Review on the fully mulched ridge–furrow system for sustainable maize production on the semi-arid Loess Plateau

The fully mulched ridge–furrow(FMRF) system has been widely used on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China due to its high maize(Zea mays L.) productivity and rainfall use efficiency. However, high outputs under this system led to a depletion of soil moisture and soil nutrients, which reduces its sustainability in the long run. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the system for the sustainable development of agriculture. The development, yield-increasing mechanisms,negative impacts, optimization, and their relations in the FMRF system are reviewed in this paper. We suggest using grain and forage maize varieties instead of regular maize;mulching plastic film in autumn or leaving the mulch after maize harvesting until the next spring, and then removing the old film and mulching new film;combining reduced/notillage with straw return;utilizing crop rotation or intercropping with winter canola(Brassica campestris L.), millet(Setaria italica), or oilseed flax(Linum usitatissimum L.);reducing nitrogen fertilizer and partially replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer;using biodegradable or weather-resistant film;and implementing mechanized production. These integrations help to establish an environmentally friendly, high quality, and sustainable agricultural system, promote highquality development of dryland farming, and create new opportunities for agricultural development in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.

An Overview of the Semi-arid Climate and Environment Research Observatory over the Loess Plateau

Arid and semi-arid areas comprise about 30% of the earth＇s surface. Changes in climate and climate variability will likely have a significant impact on these regions. The Loess Plateau over Northwest China is a special semi-arid land surface and part of a dust aerosol source. To improve understanding and capture the direct evidence of the impact of human activity on the semi-arid climate over the Loess Plateau, the Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University （SACOL） was established in 2005. SACOL consists of a large set of instruments and focuses on： （1） monitoring of long term tendencies in semiarid climate changes; （2） monitoring of the aerosol effect on the water cycle; （3） studies of interaction between land surface and the atmosphere; （4） improving the land surface and climate models; and （5） validation of space-borne observations. This paper presents a description of SACOL objectives, measurements, and sampling strategies. Preliminary observation results are also reviewed in this paper.

Effect of apple production base on regional water cycle in Weibei upland of the Loess Plateau

Weibei upland, located in southern part of the Loess Plateau, is a commercial apple production base in China. The enlargement of apple-planting area has a great impact on the regional water cycle. The effects of different land use on hydrological parameters are compared and studied in this paper. The main results are as follows (1) The initial and steady infiltration rates in apple orchard are higher than those in other land use types such as grassland, idle land and farmland. Their initial rates of infiltration are 0.823 cm/min, 0.215 cm/min, 0.534 cm/min and 0.586 cm/min in apple orchard, grassland, idle land and farmland respectively. Their steady infiltration rates are 0.45 cm/min, 0.038 cm/min, 0.191 cm/min and 0.155 cm/min respectively. (2) There is no runoff generated in plot of apple orchard in all 8 storm events in observed natural rainfalls, while runoff is generated in winter wheat plot, corn plot and alfalfa plot with runoff coefficients of 2.39%, 1.58% and 0.31% respectively. (3) The transpiration of apple trees is strong and thus soil moisture is gradually depleted. The average soil water contents in 3–9 m soil profile in Changwu plots with apple trees of 14 and 32 years in age are 11.77% and 11.59% and in Luochuan plots with those of 15 and 28 years in age are 11.7% and 11.59% respectively, which are nearly 9.0% of wilting moisture of Changwu soil and 8.6% of wilting moisture of Luochuan soil. The pathway of rainfall percolating to groundwater is hindered by dry soil profile.

Soil water response to precipitation in different microtopographies on the semi-arid Loess Plateau,China

Soil water is an important factor restricting afforestation on the semi-arid Loess Plateau.The microtopography of the loess slope has changed the distribution pattern of soil water on the slope.To improve water utilization efficiency and optimize afforestation configuration patterns,the relationship between soil water and precipitation at micro-topographic scale must be studied.We used time series analysis to study the temporal variation of soil water and its response to precipitation in four kinds of micro-topographies and undisturbed slope on loess slopes.Micro-topographies significantly influenced soil water distribution and dynamics on the slopes.Soil water stored in the platform,sinkhole,and ephemeral gully influenced subsequent soil water for 4 weeks,whereas soil water stored in the scarp and undisturbed slope could influence soil water for 2 weeks.It took 12 weeks,10 weeks,18 weeks,6 weeks,and 12 weeks for precipitation to reach the deeper soil layer in the platform,sinkhole,scarp,ephemeral gully,and undisturbed slope,respectively.These soil water characteristics in different micro-topographies are vital factors that should be taken into consideration when undertaking afforestation on the Loess Plateau.

