scholarly journals Intermediate Maturing Soybean Produce Multiple Benefits at 1:2 Maize:Soybean Planting Density

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Margarida G. Simbine ◽  
Frederick P. Baijukya ◽  
Richard N. Onwonga

A study was conducted to identify the most suitable intercropping arrangement in smallholder farms in Western Kenya. Biomass and N (nitrogen)-accumulation, N2 fixation and grain yield of maize and soybeans grown as intercrops at three planting densities were assessed. The study was conducted in four seasons. Three soybean varieties, Namsoy 4m, SC Squire and TGx1987-18F, were used in the experiment. Maize: soybean planting densities 1:1 (D1), 1:2 (D2), 1:3 (D3) as well as sole soybean (SS) and sole maize (SM) were tested. Higher biomass, N-accumulation, and N-fixed in the order 3.8 Mg ha-1, 260 kg ha-1 and 161 kg ha-1 respectively, were recorded in D3 with long maturing variety TGx1987-18F. Conversely, higher soybean grain yield < 2.4 Mg ha-1 was achieved by intermediate maturing SC Squire in D3. The highest maize yield in the intercrop was obtained in D1. N balance calculations indicated that planting TGx1987-18F resulted in an addition of 6 to 67 kg N ha-1, while SC Squire and Namsoy 4 m removed 3 to 89 kg N ha-1 when soybean grain was removed from the field. The differences in N balances between the intercrops depended on the N-fixed and the amount of N in harvested soybean and maize grain. Greater land equivalent ratio < 1.75 were obtained with SC Squire and Namsoy 4m in D2. We concluded that intermediate maturing soybean have multiple benefits for farmers in Western Kenya at 1:2 maize: soybean planting density provided that the practice is accompanied with good soil and crop management practices.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-298
Author(s):  
Peter A. Opala ◽  
Dorcus O. Ofuyo ◽  
George D. Odhiambo

The effect of phosphorus (P) rate and crop arrangement on the performance of component crops in maize-bean intercropping systems was investigated at two sites; Malanga and Bugeng’i in western Kenya. A split plot design with five crop arrangements in the main plots i.e., one row of maize alternating with one row of beans (conventional), maize and beans planted in the same hole, two rows of maize alternating with two of beans (Mbili), sole maize and sole beans, in a factorial combination with three P rates; 0, 30, and 60 kg ha-1 in the subplots, was used. Bean yields were low (< 1 t ha-1) but they increased with increasing P rate at both sites. Response of maize to P fertilizer was however poor at Malanga mainly due to Striga weed infestation. Yields of beans did not significantly differ among crop arrangements at both sites. At Bungeng’i, there was a significant interaction between P rate and crop arrangement. At this site, the maize yield in the conventional arrangement increased with increasing P rate but for the Mbili arrangement, the grain yield from application of 30 kg P ha-1 was significantly higher than that at 0 kg P ha-1 and similar to that 60 kg P ha-1. Therefore, it is not beneficial to fertilize beyond 30 kg P ha-1 at this site with the Mbili arrangement. Intercropping was beneficial in all crop arrangements (Land equivalent ratio >1) and can therefore be practiced, except for maize and beans planted in the same hole with no P application at Bugeng’i.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Luiza Privado Martins ◽  
Glécio Machado Siqueira ◽  
Emanoel Gomes de Moura ◽  
Raimunda Alves Silva ◽  
Anágila Janenis Cardoso Silva ◽  
...  

Soil fauna play an important role in ecosystems, and in this context, it is important to better understand how the abiotic and biotic drivers of these organisms interact. We hypothesize that soil fauna are affected by different soil management practices, which has an influence on maize grain yields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure of soil fauna under different soil management practices and their associations with maize grain yield. The experiment was conducted in Maranhão, Brazil, in an area divided into 24 plots of 4 × 10 m in a randomized block design with six treatments with four replicates (R). Pitfall traps were placed in the area. The treatments were Leucaena leucocephala-Leucaena (L), nitrogen (N), humic acid + nitrogen (HA + N), nitrogen + Leucaena (N + L), humic acid + Leucaena (HA + L) and humic acid + nitrogen + Leucaena (HA + N + L). The soil fauna dominance, abundance, richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou evenness index and maize grain yield were determined. Formicidae was clearly affected by management with Leucaena, while Coleoptera was affected by management with nitrogen. Despite this, Isopoda and Diplura were the only groups associated with the maize yield. Although fauna abundance did not differ among treatments, it was related to the yield. This study confirms that the abundance and some taxa of soil fauna can influence yield and that these organisms can be used to increase agricultural sustainability.


