Moisture Consumption Research Articles

Water consumption and reserves of productive moisture in chickpea crops depending on the methods of cultivation

Water consumption and reserves of productive moisture in chickpea crops depending on the methods of cultivation

Водоспоживання та продуктивність сої залежно від ширини міжрядь та густоти стояння у Правобережному Лісостепу України

Водоспоживання та продуктивність сої залежно від ширини міжрядь та густоти стояння у Правобережному Лісостепу України

INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGIZATION AND CHEMICALIZATION ON WATER CONSUMPTION OF CROPS IN FODDER CROP ROTATIONS

The work presents the results of research into the effect of biologization (intercropping legume component with grain crops) and chemicalization (use of mineral fertilizers) applied in each fi eld of fodder crop rotation on the moisture content of leached chernozem in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia. Water consumption and crop productivity in six-fi eld fodder crop rotations over four years of the second rotation were studied. Only recognized locally-bred crop varieties were cultivated in the experiment, such as Krasnoobsky oat, Acha barley, pea Novosibirets, vetch Priobskaya 25, alfalfa Flora, awnless brome Rassvet, hybrid maize Obsky 140 SV and fodder bean Sibirskiye. It was established that intercropping of the legume component caused the increase in the consumption of productive moisture reserves from the soil by fodder agrocenoses from 66 mm to 84 mm and the application of mineral fertilizers resulted in the moisture consumption increase of up to 74 mm. The use of methods for fodder crop rotation improvement led to the increase in the total water consumption of fodder crops. As a result of mineral fertilizer input it increased from 244 mm to 252 mm, and due to the intercropping of legume component it rose up to 262 mm. With regard to increasing the consumption of productive moisture reserves from the soil layer of 0-100 cm, crops ranked in the following order: perennial grasses – silos – fodder-grain crops – cover crops, whereas with regard to increasing the total water consumption they ranked in reverse order. The use of chemical agents increased the yield of dry matter by 1.6 times, while water consumption coeffi cient decreased by an average of 2.2 times in the crop rotation. Application of biologization led to the yield increase by 1.4 times, reducing water consumption coeffi cient by 1.9 times. In the control crop rotation, maize consumed the least amount of moisture (346 m 3 /ton of dry weight), and the most moisture was consumed by the grain part of barley (2933 m 3 /t of dry weight). When applying mineral fertilizers, the maximum and minimum water consumption fell on the same crops – 290 m 3 /t and 1087 m 3 /t dry weight respectively. When the legume component was sowed in each crop rotation fi eld, the minimum moisture consumption was in the fi elds with awnless brome intercropped with alfalfa, namely 384 m 3 /t dry weight, while the maximum consumption was in the fi elds with barley and pea grains – 1199 m 3 /t dry weight.

Влияние технологии возделывания яровой мягкой пшеницы, гороха и рапса на водный режим почвы и урожайность

<p><span lang="EN-US">We performed field research with the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the technology of spring soft wheat, pea and rape cultivation in the GPR “Timiryazevsky” in the Mamontovsky District of the Altai Territory within the framework of the international research project "Kulunda" in 2013-2016. The technological process of crop cultivation in the rotation of wheat-pea-wheat-rape was chosen as an object of research. The subject of the study was the interrelation of technology of cultivation of crops, water regime of soil and yield. Variable factors in the experiment for each culture were the methods of autumn soil cultivation, pre-sowing treatment and sowing aggregates. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained, a tendency has been found to reduce the specific consumption of moisture with a decrease in the intensity of autumn soil cultivation, as well as variants of agricultural technologies with a maximum crop yield of the studied crops has been found.</span></p>

Comparing watershed afforestation and natural revegetation impacts on soil moisture in the semiarid Loess Plateau of China

Two contiguous watersheds in the Loess Plateau in China that differed in the way their vegetation had been restored—afforestation or natural revegetation—differed in their consumption of soil moisture: the afforested watershed consumed more soil moisture, although the difference was significant only in wet years. Yet, both the afforestation and natural revegetation did not induce the soil desiccation in the study area. In the afforested watershed, soil moisture was depleted even beyond a depth of 100 cm, whereas in the grassland (natural revegetation), the depletion was confined to a layer less than 60 cm deep. Rainfall in the growing season accounted for 46–60% of the variation in soil moisture in the 0–60 cm layer in the grassland, but only 22–39% of that in the forest land. Overall, afforestation is the better option for the Loess Plateau only in areas where the annual rainfall is more than 500 mm. In any attempt at revegetation, the choice of tree species and planting densities should match the carrying capacity of the region’s water resources.

