Effects of mixed fertilizers formed by the compounding of two targeted controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers on yield,nitrogen use efficiency,and ammonia volatilization in double-cropping rice

One-time application of mixed fertilizer formed by the compounding of two controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers(CRUs)with targeted N supply during the periods from transplantation(TS)to panicle initiation(PI)and from PI to heading(HS)is expected to synchronize the double-peak N demand of rice.However,its effects on the yield and N use efficiency(NUE)of labor-intensive double-cropping rice were unknown.Two targeted CRU(CRU_(A)and CRU_(B))were compounded in five ratios(CRU_(A):CRU_(B)=10:0,7:3,5:5,3:7,and 0:10)to form five mixed fertilizers(BBFs):BBF1-5.A field experiment was performed to investigate the characteristics of N supply in early and late seasons under different BBFs and their effects on N uptake,yield,and ammonia volatilization(AV)loss from paddy fields of double-cropping rice.Conventional high-yield fertilization(CK,three split applications of urea)and zero-N treatments were established as controls.The N supply dropped significantly with the increased compound ratio of CRU_(B)during the period from TS to PI,but increased during the period from PI to HS.With the exception of the period from TS to PI in the late rice season,the N uptake of early and late rice maintained close synchronicity with the N supply of BBFs during the double-peak periods.Excessive N supply(BBF1 and BBF2)in the late rice season during the period from TS to PI increased N loss by AV.The effect of BBF on grain yield increase varied widely between seasons,irrespective of year.Among the BBFs,the BBF2 treatment of early rice not only stabilized the spikelets per panicle but also ensured a high number of effective panicles by promoting N uptake during the period from TS to PI and a high grain-filling percentage by appropriately reducing the N supply at the later PI stage,resulting in the highest rice yield.While stabilizing the effective panicle number,the BBF4 treatment of late rice increased the number of spikelets per panicle by promoting N uptake during the period from PI to HS,resulting in the highest rice yield.The two-year average yield and apparent N recovery efficiency of the BBF2 treatment during the early rice season were 9.6 t ha 1 and 45.3%,while those of late rice in BBF4 were 9.6 t ha 1 and 43.0%,respectively.The yield and NUE indexes of BBF2 in early rice and BBF4 in late rice showed no significant difference from those of CK.The AVs of BBF2 during the early rice season and of BBF4 during the late rice season were 50.0%and 76.8%lower,respectively,than those of CK.BBF2 and BBF4 could effectively replace conventional urea split fertilization in early and late rice seasons,ensuring rice yield and NUE and reducing AV loss in paddy fields.

Effects of Different Application Times of Tillering Fertilizer on Grain Yield and Population Development of Double-cropping Rice Transplanted by Machine

The application of tillering fertilizer plays an important role in promoting rice tillering and improving rice yield. However, under the condition of mechanical transplanting, the optimal application time of tillering fertilizer is still unclear. In this study, the early rice cultivar Zhongjiazao 17 and late rice cultivar H You 518 were used as materials, and the effects of different application times of tillering fertilizer on yield and population development of double-cropping rice transplanted by machine were investigated. The tillering fertilizer was applied 7（D07）, 10（D10） and 13（D13） d after the transplanting, respectively. The results showed that compared with those in the D07 treatment groups, the yield of early rice in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were reduced by 9.4% and 3.8%, respectively, and the yield of late rice in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were reduced by 4.5% and 12.6%,respectively. However, there were no significant differences in rice yield among the treatment groups. The application time of tillering fertilizer showed significant effects on grain number per panicle and seed setting rate of early rice. The grain number per panicle in the D10 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group, and the seed setting rate of the D13 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group（P〈0.05）. For the late rice, the effect of application time of tillering fertilizer on effective tiller number was most obvious, and the effective tiller number in the D13 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the D07 treatment group（P〈0.05）. Compared with those in the D07 treatment group, the effective tiller numbers, leaf area indexes and biomasses in the D10 and D13 treatment groups were all trended to be decreased. Therefore,to improve the quality of population and fulfill the high-yielding potential of double-cropping rice transplanted by machine, the tillering fertilizer should be applied as early as possible after rice seedlings turn green.