2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
AM Mahmud ◽  
MY Ali ◽  
KG Quddus ◽  
S Parvin

A field experiment was conducted at the Agrotechnology Field Laboratory of Khulna University during the boro season to evaluate the effect of planting density on the performance of rice variety BRRI dhan28. The experiment received twelve treatments, which were divided into two distinct patterns - single row and paired row. The single row had four treatments and paired row had eight treatments. Planting densities were 40, 27, 20 and 16 hills m-2. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Standard management practices were followed in raising crops. Results revealed that closer spacing produced higher yields where 40 hills m-2 produced the most (4.81 t ha-1), which was statistically similar with that of 27 hills   m-2. Paired row planting showed better performance than single row planting. Plant height, grains panicle-1, sterile spikelets panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield were found better in paired row planting. Paired row planting at a spacing of (35 cm + 15 cm) × 10 cm  i.e row to row distance is 35 cm & 15 cm and hill to hill distance is 10 cm; found the highest grain yield (4.81 t ha-1) and the lowest yield (2.97 t ha-1) was found in single row using a spacing of 25 cm × 25 cm.Bangladesh Agron. J. 2014, 17(2): 67-76


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-66
Author(s):  
Haseeb Ahmad

An experiment entitled: Maize yield as affected by methods of tillage and weed control methods was conducted at Agronomy Research Farms, The University of Agriculture Peshawar during summer 2016. The study was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement having four replications. Tillage practices 1) Chisel plough + rotavator 2) Mouldboard plough + rotavator 3) Cultivator + rotavator and 4) Rotavator were assigned to main plots. Weed management practices included 1) Control, 2) Hoeing 15 days after sowing 3) Hoeing 15 and 30 days after sowing 4) Hoeing 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing, and 4) Herbicide (nicosulfuron) were kept into the subplots. The results revealed that chisel plough + rotavator has significantly reduced weeds m-2 (122, 101 and 125 weeds m-2), weeds fresh weight (19.73 g m-2, 116.35 g m-2 and 252.56 g m-2) and weeds dry weight (6.83 g m-2, 38.69 g m-2 and 80.61 g m-2) at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing, respectively. The operation of chisel plough + rotavator has produced tallest plants (221.22 cm) with maximum grain rows ear-1 (16), grain yield (3586 kg ha-1) and shelling percentage (78.14%). Among weed control methods, hoeing 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing revealed maximum plant height (226.41 cm), grain rows ear-1 (16), grain yield (3604 kg ha-1) and shelling percentage (79.11%). All weed control methods have showed significant reduction in weeds m-2, weeds fresh weight and weeds dry weight. Interaction was also found significant for weeds m-2 at 60 DAS and grain yield of maize. Lowest weeds (56 weeds m-2) at 60 DAS and highest grain yield (4569 kg ha-1) was recorded when seedbed was prepared with chisel plough + rotavator with 3 hoeings (hoeing 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing). It is concluded that treatment of chisel plough + rotavator and hoeing 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing has significantly produced maximum grain yield of maize crop.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangzhou Liu ◽  
Yunshan Yang ◽  
Wanmao Liu ◽  
Xiaoxia Guo ◽  
Jun Xue ◽  
...  

Increasing planting density is an important practice associated with increases in maize yield, but densely planted maize can suffer from poor light conditions. In our two-year field experiments, two morphologically different cultivars, ZD958 (less compact) and DH618 (more compact), were planted at 120,000 plants ha−1 and 135,000 plants ha−1, respectively. We established different leaf area index (LAI) treatments by removing leaves three days after silking: (1) control, no leaves removed (D0); (2) the two uppermost leaves removed (D1); (3) the four uppermost leaves removed (D2); (4) the leaves below the third leaf below the ear removed (D3); (5) the leaves of D1 and D3 removed (D4); (6) the leaves of D2 and D3 removed (D5). Optimal leaf removal improved light distribution, increased photosynthetic capacity and the post-silking source-sink ratio, and thus the grain yield, with an average LAI of 5.9 (5.6 and 6.2 for ZD958 and DH618, respectively) for the highest yields in each year. Therefore, less-compact cultivars should have smaller or fewer topmost leaves or leaves below the ear that quickly senesce post-silking, so as to decrease leaf area and thus improve light distribution and photosynthetic capacity in the canopy under dense planting conditions. However, for more compact cultivars, leaves below the ear should senesce quickly after silking to reduce leaf respiration and improve the photosynthetic capacity of the remaining top residual leaves. In future maize cultivation, compact cultivars with optimal post-silking LAI should be adopted when planting densely.


