Seasonal changes in the levels of soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), N-mineralization rate and available-N concentration were studied in rice±barley supporting tropical dryland (rainfed) agroecosystem under six combinations of tillage (conventional, minimum and zero tillage) and crop residue manipulation (retained or removed) conditions. Highest levels of soil MBC and MBN (368±503 and ...

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield and quality responses to irrigation have not been described for conservation management systems that growers are rapidly adopting. We conducted a field experiment from 2001–2003 in the Tennessee Valley near Belle Mina, AL on a Decatur silt loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults) to examine how irrigation regimes and tillage systems affect ginning ...

dryland winter wheat (triticum sativum l.) generally grown in rotation with fallow or chickpea (cicer arietinum l.) constitutes a major crop in the west region of iran. information is limited on the success of more intensive dryland cropping systems while applying conservation tillage management. an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of five tillage systems on soil physical proper...

β-glucosidase is involved in the degradation of cellulose in soil and has the potential for monitoring biological soil quality. the objective of this study was to determine the effects of barley residue placement, burning, nitrogen fertilizer and tillage management on β-glucosidase enzyme after a period of 90 days. a field experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with ...

Introduction Conservation tillage systems using sweep plows or field cultivators leave a high percentage of crop residues on the soil surface, which protects the soil from wind and water erosion (Johnson, 1950; Jones and Johnson, 1982; Allen and Fenster, 1986; Johnson et al., 1974). These systems have been successful in semiarid areas because meager rainfall after plowing does not allow weeds t...

1 Agricultural management plays an important role in global warming mitigation due to 2 its effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. In Mediterranean agroecosystems, 3 the interactive effects of tillage and N fertilization on SOC storage have scarcely been 4 studied. Hence, we here present a modelling study in which the effects of both tillage 5 and N fertilization on SOC dynamics are inv...

Crop cultivars now being grown in no-till production systems were developed by selecting for performance in conventionally tilled environments. In order to maximize production of corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in a no-till environment, it may be necessary to select for performance under the same conditions. The economic incentive for d...

.soil microorganisms are important agents in nutrient cycling and energy flow. they are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. soil microbial biomass has been proposed as an index of soil stress and disturbance. the objective of this study was to determine the effects of barley (hordeum vulgare l.) residue amounts, burning, nitrogen fertilizer levels and tillage management on organic car...

of Research Findings Alternative tillage and cropping systems are sought for reducing dust emissions and improving air quality in the Pacific Northwest dryland cropping region. The purpose of this study was to modifiy the conventional rodweeder that would facilitate the armouring of the soil surface with straw and large aggregates otherwise buried below the soil surface. Several modifications w...