scholarly journals Improving Nitrogen Efficiency: Lessons from Malawi and Michigan

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sieglinde Snapp ◽  
Heather Borden ◽  
David Rohrbach
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
N Losses ◽  
N Efficiency

Two case studies are presented here of nitrogen (N) dynamics in potato/maize systems. Contrasting systems were investigated from (1) the highland tropics of Dedza, Malawi in southern Africa and (2) the northern temperate Great Lakes region of Michigan. Formal surveys were conducted to document grower perceptions and N management strategies. Survey data were linked with N budgets conducted by reviewing on-farm data from representative farms in the targeted agroecosystems and simulation modeling to estimate N losses. Potential N-loss junctures were identified. Interventions that farmers might accept are discussed. The Malawi system uses targeted application of very small amounts of fertilizer (average 18 kg N ha-1) to growing plants. This low rate is on the steep part of plant response to N curve and should serve to enhance efficiency; plant growth, however, is generally stunted in Malawi due to degraded soils and weed competition. Very limited crop yields reduce N efficiency from a simulated 60 kg grain per kg N to an actual of ~20 kg grain per kg N (at 40 kg N ha-1applied). Legume-intensified systems could improve growth potential and restore N use efficiency through amelioration of soil quality and transfer functions and from biological fixation N inputs. In the Michigan system, N efficiency is enhanced currently through multiple, split applications of N fertilizer tailored to plant growth rate and demand. Fertilizer N rates used by growers, however, averaged 32% higher than recommended rates and 40% higher than N removed in crop product. Application of 50 kg N ha-1to cover crops in the fall may contribute to the apparent high potential for N leaching losses. Careful consideration of N credits from legumes and residual soil N would improve N efficiency. Overall, N budgets indicated 0 to 20 kg N ha-1loss potential from the Malawi systems and tenfold higher loss potential from current practice in Michigan maize/potato rotations. Best management practices, with or without integration of legumes, could potentially reduce N losses in Michigan to a more acceptable level of about 40 kg N ha-1.

Review: Reducing residual soil nitrogen losses from agroecosystems for surface water protection in Quebec and Ontario, Canada: Best management practices, policies and perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sogol Rasouli ◽  
Joann K. Whalen ◽  
Chandra A. Madramootoo
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nitrogen Losses ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Water Protection ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Best Management

Rasouli, S., Whalen, J. K. and Madramootoo, C. A. 2014. Review: Reducing residual soil nitrogen losses from agroecosystems for surface water protection in Quebec and Ontario, Canada: Best management practices, policies and perspectives. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 109–127. Eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms, a growing problem in many of Quebec and Ontario's lakes and rivers, are largely attributed to the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) emanating from intensively cropped agricultural fields. In fact, 49% of N loading in surface waters comes from runoff and leaching from fertilized soils and livestock operations. The residual soil nitrogen (RSN), which remains in soil at the end of the growing season, contains soluble and particulate forms of N that are prone to being transported from agricultural fields to waterways. Policies and best management practices (BMPs) to regulate manure storage and restrict fertilizer and manure spreading can help in reducing N losses from agroecosystems. However, reduction of RSN also requires an understanding of the complex interactions between climate, soil type, topography, hydrology and cropping systems. Reducing N losses from agroecosystems can be achieved through careful accounting for all N inputs (e.g., N credits for legumes and manure inputs) in nutrient management plans, including those applied in previous years, as well as the strategic implementation of multiple BMPs and calibrated soil N testing for crops with high N requirements. We conclude that increasing farmer awareness and motivation to implement BMPs will be important in reducing RSN. Programs to promote communication between farmers and researchers, crop advisors and provincial ministries of agriculture and the environment are recommended.

