• Authors:
    • Gruber, S.
    • Pekrun, C.
    • Möhring, J.
    • Claupein, W.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 121
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The study provides information to more reliably estimate the value of conservation tillage in a temperate climate. Tillage effects on yield and weeds were evaluated in field experiments at two sites in SW Germany between 1999 and 2010. Tillage varied at site Ihinger Hof from mouldboard plough (P), chisel plough (CP), rototiller (RTT), varying P and CP (VAR), to no tillage (NT), partially combined with stubble tillage (S). Tillage at site Meiereihof was S/P, S/CP, and NT. Crop rotations included winter wheat (WW, Triticum aestivum), triticale (TR, Triticosecale), oat (OA, Avena sativa), silage maize (SM, Zea mays) and oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) at Ihinger Hof, and winter wheat, spring barley (SB, Hordeum vulgare), silage maize, sugar beets (SBE. Beta vulgaris) and faba bean (FB, Vicia faba) at Meiereihof. At Ihinger Hof, tillage had an effect on yield (P > F = 0.0049), but no effects were found on crop emergence and crop density. Tillage effects on yield were consistent across crops though differences between crops appeared to exist. The yield of S/P, the standard tillage, was 8.5 (WW), 7.7 (TR), 4.7 (OA), 18.3 (SM) and 4.1 (OSR) t DM ha(-1) at Ihinger Hof, with yield under NT always significantly lower than S/P by 7.3% on average for all crops. At Meiereihof, yields ranged from 7.2 to 8.0 (WW), 3.3 to 4.2 (SB), 19.8 to 21.5 (SM) and 3.1 to 3.2 (FB) t DM ha(-1), and 61.3 to 67.6 FM ha(-1) for SBE. Yield was reduced by 4.5% from S/P to S/CP (P > F = 0.0516), and by about 10% from S/P to NT (P > F = 0.0009). Weed density ranged between 0.5 and 44 plants m(-2) at Ihinger Hof and was higher in treatments without stubble tillage and under non-inversion tillage, though significance differed for the different classes of weeds. NT led to weed infestation about 2-20 times higher than S/P. The interaction crop x treatment indicated that factors other than tillage influenced weed infestation. It is unlikely that weed infestation and reduced yield will be problems in temperate climates if soil disturbance through tillage is reduced. Non-inversion tillage can easily replace inversion tillage, and stubble tillage can be added to primary tillage if needed to reduce weeds. Since no specific tillage method was unequivocally superior to another one, any method well suited to specific regional and farm conditions can be adopted successfully.
  • Authors:
    • Hussein, M. S.
    • Elsebai, M. N.
    • Rihan, M. K.
  • Source: Arab Universities Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Egypt depends on the Nile River as a major source of water, it provides about 76.3% of its water requirements, other water sources provides about 23.7% of total water requirements. Agriculture sector is the main consumer of water in Egypt as it consumed about 85.9% of the total actual consumption of water in 2009. The main problem of the present paper is the decrease in the efficiency of water use in Egyptian agriculture. The objective of paper is to assess the efficiency of water use in agriculture in the old and new land Egypt through the use of partial efficiency measures. Results showed that in average of the cost of irrigation per feddan during the period (1998-2009), that was for winter crops in the old lands as follows: 85.3, 105.8, 119.3, 127.3 pounds/feddan for faba bean, sugar beet, alfalfa sustained, wheat at a cost of irrigation per feddan of which respectively. For summer crops in old land cost was about 114.7, 129.5, 139.8, 156.2, 217.8, 606.1 pounds/feddan at a cost of, sesame, soybean, peanut, corn, rice, sugar cane, respectively. For the winter crops in the new lands irrigation cost per feddan was about L.E 99.3, 169.0 for garlic and onion respectively. Summer crops in the new lands irrigation costs for watermelon, cucumber, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes were as follows: L.E 92.4, 133, 138.7, 139.8, 157.7, 194.3 pounds/feddan respectively. The results of the statistical analysis of partial-efficiency measures showed that, according to the criterion of net revenue from the water unit - winter crops on the old land as follows: alfalfa, wheat, faba bean, and sugar beet. As for the summer crops of old land the results showed of the statistical estimate of the partial-efficiency measures that peanuts, corn, sesame, sugar cane, rice, soybeans respectively. In the new lands the results of statistical analysis for the partial-efficiency measures, according to the standard net return of the water unit for winter crops were garlic followed by the first crop of onions. As for the summer crops, the results of statistical analysis of partial-efficiency measures, according to the standard net return of the water unit came summer crops in the new lands, were as follows: potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, pepper. The results in general indicated the necessaries of reconsidering the present structure of cropping pattern to increase the efficiency of irrigation water use.
  • Authors:
    • Bejiga, G.
    • Khalil, Y.
    • Kumar, S.
    • Haddad, A.
    • Piggin, C.
    • Ahmed, S.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 121
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Conservation agriculture is becoming popular due to its potential for enhanced productivity and cost savings among small scale farmers in developing countries. The International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas is promoting conservation cropping systems that involve cereal-legume rotation in West Asia and North Africa region. Studies were made on the impact of long-term rotation trial on diseases of chickpea and lentil as well as the evaluations of lentil genotypes for their reactions to Fusarium wilt and downy mildew under two tillage practices. In the long-term rotation trials, the two season results showed no significant differences between tillage practices, crops and planting dates and their interactions in affecting mean percent cyst nematode disease. The mean cyst nematode disease incidence ranged from 7.3% on early planted lentil on CT to 14.5% in late planted chickpea on ZT. Tillage practices significantly ( P≤0.05) affected Ascochyta blight incidence but not its severity. The incidence ranged from 4% to 22.5% under early planted chickpea on both tillage practices. Moreover, the mean severity ranged from 3.2 to 5.5 rating in early planted CT and ZT, respectively. The combined analysis showed significant differences ( P≤0.05) among genotypes but not their interactions with tillage for Fusarium wilt and downy mildew reactions. All the genotypes showed less than 10% Fusarium wilt mortality indicating high levels of resistance. The mean downy mildew severity ranged from 1.3 in ILL-7991 to 2.6 rating in ILL6994. This study showed that both soil borne and foliar diseases could be a problem in conservation cropping system and continuous monitoring of diseases is essential to prioritize management practices in relation to conservation agriculture in Mediterranean type environments. Moreover, cool-season legume genotypes with disease resistance and high yield can be developed under conservation agriculture that could also serve traditionally tilled production systems.
  • Authors:
    • Lithourgidis, A.
    • Vlachostergios, D.
    • Dordas, C.
  • Source: Crop & Pasture Science
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Pea ( Pisum arvense L.) is an important legume in many areas of the world, which is used for forage and grain production and could be used in intercropping systems. Intercropping of pea with oat ( Avena sativa L.) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), in two seeding ratios 60:40 and 80:20, was compared with pea and two cereal monocrops for two growing seasons (2008-10), at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. The effect of the intercropping systems was determined on growth rate, plant height, chlorophyll content, DM, and N yield. Also, several competition and economic indices were used to evaluate the intercropping systems, such as land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR), actual yield loss (AYL), system productivity index (SPI), monetary advantage index (MAI), and intercropping advantage (IA). Growth rate of pea and cereals was lower by an average of 39 and 64%, respectively, in the intercrops than in the monocrops. DM yield was the highest in barley monocrop (13.00 Mg ha -1) followed by P 80O 20 intercrop (11.73 Mg ha -1). Pea monocrop, and P 80O 20 and P 80B 20 intercrops showed the highest crude protein (CP) concentration (137, 132 and 130 g kg -1 DM, respectively), whereas P 80O 20 intercrop also produced the highest CP yield (1552 kg ha -1). The LER, K, and AYL values (average 1.09, 1.75 and 0.29, respectively), were greater for both pea-oat intercrops compared with the pea-barley intercrops (average 0.98, 0.92 and 0.06, respectively), indicating that in these systems there was an advantage of intercropping for exploiting the resources of the environment. The A, CR, and partial AYL values in all intercrops were greater for oat and barley than pea, which indicated that cereals were more competitive partners than pea. The highest MAI, IA, and SPI values were recorded for P 80O 20 followed by P 60O 40 intercrops indicating that these intercropping systems were the most profitable. The results from this study showed that both pea-oat intercrops were more productive with high CP yield, and also they showed the best land-use efficiency.
  • Authors:
    • Polyanskaya, N.
    • Suslov, S.
    • Kuchin, N.
