[Effect of straw return to field and fertilization in autumn on dryland corn growth and on water and fertilizer efficiency].
A ten years location experiment of various kinds straw return to field and deep fertilization in autumn was conducted in Shouyang dryland experimental area of Shanxi Province to study their effect on the growth and yield of dryland corn, the use efficency of soil water and fertilizer, and the changes of soil fertility. The results showed that this kind of experimental method could better solve the contradiction of deep fertilization with maintaining soil moisture and keeping a full stand of seedlings in spring, and the competition of water and fertilizer between the degradation of crop remains and the seedlings. What is more, the abundant resources of crop remains were used more sufficiently, the activity of soil microorganisms was more active, and soil fertility was obviously improved, which was proved by the complete and strong seedlings and developed roots, the photosynthesis and transpiration rates were enhanced, the water use efficiency (WUE) was increased by 3.26 - 3.51 kg x hm(-2) x mm(-1), and the accumulated water consumption was decreased by 8.1 - 264.5 mm. During plant growth period, the utilization rate of fertilizer N and P could increase 3.9% - 13.9% and 3.0% - 9.1%, respectively, and the use efficiency of water and fertilizer was higher. The ten years accumulated yield increased 12.10 - 17.27 t x hm(-2), a rise of 25.6% - 36.5%, and in the meantime, higher soil fertility and productivity were maintained.
Zhou
Huaiping
H
Institute of Soil & Fertiliser, The Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Nutrient Resources, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan 030031. hpzhou@public.ty.sx.cn
Yang
Zhiping
Z
Li
Hongmei
H
Guan
Chunlin
C
D002681:China; D005308:Fertilizers; D009584:Nitrogen; D010758:Phosphorus; D018547:Plant Stems; D012621:Seasons; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development*
D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen