How Do Intensification Practices Affect Weed Management and Yield in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) Crop?

Quinoa cultivation is well-adapted to sustainable cropping systems, even if seed yield could be severely limited due to several constraints, such as weeds. Field trials were performed in Gorgan (Iran) to quantify the effects of agro-ecological service crops (rye, CCr; winter vetch, CCw; and no cover, CC0), tillage regimes (conventional tillage, CT; and no-tillage, ZT), and herbicide rates (100% rate, H100; 75% rate, H75; and without herbicide, H0). Weed characteristics and quinoa yield were measured. Quinoa seed yield was the highest in CCw-ZT-H100. Seed yield in H100 and H75 were higher compared with H0 (2.30 vs. 1.58 t ha−1, respectively). Under conventional tillage, 46% of weed seeds were observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer and 54% in 10–20 cm soil layers, respectively, while, under no-tillage, about 63% of weed seeds were located up to 10 cm of soil. Amaranthus retroflexus L. was the most abundant species. The total weed density was the lowest in CCr-ZT-H100 and tended to be higher in CC0 (30.9 plant m−2) and under CT (29.0 plant m−2). These findings indicate that cover crops have potential for managing weeds in quinoa; however, their inclusion should be supported by chemical means to maintain high seed.

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Soil macrofauna associated with cover crops in an Oxisol from the southwest of Piauí state, Brazil

Arquivos do Instituto Biológico ◽

10.1590/1808-1657000822018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 ◽

Author(s):

Djavan Pinheiro Santos ◽

Robélio Leandro Marchão ◽

Ronny Sobreira Barbosa ◽

Juvenal Pereira da Silva Junior ◽

Everaldo Moreira da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Management ◽

Soil Classification ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Grass Species ◽

No Tillage ◽

Soil Macrofauna ◽

Tillage System ◽

Sole Cropping

ABSTRACT: The soil macrofauna is fundamental for the maintenance of soil quality. The aim of this study was to characterize the soil macrofauna under different species of cover crops, including monoculture or intercropping associated to two types of soil management in the southwest region of Piauí state. The study was carried out in an Oxisol (Latossolo Amarelo, according to Brazilian Soil Classification System) in the municipality of Bom Jesus, Piauí, distributed in 30 m2 plots. Testing and evaluation of the soil macrofauna were conducted in a 9 × 2 strip factorial design, with combinations between cover crops/consortia and soil management (with or without tillage), with four replications. Soil monoliths (0.25 × 0.25 m) were randomly sampled in each plot for macrofauna at 0‒0.1, 0.1‒0.2, and 0.2‒0.3 m depth, including surface litter. After identification and counting of soil organims, the relative density of each taxon in each depth was determined. The total abundance of soil macrofauna quantified under cover crops in the conventional and no-tillage system was 2,408 ind. m-2, distributed in 6 classes, 16 orders, and 31 families. The results of multivariate analysis show that grass species in sole cropping systems and no-tillage presents higher macrofauna density, in particular the taxonomic group Isoptera. No-tillage also provided higher richness of families, where Coleoptera adult were the second more abundant group in no-tillage and Hemiptera in conventional tillage.

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Methane consumption potential of soybean-wheat, maize-wheat and maize-gram cropping systems under conventional and no-tillage agriculture in a tropical vertisol

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859620000416 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 158 (1-2) ◽

pp. 38-46

Author(s):

Bharati Kollah ◽

Mahendra Bakoriya ◽

Garima Dubey ◽

Rakesh Parmar ◽

J. Somasundaram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Consumption Rate ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Cropping System ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Growth Stages ◽

