Field-scale experiments reveal persistent yield gaps in low-input and organic cropping systems

Knowledge of production-system performance is largely based on observations at the experimental plot scale. Although yield gaps between plot-scale and field-scale research are widely acknowledged, their extent and persistence have not been experimentally examined in a systematic manner. At a site in southwest Michigan, we conducted a 6-y experiment to test the accuracy with which plot-scale crop-yield results can inform field-scale conclusions. We compared conventional versus alternative, that is, reduced-input and biologically based–organic, management practices for a corn–soybean–wheat rotation in a randomized complete block-design experiment, using 27 commercial-size agricultural fields. Nearby plot-scale experiments (0.02-ha to 1.0-ha plots) provided a comparison of plot versus field performance. We found that plot-scale yields well matched field-scale yields for conventional management but not for alternative systems. For all three crops, at the plot scale, reduced-input and conventional managements produced similar yields; at the field scale, reduced-input yields were lower than conventional. For soybeans at the plot scale, biological and conventional managements produced similar yields; at the field scale, biological yielded less than conventional. For corn, biological management produced lower yields than conventional in both plot- and field-scale experiments. Wheat yields appeared to be less affected by the experimental scale than corn and soybean. Conventional management was more resilient to field-scale challenges than alternative practices, which were more dependent on timely management interventions; in particular, mechanical weed control. Results underscore the need for much wider adoption of field-scale experimentation when assessing new technologies and production-system performance, especially as related to closing yield gaps in organic farming and in low-resourced systems typical of much of the developing world.

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Maximizing Yields, Nutrient Uptake and Balance for Mustard-Mungbean-T. Aman Rice Cropping Systems through Nutrient Management Practices in Calcareous Soils

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v9n9p210 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 210 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. A. Quddus ◽

M. J. Abedin Mian ◽

H. M. Naser ◽

M. A. Hossain ◽

S. Sultana

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Management Practices ◽

Nutrient Management ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Calcareous Soils ◽

Cropping System ◽

Soil Test ◽

Positive Balance

The experiment was conducted to measure crop yields, nutrient concentration, nutrient uptake and balance by using different nutrient management practices for mustard-mungbean-T. aman rice cropping system in calcareous soil of Madaripur, Bangladesh. Different nutrient management practices were absolute nutrient control (T1); farmer’s practice (T2); AEZ based nutrient application (T3) and soil test based nutrient application (T4). The practices were compared in a randomized completely block design with three replications over two consecutive years. The average yield through application of soil test based nutrient (T4) was showed effective to get highest yields of mustard (1530 kg ha-1), mungbean (1632 kg ha-1) and T. aman rice (4729 kg ha-1). The same practices (T4) exhibited the greatest nutrients uptake by the test crops. The apparent balance of N and K was negative; however it was less negative and less deficiency detect in T4 treatment. Positive balance of P observed in all practices except in T1. There was a positive S balance (7.60 kg ha-1) in T4 but negative in T1, T2 and T3. Zinc balance was found positive in T3 and T4 and negative in T1 and T2. Boron balance in the system was neutral or slightly positive in T1 and negative in T2 but positive in T3 and T4. Organic matter, N, P, S, Zn and B status in soil was improved by T4 treatment. The results suggested that the soil test based nutrient application is viable and sustainable for mustard-mungbean-T. aman rice cropping system in calcareous soils of Bangladesh.

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Covariance Structures in Conventional and Organic Cropping Systems

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2013/494026 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Abdullah A. Jaradat

Keyword(s):

Coefficient Of Variation ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Crop Rotations ◽

Covariance Structures ◽

Cumulative Yield ◽

Temporal Variance

Guidelines are needed to develop proper statistical analyses procedures and select appropriate models of covariance structures in response to expected temporal variation in long-term experiments. Cumulative yield, its temporal variance, and coefficient of variation were used in estimating and describing covariance structures in conventional and organic cropping systems of a long-term field experiment in a randomized complete block design. An 8-year database on 16 treatments (conventional and organic cropping systems, crop rotations, and tillage) was subjected to geostatistical, covariance structure, variance components, and repeated measures multivariate analyses using six covariance models under restricted maximum likelihood. Differential buildup of the cumulative effects due to crop rotations being repeated over time was demonstrated by decreasing structured and unstructured variances and increasing range estimates in the geostatistical analyses. The magnitude and direction of relationships between cumulative yield and its temporal variance, and coefficient of variation shaped the covariance structures of both cropping systems, crop rotations, and phases within crop rotations and resulted in significant deviations of organic management practices from their conventional counterparts. The unstructured covariance model was the best to fit most factor-variable combinations; it was the most flexible, but most costly in terms of computation time and number of estimated parameters.

