Magnesium fertilizer application increases peanut growth and pod yield under reduced nitrogen application in southern China

This study investigated the effect of magnesium application on peanut growth and yield under two nitrogen(N)application rates in acidic soil in southern China.The chlorophyll content,net photosynthetic rate and dry matter accumulation of the N-sensitive cultivar decreased under reduced N treatments,whereas no effect was observed on the relevant indicators in the N-insensitive variety GH1026.Mg application increased the net photosynthetic rate by increasing the expression of genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis and Rubisco activity in the leaves during the pegging stage under 50%N treatment,while no effect on the net photosynthetic rate was observed under the 100%N treatment.The rate of dry matter accumulation at the early growth stage,total dry matter accumulation and pod yield at harvest increased after Mg application under 50%N treatment by increasing the transportation of assimilates from stems and leaves to pods in both peanut varieties,whereas no effect was found under 100%N treatment.Moreover,Mg application increased the NUE under 50%N treatment.No improvement of NUE in either peanut variety was found under 100%N treatment,while Mg application under the 50%N treatment can obtain a higher economic benefit than the 100%N treatment.In acidic soil,application of 307.5 kg ha^(-1)of Mg sulfate fertilizer under 50%reduced nitrogen application is a suitable fertilizer management measure for improving carbon assimilation,NUE and achieve high peanut yields in southern China.

Differing responses of root morphology and physiology to nitrogen application rates and their relationships with grain yield in rice

Root morphology and physiology influence aboveground growth and yield formation in rice.However,root morphological and physiological differences among rice varieties with differing nitrogen(N)sensitivities and their relationship with grain yield are still unclear.In this study,rice varieties differing in N sensitivity over many years of experiments were used.A field experiment with multiple N rates(0,90,180,270,and 360 kg ha^(-1))was conducted to elucidate the effects of N application on root morphology,root physiology,and grain yield.A pot experiment with root excision and exogenous application of 6-benzyladenine(6-BA)at heading stage was used to further verify the above effects.The findings revealed that(1)under the same N application rate,N-insensitive varieties(NIV)had relatively large root biomass(root dry weight,length,and number).Grain yield was associated with root biomass in NIV.The oxidation activity and zeatin(Z)+zeatin riboside(ZR)contents in roots obviously and positively correlated with grain yield in N-sensitive varieties(NSV),and accounted for its higher grain yield than that of NIV at lower N application rates(90 and 180 kg ha^(-1)).(2)The root dry weight required for equal grain yield of NIV was greater than that of NSV.Excision of 1/10 and 1/8 of roots at heading stage had no discernible effect on the yield of Liangyoupeijiu(NIV),and it significantly reduced yield by 11.5%and 21.3%in Tianyouhuazhan(NSV),respectively,compared to the treatment without root excision.The decrease of filled kernels and grain weight after root excision was the primary cause for the yield reduction.Root excision and exogenous 6-BA application after root excision had little influence on the root activity of NIV.The oxidation activity and Z+ZR contents in roots of NSV decreased under root excision,and the increase in the proportion of excised roots aggravated these effects.The application of exogenous 6-BA increased the root activity of NSV and increased filled kernels and grain weight,thereby reducing yield loss after root excision.Thus,the root biomass of NIV was large,and there may be a phenomenon of"root growth redundancy."Vigorous root activity was an essential feature of NSV.Selecting rice varieties with high root activity or increasing root activity by cultivation measures could lead to higher grain yield under lower N application rates.

Effect of Nitrogen Application on Contents of Different Forms of Nitrogen in Rice Plants

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of different nitrogen application levels and modes on contents of different forms of nitrogen in rice plants.[Method] Using Guichao 2 and Diejiazhan as test materials,with total nitrogen,protein nitrogen,chlorophyll nitrogen,soluble protein nitrogen,Rubisco nitrogen,free amino acid nitrogen as indicators,the effect of nitrogen application on contents of different forms of nitrogen in rice plants were studied.[Result] The contents of total nitrogen,protein nitrogen,chlorophyll nitrogen,soluble protein nitrogen,Rubisco-N,free amino nitrogen of rice plant during heading and maturity stage increased with the increasing application amount of nitrogen,and their contents would be high under heavy application of spike fertilizer when the application amount of nitrogen was the same.However,application of nitrogen had different impact on different forms of nitrogen,which showed obvious impact on the contents of Rubisco-N and free amino nitrogen.The differences of Rubisco-N and free amino nitrogen content of two varieties during heading and maturity stage under different nitrogen application modes all reached significant or extremely significant level.Correlation analysis showed that total nitrogen content of rice plant had extremely significant correlation with protein nitrogen content during heading and maturity stage in both early and late seasons.[Conclusion] The study provided a theoretical basis for clarifying the regulatory role of nitrogen application on nitrogen absorption and utilization.

