Effects of three tillage treatments on seasonal runoff and soil loss in the Peace River region

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. P. van Vliet ◽  
R. Kline ◽  
J. W. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Snowmelt Runoff ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Seasonal Runoff ◽  
Tillage Treatment ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Losses

Three tillage treatments were evaluated over a 4-yr period for their effects on runoff and soil loss under natural precipitation on a Donnelly silt loam soil (Solonetzic Gray Luvisol) near Dawson Creek in the Peace River region of British Columbia. Conventional-tilled (CT) plots (spring or fall cultivation) received twice the amount of tillage as the reduced-tilled (RT) plots, while the zero-tilled (ZT) plots were only disturbed at seeding once a year. The plots were seeded to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Rainfall and snowmelt runoff were collected throughout the year to determine seasonal runoff and soil losses. The effects of the tillage treatments on runoff and soil loss depended on the season (whether caused by rainfall or snowmelt) and the crop year. Mean snowmelt runoff was ZT > CT > RT. Conventional tillage had significantly higher rainfall runoff and soil loss from snowmelt than the other two tillage treatments, with no significant differences between RT and ZT. Mean rainfall-induced soil loss was significantly different for each tillage treatment, with CT > RT > ZT. Soil losses from snowmelt were low, less than 30% of those from rainfall, since snowfall was 45% below normal. Soil losses from rainfall were consistently higher than from snowmelt for each tillage treatment in each of the four crop years and provided over 75% of the 4-yr total annual soil loss. Tillage effects were more pronounced in years with low runoff and soil loss than in years with high runoff and soil loss. Zero tillage and RT are effective in reducing average annual soil losses by 81 and 53%, respectively, of those observed under conventional tillage. Key words: Runoff, soil loss, erosion plots, seasons, tillage

Effects of two crop rotations on seasonal runoff and soil loss in the Peace River region

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. P. Van Vliet ◽  
J. W. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Snowmelt Runoff ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Peace River ◽  
Residual Variation ◽  
River Region ◽  
Seasonal Runoff ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Losses

Four erosion plots were monitored from 1983 to 1989 (6 yr) to evaluate the effects of two crop rotations and their constituent crops on runoff and soil loss under natural precipitation near Fort St. John in the Peace River region of British Columbia. Rotation 1 consisted of two cycles of summerfallow — canola (Brassica rapa)-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and Rotation 2 included summerfallow — canola-barley-barley underseed to red fescue (Festuca rubra L.)-fescue-fescue. Rainfall and snowmelt runoff were collected and sampled throughout the year to determine seasonal runoff and soil losses. Over the 6 yr, the cumulative runoff and soil losses were consistently greater under Rotation 1 than under Rotation 2. There was a greater than fourfold difference in total soil loss, and 33–35% more total runoff. Rainfall-induced runoff and soil losses were significantly higher for Rotation 1 than for Rotation 2. Snowmelt runoff accounted for 90 and 96% of the total annual runoff and for 39 and 80% of the total annual soil loss from Rotations 1 and 2, respectively. Two large rainfall events during 1983 and 1987, each causing a soil loss in excess of 2000 kg ha−1, accounted for between 85 and 91% of the 6-yr total rainfall-induced erosion from Rotation 1. No differences in runoff or soil loss were detected among crops but the comparisons were insensitive because of high residual variation. Key words: Runoff, soil loss, erosion plots, crop rotations

Seasonal distribution of runoff and soil loss under four tillage treatments in the upper St. John River valley New Brunswick, Canada

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Chow ◽  
H. W. Rees ◽  
J. Monteith
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Soil Erodibility ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss ◽  
Soil Losses

