Combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer alleviates the kernel position effect in summer maize by promoting post-silking nitrogen uptake and dry matter accumulation

Adjusting agronomic measures to alleviate the kernel position effect in maize is important for ensuring high yields.In order to clarify whether the combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer(CAOFCF)can alleviate the kernel position effect of summer maize,field experiments were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons,and five treatments were assessed:CF,100%chemical fertilizer;OFCF1,15%organic fertilizer+85%chemical fertilizer;OFCF2,30%organic fertilizer+70%chemical fertilizer;OFCF3,45%organic fertilizer+55%chemical fertilizer;and OFCF4,60%organic fertilizer+40%chemical fertilizer.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments significantly alleviated the kernel position effect by increasing the weight ratio of inferior kernels to superior kernels and reducing the weight gap between the superior and inferior kernels.These effects were largely due to the improved filling and starch accumulation of inferior kernels.However,there were no obvious differences in the kernel position effect among plants treated with CF,OFCF3,or OFCF4 in most cases.Leaf area indexes,post-silking photosynthetic rates,and net assimilation rates were higher in plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2 than in those treated with CF,reflecting an enhanced photosynthetic capacity and improved postsilking dry matter accumulation(DMA)in the plants treated with OFCF1 or OFCF2.Compared with the CF treatment,the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments increased post-silking N uptake by 66.3 and 75.5%,respectively,which was the major factor driving post-silking photosynthetic capacity and DMA.Moreover,the increases in root DMA and zeatin riboside content observed following the OFCF1 and OFCF2 treatments resulted in reduced root senescence,which is associated with an increased post-silking N uptake.Analyses showed that post-silking N uptake,DMA,and grain yield in summer maize were negatively correlated with the kernel position effect.In conclusion,the combined application of 15-30%organic fertilizer and 70-85%chemical fertilizer alleviated the kernel position effect in summer maize by improving post-silking N uptake and DMA.These results provide new insights into how CAOFCF can be used to improve maize productivity.

Improvement of soil fertility and rice yield after long-term application of cow manure combined with inorganic fertilizers

Fertilization is an effective technique to improve soil fertility and increase crop yield.The long-term effects of different fertilizers on soil considerably vary.Over 38 consecutive years of different fertilization positioning experiments in a double cropping rice field of Qiyang Red Soil Experimental Station,seven different fertilization treatments including CK(no fertilization),NPK(nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium fertilizer),M(cow manure),NPKM(nitrogen,phosphorus,and potassium with cow manure),NPM(nitrogen and phosphorus with cow manure),NKM(nitrogen and potassium with cow manure),and PKM(phosphorus and potassium with cow manure)were applied to study the effects on rice yield,soil fertility,and nutrient apparent balance in a paddy field.The results showed that the annual average yields of rice in NPKM,NPM,NKM,PKM,M,NPK and CK treatments ranged from 6214 to 11562 kg ha-1.Yields under long-term organic and inorganic treatments(NPKM,NPM,NKM and PKM)were 22.58,15.35,10.53 and 4.41%,respectively,greater than under the NPK treatment.Soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),available nitrogen(AN)and available potassium(AK)concentration with long-term organic and inorganic treatment(NPKM,NPM,NKM and PKM)were significantly higher than in inorganic fertilizer(NPK)treatments.Soil total phosphorus(TP)and available phosphorus(AP)contentration with organic fertilizer combined with inorganic N and P fertilizer treatment(NPKM,NPM and PKM)were significantly higher than with inorganic fertilizer alone(NPK treatments).The average annual rice yield(11562 kg ha-1),SOC(20.88 g kg-1),TN(2.30 g kg-1),TP(0.95 g kg-1),TK(22.50 g kg-1)and AP(38.94 mg kg-1)concentrations were the highest in the NPKM treatment.The soil AN concentration(152.40 mg kg-1)and AK contentration(151.00 mg kg-1)were the highest in the NKM treatment.N and P application led to a surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil,but NPKM treatment effectively reduced the surplus compared with other treatments.Soils under all treatments were deficient in potassium.Correlation analysis showed that SOC,TN,AN,TP,and AP contentration was significantly correlated with rice yield;the correlation coefficients were 0.428,0.496,0.518,0.501,and 0.438,respectively.This study showed that the combined application of N,P,and K with cow manure had important effects on rice yield and soil fertility,but balanced application of N,P,and K with cow manure was required.

