Conservation Tillage Systems Research Articles

Least limiting water range in Oxisol under two conservation tillage systems in sugarcane farming

The Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR) is an indicator of soil physical quality, contributing in information to propose soil management systems in agricultural farming process. This work aimed to assess the usage of LLWR and critical soil bulk density for physical-water quality evaluations, as well as its effect on sugarcane farming under no-tillage and reduced-tillage, in Oxisol. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in 0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m soil layers, to determine the following attributes: soil bulk density, soil penetration resistance (PR), volumetric water content at field capacity and permanent wilting point and minimum aeration porosity. The LLWR proved to be a good soil physical water quality indicator in sugarcane farming under conservation tillage system. No-tillage presented a greater range of the LLWR when compared to the reduced-tillage, regardless to the PR value adopted as restrictive for sugarcane roots development, increasing the yield of stalks and sugars contents. The critical soil bulk density under no-tillage is between 1.48 and 1.53 Mg m-3 at the RP of 2 and 4 MPa, while under reduced-tillage it is between 1.44 and 1.51 Mg m-3.

Organic amendments and conservation tillage improve cotton productivity and soil health indices under arid climate

Long-term different tillage system field trials can provide vital knowledge about sustainable changes in soil health indices and crop productivity. This study examined cotton productivity and soil health indices under different tillage systems and organic materials. The present study was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to explore the effect of different tillage systems: conventional tillage (T1), conservation tillage (T2), and organic materials: control (recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers; 160:90:60 kg ha−1NPK), poultry manure (10 t ha−1 PM), compost (10 t ha−1 CM), farmyard manure (20 t ha−1 FYM), and biochar (7 t ha−1 BC) on cotton productivity and soil health indices. Two years field trials showed that different tillage systems and organic materials significantly improved the growth, morphological, and yield attributes of cotton and soil health indices. The cotton showed highest seed cotton yield (3692–3736 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.809–0.815%), soil available nitrogen (74.3–74.6 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.29–7.43 mg kg−1), and potassium (213–216 mg kg−1) under T2 in comparison to T1 system during both years of field experiment, respectively. Similarly, PM (10 t ha−1) showed highest seed cotton yield (3888–3933 kg ha−1), and soil organic matter (0.794–0.797%), nitrogen (74.7–75.0 mg kg−1), phosphorus (7.39–7.55 mg kg−1), and potassium (221–223 mg kg−1) when these are compared to FYM (20 t ha−1), CM (10 t ha−1), and BC (7 t ha−1) during both years of field experiment, respectively. These findings indicate that conservation tillage system with application of 10 t ha−1 PM are the best practices for the sustainable cotton production and to ensure improvement in the soil health indices under arid climatic conditions.

A Study on the Impact of Low-Carbon Technology Application in Agriculture on the Returns of Large-Scale Farmers.

The relationship and mechanism between agricultural low-carbon technology application and farm household returns are not yet clear, especially the lack of evidence from developing countries. This paper takes large-scale farming households in Jiangxi Province, China, from 2019 to 2020 as the research object, and obtains relevant data from field research to explore the intrinsic impact of agricultural low-carbon technology application on the returns of large-scale farming households. Based on the relevant theoretical analysis, the division dimensions of agricultural low-carbon technologies were proposed, and agricultural low-carbon technologies were subdivided into ten specific low-carbon technologies according to six dimensions: tillage system, breeding, fertilization, irrigation, medicine application, and waste treatment. Relevant questions were designed and researched to obtain data on the application status of low-carbon technologies in agriculture and the income cost status of large-scale farmers. Based on the theoretical analysis, the research hypotheses were proposed, and an empirical analysis was conducted based on the obtained data from large-scale farmers. The application of seven low-carbon technologies in agriculture: conservation tillage system, direct sowing technology, selection of compound fertilizer/organic fertilizer/controlled-release fertilizer, soil formula fertilization technology, deep fertilization/irrigation fertilization, sprinkler/drip irrigation/wet irrigation/intermittent irrigation, and straw resourceization significantly improved the income level of large-scale farmers. Furthermore, the application of biodegradable agricultural membranes, biopesticides, and new pesticide-controlled release technologies did not have significant effects on the income level of large-scale farmers, due to their low application and penetration rate. Based on the findings of the paper, the government should strengthen the promotion and subsidies of agricultural low-carbon technologies, especially those technologies that have no significant impact on large-scale farmers’ income, such as biodegradable agricultural membranes, biopesticides, and new pesticide controlled-release technologies, so as to achieve a win-win situation of reducing carbon emissions and increasing farmers’ income.

