scholarly journals Crop response to soils amended with biochar: expected benefits and unintended risks

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghunath Subedi ◽  
Chiara Bertora ◽  
Laura Zavattaro ◽  
Carlo Grignani
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Positive Effects

Biochar (BC) from biomass waste pyrolysis has been widely studied due to its ability to increase carbon (C) sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and enhance both crop growth and soil quality. This review summarizes the current knowledge of BC production, characterization, and types, with a focus on its positive effects on crop yield and soil properties versus the unintended risks associated with these effects. Biochar-amended soils enhance crop growth and yield via several mechanisms: expanded plant nutrient and water availability through increased use efficiencies, improved soil quality, and suppression of soil and plant diseases. Yield response to BC has been shown to be more evident in acidic and sandy soils than in alkaline and fine-textured soils. Biochar composition and properties vary considerably with feedstock and pyrolysis conditions so much that its concentrations of toxic compounds and heavy metals can negatively impact crop and soil health. Consequently, more small-scale and greenhouse-sited studies are in process to investigate the role of BC/soil/crop types on crop growth, and the mechanisms by which they influence crop yield. Similarly, a need exists for long-term, field-scale studies on the effects (beneficial and harmful) of BC amendment on soil health and crop yields, so that production guidelines and quality standards may be developed for BCs derived from a range of feedstocks.

scholarly journals To Blend or Not to Blend? A Framework for Nationwide Landsat–MODIS Data Selection for Crop Yield Prediction

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1653
Author(s):  
Yang Chen ◽  
Tim R. McVicar ◽  
Randall J. Donohue ◽  
Nikhil Garg ◽  
François Waldner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Prediction ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
Pixel Resolution ◽  
Country Level

The onus for monitoring crop growth from space is its ability to be applied anytime and anywhere, to produce crop yield estimates that are consistent at both the subfield scale for farming management strategies and the country level for national crop yield assessment. Historically, the requirements for satellites to successfully monitor crop growth and yield differed depending on the extent of the area being monitored. Diverging imaging capabilities can be reconciled by blending images from high-temporal-frequency (HTF) and high-spatial-resolution (HSR) sensors to produce images that possess both HTF and HSR characteristics across large areas. We evaluated the relative performance of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Landsat, and blended imagery for crop yield estimates (2009–2015) using a carbon-turnover yield model deployed across the Australian cropping area. Based on the fraction of missing Landsat observations, we further developed a parsimonious framework to inform when and where blending is beneficial for nationwide crop yield prediction at a finer scale (i.e., the 25-m pixel resolution). Landsat provided the best yield predictions when no observations were missing, which occurred in 17% of the cropping area of Australia. Blending was preferred when <42% of Landsat observations were missing, which occurred in 33% of the cropping area of Australia. MODIS produced a lower prediction error when ≥42% of the Landsat images were missing (~50% of the cropping area). By identifying when and where blending outperforms predictions from either Landsat or MODIS, the proposed framework enables more accurate monitoring of biophysical processes and yields, while keeping computational costs low.

scholarly journals Simulating the effect of climate on star grass growth and quality and its capacity to support milk production in the tropical regions of Mexico

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1486-1493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilberto Yong Angel ◽  
Vicente Celestino Pires Silveira ◽  
Francisca Avilés Nova ◽  
Octavio Alonso Castelán Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Grass Growth

The objective of the present study was to simulate the effect of the seasonal variation of climate on the nutritional value and dry matter yield of star grass and its capacity to support milk production alone or with concentrate supplementation in small-scale milk production systems in the tropical regions of Mexico. Two mathematical simulation models were used, the first model simulates the growth and yield of star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus), and the second model simulates the productive performance of dairy cows. Both models were integrated in a decision-making support system (DSSTROP). Model's predictions were validated by a calibration exercise for each data set from three experiments on the effect of concentrate supplementation on milk yield. The DSSTROP predictions and the results from the experiments were compared by regression analysis. The results suggest that the DSSTROP adequately predicts milk production (R2=0.74). The DSSTROP predictions suggest that milk production based solely on star grass may occur only between June to August. The highest milk yield (8.5kg cow-1 day-1) sustained solely on grass was achieved in June, followed by lower yields of <5kg cow-1 day-1 in July and August. Milk production without concentrates can be explained by the positive effects of the rain observed during June to August on grass growth, and to the fact that grass quality is best at the beginning of the rainy season. It is concluded that June to August is the best time of the year for milk production base solely on grass. It also was concluded that the use of large quantities of concentrates by farmers may be justified because milk production with star grass alone may not be possible especially during the dry season.

