scholarly journals Effects of soil surface management practices on soil and tree parameters in a ‘Cripps Pink’/M7 apple orchard 1. Mineral nutrition

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Wooldridge ◽  
Johan Fourie ◽  
Marlise E Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Nutrition ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Apple Orchard

scholarly journals Evaluation of Image-Based Phenotyping Methods for Measuring Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Growth and Nitrogen Nutritional Status under Greenhouse and Field Conditions

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Frossard ◽  
Frank Liebisch ◽  
Valérie Kouamé Hgaza ◽  
Delwendé Innocent Kiba ◽  
Norbert Kirchgessner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Leaf Surface ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
N Content ◽  
Total Leaf ◽  
Image Pixels ◽  
Leaf N Content ◽  
Yield Formation

New management practices must be developed to improve yam productivity. By allowing non-destructive analyses of important plant traits, image-based phenotyping techniques could help developing such practices. Our objective was to determine the potential of image-based phenotyping methods to assess traits relevant for tuber yield formation in yam grown in the glasshouse and in the field. We took plant and leaf pictures with consumer cameras. We used the numbers of image pixels to derive the shoot biomass and the total leaf surface and calculated the ‘triangular greenness index’ (TGI) which is an indicator of the leaf chlorophyll content. Under glasshouse conditions, the number of pixels obtained from nadir view (view from the top) was positively correlated to shoot biomass, and total leaf surface, while the TGI was negatively correlated to the SPAD values and nitrogen (N) content of diagnostic leaves. Pictures taken from nadir view in the field showed an increase in soil surface cover and a decrease in TGI with time. TGI was negatively correlated to SPAD values measured on diagnostic leaves but was not correlated to leaf N content. In conclusion, these phenotyping techniques deliver relevant results but need to be further developed and validated for application in yam.

Effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an agroecosystem

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sean Clark ◽  
Stuart H. Gage
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Japanese Beetle ◽  
Plum Curculio ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Domestic Bird

AbstractWe evaluated the effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an experimental, nonchemical agroecosystem consisting of an apple orchard with intercropped potatoes. The objective was to assess the potential of these domestic bird species as biological control agents. Four insect pests were studied: plum curculio, apple maggot, Japanese beetle, and Colorado potato beetle. Chickens fed on several potential crop pests, including Japanese beetle. Although Japanese beetles were less abundant on apple trees when chickens were present, the proportion of damaged fruit was not reduced. Furthermore, chickens did not affect weed abundance or crop productivity. In contrast, geese were effective weeders. Their activities reduced weed abundance and increased potato plant growth and yields compared with a minimally weeded control. In addition, the activities of geese indirectly reduced apple fruit damage by plum curculio and increased the proportion of pest-free fruit, possibly because removal of vegetation by the geese reduced humidity at the soil surface and therefore reduced the activity of plum curculio.

scholarly journals Trace Metal Distribution and Mobility in Soils after Silvicultural Thinning and Burning

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Ngowari Jaja ◽  
Monday Mbila ◽  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metal ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Randomized Block Design

Silvicultural thinning and burning are common management practices that are widely used to address ecosystem problems such as tree stocking and general forest health. However, high-severity fire has variable effects on soils, resulting in damages which are directly or indirectly reflected on the trace metal chemistry of the soil. This study was conducted to evaluate the trace metal variation at the Bankhead National Forest in Northern Alabama following the silvicultural thinning and burning. The experimental site had treatments consisting of two burning patterns and three levels of thinning as part of an overall treatment of three burning patterns and three levels of thinning applied to nine treatment plots to fit a completely randomized block design experiment. Four treatments sites were used for this study and samples were collected from soil profile pits excavated at representative plots within each treatment. The samples were analyzed for trace metals-As, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb-using Perkin Elmer 2100 ICP-OES. Post treatment samples indicated that the trace metal concentrations generally decreased with soil depth. Copper, Ni, and Zn at the Pre-burn site gradually increased with depth to a maximum concentration at about 50 cm below the soil surface. Arsenic in the surface horizons increased by 156% in the burn-only sites, 54% in the thin-only treatment, 30% for the burn and thin treatments. Such differences were unlikely due to differences in the geochemistry of the parent material, but likely due to anthropogenic activities and possibly the forest management practices in question.

scholarly journals Study on Physiological Parameters and Economics of Rice Cultivation under Different Establishment Methods and Water Management Practices

2020 ◽  
pp. 123-131
Author(s):  
S. Selvakumar ◽  
S. Sakthivel ◽  
Akihiko Kamoshita ◽  
R. Babu ◽  
S. Thiyageshwari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Physiological Parameters

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, during summer 2019 to study about the changes in physiological parameters of rice under various establishment and water management strategies and to find out the suitable method of rice establishment and irrigation management practices for tank irrigated command areas during water scarcity situation. Field experiment comprised of four establishment methods in combination with four irrigation management strategies. Medium duration fine grain rice variety TKM 13 was used for the study. Results of the study revealed that machine transplanting under unpuddled soil combined with irrigation after formation of hairline crack recorded improved physiological parameters and yield. It was on par with machine transplanting under unpuddled soil combined with irrigation when water level reaches 5 cm below soil surface. Higher gross return, net return and B:C ratio were observed with machine transplanting under unpuddled soil combined with irrigation after formation of hairline crack. This was followed by machine transplanting under unpuddled soil combined with irrigation when water level reaches 5 cm below soil. Hence, the result of study concluded that machine transplanting under unpuddled soil combined with irrigation when water level reaches 5 cm below soil surface can be recommended as the suitable technology for the farmers of tank irrigated command area to get higher return with minimum use of resources under water scarcity situation.

