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.

Impact of Long-Term Fertilization on Community Structure of Ammonia Oxidizing and Denitrifying Bacteria Based on amoA and nirK Genes in a Rice Paddy from Tai Lake Region,China

Ammonia oxidizing （AOB） and denitrifying bacteria （DNB） play an important role in soil nitrogen transformation in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Effects of long-term fertilization on abundance and community composition of AOB and DNB were studied with targeting ammonia monooxygenase （amoA） and nitrite reductase （nirK） genes using polymerase chain reaction- denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （PCR-DGGE） and real-time PCR, respectively. A field trial with different fertilization treatments in a rice paddy from Tai Lake region, centre East China was used in this study, including no fertilizer application （NF）, balanced chemical fertilizers （CF）, combined organic/inorganic fertilizer of balanced chemical fertilizers plus pig manure （CFM）, and plus rice straw return （CFS）. The abundances and riehnesses of amoA and nirK were increased in CF, CFM and CFS compared to NF. Principle component analysis of DGGE profiles showed significant difference in nirK and amoA genes composition between organic amended （CFS and CFM） and the non-organic amended （CF and NF） plots. Number of amoA copies was significantly positively correlated with normalized soil nutrient richness （NSNR） of soil organic carbon （SOC） and total nitrogen （T-N）, and that of nirK copies was with NSNR of SOC, T-N plus total phosphorus. Moreover, nitrification potential showed a positive correlation with SOC content, while a significantly lower denitrification potential was found under CFM compared to under CFS. Therefore, SOC accumulation accompanied with soil nutrient richness under long-term balanced and organic/inorganic combined fertilization promoted abundance and diversity of AOB and DNB in the rice paddy.

Modeling Methane Emission from Rice Paddy Soils:Ⅱ.Model Validation and Application

A simulation model developed by the authors (Huang et al., 1999) was validated against independent field measurements of methane emission from rice paddy soils in Texas of USA, Tuzu Of China and Vercelli of Italy.A simplified version of the simulation model was further validated against methane emission measurements from various regions of the world, including italy, China, Indonesia, Philippines and the United States. Model validation suggested that the seasonal variation of methane emission was mainly regulated by rice growth and development and that methane emission could be predicted from rice net productivity, cultivar character, soil texture and temperature, and organic matter amendments. Model simulations in general agreed with the observations. The comparison between computed and measured methane emission resulted in correlation coefficients r2 values from 0.450 to 0.952, significant at 0.01-0.001 probability level.On the basis of available information on rice cultivated area, growth duration, grain yield, soil texture and temperature, methane emission from rice paddy soils of China's Mainland was estimated for 28 rice cultivated provinces/municipal cities by employing the validated model. The calculated daily methane emission rates, on a provincial scale, ranged from 0.12 to 0.71 g m-2 with an average of 0.26 g m-2. A total amount of 7.92 Tg CH4 per year, ranging from 5.89 to 11.17 Tg year-1, was estimated to be released from Chinese rice paddy soils. Of the total, 45% was emitted from the single-rice growing season, and 19% and 36% were from the early-rice and the late-rice growing seasons, respectively. Approximately 70% of the total was emitted in the region located at latitude between 25°and 32°N. The emissions from rice fields in Sichuan and Hunan provinces were calculated to be 2.34 Tg year-1, accounting for approximately 30% of the total.

Modeling Methane Emission from Rice Paddy Soils:Ⅰ.Model Development

With an understanding of the processes of methane production, oxidation and emission, a semi-empirical model, focused on the contributions of rice plants to the processes and also the influence of environmental factors, was developed to predict methane emission from rice paddy soils. In the present model, the amount of methane transported from the soil to the atmosphere was determined by the rates of CH4 production and an emitted fraction. The rates of CH4 production in irrigated rice soils were computed from the availability of methanogenic substrates that are primarily derived from rice plaaes and added organic matter and the influence of soil texture, soil redox potential and temperature. The fraction of methane emitted was assumed to be modulated by the rice plants and declines with rice growth and development. TO make it applicable to a wider area with limited data sets, a simplified version of the model was also derived to predict methane emission in a more practical manner.

Effects of Nitrogen Dosage on the Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Machine Transplanted Rice Using Dry Soil Preparation in Rice Paddy Field

[Objective] The aim was to analyze the effects of nitrogen dosage on the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of machine transplanted rice using the technology of dry soil preparation in rice paddy field. [Method] With conventional Japonica rice cultivar Shengdao 18 as the study material, the effect of nitrogen dosage on stem and tillers dynamics, yield components and nitrogen use efficiency were investigated using the technology of dry soil preparation in rice paddy field. [Result] The highest yield was 10 957.20 kg/hm^2 as the nitrogen application was 315.00 kg/hm^2. Meanwhile, the roughness ratio, grain-straw ratio and nitrogen use efficiency remained at a higher level. Low nitrogen application could not obtain high yield. In contrast, high nitrogen application quantity led to a significant decline in nitrogen use efficiency. [Conclusion] The study could provide a scientific basis for the further promotion of the technology of dry soil preparation in rice paddy field.

Fine classification of rice paddy using multitemporal compact polarimetric SAR C band data based on machine learning methods

Rice is an important food crop for human beings.Accurately distinguishing different varieties and sowing methods of rice on a large scale can provide more accurate information for rice growth monitoring,yield estimation,and phenological monitoring,which has significance for the development of modern agriculture.Compact polarimetric(CP)synthetic aperture radar(SAR)provides multichannel information and shows great potential for rice monitoring and mapping.Currently,the use of machine learning methods to build classification models is a controversial topic.In this paper,the advantages of CP SAR data,the powerful learning ability of machine learning,and the important factors of the rice growth cycle were taken into account to achieve high-precision and fine classification of rice paddies.First,CP SAR data were simulated by using the seven temporal RADARSAT-2 C-band data sets.Second,20-two CP SAR parameters were extracted from each of the seven temporal CP SAR data sets.In addition,we fully considered the change degree of CP SAR parameters on a time scale(ΔCP_(DoY)).Six machine learning methods were employed to carry out the fine classification of rice paddies.The results show that the classification methods of machine learning based on multitemporal CP SAR data can obtain better results in the fine classification of rice paddies by considering the parameters ofΔCP_(DoY).The overall accuracy is greater than 95.05%,and the Kappa coefficient is greater than 0.937.Among them,the random forest(RF)and support vector machine(SVM)achieve the best results,with an overall accuracy reaching 97.32%and 97.37%,respectively,and Kappa coefficient values reaching 0.965 and 0.966,respectively.For the two types of rice paddies,the average accuracy of the transplant hybrid(T-H)rice paddy is greater than 90.64%,and the highest accuracy is 95.95%.The average accuracy of direct-sown japonica(D-J)rice paddy is greater than 92.57%,and the highest accuracy is 96.13%.

Can soil remediation agents synergistically mitigate rice Cd content and CH_(4)emission from karst paddies?

Rice(Oryza sativa L.)paddies are increasingly threatened by cadmium(Cd)pollution,and potentially serve as CH_(4)emitters to the atmosphere.Remediation agents widely mitigate Cd pollution in paddy soil,however,we know little about their regulations on CH_(4)emission.Here,via adding biochar(B),sulfhydryl-modified palygorskite(SMP),and selenium foliar fertilizer(SFF),we conducted a pot experiment to investigate soil and rice Cd contents together with in-situ CH_(4)f luxes.Compared to CK,the addition of SMP,SFF,and B-SMP reduced Cd in brown rice by 25%to 50%,25%,and 50%to 75%,respectively.Agents 7%B,7%B-0.01%SMP,and SFF reduced CH_(4)emissions by 8.46%,5.30%,and 4.11%,respectively.CH_(4)emission increased gradually along the growing season,with the cumulative CH_(4)fluxes ranging between 338.82 and 619.13 kg hm^(-2).Our results highlight that mixed 7%B-0.01%SMP and SFF showed collaborative eff ects on Cd remediation and CH_(4)emission.This study reveals the feasibility of reducing Cd pollution and CH_(4)emission in karst rice paddies,which hopes to supplement the knowledge of collaborative controls on soil remediation and carbon emission.

Mitigation of N_(2)O emissions in water-saving paddy fields:Evaluating organic fertilizer substitution and microbial mechanisms

Water-saving irrigation strategies can successfully alleviate methane emissions from rice fields,but significantly stimulate nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)emissions because of variations in soil oxygen level and redox potential.However,the relationship linking soil N_(2)O emissions to nitrogen functional genes during various fertilization treatments in water-saving paddy fields has rarely been investigated.Furthermore,the mitigation potential of organic fertilizer substitution on N_(2)O emissions and the microbial mechanism in rice fields must be further elucidated.Our study examined how soil N_(2)O emissions were affected by related functional microorganisms(ammonia-oxidizing archaea(AOA),ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB),nirS,nirK and nosZ)to various fertilization treatments in a rice field in southeast China over two years.In this study,three fertilization regimes were applied to rice cultivation:a no nitrogen(N)(Control),an inorganic N(Ni),and an inorganic N with partial N substitution with organic manure(N_(i)+N_(o)).Over two rice-growing seasons,cumulative N_(2)O emissions averaged 0.47,4.62 and 4.08 kg ha^(−1)for the Control,Ni and N_(i)+N_(o)treatments,respectively.In comparison to the Ni treatment,the N_(i)+N_(o)fertilization regime considerably reduced soil N_(2)O emissions by 11.6%while maintaining rice yield,with a lower N_(2)O emission factor(EF)from fertilizer N of 0.95%.Nitrogen fertilization considerably raised the AOB,nirS,nirK and nosZ gene abundances,in comparison to the Control treatment.Moreover,the substitution of organic manure for inorganic N fertilizer significantly decreased AOB and nirS gene abundances and increased nosZ gene abundance.The AOB responded to N fertilization more sensitively than the AOA.Total N_(2)O emissions significantly correlated positively with AOB and nirS gene abundances while having a negative correlation with nosZ gene abundance and the nosZ/nirS ratio across N-fertilized plots.In summary,we conclude that organic manure substitution for inorganic N fertilizer decreased soil N_(2)O emissions primarily by changing the soil NO_(3)^(−)-N,pH and DOC levels,thus inhibiting the activities of ammonia oxidation in nitrification and nitrite reduction in denitrification,and strengthening N_(2)O reduction in denitrification from water-saving rice paddies.

Response of Rice Cultivars to Elevated Air Temperature and Soil Amendments: Implications towards Climate Change Adaptations and Mitigating Global Warming Potentials

Global mean surface air temperature is expected to increase 1.1˚C - 6.4˚C by the end of 21st century which may affect rice productivity and methane emissions in the future climate. This experiment was conducted to investigate the response of rice cultivars to elevated air temperature (+1.5˚C higher than ambient) and soil amendments in regards to rice yield, yield scaled methane emissions and global warming potentials. The experimental findings revealed that replacement of inorganic fertilizers (20% - 40% of recommended NPKS) with Vermicompost, Azolla biofertilizer, enriched sugarcane pressmud, rice husk biochar and silicate fertilization increased rice yield 13.0% - 23.0%, and 11.0% - 19.0% during wet aman and dry boro season, respectively. However, seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes were decreased by 9.0% - 25.0% and 5.0% - 19.0% during rainfed wet aman and irrigated dry boro rice cultivation, respectively with selected soil amendments. The maximum reduction in seasonal cumulative CH4 flux (19.0% - 25.0%) was recorded with silicate fertilization and azolla biofertilizer amendments (9.0% - 13.0%), whereas maximum grain yield increment 10.0 % - 14.0% was found with Vermicompost and Sugarcane pressmud amendments compared to chemical fertilization (100% NPKS) treated soils at ambient air temperature. However, rice grain yield decreased drastically 43.0% - 50.0% at elevated air temperature (3˚C higher than ambient air temperature), eventhough accelerated the total cumulative CH4 flux as well as GWPs in all treatments. Maximum seasonal mean GWPs were calculated at 391.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 in rice husk biochar followed by sugarcane pressmud (mean GWP 387.0 kg CO2 eq·ha−1), while least GWPs were calculated at 285 - 305 kg CO2 eq·ha−1 with silicate fertilizer and Azolla biofertilizer amendments. Rice cultivar BRRI dhan 87 revealed comparatively higher seasonal cumulative CH4 fluxes, yield scaled CH4 flux and GWPs than BRRI dhan 71 during wet aman rice growing season;while BRRI dhan 89 showed higher cumulative CH4 flux and GWPs than BINA dhan 10 during irrigated boro rice cultivation. Conclusively, inorganic fertilizers may be partially (20% - 40% of the recommended NPKS) replaced with Vermicompost, azolla biofertilizer, silicate fertilizer and enriched sugarcane pressmud compost for sustainable rice production and decreasing GWPs under elevated air temperature condition.