Growth performance of six multipurpose tree species based on the carbon assimilation capacity: a functional approach

This study is an attempt to evaluate six tree species with potential for growth and water use efficiency under 50% moisture stress, based on the carbon assimilation capacity in order to identify species to be grown in low moisture conditions. Plants were maintained at field capacity (control) and at 50% less than the field capacity (stress) in lysimeters for 90 days by weighing them and replenishing with the water lost. Eucalyptus comaldulensis and Melia dubia recorded 259 and 204 and 243 and 151 g plant−1 of biomass under control and moisture stress conditions respectively while Simaruba glauca and Callophylum inophyllum recorded 61–53 and 37–23 g plant−1. Photosynthetic rates of these species were in the range of 25.43–22.78 and 9.10–8.03 μmol m−2s−1 under control and stress conditions respectively, which corroborated with biomass production. Both diffusive and carboxylation processes of photosynthesis were higher in species with higher biomass. Photosynthetic rates assessed using leaf model and cumulative models go with each other. Species with higher photosynthetic rates tended to sustain under stress by reducing photosynthetic surface area and maintain the growth rates suggesting that growth performance under moisture stress depends on carbon assimilation capabilities. This was also evident in species with low photosynthetic rates which recorded lower growth rates. Species with lower carbon assimilation showed higher water use efficiency, while it was the opposite in species with higher carbon assimilation. Isohydric behavior of stomata help plants to maintain longer stomatal conductance and hence the photosynthetic rates, but lower water use efficiency. Such a strategy helps plants in sustaining growth under intermittent moisture stress. Thus slow growing species with higher water use efficiency and lower moisture consumption are useful in establishing tree cover in marginal lands with low moisture.

OPTIMIZATION OF INNOVATIVE STRIP-TILL TECHNOLOGY OF MAIZE CULTIVATION FOR GRAIN ON BLACK SOILS IN STEPPE ZONE OF VOLGOGRAD REGION

Studies carried out in steppe zone of chernozem soils of Volgograd region have established that winter wheat after fallow and maize are the best precursors for maize, cultivated for grain under strip-till technology. Growing maize after sunflower annually led to a significant decrease in crop yields. N66P32K32 turned to be the best rate of mineral fertilizers. Seeding rate of 60 thousand seeds per ha was optimal for early maize hybrids. It was found that total water consumption over the three-year period was 2653 m³/ha with fertilizer rate N66P32K32, and corn and sunflower rose to 2,700 and 2,695 m³/ha. At N66P32K32, winter wheat plants used moisture most economically. The water consumption coefficient, which shows moisture consumption for creation of a ton of produce, was 421.0 m3/t. For corn, it increased by 34.1, and for sunflower by 247.7 m³/t. In control after all precursors, moisture consumption per ton of grain sharply increased: according to winter wheat, water consumption coefficient was equal to 551.9 m³/t, corn and sunflower were 53.0 and 360.1 m³/t more. The maximum values of dry matter accumulation in 2013 and 2015 were recorded at flowering stage: depending on precursor, after winter wheat - 9.07 and 7.24 t/ha, after maize - 8.67 and 6.77, and after sunflower - 6.64 and 4.76 t/ha, respectively. Over the research years the largest daily increasing of dry biomass during germination-flowering was observed after winter wheat - 452 and 361 kg/ha, decreased slightly after corn - 432 and 337 kg/ha, and a significant decrease was noted after sunflower - 331 and 237 kg/ha. In arid 2014 season, during the period of precipitation deficit, the indicators were significantly lower. The best yield results were obtained in more favorable 2013 and 2015 research years. The studies showed that the best maize precursor was winter wheat - 5.524 t/ha. The lowest yield was obtained after sunflower - 3,456 t/ha. Moreover, maximum yield was achieved at fertilizer application N66P32K32 - 5.324 t/ha, N50P16K16 - 4.813 t/ha and in the control - 4.015 t/ha.

