Snow management and deep tillage for increasing crop yields on a rolling landscape

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
D. J. Ulrich ◽  
F. B. Dyck
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Deep Tillage ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Key Words Wheat

Snow management (tall vs. conventional height stubble) and one-time deep tillage were investigated for increasing water conservation and annual crop production on a rolling soil landscape developed on glacial till in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian prairies. Tillage depths were 0, 13, 25, and 45 cm. Gleysolic soils had more soil water at time of seeding and greater 3-yr mean durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) grain yields than the Chernozemic soils. On the Chernozemic soils, tall (25 cm) stubble increased over-winter soil water at seeding by 15 mm compared with conventional short (14 cm) stubble. Mean 3-yr durum grain yields were 165 kg ha−1 higher with tall than short stubble although yield increases were only significant (P < 0.05) in one year. Extended rotations with tall cereal stubble are particularly attractive for cropland with a rolling topography when a significant part of the landscape is occupied by Gleysolic soils. Water conservation and grain yields for fall chiselling to 13 cm were not different than those for no fall tillage. Fall chiselling to 25 cm or subsoiling to 45 cm increased grain yields by 300 kg ha−1 in the year following tillage compared with no fall tillage. This yield increase was not related to soil water and may be due to physical disruption of an apparent tillage pan that existed between 10 and 20 cm depths. Key words: Wheat, water conservation, snow, subsoiling, rolling landscape

scholarly journals The effect of perennial forage crop on grain yields in submontane regions

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 154-158
Author(s):  
J. Šroller ◽  
J. Pulkrábek ◽  
D. Novák ◽  
O. Faměra
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Yield Increase

&nbsp; &nbsp; The structure of crop production (areas under crops, crop yields, fertilization) in 15 agricultural farms in potato-production and mountain regions of the Czech Republic was analyzed to evaluate the relations between NPK fertilization level, percentage of perennial forage crops on arable land and grain yields as the basic indicator of crop production output. A&nbsp;multifactor analysis based on simple regression equations indicated direct relations between the two above-mentioned factors and yield. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated a&nbsp;close correlation between grain yields and percentage of perennial forage crops on arable land especially when lower nutrient rates in fertilizers were used (below 100 kg NPK.ha arable land). This relation was expressed for the whole set of initial data by the equation: Grain yield t.ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup> = log<sup>2</sup> (NPK rate in kg.ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup> arable land + X% of perennial forage crops). The coefficient of perennial forage crop effect (X) in the range of 0&ndash;1.47 can be explained by soil enrichment with nitrogen, mobilization of other nutrients, improvement of soil structure and reduction in the weed infestation of soil. The effect of perennial forage crops on grain yield increase was quantified (estimated) from the whole set of data using the above equation at X = 0 by the value +0.42 t.ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup>. The yield increase per 1 kg NPK.ha<sup>&ndash;1 </sup>of arable land amounts to 0.0501 t.ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup>, i.e. every 1% of forage crops on arable land increases the grain yield by 0.023 t.ha<sup>&ndash;1</sup> within the set. The relation between actual and theoretical yield of the whole set is demonstrated by correlation coefficient (r = 0.9332) if the effect of perennial forage crops is estimated by coefficient X = 0.95, if the effect is estimated by coefficient X = 1.47, the correlation coefficient is even higher (r = 0.9977).

scholarly journals Enhancing Soil Water Content for Increased Food Production in Semi-Arid Areas of Kenya Results From an On-Farm Trial in Mwala District, Kenya

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Karuma ◽  
Peter Mtakwa ◽  
Nyambilila Amuri ◽  
Charles K. Gachene ◽  
Patrick Gicheru
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Tillage Methods

Soil water conservation through tillage is one of the appropriate ways of addressing soil moisture deficit in rainfed agriculture. This study evaluated the effects of tillage practices on soil moisture conservation and crop yields in Mwala District, Eastern Kenya during the long rains (LR) and short rains (SR) of 2012/13. Six tillage systems: Disc plough (MB), Disc plough and harrowing (MBH), Ox-ploughing (OX), Subsoiling – ripping (SR), Hand hoe and Tied Ridges (HTR) and Hand hoe only (H) and, three cropping systems namely, sole maize, sole bean and maize - bean intercrop, were investigated in a split-plot design with four replicates. Data on soil water content was monitored at different weeks after planting and the crop yields at end of each growing season. A three-season average shows that soil water content and crop yields were higher in conventional tillage methods compared to the conservation tillage methods. Long term tillage experiments are thus required at different locations, under various environmental and soil conditions to validate the study findings.

