IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agiwat/v203y2018icp376-384.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The influence of rotational tillage on soil water storage, water use efficiency and maize yield in semi-arid areas under varied rainfall conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Shulan
  • Wang, Hao
  • Zhang, Yuanhong
  • Wang, Rui
  • Zhang, Yujiao
  • Xu, Zonggui
  • Jia, Guangcan
  • Wang, Xiaoli
  • Li, Jun

Abstract

The implementation of rotational tillage with straw mulching during a fallow period seems to be an effective management strategy to help store water for spring-sown crop. A site-specific field study was conducted according to rainfall conditions to determine the effect of rotational tillage on soil water regime, water use efficiency and grain yield in semi-arid region on the loess plateau of China. Six tillage practices were tested: NT/ST rotation (no-tillage was applied in the first year and rotated with sub-soiling in the second year), ST/CT rotation (sub-soiling was applied in the first year and rotated with conventional tillage in the second year), CT/NT rotation (conventional tillage was applied in the first year and rotated with no-tillage in the second year), NT (no-tillage was applied every year), ST (sub-soiling was applied every year), CT(conventional tillage was applied every year). The results showed that the rotational tillage increase average SWS (soil water at sowing) by 5.2 mm in dry years, 0.8 mm in normal years, and 13.2 mm in humid years when compared to CT. Soil water depletion was consistent with rainfall totals, and the lowest depletion value recorded in the NT/ST and followed by NT treatment. The grain yield was positively related with rainfall, and average grain yields for three rainfall conditions were ranked as NT/ST > CT/NT > ST/CT > ST > NT = CT, while the soil water use efficiency (WUE) was ranked in the order of NT/ST, >CT/NT > ST, ST/CT > NT > CT. Grain yields of rotational tillage NT/ST, ST/CT and CT/NT are higher than the yield of NT by 6.5%–12.0%, higher than the yield of ST by 1.7%–7.0%, and 7.6%–13.2% higher than CT, respectively. Hence, rotational tillage could improve soil water storage, thus significantly increasing crop grain yield and water use efficiency. The method could have important applications in semi-arid areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Shulan & Wang, Hao & Zhang, Yuanhong & Wang, Rui & Zhang, Yujiao & Xu, Zonggui & Jia, Guangcan & Wang, Xiaoli & Li, Jun, 2018. "The influence of rotational tillage on soil water storage, water use efficiency and maize yield in semi-arid areas under varied rainfall conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 376-384.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:203:y:2018:i:c:p:376-384
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2018.03.007
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377418301380
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.03.007?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aboudrare, A. & Debaeke, P. & Bouaziz, A. & Chekli, H., 2006. "Effects of soil tillage and fallow management on soil water storage and sunflower production in a semi-arid Mediterranean climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 83(3), pages 183-196, June.
    2. Alletto, Lionel & Coquet, Yves & Justes, Eric, 2011. "Effects of tillage and fallow period management on soil physical behaviour and maize development," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 102(1), pages 74-85.
    3. Ma, Shangyu & Yu, Zhenwen & Shi, Yu & Gao, Zhiqiang & Luo, Lanping & Chu, Pengfei & Guo, Zengjiang, 2015. "Soil water use, grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in a long-term study of tillage practices and supplemental irrigation on the North China Plain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 9-17.
    4. Liu, Chang-An & Li, Feng-Rui & Zhou, Li-Min & Zhang, Rong-He & Yu-Jia, & Lin, Shi-Ling & Wang, Li-Jun & Siddique, Kadambot H.M. & Li, Feng-Min, 2013. "Effect of organic manure and fertilizer on soil water and crop yields in newly-built terraces with loess soils in a semi-arid environment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 123-132.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Xiangxiang Wang & Zhilong Cheng & Xin Cheng & Quanjiu Wang, 2022. "Effects of Surface Mulching on the Growth and Water Consumption of Maize," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Hou, Xianqing & Li, Rong, 2019. "Interactive effects of autumn tillage with mulching on soil temperature, productivity and water use efficiency of rainfed potato in loess plateau of China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Zhang, Yuanhong & Li, Haoyu & Sun, Yuanguang & Zhang, Qi & Liu, Pengzhao & Wang, Rui & Li, Jun, 2022. "Temporal stability analysis evaluates soil water sustainability of different cropping systems in a dryland agricultural ecosystem," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    4. Hou, Xianqing & Li, Rong & He, Wenshou & Ma, Kun, 2020. "Effects of planting density on potato growth, yield, and water use efficiency during years with variable rainfall on the Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    5. Zhang, Wenchao & Zhu, Jianqiang & Zhou, Xinguo & Li, Fahu, 2018. "Effects of shallow groundwater table and fertilization level on soil physico-chemical properties, enzyme activities, and winter wheat yield," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 307-317.
    6. Rui Wang & Lijuan Ma & Wei Lv & Jun Li, 2022. "Rotational Tillage: A Sustainable Management Technique for Wheat Production in the Semiarid Loess Plateau," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-12, September.
