Water redistribution in a complex landscape needs to be quantified in order to determine field productivity. Landscape effects on water use and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields were studied by monitoring two fields at each of two locations in North Dakota for 5 years. Four soil series at different positions within each field were monitored: the Zahl loam series (fine‐loamy, mixed Entic Haploboroll) on hilltops and shoulder positions, the Williams loam series (fine‐loamy, mixed Typic Argiboroll) on side slopes and hilltops, the Bowbells loam series (fine‐loamy, mixed Pachic Haploboroll) on footslopes and toeslopes, and the Tonka silt loam series (fine, montmorillonitic, frigid Argiaquic Argialboll) in small undrained depressional areas. Topographic factors were calculated at each site by measuring the slope in four directions, 90° apart, and adding the slopes together. If a slope was downward toward a site, it was considered positive, if a slope was upward toward a site it was considered negative. This number, if positive, would indicate that runon water would be added to the site and, if negative, water would be lost from the site due to runoff. Topographic factors were calculated 3, 6, 15, and 30 m from each site. As expected, wheat yields from the four soils were in the order Tonka > Bowbells > Williams > Zahl. Spring wheat grain yields ranged from 5.1 Mg ha−1 on Bowbells in 1985 to no yield in 1988 at the Underwood location. Spring wheat grain yields were generally correlated to total water use. When the topographic factor was added into the regression of yield vs. total water use, the coefficient of determination, R2, increased in the first 3 yr. The last 2 yr of the study were drought years and the topographic factor accurately reflected the lack of water redistribution in those years. Topographic factors measured 15 m from the site gave the highest R2 values.
Eight trenches were excavated to a depth of 4.6 m and filled with one of three different textures of spoil to evaluate topsoil and subsoil thickness requirements for crop production on nonsaline, nonsodic spoil material. Yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 1979 and 1982, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in 1980, and corn (Zea mays L.) in 1981 and 1983 were compared on plots with 0.23, 0.46, or 0.69 m of topsoil replaced over loamy sand spoil with and without subsoil, over clay loam spoil, or over silty clay loam spoil. Crop yields increased with increasing thickness of replaced topsoil, especially on trenches filled with loamy sand spoil. Crop yields were greater when subsoil was replaced than when no subsoil was replaced on loamy sand spoil at a given topsoil thickness. Average yields from the trenches were equal to or better than average yields from undisturbed plots in 1979 and 1983. On irrigated plots in 1983, response of silage and corn grain to subsoil/spoil treatments was similar to the nonirrigated plots. Wheat grown on irrigated plots in 1982 did not respond significantly to topsoil thickness or subsoil/spoil treatments. At least 0.69 m of topsoil plus subsoil was required to achieve highest yields on nonsodic, nonsaline, loamy sand spoil, but 0.46 to 0.69 m of topsoil was sufficient for highest yields on clay loam and silty clay loam nonsaline, nonsodic spoil. Crop yields were not increased by broadcast applications of N and P fertilizer.
A s8lt water blowout 8t 8n oil drilling rite in 1982 in 8 bodhmds UCI of western North D8kot8 aused l~vere d8nuge to the native vegeMion. A study WM initkd to me88ure the effect of reclrm8tion on soils 8nd reveget8tion of the 8ffected 8re8. Burl cover 8nd pl8nt density were me88ured on 8 portion Of the COnt8miMted ue8 followhag the blowout md in 1984 following recl8m8tk-m of the site. The contamin8ted soil ~8s rCel8hned by rdding C8CI? to irrig8tion wrter which ~86 u8ed to le8ch the upper 15 cm of the soil profile. In July 1982, 8fter the blowout, D&tichifs stricta WM essent&lly the only species growing 8t the site. In July 1984, following re&nutlon, speck with the higheet percent b8s81 cover on the reelrimed bilf were Agropyron sm&hU(Rydb.), Boutebua gmdlis (H.E.K. L8g.), 8nd D&t&h& stdctu (Torr.) Rydb. On the unreclrimed half Agropyron smithii, Dist&hli$stricta, L~pidiuw &ni~floras Schnd., 8nd OpunHcr poipmtha HOW. h8d the highat percent baral cover. In 1984, b8881 cover of the gr88sa? on the reelrimed rite ~8s two-third8 of th8t on 8 Site with no visible d8m8ge from the 88lt water. The percent bue ground w8a still 25% on the reclaimed half of the contaminated site in 1984, but h8d incre88ed on the unreclrimed b8lf to 43% laving the surfrce open to potenti8lly serious erosion. Soil d8t8 indic8ted th8t recl8m8tion h8d successfully reduced eodium adsorption ntio (SAR) v8h1ea in the rurf8ce 15 cm to more 8cceptrble levele for veget8tion recovery-. Key Wor& re&m8tion, oil well, gr8seeq forbe, cover
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