scholarly journals Agronomic benefits of alfalfa mulch applied to organically managed spring wheat

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Wiens ◽  
M. H. Entz ◽  
R. C. Martin ◽  
A. M. Hammermeister

Field experiments were established at two locations in Manitoba in 2002 and 2003 to determine N contribution, moisture conservation, and weed suppression by alfalfa mulch applied to spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L). Mulch treatments included mulch rate (amount harvested from an area 0.5×, 1× and 2× the wheat plot area), and mulch application timing (at wheat emergence or at three-leaf stage). Positive relationships were observed between mulch rate and wheat N uptake, grain yield, and grain protein concentration. At Winnipeg, the 2× mulch rates (3.9 to 5.2 t ha-1) produced grain yields equivalent to where 20 and 60 kg ha-1 of ammonium nitrate-N was applied in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Where mulch and ammonium nitrate produced equivalent grain yield, grain protein in mulch treatments was often higher than where chemical fertilizer was used. N uptake was also observed in the following oat (Avena sativa L.) crop. The highest mulch rate (2×) produced higher N uptake and grain yield of second-year oat compared with ammonium nitrate treatments. N use efficiency of mulch-supplied N by two crops over 2 yr [calculated as (treatment N uptake – control N uptake)/total N added] was between 11 and 68%. Mulch usually suppressed annual weeds, with greater suppression with late- than early-applied mulch. Increased soil moisture conservation was observed with high mulch rates (≥ 4.3 t ha-1) at three sites. Alfalfa mulch holds promise for low-input cropping systems when used on wheat at the 2× rates. Key words: Legume N, low-input farming, integrated weed management, wheat protein

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 635 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Birch ◽  
S. Fukai ◽  
I. J. Broad

The effect of nitrogen application on the grain yield and grain protein concentration of barley was studied in 13 field trials covering a wide range of soil N conditions over 4 years at locations in south-eastern Queensland. The main objectives of the study were to quantify the response of barley to N application rate over a range of environmental conditions, and to explain the response in terms of soil mineral N, total N uptake, and N distribution in the plants. Barley made efficient use of N (60 kg grain/kg N) until grain yield reached 90% of maximum yield. Grain protein concentration did not increase to levels unacceptable for malting purposes until grain yield exceeded 85–90% of maximum yield. Nitrogen harvest index was generally high (above 0·75), and did not decrease until the total N supply exceeded that necessary for maximum grain yield. Rates of application of N for malting barley should be determined on the basis of soil analysis (nitrate-N) to 1 m depth and 90% of expected maximum grain yield, assuming that 17 kg N is taken up per tonne of grain produced. It can further be assumed that the crop makes full use of the nitrate N to 1 m present at planting, provided the soil is moist to 1 m. A framework relating grain yield to total N uptake, N harvest index, and grain N concentration is presented. Further, total N uptake of fertilised barley is related to N uptake without fertiliser, fertiliser application rate, and apparent N recovery. The findings reported here will be useful in the development of barley simulation models and decision support packages that can be used to aid N management.


Weed Science ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulshan Mahajan ◽  
Vikas Poonia ◽  
Bhagirath S. Chauhan

Field experiments were conducted in Punjab, India, in 2011 and 2012 to study the integrated effect of planting pattern [uniform rows (20-cm spacing) and paired rows (15-, 25-, and 15-cm spacing)], cultivars (PR-115 and IET-21214), and weed control treatments (nontreated control, pendimethalin 750 g ai ha−1, bispyribac-sodium 25 g ai ha−1, and pendimethalin 750 g ha−1 followed by bispyribac-sodium 25 g ha−1) on weed suppression and rice grain yield in dry-seeded rice. In the nontreated control, IET-21214 had higher grain yield than PR-115 in both planting patterns. However, such differences were not observed within the herbicide treatment. IET-21214 in paired rows, even in nontreated control, provided grain yield (4.7 t ha−1) similar to that in uniform rows coupled with the sole application of pendimethalin (4.3 t ha−1) and bispyribac-sodium (5.0 t ha−1). In uniform rows, sequential application of pendimethalin (PRE) and bispyribac-sodium (POST) provided the highest grain yield among all the weed control treatments and this treatment produced grain yield of 5.9 and 6.1 t ha−1 for PR-115 and IET-21214, respectively. Similarly, in paired rows, PR-115 in paired rows treated with sequential application of pendimethalin and bispyribac-sodium had highest grain yield (6.1 t ha−1) among all the weed control treatments. However, IET-21214 with the sole application of bispyribac-sodium produced grain yield similar to the sequential application of pendimethalin and bispyribac-sodium. At 30 days after sowing, PR-115 in paired rows coupled with pendimethalin application accrued weed biomass (10.7 g m−2) similar to the sequential application of pendimethalin and bispyribac-sodium coupled with uniform rows (8.1 g m−2). Similarly, IET-21214 with bispyribac-sodium application provided weed control similar to the sequential application of pendimethalin and bispyribac-sodium. Our study implied that grain yield of some cultivars could be improved by exploring their competitiveness through paired-row planting patterns with less use of herbicides.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gagnon ◽  
R. R. Simard ◽  
R. Robitaille ◽  
M. Goulet ◽  
R. Rioux

