Changes in soil properties of a newly-cleared Ultisol due to establishment of hedgerow species in alley cropping systems

SUMMARYThis study was initiated to evaluate the short-term (< 3 years) ability of some selected acid-soil adapted hedgerow species when planted in alley cropping systems to improve soil properties in a newly-cleared Ultisol (Typic Kandiudult) of southern Cameroon, 1990–92. The hedgerow species selected were Senna (Senna spectabilis), Flemingia (Flemingia congesta)and Acioa (Acioa barterii). A non-alley-cropped control was also included in the trial. The greatest quantities of prunings, and hence, mulch were produced by Senna and Flemingia. Exchangeable Ca, effective CEC and water infiltration were greatly increased in the alleys of plots where either Flemingia or Senna had been planted within 2·5 years of hedgerow establishment. The large amounts of mulch produced by Senna and Flemingia did, however, result in soil temperatures greater than those of the control or Acioa plotsc.1 year after application of the prunings as mulch. Root growth of Senna in the subsoil was significantly greater than that of either Acioa of Flemingia, but that of cassava was reduced by alley cropping with all three hedgerow species. Compared to the control or alley cropping with Acioa, maize and cassava yields were greater when alley cropped with either Flemingia or Senna hedgerows.

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Effect of hedgerow species in alley cropping systems on surface soil physical properties of an Oxic Paleustalf in south-western Nigeria

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600072695 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 114 (3) ◽

pp. 301-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

N. R. Hulugalle ◽

B. T. Kang

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Size Distribution ◽

Soil Compaction ◽

Surface Soil ◽

Alley Cropping ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Southwestern Nigeria ◽

Hedgerow Species

SUMMARYEffects of hedgerow species on surface soil physical properties were studied in an on-going trial established since 1981 on an Oxic Paleustalf in southwestern Nigeria. The experimental treatments wereLeucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Alchornea cordifoliaandAcioa barteriihedgerows planted at 4 m interhedgerow spacings and a control (no hedgerows). Plots were sequentia-ly cropped with maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Soil physical properties, i.e. particle size distribution, bulk density, apparent pore size distribution and water infiltration, were monitored during the dry season in January and the main growing season in June 1989. Soil temperature was monitored at approximately monthly intervals from February to June 1989. Soil properties of alleycropped plots were superior to those of the control. Soil compaction was highest in the control and lowest withL. leucocephala. Between the hedgerow species, within-season increases in soil compaction were largest withA. cordifolia. Lowest soil temperatures were observed withL. leucocephalaandA. barterii. Frequency, quantity and quality of prunings produced by the hedgerow species appeared to have a major beneficial effect on soil physical properties.

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Changes in soil properties under high- and low-input cropping systems in Lithuania

Soil Use and Management ◽

10.1079/sum2003209 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 291-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Bu˘ienė ◽

A. ˘lepetienė ◽

D. ˘imanskaitė ◽

A. Svirskienė ◽

B. Butkutė

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Low Input ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

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Infiltration as a tool for detecting soil changes due to cropping, tillage, and grazing livestock

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300005385 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 164-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

J.K. Radke ◽

E.C. Berry

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Management Systems ◽

Infiltration Rates ◽

No Till ◽

Stocking Rates ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

AbstractSoil physical and biological properties often change when different cropping, tillage, or management systems are imposed. Changes occasionally occur quickly, but usually become evident only after months or years. Infiltration rates are affected by several soil properties and may provide the most sensitive indication of changes in soil properties. To evaluate the use of infiltration measurements for detecting changes in soil properties, we conducted infiltration tests on a cropping systems experiment, a tillage experiment, and two beef cattle grazing experiments. In Pennsylvania, significant changes in infiltration rates did not occur until more than four years after converting from a conventional to a low-input cropping system. Infiltration rates were higher on 14th-year no-till plots compared with moldboard plow and chisel treatments in an Iowa tillage study. Earthworm populations and activity were highest in the no-till treatment. Infiltration rates correlated negatively with increased stocking rates in a long-term beef grazing study in Oklahoma. The number of earthworms did not correlate positively with infiltration in this study, suggesting a complex interaction. A short-term study of overwinter beef corn-stalk grazing in Iowa did not show consistent patterns in infiltration rate or other soil properties with different stocking rates. Infiltration appears to be a good indicator of soil structural changes associated with cropping, tillage, and management systems.

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Changes in soil properties and nematode population status under planted and natural fallows in land use systems of southern Cameroon

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-011-9394-3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 82 (3) ◽

pp. 263-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B. Banful ◽

S. Hauser

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Nematode Population ◽

Population Status ◽

Land Use Systems ◽

Southern Cameroon ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

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Changes In Soil Properties Under Alley Cropping System Of Three Leguminous Crops

Agro-Science ◽

10.4314/as.v8i1.44116 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

CI Okonkwo ◽

JC Mbagwu ◽

SO Egwu

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Alley Cropping ◽

Cropping System ◽

Leguminous Crops ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

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Changes in soil properties under high- and low-input cropping systems in Lithuania

Soil Use and Management ◽

10.1111/j.1475-2743.2003.tb00318.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 291-297

Author(s):

A. Bu˘ienė ◽

A. S̆lepetienė ◽

D. S̆imanskaitė ◽

A. Svirskienė ◽

B. Butkutė

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Low Input ◽

Changes In Soil Properties

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Patterns of change in soil organic matter, physical properties and crop productivity under tillage practices and cropping systems in Bangladesh

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859616000265 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 155 (2) ◽

pp. 216-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

MD. KHAIRUL ALAM ◽

N. SALAHIN ◽

S. ISLAM ◽

R. A. BEGUM ◽

M. HASANUZZAMAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Zero Tillage ◽

Tillage Practices

SUMMARYConservation agriculture (CA) is inadequately developed for rice-based cropping systems widely practiced in Bangladesh. The current drawback is the implementation of CA for all crops including rice (Oryza sativaL., ecotype ‘transplanted aman’ [T. aman]) to increase rice–wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) rotation productivity. It is important to identify the best combination of tillage types and cropping systems to achieve a high yield of component crops and improve soil health. Three tillage practices, assigned to main experimental plots [namely, zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage using a rotary tiller (CT) and deep tillage using a chisel plough (DT)] and three different cropping systems, assigned to sub-plots [namely, WFT: wheat–fallow–T. aman, WMT: wheat–mungbean (Vigna radiataL. Wilczek)–T. aman and WDT: wheat–dhaincha (Sesbania rostrata)–T. aman], were tested. After 4 years, ZT under WDT and WMT significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) at 0–150 mm depth, and these replicates also held the highest levels of total organic carbon. Soil organic carbon (C) increased at a rate of 1.17 and 1.14 t/ha/y in ZT under WDT and WMT, respectively, while CT and DT under WFT were almost unchanged. After 4 years, SOM build-up by the three-crop system (WDT and WMT) under ZT helped conserve soil moisture and improve other soil properties, such as reduction in soil strength and bulk density and increase plant available water content, thus maintaining an optimum soil water infiltration rate. Zero tillage under WMT and WDT showed significant improvements in root mass density of rice and wheat at increased soil depth. The WDT and WMT plots under DT consistently gave the highest yield followed by WDT and WMT under CT, in contrast with ZT under WMT or WDT, which showed the highest improvement in crop yields over the years. In summary, minimum soil disturbance together with incorporation of a legume/green manure crop into the rice–wheat system as well as the retention of their residues increased soil C status, improved soil properties and maximized grain yields.

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