scholarly journals The influences of lime and irrigation water on arsenic accumulation of rice, maize and mungbean in the nethouse condition

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Chuong
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Mung Bean ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Arsenic Accumulation ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
The One ◽  
New Discovery

This research found the great hold of liming, soils and irrigation water on the arsenic (As) accumulation of rice, maize and mung bean in the nethouse research. Two greenhouse experiments had various plant types of rice, maize and mung bean with two soils inside and outside the dyke, two irrigated waters of 0.0 and 200 ?g As/L and three different lime ratios (0, 7.0 and 9.0 tons CaO/ha). The whole treatments were twenty one (12 treatments of experiment 1 and 9 of experiment 2) with 4 repetitions. The results of this study showed that the lime application raised both soil pH and crop yield. The arsenic (As) absorption of plant bodies in stems and seeds inside the dyke increased from 67.8 to 68.3% higher than those outside the dyke, respectively. The arsenic contents of stems and seeds with the treatments of 200 ?g As/L irrigation water were higher from 81.5 to 89.4% than that of non As irrigation water, respectively. The lime supplementation of 7.0 and 9.0 tons CaO per ha reduced the As accumulation of stems and seeds of rice, maize and mung bean was lower than the one without lime supplement from 38.6 (stems) and 54.5 (seeds). Mung bean absorbed the highest As, followed by rice and maize with the lowest As value. However, the lime supplementation of 9.0 tons CaO/ha had so high soil pH of soil that restricted the growth and yield of crops. More different lime concentrations need to search for more new details and new discovery of positive effects of this research.

scholarly journals A crop yield change emulator for use in GCAM and similar models: Persephone v1.0

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Snyder ◽  
Katherine V. Calvin ◽  
Meridel Phillips ◽  
Alex C. Ruane
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Economic Models ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Response Functions ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
System Changes

Abstract. Future changes in Earth system state will impact agricultural yields and, through these changed yields, can have profound impacts on the global economy. Global gridded crop models estimate the influence of these Earth system changes on future crop yields, but are often too computationally intensive to dynamically couple into global multi-sector economic models, such as GCAM and other similar-in-scale models. Yet, generalizing a faster site-specific crop model's results to be used globally will introduce inaccuracies, and the question of which model to use is unclear given the wide variation in yield response across crop models. To examine the feedback loop among socioeconomics, Earth system changes, and crop yield changes, rapidly generated yield responses with some quantification of crop response uncertainty are desirable. The Persephone v1.0 response functions presented in this work are based on the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) Coordinated Climate-Crop Modeling Project (C3MP) sensitivity test data set and are focused on providing GCAM and similar models with a tractable number of rapid to evaluate, dynamic yield response functions corresponding to a range of the yield response sensitivities seen in the C3MP data set. With the Persephone response functions, a new variety of agricultural impact experiments will be open to GCAM and other economic models; for example, examining the economic impacts of a multi-year drought in a key agricultural region and how economic changes in response to the drought can, in turn, impact the drought.

scholarly journals Weed competition in maize crop under different timings for postemergence weed control

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 269-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.K. James ◽  
A. Rahman ◽  
J. Mellsop
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Weed Competition ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Maize Yields

