Site-specific soil hydraulic quality index to describe the essential conditions for the optimum soil water regime

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 645-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
M G Azam ◽  
M A Zoebisch ◽  
K S Wickramarachchi ◽  
S L Ranamukarachchi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Pore Distribution ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
Aggregate Shape ◽  
Distribution Frequency

This study was conducted in northeast Thailand (i) to identify soil hydraulic quality (SHQ) factors under four common cropping systems in a specific soil series, (ii) to configure indicators from these factors that can be used to develop SHQ indices for each cropping system, and (iii) to describe the essential conditions for the optimum soil water process in the study area. The cropping systems were (i) maize (Zea mays L.)-maize, (ii) mungbean (Vigna radiate L.)-maize, (iii) maize-fallow and (iv) cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Ten representative farms under each system were used to develop location-specific SHQ indices. Soil hydraulic quality indices were determined for two soil layers, such as the Ap (0-20 cm) and the EB (20-65 cm) horizons at each farm. Principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis identified eight factors affecting soil hydraulic quality, such as pore size and distribution frequency, water-stable aggregates, aggregate shape and grade, shrinking-swelling, infiltration rate (IR) and percent sand particle for the Ap horizon. Aggregate shape, size and grade, pore distribution frequency, shrinking-swelling, packing density, soil organic matter (SOM), porosity and root density influenced water movement in the sub-soils (EB horizon). A comprehensive SHQ index was developed for both soil layers under each of the cropping systems. The mungbean-maize (Mn-M) system scored the highest total SHQ index (0.726) in topsoil followed by maize-fallow (M-F) (0.708), cassava (C) (0.663) and maize-maize (M-M) (0.623). Finally, SHQ indices were ranked into three distinctive classes under the selected cropping systems, i.e., I - Mn-M; II - M-F and C; and III - M-M. The Mn-M system is better compared with the M-M in sustaining SHQ due to favorable individual soil parameters such as pore distribution frequency, root density, SOM (2.80%) and IR (494.95 mm h-1). For the rooted subsoil, no significant differences could be identified irrespective of cropping systems. All SHQ indices for sub-soils scored higher index values compared with their respective topsoil scores indicating less deteriorating effect of crop husbandry practices in this layer. Our findings could be used to advance the assessment of valid location-specific SHQ indicators to describe the essential conditions for sustainable soil water processes.Key words: Site-specific, soil hydraulic quality index, soil water process, cropping system, essential conditions

Participatory research in dryland cropping systems — monitoring and simulation of soil water and nitrogen in farmers' paddocks in Central Queensland

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Foale ◽  
M. E. Probert ◽  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
D. Lack ◽  
S. Yeates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Behaviour ◽  
On Farm

Collaboration of researchers and service-providers with farmers in addressing crop and soil management, using on-farm experiments and cropping system simulation, was negotiated in 2 districts in Central Queensland, Australia. The 2 most influential variables affecting crop productivity in this region (soil water and mineral nitrogen contents) and the growth of sown crops, were monitored and simulated for 3 years beginning in December 1992. Periodic soil sampling of large experimental strips on 3 farms, from paddocks that differed in cropping history and soil properties, provided robust datasets of change, over time, of soil water and mineral nitrogen status. Farmers participated in twice-yearly discussions with researchers, informed by the accumulating data, which influenced thinking about soil behaviour and possible new management strategies. As the study period coincided with a prolonged drought, so that cropping opportunities were few, the objectives of the work were modified to concentrate almost exclusively on the soil variables.The contribution of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator, which was used to simulate the measured changes in soil water and mineral nitrogen, was found by all participants to be useful. The APSIM output generally demonstrated close correspondence with field observations, which raised confidence in its applicability to local cropping systems. Exploration of hypothetical situations of interest to farmer participants, in the form of what-if scenarios, provided insights into the behaviour of the production system for a range of soil and seasonal conditions. The informed speculation of the simulator became a substitute for the farmers' own, more tentative, efforts.The regular participative review sessions proved to be highly effective in stimulating the learning of both farmers and researchers. The farmers were able to feel comfortable as owners of the collaborative experiments and custodians of the learning environment. Clear evidence for the ongoing learning of these farmers appeared in post-collaboration practices and experiences.

