A field experiment was conducted to investigate the fate of ^15N-labeled urea and its residual effect under the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system on the North China...A field experiment was conducted to investigate the fate of ^15N-labeled urea and its residual effect under the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system on the North China Plain. Compared to a conventional application rate of 360 kg N ha^-1 (N360), a reduced rate of 120 kg N ha^-1 (N120) led to a significant increase (P 〈 0.05) in wheat yield and no significant differences were found for maize. However, in the 0-100 cm soil profile at harvest, compared with N360, N120 led to significant decreases (P 〈 0.05) of percent residual N and percent unaccounted-for N, which possibly reflected losses from the managed system. Of the residual fertilizer N in the soil profile, 25.6%-44.7% and 20.7%-38.2% for N120 and N360, respectively, were in the organic N pool, whereas 0.3%-3.0% and 11.2%-24.4%, correspondingly, were in the nitrate pool, indicating a higher potential for leaching loss associated with application at the conventional rate. Recovery of residual N in the soil profile by succeeding crops was less than 7.5% of the applied N. For N120, total soil N balance was negative; however, there was still considerable mineral N (NH4^+-N and NO3^--N) in the soil profile after harvest. Therefore, N120 could be considered ngronomically acceptable in the short run, but for long-term sustainability, the N rate should be recommended based on a soil mineral N test and a plant tissue nitrate test to maintain the soil fertility.展开更多
Nitrogen(N)supply is the most important factor affecting yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco(FCT).A field experiment and an in situ incubation method were used to study the effects of soil N mineralization in the ...Nitrogen(N)supply is the most important factor affecting yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco(FCT).A field experiment and an in situ incubation method were used to study the effects of soil N mineralization in the later stages of growth on yield and nicotine content of FCT in Fenggang and Jinsha,Guizhou Province.The yield and market value of FCT at Fenggang were much lower than those at Jinsha.However,the nicotine content of middle and upper leaves was much higher at Fenggang than at Jinsha when the same rate of fertilizer N was applied,which might be due to a higher N supply capacity at the Fenggang site.At later stages of growth(7-16 weeks after transplanting),the soil net N mineralization at Fenggang(56 kg N ha^(-1))was almost double that at Jinsha(30 kg N ha^(-1)).While soil NH_4-N and NO_3-N were almost exhausted by the plants or leached 5 weeks after transplanting,the N taken up at the later growth stages at Fenggang were mainly derived from soil N mineralization,which contributed to a high nicotine content in the upper leaves.The order of soil N contribution to N buildup in different leaves was:upper leaves>middle leaves>lower leaves.Thus,soil N mineralization at late growth stages was an important factor affecting N accumulation and therefore the nicotine content in the upper leaves.展开更多
Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to winter wheat is a common problem on the North China Plain. To determine the optimum fertilizer N rate for winter wheat production while minimizing N losses, field exper...Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to winter wheat is a common problem on the North China Plain. To determine the optimum fertilizer N rate for winter wheat production while minimizing N losses, field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons at eight sites, in Huimin County, Shandong Province, from 2001 to 2003. The optimum N rate for maximum grain yield was inversely related to the initial soil mineral N content (Nmin) in the top 90 cm of the soil profile before sowing. There was no yield response to the applied N at the three sites with high initial soil mineral N levels (average 212 kg N ha-1). The average optimum N rate was 96 kg N ha-1 for the five sites with low initial soil Nmin (average 155 kg N ha-1) before sowing. Residual nitrate N in the top 90 cm of the soil profile after harvest increased with increasing fertilizer N application rate. The apparent N losses during the wheat-growing season also increased with increasing N application rate. The average apparent N losses with the optimum N rates were less than 15 kg N ha-1, whereas the farmers' conventional N application rate resulted in losses of more than 100 kg N ha-1. Therefore, optimizing N use for winter wheat considerably reduced N losses to the environment without compromising crop yields.展开更多
China is in a dominant position in apple production globally with both the largest apple growing area and the largest export of fresh apple fruits. However, the annual productivity of China's apple is significantly l...China is in a dominant position in apple production globally with both the largest apple growing area and the largest export of fresh apple fruits. However, the annual productivity of China's apple is significantly lower than that of other dominant apple producing countries. In addition, apple production is based on excessive application of chemical fertilizers and the nutrient use efficiency (especially nitrogen) is therefore low and the nutrient emissions to the environment are high. Apple production in China is considerably contributes to farmers' incomes and is important as export product. There is an urgent need to enhance apple productivity and improve nutrient use efficiencies in intensive apple production systems in the country. These can be attained by improved understanding of production potential, yield gaps, nutrient use and best management in apple orchards. To the end, priorities in research on apple production systems and required political support are described which may lead to more sustainable and environmental-friendly intensification of apple production in China.展开更多
Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative tec...Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative technology and translating scientific knowledge into action for smallholder farmers is a crucial step in addressing this challenge. Here, we present a novel approach for technology innovation and dissemination to achieve sustainable intensification in the fields of smallholder farmers. The Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is a hub in a rural area that links knowledge with practices to promote technology innovation and exchange. In this study, the framework and functions of STB are introduced, and the key implications for sustainable intensification across millions of smallholder farmers are explicitly stated:(i) develop innovative technology based on stated demands of farmers;(ii) disseminate technology by innovative social service models though combined top-down approaches with bottom-up measures to enable smallholders in rural areas. This paper provides a perspective on transformation of small-scale agriculture toward sustainable intensification in China and useful knowledge applicable to other developing countries.展开更多
In order to illustrate the change of nitrogen (N) supply capacity after long-term application of manure and chemical fertilizer, as well as to properly manage soil fertility through fertilizer application under the ...In order to illustrate the change of nitrogen (N) supply capacity after long-term application of manure and chemical fertilizer, as well as to properly manage soil fertility through fertilizer application under the soil-climatic conditions of the North China Plain, organic N forms were quantified in the topsoil with different manure and chemical fertilizer treatments in a 15-year fertilizer experiment in a Chinese calcareous alluvial soil. Soil total N (TN) and various organic N forms were significantly influenced by long-term application of chemical fertilizer and manure. TN, total hydrolysable N, acid-lnsoluble N, amino acid N and ammonium N in the soil increased significantly (P 〈 0.05) with increasing manure and fertilizer N rates, but were not influenced by increasing P rates. Also, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence either the quantity of amino sugar N or its proportion of TN. Application of manure significantly increased (P 〈 0.05) hydrolysable unknown N, but adding N or P did not. In addition, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence the proportions of different soil organic N forms.展开更多
A hydroponic experiment was carried out to determine the influence of replacing 20% of nitrate-N in nutrient solutions with 20 individual amino acids on growth, nitrate accumulation, and concentrations of nitrogen (N...A hydroponic experiment was carried out to determine the influence of replacing 20% of nitrate-N in nutrient solutions with 20 individual amino acids on growth, nitrate accumulation, and concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in pak-choi (Brassica chinensis L.) shoots. When 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with arginine (Arg) compared to the full nitrate treatment, pak-choi shoot fresh and dry weights increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), but when 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with alanine (Ala), valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), proline (Pro), phenylalanine (Phe), methionine (Met), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), lysine (Lys), glycine (Gly), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), cysteine (Cys), and tyrosine (Tyr), shoot fresh and dry weights decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). After replacing 20% of nitrate-N with asparagine (Asn) and glutamine (Gin), shoot fresh and dry weights were unaffected. Compared to the full nitrate treatment, amino acid replacement treatments, except for Cys, Gly, histidine (His), and Arg, significantly reduced (P ≤0.05) nitrate concentrations in plant shoots. Except for Cys, Leu, Pro, and Met, total N concentrations in plant tissues of the other amino acid treatments significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). Amino acids also affected total P and K concentrations, but the effects differed depending on individual amino acids. To improve pak-choi shoot quality, Gln and Asn, due to their insignificant effects on pak-choi growth, their significant reduction in nitrate concentrations, and their increase in macroelement content in plants, may be used to partially replace nitrate-N.展开更多
China’s grain yield increased from 1 t hain 1961 to 6 t hain 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly...China’s grain yield increased from 1 t hain 1961 to 6 t hain 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly supported by modern technology and distinct governmental policy. However, China’s grain production has been causing a number of problems mainly related to declining natural resources and a lack of environmental protection. Due to the growing population and changing dietary requirements, increasing food production must be achieved by increasing resource use efficiency while minimizing environmental costs. We propose two novel development pathways that can potentially sustain agricultural crop production in the next few decades:(i) enhancing nutrient use efficiency with zero increase in chemical fertilizer input until 2020 and(ii) concurrently increasing grain yield and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable intensification with integrated nutrient management after 2020. This paper provides a perspective on further agricultural developments and challenges, and useful knowledge of our valuable experiences for other developing countries.展开更多
Chemical fertilizer plays an important role in increasing food production in China. Nevertheless, excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in China has resulted in severe environmental problems. The goal of this paper is to ...Chemical fertilizer plays an important role in increasing food production in China. Nevertheless, excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in China has resulted in severe environmental problems. The goal of this paper is to examine the impacts of an improved nitrogen management (INM) training experiment on farmers' chemical nitrogen (N) use behaviors in maize production in China. Based on household data collected from 813 maize farmers in Shandong, China, this study finds that while INM training can significantly reduce farmers' N fertilizer use, an INM training is not sufficient to change farmer's practices significantly, and farmers only partially adopted the recommended INM. This study reveals that China faces challenges to transform its agriculture to a low-carbon one. The research also sheds light on China's extension system and future technologies in meeting the objectives of reducing the excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in agricultural production.展开更多