Production Performance and Development Strategies of Double-cropping Rice in Hunan Province

ln the research, an empirical analysis was performed on production per-formance and influential factors of rice in Changsha County and Liling City. The re-sults showed that production scale has been closely linked to age and education level of farmers. The larger scale, the higher comprehensive performance, but rele-vant efficiency tends to be lower. Sowing area and yield per unit area are major in-fluential factors of production performance of double-cropping rice, but the rest influ-ential factors are different upon production scale. Final y, developmental strategies are proposed for development of double-cropping rice.

Research of an Appropriate Sowing Quantity of Double-cropping Machine-transplanted Rice in Low and Medium Yielding District of Southern Jiangxi Province

[Objective] The aim was to research the appropriate seeding quantities of double-season machine-transplanted rice in middle and low-yielding district of southern Jiangxi Province. [Method] The research set five different seeding quantities treatments, and compared with conventional seedling treatment, and the appropriate seeding quantities of double season machine-transplanted rice in middle and lowyielding district of southern Jiangxi Province was discussed. [Result] The yields were highest when the seeding quantity was 70 g per tray of early rice by mechanical transplanting and 60 g per tray of late rice. The yield of early rice by mechanical transplanting showed significantly positive correlation with the number of productive ear and the number of seed per ear, and late rice yield showed significant correlation with the number of productive ear by mechanical transplanting. It is key for improving high yields by guaranteeing the number of productive ear. [Conclusion] The issue of proper sowing quantity should be taken into consideration for double-cropping rice in the region, which is crucial for high yields.

Inter-provincial Differences in Rice Multi-cropping Changes in Main Double-cropping Rice Area in China: Evidence from Provinces and Households

Since the early 1980 s, the multi-cropping index for rice has decreased significantly in main double-cropping rice area in China, which is the primary double-cropping rice(DCR) production area. This decline may bring challenges to food security in China because rice is the staple food for more than 60% of the Chinese population. It has been generally recognized that rapidly rising labor costs due to economic growth and urbanization in China is the key driving force of the ‘double-to-single' rice cropping system adaption. However, not all provinces have shown a dramatic decline in DCR area, and labor costs alone cannot explain this difference. To elucidate the reasons for these inter-provincial distinctions and the dynamics of rice cropping system adaption, we evaluated the influencing factors using provincial panel data from 1980 to 2015. We also used household survey data for empirical analysis to explore the mechanisms driving differences in rice multi-cropping changes. Our results indicated that the eight provinces in the study can be divided into three spatial groups based on the extent of DCR area decline, the rapidly-declining marginal, core, and stable zones. Increasing labor cost due to rapid urbanization was the key driving force of rice cropping system adaption, but the land use dynamic vary hugely among different provinces. These differences between zones were due to the interaction between labor price and accumulated temperature conditions. Therefore, increasing labor costs had the greatest impact in Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hubei, where the accumulated temperature is relatively low and rice multi-cropping index declined dramaticly. However, labor costs had little impact in Guangdong and Guangxi. Differences in accumulated temperature conditions resulted in spatially different labor demands and pressure on households during the busy season. As a result, there have been different profits and rice multi-cropping changes between provinces and zones. Because of these spatial differences, regionally appropriate policies that provide appropriate subsidies for early rice in rapidly-declining marginal zone such as Zhejiang and Hubei should be implemented. In addition, agricultural mechanization and the number of agricultural workers have facilitated double-cropping; therefore, small machinery and agricultural infrastructure construction should be further supported.

Production Benefits of Double-Cropping Rice Under Optimized Application of Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilizers Combined with Chinese Milk Vetch and Straw Co-Returning to Fields

In order to explore the technology and effects of reducing nitrogen and potassium fertilizer applications in double-cropping rice,a field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of optimized application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers combined with returning Chinese milk vetch and straw to fields on yield,fertilizer utilization efficiency,net photosynthetic rate(Pn),stomatal conductance(Gs),intercellular CO_(2) concentration(Ci),chlorophyll content(SPAD value)and soil physical and chemical properties in late rice harvest period.The results showed that the optimized application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers combined with the integrated technology of Chinese milk vetch and straw co-returning to the field could enhance the photosynthetic efficiency of double-cropping rice,increase rice yield,and enhance soil biological activity,especially T4 treatment involving the returning of Chinese milk vetch and straw to the field instead of 30%nitrogen fertilizer achieved the highest rice yield,fertilizer use efficiency,net photosynthetic rate and soil biological activity.Compared with the conventional fertilization treatment T2,the total rice yield of T4 treatment increased by 4.1%,among which the early rice and late rice increased by 6.3%and 2.4%,respectively;Pn,Gs and SPAD values of flag leaves at full heading stage significantly increased,and the contents of soil active organic carbon,alkali hydrolyzed nitrogen,available phosphorus and readily available potassium significantly increased.

