覆盖旱作方式和施氮水平对稻-麦轮作体系生产力和氮素利用的影响

在成都平原通过 3a的田间试验研究了水稻覆盖 (地膜和麦秸 )旱作和施氮水平对稻麦轮作体系生产力和氮素利用的影响。结果表明 :在施氮量为水稻季 15 0 kg/hm2 ,小麦季 12 0 kg/hm2 的条件下 ,覆盖旱作和传统淹水体系均能达到较高的产量水平。再增加施氮量对产量的影响不大 ,但使氮盈余急剧增加。不施氮或低量施氮会造成作物产量的显著下降和土壤氮素亏缺。水稻覆膜旱作对稻麦轮作的系统生产力 (水稻 小麦 )没有显著影响 ;但水稻覆麦秸旱作条件下系统的生产力有降低的趋势 ,主要由于水稻覆麦秸旱作条件下 ,水稻产量下降 ,而麦秸覆盖在小麦季的后效作用不足以弥补水稻产量的下降程度。水稻、小麦的氮素吸收表现出与作物产量类似的规律。水稻季土壤很难累积无机氮 ,而且与施肥和覆盖旱作与否没有关系。小麦季土壤中积累了较多的无机氮 ,而且随施氮水平的增加而明显增加     

有机无机结合施肥对红壤稻田土壤氮素供应和水稻生产的影响

1999年以不同施肥制度对红壤稻田系统生产力和土壤环境影响的长期定位试验的为依托,比较研究了9a定位试验后．不施肥、单施无机肥、有机物循环和有机天机结合施肥对红壤稻田生态系统土壤供氮能力、水稻吸氮特性和水稻生产的影响。结果表明：红壤稻田系统长期不施肥(CK)土壤速效氯含量低,最高为16．7mg／kg,平均为14．2mg／kg,水稻累积吸收氮量较少,早稻为32,84kg／hm^2,晚稻为59．79kg／hm^2,系统生产力低．早稻生物量为3887kg／hm^2。稻谷产量为2180kg／hm^2,晚稻生物量为7164kg／hm^2,稻谷产：量为3719kg／hm^2;施用N肥可以改善土壤供氯状况。提高土壤速效氯含量,且N、NP、NK、NPK处理间没有显著差异．土壤速效氮含量最大可达到29．7mg／kg,平均为21．4mg／kg,而水稻累积吸收氯量与系统生产力随着NPK配合程度的增加而提高,NPK处理的早稻累积吸收氮量、生物量和稻谷产量分别比CK处理增加122．6％、87．1％和65.4％,晚稻分别增加85．O％、48．2％和46．O％;系统内有机物循环利用(C)水稻各生育期土壤速效氯含量显著提高．最高为30．2mg／kg,平均为20.8mg／kg,水稻累积吸收氮量早、晚稻分别比CK增加111．1％和48．9％,早稻生物量与稻谷产量显分别比CK高85．6％和55．2％,晚稻分别高28．9％和35．2％;有机无机结合施肥土壤速效氮含量最大为43．1mg／kg．平均为29．1mg／kg,且N C、NP C和NPK C处理间没有显著差异,但水稻累积吸收氮量和系统生产力有随着有机肥与NPK配合程度增加而提高的趋势。     

覆盖旱作水稻群体发育特征分析

通过田间试验,研究了不同覆盖旱作水稻处理与水作处理水稻的群体生育特征。结果表明,旱作水稻营养生长期较水作长,叶片变短、变窄,群体LAI变小,光合生产能力下降,最终粒数变少、粒重变轻,不同旱作处理之间表现为地膜覆盖旱作处理分蘖发生多,成穗率低,穗分化和籽粒形成与灌浆时间缩短,半腐解秸秆覆盖旱作和裸地旱作分蘖发生少,成穗率高,穗分化时间缩短,籽粒形成与灌浆的时间延长,产量表现为水作处理>地膜覆盖旱作>半腐解秸秆覆盖旱作>裸地旱作。     