A comparative study was conducted to determine the NH4+ and NO3- concentrations in soil profiles and to examine the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in adjacent forest, grassland, and cropland soils o...A comparative study was conducted to determine the NH4+ and NO3- concentrations in soil profiles and to examine the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in adjacent forest, grassland, and cropland soils on the Tibetan Plateau. Cropland soil showed significantly higher inorganic N concentrations in soil profiles compared with forest and grassland soils. NO3- -N accounted for 70%–90% of inorganic N in cropland soil, while NH4+ -N was the main form of inorganic N in forest and grassland soils. The average net N mineralization rate at 0–20 cm depth was approximately twice in cropland soil (1.48 mg kg-1 d-1) as high as in forest (0.83 mg kg-1 d-1) or grassland soil (0.72 mg kg-1 d-1). Cropland showed strong net nitrification, with the net rate almost equal to the total net N mineralization. Urea addition stimulated soil respiration, particularly in forest soil. Most urea-N, however, remained as NH4+ in forest and grassland soils, while NO3- was the main form of inorganic N to increase in cropland soil. Higher rates of net nitrification in cropland soils suggest that land use change on the Tibetan Plateau may lead to high N losses through nitrate leaching.展开更多
Field experiments were conducted with five rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1) of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils w...Field experiments were conducted with five rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1) of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils with widely different levels of Olsen P (13-142 mg kg^-1) at 15 sites in some suburban counties of Beijing in 1999. Under the condition of no P fertilizer application, tomato yield generally increased with an increase in soil test P levels, and the agronomic level for soil testing P measured with Olsen method was 50 or 82 mg kg^-1 soil to achieve 85% or 95% of maximum tomato yield, respectively. With regard to marketable yield, in the fields where Olsen-P levels were 〈 50 mg kg^-1, noticeable responses to applied P were observed. On the basis of a linear plateau regression, the optimum seedbed P application rate in the P-insufflcient fields was 125 kg P205 ha^-1 or about 1.5-2 times the P removal from harvested tomato plants. In contrast, in fields with moderate (50 〈 Olsen P 〈 90 mg kg^-1) or high (Olsen P 〉 90 mg kg^-1) available P, there was no marked effect on tomato fruit yield. Field survey data indicated that in most fields with conventional P management, a P surplus typically occurred. Thus, once the soil test P level reached the optimum for crop yield, it was recommended that P fertilizer application be restricted or eliminated to minimize negative environmental effects.展开更多
Maize plants adapt to low phosphorus (P) stress by increasing root growth. It is of importance to know the extent to which genetic improvement of root growth can enhance P acquisiton. In the present study, the contr...Maize plants adapt to low phosphorus (P) stress by increasing root growth. It is of importance to know the extent to which genetic improvement of root growth can enhance P acquisiton. In the present study, the contribution of root growth improvement to efficient P acquisition was evaluated in two soils using T149 and T222, a pair of near isogenic maize testcrosses which were derived from a backcross BC 4 F 3 population. T149 and T222 showed no difference in shoot biomass and leaf area under normal growth conditions, but differed greatly in root growth. T149 had longer lateral roots and a larger root surface area compared to T222. In calcareous soil, when P was insufficient, i.e., when P was either supplied as KH 2 PO 4 at a concentration of 50 mg P kg-1 soil, or in the form of Phy-P, Ca3-P or Ca10-P, a 43% increase in root length in T149 compared to T222 resulted in an increase in P uptake by 53%, and shoot biomass by 48%. In acid soil, however, when P supply was insufficient, i.e., when P was supplied as KH 2 PO 4 at a concentration of 100 mg P kg-1 soil, or in the form of Phy-P, Fe-P or Al-P, a 32% increase in root length in T149 compared to T222 resulted in an increase in P uptake by only 12%, and shoot biomass by 7%. No significant differences in the exudation of organic acids and APase activity were found between the two genotypes. It is concluded that genetic improvement of root growth can efficiently increase P acquisition in calcareous soils. In acid soils, however, improvements in the physiological traits of roots, in addition to their size, seem to be required for efficient P acquisition.展开更多
Increasing plant density is an effective and important way to reduce maize yield gaps in Northeast China. However, the fact is that a significant plant density gap exists between optimum plant density and actual plant...Increasing plant density is an effective and important way to reduce maize yield gaps in Northeast China. However, the fact is that a significant plant density gap exists between optimum plant density and actual plant density in farmers’ fields.To quantify the density gap between planned planting density and final harvest plant density(HPD), we studied 60 farmers’ fields on three types of soil for three crop seasons from 2015 to 2017 by measuring their plant-plant distance, actual seedlings density(ASD), final HPD and yield. We also explored the potential causes of density loss by digging the places where the seedlings were missing for two consecutive years in 2016–2017. Results show that the three-year average HPD in farmers’ fields was 59 699 plants ha^–1, which was significantly lower than the planned density, including both the machine setting density(MSD;67 962 plants ha^–1) and theoretical plant density(TPD;67 467 plants ha^–1). No significant difference was found in HPD between years and soil types. However, for MSD and TPD, the average value in 2015 was significantly higher than that in 2016 and 2017. No significant difference between soil types was observed. Furthermore,the results from 2016 till 2017 indicated that a lack of seeds in the soil, a failure to germinate due to low-quality seeds,and a lack of seedlings breaking out of the soil due to environmental problems explained approximately 60.88, 10.33 and 28.80% of density loss, respectively. According to our survey, 63% of farmers did not know their own TPD and HPD, and 54% of farmers did not know the density loss. Therefore, we argue that farmers’ limited knowledge of density and density loss is an urgent problem that needs to be solved in maize production. These observations will be useful for determining best management practices for maize production and for providing helpful suggestions for machine improvement.展开更多
