Moisture Movement and Transformation Law under Soil Moisture Conserving Irrigation in Winter Wheat Field

[Objective] The aim was to provide theoretical basis for field moisture conserving irrigation.[Method] With Xiaoyan No.6 as tested material,three different kinds of mulching irrigation treatments were carried out （straw mulching;plastic mulching;PAM control adjustment mulching）.With non-mulching treatment as control,moisture conserving effect of different treatments were compared.[Result] The results showed that the water consumption of winter wheat under different soil moisture conservation treatments was low at earlier stage and later stage,but high at mid-stage,which was consistent with the water consumption law of control.There were some differences in terms of consumption intensity because of irrigation schedule and growth condition;soil moisture conservation treatments could restrain ineffective evaporation of soil moisture before anthesis.We also found that the variation of soil moisture at depth of 0-20 cm in PAM and control treatment was dramatic.The soil moisture of the former was lower than the latter at the depth of 0-20 cm,but higher at the depth of 20-50 cm.The difference of soil moisture at the depth of 0-50 cm was significant.[Conclusion] Plastic mulching and straw mulching could restrain evaporation effectively.

Integrating a novel irrigation approximation method with a process-based remote sensing model to estimate multi-years'winter wheat yield over the North China Plain

Accurate estimation of regional winter wheat yields is essential for understanding the food production status and ensuring national food security.However,using the existing remote sensing-based crop yield models to accurately reproduce the inter-annual and spatial variations in winter wheat yields remains challenging due to the limited ability to acquire irrigation information in water-limited regions.Thus,we proposed a new approach to approximating irrigations of winter wheat over the North China Plain(NCP),where irrigation occurs extensively during the winter wheat growing season.This approach used irrigation pattern parameters(IPPs)to define the irrigation frequency and timing.Then,they were incorporated into a newly-developed process-based and remote sensing-driven crop yield model for winter wheat(PRYM–Wheat),to improve the regional estimates of winter wheat over the NCP.The IPPs were determined using statistical yield data of reference years(2010–2015)over the NCP.Our findings showed that PRYM–Wheat with the optimal IPPs could improve the regional estimate of winter wheat yield,with an increase and decrease in the correlation coefficient(R)and root mean square error(RMSE)of 0.15(about 37%)and 0.90 t ha–1(about 41%),respectively.The data in validation years(2001–2009 and 2016–2019)were used to validate PRYM–Wheat.In addition,our findings also showed R(RMSE)of 0.80(0.62 t ha–1)on a site level,0.61(0.91 t ha–1)for Hebei Province on a county level,0.73(0.97 t ha–1)for Henan Province on a county level,and 0.55(0.75 t ha–1)for Shandong Province on a city level.Overall,PRYM–Wheat can offer a stable and robust approach to estimating regional winter wheat yield across multiple years,providing a scientific basis for ensuring regional food security.

A simulation of winter wheat crop responses to irrigation management using CERES-Wheat model in the North China Plain

To improve efficiency in the use of water resources in water-limited environments such as the North China Plain（NCP）, where winter wheat is a major and groundwater-consuming crop, the application of water-saving irrigation strategies must be considered as a method for the sustainable development of water resources. The initial objective of this study was to evaluate and validate the ability of the CERES-Wheat model simulation to predict the winter wheat grain yield, biomass yield and water use efficiency（WUE） responses to different irrigation management methods in the NCP. The results from evaluation and validation analyses were compared to observed data from 8 field experiments, and the results indicated that the model can accurately predict these parameters. The modified CERES-Wheat model was then used to simulate the development and growth of winter wheat under different irrigation treatments ranging from rainfed to four irrigation applications（full irrigation） using historical weather data from crop seasons over 33 years（1981–2014）. The data were classified into three types according to seasonal precipitation： 〈100 mm, 100–140 mm, and 〉140 mm. Our results showed that the grain and biomass yield, harvest index（HI） and WUE responses to irrigation management were influenced by precipitation among years, whereby yield increased with higher precipitation. Scenario simulation analysis also showed that two irrigation applications of 75 mm each at the jointing stage and anthesis stage（T3） resulted in the highest grain yield and WUE among the irrigation treatments. Meanwhile, productivity in this treatment remained stable through different precipitation levels among years. One irrigation at the jointing stage（T1） improved grain yield compared to the rainfed treatment and resulted in yield values near those of T3, especially when precipitation was higher. These results indicate that T3 is the most suitable irrigation strategy under variable precipitation regimes for stable yield of winter wheat with maximum water savings in the NCP. The application of one irrigation at the jointing stage may also serve as an alternative irrigation strategy for further reducing irrigation for sustainable water resources management in this area.

