Tillage Fertilization Research Articles

Effects of slow or controlled release fertilizer types and fertilization modes on yield and quality of rice

There is limited information about the influence of slow or controlled release fertilizer (S/CRF) on rice yield and quality. In this study, japonica rice cultivar Nanjing 9108 was used to study the effects of three different S/CRFs (polymer-coated urea (PCU), sulfur-coated urea (SCU), and urea formaldehyde (UF)) and two fertilization modes (both S/CRF and common urea (CU) as basal fertilizer, S/CRF as basal and CU as tillering fertilizer) on rice yield and quality. CU only was applied separately as control (CK). Results showed that, rice grain yield, chalky kernel rate, chalky area, overall chalkiness, and the content of gliadin, glutenin, and protein, all showed the trends of UF>PCU>SCU within the same fertilization mode, and showed the trends of S/CRF as basal and CU as tillering fertilizer>both S/CRF and CU as basal fertilizer within the same type of S/CRF. In contrast, the contents of amylose, amylopectin, and starch, as well as taste value, and peak and hot viscosity showed trends of SCU>PCU>UF, and the trends of both S/CRF and CU as basal fertilizer>S/CRF as basal and CU as tillering fertilizer. Among S/CRF treatments and fertilization modes, taste values of cooked rice were positively correlated with amylose, amylopectin, and starch contents, as well as gel consistency, peak viscosity, hot viscosity, and cool viscosity, while negatively correlated with globulin, gliadin, glutenin, and protein contents. The types of S/CRF and fertilization modes are important for improving rice yield and quality. Compared to CK, higher yield and similar quality of rice was achieved with UF as basal and CU as tillering fertilizer, and similar yield with improved appearance and eating and cooking quality of rice was achieved with either both UF and CU as basal fertilizer, or PCU as basal and CU as tillering fertilizer.

Effects of wheat straw mulch application and nitrogen management on rice root growth, dry matter accumulation and rice quality in soils of different fertility

The root is the most sensitive part of the plant. This study examined the effects of wheat straw mulch, nitrogen (N) management and soil fertility on rice root morphology, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and rice quality and explored the correlation between root morphology and rice quality indexes. Wheat straw mulch had an obvious inhibitory effect on rice root morphology, especially on the total root length and total root surface area at 20 days after transplanting in the high- and low-fertility soil. The low-fertility soil treatments had higher levels of inhibition. However, straw mulch significantly promoted root growth, increased dry matter accumulation in the subsequent growth periods and improved the grain yield and rice quality, which mainly reduced the percentage of chalky kernels and the chalkiness degree. Increasing the nitrogen fertilizer percentage applied as a basal or tillering fertilizer reduced the inhibition in the early growth period; for balanced rice root growth, dry matter accumulation, grain yield and rice quality, 30% as basal fertilizer, 30% as tillering fertilizer and 40% as panicle fertilizer were the best N management strategy. Correlation analysis showed that the rice quality was extremely significantly positively correlated (r = 0.30–0.59, P < 0.05) with the root morphology indexes of the brown rice and protein contents and was significantly or extremely negatively correlated (r = − 0.73 to − 0.28, P < 0.05) with the length–width ratio, percentage of chalky kernels, chalkiness degree and amylose content.

Effect of N Fertilization Pattern on Rice Yield, N Use Efficiency and Fertilizer-N Fate in the Yangtze River Basin, China.

High N loss and low N use efficiency (NUE), caused by high N fertilizer inputs and inappropriate fertilization patterns, have become important issues in the rice (Oryza sativa L.) growing regions of southern China. Changing current farmer fertilizer practice (FFP, 225 kg ha–1 N as three applications, 40% as basal fertilizer, 30% as tillering fertilizer and 30% as jointing fertilizer) to one—time root—zone fertilization (RZF, 225 kg ha–1 N applied once into 10 cm deep holes positioned 5 cm from the rice root as basal fertilizer) will address this problem. A two—year field experiment covering two rice growing regions was conducted to investigate the effect of urea one—time RZF on rice growth, nutrient uptake, and NUE. The highest NH4+–N content for RZF at fertilizer point at 30 d and 60 d after fertilization were 861.8 and 369.9 mg kg–1 higher than FFP, respectively. Rice yield and total N accumulation of RZF increased by 4.3–44.9% and 12.7–111.2% compared to FFP, respectively. RZF reduced fertilizer—N loss by 56.3–81.9% compared to FFP. The NUEs following RZF (mean of 65.8% for the difference method and 43.7% for the labelled method) were significantly higher than FFP (mean of 35.7% for the difference method and 14.4% for the labelled method). In conclusion, RZF maintained substantial levels of fertilizer—N in the root—zone, which led to enhanced rice biomass and N uptake during the early growth stages, increased fertilizer—N residual levels and reduced fertilizer—N loss at harvest. RZF produced a higher yield increment and showed an increased capacity to resist environmental threats than FFP in sandy soils. Therefore, adopting suitable fertilizer patterns plays a key role in enhancing agricultural benefits.

Long-term rice rotation, tillage, and fertility effects on near-surface chemical properties in a silt-loam soil

A majority of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) produced in the United States occurs on alluvial soils in the lower Mississippi River Valley, lower coastal plains of Louisiana and Texas, and in the Sacramento River Valley of California. Rice is a staple grain of global importance, so ensuring the sustainability of rice production systems is vital to feeding the world’s population and protecting economic livelihoods. Therefore, a study was conducted at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, Arkansas to evaluate the long-term effects of rice-based crop rotations [with corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)], tillage (conventional and no-tillage), and soil fertility treatments (optimal and sub-optimal) after 11 years (1999–2010) on soil organic matter (SOM) content, soil pH, and Mehlich-3 extractable nutrient contents in the top 10 cm of a Dewitt silt loam (fine, smectitic, thermic, Typic Albaqualf). Results revealed increases in SOM (9–14 %) and extractable Mn (68–220 %), Fe (82 %), and Na (37–76 %) contents in most tillage–fertility–rotation treatments over time. Soil P (fourfold to eightfold) and K (twofold to threefold) contents increased in rotations with wheat and soil pH (9 %) increased under sub-optimal fertility. In contrast, extractable Ca (22 %), S (30 %), and Cu (27 %) contents decreased over time in all treatment combinations and Zn (twofold) contents decreased under continuous rice. Understanding the decadal effects field management practices have on soil chemical properties will provide insight into the longer-term economic and environmental sustainability of rice-based cropping systems.

Effect of fertilizer management on rice yield, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen based on utilizing the milk vetch

A four-year(2008–2011) long term experiment was carried out to study the effects of different chemical fertilizer management on rice yield,paddy economic benefits,total nitrogen(N) accumulation,soil carbon(C) and nitrogen under the utilization of milk vetch(22 500 kg/hm2).The results were as follows: ①Compared with farmers’ fertilizer practice(FFP),fertilizers application delayed appropriately could increase rice yields.Among all treatments,treatments of 20% or 40% chemical fertilizer cut down could only increase 2.37% and 3.34% grain yield respectively than that of combined treatment of basal fertilizer + tillering fertilizer + panicle fertilizer(the ratio was 3∶4∶3)(Treat1),which was followed by the treatment of basal fertilizer + tillering fertilizer + panicle fertilizer(the ratio was 0∶7∶3)(Treat2).②The appropriate postponed fertilizers application could increase rice output value.Treat1 could increase 3.0% average annual output value,followed by Treat2.③The fertilizers application time postponed could improve total nitrogen accumulation in rice(TNA),N grain production efficiency(NGPE),N partial factor productivity(NPF) and N harvest index(NHI).Treat1was the best one in improving TNA,NGPE,NPF and NHI among all treatments.④The retarded fertilizers application could also increase the content of soil organic carbon(SOC) and soil total nitrogen(TN).Treat1 had the best effect in improving SOC and TN.Through the above comparison,the appropriate retarded use of combined fertilizers,which was composed of 30% basal fertilizer + 40% tillering fertilizer and 30% panicle fertilizer was a better approach for increasing rice yield and for enhancing soil fertility under the condition of utilizing milk vetch.

Subdivision of Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Rice Based on 15 N Tracer

