Crop growth, yield and water use in long fallow and continuous cropping sequences in the Victorian mallee

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 971 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. O'Connell ◽  
D. J. Connor ◽  
G. J. O'Leary
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Weather Patterns

The agronomic implications of substituting mustard (Brassica juncea) for long (winter) fallows were investigated in a 6-year field experiment by comparing 2 cropping sequences (fallow–wheat–pea v. mustard–wheat–pea) in the semi-arid Victorian mallee. Production and water use of wheat, pea and mustard were measured. Grain yields ranged from 0.1 to 2.4 t/ha for wheat (mean 1.72 t/ha after fallow and 1.22 t/ha after mustard); from 0 to 0.6 t/ha (mean 0.22 t/ha) for mustard and from 0 to 1.4 t/ha (mean 0.8 t/ha) for field pea, strongly reflecting variable seasonal conditions (in-crop rainfall range from 84 to 231 mm). Mustard was shown to be a potential replacement for long fallow producing additional yield benefit (mustard + wheat) in one year. However, under drought conditions it introduces severe penalties to wheat growth and yield compared with the traditional fallow cropping system. Further, mustard did not affect water use, growth, or yield of the second crop after wheat (in our case field pea). This study highlights a conflict between developing farming systems that are productive, environmentally and socially acceptable under variable weather conditions and yet uphold the regional need to reduce dependence on fallowing. Further analyses of weather patterns and other crop choice strategies are needed to help develop better management strategies for the mallee region of Australia.

scholarly journals Improving water productivity in the Australian Grains industry—a nationally coordinated approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Kirkegaard ◽  
J. R. Hunt ◽  
T. M. McBeath ◽  
J. M. Lilley ◽  
A. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Farm Scale

Improving the water-limited yield of dryland crops and farming systems has been an underpinning objective of research within the Australian grains industry since the concept was defined in the 1970s. Recent slowing in productivity growth has stimulated a search for new sources of improvement, but few previous research investments have been targeted on a national scale. In 2008, the Australian grains industry established the 5-year, AU$17.6 million, Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Initiative, which challenged growers and researchers to lift WUE of grain-based production systems by 10%. Sixteen regional grower research teams distributed across southern Australia (300–700 mm annual rainfall) proposed a range of agronomic management strategies to improve water-limited productivity. A coordinating project involving a team of agronomists, plant physiologists, soil scientists and system modellers was funded to provide consistent understanding and benchmarking of water-limited yield, experimental advice and assistance, integrating system science and modelling, and to play an integration and communication role. The 16 diverse regional project activities were organised into four themes related to the type of innovation pursued (integrating break-crops, managing summer fallows, managing in-season water-use, managing variable and constraining soils), and the important interactions between these at the farm-scale were explored and emphasised. At annual meetings, the teams compared the impacts of various management strategies across different regions, and the interactions from management combinations. Simulation studies provided predictions of both a priori outcomes that were tested experimentally and extrapolation of results across sites, seasons and up to the whole-farm scale. We demonstrated experimentally that potential exists to improve water productivity at paddock scale by levels well above the 10% target by better summer weed control (37–140%), inclusion of break crops (16–83%), earlier sowing of appropriate varieties (21–33%) and matching N supply to soil type (91% on deep sands). Capturing synergies from combinations of pre- and in-crop management could increase wheat yield at farm scale by 11–47%, and significant on-farm validation and adoption of some innovations has occurred during the Initiative. An ex post economic analysis of the Initiative estimated a benefit : cost ratio of 3.7 : 1, and an internal return on investment of 18.5%. We briefly review the structure and operation of the initiative and summarise some of the key strategies that emerged to improve WUE at paddock and farm-scale.

Growth, yield and neurotoxin (ODAP) concentration of three Lathyrus species in mediterranean-type environments of Western Australia

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
KHM Siddique ◽  
SP Loss ◽  
SP Herwig ◽  
JM Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Pisum Sativum L ◽  
Lathyrus Sativus L ◽  
Western Australian

The growth, phenology, grain yield and neurotoxin (ODAP) content of Lathyrus sativus, L. cicera and L. ochrus were compared with a locally adapted field pea (Pisum sativum L.) to examine their potential as grain legumes in Western Australian farming systems. About 17 lines of each species were obtained from ICARDA, Syria, and grown at 3 agro-climatically different sites. In general, the 3 species were later flowering than field pea, especially L. cicera and L. ochrus; however, L. sativus was the last species to mature. The best Lathyrus lines produced biomass near flowering similar to field pea. At the most favourable site, grain yields were up to 1.6, 2.6 and 1.7 t/ha for L. sativus, L. cicera and L. ochrus respectively, compared with a field pea grain yield of 3.1 t/ha. There was considerable genotype and environmental variation in ODAP concentration in the seed. On average, the ODAP concentration of L. ochrus (6.58 mg/g) was about twice that of L. sativus, and L. cicera had the lowest ODAP concentration (1.31 mg/g). Given that Lathyrus spp. have not had the same breeding effort as field pea and other grain legumes in Australia, these results encourage further selection or breeding. In the shor-tseasoned, mediterranean-type environment of Western Australia, harvest indices and grain yields could be improved with early flowering. Low ODAP concentration should also be sought.

Effects of innovative microbial management on maize ( Zea mays L.) yield in a long-term fertilisation experiment

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-251
Author(s):  
Z. Berzsenyi ◽  
G. Micskei ◽  
I. Jócsák ◽  
P. Bónis ◽  
E. Sugár
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Maize Growth

Research indicates that there is considerable potential for a successful switch from high chemical use to lower-input, more sustainable farming practices for maize. The overall objective of the MicroMaize project was to field-test the performance of innovative microbiological management strategies. The effect of microbial consortia on maize growth and grain yield was studied in 2008 and 2009 at Martonvásár (Hungary) in a 50-year-old long-term fertilisation experiment. The experiment was set up in a split-plot design with four replications. The main plots were the fertilisation treatments: A: control, without fertilisation (N 0 P 0 K 0 ), B: N 50 P 24 K 43 , C: N 100 P 48 K 87 , D: N 200 P 96 K 174 , E: N 300 P 144 K 261 . Three microbial inoculation treatments were the sub-plots: C0: control, no microbial consortia, C1: A. lipoferum CRT1 + P. fluorescens Pf153 + G. intraradices JJ 129 , C2: A. lipoferum CRT1 + P. fluorescens F113 + G. intraradices JJ129 . The results indicated that the microbial consortia had no significant effect on maize growth and yield. In the ecophysiological analyses, the microbial consortia were found to have a significant positive effect on the chlorophyll content and on the protein and nitrogen contents of the grain yield in 2009. The long-term results revealed that the mineral fertilisation treatments and the year had a significant influence on the growth, yield and grain quality parameters of maize. The effect of nutrient supplies and year during the vegetative growth phase of maize could be quantified using the mean values of the absolute growth rate (AGR) for maize shoots and roots and with the nutrient stress index calculated from AGR. Further field investigations on productivity and eco-physiological parameters will be needed to estimate the effect of microbial consortia.

Influence of omitting irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and water use efficiency of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.)

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kumar ◽  
R. Singh ◽  
R. Chhillar
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Seed Formation ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
Formation Stage ◽  
Use Efficiency

A field experiment conducted on the sandy loam soil in New Delhi during the winter season of 2003–2004 indicated that the application of three irrigations at the branching, flowering and seed formation stages gave the maximum values of growth and yield attributes (plant height and branches plant −1 , umbels plant −1 , umbellets umbel −1 and seeds umbel −1 ) with the highest seed and stover yields, but was at par with omitting one irrigation at the seed formation stage. The data on the growth and yield indicated that, compared to the other stages, omitting irrigation at the flowering strage resulted in the greatest reduction. The growth and yield attributes and the seed and stover yield of coriander significantly responded to fertilization up to 80 kg N ha −1 . The crop evapotranspiration was the highest with the application of three irrigations, but the water use efficiency remained the highest when irrigation was omitted at the seed formation stage. Nitrogen fertilization up to 120 kg and 80 kg N ha −1 increased the water use and water use efficiency, respectively.

scholarly journals Towards Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production—Yield Gaps and Water Use Efficiency in Farming Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 710
Author(s):  
Anita Ierna
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Production Yield ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Use Efficiency

The primary objective of any cropping system continues to be increasing the productivity and profitability of crops [...]