Effects of Irrigation Quantity and Term on Waterconsumption and Yield of Winter Wheat by Wide Precision Sowing

[Objective] The aim was to research effects of irrigation quantity and term on winter wheat by wide precision sowing and to provide references and technical supports for water-saving agriculture in North China. [Methed] During 2013-2015, Jimai 22, a winter wheat cultivar, was taken as materials to explore effects of irrigation quantity and term on water consumption characters and yield of winter wheat by wide precision sowing. [Result] As irrigation water increased, water consumption and irrigation water＇s proportions were growing, but quantity and proportion of soil water consumption were both diminishing; seed yields all kept increasing upon irrigation, but water use efficiencies were decreasing. Given the same irrigation conditions, water consumption by wide precision sowing was more, but yield and water use efficiency were higher. [Conclusion] The practice of combining wide precision sowing and irrigation in jointing and flowering stages, based on yield, water use efficiency and economic profits, has the potential to create more yields and higher water use efficiency and suitable to be applied and promtoed in North China.

Effects of Planting and Irrigation Patterns on Water Consumption Characteristics and Dry Matter Production in Winter Wheat

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different planting and irrigation patterns on water consumption characteristics and dry matter produc- tion and allocation of winter wheat. [Method] With high-yield winter wheat cultivar Jimai 22 as the experimental material, field experiment was conducted during 2008- 2010. A total of 3 planting patterns were designed, uniform row, wide-narrow row and furrow. Under each planting pattern, total four irrigation patterns were designed, no irrigation （Wo）, irrigation at jointing state （Wl）, irrigation at jointing and anthesis stages （W2） and irrigation at jointing, anthesis and milking stages （W3）, and the irri- gation amount per treatment was all 60 mm. [Result] Under the three planting pat- terns, with the increased irrigation amount, the total water consumption of the exper- imental field increased; the proportion of irrigation in the total water consumption in- creased, and that of soil water consumption in the total water consumption de- creased significantly. Compared with W0 treatment, various irrigation treatments sig- nificantly increased the post-anthesis dry matter accumulation in wheat plants; with the increased irrigation amount, the grain yield under the three planting patterns all increased, while the water use efficiency （WUE） decreased. Under the same irriga- tion conditions, compared with other two planting patterns, furrow planting increased the total water consumption of the experimental field, increased the proportion of soil water consumption in the total water consumption, and improved the WUE and wheat grain yield. [Conclusion] Under the experimental conditions, considering both wheat grain yield and WUE, furrow planting with moderately deficit irrigation at joint- ing and anthesis stages is more suitable for the winter wheat production in North China Plain.

Effects of saline irrigation on soil salt accumulation and grain yield in the winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system in the low plain of North China

