scholarly journals Nitrogen-Fertilized Systems of Maize Intercropped With Tropical Grasses for Enhanced Yields and Estimated Land Use and Meat Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. C. Crusciol ◽  
Gustavo P. Mateus ◽  
Letusa Momesso ◽  
Cristiano M. Pariz ◽  
André M. Castilhos ◽  
...  

Intercropping grain with forage crops bridges the gap between agriculture and sustainability. In tropical regions, forage grasses are increasingly being adopted as winter pasture intercropped and in rotation with maize to maximize food production. However, current recommendations for nitrogen (N) fertilizer application are based on monocropped maize (Zea mays), and the best N management approach for intercropping systems remains unclear. A field experiment was carried out in three growing seasons with three intercropping systems [monoculture maize, intercropped with palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha), and intercropped with guineagrass (Megathyrus maximus)] combined with six different split applications of N to maize (0–0, 100–0, 70–30, 50–50, 30–70, and 0–100 kg N ha−1 at seeding-sidedressing) with four replicates. We measured dry matter (DM) and accumulated N in maize and forage grasses, as well as maize production components and yields. Additionally, land equivalent ratio, relative crowding coefficient, aggressivity of maize with forage grasses, forage crude protein (CP) concentration, estimated animal stocking rate, and estimated meat production and economic outcomes. Greatest maize yield was 8.7 Mg ha−1 for monocropped maize. However, favorable maize yield was also obtained in intercropping systems. Although no difference was observed between intercropping systems, applying all N at sidedressing of maize negatively affected maize and forage yields and, consequently, land use and economic evaluation. For both intercropping systems, estimated meat and land use were 114 and 10% higher when N fertilizer was applied than the control (0–0 kg N ha−1), on average. Maize-forage grass intercropping is a viable alternative production system for improving yields and land use. In addition, estimated meat production and revenue can be enhanced with palisadegrass or guineagrass. At least half of the N fertilizer must be applied early in the growing season of maize to maximize production of the entire system.

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. K. AKINNIFESI ◽  
W. MAKUMBA ◽  
F. R. KWESIGA

Maize production in Malawi is limited by high costs and sub-optimal use of chemical fertilizers under continuous cultivation. A long-term gliricidia/maize trial was undertaken on a Ferric Lixisol from 1991/92 to 2001/02. The purpose of the study was to assess the performance of a gliricidia/maize intercropping system as a low-input soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial design with three replications. Treatments included two maize cropping systems (with and without gliricidia trees), and three rates of inorganic N fertilizer (0, 24 and 48 N kg ha−1 representing 0, 25 and 50% of the national recommended N rate), and three rates of P fertilizer application (0, 20 and 40 P ha−1 representing 0, 50 and 100% of the recommended rate). No effect of P was detected on yield early in the trial, and this treatment was discontinued. The gliricidia pruning biomass did not decline after 10 years of intensive pruning, with strong correlation between tree biomass production and years after establishment (r = 0.91, p < 0.001). Application of gliricidia prunings increased maize yields by three times compared to the yield of unfertilized sole maize. Maize yield from the unfertilized gliricidia pruning treatment was superior to the yield from sole maize supplemented with a quarter or half the recommended N rate. The study confirmed that a gliricidia/maize intercropping system is a promising soil fertility replenishment option in southern Malawi and elsewhere in southern Africa.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Achmad Arivin Rivaie

Most people in Maluku Islands have long used non-rice food consumption, especially tuber crops and maize. The development of diversification of non-rice food consumption certainly needs to be supported by the availability of adaptive crop cultivation technology to climate change. Cropping pattern is one of the appropriate steps for smallholder farmer to increase land productivity. An experiment of maize/peanut intercropping pattern had been conducted to determine optimum Nitrogen (N) rate for maize at different planting spacings in intercropping pattern with peanut in dryland of Makariki Village, Central Maluku. The experiments were arranged in a Split Plot Design with 3 (three) replicates. The main plot was maize spacing, namely: (i) J1 = 80 x 25 cm, 6 rows of maize, 2 rows of peanut, (ii) J2 = 160 x 25 cm, 3 rows of maize, 4 rows of peanut, and (iii) J3 = 240 x 25 cm, 2 rows of maize, 6 rows of peanut. The sub-plot was N rate (kg/ha), namely: (i) N0 = 0-0-0, (ii) N1 = 45-50-60, (iii) N2 = 90-50-60, (iv) N3 = 135-50-60, and (v) N4 = 180-50-60. The results showed that plant height, cob circle and yield of maize grown at different planting spacings in intercropping patterns in Makariki, Central Maluku affected by N fertilizer application. The application of N fertilizer increased growth and yield of maize by following a quadratic pattern. The use of maize spacing of J1 (80 x 25 cm) in intercropping with peanut requires the addition of the optimum N rate of 302 kg urea/ha, which gave the highest maize yield (t/ha) compared with other planting spacings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Takdir Mulyadi M

Most people in Maluku Islands have long used non-rice food consumption, especially tuber crops and maize. The development of diversification of non-rice food consumption certainly needs to be supported by the availability of adaptive crop cultivation technology to climate change. Cropping pattern is one of the appropriate steps for smallholder farmer to increase land productivity. An experiment of maize/peanut intercropping pattern had been conducted to determine optimum Nitrogen (N) rate for maize at different planting spacings in intercropping pattern with peanut in dryland of Makariki Village, Central Maluku. The experiments were arranged in a Split Plot Design with 3 (three) replicates. The main plot was maize spacing, namely: (i) J1 = 80 x 25 cm, 6 rows of maize, 2 rows of peanut, (ii) J2 = 160 x 25 cm, 3 rows of maize, 4 rows of peanut, and (iii) J3 = 240 x 25 cm, 2 rows of maize, 6 rows of peanut. The sub-plot was N rate (kg/ha), namely: (i) N0 = 0-0-0, (ii) N1 = 45-50-60, (iii) N2 = 90-50-60, (iv) N3 = 135-50-60, and (v) N4 = 180-50-60. The results showed that plant height, cob circle and yield of maize grown at different planting spacings in intercropping patterns in Makariki, Central Maluku affected by N fertilizer application. The application of N fertilizer increased growth and yield of maize by following a quadratic pattern. The use of maize spacing of J1 (80 x 25 cm) in intercropping with peanut requires the addition of the optimum N rate of 302 kg urea/ha, which gave the highest maize yield (t/ha) compared with other planting spacings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Perin ◽  
Ricardo Henrique Silva Santos ◽  
Segundo Sacramento Urquiaga ◽  
Paulo Roberto Cecon ◽  
José Guilherme Marinho Guerra ◽  
...  

Commonly N release from legume residues is rapid in the tropics. Legume mixtures with grasses can result in slower nutrient release from residues, better matching the N requirements of the following crop. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the green manures sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum), alone or mixed, on the performance of a subsequent maize crop with and without the application of N-fertilizer. The experiment consisted of four randomized blocks, with split plots. The plot treatments consisted of previous cultivation of sunnhemp, millet, mixed sunnhemp+millet and weeds. The subplot treatments were 90 kg N ha-1 and absence of N-fertilizer. Substantial amounts of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) nitrogen were present in above ground parts of sunnhemp alone (173 kg ha-1) and mixed with millet (89 kg ha-1). Decay rates showed that half of the N was released 15 and 22 days from sunnhemp and sunnhemp+millet residues, respectively. The difference was attributed to temporary immobilization due to the higher C/N ratio of sunnhemp+millet. The preceding sunnhemp+millet treatment resulted in a larger maize yield than sunnhemp alone, when no N-fertilizer was applied. This effect was not observed when N-fertilizer was added. This effect may be due to a more timely N release, compared to sunnhemp and millet alone, when available N is required for maize. Nitrogen budgets showed that 15% and 10% in maize grain N was recovered from BNF for sunnhemp alone and sunnhemp+millet respectively. The recovery of N-BNF by maize was 65% higher after sunnhemp+millet than after sunnhemp monocrop.


Author(s):  
M. V. Bazylev M. V. ◽  
◽  
E. A. Levkin E. A. ◽  
V. V. Linkov V. V.

Conducted a production study agricultural activities of JSC "Pochapovo" Pinsk district was allowed to determine the main directions in the organization and management of agriculture: in the direction of improving the system of fertilizer application and, in the introduction of the investment project to irrigate arable enterprise forage crops.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021
Author(s):  
Veerasamy Sejian ◽  
Mullakkalparambil V. Silpa ◽  
Mini R. Reshma Nair ◽  
Chinnasamy Devaraj ◽  
Govindan Krishnan ◽  
...  