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Organic matter and physical properties of a Red Latosol under an integrated crop-livestock-forestry system1

Pesquisa Agropecuária Tropical ◽

10.1590/1983-40632018v4852737 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 316-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Flávia Levinski-Huf ◽

Vilson Antonio Klein

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Production System ◽

Management Practices ◽

Block Design ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Atterberg Limits ◽

Red Latosol

ABSTRACT Soil management practices and uses, in the integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) production system, influence the soil properties in different ways. This study aimed to assess the organic matter content and physical properties of a Red Latosol (Oxisol), in the forestry and crop components of an ICLF system. A split-plot randomized block design was used, with six blocks containing two main plots (forestry and crop) and eight split plots (sampled soil layers), totaling 16 treatments and 96 samples. The following variables were analyzed: organic matter, soil density, relative density, pore size distribution, Atterberg limits and aggregate stability. The presence of the forestry component improves the mean weight and geometric mean diameters, as well as the aggregates stability index of the Red Latosol, at five years after the implementation of the system. The aggregates stability in water and the Atterberg limits are the soil physical properties that better express the changes in the soil, with the inclusion of the forestry component. Including this component in the production system, throughout the years (> 5 years), improves the soil properties.

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Evaluation and Release of Two Peanut Cultivars: A Case Study of Partnerships in Ghana

Peanut Science ◽

10.3146/ps18-16.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 37-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Owusu–Akyaw ◽

M.B. Mochiah ◽

J.Y. Asibuo ◽

K. Osei ◽

A. Ibrahim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

International Development ◽

Arachis Hypogaea ◽

Management Practices ◽

New Technologies ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Limited Resource ◽

Breeding Lines ◽

Arachis Hypogaea L ◽

Feed The Future

ABSTRACT New technologies combined with improved genetics and farmer access are important components required to improve productivity and efficiencies of cropping systems. The ability of the public and private sector to provide these components to farmers often vary considerably and can be challenging because of limited resource allocation and investment in institutions designed to provide these services. Partnerships among national programs where resources are limited and external entities can provide an effective platform to deliver improved cultivars and production and pest management practices that increase crop yield and economic viability of resource-poor farmers. In this note, we describe a partnership between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) in Ghana, the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the US Agency for International Development Peanut Collaborative Research Support Program (USAID Peanut CRSP), the Feed the Future Innovation Lab on Peanut Productivity and Mycotoxin Control (PMIL), and North Carolina State University (NCSU) that resulted in the release of two ICRISAT-derived lines as cultivars to farmers in Ghana. The cultivars Otuhia (Arachis hypogaea L.) and Yenyawoso (Arachis hypogaea L.) were released by CSIR-CRI in 2012 following evaluations of breeding lines beginning in 1999. This case study provides insight into the research focus and timeline that occurred with this partnership during the research and development process. A portion of the data obtained to support release of these cultivars is provided.

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Microbial Signatures in Fertile Soils Under Long-Term N Management

Frontiers in Soil Science ◽

10.3389/fsoil.2021.765901 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

Author(s):

María B. Villamil ◽

Nakian Kim ◽

Chance W. Riggins ◽

María C. Zabaloy ◽

Marco Allegrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Ribosomal Database Project ◽

