Effects of Periodical Soil Drying and Leaf Water Potential on the Sensitivity of Stomatal Response to Xylem ABA

The study on the changes of stomatal sensitivity in relation to xylem ABA during periodical soil drying and the effect of leaf water status on the stomatal sensitivity has confirmed that xylem ABA concentration is a good indicator of soil water status around roots and the relation between xylem ABA concentration and predawn leaf water potential remained constant during the three consecutive soil drying cycles based on the slopes of the fitted lines. The sensitivity of stomata to xylem ABA increased substantially as the soil drying cycles progressed, and the xylem ABA concentration needed to cause a 50% decrease of stomatal conductance was as low as 550 nmol/L in the next two soil drying cycle, as compared with the 750 nmol/L ABA in the first cycle of soil drying. The results using the split_root system showed that leaf water deficit significantly enhanced the stomatal response to xylem ABA and the xylem ABA concentration needed to cause a 50% decrease in stomatal conductance was 2 to 4 times smaller in the whole_root_drying treatment than those in the semi_root_drying treatment. These results suggested that the sensitivity of stomata to xylem ABA concentration is not a fixed characteristic.

Revegetation with artificial plants improves topsoil hydrological properties but intensifies deep-soil drying in northern Loess Plateau,China

Knowledge about the effects of vegetation types on soil properties and on water dynamics in the soil profile is critical for revegetation strategies in water-scarce regions, especially the choice of vegetation type and human management measures. We focused on the analysis of the effects of vegetation type on soil hydrological properties and soil moisture variation in the 0–400 cm soil layer based on a long-term（2004―2016） experimental data in the northern Loess Plateau region, China. Soil bulk density（BD）, saturated soil hydraulic conductivity（Ks）, field capacity（FC） and soil organic carbon（SOC） in 2016, as well as the volumetric soil moisture content during 2004–2016, were measured in four vegetation types, i.e., shrubland（korshinsk peashrub）, artificial grassland（alfalfa）, fallow land and cropland（millet or potato）. Compared with cropland, revegetation with peashrub and alfalfa significantly decreased BD and increased Ks, FC, and SOC in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and fallow land significantly increased FC and SOC in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil water storage（SWS） significantly declined in shrubland and grassland in the 40–400 cm soil layer, causing severe soil drought in the deep soil layers. The study suggested that converting cropland to grassland（alfalfa） and shrubland（peashrub） improved soil-hydrological properties, but worsened water conditions in the deep soil profile. However, natural restoration did not intensify deep-soil drying. The results imply that natural restoration could be better than revegetation with peashrub and alfalfa in terms of good soil hydrological processes in the semi-arid Loess Plateau region.

Heavy soil drying during mid-to-late grain filling stage of the main crop to reduce yield loss of the ratoon crop in a mechanized rice ratooning system

Yield loss(Y_(Loss)) in the ratoon crop due to crushing damage to left stubble from mechanical harvesting of the main crop is a constraint for wide adoption of mechanized rice ratooning technology.Soil drying before the harvest of the main crop has been proposed to overcome this problem.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soil drying during the mid-to-late grain filling stage of the main crop on grain yield of the ratoon crop in a mechanized rice ratooning system.Field experiments were conducted to compare Y_(Loss) between light(LD) and heavy(HD) soil drying treatments in Hubei province,central China in 2017 and 2018.Y_(Loss) was calculated as the percentage of yield reduction in the ratoon crop with the main crop harvested mechanically,relative to the grain yield of the ratoon crop with the main crop harvested manually.In comparison with LD,soil hardness was increased by 42.8%-84.7% in HD at the 5-20 cm soil depth at maturity of the main crop.Soil hardness at 5 and 10 cm depths reached respectively 4.05 and 7.07 kg cm^(-2) in HD.Soil drying treatment did not significantly affect the grain yield of the main crop.Under mechanical harvesting of the main crop,HD increased the grain yield of the ratoon crop by 9.4% relative to LD.Consequently,Y_(Loss) was only 3.4% in HD,in contrast to 16.3% in LD.The differences in grain yield and Y_(Loos) between the two soil drying treatments were explained mainly by panicles m^(-2),which was increased significantly by HD in the track zone of the ratoon crop compared with LD.These results suggest that heavy soil drying practice during the mid-to-late grain filling stage of the main crop is effective for reducing Y_(Loss) of the ratoon crop in a mechanized rice ratooning system.

Effect of drying environment on engineering properties of an expansive soil and its microstructure

This paper investigates the effect of drying environment, i.e. temperature and relative humidity, on the engineering properties and microscopic pore size distribution of an expansive soil. The shrinkage tests under different drying temperatures and relative humidity are carried out in a constant climate chamber. Then, the undisturbed samples, prepared in different drying environment, are used for the triaxial tests and mercury intrusion tests. It is found that the drying environment has noticeable influence on the engineering properties of expansive soils and it can be characterized by the drying rate. The linear shrinkage and strength increase with the decrease of the drying rate. The non-uniform deformation tends to happen in the high drying rate, which subsequently furthers the development of cracks. In addition, during the drying process, the variation of pores mainly focuses on the inter-aggregate pores and inter-particle pores. The lower drying rate leads to larger variation of pore size distribution.

Polyamines mediate the effect of post-anthesis soil drying on starch granule size distribution in wheat kernels

Polyamines(PAs) are important endogenous plant growth regulators responding to environmental stress and mediating many physiological processes including grain filling in cereals.This study investigated whether PAs mediate the effect of post-anthesis soil drying on starch granule size distribution,starch content,and weight of superior and inferior kernels of wheat(Triticum aestivum L.).Two wheat cultivars were grown in pots.Three treatments,well-watered(WW),moderate soil drying(MD) and severe soil drying(SD),were imposed from 9 days post-anthesis until maturity.PA levels in kernels and small,medium and large granules were measured.The results showed that superior kernels had much higher free spermidine(Spd) and free spermine(Spm) concentrations,larger volumes of medium starch granules,and smaller-sized large granules than did inferior kernels under all the treatments.Compared to WW,MD significantly increased the concentrations of free Spd and free Spm,activities of soluble starch synthase and granule-bound starch synthase,volume of medium granules,and starch content and kernel weight of inferior kernels,and decreased the size of large granules.SD produced the opposite effect.Application of Spd or Spm to spikes produced effects similar to those of MD,and application of an inhibitor of Spd and Spm synthesis produced effects similar to those of SD.These results suggest that PAs mediate the effect of post-anthesis soil drying on starch biosynthesis in wheat kernels by regulating key enzymes in starch synthesis and that elevated PA levels under MD increase the volume of medium granules and kernel weight of inferior kernels.

Identification of microRNAs regulating grain filling of rice inferior spikelets in response to moderate soil drying post-anthesis

The grain filling of inferior spikelets is much less complete than that of superior spikelets in rice cultivars with large panicles and numerous spikelets and is promoted by moderate soil drying(MD)post-anthesis.A growing body of evidence has shown that microRNAs function in regulating grain development.However,little is known about the mechanism of microRNA control of grain filling of inferior spikelets in response to MD.In this study,grain filling of inferior spikelets was promoted by MD treatment in Nipponbare.Small-RNA profiling at the most active grain-filling stage was conducted in inferior spikelets under control(CK)and MD treatment.Of 521 known and 128 novel miRNAs,38 known and 9 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed between the CK and MD treatments.Target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in multiple developmental and signaling pathways associated with catalytic activity,carbohydrate metabolism,and other functions.Both miR1861 and miR397 were upregulated by MD,leading to a decrease in OsSBDCP1 and OsLAC,two negative regulators of SSIIIa activity and BR signaling,respectively.In contrast,miR1432 abundance was reduced by MD,resulting in upregulation of OsACOT and thus an elevated content of both ABA and IAA.These results suggest that both starch synthesis and phytohormone biosynthesis are regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs in inferior spikelets in response to MD treatment.Our results suggest the molecular mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate grain filling in inferior spikelets of rice under moderate soil drying,providing potential application in agriculture to increase rice yields by genetic approaches.

Three-year field study on grass growth and soil hydrological properties in biochar-amended soil

Field monitoring was conducted to investigate and quantify the long-term effects of peanut shell biochar on soil-grass interaction over three years.Three 10 m5 m grassed plots were constructed in completely decomposed granitic soil.Two of them were amended,respectively,with 5%and 10%biochar contents(m^(3)/m^(3))for grass growth,while the third was without biochar amendment.During the threeyear monitoring,plant characteristics,saturated water permeability(k_(s))of grassed soil and soil suction were measured.The monitored results show that the grass leaf area index(LAI)and root length density(RLD)with biochar amendment were improved by 38%and 200%,respectively.In the grassed plot without biochar,a threshold RLD existed with a value of 1.7 cm/cm^(3),beyond which k_(s) raised pronouncedly.The threshold RLD increased by 52%when biochar content increased from 0%to 10%.This implies that biochar may restrict the increase in k_(s) of grassed soil due to the rise in the threshold RLD.The presence of biochar and grass can retain over 100%higher suction after heavy rainfalls,while 54%lower peak suction under evapotranspiration(ET)compared with the non-amended plot.Biochar can alleviate the negative effects on hydraulic properties caused by plant growth and reduce ET-induced excessive water loss.A 5%peanut shell biochar content is recommended for the long-term management of vegetated earthen infrastructures.

