• Authors:
    • Gao, H. W.
    • Liu, L. J.
    • Li, H. W.
    • Wang, Q. J.
    • He, J.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: In the annual double cropping areas of North China Plain, low crop yield and water availability are the main limiting factors to crop production. Conservation tillage has been proposed to improve water conservation and sustain soil productivity. The objectives of the study were to compare conservation tillage (CT) with conventional tillage (CV) under the current double cropping system of corn-winter wheat in the Hebei, North China Plain. The field study consisted of eight conservation tillage treatments and two conventional tillage treatments, with different surface ground cover (0%, 50% and 100%). The tillage treatments consisted of no-till, subsoiling, rototilling and plowing. The CT treatments maintained soil temperatures that were approximately 0.4degreesC greater during cold condition and about 0.5degreesC lower during warm condition at 5 and 10 cm soil depths than the CV treatments, respectively. The greatest differences were achieved by the double no-till system with 100% residue cover treatment in terms of soil temperature and crop growth. Winter wheat yield and water use efficiency (WUE) were improved by 6.7% and 30.1% with CT compared to the CV treatments, and for corn, 8.9% and 6.8%, respectively. We conclude that conservation tillage for the annual double cropping system is feasible, and the double no-till with 100% residue cover is the most effective way of improving crop yields and WUE on the North China Plain.
  • Authors:
    • Reisenauer, P. E.
    • Kennedy, A. C.
    • Stubbs, T. L.
    • Burns, J. W.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Cropping systems in the dryland farming region of eastern Washington State are dominated by winter and spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). Excessive levels of residue may be an obstacle in the adoption of conservation farming systems. Decomposition of cereal crop residues is associated with fiber and nutrient content, and growers have observed differences in decomposition among cultivars; however, little information exists on their residue characteristics. Cultivars of spring barley (SB), spring wheat (SW), and winter wheat (WW) grown at four locations over two crop years were analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), C, and N contents, and winter wheat decomposition was tested in a laboratory incubation study. Acid detergent lignin was highest in spring barley (9.9%), and least in winter wheat (9.2%) and hard white spring wheat (9.5%). Fiber components and nutrient content varied by location, precipitation zone, and cultivar. Residue in the drier year of the study had lower NDF, ADF, ADL, C, and C/N ratio. Foot rot ( Fusarium spp.) - resistant winter wheat cultivars had higher NDF, ADF, and ADL than susceptible cultivars. Laboratory incubation studies showed decomposition of winter wheat straw in soil was correlated with ADF ( R2>0.66, P=0.002) and total N ( R2>0.67, P=0.04). Fiber and nutrient characteristics of residue from wheat and barley cultivars currently produced in the Pacific Northwest can be used to predict residue decomposition in cropping systems that conserve soil and water, and enhance build-up of organic matter.
  • Authors:
    • Suhag, K. S.
    • Kumar, S.
    • Kumar, D.
    • Kumar, N.
  • Source: Haryana Journal of Agronomy
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 1/2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The analysis of secondary data of various districts of Haryana for the period 1996-97 to 2005-06 revealed that both bullock and camel population declined in the wake of farm mechanization across districts, regions and state, while he-buffaloes population increased due to the increased use of carts for transport. The number of both wooden and iron ploughs declined, while those of sugarcane crushers, combine harvesters and bullock carts increased both at intra and inter-regions including state. The use of NPK fertilizers, credit disbursed through primary agricultural cooperative credit societies as well as irrigation intensity though increased across districts, regions and state, yet pesticides consumption declined in eastern region including state. The area under cereals had positive growth rates across districts, regions and state even but at the cost of pulses and oilseeds. Likewise, the area under fruits and vegetables though marginally declined across regions and state yet both increasing and decreasing trends existed across districts and the compound growth rates both for production and productivity of cereals have increased across districts, regions and state. Furthermore, the oilseeds production has declined across districts, regions and state but except for eastern region, the oilseeds productivity increased both in western region and state.
  • Authors:
    • Steinbach, H. S.