Fertilization Rates ◽

Continuous Corn ◽

Potential Nitrification

Long-term reliance on inorganic N to maintain and increase crop yields in overly simplified cropping systems in the U.S. Midwest region has led to soil acidification, potentially damaging biological N2 fixation and accelerating potential nitrification activities. Building on this published work, rRNA gene-based analysis via Illumina technology with QIIME 2.0 processing was used to characterize the changes in microbial communities associated with such responses. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) for each archaeal, bacterial, and fungal taxa were classified using the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP). Our goal was to identify bioindicators from microbes responsive to crop rotation and N fertilization rates following 34–35 years since the initiation of experiments. Research plots were established in 1981 with treatments of rotation [continuous corn (Zea mays L.) (CCC) and both the corn (Cs) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) (Sc) phases of a corn-soybean rotation], and of N fertilization rates (0, 202, and 269 kg N/ha) arranged as a split-plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. We identified a set of three archaea, and six fungal genera responding mainly to rotation; a set of three bacteria genera whose abundances were linked to N rates; and a set with the highest number of indicator genera from both bacteria (22) and fungal (12) taxa responded to N fertilizer additions only within the CCC system. Indicators associated with the N cycle were identified from each archaeal, bacterial, and fungal taxon, with a dominance of denitrifier- over nitrifier- groups. These were represented by a nitrifier archaeon Nitrososphaera, and Woesearchaeota AR15, an anaerobic denitrifier. These archaea were identified as part of the signature for CCC environments, decreasing in abundance with rotated management. The opposite response was recorded for the fungus Plectosphaerella, a potential N2O producer, less abundant under continuous corn. N fertilization in CCC or CS systems decreased the abundance of the bacteria genera Variovorax and Steroidobacter, whereas Gp22 and Nitrosospira only showed this response under CCC. In this latter system, N fertilization resulted in increased abundances of the bacterial denitrifiers Gp1, Denitratisoma, Dokdonella, and Thermomonas, along with the fungus Hypocrea, a known N2O producer. The identified signatures could help future monitoring and comparison across cropping systems as we move toward more sustainable management practices. At the same time, this is needed primary information to understand the potential for managing the soil community composition to reduce nutrient losses to the environment.

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Improved management practices vis-à-vis farmers’ practices for rice-based cropping systems in Bangladesh: yield gaps and gross margins

Journal of Crop Improvement ◽

10.1080/15427528.2020.1848958 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Zannatul Ferdous ◽

Farhad Zulfiqar ◽

Hayat Ullah ◽

Mazharul Anwar ◽

A.S.M. Mahbubur Rahman Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Yield Gaps ◽

Gross Margins

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Physiological potential and health of soybean seeds obtained from organic and conventional systems

Journal of Seed Science ◽

10.1590/2317-1545v41n2214881 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 213-223

Author(s):

Helio Fernandes Ibanhes Neto ◽

Gustavo Henrique Freiria ◽

Denis Santiago da Costa ◽

Cássio Egidio Cavenaghi Prete ◽

Lúcia Sadayo Assari Takahashi

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Management Practices ◽

Block Design ◽

Management Systems ◽

Soybean Seeds ◽

Conventional System ◽

Organic System ◽

Conventional Management ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Conventional Systems

Abstract: The quality of seeds produced is the result of the management practices used and environmental conditions during growing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological potential and the health of soybean seeds produced in an organic and conventional system. The genotypes UEL 110 and 122 and BRS 257 and 284 were tested in organic and conventional systems in a randomized block design. The following characteristics were evaluated: moisture content; thousand seed weight (TSW); germination (G) and first count of germination (FCG); tetrazolium (TZ); classification, length, and dry matter of seedlings; and seed health. Analysis of variance was performed separately for the management systems, followed by combined analysis. When significant, the Tukey test (p<0.05) was applied. Multivariate analysis was performed using R software. There was not significance between genotypes and management systems. The conventional management system performed positively for the characteristics TSW, G, TZ, FCG, classification, and length and dry matter of seedling roots, as well as for plant health. The UEL genotypes obtained higher TSW; UEL 110, lower germination; and BRS 257, a smaller number of ungerminated seeds and higher infestation by Cladosporium spp. The seeds produced under the organic system have greater weight and lower infestation by contaminants, whereas the conventional system produces seeds of better physiological quality and lower contamination by Phomopsis and bacteria. The genotype BRS 257 may have seeds multiplied in the organic and conventional management systems.

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Modeling Approaches to Assess Soil Erosion by Water at the Field Scale with Special Emphasis on Heterogeneity of Soils and Crops

Land ◽

10.3390/land10040422 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 422

Author(s):

Ahsan Raza ◽

Hella Ahrends ◽

Muhammad Habib-Ur-Rahman ◽

Thomas Gaiser

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Management Practices ◽

Overland Flow ◽

Dynamic Models ◽

Alley Cropping ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Model Development ◽