Effects of a New Long-term Controlled-release Fertilizer on Growth and Development and Yield of Summer Maize

[Objective] The aim was to select the optimal amount of controlled-release fertilizer and provide theoretical references for controlled-release fertilizers use in summer maize. [Method] Long-term controlled-release fertilizers were applied once at sowing summer maize to explore effects on maize growth, yield, economic profits and environment. [Result] Maize yield reduced a little in the treatment group with 60% CRF, and increased in varying degrees in the rest groups in the range of 1.1%-7.4%, and some showed significant differences. [Conclusion] Controlled-release fertilizers can be applied once at the amount of 80% common fertilizer＇s, with con- sideration of maize yield, nitrogen use rate and economic profits, which is beneficial for summer maize application and promotion in North China.

Effects of Long-term Located Fertilization on the Contents and Composition of Organic Matter in Paddy Soil

To reveal variation of organic matter content in red paddy soil, Through a 27 years-located fertilization experiment in red paddy soil, the content and composi- tion of organic matter in paddy soil were studied in this paper. The result showed that： the dynamics of soil organic matter of the different fertilization treatments showed significant differences, in the premise of equal nutrient （nitrogen and phos- phorus and potassium）, combining application of organic-inorganic was benefited for the accumulation of organic matter in paddy soil than without fertilizer treatment or chemical fertilizer treatment; the dynamics of soil humic acid, HA and FA of chemi- cal fertilizer only and Combining application of organic-inorganic treatments had basi- cally the same trend, But the contents of humic acid, HA and FA of combining ap- plication of organic-inorganic treatments had been higher than that without fertilizer and chemical fertilizer treatment. Moreover combining application of organic-inorganic treatments was benefited for improving the contents of HA and FA, but decreasing HA/FA ratio as an extension of time. Combining application of organic-inorganic was benefited for improving the contents ol readily oxidizable organic matter. And the contents of soil organic matter in long-term experiment and the contents of readily oxidizable O.M were highly significant positive correlation and the contents of soil total nitrogen, avail nitrogen and potassium were significant positive correlation; the contents of soil readily oxidizable O.M and the contents of soil total nitrogen, avail- able P and rice yield were significant positive correlation. Thereinto, the correlation （r=0.818 1 ） between the rice yield and soil readily oxidizable O.M was higher than the correlation （r=0.802 0） between the rice yield and soil organic matter. It showed the soil readily oxidized organic matter had greater contribution to the rice yield.

Effects of Long-Term Combined Application of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Microbial Biomass,Soil Enzyme Activities and Soil Fertility

Soil health is important for the sustainable development of terrestrial ecosystem. In this paper, we studied the relationship between soil quality and soil microbial properties such as soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities in order to illustrate the function of soil microbial properties as bio-indicators of soil health. In this study, microbial biomass C and N contents （Cmic ＆ Nmic）, soil enzyme activities, and soil fertility with different fertilizer regimes were carried out based on a 15-year long-term fertilizer experiment in Drab Fluvo-aquic soil in Changping County, Beijing, China. At this site, 7 different treatments were established in 1991. They were in a wheat-maize rotation receiving either no fertilizer （CK）, mineral fertilizers （NPK）, mineral fertilizers with wheat straw incorporated （NPKW）, mineral fertilizers with incremental wheat straw incorporated （NPKW＋）, mineral fertilizers plus swine manure （NPKM）, mineral fertilizers plus incremental swine manure （NPKM＋） or mineral fertilizers with maize straw incorporated （NPKS）. In different fertilization treatments Cmic changed from 96.49 to 500.12 mg kg^-1, and Nmic changed from 35.89 to 101.82 mg kg^-1. Compared with CK, the other treatments increased Cmic ＆ Nmic, Cmic/Corg （organic C） ratios, Cmic/Nmic, urease activity, soil organic matter （SOM）, soil total nitrogen （STN）, and soil total phosphorus （STP）. All these properties in treatment with fertilizers input NPKM＋ were the highest. Meantime, long-term combined application of mineral fertilizers with organic manure or crop straw could significantly decrease the soil pH in Fluvo-aquic soil （the pH around 8.00 in this experimental soil）. Some of soil microbial properties （Cmic/Nmic, urease activity） were positively correlated with soil nutrients. Cmic/Nmic was significantly correlated with SOM and STN contents. The correlation between catalase activity and soil nutrients was not significant. In addition, except of catalase activity, the soil pH in this experiment was negatively correlated with soil microbial properties. In conclusion, soil microbial properties reflect changes of soil quality and thus can be used as bio-indicators of soil health.