Water footprinting of pasture-based farms; beef and sheep

In the context of water use for agricultural production, water footprints (WFs) have become an important sustainability indicator. To understand better the water demand for beef and sheep meat produced on pasture-based systems, a WF of individual farms is required. The main objective of this study was to determine the primary contributors to freshwater consumption up to the farm gate expressed as a volumetric WF and associated impacts for the production of 1 kg of beef and 1 kg of sheep meat from a selection of pasture-based farms for 2 consecutive years, 2014 and 2015. The WF included green water, from the consumption of soil moisture due to evapotranspiration, and blue water, from the consumption of ground and surface waters. The impact of freshwater consumption on global water stress from the production of beef and sheep meat in Ireland was also computed. The average WF of the beef farms was 8391 l/kg carcass weight (CW) of which 8222 l/kg CW was green water and 169 l/kg CW was blue water; water for the production of pasture (including silage and grass) contributed 88% to the WF, concentrate production – 10% and on-farm water use – 1%. The average stress-weighted WF of beef was 91 l H2O eq/kg CW, implying that each kg of beef produced in Ireland contributed to freshwater scarcity equivalent to the consumption of 91 l of freshwater by an average world citizen. The average WF of the sheep farms was 7672 l/kg CW of which 7635 l/kg CW was green water and 37 l/kg CW was blue water; water for the production of pasture contributed 87% to the WF, concentrate production – 12% and on-farm water use – 1%. The average stress-weighted WF was 2 l H2O eq/kg CW for sheep. This study also evaluated the sustainability of recent intensification initiatives in Ireland and found that increases in productivity were supported through an increase in green water use and higher grass yields per hectare on both beef and sheep farms.

WATER-SAVING IRRIGATION REGIMES FOR VEGETABLE CROP PRODUCTION UNDER CONDITIONS OF VOLGA-DON INTERFLUVE

Irrigation regimes and rates of mineral fertilizers for obtaining the expected yields of vegetable crops under conditions of light chestnut soils of the Volga-Don interfluve are considered in the study. We established that irrigation regimes and norms of mineral fertilizers proposed in our field study for table beet (Beta vulgaris) and carrot ( Daucus carota) cultivation allow yielding in the range of 60...80 t/ha. Thus, for example, the maximum yield of table beet 84.1 t/ha was obtained in the variant with 80% pre-irrigation soil moisture and N230P180K100 fertilizer at a variable depth of soil moistening (0.3...0.5 m). Changes in fertilizer dose from N130P80K20 to N230P180K100 contributed to 63.7...84.1 t/ha yield increase, which is 10-20% higher compared to other variants. Change in soil moisture from 70-80-70 to 80-80-80% of FMC in combination with fertilizer dose from N150P70K180 to N210P100K260 increased carrot yields from an average of 57.9 to 81.6 t/ha. The highest yields (81.6 t/ha) were obtained when maintaining pre-irrigation soil moisture of 80-80-80% of FMC and applying N210P100K260 fertilizer rate. In general, beet and carrot cultivation on light chestnut soils using drip irrigation is the most efficient. To maintain water regimes of the soil adopted by the experiment, a different irrigation frequency was required. When increasing humidity level from 70 to 90% FMC frequency of irrigation increases, and irrigation rate decreases. The total consumption of moisture in the experiments increased with an increase in moisture content - from 4,417 m3/ha in the variant with 70% of FMC to 5105 m3/ha in the variant with 90% of FMC. The largest total water consumption of table beet was noted in the variant with a differentiated depth of soil wetting and averaged 4,530-5,105 m3/ha. The share of irrigation water in the total water consumption of plants increased from 73.3 to 75.7%. Application of mineral fertilizers reduces water consumption of table beet. The smallest coefficient was obtained in the second irrigation regime variant, when humidity was maintained at 80% of FMC with different wetting depth. This situation was observed in all variants of irrigation regimes and fertilizer applications. This confirms that differentiating wetting depth according to table beet growth stage makes it possible to use irrigation water more economically at all rates mineral fertilizer application.