In the dominant winter wheat （WW）-summer maize （SM） double cropping system in the low plain located in the North China, limited access to fresh water, especially during dry season, constitutes a major obstacle to realize high crop productivity. Using the vast water resources of the saline upper aquifer for irrigation during WW jointing stage, may help to bridge the peak of dry season and relieve the tight water situation in the region. A field experiment was conducted during 2009-2012 to investigate the effects of saline irrigation during WW jointing stage on soil salt accumulation and productivity of WW and SM. The experiment treatments comprised no irrigation （T1）, fresh water irrigation （T2）, slightly saline water irrigation （T3：2.8 dS m-l）, and strongly saline water irrigation （T4：8.2 dS m-1） at WW jointing stage. With regard to WW yields and aggregated annual WW-SM yields, clear benefits of saline water irrigation （T3 ＆ T4） compared to no irrigation （T1）, as well as insignificant yield losses compared to fresh water irrigation （T2） occurred in all three experiment years. However, the increased soil salinity in eady SM season in consequence of saline irrigation exerted a negative effect on SM photosynthesis and final yield in two of three experiment years. To avoid the negative aftereffects of saline irrigation, sufficient fresh water irrigation during SM sowing phase （i.e., increase from 60 to 90 mm） is recommended to guarantee good growth conditions during the sensitive early growing period of SM. The risk of long-term accumulation of salts as a result of saline irrigation during the peak of dry season is considered low, due to deep leaching of salts during regularly occurring wet years, as demonstrated in the 2012 experiment year. Thus, applying saline water irrigation at jointing stage of WW and fresh water at sowing of SM is most promising to realize high yield and fresh irrigation water saving.

Effects of different irrigation methods on micro-environments and root distribution in winter wheat fields

The irrigation method used in winter wheat fields affects micro-environment factors, such as relative humidity（RH） within canopy, soil temperature, topsoil bulk density, soil matric potential, and soil nutrients, and these changes may affect plant root growth.An experiment was carried out to explore the effects of irrigation method on micro-environments and root distribution in a winter wheat field in the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons.The results showed that border irrigation（BI）, sprinkler irrigation（SI）, and surface drip irrigation（SDI） had no significant effects on soil temperature.Topsoil bulk density, RH within the canopy, soil available N distribution, and soil matric potential were significantly affected by the three treatments.The change in soil matric potential was the key reason for the altered root profile distribution patterns.Additionally, more fine roots were produced in the BI treatment when soil water content was low and topsoil bulk density was high.Root growth was most stimulated in the top soil layers and inhibited in the deep layers in the SDI treatment, followed by SI and BI, which was due to the different water application frequencies.As a result, the root profile distribution differed, depending on the irrigation method used.The root distribution pattern changes could be described by the power level variation in the exponential function.A good knowledge of root distribution patterns is important when attempting to model water and nutrient movements and when studying soil-plant interactions.

Improving winter wheat grain yield and water-/nitrogen-use efficiency by optimizing the micro-sprinkling irrigation amount and nitrogen application rate

Available irrigation resources are becoming increasingly scarce in the North China Plain (NCP),and nitrogen-use efficiency of crop production is also relatively low.Thus,it is imperative to improve the water-use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen fertilizer productivity on the NCP.Here,we conducted a two-year field experiment to explore the effects of different irrigation amounts (S60,60 mm;S90,90 mm;S120,120 mm;S150,150 mm) and nitrogen application rates (150,195 and 240 kg ha^(–1);denoted as N1,N2 and N3,respectively) under micro-sprinkling with water and nitrogen combined on the grain yield(GY),yield components,leaf area index (LAI),flag leaf chlorophyll content,dry matter accumulation (DM),WUE,and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP).The results indicated that the GY and NPFP increased significantly with increasing irrigation amount,but there was no significant difference between S120 and S150;WUE significantly increased first but then decreased with increasing irrigation and S120 achieved the highest WUE.The increase in nitrogen was beneficial to improving the GY and WUE in S60 and S90,while the excessive nitrogen application (N3) significantly reduced the GY and WUE in S120 and S150 compared with those in the N2 treatment.The NPFP significantly decreased with increasing nitrogen rate under the same irrigation treatments.The synchronous increase in spike number (SN) and 1 000-grain weight (TWG)was the main reason for the large increase in GY by micro-sprinkling with increasing irrigation,and the differences in SN and TGW between S120 and S150 were small.Under S60 and S90,the TGW increased with increasing nitrogen application,which enhanced the GY,while N2 achieved the highest TWG in S120 and S150.At the filling stage,the LAI increased with increasing irrigation,and greater amounts of irrigation significantly increased the chlorophyll content in the flag leaf,which was instrumental in increasing DM after anthesis and increasing the TGW.Micro-sprinkling with increased amounts of irrigation or excessive nitrogen application decreased the WUE mainly due to the increase in total water consumption (ET)and the small increase or decrease in GY.Moreover,the increase in irrigation increased the total nitrogen accumulation or contents (TNC) of plants at maturity and reduced the residual nitrate-nitrogen in the soil (SNC),which was conducive to the increase in NPFP,but there was no significant difference in TNC between S120 and S150.Under the same irrigation treatments,an increase in nitrogen application significantly increased the residual SNC and decreased the NPFP.Overall,micro-sprinkling with 120 mm of irrigation and a total nitrogen application of 195 kg ha^(–1) can lead to increases in GY,WUE and NPFP on the NCP.

