Influence of conservation tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields for maize and wheat cultivation in Beijing, China

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xirui Zhang ◽  
Hongwen Li ◽  
Jin He ◽  
Qingjie Wang ◽  
Mohammad H. Golabi

Conservation tillage is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers because it involves lower production costs than does conventional tillage. The long-term effects of sub-soiling tillage (ST), no tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties and crop yields were investigated over an 8-year period (2000–07). The study was conducted in a 2-crop-a-year region (Daxing) and a 1-crop-a-year region (Changping) of the Beijing area in China. At 0–0.30 m soil depth, water stability of macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) was much greater for ST (22.1%) and NT (12.0%) than for CT in Daxing, and the improvements in Changping were 18.9% and 9.5%, respectively. ST and NT significantly (P < 0.05) improved aeration porosity by 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively, at Daxing and by 17.0% and 8.6% at Changping compared with CT treatment. Soil bulk density after 8 years was 0.8–1.5% lower in ST and NT treatments than in CT at both sites. Soil organic matter and available N and P followed the same order ST ≈ NT > CT at both sites. Consequently, crop yields in ST and NT plots were higher than in CT plots due to improved soil physical and chemical properties. Within the conservation tillage treatments, despite similar economic benefit, the effects on crop yields for ST were better than for NT. Mean (2000–07) crop yields for ST were 0.2% and 1.5% higher than for NT at Daxing and Changping, respectively. We therefore conclude that ST is the most suitable conservation tillage practice for annual 2-crop-a-year and 1-crop-a-year regions in the Beijing area.

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Carter ◽  
R D Peters ◽  
C Noronha ◽  
J Kimpinski

Conservation practices in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping systems can reduce excess tillage, provide crop residue cover, and maintain crop productivity; however, little is known about their long-term influence on soil biota and biological properties. Conservation tillage was evaluated in two potato rotations: a 2-yr barley-potato rotation and 3-yr clover-based (barley-red clover-potato) rotation initiated in 1994 on a fine sandy loam (Orthic Podzol) in Prince Edward Island, eastern Canada. Soil samples were obtained in 2003 from the 0- to 10-cm soil depth of the potato phase of both rotations to evaluate the influence of conservation, compared with conventional tillage, on changes in soil fertility, soil structural properties, soil C and N fractions, soil-borne pathogens, nematode communities, and micro-arthropod (Collembola and Acari) communities. The 3-yr conservation tillage practice improved soil structural stability, increased soil extractable P and K, increased soil organic C and total N and their particulate fractions, compared with the other treatments. Comparisons with earlier studies indicated that soil organic C had reached an equilibrium level at the 0- to 10-cm soil depth. Reduction of potato disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani was evident in the 3-yr rotation, compared with the 2-yr rotation, but was not influenced by tillage practice. Plant parasitic nematodes were not greatly influenced by rotation and tillage treatments; however, densities of the beneficial bacterial-feeding nematodes were increased under the 3-yr conservation tillage treatment. The abundance of micro-arthropods was increased by conservation tillage, while their diversity was mainly influenced by the rotation cycle rather than tillage practice. Overall, the 3-yr conservation tillage treatment provided a more beneficial soil biological condition than the other treatments, especially when compared with the 2-yr conventional tillage practice. Key words: Conservation systems, potato rotation, fine sandy loam, soil fertility, soil organic C and N fractions, soil structure, soil-borne pathogens, nematode, Collembola; Acari


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Grant ◽  
K. R. Brown ◽  
G. J. Racz ◽  
L. D. Bailey

Effective fertilizer management is critical to maintain economic production and protect long-term environmental quality. Field studies were conducted over 4 yr at two locations in southwestern Manitoba to determine the effect of source, timing and placement of N on grain yield and N recovery of durum wheat (Triticum durum L. ‘Sceptre’) under reduced-tillage (RT) and conventional-tillage (CT) management. The effect of N management on durum grain yield and N recovery differed with soil type and tillage system. On the clay loam (CL) soil, lower yields with fall- as compared with spring-banded N were more frequent under RT than CT. Lower yields occurred more frequently with fall-applied as compared with spring-applied urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) than when urea or NH3 was the N source. On the drier fine sandy loam (FSL) soil, fall applications of N generally produced similar to higher grain yield than did spring applications. Differences among fertilizer sources and tillage systems were much less frequent with spring than fall applications of N. Where differences occurred, durum grain yields were higher with in-soil than surface applications of urea or UAN. In-soil applications of urea and UAN increased durum grain yield as compared with surface applications more frequently under RT than CT on the CL soil where yield potential was high, whereas increases on the FSL were as common under CT as under RT. On soils with a high yield potential, enhanced immobilisation and/or volatilisation of surface-applied N may reduce grain yield by reducing available N, particularly under RT. Selection of a suitable source-timing and placement combination to optimise crop yield may be more important under RT than CT. Key words: Conservation tillage, direct seeding, placement


