Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science

Ye, Tinghong; Xue, Xinxin; Lu, Jianwei; Yan, Jinyao; Ren, Tao; Cong, Rihuan; Li, Xiaokun

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1858479pmid: N/A

To determine the impact of K fertilization on crop yields and soil K supplying capacity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) rotation, four field experiments were conducted with five K fertilizer rates: 0 (K0), 90–147 (K1), 180–210 (K2), 270–300 (K3) and 336–390 (K4) kg K2O ha−1 per rotation. Compared with K0, adding K increased the yield of rice and oilseed rape by 4.2–8.9% and 7.5–32.6%, respectively. Potassium fertilization increased K uptake at four sites, whereas yields remained stagnant in K2, K3, and K4 treatments despite increasing K uptake. Continuous K removal decreased soil K supplying capacity. For the 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm soil depths, the NH4OAc-K and boiling HNO3-K at the harvest were decreased in K0 and K1 treatments, whereas it maintained or increased in K2, K3, and K4 treatments, although negative K balances were recorded at all sites. It suggests that application 180–210 kg K2O ha–1 in rice-oilseed rape cropping systems improved crop yield and maintained soil potassium fertility.

Li, Lijie; Gu, Wanrong; Zuo, Shiyu; Meng, Yao; Li, Congfeng; Li, Wenhua; Zhang, Zhiyong; Wei, Shi

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1858480pmid: N/A

A mixture of ethephon (ETH) and thidiazuron (TDZ) (called ETTD) has been proven to effectively reduce maize grain moisture content and improve yield and quality of mechanical grain harvesting, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Field trials were conducted in 852 Farm, Heilongjiang Province, China, in 2017 and 2018, to study the effects of ETH, TDZ and ETTD sprayed on Xianyu335 at 25 days after flowering (appropriate time in the pre-experiment) on grain filling and dehydration characteristics. ETH, TDZ and ETTD significantly accelerated leaf senescence, increased grain, bract, and cob dehydration rates, and decreased grain filling duration and moisture content. TDZ and ETTD significantly increased grain filling rate and auxin (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR), and abscisic acid (ABA) and decreased gibberellic acid (GA). ETH had no significant effect on ABA and GA, but significantly reduced IAA and ZR in the later period. The grain dehydration rate was significantly negatively correlated with grain filling duration and positively correlated with rates of grain filling and bract and cob dehydration. ETTD significantly decreased the rates of breakage, impurity, and increased mechanical grain harvesting yield. In conclusion, ETTD can be an effective measure to improve yield and quality of maize mechanical grain harvesting.

Rahmanian, Mohamad; Safari, Yaser

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1861252pmid: N/A

The present study was carried out aimed at characterizing the spatial distribution and source apportionment of heavy metals (HMs), including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), in the soils around the Yasouj cement factory. A total of 61 surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected, and after measuring the near-total concentration of selected HMs, contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. Comparing the observed concentrations of the studied HMs with their global permissible limits revealed that the whole area was severely polluted to Ni (average: 243.53 mg kg−1). The spatial distribution of selected HMs in the studied soils indicated that the distance to the cement factory is not necessarily a factor of influence. CF analyses revealed that Pb and Mn caused an ‘extremely polluted’ class for most of the sampling sites. Accordingly, preventing the adverse impacts of cement production in the area requires further precautions. The PLI numeric values ranged from 1.0 to 2.3, suggesting that both bedrock weathering and industrial activities might equally contribute to spreading HMs in the area. It can be concluded that calculating and interpreting PLI may provide valuable information about the possible sources of HMs.

