Furrow Sowing Research Articles

Changes in Physical Fractions within Soil Aggregates Under Nitrogen Reduction and Film Mulching Measures in Dryland Wheat Field

We studied the changes in various physical fractions within aggregates in the arid plateau of southern Shanxi Province, which has great significance for synergistically improving soil fertility and crop productivity in this region. Bulk soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm layers during a 7-year long-term experiment in Hongtong County, Shanxi Province. Wheat grain yields, SOC concentrations, proportions, and OC contents within soil aggregates were analyzed. OC contents included： unprotected coarse particulate organic carbon within macroaggregate （M-cPOC） and fine particulate organic carbon within macroaggregate （M-fPOC）, physically protected intra-aggregate particulate organic carbon within macroaggregate （M-iPOC）, chemically/biochemically protected mineral organic carbon within macroaggregate （M-MOC）, unprotected fine particulate organic carbon within microaggregate （m-fPOC）, physically protected intra-aggregate particulate organic carbon within microaggregate （m-iPOC）, and chemically/biochemically protected mineral organic carbon within microaggregate （m-MOC）. The treatments were ① farmer fertilization （FP）, ② nitrogen reduction monitoring and control fertilization （MF）, ③ nitrogen reduction monitoring and control fertilization plus ridge film and furrow sowing （RF）, and ④ nitrogen reduction monitoring and control fertilization plus flat film hole sowing （RF）. The results showed that compared with that in the FP treatment, MF reduced SOC concentration while maintaining wheat grain yield, RF and FH synergistically improved soil fertility and crop yield, especially for the FH with SOC concentration, and wheat grain yield increased by 8.44% and 48.86%, respectively. MF significantly reduced the content of M-cPOC, RF significantly increased the content of M-iPOC, and FH significantly increased the contents of M-fPOC, M-iPOC, M-MOC, and m-iPOC by 64.00%, 98.39%, 6.16%, and 17.48%, respectively. In addition, combined with redundancy analysis, we found that the M-iPOC fraction played a major role in increasing SOC concentration and wheat grain yield, with a contribution rate of 61.5%. Therefore, the contribution of macroaggregates to soil fertility and crop productivity was higher than that of microaggregates in the arid plateau area of southern Shanxi, and flat film hole sowing could increase the content of M-iPOC, thereby synergistically increasing SOC sequestration and wheat grain yield, which could promote this cultivation technology in the region and even in the country's arid agricultural areas.

Ridge and Furrow Sowing Method with Close Spacing Reduces the Salinity Effect of Sunflower Production in the Ganges Delta

Ridge and Furrow Sowing Method with Close Spacing Reduces the Salinity Effect of Sunflower Production in the Ganges Delta

Analysis and Research on Production Effects of Full-Film Double Ridge-Furrow Mulching with Polyethylene Film and Biodegradable Film Based on AquaCrop

Water is an important factor limiting the development of arid rain-fed agriculture. Film mulching is an effective way to ensure yield in arid areas. However, whether biodegradable film can be used instead of polyethylene film for agricultural production in arid areas is a matter of contention. In this study, AquaCrop model simulation and field experiment were used to analyze the production effect of corn whole film double ridge furrow sowing technology covering polyethylene film (PM) and biodegradable film (BM) in Dingxi City from 2016 to 2020. The results showed that the AquaCrop simulation data have a high fitting with the field test data, and the model was suitable for simulating dry farming in Dingxi City. The best sowing time in Dingxi City is to select the average temperature to be stable at about 15 °C (around 15 April to 25 April each year), and the yield is the highest after sowing during this period. Although BM can achieve environmental protection and energy saving, it is weaker than PM in water storage and soil evaporation inhibition in arid areas. The average yield, aboveground biomass, water productivity, and harvest index of PM were 63.95%, 18.57%, 76.35%, and 38.22% higher than those of BM, respectively. In drought years, BM water stress on leaf expansion, induced stomatal closure, and premature senescence were 61%, 17%, and 9.5% higher than PM, respectively, and the stress time was 28.5 d, 5 d, and 26 d, respectively. The maximum canopy coverage and effective root zone water content were 24.5% and 30.49% lower, respectively. In the wet year, water stress under BM only had a certain effect on the leaf expansion of crops but had no effect on the induction of stomatal closure and premature senescence. The maximum canopy coverage and effective root zone water content were 13.56% and 31.35% lower, respectively. The above studies show that BM has a certain ability to store water and preserve moisture, but the parameters of PM are better than BM. Especially in dry years, the crop production efficiency of PM is more significant. It can be seen that in rain-fed agricultural areas with rainfall less than 500 mm, biodegradable film can not replace polyethylene film.