Coupling Effects of Irrigation and Phosphorus Fertilizer Applications on Phosphorus Uptake and Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat

The water content and nutrient in soil are two main determine factors to crop yield and quality, managements of which in field are of great importance to maintain sustainable high yield. The objective of this study was to measure the uptake, forms, and use efficiency of phosphorus （P） in wheat under four levels of irrigation （W0, W1, W2, and W3） and three levels of P application （P0, P1, and P2） through two growth seasons of wheat （2008-2010）. The field experiment was carried out in a low level of soil P concentration and the eultivar was Jimai 20. The results indicated that P fertilizer combined with irrigation not only improved the activity of phosphatase in soil, but also increased P accumulation in wheat, similar results was found in the grain of wheat, the content of total P increased significantly. Meanwhile, the mainly existence forms of P in grain were the lecithoid-P and labile organic-P. On the other hand, in comparison to the irrigation, the dry matter and grain P production efficiency and postponing P application of wheat increased with increasing Papplication rates within the range of 0-180 kg P2O5 ha-1. The interaction between P and irrigation also significantly （P〈0.01） affected on the P accumulation, grain total P, grain phospholipid P, and P production efficiency. In this study, therefore, the P applications and irrigation improved grain P production efficiency and postponing P application of winter wheat, and W2P2 treatment （180 kg P2O5 ha-1 combination with 120 mm irrigation） had a high P accumulation and P use efficiency, it was an optimum level for P fertilizer application and irrigation in this region.

Experimental Investigation of Soil Evaporation and Evapotranspiration of Winter Wheat Under Sprinkler Irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation is one of the typical irrigation technologies used for the winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system in the North China Plain. To evaluate the evapotranspiration （ET） of winter wheat under sprinkler irrigation in Beijing area, field experiments were conducted in growing seasons through 2005-2008, in the experimental station located in Tongzhou County, Beijing, China, with different irrigation depths. Results indicated that a relatively large variation of soil water content occurred within 0-40 cm soil layer. The seasonal ET of winter wheat generally increased with increasing irrigation amount, while the seasonal usage of soil water had a negative relationship with irrigation amount. Soil evaporation （Es） was about 25% of winter wheat ET during the period from reviving to maturity. Es increased while Es/ET decreased with increasing irrigation amount. Sprinkler irrigation scheduling with relatively large irrigation quota and low irrigation frequency can reduce Es and promote the irrigation water use efficiency.

Effect of Limited Single Irrigation on Yield of Winter Wheat and Spring Maize Relay Intercropping

A field experiment was conducted during the 2002/2003 cropping season of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） and spring maize （Zea mays） to evaluate the effect of limited single drip irrigation on the yield and water use of both crops under relay intercropping in a semi-arid area of northwestern China. A controlled 35 mm single irrigation, either early or late, was applied to each crop at a certain growth stage. Soil water, leaf area, final grain yield and yield components such as the thousand-grain weight, length of spike, fertile spikelet number, number of grains per spike, and grain weight per spike were measured, and water use efficiency and leaf area index were calculated for the irrigated and non-irrigated relay intercropping treatments and sole cropping controls. The results showed that yield, yield components, water use efficiency, and leaf area index in the relay intercropping treatments were affected by limited single drip irrigation during various growth stages of wheat and maize. The total yields in the relay intercropping treatment irrigated during the heading stage of wheat and the heading and anthesis stage of maize were the highest among all the treatments, followed by that irrigated during the anthesis stage of wheat and silking stage of maize; so was the water use efficiency. Significant differences occurred in most yield components between the irrigated and non-irrigated relay-intercropping treatments. The dynamics of the leaf area index in the relay-intercropped or solely cropped wheat and maize showed a type of single-peak pattern, whereas that of the relay intercropping treatments showed a type of double-peak pattern. Appropriately, limited single irrigation and controlled soil water content level could result in higher total yield, water use efficiency, and leaf area index, and improved yield components in relay intercropping. This practice saved the amount of water used for irrigation and also increased the yield. Therefore, heading stage of wheat and heading and anthesis stage of maize were suggested to be the optimum limited single irrigation time for relay-intercropped wheat and maize in the semi-arid area.

