IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agiwat/v247y2021ics0378377420322769.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of optimized subsoiling tillage on field water conservation and summer maize (Zea mays L.) yield in the North China Plain

Author

Listed:
  • Yin, Baozhong
  • Hu, Zhaohui
  • Wang, Yandong
  • Zhao, Jin
  • Pan, Zhihua
  • Zhen, Wenchao

Abstract

Farmland water management includes improving soil properties, optimizing root distribution, promoting rainfall and irrigation infiltration, reducing soil water evaporation, increasing water storage, and utilizing precipitation and irrigation efficiently through appropriate tillage methods. These factors are important for summer maize planting systems in areas of extreme water deficiency and hot rainy seasons, such as the North China Plain (NCP). A four-season field experiment was conducted on summer maize to compare the influences and mechanisms of two tillage methods (no-tillage (NT) and subsoiling tillage (ST)) on the water conservation and yield. The ST treatment promoted irrigation and rainfall infiltration, and the water storage capacity in the 2 m soil layer increased by 18.3 mm in the ST treatment over the entire growth period compared to the NT treatment. The field evapotranspiration (ET) and soil evaporation (E) intensities of the ST treatment were 5.6% and 11.5% lower than those of the NT treatment, respectively. Compared to the NT treatment, the ST treatment increased the root width in the 20–40 cm soil layer by 17.8% (on average) and the proportion of root activity by 36.7%. The root dry matter accumulation ratio, root active absorption area, and diameters of the vascular bundle and xylem vessels increased significantly. The average yield of summer maize under the ST treatment was 11.2% higher than that of the NT treatment over the four study years. The water use efficiency was also 16.5% higher in the ST treatment. These results demonstrate that the ST treatment of summer maize improved the infiltration of precipitation and irrigation into the soil, reduced the E, promoted root growth, and increased the maize kernel weight, thereby collectively achieving improved water use efficiency and summer maize yields.

Suggested Citation

  • Yin, Baozhong & Hu, Zhaohui & Wang, Yandong & Zhao, Jin & Pan, Zhihua & Zhen, Wenchao, 2021. "Effects of optimized subsoiling tillage on field water conservation and summer maize (Zea mays L.) yield in the North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:247:y:2021:i:c:s0378377420322769
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106732
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377420322769
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106732?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kuang, Naikun & Tan, Dechong & Li, Haojie & Gou, Qishu & Li, Quanqi & Han, Huifang, 2020. "Effects of subsoiling before winter wheat on water consumption characteristics and yield of summer maize on the North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    2. Bossio, Deborah & Geheb, Kim & Critchley, William, 2010. "Managing water by managing land: Addressing land degradation to improve water productivity and rural livelihoods," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 536-542, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Tibor Zsigmond & Péter Braun & János Mészáros & István Waltner & Ágota Horel, 2022. "Investigating Plant Response to Soil Characteristics and Slope Positions in a Small Catchment," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Wei, Shiyu & Kuang, Naikun & Jiao, Fengli & Zong, Rui & Li, Quanqi, 2023. "Exploring the effects of subsoiling tillage under various irrigation regimes on the evapotranspiration and crop water productivity of winter wheat using RZWQM2," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    3. Jiao, Fengli & Hong, Shengzhe & Cui, Jichao & Zhang, Qingfen & Li, Ming & Shi, Ruilin & Han, Huifang & Li, Quanqi, 2022. "Subsoiling combined with irrigation improves carbon emission and crop water productivity of winter wheat in North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Fake Shan & Dongfang Li & Jianxi Zhu & Shuo Kang & Jun Wang, 2022. "Effects of Vertical Smashing Rotary Tillage on Root Growth Characteristics and Yield of Broccoli," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Shichun Du & Jing Liu & Zetian Fu, 2021. "The Impact of Village Rules and Formal Environmental Regulations on Farmers’ Cleaner Production Behavior: New Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-20, July.
    6. Haoze Zhang & Mingliang Gao & Fuying Liu & Huabin Yuan & Zhendong Liu & Mingming Zhang & Quanqi Li & Rui Zong, 2024. "Characteristic of soil moisture utilisation with different water-sensitive cultivars of summer maize in the North China Plain," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(4), pages 210-219.
    7. repec:caa:jnlpse:v:preprint:id:401-2023-pse is not listed on IDEAS