Effect of different land configurations and crop geometry with levels of fertilizer on sunflower productivity under rainfed condition

A field experiment with the objective to determine the response of sunflower to varying planting geometry and fertilizer levels under different land configurations was conducted under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in split plot design consisting of twelve treatments (Four main and three sub treatments) and replicated thrice. The entire period of cropping period received the adequate rainfall for the growth and development. The economics revealed that the land configuration ridges and furrow sowing with 100 % RDF recorded higher net return (Rs. 8,517/ha) and BCR (1.25). Hence, it concluded that under red loamy soil, sowing of sunflower with a spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm in ridges and furrow land configuration with application of 100 % RDF is highly suitable under rain fed condition to attain maximum yield with more profit.

Optimization of a nitrogen fertilizer application scheme for spring maize in full-film double-ridge furrow in Longzhong, China

Full-film double-ridge furrow sowing technology (FDRFST) and nitrogen (N) management are crucial for sustainable agricultural development. To investigate the N fertilizer application scheme for spring maize with high yield, precipitation water productivity (PWP), and N use efficiency (NUE) under the FDRFST, a two-year field experiment was carried out in a rainfed area of Longzhong (LZ). Treatments included two types of N fertilization (common urea [U] and controlled release urea [CU]), three application rates (180, 225, and 270 kg hm−2), and the conditions of no N fertilizer application and no plastic film mulching. The results showed that the temperature-increase effect of PM on the soil between 2021 and 2022 was concentrated for 0–90 days, with average values of the 5 cm soil temperature increasing by 4.15 and 3.58 ºC, respectively. However, the N fertilizer application rate had negligible effects on soil temperature. Plastic film mulching (PM) required temperature-increase compensation, particularly during the sowing–emergence stage, with a 1.68 compensation coefficient. Based on the simulation results of the modified DNDC model, the recommended application rate of CU (180 kg hm−2) for spring maize in LZ increased the average yield, PWP, and NUE by 15.8%, 16.0%, and 36.4% from 1981 to 2020, respectively, compared to U treatments. Our results provide a theoretical basis for N management in spring maize production in LZ and offer critical insights for improving the DNDC model under PM conditions.

Effect of Sowing Method on Yield of Different Plants Grown as a Catch Crop

Currently, the most important task of stubble catch crops, as an element of sustainable agriculture, is to provide the soil with organic matter. The basic problem in the implementation of this task is the shortage of precipitation during the sowing period, which, combined with high temperatures in Europe in August, results in the loss of soil water and, consequently, weakening of germination and delay in plant emergence. The development of agrotechnics to increase the reliability of germination of seeds of plants grown as a catch crops is very important for the use of this valuable source of organic matter in regions with low and irregular rainfall, especially in the case of light soils with low water retention capacity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the response to furrow sowing of plants from various botanical groups grown as a stubble catch crop. Field studies were carried out on lessive soil in 2013–2015 at the Research Station in Mochełek near Bydgoszcz. The subject of the research was the sowing method (factor I): furrow sowing versus traditional (row) sowing. Sowing methods were tested for four crops (factor II): white mustard, tansy phacelia, common buckwheat, and common vetch. Certain plants reacted differently to the use of furrow sowing, and this reaction was different in various years of the study. In years with average soil moisture during the sowing period, furrow sowing made it possible to increase the yield of green mass and post-harvest residues of catch crop. In a year with very low soil moisture in this period, the desired effect of this method was not obtained. Furrow sowing allows seeds to be placed in a deeper, more moist soil layer, which can contribute to the acceleration of plant emergence. However, it requires refinement in terms of the precision of covering the sown seeds with soil.

