Resumo: O trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar os efeitos de sistemas de cultivo e métodos de implantação no sistema radicular da cebola e nas propriedades fisicas do solo (Experimentos I e 11), bem como na produtividade de cultivares no verão, visando à colheita de bulbos na entressafra (Experimentos 111 e IV). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em um Latossolo Vermelho, em São José do Rio Pardo-SP, entre dezembro de 2004 e setembro de 2005. No Experimento I, instalado em dezembro, foram avaliados os sistemas de cultivo na palha e convencional (aração/gradagem) e pontos de coleta de amostras do solo: linha e entrelinha. No Experimento 11, instalado em fevereiro, foram avaliados os sistemas de cultivo na palha e convencional, implantados por semeadura direta, transplantio de mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas. No Experimento 11I, instalado em dezembro, foi avaliada a produtividade de Alfa Tropical, Alfa São Francisco e Mercedes, implantadas por transplantio de mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas, no cultivo na palha e convencional. No Experimento IV, instalado em fevereiro, foram avaliados os mesmos tratamentos do Experimento 111 e foi adicionado o método da semeadura direta. O sistema radicular concentrou-se entre O e 20 cm de profundidade. A densidade de raizes foi maior no sistema de cultivo na palha do que no convencional, entre O e 10 cm. Os atributos físicos do solo não alteraram o desenvolvimento radicular. A semeadura direta propiciou maior densidade de raizes que mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas. Altas produtividades foram obtidas com Alfa Tropical e Alfa São Francisco em dezembro, e em fevereiro com Mercedes. O transplantio de mudas de bandejas e a semeadura direta proporcionaram produtividades de até 50 t ha-1, quase o dobro da constatada no método de mudas de raizes nuas. Maiores produtividades ou precocidade de colheita foram obtidas no cultivo na palha em relação ao sistema convencional. / Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of til/age system and method of crop implementation on the root system of onions and on the physical properties of the soil (Experiment I and 11), as well as on the productivity of the cultivars in the summer, for the purpose of collecting bulbs in the period of low onion yield (Experiments 111 and IV). The experiments were conducted in red latosol soil, in São José do Rio Pardo-SP, between Oecember, 2004 and September, 2005. Experiment I, started in Oecember, compared tillage systems, conventional (plowing/harrowing) versus no-tillage, and collection areas of soil samples, row versus interrow. Experiment 11, started in February, examined the two tillage systems, where crops were implemented by direct seeding (DS) and transplanting seedlings produced in trays (TST) or in raised beds (TSR). Experiment 11I, started in Oecember, studied the productivity of Alfa Tropical, Alfa São Francisco and Mercedes, implemented by TST and TSR, cultivated with no tillage and with conventional soil preparation. Experiment IV, started in February, examined the same treatments as in Oecember but also the OS method. The root system was concentrated at a depth of O to 20 cm. The density of the roots was greater between O and 10 cm with no tillage compared to conventional soi! preparation. The physical attributes of the soil had no influence on root development. OS favored a greater root density compared to TST and TSR. High productivity was obtained with Alfa Tropical and Alfa São Francisco in Oecember, and in February with Mercedes. TST and OS resulted in productivities of up to 50 t ha-1, almost double that with TSR. Greater yield was obtained with no tillage versus the conventional system. / Orientador: Leila Trevizan Braz / Coorientador: Itamar Andrioli / Coorientadora: Teresinha de Jesus Deléo Rodrigues / Banca: Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho / Banca: Marcos David Ferreira / Mestre

Although most vegetables are grown using conventional tillage (CT) practices, no-tillage (NT) is becoming more prominent in vegetable production due to growers gaining more understanding of the economic and ecological benefits associated with the NT production system. Nitrogen (N) fertility management in NT systems is important to maximize yield productivity, but there is little available information on N fertilizer recommendations for vegetable crops grown in this production system. Therefore, two field studies were conducted at a grower location in southern Illinois to determine the effect of N application rates in NT zucchini squash and cucumber production following the herbicide burn-down of a wheat cover crop in early