Long-term effect of cropping system and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on production and nitrogen economy of grain crops in a Brown Chernozem

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Average Response ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
N Yield ◽  
P Fertilizer

Assessment of the long-term impact of fertilizers and other management factors on crop production and environmental sustainability of cropping systems in the semi-arid Canadian prairies is needed. This paper discusses the long-term influence of N and P fertilizers on crop production, N uptake and water use of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and the effect of the preceding crop type [flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and fall rye (Secale cereale L.)] on wheat grown on a medium-textured, Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. We analysed 36 yr of results (1967–2002) from eight crop rotation-fertility treatments: viz., fallow-wheat receiving N and P (F-W, N + P), three F-W-W treatments fertilized with (i) N + P, (ii) P only, and (iii) N only; two other 3-yr mixed rotations with N + P (i) F-flax-W (F-Flx-W) and (ii) F-fall rye-W (F-Rye-W); and two continuous wheat rotations (Cont W), one receiving N + P and the other only P. Growing season weather conditions during the 36-yr period were near the long-term mean, but the first 22 yr were generally drier than normal while the last 14 yr (1989–2002) had average to above-average growing conditions. This was partly responsible for grain and N yield being greater in the latter period than in the first 22 yr. The 36-yr average response of wheat grown on fallow to P fertilizer was 339 kg ha-1, while the response to N fertilizer over this period was only 123 kg ha-1. The 36-yr average response of wheat grown on stubble to N was 344 kg ha-1 for F-W-(W) and 393 kg ha-1 for Cont W. Neither flax nor fall rye influenced the yield response of the following wheat crops. Annualized grain production for F-W (N + P), F-W-W (+ N) and F-W-W (+ P) rotations were similar (1130 kg ha-1 yr-1); this was about 15% lower than for F-W-W (N + P), 40% lower than for Cont W (N + P), and 5% lower than for Cont W (+ P). Annualized aboveground N yield for Cont W (N + P) was 57% higher than for Cont W (+ P). Regressions were developed relating straw to grain yields for wheat, flax and fall rye. The amount of NO3-N left in the soil was directly related to amount of N applied and inversely to N removed in the crop. Thus, F-(W)-W (+ N) left about 28% more NO3-N in the rooting zone than F-(W)-W (N + P), while F-W-(W) (N + P) left 20% more than F-W-(W) (+ P), and Cont W (N + P) left 39% more than Cont W (+ P). F-Rye-W (N + P) left much less NO3-N in the soil than any other fallow-containing system and similar amounts to Cont W (N + P). Key words: Yields, grain protein, N and P fertilizer, straw/grain regressions, water use, soil nitrate

scholarly journals Agricultural Nitrogen Budget for a Long-Term Row Crop Production System in the Midwest USA

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1622
Author(s):  
Sanku Dattamudi ◽  
Prasanta K. Kalita ◽  
Saoli Chanda ◽  
A.S. Alquwaizany ◽  
B. S.Sidhu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Tile Drains

In the Midwestern United States, subsurface drainage (commonly known as tile drains) systems have been extensively used for sustaining agricultural production. However, the tile drains have raised concerns of facilitating the transport of agricultural chemicals from the fields to receiving waters. Data from a long-term field experiment in the Little Vermilion River (LVR) watershed of east-central Illinois, USA, shows that the tile drain systems have contributed to increased nitrate N (NO3-N) to the receiving water body, Georgetown Lake Reservoir, over time. We conducted more than 10 years of research on fate and transport of NO3-N in tile drain water, surface runoff and soil N. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) were planted in rotation for this watershed. We evaluated N balance (inputs and outputs) and transfer (runoff and leaching) components from three sites with both surface and subsurface flow stations within this watershed, and N budgets for individual sites were developed. Nitrogen fertilizer application (average 192 kg ha−1 y−1) and soil N mineralization (average 88 kg ha−1 y−1) were the major N inputs for corn and soybean, respectively in this watershed. Plant N uptake was the major N output for both crops during this entire study period. Annual N uptake for the LVR watershed ranged from +39 to +148 (average +93) kg ha−1 and −63 to +5 (average −32) kg ha−1, respectively, for corn and soybeans. This data indicates that most of the soil mineralized N was used during soybean production years, while corn production years added extra N in the soil. Surface runoff from the watershed was negligible, however, subsurface leaching through tile drains removed about 18% of the total rainfall. Average NO3-N concentrations of leaching water at sites A (15 mg L−1) and B (16.5 mg L−1) exceeded maximum contaminant level (MCL; 10 mg L−1) throughout the experiment. However, NO3-N concentrations from site E (6.9 mg L−1) never exceeded MCL possibly because 15–22% lower N was received at this site. We estimated that the average corn grain yield would need to be 28% higher to remove the additional N from this watershed. Our study suggests that N application schemes of the LVR watershed need to be reevaluated for better N management, optimum crop production, and overall environmental sustainability.

