Ridge-furrow Rainwater Harvesting Research Articles

Optimizing Ridge–Furrow Rainwater-Harvesting Strategies for Potato Cultivation in the Drylands of Northwestern China: A Regional Approach

The arid and semi-arid region of Northwest China plays a significant role in potato production, yet yields are often hampered by drought due to limited precipitation and irrigation water. The ridge–furrow rainwater-harvesting technology is an efficient and widely used technique to relieve drought impact and improve crop yield by changing the micro-topography to harvest rainwater to meet the water demand of crops. An analysis of precipitation, water demand, and runoff data spanning 30 years guided the selection of suitable rainwater-harvesting methods tailored to meteorological conditions. The results showed that potato water demand exceeded precipitation in the region. The mulching approach performed best in the western arid region with the most significant increase in yield and water use efficiency (WUE) and was suitable for the western semi-arid region and the agro-pastoral ecotone. In the potato dryland farming areas, the water deficit increased from southeast to northwest. Specifically, northern Gansu, northern Ningxia, and midwestern Inner Mongolia experienced a water deficit of over 200 mm, and rainwater harvesting combined with irrigation was recommended. Conversely, regarding deficits below 200 mm in southern Gansu, Ningxia, and central Inner Mongolia, a 1:1 or 2:1 pattern of ridges could be applied, and mulching was needed only in the necessary areas. For the southern Qinghai, Shaanxi, and eastern Inner Mongolia regions, ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting could be replaced by flat potato cropping. In summary, rainwater harvesting addresses water deficits, aiding climate adaptation in Northwest China’s arid and semi-arid regions. The implementation of mulching and ridge–furrow technology must be location-specific.

Quantitative evaluation of soil water balance under a ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system in Chinese rainfed agroecosystem.

The ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system (RFRH) is an advanced farmland management technology that plays a vital role in making full use of rainwater resources. However, it is not clear that RFRH affects crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) by regulating soil water storage (SWS). Therefore, the present study conducted a meta-analysis to make a large compilation of previous studies and indirectly quantify the impact of RFRH on crop yield and WUE by analysing the effect of RFRH on SWS. The results showed that RFRH improved crop yield and WUE by 26.71% and 25.86%, respectively, by increasing SWS by 3.93% compared to the traditional flat cultivation. RFRH had a significant effect on increasing crop yield and WUE and improving SWS. A low ridge-furrow ratio and ridge-furrow mulching were recommended to obtain positive effects on crop yield and WUE when potatoes are grown in areas with high precipitation (600-800 mm). Furthermore, when nitrogen fertilization is applied during the crop growth period, we also found that a medium nitrogen fertilizer rate is recommended to achieve a significant positive effect on crop yield and WUE. Importantly, a win-win analysis showed the proportions of various groups in the target zone (zone I) to determine the appropriate strategy for RFRH of crops. The present study provides a scientific reference for the future application of the RFRH. The study provides scientific recommendations on crop types, ridge-furrow configurations, plastic mulching patterns and nitrogen fertilizer rate for future RFRH applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of conventional soil and water conservation measures on soil moisture of sloping land in the loess region

ABSTRACT Traditional soil conservation measures were widely recognized for their excellent ability to promote rainwater infiltration in the loess region. However, little is known about how these measures affect the soil moisture variations under natural rainfall conditions. To compare their effects on soil water content, four different treatments were conducted at runoff plots, i.e., super absorbent polymer amendment (SCR), ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting with plastic mulching (CRP), the same measure with CRP but without mulching (CRN), and flat planting (FSN, control), soil moisture at multiple slope positions and depths were periodically measured. The results showed that in the top 0- to 30-cm soil, SCR and CRN relatively greatly varied with time, yet CRP and FSN changed less. The mean soil water content of these treatments generally followed the pattern of CRN > SCR > CRP > FSN. Responding to a heavy rainfall event, the recharge and depletion rates of soil water storage generally showed similar patterns of SCR > CRN > CRP > FSN in the topsoil, yet in the deeper soil they followed the patterns of CRP > CRN > FSN > SCR. It suggested that SCR and CRN could improve the water accumulation and infiltration performances in the topsoil, and thus may be more suitable for rain-fed crop planting on sloping farmlands of the loess region.