The nutrient availability of composts has to be known for their safe use in crop production. A field study was carried out to assess the effect of a spring application of composts and inorganic fertilizers on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. 'Messier') growth and N uptake in eastern Québec (Canada). The experiment was conducted in 1994 and 1995 on two different soils: a Kamouraska clay (Orthic Humic Gleysol) and a Saint-André sandy loam (Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzol). Four composts were applied at rates of 0, 90, 180 and 360 kg total N ha−1. Inorganic fertilizers were applied at rates of 0, 50, 100 and 200% of wheat N, P or K requirements. Treatments in which inorganic fertilizers (IN) were added to composts were also included. Grain yield was increased by N rates whereas composts alone at 90 kg total N ha–1 resulted in lower yields than the control in the first year on the sandy loam. Commercial composts resulted in higher yields than dairy manure composts. Wheat showed no significant response to P and K fertilizers on either soil. Compost rates had no effect on grain N content but commercial composts increased straw N by 36 to 63%. Addition of IN to composts increased grain yield by 0.1 to 1.5 Mg ha−1 and N uptake by 4 to 55 kg N ha−1, depending on soil and weather conditions. Apparent recovery efficiency of added N for composts was −14 to 15% whereas it ranged from 24 to 56% for IN. In spring wheat production, composts should be considered more as organic matter amendments because of their limited N efficiency. Key words: Composted dairy manure, shrimp wastes, peat moss, apparent N recovery


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
MM Ali ◽  
MH Rahman ◽  
MR Khan ◽  
MK Khan

Four field experiments were carried out with Binadhan 7 at Birgonj, Dinajpur; Debigonj, Panchagarh; Kaligonj, Lalmonirhat and Pirgonj, Rangpur during T.aman (kharif II) season of 2011 in the Old Himalalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ 1) and Tista Meander Floodplain Soils of North-West Bangladesh. The experiments were designed with eight treatments and laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment combinations were: T1 (100%STB), T2 (T1 + 25% N), T3 (T1 + 25% NP), T4 (T1 + 25% NK), T5 (T1 + 25% PK), T6 (T1 + 25% NPK), T7 (75% of T1) and T8 (Control). Results indicated that application of different fertilizers significantly affected the grain yield at all of the four locations. The highest grain yield was found in treatment T6 (T1 + 25% NPK). Statistically identical yield was observed in treatments T3, T4 and T5 at Dinajpur; T3 at Panchagar; T2, T3, and T4 at Lalmonirhat and T2 at Rangpur. All the treatment combinations gave significantly higher grain yield over the control at all of the locations. The highest straw yield was found in treatment T6 (T1 + 25% NPK). Statistically identical straw yield was found in T3 and T4 at Dinajpur; T1, T4 and T5 at Panchagar; T2, T4, T5 and T7 Lalmonirhat and all treatments except T7 and T8 at Rangpur. Significantly the lowest yield was obtained in the control treatment (T8) in all of the locations. The highest total N uptake was observed in treatment T6 at all of the four locations. For total P uptake, the similar trend of total N uptake was observed for all the locations. Treatment T6 showed the highest uptake of total K at all locations. The highest uptake of total S was observed in treatment T6 at Dinajpur, Panchagarh and Lalmonirhat. But the highest uptake of total S was observed in treatment T3 at Rangpur. However, the lowest total N, P, K and S uptake was observed in control treatment (T8) at all locations. The partial budget analysis of T.aman rice demonstrated the highest net benefit of tkha-1 85,598/-, 78,619/-, 58,308/- and 72,532/- in T6 treatment followed by tkha-1 76,348/- in T4 treatment, 71,100/- in T3 treatment, 54,192/- in T3 treatment and 68,247/- in T2 treatment where the highest MBCR of 5.40, 3.75, 2.20 and 3.84 was also observed in T6 treatment at Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur, respectively. Based on most profitable treatments, fertilizer doses of N80P8K40S8Zn1 in Birgonj, Dinajpur; N84P8K40S6Zn1 in Debigonj, Panchagarh; N80P8K40S6Zn1 in Kaligonj, Lalmonirhat and N81P8K35S8Zn1 in Pirgonj, Rangpur could be recommended for higher yield of Binadhan-7 rice in North-West Bangladesh.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v6i2.22106 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 6(2): 115-120 2013