黄淮海平原玉米施氮量对后茬小麦土壤剖面硝态氮和产量的影响

在冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟模式下,玉米品种“郑单958”（植株密度9株/m^2）和小麦品种“93-9”（基本苗704株/m^2）,冬小麦基施144kg N/hm^2,研究了玉米5个施N量（0、90、180、270和360kg/hm^2）对后茬小麦期间土壤剖面硝态氮含量、无机氮总量,以及小麦氮素吸收利用和产量的影响.结果表明：（1）与不施氮相比,玉米施氮显著增加小麦季0～200cm土壤硝态氮含量;自拔节起,0～40cm、0～130cm和0～200cm硝态氮含量均随施氮量增加而递增,在硝态氮含量较高的小区增幅也大.（2）轮作一周期后,不施氮和施氮360kg/hm^2显著影响0～130cm和0～200cm无机氮总量,但在90～270 kg/hm^2之间,施氮量的影响不明显.（3）施氮小于180kg/hm^2时,成熟期小麦植株氮素和籽粒氮素积累量、氮肥利用率均随施氮量增加而递增,但不明显.（4）与不施氮相比,施氮90kg/hm^2的小麦产量和麦玉轮作总产均增加但不明显,施氮180 kg/hm^2均显著增加,施氮270kg/hm^2与180kg/hm^2无明显差异.本试验条件下,夏玉米施氮90～180 kg/hm^2是适宜的.     

紫云英翻压量与不同施氮量对水稻生长和氮素吸收利用的影响

为了筛选出紫云英翻压量和氮肥的最佳配施比例,从而为实际生产提供理论依据,本试验采用裂区设计,以空闲、不施氮为对照处理CK1,以空闲、常规施氮为对照处理CK2,紫云英翻压量设翻压27000、45000 kg·hm-2两个水平,施氮量设不施氮、施氮量60、120和180 kg·hm-2四个水平,研究紫云英翻压量与不同施氮量对水稻产量、干物质积累和氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明:紫云英27000 kg·hm-2+N≥120 kg·hm-2和紫云英45000 kg·hm-2+N≥60 kg·hm-2即可保证水稻产量和生长,其中处理M1N2的产量最高,较常规施氮处理CK2高出11.56%;成熟期处理M2N1的干物质积累量最大,比CK2高21.41%;处理M2N3的氮素吸收量最大,比CK2高5.32%;而氮肥表观利用率和氮肥真实利用率均随着氮肥施用量的增加而减小;所以紫云英27000 kg·hm-2+N120 kg·hm-2和紫云英45000 kg·hm-2+N 60 kg·hm-2两种施肥方式能够在保证水稻产量的同时,有效提高氮肥利用率,有利于资源的高效利用。     

夏闲期地表覆盖对旱地土壤水分、小麦氮素吸收运转及产量的影响与施氮调控

为提高旱作麦区土壤水分贮备能力,并探明此基础上提高产量的适宜施氮水平,本文采用大田试验在山西农业大学闻喜试验基地研究了夏闲期覆盖与不覆盖条件下75、150、225 kg·hm-23个施氮量对旱地土壤水分、小麦氮素吸收运转及产量的影响。结果表明:夏闲期深翻覆盖后,播种前0~300 cm土层土壤蓄水量提高约70~80 mm,尤其是80cm以下土层;成熟期0~300 cm各土层土壤蓄水量均低于播种前,尤其是0~160 cm各土层低20~30 mm;各生育期群体茎数、穗数提高,且低、高氮条件下处理间差异显著,小麦总耗水量提高5.68~31.30 mm,产量提高1.43%~7.16%,水分利用效率提高1.27%~4.23%;各生育时期植株氮素积累量、花前氮素运转量和花后氮素积累量提高,且各生育时期植株氮素积累量处理间差异显著,氮肥农学效率提高0.47~1.24 kg·kg-1,氮肥当季回收率显著提高3.01%~4.96%;覆盖配施氮肥后,成熟期0~160 cm土层土壤蓄水量、总耗水量以施氮量150 kg·hm-2最低;各生育期群体茎数、产量构成因素、产量和水分利用效率以施氮量150 kg·hm-2显著最高,75 kg·hm-2最低,且中氮较低氮与高氮处理产量分别提高574.75和341.14 kg·hm-2,水分利用效率提高12.89%和7.77%;各生育时期植株氮素积累量、花前氮素运转量及其对籽粒的贡献率、氮肥农学效率和氮肥当季回收率均以施氮量150 kg·hm-2显著最高,75 kg·hm-2最低,且中氮较低氮与高氮处理氮肥农学效率分别提高1.91 kg·kg-1、3.12 kg·kg-1,氮肥当季回收率提高1.74%和5.32%;此外,产量与穗数的相关性最大(r=0.906),穗粒数居中,千粒重最小;总之,旱地小麦休闲期深翻覆盖有利于蓄水保水,提高底墒,且配施氮量为150 kg·hm-2更有利于水氮互作,促进氮素吸收、运转,达到增产、高效的目的。     

