Crotalaria (C. ochroleuca G. Don.) as a green manure in maize–bean cropping systems in Uganda

Crotalaria (C. ochroleuca G. Don.) used as a green manure may improve the productivity of maize–bean cropping systems in eastern Africa. To test this hypothesis, three field studies were conducted over three consecutive cropping seasons at Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute in Uganda. In the first season, crotalaria biomass was produced in pure stands or in intercrop systems with either common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) or maize (Zea mays L.) as companion crops. Crotalaria was sown at planting and three weeks after planting the food crops. The biomass of early planted crotalaria was mulched, that of late planted crotalaria was incorporated into the soil at planting of the following crop. The first subsequent crop was maize, and the second was either beans (in two seasons) or maize (in one season). In the crotalaria production season, mean yield losses of maize through intercropping with early or late sown crotalaria were 40 and 22%, respectively; the corresponding values for beans were 45 and 14%. In the first cropping season after crotalaria production, the increase in maize grain yield on account of crotalaria averaged 39%; the best response (68% increase) to crotalaria was obtained with early sown sole crotalaria applied as mulch. Major differences in soil mineral nitrogen content among the treatments occurred at the six-leaf stage of maize only. In the second cropping season following crotalaria production, the mean increases in seed yields of beans or maize, due to crotalaria, were 23 and 19%, respectively, indicating a considerable residual effect of crotalaria green manure. The decrease in bulk density, and the increase in water infiltration capacity of the soil suggest that the yield stimulation because of crotalaria not only resulted from the increased nitrogen supply, but also from more favorable soil physical properties. Considering the competitive effect of crotalaria with the food crops and the positive effect on yields of subsequent crops, two options are especially promising: incorporation of crotalaria produced by relay intercropping with beans and mulching of early sown crotalaria produced in pure stands.     

基于APSIM模型的不同施肥处理下春玉米产量模拟及气候敏感性分析

以平凉市泾川县大田试验为基础,利用农业生产系统模拟模型,探究不同类型施肥处理对春玉米产量的影响以及气候变化对春玉米产量影响的敏感性差异,分析APSIM模型对模拟该地区春玉米产量的适应性。结果表明,APSIM模型对该区域春玉米产量的模拟效果较好,决定系数(R²)介于0.934～0.975,归一化均方根误差(NRMSE)介于6.073%～9.758%,模型一致性指标(D)介于0.952～0.987。模型敏感分析显示,年平均温度是模拟不同施肥处理下春玉米产量的敏感参数,其变化程度对模拟结果影响较大,不同施肥处理(CK、N、NP)下的敏感指数分别为0.533 2、0.558 7和0.568 2。     

Growth and Nutrient Accumulation of Winged Bean and Velvet Bean as Cover Crops in a Subtropical Region

We examined biomass dry matter and nutrient uptake of live plant parts, leaf area index, and litter of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) 12, 18, 24 and 30 weeks after sowing (WAS). The two plants had similar leaf and stem+petiole biomasses. At 30 WAS winged bean had a significantly lower pod yield than velvet bean. Between 18 and 30 WAS, winged bean produced less litter than velvet bean due to differences in growth stages. The total mulch of live parts and litter of winged bean and velvet bean completely covered the ground by 18 and 12 WAS, respectively. Compared to velvet bean, the leaf and stem+petiole of winged bean had a significantly higher N concentration; significantly higher N uptake at 24 and 30 WAS; significantly lower C/N ratio; and significantly higher P, K and Mg concentrations. In winged bean, P uptake was significantly higher in the leaf at 30 WAS and in the stem+petiole at all harvesting times. The total biomass of the leaf, stem+petiole and litter of winged bean was 317–561 g DM m-², and their N content was 12.3–17.7 g m-². The total biomass of live parts and litter of winged bean might be sufficient to suppress weeds and increase soil N. Winged bean is an appropriate legume cover crop and green manure due to its longer growing period and superior ground-covering ability and high N input.     