Effects of ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with biochar application on soil physical properties and alfalfa fodder yield in semiarid region in China

Effects of ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with biochar application on soil physical properties and alfalfa fodder yield in semiarid region in China

Effects of Biochar Application on Soil Hydrothermal Environment, Carbon Emissions, and Crop Yield in Wheat Fields under Ridge–Furrow Rainwater Harvesting Planting Mode

The ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) planting mode is widely used in arid and semi-arid areas to solve the problems of agricultural water shortage and low productivity. However, the impact of film mulching on the stability of soil carbon pools makes this planting mode vulnerable to the risk of increased soil carbon emissions and carbon pool losses. In order to clarify the relationship between soil carbon emissions and hydrothermal factors, as well as the regulatory effect of biochar application on soil carbon sequestration and reduced emissions under this planting mode, we set up a biochar application experiment. The effects of the biochar application (at 10 Mg ha−1 biochar and 20 Mg ha−1 biochar) on the soil water dynamics, soil temperature changes, CO2-C and CH4-C flux dynamics, grain yield, carbon emission efficiency, and the net ecosystem carbon budget in wheat fields under the RFRH planting mode were investigated, with no biochar application as the control. The results showed that applying biochar increased the soil water content, soil average temperature, cumulative CH4-C uptake, wheat grain yield, and carbon emission efficiency by 3.10–12.23%, 0.98–3.53%, 59.27–106.65%, 3.51–16.42%, and 18.52–61.17%, respectively; reduced the cumulative CO2-C emissions by 7.51–31.07%; and increased the net ecosystem carbon budget by 2.91 Mg C ha−1 to 6.06 Mg C ha−1. The results obtained by equation fitting showed that in wheat fields under RFRH, the CO2-C emission fluxes had negative and positive exponential relationships with the soil water content and soil temperature, respectively, while the CH4-C uptake fluxes had no significant correlation with the soil water content and had an inverse U-shaped quadratic function relationship with soil temperature. Overall, these results suggest that the application of biochar to wheat fields under RFRH can improve grain yield, farmland carbon emission efficiency, and the net ecosystem carbon budget, and change wheat fields from a carbon source to a carbon sink. These results can provide a theoretical basis and technical support for efficient, green, and sustainable production in farmland in arid and semi-arid areas.

Suitable biochar type and optimum ridge width for sainfoin production in ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting in the Loess Plateau in China

Suitable biochar type and optimum ridge width for sainfoin production in ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting in the Loess Plateau in China

Effects of ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with maize straw biochar on fodder yield and water use efficiency of alfalfa in semiarid regions of China

Effects of ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with maize straw biochar on fodder yield and water use efficiency of alfalfa in semiarid regions of China

Effect of Co-application of Ridge-Furrow Rainwater Harvesting and Mulching on Fodder Yield, Quality, and Soil Desiccation in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Production

Effect of Co-application of Ridge-Furrow Rainwater Harvesting and Mulching on Fodder Yield, Quality, and Soil Desiccation in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Production

Optimum planting configuration for alfalfa production with ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting in a semiarid region of China

Soil desiccation is a major challenge faced by subsistence farmers growing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) in consecutive cultivation in semiarid regions. We hypothesized that alfalfa fodder yield would increase with the length of growing season, growing degree-days, and rainfall. A field experiment was conducted on alfalfa production from 2012 to 2016 to 1) determine the response of fodder yield to rainfall, the length of growing season, and accumulated growing degree day (AGDD) in different growing-cutting stage (GCS)s; 2) obtain the suitable mulching material and the optimum ridge width for ridges with manually compacted soil (MCS), mulched with bio-degradable film (BF), and plastic film (PF). There were 10 treatments (3 ridge widths × 3 ridge-mulching materials + flat planting (FP) as control) with three replications laid in a randomized block design. The ratio of the first GCS to the second GCS in fodder yield ranged from 1.10 to 4.55, which was similar to the ratio of the first GCS to the third GCS in fodder yield ranged from 1.14 to 4.59, although rainfall, the length of growing season, and AGDD were different during the two or three GCSs. The highest fodder yield was obtained from the first GCS in one year and reached the highest level in the second growing year, and maintained a similar level in the subsequent years, although rainfall, the length of growing season, and AGDD varied during the five year periods. Fodder yield was affected by both the rainfall in the GCS and the available soil moisture prior to the GCS. Compared to FP, the increase of evapotranspiration for MCS, BF, and PF was 11, 61, and 63 mm, respectively. Fodder yield for BF and PF increased by 28% and 33%, respectively. Fodder yield for MCS maintained the same level as that for FP. Evapotranspiration increased and fodder yield decreased as ridge width increased. The optimum ridge width for MCS, BF, and PF was 29, 39, and 37 cm, respectively, across five years. Future study should focus on alfalfa-crop rotation to mitigate soil desiccation after alfalfa consecutively production.

