Dryland Cropping Intensification: A Fundamental Solution to Efficient Use of Precipitation

Effects of Residue Management and Cropping Systems on Wheat Yield Stability in a Semiarid Mediterranean Clay Soil

“… In area of low rainfall (less than 300 mm), wheatfallow is a requirement for stable grain production under NT [14]. However, this is not in agreement with other authors from dry areas in Spain [44] and US Great Plains [45].  In areas of favorable rainfall and weather conditions, either lentil or barley could be used without additional reliance on row crop drills as for corn [15].…”

Intensification of agriculture in the south-eastern Pampas

“…In southern Australia, more grain per unit rainfall can be achieved by intensification involving greater frequency of crops in rotations, and adjustment of nitrogen fertiliser rates to soil and seasonal conditions (Sadras and Roget, in press). In the southern great plains of USA, inclusion of summer crops in rotations, can increase PUE in comparison to typical wheat-fallow rotations which are very inefficient in storing soil water during the fallow phase (Farahani et al, 1998).…”

“…If we assume available water equals annual precipitation in Eq. (1b), then WP equals precipitation use efficiency (PUE) as defined by Farahani et al (1998). By analogy, we defined seasonal and annual radiation productivity (RP):…”

Choice of Summer Fallow Replacement Crops Impacts Subsequent Winter Wheat

“…A variable climate with unpredictable precipitation and other weather conditions made, and continues to make, dryland farming in the region inherently risky (Dhuyvetter et al, 1996). Summer fallow, the practice of controlling all plant growth during the noncrop season, was quickly adopted in the region to increase the chances for successful establishment and development of winter wheat and to stabilize winter wheat yields (Lyon et al, 1995;Dhuyvetter et al, 1996;Peterson et al, 1996;Farahani et al, 1998). Winter wheat-fallow is the predominant crop rotation in the Central Great Plains.…”

“…McGee et al (1997) suggested that greater water storage efficiency could be achieved by terminating fallow in the spring and planting a summer crop. The principle behind cropping intensification is replacement of soil evaporation with crop transpiration (Farahani et al, 1998). Intensified systems in the region generally produce two crops in 3 yr or three crops in 4 yr through the addition of summer crops such as corn (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], or proso millet.…”