Model construction for field operation machinery selection and configuration in wheat-maize double cropping system

In order to scientifically and reasonably select the field operation machinery in the wheat-maize double cropping system,first,the selection evaluation index system was constructed through the existing national standards and industry standards.Then the selection evaluation model was established based on the improved fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method.And the method of subjective weight and objective weight was used to overcome the drawbacks of the previous single weighting method that could not take into account the subject and object information of each indicator,and the weight value of each index was obtained in the evaluation system.Finally,the tillage process was used as an example,the field experiment was carried out to obtain the evaluation index value,and the model of selection evaluation was verified.The selection results of moldboard plough and rotary cultivator were as follows:the order of the comprehensive evaluation results of the moldboard plough results was ranked from high to low as 1LFK-435(IIM),1LFK-535(IM),1LF-342(IIIM),1LFT-445(IVM),1LFT-545(VM),and the best machine type of the moldboard plough was IIM;the order of the comprehensive evaluation results of the rotary cultivator was ranked from high to low as 1GQKGN-240(IIIR),1GKNSM-250(IVR),1GKN-230K(IR),1GKN-250K(IIR),1GQKGN-220(VR),and the optimal model of the rotary cultivator was IIIR.The experimental results showed that the results obtained by the evaluation model were in agreement with the local actual situation.The evaluation model will provide a scientific method for the selection of wheat and maize double cropping field operation machinery.

Exploring the Potential of Cowpea-Wheat Double Cropping in the Semi-Arid Region of the Southern United States Using the DSSAT Crop Model

Information is limited on the potential of double-cropping cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the semiarid region of the southern United States. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data of 80 years, we assessed the possibility of cowpea-wheat double-cropping in this region for grain purpose as affected by planting date and N application rate. Results showed that the possibility of double-cropping varied from 0% to 65%, depending on the cropping system. The possibility was less with systems comprising earlier planting dates of wheat and later planting dates of cowpea. Results indicated that cowpea-wheat double-cropping could be beneficial only when no N was applied, with wheat planted on October 15 or later. At zero N, the double-crops of cowpea planted on July 15 and wheat planted on November 30 were the most beneficial of all the 72 double-cropping systems studied. With a delay in planting cowpea, the percentage of beneficial double-cropping systems decreased. At N rates other than zero, fallow-wheat monocropping systems were more beneficial than cowpea-wheat double-cropping systems, and the benefit was greater at a higher N rate. At 100 kg N ha-1, the monocrop of wheat planted on October 15 was the most beneficial of all the 94 systems studied. Results further showed that fallow-wheat yields increased almost linearly with an increase in N rate from 0 to 100 kg∙ha-1. Fallow-wheat grain yields were quadratically associated with planting dates. With an increase in N rate, wheat yields reached the peak with an earlier planting date. Wheat yields produced under monocropping systems were greater than those produced under double-cropping systems for any cowpea planting date. Cowpea yields produced under monocropping systems were greater than those produced under any double-cropping system. The relationship between cowpea grain yields and planting dates was quadratic, with July 1 planting date associated with the maximum yields.

Cold Damage Risk Assessment of Double Cropping Rice in Hunan, China

Combined with remote sensing data and meteorological data, cold damage risk was assessed for planting area of double cropping rice (DCR) in Hunan Province, China. A new methodology of cold damage risk assessment was built that apply to grid and have clear hazard-affected body. Each station cold damage annual frequency and average annual intensity of cold damage was calculated by using 1951-2010 station daily mean temperature and simple cold damage identification index. On this basis, average annual cold damage risk index was obtained by their product. The spatial analysis models of cold damage risk index about double-season early rice (DSER) and double-season later rice (DSLR) were established respectively by the relation of average annual cold damage risk index and its geographic factors. Critical threshold of level of average annual cold damage risk index for DSER and DSLR were respectively divided by the correlative equation of cold damage annual frequency and average annual intensity of cold damage. 2001-2010 planting area of DCR, acquired by time series analysis of MOD09A1 8-d composite land surface reflectance product, was as target of assessment. The results show average annual intensity of cold damage is exponential function of cold damage annual frequency, average annual cold damage risk index is directly proportional to cold damage cumulant and cold damage annual frequency, and is inversely proportional to happen times of cold damage and the square of statistical time sequence length. Cold damage risk of DSER is higher than DSLR in Hunan Province. In the 10-yr stacking map, DCR planting in low risk area accounted for 11.92% of total extraction area, in moderate risk area accounted for 69.62%, in high risk area accounted for 18.46%. According to the cold damage risk assessment result, DCR production can be guided to reduce cold damage losses.

