might be sufficient to suppress weeds and increase soil N. Winged bean is an appropriate legume cover crop and green manure due to its longer growing period and superior ground-covering ability and high N input.     

魔芋与玉米间作群体中魔芋植株生长及葡苷聚糖含量变化的研究

设置玉米与魔芋1∶4、2∶4行比种植和净作魔芋3种不同的栽培模式,魔芋采用8.78、12.07、15.36和18.66万/hm24种种植密度,研究不同间作模式和种植密度对魔芋主要生长性状和产量品质的影响.结果表明,玉米遮荫有利魔芋生长,表现为植株交高,生长繁茂,发病轻,叶绿素和葡苷聚糖含量套作都较净作高.综合考虑,魔芋与玉米间作,以玉米∶魔芋=2∶4的间作模式、种植密度为15.36万株/hm2最好.     

The potential of integrated marketing in increasing adoption of land rehabilitation practices in northwest New South Wales,Australia

Land degradation is a major threat to the productivity of agricultural land in Australia, and on the soils used for growing wheat (Triticum aestivum) soil erosion and fertility decline are serious problems. A study financed jointly by NSW Agriculture, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and agribusiness looked at the effectiveness of using integrated marketing to increase adoption of dryland lucerne (Medicago sativa) in rotations in northwestern NSW as a means to rehabilitate degraded wheat soils. At the time of the study, average wheat and protein yields were declining. Integrated marketing, with heavy reliance on television advertising, was run during Summer 1992 and Autumn 1993. Approximately 750 wheat growers, located around Moree in NSW comprised the target group. A similar number of comparable farmers from around Dalby in southern Queensland, who were not exposed to the promotional campaign, formed the control group. Farmers were surveyed by mail just before and 18 months after the campaign. While the results were compounded by severe drought during the study time, as well as by other constraints, the data suggest none the less the value of this approach in getting farmers to change their practices. One in six wheat growers in the target area were aware of the free information kit available via the advertised 1800 number or freepost mail coupon; one in twelve obtained the kit. Television was the most influential media in eliciting a response, followed by the Australian Grain Magazine. The results suggested that the campaign did in fact engender the desired change. The study highlights the possible role integrated marketing may play in rural Australia, whether the subject dealt with is agricultural, environmental or other, not because of any novelty value, but because of the technique itself. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

退化草地土壤上不同豆科作物根系生长特征的研究

以退化草地土壤为供试基质,采用盆栽和网箱栽培方法,研究大豆、黑大豆、绿豆、豌豆和蚕豆根系生长特征。结果表明:不同豆科作物根系各项指标的增长随生育期变化的时间趋势基本呈"S"型增长模型,可划分为缓增期、速增期、顶峰期和衰减期4个时期;不同豆科作物根系垂直分布的深浅存在较大差异,根系生物量空间呈"T"型分布,其垂直递减率符合幂曲线模型Y=B_0·X~(B1)。综合试验结果,黑大豆、蚕豆和大豆比绿豆和豌豆更适合在该试验条件下种植,其中黑大豆和蚕豆可以作为该类型土壤首选作物。本研究结果为选择适宜的豆科作物进行合理种植达到改良退化草地土壤、提高退化草地生物量产出提供了依据。     

Can Landform Stratification Improve Our Understanding of Crop Yield Variability?

Farmers account for yield and soil variability to optimize their production under mainly economic considerations using the technology of precision farming. Therefore, understanding of the spatial variation of crop yield and crop yield development within arable fields is important for spatially variable management. Our aim was to classify landform units based on a digital elevation model, and to identify their impact on biomass development. Yield components were measured by harvesting spring barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) in 1999, and winter rye (Secale cereale, L.) in 2000 and 2001, respectively, at 192 sampling points in a field in Saxony, Germany. The field was stratified into four landform units, i.e., shoulder, backslope, footslope and level. At each landform unit, a characteristic yield development could be observed. Spring barley grain yields were highest at the level positions with 6.7 t ha⁻¹ and approximately 0.15 t ha⁻¹ below that at shoulder and footslope positions in 1999. In 2000, winter rye harvest exhibited a reduction at backslope positions of around 0.2 t ha⁻¹ as compared to the highest yield obtained again at level positions with 11.1 t ha⁻¹. The distribution of winter rye grain yield across the different landforms was completely different in 2001 from that observed in 2000. Winter rye showed the highest yields at shoulder positions with 11.1 t ha⁻¹, followed by the level position with 0.5 t ha⁻¹ less grain yield. Different developments throughout the years were assumed to be due to soil water and meteorological conditions, as well as management history. Generally, crop yield differences of up to 0.7 t ha⁻¹ were found between landform elements with appropriate consideration of the respective seasonal weather conditions. Landform analysis proved to be helpful in explaining variation in grain yield within the field between different years.     

Residual Nitrogen Effects in Organically Cultivated Beetroot Following a Harvested/Green Manured Grass-Clover Ley

ABSTRACT

The residual nitrogen (N) effect on beetroot following harvested grass-clover (H-ley) or corresponding twice-cut green manure (GM-ley) was compared with a barley control. The residual N at beetroot harvest, calculated as N in beetroot crop and mineral N in the 0–90 cm soil layer, was 83 kg ha^?1 for the GM-ley when barley was set to zero. The effect of GM-ley exceeded that of 3H-ley (3 harvests) by 74 kg N ha^?1 and 2H-ley (2 harvests) by 42 kg N ha^?1. Prediction of residual effects was studied using a model with a humification coefficient (hc) of 0.35 and another with different hc values for different plant materials. The former gave the best fit to observed data in regression analysis. The latter gave the best fit to observed data in absolute values. The residual N effect of GM biomass from summer cuttings corresponded to 40–70% of the potential effect.     

不同类型农桐间作热力效应与优化方式研究

以河南黄淮海不同类型农桐间作区为研究对象，研究了不同间作方式下辐射平衡和能量平衡的变化的原因和规律，并应用综合评判和聚类分析的方法，得到了该区农桐间作的最佳方式。研究结果表明：间作地热辐射平衡各分量均低于对照地，热量平衡各分量也有这种趋势，其降低程度与间作行距成反比；在各种间作方式中，以５×４０～５×５０（ｍ）的方式效益最佳。     

Growth stage impacts tolerance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to broadcast flaming

Organic wheat producers are interested in testing propane flaming as part of an integrated weed management program for organic wheat production. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collect baseline information on winter wheat tolerance to broadcast flaming as influenced by its growth stage at the time of flaming and dose of propane. Field experiments were conducted at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory of the University of Nebraska, Concord, Nebraska in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 utilizing six doses of propane applied at four growth stages including: four leaves-4L, three tillers-3 T, shoot elongation-SE and boot stage-BS. The propane doses were 0, 12, 31, 50, 68 and 87 kg ha⁻¹ and were applied using a custom built flamer driven at a constant speed of around 6 km h⁻¹. Crop response to propane doses was described by log-logistic models based on visual estimates of crop injury, various yield components (spikes m⁻², kernels spike⁻¹ and 1000-kernel weight) and grain yield. Overall response to flaming was influenced by the growth stage of wheat and propane dose. In general, wheat at 3 T was the most tolerant and at BS was the most susceptible stage to broadcast flaming. Flaming negatively affected all yield components of wheat. Reduction of grain yield increased with increase in propane dose at each growth stage. The maximum yield losses of about 21%, 32%, 63% and 74% were obtained with the highest propane dose of 87 kg ha⁻¹ applied at 3 T, SE, 4L and BS growth stages, respectively. Due to unacceptable yield loss, the use of broadcast flaming in winter wheat at the tested growth stages is not recommended.     

Clover cover crops under-sown in winter wheat increase yield of subsequent spring barley—Effect of N dose and companion grass

Four two-year field trials, arranged in randomised split-plots, were carried out in southern Sweden with the aim of determining whether reduced N fertiliser dose in winter wheat production with spring under-sown clover cover crops, with or without perennial ryegrass in the seed mixture, would increase the clover biomass and hence the benefits of the cover crops in terms of the effect on the wheat crop, on a subsequent barley crop and on the risk of N leaching. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 or 180 kg N ha⁻¹) constituted the main plots and six cover crop treatments the sub-plots. The cover crop treatments were red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in pure stands and in mixtures. The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was harvested in August and the cover crops were ploughed under in November. The risk of N leaching was assessed in November by measuring the content of mineral N in the soil profile (0–30, 30–90 cm). In the following year, the residual effects of the cover crops were investigated in spring barley (Hordeum distichon L.) without additional N. Under-sowing of cover crops did not influence wheat yield, while reduced N fertiliser dose decreased yield and increased the clover content of the cover crops. When N was applied, the mixed cover crops were as effective in depleting soil mineral nitrogen as a pure ryegrass cover crop, while pure clover was less efficient. The clover content at wheat harvest as well as the amount of N incorporated with the cover crops had a positive correlation with barley yield. Spring barley in the unfertilised treatments yielded, on average, 1.9–2.4 Mg DM ha⁻¹ more in treatments with clover cover crops than in the treatment without cover crops. However, this positive effect decreased as the N dose to the preceding wheat crop increased, particularly when the clover was mixed with grass.