Influence of non-inversion loosening on permanent pasture productivity

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter ◽  
H. T. Kunelius

Non-inversion tillage can have significant benefits over inversion tillage in loosening soils under permanent pasture. A suite of attributes was used to characterize the degree of compaction at the 0- to 20-cm depth of a Charlottetown fine sandy loam under a 10-yr pasture in Prince Edward Island. Non-inversion tillage, using a paraplow, a slant-legged cultivator loosened the soil at the 10- to 20-cm depth. Penetrometer resistance profiles showed that the loosened soil condition persisted for 3 to 4 yr. Non-inversion soil loosening caused a negative yield response, which was possibly related to root injury. Key words: Podzol, penetration resistance, Kentucky bluegrass, white clover

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINNELL M. EDWARDS ◽  
J. R. BURNEY

Three soils from Prince Edward Island (a loam, a fine sandy loam, and a sandy loam) were tested under a laboratory rainfall simulator to examine the effects of frequency of freezing and thawing, winter rye cover, incorporated cereal residue, and subsoil compaction on runoff volume and sediment loss. Wooden soil boxes were subjected to simulated rain (i) at the end of a 10-d freezing period, and (ii) at the end of the 5th 24-h freezing period of a 10-d alternating freeze-thaw cycle (freeze/thaw). Where the soil was continuously frozen for 10 d, there was 178% greater sediment loss and 160% greater runoff than with daily freeze/thaw over the same period, but there was no difference in sediment concentration. Incorporated cereal residue decreased sediment loss to 50% and runoff to 77% of that from bare soil. Winter rye cover decreased sediment loss to 73% of that from bare soil. Simulated soil compaction caused a 45% increase in sediment loss. The loam soil showed 16.5% greater loss of fine sediment fractions <0.075 mm than the fine sandy loam which showed 23.4% greater loss than the sandy loam. Key words: Freeze-thaw, erosion, compaction, winter rye, cereal residue, rainfall simulator, Prince Edward Island soils


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter ◽  
J. E. Richards

Subsoils in Prince Edward Island have poor chemical and often physical quality for root growth that may present a barrier to development of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). This study was conducted to characterise the response or benefit, on soil properties and alfalfa growth, of chemical amelioration and loosening of the subsoil. In 1987, the following three treatments were imposed on an acidic, fine sandy loam, Humo-Ferric Podzol: control (no subsoiling or lime), subsoiling alone, and subsoiling plus lime (5 Mg ha−1 dry CaCO3) mixed into the subsoil. The subsoiler was a Wye Double-Digger, a combined plough and rotary cultivator that facilitated the mixing of lime into the soil over the 230–480 mm depth. Management of the 0–200 mm soil depth was the same for all treatments. Growth of alfalfa and change in soil properties were monitored over time. In 2 of 4 yr (1991–1994), alfalfa yield was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the subsoil plus lime treatment, compared with subsoiling alone or the control. Yield increases were related to periods of low growing season precipitation. Subsoil amelioration increased alfalfa root penetration (by 90 mm) and reduced leaf Mn concentration. Over an 8-yr period (1987–1994), soil exchangeable Ca was increased over fourfold, while exchangeable Al was decreased threefold in the ameliorated subsoil, compared with the control. Soil pH (in water) was increased from 4.8 to near 6.0. There was some evidence that liming of the topsoil improved the subsoil chemistry over time. Bulk density and penetrometer resistance contours, measured over time, indicated that the soil loosening effect was sustained throughout the soil profile over the duration of the study. Soil biological properties were not changed by the subsoil treatments. Key words: Subsoil acidity, podzol, lime, deep placement, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cool-humid climate