Evaluation of Harvest Aid Chemicals for the Cotton-Winter Wheat Double Cropping System

Timing of harvest is critical for mechanical picking in cotton production, especially in those regions with double cropping system. Appropriate and safe harvest aids will improve timing and facilitate harvest of cotton in the double cropping system. Three defoliants (dimethipin, thidiazuron, and thidiazuron-diuron) and one boll opener (ethephon) were included in this research. They were evaluated for their effects on defoliation, boll opening, seedcotton yield, seed quality, and fiber quality of field grown cotton when used alone or as a mixture in 2009 and 2010. Defoliation and/or boll opening were increased by all three defoliants and ethephon, especially by mixtures of a defoliant and ethephon. First harvest of seedcotton was significantly increased with defoliant-ethephon mixtures. No significant adverse effects were observed on boll weight, lint percentage, seed quality, and fiber properties. It was estimated that tank mixes of ethephon and one of the three defoliants can improve the adjusted gross revenue. Boll opening can be used as an alternative indicator for the adjusted gross revenue, because, it was linearly and positively correlated with the relative adjusted gross revenue and convenient in measurements. Wheat seedling growth was not affected by thidiazuron, whereas its seedling emergence, root dry weight, relative water content, and electrolyte leakage were adversely affected by dimethipin and thidiazuron-diuron when concentration was above 340 and 100 g (a.i.) ha-1, respectively. 90% defoliation and 80% boll opening were observed with the high rate of thidiazuron-ethephon mixture, but no adverse effects on winter wheat. The results suggested that tank mixes of ethephon with thidiazuron can be used effectively and safely in the cotton-winter wheat double cropping system to improve yield without adverse effects on seed quality and fiber quality.

Assessment of Long-Term Compost Application on Physical, Chemical, and Biological Properties, as Well as Fertility, of Soil in a Field Subjected to Double Cropping

The aim of this article was to assess the influence of long-term application of compost on the physical, chemical, and biological properties, as well as the fertility, of soil in a field subjected to double cropping (paddy rice and barley), mainly by integrating previous studies of the effects of compost and manure on soil qualities. Continuous compost application, especially at a high level (30 Mg·ha-1·y-1), into the double cropping soils increased the activities of organic C-, N-, and P-decomposing enzymes and the contents of organic C, total N, and microbial biomass N, as well as the cation exchange capacity, thereby contributing to the enhancement of soil fertility. Also, the compost application increased the degree of water-stable soil macroaggregation (>0.25 mm), which was correlated significantly (r > 0.950, p < 0.05) with the contents of hydrolyzable carbohydrates (with negative charge) and active Al (with positive charge), and resulted in the modification of soil physical properties. Furthermore, the application increased the amount of soil organic matter, including humic acid with a low degree of darkening and fulvic acid, and contributed to C sequestration and storage. Physical fractionation of soil indicated that about 60% of soil organic C was distributed in the silt-sized (2 - 20 μm) aggregate and clay-sized (<2 μm) aggregate fractions, while about 30% existed in the decayed plant fractions (53 - 2000 μm). The results obtained unambiguously indicate that long-term application of compost can improve soil qualities in the field subjected to double cropping, depending on the amount applied.

CLIMATIC RISK ZONING OF DOUBLE CROPPING SUPER RICE CULTIVATION IN HUNAN PROVINCE

Based on meteorological data including daily sunshine duration, temperature and precipitation from 97 meteorological stations in Hunan province during the period of 1981—2010, in combination with the field experiment in different places at different sowing dates, the precise climatic risk zoning of double cropping super rice cultivation has been studied by using the spatial interpolation method and other Geographical Information System(GIS)technologies. Three key climatic factors were selected including chilling in May, high temperature heat damage during July to early August and low temperature damage in autumn in this study. Furthermore, based on the analysis of climatic conditions suitable for double cropping super rice cultivation and climatic disasters, 8-22 ℃ active accumulated temperature, sunshine duration from late March to October, climatic risk index of the low temperature in autumn, and climatic risk index of chilling in May were selected as key climatic factors to study the precise agro-meteorological regionalization of double cropping super rice in Hunan province. The results showed that: the high-yielding zones of double cropping super rice in Hunan were mainly located in Zhuzhou, Hengyang, Yongzhou and Chenzhou City, the moderate-yielding zones were primarily located in the east and north reaches of Dongting Lake,together with most of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan City, and other regions in Hunan were not suitable for double cropping super rice. These findings can provide valuable information for the large-scale cultivation of double cropping super rice in Hunan province.

