Conservation tillage methods affect soil water use and spring maize yield in a semi-humid drought-prone area of China

In the arid areas of Northwest China, water has become a key limiting factor for agricultural development, so conservation tillage management has become an important measure to improve water use efficiency and crop yield. Our experiment, conducted from 2015 to 2018, explored the effects of conventional flat planting with no mulch (NP), with straw mulch (SM), and with plastic mulch (PM); and also ridge and furrow planting without mulch (RF) and ridge-furrow planting with plastic film and straw mulch (RFPFM) on soil nutrients, soil water storage, water use efficiency, and crop yield when compared with traditional no mulch and no fertilization cultivation (CK). Four years of experiments showed that compared to CK, SM and RFPFM had significantly increased soil surface nutrient content and increased organic matter content, and the water depletion during the maize growth period of the NP, SM, PM, RF, and RFPFM treatments increased by 9.7%, 0.6%, 8.6%, 4.4%, and 14.2%, respectively. For four years, the average spring maize yields of the NP, SM, PM, RF, and RFPFM treatments increased by 36%, 87%, 115%, 40%, and 119%, compared to those of CK. The PM and RFPFM treatments' water use efficiencies were significantly different from those of the other treatments and the basic decreasing trend of water use efficiency was RFPFM > PM > SM > RF > NP > CK. In summary, we showed that because ridge-furrow planting with plastic film mulch improved both soil nutrients and crop yields, it is a preferred cultivation method for agricultural water utilization in arid areas.     

保护地蔗田对土壤优先流与根系生物量及产量品质的影响

为探明保护性耕作对蔗田土壤及甘蔗生长的影响,该研究设置2种耕作方式(常规耕作、粉垄耕作)与2种施肥水平(减量施肥20%、常规施肥),并于甘蔗苗期后在甘蔗行间近根部覆盖豆科秸秆,以第二年宿根蔗为研究对象,采用染色示踪法测定秸秆覆盖下蔗田土壤优先流特征,同时测定分析甘蔗株高、茎围、地下根系生物量、产量及品质等重要农艺性状。结果表明:(1)粉垄耕作方式下蔗田土壤优先流发生速度快且活跃,添加秸秆覆盖降低了土壤优先流发生程度,增加了土壤水分在10～25 cm土层的横向运移能力,在一定程度上提高了土壤蓄水能力。(2)粉垄保护性耕作在秸秆覆盖下提高了甘蔗根系生物量和产量,秸秆覆盖下粉垄免耕宿根蔗根系生物量提高了8.97%～25.54%,并且减量施肥处理中秸秆覆盖宿根蔗伸长期地下根系生物量显著高于无秸秆覆盖,秸秆覆盖下甘蔗株高提高了4.2%～13.1%; 在减量施肥处理中,粉垄耕作添加秸秆覆盖甘蔗产量提高了16.27%,并且添加秸秆覆盖较常规施肥中无秸秆覆盖,产量提高了5.95%。(3)粉垄保护性耕作利于提高甘蔗品质,对比无秸秆覆盖处理,粉垄耕作下秸秆覆盖后显著提高了甘蔗蔗汁视纯度,并且宿根蔗纤维分、蔗汁锤度、转光度和蔗糖分均有提升。综上认为,免耕秸秆覆盖可作为粉垄红壤坡耕地蔗田保护性生产调控方式。     

Effects of straw mulching on soil temperature, evaporation and yield of winter wheat: field experiments on the North China Plain

Straw mulching is an effective measure to conserve soil moisture. However, the existence of straw on the soil surface also affects soil temperature, which in turn influences crop growth, especially of winter crops. Five‐year field experiments (2000–2005) investigated the effects of straw mulching and straw mass on soil temperature, soil evaporation, crop growth and development, yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Luancheng Station on the North China Plain. Soil is a moderately well‐drained loamy soil with a deep profile at the station. Two quantities of mulch were used: 3000 kg ha^?1 [less mulching (LM)] and 6000 kg ha^?1 [more mulching (MM)], representing half and all of the straw from the previous crop (maize). In the control (CK), the full quantity of mulch was ploughed into the top 20 cm of soil. The results showed that the existence of straw on the soil surface reduced the maximum, but increased the minimum diurnal soil temperature. When soil temperature was decreasing (from November to early February the next year), soil temperature (0–10 cm) under straw mulching was on average 0.3°C higher for LM and 0.58°C higher for MM than that without mulching (CK). During the period when soil temperature increased (from February to early April, the recovery and jointing stages of winter wheat), average daily soil temperature of 0–10 cm was 0.42°C lower for LM and 0.65°C lower for MM than that of CK. With the increase in leaf area index, the effect of mulching on soil temperature gradually disappeared. The lower soil temperature under mulch in spring delayed the development of winter wheat up to 7 days, which on average reduced the final grain yield by 5% for LM and 7% for MM compared with CK over the five seasons. Mulch reduced soil evaporation by 21% under LM and 40% under MM compared with CK, based on daily measuring of microlysimeters. However, because yield was reduced, the overall WUE was not improved by mulch.     