Effect of Different Nitrogen Application Amount on the Net Increment of Fresh Dry Weight in Hybrid Rape

[ Objective] The aim of the research was to provide reference for reasonable application of nitrogen fertilizer for high yield.cultivation of hybrid rape cuhivar Youyan 9 and Youyan 10. [ Method] The net increment changes of individual plant fresh weight and dry matter weight of Youyan 9 and Youyan 10 with different nitrogen application treatments were studied. [ Result] The differences among average fresh weight increments of individual plant and average dry matter weight increment of individual plant with different treatments reached 0. 01 extremely significant level. Fresh weight increment and dry matter weight net increment of individual plant declined gradually with the increase of nitrogen application. In growtheourse ,fresh weight net increment of individual plant increased firstly then decreased and the maximum was in beginning flowering stage, besides that dry matter net increment increased gradually and the maximum was in mature period. The correlations among fresh net increment, dry matter weight net increment and yield net increment were positive or extremely positive. [ Conclusion] Under experimental condition, when nitrogen application was 225 kg/hm^2, hybrid rape Yanyou 9 and Yanyou 10 with low erucic,low glucosinolate could obtain high yield.

Variation of Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization Efficiency of Mid-Season Hybrid Rice at Different Ecological Sites under Different Nitrogen Application Levels

[Objective] The study aimed at investigating the effects of different geographic sites,soil chemical characteristics and nitrogen application levels on nitrogen accumulation and distribution in different organs and utilization efficiency for mid-season hybrid rice.[Method] By using mid-season rice varieties II-you 7 and Yuxiangyou203 as the experimental materials,field experiment was conducted at seven ecological sites in four provinces or cities in Southwestern China in 2009.A total of four nitrogen application levels were set as follows：by using 75 kg/hm2 of P2O5 and 75 kg/hm2 of K2O as the base fertilizer,extra 0,90,150 and 210 kg/hm2 of nitrogen fertilizer（in which,base fertilizer,base-tillering fertilizer and base-earing fertilizer respectively accounted for 60%,20% and 20%.） was applied,respectively.In the split-plot design,fertilizer was considered as the main factor while rice variety was taken as the secondary factor.A total of eight treatments were set with three replications.[Result] Highly significant differences of grain yield were found among seven locations,two varieties,four nitrogen application levels,interactions of site × variety and site × nitrogen application level,but the interaction of variety ×nitrogen application level had no significant influence on rice yield.There were highly significant effects of site,varieties and nitrogen application level on dry matter production,nitrogen content,nitrogen utilization efficiency.Highly significant negative correlations between uptake efficiency and utilization efficiency for nitrogen were found;and multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that nitrogen uptake-utilization efficiency were significantly influenced by different ecological sites,chemical quality of soil and the levels of nitrogen application.[Conclusion] The research will provide theoretical and practical basis for the highly efficient application of nitrogen in mid-season hybrid rice cultivation.

Effects of Different Nitrogen Application Methods on Enzyme Activities in Leaves at Late Growth Stage of Spring Maize

[Objective] This paper aimed at exploring the effects of different nitrogen application methods on the enzyme activities of leaves at ear position in late growth stage of maize. [Method] By pot experiment, the superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, peroxidase （POD） activity, malonyl dialdehyde （MDA） content and soluble protein content were determined. [Result] At the filling stage and ripening stage, with the increasing of nitrogen application rate, MDA content gradually decreased, while SOD activity, POD activity and soluble protein content increased. MDA content with two topdressing nitrogen was lower than that with one top dressing nitrogen at the same nitrogen application rate, while SOD activity, POD activity and soluble protein content with two topdressing nitrogen were higher than that with one topdressing nitrogen. [Conclusion] Different nitrogen application methods have relatively significant effects on the MDA content, SOD activity, POD activity and soluble protein content, which is of certain directive significance for preventing spring maize prematuration.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Amount on Growth Characteristics,Boll Development and Lint Yield of High Quality Cotton

