Integration of Forage and Food Crops Grown Sequentially on Vertisols under Rainfed Conditions in the Mid-Altitude Ethiopian Highlands

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abate Tedla ◽  
J. Sherington ◽  
M. A. Mohamed-Saleem

SUMMARYPoor drainage of Vertisols in the Ethiopian mid-altitude highlands limits farming operations and cropping in the early rainy season (July–August). Traditional crops are grown on residual moisture late in the season (September–January) when waterlogging is less of a problem. Productivity is therefore below its potential. The recent introduction of a broadbed and furrow system for improved drainage on Vertisols allows full use of the growing period and provides scope for a wider variety of cropping systems and increased productivity. Trials using a sequential cropping system demonstrated that two crops a year can be grown when Vertisols are drained. The crops used in the trial were oats or an oat/vetch mixture forage in the early season followed by grasspea or chickpea food crops in the late season as the second crop. Further on-farm research on sequential cropping of forages and food crops in the mid-altitude highlands of Ethiopia is now needed.

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Foale ◽  
M. E. Probert ◽  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
D. Lack ◽  
S. Yeates ◽  
...  

Collaboration of researchers and service-providers with farmers in addressing crop and soil management, using on-farm experiments and cropping system simulation, was negotiated in 2 districts in Central Queensland, Australia. The 2 most influential variables affecting crop productivity in this region (soil water and mineral nitrogen contents) and the growth of sown crops, were monitored and simulated for 3 years beginning in December 1992. Periodic soil sampling of large experimental strips on 3 farms, from paddocks that differed in cropping history and soil properties, provided robust datasets of change, over time, of soil water and mineral nitrogen status. Farmers participated in twice-yearly discussions with researchers, informed by the accumulating data, which influenced thinking about soil behaviour and possible new management strategies. As the study period coincided with a prolonged drought, so that cropping opportunities were few, the objectives of the work were modified to concentrate almost exclusively on the soil variables.The contribution of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator, which was used to simulate the measured changes in soil water and mineral nitrogen, was found by all participants to be useful. The APSIM output generally demonstrated close correspondence with field observations, which raised confidence in its applicability to local cropping systems. Exploration of hypothetical situations of interest to farmer participants, in the form of what-if scenarios, provided insights into the behaviour of the production system for a range of soil and seasonal conditions. The informed speculation of the simulator became a substitute for the farmers' own, more tentative, efforts.The regular participative review sessions proved to be highly effective in stimulating the learning of both farmers and researchers. The farmers were able to feel comfortable as owners of the collaborative experiments and custodians of the learning environment. Clear evidence for the ongoing learning of these farmers appeared in post-collaboration practices and experiences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 364-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zhou ◽  
G. Chen ◽  
Y. Miao ◽  
H. Zhang ◽  
Z. Chen ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a Crop Circle sensor-based precision nitrogen (N) management (PNM) strategy in different winter wheat cropping systems under on-farm conditions in North China Plain (NCP). Four farmer’s fields were selected for on-farm experiments in Laoling County, Shandong Province of NCP in 2015-2016. In each field, the PNM strategy was evaluated in two winter wheat cropping systems: farmer’s conventional management (FCM) and regional optimum crop management (ROCM). In each cropping system, there were two N management strategies: 1) FCM or ROCM; 2) PNM. The results indicated that the PNM strategy significantly increased partial factor productivity (PFP) by 29% in the FCM system, but did not have any significant improvement in the ROCM system. The ROCM system, using either regional optimum N management or PNM, significantly increased both grain yield and PFP than the FCM system.


Author(s):  
. Rohit ◽  
Jitendra Singh

The present study evaluate and disseminate the improved rainfed cropping systems, on farm trials and demonstration was conducted at National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) village Nagla Dulhe Khan. Yield of dry land crops is very low due to various reasons. Farm trials were conducted to evaluate different cropping system practices at village Nagla Dulhe Khan. Trials and demonstrations were carried out at farmer’s field to show the worth of improved cropping system practices for horizontal spread of improved agro-technologies. 54.5 percent increased in the yield was found by adopting intercropping of chick pea and mustard (5:1). Improved cropping system practiced resulted in higher yield, higher net returns and higher B: C ratio over farmers practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adarsh S ◽  
Jacob John ◽  
Giffy Thomas

Climate change threatens global food and economic security. The decreased availability and import of pulses highlight the urgency of increased production. Pulse included cropping systems are the only way to enhance production as the area available are limited. Increased yield at spatial and temporal dimensions are focused here. Cropping system including pulses consists of inter cropping, sequential cropping, mixed cropping, relay cropping and paira/utera cropping. They compete for light, space, residual moisture content and available nutrients with companion crops. They improve soil properties, reduce pest and disease incidence. The specific role of pulses in cropping system includes high carbon sequestration capacity, low carbon footprint, fixing atmospheric nitrogen in soils, low water footprint, hydrogen fertilization of soils and improving soil biodiversity. Since they are easy to cultivate it creates employment opportunities for women. Pulses provide economic profitability to farmers. There lies a promising, sustainable and cost effective solution in these tiniest seeds.


1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164
Author(s):  
Karen Ann Dvořák

SUMMARYOn-farm diagnostic experiments were used to study constraints to nitrogen fertilizer use, define recommendation domains, and test fertilizer management techniques for two sorghum cropping systems in semi-arid tropical India. In the post-rainy season sorghum cropping system, nitrogen fertilizer use remains negligible because crop response is poor when sorghum is planted after the end of the monsoon, as is traditional. An earlier planting date would introduce high risks. In the dependable rainfall region, nitrogen fertilizer use on hybrid sorghum could be enhanced by tailoring recommendations to broad farmer-designated soil groups, and by educational programmes on the use of complex fertilizers. Additional research on fertilizer efficiencies on shallow Vertisols is needed. Diagnostic experiments proved a useful, relatively rapid and low cost method of research when complemented by farm management and on-station research data.


