The effects of nitrogen, row spacing and seeding rate on the yield of flax under a zero-till production system

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 375-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Lafond

The long-term sustainability of agriculture requires that soil degradation be addressed and that crop production systems that incorporate the benefits of surface residues and standing stubble through conservation tillage practices be evaluated critically. The objective was to study the effects of nitrogen, row spacing and seeding rate on the yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) under zero-till production practices. Three row spacings, six seeding rates and two rates of nitrogen were investigated. The plots were directly seeded into barley stubble under a continuous cropping zero-till production system. When yield levels were > 1200 kg ha−1, yields were not significantly affected by row spacing, but when yield levels were < 1200 kg ha−1, the 20-cm row spacing was favored over the 10- or 30-cm spacings. Yields increased linearly with increase in seeding rate at all row spacings. There were no interactions observed between nitrogen, row spacing and seeding rate. The results of this study have important implications in terms of equipment design, cost for zero-till seeding equipment, and the opportunity to easily modify existing equipment for zero-till seeding. Key words: Plant establishment, plant height, zero till, yield

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Lafond

Adopting water-conserving tillage practices on the Canadian prairies will protect the soil against erosion while conserving soil water. The use of tall-standing stubble to conserve water creates a dilemma for producers because maximum yields can only be obtained with narrow rows, and tall stubble may limit the use of narrow row spacings. A 4-yr study on a thin Black clay soil investigated the effects of three row spacings (10, 20 and 30 cm), six seeding rates (34, 67, 100, 134, 168 and 202 kg ha−1 for wheat and 27, 54, 81, 108, 134 and 161 kg ha−1 for barley) and two rates of N (low and high) in hard red wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum (Triticum durum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using a continuous cropping, zero-till production system. The yields of cereals were maintained with 30-cm row spacing over a wide range of growing conditions under zero-till management. Durum had a 5.8% yield advantage and barley a 2.4% advantage for the 30-cm row spacing over the 10-cm row spacing. The number of plants established and the number of spikes produced decreased as row spacing increased for all crops. But wider row spacing resulted in more kernels produced per spike, which, in the case of barley and durum, more than compensated for the lower number of spikes. Increasing seeding rates significantly improved grain yield in all crops and years because more spikes were produced. Grain yield was related to the reciprocal of seeding rate. The few row spacing × seeding rate interactions observed in 2 of 12 cases suggest that seeding rates need not be adjusted for changes in row spacing. The results obtained have important implications for equipment design and the ability to more easily handle high-crop-residue situations. Key words: Yield components, seeding rate, row spacing, yield compensation


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Mandy Bish ◽  
Brian Dintelmann ◽  
Eric Oseland ◽  
Jacob Vaughn ◽  
Kevin Bradley

Abstract The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds has resulted in the necessity to integrate non-chemical control methods with chemicals for effective management in crop production systems. In soybean, control of the pigweed species, particularly herbicide-resistant waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, have become predominant concerns. Cereal rye planted as a winter cover crop can effectively suppress early-season weed emergence in soybean, including waterhemp, when planted at a rate of 123 kg ha−1. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different cereal rye seeding rates (0, 34, 56, 79, 110, and 123 kg ha−1) on early-season waterhemp suppression and soybean growth and yield. Soybean was planted into fall-seeded cereal rye, which was terminated within four days of soybean planting. The experiment was conducted over the 2018, 2019, and 2020 growing seasons in Columbia, Missouri. Effects of cereal rye on early-season waterhemp suppression varied by year and were most consistent at 56 kg ha−1 or higher seeding rates. Linear regression analysis of cereal rye biomass, height, or stand at soybean planting showed inverse relationships with waterhemp emergence. No adverse effects to soybean growth or yield were observed at any of the cereal rye seeding rates relative to plots that lacked cereal rye cover. Result differences among the years suggest that the successfulness of cereal rye on suppression of early-season waterhemp emergence is likely influenced by the amount of waterhemp seed present in the soil seed bank.


