Farmland size,chemical fertilizers,and irrigation management effects on maize and wheat yield in Mexico

ABSTRACT

Farmland size is a key factor in debates over agricultural land use, food security, agrochemical pollution, and the future of smallholder systems. This paper examines relationships between farmland size, chemical fertilizers and irrigation management, and maize and wheat yield in Mexico. We used agricultural census data to estimate the mean farmland areas and crop yields of 5.5 million farms and nine million agricultural plots in 2,455 Mexican municipalities. We also derived indices of socio-environmental and management factors to examine relationships with yield. Using multiple regression models, we found that although mean farmland area positively relates to maize and wheat yield, the relationships depend critically on the management contexts of chemical fertilizers and irrigation, which vary widely across farm size gradients. Smallholder yield gaps were associated with deficits in irrigation, rather than chemical inputs. Findings highlight the growing need for expanded irrigation access and/or water management assistance for smaller farms.     

Changes of Soil Microbiological Properties Caused by Land Use Changing From Rice–Wheat Rotation to Vegetable Cultivation

A survey was done recently in Jiaxing city of Zhejiang Province in the Yangtze River Delta to compare the differences of soil microbiological properties among paddy soils with different land use including continuous open-field vegetable cultivation (OFVC), plastic-greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) and traditional rice–wheat rotation (RWR). The soil types included are percolating, permeable and waterlogged paddy soils. The results indicate that the microbial flora was markedly changed as the land use changed for all the three soil types. In continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, the bacteria amounts decreased dramatically, but the fungal and actinomyce amounts increased as compared with RWR soils. The dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly in vegetable soils, especially in PGVC soils as compared with RWR soils. The microbial biomass C and the total phospholipid contents (TPL) in vegetable cultivation soil greatly decreased as compared with RWR soils. Biolog analysis indicated that the kinds of carbon sources that could be metabolized by native microbes in PGVC soils greatly decreased as compared with OFVC soils and RWR soils, revealing that microbial diversity had decreased since land use change. The activities of some soil enzymes including urease, invertase and phosphase were all lower in OFVC soils than those in RWR soils, and those in PGVC soils were the lowest. The degradation of microbiological activities in continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, as compared with RWR soils might have been caused by soil acidification and accumulation of salts due to overuse of both organic and inorganic fertilizers in vegetable cultivation.     

区域土地利用变化对土壤磷含量的影响评价研究

研究土壤磷含量的时空演变规律对改善土地管理水平和提高土壤质量具有重要的指导作用。文章选取江苏省原锡山市作为研究区域,以1982年和2005年土壤全磷和速效磷含量作为研究对象,研究探讨土地利用变化对土壤磷含量的影响,进而表明人类活动对生态系统和环境的影响。通过统计分析表明,20年来原锡山市土壤全磷含量降低0.48g·kg-1,土壤速效磷含量升高26.16mg·kg-1。通过变异函数分析,20年来原锡山市全磷和速效磷的变异函数理论模型都是指数型,但块金方差与基台值的比值、自相关阀值发生了较大变化;Kriging插值分析结果表明,1982年全磷和速效磷的分布比较简单;2005年全磷分布较为简单,土壤速效磷分布较为复杂。Kriging插值分析还表明,20年来原锡山市土壤全磷含量降低,空间变异显著;土壤速效磷含量升高,空间变异显著。     

巢湖流域不同土地利用类型地表径流污染特征研究

巢湖是我国五大淡水湖之一,目前正面临着严重的环境污染与水体富营养化问题。通过对巢湖流域塘西地区大豆地,水稻田,菜地,山芋地,小麦地,集镇街道,山坡地,饲养场地,农村道路,湖滩芦苇地,荒地等１１种土地利用类型地表径流污染现状的详细调查与分析,建立了巢湖流域不同土地利用类型地表径流污染研究的一般程序与方法。     

完善土地利用总体规划有利于政府宏观管理

在社会主义市场经济体制的建立与发展的条件下,土地使用制度改革的日益深化,以及土地可持续利用日益被高度重视的新形势下,土地利用总体规划作为政府对土地利用实行宏观调控的有效手段,在规划修编时必须重点对规划目标、科学测算、用地平衡和规划协调等几个方面作进一步深入研究。同时,要通过切实可行的法律、行政的政策和措施,予以必要保障。     

