Effects of species diversity and community structure on nitrogen use efficiency of mixed legume+grass pastures

doi:10.11686/cyxb2017483

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated species diversity and effects of species spatial distribution on forage yield in mixed grass+legume pasture communities. N fixation, N transfer and N utilization efficiency in leguminous forage under different planting patterns with intermixed grasses were evaluated to gain insight into N fixation ability, N transfer efficiency, N nutrition competition, interspecies compatibility and production performance. The results showed: 1) Both the forage yield and N yield in mixed pastures were significantly higher than in monoculture (P<0.05), However, productive capacity of mixed pastures did not increase with increasing number of grass species. A row spacing of 30 cm intercropping treatment+different line mixed treatment had higher productive capacity than other planting patterns. 2) The amount of nitrogen derived from air (W_N) declined with increasing grass content. The amount of nitrogen derived from legume (W_Nt) and percentage of nitrogen derived from legume (P_Nt) showed a curvilinear response with lowest values at intermediate levels of grass species, while, the percentage of nitrogen derived from air (P_N) and contribution of biological nitrogen fixation (C_BNF) were comparatively unchanged. Again, the treatment Row spacing of 30 cm+intercropping treatment had higher W_Nt, P_Nt and C_BNF values than other treatments. 3) No changes in competition ratio (C_Rpm) were observed, but the relative yield and relative yield total of legume increased with increasing grass species content in the mixtures. The relative yield and relative yield total of legume in row spacing of 30 cm+intercropping treatment were higher and the C_Rpm value was lower than for other spacing patterns. 4) Forage yield was significantly correlated with the W_Nt value (P<0.01), and relative yield total was negatively correlated with C_Rpm value (P<0.01). Therefore, species diversity had a limited impact on the productivity in mixed pastures, and high nutrient use efficiency species would be theoretically more important. Optimization of the spatial structure of legume-grass mixtures can improve biological N fixation, N transfer, N utilization, and N use efficiency. These principles potentially provide new methods to improve the productivity of mixed legume+grass pastures.

Key words: species diversity, row spacing, mixed cropping, inter cropping, nitrogen use efficiency, nutrient competition ratios

ZHU Ya-qiong, GUAN Zheng-xuan, ZHENG Wei, WANG Xiang. Effects of species diversity and community structure on nitrogen use efficiency of mixed legume+grass pastures[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2018, 27(10): 1-14.

