水氮运筹对干旱年型冬小麦旗叶生理性状及产量的交互效应

在大田条件下,探讨了不同灌水和施氮处理对冬小麦叶片生长、生理特性及产量性状的影响。结果表明,干旱年型条件下灌水和氮肥增产效应均显著,但灌水增产潜力更大,灌水两次(拔节和孕穗水),产量较高;灌水3次(拔节、孕穗和灌浆水)增产效果并不明显,氮肥全部底施产量下降,水分胁迫影响肥效发挥,降低产量,但可通过增加施氮量得到弥补,只有水氮合理搭配,才能有效协调各产量构成因素的关系,提高单位面积产量。     

水氮耦合对冬小麦氮肥吸收及土壤硝态氮残留淋溶的影响

在高肥力条件下,大田试验采用裂区设计,主区为不同灌水频次(0～3次),裂区为不同施氮量(0～240 kg/hm2),结合15N微区示踪技术,研究了水氮耦合对冬小麦氮肥的吸收利用及生育后期土壤硝态氮累积迁移的影响.结果表明,在一定氮肥水平下,不灌水处理的氮肥利用率高于各灌水处理,各灌水处理的氮肥利用率随灌水次数增加呈上升趋势;增加灌水次数,氮肥耕层残留量和残留率显著降低,氮肥损失量和损失率则明显增加.在一定的灌溉水平上,随施氮量(0～240 kg/hm2)增加,植株总吸氮量、氮肥吸收量、氮肥耕层残留量、氮肥损失量以及损失率均呈上升趋势,而氮肥利用率和耕层残留率呈下降趋势.氮肥水平一定时,在灌0至灌2水范围内,籽粒产量随灌水次数增加呈上升趋势,灌3水处理中施氮处理(N168、N240)的籽粒产量较灌2水处理显著降低;灌水生产效率随灌水次数增加显著下降.在一定灌溉水平上,施氮量由168 kg/hm2增至240 kg/hm2,氮素收获指数和氮肥生产效率显著降低,各灌水处理的生物产量、籽粒产量和籽粒蛋白质含量均无显著变化,不灌水处理的生物产量、籽粒产量显著降低.灌水促进了施氮处理(N168,N240)中土壤硝态氮向下迁移,从开花到收获0～100 cm土层中部分硝态氮迁移到了100～200 cm土层.灌水次数是导致收获期0～100 cm土层残留NO-3-N累积量变化的主导因素;水氮互作效应是决定收获期100～200 cm土层残留NO-3-N累积量变化的主导因素,且灌水效应大于施氮效应.     

水氮处理对冬小麦生长、产量和水氮利用效率的影响

采用完全随机裂区设计,研究不同灌水(0、900、1200、1500 m³·hm^-2)和施氮(0、90、150、210、270 kg·hm^-2)处理对田间冬小麦生长、产量和水氮利用效率的影响.结果表明：冬小麦籽粒产量、氮素吸收量、氮肥利用效率和氮肥生产效率均随灌水量的增加而增加;氮肥利用效率和生产效率均随施氮量的增加而降低;施氮量在0~150 kg·hm^-2时,冬小麦籽粒产量、氮吸收量和氮收获指数随施氮量增加而增加,超过150 kg·hm^-2时不再显著增加;随灌水量的增加,冬小麦耗水量和整体水分利用效率增加,降水和土壤供水量占耗水量的比例及灌溉水利用效率降低;随施氮量的增加,降水和灌水量占耗水量的比例降低,土壤供水占耗水量的比例增加,整体水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率先增加后降低,且均在施氮150、210和270 kg·hm^-2处理间无显著差异.综合考虑各因素,本试验条件下,生育期灌水1500 m³·hm^-2、施氮150 kg·hm^-2的处理为产量和效益兼优的最佳水氮组合.     

补施氮肥对秸秆覆盖条件下旱作冬小麦光合特性及产量形成的影响

基于旱作冬小麦秸秆覆盖定位试验,采用微区施肥方式研究了作物生育后期补施氮肥对作物光合特性及产量形成的影响.覆盖定位试验包括全年无覆盖(CK)、生育期秸秆覆盖9000 kg·hm-2(HSM)、生育期秸秆覆盖4500 kg·hm-2(LSM)和休闲期秸秆覆盖9000 kg·hm-2(FSM)4个处理;微区施肥在小麦孕穗期...     

