Effects of Subsoiling on Soil Moisture Under No-Tillage for Two Years

In order to improve the water use efficiency under conservation tillage, the effects of subsoiling on soil moisture under notillage were studied. An experiment of 40 cm subsoiling in a field kept under no-tillage for 2 years was operated from 2005 to 2006. Based on the data of the soil moisture and crop yield, the physical basis of subsoiling for water conservation and yield increase was analyzed. The results showed that the soil water storage under subsoiling, from the soil surface to a depth of 100 cm was more than that under no-tillage for the growth season. In the 0-100 cm soil depth, the soil moisture in 50-100 cm depth under subsoiling was more compared with no-tillage, which increased when it＇s drought and decreased when it＇s rainy with the increase in soil depth. Compared with no-tillage, subsoiling could reduce the water consumption of oats in the 0-50 cm depth and increase the water consumption in the 50-100 cm depth. Also, subsoiling increased the yield by 18.29% and the water use efficiency by 16.8% in a two-year average. The effects of subsoiling on water conservation and yield increase were affected by precipitation, and a well-proportioned rainfall was better to increase yield and water use efficiency. Meanwhile, subsoiling decreased bulk density, which increased with the available precipitation. Subsoiling under no-tillage is the effective rotation tillage to contain more soil moisture and improve water use efficiency in ecotone of North China.

Effect of experimental warming on soil respiration under conventional tillage and no-tillage farmland in the North China Plain

Understanding the response of soil respiration to global warming in agro-ecosystem is crucial for simulating terrestrial carbon （C） cycle. We conducted an infrared warming experiment under conventional tillage （CT） and no-tillage （NT） farmland for winter wheat and summer maize rotation system in North China Plain （NCP）. Treatments include CT with and without warming （CTW and CTN）, NT with and without warming （NTW and NTN）. The results indicated that warming had no sig- nificant effect on soil moisture in irrigated farmland of NCP （P〉0.05）. The elevated average soil temperature of 1.1-116℃ in crop growing periods could increase annual soil CO2 emission by 10.3% in CT filed （P〉0.05）, but significantly increase it by 12.7% in NT field （P〈0.05）, respectively. The disturbances such as plowing, irrigation and precipitation resulted in the obvious soil CO2 emission peaks, which contributed 36.6-40.8% of annual soil cumulative CO2 emission. Warming would enhance these soil CO2 emission peaks; it might be associated with the warming-induced increase of autotrophic respiration and heterotrophic respiration. Compared with un-warming treatments, dissolved organic carbon （DOC） and soil microbial biomass carbon （MBC） in warming treatments were significantly increased by 11.6-23.4 and 12.9-23.6%, respectively, indicating that the positive responses of DOC and MBC to warming in both of two tillage systems. Our study highlights that climate warming may have positive effects on soil C release in NCP in association with response of labile C substrate to warming.

Inter-annual changes in the aggregate-size distribution and associated carbon of soil and their effects on the straw-derived carbon incorporation under long-term no-tillage

Converting from conventional tillage to no-tillage influences the soil aggregate-size distribution and thus soil organic carbon （SOC） stabilization. However, the dynamics of soil aggregation and the straw-derived carbon （C） incorporation within aggregate fractions are not well understood. An experiment was established in 2004 to test the effects of two treatments, no-tillage with residue （NT） and conventional tillage without residue （CT）, on the soil aggregate-size distribution and SOC stabilization in a continuous maize （Zea mays L.） cropping system located in the semiarid region of northern China. Soil samples were collected from the 0-10 cm layer in 2008, 2010 and 2015, and were separated into four aggregate-size classes （〉2, 0.25-2, 0.053-0.25, and 〈0.053 mm） by wet-sieving. In each year, NT soil had a higher proportion of macroaggregates （i.e., 〉2 and 0.25-2 mm） and associated SOC concentration compared with CT. Additionally, to compare straw-derived C incorporation within NT and CT aggregate fractions, ^13C-labeled straw was incubated with intact NT and CT soils. After 90 days, the highest proportion of 13C-labeled straw-derived C was observed in the 〉2 mm fraction, and this proportion was lower in NT than that in CT soil. Overall, we conclude that long-term continuous NT increased the proportion of macroaggregates and the C concentration within macroaggregates, and the physical protection provided by NT is beneficial for soil C sequestration in the continuous maize cropping system in semiarid regions of northern China.

