scholarly journals Pasture yield and soil physical property responses to soil compaction from treading and grazing—a review

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Drewry ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
G. D. Buchan

This paper reviews animal treading and the associated effects on soil physical properties and pasture productivity from treading-induced soil compaction and pugging. Response curve relationships between soil physical properties (e.g. macroporosity, air-filled porosity, bulk density) and pasture and crop yield are reviewed. Optimum soil macroporosity for maximum pasture and crop yield ranges from 6 to 17% v/v, but there is a paucity of yield response curves for pastoral systems, particularly critical or optimum values of soil physical properties. There is little information available on the effects of cattle treading on soil physical properties and consequently pasture yield in seasons when soil pugging and poaching is minimised. Such information is needed to provide practical and rigorously tested decision support tools for land managers during grazing seasons. Knowledge of yield response curves, and critical or optimum values of soil physical properties for field pasture-based grazing systems, is required for improved farm-system production and economic decision support.

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Caron ◽  
Simon Bonin ◽  
Steeve Pepin ◽  
Leroy Kummer ◽  
Clay Vanderleest ◽  
...  

Cranberry production requires accurate irrigation management to optimize crop yield and reduce water use. However, irrigation guidelines for that crop are scarce and empirical. The objective of this study was to identify appropriate soil matric potential (ψ) irrigation set points for cranberry production. A three-step process was used to evaluate the set points. Crop water requirements were first evaluated in the field and, second, combined to soil physical properties with a hydrological model to estimate irrigation set points. Third, experimental measurements were carried out in a growth cabinet and in the field to validate the set point estimates from independent observations. Irrigation set point estimates obtained from yield response curves, photosynthesis and transpiration measurements, and soil physical properties were all consistent and suggest that soil matric potential be maintained between −4.0 and −7.0 kPa to ensure an adequate water supply to the crop and optimal fruit yield. Yield responses suggest that cranberries are highly sensitive to small changes in soil matric potential, showing differences of about 20 000 kg ha−1 when outside of the −4.0 to −7.0 range, with a maximum yield between 35 000 and 40 000 kg ha−1, depending on the site.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Laub ◽  
Lisa Pataczek ◽  
Arndt Feuerbacher ◽  
Sabine Zikeli ◽  
Petra Högy

Abstract Despite the large body of research studying crop growth parameters, there is still a lack of systematic assessments on how harvestable yields of different crop types respond to varying levels of shading. However, with the advent of agrivoltaic (AV) systems, a technology that combines energy and food production, and the new focus on agroforestry (AF), shade tolerance is becoming an important parameter for crop production systems. To address this research gap, a meta-analysis with data from two experimental approaches (intercropping and artificial shading with cloths, nets or solar panels) was performed to quantitatively assess the susceptibility of different temperate crop types to increasing levels of shading. Crop type specific yield response curves were estimated as a function of reduction in solar radiation (RSR), by estimating relative crop yields compared to the unshaded controls. Only studies that reported RSR and crop yield per area in temperate and subtropical areas were included. Using a random slope effect for each study, the specific variance components were accounted for. The results suggested a nonlinear relationship between achieved crop yields and RSR for all crop types. Most crops tolerate RSR up to 15%, showing a less than proportionate yield decline. However, significant differences between the response curves of different crop types existed: Berries, fruits and fruity vegetables benefited from shading up to RSR of 30%. Forages, leafy vegetables, tubers/root crops and C3 cereals showed initially less than proportionate crop yield loss. In contrast, maize and grain legumes experienced strong crop yield losses even at low RSR levels. The results provide first indicators for differences in crop type suitability to shading, and thus for AV and AF systems. Detailed yield response curves, as provided in this study, are valuable tools to optimize the output of annual crop components in AV and AF systems.


1983 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1589-1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry Male ◽  
Eric Preston ◽  
Grady Neely

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 750-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Donnelly ◽  
John B. Shane

Soil and vegetation responses to artificially imposed surface compaction and the effects of bark mulch on these responses were monitored for a 5-year period within a Quercusalba L. – Quercusvelutina Lam. – Quercusrubra L. forest growing on a loamy sand in northwestern Vermont. Compaction resulted in significant changes in vegetation and soil physical properties. Soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance, surface soil moisture, and soil temperature increased following compaction; infiltration capacity and the radial growth of Acerrubrum L. and Q. velutina decreased. Application of bark mulch prior to compaction tended to reduce compaction effects. Postcompaction additions of bark mulch did not result in noticeable amelioration of compaction-induced changes 2 years after application.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1697
Author(s):  
Matthieu Forster ◽  
Carolina Ugarte ◽  
Mathieu Lamandé ◽  
Michel-Pierre Faucon

Compaction due to traffic is a major threat to soil functions and ecosystem services as it decreases both soil pore volume and continuity. The effects of roots on soil structure have previously been investigated as a solution to alleviate compaction. Roots have been identified as a major actor in soil reinforcement and aggregation through the enhancement of soil microbial activity. However, we still know little about the root’s potential to protect soil from compaction during traffic. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between root traits and soil physical properties directly after traffic. Twelve crop species with contrasting root traits were grown as monocultures and trafficked with a tractor pulling a trailer. Root traits, soil bulk density, water content and specific air permeability were measured after traffic. The results showed a positive correlation between the specific air permeability and root length density and a negative correlation was found between bulk density and the root carbon/nitrogen ratio. This study provides first insight into how root traits could help reduce the consequences of soil compaction on soil functions. Further studies are needed to identify the most efficient plant species for mitigation of soil compaction during traffic in the field.


2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 1104-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Quincke ◽  
C. S. Wortmann ◽  
M. Mamo ◽  
T. Franti ◽  
R. A. Drijber ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 1142-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig G. Cogger ◽  
Andy I. Bary ◽  
Elizabeth A. Myhre ◽  
Ann-Marie Fortuna ◽  
Doug P. Collins

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (10) ◽  
pp. 1623-1631
Author(s):  
Karyn L. Reeves ◽  
Clayton R. Forknall ◽  
Alison M. Kelly ◽  
Kirsty J. Owen ◽  
Joshua Fanning ◽  
...  

The root lesion nematode (RLN) species Pratylenchus thornei and P. neglectus are widely distributed within cropping regions of Australia and have been shown to limit grain production. Field experiments conducted to compare the performance of cultivars in the presence of RLNs investigate management options for growers by identifying cultivars with resistance, by limiting nematode reproduction, and tolerance, by yielding well in the presence of nematodes. A novel experimental design approach for RLN experiments is proposed where the observed RLN density, measured prior to sowing, is used to condition the randomization of cultivars to field plots. This approach ensured that all cultivars were exposed to consistent ranges of RLN in order to derive valid assessments of relative cultivar tolerance and resistance. Using data from a field experiment designed using the conditioned randomization approach and conducted in Formartin, Australia, the analysis of tolerance and resistance was undertaken in a linear mixed model framework. Yield response curves were derived using a random regression approach and curves modeling change in RLN densities between sowing and harvest were derived using splines to account for nonlinearity. Groups of cultivars sharing similar resistance levels could be identified. A comparison of slopes of yield response curves of cultivars belonging to the same resistance class identified differing tolerance levels for cultivars with equivalent exposures to both presowing and postharvest RLN densities. As such, the proposed design and analysis approach allowed tolerance to be assessed independently of resistance.


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