IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agiwat/v289y2023ics0378377423003682.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Combined tillage: A management strategy to improve rainfed maize tolerance to extreme events in northwestern China

Author

Listed:
  • Sun, Jun
  • Niu, Wenquan
  • Du, Yadan
  • Zhang, Qian
  • Li, Guochun
  • Ma, Li
  • Zhu, Jinjin
  • Mu, Fei
  • Sun, Dan
  • Gan, Haicheng
  • Siddique, Kadambot H.M.
  • Ali, Sajjad

Abstract

Climate warming has increased the frequency of droughts and excessive precipitation, adversely affecting crop growth, particularly under traditional intensive tillage. No-till improves crop tolerance to extreme events by reducing soil evaporation and improving soil structural stability to enhance soil water storage capacity and crop resistance, but long-term mono-no-till cakes the soil, reducing crop yield. Combining intensive tillage with no-till can compensate for some deficiencies arising from conventional tillage or single no-till. A three-year field experiment was conducted in wet (2020) and normal (2019 and 2021, where a drought event occurred in 2021) years to study the effect of tillage practices on summer maize productivity under different precipitation types. Treatments included conventional tillage (CT), no-tillage (NT), ridge cultivation with no-tillage (RNT), and conventional tillage of winter wheat combined with no-tillage of summer maize (NC). Compared with NT, NC and RNT significantly reduced soil bulk density and increased soil porosity in the 0–20 cm soil layer. Compared with CT, NC and RNT significantly improved aggregate stability, NC increased available soil water storage by 19.7% in the dry season (P < 0.05), and NC and RNT significantly reduced lodging rate in the rainy season. Over the three years, NC and RNT maintained higher maize yields (NC: 10.3 t ha–1 and RNT: 10.0 t ha–1) than CT (9.2 t ha–1), and NC had significantly higher yield stability than CT. Meanwhile, NC and RNT had higher precipitation use efficiency (PUE; NC: 21.2 kg ha–1 mm–1, RNT: 20.7 kg ha–1 mm–1) than NT (20.1 kg ha–1 mm–1) or CT (19.1 kg ha–1 mm–1). In terms of combined productivity, NC and RNT provide a more suitable soil environment for crop growth and maintain higher yield than NT and CT. NC rotation is recommended as the optimal tillage system for sustainable crop production under semi - arid agricultural conditions. RNT can be extended to areas prone to flooding with abundant rainfall. These results offer a benchmark for future studies on regional maize production under climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Jun & Niu, Wenquan & Du, Yadan & Zhang, Qian & Li, Guochun & Ma, Li & Zhu, Jinjin & Mu, Fei & Sun, Dan & Gan, Haicheng & Siddique, Kadambot H.M. & Ali, Sajjad, 2023. "Combined tillage: A management strategy to improve rainfed maize tolerance to extreme events in northwestern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:289:y:2023:i:c:s0378377423003682
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108503
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377423003682
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108503?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. Qi, Dongliang & Hu, Tiantian & Liu, Tingting, 2020. "Biomass accumulation and distribution, yield formation and water use efficiency responses of maize (Zea mays L.) to nitrogen supply methods under partial root-zone irrigation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    2. Fang, Heng & Li, Yuannong & Gu, Xiaobo & Chen, Pengpeng & Li, Yupeng, 2022. "Root characteristics, utilization of water and nitrogen, and yield of maize under biodegradable film mulching and nitrogen application," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    3. Fang, Heng & Li, Yuannong & Gu, Xiaobo & Li, Yupeng & Chen, Pengpeng, 2021. "Can ridge-furrow with film and straw mulching improve wheat-maize system productivity and maintain soil fertility on the Loess Plateau of China?," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    4. Wang, Hao & Xu, Ranran & Li, Yang & Yang, Liye & Shi, Wei & Liu, Yongjie & Chang, Shenghua & Hou, Fujiang & Jia, Qianmin, 2019. "Enhance root-bleeding sap flow and root lodging resistance of maize under a combination of nitrogen strategies and farming practices," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Shaaban, Ahmad Shams Aldien & Wahbi, Ammar & Sinclair, Thomas R., 2018. "Sowing date and mulch to improve water use and yield of wheat and barley in the Middle East environment," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 26-32.
    6. Gu, Xiaobo & Cai, Huanjie & Fang, Heng & Chen, Pengpeng & Li, Yupeng & Li, Yuannong, 2021. "Soil hydro-thermal characteristics, maize yield and water use efficiency as affected by different biodegradable film mulching patterns in a rain-fed semi-arid area of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    7. Lu, Hai-dong & Xue, Ji-quan & Guo, Dong-wei, 2017. "Efficacy of planting date adjustment as a cultivation strategy to cope with drought stress and increase rainfed maize yield and water-use efficiency," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 227-235.
