Evaluation of alternative tillage systems in the absence of herbicides for maize production in a savannah loamy sand

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 259-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.G.N. Anazodo ◽  
A.P. Onwualu ◽  
K.C. Watts
Keyword(s):  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Maize Production

scholarly journals Carbon Footprint and Life-Cycle Costs of Maize Production in Conventional and Non-Inversion Tillage Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1877
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Holka ◽  
Jerzy Bieńkowski
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Life Cycle Costs ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Maize Production

Given the problem of climate change and the requirements laid down by the European Union in the field of gradual decarbonization of production, it is necessary to implement solutions of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into agricultural practice. This research paper aimed to evaluate the carbon footprint and life-cycle costs of grain maize production in various tillage systems. The material for the analyses was data from 2015–2017 collected on 15 farms located in the Wielkopolska region (Poland) and growing maize for grain in three tillage systems: conventional, reduced, and no-tillage. The life-cycle assessment and life-cycle costing methodologies were applied to assess the GHG emissions and costs associated with the grain maize production in the stages from “cradle-to-farm gate”, i.e., from obtaining raw materials and producing means for agricultural production, through the processes of maize cultivation to grain harvesting. The calculated values of the carbon footprint indicator for maize production in conventional, reduced, and no-tillage systems were 2347.4, 2353.4, and 1868.7 CO2 eq. ha−1, respectively. The largest source of GHG emissions was the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Non-inversion tillage with cover crops and leaving a large amount of crop residues in the field increased the sequestration of organic carbon and contributed to a significant reduction of the carbon footprint in maize production. The conventional tillage system demonstrated the highest overall life-cycle costs per hectare.

Root penetration profiles of wheat and barley as affected by soil penetration resistance in field conditions

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Martino ◽  
Carl F. Shaykewich
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Mechanical Impedance ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Penetrometer Resistance

A study was conducted on three Manitoba soils (Marquette heavy clay, Fortier silty clay loam, and Souris loamy sand) with the objectives of: (a) assessing the effects of contrasting tillage systems on various soil physical properties; and (b) relating root penetration of cereals to these properties. The zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT) treatments had been established between 3 (Marquette and Souris) and 10 (Fortier) years prior to the initiation of the study. Penetrometer resistance (PR), bulk density (BD) and pore size distribution (PSD) were measured at various depths and times during two growing seasons. The effects of tillage systems on soil properties were generally small, particularly in the poorly structured Souris loamy sand. PR in the top 10 cm of soil tended to be higher under ZT than under CT. PR varied markedly with time and was closely related to changes in soil water content. The proportion of macropores (> 100 μm in diameter) near the soil surface tended to be higher under ZT than under CT. There was no evidence of any detrimental effect of poor aeration on the final root penetration profiles of wheat. The proportion of roots penetrating the soil was inversely related to PR. Soil strength critical for root penetration was determined to be 2 MPa and was independent of soil type. In most situations, however, roots were able to grow into soil with mechanical impedance greater than 2 MPa, possibly by making use of biochannels and spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the soil structure. Key words: Wheat, barley, zero tillage, conventional tillage, root penetration, penetration resistance

scholarly journals Long term effects of different soil tillage systems on maize (Zea mays L.) yields

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 186-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ž. Videnović ◽  
M. Simić ◽  
J. Srdić ◽  
Z. Dumanović
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Maize Production

The effects of three tillage systems: no-tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT), and three levels of fertilization (0, 258 and 516 kg/ha NPK (58:18:24)), on the maize yield during ten years (1999–2008) were analyzed on the chernozem soil type in Zemun Polje, Serbia. Statistical analyses showed significant effects of all three factors i.e., year, soil tillage and amount of fertilizers, and their interactions on the maize yield. The ten-year averages showed that the highest yields were observed with CT (10.61 t/ha), while the averages with RT and NT were lower (8.99 t/ha and 6.85 t/ha, respectively). The results of the influence of the amount of the applied fertilizers on maize yield showed that the lowest yield was in the zero level of fertilization 7.71 t/ha, while the yield was raised when the 258 kg/ha and 516 kg/ha NPK were applied (9.18 t/ha and 9.56 t/ha, respectively). Analyzing the influence of the soil tillage systems on maize production with respect to the amounts of applied fertilizers, this research revealed the benefits of CT under the presented agroecological conditions, irrespective of the level of applied fertilizer.

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