Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:37:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_Daiane_Carvalho_dos_Santos.pdf: 3060772 bytes, checksum: 73cb01bf57d8c16320b8d8d43cdc6255 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-18 / Few studies evaluate the dynamics and quality of soil organic matter (OM) in agroecosystems of the Pampa Biome. Conservation tillage systems based on the reduction of tillage operations and addition of crop residues, contribute to maintaining and improving soil quality and the environment. In this work, the studies 1 and 2 are related to evaluation of physical fractions of organic matter from the point of view of quantity and quality in the whole soil and in aggregates under areas arenizadas in the southwest of RS, This studies was done in an Paleudult under cultivation of eucalyptus forest homogeneous (FH) system agrosilvopasture (SA) and native (CN). The studies 3 and 4 aimed evaluating quantitatively and qualitatively the physical fractions of organic matter in whole soil and in aggregate in an Albaqualf under cultivation of ryegrass (Lollium multiflorum Lam) + birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), as cover crops in winter and rotation soybean (Glycine max L.) / maize (Zea mays L.) / sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) in the summer in conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). As reference area, was sampled an native area (CN). For both studies, soil was collected in the layers from 0.000 to 0.025m and 0.025 to 0.075m depth. The soil was air-dried and sieved at 8.00mm mesh and in aggregate classes (8.00 to 4.76, 4.76 - 2.00, 2.00 to 1.00, 1.00 to 0.50, 0.50 to 0.25 and <0.25mm). The stocks were determined from total organic carbon (TOC) in layers from 0.000 to 0.025m and 0.025 to 0.075m. The physical fractionation and granulometric densimetric SOM were realized to obtain the coarse fraction (CGC), carbon associated with minerals (CAM), free light fraction (FLF), occluded light fraction (OLF) and heavy fraction (HF). The first one study it was concluded that cultivation of FH in sandy soils caused increase in the stock of TOC, total nitrogen (TN) in the soil and fractions CFG, CAM, FLF and OLF when compared to CN in the surface layer. The SA in the soil samples showed more humified OM compared to CN and FH. The OLF, physically protected within the soil aggregates, presented higher proportion of more recalcitrant compounds in relation to FLF. In study 2 concluded that the FH showed the highest values of TOC accumulated in the layer from 0.000 to 0.075m depth in classes of 8.00 to 1.00mm and for the CFG and CAM in theclasses 8.00 to 0,50mm. The FLF was sensitive to changes in land use in the aggregates from 8.00 to 4.76mm at depths from 0.000 to 0.025m 0.025 to 0.075m, and these increments to the FH and CN, respectively. For all systems evaluated (FH, SA and CN), the degree of humification was higher in smaller diameter classes (0.50 - <0.25mm). The OLF showed higher free radical semiquinone, indicating humification. It was concluded from the study 3 that the NT in lowland soils increases the stock of CFG and FLF in comparison to the CT. This effect was restricted to the superficial layer, and these fractions were more sensitive than the TOC to changes in land management. In four years of experiment, te management systems had no effect on the stock of CAM and HF. By Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), under CT soil samples showed humified OM compared to the NT and CN. The FLF had a higher proportion of more labile compounds in relation to the OLF. In the study 4 it was concluded that the management systems under CT and NT in lowlands, reduced TOC, FLF and OLF in the aggregates of 4.76 to <0.25mm and a CFG in the classes 12 of 2.00 to <0.25mm compared to CN. Increases in stock of the FLF under NT were obtained in aggregates from 0.50 to <0.25mm in the layer from 0.000 to 0.025m for 0.000 to 0.075m, compared with CT. The largest stock of OLF in the surface layer was observed under NT in the class of the aggregates of 8.00 to 4.76mm. The increases in HF were obtained under the CT. The highest TOC, CGC, CAM, OLF and HF for the CT and NT were found in the classes of larger size aggregates (8.00 to 2.00mm), while a reduction in these stocks declined as the size of aggregates. Through the LIF and the EPR, the humification degree of OM increased