Mapping upland crop–rice cropping systems for targeted sustainable intensification in South China

Upland crop-rice cropping systems(UCR)facilitate sustainable agricultural intensification.Accurate UCR cultivation mapping is needed to ensure food security,sustainable water management,and rural revitalization.However,datasets describing cropping systems are limited in spatial coverage and crop types.Mapping UCR is more challenging than crop identification and most existing approaches rely heavily on accurate phenology calendars and representative training samples,which limits its applications over large regions.We describe a novel algorithm(RRSS)for automatic mapping of upland crop-rice cropping systems using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR)and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument(MSI)data.One indicator,the VV backscatter range,was proposed to discriminate UCR and another two indicators were designed by coupling greenness and pigment indices to further discriminate tobacco or oilseed UCR.The RRSS algorithm was applied to South China characterized by complex smallholder rice cropping systems and diverse topographic conditions.This study developed 10-m UCR maps of a major rice bowl in South China,the Xiang-Gan-Min(XGM)region.The performance of the RRSS algorithm was validated based on 5197 ground-truth reference sites,with an overall accuracy of 91.92%.There were7348 km^(2) areas of UCR,roughly one-half of them located in plains.The UCR was represented mainly by oilseed-UCR and tobacco-UCR,which contributed respectively 69%and 15%of UCR area.UCR patterns accounted for only one-tenth of rice production,which can be tripled by intensification from single rice cropping.Application to complex and fragmented subtropical regions suggested the spatiotemporal robustness of the RRSS algorithm,which could be further applied to generate 10-m UCR datasets for application at national or global scales.

Comparison of Manual and Automatic Methods for Measurement of Methane Emission from Rice Paddy Fields

S The methane emission flux from rice paddies was simultaneously measured with automatic and manual methods in the suburban of Suzhou. Both methods were based on the static chamber/GC-FID techniques. Detail analysis of the experimental results indicates: a) The data of methane emission measured with the automatic method is reliable. b) About 11 or 19 o′clock of local time is recommended as the optimum sampling time for the manual spot measurement of methane emission from rice paddies. The methane emission fluxes measured by manual sampling at local time other than the optimum time have to be corrected. The correction coefficient may be determined by automatic and continuous measurement. c) In order to get a more accurate result, an empirical correction factor, such as 18%, is recommended to correct the seasonally total amount of measured methane emission by enlarging the automatically measured data or reducing the manually measured ones.

Monitoring and Early Warning of Paddy Rice Low Temperature Cold Damage in Ningxia with the Support of GIS and RS

The low temperature cold damage of paddy rice is the major agricultural meteorological disaster in Ningxia.The real-time monitoring and early warning of low temperature cold damage are very important to develop the advantages,avoid the disadvantages and reduce the disaster losses.Based on the prior researches on the low temperature cold damage indexes of paddy rice,we improved the small grid reckoning method of temperature and the reckoning precision with the support of GIS.By using the multitemporal remote sensing data,the paddy rice planting zone was picked.The calculation results of low temperature cold damage monitoring indexes were combined with the paddy rice planting zone,which judged the grade distribution and zone of low temperature cold damage in real time.Meanwhile,the low temperature cold damage of paddy rice was done the early warning,and the automatic monitoring early warning system was developed by using the weather forecast data.This method and system were applied to the business works,and the monitoring and early warning products of paddy rice low temperature cold damage business were made.The monitoring results basically corresponded with the actual situation,and the better monitoring service effect was gained.

