Ridge Furrow Research Articles

Yield structure and water use efficiency of summer maize (Zea mays L.) under wide ridge-furrow planting in the furrow irrigation process

ABSTRACT The impact of wide ridge-furrow planting on maize production are mostly unexplored. The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of four ridge width on growth and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Xianyu 335) with same furrow spacing and basin planting with same spacing as conventional planting (CP). Compared with the CP, ridge-furrow (RF) increased plant height but reduced stem diameter and dry matter weight. The wide ridge under RF was beneficial to the high leaf area and dry matter accumulation. However, the least plant spacing generated stress on stem growth with a wider ridge (RF180). The maximum grain yield (6573 kg ha−1) and WUE (23.0 kg mm−1 ha−1) were obtained under RF120, which were increased by 15.9% and 33.9% compared with CP. Irrigation efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under RF system was improved 1.20–1.43 times and 1.89–2.45 times compared with CP, which was mainly due to the lower volume of irrigation water (decreased by 34.5–42.9%) under the RF system. Our results highlight that the RF method can be used as a water-saving method with ridge width up to 120 cm that lead to high yields of maize.

Matching fertilization with water availability enhances maize productivity and water use efficiency in a semi-arid area: Mechanisms and solutions

Unpredictable precipitation and frequent droughts often threaten crop productivity in semiarid areas, but this challenge can be alleviated by optimizing the nutrient supplies to match the water availability. In this study, a field experiment was conducted from 2014 to 2017 in the Loess Plateau of northwest China to determine the soil water balance and maize crop productivity in the ridge–furrow mulching system under five N + P2O5 fertilizer application rates: 0 + 0 (control); 117 + 59 kg ha−1; 173 + 87 kg ha−1; 229 + 115 kg ha−1; and 285 + 143 kg ha−1. Results showed that fertilization increased the evapotranspiration by 5.1–11.8 %, maize yield by 94.0–129.9 %, and water use efficiency by 89.3–116.7 %, compared with the control. However, increasing the fertilizer rate resulted in the evapotranspiration exceeding the precipitation, thereby leading to significant soil water depletion (44.9 mm – 159.6 mm), especially in the 80–200 cm soil layer., The average soil water increment during the fallow period was 49.3 mm, which was not balanced with the soil water depletion, and thus the annual soil water imbalance characterized by decreased soil water storage at sowing (SWSs) that became worse each year. During the course of the four-year study, SWSs decreased from an average of 575.5 mm in 2014 to 358.8–500.0 mm (average 398.6 mm) in 2017, and the decreases were 20.5–28.2 % greater in soils that received higher fertilizer rates compared with the control. Thus, huge fluctuations occurred in the maize yield between years, which were greater as the amount of fertilizer increased. Our results suggests that fertilizer application at a rate of N 180.9+P2O5 90.5 kg ha–1 is ideal to match with the water availability to facilitate sustainable water use and achieve high maize yields. In addition, ensuring that SWSs is at least 441.1 mm and the sum of SWSS plus precipitation within 90 days after sowing exceeds 624.3 mm can help to stabilize the maize grain yield in the study region.

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.

Ridge-furrow film mulching improves water and nitrogen use efficiencies under reduced irrigation and nitrogen applications in wheat field

Ridge–furrow film mulching (RF) is an effective planting pattern to harvest rainwater, reduce evaporation, increase root-zone soil moisture and improve crop yield in arid regions of northwest China. Compared to flat planting without film mulching (FP), RF significantly enhances the yield and water and nitrogen (N) use efficiencies of winter wheat under the same irrigation and N inputs. However, whether RF can boost or maintain yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and N use efficiency (NUE) of winter wheat with less irrigation and N supply remains unclear. Moreover, the irrigation-saving and N reduction potential for RF under different climatic (wet, normal and drought) years is unknown. From 2013–2016, field experiments with treatments of different planting patterns (RF and FP), irrigation (0, 90 and 180 mm; represented as I0, I1 and I2, respectively) and N (0, 140 and 210 kg ha−1; represented as N0, N1 and N2, respectively) application amounts were conducted to analyze the growth and physiological characteristics, yield, WUE and NUE of winter wheat. The results showed that the leaf area index, aboveground dry matter, leaf chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate were greatest for RFI2N2 (RF with 180 mm irrigation and 210 kg N ha−1) during the whole winter-wheat growing seasons. Eventually, RFI2N2 obtained 9.3–74.1 %, 19.5–81.1 % and 23.8–92.2 % significantly greater yield than other treatments in wet and cool, normal rainfall and temperature, and drought and heat years, respectively. Relative to FPI2N2 (FP with 180 mm irrigation and 210 kg N ha−1, and FPI2N2 is local conventional agricultural management for winter wheat), the irrigation and N reduction potential for RF differed for the three levels of annual rainfall. Treatment RFI0N1 (RF with no irrigation and 140 kg N ha−1) in wet and cool, and normal rainfall and temperature years, and RFI1N1 (RF with 90 mm irrigation and 140 kg N ha−1) in drought and heat years, had almost equal winter wheat yield, and achieved significantly greater WUE and NUE than FPI2N2. In addition, in wet and cool, and normal rainfall and temperature years, RFI1N1 had 14.6–17.7 %, 5.0–10.0 % and 16.2–30.5 % significantly greater yield, WUE and NUE than RFI0N1. Therefore, RFI1N1 could be considered as a favorable management for sustainable intensification of winter wheat production in northwest China, especially in drought and heat years and in areas where water resources are relatively abundant.