Double-Cropping Pinto Bean after Winter Barley in Western Colorado USA

A double-cropping field study was conducted at the Colorado State University, Fruita. Colorado USA to evaluate an irrigated, double-cropping system of winter barley （Hordeum vulgare L.） followed by pinto bean （Phaseolus vutgaris L.） for the valley areas of western Colorado USA and other similar environments. Double-cropping pinto bean after winter barley was successful, but to use our double-cropping technology in commercial agriculture in adapted locations will likely require identifying or developing a winter barley cultivar that matures earlier than current cultivars but does not head and flower so early that it is susceptible to freeze damage. Double-cropping was more profitable in all three years than growing either pinto bean or winter barley as a sole crop.

Assessing the yield difference of double-cropping rice in South China driven by radiation use efficiency

Double-cropping rice in South China continues to break the total yield record,but the yield potential of singlecropping rice is not being realized.Radiation use efficiency(RUE)has been singled out as an important determinant of grain yield in many cereal species.However,there is no information on whether the yield gaps in doublecropping rice involve differences in RUE.Field experiments were performed over two years to evaluate the effects of intercepted radiation(IP)and RUE on the above-ground biomass production,crop growth rate(CGR),and harvest index(HI),in four representative rice varieties,i.e.,Xiangyaxiangzhan(XYXZ),Meixiangzhan 2(MXZ2),Nanjingxiangzhan(NJXZ),and Ruanhuayoujinsi(RHYJS),during the early and late seasons of rice cultivation in South China.The results revealed that grain yield in the early season was 8.2%higher than in the late season.The yield advantage in the early season was primarily due to higher spikelets per panicle and above-ground biomass resulting from a higher RUE.The spikelets per panicle in the early season were 6.5,8.3,6.9,and 8.5%higher in XYXZ,MXZ2,NJXZ,and RHYJS,respectively,than in the late season.The higher early season grain yield was more closely related to RUE in the middle tillering stage(R^(2)=0.34),panicle initiation(R^(2)=0.16),and maturation stage(R^(2)=0.28),and the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation(IPAR)in the maturation stage(R^(2)=0.28),while the late season grain yield was more dependent on IPAR in the middle tillering stage(R^(2)=0.31)and IPAR at panicle initiation(R^(2)=0.23).The results of this study conclusively show that higher RUE contributes to the yield progress of early season rice,while the yield improvement of late season rice is attributed to higher radiation during the early reproductive stage.Rationally allocating the RUE of double-cropping rice with high RUE varieties or adjustments of the sowing period merits further study.

Effects of supplying silicon nutrient on utilization rate of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients by rice and its soil ecological mechanism in a hybrid rice double-cropping system

This study was conducted to reveal the effects of silicon(Si) application on nutrient utilization efficiency by rice and on soil nutrient availability and soil microorganisms in a hybrid rice double-cropping planting system. A series of field experiments were conducted during 2017 and 2018. The results showed that Si nutrient supply improved grain yield and the utilization rates of nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) to an appropriate level for both early and late plantings, reaching a maximum at 23.4 kg/ha Si. The same trends were found for the ratios of available N(AN) to total N(TN) and available P(AP) to total P(TP), the soil microbial biomass carbon(MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN), microbial biomass phosphorus(MBP), and the ratios of MBN to TN and MBP to TP, at different levels of Si. Statistical analysis further revealed that Si application enhanced rice growth and increased the utilization rate of fertilizer due to an ecological mechanism, i.e., Si supply significantly increased the total amount of soil microorganisms in paddy soil compared to the control. This promoted the mineralization of soil nutrients and improved the availability and reserves of easily mineralized organic nutrients.