scholarly journals Effects of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) - Gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.) cropping system in sub-tropical region under foothills of north-west Himalayas

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Gupta ◽  
Anil Sharma ◽  
Jai Kumar ◽  
Vikas Abrol ◽  
Brinder Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
North West

A pronounced residual effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers, applied in maize crop was observed on yields of maize-gobhi sarson cropping system. The experiment was conducted with 10 treatments of N, P, K, FYM, crop residue and zinc sulphate nutrients. The highest growth, yield and yield components of maize crop were recorded with 100% recommended fertilizer dose-RFD + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha and the grain yield (2409 kg/ha) was about 101% higher over the control. In case of gobhi sarson, the highest seed yield (1081 kg/ha) was observed as a pronounced residual effect of 10 t/ha FYM in preceding maize crop; which was about 81% higher over the control. The treatments where 50% N was substituted by FYM and crop residue in maize crop had the best reflection in enhancing the seed yield of gobhi sarson to the tune of 74 and 70% over the control and 16 and 13% over farmer’s practice. The highest rain water use efficiency (RWUE) and heatuse efficiency (HUE) was recorded in treatment 100% RFD + ZnSO4 20 kg/ha in maize crop and 10 t/ha FYM in gobhi sarson. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21666 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 147-155, 2014 (September)

scholarly journals Influence of coupled application of potassium and boron on growth and yield of late sown mungbean

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 256-264
Author(s):  
Mohshina Mustare Liza ◽  
Alak Barman ◽  
Swarna Shome ◽  
Md. Eliyachur Rahman ◽  
Polly
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Recommended Dose ◽  
Cropping Intensity ◽  
Nutritional Security ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Intensive Cropping ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security

To ensure both food and nutritional security of teeming millions of Bangladesh, cropping intensity must be increased along with nutritional food production. Mungbean, which is an important source of protein, can easily cope with the intensive cropping system due to short duration. But sometimes, to obtain maximum productivity per unit area in a calendar year, mungbean cannot be sown in optimum time. Considering this, a field study was carried out at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University to explore the effect of additional potassium and boron application to increase the yield of late sown mungbean which was sown on 25 October. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications and five treatments. Results revealed that additional potassium and boron along with recommended fertilizer dose had significant influence on growth, yield and yield contributing characters of late sown mungbean. The growth and yield of late sown mungbean is hampered due to temperature stress which cannot be overcome by recommended dose only but can be by addition of extra potassium and boron with recommended dose. The highest seed yield (1.12 t ha-1) was obtained from recommended dose along with 10 Kg K and 2 Kg B ha-1 which was 40% higher than recommended dose only. Similar results were recorded for other parameters also. So, supplementation of recommended dose with 10 Kg K and 2 Kg B may be suggested to increase growth and yield of late sown mungbean.

Soil water and nitrogen interaction in wheat in a dry season under a fallow - wheat cropping system

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cantero-Martinez ◽  
G. J. O'Leary ◽  
D. J. Connor
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Area Index

Summary. Measurements of water use, growth and yield of wheat were made in a dry year following 3 methods of long fallow: chemical (CH) (no tillage), blade plough (CB) (subsurface tillage), and a fully tilled fallow (CT) following burning of stubble residues (the popular method). Crops in each fallow method were fertilised with and without nitrogen. All fallow systems produced relatively high yields in the range 2.7–3.8 t/ha, despite less than average rainfall over the 18-month fallow period (539 mm) and a significant dry period extending from before anthesis until maturity. CH fallow, however, accumulated 83 mm more water than CT fallow by sowing time and produced 0.74 t/ha additional yield. This can be attributed to increased water use through greater leaf area index duration during grain filling. The application of nitrogen fertiliser had no effect on the yield of the stubble-retained crops (CH and CB). However following nitrogen application, 1 t/ha less yield was produced under CT fallow than under CH fallow. There were marginal advantages in growth and biomass partitioning from applied nitrogen with increased leaf area index during the early stages of growth. At sowing there was a significant accumulation of mineral nitrogen below 120 cm as a result of a 6-year history of fertiliser application under the chemical fallow. This, however, disappeared by anthesis with a greater nitrogen use. In dry years, that are not catastrophic, fallow with stubble retention and zero tillage (CH) offers some insurance against low yield. This was achieved through improved water availability (320 v. 240 mm in CT) which also may reduce the risk of yield loss through haying off by overdosing with nitrogenous fertilisers when levels of soil mineral nitrogen at sowing are high (200 kg nitrogen/ha).

