Temporal Variation of Hydro‐Physical Properties of Paddy Clay Soil under Different Rice‐Based Cropping Systems

Spatial variability of hydro‐physical properties has long been observed, whereas temporal variation is much less documented and considered in studies and applications, particularly of paddy clay soils under different cropping systems. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the seasonal‐ and inter‐seasonal variation of selected hydro‐physical properties of a paddy clay soil under different rice‐based cropping systems with contrasting tillage. In a long‐term experiment, plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications: (i) rice–rice–rice; (ii) rice–maize–rice; (iii) rice–mung bean–rice; and (iv) rice–mung bean–maize. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) at three times during two cropping seasons, i.e., 15 days after soil preparation (DASP), 45 DASP and 90 DASP during the winter–spring and spring–summer seasons. Results show that temporal variability of soil bulk density, macro‐porosity (MacP) and matrix‐porosity within both seasons and between seasons was limited for cropping systems with upland crop rotations, whereas within season variation was significant for rice monoculture system. Observed variation in bulk density, matrix‐porosity and MacP was mainly associated with cropping system and soil depth. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity of topsoil showed great temporal variability, both seasonal and inter‐seasonal, in correspondence with MacP (r  = 0·58). These results highlight the need of depth differentiated soil sampling and time consideration when evaluating management practices on soil physical properties and modeling the hydrological behavior of paddy soil. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

江淮区域稻麦两熟制周年资源分配、利用特征

江淮区域稻麦周年两熟种植模式自然资源分配与利用特征尚不明确,限制了该区作物周年高产高效协同发展。本研究通过对江淮区域不同地区多年多点水稻-小麦种植模式高产试验数据分析,明确两熟制季节间资源分配特征、资源利用效率及其与产量的关系。结果表明：2008-2017年小麦季和周年辐射均呈降低趋势,水稻季沿淮和江淮地区呈增加趋势,沿江地区呈降低趋势;小麦季积温呈增加趋势、水稻季大部分呈降低趋势,周年沿淮地区呈增加趋势,江淮和沿江地区呈降低趋势;降雨小麦季、水稻季和周年总体呈增加趋势。江淮地区周年辐射量从北向南逐渐减少,不同种植模式间无显著差异;小麦季、水稻季辐射分配率粳稻-小麦模式分别为53.1%、51.9%,籼稻-小麦模式分别为55.0%、49.8%。江淮地区从北向南累积积温和降雨量逐渐增加,不同种植模式间无显著差异;小麦季、水稻季积温分配率粳稻-小麦模式为38.5%、67.3%,籼稻-小麦模式为40.7%、65.1%;小麦季、水稻季降雨分配率在2种模式间无显著差异,而不同地区间差异显著,沿淮地区为32.8%、70.5%,江淮地区为40.8%、64.7%,沿江地区为46.2%、57.2%。当前生产模式下,江淮区域稻麦两熟种植模式以水稻产量所占比重最高,平均为57.0%。小麦季积温生产效率沿淮地区显著高于江淮地区和沿江地区,不同种植模式间差异较小;水稻季积温生产效率不同地区不同模式间差异较小;周年积温生产效率不同地区间差异显著,且沿淮地区 > 江淮地区 > 沿江地区,不同种植模式间差异不显著。区域间作物光能生产效率差异较小,小麦季、水稻季和周年均无显著差异。不同地区降雨生产效率变异较大,小麦季、水稻季和周年均以沿淮地区大于江淮地区,显著高于沿江地区;不同种植模式间无显著差异。因此,江淮区域稻麦周年两熟资源高效利用原则应以合理配置季节间辐射为主,兼顾降雨和积温。不同地区应结合气候资源配置特点,通过合理的播栽期、周年生育期适宜的品种搭配等栽培措施将部分光热资源调配给水稻,实现产量和资源利用效率双提升。     

Effect of Cropping System on Physical Properties of Clay Soil Under Intensive Rice Cultivation