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo Guedes Filho ◽  
Sidney Rosa Vieira ◽  
Márcio Koiti Chiba ◽  
César Hideo Nagumo ◽  
Sônia Carmela Falci Dechen

Soil properties are closely related with crop production and spite of the measures implemented, spatial variation has been repeatedly observed and described. Identifying and describing spatial variations of soil properties and their effects on crop yield can be a powerful decision-making tool in specific land management systems. The objective of this research was to characterize the spatial and temporal variations in crop yield and chemical and physical properties of a Rhodic Hapludox soil under no-tillage. The studied area of 3.42 ha had been cultivated since 1985 under no-tillage crop rotation in summer and winter. Yield and soil property were sampled in a regular 10 x 10 m grid, with 302 sample points. Yields of several crops were analyzed (soybean, maize, triticale, hyacinth bean and castor bean) as well as soil chemical (pH, Soil Organic Matter (SOM), P, Ca2+, Mg2+, H + Al, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, CEC, sum of bases (SB), and base saturation (V %)) and soil physical properties (saturated hydraulic conductivity, texture, density, total porosity, and mechanical penetration resistance). Data were analyzed using geostatistical analysis procedures and maps based on interpolation by kriging. Great variation in crop yields was observed in the years evaluated. The yield values in the Northern region of the study area were high in some years. Crop yields and some physical and soil chemical properties were spatially correlated.


Agro-Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
A.I. Afangide ◽  
N.H. Okoli ◽  
M.A. Okon ◽  
N.T. Egboka ◽  
P. Inyang

Application of animal manures for soil amendment plays a major role in the improvement of soil properties and enzymatic activities of a degraded Ultisol. This study assessed the effects of poultry manure (PM) and swine manure (SM) on the activities of catalase and urease enzymes and some soil properties. The PM and SM were applied at the rate of 30 t ha–1 each on experimental plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Soil samples were collected at day 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths and analyzed for catalase and urease enzymes and some soil properties using standard procedures. The results showed increase in soil pH (in H2O) from 4.0 to 5.4 following manure application. At 0-15 cm soil depth, PM and SM recorded 28.1 and 28.8% increases in soil pH (in H2O), respectively. Soil organic carbon was highest (2.6 g kg–1) at 0-15 cm depth for soil amended with SM while the lowest value of 1.1 g kg–1was obtained at 15-30 cm depth for soil unamended with SM. In PM-amended soil, catalase activities ranged from 1.32 to 6.77 mg g–1 while its activities in SM-treated soil significantly (p < 0.05) varied between 1.55 and 8.11 mg g–1. Urease showed ranges of 0.72-3.90 mg g–1 and 0.96-4.71 mg g–1 in PM-amended and SM-treated soils, respectively. The results uphold that animal manures improve soil properties and are enzymatically controlled.


Author(s):  
Abhay Kumar ◽  
M. S. Malik ◽  
P. R. Oraon ◽  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Sheela Barla ◽  
...  

A two year experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at experimental site near Faculty of Forestry in main campus of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Sole cropping and gamhar based agrisilviculture systems with four different intercrops (arhar, cowpea, greengram and mustard) were under investigation. To study the overall scenario of soil properties under agrisilviculture system, soil samples were analysed at different profile depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to measure the changes in soil properties under the influence of gamhar (Gmelina arborea) tree and intercrops grown in between. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (dsm-1), organic carbon (%), available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (kg ha-1) were found higher at the soil depth 0-15 cm as compared to 15-30 cm due to addition of organic residue on the surface soil. Soil OC, available N, P and K in 0-15 cm as well as in 15-30 cm profile was found to be statistically significant. It showed an increase from initial value in all the treatments in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The increase was more in gamhar based agrisilviculture system than in sole tree and sole crops in both the years.


