Effects of soil limestone and foliar manganese and zinc applications on field cauliflower growth and element contents

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
C G Kowalenko ◽  
M. Ihnat

A trial was conducted in a field where a previous study suggested that a deficiency of manganese (Mn) or zinc (Zn) was created by the application of limestone, with the objective to confirm whether lime-induced deficiency is a potential problem in coastal British Columbia acidic soils. The trial involved the application and incorporation of limestone at two rates (9 and 19 Mg ha-1) in addition to a control with no limestone, and five foliar applications of Mn and Zn. The foliar applications included a control, Mn at two rates (2.3 and 4.5 kg ha-1), Zn at one rate (2.3 kg ha-1) and a combination of Mn and Zn, both at 2.3 kg ha-1. The trial was conducted at the same location over seven growing seasons (1979-1985), with the cauliflower grown in five of those years. The plot was fallowed in 1981 and 1983. The limestone treatments were applied in the spring of 1979, and again in the summer of 1981, while the foliar applications were applied to the plant each cropped season. Limestone increased plant dry matter yield in three years, decreased it in one, and had no effect in the other. The micronutrient applications did not affect dry matter yield in any of the years. Chemical analyses on the plants showed that limestone increased Ca and decreased Mn and Zn concentrations. The foliar applications increased plant Mn and Zn concentrations. Limestone, but not the micronutrient, applications influenced other element concentrations, with decreased concentrations of potassium, magnesium, sodium, strontium and rubidium. Iron and copper concentrations were not influenced by limestone applications. The decreased concentrations of nutrients could not account for the yield reduction by limestone applications in the one year, since concentrations of the nutrients measured in that year were not significantly different to concentrations in years when yields were increased. Further, basal applications of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and boron) had been applied to ensure that non-treatment nutrients were not deficient. Although monthly weather conditions were similar for one year of increased yield and one year of decreased yield, the influence of weather on the variable response by the crop could not be discounted as there could have been adverse weather conditions at critical stages of plant growth. Strontium and rubidium tended to respond to limestone similar to calcium and potassium, showing that their measurements have potential to further evaluate nutrient dynamics since they have characteristics similar to calcium and potassium, respectively. This field trial showed that limestone applications had many and variable effects on the availability of numerous nutrients and associated elements on cauliflower in addition to Mn and Zn. This showed the high degree of complexity of limestone applications on acidic soils.Key words: Liming, soil pH, Ca, nutrient elements, nutrient analogs

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Pearen ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
I. W. Cowan

Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) - alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures is restricted by short growing seasons and poor legume persistence in the Aspen Parklands of western Canada. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) has recently gained acceptance, but comparative information on smooth and meadow bromegrass in grass-alfalfa mixtures is unavailable. We examined DM yield of binary grass-legume mixtures containing either Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa under a two-cut hay-management system at four sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual DM yield was 40% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) at sites near Lacombe (7570 kg ha−1) than at Bluffton and Vegreville (5420 kg ha−1). Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass mixtures (8020 kg ha−1) was 20% higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of meadow bromegrass mixtures (6690 kg ha−1) near Lacombe. Alfalfa DM yield was 2.1 times higher at Bluffton and Vegreville (2770 kg ha−1) than near Lacombe (1300 kg ha−1). Near Lacombe, alfalfa regrowth was suppressed (P ≤ 0.0001) by smooth bromegrass, which had 2.3 times larger (P < 0.001) tillers than meadow bromegrass at first cut. At Bluffton and Vegreville, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures equalled or exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) that of smooth bromegrass mixtures. Although first-cut tiller weight of smooth bromegrass was 73% more (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of meadow bromegrass at Bluffton and Vegreville, tiller density of meadow bromegrass was 1.7 times greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of smooth bromegrass. Results indicate that smooth bromegrass mixtures were superior to meadow bromegrass mixtures for hay production at moist fertile locations, despite reduced alfalfa persistence. At drier or less fertile sites, however, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures was higher than that of smooth bromegrass mixtures when weather conditions for regrowth were favourable. Key words: Bromegrass-alfalfa mixtures, hay, parklands


2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
G. Hadi

The dry matter and moisture contents of the aboveground vegetative organs and kernels of four maize hybrids were studied in Martonvásár at five harvest dates, with four replications per hybrid. The dry matter yield per hectare of the kernels and other plant organs were investigated in order to obtain data on the optimum date of harvest for the purposes of biogas and silage production.It was found that the dry mass of the aboveground vegetative organs, both individually and in total, did not increase after silking. During the last third of the ripening period, however, a significant reduction in the dry matter content was sometimes observed as a function of the length of the vegetation period. The data suggest that, with the exception of extreme weather conditions or an extremely long vegetation period, the maximum dry matter yield could be expected to range from 22–42%, depending on the vegetation period of the variety. The harvest date should be chosen to give a kernel moisture content of above 35% for biogas production and below 35% for silage production. In this phenophase most varieties mature when the stalks are still green, so it is unlikely that transport costs can be reduced by waiting for the vegetative mass to dry.


Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim ◽  
Chemere ◽  
Sung

The objective of this study was to detect the historical dry matter yield (DMY) trend and to evaluate the effects of heavy rainfall events on the observed DMY trend of whole crop maize (WCM, Zea mays L.) using time-series analysis in Suwon, Republic of Korea. The climatic variables corresponding to the seeding to harvesting period, including the growing degree days, mean temperature, etc., of WCM along with the DMY data (n = 543) during 1982–2011, were used in the analysis. The DMY trend was detected using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with the explanatory variables (ARIMAX) form of time-series trend analysis. The optimal DMY model was found to be ARIMAX (1, 1, 1), indicating that the DMY trend follows the mean DMY of the preceding one year and the residual of the preceding one year with an integration level of 1. Furthermore, the SHGDD and SHHR were determined to be the main variables responsible for the observed trend in the DMY of WCM. During heavy rainfall events, the DMY was found to be decreasing by 4745.27 kg/ha (p < 0.01). Our analysis also revealed that both the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events have been increasing since 2005. The forecasted DMY indicates the potential decrease, which is expected to be 11,607 kg/ha by 2045. This study provided us evidence for the correlation between the DMY and heavy rainfall events that opens the way to provide solutions for challenges that summer forage crops face in the Republic of Korea.


1975 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Fisher ◽  
P. T. Gooderham ◽  
J. Ingram

SUMMARYAn experiment is described in which plots of a silt loam soil were compacted by ploughing and rotary cultivation when the moisture content was high. Kale and barley were grown on these plots in 2 years.Compaction of the soil was not as great as anticipated, but there were marked reductions due to wet cultivation in the dry-matter yield of kale and the vegetative growth of the young barley. Seed yield of barley was relatively unaffected, although there was a significant reduction due to wet ploughing in one year.The implication of these results for experimentation on the effects of soil structure on crop yield are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nídia Raquel Costa ◽  
Marcelo Andreotti ◽  
Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol ◽  
César Gustavo da Rocha Lima ◽  
André Michel de Castilhos ◽  
...  

Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare the yield and nutritive value of the silage of corn intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha 'Marandu') or guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus 'Tanzânia') with those of the silage of monocropped corn, as well as to evaluate the pasture established in the intercropping systems during two growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), in low-altitude Brazilian Cerrado. The treatments consisted of three cropping systems: monocropped corn, corn intercropped with palisade grass, and corn intercropped with guinea grass, with four replicates. Intercropping decreased corn forage dry matter yield for silage; however, due to the addition of grass, total dry matter yield (corn + grass) was similar between treatments. Intercropping also did not negatively affect corn production components and morphological characteristics. The cropping systems provided silages with good nutritive values, and the inclusion of tropical forages increased the silage fiber contents. Intercropping corn with tropical perennial grasses is a viable option for producing large quantities of silage with good nutritive value. The forage yield (silage + pasture) of these intercropping systems is similar to that of monocropped corn in tropical regions and has the advantage of providing a pasture in the off-season.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1640
Author(s):  
Ali Montazar ◽  
Oli Bachie ◽  
Dennis Corwin ◽  
Daniel Putnam

Irrigation management practices that reduce water use with acceptable impacts on yield are important strategies to cope with diminished water supplies and generate new sources of water to transfer for other agricultural uses, and urban and environmental demands. This study was intended to assess the effects of moderate water deficits, with the goal of maintaining robust alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields, while conserving on-farm water. Data collection and analysis were conducted at four commercial fields over an 18-month period in the Palo Verde Valley, California, from 2018–2020. A range of deficit irrigation strategies, applying 12.5–33% less irrigation water than farmers’ normal irrigation practices was evaluated, by eliminating one to three irrigation events during selected summer periods. The cumulative actual evapotranspiration measured using the residual of energy balance method across the experimental sites, ranged between 2,031 mm and 2.202 mm, over a 517-day period. An average of 1.7 and 1.0 Mg ha−1 dry matter yield reduction was observed under 33% and 22% less applied water, respectively, when compared to the farmers’ normal irrigation practice in silty loam soils. The mean dry matter yield decline varied from 0.4 to 0.9 Mg ha−1 in a clay soil and from 0.3 to 1.0 Mg ha−1 in a sandy loam soil, when irrigation water supply was reduced to 12.5% and 25% of normal irrigation levels, respectively. A wide range of conserved water (83 to 314 mm) was achieved following the deficit irrigation strategies. Salinity assessment indicated that salt buildup could be managed with subsequent normal irrigation practices, following deficit irrigations. Continuous soil moisture sensing verified that soil moisture was moderately depleted under deficit irrigation regimes, suggesting that farmers might confidently refill the soil profile following normal practices. Stand density was not affected by these moderate water deficits. The proposed deficit irrigation strategies could provide a reliable amount of water and sustain the economic viability of alfalfa production. However, data from multiple seasons are required to fully understand the effectiveness as a water conservation tool and the long-term impacts on the resilience of agricultural systems.