Reconstructing rice phenology curves with frequency-based analysis and multi-temporal NDVI in double-cropping area in Jiangsu, China

Crop phenology retrieval in the double-crop- ping area of China is of great significance in crop yield estimation and water management under the influences of global change. In this study, rice phenology in Jiangsu Province, China was extracted from multi-temporal MODIS NDVI using frequency-based analysis. Pure MODIS pixels of rice were selected with the help of TM images. Discrete Fourier Transformation （DFT）, Discrete Wavelet Transformation （DWT）, and Empirical Mode Decomposition （EMD） were performed to decompose time series into components of different frequencies. Rice phenology in the double-cropping area is mainly located on the last 2 IMFs of EMD and the first 2-3 frequencies of DFT and DWT. Compared with DFT and DWT, EMD is limited to fewer frequencies. Multi-temporal MODIS NDVI data combined with frequency-based analysis can retrieve rice phenology dates with on average 79% valid estimates. The sorting result for effective estimations from different methods is DWT （85%） 〉 EMD （80%） 〉 DFT （74%）. Planting date （88%） is easier to estimate than harvesting date （70%）. Rice planting date is easily affected by the former cropping mode within the same year in a double-cropping region. This study sheds light on under- standing crop phenology dynamics in the frequency domain of multi-temporal MODIS data.

Effects of long-term straw return on soil organic carbon fractions and enzyme activities in a double-cropped rice paddy in South China

Long-term straw return is an important carbon source for improving soil organic carbon(SOC) stocks in croplands, and straw removal through burning is also a common practice in open fields in South China. However, the specific effects of long-term rice straw management on SOC fractions, the related enzyme activities and their relationships, and whether these effects differ between crop growing seasons remain unknown. Three treatments with equal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrient inputs, including straw/ash and chemical nutrients, were established to compare the effects of straw removal(CK), straw return(SR), and straw burned return(SBR). Compared to CK, long-term SR tended to improve the yield of early season rice(P=0.057), and significantly increased total organic carbon(TOC) and microbial biomass carbon(MBC) in double-cropped rice paddies. While SBR had no effect on TOC, it decreased light fraction organic carbon(LFOC) in early rice and easily oxidizable organic carbon(EOC) in late rice, significantly increased dissolved organic carbon(DOC), and significantly decreased soil p H. These results showed that MBC was the most sensitive indicator for assessing changes of SOC in the double-cropped rice system due to long-term straw return. In addition, the different effects on SOC fraction sizes between SR and SBR were attributed to the divergent trends in most of the soil enzyme activities in the early and late rice that mainly altered DOC, while DOC was positively affected by β-xylosidase in both early and late rice. We concluded that straw return was superior to straw burned return for improving SOC fractions, but the negative effects on soil enzyme activities in late rice require further research.

Exploring the Potential of Cowpea-Wheat Double Cropping in the Semi-Arid Region of the Southern United States Using the DSSAT Crop Model

Information is limited on the potential of double-cropping cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the semiarid region of the southern United States. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data of 80 years, we assessed the possibility of cowpea-wheat double-cropping in this region for grain purpose as affected by planting date and N application rate. Results showed that the possibility of double-cropping varied from 0% to 65%, depending on the cropping system. The possibility was less with systems comprising earlier planting dates of wheat and later planting dates of cowpea. Results indicated that cowpea-wheat double-cropping could be beneficial only when no N was applied, with wheat planted on October 15 or later. At zero N, the double-crops of cowpea planted on July 15 and wheat planted on November 30 were the most beneficial of all the 72 double-cropping systems studied. With a delay in planting cowpea, the percentage of beneficial double-cropping systems decreased. At N rates other than zero, fallow-wheat monocropping systems were more beneficial than cowpea-wheat double-cropping systems, and the benefit was greater at a higher N rate. At 100 kg N ha-1, the monocrop of wheat planted on October 15 was the most beneficial of all the 94 systems studied. Results further showed that fallow-wheat yields increased almost linearly with an increase in N rate from 0 to 100 kg∙ha-1. Fallow-wheat grain yields were quadratically associated with planting dates. With an increase in N rate, wheat yields reached the peak with an earlier planting date. Wheat yields produced under monocropping systems were greater than those produced under double-cropping systems for any cowpea planting date. Cowpea yields produced under monocropping systems were greater than those produced under any double-cropping system. The relationship between cowpea grain yields and planting dates was quadratic, with July 1 planting date associated with the maximum yields.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Effects on Cowpea and Winter Wheat Yields in the Semi-Arid Region of the Southern US