Simulating infiltration and the water balance in cropping systems with APSIM-SWIM

Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Connolly ◽  
M. Bell ◽  
N. Huth ◽  
D. M. Freebairn ◽  
G. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
Parameter Values

We test APSIM-SWIM's ability to simulate infiltration and interactions between the soil water balance and grain crop growth using soil hydraulic properties derived from independent, point measurements. APSIMSWIM is a continuous soil-crop model that simulates infiltration, surface crusting, and soil condition in more detail than most other soil-crop models. Runoff, soil water, and crop growth information measured at sites in southern Queensland was used to test the model. Parameter values were derived directly from soil hydraulic properties measured using rainfall simulators, disc permeameters and ponded rings, and pressure plate apparatus. In general, APSIM-SWIM simulated infiltration, runoff, soil water and the water balance, and yield as accurately and reliably as other soil crop models, indicating the model is suitable for evaluating effects of infiltration and soil-water relations on crop growth. Increased model detail did not hinder application, instead improving parameter transferability and utility, but improved methods of characterising crusting, soil hydraulic conductivity, and macroporosity under field conditions would improve ease of application, prediction accuracy, and reliability of the model. Model utility and accuracy would benefit from improved representation of temporal variation in soil condition, including effects of tillage and consolidation on soil condition and bypass flow in cracks. infiltration, crop models, APSIM, water balance, soil structure.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Physically-Based Hydrus-1D Model for Simulating the Water Fluxes of a Mediterranean Cropping System

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Ventrella ◽  
Mirko Castellini ◽  
Simone Di Prima ◽  
Pasquale Garofalo ◽  
Laurent Lassabatère
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Hydraulic Parameters ◽  
Water Fluxes ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Van Genuchten Model ◽  
1D Model ◽  
Hydrus 1D

In a context characterized by a scarcity of water resources and a need for agriculture to cope the increase of food demand, it is of fundamental importance to increase the water use efficiency of cropping systems. This objective can be meet using several currently available software packages simulating water movements in the “soil–plant–atmosphere” continuum (SPAC). The goal of the paper is to discuss and optimize the strategy for implementing an effective simulation framework in order to describe the main soil water fluxes of a typical horticultural cropping system in Southern Italy based on drip-irrigated watermelon cultivation. The Hydrus-1D model was calibrated by optimizing the hydraulic parameters based on the comparison between simulated and measured soil water content values. Next, a sensitivity analysis of the hydraulic parameters of the Mualem–van Genuchten model was carried out. Hydryus-1D determined simulated soil water contents fairly well, with an average root mean square error below 9%. The main fluxes of the SPAC were confined in a restricted soil volume and were therefore well described by the one-dimensional model Hydrus-1D. Water content at saturation and the fitting parameters α and n were the parameters with the highest impact for describing the soil/plant water balance.

scholarly journals Effects of Cropping System (Organic and Conventional) on the Fiber Quality Index, Spinning Consistency Index and Multiplicative Analytic Hierarchy Process of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 388-391
Author(s):  
Dimitrios J. BILALIS ◽  
Sotiria PATSIALI ◽  
Ioanna KAKABOUKI ◽  
Ilias S. TRAVLOS ◽  
Anestis KARKANIS
Keyword(s):  
Gossypium Hirsutum ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy Process ◽  
Cotton Fiber ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Fiber Quality ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Consistency Index ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Markets for organically produced high quality cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are projected to increase. Field experiments were conducted in Palamas, Karditsa in Central Greece, to compare the effects of two cropping systems on fiber quality of three cotton cultivars. The experiments, conducted during three years, were laid out in a split plot design with four replicates, two main plots (organic and conventional system) and three sub-plots (cotton cultivars). Findings suggest that fiber quality index (FQI), spinning consistency index (SCI) and multiplicative analytic hierarchy process (MAHP) are three indices that could be integrated in a useful protocol for the evaluation of different cropping systems for cotton cultivation. In particular, our results indicate that in general there was not any superiority of conventional compared to the organic cropping system regarding fiber quality as shown by the above mentioned indices. Regarding the length of the cotton fiber, this was positively correlated with micronair and the uniformity index of the cotton fiber. The organic system resulted to higher values of SCI than the ones of the conventional (1547.9 and 1522.3, respectively). The present 3-years study shows that organic cultivation of cotton can ensure high fiber quality and this was clearly confirmed by means of the several important indices.