    • Alvarez, R.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The Argentine Pampas is one of the most important cropping regions of the World. Limited tillage systems, and specially no-till, had widespread in recent years, occupying actually around 70% of the surface devoted to annual crops. We review results produced in field experiments installed along the Pampas to determine the effect of the adoption of these tillage systems on some soil properties and crops yield. It was performed a meta-analysis of data from experiments where plow tillage (mouldboard plow), reduced tillage (chisel plow, disk plow or harrow disk) and no-till were compared. Treatments effects were contrasted by paired t-tests between groups of paired data. Soil bulk density and cone penetration resistance of the 0-20 cm layer were higher under limited tillage systems than under plow tillage. Increases of bulk density under no-till in comparison to plow tillage were generally small, averaging 4%, but cone penetration increased by 50% in many soils. The increase of bulk density was greater in soils of initial low bulk density. Neither bulk density increases nor cone penetration changes reached critical threshold for roots development. Aggregate stability and water infiltration rate were higher in soils subjected to limited tillage systems than under plow tillage. The improvement of aggregate stability was higher in poorer structured soils, with an average increase of 70% under no-till in relation to plow tillage. Under no-till infiltration rate doubled in average that of plow tillage. Soil water content during the critical periods of sowing and flowering was generally greater under limited tillage but, conversely, nitrate nitrogen levels were greater in plow tillage. Higher soil water content under no-till in relation to plow tillage may satisfied the evapotranspiration demand of 1-3 days of crops during the critical flowering period, being nitrate nitrogen in average 21 kg ha -1 lower under no-till. Soybean ( Glycine max (L.)-Merr.) yield was not affected by tillage system, meanwhile wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and corn ( Zea mays L.) yields were lower under reduced tillage and no-till than under plow tillage without nitrogen fertilization. Wheat and corn no-till yields were 10-14% lower that yields under plow tillage as a mean. When fertilizers were applied, wheat and corn yield differences between tillage treatments generally disappeared. The adoption of limited tillage systems in the Pampas leads to soil improvement but also generates the necessity of increase nitrogen fertilizers utilization to sustain yields of graminaceus crops.
  • Authors:
    • Smith, H. J.
    • Trytsman, G.
    • Bloem, J. F.
  • Source: Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Towards Poverty Alleviation through Sustainable Agriculture
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 1-3
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Farm lands of resource-poor communities in South Africa are depleted of nutrients due to continuous mono-cropping, limited use of fertilisers, and sometimes leaching caused by high rainfall. Despite the well-known advantages of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in cropping systems, less than 10% of the grain crops planted annually in these areas are legumes. Using a participatory research and development approach, resource-poor farmers were introduced to conservation agriculture (CA) practices, including BNF, that promoted zero (or reduced) tillage, increased retention of soil cover, as well as crop diversification. Because crop rotation and intercropping of legumes with cereals are known to contribute to soil fertility while enhancing food security, resource-poor fanners from various Provinces in South Africa were trained on the benefits of legume culture for eight years. As a result, these resource-poor farmers did not only get training in inoculation techniques, but were also supplied with inoculants for use on their farms. Data collected from Farmers Demonstration Trials at Belvedere, Dumbarton and Lusikisiki, showed that the grain and fodder yield of maize planted after legumes, and maize intercropped with legumes, were comparable to those of maize receiving high N fertilizer dose (i.e. 54 kg N at planting and 54 kg N as top-dressing). The same data further showed that Rhizobium inoculation, when combined with application of low levels of P and K. significantly increased crop yields within farmers' trial plots. BNF therefore offers a great opportunity for resource-poor farmers in South Africa to increase their crop yields and thus improve the quality of their livelihoods through the adoption of affordable and sustainable biological technologies that enhance soil fertility.
  • Authors:
    • Jabro, J. D.
    • Sainju, U.
    • Stevens, W. B.
    • Evans, R. G.
  • Source: Journal of Environmental Management
  • Volume: 88
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: Among greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO 2) is one of the most significant contributors to regional and global warming as well as climatic change. A field study was conducted to (i) determine the effect of soil characteristics resulting from changes in soil management practices on CO 2 flux from the soil surface to the atmosphere in transitional land from perennial forages to annual crops, and (ii) develop empirical relationships that predict CO 2 flux from soil temperature and soil water content. The CO 2 flux, soil temperature ( Ts), volumetric soil water content (theta v) were measured every 1-2 weeks in no-till (NT) and conventional till (CT) malt barley and undisturbed soil grass-alfalfa (UGA) systems in a Lihen sandy loam soil (sandy, mixed, frigid Entic Haplustoll) under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions in western North Dakota. Soil air-filled porosity (epsilon) was calculated from total soil porosity and theta v measurements. Significant differences in CO 2 fluxes between land management practices (irrigation and tillage) were observed on some measurement dates. Higher CO 2 fluxes were detected in CT plots than in NT and UGA treatments immediately after rainfall or irrigation. Soil CO 2 fluxes increased with increasing soil moisture ( R2=0.15, P<0.01) while an exponential relationship was found between CO 2 emission and Ts ( R2=0.59). Using a stepwise regression analysis procedure, a significant multiple regression equation was developed between CO 2 flux and theta v, Ts (CO 2 flux=e -3.477+0.123T s+6.381theta v ; R2=0.68, P≤0.01). Not surprisingly, soil temperature was a driving factor in the equation, which accounted for approximately 59% in variation of CO 2 flux. It was concluded that less intensive tillage, such as no-till or strip tillage, along with careful irrigation management will reduce soil CO 2 evolution from land being converted from perennial forages to annual crops.
