Effects Of Planting Patterns Research Articles

Distinct planting patterns exert legacy effects on the networks and assembly of root-associated microbiomes in subsequent crops

Soil legacy effects from previous crops can significantly influence plant–soil interactions in crop rotations. However, the microbial mechanism underlying this effect in subsequent root-associated compartments remains unclear. We investigated the effects of planting patterns (four-year continuous maize [MM], three-year winter wheat and one-year maize rotation [WM], and three-year potato and one-year maize rotation [PM]) on the microbial composition and structure of root-associated compartments, the effect of distinct crops on subsequent microbial co-occurrence patterns, and the assembly mechanism by which the root-associated compartments (bulk soil, rhizosphere, and roots) in subsequent crops regulate the microbiome habitat. Compared with MM, the relative abundance of Acidobacteria in WM was 29.7 % lower, whereas that of Bacteroidota in PM was 37.9 % higher in all three compartments. The co-occurrence patterns of the microbial communities exhibited varied responses to different planting patterns. Indicator taxon analysis revealed less shared and specific species in the root bacterial and fungal networks. The planting pattern elicited specific responses from modules within bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks in all three compartments. Moreover, the planting patterns and root-associated compartments collectively drove the assembly process of root-associated microorganisms. The neutral model showed that, compared with MM, the stochasticity of bacterial assembly decreased under WM and PM but increased for fungal assembly. WM and PM increased the relative effects of the homogenized dispersal of fungal assemblies in roots. We conclude that previous crops exhibit marked legacy effects in the root-associated microbiome. Therefore, soil heritage should not be ignored when discussing microbiome recruitment strategies and co-occurrence patterns in subsequent crops.

Water-use-Efficiency in Spring Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) as Affected by Fertilizer Combinations and Planting Pattern Under Arid Conditions

This research trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting pattern and fertilizer doses on Water-use-Efficiency of spring planted Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) on sandy loam soil under arid conditions at Main Line Lower Land Reclamation and Research Station, Bhakkar during spring season 2018. The trial was laid out in RCB design with split plot arrangement having three replications. The main plot consisted of four fertilizer (NPK) doses (30:60:15, 60:120:30, 90:180:45, 120:240:60kg ha-1) while the sub plot consisted of six planting patterns viz., 30, 45 & 60 cm (straight sowing) and 30, 45 & 60 cm cross sowing by applying half seed in horizontal direction and remaining half seed in perpendicular direction on sandy loam soil. Two irrigations were applied in a measured amount by the Cut throat flume during the whole life period of crop. Data was collected on number of plants (m-1), plant height, number of branches (plant-1), number of fruit bearing branches (plant-1), number of pods (plant-1), number of grains (pod-1), 1000-grain weight, biological, straw and grain yield. Almost all parameters were significantly affected by fertilizer doses, planting patterns and their interactions as well, except number of fruit bearing branches, number of grains (pod-1) and 1000-grain weight. Statistical analysis of data revealed that maximum grain yield (3180 kg ha-1) with net return Rs.157,312 and BCR 2.61 of spring planted mung bean was obtained by applying fertilizer before sowing @ 60:120:30 kg NPK ha-1 and sowing crop in first week of March in 60 cm apart cross lines by applying half seed in horizontal direction and remaining half seed in perpendicular direction on sandy loam soil under arid conditions.

Effect of Planting Patterns and Weed Competition on Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background: A study was done during the Rabi 2022-23 on the farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab) on “Effect of planting patterns, weed competition on growth, yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).” PBW-824 variety was used for the experiment which is suitable under irrigated conditions of Punjab. Methods: The experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) with 4 planting techniques viz. two rows per bed, three rows/bed, bidirectional sowing, flat/line sowing in main/major plots and four weed competition treatments viz. competition by Phalaris minor only, competition by broad leaf weeds only, competition by both (weedy check) and no competition (weed free) in minor/sub plots. Result: The findings concluded that among main plots, crucially more grain yield (51.93 q/ha) and (51.29 q/ha) was obtained in cross sowing and three rows/bed, than two rows/bed and flat/line sowing pattern. Also increased seed/kernel yield in cross sowing, three rows/bed and two rows/bed was (14.43%, 13.02% and 5.39%) respectively than flat sowing. The growth and yield attributes were also seriously more in cross sowing, three rows per bed than flat sowing. Among weed competition treatments grain yield was significantly higher in no competition by both Phalaris minor and broad leaf weeds than other weed competition treatments. There were 41.85%, 25.55% and 14.75% increased grain yield in no competition treatment, competition by broad leaf weeds only and competition by Phalaris minor only as compared to control (unweeded) treatment. Among sub plots, all yield attributes were significantly higher in weed free treatment as contrast to all other weed competition treatments.

