The green manure value of seven clover species grown as annual crops on low and high fertility temperate soils

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Ross ◽  
J. R. King ◽  
R. C. Izaurralde ◽  
J. T. O’Donovan

Annual and perennial clover species may differ in green manure value. Seven clover (Trifolium) species were grown as annual crops on low fertility (Breton) and high fertility (Edmonton) soils in Alberta. Four annual clovers [balansa (T. michelianum Savi), berseem (T. alexandrinum L.), crimson (T. incarnatum L.), and Persian (T. resupinatum L.)], three perennial clovers [alsike (T. hybridum L.), red (T. pratense L.), and white Dutch (T. repens L.)] and a non-legume reference crop [fall rye (Secale cereale L.)] were ploughed-down as green manure in autumn, and followed by barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Annual clovers had greater biomass yields than perennial clovers, and berseem clover had the highest yield. At Breton, mean biomass N content was greater for perennial clovers (2.9 g N kg-1) than annual clovers (1.9 g N kg-1). Clover biomass at Breton yielded an average of 77 kg N ha-1, with N derived from the atmosphere averaging 88% by N difference method and 75% by 15N natural abundance method. At Edmonton, the green manures had few effects on soil nitrate and subsequent barley yields. At Breton, all clover green manures except balansa increased barley yields, and grain yields were greater following perennial clovers than annual clovers in one year. Annual clovers will provide forage biomass and add N in areas where rainfall is adequate, and they may be preferable under zero tillage. However there is no advantage of annual clovers, relative to perennial clovers, in terms of N supply.Key words: Green manure, clover, Trifolium species, nitrogen fixation

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Brandt

A number of alternative options to summerfallow are feasible on the Dark Brown soils of the Canadian prairies. These include recropping to cereal or pulse crops, as well as use of summerfallow substitute crops, such as legume green manures. The objective of this study was to evaluate these options for their impact on the productivity of subsequent crops. Green-manure lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.), incorporated at either the bud or full-bloom stage of growth, field pew (Pisum sativum L.), grain lentil, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown as grain were compared with conventional summerfallow for their impact on yield of a succeeding wheat crop and of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown the year after wheat on a Dark Brown Chernozemic soil at Scott, Saskatchewan. During the 5-yr period, 1984–1988, above-ground dry-matter production of green-manure lentil averaged 500 kg ha−1 at the bud stage of growth but more than doubled to 3170 kg ha−1, by full bloom. Grain yield of field pea averaged 1470 kg ha−1, while that of grain lentil, unfertilized wheat, and N-fertilized wheat averaged 1220, 1290 and 1490 kg ha−1, respectively. Considerable year-to-year yield variation occurred with all crops, variability being greatest for lentil. Yield of wheat grown after lentil green manure was similar to yield of wheat on summerfallow (2340 kg ha−1) during each of the 5 yr for both early (2360 kg ha−1) and late (2250 kg ha−1) incorporation. Wheat yield after pea (2210 kg ha−1) or grain lentil (2080 kg ha−) was reduced in 1987, but it was equal to wheat yield after summerfallow during the remaining 4 yr. Yield of wheat on wheat stubble, whether fertilized with N (1830 kg ha−1) or not (1610 kg ha−1), was generally lower than on summerfallow. Yield of barley grown the following year was generally unaffected by summerfallow or summerfallow substitute treatments. The higher value and similar productivity of pea and grain lentil, compared with wheat, combined with their favourable impact on subsequent wheat yield, should make these crops attractive alternatives to summerfallow. On fields unsuited to pea or grain lentil production, lentil green manures may be a suitable alternative to summerfallow because they should reduce soil degradation, although lentil green manures leave little residue to protect against soil erosion where through incorporation is practised. Summerfallow or green manure incorporated early or late generally resulted in greater available soil water and N for a succeeding crop than did grain lentil, pea or wheat. Key words: Green manuring, legume effect, recropping, lentil, grain yield, summerfallow alternatives


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 831-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. BERKEKKAMP ◽  
E. J. MEERES

