 |
|
Preventing Soil Erosion in Continuous Corn
January 13, 2009With the rising use of residue from corn crops in producing cellulosic ethanol, new methods of tillage and careful application of fertilizer are needed to prevent soil erosion.
With recent increase in the cost of energy and subsequent explorations into alternative energy sources, the increased harvest of corn residue for cellulosic ethanol production is likely in the future. This may be especially true in fields where corn is grown continuously, in part because perennially high residue amounts favor annual harvests, and also because corn residue left on the soil surface is a source of inoculum for corn diseases.
Removal of corn residue, however, may require changes in tillage for increased efficiency and protection against soil erosion. Yet, the amount of N fertilizer needed to optimize corn grain yield can vary among tillage systems due to differences in soil N cycling. Thus, understanding the response of continuous corn to fertilizer N when residue is removed in different tillage systems will be necessary for optimizing N use in such systems.
A recent article in the November-December issue of Agronomy Journal summarized the results of field experiments conducted during 2006 and 2007 at four locations in Illinois, which focused on understanding how residue removal and tillage system affect the response of continuous corn to N fertilization. The research was also presented in New Orleans, LA at the American Society of Agronomy annual meeting in November 2007.
On dark prairie-derived soils with abundant rainfall, the authors, Jeffrey Coulter of the University of Minnesota and Emerson Nafziger of the University of Illinois, observed that the economically optimum N fertilizer rate (EONR) for continuous corn was reduced by 13% with full or partial removal of corn residue when compared to no removal of residue. This was consistent for both chisel plow and no-tillage systems. Averaged across N fertilizer rates in these environments, corn grain yield was similar between no-till and chisel plow tillage systems with full removal of residue. However, with partial and no removal of residue, yields were 5 and 12% greater with the chisel plow than with the no-tillage system, respectively.
"Higher yields with tillage when residue was returned in these environments were likely due to improved seedling growth resulting from warmer soil temperatures," said Coulter.
These results show that on productive soils with adequate rainfall, removal of residue has, at least in the short term, the potential to lower N fertilizer requirements. However, the authors warn that this advantage needs to be balanced against the need to retain adequate residue to maintain soil C and protect against erosion. While no-till continuous corn worked well with full removal of residue in these highly productive environments in the central Corn Belt, Coulter says that "no-till continuous corn may be less applicable in the northern Corn Belt when residue is removed because of heavier soils and a shorter growing season."
In his new role as a corn cropping systems agronomist in Minnesota, Coulter believes that strip-till continuous corn might be a viable alternative to no-till when residue is removed. Research is ongoing at the Universities of Minnesota and Illinois to identify best management practices with regard to economic and environmental sustainability when corn residue is removed in corn-intensive cropping systems.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
A recent article in the November-December issue of Agronomy Journal summarized the results of field experiments conducted during 2006 and 2007 at four locations in Illinois, which focused on understanding how residue removal and tillage system affect the response of continuous corn to N fertilization. The research was also presented in New Orleans, LA at the American Society of Agronomy annual meeting in November 2007.
On dark prairie-derived soils with abundant rainfall, the authors, Jeffrey Coulter of the University of Minnesota and Emerson Nafziger of the University of Illinois, observed that the economically optimum N fertilizer rate (EONR) for continuous corn was reduced by 13% with full or partial removal of corn residue when compared to no removal of residue. This was consistent for both chisel plow and no-tillage systems. Averaged across N fertilizer rates in these environments, corn grain yield was similar between no-till and chisel plow tillage systems with full removal of residue. However, with partial and no removal of residue, yields were 5 and 12% greater with the chisel plow than with the no-tillage system, respectively.
"Higher yields with tillage when residue was returned in these environments were likely due to improved seedling growth resulting from warmer soil temperatures," said Coulter.
These results show that on productive soils with adequate rainfall, removal of residue has, at least in the short term, the potential to lower N fertilizer requirements. However, the authors warn that this advantage needs to be balanced against the need to retain adequate residue to maintain soil C and protect against erosion. While no-till continuous corn worked well with full removal of residue in these highly productive environments in the central Corn Belt, Coulter says that "no-till continuous corn may be less applicable in the northern Corn Belt when residue is removed because of heavier soils and a shorter growing season."
In his new role as a corn cropping systems agronomist in Minnesota, Coulter believes that strip-till continuous corn might be a viable alternative to no-till when residue is removed. Research is ongoing at the Universities of Minnesota and Illinois to identify best management practices with regard to economic and environmental sustainability when corn residue is removed in corn-intensive cropping systems.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Soil Erosion Current Events and Soil Erosion News RSSExpert to Discuss Phosphorus' Impact on Gulf 'Dead Zone'
Phosphorus is an essential element in production agriculture, however fertilizer runoff and wastewater discharge have led to massive eutrophication problems in water bodies worldwide.
Exotic timber plantations found to use more than twice the water of native forests
Ecologists have discovered that timber plantations in Hawaii use more than twice the amount of water to grow as native forests use.
GPS Helps Locate Soil Erosion Pathways
Grassed waterways are placed in agricultural fields where runoff water tends to concentrate because they can substantially reduce soil erosion.
UC Scientists Determine That Ancient Maya Practiced Forest Conservation - 3,000 Years Ago
As published in the July issue of the "Journal of Archaeological Science," paleoethnobotanist David Lentz of the University of Cincinnati has concluded that not only did the Maya people practice forest management, but when they abandoned their forest conservation practices it was to the detriment of the entire Maya culture.