Integration of Growing Milk Vetch in Winter and Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Can Improve Rice Yield in Double-Rice Cropping System

To study whether integrative fertilization [growing milk vetch in winter and reducing the dose of chemical nitrogen(N) fertilizer] can improve rice yield, and to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanisms for integrative fertilization, a three-year field trial including two treatments, milk vetch-rice-rice(MRR) and winter fallow-rice-rice(FRR), was conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012.Our results demonstrated that the MRR treatment could significantly improve rice yield compared with the FRR treatment, especially when the application ratio of milk vetch and chemical fertilizer was 1:2.MRR treatment increased the effective panicle number and the spikelet number per panicle.In addition, a higher tillering number, leaf area index, photosynthetic-potential and photosynthetic-potential to grain ratio were observed in MRR treatment, which could provide enough dry matter for yield formation.Moreover, in MRR treatment, we discovered a higher transportation ratio and transformation ratio of dry matter in culm and leaves, and a stronger total sink capacity and spikelet-root bleeding intensity at the heading stage and 15 d after heading.Furthermore, the MRR treatment showed higher total N, phosphorus and potassium uptakes than FRR treatment, which was associated with the higher root dry weight in each soil layers.These results suggest that growing milk vetch in winter can improve rice yield under less chemical N fertilizer application, which is due to the improvement of soil nutrient status and the increased of rice root growth and development.

Inter-provincial Differences in Rice Multi-cropping Changes in Main Double-cropping Rice Area in China: Evidence from Provinces and Households

Since the early 1980 s, the multi-cropping index for rice has decreased significantly in main double-cropping rice area in China, which is the primary double-cropping rice(DCR) production area. This decline may bring challenges to food security in China because rice is the staple food for more than 60% of the Chinese population. It has been generally recognized that rapidly rising labor costs due to economic growth and urbanization in China is the key driving force of the ‘double-to-single' rice cropping system adaption. However, not all provinces have shown a dramatic decline in DCR area, and labor costs alone cannot explain this difference. To elucidate the reasons for these inter-provincial distinctions and the dynamics of rice cropping system adaption, we evaluated the influencing factors using provincial panel data from 1980 to 2015. We also used household survey data for empirical analysis to explore the mechanisms driving differences in rice multi-cropping changes. Our results indicated that the eight provinces in the study can be divided into three spatial groups based on the extent of DCR area decline, the rapidly-declining marginal, core, and stable zones. Increasing labor cost due to rapid urbanization was the key driving force of rice cropping system adaption, but the land use dynamic vary hugely among different provinces. These differences between zones were due to the interaction between labor price and accumulated temperature conditions. Therefore, increasing labor costs had the greatest impact in Zhejiang, Anhui, and Hubei, where the accumulated temperature is relatively low and rice multi-cropping index declined dramaticly. However, labor costs had little impact in Guangdong and Guangxi. Differences in accumulated temperature conditions resulted in spatially different labor demands and pressure on households during the busy season. As a result, there have been different profits and rice multi-cropping changes between provinces and zones. Because of these spatial differences, regionally appropriate policies that provide appropriate subsidies for early rice in rapidly-declining marginal zone such as Zhejiang and Hubei should be implemented. In addition, agricultural mechanization and the number of agricultural workers have facilitated double-cropping; therefore, small machinery and agricultural infrastructure construction should be further supported.

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch (Mv). We conducted a 10-year (2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application (22.5 Mg ha^–1). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination (sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80 (by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index (SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input (22.5 Mg ha^–1), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate (with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%), whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers (e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.

Plant Ideotype at Heading for Super High-Yielding Rice in Double-Cropping System in South China

The newly released super high-yielding hybrid rice combinations, Yueza 122, Fengyou 428, Peiza 67, and the superhigh-yielding conventional cultivars, Guangchao 3 and Shengtai 1, were grown in both early and late seasons. The morphologicalcharacters of each population were investigated at the heading stage, and the data were analyzed by using ANOVY and other statisticmethods. The plant ideal morphological characters at the heading stage were established as follows: 1) for the early-season cropping,90-105 cm plant height; 11-12 tillers per plant; 35-40 cm length and 2.1-2.2 cm width of flag leaf; 46-50 cm length and 1.8-2.1 cmwidth of the second leaf from the top (L2); 59-64 cm length and 1.4-1.9 cm width of the third leaf from the top (L3); 7°-14°, 18° and20°-33° for the ideal leaf angles of the flag leaf, L2 and L3, respectively; 2) for the late-season cropping, 90-100 cm plant height;9-15 tillers per plant; 30-41 cm length and 1.8-2.0 cm width of flag leaf; 53-61 cm length and 1.3-1.8 cm width of L2; 52-58 cmlength and 1.2-1.5 cm width of L3; 9°-19°, 15°-37° and 16°-49° for the ideal leaf angles of the flag leaf, L2 and L3, respectively. Themain physiological characteristics of these varieties were also analyzed.

