Effect of fertilizer on seed yield of alfalfa under irrigation in Saskatchewan

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1105-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
H. Ukrainetz ◽  
J. J. Soroka
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Testing ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Commercial Field

The impact of fertilizers containing macro- and micro-nutrients on seed production of alfalfa under irrigation in Saskatchewan was assessed. Trials were conducted on a Sutherland clay loam at Saskatoon, SK, from 1986 to 1991, and in a commercial field on Asquith sandy loam near Outlook, SK, from 1990 to 1993. Nutrients (primarily combinations of P, K, S) were applied at establishment (in-row with seed, side-banded, or broadcast and incorporated prior to seeding), and/or broadcast on the soil surface each year. Seed yield at both sites was excellent for the region, and application of fertilizer had little or no impact on yield. At sites with adequate initial soil fertility, as indicated by soil testing, alfalfa may not require added fertilizer to maintain high levels of seed production. Key words: Medicago sativa, lucerne

scholarly journals Soil fertilization synergistically enhances the impact of pollination services in increasing seed yield of sunflower under dryland conditions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Dolapo Bola Adelabu ◽  
Emile Bredenhand ◽  
Sean van der Merwe ◽  
Angelinus Cornelius Franke
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Synergetic Effect ◽  
Insect Pollination ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Degraded Soil ◽  
Soil Fertilization ◽  
Fertilized Soil ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Poor Soil

Abstract To exploit the potential of ecological intensification during sunflower cropping, it is crucial to understand the potential synergies between crop management and ecosystem services. We therefore examined the effect of pollination intensification on sunflower yield and productivity under various levels of soil fertilization over two seasons in the eastern Free State, South Africa. We manipulated soil fertility with fertilizer applications and pollination with exclusion bags. We found a synergetic effect between pollination and soil fertilization whereby increasing pollination intensity led to a far higher impact on sunflower yield when the soil had been fertilized. Specifically, the intensification of insect pollination increased seed yield by approximately 0.4 ton/ha on nutrient poor soil and by approximately 1.7 ton/ha on moderately fertilized soil. Our findings suggest that sunflower crops on adequate balanced soil fertility will receive abundant insect pollination and may gain more from both synergies than crops grown in areas with degraded soil fertility.

scholarly journals Soil quality and proposal for fertility improvement of arable soil in Rasina District

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (51) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Biljana Sikirić ◽  
Vesna Mrvić ◽  
Olivera Stajković-Srbinović ◽  
Vladan Ugrenović ◽  
Darko Jaramaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Regular Control ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Field Plots ◽  
Very High

During the regular control of soil fertility in the Rasina District, it was established that the plots of land were distributed across Vertisol, Eutric Cambisol and Fluvisol types of soils, and to a lesser extent on Pseudogley and Ranker. The tested samples had different textures - sandy loam and loam, clay-sandy loam and clay loam, and clay. Plots of land that were of very acidic and acidic reactions were predominant, with medium amounts of humus, very low amounts of available phosphorus, and high amounts of available potassium. High or very high cation absorption capacity was found in about half of the examined fields; a deficient content of exchangeable Ca was recorded in 22% of plots and that of exchangeable Mg in 16% of plots, while an unfavorable Ca/Mg ratio was measured in 44% of plots. The overall sensitivity to acidification was mainly moderate (50.6% of plots) and strong (20.2% of plots). Very high concentrations of mobile Al, which could be toxic to plants, were found in 5 field plots.

Residue management increases seed yield of three turfgrass species on the Canadian prairies

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Gossen ◽  
J. J. Soroka ◽  
H. G. Najda
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
The Impact

Little information is available on the management of turfgrass species for seed production in the Canadian prairies. The objective of these studies was to assess the impact of residue management and row spacing on seed yield under irrigation. A factorial experiment was seeded at Saskatoon, SK, in 1993 to assess the impact of burning or scalping (very close mowing with residue removal) vs. mowing, and 20- vs. 40-cm row spacing on seed yield of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis), creeping red fescue (CRF) (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and creeping bentgrass (CBG) (Agrostis palustris). Also, a residue management trial on KBG was seeded at Brooks, AB, in 1993. At Saskatoon, yield was higher at 20-cm spacing across all three species in 1994, but spacing had no impact on winter survival, stand density, tiller growth or yield in subsequent years. Burning and scalping consistently resulted in earlier spring green-up, a higher proportion of fertile tillers, and higher seed yield than mowing. Even with residue management, yield declined after one harvest in CBG and CRF, and after two harvests in KBG. At Brooks, residue management had a similar impact on yield of KBG. A second trial at Brooks examined the impact of row spacing (20, 40, 60 cm) and seeding rate (0.5 to 6 kg seed ha-1) on KBG. Seed yield was highest at 40-cm spacings in 1994, at 60 cm in 1995, and at 40 to 60 cm in 1996. Seeding rate did not have a consistent effect on yield. We conclude that a combination of residue management and 20- to 40-cm spacings provide the highest, most consistent seed yields for these turfgrass species in this region. Key words: Burning, clipping, turfgrass, seed production, row spacing, Poa, Festuca, Agrostis

Soil carbon dynamics following the transition of permanent pasture to cereal cropping: influence of initial soil fertility, lime application and nutrient addition

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Coonan ◽  
John A. Kirkegaard ◽  
Clive A. Kirkby ◽  
Craig L. Strong ◽  
Martin R. Amidy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
Second Year ◽  
The Impact

Soil organic matter (SOM) in agricultural soils is generally lower in cultivated and intensively managed cropping soils than in pasture soils. Cultivation during the transition from pasture to crop leads to a loss of SOM, which may affect soil functionality and subsequent agricultural productivity. However, it is unclear how management practices influence SOM dynamics following this transition. We investigated the impact of initial soil fertility and application of lime and nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S)) on changes in soil carbon (C) during the transition from a permanent pasture to a crop. The pasture was managed over 20 years with fertiliser to generate soils with initial high and low fertility (referred to as P2 and P0, respectively), based on soil C, N, P and S concentrations. Prior to sowing, pasture residue was incorporated with three treatments applied: control, lime, and lime + nutrient. Two successive crops of triticale (Triticale (× Triticosecale)) were then grown. The P0 and P2 soils were again cultivated in March 2018 with incorporation of the triticale stubble residue (9 Mg ha–1) in each of the three soil treatments. After the two successive cereal crops, higher whole-soil C stocks were retained in the P2 than the P0 soils (difference of 2.1 Mg C ha–1 compared with an initial difference in stocks of 2.4 Mg C ha–1), with smaller loss of whole-soil C in P2 soils receiving the lime and lime + nutrient treatments than in the P2 control (average 10.3%, 10.0% and 20.2% loss of total C, respectively, relative to initial levels of soil C). Loss of C from the more active >0.4-mm fraction as a proportion of total C loss was higher in the first year with incorporation of legume-based pasture residue than in the second year with incorporation of C-rich, nutrient-poor crop residue (56% and 18% of the loss of C from the whole soil was from the >0.4-mm fraction in the first and second year, respectively). In P2 soil, loss of C was smaller in the more stable <0.4-mm fraction in the lime and lime + nutrient treatments than in the control (average loss of 9.6%, 11.2% and 17.6%, respectively). By contrast, in the low-fertility (P0) soil, loss of C was greater in the <0.4-mm fraction in the lime treatment than in the control (12.3% and 3.4% loss, respectively) unless supplementary nutrients were added at the time of cultivation (7.0% loss). Narrowing of nutrient ratios (C:N and C:S) in the P0 whole soil over time suggested that the loss of soil C was associated with increased microbial processing of C in the coarse-fraction soil. Taken together, the results demonstrate that loss of C from the pasture soils after cultivation was lower for soil with initially higher soil fertility when lime was applied, and that for soils with lower initial fertility, application of nutrients in addition to those for crop growth reduced C mineralisation induced by lime application.

YIELD, SEED WEIGHT AND PROTEIN CONTENT OF FIELD PEAS AFTER SOIL AND FOLIAR TREATMENTS OF SIMAZINE AT SUBLETHAL LEVELS

1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-255
Author(s):  
G. H. GUBBELS
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Sandy Clay Loam ◽  
Pisum Sativum L ◽  
Field Peas

Simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine] was applied at rates of 0.002–0.800 kg a.i./ha to field peas (Pisum sativum L.) as soil and as foliar applications for 4 yr. Band applications to the soil surface over the seeded rows and incorporated beside the seeded rows in a clay soil had no effect on seed yield or protein content. However, seed yield was increased 25% in the year that seeding was early (3 May) in a fine sandy clay loam, and seed placed into the center of a band into which simazine at 0.4 kg a.i./ha had been rototilled to a depth of 10–12 cm. There were no differences in weight per seed or protein content. Foliar applications were not effective.