Afforestation using micro-catchment water harvesting system with microphytic crust treatment on semi-arid Loess Plateau： A preliminary result

Water harvesting is one of main measures to solve water shortage resulting from less precipitation and erratically seasonal dis- tribution in arid and semi-arid areas. Different types of anti-infiltration treatments including mechanical and chemical to micro-catchment and their runoff efficiencies had been reported. This paper, through 5 years experiment from 1992 to 1996, is aimed at studying the im- pacts of microcatchment water-harvesting system (MCWHS) with microphytic crust treatment on afforestation on semi-arid Loess Plateau. The results showed that after 3 years of crust inoculation, crust had covered majority of MCWHS and the function of water harvesting had also been demonstrated partially, there were significant difference in soil moisture of shallow soil layer in three typical spring stages be- tween crust cover and control treatments (0.05 level), and about 0.9%-6.04% increase of monthly mean soil moisture within 1m soil layer in spring of late 3 years. The impact of severe spring drought can be alleviated effectively. In the meanwhile, as crust developed on the treated surface, there are significant differences (0.05 level) for tree height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH) and diameter at ground level (DGL) at the end of the study period (1996) with the increases by 22.38%, 17.34%, and 20.49% respectively compared with the con- trol treatment. Microphytic crust, as one of biological infiltration-proof materials, may become the optimized option for revegetation in Chinese Great West Development Strategy due to its self-propagation, non-pollution to water qualities, long use duration and relatively cost effective. Further work should be focused on the selection of endemic crust species and their batch-culture in arid environment.

渭北黄土台塬区水库水下岸坡稳定形态预测模型研究

黄土地区水库塌岸预测仍以卡丘金法等经验图解法为主,此类方法预测结果的准确性取决于对岸坡剖面形态的准确描述。为了提高黄土地区水库塌岸宽度预测的准确性,选取渭北黄土台塬区选择典型水库进行现场调查,对原河道岸坡形态与蓄水后岸坡形态进行对比分析,在此基础上建立了水下岸坡形态预测模型。结果表明,渭北黄土台塬区水库岸坡塌岸稳定后,水上岸坡呈直立状,高度可达30 m以上,水下岸坡呈曲线形,受水深和岸坡高度共同影响,塌落物可能露出水面。在此基础上基于对数螺线方程建立了水下岸坡形态预测模型,并与经典图解法所用直线型岸坡进行对比,误差分析结果表明采用对数螺线方程进行水下岸坡形态预测时堆积体积误差为4.50%~39.70%,均值为12.64%,而直线型岸坡的预测误差为25.75%~124.69%,均值为75.69%。即采用对数螺线方程可以更好的测水下岸坡形态及水下堆积量。相关研究成果对黄土台塬区水库塌岸预测方法的改进,以及黄河流域的渭北黄土台塬区的环境保护与高质量发展具有实际意义。

4种渭北旱塬栽培的平欧榛子油脂成分分析

分析比较4种栽培于渭北旱塬地区的成熟平欧榛子果仁的水分含量、油脂含量及油脂成分,对其营养品质做出评价,为其加工、保存提供参考。用烘烤法测取榛子果仁水分含量,索氏提取法测定其油脂含量,气相色谱法分析油脂脂肪酸组成,Excel 2019进行数据处理,SPSS 20软件进行差异性对比。4种平欧榛子果仁水分含量差异显著,最高可达33.81%,最低为21.48%;油脂含量差异性部分显著,最高可达61.50%,最低为60.43%;油脂脂肪酸成分差异显著。产于渭北旱塬的4种平欧榛子,其果仁油脂含量均较高,均高于60%;油脂中不饱和脂肪酸相对含量较高,其中“油酸+亚油酸”的相对含量都高于92.73%;4种平欧榛子油均可作为优质保健食用油。

基于GEE的苹果园地遥感信息提取研究——以陕西省渭北旱塬区为例

准确掌握苹果园空间分布及动态变化对苹果产业发展及规划具有重要意义。以陕西主要种植区———渭北旱塬区14个县(区)为研究区,基于Google Earth Engine(GEE)云计算平台,以2020年Sentinel-2卫星影像的Level-2A级数据为数据源,结合实地采样获得的461个苹果园样本点,构建包含光谱特征、遥感植被指数、纹理特征和地形特征等共计21个特征作为分类特征集,利用随机森林分类方法对研究区苹果园地空间信息进行提取。结果表明,研究区苹果种植面积为23.03万hm^(2),连片种植的苹果园主要分布于延安市洛川县、渭南市白水县、咸阳市淳化县和咸阳市彬州市,种植面积分别为3.54、3.21、2.90万hm^(2)和2.51万hm^(2);包含光谱特征、遥感植被指数、纹理特征和地形特征的分类特征集在提取苹果园空间格局方面效果最优,苹果园地提取的总体精度和Kappa系数分别为94%和0.86,高于其他分类特征组合。研究成果可为未来陕西省苹果产业合理规划及果园精细化管理提供科学依据和数据支撑。

渭北黄土高原不同类型人工林的生态效益评价

[目的]构建适应渭北黄土高原人工林资源与生态服务功能特点的人工林生态效益评价方法,阐明不同类型人工林建设对该地区东部、中部、西部生态环境的影响,为准确量化与科学评估不同类型、不同区域人工林的生态服务功能,优化林分结构、制定人工林生态补偿强度标准及准确计量评估人工林碳汇,将“绿色颜值”转化为“生态价值”提供理论依据。[方法]在构建渭北黄土高原生态林、生态经济林、经济林有效面积计算模型的基础上,采用典型区域调查、测定与森林二类调查资料和计量参数等收集相结合的方法,计算分析了3种不同类型,东部、中部、西部不同区域人工林涵养水源、固碳释氧、保育土壤和净化大气的生态效益。[结果](1)渭北黄土高原不同类型人工林的生态效益为生态林>经济林>生态经济林;生态效益中涵养水源价值量最高,保育土壤与固碳释氧效益次之,净化大气的价值量最低。(2)人工林单位面积生态效益为经济林>生态林>生态经济林。(3)不同区域人工林生态效益为中部>东部>西部。[结论]生态林和经济林在生态效益中发挥着重要作用,提高它们所占比重能显著提高人工林的生态效益。为提高西部人工林生态效益,生态林应加强疏林改造、未成林抚育和灌木林封育;同时适度发展经济林,方可有效提升西部乃至整个渭北黄土高原人工林的生态效益。

Changes in aggregate-associated organic carbon and nitrogen after 27 years of fertilization in a dryland alfalfa grassland on the Loess Plateau of China

Changes in the distribution of soil aggregate sizes and concentrations of aggregate-associated organic carbon （OC） and nitrogen （N） in response to the fertilization of grasslands are not well understood. Understanding these changes is essential to the sustainable development of artificial grasslands. For understanding these changes, we collected soil samples at 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths from a semi-arid artificial alfalfa grassland after 27 years of applications of phosphorus （P） and nitrogen＋phosphorus＋manure （NPM） fertilizers on the Loess Pla- teau of China. The distribution of aggregate sizes and the concentrations and stocks of OC and N in total soils were determined. The results showed that NPM treatment significantly increased the proportions of 〉2.0 mm and 2.0-0.25 mm size fractions, the mean geometric diameter （MGD） and the mean weight diameter （MWD） in the 0-20 cm layer. Phosphorous fertilizer significantly increased the proportion of 〉2.0 mm size fractions, the MGD and the MWD in the 0-20 cm layer. Long-term application of fertilization （P and NPM） resulted in the accumulation of OC and N in soil aggregates. The largest changes in aggregate-associated OC and N in the 0-20 cm layer were found at the NPM treatment, whereas the largest changes in the 20-40 cm layer were found at the P treatment. The results suggest that long-term fertilization in the grassland leads to the accumulation of OC and N in the coarse size fractions and the redistribution of OC and N from fine size fractions to coarse size fractions.

