scholarly journals Quality Assessment and Suitability Evaluation of Soils under Tuber-based Cropping System in Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1341-1350
Author(s):  
O.D. Adeyolanu ◽  
G.A. Oluwatosin ◽  
A.O. Denton ◽  
A.O. Adelana ◽  
K.S. Are ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Local Government Area ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Suitability Evaluation

Crop yields together with economic and social benefits of farming depend in part on land management and soil quality. Soil management and  cropping systems have long-term effects on agronomic and environmental functions. This study aimed at assessing soils under yam-based  cropping systems for quality and suitability so as to enhance sustainable production. The study was carried out in Katsina Ala local government area of Benue state where yam is a major crop. Sixteen modal profile were dug, described for characterization and suitability evaluation. Ten cluster locations were selected and twenty soil samples randomly collected within each cluster. The soils were subjected to laboratory analyses and results subjected descriptive statistics. Suitability of the soils for yam, citrus and groundnut were evaluated using parametric approach and soil quality of the area was assessed using Relative Soil Quality Indices (RSQI). The soils encountered are sandy to silty in nature with some having plinthite at depth. The soils, classified as Alfisol, Entisol and Inceptisol are moderately (S2) to highly suitable S1) for the three crops and have moderate to high quality for crop production with percentage soil quality index ranging from 60. 37 to 74.31 %. Soils of the study site are of good quality and are suitable for production of yam, citrus and groundnut. However, because yam is a great feeder and tropical soils are fragile making them prone todegradation, there is need for maintenance of soil fertility through organic matter management for sustainable use. Keywords: soil quality, suitability, yam, cropping systems, soil management

CROPPING SYSTEM EFFECTS ON SOIL QUALITY FOR THREE AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS IN INDIA

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
NISHANT K. SINHA ◽  
USHA KIRAN CHOPRA ◽  
ANIL KUMAR SINGH
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Scoring Functions ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Semi Arid

SUMMARYSoil quality integrates the effects of soil physical, chemical and biological attributes. Some of them are dynamic in nature and behave differentially in various agro-ecosystems (AESs) and are quantified in terms of a soil quality index (SQI). An attempt has been made in this paper to develop an SQI based on a minimum data set (MDS), which could be used to evaluate the sustainability of the crop production in three varying AESs in India, namely sub-humid, semi-arid and arid. Thirteen indicators were utilized to develop the SQI from the properties measured from the surface soil layer (0–15 cm). Each indicator of the MDS was transformed into a dimensionless score based on scoring functions (linear and non-linear) and integrated into four SQIs. The weighted non-linear index (WNLI) was identified as the most sensitive for all the AESs and was recommended as an index for future assessments. Based on this index, the quantification of soil quality under several cropping systems was carried out for sub-humid, semi-arid and arid AESs and the most suitable cropping system was identified. WLNI was positively and significantly correlated (R2= 0.79,p< 0.01) with wheat equivalent yield for all the cropping systems. This clearly indicated that the index may be used satisfactorily for quantifying soil quality.

scholarly journals The Pitfalls of Relating Weeds, Herbicide Use, and Crop Yield: Don't Fall Into the Trap! A Critical Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Colbach ◽  
Sandrine Petit ◽  
Bruno Chauvel ◽  
Violaine Deytieux ◽  
Martin Lechenet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Arable Farming ◽  
Herbicide Use ◽  
The Impact

