Search Results (15)

The agricultural sector faces growing pressure to enhance productivity and sustainability, prompting innovation in machinery design. Traditional materials such as steel still dominate but are a cause of increased weight, soil compaction, increased fuel consumption, and corrosion. Composite materials—and, more specifically, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs)—offer appealing alternatives due to their high specific strength and stiffness, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility. Meanwhile, increasing environmental awareness has triggered interest in biocomposites, which contain natural fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, straw) and/or bio-based resins (e.g., PLA, biopolyesters), aligned with circular economy principles. This review offers a comprehensive overview of synthetic composites and biocomposites for agricultural machinery and equipment (AME). It briefly presents their fundamental constituents—fibers, matrices, and fillers—and recapitulates relevant mechanical and environmental properties. Key manufacturing processes such as hand lay-up, compression molding, resin transfer molding (RTM), pultrusion, and injection molding are discussed in terms of their applicability, benefits, and limits for the manufacture of AME. Current applications in tractors, sprayers, harvesters, and planters are covered in the article, with advantages such as lightweighting, corrosion resistance, flexibility and sustainability. Challenges are also reviewed, including the cost, repairability of damage, and end-of-life (EoL) issues for composites and the moisture sensitivity, performance variation, and standardization for biocomposites. Finally, principal research needs are outlined, including material development, long-term performance testing, sustainable and scalable production, recycling, and the development of industry-specific standards. This synthesis is a practical guide for researchers, engineers, and manufacturers who want to introduce innovative material solutions for more efficient, longer lasting, and more sustainable agricultural machinery. Full article

Straw mulching cultivation technology can improve the soil environment of farmland, and it is applied in the dry farming area of Northwestern China. There are few studies on the effect of corn straw mulching on the soil temperature and yield of potato fields in dry land in Northwestern China. In this paper, three treatments, black film ridge (HM), corn straw mulching mechanized no-tillage planting (JG) and no-covering open field flat planting (CK), were set up in the period of 2022 to 2023. A field plot experiment was carried out to determine the soil temperature, growth index, and yield data during the key growth period. The statistical analysis results show that JG and HM significantly increased the potato yield, by 12.27~18.30% and 13.09~18.10%, compared with CK, but there was no significant difference between JG and HM. The yield was significantly positively correlated with tuber weight per plant at the tuber expansion stage, starch accumulation stage, and harvest stage (0.47 *~0.60 **), and significantly negatively correlated with the number of tubers at the harvest stage (−0.54 *). Compared with CK, HM increased the average soil temperature over the whole growth period by 0.27~0.92 °C. In 2022, the increase in the 5 cm soil layer in the tuber expansion period was the largest, reaching 0.83 °C. In 2023, the increase in the 5 cm soil layer in the starch accumulation period was the largest, reaching 3.08 °C. JG reduced the soil temperature over the whole growth period by 0.52 °C, and the 20 cm soil layer in the tuber formation period decreased the most, reaching 1.45 °C, which aggravated the soil temperature change over the whole growth period (the amplitude was 4.13~4.53 °C). The temperature difference between day and night in different growth periods in 2022 was 2.14~5.41 °C, and the soil temperature in some growth periods in 2022 even exceeded that with HM. The results showed that JG could regulate soil temperature and optimize the relationship between tuber weight per plant, tuber number per plant, and biomass allocation during tuber formation, which are beneficial for the improvement of the potato yield in the dry farming area of Northwestern China. Full article

