Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Maga-Pouss Rice Fields (Far-North Region, Cameroon) and Transfer to Rice Grains

Monitoring of heavy metals contamination of agricultural products and their transfer and bioaccumulation in crops like rice has become a hot topic worldwide over the last two decades. The present study was carried out to determine the accumulation of heavy metals in rice fields and their transfer to rice grains. Soil, irrigation water and rice grains samples were gathered in Maga-Pouss, Far-North, Cameroon. Concentrations of six heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron and mercury) were evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Mercury was not detected in this study. Average concentrations of metals were in this order (in mg/kg): Fe (188.60 ± 97.06) > Pb (63.63 ± 7.11) > Cd (2.59 ± 0.29) > Zn (1.10 ± 1.05) > Cu (0.80 ± 0.73) in water and Pb (105.50 ± 31.11) > Fe (105.50 ± 31.11) > Cu (45.93 ± 14.39) > Zn (22.52 ± 6.40) > Cd (3.15 ± 0.49) in soil. Water in Maga-Pouss rice fields appears to be more harmful than the soil, notably for lead, cadmium and copper. In rice grains, heavy metals were found in this order (mg/kg): Fe (188.01 ± 82.62) > Cu (27.20 ± 0.00) > Zn (23.61 ± 12.42) > Pb (19.50 ± 19.91) > Cd (2.02 ± 1.05). The mean bioconcentration factor (BCF) of metals from soil to rice grains was in the following order: Fe (2.60) > Zn (1.05) > Cd (0.64) > Cu (0.59) > Pb (0.18). From water to rice grains, the order is: Cu (37.26) > Zn (22.49) > Cd (6.97) > Pb (2.74) > Fe (1.94). Rice field pH and electrical conductivity favored the uptake of lead, copper and cadmium by rice grains. The findings of this study will be good documentation for risk assessment, and decision-making by environmental managers in this region.

Estimate of CH_4 Emissions from Year-Round Flooded Rice Fields During Rice Growing Season in China

A special kind of rice field exists in China that is flooded year-round. These rice fields have substantially large CH4 emissions during the rice-growing season and emit CH4 continuously in the non-rice growing season. CH4 emission factors were used to estimate the CH4 emissions from year-round flooded rice fields during the rice-growing season in China. The CH4 emissions for the year-round flooded rice fields in China for the rice growing season over a total area of 2.66 Mha were estimated to be 2.44 Tg CH…

ESTIMATE OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM RICE FIELDS IN CHINA BY CLIMATE-BASED NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY

Rice fields provide food for over half of the world population but are also an important source of atmospheric CH(4). Using the climate-based GIS empirical model and the meteorological data collected from 600 meteorological stations in China, with county as the basic unit, the net primary productivity (NPP) of rice fields in China in 1990, 1995, 1998, and 2000 were estimated to be in the range from 202.19x10(12)g C in 1990 to 163.46x10(12)g C in 2000. From the measured data of the factors affecting CH(4) emission and NPP, the conversion ratio of the NPP into CH(4) emission for the rice fields of China was determined to be 1.8%. Using this ratio and estimated NPP, the CH(4) emissions from rice fields of China in 1990, 1995, 1998, and 2000 were estimated to be 7.24x10(12), 6.31x10(12), 6.77x10(12) and 5.85x10(12)g CH(4), respectively.

Assessment of rice fields by GIS／GPS-supported classification of MODIS data

The new Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite image offers a large choice of opportunities for operational applications. The 1-km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) image is not suitable for retrieval of field level parameter and Landsat data are not frequent enough for monitoring changes in crop parameters during the critical crop growth periods.A methodology to map areas of paddy fields using MODIS,geographic information system (GIS) and global position system (GPS) is introduced in this paper. Training samples are selected and located with the help of GPS to provide maximal accuracy.A concept of assessing areas of potential cultivation of rice is suggested by means of GIS integration. By integration of MODIS with GIS and GPS technologies the actual areas of rice fields in 2002 have been mapped. The classification accuracy was 95.7% percent compared with the statistical data of the Agricultural Bureau of Zhejiang Province.