  • Source: Ekonomika Sel'skokhozyaistvennykh i Pererabatyvayushchikh Predpriyatii
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: In 2009, production of leguminous and cereal grain crops in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' totalled 1 432 400 tonnes, and the average crop yield was 2.44 tonnes/ha - the highest yield in 50 years. However extremely hot and dry weather conditions in 2010 caused a sharp reduction in harvest volumes, so that Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' had a total harvest of just 541 500 tonnes and an average crop yield of 1.36 tonnes/ha. 2010 harvest figures for the region were significantly lower than in 2006, when the total harvest volume was 1 169 900 tonnes and the average crop yield 2.05 tonnes/ha. Crop yields in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' vary significantly between years, with yields being highly dependent on climate conditions. The greatest variation in yields occurs with maize, millet, and buckwheat crops. Strong variation in yields is also evident for wheat and leguminous crops, and moderate variation occurs in yields of rye, barley, and oats. For agricultural enterprises, the most significant factor influencing their production volumes and incomes is the structure of crops produced. The structure of crops produced in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' has changed significantly since the pre-reform period, with a marked shift towards cultivation of food grade cereal grains, and away from production of feed crops. In 2010, wheat accounted for 56.8% of the region's total harvest, barley 21.9%, oats 10.7%, rye 7.6%, legumes 2.5%, triticale 0.4%, and groats crops 0.1%. Agricultural organizations continue to be the main cereal grain producers, despite increases in land areas used for cereal grain cultivation by private (peasant) farmers. In 2010, agricultural enterprises accounted for 92.2% of cereal grain production. Individual secondary farms account for only an insignificant proportion of grain crop production. Problems faced by enterprises operating in the region's cereal grain segment include a poor technical base, low rates of fertiliser application, and difficulties in securing suitably qualified workers. Approximately 80% of machines used by these enterprises have been in use for longer than their intended operating life. These problems have adverse effects on the efficiency of harvesting operations and on crop yields. It is important to address these issues if higher and more stable production volumes are to be achieved, and the profitability of crop production activities improved.
  • Authors:
    • Hassanali, A.
    • Bruce, T.
    • Kruger, K.
    • Khan, Z.
    • Lebesa, L.
    • Pickett, J.
  • Source: International Journal of Pest Management
  • Volume: 58
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: A survey was undertaken to determine the pest status of herbivorous blister beetles, Hycleus spp., in western Kenya where they attack crops such as Desmodium spp., other leguminous plants and sweetpotato. Desmodium spp. are important intercrops in the 'push-pull' strategy adopted for Striga and stemborer control in maize and sorghum. Production of desmodium seed is adversely affected by blister beetles, which feed on the flowers and negatively affect seed setting. To assess farmers' knowledge and perceptions of Hycleus spp. as pests, a questionnaire survey was conducted in three sites in Bungoma district, western Kenya, in 2007. The survey was followed by field sampling of Desmodium spp. and sweetpotato to compare the results with the responses received from farmers. Hycleus spp. were mentioned by 75% of the respondents as major pests of Desmodium spp. During field sampling Hycleus spp. comprised 70% of the insect pests collected. According to farmers, blister beetles were more abundant on desmodium than on sweetpotato. However, field sampling revealed that differences in beetle abundance on the two crops were not consistent across different sites, suggesting that these crops may function as alternative hosts. The study provides baseline information for the development of a management strategy for blister beetles.
  • Authors:
    • Chimbizi, A.
    • Chimphero, L.
    • Mwale, C.
    • Mhango, W.
    • Kambauwa, G.
    • Kabambe, V.
    • Ngwira, A.
    • Mapfumo, P.
  • Source: African Journal of Agricultural Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Maize ( Zea mays L.) is a major staple food in Malawi. However, low soil fertility resulting from low and inappropriate use of fertilizer practices, continuous monocropping and inappropriate crop residues management coupled with limited resources and droughts keep yields low. This had led to a quest for sustainable solutions such as maize-legume intercropping or rotation including more efficient use of crop residues in smallholder farming systems. Innovation platforms (IP) built around learning centres (LC) located on smallholder farmers' fields in target locations were used as an approach to disseminate integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies and build capacity of farmers, extension staff and other stakeholders. Rotating maize with either groundnut or groundnut intercropped with pigeonpea increased maize grain yield (3678 and 3071 kg ha -1 respectively) compared to sole maize (2260 kg ha -1). These preliminary findings were linked to farmer assessment of technologies where farmers participating in the LCs expressed strong interest in the maize legume rotation technologies. Associated farmer field days outlined constraints underlying technology choice, information that is not usually considered in conjunction with on-farm experimentation. Although, the legumes were highly productive, farmers expressed worries about legume seed availability, disease incidences, weeds infestations and livestock damage. Participating farmers commonly manage residues by burning. Promotion and experimentation with more efficient use of legume residues have shown short-term positive impacts in efforts to promote scaling-out of best fit legume technologies. This study reports the value of multi-stakeholder partnering in scaling-out and evaluation of best fit legume technologies and adoption constraints.
