Performance of silage corn (Zea mays L.) in a cool climate ecosystem: effects of photodegradable plastic mulch

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Kwabiah
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Plastic Film ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Heat Units ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Cool Climate ◽  
Degradable Plastic

Yield of silage corn (Zea mays L.) in Newfoundland (NL), Canada, is limited by low corn heat units (CHU). This is a reflection of generally moderate temperature throughout the growing season in addition to having a late spring and early fall. Clear photo-degradable plastic film, applied to the soil after sowing, may boost soil and air temperatures and hence advance growth and development. Research was conducted at three on -farm sites near St. John’s in 2000 and 2001 to determine the effects of plastic mulch on time from planting to emergence (VE), 50% silking (R1), 50% kernel milk line (R5.5) and dry matter (DM) yield. Three early hybrids with CHU ratings of 2100, 2200 and 2300 were planted in late May of each year when the soil temperature was above 10°C. At planting, half of each plot was covered (PC) with a clear photo-degradable plastic film (X-Tend Plastic System®), 1.32 m in width and 6 m thick, and the other half was not covered (NC). During the first 30–35 d after planting, the crops grew under the thin plastic mulch before breaking through as it started to degrade. During this time, air (10 cm above soil surface) and soil (5 cm depth) temperatures underneath the plastic film were recorded. These were compared to the soil (5 cm depth) and air (100 cm high) temperatures of the NC plots. Soil and air temperatures for PC plots were consistently higher than for NC plots in both years. The plastic continued to degrade during the rest of the season and was completely degraded by the time of harvest in late `September. In 2000, the plastic advanced VE by 9 to 13 d, R1 by 10 to 15 d and R5.5 by 9 to 15 d relative to the NC treatment. In 2001, advancement of VE due to the plastic mulch ranged from 8 and 12 d, 6 to 9 d for R1 and 6 to 11 d for R5.5. Relative to the NC treatment, the plastic improved CHU by 9% and total DM yield by 22% in 2000 and improved CHU by 7% and total DM yield by 14% in 2001. A small increase in CHU due to plastic mulch resulted in a proportionately larger increase in total DM yield. Plastic mulches have the potential to accelerate maturity thereby insuring silage corn crops achieve acceptable DM yields in cool climate regions such as Newfoundland. Key words: Air temperature, corn heat units, soil temperature, total DM yield

EFFECTS OF HEATING AND INSULATING SOIL ON CORN GROWTH

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. KETCHESON
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Phosphorus Uptake ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Electric Heating ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Advanced Development

Interacting effects of controlled heat from electric heating cables 15 cm below the surface and of polystyrene insulation on the soil surface were studied over four seasons on an imperfectly drained outwash soil at Guelph, Canada. Heating to 22 C advanced germination of corn (Zea mays L.) by three days, improved emergence, advanced growth and increased yield at maturity. Insulation retarded germination, early growth and silking, but increased yields in three of the four years. Where heating decreased ear moisture content at harvest, insulation increased it. Heat combined with insulation gave the greatest response in growth, advance in silking, and increase in yield. The season with favorable soil temperature combined with low air temperature gave the highest yield of the four years. Fertilizer banded near the seed at planting advanced development and increased yields, but did not produce a statistically significant interacting effect with heat and insulation. However, fertilizer phosphorus uptake early in the season was markedly increased by heat and insulation. It was concluded that insulation can favor yield, provided that soil temperature is maintained near optimum.

Corn heat unit variability and potential of corn (Zea mays L.) production in a cool climate ecosystem

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 689-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Kwabiah ◽  
M. MacPherson ◽  
D. B. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Warming Trend ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Heat Accumulation ◽  
Heat Unit ◽  
Corn Production ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Harvesting Stage ◽  
Cool Climate

Recent interest in corn (Zea mays L.) production among forage producers in Newfoundland, Canada, raises questions of risk, scale and impact of seasonal heat accumulation for attaining maturity. The objectives of this paper were to present the results of corn performance in a short-term trial at three selected sites (St. John’s, Deer Lake and Stephenville), calculate corn heat unit (CHU) probability levels of these sites to assess the long-term risks, and determine CHU values of locations across Newfoundland to describe their suitability for corn production. Daily values of CHU were accumulated from the conversion of daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperature for each location using the last day of 3 consecutive days in the spring with mean daily air temperatures (Tmean) ≥ 12.8°C as the starting date and the first date of a killing frost in the autumn (Tmin ≤ -2°C) or 30 September, whichever was earlier, as the ending date. Corn grown for silage at the three selected sites was within the desired level of 250–350 g kg-1 DM at 50% kernel milk line (R5.5) stage. Corn reached harvesting stage (R5.5) before the occurrence of a killing frost at Deer Lake and Stephenville. To protect seedlings against killing frost, mulching with transparent polyethylene film is recommended at St. John ’s. There was considerable year-to-year variability in CHU at each of the three sites. Differences in seasonal CHU for St. John’s were identified over two periods: from 1945–1989 and 1990–2001. The most recent period (1990–2001) has generally been warmer than the earlier period. A warming trend, as indicated by the CHU trends at the three sites, holds the prospect of some significant longer-term benefits for Newfoundland agriculture. Across Newfoundland, average (1956–1990) seasonal CHU accumulations (CHUave) based on STARTave and ENDend) ranged from 1686 at St. Lawrence to 2695 at Gander. Using the 80% probability (START80% and END80%) dates, the CHU80% ranged from 1486 at Port aux Basques to 2382 at Gander. The CHU values would help producers select what corn hybrid(s) to grow in their area. Overall, these analyses underline the potential for successful corn production in Newfoundland. Key words: Corn (Zea mays L.) maturity, corn heat units, cool climate region, 50% kernel milk line (R5.5), temperature

scholarly journals The Effect of Tillage Treatments on Soil Temperature at Planting and on Corn (Zea mays L.) Yield

2001 ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
Miklós Pakurár ◽  
László Lakatos ◽  
János Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Corn Hybrid

The effect of soil temperature was evaluated on the yield of the Occitan corn hybrid at a depth of 5 cm. We examined this effect on the time required from planting to emergence for three average durations: five, ten and fifteen days, all calculated from the day of planting. Winter plowing (27 cm), spring plowing (23 cm), disc-till (12 cm) treatments and 120 kg N per hectare fertilizer were applied. As a result of our analysis, we determined the post planting optimum soil temperatures for various time periods. The average soil temperature for a time period of 15 days post planting is the most usable for determining actual yields, followed by ten days, with five days proved to be the least usable (winter plow R2 = 0.86, spring plow R2 = 0.87, disc-till R2 = 0.64).

DETERMINATION OF VARIABILITY IN SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROBIAL BIOMASS UNDER CONTINUOUS DIRECT-PLANTED CORN

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER ◽  
R. P. WHITE
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Prince Edward Island ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Winter Period

The spatial variability of soil strength, porosity, and microbial biomass was determined under 4-yr continuous direct-planted silage corn (Zea mays L.) on Prince Edward Island. All soil properties changed relative to the row position. Microbial biomass C and N were lower in the in-row compared to the between-row position. Positional and depth differences for soil bulk density and volume of macropores (EPD > 50 μm) were only evident at the soil surface (0–8 cm). Temporal and spatial variations in soil strength indicated the extent of the rooting potential within the soil profile, the depth to compacted soil layers, and the degree of soil structure regeneration during the winter period. Key words: Spatial variability, soil strength, soil porosity, microbial biomass, direct-planted corn, Zea mays L.

COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGY AND POROSITY OF A SOIL UNDER CONVENTIONAL AND ZERO TILLAGE

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. SHIPITALO ◽  
R. PROTZ
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Soil Morphology ◽  
Soil Taxonomy ◽  
No Till ◽  
Oriented Parallel ◽  
Earthworm Activity

Effects of tillage on soil morphology and porosity were investigated in plots planted to corn (Zea mays L.) for seven consecutive years. Micromorphometric analyses indicated that Ap horizons of no-till plots had approximately half the macroporosity (pores ≥ 200 μm equivalent circular diameter) of those of conventionally tilled plots. Loss of macroporosity was characterized by a decrease in mean pore size and a tendency for pores to become elongated, less tortuous, and oriented parallel to the soil surface. Obvious zoological activity, which consisted mainly of burrowing earthworms, resulted in two to nine times more bioporosity in a no-till pedon than in a conventionally tilled pedon. Earthworm activity also contributed to the formation of 5-cm-thick B & A horizon and a more uniform distribution of organic carbon than in the conventionally tilled pedon. These differences in morphology are reflected in the classification under Soil Taxonomy but not under the Canadian System. We speculate that zoological activity may serve to counteract the reduction in macroporosity in the Ap of the no-till pedon. Key words: Bioporosity, earthworms, micromorphometric analysis, zoological activity

The effect of tillage on nitrogen use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) in a ridge–furrow plastic film mulch system

2019 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 104409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yüze Li ◽  
Duanpu Song ◽  
Pengfei Dang ◽  
Lina Wei ◽  
Xiaoliang Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plastic Film ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

scholarly journals Thermal and Soil Moisture Amplitude of Intercropped Crops

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
João Danilo Barbieri ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Lourenço de Freitas ◽  
Rivanildo Dallacort ◽  
Cornélio Alberto Zolin ◽  
Diego Fernando Daniel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Lower Amplitude ◽  
Thermal Amplitude ◽  
Soil And Water

Conservation systems of production are promoting yields and profitability, intercropping systems aim at sustainable maximization of soil and water use, and have become an alternative for regions characterized by relatively short rainy periods and high temperatures. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the intercropping system between maize (Zea mays L.) and C. juncea (Crotalaria juncea L.) on soil temperature and humidity for the municipality of Tangará da Serra in Brazil. The treatments consisted of the single crop of maize and crotalaria, as well as their intercrop cultivation, the soil temperature was evaluated at depths of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 and 0.40 m and soil moisture at depths of 0.20 and 0.40 m. The components of grain production and yield of maize were also evaluated, for crotalaria, height, diameter and dry mass of the plants were evaluated. The highest soil temperature occurred at 14 h with an average of 21°C for all three treatments. The intercropping of maize with crotalaria gave the soil a lower amplitude of the soil temperature and kept the soil moisture high with values of 0.3 m3 m-3 in the depth of 0.20 m. The development stage presented the lowest mean thermal amplitude and higher humidity for the intercrop system. The yield of maize in an intercrop was reduced by 42.7% compared to a single crop.

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