scholarly journals Effects of Biochar and Farm Yard Manure on Soil Properties and Crop Growth in an Agroforestry System in the Himalaya

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak K. Gautam ◽  
Roshan M. Bajracharya ◽  
Bishal K. Sitaula
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Farm Yard Manure ◽  
Coffee Agroforestry ◽  
Positive Effects

Many parts of South Asia are facing agricultural land degradation and reduced productivity while the population continues to grow and demand for food is ever-increasing. This paper presents the results of research specifically focused on application of biochar and Farm Yard Manure (FYM) at 5t/ha and 20t/ha, respectively as an amendment on degraded soil in a coffee agroforestry system of the mid-hills in the Nepal Himalaya. The study showed that there were significant (P<0.05) positive effects on soil chemical properties, crop growth (height) and crop productivity. In particular, the soil pH and SOM increased significantly, while other soil properties were not significantly improved. Also, plant growth increased dramatically with application of biochar, however, crop yields showed only slight increases. It is suggested that biochar applied at low rates along with FYM generally has immediate positive effects on the vegetative growth of plants, however, soil properties and overall crop yields may take a longer time to show improvement.

scholarly journals Effect of Tillage Practices on Soil Properties and Crop Productivity in Wheat-Mungbean-Rice Cropping System under Subtropical Climatic Conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Khairul Alam ◽  
Md. Monirul Islam ◽  
Nazmus Salahin ◽  
Mirza Hasanuzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Total N ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Positive Effects

This study was conducted to know cropping cycles required to improve OM status in soil and to investigate the effects of medium-term tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields in Grey Terrace soil of Bangladesh under wheat-mungbean-T.amancropping system. Four different tillage practices, namely, zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT), conventional tillage (CT), and deep tillage (DT), were studied in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with four replications. Tillage practices showed positive effects on soil properties and crop yields. After four cropping cycles, the highest OM accumulation, the maximum root mass density (0–15 cm soil depth), and the improved physical and chemical properties were recorded in the conservational tillage practices. Bulk and particle densities were decreased due to tillage practices, having the highest reduction of these properties and the highest increase of porosity and field capacity in zero tillage. The highest total N, P, K, and S in their available forms were recorded in zero tillage. All tillage practices showed similar yield after four years of cropping cycles. Therefore, we conclude that zero tillage with 20% residue retention was found to be suitable for soil health and achieving optimum yield under the cropping system in Grey Terrace soil (Aeric Albaquept).

Influence of conservation tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields for maize and wheat cultivation in Beijing, China

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xirui Zhang ◽  
Hongwen Li ◽  
Jin He ◽  
Qingjie Wang ◽  
Mohammad H. Golabi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Available N ◽  
Beijing Area

Conservation tillage is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers because it involves lower production costs than does conventional tillage. The long-term effects of sub-soiling tillage (ST), no tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties and crop yields were investigated over an 8-year period (2000–07). The study was conducted in a 2-crop-a-year region (Daxing) and a 1-crop-a-year region (Changping) of the Beijing area in China. At 0–0.30 m soil depth, water stability of macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) was much greater for ST (22.1%) and NT (12.0%) than for CT in Daxing, and the improvements in Changping were 18.9% and 9.5%, respectively. ST and NT significantly (P < 0.05) improved aeration porosity by 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively, at Daxing and by 17.0% and 8.6% at Changping compared with CT treatment. Soil bulk density after 8 years was 0.8–1.5% lower in ST and NT treatments than in CT at both sites. Soil organic matter and available N and P followed the same order ST ≈ NT > CT at both sites. Consequently, crop yields in ST and NT plots were higher than in CT plots due to improved soil physical and chemical properties. Within the conservation tillage treatments, despite similar economic benefit, the effects on crop yields for ST were better than for NT. Mean (2000–07) crop yields for ST were 0.2% and 1.5% higher than for NT at Daxing and Changping, respectively. We therefore conclude that ST is the most suitable conservation tillage practice for annual 2-crop-a-year and 1-crop-a-year regions in the Beijing area.