节水栽培冬小麦对下层土壤残留氮素的利用

为了进一步明确华北地区冬小麦-夏玉米种植体系周年氮肥利用效率及其影响因素与机制,试验在大田和原状土柱条件下进行了深层土壤放置15N标记氮肥试验,重点研究节水栽培冬小麦对夏玉米生育期淋洗到下层土壤的氮素利用能力。试验结果表明,大田条件下冬小麦根系空间分布与夏玉米存在明显差异,冬前苗期根系下扎深度可达1.0m,开花期最大根深已经超过2.0m。而且,小麦节水栽培(春季不灌水、春季灌2次水)相对于传统充分灌水模式(春季灌4次水)明显提高了根群中的下层根系比例。大田春不灌水和春灌2水条件下,冬小麦对于100~200cm深层土壤放置的15N标记氮肥均能吸收利用。土柱条件下15N标记氮肥试验进一步验证了春灌2水条件下小麦对深层土壤氮素的吸收作用,并表明植株对100~110cm、120~130cm、140~150cm各层土壤标记15N的回收率分别为16.26%、7.33%和4.38%。研究表明,节水栽培促进冬小麦根系深扎,较多的深层根系增强了小麦对深层土壤氮素的吸收和利用能力,有利于截获夏玉米季淋溶到下层土体的肥料氮,从而可减少肥料氮损失。     

播种密度对秸秆覆盖旱地冬小麦产量和土壤水分的影响

为了解秸秆覆盖下作物群体对土壤水分和小麦产量的影响,于2012年6月至2013年6月在渭北旱塬研究秸秆覆盖与常规耕作模式下播种密度对土壤储水量、冬小麦群体动态变化、小麦产量及水分利用效率的影响。秸秆覆盖与常规耕作相比休闲期在0~3.6 m土层多蓄水105 mm,主要于小麦拔节后利用。不同播种密度主要影响小麦抽穗前的群体大小,抽穗后群体差异不显著。小麦籽粒产量为2 841~3 496 kg/hm, 不同密度水平或覆盖均没有显著影响小麦产量,但是高密度处理较中、低密度显著降低小麦收获指数。另外,秸秆覆盖小麦较常规增加20%耗水量,小麦水分利用效率降低11%。因此,在休闲期降雨丰富,生育期特旱的气候条件下播种密度对秸秆覆盖小麦产量没有影响,显著增加耗水量,降低水分利用效率。播种密度、秸秆覆盖及其交互效应还有待于在其他气候年型下进一步研究观测以便综合评价这些因素的影响效应,进而建立旱地小麦高产高效用水的管理措施。     

不同灌水模式对冬小麦籽粒产量和水、氮利用效率的影响

在田间试验条件下,以冬小麦品种泰农18为材料,设置灌底墒水(CK)、底墒水+拔节水(W1)、底墒水+拔节水+越冬水与灌浆水交替灌溉(越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式,W2)、底墒水+拔节水+开花水(优化传统灌溉模式,W3)、底墒水+越冬水+拔节水+灌浆水(传统灌溉模式,W4)5种灌溉模式,每处理每次灌水量均为600 m3·hm-2,研究了山东泰安偏旱年份(2009-2010年)不同灌溉模式对小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的影响.结果表明:在小麦全生育期119.7 mm降水量条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)与传统灌溉模式(W4)籽粒产量差异不显著,但水分利用效率显著高于传统灌溉模式,与灌水量相同的优化传统灌溉模式(W3)相比,其小麦籽粒产量明显提高,水分利用效率无显著差异;越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式和传统灌溉模式的氮肥偏生产力最高,且籽粒收获后越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式在0 ～100 cm土层的硝态氮积累量显著高于传统灌溉模式和优化传统灌溉模式,降低了硝态氮的淋溶损失.在本试验条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)是可以兼顾小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的最佳灌溉模式.     