scholarly journals The influence of irrigation on growth and yield of plum trees cv. Valor grafted on Myrobalan and Wangenheim Prune

2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waldemar Treder ◽  
Zygmunt Grzyb ◽  
Elżbieta Rozpara
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Growth Changes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Positive Effect

The climate of Poland is characterized by a high variability, especially regarding the sum of precipitation and its distribution in the season. Dry years occur periodically. Repeated negative climatic water balance for vegetative season is insufficient for proper growth and development of plants. In this experiment we studied the effectiveness of drip irrigation in plum tree cultivation. The study was carried out since 1990 to 1998 in the orchard of the Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Skiemiewice. Trees of plum cv. Valor, grafted on Myrobalan and Wangenheim Prune seedlings were planted in the spring 1990 at a distance 4,2 m x 2,9 m. Influence of drip irrigation on trees growth changes, yield and fruit quality depended on weather conditions in the individual years. Generally, drip irrigation significantly increased the tree growth, yield and fruit quality. Higher positive effect of irrigation was obtained for plums grafted on Wangenheim Prune seedlings than on Myrobalan seedlings. Drought conditions clearly decreases the average weight of the fruit of the trees grafted on Wangenheim Prune. The rootstocks had no effect on fruit size.

Contributions of nitrogen by field pea (Pisum sativum L.) in a continuous cropping sequence compared with a lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)-based pasture ley in the Victorian Wimmera

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. McCallum ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
D. J. Connor
Keyword(s):  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Soil Mineral N ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Biological N2 Fixation ◽  
Cropping Sequence

The nitrogen (N) dynamics (N2 fixation inputs, changes in soil mineral N and total N, N removed in agricultural produce) of a lucerne-based phase farming system (grazed lucerne–annual medic–ryegrass pastures grown in rotation with crops) was compared with that of continuous cropping (cereal, oilseed, and legume pulse crops) in the Victorian Wimmera. The contribution of biological N2 fixation to the N economy of these different systems was strongly linked to biomass production by the legume components of pastures, or field pea in the cropping sequence. The amount of fixed N present in field pea shoots or the total amount of N2 estimated to be fixed by the whole plant (shoots and roots) (121–175 kg N/ha.crop and 181–262 kg N/ha.crop, respectively) was generally greater than the combined measured annual inputs of fixed N by lucerne and annual medic during a pasture ley (40–95 kg N/ha.year in herbage, 80–190 kg N/ha.year in total plant), although large amounts of N were removed in the field pea grain at harvest (115–151 kg N/ha.crop). Over 2 years (1995–96), the seasonal rainfall patterns had a much larger impact on the growth, dry matter production, and N2 fixation of annual medic compared with lucerne. Winter-cleaning of ryegrass from the pasture before cropping resulted in a greater legume content in the pasture and generally increased amounts of fixed N in herbage (by up to 55 kg N/ha.year). Total soil N at depth (0.5–1.0 m) was significantly greater after 2–4 years of pasture than under continuous cropping. In one year (1996), the amount of soil mineral N following a winter-cleaned pasture was greater (by 32–45 kg N/ha, 0–1 m) than after either canola or wheat, producing a yield benefit in a subsequent canola crop that was equivalent to pre-drilling 46 kg N/ha as fertiliser. However, despite some improvements in N fertility, large crop responses to N fertiliser were still observed following pasture. Grain yield was increased by 0.33–0.55 t/ha in canola and by 1.0 t/ha in wheat, grain protein raised by 0.7–2.3% in canola and by 1.3% in wheat, and oil yield in canola enhanced by 124–205 kg/ha with pre-drilled applications of fertiliser N (46 kg/ha). It is speculated that more legume-dominant pastures (>80%) could provide greater flow-on N benefits to farming systems in the Wimmera than the mixed legume–grass swards used in the present study. However, it is likely that a need will remain for supplementary fertiliser N to optimise the nutrition of subsequent non-legume crops in the region.

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