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

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
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.

Nitrate Leaching to a Shallow Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer as Influenced by Conventional No-Till and Low-Input Sustainable Grain Production Systems

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 691-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Craig ◽  
R. R. Weil
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Atlantic Coastal Plain ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Low Input ◽  
No Till

In December, 1987, the states in the Chesapeake Bay region, along with the federal government, signed an agreement which called for a 40% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to the Bay by the year 2000. To accomplish this goal, major reductions in nutrient loadings associated with agricultural management practices were deemed necessary. The objective of this study was to determine if reducing fertilizer inputs to the NT system would result in a reduction in nitrogen contamination of groundwater. In this study, groundwater, soil, and percolate samples were collected from two cropping systems. The first system was a conventional no-till (NT) grain production system with a two-year rotation of corn/winter wheat/double crop soybean. The second system, denoted low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA), produced the same crops using a winter legume and relay-cropped soybeans into standing wheat to reduce nitrogen and herbicide inputs. Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater were significantly lower under the LISA system. Over 80% of the NT groundwater samples had NO3-N concentrations greater than 10 mgl-1, compared to only 4% for the LISA cropping system. Significantly lower soil mineral N to a depth of 180 cm was also observed. The NT soil had nearly twice as much mineral N present in the 90-180 cm portion than the LISA cropping system.

scholarly journals Progress of soybean charcoal rot under tillage and no-tillage systems in Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Álvaro M. R. Almeida ◽  
Lilian Amorim ◽  
Armando Bergamin Filho ◽  
Eleno Torres ◽  
José R. B. Farias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
Conventional System ◽  
Survival Times ◽  
Charcoal Rot ◽  
No Till ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Conventional Systems

The increase in incidence of charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina on soybeans (Glycine max) was followed four seasons in conventional and no-till cropping systems. In the 1997/98 and 2000/01 seasons, total precipitation between sowing and harvest reached 876.3 and 846.9 mm, respectively. For these seasons, disease incidence did not differ significantly between the no-till and conventional systems. In 1998/99 and 1999/00 precipitation totaled 689.9 and 478.3 mm, respectively. In 1998/99, in the no-till system, the disease incidence was 43.7% and 53.1% in the conventional system. In 1999/00 the final incidence was 68.7% and 81.2% for the no-till and conventional systems, respectively. For these two seasons, precipitation was lower than that required for soybean crops (840 mm), and the averages of disease incidence were significantly higher in the conventional system. The concentration of microsclerotia in soil samples was higher in samples collected in conventional system at 0 - 10 cm depth. However, analysis of microsclerotia in roots showed that in years with adequate rain no difference was detected. In dry years, however, roots from plants developed under the conventional system had significantly more microsclerotia. Because of the wide host range of M. phaseolina and the long survival times of the microsclerotia, crop rotation would probably have little benefit in reducing charcoal rot. Under these study conditions it may be a better alternative to suppress charcoal rot by using the no-till cropping system to conserve soil moisture and reduce disease progress.

Cropping system influences on soil physical properties in the Great Plains

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Pikul ◽  
R.C. Schwartz ◽  
J.G. Benjamin ◽  
R.L. Baumhardt ◽  
S. Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
System Effect ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Infiltration Rates