Cropping frequency, wheat classes and flexible rotations: Effects on production, nitrogen economy, and water use in a Brown Chernozem

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Nitrogen Yield ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
N Yield ◽  
N Concentration

Producers in the semiarid Canadian prairies rely on frequent summerfallowing (F) to conserve water, control weed infestations, and maximize soil mineral N reserves, but this practice often results in soil degradation. A crop rotation experiment was initiated in 1987 on a medium-textured, Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine the most ideal cropping frequency for wheat in this region and whether a fixed rotation such as fallow-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - wheat (F-W-W) or F-W-W-W would be more effective than flexible rotations in which fallowing is decided each spring based on criteria such as available soil water (if water), or the need to control perennial weed infestations (if weeds). The study also compared the production of traditional Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat class with the newer higher-yielding (Hy), Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat class. We analyzed results of six rotations over the first 12 yr of the study. The rotations included F-W-W, F-W-W-W, F-Hy-Hy, Continuous wheat (Cont W), Cont W (if weeds), and Cont W (if water). Reduced tillage management was used and stubble was cut tall to enhance snowtrap. Fertilizer N was applied based on soil tests and fertilizer P was applied based on the general recommendations for the region. Over the 1988–1999 period, weather conditions were generally favourable and yields were above average for this region. Canada Prairie Spring wheat outyielded CWRS by 32% when grown on fallow and by 17% when grown on stubble; however, straw yields of the two wheat classes were similar on fallow and CPS was 11% less than CWRS on stubble. Harvest index (HI) averaged 44% for CPS and 37% for CWRS wheat. Water use efficiency for CWRS wheat grown on fallow averaged 7.2 kg ha-1 mm-1 and for CPS 9.4; when grown on stubble the respective values were 6.3 and 7.5 kg ha-1 mm-1. Grain N concentration for CWRS was slightly higher for wheat grown on fallow (25.7 g kg-1) than on stubble (24.5 g kg-1), but was similar for CPS wheat on grown on fallow and stubble (21.9 g kg-1). Straw N concentration averaged 3.8 g kg-1 for CWRS and 4.4 g kg-1 for CPS. Nitrogen yield for grain from CPS was 9% greater than from CWRS when grown on fallow, but there was no effect of wheat class when grown on stubble. Nitrogen yield of CPS straw was 15% greater than for CWRS when grown on fallow, but on stubble N yield was generally not affected by wheat class. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) averaged about 80% for both wheat classes, whether grown on fallow or stubble. On a rotation basis, grain produced with F-W-W was 1502 kg ha-1 yr-1. The F-W-W-W and Cont W (if weeds) rotations produced 9% more grain than F-W-W, while Cont W (if water) produced 24% more, F-Hy-Hy produced 26% more, and Cont W produced 30% more than F-W-W. Nitrogen production in the grain, straw and aboveground plant material was lowest in F-W-W, highest in Cont W, and intermediate for other rotations. Although the economic and soil quality assessments have yet to be completed, a preliminary conclusion based on crop production characteristics alone suggests that a flexible cropping system in which available soil water in spring is used as the determining criterion is superior to a fixed F-W-W or F-W-W-W rotation. Key words: Yield, N concentration, N yield, water deficit, wheat classes, regressions

scholarly journals Effects of Short-term Tillage of a Long-term No-Till Land on Crop Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Two Contrasting Soil Types

