Farm-level profitability analysis of alternative tillage systems on clay soils

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel K. Yiridoe ◽  
Tony J. Vyn ◽  
Alfons Weersink ◽  
David C. Hooker ◽  
Clarence Swanton
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
No Till ◽  
Significant Difference

Crop yields, production costs, and net returns for seven alternative conservation tillage (including five reduced tillage and two no-till) treatments were compared with a conventional tillage (CT) treatment for a corn (Zea mays L.) – soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) rotation for two clay soils in southwestern Ontario. There was no significant difference in corn and soybean yields between the CT and the conservation tillage systems at either location, although actual yields tended to be highest for CT management. Tillage treatments that used a common set of machinery for corn and soybean production generated savings in annual machinery costs. Variable costs were lowest for the reduced-tillage treatments and highest for the two no-till treatments due to higher equipment expenditures and additional herbicide requirements. For a given location, there was often no significant difference in net returns between CT and the conservation tillage treatments, although average net returns for the corn–soybean cropping systems tended to be highest for CT and lowest for no-till. Key words: Net returns analysis, conservation tillage systems, clay soils, corn, soybeans

scholarly journals Reduced Tillage Practices for the Southwestern US Peanut Production Region

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad B. Godsey ◽  
Jeffrey Vitale ◽  
Phil G. Mulder ◽  
Jon-Joseph Q. Armstrong ◽  
John P. Damicone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
No Till ◽  
Peanut Production ◽  
Ct System ◽  
Strip Tillage

Abstract Oklahoma growers have increased their adoption of strip tillage (strip-till) and no tillage (no-till) systems as a means of reducing production costs and conserving soil resources. An experiment was conducted over three years to study the effects of three tillage systems [(conventional till (CT), no-till (NT), and strip-till (ST)] on pod yield, peanut grade, pest pressure, and economic profitability. Insect, disease, and weed incidence were determined in each year of the study. Peanut yield and grade were determined by mechanically harvesting the plot. No consistent differences were detected between NT and CT in peanut grade or yield when tillage systems were combined across years. In addition, no consistent differences were observed in disease incidence and insect populations. Economic analysis indicated that the NT system saved $93 ha−1 and generated $179 ha−1 more revenue compared to the CT system. Reduced tillage practices, especially NT, seem to be a good fit for SW peanut production areas.

scholarly journals Emergence dynamics of barnyardgrass and jimsonweed from two depths when switching from conventional to reduced and no-till conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e1002
Author(s):  
Vasileios Vasileiadis ◽  
Robert J. Froud-Williams ◽  
Donato Loddo ◽  
Ilias G. Eleftherohorinos
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Datura Stramonium ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
No Till ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Disturbance Interaction

<p>A cylinder experiment was conducted in northern Greece during 2005 and 2006 to assess emergence dynamics of barnyardgrass (<em>Echinochloa crus-galli</em> (L.) Beauv.) and jimsonweed (<em>Datura stramonium </em>L.) in the case of a switch from conventional to conservation tillage systems (CT). Emergence was surveyed from two burial depths (5 and 10 cm) and with simulation of reduced tillage (<em>i.e.</em> by soil disturbance) and no-till conditions. Barnyardgrass emergence was significantly affected by burial depth, having greater emergence from 5 cm depth (96%) although even 78% of seedlings emerged from 10 cm depth after the two years of study. Emergence of barnyardgrass was stable across years from the different depths and tillage regimes. Jimsonweed<em> </em>seeds showed lower germination than barnyardgrass during the study period, whereas its emergence was significantly affected by soil disturbance having 41% compared to 28% without disturbance. A burial depth x soil disturbance interaction was also determined,<em> </em>which showed higher emergence from 10 cm depth with soil disturbance. Jimsonweed was found to have significantly higher emergence from 10 cm depth with soil disturbance in Year 2. Seasonal emergence timing of barnyardgrass did not vary between the different burial depth and soil disturbance regimes, as it started in April and lasted until end of May in both years. Jimsonweed<em> </em>showed a bimodal pattern, with first emergence starting end of April until mid-May and the second ranging from mid-June to mid-August from 10 cm burial depth and from mid-July to mid-August from 5 cm depth, irrespective of soil disturbance in both cases.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of Tillage Systems on Physical Status and Organic Matter Turnover of the Soil

2003 ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
László Huzsvai ◽  
Tamás Rátonyi ◽  
János Nagy ◽  
Attila Megyes
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tillage Method

