Abstract
We aimed to optimize field border length in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HPC) to reduce soil inorganic nitrogen residues and increase nitrogen absorption and utilization by wheat plants using a traditional border irrigation system. In a two-year experiment (2017–2019) conducted in the HPC, four border lengths were tested: 20 m (L20), 30 m (L30), 40 m (L40), and 50 m (L50). Supplementary irrigation was implemented during jointing and anthesis stages, and control fields received treatment without irrigation. The results showed that, compared with irrigation of other border lengths, L40 irrigation significantly increased nitrogen transport in stems and leaves. In addition, L40 irrigation had the highest rate of grain nitrogen accumulation after anthesis. The risk of nitrate leaching to deep layers increased with increasing border length; however, L40 irrigation improved the plants’ capacity to absorb soil nitrogen, and the soil inorganic nitrogen residue was significantly lower than that with irrigation of other border lengths. Therefore, the grain yield and nitrogen fertilizer utilization under L40 irrigation were significantly higher than those under irrigation of other border lengths, and L40 was considered as the best border irrigation length.
Highlights
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world
Different border irrigation had a significant effect on the nitrogen accumulation of vegetative organs during the anthesis, but had a small effect on the nitrogen accumulation of vegetative organs during the maturity (Figure 4)
The availability of nitrogen largely depends on the soil moisture: insufficient or excessive moisture will reduce plant nitrogen accumulation [28]
Summary
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. Approximately 21%of the world’s food depends on wheat, and ensuring wheat production is critical to food security given rapid population growth [1]. The Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HPC) is the main grain production area in China, producing more than 60% of domestic wheat [2]. The rainfall in the wheat growing season accounts for only one-third of the annual rainfall, and the area is prone to drought stress [3]. In the critical period of water demand during the jointing and anthesis stages, water stress will significantly reduce wheat yield [4]. Groundwater supplementary irrigation is the main measure to ensure wheat yield. Border irrigation is still the main irrigation method in the HPC, but excessive border length leads to high irrigation volume without increasing grain yield [5,6].
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