EFFECTS OF SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT ON DRY NURSERY SEEDLING QUALITY OF LATE DOUBLE CROPPING RICE IN SOUTH CHINA

In the present paper, an experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil moisture content on dry nursery seedling quality in Guangzhou in 1995. Through comparing the difference of dry nursery seedlings and wet nursery seedlings, we found a close relationship between soil moisture content and seedling growth. The seedling emergence of dry nursery seedling was more even, tidy and faster, and the survival rate was higher than that of wet nursery seedling. Dry nursery seedlings had small plant stature, slow leaf stretching speed and low individual seedling dry weight, but had high dry/fresh weight ratio. This was abeneficial factor for seedlings to recover from transplanting shock more quickly. As com-pared with the wet nursery seedlings, dry nursery seedlings had poor rooting ability,but had more vigorous white roots and fewer rust roots. It was the possibly important reasonfor dry nursery seedlings to form strong“explosive force”.

EFFECTS OF SEEDING DENSITY AND BASIC MANURE ON THE GROWTH OF DRY NURSERY SEEDLINGS IN LATE DOUBLE CROPPING RICE IN SOUTH CHINA

During the period of dry nursery seedling raising of late double cropping indica rice in South China, both chemical fertilizer and farmyard manure did not show obvious effect on the growth of shoot and root in young seedlings at 4-leaf stage （18-day-old seedling）, but had significant effects on root growth in old seedlings with 6-7 leaves （27-day-old seedling） at suitable seeding densities (65-125g m-2). There were satistically significant differences （at 0.01 or 0.05 levels）between treatments in root number and rooting ability of root-pruned seedlings.

Spatiotemporal Coupling of Water and Fertilizer for Double-cropping Grape in Guangxi

This paper summarizes the research progress and major achievements of the coupling effect of water and fertilizer on grape cultivation in China and abroad in recent years,emphatically analyzes the application status and some problems of the coupling effect of water and fertilizer on double-cropping grape cultivation mode in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,discusses the key problems to be further resolved,and finally makes the relevant recommendations.

Assessing Cowpea-Wheat Double Cropping Strategies in the Southern United States Using the DSSAT Crop Model

Information is limited on the potential of cowpea-wheat double cropping in the southern United States to enhance soil health and increase net returns. Using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop model and weather data spanning 80 years, we assessed the effects of soil type (Darco: Grossarenic Paleudults and Lilbert: Arenic Plinthic Paleudults), N application rate (0, 100, and 200 kg•ha−1), and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the grain yields of double-cropped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in this region. Yield differences were tested using the pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results showed that yields of wheat that followed cowpea (cwheat) were greater than those that followed fallow (fwheat). The soil type effects on cwheat and fwheat yields decreased with an increase in N rate. The soil type effect on cowpea yields was greater during La Niña. The ENSO impact on cowpea yields was greater on the less fertile soil Darco. Yields of cwheat and fwheat increased with an increase in N rate up to 100 and 200 kg•ha−1, respectively. The yield response of cwheat to N rate was less than that of fwheat. The N rate effects on cwheat and fwheat yields were greater on Darco and under El Niño. Yields of cowpea were greatest under El Niño, whereas those of wheat were greatest under La Niña. The ENSO effect on cowpea yields was greater on Darco. With an increase in N rate, the effect of ENSO was diminished.

Selection of Grape Varieties Suitable for Double Cropping a Year in Northern Greenhouse

With the development of the greenhouse grape cultivation area,the supporting greenhouse grape varieties appear to be single.At present,there are few researches on the selection of grape varieties suitable for two-harvest-a-year cultivation in greenhouses.In order to meet the needs of fruit growers for the diversity of greenhouse grape varieties,experimental studies had been carried out.Through three consecutive years of two-harvest-a-year production of six grape varieties of‘Jingxiangyu’,‘Ruidukemei’,‘Xiangfei’,‘Jingyan’,‘Zaomanao’and‘Hanxiangmi’,the first crop of greenhouse grapes matured from May to July,and the second crop matured during the New Year s Day and Spring Festival.Through the investigation and analysis of their phenological periods,fruit economic characteristics and economic benefits,it was found that the four varieties of‘Jingxiangyu’,‘Ruidukemei’,‘Xiangfei’and‘Jingyan’performed well under greenhouse cultivation conditions,and thus can be used as supporting fine varieties for large-scale promotion.