Effect of Long-Term Application of K Fertilizer and Wheat Straw to Soil on Crop Yield and Soil K Under Different Planting Systems

Effect of application of K fertilizer and wheat straw to soil on crop yield and status of soil K in the plough layer under different planting systems was studied. The experiments on long-term application of K fertilizer and wheat straw to soil in Hebei fluvo aquic soil and Shanxi brown soil in northern China were begun in 1992. The results showed that K fertilizer and straw could improve the yields of wheat and maize with the order of NPK ＋ St 〉 NPK 〉 NP ＋ St 〉 NP, and treatment of K fertilizer made a significant difference to NP, and the efficiency of K fertilizer in maize was higher than in wheat under rotation system of Hebei. In contrast with Shanxi, the wastage of soil potassium was a more serious issue in the rotation system in Hebei, only treatment of NPK ＋ St showed a surplus of potassium and the others showed a wane. K fertilizer and straw could improve the content of water-soluble K, nonspecifically adsorbed K, non-exchangeable K, mineral K, and total K in contrast to NP; however, K fertilizer and straw reduce the proportion of mineral K and improve proportion of other forms of potassium in the two locating sites. Compared with the beginning of orientation, temporal variability character of soil K content and proportion showed a difference between the two soil types; furthermore, there was a decrease in the content of mineral K and total K simultaneously in the two locating sites. As a whole, the effect of K fertilizer applied to soil directly excelled to wheat straw to soil. Wheat straw to soil was an effective measure to complement potassium to increase crop yield and retard the decrease of soil K.

Effects of 42-year long-term fertilizer management on soil phosphorus availability, fractionation,adsorption–desorption isotherm and plant uptake in flooded tropical rice

Soil phosphorus(P) fractionation, adsorption, and desorption isotherm, and rice yield and P uptake were investigated in flooded tropical rice(Oryza sativa L.) following 42-year fertilizer and manure application. The treatments included low-input [unfertilized control without N, P, or K(C0N0)], farmyard manure(FYM)(C1N0), NP(C0NP), NPK(C0NPK), FYM + NP(C1NP), and high-input treatment, FYM + NPK(C1NPK). Grain yield was increased significantly by 74%over the control under the combined application of FYM + NPK. However, under low- and high-input treatments, yield as well as P uptake was maintained at constant levels for 35 years.During the same period, high yield levels and P uptake were maintained under the C0 NP, C0 NPK,and C1 NPK treatments. These are unique characteristics of a tropical flooded ecosystem, which is a self-sustaining system for rice production. The Fe–P fraction was highest compared to the Ca–P and Al–P fractions after 42 years of fertilizer application and was significantly higher under FYM + NPK treatment. The P adsorption capacity of soil was highest under the low-input treatment and lowest under long-term balanced fertilization(FYM + NPK). In contrast, P desorption capacity was highest under NPK and lowest in the control treatment. Long-term balanced fertilization in the form of FYM + NPK for 42 years lowered the bonding energy and adsorption capacity for P in soil but increased its desorption potential, increasing P availability to the plant and leading to higher P uptake and yield maintenance.