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles Dyck ◽  
Sukhdev S. Malhi ◽  
Marvin Nyborg ◽  
Dyck Puurveen
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
No Till

<p>Pre-seeding tillage of long-term no-till (NT) land may alter crop production by changing the availability of some nutrients in soil. Effects of short-term (4 years) tillage (hereafter called reverse tillage [RT]) of land previously under long-term (29 or 30 years) NT, with straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw retained [SRet]) and N fertilizer rate (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> in SRet, and 0 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> in SRem plots), were determined on plant yield (seed + straw, or harvested as forage/silage at soft dough stage), and N and P uptake in growing seasons from 2010 to 2013 at Breton (Gray Luvisol [Typic Cryoboralf] loam) and from 2009 to 2012 at Ellerslie (Black Chernozem [Albic Argicryoll] loam), Alberta, Canada. Plant yield, N uptake and P uptake tended to be greater with RT compared to NT in most cases at both sites, although significant in a few cases only at Ellerslie. On average over both sites, RT produced greater plant yield by 560 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>, N uptake by 5.8 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>, and P uptake by 1.8 kg P ha<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup> than NT. There was no consistent beneficial effect of straw retention on plant yield, N uptake and P uptake in different years. Plant yield, N uptake and P uptake increased with N fertilization at both sites, with up to the maximum rate of applied N at 100 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> in 3 of 4 years at Breton and in 2 of 4 years at Ellerslie. In conclusion, our findings suggested some beneficial impact of occasional tillage of long-term NT soil on crop yield and nutrient uptake.</p>

Water use, growth and yield of wheat in a subtropical environment

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 873 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Angus ◽  
HA Nix ◽  
JS Russell ◽  
JE Kruizinga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Partial Explanation

Wheat crops in southern Queensland grown on two different clay soils were studied in terms of growth, development, water economy, and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus in a season when growing season rainfall was only 50 mm. No significant grain yield response to either nitrogen or phosphorus was detected, although growth response in the vegetative phase was apparent. Mean grain yields on the two soils were 254 and 277 g m-2. These are underestimates of yield potential because of losses due to a mouse plague. Mean yield inside metal mouse exclosures was 303 g m-2. On the higher-yielding site the water use determined from augered soil samples was 192 mm, comprising 50 mm of rain during the 139 days of crop growth and 142 mm of soil water conserved during the preceding summer. The pattern of water extraction was sequential removal of the stored water, starting from the soil surface and extending to a depth below 90 cm. Soil water potential after flowering reached well below - 15 bars. The water use efficiency for grain production was 1.58 g m-2 mm-1 of evapotranspiration, which is higher than most other reports for wheat crops found in the literature. A partial explanation for this high value is that most of the soil water (est. 86%) was transpired by the crop with only a minor proportion (14 %) lost by bare soil evaporation. In addition, the crop appeared to become progressively more adapted to water stress from early in the life cycle, and this stress resulted in slow extraction of subsoil water held at low potentials and therefore in conservation of soil water until the grain-filling phase. The results are discussed by comparing them with those of a crop grown mostly on current rainfall.

Improving crop water use in West Africa in the context of climate change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sehouevi Mawuton David Agoungbome ◽  
Nick van de Giesen ◽  
Frank Ohene Annor ◽  
Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Crop Water ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Crop Water Use

&lt;p&gt;Africa&amp;#8217;s population is growing fast and is expected to double by 2050, meaning the food production must follow the cadence in order to meet the demand. However, one of the major challenges of agriculture in Africa is productivity (World Bank, 2009; IFRI, 2016). For instance, more than 40 million hectares of farmland were dedicated to maize in Africa in 2017 (approx. 20% of world total maize farms), but only 7.4% of the total world maize production came from the African continent (FAO, 2017). This shows the poor productivity which has its causes rooted in lack of good climate and weather information, slow technology uptake and financial support for farmers. In West Africa, where more than 70% of crop production is rain-fed, millions of farmers depend on rainfall, yet the region is one of the most vulnerable and least monitored in terms of climate change and rainfall variability. With a high uncertainty of future climate conditions in the region, one must foresee the big challenges ahead: farmers will be exposed to a lot of damages and losses leading to food insecurity resulting in famine and poverty if measures are not put in place to improve productivity. This study aims at addressing low productivity in agriculture by providing farmers with the right moment to start farming in order to improve efficiency and productivity of crop water use. By analyzing yield response to water availability of specific crops using AquaCrop, the Food and Agriculture Organization crop growth model, we investigate the crop water productivity variability throughout the rainy season and come up with recommendations that help optimize rainfall water use and maximize crop yield.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Nitrogen Gap Amelioration is a Core for Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture—A Concept

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Witold Grzebisz ◽  
Remigiusz Łukowiak
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Single Field ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
Yield Formation

The main reason for the development of the yield gap in crop production is the inefficient management of nitrogen (N). The nitrogen gap (NG) cannot be ameliorated without an indication and quantification of soil characteristics that limit N uptake by a crop plant. The insufficient supply of N to a plant during its cardinal stages of yield formation is a result of two major-variabilities. The first is spatial variability in the soil characteristics responsible for water supply to a plant, also serving as a nutrient carrier. The second is a vertical variability in soil factors, decisive for pools of available nutrients, and their in-season accessibility to the grown crop. The long-term strategy for NG cover should focus first on soil characteristics (humus stock, pH, nutrient content) responsible for water storage and its availability to the currently grown plant. Diagnostics of plant nutrient availability should deliver data on their contents both in the topsoil and subsoil. The combined use of both classical diagnostic tools and spectral imagery is a way to divide a single field into units, differing in productivity. Remote-sensing techniques offer a broad number of tools to define the in-season crop canopy requirement for fertilizer N in homogenous field units.

Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kröbel ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
H. Steppuhn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

Kröbel, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R., Steppuhn, H., Desjardins, R. L. and De Jong, R. 2012. Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on water use efficiency of spring wheat grown in a semi-arid region of the Canadian prairies. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 573–587. Water use efficiency (WUE) has often been analyzed for semiarid environments, but fallow-containing cropping systems were assessed inappropriately. Further, these short-term studies are unlikely to correctly assess weather variability impacts in such environments. We assessed the impact of fertilizer N and P on water use efficiency (WUE) and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from a 39-yr long-term crop rotation study in semi-arid southwestern Saskatchewan. In the rotation experiment, continuous wheat (Cont W) with N+P or P fertilizer only, and fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) with N+P, P only, or N only were studied. We calculated WUE using: (i) Yield (Y)/[water use (WU)/potential water use (PET)]; (ii) Y/WU; (iii) Y/WU with a fallow phase element added; and (iv) Y/harvest-to-harvest precipitation (PUE). The WUEs in the rotation experiment were generally greater for treatments with N+P fertilizer, and greatest after an increase of N application coupled with favourable soil water conditions in the final decades of this study. In cases (i) and (ii), WUE for F-W-W was greater than for the Cont W-treatment. In case (iii), the WUEs were 5.7, 4.5, 3.9, 3.6, and 3.6 kg ha−1 mm−1 water for Cont W (N+P), Cont W (P), F-W-W (N+P), F-W-W (P), and F-W-W (N), respectively. For PUE [case (iv)] the values were 4.0, 3.1, 3.4, 3.0, and 2.9, respectively. We concluded that case (ii) was most appropriate for continuous cropping and case (iii) for systems including fallow, while case (iv) was usable in general.