Research on Greenhouse Gases Emission in Rice Fields at County Level

[ Objective] The study aimed to analyze greenhouse gases emission in rice fields at county level. [ Method] Based on GIS platform of soil system and greenhouse gas emission model, CH4 and N20 emission in rice fields of Chaohu City during 1990 -2009 were studied by using rice yield, fertilizer, climate and other data. [ Result] From 1990 to 2009, annual emission of CH4 emission in rice fields of Chaohu City varied from 6.47 to 11.67 Gg, and rice area, yield and the rate of straw returning to fields were the main factors influencing CH4 emission. For instance, when the rate of straw returning to fields rose to 30% and 45% respectively, CH4 emission increased by 14.4% and 27.4% separately. Annual emission of N20 in rice fields of Chaohu City from 1990 to 2009 was 0.119 -0.217 Gg. N20 emission rose slowly during 1990 -1998, then it enhanced fast and greatly as the rapid increase of chemical fertilizer and manure in their application after 1998; it reached the maximum value in 2000, then showed a decreasing trend after 2000. Thus, controlling nitrogen input and improving the utilization rate of nitrogenous fertilizer were the fundamental ways to decrease N20 emission in rice fields. [ Conclusion] The research could provide scientific references for the establishment of measures to reduce greenhouse gases emission in rice fields.

Notable effects on comprehensive techniques of man-made biosphere in rice fields

Studied by Mr. LIU Zhongzhu, ex Chairman of Fujian Academy of Agri Sciences, a combined technique of man—made biosphere in rice fields deserves notice. The research indicated that using man—made biosphere in rice fields can enrich soil, reduce the infects of diseases, insects and weeds, economize the use of pesticide and herbicide, decrease green house effect, and improve atmosphere. As tested, the yield for rice is usually 10500—12000 kg/ha, for fish is usually 2250—3250 kg/ha. Again, about 50%—60% fertilizer and 30%—50% pesticide can be saved. The net income increased $ 1,080—1,800 per ha.

The Program of Fish Culture in rice fields has been developed in Zhejiang Province

1996 is the first year for realizing the object of fish culture in 66,600 ha of rice field in Zhejiang Province. The provincial government has appropriated $ 24,000 per ha for starting capital. Starting from this year, counties with the tradition of fish culture in rice fields as Youngjia and Qingtian have put stress on popularizing the new technique of fish culture in ditches and puddles to raise the yield for per unit area. In areas of Central Zhejiang and North Zhejiang with hilly land and plain area with double—season rice, people have changed traditional fish varieties into special and excellent fish varieties.

Phosphorus Concentration and Forms in Surface and Subsurface Drainage Water from Wetland Rice Fields in the Shaoxing Plain

Phosphorus (P) is the limiting factor for eutrophication in most freshwater ecosystems. In China, Ptransported from intensively cultivated land has been reported as an important source of P in surface waters.In this study, we investigated P concentration and forms in surface and subsurface drainage from wetland ricefields in the Shaoxing plain, Zhejiang Province, China. From selected rice fields, surface drainage sampleswere collected at rice-growing, non-growing and fertilization periods, and subsurface drainage samples atdrought and rewetting (irrigation or precipitation after 5～10 d drought period in the surface soils) and wet(drainage under long-term wet soil condition) periods. Water samples were characterized for their totalreactive P (TRP), dissolved reactive P (DRP) and particulate reactive P (PRP). Concentrations of the TRPand DRP in the surface drainage ranged from 0.08 to 1.50 and 0.06 to 1.27 mg L-1, respectively. The TRPand DRP were dependent on field operation activities, and decreased in the order of fertilization period ＞rice-growing period ＞ non-growing period. Phosphorus concentration of runoff receiving P fertilizer can bean environmental concern. The PRP concentration in the surface drainage, ranging from 0.01 to 0.57 mgL-1, accounted for 8%～78% of the TRP. Concentration of the TRP in the subsurface drainage was from0.026 to 0.090 mg L-1, consisting of 29%～90 % of the DRP and 10%～71% of the PRP. In the droughtand rewetting period, the PRP accounted for, on average, 63% of the TRP, much higher than in the wetperiod (23%), suggesting that there was transport of P in preferential flow during drainage events after ashort-term drought period in the surface soils. Therefore, P losses in particulate form may be importantin the subsurface drainage from rice fields when surface soils form cracks and favor rapid flow downwardthrough the soil profiles, suggesting the important role of water-dispersible colloid particles in mediating andco-transporting P in the subsurface drainage of rice fields.

