Article
Agronomy
Peng Xu, Yuhong Gao, Zhengjun Cui, Bing Wu, Bin Yan, Yifan Wang, Ming Wen, Haidi Wang, Xingkang Ma, Zedong Wen
Summary: Organic fertilizers are important for improving farmland fertility. A study in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau in northwest China examined the effects of different nutrient sources and application rates on water consumption characteristics, grain yield, and water use efficiency of oilseed flax. The results showed that organic fertilizers significantly increased soil water storage capacity and reduced water consumption. Specifically, the application of 25,000 kg/hm² sheep manure improved soil water storage, reduced water consumption, and increased grain yield and water use efficiency.
Article
Agronomy
C. L. Du, L. L. Li, Z. Effah, J. Xu, J. H. Xie, Z. Z. Luo, L. L. Wang, J. Zhang, Y. Q. Kang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different tillage and stubble management practices on spring wheat root growth, grain yield, and water use efficiency. The results showed that no-tillage with stubble retention had positive effects on increasing soil moisture content, improving root growth, and enhancing root vigor, especially in drier years.
Article
Soil Science
Shengzhe Hong, Fengli Jiao, Naikun Kuang, Changyuan Liu, Yuzhao Ma, Quanqi Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that no-tillage combined with delayed irrigation (10 days after the jointing stage) can improve soil moisture status and increase crop water productivity in the North China Plain.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Augustine K. Obour, Johnathan D. Holman, Yared Assefa
Summary: Reduced tillage can increase soil water storage and improve the yield of winter wheat. However, there is limited research on nitrogen fertilizer rates in reduced tillage systems. This long-term study found that the agronomic optimal nitrogen rates for winter wheat ranged from 70 to 79 kg N ha-1, while the economic optimal rates ranged from 59 to 71 kg N ha-1. Applying 60-70 kg N ha-1 would optimize yield and profitability in dryland continuous reduced tillage wheat production.
Article
Agronomy
Johnathon D. Holman, Augustine K. Obour, Yared Assefa
Summary: Replacing fallow with cover crops between sorghum harvest and wheat planting can increase productivity and profitability. Cover crops had higher precipitation utilization and storage efficiency compared to fallow, with spring triticale showing the highest forage accumulation and grain yield advantage. Cover crops left standing had similar soil water availability at wheat planting compared to fallow, making them a good choice for maximizing subsequent crop yields.
Article
Soil Science
Gang Zhao, Peng Wu, Fu Liu, Shangzhong Li, Jianjun Zhang, Yi Dang, Lei Wang, Shuying Wang, Wanli Cheng, Tie Cai, Tinglu Fan
Summary: The soil quality in the arid areas of Northwest China is poor and planting green manure and straw mulching can improve soil water content and quality. This study conducted a field experiment in the semiarid area of the Loess Plateau and found that the combination of straw mulching and planting soybean as green manure significantly increased soil water content, nutrients, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. It also improved fertilizer uptake and wheat productivity. Therefore, this method is effective for enhancing soil water storage, nutrient utilization, and wheat productivity in semiarid areas.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Runzhi Niu, Changwei Zhu, Guiying Jiang, Jin Yang, Xuanlin Zhu, Lianyi Li, Fengmin Shen, Xiaolei Jie, Shiliang Liu
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of six tillage practices on soil nutrients and maize yields in the North China Plain. The results showed that rotary tillage and deep tillage improved soil nutrient content compared to other practices. The second year showed improvement in soil nutrients and ecosystem multifunctionality. Maize yields varied among tillage practices, with the combination of deep tillage and subsoiling having the best yield.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Cen, Weiying Feng, Fang Yang, Wenyong Wu, Haiqing Liao, Zhongyi Qu
Summary: Studying the effects of different application rates of biochar on soil structure and organic matter content revealed that biochar significantly increased water-stable soil aggregates and organic matter content. Biochar has the potential for soil remediation and water-saving irrigation, providing evidence of its benefits for sustainable agriculture.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yin-Ping Zhang, Xin Li, Hao-Jie He, Hua Zhou, Duan-Yang Geng, Yu-Zi Zhang
Summary: This paper aims to explore the issues related to soil nutrient and structure destruction in a rice-wheat double-cropping area caused by over-tillage prior to rice cultivation. Through designing and testing a three-year cycle of rotation tillage pattern and comparing it with continuous no-tillage pattern and conventional ploughing & rotary tillage, the study found that the rotation tillage pattern significantly improved soil quality and crop yields. This study provides a theoretical reference for improving tillage patterns in rice-wheat double-cropping areas.
Article
Agronomy
Yongliang You, Ping Song, Xianlong Yang, Yapeng Zheng, Li Dong, Jing Chen
Summary: This study conducted a 4-year field experiment to determine an optimal irrigation schedule for typical winter wheat production system in the North China Plain, recommending irrigation at specific growth stages to increase yield and maintain sustainable soil water use.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Shamim Ara Memon, Irfan Ahemd Sheikh, Mashooque Ali Talpur, Munir Ahmed Mangrio
Summary: The study found that the tillering stage is the most sensitive and critical stage for wheat crop growth, and proper water management is crucial for increasing yield and water use efficiency. In addition, a 50% water deficit can be an effective irrigation strategy to improve WUE with minimal yield reduction, particularly under semi-arid climatic conditions.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Barira Shoukat Hafiza, Wajid Ishaque, Raheel Osman, Marjan Aziz, Syed Tahir Ata-Ul-Karim
Summary: This study investigates the potential of supplemental irrigation (SI) in improving wheat yield and water productivity in the rainfed cropping system of Pakistan. The results suggest that planting in November with irrigation applied 30 days after planting can achieve higher crop yield and water productivity.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Karima Djouadi, Arezki Mekliche, Sonia Dahmani, Nadia Insaf Ladjiar, Yasmine Abid, Zakaria Silarbi, Abdelmadjid Hamadache, Michele Pisante
Summary: The study found that no-tillage systems in semi-arid conditions for durum wheat cultivation can achieve higher grain yields, especially in dry years. Yield components and quality parameters are more affected by climatic conditions rather than tillage treatments.
Article
Agronomy
Vittoria Giannini, Laura Mula, Marcella Carta, Giacomo Patteri, Pier Paolo Roggero
Summary: Sunflower cultivation in the Mediterranean area is threatened by climate change, with earlier sowing dates and irrigation strategies proving effective in preventing yield losses from drought stress. Winter and early sowing dates have shown potential to significantly increase achene productivity, highlighting the importance of water management in Mediterranean regions.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Yue Li, Hao Feng, Wenjie Wu, Yu Jiang, Jian Sun, Yuefang Zhang, Hui Cheng, Cheng Li, Qin'ge Dong, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Ji Chen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of plastic film mulching (PFM) on greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), grain yield, soil characteristics, and their potential relationships in winter wheat cultivation in semi-arid areas. The results showed that PFM significantly increased soil temperature, water-filled pore spaces, and soil water storage, while maintaining high aboveground biomass and grain yield. However, PFM also led to increased N2O and CO2 emissions, as well as increased CH4 uptake. The use of PFM improved soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen. Overall, the findings suggest that PFM-induced increases in grain yield could outweigh the adverse impacts on GHG emissions, highlighting the potential for sustainable intensification of crop production in semi-arid areas.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