No Tillage ◽

Available Nitrogen ◽

Methane Consumption ◽

Gene Copies

AbstractMethane (CH4) consumption in agricultural soil is imperative for the mitigation of climate change. However, the effect of tillage and cropping systems on CH4 consumption is less studied. Experiments were carried out in Madhya Pradesh, India with soybean-wheat (SW), maize-wheat (MW) and maize-gram (MG) cropping systems under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). Soybean/maize was cultivated during the kharif season (July–October) and wheat/chickpea in the rabi season (October–March) for 9 years consecutively. Soil samples were collected during vegetative growth stages of soybean and maize from different cropping systems. Methane consumption, the abundance of methanotrophs as particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoA) gene copies, soil and crop parameters were estimated. Methane consumption rate was higher in NT and upper soil layer (0–5 cm) than CT and 5–15 cm depth. Methane consumption rate k ranged from 0.35 to 0.56 μg CH4 consumed/g soil/d in the order of MW>SW>MG in 0–5 cm. The abundance of pmoA gene copies ranged from 43 × 104/g soil to 13 × 104/g soil and was highest in MW-NT and lowest in MG-CT. Available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were higher in 0–5 cm than in 5–15 cm depth. Soil and plant parameters and abundance of pmoA genes correlated significantly and positively with CH4 consumption rate. No-tillage stimulated CH4 consumption compared to CT irrespective of cropping system and CH4 consumption potential was highest in MW and lowest in MG. However, the magnitude of the positive effect of NT towards CH4 consumption was higher in SW and MG than MW.

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Weed Seed Decline in Irrigated Soil after Rotation of Crops and Herbicides

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500058550 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 84-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Edward E. Schweizer ◽

Robert L. Zimdahl

Keyword(s):

Weed Management ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Barley Grain ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Management Systems ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Seeds ◽

Seed Reserves ◽

The Impact ◽

Intensive System

The impact of two weed management systems on the weed seed reserves of the soil, on the yearly weed problem, and on barley (Hordeum vulgareL. ‘Steptoe’), corn (Zea maysL. ‘Pioneer 3709′), and sugarbeet (Beta vulgarisL. ‘Mono Hy D2′) production was assessed where these crops were grown in rotation for 6 consecutive years. Weeds were controlled in each crop with a moderate (system I) or intensive (system II) level of herbicides, plus conventional tillage. Weed seeds from seven annual genera were identified, with redroot pigweed(Amaranthus retroflexusL. ♯3AMARE) andChenopodiumcomprising 56 and 30%, respectively, of the initial 1377 million weed seeds/ha that were present in the upper 25 cm of the soil profile. After the sixth cropping year, the overall decline in the total number of weed seeds in soil was 96% in system I and 97% in system II. Over the 6-yr period, about 1.3 times more weeds escaped control in system I than in system II; and within a crop, the fewest number of weeds escaped annually in sugarbeets, and the most in barley. Yields of barley grain, corn silage, and recoverable sucrose were similar each year in the two weed management systems.

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The crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa

Agronomy for Sustainable Development ◽

10.1007/s13593-021-00687-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Blessing Mhlanga ◽

Laura Ercoli ◽

Elisa Pellegrino ◽

Andrea Onofri ◽

Christian Thierfelder

Keyword(s):

Crop Rotation ◽

Southern Africa ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Yield Stability ◽

No Tillage ◽

The Stability ◽

Stability And Resilience

AbstractConservation agriculture has been promoted to sustainably intensify food production in smallholder farming systems in southern Africa. However, farmers have rarely fully implemented all its components, resulting in different combinations of no-tillage, crop rotation, and permanent soil cover being practiced, thus resulting in variable yield responses depending on climatic and soil conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the effect of conservation agriculture components on yield stability. We hypothesized that the use of all three conservation agriculture components would perform the best, resulting in more stable production in all environments. We evaluated at, eight trial locations across southern Africa, how partial and full implementation of these components affected crop yield and yield stability compared with conventional tillage alone or combined with mulching and/or crop rotation. Grain yield and shoot biomass of maize and cowpea were recorded along with precipitation for 2 to 5 years. Across different environments, the addition of crop rotation and mulch to no-tillage increased maize grain by 6%, and the same practices added to conventional tillage led to 13% yield increase. Conversely, adding only mulch or crop rotation to no-tillage or conventional tillage led to lower or equal maize yield. Stability analyses based on Shukla’s index showed for the first time that the most stable systems are those in which mulch is added without crop rotation. Moreover, the highest yielding systems were the least stable. Finally, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis allowed clarifying that mulch added to no-tillage gives stable yields on sandy soil with high rainfall. Similarly, mulch added to conventional tillage gives stable yield on sandy soil, but under low rainfall. This is the first study that highlighted the crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa, supporting their adaptability to climate change.

