Responses of soil nematode community structure to soil carbon changes due to different tillage and cover crop management practices over a nine-year period in Kanto,Japan

The response of the soil food web structure to soil quality changes during long-term anthropogenic disturbance due to farming practices has not been well studied. We evaluated the effects of three tillage systems: moldboard plow/rotary harrow (MP), rotary cultivator (RC), and no-tillage (NT), three winter cover-crop types (fallow, FL; rye, RY; and hairy vetch, HV), and two nitrogen fertilization rates (0 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ for upland rice, and 0 and 20 kg N ha⁻¹ for soybean production) on changes in nematode community structure. Sixty-nine taxa were counted, total nematode abundance (ALL), bacterial feeders (BAC), predators (PRD), omnivores (OMN), and obligatory root feeders (ORF) were more abundant in NT than in MP and RC, but fungal feeders and facultative root feeders (FFR) were more abundant in RC than in NT and MP. Cover crop also influenced nematode community structure; rye and hairy vetch were always higher in ALL, BAC, FFR, ORF, and OMN than fallow. Seasonal changes in nematode community structure were also significant; in particular, as soil carbon increased, nematode abundance also increased. The relationship between nematode indices and soil carbon was significant only in NT, but not in MP and RC. In NT, with increasing soil carbon, enrichment index and structure index (SI) were positive and significant and channel index was negative. Bulk density was significantly negatively correlated with FFR and ORF. Seasonal difference in nematode community between summer and autumn was larger in an upland rice rotation than in a soybean rotation. Over the nine-year experiment, SI increased not only in NT but also in MP and RC, suggesting that repeated similar tillage inversions in agroecosystems may develop nematode community structures adapted to specific soil environmental conditions. Because NT showed the highest values of both SI and soil carbon, the increase of soil carbon in NT is expected to have a great impact on developing a more diverse nematode community structure.     

长期少免耕对中国东北玉米农田土壤呼吸及碳氮变化的影响

在黑土区37年不同耕作模式定位试验田,采用原位法比较常规旋耕灭茬起垄（CT）、旋耕留高茬行间深松-少耕（RT）、免耕（NT）和深翻（PT）4种耕作模式土壤呼吸速率及其与土壤温度和湿度的关系,测定土壤总碳氮、无机氮,微生物碳氮的变化。结果表明,玉米生育期间土壤呼吸呈单峰变化,开花期达最大值,生长季平均呼吸速率依次为RT > NT > CT > PT。4个处理土壤温度与土壤呼吸速率间存在显著指数关系。不同耕作模式0~10 cm土壤温度可解释土壤呼吸速率变异的38.3%~67.9%,温度敏感性系数Q10范围为2.1~5.3;RT和NT处理显著提高0~20 cm土壤碳氮含量;RT处理在0~20 cm土壤中微生物碳含量均高于CT、NT和PT处理。RT处理土壤呼吸对温度响应提高,RT和NT处理显著增加上层土壤总碳氮含量,利于土壤质量提升。     

免耕和稻草还田对稻田土壤肥力和水稻产量的影响

为了明确稻草还田和免耕等保护性耕作措施对土壤肥力和水稻产量的影响,自2008年于广西大学农学院科研基地进行长期定位试验,设置免耕（NT）、免耕+稻草覆盖还田（NT-SMR）、常规耕作+稻草覆盖还田（CT-SMR）、常规耕作（CT）和常规耕作+稻草翻压还田（CT-SR）5个处理,于2018年水稻成熟期测定产量,水稻收获后分层（0~5、5~10和10~20cm）测定土壤肥力。结果表明,稻田不同土层肥力指标均存在显著性差异,总体上表现为0~5、5~10和10~20cm土层的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量依次下降。NT-SMR处理显著提高了0~5cm土层的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮和有效磷含量,但降低了土壤速效钾含量。在5~10和10~20cm土层,稻草还田处理的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均优于无稻草还田处理。水稻产量与土壤肥力呈显著正相关。2016年CT-SR处理水稻产量在早季分别比NT和CT处理显著提高了8.52%和7.99%,在晚季分别显著提高了12.12%和7.55%;2018年NT-SMR处理的水稻产量在早季分别比NT和CT处理显著提高了17.78%和10.30%,在晚季分别显著提高了13.88%和19.39%。因此,免耕和稻草还田能明显提高稻田耕作层土壤肥力,增加稻谷产量。     

绿洲灌区小麦免耕秸秆还田对后作玉米产量性能指标的影响

产量性能是决定作物生长发育和产量形成的关键因素,研究前茬秸秆处理方式对后茬作物产量性能指标的影响,对于建立高效种植制度、优化栽培措施具有重要指导意义。2009—2012年,在甘肃河西绿洲灌区,通过田间定位试验,研究了前茬小麦不同秸秆还田和耕作措施(NTSS:25 cm高茬收割立茬免耕;NTS:25 cm高茬等量秸秆覆盖免耕;TIS:25 cm高茬等量秸秆翻耕;CT:不留茬翻耕对照)对后作玉米产量性能指标的影响,以期为优化试区玉米种植模式提供依据。结果表明,与CT相比,前茬小麦秸秆还田降低了后作玉米大喇叭口期之前的叶面积指数(LAI)与光合势(LAD),但增大了吐丝期之后的LAI与LAD,延缓了衰老,以NTSS、NTS延缓衰老作用突出;NTSS、NTS和TIS处理玉米全生育期的平均叶面积指数(MLAI)比CT分别提高12.8%、19.1%和7.0%,总光合势分别提高12.9%、18.6%和6.8%,免耕秸秆还田(NTSS和NTS)提高MLAI和LAD的效果最好。免耕秸秆还田提高了玉米全生育期的平均净同化率(MNAR),以NTSS提高作用明显,较CT高10.7%;但净同化率(NAR)表现为吐丝期之前增大,吐丝期之后降低。NTSS、NTS提高了后作玉米的籽粒产量,比CT分别高13.0%、15.6%,TIS比CT提高7.9%,NTS增产效应最大。不同秸秆还田及耕作方式下,玉米籽粒产量与MLAI、穗数(EN)、穗粒数(KNE)呈极显著正相关性,与收获指数(HI)呈显著正相关性,但与MNAR无显著相关性。MLAI、EN、KNE增加、HI提高是前茬小麦免耕秸秆还田提高后作玉米产量的主要原因。前茬秸秆免耕还田优化后茬玉米主要产量性能指标的效果最好。因此,前茬小麦25 cm秸秆覆盖免耕还田是绿洲灌区优化后作玉米产量性能指标及获得高产的可行栽培措施。     

稻草还田免耕抛秧对水稻土剖面形态特征的影响

为探讨免耕抛秧栽培对土壤剖面形态特征的影响,分别对连续2年和7年结合稻草还田的常耕和免耕试验的土壤剖面进行了研究。结果表明,常耕对土壤剖面形态特征影响不明显。免耕改变了耕作层亚层的剖面形态特征,且表层土壤疏松和pH值变小;水稻根系向土壤表层集中和裂隙出现部位增高。普通免耕形成的耕作层构型是Aa1-Aa2-Aa3,疏松表层较薄、亚表层有变坚实的趋势。稻草还田免耕形成的耕作层构型是O-Aa1-Aa2-Aa3,鳝血斑的数量增加、土壤颜色加深、疏松和体积质量降低。以稻草还田免耕抛秧形成的土壤剖面协调土壤肥力效果最好。     

Effects of tillage systems on soil characteristics, glomalin and mycorrhizal propagules in a Chilean Ultisol

Tillage affects the soil physical and chemical environment in which soil microorganisms live, thereby affecting their number, diversity and activity. However, soil disturbance generally has the greatest impact on biological properties, including both free and symbiotic fungal populations. Interest in more ecologically sustainable agricultural systems is rising with increasing recognition that agricultural intensification can adversely affect environmental quality. This paper discusses the effect of tillage system on some soil characteristics, such as pH, C, N and S levels, total and Olsen-P contents including some P forms associated with organic matter, glomalin contents and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) parameters, such as root colonization, spore number and total and active hyphal length. Measurements were in the sixth year of an on-going tillage-rotation experiment conducted on an Ultisol under no-till (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage with stubble mixed into the soil (CTS) or stubble burnt (CTB). Soil was sampled at two dates; after wheat (Triticum aestivum) harvest (autumn) and 6 months after subsequent grassland seeding (spring). Higher C, N, S, total P and fulvic acid-P concentrations and pH occurred under NT and RT than under CTS and CTB after wheat harvest. However, results at the second sampling were not consistent. AM spore number and active hyphal length were highest under NT having the greatest incidence on AM root colonization and P concentration in shoots of the pasture. Glomalin concentration was higher under NT and RT than under CTS and CTB but no differences in calculated glomalin to total C (ca. 5%) were found. It is concluded that a less disruptive effect of NT influences positively all soil characteristics and also increases P acquisition by the following crop in the rotation system.     

