Sustainable Weed Control and Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiency in Crops through Brassica (Brassica compestris L.) Allelopathy

Weed–crop competition and reduced soil fertility are some of the main reasons for decreased crop yields in Pakistan. Allelopathy can be applied to combat the problems of environmental degradation by reducing pesticide use and through reduction of herbicide-resistant weeds. A two-year field experiment (2014–2015) was conducted to assess the impact of incorporation of various levels of brassica residues and brassica water extract on the growth of mung bean and soil attributes. Two brassica water extract levels (10, 20 L/ha) and two residue levels (4, 6 t/ha) were tested, and a treatment with no water extract and residue incorporation was used as the control. The results showed that the water extract and residue incorporation had diverse impacts on soil fertility indices and weed dynamics, where treatment with 6 t/ha had more significant impacts. Compared with the control, reductions of 61% in dry weight of weeds and 52% in weed density were observed. After cropping, improved soil properties in terms of available potassium, available phosphorus, soil organic matter, and total nitrogen were higher in the rhizosphere (0–15 cm) soil after the treatments of residue incorporation, i.e., 59–91%, 62–84%, 29–45%, and 52–65% higher than the control, respectively. Meanwhile, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase concentrations in the rhizosphere soil were 26–41% and 52–74% higher than with the control, respectively. The highest economic return with a high benefit–cost ratio was recorded with residue incorporation. In conclusion, addition of crop residues at 6 t/ha was the most effective and economical treatment with the highest net benefit rate of returns. This approach can provide a potential alternative for implementing sustainable weed control in mung bean with significant improvement in soil properties and can be a part of sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture.

Download Full-text

Sunflower Residue Incorporation Suppresses Weeds, Enhances Soil Properties and Seed Yield of Spring-Planted Mung Bean

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582018360100057 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. ULLAH ◽

Z. ASLAM ◽

A. KHALIQ ◽

Z.A. ZAHIR

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Mung Bean ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Soil Health ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Weed Density ◽

Water Extracts ◽

Residue Incorporation ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT: Continuous and excessive use of herbicides to control various weed biotypes is posing severe threats to soil and human health. Nevertheless, the strategy of using allelopathic crop residues and water extracts for weed control seems to be a sustainable and friendly option to reduce dependence on synthetic herbicides. In addition to controlling weeds, residues of allelopathic crops positively affected soil health. A two-year field study was carried out to examine the impact of sunflower residues on soil properties, weed dynamics and productivity of mung bean. The study was comprised of five treatments viz., control, sunflower water extracts at 10 and 20 L ha-1, and sunflower residues incorporation at 4 and 6 ton ha-1. Results indicated that application of sunflower water extracts reduced weed density by 5-26% and weed dry weight by 9-31%, while sunflower residue incorporation caused 44-57% reduction in weed density and 58-70% reduction in weed dry weight compared with the control. At mung bean harvest, total nitrogen and organic matter in soil were increased by 86% and 74%, respectively, with the incorporation of sunflower residues at 6 ton ha-1 as compared with the control. In case of soil enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase were recorded at 186 mg NP g-1 soil h-1 and 38 mg TPF g-1 soil h-1, respectively, when sunflower residue was incorporated at 6 ton ha-1. In conclusion, sunflower residue incorporation at 6 ton ha-1 improved soil health, suppressed weeds and resulted in better seed yield (36%) and profitability (339 $ ha-1) of spring-planted mung bean.

Download Full-text

Effect of Organic Amendment Addition on Soil Properties, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Grape Yield in Semi-Arid Vineyard Agroecosystems

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11081477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1477

Author(s):

Antonio Marín-Martínez ◽

Alberto Sanz-Cobeña ◽

Mª Angeles Bustamante ◽

Enrique Agulló ◽

Concepción Paredes

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Co2 Emissions ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Organic N ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

The Impact ◽

Semi Arid ◽

Grape Yield

In semi-arid vineyard agroecosystems, highly vulnerable in the context of climate change, the soil organic matter (OM) content is crucial to the improvement of soil fertility and grape productivity. The impact of OM, from compost and animal manure, on soil properties (e.g., pH, oxidisable organic C, organic N, NH4+-N and NO3−-N), grape yield and direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in vineyards was assessed. For this purpose, two wine grape varieties were chosen and managed differently: with a rain-fed non-trellising vineyard of Monastrell, a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Monastrell and a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon. The studied fertiliser treatments were without organic amendments (C), sheep/goat manure (SGM) and distillery organic waste compost (DC). The SGM and DC treatments were applied at a rate of 4600 kg ha−1 (fresh weight, FW) and 5000 kg ha−1 FW, respectively. The use of organic amendments improved soil fertility and grape yield, especially in the drip-irrigated trellising vineyards. Increased CO2 emissions were coincident with higher grape yields and manure application (maximum CO2 emissions = 1518 mg C-CO2 m−2 d−1). In contrast, N2O emissions, mainly produced through nitrification, were decreased in the plots showing higher grape production (minimum N2O emissions = −0.090 mg N2O-N m−2 d−1). In all plots, the CH4 fluxes were negative during most of the experiment (−1.073−0.403 mg CH4-C m−2 d−1), indicating that these ecosystems can represent a significant sink for atmospheric CH4. According to our results, the optimal vineyard management, considering soil properties, yield and GHG mitigation together, was the use of compost in a drip-irrigated trellising vineyard with the grape variety Monastrell.

Download Full-text

Crop Yield and Soil Fertility Status of Long-Term Rice-Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v5i1.17001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 42-50

Author(s):

Nabin Rawal ◽

Rajan Ghimire ◽

Devraj Chalise

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Management Practices ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Oryza Sativa L ◽

Farmyard Manure ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Nutrient Supply ◽

Available Phosphorus

Balanced nutrient supply is important for the sustainable crop production. We evaluated the effects of nutrient management practices on soil properties and crop yields in rice (Oryza sativa L.) - rice - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in a long-term experiment established at National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), Bhairahawa, Nepal. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block experiment with nine treatments and three replications. Treatments were applied as: T1- no nutrients added, T2- N added; T3- N and P added; T4- N and K added; T5- NPK added at recommended rate for all crops. Similarly, T6- only N added in rice and NPK in wheat at recommended rate; T7- half N; T8- half NP of recommended rate for both crops; and T9- farmyard manure (FYM) @10 Mg ha-1 for all crops in rotation. Results of the study revealed that rice and wheat yields were significantly greater under FYM than all other treatments. Treatments that did not receive P (T2, T3, T7, T8) and K (T2, T4) had considerably low wheat yield than treatments that received NPK (T5) and FYM (T9). The FYM lowered soil pH and improved soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), and exchangeable potassium (K) contents than other treatments. Management practices that ensure nutrient supply can increase crop yield and improve soil fertility status.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(1): 42-50

Download Full-text

IMPACT OF AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS ON SOIL EROSION PROCESSES AND SOIL PROPERTIES ON HILLY LANDSCAPE IN WESTERN LITHUANIA

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ◽

10.3846/16486897.2015.1054289 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 60-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Gintaras JARAŠIŪNAS ◽

Irena KINDERIENĖ

Keyword(s):

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Soil Ph ◽

Soil Texture ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Erosion Processes ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land use systems on soil erosion rates, surface evolution processes and physico-chemical properties on a moraine hilly topography in Lithuania. The soil of the experimental site is Bathihypogleyi – Eutric Albeluvisols (abe–gld–w) whose texture is a sandy loam. After a 27-year use of different land conservation systems, three critical slope segments (slightly eroded, active erosion and accumulation) were formed. Soil physical properties of the soil texture and particle sizes distribution were examined. Chemical properties analysed for were soil ph, available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). We estimated the variation in thickness of the soil Ap horizon and soil physico-chemical properties prone to a sustained erosion process. During the study period (2010–2012) water erosion occurred under the grain– grass and grass–grain crop rotations, at rates of 1.38 and 0.11 m3 ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Soil exhumed due to erosion from elevated positions accumulated in the slope bottom. As a result, topographic transfiguration of hills and changes in soil properties occurred. However, the accumulation segments of slopes had significantly higher silt/clay ratios and SOC content. In the active erosion segments a lighter soil texture and lower soil ph were recorded. Only long-term grassland completely stopped soil erosion effects; therefore geomorphologic change and degradation of hills was estimated there as minimal.

Download Full-text

Impact of land management system on crop yields and soil fertility in Cameroon

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-6-1087-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 1087-1101 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

