Effects of Site-Specific Nitrogen Management on Yield and Dry Matter Accumulation of Rice from Cold Areas of Northeastern China

The effects of yield increase and mechanism of site-specific nitrogen management （SSNM） in five rice varieties from cold areas of northeastern China were studied. Plot experiment for critical SPAD value and experiments of two fertilization methods, SSNM and farmer＇s fertilization practice （FFP） were conducted to study their effects on the quality and dry matter accumulation of rice population, as well as N uptake. Compared with FFP, SSNM significantly decreased the average N rate by 33.8%, significantly increased average ear-bearing tiller rate and LAI for grain-filling stage by 12.3% and 14.1-27.6%, correspondingly, improved dry matter weight and N uptake after heading period by 4.3-29.1% and 11.8-55.1% （P 〈 0.05）, and heightened recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency by 38.5-133.4% （P 〈 0.05） and 39.8-194.3% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively, as well as increased the average yield by 9.8% in 2004 and 2005. The results indicated that the accumulation rate of dry matter and N increased the rice yield and N use efficiency, because of improving rice population quality and increasing LAI after heading period.

Effects of nitrogen management on the ratoon crop yield and head rice yield in South USA

Ratoon rice cropping is an important component of the rice cropping system in Texas and south Louisiana,USA,and expanded to Asian countries in 1970.Two field studies were conducted with widely planted rice(Oryza sativa L.)cultivars at Eagle Lake,Texas,USA to determine the effects of nitrogen(N)management in main(first)crop(MC)and ratoon(second)crop(RC)on RC yield.In 2012 and 2013,one cultivar(Presidio)was adopted to determine the effects of RC N management on ratoon yield and head rice yield.In 2016 and 2017,CL153,CL163 and CL272 in addition to Presidio were adopted to examine the effect of MC N management on ratoon yield and head rice yield.N applied at preflood after MC harvest considerably improved RC yield.Application of 99 kg N ha^(–1)at preflood after MC harvest was practically adequate for RC regrowth,development and approaching the yield potential for Presidio.RC could produce quite high average grain yields of 5.90 to 6.53 t ha–1 in 2012 and 2013,respectively.Main crop N rate only significantly affected MC yield;however,given N applied of 99 kg ha^(–1)at preflood after MC harvest,ratoon yield was not significantly affected by MC N rate.Neither the main nor ratoon crop N management had a significant effect on RC head rice yield.Considerable RC head rice yields(55–65%)were observed in all of the four cultivars and 4 years except for CL272 in 2016.These results indicat that without very high N fertilizer application,rice ratoon crop could produce a considerable grain yield and an expectative head rice yield.Rice ratooning could be a practical way to increase rice yields with the minimal input in south Texas and regions with a similar climate.

ICT-based agricultural advisory services and nitrogen management practices:A case study of wheat production in China

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer in China and its adverse effects on agricultural production have been a national and global concern.In addition to massive public initiatives to promote sustainable farm practices,grass-rooted innovations are emerging in the niche,many of which take the forms of information and communication technologies(ICT)and digital services.This study examines the effects of ICT-based extension services provided by an entrepreneurial startup on adopting sustainable farming practices.We found no significant reduction in N-fertilizer use for wheat production.But the ICT-based services promoted farmers to adapt N-fertilizer use towards site-specific management.The business model of the entrepreneurial venture faces great challenges in becoming participatory and financially sustainable.

Optimizing nitrogen management in the food system for sustainable development: a case study of Quzhou County

Nitrogen(N) is an essential nutrient for food production. The rapid increase in population requires high inputs of N to meet the growing food demand. If not managed well, the substantial loss of N from the food system has multiple impacts on grain yield, air and water pollution, and the economic benefits of agricultural. Multi-objective(food security, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability) synergistic consideration of N management in the food system is still lacking. This study employed strategies for optimizing N management in the food system, using Quzhou County as a typical example on the North China Plain. Firstly, a food chain approach was adopted to understand drivers and reasons behind N losses from the food system.Secondly, a top-down approach was used to define multi-objective N management, taking into consideration food security, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Multi-objective N management aims to reduce N losses to the environment and increase N use efficiencies,while simultaneously increasing yields and economic benefits. Thirdly, 3R(reduce-retain-recycle) N management strategies were identified for specific crops and animals through a bottom-up approach and then analyzed the potential of these strategies to achieve the multi-objectives. Finally, there is a discussion of how to engage different stakeholders to promote the technologies implementation. This study provides new insights into the synergistic achievement of multi-objective N management in the food system and the development of environmentally-friendly agriculture.

