 |
|
Corn Yield Stability Varies with Rotations, Fertility
July 22, 2009Understanding temporal variability in crop yields has implications for sustainable crop production, particularly since greater fluxes in crop yields are projected with global climate change.
Many long-term cropping system studies have compared average crop yields; this study looked at stability of yields and whether cropping systems and manure applications affected crop yields differently in poor- and high- yielding years.
K.K. Grover et al. investigated the effects of long-term cropping systems on corn grain yields, yield trends, and yield stability over the last 16 years of a long-term fertility and cropping systems experiment at the Pennsylvania State University.
This study suggests that on average in a productive Central Pennsylvania soil, the yield of corn rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy is modestly higher and less variable than corn grown exclusively. Further, when dairy manure is applied to meet crop nitrogen requirements, continuous corn can perform equally well to the rotated in high-yielding years, but performs poorly in low-yielding years such as dry summers and wet springs.
When synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure are applied, however, continuous corn may yield less than rotated corn in low- and high-yielding years. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic returns of these cropping systems.
The research was funded by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Results are published in the July-August 2009 issue of Agronomy Journal.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
This study suggests that on average in a productive Central Pennsylvania soil, the yield of corn rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy is modestly higher and less variable than corn grown exclusively. Further, when dairy manure is applied to meet crop nitrogen requirements, continuous corn can perform equally well to the rotated in high-yielding years, but performs poorly in low-yielding years such as dry summers and wet springs.
When synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure are applied, however, continuous corn may yield less than rotated corn in low- and high-yielding years. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic returns of these cropping systems.
The research was funded by the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Results are published in the July-August 2009 issue of Agronomy Journal.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Crop Yields Current Events and Crop Yields News RSSExperts: Failure to focus on farming will undermine global climate agreement and increase hunger
Alarmed by a substantial oversight in the global climate talks leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next month, more than 60 of the world's most prominent agricultural scientists and leaders underscored how the almost total absence of agriculture in the agreement could lead to widespread famine and food shortages in the years ahead.
Tension on the grapevine
Predictions of grape yields are extremely important to juice processors and wineries; timely and precise yield forecasts allow producers to plan for harvest and move the highly perishable grape crop from vine to processing efficiently.
How Do We Fund Plant Breeding?
Worldwide demand for a safe and secure food supply is growing with plant breeding at the forefront of sustainability discussions; however many research programs have seen their funding decrease due to the erosion of traditional public or formula grants
Team led by Scripps Research and UC San Diego scientists reveals secrets of drought resistance
A team of biologists in California led by researchers at The Scripps Research Institute and the University of California (UC), San Diego has solved the structure of a critical molecule that helps plants survive during droughts.
If only the weeds would keep their genes to themselves
Family can be a blessing and a curse, and never more so than in the case of crop plants and their wild relatives. These wild and weedy relatives harbor unique and beneficial genes that may no longer be found in their cultivated siblings, but they also harbor genetic traits that farmers have intentionally selected against in their domesticated brethren.
The amazing maze of maize evolution
Understanding the evolution and domestication of maize has been a holy grail for many researchers. As one of the most important crops worldwide and as a crop that appears very different from its wild relatives as a result of domestication, understanding exactly how maize has evolved has many practical benefits and may help to improve crop yields.
Agricultural research key to food security
Boosting agricultural research in the developing world is the key to ensuring food security for the world's poorest, says Adel el-Beltagy, Chair of the Global Form on Agricultural Research (GFAR), writing in the latest issue of the TWAS Newsletter, published last week.
Hormone clue to root growth
Plant roots provide the crops we eat with water, nutrients and anchorage. Understanding how roots grow and how hormones control that growth is crucial to improving crop yields, which will be necessary to address food security and produce better biofuels.
Virus-resistant grapevines
A good wine needs to ripen. But it's a long way to the barrel. Even before the harvest, the grapevines have to overcome all kinds of obstacles. Extremely hot or rainy periods can destroy entire crops, not to mention the wide variety of pests that can appear on the scene.
Iowa State University researcher looks at the future of agriculture
Dramatic price fluctuations, increasing demand, the food vs. fuel debate, and other events of the past year may have food producers wondering which way is up.
