(Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition)
Vol. 91 (2020) No. 6
Original Paper
New growth diagnosis standards of high-yielding rice and demonstration of high yielding using NDVI by GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor
Yoshihiro KANETA1, Mizuhiko NISHIDA2, Fumiaki TAKAKAI1 and Takashi SATO1
1 Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University
2 Field Science Center, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University
A lightweight and inexpensive GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor was used to investigate the growth diagnosis of stable, high-yielding rice. We formulated seasonal upper and lower limits for NDVI and a target growth volume for rice yields of 700 g/m2. A high positive exponential correlation was observed between NDVI and growth volume (plant length×number of tillers×leaf color value). The correlation can be expressed by a single exponential formula, regardless of growth stage year. Topdressing based on growth diagnosis by NDVI ensured a target panicle number and leaf colors for two years. Growth diagnosis by NDVI demonstrated high yield levels of 700 g/m2 over two years in various weather conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that the GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor is useful in diagnosing the growth of stable, high-yielding rice.
Key words: high yielding, GreenSeeker handheld crop sensor, NDVI, growth diagnosis, topdressing
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 417-425, 2020)
Original Paper
Soil classification and evaluation methods in Aizu District in 17th century: Comparison of Aizu-nosho and Tochi-cho documents
Shokichi WAKABAYASHI
Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO
Based on the Aizu-nosho and Tochi-cho documents established in the 17th century, we analyzed the soil classification method used by farmers in the Aizu District in the early modern period. In the agricultural textbook “Aizu-nosho,” written by a farmer, soils (tsuchi) were classified into nine taxa in descending order of farmland grade: yellow ma-tsuchi (Yamadori-ma-tsuchi), black ma-tsuchi, white ma-tsuchi, suna (sandy)-ma-tsuchi, no-ma-tsuchi, su (sour)-ma-tsuchi, suna-tsuchi, no-tsuchi, and su-tsuchi. These taxa were characterized by bulk density, color, taste, texture, and structure and were related to crop suitability. Tochi-cho was a public land survey record of villages in the Aizu District. Soil descriptions in 209 villages were provided. In Tochi-cho, soils were classified by combining three items, soil type, color, and mixture, and a total of 62 taxa were recognized. The major soil types were no-tsuchi, ma-tsuchi, suna-tsuchi, and “typeless,” and the minor types included neba (sticky)-tsuchi, su-tsuchi, sibu (acerbic)-tsuchi, reki (wet)-tsuchi, kawagomi (river dust)-tsuchi, ara (loose)-tsuchi, and shi (death)-tsuchi. The colors were basically black, white, and red. Soils rich in sand and stone were described as mixtures. The grade of farmland was significantly different for each soil taxon in Tochi-cho. However, the median grades of taxa were in the same order as described in Aizu-nosho. Comparing the location of villages with the topographic map, it was found that the ma-tsuchi taxon is predominantly distributed in the lowlands rather than the mountains and terraces, but vice versa for the no-tsuchi taxon. The location of the soil types does not match the taxa used in current soil maps. This study revealed that farmers in the Aizu District used their senses to classify soils finely and regarded taxa as an indicator of land productivity in the early modern period.
Key words: Aizu District, Aizu-nosho, early modern period, soil classification, Tochi-cho
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 426-436, 2020)
Original Paper
Effect of soil pH change induced by soil conditioners on rice straw decomposition and methane emission from paddy fields in cold regions of Japan
Hiroyuki SHIONO†, Reo SUGAWARA‡ and Katsumi KUMAGAI$
Yamagata Integrated Agricultural Research Center
†Present address: Yamagata prefectural College of Agriculture and Forestry
‡Present address: Yamagata Shonai Area General Branch Administration Office
$Present address: Katakura & Co-op Agri Corporation Miyagi Branch office
Recently, it has been realized that the soil pH of some farmlands in Japan has decreased. Therefore, in this study, we clarified this phenomenon using two soil conditioners, calcium carbonate (CC) and sulfur trioxide (ST). The purpose was to investigate the effects of soil pH changes induced by these conditioners on rice straw decomposition and methane emission from paddy fields in Japan’s cold regions. We applied CC to 10 t ha−1 and ST to 12 t ha−1, and measured methane flux by the closed chamber method in 2015 and 2016. As a result, soil pH reached 7.0 and 5.2 in CC and ST plots, respectively, but remained at 5.5 in the control plot. From October 2014 to April 2015, rice straw decomposition rates in CC, ST, and control plots were 34.5, 27.8, and 31.85%, respectively. The CC plot had the highest methane emission rate. On the other hand, the methane emission rate was the lowest in the ST plot due to sulfate reduction. In 2015, methane emission rates were 37.8, 11.7, and 31.4 g CH4 m−2 in CC, ST, and control plots, respectively. Based on this study, it is important to determine the components of soil conditioners and adjust soil pH so that the decomposition of rice straw and methane emission from paddy fields are balanced.
Key words: methane (CH4), soil pH, calcium carbonate, sulfur trioxide, rice straw
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 437-444, 2020)
Note
Physicochemical properties of vineyard soils and its relationships with wine grape quality in Osaka, Japan
Toshiko MIURA1, Shuji SANO1, †, Yuka MIWA1, Hideo TANIMOTO1 and Yasushi MORI2
1 Research Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka Prefecture
2 Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University
†Setsunan University, Faculty of Agriculture
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 445-450, 2020)
Current Topic
Determination of Ag2S reaction area ratio of silver plating seat and application to paddy soil improvement
Fuminori KANEKO1, †, Saki KANAMARU1, †, Takashi HAYAMI2 and Yasumasa KITTA3
1 JA ZEN-NOH
2 JA ZEN-NOH IWATE
3 JA ZEN-NOH YAMANASHI
† No Belonging
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 451-454, 2020)
Lecture
Pathways and dynamics of phosphorus supply to plants through organic substances
1. Organic mechanisms of phosphate uptake from soil in plants
Yoshihiro KOBAE
Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Rakuno Gakuen University
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 455-463, 2020)
Member’s Plaza
Organizing some terms for evaluation of soil physical properties by soil survey in paddy fields or upland fields converted from paddy fields
Tomoki TAKAHASHI1, Ritsuko FUCHIYAMA2, Sinpei NAKAGAWA3, Norikuni OKA4, Munehiro EBATO5, Hidetoshi MOCHIZUKI6 and Keiko NAKANO7
1 Division of Lowland Farming Research, Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, NARO
2 Division of Agro-Environment Research, Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, NARO
3 Production Conditions Division, Akita Agricultural Experimentation Station
4 Division of Agro-environmental Research, Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, NARO
5 Division of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Central Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO
6 Division of Agro-Environment Research, Western Region Agricultural Research Center, NARO
7 Division of Lowland Farming Research, Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, NARO
(Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 91, 464-466, 2020)