Soil moisture regimes under summerfallow, wheat and red fescue in the upper peace river region

Yields of herbage, animal gains, carrying capacity and TDN production were determined for three pasture swards grown on a Grey Wooded soil (Albright-Hythe series) in the Peace River region of northern Alberta over the period 1953 to 1956 inclusive. Sheep were used as grazing units. Fertilizer treatments of nil, ammonium phosphate (11-48-0) at 300 pounds per acre and ammonium nitrate (33-0-0) at 100 pounds per acre were applied annually to pastures of creeping red fescue, creeping red fescue-alfalfa and bromegrass-alfalfa.Productivity obtained with unfertilized grass-legume mixtures was almost double that for unfertilized grass grown alone. Increased production attributable to alfalfa was also obtained, although to a lesser degree, where fertilizers were used. Pastures of creeping red fescue seeded alone and with alfalfa responded markedly to applications of nitrogen while responses to phosphorus were negligible. Conversely, bromegrass-alfalfa pastures responded strongly to applications of phosphorus and only slightly to nitrogen.

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The use of annual legume green-manure crops as a substitute for summerfallow in the Peace River region

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss93-026 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 243-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

W. A. Rice ◽

P. E. Olsen ◽

L. D. Bailey ◽

V. O. Biederbeck ◽

A. E. Slinkard

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Green Manure ◽

Field Studies ◽

Dinitrogen Fixation ◽

Annual Legumes ◽

Peace River ◽

Nitrate N ◽

River Region ◽

Green Manure Crops ◽

Legume Green Manure

Field studies were conducted on a Landry clay-loam soil (Black Solod) to evaluate the effects of green manuring Tangier flatpea (Lathyrus tingitanus 'Tinga'), lentil (Lens culinaris 'Indianhead') and alfalfa (Medicago sativa 'Moapa') on subsequent barley (Hordeum vulgare 'Galt') crops. Each trial consisted of separate legume phases planted in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and barley phases in each of the subsequent years. The flatpea and lentil were incorporated (green manured) in late July or in late August to early September. The alfalfa was incorporated in late August to early September. The 3-yr mean dry matter (DM) yields of lentil and Tangier flatpea varied from 1047 to 2308 kg ha−1, with considerable variability from year to year. Alfalfa, used as an annual legume, produced 812 kg DM ha−1. Dinitrogen fixation by the annual legumes, as assayed by acetylene reduction was 16 kg N ha−1 or less. Soil moisture measurements following the legumes showed 2–3 cm less water in the profile to a depth of 120 cm following alfalfa and late-incorporated Tangier flatpea than following summerfallow and early-incorporated lentil and Tangier flatpea. Ammonium-N levels in the soil were similar following the various legume green-manure treatments. Nitrate-N levels following the legumes were variable, but the levels of nitrate-N in the plots following legume incorporation generally followed the order: fallow > early incorporation > late incorporation. The grain and N yield of barley following early-incorporated lentil and flatpea were equal to or only slightly less than the yield following fallow, suggesting that annual legumes have a good potential as green-manure crops in place of fallow in Black Solod soils of the Peace River region. Key words: Legume plow-down, soil conservation, dinitrogen fixation, soil moisture, nitrate-N

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Estimation of snowmelt runoff in the Peace River region using a soil moisture budget

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss93-050 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (4) ◽

pp. 489-501 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

H. N. Hayhoe ◽

R. G. Pelletier ◽

L. J. P. van Vliet

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Snow Depth ◽

Frozen Soil ◽

Moisture Budget ◽

Snowmelt Runoff ◽

Peace River ◽

Erosion Prediction ◽

Spring Runoff ◽

River Region ◽

Soil Moisture Budget

Rainfall and snowmelt runoff on soil frozen below the surface are recognized as important factors contributing to soil loss in Canada. The risk of rain on frozen soil has been quantified, and the amount of snowmelt on frozen soil has been estimated. This study extends such research to derive a climate-based model to estimate winter and spring runoff. This could result in a more accurate erosion prediction for areas where snowmelt is a major source for runoff. Selected components of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model and the versatile soil moisture budget (VB) were tested on observed data for two study sites in the Peace River region. The version of the WEPP model available to us estimated snow depth, soil frost depth and frequency of freeze–thaw cycles. However, the results did not adequately match observed data. The VB was modified in this study to improve the estimate of potential winter and spring runoff, and it was shown that incorporating observations of snow depth improved the estimate of the time and amount of snowmelt runoff. The modified runoff model was validated with data collected in the Peace River area of northern Alberta and British Columbia and with published data from the Prairies. Key words: Snowmelt, runoff, soil moisture budget