The growing recognition of the environmental and health issues associated to pesticide use requires to investigate how to manage weeds with less or no herbicides in arable farming while maintaining crop productivity. The questions of weed harmfulness, herbicide efficacy, the effects of herbicide use on crop yields, and the effect of reducing herbicides on crop production have been addressed over the years but results and interpretations often appear contradictory. In this paper, we critically analyze studies that have focused on the herbicide use, weeds and crop yield nexus. We identified many inconsistencies in the published results and demonstrate that these often stem from differences in the methodologies used and in the choice of the conceptual model that links the three items. Our main findings are: (1) although our review confirms that herbicide reduction increases weed infestation if not compensated by other cultural techniques, there are many shortcomings in the different methods used to assess the impact of weeds on crop production; (2) Reducing herbicide use rarely results in increased crop yield loss due to weeds if farmers compensate low herbicide use by other efficient cultural practices; (3) There is a need for comprehensive studies describing the effect of cropping systems on crop production that explicitly include weeds and disentangle the impact of herbicides from the effect of other practices on weeds and on crop production. We propose a framework that presents all the links and feed-backs that must be considered when analyzing the herbicide-weed-crop yield nexus. We then provide a number of methodological recommendations for future studies. We conclude that, since weeds are causing yield loss, reduced herbicide use and maintained crop productivity necessarily requires a redesign of cropping systems. These new systems should include both agronomic and biodiversity-based levers acting in concert to deliver sustainable weed management.

Participatory soil quality assessment: The case of smallholder farmers in Ethiopian highlands

Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teklu Erkossa ◽  
Karl Stahr ◽  
Thomas Gaiser
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Soil Quality Assessment

The study was conducted at Caffee Doonsa (08°88′N, 39°08′E; 2400 m asl), a small watershed in the central highlands of Ethiopia, in order to identify farmers’ goals of soil management and the indicators they use in selecting soils for a certain function, and to categorise the soils in different quality groups with respect to the major functions. Thirty-six male farmers of different age and wealth groups participated in a Participatory Rural Appraisal technique. They listed and prioritised 12 soil functions in the area and itemised the soil quality indicators (characteristics). Based on the indicators, the soils in the watershed were classified into 3 soil quality (SQ) groups (Abolse, Kooticha, and Carii). The SQ groups have been evaluated and ranked for the major soil functions. For crop production, Abolse was graded best, followed by Kooticha and Carii, respectively. The grain and straw yield data of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) taken from the SQ groups confirmed the farmers claim, in that Abolse gave the highest grain yield (4573 kg/ha), followed by 4411 and 3657 kg/ha for Kooticha and Carii, respectively. Local insights should be included in systematic soil quality assessment, and in planning and implementation of various soil management interventions.

ASSESSMENT OF SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF FARMERS IN ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-417
Author(s):  
Salamatu Suleiman ◽  
Usman Kibbon Adamu ◽  
Jibril Abdullahi
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Local Government Area ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Soil Management Practice ◽  
Set Up

This study examined the soil management practices of farmers in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Both primary and secondary means of data collection were employed in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select both the study locations and the respondents based on the characteristics of the population and the objectives of the study. The sample size of 384 copies of questionnaire was purposively used to acquire data from the selected respondents. This was analyzed in SPSS 2.0 version, using simple descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean derived from 4-point Likert scale. The study indicated that the most adopted soil management practice by the respondents was the use of animal manure with 28.1%. This is followed by Mixed Cropping (26.3%). while shifting cultivation is the least practice (1.7%). The results also revealed that manure application is the most effective soil management practice with a mean score of ( = 4.21). while the lowest mean score is zero tilling with a value of ( = 1.51). Findings also showed that Soil fertility depletion is the strongest challenge to soil management practices with 32.9%.  The paper concludes that farmers in the study area can adopt many soil management practices. The paper recommends that there is need for mobile advisory teams of agricultural extension agents and the N-power agro unit to be set up, equipped, mobilized to reach out farmers to increase their awareness on adoption of improved agro soil management practices through training and consultation with farmers.