To explore the yield-increasing mechanism of mechanized potato planting with corn straw mulching, a two-year (2021 and 2022) field experiment was conducted to study the effects of mechanized no-tillage with straw mulching on potato yield and water use efficiency. This experiment included mechanized no-tillage potato planting with corn straw mulch covering (JG), plastic film mulching (HM), and open flat planting (CK). The results showed that mechanical no-tillage with straw mulching significantly affected soil water content in the 0–100 cm soil layer, yield, and water use efficiency (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in yield between JG and HM, but it was significantly higher than that of CK. The yield of JG was 3.09~12.27% higher than that of CK. The yield increase was mainly achieved by increasing the potato weight per plant (0.697~0.862 **) and the average single potato weight (0.048~0.631). The tuber weight per plant was positively correlated with the plant height at the seedling stage (0.03~0.92 **) and positively correlated with the dry weight of stems and leaves at the tuber expansion stage and starch accumulation stage (0.74 **~0.95 **). It was negatively correlated with the number of branches at the tuber formation stage (−0.33~−0.88 **). Compared with CK, JG could significantly improve the water use efficiency of potatoes and reduce water consumption during the whole growth period of crops. In 2021, JG was 6.5% higher than CK, and HM was 6.88% lower than CK. In 2022, JG and HM increased water use efficiency by 26.17% and 14.50% compared with CK. When HM is applied in heavy soil areas, soil compaction can easily occur, which affects seedling emergence and reduces yield. At the same time, JG has strong adaptability to soil types and good yield stability. It can be seen that JG is a green and efficient mechanized potato cultivation technology suitable for dry farming areas. Full article

Straw covering is a protective tillage measure in agricultural production, but there is relatively little research on the allelopathic effects of corn straw on weeds and foxtail millet. This experiment studied the allelopathic effects of corn straw on four weeds (Chenopodium album, Setaria viridis, Echinochloa crus-galli and Amaranthus retroflexus) in foxtail millet fields, and also measured the growth indicators of foxtail millet. The study consisted of Petri dish and field experiments. Five treatments were used in the Petri dish experiment: clear water as control (0 g/L, TCK) and four types of corn straw water extracts. They were, respectively, the stock solution (100 g/L, T1), 10 X dilution (10 g/L, T2), 50 X dilution (2 g/L, T3), and 100 X dilution (1 g/L, T4) of corn straw water extracts. Additionally, seven treatments were set up in the field experiment, consisting of three corn straw covering treatments, with covering amounts of 3000 (Z1), 6000 (Z2) and 12,000 kg/ha (Z3), and four control treatments—one treatment with no corn straw cover (CK) and three treatments involving the use of a black film to create the same shading area as the corn straw covered area, with black film coverage areas of 50% (PZ1), 70% (PZ2), and 100% (PZ3), respectively. The results showed that the corn straw water extract reduced the germination rate of the seeds of the four weeds. The T1 treatment resulted in the allelopathic promotion of C. album growth but the inhibition of S. viridis, E. crus-galli, and A. retroflexus growth. Treatments T2, T3, and T4 all induced the allelopathic promotion of the growth of the four weeds. The order of the effects of the corn straw water extracts on the comprehensive allelopathy index of the four weed seeds was as follows: C. album > S. viridis > A. retroflexus > E. crus-galli. With an increase in the corn straw mulching amount, the density and total coverage of the four weeds showed a gradual downward trend, whereas the plant control effect and fresh weight control effect showed a gradual upward trend. All indices showed the best results under 12,000 kg/ha of mulching and returning to the field. Overall, corn straw coverage significantly impacted the net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate of foxtail millet and increased the yield of foxtail millet. Under coverages of 6000 and 12,000 kg/ha, the growth of foxtail millet is better. Based on our findings, we recommend a corn straw coverage of 12,000 kg/ha for the allelopathic control of weeds in foxtail millet fields. Full article