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Effects of water and nitrogen on seed production of creeping red fescue

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps07006 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 439-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N. A. Fairey

Keyword(s):

Seed Production ◽

Seed Yield ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Festuca Rubra ◽

Seed Crop ◽

Red Fescue ◽

Peace River ◽

River Region ◽

Seed Crops

In order to address a paucity of information, a study was conducted in the Peace River region of northwestern Canada to determine the effects on seed production of creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. var. rubra) of six water treatments [natural precipitation and 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200% of the average, cumulative, long-term precipitation (LTP) of 459 mm yr-1] in combination with four N-fertilization regimes (zero + 102, 34 + 68, 68 + 34, and 102 + zero kg ha-1 N for the first + second crops, respectively). The 2-yr seed yield exceeded 2900 kg ha-1 when N was supplied to just one of the two seed crops, viz. with 150 to 200% LTP when N was applied only to the first seed crop, and with 125 to 150% LTP when N was applied only to the second seed crop. Under the prevailing, long-term, moisture environment at the study site (100% LTP), total seed yield over two production years was greatest (2136 kg ha-1) with 68 + 34 kg ha-1 N. The effects of the water and N treatments on seed yield were not associated with the mass of root organic matter recovered after the harvest of the second seed crop. These results confirm, and begin to quantify, numerous visual observations in the Peace River region that seed yields of creeping red fescue are restricted by insufficient precipitation. Key words: Creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra, grass seed production, nitrogen fertility, water, soil moisture

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DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANCE IN NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA OF TOADFLAX AND ITS INSECT ENEMIES

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps75-024 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 157-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A. L. DARWENT ◽

W. LOBAY ◽

W. YARISH ◽

P. HARRIS

Keyword(s):

Forage Crops ◽

Red Fescue ◽

Tillage Practices ◽

Peace River ◽

River Region ◽

Seed Eating ◽

Major Factors ◽

Seed Yields ◽

Summer Fallow ◽

Made In

A survey was conducted during 1971–73 to determine the distribution of toadflax (Linaria vulgaris Mill.) in the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta. A total of 4,189 ha were found to be moderately or heavily infested. Approximately 47% of the infested land was used for perennial forage crops and 45% for annual crops and summer fallow. The remainder occurred on abandoned lands or in farmyards and woodland. Comparison with estimates of toadflax distribution made in 1956 indicates that the weed may be decreasing in a large portion of the survey areas, although increases are apparent on a few farms. Two biological control agents, the flower-feeding beetle, Brachypterolus pulicarius L., and the seed-eating weevil, Gymnaetron antirrhini Payk., accompanied by improved tillage practices appear to be the major factors restricting the spread of toadflax. The weed is not considered a serious problem in cereal crops but is troublesome in forage crops such as creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) where high densities reduce seed yields.

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Herbage productivity and nutritive value of nine grasses in the Peace River region of northwestern Canada

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p02-094 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 163-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. A. Fairey

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Average Rate ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Early Season ◽