1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel K. Yiridoe ◽  
Alfons Weersink

Cost-effectiveness is an important consideration in evaluating choices for meeting environmental quality objectives. Estimated crop yield response functions and the associated groundwater-nitrate pollution production functions were used to evaluate the optimal N fertilization and on-farm abatement costs for alternative cropping systems, with management choices at both the intensive and extensive margins. The cost-effective corn production system, which meets the Health Canada standard for nitrates with the highest returns ($278 ha–1) and lowest on-farm abatement cost ($248 ha–1), was a four-year corn-corn-soybean-wheat rotation under conventional tillage. At contaminant limits above the Health Canada standard, the cost-effective wheat cropping system shifted from a soybean-wheat rotation under no-tillage to a corn-soybean-wheat rotation under no-tillage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoumana Kouyaté ◽  
Tatiana Krasova-Wade ◽  
Inamoud Ibny Yattara ◽  
Marc Neyra

Many cowpea varieties (Vigna unguiculataL. Walp) have been proposed by research in Mali. None of these varieties were investigated for their symbiotic potential in terms of root nodulation and mycorrhizal infection. An experiment was conducted at Cinzana Research Station, from 2007 to 2009 with an objective to identify a cowpea variety with high symbiotic potential which may improve millet/cowpea cropping global production. Randomized complete block (RCBD) design with a factorial combination of 3 cowpea varieties (IT89KD-374, CZ1-94-23-1, and CZ11-94-5C) and 2 cropping systems (millet/cowpea intercropping and cowpea-millet rotation) was used. On farm test was conducted to evaluate CZ11-94-5C and IT89KD-374 nodulation performance. Cowpea variety CZ11-94-5-C had the highest nodule number and nodule weight. Millet/cowpea alternate rows intercropping (1/1), only, had a significant influence on cowpea root infection rates by mycorrhizae, on the 45th day after emergence. IT89KD-374 gave the best cowpea grain yield (1540 kg ha−1) in sole crop. The highest millet grain yield (1650 kg ha−1) was obtained under CZ11-94-5C-millet rotation. Farmers' fields assessments results confirmed CZ11-94-5C performance on research station. The CZ11-94-5C cowpea variety needs to be more characterized.


Plant Disease ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Edema ◽  
E. Adipala ◽  
D. A. Florini

An on-farm survey was conducted for two seasons (first and second rains of 1994) to determine influence of season and cropping systems on occurrence of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) diseases in Uganda. Viral diseases were widespread in both seasons but were more severe in the intercropped than in the nonintercropped cowpea. In contrast, scab, rust, and powdery mildew were less common and less severe when cowpea was grown in intercrops. High plant populations favored scab and anthracnose, but viral diseases were more severe under low plant populations. Higher incidence and severity of viral diseases, anthracnose, and scab were recorded during the first (wetter) season than during the second (drier) season. Disease level varied considerably among the common cultivars, but these differences may have been influenced by environmental differences.


Author(s):  
Suneeta Singh ◽  
Anil Kumar Saxena

The research on productivity, energy-use efficiency and economics of pigeonpea based cropping system, viz., pigeonpea–wheat, pigeonpea – barley, pigeonpea – lentil, pigeonpea – field pea and pigeonpea – toria compared with rice–wheat cropping system was carried out at the Experimental Research Block of School of Agricultural Sciences, SGRRU, Uttarakhand. These cropping systems were evaluated under rainfed conditions. Results showed that all the pigeonpea – based cropping system were significantly superior to traditional rice – wheat cropping system in terms of productivity, net returns, benefit:cost ratio and net energy returns. Pigeonpea – lentil cropping system proved superior in terms of system net returns (Rs 63,616/ha), benefit:cost ratio (1.64) and energy ratio (1.94) to pigeonpea - wheat, pigeonpea – barley, pigeonpea - field pea and pigeonpea - toria cropping system. The plots under rice - wheat cropping system recorded the lowest pigeonpea-equivalent yield (1.32 t/ha), net returns (Rs 2,750/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (0.06). The nutrient status of the soil improved significantly due to pigeonpea – lentil cropping system over other cropping systems. Pigeonpea – lentil cropping system proved to be the best in terms of monetary returns, net energy return and soil productivity and hence, could be adopted in the mid-hill regions under rainfed conditions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Mishra ◽  
RN Chaudhary

In absence of suitable cropping systems in terai, seed yield of mustard is decreasing. Farmers are growing mustard crop under energy starved condition and these are main reasons for low productivity of mustard. With a view to address these issues, an experiment on sustainability of productivity in rice-mustard sequential cropping system through integrated nutrient management for terai condition of Nepal was carried at Nawalpur, Sarlahi during 2004 – 2006. The result revealed that rice grown with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and 10 tons compost /ha produced a maximum mean grain yield of 4371 kg/ha and straw yield of 5045.5 kg/ha which might be due to maximum dry matter accumulation. Likewise, it was exhibited that application of recommended dose of fertilizer with 10 t compost on preceding rice resulted in maximum seed yield of mustard (1259 kg/ha). The finding also showed that mustard grown with recommended dose of fertilizer produced a maximum mean seed yield of 1384 kg/ha. There was a positive effect of these treatments on seed yield attributes and seed yield of succeeding mustard. Economic analysis for the effects of treatments resulted a maximum benefit cost (BC) ratio of 2.0 which was obtained for mustard when grown after recommended dose of fertilizer. An encouraging BC ratio of 3.45 was found when mustard was taken with 100% recommended dose of fertilize (RDF). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7551 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.113-122


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