1926 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Ernest Woodman ◽  
Frederick Hanley

An account has been given of an investigation which was designed to test the efficacy of the process of ensilage in the stack for preserving hay crops which are in danger of spoiling in consequence of adverse weather conditions.The character of the ensiled crops and the weather conditions at the time of ensiling, together with the process of building the stack, have been described in detail.The results of continuous temperature readings in the stack have been given in graphical form. The significance of the two distinct temperature maxima which characterized the temperature curve has been discussed, and the importance of this method of investigation in regard to the elucidation of the processes which go on during ensilage has been emphasized.The chemical character of the “sweet” silage samples obtained from experimental bags buried in different parts of the stack has been investigated. The losses of dry matter resulting from fermentation and drainage have been determined and the changes affecting the individual constituents of the crop have been followed quantitatively. The results so obtained have been compared with similar figures referring to the process of ensilage in the tower and the clamp.It has been shown that the loss of dry matter in the “sweet” silage layers of the stack compares satisfactorily in magnitude with the losses accompanying the preservation of crops in the tower silo and is appreciably smaller than that associated with the production of “sour” silage in the clamp.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Oyedeji ◽  
Friday Onuche ◽  
David Animasaun ◽  
Clement Ogunkunle ◽  
Oludare Agboola ◽  
...  

The ecological impact of fire regimes on plant diversity and soil fertility has become a subject of intense discussion, especially in savannas where recurring incidences are common. This study assessed the short-term effects of early-season fire on herbaceous composition, dry matter yield and soil fertility in the Guinea savanna belt of Nigeria. Data on ground cover, dry matter yield (DMY) in plants and concentrations of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg in soil were collected from 10 delineated subplots in the burned and unburned zones of four sites after annual wildfire had occurred. Ground cover was significantly higher in the burned zones, increasing progressively from January to April (dry season). Eleven herbaceous species in addition to 2 tree seedlings occurred and represented families of Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Digitaria nuda, Brachiaria lata, Daniellia oliveri and Aeschynomene indica were limited to the burnt zones while Cyperus tuberosus, Mariscus alternifolius and Rottboellia cochinchinensis were restricted to the unburned zones. DMY ranged from 0.32 g m-2 (Desmodium tortuosum) to 52.96 g m-2 (Megathyrsus maximus). Average biomass in the burned and unburned sites was 35.86 g m-2 and 28.42 g m-2, respectively. Soil C, N and P concentrations decreased (positive deterioration index - DI), while those of K, Ca and Mg improved (negative DI) in the burned sites. Burning altered the growth (ground cover) and composition of plant species in the short term, and could significantly influence soil nutrient dynamics in the long term, especially with recurring fire events.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-151
Author(s):  
Piotr A. Kacorzyk ◽  
Mirosław Kasperczyk

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate an effect of liming on chemical properties of the soil, magnesium content in the meadow vegetation and leachate water moving through the soil profile. The study was conducted in the growing seasons in the years 2012-2014. The study included three plots in two series: with lime and without lime. The plant material was subjected to dry digestion and ash was dissolved in HNO3 (1:3). The soil was mineralized in a muffle furnace and the ashes were dissolved in a mixture of HNO3 and HClO4 (3:1 v/v). In the obtained samples and in leaching water, estimated the content of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium by induction plasma emission spectrophotometer. In the soil content of assimilable phosphorus and potassium was determined by the Egner-Riehm method. The content of assimilable magnesium was determined by the Schachtschabel method and the pH of the soil by potentiometric method in water and in mol KC1·dm-3. Liming positively affected on soil pH and magnesium content in plants increasing its amount of about 15- 21% of dry matter with respect to not limed plots. In turn, lime fertilization negatively affected the content of magnesium in leachate water and the load eluted per unit area. Magnesium content in leachate water and the amount of loads eluted from limed plots were lower on average by 16-23% with respect to not limed plots.


1985 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84
Author(s):  
L. Eric Hinesley

After grading two-year-old Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) seedlings by height, performance was examined for one year under various transplant bed densities, and for 2 years in the field. In the nursery, average diameter growth and dry matter production were influenced by bed density; height growth was not. A transplant bed density of 65 plants/m2 (6/ft2) resulted in the greatest average diameter and dry weight, but densities up to 151 plants/m2 (14/ft2) yielded more usable transplants per unit of nursery bed. Although there were residual effects of transplant bed density, the major differences in growth after 2 growing seasons in the field were due to initial seedling size. Transplants originating from large seedlings outperformed those from small seedlings. Compared to small seedlings, larger plants require less time in transplant beds, are less troublesome to maintain in the field, and reach marketable size in fewer years, all of which increase their value relative to small seedlings.


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