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Impact of direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems on soil nematodes in a long-term experiment in Madagascar

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2009000800022 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (8) ◽

pp. 949-953 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cécile Villenave ◽

Bodovololona Rabary ◽

Jean-Luc Chotte ◽

Eric Blanchart ◽

Djibril Djigal

Keyword(s):

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Direct Seeding ◽

Living Mulch ◽

Long Term Experiment ◽

Tillage System ◽

Kikuyu Grass ◽

Structure Indices

The objective of this work was to assess the effects of conventional tillage and of different direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems (DMC) on soil nematofauna characteristics. The long-term field experiment was carried out in the highlands of Madagascar on an andic Dystrustept soil. Soil samples were taken once a year during three successive years (14 to 16 years after installation of the treatments) from a 0-5-cm soil layer of a conventional tillage system and of three kinds of DMC: direct seeding on mulch from rotation soybean-maize residues; direct seeding of maize-maize rotation on living mulch of silverleaf (Desmodium uncinatum); direct seeding of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)-soybean rotation on living mulch of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum). The samples were compared with samples from natural fallows. The soil nematofauna, characterized by the abundance of different trophic groups and indices (MI, maturity index; EI and SI, enrichment and structure indices), allowed the discrimination of the different cropping systems. The different DMC treatments had a more complex soil food web than the tillage treatment: SI and MI were significantly greater in DMC systems. Moreover, DMC with dead mulch had a lower density of free-living nematodes than DMC with living mulch, which suggested a lower microbial activity.

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Strategies to terminate summer cover crops for weed management in no-tillage vegetable production in southeast Brazil

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2021.58 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Roberto Botelho Ferraz Branco ◽

Fernando de Carvalho ◽

João Paulo de Oliveira ◽

Pedro Luis da Costa Alves

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

No Tillage ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Jack Bean ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Sunn Hemp

Abstract Cover crop residue left on the soil surface as organic mulch in no-tillage crop production provides several environmental benefits, including weed suppression. Thus, many farmers who use cover crops attempt to reduce the use of agricultural inputs, especially herbicides. Therefore, our objectives were to study the potential of different cover crop species to suppress weeds and produce an in situ organic mulch, and evaluate the effect of the organic mulch with and without spraying glyphosate on weed suppression for vegetable (tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) growth and yield. Five cover crop treatments (sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] and a no-cover crop (control)) were used in the main plots; and spraying or no spraying glyphosate on the flattened cover crop in the sub plots of split-plot experimental design. Organic mulch from pearl millet, sorghum and sunn hemp resulted in lower weed biomass during the early season of both tomato and broccoli than jack bean and no-cover crop (control). Spraying glyphosate after roller crimping reduced weed biomass by 103 g m−2 and 20 g m−2 by 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) of tomato, respectively and resulted in a better tomato yield compared to non spraying. Glyphosate reduced weed biomass by 110 g m−2 in the early season of broccoli (30 DAT), but did not affect yield. Terminating high biomass cover crops with a roller crimper is a promising technique for weed management in vegetable crops, which has the potential to reduce or even eliminate the need for herbicide.

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Distribution and vertical stratification of carbon and nitrogen in soil under different managements in the pampean region of Argentina

Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo ◽

10.1590/s0100-06832011000600015 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 1985-1994 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carina Rosa Álvarez ◽

Alejandro Oscar Costantini ◽

Alfredo Bono ◽

Miguel Ángel Taboada ◽

Flavio Hernán Gutiérrez Boem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Layer ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage Systems ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C ◽

C Storage ◽

C Pools ◽

No Till ◽

Total Organic C

One of the expected benefits of no-tillage systems is a higher rate of soil C sequestration. However, higher C retention in soil is not always apparent when no-tillage is applied, due e.g., to substantial differences in soil type and initial C content. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of no-tillage management to increase the stock of total organic C in soils of the Pampas region in Argentina. Forty crop fields under no-tillage and conventional tillage systems and seven undisturbed soils were sampled. Total organic C, total N, their fractions and stratification ratios and the C storage capacity of the soils under different managements were assessed in samples to a depth of 30 cm, in three layers (0-5, 5-15 and 15-30 cm). The differences between the C pools of the undisturbed and cultivated soils were significant (p < 0.05) and most pronounced in the top (0-5 cm) soil layer, with more active C near the soil surface (undisturbed > no-tillage > conventional tillage). Based on the stratification ratio of the labile C pool (0-5/5-15 cm), the untilled were separated from conventionally tilled areas. Much of the variation in potentially mineralizable C was explained by this active C fraction (R² = 0.61) and by total organic C (R² = 0.67). No-till soils did not accumulate more organic C than conventionally tilled soils in the 0-30 cm layer, but there was substantial stratification of total and active C pools at no till sites. If the C stratification ratio is really an indicator of soil quality, then the C storage potential of no-tillage would be greater than in conventional tillage, at least in the surface layers. Particulate organic C and potentially mineralizable C may be useful to evaluate variations in topsoil organic matter.