The water-saving potential of using micro-sprinkling irrigation for winter wheat production on the North China Plain

The shortage of groundwater resources is a considerable challenge for winter wheat production on the North China Plain.Water-saving technologies and procedures are thus urgently required.To determine the water-saving potential of using micro-sprinkling irrigation(MSI)for winter wheat production,field experiments were conducted from 2012 to 2015.Compared to traditional flooding irrigation(TFI),micro-sprinkling thrice with 90 mm water(MSI1)and micro-sprinkling four times with 120 mm water(MSI2)increased the water use efficiency by 22.5 and 16.2%,respectively,while reducing evapotranspiration by 17.6 and 10.8%.Regardless of the rainfall pattern,MSI(i.e.,MSI1 or MSI2)either stabilized or significantly increased the grain yield,while reducing irrigation water volumes by 20–40%,compared to TFI.Applying the same volumes of irrigation water,MSI(i.e.,MSI3,micro-sprinkling five times with 150 mm water)increased the grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat by 4.6 and 11.7%,respectively,compared to TFI.Because MSI could supply irrigation water more frequently in smaller amounts each time,it reduced soil layer compaction,and may have also resulted in a soil water deficit that promoted the spread of roots into the deep soil layer,which is beneficial to photosynthetic production in the critical period.In conclusion,MSI1 or MSI2 either stabilized or significantly increased grain yield while reducing irrigation water volumes by 20–40%compared to TFI,and should provide water-saving technological support in winter wheat production for smallholders on the North China Plain.

Exogenous application of glycine betaine improved water use efficiency in winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) via modulating photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidative capacity under conventional and limited irrigation conditions

Improving water use efficiency(WUE)is an important subject in agricultural irrigation for alleviating the scarcity of water resources in semiarid regions of the North China Plain.Moreover,glycine betaine(GB)is one of the most effective compatible solutes synthesized naturally in plants for enhancing stress tolerance under abiotic stress,but little information is available on the involvement of GB in regulating crop WUE under field conditions.This study was conducted to explore the role of exogenously applied GB in improving WUE and plant physiological and biochemical responses inwinterwheat subjected to conventional or limited irrigation during the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 growing seasons.Exogenous application of GB significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced the accumulation ofmalondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide under limited irrigation conditions.Furthermore,GB-treated plantsmaintained higher leaf relative water content andmembrane stability,which led to higher chlorophyll content and gas exchange attributes for better intrinsic and instantaneouswater use efficiencies compared to control plants under limited irrigation conditions.GB-treated plants had higher indole-acetic acid and zeatin riboside levels but lower ABA levels compared to control plants under conventional and limited irrigation conditions.Additionally,GB enhanced the grain filling rate and duration,grain number per spike,and final grainweight,which resulted in higher grain yield compared to the control.Interestingly,GB significantly improved the integrative and photosynthetic WUE under conventional and limited irrigation conditions,although GB treatment did not markedly affect total water consumption.These results suggest the involvement of GB in improving WUEs in winter wheat by modulating hormonal balance,membrane stability,photosynthetic performance and antioxidant systems to maintain higher grain yield under conventional and limited irrigation conditions.