Effect of grazing intensity and number of grazings on herbage production and seed yields of Trifolium subterraneum, Medicago murex, and Ornithopus compressus

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Conlan ◽  
BS Dear ◽  
NE Coombes
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Heavy Grazing ◽  
Ornithopus Compressus ◽  
The Impact

The impact of grazing intensity and number of grazings was assessed on the growth and seed production of 5 annual pasture legumes [Trifoliunz subterraneum var. subterraneum cv. Karridale, var. brachycalycinum cv. Clare, var. yanninicum cv. Trikkala; Medicago murex (murex medic) cv. Zodiac; Ornithopus compressus L. (yellow serradella) cv. Avila]. There were 7 grazing treatments: an ungrazed control; and 2 grazing intensities (light and heavy), each for 3 periods of grazing (winter, winter-early spring, winter-late spring). Tethered sheep in small experimental plots were used to provide controlled herbage removal across all cultivars through winter and winter-spring grazing. This grazing system resulted in significantly different levels of herbage being present in the light and heavy grazing treatments following each grazing period. Grazing had variable effects on seed production: <35% increase for Trikkala, and no significant effect for Karridale. Both cultivars continued growth and seed production late in the season after grazing pressure was removed on 8 November. Seed yield of Clare was reduced by 46-49% by heavy grazing treatments. Seed yield of murex medic was not significantly affected by grazing, while that of serradella was reduced by 30-55% by grazing late in the season. The seed yield responses show that cultivar and species responses to grazing may be highly variable. Under favourable spring conditions, Trikkala, Karridale, and murex medic can be grazed heavily until late in the season without adversely affecting seed yield, whilst Clare and Avila cannot.

Effects of 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine on the nitrification of ammonium sulphate and its recovery by rye-grass

1965 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. R. Gasser
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulphate ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Ammonium N

Ammonium sulphate alone and treated with the nitrification inhibitor 2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)- pyridine, at rates equivalent to 1 and 2% of the weight of N applied, was applied to sandy- and clay-loam soils. Ammonium sulphate was given in November 1962, and soil samples, taken in spring 1963, down to 36 in. on the sandy-loam and 18 in. on the clay-loam, were analysed. When the ammonium sulphate was broadcast on the soil surface, 2% of the inhibitor, inhibited nitrification of the ammonium-N more than 1%, but when it was placed in the soil both rates were equally effective.

scholarly journals Contribution of Awns to Seed Yield and Seed Shattering in Siberian Wildrye Grown under Irrigated and Rainfed Environments

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219
Author(s):  
Fabrice Ntakirutimana ◽  
Yiyang Wan ◽  
Wenhui Liu ◽  
Wengang Xie
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Forage Grass ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Abscission Layer ◽  
Seed Shattering ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Arid Grasslands ◽  
The Impact

The seed yield of grass species is greatly dependent on inflorescence morphological traits, starting with spikelets per inflorescence and seeds per spikelet, to kernel size, and then to awns. Previous studies have attempted to estimate the contribution of these traits on the harvested yield of major cereal crops, but little information can be accessed on the influence of awns on seed yield of forage grass species. Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) is a widely important perennial forage grass used to increase forage production in arid and semi-arid grasslands. The grass has long inflorescences with long awns developed at the tip end of the lemmas in the florets. In order to evaluate the effect of awns on Siberian wildrye seed production, awn excision analyses from 10 accessions were performed at flowering stage under irrigated and rainfed regimes. Overall, awn excision reduced thousand-seed weight and seed size under both irrigated and rainfed regimes, which decreased final seed yield per plant. De-awned plants produced significantly more seeds per inflorescence, but spikelets per inflorescence was not influenced by awn excision in either condition. Moreover, histological analyses showed a high degradation of the abscission layer in the awned plants than de-awned ones, and awn excision evidently improved average seed breaking tensile strength (BTS), and thus decreased the degree of seed shattering. In conclusion, the observed significant impact of awn excision on different yield-related traits mirrored the impact of awns on the performance of Siberian wildrye under diverse growing conditions. These results provide useful information for plant breeders, seed producers, and researchers to efficiently improve seed production in Siberian wildrye.