Effects of supplemental irrigation on winter wheat starch structure and properties under ridge-furrow tillage and flat tillage

Supplemental irrigation (SI) is an important strategy to improve the water-use efficiency (WUE) of crops without compromising the yield. However, such strategy can influence the starch and grain quality. Hence, the effects of SI on winter wheat starch structure and functionality were studied on ridge-furrow (RF) and flat tillage (FT) treated fields. Flat irrigation was set as control. RF + SI significantly increased the grain yield throughout the study period (2016–2018). SI decreased the amylose content and the content of amylopectin chains with DP 13–24 but increased the proportions of amylopectin chains with DP 6–12 and 25–36. The starch granule relative crystallinity decreased, and more B-type granules were produced by SI treatment. SI significantly increased the resistant starch content in both raw and cooked starch systems. Flat tillage enhanced the effect of SI on granule specific surface area (SSA) and viscosity, which increased starch paste viscosity, while SI + RF showed the opposite effects. Our study demonstrates important combined effects of SI and tillage on wheat starch quality.

Enhanced maize yield and water-use efficiency via film mulched ridge–furrow tillage with straw incorporation in semiarid regions

ABSTRACT Film mulched ridge-furrow tillage (FMRF) with straw incorporation (S) can efficiently improve rain-fed maize yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The key mechanisms were investigated via a 3-year consecutive FMRF and S interactive experiments [CP (conventional planting, Control), CPS, FMRF, FMRFS] from 2014 to 2016. In comparison with CP, FMRFS increased the temperature by 1.8°C to 4.8°C and the soil water content of 0–200 cm soil profile (W200 ) by 98.0 mm to 106.7 mm from the seedling to tasseling stage, and decreased the temperature by 1.1°C to 3.7°C from flowering to maturity. The concentrations of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (TN, TP, TK and AN, AP, AK) were also remarkable increased by 5.9% to 55.1% (P < 0.05) for FMRFS, respectively. FMRFS considerably mitigated the effects of the frequent water and heat stress and fertility deficit and led to a higher maize yield (27.0% to 40.0%), improved WUE (1.4-folds to 2.0-folds). The W200 , SOC, TN, TP, AN and AP significant contribute to maize yield. Therefore, FMRFS not only enhanced the soil fertility but also maintained soil water balance, thus causing a significant increase in maize yield and WUE.

Crop yield and soil organic carbon under ridge–furrow cultivation in China: A meta‐analysis

AbstractRidge–furrow cultivation (RF) is a popular emerging technique that can increase crop productivity in dry areas. However, the efficacy of RF on crop yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) remains uncertain under different climate and management conditions. Here, we compiled data from 48 publications to evaluate the response of yield and SOC to RF in China. Overall, our meta‐analysis showed that RF increased yield by 30.2%, but it had no effects on SOC. When differentiated based on different categories, yield and SOC varied by crop species, climate, soil textures, mulching management, and ridge–furrow patterns. RF increased the yield of wheat, maize, soybean, rape, linseed, potato, and SOC under soybean cultivation. Yield increase with RF was also consistent across temperature and precipitation. Yield increase was observed in all the soil textures. There were no RF effects on SOC under different soil textures. RF enhanced yields under no mulching, straw mulching and plastic film mulching, but increased SOC only in combination with straw mulching. A higher yield increase was observed under alternating small and large ridges (ASLR) than alternating ridges and furrows (AR). RF decreased SOC by 11.7% under AR, but had no effects on SOC under ASLR. Together, ASLR with straw mulching could increase yield and SOC in coarse soil texture regions with annual mean temperature &gt;10°C and annual mean precipitation &gt; 400 mm. This study showed the importance of considering local environmental conditions with management practices in identifying appropriate RF practices for improving crop productivity and soil carbon sequestration.