spring. Results indicated that the maximum total squash fruit yield was achieved when 30 to 120 lb N/acre was sidedress applied [or a range of 125 to 210 lb total N (pre-plant, soil, and applied N)/acre]. Although squash plant growth was maximized when 180 lb N/acre was sidedressed (or a range of 264 to 273 lb total N/acre), the overall yield was less compared to the 30 to 120 lb N/acre rates. Cucumber results indicated that maximum total fruit yield was achieved again at 30 to 120 lb N/acre sidedress rates (or a total N rate range of 114 to 208 lb/acre). Cucumber plant growth was maximized at a sidedress application of 120 to 180 lb N/acre, although yield decreased at the 180 lb N/acre sidedress rate (or 260 to 270 lb total N/acre). It appears that if cucurbit vegetables have high amounts of N available in the soil through over application of N fertilizer, the excess N will be used for plant vegetative growth rather than for fruit production. These studies indicated that when too much N is applied in both NT cucumbers and zucchini squash, these high N rates will stimulate vegetative growth (as indicated by high plant vigor and leaf chlorophyll content) while reducing fruit yields.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-12-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:41:53Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_jc_dr_botfca.pdf: 1115073 bytes, checksum: 2801ee5f0b4afe076eb6fd7a690f282d (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O girassol é uma oleaginosa de reconhecida importância na alimentação animal, humana, sendo, atualmente, uma das principais matérias-prima para produção de biocombustível. Existem poucos estudos relacionados aos sistemas de manejo do solo adotados para esta cultura. Objetivou-se no presente trabalho quantificar e analisar os efeitos dos sistemas de manejo nos atributos físicos e químicos de um Nitossolo Vermelho Distroférrico (NVdf), após a colheita do girassol, em uma área cultivada durante 11 anos sob o sistema de semeadura direta, e identificar a velocidade na operação de semeadura que permite o melhor desenvolvimento do girassol. O experimento foi instalado na Fazenda Experimental do Lageado, pertencente à Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas da UNESP, localizada no município de Botucatu-SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, seguindo o esquema de parcela subdividida, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos efetuados nas parcelas foram: os sistemas de manejo do solo (semeadura direta com mecanismo sulcador tipo haste- SDh; semeadura direta com mecanismo sulcador tipo disco duplo-SDd; cultivo reduzido-CR e cultivo convencional-CC). Nas subparcelas, as velocidades utilizadas para a semeadura foram de 3; 5; 6 e 8 km h-1. Amostras de solo foram coletadas na camada superficial, após a colheita do girassol e analisou-se a textura do solo, densidades, porosidade, diâmetro médio ponderado, percentagem de agregados, resistência do solo à penetração e análise química do solo. Para o desempenho operacional dos equipamentos de preparos do solo e semeadura, foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: velocidade de semeadura, patinagem das rodas motrizes, força média de tração na barra, resistência específica operacional, potência média de tração na barra, consumo horário e operacional de combustível, capacidade de campo teórica e área de solo... / The sunflower is an oleaginous plant of recognized importance in the animal and human feeding, being, at present, one of the main raw materials for bio-fuels production. There are few researches to the soil management systems for this crop. It was objectified in the present work to quantify and to analyze the effect of the management systems in the physical and chemical attributes of a Paleudult, after the harvest of the sunflower, in an area cultivated during 11 years under the system of direct sowing, identify the speed in the sowing operation that allows the best development in the productivity of the sunflower. The experiment was installed in “UNESP – São Paulo State University”, in the Experimental Farm of the Lageado of the Agronomic Sciences College- Botucatu-SP. The experimental was in randomized block design in split plot, with four repetitions. The effected treatments in the plots were: the soil management systems (no-till using furrow opener with mechanism type rod-SDh; no-till using furrow opener with mechanism type double disk-SDd record; minimum tillage-CR and conventional tillage-CC). In the sub plots, the used speeds for the sowing were 3; 5; 6 and 8 km h-1. Soil samples were collected in the surface layer, after the harvest of sunflower and analyzed to soil texture, density, porosity, mean weight diameter, percentage of aggregates, soil resistance to penetration and soil chemistry analysis. For the operational performance of equipment for soil preparation and seeding, were analyzed the following variables: speed of sowing, skating wheels driving, the average tensile strength in the bar, resistance specific operational, average power of the traction bar, time consumption and operational fuel, field capacity and theoretical area of soil mobilized. The variables of the culture of sunflower were evaluated: plant population, longitudinal distribution of plants... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-01-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:46:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rodrigues_gb_dr_ilha.pdf: 434116 bytes, checksum: 2f3a696f931e974dcdb45103ecce5926 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Plantas de cobertura são espécies utilizadas com objetivo de produzir fitomassa, sendo os resíduos mantidos na superfície do solo para formação de cobertura morta, contribuindo para aumentar a eficiência do sistema plantio direto. Este experimento avaliou a capacidade das plantas de cobertura quanto à produção de biomassa e ciclagem de nutrientes ao solo para o sistema plantio direto, também analisou a resposta do cultivar Pérola à aplicação de níveis de nitrogênio em cobertura nos estádios V4-3 e V4-6 do desenvolvimento vegetativo sobre os componentes produtivos, produtividade e qualidade fisiológica das sementes de feijoeiro, sendo conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, UNESP, em Selvíria-MS. No verão de 2008 foram implantadas as plantas de cobertura: milheto, braquiária, braquiária+feijão-de-porco, milho, milheto+feijão-de-porco, braquiária+crotalária, milheto+crotalária, milho+feijão-de-porco, milho+crotalária, sendo o consórcio gramínea/leguminosa com linhas alternadas. Após o manejo das plantas de cobertura foi semeado o feijoeiro no outono/inverno, subdivididas para níveis de N (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1 de N) em dois estádios do desenvolvimento vegetativo (V4-3 e V4-6), sendo utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Concluiu-se que, (i) As plantas de cobertura cultivadas de forma solteira ou em consórcio se mostraram como opções viáveis para o cultivo do feijoeiro em implantação do sistema plantio direto; (ii) A época mais adequada para a aplicação de N no feijoeiro é V4-3, pois permite maior absorção de nutrientes e maiores produtividades do feijoeiro cv. Pérola; (iii) Devido ao elevado retorno de nutrientes pelas plantas de cobertura não se recomenda a aplicação de N em cobertura; (iv) As sementes... / Covering plants species are used in order to produce biomass, and the straw are kept on the soil surface to form mulching, improving the efficiency of no- tillage system. This research analyzed the ability of cover plants for producing biomass and nutrients return to the soil in no-tillage system, also evaluated the response of the Perola cultivar for application of nitrogen levels in the V4-3 and V4-6 sub phases on the vegetative development under productive components, productivity and physiological quality. The experiments were conducted experimental of the Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, Universidade Estadual Paulista, in Selvíria-MS. In the summer of 2008 were implemented cover plants: millet, Brachiaria brizanta, maize plants, millet+jack bean, sunn hemp+millet, Brachiaria brizanta+jack bean, Brachiaria brizanta+sunn hemp , maize plants+jack bean, maize+sunn hemp , being the consortium grass/legume in alternating rows. After the management of cover crops were sown common beans seeds in the fall / winter, divided to levels of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha -1) in two seasons of N application, and used a randomized block design with four repetitions. Concluding that: (i) The cover plants used as a good options of mulching for use in no- tillage with high levels and good potential of nutrients return; (ii) The most appropriate period for application in common bean is V4 -3 , as it allows greater absorption of nutrients and higher productivity of cv. Pérola; (iii) Due to the high return of nutrients by the cover plant is not recommended to apply of nitrogen; (iv) The seed presented high quality regardless of the type of plant, or stadium of N application

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-12-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 vandervinne_j_me_jabo.pdf: 347258 bytes, checksum: b5423484849f6fdd515cedd6cecc561c (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar os efeitos de sistemas de cultivo e métodos de implantação no sistema radicular da cebola e nas propriedades fisicas do solo (Experimentos I e 11), bem como na produtividade de cultivares no verão, visando à colheita de bulbos na entressafra (Experimentos 111 e IV). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em um Latossolo Vermelho, em São José do Rio Pardo-SP, entre dezembro de 2004 e setembro de 2005. No Experimento I, instalado em dezembro, foram avaliados os sistemas de cultivo na palha e convencional (aração/gradagem) e pontos de coleta de amostras do solo: linha e entrelinha. No Experimento 11, instalado em fevereiro, foram avaliados os sistemas de cultivo na palha e convencional, implantados por semeadura direta, transplantio de mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas. No Experimento 11I, instalado em dezembro, foi avaliada a produtividade de Alfa Tropical, Alfa São Francisco e Mercedes, implantadas por transplantio de mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas, no cultivo na palha e convencional. No Experimento IV, instalado em fevereiro, foram avaliados os mesmos tratamentos do Experimento 111 e foi adicionado o método da semeadura direta. O sistema radicular concentrou-se entre O e 20 cm de profundidade. A densidade de raizes foi maior no sistema de cultivo na palha do que no convencional, entre O e 10 cm. Os atributos físicos do solo não alteraram o desenvolvimento radicular. A semeadura direta propiciou maior densidade de raizes que mudas de bandejas e de raizes nuas. Altas produtividades foram obtidas com Alfa Tropical e Alfa São Francisco em dezembro, e em fevereiro com Mercedes. O transplantio de mudas de bandejas e a semeadura direta proporcionaram produtividades de até 50 t ha-1, quase o dobro da constatada no método de mudas de raizes nuas. Maiores produtividades ou precocidade de colheita foram obtidas no cultivo na palha em relação ao sistema convencional. / The aim of the study was to determine the effects of til/age system and method of crop implementation on the root system of onions and on the physical properties of the soil (Experiment I and 11), as well as on the productivity of the cultivars in the summer, for the purpose of collecting bulbs in the period of low onion yield (Experiments 111 and IV). The experiments were conducted in red latosol soil, in São José do Rio Pardo-SP, between Oecember, 2004 and September, 2005. Experiment I, started in Oecember, compared tillage systems, conventional (plowing/harrowing) versus no-tillage, and collection areas of soil samples, row versus interrow. Experiment 11, started in February, examined the two tillage systems, where crops were implemented by direct seeding (DS) and transplanting seedlings produced in trays (TST) or in raised beds (TSR). Experiment 11I, started in Oecember, studied the productivity of Alfa Tropical, Alfa São Francisco and Mercedes, implemented by TST and TSR, cultivated with no tillage and with conventional soil preparation. Experiment IV, started in February, examined the same treatments as in Oecember but also the OS method. The root system was concentrated at a depth of O to 20 cm. The density of the roots was greater between O and 10 cm with no tillage compared to conventional soi! preparation. The physical attributes of the soil had no influence on root development. OS favored a greater root density compared to TST and TSR. High productivity was obtained with Alfa Tropical and Alfa São Francisco in Oecember, and in February with Mercedes. TST and OS resulted in productivities of up to 50 t ha-1, almost double that with TSR. Greater yield was obtained with no tillage versus the conventional system.

Sistemas com semeadura direta sobre palhada são cada vez mais utilizados na agricultura, e a ramulose do algodoeiro, causada pelo fungo Coletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides Costa, é uma das doenças mais importantes na cultura. Foram realizados durante os anos de 2004/05, 2005/06 e 2006/07 na Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", USP/ESALQ, em Piracicaba, SP, experimentos com a cultura do algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum L. var. latifolium Hutch), conduzidos sob preparo do solo convencional com semeadura convencional do algodoeiro, e ausência de preparo do solo com semeadura do algodoeiro sobre palhada de milheto, com o objetivo de avaliar se as modificações microclimáticas causadas pela utilização da palhada de milheto em relação às variáveis temperatura e duração de período de molhamento foliar (DPM) poderiam interferir no desenvolvimento e evolução da ramulose do algodoeiro. Foi utilizado também o Índice de Favorabilidade temperatura-molhamento para a ramulose do algodoeiro, que utiliza os parâmetros temperatura e DPM no seu cálculo para