scholarly journals Phosphorus availability and leaching losses in annual and perennial cropping systems in an upper US Midwest landscape

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Zaman Hussain ◽  
Stephen K. Hamilton ◽  
G. Philip Robertson ◽  
Bruno Basso
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Hybrid Poplar ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Miscanthus Giganteus ◽  
Soil Test P ◽  
P Leaching

AbstractExcessive phosphorus (P) applications to croplands can contribute to eutrophication of surface waters through surface runoff and subsurface (leaching) losses. We analyzed leaching losses of total dissolved P (TDP) from no-till corn, hybrid poplar (Populus nigra X P. maximowiczii), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus), native grasses, and restored prairie, all planted in 2008 on former cropland in Michigan, USA. All crops except corn (13 kg P ha−1 year−1) were grown without P fertilization. Biomass was harvested at the end of each growing season except for poplar. Soil water at 1.2 m depth was sampled weekly to biweekly for TDP determination during March–November 2009–2016 using tension lysimeters. Soil test P (0–25 cm depth) was measured every autumn. Soil water TDP concentrations were usually below levels where eutrophication of surface waters is frequently observed (> 0.02 mg L−1) but often higher than in deep groundwater or nearby streams and lakes. Rates of P leaching, estimated from measured concentrations and modeled drainage, did not differ statistically among cropping systems across years; 7-year cropping system means ranged from 0.035 to 0.072 kg P ha−1 year−1 with large interannual variation. Leached P was positively related to STP, which decreased over the 7 years in all systems. These results indicate that both P-fertilized and unfertilized cropping systems may leach legacy P from past cropland management.

Nitrate Leaching to a Shallow Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer as Influenced by Conventional No-Till and Low-Input Sustainable Grain Production Systems

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 691-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Craig ◽  
R. R. Weil
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Atlantic Coastal Plain ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Low Input ◽  
No Till

In December, 1987, the states in the Chesapeake Bay region, along with the federal government, signed an agreement which called for a 40% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to the Bay by the year 2000. To accomplish this goal, major reductions in nutrient loadings associated with agricultural management practices were deemed necessary. The objective of this study was to determine if reducing fertilizer inputs to the NT system would result in a reduction in nitrogen contamination of groundwater. In this study, groundwater, soil, and percolate samples were collected from two cropping systems. The first system was a conventional no-till (NT) grain production system with a two-year rotation of corn/winter wheat/double crop soybean. The second system, denoted low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA), produced the same crops using a winter legume and relay-cropped soybeans into standing wheat to reduce nitrogen and herbicide inputs. Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater were significantly lower under the LISA system. Over 80% of the NT groundwater samples had NO3-N concentrations greater than 10 mgl-1, compared to only 4% for the LISA cropping system. Significantly lower soil mineral N to a depth of 180 cm was also observed. The NT soil had nearly twice as much mineral N present in the 90-180 cm portion than the LISA cropping system.

scholarly journals Influence of Organic and Conventional Farming on Grain Yield and Protein Composition of Chickpea Genotypes

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 191
Author(s):  
Michele Andrea De Santis ◽  
Michele Rinaldi ◽  
Valeria Menga ◽  
Pasquale Codianni ◽  
Luigia Giuzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Protein Composition ◽  
2S Albumin ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Health Quality ◽  
Water Holding

