Explore the influence of soil quality on crop yield using statistically-derived pedological indicators

The aim of this paper is (1) to find and discuss the best multivariate statistical method in exploring the soil productivity function in an East-Hungarian region; (2) to evaluate and interpret the edaphic indicators and Hungarian soil quality index (HSQI); and (3) to identify the main determinant factors and indicators in this region. Soil pH, carbonate content, soluble and exchangeable Na⁺, clay, humus, available phosphorus and potassium content were analyzed. Topographical position and HSQI were evaluated as well. Yield data (maize, winter wheat, sunflower) of 10 years were standardized using calculated relative yield of each crop. Having simple indicators, stepwise linear regressions for mean relative yield were inadequate for choice uncorrelated indicators which have significant influence on yields. The variables were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation. According to the eigenvalues greater than 1, the PCA yielded three principal components (PCs) explaining a total of 89.471% of the variance for the entire data set. These factors could be well interpreted as derived complex indicators. Having the three PCs, a stepwise linear regression process (PCR) was conducted with dependent variables mean relative yield. The explained variance for mean relative yield was as high as adjusted R² = 0.771 (p < 0.001). The three PC factors together explained the mean relative yield better than the simple indicators and the HSQI. So, the variables can effectively explain the yield and the variability together with other variables as linear combinations. Consequently, PCR is a successful method to reveal the site specific relationship between soil properties and yields and to revision the HSQI at local level.     

外源硒对大豆产量、植株氮磷含量及土壤酶活性的影响

利用盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度、不同价态外源se对大豆产量、N、P含量及与N、P代谢密切联系的土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性的影响．结果表明,施用浓度为0．25和0．5μg·g^-1土的Se^4+和Se^6+后,大豆产量、含N量及土壤脲酶活性增加,大豆含P量和土壤磷酸酶活性降低．当Se^6+浓度为0．5μg·g^-1土时,大豆植株含N量与土壤脲酶活性呈极显著的抛物线相关关系;Se^6+浓度为0．25μg·g^-1土时,大豆植株含P量与土壤磷酸酶活性呈极显著的抛物线相关关系。Se^4+处理的大豆N、P含量和土壤脲酶和磷酸酶活性均无显著相关关系。     

土壤侵蚀对土壤肥力及土地生物生产力的影响

通过对红壤坡地不同土地利用方式土壤肥力及土地生物生产力的空间分异研究,揭示了土壤侵蚀对土壤肥力和土地生产力的负面影响．即侵蚀导致Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ等土壤速效养分含量减少及其在坡面上部的相对贫乏和下部的相对富集;土壤有机质含量降低;土壤机械组成中砂、粉、粘粒比率发生变化,表现为土壤沙化,土地生物生产力下降．     

Nutrient cycling and productivity in a desert saline lake: observations from a dry,low-productivity year

Seasonal variability of nutrients and productivity were examined in Pyramid Lake, a hyposaline, N-deficient, terminal desert lake, during a dry period. River inflow and N-fixation during 1990 were minimal allowing internal nutrient cycling to be more closely studied. Nutrient cycling was strongly affected by seasonal thermal stratification that was typical for a warm monomictic lake. Concentrations of nitrate, phosphate, and silicate in surface waters were highest during winter mixing and decreased rapidly in the spring due to a diatom bloom. Maximum average chlorophyll concentration in surface waters was 2.7 ± 1.2 µg 1^–1 and occurred in April while surface nutrients were being depleted. In contrast to chlorophyll, maximum particulate carbon in surface waters occurred in July–August when areal productivity was highest (367–398 mg C m^–2 day^–1). Concurrent with spring nutrient depletion in surface waters was increasing N-deficiency in the plankton. After the spring bloom dissipated in May, particulate matter (POM) became increasingly N-deficient reaching maximum elemental C : N of > 18 during summer-fall. Profiles of the C : N ratio of POM were nearly constant with depth for individual sampling dates suggesting that the residence time of POM in the water column was short (< 1 month). While surface waters were nutrient depleted during summer stratification, nutrient concentrations of bottom waters progressively increased, presumably through the oxidation of POM sinking to the bottom (103 m). Converting the rate of oxygen depletion in bottom waters to carbon equivalents of POM suggests that 42 % of mean annual phytoplankton production in overlying waters during 1990 was mineralized in bottom waters.     

Assessment of wheat productivity responses and soil health dynamics under brackish ground water

The continuous use of brackish groundwater for irrigation is detrimental for soil and crop attributes. A three-year research study was designed for the wheat crop to assess the effects of brackish groundwater on crop yield and soil health under a surface irrigation system. Three sites were selected in different cropping zones of Pakistan. The treatments comprised of irrigation with moderately brackish water having 0.8, 1.3 & 2.7 dSm^?1 of salinity and canal water. The results indicated that EC, SAR, bicarbonates, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ levels increased in the soil for consecutive years and this increase was more at site S3 followed by S2 and S1. As soil depth is concerned, the increase was more pronounced in upper layers of soil (0–15 cm) as compared to 15–30 cm depth. Growth and yield were also affected by the consecutive use of this water, the number of plants, plant height, the number of spikes per plant, and yield was reduced at all the three sites. However, the impact was less pronounced at the site S1 whereas S3 was the most affected one. Grain weight and dry matter weight were observed to be maximum at S1. Water productivity was also calculated for all the three sites. Maximum water productivity was observed at S1 followed by S2 & S3. It was concluded that the continuous use of brackish water would have an adverse effect on crop yield and subsequently, soil health is also affected by it significantly.     

An index of weed size for assessing the soil productivity of ancient crop fields

A method is presented for generating data on archaeological weed species relevant to soil productivity and consequently crop husbandry. Three plant attributes (maximum canopy height, maximum canopy spread and maximum dry leaf weight per node) which are functionally related to habitat productivity were measured for 161 British annual species. These three attributes were combined to produce an index of weed size. Index values were found to differ significantly between character species of phytosociological classes from fertile and infertile habitats and to provide an objective assessment of CSR (Competitor/Stress-tolerator/Ruderal) strategysensu Grime (1974, 1979). Further work is required, however, to distinguish medium-sized species that exploit highly disturbed and productive habitats from those of less disturbed and less productive situations.     

The effect of soil strength on the yield of wheat

Although it is well-known that high soil strength is a constraint to root and shoot growth, it is not clear to what extent soil strength is the main physical stress that limits crop growth and yield. This is partly because it is difficult to separate the effects of soil drying and high soil strength, which tend to occur together. The aim of this paper is to test the hypothesis that for two different soil types, yield is closely related to soil strength irrespective of difference in soil water status and soil structure. Winter (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Hereward) and spring wheat (cv. Paragon) were grown in the field on two soils, which had very different physical characteristics. One was loamy sand and the other sandy clay loam; compaction and loosening treatments were applied in a fully factorial design to both. Crop growth and yield, carbon isotope discrimination, soil strength, water status, soil structure and hydraulic properties were measured. The results showed that irrespective of differences in soil type, structure and water status, soil strength gave a good prediction of crop yield. Comparison with previous data led to the conclusion that, irrespective of whether it was due to drying or compaction (poor soil management), soil strength appeared to be an important stress that limits crop productivity.     

Germination and emergence of soybean under crusted soil conditions

Summary The fluctuations of ODR, moisture content in the crust and the soil beneath the crust and crust strength during emergence period have been presented. The limiting factors of the seed environment under crusted soil conditions have been described and identified. In the early part of the emergence period ODR and in the later part crust strength were the limiting factors. The emergence characteristics of the 12 soybean varieties of varying seed sizes were analysed in detail. The small seeded varieties (Type-1 and Type-49) were less susceptible to the effects of increasing crust strength and maintained distinct emergence advantage over the large seeded varieties. Since the large seeded varieties confronted the hard crust barriers for a longer period of time, their seedling mortality was more than 50 per cent as compared to around 30 per cent in case of small seeded ones.     

Consecutive seasonal effect on yield and water productivity of drip deficit irrigated sorghum in saline soils

Drought stress destructively affects the growth and productivity of sorghum crop, especially under saline soils. Therefore, Field trials were performed to determine the influence of water stress on water productivity (water productivity for grain, (G-WP) and water productivity for forage, (F-WP), yield of sorghum and soil properties in salt-affected soil (8.20 dS m^?1) under different sowing dates and irrigation regimes. The summer sowing (SS) was performed on 1 April while fall sowing (FS) was established on 2 August. The irrigation regimes were; 100, 90, 80, and 70% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The findings displayed that the fodder and grain yields were increased by 23% and 26% under SS compared to FS over the two seasons 2017 and 2018, respectively. Among irrigation levels, the maximum values of grain and fodder yield were given by 100% of ETc, while a non-significant difference was observed between 100% and 90% of ETc. Moreover, the maximum values of G-WP (1.31%) and F-WP (9.00%) were recorded for 90% of ETc. Interestingly, the soil salinity was decreased in 0–0.6 m depth, and more decline was noted in 0–0.2 m depth using 90% of ETc. The highest salt accumulation withinside the soil profile was recorded under 70% of ETc in comparison to 100% of ETc. Thereupon, under water scarcity, application of 90% of ETc is recommended with SS to save 10% of the applied irrigation water without a significant decrease in grain yield (GY).     

Effect of temperature and time of storage of dry soil samples on a chemical index of N availability

Summary The effect was studied of storage temperature on the index of available soil N wich uses U.V. absorbance of a 0.01M NaHCO₃ extract as an indicator. The U.V. absorbance was found to increase at a non-linear rate for four soils stored at temperatures of 50, 75, and 150°C. The change in extract absorbance due to extended soil storage at each of these temperatures was positively correlated to the percent organic matter, percent N, C/N value and concentration of humic substances in soils, but not to the extract absorbance prior to soil storage. These findings were not consistent with room temperature storage data which showed a linear increase in extract absorbance with soil storage time. The change in absorbance for the room temperature case was not related to any of the soil parameters mentioned above. Analysis of a soil stored at 105°C showed an increase in ninhydrin-detectable N, protein N and Kjeldahl N of the NaHCO₃ extract, while the apparent molecular weight distribution of extracted organic matter (as determined by gel filtration) showed only a slight change. As a comparison to the NaHCO₃ extract, a boiling CaCl₂ extract of the same soil was also analyzed; and the absorbance at 260 nm was found to increase in a curvilinear fashion with starage time at 75°C but to less of an extent than was noted with the NaHCO₃ extract. Nitrogen availability indexes based on the U.V. absorbance of these extracts, particularly those utilizing the NaHCO₃ extract, would be significantly affected by soil storage at elevated temperatures.Paper No. 6176 of the J. Ser. of the Pennsylvania Agric. Exp. Stn. Authorized for publication January 26, 1981.     

Nutrient limitation along a productivity gradient in wet meadows

Conservation management in meadows often focuses on reducing soil fertility and consequently community productivity as to promote and sustain species-rich vegetations. The productivity level to which nutrients are limiting growth is, however, unclear, as well as the relationship between productivity and the type of nutrient limitation. We carried out a fertilization experiment with N, P and K in six annually mown meadows along an aerial phytomass gradient (200–650 g m^–2). All meadows were found to be growth-limited by nutrients. Low-productive meadows were N-limited, or N+P co-limited, whereas our higher productive meadows were co-limited by a combination of N, P and/or K. The results from our experiments were compared with the results from 45 other fertilization experiments with N, P and K in grasslands and wetlands (aerial phytomass range 50–1500 g m^–2). Our results were consistent in nitrogen being the most frequent (co)-limiting nutrient, and regarding the equal frequence of occurrence of P (co)-limitation and K (co)-limitation (both in ca. 25–30% of all sites). Co-limitation occurred more often in our sites than in the other experiments. There was no clear relationship between aerial phytomass and type of nutrient limitation, except that K (co)-limitation only occurred at sites with phytomass above 200 g m^–2, and P (co)-limitation below 600 g m^–2. A comparison of productivity and nutrient concentrations in aerial phytomass among two years indicated that the type of nutrient limitation is not a static site characteristic but may vary with dynamic environmental conditions such as soil wetness; drought seems to enhance N-availability which may induce P- and K-limitation.     

Evaluation of integrating topographic wetness index with backscattering coefficient of TerraSAR-X image for soil moisture estimation in a mountainous region

The estimation of soil moisture by using the backscattering coefficient of radar in a mountainous region is a challenging task due to the complex topography, which impacts the distribution of soil moisture and changes the backscattering coefficient. Complicated terrain can disturb empirical moisture estimation models, thereby, the resulting estimates of soil moisture are very unlikely reliable. This article proposed an innovative way of integration of the topographic wetness index (TWI) and the backscattering coefficient of soil obtained from the TerraSAR-X image, which improves the accuracy of measurement of the soil moisture. The standard estimation error and the coefficient of determination from the model were used to evaluate the performance of TWI. Our results show that the standard estimation error was decreased from: (1) 4.0% to 3.3% cm³ cm⁻³ at a depth of 5 cm and (2) 4.5% to 3.9% cm³ cm⁻³ at a depth of 10 cm. The most reliable estimation was observed at a depth of 5 cm, when it was compared with those of 0–5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm. The TWI from the digital elevation model (DEM) is useful as a constraint condition for modeling work. This article concludes that the integration of the backscattering coefficient of soil with TWI can significantly reduce the uncertainty in the estimation of soil moisture in a mountainous region.     

Calcium, magnesium, and potassium in hair of deer from areas of contrasting soil productivity

Differences in mineral nutrient composition of soils have been considered to affect health and population characteristics of free-ranging animals, particularly herbivores. Contents of Ca, Mg, and K in hair of female fawn white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were measured for eight consecutive years to determine if soil and annual effects occurred in two areas of contrasting soil productivity in Illinois. Soil differences may account for some of the autumnal weight difference (7.2 kg for 4 yrs of observation) observed in fawn does from the areas. Ca, Mg, and K were assayed, because these macronutrients were known to differ in soils of the areas and were presumed to differ in forages. In 6 of the 8 yrs, at least one element was significantly different (P ≤ 0.05) between areas. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences for K occurred in 5 yr, for Ca in 4 yr, and for Mg in 2 yr. Ca and Mg were lower in hair in 7 yr from deer collected from the area in which extractable Ca and Mg were higher in soils; that is, hair Ca and Mg levels tended to be inversely related to levels of plant-available Ca and Mg in soil. For 7 of the 8 yr, K content was lower in hair from the area of lower soil K content. Within one area, between-year differences occurred for Ca and K and for Ca and Mg in the other area. Between-year differences in diet selection and annual climatic effects on mineral uptake of forages, among other factors, may account for some of the latter differences. Results for hair analyses suggest that macronutrient differences in Ca, Mg, and K occur in the diets of these populations and may account for some of the weight difference observed between the areas.     

Effects of high arsenic and fluoride soil concentrations on soybean plants

Arsenic (As) and Fluoride (F) are present in many soils, affecting crops and posing risks in the food chain. We performed pot experiments on spiked soils enriched in these elements either individually or simultaneously, over a wide range of concentrations. Soybean biomass production, grain yield, As and F accumulation and distribution within the plant, and the antioxidant response to these stresses were analyzed. Arsenic was more toxic than F. At As levels >35 mg/kg and F levels >375 mg/kg, yield loss reached 60% and 30%, respectively. At the highest dose of As plants died within 2 weeks, whereas F showed no lethality. When they were applied simultaneously, detrimental effects were more important. As and F in plants increased in all soybean organs although grains presented the lowest concentrations. Antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in plants but this increase was not high enough to cope with the oxidative damage.     

石羊河流域气候干湿状况分析及评价

分析了河西走廊石羊河流域用水区降水的年际时空分布和演化规律,用潜在蒸散、气候干旱指数、蒸降差计算了不同流域段的水分平衡收支情况。结果表明,20世纪80~90年代降水呈增加趋势,但量较小;春、夏季降水增加,秋、冬季降水减少;潜在蒸散多年平均值为1 026.1 mm,并由上游向下游逐渐增大。20世纪70~90年代潜在蒸散呈增加趋势,平均增加4.1~43.6 mm;季节潜在蒸散大小顺序为夏>春>秋>冬,平均为403.5~521.6 mm;历年气候干旱指数平均为0.002,极值出现在下游的民勤地区,达0.581。20世纪70~90年代,气候干旱指数呈增大趋势,气候变得越来越干燥;年水分亏缺量平均为810.7 mm,表现为水分严重不足。最后,提出了合理利用水资源的建议,以科学应对气候变化,促进流域经济持续发展。     

Divergent selection for dinitrogen fixation and yield in soybean

Summary Nitrogen fixation is generally considered to be a major parameter of productivity in soybean (Glycine max). The aim of the investigations reported here was to analyse the genetic behaviour of this trait in view of its possible use as an indirect criterion of selection for productivity. Divergent selection for nitrogen fixation rate was carried out on F₂ populations obtained from crosses between high-yielding cultivars that are well adapted to French climatic conditions. The genetic component of nitrogen fixation and yield was isolated through the analysis of (1) the nitrogen fixation potentials of the genotypes under controlled conditions and (2) the field yields under favourable conditions. Divergent selection resulted in two groups of genotypes whose nitrogen fixation abilities are significantly different. The F₆ filial progeny obtained by single seed descent from the two groups displayed significantly different abilities for nitrogen fixation and for field productivity. The gain achieved for the nitrogen fixation activity with respect to the mean value of the parents ranged from 20% to 33% for the positive selection, depending on the crosses. The occurrence of positive and significant correlations between the level of nitrogen fixation activity in F₂ plants and N₂ fixation or yield in the F₆ generation corroborates the relatively high heritability of this trait and suggests its possible use as an indirect selection criterion for yield.     

不同土壤水分处理对水稻光合特性及产量的影响

为探明土壤水分对水稻生长发育的影响机理,以武香粳14和两优培九为试验材料,分析了不同土壤水分处理下(W1、W2、W3和CK分别表示土壤体积含水量为20%、30%、40%和5cm水层灌溉)的水稻光合特性、产量及水分生产率等。结果表明,轻度水分胁迫(W3)具有处理间最大的叶片气孔导度、蒸腾速率和净光合速率,其他处理规律不显著。灌浆初期各水分处理下叶位间光合指标均表现为:剑叶＞顶2叶＞顶3叶>顶4叶,其他生育期规律不显著。与对照处理(CK)相比,武香粳14的W1、W2和W3处理的产量分别减少61.14%和29.13%、增加0.96%,水分生产率分别减少10.69%、增加1.53%和20.61%;两优培九的产量分别减少64.11%和28.76%,增加2.08%,水分生产率分别减少16.39%,增加2.46%和22.13%。研究结果为水稻精确灌溉和节水生产提供了技术支撑。     

黄土高原苹果园土壤水分及水分生产力模拟

以长武地区为例,采用WinEPIC模型模拟1980—2018年间黄土高原旱作苹果园地深剖面土壤水分和水分生产力变化动态,以期为该区苹果产业的可持续发展提供科学依据。结果表明: 长武地区苹果园年均产量为26.37 t·hm^-2,年均蒸散量为673.66 mm,年均水分生产力为4.07 kg·m^-3,成龄果树水分胁迫天数主要受降雨量影响,果树生长后期年均胁迫天数为46.46 d,深层土壤含水量最早于9龄果树开始接近凋萎湿度。长武地区苹果整个生长周期内供水量是对果园产量影响最大的因素,深层土壤有效水含量降低是制约果树生长中后期产量提高的最主要因素,在降水不足的年份果树会利用更深层土壤水分。当深层土壤可利用水分较少时,过多的降水并未被果树利用,而是转化为浅层土壤水分蒸发。对于成龄果树在年供水量低于500 mm或高于700 mm时都会造成产量的下降。针对不同生长时期的果园,在不同的降雨年份应该调整果园水分管理策略,可以通过补充灌溉、拦蓄集聚雨水、覆盖、修剪枝条等管理措施,降低果树非生产性耗水及自身奢侈性耗水,延缓深层土壤干层的出现时间,在保证果树生长的同时避免水资源的浪费。     

黄土半干旱区刺槐和侧柏林地土壤水分有效性及生产力分级研究

采用LI-6200型植物光合测定系统和LI-1600型稳态气孔计,对黄土半干旱区刺槐、侧柏的净光合速率、羧化效率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、气孔导度、气孔阻力、胞间CO2浓度和气孔限制值与土壤含水量的关系进行研究;并对林地土壤水分有效性及生产力进行分级与评价．结果表明,刺槐与侧柏林地土壤含水量分别在4．5％和4．0％以下为“无效水”;土壤含水量在4．5％～10．0％和4．0％～8．5％阈值内属于“低产低效水”;在10．0％～13．5％和85％～11．0％阈值内为“中产高效水”;在13．5％～17．0％和11．0％～16．0％阈值内属于“高产中效水”;在17．0％～19．0％和16．0％～19．0％阈值内为“中产低效水”;土壤含水量在19．0％以上也属于“低产低效水”。