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS

The soil physical, biological, and chemical condition was assessed under cultivated and direct-drilled systems for the annual establishment of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) on Prince Edward Island. After 3 yr, the degree of tillage-induced soil compaction and change in soil biological and chemical properties were determined over the 0- to 24-cm soil depth, and compared with the soil structure under a permanent timothy (Phleum pratense L.) pasture. The study was conducted at two sites on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam, an Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol (Haplorthod). Although the tillage comparisons produced significant changes in soil porosity, pore-size distribution, pore continuity, aggregation and soil strength, the range in physical properties was within the range considered optimum for soil structure. Soil strength was shown to exhibit marked temporal variation over the growing season. Changes in the distribution of soil microbial biomass C and N, percent organic C, pH and plant nutrients were evident between the establishment methods. Generally, soil chemical and biological conditions under direct-drilling were similar to those under permanent pasture. Comparison of the actual with the estimated maximum bulk density down the soil profile indicated that the propensity for soil consolidation or compaction was the same under the direct-drilling and cultivated systems and similar to that measured under permanent pasture. The annual establishment of Italian ryegrass, for 3 yr, by direct-drilling did not adversely affect soil structure or increase soil compaction. Key words: Direct-drilling, Italian ryegrass, soil structure, soil biological properties, tillage


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-300
Author(s):  
P.O.O. Dada ◽  
J.J. Musa ◽  
O.O. Olla ◽  
J.O. Ohu ◽  
J.K. Adewumi

Soil compaction has effect on soil physical properties which could affect crop growth and yield. This study was conducted to determine the influence of incorporating organic materials and load application (tractorization) on the physical properties of sandy loamy soil in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Organic materials were cow dung, poultry and swine manure. Application rates of organic manures were 0 (control), 5 and 10 tonnes per hectare. Forty-five plots measuring 5 by 3 m were established in a complete randomized block experimental design with three replications making a total of 135 plots. Load application was done using an MF 435 tractor coupled with a 20-disc harrow at 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 passes. Penetration resistance, bulk density, gravimetric moisture content andporosity were determined using standard procedures. Penetrometer resistance at these passes were 392.2, 293.3, 285.0, 302.0 and 224.9 kPa respectively with significant differences between treatments (P≤0.05). Mean bulk density for the passes were 1.21, 1.26, 1.31, 1.27 and 1.29 g/cm3 respectively and bulk density increased with tractor passes. The effect of tractor passes, and manure incorporation rate did not have any significant effect on gravimetric moisture content. Poultry manure increased bulk density and penetrometer resistance on plots than swine manure and cow dung hence poultry manure at 10 t/ha can be incorporated on a sandy loam soil to enhance soil fertility and sustainability. Keywords: Tractorization, organic manure, sandy loam, penetration resistance, bulk density


1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 657-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER

Soil penetration resistance was used to characterize tillage-induced changes in soil strength, as a functon of soil depth and time, under three reduced tillage systems and a deep tillage study in loam to fine sandy loam, Podzolic and Luvisolic soils. The penetration resistance measurements quantified the depth, degree, and persistence of soil loosening, and potential soil rooting depth in regard to tillage system. Mouldboard ploughing provided a greater degree of soil loosening than chisel ploughing. The potential soil rooting depth of 33 – 36 cm under mouldboard ploughing was decreased to 26 cm under both direct drilling and shallow tillage. Use of a slant-legged subsoiler (i.e., “paraplow”) prior to direct drilling prevented the reduction in soil rooting depth. The depth of soil loosening gradually declined by 30 and 60%, over a 5-mo period, under mouldboard ploughing and the "paraplow" direct drilling system, respectively. Residual tillage effects and soil compaction after deep loosening were quantified by the penetration resistance measurements. The use of penetration resistance to rapidly screen soil depth to critical levels of soil strength demonstrated that under sequential direct drilled systems soil loosening should occur on a regular basis to maintain optimum soil structure on fine sandy loam soils. Key words: Soil strength, penetration resistance, reduced tillage, Podzolic soil, Luvisolic soil


1995 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Edwards ◽  
J.R. Burney ◽  
P.A. Frame

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Holmstrom ◽  
M. R. Carter

Soil compaction under potato rotations can be a common problem in Prince Edward Island. This can be further aggravated by naturally occurring compact subsoils. A study was conducted at eight sites on sandy loam soils in three regions of Prince Edward Island to determine whether the recommended practice of subsoiling the fall prior to the potato crop would improve the physical condition of the soil and result in improved yields. The study found that subsoiling provided only a marginal improvement in soil physical conditions. Soil loosening did not increase potato yield or quality. Key words: Potato, subsoiling, yield response, potato quality