explicar o desenvolvimento da doença entre os dois sistemas de semeadura. Os dados microclimáticos foram medidos por uma plataforma de aquisição de dados na região central da área experimental. Em blocos alternados entre os dois sistemas de semeadura, o patógeno foi inoculado artificialmente nas subparcelas dos blocos, e a doença foi avaliada por escala de notas (1 a 5). As médias de notas de sintomas de ramulose foram submetidas à análise estatística, através de testes não paramétricos. A fim de avaliar se a ausência de preparo poderia interferir no desenvolvimento das plantas, este também foi avaliado. Os resultados permitiram concluir que sob semeadura convencional, houve nos dois primeiros anos maiores médias de massa seca, altura de plantas, IAF, e que no terceiro ano foram constatados maior número de raízes laterais e maior número de plantas com encurvamento da raiz pivotante sob semeadura direta. O aumento da severidade da ramulose foi decorrente de interações muito particulares para cada período, onde muitas variáveis estão envolvidas, ou seja, características intrínsecas ao patógeno, à fase de desenvolvimento da planta e às condições macro e microclimáticas; O IF-tm teve uma boa relação com o aumento da severidade e diferenças na severidade da ramulose entre os dois sistemas de semeadura; Pode ocorrer maior severidade da ramulose para sistemas de produção convencionais em maior proporção do que em sistemas com utilização de palhada em períodos onde os valores de IF-tm são altos, associados à ocorrência de chuvas; Com Índices de Favorabilidade temperatura-molhamento menores que 0,500 não se observau aumento efetivo da severidade da ramulose em quaisquer sistema de semeadura, mesmo havendo outras condições favoráveis; O sistema de semeadura utilizado não influenciou na produtividade da cultura. / Systems with direct seeding over mulching are more often used in agriculture, and the Ramulosis from the cotton plant caused by the fungus Coletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides Costa, one of the most important diseases in cotton crop. During the years of 2004/05, 2005/06; and 2006/07at the University of Agriculture "Luiz De Quieroz", USP/ ESALQ, in Piracicaba, SP, experiments were made with the cotton crop (Gossypium hirsutum L. var latifolium Hutch), under the preparation of conventional tillage with conventional seeding of the cotton crop and the absence of the preparation of the tillage with the seeding of the cotton crop over the mulching of millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) with the objective to evaluate if the modifications microclimates caused by the use of the mulching of millet in relation to the variables temperatures and the leaf wetness duration, (LWD) could interfere on the development of the ramulosis of the cotton crop. It was also used the Favorability Index for the ramulosis of the cotton crop which uses the temperature parameter and DPM in its calculation to explain the development of the disease between the two systems of seeding. The Weather variables data were measured by a platform of acquisition of data in the central zone of the experimental area. In alternated blocks between both systems of seeding, the pathogen was inoculated artificially and the disease was measured by scales from 1 to 5. The average of ramulosis was submitted to a statistic analysis through not parametric tests with the intent to find out if the absence of the preparation could interfere on the development of the plants, which was also evaluated. The results enable the conclusion that through conventional seeding, on the first two years there was an average of higher dry mass higher height of the plants, IAF, and in the third year it was found a higher number of lateral roots and a higher number of plants with bending on the primary roots over direct seeding. The increase of the severity of the ramulosis happened due to specific interactions for each period where many variables were involved, which means, intrinsic characteristic to the at the stage of the development of the plant and the conditions macro and microclimates. The Favorability Index had a good relation with the increase and the differences within the severity of the ramulosis between both systems of seeding. Higher severity of the ramulosis can occur for conventional systems of production in bigger proportions than in systems that uses the mulching in periods where the value of the IF-tm are high, associated to rain. With indications of Favorability Index lower than 0,500 there is no evidence of the effective increase of the severity of the ramulosis in any system of the seeding. The system of seeding used does not affect in the productivity of the cotton crop.

