Competition between maize and pigeonpea in semi-arid Tanzania: Effect on yields and nutrition of crops

Productivity of maize–pigeonpea cropping systems is dependent on facilitative and competitive interactive effects on resource availability. Controlling these interactions may benefit farmers through increased productivity associated with optimized crop yields. Previous research on maize–pigeonpea culture in Sub-Saharan Africa has focused on yield and soil fertility, but provided inadequate information on the mechanisms of possible interspecific competition. We employed a factorial field experiment to examine yield and nutritional responses of maize and pigeonpea to cropping systems (sole maize, intercropping, and improved fallow), N and P fertilizer additions, and cattle manure additions in Dodoma, Tanzania. The study objectives were to assess competition between crops and to determine how manure or fertilizer inputs may mitigate such interactions to improve yields. Intercropping enhanced maize yield over sole maize only when fertilized, reflecting probable nutrient competition. Improved fallows alone or with fertilizers (1.2–1.6 Mg ha⁻¹) increased maize yields over sole maize (0.6 Mg ha⁻¹). These increases were attributed to pigeonpea facilitation through soil nutrient replenishment, reduced competition associated with sequential cropping arrangements, and added nutrients from fertilization. Combined fertilizer and manure applications also improved maize and pigeonpea yields. Plant nutrient diagnosis indicated primary and secondary P and Ca deficiencies, respectively associated with P-fixation and leaching of cations due to high soil acidity and exchangeable Al. Maize competed strongly in mixture suppressing biomass and grain yields of the unfertilized pigeonpea by 60% and 33%, respectively due to limited soil nutrients and/or moisture. These yield reductions suggest that the intercropped pigeonpea did not recover from competition after maize harvesting that reduced competition. Optimizing yields of both maize and pigeonpea would require the addition of prescribed fertilizer when intercropped, but applications can be reduced by half under the improved fallow system due to alleviating interspecific competition.     

Linking spatio-temporal variation of crop response with sediment deposition along paddy rice terraces

In tropical mountainous regions of South East Asia, intensive cultivation of annual crops on steep slopes makes the area prone to erosion resulting in decreasing soil fertility. Sediment deposition in the valleys, however, can enhance soil fertility, depending on the quality of the sediments, and influence crop productivity. The aim of the study was to assess (i) the spatio-temporal variation in grain yield along two rice terrace cascades in the uplands of northern Viet Nam, (ii) possible linkage of sediment deposition with the observed variation in grain yield, and (iii) whether spatial variation in soil water or nitrogen availability influenced the obtained yields masking the effect of inherent soil fertility using carbon isotope (¹³C) discrimination and ¹⁵N natural abundance techniques. In order to evaluate the impact of seasonal conditions, fertilizer use and sediment quality on rice performance, ¹⁵N and ¹³C stable isotope compositions of rice leaves and grains taken after harvest were examined and combined with soil fertility information and rice performance using multivariate statistics. The observed grain yields for the non-fertilized fields, averaged over both cascades, accounted for 4.0 ± 1.4 Mg ha^?1 and 6.6 ± 2.5 Mg ha^?1 in the spring and summer crop, respectively, while for the fertilized fields, grain yields of 6.5 ± 2.1 Mg ha^?1 and 6.9 ± 2.1 Mg ha^?1 were obtained. In general, the spatial variation of rice grain yield was strongly and significantly linked to sediment induced soil fertility and textural changes, such as soil organic carbon (r 0.34/0.77 for Cascades 1 and 2, respectively) and sand fraction (r ?0.88/?0.34). However, the observed seasonal alteration in topsoil quality, due to sediment deposition over two cropping cycles, was not sufficient to fully account for spatial variability in rice productivity. Spatial variability in soil water availability, assessed through ¹³C discrimination, was mainly present in the spring crop and was linearly related to the distance from the irrigation channel, and overshadowed in Cascade 2 the expected yield trends based on sediment deposition. Although δ¹⁵N signatures in plants indicated sufficient N uptake, grain yields were not found to be always significantly influenced by fertilizer application. These results showed the importance of integrating sediment enrichment in paddy fields within soil fertility analysis. Furthermore, where the effect of inherent soil fertility on rice productivity is masked by soil water or nitrogen availability, the use of ¹³C and ¹⁵N stable isotopes and its integration with conventional techniques showed potential to enhance the understanding of the influence of erosion – sedimentation and nutrient fluxes on crop productivity, at toposequence level.     