Energy budget and carbon footprint in a wheat and maize system under ridge furrow strategy in dry semi humid areas

The well-irrigated planting strategy (WI) consumes a large amount of energy and exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions, endangering the sustainable agricultural production. This 2-year work aims to estimate the economic benefit, energy budget and carbon footprint of a wheat–maize double cropping system under conventional rain-fed flat planting (irrigation once a year, control), ridge–furrows with plastic film mulching on the ridge (irrigation once a year, RP), and the WI in dry semi-humid areas of China. Significantly higher wheat and maize yields and net returns were achieved under RP than those under the control, while a visible reduction was found for wheat yields when compared with the WI. The ratio of benefit: cost under RP was also higher by 10.5% than that under the control in the first rotation cycle, but did not differ with those under WI. The net energy output and carbon output followed the same trends with net returns, but the RP had the largest energy use efficiency, energy productivity carbon efficiency and carbon sustainability among treatments. Therefore, the RP was an effective substitution for well–irrigated planting strategy for achieving sustained agricultural development in dry semi-humid areas.

Straw incorporation with ridge–furrow plastic film mulch alters soil fungal community and increases maize yield in a semiarid region of China

The Loess Plateau is a typical dry farming area in China. Film mulching—a widely used practice in this region—can be further deplete the poor soil organic matter levels. Straw incorporation can alleviate the adverse environmental impact of film mulching and increase crop yield. However, few studies have investigated the effects of continuous straw incorporation with film mulching on the soil fungal community in the Loess Plateau of China. This study compared the effects of straw incorporation (S) and without straw incorporation (NS) under ridge–furrow plastic film mulch on fungal community structure, fungal network structure, soil quality, and maize yield in a four-year experiment. At the end of the experiment, the soil under S had greater soil fungal richness than the soil under NS. The fungal community had greater stability and complexity and more competition and cooperation between fungi under S than NS. The stochastic process played a stronger role in constructing the fungal community under NS than S. Continuous straw incorporation changed the key dominant species from Agaricomycetes, Dothideomycetes, and Leotiomycetes under NS to Ascomycetes under S. The pathogenic fungal population significantly increased by 166% under S. Changes in the soil fungal community under S were mainly affected by increasing soil moisture, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen. Continuous straw incorporation improved soil quality with increased soil urease and catalase activities and soil organic carbon and available phosphorus contents. In four years, S significantly increased the maize yield by 4–15% compared with NS treatment. In sum, continuous straw incorporation changed the fungal community composition, improved the relationships between fungal communities and soil quality, contributing to the increased maize yield under S. The results of this study could promote the sustainable development of agriculture, which has great significance for the wider application of straw incorporation in China and elsewhere.

Stable oxygen isotope analysis of the water uptake mechanism via the roots in spring maize under the ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting system in a semi-arid region

Root water uptake plays an important role in plant growth and the water cycle in ecosystems, and it is greatly affected by the morphology and spatial distribution of the roots. The ridge–furrow rainwater harvesting system (RFRH) is an effective strategy in semi-arid regions, but the mechanism of spring maize root water uptake remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a two-year experiment in a semi-arid region of northwestern China to study the soil water content (SWC), spring maize root morphology and spatial distribution, and water uptake in different root zones using the 18-oxygen stable isotope (δ18O) under RFRH. The root zones were investigated in three locations around a maize plant: (1) ridge (RF-R), (2) border of the ridge and furrow (RF-B), and (3) furrow (RF-F). The results showed that RFRH changed the symmetrical soil water distribution in the maize rows and significantly increased the SWC in RF-F, especially in the shallow soil profile (0–60 cm), which where the enhanced root growth in the shallower soil layers (0–40 cm) under RF-F and the roots reached deeper into the soil under RF-R. The roots reached deeper to absorb water as they developed vertically in the advanced of growth stage. The contributions of different soil layers to the total soil water uptake in the root zone exhibited a similar trend to the root proportion according to δ18O analysis. In the filling stage, the maize roots under RF-R and RF-B acquired 64.1% and 65.8% of the water from the 40–60 cm layer in 2018, respectively, and 74.5% and 65.5% in 2019, whereas the amounts under RF-F were 49.9% and 27.6% from the 40–60 cm layer, and 30% and 53.9% from the 20–40 cm layer in 2018 and 2019. Thus, spring maize root water uptake was positively correlated with the root distribution, and the roots under the furrow absorbed more water from the shallower soil layers than the ridge, and less from the deeper soil layers than the ridge.