Characterization of Leaf Photosynthetic Properties for No-Tillage Rice

A study was conducted to determine the influence of no-tillage cultivation on leaf photosynthesis of rice plants under field conditions. Experiments with the treatments, no-tillage and conventional tillage were carried out at three locations （Jiaxing, Hangzhou and Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, China） for two years （2005 and 2006）. Grain yield was constant in Jiaxing, but slightly higher in Hangzhou and Xiaoshan under no-tillage cultivation than that under conventional cultivation. In comparison with the conventional cultivation, no-tillage cultivation showed less biomass accumulation before heading and higher capacity of matter production during grain filling. A significantly higher leaf net photosynthetic rate was observed for the plants under no-tillage than for those under conventional tillage. The fluorescence parameter （Fv/Fm） in leaf did not show any difference between the two cultivations. The effect of cultivation management on transpiration rate （Tr） and SPAD value of rice leaf was dependent on the location and year.

Growth Characteristics and Yield of Late-Season Rice under No-tillage and Non-flooded Cultivation with Straw Mulching

A long-term field experiment （started at 2003） was conducted to determine the effects of different dce cultivation methods on growth characteristics and grain yield of late-season rice under double-rice cropping system in seasonal drought region of southeast China （Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province）. The rice cultivation methods included no-tillage and flooded rice cultivation （N-F）, no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation with straw mulching （N-SM）, and no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation without straw mulching （N-ZM）. There was no significant difference in rice grain yield between the N-SM and N-F treatments. However, the rice grain yields in the N-SM and N-F treatments were significantly higher than that in the N-ZM treatment. The late-season rice plants in the N-SM treatment had significantly higher numbers of effective panicles and total grains per hill compared with those in the N-ZM treatment. The above-ground dry matter of late-season rice was similar between the N-SM and N-F treatments. Compared with the N-F treatment, the N-ZM and N-SM treatments significantly decreased the leaf area at the heading stage. Moreover, the N-SM treatment could significantly increase total root length and root tip number at the grain-filling stage compared with the N-ZM treatment.

Suppression of weeds and weed seeds in the soil by stubbles and no-tillage in an arid maize-winter wheat-common vetch rotation on the Loess Plateau of China

Reduced tillage provides ecological and economic benefits to arable land on the Loess Plateau of China, where soil erosion has long been a serious problem and soil water availability is largely restricted. However, high abundances of weeds in reduced tillage systems cause significant yield losses. In this study, we explored the effects of no-tillage and stubble retention on the number and density of weeds and weed seeds in a 12-year maize-winter wheat-common vetch rotation on the Loess Plateau. Four treatments including conventional tillage, no-tillage, conventional tillage＋stubble retention and no-tillage＋stubble retention were designed and applied. We found that no-tillage increased the number of weed species and weed density in most of the crops, while stubble retention decreased weed density in maize and tended to suppress weeds in both no-tillage treatments（no-tillage and no-tillage＋stubble retention）. No-tillage led to an increase in the number of weed species in the weed seedbank and tended to increase seed density during the spring growth of winter wheat, but it decreased seed density during post-vetch fallow. Stubble retention tended to reduce seed density during the spring growth of winter wheat and post-vetch fallow. We concluded that no-tillage can promote weeds in the experimental crop rotation, while stubble retention suppresses weeds in untilled fields. The combined effects of stubble retention and no-tillage on weed suppression varied among the three crops. Based on these results, we recommend stubble retention in untilled legume-crop rotations on the Loess Plateau to improve the control of weeds.