Selection of suitable type and application rate of biochar for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity in ridge-furrow rainwater-harvesting in semiarid regions of China

Ridge-furrow rainwater-harvesting (RFRH) has emerged as an effective technology to mitigate drought stress, control soil erosion, and increase crop yield in semiarid regions of China. However, the use of plastic film mulch in RFRH makes this technology impractical. A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years in a randomized complete block design to determine 1) the runoff coefficient for ridges compacted with soil mixed with two types of biochar (rice straw biochar and cow dung biochar) at two application rates (single application rate i.e., 3 × 104 kg ha−1; and double application rate i.e., 6 × 104 kg ha−1; and 2) the effects of the ridges compacted with soil mixed with two types of biochar at two application rates on soil physico-chemical properties, economic benefit, fodder yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of alfalfa, and ridges compacted with soil (no biochar) as control. The average runoff coefficient for NB, SRSB, DRSB, SCDB, and DCDB (NB, SRSB, DRSB, SCDB, and DCDB were ridges compacted with soil, compacted with soil mixed with single rice straw biochar application, double rice straw biochar application, single cow dung biochar application, and double cow dung biochar application, respectively) over these three years was 31%, 28%, 27%, 22%, and 21%, respectively. Ridges compacted with soil-biochar crust had lower runoff coefficients, soil water storage, net income, and higher soil nutrients, when compared to ridges compacted with soil. The topsoil temperature at ridge tops was affected by the ridges compacted with soil-biochar crust, but the topsoil temperature at furrow bottoms was not affected. Compared to ridges compacted with soil mixed with cow dung biochar, ridges compacted with soil mixed with rice straw biochar had lower soil nutrients, and higher soil water storage resulting in higher fodder yield and WUE of alfalfa. With runoff, the nutrients in biochar flowed from ridges to furrows, becoming usable for plants. Ridges compacted with soil-biochar crust increased topsoil nutrients, especially soil organic matter ranging from 15% to 34%, resulting in high fodder yield and WUE of alfalfa. Compared to NB, annual fodder yield for SRSB, DRSB, SCDB, and DCDB increased by 9.0%, 5.9%, 4.4%, and 3.8%, respectively, over three years, while WUE for the same treatments increased by 2.81, 1.95, 0.65, and 0.45 kg ha−1 mm−1. Rice straw biochar at an application rate of 3 × 104 kg ha−1 was found to be suitable type of biochar for increase in fodder yield and WUE of alfalfa in RFRH. Future studies should be conducted in the form of long-term field study to determine economic benefits of biochar application.

The effect of mulched ridge and furrow micro catchment water harvesting on red pepper yield and quality features in Bafra Plain of Northern Turkey