Optimal management of nitrogen fertilizer in the main rice crop and its carrying-over effect on ratoon rice under mechanized cultivation in Southeast China

This study attempted to clarify the carrying-over effect of different nitrogen treatments applied to the main crop on the crop population growth and yield formation of ratoon rice under mechanized cultivation in Southeast China.Based on the constant total nitrogen application amounts(225.00 kg ha;)in the main crop,an experiment with different ratios of basal and topdressing nitrogen fertilizer(the ratio of basal fertilizer:primary tillering fertilizer:secondary tillering fertilizer:booting fertilizer at 3:1:2:4(N1),3:2:1:4(N2),3:3:0:4(N3),and 4:3:0:3(N4),respectively,and a control without nitrogen treatment(N0))was set up across two consecutive years in field using hybrid rice variety Yongyou 1540 as the test materials.The results showed that the total tiller number and effective tillering percentage increased in the main crop under the N1 treatment,more nitrogen fertilizer applied in late growth stage of the main crop,and its effective tillering percentage of the main crop was the highest at up to 70.18%,which was 9.15%higher than that of conventional fertilization treatment(N4),more nitrogen fertilizer applied in early growth stage of the main crop.The same tendency was observed in leaf area index(LAI)value of the main crop and its subsequent ratoon rice,which were 16.52 and 29.87%higher,respectively,in the N1 treatment than that in the N4 treatment at the full heading stage.The same was true in the case of the transport rates of stem and sheath dry mater and the canopy light interception rates in both the main and its ratoon crops.The transport rate of stem and sheath in main crop rice under N1 treatment increased by 50.57%compared with N4 treatment.The canopy light interception rate of N1 treatment increased by 5.07%compared with N4 treatment at the full heading stage of the ratoon crop.Therefore,the total actual yield was the highest in the main and its ratoon crops under N1 treatment,averaging 17351.23 kg ha;in two-year trials,which was 23.00%higher than that in the conventional fertilization treatment(N4).The results showed that appropriate nitrogen treatment was able to produce a good crop stand in the main crop,which was essential for producing a good ratoon crop population and high yield especially under mechanized cultivation with low stubble height of the main crop.The study suggested that shifting the proper nitrogen application amounts to the late growth stage of the main crop,such as N1 treatment,not only had a higher productive effect on ensuring the yield of the main crop,but also had a positive effect on the axillary bud sprouts from the stubbles for ratoon rice,resulting in an increased percentage of productive panicles and achieving the goal of one planting with two good harvests under the conditions of our study.

SUSTAINABLE NITROGEN MANAGEMENT INDEX: DEFINITION, GLOBAL ASSESSMENT AND POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS

To represent the sustainability of nitrogen management in the Sustainable Development Goals indicator framework,this paper proposes a sustainable nitrogen management index(SNMI).This index combines the performance in N crop yield and N use efficiency(NUE),thereby accounting for the need for both food production and environmental protection.Applying SNMI to countries around the world,the results showed improvement in the overall sustainability of crop N management over the past four decades,but this improvement has been mainly achieved by crop yield increase,while global NUE has improved only slightly.SNMI values vary largely among countries,and this variation has increased since the 1970s,implying different levels of success,even failure,in improving N management for countries around the world.In the standard SNMI assessment,the reference NUE was defined as 1.0(considered an ideal NUE)and the reference yield was defined as 90 kg·ha^(−1)·yr^(−1) N(considering a globally averaged yield target for meeting food demand in 2050).A sensitivity test that replaced the reference NUE of 1.0 with more realistic NUE targets of 0.8 or 0.9 showed overall reduction in SNMI values(i.e.,improved performance),but little change in the ranking among countries.In another test that replaced the universal reference yield with region-specific attainable yield,SNMI values declined(i.e.,improved performance)for most countries in Africa and West Asia,whereas they increased for many countries in Europe and South America.The index can be improved by further investigation of approaches for setting region-specific yield targets and high-quality data on crop yield potentials.Overall,SNMI offers promise for a simple and transparent approach to assess progress of countries toward sustainable N management with a single indicator.

A Dynamic Knowledge Model for Nitrogen Fertilizationin Wheat Management

By analyzing and extracting the research progress on nitrogen fertilization in wheat, a dynamic knowledge model for management decision-making on total nitrogen rate, ratios of organic to inorganic and of basal to dressing nitrogen under different environments and cultivars in wheat was developed with principle of nutrient balance and by integrating the quantitative effects of grain yield and quality targets, soil characters, variety traits and water management levels. Case studies on the nitrogen fertilization model with the data sets of different eco-sites, cultivars, soil fertility levels, grain yield and quality targets and water management levels indicate a good performance of the model system in decision-making and wide applicability.

Modified fertilization management of summer maize(Zea mays L.) in northern China improves grain yield and efficiency of nitrogen use

Improving the yield of maize grain per unit area is needed to meet the growing demand for it in China, where the availability of fertile land is very limited.Modified fertilization management and planting density are efficient methods for increasing crop yield.Field experiments were designed to investigate the influence of modified fertilization management and planting density on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of the popular maize variety Zhengdan 958, in four treatments including local farmer＇s practice（FP）, high-yielding and high efficiency cultivation（HH）, super high-yielding cultivation（SH）, and the control（CK）.Trials were conducted in three locations of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in northern China.Compared with FP, SH was clearly able to promote N absorption and dry matter accumulation in post-anthesis, and achieve high yield and N use efficiency by increasing planting density and postponing the supplementary application of fertilizers.However, with an increase in planting density, the demand of N increased along with grain yield.Due to the input of too much N fertilizer, the efficiency of N use in SH was low.Applying less total N, ameliorating cultivation and cropping management practices should be considered as priority strategies to augment production potential and finally achieve synchronization between high yield and high N efficiency in fertile soils.However, in situations where soil fertility is low, achieving high yield and high N use efficiency in maize will likely depend on increased planting density and appropriate application of supplementary fertilizers postpone to the grain-filling stage.

Integrated management strategy for improving the grain yield and nitrogen-use efficiency of winter wheat

Understanding of how combinations of agronomic options can be used to improve the grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency（NUE） of winter wheat is limited. A three-year experiment involving four integrated management strategies was conducted from 2013 to 2015 in Tai＇an, Shandong Province, China, to evaluate changes in grain yield and NUE. The integrated management treatments were as follows： current practice（T1）; improvement of current practice（T2）; high-yield management（T3）, which aimed to maximize grain yield regardless of the cost of resource inputs; and integrated soil and crop system management（T4） with a higher seeding rate, delayed sowing date, and optimized nutrient management. Seeding rates increased by 75 seeds m^-2 with each treatment from T1（225 seeds m^-2） to T4（450 seeds m^-2）. The sowing dates were delayed from T1（5 th Oct.） to T2 and T3（8 th Oct.）, and to T4 treatment（12 th Oct.）. T1, T2, T3, and T4 received 315, 210, 315, and 240 kg N ha^-1, 120, 90, 210 and 120 kg P2O5 ha^-1, 30, 75, 90, and 45 kg K2O ha^-1, respectively. The ratio of basal application to topdressing for T1, T2, T3, and T4 was 6：4, 5：5, 4：6, and 4：6, respectively, with the N topdressing applied at regreening for T1 and at jointing stage for T2, T3, and T4. The P fertilizers in all treatments were applied as basal fertilizer. The K fertilizer for T1 and T2 was applied as basal fertilizer while the ratio of basal application to topdressing（at jointing stage） of K fertilizer for both T3 and T4 was 6：4. T1, T2, T3, and T4 were irrigated five, four, four and three times, respectively. Treatment T3 produced the highest grain yield among all treatments over three years and the average yield was 9 277.96 kg ha^-1. Grain yield averaged across three years with the T4 treatment（8 892.93 kg ha^-1） was 95.85% of that with T3 and was 21.72 and 6.10% higher than that with T1（7 305.95 kg ha^-1） and T2（8 381.41 kg ha^-1）, respectively. Treatment T2 produced the highest NUE of all the integrated treatments. The NUE with T4 was 95.36% of that with T2 and was 51.91 and 25.62% higher than that with T1 and T3, respectively. The N uptake efficiency（UPE） averaged across three years with T4 was 50.75 and 16.62% higher than that with T1and T3, respectively. The N utilization efficiency（UTE） averaged across three years with T4 was 7.74% higher than that with T3. The increased UPE with T4 compared with T3 could be attributed mostly to the lower available N in T4, while the increased UTE with T4 was mainly due to the highest N harvest index and low grain N concentration, which consequently led to improved NUE. The net profit for T4 was the highest among four treatments and was 174.94, 22.27, and 28.10% higher than that for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Therefore, the T4 treatment should be a recommendable management strategy to obtain high grain yield, high NUE, and high economic benefits in the target region, although further improvements of NUE are required.