Cropping systems are thought to alter soil quality in paddy rice fields. This study was conducted to quantify the long‐term effects of continuous crop production under different cropping systems with different crop rotations on physical properties of alluvial clay soil in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Soil samples were collected from four treatments: (i) traditional intensive rice monoculture with three rice crops per year (R–R–R); (ii) rotation with two rice crops and maize (R–M–R); (iii) rotation with two rice crops and mung bean (R–Mb–R); and (iv) rotation with one rice and two upland crops, mung bean and maize (R–Mb–M). We hypothesized that cropping systems with rotations of upland crops and their temporary beds improve the physical quality of paddy rice soil; hence, they are better options towards sustainable agriculture. Results show an improvement of soil physical quality for systems with two rice crops and one upland crop (R–M–R and R–Mb–R) and those with one rice crop with two upland crops (R–Mb–M) compared with intensive rice monoculture (R–R–R). This was translated in decreased bulk density and soil strength, increased soil organic carbon and total porosity, and higher aggregate stability index, plant‐available water capacity, and Dexter's S index, especially at depths of 10–20 and 20–30 cm. The systems with different upland crops (maize or mung bean) showed similar high physical quality improvement. To maintain soil quality in future seasons, introducing a cropping system with at least one upland crop in rotation with rice is recommended. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil loss and run‐off characteristics under different soil amendments and cropping systems in the semi‐deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Soil erosion is a major constraint to crop production on smallholder arable lands in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although different agronomic and mechanical measures have been proposed to minimize soil loss in the region and elsewhere, soil management practices involving biochar‐inorganic inputs interactions under common cropping systems within the framework of climate‐smart agriculture, have been little studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of different soil and crop management practices on soil loss characteristics under selected cropping systems, typical of the sub‐region. A two‐factor field experiment was conducted on run‐off plots under different soil amendments over three consecutive cropping seasons in the semi‐deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The treatments, consisting of three soil amendments (inorganic fertilizer, biochar, inorganic fertilizer + biochar and control) and four cropping systems (maize, soyabean, cowpea, maize intercropped with soyabean) constituted the sub‐plot and main plot factors, respectively. A bare plot was included as a soil erosion check. Seasonal soil loss was greater on the bare plots, which ranged from 9.75–14.5 Mg ha^?1. For individual crops grown alone, soil loss was 31%–40% less under cowpea than under maize. The soil management options, in addition to their direct role in plant nutrition, contributed to significant (p < 0.05) reductions in soil loss. The least soil loss (1.23–2.66 Mg ha^?1) was observed under NPK fertilizer + biochar treatment (NPK + BC) over the three consecutive cropping seasons. Biochar in combination with NPK fertilizer improved soil moisture content under cowpea crops and produced considerably smaller bulk density values than most other treatments. The NPK + BC consistently outperformed the separate mineral fertilizer and biochar treatments in biomass yield under all cropping systems. Biochar associated with inorganic fertilizers gave economic returns with value–cost ratio (VCR) > 2 under soyabean cropping system but had VCR < 2 under all other cropping systems. The study showed that biochar/NPK interactions could be exploited in minimizing soil loss from arable lands in SSA.     

Soil organic carbon stock variability in the Northern Gangetic Plains of India: interaction between agro‐ecological characteristics and cropping systems