For two decades, promising results have been obtained by ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) to feed the increasing world population and cope with water scarcity and drought in semiarid and arid areas. A two-year study in Turkey's semi-humid Black Sea Region was conducted to examine RWHS's effects on harvested water, soil water content, red pepper growth, yield, quality attributes, water consumption, and crop water productivity (WPc), crop water stress index (CWSI). The profitability of the system was examined by economic analysis. For these purposes, three different polyethylene-covered ridge widths (RWHS1: 100 cm, RWHS2: 120 cm, and RWHS3: 140 cm) were considered. To allow the harvested water infiltration root zone and grow red pepper, 80 cm width furrow areas with double plant rows were left between the covered ridges on contours. To compare the RWHS treatments, three conventional rainfed farming or dry farming treatments (DFS1, DFS2, and DFS3) with 90 cm, 100 cm, and 110 cm plant row distances were considered. Each treatment was replicated three times in the randomized block design experiment. Besides, a multiple regression model was developed to estimate the runoff from the plastic-covered ridges by using independent parameters such as covered ridge ratios and rainfall amounts (R2 = 0.97). The red pepper consumed between 165 and 174 mm water in 2017 and 118–147 mm in 2018. Maximum red pepper yields, which increased by 68% in 2017 and 149% in 2018, were derived from RWHS1 as 33.2 and 27.19 t ha−1, respectively. As plastic-covered ridge width increased, red pepper yield decreased because of lowering plant density. RWHS improved red pepper yield and significantly increased leaf area, plant height, fruit length, and diameter. RWHS produced Turkey's highest red pepper WPc ratios, and RWHS1 improved WPc by 74% in 2017 and 169% in 2018. Although the red pepper consumed nearly the same amount of water under whole treatments, CWSI was lower under RWHS treatments. It was determined that sustainable red pepper farming according to the net income values under rainfed farmland in the region would not be possible without using rainwater harvesting systems such as RWHS1.

Runoff and nutrient losses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) production with tied-ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting on sloping land

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) is known to be effective in controlling water loss and soil erosion, and increasing soil moisture and crop yield in semiarid regions. However, it can cause waterlogging, ridge overtopping, and harvest failure if not properly designed. A four consecutive-year field trial was carried out to assess the impacts of various slope gradients and tillage practices on soil moisture, runoff, sediment yield, associated soil nutrient losses, fodder yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of alfalfa in the Loess Plateau, China. The trial adopted a split-plot design, taking slope gradient (5° and 10°) as main plot treatment and tillage practice (traditional tillage, open-ridging, and tied-ridging) as split-plot treatment, from 2015 to 2018. There were greater variations in runoff, sediment yield, and associated soil nutrient losses than in fodder yield and WUE. Tied-ridging and open-ridging resulted in decreased runoff and reduced sediment transport and associated soil nutrient losses, and increased soil moisture, fodder yield, and WUE. Runoff, sediment transport, and associated soil nutrient losses inclined with increasing slope; while fodder yield and the WUE declined. For slopes of 5° and 10°, the average decrease in runoff, sediment yield, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and organic matter losses for open-ridging were 47.7–56.2%, 91.0–92.7%, 90.4–93.1%, 90.1–92.2%, and 88.9–90.2%, respectively, while these for tied-ridging were 62.4–68.4%, 94.5–96.4%, 93.6–95.5%, 93.9–95.9%, and 93.0–94.9%, over 4 years as compared with traditional tillage. The mean annual runoff, sediment, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and organic matter losses for slopes of 10° were 1.31, 1.96, 1.87, 1.99, and 1.64 times greater than the corresponding values for slopes of 5°, respectively. The increase of fodder yield and WUE for open-ridging and tied-ridging was 40.1–45.6% and 16.0–17.5%, and 3.66–5.99 and 1.35–2.50 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively, for slopes of 5° and 10°. The average fodder yield and WUE for slopes of 5° were 1.19 and 1.23 times greater than corresponding values for slopes of 10°, respectively. The disparities in fodder yield and WUE of alfalfa between slopes of 5° and 10° were not clear in dry years, but were evident in wet years. Tied-ridging was recommended for water and soil conservation, while open-ridging was recommended for increase of fodder yield and WUE of alfalfa. The implementation of RFRH in crop production should be evaluated by the use of a model in accordance with climatic conditions, soil type, and plant species.

Influence of tied-ridge-furrow with inorganic fertilizer on grain yield across semiarid regions of Asia and Africa: A meta-analysis

BackgroundIn semiarid areas, low productivity of crops has been attributed to lack of appropriate soil moisture conservation practices since droughts and soil erosion are rampant in most areas of this region. Consequently, ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting is widely used in these regions across the globe. Despite ridge-furrow being widely practiced, tied-ridge-furrow has not been extensively adopted by small-scale farmers in semi-arid regions. Consequently, the effectiveness of tied-ridge-furrow as a viable method of increasing crop yield has received less attention.MethodologyFor large-scale implementation, a detailed assessment of how ridge furrow, tied–ridge-furrow with fertilizer, tied-ridge-furrow with mulching and tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer influence crop yield in different agro-environments under varying climatic conditions is needed. This study used the PRISMA guidelines to determine the impact of tied-ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting technique with mulching or fertilizer on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) grain yields.ResultsSorghum grain yield increased by 17% greater in tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer in comparison to flat planting. This may be due to increase in soil organic carbon in the region (9 g kg−1). Grain yield of millet significantly increased by 20–40% in Africa from 18 study observations in tied-ridge-furrow with fertilizer application as compared to tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatments. This might be due to the significant increase in total nitrogen by 13–42% in the soil at <50 mg kg−1 quantity which had an effect size of 469.14 [65.60, 872.67]. In terms of soil texture, grain yield of millet and sorghum significantly increased in heavy textured soils (clay loam, silt clay, and clay soils) with an effect size of 469.14 [65.60, 872.67] compared to light and medium-textured soils of zero effect sizes. Millet and sorghum grain yields in tied-ridge-furrow with mulching, on the other hand, were not significantly different from those in flat planting. This may be due to the mulching materials used in those tests.ConclusionIn view of yields of sorghum and millet increased significantly by 32% and 17% in tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatment compared to flat planting and tied-ridge-furrow with fertilizer treatment compared with tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatment, respectively, this study recommend the use of fertilizers in a tied-ridge-furrow system to increase grain yield in semiarid areas compared to flat planting. Again, the study recommends more research on tied-ridge-furrow systems with other organic mulches and fertilizers in semiarid areas.

Suitable furrow mulching material for maize and sorghum production with ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting in semiarid regions of China

In order to select environmentally friendly mulching materials and to increase rainwater utilization in a semiarid region of Northwest China, a field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete design to determine effects of three furrow-mulching materials (liquid film (LF), maize straw (MS) and biodegradable film (BF)) on soil temperature, moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), crop (maize and sorghum) yields and water use efficiency (WUE) with no-mulching (NM) as a control, during three consecutive crop growing seasons in years 2013-2015. Silage, grain, and biomass yields and WUE for maize were 1.75, 1.87, 1.82 and 1.76 times greater than corresponding yields and WUE for sorghum during the study period. BF increased topsoil temperature and soil water storage, while MS decreased topsoil temperature but increased soil water storage. Compared with NM, the increase in average topsoil temperature at the furrow bottoms of BF was 1.05–1.37 ºC during the growing seasons for maize, while it was 1.07–1.25 ºC during the growing seasons for sorghum. During the growing seasons, the decrease in topsoil temperature at the furrow bottoms for MS was 1.22–1.81 ºC for maize, while it was 1.34–1.59 ºC for sorghum. BF and MS decreased furrow soil evaporation but increased crop transpiration, while they did not shift the total water loss from ET. BF resulted in high soil temperature and moisture, increased crop yields, and WUE. Although low temperatures impaired emergence and crop development, high soil moisture increased crop yields and WUE with MS. Compared with NM, BF treatments resulted in increased mean silage, mean grain and mean biomass yields for maize of 17.0%, 17.7% and 13.7%, respectively, while corresponding yields for sorghum increased by 12.9%, 17.0% and 11.7%, respectively. The mean silage, grain, and biomass yields for maize with MS increased by 9.3%, 12.1% and 8.0 %, respectively, while corresponding yields for sorghum increased by 5.6%, 14.3% and 6.7%, respectively. Mean WUEs for maize and sorghum with BF significantly increased by 4.8 and 2.6 kg ha−1mm−1, respectively, while those values with MS significantly increased by 3.8 and 2.8 kg ha−1mm−1. MS provided a lower increase (12.1 %–14.3 %) in grain yields compared with BF (17.0 %-17.7%) in the study. LF had similar soil temperature and water moisture as with no mulching, and did not significantly increase either crop yields or WUE.

Comparing Yield, Quality, Water Use Efficiency, and Value between Fodder and Grain Produced Using Ridge‐Furrow Rainwater Harvesting in a Semiarid Region

Agriculture production in study areas benefits from the use of ridge‐furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) to supplement rainfall in the absence of irrigation from imported sources. However, it is necessary to select suitable fodder plants for use with RFRH in this climate. In this paper, 10 treatments (3 ridge widths × 3 ridge‐mulching materials + flat planting [FP] as control) in a complete random design were applied in a 3‐yr field experiment for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) production, respectively. Ridges mulched with plastic film (PF) and ridges mulched with biodegradable film (BF) had positive effects on fodder, grain yields, and water use efficiency (WUE), but ridges with manually compacted soil (MCS) had a negative effect on yield and WUE in the most cases. Fodder, grain yields, and WUE decreased as ridge width increased. For oats, the decrease of WUE of MCS was 1.31 kg ha−1 mm−1, but the increase of WUE of BF and PF was 0.83 and 1.25 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively, compared with that of FP over 3 yr. For alfalfa, the increase of WUE of MCS, BF, and PF was, respectively, 0.22, 5.62, and 6.33 kg ha−1 mm−1. The RFRH systems, especially PF and BF, produced oat and alfalfa fodders with increased crude protein content and decreased acid and neutral detergent fiber content. The average alfalfa fodder yield was 1.37 times greater than that of oats, whereas the average WUE of alfalfa was 2.62 times greater than that of oats. Alfalfa fodder contained higher crude proteins and lower neutral detergent fiber content than oat fodder and had similar acid detergent fiber. It is more economic to harvest oat fodder than to harvest oat grain, and it is more economic to produce alfalfa than to produce oats.

Optimum ridge width and suitable mulching material for sainfoin production with ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting in semiarid regions of China

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) with mulch offers farmers means to address drought, water loss, and soil erosion in arid and semiarid regions. Plastic film is widely used as a mulching material for RFRH; however, contamination of arable lands by its residual is a serious concern. We compared various mulches, including a biodegradable film for RFRH planted with sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia). A field study was conducted to (1) estimate runoff efficiency from three ridge widths using three different mulching materials; and (2) assess the effects of ridge widths and mulching materials on topsoil temperature, soil water storage, fodder yield, fodder nutrition, and water use efficiency (WUE) of RFRH planted with sainfoin, during 2015 and 2016. The predicted runoff efficiency for MCS30, MCS45, MCS60, BF30, BF45, BF60, PF30, PF45, and PF60 [MCS, BF, and PF are abbreviations for ridges with manually compacted soil, mulched with biodegradable film and with plastic film, respectively, subscripts 30, 45, and 60 refer to ridge widths (cm) all with 60 cm furrow width] was 9.9%, 22.2%, 24.7%, 85.3%, 88.8%, 92.7%, 85.9%, 89.7%, and 93.3%, respectively. The practice of RFRH, especially BF and PF, resulted in increased topsoil temperature at ridge tops and increased soil water content at furrow bottoms but decreased topsoil temperature at furrow bottoms. MCS decreased actual fodder yield, but BF and PF increased actual fodder yield. Compared to flat planting (FP), the decrease of actual fodder yield for MCS30, MCS45, and MCS60 was 7%, 15%, and 18%, respectively, for 2015 and 2016, but the increase of actual fodder yield for BF30, BF45, BF60, PF30, PF45, and PF60 was 10%, 8%, 6%, 15%, 13%, and 8%, respectively. Mean WUE for MCS, BF, and PF was 1.58, 1.64, and 1.70 times greater than that for FP, respectively. High soil water content and high soil temperature in RFRH, especially for BF and PF, resulted in increased crude protein and phosphorus content of the fodder produced but resulted in decreased acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber content of fodder. Mean crude protein content for BF and PF was 1.25 and 1.30 times greater than that for FP, respectively, whereas phosphorus content for BF and PF was 1.37 and 1.32 times greater than that for FP. The optimum ridge width for BF was 35–36 cm, whereas for PF, it was 36–42 cm. The RFRH design should conserve water and improve fodder yields and quality.