Efficient drying and oxygen-containing functional groups characteristics of lignite during microwave irradiation process

ABSTRACTTo remove the high moisture of ZhaoTong lignite, the efficient drying characteristics and oxygen-containing functional groups changes in lignite during microwave irradiation process were highlighted in this study. As the microwave absorbers, lignite char and NaNO3 were added to microwave drying of ZhaoTong lignite. The minimum chemical oxygen demand of waste water generated from microwave drying process of lignite was 99.89 mg O2 L−1. The effects of microwave power, lignite mass, the weight ratio of lignite char to lignite and NaNO3 content on the drying rate, and moisture diffusion coefficient of lignite were investigated during lignite microwave irradiation process. It was found that the drying rate and moisture diffusion coefficient of lignite increased with increasing microwave power, the weight ratio of lignite char to lignite and NaNO3 content, but decreased with increasing lignite mass. Lignite char and NaNO3 were mixed with lignite that can enhance the instantaneous surface temperature of lignite sample under microwave irradiation. Compared with addition of lignite char to lignite, the addition of NaNO3 to lignite can decrease the unit electric power consumption of moisture evaporating. And the minimum unit electric power consumption of moisture evaporating was 9.44 Wh g−1. The FTIR technology was used to investigate the oxygen-containing functional groups changes in lignite during microwave drying process. The oxygen-containing functional groups of lignite were effectively removed with increasing microwave power.

Dynamics of soil water reservoir of wheat field in rain-fed area of the Loess Tableland, China

Soil reservoir is the basis of stable grain production and sustainable development in dry farming area. Based on the long-term field experiment, this paper investigated the changes of soil moisture in wheat field located in the rain-fed Changwu Tableland, and analyzed the interannual and annual variation characteristics and dynamics trends of soil reservoir from 2012 to 2015. The results showed that the vertical distribution curves of average soil water content were double peaks and double valleys: first peak and valley occurred in the 10-20 and 50 cm soil layer, respectively, while for the second peak and valley, the corresponding soil layer was the 100 and 280 cm soil layer. Soil reservoir did not coincide with precipitation for all yearly precipitation patterns but lagged behind. Yearly precipitation patterns had a great influence on the interannual and annual dynamic changes of soil reservoir. Compared with rainy year, the depth of soil moisture consumption decreased and supplementary effect of precipitation on soil moisture became obvious under effects of drought year and normal year. In rainy year, soil reservoir had a large surplus (84.2 mm), water balance was compensated; in normal year, it had a slight surplus (9.5 mm), water balance was compensated; while in drought year, it was slightly deficient (1.5 mm), water balance was negatively compensated. The dynamics of soil water in winter wheat field in the rain-fed Changwu Tableland could be divided into four periods: seedling period, slow consumption period, large consumption period, and harvest period, the order of evapotranspiration was large consumption period> seedling period> harvest period> slow consumption period.

Predicting freshwater demand on Irish dairy farms using farm data

Freshwater use in agriculture is a matter of discussion due to rising concerns over water scarcity, availability and pollution. To make robust predictions of freshwater demand, a large dataset of agricultural data is needed to discern the relationships between production parameters and water demand. The objective of this research was to predict freshwater demand (L yr−1) on Irish dairy farms based on a minimal set of farm data. A detailed water footprint (WF) was calculated for 20 dairy farms for 2014 and 2015, and the relationships between the WF and agricultural inputs explored via a mixed modelling procedure, to develop a minimal footprinting solution. The WF comprised of the consumption of soil moisture due to evapotranspiration (green water, GW) and ground and surface water (blue water, BW). The performance of the models was validated using an independent data set of five dairy farms. The GW model was applied to 221 dairy farms to establish the relationship between the GWF of milk and economic performance. The average total volumetric WF of the 20 farms was 778 L/kg fat and protein corrected milk (L/kg FPCM) (range 415–1338 L/kg FPCM). Freshwater for pasture production made up 93% of the GW footprint. Grass grown, imported forages and concentrates fed were all significant predictors of GW. The relative prediction error (RPE) of the GW model was 11.3%. Metered on-farm water and concentrates were both significant predictors of BW. The RPE of the BW model was 3.4%. When applied to 221 dairy farms ranked by net margin per hectare, there was a trend (P < 0.05) towards higher profitability as the GWF decreased, indicating that the GWF of dairy farms can be improved by implementing good management practices aligned with improving profitability.