关中地区小麦/玉米轮作农田硝态氮淋溶特点

通过田间原位淋溶装置研究了不同施氮量和秸秆覆盖对关中地区小麦/玉米轮作农田90cm深处硝态氮(NO3--N)淋溶量、0～1m土层硝态氮累积及作物产量和氮平衡的影响.试验设不施氮(N1,0kg·hm-2·a-1)、常规施氮(N2,471kg·hm-2·a-1)、推荐施氮(N3,330kg·hm-2·a-1)、减量施氮(N4,165kg·hm-2·a-1)、增量施氮(N5,495kg·hm-2·a-1)和推荐施氮+秸秆覆盖(N3+S)6个不同施肥处理.结果表明:NO3--N淋溶量随施氮量的增加而增大,氮肥的过量施用及秸秆覆盖易造成NO3--N淋溶.N3+S处理90cm处年NO3--N流失量最大,为22.32kg·hm-2,施肥造成的氮流失量为16.44kg·hm-2,比相同施氮量不覆盖处理(N3)高158.9%.NO3--N主要累积在20～60cm土层,年施氮量330kg·hm-2(N3)时,秸秆覆盖与否不影响NO3--N的剖面分布.各施肥处理对作物产量没有显著影响,但减量施氮处理(N4)有减少作物产量的趋势.在本试验条件下,推荐施肥量(小麦施氮150kg·hm-2,玉米施氮180kg·hm-2)在保证作物产量的同时,可减少土壤NO3--N的淋溶和累积.     

生物可降解膜覆盖对机插水稻氮肥利用率及产量的影响

明确生物可降解膜覆盖对机插水稻氮肥利用率和产量的影响,以期为水稻稳产高产和绿色高效提供一种新的种植模式。2018年和2019年开展大田试验,在机插种植下设置3个氮肥水平,分别是0、195、240 kg·hm^-2;在生物可降解膜覆盖机插种植下设置3个氮肥水平,分别是158.4、195、240 kg·hm^-2,研究生物可降解膜覆盖对机插水稻氮肥利用率和产量的影响。结果表明:同一种植模式下,水稻产量随施氮量的增加而增加;相同施氮量下,与对照相比,覆膜水稻产量均有显著提高,2018和2019年分别增产4.1%和6.1%。覆膜种植能够提高各生育期干物质积累量和氮素积累量,相同施氮量下,成熟期覆膜水稻氮素积累量在2018年和2019年分别增加2.5%和5.8%。氮肥农学利用率(NAE)、氮肥偏生产力(NPP)、氮素生产效率(NPE)和氮收获指数(NHI)会随施氮量的增加而降低,两年结果表现一致,相同施氮量下,覆膜处理与对照相比,能显著提高氮肥农学利用率(NAE)、氮肥回收利用率(NRE)、氮肥偏生产力(NPP)和氮肥干物质生产效率(NMPE)。覆膜种植能...     

碱蓬在江苏沿海地区高产栽培技术的研究

通过试验,研究碱蓬在江苏沿海地区的生物学特性、栽培技术和对滨海盐土的影响等。结果表明：碱蓬在江苏沿海滩涂适合人工栽培;通过对新收碱蓬种子6天以上的冷藏处理可以有效打破休眠,提高发芽率;4月中旬,是适宜的大田播种时期;它的鲜茎叶最高产量时的播种量和施氮量分别是9.105kg/hm^2和198.69kg/hm^2,籽粒最高产量时的播种量和施氮量分别是2.850kg/hm^2和165.40kg/hm^2;通过种植,滨海盐土的含盐量有所下降,各种养分含量有明显提高。     