Simulation analysis of lucerne–wheat crop rotation on the Loess Plateau of Northern China

The Agricultural Production System Simulator (APSIM) was parameterised and tested against datasets from two field experiments being conducted on Heilu soil at the Qingyang Research Station, Gansu, China as to investigate long-term lucerne productivity and management options of reducing impact of lucerne on winter wheat yield in a lucerne–wheat rotation system. With minimal parameterisation and configuration of the APSIM-Lucerne module, APSIM was able to simulate phenological development and seasonal growth of winter-dormant lucerne cultivar, Longdong compared with the observed data. Flowering date was accurately simulated using the established relationship between accumulated thermal time and mean photoperiod. After the APSIM-Lucerne module was configured for the seasonal variation in RUE (radiation use efficiency), the model simulated lucerne seasonal biomass production over three growing seasons in the continuous lucerne treatment with a root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 1132 kg/ha (30% of the mean observed biomass). In the treatment where lucerne was removed in August 2001 and two winter wheat crops were sown and harvested in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 growing seasons, APSIM simulated winter wheat crop biomass in both growing seasons with a RMSD of 1420 kg/ha (20% of the mean observed crop biomass). Wheat grain yield was simulated with a RMSD of 918 kg/ha (27% of the mean observed grain yield). Using measurements of drained upper limit (DUL) and lower limit (LL), and standard soil evaporation and runoff parameters, the model was able to simulate soil water dynamics and water use by lucerne in the lucerne-fallow, continuous lucerne and lucerne–wheat treatments.     

Agronomic and economic evaluation of Sesbania rostrata green manure establishment in irrigated rice

Research on crop establishment methods may improve green manure performance, reduce costs, and increase the adaptability of pre-rice green manure technology in lowland rice-based cropping systems. A two-season field experiment was conducted at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Philippines in 1991–1992 to compare four establishment practices of Sesbania rostrata green manure (zero tillage, with tillage, relay cropping in rice for 2 or 4 weeks) with four mineral N fertilizer levels (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg urea N/ha) in an intensive irrigated lowland system with three rice crops per year. S. rostrata was grown twice a year during the 43-day dry-wet and wet-dry transition periods between the wet and dry season rice crops.

Grain yield potential and fertilizer responsiveness of rice was generally highest in the dry season. On the other hand, S. rostrata growth was more vigorous in the wet season (long-day period) than in the dry season, regardless of establishment method. Green manure N accumulation was lowest with zero tillage (30 and 90 kg N/ha in dry and wet season, respectively) and highest when it was relay-cropped for two weeks (60 and 180 kg N/ha in dry and wet season, respectively). Land preparation for Sesbania ensured best green manure stand (> 100 plants/m² vs 20–40 plants/m² at no-till establishments) but increased costs of green manuring by US$16/ha compared with other establishment methods. A quadratic response function between mineral fertilizer equivalence and green manure N indicated that up to 75 kg N/ha, lowland rice uses green manure N more efficiently than urea. Depending on season and establishment method, S. rostrata substituted for 35 to 90 kg of split-applied urea N. Benefit-cost ratios indicated that pre-rice green manure use in the wet season under the current fertilizer and labor prices in the Philippines was a less attractive economic option than mineral N fertilizer. This was true for all establishment methods. In the dry season, S. rostrata established by relay cropping gave the highest rate of return. The 2-week relay cropping of green manure with irrigated rice gave highest green manure N accumulation and rice grain yield, and may be economically viable where fertilizer prices are higher or labor costs are lower than in the Philippines.     

Modeling grain yield and grain yield response to nitrogen in spring wheat crops in the Argentinean Southern Pampa

Agronomic efficiency (kg grain yield kg⁻¹ N applied) is conditioned by environmental factors and nitrogen availability during the growing period. Hence, a fertilization model that considers environmental factors affecting wheat crop growth and effective N supply should be based on crop N demand. In this work, a simple model based on N balance during the growing season is used as the frame to simulate both the demand and the availability of N, and to determine grain yield. Fertilization experiments were conducted under different environments (50 sites, 8 y) of the Southern Pampa of Argentina. Nitrogen fertilization rates ranged between 25 and 125 kg N ha⁻¹. Soil initial conditions and water balance during the crop cycle were found to modify both N demand and soil N supply. The amount of N taken up by crops, water balance during the crop growth period and mean maximum temperature during grain filling, all affected grain yield components. The proposed model provided a good agreement between observed independent data sets and simulated values of grain yield (root mean square error = 9% of the mean value). Model operation was performed for one site within the region using climatic records to estimate annual grain yield variability under three levels of N availability.     

