scholarly journals The potential of fragipans in sustaining pearl millet during drought periods in north-central Namibia

2022 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-51
Author(s):  
Brice Prudat ◽  
Wolfgang Fister ◽  
Lena Bloemertz ◽  
Juliane Krenz ◽  
Nikolaus J. Kuhn
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
North Central ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
High Infiltration

Abstract. Sandy soils with fragipans are usually considered poorly suited for agriculture. However, these soils are cultivated in Namibia as they can secure a minimum harvest during droughts. In order to understand the hydrological influence of fragipans in these soils, Ehenge, their soil moisture content was measured for 4 months. These data were then compared to a deep soil without fragipan, Omutunda, which is more productive during normal years but less productive during droughts. The results illustrate that the combination of sandy topsoil and shallow fragipan has beneficial effects on plant-available water during dry periods. Three reasons can be determined: (i) high infiltration rate in the sandy topsoil, (ii) prevention of deep drainage by the fragipan, and (iii) limitation of evaporation losses through the sand. Consequently, transferring these findings to other dry, sandy areas with fragipans, with respective consequences on farming practices, crop productivity, and food security, should be possible.

Traffic and residue cover effects on infiltration

Soil Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Li ◽  
J. N. Tullberg ◽  
D. M. Freebairn
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Infiltration Capacity ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Reduced Time ◽  
Factor Governing ◽  
Controlled Traffic

Wheel traffic can lead to compaction and degradation of soil physical properties. This study, as part of a study of controlled traffic farming, assessed the impact of compaction from wheel traffic on soil that had not been trafficked for 5 years. A tractor of 40 kN rear axle weight was used to apply traffic at varying wheelslip on a clay soil with varying residue cover to simulate effects of traffic typical of grain production operations in the northern Australian grain belt. A rainfall simulator was used to determine infiltration characteristics. Wheel traffic significantly reduced time to ponding, steady infiltration rate, and total infiltration compared with non-wheeled soil, with or without residue cover. Non-wheeled soil had 4—5 times greater steady infiltration rate than wheeled soil, irrespective of residue cover. Wheelslip greater than 10% further reduced steady infiltration rate and total infiltration compared with that measured for self-propulsion wheeling (3% wheelslip) under residue-protected conditions. Where there was no compaction from wheel traffic, residue cover had a greater effect on infiltration capacity, with steady infiltration rate increasing proportionally with residue cover (R 2 = 0.98). Residue cover, however, had much less effect on inf iltration when wheeling was imposed. These results demonstrated that the infiltration rate for the non-wheeled soil under a controlled traffic zero-till system was similar to that of virgin soil. However, when the soil was wheeled by a medium tractor wheel, infiltration rate was reduced to that of long-term cropped soil. These results suggest that wheel traffic, rather than tillage and cropping, might be the major factor governing infiltration. The exclusion of wheel traffic under a controlled traffic farming system, combined with conservation tillage, provides a way to enhance the sustainability of cropping this soil for improved infiltration, increased plant-available water, and reduced runoff-driven soil erosion.

The Experiment Study on the Soil Infiltration Characteristics of Yumenkou Water Pumping Station Irrigation District of Regional Scale

2013 ◽  
Vol 316-317 ◽  
pp. 661-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Hu Yuan ◽  
Gui Sheng Fan
Keyword(s):  
Soil Structure ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Shanxi Province ◽  
Soil Infiltration ◽  
Volume Weight ◽  
Water Pumping ◽  
Weight Content

This paper is based on an item of key problem of agriculture of Shanxi province through field test and indoor test. Capability of soil infiltration and soil moisture content,soil volume-weight,content of soil organic matter,soil structure were measured.Infiltration content and infiltration rate reflect the capability of soil infiltration. Ten points of Yumenkou irriqated area located in Hejin, Jishan,Xinjiang were choosed,which can represent the soil feature of this area very well.The study of soil infiltration will give the scientific reason for the rational determining of field irrigation technique parameter.

