Effects of tillage and crop rotation on nematode densities in tropical corn (Zea mays cv. Pioneer X304C) were examined in a factorial experiment with two rotation crops and two tillage practices (no-till vs. conventional-till), conducted in each of three seasons (1990-1992) in north Florida. The rotation treatments consisted of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cv. DeKalb BR64) or soybean (Glycine max) ...

abstract conservation tillage practices integrated with appropriate residue management is an efficient approach in sustainable agriculture to prevent the removal or burning of crop residues. two years field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of wheat residue management on yield, yield component and morphophysiological characteristics of corn. experimental design was split plot us...

Nitrogen-mineralization rates are needed to accurately determine N fertilization requirements to meet plant needs while minimizing environmental contamination. A spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow (SW-F) system was compared with a spring wheat-winter wheat-sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) (SW-WW-SF) system on a Temvik-Wilton silt loam (finc-silty, mixed Tj pic and Pachic Haploborolls) a...

to investigate the changes in yield and yield components of dry land wheat (triticum aestivum l. cv agosta), under the influence of residue and nitrogen levels and different tillage practices, a field experiment was conducted during the 2006-2007 growing season, in the agricultural research station of the college of agriculture, shiraz university, iran. the experiment was designed as a split-sp...

Producers are frequently most interested in economic comparisons of various cropping systems. We compared continuous corn (Zea mays L.) and continuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] with 2-, 3-, and 5-year rotations, the latter two including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), using either chisel plow or no-tillage practices. Crop yield and returns to land and manag...

For centuries tillage has been used to prepare suitable seedbed to grow crops, and to control weeds and incorporate fertilizers, pesticides, manures and other amendments. In early years conversion of native ecosystems by tillage helped to unlock nutrients stored in soil organic matter, and thus `mine' naturally fertile soils to grow crops with minimum inputs for the growing population. However,...

Recent declines in managed honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies have increased interest in the current and potential contribution of wild bee populations to the pollination of agricultural crops. Because wild bees often live in agricultural fields, their population density and contribution to crop pollination may be influenced by farming practices, especially those used to reduce the populati...

In organic farming, as crops production is directly depending on soil quality, farmers pay attention to preserve soil ecosystem in order to benefit from better ecological services. Today, soil conservation practices, such as ploughless soil tillage and cover cropping, have gained prominence in organic cropping systems and provide for great potentials such as maintaining or increasing soil ferti...

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are widespread in agricultural fields and help suppress crop pests. These natural enemies may be hindered by certain agronomic practices associated with conventional agriculture including the use of pesticides. We tested whether the abundance of EPF differed between organic and conventional fields, and whether specific cropping practices and soil properties were cor...

To take advantage of conservation tillage systems (including direct drilling and non-inversion) in central Iran, it is important to study the effects of different cultivation practices on soil structural stability as a physical indicator. A four-year study was conducted to investigate the effects of seven tillage systems on aggregate properties of a clay-loam soil (Calcic Cambisol) with continu...