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content and its spatial distribution in the Northern Gangetic Plain (NGP) Zone of India were determined to establish the cause–effect relationship between agro‐ecological characteristics, prevailing crop management practices and SOC stock. Area Spread Index (ASI) approach was used to collect soil samples from the NGP areas supporting predominant cropping systems. Exponential ordinary kriging was found most suitable geo‐statistical model for developing SOC surface maps of the NGP. Predicted surface maps indicated that 43.7% area of NGP had 0.5–0.6% SOC, while the rest of the area was equally distributed with high (0.61–0.75%) and low (< 0.5%) SOC content levels. Averaged across cropping systems, maximum SOC content was recorded in Bhabar and Tarai Zone (BTZ), followed by Central Plain Zone (CPZ), Mid‐Western Plain Zone (MWPZ), Western Plain Zone (WPZ) and South‐Western Plain Zone (SWPZ) of the NGP. The SOC stock was above the optimum threshold (> 12.5 Mg/ha) in 97.8, 57.6 and 46.4% areas of BTZ, CPZ and MWPZ, respectively. Only 9.8 and 0.4% area of WPZ and SWPZ, respectively, had SOC stock above the threshold value. The variation in SOC stock was attributed largely to carbon addition through recycling of organic sources, cropping systems, tillage intensity, crop or residue cover and land‐use efficiency, nutrient‐use pattern, soil texture and prevailing ecosystem. Adoption of conservation agriculture, balanced use of nutrients, inclusion of legumes in cropping systems and agro‐forestry were suggested for enhancing SOC stock in the region.     

Soil carbon balance of rice-based cropping systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plains

An agricultural land use system centred on rice-based cropping systems as common in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), with its annual cycles of wet and dry, puddling and ploughing, is unique and exerts a specific influence on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. Reports of yield ‘stagnation’ in some parts of the IGP with a decline in SOM quantity and quality raises concerns about the sustainability of the rice-wheat system in the region. Proper understanding of the soil carbon balance and of measures required to build up or maintain the soil carbon status of such a production system is therefore important for its sustainable production. Long-term experiments conducted in this region are especially useful in gaining understanding of soil carbon dynamics, since the processes affecting carbon dynamics are slow in nature. We used a simple analytical model—Yang's model—to calculate carbon balances in the rice-based cropping systems of the IGP in India. We used eight data sets from rice-based cropping systems from different sub-regions in the IGP, with different crop managements applied to rice, wheat or a third crop. Carbon input into the soil from crop biomass was calculated using data on crop yield and Harvest Index (HI). The values of soil organic carbon content predicted by the model were comparable to the observed values (r = 0.91). The model performs well in situations with porous soils (low clay content), with a pH values in the neutral range (7-7.5) and low annual rainfall as in the situation of Ludhiana-1 and 2. However, it underperforms in situations with heavy clay soils with high rainfall, causing severe anaerobic conditions. The model projections for the long-term (by 2080) show a decline in SOC at all sites in the IGP. Hence, the yield stagnation in the IGP, which has been attributed to a decline in SOC and the associated reduction in nutrient supply, could lead to further decreases in SOC levels, aggravated by climate change-induced higher temperatures.     

Long-term effects of land clearing methods, tillage systems and cropping systems on surface soil properties of a tropical Alfisol in S.W. Nigeria

Abstract. The long-term effects of land clearing methods (manual, shear blade, tree-pusher/root-rake combination, traditional), tillage systems (disc ploughing, mechanized no-tillage, traditional) and cropping systems (annual cropping, alley cropping, graxed pasture) on surface soil physical and chemical properties were evaluated on an Alfisol in south-western Nigeria ten years after land clearing. Long-term soil physical degradation was greatest after mechanized land clearing or tillage systems. The erosion resulting from soil compaction with mechanized land management systems resulted in exposure of subsoil. Cropping system had no significant effect on soil physical properties. Alley cropping decreased exchangeable calcium and pH, and increased total acidity mainly through the greater demand for calcium by the hedgerow species. Grazed pasture depleted exchangeable potassium because it was taken up by the grass and exported from the site by the cattle following consumption of the grass.     

冬季作物-双季稻轮作种植模式氮、磷、钾养分循环与产量可持续性特征

研究分析农业生态系统NPK养分循环和产量的可持续性,对实现养分资源优化管理和农业可持续发展具有重要意义。基于长期冬季作物-双季稻轮作种植定位试验,分析了2004—2017年冬闲-双季稻、马铃薯-双季稻、紫云英-双季稻、黑麦草-双季稻、油菜-双季稻等轮作种植模式早、晚稻产量的可持续性与稳定性;采用投入产出法（Input-Output Analysis）分析不同轮作种植模式NPK养分循环与平衡状况。结果表明：1）黑麦草-双季稻模式早稻产量变异系数与可持续性指数分别为0.09和0.81,说明稻田冬种黑麦草有利于促进早稻产量稳定性和可持续性的提高;油菜-双季稻模式晚稻产量变异系数与可持续性指数分别为0.07和0.82,说明稻田冬种油菜有益于晚稻产量稳定性和可持续性的提高;2）长期冬季作物-双季稻轮作种植未影响水稻产量和糙米NPK养分含量（P>0.05）;3）在稻田轮作种植周年内目前的NPK投入水平下,黑麦草-双季稻、紫云英-双季稻、油菜-双季稻、马铃薯-双季稻等模式均存在严重的K亏缺现象,K亏缺量分别为375.70 kg（K）·hm^-2、279.98 kg（K）·hm^-2、363.71 kg（K）·hm^-2、93.74 kg（K）·hm^-2;黑麦草-双季稻、紫云英-双季稻、油菜-双季稻等模式均在冬季作物种植季存在严重的K亏缺现象,K亏缺量分别为240.07 kg（K）·hm^-2、89.57 kg（K）·hm^-2、140.08 kg（K）·hm^-2,但马铃薯-双季稻模式在马铃薯种植季K盈余为255.21 kg（K）·hm^-2;同时黑麦草-双季稻模式和紫云英-双季稻模式均存在冬季作物种植季存在N亏缺,N亏缺量分别为59.47 kg（N）·hm^-2和89.17 kg（N）·hm^-2;油菜-双季稻模式和马铃薯-双季稻模式在晚稻种植季均存在严重的K亏缺现象,K亏缺量分别为45.93 kg（K）·hm^-2、124.33 kg（K）·hm^-2。冬季作物-双季稻轮作种植模式的养分循环是冬季作物和外部投入的NPK肥料共同驱动的养分循环,建议科学管理冬季作物和3季的NPK养分投入。     

Response of soyabean (Glycine max Mer.) to wheat straw mulching in different cropping seasons

Abstract. The favoured temperature range for soyabean seed germination is 25–30 °C and the crop is sensitive to water stress. In northern India, the crop is sown in the hot-dry months of May–June. Straw mulching can alter the soil's hydrothermal regime by lowering the temperature and reducing evaporation losses. A field experiment was conducted from 1999 to 2002 at the Research Farm of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on a loamy sand soil to evaluate the effect of wheat straw mulch on soil temperature, soyabean seed yield and crop growth. Maximum soil temperatures at sowing depth, recorded during the 1-month period after sowing (seed germination to seedling establishment stage), were high under no-mulch, ranging from 30.6 to 48.6 °C, while mulching substantially reduced these temperatures by 1.4 to 12.7 °C. Mulching increased soyabean seed yield by 4.4 to 68.3% in different cropping seasons; it also increased plant biomass by 17 to 122% and nodule mass by 8 to 220%. Leaf area index, chlorophyll content of leaves and number of pods per plant were all increased. Seed yield improvement under mulch was negatively correlated with rainfall distribution (number of rainy days) and amount during the whole cropping season. The percentage increase in seed yield with mulching was regressed against the total number of rainy days and total rainfall in millimetres in the cropping season. Thereby 93% of the variation in response to mulching in different cropping seasons was explained by the distribution and amount of rainfall.     

