Modeling soil nutrient limitations to crop production in semiarid NE of Brazil with a modified EPIC version

2004 ◽  
Vol 178 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 441-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inácio de Barros ◽  
Jimmy R. Williams ◽  
Thomas Gaiser
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Limitations

Modeling soil nutrient limitations to crop production in semiarid NE of Brazil with a modified EPIC version

2005 ◽  
Vol 181 (4) ◽  
pp. 567-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inácio de Barros ◽  
Jimmy R. Williams ◽  
Thomas Gaiser
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Limitations

scholarly journals Toward Zero Hunger Through Coupled Ecological Sanitation-Agriculture Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Ryals ◽  
Elena Bischak ◽  
Katherine K. Porterfield ◽  
Steven Heisey ◽  
Julie Jeliazovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Ecological Sanitation ◽  
Organic Nutrient ◽  
Human Excreta ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Zero Hunger ◽  
Nutrient Resources

Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) systems capture and sanitize human excreta and generate organic nutrient resources that can support more sustainable nutrient management in agricultural ecosystems. An emerging EcoSan system that is implemented in Haiti and several other contexts globally couples container-based household toilets with aerobic, thermophilic composting. This closed loop sanitation system generates organic nutrient resources that can be used as part of an ecological approach to soil nutrient management and thus has the potential to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation for all), and 13 (climate change solutions). However, the role of organic nutrient resources derived from human excreta in food production is poorly studied. We conducted a greenhouse experiment comparing the impact of feces-derived compost on crop production, soil nutrient cycling, and nutrient losses with two amendments produced from wastewater treatment (pelletized biosolids and biofertilizer), urea, and an unfertilized control. Excreta-derived amendments increased crop yields 2.5 times more than urea, but had differing carry-over effects. After a one-time application of compost, crop production remained elevated throughout all six crop cycles. In contrast, the carry-over of crop response lasted two and four crop cycles for biosolids and biofertilizer, respectively, and was absent for urea. Soil carbon concentration in the compost amended soils increased linearly through time from 2.0 to 2.5%, an effect not seen with other treatments. Soil nitrous oxide emissions factors ranged from 0.3% (compost) to 4.6% (biosolids), while nitrogen leaching losses were lowest for biosolids and highest for urea. These results indicate that excreta-derived compost provides plant available nutrients, while improving soil health through the addition of soil organic carbon. It also improved biogeochemical functions, indicating the potential of excreta-derived compost to close nutrient loops if implemented at larger scales. If captured and safely treated through EcoSan, human feces produced in Haiti can meet up to 13, 22, and 11% of major crop needs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively.

scholarly journals Influence of Cover Crop, Tillage, and Crop Rotation Management on Soil Nutrients

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel I. Haruna ◽  
Nsalambi V. Nkongolo
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
N Availability ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Long Term Effects

Cover cropping, tillage and crop rotation management can influence soil nutrient availability and crop yield through changes in soil physical, chemical and biological processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of three years of cover crop, tillage, and crop rotation on selected soil nutrients. Twenty-four plots each of corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) were established on a 4.05 ha field and arranged in a three-factor factorial design. The three factors (treatments) were two methods of tillage (no-tillage (NT) vs. moldboard plow [conventional] tillage (CT)), two types of cover crop (no cover crop (NC) vs. cover crop (CC)) and four typess of rotation (continuous corn, continuous soybean, corn/soybean and soybean/corn). Soil samples were taken each year at four different depths in each plot; 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm, and analyzed for soil nutrients: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (NO3 and NH4), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu). The results in the first year showed that CT increased NO3-N availability by 40% compared with NT. In the second year, NH4-N was 8% lower under CC compared with NC management. In the third year, P was 12% greater under CC management compared with NC management. Thus, CC can enhance crop production systems by increasing P availability and scavenging excess NH4-N from the soil, but longer-term studies are needed to evaluate long-term effects.

scholarly journals Impact of Cover Crops on the Soil Microbiome of Tree Crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa ◽  
Sarah L. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Tree Crops

Increased concerns associated with interactions between herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, soil nutrient availability, and plant phytotoxicity in perennial tree crop production systems have renewed interest in the use of cover crops in the inter-row middles or between trees as an alternative sustainable management strategy for these systems. Although interactions between the soil microbiome and cover crops have been examined for annual cropping systems, there are critical differences in management and growth in perennial cropping systems that can influence the soil microbiome and, therefore, the response to cover crops. Here, we discuss the importance of cover crops in tree cropping systems using multispecies cover crop mixtures and minimum tillage and no-tillage to not only enhance the soil microbiome but also carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling compared to monocropping, conventional tillage, and inorganic fertilization. We also identify potentially important taxa and research gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate assessments of the relationships between cover crops, soil microbes, and the health of tree crops. Additional evaluations of the interactions between the soil microbiome, cover crops, nutrient cycling, and tree performance will allow for more effective and sustainable management of perennial cropping systems.

The Brigalow Catchment Study: III. Productivity changes on brigalow land cleared for long-term cropping and for grazing

Soil Research ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 512 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Radford ◽  
C. M. Thornton ◽  
B. A. Cowie ◽  
M. L. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Grain Protein Content ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Productivity Decline

Productivity of grain crops and grazed pastures inevitably declines without soil nutrient replacement and may eventually make these enterprises unprofitable. We monitored these declines in north-eastern Australia during 23 years after clearing 2 of 3 adjacent brigalow catchments, in order to define the productivity levels of developed brigalow land over time. One catchment (11.7 ha) was used for grain production and another (12.7 ha) for beef production from a sown buffel grass pasture. There was no upward or downward trend in annual rainfall amounts throughout the study period. In the cropped catchment, grain yield from 14 winter crops without added nutrients declined significantly in 20 years from 2.9 to 1.1 t/ha.year on the upper-slope clay soil (92 kg/ha.year) and from 2.4 to 0.6 t/ha.year on the Sodosol (88 kg/ha.year). Crop production per year declined by 20% between 2 successive 10-year periods. Wheat grain protein content also declined with time, falling below the critical value for adequate soil N supply (11.5%) 12 years after clearing on the Sodosol and 16 years after clearing on the clay soil. Such declines in grain quantity and quality without applied fertiliser reduce profitability. The initial pasture dry matter on offer of 8 t/ha had halved 3 years after clearing, and a decline in cattle liveweight gain of 4 kg/ha.year was observed over an 8-year period with constant stocking of 0.59 head/ha. Due to fluctuating stocking rate levels of 0.3–0.7 head/ha over the trial period, liveweight productivity trends are attributed to the multiple effects of stocking rate changes and fertility decline. The amount of nitrogen exported from the cleared catchments was 36.1 kg/ha.year in grain but only 1.6 kg/ha.year in cattle (as liveweight gain). Total soil N at 0–0.3 m declined by 84 kg/ha.year under cropping but there was no significant decline under grazing. The soil nutrients removed during grain and beef production need to be replaced in order to avert productivity decline post-clearing.

Sludge characterization at Kadahokwa water treatment plant, Rwanda

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 848-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Uwimana ◽  
I. Nhapi ◽  
U. G. Wali ◽  
Z. Hoko ◽  
J. Kashaigili
Keyword(s):  
Water Treatment ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Dried Sludge

A study was carried out to characterize the sludge produced at Kadahokwa Water Treatment Plant (KWTP) in Butare to assess the effectiveness of the sludge treatment and potential impacts of sludge disposal on the environment. Parameters analyzed were chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, aluminium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, potassium and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results showed that 450±244.5 tons (dry weight) of sludge are produced annually. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sludge were below the standard limits for land application set by different countries. The high concentrations of nickel (42.3±2.5 ppm), chromium (29.9±6.2 ppm), cadmium (1.1±0.3 ppm) and lead (31.6±3.7 ppm) in the dried sludge posed a pollution risk for the wetland. The CEC was 28.4–33.3 cmol (+)/kg and pH was 6.50–7.45. It was concluded that the KWTP sludge is a poor source of total carbon, a moderate source of nutrients (NPK), and an important source of micronutrients, making it generally suitable for reuse for crop production. The CEC showed that the sludge could improve soil nutrient and water holding capacity. The higher concentration of aluminium (280 ppm) in the sludge creates an opportunity for recycling.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1349
Author(s):  
John Havlin ◽  
Ron Heiniger
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

Increasing crop productivity per unit of land area to meet future food and fiber demand increases both soil nutrient removal and the importance of replenishing soil fertility through efficient nutrient management practices. Significant progress in enhancing nutrient-use efficiency in production agriculture requires improved estimates of plant-available nutrients in the root zone, enhanced crop response to applied nutrients, and reduced offsite nutrient transport. This special issue, Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production, presents 15 manuscripts that advance our knowledge of interrelated soil, plant, and management factors important to increasing the nutrient availability and crop recovery of applied nutrients.

Effect of Drought and Recovery on Grazing Animal, Microbial, and Fungal Response in a Diverse Multi-Crop Rotation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Landblom ◽  
Songul Senturklu
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Animal Grazing

<p>Beef cattle grazing, soil microbial respiration, and Rhizobia spp. populations serve important roles in soil nutrient cycling and during periods of drought, when abnormal precipitation declines, forage production for animal grazing and performance are negatively impacted. Soil nutrient availability is essential for adequate crop production and extended drought reduces soil microbial activity and therefore nutrient cycling. During the 2017 growing season between April and October in the northern Great Plains region of the USA, effective precipitation for crop production and animal grazing was severely reduced due an exceptional drought as classified by the US Drought Monitor. At the NDSU – Dickinson Research Extension Center, Dickinson, North Dakota, USA, a long-term integrated system that includes yearling steer grazing within a diverse multi-crop rotation (spring wheat, cover crop, corn, pea-barley intercrop, and sunflower). Within the rotation of cash and forage crops, beef cattle graze the pea-barley, corn, and cover crop (13-specie) within the rotation and is being utilized to monitor the effects of animal, microbial and fungal activity over time and space in the crop and animal production system. Nitrogen fertilizer has been replaced in the system by soil microbial and fungal activity (Potential Mineralizable Nitrogen: 8.4 mg N/kg) such that for each 1% increase in SOM there is a corresponding increase of 18.8 kg of potential nitrogen mineralized per ha. Animal grazing days are severely reduced when precipitation is inadequate for soil microbial respiration to occur. What is even more concerning, when relying on microbial activity to supply plant nutrients, is recovery time for microbial activity to fully recover from exceptional drought as was the case in this research project. Compared to the 2016 crop production year that preceded the 2017 drought, cover crop (13-specie), pea-barley, and corn yields were reduced 86, 33, and 64% during the 2017 drought. This decline in crop production reduced the number of days of grazing by an average 50% and average daily gains were also reduced. Steer average daily gains were 1.05 0.95, and 0.83 kg/steer/day in 2017 when grazing pea-barley, corn, and cover crop, respectively. For this research that relies on soil derived plant nutrients soil analysis for microbial and Rhizobia spp. biomass began recovery in 2018 and continued into 2019 as evidenced by large percentage increases in organism biomass; however, complete production recovery did not occur by the end of the 2019 grazing season in which days of grazing were reduced compared to the 2016 grazing season. Biological animal, crop, microbial, fungal, and nutrient replacement recovery will be presented in the poster.</p>

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