• Authors:
    • Begue, A.
    • Dubreuil, V.
    • Meirelles, M.
    • Arvor, D.
    • Shimabukuro, Y. E.
  • Source: Applied Geography
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The Amazonian state of Mato Grosso is the main production area for soybeans in Brazil and contains 31.3% of the national production as of 2009. The rapid evolution of the agricultural systems in this area shows that the region is experiencing a rapid agricultural transition. In this paper, we broke down this transition process into three steps: crop expansion, agricultural intensification and ecological intensification. We used remote sensing products to develop and compute satellite-derived indices describing the main agricultural dynamics during the cropping years from 2000-2001 to 2006-2007. Our results indicated that Mato Grosso is continuing to expand its agricultural sector, with a 43% increase in the net cropped area during the study period. Although this expansion mainly occurred in the cerrado ecoregion until the early 2000s, the forest ecoregion is experiencing expansion at this time. We observed that 65% of the crop expansion in Mato Grosso from 2000 to 2006 occurred in this ecoregion. However, we did not identify this crop expansion as the major driver of deforestation in Mato Grosso because only 12.6% of the cleared areas were directly converted into croplands. Agricultural intensification also evolved rapidly, as the proportion of the net cropped area cultivated with double cropping systems harvesting two successive commercial crops (i.e., soybean and corn or soybean and cotton) increased from 6% to 30% during the study period. Finally, we found that ecological intensification occurred because the region's farmers planted a non-commercial crop (i.e., millet or sorghum) after the soybean harvest to prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, break pest cycles, maintain soil moisture and set the conditions for high-quality no-tillage operations. In 2006-2007, 62% of the net cropped area was permanently covered by crops during the entire rainy season. This practice allowed the farmers to diversify their production, as shown by the positive evolution of the Area Diversity Index. Future scholars can use the method proposed in this paper to improve their understanding of the forces driving the agricultural dynamics in Mato Grosso.
  • Authors:
    • Pinto, C.
    • Sizenando Filho, F.
    • Cysne, J.
    • Pitombeira, J.
  • Source: Revista Verde de Agroecologia e Desenvolvimento Sustentavel
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted in Ceara, Brazil, to study the response of castor bean intercropping with sesame, cotton, maize and cowpea under dryland conditions. The intercropping indices evaluated were LER, LEC, ATER, mean of LER and ATER, SPI, CoR, RCC, CR, A and ALY. Castor beans and intercrops had reductions in yield. Based on the LER, LEC, CRA, AYL and CoR in the intercropping systems, the castor bean + maize treatment was the most advantageous under dryland farming. Based on the A and ALY indices, castor bean was dominated by sesame, cotton, maize and cowpea. The castor bean, cotton, sesame and castor bean, castor bean, maize treatments showed yield stability, which was characterized by the productivity index of the system (SPI).
  • Authors:
    • Strickland, G. L.
    • Epplin, F. M.
    • Varner, B. T.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The majority of cropland in the Southwest Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics District is tilled and seeded to continuous monoculture winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study was conducted to determine the expected yield and expected net returns of wheat, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], under two production systems, no-till (NT) and tilled (TL), and to determine the most risk-efficient system. The effect of tillage was investigated over 6 yr at Altus, OK, on a Hollister silty clay loam (fine, smectitic, thermic Typic Haplusterts) soil. Wheat and cotton yields were not different between tillage systems. Sorghum NT yielded significantly more than TL sorghum (P <= 0.05). Wheat NT produced the greatest expected net return to land, labor, overhead, and management ($217 ha(-1) yr(-1)). Tilled grain sorghum was the least profitable system (-$42 ha(-1) yr(-1)). Wheat NT required additional expenditures for herbicides ($15 ha(-1)), less for machinery fuel, lube, and repairs ($22 ha(-1)), and less ($23 ha(-1)) for machinery fixed costs. Net returns were slightly greater ($18 ha(-1)) for NT wheat than for TL wheat. However, since NT wheat yields were more variable, TL wheat may be preferred by risk-averse producers. Estimated machinery labor savings from switching from TL to NT wheat were 0.588 h ha(-1) or 609 h yr(-1) for a 1036 ha farm. The decision to switch from TL to NT wheat depends on risk preferences, and on the potential to use saved labor productively elsewhere, or to farm more land.
  • Authors:
    • Ferrari, J. V.
    • Furlani Junior, E.
    • Ferrari, S.
    • Pereira, G. A.
  • Source: SEMINA-CIENCIAS AGRARIAS
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Nitrogen application on the cover and the maintenance of straw, conducted by direct seeding, should meet the needs of agriculture and promote soil conservation. This study evaluates the effect of pre-sowing nitrogen application in cotton crops and cover crops by direct seeding, on the development and yield of cotton. It was conducted in the municipality of Selviria-MS during the agricultural years 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08. The experimental design used was a randomized block design consisting of three cover crops (forage turnip, black oat and white oat) and four nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg of N ha -1) in pre-sowing of cotton. In April 2006, April 2007 and April 2008, the assessments of plant development and also harvesting of the experimental plots of cotton cultivars were conducted. The results showed that after planting the cover crops, the yield and development and the heights of cotton plants increased with the use of pre-sowing N of 90 kg ha -1, also showing that the forage turnip is a coverage plant that provides increased cotton.
  • Authors:
    • Sawargaonkar, G. L.
    • Gadade, G. D.
    • Shinde, V. S.
    • Gokhale, D. N.
    • Zade, K. K.
  • Source: Journal of Cotton Research and Development
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field studies were carried out at Department of Agronomy, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani during, 2007 to 2010 to explore the suitability of different soil moisture conservation and integrated nutrient management (INM) techniques in relation to yield and economics of Bt cotton under rainfed conditions. The results revealed that opening of furrow in alternate row recorded significantly highest seed cotton yield (2758, 2214 and 1452 kg/ha) as compared to cotton+straw mulching (2421, 2003 and 1233 kg/ha) and intercropping of cotton with soybean (2036, 1626 and 1106 kg/ha) treatments during the three year of experimentation respectively. However, intercropping of cotton+soybean recorded significantly highest seed cotton equivalent yield and thereby net returns and B:C ratio over wheat straw mulch and opening of furrow in alternate row. As regards to integrated nutrient management (INM) 100 per cent calculated RDF (100:50:30 N, P 2O 5 and K 2O kg/ha)+micronutrients (zinc, iron and boron) based on soil test recorded significantly highest seed cotton yield as compared to all other INM treatments. However, application of RDF with soil testing (75 per cent N, P 2O 5 and K 2O kg/ha through inorganic+25 per cent N, P 2O 5 and K 2O kg/ha through vermicompost) was next best treatment which recorded significantly highest seed cotton yield over rest of the treatments.
  • Authors:
    • Taxi, Z.
    • Song, F.
    • Yishake, H.
    • Yu, T.
    • Shi, Y.
  • Source: Journal of Northeast Forestry University
  • Volume: 39
  • Issue: 10
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A study was conducted to discuss the spatial distribution of root system of jujube trees in jujube-crop intercropping system in Aksu by the layered digging method, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of root water uptake model for jujube trees, the analysis of ecological characteristics of water, and the determination of application area. Results showed that, in the vertical direction, in the jujube-wheat intercropping system, the jujube roots distributed in the 0-80 cm soil layer, accounting for 82.55% of root biomass and 74.87% of root length density, while in the jujube-cotton intercropping system, the jujube roots distributed in the 0-90 cm soil layer, accounting for 82.66% of root biomass and 66.75% of root length density; in the horizontal direction, in the jujube-wheat intercropping system, the jujube roots distributed in 0-100 cm away from the jujube tree, accounting for 82.10% of root biomass and 56.99% of root length density, while in the jujube-cotton intercropping system, the jujube roots distributed in 0-150 cm away from the jujube tree, accounting for 81.46% of root biomass and 83.80% of root length density. The distribution regularity of root length density of different root diameter classes and total root length density was consistent. Roots of 0- to 1.0-mm root diameter class mainly distributed in the 0-80 cm soil layer and 0-150 cm away from the jujube tree, and the root length density decreased with increasing soil depth and distance from the tree (horizontal direction). Regression equations explaining the relationships between total root length density or total root biomass and the horizontal distance from the tree and soil depth were established.
  • Authors:
    • [Anonymous]
  • Source: Australian Cottongrower
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: This issue is divided into 10 sections covering various aspects of the Australian cotton industry, such as production, irrigation and drainage, research and extension and processing and marketing. The various national and regional organizations and the companies that service the Australian cotton industry are also pointed out.
