scholarly journals Tillage and irrigation increase wheat root systems at deep soil layer and grain yields in lime concretion black soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfeng Wang ◽  
Zhuangzhuang Wang ◽  
Fengxu Gu ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Guozhang Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Root System ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Root Systems ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Use Efficiency

AbstractIn lime concretion black soil, a two-factor (tillage and irrigation) split block experiment from 2015 to 2017 was conducted to identify whether their combination is suitable for the improvement of winter wheat yield and water use efficiency. The main treatments were subsoiling (SS) and rotary tillage (RT), with secondary treatments of three irrigation regimes: no irrigation during the whole growth period (W0), irrigation at jointing stage (W1), and irrigation at both jointing and anthesis stages (W2). In combination with a soil column experiment, the contribution of the root system in different soil layers to yield was clarified. The results indicated that both tillage and irrigation significantly influenced the spatiotemporal distributions of the root systems and yield components, while tillage produced the strongest effect. Compared with RT, SS significantly promoted the root penetration and delayed root senescence in deep soil layers. With increasing soil depth, each root configuration parameter (dry root weight density, DRWD; root length density, RLD; root surface area per unit area, RSA; root volume per unit area, RV) gradually decreased, and the peak appearance times of each root parameter in RT and three parameters (RLD, RSA and RV) in SS were postponed from heading to anthesis and from anthesis to filling stage, respectively. The average post-peak attenuation values at soil layers from 60 to 100 cm in W1 were less than those in W0 and W2. SSW1 generated the highest grain yields, with an average increase of 31.88% compared with the yield in RTW0. Root systems at three soil layers (0–40 cm, 40–80 cm and below 80 cm) differentially contributed to grain yields with 78.32%, 12.09% and 9.59%, respectively. The growth peak of the deep root system in SSW1 was postponed to the filling stage, and the post-peak attenuation declining rates were also slowed. Therefore, SSW1 is an effective cultivation method improving grain yields and water use efficiency in lime concretion black soil.

Estimating the water use efficiency of spring barley using crop models

2018 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 628-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pohanková ◽  
P. Hlavinka ◽  
M. Orság ◽  
J. Takáč ◽  
K. C. Kersebaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Above Ground Biomass ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Ground Biomass ◽  
Use Efficiency

AbstractIn the current study, simulations by five crop models (WOFOST, CERES-Barley, HERMES, DAISY and AQUACROP) were compared for 7–12 growing seasons of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) at three sites in the Czech Republic. The aims were to compare how various process-based crop models with different calculation approaches simulate different values of transpiration (Ta) and evapotranspiration (ET) based on the same input data and compare the outputs of these simulations with reference data. From the outputs of each model, the water use efficiency (WUE) from Ta (WUETa) and from actual ET (WUEETa) was calculated for grain yields and above-ground biomass yield. The results of the first part of the study show that the model with the Penman approach for calculating ET simulates lower actual ET (ETa) sums, at an average of 250 mm during the growing season, than other models, which use the Penman–Monteith approach and simulate 330 mm on average during the growing season. In the second part of the current study, WUE reference values in the range 1.9–2.4 kg/m3were calculated for spring barley and grain yield. Values of WUETa/WUEETacalculated from the outputs of individual models for grain yields and above-ground biomass yields ranged from 2.0/1.0 to 5.9/3.8 kg/m3with an average value of 3.2/2.0 kg/m3and from 3.9/2.1 to 10.5/6.8 kg/m3with an average value of 6.5/4.0 kg/m3, respectively. The results confirm that the average values of all models are nearest to actual values.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Water Uptake and Root Distribution of Cherry Trees Under Different Irrigation Methods

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pingfeng Li ◽  
Huang Tan ◽  
Jiahang Wang ◽  
Xiaoqing Cao ◽  
Peiling Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Absorption ◽  
Root System ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Surface Irrigation ◽  
Irrigation Methods ◽  
Use Efficiency

Although water-saving measures are increasingly being adopted in orchards, little is known about how different irrigation methods enhance water use efficiency at the root system level. To study the allocation of water sources of water absorption by cherry roots under two irrigation methods, surface irrigation and drip irrigation, oxygen isotope tracing and root excavation were used in this study. We found that different irrigation methods have different effects on the average δ18O content of soil water in the soil profile. The IsoSource model was applied to calculate the contribution rate of water absorption by cherry roots under these irrigation methods. During the drought period in spring (also a key period of water consumption for cherry trees), irrigation water was the main source of water absorbed by cherry roots. In summer, cherry roots exhibited a wide range of water absorption sources. In this case, relative to the surface irrigation mode, the drip irrigation mode demonstrated higher irrigation water use efficiency. After two years of the above experiment, root excavation was used to analyze the effects of these irrigation methods on the distribution pattern of roots. We found that root distribution is mainly affected by soil depth. The root system indexes in 10–30 cm soil layer differ significantly from those in other soil layers. Drip irrigation increased the root length density (RLD) and root surface area (RSA) in the shallow soil. There was no significant difference in root biomass density (RBD) and root volume ratio (RVR) between the two irrigation treatments. The effects of these irrigation methods on the 2D distribution of cherry RBD, RLD, RSA and RVR, which indicated that the cherry roots were mainly concentrated in the horizontal depths of 20 to 100 cm, which was related to the irrigation wet zone. In the current experiment, more than 85% of cherry roots were distributed in the space with horizontal radius of 0 to 100 cm and vertical depth of 0 to 80 cm; above 95% of cherry roots were distributed in the space with the horizontal radius of 0 to 150 cm and the vertical depth of 0 to 80 cm. Compared with surface irrigation, drip irrigation makes RLD and RSA more concentrated in the horizontal range of 30–100 cm and vertical range of 0–70 cm.

Sustaining productivity of a Vertisol at Warra, Queensland, with fertilisers, no-tillage or legumes 4. Nitrogen fixation, water use and yield of chickpea

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Strong ◽  
R. C. Dalal ◽  
J. E. Cooper ◽  
J. A. Doughton ◽  
E. J. Weston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Tillage Practice ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Use Efficiency

Summary. Continuous cereal cropping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales has depleted native soil nitrogen fertility to a level where corrective strategies are required to sustain grain yields and high protein content. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of chickpea in chickpea–wheat rotations in terms of yields, water use and N2 fixation. The effects of sowing time and tillage practice have been studied. Chickpea grain yields varied from 356 kg/ha in 1995 to 2361 kg/ha in 1988; these were significantly correlated with the total rainfall received during the preceding fallow period and crop growth. Almost 48% of total plant production and 30% of total plant nitrogen were below-ground as root biomass. Mean values of water-use efficiency for grain, above-ground dry matter, and total dry matter were 5.9, 14.2 and 29.2 kg/ha.mm, respectively. The water-use efficiency for grain was positively correlated with the total rainfall for the preceding fallow and crop growth period although cultural practices modified water-use efficiency. The potential N2 fixation was estimated to be 0.6 kg nitrogen/ha.mm from 1992 total dry matter nitrogen yields assuming all of the nitrogen contained in chickpea was derived from the atmosphere. Sowing time had a much larger effect on grain yield and N2 fixation by chickpea than tillage practice (conventional tillage and zero tillage) although zero tillage generally increased grain yields. The late May–early June sowing time was found to be the best for chickpea grain yield and N2 fixation since it optimised solar energy use and water use, and minimised frost damage. Nitrogen fixation by chickpea was low, less than 40% nitrogen was derived from atmosphere, representing less than 20 kg nitrogen/ha.year. The potential for N2 fixation was not attained during this period due to below-average rainfall and high soil NO3-N accumulation because of poor utilisation by the preceding wheat crop. Increased soil NO3-N due to residual from fertiliser N applied to the preceding wheat crop further reduced N2 fixation. A simple soil nitrogen balance indicated that at least 60% of crop nitrogen must be obtained from N2 fixation to avoid continued soil nitrogen loss. This did not occur in most years. The generally negative soil nitrogen balance needs to be reversed if chickpea is to be useful in sustainable cropping systems although it is an attractive cash crop. Sowing time and zero tillage practice, possibly combined with more appropriate cultivars, to enhance chickpea biomass, along with low initial soil NO3-N levels, would provide maximum N2 fixation.

scholarly journals Daily dynamics of photosynthetic parameters in beech population under periodical drought conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Borišev ◽  
Rita Horak ◽  
Slobodanka Pajević ◽  
Saša Orlović ◽  
Nataša Nikolić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Soil Drought ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Photosynthetic Productivity ◽  
Early Afternoon ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe paper presents the impact of periodic soil drought on physiological parameters important for bioproductivity of mountain beech populations. The investigated forest population was located near Fruška gora mountain peak, where water runs off quickly, and consequently lack of soil humidity develops very often. Decreasing trends of photosynthesis, transpiration, water use efficiency and stomatal conductance (gs) during the growing season were evident, in correlation with a shortage of precipitation. Diurnally, photosynthesis of beech leaves showed rhythmical changes. It was the most intensive in the morning, then decreased between noon and 1 pm, and increased again during early afternoon. High leaf temperature and water deficit in the deeper soil layers caused a decreasing trend in photosynthesis and daily rhythmic changes of the transpiration rate and water use efficiency. Although surface soil water capacity did not show a significant decreasing trend from July to September, a lack of precipitation was observed, which probably caused a lack of moisture in deeper soil layers, resulting in a decline in photosynthesis and transpiration. Physiological status, linked to primary photosynthetic productivity of forests, could be a significant indicator of environmental conditions and trends in climate changes.

scholarly journals Effects of conservation agriculture on crop productivity and water-use efficiency under an irrigated pigeonpea–wheat cropping system in the western Indo-Gangetic Plains