With an increasing population and changing diet structure, summer maize is increasingly becoming an important energy crop in China. However, traditional farmer practices for maize production are inefficient and unsust...With an increasing population and changing diet structure, summer maize is increasingly becoming an important energy crop in China. However, traditional farmer practices for maize production are inefficient and unsustainable. To ensure food security and sustainable development of summer maize production in China, an improved, more sustainable farmer management system is needed. Establishing this system requires a comprehensive understanding of the limitations of current farming practice and the ways it could be improved. In our study, 235 plots from three villages in the North China Plain(NCP) were monitored. Maize production on farms was evaluated;our results showed that the maize yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity(PFPN) were variable on smallholder farms at 6.6–13.7 t ha^–1 and 15.4–88.7 kg kg^–1, respectively.Traditional farming practices also have a large environmental impact(nitrogen surplus:–64.2–323.78 kg ha^–1). Key yield components were identified by agronomic diagnosis. Grain yield depend heavily on grain numbers per hectare rather than on the 1 000-grain weight. A set of improved management practices(IP) for maize production was designed by employing a boundary line(BL) approach and tested on farms. Results showed that the IP could increase yield by 18.4% and PFPN by 31.1%, compared with traditional farmer practices(FP), and reduce the nitrogen(N) surplus by 57.9 kg ha^–1. However,in terms of IP effect, there was a large heterogeneity among different smallholder farmers’ fields, meaning that, precise technologies were needed in different sites especially for N fertilizer management. Our results are valuable for policymakers and smallholder farmers for meeting the objectives of green development in agricultural production.展开更多
Soil denitrification was studied in wheat-maize rotation cropping system on an aquic cambisol. Results showed that the N loss amount by denitrification ranged from 4.7 to 9.7 kg per hectare with different levels of ni...Soil denitrification was studied in wheat-maize rotation cropping system on an aquic cambisol. Results showed that the N loss amount by denitrification ranged from 4.7 to 9.7 kg per hectare with different levels of nitrogen application and the key stage for denitification was during summer maize-growth-period, especially within 1-2 weeks after fertilizer nitrogen was applied. Similar trend was found between soil N2O production/emission dynamic and denitrification dynamic in the rotation system, which may indicate that mainly N2O is produced in nitrification process.展开更多
Wheat is an important source of essential minerals for human body. Breeding wheat with high grain mineral concentration thus benefits human health. The objective of present study was to identify quantitative trait lo...Wheat is an important source of essential minerals for human body. Breeding wheat with high grain mineral concentration thus benefits human health. The objective of present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling grain mineral concentration and to evaluate the relation between nitrogen (N) and other essential minerals in winter wheat. Wheat grains were harvested from field experiment which conducted in China and analyzed for this purpose. Forty-three QTLs controlling grain mineral concentration and nitrogen-related traits were detected by using a double haploid (DH) population derived from winter wheat varieties Hanxuan 10 and Lumai 14. Chromosomes 4D and 5A might be very important in controlling mineral status in wheat grains. Significant positive correlations were found between grain nitrogen concentration (GNC) and nutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, Mg concentrations (FeGC, MnGC, CuGC, MgGC). Flag leafN concentration at anthesis (FLNC) significantly and positively correlated with GNC, FeGC, MnGC, and CuGC. The study extended our knowledge on minerals in wheat grains and suggested which interactions between minerals should be considered in future breeding program.展开更多
Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is an integrated platform for technology innovation, knowledge transfer, people training and agricultural transformation towards sustainable intensification. STB professors, gradua...Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is an integrated platform for technology innovation, knowledge transfer, people training and agricultural transformation towards sustainable intensification. STB professors, graduate students and extension workers lived and worked together with smallholder farmers in rural areas.展开更多
Aerobic rice has the advantage of saving water. Most published work has focused on improving its yield, while few reported on its micronutrient status. In fact, Fe deficiency is a common nutritional problem in the pro...Aerobic rice has the advantage of saving water. Most published work has focused on improving its yield, while few reported on its micronutrient status. In fact, Fe deficiency is a common nutritional problem in the production of aerobic rice. Short- term hydroponic culture experiments were conducted to study the response of aerobic rice to Fe deficiency and the effect of root exudates from Fe-deficient wheat on its Fe uptake ability. The results indicate that the amount of phytosiderophores (PS) released from aerobic rice did not increase under Fe deficient conditions. The Fe(III) reducing capacity of Fe-deficient aerobic rice did not increase and the solution pH did not decrease significantly. What's more, no obvious swelling was observed in the root tips. Aerobic rice did not show special responses to improve their Fe nutrition under Fe deficiency as both strategy I and II plants though they were very sensitive to Fe deficiency. This may be a reason which causes Fe deficiency problem in aerobic rice. However, root exudates from Fe-deficient wheat (PSw) could improve its Fe nutrition in the presence of insoluble Fe(OH)3. This suggests that aerobic rice could utilize Fe activated by PSw.展开更多
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40571071, 30390080 and 30370287)the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (No. IRT0511).