Long-term effect of placement of fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus on barley yields

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Karamanos ◽  
J. T. Harapiak ◽  
N. A. Flore
Keyword(s):  
Marked Effect ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Dual Band ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Method Of Placement ◽  
P Placement

An experiment that was established in 1990 to assess depth and method of placement of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer on the yield of continuous barley (with 1 yr interruption with canola in 1995) was continued to 2001. Annually, 80 kg N ha-1 were banded either at 7.5 to 10 or 15 to 17.5 cm depth alone or in combination with 40 kg P2O5 ha-1; the latter was either seedrow placed or banded with the N (dual banding), or split 1/2 in the seedrow and 1/2 in the band. An unfertilized control was maintained in all years. Temperature after seeding had a marked effect on the effectiveness of depth of N and P placement as well as the method of P placement. Shallow (7.5 to 10 cm depth) placement resulted in greater yields in 8 of the 11 yr that barley was grown and was never inferior to deeper placement (15 to 17.5 cm); this advantage was directly related to cooler-than-normal temperature after seeding. Cooler-than-normal temperatures also resulted in benefits from seedrow placed P; however, benefits were not as frequent as those obtained by either dual banding or splitting P between seedrow and the band. It would appear that overall benefits from banding P together with N (dual band), independently of the depth of banding, are greater than those from seedrow placing, as those benefits from the latter are less frequent and of considerably less magnitude. Key words: Band, dual band, seedrow, shallow, deep

Long term effects of rotation, tillage and stubble management on wheat production in southern NSW

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
DP Heenan ◽  
AC Taylor ◽  
BR Cullis ◽  
WJ Lill
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
Total N ◽  
Grain Yields

A long term field experiment began in 1979 at Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., to compare the sustainability of a range of rotation, tillage and stubble management systems on a red earth. This paper reports yield, yield components and grain protein of wheat for 1979-90. Rotations considered were alternating lupin-wheat (LW), lupin-wheat-wheat (LWW), continuous wheat (WW) with and without N fertilizer (100 kg N/ha), and alternating sub-clover-wheat (CW). Soil N supply at the start of the experiment was high following many years of sub-clover based pasture. From 1979 to 1983, there was a negative grain yield response to N fertilizer and no response to a legume in rotation except in the drought of 1982 when low yields were recorded from LW. Thereafter, a positive grain yield response was usually produced to N fertilizer in WW rotations, until 1989 and 1990, when these crops displayed aluminium toxicity sym ptoms. Overall, average grain yields from legume rotations were higher than WW with added N fertilizer. Since 1983, LW rotations consistently produced higher mean grain yields than CW, but mean grain protein and total N uptake were lower. Yields and N uptake by the second wheat crop in a LWW rotation indicated little carryover of benefits from the lupins. Slightly higher mean grain yield and harvest index, but lower mean grain protein, were produced by direct drilling, compared with cultivation before sowing, following lupins or sub-clover. However, retaining stubble rather than burning in autumn consistently reduced grain yields. There was no evidence that early burial of wheat stubble following summer rain, rather than incorporation in autumn, improved grain yield or total N uptake. The build-up of giant brome grass and diseases, particularly where stubble was retained and crops direct-drilled, casts some doubt on the long term sustainability of these short term rotations in this environment.

Crop production and water-use. IV. Yield functions for sugarbeet

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. WRIGHT ◽  
M. K. V. CARR ◽  
P. J. C. HAMER
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Site Specificity ◽  
Irrigation Planning ◽  
Yield Functions ◽  
Irrigated Crops ◽  
Linear Correlations

The water-use model (watyield) was used to estimate a number of variables which were then related to the actual yields recorded in long term sugarbeet experiments carried out at several sites in England over the last 30–40 years. Nine functions were developed which are based on yield/water-input, yield/crop evaporation and (the equivalent of) relative yield/relative crop evaporation relationships. In all cases, highly significant linear correlations were obtained but the levels of precision, and degree of site specificity, varied. For irrigation planning and water allocation, three approaches are recommended with increasing sophistication and, in general, precision. These are (1) relating yield increases to the estimated irrigation need; (2) relating actual yields to crop evaporation totals; and (3) determining actual yields for rainfed and irrigated crops from the calculated seasonal totals of the ‘effective’ solar radiation intercepted by the crop canopy. These values can be estimated with the model using standard weather and soil physical data appropriate to the locality and the crop.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document