Stratification and Storage of Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen as Affected by Tillage Practices in the North China Plain

Tillage practices can redistribute the soil profiles, and thus affects soil organic carbon (SOC), and its storage. The stratification ratio (SR) can be an indicator of soil quality. This study was conducted to determine tillage effects on the profile distribution of certain soil properties in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) systems in the North China Plain (NCP). Three tillage treatments, including no till (NT), rotary tillage (RT), and plow tillage (PT), were established in 2001 in Luancheng County, Hebei Province. The concentration, storage, and SR of SOC and soil total nitrogen (TN) were assessed in both the wheat and maize seasons. Compared with RT and PT, the mean SRs for all depth ratios of SOC under NT increased by 7.85% and 30.61% during the maize season, and by 14.67% and 30.91% during the wheat season, respectively. The SR of TN for 0–5:30–50 cm increased by 140%, 161%, and 161% in the maize season, and 266%, 154%, and 122% in the wheat season compared to the SR for 0–5:5–10 cm under NT, RT and PT, respectively. The data indicated that SOC and TN were both concentrated in the surface-soil layers (0–10 cm) under NT but were distributed relatively evenly through the soil profile under PT. Meanwhile, the storage of SOC and TN was higher under NT for the surface soil (0–10 cm) but was higher under PT for the deeper soil (30–50 cm). Furthermore, the storage of SOC and TN was significantly related to SR of SOC and TN along the whole soil profile (P<0.0001). Therefore, SR could be used to explain and indicate the changes in the storage of SOC and TN. Further, NT stratifies SOC and TN, enhances the topsoil SOC storage, and helps to improve SOC sequestration and soil quality.     

轮耕对关中一年两熟区土壤物理性状和冬小麦根系生长的影响

针对关中地区土壤连续单一耕作存在的主要问题,进行了土壤轮耕效应研究。2009年至2012年在关中一年两熟区采用连续4a旋耕(RT)、翻耕-免耕-翻耕-免耕(PNT)和深松-免耕-深松-免耕(SNT)3种耕作处理,对土壤容重、紧实度及小麦根系生长进行了研究。结果表明,与试验前相比,夏玉米收获后(2013年10月)两种轮耕处理显著(P0.05)降低了0—10、10—20 cm土壤容重,旋耕处理在0—10 cm处差异不显著,而10—20 cm土壤容重显著增大;与旋耕处理相比,两种轮耕处理0—10、10—20 cm土壤容重在第4季冬小麦整个生育期内变异系数较小,土壤紧实度较低,且改善效果在冬小麦生育中后期10—20 cm土层体现更为显著;旋耕处理0—10、10—20 cm土壤紧实度与含水量均呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.89、-0.85,两种轮耕处理相关性不显著;0—40 cm土层根重密度和根系活力表现为:两种轮耕处理连年旋耕。可见,长期旋耕后进行轮耕(免耕与翻耕、深松)有利于改善土壤物理状况,促进作物根系生长。     

保护性耕作措施对旱地春玉米土壤水分和硝态氮淋溶累积的影响

通过渭北旱塬春玉米15年定位试验,研究6种保护性耕作方式,即传统翻耕(CT)、免耕(NT)、免耕配施生物炭(NB)、免耕秸秆覆盖(NS)、免耕地膜覆盖(NF)和免耕秸秆地膜覆盖(NSF)对土壤水分与硝态氮淋溶的影响,探索适宜于该区可持续发展的农田管理措施.结果表明: 与NT相比,第一次水分补给时期0～100 cm土层,CT处理水分补给量无显著差异,NS、NB、NSF和NF处理显著降低;在100～300 cm土层,NS、NB、NF和NSF处理显著增加了水分补给量,CT显著低于NT处理.第二次水分补给时期,水分补给主要集中在0～100 cm土层,且各处理与NT水分补给量无显著差异.水分消耗时期,各处理与NT处理在0～100 cm土层消耗量无显著差异,NF和NSF在100～300 cm土层水分消耗量显著增加,分别增加了33.9%和59.9%.在0～200 cm土层,与NT相比,CT处理显著增加了硝态氮累积量,是NT的2.2倍,NS、NB、NF和NSF处理显著减少了硝态氮累积量,分别减少了44.6%、61.5%、69.2%和69.8%;而在200～300 cm土层,NS处理显著增加了硝态氮累积量,CT与NT处理无显著差异,NB、NF和NSF处理显著减少.土壤水分运动能显著影响硝态氮在土壤剖面的分布,NB、NF和NSF处理硝态氮主要分布在0～40 cm土层,NS主要分布在0～100 cm和200～300 cm土层,而NT和CT处理硝态氮在整个剖面大量分布,其中NS、NT和CT处理出现两个硝态氮累积峰.不同农田管理措施通过对水分的调控减少硝态氮淋溶,进而提高氮素利用效率,其中免耕基础上秸秆地膜覆盖能有效调控土壤水分运动和减少硝态氮淋溶累积,是旱塬区改善农田水肥状况,增加作物产量的可行措施.     

耕作方式对甘肃引黄灌区灌耕灰钙土团聚体分布及稳定性的影响

2014—2017年在连续翻耕8年的玉米地上设置连续翻耕(CT)、旋耕(RT)、深松(ST)、免耕(NT)和翻耕-免耕(CT-NT)、深松-免耕(ST-NT)6个耕作处理,研究不同耕作方式对甘肃引黄灌区灌耕灰钙土团聚体分布及稳定性的影响.结果表明: NT和ST-NT处理促进了0～40 cm土层大团聚体形成,并提高了其稳定性;CT和RT处理由于对土壤的强烈扰动,耕层土壤团聚体大小分布和稳定性都显著降低.机械稳定性团聚体以NT处理最佳,＞0.25 mm团聚体含量(R_0.25)、平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)分别比RT处理增加5.8%、8.0%和13.0%,分形维数(D)降低3.6%.水稳性团聚体以ST-NT处理最佳,R_0.25、MWD、GMD分别增加55.3%、15.1%和8.7%,D值降低0.8%.NT、ST-NT处理的团聚体破坏率(PAD)和不稳定团粒指数(E_LT)也最低,PAD分别比RT处理降低了5.9%和7.7%,E_LT分别降低了5.8%和7.2%.综合分析认为,深松-免耕(ST-NT)的轮耕模式更有利于土壤团聚体含量和稳定性的增加,也符合当地农民的操作习惯,是比较理想的耕作方式,在该区域农业可持续发展中具有一定的应用价值.     

渭北旱塬农田不同耕作模式对土壤性状、玉米产量和水分利用效率的影响

通过渭北旱塬黑垆土8年定位试验,研究了秸秆还田下6种耕作方式,即连年翻耕(CT/CT)、免耕(NT/NT)、深松(ST/ST)和免耕/深松(NT/ST)、翻耕/免耕(CT/NT)、翻耕/深松(CT/ST)对土壤团聚体、有机碳、作物产量和水分利用效率(WUE)的影响.结果表明:与CT/CT相比,NT/NT、ST/ST及3种轮耕措施减小了土壤力稳性团聚体的平均质量直径;NT/NT、ST/ST和NT/ST措施增加了20～50 cm土层>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体的含量(WR_0.25)和平均质量直径,降低了土壤团聚体结构破坏率(PAD).在0～10 cm土层,NT/ST、CT/NT、NT/NT和ST/ST处理土壤有机碳含量显著高于CT/CT处理.随着土层加深,各耕作处理土壤有机碳含量下降,但3种单一耕作处理(ST/ST、NT/NT和CT/CT)下降幅度大于3种轮耕处理(CT/NT、ST/CT和NT/ST).与CT/CT相比,其他5种耕作方式均增加了农田0～200 cm土层的土壤蓄水量、作物产量和水分利用效率,其中,NT/ST处理作物产量和WUE分别显著提高了15.1%和27.5%.相关分析表明,玉米产量、WUE与0～200 cm土层生育期和休闲期的蓄水量呈显著正相关,且生育期蓄水量与0～50 cm土层的WR_0.25呈显著正相关,与PAD呈显著负相关;其中,20～50 cm土层的WR_0.25、PAD与玉米产量、生育期蓄水量以及WUE关系最密切;生育期蓄水量和WUE还与0～10 cm土层的有机碳含量呈显著正相关.综合考虑不同耕作措施对土壤结构、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响,免耕/深松是最适宜于渭北旱塬区黑垆土春玉米种植的耕作方式.     

Dry Matter Production,Photosynthesis of Flag Leaves and Water Use in Winter Wheat Are Affected by Supplemental Irrigation in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China

Winter wheat is threatened by drought in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China, thus, effective water-saving irrigation practices are urgently required to maintain its high winter wheat production. This study was conducted from 2012 to 2014 to determine how supplemental irrigation (SI) affected soil moisture, photosynthesis, and dry matter (DM) production of winter wheat by measuring the moisture in 0–20 cm (W2), 0–40 cm (W3), and 0–60 cm (W4) soil profiles. Rainfed (W0) and local SI practice (W1, irrigation with 60 mm each at jointing and anthesis) treatments were designed as controls. The irrigation amount for W3 was significantly lower than that for W1 and W4 but higher than that for W2. The soil relative water content (SRWC) in 0–40 cm soil profiles at jointing after SI for W3 was significantly lower than that for W1 and W4 but higher than that for W2. W3 exhibited lower SRWC in 100–140 and 60–140 cm soil profiles at anthesis after SI and at maturity, respectively, but higher root length density in 60–100 cm soil profiles than W1, W2 and W4. Compared with W1, W2 and W4, photosynthetic and transpiration rates and stomatal conductance of flag leaves for W3 were significantly greater during grain filling, particularly at the mid and later stages. The total DM at maturity, DM in grain and leaves, post-anthesis DM accumulation and its contribution to grain and grain filling duration were higher for W3. The 1000-grain weight, grain yield and water use efficiency for W3 were the highest. Therefore, treatment of increasing SRWC in the 0–40 cm soil profiles to 65% and 70% field capacities at jointing and anthesis (W3), respectively, created a suitable soil moisture environment for winter wheat production, which could be considered as a high yield and water-saving treatment in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China.     

不同耕作措施对冬小麦-夏玉米复种连作系统土壤有机碳和水分利用效率的影响

在连续8年田间定位试验的基础上,分析了关中平原冬小麦 夏玉米复种连作系统2008—2009年连续两个生长季期间不同耕作措施(结合秸秆还田和不还田)对土壤有机碳和水分利用率的影响.结果表明: 相对于传统耕作,保护性耕作有利于土壤有机碳、水分利用效率和作物产量的提高,其中在“深松+秸秆还田”耕作模式下的增幅最高,土壤有机碳含量在0～30 cm土层增幅达到19.5%,水分利用效率和作物产量提高了16.9%和20.5%,而免耕模式则有效提高了0～10 cm土层有机碳含量.在该地区土壤和气候条件下,深松结合秸秆粉碎还田是最理想的耕作模式,最有利于土壤有机碳累积,并提高水分利用效率和作物产量.     

旱地农田不同耕作系统的能量/碳平衡

摘要：加强农田土壤保持耕作管理,科学认识和调控农田耕作系统能流碳流,提高农业生态系统固碳减排能力,对于减缓农业对全球温室效应的贡献具有重要意义。本研究以北方半湿润偏旱区山西寿阳旱作春玉米土壤保持耕作试验研究为基础,利用田间定位观测数据、辅助能投入参数,土壤呼吸田间原位测定,以及农业生态系统能量/碳平衡分析及碳循环过程模拟方法,综合分析和比较不同耕作（CT传统、RT少耕和NT免耕）系统能量/碳平衡及能-碳关联影响。与CT比较,采用RT和NT措施下工业能耗CO2-C损失降低约4%—12%（相当11—35 kg CO2-C?hm-2?a-1）。在RT和NT系统下耗能系数可降低约6%—10%,能量生产效率可提高约7%—12%。2006—2007年由田间原位测定土壤呼吸CO2-C释放通量估算,在玉米休闲期（尤其是秋耕处理后）,NT条件下土壤呼吸速率一般为最低（NT NT（2005380）>CT（1987375）。不同耕作下的玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量趋势基本吻合,如2006-2007年玉米产量（kg?hm-2?a-1）平均为,RT（5614268）>NT（5533564）>CT（5487278）。玉米籽粒产量与生育期土壤呼吸通量之间呈密切相关（R2=0.88）。本研究结果得出,RT和NT对农田耕作系统的影响呈碳汇效应,且一般为NT >RT;而CT处理表现为碳源。RT和NT通过增加土壤碳投入是维持和提高土壤有机碳的有效途径。     

耕作播种方式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响

2016—2018年,以深旋耕播种模式为对照,研究了浅旋耕播种和免耕带旋播种模式对稻茬小麦根系发育、土壤水分和硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明: 孕穗期以前免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理耕层土壤含水量高于深旋耕播种处理,而硝态氮含量低于深旋耕播种处理。拔节和开花期根重密度和根表面积密度处理间差异不显著。2016—2017年,3种耕播方式的产量和地上部分氮吸收量无显著差异;2017—2018年,免耕带旋播种和浅旋耕播种处理的产量较深旋耕播种分别增加10.9%和10.5%,地上部分氮吸收量分别增加17.5%和12.0%。与深旋耕播种和浅旋耕播种处理相比,免耕带旋播种处理播种效率高、断垄率低。综上,免耕带旋播种处理可提高稻茬小麦的播种质量,增强土壤保墒能力,降低氮淋溶风险,促进产量和环境效益的协同提升。     

Mycorrhizae, crop growth, and crop phosphorus nutrition in maize-soybean rotations given various tillage treatments

Previously, tillage has been found to reduce early-season phosphorus (P) uptake from soil in continuous maize cropping systems. This reduced P uptake has often been associated with delayed colonization of roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Our aim was to determine if similar responses occur in maize-soybean rotations, which are more typical of current farming in Ontario, Canada. Similar responses were expected because both are AM crops, and the mechanism by which tillage reduces P uptake is thought to be a negative impact on the development of effective mycorrhizae. Simultaneous field experiments with either maize-soybean-maize or soybean-maize-soybean rotations were conducted in 1992–4. Treatments imposed were no-till (NT), ridge-tillage (RT), and conventional tillage using a moldboard plow (MP). In 1993, early-season dry mass of maize was similar among treatments, but colonization of maize roots by AM fungi and P uptake of maize were stimulated by NT and RT, compared with MP. In 1994, early growth was more rapid overall than in 1993, but it was reduced in the NT and RT treatments compared with MP for reasons not related to P. For soybean, AM colonization in NT and RT systems was higher than with MP, but P uptake was unchanged. As was found for maize in 1994, early-season shoot dry mass of soybean was higher in the MP treatment than with NT, but both in 1993 and 1994. We conclude that colonization of both maize and soybean by AM fungi is susceptible to slower development in tilled systems, and that for maize, stimulation of P uptake under reduced tillage can occur in rotations with soybean just as easily as it does with continuous maize. Taken with other studies, the data here suggest that responses to tillage of colonization of roots by AM fungi and of P uptake could apply to many cropping systems. The slow early-season shoot growth seen in some years in response to reduced tillage is discussed.     

小麦和玉米根系取样位置优化确定及根系分布模拟

为了确定小麦(Triticum aestivum)、玉米(Zea mays)根系的最优取样位置和更准确地模拟根长密度在土壤剖面的分布, 在冬小麦和夏玉米的灌浆后期, 采用根钻法取样, 比较了不同取样位置对根系分布的影响; 采用Gerwitz和Page模型对根长密度的分布进行了模拟。结果表明, 冬小麦行间和行上取样在0-10 cm土层根长密度差异显著, 在10 cm以下土层差异减少。在确定根长密度分布的取样中, 在0-20 cm土层应考虑根长密度分布的空间差异, 即行上密度大于行间密度; 而在20-100 cm土层, 需要考虑行间根长密度大于行上的空间差异; 在1 m以下土层两个位置的差异逐渐消失, 可不考虑空间差异。夏玉米根长密度在上层土壤表现出距离植株不同位置差异显著的特征。植株位置(株上)、距植株10 cm和距植株20 cm位置根长密度在土壤中的分布特征是: 0-10 cm土层3个位置根长密度差异在50%以上, 根长密度大小是株上>距植株10 cm>距植株20 cm; 而在10-30 cm层次, 根长密度表现为距植株10 cm>株上>距植株20 cm, 30-50 cm土层株上位置的根长密度最小, 50 cm以下各位置根长密度差异不明显。对于玉米根系取样, 50 cm以上土层需要考虑根长密度的空间差异, 50 cm以下土层可不考虑。采用Gerwitz和Page模型, 结合华北平原机械化耕作下形成的土壤犁底层变厚及其犁底层容重增加对根系分布的影响, 在模型中加入土壤容重参数订正可以使模型更准确地模拟根长密度在土壤剖面的分布。     

不同耕作方式下长期秸秆还田对旱作春玉米田土壤碳、氮、水含量及产量的影响

为了探索渭北旱塬春玉米田保护性轮耕模式的土壤培肥效果和增产增收效应,于2007—2014年在陕西合阳实施了秸秆覆盖或还田条件下免耕/深松(NT/ST)、深松/翻耕(ST/CT)、翻耕/免耕(CT/NT)、连续免耕(NT)、连续深松(ST)和连续翻耕(CT)等6种耕作处理田间定位试验,测定并分析了2010—2014年玉米收获期各耕作处理下0～60 cm土壤有机碳、氮储量,0～200 cm土层土壤含水量变化及春玉米产量差异.结果表明: 6种耕作处理中以NT/ST处理增加土壤有机碳和全氮储量最为明显.与2007年试验前相比,6种耕作处理均增加了0～60 cm土层土壤有机碳储量,5年平均值增幅为12.3%～28.3%,5种保护性耕作处理土壤有机碳储量5年平均值较CT对照处理显著增加7.1%～13.2%.NT/ST、ST/CT、CT/NT等3种轮耕处理和NT处理0～60 cm土层土壤氮储量5年平均值较试验前增加2.5%～7.3%.NT/ST、ST/CT、CT/NT、NT和ST处理土壤氮储量5年平均值比连续翻耕增加3.6%～11.1%.5种保护性耕作处理土壤含水量较CT处理依次增加5.7%、2.3%、2.0%、5.5%和4.4%,以NT/ST处理土壤含水量最高.6种耕作处理春玉米平均产量表现为NT/ST>ST/CT>ST >NT>CT/NT>CT,以NT/ST处理最高,分别较其他5种处理显著增产4.2%、13.0%、11.3%、4.7%和13.8%;经济效益平均表现为NT/ST>ST/CT>ST>NT>CT/NT>CT.在6种耕作处理中,免耕/深松轮耕处理在改善土壤环境质量、提升土壤肥力和增产增收方面都表现出优越性,为旱作春玉米田较适宜的土壤轮耕模式.     

Effects of Conservation Tillage on Topsoil Microbial Metabolic Characteristics and Organic Carbon within Aggregates under a Rice (Oryza sativa L.) –Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System in Central China

Investigating microbial metabolic characteristics and soil organic carbon (SOC) within aggregates and their relationships under conservation tillage may be useful in revealing the mechanism of SOC sequestration in conservation tillage systems. However, limited studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregate fractions under conservation tillage. We hypothesized that close relationships can exist between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregates under conservation tillage. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from June 2011 to June 2013 following a split-plot design of a randomized complete block with tillage practices [conventional intensive tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT)] as main plots and straw returning methods [preceding crop residue returning (S, 2100−2500 kg C ha⁻¹) and removal (NS, 0 kg C ha^-1)] as subplots with three replications. The objective of this study was to reveal the effects of tillage practices and residue-returning methods on topsoil microbial metabolic characteristics and organic carbon (SOC) fractions within aggregates and their relationships under a rice–wheat cropping system in central China. Microbial metabolic characteristics investigated using the Biolog system was examined within two aggregate fractions (>0.25 and <0.25 mm). NT treatments significantly increased SOC concentration of bulk soil, >0.25 aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer by 5.8%, 6.8% and 7.9% relative to CT treatments, respectively. S treatments had higher SOC concentration of bulk soil (12.9%), >0.25 mm aggregate (11.3%), and <0.25 mm aggregate (14.1%) than NS treatments. Compared with CT treatments, NT treatments increased MBC by 11.2%, 11.5%, and 20%, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration by 15.5%, 29.5%, and 14.1% of bulk soil, >0.25 mm aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer, respectively. Compared with NS treatments, S treatments significantly increased MBC by 29.8%, 30.2%, and 24.1%, and DOC concentration by 23.2%, 25.0%, and 37.5% of bulk soil, >0.25 mm aggregate, and <0.25 mm aggregate in the 0−5 cm soil layer, respectively. Conservation tillage (NT and S) increased microbial metabolic activities and Shannon index in >0.25 and <0.25 mm aggregates in the 0−5 cm soil layer. Redundancy analysis showed that the SOC and its fractions (DOC and MBC) were closely correlated with microbial metabolic activities. Structural equation modelling showed that the increase in microbial metabolic activities directly improved SOC by promoting DOC in >0.25 mm aggregate in the upper (0−5 cm) soil layer under conservation tillage systems, as well as directly and indirectly by promoting DOC and MBC in <0.25 mm aggregate. Our results suggested that conservation tillage increased SOC in aggregates in the topsoil by improving microbial metabolic activities.     

根区交替控制灌溉条件下玉米根系吸水规律

为了阐明根区交替控制灌溉(CRDAI)条件下玉米根系吸水规律,通过田间试验,在沟灌垄植模式下采用根区交替控制灌溉研究玉米根区不同点位(沟位、坡位和垄位)的根长密度(RLD)及根系吸水动态。研究表明,根区土壤水分的干湿交替引起玉米RLD的空间动态变化,在垄位两侧不对称分布,并存在层间差异;土壤水分和RLD是根区交替控制灌溉下根系吸水速率的主要限制因素。在同一土层,根系吸水贡献率以垄位最大,沟位最低;玉米营养生长阶段,10—30 cm土层的根系吸水速率最大;玉米生殖生长阶段,20—70 cm为根系吸水速率最大的土层,根系吸水贡献率为43.21%—55.48%。研究阐明了交替控制灌溉下根系吸水与土壤水分、RLD间相互作用的动态规律,对控制灌溉下水分调控机理研究具有理论意义。     

Yield Response of Spring Maize to Inter-Row Subsoiling and Soil Water Deficit in Northern China

BackgroundLong-term tillage has been shown to induce water stress episode during crop growth period due to low water retention capacity. It is unclear whether integrated water conservation tillage systems, such asspringdeepinter-row subsoiling with annual or biennial repetitions, can be developed to alleviate this issue while improve crop productivity.MethodsExperimentswere carried out in a spring maize cropping system on Calcaric-fluvicCambisolsatJiaozuoexperimentstation, northern China, in 2009 to 2014. Effects of threesubsoiling depths (i.e., 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm) in combination with annual and biennial repetitionswasdetermined in two single-years (i.e., 2012 and 2014)againstthe conventional tillage. The objectives were to investigateyield response to subsoiling depths and soil water deficit(SWD), and to identify the most effective subsoiling treatment using a systematic assessment.ResultsAnnualsubsoiling to 50 cm (AS-50) increased soil water storage (SWS, mm) by an average of8% in 0–20 cm soil depth, 19% in 20–80 cm depth, and 10% in 80–120 cm depth, followed by AS-40 and BS-50, whereas AS-30 and BS-30 showed much less effects in increasing SWS across the 0–120 cm soil profile, compared to the CK. AS-50 significantly reduced soil water deficit (SWD, mm) by an average of123% during sowing to jointing, 318% during jointing to filling, and 221% during filling to maturity, compared to the CK, followed by AS-40 and BS-50. An integrated effect on increasing SWS and reducing SWD helped AS-50 boost grain yield by an average of 31% and biomass yield by 30%, compared to the CK. A power function for subsoiling depth and a negative linear function for SWD were used to fit the measured yields, showing the deepest subsoiling depth (50 cm) with the lowest SWD contributed to the highest yield. Systematic assessment showed that AS-50 received the highest evaluation index (0.69 out of 1.0) among all treatments.ConclusionDeepinter-row subsoilingwith annual repetition significantly boosts yield by alleviating SWD in critical growth period and increasing SWS in 20–80 cm soil depth. The results allow us to conclude that AS-50 can be adopted as an effective approach to increase crop productivity, alleviate water stress, and improve soil water availability for spring maize in northern China.     

Effect of tillage system on the root growth of spring wheat

Little research has examined the influence of tillage system on root growth in wheat grown on rainfed Vertisols. A 3-year field study (2003, 2004 and 2005) was carried out on a typical Vertisol (southern Spain), to determine the effects of tillage system on root growth in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L) grown in continuous rotation with faba bean (Vicia faba L), within the framework of the long-term “Malagón” experiment started in 1986. Tillage treatments were no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), and the experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with three replications. The following parameters were measured: above-ground biomass, grain yield, root length density (RLD), root biomass (RB) and root N content. In the topmost 10 cm of soil, higher values were found under CT than under NT for RLD in the rainiest year (20.2 km m^?3 vs. 9.6 km m^?3 respectively) and for RB (512 kg ha^?1 vs. 261 kg ha^?1 respectively) in all study years. In deeper layers, no difference was recorded between the two tillage systems. Greater wheat root development in the upper soil layer under CT may reflect the greater soil penetration resistance found in the topmost 10 cm under NT. Root separation using a sieve with a 0.5 mm mesh screen led to a marked underestimation of RLD and RB, with values up to three times higher when using a 0.2 mm mesh screen. Mean wheat root N content in the topmost 30 cm of soil accounted for over 80% of total root N content. The highest grain yield was observed under NT, since this system provided greater water storage in the soil profile in the mostly dry study years.     

Root distribution and morphology of maize seedlings as affected by tillage and fertilizer placement

Suboptimal soil conditions are known to result in poor early growth of maize (Zea mays L.) in no-tillage (NT) systems in contrast with conventional tillage (CT) systems. However, most studies have generally focused on maize roots at later growth stages and/or do not give details on root morphology. In a 2-year field study at two locations (silt loam and loam soils) in the Swiss midlands, we investigated the impacts of tillage intensity, NT vs. CT, and NP-fertilizer sidebanding on the morphology, vertical and horizontal distribution, and nutrient uptake of maize roots at the V6 growth stage. The length density (RLD) and the length per diameter-class distribution (LDD) of the roots were determined from soil cores taken to a depth of 0.5 m and at distances of 0.05 and 0.15 m from both sides of the maize row. The temperature of the topsoil was lower, and the bulk density and penetration resistance were greater in the topsoil of NT compared with CT. The growth and the development of the shoot were slower in NT. RLD was greater and the mean root diameter smaller in CT than in NT, while the vertical and horizontal distribution of roots did not differ between CT and NT. RLD increased in the zone enriched by the sidebanded fertilizer, independent of the tillage system, but LDD did not change. The poorer growth of the roots and shoots of maize seedlings was presumably caused by the lower topsoil temperature in NT rather than by mechanical impedance. The placement of a starter fertilizer at planting under NT is emphasized.     

耕作方式和秸秆还田对华北地区农田土壤水稳性团聚体分布及稳定性的影响

本研究基于10年耕作措施的定位试验,利用湿筛法研究了不同耕作措施和秸秆还田条件下农田土壤水稳性团聚体的分布规律,并利用平均重量直径（MWD）和几何平均直径（GMD）评价了不同处理水稳性团聚体的稳定性。研究结果表明,不同耕作措施处理的水稳性团聚体在0~10cm,10~20cm和20~30cm土层表现出不同的分布趋势,随着土层的加深,各处理水稳定团聚体的分布呈粒径逐渐减小、分布范围逐渐扩大趋势,0~10cm土层的水稳性团聚体多集中于2~5mm粒径范围,10~20cm土层水稳性团聚体多集中在0.5~5mm粒径范围,以0.5~1mm最多,而20~30mm,则广泛分布在0.25~5mm粒径范围。通过MWD和GMD值可以看出,免耕、耙耕和旋耕措施更能有效地保护表层（0~10cm）土壤水稳定团聚体的稳定性,常规耕作和深松处理则显著降低了20~30cm水稳性团聚体稳定性。秸秆还田显著增加了土壤有机碳（SOC）含量,且显著影响了土壤表层水稳性团聚体的稳定性。作用力分析结果表明,在0~10cm表层,秸秆作用在土壤表层显著影响了水稳定大团聚体的数量及其稳定性（P<0.001）,多元回归分析说明其与土壤有机碳含量达到了极显著水平（P<0.01）,且同时也受到来自耕作和秸秆交互效应的影响（P<0.01）;但在10~20cm土层,影响其数量分布的主要因素是不同的耕作措施及耕作和秸秆的交互效应（P<0.001）;而在20~30cm,耕作措施、秸秆和两者的交互效应共同对水稳性大团聚体数量产生重要的影响,但主要作用力来自耕作措施（P<0.001）和两者的交互效应（P<0.001）。免耕秸秆还田措施能显著提高土壤的水稳性团聚体的比例和稳定性。     

潮棕壤免耕农田土壤酶活性的动态变化

研究了潮棕壤免耕和常规耕作农田土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性在玉米不同生育时期和不同土层深度的动态变化.结果表明,免耕可显著提高表层(0～10 cm)土壤酶活性,其蔗糖酶活性在玉米拔节期、大喇叭口期和成熟期显著高于常规耕作,脲酶活性在拔节期和孕穗期显著高于常规耕作,酸性磷酸酶活性在孕穗期和成熟期显著高于常规耕作(P＜0.05);在10～20cm土层,免耕土壤蔗糖酶活性在苗期、拔节期和大喇叭口期与常规耕作差异显著,脲酶活性除孕穗期外均显著高于常规耕作(P＜0.05);在20～30 cm土层,免耕土壤蔗糖酶活性在玉米各生育期均显著低于常规耕作,土壤脲酶活性在苗期、酸性磷酸酶活性在成熟期与常规耕作差异显著(P＜0.05).随土层深度的增加,免耕农田土壤酶活性总体呈下降趋势;常规耕作农田土壤蔗糖酶和酸性磷酸酶活性总体呈上升趋势,而脲酶活性呈下降趋势.     

种间互作和施氮对蚕豆/玉米间作生态系统地上部和地下部生长的影响

为河西走廊绿洲灌区豆科/禾本科间作体系的养分管理提供科学依据,于2007年在武威绿洲农业试验站应用田间原位根系行分隔技术研究了蚕豆/玉米种间互作和施氮对玉米抽雄期的根系空间分布、根系形态和作物地上部生长的影响。研究结果表明:种间互作和施氮均增加了玉米和蚕豆在纵向和横向两个尺度上的根重密度、根长密度、根表面积、根系体积。根长密度和根表面积与两种作物产量和氮素吸收均呈正相关,而与蚕豆的根瘤重呈负相关;抽雄期的土壤含水量与玉米产量和养分吸收呈显著的负相关。玉米根系可以占据蚕豆地下部空间,但蚕豆的根却较少到间作玉米的地下部空间,也就是间作后增加了玉米根系水平尺度的生态位。蚕豆和玉米根系主要分布分别在0-40 cm浅土层和0-60 cm 土层,且间作玉米根系在60-120 cm比单作和分隔的多。因此,种间互作和施氮扩大了两作物根系纵向和横向的空间生态位,改变了作物根系形态,即扩展了两者水分和养分吸收的生态位,增加了作物吸收养分的有效空间,从而提高了间作生态系统的生产力。