Biomass, persistence and drought resistance of nine lucerne varieties in the dry environment of west China

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Gang Guo ◽  
Hui Xia Liu ◽  
Suo Min Wang ◽  
Fu Ping Tian ◽  
Guo-Dong Cheng

Forage yield and density are common selection criteria for assessing the suitability of lucerne varieties in high rainfall conditions and under irrigation. However, selection criteria for assessing the suitability of lucerne varieties is not well defined in dryland farming systems. This study combines forage yield, plant density, root biomass and proline content in the plant leaf to compare the suitability of 1 local and 8 introduced lucerne (Medicago sativa) varieties over 3 years in the dry environment of west China. The results of this study indicated that the above measurements significantly differed among the 9 lucerne varieties, and also showed that suitability of lucerne varieties varied based on different indicators. Ameristand 201 and Algonquin performed well in terms of forage yield. Ameristand 201 and Sandili were well-adapted varieties based on root biomass and Ameristand 201 was the first selected variety in terms of drought resistance. Combining initial establishment density and its decline over years indicated that Sandili maintained good persistence. A cluster analysis of 9 lucerne varieties indicated that Ameristand 201 was very suitable for sowing in the dry Loess Plateau, a high water-erosion region in west China.

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenalee M. Mischkolz ◽  
Michael P. Schellenberg ◽  
Eric G. Lamb

Mischkolz, J. M., Schellenberg, M. P. and Lamb, E. G. 2013. Early productivity and crude protein content of establishing forage swards composed of combinations of native grass and legume species in mixed-grassland ecoregions. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 445–454. We evaluated the early establishment productivity of forage swards of native, perennial, cool and warm season grasses, and legumes as they have the potential to provide non-invasive, productive, and drought resistant rangelands. Seven species with agronomic potential and a broad native geographic distribution were selected for testing including: nodding brome [Bromus anomalus (Coult.)], blue bunch wheatgrass [Pseudoregneria spicata (Pursh)], western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.)], side oats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.)], little blue stem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.)], purple prairie clover [Dalea purpurea (Vent.)], and white prairie clover [Dalea candida (Willd.)]. Forage swards, including all seven monocultures, 21 two-species mixtures and a mixture with all species, were planted in two sites, Saskatoon and Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Western wheatgrass (WWG) had the highest overall plant density and the strongest effect on the forage yield of the forage swards; however, productivity and crude protein content were not reduced when other species were also included in the forage sward. Dalea spp. did not establish as well as the other species, but had the highest crude protein concentrations. This work provides insight into forage sward development at the establishment stage; additional work is required to determine long-term species impacts for well established forage swards.


1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-99
Author(s):  
James F. Parr ◽  
Robert I. Papendick

Six papers in this issue were presented by Middle Eastern authors at the U.S.-Middle East Conference and Workshop on "Dryland Farming Systems and Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture," held at Moscow, Idaho on October 18–23, 1993.


Author(s):  
Emilia CONSTANTINESCU ◽  
Dorina BONEA ◽  
M. STEFAN ◽  
Luminita SANDU ◽  
M. GIORGOTA

Of the analysis of the soil and clime conditions that are characteristic for the ash deposits as well as from the observations on the behavior of an enriched array of species, on these terrains there was observed the possibility of obtaining good results with the peanuts crop on the terrains covered by powerplant ash. There was chosen the Arachis hypogaea L. due to its capacity to capitalize the ash covered terrains, as well as by protecting by its vegetal mass a long time period of the vegetation period, decreasing the ash drift and the reduction of the environment pollution that is near the ash deposits. In supporting this species there was considered the thermic favorable regime of the zone, the high sunshine, the light texture, high water permeability of the deposited material, the plant density to the surface unit and the covering degree of the terrain by vegetal mass, that are favorable features in controlling the ash drift and environment pollution.


