Stubble height effects on microclimate, yield and water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semiarid climate on the Canadian prairies

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Cutforth ◽  
B. G. McConkey
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
The Other ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Use Efficiency

In the semiarid region of the western Canadian prairies, seeding directly into standing cereal stubble is gaining popularity. This four year study was conducted at Swift Current, SK, to determine how seeding into tall (>30 cm high), short (about 15 cm high) and cultivated cereal stubble altered the microclimate thereby affecting the growth and yield of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments were deployed immediately before seeding on plots that had overwintered with tall stubble. Seeding wheat into tall stubble increased grain yield and water use efficiency by about 12% compared to wheat seeded into cultivated stubble. Yield and water use efficiency for wheat seeded into short stubble were intermediate to the other stubble treatments. As well, wheat seeded into tall stubble grew taller than wheat seeded into the cultivated stubble. Further, there was a tendency for spring wheat grown in tall stubble to produce more dry matter and more leaf area, to have a lower proportion of dry matter as leaves and a higher proportion as stems, and to have a lower harvest index than the other treatments.Growing season evapotranspiration (ET) was not affected by stubble height. When the seedlings were small, compared to cultivated stubble, tall stubble altered the microclimate near the soil surface by reducing the daily average windspeed, soil temperature, and incoming solar radiation, and increasing the reflected solar radiation. Throughout much of the growing season, potential ET at the soil surface, measured with minilysimeters, was significantly lower in the tall stubble. Tall stubble, compared to cultivated stubble, increased the proportion of ET that was transpired by the wheat. As well, reduced windspeeds and increased photosynthetic area may have increased the efficiency of net carbon assimilation. To increase grain yields, producers in the semiarid prairies who direct-seed spring wheat are advised to seed into stubble left standing as tall as practical (at least 30 cm). Key words: Standing stubble, wheat, microclimate, water use, yield

Water use efficiency of spring wheat in the semi-arid Canadian prairies: Effect of legume green manure, type of spring wheat, and cropping frequency

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kröbel ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. Zentner ◽  
B. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Kröbel, R., Lemke, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R., McConkey, B., Steppuhn, H., De Jong, R. and Wang, H. 2014. Water use efficiency of spring wheat in the semi-arid Canadian prairies: Effect of legume green manure, type of spring wheat, and cropping frequency. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 223–235. In the semi-arid Canadian prairie, water is the main determinant of crop production; thus its efficient use is of major agronomic interest. Previous research in this region has demonstrated that the most meaningful way to measure water use efficiency (WUE) is to use either precipitation use efficiency (PUE) or a modified WUE that accounts for the inefficient use of water in cropping systems that include summer fallow. In this paper, we use these efficiency measures to determine how cropping frequency, inclusion of a legume green manure, and the type of spring wheat [high-yielding Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) vs. Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS)] influence WUE using 25 yr of data (1987–2011) from the “New Rotation” experiment conducted at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. This is a well-fertilized study that uses minimum and no-tillage techniques and snow management to enhance soil water capture. We compare these results to those from a 39-yr “Old Rotation” experiment, also at Swift Current, which uses conventional tillage management. Our results confirmed the positive effect on WUE of cropping intensity, and of CPS wheat compared with CWRS wheat, while demonstrating the negative effect on WUE of a green manure crop in wheat-based rotations in semiarid conditions. Furthermore, we identified a likely advantage of using reduced tillage coupled with water conserving snow management techniques for enhancing the efficiency of water use.

Effect of irrigation management on yield and water use efficiency of timothy hay in southern Alberta

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 1075-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Efetha ◽  
T Dow ◽  
R H McKenzie ◽  
D R Bennett ◽  
R A Hohm
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Consistent Treatment

Timothy hay production for export markets has recently expanded on the Canadian prairies. Irrigation management information for timothy production is limited; therefore, irrigation practices to achieve optimum dry matter (DM) yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of timothy hay were investigated from 2005 to 2007 near Bow Island and Picture Butte, Alberta. Treatments were defined by managing irrigation using 0.25-m, 0.50-m, 0.75-m, and 1.00-m root zone depths with an allowable moisture depletion of 50% of available soil moisture. The 0.25-m root zone treatment resulted in greater first-cut timothy DM yield than the 1.00-m root zone treatment at Bow Island. The 0.50-m root zone treatment resulted in greater first-cut timothy DM yield than the 0.25-m root zone treatment at Picture Butte. Treatment effect on the second-cut DM yield was not significant. Water use for the first-cut crop was significantly greater for the 0.25-m root zone treatment at Bow Island and for the 0.50-m root zone treatment at Picture Butte than the other treatments in 2006 and 2007. There was no consistent treatment effect with the second-cut crop water use. The treatment effect with the first-cut WUE was not significant and there was no consistent treatment effect with the second-cut WUE. Use of a shallow root zone depth (0.25-0.50 m) for irrigation management could optimize first-cut timothy production for export, but producers may need to avoid irrigating the second-cut crop to conserve water for other efficient uses in southern Alberta. Key words: Irrigation management, dry matter, timothy, Phleum pretense, root zone, water use efficiency, allowable depletion, available moisture

Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kröbel ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
H. Steppuhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

Kröbel, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R., Steppuhn, H., Desjardins, R. L. and De Jong, R. 2012. Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 573–587. Water use efficiency (WUE) has often been analyzed for semiarid environments, but fallow-containing cropping systems were assessed inappropriately. Further, these short-term studies are unlikely to correctly assess weather variability impacts in such environments. We assessed the impact of fertilizer N and P on water use efficiency (WUE) and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from a 39-yr long-term crop rotation study in semi-arid southwestern Saskatchewan. In the rotation experiment, continuous wheat (Cont W) with N+P or P fertilizer only, and fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) with N+P, P only, or N only were studied. We calculated WUE using: (i) Yield (Y)/[water use (WU)/potential water use (PET)]; (ii) Y/WU; (iii) Y/WU with a fallow phase element added; and (iv) Y/harvest-to-harvest precipitation (PUE). The WUEs in the rotation experiment were generally greater for treatments with N+P fertilizer, and greatest after an increase of N application coupled with favourable soil water conditions in the final decades of this study. In cases (i) and (ii), WUE for F-W-W was greater than for the Cont W-treatment. In case (iii), the WUEs were 5.7, 4.5, 3.9, 3.6, and 3.6 kg ha−1 mm−1 water for Cont W (N+P), Cont W (P), F-W-W (N+P), F-W-W (P), and F-W-W (N), respectively. For PUE [case (iv)] the values were 4.0, 3.1, 3.4, 3.0, and 2.9, respectively. We concluded that case (ii) was most appropriate for continuous cropping and case (iii) for systems including fallow, while case (iv) was usable in general.

scholarly journals Improving Water use Efficiency of Annual Crops in the Rainfed Farming Systems of West Asia and North Africa

1987 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. M. Cooper ◽  
P. J. Gregory ◽  
D. Tully ◽  
H. C. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
On Farm

SummaryFarming systems in west Asia and north Africa have evolved to cope with the problems of highly variable and, frequently, chronically deficient rainfall. Cereals (mainly wheat and barley) are the dominant arable crops with food legumes (chickpea, lentil and faba bean) occupying only 5 to 10% of the area planted to cereals. Livestock is closely integrated into the farming system and crop production practices often reflect the importance of animals as a major source of income, particularly on the smaller farms. Soils of the region are predominantly calcareous, frequently phosphate deficient, and their depth and texture are important in determining the maximum amount of water that can be stored which, in turn, may determine the effective length of the growing season.Rain falls mainly during the winter months so that crops must often rely on stored soil moisture when they are growing most rapidly. Analysis of equations relating crop growth and water use shows that there are three ways in which the ‘water use efficiency’ of dry matter production can be increased. First, the amount of dry matter produced per unit of water transpired might be increased; second, if the water supply is limited, the amount of water transpired might be increased relative to evaporation from the soil surface; and third, the total amount of water used might be increased to produce extra growth provided that this results in increased transpiration rather than simply increasing evaporation from the soil surface.These three possible routes to increased crop growth are reviewed in relation to possible improvements in water management and crop genotypes in the Mediterranean environment. Scope for improving transpiration efficiency is limited although genotypic differences exist and may be useful in the future. More immediately, changes in crop management, such as applications of fertilizer, improved tillage and better weed control, will all increase the amount of water transpired. Application of mulches will also reduce evaporation from the soil surface but crop residues are usually eaten by livestock and are, therefore, often unavailable.The barley/livestock farming system of west Asia is used as a case study to illustrate how the Fanning Systems Programme of ICARDA has developed on-farm research programmes of direct relevance to current farming systems. Research on experimental sites directed at improving water use efficiency has been developed into on-farm trials and into collaborative trials with the Syrian Soils Directorate.

Yield and water use efficiency of pulses seeded directly into standing stubble in the semiarid Canadian Prairie

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. W. Cutforth ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
D. Ulrich ◽  
P. R. Miller ◽  
S. V. Angadi
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Canadian Prairie ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Growing Conditions

In semiarid climates, appropriate management of the previous crop stubble in combination with seeding method is important to improve growing conditions for the subsequent crop. To determine the effects of standing stubble of various heights on the microclimate and on the growth and yield of pulse crops, we seeded desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. “Cheston”), field pea (Pisum sativum L. “Grande”), and lentil (Lens culinaris L. “Laird”) directly into cultivated, short (15 to 18 cm), and tall (25 to 36 cm) spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stubble. Standing stubble changed the microclimate near the soil surface by reducing soil temperatures, solar radiation, wind speed, and potential evapotranspiration throughout the life cycle of these crops. Microclimate effects were much more pronounced for tall versus short stubble. The three pulses responded similarly to increasing stubble height. Vine length increased as stubble height increased, but the plants did not stand more erect. However, there was a tendency for plant height to increase as stubble height increased. Tall and short stubble increased the overall average grain yield by 13 and 4% compared to cultivated stubble. Crop water use was not affected by stubble height so the increased grain production was due to increased water use efficiency. Tall and short stubble increased the overall average water use efficiency by 16 and 8% compared to cultivated stubble. Key words: Stubble height, pulse, microclimate, evapotranspiration, yield

scholarly journals Agronomical Response and Water Use Efficiency of Sweet Pepper Plants Grown in Different Greenhouse Substrates