Effects of sowing patterns on nitrogen utilization and yield formation of winter wheat in the western Huang-Huai-Hai region.

To examine the differences of three improved sowing methods in winter wheat yield and nitrogen efficiency and reveal the characteristics responsible for such differences, we conducted field experiments in the Jinnan area of the western Huang-Huai-Hai wheat region for three consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019. The three improved sowing methods were wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing in moisture soil (FS), and three-dimensional uniform sowing (TDUS), with conventional drilling sowing (CDS) as the control. The results showed that meteorological factors such as accumulated temperature, solar radiation, and precipitation in the growing seasons from 2016 to 2019 showed great intra- and inter-annual variations. Compared with CDS, the improved sowing methods (WSS, FS, and TDUS) enhanced spike number per unit area and increased grain yield in three growing seasons by 18.3%-55.5%, 8.6%-22.2%, and 10.9%-39.5%, respectively. The three methods increased nitrogen uptake efficiency (NEup) by 5.8%-57.1%, pre-flowering nitrogen transfer ratio (Np/Nt) by 3.0%-15.3%, and nitrogen efficiency by 7.9%-35.7%, respectively. We developed a structural equation model (SEM) by integrating meteorological factors and experimental variables. The results showed that the three improved sowing methods could reduce the effects of extreme low temperature on wheat plant population, increase NEup and Np/Nt, and provide sufficient nitrogen supply to the grains of high-spike number wheat population for high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In summary, our results demonstrated that WSS, FS, and TDUS all improved NEup and Np/Nt in the 2016-2017 season when meteorological conditions were favorable for wheat growth, and enhanced yield components with high SN, leading to high yield and high nitrogen efficiency. In contrast, in both 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons with extremely low temperature and uneven distribution of meteorological conditions, WSS had a higher number of tillers at the jointing stage and enhanced pre-flowering nitrogen uptake and translocation, whereas TDUS had a relatively stable nitrogen uptake rate, leading to a stable grain yield.

Nutrient Cycling and Nitrogen Management Impact of Sowing Method and Soil Water Consumption on Yield Nitrogen Utilization in Dryland Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The current study was designed to investigate the best sowing method that encourages dry matter accumulation to increase dryland wheat yield, grain quality, and protein content. Three different seeding methods were applied: (I) wide-space sowing (WSS), (II) furrow sowing, and (III) drill sowing. Two nitrogen levels, namely low nitrogen (N1) and high nitrogen (N2), were also applied, and the pure nitrogen was 150 kg ha−1 and 210 kg ha−1, respectively. Wide-space sowing significantly increased the ears and yield production, the maximum, and average grain-filling rate while furrow sowing delayed the disappearance of the population after anthesis, increased the duration of grain filling, and then significantly increased the number of spikes and the 1000-grain weight increased, respectively. Drill sowing compared to wide-space sowing significantly increased the content of nitrogen in the grain of the nitrogen harvest index, and it increased the content of protein and the yield of protein, respectively. In addition, the grain yield and protein yield of wide-precision sowing were significantly higher than that of trench sowing. Our findings suggest that wide-space sowing was beneficial for increasing water consumption during the growth period, increasing the tiller dynamics, improving the plant dry matter quality, and increasing the grain protein.

Influence of Hydrogel and Different Sowing Methods on Growth and Yield Aerobic Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The field experiment was conducted during Khairf 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P).To evaluatedo the influence of different level Hydrogel (0, 2, 4 kg/ha.) and methods of sowing( on growth and yield of aerobic rice. Hydrogel was broadcasting in the field before sowing (Flatbed sowing. Ridge sowing, furrow sowing) mixed well in the soil. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and comprised of levels of hydrogel and methods of sowing with ten treatments and each were replicated thrice. The growth attributes which was plant height (96.20 cm), total tillers/m2 (540.27), plant dry weight (1078.70 g/m2), and crop growth rate (65.27 g/m2/day) was significantly increased with increasing the level of Hydrogel (0, 2 to 4 kg/ha.) and maximum was obtained with application of 4 kg Hydrogel with Furrow sowing. The yield attributes was obtained highest effective tillers/m2 (238.33), number of filled grains/panicle (172.83), grain yield (4.81 t/ha), Harvest index (44.35%), gross return (INR 1,76,043/ha), net return (INR 1,31,193/ha.) and benefit cost ratio (2.93).