Chickpea is a key crop in sustainable cropping systems and for its nutritional value. Studies on agronomic and genetic influences on chickpea protein composition are missing. In order to obtain a deep insight into the genetic response of chickpeas to management in relation to agronomic and quality traits, a two-year field trial was carried out with eight chickpea genotypes under an organic and conventional cropping system. Protein composition was assessed by SDS-PAGE in relation to the main fractions (vicilin, convicilin, legumin, lectin, 2s-albumin). Crop response was highly influenced by year and presumably also by management, with a −50% decrease in grain yield under organic farming, mainly due to a reduction in seed number per m2. No effect of crop management was observed on protein content, despite significant differences in terms of protein composition. The ratio between the major globulins, 7s vicilin and 11s legumin, showed a negative relationship with grain yield and was found to be higher under organic farming. Among genotypes, black-seed Nero Senise was characterized by the highest productivity and water-holding capacity, associated with low lectin content. These findings highlight the importance of the choice of chickpea genotypes for cultivation under organic farming in relation to both agronomic performance and technological and health quality.

scholarly journals Combined effects of landscape composition and pesticide use on herbivore and pollinator functions in smallholder farms

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Struelens ◽  
Diego Mina ◽  
Olivier Dangles
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Landscape Composition ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Pollinator Abundance ◽  
New Information ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Effect On Yield

Abstract Background Landscape composition has the potential to foster regulating ecosystem services such as pollination and biocontrol in temperate regions. However, most landscape studies do not take pesticide use into account even though it is the main control strategy worldwide and has negative impacts on beneficial insects. Moreover, few studies have explored these combined effects in smallholder cropping system with diverse landscapes and small cultivated fields. Methods We assessed the effect of semi-natural cover and pesticide use on pollinator and herbivore abundances and functions in 9 fields in the Ecuadorian Andes through participatory experiments with smallholder farmers. We performed a path analysis to quantify the effects of landscape and pesticide use on herbivory, pollination and ultimately yield. Results Pesticide use significantly reduced pollinator abundance but had no significant effect on pest abundance. Similarly, we found non-significant effects of landscape composition on either herbivory and pollination. The study also provides new information on understudied Andean lupine’s pests and pollinators, whose application for small farmers is discussed. Finally, we hypothesize that peculiarities of tropical smallholder cropping systems and landscapes could explain the non-significant landscape effects on insect-based processes, which calls for more research in places outside the well-studied temperate region. Conclusions Landscape composition did not show any significant effect on pest and pollinator while pesticide use decreased the abundance pollinators, but with no significant effect on yield. This study also provides information about Andean lupine reproduction and overcompensation mechanisms that could be of interest for local farmers and researchers of this understudied crop.

scholarly journals Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
K Pariyar ◽  
A Chaudhary ◽  
P Sapkota ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
CB Rana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Equivalent Yield

The effects of two tillage methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two residue managements (residue kept and residue removed) and two levels of cropping system (maize + soybean and sole maize) were studied over 3 years (2015-2017) at Dailekh district of Nepal. Arun-2 and Puja were the varieties of maize and soybean used respectively, followed by winter wheat. The results revealed that the maize + soybean system had significantly higher plant population and ear population (34.83 thousands ha-1 and 34.35 thousands ha-1, respectively), grains per row (37.1), ear length (16.6 cm) and 20.5% higher grain yield as compared to sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield (7.92 t ha-1) was recorded in maize + soybean as compared to the lower grain yield equivalent (7.06 t ha-1) in sole maize. Zero tillage accounted relatively higher benefits (high net income and B:C ratio) as compared to conventional tillage. The residue kept plot resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.41) than the residue removed (2.11) and the maize + soybean recorded 82.5% greater B:C ratio compared to sole maize. Net annual income was significantly higher in zero tillage, residue kept and maize + soybean system (NRs. 223072.00, 222958.00 and 269016.00 ha-1 respectively). Such combinations are recommended for Dailekh district of Nepal to have profitable crop productivity. SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 49-63 (2019)

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