[Objective] This study aimed to explore an optimum application amount of nitrogen for cotton cultivation. [Method] In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen application amount on the growth characteristics, boll development and lint yield of high quality cotton line FZ-1. [Result] Compared with the nitrogen level of 225 kg/hm2, the lint yield had increased by 28.46% and 18.73%, respectively, with the nitrogen application amount of 300 and 375 kg/hm2. When the nitrogen application amount had increased from 225 to 300 kg/hm2, boll number per plant, boll weight and lint yield had significantly increased. At the nitrogen level of 375 kg/hm2, however, the effects of increasing lint yield were significantly less than that at the nitrogen level of 300 kg/hm2. Compared with the nitrogen levels of 225 and 375, 300 kg/hm2 of nitrogen was the optimum application amount to improve the plant height, daily increment of plant height, number of fruit branches, number ratio of nodes to fruit branches, boll volume and seed cotton weight per boll. [Conclusion] The rational management of nitrogen is the most effective way to promote the growth and development of cotton plants, ensure high yielding ability and minimize the environmental pollution caused by the overuse of nitrogen. This study had provided a sound nitrogen application strategy for the cultivation of this high-quality cotton line in the field plantation.

Effects of Nitrogen Application and Plant Spacing on Photosynthesis

Taking the flue-cured tobacco variety K326 as material, the research conducted field experiment to study the effects of quantity of nitrogen fertilizer and plant spacing on tobacco photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation, yield and quality. The results showed that the CO2 concentration in the intercellular space was the highest in M2N2, and was the lowest M1N1, with extremely significant differences. The net photosynthetic rate was the highest in M2N2 and the lowest in M3N3. In resettling and squaring stages, with the same spacing, the weights of root dry matter were growing in different treatments upon nitrogen quantity; the weight of dry matter in stem showed irregularity; the dry matter of leaf accumulation kept slow in early and end stages, but fast in middle stage. In the same growth stage, dry matter accumulation of leaf was higher than those of stem and root, and the proportion of tobacco leaf to the whole plant was decreasing though always kept above 50%. In general, it can be concluded from yield, quality and output value that M2N2 performed the best.

Growth Performance of Alfalfa(Medicago sativa)under Different Nitrogen Application Levels

Nitrogen addition is rather important to the growth of alfalfa. In this study, the effects of different nitrogen application levels on various growth characteristics of alfalfa were investigated. The results showed that nitrogen application exhibited no significant effects on plant height and stem diameter but posed significant effects on branch number of alfalfa. Branch number of alfalfa in each cutting raised with the increasing application level of nitrogen, with significant differences among different treatments （P〈0.05）; individual aboveground biomass increased with the increasing application level of nitrogen, but the increasing trend gradually tended to be steady from the first to the fourth cutting. Nitrogen application affected significantly （P〈0.05） individual aboveground biomass of alfalfa in the first, second and fourth cutting, but exhibited no significant effects on individual aboveground biomass of alfalfa in the third cutting. With the increase of nitrogen application level, total surface area, total volume, collar diameter and crossing number of alfalfa roots increased gradually, but total length, average diameter and furcating number of alfalfa roots increased first and then declined. Total length, average diameter and furcating number of alfalfa roots reached the maximum in N60 treatment.

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

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

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Leaf Gas Exchange in Naked Oat

Naked oat（Avena nuda L.） was originated from China,where soil nitrogen（N） is low availability.The responses of chlorophyll（Chl.） fluorescence parameters and leaf gas exchange to N application were analysed in this study.After the N application rate ranged from 60 to 120 kg ha-1,variable fluorescence（F v）,the maximal fluorescence（F m）,the maximal photochemical efficiency（F v /F m）,quantum yield（Φ PS II） of the photosynthetic system II（PS II）,electron transport rate（ETR）,and photochemical quenching coefficient（qP） increased with N application level,however,non-photochemical quenching coefficient（qN） decreased.Moreover,there was no difference in initial fluorescence（F o） with further more N enhancement.The maximum net photosynthetic rate（P max）,apparent dark respiration rate（R d） and light saturation point（LSP） were improved with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 24-40 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer applied at jointing stage.Initial quantum yield（α） was decreased with 24 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.Flag-leaf net photosynthetic rate（P n） was significantly enhanced at the jointing and heading stages with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer; in addition,increased at grain filling stage of naked oat with 40-56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.90 kg N ha-1（50-70% as basal fertilizer and 30-50% as top dressing fertilizer） application is recommended to alleviate photodamage of photosystem and improve the photosynthetic rate in naked oat.