2017 ◽  
pp. 89-98
Author(s):  
Eli Pavlova-Traykova ◽  
Ivan Marinov ◽  
Petar Dimov

This investigation has been carried out at Badinska River watershed - one of the most famous torrents in Bulgaria. The purpose of the survey is tos analyse the main erosion factors and erosion potential of territories, with a view to assess soil erosion risk and opportunity of high water formation from watershed. A methodical approach for determination and mapping of the territories in terms of the class of erosion risk with the use of GIS is applied. Assessments are made according to the ?Methodology for preparing the national long term programme for protection against erosion and flooding in forestlands?. The total assessment for Badinska river watershed is ?low to moderate? potential risk and ?very low to low? actual erosion risk. About of 5% of the forest stock territory is with ?moderate? and ?moderate to high? actual risk, and the biggest part of this territory (about 63%) is in the main stream watershed above the Yaloviko tributary.


2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
C.D. Brown ◽  
R.B. Green

The dryland regions of New Zealand suffer from summer moisture deficits in the majority of years. These dryland regions have been developed along the same basis as other farming regions, with increasing fertiliser usage leading to more subdivision and higher stocking rates. Given the exposure to droughts, the production per head of these regions has been extremely variable. Historically, dryland farming systems have been based around breeding ewe systems with all lambs finished if the season allowed. Since the removal of all Government support during adverse events, in the early 1990s, farm systems have become considerably more diverse. Irrigation areas have doubled between 1985 and 1999 to approximately 500 000 hectares. Both sub clover and lucerne have been used extensively in dryland areas, but the main legume is still white clover. Farmers recognise the significant limitations in the ability of white clovers to cope with summer droughts, but have not been able to efficiently utilise other legumes, which require unique management to perform. There are a number of reasons for this. Looking forward, the five key roles that legumes have in dryland farming systems are, to persist within a general purpose pasture, to produce nitrogen, to improve summer feed quality, to improve year round quality feed through specialist crops and pastures and to provide specialist composite feeds (i.e. condensed tannins). With the increased diversity in farming systems, growers require a more diverse range of legumes from perennial species to annuals that will fit a short-term high feed quality niche.


1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 52-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.I. Papendick

AbstractThe Northwest Wheat Region is a contiguous belt of 3.3 million ha in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Its climate varies from subhumid (<650 mm annual precipitation) to semiarid (<350 mm), with more than 60% of the annual precipitation occurring during the winter. Winter wheat yields range from a high of 8 t/ha in the wetter zones to a low of 1.5 t/ha in the drier zones. Winter wheat is grown in rotation with spring cereals and pulses where annual precipitation exceeds 450 mm; winter wheat-fallow prevails where annual precipitation is less than 330 mm. Tillage practices are designed to maximize infiltration and retention of water through soil surface and crop residue management. Because of the combination of winter precipitation, steep topography, and winter wheat cropping, much of the region is subject to a severe water erosion hazard, accentuated by freeze-thaw cycles that increase surface runoff and weaken the soil structure. Wind erosion is a major problem in the drier zones, where cover is less and soils are higher in sand. Residue management, primarily through reduced tillage and no-till systems, is the first defense against both wind and water erosion, but yields often are higher with conventional intensive ti llage. Factors that limit yields with conservation farming include weed and disease problems and th e lack of suitable tillage and seeding equipment. Conservation strategies must shift from relying on traditional tillage methods to development of complete no-till systems. Spring cropping as a replacement for winter wheat also needs to be investigated. In some cases, tillage for water conservation must be made compatible with tillage for erosion control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda del Rocio Moreno-Ramírez ◽  
Aurelio Hernández-Bautista ◽  
Porfirio Ramírez-Vallejo ◽  
Fernando Castillo-Gónzalez ◽  
Mario Rocandio-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we investigated the influence of social and environmental factors in the genetic diversity of tomato landraces in the South-Central region of Mexico. A total of 30 tomato landraces, collected in 18 villages with different ethnolinguistic affiliations, were analyzed. We reported that the genetic diversity of tomato landraces is associated with the ethnolinguistic group, weather, and soil-type present in the region studied. Our results showed that there are morphological differences between landraces grown by different ethnolinguistic groups; however, there was also evidence of morphological similarities between landraces from groups with different ethnolinguistic affiliations. Finally, different selection criteria, mainly fruit color, size and shape, plays an important role in the phenotypic divergence among landraces grown in different traditional farming systems.


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