栽培模式对旱地小麦产量和籽粒养分含量的影响

通过田间试验,研究地膜覆盖、秸秆还田和种植绿肥对冬小麦籽粒产量和籽粒养分含量的影响.结果表明:与传统模式相比,地膜覆盖并不总能提高旱地小麦产量,3年平均产量无显著变化,但籽粒磷吸收量却增加8.4%,磷含量平均提高13.0%;籽粒氮、硫和铁吸收量分别降低12.6%、15.0%和11.1%,含量分别降低12.1%、12.9%和10.1%,锌含量无显著变化.秸秆还田使小麦籽粒产量下降12.1%,籽粒氮、硫和铁吸收量分别降低22.5%、21.0%和19.8%,含量分别降低10.1%、9.4%和3.8%;磷吸收量降低9.8%,含量却增加5.0%,锌含量亦无显著变化.种植绿肥的小麦籽粒产量降低12.1%,籽粒氮和锌吸收量无显著变化,含量分别增加12.1%和12.6%,对磷、硫和铁含量无显著影响.可见,旱地条件下,不同栽培模式引起的籽粒产量增减与其养分吸收量变化不一致是养分含量变化的主要原因.在旱地小麦生产中,需注意地膜覆盖和秸秆还田的减产风险及对籽粒养分的不利影响,适当调控氮肥用量,保证小麦产量形成的养分需求,协调氮、硫、铁养分的吸收利用.种植绿肥能培肥土壤,提高籽粒氮和锌含量,但也应注意其减产问题.     

水肥耦合对玉米籽粒全氮含量的影响

采用四因素五水平(1/2实施)二次通用旋转组合设计,选取灌水、施氮肥、施磷肥和秸秆覆盖四因素作为试验因素,在辽西半干旱区褐土农田进行了水肥耦合效应长期定位试验。按照二次通用旋转组合设计统计分析方法建立回归模型,分析了水肥耦合对玉米籽粒全氮含量的影响。结果表明:水肥单因子对籽粒全氮的含量有较明显的影响,影响顺序为施氮秸秆覆盖施磷灌水;当灌水量为700m3.hm-2、施氮量为180kg.hm-2、施磷量为120kg.hm-2和秸秆覆盖量为7500kg.hm-2时,它们每个因素对玉米籽粒全氮含量的影响都集中11.7g·kg-1,此时籽粒蛋白质含量为73g·kg-1,产量为12000kg.hm-2,表明该处理组合下,玉米的经济效益和生态效益达到最佳,推荐生产上以此进行施肥。     

秸秆还田条件下灌水模式对冬小麦产量和水肥利用效率的影响

于2008-2010年,在山西省临汾市尧都区半干旱、半湿润季风气候区,通过大田试验研究了玉米秸秆连续还田条件下灌水模式对冬小麦籽粒产量、干物质转移及水肥利用效率的影响.结果表明:浇越冬水可促进小麦分蘖;浇拔节水可提高分蘖成穗率,增加成穗数;浇孕穗水可促进穗部干物质积累,提高千粒重.浇2水时,推迟第2次浇水时期使叶片干物质转移量和穗粒数增加;浇2水比浇l水的肥料表观利用率高,可促进穗部干物质积累.越冬水灌水量和总灌水量对分蘖、穗部干物质积累的影响较小;拔节期或孕穗期增加灌水量则更有利于养分吸收及干物质积累与转移,提高籽粒水分利用效率,产量构成因素协调,增产效果明显.因此,确保越冬水可实现稳产,在越冬水基础上,拔节期增量灌水(900 m3·hm-2)可满足冬小麦中后期生长发育的需要,提高籽粒水分利用效率,实现节水高产栽培.     

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.     

不同覆盖施肥措施对黄土旱塬冬小麦土壤水分的影响

于2007年9月—2008年7月在位于黄土高原渭北旱塬的王东沟试验区进行冬小麦不同覆盖施肥措施（包括不施肥、农民习惯施肥、推荐施肥、推荐施肥+有机肥、推荐施肥+垄上覆膜、推荐施肥+垄上覆膜+沟内覆草、推荐施肥+全区覆草7个处理）田间试验,并采用水分中子仪定期观测土壤含水量,研究黄土高原旱塬区不同栽培措施下土壤水分的变化特征.结果表明：在干旱季节（春季）,推荐施肥+垄上覆膜+沟内覆草措施有利于贮存更多的土壤水分,其土壤储水量约比最低值（推荐施肥+有机肥）高48.2 mm,并可将土壤水分保持到冬小麦需水的关键期,而且推荐施肥+垄上覆膜措施仅次于推荐施肥+垄上覆膜+沟内覆草,表明这两种措施能够在田间蓄积较多天然降水,有利于黄土高原旱区雨养农业的发展.     

Effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on N-use by wheat under different irrigation frequencies

A field trial was established in Errachidia, southern Morocco, to investigate the interaction between wheat residue management and mineral 15N-labelled ammonium sulphate, under different irrigation treatments, applied to wheat (Triticum durum var. Karim). In treatments I1, I2, I3 and I4, plots were irrigated every 10, 15, 21 and 30 days. Each plot contained three sub-plots that received three fertilization treatments: T1 received 42 kg N ha-1 of ammonium sulphate before seedling, 42 kg N ha-1 of ammonium sulphate labelled with 9.764 at % 15N excess at tillering and 84 N kg ha-1 of ammonium sulphate at flowering; T2 received 42 kg N ha-1 of ammonium sulphate labelled with 9.764 at % 15N excess at seedling, 42 kg N ha-1 at tillering and 42 kg N ha-1 at flowering; T3 received 4800 kg ha-1 of wheat residue labelled with 1.504 at % 15N excess and 42 kg N ha-1 of ammonium sulphate before seedling and 42 kg N ha-1 of ammonium sulphate at flowering. Nitrogen fertilization with 168 kg N ha-1 did no significantly increase grain and straw yields in comparison to the 126 kg N ha-1 application. The combination of the organic input and supplementary application of mineral fertilizer N has been found as a more attractive management option. For all irrigation treatments, the % recovery of N in the whole plant was higher in plants that received 15N at tillering (63%, 49% respectively for irrigation intervals between 10 and 30 d) than in plants that received 15N just after seeding (28% for irrigation each 10- and 30-d intervals). For the irrigation treatment each 10 and 15 days, the 15N was mainly recovered by the grain for all fertilization treatments, whereas for irrigation treatment each 30 days, the grain and straw recovered nearly equal amounts of fertilizer. For grain and straw of wheat, nitrogen in the plant derived from the fertilizer was low, while most of the N was derived from the soil for all irrigation and fertilization treatments. The % nitrogen in the plant derived from the fertilizer values showed no significant difference between the different plant parts. The results suggested a dominant influence of moisture availability on the fertilizer N uptake by wheat. Under dry conditions the losses of N can be allotted to denitrification and volatilisation.     

秸秆还田配施化肥对土壤肥力及鲜食甘薯产量和品质的影响

通过2017和2018两年的田间试验研究了小麦秸秆还田和施肥对土壤肥力、酶活性以及鲜食甘薯产量和品质的影响。试验设5个处理:秸秆不还田+常规施肥(CK)、小麦秸秆半量还田+常规施肥(50%S)、小麦秸秆全量还田+不施肥(100%S-F)、小麦秸秆全量还田+常规施肥(100%S)、小麦秸秆全量还田+常规施肥+150 kg·hm^-2氮肥(100%S+N)。结果表明:秸秆还田施肥处理显著提高了土壤中的有效磷、碱解氮、总氮和有机质含量,显著提高了土壤过氧化氢酶、碱性磷酸酶、脲酶和蔗糖酶活性。秸秆还田施肥处理均显著提高了薯块产量、单薯鲜重和商品薯率,其中50%S处理下薯块产量最低。2年的秸秆还田处理下,薯块产量和商品薯率均在100%S处理下最高。2年的秸秆还田施肥处理总体上提高了甘薯的淀粉和蛋白质含量,但100%S和100%S+N处理均降低了甘薯还原糖和可溶性糖含量。可见,小麦秸秆全量还田的效果优于半量还田,与常规施肥配合下薯块产量和商品薯率最高,但影响食用口感,实际生产中可适当减少氮肥用量。     

晋南旱地麦田夏闲期土壤水分和养分变化特征

2009-2011年在晋南旱地冬小麦种植区,研究了传统施肥(CF)、推荐施肥(RF)及垄膜沟播(RFFP)处理结合秸秆覆盖措施对夏闲期(6-9月)2 m土层土壤水分、NO₃^--N,以及0～40 cm土层速效磷、速效钾含量的影响.结果表明: 夏闲期降水可补充旱地麦田2 m土层土壤在冬小麦生长季所消耗的水分,其中94%以上蓄水量集中在0～140 cm土层,休闲效率为6%～27%.夏闲期降水易引起NO₃^--N下移;357～400 mm的降水量可使NO₃^--N淋移到100 cm土层,积累峰值在20～40 cm土层.夏闲期秸秆覆盖或地膜与秸秆配合覆盖可有效提高0～40 cm土层速效磷和速效钾含量,3个夏闲期累计增加量分别为17%～45%和36%～49%.不同处理间以垄膜沟播+沟内覆盖秸秆的二元覆盖模式蓄水培肥效果最佳,3个夏闲期2 m土层土壤累计蓄水215 mm,累计矿化氮90 kg·hm^-2,耕层土壤速效磷和速效钾含量分别累计增加2.7和83 mg·kg^-1,显著高于推荐施肥和传统施肥处理.推荐施肥和传统施肥处理对土壤水分、养分变化的影响无显著差异.     

