• Authors:
    • Somendra, N.
    • Anand, K.
    • Tripathi, A.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 80
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: A field experiment was carried out during winter ( rabi) seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Kanpur to find out the production potential and economic viability of winter maize ( Zea mays L.) intercropped with potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), Indian mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson], toria ( Brassica campestris var. toria), pea ( Pisum sativum L. sensulato), linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) for central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh. Values of land equivalent ratio (LER) and area-time equivalent ratio (ATER) with all the intercropping systems were greater indicating advantage in yield, land-use efficiency and monetary return/unit time and space over the respective monocultures. All the intercrops with maize recorded significantly higher maize-equivalent yield than the sole crop. Intercropping of maize with potato was more advantageous than the other intercrops. Maize+potato appeared to be biologically the most efficient and economically viable system giving the highest maize grain yield (6 091 kg/ha), maize-equivalent yield (13 792 kg/ha), production efficiency (276.1%), land equivalent ratio (2.14), area-time equivalent ratio (1.91), monetary advantage (Rs 39 017) and net realization (Rs 32 369/ha), followed by maize+pea. Indian mustard, toria and wheat were found non-compatible with winter maize.
  • Authors:
    • Haar, M.
    • Lindquist, J.
    • Wortman, S.
    • Francis, C.
  • Source: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: While weed management is consistently a top priority among farmers, there is also growing concern for the conservation of biodiversity. Maintaining diverse weed communities below bioeconomic thresholds may provide ecosystem services for the crop and the surrounding ecosystem. This study was conducted to determine if weed diversity, density and biomass differ within and among organic and conventional crop rotations. In 2007 and 2008, we sampled weed communities in four long-term crop rotations near Mead, Nebraska using seedbank analyses (elutriation and greenhouse emergence) and above-ground biomass sampling. Two conventional crop rotations consisted of a corn ( Zea mays) or sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor)-soybean ( Glycine max)-sorghum or corn-soybean sequence and a diversified corn or sorghum-sorghum or corn-soybean-wheat ( Triticum aestivum) sequence. Two organic rotations consisted of an animal manure-based soybean-corn or sorghum-soybean-wheat sequence and a green manure-based alfalfa ( Medicago sativa)-alfalfa-corn or sorghum-wheat sequence. Species diversity of the weed seedbank and the above-ground weed community, as determined by the Shannon diversity index, were greatest in the organic green manure rotation. Averaged across all sampling methods and years, the weed diversity index of the organic green manure rotation was 1.07, followed by the organic animal manure (0.78), diversified conventional (0.76) and conventional (0.66) rotations. The broadleaf weed seedbank density in the tillage layer of the organic animal manure rotation was 1.4*, 3.1* and 5.1* greater than the organic green manure, diversified conventional and conventional rotations, respectively. The grass weed seedbank density in the tillage layer of the organic green manure rotation was 2.0*, 6.1* and 6.4* greater than the organic animal manure, diversified conventional and conventional rotations, respectively. The above-ground weed biomass was generally greatest in the organic rotations. The broadleaf weed biomass in sorghum and wheat did not differ between organic and conventional rotations (CRs), but grass weed biomass was greater in organic compared to CRs for all crops. The above-ground weed biomass did not differ within CRs, and within organic rotations the grass weed biomass was generally greatest in the organic green manure rotation. The weed seedbank and above-ground weed communities that have accumulated in these rotations throughout the experiment suggest a need for greater management in long-term organic rotations that primarily include annual crops. However, results suggest that including a perennial forage crop in organic rotations may reduce broadleaf weed seedbank populations and increase weed diversity.
  • Authors:
    • Wang, L.
    • Anjum, S.
    • Xue, L.
    • Zhang, Y,
    • Hu, X,
    • Wang, G.
    • Zou, C.
  • Source: Zhongguo Shengtai Nongye Xuebao / Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture
  • Volume: 18
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Under the "wheat/maize/sweet potato" tri-crop intercropping system in the southwest China, we researched into the effects of different straw mulching treatments on root morphology, physiological characteristics of transplanted maize at seedling stage. Taking local traditional farming (T) as CK, the other two treatments were straw mulching (TS) and straw mulching plus decomposition catalysts (TSD). The entire experiment lasted for two years. Results show that straw mulching moderately increases root length and root surface area, while significantly increasing root length within 1.0-2.5 mm diameter compared with T treatment. However, there is no significant difference between TSD and TS treatments. Significantly increases in maize seedling root vigor by respectively 19.12%, 27.46%, in root-shoot ratio by 36.72%, 37.50%, and in root biomass by 62.53%, 69.42% are noted under TS and TSD treatments for 2008. Compared with T, the above indicators increase respectively by 17.86% and 25.83%, 31.54% and 33.08%, 65.69% and 77.37% for 2009. Meanwhile, straw mulching enhances soil moisture and nutrient supply. Straw mulching conservation tillage enhances root development and other physiological characteristics under maize intercropping system at seedling stage by changing farmland environment. Straw mulching with decomposition catalysts even performs better.