Vegetation and environmental changes in western Chinese Loess Plateau since 13.0 ka BP

Pollen records from the Chinese Loess Plateau revealed a detailed history of vegetation variation and associated climate changes during the last 13.0 ka BP. Before 12.1 ka BP, steppe or desert-steppe vegetation dominated landscape then was replaced by a coniferous forest under a generally wet climate （12.1-11.0 ka BP）. The vegetation was deteriorated into steppe landscape and further into a desert-steppe landscape between 11.0 and 9.8 ka BP. After a brief episode of a cool and wet climate （9.8-9.6 ka BP）, a relatively mild and dry condition prevailed during the early Holocene （9.6-7.6 ka BP）. The most favourable climate of warm and humid period occurred during mid-Holocene （7.6-4.0 ka BP） marked by forest-steppe landscape and vegetation alternatively changed between steppe and desert-steppe from -4.0 to -1.0 ka BP.

Quantification of groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration along a semi-arid wetland transect using diurnal water table fluctuations

Groundwater is a vital water resource in arid and semi-arid areas.Diurnal groundwater table fluctuations are widely used to quantify rainfall recharge and groundwater evapotranspiration(ET_(g)).To assess groundwater resources for sustainable use,we estimated groundwater recharge and ET_(g) using the diurnal water table fluctuations at three sites along a section with different depths to water table(DWT)within a wetland of the Mukai Lake in the Ordos Plateau,Northwest China.The water table level was monitored at an hourly resolution using a Keller DCX-22 A data logger that measured both the total pressure and barometric pressure,so that the effect of barometric pressure could be removed.At this study site,a rapid water table response to rainfall was observed in two shallow wells(i.e.,Obs1 and Obs2),at which diurnal water table fluctuations were also observed over the study period during rainless days,indicating that the main factors influencing water table variation are rainfall and ET_(g).However,at the deep-water table site(Obs3),the groundwater level only reacted to the heaviest rainfalls and showed no diurnal variations.Groundwater recharge and ET_(g) were quantified for the entire hydrological year(June 2017–June 2018)using the water table fluctuation method and the Loheide method,respectively,with depth-dependent specific yields.The results show that the total annual groundwater recharge was approximately 207 mm,accounting for 52%of rainfall at Obs1,while groundwater recharge was approximately 250 and 21 mm at Obs2 and Obs3,accounting for 63%and 5%of rainfall,respectively.In addition,the rates of groundwater recharge were mainly determined by rainfall intensity and DWT.The daily mean ET_(g) at Obs1 and Obs2 over the study period was 4.3 and 2.5 mm,respectively,and the main determining factors were DWT and net radiation.

Effects of vegetation near-soil-surface factors on runoff and sediment reduction in typical grasslands on the Loess Plateau,China

Vegetation near-soil-surface factors can protect topsoil from erosion,however,their contributions to the reduction of soil erosion,especially under natural rainfall events,have not been systematically recognized.This study was performed to quantify the effects of near-soil-surface factors on runoff and sediment under natural rainfall events on grasslands dominated by Bothriochloa ischaemum(Linn.)Keng(BI grassland)and Artemisia gmelinii Thunb.(AG grassland)in two typical watersheds on the Loess Plateau,China in 2018.By successive removal of the plant canopy,litter,biological soil crusts(BSCs)and plant roots,we established five treatments including plant roots,plant roots+BSCs,plant roots+BSCs+litter,intact grassland and bare land in each grassland type.In total,twenty runoff plots(5 m×3 m)with similar slopes and aspects were constructed in the two types of grasslands.Results showed that plant canopy,litter and roots reduced runoff,while BSCs,which swelled in the presence of water,increased runoff.In contrast,all of these factors reduced sediment yield.In addition,the reductions in runoff and sediment yield increased with I30(maximum 30-min rainfall intensity)for each vegetation near-soil-surface factor except for BSCs.Among these factors,plant canopy had the largest contribution to runoff reduction,accounting for 48.8% and 39.9% in the BI and AG grasslands,respectively.The contributions of these vegetation near-soil-surface factors to sediment yield reduction were similar(21.3%-29.9%)in the two types of grasslands except for BSCs in the AG grassland(10.3%).The total reduction in runoff in the BI grassland(70.8%)was greater than that in the AG grassland(53.1%),while the reduction in sediment yield was almost the same in both grasslands(97.4%and 96.7%).In conclusion,according to the effects of different vegetation near-soil-surface factors on runoff and sediment production,our results may provide more complete insight and scientific basis into the effects of various vegetation related factors in controlling soil erosion.