Effects of Long-Term Application of Sulfur-Containing and Chloride-Containing Chemical Fertilizers on Rice Yield and Its Components

Impacts of 33-yr of application of S-containing and Cl-containing chemical fertilizers on rice （Oryza sativa L.） yield and its components were investigated in a red paddy field experiment,south China.The treatments included：1） adding 302 kg SO42--S ha-1 yr-1 with application of （NH4）2SO4-,K2SO4,and calcium superphosphate （SO42-）;2） adding 56 kg SO42--S and 176 kg Cl ha-1 yr-1 with application of urea,calcium superphosphate,and KCl （Cl-＋SO42-）;3） adding 516 kg Cl ha-1 yr-1 with application of NH4Cl,KCl,and KH2PO4 （Cl-）.Under each treatment,the applied N,P,and K nutrients were controlled at conventional rates of 150 kg N ha-1 yr-1,75 kg P2O5 ha-1 yr-1,225 kg K2O ha-1 yr-1,respectively.Under the S-containing fertilizer application,soil SO42--S content showed a first increasing then decreasing trend with years,and was significantly negatively correlated with annual rice yield.Average annual yield significantly declined in an order of Cl-,Cl-＋SO42-,and SO42-.Under the Cl-treatment,soil SO42--S content was maintained at about 26.5 mg kg-1,not showing deficiency.From 1990 to 2000,rice yield declined rapidly under the SO42- treatment,and was significantly lower than that under the Cltreatment.After then,there was no significant difference in yield among the treatments.Our results demonstrated that long-term application of S- containing fertilizer could result in excessive accumulation of SO42--S in the red paddy soils of south China,therefore producing a certain threat to rice growth.The Cl- containing fertilizer could be relatively safe.

Effects of Long-term Fertilization on Micro-morphological Features in Purple Soil

[Objective] The study aimed to better understand the effect of different fertilizer treatments on micro-morphological characteristics of a purple soil at the 0-20 cm topsoil in a long-term fertilizer experiment. [Method] Soil micro-morphology was observed and analyzed under a single polarizing microscope. [Result] For the CK （no fertilizer） treatment, soil structure was dense with little porosity developed. Its soil microstructure was poor, sandy fabric-granular fabric. After continuously applied chemical fertilizers only for more than two decades, the soil particles did not evolve into soil structures and formed little porosity. The microstructures of soil in N, NP and NPK treatments were porphyroskelic fabric-fine sandy granular fabric, better than that of the soil in CK treatment. Adding manure obviously improved the quantity of groundmass and endowed the soil a loose structure and plenty porosity, enriched animal and plant residues, and well-formed iron-manganese nodules and humus ma- terials, all resulting in better micro-aggregates development. The type of soil microstructures in MNPK treatment was pectized-compacted takyric fabric-intertextic fabric, the best among all the treatments. [Conclusion] Combined application of both or- ganic and inorganic fertilizers can significantly improve the structure of the purple soil, enhance soil fertility and achieve soil sustainable development.

Effects of Long-term Fertilization on Fertility of Lateritic Red Loam Paddy

The change rules of the fertility of red soil paddy under the long-term different fertilization were investigated, and the reasonable fertilization mode to improve the fertility of red soil paddy was discussed. There were eight treatments in the experiment, which were CK （no fertilizer）, N1 （N of 60 kg/hm2）, N2 （N of 120 kg/hm2）, N1P1 （P2O5 of 30 kg/hm2）, N2P1 and N2P2 （P2O5 of 60 kg/hm2）, N2P2K1 （K2O of 45 kg/hm2） and N2P2K2 （K2O of 90 kg/hm2）. All treatments were applied with composted cow dung as the base fertilizer, and each season 50% of the straws were returned to the field. The content of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in red soil paddy was observed continuously for ten years and their correlation was also analyzed. Under cow manure and straw return to field, organic matter content of different treatments was positively correlated to year. After ten years, organic matter content of surface soil rose by 2.5 g/kg averagely with an annual increase of 0.25 g/kg. Total nitrogen content and organic matter content of different treatments presented similar variation trend. Total nitrogen content rose by 0.35 g/kg averagely with an annual increase of 0.035 g/kg. Among all the treatments, N2P2K1 and N2P2K2 showed the biggest increase, which went up by 0.052 and 0.48 g/kg, respectively. Phosphorous-free treatments （CK, N1, N2） had steady phosphorous content with irregular changes of different years. Total phosphorous content of phosphorous treatments increased year by year. Total phosphorous content of N1P1 and N2P1 rose by 0.008 g/kg every year. The increment range of total phosphorous content of N2P2, N2P2K1 and N2P2K2 was 0.012 -0.013 g/kg annually. Available phosphorous content varied vastly among different treatments. Available phosphorous content of organic fertilizer treatments basically remained stable with irregular changes of different years. Available phosphorous content of organic fertilizer with phosphate fertilizer treatments rose year by year. Available phosphorous content of N1P1 and N2P1 rose approximately by 0.8 mg/kg. Available phosphorous content of N2P2, N2P2K1 and N2P2K2 rose approximately by 1.4 -1.6 mg/kg annually. Potassium fertilizer amount greatly affected total potassium content. Total potassium content of no-potassium treatments （CK, N1, N2, N1P1, N2P1 and N2P2） remained the same. Total potassium content of N2P2K markedly increased year by year, which was 0.014 g/kg annually. Rapid available potassium content of no-potassium treatments （CK, N1, N2, N1P1, N2P1 and N2P2） showed a decreasing trend. With phosphate fertilizer, rapid available potassium content of N2P2K1 and N2P2K2 remained the same or increased year by year. The change trend of slow available potassium content and rapid available potassium content resembled. Rational allocation of organic fertilizer, nitrogenous fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer can significantly improve soil fertility and economic benefits. Balanced fertilization is an effective measure for soil fertility improvement as it＇s shown that nutrients of surface soil accumulate annually.