Postponed and reduced basal nitrogen application improves nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth of winter wheat

Excessive nitrogen(N) fertilization with a high basal N ratio in wheat can result in lower N use efficiency(NUE) and has led to environmental problems in the Yangtze River Basin, China. However, wheat requires less N fertilizer at seedling growth stage, and its basal N fertilizer utilization efficiency is relatively low; therefore, reducing the N application rate at the seedling stage and postponing the N fertilization period may be effective for reducing N application and increasing wheat yield and NUE. A 4-year field experiment was conducted with two cultivars under four N rates(240 kg N ha–1(N240), 180 kg N ha–1(N180), 150 kg N ha–1(N150), and 0 kg N ha–1(N0)) and three basal N application stages(seeding(L0), fourleaf stage(L4), and six-leaf stage(L6)) to investigate the effects of reducing the basal N application rate and postponing the basal N fertilization period on grain yield, NUE, and N balance in a soil-wheat system. There was no significant difference in grain yield between the N180 L4 and N240 L0(control) treatments, and the maximum N recovery efficiency and N agronomy efficiency were observed in the N180 L4 treatment. Grain yield and NUE were the highest in the L4 treatment. The leaf area index, flag leaf photosynthesis rate, flag leaf nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase activities, dry matter accumulation, and N uptake post-jointing under N180 L4 did not differ significantly from those under N240 L0. Reduced N application decreased the inorganic N content in the 0–60-cm soil layer, and the inorganic N content of the L6 treatment was higher than those of the L0 and L4 treatments at the same N level. Surplus N was low under the reduced N rates and delayed basal N application treatments. Therefore, postponing and reducing basal N fertilization could maintain a high yield and improve NUE by improving the photosynthetic production capacity, promoting N uptake and assimilation, and reducing surplus N in soil-wheat systems.

Improving grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and radiation use efficiency by dense planting, with delayed and reduced nitrogen application, in double cropping rice in South China

Improving both grain yield and resource use efficiencies simultaneously is a major challenge in rice production.However,few studies have focused on integrating dense planting with delayed and reduced nitrogen application to enhance grain yield,nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the double rice cropping system in South China.A high-yielding indica hybrid rice cultivar (Yliangyou 143) was grown in field experiments in Guangxi,South China,with three cultivation managements:farmers’practice (FP),dense planting with equal N input and delayed N application (DPEN) and dense planting with reduced N input and delayed N application (DPRN).The grain yields of DPRN reached 10.6 and 9.78 t ha^(–1) in the early and late cropping seasons,respectively,which were significantly higher than the corresponding yields of FP by 23.9–29.9%.The grain yields in DPEN and DPRN were comparable.NUE in DPRN reached 65.2–72.9 kg kg^(–1),which was 61.2–74.1% higher than that in FP and 24.6–30.2% higher than that in DPEN.RUE in DPRN achieved 1.60–1.80 g MJ^(–1),which was 28.6–37.9% higher than that in FP.The productive tiller percentage in DPRN was 7.9–36.2% higher than that in DPEN.Increases in crop growth rate,leaf area duration,N uptake from panicle initiation to heading and enhancement of the apparent transformation ratio of dry weight from stems and leaf sheaths to panicles all contributed to higher grain yield and higher resource use efficiencies in DPRN.Correlation analysis revealed that the agronomic and physiological traits mentioned above were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield.Comparison trials carried out in Guangdong in 2018 and 2019 also showed that DPRN performed better than DPEN.We conclude that DPRN is a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing grain yield,NUE and RUE in the double rice cropping system in South China.

Effects of Plant Density and Nitrogen Application Rate on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Super Hybrid Rice

The nitrogen uptake, yield and its components for two super-high-yielding hybrid rice combinations, Guodao 6 and Eryou 7954 were investigated under different plant densities （15, 18, and 21 plants/m^2） and different nitrogen application rates （120, 150, 180, and 210 kg/hm^2）. The experiment was conducted on loam soil during 2004-2006 at the experimental farm of the China National Rice Research Institute in Hangzhou, China. In these years, the two hybrid rice cleady showed higher yield at a plant density of 15 plants/m^2 with a nitrogen application rate of 180 kg/hm^2. Guodao 6 produced an average grain yield of 10 215.6 kg/hm^2 across the three years, while the yield of Eryou 7954 was 9 633.0 kg/hm^2. With fewer plants per unit-area and larger plants in the plots, the two hybrid rice produced more panicles per plant in three years. The highest nitrogen uptake of the two hybrid rice was at a plant density of 15 plants/m^2 with a nitrogen application rate of 180 kg/hm^2. Further increasing nitrogen application rate was not advantageous for nitrogen uptake in super-high-yielding rice under the same plant density.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Levels on Ammonia Volatilization and Nitrogen Utilization during Rice Growing Season