Intensive tillage and monoculture cropping practices reduce soil C accumulation hence increasing soil vulnerability to chemical, physical and biological degradation. This study focussed on enhancing biomass production of wheat and oat winter cover crops as a means of increasing C sequestration in the low organic C soils of the central part of Eastern Cape Province. The specific objectives were (i) to evaluate the short-term effects of no till and cereal-fallow based crop rotations on; soil organic matter related parameters, pH and electrical conductivity, (ii) soil bulk density, water retention and aggregate stability, (iii) soil microbial biomass C and N, mineralizable N, soil respiration, and dehydrogenase enzyme activity, (iv) grain yield, soil nutrient concentration (N, P and K) and their uptake by maize, and (v) to identify soil parameters with high sensitivity to tillage under maize-fallow-maize, maize-wheat-maize and maize-oat-maize rotational cover cropping practices. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Tillage treatments (CT and NT) were applied on the main plots which measured 8 × 18 m while crop rotation treatments were applied in the subplots which measured 8 × 6 m. The rotation treatments were maize-fallow-maize (MFM), maize-wheat-maize (MWM) and maize-oat-maize (MOM). Weed control in NT plots involved preplant application of glyphosate to control mainly the grass weeds while post emergence weed management was done using Atrazine (485 atrazine and 15 g l-1 triazines). Initial weed control in CT plots was achieved through ploughing to a depth of 20 cm followed by disking while post emergence weed iii management was done by hand hoeing. Soil parameters measured were; (i) particulate organic matter (POM), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH and electrical conductivity (EC), (ii) soil bulk density (b), moisture at field capacity (FC), aggregate mean weight diameter (MWD) determined by fast wetting (FW), slow wetting (SW), mechanical breakdown by shaking (MB) and the stability index (SI), (iii) soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), mineralizable N (MN), soil respiration (SR), and dehydrogenase enzyme activity (DHEA). No-till increased POM and TN compared to CT in Lenye and Burnshill, respectively. The MWM and the MOM rotations increased TN relative to the MFM rotation in Lenye. The MWM and MOM rotations enhanced SOC relative to MFM in all sampled soil depths at Burnshill and similar observations were made under MOM rotation in the 5-20 cm depth in Lenye. The MWM and MOM rotations tended to depress soil pH relative to the MFM rotation in both sampled soil depths in Lenye while NT reduced soil pH relative to CT on the surface soil layer in Burnshill. Soil EC and pH varied with depth across tillage practices but both parameters remained within the ideal range for successful crop production over the study period. Soil stability index (SI) and aggregate MWD determined by FW, SW and MB were higher in Lenye compared to Burnshill. The MOM rotation enhanced the SI relative to MFM and MWM rotations at both sites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that more organic C was incorporated into the soil under NT and MOM rotation compared to CT and MFM rotation which had few organic coatings on the soil particles. Microbial properties varied with plant biomass input as influenced by tillage and type of rotational cover crop at both sites. Like in other past studies, NT showed higher levels of MBC, MBN, NM and SR at the soil surface layer compared to CT in Burnshill. No till increased MN iv relative to CT in both sampled soil depths in Lenye and resulted in higher DHEA compared to CT in Burnshill. The MOM rotation increased MBC, MBN, MN relative to MFM rotation especially within surface soil layer. Similar observations were made with respect to MN and SR in both sampled soil layers at Lenye. By contrast, the DHEA was higher under the MFM relative to the MWM and MOM rotations in Lenye but similar under the MFM and MOM rotations in Burnshill. Maize grain yield was not affected by both tillage and crop rotations but varied with cropping season. Comparable grain yields observed under the two tillage practices with similar fertilizer application rates indicated the advantage of NT over CT in saving on labour costs in maize production without compromising yields. High plant biomass retention under NT relative to CT contributed to high soil N and P levels under the former compared to the latter tillage practice especially on soil surface layer at both study sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that soil chemical and biological parameters closely linked to organic matter, namely SOC, MN, MBC and MBN showed the highest sensitivity to tillage and crop rotation treatments. Soil aggregate MWD determined by SW and b were the physical parameters which were highly altered by agronomic management practice. The MWM and MOM rotations were clustered together and clearly separated from the MFM rotation and this observed trend only applied to the 0-5 and 5-20 cm depths in Lenye site only. No till, MWM and MOM rotations enhanced POM, SOC and TN relative to CT and MFM rotation suggesting these practices have greater potential to improve soil chemical properties compared to intensive tillage and maize monoculture based production practices. Reduced soil b under MOM rotation and improved SI under NT compared to MFM and CT, respectively v indicate that these practices have the potential to improve degraded soils. Although not significantly different, NT values for MBC, MBN, MN, SR and DHEA were higher compared to CT indicating the potential of the practice to improve soil biotic activity relative to conventional tillage practices. No till enhanced surface soil nitrate N and extractable P compared to CT at both sites revealing the long-term potential of NT in improving the supply of these essential plant nutrients compared to CT. Principal component analysis showed that SOC, MN, K, P, MBC, MBN, soil aggregate MWD determined by SW and b were the most sensitive parameters to tillage and crop rotations. Therefore, these parameters could constitute the minimum data set for assessments of the impact of selected CA practices on soil quality attributes.