scholarly journals Self-Fertilization, Inbreeding, and Yield in Alfalfa Seed Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly E. Dieterich Mabin ◽  
Johanne Brunet ◽  
Heathcliffe Riday ◽  
Lauren Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Inbreeding Depression ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Selfing Rate ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Selfing (self-pollination) is the ultimate form of inbreeding, or mating among close relatives. Selfing can create yield loss when inbreeding depression, defined as a lower survival and reproduction of inbred relative to outbred progeny, is present. To determine the impact of selfing in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), we quantified the selfing rate of 32 alfalfa seed production fields located in three regions, namely, the Pacific Northwest (PNW), the Central Valley of California (CEV), and the Imperial Valley of California (IMP). Selfing rates (the proportion of selfed seeds) varied between 5.3 and 30% with an average of 12.2% over the 32 seed production fields. In both the parents and their progeny, we observed an excess of heterozygotes relative to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. We detected notable levels of inbreeding in parents (0.231 ± 0.007 parental inbreeding coefficient) and progeny (0.229 ± 0.005). There were a 15% decrease in the number of seeds per stem (seed set) and a 13% decline in the number of seeds per pod in selfed relative to outcrossed stems, but negligible inbreeding depression for pods per raceme and seed weight. The number of racemes on selfed stems increased significantly in fields with greater selfing rates, supporting the presence of geitonogamous or among flower selfing. Despite the significant level of inbreeding depression, seed set did not decrease in fields with higher selfing rates, where the greater number of racemes on the selfed stems increased the seed set. The effects of the field selfing rate on the seed yield metrics were mostly indirect with direct effects of the number of racemes per stem. Available data indicate that the majority of selfing in alfalfa is pollinator-mediated, and thus, eliminating selfing in alfalfa seed production would require the selection of self-incompatible varieties, which, by eliminating inbreeding depression, would provide a 15% potential increase in seed yield and an increase in future hay yield.

scholarly journals Application of organic waste composts when producing forest planting material

2016 ◽  
pp. 133-150
Author(s):  
Evgeny Romanov ◽  
Dmitry Mukhortov ◽  
Tatiana Nureeva
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Siberian Larch ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Clay Loam Soil ◽  
Planting Material ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Forest Nurseries

Most seedlings and saplings of woody plants in the Russian Federation are produced in the open ground in forest nurseries. In order to produce high quality planting material it is necessary to support and preserve soil fertility, which can be obtained by using organic wastes and organic-based fertilizers. Our research is aimed at the assessment of the influence of non-conventional organic fertilizers on fertility of podzols and on the growth rate of seedlings and saplings of woody plants in forest nurseries. Our research shows, that the application of non-conventional organic fertilizers does not result in any accumulation of heavy metal salts in podzols, but optimizes hydro physical and agrochemical properties of the ploughed horizon. The efficiency of non-conventional organic fertilizers depends on their composition, physical and chemical characteristics of the original components, their doses applied and original fertility of soils. A combined application of non-conventional organic fertilizers and sand results in the optimization of practically all soil fertility parameters in middle clay-loam soils, while application of non-conventional organic fertilizers and clay is optimal for application on light soils. The optimal application dose of non-conventional fertilizers depends on soil texture, woody species and the fertilizer composition. An optimal application dose for Norway spruce on a light clay-loam soil is 50-80 tons/ha, and on a middle clay-loam soil is 149-182 tons/ha. It is 50 tons/ha for Scots pine growing on a sandy loam soil, and 100 tons/ha for the same species growing on a sandy soil or a light clay-loam. For Siberian larch growing on a light clay-loam soil the dose of fertilizer applied should be 150 tons/ha. It is recommended to apply composts containing over 50% (by weight) of Category II wastes (substrate) for the amelioration of light soils, and composts containing over 40% (by weight) of Category I wastes (filler) for the amelioration of heavy soils. It would allow for the optimization of soil properties and production of better quality planting material in forest nurseries.

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