滨海湿地柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)灌丛生物量估算模型

以山东昌邑海洋生态特别保护区为研究区域,对区域内柽柳灌丛进行每木调查,共计1321丛柽柳植物。获取柽柳植物的高度、分枝数、基径等相关生长因子。选取36丛柽柳作为标准木,分别测定其主干、分枝、叶与根干重,并计算得到地上生物量、地下生物量与总生物量,结合生长因子与生物量,建立研究区域柽柳植物的生物量模型。用所建立的柽柳灌丛各部分生物量模型对研究区域的柽柳灌丛生物量进行了估算,得到研究区域柽柳灌丛总生物量为14.060 t/hm2,在柽柳灌丛地上各部分中,干的生物量>枝的生物量>叶的生物量。     

Simulating impacts,potential adaptation and vulnerability of maize to climate change in India

Climate change associated global warming, rise in carbon dioxide concentration and uncertainties in precipitation has profound implications on Indian agriculture. Maize (Zea mays L.), the third most important cereal crop in India, has a major role to play in country’s food security. Thus, it is important to analyze the consequence of climate change on maize productivity in major maize producing regions in India and elucidate potential adaptive strategy to minimize the adverse effects. Calibrated and validated InfoCrop-MAIZE model was used for analyzing the impacts of increase in temperature, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and change in rainfall apart from HadCM3 A2a scenario for 2020, 2050 and 2080. The main insights from the analysis are threefold. First, maize yields in monsoon are projected to be adversely affected due to rise in atmospheric temperature; but increased rainfall can partly offset those loses. During winter, maize grain yield is projected to reduced with increase in temperature in two of the regions (Mid Indo-Gangetic Plains or MIGP, and Southern Plateau or SP), but in the Upper Indo-Gangetic Plain (UIGP), where relatively low temperatures prevail during winter, yield increased up to a 2.7°C rise in temperature. Variation in rainfall may not have a major impact on winter yields, as the crop is already well irrigated. Secondly, the spatio-temporal variations in projected changes in temperature and rainfall are likely to lead to differential impacts in the different regions. In particular, monsoon yield is reduced most in SP (up to 35%), winter yield is reduced most in MIGP (up to 55%), while UIGP yields are relatively unaffected. Third, developing new cultivars with growth pattern in changed climate scenarios similar to that of current varieties in present conditions could be an advantageous adaptation strategy for minimizing the vulnerability of maize production in India.     

Rotation effects of grain legumes and fallow on maize yield,microbial biomass and chemical properties of an Alfisol in the Nigerian savanna

Understanding changes in soil chemical and biological properties is important in explaining the mechanism involved in the yield increases of cereals following legumes in rotation. Field trials were conducted between 2003 and 2005 to compare the effect of six 2-year rotations involving two genotypes each of cowpea (IT 96D-724 and SAMPEA-7) and soybean (TGx 1448-2E and SAMSOY-2), a natural bush fallow and maize on soil microbial and chemical properties and yield of subsequent maize. Changes in soil pH, total nitrogen (N_tot), organic carbon (C_org), water soluble carbon (WSC), microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and nitrogen (N_mic) were measured under different cropping systems. Cropping sequence has no significant (P > 0.05) effect on soil pH and C_org, while WSC increased significantly when maize followed IT 96D-724 (100%), SAMPEA-7 (95%), TGx 1448-2E (79%) and SAMSOY-2 (106%) compared with continuous maize. On average, legume rotation caused 23% increase in N_tot relative to continuous maize. The C_mic and N_mic values were significantly affected by cropping sequence. The highest values were found in legume–maize rotation and the lowest values were found in fallow–maize and continuous maize. On average, C_mic made up to 4.8% of C_org and N_mic accounted for 4.4% of N_tot under different cropping systems. Maize grain yield increased significantly following legumes and had strong positive correlation with C_mic and N_mic suggesting that they are associated with yield increases due to other rotation effects. Negative correlation of grain yield with C_mic:N_mic and C_org:N_tot indicate that high C:N ratios contribute to nitrogen immobilization in the soil and are detrimental to crop productivity. The results showed that integration of grain legumes will reverse this process and ensure maintenance of soil quality and maize crop yield, which on average, increased by 68% and 49% following soybean and cowpea, respectively compared to continuous maize.     

