• Authors:
    • Tom, C. T.
    • Ngwuta, A. A.
    • Ibeawuchi, I. I.
    • Ogoke, I. J.
    • Onweremadu, E. U.
  • Source: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Soil nutrient and physical status in small holder farms in southeastern Nigeria are subjected to debilitating effects of continuous cropping without adequate efforts towards replenishment and conservation to ensure sustainability of soil resources. Although inorganic fertilizers are quick acting for soil nutrient enhancement, to guarantee soil health they must be used within the context of integrated soil fertility management relative to soil type and other climatic conditions. On the other hand, apart from maintaining required nutrient levels, the use of appropriate crop combinations and arrangements in farmers' fields can improve soil health. Leguminous plants including tree, shrub and annual species have been determined to be useful components in such systems. These species can contribute immensely to soil carbon and other mineral contents in addition to improving soil physical properties. Apart from their high edible protein content, some leguminous seeds also have high phytate content, which should enhance the bioavailability of Zn, making them good nutrient sources in human and animal nutrition. However, indigenous leguminous tree, shrub, and grain legume species are currently underutilized in the common cropping systems on smallholder farms. While tree species are lost through logging, with very limited research toward their improvement, research on grain legumes has been limited in this zone resulting in the loss of indigenous grain species. Low available soil P is another constraint to legume cultivation in this region that has to be addressed through well coordinated agronomic research. Increased and sustainable food production on small holder farms in southeastern Nigeria is possible with improved practices within the prevailing cropping systems. This is achievable with intensive breeding, agronomic and utilization studies on legume species in the cropping systems.
  • Authors:
    • Pawar, A. D.
    • Bhoge, R. S.
  • Source: Annals of Plant Physiology
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The effects of organic and inorganic farming practices on the performance of sorghum were studied in Rahuri, Maharashtra, India, during the rabi season of 2007-08. The treatments consisted of: (T1) farmyard manure (FYM; 10 t/ha); (T2) dhaincha [ Sesbania aculeata] green manure at 10 t/ha; (T3) 75% of the recommended NPK fertilizer rates (RFR) + 3 t FYM/ha + Azospirillum + PSB [phosphate solubilizing bacteria]; (T4) 100% RFR (100:50:50 kg NPK/ha); (T5) farmers' practice (10 kg N + 3 t FYM/ha); and (T6) soyabean-rabi sorghum rotation. T1, T2 and T3 induced early flowering, whereas T4 delayed flowering. T3 resulted in the highest 100-seed weight (35.80 g), grain yield (29.24 quintal/ha), fodder yield (53.14 quintal/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.17). The results indicated that the amount of inorganic fertilizers can be reduced by 25% using organic fertilizers as substitutes. [1.0 quintal=100.0 kg].
  • Authors:
    • Prasad, Y. E.
    • Prasad, V. R.
  • Source: Mysore Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The present investigation is aimed at studying the relative economics of soybean based cropping systems against cotton mono crop in Gottipadu village of Prattipadu mandal in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Regression analysis of soybean. Bengalgram revealed that, all the variables contributed positively but non-significant except plant protection chemicals. Regression analysis of soybean+redgram (inter crop) cropping system revealed that area and plant protection chemicals made positive and significant contribution and machine labour made negative and significant contribution towards the gross returns. Regression analysis of soybean-jowar cropping system revealed that plant protection chemicals made a significant and positive contribution whereas fertilisers made a significant and negative contribution towards gross returns. Regression analysis of cotton revealed that area, seed, manual labour and machine labour made a significant and positive contribution towards the gross returns.
  • Authors:
    • Feltran, J. C.
    • De Castro, C. M.
    • De Almeida, D. L.
    • Valle, Teresa L.
    • Duarte Ribeiro, R. De L.
    • Pries Devide, A. C.
  • Source: Bragantia
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Organic systems were evaluated for cassava root production directed to human comsumption in natura, at Seropedica-RJ. Treatments consisted of: cassava ('IAC 576-70') in single cropping and its intercropping with corn ('Eldorado'), cowpea ('Maua') or corn plus cowpea. The organic management was standardized and the experimental area was submitted to artificial irrigation during the period of stay of maize in the system. "Green" (immature) corn ears were harvested at the "point" required for fresh marketing and the shoot placed on the ground. The cowpea was included to function as green manure being Cut at flowering with residues left on the soil Surface. Corn and cowpea were sown between cassava rows, in an alternate design, following the first weeding of the main crop (cassava). The cultivar IAC 576-70 showed suitability with respect to organic management, yielding approximatelu 31 Mg ha(-1) of marketable roots. No significant differences were detected between cassava single cropping and any of the intercropping tested systems. Thus, corn crop has considerable potential for additional income to the growers. Yield of 'Eldorado' corn averaged 18.125 ears ha(-1) correspponding to 5,1 Mg ha-1. Residues coming from cowpea cutting brought about an input close to 12 Mg ha(-1), which meant an expressive contribution in nutrient elements, especially nitrogen (about 44 kg N ha(-1)). The legume crop, in addition, completely covered cassava inter-rows demonstrating its potential for controlling erosion and weeds. The triple intercropping becomes advantageous considering that corn harvesting would justify irrigation and that inclusion of cowpea meant benefitial effects to the system and did not interfere on cassava yield.
  • Authors:
    • Deshmukh, R. G.
    • Rathod, V. J.
    • Pawar, M. D.
  • Source: Journal of Soils and Crops
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: To study the cropping sequences adopted by farmers in selected area, and study the economics of different cropping sequences, the resource productivity and use efficiency in different cropping sequences this study was undertaken in the three districts of Western Vidarbha viz., Buldhana, Washim and Akola. The study was based on secondary data. The required data were collected from Agricultural Price Scheme (APC) located in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Statistics, Dr. PDKV, Akola. Out of 220 farmers covered by APC scheme in the three districts of Western Vidharbha, the farmers who grew kharif as well as rabi crops in season were purposively selected for study. In all 101 farmers were selected. Cropping pattern followed in the study. In all 101 farmers were selected. Cropping pattern followed in the study area was diversified in nature, cotton, jowar and mung crops dominated the cropping pattern. Other crops like tur, udid, soybean were also grown on selected holdings. Gram and wheat crop occupied 18.12 and 2.89 per cent of gross cropped area. Net return of Cost "C" were observed the highest in cotton-fallow i.e. Rs. 5684.34 followed by Cotton+tur-Fallow Rs. 4052.22 and Soybean-Fallow Rs. 3570.55. The regression analysis indicated that variables viz., area under crop, machine labour, nitrogen were found to be positive and significant. Bullock labour in case of Jowar-Fallow i.e. -1.33* was negative and significant thereby indicating the use of these inputs decrease the values of gross output. The marginal value product (MVP) to factor cost ratio indicate optimum resources use efficiency of a particular input. The ratio of MVP to factor cost for area under crop was found to be greater than unity which inferred that this resource was underutilized in all cropping sequences.
  • Authors:
    • Curi, N.
    • de Oliveira, G. C.
    • Severiano, E. da C.
    • Dias, M. de S.,Jr.
  • Source: Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: With the expansion of the sugar/alcohol sector, the native vegetation was removed from soils with few limitations as well as with great risks for intensive cultivation and the areas incorporated in the production process. Therefore, the adoption of management systems that maintain the soil structure may be a key for the maintenance of the quality and sustainability of sugarcane production systems. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the use potential for sugarcane and structural quality of a Dystrophic Haplic Cambisol (CXvbd) (Inceptisol) and Dystrophic Red-Yellow Latosol (LVAd) (Oxisol), in the county of Goianesia, Goias State. The soils of each area were classified for their use capacity. Disturbed soil samples were collected at depths corresponding to the surface and subsurface diagnostic horizons, for chemical and physical-hydric characterization. Undisturbed samples were collected (from the layers 0-0.05, 0.1-0.15 and 0.3-0.4 m) to determine soil porosity, water retention curves, the least limiting water range and preconsolidation pressure. The evaluation of soils by the land use capacity system indicated that CXvbd belongs to class IVe and LVAd to IIIs. Results of the analysis of the chemical and physical-hydric attributes of the CXvbd indicated that a continuous sugar-cane cultivation, despite the classification as IVe in the use potential system, was due to the adoption of agricultural terraces, aside from the fact that the degrees of soil revolving was lower and of soil cover higher, when sugarcane was harvested green The water availability for plants was highest for CXvbd, which tends to be advantageous for crops. In the study conditions, the LVAd was most susceptible to compaction, which requires limitations of machinery traffic.
  • Authors:
    • Khating, L. E.
    • Shirale, S. T.
  • Source: Annals of Plant Physiology
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted on clay soil (Typic Haplusterts) of MAU, Parbhani during 2002-03 to study the effect of application of organic, inorganic and organic combined with inorganic nutrient sources on yield of various cropping systems, NPK uptake and balance in soil. Recommended dose of fertilizers and combined application of glyricidia @1.5 t ha -1+25% RDF increased grain yield and N, P, K uptake. The highest total grain yield (2335 kg ha -1) was recorded by RDF fallowed by glyricidia @1.5 t ha -1+25% RDF (2213 kg ha -1) and it was at par with each other. The cropping systems sorghum+pigeonpea recorded highest yield (2438 kg ha -1). The maximum N, P and K uptake (142.16, 23.92 and 63.71 kg ha -1 respectively) was recorded with the soybean+pigeonpea cropping system. There, was more buildup of available N, P and K in soil with soybean+pigeonpea cropping system with FYM followed by glyricidia.