Control Efficiency and Crop Safety of 20% Cyhalofop-butyl WP on Grass Weeds in Direct Seeded Rice Fields

The purpose was to define the control efficiency and safety of 20% cy- halofop-butyl WP on grass weeds in direct seeded rice fields, in order to provide the basis for chemical weeding. This study measured Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Nees, Echinoch/oa crusgalli （L.） Beauv and other gramineous weed control efficiency with four concentrations of 20% cyhalofop-dutyl WP and 100 g/L cyhalofop-dutyl EC in direct seeded rice fields, and analyzed the yield-increasing effect and safety of rice. The results showed that 20% cyhalofop-butyl WP had a good control efficiency on grass weeds such as Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Nees, Echinoch/oa crusgalli（L.） Beauv and other grasses. The effective dosage of 90-150 g/hm2 was over 90.7% on Lep- foch/oa chinensis（L.） Nees and the comprehensive control effect of the grass weeds was above 86.7%, which was basically consistent with 100 g/L cyhalofop-dutyl EC. Furthermore, 20% cyhalofop-dutyl WP was high security for direct seeded rice fields. The yield of rice was increased by 10.18%-11.22% after spraying herbicide. There- fore, 20% of cyhalofop-dutyl WP can be used as a special herbicide for controlling Leptochloa chinensis（L.） Beauv in direct seeded rice fields, and has a good applica- tion prospect.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Northeast China Rice Fields in Fallow Season

CH4, N2O and CO2 emissions from northeast Chinese rice fields were measured in the fallow season （November to March） to investigate the effects of freezing-thawing on the emissions. Both CH4 emission from and atmospheric CH4 oxidation by the soil occurred, but the flux was small. During the fallow season, rice fields acted as a minor source of atmospheric CH4, which accounted for about 1% of the CH4 emission during the rice growing period. The field was also a substantial source of atmospheric N20, which ranged between 40 to 77 mg m-2 and eu=counted for 40%-50% of the annual N20 emission. The largest N20 flux was observed in the thawing period during the fallow season. Laboratory incubation tests showed that the largest N20 flux came from the release of N20 trapped in frozen soil. Tillage and rice straw application （either mulched on the soil surface or incorporated in the soil） stimulated the CH4 and CO2 emissions during the fallow season, but only straw application stimulated N2O emission substantially.

Model for Methane Emission from Rice Fields and Its Application in Southern China

A process model has been developed. The model has been used to calculate the methane emission from rice fields. The influence of climate conditions, field water management, organic fertilizers and soil types on methane emission from rice fields are considered. There are three major segments which are highly interactive in nature in the model:rice growth, decomposition of soil organic matter and methane production, transport efficiency and methane emission rate. Explicit equations for modeling each segment mentioned above are given. The main results of the model are: 1. The seasonal variation of methane emission of the model output agrees with that of field experiments. The deviation of seasonal average methane emission rate between modeled value and experimental data is about 10%. 2. In the whole rice growing period, model output is similar to experimental data in the seasonal variation of transport ability of rice plant. 3. Soil organic matter content and soil physics and chemistry are major factors that determine the total season average emission rate, while soil temperature controls the temporal variation of methane emission from rice fields.

Factors Influencing Indigenous Rice Protection in the Yuanyang Terraced Rice Fields of China

Indigenous rice has maintained the survival of local people for more than a thousand years in the Yuanyang terraced rice fields of southern Yunnan, China. It is the foundation for long-term stable development of local agriculture and food security and its unique and irreplaceable characteristics give the terraces value. The status of indigenous rice resources is threatened by serious loss, so a better understanding of rice diversity and the factors that influence rice variety protection is conducive to policy. Here, we investigate the planting and conservation situation of indigenous rice, analyze factors impacting the protection and loss of traditional rice varieties, and construct an indigenous rice protection influence index system. Controllable factors which have special meaning to the maintenance and management of local rice are identified and corresponding strategies for the protection and maintenance of indigenous rice are discussed.