Red Fescue ◽

Peace River ◽

Primary Growth ◽

N Concentration ◽

River Region ◽

Single Response

Seasonal production profiles are fundamental to the effective utilisation of herbage crops. In the Peace River region of north-western Canada, the seasonal productivity and nutritive value of the primary growth of nine grasses was assessed under conditions of potentially non-limiting N fertiliser (150 kg N ha-1). Yield, digestibility and N concentration of dry matter (DM) were determined for herbage harvested at six dates during primary growth (late-May to mid-August at 2-wk intervals), and regressed on time in the growing season. Herbage DM yield increased exponentially throughout primary growth for each grass although the nature of the relationship differed among the grasses, both with respect to the maximum yield and the amount of early-season production; maximum yields ranged from 3.61 t ha-1 for reed canary to 6.31 t ha-1 for intermediate wheat. The early-season productivity of meadow foxtail and crested wheat was particularly evident, with DM yields in excess of 1 t ha-1 by 24 May compared to less than 0.32 t ha-1 for the other seven grasses. Reed canary and meadow foxtail had high N concentrations, meadow brome and three wheatgrasses had low N concentrations, and smooth brome, timothy and creeping red fescue had intermediate N concentrations. Herbage digestibility during the primary growth could be characterised by a single response curve for the nine grasses; digestibility decreased exponentially during the vegetative to head-emergence stage of growth at an average rate of 4.1 g kg-1 DM d-1, from 830 g kg-1 DM in late-May to 616 g kg-1 DM in mid-July. Herbage N concentration and digestibility were related linearly for each of the nine grasses. Key words: Grasses, herbage, yield, nutritive value, primary growth

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Effect of Soil Moisture Regimes on Seed Iron and Zinc Concentration of Biofortified Bean Genotypes against Malnutrition in Sud-Kivu Highlands

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v9n12p241 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 241 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Casinga Mubasi Clérisse ◽

Neema Ciza Angélique ◽

Kajibwami Cikuru Marie-Angélique ◽

Nabahungu Nshwarasi Leon ◽

Mambani Banda Pierre

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Zinc Concentration ◽

Zinc Content ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Reduction Of Iron ◽

Moisture Regimes ◽

Secondary Factor ◽

Iron And Zinc ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

Main Factor

This study investigated the influence of three soil moisture irrigation regimes on concentration of seed iron and zinc content of four biofortified bean varieties promoted for eradication of malnutrition in Sud-Kivu highlands. A field experiment was conducted in the Hogola marsh highlands during two cultural seasons B2013 and B2014. The experiment design was a RCBD with a split plot arrangement where the main plots were 110 m2 and split plots 20 m2. A strategic application of homogenisation of the experimental site’s soil fertility by chemical fertilizers of the type: CaCO3, KCl and DAP was conducted out. Four biofortified varieties (CODMLB001, RWR2245, HM21-7 and RWK10) constituted main factor, while water regimes respectively [bottom of the slope: R1 = 48% soil moisture, at the middle of the slope R2 = 37% soil moisture and at the top of the slope: R3 = 29% soil moisture according to the gradient of humidity] represented secondary factor and seasonality, tertiary factor. The study showed that the concentrations of iron and zinc were highly correlated with soil moisture regimes. The variety HM21-7 demonstrated better adaptability because it showed a low rate of reduction of iron and zinc concentration under the three soil moisture regimes and was therefore best suited to fight malnutrition in the Sud-Kivu province.

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Soil moisture depletion and ground water use by bed planted barley as influenced by cultivars, crop geometry and moisture regimes

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v9i3.1385 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 1465-1468 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Naveen Kumar ◽

Suresh Kumar ◽

Parveen Kumar ◽

Meena Sewhag

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Ground Water ◽

Water Use ◽

Moisture Regime ◽

Rabi Season ◽

Shallow Water Table ◽

Moisture Regimes ◽

Crop Geometry ◽

Plot Design

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season 2011-2012 at Research Farm, CCS Haryana Agri-cultural University, Hisar, Haryana (India) to study the periodic soil moisture depletion and ground water use by bed planted barley as influenced by cultivars, crop geometry and moisture regimes under shallow water table conditions. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications keeping combinations of three cultivars viz., BH 393, BH 902 and BH 885 and two crop geometries viz 2 rows per bed and 3 rows per bed (70 cm wide with 40 cm top and 30 cm furrow) in main plots and three moisture regimes (irrigation at IW/CPE 0.3, 0.4 & 0.5) in sub plots. The results revealed that maximum soil moisture depletion (105 mm) and ground water contribution (62 mm) were recorded in BH 902, followed by BH 393 and BH 885. Among crop geometries, soil moisture depletion (96.6 mm) and ground water contribution (61 mm) were recorded higher in 3 rows per bed than 2 rows per bed. Among three moisture regimes, the soil moisture depletion (108 mm) and ground water contribution (65 mm) decreased with increase in moisture regime from irrigation at IW/CPE 0.3 to irrigation at IW/CPE 0.4 or 0.5.

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