Phenotypic nutrient up-take differences in an alley cropping system in semi-arid Machakos, Kenya

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黄淮海地区冬小麦生产力时空变化及其驱动机制分析

黄淮海地区是我国重要的粮食生产基地,分析该区域粮食产量的时空变化特征及其变化机制,对我国粮食安全的评估有重要的现实意义。论文以AVH RR NDVI数据和逐日气象要素驱动土壤-植被-大气系统物质传输和作物生长的耦合模型,模拟分析1981-2000年黄淮海地区冬小麦产量的时空分布及其驱动机制。分析发现,从1981-1997年生物产量基本呈增加趋势,之后有所下降。但由于作物经济系数不断增加,整个时段冬小麦经济产量增加趋势明显,单位面积产量提高了一倍。化肥施用量的增加和优良品种的推广是增产的主要原因,而气候波动导致区域年际产量变化幅度为8.5%。黄淮海地区冬小麦产量的空间分布及其演变呈现显著的地域特性,与当地灌溉条件、土壤条件密切相关。     

施氮对黄土旱塬区春玉米土壤呼吸和温度敏感性的影响

了解施氮对土壤呼吸和温度敏感性的影响,是研究农田土壤呼吸变化的重要环节,对预测农田土壤呼吸变化具有重要意义.基于中国科学院长武黄土高原农业生态试验站的氮肥管理试验,于2013年4月至2014年9月利用LI-8100系统(LICOR,Lincoln,NE,USA)监测施氮和不施氮条件下旱地春玉米生长季土壤呼吸、温度、水分以及根系生物量的变化,研究施氮条件下生物与非生物因素对土壤呼吸速率和温度敏感性(Q10)的影响.施氮显著提高了生长季土壤的累积呼吸量(P0.05),与不施氮相比,施氮处理累积呼吸量2013年提高了35%,2014年提高了54%.但施氮显著降低了土壤呼吸温度敏感性(P0.05),施氮处理的Q10较对照2013年降低了27%,2014年降低了17%.施氮显著提高了春玉米产量、地上部生物量和根系生物量(P0.05).施氮处理根系生物量较不施氮处理2013年提高了0.32倍,2014年提高了1.23倍.施氮对土壤温度和水分无显著影响,根系生物量是施氮条件下导致土壤呼吸差异的重要生物因素.     