Fertility Status of Selected Agricultural Soils Along Major Roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma Areas of Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Onwuka ◽  
J. M. Nwaedozie ◽  
E. H. Kwon – Dung ◽  
P. T. Terna
Keyword(s):  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
High Rate

Soil nutrient status determines its crop productivity and provide basis for appropriate soil management. The soil samples which spread across the agricultural farms along major roads in Nasarawa Eggon and Doma areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria; were analyzed for both physical and chemical properties. Most of the studied Nasarawa Eggon and Doma soils were extremely acidic. Textural class showed high sand content (>80) of the investigated soils, indicating possible high rate of water infiltration in these soils which will lead to their low water holding capacity. The organic carbon (OC) contents in both locations, were rated high as it varied from 1.50 to 1.85 %, whereas total nitrogen (TN) levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.21 % in the studied soils. The levels of available P, Ca, K and Mg were inadequate for satisfactory plant growth, considering their respective critical level established for Nigerian soils. Mineral analysis showed the presence of essential elements such as S, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mo and Zn. Beneficial/functional elements such as Ti, V, Rb and Sr, were found in significant quantities in the investigated soils of both studied areas. Thus, Potential K and Ca deficiency could be greatly compensated by Rb and Sr uptake. The quantities of non – beneficial elements such as Sn, Sb, Te, Cs, Ba and Sc were significant in soils from Nasarawa Eggon but were insignificant in Doma soils. Thus, this study revealed that nutrient content of the soil differs from the nutrient availability for plant uptake and the fertility of investigated soils in both locations depended on the soil pH and textural class. Also, the conditions of the soils at both studied locations, are unfavourable for plant uptake of certain important nutrients and could lead to low crop yields if there is no effective nutrient and soil management.

scholarly journals Crop response to soils amended with biochar: expected benefits and unintended risks

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghunath Subedi ◽  
Chiara Bertora ◽  
Laura Zavattaro ◽  
Carlo Grignani
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Positive Effects

Biochar (BC) from biomass waste pyrolysis has been widely studied due to its ability to increase carbon (C) sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enhance both crop growth and soil quality. This review summarizes the current knowledge of BC production, characterization, and types, with a focus on its positive effects on crop yield and soil properties versus the unintended risks associated with these effects. Biochar-amended soils enhance crop growth and yield via several mechanisms: expanded plant nutrient and water availability through increased use efficiencies, improved soil quality, and suppression of soil and plant diseases. Yield response to BC has been shown to be more evident in acidic and sandy soils than in alkaline and fine-textured soils. Biochar composition and properties vary considerably with feedstock and pyrolysis conditions so much that its concentrations of toxic compounds and heavy metals can negatively impact crop and soil health. Consequently, more small-scale and greenhouse-sited studies are in process to investigate the role of BC/soil/crop types on crop growth, and the mechanisms by which they influence crop yield. Similarly, a need exists for long-term, field-scale studies on the effects (beneficial and harmful) of BC amendment on soil health and crop yields, so that production guidelines and quality standards may be developed for BCs derived from a range of feedstocks.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal variability of crop yield and some Rhodic Hapludox properties under no-tillage

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo Guedes Filho ◽  
Sidney Rosa Vieira ◽  
Márcio Koiti Chiba ◽  
César Hideo Nagumo ◽  
Sônia Carmela Falci Dechen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
No Tillage

Soil properties are closely related with crop production and spite of the measures implemented, spatial variation has been repeatedly observed and described. Identifying and describing spatial variations of soil properties and their effects on crop yield can be a powerful decision-making tool in specific land management systems. The objective of this research was to characterize the spatial and temporal variations in crop yield and chemical and physical properties of a Rhodic Hapludox soil under no-tillage. The studied area of 3.42 ha had been cultivated since 1985 under no-tillage crop rotation in summer and winter. Yield and soil property were sampled in a regular 10 x 10 m grid, with 302 sample points. Yields of several crops were analyzed (soybean, maize, triticale, hyacinth bean and castor bean) as well as soil chemical (pH, Soil Organic Matter (SOM), P, Ca2+, Mg2+, H + Al, B, Fe, Mn, Zn, CEC, sum of bases (SB), and base saturation (V %)) and soil physical properties (saturated hydraulic conductivity, texture, density, total porosity, and mechanical penetration resistance). Data were analyzed using geostatistical analysis procedures and maps based on interpolation by kriging. Great variation in crop yields was observed in the years evaluated. The yield values in the Northern region of the study area were high in some years. Crop yields and some physical and soil chemical properties were spatially correlated.