2016 ◽  
Vol 154 (8) ◽  
pp. 1327-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. DAS ◽  
K. K. BANDYOPADHYAY ◽  
RANJAN BHATTACHARYYA ◽  
S. SUDHISHRI ◽  
A. R. SHARMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Gangetic Plains ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Use Efficiency

SUMMARYIn search of a suitable resource conservation technology under pigeonpea (Cajanus cajanL.)–wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, the effects of conservation agriculture (CA) on crop productivity and water-use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated during a 3-year study. The treatments were: conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT) with planting on permanent narrow beds (PNB), PNB with residue (PNB + R), ZT with planting on permanent broad beds (PBB) and PBB + R. The PBB + R plots had higher pigeonpea grain yield than the CT plots in all 3 years. However, wheat grain yields under all plots were similar in all years except for PBB + R plots in the second year, which had higher wheat yield than CT plots. The contrast analysis showed that pigeonpea grain yield of CA plots was significantly higher than CT plots in the first year. However, both pigeonpea and wheat grain yields during the last 2 years under CA and CT plots were similar. The PBB + R plots had higher system WUE than the CT plots in the second and third years. Plots under CA had significantly higher WUE and significantly lower water use than CT plots in these years. The PBB + R plots had higher WUE than PNB + R and PNB plots. Also, the PBB plots had higher WUE than PNB in the second and third years, despite similar water use. The interactions of bed width and residue management for all parameters in the second and third years were not significant. Those positive impacts under PBB + R plots over CT plots were perceived to be due to no tillage and significantly higher amount of estimated residue retention. Thus, both PBB and PBB + R technologies would be very useful under a pigeonpea–wheat cropping system in this region.

Effects of Mulching Previous Crops or Fallow on Dryland Maize and Wheat

1979 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Prihar ◽  
Ranjodh Singh ◽  
Nathu Singh ◽  
K. S. Sandhu
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Seed Zone ◽  
Use Efficiency

SUMMARYIn dryland areas, where rains recede much earlier than the time of sowing of crops, moisture in the seed zone becomes limiting for stand establishment. Mulches are known to conserve moisture in the upper soil layers, so we studied the effect of mulching a standing maize or fallow on the yield of the maize and on following wheat. Mulching maize with green twigs of ‘basooti’ a few weeks before harvest increased its yield by 16%. Both in maize and on fallow mulching increased water storage, particularly in the upper soil layers, and increased wheat yields from 19.0 to 22.5 q/ha after maize and 29.1 to 33.3 q/ha after fallow. It also led to increased water use and water use efficiency of wheat.

Lucerne in crop rotations on the Riverine Plains. 2. Biomass and grain yields, water use efficiency, soil nitrogen, and profitability

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Hirth ◽  
P. J. Haines ◽  
A. M. Ridley ◽  
K. F. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Summer Growth

In a field experiment in north-eastern Victoria (average annual rainfall 598 mm), the impact of 2–4 years of lucerne growth on the following 3–4 crops was assessed. Controls of continuous lucerne, annual pasture, and continuous crop were compared with 5 lucerne–crop rotations. Above-ground biomass and water use efficiency of lucerne, annual pasture, and crops were assessed, as were the soil N status, grain yields, and profitability of crops after lucerne. Lucerne grew more slowly over the autumn–spring growing season (20 kg DM/ha.day) than did annual pastures and crops (41 and 58 kg DM/ha.day, respectively), while over the spring–autumn period, it grew at a mean 26 kg DM/ha.day. The summer growth rates of lucerne were, however, highly variable (1–52 kg DM/ha.day). Despite large changes in temperature and water availability over the year, the biomass water use efficiency (WUEB) of lucerne was similar over the winter and summer growth seasons (16 and 10 kg DM/ha.mm, respectively) and averaged 13 kg DM/ha.mm for the whole year. In contrast, the WUEB of wheat, canola, and annual pasture over their respective growth seasons averaged 36, 38, and 26 kg DM/ha.mm. When calculated over a whole year, however, they were much closer to lucerne at 23, 14, and 17 kg DM/ha.mm, respectively. Autumn removal of lucerne left soils initially low in mineral N (mean 82 kg N/ha.m depth in April) for the establishment of the first crop, but this was not reflected in the subsequent N contents of crop biomass and grain. Autumn mineral N concentrations peaked 1–2 years after lucerne removal (mean 141 kg N/ha.m depth). Yields of first crops after lucerne were strongly dependent on growing season rainfall. When sowing commenced in a wet year, they were similar to, or greater than, the control, but when sown in a dry year, were substantially lower. When sowing commenced in a wet year, lucerne supplied additional N for a minimum of 2 crops. At least 3 crops were supplied with lucerne N when cropping commenced in a dry year. The inclusion of 2–3 years of lucerne into a continuous cropping sequence only decreased annual profitability by $AU40/ha. This work shows that short phases of lucerne (minimum of 3 years) followed by 3–4 crops can provide economically viable options for farmers and produce better hydrological outcomes than current annual-plant based cropping systems.

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