scholarly journals Root distribution and yield responses of wheat/maize intercropping to alternate irrigation in the arid areas of northwest China  

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.H. Yang ◽  
Q. Chai ◽  
Huang GB

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of alternate irrigation (AI) on root distribution and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system during the period of 2007–2009 in an oasis of arid north-west China. Five treatments, i.e. sole wheat with conventional irrigation (W), sole maize with alternate irrigation (AM), sole maize with conventional irrigation (CM), wheat/maize intercropping with alternate irrigation (AW/M), and wheat/maize intercropping with conventional irrigation (CW/M). The results showed that root growth was significantly enhanced by alternate irrigation (AI), root weight density (RWD), root length density (RLD) and root-shoot ratios (R/S) in AI treatments were all higher than those in conventional irrigation (CI) treatments. Moreover, intercropped wheat and maize also had a greater root development at a majority of soil depths than wheat and maize in monoculture. In three years, AW/M always achieved the highest total seed yield under different treatments. Higher yield and reduced irrigation resulted in higher water use efficiency (WUE) for the AW/M treatment. Our results suggest that AI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method on wheat/maize intercropping in arid oasis field where intercropping planting is decreased because of limited water resource.

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Li Zhao ◽  
Lu-Sheng Li ◽  
Huan-Jie Cai ◽  
Xiao-Hu Shi ◽  
Chao Zhang

Organic amendments improve general soil conditions and stabilize crop production, but their effects on the soil hydrothermal regime, root distribution, and their contributions to water productivity (WP) of maize have not been fully studied. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of organic amendments on soil temperature, water storage depletion (SWSD), root distribution, grain yield, and the WP of summer maize (Zea mays L.) in the Guanzhong Plain of Northwest China. The control treatment (CO) applied mineral fertilizer without amendments, and the three amended treatments applied mineral fertilizer with 20 Mg ha−1 of wheat straw (MWS), farmyard manure (MFM), and bioorganic fertilizer (MBF), respectively. Organic amendments decreased SWSD compared to CO, and the lowest value was obtained in MBF, followed by MWS and MFM. Meanwhile, the lowest mean topsoil (0–10 cm) temperature was registered in MWS. Compared to CO, organic amendments generally improved the root length density (RLD) and root weight density (RWD) of maize. MBF showed the highest RLD across the whole soil profile, while MWS yielded the greatest RWD to 20 cm soil depth. Consequently, organic amendments increased grain yield by 9.9–40.3% and WP by 8.6–47.1% compared to CO, and the best performance was attained in MWS and MBF. We suggest that MWS and MBF can benefit the maize agriculture in semi-arid regions for higher yield, and WP through regulating soil hydrothermal conditions and improving root growth.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengxiang Sui ◽  
Ping Tian ◽  
Hongli Lian ◽  
Zhengyu Wang ◽  
Ziqi Ma ◽  
...  

Returning crop straw to soil can potentially improve soil health and crop production, facilitating sustainable agriculture. However, the effects of straw incorporation with various tillage management techniques combined with nitrogen (N) regimes on crop root growth, and water and N utility are not well understood. In this study, rotary tillage (RTS) and plow tillage (PTS) for straw incorporation combined with N regimes (CK, no N applied; LN, 112 kg N ha−1; MN, 187 kg N ha−1; and HN, 262 kg N ha−1) were used to determine their effects on soil water and mineral N availability, root distribution, crop N uptake, grain yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize in northeast China. The results demonstrate that higher levels of pre-sowing soil-water storage and field evapotranspiration (ET), and lower levels of WUE and pre-sowing soil mineral N storage (Nmin-PS) at a depth of 0–60 cm were obtained with the RTS treatments as compared to the PTS treatments. N addition improved Nmin-PS and post-harvest soil mineral N storage (Nmin-PH) at a depth of 60–100 cm in 2016, and increased WUE compared to CK. RTS treatments enhanced root weight density (RWD) at a depth of 0–60 cm in 2016–2017, root length density (RLD), ratio of root length density (RLDR), and ratio of root weight density (RWDR) at a depth of 30–60 cm in 2016, and RLD at a depth of 0–30 cm in 2017. N addition promoted RLD and RWD at a depth of 0–10 cm in 2016–2017. RTS treatments reduced pre-silking shoot N uptake (NPS) and grain yield. Shoot N uptake and grain yield were enhanced in response to increasing levels of N; however, the grain yield did not show further significant improvements when the amount of N applied was over 187 kg N ha−1 (except for RTS in 2016). Overall, tillage with straw incorporation management and N levels markedly affected the soil physicochemical properties (such as ET, Nmin-PS, and Nmin-PH). This influenced grain yield indirectly by further mediating root traits (RLD, RWD, RLDR, and RWDR) with consequences for the NPS and post-silking shoot N uptake (NPOS) of maize, which were found to have greatest direct and positive impact on maize grain yield.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1606
Author(s):  
Liang Tang ◽  
Haoran Sun ◽  
Ruxiao Sun ◽  
Yinan Niu ◽  
Jingrong Song ◽  
...  