  • Authors:
    • Christiansen, S.
    • Murari, S.
    • Ryan, J.
  • Source: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science
  • Volume: 58
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Traditional Mediterranean rainfed cereal/fallow systems are being replaced by cereal monoculture due to land-use pressure. Food or forage legumes in rotation with cereals are an alternative sustainable cropping system. Complex cropping systems can only be assessed by long-term trials. This 11-year rainfed barley-based rotation trial in northern Syria assessed rotation effects on yields of barley and legumes, with particular emphasis on the management of vetch. The mean order of barley grain yields from the rotations was: vetch for hay, vetch for grazing > fallow=medic=vetch for seed > lentil, and continuous barley. Straw yields followed a similar pattern. Nitrogen (60 kg ha -1) increased grain (39%) and straw (65%) yields. The N fertilization of barley had no carryover effect on the alternative legume crops. Although there were no significant differences in seed or straw yield between lentil and vetch, seasonal rainfall influenced overall yields. Total biomass yields were in the order of vetch, medic and lentil. There is a compelling case for annual vetch paired with barley in rotations for the Mediterranean region. Thus, barley/vetch rotations can potentially enhance barley yields and improve soil quality, and provide valuable fodder for small ruminants as well in the region's agricultural systems.
  • Authors:
    • Drinkwater, L.
    • Schipanski, M.
  • Source: Plant and Soil
  • Volume: 357
  • Issue: 1/2
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Background and aims: The selection of legume species and species mixtures influences agroecosystem nitrogen (N) and carbon cycling. We utilized a fertility gradient to investigate the effects of plant species interactions on biological N fixation of an annual and perennial legume in response to shifting soil resource availability. Methods: Legume N fixation of annual field pea ( Pisum sativum) and perennial red clover ( Trifolium pratense) grown in monoculture and mixtures with oats ( Avena sativa) or orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata) was estimated using the 15N natural abundance method across 15 farm fields and we measured six soil N pools ranging from labile to more recalcitrant. Results: Evidence of complementary and facilitative species interactions was stronger for the perennial red clover-orchardgrass mixture than for the annual field pea-oat mixture (N Land Equivalency Ratios were 1.6 and 1.2, respectively). We estimated that the transfer of fixed N from red clover to orchardgrass increased aboveground N fixation estimates by 15% from 33 to 38 kg N ha -1. Despite a more than 2-fold range in soil organic matter levels and more than 3-fold range in labile soil N pools across field sites, the N fertility gradient was not a strong predictor of N fixation. While grass N assimilation was positively correlated with soil N pools, we found only weak, inverse correlations between legume N fixation and soil N availability. In grass-legume mixtures, soil N availability indirectly influenced N fixation through plant competition. Conclusions: These results suggest that increasing diversity of cropping systems, particularly through the incorporation of perennial mixtures into rotations, could improve overall agroecosystem N cycling efficiency.
  • Authors:
    • Kaiser, D. E.
    • Sheaffer, C. C.
    • Russelle, M. P.
    • Coulter, J. A.
    • Yost, M. A.
  • Source: AGRONOMY JOURNAL
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Compared with corn ( Zea mays L.) following corn, N guidelines for first-year corn following alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) in the U.S. Corn Belt suggest that N rates can be reduced by about 168 kg N ha -1 when ≥43 or 53 alfalfa plants m -2 are present at termination. These guidelines have been questioned by practitioners, however, as corn grain yields have increased. We conducted experiments at 16 locations in Minnesota to address questions regarding N availability to first-year corn after alfalfa relating to the effect of carryover fertilizer K from alfalfa and the amount and timing of alfalfa regrowth incorporation. Corn grain yield, silage yield, and fertilizer N uptake were not affected by carryover K or amount or timing of regrowth incorporation. Maximum corn grain yield ranged from 12.0 to 16.1 Mg ha -1 among locations but responded to fertilizer N at only one. At that location, which had inadequate soil drainage, the economically optimum N rate (EONR) was 85 kg N ha -1, assuming prices of US$0.87 kg -1 N and US$132 Mg -1 grain. The EONR for silage yield across 6 of 15 locations where it was measured was 40 kg N ha -1, assuming US$39 Mg -1 silage. These results demonstrate that on highly productive medium- to fine-textured soils in the Upper Midwest with ≥43 alfalfa plants m -2 at termination, first-year corn grain yield is often maximized without fertilizer N, regardless of alfalfa regrowth management or timing of incorporation, but that small N applications may be needed to optimize silage yield.