We conducted field trials of rice grown in sandy soil and clay soil to determine the effects of nitrogen application levels on the concentration of NH4＋-N in surface water, loss of ammonia through volatilization from paddy fields, rice production, nitrogen-use efficiency, and nitrogen content in the soil profile. The concentration of NH4＋-N in surface water and the amount of ammonia lost through volatilization increased with increasing nitrogen application level, and peaked at 1-3 d after nitrogen application. Less ammonia was lost via volatilization from clay soil than from sandy soil. The amounts of ammonia lost via volatilization after nitrogen application differed depending on the stage when it was applied, from the highest loss to the lowest： N application to promote tillering 〉 the first N topdressing to promote panicle initiation （applied at the last 4-leaf stage） 〉 basal fertilizer 〉 the second N topdressing to promote panicle initiation （applied at the last 2-leaf stage）. The total loss of ammonia via volatilization from clay soil was 10.49-87.06 kg/hm2, equivalent to 10.92%-21.76% of the nitrogen applied. The total loss of ammonia via volatilization from sandy soil was 11.32-102.43 kg/hm2, equivalent to 11.32%-25.61 % of the nitrogen applied. The amount of ammonia lost via volatilization and the concentration of NH4＋-N in surface water peaked simultaneously after nitrogen application; both showed maxima at the tillering stage with the ratio between them ranging from 23.76% to 33.65%. With the increase in nitrogen application level, rice production and nitrogen accumulation in plants increased, but nitrogen-use efficiency decreased. Rice production and nitrogen accumulation in plants were slightly higher in clay soil than in sandy soil. In the soil, the nitrogen content was the lowest at a depth of 40-50 cm. In any specific soil layer, the soil nitrogen content increased with increasing nitrogen application level, and the soil nitrogen content was higher in clay soil than in sandy soil. In terms of ammonia volatilization, the amount of ammonia lost via volatilization increased markedly when the nitrogen application level exceeded 250 kg/hm2 in the rice growing season. However, for rice production, a suitable nitrogen application level is approximately 300 kg/hm2. Therefore, taking the needs for high crop yields and environmental protection into account, the appropriate nitrogen application level was 250-300 kg/hm2 in these conditions.

Dependence of Wheat and Rice Respiration on Tissue Nitrogen and the Corresponding Net Carbon Fixation Efficiency Under Different Rates of Nitrogen Application

To quantitatively address the role of tissue N in crop respiration under various agricultural practices, and to consequently evaluate the impact of synthetic fertilizer N application on biomass production and respiration, and hence net carbon fixation efficiency （Encf）, pot and field experiments were carried out for an annual rotation of a rice-wheat cropping system from 2001 to 2003. The treatments of the pot experiments included fertilizer N application, sowing date and planting density. Different rates of N application were tested in the field experiments. Static opaque chambers were used for sampling the gas. The respiration as CO2 emission was detected by a gas chromatograph. A successive biomass clipping method was employed to determine the crop autotrophic respiration coefficient （Ra）. Results from the pot experiments revealed a linear relationship between Ra and tissue N content as Ra = 4.74N-1.45 （R^2= 0.85, P 〈 0.001）. Measurements and calculations from the field experiments indicated that fertilizer N application promoted not only biomass production but also increased the respiration of crops. A further investigation showed that the increase of carbon loss in terms of respiration owing to fertilizer N application exceeded that of net carbon gain in terms of aboveground biomass when fertilizer N was applied over a certain rate. Consequently, the Encf declined as the N application rate increased.

Nitrogen application and intercropping change microbial community diversity and physicochemical characteristics in mulberry and alfalfa rhizosphere soil