Level of Sensitization on the Gains of Inclusion Dairy Cattle in Paddy Grazing and Formulated Feeds to End Herders-Farmers Conflict in Northern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 66-72
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Rice Farming ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
North Central ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Cattle Rearing

This study was borne out of the fact that rice farming and cattle rearing are predominant in the northern parts of Nigeria. But there have been increasing conflicts between farmers and herdsmen particularly in north-central. To address this problem, this study empirically looked at the nexus between sensitization on gains from paddy grazing and farming practices in rice production. Data were collected from three hundred and twenty respondents with the aid of a structured interview guide and field survey. It was found that instead of using organic manure, Urea (55%) and NPK (36.9%) fertilizers were applied on the rice farms. Most (89.4%) of the respondents were not sensitized on the benefits of paddy grazing to the dairy cattle, environment, and soil. Results of the t-test indicated that no significant difference existed in the farming practices for rice production in Niger and Benue States (t = 8.9). The level of sensitization on paddy grazing correlates with the farm practices of the respondents (r = 0.69). This study concluded that respondents did not aware that paddy grazing could lead to increased rice and milk production.

scholarly journals Partitioning snowmelt and rainfall in the critical zone: effects of climate type and soil properties

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 3553-3570 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Hammond ◽  
Adrian A. Harpold ◽  
Sydney Weiss ◽  
Stephanie K. Kampf
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Climate Type ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Antecedent Moisture ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Dry Climates

Abstract. Streamflow generation and deep groundwater recharge may be vulnerable to loss of snow, making it important to quantify how snowmelt is partitioned between soil storage, deep drainage, evapotranspiration, and runoff. Based on previous findings, we hypothesize that snowmelt produces greater streamflow and deep drainage than rainfall and that this effect is greatest in dry climates. To test this hypothesis we examine how snowmelt and rainfall partitioning vary with climate and soil properties using a physically based variably saturated subsurface flow model, HYDRUS-1D. We developed model experiments using observed climate from mountain regions and artificial climate inputs that convert all precipitation to rain, and then evaluated how climate variability affects partitioning in soils with different hydraulic properties and depths. Results indicate that event-scale runoff is higher for snowmelt than for rainfall due to higher antecedent moisture and input rates in both wet and dry climates. Annual runoff also increases with snowmelt fraction, whereas deep drainage is not correlated with snowmelt fraction. Deep drainage is less affected by changes from snowmelt to rainfall because it is controlled by deep soil moisture changes over longer timescales. Soil texture modifies daily wetting and drying patterns but has limited effect on annual water budget partitioning, whereas increases in soil depth lead to lower runoff and greater deep drainage. Overall these results indicate that runoff may be substantially reduced with seasonal snowpack decline in all climates, whereas the effects of snowpack decline on deep drainage are less consistent. These mechanisms help explain recent observations of streamflow sensitivity to changing snowpack and highlight the importance of developing strategies to plan for changes in water budgets in areas most at risk for shifts from snow to rain.

scholarly journals Study on Variation of Surface Runoff and Soil Moisture Content in the Subgrade of Permeable Pavement Structure

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lijun Hou ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Fengchun Shen ◽  
Ming Lei ◽  
Xiang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Asphalt Pavement ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Runoff Coefficient ◽  
Flood Peak

The self-designed indoor simulated rainfall device was used to rain on five types of pavement structures with 4 types of rainfall intensity (2.5 mm/min, 3.4 mm/min, 4.6 mm/min, and 5.5 mm/min). The effect of rainfall intensity on the surface runoff, the relation between the subgrade soil moisture content changes, and the influence of initial soil water content on rain infiltration rate are studied. The test results show that the surface runoff coefficient of densely asphalted pavement is greater than 90% in drainage pavements and it has little influence on the reducing and hysteresis of the flood peak. The surface runoff coefficient of large-void asphalt pavement (permeable) is less than 40%. Although the large-void asphalt pavement (permeable) can reduce a small amount of surface runoff, it has no obvious effect on the reduction and hysteresis of the flood peak. In semipermeable pavement, with the increasing of the thickness of base (graded gravel), the surface runoff coefficient decreases at different rainfall intensities, parts of the surface runoff are reduced, and the arrival of flood peaks is delayed. In permeable roads, almost no surface runoff occurred. As time continued, the soil moisture content quickly reached a saturated state and presented a stable infiltration situation under the action of gravity and the gradient of soil water suction. As the initial moisture content increases, the initial infiltration rate decreases and the time to reach a stable infiltration rate becomes shorter. The drier the soil, the greater the initial infiltration rate and the higher the soil moisture content after infiltration stabilization. Permeable roads can greatly alleviate the pressure of urban drainage and reduce the risk of storms and floods.

