Relative cost to soil fertility of long-term crop production without fertilization

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
J. T. Harapiak ◽  
G. P. Lafond
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Growth Chamber ◽  
Rotation Phase ◽  
N Fertility

An earlier analysis of yield trends of stubble-wheat in six cropping systems, over 35 yr, in a thin Black Chernozemic soil at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, showed that fertilizer improved soil quality, while absence of fertilizer, combined with frequent fallowing, led to soil degradation. The inclusion of a legume green manure crop in the rotation failed to maintain soil fertility, apparently because legumes do not supply P. Because the fertility and stored moisture effects were confounded, we conducted a growth chamber experiment to quantify soil responses to N and P in these six cropping systems. Soil from the top 15-cm of the rotation phase that had just grown two successive wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops was used. Various factorial combinations of ammonium nitrate-N and triple superphosphate-P were applied at N/P2O5 rates up to 200/200 kg ha−1. Soil moisture was maintained in the available range. Regression analysis showed that the fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) and continuous wheat (Cont W) systems that had not been fertilized in 35 yr, and which had moderate amounts of NaHCO3-P, only responded to N. In contrast, the green manure (GM)- and hay (H)- containing systems, which had also not been fertilized before had low levels of NaHCO3-P and responded to both N and P. In the field, the yields of wheat grown on stubble in 1991 rated: Cont W (N + P) > F-W-W (N + P) > F-W-W-H-H-H > Cont W > GM-W-W > F-W-W. However, in the growth chamber the rating was: Cont W (N + P) > F-W-W-H-H-H > GM-W-W > Cont W > F-W-W (N + P) > F-W-W. We suggest that the growth chamber results more accurately reflect the present fertility status of these soils, because fertility is no longer confounded with soil moisture. Grain yields in the growth chamber were directly proportional to the previously measured initial potential rate of N mineralization, indicating the value of the latter parameter as a useful index of soil N fertility. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, soil degradation, legumes, fertilizers

scholarly journals Nitrogen fertility in semiarid dryland wheat production is challenging for beginning organic farmers

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew J. Lyon ◽  
Gary W. Hergert
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
N Fertility ◽  
Summer Fallow

AbstractOrganic farming systems use green and animal manures to supply nitrogen (N) to their fields for crop production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of green manure and composted cattle manure on the subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) crop in a semiarid environment. Dry pea (Pisum sativumL.) was seeded in early April and terminated at first flower in late June. Composted cattle manure was applied at 0, 11.2 or 22.5 Mg ha−1just prior to pea termination. Winter wheat was planted in mid September following the green manure or tilled summer fallow. No positive wheat response to green manure or composted cattle manure was observed in any of the 3 years of the study. In 2 of the 3 years, wheat yields and grain test weight were reduced following green manure. Green manure reduced grain yields compared with summer fallow by 220 and 1190 kg ha−1in 2009 and 2010, respectively. This may partially be explained by 40 and 47 mm less soil water at wheat planting following peas compared with tilled summer fallow in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Also, in 2008 and 2009, soil nitrate level averaged 45 kg ha−1higher for black fallow compared with green manure fallow when no compost was added. Organic growers in the semiarid Central Great Plains will be challenged to supply N fertility to their winter wheat crop in a rapid and consistent manner as a result of the inherently variable precipitation. Growers may need to allow several years to pass before seeing the benefits of fertility practices in their winter wheat cropping systems.

scholarly journals Mulching: A viable option to increase productivity of field and fruit crops

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 974-982
Author(s):  
Jagroop Kaur ◽  
Harsimrat K. Bons
Keyword(s):  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Underground Water ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Fruit Crops ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Weed Growth

