Abstract
Declining water resources and soil degradation have significantly affected agricultural sustainability across the world. In the southern High Plains of USA, buffer strips of perennial grasses alternating with cultivated corn strips were introduced in center-pivot irrigated crop fields to increase agronomic production and ecosystem services. A study was conducted to evaluate soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and soil health benefits of integrating circular grass buffer strips in the center-pivot irrigated corn production system. Multiple parameters were assessed in the grass buffer strips, and at distances of 1.52, 4.57, and 9.14 m away from the edges of grass strips in corn strips. While grasses in the buffer strips depleted N compared to corn strips, potential C mineralization (PCM) was 52.5% to 99.9% more in grass strips than in corn strips. Soil microbial biomass C (MBC) content was 36.7% to 52.5% greater in grass strips than in corn strips. Grass buffer also reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from corn strips. Grass buffer strips can improve soil health and sustainability in center-pivot irrigated cropping systems by increasing soil C components and reducing GHG emissions.
Highlights
The southern High Plains of the US is characterized by a hot, dry environment with strong wind and low precipitation use efficiency of crops
Concerns have been raised for irrigated crop production in the southern High Plains because of the declining water level in the Aquifer
This study was conducted in four grass strips, at 1.52, 4.57, and 9.14 m distances from the edges of each grass strip in the adjacent corn strip (Figure 1)
Summary
The southern High Plains of the US is characterized by a hot, dry environment with strong wind and low precipitation use efficiency of crops. Concerns have been raised for irrigated crop production in the southern High Plains because of the declining water level in the Aquifer. Predictions show almost 30% of the irrigated acreage will not be able to support irrigation in the 30 years [1,4,5]. Innovative production practices, such as introduction of buffer strips of perennial grasses alternating with cultivated crop strips and water-efficient alternative crops, are explored to sustain crop production with declining water availability. Improved knowledge of soil health and ecosystem services of these innovative production practices will support the sustainable High Plains agriculture
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