Fan, Zhen; Tian, Xiaofei; Zhai, Sheng; Liu, Zhongliang; Chu, Pengfei; Li, Chengliang; Sun, Shuchen; Li, Tingting

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1862803pmid: N/A

A field experiment consisted of two types of N fertilizer, controlled release urea (CRU) and normal urea (U), in combination with three SAP application rates (0, 45 and 90 kg ha−1) in a split-plot design was conducted in 2018 and 2019. The successive release of N from polymer-coated urea corresponded well to the N requirements of maize growth. The NO3 −-N and NH4 +-N contents in the 0–20 cm soil layer were enhanced at the jointing and 12 leaf collar stages, and the leaching of soil NO3 −-N was reduced by using CRU. The application of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) increased soil water stock, decreased evapotranspiration, and enhanced water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The combined application of CRU and 90 kg ha−1 SAP achieved maximal maize yield, WUE, NUE, and net income values that were 0.8–32.9%, 0.2–37.4%, 4.1–13.1%, and 2.8–42.1%, respectively, higher than those of other treatments. These results demonstrate that the co-application of CRU and 90 kg ha−1 SAP is an effective practice that enhances the water and N utilization of maize and could potentially have wide application on the North China Plain.

Venkatesh, Madasur Subbabhat; Hazra, Kali Krishna; Ghosh, Probir Kumar; Singh, Kranti Kumar

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1864338pmid: N/A

Soil-test crop response (STCR) approach is aiming to precise adjustment of fertilizers under varying soil-test values for targeted-yield, presently gaining recognitions for sustainable nutrient management. The study aimed to envisage the precision scale of STCR targeted-yield models in maize-lentil rotation in alkaline Fluvisol under sole-fertilizer and integrated nutrient management (with farmyard manure). Fertility-gradient, test-crop diagnostic, and validation trials were conducted following STCR technical program. Soil fertility gradient and variable fertilizer doses had caused a large variation in grain yield of maize (0.99–4.94 t ha−1, CV = 30%) and lentil (1.11–2.02 t ha−1, CV = 13%). Lentil had increased potential to utilize soil nutrient pools; in contrast, maize was highly responsive to fertlizer nutrients. Multivariate-regression analysis revealed that fertilizers N, P, and S had a strong and direct influence on maize yield; where fertilizer-P was the primary yield-determining variable for lentil. Both sole-fertilizer and integrated STCR-based treatments attained the targeted-yields in maize. However, STCR treatments could not attain the targeted-yields in lentil (17–29% deviation), but had yield advantage over the blanket recommended fertilizer dose. Hence, in tropical-alkaline soils, integrated STCR targeted-yield approach could be the sustainable nutrient management option(s) for improving the productivity of the maize-lentil system.

Narayanan, Mathiyazhagan; Murugan, Jimmandiyur Mathappan; Kandasamy, Gajendiran; Kandasamy, Sabariswaran; Nasif, Omaima; Rajendran, Manikandan; Pugazhendhi, Arivalagan

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1864339pmid: N/A

The pre-isolated B. cereus had shown better β-cypermethrin resistance at 100 mg L−1 dosage in the Mineral Salt Medium (MSM). Hence, it was applied for the biodegradation study on MSM. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the B. cereus had the potential to degrade β-cypermethrin and metabolize it into six predominant less or nontoxic components (benzene, 1-ethyl−3-methyl-, ethanethiol, 2-(dimethylamino)-, 1-(2-acetoxyethyl)-3,6-diazahomoadamantan-9-one, silane, 9-anthracenyltrimethyl-, 1-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-3,6-,fumaric acid). Based on this biodegradation potential, four experimental groups, namely A, B, C, D and control, were framed and the biodegradation potential of B. cereus on β-cypermethrin and interaction with P. excavates were studied. Group C, which includes B. cereus and 10 P. excavates under β-cypermethrin stress excavates positive survival interaction. It was confirmed by the presence of metabolites such as benzene, 1-ethyl-3-methyl-, ethanethiol, 2-(dimethylamino)- and 1-(2-acetoxyethyl)-3,6-diazahomoadamantan-9-one, in P. excavates. Furthermore, these were similar to the metabolites of β-cypermethrin degraded by B. cereus. These results conclude that the biodegradation potential of B. cereus can protect the life of P. excavates from β-cypermethrin toxicity and thus, can support the balancing of soil fertility, structure and soil biotas such as flora and fauna. Abbreviations: MSM: mineral salt medium; g: gram; kg: kilogram; GC-MS: gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; mg L−1: milligram per litter; mL: milliliter; mg: milligram; min: minutes; MSTFA:N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide; EC: electric conductivity; N: nitrogen; P: phosphate; K: potassium; ECD: electron capture detector; OC: organic carbon; LB: Luria–Bertani; ºC: temperature in Celsius; pH: potential of hydrogen; R.T: retention time; NIST: National Institute of Standards and Technology; rpm: rotations per minute; TNAU: Tamil Nadu Agriculture University