Long Term Effects of Farming System on Soil Water Content and Dry Soil Layer in Deep Loess Profile of Loess Tableland in China

Soil water is strongly affected by land use/cover in the Loess Plateau in China. Water stored in thick loessal soils is one of the most important resources regulating vegetation growth. However, soil water in the deep loess proifle, which is critical for maintaining the function of the“soil water pool”is rarely studied because deep proifle soil samples are dififcult to collect. In this study, four experimental plots were established in 2005 to represent different farming systems on the Changwu Tableland：fallow land, fertilized cropland, unfertilized cropland, and continuous alfalfa. The soil water content in the 15-m-deep loess proifles was monitored continuously from 2007 to 2012 with the neutron probe technique. The results showed that temporal variations in soil water proifles differed among the four farming systems. Under fallow land, the soil water content increased gradually over time, ifrst in the surface layers and later in the deep soil layers. In contrast, the soil water content decreased gradually under continuous alfalfa. The distributions of soil water in deep soil layers under both fertilized and unfertilized cropland were relatively stable over time. Thus farming system signiifcantly affected soil water content. Seven years after the start of the experiment, the soil water contents in the 15-m-deep proifles averaged 23.4%under fallow land, 20.3%under fertilized cropland, 21.6%under unfertilized cropland, and 16.0%under continuous alfalfa. Compared to measurements at the start of the experiment, both fallow land and unfertilized cropland increased soil water storage in the 15-m loess proifles. In contrast, continuous alfalfa reduced soil water storage. Fertilized cropland has no signiifcant effect on soil water storage. These results suggest that deep soil water can be replenished under the fallow and unfertilized farming systems. Dry soil layers （i.e., those which have soil water content less than the stable ifeld water capacity） in the subsoil of the Changwu Tableland region can be classiifed as either temporary dry soil layers or persistent dry soil layers. Temporary dry soil layers, which typically form under annual crops, often disappear during wet years. Persistent dry soil layers generally develop under perennial vegetation. Even after removing the vegetation, persistent dry soil layers remain for several decades. This study provides information useful for the conservation and utilization of soil water resources in the Loess Tableland.

Impoverishment of Soil Nutrients in Gully Erosion Areas in Yuanmou Basin

The impoverishment of soil nutrients of nine gully head areas in Yuanmou Basin is assessed through an integrated evaluation method established on the basis of Fuzzy mathematics and multivariate mathematical theory. Results show that soil erosion of gully erosion area in Yuanmou basin has resulted in severe impoverishment of soil nutrients. All gully head areas are at high leves of impoverishment except for one at middle. By probing into and analyzing the mechanism of impoverishment of soil nutrients, we find that soil erosion has led to impoverishment of soil nutrients in a way of compacting soil, heightening position of obstacle horizon, and reducing the content of organic matter, as well as the direct loss of nutrient elements. Finally, this paper points out that soil and water conservation arming at the prevention of soil erosion is the most effective way against impoverishment of soil nutrients in Yuanmou basin.

Soil Water Hysteresis at Low Potential

Knowledge of the soil water characteristic curve is fundamental for understanding unsaturated soils.The objective of this work was to find scanning hysteresis loops of two fine textured soils at water potentials below wilting point.This was done by equilibration over NaCl solutions with water potentials of-6.6 to-18.8 MPa at 25℃.When cycled repeatedly through a series of potentials in the range noted previously both soils exhibited a hysteresis effect.The experimental differences in water content between the drying and wetting soils at the same water potential were much too large to be accounted for by failure to allow sufficient time to attain equilibrium as predicted by the exponential decay model.The wetting versus drying differences were relatively small,however,at only 4 mg g-1 or less in absolute terms and about 3% of the mean of wetting and drying,in relative terms.Hysteresis should be a consideration when modeling biological and physical soil processes at water contents below the wilting point,where small differences in water content result in large potential energy changes.