半干旱区垄沟集雨系统点尺度土壤水分动态随机模拟

半干旱区垄沟集雨系统点尺度土壤水分动态随机模拟

Effects of planting patterns and sowing densities on grain-filling, radiation use efficiency and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in semi-arid regions

The ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system is a valuable technique for collecting runoff water and increasing radiation use efficiency to improve crop production. Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive years (2015–16) on a loess soil in semi-arid regions of China. Three different planting densities (L: 52500 plant ha−1; M: 75000 plant ha−1; H: 97500 plant ha−1) and three different planting patterns (RF: ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting system; FM: flat planting with plastic film mulching; CP: conventional planting without plastic film) were used to measure various maize characteristics. The objectives were to enhance the water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), and promote the grain-filling process and yields of maize. The results showed that under the same densities, there was no significant differences between the average filling rate (Gmean) and the maximum filling rate (Gmax) (P>0.05) during the normal-precipitation year (2015). However, the Gmean and Gmax in the RF and FM treatments were significantly higher than the CP treatment in dry year (2016). Under the same densities, the number of grains per row, number of kernels per ear, and kernel yield per plant of RF and FM treatments were significantly higher than those of the CP treatment. These maize yield components decreased with increased planting densities under the same planting patterns. Compared to the CP treatment, the average annual grain yield under the RF and FM treatments increased by 33.4% and 30.0%, respectively. Compared to the CP treatment, the average annual RUE in the RF and FM treatments increased by 12.4% and 11.5% before silking and increased 17.7% and 14.7% after silking, respectively. Under the RF system with a middle planting density (M-RF) promoted grain-filling rate, grain yield, yield components, WUE, and RUE. Therefore, we concluded that M-RF model is the most suitable for increases maize yield and RUE in the semi-arid regions of China.

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with supplemental irrigation to improve seed yield and water use efficiency of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) planting pattern can lessen the effect of water deficits throughout all crop growth stages, but water shortage would remain unavoidable during some stages of crop growth in arid and semiarid areas. Supplemental irrigation would still be needed to achieve a higher production. Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons (2012–2013 and 2013–2014) to determine an appropriate amount of supplemental irrigation to be applied to winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage with RFRH planting pattern. Four treatments, including supplemental irrigation amount of 0 (I1), 60 mm (I2) and 120 mm (I3) with RFRH planting pattern and a control (CK) irrigated with 120 mm with flat planting pattern, were set up to evaluate the effects of supplemental irrigation on aboveground dry matter (ADM), nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), radiation use efficiency (RUE), water use efficiency (WUE), and seed yield and oil content of the oilseed rape. Results showed that supplemental irrigation improved NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE. However, the NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE did not increase significantly or even showed a downward trend with excessive irrigation. Seed yield was the highest in I3 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in I3 averaged 3 235 kg ha−1 and 8.85 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively. The highest WUE was occurred in I2 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in I2 averaged 3 089 kg ha−1 and 9.63 kg ha−1 mm−1, respectively. Compared to I3, I2 used 60 mm less irrigation amount, had an 8.9% higher WUE, but only 4.5 and 0.4% lower seed yield and oil content, respectively. I2 saved water without substantially sacrificing yield or oil content, so it is recommended as an appropriate cultivation and irrigation schedule for winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage.

