Effect of Cover Crop, Slurry Application with Different Loads and Tire Inflation Pressures on Tire Track Depth, Soil Penetration Resistance and Maize Yield

Agricultural soils can be affected in their ecological functions by in-field traffic of agricultural machinery. A three-factorial research design was carried out in a field experiment to test the effect of slurry tanker filling level (filled, half-filled, empty), tire inflation pressure of the slurry tanker (high: 300 kPa, low: 100 kPa), and ground covering (+cover crop, −cover crop) on tire track and soil penetration resistance (averaged, 0–20 cm, 21–40 cm) after application on the fields in spring. Additionally, the effect on grain yield of the subsequent culture was considered. The total weight of the tractor slurry tanker combination was 16,470 kg (empty), 25,940 kg (half-filled), and 34,620 kg (filled). The low tire inflation pressure of the slurry tanker increased the mean tire–soil contact area by 75% (filled), 38% (half-filled), and 16% (empty tanker). The results obtained show a significant effect of tire inflation pressure and ground covering on the measured parameters. The tire inflation pressure reduction effect on track depth was highest in the filled slurry tanker (−17.8%). With increasing wheel load, the effect of reduced tire inflation pressure on soil penetration resistance (0–20 cm) increased. In the subsoil (21–40 cm), the effect of tire inflation pressure was much lower, indicating that a reduction of tire inflation pressure preserves the upper layers rather than the lower ones. Furthermore, cover crops are linked to a higher degree of soil deformation after traffic with the tractor–slurry combination due to their loosening effect on the topsoil. Tire tracks were 15.0% deeper in the cover crop field than in the field without a cover crop. It is assumed that cover crop mixtures with different types of root mass can influence the mitigation of soil compaction in an ameliorative way.

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Combinations of cover crop mixtures and bio-waste composts enhance biomass production and nutrients accumulation: a greenhouse study

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170515000423 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 507-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Aime Jean Messiga ◽

Mehdi Sharifi ◽

Sheena Munroe

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

N Uptake ◽

P Uptake ◽

N Fertilization ◽

K Uptake ◽

Soil P ◽

Greenhouse Study ◽

Synthetic Fertilizer

AbstractImproved farming practices are needed to produce more food in a sustainable way. This study assessed 12 combinations of cover crop mixtures and amendment treatments and their effects on shoot and root dry (matter (DM) weights, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptakes in plants, Mehlich-3 extractable P (PM3) and K (KM3). Shoot and root DM weights were increased by 30–63% with combinations of clover-based cover crop mixtures and 65 Mg ha−1of municipal solid food waste (MSFW) compared with synthetic fertilizer. The combination of clover-based cover crop mixtures with MSFW increased N uptake by 38 and 30%, P uptake by 57 and 40% and K uptake by 77 and 77% compared with fertilized and unfertilized treatments, respectively. The combination of vetch-based cover crop mixtures with MSFW had no effect on N uptake, but increased P uptake on average by 43%, and K uptake on average by 11% compared with fertilized and unfertilized treatments. The highest soil PM3and KM3values were obtained with additions of MSFW, while the lowest were obtained with synthetic fertilizer indicating that the amount of P and K added with MSFW were greater than cover crop needs. Combining cover crop mixtures and MSFW at levels recommended for N fertilization allows meeting cover crops’ nutrient needs and increases biomass inputs to agricultural soils, but long-term monitoring of soil P is required to limit potential P build-up.

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Application of Biofertilizers in Cover of and Its Effects on Organic Maize

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2019/v39i630349 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Amanda Cecato Favorito ◽

Edleusa Pereira Seidel ◽

Taís Regina Kohler ◽

William Ribeiro de Carvalho ◽

Renan Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maize Yield ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Organic Production ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Organic System ◽