Ridge-furrow configuration significantly improves soil water availability, crop water use efficiency, and grain yield in dryland agroecosystems of the Loess Plateau

The ridge-furrow rainfall harvesting system (RFRHS) is an in-situ rainfall collection and utilization technique that has been widely adopted in global arid and semiarid farming areas because of its significant benefits to soil water availability and crop yield. However, the integrated effects of different ridge-furrow configurations on rainwater collection and crop performance are still lacking. Using a specialized database drawn from field experiments in the Loess Plateau, we examined the regional effects of three typical ridge-furrow configurations, namely high (>1:1), uniform (=1:1), and low (<1:1) ridge-furrow ratios, on soil water storage, crop water use efficiency (WUE), and grain yield. The high ridge-furrow ratio achieved the greatest improvements in soil water storage than the other two ratios. Compared with traditional flat planting without ridge-furrow configuration, crop yield and WUE were significantly increased by 37.65%, 27.12%, 31.70%, and 47.70%, 30.00%, and 17.80% under high, uniform, and low ridge-furrow ratios, respectively. Improvements in crop yield and WUE due to the different ridge-furrow configurations were jointly affected by climate, soil organic matter, and fertilizer application. The mean annual precipitation of 600 mm and the mean annual temperature of 12 ℃ can be used as the threshold for selecting the ratio of ridge–furrow. An increase in soil organic matter gradually declined the increase in grain yield and WUE owing to the three ridge–furrow ratios, such that the maximum effect was found for the high ridge–furrow ratio. Among the three ratios, the improvements in crop yield and WUE were most notable when the application rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer were 100–200 kg ha−1 and 101–125 kg ha−1, respectively. This study examined the scientific basis of a ridge–furrow farming practice for enhancing rainfall use and crop WUE; thus, these results offer novel insights for the optimized design of a ridge–furrow ratio in dryland agroecosystems of the Loess Plateau by taking into account site-based climatic conditions, soil fertility, and fertilization input level.

Evaluation of cultivation methods, surface, and deep soil water use of maize in a semi-arid environment in China

ABSTRACT Whether continuous ridge–furrow plastic film mulch (PM) and flat planting with PM is sustainable for soil water status and yield remain unknown. The study investigated effects of ridge–furrow PM applied in spring (RFMS) or autumn (RFMA), flat planting with no mulch (CK), flat planting with 60% mulch in spring (MS) or autumn (MA) on soil water and maize yield from 2016 to 2019. High yields in RFMA resulted from high soil water storage (SWS) consumption in 0–220 cm soil layer during the growing season, with main water supply for early plant growth coming from 0 to 80 cm layer and can be recovered from rainfall during later in the growing season. From 80 to 220 cm, SWS declined during growing season but recovered during next fallow season. The 2016 growing season had the lowest precipitation, and RFMA and MA had significantly more deep soil water consumption, which was replenished to normal levels in the following fallow season of 2016–2017. After four growing seasons, all PM treatments did not reduce deep soil water, compared to CK, or follow a declining trend over time, i.e., continuous cultivation with PM on Loess Plateau did not reduce soil water status.

Evaluation of Different Drainage Systems and Sowing Dates for Improving Wheat Productivity on Vertisols of Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Water logging is a challenge to crop productivity under the rain fed system on Vertisols of central highlands of Ethiopia. Using appropriate drainage system and manipulating planting dates can reduce the effect of water logging and improve productivity of Vertisols of the area. The current field experiment was conducted to evaluate four different drainage systems ( Dry planting, Ridge &Furrow (RF), Broad Bed Maker( BBM) and Flat bed) and five sowing dates (Mid may, Early June, Mid-late June, Mid July and Late August ) in improving productivity of wheat crop on vertisol of central highlands of Ethiopia under rain fed condition during the main cropping season. The treatments of the experiment were the systematic combination of four drainage systems and five planting dates. The experiment was conducted at three locations (Ginchi on station, Sheno and Sodo dache on farm) on Vertisols of central highlands of Ethiopia. Analysis of variance indicated that some of wheat Yield related parameters (Plant height, spike length, biomass yield and grain yield ) tasted were significantly (p<0.05) affected by different drainage systems and sowing dates. According to this research trial, Out of seven treatments tasted T 2 (Early June + Dry plating) provide the highest grain yield 2214.7Kg/ha, 2230kg/ha and 8253kg/ha was recorded at Ginchi, sodo dache and sheno sites respectively. As vertisols in Ethiopia exist in different agro-climatic conditions in the country and show a considerable variability the research should be repeated and be supported with the long term local weather and soil data in order to determine drainage systems and sowing dates for a specific locations of vertisol areas. Keywords: Vertislol, Drainage system, planting date, Yield, Wheat DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-19-05 Publication date: October 31 st 2020

Water management increased rhizosphere redox potential and decreased Cd uptake in a low-Cd rice cultivar but decreased redox potential and increased Cd uptake in a high-Cd rice cultivar under intercropping

Excessive Cd in crop grains is toxic to humans. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of intercropping on rice yield and grain Cd content as well as a pot experiment to compare the rhizosphere redox potentials of low-Cd ‘Zhuliangyou 189’ and the neighboring high-Cd ‘Changxianggu’ that mediated Cd uptake in a flooded or a ridge–furrow system. In the field experiment, Cd removal from contaminated soil in intercropping was 1.44 times higher than that in monoculture of Zhuliangyou 189. In both Zhuliangyou 189 and Changxianggu, intercropping improved the grain yield and decreased grain Cd content. In the pot experiment, Fe plaque amount was strongly and positively correlated with bulk soil Fe(II) content, root H2O2 concentration, and Fe(II)-oxidizing ability of root bacteria but negatively correlated with Fe(II)-oxidizing ability of bulk soil bacteria and root Cd content. In Zhuliangyou 189, intercropping increased root H2O2 concentration, rhizosphere redox potential, iron plaque amount but decreased Cd bioavailability, Fe(II)-oxidizing ability of bulk soil bacteria, and organ Cd content. In the flooded system, Zhuliangyou 189 showed higher bulk soil Fe(II) content than Changxianggu. In the ridge–furrow system, ridges decreased the Fe(II)-oxidizing ability of root and bulk soil bacteria, thereby decreasing Fe plaque amount and increasing organ Cd content of rice. In both monoculture and intercropping systems, rice cultivars planted on ridges showed higher Cd bioavailability and lower bulk boil Fe(II) content than those planted in furrows.

Spatial-temporal distribution of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots and water use efficiency under ridge–furrow dual mulching

In dryland agricultural production areas, knowledge on the growth and variation of winter wheat root systems under different mulching methods is important for guiding winter wheat production. We conducted a two-year field trial to explore the effects of different mulching practices on the spatial-temporal distribution of root growth, soil water storage, and grain yield. Four cultivation practices were tested: (i) traditional flat planting (CK), (ii) flat planting with half-film mulching (M1), (iii) ridge–furrow planting with film mulching over ridges only (M2), and (iv) ridge–furrow planting with film mulching over ridges and wheat straw mulching in furrows (M3). The results showed that the root diameter (RD), root length density (RLD), and root surface area density (RSD) of wheat under the four treatments were mainly concentrated in the 0–40 cm soil layer. The mean RLD in the 0–40 cm soil layer accounted for 62.2 %, 61.0 %, 59.3 %, and 55.8 % of the total root length density under M3, M2, M1, and CK, respectively, at maturity in both years. The M3 cultivation method produced the maximum values for RD, RLD, and RSD among all cultivation practices and the highest water storage efficiency after the three precipitation events. The M3 treatment had 11.1 %, 15.4 %, and 38.4 % higher mean grain yields than M2, M1, and CK, respectively, over the two-year study. Soil water storage had positive correlations with RD, RLD, and RSD. The RD, RLD, and RSD in the 0–40 cm soil layer had strong positive correlations with yield components, yield, aboveground biomass, and water use efficiency (WUE). Based on this study, ridge–furrow planting with film mulching over ridges and wheat straw mulching in furrows is an effective, sustainable cultivation method for wheat production in rainfed regions, which can increase the spatial-temporal distribution of root systems and soil water content across the root zones to increase crop production and WUE.