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.

Photosynthetic performance of Setaria viridis to soil drought and rewatering alternations

The ability of psammophyte(a plant that grows in sand or sandy soil) to withstand and recover from severe droughts is crucial for desertification control and restoration of degraded vegetation in semi-arid sandy land in northern China.Responses of the photo-synthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of an annual(Setaria viridis) were measured through three cycles of soil drying and rewatering.Results showed that the net photosynthesis rate(Pn) decreased by 95 percent,91 percent,and 61 percent at end of three drought periods;the stomatal conductance(gs) decreased by 72 percent,73 percent,and 53 percent;the transpiration rate(Tr) decreased by 70 percent,69 percent,and 37 percent;and water-use efficiency(WUE) decreased by 83 percent,69 percent,and 38 percent.At the same time,the trapping probability with no dark adaptation(FV'/FM') decreased by 70 percent,12 percent,and 10 percent,while the electron transport per cross-section(ET0'/CS'0) decreased by 80 percent,45 percent,and 13 percent.The intercellular CO2(Ci) increased by 1.77,1.02,and 0.66 times,and the dissipation per cross-section(DI0'/CS0') increased by 98 percent,28 percent,and 22 percent.These results indicated that S.viridis was subjected to photoinhibition and some nonstomatal limitation of photosynthesis under drought.However,the above photosynthetic characteristics were restored to control values after three or four days of rewatering.The capability to recover from drought may contribute to the plant's use of water as efficiently as possible.Furthermore,during the subsequent drought spells,suppression of Pn,gs,Tr,FV'/FM',and ET0'/CS0' decreased or slowed down following the drying and rewatering alternations,especially in the third drought spell.

Nitrous oxide emissions in nonflooding period from fallow paddy fields

The study was conducted to investigate the N2O emissions and dissolved N2O in the leachate during the nonflooding period in nongrowing paddy fields.Three kinds of paddy soils were repacked to soil columns and were supersaturated with water initially and dried gradually in a greenhouse to attain the N2O emissions flux during the incubation.Soils with the texture of silty clay-loam (Q and H) produced cracks during the drying of soil,but soil with the texture of silty loam (X) did not form the cracks.Cracked s...

Black Locust Transpiration Responses to Soil Water Availability as Affected by Meteorological Factors and Soil Texture

On the Loess Plateau of China, a dry soil layer may form due to excess transpiration, leading to degradation of black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia) stands. In order to better manage projects involving black locust, this study was intended to investigate the response of black locust transpiration rate to soil water availability as affected by meteorological factors using two representative soils(loamy clay and sandy loam) on the Loess Plateau. Four soil water contents were maintained for black locust seedlings grown in pots initially outdoors and then in a climate-controlled chamber, by either drying or irrigating the pots. In both environments, daily transpiration rates were related by a power function to air temperature and by a logistic function to reference evapotranspiration(ET0). Transpiration rates were more susceptible to changes in the meteorological conditions in the sandy loam than in the loamy clay soil. The transpiration rate in the well-watered treatment was greater for black locust grown in the sandy loam than in the loamy clay soil. Normalized transpiration rates were unaffected by ET0 until a critical value of soil water content(θc) was attained; the θc value decreased significantly for the loamy clay soil but increased significantly for the sandy loam soil when ET0 increased. These suggested that the effect of the meteorological condition on the transpiration characteristics of black locust was dependent on soil texture.

Vadose-zone moisture dynamics under radiation boundary conditions during a drying process

In order to better understand the soil moisture dynamics during a drying process, a soil column experiment is conducted in the laboratory, followed by the numerical modeling with consideration of the coupled liquid water, water vapor and heat transport in the vadose zone. Results show that there are three distinct subzones above the water table according to the temporally dynamic variation of the water content profiles. Zone 1 sees a decrease in the water contents in the upper profiles （0 m-0.05 m） due to a negative net water flux in this zone where the upward isothermal water vapor flux becomes the main flow mechanism in the soils. Irl contrast, the water content within Zone 2 in the depth ranging from 0.05 m to 0.37 m sees an apparent increase over the, resulting from the positive net thermal water-vapor and isothermal liquid-water fluxes into this layer. Zone 3 （0.37 m-0.65 m） also sees an apparent decrease in the water content since the isothermal liquid water flux carries the liquid water either upward out of this region for vaporization or downward to the water table as a recharge to the groundwater.