Challenge and Opportunity in Improving Fertilizer-nitrogen Use Efficiency of Irrigated Rice in China

Today, about 30% of world nitrogen (N) fertilizer is consumed by China. Rice crops in China consume about 37% of the total N fertilizer used for rice production in the world. Average rate of N application for rice production in China is high and fertilizer-N use efficiency is low compared with other major rice growing countries. Research progresses have been made internationally and domestically on the application method, fertilizer-N sources, computer-based decision support systems, and real-time N management in order

Grain-filling characteristics and yield differences of maize cultivars with contrasting nitrogen efficiencies

To investigate the effect of nitrogen management on the grain-filling characteristics and yield formation of maize cultivars with contrasting nitrogen efficiencies,and to identify differences in grain-filling characteristics and yield of maize cultivars in response to nitrogen management,a two-year field experiment was conducted in southwest China in2015–2016.The grain-filling rate and duration of the N-inefficient cultivar XY 508 were higher than those of the N-efficient cultivar ZH 311.The 100-kernel weight of XY 508 was significantly higher than that of ZH 311.The kernel number per ear of ZH 311 was significantly higher than that of XY 508,making the population filling rate of ZH 311 significantly higher than that of XY 508.The higher population filling rate of the N-efficient maize cultivar led to a significant yield advantage over the N-inefficient maize cultivar.Nitrogen management effectively improved maize grain yield,but the response of maize cultivars with contrasting nitrogen efficiencies to nitrogen management was inconsistent.A basal fertilizer ratio 60.43%with a topdressing ratio 39.57%effectively increased grainfilling rate,delayed the time to maximum filling rate,prolonged the active filling period and effective grain-filling time,increased the 100-kernel weight,and maintained higher kernels per ear,thereby improving the population filling rate and maximizing the yield advantage of the N-efficient cultivar.A 100%basal fertilizer ratio not only increased the number of kernels per ear,but also maintained high grain filling characteristics to obtain a higher 100-kernel weight and increased the population filling rate,leading to a high grain yield in the N-inefficient cultivar.Thus,the 100%basal fertilizer ratio partially compensated for the deficient grain yield of the N-inefficient cultivar.

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.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization Promotes Aerial Part Development and Affect Nutrient Uptake by Carobinha of the Brazilian Cerrado

Producing Brazilian Cerrado plants, especially ones endangered, is essential for your maintenance. In this way, fertilization is furthermore uncertain. Here, we demonstrate the impact of soil addition of nitrogen (N, 4.20, 18.90, 31.50, 44.10 and 59.85 mg&middot;dm-3) and phosphorus (P, 9.56, 57.38, 95.62, 133.86 and 181.67 mg&middot;dm-3) fertilizers levels on the development and on nutrients uptake by Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (carobinha), species of the Brazilian Cerrado, in a long term pot trial. The N and P addition together increased plant height and N concentration in roots. N and P also increased the P concentration and content on the roots in young plants, but in the older plants, isolated effect of both was stronger than their combined action. The N addition promoted branching, production of dry leaves and dry xylopodium, contents of K, Ca and P on the leaves, and N content on the roots. However, the N reduced xylopodium diameter, leaf area, and Mg contents in the young plants, but increased them in the older plants. The P addition increased stem diameter and dry biomass, P concentration and N content on the leaves, Ca content on the roots and also reduced N concentration on the leaves. However, the P addition increased Mg concentration on the roots in the young plants and reduced it in the older plants. In general, N levels ranging between 25.69 - 38.85 mg&middot;dm-3 and P levels between 84.39 - 109.23 mg&middot;dm-3 promote more effectively the plant development. Thus, N and P fertilization can promote the aerial development of plant and a differential allocation of nutrients between the carobinha tissues.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate and Ratio on Lodging Resistance of Super Rice with Different Genotypes

The objective of this study was to determine the morphology mechanism of nitrogen （N） fertilizer rates and ratio on lodging resistance through analying its effects among lodging index （LI）, lodging-related morphological traits and physical strength in basal intemodes by comparing japonica and indica super rice cultivars. Field experiments, with three nitrogen levels （0, 150 and 300 kg ha-L） and two ratios of basal to topdressing （8：2 and 5：5） with two super rice cultivars （Yliangyou 2 and Wuyunjing 23）, were conducted in the Baolin Farm, Danyang Country, Jiangsu Province, China, in 2011 and 2012. Effects of N fertilizer rates and ratios on morphology of whole plant, morphology traits in basal intemodes and culm＇s physical strength parameters were investigated at 20 d after full heading stage. LI of Yliangyou 2 was significant greater than that of Wuyunjing 23 due to larger bending moment by whole plant （WP） with higher plant height and gravity center height. With higher volume of N fertilizer, LI of two super rice cultivars was increased conspicuously. However, no significant effect was detected with increase of panicle fertilizer ratio. The size of breaking strength （M） in basal intemodes was the key factor determining LI among N fertilizer treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that M value was positively related bending stress （BS） of Wuyunjing 23 and section modulus （Z） of Yliangyou 2, respectively. The higher N fertilizer levels induced reduction ofBS of Wuyunjing 23 due to weak culm and leaf sheath plumpness status and reduced Z of Yliangyou 2 owning to small diameter and culm wall thickness, consequently, influencing their M indirectly. These results suggested that breaking strength was the key factor influencing LI with increase of N fertilizer levels. However, the lodging-related morphology mechanism was different with genotypes. Culm wall thickness and diameter in basal internodes of indica super rice and culm and leaf sheath plumpness status of japonica super rice influenced breaking strength, as well as lodging index, respectively.

Recent Advances on the Technologies to Increase Fertilizer Use Efficiency

To increase fertilizer use efficiency （FUE） and to minimize its negative impact on environment have been the focal points in the world for a long time. It is very important to increase FUE in China for its relatively low FUE and serious losses of nutrients. Recent advances of the technologies to increase FUE are reviewed in this article. These include site-specific and real-time nitrogen management, non-destructive quick test of the nitrogen status of plants, new types of slow release and controlled release fertilizers, site-specific nutrient management, and use of urease inhibitor and nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrogen losses. Future outlook in technologies related to FUE improvement is also discussed.

Changes in Grain Yield of Rice and Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Paddy Fields after Application of Organic Fertilizers Made from Maize Straw

A field experiment was conducted at the farm of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China, to study the effects of organic fertilizers made from maize straw on rice grain yield and the emission of greenhouse gases. Four organic fertilizer treatments were as follows： maize straw （MS）, compost made from maize straw （MC）, methane-generating maize residue （MR）, and black carbon made from maize straw （BC）. These organic fertilizers were applied separately to paddy fields before rice transplanting. No organic fertilizer was applied to the control （CK）. The effects of each organic fertilizer on rice grain yield and emission of greenhouse gases were investigated under two conditions, namely, no nitrogen （N） application （ON） and site-specific N management （SSNM）. Rice grain yields were significantly higher in the MS, MC and MR treatments than those in CK under either ON or SSNM. The MS treatment resulted in the highest grain yield and agronomic N use efficiency. However, no significant difference was observed for these parameters between the BC treatment and CK. The changes in the emissions of methane （CH4） carbon dioxide （CO2）, or nitrous oxide （N20） from the fields were similar among all organic fertilizer treatments during the entire rice growing season. The application of each organic fertilizer significantly increased the emission of each greenhouse gas （except N20 emission in the BC treatment） and global warming potential （GWP）. Emissions of all the greenhouse gases and GWP increased under the same organic fertilizer treatment in the presence of N fertilizer, whereas GWP per unit grain yield decreased. The results indicate that the application of organic fertilizer （MS, MC or MR） could increase grain yield, but also could enhance the emissions of greenhouse gases from paddy fields. High grain yield and environmental efficiency could be achieved by applying SSNM with MR.

Effect of nitrogen limitation on antioxidant qualities is highly associated with genotypes of lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.)