免耕结合覆盖措施对渭北旱塬黑垆土结构与团聚体有机碳含量的影响

【目的】阐明长期免耕及覆盖措施对渭北旱塬农田土壤团聚体结构和有机碳含量的影响,探索改善区域土壤的适宜耕作措施。【方法】在连续16年的黑垆土田间定位试验中选择传统耕作(CT)、免耕无覆盖(NT)、免耕+秸秆覆盖(NS)、免耕+地膜覆盖(NP)、免耕+秸秆覆盖+地膜覆盖(NSP)等共5种田间管理措施,于2019年10月春玉米收获期采集0—40 cm土层土样,测定容重、团聚体粒级分布及有机碳含量。【结果】(1)免耕及覆盖措施(NT、NP、NS和NSP)影响了黑垆土容重和团聚体粒级分布。免耕及覆盖措施均提高了耕层(0—20cm)土壤容重,其中0—10cm土层容重提高7.1%—17.8%,犁底层容重和孔隙度变化与耕层相反。耕层大团聚体比例显著提高、微团聚体比例显著降低,促进耕层微团聚体向大团聚体的转化。各粒级团聚体重量百分比在耕层(0—20 cm)分布为:较大团聚体(0.25—2 mm)>大团聚体(>2 mm)>微团聚体(0.053—0.25 mm)>粉黏粒组分(<0.053 mm),在犁底层(20—40 cm)为较大团聚体和粉黏粒组分显著高于大团聚体和微团聚体。(2)免耕及覆盖措施下有机碳含量随团聚体粒级增大而增加。在0—40 cm土层,NT处理各粒级团聚体有机碳含量均显著低于CT处理,而NS、NSP处理均显著高于CT处理。(3)耕层总有机碳累积以>0.25 mm团聚体有机碳为主,犁底层以粉黏粒组分和较大团聚体有机碳为主。【结论】长期免耕及覆盖措施促进耕层微团聚体向大团聚体转化。与传统耕作相比,免耕和地膜覆盖均降低了耕层各粒级团聚体有机碳含量。而免耕覆盖(NS、NP和NSP)比免耕无覆盖(NT)均增加了各粒级团聚体有机碳含量。免耕结合秸秆覆盖(NS)显著改善土壤容重且对各粒级团聚体有机碳含量提升幅度最大,是最佳处理。

苹果园改种粮食作物渭北旱塬深层土壤水氮变化特征

黄土高原退耕还林(草)工程实施20年来,长期苹果种植导致了普遍的土壤干层和大量的硝态氮累积,严重制约了农业和区域经济可持续发展。因此,明确不同树龄苹果园改种粮食作物后对深层土壤干层恢复(土壤水分变化)、土壤硝态氮累积与运移的影响,对于黄土高原土壤质量改善和农业可持续发展具有重要意义。以渭北旱塬为研究区,选取10、15、20、30 a树龄的苹果园以及对应树龄苹果园改种为2、5 a和6 a粮食作物为研究对象,通过对比分析各样地0—10 m剖面的土壤含水量、土壤储水量和硝态氮含量的差异,基于空间换时间的方法定量评估苹果园改种为粮食作物后对于深层土壤水氮的影响。结果表明:(1)不同林龄苹果园改种粮食作物后土壤水分迅速恢复,在2年之内均可恢复到7.0 m左右深度。(2)改种后土壤储水量对于改种后土壤硝态氮累积量的直接影响最显著,不同林龄苹果园改种粮食作物后,土壤剖面中硝态氮随着土壤水分的恢复发生了不同程度的淋失。改种前苹果园种植年限对于改种后土壤硝态氮累积量起决定性作用,改种前林龄越长,改种后硝态氮累积量越大、淋失深度越浅。(3)土壤累积硝态氮的淋失滞后于土壤水分的向下运动。可见,不同林龄苹果园改种粮食作物后土壤水分均迅速恢复,加速了硝态氮的淋失,然而土壤水分与硝态氮的向下运动并不一致。在进行改种时需要综合考虑土壤水分恢复的同时硝态氮迅速淋失造成土壤质量下降的问题。研究对合理优化土地利用结构以及改善土壤质量等具有深远的意义。