Effect of planting pattern and herbicide programs on sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia L.) control in peanut

Abstract Sicklepod is one of the most difficult to control weeds in peanut production in the southeastern United States due to its extended emergence pattern and limited effective herbicides for control. Growers rely on preemergence herbicides as the foundation of their weed control programs; however, postemergence herbicides are often needed for season-long weed control. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of planting pattern and herbicide combinations for sicklepod control in peanut crops. Due to rapid canopy closure, twin-row planting improved late-season sicklepod control by 13% and peanut yield by 5% compared with a single-row pattern. A preemergence application of fluridone, flumioxazin, or fluridone + flumioxazin provided 76% to 89% control of sicklepod 28 d after preemergence. Regardless of the herbicide applied preemergence, paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor applied early postemergence was required to achieve ≥90% sicklepod control 28 d after early postemergence. All preemergence herbicide treatments followed by (fb) S-metolachlor or diclosulam + S-metolachlor applied early postemergence provided <90% control 28 d after early postemergence. A mid-postemergence application of imazapic + dimethenamid-P + 2,4-DB controlled sicklepod by 67% to 79% prior to peanut harvest, and biomass reduction was unacceptable (<80%), resulting in difficulty in peanut digging. The highest peanut yield was observed when paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor was applied early postemergence fb imazapic + dimethenamid-P + 2,4-DB applied mid-postemergence. Based on the results of this study, a herbicide combination of paraquat + bentazon + S-metolachlor is an important early-season tool for controlling sicklepod in peanut crops. The results also showed that a twin-row planting pattern improved late-season sicklepod control but did not reduce herbicide input to protect peanut yield.

Interactive effects of planting pattern, supplementary irrigation and planting density on grain yield, water-nitrogen use efficiency and economic benefit of winter wheat in a semi-humid but drought-prone region of northwest China

Interactive effects of planting pattern, supplementary irrigation and planting density on grain yield, water-nitrogen use efficiency and economic benefit of winter wheat in a semi-humid but drought-prone region of northwest China

Influence of planting pattern on peanut ecosystem daytime net carbon uptake, evapotranspiration, and water-use efficiency using the eddy-covariance method

Peanut is planted in a pattern of either single or twin rows in Georgia, USA. However, limited attention has been paid to the impact of planting pattern on the carbon footprint and how the net carbon uptake is intertwined with the amount of water used to determine the ecosystem water-use efficiency (WUE) in peanut. This paper reports on the relationship between the amount of carbon produced to the amount of water used in peanut, carbon dioxide flux, and crop evapotranspiration of peanut in a single- or in a twin-row planting pattern measured using the eddy-covariance method. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is unique in that it examines for the first time the effect of planting pattern on the net carbon uptake and WUE. The two-year study took place in contrasting weather conditions with the 2016 year experiencing a higher vapor pressure deficit and lower precipitation than in the 2018 year. In this study, field-scale daytime net carbon ecosystem exchange (CO2 fluxes), ET and WUE of single- and twin-row peanut were compared using the eddy-covariance technique. Results showed that in 2018, both the net carbon uptake from the atmosphere and the WUE of twin-row peanut were significantly greater than those in the single-row peanut by 7-10% and ~9% respectively, for pod filling and seed maturity growth stages (aGDD 1000-2000 and aGDD > 2000). In 2016, the net daytime carbon uptake and WUE of peanut were similar for both planting patterns during pod filling (aGDD 1000-2000). Higher precipitation and lower VPD in 2018 likely resulted in greater peanut yield in twin-row as compared to single-row with abundant precipitation. Owing to the fast canopy growth rate in twin-row peanut, results suggest that during the vegetative stage (aGDD<500) in 2016, both daytime net carbon uptake from the atmosphere and WUE were considerably greater in twin-row than single-row by 32% and 27%, respectively. Given that in both years, the ET from both planting patterns was similar, it appears that the determination of WUE in both planting patterns was more impacted by changes in daytime net carbon uptake than evapotranspiration. The results of this study suggest the possibility that the higher WUE at the critical stages of twin-row peanut in 2018 are likely to lead to greater yield than single-row peanut. This should be confirmed with further year-to-year investigations.

Combined effects of planting patterns and mowing time on different organs and soil stoichiometry of Cyperus esculentus in desert oasis transition zone

There are many different planting methods for crops, however it is very important to improve the distribution ratio of elements in different organs of crops. Therefore, to understand the effect of different planting patterns on crop element balance, we selected Cyperus esculentus continuous cropping (CC) and C. esculentus - wheat rotation cropping (RC). The leaves, tubers, roots, and soil samples were taken at the mowing time (August 1st, on the 81st day after seed sowing; August 24th, on the 105th day after seed sowing; September 16th, on the 128th day after seed sowing). Results showed that CC and RC had significant effects on soil SO42− and Cl-. With the mowing time, the relative abundance of TN (total nitrogen) in tubers showed an increasing trend, the relative richness of TN in roots decreased, and the relative content of TN in leaves showed no change in the trend under the two planting modes. CC significantly increased the TN/TP (total phosphorus) of leaves, roots, and tubers. However, RC significantly increased the AN (available nitrogen)/AP (available phosphorus) of soil. The random forest analysis (RF) showed that abiotic factors contributed the most to TN/TK (total potassium) of roots, followed by TN/TK of tubers and TP/TK of roots. We found that abiotic factors had no significant impact on TP/TK of leaves and TN/TP of tubers. As expected, different planting patterns alter the plant's N (nitrogen)/P (phosphorus)/K (potassium), which in turn may modify N and P conservation strategies.

Appropriate Water-Nitrogen Regulation Mode to Improve Productivity of Mixed-Sowing Grassland of Bromus inermis and Alfalfa

Scientific selection of appropriate herbage planting management mode is an important guarantee to promote artificial grassland development and grassland productivity. In this study, three-year-old alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and bromus inermis were applied to analyze the effects of planting patterns (bromus inermis and alfalfa mixed-sowing D1, bromus inermis mono-sowing D2), nitrogen application (pure nitrogen) level (N1: 60 kg·ha−1, N2: 120 kg·ha−1), and water regulation (upper and lower limits of irrigation are calculated as a percentage of field capacity θf, W1: slight water deficit 65~85% θf, W2: moderate water deficit 55~85% θf, W3: serious water deficit 45~85% θf) on herbage growth and water-nitrogen use efficiency. This research applied the principal component analysis, the TOPSIS model, and the combination evaluation to evaluate each treatment. Results demonstrated that (1) the plant height, leaf area index, and yield of mixed-sowing herbage were 81.63%, 119.52%, and 111.51%, higher than the mono-sowing herbage. Increasing the amount of irrigation and nitrogen application could enhance herbage yield. The herbage yield with the W1N2 treatment was the highest. In this treatment, the mixed-sowing herbage yield was 26,050.73 kg·ha−1, and the mono-sowing herbage yield was 12,186.10 kg·ha−1. (2) The crude protein content of mixed-sowing herbage increased by 41.44%, higher than mono-sowing herbage, and the relative feeding value decreased by 16.34%. Increasing irrigation and nitrogen application could improve the quality of herbage. Meanwhile, the quality of herbage treated with W1N2 was the best. (3) The water use efficiency (WUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN), and crude protein water use efficiency (CPWUE) of mixed-sowing herbage were significantly higher than mono-sowing herbage. The PFPN and the CPWUE of herbage improved with increasing irrigation amount. Meanwhile, the WUE, the IWUE, and the CPWUE of herbage also improved with increasing nitrogen application amount. The results showed that mixed-sowing of alfalfa and bromus inermis with slight water deficit (upper and lower limit of irrigation was 65~85% θf) and nitrogen application (120 kg·ha−1) could have the best comprehensive production effect. At the same time, it was a planting and management mode of high yield, high quality, and high efficiency of artificial herbage in the oasis-desert interlacing area of Hexi, Gansu Province, China, and areas with similar climates.