机械化保护性耕作条件下土壤质量的数值化评价

通过9年的长期田间定位试验研究了陕西关中平原中部冬小麦 夏玉米轮作条件下深松耕（ST）、旋耕（RT）、秸秆还（SR）、免耕（NTS）等保护性耕作措施及传统耕作（TT）对土壤理化性状和作物产量的影响,并采用主成分分析方法进行土壤质量的综合评价.结果表明：与传统耕作相比,保护性耕作模式提高了土壤肥力质量,改善了土壤物理环境条件;显著提高了土壤脲酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性;除秸秆覆盖免耕处理的玉米和小麦产量低于传统耕作外,其他保护性耕作措施均不同程度地提高了作物产量,其中小麦增产13%～28%,玉米增产3%～12%.与传统耕作相比,保护性耕作土壤质量指数提高了19.8%～44.0%.综合考虑经济效应和生态效益,隔年深松、秸秆粉碎联合旋耕作业以及秸秆覆盖联合深松作业不仅能增加作物产量还可改善土壤质量,可在研究区进行推广应用.     

New agricultural practices in the Loess Plateau of China do not reduce colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal or root invading fungi and do not carry a yield penalty

Agricultural practices aimed to reduce soil erosion and improve crop yield have been suggested to influence the activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and root pathogenic fungi. We conducted a two-year field survey to investigate the effect of recently introduced agricultural practices on crop yield, AM colonisation and percentage isolation of root-invading fungi on the heavily eroded Loess Plateau of China. A rotation of maize (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) replaced monoculture of winter wheat. No-tillage (NT), and return of previous crop residues to the field in tilled (CTR) and non-tilled (NTR) systems replaced conventional tillage (CT). Yield, biomass and phosphorus content of the crops showed similar trends. Residue application increased yields of maize and soybean independent of tillage treatment in 2004, but only under CT in 2005. CT slightly increased maize yield. Neither residue application nor tillage treatment affected yield of wheat. None of the treatments influenced total percent isolation of root-invading fungi from wheat roots. The increase of some individual pathogenic fungi in NT did not translate into reduction of yield by disease. Importantly, the recommended practices did not have a penalty on yield while maintaining high levels of AM colonisation.     

不同耕作方式对陇中旱农区春小麦和豌豆根系空间分布及产量的影响

依托陇中旱农区长期的保护性耕作定位试验,对不同耕作方式下春小麦和豌豆根系空间分布特征及作物产量进行研究,以探索耕作措施影响作物产量的机制.结果表明: 随着生育期的推进,春小麦和豌豆的总根长、根表面积呈先增后减的趋势,开花期达到最大;春小麦根系苗期以0～10 cm最多,花期、成熟期10～30 cm最多;而豌豆根系苗期和成熟期均以0～10 cm最多,花期10～30 cm最多.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜增加了根长和根表面积,春小麦和豌豆各生育时期的根长较传统耕作增加了35.9%～92.6%,根表面积增加了43.2%～162.4%.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜优化了春小麦和豌豆根系分布,与传统耕作相比,增加了春小麦和豌豆苗期0～10 cm土层根长和根表面积分布比例,花期和成熟期深层次根系分布也显著增加,免耕秸秆覆盖在开花期30～80 cm土层根长和根表面积的分布比例分别比传统耕作提高了3.3%和9.7%.春小麦各生育期的总根长、根表面积与产量呈显著正相关,豌豆各生育期的总根长与豌豆产量呈极显著正相关.免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜较传统耕作春小麦和豌豆产量增加23.4%～38.7%,水分利用效率提高了13.7%～28.5%.在陇中旱农区,免耕秸秆覆盖和免耕覆膜可以增加作物根长和根表面积,优化了根系在土壤中的空间分布,增强作物根层吸收能力,从而提高作物产量和水分高效利用.     