Resource flows,crops and soil fertility management in smallholder farming systems in semi‐arid Zimbabwe

Poor soil fertility and erratic rains are major constraints to crop production in semi‐arid environments. In the smallholder farming systems of sub‐Saharan Africa, these constraints are manifested in frequent crop failures and endemic food insecurity. We characterized a semi‐arid smallholder farming system in south‐western Zimbabwe to assess crop production, nutrient use and factors that constrain productivity. The farming system was studied using resource flow mapping, farmer interviews and calculations of crop production over three cropping seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005) to capture variability between years. Farmers were categorized into three groups: better resourced, medium resourced and poorly resourced. Better resourced farmers produced adequate grain for basic household consumption, except in the drought year (2002/2003). Poorly resourced farmers had large grain deficits, whereas the medium resourced class had smaller deficits. Better resourced and medium resourced farmers produced adequate amounts of staple cereal in two of the seasons, while poorly resourced farmers produced inadequate amounts of food in all three seasons. All farmers produced less than 300 kg/ha of legumes per season. Lack of seed was cited as the main reason for poor legume production. Better resourced farmers used animal manure (2000–5000 kg per season) and some fertilizer on their cereal crops, while the medium resourced group used less manure (1000 kg or less) and no fertilizer. The use of manure varied strongly across the years. Poorly resourced farmers used no nutrient inputs on any of their crops. All groups had negative nitrogen balances during the three cropping seasons, although the values varied strongly between seasons. Investigation of the potential strategies for developing sustainable production systems are required to address the problems of food security in the semi‐arid parts of the country and the region.     

Surface soil responses to silage cropping intensity on a Typic Kanhapludult in the piedmont of North Carolina

Although reduced tillage itself is beneficial to soil quality and farm economics, the amount of crop residues returned to the soil will likely alter the success of a particular conservation tillage system within a farm operation. We investigated the impact of three cropping systems (a gradient in silage cropping intensity) on selected soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in the Piedmont of North Carolina, USA. Cropping systems were: (1) maize (Zea mays L.) silage/barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage (high silage intensity), (2) maize silage/winter cover crop (medium silage intensity), and (3) maize silage/barley grain—summer cover crop/winter cover crop (low silage intensity). There was an inverse relationship between silage intensity and the quantity of surface residue C and N contents. With time, soil bulk density at a depth of 0–3 cm became lower and total and particulate C and N fractions, and stability of macroaggregates became higher with lower silage intensity as a result of greater crop residue returned to soil. Soil bulk density at 0–3 cm depth was initially 0.88 Mg m⁻³ and increased to 1.08 Mg m⁻³ at the end of 7 years under high silage intensity. Total organic C at 0–20 cm depth was initially 11.7 g kg⁻¹ and increased to 14.3 g kg⁻¹ at the end of 7 years under low silage intensity. Stability of macroaggregates at 0–3 cm depth at the end of 7 years was 99% under low silage intensity, 96% under medium silage intensity, and 89% under high silage intensity. Soil microbial biomass C at 0–3 cm depth at the end of 7 years was greater with low silage intensity (1910 mg kg⁻¹) than with high silage intensity (1172 mg kg⁻¹). Less intensive silage cropping (i.e., greater quantities of crop residue returned to soil) had a multitude of positive effects on soil properties, even in continuous no-tillage crop production systems. An optimum balance between short-term economic returns and longer-term investments in improved soil quality for more sustainable production can be achieved in no-tillage silage cropping systems.     

Identifying indicators of C and N cycling in a clayey Ultisol under different tillage and uses in winter

Although tropical and subtropical environments permit two cropping cycles per year, maintaining adequate mulching on the soil surface remains a challenge. In some cases, leaving soils fallow during the winter as an agricultural practice to control pathogens contributes to reduce soil mulching. The aim of this study was to assess attributes associated with C and N cycling in a soil under conventional and no-tillage management, with contrasting uses in winter: black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) as cover crop or fallow. No-tillage increased total C and N, irrespective the winter crop. Cropping black oats under no-tillage resulted in more microbial biomass C and N, and glutaminase activity (15.2%, 65.2%, and 24%, respectively) than no-tillage under fallow. Under conventional tillage, winter cropping did not affect the attributes under study. Available P was higher in the no-tillage system (9.2–12.3 mg kg⁻¹), especially when cropped with black oats, than in the conventional tillage system (4.8–6.6 mg kg⁻¹). A multivariate analysis showed strong relationships between soil microbiological and chemical attributes in the no-tillage system, especially when cropped with black oats. Soil pH, dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities were the most effective at separating the soil use in winter. Microbial N, total N, microbial to total N ratio, available P, metabolic quotient (qCO₂), and glutaminase activity were more effective at separating soil management regimes. The no-tillage system in association with winter oat cropping stimulated the soil microbial community, carbon and nutrient cycling, thereby helping to improve the sustainability of the cropping system.     