Mulching plays an important role in production of agricultural and horticultural crops in the current scenario of declining water table, soil degradation and climate change. The main objectives of mulching are to prevent loss of water by evaporation, prevention of soil erosion, weed control, to reduce fertilizer leaching, to promote soil productivity, to enhance yield and quality of field and fruit crops. So, mulching is useful to save our underground water resource, soil and environment for sustainable crop production. In this review paper, the literature clearly shows pronounced effects of mulching on soil health by improving the soil structure, soil fertility, biological activities, avoid soil degradation in addition to moisture conservation, regulating temperature, encouraging change in favourable micro-climate, check weed growth and ultimately increasing the productivity, quality, profitability and sustainability of crops and cropping systems irrespective of the system/situation.

scholarly journals Effect of Continuous Intensive Cultivation on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Oxic Dystrandept Soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
NTANGMO TSAFACK Honorine ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
First Year ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
One Year ◽  
Microbiological Properties

Soil fertility indices are well documented as they are directly related to land use and productivity. However, the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the evolution of soil fertility is still poorly documented. The aim of this study was thus to assess the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the chemical and microbiological properties of Oxic Dystrandept soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Composite soil samples were taken between 0-15 cm depths on farmlands that have been subjected to continuous intensive cultivation for one, five and ten years meanwhile samples from plots that have never been cultivated served as control. The main results revealed that the ammonium contents dropped abruptly (86%-wt) from the first year of cultivation. The organic carbon (OC) content decreased from 1.81 ± 0.14 %-dm (in control) to 1.69 ± 0.09 % after one year, 1.66 ± 0.10 % after 5 years and 1.58 ± 0.07 % after 10 years. Compared to the control, available phosphorus (P) showed a 13 %-wt drop after one year, 46 % after 5 years and 85 % after 10 years. Dehydrogenase activity showed a 42 % decrease after one year, 50 % after five years and 73 % after 10 years. The other parameters were not significantly different (P<0.05) amongst treatments. Decline of soil productivity was undoubtedly related to the decrease of OC, P, microbial activity and ammonium with continuous intensive cultivation. Thus, management strategies for improved crop production should include selection suitable cropping systems and chemical methods. Keywords: Continuous intensive cultivation, enzymatic activities, soil chemical properties, Oxic Dystrandept, Cameroon western highland

Trees in Alley Cropping: Competitors or Soil Improvers?

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy P. Haggar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Alley Cropping ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Agroforestry System ◽  
Humid Tropics ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Soil Improvers ◽  
Improved Design

Agroforestry has a high potential to sustain agricultural production in the humid tropics. One specific type of agroforestry, alley cropping, has received much attention as a means of producing staple food crops within an agroforestry system. There is now substantial evidence that alley cropping maintains soil fertility above levels found in pure annual cropping systems. Nevertheless, competition between the trees and crops can significantly reduce yields by the crop. A model is presented of how the balance between the improved soil fertility in alley cropping and competition from the trees determines the final crop performance. Better understanding of the factors that determine crop yield will enable improved design and management of alley cropping systems, and may allow alley cropping to become a more reliable means of improving crop production.

Indianhead black lentil as green manure for wheat rotations in the Brown soil zone

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
F. Selles
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Soil Zone

Frequent use of summerfallow (F) to reduce the water deficit associated with cereal cropping in the Canadian prairies has resulted in severe erosion and a reduction in N-supplying power of the soils. It has been suggested that it may be feasible to use annual legumes as green manure (GM) to supply the N requirements and snow trapping to enhance soil water recharge for a subsequent cereal crop. Our objective was to test the feasibility of employing this management strategy for the Brown soil zone of southwestern Saskatchewan, by comparing yields and N uptake of hard red spring wheat (W) (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a 3-yr rotation with Indianhead black lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (i.e., GM-W-W) with that obtained in a monoculture wheat system (i.e., F-W-W). Both cropping systems were operated for 6 yr, from 1988 to 1993, with all phases of the rotations present each year. The results showed that grain yields of wheat after GM were generally significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those after F, primarily because the GM reduced the reserves of available spring soil water. These results occurred despite the fact that five of the six growing seasons had above average precipitation. Yields of wheat grown on stubble were unaffected by rotation. Grain N concentration was greater for wheat grown on GM partial-fallow than for wheat grown on conventional-F in the final 3 yr of the study which was due mainly to the lower wheat yields in the GM system (i.e., yield dilution). Our results suggest that, for annual legume GM to be used successfully in the Brown soil zone, producers should seed it as early as possible (late April to early May) and terminate the growth of the legume by the first week of July, even if this means foregoing some N2 fixation. Key words: Summerfallow, soil water, grain protein, N content, soil nitrogen