Long-Term No-Tillage Direct Seeding Mode for Water-Saving and Drought-Resistance Rice Production in Rice-Rapeseed Rotation System

To study the effects of long-term no-tillage direct seeding mode on rice yield and the soil physiochemical property in a rice-rapeseed rotation system, a comparative experiment with a water-saving and drought-resistance rice （WDR） variety and a double low rapeseed variety as materials was conducted under no-tillage direct seeding （NTDS） mode and conventional tillage direct seeding （CTDS） mode for four years, using the CTDS mode as the control. Compared with the CTDS mode, the actual rice yield of WDR decreased by 8.10% at the first year, whereas the plant height, spikelet number per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, actual yield, and harvest index increased with no-tillage years, which led to the actual yield increase by 6.49% at the fourth year. Correlation analysis showed that the panicle length was significantly related to the actual yield of WDR. Compared with the CTDS mode in terms of the soil properties, the pH value of the NTDS mode decreased every year, whereas the contents of soil organic matter and total N of the NTDS mode increased. In the 0-5 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the soil bulk decreased, whereas the contents of soil organic matter, total N, and available N increased. In the 5-20 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the available N and K decreased, whereas the soil bulk, contents of soil organic matter, and total N increased. In summary, the NTDS mode increased the rice yield, and could improve the paddy soil fertility of the top layer.

No-tillage effects on grain yield and nitrogen requirements in hybrid rice transplanted with single seedlings: Results of a long-term experiment

This study was conducted to determine whether,and if so how,the grain yield and nitrogen(N) requirements of hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings are affected by no-tillage(NT) practices.A fixed field experiment was done at the Experimental Farm of Hunan Agricultural University in Changsha,Hunan Province,China,from 2004 to 2014.Grain yield and yield attributes(panicle number per m2,spikelet number per panicle,spikelet filling percentage,grain weight,total biomass,and harvest index) were evaluated as well as the N-use characteristics(total N uptake,internal N-use efficiency,and N requirements) of hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings comparing NT with conventional tillage(CT).A significant finding was that there were no significant differences in grain yield,yield attributes,and N-use characteristics between CT and NT.Averaged across the 11 years,grain yield and N requirements were 9.51 t ha^(-1) and 20.2 kg t^(-1) under CT and 9.33 t ha^(-1) and 20.0 kg t^(-1) under NT,respectively.There were significant yearly variations in grain yield,yield attributes,and N-use characteristics observed under both CT and NT.The yearly variation in grain yield was related to simultaneous changes in spikelet number per panicle,grain weight,total biomass,and harvest index.Also,it was found that grain yield was positively correlated with internal N-use efficiency but negatively correlated with N requirements.It is concluded that grain yield and N requirements in hybrid rice when transplanted as single seedlings are not affected adversely by NT.The results of this study suggest that(1) compatible relationships among yield attributes can be established in hybrid rice that is transplanted as single seedlings,and(2) higher grain yield and higher N-use efficiency can be concurrently achieved in hybrid rice transplanted as single seedlings.

Physiological Mechanism of High and Stable Yield of No-tillage Cast-transplanted Rice

Four years' successive comparative experiments showed that no-tillage cast-transplanted rice (NTCTR), compared with conventional tillage cast-transplanted rice (CK), grew slower and produced less tillers at the early growing stage; but, it had shorter ineffective tillering time, less nutrition consumption, stronger individual growth and more uniform growth between individuals and the colony. These characteristics contribute to the increase not only in the productive tiller percentage but also in the ear quality. Furthermore, the flag leaf of NTCTR had higher photosynthetic rate during the filling stage and no early senescence phenomenon at the late stage, which facilitated the accumulation and the transportation of carbohydrates and improved grain setting rate.