Methane emission from paddy fields in Taiwan

 In order to investigate the effect of environmental conditions on CH₄ emission from paddy fields in Taiwan, four locations, two cropping seasons and two irrigation systems were studied. CH₄ emission was high at the active tillering and the booting stages in the first cropping season, whereas it was low at the transplanting and the ripening stages with an intermittent irrigation system. CH₄ emission was high at the transplanting stage in the second cropping season, and decreased gradually during rice cultivation. Daily temperature and light intensity increased gradually during rice growth in the first cropping season (February–June), while it was reversed in the second cropping season (August–December). The seasonal CH₄ emission from paddy fields ranged from 1.73 to 11.70 g m^–2, and from 10.54 to 39.50 g m^–2 in the first and second cropping seasons, respectively. The seasonal CH₄ emission in the second cropping season was higher than that in the first cropping season in all test fields. The seasonal CH₄ emission was 32.65 mg m^–2 in the first cropping season of the National Taiwan University paddy field with continuous flooding, and it was 28.85 mg m^–2 in the second cropping season. The annual CH₄ emission ranged from 12.3 to 49.3 g m^–2 with an intermittent irrigation system, and the value was 61.5 g m^–2 with a continuous flooding treatment. The annual CH₄ emission from paddy fields was estimated to be 0.034 Tg in 1997 from 364,212 ha of paddy fields with an intermittent irrigation system, which was less than the 0.241 Tg calculated by the IPCC method with a continuous flooding treatment Received: 23 February 2000     

A comparison between seasonal changes in soil water storage and penetration resistance under conventional and conservation tillage systems in Aragón

Low and extremely variable precipitations limit dryland crop production in the semi-arid areas of Aragón (NE Spain). These areas are also affected by high annual rates of topsoil losses by both wind and water erosion. A long-term experiment to determine the feasibility of conservation tillage in the main winter barley production areas of Aragón was initiated in 1989 at four locations, three on loam to silt loam soils (Xerollic Calciorthid) and one on a silty clay loam (Fluventic Ustochrept), receiving between 300 and 600 mm of average annual rainfall. In this study, we compared, under both continuous cropping and cereal-fallow rotation, the effects of conventional tillage (mouldboard plough) and two conservation tillage systems, reduced tillage (chisel plough) and no-tillage, on soil water content and penetration resistance during the first two growing seasons. Whereas reduced and conventionally tilled treatments generally had similar soil water content during the experimental period, the effects of no-tillage were inconsistent. No-tilled plots had from 26% less to 17% more stored soil water (0–80 cm) than conventional tilled plots at the beginning of the growing season. In contrast to the conventional and reduced tillage treatments, penetration resistances were between 2 and 4 MPa after sowing in most of the plough layer (0–40 cm) under no-tillage at all sites. Fallow efficiencies in moisture storage in the cereal-fallow rotation, when compared with the continuous cropping system, ranged from −8.7 to 12%. The highest efficiencies were recorded when the rainfall in the months close to primary tillage exceeded 100 mm. Since this event is very unlikely, long fallowing (9–10 months) appears to be an inefficient practice for water conservation under both conventional and conservation management. Our results suggest that, up to now, only reduced tillage could replace conventional tillage without adverse effects on soil water content and penetration resistance in the dryland cereal-growing areas of Aragón.     