Chemical Weeding in Dry Direct Seeding Fields of Single Cropping Middlelate Rice

Chemical weeding in dry direct seeding fields of single cropping middle-late rice was studied in Huida vegetable farm of Huizhou City in 2012. The main treatment was herbicide（ pretilachlor ＋ bensulfuron-methyl,Yangguo and butachlor）,and the sub-treatment was application method（ soil treatments,seedling treatment and integrated treatment）. The results showed that 80 g pretilachlor ＋ bensulfuron-methyl（ 36% pretilachlor ＋ 4% bensulfuron-methyl） diluted with 50 kg water could be sprayed or 200 g Yangguo（ 23. 9% butachlor ＋ 1. 1% bensulfuron-methyl） mixed with 15 kg sandy soil could be broadcasted per 667 m2 on the sowing day or the second day under moist condition of soil,which could effectively control weeds in dry direct seeding fields of single cropping middle-late rice.

Prevention Effects of Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·Quinclorac 50% WP on Stem and Leaf of Dry Direct Seeded Rice

[Objective] The aim was to explore the prevention effects of pyrazosul-furon-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP on stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice. [Method] Totaling 7 drug doses were set in the test and the effects were observed 5, 10, 15 and 30 d after drug application, with the remained weeds surveyed 15 and 30 d after drug application. [Result] The test showed pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50%WP was safe to rice as treatment agent of stem and leaf, and rice yield increased dramatical y, with the growth rate in 2.1%-49.3%. After the drug application, the prevention effects on Echinochloa crusgal i, Ludwimlia prostrata, Monochoria vamli-nalis, and Zong grass were 92.2%, 96.6%, 93.5%, and 94.8%, and the effects on fresh weight were 94.8%, 97.1%, 93.3% and 94.9%, respectively. [Conclusion] Pyra-zosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP can be taken as treatment agents of stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice.

Nitrogen Losses from Flooded Rice Field

A field microplot experiment was conducted during the tillering stage of paddy rice to investigate nitrogen(N) Iosses from flooded rice fields following fertilizer application. After application of ammonium bicarbonate,most of nitrogen in the floodwater was present as NH4-N and its concentration varied widely with time.Concentrations of both NO3-N and NO2-N in the floodwater were low due to the weakened nitrification.Under flooded anaerobic reducing conditions, soil solution concentrations of NO3-N and NH4-N were nothigh, ranging from 0.6 mg L-1 to 4.8 mg L-1, and decreased with soil depth. However, the groundwater wasstill contaminated with NO3-N and NH4-N. Rainfall simulation tests showed that the N losses via runoff inrice fields were closely related to the time intervals between fertilizer applications and rainfall events. Whena large rain fell for a short period after fertilizer application, the N losses via runoff could be large, whichcould have a considerable effect on surface water quality. Both irrigation and N fertilizer application mustbe controlled and managed with great care to minimize N losses via runoff from agricultural land.

Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Three Paddy Rice Based Cultivation Systems in Southwest China

To understand methane （CH4） and nitrous oxide （N2O） emissions from permanently flooded rice paddy fields and to develop mitigation options, a field experiment was conducted in situ for two years （from late 2002 to early 2005） in three rice-based cultivation systems, which are a permanently flooded rice field cultivated with a single time and followed by a non-rice season （PF）, a rice-wheat rotation system （RW） and a rice-rapeseed rotation system （RR） in a hilly area in Southwest China. The results showed that the total CH4 emissions from PF were 646.3±52.1 and 215.0±45.4 kg CH4 hm^-2 during the rice-growing period and non-rice period, respectively. Both values were much lower than many previous reports from similar regions in Southwest China. The CH4 emissions in the rice-growing season were more intensive in PF, as compared to RW and RR. Only 33% of the total annual CH4 emission in PF occurred in the non-rice season, though the duration of this season is two times longer than the rice season. The annual mean N2O flux in PF was 4.5±0.6 kg N2O hm^-2 yr^-1. The N2O emission in the rice-growing season was also more intensive than in the non-rice season, with only 16% of the total annual emission occurring in the non-rice season. The amounts of N2O emission in PF were ignorable compared to the CH4 emission in terms of the global warming potential （GWP）. Changing PF to RW or RR not only eliminated CH4 emissions in the non-rice season, but also substantially reduced the CH4 emission during the following rice-growing period （ca. 58%, P〈0.05）. However, this change in cultivation system substantially increased N2O emissions, especially in the non-rice season, by a factor of 3.7 to 4.5. On the 100-year horizon, the integrated GWP of total annual CH4 and N2O emissions satisfies PF〉〉RR≈RW. The GWP of PF is higher than that of RW and RR by a factor of 2.6 and 2.7, respectively. Of the total GWP of CH4 and N2O emissions, CH4 emission contributed to 93%, 65% and 59% in PF, RW and RR, respectively. These results suggest that changing PF to RW and RR can substantially reduce not only CH4 emission but also the total GWP of the CH4 and N2O emissions.