Effect of Planting Patterns and Seeding Rate on Dryland Wheat Yield Formation and Water Use Efficiency on the Loess Plateau, China

Dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production plays an extremely important role in the southeast of the Loess Plateau. Planting patterns have great influence on improving soil water storage and yield, and should be matched with different seeding rates. In order to assess the effect of different sowing methods on the drought resistance and stable yield of dryland wheat, a field experiment was conducted in Wenxi County Dryland Wheat Experimental Base in Shanxi Province, China. In the current study, the effects of three planting techniques (drilling sowing, furrow sowing, and film-mulched sowing) and four seeding rates (150, 225, 300, and 375 kg ha−1) were examined on water storage, dry matter formation, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE). The results showed that furrow sowing (FS) and film-mulched sowing (FM) treatments increased soil water storage in the 0–300 cm soil layer at overwintering and jointing stages. In addition, FS and FM increased soil water consumption in the 0–300 cm soil layer from overwintering to maturity of wheat. Furthermore, FS and FM significantly increased the dry matter accumulation from the overwintering to the mature stage, promoted its accumulation in vegetative organs and translocation to grains after anthesis, viz., increased yield by 6.2% and 7.9%, and WUE by 4.6% and 5.3%, respectively, as compared with those of the drilling sowing (DS) treatments. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that grain yield had a significantly positive correlation with soil water storage at overwintering and jointing. Moreover, grain yield was significantly positively correlated with soil water consumption in the 0–300 cm soil layer from jointing to maturity. Additionally, the seeding rate of 150 kg ha−1 with FS could obtain higher WUE and grain yield. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the seeding rate of 150 kg ha−1 is used with FS to improve the grain yield and WUE of dryland agricultural systems in China.

Response of Field Pea and Common Vetch, Grown as a Catch Crop, on the Sowing Method

In temperate climate zones, long periods without rainfall or with excessive rainfall are common during sowing and the initial vegetation of a catch crop. These periods can result in poor emergence and/or low yields. The study aimed to determine the influence of the depth of furrow sowing of catch crops on the soil moisture in the immediate vicinity of the seeds sown (1), dynamics of germination and plant emergence (2), and the biomass yield (3). Three furrow sowing depths (4–5 cm FS-S, 6–7 cm FS-M, and 8–9 cm FS-D) were tested and compared with traditional sowing (TS) in the cultivation of field pea and spring vetch catch crops. High amounts of precipitation were stated in the study period, especially in years 2016 and 2017. Furrow sowing enabled placing seeds in soil layers characterized by higher moisture content than traditional sowing. The sowing method did not significantly affect the plant density in any of the three years of the study. Field pea turned out to be a more valuable species for cultivation in catch crops in conditions with excessive precipitation. This plant produced a significantly greater yield of above-ground dry matter and total biomass than spring vetch. The sowing method did not affect the yield of catch crop biomass in study conditions.

The combined effect of sowing methods and nitrogen rates on wheat yield and regulation of soil water consumption in Loess Plateau

Field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of four sowing methods on the growth, photosynthetic, and yield traits of dryland winter wheat. Furthermore, the impact of N input rates was also evaluated on water consumption by the wheat plants from the soil. The seeds of winter wheat were sown using wide space sowing (WS), furrow sowing (FS), stereoscopic sowing (SS), and drill sowing (DS). The results indicated that different sowing methods significantly affected the yield and grain quality. The increase in grain yield was 25%, 17%, and 11%, respectively, under WS, FS, and SS compared to that in DS. From sowing to jointing, the water consumption was highest under WS, mainly in deep soil layers. The photosynthetic traits and leaf area index were highest under WS, followed by those under FS. The plant height was highest under DS. The water consumption index and grain yield were higher at the N rate 210-240 kg ha-1 than those at the other N rates applied. In conclusion, the WS and 210 kg N ha-1 improved the canopy structure, water consumption, and winter wheat yield.