Effects of Long-term Located Fertilization on Wheat Yield and Soil Nutrients of Three Types of Soils in Shandong Province

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term differ- ent fertilization in three types of soils on wheat yield and soil nutrient variation in Shandong Province. [Method] A 30-year located experiment in Jinan of Shandong Province was selected and the results of soil nutrient and crop yield in 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010 were measured and collected. In this study, five treatments： CK, NP, NK, PK and NPK of the located experiment were selected. [Result] The three types of soils in wheat yields decreased signifi- cantly in the first several years and in 2006. Wheat yields of the treatments with P fertilizers were obviously higher than those without P fertilizers; it was shown that phosphorus is the primary nutritional factor for high-yielding of wheat. The highest yield is from cinnamon soil, followed by that from brown soil, and the lowest pro- duction is from fluvo-aquic soil. Under the same fertilization, the influence of other factors on wheat yield of brown soil is the smallest, while cinnamon soil is vulnera- ble to the influence of external conditions, resulting in larger fluctuation of annual wheat yield. The alkali-hydro nitrogen contents of three kinds of soils first de- creased, then raised, and at last reduced apparently. Since 2007, the change of al- kali-hydro nitrogen content appeared rebounded. The available P contents of no- phosphorus treatments decreased over time while those of the treatments with P fertilizers increased at first, then decreased, and after that kept relatively stable. The available K contents of no K treatments decreased slowly. The treatments of PK and NK had higher available K content than NPK treatment. [Conclusion] Thus, it is an effective fertilization measure to improve the wheat yield by supplying reasonable phosphate fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer and making up potassium fertilizer.

Crop Yield and Soil Responses to Long-Term Fertilization on a Red Soil in Southern China

A 15-year fertilization experiment with different applications of inorganic N,P and K fertilizers and farmyard manure (M)was conducted to study the yield and soil responses to long-term fertilization at Qiyang,Hunan Province,China. Average grain yields of wheat and corn(1 672 and 5 111 kg ha-1,respectively)for the treatment NPKM were significantly higher than those(405 and 310 kg ha-1)of the unfertilized control and single inorganic fertilizer treatments.Compared with the corresponding initial values of the experiment,all treatments showed a yield decline of 9 to 111 kg ha-1 year-1 in wheat and 35 to 260 kg ha-1 year-1 in corn,respectively,and a significant pH decline of 0.07 to 0.12 pH year?1,except for the treatments PK and NPKM.After long-term fertilization,the soil organic C,soil available P,exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+and available Cu2+and Zn2+contents were higher in the treatment NPKM than in the treatments applied with inorganic fertilizer only.Compared to the treatment NPK,the treatment NPKM,where manure partially replaced inorganic N,had a positive impact on arresting the decline of soil pH.This improved grain yields of wheat and corn, suggesting that application of NPK fertilizer in combination with farmyard manure is important to maintain soil fertility and buffering capacity in red soil.

