scholarly journals Incorporation of Manure into Ridge and Furrow Planting System Boosts Yields of Maize by Optimizing Soil Moisture and Improving Photosynthesis

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anzhen Qin ◽  
Yanjie Fang ◽  
Dongfeng Ning ◽  
Zhandong Liu ◽  
Ben Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Planting System

A sustainable management strategy of soil fertility and cropping system is critical to guaranteeing food security. However, little is known about the effects of soil amendment strategies on crop growth via regulating soil moisture and photosynthesis in a ridge and furrow cropping system. Here, field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018 in semi-arid areas of Loess Plateau, northwest China to investigate the effects of integrated use of ridge and furrow planting and manure amendment on grain yields of maize. Four treatments were designed: CK (flat planting with 100% chemical fertilizer), RFC (ridge and furrow planting with 100% chemical fertilizer), RFR (ridge and furrow planting with 100% control-released fertilizer), and RFM (ridge and furrow planting with 50% manure fertilizer + 50% N fertilizer). On average, RFM increased photosynthetic rates (Pn) by 74%, followed by RFR by 47%, and RFC by 26%, compared to CK. Also, stomatal conductance (Cd), transpiration rates (Tr), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were highest with RFM, followed by RFR and RFC. Averaged across the two years, RFM conserved 10% more soil water storage (SWS) than CK did at harvest, followed by RFR with an increment by 8%. However, RFC consumed more soil water than CK did, with its ETc 8% higher than CK. Consequently, spring maize treated with RFM suffered less drought stress, especially in 2017 when precipitation was insufficient. On average, grain yields and water use efficiency of RFM were increased by 18% and 27%, compared to CK. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that there existed significant positive correlation between SWS in top layers and grain yields, while SWS in deep layers had negative effects on grain yields. In conclusion, the incorporation of manure into ridge and furrow planting system can be an efficient agronomic practice to improve plant photosynthesis, optimize soil moisture, and boost grain yields in semi-arid areas of Loess Plateau, northwest China.

scholarly journals The Ecological Relationship of Groundwater–Soil–Vegetation in the Oasis–Desert Transition Zone of the Shiyang River Basin

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1642
Author(s):  
Le Cao ◽  
Zhenlong Nie ◽  
Min Liu ◽  
Lifang Wang ◽  
Jinzhe Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Salinity ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Soil Salinization ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Vegetation Growth

Groundwater is an important ecological water source in arid areas. Groundwater depth (GWD) is an important indicator that affects vegetation growth and soil salinization. Clarifying the coupling relationship between vegetation, groundwater, and soil in arid areas is beneficial to the prevention of environmental problems such as desertification and salinization. Existing studies lack research on the water–soil–vegetation relationship in typical areas, especially in shallow groundwater areas. In this study, the shallow groundwater area in Minqin, northwest China, was taken as study area, and vegetation surveys and soil samples collection were conducted. The relationships between vegetation fractional coverage (VFC) and GWD, soil salinity, soil moisture, and precipitation were comprehensively analyzed. The results showed low soil salinity in the riparian zone and high soil salinity in other shallow-buried areas with salinization problems. Soil salinity was negatively correlated with VFC (R = −0.4). When soil salinity >3 g/kg, VFC was less than 20%. Meanwhile, when GWD >10 m, VFC was usually less than 15%. In the areas with soil salinity <3 g/kg, when GWD was in the range of 4–10 m, VFC was positively correlated with soil moisture content (R = 0.99), and vegetation growth mainly depended on surface soil water, which was significantly affected by precipitation. When GWD was less than 4 m, VFC was negatively correlated with GWD (R = −0.78), and vegetation growth mainly relied on groundwater and soil water. There are obvious ecological differences in the shallow-buried areas in Minqin. Hence, it is reasonable to consider zoning and grading policies for ecological protection.

Seasonal variation of deep soil moisture under different land uses on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 1179-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowei Yu ◽  
Gaohuan Liu ◽  
Qingsheng Liu ◽  
Chong Huang ◽  
He Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Relating surface backscatter response from TRMM Precipitation Radar to soil moisture: results over a semi-arid region

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 6425-6454
Author(s):  
H. Stephen ◽  
S. Ahmad ◽  
T. C. Piechota ◽  
C. Tang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Precipitation Radar ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) carries aboard the Precipitation Radar (TRMMPR) that measures the backscatter (σ°) of the surface. σ° is sensitive to surface soil moisture and vegetation conditions. Due to sparse vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, TRMMPR σ° primarily depends on the soil water content. In this study we relate TRMMPR σ° measurements to soil water content (ms) in Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB). σ° dependence on ms is studied for different vegetation greenness values determined through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A new model of σ° that couples incidence angle, ms, and NDVI is used to derive parameters and retrieve soil water content. The calibration and validation of this model are performed using simulated and measured ms data. Simulated ms is estimated using Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model whereas measured ms is acquired from ground measuring stations in Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW). σ° model is calibrated using VIC and WGEW ms data during 1998 and the calibrated model is used to derive ms during later years. The temporal trends of derived ms are consistent with VIC and WGEW ms data with correlation coefficient (R) of 0.89 and 0.74, respectively. Derived ms is also consistent with the measured precipitation data with R=0.76. The gridded VIC data is used to calibrate the model at each grid point in LCRB and spatial maps of the model parameters are prepared. The model parameters are spatially coherent with the general regional topography in LCRB. TRMMPR σ° derived soil moisture maps during May (dry) and August (wet) 1999 are spatially similar to VIC estimates with correlation 0.67 and 0.76, respectively. This research provides new insights into Ku-band σ° dependence on soil water content in the arid regions.