Added Value of Local Organic Wastes to Develop Aromatic Plants in Agroforestry

<span>An agroforestry system consisting of fast-growing aromatic plants, such as citronella grass (<em>Cymbopogon nardus</em> L.) and tree crops that produce aromatic substances, such as ylang-ylang (<em>Cananga odorata</em> (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson forma genuina), was an alternative to the sustainable agricultural system. The growth and oil production of citronella grass can be enhanced by fertilization and planting patterns. The effects of planting patterns of citronella grass and ylang-ylang and compost application from various organic wastes on plant growth, biomass weight, and citronellal and geraniol content of citronella grass were investigated in a field experiment. The experiment consisted of two factors: planting patterns and types of fertilizer. Planting patterns (main plot) consisted of two levels, with citronella grass planted between ylang-ylang rows (IR) and between and within ylang-ylang rows (IWR). Five levels of fertilizer types comprised the subplot: no fertilization (P0), bamboo leaf compost (P1), vetiver leaf compost (P2), dairy cow dung compost (P3), and inorganic fertilizer (P4). Compost made from dairy cow manure significantly increased leaf length, tiller count per plant, canopy width, and citronellal content. Furthermore, its application in the IWR pattern revealed the optimal interaction that significantly increased citronella grass canopy width 4 and 8 weeks after planting. This result indicated that local organic wastes greatly aided the development of aromatic plants in agroforestry.</span>

Effects of Planting and Nitrogen Application Patterns on Alfalfa Yield, Quality, Water–Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economic Benefits in the Yellow River Irrigation Region of Gansu Province, China

Appropriate planting and nitrogen application patterns to support high-quality production of cultivated forage in light of issues of water scarcity, extensive field husbandry, and low productivity in cultivated grassland planting areas were investigated in this study. Using Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) as the research object, this study analyzed the effects of planting patterns (conventional flat planting (FP) and ridge culture with film mulching (RM)) and nitrogen level (N0: 0 kg·ha−1, N1: 80 kg·ha−1, N2: 160 kg·ha−1, N3: 240 kg·ha−1) on the growth, yield, quality (crude protein content (CP), acid detergent fiber content (ADF), neutral detergent fiber content (NDF), and relative feeding value (RFV)), the water–nitrogen use efficiency, and economic benefits (EB) of alfalfa in the year of establishment. Results demonstrated that (1) RM might greatly increase the growth of alfalfa when compared to FP. The plant height, stem diameter, and leaf:stem ratio of alfalfa all increased under the same planting patterns before decreasing as the nitrogen application rate (NAR) increased. (2) Appropriate NAR combined with RM could improve the yield and quality of alfalfa. Compared with other treatments, the yield, CP, and RFV under RMN2 treatment increased by 5.9~84.9%, 4.9~28.6%, and 19.6~49.3%, respectively, and the ADF and NDF decreased by 14.0~27.6% and 13.0~26.1%, respectively. (3) Under the same nitrogen level, RM showed better performance than FP in terms of water use efficiency (WUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), precipitation use efficiency (PUE), partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN), agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE), and EB of alfalfa. Under the same planting pattern, PFPN decreased as the NAR increased, while WUE, IWUE, PUE, ANUE, and EB first increased and then decreased as the NAR increased and reached a maximum value under the N2 condition. In conclusion, the RM planting pattern combined with a nitrogen level of 160 kg·ha−1 can significantly promote alfalfa growth as well as the yield, quality, water–nitrogen use efficiency, and EB of alfalfa, making it a suitable planting management mode for alfalfa production in the Yellow River irrigation region in Gansu Province, China and areas with similar climate.

Mulch Application and Plant Spacing Influence on Growth Traits, Pests, Insects and Weeds in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties

Mulch Application and Plant Spacing Influence on Growth Traits, Pests, Insects and Weeds in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties

INFLUNCE OF CULTIVARS, PLANT GEOMETRY, HUMIC ACID AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF NIGER (Guizotia abyssinicia Cass.) CROP

INFLUNCE OF CULTIVARS, PLANT GEOMETRY, HUMIC ACID AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF NIGER (Guizotia abyssinicia Cass.) CROP

Different Fertilizers Applied Alter Fungal Community Structure in Rhizospheric Soil of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Increase Crop Yield.

