Objectives

Continuous cultivation of rice and wheat crops in rice–wheat cropping system has resulted in numerous edaphic, social and environmental problems. Nonetheless, increasing water scarcity is also threatening the sustainability of rice–wheat cropping system. Therefore, farmers are compelled to cultivate alternative crops, like maize for water saving and higher economic returns. However, limited is known for integrated management of nitrogen (N) in wheat and maize crops. This study investigated the impact of integrated N management on productivity and profitability of wheat-maize cropping system.

Methods

The study was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Mulan, Pakistan. Wheat and maize crops were cultivated with recommended N dose using inorganic and organic sources, either alone or in combination with biofertilizer, while no N application was regarded as control. Data relating to root biomass yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) were collected.

Results

Organic fertilizer alone and in combination with inorganic fertilizer and biofertilizer significantly improved root biomass and SOC. Improved SOC and crop root system resulted in better productivity of wheat-maize cropping system. Sole inorganic fertilizer application improved crop yield; however, had almost no effect on SOC. Integrated N management strategy (50% organic and inorganic fertilizer in combination with biofertilizer), improved crop yield (7168, 6405 kg/ha), net benefit (US$ 779, 961) and SOC (2.75%, 1.59%) for maize and wheat crops, respectively.

Conclusion

Integrated N management strategy using different N sources seemed a viable and economically sound alternative of conventional N management, which would further strengthen the sustainability of wheat-maize cropping system.

中文翻译：

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集成的氮管理提高了小麦-玉米种植系统的生产力和经济效益

目标

在稻麦系统中连续种植水稻和小麦作物已经导致了许多农业，社会和环境问题。但是，水资源短缺的加剧也威胁着稻麦系统的可持续性。因此，农民被迫种植替代作物，例如玉米，以节水和提高经济效益。但是，小麦和玉米作物中氮（N）的综合管理受到限制。本研究调查了氮素综合管理对小麦-玉米种植系统生产力和利润率的影响。

方法

这项研究是在巴基斯坦木兰的Bahauddin Zakariya大学的农业研究农场进行的。小麦和玉米作物使用推荐的氮素剂量，无论是单独使用还是与生物肥料结合使用，都应使用无机和有机来源进行氮素养分的种植，而没有氮素的施用被视为对照。收集了与根生物量产量和土壤有机碳（SOC）有关的数据。

结果

单独使用有机肥料，以及与无机肥料和生物肥料配合使用，可显着改善根系生物量和SOC。改良的SOC和作物根系提高了小麦玉米种植系统的生产力。单独施用无机肥料可提高作物产量；但是，对SOC几乎没有影响。综合氮素管理策略（50％有机和无机肥与生物肥料结合），提高的作物产量（7168、6405公斤/公顷），玉米和玉米的净收益（779、961美元）和有机碳（2.75％，1.59％）小麦作物。

结论

使用不同氮源的综合氮素管理策略似乎是常规氮素管理的可行且经济上合理的替代方案，这将进一步加强小麦玉米种植系统的可持续性。