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Karamanos ◽  
N. A. Flore ◽  
J. T. Harapiak

Post-emergence application of N with wheat is contemplated as a practice for managing risk and reducing fertilizer N costs. An attempt was made to develop a comprehensive agronomic package relating to the practice of post-emergence applications by examining aspects relating to the rates of N, timing of post-emergence applications and products that might be used for that purpose. An extensive database of 49 trials conducted between 1995 and 1998 separated in five experimental plans was utilized to address the above issues. Nitrogen rates of up to 100 kg N ha-1 were employed as soil applied at seeding by side banding (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N ha-1) plus topdressed (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1) as post-emergence applications between Feekes growth stages 10.4 and 10.5. The effect of timing was explored in three different experimental designs that included rates up to 100 kg ha-1 applied at seeding or split, so that a post-emergence application of 20 kg N ha-1 was applied at Feekes growth stages 10 and 10.5, or up to 60 kg N ha-1, applied either all at seeding time or 20 or 40 kg N ha-1 at seeding time accompanied by 20 or 40 kg N ha-1 in a post-emergence application at Feekes growth stages 3–4, 6, 10.5 or 11. A number of products (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, urea, urea ammonium nitrate, Pro N and N serve) were also evaluated for their effectiveness in post-emergence applications. Two distinct trends emerged from all experiments depending on whether application of N at seeding corrected an N deficiency. If N deficiency was corrected by the application rate at seeding then the post-emergence N application increased grain protein concentrations; however, this practice was shown to result in no economic advantage. If N deficiency was not corrected by the N application at seeding, post-emergence applications at late growth stages increased grain protein of wheat at the expense of grain yield. This increase was greater in soils containing soil organic matter (SOM) concentrations less than 5% than those over 5%. Increases in grain protein ranged from 0.7 to 1.5% depending on initial fertilization regime, but they were not sufficient in any of the circumstances to economically compensate for the loss in grain yield caused by insufficient application of N at seeding. The performance of a number of products used for post-emergence application on the protein of hard red spring wheat was mixed with none proving to be consistently superior. Post-emergence application of N to enhance either the grain yield or protein of hard red spring wheat could be effective under high moisture or irrigated conditions; however, this practice represents a relatively high-risk practice under dryland conditions in the western Canadian prairies. Key words: Economics, growth stage, N rates, N products, timing


1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
DP Heenan ◽  
PE Bacon

Three field experiments over two seasons and on two soil types studied the effects of placement and time of nitrogen fertilizer (N) application on yield and N uptake of aerial-sown semi-dwarf rice. Grain yield and apparent N fertilizer recovery were greatest when fertilizer was drilled into the soil, with no significant difference between 3 cm and 7 cm depth. Placement onto wet soil resulted in significantly lower grain yield and total N uptake than placement onto dry soil or incorporation into the soil. Reducing the time of application before flooding from 15 days to 1 day significantly improved the efficiency of fertilizer use. Delaying the time of application from before flooding to soon after flooding produced much lower grain yield and agronomic efficiency. Further delaying the application time from soon after flooding to around mid-tillering increased the yield response and agronomic efficiency. The results demonstrated that urea should be drilled into the soil as soon as possible before flooding rather than broadcasting onto the soil surface before flooding or into the floodwater after flooding.