Adoption of Best Management Practices for Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Midsouthern United States Cotton, Rice, and Soybean

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 788-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilpreet S. Riar ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel ◽  
Daniel O. Stephenson ◽  
Thomas W. Eubank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Direct Mail ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Planting Dates ◽  
Row Crops ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Best Management

In fall 2011, cotton and soybean consultants from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were surveyed through direct mail and on-farm visits, and rice consultants from Arkansas and Mississippi were surveyed through direct mail to assess the importance and level of implementation of herbicide resistance best management practices (HR-BMPs) for herbicide-resistant weeds. Proper herbicide timing, clean start with no weeds at planting, application of multiple effective herbicide modes of action, use of full labeled herbicide rates, and prevention of crop weed seed production with importance rating of ≥ 4.6 out of 5.0 were perceived as the most important HR-BMPs in all crops. Purchase of certified rice seed was on 90% of scouted hectares. In contrast, least important HR-BMPs as perceived by consultants with importance ratings of ≤ 4.0 in cotton, ≤ 3.7 in rice, and ≤ 3.8 in soybean were cultural practices such as manual removal of weeds; tillage including disking, cultivation, or deep tillage; narrow (≤ 50 cm)-row crops, cover crops, and altered planting dates. Narrow crop rows and cover crops in cotton; altered planting dates in cotton and soybean; and cleaning of farm equipment and manual weeding in rice and soybean is currently employed on ≤ 20% of scouted hectares. Extra costs, time constraints, adverse weather conditions, lack of labor and equipment, profitability, herbicide-related concerns, and complacency were perceived as key obstacles for adoption of most HR-BMPs. With limited adoption of most cultural practices that reduce risks of herbicide-resistant weeds, there are opportunities to educate growers concerning the proactive need and long-term benefits of adopting HR-BMPs to ensure sustainable weed management and profitable crop production.

Influence of system of cultivation and genotypes of preceding rice-ratoon on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) sown at varying dates in coastal alluvium soil of eastern India

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanat Kumar Dwibedi ◽  
Gopal Chandra De ◽  
Sudhi Ranjan Dhua ◽  
Ashok Kumar Mohanty
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Green Gram ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
System Of Rice Intensification ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
Rice Intensification

Field experiment was conducted in coastal alluvium soil of eastern India during late rabi of 2009-10 and 2010-11 in split split-plot design with three dates of sowing for rice-ratoon i.e. 20 June, 5 and 20 July followed by green gram cv. PDM-139 (Samrat) i.e. 2 January, 17 January and 1 February in main plots, three systems of cultivation of the preceding rice-ratoon i.e. ratoons of rice under best management practices (BMP), system of rice intensification (SRI) and modified SRI (MSRI) in sub plots and two genotypes of rice-ratoon i.e. HR Ajay and HYV Tapaswini in sub sub-plots. Green gram was grown under residual soil nutrient and the crop sown on 2 January recorded the highest seed yield of 0.703 t ha-1 (REY of 2.933 t ha-1) and this was followed by sowing on 17 January and 1 February. The seed yield of green gram followed diminishing trend under SRI-ratoon, MSRI-ratoon and BMP-ratoon, respectively.

scholarly journals Effects of fertiliser nitrogen management on nitrate leaching risk from grazed dairy pasture

2014 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 211-216
Author(s):  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Mark Shepherd ◽  
Gina Lucci
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Direct Leaching ◽  
Leaching Risk

Abstract Dairy farms are under pressure to increase productivity while reducing environmental impacts. Effective fertiliser management practices are critical to achieve this. We investigated the effects of N fertiliser management on pasture production and modelled N losses, either via direct leaching of fertiliser N, or indirectly through N uptake and subsequent excretion via dairy cow grazing. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was first tested with experimental data from fertiliser response experiments conducted on a well-drained soil in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The model was then used in a 20- year simulation to investigate the effect of fertiliser management on pasture response and the impacts on potential leaching losses. The risk of direct leaching from applied fertiliser was generally low, but at an annual rate of 220 kg N/ha exceeded that from urine patches in one out of 10 years. The main effect of N fertiliser on leaching risk was indirect via the urine patch by providing higher pasture yields and N concentrations. Best management practices could include identification of high risk periods based on environmental conditions (e.g. soil moisture, plant growth), avoidance of fertiliser applications in these periods and the use of duration controlled grazing (DCG) to prevent excreta deposition onto the grazing area during critical times. Keywords: Modelling, APSIM, N fertilisation rates, N fertilisation timing, direct and indirect leaching, urine patches

Agricultural land use and N losses to water: the case study of a fluvial park in Northern Italy

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Morari ◽  
E. Lugato ◽  
M. Borin
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

