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Plant density and nitrogen (N) input level have notable effects on root development, distribution in the soil profile, and in turn, N-uptake of winter wheat. Our study objectives were to identify whether a high yield can be maintained with a reduced N input by increasing plant density. Field studies were conducted during four successive seasons (2014–2015, 2015–2016, 2016–2017, and 2017–2018) using a widely planted cultivar, Tainong18. Two regimes of N fertilization (180 kg ha−1 and 240 kg ha−1) and three planting densities (135, 270, and 405 plants per m2) were used. Higher plant density led to increased root length density (RLD) and enhanced N uptake from the whole soil profile. The RLD in the soil profile at 0–1.2 m, 0–0.4 m, and 0.4–0.8 m decreased while in the 0.8–1.2 m layer it increased in response to reduced N input. The combined effects of higher plant density and lower N input resulted in reduced N uptake, a lower nitrogen nutrition index (NNI), unchanged grain yield, and improved N use efficiency. In conclusion, it is possible and sustainable to maintain a high wheat yield with reduced N input by increasing plant density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, application of biochar is an important management practice that can affect soil physico-chemical and biological properties. However, biochar is characterized by high pH and ash content, and due to this, little is known of potential salinization risk of application of biochar to soil. Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with three replications comprising five treatments according to application rates of biochar (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg−1 (wt/wt)). The results indicated that application of corn straw biochar to black soil at the rate of 400 g kg−1 resulted in significant increases in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable K+ and soluble K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, and decreases in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable Ca2+ in comparison to untreated soil. Based on stepwise regression analysis, the dominant independent variable that affected soil pH was exchangeable K+ saturation percentage. In addition, EC was significantly positively related to potassium adsorption ratio (PAR). It was concluded that increased soil pH and EC are related to biochar (pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C) with higher concentration of K+ and lower CEC. This is due to increased exchangeable and soluble K+ and decreased soil buffering capacity from high application rate of biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]