Forage yields of spring-planted annual crops, oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), triticale (Triticosecale sp. Wittmack), spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), fall rye (Secale cereale L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), were compared when harvested as silage, hay and simulated pasture. Yields were higher on a Black Chernozemic soil than on a Gray Luvisolic soil, and oat was the highest-yielding crop with one exception, that is as pasture on the Black soil. The winter cereals and Italian ryegrass produced comparatively better yields than the spring cereals under the hay and pasture modes.Key words: Annual forage, cereals, Italian ryegrass, harvest mode


Author(s):  
J.S. Clark

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ningguang Dong ◽  
Guanglong Hu ◽  
Yunqi Zhang ◽  
Jianxun Qi ◽  
Yonghao Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study characterized the effect of green manures (February orchid, hairy vetch, rattail fescue and a no-green-manure control) and the termination method (flail or disk) on nutrient contents, enzyme activities, microbial biomass, microbial community structure of rhizosphere soil and vegetative growth of walnut tree. All three selected green manures significantly enhanced the water content, organic C, total N and available P. The rattail fescue significantly decreased the mineral N. Total organic C, total N, mineral N and available P were significantly greater under flail than under disk. Hairy vetch and February orchid significantly improved levels of soil β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activity, whereas rattail fescue improved only β-glucosidase activity. All of the green manures significantly decreased phenoloxidase activity. β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activities were significantly greater under flail relative to disk. The termination method had no significant effect on phenoloxidase activity. The different types of green manures and termination methods significantly altered the soil microbial biomass and microbial community structure. The green-manure treatments were characterized by a significantly greater abundance of Gram-positive (Gram +) bacteria, total bacteria and saprophytic fungi compared to the control. Hairy vetch significantly decreased the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) while February orchid and rattail fescue increased their abundance compared to the no-green-manure treatment. The abundance rates of Gram+ bacteria, actinomycetes, saprophytic fungi and AMF were significantly greater in soils under flail than under disk. In terms of vegetative growth of walnut tree, hairy vetch showed the greatest positive effects. The growth of walnut tree was significantly greater under flail relative to disk. Our results indicate that green-manure application benefits the rhizosphere soil micro-ecology, rhizosphere soil nutrient contents and tree growth. Overall, the hairy vetch and flail combined treatment is recommended for walnut orchards in northern China.


2021 ◽  
pp. 100653
Author(s):  
Emily A. Groene ◽  
Cyrialis Mutabuzi ◽  
Dickson Chinunje ◽  
Ester Matson Shango ◽  
Shalini Kulasingam ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
D McCartney ◽  
J Fraser ◽  
A Ohama

Extension of the grazing season beyond the normal perennial grazing season has been identified as a potential mechanism to reduce the cost of production on Canadian cow-calf operations. This review will provide an overview of the potential use of warm-season and Brassica crops including corn (Zea mays), Golden German foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.), kale (Brassica oleracea L.), forage rape (B. napus ssp. biennis L.) and turnip (B. rapa L.). These crops have a high yield potential, but the cost for grazing these crops has not been adequately compared with the cost of grazing oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and fall rye (Secale cereale L.). There are very few actual animal grazing trials evaluating the economics of using these crops in grazing systems in Canada, and this requires further research.Key words: Corn, millet, sorgum, sudan grass, fodder crops, brassicas