References

[1] Xiao Y B, Li L, Zhang F S.The interspecific nitrogen facilitation and the subsequent nitrogen transfer between the intercropped wheat and faba bean. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 2005, 38(5): 965-973.
肖焱波, 李隆, 张福锁. 小麦/蚕豆间作体系中的种间相互作用及氮转移研究. 中国农业科学, 2005, 38(5): 965-973.
[2] Wang P, Zhou D W, Jiang S C.Research on biological nitrogen fixation of grass-legume mixtures in a semi-arid area of China. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2010, 19(6): 276-280.
王平, 周道玮, 姜世成. 半干旱地区禾-豆混播草地生物固氮作用研究. 草业学报, 2010, 19(6): 276-280.
[3] Chen Y X, Liu J, Chen X P, et al. Dry matter accumulation, yield and nitrogen use efficiency of crops rotation and intercropping systems in Sichuan. Journal of China Agricultural University, 2013, 18(6): 68-79.
陈远学, 刘静, 陈新平, 等. 四川轮套作体系的干物质积累、产量及氮素利用效率研究. 中国农业大学学报, 2013, 18(6): 68-79.
[4] Xiao J X, Tang L, Zheng Y, et al. Effects of N level on yield of crops, N absorption and accumulation of barley in barley and faba bean intercropping system. Journal of Triticeae Crops, 2011, 31(3): 499-503.
肖靖秀, 汤利, 郑毅, 等. 大麦/蚕豆间作条件下供氮水平对作物产量和大麦氮吸收累积的影响. 麦类作物学报, 2011, 31(3): 499-503.
[5] Hauggaard-Nielsen H, Gooding M, Ambus P, et al. Pea barley intercropping for efficient symbiotic N₂-fixation, soil N acquisition and use of other nutrients in European organic cropping systems. Field Crops Research, 2009, 113: 64-71.
[6] Li C J, Li Y Y, Yu C B, et al. Crop nitrogen use and soil mineral nitrogen accumulation under different crop combinations and patterns of strip intercropping in northwest China. Plant and Soil, 2011, 342: 221-231.
[7] Li L, Zhang F S, Li X, et al. Interspecific facilitation of nutrient uptake by intercropped maize and faba bean. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2003, 65: 61-71.
[8] Liu X M, Yong T W, Liu W Y, et al. Effect of reduced N application on soil N residue and N loss in maize-soybean relay strip intercropping system. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2014, 25(8): 2267-2274.
刘小明, 雍太文, 刘文钰, 等. 减量施氮对玉米—大豆套作体系土壤氮素残留和氮肥损失的影响. 应用生态学报, 2014, 25(8): 2267-2274.
[9] Li Y Y, Yu C B, Sun J H, et al. Nitrogen environmental endurance and economically-ecologically appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer in faba bean/maize intercropping system. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2008, 24(3): 223-227.
李玉英, 余常兵, 孙建好, 等. 蚕豆玉米间作系统经济生态施氮量及对氮素环境承受力. 农业工程学报, 2008, 24(3): 223-227.
[10] Anita A, Veena J, Nainawatee H S.Effect of low temperature and rhizospheric application of naringenin on pea-rhizlbium leguminosarum biovar viciae symbiosis. Plant Biochemistry, 1998, 7(1): 35-38.
[11] Karpenstein-Machan M, Stuelpnagel R.Biomass yield nitrogen fixation of legumes monocropped and intercropped with rye and rotation effects on a subsequent maize crop. Plant and Soil, 2000, 218(1/2): 215-232.
[12] Zhao P, Zheng Y, Tang L, et al. Effect of N supply and wheat/faba bean intercropping on N uptake and accumulation of wheat. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2010, 18(4): 742-747.
赵平, 郑毅, 汤利, 等. 小麦蚕豆间作施氮对小麦氮素吸收、累积的影响. 中国生态农业学报, 2010, 18(4): 742-747.
[13] Haynes R.Competitive aspects of the grass-legume association. Advances in Agronomy, 1980, 33: 227-261.
[14] Ledgard S F.Transfer of fixed nitrogen from white clover to associated grasses in swards grazed by dairy cows, estimated using ¹⁵N methods. Plant and Soil, 1991, 131(2): 215-224.
[15] Burity H, Ta T, Faris M, et al. Estimation of nitrogen fixation and transfer from alfalfa to associated grasses in mixed swards under field conditions. Plant and Soil, 1989, 114(2): 249-255.
[16] Vallis I, Haydock K, Ross P, et al. Isotopic studies on the uptake of nitrogen by pasture plants. III. The uptake of small additions of ¹⁵N-labeled fertilizer by Rhodes grass and Townsville lucerne. Australian Journal Agricultural Research, 1967, 18: 865-877.
[17] Li S M, Wu F.Nitrogen uptake facilitation in soybean/maize intercropping system inoculated with rhizobium and arbuscularm ycorrhizal fungi. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science, 2011, 17(1): 110-116.
李淑敏, 武帆. 大豆/玉米间作体系中接种AM真菌和根瘤菌对氮素吸收的促进作用. 植物营养与肥料学报, 2011, 17(1): 110-116.
[18] Goodman P.Nitrogen fixation, transfer and turnover in upland and lowland grass-clover swards, using ¹⁵N isotope dilution. Plant and Soil, 1988, 112(2): 247-254.
[19] Donald C M.Competition for light in crops and pastures. In Syposium of the Society for Experimental Biology, 1961, 15: 282-313.
[20] Ledgard S F, Steele K W.Biological nitrogen fixation in mixed legume/grass pastures. Plant and Soil, 1992, 141(1): 137-153.