Evaluation of differnt sowing methods for enhancing productivity and water use efficiency of wheat under limited water condition

Drought is a serious threat for food security worldwide. Wheat is most popular staple crop of world severely affected by drought at water sensitive crop growth stages. Selection of appropriate sowing method is very important for improving water use efficiency. A field trial was conducted in winter season of 2018-19 to investigate the impact of different sowing methods on water use efficiency of spring wheat exposed to water deficit at anthesis. Wheat was sown with three different sowing methods viz. broadcast sowing, drill sowing and augmented furrow sowing and two different irrigation regimes i.e. normal irrigation and water deficit at anthesis stage. All agronomic practices were kept uniform throughout the experiment. Different sowing methods and irrigation regimes significantly affected grain and straw yield of wheat. Among different sowing methods, wheat crop sown with augmented furrow method produced maximum plant height (111 cm), no. of tillers per m2 (427), 1000 grain weight (37.93 g), grain yield (4.73 t ha-1) and straw yield (4.24 t ha-1). Maximum irrigation water use efficiency (17.72 kg ha-1 mm-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.34) was recorded in augmented furrow method of sowing of wheat exposed to water deficit at anthesis stage.

Soil-plant water dynamics, yield, quality and profitability of spring sweet corn under variable irrigation scheduling, crop establishment and moisture conservation practices

Spring sweet corn as a short duration cash crop is gaining popularity in northern India owing to increasing demand in urban and peri-urban regions. Under hot dry climate and minimal rainfall, irrigation is the major yield contributing factor for attaining superior quality cobs and higher economic returns. The study aimed at examining the effect of irrigation scheduling (I) (IW/CPE 1.0, 1.2, 1.4), sowing methods (S) (flat and furrow) and moisture conservation practices (M) (no-residue, rice straw mulch 6.0 t ha −1 and rice straw biochar 3.0 t ha −1 ) on spring sown sweet corn yield, quality, profitability and water use efficiency in the Tarai region (sandy loam soil texture) of Uttarakhand, India. The experiment was conducted in split factorial design (Main I x S, Sub M) with 18 treatment combinations and three replications. Results indicated that the combination IW/CPE 1.4 +furrow+mulch being at par with IW/CPE 1.4 +furrow+biochar were superior in terms of dehusked cob yield which was ~42% higher over IW/CPE 1.0 +flat+control. Application of biochar 6 t ha −1 and straw mulch 3 t ha −1 increased dehusked cob yield of sweet corn by ~6–9% over control (no-residue) during both years. Among irrigation schedules, IW/CPE 1.0 obtained highest irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) followed by IW/CPE 1.2. Mulch and biochar being on par recorded 7–10% higher IWUE over no-residue control. Likewise, furrow sowing increased IWUE by 39–44% over flat method with ~25% higher water savings. Average soil moisture content under mulch and biochar was 25% and 12% higher respectively over no-residue. Maximum net returns was obtained under the combination IW/CPE 1.4 +furrow+mulch (1672 USD ha −1 ) which was 69% higher over IW/CPE 1.0 +flat+no-residue. Sweet corn quality parameters viz., total soluble solids and non-reducing sugar was significantly higher under IW/CPE 1.0 and 1.2 in comparison to 1.4, as well as under furrow sowing over flat sowing. Therefore, although maximum yield and profitability of sweet corn was obtained under irrigation schedule IW/CPE 1.4, the treatment combination of IW/CPE 1.2 with furrow sowing and mulch/biochar application may be adopted for attaining superior quality parameters and improved water use efficiency of sweet corn. • Irrigation scheduled at IW/CPE 1.4 & 1.2 increased sweet corn yield over IW/CPE 1.0. • IW/CPE 1.2 improved irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 7% over IW/CPE 1.4. • Furrow sowing had 4–8% and 39–44% higher cob yield and IWUE resp. than flat sowing. • Mulch 6 t ha −1 & biochar 3 t ha −1 observed 7–10% higher IWUE of sweet corn over control. • Virtual water of sweet corn was lowest with IW/CPE 1.0, furrow and mulch.