Physiological response of flag leaf and yield formation of winter wheat under different spring restrictive irrigation regimes in the Haihe Plain,China

In order to identify the optimum period of spring water-restrictive irrigation for winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)in the Haihe Plain,China and elucidate its effects on flag leaf senescence and yield formation,field experiments were conducted at the Xinji Experimental Station of Hebei Agricultural University from 2016 to 2019 by using different irrigation regimes in spring,including the conventional regime involving two irrigation periods(control(CK),the 3-leaf unfolding stage and the anthesis stage)and a series of single,restrictive irrigation regimes(SRI)comprising irrigation at the 3-leaf unfolding stage(3 LI),4 LI,5 LI,and 6 LI.There are five major findings:(1)The senescence(determined by the green leaf area,GLA)in the 4 LI treatment occurred moderately earlier than that in CK,showed no significant difference with that in 5 LI and 6 LI,and occurred significantly later than that in 3 LI.(2)Compared with other SRI treatments,the GLA value and photosynthetic rate in 4 LI were 14.82 and 20.1%higher,respectively.Microstructural analysis of flag leaf also revealed that the mesophyll cells and chloroplasts were irregularly arranged under drought stress in 3 LI and 6 LI;however,drought stress had minimal negative effects on the microstructure in 4 LI and 5 LI.(3)Postponed irrigation in spring could significantly increase superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)activities in the early stage of grain filling;however,these activities would subsequently decrease.Among the four SRI treatments,the overall enzyme activities were the highest in 4 LI,and the combined malondialdehyde(MDA)content in flag leaves in 4 LI and 5 LI was 14.5%lower on average than that in 3 LI and 6 LI.(4)The soluble sugar(SS)and proline(Pro)contents in 4 LI were the highest among the four SRI treatments;however,they were lower than those in CK.The abscisic acid(ABA)hormone content in 4 LI and 5 LI was lower than that in 3 LI and 6 LI,respectively,suggesting a smaller drought stress effect in 4 LI and 5 LI.(5)In two growing seasons,there was a larger number of spikes per unit area in 4 LI(i.e.,13.4%higher than that in 5 LI and 6 LI)and the 1000-grain weight in 4 LI was the highest among the four SRI treatments(i.e.,6.0%higher than that in the other three SRI treatments).Therefore,a single restrictive irrigation regime at the 4-leaf unfolding stage is recommended to be effective in slowing down the senescence process of flag leaves and achieving high yield.

Yield and water use responses of winter wheat to irrigation and nitrogen application in the North China Plain

With increasing water shortage resources and extravagant nitrogen application, there is an urgent need to optimize irrigation regimes and nitrogen management for winter wheat（Triticum aestivum L.） in the North China Plain（NCP）. A 4-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of three irrigation levels（W1, irrigation once at jointing stage; W2, irrigation once at jointing and once at heading stage; W3, irrigation once at jointing, once at heading, and once at filling stage; 60 mm each irrigation） and four N fertilizer rates（N0, 0; N1, 100 kg N ha-（-1）; N2, 200 kg N ha-（-1）; N3, 300 kg N ha-（-1）） on wheat yield, water use efficiency, fertilizer agronomic efficiency, and economic benefits. The results showed that wheat yield under W2 condition was similar to that under W3, and greater than that under W1 at the same nitrogen level. Yield with the N1 treatment was higher than that with the N0 treatment, but not significantly different from that obtained with the N2 and N3 treatments. The W2 N1 treatment resulted in the highest water use and fertilizer agronomic efficiencies. Compared with local traditional practice（W3 N3）, the net income and output-input ratio of W2 N1 were greater by 12.3 and 19.5%, respectively. These findings suggest that two irrigation events of 60 mm each coupled with application of 100 kg N ha-（–1） is sufficient to provide a high wheat yield during drought growing seasons in the NCP.

The Impacts of Supplemental Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture Measurement and Nitrogen Use on Winter Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Absorption and Distribution

Based on split plot design method of field test,the impacts of supplemental irrigation based on soil moisture measurement and nitrogen use on winter wheat yield and nitrogen absorption and distribution were studied.Supplemental irrigation had three levels: 60%(W_1),70%(W_2) and 80%(W3) of the targeted relative water content at 0-40 cm of soil layer during jointing period of winter wheat.Nitrogen fertilization had three levels: not using nitrogen(N_0),using pure nitrogen of 195 kg/hm^2(N_(195)) and 255 kg/hm^2(N_(255)).Results showed that:(i)different supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization significantly affected plant height and leaf area of winter wheat during key growth period.Under the same supplemental irrigation treatment,both plant height and leaf area of winter wheat showed as N_(255)> N_(195)> N_0(P <0.05).Plant height in N_(195) and N_(255)treatments was significantly higher than that in N_0 treatment,but there was not significant difference between N_(195) and N_(255)(P >0.05).Under the same nitrogen fertilization,plant height in W_2(569.4 m^3/hm^2) and W3(873.45 m^3/hm^2) treatments was significant higher than that in W_1(265.2 m^3/hm^2),but there was not significant difference between W_2 and W3(P >0.05).It illustrated that excessive nitrogen fertilization and supplemental irrigation did not significantly affect plant height and leaf area of winter wheat.(ii) Under the same nitrogen fertilization level,yield increase effect of winter wheat by supplemental irrigation showed a declining trend with nitrogen application amount increased.It illustrated that nitrogen fertilization and supplemental irrigation had certain critical values on the yield of winter wheat.When surpassing the critical value,the yield declined.When nitrogen fertilization amount was 195 kg/hm^2,and supplemental irrigation amount was 70% of field moisture capacity(569.4 m^3/hm^2),the highest yield 8500 kg/hm^2 could be obtained.(iii) During mature period of winter wheat,nitrogen accumulation amount of plant treated by nitrogen was significantly higher than that not treated by nitrogen(P <0.05).But under the treatments of W_2 and W3,nitrogen accumulation amount in N_(255) significantly declined when compared with N_(195)(P <0.05).Especially under W3(873.45 m^3/hm^2) level,nitrogen accumulation amount in N_(255) was even lower than N_0.Under the treatments of N_0 and N_(195),nitrogen accumulation amount of plant significantly increased with supplemental irrigation increased(P < 0.05).But under N_(255) treatment,there was not significant difference(P > 0.05).It illustrated that moderate supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization could improve nitrogen absorption ability of winter wheat,but excessive supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization were not favorable for plant's nitrogen absorption.(iv) Although the increase of supplemental irrigation during jointing period improved nitrogen absorption ability of winter wheat and promoted winter wheat absorbing more nitrogen,it inhibited nitrogen transferring and distributing to seed.Comprehensively considering growth condition of winter wheat and nitrogen risk condition,it is suggested that nitrogen application amount was 195 kg/hm^2,and supplemental irrigation reached 70% of field moisture capacity(569.4 m^3/hm^2),which could be as the suitable water and fertilizer use amounts in the region.

Canopy morphological changes and water use efficiency in winter wheat under different irrigation treatments

Water is a key limiting factor in agriculture. Water resource shortages have become a serious threat to global food security. The development of water-saving irrigation techniques based on crop requirements is an important strategy to resolve water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, field experiments with winter wheat were performed at Wuqiao Experiment Station, China Agricultural University in two growing seasons in 2013-2015 to help develop such techniques. Three irrigation treatments were tested: no-irrigation(i.e., no water applied after sowing), limited-irrigation(i.e., 60 mm of water applied at jointing), and sufficient-irrigation(i.e., a total of 180 mm of water applied with 60 mm at turning green, jointing and anthesis stages, respectively). Leaf area index(LAI), light transmittance(LT), leaf angle(LA), transpiration rate(Tr), specific leaf weight, water use efficiency(WUE), and grain yield of winter wheat were measured. The highest WUE of wheat in the irrigated treatments was found under limited-irrigation and grain yield was only reduced by a small amount in this treatment compared to the sufficient irrigation treatment. The LAI and LA of wheat plants was lower under limited irrigation than sufficient irrigation, but canopy LT was greater. Moreover, the specific leaf weight of winter wheat was significantly lower under sufficient than limited irrigation conditions, while the leaf Tr was significantly higher. Correlation analysis showed that the increased LAI was associated with an increase in the leaf Tr, but the specific leaf weight had the opposite relationship with transpiration. Optimum WUE occurred over a reasonable range in leaf Tr. In conclusion, reduced irrigation can optimize wheat canopies and regulate water consumption, with only small reductions in final yield, ultimately leading to higher wheat WUE and water saving in arid and semi-arid regions.