scholarly journals The 3R Principles for Applying Biochar to Improve Soil Health

Soil Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingxin Guo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
High Water ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Biochar Amendment

Amending soil with biochar is a promising approach to persistently improve soil health and promote crop growth. The efficacy of soil biochar amendment, however, is soil specific, biochar dependent, and influenced by the biochar application programs. To maximize the benefits of biochar application, this paper proposes the 3R principles for applying biochar to soils: right biochar source, right application rate, and right placement in soil. The quality of biochar as a soil amendment varies significantly with the feedstock and the production conditions. Biochar products capable of everlastingly sustaining soil health are those with high stable organic carbon (OC) content and high water- and nutrient-holding capacities that are manufactured from uncontaminated biomass materials. Acidic, coarse-textured, highly leached soils respond remarkably more to biochar amendment than other types of soils. Soil amendment with particular biochars at as low as 0.1 mass% (equivalent to 2 Mg ha−1) may enhance the seasonal crop productivity. To achieve the evident, long-term soil health improvement effects, wood- and crop residue-derived biochars should be applied to soil at one time or cumulatively 2–5 mass% and manure-derived biochars at 1–3 mass% soil. Optimal amendment rates of particular biochar soil systems should be prescreened to ensure the pH of newly treated soils is less than 7.5 and the electrical conductivity (EC) below 2.7 dS m−1 (in 1:1 soil/water slurry). To maximize the soil health benefits while minimizing the erosion risk, biochar amendment should be implemented through broadcasting granular biochar in moistened conditions or in compost mixtures to cropland under low-wind weather followed by thorough and uniform incorporation into the 0–15 cm soil layer. Biochars are generally low in plant macronutrients and cannot serve as a major nutrient source (especially N) to plants. Combined chemical fertilization is necessary to realize the synergic beneficial effects of biochar amendment.

scholarly journals SEED HYDROPRIMING TECHNIQUE IN CEREAL CROPS: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-88
Author(s):  
Dipika Bhusal ◽  
Dhirendra Pratap Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Defense Mechanism ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Seed Priming ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Total Food ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Plant Defense Mechanism

Cereals contribute to 50% of total caloric intake and 95% of the total food requirement globally. Increasing climate change and population has increased the food demand and endangered the productivity of food crops due to various biotic and abiotic stresses and within these conditions’ world is trying to push itself towards increasing the grain yield per unit of land. Several methods of seed priming are practiced to rejuvenate the seeds and remove the environmental stress. Hydro priming, a method of seed priming, has prominent advantage of stresses resistance, better crop stand, and emergence. In order to cope with the future challenges of crop productivity knowledge on the beneficial effects of hydro priming is important. Hydro priming induces DNA repair processes and Antioxidant responses associated as pre-germinative metabolism that leads to early and better seedling growth. Seed Hydro priming may be the best solution to the germination related problems especially in crops grown in unfavorable conditions and enhanced activation of the plant defense mechanism describes this process. Defining the exact treatment duration, water volume, and temperature of water during Hydro priming can revolutionize the farming system with better results.

scholarly journals Influence of Farming Practices on the Chemical Properties of Soil in Small Scale Tea Farms in Kirinyaga and Tharaka-Nithi Counties of Kenya

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
I. H. Mogeni ◽  
W. M. Muiru ◽  
J. W. Kimenju
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Rapid Removal ◽  
Tea Production ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Production Areas ◽  
Properties Of Soil

Soil chemical properties are important for growth of plants as they determine the nutrient availability for their uptake. Farming practices are treatments applied to farms in efforts to maximize crop productivity. Experiments were set up in Kangaita, Kirinyaga County, and Weru, Tharaka-Nithi County using randomized complete bock design to establish the influence of farming practices on the chemical properties of soil in tea production areas. This was aimed at understanding the role of the farming practices on the availability of soil nutrients and their effect on tea productivity. Each study site was divided into three zones depending on elevation and three farming practices identified within each zone namely neglected farms, manure applied farms and chemical fertilizer (NPK) applied farm. Soil samples were collected randomly from farms in each zone and analyzed for chemical properties. Soil acidity increased from neglected farms through manure applied farms to NPK fertilizer applied (standard) farms. The soils had generally low levels of K, Mg and Zn due to rapid removal through harvesting of the young shoots and leaves. Manure application is recommended as it is less degrading to the soils.

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