The nitrogen(N) uptake, and N use efficiencies(NUE) at different rice growth stages(i.e. during basal, tillering and panicle fertilizations) were studied using 15 N isotope tracing. A two-year field experiment with two N rates and two distribution ratios was conducted using two different high-yielding rice cultivars Wuyunjing 23(japonica) and Y-Liangyou 2(hybrid indica). A sub-plot of 15 N isotope tracing experiment with three duplications under the same treatment was also set up in the field. The results revealed that basal nitrogen absorbed by rice was only 1.5%–11.5% before tillering fertilization(eight days after transplanting), 6.6%–24.9% from tillering fertilization to panicle fertilization, and little after panicle fertilization. The overall recovery efficiency of basal N(NUEB) was low and ranged from 9.1% to 22.8%, not significantly affected by different cultivars and N treatments. Tillering fertilizer N was mainly absorbed from tillering fertilization to panicle fertilization, and no longer had effect after panicle fertilization. NUE of tillering N fertilizer(NUET) was 17%–34%, which is almost the same as that of basal fertilizer. NUET of Y-Liangyou 2 was higher than that of Wuyunjing 23. Compared with basal and tillering N fertilizers, NUE of panicle N fertilizer(NUEP) was the highest with a value of 54.0%–82.1%, and Wuyunjing 23 had lower NUE than Y-Liangyou 2. The whole NUE in the entire growth period of all N fertilizers decreased with the increase of N application rate, and varied from 32% to 64%. Among the total N uptake of rice, the contribution was 4.13%–10.59%(average 6.92%) for basal N fertilizer, 3.98%–11.75%(average 7.58%) for tillering fertilizer, 13.32%–37.56%(average 26.02%) for panicle fertilizer, and 45.71%–70.83%(average 59.91%) for the soil. The experiment also revealed that the more the basal and tillering fertilizers applied, the lower the total NUE. It is suggested that rice N management, the N absorption and utilization from fertilizer applied at different stages should be considered to improve the NUE of rice, and ensure the hig yield while avoid the N loss.

甬优12单产12 t/hm2以上关键栽培技术探讨

本文根据甬优12的特征特性，采用水稻精确定量栽培技术时，开展不同施氮量、不同基蘖肥比穗肥比例、不同移栽密度、氮肥不同基蘖肥和穗肥的比例，及穗肥中促花肥和保花肥的比例的研究，探索甬优12单产12.0 t/hm2以上的关键栽培技术措施着重分析了各因子不同水平对甬优12生育过程中群体和个体动态。结果显示，1) 分蘖最高苗和有效穗随着氮化肥用量的提高而增加；每穗总粒数、实粒数随着基蘖肥和穗肥的比例的提高而提高，但结实率略有降低；2) 剑叶长度和宽度均随着氮化肥用量或穗肥比例的提高而增长，剑叶长度和宽度与产量成正相关；3) 产量在氮化肥用量240 kg/hm2，基蘖肥和穗肥比为4:6的情况下，最高为13.31 t/hm2。本研究结果表明，甬优12单产12.0 t/hm2以上的关键栽培技术措施是：播种期以5月中旬中期至下旬中期为好，在施足有机肥（有机氮78.75 kg/hm2）基础上，氮化肥用量180 kg/hm2~300 kg/hm2，移栽密度12万丛/hm2~21万丛/hm2，氮肥基蘖肥比穗肥5:5~4:6，穗肥中促花肥和保花肥的比例为6:4~4:6，氮:磷:钾为1:0.5:1，磷肥在基肥施用时全部施入，钾肥重点施在分蘖肥和促花肥。 According to the characteristics of Yongyou 12, using rice precise quantitative cultivation techniques, this paper studies the different nitrogen application rate, different fat tillers, different proportion of earing fertilizer, transplanting density, nitrogen fertilizer under different tillers in ratio between fat earing fertilizer and earing fertilizer, and the ratio between promoting fertilizer and protecting fertilizer. The paper aims to explore the key cultivation techniques of the Yongyou 12 yield more than 12.0 t/hm2, and focuses on the analysis of various factors in group and the growth process of the individual dynamic of Yongyou 12. The results show that 1) the highest tillering seedling and the effective spikes will increase with the nitrogen fertilizer increasing and the number of every spikelets per panicle and the filled grain will increase with the ratio of Base-Tiller fertilizer increasing, but the rate of seed setting decreases slightly. 2) The length and width of sword leaves grow longer and wider with nitrogen fertilizer dosage and the percentage of panicle fertilizer increasing, the length and width of sword leaves are proportional to the yield. 3) Under the conditions of 240 kg/hm2 of nitrogen fertilizer, 4:6 of the ratio between tiller fertilizer and the panicle fertilizer, the yield can get as high as 13.31 t/hm2. The results of this study indicate that, the key cultivation techniques for Yongyou 12 yielding more than 12.0 t/hm2 are following: the best time of sowing is in mid-May to late metaphase; based on the sufficient organic fertilizer (78.75 kg/hm2 of organic nitrogen), the dosage of nitrogenous fertilizer should better be180 kg/hm2 to300 kg/hm2; the transplanting density should better be 120,000 bundle/hm2 - 210,000 bundle/hm2; the ratio of nitrogen of Base-Tiller fertilizer and panicle fertilizer is 5:5 - 4:6; the ratio between promoting fertilizer and protecting fertilizer is 6:4 - 4:6, N:P:K is 1:0.5:1; all the phosphate fertilizer apply to the starter; and potassium fertilizer focus on applying to the tillering fertilizer and promoting fertilizer.