Tillage modes and straw returning influence soil aggregate stability and the distribution of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in aggregates of different particle sizes. In the typical hilly regions of southwest China, the predominant soil type is purple soil, characterized by heavy texture and high stickiness, with relatively lower soil fertility compared to other soil types. The improper use of fertilizers and field management practices further exacerbates soil compaction. However, abundant straw resources in the region provide an opportunity for comprehensive straw utilization. The effective utilization of straw resources is of significant importance for stabilizing agricultural ecological balance, improving resource utilization efficiency, and alleviating ecological pressure. Previously, most studies have focused on the impact of different mechanized tillage systems on the physical and chemical properties of soil in hilly areas, while research on the preservation of water-stable aggregates’ organic C and N content remains limited. In this study, the soil properties of fields under a winter pea–summer corn rotation for two years were studied with regards to the effects of straw returning on its water-stable aggregate distribution, macroaggregate content (R_0.25), mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and the organic C and N content in soil aggregates of different particle sizes and at different depths. The effects of five different tillage modes were assessed, namely rotary tillage with straw mixed retention (RTM), conventional tillage with straw burial retention (CTB), no-tillage with straw covered retention (NTC), subsoiling with straw covered retention (STC), and no-tillage without straw retention (NT). Based on the study results, under different tillage modes, straw returning effectively enhanced the soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) reserves at the plow layer (0–30 cm), SOC increased by 17.2% to 88%, and TN increased by 8.6% to 85.9%. At the same time, the content of 0.25–2 mm aggregates increased under the straw-return treatments under different tillage patterns. The NT treatment had the lowest R_0.25 and MWD and GMD values for soil aggregates at different depths, which were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the other treatment modes. The correlation coefficients between SOC and soil aggregate stability indices ranged from 0.68 to 0.90, with most of them showing highly significant positive correlations (p < 0.01). In conclusion, straw returning under different tillage systems has improved soil aggregate stability and promoted soil structure stability. Specifically, the STC treatment has shown more pronounced effects on soil improvement in the upper soil layer of the hilly regions in southwest China, while the RTM treatment is beneficial for improving the lower soil layer. Therefore, the comprehensive experimental results indicate that the combination of STC and RTM treatments represents the most promising mechanized tillage and straw returning practices for the hilly regions in southwest China. Full article

In response to the issues of high cost, limited detection accuracy, and significant measurement errors inherent in conventional manual techniques used to measure straw cover weight under the conservation tillage method, a dedicated straw cover weight detection machine was developed in the current study. This machine included a critical straw suction device that utilizes negative pressure to collect straw within a defined area. The efficiency of straw collection is affected by suction chamber structural parameters and transport pressure. With crushed corn straw as the research subject, the theoretical calculation of straw suspension velocity was used to determine the wind duct diameter, perform the initial design of the suction chamber structure, and select the appropriate fan. After conducting preliminary experiments, single-factor optimization tests, and orthogonal rotation experiments, we analyzed the flow field distribution patterns and identified the critical parameters for the straw cover weight suction unit. We found that the fan should operate at a speed of 2900 r/min, the diameter of the straw outlet should be 200 mm, the vertical height of the suction chamber should be 536 mm, and the bottom diameter of the suction chamber should be 800 mm. The optimization results were validated through simulation tests and bench tests, yielding an average near-ground airflow velocity of v_j = 9.03 m/s and an average outlet airflow velocity of v_o = 34.27 m/s, meeting the basic requirements of the suction unit. This study could provide a new approach and technical support for the automated detection of straw cover weight in conservation tillage areas. Full article

Subsoiling is an effective practice to promote better soil water infiltration and crop growth. The information regarding the variation and persistence of subsoiling effects with different soil disturbance on soil properties and crop growth was absent in previous research. In this study, the effects of wing mounting height (h) (75–155 mm) during subsoiling on soil disturbance at various layers, soil properties and crop performance were investigated using in situ field experiments from 2019 to 2021 in winter wheat–summer maize rotations. The experimental field soil was covered with crop stubble and crop straw was removed before subsoiling or sowing the next crop. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess different subsoiling treatment effects on tested variables, including soil moisture content, bulk density, plant diameter, plant height, dry root weight, root number, yield, and yield components of crops. Means between subsoiling treatments were compared using Duncan’s multiple range tests. Based on ANOVA outputs, the h significantly (p < 0.05) affected soil moisture content in the first growing season of winter wheat (WW1), soil bulk density, number of roots and panicle number and grain yield of WW1, and thousand kernel weight (TKW) of both WW1 and summer maize (SM). Decreasing h overall gave better soil properties and crop performance. Decreased subsoiling effects were found on aspects of insignificant difference in subsequent grain yield of SM and winter wheat in the second growing season (WW2). These findings had implications for designing higher-performance winged subsoilers, as well as selection of subsoiling frequency. Full article