Scientists assess flooding and damage from 2008 Myanmar cyclone
Tropical cyclone Nargis made landfall in the Asian nation of Myanmar on May 2, 2008, causing the worst natural disaster in the country's recorded history - with a death toll that may have exceeded 138,000.
River delta areas can provide clue to environmental changes, Texas A&M prof says
Sediments released by many of the world's largest river deltas to the global oceans have been changed drastically in the last 50 years, largely as a result of human activity.
Impact of Floods on Soils
A recent study conducted in the Midwestern United States examined the effects of harsh wet conditions on both cultivated and uncultivated soils, vastly advancing the knowledge of water's effects on aggregation.
Researchers to determine if aeration reduces compaction, runoff on no-till fields
Much of Texas' wheat may be grazed as a part of a dual-use crop. But many fields are still prepared using conventional tillage, which may not efficiently capture rainfall - a key to economic success in a semi-arid environment, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.
Tillage, Rotation Impacts Peanut Crops
The increasing popularity of reduced tillage on crops has not only been an important development in combating soil erosion, but it has also been associated with increasing organic material and producing high crop yields.
Oklahoma researchers support biodiversity in biofuels production
U.S. and European mandates for subsidies of cellulosic ethanol production and use have uncertain environmental consequences according to an international group of scientists which includes researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.
More Soil Erosion Current Events and Soil Erosion News Articles
 |
Soil Erosion: Processes, Prediction, Measurement, and Control by Terrence J. Toy (Author), George R. Foster (Author), Kenneth G. Renard (Author) A thorough look at physical properties of soil erosion Soil erosion has been responsible for billions of dollars of damage during the past thirty years, in the United States alone. Soil Erosion provides complete coverage of the physical causes, processes, and effects of this environmental problem from its origins to planning for future conservation and remediation. This book focuses on the process of soil erosion and erosion-control principles independent of land use. Coverage includes the primary factors that influence soil erosion, various types of erosion, erosion-prediction technology, erosion measurements, erosion and sediment control, and conservation of the land. Practical material on erosion models is featured along with ways to use these models as erosion-control... |
 |
Soil Erosion and Conservation by R.P.C. Morgan (Author) "Soil Erosion and Conservation" provides a comprehensive treatment of the processes of soil erosion, the methods that can be used for their control, and the issues involved in designing and implementing soil conservation programmes.Features of this third edition of this internationally recognised textbook include: new material on gully erosion, tillage practices, erosion risk assessment, use of erosion models, incentives for farmers and land users, and community approaches to erosion control; updated sections on the mechanics of wind erosion, soil erodibility, use of vegetation in erosion control, traditional soil conservation measures, socio-economic issues and the role of government; describes the methods used to assess the risk of erosion and predict rates of soil loss; outlines the... |
 |
Classic Pollution Films DVD: 1930's - 1970's Water, Land & Air Pollution Films Including Environmental, Soil Erosion, Groundwater, Trash, and Industrial & Factory Pollution History Pictures Films This compilation features a wide variety of pollution propaganda films, each with a unique set of ideas and opinions. Topics include water management, soil conservation, erosion, litter, TVA, industrial pollution and wildlife management. Table Of Contents: (1) Pollution Below (1975) - A fantastic film sponsored chiefly by NASA and in part by the EPA & NOAH. This film explores an emerging technique in science that uses satellite images to track pollution - 14 Minutes (2) Heritage of Splendor (1963) - Narrated by Ronald Reagan and sponsored by an oil company, this vintage film explores the conservation of natural resources. The beginning of this conservation film promotes the efficient management of the country's natural resource as opposed to preservation, and explains how mixed-use land... |
 |
Thomson: Suite From The River; Suite From The Plow That Broke The Plains / Stravinsky: Suite From L'Histoire Du Soldat by Leopold Stokowski, Raymond Desroches, Loren Glickman, Julius Levine, Charles Russo, John Swallow, Gerald Tarack, Theodore Weis, The Symphony of the Air Virgil Thomson (Performer), Igor Stravinsky (Performer) |
 |
Severe Soil Erosion is Rife in the Ex-Homelands of South Africa Photographic Poster Print by Michael Fay, 9x12 by Art.com Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on 'Artist Name' and 'Subject Categories' such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
 |
The River Suite: Soil Erosion and Floods Sir Neville Marriner/Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (Primary Contributor) |
|
SOIL Who Needs It? Also With: Sticky and Smoothy Gritty (Primary Contributor) Educational video. Join Gritty, Sticky and Smoothy as they explain what soil is and why everyone needs it. The animated Soilee characters explain the types, textures and uses of soil, as well as causes and consequences of soil erosion. Soil conservation also is covered, including steps that you can take at home to help prevent erosion. Designed for elementary students, this video is fun for adults, too. | |
|
Expected climate change impacts on soil erosion rates: a review.(Conservation Implications of Climate Change): An article from: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation by M.A. Nearing (Author), F.F. Pruski (Author), M.R. O'Neal (Author) This digital document is an article from Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, published by Soil & Water Conservation Society on January 1, 2004. The length of the article is 8127 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. From the author: Keywords: Climate change, runoff, sediment, soil erosion, soil loss Citation Details Title: Expected climate change impacts on soil erosion rates: a review.(Conservation Implications of Climate Change) Author: M.A. Nearing Publication: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (Refereed) Date: January 1, 2004 Publisher: Soil & Water... | |
 |
Vista Point THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA Mexico Directed By: TravelVideoStore.com Also With: TravelVideoStore.com (Producer) |
 |
Thomson: The River/The Plow That Broke the Plains Virgil Thomson (Composer), Richard Kapp (Composer), Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York (Composer) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |