scholarly journals Effectiveness of Conservation Crop Rotation for Water Pollutant Reduction from Agricultural Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 691-704
Author(s):  
Lydia Koropeckyj-Cox ◽  
Reid D. Christianson ◽  
Yongping Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
Nitrate N

HighlightsAdjusting nitrogen (N) fertilization rates for corn following legumes can reduce N losses.Including perennial legumes in corn rotations can reduce nitrate-N losses and improve water quality.Crop rotations that include three or more years of legumes can be cost-effective.Corn-soybean was the most cost-effective, with a net benefit in nitrate-N loss reduction compared to continuous corn.Abstract. Legumes included in corn-based crop rotation systems provide a variety of benefits to the subsequent crops and potentially to the environment. This review aims to synthesize available data from the literature on legume N credits and the effects of crop rotations on water quality, as well as to analyze the cost benefits associated with different legume-corn rotation systems. We found that there was much variation in reported values for legume N credits to subsequent corn crops, from both empirical results and recommendations made by U.S. land grant universities. But despite inherent complexity, accounting for this contribution is critical when estimating optimal N fertilizer application rates as part of nutrient management. Results from research on the influence of crop rotations on water quality show that including legumes in corn-based rotation systems generally decreases nitrate-N concentrations in subsurface drainage discharge. Our cost analysis showed that incorporating legumes in cropping systems reduced N fertilizer and pesticide costs compared to conventional cropping systems, i.e., continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, but extended rotations, such as corn-soybean-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa, are not as profitable as conventional systems in the U.S. Midwest. In comparing continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, although their impacts on water quality are not significantly different when using overall means from the literature data, corn-soybean rotations are more profitable than continuous corn. When using data from papers that directly compared the two, we found that switching from continuous corn to corn-soybean can provide a benefit of $5 per kg N loss reduction. The cost analysis methods used could be tailored to any location or management scenario with appropriate inputs and serve as a useful tool for assessing cost benefits for other agricultural conservation practices. Legume-corn crop rotations have the potential to be an effective conservation practice with the ultimate goal of improving water quality, and, with further research, these rotations could be made even more effective by integrating them into a multi-practice system. Keywords: Conservation practice, Cost analysis, Crop rotation, Nitrate, Nutrient management, Water quality.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Nutrient Management on Water Quality Improvement: A Synthesis on Nitrate-Nitrogen Loss from Subsurface Drainage

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 675-689
Author(s):  
Wenlong Liu ◽  
Yongping Yuan ◽  
Lydia Koropeckyj-Cox
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

HighlightsFertilizer rate was found to be the most important factor controlling flow-weighted nitrate-N concentrations.Organic fertilizer may significantly increase nitrate-N losses, but N content of manures can be variable.We did not find significant differences in nitrate-N export among fertilizer application methods or timing.Split fertilization reduced nitrate-N export at lower fertilizer rates (<167 kg N ha-1) but not at higher rates.Fertilizer N recommendations need re-evaluation to consider both environmental and economic effects.Abstract. Nutrient management, as described in NRCS Code 590, has been intensively investigated, with research largely focused on crop yields and water quality. Yet, due to complex processes and mechanisms in nutrient cycling (especially the nitrogen (N) cycle), there are many challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrient management practices across site conditions. We therefore synthesized data from peer-reviewed publications on subsurface-drained agricultural fields in the Midwest U.S. with corn yield and drainage nitrate-N (NO3-N) export data published from 1980 to 2019. Through literature screening and data extraction from 43 publications, we obtained 577 site-years of data with detailed information on fertilization, corn yields, precipitation, drainage volume, and drainage NO3-N load/concentration or both. In addition, we estimated flow-weighted NO3-N concentrations ([NO3-N]) in drainage for those site-years where only load and volume were reported. Furthermore, we conducted a cost analysis using synthesized and surveyed corn yield data to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different nutrient management plans. Results from the synthesis showed that N fertilizer rate was strongly positively correlated with corn yields, NO3-N loads, and flow-weighted [NO3-N]. Reducing N fertilizer rates can effectively mitigate NO3-N losses from agricultural fields; however, our cost analysis showed negative economic returns for continuous corn production at lower N rates. In addition, organic fertilizers significantly boosted corn yields and NO3-N losses compared to inorganic fertilizers at comparable rates; however, accurate quantification of plant-available N in organic fertilizers is necessary to guide appropriate nutrient management plans because the nutrient content may be highly variable. In terms of fertilizer application methods, we did not find significant differences in NO3-N export in drainage discharge. Lastly, impact of fertilization timing on NO3-N export varied depending on other factors such as fertilizer rate, source, and weather. According to these results, we suggest that further efforts are still required to produce effective local nutrient management plans. Furthermore, government agencies such as USDA-NRCS need to work with other agencies such as USEPA to address the potential economic losses due to implementation of lower fertilizer rates for water quality improvement. Keywords: Conservation practice, Corn yields, Cost-effectiveness, NO3-N loss, Nutrient management, Subsurface drainage, Midwest U.S.

scholarly journals The implications of lag times between nitrate leaching losses and riverine loads for water quality policy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. McDowell ◽  
Z. P. Simpson ◽  
A. G. Ausseil ◽  
Z. Etheridge ◽  
R. Law
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Mean Transit Time ◽  
Lag Time ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lag Times

AbstractUnderstanding the lag time between land management and impacts on riverine nitrate–nitrogen (N) loads is critical to understand when action to mitigate nitrate–N leaching losses from the soil profile may start improving water quality. These lags occur due to leaching of nitrate–N through the subsurface (soil and groundwater). Actions to mitigate nitrate–N losses have been mandated in New Zealand policy to start showing improvements in water quality within five years. We estimated annual rates of nitrate–N leaching and annual nitrate–N loads for 77 river catchments from 1990 to 2018. Lag times between these losses and riverine loads were determined for 34 catchments but could not be determined in other catchments because they exhibited little change in nitrate–N leaching losses or loads. Lag times varied from 1 to 12 years according to factors like catchment size (Strahler stream order and altitude) and slope. For eight catchments where additional isotope and modelling data were available, the mean transit time for surface water at baseflow to pass through the catchment was on average 2.1 years less than, and never greater than, the mean lag time for nitrate–N, inferring our lag time estimates were robust. The median lag time for nitrate–N across the 34 catchments was 4.5 years, meaning that nearly half of these catchments wouldn’t exhibit decreases in nitrate–N because of practice change within the five years outlined in policy.

Modeling the Effects of Crop Rotation and Tillage on Sugarbeet Yield and Soil Nitrate Using RZWQM2

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-474
Author(s):  
Mohammad J. Anar ◽  
Zhulu Lin ◽  
Liwang Ma ◽  
Amitava Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
List Type ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
N Losses ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Tillage Operations

HighlightsFour crop growth modules in RZWQM2 were calibrated for four sugarbeet rotation sequences.Sugarbeet following wheat had a slightly higher yield (3% to 6.5%).Moldboard plow increased sugarbeet yield by 1% to 2%.The difference in N losses under different crop rotations and tillage operations was negligible.Abstract. Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) is considered to be one of the most viable alternatives to corn for biofuel production as it may be qualified as the feedstock for advanced biofuels (reducing greenhouse gas emission by 50%) under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Because sugarbeet production is affected by crop rotation and tillage through optimal use of soil water and nutrients, simulation of these effects will help in making proper management decisions. In this study, the CSM-CERES-Beet, CSM-CERES-Maize, CROPSIM-Wheat, and CROPGRO-Soybean models included in the RZWQM2 were calibrated against experimental field data of crop yield, soil water, and soil nitrate from the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center from 2014 to 2016. The models performed reasonably well in simulating crop yield, soil water, and nitrate (rRMSE = 0.055 to 2.773, d = 0.541 to 0.997). Simulation results identified a non-significant effect of crop rotation on sugarbeet yield, although sugarbeets following wheat resulted in 3% to 6.5% higher yields compared to other crops. Net mineralization and N uptake rates were slightly higher when sugarbeets followed wheat compared to the other crops. Seasonal N and water mass balances also showed lower N and water stresses when sugarbeets followed wheat. The effects of tillage operations on sugarbeet yield were also non-significant. The difference in the N losses to runoff and drainage from the sugarbeet fields under different crop rotations and tillage operations was negligible. As sugarbeet production may be expanded into nontraditional planting areas in the Red River Valley due to potential demand for biofuel production, our findings will help to assess the associated environmental impacts and identify suitable crop rotations and management scenarios in the region. Keywords: Biofuel, Crop rotation, RZWQM2, Sugarbeet, Tillage.

Modeling With Limited Data: The Influence of Crop Rotation and Management on Weed Communities and Crop Yield Loss

Weed Science ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Canner ◽  
L. J. Wiles ◽  
Robert H. Erskine ◽  
Gregory S. McMaster ◽  
Gale H. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Alternative Crop ◽  
Weed Communities ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Crop Yield Loss

Theory and models of crop yield loss from weed competition have led to decision models to help growers choose cost-effective weed management. These models are available for multiple-species weed communities in a single season of several crops. Growers also rely on crop rotation for weed control, yet theory and models of weed population dynamics have not led to similar tools for planning of crop rotations for cost-effective weed management. Obstacles have been the complexity of modeling the dynamics of multiple populations of weed species compared to a single species and lack of data. We developed a method to use limited, readily observed data to simulate population dynamics and crop yield loss of multiple-species weed communities in response to crop rotation, tillage system, and specific weed management tactics. Our method is based on the general theory of density dependence of plant productivity and extensive use of rectangular hyperbolic equations for describing crop yield loss as a function of weed density. Only two density-independent parameters are required for each species to represent differences in seed bank mortality, emergence, and maximum seed production. One equation is used to model crop yield loss and density-dependent weed seed production as a function of crop and weed density, relative time of weed and crop emergence, and differences among species in competitive ability. The model has been parameterized for six crops and 15 weeds, and limited evaluation indicates predictions are accurate enough to highlight potential weed problems and solutions when comparing alternative crop rotations for a field. The model has been incorporated into a decision support tool for whole-farm management so growers in the Central Great Plains of the United States can compare alternative crop rotations and how their choice influences farm income, herbicide use, and control of weeds in their fields.

Corn yield after 10 years of different cropping sequences and weed management practices

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Zhang ◽  
Allan S. Hamill ◽  
Susan E. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Land Use History ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Cereal Crop ◽  
Herbicide Application ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
Effects Of Land Use

In this study, corn yield was measured after 10 yr of various rotational sequences of corn, soybeans, and wheat or oats, and under three levels of weed management to determine the effects of land use history on crop yield. Corn yield varied significantly with both crop rotation and weed management. Com yields were lower after continuous corn or soybeans or immediately following corn, and higher after a cereal crop or a rotation including a cereal. Herbicide application alone maintained significantly higher corn yield than inter-row cultivation across cropping systems. Key words: Corn yield, crop rotation, Zea mays

SUSTAINABLE RYE PRODUCTION IN THE WESTSIK CROP ROTATION EXPERIMENT

2000 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lazányi
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Continuous Production ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Ecological Requirements

The best-known and most remarkable example of continuous production in Hungary is the Westsik crop rotation experiment established in 1929. It is still in use to study the effects of organic manure treatment, to develop models and to predict the likely effects of different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields. In this respect, the Westsik crop rotation experiment provides data of immediate value to farmers concerning the application of green manure, straw and farmyard manure. The increased demand for food and changes in the ecological requirements of agricultural production have urged scientists to revise the widely used traditional principles and to develop alternative crop production practices. In this respect, they must strive for the adoption of technologies which serve for the simultaneous maintenance of production levels, soil fertility and environmental goals. The Westsik crop rotation experiment provides useful help and a thorough scientific basis for the solution of this problem. It models various possible methods of nutrient management and assists in answering questions on the sustainability of agricultural production. Since 1929, only minor changes have been introduced in some treatments. These changes have made the classical experiment more relevant to current research needs and farming practices.

Effects of agricultural practices and vadose zone stratigraphy on nitrate concentration in ground water in Kansas, USA

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Townsend ◽  
R. O. Sleezer ◽  
S. A. Macko
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Vadose Zone ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Continuous Corn ◽  
South Central ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Δ 15N ◽  
A Site

Differences in nitrate-N concentrations in ground water in Kansas can be explained by variations in agricultural practices and vadose-zone stratigraphy. In northwestern Kansas, past use of a local stream for tailwater runoff from irrigation and high fertilizer applications for sugar-beet farming resulted in high nitrate-N concentrations (12–60 mg L−1; in both soil and ground water. Nitrogen isotope values from the soil and ground water range from +4 to +8‰, which is typical for a fertilizer source. In parts of south-central Kansas, the use of crop rotation and the presence of both continuous fine-textured layers and a reducing ground-water chemistry resulted in ground-water nitrate-N values of < 3 mg L−1;. The effects of denitrification in the vadose zone and ground water are indicated by enriched δ 15N values of +10 to +15‰. At a site study, irrigated continuous corn was grown on sandy soils with discontinuous fine-textured layers. Here, nitrate-N concentrations were often > 10 mg L−1; in both soil and grounwater. Nitrogen isotope values of +3 to +7‰ indicate a fertilizer source. Crop rotation decreased nitrate-N values in the shallow ground water (9 m). However, deeper ground water showed increasing nitrate-N concentrations as a result of past farming practices.

scholarly journals Economic analysis of organic cropping systems under different tillage intensities and crop rotations

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Buwani Dayananda ◽  
Myriam R. Fernandez ◽  
Prabhath Lokuruge ◽  
Robert P. Zentner ◽  
Michael P. Schellenberg
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Price Premiums ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rotation Sequence

Abstract Costs of production and organic price premiums are defining factors influencing the economic viability of organic crop production systems. Different agronomic practices, such as crop rotation and tillage intensity, are known to affect the economic performance of the production systems. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two crop rotation sequences (simplified and diversified) and two levels of tillage intensity (high and low) on the cost of production, gross return and gross margin of crops when grown under organic management in the semi-arid Brown soil zone of the Canadian Prairies. The 2-year simplified rotation sequence consisted of forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown as a green manure followed by hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.), while the 4-year diversified rotation sequence was forage pea green manure followed by flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) or yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.), field pea or lentil (Lens culinaris L.) and HRSW. Our hypothesis that a more diversified crop rotation would increase profitability over a traditional simplified crop rotation was supported by the findings. However, the findings did not support our hypothesis that reducing tillage intensity, and the combination of tillage reduction and diversified crop rotation through a synergetic response, would further enhance profitability. Analysis of the breakeven prices and breakeven yields for crops indicated the importance of adopting diversified crop rotations and choosing crops with high organic price premiums as means to maximize the long-term profitability of organic cropping systems.

scholarly journals Benefit-cost analysis of water quality policy and criteria in the Delaware River

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-327
Author(s):  
Gerald J. Kauffman
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Water Quality Criteria ◽  
Delaware River ◽  
Benefit Cost Analysis ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Benefit Cost

Abstract This research conducts a benefit-cost analysis of water policies to reach an optimal level of dissolved oxygen (DO) to meet year-round fishable water quality criteria in the Delaware River. A watershed pollutant load model is utilized to estimate marginal cost curves of water quality improvements to meet a more protective year-round fishable standard and annual benefits are defined to achieve future DO criteria in the Delaware River. The most cost-effective DO standard is 4.5 mg/L defined by the point where the marginal benefits of willingness to pay (WTP) for improved water quality equals the marginal costs of pollution reduction. This optimal criteria (4.5 mg/L) can be achieved at a cost of $150 million with benefits ranging from $250 to $700 million/year. While a future DO standard of 4.5 mg/L reflects an economically efficient level of water quality, this DO criteria is less protective than the level of 5–6 mg/L needed to protect anadromous fish such as the Atlantic sturgeon. The policy to reach a DO level of 6 mg/L (at 80% DO saturation) may be difficult to achieve at summer water temperatures that approach 30 °C in the Delaware River at Philadelphia.

scholarly journals A Review of the Federal Clean Water Act and the Maryland Water Quality Improvement Act: The Rationale For Developing a Water And Nutrient Management Planning Process For Container Nursery And Greenhouse Operations

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Lea-Cox ◽  
David S. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Clean Water Act ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
State Laws ◽  
Water Quality Improvement

Abstract Newly enforced provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972 and new state laws like the Maryland Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998 are forcing agriculture to develop effective procedures to show that they are not polluting our nation's water resources. Formulating a water and nutrient management process for nursery and greenhouse operations that takes both water and nutrient applications into account is very important. Many operations already have implemented improved management practices to conserve water and nutrients. For those operations that do not have these procedures in place, it will be necessary to find cost-effective ways to ensure that these operations can comply with laws, and document that they can effectively reduce the risk of nutrient movement from their operations to a minimum.

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