Fate of Nitrogen from Organic and Inorganic Sources in Rice-Wheat Rotation Cropping System

The lower availability of N is one of the most important limiting factors impeding crop yield enhancement among the various factors that affect crop yield under the multiple-cropping agroecosystem in China.In this study,the recovery of a single application of 15N-labeled fertilizer or residues in rice-wheat cropping system was determined,in order to provide theoretical foundation for the nitrogen management in sustainable agricultural production.A continuous trace experiment was conducted for 15N microplots by using randomized block design with four treatments and four replications（T1 = 15N-labeled fertilizer with crop residue incorporation,T2 = 15N-labeled residues,T3 = 14N fertilizer to generate unlabeled crop residue,and T4 = 15Nlabeled fertilizer without crop residue incorporation）.Our results showed that,on average,17.17 and 12.01% of crop N was derived from N fertilizer and 15N-labeled residues,respectively during the first growing season,suggesting that approximately 82.83 or 87.99% of crop N was derived directly from soil N pool.There was a larger difference in the 15N recovery pattern in crop when N was applied as fertilizer or residues,i.e.,most of crop N derived from N fertilizer was absorbed in the first growing season（92.04%）,and the relevant value was 38.03% when 15N-labeled residues were applied.This implied that most of N fertilizer was recovered in the present cropping season,while a longer residue effect will be found for 15N-labeled residues.Thus,the average recovery of N fertilizer and N residue in the soil after the first growing season was 33.46 and 85.64%,respectively.The recovery of applied N in soil when N was applied as residues was significantly higher than that when N was applied as fertilizer.There was a larger difference in the total 15N recovery in plant and soil when N was applied as fertilizer or residues.By the end of the fifth or sixth cropping season,the total 15N recovery in plant and soil when N was applied as fertilizer or residues were estimated at 64.38 and 79.11%,respectively.On the contrary,there was little difference between the practices of residue incorporation and residue removal following the N fertilizer application.N fertilizer appeared to be more readily available to crops than residue-N,and residue-N replenished soil N pool,especially N in soil organic matter,much more than N fertilizer after six growing seasons.Therefore,residue-N is a better source for sustaining N content of soil organic matter.Thus,one possible management practice is to use both organic and inorganic N sources simultaneously to improve the use efficiency of N while protecting the sustainability of soil.

Methane emission in a rice field of Thailand

In this study, emission of methane have been measured in a Thai rice field. Clear patterns of diurnal variations of methane emission have been observed and were found to follow the diurnal variation of the soil temperature. A detailed explanation was given for explaining the occurrence of a methane emission peak at night.The effects of urea fertilization and field draining on methane emissions were discussed. Methane emission from Thai rice fields is estimated to be 3. 32 Tg CH_4(2. 49 Tg CH_4-C) each year , contributing about 3. 4% to global methane budget due to rice cultivation.

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.

Effect of gradient magnetic field on physiochemistry functions of rice seedlings

Rice varieties Handao 2,Zhongbai 4,Han-jingzi,and Akihikari were treated with gradi-ent magnetic fileld to study the effect of gradi-ent field on rice.The magnetic field was madeup of 12 plots magnetic plates arranged in eachother south and north pole.The magneticstrength was 0-40 mT.Each four varieties wasput under the magnetic plate 15 cm away,andwent through the magnetic field with the speedof 20 cm/s.The same varieties without thetreatment were used as CK.Both of the seedswere soaked in water for 48 h in room temper-ature,and then sprouted on the porcelain platewith absorbed water paper.When the