scholarly journals The effects of clouds and aerosols on net ecosystem CO<sub>2</sub> exchange over semi-arid Loess Plateau of Northwest China

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 13337-13372
Author(s):  
X. Jing ◽  
J. Huang ◽  
G. Wang ◽  
K. Higuchi ◽  
J. Bi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Co2 Uptake ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Light Use Efficiency ◽  
Clearness Index ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. The impacts of clouds and atmospheric aerosols on the terrestrial carbon cycle at semi-arid Loess Plateau in Northwest China are investigated, by using the observation data obtained at the SACOL (Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University) site. Daytime (solar elevation angles of larger than 50°) NEE of CO2 obtained during the midgrowing season (July–August) are analyzed with respect to variations in the diffuse radiation, cloud cover and aerosol optical depth (AOD). Results show a significant impact by clouds and aerosols on the CO2 uptake by the grassland (with smaller LAI values) located in a semi-arid region, quite different from areas covered by forests and crops. The light saturation levels in canopy are lower, with a value of about 434.8 W m−2. Thus, under overcast conditions of optically thick clouds, the CO2 uptake increases with increasing clearness index, and a maximum CO2 uptake and light use efficiency of vegetation occur with the clearness index of about 0.37 and lower air temperature. Under other sky conditions the CO2 uptake decreases with the cloudiness but the light use efficiency is enhanced, due to increase in the fraction of diffuse PAR. Additionally, under cloudy conditions, changes in the NEE of CO2 also result from the interactions of many environmental factors, especially the air temperature. In contrast to its response to changes in solar radiation, the carbon uptake shows a negative response to increased AOD. The reason for the difference in the response of the semi-arid grassland from that of the forest and crop lands may be due to the difference in the canopy's architectural structure.

Soil moisture variations at different topographic domains and land use types in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China

CATENA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 125-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowei Yu ◽  
Gaohuan Liu ◽  
Qingsheng Liu ◽  
Xiaoping Wang ◽  
Jiuliang Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Subsoiling and Sowing Time Influence Soil Water Content, Nitrogen Translocation and Yield of Dryland Winter Wheat

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liang ◽  
Shahbaz Khan ◽  
Ai-xia Ren ◽  
Wen Lin ◽  
Sumera Anwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
N Accumulation

Dryland winter wheat in the Loess Plateau is facing a yield reduction due to a shortage of soil moisture and delayed sowing time. The field experiment was conducted at Loess Plateau in Shanxi, China from 2012 to 2015, to study the effect of subsoiling and conventional tillage and different sowing dates on the soil water storage, Nitrogen (N) accumulation, and remobilization and yield of winter wheat. The results showed that subsoiling significantly improved the soil water storage (0–300 cm soil depth) and increased the contribution of N translocation to grain N and grain yield (17–36%). Delaying sowing time had reduced the soil water storage at sowing and winter accumulated growing degree days by about 180 °C. The contribution of N translocation to grain yield was maximum in glume + spike followed by in leaves and minimum by stem + sheath. Moreover, there was a positive relationship between the N accumulation and translocation and the soil moisture in the 20–300 cm range. Subsoiling during the fallow period and the medium sowing date was beneficial for improving the soil water storage and increased the N translocation to grain, thereby increasing the yield of wheat, especially in a dry year.

scholarly journals On the factors influencing surface-layer energy closure and their seasonal variability over the semi-arid Loess Plateau of Northwest China

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 893-910
Author(s):  
X. Xiao ◽  
H. C. Zuo ◽  
Q. D. Yang ◽  
S. J. Wang ◽  
L. J. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Atmospheric Turbulence ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. The energy observed in the surface layer, when using eddy-covariance techniques to measure turbulent fluxes, is not balanced. Important progress has been made in recent years in identifying potential reasons for this lack of closure in the energy balance, but the problem is not yet resolved. In this paper, long-term data that include output of tower, radiation, surface turbulence flux and soil measurement collected from September 2006 to August 2010 in the Semi-Arid Climate Change and Environment Observatory, Lanzhou University, in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of Northwest China, were analysed, focusing on the seasonal characteristics of the surface energy and the factors that have impact on the energy balance closure (EBC). The analysis shows that (1) the long-term observations are successful; the interaction between the land and the atmosphere in semi-arid climates can be represented by the turbulent transport of energy. In addition, even though the residual is obvious, this suggests that the factors that impact the EBC are stable, and their seasonal variations are identical. The analysis also shows that (2) four factors have obvious impact on the EBC: the diverse schemes for surface soil heat flux, the flux contribution from the target source area, the low-frequency part of the turbulence spectra, and the strength of atmospheric turbulence motion. The impact of these four factors on the EBC are similar in all seasons. Lastly, the results indicate that (3) atmospheric turbulence intensity is a very important factor in terms of its impact on the EBC. The relative turbulence intensity, RIw, characterises the strength of atmospheric turbulence motion, and is found to exert a noticeable impact on the EBC; in all seasons, the EBC is increased when the relative turbulence intensity is enlarged.

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