Benefits and barriers to perennial forage crops in Iowa corn and soybean rotations

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Olmstead ◽  
E. Charles Brummer
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Land Grant Universities ◽  
Ecological Benefits ◽  
Row Crops

AbstractThe transition away from forage-based cropping systems in Iowa to corn and soybean rotations since World War II has corresponded with degraded economic and environmental conditions in the state. Falling net incomes for farmers and concern over global warming and the effects of agriculture-related pollution on water, wildlife and human health have increased interest in diversified cropping systems. This paper reviews the benefits of diversifying Iowa corn and soybean rotations with perennial forage species such as alfalfa and red clover. Perennial forage crops improve soil quality, decrease NO3-N leaching and soil erosion, increase carbon sequestration and decrease pesticide and herbicide needs by controlling weed and insect pests. Forage legumes reduce N fertilizer needs for succeeding corn crops at a higher rate than soybeans, and corn crops following forages have higher yields than after corn or soybeans. Farmers who add alfalfa to corn and soybean rotations could realize significant economic gains. A simulated 5-year rotation in Iowa including corn–soybeans–oats/alfalfa–alfalfa–alfalfa would result in a 24% net income increase over 5 years of corn–soybean–corn–soybean–corn, even with government farm support payments for the row crops. Farm policies that encourage commodity production create little incentive for Iowa farmers to diversify their cropping systems beyond corn and soybeans, despite the clear economic and ecological benefits. We recommend increasing federal support for conservation programs that reward environmentally beneficial farm practices such as the Conservation Securities Program and we encourage land grant universities to hire researchers interested in alternative agricultural systems.

scholarly journals Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Matthias Böldt ◽  
Friedhelm Taube ◽  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Thorsten Reinsch ◽  
Christof Kluß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Catch Crops ◽  
Cereal Grain

For arable stockless farming systems, the integration of catch crops (CC) during the fallow period might be a key for closing the nitrogen (N) cycle, reducing N leaching and increasing the transfer of N to the subsequent crop. However, despite considerable research efforts, the fate of N in such integrated systems remains unclear. To address this, a two-year field experiment was carried out in northern Germany with different CC, including frost-tolerant and frost-killed CC. The experiment started following a two-year ryegrass/red clover ley, which was subsequently sown with a cereal (CE) or a grain legume (field pea, PE). This provided two contrasting systems with high residual N in autumn. The results showed high N uptake of the CC, ranging from 84 to 136 kg N ha−1 with PE as the pre-crop, and from 33 to 110 kg N ha−1 with CE. All CC reduced N leaching compared with the control, a bare fallow over autumn/winter. Of the various CC, the frost-killed CC showed higher leaching compared with the other CCs, indicating mineralisation of the CC residue in the later autumn/winter period. The process based APSIM (Agricultural Production SIMulator) model was used to simulate N cycling for a cereal grain legume rotation, including a frost-killed and a frost resistant CC. While the model simulated the biomass and the N uptake by the crops, as well as the reduction of N leaching with the use of CC well, it under-estimated N leaching from the frost-killed CC. The study showed that all CC were affective at reducing N leaching, but winter hard catch crops should be preferred, as there is a risk of increased leaching following the mineralisation of residues from frost-killed CC.

scholarly journals CROPPING SYSTEM AND POULTRY LITTER EFFECTS ON RESIDUAL SOIL NO3-N AND P

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 756c-756
Author(s):  
D.R. Earhart ◽  
V.A. Haby ◽  
M.L. Baker ◽  
A.T. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Time Of Application

Primary environmental concerns regarding application of poultry litter (PL) for crop production are nitrate leaching into ground water and increased levels of P in the soil that can erode into surface water. This study was initiated to investigate use of warm- and cool-season annual forage crops to remove excess nutrients supplied by PL in rotational-cropping systems on a Bowie fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults). PL was applied at one (1×) or two (2×) times the recommended rate in the spring, fall, or spring and fall. Rates were based on N requirement of the crop and percent N in the litter. Comparisons were made to fertilizer blends (FB) and control treatments with no PL or FB. After 3 years of treatments, NO3-N increased at the 122-cm depth by 30 and 50 mg·kg–1 from the 1× and 2× rate, respectively. The greatest accumulation was from FB (72 mg·kg–1). With PL applied in spring only, spring vegetables followed by a fall cover showed a significant reduction in NO3-N leaching and accumulation. Regardless of cropping system, rate, or time of application, P concentration increased by 40 mg·kg–1 in the surface 15 cm of soil when compared to FB. If applied in an environmentally sound manner, PL will be less of a threat to pollution of ground water than similar rates of FB. Applying PL rates sufficient to meet crop needs for N results in P accumulation that can lead to nonpoint source pollution of surface waters.