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eric Britt Moore, 2023. "Challenges and Opportunities for Cover Crop Mediated Soil Water Use Efficiency Enhancements in Temperate Rain-Fed Cropping Systems: A Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Hanjra, Munir A. & Qureshi, M. Ejaz, 2010. "Global water crisis and future food security in an era of climate change," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 365-377, October.
    3. Sinare, Hanna & Gordon, Line J. & Enfors Kautsky, Elin, 2016. "Assessment of ecosystem services and benefits in village landscapes – A case study from Burkina Faso," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 21(PA), pages 141-152.
    4. Sandra Ricart & Anna Ribas & David Pavón, 2016. "Qualifying irrigation system sustainability by means of stakeholder perceptions and concerns: lessons from the Segarra‐Garrigues Canal, Spain," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 40(1-2), pages 77-90, February.
    5. Krauß, Michael & Kraatz, Simone & Drastig, Katrin & Prochnow, Annette, 2015. "The influence of dairy management strategies on water productivity of milk production," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 175-186.
    6. Yan, Zhenxing & Zhang, Wenying & Liu, Xiuwei & Wang, Qingsuo & Liu, Binhui & Mei, Xurong, 2024. "Grain yield and water productivity of winter wheat controlled by irrigation regime and manure substitution in the North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    7. Rosanna Salvia & Valentina Quaranta & Adele Sateriano & Giovanni Quaranta, 2022. "Land Resource Depletion, Regional Disparities, and the Claim for a Renewed ‘Sustainability Thinking’ under Early Desertification Conditions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, March.
    8. Elke Noellemeyer & Romina Fernández & Alberto Quiroga, 2013. "Crop and Tillage Effects on Water Productivity of Dryland Agriculture in Argentina," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-11, January.
    9. Sharma, Bharat & Molden, D. & Cook, Simon, 2015. "Water use efficiency in agriculture: measurement, current situation and trends," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    10. Sileshi, Gudeta W. & Akinnifesi, Festus K. & Ajayi, Oluyede C. & Muys, Bart, 2011. "Integration of legume trees in maize-based cropping systems improves rain use efficiency and yield stability under rain-fed agriculture," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(9), pages 1364-1372, July.
    11. Rix, Jacob P. & Lo, Tsz Him & Gholson, Drew M. & Pringle, H.C. (Lyle) & Spencer, G. Dave & Singh, Gurbir, 2022. "Effects of low-till parabolic subsoiling frequency and furrow irrigation frequency on maize in the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    12. Sharma, Bharat & Molden, D. & Cook, Simon, 2015. "Water use efficiency in agriculture: measurement, current situation and trends," IWMI Books, Reports H046807, International Water Management Institute.
    13. Félicien Majoro & Umaru Garba Wali & Omar Munyaneza & François-Xavier Naramabuye, 2023. "Sustainability Analysis of Soil Erosion Control in Rwanda: Case Study of the Sebeya Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    14. de Fraiture, Charlotte & Molden, David & Wichelns, Dennis, 2010. "Investing in water for food, ecosystems, and livelihoods: An overview of the comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 495-501, April.
    15. Rattan Lal, 2014. "Climate Strategic Soil Management," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-32, February.
    16. Jiaying He & Xiaohui Jiang & Yuxin Lei & Wenjuan Cai & Junjun Zhang, 2022. "Temporal and Spatial Variation and Driving Forces of Soil Erosion on the Loess Plateau before and after the Implementation of the Grain-for-Green Project: A Case Study in the Yanhe River Basin, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
    17. Yilun Zhao & Yan Rong & Yiyi Liu & Tianshu Lin & Liangji Kong & Qinqin Dai & Runzi Wang, 2023. "Investigating Urban Flooding and Nutrient Export under Different Urban Development Scenarios in the Rouge River Watershed in Michigan, USA," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-25, December.
    18. Pengchong Zhou & Shaobo Wang & Liangliang Guo & Ying Shen & Huifang Han & Tangyuan Ning, 2019. "Effects of subsoiling stage on summer maize water use efficiency and yield in North China Plains," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 65(11), pages 556-562.
    19. Girma, Anteneh & Kassie, Menale & Bauer, Siegfried & Aurbacher, Joachim, 2015. "Integrated land and water management practices for rainwater harvesting: Joint estimation on the combined use of the practices in Azgo watershed, Ethiopia," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211685, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    20. Okeyo, A.I. & Mucheru-Muna, M. & Mugwe, J. & Ngetich, K.F. & Mugendi, D.N. & Diels, J. & Shisanya, C.A., 2014. "Effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on nutrient losses and maize yields in the central highlands of Kenya," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 52-58.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:247:y:2021:i:c:s0378377420322769. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/agwat .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.