[21] Sinclair T R, Rachid S.Legume nitrogen fixation and drought. Nature, 1995, 378(23): 344.
[22] Dong W L, Yu Y, Zhang L Z, et al. Nitrogen uptake and utilization in sunflower and potato intercropping. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2013, 29(7): 98-108.
董宛麟, 于洋, 张立祯, 等. 向日葵和马铃薯间作条件下氮素的吸收和利用. 农业工程学报, 2013, 29(7): 98-108.
[23] Yang W T, Li Z X, Wang J W, et al. Crop yield, nitrogen acquisition and sugarcane quality as affected by interspecific competition and nitrogen application. Field Crops Research, 2013, 146: 44-50.
[24] Chen Y L, Wu Q P, Chen X C, et al. Root growth and its response to increasing planting density in different maize hybrids. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Scicience, 2012, 18: 52-59.
陈延玲, 吴秋平, 陈晓超, 等. 不同耐密性玉米品种的根系生长及其对种植密度的响应. 植物营养与肥料学报, 2012, 18: 52-59.
[25] Qi J, Zheng W, Zhang X H, et al. Determination and comparison of the production performance of pastures among different spatial structure of legume-grass mixtures. Pratacultural Science, 2016, 33(1): 116-128.
祁军, 郑伟, 张鲜花, 等. 不同豆禾混播模式的草地生产性能. 草业科学, 2016, 33(1): 116-128.
[26] Yu H, Zheng W, Zhang X H, et al. Effects of spatial structure on the relationship of interspecific competition in legume-grass mixtures community. Journal of Xinjiang Agricultural University, 2015, 38(2): 87-92.
于辉, 郑伟, 张鲜花, 等. 群落空间结构对豆禾混播草地种间竞争关系的影响. 新疆农业大学学报, 2015, 38(2): 87-92.
[27] Yang F, Lou Y, Liao D P, et al. Effects of row spacing on crop biomass, root morphology and yield in maize-soybean relay strip intercropping system. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2015, 41(4): 642-650.
杨峰, 娄莹, 廖敦平, 等. 玉米-大豆带状套作行距配置对作物生物量、根系形态及产量的影响. 作物学报, 2015, 41(4): 642-650.
[28] Zheng W, Zhu J Z, Jianaerguli. A comprehensive evaluation of the productive performance of legume-grass mixture under different mixed sowing patterns. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2012, 21(6): 242-251.
郑伟, 朱进忠, 加娜尔古丽. 不同混播方式豆禾混播草地生产性能的综合评价. 草业学报, 2012, 21(6): 242-251.
[29] Yang S.Feed analysis and feed quality detection technology. Beijing: China Agricultural University Press, 1999: 19-61.
杨胜. 饲料分析及饲料质量检测技术. 北京: 中国农业大学出版社, 1999: 19-61.
[30] Yoneyama T, Yamada N, Kojima H, et al. Variations of natural ¹⁵N abundances in leguminous plants and nodule fractions. Plant & Cell Physiology, 1984, 25: 1561-1565.
[31] Snoeck D, Zapata F, Domenack A M.Isotopic evidence of the transfer of nitrogen fixed by legumes to coffee trees. Biotechnologie Agronomie Société Et Environnement, 2000, 4(2): 95-100.
[32] Jonathan W S.Introduction to plant population ecology. London and New York: Longman, 1982: 147-155.
[33] Pugnaire F I, Armas C, Valladares F.Soil as a mediator in plant-plant interactions in a semi-arid community. Journal of Vegetation Science, 2004, 15(1): 85-92.
[34] Zhu S X, Yang Z Z.A study on superiorities in mixed cropping of alfalfa and siberian wildrye. Scientia Agriculture Sinica, 1992, 25(6): 63-68.
朱树秀, 杨志忠. 紫花苜蓿与老芒麦混播优势的研究. 中国农业科学, 1992, 25(6): 63-68.
[35] Liu S H, Ma J Y, Wan X L, et al. Effects of plant species diversity on ecosystem function. Acta Botany Boreal-Occidentalia Sinica, 2007, 27(1): 0110-0114.
刘士辉, 马剑英, 万秀莲, 等. 植物种多样性对生态系统功能的影响. 西北植物学报, 2007, 27(1): 0110-0114.
[36] Li X G, Zhu Z H, Zhou X S, et al. Effects of clipping, fertilizing and watering on the relationship between species diversity, functional diversity and primary productivity in alpine meadow of China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2011, 35(11): 1136-1147.
李晓刚, 朱志红, 周晓松, 等. 刈割、施肥和浇水对高寒草甸物种多样性、功能多样性与初级生产力关系的影响. 植物生态学报, 2011, 35(11): 1136-1147.
[37] Flynn D F, Mirotchnick N, Jain M, et al. Functional and phylogenetic diversity as predictors of biodiversity-ecosystem-function relationships. Ecology, 2011, 92(8): 1573-1581.
[38] Yang F, Huang S, Gao R, et al. Growth of soybean seedlings in relay strip intercropping systems in relation to light quantity and red: far-red ratio. Field Crops Research, 2014, 155(155): 245-253.
[39] Li Q Z, Yu C B, Hu H S, et al. Difference of nitrogen utilization and distribution of mineral nitrogen in soil profile by competitive abilities of intercropping systems. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science, 2010, 16(4): 777-785.
李秋祝, 余常兵, 胡汉升, 等. 不同竞争强度间作体系氮素利用和土壤剖面无机氮分布差异. 植物营养与肥料学报, 2010, 16(4): 777-785.
[40] Zhao C, Chai Q, Qiao Y Y, et al. Effect of cereal-legume spacing in intercropping system on alleviating “N inhibition” in pea plants. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture, 2016, 24(9): 1169-1176.
赵财, 柴强, 乔寅英, 等. 禾豆间距对间作豌豆“氮阻遏”减缓效应的影响. 中国生态农业学报, 2016, 24(9): 1169-1176.