A 60-years old field experiment demonstrates the benefit of leys in the crop rotation

In the 1950s, a long-term experiment was initiated at three locations in Northern Sweden. The treatments included four cropping systems, which differed in the number of years with leys or annual crops in the crop rotation. To create awareness of the experiment as a research resource for further scientific studies, we summarise the history (experimental design, materials and methods, main measurements) and scientific findings of the experiment, as well as reflect on its usefulness and opportunities for further studies. So far, scientific focus has been on the effects of cropping systems on soil characteristics. The main findings indicate that soil porosity and hydraulic conductivity were greater in cropping systems with a large proportion of ley, soil bulk density showed the opposite trend. In terms of chemical properties, cropping systems incorporating more ley also have greater soil organic carbon content than annual crops systems, and both soil carbon and N storage decrease over time in cropping systems with only annual crops. The effects of cropping system on crop yields and quality are areas for further investigation.     

What soil information do crop advisors use to develop nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for grain growers in New South Wales,Australia?

The Australian grains industry relies on mineralized nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter and plant residues, but fertilizer N is increasingly needed to optimize yields. Most farmers are guided on N fertilizer requirements by commercial crop advisors. We surveyed (n = 132) and interviewed (n = 11) New South Wales grains advisors to gauge the usage of soil process understanding, soil data and decision support systems (DSSs) when developing N recommendations. Soil moisture at sowing, seasonal forecasts, crop rotation, soil mineral N, financial risk profiles and paddock history were all used to prepare N fertilizer advice, but stored soil moisture was most important. Farmer confidence in soil N testing was low due to high spatial variability. Most advisors calculated N fertilizer required for yields within 10%–15% of crop potential, but clients’ attitude to financial risk guided final N recommendations. Conservative growers preferred a low input system, while more reliable rainfall or greater reliance on stored soil water led growers to apply higher N rates to maximize long‐term profits. Advisors preferred “rules‐of‐thumb,” simple DSSs and knowledge of crop growth, to elaborate DSSs requiring detailed inputs and soil characterization. Few used in‐crop N sensing. N decision methodologies need to be updated to account for changes in soil fertility, cropping systems and farming practices. New research is needed to answer practical questions regarding soil N mineralization and N losses associated with alternative N application practices and extreme weather events. Training of new advisors in N processes and DSS use needs to be ongoing.     

An analysis of agricultural livestock and traditional crop production statistics as a function of total annual and early,mid and late rainy season rainfall in Botswana

Total rainfall amounts are usually not considered as useful indicators for agricultural season qualities because they do not reflect other parameters such as rainfall distribution, crop water requirements and soil moisture-holding capacities. Most methods that also take into account the above parameters have not been validated for Botswana because of the country's restricted meteorological network and because of the non-availability of the necessary soil data. Rainfall alone is, therefore, one of the most frequently used parameters in drought monitoring and quality assessments of agricultural seasons and provides essential, but rough information several months before the real agricultural production data have become available.In this paper, Botswana's national cattle herd size between 1965 and 1985, regional cattle death ratios and regional traditional crop production between 1979 and 1985 have been analysed as a function of total annual and early, mid and late rainy season rainfall as defined by Bhalotra (1985a). It was found that in Botswana, with marginal rainy season conditions both for cattle and crops, such an analysis can be used as a useful indicator for the agricultural quality of a rainy season. To obtain an indicator of the season quality for livestock performance, a weighted average for the past three seasons and for October December (early), January February (mid) and March-April (late) rainfall has to be used. A good indicator for the crop season quality can be obtained from a weighted average of early, mid and late rainfall of the actual season.These indicators cannot, however, be used as indices to forecast livestock condition or crop production, but only to carry out acceptable assessments of rainy season conditions on a subnational or areal scale.     