AbstractAgricultural systems produce both detrimental and beneficial effects on soil quality (SQ). We compared soil physical properties of long-term conventional (CON) and alternative (ALT) cropping systems near Akron, Colorado (CO); Brookings, South Dakota (SD); Bushland, Texas (TX); Fargo, North Dakota (ND); Mandan (ND); Mead, Nebraska (NE); Sidney, Montana (MT); and Swift Current, Saskatchewan (SK), Canada. Objectives were to quantify the changes in soil physical attributes in cropping systems and assess the potential of individual soil attributes as sensitive indicators of change in SQ. Soil samples were collected three times per year from each treatment at each site for one rotation cycle (4 years at Brookings and Mead). Water infiltration rates were measured. Soil bulk density (BD) and gravimetric water were measured at 0–7.5, 7.5–15, and 15–30 cm depth increments and water-filled pore space ratio (WFPS) was calculated. At six locations, a rotary sieve was used to separate soil (top 5 cm) into six aggregate size groups and calculate mean weight diameter (MWD) of dry aggregates. Under the CON system at Brookings, dry aggregates (>19 mm) abraded into the smallest size class (<0.4 mm) on sieving. In contrast, the large aggregates from the ALT system abraded into size classes between 2 and 6 mm. Dry aggregate size distribution (DASD) shows promise as an indicator of SQ related to susceptibility of soil to wind erosion. Aggregates from CON were least stable in water. Soil C was greater under ALT than CON for both Brookings and Mead. At other locations, MWD of aggregates under continuous crop or no tillage (ALT systems) was greater than MWD under CON. There was no crop system effect on water infiltration rates for locations having the same tillage within cropping system. Tillage resulted in increased, decreased, or unchanged near-surface BD. Because there was significant temporal variation in water infiltration, MWD, and BD, conclusions based on a single point-in-time observation should be avoided. Elevated WFPS at Fargo, Brookings, and Mead may have resulted in anaerobic soil conditions during a portion of the year. Repeated measurements of WFPS or DASD revealed important temporal characteristics of SQ that could be used to judge soil condition as affected by management.

Response of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) to varying seeding rates and nitrogen fertilizer rates in a no-till cropping system in Saskatchewan

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 1331-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.E. May ◽  
M.P. Dawson ◽  
C.L. Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
No Till ◽  
Rate Study ◽  
Optimum N Rate ◽  
Precision Planting ◽  
N Rates

In the past, most sunflower research was conducted in tilled cropping systems and was based on wide row configurations established using precision planters. Little agronomic information is available for the no-till systems predominant in Saskatchewan, where crops are typically seeded in narrow rows using an air drill. Two studies were conducted in Saskatchewan to determine the optimum seeding and nitrogen (N) rates for short-season sunflowers in a no-till cropping system. The N rate study used 5 N rates (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 kg N ha−1) with the hybrid 63A21. The seeding rate study used 7 seeding rates (37 000, 49 000, 61 000, 74 000, 86 000, 98 000, and 111 000 seeds ha−1) with two cultivars, AC Sierra (open pollinated) and 63A21 (hybrid). There was a linear yield increase as the N rate increased from 10 to 90 kg N ha−1. Based on the N rates tested in this study and current N fertilizer costs below $1 kg−1, sunflower yields and gross returns were most favorable at 90 kg N ha−1. Future N response research with a wider range of N rates is warranted to best determine the optimum N rate. The optimum seeding rate was between 98 000 and 111 000 seeds ha−1 for AC Sierra and between 74 000 and 86 000 seeds ha−1 for 63A21. The optimum plant density, approximately 70 000 to 75 000 plants ha−1, was similar for both cultivars. These results are higher than the current recommended seeding rates for wide-row precision planting systems in areas with a longer growing season.

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

2003 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-297 ◽  
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

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

1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Hulugalle ◽  
J. N. Ndi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Southern Cameroon ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Hedgerow Species ◽  
Changes In Soil Properties

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.

scholarly journals Changes in soil properties due to the application of activators in conditions of very heavy soils

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. S40-S45
Author(s):  
Šařec Petr ◽  
Novák Petr
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Decomposition Of Organic Matter ◽  
Biological Transformation ◽  
Changes In Soil Properties ◽  
Properties Of Soil

This paper deals with verification of the effect of fermented manure (with and without Z'fix activators) and soil activators (PRP Sol) on a soil properties change. Their application should lead to a change in physical, physical-chemical and biological properties of soil, along with ecological material fixation, improved water retention and infiltration, reduction of soil susceptibility to water erosion and decreased soil tillage energy requirements. Field trial was established in Sloveč in Central Bohemia in the year 2014. The experiment was divided into several variants and was designed as multiannual. Z›fix activator was used as a biological transformation activator of manure. PRP Sol was used as a soil activator. In order to verify the effect, soil infiltration, cone index, bulk density and draft of tillage implement were measured. Measurements have shown a beneficial effect of the activators with regard to the decomposition of organic matter. Consequently, changes in soil properties and a reduction of draft at tillage operations developed. Finally, the effect should evolve gradually with a prolonged activator treatment.

scholarly journals Stacking Agricultural Management Tactics to Promote Improvements in Soil Structure and Microbial Activities

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Michael Lehman ◽  
Shannon L. Osborne ◽  
Kimberly McGraw
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
No Till ◽  
Management Tactics

Linking agricultural management tactics to quantifiable changes in soil health-related properties is a key objective for increasing adoption of the most favorable management practices. We used two long-term, no-till cropping studies to illustrate the variable patterns of response of soil structure indices and microbial activity to additional management tactics, including crop rotational diversity, residue management and cover cropping. We found that observable effects of management tactics on soil properties were often dependent on the current crop phase sampled, even though the treatments were well-established. In some cases, a single additional management tactic produced a response, two tactics each produced a response and sometimes there were interactions between tactics. However, importantly, we never observed a negative effect for any of the response variables when stacking soil health building practices in no-till cropping systems. The collective results from the two field studies illustrate that soil health improvements with stacking management tactics are not always simply additive and are affected by temporal relationships inherent to the treatments. We conclude that the implementation of multiple positive management tactics increases the likelihood that improvements in soil properties can be documented with one or more of the proxy measures for soil health.

scholarly journals Cover Crop as Living Mulch: Effects on Energy Flows in Mediterranean Organic Cropping Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Francesco Montemurro ◽  
Alessandro Persiani ◽  
Mariangela Diacono
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Living Mulch ◽  
No Till ◽  
Energy Inputs

Sustainability of agricultural practices is one of the most important issues in organic agriculture and its assessment is crucial. To this aim, evaluating the balance between the energy inputs and outputs in crop rotations could be a valuable tool. Therefore, we compared different management strategies in a four-year organic cropping system, by estimating the energy balance of crop production. Two different living mulches with no-till (B1) and green manure (B2) were compared with a cropping system without cover crop (B3), performing both energy analysis and energy balance. Energy parameters were also evaluated. The energy input of fertilizers and water was more than 55% of the total energy required by the cropping systems, suggesting that these agronomic practices should be tailored by farmers to decrease total energy inputs. The potential energy output was significantly higher in the B1 than the B2 and B3 cropping systems (20% and 54%, respectively). Results indicated that B1 and B2 could enhance the energy outputs without negatively affecting the energy consumption, since these cropping systems also showed higher energy efficiency. The introduction of the cover crop as living mulch combined with no-till could be a powerful tool to enhance systems sustainability, without compromising the crop yields.

scholarly journals Comparison of carbon and nitrogen determination methods for samples of a Paleudult subjected to no-till cropping systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 532-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeferson Dieckow ◽  
João Mielniczuk ◽  
Heike Knicker ◽  
Cimélio Bayer ◽  
Deborah Pinheiro Dick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Combustion Method ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Soil C ◽  
No Till ◽  
C And N ◽  
Dry Combustion

Organic carbon (C) concentration evaluated by the Walkley-Black method, and total nitrogen(N)concentration determined by Kjeldahl method, were compared with corresponding results of C and N concentrations obtained through the dry combustion method (Elementar Vario EL analyzer), using samples of ten soil layers down to the depth of 107.5 cm of a kaolinitic Typic Paleudult (220-418 g clay kg-1 along the profile) subjected to no-till cropping systems [fallow bare soil, pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) plus maize, and lablab (Lablab purpureum L. Sweet) plus maize]. A close correlation (R² > 0.96) was observed between the C results of the Walkley-Black and dry combustion methods, but a correction was suggested to be applied to C results of Walkley-Black (C = 1.05C W.Black + 0.47). A close correlation (R² > 0.96) was also found between results of Kjeldahl-N and dry combustion-N, but no correction was necessary to be applied. The relationships between results of Walkley-Black and dry combustion and between results of Kjeldahl and dry combustion did not change among soil samples from different management systems, in disagreement to findings of a previous study where results of analytical C recovery were influenced by samples from different managements, supposedly because changes in lability or recalcitrance of organic matter might have affected the wet combustion reactions. A poor correlation (R² = 0.42) was found between the C:N ratios based on Walkley-Black and Kjeldahl analysis and the C:N ratios based on dry combustion analysis. The methods for C and N determination did not affect the interpretation of the effects of management systems on soil C and N stocks.

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