The effect of early weed competition was determined for a maize (Zea mays) crop grown in Waikato Maize was established in three different environments viz weedy (no herbicide) grass weeds (preemergence atrazine) and broadleaf weeds (preemergence metolachlor) Surviving weeds were controlled with postemergence nicosulfuron (60 g/ha) after different periods of competition and the plots kept weed free for the remainder of the trial Weeds left completely uncontrolled for 4 weeks after emergence significantly reduced crop yields When a preemergence herbicide was used surviving weeds began to reduce maize yields after about 6 weeks with grasses having greater effect than broadleaf weeds The actual period before the weeds started affecting crop growth and yield appeared to be related to the time taken by the weeds to achieve complete ground cover

scholarly journals Growth and yield response of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to inoculation with rhizobacteria

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Salantur ◽  
A. Ozturk ◽  
S. Akten
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Experiment ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Total N ◽  
Local Strains ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
N Yield

The growth and yield response of spring wheat to inoculation with foreign and local rhizobacteria of Erzurum (Turkey) origin was studied. At the first stage of the research, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with wheat cv. Kirik using 75 local bacterial strains isolated from the soil with 6 foreign bacteria, and a control. According to results of the greenhouse experiment 9 local strains were identified. At the second stage, the response of wheat cv.&nbsp;Kirik to 20 treatments (9 local strains, 6 foreign bacteria, 4 levels of N, and a control) was investigated in Erzurum field conditions. Seventeen strains had significant positive effects on tiller number per plant, 47 strains on plant height, one strain on dry matter yield, and 28 strains on plant protein content in the greenhouse experiment. Inoculation with certain rhizobacteria clearly benefited growth and increased the grain and N-yield of field grown wheat. The effects of local strains were observed to be in general superior to those of foreign strains. Inoculation with the local Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 increased total biomass by 18.7, 18.1, and 19.9%; grain yield by 18.6, 17.7, and 18.0%; total N-yield by 27.5, 24.3 and 26.0%, respectively, as compared to control. In conclusion, Strain No. 19, 73, and 82 can be a suitable biofertilizer for spring wheat cultivation in areas with similar conditions as in Erzurum. Inoculation with these strains may lead both to increases in wheat yield and savings of nitrogen fertilizer.

scholarly journals Reinspecting the Climate-Crop Yields Relationship at a Finer Scale and the Climate Damage Evaluation: Evidence from China

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yongbin Zhu ◽  
Yajuan Shi ◽  
Changxin Liu ◽  
Bing Lyu ◽  
Zhenbo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Summer Maize ◽  
Climate Effects ◽  
Positive Effects

This paper reinvestigated the climate-crop yield relationship with the statistical model at crops’ growing stage scale. Compared to previous studies, our model introduced monthly climate variables in the production function of crops, which enables separating the yield changes induced by climate change and those caused by inputs variation and technique progress, as well as examining different climate effects during each growing stage of crops. By applying the fixed effect regression model with province-level panel data of crop yields, agricultural inputs, and the monthly climate variables of temperature and precipitation from 1985 to 2015, we found that the effects of temperature generally are negative and those of precipitation generally are positive, but they vary among different growth stages for each crop. Specifically, GDDs (i.e., growing degree days) have negative effects on spring maize’s yield except for the sowing and ripening stages; the effects of precipitation are negative in September for summer maize. Precipitation in December and the next April is significantly harmful to the yield of winter wheat; while, for the spring wheat, GDDs have positive effects during April and May, and precipitation has negative effects during the ripening period. In addition, we computed climate-induced losses based on the climate-crop yield relationship, which demonstrated a strong tendency for increasing yield losses for all crops, with large interannual fluctuations. Comparatively, the long-term climate effects on yields of spring maize, summer maize, and spring wheat are more noticeable than those of winter wheat.