全膜双垄沟覆盖条件下不同施氮量对春玉米氮素吸收利用及分配的影响

通过田间试验研究了黄土旱塬旱作全膜双垄沟覆盖栽培条件下,不同施氮量（0、100、200、250、300及400 kg/hm²）对春玉米氮素吸收、利用及分配的影响,为提高春玉米氮素利用效率及合理施氮提供理论依据。结果表明:（1）春玉米植株及籽粒含氮量、氮素累积量随施氮量增加而提高,但当施氮量超过250 kg/hm²后增加效果不显著。（2）春玉米植株含氮量随生育期推进而降低,但氮素累积量则随生育期推进而增加。（3）玉米叶片及茎+叶鞘氮素转移量及对籽粒氮素贡献量高于其他器官。（4）春玉米籽粒产量随施氮量增加先增加后降低,并在施氮量为250 kg/hm²时产量最大（11 932 kg/hm²）,此时氮素收获指数最大（69.12%）并显著高于其余处理,氮肥农学效率也显著高于施氮量为300、400 kg/hm²的处理。因此,从春玉米产量、氮素利用角度考虑,该试验条件下的合理施氮量为250 kg/hm²。     

Optimization of Organic Mulches Thickness Improves Soil Moisture Retention under Controlled Conditions

Organic mulch can improve the moisture, chemical composition, dust, and dust suppression of soil, and beautify the environment. In view of the rapid evaporation rate and serious loss of soil water in tropical areas, this paper explored the effect of organic mulch materials with different thickness on the increase of soil water retention rate and the improvement of soil water loss caused by evaporation. Rubberwood sawdust (RWS), rubberwood bark (RWB), coconut fiber (CF), and Mulch (MC) were selected as the mulching materials. Field experiment and laboratory experiment were performed, and soil-moisture content and temperature were continuously monitored. However, from the daily measurement of water content at constant conditions (29°C ± 0.2°C, 74% ± 1% air RH) in the laboratory experiment, the results of variance analysis (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference between the soil-water content of covered samples and bare soil (P > 0.05). In the field experiments, the analysis of variance indicated significant differences in the soil-moisture content owing to the effect of the covering material (P < 0.01). Mulching increased the soil-moisture content with smaller fluctuations in the deep soil compared with bare soil. The most stable soil-moisture content were achieved by RWS, RWB, CF, and MC, with thicknesses of 5, 3, 7, and 5 cm, respectively, compared with bare soil, and the average water contents of the 0–40 cm soil layer was 0.58%, 0.01%, 0.82%, and 0.93%, respectively. Vertically, the intensity of the change in soil moisture decreased gradually with increasing depth, and was more stable than that of bare soil and other treatments. Among them, the difference in water content between the adjacent gradient soil layers (the soil layers are graded every 10 cm in depth) M_3–7 (0.011 ± 0.004) was the smallest. It can be concluded that CF mulching materials with a thickness of 7 cm would be preferable when selecting mulching materials for controlling soil moisture in tropical cities.     

Effects of Added Organic Matter and Water on Soil Carbon Sequestration in an Arid Region

It is generally predicted that global warming will stimulate primary production and lead to more carbon (C) inputs to soil. However, many studies have found that soil C does not necessarily increase with increased plant litter input. Precipitation has increased in arid central Asia, and is predicted to increase more, so we tested the effects of adding fresh organic matter (FOM) and water on soil C sequestration in an arid region in northwest China. The results suggested that added FOM quickly decomposed and had minor effects on the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool to a depth of 30 cm. Both FOM and water addition had significant effects on the soil microbial biomass. The soil microbial biomass increased with added FOM, reached a maximum, and then declined as the FOM decomposed. The FOM had a more significant stimulating effect on microbial biomass with water addition. Under the soil moisture ranges used in this experiment (21.0%–29.7%), FOM input was more important than water addition in the soil C mineralization process. We concluded that short-term FOM input into the belowground soil and water addition do not affect the SOC pool in shrubland in an arid region.     

