Tillage Effects on Grain Sorghum and Wheat Yields in the Texas Rolling Plains

Bordovsky, D. G.; Choudhary, M.; Gerard, C. J.

doi:10.2134/agronj1998.00021962009000050012x

Cited by 29 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…An average yield advantage for RT sorghum compared with CT sorghum observed in this study is consistent with work in the southern Great Plains (Bordovsky et al, 1998). On average, winter wheat yield was better in NT than in CT.…”

Section: Yield and Yield Componentssupporting

confidence: 90%

Long‐Term Tillage on Yield and Water Use of Grain Sorghum and Winter Wheat

Schlegel

Assefa

Haag³

et al. 2018

Agronomy Journal

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Core Ideas Average sorghum yield advantage was 120% for no tillage over conventional tillage and 55% for reduced tillage over conventional tillage.Average wheat yield advantage was 31% for no tillage over conventional tillage and 12% for reduced tillage over conventional tillage.Available soil water at planting in soil profile was less for conventional tillage than both no tillage and reduced tillage for both crops.There was a decline in wheat yield over time due to increased seasonal temperature. Tillage is among crop management factors that affect yield, profitability, and environmental quality. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of three long‐term tillage intensities; conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no‐till (NT), on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) yield, available soil water (ASW), and water productivity. The study was conducted near Tribune, KS, from 1991 through 2015 in a wheat–sorghum–fallow (WSF) rotation. The CT plots were tilled (primarily with a sweep plow), on average, four to five times per fallow season; NT plots used herbicides for weed control during fallow. The RT plots used a combination of herbicides and tillage for weed control during fallow prior to both crops for years 1991 to 2000; and, for the years 2001 to 2015, the RT system was NT before sorghum planting (short‐term NT) and CT before wheat planting. On average, there was a 31% wheat yield advantage for NT over CT, 16% NT over RT, and 12% RT over CT. On average, there was a 120% sorghum yield advantage for NT over CT, 41% NT over RT, and 55% RT over CT. Sorghum yields were 80% greater for continuous NT compared with short‐term NT (2001–2015 RT). The average of profile ASW at planting was less for CT compared with NT and RT. There was a significant yield and water productivity benefit in the order NT > RT > CT for both crops, but greater for sorghum than wheat.

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Section: Yield and Yield Componentssupporting

confidence: 90%

Long‐Term Tillage on Yield and Water Use of Grain Sorghum and Winter Wheat

Schlegel

Assefa

Haag³

et al. 2018

Agronomy Journal

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“…Conservation tillage, such as NT or reduced till, can produce similar or higher cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) grain yields and biomass production than conventional till (Bordovsky et al, 1998;Nyakatawa et al, 2000;Torbert and Reeves, 1994). Similarly, legume cover crops can increase cotton lint and sorghum grain yields and biomass production compared with nonlegume or no cover crops because of increased N supply (Hargrove, 1986;Sainju et al, 2003;Touchton et al, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon accumulation in cotton, sorghum, and underlying soil as influenced by tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization

2005

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Soil and crop management practices may influence biomass growth and yields of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and sequester significant amount of atmospheric CO 2 in plant biomass and underlying soil, thereby helping to mitigate the undesirable effects of global warming. This study examined the effects of three tillage practices [no-till (NT), strip till (ST), and chisel till (CT)], four cover crops [legume (hairy vetch) (Vicia villosa Roth), nonlegume (rye) (Secale cereale L), hairy vetch/rye mixture, and winter weeds or no cover crop], and three N fertilization rates (0, 60-65, and 120-130 kg N ha )1 ) on the amount of C sequestered in cotton lint (lint + seed), sorghum grain, their stalks (stems + leaves) and roots, and underlying soil from 2000 to 2002 in central Georgia, USA. A field experiment was conducted on a Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic, Plinthic Kandiudults). In 2000, C accumulation in cotton lint was greater in NT with rye or vetch/rye mixture but in stalks, it was greater in ST with vetch or vetch/rye mixture than in CT with or without cover crops. Similarly, C accumulation in lint was greater in NT with 60 kg N ha )1 but in stalks, it was greater in ST with 60 and 120 kg N ha )1 than in CT with 0 kg N ha )1 . In 2001, C accumulation in sorghum grains and stalks was greater in vetch and vetch/rye mixture with or without N rate than in rye without N rate. In 2002, C accumulation in cotton lint was greater in CT with or without N rate but in stalks, it was greater in ST with 60 and 120 kg N ha )1 than in NT with or without N rate. Total C accumulation in the above-and belowground biomass in cotton ranged from 1.7 to 5.6 Mg ha )1 and in sorghum ranged from 3.4 to 7.2 Mg ha )1 . Carbon accumulation in cotton and sorghum roots ranged from 1 to 14% of the total C accumulation in above-and belowground biomass. In NT, soil organic C at 0-10 cm depth was greater in vetch with 0 kg N ha )1 or in vetch/rye with 120-130 kg N ha )1 than in weeds with 0 and 60 kg N ha )1 but at 10-30 cm, it was greater in rye with 120-130 kg N ha )1 than in weeds with or without rate. In ST, soil organic C at 0-10 cm was greater in rye with 120-130 kg N ha )1 than in rye, vetch, vetch/rye and weeds with 0 and 60 kg N ha )1 . Soil organic C at 0-10 and 10-30 cm was also greater in NT and ST than in CT. Since 5 to 24% of C accumulation in lint and grain were harvested, C sequestered in cotton and sorghum stalks and roots can be significant in the terrestrial ecosystem and can significantly increase C storage in the soil if these residues are left after lint or grain harvest, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of global warming. Conservation tillage, such as ST, with hairy vetch/rye mixture cover crops and 60-65 kg N ha )1 can sustain C accumulation in cotton lint and sorghum grain and increase C storage in the surface soil due to increased C input from crop residues and their reduced incorporation into the * FAX No: +1-406-433-5038.