Residual benefits of promiscuous soybean to maize (Zea mays L.) grown on farmers’ fields around Minna in the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by promiscuous cultivars of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in cereal-based cropping systems of Nigeria’s moist savanna zone offers a potential for minimizing the investment made by resource-poor farmers on nitrogen fertilizers. A 3-year trial was conducted on five farmers’ fields in the southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria to assess the residual effects of two successive crops of promiscuous soybean cultivars on the yield of a following maize (Zea mays L.) crop. The soybean cultivars, TGX1456-2E (medium maturity) and TGX1660-19F (late maturity), were grown in 1996 and 1997. Treatments, imposed only in the first year of the trial, were: (i) uninoculated, (ii) inoculated with a mixture of two Bradyrhizobium strains, and (iii) fertilized with 60 kg N ha⁻¹. A fourth treatment was a plot left to fallow. In 1998, all the previous soybean and fallow plots were sown to maize without any fertilizer application. Results in 1996 and 1997 showed a soybean response to inoculation in the first year, but differences due to the residual effect of inoculation in the second year were not significant. Both cultivars showed a similar response to inoculation but responses at the five sites were varied. Soybean cultivar 1456-2E fixed 43–52% of its N amounting to 56–70 kg N ha⁻¹ and cultivar 1660-19F derived 39–54% of its N from N₂-fixation which amounted to 51–78 kg N ha⁻¹. Both cultivars had a high N harvest index resulting in a net removal of 52–95 kg N ha⁻¹ when both grain and stover were exported. Even when the stover was returned, there was a depletion of 23–65 kg N ha⁻¹, with 1456-2E removing more N than 1660-19F. Arbuscular-mycorrhizal infection on maize roots was 11–27% and dependent on previous soybean treatments and farmers’ fields. Plant height, shoot biomass, grain yield, and N uptake of maize were significantly greater in plots previously sown to soybean than in the fallow plots. In general, plots sown to the late maturing cultivar 1660-19F exhibited better residual effect, producing larger yield parameters than the plots planted with medium maturing 1456-2E.     

三江源区高寒草地地上生物量遥感反演模型研究

为了发展适用于三江源区高寒草地（包括高寒草甸和高寒草原）地上生物量（aboveground biomass,AGB）模拟的遥感反演模型,基于2006—2014年逐年7—8月三江源区高寒草地70个采样点地上生物量数据与同期MODIS-NDVI和MODIS-EVI数据,通过回归分析方法建立高寒草地地上生物量遥感反演模型,并利用长时间序列MODIS数据对2005—2014年三江源区高寒草地地上生物量的时空格局进行模拟分析.结果表明:基于EVI建立的乘幂模型对三江源区高寒草地地上生物量的拟合效果最好,其判定系数（R2）最大,达到0.654;均方根误差（RMSE_P）最小,仅为27.86 g/m2.根据三江源区70个采样点的地上生物量数据最终确立的估算模型为y=348.769x0.783（R2=0.655,P < 0.001）.估算模型模拟结果显示,2005—2014年三江源区高寒草地地上生物量空间特征基本一致,总体表现为从东南到西北逐渐减少的变化趋势,这与该区域的降水量、气温、海拔和植被类型等因素有关;2005—2014年三江源区高寒草地地上生物量平均值为169.25 t/a,最高值为2010年的178.36 t/a,最低值为2008年的162.80 t/a,年际变化趋势表现为2005—2008年逐年下降、2008—2014年则在波动中逐年有所上升.研究显示,三江源区高寒草地地上生物量遥感反演模型及其确定的模型参数可对该区域草地地上生物量进行有效评估.      

Impacts of ozone on the biomass and yield of rice in open-top chambers

ＩｎｔｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＯｚｏｎｅ(Ｏ3)ｆｏｒｍｅｄａｓｐｈｏｔｏｃｈｅｍｉｃａｌｓｍｏｇｉｓｔｈｅｍｏｓｔｄａｎｇｅｒａｎｄｗｉｄｅｓｐｒｅａｄｃｏｍｐｏｎｅｎｔｉｎｔｈｅａｉｒｐｏｌｌｕｔｉｏｎ.Ｎｏｗａｄａｙｓ,ｔｈｅｔｙｐｉｃａｌｄａｉｌｙｍａｘｉｍｕｍＯ3ｃｏｎｃｅｎｔｒａｔｉｏｎｓｉｎｕｒｂａｎｓｕｂｕｒｂａｎａｎｄａｒｅａｓｈａｖｅｒｅａｃｈｅｄ100～400ｎｌ/Ｌａｎｄ50～120ｎｌ/Ｌ,ｒｅｓｐｅｃｔｉｖｅｌｙ.Ｕｎｄｅｒｃｅｒｔａｉｎｍｅｔｅｏｒｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌｃｏｎｄｉｔｉｏｎｒｕｒａｌ…     