The effects of diverse cropping systems on aggregation of a Luvisolic soil in the Peace River region

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
J. A. Robertson ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Water Drop ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Wet Sieving

Aggregate distribution and stability of surface soil were determined for different cropping systems of a Luvisolic soil in the Peace River region of Alberta. Gray Luvisolic soils have inherent problems that include weak platy structured surface horizons which are underlain by compact sub-soils. The cropping systems consisted of (i) continuous barley (CB) (Hordeum vulgare L.); (ii) barley/forage (BF), 3 yr of barley followed by 3 yr of forage (mixture of bromegrass [Bromus inermis Leyss] and red clover [Trifolium pratense L.]); (iii) continuous grass (CG) (bromegrass); and (iv) continuous legume (CL) (red clover). The barley/forage rotation consisted of two phases, the barley phase (BF) and forage phase (BF). Each phase was present every year. Aggregate separation by dry-sieving with a rotary sieve indicated that the CL cropping system had fewer large aggregates and more small aggregates than the other cropping systems. The CG, BF and CB cropping systems had more larger aggregates and were similar to each other. Wet-sieving, by contrast, resulted in the CG cropping system having greater amounts of large aggregates while the CL, BF phases, and CB cropping systems were similar with more smaller aggregates. Wet-sieving of the different aggregate size fractions from the rotary dry-sieve indicated that the cropping system aggregate stability was in the order of: CG > CL > BF ≥ BF ≥ CB. The stability of the BF cropping system was greater than that of the BF as it had recently come out of the BF phase (3 yr of forage production). Aggregate stability for the cropping system soils was consistent among the evaluation method of wet-sieving and the McCalla water-drop method. Inclusion of forage crops are important in maintaining or improving soil structure of Luvisolic surface horizons. Key words: Luvisolic soil, cropping systems, aggregation, aggregate stability, Peace River region

Green manure as a nitrogen source for wheat in the southeastern United States

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia B. Nelson ◽  
Larry D. King
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic

AbstractInterest in developing more sustainable cropping systems has led to renewed interest in legumes as N sources for crops. We conducted a 2-year study to compare the effects of green manure, green manure plus fertilizer, and fertilizer on wheat yield and N leaching potential. In 1991–92, wheat following corn and receiving 0, 45, or 90 kg N/ha was compared with wheat planted after plowing the autumn regrowth of red clover/johnsongrass hay (supplemented with alfalfa) that supplied 107 kg total N/ha. In 1992–93, wheat following corn and receiving 90 kg N/ha was compared with wheat following hay regrowth that either received fertilizer N at 45 kg/ha or 90 kg N/ha or was supplemented with alfalfa (total of 123 kg N/ha). Yield with only green manure averaged 65% of yield with 90 kg N/ha. Yields with green manure plus 45 or 90 kg N/ha were not different from yield with 90 kg N only. The first year, soil to a depth of 30 cm declined from as high as 40 kg/ha in the fall to less than 10 kg/ha as wheat growth increased in the spring. In contrast, concentration averaged 20 kg/ha throughout the growing season. Trends in soil inorganic N were similar the second year. Profile nitrate distribution indicated a greater potential for N leaching with fertilizer than with green manure. Soil from the site was used in a laboratory incubation study to determine the rate of N mineralization from white clover at 10°C. An average of 80% of the clover N was recovered as soil inorganic N; however, in the field study, recovery (soil inorganic N in the 0 to 30-cm zone + Nin above-ground wheat biomass) was only 21%. Supplementing green manures with spring applications of fertilizer N could decrease the leaching loss without decreasing wheat yield.

scholarly journals Comparative Experimental Effects of Intercropping and Cypermethrin on Insect Pest Infestation and Yield of Maize, Cowpea and Okra in Two Cameroonian Agro-Ecological Zones

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-393
Author(s):  
Patient Farsia Djidjonri ◽  
Nukenine Elias Nchiwan ◽  
Hartmut Koehler
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Pest Infestation ◽  
Final Yield ◽  
Cropping Seasons ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

The present study investigates the effect of intercropping (maize-cowpea, maize-okra, maize-okra-cowpea, okra-cowpea) compared to insecticide application on the level of infestation of insect pests and the final yield of maize, cowpea and okra. Field experiments were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons in the Guinean Savannah (Dang-Ngaoundere) and Sudano Sahelian (Gouna-Garoua) agro-ecological zones in Cameroon. Our experimental design was a split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block with four replications. The main factor was assigned to the use of insecticide (Cypermethrin) and sub plots were devoted for cropping systems. We compared the efficiency of intercropping to that of Cypermethrin application on the Yield of maize, cowpea and okra as influenced by insect pest damages. The comparison of monocropped sprayed by Cypermethrin to unsprayed showed that, in Dang, insect pests reduced maize yield by 37% and 24% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was lower than 8% during the both years. Reduction in seed yield by insect pests on cowpea in Dang represented 47% and 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively, whereas in Gouna, it was 55% and 63% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. For okra, insect pests reduced okra fruit yield by 25% and 44% in Dang and 23% and 28% in Gouna, respectively, in 2016 and 2017. Crop yield was lower in intercropping compared to monoculture due to competition of plants in association on different resources. Considering the total yields obtained from each intercropping, intercropping trials resulted generally in higher yields compared to mono-culture (LER > 1) in both sites and years but the respective yields were quite different. On the basis of the results obtained, we recommend maize-cowpea intercropping as a sustainable solution to reduce the infestation level of their pest insects.