Effect of Different Sowing Methods on Water Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Wheat in the Loess Plateau, China

Research has revealed that summer fallow sowing improves the water use efficiency (WUE) and grain yield of winter wheat. However, wheat yields differ yearly with crop management. A field experiment over 8 years was established in the Loess Plateau to determine the role of precipitation and soil water storage in wheat yield formation under conservation tillage. The average WUE values were 7.8, 11.0, and 12.6 t·ha−1, while the average evapotranspiration (ET) values were 334.7, 365.5, and 410 mm when the yields were 3.0, 3.0–4.5, and over 4.5 t·ha−1, respectively. Compared to drill sowing (DS), high water consumption during early growth increased the spike number, grain number, and yield. In years of intermediate or low yields, wide-space sowing (WS) and furrow sowing (FS) improved the ET, WUE, spike number, grain number, and yield of wheat compared to (DS) drill sowing. When the wheat yield was 3.0–4.5 t·ha−1, higher soil water intake during jointing, anthesis, and anthesis–maturity increased the tiller number, 1000-grain weight, and yield, related to the use of suitable tillers. Synchronous increases in grain number per spike and 1000-grain weight were observed with increased soil water content at jointing, maturity, and anthesis, as well as consumption of soil water in the latter part during the growing season.

Soil water repellence increased early wheat growth and nutrient uptake

PurposeSoil water repellence causes uneven soil wetting which can constrain dryland crop and pasture establishment and yield. The same processes are likely to affect nutrient availability from soil and fertiliser, but the effects of repellence on crop growth and nutrition per se have seldom been reported. Here, we investigated early wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Mace) growth and nutrient uptake responses to repellence.MethodsWheat was furrow-sown in severely repellent sandy loam soil (with a wettable furrow base to allow for germination) or completely wettable soil, under uniform plant density and variable topsoil thickness (20 or 100 mm) and fertiliser band placement (below or away from the seed). Tiller number, shoot dry matter, shoot N concentration, total nutrient uptake, and root length density (RLD) were determined.ResultsContrary to expectations, repellence significantly increased tiller number (by up to 2 tillers per plant), shoot dry matter (by 82%), shoot N concentration (by 0.3% N), and total nutrient uptake (by 87%) at 51 days after sowing, regardless of topsoil thickness and fertiliser placement. In the furrow, RLD of repellent treatments was also nearly double that in wettable treatments when fertiliser was banded below the seed. Results suggest that preferential soil wetting of the furrow in repellent treatments favoured plant nutrient uptake under regular but low water supply.ConclusionWe conclude that for water-repellent soils with limited water supply, water harvesting techniques such as furrow sowing and banding wetting agents could boost water and nutrient uptake and early crop growth.

Effects of sowing modes on soil water dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat.

In order to clarify the mechanisms underlying dryland wheat quality improvement through sowing technology, the effects of wide space sowing (WSS), furrow sowing (FS), and drill sowing (DS) on soil moisture dynamics and grain protein formation in dryland wheat field were studied in Wenxi, Shanxi Province in 2017-2018 (normal year) and 2018-2019 (dry year). The results showed that compared with the DS, FS significantly increased soil water storage in the 0-200 cm depth at anthesis stage (8.2%-18.7%), and increased the soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer during the two years, 60-120 cm layer in normal year, and 120-200 cm layer in dry year. WSS significantly increased soil water storage in 0-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in normal year (5.2%). Compared with DS, FS significantly increased water consumption of anthesis to mature stage, while WSS significantly increased water consumption from sowing to anthesis stage in dry year. Compared with DS, the glutamine synthetase (GS) activity of grains at 15-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS and WSS, while the glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity of flag leaves and grains at 5-35 days after anthesis was significantly increased by FS in the dry year. Compared with DS, FS significantly increased grain yield by 20.4%-44.8%, grain protein yield by 25%-49%, and increased grain albumin and globulin contents. WSS significantly increased grain yield by 9%-40%, and increased grain gliadin content. Under different sowing modes of dryland wheat, GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains after anthesis were significantly correlated with water consumption at anthesis to maturity stage. There were significant correlations between GS and GOGAT activities in flag leaves and grains and 0-120 cm soil layers in the normal water year, and between GS and GOGAT activities and 0-60 cm, 120-200 cm soil layers in the dry year. The contents of grain albumin, globulin and total protein were significantly correlated with soil water storage in 0-60 cm layer at anthesis stage, as well as soil water storage in 120-200 cm layer at anthesis stage in the dry year. In conclusion, FS was beneficial to increasing soil water storage at anthesis and water consumption after anthesis of dryland wheat, improving GS and GOGAT activities of flag leaf and grain, with positive consequences on yield and grain protein content. In addition, deep water storage was more conducive to quality improvement in the late growth period in the dry year.

