• Authors:
    • Ward, J.
    • King, D.
    • Bryan, B.
  • Source: Ecological Indicators
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: On-farm actions to better manage natural resources often involve an opportunity cost associated with foregone agricultural production. Spatial information on agricultural opportunity costs is a key indicator that has been demonstrated to increase the cost-effectiveness of environmental investment through spatial targeting. In this paper we develop a method for calculating expected profit as a more robust spatial measure of economic rent accruing from agricultural land and indicator of opportunity cost for use in landscape and planning for natural resource management. We apply this method to the Lower Murray region in southern Australia. Agricultural profit is calculated for three farming system phases (cereals, legumes, and grazing) by census zones based on agricultural statistics and cost of production information within a GIS environment. Zonal profit layers are smoothed using pycnophylactic (mass preserving) interpolation. Farming system rotations are quantified as a set of continuous spatial probability layers for each phase using a moving window kernel density technique based on existing land use data and these probability layers are used in a weighted allocation of expected profit across the landscape. The expected profit layer provides a high spatial resolution description of opportunity costs associated with natural resource management over the Lower Murray region suitable for input into systematic landscape planning analyses. Validation of the opportunity cost layer by field survey identified both random and systematic error. Interpretation of systematic error highlighted the need to augment pycnophylactic interpolation techniques with consideration of covariates of profit such as rainfall for better estimation in areas with high profit gradients.
  • Authors:
    • Dimitrijevic-Brankovic, S.
    • Siler-Marinkovic, S.
    • Djordjevic, T.
  • Source: International Journal of Food Properties
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of 4 cereals (buckwheat, wheat germ, barley, and rye) and 4 legume seeds (lentils, mungo bean, red kidney bean, and soy bean) were determined. The total phenolic content (TPC), determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method, for cereal samples varied from 13.2 to 50.7 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g of dried extract, while for legume samples varied from 17.0 to 21.9 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g of dried extract. Antioxidant activities were comparatively assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. The tested plant extracts showed promising antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, thus justifying their traditional use. Among examined cereals all the applied methods, except TBA method, have shown that buckwheat have the highest antioxidant activity, while among examined legumes results varied depending on the method used.
  • Authors:
    • Mueller-Warrant, G.
    • Dick, R.
    • Banowetz, G.
    • Griffith, S.
    • Whittaker, G.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Understanding the impact of crop rotation and residue management in grass seed production systems on soil quality and, in particular soil C dynamics, is critical in making long-term soil management decisions supporting farm sustainability. The effects of a 6-yr rotation and residue management (high vs. low residue) on soil quality were investigated at three locations in Oregon, each contrasting in soil drainage classification. The crop rotations were continuous perennial grass seed production, grass/legume seed production, and grass/legume/cereal seed production. The grass species grown at each location were different and represented those most commonly produced in each environment; perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue [ Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub], and creeping red fescue ( Festuca rubra L.). All three grass seed crop rotations and residue methods maintained high soil quality in conventional or direct seeded soils, but under some situations, soil quality was higher with continuous grass rotation and high residue. Data suggest that straw removal for value-added use, like bioenergy production, can be accomplished in the Pacific Northwest Marine climate without appreciably affecting soil quality. Furthermore, grass seed cropping systems play an important role in soil C storage and enhancement, a valuable ecosystem service in this region where grass seed is produced on land that is not suitable for production of conventional crops that require better-drained soil. We conclude that by nature perennial grass seed crops promote high soil fertility and enriched soil C pools and consequently contribute to the tolerance of these systems to the use of less conservation-oriented crop management methods at times when crop loss could be potentially high. This attribute provides producers greater latitude in selecting soil and crop management options to address issues of soil fertility, pest, weed, or seed certification to minimize economic crop yield losses.
  • Authors:
    • Lupwayi, N.
    • Lemke, R.
    • Holzapfel, C.
    • May, W.
    • Lafond, G.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Including grain-legumes in cropping systems contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhances agronomic and economic performance of cropping systems. The objective was to examine the potential for increasing the frequency of field pea ( Pisum sativum L.) (FP) in a spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (W)-based cropping system. Three crop rotations, continuous pea (C-Pea), W-FP, and W-W-FP, were evaluated over a 10-yr period (1998-2007) at Indian Head, SK. During the FPphase of C-Pea and W-FP, three starter N rates (5, 20, 40 kg N ha -1) were applied. One rate of N (80 kg N ha -1) was used in W. Rotation and N had similar effects on plant densities in either crop. Field pea grain yields were 25% lower with C-Pea than W-FP or W-W-FP but similar between W-FP and W-W-FP. Starter N had some effect on FP grain yields at the higher N rate in W-FP but not C-Pea. Spring wheat grain yields were 3% greater on FP than W stubble. Grain protein in FP was 3.1% higher on C-Pea than W-P or W-W-FP while grain protein in W was 1 g kg -1 higher on FP than W stubble. Crop water use efficiency in FP and W was not affected by crop rotation. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the frequency of FP in cropping systems in the subhumid and semiarid areas can be increased intermittently with only a 1-yr cereal break between FP crops when combined with proper integrated crop management practices.
  • Authors:
    • Bow, J.
    • Muir, J.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) * C. transvaalensis Burt Davy] is a warm-season forage used on southeastern U.S. dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). Cool-season annual forages need to be identified that can be overseeded into Tifton 85 and remove the greatest quantity of P or N while minimizing suppression of bermudagrass spring regrowth. During 3 yr we overseeded six grass, five legume, and two Brassica spp. on a dairy CAFO Tifton 85 field on a Windthorst fine sandy loam (fine, mixed, active, thermic Udic Paleustalf) containing 83 mg plant-available P kg -1 soil. Hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.), barley ( Hordium vulgare L.), oat ( Avena sativa L.), and rye ( Secale cereale L.) yielded the most (entry * year interaction P
  • Authors:
    • Osetrov, D.
  • Source: Ekonomika Sel'skokhozyaistvennykh i Pererabatyvayushchikh Predpriyatii
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In 2006-2009, total annual production of food and feed grain crops in Russia's Volgograd Oblast' averaged 3 652 300 tonnes, of which the main food crops (winter and spring wheat, rye, buckwheat and millet) accounted for 85.8%, the main feed crops (barley, oats, cereal maize and legumes) 14.1%, and other food and feed crops 0.1%. In 2001-2005, the region's total annual production of food and feed grain crops averaged 3 075 500 tonnes, of which the main food crops accounted for 78.9%, the main feed crops 21.1%, and other food and feed crops 0.0%. Total production of food grains, increased significantly (29.1%) between the 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 periods, with this growth largely attributable to higher harvests of winter wheat (up 50.1%). Total production of feed grains fell by 20.4% between the 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 periods, with harvests of barley, oats and legumes falling by 45.9%, 34.8% and 37.2% respectively, although cereal maize output more than quadrupled. On average in the 2006-2009 period, 1 755 000 tonnes/year of cereal grains were exported outside the region, and 112 000 tonnes/year were imported. Analysis of actual consumption of cereal grains in Volgograd Oblast' shows that total regional consumption averaged 1 919 000 tonnes/year in 2006-2009, of which 19.3% was used for seeds, 62.1% for animal feeds, 13.0% for food purposes, and 2.4% for other industrial processing, with 3.2% losses. A very similar usage pattern was recorded in 2001-2005. It is anticipated that demand for feed grains will rise as a result of implementation of government agricultural policies aimed at stimulating animal production, including the priority national programme "Development of the agro-industrial complex". While 62.1% of cereal grains consumed in Volgograd Oblast' in 2006-2009 were used in animal feeds (1 191 000 tonnes/year), feed crops accounted for only 14.1% of the region's cereal grain output (515 200 tonnes/year). Consequently many enterprises in the animal production segment were forced to use significant volumes of food grains, particularly wheat, for production of animal feeds. This pushes up the price of feeds, and also causes imbalances in the nutrient composition of feeds. Production of food grains in Volgograd Oblast' significantly exceeds demand, and the percentage of total cereal grain production accounted for by food grains is continuing to rise. However the region's food industry still suffers from shortages of some types of cereal grain. In order to correct the problems that have been identified with regard to cereal grains production in Volgograd Oblast', a strategy based on formation of clusters of cereal grain producers, processors and end users is recommended. Recommendations for improvements to the structure of cereal grain production in the region are also presented. These include significant increases in volumes of production of feed crops, in particular oats, maize, legumes and triticale.
  • Authors:
    • Arvadia, M.
    • Patil, P.
    • Surve, V.
  • Source: Madras Agricultural Journal
  • Volume: 98
  • Issue: 10/12
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiment was conducted during summer 2007 at Navsari campus on clay in textured soils with different cereal-legume fodders under sole and intercropping systems for getting higher fodder yield and economics. Green and dry fodder yields of sorghum/maize, cropping systems either sole sorghum or sorghum+cowpea in the ratio of 2:1 were equally good and superior to rest of the systems. The intercropping of sorghum with cowpea in a row ratio of 2:1 recorded maximum land-equivalent ratio (1.51), gross (Rs 60744/-ha -1) and net (Rs 50031/-ha -1) return along with higher benefit: cost ratio (5.67).