耕作和覆盖对黄土高原果园土壤水分和温度的影响

研究了几种不同耕作方式（免耕、旋耕和翻耕）和覆盖措施（覆草、生草和覆膜）对黄土高原果园土壤水分和温度的影响.结果表明：5月不同耕作方式下0～1 m土层土壤水分差异极显著,表现为免耕（14.28%）>旋耕（14.13%）>翻耕（13.57%）,9月差异不明显;不同覆盖措施中,覆草处理的土壤水分最高,且与生草、覆膜、裸地处理间差异极显著;不同耕作方式和覆盖组合处理中以免耕覆草保水效果最好.不同覆盖处理白天土壤平均温度表现为覆膜>裸地>生草>覆草,土壤温度变幅表现为裸地>覆膜>生草>覆草.各覆盖处理的蓄水量与其土壤温度并不都呈负相关,而是由不同覆盖物的保水效果和保温性质共同决定.综上所述,黄土高原果园的保护性耕作体系应以免耕覆草为主.     

耕作方式对冬小麦灌浆期光合性能日变化和籽粒产量的影响

研究耕作方式对冬小麦灌浆期光合性能日变化的影响,对灌浆期干物质积累、转运以及产量形成具有重要的理论意义.本研究以中国农业大学吴桥实验站2008年设置的长期耕作定位试验为基础,分析了免耕秸秆不还田(NT)、免耕秸秆还田(NTS)、旋耕秸秆不还田(RT)、旋耕秸秆还田(RTS)、深松秸秆不还田(DT)、深松秸秆还田(DTS)、翻耕秸秆不还田(CT)和翻耕秸秆还田(CTS)耕作处理对冬小麦灌浆期旗叶光合特性日变化、光响应曲线和产量的影响.结果表明: 不同耕作方式对冬小麦灌浆期旗叶净光合速率日变化和气孔导度日变化的影响均呈双峰曲线变化趋势,秸秆还田下不同耕作方式的冬小麦旗叶净光合速率高于相应的秸秆不还田处理;各耕作方式对冬小麦旗叶胞间CO₂浓度日变化的影响均呈“广口V型”双峰曲线变化趋势;除DTS、RTS和RT处理冬小麦旗叶的蒸腾速率日变化规律呈单峰曲线变化外,其他各处理冬小麦旗叶的蒸腾速率日变化均呈“双峰曲线”变化趋势.模拟的最大净光合速率以DTS处理最大,分别比NT、DT、RT、CT、NTS、RTS和CTS处理增加了20.0%、21.7%、19.7%、21.5%、0.8%、12.1%和4.2%;秸秆还田条件下各处理的光响应曲线拟合程度均优于秸秆不还田处理.DTS籽粒产量最高,RTS次之,CTS再次,CT处理最小,DTS处理的籽粒产量分别比NTS、RTS、CTS、NT、DT、RT和CT处理高10.8%、1.3%、2.1%、5.4%、11.9%、12.4%和12.6%.通过光合速率和气孔导度日变化趋势可得,不同耕作方式下秸秆还田技术,特别是DTS和NTS处理可减缓光合午休现象,使冬小麦维持较高的光合速率,有利于干物质积累和产量的提高.     

宁南旱区耕作覆盖对马铃薯产量及土壤水热特征的影响

为探究耕作覆盖对土壤水热及旱作马铃薯产量的影响,连续2年在宁南旱区不同耕作深度结合覆盖模式下开展了研究工作。结果表明: 耕作深度、覆盖材料对马铃薯播种期0～100 cm土层土壤贮水量有极显著影响,而二者交互作用无显著影响;2019年土壤贮水量以深松30 cm覆盖地膜处理最高,2020年以深松40 cm覆盖秸秆处理较高,分别较翻耕15 cm不覆盖处理(对照)显著提高16.9%和33.4%;耕作深度、覆盖材料可显著影响马铃薯关键生育期土壤贮水量;同一耕作深度下土壤贮水量以秸秆、地膜覆盖处理效果较好,同一覆盖材料下以深松30～40 cm处理最佳。覆盖材料、耕作深度与覆盖材料二者交互作用对播种-现蕾期0～25 cm土层土壤有效积温影响显著;同一耕作深度下覆盖地膜处理土壤有效积温平均较不覆盖处理显著增加9.3%,而覆盖秸秆处理较不覆盖处理显著降低18.7%;2019和2020年各处理全生育期土壤有效积温分别以深松30 cm和深松40 cm覆盖地膜处理最高。2019年马铃薯总产量和经济效益以深松30 cm覆盖秸秆处理较高,分别较对照显著提高84.6%和107.9%;2020年以深松40 cm覆盖秸秆处理最佳,分别较对照显著提高81.7%和105.7%。耕作深度、覆盖材料对作物水热利用效率均有显著影响,水分利用效率以深松30～40 cm覆盖秸秆处理较高,而积温利用效率不同耕作深度结合秸秆覆盖各处理均较翻对照显著提高。相关分析表明,块茎形成期的土壤水分和有效积温对马铃薯总产量的形成至关重要,而全生育期土壤水分对总产量的影响高于土壤有效积温。可见,深松30～40 cm覆盖秸秆处理可改善土壤水热状况,实现马铃薯增产增收和水热资源的高效利用,在宁南半干旱区马铃薯生产中有一定的应用推广价值。     

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.     

Comparative Efficacy of Weed Control Practices for Parthenium Weed and Sunflower Crop under Varying Tillage Systems

Parthenium poses serious threat to modern crop production system and necessitate evaluating control practices for its effective management. Efficacy of different weed control practices for controlling parthenium was explored in conventional and deep tillage systems in the field conditions. Hand hoeing (20 and 35 days after emergence), S-Metolachlor (pre-emergence herbicide), sorghum straw mulch @ 5 tons ha^-1 and combination of hand hoeing and sorghum straw mulch (hand hoeing at 20 and straw mulch at 35 days after emergence) were used as weed control practice. Weedy check where no weed control measure was applied was also included in this experiment for comparison. Results concluded that the all weed management treatments significantly reduced parthenium density, its fresh and dry biomass during both the years of study as compared to weedy check. Maximum sunflower achene yield was recorded in hand hoeing (20 and 35 days after emergence) in combination with deep tillage. So, mold bold plough used for the purpose of deep tillage should be encouraged for better control of parthenium and higher achene yield of sunflower crop (3293.3 kg ha^-1 in 2017 and 3221.3 kg ha^-1 in 2018). Moreover, is also inferred that total dose of herbicide might be reduced by using hoeing and mulching in an integrated way.     

长期免耕不同秸秆覆盖量对玉米产量及其稳定性的影响

阐明长期免耕不同秸秆覆盖量下玉米产量变化趋势及其稳定性差异,可为建立和评价长期保护性耕作模式、促进粮食持续生产提供理论支撑.本研究基于我国东北黑土区长期保护性耕作定位试验(始于2007年),以传统垄作(RT)为对照,分析了免耕无秸秆覆盖(NT0)、免耕33％秸秆覆盖(NT33)、免耕67％秸秆覆盖(NT67)和免耕10...     

秸秆覆盖旱作瓜田土壤水分的空间变化及对西瓜产量的影响

为了探明秸秆覆盖栽培对西瓜产量及土壤水分的影响,选用玉米秸秆在生育期设置地表全覆盖（WM）、行间覆盖（SM）和根域覆盖（RM）3个覆盖处理,以不覆盖为对照（CK）,研究不同秸秆覆盖方式对旱作西瓜不同生育时期土壤总贮水量、不同深度土壤含水量及产量的影响.结果表明：秸秆地表全覆盖和根域覆盖处理显著提高了西瓜全生育期根域和行间0～120 cm的土壤含水量和贮水量,且伸蔓后期以后的土壤贮水量根域高于行间;秸秆覆盖处理对西瓜伸蔓后期至膨大前期的土壤含水量影响最大,随着西瓜的生长发育,秸秆覆盖处理提高根域土壤含水量的幅度增加,深度下延.秸秆覆盖处理提高西瓜产量主要受根域土壤水分条件改善的影响;各覆盖处理均显著提高了西瓜的产量和水分利用效率,WM、SM和RM处理的增产幅度分别为24.8%、11.5%和15.1%,水分利用效率分别提高了42.7%、24.3%和294%.以地表全覆盖13500 kg·hm^-2秸秆量的处理蓄水保墒、提高西瓜产量和水分利用效率的效果最显著.     

