• Authors:
    • Rao, K.
    • Laxminarayana, K.
    • Nedunchezhiyan, M.
    • Satapathy, B.
  • Source: Acta Agronomica Hungarica
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted at the Regional Centre of the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Dumduma, Bhubaneswar for three consecutive years (2006-2008) under rainfed conditions on Alfisols to quantify the effects of strip intercropping on crop yields and yield components. A significantly higher yield was obtained from sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) border rows when pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) was intercropped. Analyses of sweet potato yield components indicated that the number of roots/plant, root length and root diameter were significantly higher in border rows when rice ( Oryza sativa L.), finger millet ( Eleusine coracana L.) and pigeonpea were used as intercrop compared to monoculture sweet potato. The number of tubers/plant of sweet potato in border rows was significantly lower when maize ( Zea mays L.) was intercropped, but the root length and root diameter were found to increase compared to sole sweet potato. The yields of rice, finger millet, maize and pigeonpea in inside rows in strip cropping were a little higher than in monoculture. The yield difference was mainly due to an increase in the number of seeds/panicle or cob. Sweet potato was the dominant crop when grown with rice or finger millet, but it was the subordinate crop when grown along with maize or pigeonpea. Sweet potato yields were consistently higher in strip intercropping than in monoculture when calculated across all the strips on an equal area basis. A strip intercropping system involving sweet potato+pigeonpea resulted in a higher land equivalent ratio (1.31) and net return ($623.9) compared to the other forms of intercropping and to monocropping.
  • Authors:
    • Cabrera, D.
    • Liso, A.
    • Coelho, J.
    • Lopez-Pineiro, A.
    • Nunes, J.
    • Pena, D.
  • Source: Spanish Journal of Rural Development (SJRD)
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In order to determine the effect of different irrigated crop rotation (1. corn, 2. intensive olive grove (300-400 trees/ha), 3. Corn - barley/oat/wheat (1 or 2 years) sugar beet and 4. Tomato - barley/oat/wheat (1 or 2 years) - Beet) on the organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity and soil sodicity, we collect and georeferenced 6280 samples from the surface layer of soils (0-20 cm) in the Caia Irrigation Perimeter (located in Elvas and Campo Maior Counties, Portalegre District, Portugal) occupied with those rotations. These samples were mixed in groups of 10, resulting 1 sample, corresponding to an area of 11.1 ha, the one was sent to the laboratory where we proceeded to examine the above parameters. With the use of appropriate software (Geographic Information Systems - GIS), it was possible to correlate these individual soil samples with crop rotations and with the group of soil present (Fluvisols, Luvisols and Calcisols). We found that the use of the abovementioned crop rotations, over about two decades, led to significant differences in soil characteristics, although not always significant from a statistical point of view. The crop rotations using larger water and fertilizers amounts in irrigated crop systems are the ones causing a more evident decrease in soil organic matter and pH and, at the same time, leading to an increase in soil electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium content.
  • 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:
    • Brye, K.
    • Smith, A.
    • Fortin, C.
    • Nalley, L.
    • Popp, M.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In this study, we developed a technique for estimating soil C sequestration from crop production with detailed spatial differences in production practices, tillage effects, and soil textures often overlooked when modeling state-level implications of climate change policies. The model also tracks C equivalent (CE) emissions from fertilizer, fuel, and agricultural chemical use. Using Arkansas as an example, a model that maximizes crop returns to producers in conjunction with C offset payments allowed estimation of probable changes in county-level cropping patterns and income as a result of varying C prices. While income ramifications of a C-offset climate change policy are positive, significant uncertainty about resultant greenhouse gas (GHG) effects are demonstrated. Crops included were corn ( Zea mays L.), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and wheat ( Triticum spp.). As a result of this detailed analysis, two caveats are that (i) policy recommendations hinge on a baseline scenario that would change with changes in input and output price levels, with these interactions not modeled within, and (ii) monitoring costs of a C-offset market could be significant.
  • Authors:
    • Chernchom, P.
    • Wetayaprasit, P.
    • Somboonsuke, B.
    • Pacheerat, K.
  • Source: Kasetsart Journal, Social Sciences
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The rubber agroforestry system is an alternative agriculture practice for rubber smallholders to enhance the ecological integrity and crop diversity. The data collection for the study of diversification of smallholding rubber agroforestry system (SRAS) included 300 rubber farms of 21 systems in the south, east, and northeast of Thailand. The project results revealed that there are a multitude of 21 rubber farming systems in Thailand. These systems can be classified into three main types: (1) the intercropping rubber-food crop system, growing short-lived plants, for example, pineapple, chili, banana, rice, sweet potato, long bean and corn, for a rubber period, no longer than 36 months; (2) the rubber-fruit crop system, growing multicrop within the rubber area during the rubber productive period. The most common fruit crops that have been grown in Thailand are guava, gnetum, long kong, salacca, mangosteen, durian, and levistona, etc., and (3) the rubber-timber species system, normally yielding higher income to rubber smallholders since the sales of both rubber and wood products are at the same time and this is coupled with the presently high value of wood. The important timber varieties in the rubber area are neem and teak. As for profitability of Smallholding Rubber Agro forestry System (SRAS), it was noted that pineapple, chili, salacca, and gnetum are highly profitable. However, in the rubber-pineapple system which yields the highest income, the cost of investment is the highest too, when compared to the rubber-gnetum system which requires minimal input and low cost of production and management. The main conditions for decision-making in the rubber intercropping system are as follows: (1) farm household labor requirement, (2) knowledge and experience, (3) extension and policy implication, (4) marketing opportunity, (5) consistent capability of local communities, and (6) land topography and sustainability. For SRAS development strategy in the southern Thailand, improvement should be made on pricing and marketing of agroforestry products, appropriate technology for higher productivity, greater farm efficiency and risk reduction at farm level, and more synchronized co-ordination among stakeholder agencies at the regional level.