From the field-scale Aquacrop model to a regional gridded crop model: initial evaluation over Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon de Roos ◽  
Gabriëlle de Lannoy ◽  
Dirk Raes
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Crop Model ◽  
Crop Models ◽  
Soil Database ◽  
Aquacrop Model ◽  
Spatially Distributed

&lt;p&gt;The pressure on soil and water resources to support the demand for crop production calls for effective water management at the regional scale and a need for regional crop models.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In our study, the field-based Aquacrop v.6.1 is modified to a gridded crop model that is run spatially over the main part of Europe at 1-km resolution.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The gridded model simulates spatially distributed soil moisture, crop biomass and yield, given spatial input of meteorological forcings extracted from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) and 1-km soil texture information from the Harmonized World Soil Database v1.2 (HWSD v1.2). For the first model evaluation, a hypothetical and uniform crop is implemented, and field management and irrigation practices are not included. We will present preliminary results over Europe by comparing the spatial soil moisture and biomass simulations with remote sensing data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This work is part of the SHui project, a H2020 project that aims at improving stakeholder decision-making for water scarcity management in European and Chinese cropping systems.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Exploring Potential Soil Bacteria for Sustainable Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Production

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizwan Ali Sheirdil ◽  
Rifat Hayat ◽  
Xiao-Xia Zhang ◽  
Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi ◽  
Safdar Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Acc Deaminase ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Growth Chamber ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
The Impact

The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could allow growers to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and increase the sustainability of crop production. Wheat is the main staple food crop of Pakistan, and few studies have reported on the impact of PGPR on wheat crops. To determine if PGPR can maintain wheat productivity with reduced fertilizer applications, we isolated bacteria from the rhizosphere of wheat grown in sandy loam. We selected 10 strains based on in vitro assays for traits associated with PGPR: ACC deaminase activity, siderophore productivity, P-solubilization, and productivity of indole acetic acid (IAA). Furthermore, the strains were tested in three experiments (using a growth-chamber, pots with an experimental area of 0.05 m2, and a field). Strains that possessed the four traits associated with PGPR increased the shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry weight of plants in the growth chamber study. Similarly, under the pot trial, maximum crop traits were observed under the consortium + half dose, while under field conditions maximum crop parameters were detected in the case of consortium 1 and consortium 2 along with half the recommended dose of fertilizer. This confirms that this consortium could provide growers with a sustainable approach to reduce synthetic fertilizer usage in wheat production.

scholarly journals Crop Recommendation System using Machine Learning

2021 ◽  
pp. 558-569
Author(s):  
Dhruvi Gosai ◽  
Chintal Raval ◽  
Rikin Nayak ◽  
Hardik Jayswal ◽  
Axat Patel
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Recommendation System ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Monitoring Temperature ◽  
Crop Health

A vast fraction of the population of India considers agriculture as its primary occupation. The production of crops plays an important role in our country. Bad quality crop production is often due to either excessive use of fertilizer or using not enough fertilizer. The proposed system of IoT and ML is enabled for soil testing using the sensors, is based on measuring and observing soil parameters. This system lowers the probability of soil degradation and helps maintain crop health. Different sensors such as soil temperature, soil moisture, pH, NPK, are used in this system for monitoring temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and soil pH along with NPK nutrients of the soil respectively. The data sensed by these sensors is stored on the microcontroller and analyzed using machine learning algorithms like random forest based on which suggestions for the growth of the suitable crop are made. This project also has a methodology that focuses on using a convolutional neural network as a primary way of identifying if the plant is at risk of a disease or not.

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.

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