Soil water conservation under cultivated fallows in clay soils of south-western Queensland

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (81) ◽  
pp. 564 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Pressland ◽  
GN Batianoff
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Deep Profile ◽  
A Site ◽  
Summer Fallow

Three field experiments to study the effect of time and method of cultivation during fallow on soil moisture accretion and crop growth were established at a site near Charleville, Queensland. The soil was a grey-brown cracking clay (46 per cent clay) typical of the Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) downs. In the first experiment, soil moisture accretion was followed on plots cultivated in November 1966 with either a disc plough or scarifier or not cultivated. Soil moisture was increased in the 90 cm deep profile by cultivation, but remained almost constant for the duration of the summer fallow. There was no difference in soil moisture under the disced and scarified plots. The remaining experiments were designed to study the effect of cultivations during fallow on soil moisture at the time of sowings. One early summer cultivation resulted in soil moisture levels similar to that gained from two or more ploughings. However, crop yields were highest following three cultivations. It is concluded that two or three cultivations during fallow decreases loss of soil water through transpiration of weeds and should increase the number of years a forage crop can be expected in south western Queensland.

Impact of subsoil physicochemical constraints on crops grown in the Wimmera and Mallee is reduced during dry seasonal conditions

Soil Research ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Nuttall ◽  
R. D. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Alkaline Soils ◽  
Yield Variation ◽  
Eastern Australia

Subsoil physicochemical constraints can limit crop production on alkaline soils of south-eastern Australia. Fifteen farmer paddocks sown to a range of crops including canola, lentil, wheat, and barley in the Wimmera and Mallee of Victoria and the mid-north and Eyre Peninsula of South Australia were monitored from 2003 to 2006 to define the relationship between key abiotic/edaphic factors and crop growth. The soils were a combination of Calcarosol and Vertosol profiles, most of which had saline and sodic subsoils. There were significant correlations between ECe and Cl– (r = 0.90), ESP and B (r = 0.82), ESP and ECe (r = 0.79), and ESP and Cl– (r = 0.73). The seasons monitored had dry pre-cropping conditions and large variations in spring rainfall in the period around flowering. At sowing, the available soil water to a depth of 1.2 m (θa) averaged 3 mm for paddocks sown to lentils, 28 mm for barley, 44 mm for wheat, and 92 mm for canola. Subsoil constraints affected canola and lentil crops but not wheat or barley. For lentil crops, yield variation was largely explained by growing season rainfall (GSR) and θa in the shallow subsoil (0.10–0.60 m). Salinity in this soil layer affected lentil crops through reduced water extraction and decreased yields where ECe exceeded 2.2 dS/m. For canola crops, GSR and θa in the shallow (0.10–0.60 m) and deep (0.60–1.20 m) layers were important factors explaining yield variation. Sodicity (measured as ESP) in the deep subsoil (0.80–1.00 m) reduced canola growth where ESP exceeded 16%, corresponding to a 500 kg/ha yield penalty. For cereal crops, rainfall in the month around anthesis was the most important factor explaining grain yield, due to the large variation in rainfall during October combined with the determinant nature of these crops. For wheat, θa in the shallow subsoil (0.10–0.60 m) at sowing was also an important factor explaining yield variation. Subsoil constraints had no impact on cereal yield in this study, which is attributed to the lack of available soil water at depth, and the crops’ tolerance of the physicochemical conditions encountered in the shallow subsoil, where plant-available water was more likely to occur. Continuing dry seasonal conditions may mean that the opportunity to recharge soil water in the deeper subsoil, under continuous cropping systems, is increasingly remote. Constraints in the deep subsoil are therefore likely to have reduced impact on cereals under these conditions, and it is the management of water supply, from GSR and accrued soil water, in the shallow subsoil that will be increasingly critical in determining crop yields in the future.

scholarly journals Effect of slope aspect and position on soil infiltrability in an ultisol in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria

Agro-Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
P.I. Ogban ◽  
A.X. Okon
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Southern Nigeria

Soil infiltrability is an important hydrological process that enhances soil water storage and the minimization of runoff. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of slope aspect (north, NfS and south, SfS) and positions [(crest (CR), upper (US), middle (MS) and lower (LS)] on soil infiltrability,  that is, initial infiltration rate (io), steady-state infiltration rate (ic) and cumulative infiltration (I), and sorptivity (S) and transmissivity (A) on the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm (T&SF) located on an Ultisol in Akwa Ibom State, southern Nigeria. Results show that the initial  infiltration rate (io) was 43.20 cm h−1 on SfS and significantly (p < 0.05) higher than 36.60 cm h−1 on NfS. The final infiltration rate (ic) was not significantly different between NfS (9.60 cm h−1) and SfS (7.20 cm h−1). The Cumulative depth of water (I) infiltrated was similar between NfS (28.18 cm) and SfS (21.46 cm). Soil water sorptivity (S) was moderately high on the two slopes but significantly (p < 0.05) lower in NfS (0.49 cm min−1/2)  than in SfS (0.70 cm min−1/2) soil. Soil water transmissivity (A) was similar in NfS (0.19 cm h−1) and SfS (0.16 cm h−1) soil. The results indicate that the aspects were similar in io, ic, I, S and A. However, since soil texture is similar among the aspects, similar soil management practices, example tillage  and mulching, could be adopted to enhance water infiltration to improve ic for increases in soil water conservation and crop production on the  T&SF. Key words: slope aspect and position, soil infiltrability, sorptivity and transmissivity, soil water management

Soil water conservation under zero- and conventional tillage systems on the Canadian prairies

1986 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 265-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Grevers ◽  
J.A. Kirkland ◽  
E. De Jong ◽  
D.A. Rennie
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Canadian Prairies

Effectiveness of existing climate smart agricultural practices in Tehuledere district, north-eastern Ethiopia.

2020 ◽  
pp. 180-193
Author(s):  
Adera S. Wassie ◽  
Noah M. Pauline
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
North Eastern

Abstract This study sought to understand the effectiveness of existing climate smart agricultural (CSA) practices used by smallholder farmers in Tehuledere District, north-eastern Ethiopia, using empirical data collected over 3 months in 2016. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources, including historical climatic records and perceptions, indicatiors of climate change, impacts and responses. The study employed focus group discussions and a household questionnaire survey during data collection. Findings reveal that the majority of participants are aware of climate change and variability. The indicators of climate change include drought, off-season rainfall, too little and/or too much rainfall, and high temperature. The impact of climate variability observed by participants include: (i) decreasing crop yields and livestock production; (ii) increasing pests and disease; and (iii) decreasing water quantity and quality. The adaptation measures embraced to mitigate negative climate change effects include: (i) changing crop varieties; (ii) integrating livestock and crop production; and (iii) soil and water conservation practices. As far as CSA practices were found to be viable and effective response measures, support from innovative polices and strategies should be emphasized so as to address the barriers and bring about widespread adoption.

Lentil enhances agroecosystem productivity with increased residual soil water and nitrogen

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 319-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yantai Gan ◽  
Chantal Hamel ◽  
H. Randy Kutcher ◽  
Lee Poppy
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Available N ◽  
Planting Time ◽  
Crop Harvest ◽  
Sequence Study

AbstractLentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) may have a potential to enhance the productivity of agroecosystems in dry areas where water and nutrients are limited. This study quantified soil water, residual soil nitrogen (N), and crop yields in lentil-based systems in comparison with continuous cereal and conventional summerfallow systems. A 3-yr cropping sequence study was conducted for three cycles in Saskatchewan (50.28°N, 107.79°W) from 2007 to 2011. On average, soil retained 187, 196 and 337 mm of water in the 0–1.2 m depth at crop harvest in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Summerfallow contained the same amounts of water as the cropped treatments at the harvest in 2009 and 2010. However, in 2008, summerfallow contained more soil water than the cropped treatments. The effect of lentil cultivar on soil water conservation varied with years; the cultivars Glamis, Laird and Sedley conserved highest amounts of soil water by the planting time of 2009 and 2010, but no differences were found among cultivars in 2011. Soil available N (NO3− + NH4+) at spring planting time was 50.4 kg ha−1 in the preceding lentil treatments, which was 44% higher compared with preceding barley or flax, but was 25% lower compared with preceding summerfallow. Lentil cultivars had a similar amount of soil residual N. Grain production in the 3-yr rotation averaged 6.3 t ha−1 per rotation for the wheat–lentil–durum system and 6.8 t ha−1 for the wheat–cereal–durum monoculture, averaging 36% greater compared with wheat–summerfallow–durum system. The lentil system increased total grain production through the access of residual soil water and biologically fixed N, whereas continuous cereal system relies on inorganic fertilizer input for yield. Summerfallow system relies on ‘mining’ the soil for nutrients. We conclude that the adoption of lentil systems will enhance grain production through the use of residual soil water and available N.

scholarly journals Effects of Ridge-Furrow System Combined with Different Degradable Mulching Materials on Soil Water Conservation and Crop Production in Semi-Humid Areas of China

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Ren ◽  
Xiaoli Chen ◽  
Tie Cai ◽  
Ting Wei ◽  
Yang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production

Cropping practices in the Victorian Mallee. 2. Effect of long fallows on the water economy and the yield of wheat

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 885 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Incerti ◽  
PWG Sale ◽  
GJ O'Leary
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Root Diseases ◽  
Cereal Root

Two experiments were conducted at the Mallee Research Station, Walpeup, between 1985 and 1989 to determine whether increases in wheat yield that occur after long fallows result from improvements in the supply and use of additional soil water conserved during the fallow. Although long fallows increased the amount of water stored in the soil at sowing (average 22 mm) and the yield of wheat (0.26 to 1.37 t/ha) in the first experiment, the results suggest no causal relationship between these increases. Improvements in wheat yield were attributed to increases in soil nitrogen availability and to control of cereal root diseases rather than to any increase in soil water conservation. This was confirmed in the second experiment, which was managed to ensure that nitrogen supply and cereal root diseases were not limiting crop production. Increases in soil water content at sowing resulting from long fallows did not result in higher wheat yields. This study suggests that long fallows cannot be justified on the basis of this increased soil water storage, as much of the additional soil water accumulated during the fallow period is stored in the lower part of the rootzone. Movement of this water below the rootzone during the growing season appears to be the main reason for the additional water stored at sowing, with long fallows failing to increase wheat growth and yield.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document