Soil microbes play an important role in the ecosystem and have a relationship with plant growth, development, and production. There are only a few reports on the effects of planting patterns of cassava on the microbial community structure in the rhizospheric soil. Here, we investigated the effects of different fertilization on the microbial community structure in the cassava rhizospheric soil. SC205 cultivar was used in this study as the experimental material. Compound fertilizer (CF) and reduced fertilizer (RF) were applied to the soil prior to planting. Soil samples were collected before harvest, and fungi were analyzed using IonS5TMXL sequencing platform. Results showed that CF and RF treatments significantly increased cassava yield. Amplicon sequencing result indicated that the fungi richness in rhizospheric soil of cassava was increased after CF was applied, and the diversity was decreased. However, the fungal diversity and richness were decreased in rhizospheric soil after RF was applied. The most dominant fungal phylum was Ascomycota, which increased after fertilization. In addition, the abundance of beneficial fungi such as Chaetomium increased after fertilization, while that of pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium solani was decreased. The composition of the fungal community in rhizospheric soil with CF and RF applied was similar, but the richness and diversity of fungi were different. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicates there was a positive correlation between soil nutrition and fungal community structure. Overall, our results indicate that fertilization alters the fungal community structure of cassava rhizospheric soil, such that the abundance of potentially beneficial fungi increased, while that of potentially pathogenic fungi decreased, thereby significantly promoting plant growth and yield of cassava. Thus, during actual production, attention should be paid to maintain the stability of cassava rhizospheric soil micro-ecology.

A novel planting pattern increases the grain yield of wheat after rice cultivation by improving radiation resource utilization

Waterlogging severely constrains wheat production after rice cultivation in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain, China. Raised bed planting (RBP) patterns may reduce waterlogging stress and increase wheat productivity. However, the physical mechanisms of resource use in wheat, particularly radiation resource use, are not well understood. The effects of planting patterns on the canopy structure, light interception (LI), intercepted photo synthetically active radiation (IPAR), radiation use efficiency (RUE) and yield of two wheat cultivars (Yannong 19 and Yangmai 25) were examined by employing two planting patterns, conventional flat planting (FP) and RBP, in 2018/19 and 2019/20. Relative to FP, RBP significantly increased wheat yield by increasing the IPAR and RUE of wheat. Yannong 19 and Yangmai 25 intercepted 4.57% and 7.14% more IPAR, respectively, averaged over the two years, under RBP than under FP. The significantly higher IPAR in RBP was ascribed mainly to the increased canopy leaf area index (LAI), and LI benefited from the improved early-season growth and delayed late-season leaf senescence, which compensated for the reduced cropping area under RBP caused by the furrows. The increased light penetration into the middle-lower canopy under RBP resulted in 1.82% and 3.55% higher RUE for Yannong 19 and Yangmai 25, respectively, compared with that under FP. The significantly higher IPAR caused by the delayed leaf senescence was the primary factor responsible for the high productivity of wheat under RBP. Our results suggest that the key factor that limits wheat production after rice cultivation is radiation capture during the critical growth period, which is low. This study suggests that RBP has promise for increasing productivity and radiation resource utilization.

Soil fungi are more sensitive than bacteria to short-term plant interactions of Picea asperata and Abies faxoniana

Despite increasing knowledge of plant interactions on the aboveground parts, little is known about the belowground mechanisms underlying such interactions. Here, we selected Picea asperata and Abies faxoniana, two dominant species of subalpine forests, to investigate the effects of planting patterns (isolation and intra- and interspecific interactions) on soil microbial communities. High-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing were performed to explore the bacterial and fungal community structures of the soils. The fungal community changed more under interactions of two species than isolation. Intra- and interspecific interactions had different effects on the fungal community. However, neither intra- nor interspecific interactions had effects on bacterial community composition. Compared with bacteria, fungi were more strongly affected by soil properties, such as the nitrate nitrogen concentration, total nitrogen concentration, pH, and β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activity. These results indicated that fungi were more susceptible than bacteria to plant interactions. Fungal community composition and structure, especially those of ectomycorrhizal fungi, were changed by intra- and interspecific interactions. In inter- and intraspecific interactions with P. asperata, the relative abundance of the ectomycorrhizal fungal Inocybe and Trichophaea increased, which may be one of important factors directly or indirectly affecting belowground interactions.

Effect of Planting Pattern on Physico-chemical Properties of Two Garlic Cultivar

Background: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) member of the family Alliaceae, quality planting material is one of the major inputs to successful crop production. Planting spacing is the systematic evaluation of the farm area or any growing surface for crop production. Methods: In order to investigate the effect of planting pattern on morphology and physiology variables of two garlic cultivars an experiments was conducted as a factorial based randomized block design with three replications in research field of Gonbad-e-Kavous University during 2016-2017. The factors were included seven planting patterns (12.5×12.5, 15×15, 17.5×17.5, 20×20, 22.5×22.5, 25×25 and 27.5×27.5 cm) and two garlic cultivars (Tarom and Hamedan) and the measurements were phenology bulb yield, harvest index, biological yield and quality parameters (total phenol, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid and allicin). Result: The highest bulb yield (19014.4 kg ha-1) was recorded in planting pattern 12.5×12.5 cm that obtained from the Hamedan cultivar. The highest and lowest of total phenol content ranged from 10.43 mg/100 g (27.5 × 27.5 cm) to 8.50 mg/100gr (12.5 × 12.5 cm). The antioxidant activity varied from 85.20% (27.5 × 27.5 cm) to 77.59% (12.5 × 12.5 cm). The results also showed that Hamedan cultivar had a higher bulb yield, total phenol, Flavonoid and antioxidant activity than Tarom cultivar. The minimum days to 50% leafing (24.16 days), days to 50% bulb initiation (74.50 days) and days to 50% maturation (152.83 days) observed in planting pattern 12.5×12.5 cm treatment.

Effect of Planting g Pattern and Organic Nutrient Sources on Performance of Maize in Maize-Cowpea Intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting pattern and organic nutrients sources on maize in an intercropping system with cowpea. The treatment consists of four planting pattern (Sole maize, Sole cowpea, 1:1 maize + cowpea and 2:2 paired row maize + cowpea) and four nutrient sources (inorganic, FYM, ambrosia weed biomass and 50% through FYM + 50% through ambrosia weed biomass) allocated to main and sub plots, respectively. Growth parameters of maize did not vary significantly due to planting various planting patterns with cowpea except for dry matter accumulation at harvest. Highest grain, stover and biological yield of maize was also reported from sole maize which was at par with paired row planted maize but significantly higher over the maize intercropped in 1:1 planting pattern with cowpea. All the growth parameters and yield attributes of maize also differed significantly due to application of various sources of plant nutrients except for plant height at 30 DAS, CGR and RGR during 30-60 DAS and cobs per plant and cob length. Maximum grain yield in maize was recorded from inorganic nutrient source which was at par with combined nutrient application through FYM and ambrosia. Protein content ingrain remain at par but nutrient uptake varied markedly and follow the trends of grain and biological yields both due to planting pattern and nutrient sources.

Effects of fertilization and planting patterns on soil aggregate and carbon distribution in farmland of the Loess Plateau, Northwest China