  • Authors:
    • Buresha, R.
  • Source: Proceedings of the 19th World Congress of Soil Science: Soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. Division Symposium 3.2 Nutrient best management practices
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), as developed through more than a decade of research with rice ( Oryza sativa L.) in Asia, now provides scientific principles on nutrient best management practices for rice, maize ( Zea mays L.), and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in Asia. These scientific principles of SSNM enable the pre-season determination of crop needs for fertilizer nitrogen (N), the within-season distribution of fertilizer N to meet crop needs, and the pre-season determination of fertilizer phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) rates to match crop needs and sustain soil fertility. Fertilizer best management for each cereal crop is tailored to field-specific conditions for crop yield, crop residue management, historical fertilizer use, use of organic materials, and nutrient inputs through irrigation water. The widespread uptake by farmers of improved nutrient management requires transforming science-based information into locally adapted tools that enable extension workers, crop advisors, and farmers to rapidly develop and implement best management practices for specific fields and growing conditions. These tools that use information technology and other means for technology dissemination include decision support software, videos, quick guides for fertilizing rice, and the leaf color chart (LCC) for managing fertilizer N.
  • Authors:
    • Gregorio, P.
    • Lupi, S.
    • Cucchi, A.
  • Source: Tecnica Molitoria
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Feeding is the main route for trace elements intake. The amount of trace elements in the food ingested may result in a loss or accumulation of trace elements in different body tissues. The possible distribution of essential (chromium, manganese, copper, selenium and zinc) and toxic (cadmium) elements from the environment to the maize plant was evaluated in this study. Furthermore, their transfer from irrigation water, soil water, soil, corn plant, corn grain, and especially to corn flour was estimated. Sampling was conducted during the cropping season in two areas in Italy and the concentrations in different matrices have been compared to exclude differences related to irrigation and to assess element accumulation. The concentration of metals was lower in flour than in the grain; the processes of grinding led to an almost total loss of copper, cadmium, chromium and selenium, to a loss of more than 50% of zinc and of most of the manganese content.
  • Authors:
    • Zhang, J.
    • Zhang, X.
    • Sun, J.
    • Kang, S.
    • Du, T.
  • Source: Agricultural Water Management
  • Volume: 97
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Water shortage is the major bottleneck that limits sustainable development of agriculture in north China. Crop physiological water-saving irrigation methods such as temporal (regulated deficit irrigation) and spatial (partial root zone irrigation) deficit irrigation have been tested with much improved crop water use efficiency (WUE) without significant yield reduction. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of (1) spatial deficit irrigation on spring maize in arid Inland River Basin of northwest China during 1997-2000; (2) temporal deficit irrigation on winter wheat in semi-arid Haihe River Basin during 2003-2007 and (3) temporal deficit irrigation on winter wheat and summer maize in Yellow River Basin during 2006-2007. Results showed that alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) maintained similar photosynthetic rate ( Pn) but reduced transpiration rate ( Tr), and thus increased leaf WUE of maize. It also showed that the improved WUE might only be gained for AFI under less water amount per irrigation. The feasible irrigation cycle is 7d in the extremely arid condition in Inner River Basin of northwest China and less water amount with more irrigation frequency is better for both grain yield and WUE in semi-arid Haihe River Basin of north China. Field experiment in Yellow River Basin of north China also suggests that mild water deficit at early seedling stage is beneficial for grain yield and WUE of summer maize, and the deficit timing and severity should be modulated according to the drought tolerance of different crop varieties. The economical evapotranspiration for winter wheat in Haihe River Basin, summer maize in Yellow River Basin of north China and spring maize in Inland River Basin of northwest China are 420.0 mm, 432.5 mm and 450.0 mm respectively. Our study in the three regions in recent decade also showed that AFI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method for wide-spaced cereals in arid region, but mild water deficit in earlier stage might be a practical irrigation strategy for close-planting cereals. Application of such temporal and spatial deficit irrigation in field-grown crops has greater potential in saving water, maintaining economic yield and improving WUE.
  • Authors:
    • Hao, M.
    • Fan, J.
    • Malhi, S.