韶山灌溉工程对区域社会经济的影响研究

韶山灌溉工程是湖南省最大的水利灌溉工程,到目前已安全运行了３０多年,该工程的兴建,使该地区摆脱了旱魔的长期威胁,促进了区内农业经济持续,稳定,快速发展,从而带动了区域经济的全面提高。从纵向与横向和定性与定量的计算,对比分析研究中,总结了该工程对区域社会经济的深远影响。     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAND USES AND RAINWATER QUALITY IN A SOUTHCENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WATERSHED1

ABSTRACT: Spatial and temporal variability in rainfall concentrations of nutrients, major ions, and herbicides was monitored at 7 locations in or near the Conodoguinet Creek watershed in south-central Pennsylvania from 1991.1993. Results were used to (1) compare precipitation quality in forested, agricultural and urban areas, and (2) assess the practicality of using volunteer citizen monitoring in such a study. As indicated in previous studies, sulfate and nitrogen concentrations in precipitation were linked to sample pH. Concentrations of major ions in precipitation appeared to relate more to regional influences rather than local influences. However, concentrations of herbicides in precipitation may have been influenced by both regional and local use which caused compounds like atrazine, deethylatrazine, propazine, simazine, metolachior, alachlor, ametryn, and prometon to be present in detectable concentrations in rainfall. Seasonality was evident in nitrogen, sulfate, pH, and herbicide data and was suggested in calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, orthophosphate, and chloride data. Agricultural weed control activities were probably responsible for the seasonal pattern in pesticide data which peaked in May and June. Tropical storm Danielle may have caused the apparent seasonal patterns for the other nine parameters. This storm did not follow the typical west to east movement pattern and consequently produced rainfall of relative high quality. A variety of quality assurance checks indicated that trained volunteer citizen monitors were successful participants in this intensive and extensive scientific study, collecting good quality samples in a timely manner. Without this kind of volunteer help, it is extremely difficult to complete studies that require sampling in response to natural events such as rainfall.     

A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF ANIMAL MANURE DISTRIBUTION IN MICHIGAN FOR NUTRIENT UTILIZATION1

ABSTRACT: Proper management of animal manure is crucial to the viability of the U.S. animal industry and the quality of the environment. This paper analyzes the animal manure distribution in Michigan, identifies counties with high potential for land application of manure nutrients, and proposes a manure distribution prototype model for transporting surplus manure beyond individual farms for nutrient utilization. Tabulations of animal numbers by county and by 5-digit zip code are used to identify areas with greater potential for land application of manure nutrients. Distribution of the manure nutrients from surplus areas to the nutrient utilization areas is explored in a selected watershed by taking into account manure nutrient value, soil nutrient content, crop nutrient needs, topography and hydrography. The results indicate that by appropriate planning and collaboration transport of the excessive animal manure to suitable crop fields is an appealing alternative to utilize the manure nutrients while minimizing the adverse environmental impact. Further studies are needed to determine the necessary economic and institutional programs to implement the export of the manure at the regional level.     

采煤塌陷地复垦的环境经济分析——以开滦煤矿为例

将环境经济学引入复垦活动的分析和评价，着重考虑了复垦的生态社会效益，复垦土地资源的价值、市场价格变化对复垦经济收益的影响和复垦效益对时间的依赖性，以期为复垦项目的选择和相关政策的制定提供经济方面的依赖和指导。     

不同土地利用类型下土壤特性及重金属评价

在哈尔滨市周家镇选择典型的五种土地利用类型(耕地、居民点及工矿用地、交通用地、林地、水域),24个样品,研究乡级小城镇不同土地利用类型下土壤特性及重金属状况.结果显示:(1)耕地的土壤理化性状最低,有机质与全氮有显著的正相关;(2)乡级小城镇不同土地利用类型下土壤中Zn、Pb含量存在显著差异,交通用地与耕地含量较高,同时各土地利用类型的内梅罗综合污染指数均达到中污染;(3)人类活动对土壤质量影响最大的是交通活动,其次是耕地施肥、使用农药及翻耕等,在次是居民生活.