• Authors:
    • Wen, Y.
    • Gong, Z.
    • Gu, S.
    • Lu, J.
    • Zhao, J.
  • Source: Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue: 12
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The objective of this study was to distinguish effects of main growing factors on the corn yield under dry-farming conditions. A corn field experiment with three factors and four levels for each factor was conducted using the same corn cultivar and the same design in three consecutive years on a black soil classified as typic udolls of which the available nitrogen is middle but both available phosphorus and potassium are high. The results showed that, the most limiting factors to corn yield were respectively precipitation in growing season (PGS), rate of nitrogen fertilizer and available nitrogen contents of soil. Only when the PGS was greater than 280 mm, was nitrogen fertilizer effect statistically noticeable. The appropriate combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers increased the water use efficiency by 24.3% compared to no fertilizer treatment. Corn yield was positively correlated with the available nitrogen contents of soil too, meaning that higher soil available nitrogen contents are favorable to the increase in corn yield.
  • Authors:
    • Sharawy, W.
    • Abdel-Hafeez, A.
    • Abdel-Gawad, K.
    • El-Nabawy, W.
  • Source: Bulletin of Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University
  • Volume: 62
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Two field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, during 2008 and 2009 summer seasons, to study the intercropping of forage cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L., var. Buff) with maize ( Zea mays L), stay green and single cross hybrid 122. The experiment was planted at the 1st of July after wheat in both seasons. The experimental design was a split-split plot design arranged in randomized complete blocks with three replicates. The main plots were devoted to three intercropping patterns: (1) Maize on one side of the ridge and forage cowpea on the other side, (2) Solid maize, (3) Solid forage cowpea. Subplots were arranged with plant density of forage cowpea, one and two plants hill -1 at 20 cm between hills. Sub-sub plots were four nitrogen levels viz., zero, 60, 90 and 120 kg N fed. -1 N was added in two equal doses after 21 and 60 days from planting (after the 1st cut of forage cowpea). The results indicated significant differences between intercropping patterns, plant density and nitrogen levels for dry yield. Light intensity at top, middle and bottom of cowpea and maize were obtained at each cut in both seasons. light intensity under solid cowpea was greater for the three levels of light intensity reading than intercropped cowpea plants. At the top of intercropped cowpea plants, light intensity was greater as compared with readings at the middle and bottom of plants. At the middle, light intensity was greater for solid cowpea compared to intercropped cowpea. One plant hill -1 was superior to two plants hill -1 in light intensity at top, middle and bottom of cowpea plants intercropped with maize at each cut in both seasons. The percentage of increases in light intensity gave lower values between the two plant intensities, it could be recommended with planting two plants hill -1 when intercropped cowpea with maize for obtaining high dry forage yield of cowpea. Nitrogen application was significantly decreased light intensity at top, middle and bottom plant of forage cowpea at each cut in both seasons. Nitrogen from zero to 120 kg N fed -1 caused reduction in light intensity, While total dry forage yield of cowpea was increased. The highest value of light intensity was obtained by solid cowpea, one plant hill -1 and zero nitrogen fed -1, while the lowest value of light intensity was at intercropped cowpea with maize, two plants hill -1 and 120 kg N fed. -1 For maize plants there were significant differences in light intensity as affected by intercropping patterns at top, middle bottom of maize plants in both seasons except between intercropping two plants hill -1 of cowpea with maize and solid maize at top plant before the 1st cut of cowpea in the first season. Nitrogen levels was significantly decreased light intensity at top, middle and bottom plant of maize, with not significant differences between 90 and 120 kg N fed. -1 While, grain yield and dry stover yield were increased. Zero N level had the highest value of light intensity at top, middle and bottom of maize plants compared with the other N levels. The highest value was obtained by solid maize and zero nitrogen fed, -1 while the lowest value was at intercropping two plants hill -1 of cowpea with maize and 120 kg N fed -1.
  • Authors:
    • Pelissari, A.
    • Moraes, A.
    • Balbinot Junior, A.
    • Veiga, M.
    • Dieckow, J.
  • Source: Revista Brasileira de Agrociencia
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of winter soil use on reminiscent straw on the soil, physical characteristic in superficial soil layer and maize performance cultivated in succession. One experiment was carried out in three places in the North Plateau of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, during 2006/07 crop season. Five alternatives of soil use in the winter were investigated: (1) multicropping with black oat+ryegrass+vetch+arrow leaf clover without grazing and nitrogen fertilization (multicropping cover); (2) the same multicropping, with grazing and nitrogen fertilization, 100 kg ha -1 of N (pasture with N); (3) the same multicropping, with grazing and without nitrogen fertilization (pasture without N); (4) oil seed radish, without grazing and nitrogen fertilization (oil seed radish); and (5) natural vegetation, without grazing and nitrogen fertilization (fallow). Higher straw dry mass was verified in multicropping cover. The winter annual pasture in crop-livestock system, cover crops and fallow did not affect the bulk density in 0,02 to 0,07 m of soil layer and maize performance in succession.
  • Authors:
    • Brennan, E. B.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Winter cover crops can add soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling, and suppress weeds in organic vegetable systems. A 2-yr study was conducted on organic farms in Salinas and Hollister, CA, to evaluate the effect of seeding rate (SR) and planting arrangement on cover crop density, ground cover, and cover crop and weed dry matter (DM) with a mixed cover crop. The mix contained legumes (35% Vicia faba L., bell bean; 15% Vicia dasycarpa Ten., woolypod vetch; 15% Vicia benghalensis L., purple vetch; and 25% Pisum sativum L., pea) and 10% oat (Avena sativa L.) by seed weight. Three SRs (112, 224, and 336 kg ha(-1)) and two planting arrangements (one-way versus grid pattern) were evaluated. Planting arrangement had no effect on the variables measured. When weeds were abundant, weed DM declined linearly with increasing SR from approximately 300 kg ha(-1) at the low SR to <100 kg ha(-1) at the high SR. Increasing SR increased oat and legume DM early in the season, but did not affect final cover crop DM that ranged from 7 to 12 Mg ha(-1). Year affected final cover crop DM production at both sites. The legume DM portion of the total cover crop declined through the season but varied between sites and year, probably due to soil and climatic differences. Higher SRs may be cost effective because weed control is expensive and cover crop seed is a relatively small component of cover cropping costs in this region.
  • Authors:
    • Ladewig, E.
    • Schulte, M.
    • Schmitz, F.
    • Burcky, K.
    • Buhre, C.
  • Source: Sugar Industry / Zuckerindustrie
  • Volume: 136
  • Issue: 10
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Since 1994, data on sugarbeet production in Germany are continuously collected in annual cultivation surveys based on the information from the German sugar factories. Because of the long-term data set, many developments over the last years as well as short-term adaptations could be described. Cereals, particularly winter wheat, are the main pre-crop before sugarbeet (50%), followed by maize. Intercrops have been cultivated on 40% of the sugarbeet area since the beginning of the survey. The use of reduced systems increased in soil cultivation. The soil is covered by intercrops or pre-crop residues on more than 65% of the sugarbeet area. Since 2006, an increase in nitrogen fertilization was observed. Organic fertilizer was applied on 50% of the sugarbeet area. Crop production, from sowing to harvesting is characterized by an increase in technical specialization. The survey is conducted in cooperation with the farmers, or by specialized contractors. The beets are harvested mainly with six-row harvesters and transported increasingly with semi-trailer trucks.
  • Authors:
    • Crusciol, C.
    • Calonego, J.
    • Castro, G.
  • Source: PESQUISA AGROPECUARIA BRASILEIRA
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 12
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of crop rotation systems and liming materials on soil physical properties. The experiment was carried out from October 2006 to July 2008, in Botucatu, SP, Brazil, in a completely randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement with eight replicates. Main plots consisted of four crop rotation systems: soybean/fallow/maize/fallow, soybean/white-oat/maize/bean, soybean/millet/maize/pigeon pea and soybean/signal grass/maize/signal grass. Subplots consisted of the control treatment, without soil correction, and of the application of 3.8 Mg ha -1 of dolomitic lime (ECC=90%) or 4.1 Mg ha -1 of calcium-magnesium silicate (ECC=80%), on the surface of a clayed Rhodic Ferralsol. Aggregate stability, soil bulk density, total porosity, macro and microporosity, soil penetration resistance and moisture content were evaluated. Superficial application of the lime materials does not reduce soil aggregation and increases macroporosity down to 0.20 m, with calcium-magnesium silicate application, and to 0.10 m, when lime is applied. Soil under fallow in off-season decreases aggregate stability and increases soil penetration resistance in upper layers. The cultivation of Congo signal grass, between summer crops, increases aggregate stability down to 0.10-m depth.
  • Authors:
    • Eskandari, H.
  • Source: African Journal of Biotechnology
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 77
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Wheat ( Triticum aestivum) and bean ( Vicia faba L.) sole crops and their mixture in three planting pattern (M 1: alternate-row intercrop, M 2: within-row intercrop, M 3: mixed intercrop) were used to investigate the amount of resource consumption in terms of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception, water and nutrient uptake. The experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with four replications. The results show that intercropping systems had a significant effect on environmental resources consumption, where intercropping systems had more light interception and water, and nutrient uptake compared to sole crops, suggesting the complementarity effect of intercropping components in resources consumption. The ability of wheat and bean was different in intercropping systems in absorbing nutrients because of their differences in root morphology and cation exchange capacity. Regarding weed suppressions, intercrops were more effective than wheat sole crops, which were related to lower availability of environmental resources for weeds in intercropping systems.
  • Authors:
    • Bergonci, J. I.
    • Bergamaschi, H.
    • Rosa, L. M. G.
    • Mielniczuk, J.
    • Franca, S.
  • Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE ENGENHARIA AGRICOLA E AMBIENTAL
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: This work aimed to quantify the available nitrogen (N) to a maize crop and evaluate its effects on leaf area index (LAI), shoot dry matter (SDM) production, N absorption by the above ground biomass, and grain yield. The evaluations were performed in a soil management experiment run since 1985, with three cropping systems (oat- Avena strigosa/maize, oat+vetch- Vicia sativa/maize and oat+vetch/maize+cowpea- Vigna unguiculata) and two rates of nitrogen (0 and 180 kg ha -1) applied to maize. In the 2000/2001 cropping year, four nitrogen rates were applied (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha -1). The estimated available N to the maize calculated from the contribution from the soil, cover crops and N fertilizer varied from 27 to 192 kg ha -1. All evaluated variables presented high dependence on available N, and reached its maximum level near to the highest level of available N (192 kg ha -1). With this level of availability, at the stage of pollination, the largest values of LAI (4.41) and the highest leaf N concentration were observed, however, the highest N accumulation in the above ground biomass was observed at the milk grain stage and the shoot dry matter accumulation at the dent stage. The maximum grain yield obtained was 8,920 kg ha -1, corresponding to 112 kg ha -1 of exported N by the grain.
  • Authors:
    • Gowacka, A.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The field experiment was conducted in 2004-2006 on a farm in Frankamionka village, near Zamosc. The experiment was located on soil with silty dust grain composition, light acid, with average content of phosphorus and potassium, average content of organic matter (1.9%). The aim of the study was to determined the influence of strip intercropping of maize ( Zea mays L.) with common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) on phosphorus and potassium concentration in maize and intake of macroelements with maize yield. The second factor were different methods of weeds regulation (mechanical, mechanical-chemical, chemical). The changes of phosphorus and potassium concentration in dependence of maize row position was also determined. Strip intercropping slightly increased level of phosphorus in corn. The concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in maize differ depending on rows position in strip. In maize from row neighboring with common bean phosphorus concentration was higher than in the next to spring wheat. But potassium concentrations was higher in inner rows. Mechanical method of weed regulation significantly increased concentration and intake of potassium as compared to mechanical-chemical and chemical method.
  • Authors:
    • Gowacka, A.
  • Source: Biuletyn Instytutu Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roslin
  • Issue: 259
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The influence of sole- or mixed cropping system on yield and its structure was studied in common bean, in combination with different methods of weed control. A field experiment with four replications and split-plot design was conducted in a farm of the Frankamionka village (Zamosc district), in the years 2004-2006. The cropping system was the first factor (sole cropping vs. strip intercropping with fodder maize and spring wheat) and the method of weed control (mechanical, mechanical-chemical, chemical) was the second one. The strip cropping did not affect total seed yield of bean, but significantly increased the trade yield. The lowest yield was obtained at the mechanical weed control. The mechanical-chemical and chemical methods considerably increased the yield, the difference between them was small, but statistically significant. The methods of weed control significantly influenced the yield structure elements, i.e. number of pods per plant, number and mass of seed per plant, mass of 1000 seeds.