Effects of Continuous Nitrogen Application on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization in Winter Wheat-Summer Maize Rotation System

[Objective] This study aimed to achieve high yield and stable yield of win- ter wheat-summer maize rotation system and provide basis for rational application of nitrogen fertilizer. [Method] Effects of continuous nitrogen application on grain yield, economic profit, nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, and soil inorganic nitrogen accumulation in winter wheat-summer maize rotation system were investigated. [Re- sult] Nitrogen application could significantly increase the y（eld of the winter wheat- summer maize rotation system, which increased by 17.76%-30.32% and 22.24%- 46.63% in two rotation cycles, respectively. The yield of the winter wheat-summer maize rotation system was the maximum in two rotation cycles with nitrogen appli- cation amount of 660.0 kg/hm2, which reached respectively 23 391.19 and 23 444.35 kg/hm2, the yield and economic benefit were the highest, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency was 22.2% and 30.7%, the agronomic efficiency was 8.3 and 11.3 kg/kg. However, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency and agronomic efficiency between ni- trogen application amount of 540.0 and 660.0 kg/hm2 showed no significant differ- ence. After two rotation cycles, inorganic nitrogen accumulation in 0-40 cm soil with nitrogen application amount of 540.0 kg/hm2 was almost equal to that before experi- ment. [Conclusion] Under the experimental conditions, comprehensively considering the grain yield, economic profit, nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and soil inorganic nitro- gen balance, the optimal nitrogen application amount was 625.3-660.0 kg/hm2 in high-yield winter wheat-summer maize rotation system.

Fate of ^(15)N-Labeled Urea Under a Winter Wheat-Summer Maize Rotation on the North China Plain

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.

Effects of mulches on water use in a winter wheat/summer maize rotation system in Loess Plateau, China

Limited water resources often result in reduced crop yield and low water productivity（WP）. In northwestern China, crop production is generally dependent on precipitation. Therefore, a variety of agricultural rainwater harvesting（ARH） techniques have been used for conserving soil moisture, ameliorating soil environment, increasing crop yield, and improving water use efficiency. A two-year（2013–2015） field experiment was conducted under a typical sub-humid drought-prone climate in Yangling（108°24′E, 34°20′N; 521 m a.s.l.）, Shaanxi Province, China, to explore the effects of mulching（same for summer maize and winter wheat） on soil moisture, soil temperature, crop water consumption, and crop yield with a winter wheat/summer maize rotation. Crops were planted in a ridge-furrow pattern and the treatments consisted of a transparent film mulch over the ridges（M1）, a crop straw mulch in the furrows（M2）, a transparent film mulch over the ridges and a crop straw mulch in the furrows（M3）, a black film mulch over the ridges and a crop straw mulch in the furrows（M4）, and a control with no mulch（CK）. Results showed that M4 was the best treatment for improving soil water storage and content, and decreasing crop water consumption during the summer maize and winter wheat rotation. In both maize and wheat seasons, M1 had a higher soil temperature than M2 and CK, and M3 had a higher soil temperature than M4. In the maize seasons, M4 had the highest yield, WP, and precipitation productivity（PP）, with the average values for these parameters increasing by 30.9%, 39.0%, and 31.0%, respectively, compared to those in CK. In the wheat seasons, however, M3 had the highest yield, WP, and PP, with the average values for these parameters being 23.7%, 26.7%, and 23.8% higher, respectively, than those in CK. Annual yield（maize and wheat yields combined） and WP did not differ significantly between M3 and M4. These results suggested that M3 and M4 may thus be the optimal ARH practices for the production of winter wheat and summer maize, respectively, in arid and semi-arid areas.

Interactions between phosphorus availability and microbes in a wheat–maize double cropping system:A reduced fertilization scheme

Mechanisms controlling phosphorus(P) availability and the roles of microorganisms in the efficient utilization of soil P in the wheat–maize double cropping system are poorly understood.In the present study,we conducted a pot experiment for four consecutive wheat–maize seasons(2016–2018) using calcareous soils with high(30.36 mg kg^(–1)) and low(9.78 mg kg^(–1)) initial Olsen-P content to evaluate the effects of conventional P fertilizer application to both wheat and maize(Pwm) along with a reduced P fertilizer application only to wheat(Pw).The microbial community structure along with soil P availability parameters and crop yield were determined.The results showed that the Pw treatment reduces the annual P input by 33.3% without affecting the total yield for at least two consecutive years as compared with the Pwm treatment in the high Olsen-P soil.Soil water-soluble P concentrations in the Pw treatment were similar to those in the Pwm treatment at the 12-leaf collar stage when maize requires the most P.Furthermore,the soil P content significantly affected soil microbial communities,especially fungal communities.Meanwhile,the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity of Pw were significantly higher(by 11.4 and 13.3%) than those of Pwm in soil with high Olsen-P.The microfloral contribution to yield was greater than that of soil P content in soil with high Olsen-P.Relative abundances of Bacillus and Rhizobium were enriched in the Pw treatment compared with the Pwm treatment.Bacillus showed a significant positive correlation with acid phosphatase(ACP) activity,and Rhizobium displayed significant positive correlations with ACP and ALP in soil with high Olsen-P,which may enhance P availability.Our findings suggested that the application of P fertilization only to wheat is practical in high P soils to ensure optimal production in the wheat and maize double cropping system and that the soil P availability and microbial community may collaborate to maintain optimal yield in a wheat–maize double cropping system.

Effects of Different Nutrient Management Systems and Cultivation Methods on Crop Yield and Soil Fertility

[Objective] The aim was to provide scientific basis for improving the middle and low yielding fields fertility and farmland productivity. [Method] A field experiment was carried out to study the effects of different management practices （including nutrient management systems and cultivation methods） on crop yield and soil fertility in winter wheat/summer maize rotation system. [Result] The crop yield in the treatment of the high yield and high efficiency system was remarkably higher than farmer conventional management practice. After five crop seasons experiment, the contents of soil organic matter for high yield and high efficiency system increased 2.72-3.01 g/kg, and that of soil total nitrogen increased 0.12-0.16 g/kg, the soil Olsen-P increased 5.2 mg/kg and the soil available K （NH4OAC-K） increased about 37.8 mg/kg. [Conclusion] Considering the yield and soil fertility comprehensively, the management system of high yield and high efficiency could effectively increase the crop yield and improve the soil fertility.