Soybean yield as affected by crop rotations, deep tillage and irrigation layout on a hardsetting Alfisol

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-25-1997

Journal Title

Soil & Tillage Research

ISSN

Print: 0167-1987 Electronic: 1879-3444

Keywords

Alfisols, Hardsetting, Tillage, Crop rotation, Controlled traffic, Permanent beds, Irrigated soybeans

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Hydrology | Soil Science | Water Resource Management

Abstract

The hardsetting surface of many Alfisols in Australia is a limiting factor in crop production. Better soil management systems are required to improve productivity. This study reports the effects of several untested management systems, involving the combined effects of tillage (deep ripping (Rp), deep mouldboard ploughing (Mb) and disc ploughing (Disc)), irrigation layout (permanent beds, border ditch) and crop rotation treatments (single cropping (SC), double cropping (DC) and pasture (P)) on soil structure and the production of irrigated soybeans (Glycine max, L.) on a hardsetting Alfisol. It was conducted under a system of controlled traffic near Trangie, New South Wales, Australia. The DC and P treatments increased total water entry and soil organic carbon. Soybean leaf water potential (LWP) improved, and soybean yield was increased by as much as 58%. The retention of cereal and P stubble apparently enhanced total water entry by slowing the rate of irrigation water advance and by reducing the potential for slaking. The increases in soil water were associated with a reduction in soil strength; a key limiting factor in crop growth on hardsetting Alfisols. Deep tillage or the use of permanent beds did not affect soybean yields under the conditions reported in this paper, although the combination of disc ploughing and furrow irrigation was successful.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-1987(97)00049-4