Long‐Term Durum Wheat‐Based Cropping Systems Result in the Rapid Saturation of Soil Carbon in the Mediterranean Semi‐arid Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 612-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Novara ◽  
Ignazio Poma ◽  
Mauro Sarno ◽  
Giacomo Venezia ◽  
Luciano Gristina
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Semi Arid

Accumulation of soil carbon under zero tillage cropping and perennial vegetation on the Liverpool Plains, eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Young ◽  
B. Wilson ◽  
S. Harden ◽  
A. Bernardi
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Perennial Vegetation ◽  
Semi Arid

Australian agriculture contributes an estimated 16% of all national greenhouse gas emissions, and considerable attention is now focused on management approaches that reduce net emissions. One area of potential is the modification of cropping practices to increase soil carbon storage. Here, we report short–medium term changes in soil carbon under zero tillage cropping systems and perennial vegetation, both in a replicated field experiment and on nearby farmers’ paddocks, on carbon-depleted Black Vertosols in the upper Liverpool Plains catchment. Soil organic carbon stocks (CS) remained unchanged under both zero tillage long fallow wheat–sorghum rotations and zero tillage continuous winter cereal in a replicated field experiment from 1994 to 2000. There was some evidence of accumulation of CS under intensive (>1 crop/year) zero tillage response cropping. There was significant accumulation of CS (~0.35 Mg/ha.year) under 3 types of perennial pasture, despite removal of aerial biomass with each harvest. Significant accumulation was detected in the 0–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m depth increments under lucerne and the top 2 increments under mixed pastures of lucerne and phalaris and of C3 and C4 perennial grasses. Average annual rainfall for the period of observations was 772 mm, greater than the 40-year average of 680 mm. A comparison of major attributes of cropping systems and perennial pastures showed no association between aerial biomass production and accumulation rates of CS but a positive correlation between the residence times of established plants and accumulation rates of CS. CS also remained unchanged (1998/2000–07) under zero tillage cropping on nearby farms, irrespective of paddock history before 1998/2000 (zero tillage cropping, traditional cropping, or ~10 years of sown perennial pasture). These results are consistent with previous work in Queensland and central western New South Wales suggesting that the climate (warm, semi-arid temperate, semi-arid subtropical) of much of the inland cropping country in eastern Australia is not conducive to accumulation of soil carbon under continuous cropping, although they do suggest that CS may accumulate under several years of healthy perennial pastures in rotation with zero tillage cropping.

scholarly journals Effect of Tillage, Previous Crop, and N Fertilization on Agronomic and Economic Performances of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) under Rainfed Semi-Arid Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1161
Author(s):  
Amir Souissi ◽  
Haithem Bahri ◽  
Hatem Cheikh M’hamed ◽  
Mohamed Chakroun ◽  
Salah Benyoussef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Previous Crop ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
N Use ◽  
Semi Arid

The implementation of conservation agriculture (CA) remains crucial for facing interannual variability in climatic conditions that impact durum wheat production and food security. The current work was conducted to assess the effects of the tillage practice, previous crop, and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate on the agronomic and economic performances of rainfed durum wheat in a semi-arid environment in Tunisia. Tillage practices included no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Preceding crops were either a common vetch or a bread wheat. The N rates applied were: 0, 75, 100, 120, and 140 kg N ha−1. Our results show that, based on a 2-year experiment, tillage practices are not affecting grain yield, grain N, and gross margins. However, the N-use efficiency of durum wheat was significantly higher when wheat was grown using NT. Grain yield and N content in grain were 340 kg ha−1 and 0.34%; much higher after vetch than after bread wheat. For both tillage practices, the merit of 75 kg N ha−1 is paramount to maximize yield through a more efficient use of available N. Our results highlight the importance of no-tillage-based CA combined with rotation, including vetch, on enhanced yields, N-use efficiency, and gross margins. These findings provide the evidence of the positive impact of CA for rainfed durum wheat under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions.

Long term effects of tillage practices and N fertilization in rainfed Mediterranean cropping systems: durum wheat, sunflower and maize grain yield

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 166-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Seddaiu ◽  
Ileana Iocola ◽  
Roberta Farina ◽  
Roberto Orsini ◽  
Giuseppe Iezzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Maize Grain Yield ◽  
Maize Grain

Modeling long-term soil carbon dynamics and sequestration potential in semi-arid agro-ecosystems

2011 ◽  
Vol 151 (12) ◽  
pp. 1529-1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongkui Luo ◽  
Enli Wang ◽  
Osbert J. Sun ◽  
Chris J. Smith ◽  
Mervyn E. Probert
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Soil Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Sequestration Potential ◽  
Semi Arid

Does long-term center-pivot irrigation increase soil carbon stocks in semi-arid agro-ecosystems?

Geoderma ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 145 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Denef ◽  
C.E. Stewart ◽  
J. Brenner ◽  
K. Paustian
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Center Pivot ◽  
Soil Carbon Stocks ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Long Term Hydrodynamic Effects in a Semi-Arid Mediterranean Multilayer Aquifer: Campo de Cartagena in South-Eastern Spain

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Domingo-Pinillos ◽  
Javier Senent-Aparicio ◽  
José García-Aróstegui ◽  
Paul Baudron
Keyword(s):  
Arid Environment ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Arid Environments ◽  
Aquifer System ◽  
Intensive Exploitation ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effects ◽  
Flow Transfer ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Campo De Cartagena

The Mediterranean basin contains many semi-arid environments where aquifers are subject to intensive exploitation, generally to meet irrigation demands. The Campo de Cartagena aquifer is a clear example from such a semi-arid environment, and its hydrodynamic effects have aroused great scientific interest. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the hydrodynamic effects that have occurred in the last century of anthropogenic activity in this aquifer system. This aquifer is subject to intensive exploitation and shows clear deficits in times of drought, with recharge by irrigation playing an important role. This study’s methodology includes groundwater modelling to reconstruct the transient evolution of the aquifer system during the last century, to generate water balances and to illustrate how the evolution of irrigation has, in many ways, changed the aquifer’s groundwater flow pattern. The results delineate the hydraulic communication of the aquifer stratums through specific geological structures, as well as the flow transfer from the Quaternary layer to the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea. The reconstruction of the entire system’s temporal evolution shows a fragile water balance that is supported by surface-water contributions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document