Strategies to reduce DON contamination of wheat with different soil tillage and variety systems

With the focus on minimizingFusarium head blight and the deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of wheat a three year crop rotation system starting with forage maize and followed by two years of winter wheat was combined with three soil tillage systems and selected plant varieties with varying susceptibility toFusarium infection. Higher DON concentrations were generally observed in wheat grain when the soil was mulched rather than ploughed, depending on the mass of maize residues remaining on the soil surface. Maize residues are the most important source ofFusarium inoculum. Infected maize residues had a main impact on the level of DON contamination in wheat grain particularly in the first year after maize cultivation. When the maize stubble was chopped before mulching, the decomposition of the residues was speeded up and the DON contamination of the wheat grain was lower. In the second year following the maize crop, the decomposition of the maize residues/Fusarium biomass was nearly complete and the infection risk was reduced considerably. An influence of the susceptibility of the maize variety against stem rot on the DON concentration of the succeeding winter wheat crop was not observed. The less susceptible wheat variety was suitable for controlling the higher infection risk deriving from the introduction of maize in wheat rotation and the use of mulching techniques. Presented at the 28^th Mykotoxin-Workshop, Bydgoszcz, Poland, May 29–31, 2006     

长期不同耕作措施对土壤团聚体特征及微生物多样性的影响

以豫西丘陵地区15年的保护性耕作试验为平台,研究了不同耕作措施对土壤水稳性团聚体分布及稳定性和土壤细菌、古菌及真菌多样性的影响.结果表明: 与传统耕作相比,免耕、深松覆盖和小麦-花生两茬耕作处理增加了>2000 μm粒级团聚体的相对含量,减少了<53 μm粒级团聚体的相对含量;显著提高了土壤团聚体平均质量直径(MWD),提高幅度分别为18.0%、12.2%和50.4%.免耕、深松覆盖和两茬耕作处理均可提高细菌、古菌和真菌的Shannon指数(H),细菌分别提高0.3%、0.3%和0.6%,古菌分别提高20.2%、40.5%和49.1%,真菌分别提高23.7%、19.5%和25.8%.土壤细菌和古菌的H指数与大团聚体含量(R_0.25)和MWD显著相关,而真菌的H指数与R_0.25和MWD相关性不显著.综上,采用免耕、深松结合小麦秸秆覆盖以及小麦-花生轮作等措施均可改善土壤团聚体状况,提高土壤微生物多样性指数.
     

保护性耕作对陇中旱作农田水分特征的影响

陇中旱农区生产力水平低而不稳,而保护性耕作措施是农业可持续发展的重要途径.本研究依托2001年建立在陇中旱农区的长期不同耕作措施的定位试验,研究了不同耕作措施对土壤水分入渗、蒸发、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响.该试验共设6个处理,分别为传统耕作(T)、免耕秸秆覆盖(NTS)、免耕(NT)、传统耕作+秸秆翻入(TS)、传统耕作+覆膜(TP)、免耕覆膜(NTP),春小麦和豌豆年间轮作.结果表明:与T处理相比, NTS处理的小麦地和豌豆地的土壤容重显著降低,总孔隙度显著增加.保护性耕作措施降低了豌豆地0～5 cm土壤渗吸率,NTS处理渗吸率比T处理降低56.2%.保护性耕作提高了土壤饱和导水率,无论小麦地和豌豆地,NTS均比T处理显著提高了饱和导水率,增幅为52.8%～107.1%.保护性耕作显著降低了作物生育期棵间蒸发量,NTP、TP、NTS比T处理降低了14.4%～50.8%,并减弱了雨后土壤蒸发.保护性耕作提高了作物产量和水分利用效率,NTS、TP、NTP的产量比传统耕作提高了9.5%～62.8%,水分利用效率比传统耕作提高了0.4%～50.9%.因此,在陇中旱农区,保护性耕作措施可以提高水分利用效率,增加作物产量.     