    7. Jinxiao Li & Guijun Zhang & Pengtao Zhang & Siyu Jing & Jie Dong, 2023. "Simulation and Zoning Research on the Ecosystem Service in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region Based on SSP–RCP Scenarios," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Linlin & Li, Qiang & Coulter, Jeffrey A. & Xie, Junhong & Luo, Zhuzhu & Zhang, Renzhi & Deng, Xiping & Li, Linglin, 2020. "Winter wheat yield and water use efficiency response to organic fertilization in northern China: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    2. Mohamed Allam & Emanuele Radicetti & Valentina Quintarelli & Verdiana Petroselli & Sara Marinari & Roberto Mancinelli, 2022. "Influence of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon and Crop Productivity under Different Tillage Systems: A Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Massamba Diop & Ngonidzashe Chirinda & Adnane Beniaich & Mohamed El Gharous & Khalil El Mejahed, 2022. "Soil and Water Conservation in Africa: State of Play and Potential Role in Tackling Soil Degradation and Building Soil Health in Agricultural Lands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-29, October.
    4. He, Gang & Wang, Zhaohui & Li, Fucui & Dai, Jian & Li, Qiang & Xue, Cheng & Cao, Hanbing & Wang, Sen & Malhi, Sukhdev S., 2016. "Soil water storage and winter wheat productivity affected by soil surface management and precipitation in dryland of the Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1-9.
    5. Attila Vad & András Szabó & Oqba Basal & Szilvia Veres, . "Yield of sweet corn and sunflower as affected by different cultivation methods and fertilisation schemes," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 0.
    6. Elke Noellemeyer & Romina Fernández & Alberto Quiroga, 2013. "Crop and Tillage Effects on Water Productivity of Dryland Agriculture in Argentina," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-11, January.
    7. Xue Zhong & Xiaohui Jiang & Leilei Li & Jing Xu & Huanyu Xu, 2020. "The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Sediment Load: A Case Study of the Yanhe River Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Hadria, R. & Duchemin, B. & Baup, F. & Le Toan, T. & Bouvet, A. & Dedieu, G. & Le Page, M., 2009. "Combined use of optical and radar satellite data for the detection of tillage and irrigation operations: Case study in Central Morocco," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(7), pages 1120-1127, July.
    9. You, Yongliang & Song, Ping & Yang, Xianlong & Zheng, Yapeng & Dong, Li & Chen, Jing, 2022. "Optimizing irrigation for winter wheat to maximize yield and maintain high-efficient water use in a semi-arid environment," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    10. Ágota Horel & Tibor Zsigmond & Csilla Farkas & Györgyi Gelybó & Eszter Tóth & Anikó Kern & Zsófia Bakacsi, 2022. "Climate Change Alters Soil Water Dynamics under Different Land Use Types," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    11. Zhao, Zhiyuan & Zheng, Wei & Ma, Yanting & Wang, Xianling & Li, Ziyan & Zhai, Bingnian & Wang, Zhaohui, 2020. "Responses of soil water, nitrate and yield of apple orchard to integrated soil management in Loess Plateau, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    12. Dong Guo & Chuanyong Chen & Baoyuan Zhou & Di Ma & William D. Batchelor & Xiao Han & Zaisong Ding & Mei Du & Ming Zhao & Ming Li & Wei Ma, 2022. "Drip Fertigation with Relatively Low Water and N Input Achieved Higher Grain Yield of Maize by Improving Pre- and Post-Silking Dry Matter Accumulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    13. Wang, Xiaolin & Ren, Yuanyuan & Zhang, Suiqi & Chen, Yinglong & Wang, Nan, 2017. "Applications of organic manure increased maize (Zea mays L.) yield and water productivity in a semi-arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 88-98.
    14. Mzezewa, J. & Gwata, E.T. & van Rensburg, L.D., 2011. "Yield and seasonal water productivity of sunflower as affected by tillage and cropping systems under dryland conditions in the Limpopo Province of South Africa," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(10), pages 1641-1648, August.
    15. López-Vicente, Manuel & Álvarez, Sara, 2018. "Stability and patterns of topsoil water content in rainfed vineyards, olive groves, and cereal fields under different soil and tillage conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 167-176.
    16. Hussain, Mubshar & Farooq, Shahid & Hasan, Waseem & Ul-Allah, Sami & Tanveer, Mohsin & Farooq, Muhammad & Nawaz, Ahmad, 2018. "Drought stress in sunflower: Physiological effects and its management through breeding and agronomic alternatives," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 201(C), pages 152-166.
    17. Gozubuyuk, Zinnur & Sahin, Ustun & Adiguzel, Mesut Cemal & Ozturk, Ismail & Celik, Ahmet, 2015. "The influence of different tillage practices on water content of soil and crop yield in vetch–winter wheat rotation compared to fallow–winter wheat rotation in a high altitude and cool climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 84-97.
    18. Ning Wang & Yingying Xing & Xiukang Wang, 2019. "Exploring Options for Improving Potato Productivity through Reducing Crop Yield Gap in Loess Plateau of China Based on Grey Correlation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-14, October.
    19. Nilsson, Pia & Backman, Mikaela & Bjerke, Lina & Maniriho, Aristide, 2019. "One cow per poor family: Effects on the growth of consumption and crop production," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-12.
    20. Rui Zhang & Yingnan Yang & Tinghui Dang & Yuanjun Zhu & Mingbin Huang, 2022. "Responses of Wheat Yield under Different Fertilization Treatments to Climate Change Based on a 35-Year In Situ Experiment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:203:y:2018:i:c:p:376-384. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/agwat .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.