1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Blumenthal ◽  
VP Quach ◽  
PGE Searle

The effect of soybean population density on soybean yield, nitrogen accumulation and residual nitrogen was examined at Camden, N.S.W. (34�S.). In the first experiment, treatments were soybeans (cv. Ransom) at 50, 100, 200 and 400 x 103 plants ha-1; maize (cv. XL66); and a weed-free fallow. Total dry matter yields of tops and grain yields were highest at 200x 103 plants ha-1 (6214 and 3720 kg ha-1, respectively). The yield component most affected by population density was number of branches per plant, with values decreasing with increasing population density. The proportion of unfilled pods was highest at the highest population density. Total nitrogen (N) accumulation in the tops and in the grain was also at a maximum at 200x 103 plants ha-1. The rate of dry matter accumulation declined during pod filling at all population densities. N accumulation continued at high rates throughout the growing season except in the 400x 103 plants ha-1 population. There was a trend for residual dry matter and N in residues to increase with increasing population density. After grain and forage harvest of the first experiment, a crop of wheat (cv. Kite) was sown over the whole area to determine residual N available at anthesis and at maturity (experiment 2). The values of N accumulation in the wheat at maturity were 24 kg N ha-l for the maize treatment, 40-60 kg N ha-l for the soybean treatments and 69 kg N ha-1 for the fallow treatment. Grain yield and grain N followed the pattern of dry matter production and N accumulation at final harvest. The data suggest that soybean depletes soil N to a lesser extent than does maize. For the soybean treatments, there was a trend of increasing residual N at the 3 highest population densities (40-60 kg N ha-1). This was probably a result of an increase in N in leaf fall and in decaying tops and roots at the highest population density. The high value (57 kg N ha-l) at the lowest population density may be due to soybean plants at this density not using as much soil N as the other soybean treatments. No benefit in residual N was gained from planting soybeans at a density beyond the optimum for grain yield when residues were removed by forage harvesting.


2016 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. JING ◽  
J. SHANG ◽  
T. HUFFMAN ◽  
B. QIAN ◽  
E. PATTEY ◽  
...  

SUMMARYMaize in Canada is grown mainly in the south-eastern part of the country. No comprehensive studies on Canadian maize yield levels have been done so far to analyse the barriers of obtaining optimal yields associated with cultivar, environmental stress and agronomic management practices. The objective of the current study was to use a modelling approach to analyse the gaps between actual and potential (determined by cultivar, solar radiation and temperature without any other stresses) maize yields in Eastern Canada. The CSM–CERES–Maize model in DSSAT v4·6 was calibrated and evaluated with measured data of seven cultivars under different nitrogen (N) rates across four sites. The model was then used to simulate grain yield levels defined as: yield potential (YP), water-limited (YW, rainfed), and water- and N-limited yields with N rates 80 kg/ha (YW, N-80N) and 160 kg/ha (YW, N-160N). The options were assessed to further increase grain yield by analysing the yield gaps related to water and N deficiencies. The CSM–CERES–Maize model simulated the grain yields in the experiments well with normalized root-mean-squared errors <0·20. The model was able to capture yield variations associated with varying N rates, cultivar, soil type and inter-annual climate variability. The seven calibrated cultivars used in the experiments were divided into three grades according to their simulated YP: low, medium and high. The simulation results for the 30-year period from 1981 to 2010 showed that the average YPwas 15 000 kg/ha for cultivars with high yield potential. The YPis generally about 6000 kg/ha greater than the actual yield (YA) at each experimental site in Eastern Canada. Two-thirds of this gap between YPand YAis probably associated with water stress, as a gap of approximately 4000 kg/ha between the YWand the YPwas simulated. This gap may be reduced through crop management, such as introducing irrigation to improve the distribution of available water during the growing season. The simulated yields indicated a gap of about 3000 and 1000 kg/ha between YWand YW,N-80N for cultivars with high YPand low YP, respectively. The gap between YWand YW,N-160N decreased to <2000 kg/ha for high Ypcultivars with little difference for the low Ypcultivars. The different yield gaps among cultivars suggest that cultivars with high YPrequire high N rates but cultivars with low YPmay need only low N rates.


2018 ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulio Testa ◽  
Amedeo Reyneri ◽  
Massimo Blandino

The research investigated ways to enhance maize yield in intensive maize cropping system by evaluating the effect of high planting densities combined with foliar fungicide treatments. The considered assessments were fungal leaf disease, biomass and grain yield and methane production through anaerobic fermentation. The experiment was conducted in the years 2012 and 2013. The treatments compared at each location were factorial combinations of two plant densities and three fungicide applications. A standard planting density (StD, 7.5 plants m–2 on a 0.75 m interrow spacing) was compared with the high density (HiD, 10 plants m–2 on narrow 0.5 m inter-row spacing). Two fungicides, pyraclostrobin at 0.2 kg AI ha–1 and a mixture of pyraclostrobin and epoxiconazole at 0.2 and 0.075 kg AI ha–1 respectively, were applied at the tassel emergence stage and compared with an untreated treatment. The HiD system positively increased the silage maize yield (+16%), grain (+17%) and methane yield per hectare (+19%) in comparison to the StD. The fungicide application significantly restrained foliar disease symptoms only in 2012. Fungicide did not affect plant silage composition (protein, starch or fibre content) and methane yield, conversely it significantly increased grain yield for both planting density systems (+5%). The overall boost in yield obtained by combining both strategies in an intensive system, HiD combined with the fungicide, was +24% for methane and +21% for grain yield compared to StD without fungicide application. This work proved that an intensive high planting system with up to 10 plants m–2, supported by leaf fungicide treatments, can lead to a real yield enhancement of both maize grain and silage.


1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. AULAKH ◽  
D. A. RENNIE ◽  
E. A. PAUL

A 2-yr field study was carried out to assess gaseous losses of N as N2O + N2 from two Black Chernozemic soils, where during year 1 wheat was underseeded to clover and in year 2, the clover in late June was (a) green-manured and the field fallowed, (b) harvested for hay and then fallowed, or (c) harvested for hay and allowed to regrow. Gaseous losses during year 1 were small and ranged from 1.3 kg N∙ha−1 (Blaine Lake clay loam) to 4.7 kg N∙ha−1 (Hoey clay loam). Gaseous losses were somewhat higher during the second year, but differences between the various clover management practices were generally small. The contribution of lower soil horizons towards gaseous nitrogen losses were shown to be negligible. Soil moisture, mean air temperature, nitrate + nitrite, and ammonia N concentrations collectively accounted for 37–66% of the variations in N2O fluxes. It is concluded that incorporation of clover followed by a partial fallow results in substantially less gaseous loss of nitrogen than the standard summerfallowing practice, and at the same time significantly increases mineral nitrogen accumulation in the soil. Key words: Acetylene inhibition technique, denitrification, nitrification, mineralization, green manuring


Food Security ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1269-1282
Author(s):  
Charles Bucagu ◽  
Alain Ndoli ◽  
Athanase R. Cyamweshi ◽  
Leon N. Nabahungu ◽  
Athanase Mukuralinda ◽  
...  

AbstractSmallholder maize growers are experiencing significant yield gaps due to sub-optimal agricultural practices. Adequate agricultural inputs, particularly nutrient amendments and best management practices, are essential to reverse this trend. There is a need to understand the cause of variations in maize yield, provide reliable early estimates of yields, and make necessary recommendations for fertilizer applications. Maize yield prediction and estimates of yield gaps using objective and spatial analytical tools could provide accurate and objective information that underpin decision support. A study was conducted in Rwanda at Nyakiliba sector and Gashora sector located in Birunga and Central Bugesera agro-ecological zones, with the objectives of (1) determining factors influencing maize yield, (2) predicting maize yield (using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) approach), and (3) assessing the maize yield gaps and the impact on food security. Maize grain yield was significantly higher at Nyakiliba (1.74 t ha−1) than at Gashora (0.6 t ha−1). NDVI values correlated positively with maize grain yield at both sites (R2 = 0.50 to 0.65) and soil fertility indicators (R2 = 0.55 to 0.70). Maize yield was highest at 40 kg P ha−1 and response to N fertilizer was adequately simulated at Nyakiliba (R2 = 0.85, maximum yield 3.3 t ha−1). Yield gap was 4.6 t ha−1 in Nyakiliba and 5.1 t ha−1 in Gashora. Soil variables were more important determinants of social class than family size. Knowledge that low nutrient inputs are a major cause of yield gaps in Rwanda should prioritize increasing the rate of fertilizer use in these agricultural systems.


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