This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats’ welfare under extensive conditions and transportation. Although considered extremely adapted to tropical climates, their production can be compromised to cope with heat stress. Therefore, information on goat adaptation and production performance during heat exposure could help assess their welfare. Such information would be valuable as the farming communities are often struggling in their efforts to assess animal welfare, especially in tropical regions. Broadly three aspects must be considered to ensure appropriate welfare in goats, and these include (i) housing and environment; (ii) breeding and genetics and (iii) handling and transport. Apart from these, there are a few other negative welfare factors in goat rearing, which differ across the production system being followed. Such negative practices are predominant in extensive systems and include nutritional stress, limited supply of good quality water, climatic extremes, parasitic infestation and lameness, culminating in low production, reproduction and high mortality rates. Broadly two types of methodologies are available to assess welfare in goats in these systems: (i) animal-based measures include behavioral measurements, health and production records and disease symptoms; (ii) resources based and management-based measures include stocking density, manpower, housing conditions and health plans. Goat welfare could be assessed based on several indicators covering behavioral, physical, physiological and productive responses. The important indicators of goat welfare include agonistic behavior, vocalization, skin temperature, body condition score (BCS), hair coat conditions, rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, sweating, reduced growth, reduced milk production and reduced reproductive efficiency. There are also different approaches available by which the welfare of goats could be assessed, such as naturalistic, functional and subjective approaches. Thus, assessing welfare in goats at every production stage is a prerequisite for ensuring appropriate production in this all-important species to guarantee optimum returns to the marginal and subsistence farmers.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 740
Author(s):  
Ken Okamoto ◽  
Shinkichi Goto ◽  
Toshihiko Anzai ◽  
Shotaro Ando

Fertilizer application during sugarcane cultivation is a main source of nitrogen (N) loads to groundwater on small islands in southwestern Japan. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of reducing the N fertilizer application rate on sugarcane yield, N leaching, and N balance. We conducted a sugarcane cultivation experiment with drainage lysimeters and different N application rates in three cropping seasons (three years). N loads were reduced by reducing the first N application rate in all cropping seasons. The sugarcane yields of the treatment to which the first N application was halved (T2 = 195 kg ha−1 N) were slightly lower than those of the conventional application (T1 = 230 kg ha−1 N) in the first and third seasons (T1 = 91 or 93 tons ha−1, T2 = 89 or 87 tons ha−1). N uptake in T1 and T2 was almost the same in seasons 1 (186–188 kg ha−1) and 3 (147–151 kg ha−1). Based on the responses of sugarcane yield and N uptake to fertilizer reduction in two of the three years, T2 is considered to represent a feasible fertilization practice for farmers. The reduction of the first N fertilizer application reduced the underground amounts of N loads (0–19 kg ha−1). However, application of 0 N in the first fertilization would lead to a substantial reduction in yield in all seasons. Reducing the amount of N in the first application (i.e., replacing T1 with T2) improved N recovery by 9.7–11.9% and reduced N leaching by 13 kg ha−1. These results suggest that halving the amount of N used in the first application can improve N fertilizer use efficiency and reduce N loss to groundwater.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janak Lal Nayava ◽  
Dil Bahadur Gurung

The relation between climate and maize production in Nepal was studied for the period 1970/71-2007/08. Due to the topographical differences within north-south span of the country, Nepal has wide variety of climatic condition. About 70 to 90% of the rainfall occurs during summer monsoon (June to September) and the rest of the months are almost dry. Maize is cultivated from March to May depending on the rainfall distribution. Due to the availability of improved seeds, the maize yield has been steadily increasing after 1987/1988. The national area and yield of maize is estimated to be 870,166ha and 2159kg/ha respectively in 2007/08. The present rate of annual increase of temperature is 0.04°C in Nepal. Trends of temperature rise are not uniform throughout Nepal. An increase of annual temperature at Rampur during 1968-2008 was only 0.039°C. However, at Rampur during the maize growing seasons, March/April - May, the trend of annual maximum temperature had not been changed, but during the month of June and July, the trend of increase of maximum temperature was 0.03°C to 0.04°C /year.Key words: Climate-change; Global-warming; Hill; Mountain; Nepal; TaraiThe Journal of AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Vol. 11, 2010Page: 59-69Uploaded Date: 15 September, 2010


2010 ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Md Abiar Rahman ◽  
Md Giashuddin Miah ◽  
Hisashi Yahata

Productivity of maize and soil properties change under alley cropping system consisting of four woody species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan and Senna siamea) at different nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate) were studied in the floodplain ecosystem of Bangladesh. Comparative growth performance of four woody species after pruning showed that L. leucocephala attained the highest height, while C. cajan produced the maximum number of branches. Higher and almost similar amount of pruned materials (PM) were obtained from S. siamea, G. sepium and C. cajan species. In general, maize yield increased with the increase in N level irrespective of added PM. However, 100% N plus PM, 75% N plus PM and 100% N without PM (control) produced similar yields. The grain yield of maize obtained from G. sepium alley was 2.82, 4.13 and 5.81% higher over those of L. leucocephala, C. cajan and S. siamea, respectively. Across the alley, only one row of maize in the vicinity of the woody species was affected significantly. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N and CEC in alley cropping treatments especially in G. sepium and L. leucocephala alleys compared to the initial and control soils. Therefore, one fourth chemical N fertilizer can be saved without significant yield loss in maize production in alley cropping system.


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