Occurrences of Yttrium in Soil and Its Potential Impacts on Paddy Rice Triticum aestivum

[Objective] The effects of yttrium nitrate （YNO3） on biomass and antioxi- dant systems of paddy rice （Yttrium （Y）; Oxidative stress; Dismutases （SOD）; Per- oxidases （POD）, Catalases （CAT）, Paddy rice （Triticum aestivum）） together with the occurrences of Y in soils were investigated to assess its ecotoxicological effects on plant. [Method]Y solutions with various concentrations were sprinkled on soil sam- ples, which were well mixed and then put into culture dishes to culture paddy rice seeds for further evaluation. [Result] The results indicated that 25-100 mg/kg Y treatments significantly increased the biomass （total weight, root weight, shoot weight and leaf weight）, chlorophyll （CHL） content and protein content of paddy rice, whereas 200-800 mg/kg Y treatments had a converse effect. Similarly, biomarker for the antioxidant systems including superoxide dismutases （SOD）, peroxidases （POD） and catalases （CAT） all exhibited similar trends in both shoots and roots of paddy rice. At the same time, the malonaldehyde （MDA） content increased at from 25 to 100 mg/kg and decreased with concentrations of Y from 100 to 800 mg/kg in both shoots and roots of paddy rice. This indicated that Y could stimulate the growth of plant at low concentration, but inhibit the growth at relatively high concen- tration. [Conclusion] The levels of Y were 641＋49, 328_＋16 and 473_＋40 mg/kg in soils collected from mining area, farmland and navel orange orchard respectively. The levels of Y in the investigated area were higher than the benefit level （100 mg/kg）, which could cause low biomass as well as low activity of SOD, POD and CAT in paddy rice. Therefore, a more careful use of Y is necessary in crop management.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM RICE PADDY FIELDS IN THE YANGTZE DELTA OF CHINA

A numerical simulation model is presented in this paper,which comprises the processes of crop growth,soil organic carbon decomposition,and methane emissions in agroecosystems. Simulation results show that the model can simulate the main process of methane emissions well, and the correlation coefficient between the simulated values and observed data is 0.79 with 239 samples,which passed a significance test of 0.01.The average error of methane emission simulation in whole growth period is about 15%.Numerical analysis of the model indicates that the average temperature during rice growth period has much impacts on methane emissions,and the basic trend of interannual methane emissions is similar to that of average temperature.The amount of methane emissions reduces about 34.93%,when the fertilizer is used instead of manure in single rice paddy.

Influence of Biochar on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Root Morphology of Rice-Seedling in Two Contrasting Paddy Soils

Biochar may affect the root morphology and nitrogen(N)use efficiency(NUE)of rice at seedling stage,which has not been clearly verified until now.To clarify it,we conducted a pot experiment regarding to two soil types(Hydragric Anthrosol and Haplic Acrisol),two biochar application rates(0.5 wt%and 1.5 wt%)and two rice varieties(common rice var.Xiushui134 and hybrid super rice var.Zhongkejiayou12-6)meanwhile.Seedling NUE of common rice Xiuhui134 was significantly increased(p<0.05)by 78.2%in Hydragric Anthrosol and by 91.4%in Haplic Acrisol following biochar addition with 1.5 wt%.However,biochar addition exerted no influence on seedling NUE of super rice Zhongkejiayou12-6 in both soils.Overall,0.09–0.10 units higher soil pH and 105–116%higher soil NH_(4)^(+)-N were observed in Xiushui134 growing two soils with 1.5 wt%biochar.In addition,improved root morphology(including longer root length,larger root surface area,bigger root volume,and more root tips)contributed to the higher seedling NUE of Xiushui134 in two soils.The soil pH and NH_(4)^(+)-N content,also the root morphology were influenced by biochar,which though could not thoroughly explained the NUE of Zhongkejiayou12-6.In conclusion,biochar application to paddy soil changed soil pH and NH_(4)^(+)-N content,root growth,and the consequent seedling NUE of rice,which effects are relative with rice cultivar,biochar addition rate,and soil type.