More Crop Yields Current Events and Crop Yields News Articles
 |
The Physiology of Crop Yield by Robert K. M. Hay (Author), John R. Porter (Author) First published in 1989, Physiology of Crop Yield was the first student textbook to digest and assimilate the many advances in crop physiology, within a framework of resource capture and use. Retaining the central core of the first edition, this long-awaited second edition draws on recent developments in areas such as phenology, canopy dynamics and crop modelling, and the concepts of sustainable crop production. A broad perspective is developed, from the gene through the plant and crop to the ecosystem, covering:
|
 |
Mathematical Models of Crop Growth and Yield (Books in Soils, Plants, and the Environment, 91) by Allen R. Overman (Author), Richard V. Scholtz III (Author) Insightful reference/text describes the application of viable mathematical models in data analysis to increase crop growth and yields, highlighting effective, analytical functions that have been found useful for the comparison of alternative management techniques to maximize water and nutrient resources. |
 |
Chi Liquid Organic Foliar 1 Qt by General Hydroponics |
 |
Working with Dynamic Crop Models: Evaluation, Analysis, Parameterization, and Applications by Daniel Wallach (Editor), David Makowski (Editor), James W. Jones (Editor) Many different mathematical and statistical methods are essential in crop modeling. They are necessary in the development, analysis and application of crop models. Up to now, however, there has been no single source where crop modelers could learn about these methods. Furthermore, these methods are often described in other contexts and their application to crop modeling is not always straightforward. This book aims at making a large range of relevant mathematical and statistical methods accessible to crop modelers. Each methodology chapter starts from basic principles and simple applications and builds gradually to state-of-the-art methods. Crop models are used as examples, and practical advice on applying the methods to crop models is given. Working with Dynamic Crop Models... |
|
Frontline: Harvest of Fear (A Frontline and Nova Special) (PBS) Also With: PBS and NOVA (Primary Contributor) VHS are genetically modified foods a vital scientific breakthrough or are they "frankenfoods" that will ruin health.. Frontline investigates | |
 |
Physiology of Crop Production (Crop Science) by N.K. Fageria (Author), V.C. Baligar (Author), Ralph Clark (Author) This single volume explores the theoretical and the practical aspects of crop physiological processes around the world The marked decrease over the past century in the land available for crop production has brought about mounting pressure to increase crop yields, especially in developing nations. Physiology of Crop Production provides cutting-edge research and data for complete coverage of the physiology of crop production, all in one source, right at your fingertips. This valuable reference gives the extensive in-depth information soil and crop professionals need to maximize crop productivity anywhere the world. Leading soil and plant scientists and researchers clearly explain theory, practical applications, and the latest advances in the field. Crop physiology is a vital... |
 |
Principles of Crop Production: Theory, Techniques, and Technology (2nd Edition) by George Acquaah (Author) This book contains the most comprehensive, detailed coverage of crop production issues in the US. It provides the “how and why” things are the way they are, and recognizes the business of crop production. Other coverage includes the latest trends impacting crop production—i.e., sustainable agriculture, organic farming, environmental safety consciousness, and more. For individuals preparing for a future in agriculture and for the Crop Certification exams. |
 |
Corn Crop Production: Growth, Fertilization and Yield by Arn T. Danforth (Editor) Corn or maize is a crop that originated in Mexico and has spread all over the world as a major food crop. Sustainable production of a corn field crop as grain corn for feed, food and biofuels, as well as sweet corn for fresh market or processing, and as silage for high energy sources, requires scientific management of nutrients along with several other crop management practices such as proper plant population density, timely seeding and harvesting, soil water, weeds and pests control. Corn has become the major item in the diet of many tropical people, the main grain used for animal feed in temperate regions, as well as new stocks for many other purposes including recently used as feedstock for biofuels. Rapid expansion of grain based ethanol production in North America, has already caused... |
 |
Crop Evolution, Adaptation and Yield by Lloyd T. Evans (Author) In this major work Lloyd Evans provides an integrated view of the domestication, adaptation, and improvement of crop plants, bringing together genetic diversity, plant breeding, physiology, and aspects of agronomy. Considerations of yield and maximum yield provide continuity throughout the book. Evans discusses food, feed, fiber, fuel, and pharmaceutical crops as well as using as examples cereals, grain, legumes, and root crops, both temperate and tropical. He also considers pasture plants, oilseeds, leafy crops, fruit trees, and others. The crucial roles of input innovation and synergism are illustrated along with examples of how diminishing returns to input energy are avoided. The final chapter hazards some guesses about the way in which agriculture may be transformed over the next... |
 |
Crops And Environmental Change: An Introduction To Effects Of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO2 And O3 Concentrations, And Soil Salinization On Crop Physiology And Yield by Jeffrey Amthor (Author), Seth Pritchard (Author) Examine important global environmental changes that will affect the future of agriculture! Here is a complete introduction to the influence of global environmental changes on the structure, function, and harvestable yield of major field crops. It gives you an in-depth look at the effects of climate change, air pollution, and soil salinization. The book provides an introduction to the ramifications, both positive and negative, of these ongoing environmental changes for present and future crop production and food supply. Crops and Environmental Change: An Introduction to Effects of Global Warming, Increasing Atmospheric CO2 and O3 Concentrations, and Soil Salinization on Crop Physiology and Yield integrates a discussion of the physiological effects of environmental change with... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |