河套灌区秋浇对不同类型农田土壤氮素淋失的影响

研究了河套灌区秋浇对不同类型农田 NO3 - N淋失的影响。结果表明 ,秋浇前小麦和白菜地 NO3 - N含量最高 ,玉米地和小麦 -玉米套种地次之 ,葵花地最低。秋浇后土壤剖面 NO3 - N的损失量按照表层 (0～40 cm)、中层 (40～ 80 cm)、深层 (80～ 1 2 0 cm)依次递减 (玉米地除外 )。不同农田 NO3 - N淋失量按照小麦地、白菜地、玉米地、葵花地、小麦 -玉米地依次递减。这说明 ,发展套种耕作将有利于减少氮素淋失。土壤 NO3 -N的淋失还直接导致地下水质的恶化。在当前的耕作制度及秋浇定额下 ,河套灌区每年可损失约 2 .6× 1 0 7kg N。因此 ,需要科学地确定秋浇方式和秋浇量 ,减少氮素淋失 ,减少地下水污染     

Some measures of reducing leaching loss of nitrates beyond potential rooting zone

Summary Soil nitrate profiles under seven treatments of an experiment on intercropping in row crops were studied at sowing and the after harvesting of different crops. The estimates of NO₃ ^––N in these profiles indicate that intercropping in the row crops grown during the rainy season considerably reduced leaching loss of nitrates. Where the main crop receives the recommended fertilizer amount and the intercrop a small additional application, intercropping greatly reduced the amount of unutilized nitrates and hence their leaching beyong root zone.     

不同栽培模式对冬小麦-夏玉米轮作系统产量、氮素累积和平衡的影响

以河北山前平原区秸秆还田条件下小麦-玉米轮作体系为研究对象,设置农民习惯、高产高效、再高产和再高产高效4个模式,通过定位试验探讨各栽培模式对3个轮作周期作物产量、土壤硝态氮累积量及氮平衡的影响.结果表明: 小麦、玉米产量均以再高产模式最高,高产高效和再高产高效模式次之,均显著高于农民习惯模式;小麦季和玉米季氮肥利用效率(PFP)均以高产高效模式最高,显著高于其他模式;0～400 cm土体硝态氮累积量在 768.4～1133.3 kg·hm^-2之间,其中80%～85%累积在根下90～400 cm土层;4种模式的土壤硝态氮均有明显向下淋移现象,120～150 cm和270～330 cm处均出现了累积峰,以270～330 cm土层硝态氮累积量最大;高产高效模式的土壤硝态氮含量整体水平均低于其他模式,浓度基本维持在30 mg·kg^-1以下,在一定程度上能有效缓解环境压力;冬小麦季0～90 cm土体氮素盈余量均小于夏玉米季,并以高产高效模式的氮素表观损失量最低,显著低于其他模式.综合考虑产量、氮肥利用效率、硝态氮累积和氮平衡,以高产高效模式表现最优,但还有一定的提升空间.     

Effect of deep and shallow root systems on the dynamics of soil inorganic N during 3-year crop rotations

Unused inorganic nitrogen (N_inorg) left in agricultural soils will typically leach to deeper soil layers. If it moves below the root zone it will be lost from the system, but the depth of the root zone depends on the crop species grown. In this experiment we studied the effect of 3-year crop sequences, with different combinations of deep-rooted and shallow-rooted crops, on soil N_inorg dynamics to 2.5 m soil depth and the possibility of crop utilization of N leached to deep soil layers. We grew ten different crop sequences for 3 years. The crops and catch crops grown were selected to allow different sequences of deep-rooted and shallow-rooted crops. Very different rooting depths were obtained, from only 0.5 m (leek), to ∼1.0 m (ryegrass and barley), 1.5 m (red beet), 2.0 m (fodder radish and white cabbage) and more than 2.5 m by the chicory catch crop. The results showed a significant retention of N_inorg within the 2.5 m soil profile from one year to the next, but the retained N had leached to deeper parts of the profile during the winter season. Only little N_inorg was retained over two winter seasons. The retention in the deeper soil layers allowed N_inorg to be taken up by succeeding deep-rooted main crops or catch crops. The effects of crop rooting depth on N_inorg in the subsoil layers from 1.0 to 2.5 m were striking. White cabbage reduced N_inorg below 1.0 m with up to 113 kg N ha^-1 during its growth. Grown after catch crops, leek and red beet left on average 60 kg N ha⁻¹ less below 1.0 m than leek and red beet grown without a preceding catch crop. We conclude that it is possible to design crop rotations with improved nitrogen use efficiency by using the differences in crop rooting patterns; deep-rooted crops or catch crops can be used to recover N_inorg leached after previous crops, and catch crops can be grown before shallow-rooted crops to lift the deep N_inorg up to layers where these crops have their roots.     