Studies on the Morphological Characters of South China Double Cropping Super Rice at the Active Tillering Stage

The morphological characters of the newly released super hybrid rice in South China, Yueza 122, Fengyou 428, Peiza 67, and super conventional varieties, Guangchao 3, Shengtai 1 at the active tillering stage in both early and late crops were investigated. Using the analysis of variance and other statistic methods, the ideal morphological characteristics of South China double cropping super-rice at the active tillering stage were determined. They are 55-60 cm in the early crop and 60-76 cm in the late crop for the ideal plant height, about 15 tillers in the early crop and 14-19 tillers in the late crop for the ideal tiller number per plant, 40-44 cm in the early crop and 42-60 cm in the late crop for the ideal length of the first leaf under the top leaf, 1.2-1.4 cm in the early crop and 1.2-1.3cm in the late crop for the ideal width of the first leaf under the top leaf, 39- 44 cm in the early crop and 37-43 cm in the late crop for the ideal length of the second leaf under the top leaf, 1.1-1.4 cm in the early crop and about 1.1 cm in the late crop for the ideal width of the second leaf under the top leaf, 22-58o in the early crop and 4- 12o in the late crop for the ideal top leaf angle at the active tillering stage. Based on these results, a new concept of “dynamic plant type structure” for South China double cropping super rice breeding was suggested.

Non-leguminous winter cover crop and nitrogen rate in relation to double rice grain yield and nitrogen uptake in Dongting Lake Plain, Hunan Province, China

Annual ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum Lam.), a non-leguminous winter cover crop, has been adopted to absorb soil native N to minimize N loss from an intensive double rice cropping system in southern China, but a little is known about its effects on rice grain yield and rice N use efficiency. In this study, effects of ryegrass on double rice yield, N uptake and use efficiency were measured under different fertilizer N rates. A 3-year(2009–2011) field experiment arranged in a split-plot design was undertaken. Main plots were ryegrass(RG) as a winter cover crop and winter fallow(WF) without weed. Subplots were three N treatments for each rice season: 0(N_0), 100(N_(100)) and 200 kg N ha–1(N_(200)). In the 3-year experiment, RG reduced grain yield and plant N uptake for early rice(0.4–1.7 t ha–1 for grain yield and 4.6–20.3 kg ha–1 for N uptake) and double rice(0.6–2.0 t ha–1 for grain yield and 6.3–27.0 kg ha–1 for N uptake) when compared with WF among different N rates. Yield and N uptake decrease due to RG was smaller in N_(100) and N_(200) plots than in N_0 plots. The reduction in early rice grain yield in RG plots was associated with decrease number of panicles. Agronomic N use efficiency and fertilizer N recovery efficiency were higher in RG plots than winter fallow for early rice and double rice among different N rates and experimental years. RG tended to have little effect on grain yield, N uptake, agronomic N use efficiency, and fertilizer N recovery efficiency in the late rice season. These results suggest that ryegrass may reduce grain yield while it improves rice N use efficiency in a double rice cropping system.

Effect of intercropping on maize grain yield and yield components

Smallholders in developing countries commonly use intercropping to produce crops with higher yield and value. Many intercropping studies have been conducted under experimental conditions, but few studies have been performed in farmers’ fields. We conducted a 4-year study using data from real farms to examine the relationships between yield and yield components of intercropped maize in the North China Plain. Three field experiments were conducted to compare the suitability of different maize varieties in intercropping. In the farm study, the grain yield of maize intercropped with watermelon was reduced by more than one third as compared to maize in wheat-maize double cropping, mainly due to lower ear density and lower 100-grain weight. Under real farm conditions, the yield of intercropped maize increased with increasing ear density and 100-grain weight, while yield of sole maize increased with increasing grain number per ear and 100-grain weight. In the field experiments, the maize cultivars commonly used in double cropping gave similar yields when grown in the intercropping system and their yields were closely related to ear density and 100-grain weight. Our results demonstrated that ear density, rather cultivar, was a key factor affecting the productivity of intercropped maize. Therefore,maintaining high ear density is a practical way for promoting productivity of maize in farmers’ intercropping practices.