Natural Vegetation as an Indicator of the Capabilities of Land for Crop Production in the Great Plains Area

Science ◽  
1911 ◽  
Vol 34 (863) ◽  
pp. 55-57
Author(s):  
F. E. CLEMENTS
2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 904-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Tanaka ◽  
J. M. Krupinsky ◽  
S. D. Merrill ◽  
M. A. Liebig ◽  
J. D. Hanson

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew J. Lyon ◽  
Gary W. Hergert

AbstractOrganic farming systems use green and animal manures to supply nitrogen (N) to their fields for crop production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of green manure and composted cattle manure on the subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) crop in a semiarid environment. Dry pea (Pisum sativumL.) was seeded in early April and terminated at first flower in late June. Composted cattle manure was applied at 0, 11.2 or 22.5 Mg ha−1just prior to pea termination. Winter wheat was planted in mid September following the green manure or tilled summer fallow. No positive wheat response to green manure or composted cattle manure was observed in any of the 3 years of the study. In 2 of the 3 years, wheat yields and grain test weight were reduced following green manure. Green manure reduced grain yields compared with summer fallow by 220 and 1190 kg ha−1in 2009 and 2010, respectively. This may partially be explained by 40 and 47 mm less soil water at wheat planting following peas compared with tilled summer fallow in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Also, in 2008 and 2009, soil nitrate level averaged 45 kg ha−1higher for black fallow compared with green manure fallow when no compost was added. Organic growers in the semiarid Central Great Plains will be challenged to supply N fertility to their winter wheat crop in a rapid and consistent manner as a result of the inherently variable precipitation. Growers may need to allow several years to pass before seeing the benefits of fertility practices in their winter wheat cropping systems.


1980 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Harris ◽  
Harry P. Mapp

Climatic conditions in semiarid regions like the Oklahoma Panhandle result in wide fluctuations in rainfall, dryland crop yields, and returns to agricultural producers in the area. Irrigated crop production increases peracre yields and significantly reduces fluctuations in yields and net returns.Irrigated production of food and fiber in the Oklahoma Panhandle has developed rapidly during the past three decades, increasing from 11,500 to 385,900 acres since 1950 (Schwab). The primary source of irrigation water in the area is the Ogallala Formation, an aquifer underlying much of the Great Plains region. Until the past couple of years, the presence of relatively low cost natural gas led producers to expand irrigated production and apply high levels of water to crops irrigated in the area.


2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan E. Derby ◽  
Francis X.M. Casey ◽  
Thomas M. DeSutter

Spills of brine wastewater produced during oil well drilling are occurring more frequently in the Great Plains, resulting in crop production loss on affected soil. Remediation requires removal of salt from the topsoil, which might be accomplished by leaching to subsurface horizons or subsurface drains. A laboratory study determined the effects of brine on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of four nonimpacted surface soils from western North Dakota, USA. Repacked soil cores were subjected to saturated water flow, followed by one pore volume of brine. Subsequent saturated water flow leached brine from the soil and reduced Ks as much as 97% (0.086–0.003 cm h−1) within 24 h. Effluent total dissolved solids (TDS) approached 250 000 mg L−1 then declined (5 mg L−1) with continued leaching, but Ks did not increase. Removal of soluble salts during leaching increased the relative sodium concentrations (ESP > 55), causing clay swelling/dispersion and reduced Ks. Postbrine gypsum application (11.2 Mg ha−1) to replace exchangeable sodium with calcium did not improve Ks. This evidence suggests that if subsurface drainage is used for reclaiming brine-impacted soils that special attention be given to where dispersion/swelling is occurring, leaching water quality, and closely positioning calcium amendments within the high sodium zones.


2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 904-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Tanaka ◽  
J. M. Krupinsky ◽  
S. D. Merrill ◽  
M. A. Liebig ◽  
J. D. Hanson

2018 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 22-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine K. Obour ◽  
Chengci Chen ◽  
Henry Y. Sintim ◽  
Kent McVay ◽  
Peggy Lamb ◽  
...  

1914 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-336
Author(s):  
G. D. Fuller

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J.B. Knewtson ◽  
Edward E. Carey ◽  
M.B. Kirkham

A survey was conducted of 81 growers managing 185 high tunnels in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa to collect information about their high tunnel management practices. The survey was administered from 2005 to 2007 using internet-based and written forms. The average respondent had 4 years of high tunnel experience. The oldest tunnel still in use was 15 years old. Twenty-five percent of respondents grew crops in their high tunnels year-round. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), pepper (Capsicum spp.), leafy greens, and flowers were the most common crops. Organic soil amendments were used exclusively by 35% of growers, and in combination with conventional fertilizers by an additional 50% of growers. The summary of management practices is of interest to growers and the industries and university research and extension scientists who serve them. Growers typically reported satisfaction with their high tunnels. Growers with more than one high tunnel had often added tunnels following the success of crop production in an initial tunnel. Labor for crop maintenance was the main limiting factor reported by growers as preventing expanded high tunnel production.


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