D. Tsozué ◽

J. P. Nghonda ◽

D. L. Mekem

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Control Sample ◽

Cropping System ◽

Field Work ◽

Exchange Capacity ◽

Direct Seeding ◽

Ph Values ◽

The Impact

Abstract. The impact of direct-seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC), direct seeding (DS) and tillage seeding (TS) on Sorghum yields, soil fertility and the rehabilitation of degraded soils was evaluated in northern Cameroon. Field work consisted of visual examination, soil sampling, yield and rainfall data collection. Three fertilization rates (F1: 100 kg ha−1 NPK + 25 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC, F2: 200 kg ha−1 NPK + 50 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC and F3: 300 kg ha−1 NPK + 100 kg ha−1 of urea in DMC) were applied to each cropping system (DS, TS and DMC), resulting in nine experimental plots. Two types of chemical fertilizer were used (NPK 22.10.15 and urea) and applied each year from 2002 to 2012. Average Sorghum yields were 1239, 863 and 960 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F1, 1658, 1139 and 1192 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F2, and 2270, 2138 and 1780 kg ha−1 in DMC, DS and TS, respectively, at F3. pH values were 5.2–5.7 under DMC, 4.9–5.3 under DS and TS and 5.6 in the control sample. High values of cation exchange capacity were recorded in the control sample, TS system and F1 of DMC. Base saturation rates, total nitrogen and organic matter contents were higher in the control sample and DMC than in the other systems. All studied soils were permanently not suitable for Sorghum due to the high percentage of nodules. F1 and F2 of the DS were currently not suitable, while F1 and F3 of DMC, F3 of DS and F1, F2 and F3 of TS were marginally suitable for Sorghum due to low pH values.

Download Full-text

Agricultural diversification promotes multiple ecosystem services without compromising yield

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.aba1715 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (45) ◽

pp. eaba1715 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Giovanni Tamburini ◽

Riccardo Bommarco ◽

Thomas Cherico Wanger ◽

Claire Kremen ◽

Marcel G. A. van der Heijden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Pest Control ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Context Dependency ◽

Water Regulation ◽

Trade Offs ◽

The Impact

Enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems is suggested to promote ecosystem services, thereby reducing dependency on agronomic inputs while maintaining high crop yields. We assess the impact of several diversification practices in cropping systems on above- and belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services by reviewing 98 meta-analyses and performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 5160 original studies comprising 41,946 comparisons between diversified and simplified practices. Overall, diversification enhances biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields. Practices targeting aboveground biodiversity boosted pest control and water regulation, while those targeting belowground biodiversity enhanced nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation. Most often, diversification practices resulted in win-win support of services and crop yields. Variability in responses and occurrence of trade-offs highlight the context dependency of outcomes. Widespread adoption of diversification practices shows promise to contribute to biodiversity conservation and food security from local to global scales.

Download Full-text

The Concept and Application of Early Economic Period Threshold: The Case of DCPA in Onions (Allium Cepa)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500081753 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 634-639 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Claudio M. Dunan ◽

Philip Westra ◽

Edward E. Schweizer ◽

Donald W. Lybecker ◽

Frank D. Moore

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Critical Period ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Control Measures ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Weed Competition ◽

Critical Periods ◽

Control Efficacy ◽

The Impact

The question of when to control weeds traditionally has been approached with the calculation of critical periods (CP) based on crop yields. The concept of economic critical period (ECP) and early (EEPT) and late (LEFT) economic period thresholds are presented as a comprehensive approach to answer the same question based on economic losses and costs of control. ECP is defined as the period when the benefit of controlling weeds is greater than its cost. EEPT and LEFT are the limits of the ECP and can be used to determine when first and last weed control measures should be performed. Calculation of EEPT accounts for the economic losses due to weed competition that occur between planting and postemergence weed control. In this way it is possible to better evaluate the economic feasibility of using preplant or preemergence control tactics. The EEPT for DCPA application is analyzed in the context of onion production in Colorado. The EEPT for DCPA application was calculated from an empirical regression model that assessed the impact of weed load and time of weed removal on onion yields. The EEPT was affected by control efficacy, weed-free yield, DCPA cost, and onion price. DCPA application was economically advisable in only one of 20 fields analyzed because of the tow DCPA efficacy (60%).

Download Full-text

Soil fertility mapping and agronomic advice at the regional scale using private sector data.

10.31220/agrirxiv.2021.00113 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Munir H. Zia ◽

A. Hameed Lodhi ◽

Muhammad Zahid Aziz ◽

Aftab Naseem ◽

Waqar Ahmad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Private Sector ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Data Privacy ◽

Soil Analysis ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Small Scale ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Scale Production ◽

Essential Information

Abstract Surveys of soil fertility and quality provide essential information, at multiple scales, for policy and management decisions on agricultural and environmental questions. Such surveys are expensive, and national-scale agricultural or geochemical surveys are conducted infrequently by public sector organisations. Where resources are scarce, the costs of management, sample collection, analysis, and data management can be prohibitive. This is likely to create a particular barrier to understanding how soil fertility may influence crop production in contexts where small-scale production is prevalent. Private sector soil laboratories conduct soil fertility analyses on thousands of samples annually: samples are often collected in a systematic way by experienced technical staff. The simple step of collecting location coordinates can greatly extend the utility of the data, beyond the immediate value to the farmer and without an added burden on them. Here we use a dataset of soil organic matter (SOM), plant-available phosphorus (P) and exchangeable potassium (K), from c. 27,000 georeferenced sample points collected in 2014-2017 in Pakistan by Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC). Geostatistical methods are used to model the spatial variation of these soil properties and predict their values at unsampled locations. The geostatistical model allows the probability that soil properties fall below recommended thresholds for wheat production, and these probabilities are displayed as maps using "calibrated phrases" for probability ranges in the legend. The resulting maps provide a comprehensive overview of key agronomic data across ~194,000 km2 of cropland, realised as a direct consequence of sample location data collection being implemented by FFC. There is spatial structure in the SOM and K data, but not in the P data. These maps can be used to educate agronomists and farmers about typical soil fertility conditions in their region, and where soil analysis is a priority. They can also support more strategic planning of fertiliser needs in Pakistan where widespread nutrient deficiencies are found. This research demonstrates the potential for this approach to be used in many wider geographic contexts where there are few data from one-off survey activities. Additional benefits address concerns about data privacy have thus far limited their integration into a spatially disaggregated output that could benefit wider society.

Download Full-text

Herbicide efficacy for control of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) is influenced more by wheat seeding rate than row spacing

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp13211 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 64 (7) ◽

pp. 708 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Deirdre Lemerle ◽

Peter Lockley ◽

Eric Koetz ◽

Simon Diffey

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Weed Control ◽

Herbicide Resistance ◽

Water Conservation ◽

Competitive Ability ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Lolium Rigidum ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

The Impact

Conservation cropping systems with no-till and stubble retention improve soil condition and water conservation. However, tillage is replaced by herbicides for weed control in these systems, increasing the threat of herbicide resistance. In the medium to high rainfall zones of the southern wheatbelt of Australia and under irrigation, wider row spacing is used to enable seeding into heavy stubble loads and to avoid stubble burning. Some evidence suggests that wider rows lead to reduced crop competitive ability and crop yields, greater herbicide dependence, and increased spread of resistance. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that increasing seeding rate compensated for reduced competitive ability at wider row spacings, especially when herbicide performance was suboptimal. We examined the impact of two wheat row spacings (18 and 36 cm) and five seeding rates (resulting in a range of densities of ~80–700 plants/m2) on control of Lolium rigidum with five rates of post-emergence application of diclofop-methyl (Hoegrass®), ranging from label rate to lower rates, over two growing seasons. In the presence of L. rigidum, wheat grain yield was unaffected by row spacing but was significantly reduced at low seeding rates, especially at lower herbicide rates. Lolium rigidum was suppressed at higher crop densities but was also unaffected by row spacing. Grain yield was maximised when post-emergence herbicide was applied at 60–100% of the recommended dose at wheat densities >~300 plants/m2. Significant levels of the weed remained in the crop at anthesis in all treatments. Weed dry matter ranged from 525 g/m2 at low crop densities and with no herbicide to 150 g/m2 with the recommended rate of herbicide and high wheat densities. The implications of manipulating crop competitive ability to improve weed control are discussed, especially in conditions where herbicide performance is unreliable due to weeds developing herbicide resistance or adverse environmental conditions.

Download Full-text

URINE EFFECTS ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND THE IMPACT OF URINE AND DUNG ON PEARL MILLET YIELD

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479798343069 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 259-276 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

J. M. POWELL ◽

F. N. IKPE ◽

Z. C. SOMDA ◽

S. FERNÁNDEZ-RIVERA

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Field Trial ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Maximum Yield ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Cattle Dung ◽

Available Phosphorus ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The Impact

Most farming systems in semi-arid West Africa rely on organic matter recycling for maintaining soil fertility. The cycling of biomass through ruminant livestock into dung (faeces) and urine that fertilize the soil has long been an important factor in t he nutrient cycling processes of these integrated, mixed crop/livestock systems. While dung greatly improves soil properties and crop yields, little is known about the effects of urine on soil chemical properties and the impact of dung and urine on crop p roduction. An average voiding of sheep urine applied to a sandy, siliceous soil in the Republic of Niger increased soil pH, available phosphorus and ammonium levels dramatically in the upper 10–15 cm of soil, especially during the first week following application. Losses of applied urine nitrogen via volatilization were in the order of 30–50%. A four-year field trial was conducted on the same soil type to evaluate the effects on pearl millet and weed yields of corralling cattle o r sheep overnight on cropland (dung plus urine application) for one, two or three nights, every one, two or three years versus the effects of applying only dung at the same application rates and intervals achieved with corralling. The main results of this field trial were that (1) urine had large positive effects on millet grain, threshed panicle, leaf, stem and weed yields, (2) sheep dung was more effective than cattle dung in increasing yield, (3) two nights of dung application was adequate for maximum yield and (4) the positive effects of dung and urine on yield lasted two to three cropping seasons after application.

Download Full-text