Growth,yield and nitrogen performance of faba bean intercrops with oat and triticale at varying seeding ratios

Intercropping of grain legumes with cereals may offer several advantages over sole crops for forage production and is commonly used, particularly in low‐input agriculture. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) sole crops as well as the intercrops of faba bean with each of the above cereals, in three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75), were compared for dry‐matter (DM) yield, nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, growth rate and plant height in a 2‐year field experiment. Triticale sole crop and faba bean intercrops with triticale provided higher DM yield than faba bean sole crop and the intercrops of faba bean with oat. Growth rates of faba bean, oat and triticale in mixtures were lower than those in sole crops. Faba bean plants were taller in the intercrops than in the sole crop at 3 weeks after tillering (WAT), whereas at 6 WAT, the trend was different as faba bean plants in the sole crop were taller than in the intercrops. N concentration was higher for the cereals when faba bean was included in the mixture. Crude protein (CP) concentration was the highest in faba bean sole crop followed by the faba bean intercrops with oat. However, triticale sole crop and faba bean mixtures with triticale provided higher CP yield than all other crops because of their highest DM yield. Thus, mixtures of faba beans with triticale could be a promising alternative for increased forage production because of their capacity for high DM and protein yields.     

Productivity and residual benefits of grain legumes to sorghum under semi-arid conditions in south-western Zimbabwe: Unravelling the effects of water and nitrogen using a simulation model

The APSIM model was used to assess the impact of legumes on sorghum grown in rotation in a nutrient-limited system under dry conditions in south-western Zimbabwe. An experiment was conducted at Lucydale, Matopos Research Station, between 2002 and 2005. The model was used to simulate soil and plant responses in the experiment. Sequences of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were used in the rotations. Legumes accumulated up to 130 kg of N ha⁻¹ which was potentially available for uptake by sorghum in the following season. The APSIM model predicted total biomass, grain and N yields of the legume phase within the experimental error and performed well in predicting sorghum yield and N supplied in the rotation after cowpea and groundnut. The model generally under-predicted sorghum total biomass and grain yield after pigeonpea. Observed patterns of crop water use, evaporative losses during the dry season and re-charge of soil profile at the start of the rainy season were generally well predicted by the model. An assessment of output on sorghum N and water stresses in the rotation indicated that the legume–cereal rotation is more driven by soil nitrogen availability than water availability even under semi-arid conditions. Further legume–cereal rotation analysis using the model will assist in the understanding of other processes in the rotations in dry environments.     

The value of catch crops and organic manures for spring barley in organic arable farming

The effect of nitrogen (N) supply and weeds on grain yield of spring barley was investigated from 1997 to 2004 in an organic farming crop rotation experiment in Denmark on three different soil types varying from coarse sand to sandy loam. Two experimental factors were included in the experiment in a factorial design: (1) catch crop (with and without), and (2) manure (with and without). The crop rotation included grass-clover as a green manure crop. Animal manure was applied as slurry in rates corresponding to 40% of the N demand of the cereal crops.

Application of 50 kg NH₄-N ha⁻¹ in manure (slurry) increased average barley grain DM yield by 1.0–1.3 Mg DM ha⁻¹, whereas the use of catch crops (primarily perennial ryegrass) increased grain DM yield by 0.2–0.4 Mg DM ha⁻¹ with the smallest effect on the loamy sand and sandy loam soils and the greatest effect on the coarse sandy soil. Model estimations showed that the average yield reduction from weeds varied from 0.2 to 0.4 Mg DM ha⁻¹ depending on weed species and density. The yield effects of N supply were more predictable and less variable than the effects of weed infestation. The infestation level of leaf diseases was low and not a significant source of yield variation.

The apparent recovery efficiency of N in grains (N use efficiency, NUE) from NH₄-N in applied manure varied from 29 to 38%. The NUE of above-ground N in catch crops sampled in November prior to the spring barley varied from 16 to 52% with the largest value on the coarse sandy soil and the smallest value on the sandy loam soil. A comparison of grain yield levels obtained at the different locations with changes in soil organic matter indicated a NUE of 21–26% for soil N mineralisation, which is smaller than that for the mineral N applied in manure. However, this estimate is uncertain and further studies are needed to quantify differences in NUE from various sources of N.

The proportion of perennial weeds in total biomass increased during the experiment, particularly in treatments without manure application. The results show that manure application is a key factor in maintaining good crop yields in arable organic farming on sandy soils, and in securing crops that are sufficiently competitive against perennial weeds.     

Cereal–legume rotations in a Mediterranean environment: biomass and yield production

The effects of various crop rotations on the biomass and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions were studied during three growing seasons in the semiarid Spanish Central Plateau. The treatments comprised six crop sequences: barley monoculture, fallow–barley (currently used in the area), faba bean–barley, pea–barley, fallow–barley–faba bean, and fallow–barley–pea. The fallow was of 16-month duration. The site is representative of cultivated areas of the Plateau, and the soil has a loam texture. Results concentrate on barley as the main crop. Season distribution of rainfall restricted the effectiveness of the management practices and in consequence there were few differences between rotations. Barley had greater biomass and yield after fallow than after other crops but significant differences were dependent on year. Legumes, an alternative to fallow, increased land use, permitted alternative weed control measures, and reduced the need for fertiliser. The intensification of the fallow–barley cropping system is best achieved by reducing the frequency of fallow and including other crops of relatively small biomass production, thereby minimising the impact on yield of the succeeding barley crop.     

Effect of winter cover crop species and planting methods on maize yield and N availability under irrigated Mediterranean conditions

Under semiarid Mediterranean conditions irrigated maize has been associated to diffuse nitrate pollution of surface and groundwater. Cover crops grown during winter combined with reduced N fertilization to maize could reduce N leaching risks while maintaining maize productivity. A field experiment was conducted testing two different cover crop planting methods (direct seeding versus seeding after conventional tillage operations) and four different cover crops species (barley, oilseed rape, winter rape, and common vetch), and a control (bare soil). The experiment started in November 2006 after a maize crop fertilized with 300 kg N ha⁻¹ and included two complete cover crop-maize rotations. Maize was fertilized with 300 kg N ha⁻¹ at the control treatment, and this amount was reduced to 250 kg N ha⁻¹ in maize after a cover crop. Direct seeding of the cover crops allowed earlier planting dates than seeding after conventional tillage, producing greater cover crop biomass and N uptake of all species in the first year. In the following year, direct seeding did not increase cover crop biomass due to a poorer plant establishment. Barley produced more biomass than the other species but its N concentration was much lower than in the other cover crops, resulting in higher C:N ratio (>26). Cover crops reduced the N leaching risks as soil N content in spring and at maize harvest was reduced compared to the control treatment. Maize yield was reduced by 4 Mg ha⁻¹ after barley in 2007 and by 1 Mg ha⁻¹ after barley and oilseed rape in 2008. The maize yield reduction was due to an N deficiency caused by insufficient N mineralization from the cover crops due to a high C:N ratio (barley) or low biomass N content (oilseed rape) and/or lack of synchronization with maize N uptake. Indirect chlorophyll measurements in maize leaves were useful to detect N deficiency in maize after cover crops. The use of vetch, winter rape and oilseed rape cover crops combined with a reduced N fertilization to maize was efficient for reducing N leaching risks while maintaining maize productivity. However, the reduction of maize yield after barley makes difficult its use as cover crop.     

Clover cover crops under-sown in winter wheat increase yield of subsequent spring barley—Effect of N dose and companion grass

Four two-year field trials, arranged in randomised split-plots, were carried out in southern Sweden with the aim of determining whether reduced N fertiliser dose in winter wheat production with spring under-sown clover cover crops, with or without perennial ryegrass in the seed mixture, would increase the clover biomass and hence the benefits of the cover crops in terms of the effect on the wheat crop, on a subsequent barley crop and on the risk of N leaching. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 or 180 kg N ha⁻¹) constituted the main plots and six cover crop treatments the sub-plots. The cover crop treatments were red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in pure stands and in mixtures. The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was harvested in August and the cover crops were ploughed under in November. The risk of N leaching was assessed in November by measuring the content of mineral N in the soil profile (0–30, 30–90 cm). In the following year, the residual effects of the cover crops were investigated in spring barley (Hordeum distichon L.) without additional N. Under-sowing of cover crops did not influence wheat yield, while reduced N fertiliser dose decreased yield and increased the clover content of the cover crops. When N was applied, the mixed cover crops were as effective in depleting soil mineral nitrogen as a pure ryegrass cover crop, while pure clover was less efficient. The clover content at wheat harvest as well as the amount of N incorporated with the cover crops had a positive correlation with barley yield. Spring barley in the unfertilised treatments yielded, on average, 1.9–2.4 Mg DM ha⁻¹ more in treatments with clover cover crops than in the treatment without cover crops. However, this positive effect decreased as the N dose to the preceding wheat crop increased, particularly when the clover was mixed with grass.     