Effects of Irrigation on Nitrogen Metabolism and Yield of Strong Gluten Wheat

[Objective] The aim was to provide reference for the field irrigation management of high yield and quality cultivation of strong gluten wheat.[Method]Under field conditions,the effects of irrigation times on nitrogen metabolism and yield of strong gluten wheat cultivar zhengmai 9023 were studied.[Result]The results indicated that NR activity,Chlorophyll and nitrogen content in flag leaf increased with irrigation times,and the irrigation treatment had obvious advantages during middle filling stage.Grain protein content showed ＂V＂ type change with grain filling going on,and protein content decreased when irrigation times going on.There was significant difference among treatments during early stage of grain filling,and the difference became smaller in the late grain filling stage.The grain yield and protein yield increased but the protein content decreased with increasing of irrigation times.[Conclusion] Increasing irrigation times properly could improve grain yield and protein yield per unit area,but reduce the grain protein content.

Effects of Different Irrigation and Nitrogen Application Regimes on Cook-ing Quality of Chinese Noodle in Winter Wheat

Two wheat cultivars, strong-gluten Yumai66 and medium-strong-gluten Yumai49, were usedto test the effects of irrigation and nitrogen application regimes on cooking quality ofChinese noodle in 2001-2002. The results showed that both in Yumai49 and Yumai66, valueof total organic matter (TOM) of noodle and noodle cooking loss rate ranked the firstwhile noodle score (NS) ranked the lowest in treatments without any nitrogen application.As nitrogen application rate increased, TOM value decreased but NS increased. The lowestTOM and the highest NS existed for treatments with 225 and 150 kg N ha-1 in Yumai49 andYumai66, respectively. Increasing irrigation resulted in greater TOM and NS, but lessbroken noodles. However, no significant difference was found in NS among differentirrigation treatments. Significant difference was found in TOM, NS, breaking rate andwater absorption rate of noodle between these two cultivars. Yumai49, with an average TOMvalue of 1.19 g and NS of 88.5, was better than Yumai66, with an average TOM value of1.55 and NS of 85.7. Interaction in TOM value was found between irrigation and nitrogenapplication. Effects of nitrogen fertilization were greater than that of irrigation inYumai49, while in Yumai66 the other way round. It is suggested, therefore, thosedifferent irrigation and nitrogen application regimes be chosen in production practicebased upon cultivar quality traits.

Photosynthetic characteristics of intercropped winter wheat under limited supplemental irrigation in the semiarid northwestern China

A field experiment was conducted for intercropped winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） in 2002/2003 to evaluate the effects of limited supplemental irrigation on photosynthetic characteristics of intercropped winter wheat in semiarid environment. The result indicated that significances occurred in grain yield between the intercropped wheat treatments and sole wheat control （CKW）, and in yield between the irrigated intercropped wheat plots （WC2W, WC3W, WC5W） and not irrigated （WC1W） except for WC4W plots with nearly the same yield as WC1W. In comparison with CKW, 11.8%, 18.5%, 23.6%, 11.5%, and 30.7% of yield increase in the intercropped wheat plots were obtained in WCIW, WC2W, WC3W, WC4W, and WC5W respectively. Compared to the intercropped wheat plots without irrigation, yields in WC2W, WC3W, and WC5W were improved by 5.9%, 10.5%, and 16.9%, respectively. The dynamics of CGR and NAR in both intercropped （WC1W-WC5W） and solely cropped wheat （CKW） showed a type of ＂single peak＂ curves, with both the maximum CGR and NAR occurred during jointing to heading （14/4-6/5） of wheat. In addition, soil water potential （SWP） fluctuated as a function of the precipitation and limited supplemental irrigation.