Given an increasing trend in slaughter and chilling for the sale of chickens in China, it is important to determine the marketable age of chickens for chilled sales. This study determined the effects of two marketable ages on the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality of yellow-feathered chickens. A total of 360 healthy one-day-old male Xueshan chickens were raised in six pens (straw-covered floor, numbered 1 to 6) and treated in the same manner (free access to food and water) until day 100. Sixty chickens from pens numbered 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 were selected to determine the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality at two slaughter ages (90 and 100 days), respectively. One hundred-day-old chickens had a higher body slope, cockscomb, keel, shank lengths, and higher live and dressed weights (p < 0.05). The abdomen skin follicle density, a*(redness) and b*(yellowness) values were higher in 100-day-old chickens (p < 0.05), whereas the 90-day-old chickens were characterized by better spotted skin. For the breast muscle, pH, shear force, a*, moisture, and protein and intramuscular fat contents were lower; moreover, L*(lightness) and b* were higher in 90-day-old chickens. In leg muscles, the pH, shear force, L*, b* and collagen content were lower; furthermore, the a* and moisture contents were higher in 90-day-old chickens (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that two marketable ages both have pros and cons, but 90 days chickens perform better on carcass appearance, and producers can adjust the marketable age to meet needs of different consumers. This study provides a unique idea and theoretical reference for breeding and marketing yellow-feathered chickens. Full article

Cultivating cereals in monoculture systems contributes to the decrease in grain yield and quality. Currently, under Mediterranean climate conditions of Tunisia, wheat mono-cropping covers more than 70% of cereal areas. In order to reveal the impact of this practice on cereal productivity, five improved durum wheat cultivars (Karim, Khiar, Om Rabiaa, Razzek, and Maali) were conducted under two conditions of previous wheat crop: one-year wheat previous crop (W) and two successive years (W-W). Then, they were assessed for grain yield (GY), yield components (NKS, TKW, NS), straw yield, harvest index (SY, HI), and grain quality parameters during three consecutive cropping seasons (2017, 2018, and 2019). The results showed significant effects of cropping season for all measured parameters, except thousand kernel weight (TKW). A significant effect (p < 0.05) of Pre-Crop was observed on yield components. However, grain yield (GY) was improved after one-year wheat Pre-Crop (W) (4082.3 kg ha⁻¹) more than after two years (W-W) (3277.3 kg ha⁻¹). Our results show that, based on the three-year experiment, almost all yield related traits were significantly affected by the genotype except HI and NS. The highest GYs were recorded for Om Rabiaa (4010.4 kg ha⁻¹) and Nasr (3765.76 kg ha⁻¹). All grain quality was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by cropping season, but only gluten content (GC) and vitreousness aspect (Vit A) were affected by genotype. On the other hand, the Pre-Crop W-W decreased grain protein concentration (GPC) (12.13%) and GC (22.14%) but no significant effect was observed on the Vit A of grain in our study. Furthermore, GY was positively correlated with HI (r = 0.64), NKS (r = 0.59), SN (r = 0.49), GPC (r = 0.23), and GC (r = 0.23). According to stability analysis, the Karim cultivar is the most stable genotype in wheat mono-cropping for GY and straw yield (SY). Altogether, this study provides useful information for farmers on how to produce a satisfactory yield for durum wheat cultivation under mono-cropping wheat conditions in the sub-humid environment of the Mediterranean climate of Tunisia. Full article

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) are widely used cover crops. This experiment investigated the potential of white clover (WC), ryegrass (RG), and fallow (FL) to inhibit the growth of weeds and the effect of their residue return to the field on subsequent crops in a cover crop-corn rotation system. Furthermore, we designed pot experiments to guide the scientific application of WC and RG. The results showed that the FL treatment had the highest mean weed biomass in two years (11.99 t ha⁻¹) and the RG treatment recorded the lowest mean weed biomass in two years (2.04 t ha⁻¹) as its early growth rate and aerial root cover. The combination of rotary tillage (RT) and WC recorded the highest total corn yield in two years (20.20 t ha⁻¹) and an increase of 2.84% in the two-year average biomass of weeds compared to RT-FL. Compared to RT-FL, RT-RG treatments inhibited weed invasion by an average of 73%, but corn yield was reduced by 3.25%. Straw and soil ratios above 6:100 for RG resulted in stunted corn growth, including a reduction in fresh weight and chlorophyll content, and impaired photosynthesis, but this effect was not evident in WC treatment. From an ecological point of view, this study recommends RT-RG as a pre-crop for corn to reduce herbicide use. Full article