  • Authors:
    • Norris, B.
    • Harkins, H.
    • Burmester, C.
    • Santen, E.
    • Curtis, L.
    • Dougherty, M.
    • Fulton, J.
    • AbdelGadir, A.
  • Source: Crop Management
  • Issue: August
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Fluctuations in dryland cotton yield in the Tennessee Valley region of northern Alabama are common and are usually related to irregular drought periods during the growing season. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has gained popularity as a water delivery system for small, irregular-shaped cotton fields. A seven-year study was conducted with the objective to determine the response of seed cotton yield to SDI tape orientation relative to crop row direction and different irrigation rates under dryland conditions of the Tennessee Valley. Seven treatments were tested in a randomized incomplete block design which consisted of three irrigation treatments (33%, 66%, and 99% pan evaporation), two SDI tape orientations (parallel and perpendicular), and a dryland control. All SDI treatments produced yields significantly higher than non-irrigated, dryland cotton in four out of seven years. Maximum yield was obtained at a median pan evaporation water replacement value of 74%. No statistical differences were observed between SDI tape orientations on seed cotton yield in all years except in 1999 when parallel out yielded perpendicular at lower irrigation rates. Results confirm the long-term efficacy of supplemental irrigation to increase seed cotton yield irrespective of SDI tape placement during sporadic periods of drought. These results are applicable only for fields with the same soil type or with similar water movement characteristics.
  • Authors:
    • Ali, M.
    • Javaid, Q.
    • Ullah, M.
    • Ahmad, F.
    • Abid, M.
    • Ahmed, N.
  • Source: Pakistan Journal of Botany
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The inorganic fertilizers produce significant effects on quantity as well as quality on the produce of most of the crop plants: The productivity of cotton crop varies greatly due to addition of macro-and micro-nutrients. Among micro-nutrients, boron fertilizer holds significant importance in not only sustaining but also enhancing the yield of cotton. At the advent of excessive use of high analysis fertilizers, a wide spread deficiency of boron in soils of Pakistan is of common scene. However, research studies are limited on the quantity and the impact of boron fertilizer on production of biological yield and its chemical composition of cotton plant under irrigated conditions. The present study was therefore conducted to determine the influence of boron fertilizer on dry matter production and its interactive effects on other nutrients in plant system. The experiment was conducted on calcareous soils under irrigated conditions for two seasons 2004-2005 at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. The treatments consisted of six levels of boron fertilizer i.e., 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 kg B ha(-1) and were arranged in randomized complete block design with 4 replication. Cotton crop cv. CIM-473 was planted during the month of May and harvested in November each year. The standard production practices were followed. The results showed that application of boron fertilizer produced significant effect on enhancing biological yield of cotton. Maximum dry matter yield was achieved by addition of 3.0 kg B ha(-1). Crop planted during season 2005 produced higher quantity of biological yield compared to year 2004. The addition of various levels of boron caused substantial increase in the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, zinc and boron nutrients, while lowering down of calcium magnesium and manganese in different parts of the cotton plant. The enhanced assimilation of macro-nutrients resulted in greater production of biological yield and better growth and development of cotton plant.
  • Authors:
    • Jadhav, A.
    • Alse, U.
  • Source: Journal of Cotton Research and Development
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Performance of four Bt and non Bt cotton hybrids with three irrigation levels and two water saving practices were studied during summer, 2007 and 2008 on clayey soils. The application of irrigation at 75 mm CPE significantly increased the number of sympodia and green bolls/plant. However, the monopodia and plant height was found significantly more under 50 mm CPE irrigation than 100 mm CPE. Water saving practices did not show any significant effect on morphological traits and quality parameters. Bt and non Bt cotton hybrids expressed their genetical potential. The height was significantly more in Kashinath Bt than all other cotton hybrids owing to its genetical character, while green bolls, sympodia and boll weight were significantly more in Dhroov Bt than other cotton hybrids. The maximum seed cotton was obtained in Dhroov Bt (31.46 q/ha) than Dhroov non Bt (27.48 q/ha) followed by Kashinath Bt (20.21 q/ha) and Nathbaba non Bt (24.61 q/ha). Kashinath Bt found significantly superior in quality parameters than other cotton hybrids.