文摘A field experiment was conducted to investigate the fate of ^15N-labeled urea and its residual effect under the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system on the North China Plain. Compared to a conventional application rate of 360 kg N ha^-1 (N360), a reduced rate of 120 kg N ha^-1 (N120) led to a significant increase (P 〈 0.05) in wheat yield and no significant differences were found for maize. However, in the 0-100 cm soil profile at harvest, compared with N360, N120 led to significant decreases (P 〈 0.05) of percent residual N and percent unaccounted-for N, which possibly reflected losses from the managed system. Of the residual fertilizer N in the soil profile, 25.6%-44.7% and 20.7%-38.2% for N120 and N360, respectively, were in the organic N pool, whereas 0.3%-3.0% and 11.2%-24.4%, correspondingly, were in the nitrate pool, indicating a higher potential for leaching loss associated with application at the conventional rate. Recovery of residual N in the soil profile by succeeding crops was less than 7.5% of the applied N. For N120, total soil N balance was negative; however, there was still considerable mineral N (NH4^+-N and NO3^--N) in the soil profile after harvest. Therefore, N120 could be considered ngronomically acceptable in the short run, but for long-term sustainability, the N rate should be recommended based on a soil mineral N test and a plant tissue nitrate test to maintain the soil fertility.
基金the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovation Research Team in University(No.IRT0511)
文摘Nitrogen(N)supply is the most important factor affecting yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco(FCT).A field experiment and an in situ incubation method were used to study the effects of soil N mineralization in the later stages of growth on yield and nicotine content of FCT in Fenggang and Jinsha,Guizhou Province.The yield and market value of FCT at Fenggang were much lower than those at Jinsha.However,the nicotine content of middle and upper leaves was much higher at Fenggang than at Jinsha when the same rate of fertilizer N was applied,which might be due to a higher N supply capacity at the Fenggang site.At later stages of growth(7-16 weeks after transplanting),the soil net N mineralization at Fenggang(56 kg N ha^(-1))was almost double that at Jinsha(30 kg N ha^(-1)).While soil NH_4-N and NO_3-N were almost exhausted by the plants or leached 5 weeks after transplanting,the N taken up at the later growth stages at Fenggang were mainly derived from soil N mineralization,which contributed to a high nicotine content in the upper leaves.The order of soil N contribution to N buildup in different leaves was:upper leaves>middle leaves>lower leaves.Thus,soil N mineralization at late growth stages was an important factor affecting N accumulation and therefore the nicotine content in the upper leaves.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30390084 and 30270772)the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (No. 6010001)
文摘Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to winter wheat is a common problem on the North China Plain. To determine the optimum fertilizer N rate for winter wheat production while minimizing N losses, field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons at eight sites, in Huimin County, Shandong Province, from 2001 to 2003. The optimum N rate for maximum grain yield was inversely related to the initial soil mineral N content (Nmin) in the top 90 cm of the soil profile before sowing. There was no yield response to the applied N at the three sites with high initial soil mineral N levels (average 212 kg N ha-1). The average optimum N rate was 96 kg N ha-1 for the five sites with low initial soil Nmin (average 155 kg N ha-1) before sowing. Residual nitrate N in the top 90 cm of the soil profile after harvest increased with increasing fertilizer N application rate. The apparent N losses during the wheat-growing season also increased with increasing N application rate. The average apparent N losses with the optimum N rates were less than 15 kg N ha-1, whereas the farmers' conventional N application rate resulted in losses of more than 100 kg N ha-1. Therefore, optimizing N use for winter wheat considerably reduced N losses to the environment without compromising crop yields.