  • Authors:
    • Costa, M.
    • Castoldi, G.
    • Pivetta, L.
    • Steiner, F.
    • Costa, L.
  • Source: Revista Brasileira de Ciencias Agrarias
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The organic carbon is a major component of the soil organic matter, and its stock is influenced by the type of management system used. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two cropping systems, with and without cover crop rotation, associated to three fertilization sources (mineral, organic and mineral+organic) in the organic and residual carbon contents of an Oxisol, in no-tillage system. Soil samples were collected at 0.0-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m depth in the first, second and third years of the experiment, installed in 2006. The crops sequence in the rotation system with cover crops was oat+vetch+turnip/corn/wheat/mucuna+brachiaria+crotalaria/corn/soybean, and in the following system it was wheat/corn/wheat/soybean/corn/soybean. The organic and mineral+organic fertilizers consisted in the sole application of organic fertilizers and combined with mineral fertilizer. The organic and residual carbon contents were not affected by the different cropping systems. The organic and mineral+organic fertilizers promoted increases in the organic and residual carbon contents. The system of crop succession fertilized with mineral fertilizer resulted in higher losses of soil carbon.
  • 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:
    • Gawronska-Kulesza, A.
    • Suwara, I.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Soil structure is one of the most important factors affecting soil fertility. In the structure-forming process the main role is played by organic matter and biological processes occurring in soil. The role of plants largely depends on their influence on the content of organic matter in the soil. The favourable influence of continuous pasture and red clover on formation of the granular structure are commonly known. The aim of these studies was to determine the effect of annual plants grown in narrow (spring barley, winter rye, winter oilseed rape, white mustard) and wide row-spacing (potato, maize) on the structure of light soil. The plants were cultivated in four-year crop rotation: potatoes (or maize) - spring barley - oilseed winter rape (or white mustard) - winter rye. In a permanent fertilization experiment at yczyn near Warsaw established in 1960 soil crumb composition and water resistance were investigated in years 1994-1997. The field was situated on lessive soil, the upper layer of which constitutes light loamy sand on boulder loam. The soil for studies was taken from the arable layer of 0-20 cm. The cultivated plants significantly influenced soil structure and water resistance of soil aggregates. The soil from plots in which winter plants were grown in narrow row-spacing (winter oilseed rape, winter rye) was characterised by the best structure. The highest water resistance of aggregates was formed on these plots. Potato and maize, grown in wide row-spacing had the worst influence on the soil crumb composition and water resistance of aggregates. Their action on the soil started relatively late, what had an effect on the formation of water resistance of aggregates. Plants shading the soil well over the year favour the increase in water resistance of aggregates and those shading poorly like potatoes and maize - its decrease.
  • Authors:
    • Bernardi, T.
    • Tamburini, E.
    • Castaldelli, G.
  • Source: Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The application described in this paper addresses problems encountered during the large scale production of ethanol from renewable sources. Bioethanol can be produced from several starchy raw materials (i.e. wheat, corn, barley, rye). After hydrolysis to glucose, starch can be converted in ethanol by fermentation. The hydrolysis of starch requires a multi-phase process using different enzymes. The degree of hydrolysis is a critical parameter because it determines the physical and chemical properties of the final products. The aims of this work were to monitor the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch from rye using Fourier-transformed near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy, and to identify barriers for an industrial scale application of this technology. The enzymatic hydrolysis of starch from rye was carried out in three steps, using commercially-available enzymes. A FT-NIR reflectance probe was immersed in the reactor to monitor the different phases of the hydrolysis process. The most significant parameters submitted to the NIR calibration were the percentage of dry matter (%w/v) (degreesBrix) and the concentrations of maltotriose, maltose and glucose (% w/v). PLS calibration models were built using 24 samples and spectra fordegreesBrix, 32 samples for maltotriose, and 48 samples for both maltose and glucose, respectively. The models were considered as promising in terms of the squared Pearson correlation coefficient (0.89
  • Authors:
    • Machado, V.
    • Lopes, J.
    • Souza, R.
    • Souza, C.
    • Teixeira, C.
  • Source: Informe Agropecuario
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue: 260
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The successful implementation and establishment of the no-tillage (NT) system is directly related to the maintenance of straw on the soil surface. The system of crop rotation also contributes to the success of NT. In the Cerrado (Minas Gerais, Brazil), the high temperature and rainfall mainly during the first six months accelerate straw decomposition and hinder the cultivation of crops during the winter. This paper presents various crop management options to promote the success of NT in the Cerrado region. Most notable is the oversowing of millet in soyabean and Santa Fe system, which involves a mixture of grasses and perennial crops, such as sorghum, millet and maize.