闽江口沼泽植被地上鲜生物量与植株密度高光谱遥感估算

湿地植被地上生物量与湿地生态系统生产力、碳循环和养分循环等密切相关,是当前研究中的主要关注点之一。利用ASDFieldSpec2500 便携式地物波谱仪测定闽江口鳝鱼滩芦苇（Phragmites australis）和短叶茳芏（Cyperus malaccensis Lam. var. brevifolius Bocklr.）冠层反射光谱,同时测定其地上鲜生物量和植株密度,分析地上鲜生物量与冠层反射光谱及一阶微分光谱的相关关系,确定敏感波段,进而改进植被指数;利用回归分析法,基于各个植被指数,构建地上鲜生物量和植株密度的估算模型。结果表明,芦苇和短叶茳芏地上鲜生物量与冠层反射光谱在蓝光、红光及近红外波段相关性较高;与一阶微分光谱在蓝边、红边相关性较好;芦苇地上鲜生物量与冠层光谱和一阶微分光谱的相关系数均优于短叶茳芏。芦苇和短叶茳芏地上鲜生物量估算模型R2分别在0.408 5~0.765 和0.101 9~0.315 3 之间,估算精度相对于其他参数较高的参数主要有BNDVI、NDCI和MGBNDVI,最佳估算参数均为BNDVI;植株密度估算模型R2分别在0.093 0~0.718 和0.138 9~0.233 7 之间,估算精度相对于其他参数较高的参数主要有GBNDVI、BNDVI、MGBNDVI、NDCI 及SR, 最佳估算参数分别为GBNDVI和NDCI。一定程度上来说,利用高光谱数据估算河口芦苇和短叶茳芏地上鲜生物量和植株密度是可行的。     

Increasing land pressure in East Africa: The changing role of cassava and consequences for sustainability of farming systems

Increasing land pressure during the past three to four decades has transformed farming systems in the mid-altitude zone of East Africa. Traditional millet-, cotton-, sugarcane- and/or banana-based farming systems with an important fallow and/or grazing component have evolved into continuously cultivated cassava or cassava/maize-based systems. Within three to four decades, cassava cultivation increased from 1–11 to 16–55% of cropped fields in our six study sites. Declining soil fertility, and not labour or food shortage, was apparently the primary trigger for this transformation. The land use changes have increased nutrient offtakes and reduced nutrient recycling rates. Cassava and maize now account for 50–90% of nutrient removal. Whereas single-season fallows were the most important source of nutrient recycling on cropped fields in the past, currently cassava litterfall and maize stover contribute roughly 70% of nutrient recycling, with 50–70% of N, P and K recycled in cassava litterfall. This may explain why many farmers reason that cassava ‘rests’ the soil. With increasing land use pressure farmers progressively use cassava as an ‘imitation fallow’ throughout their farm. Farmers increasingly target cassava to poor fertility fields characterized by low pH and available P. High cassava intensities are nonetheless maintained on more fertile fields, probably to guarantee regeneration of soil fertility on all fields. Once cassava is targeted to poor fertility soils, farmers have run out of low-input management options and need to intensify management to maintain system productivity. As cassava is now used by more farmers and on a larger acreage than fallowing in the studied farming systems, cassava cropping could perhaps serve as an excellent entry point to strengthen system sustainability.     

Comparison of soil N availability and leaching potential,crop yields and weeds in organic,low-input and conventional farming systems in northern California