IMPLEMENTATION OF PERMANENT RAISED BEDS CONTRIBUTES TO INCREASED CROP YIELD AND PROFITABILITY IN THE NORTHEASTERN TIGRAY REGION, ETHIOPIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 807-817
Author(s):  
AMANUEL A. GEBRU ◽  
TESFAY ARAYA ◽  
TSEGAY WOLDE-GEORGIS ◽  
JAN NYSSEN ◽  
FRÉDÉRIC BAUDRON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Marginal Rate ◽  
Economic Productivity ◽  
Tigray Region

SUMMARYA major problem faced by small-scale farmers in northern Ethiopia is reduced crop yield due to increasing soil degradation resulting from repeated tillage and inadequate agronomic management practices. These practices have left soils and rainfed crops susceptible to hazardous climatic events such as droughts. Sustainable farm practices such as minimum tillage and surface residue retention have been shown to improve soil health and crop productivity. The objectives of this field study were thus to evaluate the impacts of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on crop yield and economic productivity over 6 years in the eastern Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. Using a barley–wheat rotation from 2010 to 2016, the applied treatments were (i) permanent raised beds (PRB); (2) semi-permanent raised beds (SPB) and (3) conventional tillage (CT). Average barley and wheat biomass and grain yields in PRB and SPB treatments were consistently greater than yields under CT each year. In addition, the highest marginal rate of return was obtained in PRB and SPB compared to CT in all years (2010–2016). These results suggest that the CA practices of PRB and SPB can improve crop yield and profit compared to CT practices in the Tigray region.

scholarly journals Effect of different soil moisture regimes on plant growth and water use efficiency of Sunflower: experimental study and modeling

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar Soothar ◽  
Ashutus Singha ◽  
Shakeel Ahmed Soomro ◽  
Azhar-u-ddin Chachar ◽  
Faiza Kalhoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Aquacrop Model ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract Background Climate change and increasing demand in non-agricultural sectors profoundly affect the availability and quality of water resources for irrigated agriculture. The FAO AquaCrop simulation model provides a sound theoretical framework to investigate crop yield response to environmental stress. This model has successfully simulated crop growth and yield as influenced by varying soil moisture environments for crops. Integrating crop models that simulate the effects of water on crop yield with targeted experimentation can facilitate the development of irrigation strategies for high yield procurement and improving farm level water management and water use efficiency (WUE) under climatic condition of District Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. Results This study was based on completely randomized block design with three treatments including T1 (30% soil moisture depletion), T2 (50% soil moisture depletion) and T3 (70% soil moisture depletion) with three replicates. In order to determine the crop water requirements under desired treatments, the gypsum blocks were used for computing the daily soil moisture depletion. The result shows that total volume of water applied to crop under T1, T2 and T3 was 9689, 5200 and 2045 m3 ha−1, respectively. As a result, the grain yield under T1, T2 and T3 was 13.2, 12.1 and 14.3 t ha−1, respectively. These results advocate that total yield of crop under T1 and T2 was less as compared to T3. The T3 gave higher yield and WUE compared than other treatments. On the other hand, results revealed that the simulated sunflower yields showed a good agreement with their measured under T3. The simulated grain yield was 15.5 t ha−1, while the measured yield varied from 12.1 to 14.3 t ha−1. This study suggested that WUE under T3 was more as compared to T1 and T2. The results showed that the T3 gave the highest crop yield in relation to WUE and optimize yield of sunflower crop under water scarcity. Conclusion The Aquacrop model could very well predict crop yield and WUE at T3 under experiential region for sunflower production.

Effects of Dated Soil Moisture Stress on Crop Yields

1977 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nairizi ◽  
J. R. Rydzewski
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Relative Sensitivity ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Soil Moisture Stress ◽  
Time Element ◽  
Quantitative Contribution

SUMMARYCrop yield response to soil moisture deficiency varies for different crops and also depends on the time of its occurrence in the growth cycle. Many attempts have been made to derive a single relationship between total water consumption and yield for various crops, but this has proved of limited use, because the effect of time was omitted from such production functions. Jensen (1968) derived two expressions, for determinate and indeterminate crops, bringing the time element into his expressions indirectly by a parameter (λi) which defines the relative sensitivity of the crop to soil moisture stress at different growing stages. The usefulness of this approach depends on the accuracy with which this parameter can be determined. The aim of this paper is to derive λi for a number of crops from available experimental data and subsequently to find a way of computing the quantitative contribution of each single irrigation application to the crop yield. This should lead to a more rational use of irrigation water resources.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document