scholarly journals HUBUNGAN KESUBURAN TANAH DENGAN PRODUKTIVITAS TANAMAN

Jurnal Solum ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Asmar Asmar ◽  
Amrizal Saidi ◽  
Masliyunas Masliyunas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Organic C

A research about relationship between soil properties and crop yield was conducted in Pandai Sikek, Tanah Datar Region, center for cabbage and carrot production, West Sumatra in 2004 and 2005.  Soil samples were collected from rainfed paddy soils by purposive random sampling.  Soil samples were analyzed in Soil Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty and Agriculture Polytechnique Laboratory, Andalas University.  Several soil physical properties analysed were soil bulk density and total soil pores by using gravimetric method, permeability with de Boodt method, soil water content at several pF values using pressure plate apparatus, and soil strength by using penetrometer.   Soil chemical parameters analysed were soil pH using pH-meter, organic-C using Walkley and Black, available P using Bray II, and cation exchange capacity using NH4-leaching at pH 7.0, and N-total using Kjehdhal method.  Crop productions were sampled from a 3x3 m2 of soil sampling area.  The result showed that soils planted by cabbage and carrot had good soil physical properties, such as having balanced pore size distribution.  The chemical properties of the soils were good as well, except N, K- and Ca-exchangeable which were very low.  The other soil properties were quite good.  Soil physical properties gave different response on both crops.  Carrots were more response aeration pore and soil organic matter content, then cabbage was more response on BV, TSP, and slow drainage pores.  While soil chemical properties did not give significant response.  Both crops responded on Ca, but cabbage was more response on N-total, and carrot on CEC and saturated cationKey Words: Soil Physical Properties, Soil Fertility, Crop Productivity

scholarly journals Disentangling the Association of Corn Root Mycobiome With Plant Productivity and the Importance of Soil Physicochemical Balance in Shaping Their Relationship

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saveetha Kandasamy ◽  
Nimalka Weerasuriya ◽  
Geetha Subramanian ◽  
R. Greg Thorn ◽  
Greg Patterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Plant Productivity ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Fungal Abundance ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Soil bacteria and fungi are integral parts of healthy ecosystem functioning in production agriculture. The effects of fungal abundance and diversity on crop productivity is poorly understood. We sampled 10 corn farms at the V10 growth stage across southwestern Ontario, Canada, using aerial infrared imaging to identify zones of low and high productive corn plants. Roots and soils were sampled from low and high yield zones and soil physical and chemical properties were measured in conjunction with assessment of the root mycobiome communities using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 4 rRNA amplicons. Higher crop yields were associated with sites having greater fungal phylogenetic diversity and Fisher's α diversity. Indicator species associated with high and low yield sites within a farm could be identified but there were no shared fungal indicators of productivity differences across farms. Communities largely varied across locations despite crop genetics, demonstrating a major influence of soil texture and chemistry in shaping the mycobiome in a site-specific manner. Across all 4 primers, roots from high-yielding sites shared 35 major OTUs including Penicillium spp., Trichoderma, Chalara fungorum, and Gibellulopsis. Low-yielding sites shared 31 OTUs including Fusarium spp., Pythium, Setophoma terrestris, and Neonectria. Soil physical and chemical parameters that contributed to broad scale differences in yield and mycobiome diversity included: %clay, %sand, %phosphorus saturation, cation exchange capacity, aluminum, pH, iron, potassium, %moisture, organic matter, and chlorine. The results show the importance of physicochemical balance in shaping the relationship between root mycobiome and plant productivity.