Soybean Physiology and Yield Response to Seed Rate and Sowing Method

The soybean crop is highly sensitive to climate change associated events viz., global warming, drought, and water-logging at the time of highly sensitive flowering and grain filling stage, causing a shortfall in production and supply of quality seed to the country. Under prevailing high-density planting, at the seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 and flatbed sowing method, plant growth is restricted due to limitation of radiation and nutrients. Hence, the seed rate and sowing method need revision in an era of climate change. Therefore, we hypothesized that adopting a lower seed rate under ridges and furrow sowing would improve seed yield and quality over the prevailing seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 and flatbed sowing method. In order to test our hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of various seed rates and sowing methods on growth and productivity of soybean. Studies revealed that a seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 shows superiority in terms of seed yield (3873.70 kg ha-1) which was at par with 60 kg ha-1 (3359.40 kg ha-1). Lower seed rate of 60 kg ha-1 was superior in terms of seed yield per plant (8.99 g plant-1), biological yield (6310 kg ha-1), Harvest index (35.69%), dry matter accumulation in pods at 61 DAS (1.74 g). Ridges and furrow sowing method was found superior for biological yield (26.33 g plant-1) and (6958.90 kg ha-1), dry matter accumulation in pods at 61 DAS (1.84 g), Leaf Area Duration at 71 DAS (19535.00 cm2.days). Interaction studies revealed that 60 kg ha-1 seed rate with ridge and furrow stand superior in terms of seed yield per plant 10.65 g plant-1 which was attributed to maximum harvest index (29.58%), dry matter accumulation in pod at 61 DAS (2.13 g), Leaf Area Duration at 71-81 DAS (22069.00 cm2.days). In contrary, highest seed yield(4018.89 kg ha-1) was observed for seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 with flat bed sowing. Hence it can be concluded that, under low productive environment the efficient dry matter accumulation, leaf area development and number of branches under low density planting will not compensate for the higher plant stand induced yield increment due to high density planting. Therefore, higher seed rate of 70 kg/ha with ridge and furrow sowing will be recommended to the farmers to get higher yield of soybean under rainfed and low productive environment.

Effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on water and nitrogen utilization of dryland wheat.

To understand the effects of deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing on the utilization of water and nitrogen in dryland wheat, a field experiment following split-plot design was carried out from 2016 to 2018 in Wenxi County of Shanxi Province, with deep ploughing during the fallow period and no-tillage as main plots and soil moisture-based furrow sowing and drilling sowing as sub-plots. The results showed that, compared with no-tillage treatment, deep ploughing during the fallow period significantly increased soil water storage efficiency (by 38.3%-42.2%), soil water consumption (by 9.2%-13.2%), and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, which in turn increased the yield by 7.1%-12.0%, annual water use efficiency by 5.5%-14.0%, nitrogen fertilizer absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, and nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity by 7.1%-12.0%. Compared with the treatment of drilling sowing, the soil moisture-based furrow sowing increased the total water consumption during the growth period (by 2.0%-4.8%) and nitrogen accumulation in each growth period, increased the yield by 6.8%-12.4%, water use efficiency during the growth period by 4.5%-7.2%, nitrogen absorption efficiency by 4.4%-10.3%, nitrogen partial productivity by 6.9%-12.4%. In conclusion, deep ploughing during the fallow period and soil moisture-based furrow sowing in dryland wheat could promote the storage and utilization of natural precipitation, increase plant nitrogen accumulation, and facilitate high wheat yield.

Assessing impact of broad bed and furrow sowing in cotton: Soybean (2:2) intercropping in vertisols under semi-arid condition

Assessing impact of broad bed and furrow sowing in cotton: Soybean (2:2) intercropping in vertisols under semi-arid condition