To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Maize management; cropping systems.
Journal articles on the topic 'Maize management; cropping systems'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Maize management; cropping systems.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Lisboa, Bruno Brito, Cimélio Bayer, Luciane Maria Pereira Passaglia, Flávio Anastácio de Oliveira Camargo, Anelise Beneduzi, Adriana Ambrosini, and Luciano Kayser Vargas. "SOIL FUNGISTASIS AGAINST FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM UNDER DIFFERENT CROP MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS." Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo 39, no. 1 (February 2015): 69–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/01000683rbcs20150683.
Full textAbstract:
Soil management, in terms of tillage and cropping systems, strongly influences the biological properties of soil involved in the suppression of plant diseases. Fungistasis mediated by soil microbiota is an important component of disease-suppressive soils. We evaluated the influence of different management systems on fungistasis against Fusarium graminearum, the relationship of fungistasis to the bacterial profile of the soil, and the possible mechanisms involved in this process. Samples were taken from a long-term experiment set up in a Paleudult soil under conventional tillage or no-tillage management and three cropping systems: black oat (Avena strigose L.) + vetch (Vicia sativa L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) + cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.), black oat/maize, and vetch/maize. Soil fungistasis was evaluated in terms of reduction of radial growth of F. graminearum, and bacterial diversity was assessed using ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA). A total of 120 bacterial isolates were obtained and evaluated for antibiosis, and production of volatile compounds and siderophores. No-tillage soil samples showed the highest level of F. graminearum fungistasis by sharply reducing the development of this pathogen. Of the cropping systems tested, the vetch + black oat/maize + cowpea system showed the highest fungistasis and the oat/maize system showed the lowest. The management system also affected the genetic profile of the bacteria isolated, with the systems from fungistatic soils showing greater similarity. Although there was no clear relationship between soil management and the characteristics of the bacterial isolates, we may conclude that antibiosis and the production of siderophores were the main mechanisms accounting for fungistasis.
2
Wattenburger, Cassandra J., Larry J. Halverson, and Kirsten S. Hofmockel. "Agricultural Management Affects Root-Associated Microbiome Recruitment Over Maize Development." Phytobiomes Journal 3, no. 4 (January 2019): 260–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pbiomes-03-19-0016-r.
Full textAbstract:
Diversified cropping systems provide yield benefits that may result from enhanced nutrient availability via the root microbiome. We hypothesized that root-associated microbial communities in diversified and conventional systems would differ most during high plant nitrogen demand, reflecting microbiome-derived benefits, and that these effects would be greatest nearest the root. We compared maize bulk soil, rhizosphere, and rhizoplane prokaryotic and fungal communities in diversified and conventional systems at four plant developmental stages using amplicon sequencing. The greatest differences between systems in root-selected prokaryotic community composition occurred within the rhizoplane during vegetative stage 11 (high nitrogen demand). During this period, the rhizoplane of maize from the diversified, compared with the conventional, cropping system hosted higher abundances of bacteria implicated in complex organic matter decomposition (Verrucomicrobia and Acidobacteria). In contrast, fungal root-associated communities differed most between cropping systems during vegetative stage 4 (low nitrogen demand) and became more similar over time. Unexpectedly, prokaryotic rhizosphere communities, unlike rhizoplane communities, did not always differentiate from bulk soil communities, indicating value in differentiating between root compartments to understand root−microbiome−management interactions. For example, the diversified system rhizosphere and bulk soil prokaryotic communities were not well differentiated compared with the conventional system, indicating the possibility of a camouflage effect.
3
Hussain, Khalid, Ayesha Ilyas, Irshad Bibi, and Thomas Hilger. "Sustainable Soil Loss Management in Tropical Uplands: Impact on Maize-Chili Cropping Systems." Sustainability 13, no. 11 (June 7, 2021): 6477. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13116477.
Full textAbstract:
Intensive land use with inappropriate land management is directly degrading South Asian uplands. A field trial was carried out on the uplands of Western Thailand with a 25% slope to examine the effect of land use management on soil loss for sustainable crop production during two consecutive years (2010–2011). Various cropping systems with soil conservation practices were compared to maize sole cropping (MSC). Results revealed that soil loss was at a minimum in the intercropping system of maize-chili-hedgerows with minimum tillage and fertilization that was 50% to 61% and 60% to 81% less than MSC and the bare soil plot during both years, respectively. Yield advantage was at its maximum, as indicated by the highest land equivalent ratios of 1.28 and 1.21 during 2010 and 2011, respectively, in maize-chili-hedgerows-intercropping with minimum tillage and fertilization. The highest economic returns (5925 and 1058 euros ha−1 during 2010 and 2011, respectively) were also obtained from maize-chili-hedgerows-intercropping with minimum tillage and fertilization. Chili fresh fruit yield was maximum in the chili alone plot during both years due to the greater area under cultivation compared with intercropping. Maize-chili-hedgerows with minimum tillage and fertilization reduced soil loss and increased land productivity and net returns, indicating its promising features for sustainable crop production on uplands.
4
KIHARA, J., A. BATIONO, B. WASWA, J. M. KIMETU, B. VANLAUWE, J. OKEYO, J. MUKALAMA, and C. MARTIUS. "EFFECT OF REDUCED TILLAGE AND MINERAL FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON MAIZE AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTIVITY." Experimental Agriculture 48, no. 2 (October 11, 2011): 159–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479711000895.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYReduced tillage is said to be one of the potential ways to reverse land degradation and ultimately increase the productivity of degrading soils of Africa. We hypothesised that crop yield following a modest application of 2 t ha−1 of crop residue in a reduced tillage system is similar to the yield obtained from a conventional tillage system, and that incorporation of legumes in a cropping system leads to greater economic benefits as opposed to a cropping system involving continuous maize. Three cropping systems (continuous maize monocropping, legume/maize intercropping and rotation) under different tillage and residue management systems were tested in sub-humid western Kenya over 10 seasons. While soybean performed equally well in both tillage systems throughout, maize yield was lower in reduced than conventional tillage during the first five seasons but no significant differences were observed after season 6. Likewise, with crop residue application, yields in conventional and reduced tillage systems are comparable after season 6. Nitrogen and phosphorus increased yield by up to 100% compared with control. Gross margins were not significantly different among the cropping systems being only 6 to 39% more in the legume–cereal systems relative to similar treatments in continuous cereal monocropping system. After 10 seasons of reduced tillage production, the economic benefits for our cropping systems are still not attractive for a switch from the conventional to reduced tillage.
5
Osanai, Yui, Oliver Knox, Gunasekhar Nachimuthu, and Brian Wilson. "Contrasting agricultural management effects on soil organic carbon dynamics between topsoil and subsoil." Soil Research 59, no. 1 (2021): 24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr19379.
Full textAbstract:
Agricultural practices (e.g. tillage, crop rotation and fertiliser application) have a strong influence on the balance between carbon (C) input and output by altering physicochemical and microbial properties that control decomposition processes in the soil. Recent studies suggest that the mechanisms by which agricultural practice impacts soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in the topsoil may not be the same as those in the subsoil. Here, we assessed SOC stock, soil organic fractions and nitrogen availability to 1.0 m in soils under a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-based cropping system, and assessed the impact of agricultural management (three historical cropping systems with or without maize (Zea mays L.) rotation) on SOC storage. We found that the maize rotation and changes in the particulate organic fraction influenced SOC stock in the topsoil, although the overall change in SOC stock was small. The large increase in subsoil SOC stock (by 31%) was dominated by changes in the mineral-associated organic fraction, which were influenced by historical cropping systems and recent maize rotation directly and indirectly via changes in soil nitrogen availability. The strong direct effect of maize rotation on SOC stock, particularly in the subsoil, suggests that the direct transfer of C into the subsoil SOC pool may dominate C dynamics in this cropping system. Therefore, agricultural management that affects the movement of C within the soil profile (e.g. changes in soil physical properties) could have a significant consequence for subsoil C storage.
6
Velthof, Gerard, Herman van Schooten, and Wim van Dijk. "Optimization of the Nutrient Management of Silage Maize Cropping Systems in The Netherlands: A Review." Agronomy 10, no. 12 (November 26, 2020): 1861. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121861.
Full textAbstract:
Silage maize is, after grassland, the second largest crop in the Netherlands. The amounts of nutrients applied to silage maize have greatly decreased since the 1980s because of the implementation of a series of environmental policies. The aim of this review paper was to provide an overview of the nutrient management of and losses from silage maize cropping systems in the Netherlands during recent decades based on a literature review and a time series of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uses, yields, surpluses, and losses. The total N input as slurry to silage maize on sandy soils decreased from up to 500 kg N/ha in 1985 to approximately 180 kg N/ha in recent years. This decrease was due to the implementation of legislation with maximum permissible P application rates in the 1980s and 1990s, maximum permissible N and P losses in the 1997–2005 period, and of maximum permissible N and P application rates from 2006 onwards. Implementation of low ammonia (NH3) emission application techniques of manure in the early 1990s greatly reduced NH3 emission. The relative decrease of N losses from silage maize on sandy soils in the 1995–2018 period was 70% for nitrate (NO3) leaching, 97% for NH3 emissions, 65% for nitrogen oxide (NO) emissions, and 32% for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The P surplus on the soil balance of silage maize decreased from approximately 150 kg P2O5/ha in the 1980s to less than 10 kg P2O5/ha in recent years, showing that P inputs and outputs are currently coming close to a zero balance in silage maize cropping systems. Although the emissions from silage maize cultivation have greatly decreased, further improvements in nutrient management are needed. The water quality standards have still not been met and there are new challenges related to the mitigation of emissions of ammonia and greenhouse gases.
7
Xu, Huasen, Huaxing Bi, Lubo Gao, and Lei Yun. "Alley Cropping Increases Land Use Efficiency and Economic Profitability Across the Combination Cultivation Period." Agronomy 9, no. 1 (January 15, 2019): 34. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9010034.
Full textAbstract:
Alley cropping allows the famer to effectively use available resources and yield more benefits. Choosing suitable associated crop and mitigating the competition between trees and crops are crucial for designing the alley cropping systems. We conducted a long-term experiment, including apple (Malus pumila)/peanut (Arachis hypogaea), apple/millet (Setaria italica) and apple/maize (Zea mays) alley cropping systems with conventional intercropping distance, and corresponding monocultures (Exp.1), and a short-term experiment with improved intercropping distance in the same three combinations (Exp.2) in the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed crop yields in three alley cropping systems were lower than the corresponding monocultures. Apple yields were significantly constrained by millet and maize in the alley cropping systems, but not sensitive to the presence of peanut. Land equivalent ratios (LERs) ranged from 0.44 to 0.89 before the tree bore fruit. The LERs were greater than 1.0 after the tree bore fruit, and the apple trees made a decisive contribution to the land use advantage. Net present values of three alley cropping systems were on average 60.1% higher than the corresponding monocultures across the alley cropping period. The maximum annual present value in the first–fifth, sixth and seventh–ninth years after the alley cropping establishment was observed in the apple/maize, apple/millet and apple/peanut system, respectively. These results highlight that choosing the optimal alley cropping management and suitable associated crops at different years after establishment may allow farmers to increase the land use efficiency and economic profitability.
8
Kanampiu, Fred, Dan Makumbi, Edna Mageto, Gospel Omanya, Sammy Waruingi, Peter Musyoka, and Joel Ransom. "Assessment of Management Options onStrigaInfestation and Maize Grain Yield in Kenya." Weed Science 66, no. 4 (April 4, 2018): 516–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2018.4.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractThe parasitic purple witchweed [Striga hermonthica(Del.) Benth.] is a serious constraint to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in poor soils. VariousStrigaspp. control measures have been developed, but these have not been assessed in an integrated system. This study was conducted to evaluate a set of promising technologies forS. hermonthicamanagement in western Kenya. We evaluated three maize genotypes either intercropped with peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.), soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], or silverleaf desmodium [Desmodium uncinatum(Jacq.) DC] or as a sole crop at two locations under artificialS. hermonthicainfestation and at three locations under naturalS. hermonthicainfestation between 2011 and 2013. Combined ANOVA showed significant (P<0.05) cropping system and cropping system by environment interactions for most traits measured. Grain yield was highest for maize grown in soybean rotation (3,672 kg ha−1) under artificial infestation and inD. uncinatumand peanut cropping systems (3,203 kg ha−1and 3,193 kg ha−1) under natural infestation. Grain yield was highest for theStrigaspp.-resistant hybrid under both methods of infestation. A lower number of emergedS. hermonthicaplants per square meter were recorded at 10 and 12 wk after planting on maize grown underD. uncinatumin the artificialS. hermonthicainfestation. A combination of herbicide-resistant maize varieties intercropped with legumes was a more effective method forS. hermonthicacontrol than individual-component technologies. Herbicide-resistant andStrigaspp.-resistant maize integrated with legumes would help reduce theStrigaspp. seedbank in the soil. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt an integrated approach to controlStrigaspp. for better maize yields.
9
Sebetha, E. T., and A. T. Modi. "Influence of Management Practices on Selected Cowpea Growth Attributes and Soil Organic Carbon." Journal of Agricultural Science 8, no. 11 (October 11, 2016): 20. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n11p20.
Full textAbstract:
<p>Cowpea is a multi-purpose nitrogen fixing crop that can be grown as a vegetable, grain legume and a fodder. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth response of cowpea to different cropping systems at different locations and determine nitrogen fertilization on cowpea growth and soil organic carbon content. Three cropping systems were used, namely, maize-cowpea rotation, cowpea monocropping and maize-cowpea intercropping at three locations (Potchefstroom, Taung, and Rustenburg) in South Africa during 2011/12 and 2012/13 planting seasons. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at two rates where no application was the control at all locations and application according to soil analysis recommendation for maize requirement was applied at each location. The variables measured for cowpea growth were days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity, number of leaves and nodules per cowpea plant. Soil organic carbon was determined for each treatment. The results showed that, maize-cowpea rotation and monocropping reached days to 100% flowering and maturity significantly earlier compared to intercropping. Cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg reached days to 100% flowering and physiological maturity significantly earlier than cowpea planted at Taung. Cowpea planted at Taung had significantly higher number of nodules per plant than cowpea planted at Potchefstroom and Rustenburg. There was also a positive correlation between soil organic carbon and cowpea growth. It is concluded that the positive effect of cowpea in agronomic systems is enhanced by the correct cropping system, although it is affected by location.</p>
10
Herrmann, Antje, Sandra Claus, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluß, and Friedhelm Taube. "Can arable forage production be intensified sustainably? A case study from northern Germany." Crop and Pasture Science 65, no. 6 (2014): 538. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/cp13362.
Full textAbstract:
Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) resulting from forage production contribute a major share to ‘livestock’s long shadow’. A 2-year field experiment was conducted at two sites in northern Germany to quantify and evaluate the carbon footprint of arable forage cropping systems (continuous silage maize, maize–wheat–grass rotation, perennial ryegrass ley) as affected by N-fertiliser type and N amount. Total GHG emissions showed a linear increase with N application, with mineral-N supply resulting in a steeper slope. Product carbon footprint (PCF) ranged between –66 and 119 kg CO2eq/(GJ net energy lactation) and revealed a quadratic or linear response to fertiliser N input, depending on the cropping system and site. Thus, exploitation of yield potential while mitigating PCF was not feasible for all tested cropping systems. When taking credits or debts for carbon sequestration into account, perennial ryegrass was characterised by a lower PCF than continuous maize or the maize-based rotation, at the N input required for achieving maximum energy yield, whereas similar or higher PCF was found when grassland was assumed to have achieved soil carbon equilibrium. The data indicate potential for sustainable intensification when cropping systems and crop management are adapted to increase resource-use efficiency.
11
Sebetha, E. T., and A. T. Modi. "Influence of Crop Growth Stages and Management Practices on Soil Water Content at Different Soil Depths under Dryland Conditions." Journal of Agricultural Science 9, no. 11 (October 16, 2017): 88. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v9n11p88.
Full textAbstract:
Soil water loss through evaporation plays a role on low crop productivity and this is due to poor cropping systems and soil surface coverage. The study was carried out at three locations of North-West province of South Africa, which were Potchefstroom, Taung and Rustenburg during 2011/12 and 2012/13 planting seasons. The experimental design was a factorial experiment laid out in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The experiment consisted of five cropping systems, which were monocropping cowpea, monocropping maize, cowpea followed by maize in rotation, maize followed by cowpea in rotation and intercropping maize-cowpea. The three crop growth stages compared in this study were before tasselling/flowering, during tasselling/pod formation and during physiological maturity of maize and cowpea. Soil was sampled for the 0-0.15, 0.15-0.3, 0.3-0.6 and 0.6-0.9 m depth increments and soil water content determined using the Gravimetric method. The crop growth stage before tasselling/flowering in maize/cowpea had significantly (P < 0.05) higher water content of 10.2, 10.8, 12.5 and 13.3% at the depth of 0-0.15, 0.15-0.3, 0.3-0.6 and 0.6-0.9 m respectively. Soil collected at Rustenburg and Potchefstroom had significantly (P < 0.05) higher water content of 13.5 and 10.2; 15.9 and 10.9; 18.3 and 12.8; 18.4 and 14.5% at the depths of 0-0.15, 0.15-0.3, 0.3-0.6 and 0.6-0.9 m respectively. Monocropping cowpea plots had significantly (P < 0.05) higher water content of 12.4% than other cropping systems at the soil depth of 0.3-0.6 m. Monocropping plots of cowpea had the ability to hold soil water and this depends on the type of cowpea cultivar and canopy cover. The stage before tasselling/flowering of maize-cowpea (V10/Vn) was found to have high soil water content. Soil water content differs across locations due to different soil physical properties.
12
Spasojevic, Igor, Vesna Dragicevic, Milena Simic, Dusan Kovacevic, and Milan Brankov. "Effects of different cropping systems and weed management methods on free energy and content of pigments in maize." Pesticidi i fitomedicina 29, no. 1 (2014): 45–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/pif1401045s.
Full textAbstract:
Rotation is a cropping system that has many advantages and ensures better crop growth and yielding. Its combinination with other cropping measures can ensure optimal crop density for maximal growth and photosynthesis efficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different cropping systems: monoculture and two rotations, including maize, wheat and soybean (MSW and MWS), and different weed management methods (weed removal by hoeing, application of a full recommended herbicide dose (RD) and half that dose (0.5 RD), and weedy check) on weed biomass and maize growth parameters - leaf area index (LAI), free energy, contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, grain yield, and their possible relationships in two fields of the maize hybrids ZP 677 (H1) and ZP 606 (H2). The lowest LAI and grain yield were found in monoculture, particularly in weedy check, which had relatively high weed infestation. Higher weed biomass was also observed in herbicide treated plots in monoculture. Such high competition pressure indicates a stress reflected on reduced LAI and chlorophyll content, and increased free energy and content of carotenoids. On the other hand, rotation, particularly if it is combined with the application of herbicides or hoeing, had a positive impact on yielding potential by increasing LAI and the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and decreasing free energy.
13
Wang, Huanyuan, Baoguo Li, Liang Jin, and Kelin Hu. "Exploring a Sustainable Cropping System in the North China Plain Using a Modelling Approach." Sustainability 12, no. 11 (June 4, 2020): 4588. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12114588.
Full textAbstract:
The North China Plain (NCP) is one of the most important grain production regions in China. However, it currently experiences water shortage, severe nonpoint source pollution, and low water and N use efficiencies (WUE and NUE). To explore sustainable agricultural development in this region, a field experiment with different cropping systems was conducted in suburban Beijing. These cropping systems included a winter wheat and summer maize rotation system for one year (WM), three harvests (winter wheat-summer maize-spring maize) in two years (HT), and continuous spring maize monoculture (CS). Novel ways were explored to improve WUE and NUE and to reduce N loss via the alternative cropping system based on the simulation results of a soil-crop system model. Results showed that the annual average yields were ranked as follows: WM > HT > CS. The N leaching of WM was much larger than that of HT and CS. WUE and NUE were ranked as follows: WM < HT < CS. Comprehensive evaluation indices based on agronomic and environmental effects indicated that CS or HT have significant potential for approaches characterized by water-saving, fertilizer-saving, high-WUE, and high-NUE properties. Once spring maize yield reached an ideal level HT and CS became a high-yield, water-saving, and fertilizer-saving cropping systems. Therefore, this method would be beneficial to sustainable agricultural development in the NCP.
14
ISHAQ, LILY. "Short Communication: Presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza in maize plantation land cultivated with traditional and improved land management." Asian Journal of Agriculture 2, no. 01 (June 1, 2018): 20–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g020104.
Full textAbstract:
Ishaq L. 2018. Short Communication: Presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza in maize plantation land cultivated with traditional and improved land management.Trop Drylands 2: 20-24. Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) are one of key fungtional soil biota that can greatly contribute to crop productiviy and agricultural sustainability. Their presences could be influenced by soil condition such as land management, and the sporulation of the fungal forming mycorrhiza could be affected by season ie. rainy and dry season. Previously, it was found that the abundance of AM fungi was higher under maize cropping with traditional land management (no tillage, no input of agrochemicals) than that under maize copping system with more modern land management (tillage, agrochemical input), when the soils were sampled at rainy season. As the presence of AM fungi could be influenced by climate factor ie. rain/season, the present study was carried out to examine the abundance and diversity of AM fungi in maize plantation land cultivated with traditional and improved land management in the dry season. At each land management system, three locations of study were purposively selected, and at each location within the cropping system, three soil samples were collected. A total of 9 soil samples representing each land management system were evaluated. The variables observed included AM fungal spore density (expressed as the number of AM fungal spores per 100 g of soil) and biodiversity of AM fungi (expressed as relative abundance of AM fungal spore). It was found that the density of AM fungal spore under maize cropping system with traditional land management was 203.55 per 100g, whereas only 84.91 spores per 100 g soil were found under maize cropping system with improved land management, supporting the previous finding. Despite only six AM fungal spores morphotypes were observed under maize plantation land of both traditional and improved land management, the abundance of the morphotype was different between the two land management systems. The study needs to be extended at a broader location and time to get more representative information on the impact of land management on the abundance of AM fungi in tropical agriculture.
15
MADAMOMBE, SANDRA M., ISAIAH NYAGUMBO, BRIGHTON M. MVUMI, PHILLIP NYAMUGAFATA, MENAS WUTA, and CLEOPAS C. CHINHEYA. "NEMATODE MANAGEMENT IN RAIN-FED SMALLHOLDER MAIZE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS UNDER CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN ZIMBABWE." Experimental Agriculture 54, no. 3 (April 25, 2017): 452–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479717000163.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYNematode infestation in Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) cropping systems, worsened by poor crop rotations, is a major factor contributing to limited utilisation of applied nutrients and water, leading to low maize (Zea mays L.) yields particularly on sandy soils. The effects of nematode infestation on maize productivity were evaluated under conservation agriculture (CA) on granitic sandy soils in sub-humid smallholder farms of Goromonzi district of Zimbabwe. Four treatments were tested for three seasons on six smallholder farmers’ fields in a randomised complete block design, each farm being a replicate: fenamiphos 40EC (a commercial synthetic nematicide), lime + fenamiphos 40EC, lime and an untreated control. Results of the study showed that independent application of fenamiphos 40EC and lime significantly reduced plant parasitic nematode infestations in maize roots by more than 10 times those present in the untreated plots while maize yield also increased significantly. Yield increase from fenamiphos and lime applications amounted to 53 and 42% respectively, compared to the untreated controls. Maize yield was negatively correlated with density of Pratylenchus spp. nematodes. Nematode management strategies involving fenamiphos 40EC or lime could significantly reduce maize yield losses in maize-based smallholder farming systems of SSA under CA. It was more economical to use fenamiphos than lime to control nematodes.
16
Woghiren, A. I., R. O. ,. Awodoyin, C. I. Antiabong, E. N. Ngonadi, O. R. Jeminiwa, and S. O. Olaoti-Laaro. "Effects of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) as a Live mulch on weed management in maize cropping." Nigerian Journal of Biotechnology 38, no. 1 (July 27, 2021): 61–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njb.v38i1.7.
Full textAbstract:
Weed interference is a major constraint in maize cultivation. Living mulch as an alternative weed control strategy has been established to be environmentally safe but has not been widely used in maize cultivation. The aim of this research was to evaluate the weed management attributes of Vigna unguiculata in maize cropping. A field study was carried out in the crop garden of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The treatments were maize interplanted with Cowpea at 20,000 (M1), 30,000 (M2), 40,000 (M3) plants/hectare, hoe weeding (M4), weedy check (M5) and Primextra-2.5 L/ha (M6). The treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design, each replicated four times. Weed Dry Weight (WDW) and Weed Control Efficiency–WCE (%) were calculated following standardized methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. The treatment plots were dominated by weed species in the Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae families. The M5 accounted for the highest WDW (126.30 g). The WCE was highest in M3 (94.8%) and least in M5 (66.4%). Maize and cowpea interplant at 40,000 plants/hectare suppressed weed. Hence, cowpea is an ideal weed suppressant and can be inter-planted as a cover crop in maize cropping systems.
17
Tarawali, S. A., and M. Peters. "The potential contribution of selected forage legume pastures to cereal production in crop-livestock farming systems." Journal of Agricultural Science 127, no. 2 (September 1996): 175–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021859600077959.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYThe potential of 3-year-old grazed pastures ofStylosanthes hamata, Chamaecrista rotundifoliaandCentrosema pascuorumto contribute to subsequent maize production was investigated in subhumid Nigeria in 1993. All three legume pastures had the ability to give better maize grain yields than native pasture but this was significant only forStylosanthes hamataandChamaecrista rotundifolia. For the legume species, maximum yield of maize per kg of N applied was attained at 60 kgN/ha. The subsequent yields of maize could be related to the legume species used, pasture management and the length of the fallow period.Centrosema pascuorumbehaved as an annual, and as such there was little legume present after 3 years; crop yield was therefore relatively low. Nevertheless, this species could be useful in 1-year fallow/pasture situations. Maize cropping was economically viable for legume plots only with 60 or 120 kgN/ha and not for native pasture. There were no significant differences in the time required to till or to weed legume pastures as compared with native pasture. Forage legume pastures could also have a positive effect on maize residue yields which represent a fodder resource in addition to the herbage understorey remaining after cropping, the quality of which could be enhanced by the presence of the forage legumes. The use of forage legumes for the promotion of both crop and livestock production in sustainable agricultural systems is discussed. The results of the study are used to highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate legume species, pasture management practices and duration of fallow period in relation to the prevailing farming system to maximize benefits from the legumes.
18
Tesfaye, K., A. Khatri-Chhetri, P. K. Aggarwal, F. Mequanint, P. B. Shirsath, C. M. Stirling, M. L. Jat, D. B. Rahut, and O. Erenstein. "Assessing climate adaptation options for cereal-based systems in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains, South Asia." Journal of Agricultural Science 157, no. 03 (April 2019): 189–210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021859619000492.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractNew farming systems and management options are needed in South Asia as the intensive rice–wheat production system is set to become increasingly unsustainable under climate change. In the current study, six cropping systems options/treatments varying in tillage, crop establishment method, residue management, crop sequence and fertilizer and water management were evaluated using a cropping systems model under current (1980–2009) and future (2030 and 2050) climate scenarios in the state of Bihar, India. The treatments were current farmers' practice (CP), best fertilizer and water management practices, zero tillage (ZT) with no crop residue retention, ZT with partial crop residue retention (ZTPR), future conservation agriculture-based rice–wheat intensive cropping system (FCS-1) and future conservation agriculture-based maize–wheat intensive cropping system (FCS-2). The results indicate that climate change is likely to reduce rice–wheat system productivity under CP by 4% across Bihar. All the crop management options studied increased yield, water productivity and net returns over that of the CP under the current and future climate scenarios. However, the ZTPR treatment gave significantly higher relative yield, lower annual yield variability and a higher benefit-cost-ratio than the other treatments across cropping system components and climate periods. Although all the new cropping system treatments had a positive yield implication under the current climate (compared to CP), they did not contribute to adaptation under the future climate except FCS-2 in wheat. It is concluded that adaptation to future climate must integrate both cropping system innovations, and genetic improvements in stress tolerance.
19
NGWIRA, A. R., C. THIERFELDER, N. EASH, and D. M. LAMBERT. "RISK AND MAIZE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR SMALLHOLDER MALAWI FARMERS USING CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES." Experimental Agriculture 49, no. 4 (May 13, 2013): 483–503. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479713000306.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYAgricultural production in southern Africa is constrained by numerous factors, including low soil fertility, frequent droughts and flooding, limited access to fertilizers and the use of unsustainable management techniques that increase soil erosion rates. Conservation agriculture (CA) is based on the principles of minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention and crop rotations. CA systems have been proposed to alleviate the negative externalities associated with conventional crop management systems. This study was conducted to examine the riskiness of economic returns of CA technologies based on maize grain yield evaluated in 12 target communities in Malawi from 2005–2011. On average, maize grain yields on both CA treatments exceeded the conventional control treatment by 22.1–23.6%, with differences more distinct in low altitude areas with low rainfall and frequent seasonal dry spells. Stochastic dominance analysis suggest that CA technologies would be preferred by risk-averse farmers, with corresponding differences in risk premiums (compared to conventional maize production systems) ranging between US$40 and US$105. However, these rankings are sensitive to the agroecological zones where the experiments were conducted. The risk premiums associated with the CA technologies in low elevation regions are unambiguous. Risk-averse farmers in higher elevations may need substantial incentives to adopt some CA technologies.
20
PALUMBO, Roberta, Ana GONÇALVES, Athanasios GKRILLAS, Antonio LOGRIECO, Jean-Lou DORNE, Chiara DALL’ASTA, Armando VENÂNCIO, and Paola BATTILANI. "Mycotoxins in maize: mitigation actions, with a chain management approach." Phytopathologia Mediterranea 59, no. 1 (March 14, 2020): 5–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.36253/phyto-11142.
Full textAbstract:
Maize is the principal staple food/feed crop exposed to mycotoxins, and the co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins and their metabolites has been well documented. This review presents the infection cycle, ecology, and plant-pathogen interactions of Aspergillus and Fusarium species in maize, and current knowledge on maize chain management to mitigate the occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins. Preventive actions include at pre-harvest, as part of cropping systems, at harvest, and at post-harvest, through storage, processing, and detoxification to minimize consumer exposure. Preventive actions in the field have been recognized as efficient for reducing the entrance of mycotoxins into production chains. Biological control of Aspergillus flavus has been recognized to minimize contamination with aflatoxins. Post-harvest maize grain management is also crucial to complete preventive actions, and has been made mandatory in government food and feed legislation.
21
MINGOTTE, FÁBIO LUIZ CHECCHIO, FÁBIO TIRABOSCHI LEAL, MARCELA MIDORI YADA DE ALMEIDA, ORLANDO FERREIRA MORELLO, TATIANA PAGAN LOEIRO DA CUNHA-CHIAMOLERA, and LEANDRO BORGES LEMOS. "NITROGEN ACCUMULATION AND EXPORT BY COMMON BEAN AS A FUNCTION OF STRAW AND N SPLITTING IN NO-TILLAGE SYSTEM." Revista Caatinga 34, no. 1 (January 2021): 108–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252021v34n112rc.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT Determining nitrogen (N) accumulation and export by common bean as a function of straw and of the splitting of this nutrient is very important, aiming at the management and sustainability of agricultural systems. This study aimed to determine the N accumulation and export by common bean as a function of Zea mays and Urochloa ruziziensis grass straw (maize, maize/U. ruziziensis intercropping and U. ruziziensis) and splitting of top-dressing N fertilization. The experiment was conducted in Jaboticabal-SP-Brazil, during the 2012/13 crop season, in a Red Eutrophic Oxisol (Eutrudox) in no-tillage under irrigation. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots with four replicates, totaling 120 subplots sized in 25m2 each. The plots consisted of the cropping systems prior to common bean: maize, maize/ U. ruziziensis intercropping and U. ruziziensis. The subplots were composed of ten top-dressing N fertilization splitting schemes (NS) at the phenological stages V3, V4 and R5 in different combinations. Common bean grain yield differs among cropping systems and as a function of top-dressed N split application. U. ruziziensis grass as single crop promotes greater N accumulation in common bean shoots compared to maize and its intercropping with U. ruziziensis grass. Regardless the cropping system, top-dressing N application in a single dose (90 kg ha-1) at V4 leads to similar accumulations and exports to those found in the absence of N fertilization. Splitting schemes with N application at the R5 stage increase the exports of this nutrient by common bean in succession to maize and its intercropping with U. ruziziensis grass.
22
Masvaya, Esther N., Justice Nyamangara, Ken E. Giller, and Katrien Descheemaeker. "Risk management options in maize cropping systems in semi-arid areas of Southern Africa." Field Crops Research 228 (November 2018): 110–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2018.09.002.
Full text
23
RAHMAN, TANZEELUR, LIN YE, XIN LIU, NASIR IQBAL, JUNBO DU, RENCAI GAO, WEIGUO LIU, FENG YANG, and WENYU YANG. "WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND WATER DISTRIBUTION RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT PLANTING PATTERNS IN MAIZE–SOYBEAN RELAY STRIP INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS." Experimental Agriculture 53, no. 2 (May 2, 2016): 159–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479716000260.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYUnderstanding crop water use in mixed crops over sole cropping is vital for developing optimum water management systems for crop production. In this study, a two-year field experiment with typical maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] relay strip intercropping (2:2 maize-to-soybean rows; 200 cm bandwidth) was carried out in the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The quantitative effects of various planting patterns on the water-use efficiency (WUE) and water distribution were investigated. Our results indicated that soil volumetric water content and soil evaporation in the intercropping systems showed decreasing trends in the order: maize row (MM) < maize-to-soybean row (MS) < soybean row (SS). The highest leaf transpiration (1.91 and 2.07 mmol m−2 s−1) for the intercropped maize was measured in each of the two years in the 20 cm maize narrow-row planting pattern and decreased thereafter. Opposite trend was observed for the intercropped soybean; the highest soybean leaf transpiration (7.01 and 6.80 mmol m−2 s−1 for 2013 and 2014, respectively) was recorded in the 70 cm. The WUE of maize and soybean intercrops was lower than that of sole crop counterparts. However, the maximum group water use efficiency (GWUE) of 26.08 and 26.20 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the 40–50 cm maize narrow-row planting pattern was, respectively, 39.6% and 23% higher compared with that of sole crops. The water equivalent ratio (WER) values ranged from 1.60–1.79, suggesting better crop water use in the intercrops over sole cropping. Planting patterns provided by 40–50 cm maize narrow-row spacing were considered the most efficient in terms of maximum total yields, GWUE and WER. These results suggest that an appropriate reduction in the spacing of narrow maize row with wide soybean row could be an efficient crop management method to achieve optimal WUE and homogeneous water distribution in maize–soybean intercropping systems.
24
Cox, William, John Hanchar, and Jerome Cherney. "Agronomic and Economic Performance of Maize, Soybean, and Wheat in Different Rotations during the Transition to an Organic Cropping System." Agronomy 8, no. 9 (September 17, 2018): 192. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8090192.
Full textAbstract:
Crop producers transitioning to an organic cropping system must grow crops organically without price premiums for 36 months before certification. We evaluated red clover-maize, maize-soybean, and soybean-wheat/red clover rotations in organic and conventional cropping systems with recommended and high inputs in New York, USA to identify the best rotation and management practices during the transition. Organic compared with conventional maize with recommended inputs in the maize-soybean rotation (entry crop) averaged 32% lower yields, $878/ha higher production costs, and $1096/ha lower partial returns. Organic maize compared with conventional maize with recommended inputs in the red clover-maize rotation (second transition crop) had similar yields, production costs, and partial returns. Organic compared with conventional soybean with recommended inputs in soybean-wheat/red clover or maize-soybean rotations had similar yields, production costs, and partial returns. Organic compared with conventional wheat with recommended inputs in the soybean-wheat/clover rotation had similar yields, $416/ha higher production costs, and $491/ha lower partial returns. The organic compared with the conventional soybean-wheat/red clover rotation had the least negative impact on partial returns during the transition. Nevertheless, all organic rotations had similar partial returns ($434 to $495/ha) so transitioning immediately, regardless of entry crop, may be most prudent. High input management did not improve organic crop yields during the transition.
25
Mahamood, NU, Z. Ferdous, M. Anwar, R. Ali, and M. Sultana. "Yield maximization of maize through nutrient management." Progressive Agriculture 27, no. 4 (April 10, 2017): 428–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v27i4.32122.
Full textAbstract:
Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizer is a problem in the intensive cropping systems on the Northern part of Bangladesh. Proper nutrient management is essential to maximize maize production and sustain agricultural production while minimizing negative impacts on the soil fertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate nutrient dynamics, maize yields and soil fertility in response to balanced fertilization. A field experiment (20092010) was conducted at FSRD site Lahirirhat, OFRD, Rangpur during rabi season 2009-2010 to evaluate Maximizing maize production through nutrient management. Five treatments viz.T1= N300P50K150S30, T2=P50K150S30, T3= N300K150S30, T4= N300P50S30 and T5= N300P50K150were evaluated for this purpose. The result indicated that the highest grain yield (8.37 t/ha) was found from T1= N300P50K150S30 treatment. The lowest grain yield (7.33 t/ha) was obtained from T2=P50K150S30 treatment. The gross return (Tk.100107/ha) and gross margin (Tk.44951/ha) was higher with T1 and T3 treated plot. It may be concluded that proper nutrient management may be the good alternatives for maximizing maize yield and management of soil health at Rangpur region in Bangladesh.Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 428-434, 2016
26
SCHULZ, S., M. A. HUSSAINI, J. G. KLING, D. K. BERNER, and F. O. IKIE. "EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED STRIGA HERMONTHICA CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES UNDER FARMER MANAGEMENT." Experimental Agriculture 39, no. 1 (January 2003): 99–108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479702001084.
Full textAbstract:
On-farm trials were conducted in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The objective was to compare integrated Striga hermonthica control measures (soyabean or cowpea trap crop in the first year followed by maize resistant to Striga in the second year) with farmers' traditional practices (cereal-based cropping systems) under farmer-managed conditions.Integrated control proved to be highly effective in terms of reducing Striga incidence both in terms of reduced seed density in the soil and decreased infection in maize. Resistant maize following the soyabean trap crop yielded 1.58 t ha−1 of grain and out-yielded local maize following traditional practices by more than 80%. Similarly, the overall productivity over the period of the experiment was highest with the integrated control treatment using soyabean. Conversely, resistant maize after the cowpea trap crop yielded only 0.92 t ha−1 (possibly due to the poor performance of the cowpea crop in the first year), and maize yields were similar to those obtained with farmer practices. Initial Striga seed density in the soil was negatively correlated (r = −0.33) with soil nitrogen, but nitrogen-fertilizer application rates did not seem to affect the level of Striga infection in maize.
27
Xu, Gaofeng, Shicai Shen, Yun Zhang, David Roy Clements, Shaosong Yang, Jun Li, Liyao Dong, Fudou Zhang, Guimei Jin, and Yuan Gao. "Designing Cropping Systems to Improve the Management of the Invasive Weed Phalaris minor Retz." Agronomy 9, no. 12 (November 27, 2019): 809. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9120809.
Full textAbstract:
Because cropping systems can greatly affect the establishment and spread of alien species populations, the design of cropping systems to control invasive weeds is an important approach for invasive species management in agro-ecosystems to avoid excessive increases in other control measures such as herbicides. The annual weed Phalaris minor Retz. (P. minor) is one of the most troublesome invasive weed species of winter crops in Yunnan Province, China, but the development of cropping systems for ecological control of this weed have received limited research attention. Here, we studied seed dormancy, germination characteristics and reproductive responses of P. minor to various cropping systems to show how cropping systems could be better designed to control P. minor in China. Our research showed that cropping systems significantly affected seed dormancy in submerged paddy fields. Phalaris minor seed remained dormant and the germination rates (less than 10%) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in maize fields and dry, bare soil conditions. Wheat, faba bean and rapeseed crops had no significant influence (p < 0.05) on the seed germination rate of P. minor, but increasing soil depth significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the germination rate and germination index of this weed. Total biomass, spike biomass, spike number and seed number of P. minor were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) with increasing proportions of the three crops (wheat, faba bean and rapeseed), with rapeseed having the strongest inhibition effects among the three crops. The reproductive allocation and reproductive investment of P. minor were also significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in mixed culture with wheat and rapeseed. With increasing proportions of wheat or rapeseed, the specific leaf area of P. minor significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the reverse was true for leaf area and specific leaf weight. Moreover, the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for P. minor also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when grown with wheat or rapeseed. These results suggest that optimal cropping systems design could involve planting rapeseed in conjunction with deep plowing and planting rice (continuous submergence underwater) in summer. Such a system could reduce the field populations and seed bank of P. minor, thus providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly means of suppressing P. minor.
28
Hossain, MI, MI Hossain, MA Ohab, MHR Sheikh, and BL Nag. "Different Tillage Options and Residue Management for Improvingcrop Productivity and Soil Fertility in Wheat-Maize-Rice Cropping Pattern." Bangladesh Agronomy Journal 22, no. 2 (June 15, 2020): 55–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/baj.v22i2.47620.
Full textAbstract:
A three yearsfield experiment was conducted at Regional Wheat Research Centre, Shyampur, Rajshahiduring 2014-15 to 2017-18 with an objective to observe the effects on soil fertility and performance of the crops under different tillage and residue management for rice-wheat (RW) systems by adding a third pre-rice crop of maize. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replication. The tillage options viz. (i) Strip tillage (ST) (ii) Permanent bed (PB) and (iii) conventional (CT) tillage; two crop residue management, viz. (i) 0%=no residue and (ii) 30% residue retention were studied. The results indicated that keeping 30% crop residue in the field with minimum disturbance of soil had significant contribution on grain yield of wheat-maize-rice sequence compare to conventional practice of well-till without crop residue retention.The permanent bed planting system gave the highest yields of wheat (4.37 tha-1), maize (7.31 tha-1) and rice (4.40 tha-1) and followed by strip tillage and lowest in conventional tillage. Among the residue management, 30% residue retention showed the highest yields of wheat (4.46tha- 1), maize (7.39 tha-1) and rice (4.69 tha-1). Considering economic performance of all tillage systems, the permanent bed planting system performed the best among all other tillage options and followed by strip tillage. Contrarily, 30% residue retention gave the highest yield and increased 0.12-0.14% organic matter into the soil with more productive.The results indicates that, both tillage systems coupled with 30% residue retention might be a good option for higher yield as well as soil fertility for Wheat-Maize- Taman rice cropping pattern in drought prone areas of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Agron. J. 2019, 22(2): 55-66
29
Mcinga, Sixolise, Lindah Muzangwa, Kudzayi Janhi, and Pearson Nyari Stephano Mnkeni. "Conservation Agriculture Practices Can Improve Earthworm Species Richness and Abundance in the Semi-Arid Climate of Eastern Cape, South Africa." Agriculture 10, no. 12 (November 24, 2020): 576. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10120576.
Full textAbstract:
Earthworms play a pivotal role in the regulation of soil health. Studies that explore the effects of conservation agriculture (CA) principles on earthworms under the semi-arid climate of the central Eastern Cape (EC) of South Africa (SA) are limited. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of tillage, crop rotations, and residue management on earthworms’ abundance and species richness. The study design followed a split-split plot with three replicates. The main plot was allocated to tillage treatment, which had conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (no-till) as factors. Crop rotation treatment was allocated to a subplot, and had maize (Zea mays)–fallow–maize (MFM), maize–fallow–soybean (Glycine max) (MFS), maize–wheat (Triticum aestivum)–maize (MWM), and maize–wheat–soybean (MWS). Residue management was in the sub-subplot with residue retention and residue removal. The study was carried out over four cropping seasons: summer 2015–2016, winter 2016, spring 2016, and summer 2016–2017. The results showed that the genera Amynthas and Lumbricus, both belonging to the anecic group, and Dendrobaena, belonging to the epigeic group, were present. Earthworm species diversity and density were highest under no-till than under CT. Residue retention improved earthworm density regardless of tillage management. Rotations that had fallow periods recorded lower earthworm numbers as compared to continuous cropping systems where wheat was grown in winter. The study concluded that maize–wheat–soybean (MWS) rotation with residue retention results in the highest earthworm abundance and species richness.
30
Melander, Bo, Nicolas Munier-Jolain, Raphaël Charles, Judith Wirth, Jürgen Schwarz, Rommie van der Weide, Ludovic Bonin, Peter K. Jensen, and Per Kudsk. "European Perspectives on the Adoption of Nonchemical Weed Management in Reduced-Tillage Systems for Arable Crops." Weed Technology 27, no. 1 (March 2013): 231–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1614/wt-d-12-00066.1.
Full textAbstract:
Noninversion tillage with tine- or disc-based cultivations prior to crop establishment is the most common way of reducing tillage for arable cropping systems with small grain cereals, oilseed rape, and maize in Europe. However, new regulations on pesticide use might hinder further expansion of reduced-tillage systems. European agriculture is asked to become less dependent on pesticides and promote crop protection programs based on integrated pest management (IPM) principles. Conventional noninversion tillage systems rely entirely on the availability of glyphosate products, and herbicide consumption is mostly higher compared to plow-based cropping systems. Annual grass weeds and catchweed bedstraw often constitute the principal weed problems in noninversion tillage systems, and crop rotations concurrently have very high proportions of winter cereals. There is a need to redesign cropping systems to allow for more diversification of the crop rotations to combat these weed problems with less herbicide input. Cover crops, stubble management strategies, and tactics that strengthen crop growth relative to weed growth are also seen as important components in future IPM systems, but their impact in noninversion tillage systems needs validation. Direct mechanical weed control methods based on rotating weeding devices such as rotary hoes could become useful in reduced-tillage systems where more crop residues and less workable soils are more prevalent, but further development is needed for effective application. Owing to the frequent use of glyphosate in reduced-tillage systems, perennial weeds are not particularly problematic. However, results from organic cropping systems clearly reveal that desisting from glyphosate use inevitably leads to more problems with perennials, which need to be addressed in future research.
31
Le, Kieu N., Manoj K. Jha, Jaehak Jeong, Philip W. Gassman, Manuel R. Reyes, Luca Doro, Dat Q. Tran, and Lyda Hok. "Evaluation of Long-Term SOC and Crop Productivity within Conservation Systems Using GFDL CM2.1 and EPIC." Sustainability 10, no. 8 (July 29, 2018): 2665. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su10082665.
Full textAbstract:
Will soil organic carbon (SOC) and yields increase for conservation management systems in tropical zones in response to the next 100 years? To answer the question, the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model was used to study the effects of climate change, cropping systems, conservation agriculture (CA) and conservation tillage management practices on SOC and crop productivity in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. The EPIC model was successfully calibrated and validated for crop yields, biomass, SOC and nitrogen based on field data from a five-year field experiment. Historical weather (1994–2013) was used for baseline assessment versus mid-century (2046–2064) and late-century (2081–2100) climate projections generated by the Geophysical Fluids Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) CM2.1 global climate model. The simulated results showed that upland rice yield would increase the most under the B1 scenario in mid-century for all treatments, followed by soybean and maize. Cassava yield only increased under CA treatment when cultivated as a continuous primary crop. Carbon sequestration was more sensitive to cropping systems and crop rotation than climate change. The results indicated that the rotated CA primary crop (maize) systems should be prioritized for SOC sequestration as well as for increasing crop productivity. In addition, rice systems may increase SOC compared to soybean and cassava.
32
Pariyar, K., A. Chaudhary, P. Sapkota, S. Sharma, CB Rana, and J. Shrestha. "Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal." SAARC Journal of Agriculture 17, no. 1 (August 25, 2019): 49–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v17i1.42761.
Full textAbstract:
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)
33
Srivastava, Amit, Cho Mboh, Babacar Faye, Thomas Gaiser, Arnim Kuhn, Engida Ermias, and Frank Ewert. "Options for Sustainable Intensification of Maize Production in Ethiopia." Sustainability 11, no. 6 (March 21, 2019): 1707. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11061707.
Full textAbstract:
The agricultural intensification of farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa is a prerequisite to alleviate rural poverty and to improve livelihood. In this modelling exercise, we identified sustainable intensification scenarios for maize-based cropping systems in Ethiopia. We evaluated Conventional Intensification (CI) as continuous maize monocropping using higher Mineral Fertilizer (MF) rates with and without the incorporation of Crop Residues (CR) in the soil. We also evaluated the effect of groundnut in rotation with the maize-based cropping system with the current Farmer’s Practice + Rotation (FP + Rotation) and increased MF application rates (CI + Rotation) combined with CR incorporation. The results suggest that, under CI, there was a positive effect of MF and CR. The incorporation of only CR in the field increased the maize yield by 45.3% compared to the farmer’s yield under current MF rates. CR combined with higher MF (60 kg N ha−1 + 20 kg P ha−1) increased the yield by 134.6%. Incorporating CR and MF was also beneficial under rotation with groundnut. The maize yields increased up to 110.1% depending upon the scenarios tested. In the scenario where CR was not incorporated in the field, the maize yield declined by 21.9%. The Gross Economic Profit suggests that groundnut in rotation with maize is advantageous across Ethiopia in terms of the net return with a few exceptions.
34
Powell, J. Mark. "Manure for Cropping: A Case Study from Central Nigeria." Experimental Agriculture 22, no. 1 (January 1986): 15–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479700014009.
Full textAbstract:
SUMMARYThe traditional management of cattle manure in a cropping system in the savanna zone of central Nigeria is discussed in conjunction with the agronomic benefits and problems of manure use. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the manure varied seasonally. On-farm trials showed that maize grain yields were about 1 t ha−1 more and weed growth 90% greater in manured than in non-manured areas. It is important to reduce the competition between crops and weeds if grain crops are to obtain the full benefit of manure in such cropping systems.
35
Atandi, Janet G., Solveig Haukeland, George M. Kariuki, Danny L. Coyne, Edward N. Karanja, Martha W. Musyoka, Komi K. M. Fiaboe, David Bautze, and Noah Adamtey. "Organic farming provides improved management of plant parasitic nematodes in maize and bean cropping systems." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 247 (September 2017): 265–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.07.002.
Full text
36
Ruf, Thorsten, Mario Gilcher, Thomas Udelhoven, and Christoph Emmerling. "Implications of Bioenergy Cropping for Soil: Remote Sensing Identification of Silage Maize Cultivation and Risk Assessment Concerning Soil Erosion and Compaction." Land 10, no. 2 (January 29, 2021): 128. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land10020128.
Full textAbstract:
Energy transition strategies in Germany have led to an expansion of energy crop cultivation in landscape, with silage maize as most valuable feedstock. The changes in the traditional cropping systems, with increasing shares of maize, raised concerns about the sustainability of agricultural feedstock production regarding threats to soil health. However, spatially explicit data about silage maize cultivation are missing; thus, implications for soil cannot be estimated in a precise way. With this study, we firstly aimed to track the fields cultivated with maize based on remote sensing data. Secondly, available soil data were target-specifically processed to determine the site-specific vulnerability of the soils for erosion and compaction. The generated, spatially-explicit data served as basis for a differentiated analysis of the development of the agricultural biogas sector, associated maize cultivation and its implications for soil health. In the study area, located in a low mountain range region in Western Germany, the number and capacity of biogas producing units increased by 25 installations and 10,163 kW from 2009 to 2016. The remote sensing-based classification approach showed that the maize cultivation area was expanded by 16% from 7305 to 8447 hectares. Thus, maize cultivation accounted for about 20% of the arable land use; however, with distinct local differences. Significant shares of about 30% of the maize cultivation was done on fields that show at least high potentials for soil erosion exceeding 25 t soil ha−1 a−1. Furthermore, about 10% of the maize cultivation was done on fields that pedogenetically show an elevated risk for soil compaction. In order to reach more sustainable cultivation systems of feedstock for anaerobic digestion, changes in cultivated crops and management strategies are urgently required, particularly against first signs of climate change. The presented approach can regionally be modified in order to develop site-adapted, sustainable bioenergy cropping systems.
37
Cui, Jixiao, Peng Sui, David L. Wright, Dong Wang, Beibei Sun, Mengmeng Ran, Yawen Shen, Chao Li, and Yuanquan Chen. "Carbon emission of maize-based cropping systems in the North China Plain." Journal of Cleaner Production 213 (March 2019): 300–308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.174.
Full text
38
Bah, Hamidou, Minghua Zhou, Simon Kizito, Ren Xiao, Syed Turab Raza, Zhixin Dong, and Bo Zhu. "Carbon Balance under Organic Amendments in the Wheat-Maize Cropping Systems of Sloppy Upland Soil." Sustainability 12, no. 7 (March 31, 2020): 2747. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12072747.
Full textAbstract:
With an increasing interest in closing the nutrient loop in agroecosystems, organic amendments are highly recommended as a reliable resource for soil nutrient recycling. However, from a carbon sequestration perspective, not much has been reported on the contribution of different organic amendments to soil organic carbon (SOC), crop carbon (C) uptake, and soil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in wheat-maize cropping systems of sloppy upland soil. To fill the knowledge gap, a two-year lysimeter-field plots experiment was conducted in a sloppy upland purplish soil under wheat-maize cropping systems. The experiments were arranged in a complete random block design with five treatment plots, namely; fresh pig slurry as organic manure (OM), crop residues (CR), conventional mineral fertilizers (NPK) as the control, organic manure plus mineral fertilizers (OMNPK), and crop residues plus mineral fertilizers (CRNPK). Our results showed the leaf photosynthesis rate was not significantly increased by organic amendment application treatments compared to NPK treatment, and was within a range of 4.8 to 45.3 µmol m−2 s−1 for the wheat season and −20.1 to 40.4 µmol m−2 s−1 for the maize season across the five treatments and the measured growth stages. The soil CO2 emissions for the maize season (in the range of 203 to 362 g C m−2) were higher than for the wheat season (in the range of 118 to 252 g C m−2) on average across the different experimental treatments over the two-year experiment. The organic amendment application increased annual cumulative CO2 emissions from 30% to 51% compared to NPK treatment. Over the two years, the average crop C uptake ranged from 174 to 378 g C m−2 and from 287 to 488 g C m−2 for the wheat and maize seasons, respectively, and the organic amendment application increased the crop C uptake by 4% to 23% compared to NPK treatment. In the organic amendment treatments, the C balance ranged from −160 to 460 g C m−2 and from −301 to 334 g C m−2 for the wheat and the maize seasons, respectively, which were greater than those in the NPK treatment. Overall, the present study results suggest incorporation of organic amendments could be an effective strategy for increasing C sequestration and sustaining crop productivity in sloppy upland soil.
39
Strieder, Mércio Luiz, Paulo Regis Ferreira da Silva, Lisandro Rambo, Luís Sangoi, Adriano Alves da Silva, Paulo César Endrigo, and Douglas Batista Jandrey. "Crop management systems and maize grain yield under narrow row spacing." Scientia Agricola 65, no. 4 (2008): 346–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0103-90162008000400004.
Full textAbstract:
Reduction in row spacing provides a more uniform distribution among plants that can increase grain yield. The benefits of narrow row spacing can depend on the plant architecture and on the kind of crop management system. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of narrow row spacing on the grain yield of maize hybrids growing under different management systems. Six experiments were carried out in Eldorado do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 growing seasons. Each experiment corresponded to a crop management system. Treatments consisted of two row spacings (0.8 and 0.4 m), two hybrids (Penta and Flash) and two plant densities, which varied with the crop management system and growing season. Besides plant density, the crop management systems differed in the quantities of fertilizers applied at sowing, side-dress and use of irrigation. A complete randomized block design was used in each experiment, in a 2 × 2 × 2 treatment factorial scheme with four replications. The increases in grain yield with narrow row spacing were small, ranging from zero to 14%. They depended on the growing season and were manifested only with yields higher than 10 t ha-1, regardless of the hybrid. The number of grains per area was the component that best explained the response of grain to narrow row spacing, regardless of plant density, hybrid and crop management system. Narrow row spacing is a worth management strategy to enhance maize grain yield when high input cropping systems are used.
40
ELLIS-JONES, J., S. SCHULZ, B. DOUTHWAITE, M. A. HUSSAINI, B. D. OYEWOLE, A. S. OLANREWAJU, and R. WHITE. "AN ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED STRIGA HERMONTHICA CONTROL AND EARLY ADOPTION BY FARMERS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA." Experimental Agriculture 40, no. 3 (June 24, 2004): 353–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479704001802.
Full textAbstract:
Two sets of on-farm trials, each covering two years, were conducted in the northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria over the period 1999–2001, the objective being to compare integrated Striga hermonthica control measures (soybean or cowpea trap crops followed by maize resistant to Striga) with farmers' traditional cereal-based cropping systems. In both sets of trials, this proved to be highly effective in increasing productivity over the two year period, especially where soybean was used as a trap crop. Resistant maize after a trap crop increased the net benefit over the two cropping seasons in both trials by over 100% over farmer practice. However, in the second set of trials there was no significant increase in productivity between a trap crop followed by Striga resistant maize, and a trap crop followed by local maize especially where legume intercropping and fertilizer had been applied in the farmer practice. There was also no increase in productivity between two years' traditional cereal cropping and one year's local maize followed by Striga resistant maize. This indicates the importance of a legume trap crop in the first year in order to ensure high productivity in the second year, regardless of variety. Up to 20% of farmers obtained higher productivity from their own practices, notably intercropping of cereals with legumes and use of inorganic fertilizers. Leguminous trap crops and Striga resistant maize, together with two key management practices (increased soybean planting density and hand-roguing) were seen to be spreading both within and beyond the research villages, indicating that farmers see the economic benefits of controlling Striga. Survey findings show that explaining the reasons why control practices work can greatly increase the adoption of these practices. Wider adoption of Striga control will therefore require an extension approach that provides this training as well as encouraging farmers to experiment and adapt Striga control options for their local farming systems.
41
Islam, A. K. M. Saiful, M. A. Saleque, M. M. Hossain, and A. K. M. Aminul Islam. "Effect of Conservation Tillage on Soil Chemical Properties in Rice-Maize Cropping System." Agriculturists 13, no. 2 (January 30, 2016): 62–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v13i2.26589.
Full textAbstract:
Soil organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrition of rice-maize cropping systems are important for sustaining crop productivity and food security. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of tillage practices and residue retention on soil chemical properties in rice-maize cropping system. Conventional tillage, single pass wet tillage in rice (rotated with zero tillage in maize), bed planting (unpuddled rice transplanting) and strip tillage (unpuddled rice transplanting) in vertical plots and residue retention (0, 50 and 100%) in horizontal plot were tested for three consecutive years (2009-12). Rice was grown as transplanted irrigated crop and maize as upland crop. After third crop, strip tillage increased soil organic matter compared to bed and zero tillage at 07.5 cm soil depth. After three years, retention of crop residues, irrespective of tillage treatments, increased soil organic matter (SOM) at 7.515.0 cm soil depth. Tillage practices (puddled or unpudled) showed no significant changes in SOM. Neither tillage nor residue management had any significant effect on soil pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v13i2.26589The Agriculturists 2015; 13(2) 62-73
42
Midega, Charles A. O., John Pickett, Antony Hooper, Jimmy Pittchar, and Zeyaur R. Khan. "Maize Landraces are Less Affected by Striga hermonthica Relative to Hybrids in Western Kenya." Weed Technology 30, no. 1 (March 2016): 21–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1614/wt-d-15-00055.1.
Full textAbstract:
Production of maize in western Kenya is severely constrained by the parasitic weed striga. Although productivity of maize can be improved through adoption of improved varieties, adoption of such varieties remains low in the region, as the majority of smallholder farmers still grow unimproved open-pollinated varieties (landraces). The performance of two improved hybrid varieties was evaluated against six landraces in striga-infested soils in western Kenya. The varieties were planted in plots under natural striga infestation and were supplemented with pot experiments under artificial infestation. Striga emergence was lower in landraces than in the hybrid varieties in both field and pot experiments. Similarly, height of maize plants at harvest and grain yields were higher in the landraces than in the hybrids. After three continuous cropping seasons, in all treatments, striga seedbank density increased two to seven times. Seedbank increase was higher with hybrids and two of the landraces, ‘Rachar' and ‘Endere'. These results provide an insight into the potential role landraces could play in efforts toward an integrated management approach for striga in smallholder cropping systems. They also highlight the need to develop hybrid maize lines with local adaptation to biotic constraints, specifically striga.
43
Baruwa, Isiaka, and Gideon Familusi. "Comparative analysis on the profitability of sole maize cropping and maize/melon intercrop in Osun State, Nigeria." Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade 63, no. 3 (2018): 309–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/jas1803309b.
Full textAbstract:
Profitability is a motivational factor in any enterprise. The study compared the profitability of sole maize and maize/melon intercrop in Osun State. A purposive sampling technique was used and primary data collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, budgetary technique, inferential statistics and regression techniques were used to analyse the data collected. The majority of the respondents were active, male, had formal education and had less than 21 years of experience in cropping systems. The estimated net return to management was N59,323.83 per sole maize farmer or N37, 548.75 per hectare per year and N175,178.68 per farmer or N102, 832.17 per hectare for maize/melon. Budgetary analysis results showed that both sole maize and maize/melon intercrop were profitable. The multiple regressions for maize/melon intercrop revealed that 94.2% of variation in profit was obtained by independent variables in the model. The multiple regressions for the sole maize profit function revealed that 62.3% of variation in profit was obtained by independent variables in the model. The costs of input used, labour employed and quantity sold were the major determinants of profitability. The appropriate policies to enable the farmers to have access to inputs at a subsidised rate should be put in place.
44
KOLAWOLE, G. O., G. TIAN, and H. TIJANI-ENIOLA. "EFFECTS OF FALLOW DURATION ON SOIL PHOSPHORUS FRACTIONS AND CROP P UPTAKE UNDER NATURAL REGROWTH AND PLANTED PUERARIA PHASEOLOIDES FALLOW SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA." Experimental Agriculture 41, no. 1 (January 2005): 51–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0014479704002327.
Full textAbstract:
Soil phosphorus fractions, maize and cassava P uptakes in natural regrowth fallow and Pueraria phaseoloides fallow systems, as affected by the duration (1–3 years) of fallow, were assessed in 1998 and 1999 in a long-term fallow management trial, established in 1989 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria. After one and three years fallow respectively, the mean P accumulation in fallow vegetation was 4.2 and 9.4 kg ha−1 in 1998, and 8.9 and 12.1 kg ha−1 in 1999 for natural fallow. For Pueraria, the corresponding values were 6.3 and 7.4 kg ha−1 in 1998 and 6.1 and 13.5 kg ha−1 in 1999. The positive effects of fallow lengths on dry matter and P accumulation were not as pronounced under Pueraria. Continuous cropping reduced soil pH and depleted Olsen P more than crop-fallow rotations under both fallow systems. An increase in fallow duration enhanced the availability of resin P, NaHCO3-, and NaOH- extractable P fractions, especially under natural fallow. Continuous cropping in a natural fallow system resulted in lower resin inorganic P (Pi) and NaHCO3-extractable inorganic and organic P (Po) fractions, and higher refractory P fractions (concentrated HCl-extractable Pi and Po and residual P) as compared to crop-fallow rotations. Although continuous cropping in the Pueraria system resulted in higher refractory P fractions than the crop-fallow rotations, the effects of fallow length on P fractions were not consistent or pronounced. Maize and cassava P uptakes increased with fallow duration. Phosphorous in maize grain was positively correlated with fallow vegetation P accumulation. Total P uptake by maize was positively but weakly correlated with NaHCO3-Po, Olsen P and fallow vegetation P accumulation.
45
Yeates, G. W., D. A. Wardle, and R. N. Watson. "Relationships between nematodes, soil microbial biomass and weed-management strategies in maize and asparagus cropping systems." Soil Biology and Biochemistry 25, no. 7 (July 1993): 869–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(93)90089-t.
Full text
46
Tomass, Zewdneh, Simon Shibru, Meheretu Yonas, and Herwig Leirs. "Farmers’ perspectives of rodent damage and rodent management in smallholder maize cropping systems of Southern Ethiopia." Crop Protection 136 (October 2020): 105232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105232.
Full text
47
Abid, Muhammad, Tahira Batool, Ghulam Siddique, Shafaqat Ali, Rana Binyamin, Munazzam Jawad Shahid, Muhammad Rizwan, Abdulaziz Abdullah Alsahli, and Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni. "Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Soil Quality and Crop Productivity in Maize-Based Cropping System." Sustainability 12, no. 23 (December 7, 2020): 10214. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su122310214.
Full textAbstract:
Soil quality deterioration, especially in intensive cropping systems, has become a serious problem for crop productivity; consequently, strategies for sustainable crop production and soil health are urgently required. Experiments on fields were organized to investigate the impact of organic manures on crop productivity, soil physiochemical properties and soil water availability in a maize-based cropping system. The experiment consisted of five treatments, including organic manures (OM) and inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) fertilizers applied separately and in combinations: NPK = 250-150-125 Kg/ha (recommended rate), farmyard manure (FYM) = 16 t/ha, poultry manure (PM) = 13 t/ha, NPK + FYM = 150-85-50 Kg/ha + 8.5 t/ha and NPK + PM = 150-85-50 Kg/ha + 7.0 t/ha. The results showed that the combination of OM with mineral fertilizers increased crop productivity, fertilizer use efficiency and yield sustainability indices over the treatments amended with sole application of mineral fertilizers and OM. The analysis of undisturbed soil samples during different crop growth stages revealed that the addition of OM decreased the bulk density and increased the pore volume of soil at the beds of 0–20 and 20–40 cm. The application of OM to the soil not only increased saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil but also improved total available and readily available water contents to the plants, especially when FYM was included at 16 t ha−1. Soil-water retention properties recorded over the entire seven-day monitoring period following irrigation in the OM-amended treatments were consistently higher than the sole mineral NPK application treatments. When testing the soil nutrient status during different crop growth stages, it was noted that by adding OM into the soil not only the status of the organic carbon of soil, extractable N and K and available P contents is increased, but the duration of their availability to the plants are also enhanced. The results of the study show that organic manures addition is of major significance for maintaining soil quality and crop production sustainably, and should be advocated in the nutrient management strategies of intensive water- and nutrient-demanding cropping systems.
48
Liu, Y., F. Tao, Y. Luo, and J. Ma. "Case study of developing an integrated water and nitrogen scheme for agricultural systems on the North China Plain." International Agrophysics 27, no. 4 (December 1, 2013): 425–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/intag-2013-0013.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Appropriate irrigation and nitrogen fertilization, along with suitable crop management strategies, are essential prerequisites for optimum yields in agricultural systems. This research attempts to provide a scientific basis for sustainable agricultural production management for the North China Plain and other semi-arid regions. Based on a series of 72 treatments over 2003-2008, an optimized water and nitrogen scheme for winter wheat/summer maize cropping system was developed. Integrated systems incorporating 120 mm of water with 80 kg N ha-1 N fertilizer were used to simulate winter wheat yields in Hebei and 120 mm of water with 120 kg N ha-1 were used to simulate winter wheat yields in Shandong and Henan provinces in 2000-2007. Similarly, integrated treatments of 40 kg N ha-1 N fertilizer were used to simulate summer maize yields in Hebei, and 80 kg N ha-1 was used to simulate summer maize yields in Shandong and Henan provinces in 2000-2007. Under the optimized scheme, 341.74 107 mm ha-1 of water and 575.79 104 Mg of urea fertilizer could be saved per year under the wheat/maize rotation system. Despite slight drops in the yields of wheat and maize in some areas, water and fertilizer saving has tremendous long-term eco-environmental benefits.
49
Larkin, Robert P., C. Wayne Honeycutt, Timothy S. Griffin, O. Modesto Olanya, and Zhongqi He. "Potato Growth and Yield Characteristics under Different Cropping System Management Strategies in Northeastern U.S." Agronomy 11, no. 1 (January 16, 2021): 165. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010165.
Full textAbstract:
Cropping systems and management practices that improve soil health may greatly enhance crop productivity. Four different potato cropping systems designed to address specific management goals of soil conservation (SC), soil improvement (SI), disease suppression (DS), and a status quo (SQ) standard rotation, along with a non-rotation (PP) control, were evaluated for their effects on potato crop growth, nutrient, and yield characteristics under both irrigated and non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions in field trials in Maine, USA, from 2004 to 2010. Both cropping system and irrigation significantly (p < 0.05) affected most potato crop parameters associated with growth and yield. All rotations increased tuber yield relative to the non-rotation PP control, and the SI system, which included yearly compost amendments, resulted in overall higher yields and a higher percentage of large-size tubers than all other systems with no irrigation (increases of 14 to 90%). DS, which contained disease-suppressive green manures and cover crops, produced the highest yields overall under irrigation (increases of 11 to 35%). Irrigation increased tuber yields in all cropping systems except SI (average increase of 27–37%). SI also resulted in significant increases in leaf area duration and chlorophyll content (as indicators of photosynthetic potential) and root and shoot biomass relative to other cropping systems, particularly under non-irrigated conditions. SI also resulted in higher shoot and tuber tissue concentrations of N, P, and K, but not most micronutrients. Overall, cropping systems that incorporate management practices such as increased rotation length and the use of cover crops, green manures, reduced tillage, and particularly, organic amendments, can substantially improve potato crop growth and yield. Irrigation also substantially increased growth and yield under normal field conditions in Maine, but SI, with its large organic amendments, was essentially a substitute for irrigation, producing comparable results without irrigation.
50
Pecetti, Luciano, and Lamberto Borrelli. "Wheat yield as a measure of the residual fertility after 20 years of forage cropping systems with different manure management in Northern Italy." Italian Journal of Agronomy 14, no. 3 (July 22, 2019): 142–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/ija.2019.1359.
Full textAbstract:
After 20 years of application of different manure types, cropping systems and additional nitrogen (N) levels, their residual fertility effects were compared by measuring the yield of a following unfertilised wheat crop (Experiment 1), which was sown on exactly the same plots of the previous long-term trial. All previously applied factors caused significant differences in wheat yield. Wheat yielded more on plots that had received farmyard manure (FMY) compared to those where semi-liquid manure (SLM) was previously applied. Long-term application of a semi-intensive rotation, with three years of annual double cropping of autumnsown Italian ryegrass and spring-sown silage maize followed by three years of mown lucerne (R6), resulted in higher wheat yield than application of just the annual double cropping of Italian ryegrass and silage maize (R1). Application of further mineral N fertilisation to previous cropping systems caused higher yield of the subsequent wheat crop. The difference in wheat yield between the R6 and R1 systems was greater with SLM (+28%) than FYM application (+11%) resulting in a significant manure × system interaction. A companion experiment (Experiment 2) was carried out to compute the nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) from the yield of wheat plots that were sown after ploughing a nearby 20- year unfertilised grassland and received four levels of mineral N fertilisation. NAE was further used to empirically estimate the productive advantage (PA) conferred by previous manure-systemmineral nitrogen combinations in the long-term trial. PA was measured as equivalent kg of mineral N to be applied to wheat to achieve the yield level recorded after any previous combination. The estimated PA values were much higher when wheat followed FYM compared to SLM application, and when it followed R6 compared to R1 system. The SLM-R1 combination had negative PA values, indicating a productive disadvantage on wheat of this preceding combination. The enhancement of residual soil fertility by long-term application of FYM compared to SLM could be attributed to greater nutrient provision during the years by FYM than by SLM. However, further fertility advantages of FYM are discussed. Despite lower nutrient supply by organic fertilisers in R6 than in R1 system, the former had higher residual fertility. The presence of lucerne in the R6 rotation likely enriched the soil in nitrogen and increased its availability for following cropping. Possible benefits of the legume on the soil suppressiveness might have been a further asset of the R6 system.