Information is limited on the effects of climate variability on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields in the semiarid region of the southern US. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data spanning 81 years, we assessed the impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the grain yields of these crops in the Llano Estacado region of the southern US as affected by cowpea and wheat planting dates and N application rate. Simulated results showed that the El Niño phase of ENSO produced about 30% more yields of mono-cropped cowpea than those produced under the La Niña phase, especially with the cowpeas planted in July. The cowpea yields under El Niño were about 10% more than the 81-year average normal yield, whereas those under La Niña were about 20% less. At the N rates of 0, 50, and 100 kg·ha−1, regardless of wheat planting dates, the El Niño years produced, respectively, about 8%, 40%, and 60% higher wheat yields than those produced in the La Niña years, and about 5%, 20%, and 27% more than the 81-year average normal yield. In the La Niña years, the wheat yields at 0, 50, and 100 kg N ha−1 were, respectively, about 5%, 15%, and 20% less than the normal yield with similar N levels. The impact of ENSO on wheat yields under cowpea-wheat double-cropping systems was significant, especially for the wheat crops planted on October 15 (October 30) or later following the cowpea crops planted in June (July). At zero N, the mono-cropped wheat yields were not impacted by ENSO due to N limitation. However, the double-cropped wheat yields were impacted by ENSO even when no N fertilizer was applied due to high soil N status caused by N transfer from cowpea stover residues and roots. Results indicated that management strategies need to be attentive to ENSO forecasts and adjust potential planting dates and N application rates with the ENSO phase to avert risks of crop failure and economic loss.

Soil Carbon Pool Management Index under Different Straw Retention Regimes

[Objective] To clarify the effects of different straw retention regimes on soil fertility in double cropping paddy field. [Method] The effects of different straw reten- tion regimes on total organic carbon （CToc）, active carbon （CA） and mineralized carbon （CM） were analyzed, and carbon pool active （A）, carbon pool active index （A/）, carbon pool index （CPI） and carbon pool management index （CPMi） for each treat- ment were calculated. [Result] Compared with the unfertilized treatment （CK）, CToc, CA, CM and the available ratio of soil carbon were increased in the treatment of re- turning early season and late season rice straws to field. With the same nutrient application, CToc, CA and the available ratio of soil carbon in the field with straw re- turned to field were higher than that of straw incineration and no straw returning, and the change in soil CA content was more significant. The difference in CPMI be- tween different treatments reached significant or very significant level, and the value was in the order of straw directly returned to field 〉 straw returned to field after in- cineration 〉 no straw returned to field. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical bases for the increase of soil CA content and soil fertility in double rice fields.

双季北缘地区水稻补偿超高产栽培研究

双季稻北缘地区生长季节短,温光资源不足;而常规高产栽培在品种选用、肥水运筹、群体结构及调控等方面均存在不足,产量不高不稳。补偿栽培采用生育期适中偏长优质品种;通过适当早播、拓展生长季节、增加温光利用,合理稀播培育壮秧、高效利用低位次分蘖成大穗;合理基本苗和群体结构,在大田早期迅速创建一个较大的叶面积指数、促进水稻群体尽早进入光合适期,生育中期壮秆强根、延长有效叶面积高值期,生育后期补充营养、湿润灌溉增强群体活力和抗逆性、减缓高效叶面积下降速率以补偿群体光合势,促进群体结构与光合功能高效协调,增强群体物质积累与转化能力而稳定高产。以生育期适中偏长、产量潜力高优质品种(或超级稻品种)为基础,培育多蘖壮秧、精确优化群体结构和肥料合理运筹为核心技术,配套湿润节水灌溉和病虫草害无害化防治,构建水稻补偿超高产栽培技术体系并成功示范。

Effects of Cultivation Methods on Yield Formation and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Zhuliangyou 4024 and H You 159 as Doublecropping Rice

To explore the high-yield cultivation methods of Zhuliangyou 4024 and H You 159 when planted as double-cropping rice, the effects of two cultivation meth- ods, i.e., seedling broadcasting and transplanting, were studied on SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, grain yield and yield components. The results showed that the seedling broadcasting cultivation was conducive to Zhuliangyou 4024 and H You 159 to obtain higher yield. The higher chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate and their slower decrease of flag leaf after full heading of the seedling broadcasting cultivation were thought to be the physiological basis of high yield.