Cassava-legume intercrop: I. Effects of relative planting dates of legumes on cassava productivity

ABSTRACT

Cassava is a long duration crop which grows slowly during the early stages hence incorporation of early maturing crops may improve resource use efficiency and hence crop productivity in cassava-based cropping systems. We conducted field experiments in clay and loamy sand soils, in two consecutive seasons, to assess the response of cassava productivity to relative planting dates of 3 legume species (Bambara groundnut, chickpea and cowpea) in a cassava-legume intercrop. Root yield, determined at 10 months after planting, was greater at 4 weeks after cassava (1.7 kg plant^–1) compared to when legumes were planted same time (1.2 kg plant^–1) and 2 weeks after cassava (0.7 kg plant^–1), and intercropping decreased cassava root yield by 40% (cowpea) and 26% (chickpea) in season I in the clay soils. Neither relative planting dates of legumes nor cropping systems affected root yield in both seasons in the loamy sand soils. Intercropping increased LER in season I by 25% to 65% in clay, and 45% to 101% in loamy sand soils. Although cassava root yield was highest with a 4 week-delay in sowing the legumes and LER greatest in cassava-cowpea intercrop, we propose further studies before making any definite recommendations.     

Crop and water productivity,profitability and energy consumption pattern of a maize-based crop sequence in the North Eastern Himalayan Region,India

Mono-cropping is the most common farming practice followed in the North Eastern Hilly Region (NEHR) of India and farmers leave the land fallow after harvesting the main crop. The identification of suitable sequential crops is essential to increase the cropping intensity, land-use efficiency and overall productivity of the land. Therefore, a study was carried out during 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 on maize (rainy season) followed by table pea, mustard, French bean and groundnut (post rainy season). Sequence crops were imposed with paddy straw mulch at 5.0 t ha^?1 and without mulch. The availability of water and moisture retention was higher (p < 0.05) on mulched plots, yield was also higher. However, recorded soil temperature was higher on mulched plots at 08.00 hours and lower at 12.00 and 16.00 hours compared with the no-mulch plots. Recorded maize equivalent yield, production efficiency, economics and total energy use and output (MJ ha^?1) were higher for maize–French bean.     

Interactive effects of in situ rainwater harvesting techniques and fertilizer sources on mitigation of soil moisture stress for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in dryland areas of Tanzania

Nutrient deficiency, high rate of evapotranspiration, and insufficient and erratic rainfall are the critical challenges for crop production in the dryland areas (DLAs) of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania, where 61% of arable land is prone to drought. In addressing these challenges, field trials were conducted in central Tanzania to evaluate the interactive effects of ripping and tie-ridges with organic (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers (N) on the mitigation of the critical period of soil moisture stress (CPSMS) for sorghum yield performance. Both in situ rainwater harvesting techniques (IRWHT) and flat-cultivated land were integrated with 8 Mg FYM ha^–1, 70 Kg N ha^–1, and a combination of 35 Kg N ha^–1 and 4 Mg FYM ha^–1 (N+ FYM). Among the IRWHT, tie-ridges stored a significant water volume of 577 and 457 m³ ha^–1, which mitigated the CPSMS by the maximum of 95% and 37% for the above-average rainfall and below-average rainfall season, respectively. However, it only registered the highest grain yield (2.02 Mg ha^–1) and biomass (3.46 Mg ha^–1) in a below-average rainfall season. The highest overall grain yield (5.73 Mg ha^–) and biomass (12.09 Mg ha^–1) were harvested in ripping with combined fertilizer treatments in an above-average rainfall season, while the lowest grain yield (0.5 Mg ha^–1) and biomass (1.2 Mg ha^–1) were registered in the flat-cultivation control in the below-average rainfall season. In the latter season, IRWHT increased the mitigation potential in the order; flat cultivation < ripping < tie-ridges; and sorghum yield, highly correlated with drought mitigation index. The results showed that sorghum grain yield and final biomass performance depend on the influence of IRWHT applied, rainfall amount, soil moisture level, integrated fertilizer, and length of the CPSMS. In the above-average rainfall seasons, fertilizers mask the influence of the IRWHT. The opposite is true in the below-average rainfall season. Although ripping_– N+ FYM resulted in the highest overall yield, the study recommends practicing tie-ridges integrated with N+ FYM due to regular occurrences of low and unreliable rainfall in the dryland areas.