The effect of four different tillage treatments on surface runoff and soil loss, their seasonal distribution and temporal variation in soil erodibility were examined using runoff-erosion plots (10 m wide × 30 m long), on a Holmesville gravelly loam soil, a major soil type used for potato production in New Brunswick. Fall moldboard plowing, fall chisel plowing, spring moldboard plowing and subsoiling followed by fall moldboard plowing were evaluated under barley and fallow conditions on 8 and 11% slopes between 1989 and 1993. With exception of one year, annual precipitation was lower than normal. However, due to higher rainfall during the cropping season, the calculated erosivities were higher than those typically used for conservation planning in this region. Runoff data revealed that fall moldboard plowing generated the highest runoff. Either performing subsoiling prior to fall moldboard plowing or delaying moldboard plowing until the next spring, reduced runoff by approximately 10%. Chisel plowing, which loosens the soil without inverting it and leaves a large amount of residues on the surface, provided by far the greatest benefit in reducing runoff (20% reduction over fall moldboard plowing). Soil loss from fall moldboard plowing on the 11% slope under fallow was 2.8 and 2.6 times greater than from spring moldboard plowing and fall chisel plowing, respectively. The majority of the difference in soil loss occurred during the summer months. The benefit of spring moldboard and fall chisel plowing was considerably less on the 8% slope in which soil loss from the fall moldboard plowing was only 24 and 19% higher than spring moldboard and fall chisel plowing, respectively, indicating that the benefits are slope dependent and increase with increasing slope from 8 to 11%. When the plots were planted in Chapais barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), soil losses were negligible. Tillage treatments, and particularly cropping practices, play a major role in seasonal distribution of runoff and soil loss. Under fallow, approximately 79% of runoff and 8.1% of soil loss occurred during the non-cropping season whereas 96% of runoff and 68% of soil loss were found when the plots were planted in barley. The soil erodibility factor was two to three times higher during March and April, which coincide with the winter-spring thaw period, than during the rest of the year. This seasonal variation must be considered when using event-based models to predict soil losses. Key words: Moldboard plow, chisel plow, subsoiling, erodibility, erosivity, universal soil loss equation, crop residue

Estimation of snowmelt runoff in the Peace River region using a soil moisture budget

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. N. Hayhoe ◽  
R. G. Pelletier ◽  
L. J. P. van Vliet
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Frozen Soil ◽  
Moisture Budget ◽  
Snowmelt Runoff ◽  
Peace River ◽  
Erosion Prediction ◽  
Spring Runoff ◽  
River Region ◽  
Soil Moisture Budget

Rainfall and snowmelt runoff on soil frozen below the surface are recognized as important factors contributing to soil loss in Canada. The risk of rain on frozen soil has been quantified, and the amount of snowmelt on frozen soil has been estimated. This study extends such research to derive a climate-based model to estimate winter and spring runoff. This could result in a more accurate erosion prediction for areas where snowmelt is a major source for runoff. Selected components of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model and the versatile soil moisture budget (VB) were tested on observed data for two study sites in the Peace River region. The version of the WEPP model available to us estimated snow depth, soil frost depth and frequency of freeze–thaw cycles. However, the results did not adequately match observed data. The VB was modified in this study to improve the estimate of potential winter and spring runoff, and it was shown that incorporating observations of snow depth improved the estimate of the time and amount of snowmelt runoff. The modified runoff model was validated with data collected in the Peace River area of northern Alberta and British Columbia and with published data from the Prairies. Key words: Snowmelt, runoff, soil moisture budget

Jackson barley

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-208
Author(s):  
R. I. Wolfe ◽  
D. G. Faris ◽  
J. G. N. Davidson ◽  
P. J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Cultivar Description ◽  
The Cross

Jackson (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an early-maturing, hulled, six-row feed barley. It was developed at the Northern Agriculture Research Centre, Beaverlodge, Alberta from the cross BT607/Pomo. It is short in height, moderately strong strawed, and adapted to western Alberta and the Peace River region of British Columbia. Key words:Hordeum vulgare, barley, early maturity, cultivar description

AC Stacey barley

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-463
Author(s):  
R. I. Wolfe ◽  
D. G. Faris ◽  
J. G. N. Davidson ◽  
P. J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Research Centre ◽  
Rhynchosporium Secalis ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Leaf Scald ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Cultivar Description ◽  
Barley Leaf

AC Stacey is an early maturing, six-row feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with excellent barley leaf scald resistance. It was developed at the Northern Agriculture Research Centre, Beaverlodge, Alberta from the cross Otal/Melvin. It is moderately strong strawed, and adapted to barley leaf scald prone areas in Alberta, and the Peace River region of British Columbia. Key words:Hordeum vulgare, barley, early maturity, cultivar description, Rhynchosporium secalis, scald

OTAL BARLEY

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1097-1099
Author(s):  
R. I. WOLFE ◽  
R. L. TAYLOR ◽  
D. G. FARIS
Keyword(s):  
Hordeum Vulgare ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Research Station ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Cultivar Description

Otal is a six-rowed spring feed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) developed and released in Alaska by the United States Department of Agriculture and the state Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at Palmer. Otal was developed from a cross of the Finnish cultivar Otra, and a breeding line from the Weibullsholm Plant Breeding Institute, Sweden. It was identified at the Agriculture Canada Research Station at Beaver-lodge in Alberta as having promise in the Peace River region for its combination of earliness and high yield, and was licensed for sale in Canada.Key words: Cultivar description, barley, Hordeum vulgare L. early-maturity

AC Albright barley

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 457-459
Author(s):  
R. I. Wolfe ◽  
S. M. Dofing ◽  
J. G. N. Davidson ◽  
P. J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Hordeum Vulgare ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Barley Cultivar ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
North Central ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
Cultivar Description

AC Albright (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an early maturing, six-row feed barley cultivar. It was selected from the cultivar Otal at the Northern Agriculture Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge, Alberta Canada. It has demonstrated adaptation to north-central and western Alberta and the Peace River region of British Columbia. Key words:Hordeum vulgare, barley, early maturity, cultivar description

Soil and crop responses to long-term potato production at a benchmark site in northwestern New Brunswick

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
H W Rees ◽  
T L Chow ◽  
E G Gregorich
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

Concerns about deteriorating soil quality led to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada establishing a network of 23 soil quality monitoring benchmark sites with the objective of providing a baseline data set for assessing change in soil quality and biological productivity of representative Canadian farming systems. A site (22-NB) was established in 1990 in northwestern New Brunswick to monitor changes in Podzolic and Brunisolic soils developed on coarse loamy till on a rolling landscape under intensive potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production [potato-potato-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) rotation] that was cultivated along the contour with variable grade diversions and a grassed waterway. Soil samples were collected in 1990 and again in 2000. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) at 10–20, 26–36 and 50–60 cm, earthworm counts and crop yield measurements were conducted annually. 137Cs data were collected in 1990 to estimate soil displacement at the site. Runoff and soil loss between May 01 and Nov. 30 were measured annually. The soil conservation system at site 22-NB has resulted in annual runoff and soil loss of only 9 mm and 311 kg ha-1, respectively. Measured values of 137Cs averaged 2114 Bq m-2 (70% of baseline). Changes in the Ap horizon properties between 1990 and 2000 included significant (P < 0.05) increases in available P (+ 86.7 mg kg-1) and K (+ 13.4 mg kg-1) and significant reductions in available Mg (−45.8 mg kg-1) and SOC (−0.51 g kg-1). The Kfs of 10- to 20-cm, 26- to 36-cm and 50- to 60-cm depths were 1.3, 1.0 and 1.0 cm h-1, respectively. Very few earthworms were present (0.05 worms m-2). The upper terrace was consistently the highest yielding in both potato and barley, while the lowest terrace was consistently the lowest yielding in both crops. Crop yields may have been affected by micro-climate and other soil differences as a result of site position.While the system of contour tillage with variable grade diversions and grassed waterway conserved both soil and water, the potato-potato-grain rotation did not maintain SOC levels or sustain earthworm populations. Associated heavy rates of fertilization also lead to increased levels of soil K and P. Key words: Soil quality, soil organic carbon, hydraulic conductivity, earthworms, runoff, water erosion

The effect of crop type, crop rotation, and tillage practice on runoff and soil loss on a Vertisol in central Queensland

Soil Research ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 925 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Carroll ◽  
M Halpin ◽  
P. Burger ◽  
K. Bell ◽  
M. M. Sallaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Annual Runoff ◽  
Tillage Practice ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Average Annual Runoff ◽  
Sunflower Crop ◽  
Runoff And Soil Loss

In 1982, a long-term project was established in central Queensland to study the effect of crop type, crop rotation, and tillage practice on runoff and soil loss. Runoff and soil loss were measured at the outlet of 9 large contour bay catchments (approximately 13 ha) where wheat, sorghum, and sunflower were grown in 3 crop sequences. Each crop sequence consisted of zero, reduced, and conventional tillage fallow practices. Monoculture cropping was practised from 1983 to 1985, then opportunity cropping from 1986 to 1993. During the study, wheat cropping had lower average annual runoff and soil loss (P < 0·01) than sorghum and sunflower. Zero and reduced tillage retained more crop stubble (median >50%) and had less soil loss (P < 0·05) than conventional tillage. Zero tillage wheat had the lowest average annual runoff and soil loss, and conventional sunflowers had the highest. The erosion risk associated with sunflowers was reduced by a wheat–sunflower crop rotation, particularly when zero-tilled. Monoculture sunflower must be avoided. The region is susceptible to large episodic erosion when crops are not sown, there are long fallows, and soil cover falls below levels critical to control erosion (<30%). Opportunity cropping is the most appropriate system to maximise the regions variable rainfall and reduce runoff and soil loss.

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