Management of difficult soils for intensive winter cereals in central England: a farm case study

Abstract

Abstract. After satisfactory results during the mid‐1970s, winter cereal yields and profitability were disappointing during 1979–81 on a Buckinghamshire farm with Ragdale series stagnogley soil. Poor soil physical conditions were diagnosed and then improved by soil loosening and mole drainage. Other inputs and management remained intensive but essentially constant. Three‐year average winter wheat and barley yields rose from 5.6 and 4.9 t ha for 1979–81 to 7.4 and 6.8 t ha respectively for 1982–84. A large part of this increase could be attributed to improved soil management. The observations were made as a farm case study and not as a replicated field trial. They may nevertheless be of interest to others and of national relevance as similar soils occupy some 30% of the cereal area in England.