Long‐term tillage management affects claypan soil properties and soybean cyst nematode

AbstractUse of cover crops with conservation tillage systems can affect soil chemical and biological properties. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of long‐term (1994–2016) no‐till (NT) and reduced‐till (RT) cropping systems on soil chemical properties and soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) egg population densities on claypan soils in northeast Missouri. Treatments included a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation with three tillage–cropping systems: (a) NT corn–soybean–wheat with double‐crop soybean (NTDCS), (b) NT corn–soybean–wheat with frost‐seeded red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) cover crop (NTFSC), and (c) RT corn–soybean–wheat. Each crop (corn, soybean, and wheat) and tillage system (NTDCS, NTFSC, and RT) was represented every year in nine large plots and replicated four times. Soil was sampled to a 15 cm depth to evaluate soil chemical properties (1994, 2002–2016) and SCN egg densities (2002–2015). Soil test pHs, P, and K were ranked RT = NTDCS > NTFSC, RT > NTDCS = NTFSC and RT > NTFSC > NTDCS, respectively. Long‐term NTFSC cover crop had the greatest soil organic matter levels in four of the 16 yr. When combined over years, SCN egg densities were lowest in NTFSC following corn, soybean, or wheat, which indicates the benefit of NT and extended crop rotations to help manage this pest.

Long-term warming increased microbial carbon use efficiency and turnover rate under conservation tillage system

Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE), a combination of respiration and growth, plays a central role in the flow of carbon through soil. Carbon-depleted agricultural soils are promoted as a global sink for atmospheric carbon in a warming climate. There is an urgent need to understand whether increased soil respiration from warmed cropland soils reduces CUE, potentially creating positive feedback to atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We investigated microbial CUE and turnover rates in response to experimental warming in topsoils under traditional tillage and conservation tillage management using a substrate-independent H218O labeling method. Eleven years of warming increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 3.9% in topsoil under conservation tillage, while there was no change in traditional tilled soils. Soil microbial respiration was increased by 108% and 11.6% under traditional tillage and conservation tillage, respectively. Warming decreased microbial growth by 60.3% in traditional tilled topsoils, but increased it by 50.8% under conservation tillage. Therefore, CUE and microbial turnover rates decreased by 77% and 22.2%, respectively, in response to warming in traditional tilled topsoils and increased by 29.1% and 19.3%, respectively, under conservation tillage. Soil hydrolase (β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase) activities were increased by warming under both management types, but oxidase (peroxidase and phenol oxidase) activities only increased in traditional tilled topsoils. Hydrolase:oxidase ratios were 4.1 times less in warmed traditional tilled soils compared to unwarmed traditional tilled soils but were 0.63 times more in warmed conservation tillage soils compared with unwarmed conservation tillage soils. Microbial CUE was positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC), DOC:SOC and hydrolase:oxidase, suggesting that substrate quality and availability were important factors driving changes in microbial physiology. The SOC increased with microbial growth, CUE and turnover rate. Our findings suggest that microorganisms in warmed topsoils under conservation tillage use a greater abundance of high-quality substrates more efficiently to build biomass, thereby reducing the positive feedback effect of increased soil respiration caused by soil warming.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ БІОПРЕПАРАТІВ ДЛЯ ВИРОЩУВАННІ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ

The aim of the work is to highlight the results of a field experiment on the effectiveness of the preparations "Pop up Plants Humate Potassium" and "Regoplant" in the cultivation of winter wheat. Methods. The field experiment was conducted in 2020/2021 on the lands of L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT (Kyiv agro-soil district of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe). Experience factors: factor A – tillage system (A1 – traditional, A2 – conservation, A3 – mulching, A4 – mini-till); Factor B – biological products "Potassium Humate + Regoplant" (B1 – control (without the use of preparations), B2 – the use of preparations for seed treatment and crop nutrition. When growing wheat, the traditional technology for the region was used, except for the elements of the experimental scheme. The effectiveness of the preparations was established by determining the biological yield of wheat and its structure compared to the control. Results. The use of humic preparations increased the weight of grain from the ear and the weight of 1000 seeds, which led to an increase in the biological yield of grain and the harvest index. The highest yield of wheat was observed in the traditional tillage system (A1), and the lowest – in the system of mini-till (A4). The largest increase in yield from the use of preparations (40 %) was observed in the version with a conservation tillage system (A2), and the smallest increase (20 %) – in the mulching tillage system version (A3). The experiment factors also influenced the growth of grain quality. In particular, the grain of the control variant contained 12.44 % of crude protein by weight of dry matter (seeds of the third class), and the grain of the experimental variant – 12.84 % of crude protein by weight of dry matter (seeds of the second class). There was also a decrease in the content of nitrogen-free extractive substances and crude ash. Conclusions. The use of "Pop up Plants Humate Potassium" and "Regoplant" had a positive effect on winter wheat yield and grain quality indicators. The average increase in the biological yield of winter wheat under different tillage systems was 30 % of the control. The superiority of the biological yield of winter wheat grain was noted in the variant with ploughing and biological fertilizers. The use of biological fertilizers also helped to improve grain quality indicators. Key words: Winter Wheat, Potassium Humate, Regoplant, Biological Yield, Tillage Systems.

Effect of No Tillage System on Soil Fungal Community Structure of Cropland in Mollisol: A Case Study.

Conservation tillage is generally regarded as a sustainable farming system for the future. The fungal community structure has a strong response to conservation tillage. However, how the conservation tillage system affects the soil fungal community structure is little known. Using the high-throughput sequencing technology, the soil fungal community was explored under no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) in Northeast China Mollisol. The copy number of fungal genes in NT20 was significantly lower than that in other treatments. NT changed the composition of soil fungal communities at the taxonomic level of phylum and genus. The diversity indices of the soil fungal community in no tillage at soil depths of 0–5 cm (NT5) were significantly higher than those in soil depths of 5–20 cm (NT20). The fungal community under NT and CT could form a good cluster distribution and NT5, conventional tillage at soil depths of 0–5 cm (CT5) and 5–20 cm (CT20) had specific indicator species. Most of the potential pathogens were significantly higher in NT5 than in NT20. Tillage and soil depth could explain 64% of the diversity and 95% of the composition of the fungal community, which indirectly changed the diversity and composition of fungi by using soil organic carbon, pH value, and soil bulk density. Furthermore, soil organic carbon (SOC) best explained the soil fungal community, followed by soil pH. The study indicated that the NT system had a comprehensive effect on the soil fungal community and SOC is the most crucial factor in determining this community.

Soil quality indicators in conventional and conservation tillage systems in the Brazilian Cerrado

Conventional and conservation tillage systems can alter soil aggregation and total and labile soil organic matter (SOM) contents. This study aimed to determine the degree of soil aggregation, quantify total carbon (TC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), light organic matter (LOM), and potentially mineralizable carbon (CO2-C) contents in soils aggregates, and assess soil quality indexes at sites under conventional and conservation tillage in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Four experimental areas were analyzed: a area under conventional tillage for 20 years, a area under no-till for 6 years, a area under no-till for 18 years, and a reference area of undisturbed Cerrado vegetation. Soil aggregates retained on 8.0–4.0 mm sieves were evaluated for size class distribution and mean weight diameter. TC, POXC, LOM, daily and Total CO2-C emissions were also analyzed. These data were used to calculate the C/N ratio and sensitivity, carbon pool, and lability indexes. The results of SOM compartments were in agreement with those obtained for the soil aggregation status. 6NT and 18NT had a higher proportion of macroaggregates and higher MWD values than CT in both layers. For other classes of aggregates, CT had the highest proportions of mesoaggregates at 0–0.05 m depth and microaggregates at 0–0.10 m depth. At 0–0.05 m depth, TC and LOM contents were highest in 6NT and 18NT aggregates. In comparing the soil indexes of managed areas, we found a similar pattern to that observed for macroaggregates, MWD, TC, and LOM. CA, 6NT, and 18NT aggregates had the largest CO2-C cumulative emissions at the end of the incubation period. Environmental conditions at no-till areas promoted macroaggregate formation and preserved TC and LOM contents, resulting in a high degree of aggregate stability. Soil quality indexes were sensitive to identify changes between the reference area and managed areas. Soil aggregates from no-till areas had higher CO2-C emissions and cumulative emissions than those from the conventional tillage area.

EFFECT OF SOIL CONSERVATION TILLAGE ON THE STRUCTURE OF EDAPHIC FAUNA COMMUNITIES

Edaphic fauna is a determining factor for the maintenance of soil productivity. Other factors such as soil management can modify edaphic fauna communities and directly interfere with the ecosystem services they provide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the structure of edaphic faunal communities under different conservation tillage systems in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Six tillage systems were evaluated for soil conservation in maize plots, SL1: without soil removal and covered with Mucuna sp. residues; SL2: with soil removal and residue burning; SL3: with soil removal and residue incorporation; SL4: without soil inversion and covered with maize residue; SL5: with soil removal and no residue; SL6= without soil removal and maize residue. According to Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, the most similar tillage systems in relation to the species present are the systems with soil removal and residue incorporation (SL3) and without soil removal and with maize residues (SL6) with a value of 0.83. The tillage systems with the greatest richness, diversity and equity of edaphic fauna were with soil removal and residue incorporation (SL3), without soil inversion and covered with maize residue (SL4) and without soil removal and with maize residue (SL6), mainly in the rainy season, which is the season that most affected the edaphic fauna communities

Subsurface banding poultry litter influences edamame yield, forage quality, and leaf greenness

AbstractPoultry litter is generated in large quantities throughout the southeastern United States and is an excellent nutrient source for increasing crop yields. However, surface applications result in nutrient losses to air, soil, and water. Subsurface banding poultry litter is a promising technology for reducing nutrient losses to surface and groundwater, but information is needed on optimum crop seeding distance from bands. This study evaluated edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Edamame’] yield (residue, pod, and total plant), crop quality, and leaf greenness. Subsurface banded poultry litter and crop row distances (13, 25, and 38 cm) were compared with surface‐applied poultry litter (all received 168 kg ha−1 total N) under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions from 2019 to 2020. Both chlorophyll and edamame total yields were greatest (P ≤ .05) under subsurface banding litter, relative to surface applications, regardless of distance. Overall, greatest total crop yields were observed for 13‐ and 25‐cm banding distances under irrigation and the 38‐cm distance, irrespective of irrigation, relative to surface applications. Residue nutritive value for the 13‐cm distance was greater under irrigation than dryland. Both systems provided high levels of nutritive residual mass, thus edamame could be used as a vegetable crop and a forage following harvest. Overall, subsurface banding poultry litter in conservation tillage systems is a viable replacement to surface applications for edamame production (vegetable and fodder), particularly in organic systems. Results can be used to develop nutrient management plans for organic edamame and other specialty crop production systems in the Mid‐South.

Effect of Different Tillage and Fertilization Interventions on Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Production

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is considered the main aspect of food security in the Middle-East including Palestine. This important crop testifies a sharp decline in its productivity due to many reasons including climate change and its consequences in particular. This study was carried out in the eastern slopes of Bethlehem governorate that are classified as arid to semi-arid areas in the growing season 2018/2019. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design, for the aim of investigating the effect of different tillage (conventional tillage (CT) and three conservation tillage systems, reduced tillage (RT), conservation tillage at 8 cm (C8) and conservation tillage at 4 cm depth (C4)). In addition to their combination with different fertilization types (sheep manure (M), tri-superphosphate (TSP) and ammonium sulfate (AS) ) and ratios as the following (manure 6m³/dunum (M_6m³), manure 3m³/dunum+ TSP 6.25 kg/dunum+ AS 6.25 kg/dunum (M_3m³/TSP_6.25kg/AS_6.25kg), manure 3m³/dunum+ TSP 12.5 kg/dunum (M_3m³/TSP_12.5kg) and manure 3m³/dunum+ AS 12.5 kg/dunum (M_3m³/AS_12.5kg)) in addition to the control that was tilled without any fertilization treatments. Generally, our results revealed the superiority of the RT× M_6m³ in term of grain yield production. On the other hands, RT× M_3m³/TSP_12.5kg is recommended to increase straw production. This short- term study is definitely not sufficient to reveal the impact of the examined tillage and fertilization practices, but it gives indicators for the possible effects of these practices that need more investigation on longer term.

Response of Fungal Sub-Communities in a Maize-Wheat Rotation Field Subjected to Long-Term Conservation Tillage Management.

Conservation tillage is an advanced agricultural technology that seeks to minimize soil disturbance by reducing, or even eliminating tillage. Straw or stubble mulching in conservation tillage systems help to increase crop yield, maintain biodiversity and increase levels of exogenous nutrients, all of which may influence the structure of fungal communities in the soil. Currently, however, the assembly processes and co-occurrence patterns of fungal sub-communities remain unknown. In this paper, we investigated the effects of no-tillage and straw mulching on the composition, assembly process, and co-occurrence patterns of soil fungal sub-communities in a long-term experimental plot (15 years). The results revealed that combine straw mulching with no-tillage significantly increased the richness of fungi but not their diversity. Differential abundance analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that tillage management had a greater effect on the fungal communities of abundant and intermediate taxa than on the rare taxa. Available phosphorus (AP) and total nitrogen (TN) were the major determinants of fungal sub-communities in NT treatment. The abundant fungal sub-communities were assembled by deterministic processes under medium strength selection, while strong conservation tillage strength shifts the abundant sub-community assembly process from deterministic to stochastic. Overall, the investigation of the ecological network indicated that no-tillage and straw mulching practices decreased the complexity of the abundant and intermediate fungal networks, while not significantly influencing rare fungal networks. These findings refine our knowledge of the response of fungal sub-communities to conservation tillage management techniques and provide new insights into understanding fungal sub-community assembly.

Sustainability assessment of corn production in conventional and conservation tillage systems

To develop sustainable cropping systems, the coherence between economic, environmental, and energy aspects must be considered. We aimed to assess the sustainability of corn (Zea mays) production using four tillage systems which varied in the intensity of soil disturbance (i.e., conventional till with moldboard plow (MP), conventional till with chisel plow (CP), strip-tillage (ST), and no-till (NT)) by performing life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis and Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA). It is common that material and energy wastage is not considered in sustainability assessment studies. When material and energy wastes are calculated in monetary terms, the hidden costs of production will be revealed. Simultaneous application of LCA and MFCA methods in sustainability assessments can provide such valuable information. Cradle-to-farm gate was considered as the system boundary in LCA-MFCA. The total annual energy input for corn production using MP, CP, ST, and NT was found to be 37472 MJ ha−1 (3092 MJ t−1), 36384 MJ ha−1 (3290 MJ t−1), 33717 MJ ha−1 (3309 MJ t−1), and 32889 MJ ha−1 (2764 MJ t−1), respectively. As energy demand increased, yield per ha also increased in all tillage systems except in NT in which yield increase was concurrent with improved energy efficiency. The gross value was calculated as 1470 $ ha−1 (121 $ t−1) for MP, 1446 $ ha−1 (131 $ t−1) for CP, 1380 $ ha−1 (128 $ t−1) for ST, and 1334 $ ha−1 (112 $ t−1) for NT system. The economic indices for each tillage system were computed. Our results showed that eliminating those negative products in corn production can increase farmers' net benefit by 200 $ ha−1. Global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and photochemical ozone creation were selected to reflect the environmental impact associated with corn production in each tillage system. From an environmental standpoint, NT and MP performed much better than CP and ST. In three important impact categories (i.e., global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication potential) MP, and in the other two impact categories (i.e., photochemical ozone creation potential and ozone depletion potential) NT system performed best among all tillage systems. It can be concluded that NT showed the best performance in terms of energy, economic and environmental indicators for corn production followed by MP system.

Corn productivity and soil characteristic alterations following transition from conventional to conservation tillage

Compared to conventional tillage (CT) system (e.g. moldboard plowing (Moldboard-CT) and chisel plowing (Chisel-CT)) adoption rate of conservation tillage systems (e.g. no-till (NT) and strip-till (ST)) in surface- irrigated farms is considerably low. A three-year field study was conducted to evaluate corn (Zea mays L) productivity in four tillage systems ranging in intensity of soil disturbance (i.e. Moldboard-CT, Chisel-CT, ST, and NT) in a furrow-irrigated field. Averaged over three years, corn grain yield was higher in Moldboard-CT (2.9 Mg ha−1) and NT (12.1 Mg ha−1) systems than yields in Chisel-CT (10.9 Mg ha−1) and ST (10.3 Mg ha−1). Tillage system did not affect soil pH, EC, total organic carbon (TOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in 0–15 soil depths under Chisel-CT, ST, and NT compared with Moldboard-CT. No significant differences were found between tillage systems in terms of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) and bulk density, yet soil available water capacity (AWC) and the wet aggregate stability were positively affected by adopting reduced tillage. Economic analysis showed that Return on Investment (ROI) in NT was greater (0.93) than that in CT (0.88), although net return from Moldboard-CT was $44 ha−1 greater than that of NT. The small difference in net return between Moldboard-CT and NT, along with the positive trend observed in soil properties as a result of shifting to NT, indicates the potential of NT to improve corn production sustainability in surface-irrigated agroecosystems in mid- and long-term.