2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Carter ◽  
A J Campbell

Interactions between tillage management for manure incorporation and rate of manure application may influence crop productivity and soil properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of liquid swine (Sus scrofa L.) manure (LSM) applied at three N rates (40, 80, 160 kg ha-1), compared with mineral N fertilizer, in a 2-yr barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)-soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) rotation, incorporated by two tillage methods (chisel plough and disc), on crop yield and quality and some soil properties, especially C parameters. The LSM was applied every second year in the spring, prior to barley seeding. The study was conducted over a 5-yr period on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol) in Prince Edward Island. The experimental design was a split-plot with four replicates. Soil samples (0–60 cm) were obtained at the termination of the study to determine residual effects of the LSM on soil properties. The two methods of LSM incorporation had no differential effect on crop response. Generally, increasing the application rate of LSM increased the barley yield, but had no effect on grain N concentration. A residual effect on crop grain yield for the high rate of LSM was evident in the soybean year. Crop response to LSM was similar to that of mineral fertilizer. Application operations for LSM had no adverse effect on soil strength or soil bulk density. Soil properties (microbial biomass C, carbohydrates, water-stable aggregates) were not greatly influenced by LSM application, however, increases in particulate C (POM-C) were evident for the high LSM rate at the 10- to 30-cm soil depth. The study showed that for fine sandy loams in Prince Edward Island low to medium rates of LSM applied every second year could serve as a source of N for barley in barley-soybean rotations. Key words: Barley, soybean, liquid swine manure, fine sandy loam, soil properties, tillage incorporation, eastern Canada


1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 883-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Simons ◽  
C. A. Grant ◽  
L. D. Bailey

Alfalfa yield response to P and K fertilization management has been documented elsewhere, but little work has been done in western Canada. Field studies conducted on two Manitoba soils for 4 yr evaluated the effects of four levels of monoammonium phosphate and three levels of potassium chloride fertilizers, applied as a surface broadcast or as an in-soil band application, on the yield of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stands. Applied P increased total annual forage yield on the clay loam soil by 1.53 t h−1 (47%), when averaged over the 4 yr of the study, but did not increase yields on the fine sandy loam. Yield response to P application on the clay loam soil increased over the 4 yr of the study. Potassium application resulted in minor or no increases in forage yield on both soils. On the clay loam soil, there was no yield difference between banded and broadcast fertilizer applications. On the fine sandy loam soil, band application reduced yields slightly compared with broadcast application, particularly at the first harvest following fertilizer application. Grass ingress into the plots was reduced by K application but was not affected by P fertilization, which may indicate a beneficial effect of K fertilization on alfalfa vigor and persistence. Key words: Potassium, phosphorus, banding, broadcast, persistence


1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Carter

A tillage study was conducted in Prince Edward Island with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over two seasons on a Gowanbrae light fine sandy loam, a Humo-Ferric Podzol. One-pass mouldboard ploughing, shallow tillage using a rotary harrow, and direct drilling were evaluated for their effects on crop productivity and soil physical properties. Direct drilling increased plant survival but not grain yield in the first year compared to the other tillage systems. Leaf diseases significantly reduced crop performance under shallow tillage and direct drilling in the second year. None of the tillage systems had adverse effects on soil strength at field capacity over the 0- to 350-mm soil profile depth, as penetrometer resistance values were < 1.5 MPa. Differences in soil macro-aggregation and organic carbon distribution between tillage systems were noted in the Ap horizon. Sequential measurements on soil cores equilibrated at 6 kPa tension for macropore volume, air permeability at low air pressure (0.25 kPa), oxygen diffusion rate (ODR) at 0.65 mV, and shear strength indicated that the soil physical condition was within the optimum range for root growth, over the 0- to 240-mm depth, in each tillage system. In addition, relative compaction was maintained at a low level in all systems. The quotient of air permeability and macropore volume, as an index of pore continuity, indicated that the relatively large macropore volumes under mouldboard ploughing were less efficient in conducting air than the macropores under direct drilling. These differences in pore continuity were most prevalent at the lower soil depth.Key words: Soil physical properties, soil compaction, Podzolic soil, winter cereals


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