The present study investigated the effects of cultivation practices on grain (oats) yield and yield components, such as straw yield, harvest index, thousand kernel weight, and plant lodging. In addition, multi-element composition and isotopic signature (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) of the oat grains were studied. The spring oat cultivar ‘Noni’ was grown in a long-term field experiment during 2015–2020, using three management practices: control without organic amendment, incorporation of manure every third year and incorporation of crop residues/cover crop in the rotation. Synthetic nitrogen (N) (0, 55, 110 and 165 kg/ha) was applied during oat development in each system. Multi-element analysis of mature grains from two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) was performed using EDXRF spectroscopy, while stable isotope ratios of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were obtained using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (EA/IRMS). The results show how cultivation practices affect yield components and isotopic and elemental signatures. Increasing the N rate improved both the oat grain and straw yields and increased susceptibility to lodging. The results show how the elemental content (Si, Ca, Zn, Fe, Ti, Br and Rb) in the oat grains were influenced by intensification, and a noticeable decrease in elemental content at higher N rates was the result of a dilution effect of increased dry matter production. The mean δ¹⁵N values in oat grains ranged from 2.5‰ to 6.4‰ and decreased with increasing N rate, while δ¹³C values ranged from −29.9‰ to –28.9‰. Based on the δ¹⁵N values, it was possible to detect the addition of synthetic N above an N rate of 55 kg/ha, although it was impossible to differentiate between different management practices using stable isotopes. Full article

Geopolymer concrete (GC) is a substantial sort that is created by utilizing metakaolin, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fumes, fly ash, and other cementitious materials as binding ingredients. The current study concentrated on the structural behavior of the ferrocement geopolymer HSC-columns subjected to axial loading and produced using rice straw ash (RSA). The major goal of this research was to use the unique features of the ferrocement idea to manufacture members that function as columns bearing members. As they are more cost-effective and lower in weight, these designed elements can replace traditional RC members. The study also intended to reduce the cost of producing new parts by utilizing low-cost materials such as light weight expanded and welded wire meshes, polyethylene mesh (Tensar), and fiber glass mesh. For this purpose, an experimental plan was conducted and a finite element prototype with ANSYS2019-R1 was implemented. Nine geopolymer ferrocement columns of dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 1600 mm with different volume-fraction and layers as well as a number of metallic and nonmetallic meshes were examined under axial compression loading until failure. The performance of the geopolymer columns was examined with consideration to the mid-span deflection, ultimate failure load, first crack load with various phases of loading, the cracking patterns, energy absorption and ductility index. Expanded or welded ferrocement geopolymer columns showed greater ultimate failure loads than the control column. Additionally, using expanded or welded columns had a considerable effect on ultimate failure loads, where the welded wire mesh exhibited almost 28.10% compared with the expanded wire mesh. Columns reinforced with one-layer of nonmetallic Tensar-mesh obtained a higher ultimate failure load than all tested columns without concrete cover spalling. The analytical and experimental results were in good agreement. The results displayed an accepted performance of the ferrocement geopolymer HSC-columns. Full article

Wildfire heavily impacts the quality of forest soils, and the precipitation occurring immediately after fire can determine high runoff and erosion rates, which may lead to noticeable soil degradation. Mulching is commonly used to limit the hydrological impacts of wildfire and climate, but this post-fire management technique may alter the erosion–deposition dynamics at the hillslope scale and, consequently, alter soil quality. In order to explore the magnitude and significance of these changes (little was studied in the literature until now), this communication reports the first results of a field activity that evaluated the changes in soil quality in areas affected by a wildfire and subjected to different post-fire treatments in Mediterranean forests. The main properties of sediments eroded from burned and untreated soils, and mulched soils (using a straw dose of 0.2 kg/m² of dry weight), were measured after the first rainstorm (height of 37 mm and maximum intensity of 11.6 mm h⁻¹) occurring two months after a wildfire (occurred on 30 June 2016) in a pine forest of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). This event produced a runoff volume of 0.07 ± 0.02 mm in mulched soils and 0.10 ± 0.10 mm in non-mulched soils; soil loss was 0.20 ± 0.06 g/m² in the mulched area and 0.60 ± 0.60 g/m² in the non-mulched area. In comparison to burned and non-treated areas, this study showed: (i) increases in salinity, and reductions in organic matter, nutrients, nitrates, and micro-elements in burned and untreated soils; (ii) reductions in runoff (−20%) and in soil erosion (−60%) as a result of mulch cover; (iii) effectiveness of mulching in limiting the declines in soil quality detected in burned and eroded areas; and (iv) transport of low amounts (less than 10–15%) of some compounds (organic matter and nutrients) downstream of the fire-affected areas (both mulched and untreated). Phosphorous runoff toward valley areas and nitrate incorporation into the soil, detected in both mulched and untreated areas, require attention, since these processes may cause eutrophication of water bodies or nitrate pollution in groundwater. Full article