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。     

Straw Mulching Reduces the Harmful Effects of Extreme Hydrological and Temperature Conditions in Citrus Orchards

Extreme weather conditions with negative impacts can strongly affect agricultural production. In the Danjiangkou reservoir area, citrus yields were greatly influenced by cold weather conditions and drought stress in 2011. Soil straw mulching (SM) practices have a major effect on soil water and thermal regimes. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate whether the SM practices can help achieve favorable citrus fruit yields. Results showed that the annual total runoff was significantly (P<0.05) reduced with SM as compared to the control (CK). Correspondingly, mean soil water storage in the top 100 cm of the soil profile was increased in the SM as compared to the CK treatment. However, this result was significant only in the dry season (Jan to Mar), and not in the wet season (Jul to Sep) for both years. Interestingly, the SM treatment did not significantly increase citrus fruit yield in 2010 but did so in 2011, when the citrus crop was completely destroyed (zero fruit yield) in the CK treatment plot due to extremely low temperatures during the citrus overwintering stage. The mulch probably acted as an insulator, resulting in smaller fluctuations in soil temperature in the SM than in the CK treatment. The results suggested that the small effects on soil water and temperature changes created by surface mulch had limited impact on citrus fruit yield in a normal year (e.g., in 2010). However, SM practices can positively impact citrus fruit yield in extreme weather conditions.     

Warmer and Wetter Soil Stimulates Assimilation More than Respiration in Rainfed Agricultural Ecosystem on the China Loess Plateau: The Role of Partial Plastic Film Mulching Tillage

Effects of agricultural practices on ecosystem carbon storage have acquired widespread concern due to its alleviation of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Recently, combining of furrow-ridge with plastic film mulching in spring maize ecosystem was widely applied to boost crop water productivity in the semiarid regions of China. However, there is still limited information about the potentials for increased ecosystem carbon storage of this tillage method. The objective of this study was to quantify and contrast net carbon dioxide exchange, biomass accumulation and carbon budgets of maize (Zea maize L.) fields under the traditional non-mulching with flat tillage (CK) and partial plastic film mulching with furrow-ridge tillage (MFR) on the China Loess Plateau. Half-hourly net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) of both treatments were synchronously measured with two eddy covariance systems during the growing seasons of 2011 through 2013. At same time green leaf area index (GLAI) and biomass were also measured biweekly. Compared with CK, the warmer and wetter (+1.3°C and +4.3%) top soil at MFR accelerated the rates of biomass accumulation, promoted greater green leaf area and thus shortened the growing seasons by an average value of 10.4 days for three years. MFR stimulated assimilation more than respiration during whole growing season, resulting in a higher carbon sequestration in terms of NEE of -79 gC/m² than CK. However, after considering carbon in harvested grain (or aboveground biomass), there is a slight higher carbon sink (or a stronger carbon source) in MFR due to its greater difference of aboveground biomass than that of grain between both treatments. These results demonstrate that partial plastic film mulched furrow-ridge tillage with aboveground biomass exclusive of grain returned to the soil is an effective way to enhance simultaneously carbon sequestration and grain yield of maize in the semiarid regions.     

覆盖方式对旱地冬小麦土壤水分的影响

在黄土高原半干旱雨养条件下,研究了不同覆盖方式(夏季覆膜,T₁;秋季覆膜,T₂;小麦碎秆覆盖,T₃;小麦整秆覆盖,T₄;夏季覆膜+麦秆还田,T₅;旧膜二茬利用,T₆;无覆盖对照,CK)对旱地冬小麦土壤水分的影响.结果表明: T₆在各时期、各土层土壤含水量普遍高于CK,其他5个覆盖处理可明显改善开花前0～90 cm土壤墒情,但开花后0～90 cm土层以及全生育期90～200 cm土层含水量普遍低于CK.全生育期0～200 cm土层平均含水量T₆显著高于CK,两者差值为0.9%,其余处理均低于CK.0～200 cm土层平均含水量秸秆覆盖处理高于覆膜处理,旧膜二茬利用高于新覆膜.覆膜处理单位面积籽粒产量较CK提高20.3%～29.0%,秸秆覆盖处理较CK提高5.0%～16.7%,冬小麦产量与生育期耗水量呈显著正相关(r=0.77^*).