Kalanaki, Mahdi; Karandish, Fatemeh; Ritzema, Henk; Kalanaki, Moosa

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1864340pmid: N/A

The DSSAT4.7-CERES model was employed to simulate plant-water nexus conditions in the future of Mazandaran province in Iran, using ensemble outputs of various GCMs and emission scenarios with LARS-WG 5.5 in the time period 2010–2100. The results showed during the 21st century, maize water requirement is expected to be reduced by 3.3–14.1%. Under climate change scenarios, both negative and positive changes in crop yield are projected, between −37.4 and 36.1%, which consequently results in a 5.1–27.2% reduction in water use efficiency (WUE) in the future periods. Deficit irrigation (DI) with 25% reduction in irrigation water depth (DI75) lead to a moderate reduction of 4.3–5.5% in WUE, but WUE was highly reduced under DI55. While early planting may reduce WUEs by 0.4–17%, late planting almost resulted in improved WUE, especially under DI75. Less frequent irrigation significantly reduces actual evapotranspiration, which consequently resulted in improved WUE by 0.57– 42.47%. In conclusion, the integrated assessment reveals that DI75, with an irrigation interval of 5 days, together with a 20 days delay in cropping date of maize in Mazandaran province, may be considered as an effective adaptation solution, when considering both food and water security.

Bettio, Daniele Perreti; Araujo, Ademir Sergio Ferreira; Bonifacio, Aurenivia; Araujo, Fabio Fernando De

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1864341pmid: N/A

This study assessed the effect of soil inputs, i.e., lime, gypsum and fertilizers, on biological parameters, total organic C (TOC), and growth and physiology of soybean under integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). Five soil inputs were evaluated: CT (no input), T1 (lime), T2 (lime and gypsum), T3 (lime, gypsum and NPK), and T4 (lime, gypsum, NPK and micronutrients). The highest TOC and soil microbial biomass values were found in T4 (7.8 g kg−1) and T1 (146.7 mg C kg−1), respectively. Soil respiration and dehydrogenase were higher in T2 (5.2 mg CO2 kg−1 and 0.19 mg kg−1, respectively). The highest soybean biomass, shoot dry weight, and chlorophyll values were found in T2 (14.1 g plant−1, 12.6 g plant−1, and 12.9 chlorophyll index plant−1, respectively), while total N and phenols were higher in T1 (27.4 mg N g−1 and 34.1 µg mL−1, respectively). The highest lipid peroxidation and peroxidase activity values were observed in CT (1.9 µM g−1) and T1 (1.58 µM g−1), respectively. The soil conditioning via the application of lime and gypsum can contribute to improving the status of biological parameters and TOC in ICLS, and it could contribute for improving the growth and physiology of soybean.

Aparecido, Lucas Eduardo de Oliveira; Meneses, Kamila Cunha de; Rolim de Souza, Glauco; Carvalho, Mary Jane Nunes; Pereira, Washington Bruno Silva; da Silva, Paulo Alexandre; Santos, Tatiana da Silva; de Moraes, José Reinaldo da Silva Cabral

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1864821

Saritha, Mohanram; Kumar, Praveen; Panwar, Nav Raten; Burman, Uday

doi: 10.1080/03650340.2020.1870677pmid: N/A

Plants and microorganisms sense and respond to biotic and abiotic signals in the environment to competitively optimize their fitness. These specific adjustments which are pertinent to prevailing environmental conditions bring about distinct signal-induced behavioural responses that appear intelligent. A suite of cellular and molecular networks underlie the generation of such attributes in plants and microorganisms. Recent advances in systems biology have gained insights from these biomolecular networks in fabricating biomimetic signaling circuits. Detailed interpretations, however, reveal the behavioural responses to be a conditioned alertness as a result of prudent signal perception. The review, therefore, examines the concept of ‘intelligence’ in the plant and microbial world and tries to ascertain whether their interactive responses are an outcome of pure intelligence or sheer response.