    8. Zhai, Lichao & Wang, Zhanbiao & Song, Shijia & Zhang, Lihua & Zhang, Zhengbin & Jia, Xiuling, 2021. "Tillage practices affects the grain filling of inferior kernel of summer maize by regulating soil water content and photosynthetic capacity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items 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. Fang, Heng & Li, Yuannong & Gu, Xiaobo & Du, Yadan & Chen, Pengpeng & Hu, Hongxiang, 2024. "Evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, and yield for film mulched maize under different nitrogen-fertilization rates and climate conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    2. Liang, Yonghui & Wen, Yue & Meng, Yu & Li, Haiqiang & Song, Libing & Zhang, Jinzhu & Ma, Zhanli & Han, Yue & Wang, Zhenhua, 2024. "Effects of biodegradable film types and drip irrigation amounts on maize growth and field carbon sequestration in arid northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    3. Fang, Heng & Li, Yuannong & Gu, Xiaobo & Chen, Pengpeng & Li, Yupeng, 2022. "Root characteristics, utilization of water and nitrogen, and yield of maize under biodegradable film mulching and nitrogen application," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    4. Yongwei Liu & Zhenzhen Yang & Changxiong Zhu & Baogang Zhang & Hongna Li, 2023. "The Eco-Agricultural Industrial Chain: The Meaning, Content and Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    5. Wang, Wei & Wang, Bao-Zhong & Zhou, Rui & Ullah, Abid & Zhao, Ze-Ying & Wang, Peng-Yang & Su, Yong-Zhong & Xiong, You-Cai, 2022. "Biocrusts as a nature-based strategy (NbS) improve soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and maize productivity in semiarid environment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Zhiwen Song & Lei Zhao & Junguo Bi & Qingyun Tang & Guodong Wang & Yuxiang Li, 2024. "Classification of Degradable Mulch Films and Their Promotional Effects and Limitations on Agricultural Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-19, July.
    7. Hu, Yajin & Ma, Penghui & Duan, Chenxiao & Wu, Shufang & Feng, Hao & Zou, Yufeng, 2020. "Black plastic film combined with straw mulching delays senescence and increases summer maize yield in northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    8. Gao, Yukun & Zhao, Hongfang & Zhao, Chuang & Hu, Guohua & Zhang, Han & Liu, Xue & Li, Nan & Hou, Haiyan & Li, Xia, 2022. "Spatial and temporal variations of maize and wheat yield gaps and their relationships with climate in China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    9. Xing Wang & Hailong Sun & Changming Tan & Xiaowen Wang & Min Xia, 2021. "Effects of Film Mulching on Plant Growth and Nutrients in Artificial Soil: A Case Study on High Altitude Slopes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-15, October.
    10. Ding, Dianyuan & Yang, Zijie & Wu, Lihong & Zhao, Ying & Zhang, Xi & Chen, Xiaoping & Feng, Hao & Zhang, Chao & Wendroth, Ole, 2024. "Optimizing nitrogen-fertilizer management by using RZWQM2 with consideration of precipitation can enhance nitrogen utilization on the Loess Plateau," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    11. Cai, Wenjing & Gu, Xiaobo & Du, Yadan & Chang, Tian & Lu, Shiyu & Zheng, Xiaobo & Bai, Dongping & Song, Hui & Sun, Shikun & Cai, Huanjie, 2022. "Effects of mulching on water saving, yield increase and emission reduction for maize in China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    12. Zhang, Yuanhong & Li, Haoyu & Sun, Yuanguang & Zhang, Qi & Liu, Pengzhao & Wang, Rui & Li, Jun, 2022. "Temporal stability analysis evaluates soil water sustainability of different cropping systems in a dryland agricultural ecosystem," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    13. Liyuan Bo & Xiaomin Mao & Yali Wang, 2022. "Assessing the Applicability of Biodegradable Film Mulching in Northwest China Based on Comprehensive Benefits Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, August.
    14. Liao, Zhenqi & Zhang, Chen & Yu, Shuolei & Lai, Zhenlin & Wang, Haidong & Zhang, Fucang & Li, Zhijun & Wu, Peng & Fan, Junliang, 2023. "Ridge-furrow planting with black film mulching increases rainfed summer maize production by improving resources utilization on the Loess Plateau of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    15. Yang, Wenjia & Yan, Naitong & Zhang, Jiali & Yan, Jiakun & Ma, Dengke & Wang, Shiwen & Yin, Lina, 2022. "The applicability of water-permeable plastic film and biodegradable film as alternatives to polyethylene film in crops on the Loess Plateau," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    16. Zhang, Binbin & Hu, Yajin & Hill, Robert Lee & Wu, Shufang & Song, Xiaolin, 2021. "Combined effects of biomaterial amendments and rainwater harvesting on soil moisture, structure and apple roots in a rainfed apple orchard on the Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    17. Yan, Jun & Wu, Qixia & Qi, Dongliang & Zhu, Jianqiang, 2022. "Rice yield, water productivity, and nitrogen use efficiency responses to nitrogen management strategies under supplementary irrigation for rain-fed rice cultivation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    18. Dang, Yongcai & Qin, Lijie & Huang, Lirong & Wang, Jianqin & Li, Bo & He, Hongshi, 2022. "Water footprint of rain-fed maize in different growth stages and associated climatic driving forces in Northeast China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    19. Zhao, Xiao & Gu, Xiaobo & Yang, Zhichao & Li, Yuannong & Zhang, Li & Zhou, Jiaming, 2022. "Effects of soil preparation and mulching practices together with different urea applications on the water and nitrogen use of winter wheat in semi-humid and drought-prone areas," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    20. Guo, Jinjin & Fan, Junliang & Xiang, Youzhen & Zhang, Fucang & Yan, Shicheng & Zhang, Xueyan & Zheng, Jing & Li, Yuepeng & Tang, Zijun & Li, Zhijun, 2022. "Coupling effects of irrigation amount and nitrogen fertilizer type on grain yield, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of drip-irrigated maize," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).

    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:289:y:2023:i:c:s0378377423003682. 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.