Nitrogen fertilization but not soil tillage affects nitrous oxide emissions from a clay loam soil under a maize–soybean rotation

Conversion of agricultural systems from conventional to no tillage practices usually increases soil carbon storage. However, adoption of no tillage may increase emissions of N 2O, a very potent greenhouse gas. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of tillage (mouldboard plough [MP] and no-tillage [NT]) and three mineral N application rates (0, 80 and 160 kg N ha −1) on annual and biennial (2004–2005) N 2O fluxes. The experiment was organized using a split-plot design using tillage as the main plots and fertilizer rates as the sub-plot. The site was an artificially drained and therefore well structured humic gleysol near Montreal QC, on a maize ( Zea mays L.)–soybean ( Glycine max L.) rotation. Emissions (April–November) ranged from 1.0 to 2.5 kg N 2O–N ha −1. Throughout both years tillage had no effect ( P > 0.05) on N 2O emissions. During 2004, under maize cultivation, N 2O emissions increased with the N fertilization rate ( P < 0.001). Between 0.9 and 1.3% of applied fertilizer N was lost as N 2O–N, similar to the IPCC estimate of 1%. There was also no significant interaction between tillage and N fertilization rate on N 2O emissions during either year ( P = 0.79). During the second year, under soybean cultivation, no N fertilizer was applied. As N 2O emissions from the different fertilizer treatments were similar ( P = 0.99), we concluded that there was no carry-over effect of the fertilization applied to maize in the previous year. Yield-based N 2O emissions were similar between the different tillage types ( P = 0.63 and 0.12 for 2004 and 2005, respectively) and fertilization rates ( P = 0.30 and 0.84 for 2004 and 2005, respectively) and ranged from 17.0 to 22.7 g N 2O–N kg −1 N export in 2004 and 6.6 to 12.8 g N 2O–N kg −1 N export in 2005. Overall our results indicate that for this well-drained soil: (i) N fertilizer applications increased N 2O emissions, supporting the use of IPCC-type emission factors; and (ii) soil tillage and the tillage–fertilization interaction had no measurable effect, consistent with previous reports that tillage of well-aerated agricultural soils has little effect on N 2O emissions.

Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics in the Pendleton Long‐Term Experiments: Implications for Biofuel Production in Pacific Northwest

Use of crop residues for biofuel production raises concerns on how removal will impact soil organic carbon (SOC). Information on the effects on SOC is limited and requires long‐term experimentation. Fortunately, Pendleton long‐term experiments (LTEs), dating to the 1930s, provide some answers. This study compared crop residue inputs and SOC balance in conventional tillage (CT) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer fallow (WW‐SF) systems with annual rotation of WW and spring pea (Pisum sativum L.). The WW‐SF consisted of crop residue (CR‐LTE) (0–90 N ha−1 yr−1, 11.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 of steer (Bos taurus) manure and 1.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1of pea vines additions, residue burning, and tillage fertility (TF‐LTE) (tillage‐ plow, disc, sweep, and N (0–180 kg ha−1)). Winter wheat–pea (WP‐LTE) rotation treatments included maxi‐till (MT‐disc/chisel), fall plow (FP), spring plow (SP), and no‐till (NT). Soils were sampled (0–60‐cm depth) at 10‐yr intervals, and grain yield and residue data collected every year. In WW‐SF systems, SOC was maintained only by manure addition and depleted at a rate of 0.22 to 0.42 Mg ha−1 yr−1 in other treatments. In WP‐LTE, MT, FP, SP, and NT treatments increased SOC at the rate of 0.10, 0.11, 0.02, and 0.89 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Minimum straw biomass to maintain soil organic carbon (MSB) in the CR‐LTE, TF‐LTE, and WP‐LTE was 7.8, 5.8, and 5.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Winter wheat‐SF straw production was lower than MSB, therefore residue removal exacerbated SOC decline. Harvesting straw residues under NT continuous cropping systems is possible when MSB and conservation requirements are exceeded.

Research progress of improvement and utilization of saline and alkali soil.