Phosphorus Changes and Sorption Characteristics in a Calcareous Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization

Knowledge of phosphorus （P） behavior in long-term fertilized soils is essential for programming fertilization practices and for sustaining environmental quality. The long-term （1984-1997） effects of various fertilization treatments on P changes and sorption isotherms as well as the relationship of soil properties to P sorption and P forms were evaluated in an Ustic Isohumisol, a calcareous soil, on the Loess Plateau, China. Compared to 1984, after 13 years of crop production, total soil P in the no-P treatments （control and N treatment） decreased by 5%-7%, but in the phosphorus fertilizer alone （P）, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in combination （NP）, manure alone （M）, and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and manure in combination （NPM） treatments, it increased by 22%, 19%, 28%, and 58%, respectively. Residual fertilizer P was found mainly in NH4Ac-soluble P （Cas-P）, followed by NaHCO3-soluble P （NaHCO3-P）, and NH4F-soluble P （Al-P）. Phosphorus sorption in the soils with different fertilization practices fit the Langmuir equations. Phosphorus sorption capacity in the no-P treatments increased, whereas it decreased in the P-included treatments （P, NP, and NPM treatments）. Phosphorus sorption maximum （Qm） was significantly and negatively correlated to inorganic P including NaHCO3-P, Cas-P, NaOH-Na2CO3-soluble P （Fe-P）, and Al-P （P ≤ 0.01）. Moreover, long-term fertilization increased soil organic carbon in the NP, M, and NPM treatments and decreased pH in the NP and NPM treatments. Thus, the ability of the soil to release sorbed P to the environment increased under long-term P fertilization.

Wheat Grain Yield and Yield Stability in a Long-Term Fertilization Experiment on the Loess Plateau

To provide a scientific basis for sustainable land management, a 20-year fertility experiment was conducted in Changwu County, Shaanxi Province, China to investigate the effects of long-term application of chemical fertilizers on wheat grain yield and yield stability on the Loess Plateau using regression and stability analysis. The experiment consisted of 17 fertilizer treatments, containing the combinations of different N and P levels, with three replications arranged in a randomized complete block design. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as urea, and P was applied as calcium superphosphate. Fertilizer rates had a large effect on the response of wheat yield to fertilization. Phosphorus, combined with N, increased yield significantly （P 〈 0.01）. In the unfertilized control and the N or P sole application treatments, wheat yield had a declining trend although it was not statistically significant. Stability analysis combined with the trend analysis indicated that integrated use of fertilizer N and P was better than their sole application in increasing and sustaining the productivity of rainfed winter wheat.

Effect of Long-Term Fertilization on Organic Nitrogen Forms in a Calcareous Alluvial Soil on the North China Plain

In order to illustrate the change of nitrogen （N） supply capacity after long-term application of manure and chemical fertilizer, as well as to properly manage soil fertility through fertilizer application under the soil-climatic conditions of the North China Plain, organic N forms were quantified in the topsoil with different manure and chemical fertilizer treatments in a 15-year fertilizer experiment in a Chinese calcareous alluvial soil. Soil total N （TN） and various organic N forms were significantly influenced by long-term application of chemical fertilizer and manure. TN, total hydrolysable N, acid-lnsoluble N, amino acid N and ammonium N in the soil increased significantly （P 〈 0.05） with increasing manure and fertilizer N rates, but were not influenced by increasing P rates. Also, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence either the quantity of amino sugar N or its proportion of TN. Application of manure significantly increased （P 〈 0.05） hydrolysable unknown N, but adding N or P did not. In addition, application of manure or N fertilizer or P fertilizer did not significantly influence the proportions of different soil organic N forms.

Impact of Long-Term Fertilization on Phosphorus Status in Black Soil

A twelve-year field trial was carried out to determine the impact of long-term fertilization on phosphorus (P) distribu- tion in the soil profile, P balance, and the transformation and availability of soil P in a black soil (Phaeozem, FAO). Under a wheat-soybean-corn rotation, during twelve years where no fertilizer was applied, crops removed 60 and 81 mg P kg-1 soil in the control and NK treatment, respectively. About one third of the P absorbed by crops was originated from organic P. Ca2-P, Cag-P, Al-P and Fe-P were the main forms of inorganic P absorbed by crops. The surplus P from fertilization remained in the 0-20 cm soil layer and increased with the application rate of P. The combined application of NP or NPK increased available P to a lesser extent than the combined application of PK. Fertilizer P had mainly transformed to the Al-P, Fe-P, Ca2-P, and Cas-P forms. By using the P budget (X), changes in total P (Y1) and available P (Y2) in soils under the current cropping system could be predicted by the equations: Y1 = 0.02 + 1.01X and Y2 = 2.08 + 0.15X.

Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model

Increasing basic farmland soil productivity has significance in reducing fertilizer application and maintaining high yield of crops. In this study, we defined that the basic soil productivity （BSP） is the production capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local environment and field management. Based on 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term experimental data on black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China, the decision support system for an agro-technology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize model was applied to simulate the yield by BSP of spring maize （Zea mays L.） to examine the effects of long-term fertilization on changes of BSP and explore the mechanisms of BSP increasing. Five treatments were examined： （1） no-fertilization control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium （NPK）; （3） NPK plus farmyard manure （NPKM）; （4） 1.5 time of NPKM （1.5NPKM） and （5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that after 22-yr fertilization, the yield by BSP of spring maize significantly increased 78.0, 101.2, and 69.4% under the NPKM, 1.5NPKM and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value （in 1992）, but not significant under NPK （26.9% increase） and the control （8.9% decrease）. The contribution percentage of BSP showed a significant rising trend （P〈0.05） under 1.5NPKM. The average contribution percentage of BSP among fertilizations ranged from 74.4 to 84.7%, and ranked as 1.5NPKM〉NPKM〉NPK〉NPKS, indicating that organic manure combined with chemical fertilizers （I.5NPKM and NPKM） could more effectively increase BSP compared with the inorganic fertilizer application alone （NPK） in the black soil. This study showed that soil organic matter （SOM） was the key factor among various fertility factors that could affect BSP in the black soil, and total N, total P and/or available P also played important role in BSP increasing. Compared with the chemical fertilization, a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） not only increased the concentrations of soil nutrient, but also improved the soil physical properties, and structure and diversity of soil microbial population, resulting in an iincrease of BSP. We recommend that a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） should be the fertilization practices to enhance spring maize yield and improve BSP in the black soil of Northeast China.

Effects of long-term organic fertilization on soil microbiologic characteristics,yield and sustainable production of winter wheat

We investigated the soil microbiologic characteristics, and the yield and sustainable production of winter wheat, by conducting a long-term fertilization experiment. A single application of N, P and K （NPK） fertilizer was taken as the control （CK） and three organic fertilization treatments were used： NPK fertilizer＋pig manure （T1）, NPK fertilizer＋straw return （T2）, NPK fertilizer＋pig manure＋straw return （T3）. The results showed that all three organic fertilization treatments （T1, T2 and T3） significantly increased both soil total N （STN） and soil organic carbon （SOC） from 2008 onwards. In 2016, the SOC content and soil C/N ratios for T1, T2 and T3 were significantly higher than those for CK. The three organic fertilization treatments increased soil microbial activity. In 2016, the activity of urease （sucrase） and the soil respiration rate （SRS） for T1, T2 and T3 were significantly higher than those under CK. The organic fertilization treatments also increased the content of soil microbial biomass carbon （SMBC） and microbial biomass nitrogen （SMBN）, the SMBC/SMBN ratio and the microbial quotient （qMB）. The yield for T1, T2 and T3 was significantly higher than that of CK, respectively. Over the nine years of the investigation, the average yield increased by 9.9, 13.2 and 17.4% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively, compared to the initial yield for each treatment, whereas the average yield of CK over the same period was reduced by 6.5%. T1, T2, and T3 lowered the coefficient of variation （CV） of wheat yield and increased the sustainable yield index （SYI）. Wheat grain yield was significantly positively correlated with each of the soil microbial properties （P〈0.01）. These results showed that the long-term application of combined organic and chemical fertilizers can stabilize crop yield and make it more sustainable by improving the properties of the soil.