The cultivation technology for those plant, that play a key role in arable land production need to be renewed in order to reduce production costs and to protect arable land. The modernisation of technologies can only be achieved by applying appropriate tillage systems. Our measurements were carried out on chernozem soil with lime deposits at the Látókép Experimental Station of the Center for Agricultural Sciences, Debrecen University, in long term tillage experiments set up in 1989. We examined the typical physical parameters, the albedo, field capacity, the bulk density of the soil, organic carbon content (humus %) and the measured pH-values in the water solution within the two tillage variations. We have also modelled nitrogen cycle formation in different treatments.A significant difference occured between the albedos of the two soils, which may be the result of significant amounts of stem remaining on the surface in the case of the reduced tillage method. The yellow, waxy stem of maize reflects 21% of the sun’s rays, especially at the beginning of the vegetation period, when its decomposition has only just started. This delys the warming up in early spring, which delays the sowing time of maize and reduces evaporation. In the two tillage variations, the water management characteristics do not differ practically, the wilting point field capacity are in accordance. In reduced tillage methods, the so-called „plough-pan” can be well measured at 15-20 cm, while in winter ploughing it is at 30 cm. The humus % of the soil does not differ in the two tillage variations, but due to the difference in bulk density this means a different humus and organic nitrogen content. The organic nitrogen content is greater in the reduced tillage method. On the basis of pH value evaluations, we could not detect significant differences in the two tillage variations. The organic nitrogen content of areas where reduced tillage method was applied is higher than in areas where conventional winter ploughing was applied.

scholarly journals Risk Analysis of Tillage and Crop Rotation Alternatives with Winter Wheat

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery R. Williams ◽  
Matthew J. Pachta ◽  
Kraig L. Roozeboom ◽  
Richard V. Llewelyn ◽  
Mark M. Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Price Series ◽  
No Till

The economic feasibility of soybeans, grain sorghum, and corn in annual rotation with winter wheat using reduced tillage and no-tillage systems in the Central Great Plains was evaluated, with continuous wheat and grain sorghum also analyzed. Net returns were calculated using simulated yield and price distributions based on historical yields, two historical annual price series, and 2011 costs. Stochastic Efficiency with Respect to a Function was used to determine the preferred strategies under various risk preferences. The no-till wheat-soybean and reduced-till wheat-soybean systems are the first and second most preferred, regardless of the level of risk aversion.

Influence of conservation tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields for maize and wheat cultivation in Beijing, China

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xirui Zhang ◽  
Hongwen Li ◽  
Jin He ◽  
Qingjie Wang ◽  
Mohammad H. Golabi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Available N ◽  
Beijing Area

Conservation tillage is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers because it involves lower production costs than does conventional tillage. The long-term effects of sub-soiling tillage (ST), no tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties and crop yields were investigated over an 8-year period (2000–07). The study was conducted in a 2-crop-a-year region (Daxing) and a 1-crop-a-year region (Changping) of the Beijing area in China. At 0–0.30 m soil depth, water stability of macro-aggregates (>0.25 mm) was much greater for ST (22.1%) and NT (12.0%) than for CT in Daxing, and the improvements in Changping were 18.9% and 9.5%, respectively. ST and NT significantly (P < 0.05) improved aeration porosity by 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively, at Daxing and by 17.0% and 8.6% at Changping compared with CT treatment. Soil bulk density after 8 years was 0.8–1.5% lower in ST and NT treatments than in CT at both sites. Soil organic matter and available N and P followed the same order ST ≈ NT > CT at both sites. Consequently, crop yields in ST and NT plots were higher than in CT plots due to improved soil physical and chemical properties. Within the conservation tillage treatments, despite similar economic benefit, the effects on crop yields for ST were better than for NT. Mean (2000–07) crop yields for ST were 0.2% and 1.5% higher than for NT at Daxing and Changping, respectively. We therefore conclude that ST is the most suitable conservation tillage practice for annual 2-crop-a-year and 1-crop-a-year regions in the Beijing area.

Effectiveness of Herbicides and Tillage on Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) Control in Corn (Zea mays)

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Curran ◽  
Edward L. Werner ◽  
Nathan L. Hartwig
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
No Till ◽  
Herbicide Treatment ◽  
Elytrigia Repens ◽  
One Year ◽  
Better Than

Postemergence applications of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron were compared to preplant glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine for quackgrass control in reduced tillage and no-till corn. The level of quackgrass control was reduced by no-till practices. At 6 wk after planting, glyphosate and atrazine plus simazine were most effective in controlling quackgrass. Quackgrass biomass 12 wk after planting indicated that the performance of the herbicides were generally similar, although primisulfuron was less effective in no-till. One year after corn planting, levels of quackgrass control in the tilled plots were the same as or better than in the no-till treatments. Atrazine plus simazine was the most effective herbicide treatment over tillage systems, while primisulfuron was the least effective.

GROWTH AND NPK UPTAKE BY SOYBEAN CULTIVARS IN NORTHERN U.S.A. UNDER REDUCED TILLAGE SYSTEMS

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1101-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. DEIBERT ◽  
R. A. UTTER
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
No Till ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Tillage System ◽  
Late Maturity