In the Northern Great Plains (NGP), weed management within organic systems remains a challenge. Experiments were conducted at two distinct sites in North Dakota to investigate effects of deep mulch no-till (NT) on soil quality indices, weed densities, and weed seedbank densities. We hypothesized that alfalfa mulch no-till and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculant would be associated with reductions in weed densities and improvements to soil quality and vegetable yield. NT treatments were associated with reductions in weed densities and time required for weeding, with improvements in soil quality, such as increased AMF biomass, and yield for snap pea, onion, beet, and butternut squash compared to tilled treatments. Our findings suggest deep mulch no-till using alfalfa residue may be a viable option for small-scale organic vegetable producers in the NGP. Additional research is required to determine costs associated with sowing, harvesting, baling, and applying alfalfa mulch compared to tilling.

Field experiments were conducted in 1984 and 1985 in Fluvanna and Montgomery Counties in Virginia, to evaluate HOE-O661 (glufosinate) [ammonium-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl )-methyl phosphinate], cyanazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino )-s-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methyl propionitrile)), glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl 4,4'-bipyridinium ion) for the control of vegetation existing at the time of no-till corn establishment. These herbicides were applied alone or in combination with 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] or dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) at three timings of application. Both locations were heavily infested with annual, biennial, and perennial broadleaf weeds, including horseweed (Conyza canadensis), buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), curly dock (Rumex crispus) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis). All four non-selective herbicides provided good overall weed control. The addition of 2,4-D or dicamba generally improved the control of broadleaf weeds in all four experiments. Control of horseweed with paraquat was variable, but improved significantly when dicamba was applied in combination with paraquat. Glyphosate, cyanazine and HOE-O661 alone or in combination with 2,4-D or dicamba provided excellent horseweed control. Wild mustard control with glyphosate was dependent on the weed size and growth stage of development. Control with paraquat, cyanazine and HOE-0661 was not affected by differences in wild mustard size or growth stage. Glyphosate and HOE-0661 provided acceptable field bindweed control alone, and all herbicides gave excellent field bindweed control when applied in combination with 2,4-D or dicamba. Cyanazine and HOE-0661 showed better control of shoot growth on the more difficult-to-control weeds than paraquat and glyphosate when applied alone. With the addition of either 2,4-D or dicamba, cyanazine and HOE-0661 provided better overall weed control, in most cases, than corresponding paraquat and glyphosate combinations. Timing of application and weed size did not significantly affect herbicide activity, even at later application timings when weeds were well established and exceeded 60 cm in height. / M.S.

In full-season-soybean weed management experiments, the addition of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine], paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium ion), or HOE-0661 [ammonium (3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)methylphosphinate] to chlorimuron [2-[[[[(4-chloro-6-methoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino] carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl] benzoic acid] plus linuron [N'- (3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl urea] was required for effective weed control, especially of eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum Dun.). In double-crop experiments over 4 years including 10 experimental sites and 8 different weeds, chlorimuron plus linuron provided good control of vegetation at planting and residual weed control without glyphosate, paraquat, or HOE-0661. Cyanazine [2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin- 2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile] and 2,4-D [(2,4- dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] were the most effective herbicides for horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.)Cronq.) control prior to establishing full-season no-till soybeans (Glycine max (L.)Merr.). In greenhouse experiments, emergence of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seedlings was severely inhibited by all chlorimuron-containing treatments and by the highest rates of imazaquin [2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid]. Growth of tobacco transplanted into a treated potting mixture was severely reduced by all rates of chlorimuron-containing herbicides, and to a lesser extent by imazaquin. Postemergence applications of chlorimuron alone or imazaquin did not significantly affect tobacco growth. In the greenhouse, 'Vance' and 'Forrest' soybean varieties were more sensitive to chlorimuron than were 'W-20' (a sulfonylurea-resistant variety), 'Essex', or 'Hutcheson'. Herbicide injury increased with increasing soil pH. Under simulated rainfall conditions, chlorimuron movement in soil increased with increasing pH and rainfall. Soybean injury may be more directly related to chlorimuron in the soil water solution than to the amount of chlorimuron present in the soil profile. Laboratory experiments indicated that tolerance of pitted (Ipomoea lacunosa L.) and entire leaf (Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula Gray) morningglories to chlorimuron may be due to reduced herbicide uptake. Sensitivity of 'Vance' soybeans may be associated with the inability to rapidly metabolize chlorimuron herbicide. / Ph. D.