Orchardgrass response to different types,rates and application patterns of dairy manure

Manure management is a difficult task on many intensive dairy farms. Crops that can utilize large quantities of manure N, yield quality forage with larger rates of manure application, and allow manure spreading at different times in a year can simplify that task. A study was conducted in 1990 and 1991 on a Copake sandy loam soil (mixed mesic) in New Milford, Connecticut. The objectives were: (1) to measure and compare dry matter (DM) response of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) to different amounts and application times of N fertilizer and liquid and solid cattle manure; and (2) to determine crop uptake of fertilizer and manure N. Fertilizer and liquid and solid manure were applied to the soil surface annually in amounts of 150, 300 or 450 kg N ha⁻¹ in one, two or four equal applications. Orchardgrass dry matter production increased over the entire range of N amounts from all sources. Yields varied from approximately 2500 kg DM ha⁻¹ for control plots (0 kg N) to 10600 kg for plots receiving 450 kg N ha⁻¹ either as fertilizer or liquid manure. Crop response to liquid manure application was greater in year one with abundant rainfall than in year two with dry conditions during most of the growing season, whereas crop response to solid manure application improved in the second year, due to the availability of residual organic N. Orchardgrass was more sensitive to the timing of fertilizer N application than to manure N application. Despite the large differences in weather patterns experienced during this study, analysis of application patterns indicated that manure could be applied throughout the growing season to crop stubble (post-harvest) with comparable rates of uptake overall. N uptake in control plots averaged 56 kg N ha⁻¹ for both years, compared to 340 kg N ha ⁻¹ for fertilizer plots, 250 kg N ha ⁻¹ for liquid manure plots and 190 kg N ha⁻¹ for solid manure plots receiving 450 kg total N ha ⁻¹.     

Yield response to plant density of maize and sunflower intercropped with soybean

Maize-soybean and sunflower-soybean intercrops have the potential for increasing yield per unit land area and time in fully mechanized farming systems. The objectives of this work were to measure the land equivalent ratio index of maize and sunflower intercropped to soybean, to assess the effects of plant density of its components, and to gain insight into ecophysiological processes affecting their yield determination. Maize-soybean and sunflower-soybean intercrops and their respective sole crops were grown at Balcarce, Argentina during two growing seasons. Treatments included a wide range of plant densities for sole and intercropped sunflower (2-9 plants m⁻²) and maize (4-12 plants m⁻²). Plants were harvested to determine shoot dry matter and grain yield per plot and at the individual plant level. Land equivalent ratio index (LER) increased 11% (mean of the two years) when plant density of sunflower was reduced from 6 to 3 plants m⁻²; and LER increased 5% (year 1) or it was maintained (year 2) when maize plant density was reduced from 8 to 4 plants m⁻². Yield response to plant density of sunflower and maize influenced LER. The response to plant density of intercropped sunflower and maize grain yield followed the same pattern than that in a sole crop, and grain yield of intercropped sunflower or maize were lower than those for the sole crops at each plant density except at the lowest sunflower plant density. Yield reductions from sole crop to intercrop at each plant density averaged 20% and were associated (i) with lower intra-row spacing in the intercrop and (ii) with a lower shoot production rather than to a change in the dry matter partitioning to reproductive structures; in addition, detrimental effects of soybean over maize or sunflower yield were undetectable.     