Increasing dependence on off-farm inputs including, fertilizers, pesticides and energy for food and fiber production in the United States and elsewhere is of questionable sustainability resulting in environmental degradation and human health risks. The organic (no synthetic fertilizer or pesticide use), and low-input (reduced amount of synthetic fertilizer and pesticide use), farming systems are considered to be an alternative to conventional farming systems, to enhance agricultural sustainability and environmental quality. Soil N availability and leaching potential, crop yields and weeds are important factors related to agricultural sustainability and environmental quality, yet information on long-term farming system effects on these factors, especially in the organic and low-input farming systems is limited. Four farming systems: organic, low-input, conventional (synthetic fertilizer and pesticides applied at recommended rates) 4-year rotation (conv-4) and a conventional 2-year rotation (conv-2) were evaluated for soil mineral N, potentially mineralizable N (PMN), crop yields and weed biomass in irrigated processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) from 1994 to 1998 in California’s Sacramento Valley. Soil mineral N levels during the cropping season varied by crop, farming system, and the amount and source of N fertilization. The organic and low-input systems showed 112 and 36% greater PMN pools than the conventional systems, respectively. However, N mineralization rates of the conventional systems were 100% greater than in the organic and 28% greater than in the low-input system. Average tomato fruit yield for the 5-year period (1994–1998) was 71.0 Mg ha⁻¹ and average corn grain yield was 11.6 Mg ha⁻¹ and both were not significantly different among farming systems. The organic system had a greater aboveground weed biomass at harvest compared to other systems. The lower potential risk of N leaching from lower N mineralization rates in the organic and low-input farming systems appear to improve agricultural sustainability and environmental quality while maintaining similar crop yields.     

不同生物炭对酸性农田土壤性质和作物产量的动态影响

为研究不同原料生物炭对农田土壤酸度、交换性能、磷素养分以及作物产量的综合动态影响,试验设置空白(CK)、水稻秸秆生物炭(RSB)、玉米秸秆生物炭(MSB)、小麦秸秆生物炭(WSB)、稻壳生物炭(RHB)和竹炭(BCB)这6种处理,生物炭按质量分数0.1%施入农田进行长期定点试验,测定水稻、油菜和玉米这3季作物产量和作物收割后的土壤理化性质.结果表明,添加不同原料生物炭可有效提高土壤pH和交换性能,降低交换性酸含量,作用效果随时间下降.生物炭对盐基离子组成的影响为提高交换性K⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺含量,降低Na⁺含量.生物炭能不同程度地增加土壤有机质(SOM)、速效磷、总磷和无机磷(Al-P和Fe-P)含量,作物产量较当季对照显著提高(P<0.05),稻壳生物炭在改良酸性土壤理化性质和提高作物产量方面效果较好.     

Mitigation of climate change impacts on maize productivity in northeast of Iran: a simulation study

Development and evaluation of mitigation strategies are fundamental to manage climate change risks. This study was built on (1) quantifying the response of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield to potential impacts of climate change and (2) investigating the effectiveness of changing sowing date of maize as a mitigation option for Khorasan Province which is located in northeast of Iran. Two types of General Circulation Models (GCM: (United Kingdom Met Office Hadley Center :HadCM3) and (Institute Pierre Simon Laplace: IPCM4)) and three scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1) at four locations (Mashhad, Birjand, Bojnourd and Sabzevar) employed in this study. Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator (LARS-WG) was employed for generating the future climate. The Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize was used for crop growth simulation under projected climate conditions. The results showed the simulated grain yields of maize gradually would decrease (from −1% to −39%) during future 100 years compared to baseline under different scenarios and two GCM at all study locations. The simulation results suggested that delayed sowing date from May to June at all study locations, except Sabzevar location is the most effective mitigation option for avoiding thermal stress at end of growth period. In addition, shifting in sowing date to March or April will be beneficial in terms of obtaining higher yields in Sabzevar. Grain yield did not show special trend from north to south of Khorasan Province in the future climate. In general, change of sowing date may be quite beneficial to mitigate climate change impacts on grain yield of maize in northeast of Iran.     

Climatic and genetic controls of yields of switchgrass, a model bioenergy species

The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard calls for 136 billion liters of renewable fuels production by 2022. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has emerged as a leading candidate to be developed as a bioenergy feedstock. To reach biofuel production goals in a sustainable manner, more information is needed to characterize potential production rates of switchgrass. We used switchgrass yield data and general additive models (GAMs) to model lowland and upland switchgrass yield as nonlinear functions of climate and environmental variables. We used the GAMs and a 39-year climate dataset to assess the spatio-temporal variability in switchgrass yield due to climate variables alone. Variables associated with fertilizer application, genetics, precipitation, and management practices were the most important for explaining variability in switchgrass yield. The relationship of switchgrass yield with climate variables was different for upland than lowland cultivars. The spatio-temporal analysis showed that considerable variability in switchgrass yields can occur due to climate variables alone. The highest switchgrass yields with the lowest variability occurred primarily in the Corn Belt region, suggesting that prime cropland regions are the best suited for a constant and high switchgrass biomass yield. Given that much lignocellulosic feedstock production will likely occur in regions with less suitable climates for agriculture, interannual variability in yields should be expected and incorporated into operational planning.     