Major Physiological Characters of Different Double Cropping Rice Varieties by Different Mechanical Transplanting Methods

The research selected 16 rice varieties（8 early and 8 late double-cropping rice） by mechanical transplanting modes as per equivalent row and wide-narrow row to explore yield and physiological traits in order to provide references for selection of rice variety suitable for mechanical transplanting. The results showed that yields of early and late rice improved by 2.90% and 2.73% by mechanical transplanting as per equivalent row and wide-narrow row respectively. Besides, leaf area index in the treatment as per wide-narrow row was higher compared with the treatment as per equivalent row, as well as average photosynthetic potential which grew by 0.92%,3.99% and 5.64% of early from tillering-peak stage to mature stage and 3.46%,7.09% and 6.79% of late rice. Furthermore, by mechanical transplanting as per wide-narrow row, SPAD value, and root activity performer higher, as well as the number of differentiated branch and glumous flowers, but degradation rate showed lower. In addition, with mechanical transplanting the same, early rice Zhuliangyou819 and late rice Fengyuanyou 299 took advantages in yield, which can be priorities for mechanical transplanting in double-cropping areas in Jiangxi Province.

Optimization of Field Arrangement of Doublecropping Glutinous Sorghum and Soybean Intercropping Pattern

In order to reduce successive cropping obstacles, optimize field arrange-ment of double-cropping of sorghum and soybean and improve yields, the research used Guojiaohong No.1 and Nandou No.12 as raw materials to explore the effects of different field arrangements on yield and benefits of double-cropping. The results indicated that with the double-cropping, both of gross yield and output value were higher compared with single-cropping treatments; yield, thousand-grain weight, the weight of grain per ear, and ear length of the 1st-season glutinous sorghum de-creased as compartment width grew, and of regenerated sorghum and soybean changed from increasing to decreasing. Specifical y, with double-cropping system, gross yield of glutinous sorghum reached the highest at 8 352.9 kg/hm2 with com-partment width of 1.7 m and soybean yield the highest at 1 888.95 kg/hm2 with compartment width of 1.8 m. Additional y, gross output value and net incomes achieved the highest at 47 293.92 yuan/hm2 and 29 976.42 kg/hm2 for the two crops, with compartment width of 1.7 m, fol owed by the treatment with compart-ment width of 1.8 m. In general, the treatments with compartment widths of 1.7 and 1.8 m are optimal field arrangement. Additional y, output-to-input ratio was the high-est in the treatment with single-cropping glutinous sorghum and the least in the treatment with single-cropping soybeans.

Assessing Cowpea-Wheat Double Cropping Strategies in the Southern United States Using the DSSAT Crop Model

Information is limited on the potential of cowpea-wheat double cropping in the southern United States to enhance soil health and increase net returns. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data spanning 80 years, we assessed the effects of soil type (Darco: Grossarenic Paleudults and Lilbert: Arenic Plinthic Paleudults), N application rate (0, 100, and 200 kg•ha−1), and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the grain yields of double-cropped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in this region. Yield differences were tested using the pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results showed that yields of wheat that followed cowpea (cwheat) were greater than those that followed fallow (fwheat). The soil type effects on cwheat and fwheat yields decreased with an increase in N rate. The soil type effect on cowpea yields was greater during La Niña. The ENSO impact on cowpea yields was greater on the less fertile soil Darco. Yields of cwheat and fwheat increased with an increase in N rate up to 100 and 200 kg•ha−1, respectively. The yield response of cwheat to N rate was less than that of fwheat. The N rate effects on cwheat and fwheat yields were greater on Darco and under El Niño. Yields of cowpea were greatest under El Niño, whereas those of wheat were greatest under La Niña. The ENSO effect on cowpea yields was greater on Darco. With an increase in N rate, the effect of ENSO was diminished.

面向黄土高原耕地高效利用的两季种植模式可行性分析

Cropping systems worldwide have been affected by the current trend in global warming and the optimization of cropping systems is an important area of research in the transition of agricultural land. The Loess Plateau is a typical ecologically fragile region with the most serious soil erosion in China. We carried out a field experiment in Yan’an city on the Loess Plateau to explore the effect of sowing date on crop growth and yield. We then analyzed the feasibility of a double-cropping system by considering climatic adaptability, ecological suitability and economic viability. Our results showed that different sowing dates resulted in significant differences in crop growth and that appropriate early sowing can result in higher crop yields for early maturing varieties. We showed that double-cropping systems of sweet maize(Zea mays)–forage rape and feed maize–forage rape are feasible on the Loess Plateau. We discuss the implications for the efficient use of farmland, which is important in guiding agricultural supply-side reform and the development of modern agricultural management.