This experiment aimed to use dietary sources containing phytonutrients (PTN) such as mangosteen peel powder (MSP) and banana flower powder (BFP) as sources of phytonutrients. Four swamp buffalo bulls fitted with rumen fistulae were used as experimental animals. A digestion trial covering four periods was used according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four treatments: Treatment 1 (T1) = control (Cont), T2 = supplementation of PTN1 fed at 100 g/d, T3 = supplementation of PTN2 fed at 100 g/d, and T4 = supplementation of PTN3 fed at 100 g/d. The experiment was conducted for four periods; each period lasted for 21 days. All animals were fed a concentrate mixture at 0.5% body weight, while rice straw, water, and mineral blocks were fed ad libitum. The findings revealed significant increases in the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), while no changes in dry matter feed consumption occurred due to PTN supplementation. Rumen fermentation end-products, such as total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), propionic acid (C₃), and butyric acid (C₄), were notably enhanced (p < 0.05) and there were the highest in PTN2 and PTN3, whilst acetic acid (C₂) was significantly decreased with PTN supplementation groups. Furthermore, the rumen protozoal population was suppressed (p < 0.05), which resulted in decreased rumen methane production (p < 0.05), while the bacterial population was enhanced. Using PTN sources can improve rumen fermentation as well as mitigating rumen methane production. Full article

In North China, row spacing is the most common planting pattern used for winter wheat. Currently, there are three sowing and tillage methods for row spacing: rotary tillage sowing with straw return (RTS), subsoil tillage sowing with straw return (DTS), and no-tillage sowing with straw return (NTS). Recently, Hao proposed a new sowing pattern called uniform broadcast sowing with straw return (BSS) which could increase winter wheat yield. In this research, a field experiment was conducted during the growing seasons in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Jimai 22 was sowed with the four seeding and tillage methods—RTS, DTS, NTS, and BSS—at the China Agriculture University Wuqiao experimental station in the North China Plain. After tillage sowing and determining the sowing efficiency, the effective cover ratio of the seeds was measured, and the emergence ratio was calculated after emergence. In the two growing seasons, the growth and development stages were recorded. The dry matter accumulation (DMA), the yield, and the yield components (spikes per hectare, kernels per spike, and kernel weight) were also determined. We also measured the canopy structure leaf area index (LAI) and the stand uniformity. The results showed that BSS had the lowest emergence rate and lowest plant stands when compared with the other treatments. However, BSS had the highest grain yield at 7599.0 kg·ha⁻¹ and 9763.3 kg·ha⁻¹, which was 11.55, 16.17, 20.16% and 13.01, 15.68, 21.88% higher than DTS, RTS, and NTS in the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 growing seasons, respectively. The improved grain yield of BSS was due to the increased productive tillers per hectometer-squared, which was attributed to the higher stand uniformity. More importantly, the increased tillers per hectare and grain yield were not accompanied by a reduction in grain number per spike or grain weight. The stand uniformity could facilitate canopy construction and population architecture and result in more even sunlight distribution, increased leaf area index (LAI) and sunlight interception, and enhanced photosynthetic activity. The stand uniformity also could increase both the pre-anthesis and post-anthesis DMA and promote the harvest index (HI). This study indicates that BSS is the most suitable sowing method for winter wheat production in North China. Full article