基金the project "Cash Crops Research Network of China" of the Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, China Agricultural UniversityProfessor Oene Oenema from Alterra Wageningnen University, the Netherlands, for his financial support of the research
文摘China is in a dominant position in apple production globally with both the largest apple growing area and the largest export of fresh apple fruits. However, the annual productivity of China's apple is significantly lower than that of other dominant apple producing countries. In addition, apple production is based on excessive application of chemical fertilizers and the nutrient use efficiency (especially nitrogen) is therefore low and the nutrient emissions to the environment are high. Apple production in China is considerably contributes to farmers' incomes and is important as export product. There is an urgent need to enhance apple productivity and improve nutrient use efficiencies in intensive apple production systems in the country. These can be attained by improved understanding of production potential, yield gaps, nutrient use and best management in apple orchards. To the end, priorities in research on apple production systems and required political support are described which may lead to more sustainable and environmental-friendly intensification of apple production in China.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB150405)
文摘Sustainable feeding of the growing population in China without ecological destabilization is a grand challenge. In this populous country where agriculture is dominated by smallholder farming, developing innovative technology and translating scientific knowledge into action for smallholder farmers is a crucial step in addressing this challenge. Here, we present a novel approach for technology innovation and dissemination to achieve sustainable intensification in the fields of smallholder farmers. The Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is a hub in a rural area that links knowledge with practices to promote technology innovation and exchange. In this study, the framework and functions of STB are introduced, and the key implications for sustainable intensification across millions of smallholder farmers are explicitly stated:(i) develop innovative technology based on stated demands of farmers;(ii) disseminate technology by innovative social service models though combined top-down approaches with bottom-up measures to enable smallholders in rural areas. This paper provides a perspective on transformation of small-scale agriculture toward sustainable intensification in China and useful knowledge applicable to other developing countries.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 30390080 and 30370287).
文摘In order to illustrate the change of nitrogen (N) supply capacity after long-term application of manure and chemical fertilizer, as well as to properly manage soil fertility through fertilizer application under the soil-climatic conditions of the North China Plain, organic N forms were quantified in the topsoil with different manure and chemical fertilizer treatments in a 15-year fertilizer experiment in a Chinese calcareous alluvial soil. Soil total N (TN) and various organic N forms were significantly influenced by long-term application of chemical fertilizer and manure. TN, total hydrolysable N, acid-lnsoluble N, amino acid N and ammonium N in the soil increased significantly (P 〈 0.05) with increasing manure and fertilizer N rates, but were not influenced by increasing P rates. Also, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence either the quantity of amino sugar N or its proportion of TN. Application of manure significantly increased (P 〈 0.05) hydrolysable unknown N, but adding N or P did not. In addition, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence the proportions of different soil organic N forms.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30370838).
文摘A hydroponic experiment was carried out to determine the influence of replacing 20% of nitrate-N in nutrient solutions with 20 individual amino acids on growth, nitrate accumulation, and concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in pak-choi (Brassica chinensis L.) shoots. When 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with arginine (Arg) compared to the full nitrate treatment, pak-choi shoot fresh and dry weights increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), but when 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with alanine (Ala), valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), proline (Pro), phenylalanine (Phe), methionine (Met), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), lysine (Lys), glycine (Gly), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), cysteine (Cys), and tyrosine (Tyr), shoot fresh and dry weights decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). After replacing 20% of nitrate-N with asparagine (Asn) and glutamine (Gin), shoot fresh and dry weights were unaffected. Compared to the full nitrate treatment, amino acid replacement treatments, except for Cys, Gly, histidine (His), and Arg, significantly reduced (P ≤0.05) nitrate concentrations in plant shoots. Except for Cys, Leu, Pro, and Met, total N concentrations in plant tissues of the other amino acid treatments significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). Amino acids also affected total P and K concentrations, but the effects differed depending on individual amino acids. To improve pak-choi shoot quality, Gln and Asn, due to their insignificant effects on pak-choi growth, their significant reduction in nitrate concentrations, and their increase in macroelement content in plants, may be used to partially replace nitrate-N.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program,2015CB150405)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant(2016M601177)
文摘China’s grain yield increased from 1 t hain 1961 to 6 t hain 2015, while successfully feeding not only its large population but also supplying agricultural products all over the world. These achievements were greatly supported by modern technology and distinct governmental policy. However, China’s grain production has been causing a number of problems mainly related to declining natural resources and a lack of environmental protection. Due to the growing population and changing dietary requirements, increasing food production must be achieved by increasing resource use efficiency while minimizing environmental costs. We propose two novel development pathways that can potentially sustain agricultural crop production in the next few decades:(i) enhancing nutrient use efficiency with zero increase in chemical fertilizer input until 2020 and(ii) concurrently increasing grain yield and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable intensification with integrated nutrient management after 2020. This paper provides a perspective on further agricultural developments and challenges, and useful knowledge of our valuable experiences for other developing countries.
基金financial supports from the National Basic Research Program of China(MoST 2012CB955700)the Sino-German Research Project(MoST 2007DFA30850)the China-UK Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network(SAIN)
文摘Chemical fertilizer plays an important role in increasing food production in China. Nevertheless, excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in China has resulted in severe environmental problems. The goal of this paper is to examine the impacts of an improved nitrogen management (INM) training experiment on farmers' chemical nitrogen (N) use behaviors in maize production in China. Based on household data collected from 813 maize farmers in Shandong, China, this study finds that while INM training can significantly reduce farmers' N fertilizer use, an INM training is not sufficient to change farmer's practices significantly, and farmers only partially adopted the recommended INM. This study reveals that China faces challenges to transform its agriculture to a low-carbon one. The research also sheds light on China's extension system and future technologies in meeting the objectives of reducing the excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in agricultural production.