土壤有机质和外源有机物对甲烷产生的影响

对土壤有机质含量及组分、外源有机物和根系分泌对甲烷产生的影响作了综述。土壤产甲烷量和甲烷排放量随有机质含量增加而提高,与土壤中易矿化有机碳或沸水浸提有机碳含量呈显著相关。外源有机碳加入促进了土壤排放甲,刺激效果与外源有机碳的用量和组成有关。还原力强的有机物如纤维素和半纤维素较还原力弱的有机物如类脂和多糖能够产生更多的甲烷。甲醇、甲基化氨基酸等无其它微生物竞争利用的有机物能被产甲烷菌更多地转化成甲烷。植物根系分泌物也促进甲烷的产生,促进作用大小与植物种类及分泌物的数量和质量有关。外源有机物通过3种方式促进土壤甲烷产生;提高土壤的甲烷底物供应量,降低土壤氧化还原电位,刺激土壤原有有机碳的转化。     

干旱-复水处理对杠柳幼苗光合作用及活性氧代谢的影响

采用人工控制土壤水分试验,以80%田间持水量处理为对照,研究了3次干旱-复水处理对2年生杠柳幼苗叶片光合作用,根、茎、叶膜脂过氧化和抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明: 在干旱条件下, 杠柳叶片相对含水量和光合速率(P_n)显著降低,光合色素含量升高. 干旱复水后,叶片相对含水量完全恢复,反映了杠柳较强的旱后修复能力;叶绿素含量和P_n均明显高于对照,表现出补偿效应,适度干旱诱导了杠柳的抗旱适应性.干旱胁迫使P_n下降,以气孔限制为主,但在中午发生了非气孔限制;幼叶、新茎和细根中的超氧阴离子产生速率升高,丙二醛含量则降低,说明这些幼嫩组织未受到氧化伤害.不同器官中SOD、CAT和POD活性及变化趋势不同,以细根的3种保护酶的反应最为灵敏,说明细根是杠柳适应干旱环境的重要器官.器官间的相互合作与协调使杠柳能有效地适应干湿交替的干旱环境.     

土壤干旱对黄土高原乡土树种水分代谢与渗透调节物质的影响

以黄土高原4个乡土树种的幼苗为试验材料,采用盆栽方式模拟土壤干旱环境,研究土壤干旱对不同树种水分代谢与渗透调节物质的影响。结果表明,大叶细裂槭、虎榛子叶水势、叶片含水量下降迅速,叶片离体保水能力降幅明显;白刺花、辽东栎则表现为叶水势、叶片含水量缓慢下降,组织相对含水量在中度胁迫下略有上升。白刺花在不同水分处理条件下离体叶片保水力明显高于其它树种。1个树种可溶性糖含量随土壤干旱程度加剧明显增加,可溶性蛋白质含量在树种之间变化较为复杂,无明显规律性。K^ 离子含量和游离脯氨酸含量在中度水分胁迫下均有不同程度升高。白刺花在土壤干旱进程中,可溶性蛋白质含量、K^ 离子含量和游离脯氨酸含量均明显高于其它树种。综合水分代谢和渗透调节物质来看,水分胁迫条件下,白刺花以保持高水势、减少组织水分散失和增加渗透调节物质来提高细胞原生质浓度,增强其抗旱性。     

干旱胁迫对霸王水分生理特征及细胞膜透性的影响

以2年生霸王为试验材料,用盆栽人工控制土壤水分,研究不同梯度土壤水分条件对霸王水分生理特征、丙二醛含量和细胞膜相对透性的影响.结果表明,与充足供水对照(土壤重量含水量为23%)相比,在严重干旱胁迫(土壤含水量为3%)20 d和45 d时,霸王叶水势和叶片相对含水量分别显著降低70.87%和45.54%、26.81%和12.66%;相应的叶片MDA含量和细胞膜相对透性分别显著增加33.81%和21.78%、17.51%和14.98%;严重干旱胁迫30 d使得霸王叶片保水力显著下降;同时随着土壤干旱胁迫程度的增强,霸王日蒸腾耗水量持续下降,且严重干旱胁迫处理的蒸腾耗水量日变化为水平直线型,其余处理均为单峰型.研究发现,严重干旱胁迫下随着胁迫时间的延长,霸王叶水势和叶片相对含水量有增加趋势,而叶片MDA含量和细胞膜相对透性则有减小趋势,它能够通过自身的调节机制,逐渐改善叶片水分状况,降低细胞膜伤害程度,从而适应严重干旱环境.     