2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 656-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin K. Rosenbaum ◽  
Kevin W. Bradley

A survey of soybean fields containing waterhemp infestations was conducted just prior to harvest in 2008 and 2009 to determine the frequency and distribution of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in Missouri, and to determine if there are any in-field parameters that may serve as indicators of glyphosate resistance in this species in future crop production systems. Glyphosate resistance was confirmed in 99 out of 144, or 69%, of the total waterhemp populations sampled, which occurred in 41 counties of Missouri. Populations of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp were more likely to occur in fields with no other weed species present at the end of the season, continuous cropping of soybean, exclusive use of glyphosate for several consecutive seasons, and waterhemp plants showing obvious signs of surviving herbicide treatment compared to fields characterized with glyphosate-susceptible waterhemp. Therefore, it is suggested that these four site parameters, and certain combinations of these parameters, serve as predictors of glyphosate resistance in future waterhemp populations.


Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 778
Author(s):  
G. S. A. Castro ◽  
C. A. C. Crusciol ◽  
C. A. Rosolem ◽  
J. C. Calonego ◽  
K. R. Brye

This work aimed to evaluate the effects of crop rotations and soil acidity amelioration on soil physical properties of an Oxisol (Rhodic Ferralsol or Red Ferrosol in the Australian Soil Classification) from October 2006 to September 2011 in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four soybean (Glycine max)–maize (Zea mays)–rice (Oryza sativa) rotations that differed in their off-season crop, either a signal grass (Urochloa ruziziensis) forage crop, a second crop, a cover crop, or fallow. Two acid-neutralising materials, dolomitic lime (effective calcium carbonate equivalent (ECCE) = 90%) and calcium-magnesium silicate (ECCE = 80%), were surface applied to raise the soil’s base saturation to 70%. Selected soil physical characteristics were evaluated at three depths (0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m). In the top 0.1 m, soil bulk density was lowest (P < 0.05) and macroporosity and aggregate stability index were greatest (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. Also, bulk density was lower (P < 0.05) and macroporosity was greater (P < 0.05) in the acid-neutralising-amended than the unamended control soil. In the 0.1–0.2-m interval, mean weight diameter and mean geometric diameter were greater (P < 0.05) in the forage crop compared with all other production systems. All soil properties evaluated in this study in the 0.2–0.4-m interval were unaffected by production system or soil amendment after five complete cropping cycles. Results of this study demonstrated that certain soil physical properties can be improved in a no-tillage soybean–maize–rice rotation using a forage crop in the off-season and with the addition of acid-neutralising soil amendments. Any soil and crop management practices that improve soil physical properties will likely contribute to sustaining long-term soil and crop productivity in areas with highly weathered, organic matter-depleted, acidic Oxisols.


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Blackshaw ◽  
Greg Semach ◽  
Xiangju Li ◽  
John T. O'Donovan ◽  
K. Neil Harker

A 4-yr field experiment was conducted to determine the merits of combining cultural and chemical controls to manage foxtail barley in reduced-tillage systems. Factors studied were crop row spacing, seeding rate, and application rate and timing of glyphosate within a spring wheat-flax cropping sequence. Glyphosate applied preseeding at 400 or 800 g/ha killed foxtail barley seedlings but only suppressed established perennial plants. Glyphosate applied postharvest at 800 g/ha killed 60 to 70% of established plants. Combinations of preseeding and postharvest glyphosate gave the greatest reductions in foxtail barley biomass and seed production and resulted in the greatest increases in crop yield. Including flax in the rotation allowed use of grass herbicides such as quizalofop or sethoxydim that effectively controlled foxtail barley seedlings and provided some suppression of perennial plants. An increase in wheat seeding rate from 75 to 115 kg/ha reduced foxtail barley growth and increased wheat yield in 3 of 4 yr. Increasing the flax seeding rate from 40 to 80 kg/ha or reducing wheat and flax row spacing from 30 to 20 cm provided little benefit in managing foxtail barley or increasing crop yield. A multiyear approach combining agronomic practices and timely use of herbicides should allow growers to effectively manage foxtail barley in annual cropping systems using conservation tillage.


Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Markus Flury ◽  
Carol Miles ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Lisa DeVetter

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are made from biodegradable materials that can be bio-based, synthetic, or a blend of these two types of polymers, which are designed to degrade in soil through microbial activities. The purpose of BDMs is to reduce agricultural plastic waste by replacing polyethylene (PE) mulch, which is not biodegradable. Most studies have evaluated the breakdown of BDMs within annual production systems, but knowledge of BDM breakdown in perennial systems is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the deterioration and degradation of BDMs in a commercial red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) production system. Deterioration was low (≤11% percent soil exposure; PSE) for all mulches until October 2017 (five months after transplanting, MAT). By March 2018 (10 MAT), deterioration reached 91% for BDMs but remained low for PE mulch (4%). Mechanical strength also was lower for BDMs than PE mulch. In a soil burial test in the raspberry field, 91% of the BDM area remained after 18 months. In-soil BDM degradation was minimal, although the PSE was high. Since mulch is only applied once in a perennial crop production system, and the lifespan of the planting may be three or more years, it is worth exploring the long-term degradation of BDMs in perennial cropping systems across diverse environments.


2006 ◽  
Vol 179 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Benham ◽  
David H. Vaughan ◽  
Megan K. Laird ◽  
Blake B. Ross ◽  
Danny R. Peek

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Hydbom ◽  
Johanna Alkan Olsson ◽  
Pål Axel Olsson

AbstractConventional agricultural practices can lead to soil erosion and a reduction in soil organic carbon (SOC) content. It has been suggested that less intensive agricultural practices, such as conservation tillage (including no-till and reduced till without soil inversion) may reduce both erosion and loss of SOC. The aim of this study was to determine whether, and why, conservation tillage is used in Scania, which is one of the most agro-intensive regions in Sweden. We also investigated how information on tillage practices is obtained, why one type of tillage may be favored over another, and whether some farmers are more likely to use conservation tillage. The result of this study will benefit policy makers and researchers by pinpointing factors that influence the use of conservation tillage. To collect data, a questionnaire was sent to farmers in Scania in 2016. We found that the majority of the responding farmers used conservation tillage, and that it was more likely to be used if the farmer was highly educated and spent more than 50% of their annual working time on crop production. The use of conservation tillage was also more common if the farm was large and clay soil dominated. Crop rotation was often highlighted as the most important factor influencing the choice of tillage practice, which may be due to crop species requirements. When asked to compare the consequences of reduced tillage and plowing, the perception of farmers using conservation tillage was in general more positive, indicating skepticism toward the practice of reduced tillage until it had been tried. We show that the use of conservation tillage, sometimes in combination with plowing, is widespread in Scania. However, unless changes in, for example, crop rotation and labor requirements occur, the use of conservation tillage will most likely remain the same as today, or only increase slightly in the near future. Farm enlargement may result in an increased conservation tillage use, and so may efforts to educate advisors, increased opportunities for peer-to-peer meetings, and the development of economically viable small farm solutions. Increased conservation tillage may be part of the solution for sustainable crop production, but drawbacks such as increased pesticide use must be addressed further, as well as factors such as crop rotation development and practical knowledge that influence conservation tillage use at the farm level.


1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald D. Morse

Conservation tillage systems offer distinct advantages for crop production under erosive and droughty soil conditions. This report contains 4 years of data on the effects of in situ cereal rye and wheat mulches on yield of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) grown under limited-irrigation, conservation-tillage systems. Three tillage systems were studied: conventional plow-disk (CT); strip tillage (ST) and no-tillage (NT). The summers of 1987 and 1990 were characterized by below-average total rain and periods of prolonged (45 days) of dry weather during head enlargement; cabbage yields were highest in the mulched ST and NT plots. In contrast, the 1988 and 1989 growing seasons were above average in total rain and there were no prolonged periods of dry weather. Cabbage yields were unaffected by tillage treatments in 1988, while, in 1989, yields with NT were 65% and 60% lower than with CT and ST, respectively. A combination of abundant rain, soil compaction, and delayed planting retarded plant growth in the 1989 NT plots, resulting in smaller, less-productive plants than in the tilled ST and CT plots. These data show that: 1) conservation tillage and particularly strip tillage systems are viable options for production of cabbage; and 2) rain-irrigation patterns, site selection, and planting dates are major determinants of the relative advantages of conservation tillage compared to conventional tillage systems.


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