The effects of long-term conservation tillage, crop residues and P fertilizer on soil conditions and responses of summer and winter crops on an Andosol in Japan

A field experiment was conducted from 1983 to 1992 in Tsukuba, Japan to investigate the effects of tillage on soil conditions and crop growth in a light-colored Andosol. Three tillage methods (NT: no-tillage, RT: no-tillage for summer cropping and moldboard plowing for winter cropping, and CT: conventional rotary tillage to a depth of 15 cm) were employed in combination with crop residue application (+R, −R) and fused magnesium phosphate (FMP) fertilization (+P, −P). Under the combination of NT and +R, diurnal variation of soil temperature at a depth of 5 cm was smaller during the summer cropping season and soil temperature in the daytime was lower during the winter cropping season than under CT. Soil inorganic N concentration at a depth of 0–30 cm was +R > −R and NT > RT > CT. The early growth of summer crops was accelerated under NT in comparison with CT, and yields were higher under NT and RT in comparison with CT. On the other hand, winter crop yields were significantly reduced under NT, while they were still higher under RT in comparison with CT. Yields were higher with +R and +P application, respectively, and these effects were more pronounced in winter cropping. The positive effect of FMP fertilization was greater in combination with NT, and that of residue treatment was greater in combination with RT and NT than with CT. In conclusion, the best tillage practice for Andosols on the Kanto Plain is RT, i.e. a combination of NT for summer cropping and CT for winter cropping. The application of NT for winter cropping is not recommended, although the application of phosphate and crop residues could reduce the risk of yield reduction, because of improved soil nutrient status and moderation of diurnal soil temperature.     

Effects of three soil tillage systems on some biological activities in an Ultisol from southern Chile

Intensive tillage for annual crop production may be affecting soil health and quality. However, tillage intensity effects on biological activities of volcanic-derived soils have not been systematically investigated. We evaluated the effects of three different tillage practices on some biological activities of an Ultisol from southern Chile during the third year of a wheat–lupin–wheat crop sequence. Treatments were: no tillage with stubble burning (NTB), no tillage without stubble burning (NT) and conventional tillage with disk-harrowing and stubble burning (CT). Biological activities were evaluated in winter and summer at 0–200 mm and at three soil depths (0–50, 50–100 and 100–200 mm) in winter. Total organic C and N were significantly higher under no-tillage systems than CT. In general, NT increased C and N of microbial biomass in comparison with CT, especially in winter. Microbial biomass C was closely associated with microbial biomass N (r = 0.986, P < 0.05); acid phosphomonoesterase (r = 0.999, P < 0.05); β-glucosidase (r = 0.978, P < 0.05), and others. Changes in biological activities occurred mainly in the upper soil layer (0–50 mm depth) in spite of the short duration of the experiment. Biological activities could be used as practical biological indicators to apply the more appropriate management systems for increasing soil sustainability or productivity.     

Soil carbon dioxide fluxes following tillage in semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystems

In semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystems, low and erratic annual rainfall together with the widespread use of mouldboard ploughing (conventional tillage, CT), as the main traditional tillage practice, has led to a depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and with increases in CO₂ emissions from soil to the atmosphere. In this study, we evaluated the viability of conservation tillage: RT, reduced tillage (chisel and cultivator ploughing) and, especially, NT (no-tillage) to reduce short-term (from 0 to 48 h after a tillage operation) and mid-term (from 0 h to several days since tillage operation) tillage-induced CO₂ emissions. The study was conducted in three long-term tillage experiments located at different sites of the Ebro river valley (NE Spain) across a precipitation gradient. Soils were classified as: Fluventic Xerocrept, Typic Xerofluvent and Xerollic Calciorthid. Soil temperature and water content were also measured in order to determine their influence on tillage-induced CO₂ fluxes. The majority of the CO₂ flux measured immediately after tillage ranged from 0.17 to 6 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ and was from 3 to 15 times greater than the flux before tillage operations, except in NT where soil CO₂ flux was low and steady during the whole study period. Mid-term CO₂ emission showed a different trend depending on the time of the year in which tillage was implemented. Microclimatic soil conditions (soil temperature and water content) had little impact on soil CO₂ emission following tillage. In the semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystems studied, NT had low short-term soil CO₂ efflux compared with other soil tillage systems (e.g., conventional and reduced tillage) and therefore can be recommended to better manage C in soil.     

湖北双季稻区免耕直播油菜生长及产量形成

长江流域双季稻区因茬口紧、土壤黏重,晚稻收获后大都未种植下茬作物而形成冬闲田。本研究以华双5号油菜品种为材料,在湖北双季稻区三试验点进行裂区试验,测定油菜各生育期在不同氮素及密度水平下的个体及群体指标,成熟期考察经济性状及产量构成,为双季稻区免耕直播油菜示范及管理提供依据。结果表明：(1)双季稻区免耕直播油菜全生育期尤其是苗期显著缩短,苗期生长量严重不足,蕾薹期至开花期油菜生长快,春发特性明显;(2)氮肥及种植密度水平对双季稻区免耕直播油菜生长及产量有着显著影响,增施氮肥可改善个体素质、增加产量,提高密度可提高群体素质、增加产量;(3)湖北各试点每公顷纯氮用量270 kg、种植密度为45万株及60万株处理的产量均接近或达到2 250 kg hm^–2,超湖北平均单产,说明油菜免耕直播栽培模式可在湖北双季稻区试验示范;(4)生产实践中,应重视氮肥与密度的双重调节,以肥促长、以密补迟,相互配合。