基金Project the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40461005).
文摘A comparative study was conducted to determine the NH4+ and NO3- concentrations in soil profiles and to examine the net nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification in adjacent forest, grassland, and cropland soils on the Tibetan Plateau. Cropland soil showed significantly higher inorganic N concentrations in soil profiles compared with forest and grassland soils. NO3- -N accounted for 70%–90% of inorganic N in cropland soil, while NH4+ -N was the main form of inorganic N in forest and grassland soils. The average net N mineralization rate at 0–20 cm depth was approximately twice in cropland soil (1.48 mg kg-1 d-1) as high as in forest (0.83 mg kg-1 d-1) or grassland soil (0.72 mg kg-1 d-1). Cropland showed strong net nitrification, with the net rate almost equal to the total net N mineralization. Urea addition stimulated soil respiration, particularly in forest soil. Most urea-N, however, remained as NH4+ in forest and grassland soils, while NO3- was the main form of inorganic N to increase in cropland soil. Higher rates of net nitrification in cropland soils suggest that land use change on the Tibetan Plateau may lead to high N losses through nitrate leaching.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30230250) the Ministry of Agriculture, China (No. 2003-Z53).
文摘Field experiments were conducted with five rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1) of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils with widely different levels of Olsen P (13-142 mg kg^-1) at 15 sites in some suburban counties of Beijing in 1999. Under the condition of no P fertilizer application, tomato yield generally increased with an increase in soil test P levels, and the agronomic level for soil testing P measured with Olsen method was 50 or 82 mg kg^-1 soil to achieve 85% or 95% of maximum tomato yield, respectively. With regard to marketable yield, in the fields where Olsen-P levels were 〈 50 mg kg^-1, noticeable responses to applied P were observed. On the basis of a linear plateau regression, the optimum seedbed P application rate in the P-insufflcient fields was 125 kg P205 ha^-1 or about 1.5-2 times the P removal from harvested tomato plants. In contrast, in fields with moderate (50 〈 Olsen P 〈 90 mg kg^-1) or high (Olsen P 〉 90 mg kg^-1) available P, there was no marked effect on tomato fruit yield. Field survey data indicated that in most fields with conventional P management, a P surplus typically occurred. Thus, once the soil test P level reached the optimum for crop yield, it was recommended that P fertilizer application be restricted or eliminated to minimize negative environmental effects.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31121062and31071852)EU Seventh Framework Programme of European Union(NUE-CROPS,222645)the Special Fund for the Agricultural Profession of China(201103003)
文摘Maize plants adapt to low phosphorus (P) stress by increasing root growth. It is of importance to know the extent to which genetic improvement of root growth can enhance P acquisiton. In the present study, the contribution of root growth improvement to efficient P acquisition was evaluated in two soils using T149 and T222, a pair of near isogenic maize testcrosses which were derived from a backcross BC 4 F 3 population. T149 and T222 showed no difference in shoot biomass and leaf area under normal growth conditions, but differed greatly in root growth. T149 had longer lateral roots and a larger root surface area compared to T222. In calcareous soil, when P was insufficient, i.e., when P was either supplied as KH 2 PO 4 at a concentration of 50 mg P kg-1 soil, or in the form of Phy-P, Ca3-P or Ca10-P, a 43% increase in root length in T149 compared to T222 resulted in an increase in P uptake by 53%, and shoot biomass by 48%. In acid soil, however, when P supply was insufficient, i.e., when P was supplied as KH 2 PO 4 at a concentration of 100 mg P kg-1 soil, or in the form of Phy-P, Fe-P or Al-P, a 32% increase in root length in T149 compared to T222 resulted in an increase in P uptake by only 12%, and shoot biomass by 7%. No significant differences in the exudation of organic acids and APase activity were found between the two genotypes. It is concluded that genetic improvement of root growth can efficiently increase P acquisition in calcareous soils. In acid soils, however, improvements in the physiological traits of roots, in addition to their size, seem to be required for efficient P acquisition.