  • Authors:
    • Jain, L.
    • Kothari, A.
    • Sharma, S.
    • Balyan, J.
    • Jat, M.
  • Source: Journal of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2001-2004 at Dryland Farming Research Station, Arjia, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, India, to study the suitability of different cropping system of maize and land treatments for reducing runoff and soil loss. Among the land treatments, flat sowing and ridging after first inter-cultural operation in maize was found more effective in reducing runoff and soil loss thereby increasing the yield of maize. Whereas, among cropping systems, intercropping of maize+black gram (2:2) was found more effective in reducing runoff and soil loss and thereby increasing crop yields as compared to sole maize and black gram.
  • Authors:
    • Jia, H.
    • Chen, Z.
    • Ma, C.
    • Yang, Q.
    • Liu, Z.
    • Li, G.
  • Source: Nongye Jixie Xuebao = Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: This paper describes the tillage technologies for the tillage system of soil water storage and preservation in the area of dry farming of northern China, with surface mulching, reduced-till and no-till as the core technologies, based on combined operations, to achieve the goal of soil water storage and preservation and improving soil fertility. It summarizes six innovative technologies involving the combined stalk and stubble management technology, in which the stalk and stubble of corn can be broken and partially buried in soil at one time; the universal technology for rototilling and stubble breaking, in which the two operations, can be done on the same blade rotor and disc; the strip reduced-till (no-till) precision seeding technology, in which less-tillage (or only furrowing) is needed in the seed bed; the ridging and film-side furrow sowing technology, in which the ridge is covered with the film and seeds are sowed in the furrow; the mechanical bionic resistance reduction technology, which uses the soil working tool designed based on bionics; and the no-till planting and blockage prevention technology, in which no-till planting is conducted in the residue free seed bed. It also shows the composition diagram of the farming system.
  • Authors:
    • Currie, R. S.
    • Klocke, N. L.
    • Stone, L. R.
  • Source: Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2008: Ahupua'A
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: A field study was conducted near Garden City, Kansas to measure corn grain yield response to a range of rates from full to deficit irrigation. The contributions of antecedent stored soil water to crop water use were determined from soil water measurements near the beginning and the end of the growing season. Above average winter precipitation contributed to pre-plant soil water accumulations and deficit irrigation caused more growing season stored soil water use. Field results were compared with the Crop Water Yield (CWY) predictions of field results. Correlation of relative yields from field results and the CWY simulation were good, showing that the CWY has potential to be used as a management tool to screen potential irrigation scheduling scenarios for deficit irrigation.
  • Authors:
    • Munir, A.
    • Ramzan, M.
    • Mann, R. A.
  • Source: International Journal of Agriculture & Biology
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: Wheat and rice are the major food staples around the globe including Pakistan. The challenge of increasing food production in the next 20 years to match population growth is daunting and warrants improvement in the quality of natural resources for growing more food from marginal and degraded lands. Cost of cultivation must be reduced and at the same time, efficiency of resources like irrigation water, fuel, fertilizers must be improved to make the crop production system more viable and eco-friendly. Resource Conserving Technology (RCT) must figure highly in this equation since it plays a crucial role in achieving the above goals. The RCTs include laser land leveling, zero-tillage, bed furrow irrigation method and crop residue management. These technologies were evaluated in irrigated areas of Punjab province where rice follows wheat. Water use efficiency was increased by 20% in laser leveled fields. Zero-tillage technology resulted in a significant saving of irrigation water (22%), fuel (78%), cultivation (88%) and herbicide use (33%) compared to conventional, thus increasing yields and farmer's profits. Soil properties and microbial population including bacteria, fungi and actinomyces improved in the zero-till fields. Planting of wheat on raised beds is making headway in low-lying and poorly drained areas. Thus, resource conservation tillage technology provides a tool for making progress towards improving and sustaining wheat production, helping with food security and poverty alleviation in Pakistan in the next few decades.