Effects of pig manure and wheat straw on growth of mung bean seedlings grown in aluminium toxicity soil

Crop production in red soil areas may be limited by Al toxicity. A possible alternative to ameliorate Al toxicity is the application of such organic manure as crop straw and animal manure. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of organic materials on the alleviation of Al toxicity in acid red soil. Ground wheat straw, pig manure or CaCO3 were mixed with the soil and incubated, at 85% of water holding capacity and 25 degrees C, for 8 weeks. After the incubation, 14 seedlings of mung bean (Phaseolus aures Roxb) were allowed to grow for 12 days. Results showed that application of organic material or CaCO3 increased soil pH and decreased soil monomeric inorganic Al concentrations. Growth of mung bean seedling was improved sustantially by the application of organic material or CaCO3. Pig manure or wheat straw was more effective in ameliorating Al toxicity than was CaCO3. Mung bean plants receiving pig manure or wheat straw contained relatively high concentrations of P, Ca and K in their leaves. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of organic manure on mung bean is likely due to decreasing concentrations of monomeric inorganic Al concentrations in soil solution and improvement of mineral nutrition.     

Effect of soil salinity and soil water availability on growth and chemical composition ofSorghum halepense L.

Summary Effects of soil salinity and soil water regime on growth and chemical composition ofSorghum halepense L. was studied with a view to evaluating its potential as a forage crop in saline soils. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using pot-culture with three levels of soil salinity (EC_e 0.5, 5.0, 10.0 ds/m) and three soil water regimes (60%, 40% and 20% of water holding capacity of the soil). High soil salinity and low soil water combiningly had an adverse effect on plant growth but the biomass production was appreciably high (57 to 75% of control) even under high soil salinity (EC_e 10 ds/m) when sufficient water was available. Belowground plant parts were relatively more salt-tolerant than shoots. There occurred an increase in the concentration of certain nutrients (N, Ca, Mg, TNC) in the plants in response to salinity, which along with increased root: shoot ratios was inferred as an adaptive feature of the plant for persistence under saline conditions.     

毛乌素沙地根茎禾草拂子茅对异质性水分供应的表型可塑性

拂子茅(Calamagrostis epigejos（L.)Roth)为根茎型多年生禾草,具细长根茎。为了探讨拂子茅在异质性水分环境中的表型差异,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯高原的毛乌素沙地对拂子茅由母株、子株组成的分株对给予了高水、低水两种不同的异质性土壤水分处理。实验结果表明：土壤水分状况显著地影响着拂子茅分株的生长表型。在高土壤水分条件下,拂子茅的分株产生的根茎、新生后代分株较多,并使生物量主要分配于地上部分,地上生物量积累多;在低土壤水分条件下,拂子茅分株产生较少的根茎与新生后代分株,并且分配到根系的生物量明显增大。在具有一定对比度的异质性土壤水分环境中,拂子茅分株并不因相连的其他分株所处的土壤水分状况而在根茎生长、新生后代分株的产生和生物量分配等特征上,与同质环境中的具有相同土壤水分状况的分株相比,有明显差异。这些结果揭示：拂子茅仅以分株的形式对异质性水分供应发生表型反应;相连的克隆分株在向顶向和向基向这两个基本方向上,不能对另一分株的土壤水分状况在生K表型上发生反应,它们在水分关系上可能是相互相对独立的。分株的相对独立可能有利于在气候干旱、扰动强烈的沙地环境中实现风险分摊,提高基株的存活几率。     

Projected ecosystem impact of the Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment experiment

The Prairie Heating and CO2 Enrichment (PHACE) experiment has been initiated at a site in southern Wyoming (USA) to simulate the impact of warming and elevated atmospheric CO2 on ecosystem dynamics for semiarid grassland ecosystems. The DAYCENT ecosystem model was parametrized to simulate the impact of elevated CO2 at the open-top chamber (OTC) experiment in north-eastern Colorado (1996-2001), and was also used to simulate the projected ecosystem impact of the PHACE experiments during the next 10 yr. Model results suggest that soil water content, plant production, soil respiration, and nutrient mineralization will increase for the high-CO2 treatment. Soil water content will decrease for all years, while nitrogen mineralization, soil respiration, and plant production will both decrease and increase under warming depending on yearly differences in water stress. Net primary production (NPP) will be greatest under combined warming and elevated CO2 during wet years. Model results are consistent with empirical field data suggesting that water and nitrogen will be critical drivers of the semiarid grassland response to global change.