scholarly journals Appraisal of cowpea cropping systems and farmers’ perceptions of production constraints and preferences in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Baba Mohammed ◽  
Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo ◽  
Muhammad Lawan Umar ◽  
Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku ◽  
Pangirayi Bernard Tongoona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Cowpea Varieties ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Sole Cropping

Abstract Background Low plant density and wide intra-plant spacing in traditional cowpea cropping systems are among the factors responsible for low yield on farmers’ fields. Sole cropping and improved intercropping systems have been advocated in the last few years to increase yield in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria. This study investigated the level of adoption of high yielding cowpea cropping systems including factors that influenced their use and farmers’ perceived production constraints and preferences. A total of 420 farmers across 36 villages of northern Nigeria were interviewed, and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics to appraise farmers predominant cowpea cropping systems and factors that determine the use of sole versus intercropping were identified with the aid of binary logit regression. Furthermore, pairwise comparison ranking was deployed to understand farmers’ view of cowpea production constraints and preferred traits. Results The results revealed that, many of the farmers (42%) still grow cowpeas in the traditional intercropping and a good number (25%) cultivate the crop as a sole crop, while 23% had fields of cowpeas in both sole and intercropping systems. Farmers reported the incidence of high insect pests, limited access to land, desire to have multiple benefits, and assurance in the event of crop failure as reasons for preference for intercropping over sole planting. The pairwise comparison ranking of constraints and preferences revealed insect pests, Striga, drought and poor access to fertilizers as major constraints to increased productivity. Many farmers indicated high yield as the most preferred trait. Conclusions Findings indicate a need for increased education and training of cowpea farmers on the importance of growing cowpeas in sole cropping and or improved intercropping systems. Genetic improvement efforts should focus on developing cowpea varieties that address farmers production constraints and reflect the diversity of consumers’ preferences for the crop. Hence, breeding for resistance to insect pests and high yield is recommended as an important priority of cowpea breeding programmes in the region.

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)

PERENNIALS AND ANNUALS FOR WINTER FODDER PRODUCTION IN THE DRIER PORTIONS OF THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES

1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 1081-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. KILCHER
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Cereal Grains ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Row Crops ◽  
Perennial Crops ◽  
Annual Crops ◽  
Fodder Production

Small grain cereals such as oats or wheat, when grown on fallowed land, provided fodder yields as high as or higher than those obtained from perennial forage containing alfalfa. However, on a land base comparison, yields of perennial crops were about double those of cereal grains. A 3-yr rotation using annuals in a crop–crop–fallow sequence improved the yield relationship over a crop–fallow rotation only marginally in this semiarid region. Yields of corn or sunflower row crops in rotations with fallow, or with cereals and fallow, were highly variable. Crude protein yields of the perennial forage crops on a given land base were about threefold those from annual crops.

scholarly journals Application of Trap Cropping as Companion Plants for the Management of Agricultural Pests: A Review

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shovon Chandra Sarkar ◽  
Endong Wang ◽  
Shengyong Wu ◽  
Zhongren Lei
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Natural Enemy ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Trap Crops ◽  
Companion Plant ◽  
Trap Cropping

Companion planting is a well-known strategy to manage insect pests and support a natural enemy population through vegetative diversification. Trap cropping is one such type of special companion planting strategy that is traditionally used for insect pest management through vegetative diversification used to attract insect pests away from the main crops during a critical time period by providing them an alternative preferred choice. Trap crops not only attract the insects for feeding and oviposition, but also act as a sink for any pathogen that may be a vector. Considerable research has been conducted on different trap crops as companion plant species to develop improved pest management strategies. Despite this, little consensus exists regarding optimal trap cropping systems for diverse pest management situations. An advantage of trap cropping over an artificially released natural enemy-based biological control could be an attractive remedy for natural enemies in cropping systems. Besides, many trap crop species can conserve natural enemies. This secondary effect of attracting natural enemies may be an advantage compared to the conventional means of pest control. However, this additional consideration requires a more knowledge-intensive background to designing an effective trap cropping system. We have provided information based on different trap crops as companion plant, their functions and an updated list of trap cropping applications to attract insect pests and natural enemies that should be proven as helpful in future trap cropping endeavors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document