Maize Production ◽

Bovine Urine ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Dunnett Test ◽

And Control

The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of two doses of the biofertilizer ‘Supermagro’ applied in cover, in the presence and absence of cured bovine urine in the maize crop, and in the soil penetration resistance, as well as the effect in the application of biofertilizer ‘Fert Bokashi’. The experimental design used was of randomized blocks with four replicates. The treatments constituted of cover application of ‘Supermagro’ in the dose of 6% (recommended dose) (T1); cover application of ‘Supermagro’ in the dose of 12% (T2); cover application of ‘Supermagro’ in the dose of 6% + cured bovine urine 3% (T3); cover application of ‘Supermagro’ in the dose of 12% + cured bovine urine 3% (T4); cover application of cured bovine urine 3% (T5); use of the biofertilizer ‘Fert Bokashi’ in the dose of 0,5% of dilution) (T6); and control (T7). The results obtained were tabulated and submitted to analysis of variance and the comparison of means by the Dunnett test at 5% of probability, with the aid of the statistical analysis software SAS. For the parameters: thousand grain mass, the treatment ‘Fert Bokashi’ alone presented the highest thousand grain mass (375,00 g) being it superior to the control (p<0,05) with 360,94 g. For the yield parameter, the treatments ‘Supermagro’ 12% + urine, bovine urine alone and ‘Fert Bokashi’ presented the highest averages, (5961 kg ha-1, 5512 kg ha-1 and 5808 kg ha-1, respectively) which differed statistically from the control (5500 kg ha-1) (p<0,05). The biofertilizers are an alternative to increase the yield of maize in the organic system with an average increase of 20% in the maize production in relation to the area without application. The biofertilizer ‘Fer Bokashi’ is an alternative to increase maize yield in the organic production system. The application of biofertilizers did not influence in the soil penetration resistance.

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Changes in Water-Extractable Organic Carbon with Cover Crop Planting under Continuous Corn Silage Production

Air Soil and Water Research ◽

10.4137/aswr.s30708 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. ASWR.S30708 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Brian D. Grebliunas ◽

Shalamar D. Armstrong ◽

William L. Perry

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Fulvic Acids ◽

Humic And Fulvic Acids ◽

Labile Carbon ◽

Water Extractable Organic Carbon ◽

Parallel Factor ◽

Water Extractable

Long-term row crop agricultural production has dramatically reduced the pool of soil organic carbon. The implementation of cover crops in Midwestern agroecosystems is primarily to reduce losses of nitrogenous fertilizers, but has also been shown to restore soil carbon stocks over time. If labile carbon within agricultural soils could be increased, it could improve soil health, and if mobilized into subsurface drainage, it may positively impact watershed biogeochemistry. We tested for potential differences in water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC) at two different soil profiles (0-5 cm and 5-20 cm) between plots planted with cereal rye/daikon radish (cover crop), corn, and zero control (no vegetation) within the Illinois State University Research and Teaching Farm. We also tested for potential differences in denitrification within the upper soil profile throughout the growing year. We modeled excitation–emission matrices from soil cores through parallel factor analysis. We found no difference in WEOC concentrations between each crop treatment ( P = 0.2850), but concentrations of WEOC were significantly lower in the 5-20 cm profile than that in the upper (0-5 cm) profile ( P = 0.0033). There was a significant increase in WEOC after each treatment in samples after cover crop termination. The parallel factor analysis model found humic and fulvic acids to be the dominant fractions of WEOC in all soils tested. Humic and fulvic acids accounted for ~70% and 30% of model variation. Denitrification rates did not differ across treatments ( P = 0.3520), which is likely attributed to soil WEOC being in limiting quantities and in primarily recalcitrant fractions. After three years, cover crops do not appear to alter soil WEOC quantity and type. Restoring the availability of carbon within agricultural soils will not be a short-term fix, and fields will likely be a net carbon sink, contributing minimal labile carbon to receiving waterways.

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Soybean Yield, Soil Porosity and Soil Penetration Resistance under Mechanical Scarification in No-Tillage System

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v10n4p268 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 268 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Edleusa Pereira Seidel ◽

Ana Paula Heck Schneider ◽

Monica Carolina Sustakowski ◽

Lucas Murakami Matté ◽

Marcos Cesar Mottin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Management Practices ◽

Technological Development ◽

Block Design ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Steady Increase ◽

No Tillage ◽

Soybean Production ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Tillage System

Technological development has triggered a steady increase in Brazilian agricultural production, but also brought problems due to the excessive land use. The lack of care with proper management practices has led to soil physical degradation, mainly the formation of impermeable layers, which can lead to a reverse effect, a reduction in crop yield. It can be potentiated in silage production and with the lack of cover crops. To minimize the negative impacts of soil compaction, scarification is recommended, but its effectiveness has been questioned in no-tillage system. Thus, an experimental field was implemented in Brazil in 2015-2016 season, to evaluate the mechanical scarification on soybean production in succession to silage and grain corn intercropped with Brachiaria (Urochloa ruziziensis) as well as the physical properties of the soil. The experimental layout was a complete randomized block design with four replications. The plots were composed of second crop maize (autumn) intercropped with brachiaria, in two systems: silage and dry grains. The subplots were composed of three management system: no-tillage, reduced tillage cultivation with Terrus scarifier and Fox scarifier. Corn harvesting systems as well the scarifiers use did not affect soybean production and its yield components. The use of scarifiers reduced soil coverage, plant population, and soil penetration resistance. The data suggest that there was no persistence in the benefits presented by scarification. Soybean was able to break through the compacted layers, even above the critical level, corroborating with the hypothesis that the use of scarifiers does not bring benefits in no-tillage system.

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Spatial distribution of physical attributes of an Ultisol under papaya crop

Comunicata Scientiae ◽

10.14295/cs.v8i4.1669 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 526-536

Author(s):

Juliao Soares de Souza Lima ◽

Walas Permanhane Sturião ◽

Ivoney Gontijo ◽

Samuel Assis Silva

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Total Porosity ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

Successful Development ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance ◽

Crop Field ◽

Spherical Models ◽

Physical Attributes ◽

Favorable Conditions

The successful development of the root system of plants depends on the favorable conditions of soil physical attributes. The objective of this work was to study the spatial variability of physical attributes in an Ultisol cultivated with papaya. The soil was prepared mechanically plowing, harrowing, sulcal and subsoiler. In the center of the crop field was built a sampling grid with points spaced 5.7 m, totalizando129 georeferenced points. The soil samples at two depths (0 - 0.20 m, 0.20 - 0.40 m) were collected for four months after transplantation, to determine the total porosity (TP), soil moisture (Um), soil bulk density (BD) and soil penetration resistance in the planting row (PRPR) and in the traffic machines rows (PRRow). The soil penetration resistance in the planting row and in the traffic machines row was determined. The BD1 and BD2 showed the lowest CV values, and the data were fitted to the exponential and spherical models, respectively, with spatial dependence ranges of 20 and 28 m. At the layer of 0-0.20 m depth, the attributes showed the same spatial distribution pattern. At the layer of 0-0.20 m depth, the soil penetration resistance showed 7.5 times greater in the traffic machines region (rw spacing) than the value found in the planting row.

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El sistema maíz-leguminosa-frijol y la fertilización mineral en terrazas de muro vivo.

Agronomía Mesoamericana ◽

10.15517/am.v10i2.17943 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Néstor F. Nicolás ◽

Sergio Uribe ◽

Ernesto López ◽

René Camacho ◽

Antonio Turrent

Keyword(s):

Common Bean ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Agronomic Management ◽

El Sistema ◽

Completely Randomized Design

With the aim of developing a sustainable agronomic management for the hillside agro-system that includes traditional crops maize and beans, a research was carried out from 1996 to 1998 at two locations in the South of Veracruz, Mexico. The experiment included planting of maize intercropped with two cover crop legumes (Mucuna and Canavalia) during the summer and planting Common Bean cv. Negro INIFAP in the fall. A completely randomized design arranged as split plot was utilized, with the cover legumes as main plots and six fertilizer treatments as small plots. In biomass production Mucuna was significantly superior to Canavalia and thus as nutrimental source. Weed biomass production was 52% lower in the treatments with the cover legumes as compared to the sole maize crop. No difference was found for maize seed yield among main treatments, indicating that the cover crops did not affect maize yield. In common bean the highest yield was obtained in the Mucuna and fertilization dose of 30 kg/ha N and 30 kg/ha P2O5. In conclusion Mucuna was the best cover crop in biomass production, reducing weed competition and favored mineral nutrition in Common Bean.

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Faba Bean and Pea Can Provide Late-Fall Forage Grazing without Affecting Maize Yield the Following Season

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10010080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 80 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bryce J. Andersen ◽

Dulan P. Samarappuli ◽

Abbey Wick ◽

Marisol T. Berti

Keyword(s):

Faba Bean ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Field Pea ◽

Upper Midwest ◽

Crop Species

Faba bean (Vicia faba Roth) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) are grown worldwide as protein sources for food and feed and can be used as cover crops after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, faba bean is underutilized in upper Midwest farming systems. This study was conducted to determine how faba bean relates to pea as a forage, cover crop, and in cycling of nutrients to maize (Zea mays L.) in the following season. Five faba bean cultivars and two pea cultivars, a forage pea and a field pea, were established after wheat harvest in North Dakota, in 2017 and 2018. Faba bean and pea cultivars averaged 1.3 Mg ha−1 of biomass, enough to support 1.5 animal unit month (AUM) ha−1 for a 450 kg cow (Bos taurus L.) with calf, at 50% harvest efficiency. Crude protein content was highest in faba bean cv. Boxer (304 g kg−1), with faba bean cv. Laura and forage pea cv. Arvika having similar content, and field pea having the least (264 g kg−1). Cover crop treatments did not affect maize in the following year, indicating no nutrient cycling from faba bean and pea to maize. Both cover crop species tested provided high protein forage, suitable for late grazing, with a more fibrous crop residue. Faba bean has potential as a cover crop in the upper Midwest while providing greater quality forage than pea.

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Dry matter productivity and soil physical properties after winter cover crops cultivation

Scientia Agraria Paranaensis ◽

10.18188/sap.v18i4.22248 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 362

Author(s):

Katiely Aline Anschau Deimling ◽

Edleusa Pereira Seidel ◽

Jean Sérgio Rosset ◽

Marcos Cesar Mottin ◽

Daniela Da Rocha Herrmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Field Pea ◽

Dry Matter Accumulation ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance

The present study aimed to evaluate the dry matter yield of cover crops cultivated in monoculture and intercropped in a no-till system and its effects on the soil physical properties. The experimental design was of randomized blocks, with four replicates. Treatments used were black oat, black oat + forage radish, forage radish, black oat + field pea, field pea and the control (fallow). After 100 days after sowing the cover crops, the dry matter yield was evaluated, with the highest values found in the intercropped crops. After desiccation, undeformed soil samples were collected for the determination of macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity and soil bulk density in the 0 - 0,10; 0,10 - 0,20; 0,20 - 0,30 and 0,30 - 0,40 m layers. Soil penetration resistance was evaluated with a digital penetrometer. The intercrop of black oat with field pea and with forage radish provided the highest dry matter yield, showing the potential of dry matter accumulation in relation to monoculture. The cover crops were capable of improving the macroporosity, bulk density and soil penetration resistance when compared to the fallow area (control); however, they had no influence in soil aggregation due to the high compaction degree in the area.

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Cover Crop Contributions to Improve the Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Sequestration in Almond Orchards (SW Spain)

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020387 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 387

Author(s):

Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres ◽

Manuel Moreno-García ◽

Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández ◽

Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana ◽

Belén Cárceles Rodríguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Nitrogen ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Sw Spain ◽

Sequestration Potential ◽

Almond Orchards ◽

Shallow Soils

Almond (Prunus dulcis Mill. [D.A. Webb]) is the third most widely spread crop in Spain and has traditionally been cultivated in marginal areas and shallow soils under rainfed conditions. However, it recently has been progressively introduced in flat irrigated areas. The implementation of cover crops in the inter-rows of woody crops has been proven as a suitable strategy to reduce the runoff and soil erosion but they also can boost soil quality and health. A field experiment was conducted during two-monitoring seasons to examine the soil nitrogen and carbon sequestration potential of three seeded cover crops [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and a mixture of 65% barley and 35% vetch] and a control of spontaneous flora in irrigated almond orchards (SW Spain). Here, we show that barley provided the highest biomass amount, followed by mixture covers, vetch, and the control treatment. Also, vetch covered the soil faster in the growing stage, but its residues were decomposed easier than barley and mixture treatments during the decomposition period after mowing, providing less soil protection when the risk of water erosion with autumn rainfall is high. On the other hand, vetch improved soil nitrate content by over 35% with respect to barley and mixture treatments at 0–20 cm soil depth throughout the studied period. In addition, a greater carbon input to the soil was determined in the barley plot. That is, the mixture and barley cover crops had higher potential for carbon sequestration, augmenting the soil organic carbon by more than 1.0 Mg ha−1 during the study period. Thus, taking into consideration the findings of the present experiment, the establishment of a seeded cover crop would be more advisable than spontaneous flora to mitigate soil erosion, enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration in irrigated almond plantations in Mediterranean semi-arid regions.

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Quantifying Root-Soil Interactions in Cover Crop Systems: A Review

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11030218 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 218

Author(s):

Cameron M. Ogilvie ◽

Waqar Ashiq ◽

Hiteshkumar B. Vasava ◽

Asim Biswas

Keyword(s):

Water Content ◽

Soil Water ◽

Soil Water Content ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Formation ◽

Soil Physical Properties ◽

Nutrient Losses ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Soil Ecosystems

Plant roots are an integral part of soil ecosystems and contribute to various services, including carbon and nutrient cycling, weathering, and soil formation. They also modify soil physical properties (e.g., soil water content, pore size distribution, and bulk density) and impact subsequent crops’ growth. Cover crops have been reported to improve soil and environmental quality by reducing nutrient losses, improving soil water content, and increasing soil organic matter. Understanding the complex interactions between cover crop roots and soil (RS) is of utmost importance. However, cover crop RS interactions have not been critically reviewed. In this article, we investigated the nature of cover crop physical RS interactions and explored the emerging technologies for their study. We also assessed technologies that may be readily applied to the study of physical RS interactions in cover crop systems and discussed ways to improve related research in the future.

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