An Evaluation of Cultural and Chemical Control Practices to Reduce Slug Damage in No-till Corn.

Simple SummarySlugs are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in no-tillage systems in the US. The decaying plant residue on the soil surface provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for slug development and survival. In this study, we evaluated several cultural practices to reduce the risk of slug injury and the efficacy of different rates and application patterns of rescue treatments. Corn planted with row cleaner devices to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer to enhance seedling growth, together reduced slug activity around emerging plants and provided more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding damage. We found that reduced rates of molluscicide baits applied as a directed band over the seed row and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied at night provided effective control as rescue treatments. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage.Slugs, primarily the gray garden slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller), are the most damaging non-arthropod pest of corn grown in conservation tillage systems in the US. These mollusks favor decaying plant residue on the soil surface, which provides food, shelter and optimum microenvironmental conditions for their development and survival. Here, field plot experiments evaluated several cultural and chemical control practices to suppress slug activity and feeding injury during early seedling growth. The use of row cleaners to remove surface residue over the seed row and starter fertilizer applied different ways during planting significantly reduced the percentage and severity of plants damaged by slugs by negatively affecting their activity around emerging seedlings and providing more favorable conditions for plants to outgrow and tolerate feeding injury. As rescue treatments, reduced rates of a 4% molluscicide bait applied as a directed band over the seed row, and broadcasted solutions of urea-based nitrogen applied under calm winds at night provided effective slug control. Practical considerations of these treatments are discussed, as well as changes in weather patterns and current planting practices that have had contrasting effects on slug populations and their potential damage.

Tillage and nutrient management influence net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity in soybean-wheat cropping system

Conservation tillage has proven advantageous in improving soil health and productivity. However, the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and intensity from different conservation tillage and nutrient management systems under Indian conditions are less understood. Therefore, here, we compared the effect of tillage and nutrient management on GHGs emissions, net global warming potential (NGWP), and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) from a field experiment under five years in a soybean-wheat cropping system in the Vertisols. The tillage treatments comprised of reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT). The three nutrient management treatments included application of 100% NPK (T1), 100% NPK + 1.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T2), 100% NPK +2.0 Mg FYM-C ha-1 (T3). The results showed significantly higher SOC sequestration under NT (1388 kg ha-1 yr-1) followed byRT (1134 kg ha-1 yr-1) with application of FYM (2.0 Mg C ha-1) (T3) every year. Across tillage, integrated nutrient management(T2 and T3) lowered NGWP and GHGI compared to NPK (T1). The GHGI of NT system was less by 33% compared to RT. The results suggest that GHGs mitigation and sustained food production in the soybean-wheat system can be achieved in NT and RT with integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizer as the major component of nutrient management.

Changes in wheat traits under future climate change and their contributions to yield changes in conventional vs. conservational tillage systems

Exploring the changes in wheat traits under future climate change and their contributions to yield changes is essential to improve the understanding of climate impact mechanisms and develop climate-resilient cultivars, which however has been seldom conducted. In this study, using a process-based crop model (APSIM-Wheat), meta-regression analyses, and machine learning approaches, we assessed the impacts of different warming levels on soil environments and wheat traits; investigated the impacts of future climate change on wheat traits, growth and development; and identified the favorable wheat traits for breeding under future climate change conditions. Meta-analyses showed that climate warming could significantly advance anthesis date by 3.50% and shorten the entire growth duration by 1.18%, although the duration from anthesis to maturity could be elongated by 7.72%. It could also increase grain yield slightly by 2.72% in the North China Plain, mainly due to the increase in biomass by 6.66%, grain weight by 3.86% and the elongating grain-filling period. However, high temperatures could significantly reduce aboveground biomass. The APSIM-Wheat model was validated based on three years' high-quality environment-controlled experimental data in the long-term warming and conservation tillage fields at Yucheng comprehensive experiment station in the North China Plain. The results showed that the mean yield would decrease under RCP4.5 for both tillage managements (conservational tillage: 0.55%, no-tillage: 6.88%), but increase conservational tillage yield (7.7%) under RCP8.5, relative to 1980–2010, owing to the interactive impacts of climate, CO2 and tillage on wheat traits. Soil moisture would play a more important role in biomass, yield, height, LAI, and grain number for conventional tillage than for no-tillage system, and in the future than in the historical period. Our findings gained insights into the impacts of climate change on wheat traits and yield under different tillage managements, which are essential to understand climate change impact mechanisms and develop climate-resilient cultivars.