HortScience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 810-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco M. del Amor ◽  
María D. Gómez-López
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Sweet Pepper ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Rice Hull ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Intercepted Radiation

An experiment was carried out to assess the influence of three types of substrate on the growth and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Plants were grown during three cycles (2005, 2006, and 2007) in coconut coir dust (CC), urea formaldehyde foam (UF), and rice hull (RH) amended with polyacrylamide gel (water absorber). Growth parameters, dry weight (DW) of vegetative and generative parts, intercepted radiation, water uptake, total fruit yield, and quality parameters were analyzed. Plant height, total leaf fresh weight, and stem diameter were higher in CC and lower for the RH substrate, which also showed lower yields and fruit quality. Accumulated dry matter was modeled according to water uptake and substrate using a linear function. Upper and lower limits in water use efficiency, between 2.5 and 5.7 g DW/L, are linked to the irrigation strategies and crop seasons. Light use efficiency (LUE) under different conditions was also determined to predict plant dry matter and a unique value was obtained for the three substrates (LUE = 0.91 g/MJ). Three different irrigation strategies were proposed for each substrate as a function of intercepted radiation and defining an α coefficient (expressed in mm/m2/MJ) that coupled crop and climate components. These crop characterization and prediction tools could help to optimize plant growth and yield for environmentally friendly substrates.

scholarly journals Effect of Deficit Irrigation and Reduced N Fertilization on Plant Growth, Root Morphology and Water Use Efficiency of Tomato Grown in Soilless Culture

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Ikram Ullah ◽  
Hanping Mao ◽  
Ghulam Rasool ◽  
Hongyan Gao ◽  
Qaiser Javed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Root Surface Area ◽  
Irrigation Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Irrigation Water Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various irrigation water (W) and nitrogen (N) levels on growth, root-shoot morphology, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency of greenhouse tomatoes in spring–summer and fall–winter. The experiment consisted of three irrigation water levels (W: 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), 80%, and 60% of full irrigation) and three N application levels (N: 100%, 75%, and 50% of the standard nitrogen concentration in Hoagland’s solution treatments equivalent to 15, 11.25, 7.5 mM). All the growth parameters of tomato significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with the decrease in the amount of irrigation and nitrogen application. Results depicted that a slight decrease in irrigation and an increase in N supply improved average root diameter, total root length, and root surface area, while the interaction was observed non-significant at average diameter of roots. Compared to the control, W80 N100 was statistically non-significant in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. The W80 N100 resulted in a yield decrease of 2.90% and 8.75% but increased irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 21.40% and 14.06%. Among interactions, the reduction in a single factor at W80 N100 and W100 N75 compensated the growth and yield. Hence, W80 N100 was found to be optimal regarding yield and IWUE, with 80% of irrigation water and 15 mM of N fertilization for soilless tomato production in greenhouses.

scholarly journals WATER USE EFFICIENCY, GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT CULTIVATED UNDER COMPETITION WITH Setaria

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Z. IHSAN ◽  
F.S. EL-NAKHLAWY ◽  
S.M. ISMAIL
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Wheat Production ◽  
Use Efficiency

ABSTRACT Understanding the critical period of weed competition is indispensable in the development of an effective weed management program in field crops. Current experiment was planned to evaluate the critical growth period ofSetaria and level of yield losses associated with delay in weeding in rain-fed drip irrigated wheat production system of Saudi Arabia. Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of weeding interval (07-21, 14-28, 21-35, 28-42 and 35-49 days after sowing) and drought stress (75% and 50% of field capacity) on Setaria growth, wheat yield and water use efficiency. Season long weedy check and wellwatered (100% FC) plots were also maintained for comparison. Weeding interval and drought stress significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected the growth and yield of Setaria and wheat. Drought stress from 75% to 50% FC resulted in reductions of 29-40% in Setaria height, 14-27% in Setaria density and 11-26% in Setaria dry biomass. All weeding intervals except 35-49 DAS significantly suppressedSetaria growth as compared with control. Delay in weeding increased weed-crop competition interval and reduced wheat yield and yield contributors. Therefore, the lowest yield of 1836 kg ha-1 was attained for weeding interval of 35-49 DAS at 50% FC. Water use efficiency and harvest index increased with decreasing FC levels but reduced with delay in weeding. Correlation analysis predicted negative association ofSetariadensity with wheat yield and yield contributors and the highest negative association was for harvest index (-0.913) and water use efficiency (-0.614). Early management of Setaria is imperative for successful wheat production otherwise yield losses are beyond economical limits.

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