Monitoring soil quality changes in diversified agricultural cropping systems by the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) in southern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 281 ◽  
pp. 100-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Bonini da Luz ◽  
Vanderlei Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Fábio Joel Kochem Mallmann ◽  
Carlos Augusto Bonini Pires ◽  
Henrique Debiasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Quality Changes ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Assessment Framework

scholarly journals Effect of Cropping System and Rice Residue Retention on Crop Productivity and Soil Physical Properties in Rice Based Cropping System of Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 14-30
Author(s):  
M Jahangir Alam ◽  
S Ahmed ◽  
MK Islam ◽  
R Islam ◽  
M Islam
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
System Productivity ◽  
Transplanted Rice ◽  
Residue Retention

Cropping systems of Bangladesh are highly diverse and cultivation costs of puddled transplanted rice (PTR) are high. Therefore, an improved system is needed to address the issues, a field experiment was conducted during 2011-2013 to evaluate system intensification with varying degrees of cropping systems and residue retention. Four cropping systems (CSE) namely CSE1: T. boro rice-T. aman rice (control), CSE2: wheat-mungbean-T. aman rice (wheat and mungbean sown using a power tiller-operated seeder (PTOS) with full tillage in a single pass; puddled transplanted aman), CSE3: wheat-mungbean-dry seeded DS aman rice (DSR), and CSE4: wheat-mungbean-DS aman rice (all sown by PTOS with strip tillage) were compared. Two levels of aman rice residue retention (removed; partial retention i.e. 40 cm of standing stubble) were compared in sub plots. Grain yield was significantly higher (by 11%) when wheat was grown after DSR than PTR. Similarly, PTR and DSR (aman rice) produced statistically similar crop yields. Rice residue retention resulted a significantly higher (by 10%) wheat yield and a slightly increased (by 6%) mungbean yield than that of residues removed. The system productivity of CSE4 was significantly higher (by 10%) than CSE1 when averaged of the two years data. Partial aman residue retention gave significantly higher system yield than residue removal (by 0.6 t ha-1). After two years, no effect of CSE or partial aman residue retention was found on soil physical property (bulk density) of the top soil. Therefore, CSE4 along with residue retention would be more effective for sustainable crop production. The Agriculturists 2019; 17(1-2) 14-30

Cropping systems influence microbial diversity, soil quality and crop yields in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

2020 ◽  
Vol 121 ◽  
pp. 126152
Author(s):  
S.R. Singh ◽  
Poonam Yadav ◽  
Dinesh Singh ◽  
M.K. Tripathi ◽  
Lal Bahadur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Gangetic Plains

Cropping Systems in Some Drought-Prone Communities of the Northern Region of Ghana: Factors Affecting the Introduction of Rice

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Kodjo Avornyo ◽  
◽  
Osamu Ito ◽  
Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic ◽  
Osamu Saito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Average Distance ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Factors Affecting

Despite the growing demand for rice in Ghana, domestic rice production remains low, resulting in the importation of about 70% of the rice consumed in Ghana. In spite of the fact that 39-47% of the 20-28% of Ghana’s total geographic area classified as inland valley wetlands is considered suitable for rice cultivation, less than 15% is presently being used. A household survey was therefore conducted in six communities, Fihini (F), Cheshegu (C), Dabogushei (D), Kpalgum (K), Zergua (Z), and Yoggu (Y), of the Tolon district in northern Ghana in order to identify factors affecting the introduction of rice into the cropping system. Maize, groundnut, rice, and yam were found to be the four major crops grown in the communities. Overall, 64% of respondents cultivate rice, but this figure is particularly low (30%) in F and Y communities. Rice is usually combined with two other major crops, most frequently maize and yam. In C, D, and K communities, about 90% of households cultivate at least, three out of the four major crops. The interview with farmers revealed that rice yield is 0.73 t/ha on average and significantly higher in K and C (1.06 t/ha and 0.93 t/ha, respectively) than in D (0.37 t/ha). The average distance from compound houses to rice and maize fields is significantly shorter in C, D, and K. Similarly, the rate of rice introduction in C, D, and K is higher than in F, Z, and Y, suggesting that distance to inland valleys may be one of the factors that influence the incorporation of rice into the cropping systems of these communities. Principal component analysis of crop yields and cattle number for the Y community revealed that rice growers tend to have higher crop productivity while cattle production is higher among non-rice growers. Within the community, the productivity of upland crops and balance between crop production and cattle production may be important factors that influence the incorporation of rice into the cropping system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document