覆盖材料和沟垄比对土壤水分和紫花苜蓿干草产量的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 覆盖材料和沟垄比对土壤水分和紫花苜蓿干草产量的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201509081853 作者: 作者单位: 甘肃农业大学草业学院,甘肃农业大学草业学院,甘肃农业大学草业学院,甘肃农业大学草业学院,甘肃农业大学草业学院,甘肃农业大学农学院,甘肃农业大学农学院,中国气象局兰州干旱气象研究所 / 甘肃省气候变化与减灾重点实验室,兰州;中国气象局兰州干旱气象研究所 / 甘肃省气候变化与减灾重点实验室,兰州 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（41461062，41161090） Effects of mulching materials and furrow-to-ridge ratios on soil moisture and alfalfa forage yield Author: Affiliation: College of Grassland Science,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Grassland Science,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Grassland Science,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Grassland Science,Gansu Agricultural University,College of Grassland Science,Gansu Agricultural University,Agronomy College,Gansu Agricultural University,Agronomy College,Gansu Agricultural University,Key Laboratory of Arid Climatic Changing and Reducing Disaster of Gansu Province/Institute of Arid Meteorology,China Meteorological Administration Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:为寻求半干旱黄土高原区种植紫花苜蓿的适宜覆盖材料和最佳沟垄比，采用完全随机设计布置大田试验，以传统平作为对照，研究不同垄覆盖材料（土壤结皮、生物可降解地膜和普通地膜）和不同沟垄比（沟宽：垄宽分别为60：30、60：45和60：60，单位是cm）对土壤水分和紫花苜蓿干草产量等的影响。结果表明：通过对2012年和2013年紫花苜蓿生育期降雨量统计，2a平均值显示，无效降雨次数（53次）大于有效降雨次数（27次），无效降雨对总降雨量的贡献率（19%）小于有效降雨（81%）。就紫花苜蓿全生育期而言，与平作相比，SR30、SR45、SR60、BMR30、BMR45、BMR60、CMR30、CMR45和CMR60（SR、BMR和CMR分别代表土垄、生物可降解膜垄和普通膜垄，下标分别表示垄宽为30、45cm和60cm）连续2a的平均根层（0-140 cm）土壤贮水量分别提高12.8、19.2、24.4、26.0、30.7、40.5、29.9、37.1 mm和47.7 mm。垄沟集雨种植第1年龄和第2年龄紫花苜蓿根层没有出现明显干层。与平作相比，SR30、SR45和SR60的连续2a紫花苜蓿平均实际干草产量分别降低3%、8%和13%，WUE分别提高52%、58%和55%；BMR30、BMR45、BMR60、CMR30、CMR45和CMR60的连续2a紫花苜蓿平均实际干草产量分别提高14%、12%、7%、17%、19%和9%，WUE分别提高49%、62%、59%、51%、67%和56%。当紫花苜蓿生育期降雨量为380.7-427.6 mm和沟垄比为60 cm：35-36 cm时，生物可降解膜垄和普通膜垄的紫花苜蓿实际干草产量达到最大值，为该地区垄沟集雨种植紫花苜蓿提供参考。 Abstract:To determine the optimum furrow-to-ridge ratio and a suitable ridge-mulching material for alfalfa production in a ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system in the semi-arid Loess Plateau, a field experiment with a randomized complete block design was conducted during the 2012 and 2013 alfalfa growing seasons. The experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different mulching materials (manually compacted soil crust, biodegradable mulch film, and common plastic film) and furrow to ridge ratios (60:30, 60:45, and 60:60[cm:cm]) on soil moisture and alfalfa forage yield, with traditional flat planting (TFP) as a control. The average number of ineffective rainfall events (53) was greater than that of effective rainfall events (27) over these two years, and the contribution rate (19%) of the ineffective rainfall to annual rainfall was less than that (81%) of the effective rainfall. Compared with TFP, increases in the soil water storage at depths of 0-140 cm were 12.8, 19.2, 24.4, 26.0, 30.7, 40.5, 29.9, 37.1, and 47.7 mm in SR30, SR45, SR60, BMR30, BMR45, BMR60, CMR30, CMR45, and CMR60 (SR, BMR, and CMR were ridges with manually compacted soil, covered with bio-degradable mulch film, and covered with common plastic film, respectively, and subscripts 30, 45, and 60 refer to ridge widths (cm), all with 60 cm furrow width), respectively. There was no distinctive dry soil layer found within the root zone among ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting treatments during 2 consecutive years. Compared with TFP, forage yields decreased by 3%, 8%, and 13% for SR30, SR45, and SR60, respectively, while water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 52%, 58%, and 55% over the two years in these ridge-furrow systems. Forage yields increased by 14%, 12%, 7%, 17%, 19%, and 9% for BMR30, BMR45, BMR60, CMR30, CMR45, and CMR60, respectively, while WUE increased by 49%, 62%, 59%, 51%, 67%, and 56% in these ridge-furrow systems in the same period. Optimum furrow width was 35-36 cm for BMR and CMR in the ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting system with 60 cm furrows for alfalfa production in this region that has an annual 380.7-427.6 mm rainfall. This information is useful for alfalfa production in ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting systems in this region. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献