Chemical fertilizers could be completely replaced by manure to maintain high maize yield and soil organic carbon(SOC)when SOC reaches a threshold in the Northeast China Plain

The combined use of chemical and organic fertilizers is considered a good method to sustain high crop yield and enhance soil organic carbon （SOC）, but it is still unclear when and to what extent chemical fertilizers could be replaced by organic fertilizers. We selected a long-term soil fertility experiment in Gongzhuling, Northeast China Plain to examine the temporal dynamics of crop yield and SOC in response to chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium （NPK） fertilizers and manure, applied both individually and in combination, over the course of three decades （1980-2010）. We aimed to test 1） which fertilizer application is the best for increasing both maize yield and SOC in this region, and 2） whether chemical fertilizers can be replaced by manure to maintain high maize yield and enhance SOC, and if so, when this replacement should be implemented. We observed that NPK fertilizers induced a considerable increase in maize yield in the first 12 years after the initiation of the experiment, but manure addition did not. In the following years, the addition of both NPK fertilizers and manure led to an increase in maize yield. SOC increased considerably in treatments with manure but remained the same or even declined with NPK treatments. The increase in maize yield induced by NPK fertilizers alone declined greatly with increasing SOC, whereas the combination of NPK and manure resulted in high maize yield and a remarkable improvement in SOC stock. Based on these results we suggested that NPK fertilizers could be at least partially replaced by manure to sustain high maize yield after SOC stock has reached 41.96 Mg C ha^-1 in the Northeast China Plain and highly recommend the combined application of chemical fertilizers and manure （i.e., 60 Mg ha^-1）.

Effect of Long-Term Fertilization on Soil Enzyme Activities Under Different Hydrothermal Conditions in Northeast China

Human activities have altered weather patterns by causing an increase in greenhouse gas. The effects of climate change have been studied, including effects on some ecosystems throughout the world. There are many studies on changes in the soil due to climate change, but much of them did not extend their research to soil enzyme that integrates information on soil microbial status and soil physical-chemical conditions. Meanwhile, there are lots of experimental fields established to study effects of long-term fertilization on soil enzyme activities, but many did not compare the difference of soil enzyme activities and did not analyze the effect of climatic factors on soil enzyme activities with long-term fertilization under different hydrothermal conditions. In this study, we compared soil enzyme activities of three long-fertilization stations which had different hydrothermal conditions in Northeast China, and analyzed the relationship of hydrothermal condition, soil chemical properties with soil enzyme activities. Hydrothermal conditions （annual temperature and total rainfall） decreased in order of Gongzhuling （Jilin Province, China ） Harbin （Heilongjiang Province, China） Heihe （Heilongjiang Province, China） over the course of the long-term fertilization experiment. Sunshine hours showed the longest in Gongzhuling, the second in Heihe, and the last in Harbin. However, the order of soil enzymes was not in agreement with hydrothermal conditions. Overall, the order of soil enzymes for the same treatment among three stations was consistent in 2008 with in 2009. Correlation analysis demonstrated that different soil enzymes achieved the different affected levels by climatic factors under different fertilization treatments. Urease activity showed a significant relationship with sunshine hours in no fertilizer （CK） treatment （R=-0.91, P0.01） and relative humidity in mineral fertilizers plus manure （MNPK） treatment （R=0.82, P0.05）. Phosphatase activity exhibited a negative correlation with annual mean temperature, annual mean maximum temperature and annual mean minimum temperature, and their correlation coefficients were separately -0.83, -0.79, and -0.83 at P0.05 in CK treatment. Invertase activity was highly and positively correlated with sunshine hours in CK treatment （R=0.94, P0.01）. Catalase activity showed significant negative correlations with minimum relative humidity in CK treatment （R=-0.81, P0.05）, and positive correlations with sunshine hours in M treatment （R=0.83, P0.05）. There were no climatic factors which strongly affected on dehydrogenase in all treatments. Soil enzyme activities were closely related to the soil chemical properties. Soil urease activity was positively correlated with available P （P0.05）. With exception of correlation between invertase and total P at P0.05, phosphase, invertase, catalase, and dehydrogenase showed significant positive correlations with soil chemical properties （P0.01）. It was a comprehensive process that biologic and abiotic factors were effect on soil enzyme activities under different fertilization treatments. To sum up, the variation of hydrothermal conditions in different climate zones and soil chemical properties affect integrally metabolic activity and metabolic finger print of microbial communities in black soil.