Effects of Five Years Adoption of No-Tillage Systems for Vegetables Crops in Soil Organic Matter Contents

Vegetables productions systems are done normally with intense soil tillage causing a strong decline of soil quality. Use of conservation systems can be an alternative to recover this quality. In order to evaluate the effects of such systems on soil organic matter, an experiment has been conducted in randomized blocks design and factorial scheme 3 × 2: three soil management systems (no-tillage;reduced tillage and conventional tillage) and two cover crops (maize single;and intercropping maize with gray velvet bean—Stizolobium niveum);and repeated measures over time. Soil samples were collected before the implementation of the experiment and at the end of each crop cycle until the fifth crop cycle. Carbon associated with humic substances is also determined in 0 - 5 cm, 5 - 10 cm and 10 - 30 cm at the end of the last crop cycle. The SOM content was higher in RT (48.34 g·kg-1) than in the CT (39.48 g·kg-1) at the end of the fifth crop cycle. SOM content in NT (44.92 g·kg-1) was statistically equal to RT and CT, during the same period. In 0 - 5 cm, carbon contents associated to the humic substances present the same behavior of SOM contents in 0 - 10 cm. Probably these results are associated with the capacity of each system to improve superficial contents of SOM stable fractions. It follows that the conservation systems used are alternatives to the cultivation vegetables in order to improve soil organic matter contents.

Stalk cutting mechanism of no-tillage planter for wide/narrow row farming mode

A no-tillage planter of narrow row spacing was designed according to the agronomic requirements of wide/narrow row farming mode in the black soil region of Northeast China.Due to the narrow spacing of the seeder unit,a gear-tooth stalk cutting mechanism was designed in order to prevent residues from blocking the planter.The basic parameters,number and edge curve of the stalk cutting blade were designed and optimized.Three-factor and three-level combined orthogonal experiments were conducted using the factors of working speed(1.12 m/s,1.57 m/s and 2.02 m/s),tillage depth(75 mm,90 mm and 105 mm)and cutter spacing(15 mm,30 mm and 45 mm),which significantly affected stalk cutting rate and soil disturbance rate.The optimal combination is the working speed of 1.62 m/s,tillage depth of 92 mm and cutter spacing of 35 mm.Under this condition,the stalk cutting rate is more than 90%and soil disturbance rate is 7.5%-12.0%.The performance of the new no-tillage planter was tested by using the above parameters.The results showed that the no-tillage planter of narrow row spacing came up to the relevant national standards in China.

Improving uniform scattering device for straw-smashing,back-throwing,no-tillage planter under complete straw mulching condition

With the objective of obtaining a completely straw-mulched field,when no-tillage mechanical sowing is implemented with straw smashing,delivering,and back-throwing approaches,it may be difficult to scatter the smashed straw uniformly during a succeeding wheat sowing step.This is because the previous rice straw is substantial in quantity and has a high humidity and toughness,which may easily result in non-uniform straw mulching and thus sparse and weak seedlings of wheat.Therefore a force-dispersing and uniform-scattering device was designed.With the number of scattering impellers,impeller angle,and impeller rotation speed as the main factors and the percentage of pass for the scattering width and non-uniformity of the straw mulching as the assessment indices,single-factor experiments and orthogonal regressive tests were performed,and a dual-index(percentage of pass for the scattering width and non-uniformity of the straw mulching)fitted regression equation was established.The test results suggested that the main factors(from primary to secondary)that influence the indices were the impeller rotation speed,number of scattering impellers,and impeller angle.The optimal parameter combination for the uniform scattering device was four rows of impellers with an angle of 15°,rotation speed of 1015 r/min,percentage of pass of 72.65%for the scattering width,and a non-uniformity of 13.8%in the straw mulching.This combination can be used to realize a uniform scattering of the smashed straw along the seedling rows on the after-sowing ground.According to the field investigation of the wheat growth,the wheat emergence rate was 90.7%.The research results can provide a reference for improving the uniform scattering device for a straw-smashing,back-throwing,no-tillage planter for obtaining a completely straw-mulched field,enhancing the quality of the machinery operation,and ensuring good and strong seedlings after sowing.

Energy efficiency and soil conservation in conventional,minimum tillage and no-tillage

The objective of this research was to determine the capacity of a soil tillage system in soil conservation,in productivity and in energy efficiency.The minimum tillage and no-tillage systems represent good alternatives to the conventional(plough)system of soil tillage,due to their conservation effects on soil and to the good production of crops(Maize,96%-98%of conventional tillage for minimum tillage,and 99.8%of conventional tillage for no till;Soybeans,103%-112%of conventional tillage for minimum tillage and 117%of conventional tillage for no till;Wheat,93%-97%of conventional tillage for minimum tillage and 117%of conventional tillage for no till.The choice of the right soil tillage system for crops in rotation help reduce energy consumption,thus for maize:97%-98%energy consumption of conventional tillage when using minimum tillage and 91%when using no-tillage;for soybeans:98%energy consumption of conventional tillage when using minimum tillage and 93 when using no-tillage;for wheat:97%-98%energy consumption of conventional tillage when using minimum tillage and 92%when using no-tillage.Energy efficiency is in relation to reductions in energy use,but also might include the efficiency and impact of the tillage system on the cultivated plant.For all crops in rotation,energy efficiency(energy produced from 1 MJ consumed)was the best in no-tillage-10.44 MJ ha-1 for maize,6.49 MJ ha-1 for soybean,and 5.66 MJ ha-1 for wheat.An analysis of energy-efficiency in agricultural systems includes the energy consumed-energy produced-energy yield comparisons,but must be supplemented by soil energy efficiency,based on the conservative effect of the agricultural system.Only then will the agricultural system be sustainable,durable in agronomic,economic and ecological terms.The implementation of minimum and no-tillage soil systems has increased the organic matter content from 2%to 7.6%and water stable aggregate content from 5.6%to 9.6%,at 0-30 cm depth,as compared to the conventional system.Accumulated water supply was higher(with 12.4%-15%)for all minimum and no-tillage systems and increased bulk density values by 0.01%-0.03%(no significant difference)While the soil fertility and the wet aggregate stability have initially been low,the effect of conservation practices on the soil characteristics led to a positive impact on the water permeability in the soil.Availability of soil moisture during the crop growth period led to a better plant watering condition.Subsequent release of conserved soil water regulated the plant water condition and soil structure.

Responses of greenhouse gas fluxes to experimental warming in wheat season under conventional tillage and no-tillage fields

Understanding the effects of warming on greenhouse gas（GHG, such as N2O, CH4 and CO2 ）feedbacks to climate change represents the major environmental issue. However, little information is available on how warming effects on GHG fluxes in farmland of North China Plain（NCP）. An infrared warming simulation experiment was used to assess the responses of N2O, CH4 and CO2 to warming in wheat season of 2012–2014 from conventional tillage（CT） and no-tillage（NT） systems. The results showed that warming increased cumulative N2O emission by 7.7% in CT but decreased it by 9.7% in NT fields（p 〈 0.05）. Cumulative CH4 uptake and CO2 emission were increased by 28.7%–51.7% and 6.3%–15.9% in both two tillage systems,respectively（p 〈 0.05）. The stepwise regressions relationship between GHG fluxes and soil temperature and soil moisture indicated that the supply soil moisture due to irrigation and precipitation would enhance the positive warming effects on GHG fluxes in two wheat seasons.However, in 2013, the long-term drought stress due to infrared warming and less precipitation decreased N2O and CO2 emission in warmed treatments. In contrast, warming during this time increased CH4 emission from deep soil depth. Across two years wheat seasons, warming significantly decreased by 30.3% and 63.9% sustained-flux global warming potential（SGWP） of N2O and CH4 expressed as CO2 equivalent in CT and NT fields, respectively. However, increase in soil CO2 emission indicated that future warming projection might provide positive feedback between soil C release and global warming in NCP.

Experiment of“no-tillage”farming system on the volcanic soils of tropical islands of Micronesia

The soils of southern Guam are formed from very deep;well-drained Saprolite derived from volcanic based tuff and tuff breccias.These soils suffer severe erosion as the result of rapid overland flow,wind and intensive rain events typical of southern Guam.An integrated approach to control the accelerated soil erosion was designed to include conservation tillage,crop rotation with leguminous plant,and residue management for soil surface cover.The objectives of this study are;1)to evaluate the use of crop rotation and tillage management for increasing organic-matter content to improve the overall quality of these severely eroded soils,2)to evaluate the effect of conservation practices on harvested yield and crop productivity of these eroded soils and,3)to assess the effects of conservation techniques including no-tillage systems on water runoff and infiltration.This paper discusses the effect of conservation strategies and techniques on these severely eroded soils of southern Guam.

Friction wheel transmission of no-tillage corn planters

To overcome the unfavorable factors of ground wheel-driven chain transmission when a no-tillage planter operates on straw mulching fields,a friction wheel transmission based on ground wheel transmission was designed in this research.The stability,i.e.,the effects of friction wheel tyre pressure on stability of machine transmission was investigated via validation of main factors.The relationships among tyre pressure,deformation and load were determined via theoretical analysis.The tyre pressure extreme for transmission is 25.90 psi,the maximum pressure imposed on the friction wheel tyre is 14 kN,the maximum deformation of friction wheel is 8.7 mm.The stabilities of friction wheel slip rate and seeding distance were investigated via field tests and alteration of friction wheel tyre pressure.After processing the test data,it can be found that the minimum tyre pressure for acquisition of friction wheel slip rate was 24.35 psi.After processing the data of seeding distance,it can be validated that the tyre pressure was kept unchanged following the optimal transmission effect of the transmission through the abrupt change of working speed,which further proved the feasibility of the new friction wheel transmission.The transmission of friction wheel can reduce 14.67%in variation coefficient of seed spacing at the speed of 5 km/h,and 16.22%at the speed of 8 km/h.

Effects of residue management and nitrogen fertilizer rates on accumulation of soil residual nitrate and wheat yield under no-tillage system in south-west of Iran

Conservation tillage,residue management and optimizing nitrogen(N)fertilization are important stra-tegies for soil and water conservation and sustainability of agricultural systems.In order to evaluate the effects of various residue management methods and N fertilizer rates on some soil quality indicators,accumulation of residual soil nitrate,and wheat yield under no till system,a split-plot experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications.Main plots were three residue management methods,including retaining(R.M1),removing(R.M2)and shredding(R.M3)of corn res-idues.The subplots consisted of four N fertilizer rates,100(N1),150(N2),200(N3),and 250(N4)kg N ha^(-1) from urea source.The results showed that soil organic carbon and total N in R.M1 and R.M3 treatments increased at the depth of 0-15 cm as compared to R.M2.The maximum accumulation of soil nitrate was observed in R.M1 x N4 and R.M3 x N4 interactions at the soil depth of 60-cm.The results of this study showed that R.M1 x N3 and R.M3 x N3 interactions had a greater impact on wheat yield than the sole effect of R.M1 or R.M3.According to our findings,application of 200 kg N ha^(-1) in combination with R.M1 which had once less tractor passing for mechanical shredding than R.M3,can contribute effectively to improve soil quality indicators,control soil residual nitrate and subsequently produce more wheat grain yield in the south-west of Iran.

Optimization and experiment on key structural parameters of no-tillage planter with straw-smashing and strip-mulching