淹水调控对互花米草生长的影响

为了研究不同淹水深度和淹水时间胁迫下互花米草的适应能力,设置不同淹水深度(0,10和20 cm)与不同淹水时间(2,4,6,12和24 h/d)处理,以7～10 cm互花米草为试验对象,4个月后统计其生长发育参数与分蘖数,并测定地上部分的生物量.结果表明:①在淹水0,10和20 cm 3组试验之间呈极显著差异(P<0.01),随淹水深度的增加,互花米草分蘖数和地上生物量显著减少;②不同淹水时间各组之间株高呈极显著差异(P<0.01),随淹水时间的增加,互花米草分蘖数和地上生物量相应减少,且一直淹水于20 cm的互花米草全部死亡;③不同淹水时间、淹水深度对互花米草的影响大小主要表现为植株高度系数>叶片相关系数>无性生殖系数.持续淹水是控制互花米草的行之有效的物理措施.      

Impacts of climate change and CO2 increase on agricultural production and adaptation options for Southern Québec, Canada

This study involves the assessment of the potential impacts of greenhouse gas climate change and changing ambient carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels on crop yields in Quebec, Canada. The methodology involves coupling the transient diagnostics of two Atmosphere-Ocean General Circulation Models, namely the Canadian CGCM1 and the British HadCM3, to the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) 3.5 crop models to simulate current (1961–1990) and future (2040–2069) crop yields and changes. This is done for four different crop species, namely spring wheat, maize, soybean, and potato, and for seven agricultural regions of Southern Quebec. The results of this study focus on the main causative factors influencing crop yields, namely the direct CO₂ fertilization effect, the influence of the increase in growing season temperature, including optimal thermal conditions and acceleration in crop maturation, soil moisture availability, as influenced by precipitation and evapotranspiration, and nitrogen uptake by crops. Our results show that crop yield changes may vary according to climate scenario, crop species, and agricultural region. Consistent with other similar research, it would seem that these multiple causative factors very often seem to cancel each other out and dilute the impacts of climate change on crop yields.     

Adaptation of maize to climate change impacts in Iran

Adaptation is a key factor for reducing the future vulnerability of climate change impacts on crop production. The objectives of this study were to simulate the climate change effects on growth and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and to evaluate the possibilities of employing various cultivar of maize in three classes (long, medium and short maturity) as an adaptation option for mitigating the climate change impacts on maize production in Khorasan Razavi province of Iran. For this purpose, we employed two types of General Circulation Models (GCMs) and three scenarios (A1B, A2 and B1). Daily climatic parameters as one stochastic growing season for each projection period were generated by Long Ashton Research Station-Weather Generator (LARS?WG). Also, crop growth under projected climate conditions was simulated based on the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Maize. LARS-WG had appropriate prediction for climatic parameters. The predicted results showed that the day to anthesis (DTA) and anthesis period (AP) of various cultivars of maize were shortened in response to climate change impacts in all scenarios and GCMs models; ranging between 0.5 % to 17.5 % for DTA and 5 % to 33 % for AP. The simulated grain yields of different cultivars was gradually decreased across all the scenarios by 6.4 % to 42.15 % during the future 100 years compared to the present climate conditions. The short and medium season cultivars were faced with the lowest and highest reduction of the traits, respectively. It means that for the short maturing cultivars, the impacts of high temperature stress could be much less compared with medium and long maturity cultivars. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that cultivation of early maturing cultivars of maize can be considered as the effective approach to mitigate the adverse effects of climate.