Experimental feasibility research on a high-efficiency cement-based clay stabilizer

In many civil engineering constructions, soft clayey soils are often stabilized with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) whose production process is energy intensive and emits a large quantity of CO2. In this paper, an OPC-based clay stabilizer (CSCN) which contains some eco-friendly materials is studied to compare with OPC by investigating the mechanical properties of the stabilized clays. Microstructural and mineralogical studies using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are performed to reveal the mechanisms controlling the development of the strength and modulus. The test results indicate that the compressive strength and secant modulus increase with increasing the content of CSCN and curing age. To achieve the equivalent improvement of the strength and modulus, much less CSCN is needed relative to OPC, which illustrates that CSCN can be a more effective and relatively eco-friendly clay stabilizer. The analysis on pH values and moisture consumption indicates that the hydration and pozzolanic reactions in CSCN-stabilized clays may be quicker than those in OPC-stabilized clays. The microstructural analyses confirm the formation of C-S-H gels in stabilized clays and the types of C-S-H gels are dependent upon the Ca/Si molar ratio according to EDX results. The types and amounts of new minerals in stabilized clays are the possible mechanisms controlling the enhancement of mechanical properties.

Physiometric and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of cellulose insulation in blend of mineral and synthetic ester oils for transformers

This study reports experimental study of cellulose performance in mixture of mineral and synthetic ester (SE) oils. Solid insulation impregnated with mineral oil (MO) and mixture oil has been subjected to accelerated thermal stresses to understand the deterioration rate of cellulose. Diffusion of oil-moisture mixture into paper and corresponding variation in dielectric strength of paper has been examined. Compatibility of solid insulation with MO and mixture oil is analysed by thermal expansion coefficients, X-ray diffraction analysis and dissolved decay products. Furthermore, chemical functional groups present in aged oils are identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. It is observed that the performance of cellulose insulation is improved with addition of SE to MO. This is achieved by higher water solubility of esters, which enables higher moisture consumption during hydrolysis and keeps cellulose dry.

A toy model of tropical convection with a moisture storage closure

AbstractA time‐dependent, zero‐dimensional toy model is constructed to study the large‐scale variability in association with tropical moist convection. Case studies from sounding‐array observations are analyzed as a benchmark to test the model performance. The model predicts the vertical integral of vertical moisture advection decomposed into the deep convective and congestus/stratiform modes. A closure representing the consumption efficiency of water vapor into precipitation is introduced using the moisture storage ratio, or the degree to which the vertical moisture advection associated with each vertical mode accounts for moisture storage. The observations suggest that this moisture consumption is highly inefficient for the convective/stratiform mode while efficient for the deep convective mode. The model solution is interpreted as a delayed response to the diabatic forcing, unless the sum of the moisture storage ratio and gross moist stability is negative, in which case the system is unstable. Baseline experiments with a fixed moisture storage closure overall reproduce the vertical moisture advection and precipitation as observed, but fail to simulate a sharp pickup of precipitation in the well‐known moisture‐rainfall curve. This deficiency is eliminated when the moisture storage ratio is allowed to vary as convection intensifies and dissipates.