Effect of nitrogen management and soil moisture conservation practices on rainfed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary Studies revealed that the application of fertilizer nitrogen brought a significant increase in grain and straw yield of wheat. The significant effect was also noticed on such yield contributing characters like number of effective tillers per metre row length, spike length, and number of grains per spike. The increase of nitrogen level from 40 kg/ha to 80 kg/ha also brought a significant increase in yield and yield contributing characters. The application of entire dose of nitrogen at the time of sowing was as good as its split application. The application of nitrogen also influenced the nitrogen concentration of grains whereas, the other treatments did not influence the nitrogen concentration in grains or straw. The nitrogen treatments did not influence the moisture content of soil. The application of mulch or mulch+Kaolin resulted in significantly higher content of soil moisture in 0–15 cm soil depth as compared to control or Kaolin spray alone which was simultaneously reflected in yield and yield contributing characters.     

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。     

不同耕作措施对黄土高原旱地土壤呼吸的影响

在甘肃省定西市李家堡镇设置不同耕作措施试验,对春小麦、豌豆双序列轮作下的土壤呼吸及其对应时间的冠层温度、土壤水分进行了测定.结果表明：春小麦和豌豆在整个生育期内的土壤呼吸都表现出不同的变化趋势,春小麦地土壤呼吸在拔节前期、灌浆期和收后分别达到高峰期;豌豆地土壤呼吸在五叶期、吐丝期、开花结荚期和收后分别达到高峰期.免耕秸秆覆盖处理和传统耕作处理下春小麦地土壤呼吸日变化明显,免耕秸秆覆盖处理明显低于传统耕作处理;而豌豆地土壤呼吸日变化不明显.春小麦和豌豆冠层温度均与土壤呼吸呈显著线性相关,春小麦孕穗期相关性最高,灌浆期次之;豌豆开花结荚期相关性最高,分枝期次之.土壤含水量与土壤呼吸间存在极显著的凸型抛物线型相关,保护性耕作下的相关性都高于传统耕作,其中免耕秸秆覆盖处理的春小麦地和豌豆地土壤含水量与土壤呼吸的相关性在各层次土壤中均为最高,10～30 cm土壤含水量对春小麦地土壤呼吸的影响最大,5～10 cm土壤含水量对豌豆地土壤呼吸的影响最大.与传统耕作相比,免耕秸秆覆盖、免耕、传统耕作秸秆还田、传统耕作结合地膜覆盖、免耕结合地膜覆盖5种保护性耕作措施都能不同程度地降低土壤呼吸,其中免耕秸秆覆盖优势最明显.     

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.     

Influence of an organic mulching on fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency and herb and essential oil yields in geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

In a field study, conducted at Lucknow ( 26.5 degrees N, 80.5 degrees E and 120 m altitude), India for two years (1996-1997 and 1997-1998), eight treatment combinations of two variables of organic mulch (paddy straw at 7 t/ha and no mulch) and four levels of fertilizer nitrogen (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg/ha) were examined to observe the effect of organic mulching on N-use efficiency and essential oil yield in a multi-harvested geranium crop. Results revealed that application of paddy straw mulch increased the herb and essential oil yields in geranium by 23% and 27%, respectively, over the unmulched control at planted crop harvest. Corresponding values at regenerated crop harvest were 18.7% and 19.2%. A significant response to N was observed with 160 kgN/ha in mulched plot over the same level of N in the unmulched plot. Using paddy straw mulch, nitrogen uptake by plants of planted and regenerated crops was increased by 33% and 28.4%, respectively, over the unmulched control. Apparent N recoveries by planted and regenerated crops were estimated to be 33.7% and 22.7% for the unmulched control, as against 40% and 29.2% with paddy straw mulch at 160 kgN/ha. The quality of essential oil of geranium in terms of its major constituents, citronellol and geraniol, was not affected by the use of organic mulching and nitrogen fertilization and these constituents were found to be of a standard acceptable in international trade.It was concluded from this study that use of an organic mulch with 160 kgN/ha proved better in terms of economising 80 kgN/ha to produce an economic yield of 96.1 kg geranium oil from two harvests under subtropical conditions of the north Indian plains. At 160 kgN/ha, paddy straw mulch application permitted the geranium crop to produce 18.4 kg/ha more oil which gave an additional return of Rs. 53,600/ha than that of unmulched control. Paddy straw mulch and nitrogen fertilization had no adverse effect on the quality of essential oil of geranium.