Increasing N retention in Coastal Plain agricultural watersheds

Historically, N availability has limited agricultural production as well as primary production in coastal waters. Prior to the middle of the last century, N available for grain production generally was limited to that supplied by previous legume crops, released from soil organic matter, or returned to the soil in animal wastes. The development of infrastructure to produce relatively low-cost inorganic N fertilizers eliminated the need to focus management of the entire agricultural system on increasing soil N availability. Increased N availability has contributed to dramatic increases in agricultural production but also has led to increased losses of both N and C from agricultural systems. N losses from cropland have been linked to increased algal production in the Chesapeake Bay, with N loss from cropland estimated to be the primary N input to the Bay from Coastal Plain regions of the watershed. The decade-long effort to reduce these losses has focused on reducing agricultural N use, but this strategy has yet to yield apparent reductions in N loadings to Coastal Plain tributaries. Although nitrate leaching losses are often attributed to inefficient use of N inputs, soil nitrate data indicate that both corn and soybeans can utilize nearly all available soil nitrate during periods of active growth. However, both crops tend to stop utilizing nitrate before mineralization has ceased, resulting in a late season buildup of root zone nitrate levels and significant leaching losses even when no N was applied. Reducing nitrate losses due to the inherent N inefficiency of summer annual grain crops will require the addition of winter annual crops to rotations or changes in weed management approaches that result in plant N uptake capacity being more closely matched to soil microbial N processes.     

Clonal variability in root growth and drought resistance in tea (Camellia sinensis)

Summary An investigation was carried out to study whether differences in rooting depth, root weight and vertical distribution of roots in the soil were some of the factors responsible for clonal variation in drought resistance in tea. The results showed that of these factors only rooting depth influenced drought resistance. Shallow rooted clones were drought susceptible and deep rooted clones drought resistant. In shallow rooted clones drought resistance increased with rooting depth. However in deep rooted clones drought resistance was not related to rooting depth.     

苹果园改种粮食作物渭北旱塬深层土壤水氮变化特征

黄土高原退耕还林(草)工程实施20年来,长期苹果种植导致了普遍的土壤干层和大量的硝态氮累积,严重制约了农业和区域经济可持续发展。因此,明确不同树龄苹果园改种粮食作物后对深层土壤干层恢复(土壤水分变化)、土壤硝态氮累积与运移的影响,对于黄土高原土壤质量改善和农业可持续发展具有重要意义。以渭北旱塬为研究区,选取10、15、20、30 a树龄的苹果园以及对应树龄苹果园改种为2、5 a和6 a粮食作物为研究对象,通过对比分析各样地0—10 m剖面的土壤含水量、土壤储水量和硝态氮含量的差异,基于空间换时间的方法定量评估苹果园改种为粮食作物后对于深层土壤水氮的影响。结果表明：(1)不同林龄苹果园改种粮食作物后土壤水分迅速恢复,在2年之内均可恢复到7.0 m左右深度。(2)改种后土壤储水量对于改种后土壤硝态氮累积量的直接影响最显著,不同林龄苹果园改种粮食作物后,土壤剖面中硝态氮随着土壤水分的恢复发生了不同程度的淋失。改种前苹果园种植年限对于改种后土壤硝态氮累积量起决定性作用,改种前林龄越长,改种后硝态氮累积量越大、淋失深度越浅。(3)土壤累积硝态氮的淋失滞后于土壤水分的向下运动。可见,不同林龄苹果园...     

Theoretical evidence that root penetration ability interacts with soil compaction regimes to affect nitrate capture

Background and AimsAlthough root penetration of strong soils has been intensively studied at the scale of individual root axes, interactions between soil physical properties and soil foraging by whole plants are less clear. Here we investigate how variation in the penetration ability of distinct root classes and bulk density profiles common to real-world soils interact to affect soil foraging strategies.MethodsWe utilize the functional–structural plant model ‘OpenSimRoot’ to simulate the growth of maize (Zea mays) root systems with variable penetration ability of axial and lateral roots in soils with (1) uniform bulk density, (2) plow pans and (3) increasing bulk density with depth. We also modify the availability and leaching of nitrate to uncover reciprocal interactions between these factors and the capture of mobile resources.Key ResultsSoils with plow pans and bulk density gradients affected overall size, distribution and carbon costs of the root system. Soils with high bulk density at depth impeded rooting depth and reduced leaching of nitrate, thereby improving the coincidence of nitrogen and root length. While increasing penetration ability of either axial or lateral root classes produced root systems of comparable net length, improved penetration of axial roots increased allocation of root length in deeper soil, thereby amplifying N acquisition and shoot biomass. Although enhanced penetration ability of both root classes was associated with greater root system carbon costs, the benefit to plant fitness from improved soil exploration and resource capture offset these.ConclusionsWhile lateral roots comprise the bulk of root length, axial roots function as a scaffold determining the distribution of these laterals. In soils with high soil strength and leaching, root systems with enhanced penetration ability of axial roots have greater distribution of root length at depth, thereby improving capture of mobile resources.     

Different distribution patterns of woody species on a slope in relation to vertical root distribution and dynamics of soil moisture profiles

Distribution patterns along a slope and vertical root distribution were compared among seven major woody species in a secondary forest of the warm-temperate zone in central Japan in relation to differences in soil moisture profiles through a growing season among different positions along the slope. Pinus densiflora, Juniperus rigida, Ilex pedunculosa and Lyonia ovalifolia, growing mostly on the upper part of the slope with shallow soil depth had shallower roots. Quercus serrata and Quercus glauca, occurring mostly on the lower slope with deep soil showed deeper rooting. Styrax japonica, mainly restricted to the foot slope, had shallower roots in spite of growing on the deepest soil. These relations can be explained by the soil moisture profile under drought at each position on the slope. On the upper part of the slope and the foot slope, deep rooting brings little advantage in water uptake from the soil due to the total drying of the soil and no period of drying even in the shallow soil, respectively. However, deep rooting is useful on the lower slope where only the deep soil layer keeps moist. This was supported by better diameter growth of a deep-rooting species on deeper soil sites than on shallower soil sites, although a shallow-rooting species showed little difference between them.     

长期不同施氮量下冬小麦-夏玉米复种系统土壤硝态氮累积和淋洗特征

冬小麦夏玉米是华北平原主要的粮食作物,其集约化的农业种植体系虽然普遍实现了粮食的高产,但氮肥常年大量施用会造成土壤深层硝态氮累积、淋洗等问题.本文以河北清苑冬小麦-夏玉米复种体系为研究对象,设置不同施氮量(N₀、N₁₀₀、N₁₈₀、N₂₅₅、N₃₃₀,分别表示施氮0、100、180、255、330 kg·hm^-2),于2010-2016年开展6个周期定位试验,研究不同施氮量对土壤硝态氮累积和淋洗的影响.结果表明: 在12季冬小麦和夏玉米收获期各处理产量存在显著差异,土壤硝态氮含量表现为冬小麦季累积、夏玉米季淋洗的特点,且90和180 cm土层硝态氮累积量均表现为 N₃₃₀>N₂₅₅>N₁₈₀>N₁₀₀>N₀.从土壤剖面分布看,硝态氮可淋洗至990 cm的深层土壤中,且出现6个累积峰,同时土壤硝态氮累积峰随施氮量增加而下移,N₃₃₀处理累积峰最深在840 cm处.从各土层累积量的分配看,5个处理0～90 cm硝态氮累积量占比在10%左右,大部分都在90 cm以下,不能被植物利用.可见,夏玉米季硝态氮淋洗严重,施氮量越高,土壤硝态氮残留量越大,向土壤深层淋洗量也越多,由此带来的对地下水的污染风险应该引起重视.从产量与硝态氮累积情况来看,N₁₈₀为最优处理.     

Root and inorganic nitrogen distributions in sesbania fallow,natural fallow and maize fields

One hypothesis for a benefit of integrating trees with crops is that trees with deep root systems can capture and pump up nutrients from below the rooting zone of annual crops. Few studies have compared both root and nutrient distribution for planted trees, crops and grassland vegetation. A field study was conducted on a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox in the highlands of western Kenya to measure rooting characteristics and distribution of inorganic N and water in three land-use systems (LUS): (i) Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. fallow, (ii) uncultivated natural weed fallow and (iii) unfertilized maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture. The maximum rooting depth was 1.2 m in the maize LUS, 2.25 m in a 13-month-old natural fallow, and > 4 m in a 15-month-old sesbania fallow. Total root length was 1.26 km m^-2 for the maize LUS, 5.98 km m^-2 for the natural fallow, and 4.56 km m^-2 to 4 m for the sesbania fallow. Root length to 1.2 m was greater (p < 0.01) for natural fallow than for maize and sesbania fallow. A considerable portion of the sesbania root length to 4 m was in the subsoil; 47% was at 1.2 to 4 m and 31% was at 2.25 to 4 m. Deep rooting of sesbania coincided with lower soil water below 2 m in the sesbania fallow than the natural fallow. Nitrate-N, but not ammonium-N, to 4 m was affected by LUS. Total nitrate to 4 m was 199 kg N ha^-1 for the maize LUS, 42 kg N ha^-1 for the natural fallow and 51 kg N ha^-1 for the sesbania fallow. Soil nitrate in the maize LUS was highest at 0.3 to 1.5-m depth on this Oxisol with anion sorption capacity. No such accumulation of subsoil nitrate was present under sesbania and natural fallow.     

Some measures of reducing leaching loss of nitrates beyond potential rooting zone

Summary Distribution patterns of nitrate in field are studied in twelve treatments comprising of different N splits and irrigation schedules, after the harvest of wheat. Total amount of irrigation and nitrogen application were kept same for each treatment. The curves show that heavy irrigation at greater intervals can result in larger amount of unutilised NO₃ ^–-N, which will eventually be lost beyond potential rooting zone. As irrigation becomes lighter and frequent, nitrates travel slowly and thus remain for more time within the reach of roots and are lost to a less extent. When whole of the nitrogen is applied in one lot, considerably more NO₃ ^–-N is lost under all the irrigation schedules. As the number of splits are increased, susceptibility of nitrate nitrogen for leaching decreases to a greater extent under lighter and more frequent irrigation schedule than the other. Besides N-splitting and irrigation criteria, efficiency and depth of rooting system of plants seems to play a major role in defining nitrate leaching patterns towards unsaturated zone.     

Steep,cheap and deep: an ideotype to optimize water and N acquisition by maize root systems

Background

A hypothetical ideotype is presented to optimize water and N acquisition by maize root systems. The overall premise is that soil resource acquisition is optimized by the coincidence of root foraging and resource availability in time and space. Since water and nitrate enter deeper soil strata over time and are initially depleted in surface soil strata, root systems with rapid exploitation of deep soil would optimize water and N capture in most maize production environments.• The ideotype Specific phenes that may contribute to rooting depth in maize include (a) a large diameter primary root with few but long laterals and tolerance of cold soil temperatures, (b) many seminal roots with shallow growth angles, small diameter, many laterals, and long root hairs, or as an alternative, an intermediate number of seminal roots with steep growth angles, large diameter, and few laterals coupled with abundant lateral branching of the initial crown roots, (c) an intermediate number of crown roots with steep growth angles, and few but long laterals, (d) one whorl of brace roots of high occupancy, having a growth angle that is slightly shallower than the growth angle for crown roots, with few but long laterals, (e) low cortical respiratory burden created by abundant cortical aerenchyma, large cortical cell size, an optimal number of cells per cortical file, and accelerated cortical senescence, (f) unresponsiveness of lateral branching to localized resource availability, and (g) low K_m and high V_max for nitrate uptake. Some elements of this ideotype have experimental support, others are hypothetical. Despite differences in N distribution between low-input and commercial maize production, this ideotype is applicable to low-input systems because of the importance of deep rooting for water acquisition. Many features of this ideotype are relevant to other cereal root systems and more generally to root systems of dicotyledonous crops.     

Is low rooting density of faba beans a cause of high residual nitrate content of soil at harvest ?

It was the aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that low rooting density of faba beans is the major reason for the comparable low depletion of N_min-nitrogen from the rooted soil volume during the vegetation period. Therefore a simulation study was carried out using data from a two-year field experiment with faba beans and the reference crop oats. Since the nitrate dynamics in the soil is closely coupled with the water budget, the model simulated also the water uptake by plants, movement and content in the soil applying a numerical solution of the Richard's equation. The nitrogen budget part of the model includes calculation of vertical nitrate movement in the soil, mineralisation of nitrate from organic matter and nitrate uptake by the crop. Vertical nitrate movement was simulated with the convection-dispersion equation. Mineralisation was computed from a simple first order kinetic approach using only one fraction of mineralisable organic matter. Nitrate uptake was assumed to be determined either by the nitrogen demand of the crop, which was estimated from a logistic growth equation that was fitted to measured data of N-accumulation, or by the maximum nitrate transport rate towards the root surface. The latter was computed from a steady state solution of the diffusion - mass flow equation for cylindrical co-ordinates.For oats the model calculated a maximum nitrate transport rate towards roots that was quite close to the measured N-uptake of that crop. For faba beans, however, the calculated maximum nitrate transport towards roots was much lower than total N-uptake and lower than for oats. Consequently, simulated N_min-contents below faba beans were during the growing season about 20-30 kg N ha^–1 higher than below oats. This difference matches quite close with the observed differences between the two crops. Therefore it was concluded that low nitrate uptake resulting from low rooting density is the main reason for higher residual nitrate contents below faba beans at harvest time.     

玉/豆和玉/薯模式下氮肥运筹对玉米氮素利用和土壤硝态氮残留的影响

过量施用氮肥造成的环境问题日益严重,氮肥合理使用已成为人们研究的热点.本文研究了西南玉米两种主要套作模式下氮肥运筹对玉米氮素利用和土壤硝态氮残留的影响.结果表明：连续分带轮作种植玉/豆模式后,玉米收获期植株中的氮素积累较玉/薯模式平均提高了6.1%,氮收获指数增加了5.4%,最终使氮肥利用效率提高4.3%,氮素同化量提高了15.1%,氮肥偏生产力提高了22.6%;玉米收获后硝态氮淋溶损失减少,60～120 cm土层中硝态氮残留玉/豆模式较玉/薯模式降低了10.3%,而0～60 cm土层中平均提高了12.9%,有利于培肥地力,两年产量平均较玉/薯模式高1249 kg·hm^-2,增产22%;增加施氮量提高了植株氮素积累,降低了氮肥利用率,显著提高了表层土壤中硝态氮的累积,60～100 cm土层中硝态氮的累积量在0～270 kg·hm^-2处理间差异不显著,继续增加施氮量会显著增加土壤硝态氮的淋溶;氮肥后移显著提高了土壤0～60 cm土层硝态氮的积累.两种模式下施氮量和底追比对玉米氮素吸收和硝态氮残留的影响结果不一致,玉/豆模式以施氮180～270 kg·hm^-2、按底肥∶拔节肥∶穗肥=3∶2∶5的施肥方式有利于提高玉米植株后期氮素积累、氮收获指数和氮肥利用效率,减少了氮肥损失,两年最高产量平均可达7757 kg·hm^-2;而玉/薯模式在180 kg·hm^-2、按底肥∶穗肥=5∶5的施肥方式下,氮素积累利用及产量均优于其他处理,两年平均产量为6572 kg·hm^-2,可实现两种模式下玉米高产、高效、安全的氮肥管理体系.
     