豫北两熟区不同夏播作物对后茬冬小麦中后期群体微环境及产量的影响

为探讨不同夏播作物前茬对后茬冬小麦生长和产量的影响,在河南省新乡市获嘉县开展田间二因素试验,设置两个不同施肥水平(常规施肥和不施氮肥)和三种夏播作物前茬(玉米、大豆和花生),分析小麦拔节期至成熟期叶面积指数(LAI)、叶夹角(LA)、光合有效辐射(PAR)、叶片叶绿素含量(SPAD)、叶绿素荧光(F_v/F_m),以及土壤含水量(SWC)、土壤温度(Ts)和土壤呼吸速率(Rs)变化,并在成熟期测定小麦产量及其构成因素。结果表明,与常规施肥(CK)相比,不施氮肥条件下不同前茬的小麦LA略增,而LAI、IPAR、SPAD、F_v/F_m、SWC、Ts和Rs均有所降低。不施氮肥条件下,花生前茬的小麦LAI、IPAR、SPAD、F_v/F_m、SWC、Ts和Rs均显著低于其他两种前茬(P<0.05),其中花生、大豆和玉米前茬的SWC较CK的降幅分别为13.56%、13.39%和10.77%。与CK相比,不施氮肥条件下,花生前茬的小麦LA较CK的增幅在3种前茬中居中,小麦...     

Estimation of the N fertiliser requirement of cotton grown after legume crops

In a series of legume-based cropping systems experiments, the economic optimum N fertiliser rate for cotton ranged from 0 to 186 kg N ha⁻¹ depending on the cropping system and soil N fertility. The economic optimum N fertiliser rate was closely correlated with pre-sowing soil nitrate-N (0–30 cm) and petiole nitrate-N (at early flowering). Pre-sowing soil nitrate-N and petiole nitrate-N were also strongly correlated with cotton N uptake at late boll-filling and lint yield of unfertilised cotton.These analyses allow for the estimation of the N fertiliser requirement, providing revised calibrations that more precisely estimate the N-fertiliser requirement of irrigated cotton crops where legume cropping has substantially improved soil N fertility. Such management tools are essential to avoid the problems associated with over- or under-fertilizing cotton crops.The importance of optimising N fertiliser application was demonstrated by examining the effects of crop N nutrition on cotton maturity and fibre quality. Crop maturity (rate of boll opening) was delayed by 1 day for each 83, 16 or 24 kg fertiliser N applied per hectare in the three experiments. Increasing N fertiliser rates generally increased fibre length, and tended to increase fibre strength, whereas micronaire tended to decline.     

Irrigation and nitrogen scheduling as a requirement for optimising wheat yield and quality in Haryana, India

Wheat in Haryana (NW India) is grown as a winter crop in an annual sequence with rice, cotton, pearl millet or cluster bean as the main monsoon crops. Higher wheat yields in Haryana are associated with the use of modern varieties, increase in fertiliser use, improved irrigation practice and conservation tillage, and the recommendation to farmers for N fertiliser rates and timing and irrigation practice have an emphasis on optimising yield and input efficiencies. In India the importance to consumers of product quality does exist and, although the market place presently does not actively reward farmers for better quality wheat, the need for creating suitable and targeted marketing opportunities is now recognised. This paper examines aspects of input efficiencies and focuses on combinations of N-fertiliser and irrigation input in wheat crops grown with these four rotations (rice-wheat, cotton-wheat, pearl millet-wheat and cluster bean-wheat). Management practices that optimise grain production as well targeting grain that achieves best chapatti (Indian flat bread) quality are evaluated within a split-plot experiment where 4 irrigation schedule treatments were split with nitrogen management treatments involving a 2-way or 3-way split of N fertiliser. With the rice-wheat system, there were no differences between different split timings of N with grain yield, however with the 3 other wheat systems the 3 way split of N-fertiliser application, with N applied equally at N-fertiliser applied at seeding, early tillering and first node stage, always gave the highest yield. With all 4 rotations the highest protein level was achieved (range 11.8-12.5%) with this 3-way N application split. Grain yield increased in a step-wise manner as additional irrigation was implemented with all rotations and the highest protein outcomes were achieved with the least irrigations. The apparent recovery of N fertiliser applied was similar and highest with the 3-way split, and the 2-way split that did not include a basal N fertiliser application. Different rates of N fertiliser were included in separate experiments using the 3-way split of N application, and with the rice-wheat rotation the GreenSeeker instrument was used to establish the rate for the third application of N. The application of extra N-fertiliser with the non rice-wheat rotations produced no additional grain yield with an increase in the N-fertiliser input beyond 150 kg N ha⁻¹, although protein and N-content increased incrementally. Grain hardness and chapatti score trended higher with increases in N-fertiliser input but the increases were relatively small. The use of the GreenSeeker instrument with the rice-wheat rotation resulted in N saving of 21-25 kg N ha⁻¹ with similar grain yield, protein and grain hardness to that provided by using the recommended 150 kg N ha⁻¹. Where the GreenSeeker was used the apparent recovery was 70-75% compared with 60% with the wheat receiving the recommended 150 kg N ha⁻¹, suggesting farmers are likely to be over-fertilising their wheat crop. The best yields obtained in these experiments were about 5.5-6.0 t ha⁻¹ and these yields are consistent with a decade-long attainable yield identified for wheat in rice-wheat rotation for Haryana. If farmers can achieve market recognition for chapatti quality, and with the use of appropriate varieties, then farmers can assume that the best practice outlined here for optimising grain yield with integrated nutrient and soil management will be the same practice that optimises chapatti quality.     