Intercropping of mulberry(Morus alba L.)and alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)is a new forestry-grass compound model in China,which can provide high forage yields with high protein.Nitrogen application is one of the important factors determining the production and quality of this system.To elucidate the advantages of intercropping and nitrogen application,we analyzed the changes of physicochemical properties,enzyme activities,and microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil.We used principal components analysis(PCA)and redundancy discriminators analysis to clarify the relationships among treatments and between treatments and environmental factors,respectively.The results showed that nitrogen application significantly increased pH value,available nitrogen content,soil water content(SWC),and urea(URE)activity in rhizosphere soil of monoculture mulberry.In contrast,intercropping and intercropping+N significantly decreased pH and SWC in mulberry treatments.Nitrogen,intercropping and intercropping+N sharply reduced soil organic matter content and SWC in alfalfa treatments.Nitrogen,intercropping,and intercropping+N increased the values of McIntosh diversity(U),Simpson diversity(D),and Shannon-Weaver diversity(H’)in mulberry treatments.However,PC A scatter plots showed clustering of monoculture mulberry with nitrogen(MNE)and intercropping mulberry without nitrogen(M0).Intercropping reduced both H’and D but nitrogen application showed no effect on diversity of microbial communities in alfalfa.There were obvious differences in using the six types of carbon sources between mulberry and alfalfa treatments.Nitrogen and intercropping increased the numbers of sole carbon substrate in mulberry treatments where the relative use rate exceeded 4%.While the numbers declined in alfalfa with nitrogen and intercropping.RDA indicated that URE was positive when intercropping mulberry was treated with nitrogen,but was negative in monoculture alfalfa treated with nitrogen.Soil pH and SWC were positive with mulberry treatments but were negative with alfalfa treatments.Intercropping with alfalfa benefited mulberry in the absence of nitrogen application.Intercropping with alfalfa and nitrogen application could improve the microbial community function and diversity in rhizosphere soil of mulberry.The microbial community in rhizosphere soil of mulberry and alfalfa is strategically complementary in terms of using carbon sources.

Effects of Different Nitrogen Application Rates and Methods on Root Nodule Growth and Yield of Soybean

This study was conducted wiffl a spring soybean variety Jindou 19 to test file effects of rhizobia inoculation or non-inoculation and nitrogen application rates at 0, 27, 54 and 75 kg/hm^2 （N1-4） on root nodule dry weight, root nodule number, yield and yield components of soybean. The results showed that the nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected soybean root noduce and soybean yield, the dry weight and number of root nodules increased gradually with the increase of nitrogen application rate, and the yield of file rhizobia inoculated treatment was significantly higher than that of file rhizobia non-inoculated treatment; and under file condition of file rhizobia inoculation, with nitrogen application amount at 75 kg/hm^2, file Jindou 19 performed a better nitrogen fixing effect in file growing stage, and its plot yield was 4 997.417 kg/hm^2, 4.06% higher than that of file treatment without inoculating rhizobium and 12.50% higher than that of the treatment without applying nitrogen fertilizer.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Amount during Various Periods on Yield of High Grade Hybrid Rapeseed

[Objective] The paper was to study the nitrogen application amount and nitrogen application model for high grade hybrid rapeseed （Brassica napus L.） to get high yield. [Method] With ＂Youyan 599＂ and ＂Sanbei 98＂ as materials, using quadratic regression orthogonal gyration combination design, the impact of nitrogen application amount during various periods on rapeseed yield was studied. [Result] The combinations of factors to obtain the highest yield index （2 898.211 kg / hm 2 ） of ＂Youyan 599＂ were as follows： living rape fertilizer 89.27 kg / hm 2 , opening fertilizer 120 kg / hm 2 , 12 th lunar month fertilizer 101.12 kg / hm 2 , total nitrogen application amount 310.39 kg / hm 2 . The proportions of living rape fertilizer, opening fertilizer and 12th lunar month fertilizer were 28.76%, 38.66% and 32.58%, respectively. The combinations of factors to obtain the highest yield index （2 870.14 kg/hm 2 ） of ＂Sanbei 98＂ were as follows： living rape fertilizer 120 kg / hm 2 , opening fertilizer 120 kg / hm 2 , 12 th lunar month fertilizer 37.55kg / hm 2 , total nitrogen application amount 277.55 kg / hm 2 . The proportions of living rape fertilizer, opening fertilizer and 12 th lunar month fertilizer were 43.24%, 43.24% and 13.53%, respectively. The combinations of factors to obtain the highest yield index of two combined varieties （2 813.82 kg/hm 2 ）were as follows： living rape fertilizer 120 kg/hm 2 , opening fertilizer 120 kg/hm 2 , 12 th lunar month fertilizer 76.23 kg/hm 2 , total nitrogen application amount 316.23 kg/hm 2 . The proportions of living rape fertilizer, opening fertilizer and 12 th lunar month fertilizer were 37.95% , 37.95% and 24.11% , respectively. [Conclusion] The paper provided theoretical basis for high yield cultivation of high grade hybridized rapeseed.

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.