CH_4 EMISSION FROM A CHINESE RICE PADDY FIELD

CH_4 emission rates have been measured continuously for the early rice of 1988 and late rices of 1987 and 1988 during entire growing seasons in a rice paddy field in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province,China,by using an automatic sampling and analyzing system.During most parts of the seasons CH_4 emission rates showed strong diurnal variations.Bi-mode patterns with the highest value in the afternoon and a second peak at mid-night were generally found for the early rice,while the highest values were almost always found in the night for the late rice.Bi-mode patterns with a second peak in the afternoon were also found during the reproductive phase of the late rice plants.These diurnal variations may be explained by the diurnal variations of the soil temperature and the activity of rice plants.Strong seasonal variations with one peak in the tillering stage and two during the reproductive phase of rice plants were observed for all the three growing seasons.The seasonal variations may be explained by the activity of rice plants,availability of organic substrates in the soil,and the activity of soil bacteria related to soil temperatures,Fertilization did not show significant effects on the total seasonal CH_4 emissions but slightly changed the pattern of the seasonal variations of the CH_4 emission rates.Averaged over the measuring periods and 8 spots,CH_4 emission rates of 7.8 mg m^(-2) h^(-1) for the early rice and 28.6 mg m^(-2) h^(-1) for the late rice were obtained. Based on these measured data,the total global emission of CH_4 from rice paddies is estimated to be about 90 Tg/yr ranging from 70 to 110,accounting for 20% of the total source of CH_4.

Effect of Water Saving Irrigation Management Practices on Rice Productivity and Methane Emission from Paddy Field

Irrigation water supply is one of the vital components for sustainable rice farming, which is becoming a limiting resource in the changing climatic condition. An experiment was conducted at the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during dry season from January-June of 2017 to investigate the suitability of Alternate Wet and Dry Irrigation (AWDI) for sustainable rice production and reducing methane emission. The modern rice variety BINA Dhan 10 was used as test crop. There were five irrigation treatments viz. T1 (saturated condition), T2 (continuous flooded, 5 cm standing water), T3 (AWDI-10 cm;irrigated when water level fell 10 cm from surface), T4 (AWDI-15 cm;irrigated when water level fell 15 cm from surface) and T5 (AWDI-20 cm;irrigated when water level fell 20 cm from surface). Results of the field trial showed satisfactory grain yield and low seasonal methane emission along with significantly high irrigation water savings (%) in AWDI treated field plots. Among the treatments, T3 (AWDI-10 cm) and T4 (AWDI-15 cm) showed higher yield performance (6250kg.ha-1 and 5810 kg.ha-1, respectively) with lower CH4 emission (reduced up to 36% and 40%, respectively) compared to continuous flooded treatment (T2, CF 5 cm water). In AWDI field plots less irrigation frequency (6 - 9) was required which significantly saved the amount of irrigation water (12% - 24%). Although T5 (AWDI-20 cm) showed the highest water savings (24%) and lowest CH4 emission (reduced up to 50%);however the lowest grain yield (4283 kg.ha-1) was found under this treatment. On the other hand, continuously irrigated (T2, 5 cm standing water) field plot showed lower yield (4783 kg.ha-1) but significantly higher methane emissions compared to other treatments during rice cultivation. Water productivity index was also found higher in AWDI treated field plots compared to continuously irrigated field plot. At the reproductive stage of rice plant well-developed aerenchyma tissue was observed in root cortex under the continuous irrigated field plot, which indicates higher diffusion pathway of methane gas from root rhizosphere to the atmosphere compared to other treatments. Therefore, alternate wet and dry irrigation water management practice may be recommended at farmers’ level for sustainable rice production and reducing methane emission during dry winter Boro season which will reduce the cost of production by water saving as well as energy saving.

