scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Properties of Soils Under Maize-Cowpea Cropping Systems in Conservation Agriculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
John S. K. Banda ◽  
Alice M. Mweetwa ◽  
Munsanda Ngulube ◽  
Elijah Phiri
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Fixed Nitrogen ◽  
Exchangeable Calcium

The paper reports findings from an evaluation of the effects of selected chemical and biological properties of soils under maize-cowpea cropping systems in Conservation Agriculture (CA) and their relationship to biological nitrogen fixation capabilities of cowpea. Soils from Kayowozi Agriculture Camp of Chipata District of Zambia where CA had been practiced for six years were evaluated. Cropping systems studied included conventional tillage (control), maize monocropping (sole maize), maize-cowpea intercrop, maize-cowpea rotation: maize phase and maize-cowpea: cowpea phase. Standard laboratory procedures were used to determine the changes in the selected soil properties as a result of these cropping sequences under CA. The study showed that maize- cowpea intercrop and rotation-maize phase under conservation agriculture could result in a significant increase in soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable calcium after six years of practice. This increase can be associated with the amount and type of residue retained and the contribution of biologically fixed nitrogen from the cowpea. Having cowpea as the immediate previous crop in sequence can result in a depression of soil pH. Soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable calcium in maize-cowpea cropping sequences can influence the amount of biologically fixed nitrogen. Changes in soil activity and microbial biomass might need more than six years to be apparent. The sequencing pattern of crops in a rotation, the choices and characteristics of crops, and the length of time of practice, all play an important role in determining interactions and processes leading to changes in soil properties and crop performance over time.

scholarly journals Improvement of Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Soil Properties by Growing Different Green Crops

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashim Kumar Saha ◽  
Apu Biswas ◽  
Abdul Qayyum Khan ◽  
Md. Mohashin Farazi ◽  
Md. Habibur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Organic Carbon Content

Long-term tea cultivation has led to degradation of the soil. Old tea soils require rehabilitation for restoring soil health. Soil rehabilitation by growing different green crops can break the chain of monoculture of tea. An experiment was conducted at The Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) Farm during 2008-2011 to find out the efficiency of different green crops on the improvement of soil properties. Four green crops such as Guatemala, Citronella, Mimosa and Calopogonium were grown to develop the nutritional value of the degraded tea soil. Soil samples were collected and analyzed before and at the end of experiment. Soil pH was increased in all four green crops treated plots with the highest increase in Citronella treated plots (from 4.1 to 4.5). Highest content of organic carbon (1.19%) and total nitrogen (0.119%) were found in Mimosa and Calopogonium treated plots, respectively. Concentration of available phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in all green crops treated plots were above the critical values, while available potassium content was above the critical value in Guatemala, Citronella and Mimosa treated plots. Changes in soil pH and available potassium were significant, while changes in organic carbon content, total nitrogen and available calcium were insignificant. Changes in available phosphorus and magnesium were significant. The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 34-38

scholarly journals Effect of Mid-Term Cropping System Adoption on Soil Chemical Properties at Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-89
Author(s):  
Saroj Koirala ◽  
Santosh Shrestha ◽  
Prashanta Raut ◽  
Bikram Pandey ◽  
Arbindra Timilsina
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Wide Range

Soil chemical properties plays a crucial role in crop yield. In this study, we evaluated the chemical properties of soils under three different cropping systems practiced for more than five years in Changunarayan municipality of Bhaktapur district of Nepal. The cropping systems includes- (i) cultivation inside polyhouse (Treatment A: polyhouse), (ii) paddy-wheat rotation (Treatment B: P-W), and (iii) paddy-wheat-vegetable rotation (Treatment C: P-W-V). Thirty-nine composite samples (13 replicates from each site) were taken from the area based on variation in landforms. Soil pH, organic matter (%), total nitrogen (%), available phosphorus (mgkg-1), and available potassium (mgkg-1) were evaluated for each sample. The study revealed that the soil pH was acidic and ranges between 4.71 and 5.39, organic matter (1.6-2.39%), total nitrogen (0.091-0.13%), phosphorus (4.48-29.24mg kg-1) and potassium (88.04-109.52 mg kg-1). A significant lower mean pH (4.71), and higher mean organic matter (2.39%), total nitrogen (0.13%) and available phosphorus (29.24 mgkg-1) were observed in cultivation under polyhouse. Incorporation of vegetable in paddy-wheat system gave significant (p<0.05) higher accumulation of soil phosphorus and consistently raised other nutrient status. Moreover, cultivation under polyhouse raised C:N ratio (10.55) significantly than other system. This finding can be relevant to wide range of readers that focus on soil chemical properties and can be used in developing future research strategy and sustainable soil management system in the area.