Based on a long-term experiment in the Changwu Agro-ecological Experimental Station in Xianyang, Shaanxi, China, we examined the effects of fertilization and planting patterns on soil aggregate quantity, aggregate stability and total carbon and organic carbon distribution in different aggregate fractions through dry and wet sieving methods, as well as the TOC combustion method. There were ten treatments, including uncultivated (R), wheat continuous cropping (CK/W), wheat-corn rotation (L), and nitrogen fertilizer (N), phosphorus fertilizer (P), nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP), organic fertilizer (M), nitrogen and organic fertilizer (NM), phosphorus and organic fertilizer (PM), nitrogen and phosphorus and organic fertilizer (NPM) for CK/W. The results showed that fertilizer application and planting patterns affected soil aggregate distribution and stability, the contents and contribution rates of total C and organic C. Force-stable aggregate was mainly constituted by >0.25 mm aggregate (>67%), which was reduced by fertilization. Continuous cropping decreased micro-aggregate while rotation facilitated it and the effect was larger than fertilization. Water-stable aggregate was mainly comprised of micro-aggregate (<0.25 mm), the contribution of which was larger than 61%. Both fertilizer application and planting pattern reduced water-stable micro-aggregate. Fertilizer application and planting pattern decreased the percentage of aggregate destruction rate (PAD) and increased macro-aggregate (>0.25 mm, R0.25) content. Organic fertilizer significantly improved total C and organic C concentrations in all the fractions of force-stable aggregates. Continuous cropping and rotation cropping increased total C concentration in all the aggregate fractions while rotation cropping significantly decreased organic C concentration. Single N and P fertilization decreased soil total C concentration, while mixed application of N and P fertilizers, and organic fertilizer significantly increased soil total C concentration. The effect of planting patterns on soil total C was lower than that of fertilization. Both continuous cropping and rotation cropping increased soil total C. Mixed application of N and P fertilizers, and organic fertilizer signifi-cantly increased soil organic C concentration while single N and P fertilization decreased it. The effect of planting patterns on soil organic C was lower than that of fertilization, while rotation cropping did not facilitate soil organic C. Micro-aggregate was the most notable size fraction to total carbon and organic C, with the contribution being 21.2%-33.6%. Fertilization and planting pattern increased the contribution rate of micro-aggregate in soil total C. NP and NPM significantly increased the contribution rate of micro-aggregate in soil total C and soil organic C. The effect of rotation cropping was most obvious in driving the contribution rate of micro-aggregate in soil total C and soil organic C.

Effect of Plant Pattern and Density on Yield and Amino Acid Profile of Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) in a Semiarid Area

Background: Tepary bean is recognized as a deal crop for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. The spatial distribution of plants is an important farming practice. A study was conducted in tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) to investigate the effect of planting pattern and plant density on plant yield and amino acid profile.Methods: The experiment was carried out in a split-split plot design with three replications during 2017 and 2018. The main plot comprised planting pattern at two levels, including one-row plantation (PP1) and two-row plantation (PP2) and sub plot comprised plant density at three levels, including high plant density (HPD:50 plant/m2), moderate plant density (MPD:40 plant/m2) and low plant density (LPD: 30 plant/m2). In both years, plants were harvested at the end of pod filling stage at October. Amino acid profiles were determined using a HPLC system. Result: The results showed that in the first year and under PP2, MPD increased the biological yield by 19% and 16% compared to HPD and LPD, respectively. Increased pod yield was observed at MPD compared to HPD and LPD. In the second year under PP1, MPD improved grain yield by 75% and 65% in comparison to HPD and LPD, respectively. Increased protein and amino acid content were observed at MPD and PP2. The greatest amino acid content was Leu followed by Lys, Arg, Phe, Val, Ile, Thr, Tyr, His, Met, Trp and Cys.

Impact of Maize–Mushroom Intercropping on the Soil Bacterial Community Composition in Northeast China

Conservative agricultural practices have been adopted to improve soil quality and maintain crop productivity. An efficient intercropping of maize with mushroom has been developed in Northeast China. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of planting patterns on the diversity and structure of the soil bacterial communities at a 0–20 cm depth in the black soil zone of Northeast China. The experiment consisted of monoculture of maize and mushroom, and intercropping in a split-plot arrangement. The characteristics of soil microbial communities were performed by 16S rRNA gene amplicom sequencing. The results showed that intercropping increased soil bacterial richness and diversity compared with maize monoculture. The relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Saccharibacteria and Planctomycetes were significantly higher, whereas Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were lower in intercropping than maize monoculture. Redundancy analysis suggested that pH, NO3−-N and NH4+-N contents had a notable effect on the structure of the bacterial communities. Moreover, intercropping significantly increased the relative abundance of carbohydrate metabolism pathway functional groups. Overall, these findings demonstrated that intercropping of maize with mushroom strongly impacts the physical and chemical properties of soil as well as the diversity and structure of the soil bacterial communities, suggesting this is a sustainable agricultural management practice in Northeast China.