Climate Change Impact and Its Contribution Share to Paddy Rice Production in Jiangxi, China

In the study, an improved approach was proposed to identify the contribution shares of three group factors that are climate, technology and input, social economic factors by which the grain production is shaped. In order to calibrate the method, Jiangxi Province, one of the main paddy rice producers in China was taken as an example. Based on 50 years （1961-2010） meteorological and statistic data, using GIS and statistical analysis tools, the three group factors that in certain extent impact China＇s paddy rice production have been analyzed quantitatively. The individual and interactive contribution shares of each factor group have been identiifed via eta square （η2）. In the paper, two group ordinary leasr square （OLS） models, paddy models and climate models, have been constructed for further analysis. Each model group consists of seven models, one full model and six partial models. The results of paddy models show that climate factors individually and interactively contribute 11.42-15.25%explanatory power to the variation of paddy rice production in the studied province. Technology and input factors contribute 16.17%individually and another 8.46%interactively together with climate factors, totally contributing about 25%. Social economic factors contribute about 7%of which 4.65%is individual contribution and 2.49%is interactive contribution together with climate factors. The three factor groups individually contribute about 23%and interactively contribute additional 41%to paddy rice production. In addition every two of the three factor groups also function interactively and contribute about 22%. Among the three factor groups, technology and input are the most important factors to paddy rice production. The results of climate models support the results of paddy models, and display that solar radiation （indicated by sunshine hour variable） is the dominate climate factor for paddy rice production.

Study of Dynamics of Floodwater Nitrogen and Regulation of Its Runoff Loss in Paddy Field-Based Two-Cropping Rice with Urea and Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

The article deals with the effects of urea and controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （CRNF） on dynamics of pH, electronic conductivity （EC）, total nitrogen （TN）, NH4^＋-N and NO3 -N in floodwater, and the regulation of runoff TN loss from paddy field-based two-cropping rice in Dongting Lake, China, and probes the best fertilization management for controlling N loss. Studies were conducted through modeling alluvial sandy loamy paddy soil （ASP） and purple calcareous clayey paddy soil （PCP） using lysimeter, following the sequence of the soil profiles identified by investigating soil profile. After application of urea in paddy field-based two-cropping rice, TN and NHa＋-N concentrations in floodwater reached peak on the 1st and the 3rd day, respectively, and then decreased rapidly over time; all the floodwater NO3--N concentrations were very low; the pH of floodwater gradually rose in case of early rice within 15 d （late rice within 3 d） after application of urea, and EC remained consistent with the dynamics of NH4^＋-N. The applied CRNF, especially 70% CRNF, led to significantly lower floodwater TN and NH4^＋ concentrations, pH, and EC values compared with urea within 15 d after application. The monitoring result for N loss due to natural rainfall runoff indicated that the amount of TN lost in runoff from paddy field- based two-cropping rice with urea application in Dongting Lake area was 7.47 kg ha^-1, which accounted for 2.49% of urea- N applied, and that with CRNF and 70% CRNF application decreased 24.5 and 27.2% compared with urea application, respectively. The two runoff events, which occurred within 20 d after application, contributed significantly to TN loss from paddy field. TN loss due to the two runoffs in urea, CRNF, and 70% CRNF treatments accounted for 72, 70, and 58% of the total TN loss due to runoff over the whole rice growth season, respectively. And the TN loss in these two CRNF treatments due to the first run-off event at the 10th day after application to early rice decreased 44.9 and 44.2% compared with urea, respectively. In conclusion, the 15-d period after application of urea was the critical time during which N loss occurred due to high floodwater N concentrations. But CRNF decreased N concentrations greatly in floodwater and runoff water during this period. As a result, it obviously reduced TN loss in runoff over the whole rice growth season.

Study on intermittent irrigation for Paddy Rice: Ⅱ. Crop Responses

Effect of intermittent irrigation on the production of paddy rice was studied in a well-puddled paddy field with four treatments and 2 replicates: continuous flooding irrigation (CFI), and intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-O, Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, in which plants were re-irrigated when the soil water potential fell below 0, -10, and -20 kPa, respectively, at soil depth of about 5 cm. Results showed that the reduction in soil water potential to about -10 or -20 kPa did not significantly affect the number of grains and the percentage of ripened grains. While, a lower crop growth rate (CGR) resulted from a decrease in the net assimilation rate (NAR) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, and there was also a reduction in the leaf area index (LAI) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-2. Senescence of lower leaves on stems was promoted in treatments Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2 at the ripening stage. Early senescence at ripening stage and water stress around midday decreased the rate of photosynthesis in leaves, causing the lower NAR. These physiological responses of the plants were responsible for the reduction in the dry matter production and grain yield in the intermittent irrigation treatments.