Corrigendum to: Conservation agriculture effects on soil properties and crop productivity in a semiarid region of India

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Somasundaram ◽  
M. Salikram ◽  
N. K. Sinha ◽  
M. Mohanty ◽  
R. S. Chaudhary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Residue Retention

Conservation agriculture (CA) including reduced or no-tillage and crop residue retention, is known to be a self–sustainable system as well as an alternative to residue burning. The present study evaluated the effect of reduced tillage coupled with residue retention under different cropping systems on soil properties and crop yields in a Vertisol of a semiarid region of central India. Two tillage systems – conventional tillage (CT) with residue removed, and reduced tillage (RT) with residue retained – and six major cropping systems of this region were examined after 3 years of experimentation. Results demonstrated that soil moisture content, mean weight diameter, percent water stable aggregates (&gt;0.25mm) for the 0–15cm soil layer were significantly (Pmoderately labile&gt;less labile. At the 0–15cm depth, the contributions of moderately labile, less labile and non-labile C fractions to total organic C were 39.3%, 10.3% and 50.4% respectively in RT and corresponding values for CT were 38.9%, 11.7% and 49.4%. Significant differences in different C fractions were observed between RT and CT. Soil microbial biomass C concentration was significantly higher in RT than CT at 0–15cm depth. The maize–chickpea cropping system had significantly (P–1 followed by soybean+pigeon pea (2:1) intercropping (3.50 t ha–1) and soybean–wheat cropping systems (2.97 t ha–1). Thus, CA practices could be sustainable management practices for improving soil health and crop yields of rainfed Vertisols in these semiarid regions.

scholarly journals The crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blessing Mhlanga ◽  
Laura Ercoli ◽  
Elisa Pellegrino ◽  
Andrea Onofri ◽  
Christian Thierfelder
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Yield Stability ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stability And Resilience

AbstractConservation agriculture has been promoted to sustainably intensify food production in smallholder farming systems in southern Africa. However, farmers have rarely fully implemented all its components, resulting in different combinations of no-tillage, crop rotation, and permanent soil cover being practiced, thus resulting in variable yield responses depending on climatic and soil conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the effect of conservation agriculture components on yield stability. We hypothesized that the use of all three conservation agriculture components would perform the best, resulting in more stable production in all environments. We evaluated at, eight trial locations across southern Africa, how partial and full implementation of these components affected crop yield and yield stability compared with conventional tillage alone or combined with mulching and/or crop rotation. Grain yield and shoot biomass of maize and cowpea were recorded along with precipitation for 2 to 5 years. Across different environments, the addition of crop rotation and mulch to no-tillage increased maize grain by 6%, and the same practices added to conventional tillage led to 13% yield increase. Conversely, adding only mulch or crop rotation to no-tillage or conventional tillage led to lower or equal maize yield. Stability analyses based on Shukla’s index showed for the first time that the most stable systems are those in which mulch is added without crop rotation. Moreover, the highest yielding systems were the least stable. Finally, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analysis allowed clarifying that mulch added to no-tillage gives stable yields on sandy soil with high rainfall. Similarly, mulch added to conventional tillage gives stable yield on sandy soil, but under low rainfall. This is the first study that highlighted the crucial role of mulch to enhance the stability and resilience of cropping systems in southern Africa, supporting their adaptability to climate change.

scholarly journals Earthworm Inoculation Improves Upland Rice Crop Yield and Other Agrosystem Services in Madagascar

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Onja Ratsiatosika ◽  
Malalatiana Razafindrakoto ◽  
Tantely Razafimbelo ◽  
Michel Rabenarivo ◽  
Thierry Becquer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upland Rice ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Ecological Transition ◽  
Earthworm Activity ◽  
Endogeic Earthworms ◽  
Plant Properties

The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice systems were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands of Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae) were inoculated (EW+) at a density of 75 ind m−2 or were not inoculated (EW0). Inoculation was tested in three cropping systems: conservation agriculture (CA) and traditional tillage with or without residues restitution. Soil and plant properties were measured during the first three years while soil biological properties were assessed at the fourth year. At the end of the experiment, earthworm density was three-fold higher in EW+ than in EW0, demonstrating the success of the inoculation. Earthworm density was more important in CA than in tillage systems. Earthworm inoculation had higher significant effects on soil and plant properties than cropping systems. Earthworm inoculation had positive effects on soil macroaggregation (+43%), aboveground biomass (+27%), rice grain yield (+45%), and N grain amount (+43%). Intensifying earthworm activity in field conditions to meet the challenge of ecological transition is supported by our study.

scholarly journals Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
K Pariyar ◽  
A Chaudhary ◽  
P Sapkota ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
CB Rana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Equivalent Yield

The effects of two tillage methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two residue managements (residue kept and residue removed) and two levels of cropping system (maize + soybean and sole maize) were studied over 3 years (2015-2017) at Dailekh district of Nepal. Arun-2 and Puja were the varieties of maize and soybean used respectively, followed by winter wheat. The results revealed that the maize + soybean system had significantly higher plant population and ear population (34.83 thousands ha-1 and 34.35 thousands ha-1, respectively), grains per row (37.1), ear length (16.6 cm) and 20.5% higher grain yield as compared to sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield (7.92 t ha-1) was recorded in maize + soybean as compared to the lower grain yield equivalent (7.06 t ha-1) in sole maize. Zero tillage accounted relatively higher benefits (high net income and B:C ratio) as compared to conventional tillage. The residue kept plot resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.41) than the residue removed (2.11) and the maize + soybean recorded 82.5% greater B:C ratio compared to sole maize. Net annual income was significantly higher in zero tillage, residue kept and maize + soybean system (NRs. 223072.00, 222958.00 and 269016.00 ha-1 respectively). Such combinations are recommended for Dailekh district of Nepal to have profitable crop productivity. SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 49-63 (2019)

scholarly journals Tillage in Relation to Distribution of Nutrients and Organic Carbon in the Soil

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Božena Šoltysová ◽  
Martin Danilovič
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
The Difference

Tillage in Relation to Distribution of Nutrients and Organic Carbon in the SoilChanges of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and soil organic carbon were observed on gleyic Fluvisols (locality Milhostov) at the following crops: grain maize (2005), spring barley (2006), winter wheat (2007), soya (2008), grain maize (2009). The experiment was realized at three soil tillage technologies: conventional tillage, reduced tillage and no-tillage. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0-0.15 m; 0.15-0.30 m; 0.30-0.45 m). The ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen was also calculated.Soil tillage affects significantly the content of total nitrogen in soil. The difference between the convetional tillage and soil protective tillages was significant. The balance showed that the content of total nitrogen decreased at reduced tillage by 5.2 rel.%, at no-tillage by 5.1 rel.% and at conventional tillage by 0.7 rel.%.Similarly, the content of organic matter in the soil was significantly affected by soil tillage. The content of soil organic carbon found at the end of the research period was lower by 4.1 rel.% at reduced tillage, by 4.8 rel.% at no-tillage and by 4.9 rel.% at conventional tillage compared with initial stage. The difference between the convetional tillage and soil protective tillages was significant.Less significant relationship was found between the soil tillage and the content of available phosphorus. The balance showed that the content of available phosphorus was increased at reduced tillage (by 4.1 rel.%) and was decreased at no-tillage (by 9.5 rel.%) and at conventional tillage (by 3.3 rel.%).Tillage did not significantly affect the content of available potassium in the soil.

scholarly journals Soil Chemical Properties under Conservation Agriculture and Cereal-Based Cropping System in Eastern Tarai of Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Shukra Raj Shrestha ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Sanjeet Kumar Jha ◽  
Dinesh Khadka ◽  
Prakash Paneru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Kidney Bean ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Total N

Field experiments were conducted for four years (2014-2017) at five locations namely Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj of Sunsari district to assess the changes in soil chemical properties under conservation agriculture (CA)-based practices in two cropping systems namely rice-kidney bean-maize at Salbani and rice-wheat at rest of the locations. In rice-wheat cropping system, there were four treatments: (1) conventional tillage (CT) for rice transplantation and subsequent wheat sowing, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage wheat, (4) zero tillage in both rice and wheat. Similarly, in rice-kidney bean-maize cropping system, there were four treatments; (1) conventional tillage for rice transplantation and sowing of both kidney bean and maize, (2) conventional tillage rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (3) unpuddled rice transplantation followed by zero tillage in both kidney bean and maize, (4) zero tillage in all three crops. Soil samples were taken at initial and every year after rice harvest.The soil samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, pH and soil organic matter.Total nitrogen (N) showed a slightly decreasing trend in the first three years and showed a slight increase at the end of experiment under ZT in all locations. The total N under ZT changed from 0.12 to 0.13%, 0.05 to 0.06%, 0.10 to 0.12%, 0.11 to 0.08% and 0.09 to 0.13% in Salbani, Bhokraha, Simariya, Bhaluwa and Kaptanganj, respectively.  All locations showed the positive values of available potassium; Salbani  revealing considerable change of 64.3 to 78.5 mg/kg in CT while 68.4 to 73.3 mg/kg in ZT condition. The treatment where rice was transplanted in unpuddled condition and zero tilled to wheat, had a mean value of available phosphorus and potassium as 87.3 and 81.9 mg/kg respectively. Soil pH ranged from 4.8 to 7.1 in CT while it was 5.2 to 6.8 in ZT across the locations. The change in soil organic matter in CT of all locations except Salbani was narrower as compared to ZT.

Prediction of available potassium in Ontario soils by electro-ultrafiltration and chemical extraction

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangxue Liu ◽  
T. E. Bates ◽  
T. S. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Chemical Extraction ◽  
K Uptake ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Exchangeable Calcium ◽  
Time Required

The extractions of soil K by electroultrafiltration (EUF) and by chemical methods were compared as predictors of plant-available K for greenhouse-grown alfalfa on 38 Ontario soils. The relation of soil properties to the amount of K extracted by EUF fractions was also examined. The contents of silt and clay were negatively correlated with EUF-K at 50 V and 22 °C and positively correlated with EUF-K at 400 V and 80 °C. Soil pH and organic matter were not significantly correlated with the amounts of K extracted in the EUF-K fractions. The EUF extraction of K was influenced by the presence of carbonate or high exchangeable calcium in soils. Similar correlations were obtained between K uptake and K extracted by chemical methods and the sum of EUF-K fractions. When used along with other soil properties, EUF-K fractions and K extracted by chemical methods predicted availability of soil K with roughly equal ability. The model using the sum of K extracted by EUF at 50, 200 and 400 V is the simplest one and contains three variables, K, K2 and Ca2. The use of EUF is limited due to cost of equipment and time required for analysis, unless a number of nutrients can be accurately determined on one extract. Among the chemical methods, equations developed using three nonacidic extradants, NaCl, ABDTPA and NH4OAc explained more variation in K uptake than two acidic extractants, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 M HNO3. The NaCl model, ABDTPA model and NH4OAc model contained the same variables and had similar R2 values (0.88–0.91). Key words: Available K, chemical methods, electro-ultrafiltration, EUF-K fractions, K uptake

scholarly journals IMPACT OF AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS ON SOIL EROSION PROCESSES AND SOIL PROPERTIES ON HILLY LANDSCAPE IN WESTERN LITHUANIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gintaras JARAŠIŪNAS ◽  
Irena KINDERIENĖ
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different land use systems on soil erosion rates, surface evolution processes and physico-chemical properties on a moraine hilly topography in Lithuania. The soil of the experimental site is Bathihypogleyi – Eutric Albeluvisols (abe–gld–w) whose texture is a sandy loam. After a 27-year use of different land conservation systems, three critical slope segments (slightly eroded, active erosion and accumulation) were formed. Soil physical properties of the soil texture and particle sizes distribution were examined. Chemical properties analysed for were soil ph, available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N). We estimated the variation in thickness of the soil Ap horizon and soil physico-chemical properties prone to a sustained erosion process. During the study period (2010–2012) water erosion occurred under the grain– grass and grass–grain crop rotations, at rates of 1.38 and 0.11 m3 ha–1 yr–1, respectively. Soil exhumed due to erosion from elevated positions accumulated in the slope bottom. As a result, topographic transfiguration of hills and changes in soil properties occurred. However, the accumulation segments of slopes had significantly higher silt/clay ratios and SOC content. In the active erosion segments a lighter soil texture and lower soil ph were recorded. Only long-term grassland completely stopped soil erosion effects; therefore geomorphologic change and degradation of hills was estimated there as minimal.

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