1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
DP Heenan ◽  
AC Taylor ◽  
BR Cullis ◽  
WJ Lill

A long term field experiment began in 1979 at Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., to compare the sustainability of a range of rotation, tillage and stubble management systems on a red earth. This paper reports yield, yield components and grain protein of wheat for 1979-90. Rotations considered were alternating lupin-wheat (LW), lupin-wheat-wheat (LWW), continuous wheat (WW) with and without N fertilizer (100 kg N/ha), and alternating sub-clover-wheat (CW). Soil N supply at the start of the experiment was high following many years of sub-clover based pasture. From 1979 to 1983, there was a negative grain yield response to N fertilizer and no response to a legume in rotation except in the drought of 1982 when low yields were recorded from LW. Thereafter, a positive grain yield response was usually produced to N fertilizer in WW rotations, until 1989 and 1990, when these crops displayed aluminium toxicity sym ptoms. Overall, average grain yields from legume rotations were higher than WW with added N fertilizer. Since 1983, LW rotations consistently produced higher mean grain yields than CW, but mean grain protein and total N uptake were lower. Yields and N uptake by the second wheat crop in a LWW rotation indicated little carryover of benefits from the lupins. Slightly higher mean grain yield and harvest index, but lower mean grain protein, were produced by direct drilling, compared with cultivation before sowing, following lupins or sub-clover. However, retaining stubble rather than burning in autumn consistently reduced grain yields. There was no evidence that early burial of wheat stubble following summer rain, rather than incorporation in autumn, improved grain yield or total N uptake. The build-up of giant brome grass and diseases, particularly where stubble was retained and crops direct-drilled, casts some doubt on the long term sustainability of these short term rotations in this environment.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1329
Author(s):  
Fernando Shintate Galindo ◽  
Paulo Humberto Pagliari ◽  
Willian Lima Rodrigues ◽  
Guilherme Carlos Fernandes ◽  
Eduardo Henrique Marcandalli Boleta ◽  
...  

Sustainable management strategies are needed to improve agronomic efficiency and cereal yield production under harsh abiotic climatic conditions such as in tropical Savannah. Under these environments, field-grown crops are usually exposed to drought and high temperature conditions. Silicon (Si) application could be a useful and sustainable strategy to enhance agronomic N use efficiency, leading to better cereal development. This study was developed to explore the effect of Si application as a soil amendment source (Ca and Mg silicate) associated with N levels applied in a side-dressing (control, low, medium and high N levels) on maize and wheat development, N uptake, agronomic efficiency and grain yield. The field experiments were carried out during four cropping seasons, using two soil amendment sources (Ca and Mg silicate and dolomitic limestone) and four N levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha−1). The following evaluations were performed in maize and wheat crops: the shoots and roots biomass, total N, N-NO3−, N-NH4+ and Si accumulation in the shoots, roots and grain tissue, leaf chlorophyll index, grain yield and agronomic efficiency. The silicon amendment application enhanced leaf chlorophyll index, agronomic efficiency and N-uptake in maize and wheat plants, benefiting shoots and roots development and leading to a higher grain yield (an increase of 5.2 and 7.6%, respectively). It would be possible to reduce N fertilization in maize from 185–180 to 100 kg N ha−1 while maintaining similar grain yield with Si application. Additionally, Si application would reduce N fertilization in wheat from 195–200 to 100 kg N ha−1. Silicon application could be a key technology for improving plant-soil N-management, especially in Si accumulator crops, leading to a more sustainable cereal production under tropical conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadim Dawar ◽  
Shah Fahad ◽  
M. M. R. Jahangir ◽  
Iqbal Munir ◽  
Syed Sartaj Alam ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this study, we explored the role of biochar (BC) and/or urease inhibitor (UI) in mitigating ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) discharge from urea fertilized wheat cultivated fields in Pakistan (34.01°N, 71.71°E). The experiment included five treatments [control, urea (150 kg N ha−1), BC (10 Mg ha−1), urea + BC and urea + BC + UI (1 L ton−1)], which were all repeated four times and were carried out in a randomized complete block design. Urea supplementation along with BC and BC + UI reduced soil NH3 emissions by 27% and 69%, respectively, compared to sole urea application. Nitrous oxide emissions from urea fertilized plots were also reduced by 24% and 53% applying BC and BC + UI, respectively, compared to urea alone. Application of BC with urea improved the grain yield, shoot biomass, and total N uptake of wheat by 13%, 24%, and 12%, respectively, compared to urea alone. Moreover, UI further promoted biomass and grain yield, and N assimilation in wheat by 38%, 22% and 27%, respectively, over sole urea application. In conclusion, application of BC and/or UI can mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions from urea fertilized soil, improve N use efficiency (NUE) and overall crop productivity.


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