  • Authors:
    • Brandenburg, R. L.
    • Shew, B. B.
    • Wilkerson, G. G.
    • Jordan, D. L.
    • Lassiter, B. R.
  • Source: Weed Technology
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Experiments were conducted in North Carolina during 2005, 2006, and 2007 to determine peanut and weed response when peanut was planted in strip tillage after desiccation of cereal rye, Italian ryegrass, oats, triticale, wheat, and native vegetation by glyphosate and paraquat before planting with three in-season herbicide programs. Control of common ragweed and yellow nutsedge did not differ among cover crop treatments when compared within a specific herbicide program. Applying dimethenamid or S-metolachlor plus diclosulam PRE followed by imazapic POST was more effective than a chloroacetamide herbicide PRE followed by acifluorfen, bentazon, and paraquat POST. Incidence of spotted wilt in peanut (caused by a Tospovirus) did not differ when comparing cover crop treatments, regardless of herbicide program. Peanut yield increased in all 3 yr when herbicides were applied POST, compared with clethodim only. Peanut yield was not affected by cover crop treatment. Response to cover crop treatments was comparable, suggesting that growers can select cereal rye, Italian ryegrass, oats, or triticale as an alternative to wheat as a cover crop in peanut systems without experiencing differences associated with in-season weed management.
  • Authors:
    • Nzokou, P.
    • Wilson, A. R.
    • Lin, Y.
  • Source: HortScience
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: High rates of inorganic fertilizers are used in conventional intensive production systems such as Abies fraseri (fraser fir) cropping systems for Christmas trees. Groundcovers can be used as green mulches, help reduce the use of farm chemicals, and provide several environmental benefits. We investigated the performance of a low-input cropping system by combining two legume cover crops [Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)] in combination with low rates of inorganic fertilizers as a step toward a more sustainable production system. The randomized block design comprised one cover crop and one of three applications of reduced rate inorganic fertilizer (75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended rate). A conventional system using herbicides for weed control and the 100% rate of inorganic fertilizer was used as a control. Parameters measured included tree morphology, foliar nitrogen concentration, soil mineral nitrogen, and nitrate-N leaching below the root zone. A significant positive growth response (height and diameter) was obtained in all alfalfa-based cropping systems. This was accompanied by foliar nutrient concentrations similar to conventional plots and a reduction in nitrate-N leaching. However, in white clover-based cropping systems, the growth response was reduced (both height and diameter), suggesting competition for soil resources. In addition, the total nitrate-N leaching was higher in this system, suggesting an imbalance between mineral nitrogen availability and use in white clover-based cropping systems. We conclude that if the potential competition between cover crops and trees can be properly managed, legume cover crops can be effectively used to make intensive production tree-based systems more sustainable. Further studies related to mineralization and macronutrient flows are needed before any definite recommendation can be made about the use of these systems in large-scale production systems.
  • Authors:
    • Trond M. Henriksen, T. M.
    • Anne-Kristin Løes, A.-K.
    • Sjursen, H.
    • Ragnar Eltun, R.
  • Source: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil & Plant Science
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: By restricted access to manure, nitrogen (N) supply in organic agriculture relies on biological N-fixation. This study compares grain yields after one full-season green manure (FSGM) to yields with repeated use of a green-manure catch crop. At two sites in south-eastern Norway, in a simple 4-year rotation (oats/wheat/oats/wheat), the repeated use of ryegrass, clover, or a mixture of ryegrass and clover as catch crops was compared with an FSGM established as a catch crop in year 1. The FSGM treatments had no subsequent catch crops. In year 5, the final residual effects were measured in barley. The yield levels were about equal for grains with no catch crop and a ryegrass catch crop. On average, the green-manure catch crops increased subsequent cereal yields close to 30%. The FSGM increased subsequent cereal yields significantly in two years, but across the rotation the yields were comparable to those of the treatments without green-manure catch crop. To achieve acceptable yields under Norwegian conditions, more than 25% of the land should be used for full-season green manure, or this method combined with green-manure catch crops. The accumulated amount of N in aboveground biomass in late autumn did not compensate for the N removed by cereal yields. To account for the deficiency, the roots of the green-manure catch crops would have to contain about 60% of the total N (tot-N) required to balance the cereal yields. Such high average values for root N are likely not realistic to achieve. However, measurement of biomass in late autumn may not reflect all N made available to concurrent or subsequent main crops.