Because of its characteristics such as high pH value，high-salt content，poor structure and low fertility，saline and alkali soil has harmful effect on both plant growth and eco-environment. Therefore，it is important to improve and utilize the saline and alkali soil. According to the relevant research in China and abroad，this paper reviewed the main causes of the saline and alkali soil，including soil parent material，texture，landform，neotectonics，hydrological condition，human activities，and analyzed biotechnologies such as germplasm screening，distant hybridization and genetic engineering as well as non-biological technologies including tillage fertilization，covering technique，hydraulic measures，chemical measures and electro-magnetic methods. And suggestions are raised，namely further improving regional salt forecast system and giving play to plant-microorganism combined bioremediation for the soil.［Ch，52 ref.］

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks in Nepal long-term soil fertility experiments

Loss of organic C from tilled agricultural soils has generated interest in C-sequestration in soils. The effects of nutrient and organic inputs on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks were studied in three 23–25-year-old long-term conventional tillage fertility experiments (LTFEs) in the Nepal terai. The sites differed in soil texture and were cropped annually to rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Treatments were control (unfertilized), recommended NPK, and farmyard manure (FYM; 4 Mg dry wt./crop) at all sites, plus FYM (4 Mg ha−1 year−1) or chopped wheat straw (8 Mg dry wt. ha−1 year−1) plus N to rice and NPK to wheat at Parwanipur. Small areas of unfertilized grassland created at the same time as the LTFEs were sampled to provide a no-tillage comparison. Soil samples were collected at 15 cm intervals to a depth of 60 cm.

Effect of timing of joint application of hydroquinone and dicyandiamide on nitrous oxide emission from irrigated lowland rice paddy field

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of timing of joint application of urease inhibitor hydroquinone (HQ) and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on N 2O emission from irrigated lowland rice paddy field. Four treatments including Treatment CK (the control with urea alone), HQ/DCD-1 (application of HQ and DCD together with fertilizer before transplanting), HQ/DCD-2 (HQ and DCD with fertilizer at tillering stage) and HQ/DCD-3 (HQ and DCD with fertilizer at panicle initiation stage) were designed and implemented separately during rice growth period. Seasonal peaks of N 2O flux occurred during midseason drainage and significant negative correlation between N 2O flux and water layer depth was observed ( r = −0.69 to −0.75, P < 0.01). Mean N 2O flux was the highest in the control with urea alone, while joint addition of HQ and DCD with urea lowered mean N 2O flux considerably ( P < 0.05). Total N 2O emission during rice growth season in Treatment CK, HQ/DCD-1, HQ/DCD-2 and HQ/DCD-3 was 3.90, 2.98, 1.73 and 3.23 kg N 2O–N ha −1, respectively. Application of HQ and DCD together with basal fertilizer, tillering fertilizer and panicle initiation fertilizer decreased the total N 2O emission by 24%, 56% and 17%, respectively, while increased grain yield by 10%, 18% and 6%, respectively. Effect of application of inhibitors on N 2O emission during the continuous period from incorporation of HQ and DCD to rice harvest was also studied, where results indicating that the highest inhibiting efficiency of inhibitors on N 2O emission was recorded when HQ and DCD applied with fertilizer at tillering stage.

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddy soil as influenced by timing of application of hydroquinone and dicyandiamide

A pot trial and a field experiment were conducted to study the effect of timing of application of nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) on N2O and CH4 emissions from rice paddy soil. Four treatments including Treatment CK1, DCD-1 (application of DCD with basal fertilizer), DCD-2 (DCD with tillering fertilizer) and DCD-3 (DCD with panicle initiation fertilizer), were designed and implemented in pot experiment. Total N2O and CH4 emissions from DCD-treated soils were decreased profoundly when compared with that from urea alone (P < 0.05). Application of DCD together with basal fertilizer, tillering fertilizer and panicle initiation fertilizer reduced N2O emission by 8, 30 and 2%, respectively, while those for CH4 were 21, 8 and 1%. The field experiment with four treatments was carried out subsequently, and a kind of urease inhibitor hydroquinone (HQ) was also incorporated with DCD simultaneously. The combined use of HQ and DCD with basal fertilizer, tillering fertilizer and panicle initiation fertilizer decreased N2O emissions by 24, 56 and 17%, respectively, while those for CH4 were 35, 19 and 12%. N2O emission was effectively reduced by the inhibitor(s) applied with tillering fertilizer before midseason aeration, while CH4 emission was effectively decreased by the combined use of inhibitor(s) with basal fertilizer before rice transplanting. Furthermore, an increase in rice yield and a reduction of total global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 and N2O could be achieved by using inhibitor(s) in rice paddy field.