Influences of technologies of cultivation of perennial bluegrass herbs on their transpiration in the conditions of water meadows

This article discusses the process of transpiration in perennial herb crops in the southwest of Bryansk region (Russia) under different technologies of cultivation, using superficial and radical improvement of natural fodder conditions. Experimental field surveys were conducted on the flood plain of the river Iput in 2009–2014. These years were characterized by different phytoclimatic conditions. The amounts of daily values of radiation balance for the period of vegetation in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 constituted respectively 1127, 1126, 1181, 1157 MDzh/m 2 whereas during 2009 and 2011 respectively they came to 963 and 915 MDzh/m 2 . The maximum daily values for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were observed in 2012 and 2013 and constituted respectively 764 and 710 MDzh/m 2 , the minimum – in 2009 and 2011 – constituted respectively 635 and 592 MDzh/m 2 . During the vegetation period from the first hay crop to the second higher values of radiation balance and PAR were observed than during the period up to the first hay crop. Despite differences in the productivity between different variants of the cultures, a directly proportional linear dependence between productivity and transpiration with a high coefficient of correlation was obtained for every year of the research and stage of the hay crop. The transpiration coefficient for bluegrass herbs which are grown in river flood plains is established for the first time. The transpiraton coefficient doesn’t depend on the type of dose and ratio between different fertilizers, nor on the method of preparing the soil. The transpiration coefficient of crops of bluegrass herbs doesn’t depend on doses and a type of the introduced fertilizers, the method of handling of the soil, and for the first and second hay crops respectively constituted 469 and 486 per dry weight. The increase in transpirational consumption of moisture in dry weight formation during the period from the first hay crop to the second was caused by decrease in bioavailability of moisture during this period. We established that the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated on alluvial sandy soil without use of mineral fertilizers don’t use the moisture which is accumulated during the autumn and winter and spring period, and the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated using mineral fertilizers lack moisture during the vegetation period from first to the second hay crop only in drought years. We have experimentally proved that mineral fertilizers raise the relative transpiration and bioavailability of soil moisture to plants. It is suggested that the soluble salts which are a component of fertilizers increase osmotic pressure in the vascular system of plants. It was proved that preseeding working of the soil with a turnover of the layer at a depth of 20 cm increases bioavailability of soil moisture and absorption of solar radiation during the vegetation period in drought years.

Impact of seeding terms and row spacing on yield of switchgrass phytomass, biofuel and energy output

Abstract The article substantiates the necessity of biofuel usage from plant raw materials in order to reduce consumption of non-renewable energy sources. It has been determined that, along with other energy crops, switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) is a plant that is not demanding to cultivation conditions, capable of forming strong stems which can be used for solid biofuel production. It has been established that study of elements of switchgrass cultivation technology is very important because yield of the crop, variety properties and weather conditions considerably depend on land treatment. Methods of the experiment are generally accepted and supplemented by field and laboratory studies on the basis of scientific and practical recommendations of the scientists. The research results are original, due to the fact that for the first time in Ukraine comprehensive experiments were done and yield of dry vegetative above-ground mass (phytomass) of perennial vegetation cycle switchgrass has been defined. The level of biomass productivity as a raw material for biofuel has been specified depending on the seeding terms, row spacing and taking into account consumption of productive moisture. Phytomass energy potential has been calculated and yield of biofuel and energy from plant switchgrass raw material has been defined on variants of the experiment. Conclusions. The optimal switchgrass seeding term for the conditions of Ukraine has been established. This term is the first decade of April (prevernal). Experimentally proved that switchgrass with a width between rows of 45 cm forms the highest yield of above-ground vegetative mass (wet and dry) with minimum water consumption and forms maximum yield of energy-intensive biofuel. Variety Cave-in-roch provides the highest and stable phytomass yield, output of biofuel and energy per one hectare in comparison with variety Sanburst.

Water footprinting of dairy farming in Ireland

In the context of global water scarcity, water footprints have become an important sustainability indicator for food production systems. To improve the water footprint of the dairy sector, insight into freshwater consumption of individual farms is required. The objective of this study was to determine the primary contributors to freshwater consumption (i.e. water use that does not return to the same watershed) at farm-gate level, expressed as a water footprint, for the production of one kg of fat-and-protein corrected milk (FPCM), on 24 Irish dairy farms. This is the first study that uses detailed farm level data to assess the water footprint of a large set of Irish dairy farms. The water footprint comprises of the consumption of soil moisture due to evapotranspiration (green water), and the consumption of ground and surface water (blue water), and includes freshwater used for cultivation of crops for concentrate production, on-farm cultivation of grass or fodder and water required for animal husbandry and farm maintenance. The related impact of freshwater consumption on global water stress from producing milk in Ireland was also computed. Over the 24 farms evaluated, the production of milk consumed on average 690 L water/kg FPCM, ranging from 534 L/kg FPCM to 1107 L/kg FPCM. Water required for pasture production contributed 85% to the water footprint, 10% for imported forage production (grass in the form of hay and silage), concentrates production 4% and on-farm water use ∼1%. The average stress weighted water footprint was 0.4 L/kg FPCM across the farms, implying that each litre of milk produced potentially contributed to fresh water scarcity equivalent to the consumption of 0.4 L of freshwater by an average world citizen. The variation of volumetric water footprints amongst farms was mainly related to the level of feed grown on-farm and levels of forages and concentrates imported onto the farm. Using farm specific data from a subset of Irish dairy farms allowed this variability in WF to be captured, and contributes to the identification of improvement options. The biggest contribution to the water footprint of milk was from grass grown with green water, which is a plentiful resource in Ireland. This study also indicates an opportunity for present and future milk production systems to source feed ingredients from non-water stressed areas to further reduce the burden on freshwater resources, especially in countries that utilise confinement systems that have a higher proportion of concentrate feed in the dairy cow's diet.

Relationships between the Mortality and Morphoallaxis of Haloxylon ammodendron Seedling

We studied the growth of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings to reveal their growth traits and adaptabilities in the southern edge of Gurbantunggut Desert. The the seedlings grew well from early spring when the soil water content was high. With the consumption of soil moisture,the above- and below-ground part of the plant began to fall off,and then both parts recovered growing in August. Seedling mortality showed a downward trend in the whole growth period. H. ammodendron seedling could occupy more resource through rapid growth because of the high mortality rate. The falling of the assimilating branches during the drought period could maintain balance between water supply deficit and water consume of the assimilating organs. This morphological adjustment reduced seedling mortality effectively. Also,the fact that more photosynthate was assigned toward root could ensure seedling survival and recover growth quickly at proper water conditions.

The combined effects of moss-dominated biocrusts and vegetation on erosion and soil moisture and implications for disturbance on the Loess Plateau, China.

Biological soil crusts (BSCs, or biocrusts) have important positive ecological functions such as erosion control and soil fertility improvement, and they may also have negative effects on soil moisture in some cases. Simultaneous discussions of the two-sided impacts of BSCs are key to the rational use of this resource. This study focused on the contribution of BSCs while combining with specific types of vegetation to erosion reduction and their effects on soil moisture, and it addressed the feasibility of removal or raking disturbance. Twelve plots measuring 4 m × 2 m and six treatments (two plots for each) were established on a 15° slope in a small watershed in the Loess Plateau using BSCs, bare land (as a control, BL), Stipa bungeana Trin. (STBU), Caragana korshinskii Kom. (CAKO), STBU planted with BSCs (STBU+BSCs) and CAKO planted with BSCs (CAKO+BSCs). The runoff, soil loss and soil moisture to a depth of 3 m were measured throughout the rainy season (from June to September) of 2010. The results showed that BSCs significantly reduced runoff by 37.3% and soil loss by 81.0% and increased infiltration by 12.4% in comparison with BL. However, when combined with STBU or CAKO, BSCs only made negligible contributions to erosion control (a runoff reduction of 7.4% and 5.7% and a soil loss reduction of 0.7% and 0.3%). Generally, the soil moisture of the vegetation plots was lower in the upper layer than that of the BL plots, although when accompanied with a higher amount of infiltration, this soil moisture consumption phenomenon was much clearer when combining vegetation with BSCs. Because of the trivial contributions from BSCs to erosion control and the remaining exacerbated consumption of soil water, moderate disturbance by BSCs should be considered in plots with adequate vegetation cover to improve soil moisture levels without a significant erosion increase, which was implied to be necessary and feasible.