Critical competition period of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in maize

For minimizing yield losses due to infestation of a weed, it is essential to know about its critical period of competition in a specific crop. The yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) to different competition periods (0, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after crop emergence (DAE), and competition throughout growing season) of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. was tested during autumn seasons of two consecutive years 2012 and 2013. Increasing parthenium competition period increased its dry weight up to 448% and relative competition index up to 52%. The corresponding increases in the uptake of N (up to 581%), P (up to 700%) and K (up to 669%) were also recorded. Parthenium weed competition period of 35 DAE decreased grain yield and harvest index of maize. However, number of grains and grain weight per cob, and 100-grain weight of maize were reduced at parthenium weed competition period beyond 42 and 56 DAE, respectively. Maize grain yield losses varied between 21 and 53% with parthenium competition period ranging from 35 DAE to full growing season. Maximum N, P, and K uptake by parthenium was 18.4, 2.4 and 17.7 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. A three parameter logistic model was fitted to yield data in response to increasing durations of weed infestation. The critical timing of parthenium weed removal to avoid 5% and 10% maize grain yield loss was 8 and 17, and 13 and 23 DAE during year 2012 and 2013, respectively. Relatively shorter critical period of parthenium weed competition in maize crop suggested this weed to be highly allelopathic in addition to its competitive behavior.     

Modeling the impacts of contrasting nutrient and residue management practices on grain yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in a semi-arid region of Ghana using APSIM

The cropping systems model APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) was applied to assess the response of sorghum grain yield to inorganic fertilizers applications and residue retention in diverse farmers’ management systems (homestead fields and bush farms). The model was parameterized using data collected from experiments under optimum growth conditions (limited water or nutrient stress). Independent data from field experiments with three levels of P and four levels of N fertilizers conducted at two different locations and soils were used to evaluate the model. Soil water and fertility parameters measured were used for simulations while same starting conditions were assumed for unmeasured parameters for all trials. APSIM predicted the grain yield response of sorghum to both N and P applications with an overall modified internal coefficient of efficiency of 0.64. Following model parameterization, a long-term simulation study was conducted using a stochastic weather data derived from historical weather data to assess the effects of crop residue management on grain production. A gradual decline in sorghum grain yield was simulated over the 30-year simulation period in both the homestead fields and the bush farms, with yields being much lower in the latter under farmers’ management practices. Half the amount of mineral N fertilizer used in the bush farms was needed in the homestead fields to produce the average grain yields produced on the bush farm with full fertilization, if crop residues were returned to the fields in the homestead. Year-to-year variability in grain yield was consistently higher with the removal of crop residues, irrespective of management systems. APSIM was responsive to both organic and inorganic fertilizer applications in the study area and also highlighted the essential role of crop residues and inorganic fertilizer in influencing the temporal sorghum grain production and hence the impact of farmers’ management practices on food security. This was evident in the rapid decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) accompanied by a decline in grain yield over the 30 years of cropping. The use of inorganic fertilizer and retention of crop residues (SOC) are critical for attaining food security in the study area.