Field Scale ◽

Soil Erosion By Water ◽

Sedimentation Processes

Information on soil erosion and related sedimentation processes are very important for natural resource management and sustainable farming. Plenty of models are available for studying soil erosion but only a few are suitable for dynamic soil erosion assessments at the field-scale. To date, there are no field-scale dynamic models available considering complex agricultural systems for the simulation of soil erosion. We conducted a review of 51 different models evaluated based on their representation of the processes of soil erosion by water. Secondly, we consider their suitability for assessing soil erosion for more complex field designs, such as patch cropping, strip cropping and agroforestry (alley-cropping systems) and other land management practices. Several models allow daily soil erosion assessments at the sub-field scale, such as EPIC, PERFECT, GUEST, EPM, TCRP, SLEMSA, APSIM, RillGrow, WaNuLCAS, SCUAF, and CREAMS. However, further model development is needed with respect to the interaction of components, i.e., rainfall intensity, overland flow, crop cover, and their scaling limitations. A particular shortcoming of most of the existing field scale models is their one-dimensional nature. We further suggest that platforms with modular structure, such as SIMPLACE and APSIM, offer the possibility to integrate soil erosion as a separate module/component and link to GIS capabilities, and are more flexible to simulate fluxes of matter in the 2D/3D dimensions. Since models operating at daily scales often do not consider a horizontal transfer of matter, such modeling platforms can link erosion components with other environmental components to provide robust estimations of the three-dimensional fluxes and sedimentation processes occurring during soil erosion events.

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Assessing Forms of Application of Azospirillum brasilense Associated with Silicon Use on Wheat

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9110678 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 678 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fernando Shintate Galindo ◽

Willian Lima Rodrigues ◽

Antônio Leonardo Campos Biagini ◽

Guilherme Carlos Fernandes ◽

Eduardo Bianchi Baratella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Azospirillum Brasilense ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Block Design ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Magnesium Silicate ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽

Wheat Grain ◽

Control Seed

The use of biological techniques such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can represent a sustainable alternative for cereal growth in tropical areas. Research showing the potential for management practices which optimize PGPB inoculation is of utmost importance. This research was developed to investigate the potential use of Azospirillum brasilense in wheat cropping systems, as well as to assess the potential synergistic interactions between the beneficial use of silicon (Si), principally under abiotic and biotic conditions, and A. brasilense forms of application and how they impact crop development and wheat yield. The study was set up in a Rhodic Hapludox under a no-till system. The experimental design was a completely randomized block design with four replicates arranged in a factorial scheme with four inoculation forms (control, seed, groove, and leaf) and two soil acidity corrective sources (Ca and Mg silicate as Si source and dolomitic limestone). Seed inoculation was more effective in promoting wheat growth and development, with higher yield, showing an increase of 26.7% in wheat grain yield. Calcium and magnesium silicate application associated with foliar inoculation and without A. brasilense inoculation can increase wheat grain yield.

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Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Different Crops at Charlands in Bangladesh

Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research ◽

10.9734/ajaar/2021/v17i330198 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 27-40

Author(s):

Md. Safiul Islam Afrad ◽

G. K. M. Mustafizur Rahman ◽

Mohammad Saiful Alam ◽

Md. Zulfiker Ali ◽

Aliyu Akilu Barau

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

New Technologies ◽

Block Design ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Fresh Fruit ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Inorganic Fertilizers ◽

Soil Status

The experiment was conducted at the farmer’s fields of three Charlands in Bangladesh during November 2019 to July 2020 for establishing new technologies for enhancement of productivity through innovative soil management practices. The experiments were established in a randomized complete block design using six treatments and three replications. Treatments of the experiments were T1 = FP (Farmers’ Practice) (Control), T2 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Vermicompost (3t/ha), T3 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Quick Compost (3t/ha), T4 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Standard Organic Fertilizers (3t/ha), T5 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Poultry Manure (3t/ha) and T6 = RF (Recommended Fertilizer) + Biochar (3t/ha). The soil status in all selected Charlands were very low to optimum. Results of the experiment showed that application of organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers produced significant (p<0.05) variation in growth and yield parameters of the crops. The findings from the study showed that different organic fertilizers showed better performance compared to Farmer’s practice. The statistically maximum fruit yield (41.35t/ha) of pumpkin, grain yield (3.24t/ha) of millet and tuber yield (43.69t/ha) of sweet potato was recorded in biochar treated T6 treatment compared to other treatments. Besides, the statistically highest fresh fruit yield (29.50t/ha) of snake gourd, fresh fruit yield (20.80t/ha) of okra and yield (74.16t/ha) of Indian spinach were recorded in poultry manure treated T5 treatment compared to other treatments. Comparatively higher growth and yield of different crops were obtained from poultry manure along with inorganic fertilizers which was followed by biochar and quick compost application. It is recommended to the farmers to use organic fertilizers along with inorganic fertilizers.

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