Long-Term Monitoring of Different Field Traffic Management Practices in Cereals Production with Support of Satellite Images and Yield Data in Context of Climate Change

Cereals in Europe are mainly grown with intensive management. This often leads to the deterioration of the physical properties of the soil, especially increasing bulk density due to heavy machinery traffic, which causes excessive soil compaction. Controlled traffic farming (CTF) technology has the potential to address these issues, as it should be advantageous technology for growing cereals during climate change. The aim of this study was to compare the yield potential of CTF and standardly used random traffic farming (RTF) technology using yield maps obtained from combine harvester and satellite imagery as a remote sensing method. The experiment was performed on a 16-hectare experimental field with a CTF system established in 2009 (with conversion from a conventional (ploughing) to conservation tillage system). Yield was compared in years when small cereals were grown, a total of 7 years within a 13-year period (2009–2021). The results show that CTF technology was advantageous in dry years. Cereals grown in the years 2016, 2017 and 2019 had significantly higher yields under CTF technology. On the contrary, in years with higher precipitation, RTF technology had slightly better results—up to 4%. This confirms higher productivity when using CTF technology in times of climate change.

Mepiquat Chloride Applications across Two Nitrogen Rates in a Conservation Tillage Cotton System

In cotton production, a plant growth regulator is a management tool used to limit excessive cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) vegetative growth, but over-application can promote early cut-out and potentially decrease yield. Specific information on how different plant growth regulator application strategies perform in a conservation tillage system is limited. The objective of this research was to compare how different plant growth regulator strategies affected plant growth and yield across two N rates in a conservation tillage system during the 2006 to 2008 growing seasons in Alabama. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot treatment restriction and four replications across five site-years. Main plots were two N rates (101 and 134 kg N/ha), and subplots were six mepiquat chloride application strategies. The 134 kg N/ha rate increased plant height two out of three years, but the most effective strategy to control plant height varied across growing season. No clear application strategy was identified that consistently minimized height to node ratios. Whole plant biomass decreased with a high mepiquat chloride application rate and late application, but only for one site-year out of five. Yield responses to mepiquat chloride application were inconsistent across growing seasons and varied from a 16% yield decrease to a 9% yield increase. Variable environmental conditions occurred across growing seasons that likely resulted in inconsistent cotton yield response to mepiquat chloride application. Although variable, our results suggest that cotton, grown in a conservation system, responded comparably to mepiquat chloride applications in conventional systems.

Effect of Conventional Tillage and Zero Tillage on Different Soil and Yield Parameters

Conservation and conventional tillage directly affects soil environment for crop production. Conservation tillage provides a layer of crop residue which increases soil fertility, soil erosion, leaching of fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides into the ground water. Studies conducted in different climate zones showed that no-tillage resulted in acidification of surface layer when continued for several years compared to conventional tillage. Some study shows Conservation tillage enhance water infiltration rate and reduce moisture evaporation from soil, while some other study stated slower water infiltration rate in no tillage soil then on tilled. surface tillage and no tillage instead of conventional tillage are to control soil erosion, enhance crop performance, and use energy more efficiently. Decomposition of crop residues kept on the soil surface possibly release allele-chemicals which further strengthen the inhibitory effects on weed seed germination and early growth and development of weed plant. As with impact of tillage on root distribution, no-tillage causes greater and deeper water accumulation in the soil profile and greater root growth. Higher labor, animal or equipment requirement is a major drawback of conventional tillage. Conservational tillage allows elimination of several operations, depending on the conservation tillage systems used. Observation of numerous studies reveals that zero-tillage is superior to conventional tillage resulting in higher yields. Similarly several studies reveals that crops grown under zero tillage have yields as similar as or better than those grown under conventional tillage.