Revista CERES ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vagner do Nascimento ◽  
Orivaldo Arf ◽  
Maria Aparecida Anselmo Tarsitano ◽  
Nayara Fernanda Siviero Garcia ◽  
Mariele de Souza Penteado ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The previous cultivation of green manures and mechanical soil decompression are options to minimize compaction of the topsoil in no-tilage system (NTS) set in different production systems in the Brazilian Savannah. In addition, it is essential to relate these agricultural practices with the economic benefits generated through the production cycles. The objective of this study was to evaluate economically the effect of sporadic mechanical decompression of the soil and previous cultivation of green manure in the production and net gain margin of upland rice and "winter" common bean, under sprinkler irrigation, in NTS in lowland Brazilian savannah. This study was developed in the 2012/13 harvest and 2013 winter in Selvíria, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in an clay texture Oxisol in the savanah in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in a randomized block design arranged in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with four replications. The treatments were a combination of five green manures (fallow (control), Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Pennisetum glaucum and Urochloa ruziziensis) with and without mechanical soil scarification. The yields of upland rice and common bean grains were not influenced by the previous green manure cultivation; the upland rice grown in succession to Cajanus cajan in the presence of mechanical soil scarification provided greater increase in grain yield and higher gross margin profit. Beans cultivated in succession to Crotalaria juncea and Pennisetum glaucum in the presence of mechanical soil scarification, followed by rice cultivation, provided greater increases in grain yield and gross profit margins.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Morra ◽  
Domenico Cerrato ◽  
Maurizio Bilotto ◽  
Salvatore Baiano

This paper deals with the introduction in tunnel-greenhouses of sweet sorghum cultivated in short, summer cycle as green manure with the aim to amend soils with biomass grown on farm. This practice has been spreading in tunnels of Sele river Valley (Salerno, Italy) where baby leaf crops are cultivated in numerous cycles (up to 5-7) per year. Three sorghum varieties for forage or biomass (Goliath, BMR 201 and BMR 333) were cultivated in two farms at Eboli and San Marzano sul Sarno with the aims to study their responses in term of fresh and dry aboveground biomass yielded, C and N content of the biomass incorporated in soil, C balance in amended soils after one year of ordinary cash crop sequences. No differences, with regard to all the parameters measured, were pointed out among the tested varieties in each site. The sorghum cycle lasted 45 days at Eboli, yielding on average 98 and 13 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of fresh and dry biomass, respectively; soil biomass incorporation supplied, on average 5.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of organic carbon and 273 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> of total nitrogen. In the farm of San Marzano, sorghum cycle lasted 68 days, yielding 116 and 18 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of fresh and dry biomass, respectively; soil biomass incorporation supplied, on average 8 t ha<sup>-1</sup> of organic carbon and 372 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> of total nitrogen. After one year, the plots amended with sorghum biomass showed a soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration not different from the starting point while SOC decreased in fallow plots. At Eboli, initial SOC content was 12.3 g kg<sup>-1</sup>, but one year later it resulted 12.3, 12.8, 12.2 and 11.3 g kg<sup>-1</sup> in BMR 201, BMR 333, Goliath and control plots, respectively. At San Marzano initial SOC content was 11.4 g kg<sup>-1</sup>, but one year later it resulted 11, 12, 10.7 and 10.5 g kg<sup>-1</sup> in BMR 201, BMR 333, Goliath and control plots, respectively. The annual C balance put in evidence that the green manure with sorghum biomass caused SOC losses higher than those detected in fallow plots let us supposing a prime effect in boosting the soil microbial C mineralization. Only cv BMR 333 in the Eboli trial, pointed out a positive SOC change of 1.8 t ha<sup>-1</sup>. Further studies are requested to better understand the real efficacy of sorghum cover crop in soil amendment under tunnels devoted to intensive vegetable crop sequence.


Populasi ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter J. Soumokil

It has been argued by many demographers that socio economic development with its associated fundamental changes in the role of women and the value of children is the dominant factor in the transition from high to low fertility. Research in less developed countries has found lower fertility levels in urban population compared to rural population. It was therefore assumed that the modernizing role of urbanlife helped bring about a decline infertility levels.This study in Irian Jaya, however, convincingly shows that fertility of urban women in Irian Jaya is higher than that of rural women. This differential infertility in favour of urban women in Irian Jaya appears to be real and not a result of underreporting of total live births in rural areas.The reasons for lower fertility in the rural areas in IrianJaya remain unknown, and more research is therefore needed. However, this study strongly suggests that the traditional system of swidden agricultyure in Irian Jaya, which places a highvalue on the labour input of women, may play a major role in constraining fertility in rural area of this province. On the other hand, high fertility in urban areas takes place because urbanwomen have their first birth earlier thanwomen inthe rural areas.


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