Dual plastic film and straw mulching boosts wheat productivity and soil quality under the El Nino in semiarid Kenya

The extreme climate events such as El Nino seriously threaten crop production and agro-ecological sustainability because of the aggravated environmental stresses worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of dual plastic film and straw mulching in ridge-furrow (RF) system on wheat productivity, soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in a semiarid area in Kenya from 2015 to 2017. The experimental site represents a typical semiarid continental monsoon climate, and soil type is chromic vertisols. Field experiment with randomized block design consisted of six RF treatments as follows: 1) dual black plastic film and straw mulching (RFbS), 2) dual transparent plastic film and straw mulching (RFtS), 3) sole black plastic film mulching (RFb), 4) sole transparent plastic mulching RF (RFt), 5) sole straw mulching (RFS) and 6) no mulching (CK). The results indicated that seasonal dynamics of rainfall and air temperature fit in with the weather type of El Nino over four growing seasons. RFbS, RFtS, RFb and RFt significantly increased soil water storage (SWS), topsoil temperature, aboveground biomass, grain yield and water use efficiency across four growing seasons (p < 0.05) as compared with CK. Among all the treatments, RFbS and RFtS achieved the greatest SWS, AgB, grain yield and WUE, owing to improved soil hydro-thermal status in both treatments. Critically, RFbS and RFtS significantly improved soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, soil bulk density and the C:N ratio following four growing seasons, comparing with other treatments (p < 0.05). Besides, RFbS and RFtS gave the highest economic returns among all treatments. For the first time, we found that dual plastic film and straw mulching could serve as a sustainable land management to boost wheat productivity and improve soil quality under El Nino in semiarid areas of SSA.

Plastic Film Mulching Sustains High Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield and Maintains Soil Water Balance in Semiarid Environment

Ridge–furrow cultivation with plastic film mulching has been widely used for many years to increase crop yields in semiarid regions. The long-term effects of plastic mulching on crop yield and soil water balance need to be seriously considered to assess the sustainability of this widely used field management technique. A seven-year maize field experiment was conducted during 2012–2018 to estimate the yield sustainability and soil water balance with two treatments—mulching (yes; no) and nitrogen fertilization (yes; no). This resulted in the following four groups—no film mulching, no N application (M0N0); film mulching, no N application (M1N0); no film mulching, N application (M0N1); film mulching and N application (M1N1). Our results show that plastic mulching significantly increased maize yield. A combination of mulching and nitrogen application had the highest sustainability yield index (SYI) of 0.75, which was higher than the other three treatments, with SYI values of 0.31, 0.33, and 0.39, respectively. Plastic film mulching increased soil water content and water storage in both the sowing and harvesting periods and did not cause the formation of dry soil layers. Precipitation storage efficiency (PSE) in the nongrowing season played a key role in maintaining the soil water balance and it was positively affected by plastic film mulching. Our research indicates that plastic mulching and N application could maintain maize yield sustainability and the soil water balance of agriculture in semiarid regions. In addition, we highlight the importance of nongrowing season precipitation, and thus, we suggest that mulching the field land with plastic film throughout the whole year should be adopted by farmers to store more precipitation, which is important to crop growth.

Review on Effect of Different Irrigation Method on Water Use Efficiency, Yield Productivity and Nitrogen Application

From these investigation I have been reviewed different conclusions raised by investigators depend on deferent parameters and irrigation method. From the study the parameter taken under consideration are crop morphological characters (plant height, stem girth, cobs, fruit per plant, and leaves per plant e.tc), yield (kgha -1 ), water productivity (kgha -1 ) and water use efficiency. The study applies different irrigation method to compare its crop morphological characters (plant height, stem girth, cobs, fruit per plant, and leaves per plant e.tc), yield (kgha -1 ), water productivity (kgha -1 ) and water use efficiency these irrigation method are convention surface irrigation, furrow irrigation, double ridge furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, surface drip irrigation (SDI), subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) and drip irrigation under different pipeline. In these literature I have been recommend than first yield and growth parameters of the crop depend on the fertility of the soil, chemical fertilizer and physical properties of the rather than irrigation method, therefore, the researchers should be consider these factors. Secondly Water productivity and water use efficiency also depend on soil physical properties, environmental condition, and conveyance system of irrigation and cropping season in addition to irrigation method. Keywords: yield, irrigation, productivity, crop DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-8-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Plastic-film mulch cropping increases mineral-associated organic carbon accumulation in maize cropped soils as revealed by natural 13C/12C ratio signature

Plastic-film mulch is used for increasing soil temperature and reducing water evaporation to enhance productivity in semiarid regions worldwide; however, its effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) level and stability are not clear. We tested hypotheses that increasing soil temperature and moisture by plastic-film mulch with an increase of carbon input would increase the accumulation of heavy-fraction SOC (HFOC) and decrease the mineralization potential of HFOC. Soils were sampled at 0–45 cm depth from four treatments: (i) no mulch and no straw incorporation, (ii) mulch only, (iii) straw incorporation only, and (iv) straw incorporation plus mulch. All treatments were cultivated with C4 maize (Zea mays L.) under ridge–furrow management continuously for nine years in a field previously planted with C3 crops in a cold environment. Proportionately to the increased aboveground biomass, root biomass in the 0–20 cm depth increased under mulch compared to no mulch. Nine years later, mulch reduced both maize-derived (new) and C3-crop-derived (old) light-fraction SOC (LFOC) stocks only at 0–15 cm soil depth compared to no mulch, regardless of whether straw was incorporated or not, reflecting the increased decomposition due to increased temperature and moisture in mulched soils. Mulch increased new HFOC stock at 0–30 cm soil depth relative to no mulch. These indicated that the faster decomposition of labile LFOC with increasing plant input under mulch relative to no mulch was paralleled by an enhancement in the accumulation of stable HFOC in mulched soils. Mulch enhanced the benefits of straw incorporation in terms of increasing the accumulation of new HFOC. Over nine years, the average sequestration rate of new HFOC at 0–45 cm soil depth was 204 (±18) and 266 (±10) kg ha−1 yr−1 without and with mulch, respectively, in non-straw-incorporated plots, and 514 (±14) and 752 (±18) kg ha−1 yr−1 without and with mulch, respectively, in straw-incorporated plots. Old HFOC was unaffected by mulch or straw incorporation. Overall, mulch did not change the total SOC storage in the top 45-cm soil. Mulch decreased the mineralization potential of new HFOC under laboratory incubation compared to no mulch, indicating that the new HFOC was more decomposed in mulched soils. We concluded that increasing soil temperature and moisture by using plastic-film mulch with high plant input increases the accumulation of stable HFOC in maize croplands.

Hybrid Phytoremediation: an Ultimate Bio-Solution for Leachate

&lt;p&gt;In the recent era, utmost attention is paid towards exploring the alternative source of energies, being more specific green energies. In modern days, when growing energy scarcity is a hot topic and considered as a global threat, in that context a green technology capable of sustainably addressing waste management issues and synthesize waste-derived end-product such bio-diesel from Jatropha Curcas linnaeus (JCL) and Chlorella vulgaris shall be paid ancillary attention. The attribution of the above-mentioned species and Lemnagibba L towards the purification of the municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate by utilizing its bioaccumulation properties and ultimately yielding several value-added co-products could be the solution of the era in terms of sustainable leachate treatment. A specially designed ridge furrow phytoremediation wetland was fabricated under the controlled environment associated with a pre-treatment facility and bottom lining system to captivate the downward percolation. A 1.5 m high Jatropha species were planted at an interval of 1 m on the ridges and the root for the same found to reach a depth of 0.8 m on an average over a period of 3 months. Leachate was supplied by means of free flow into the furrows with an initial addition rate of 1 m3 per day for a 10 m x 10 m remediation hybrid pond system and simultaneously the loading was elevated up to 80 m3/ha/day. Prior to the active remediation zone, a pre-treatment unit was installed which works on the bio-accumulation property of the vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides). A packed bed system of gravel, marble chips, sand, and coconut coir as a medium of filtration was installed to bring the concentrate waste juice up to the wetland treatment standard. Moreover, the bleaching influence of the sunlight also found to be effective against pathogen removal, active evaporation, and evapotranspiration. The ultimate treatment capacity for the designated size was assessed as ~ 0.03 m3 per day ascertained with an HRT value of 45 days. The ultimate outcome was on par with the influent characteristics obligatory for the tertiary units with a comprehensive efficacy value evaluated as approx. 60%. Thus, it’s quite evident to claim the feasibility of the present study towards the bio-remediation of the enormous quantity of leachate generation associated with the handling of solid waste which is otherwise, a costly affair.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D;