Soil Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. Valzano ◽  
B. W. Murphy ◽  
R. S. B. Greene

In 1994 a long-term field trial with 9 lime–gypsum combinations and 2 tillage treatments (reduced tillage and direct drill) was established on a sodic red-brown earth soil [surface pH(water) 6.5] at a property near Peak Hill, NSW, Australia. The lime-gypsum treatments were: L0G0 (lime 0 t/ha, gypsum 0 t/ha), L0G1, L0G2.5, L0G5, L1G0, L2.5G0, L5G0, L1G1, and L2.5G1. After 3 years, higher rates of lime and gypsum or their combinations significantly (P < 0.01) increased exchangeable and soluble calcium and decreased exchangeable and soluble sodium in the 0–100 mm layer of the soil. Gypsum was found to decrease the total soluble cation concentration (TCC) in some instances, while lime maintained TCC at 1995 levels. Soil pH was significantly higher on all lime plots and electrical conductivity was slightly higher on plots treated with lime than on control plots. Organic carbon levels were significantly higher in plots with gypsum and high levels of the lime–gypsum combination (L2.5G1). The effectiveness of the lime treatments was influenced by the initial soil pH (as suggested by the findings of other studies). The lime, and to a lesser extent the gypsum treatments, improved the physical properties of the soil as measured by the Emerson aggregate test, penetrometer resistance, infiltration, and water availability. A tillage effect was also present resulting in less dispersion, decreased penetrometer resistance, and higher infiltration rates in plots prepared with reduced tillage practices than direct drill plots. Plant-available water content (AWC) was significantly higher in the surface soil of plots treated with L2.5G1 than control treatments. The L5G0 and L0G5 treatments did not significantly improve the AWC. Crop yields were increased by some of the lime–gypsum treatments in both 1995 and 1996. Corresponding with the increased AWC, the L2.5G1 treatment produced the highest crop yields. Plots with reduced tillage had consistently higher yields than those with direct drill treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Afroja Nasrin ◽  
Sayma Khanom ◽  
Shahid Akhtar Hossain

An incubation study was conducted to find out the best mixing ratio of acid and calcareous soil (maintaining 70% moisture) for pot experiment. Depending on various physico-chemical properties mixed soil 1 : 1 (i.e. acid : calcareous) was selected for pot experiment. The pot experiment was carried out to observe the effects of vermicompost and compost on soil properties and growth and yield of Kalmi (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.). This experiment included seven treatments with three replications including control. Treatment variables were T0 (control), T1 (4 t/ha vermicompost), T2 (8 t/ha vermicompost), T3 (12 t/ha vermicompost), T4 (4 t/ha compost), T5 (8 t/ha compost) and T6 (12 t/ha compost). All the treatments had significant positive effects over control on growth and yield of kalmi. The highest growth and yield were recorded with T3 (12 t/ha vermicompost) treatment. In case of, macro and micronutrient uptake treatment T3 (12 t/ha vermicompost) performed best followed by T6 (12 t/ha compost) over T0 (control). However, in post-harvest soil except soil reaction (pH); electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe and Zn significantly increased for T3 (12 t ha-1 vermicompost) than T1, T2, T4, T5, T6 and T0. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 28(1): 121-129, 2019 (January)


Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Ordoñez-Morales ◽  
Martin Cadena-Zapata ◽  
Alejandro Zermeño-González ◽  
Santos Campos-Magaña

In many regions, conservation tillage has been shown to contribute to preserving soil properties. However, in order to promote this practice in new areas, it is necessary to generate information about its results in local environmental conditions. Our objective was to study the effect of No Tillage (NT), Vertical Tillage (VT) and Conventional Tillage (CT) on physical soil properties of a clay loam soil and on yields (Avena sativa L.), in a semiarid area of Mexico. From 2013 to 2016 an experiment was conducted in random blocks, with the three tillage systems as treatments. Four variables were measured; bulk density (Bd), pore space (P), hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and crop yield. Our results did show scarce differences between the tillage systems. Values ranged between 1.21 g cm−3 to 1.39 g cm−3 for Bd, 45% to 55% for P, and 4.29 mm h−1 to 13.61 mm h−1 for Ks. Although differences were not significant among treatments, Bd decreased 6.7% for CT, 5.6% for NT and 0.7% for VT. P increased 6% for CT, 5% for NT and 0.5% for VT. Ks for CT decreased 6% more than for NT and VT. Average yield was 13% less in NT compared to CT and VT. A long-term investigation is needed in order to determine the effects of tillage methods, in our particular environmental conditions.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document