A field study was conducted during 1985–1987 on a Fargo clay soil to evaluate growth, and NPK content at beginning flowering, pod fill, and mature seed at harvest of an early- (McCall) and a late-maturity (Dawson) soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivar as influenced by conventional (plow) or reduced (sweep, intertill, no-till) tillage systems and weed control methods. Excellent seed emergence was obtained on all tillage systems. Fall application of granular herbicide provided excellent weed control but herbicide plus cultivation caused reduced plant growth. Tillage system did not significantly affect plant and seed dry matter production. Yearly differences in dry matter production between early- and late-maturity cultivars depended on precipitation distribution. N and P uptake at pod fill was equal to seed uptake while K in the seed was one-half that measured at pod fill. Stratification of P and K in the surface soil profile of the reduced tillage systems was not detrimental and possibly enhanced early growth when root development was not extensive. Plants exhibited chlorosis on only the plow system under wet soil conditions indicating improved internal drainage under the reduced tillage systems. Interactions of climate with tillage system and cultivar maturity were more pronounced in this soybean study than previously reported which may be related to the cool, dry northern area.Key words: Soybean, no-till, zero-till, weed control, plant nutrients, cultivars, soil nutrient stratification

Economics of reduced tillage fallow-crop systems in the Dark Brown soil zone of Alberta

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. G. Smith ◽  
R. E. Blackshaw ◽  
C. W. Lindwall ◽  
F. J. Larney ◽  
T. L. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Tillage Methods

The use of conservation tillage management in fallow cropping systems reduces soil erosion and improves soil quality. The economic benefits of these alternate tillage methods are less certain. This study examined the economic returns from reduced tillage methods on fallow using yield and input data from two experiments at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre at Lethbridge, Alberta. One experiment was long-term study initiated in 1955 with eight treatments, the second was a 5-yr study with 15 treatments. Results from the 5-yr study indicated no difference in net returns between conventional and reduced tillage fallow systems. In contras, the long-term study net returns were highest for tilled systems and lowest for herbicide-only systems. The long-term study had a build-up of weeds that are difficult to control with herbicides alone. The resulting lower average yield and higher herbicide costs of the herbicide-only treatments in the long-term study accounted for most of the contrasting results between the two experiments. An economic evaluation of tillage practices requires the entire system to be evaluated, not just the tillage component. Key words: Economics, tillage, reduced tillage, conservation practices, weed control

Alternative weed management strategies in conservation tillage systems for white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Hooker ◽  
Tony J. Vyn ◽  
Clarence J. Swanton
Keyword(s):  
Phaseolus Vulgaris ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
First Year ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
No Till ◽  
White Bean ◽  
Chisel Plow ◽  
Moldboard Plow

White bean producers often perceive that increased herbicide inputs are required with the adoption of conservation tillage. Acceptance of conservation tillage systems for this crop would increase if effective weed management practices were assured. In 1991 and 1992, various weed management strategies were evaluated in white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown with three tillage systems at two sites in southern Ontario. Experiments were newly established each year following corn harvested for grain. Primary tillage treatments were fall moldboard plowing, fall chisel plowing, and first-year no-till. Combinations of mechanical weeding, metobromuron [3–(4–bromophenyl)–1–methoxy–1–methylurea] herbicide broadcasted at two rates, and a band application of the herbicide were investigated in each tillage system. Timely rotary hoeing reduced weed numbers in moldboard plow and chisel plow treatments, but was not effective in no-till. Weeds were adequately controlled in all tillage systems with mechanical treatments following a herbicide either broadcasted at a reduced rate or banded over the crop row. Metobromuron broadcasted at the full recommended rate alone controlled weeds in no-till; in contrast, the degree of weed control was poor without mechanical cultivation in both moldboard and chisel plow systems. Integrating mechanical and chemical control methods was more beneficial in tilled systems. Overall weed populations were lower in first-year no-till than moldboard plow or chisel plow tillage systems. White bean producers who adopt conservation tillage under conditions similar to those investigated can be assured of effective weed management alternatives as well as bean yields equivalent to conventional tillage. Key words: Conservation tillage, weed management, rotary hoe, inter-row cultivation, Phaseolus vulgaris

scholarly journals SEQUENTIAL CROPPING IN VEGETABLE AND TOBACCO PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UNDER VARIOUS TILLAGES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1172b-1172
Author(s):  
William Terry Kelley ◽  
David L. Coffey
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Production Yield ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
No Till ◽  
Tobacco Production ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Sequential Cropping ◽  
Plot Design

Three cropping sequences and three tillage systems were evaluated under reduced tillage. Sequences were spring `Packman' broccoli followed by `Sunny' tomatoes or 'm.s. Ky 14 × L8 tobacco, spring broccoli/tomatoes or tobacco/fall broccoli, and tomatoes or tobacco/fall broccoli. Each sequence was grown conventionally tilled/no winter cover, conventionally tilled/wheat winter cover and no-till transplanted directly into killed wheat. The study was conducted at Knoxville, (elev. 251m), Greeneville, (elev. 400m) and Crossville, (elev. 549m) during 1989 and 1990. Experiments were arranged in a strip-plot design with sequences stripped across tillages. No. 1 tomato yield was reduced in no-till at Greeneville (1989). Percentage of No. 1 tomatoes was not affected by tillage but the tomato-broccoli system produced a greater percentage at Greeneville (1990). Broccoli head size and subsequent yield was generally greater in conventionally tilled plots. Sequence generally had little affect on broccoli production. Yield and revenue of tobacco were generally lower in no-till treatments. Broccoli/tobacco sequences generally had the highest yield but varied by location. No-till produced lower quality tobacco both years at Knoxville but not at Greeneville.

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