The proper promotion of a deep root system is important for maize cultivation to improve water use efficiency in the arid and semi-arid Loess Plateau. Here, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of combined controlled release urea and normal urea on root growth and water extraction of maize in dryland fields. Maize in the combined controlled release urea and normal urea treatment had greater root systems compared to those in the normal urea treatment and no N application treatment. Compared to the urea treatment, combined controlled release urea and normal urea advanced the root length density and root weight density in the 0–10 cm soil layer at R1 stage by 30.99% and 45.03% in 2016 and by 20.54% and 19.13% in 2017. The root length density also increased at the dent stage (R5) by 52.05% and 47.75% in 2016 and 2017, and root weight density increased by 19.58% in 2016. Combined controlled release urea and normal urea promoted production of fine roots and root distribution, as well as decreased soil water storage (SWS) in the deep soil layer at the R5 stage. The grain yield was positively correlated with root length density and root weight density in the topsoil layer at the silking stage (R1) and in the whole soil profile at the R5 stage, suggesting that better root system management is helpful for increasing crop grain yield. Therefore, this work demonstrates that combined use of controlled release urea and normal urea to higher crop yields might attribute to increasing water extraction by optimizing in-season maize root morphology and distribution in the rainfed farmland of the Loess Plateau.


1987 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Sharma

SummaryWater-use efficiency and forage yield of irrigated oats depend to a large extent on water application during initial growth. Root distribution, growth and fodder yield of oats as influenced by time and amount of first irrigation were studied in the field for 2 years. Root-weight density of each layer, profile-root-weight density and yields decreased progressively when the first irrigation was delayed. Application of a small amount of irrigation (20 mm) at day 25 proved to be better than applications of 50 or 70 mm at later stages.


Nematology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zafar A. Handoo ◽  
Erum Y. Iqbal ◽  
Nasira Kazi ◽  
Shahina Fayyaz

Abstract An identification key to ten valid species of Paurodontella is given. A compendium of the most important diagnostic characters with illustrations of each species is included as a practical alternative and supplement to the key. The diagnosis of Paurodontella is emended and a list of all valid species of the genus is given. Two new species (Paurodontella myceliophaga n. sp. and P. balochistanica n. sp.) collected around the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan, Pakistan, are described and illustrated. Paurodontella myceliophaga n. sp. is characterised by having a short post-uterine sac, lateral field with four incisures, excretory pore at the base of the pharynx and fusiform median bulb, whereas P. balochistanica n. sp. has a longer and very slender body with posterior vulva, lateral field with four incisures and short mucronate tail. Because these species are limited in distribution, their importance is not known.


Irriga ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-391
Author(s):  
Marcelo Rossi Vicente ◽  
Everardo Chartuni Mantovani ◽  
André Luís Teixeira Fernandes ◽  
Júlio Cesar Lima Neves ◽  
Edmilson Marques Figueredo ◽  
...  

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON ROOT DEVELOPMENT OF COFFEE PLANTS     MARCELO ROSSI VICENTE1; EVERARDO CHARTUNI MANTOVANI2; ANDRÉ LUÍS TEIXEIRA FERNANDES3; JÚLIO CÉSAR LIMA NEVES4; EDMILSON MARQUES FIGUEREDO5 E FÁBIO TEIXEIRA DELAZARI6   1 Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais, Campus Salinas, Fazenda Varginha, Rodovia Salinas – Taiobeiras, Km 2, 39560-00, Salinas, Minas Gerais, Brasil, [email protected] 2 Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, 36570.900, Minas Gerais, Brasil, [email protected] 3 Universidade de Uberaba, Av. Nenê Sabino, n° 1801, 38055-500, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brasil, [email protected] 4 Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brasil, [email protected] 5 Bahia Farm Show, Av. Ahylon Macedo, n° 919, 97810-035, Barreiras, Bahia, Brasil, [email protected] 6 Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brasil, [email protected]     1 ABSTRACT   Increasing the development and deepening of the root system in coffee crops ensures higher water and nutrient uptakes as a result of improved soil utilization, ultimately leading to greater crop yields and longevity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation levels on the root system of drip-irrigated coffee plants in western Bahia State (BA), Brazil. The experiment was carried out on Café do Rio Branco farm, located in Barreiras - BA, using adult plants (approximately 3.5 years old) of coffee variety Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design with three treatments corresponding to the irrigation depths of 75, 100 and 150% as determined using Irriplus software. After the fourth harvest, the coffee root system was assessed to determine root length density (RLD) and root weight density (RWD) in different sampled layers. A greater concentration of roots (RLD and RWD) was observed in the surface layer (0-20 cm) and under the lateral line (at 30 and 70 cm from the orthotropic branch). The irrigation depth of 75% provided the highest concentration of roots (RLD and RWD) in the 0-10 cm layer.   Keywords: Drip irrigation, Coffea arabica L, root system.     VICENTE, M.R.; MANTOVANI, E.C.; FERNANDES, A.L.T.; NEVES, J.C.L.; FIGUEREDO, E.M.; DELAZARI, F.T EFEITO DA IRRIGAÇÃO NO DESENVOLVIMENTO RADICULAR DO CAFEEIRO     2 RESUMO   Um maior desenvolvimento e aprofundamento do sistema radicular garante ao cafezal um aumento da absorção de água e nutrientes devido a maior exploração do solo, com isto maior produtividade e longevidade da lavoura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes lâminas de irrigação sobre o sistema radicular do cafeeiro irrigado por gotejamento na região Oeste da Bahia. Realizou-se o trabalho na fazenda Café do Rio Branco, localizada em Barreiras - BA em cafeeiros adultos, aproximadamente 3,5 anos de idade, da variedade Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144. O experimento ocorreu no delineamento em blocos casualizados, composto de 3 tratamentos, correspondentes à 75, 100 e 150% da lâmina de irrigação determinada pelo software Irriplus. Após a quarta safra, procedeu-se às avaliações do sistema radicular do cafeeiro, onde foi determinada a densidade de comprimento radicular - DCR e a densidade radicular – DR em diferentes camadas amostradas. Observou-se maior concentração de raízes, DCR e DR, na camada superficial (0-20 cm) e sob a linha lateral (30 e 70 cm de distância do ramo ortotrópico). A lâmina de irrigação correspondente a 75% proporcionou maior concentração de raízes (DCR e DR) na camada de 0 a 10 cm.   Palavras - chaves: Irrigação localizada, Coffea arábica L, sistema radicular


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1355
Author(s):  
Pavel Svoboda ◽  
Gabriela Kurešová ◽  
Ivana Raimanová ◽  
Eva Kunzová ◽  
Jan Haberle