Accelerate the quality of smashed-straw laying and enhance the effect of seed-bed arranging for no-tillage planter with straw-smashing and strip-mulching in full stubble covered paddy have become imperative in implementing modern conservation tillage.Considering the perfect operating performance(passability and stability)of the developed no-tillageplanter,this study intends to optimize the structure design of smashed-straw diversion device and strip-rotary tillage device.Dynamics equations of smashed straw and kinematics models of rotary blades were established through theoretical analysis,and the principal factors that affecting straw strip-laying quality and seed-bed arranging effect were specified.The influence of out-enlarge angle(η)and slide-push angle(γ)of the diversion device on the coefficient of variation(ζ1)of cover-straw width,and the influence of rotary tillage-blade number(N)and configuration in a singlerotary plane on the broken rate(ζ2)of strip soil were completely analyzed.And then,based on the systematic analysis and integrated scheme,operating performance and field verification tests using the optimized no-tillage planter were thoroughly performed.The results of the performance tests indicated that the out-enlarge angle(η)had a highly significant influence on the coefficient of variation(ζ1),and the slide-push angle(γ)had a significant influence on(ζ1).The rotary tillage-blade number(N)had a highly significant influence on the broken rate(ζ2),and the slide-push angle(γ)had a significant influence on(ζ2).The obtained optimal combination of these key structure parameters through comprehensive analysis wasη=45°,γ=40°,and N=4.Field verification test results indicated that the optimized no-tillage planter achieved mean values of ζ1=10.47%and ζ2=90.95%,which satisfied the relevant operation quality and cultivation agricultural requirement of conservation tillage equipment,and provided technical references for developing the similar no-tillage planter of straw crushing and returning.

Residue Return Effects Outweigh Tillage Effects on Soil Microbial Communities and Functional Genes in Black Soil Region of Northeast China

Conservation tillage as an effective alternative to mitigate soil degradation has attracted worldwide attention,but the influences of conservation tillage on soil microbial community and especially function remain unclear.Shotgun metagenomics sequencing was performed to examine the taxonomic and functional community variations of black soils under three tillage regimes,namely no-tillage with residue(maize straw)return(NTS),moldboard plow with residue return(MPS),and moldboard plow without residue return(MPN)in Northeast China.The results revealed:1)Soil bacterial and archaeal communities differed significantly under different tillage regimes in contrast to soil fungal community.2)The overlay of less tillage and residues return under NTS led to unique soil microbial community composition and functional composition.Specifically,in contrast to other treatments,NTS increased the relative abundances of some taxa such as Bradyrhizobium,Candidatus Solibacter,and Reyranella,along with the relative abundances of some taxa such as Sphingomonas,Unclassified Chloroflexi and Nitrososphaera decreased;NTS had a unique advantage of increasing the relative abundances of genes involved in‘ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters’and‘quorum sensing(QS)’pathways,while MPN favored the genes involved in‘flagellar assembly’pathway and some metabolic pathways such as‘carbon’and‘glyoxylate and dicarboxylate’and‘selenocompound’metabolisms.3)Significantly different soil bacterial phyla(Acidobacteria,Gemmatimonadetes,and Chloroflexi)and metabolic pathways existed between MPN and another two treatments(NTS and MPS),while did not exist between NTS and MPS.4)Dissolved organic carbon(DOC)and soil bulk density were significantly affected(P<0.05)by tillage and accounted for the variance both in microbial(bacterial)community structure and functional composition.These results indicated that a change in tillage regime from conventional to conservation tillage results in a shift of microbial community and functional genes,and we inferred that residue return played a more prominent role than less tillage in functional shifts in the microbial community of black soils.

Estimating Carbon Capture Potential of Fallow Weeds in Rice Cropping Systems

Weeds occurred during the fallow season can well perform the function of carbon(C)capture due to receiving little human disturbance.This study aimed to evaluate the C capture potential of fallow weeds in rice(Oryza sativa L.)cropping systems.A six-region,two-year on-farm investigation and a three-year tillage experiment were conducted to estimate C capture in fallow weeds in rice cropping systems.The on-farm investigation showed that the average mean C capture by fallow weeds across six regions and two years reached 112 g m^(-2).The tillage experiment indicated that no-tillage practices increased C capture by fallow weeds by 80%on average as compared with conventional tillage.The results of this study not only contribute to an understanding of C capture potential of fallow weeds in rice cropping systems,but also provide a reference for including fallow weeds in the estimation of vegetative C sink.