三种集约化种植体系氮素平衡及其对地下水硝酸盐含量的影响

选取中国北方3种重要的集约化种植体系小麦玉米轮作、大棚蔬菜和果园,研究了3种体系年度氮素输入输出关系、土壤硝酸盐的累积、不同体系地下水硝态氮含量的动态变化.结果表明,大棚蔬菜年度化肥氮、有机肥氮、灌水带入的氮和总氮输入量分别为135.8、1881、402和36.56kg·hm^-2,分别为小麦玉米田的25、37.5、83.8和5.8倍,为果园的2.1、10.4、6.82和4.2倍.不同系统降水输入的氮在142～189kg·hm^-2之间.3个体系氮输出量分别为280、329和121kg·hm^-2.氮素年度盈余分别为349、332.7和74.6kg·hm^-2.0～90cm土层硝态氮累积量分别为22.1～2.75、1173和613kg·hm^-2,90～180cm土层硝态氮累积量分别为2.13～2.42、10.32和976kg·hm^-2.在0～180cm剖面中,小麦玉米田各层土壤硝态氮处于相对均一分布,大棚蔬菜以表层最高,30cm以下各层也远高于大田,果园土壤硝态氮累积随土壤深度而增加.3种体系均表现出硝酸盐的明显淋洗.大棚蔬菜区浅井地下水硝态氮含量99%超过了10mg·L^-1.而大棚深井和果园浅井超标率均为5%,小麦玉米深井为1%.大棚蔬菜区地下水硝态氮含量与井深呈指数函数降低关系.     

Rooting characteristics of two widely distributed woody plant species growing in different karst habitats of southwest China

A series of studies claimed that deep root development of plant established in karst regions was facilitated by fractured bedrock beneath the shallow soils; however, bedrock is not a uniform medium for root proliferation. We hypothesized plant species that survived in different karst habitats had some other rooting characteristics rather than deep penetration. To test the hypothesis, coarse root systems of two widely distributed woody species (one tree and one shrub) growing in three typical rocky karst habitats (shallow soil, loose rocky soil and exposed rock) were excavated in karst region of southwest China. Root systems were investigated based on four parameters: maximum rooting depth, maximum radial extent, root tapering pattern and root curvature. In all the three habitats, maximum rooting depths were no deeper than 120 and 40 cm for the tree and shrub species, respectively. Maximum radial extents were extremely large compared with maximum rooting depth, indicating that rooting characteristics were dominated by horizontal extension rather than deep penetration. Roots of both species growing in shallow soil habitat tapered gradually and curved slightly, which was consistent with the specific characteristics of this habitat. On the contrary, roots of the tree species growing in the other two habitats tapered rapidly but curved slightly, while roots of the shrub species tapered gradually but curved strongly. It was speculated that limited depths and rapid tapering rates of the tree roots were likely compensated by their utmost radial extensions, while the shrub species might benefit from its root curvature as the associated root tropisms may increase the ability of root to encounter more water and contribute to potentially high resource absorption efficiency. Our results highlight the importance of taking shallow-rooted species into account in understanding the distribution of natural plant communities and predicting future vegetation dynamics in karst regions.     

Nitrate leaching from sandy loam soils under a double-cropping forage system estimated from suction-probe measurements

Nitrate leaching from a double-cropping forage system was measured over a 2-year period (June 1994–May 1996) in the Northwest region of Portugal using ceramic cup samplers. The crops were grown for silage making and include maize (from May to September) and a winter crop (rest of the year) consisting of a mixture of cereals and Italian ryegrass. The experiment was performed on two different sites with a history of many years under the same crop and fertiliser management, but differing in the amounts of N applied as fertiliser and by regular cattle slurry applications. The annual nitrate leaching losses measured ranged from 154 to 338 kg N ha^-1. These amounts lead to annual mean concentrations between 22 and 41 mg -N L^-1 in the drained water. The coarse textured soils (sandy loams) and the climatic conditions of the region with more than 600 mm of drainage concentrated between October and March, tended to promote the leaching of all the nitrate-N left in the soil after the maize crop plus the N released by mineralization during the winter period. On these soils, the minimum amount of drainage (necessary to provide the complete leaching of all the nitrate-N in the soil profile in the end of summer), seems to be between 300 and 400 mm. The winter crops removed important quantities of N (83–116 kg N ha^-1) but, due to their late establishment in autumn they did not succeed in taking up the nitrate-N left in the soil after the maize crop. Approaches for reducing the nitrate leaching losses in this particular system are discussed.     

Interspecific competition induces asymmetrical rooting profile adjustments in shrub-encroached open oak woodlands

It is recognized that the extent of woody encroachment is increasing worldwide, but less is known concerning the likely altered below-ground structure of co-occurring plants. The aim of this study was to analyze the root system plasticity of three layers of vegetation growing together (trees, shrubs and pasture) and identify potential mechanisms of competition avoidance. Root morphology and distribution of trees, pasture and two contrasting shrub species (deep and shallow rooted) were studied in open oak woodlands of south-western Spain. Soil samples were obtained from paired adjacent plots, with and without shrubs, by taking soil cores to a depth of 3 m. Analysis of tree and pasture root systems in the presence of shrubs revealed significant reductions in root biomass and consistent increases in specific root length. Additionally, root profiles changed substantially, becoming significantly deeper for trees and shallower for pasture. In contrast, both types of shrub increased their root biomass when growing in competition, but without significantly modifying their rooting profile. Shrubs seem to be stronger competitors for below-ground resources than neighboring species. However, trees and pasture show clear plastic responses to shrub presence, irrespective of their rooting patterns, probably to minimize competitive interactions and maximize resource acquisition.     

Evaluating spatial within plot crop variability for different management practices with an optical sensor?

Subsoil constraints to root growth exacerbate frequent water and nutrient limitations to crop yields in Mediterranean-type environments. Amelioration of subsoil constraints can relieve these limitations by opening root-access to subsoil water and nutrients. However, decisions in subsoil amelioration are hampered by seasonally variable yield responses in these environments. We used the APSIM model to analyse the impact of subsoil constraints on yield and yield variability. The simulated yield data were used to calculate the financial benefits of subsoil amelioration across several scenarios. There was a strong yield-dependence on accessible soil water governed by root depth. Root depth development was limited to a minimum of either the effect of subsoil constraints or the weather-dependent depth of the soil wetting front. Insufficient rainfall in dry years or in a drier region often resulted in shallow soil wetting fronts and correspondingly shallow roots even in the absence of subsoil compaction. In these situations, there is little response to subsoil amelioration. Positive yield responses and positive financial returns to subsoil amelioration are therefore greater in good rainfall years and are more likely in a wetter region. A yield response to amelioration is also greater in coarser textured sand than finer textured sandy loam in an average rainfall season because the same amount of rainfall results in a deeper wetting front in sand than in sandy loam. Hence, roots in a sand are required to grow deeper compared to a sandy loam to access the same amount of water and therefore benefited more from subsoil amelioration in an average rainfall year. In wet years, sands leach more nitrate than sandy loam, which decreases yields and the response to subsoil amelioration in sands is more than in the sandy loam. Environmental threats occur along with yield loss when roots cannot access subsoil water. These include increased nitrate leaching and deep drainage due to unused water remaining in the soil profile. By allowing roots to access deep soil water, ameliorating subsoil is expected to yield financial gains in average to good rainfall seasons and decrease the environmental risk of drainage and leaching loss. The financial gains are expected to offset potential financial losses in dry and dry finish seasons especially in coarser textured soils and wetter environment. Responsible Editor: Jan Vos.