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sixty years of contrasting fertilization treatments on the roots of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at sites with different soil and climate conditions. The depth and length density distribution of the wheat roots were determined between 2014 and 2016 in a crop rotation experiment established in 1955 at three sites: Lukavec, Čáslav, and Ivanovice (Czech Republic). Three fertilization treatments were examined: Zero fertilization (N0), organic (ORG) fertilization, and mineral (MIN) fertilization. The fertilization, site, and year all had a significant effect on the total root length (TRL). The average TRL per square meter reached 30.2, 37.0, and 46.1 km with the N0, ORG, and MIN treatments at Lukavec, respectively, which was the site with the lightest soil and the coldest climate. At Čáslav and Ivanovice (warmer sites with silt and loamy soils), the average TRL per square meter reached 41.2, 42.4, and 47.7 km at Čáslav and 49.2, 55.3, and 62.9 km at Ivanovice with the N0, MIN, and ORG treatments, respectively. The effect of fertilization on the effective root depth (EfRD), the depth at which the root length density dropped below 2.0 cm cm−3, was significant, while the maximum root depth (RMD) was only marginally affected. With the sites and years averaged, the MIN-treated plants showed a greater EfRD (102.2 cm) in comparison to the N0 (81.8 cm) and ORG (93.5 cm) treatments. The N0 treatment showed no signs of an adaptive reaction to the root system, with potential improvement for nutrient acquisition, while optimal fertilization contributed to the potential for resource depletion from the soil profile.


2003 ◽  
Vol 49 (164) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Shiyin ◽  
Sun Wenxin ◽  
Shen Yongping ◽  
Li Gang

AbstractBased on aerial photographs, topographical maps and the Landsat-5 image data, we have analyzed fluctuations of glaciers in the western Qilian Shan, north-west China, from the Little Ice Age (LIA) to 1990. The areas and volumes of glaciers in the whole considered region decreased 15% and 18%, respectively, from the LIA maximum to 1956. This trend of glacier shrinkage continued and accelerated between 1956 and 1990. These latest decreases in area and volume were about 10% in 34 years. The recent shrinkage may be due either to a combination of higher temperatures and lower precipitation during the period 1956–66, or to continuous warming in the high glacierized mountains from 1956 to 1990. As a consequence, glacier runoff from ice wastage between 1956 and 1990 has increased river runoff by 6.2 km3 in the four river basins under consideration. Besides, the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) rise estimated from the mean terminus retreat of small glaciers <1 km long is 46 m, which corresponds to a 0.3°C increase of mean temperatures in warm seasons from the LIA to the 1950s.


2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 983 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. A. Bolland ◽  
R. F. Brennan

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), and canola (Brassica napus L.) are the major crop species grown in rotation on the predominantly sandy soils of south-western Australia. Comparisons among the species for yield responses to applied phosphorus (P), effects of applied P on growth rates of shoots, P response efficiency for shoot and grain production, and the pattern for accumulation of P into shoots during growth and into grain at maturity are rare, or are not known, and were quantified in the glasshouse study reported here. Size and P content (P concentration multiplied by yield) of sown seed were in the order canola < wheat < lupin. Therefore, yield responses to applied P were first observed at ~10 days after sowing (DAS) for canola, ~17 DAS for wheat, and ~60 DAS for lupin. Lupin shoots showed no yield response to applied P at the first harvest at 51 DAS. Otherwise all species showed large yield, P concentration, and P content responses to applied P for all harvests at 51, 78, 87, 101, 121, and 172 DAS. To produce 90% of the maximum grain yield, the relevant data for cropping, lupin required ~67% less P than wheat, canola required ~40% less P than wheat, and canola required ~75% more P than lupin. Growth rates, and P response efficiency, were generally largest for canola, followed by wheat, then lupin. For shoots, P accumulation was in the order lupin > wheat > canola at 51 DAS, canola > wheat > lupin at 78 and 87 DAS, canola > wheat = lupin at 101 DAS, and all 3 species were about similar at 121 DAS. For accumulation of P into shoots plus grain at maturity (172 DAS) the order was canola > lupin > wheat, and for grain only was canola > wheat = lupin.


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