  • Authors:
    • Garcia-Oliva, F.
    • Prat, C.
    • Medina-Orozco, L.
    • Mendoza, M. E.
    • Bravo-Espinosa, M.
    • Lopez-Granados, E.
  • Source: Land Degradation & Development
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: In the Transmexican Volcanic Belt a traditional fallow system is practiced, called "ano y vez" (AV), which does not benefit soil conservation due to its low level of nutrient recycling and because soil protection is poor during the cultivation year. The objective of the present work was to measure runoff and soil and nutrient losses during three annual cycles (2002-2004) in Central Mexico under AV rotation and two alternative systems: improved traditional (IT) and traditional organic (TO). Soil losses in the three systems were moderate (
  • Authors:
    • Joshi, O. P.
    • Billore, S. D.
    • Dupare, B. U.
    • Verma, S. K.
  • Source: Soybean Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A study was conducted to visualize the impact of soybean cultivation in the "Soya State", Madhya Pradesh. The data were collected using well-designed interview schedule containing relevant questions on how soybean has affected farmers lifestyle as well as overall farming scenario? Majority of the respondents perceived soybean cultivation as a major driving force for their socio-economic development. A steady increase in the farmers' inclination to grow soybean was observed during the last five decades, while, decreasing their area in traditionally grown crops like sorghum, pigeon pea, groundnut, cotton and black gram. During soybean introduction many changes in the overall farming scenario of Madhya Pradesh have occurred. The change was recorded in the land holding pattern of farmers which revealed that small and marginal farmers have further reduced their land holdings while larger farmers have not only managed their holdings but also added newer areas to their total farm size. The cost of cultivation as well as rates fetched by the soybean showed an upward trend with passage of time during these five decades. An inverse relationship between the labour availability and wages was also observed. The gathered opinion from farmers brought out that fertilizer consumption and insect-load appeared to have increased with time. It seems that in spite the irrigation facilities have increased during these 50 years, particularly that of canal, tube wells and ponds, soybean by and large, remained to be a rainfed crop. However, the farmers have shifted from bullock drawn implements to tractor drawn implements. This led to limiting number of animals with farmers, thereby progressive reduction in the use of manures. Subsequent to the introduction of soybean, the socio-economic status of the farmers has improved.
  • Authors:
    • Fares, A.
    • Ryder, M.
  • Source: Journal of the American Water Resources Association
  • Volume: 44
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2008
  • Summary: A study was conducted to determine the effects of three land covers (sunn hemp - Crotalaria juncea, sudex, a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid - Sorghum bicolor * S. bicolor var. sudanese, and common oats - Avena sativa) planted as vegetative filter strips on the reduction of sediment and nutrient loading of surface runoff within the Kaika-Waialua watershed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Runoff samples were collected and analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), phosphorous, and three forms of nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen). Study results show that during seven out of 10 runoff events, the three cover crop treatments significantly reduced TSS as compared to the fallow treatment. Average removal efficiencies were 85, 77, and 73% for oats, sunn hemp, and sudex, respectively, as compared to the fallow treatment. Nutrient concentrations were low with phosphorous concentrations, lower than 1 (g/ml) for all treatments, and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations below 7 (g/ml) except in the sunn hemp treatment, where TN concentrations were less than 10 (g/ml). Results of analysis of TDS showed that the cover crop treatments did not decrease dissolved solids concentrations in comparison with the fallow treatment. Analysis of nutrient concentrations in runoff samples did not detect any significant decreases in phosphorous, nitrogen, ammonium, or TN concentrations in comparison to the fallow treatment. However, a significant increase in TN concentrations in the sunn hemp treatment was detected and showed the nitrogen fixing capacity of sunn hemp. No treatment effects on runoff volume were detected, and runoff volumes were directly correlated with rainfall amounts showing no crops significantly impacted soil infiltration rates. These results were attributed to extremely low soil hydraulic conductivities (0.0001-7 cm/day at the soil surface, 15 and 30 cm below the soil surface). This study showed that cover crops planted as vegetative filters can effectively reduce sediment loads coming from idle and fallow fields on moderately steep volcanically derived highly weathered soils.