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Impact of Cover Crops on the Soil Microbiome of Tree Crops

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8030328 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 328 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa ◽

Sarah L. Strauss

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Soil Microbiome ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Tree Crops

Increased concerns associated with interactions between herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, soil nutrient availability, and plant phytotoxicity in perennial tree crop production systems have renewed interest in the use of cover crops in the inter-row middles or between trees as an alternative sustainable management strategy for these systems. Although interactions between the soil microbiome and cover crops have been examined for annual cropping systems, there are critical differences in management and growth in perennial cropping systems that can influence the soil microbiome and, therefore, the response to cover crops. Here, we discuss the importance of cover crops in tree cropping systems using multispecies cover crop mixtures and minimum tillage and no-tillage to not only enhance the soil microbiome but also carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling compared to monocropping, conventional tillage, and inorganic fertilization. We also identify potentially important taxa and research gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate assessments of the relationships between cover crops, soil microbes, and the health of tree crops. Additional evaluations of the interactions between the soil microbiome, cover crops, nutrient cycling, and tree performance will allow for more effective and sustainable management of perennial cropping systems.

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Tillage, Residue, Fertilizer and Weed Management on Phenology and Yield of Spring Maize in Terai, Nepal

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v2i3.11001 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 328-335

Author(s):

Saugat Dahal ◽

Tika Bahadur Karki ◽

Lal Prasad Amgain ◽

Birendra Kumar Bhattachan

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Weed Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Cropping System ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

No Tillage ◽

Alternative Technologies ◽

Spring Maize ◽

Seed Fill ◽

Herbicide Use

With the aim of developing crop management technologies that reduce the yield gap of maize (Zea mays L.) in Nepal, a study was carried-out to determine whether the grain yield of maize could be manipulated through tillage, residue, and nutrient and weed management practices. The effect of tillage (conventional and no tillage), residue (residue retained and residue removed), fertilizer (recommended doses of fertilizer and farmers’ doses of fertilizer) and weed management practices (herbicide use and manual weeding) on phenology and grain yield of maize were investigated under maize-rice cropping system in Rampur, Nepal during 2013. The experimental results revealed that no tillage had significant effect on grain yield (6.64 Mg ha-1) and phenological parameters like days to silking, physiological maturity and seed fill duration. Similarly, residue retained treatment had significant effect on grain yield (7.02 Mg ha-1) and phenological parameters. Research dose of fertilizer had significant effect on phenological parameters and grain yield (8.42 Mg ha-1). However, weed management factor did not influence significantly on grain yield and phenological parameters. The grain yield increased in no tillage by 23.19% over conventional tillage, residue retained by 39.84% over residue removed, recommended doses of fertilizer by 132.60% over farmer dose of fertilizer. Thus, no tillage, residue retention, recommended doses of fertilizer and use of herbicide for weed management can be alternative technologies for sustainable higher grain yield. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i3.11001Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(3): 328-335

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A 2-Year Small Grain Interval Reduces Need for Herbicides in No-Till Soybean

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-09-030.1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 398-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Randy L. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Residue Management ◽

Cool Season ◽

Common Lambsquarters ◽

Weed Interference ◽

No Till ◽

Management Tactics

This study measured weed interference in soybean and corn as affected by residue management tactics following a sequence of oat and winter wheat. Residue management tactics compared were conventional tillage, no-till, and no-till plus cover crops. Treatments were split into weed-free and weed-infested conditions; prominent weeds were green and yellow foxtail and common lambsquarters. Grain yield of soybean did not differ between weed-free and weed-infested conditions with no-till, whereas weeds reduced yield 25% in the tilled system. Corn responded inconsistently to treatments, with more than 40% yield loss due to weed interference in 1 yr with all treatments. Cover crops did not improve weed management compared with no-till in either crop. Seedling emergence of the weed community differed between tillage and no-till; density of weed seedlings was fivefold higher with tillage, whereas seedling emergence was delayed in no-till. The initial flush of seedlings occurred 2 to 3 wk later in no-till compared with the tilled system. Designing rotations to include cool-season crops in a no-till system may eliminate the need for herbicides in soybean to manage weeds.

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