Spatial distribution of cereal yields related to the application of soil-improving cropping systems (SICS)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Lipiec ◽  
Boguslaw Usowicz
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Classical Statistics ◽  
Normal Rainfall ◽  
Cereal Yields

&lt;p&gt;Research indicates that spatial differentiation of crop yields and soil properties are largely influenced by agricultural practices and the nature of the soil itself. The aim of this study was to examine the spatial relationship between cereal (wheat and oats ) yields and soil properties related to the application of soil-improving cropping systems (SICS). Four-year experiment (2017-2020) was carried out on low productive sandy soil with application of following SICS: S1 &amp;#8211; control; S2 &amp;#8211; liming; S3 &amp;#8211; green manure/cover crops including lupine, phacelia, serradella; S4 &amp;#8211; manure and S5 &amp;#8211; manure, liming and cover crops together. Effect of the SICS was evaluated using classical statistics, Bland-Altman analysis and geostatistical methods. Mathematical functions, fitted to the experimental cross- and semivariograms were used for mapping the yields (grain and straw) by ordinary cokriging. The grain yields in years with normal rainfall increased by 2% for S2, 10% for S3, 46% for S4, 47% for S5 compared to control (S1) 2789 kg/ha and in dry years were lower (respectively for S2-S5 by 16.3, 10.6, 2.8, 9.9% compared to control 1567 kg/ha. The range of spatial dependence for the yields in direct semi-variograms varied was 50&amp;#8211;100 m and &gt; 100 m in cross-semivariograms using textural fractions as secondary variables. The spatial relationships were stronger between yield and soil texture and properties were much stronger with texture and cation exchange capacity than with pH and organic carbon content. Using cokriging for interpolation (mapping) allowed the delineation of zones of lower and higher cereal yields including areas of the SICS application. Higher cereal yield and lower spatial variability in the areas of SICS compared to control soil were observed in the years with normal rainfall. Analysis of the Bland-Altman including limits of agreement enabled to quantify the effect of particular SICS on cereal yield vs. control reference. Different effect of particular SICS on the cereal yield was observed in the years with scarce and good rainfall amount and distribution during growing season. The greatest variation of the cereal yield was observed in manure amended soil (S4) and it was lower and similar in the areas of remaining SICS (S2-S5). The results will help to to select most effective SICS for localized improving crop productivity and adaptation to global warming.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Acknowledgements.The study was funded by HORIZON 2020, European Commission, Programme H2020-SFS-2015-2: SoilCare for profitable and sustainable crop production in Europe, project No. 677407 (SoilCare, 2016-2021).&lt;/p&gt;

URINE EFFECTS ON SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND THE IMPACT OF URINE AND DUNG ON PEARL MILLET YIELD

1998 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. POWELL ◽  
F. N. IKPE ◽  
Z. C. SOMDA ◽  
S. FERNÁNDEZ-RIVERA
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Cattle Dung ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Most farming systems in semi-arid West Africa rely on organic matter recycling for maintaining soil fertility. The cycling of biomass through ruminant livestock into dung (faeces) and urine that fertilize the soil has long been an important factor in t he nutrient cycling processes of these integrated, mixed crop/livestock systems. While dung greatly improves soil properties and crop yields, little is known about the effects of urine on soil chemical properties and the impact of dung and urine on crop p roduction. An average voiding of sheep urine applied to a sandy, siliceous soil in the Republic of Niger increased soil pH, available phosphorus and ammonium levels dramatically in the upper 10–15 cm of soil, especially during the first week following application. Losses of applied urine nitrogen via volatilization were in the order of 30–50%. A four-year field trial was conducted on the same soil type to evaluate the effects on pearl millet and weed yields of corralling cattle o r sheep overnight on cropland (dung plus urine application) for one, two or three nights, every one, two or three years versus the effects of applying only dung at the same application rates and intervals achieved with corralling. The main results of this field trial were that (1) urine had large positive effects on millet grain, threshed panicle, leaf, stem and weed yields, (2) sheep dung was more effective than cattle dung in increasing yield, (3) two nights of dung application was adequate for maximum yield and (4) the positive effects of dung and urine on yield lasted two to three cropping seasons after application.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document