An integrated water resource management programme has been under way since 1999 to reduce agricultural water pollution in the River Mincio fluvial park. The experimental part of the programme consisted of: a) a monitoring phase to evaluate the impact of conventional and environmentally sound techniques (Best Management Practices, BMPs) on water quality; this was done on four representative landscape units, where twelve fields were instrumented to monitor the soil, surface and subsurface water quality; b) a modelling phase to extend the results obtained at field scale to the whole territory of the Mincio watershed. For this purpose a GIS developed in the Arc/Info environment was integrated into the CropSyst model. The model had previously been calibrated to test its ability to describe the complexity of the agricultural systems. The first results showed a variable efficiency of the BMPs depending on the interaction between management and pedo-climatic conditions. In general though, the BMPs had positive effects in improving the surface and subsurface water quality. The CropSyst model was able to describe the agricultural systems monitored and its linking with the GIS represented a valuable tool for identifying the vulnerable areas within the watershed.

Nitrogen efficiency in contrasting dairy production systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Whelan ◽  
F. J. Mulligan ◽  
K. M. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
N Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) losses from dairy production systems are a cause for environmental concern. Excreted primarily as urea N in the urine, this volatile form of N can be lost as ammonia (NH3) contributing to ground-level ozone, the greenhouse effect and the deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the production of urea N places a metabolic demand for energy on the dairy cow and excessively high levels of blood urea N are known to have deleterious effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, it is of interest to develop strategies that reduce N excretion from dairy cows and to this end, dietary manipulation of N efficiency offers great potential. There are a significant number of reports in the literature on N efficiency in the lactating dairy cow, including reducing dietary CP intake, improving the balance of amino acids reaching the small intestine, optimising the forage mix and optimising the energy sources in the diet. Across these experiments, N intake ranged from 0.33 to 0.67 kg/day with N efficiency ranging from 0.21 to 0.42. This paper will report on recent N balance experiments conducted at University College Dublin, as well as reports in the literature on studies aimed at improving N efficiency in the lactating dairy cow.

scholarly journals Managing Phosphorus Loss from Agroecosystems of the Midwestern United States: A Review

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Gurbir Singh ◽  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Karl Williard ◽  
Jon Schoonover ◽  
Kelly A. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Additional Research ◽  
Soil Matrix ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Midwestern United States ◽  
P Loss

Best management practices (BMPs) are site-specific and their implementation, long-term management, and maintenance are important for successful reduction of phosphorus (P) loss into headwater streams. This paper reviews published research on managing P loss from agricultural cropping systems in the Midwestern United States and classified the available research based on BMPs and their efficacy in reducing P loss. This review paper also identifies the areas where additional research could provide insight for managing P losses. Our literature review shows that cover crops, reduced tillage, saturated buffers, and constructed wetlands are the most evaluated areas of current research. However, additional research is necessary on the site-specific area to measure the effectiveness of BMPs in managing P loss. The BMPs that serve as a sink of P need further evaluation in long-term field-scale trials. Studies evaluating adsorption and desorption mechanisms of P in surface and subsurface soils with materials or amendments that bind P in the soil are needed. The time required and pathways, where the flush of available P is lost or fixed in the soil matrix, need further investigation. Measured P loss from BMPs like bioreactors and saturated buffers supplemented with P adsorption materials or filters need to be simulated with models for their prediction and validation. Field evaluations of P index and critical source area concepts should be investigated for identifying problematic areas in the watersheds. Identification of overlapping areas of high P source and transport can help in strategic planning and layout, thereby resulting in reducing the cost of implementing BMPs at field and watershed scales.

scholarly journals 910 PB 150 PLANT GROWTH, YIELD, AND WEED CONTROL IN FOUR STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 564d-564
Author(s):  
Angela K. Tedesco ◽  
Gail R. Nonnecke ◽  
John J. Obrycki ◽  
Nick E. Christians ◽  
Mark L. Gleason
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Integrated Crop Management ◽  
Corn Gluten ◽  
Vegetative Biomass

