Abstract
Improper postsowing compaction negatively affects soil temperature and thereby cold and frost tolerance, particularly in extreme cold weather. In North China Plain, the temperature falls to 5 degrees below zero, even lower in winter, which is period for winter wheat growing. Thus improving temperature to promote wheat growth is important in this area. A field experiment from 2013 to 2016 was conducted to evaluate effects of postsowing compaction on soil temperature and plant population of wheat at different stages during wintering period. The effect of three postsowing compaction methods—(1) compacting wheel (CW), (2) crosskill roller (CR), and (3) V-shaped compacting roller after crosskill roller (VCRCR)—on winter soil temperatures and relation to wheat shoot growth parameters were measured. Results showed that the highest soil midwinter temperature was in the CW treatment. In the 20 cm and 40 cm soil layer, soil temperatures were ranked in the following order of CW > VCRCR > CR. Shoot numbers under CW, CR, and VCRCR treatments were statistically 12.40% and 8.18% higher under CW treatment compared to CR or VCRCR treatments at the end of wintering period. The higher soil temperature under CW treatment resulted in higher shoot number at the end of wintering period, apparently due to reduced shoot death by cold and frost damage.
Highlights
Autumn-sown field crops trend to higher yields than spring varieties due to their early spring development [1], an advantage over spring-germinating weeds when competing for limited moisture [2, 3]
We measured how soil temperature was affected by different postsowing compaction methods during the wintering period in the North China Plain
We found that, during the wintering period, the trend of soil temperature change was similar to air temperature, but the gap between maximum and minimum soil temperature was smaller compared to air temperature
Summary
Autumn-sown field crops trend to higher yields than spring varieties due to their early spring development [1], an advantage over spring-germinating weeds when competing for limited moisture [2, 3]. Overwintering crops confer some advantages, including reduced soil erosion and nutrient leaching. Overwintering crops are vulnerable to unfavourable weather for a longer period, potentially reducing winter survival rate, crop vigour, and thereby ultimate yield [4,5,6,7]. In North China Plain, the temperature falls to 5 degrees below zero, even lower in winter with a frost-free period of around 190 days. Cold and frost damage occur occasionally, and large declines in temperature reduce wheat growth [9]. Improving temperature to resist damage is necessary in this area
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