  • Source: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
  • Volume: 90
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Nitrate (NO 3-) leaching and water contamination have become a worldwide concern. In this review, some examples are presented to show the extent and magnitude of NO 3- accumulation in the soil profiles and its potential effects on contamination of ground water and surface water under dryland farming in northern China. Climatic and management factors affecting NO 3- leaching are also discussed. In northern China, rainfall is relatively sparse, but the high intensity of precipitation and porous soils play an important role in the accumulation of NO 3N in soil and its subsequent leaching in the soil profile. There is a risk of nitrate accumulation and leaching when high rates of fertilizer N are applied to improve crop yields, and it becomes even worse when conventional land use is changed from cereal crops to vegetable crops and fruit orchards. Under such conditions, shallow ground water might be polluted by NO 3-. This suggests that more attention should be paid to prevent this problem by using best management practices, especially by controlling the amount of N fertilizer input, balanced fertilization, split N application, inclusion of crops with deep taproots in the rotation and minimizing summer fallow (especially tilled) frequency.
  • Authors:
    • Rayar, A. J.
    • Senthivel, T.
    • Kannan, N.
    • Frank, M.
  • Source: Agricultural Water Management
  • Volume: 97
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The study explores the potential of introducing an additional crop during dry season in Rwanda, comparing the efficiency of in situ soil moisture conservation techniques to sustain rain-fed agriculture. Comparative study of in situ soil moisture conservation techniques in bench terraces and unterraced field with maize crop had been conducted from June 2007 to October 2007. Bench terrace increased the average soil moisture content in 90 cm soil depth by more than 50% than that of unterraced land. Within the bench terraced field compartment bund and ridges and furrows increased soil moisture by 19.5% and 27.9% higher than plain bed. In terms of efficiency of moisture conservation, ridges and furrows performed well with 85.8% followed by compartment bund with 75.9% in terraced field. Unterraced field conserved moisture very poorly with 13.9% efficiency inferring importance of bench terraces for soil moisture conservation. No maize grain yield was recorded in all the techniques because soil water depleted to 60% and above from the beginning of the cropping period inferring the need of supplementary irrigation. Analysis of rainfall, crop water demand and in situ moisture conservation reveals exciting opportunities for water productivity enhancements by integrating components of water management within the context of rain-fed farming through water harvesting and supplemental or microirrigation for dry spell mitigation. Detailed analysis is needed for feasibility of lift irrigation with different crops under different altitudes to derive suitable policy for hill land irrigation.
  • Authors:
    • Kumar, S. N.
    • Byjesh, K.
    • Aggarwal, P. K.
  • Source: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Climate change associated global warming, rise in carbon dioxide concentration and uncertainties in precipitation has profound implications on Indian agriculture. Maize ( Zea mays L.), the third most important cereal crop in India, has a major role to play in country's food security. Thus, it is important to analyze the consequence of climate change on maize productivity in major maize producing regions in India and elucidate potential adaptive strategy to minimize the adverse effects. Calibrated and validated InfoCrop-MAIZE model was used for analyzing the impacts of increase in temperature, carbon dioxide (CO 2) and change in rainfall apart from HadCM3 A2a scenario for 2020, 2050 and 2080. The main insights from the analysis are threefold. First, maize yields in monsoon are projected to be adversely affected due to rise in atmospheric temperature; but increased rainfall can partly offset those loses. During winter, maize grain yield is projected to reduced with increase in temperature in two of the regions (Mid Indo-Gangetic Plains or MIGP, and Southern Plateau or SP), but in the Upper Indo-Gangetic Plain (UIGP), where relatively low temperatures prevail during winter, yield increased up to a 2.7°C rise in temperature. Variation in rainfall may not have a major impact on winter yields, as the crop is already well irrigated. Secondly, the spatio-temporal variations in projected changes in temperature and rainfall are likely to lead to differential impacts in the different regions. In particular, monsoon yield is reduced most in SP (up to 35%), winter yield is reduced most in MIGP (up to 55%), while UIGP yields are relatively unaffected. Third, developing new cultivars with growth pattern in changed climate scenarios similar to that of current varieties in present conditions could be an advantageous adaptation strategy for minimizing the vulnerability of maize production in India.
  • Authors:
    • Pitchai, G. J.
    • Kumar, V. S.
  • Source: Asian Journal of Soil Science
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Maize is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice grown in virtually every suitable agricultural region of the globe. Maize being an exhaustive crop responds well to higher levels of NPK. The use of organic sources had significant effect on macro and micronutrients and thus it helps in sustenance of the soil fertility. For the study, a field experiment was conducted in Malayalathanpatty village, Madurai to evaluate the response of maize (Super 900M) with different organic sources like vermicompost, sewage sludge, green leaf manures and composted coir pith combined with inorganic fertilizers. There were ten treatment combinations replicated thrice in RBD in Annaiyur soil series (Entic Haplustert). The results showed that the highest grain yield of 4402 kg ha -1 was recorded in treatment that received vermicompost @ 5 t ha -1 with 75 per cent RDF and it was found to be superior to over other treatments.