填闲种植及其在黄土高原旱作农业区的可行性分析

在主要粮食作物系统休闲期间种植填闲作物可兼顾环境与经济效益。综述了填闲种植对农田土壤水分、养分和后续粮食作物生产力形成等生态过程的影响及其具有的固碳减排、减少淋溶、控制侵蚀等环境与经济效益,并在此基础上从土壤水分限制、养分提高和产量经济效益等角度探讨了填闲种植在黄土高原旱作农业区的可行性,指出今后应重点加强填闲种植系统的水肥生产力形成机制、关键环境效益的形成机理、填闲作物与管理措施选择、生态经济效益评价以及气候变化背景下的填闲种植系统综合效益评估等方面展开定位观测与模型模拟研究,为填闲种植在黄土高原旱作农业区的推广提供科学依据。

Research progress in cover cropping and its feasibility in the dryland farming systems on the Loess Plateau

Cover cropping during the fallow period would aid crop production and achieve environmental and economic benefits by enhancing soil water and nutrient cycling, while ameliorating soil structure in the farming system. In this paper, we reviewed the effects of cover cropping on soil water, fertility, crop yield, and its environmental (carbon sequestration, reduction of leaching, and erosion prevention) and economic benefits. The feasibility of cover cropping in the dryland farming systems on the Loess Plateau was discussed in terms of its effects on water as a limiting factor, improvements of soil fertility, and enhancements of crop production. Field studies and modelling works on cover cropping systems were related to the processes of soil water, soil carbon and nitrogen, crop production, environmental and economic benefits, and selections of cover crop type and management practices. Comprehensive assessments in the context of climate change should be given more attention in the future, which would provide a scientific basis for the extension of the cover cropping system to the Loess Plateau.