Sugar cane straw left in the field during harvest: decomposition dynamics and composition changes

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 758 ◽  
Author(s):  
José G. de A. Sousa ◽  
Maurício R. Cherubin ◽  
Carlos E. P. Cerri ◽  
Carlos C. Cerri ◽  
Brigitte J. Feigl
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
N Losses ◽  
No Removal ◽  
Bioenergy Production ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Decomposition Dynamics ◽  
Straw Incorporation

The understanding of sugar cane straw decomposition dynamics is essential for defining a sustainable rate of straw removal for bioenergy production without jeopardising soil functioning and other ecosystem services. Thus, we conducted a field study in south-east Brazil over 360 days to evaluate sugar cane straw decomposition and changes in its composition as affected by increasing initial straw amounts and management practices. The sugar cane straw amounts tested were: (1) 3.5 Mg ha–1 (i.e. 75% removal); (2) 7.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. 50% removal); (3) 14.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. no removal); and (4) 21.0 Mg ha–1 (i.e. no removal plus 50% of the extra straw left on the field). In addition, two management practices were studied for the reference straw amount (14 Mg ha–1), namely straw incorporation into the soil and irrigation with vinasse. The findings showed that dry mass (DM) loss increased logarithmically as a function of the initial amount left on the soil surface. An exponential curve efficiently described straw DM and C losses, in which more readily decomposable compounds are preferably consumed, leaving compounds that are more recalcitrant in the late stages of decomposition. After 1 year of decomposition, net straw C and N losses reached approximately 70% and 23% respectively for the highest initial straw amounts. Straw incorporation in the soil significantly accelerated the decomposition process (i.e. 86% DM loss after 1 year) compared with maintenance of straw on the soil surface (65% DM loss after 1 year), whereas irrigation with vinasse had little effect on decomposition (60% DM loss after 1 year). We conclude that straw decomposition data are an essential starting point for a better understanding of the environmental effects caused by straw removal and other management practices in sugar cane fields. This information can be used in models and integrated assessments towards a more sustainable sugar cane straw management for bioenergy production.

The effect of temperature on the field softening of hard seed of Stylosanthes humilis and S. hamata in a dry monsoonal climate

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM McKeon ◽  
JJ Mott
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Surface Temperatures ◽  
Stylosanthes Humilis ◽  
One Year ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions

The changes in hard-seed content in pastures of Stylosanthes humilis and S. hamata cv. Verano were studied at Katherine, N.T. Both field studies and laboratory ovens with diurnal temperature changes showed that maximum soil surface temperatures greater than 50-55�C were required to produce substantial softening of hard seed. The rate of softening increased with higher maximum temperature. At Katherine, only the September-November period (late dry season) was likely to produce soil surface temperatures high enough for softening in naturally occurring seed populations. S. hamata did not soften to the same extent as S. humilis under both field and laboratory conditions. In established pastures only 35 % of S. hamata seed softened in one year, compared with 60-80% in S. humilis. Management practices may be required to improve seedling regeneration or establishment of new pastures in S. hamata.

scholarly journals Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) for Enhanced Water Distribution: SDI - Seepage Hybrid System

EDIS ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lincoln Zotarelli ◽  
Libby Rens ◽  
Charles Barrett ◽  
Daniel J. Cantliffe ◽  
Michael D. Dukes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
High Water ◽  
Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽  
Irrigation Systems ◽  
Seepage Irrigation ◽  
Subsurface Drip

In terms of water use efficiency, the traditional seepage irrigation systems commonly used in areas with high water tables are one of the most inefficient methods of irrigation, though some irrigation management practices can contribute to better soil moisture uniformity. Subsurface drip irrigation systems apply water below the soil surface by microirrigation, improving the water distribution and time required to raise the water table for seepage irrigation. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Lincoln Zotarelli, Libby Rens, Charles Barrett, Daniel J. Cantliffe, Michael D. Dukes, Mark Clark, and Steven Lands, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1217

scholarly journals Exploring different weeds management practices in wheat

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-225
Author(s):  
Muhamamd Arif
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Experimental Treatment ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Neem Extract

Frequent utilization of herbicides has caused ecological and health complications for human beings as well as for animals. Moreover, its unwise application also developed resistance in some weed species against the herbicides. Therefore, a field investigation was planned to assess the effect of multi-approached weed suppression in wheat at Reclamation Research Station, 7/3-L Ahmad Pur Sial District Jhang during Rabi 2019-20. Experimental treatment was comprised of two wheat cultivars i.e. Ujala 2016 and Faisalabad 2008 and seven weeds control approaches i.e. hand weeding, organic mulching, eucalyptus extract, neem extract, clodinafop, bromoxynil + MCPA and clodinafop + bromoxynil + MCPA including control. Results of the experiment showed that hand weedings, combined application of clodinafop + bromoxynil + MCPA and mulching significantly reduced the weeds density, fresh and dry weight of weeds. However, covering the soil surface with the organic mulch may have a great impact on the growth and yield-contributing attributes, hence produced maximum grain yield.

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