基金financially supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB150405)
文摘Increasing plant density is an effective and important way to reduce maize yield gaps in Northeast China. However, the fact is that a significant plant density gap exists between optimum plant density and actual plant density in farmers’ fields.To quantify the density gap between planned planting density and final harvest plant density(HPD), we studied 60 farmers’ fields on three types of soil for three crop seasons from 2015 to 2017 by measuring their plant-plant distance, actual seedlings density(ASD), final HPD and yield. We also explored the potential causes of density loss by digging the places where the seedlings were missing for two consecutive years in 2016–2017. Results show that the three-year average HPD in farmers’ fields was 59 699 plants ha^–1, which was significantly lower than the planned density, including both the machine setting density(MSD;67 962 plants ha^–1) and theoretical plant density(TPD;67 467 plants ha^–1). No significant difference was found in HPD between years and soil types. However, for MSD and TPD, the average value in 2015 was significantly higher than that in 2016 and 2017. No significant difference between soil types was observed. Furthermore,the results from 2016 till 2017 indicated that a lack of seeds in the soil, a failure to germinate due to low-quality seeds,and a lack of seedlings breaking out of the soil due to environmental problems explained approximately 60.88, 10.33 and 28.80% of density loss, respectively. According to our survey, 63% of farmers did not know their own TPD and HPD, and 54% of farmers did not know the density loss. Therefore, we argue that farmers’ limited knowledge of density and density loss is an urgent problem that needs to be solved in maize production. These observations will be useful for determining best management practices for maize production and for providing helpful suggestions for machine improvement.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2015CB150405)the National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFD0200401)
文摘With an increasing population and changing diet structure, summer maize is increasingly becoming an important energy crop in China. However, traditional farmer practices for maize production are inefficient and unsustainable. To ensure food security and sustainable development of summer maize production in China, an improved, more sustainable farmer management system is needed. Establishing this system requires a comprehensive understanding of the limitations of current farming practice and the ways it could be improved. In our study, 235 plots from three villages in the North China Plain(NCP) were monitored. Maize production on farms was evaluated;our results showed that the maize yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity(PFPN) were variable on smallholder farms at 6.6–13.7 t ha^–1 and 15.4–88.7 kg kg^–1, respectively.Traditional farming practices also have a large environmental impact(nitrogen surplus:–64.2–323.78 kg ha^–1). Key yield components were identified by agronomic diagnosis. Grain yield depend heavily on grain numbers per hectare rather than on the 1 000-grain weight. A set of improved management practices(IP) for maize production was designed by employing a boundary line(BL) approach and tested on farms. Results showed that the IP could increase yield by 18.4% and PFPN by 31.1%, compared with traditional farmer practices(FP), and reduce the nitrogen(N) surplus by 57.9 kg ha^–1. However,in terms of IP effect, there was a large heterogeneity among different smallholder farmers’ fields, meaning that, precise technologies were needed in different sites especially for N fertilizer management. Our results are valuable for policymakers and smallholder farmers for meeting the objectives of green development in agricultural production.
文摘Soil denitrification was studied in wheat-maize rotation cropping system on an aquic cambisol. Results showed that the N loss amount by denitrification ranged from 4.7 to 9.7 kg per hectare with different levels of nitrogen application and the key stage for denitification was during summer maize-growth-period, especially within 1-2 weeks after fertilizer nitrogen was applied. Similar trend was found between soil N2O production/emission dynamic and denitrification dynamic in the rotation system, which may indicate that mainly N2O is produced in nitrification process.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2009CB118300 and 2009CB118605)the Innovative Group Grant of NSFC, China (31121062)the Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest, China (201103003)
文摘Wheat is an important source of essential minerals for human body. Breeding wheat with high grain mineral concentration thus benefits human health. The objective of present study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling grain mineral concentration and to evaluate the relation between nitrogen (N) and other essential minerals in winter wheat. Wheat grains were harvested from field experiment which conducted in China and analyzed for this purpose. Forty-three QTLs controlling grain mineral concentration and nitrogen-related traits were detected by using a double haploid (DH) population derived from winter wheat varieties Hanxuan 10 and Lumai 14. Chromosomes 4D and 5A might be very important in controlling mineral status in wheat grains. Significant positive correlations were found between grain nitrogen concentration (GNC) and nutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, Mg concentrations (FeGC, MnGC, CuGC, MgGC). Flag leafN concentration at anthesis (FLNC) significantly and positively correlated with GNC, FeGC, MnGC, and CuGC. The study extended our knowledge on minerals in wheat grains and suggested which interactions between minerals should be considered in future breeding program.
文摘Science and Technology Backyard(STB) is an integrated platform for technology innovation, knowledge transfer, people training and agricultural transformation towards sustainable intensification. STB professors, graduate students and extension workers lived and worked together with smallholder farmers in rural areas.
基金supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2009CB118605)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30571106)the Innovative Group Grant of Natural Science Foundation of China (30821003)
文摘Aerobic rice has the advantage of saving water. Most published work has focused on improving its yield, while few reported on its micronutrient status. In fact, Fe deficiency is a common nutritional problem in the production of aerobic rice. Short- term hydroponic culture experiments were conducted to study the response of aerobic rice to Fe deficiency and the effect of root exudates from Fe-deficient wheat on its Fe uptake ability. The results indicate that the amount of phytosiderophores (PS) released from aerobic rice did not increase under Fe deficient conditions. The Fe(III) reducing capacity of Fe-deficient aerobic rice did not increase and the solution pH did not decrease significantly. What's more, no obvious swelling was observed in the root tips. Aerobic rice did not show special responses to improve their Fe nutrition under Fe deficiency as both strategy I and II plants though they were very sensitive to Fe deficiency. This may be a reason which causes Fe deficiency problem in aerobic rice. However, root exudates from Fe-deficient wheat (PSw) could improve its Fe nutrition in the presence of insoluble Fe(OH)3. This suggests that aerobic rice could utilize Fe activated by PSw.