风能和太阳能联合供电在水文自动监测站中的应用及推广实验分析

风能和太阳能联合供电技术已广泛应用于市政系统,但此技术鲜少直接使用在水文自动监测站。以杨凌区渭河川道平原区和旬邑县渭北黄土高原沟壑区为例,探索不同地理地貌,风能和太阳能联合供电可行性,并提出不同自然条件下,较为合适的风光互补联合供电的技术方案。

渭北旱塬苹果黑星病流行因子分析

利用渭北旱塬7年(1997～2003年)的温度、相对湿度、降水量和苹果黑星病流行程度资料,采用逐步回归法分析了影响渭北旱塬苹果黑星病流行的因子,求得最优回归子集,包括4月和8月份的降水量、前1年12月份的平均相对湿度、1月和7月份的平均温度,建立苹果黑星病多元线性回归预测模型,以残差绝对值<0．5为统计标准,对1997～2003年苹果黑星病的流行程度进行回测。结果表明,预测模型回测准确率高,可用于指导渭北旱塬苹果黑星病的防治工作。

渭北旱塬苹果黑星病流行程度预测

利用渭北旱塬1997-2003年的温度、相对湿度、降雨量和苹果黑星病流行程度等资料，采用逐步回归法分析了影响渭北旱塬苹果黑星病流行的气象因子，求得了最优回归子集，并用前5年资料建立了多元线性回归模型，用该模型对2002和2003年苹果黑星病的流行程度进行了预测。结果表明，4月份和8月份的降雨量、前一年12月份的平均相对湿度及1月份和7月份的平均温度是影响苹果黑星病流行的主要因子。研究建立的回归模型预测准确率高，对渭北旱塬苹果黑星病的防治具有一定指导作用。

黄土区渭北旱塬苹果基地对区域水循环的影响

通过对苹果地、农田和其他塬面主要土地利用方式的比较研究 ,发现苹果地土壤入渗速率大、降雨产流率低和存在生物利用型土壤干层。这些水文学性质将增强土壤 -植物 -大气间垂直水分交换 ,削弱降雨转化为地表径流和地下水的比例 ,最终影响区域地表和地下水资源的数量。另外土壤干层的出现还削弱了土壤水库对年际和季节性干旱的调节作用 。

渭北旱塬苹果园施肥现状分析评估

为了解陕西渭北旱塬苹果园栽培管理水平、施肥现状及果农养分资源投入存在的问题,选取陕西渭北旱塬300户果农,调查其苹果产量、施肥及其他管理措施等。结果表明,不同果农间苹果的产量和施肥量存在很大差异。两年来果农化肥平均纯氮用量为671.71 kg·hm-2,适宜用量为240～360 kg·hm-2,78.3%的果园氮肥投入过量;P2O5平均用量为338.21 kg·hm-2,适宜用量为220～340 kg·hm-2,投入量适中果农仅占调查样本的22.2%;K2O平均用量为240.70 kg·hm-2,适宜用量为160～240 kg·hm-2,51.2%的果农施钾肥量偏低。调查数据与前人研究比较发现,由有机肥提供的氮磷钾养分占肥料总养分的比例下降趋势显著,由1994年的51%下降到现在的5.54%。果农传统的重氮偏磷轻钾施肥方式还未改变,施肥仍然以基肥为主,基肥比例达70%以上。为此提出调查区果园施肥应减少氮肥用量,提高氮肥利用率,适当增加磷肥,特别要注重钾肥和有机肥的投入,实现养分资源综合管理。