Antioxidants are highly beneficial to human health, and their accumulation in lettuce, one of the most popular leafy vegetables, depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Nitrogen(N) availability plays an essential role in regulating antioxidant accumulation, but the influence of genotype × N interactions on the antioxidant qualities of lettuce is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the variation of growth and antioxidant qualities of 20 lettuce(Lactuca sativa L.) genotypes(10 green lettuce genotypes and 10 red lettuce genotypes) under limited N(low N, LN) conditions and standard N(high N, HN) conditions. For all 20 genotypes, LN conditions reduced shoot(i.e., leaf) growth, but increased plant concentrations of vitamin C,glutathione, and phenolic compounds, with the exception of carotenoids, compared with HN conditions. Because of reduced biomass under LN conditions, not all lettuce genotypes exhibited increased antioxidant yields or total antioxidant capacity yield. The variation in antioxidant quality was primarily genetically determined. Generally, the green lettuce genotypes exhibited more pronounced increases in antioxidant yields and total antioxidant capacity yield than the red lettuce genotypes under LN conditions. These results suggest that even though LN conditions generally tend to improve the antioxidant qualities of lettuce, the extent of this effect is highly dependent on genotype. Therefore, genotype should be given priority in future studies that aim to improve antioxidant qualities in lettuce through N management.

Effects of nitrogen supply methods on fate of nitrogen in maize under alternate partial root-zone irrigation

Partial root-zone irrigation(PRI)has been practiced worldwide,but little information is available on nitrogen(N)supply methods influence on fate of applied N fertilizer for crop production under PRI.A field experiment was conducted to investigate effect of N supply methods on the uptake,residual,and loss of applied N fertilizer in maize(Zea mays L.)under alternate PRI at Wuwei,northwest China in 2014.15N-labeled urea was used as N fertilizer.Two irrigation methods included alternate furrow irrigation(AI)and conventional furrow irrigation(CI).Two N fertilizer supply methods included conventional N supply(CN)and alternate N supply(AN),were applied in combination with each irrigation method.Grain yield,root length density(RLD),N uptake by maize at the maturity stage,and atom%of 15N excess,residual 15N and residual NO3-N in the 0-100 cm soil layer after maize harvest were determined.Results shown that compared to CI coupled with CN,AI coupled with AN or CN significantly increased the grain yield,harvest index,RLD,N uptake by maize,15N accumulation in grain,atom%of 15N excess in the 0-60 cm soil layer,the residual 15N and 15N uptake rates;but significantly decreased the residual NO3-N in the 0-100 cm soil layers and 15N loss rate.Moreover,the synchronized rather than separation supply of N fertilizer and water enhanced the most above parameters under AI.15N uptake rate was positively correlated with RLD in the 0-40 cm soil layer,suggesting that the enhanced RLD contributed to the improved 15N uptake rate.Therefore,alternate furrow irrigation coupled with conventional or alternate nitrogen supply(synchronized supply of N fertilizer and water)could help improve 15N uptake rate and reduce the 15N loss rate.

Producing more with less: reducing environmental impacts through an integrated soil-crop system management approach

Balancing crop productivity with resource use efficiency and beneficial environmental consequences is essential for sustainable agricultural development worldwide.Various strategies and approaches have been proposed and debated,but turning the concept into management practices in the field with measurable outcomes over several scales remains a challenge.An innovative approach,Integrated Soil-Crop System Management(ISSM),for producing more grain with greater nutrient use efficiencies and less environmental pollution is presented.The ISSM approach has been used in China,in field experiments as well as in thousands of farmer fields,to substantially increase the yields of maize,rice and wheat while simultaneously increasing nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental footprints.The scientific principle,implementation strategy and procedures of ISSM are discussed and examples of its demonstrated successes at local and regional levels across China are given.Perspectives for further development of ISSM and expanding its potential impact are also proposed and discussed.

Using a systems modeling approach to improve soil management and soil quality

Soils provide the structural support, water andnutrients for plants in nature and are considered to be thefoundation of agriculture production. Improving soilquality and soil health has been advocated as the goal ofsoil management toward sustainable agricultural intensifi-cation. There have been renewed efforts to define andquantify soil quality and soil health but establishing aconsensus on the key indicators remains difficult. It isargued that such difficulties are due to the former ways ofthinking in soil management which largely focus on soilproperties alone. A systems approach that treats soils as akey component of agricultural production systems ispromoted. It is argued that soil quality must be quantifiedin terms of crop productivity and impacts on ecosystemsservices that are also strongly driven by climate andmanagement interventions. A systems modeling approachcaptures the interactions among climate, soil, crops andmanagement, and their impacts on system performance,thus helping to quantify the value and quality of soils.Here, three examples are presented to demonstrate this. Inthis systems context, soil management must be an integralpart of systems management practices that also includemanaging the crops and cropping systems under specificclimatic conditions, with cognizance of future climatechange.