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“…Bordovsky et al (1998Bordovsky et al ( . 1999 conducted a long-term (11 years) study in the Texas Rolling Plains (North Central Texas), which have soils with poor structure, low organic matter, and low water-holding capacities.…”

Section: Irrigated Grain Residue Management Effects On Soil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bordovsky et al (1998) (l) Residue removed conventional tillage (residue removed after harvest followed by conventional tillage). (2) residue incorporated-eonentional tillage (residue incorporated with conventional tillage).…”

Section: Grain Yield and Aboveground Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Irrigated Small-Grain Residue Management Effects on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties and Nutrient Cycling

Tarkalson¹,

Brown

Kok

et al. 2009

Soil Science

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Abstract:The effects of straw removal from irrigated fields cropped to wheat and barley on soil properties and nutrient cycling are a concern because of its potential impact on the sustainability of agricultural fields. The increasing demand of straw for animal bedding and the potential development of cellulosic ethanol production will likely increase the demand in the future. Previous reviews addressing changes in soil properties when crop residues are removed focused primarily on rain-fed systems. This article reviews published research assessing the effects of wheat and barley straw removal on soil organic carbon (SOC) and analyzes changes in nutrient cycling within irrigated wheat and barley production systems. The effects of straw removal on bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and other properties are reported from selected studies. Six studies compared SOC changes with time in irrigated systems in which wheat straw was removed or retained. These studies indicated that SOC either increased with time or remained constant when residues were removed. It is possible that bclowground biomass was supplying C to soils at a rate sufficient to maintain or, in some cases, slowly increase SOC with time. A separate research review calculated the minimum aboveground annual carbon inputs needed to maintain SOC levels from nine wheat system studies. Calculations of the minimum aboveground annual C source inputs needed to maintain SOC levels were from rain-fed systems and are some of the best information presently available for use in evaluating residue removal effects in irrigated systems. However, long-term studies are needed to obtain reliable data for diverse irrigated systems. Significant amounts of nutrients are removed from the soil/plant system when straw is removed. Producers will need to determine the cost of the nutrient removal from their systems to determine the value of the straw.Key words: Straw, residue, wheat, barley, small grain, soil organic carbon, nutrients, fertilizer (Soil Sci 2009:174: 303-311) R emoval of straw from grain production fields that have historically incorporated the residues with tillage have many interested parties concerned about the effects on soil properties and nutrient cycling. Several changes and potential changes in straw management have led to these concerns, including removal of straw from grain fields for animal bedding and feed, increased costs of fertilizers and fuel, and the potential development of cellulose-based ethanol production. Because of potential increases in biofuel demand, the ethanol industry will likely be a major cause of more residue removal from cropland. The immediate and long-term effects of removing aboveground crop residues from fields on crop productivity and sustainability are a concern. A series of policies have pushed for the increased production of biofuels, including the

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Tillage Effects on Grain Sorghum and Wheat Yields in the Texas Rolling Plains

Cited by 29 publications

References 14 publications

Long‐Term Tillage on Yield and Water Use of Grain Sorghum and Winter Wheat

Long‐Term Tillage on Yield and Water Use of Grain Sorghum and Winter Wheat

Carbon accumulation in cotton, sorghum, and underlying soil as influenced by tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization

Irrigated Small-Grain Residue Management Effects on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties and Nutrient Cycling

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