Field plots of four production systems of `Tristar' dayneutral and `Earliglow' Junebearing strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) were established in 1993. Productions systems included conventional practices (CONV), best-management practices including integrated crop management (ICM), organic practices using corn gluten meal, a natural weed control product, (ORG-CGM), and organic practices using a natural turkey manure product (ORG-TM). `Earliglow' plants grown with ORG-CGM showed the highest number of runners and total vegetative biomass. Plots with CONV and ICM systems using standard herbicide treatments had lower total weed numbers (11 and 18, respectively) than ORG-CGM (63) and ORG-TM (58). `Tristar' plant growth, yield and berry number were reduced when plants were grown under straw mulch in ORG-CGM and ORG-TM compared to CONV and ICM plots with polyethylene mulch.

scholarly journals A Regional, Honey Bee-Centered Approach Is Needed to Incentivize Grower Adoption of Bee-Friendly Practices in the Almond Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie L. Durant ◽  
Lauren C. Ponisio
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Practice Adoption ◽  
Selection Framework ◽  
Bee Colonies

Managed and wild bee populations contribute over $15 billion in pollination services to US agriculture, yet both are declining or becoming increasingly vulnerable to parasites and disease. The loss of healthy and diverse forage is a key driver in bee declines, so incentivizing land managers to adopt diversified bee-friendly management practices such as forage plantings and reduced pesticide use can directly increase food security, pollinator health, and farmer adaptive capacity. To better understand what might incentivize growers to adopt bee-friendly practices, we conducted a survey of California almond growers, whose orchards are entirely dependent on bee pollination and draw nearly 88% of US bee colonies each February to pollinate almond bloom. We asked 329 respondents across all major almond growing regions of CA about their adoption rate and incentives for planting cover crops, pollinator habitat, and practicing the recommended and legally required bee-friendly best management practices, as well as their interest in bee-friendly certification programs. Using a model selection framework, we evaluated which geographic, social, operational, and pollination-service related factors were predictive of bee-friendly practice adoption. We found that no single factor was a statistically significant predictor of adoption across all models, suggesting there is no silver bullet determining bee-friendly practice adoption. However, we discovered that region and concerns about future pollination services consistently emerged as important factors related to all the practices we investigated, except the adoption of legally required BMPs. These findings suggest that a regionally flexible pollinator conservation strategy focused on supporting honey bee colonies might have the highest likelihood of grower participation and adoption.

Increased nitrogen retention by cover crops: implications of planting date on soil and plant nitrogen dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 720-729
Author(s):  
Yangxue Zhou ◽  
Lindsey Roosendaal ◽  
Laura L. Van Eerd
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Available Nitrogen ◽  
N Losses ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
N Dynamics

AbstractCover crops are frequently adopted to immobilize residual nitrogen post-harvest, thereby reducing potential N losses. However, the effectiveness of a cover crop depends on the species planting date, and other management practices. Limited information on N dynamics in cover crop systems is available specially in short-season vegetable rotations under temperate climate. From 2008 to 2010, a split-plot field experiment was carried out in a humid, temperate climate with cover crop treatment as the main plot factor [no cover crop control (NoCC), cereal rye, hairy vetch, oat, forage pea, oilseed radish (OSR) and a control with fertilizer N to the cucumber crop (NoCC + N)], and cover crop planting date as the split factor (early and late) to evaluate their impacts on cover crop biomass and N dynamics over the fall and following cucumber crop. All cover crop treatments significantly lowered soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) by 39–87% compared to the NoCC control, which was concomitant with cover crop growth and N accumulation. In the fall, SMN (0–90 cm depth) was less under the early-planted cover crops (avg. 78 kg N ha−1) compared to the late-planted (avg. 100 kg N ha−1). In April, greater plant available nitrogen (PAN, sum of SMN to 60 cm depth and plant N) with cover crops than without demonstrated N conservation over the winter and into the cucumber crop. Crop yield was equal to or better with a cover crop compared with the NoCC in both years; moreover, compared to the NoCC + N control yields were equivalent with OSR and pea. Oat, vetch and pea cover crops benefited the most by having an earlier planting date, while OSR and rye are recommended if the planting date is delayed. Although an early August planting date significantly increased plant N accumulation and SMN by November, this species-dependent interaction did not persist into the following season in yield and N accounted for in the system.

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