with decreased the aggregate classes. / Escassos são os estudos que avaliam a dinâmica e a qualidade da matéria orgânica (MO) do solo em agroecossistemas do Bioma Pampa. Sistemas conservacionistas de manejo baseados na redução das operações de preparo do solo e na elevada e contínua adição de resíduos culturais, contribuem para a manutenção e melhoria da qualidade do solo e do ambiente. Neste trabalho, desenvolveram-se os seguintes estudos: os estudos 1 e 2 estão relacionados à avaliação das frações físicas da MO sob o ponto de vista quantitativo e qualitativo no solo inteiro e em classes de agregados, em áreas arenizadas do Sudoeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, em um Argissolo Vermelho sob cultivo de floresta homogênea de eucalipto (FH), sistema agrosilvipastoril (SA) e campo nativo (CN); os estudos 3 e 4 objetivaram avaliar quantitativamente e qualitativamente as frações físicas da MO no solo inteiro e em classes de agregados porém, em um Planossolo Háplico, sob cultivo de azevém (Lollium multiflorum Lam) + cornichão (Lotus corniculatus), como culturas de cobertura no inverno e rotação soja (Glycine Max L.)/milho (Zea mays L.)/sorgo (Sorghum vulgare) no verão em preparo convencional (PC) e plantio direto (PD). Como área de referência, amostrou-se uma área sob campo nativo (CN). Para ambos os estudos, o solo foi coletado nas camadas de 0,000 0,025m e de 0,025 0,075m seco ao ar e peneirado em malha de 8,00mm e em classes de agregados (8,00 4,76, 4,76 2,00, 2,00 1,00, 1,00 0,50, 0,50 0,25 e <0,25mm). Foram avaliados os estoques de carbono orgânico total (COT) e realizado o fracionamento físico granulométrico e densimétrico da MO para obtenção do carbono da fração grosseira (CFG), carbono associado aos minerais (CAM), fração leve livre (FLL), fração leve oclusa (FLO) e fração pesada (FP). No estudo 1 concluíu-se que o cultivo de homogêneo de eucalipto (FH) promoveu o aumento do estoque de COT, NT no solo e nas frações CFG, CAM, FLL e FLO quando comparado ao CN na camada superficial. No SA as amostras de solo apresentaram MO mais humificada quando comparada ao CN e a FH. A FLO, protegida fisicamente no interior dos agregados do solo, apresentou maior proporção de compostos mais recalcitrantes em relação à FLL. No estudo 2 concluíu-se que a FH promoveu os maiores estoques de COT acumulados na camada de 0,000 a 0,075m nas classes de 8,00 a 1,00mm e para o CFG e CAM nas classes que compreendem de 8,00 a 0,50mm. A FLL mostrou-se sensível as mudanças de uso do solo na classe de agregados de 8,00 4,76mm, nas camadas estudadas. Para todos os sistemas de uso avaliados, o grau de humificação foi maior nas classes de menor diâmetro (0,50 a <0,25mm). Concluiu-se pelo estudo 3 que o o PD aumenta os estoques de CFG e de FLL em comparação ao PC, sendo este efeito restrito à camada superficial em curto prazo (quatro anos), neste período, os sistemas de manejo não afetaram o CAM e a FP. O mecanismo mais importante de proteção e estabilização da MO é a interação organomineral, seguido da oclusão e a recalcitrância química. Sob PC as amostras de solo apresentaram MO mais humificada quando comparado ao PD e CN. A FLL apresentou maior proporção de compostos mais lábeis em relação à FLO. No estudo 4 concluíu-se que o PC e o PD em agroecossistema de terras baixas, reduziram os estoques de COT, FLL e FLO 10 nas classes de agregados 4,76 a <0,25mm e de CFG nas classes de 2,00 a <0,25mm quando comparado ao CN. Incrementos no estoque de FLL sob PD foram obtidos nas classes de agregados de 0,50 a <0,25mm, na camada de 0,000 0,025m e para o acumulado de 0,000 a 0,075m, quando comparado a PC. Maior estoque de FLO na camada superficial foi verificado sob PD na classe e agregados de 8,00 4,76mm. O PC contribuiu para o incremento relativo na PF da MO. Os maiores estoques de COT, CFG, CAM, FLO e FP para o PC e o PD, foram encontrados nas classes de agregados de maior tamanho. O grau de humificação da MO aumentou com a redução do diâmetro dos agregados.

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Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agronomy / Gerard J. Kluitenberg / The Parsons soil has a sharp increase in clay content from the upper teens in the A horizon to the mid fifties in the Bt horizon. The high clay content continues to the parent material resulting in 1.5 m of dense, slowly permeable subsoil over shale residuum. This project was designed to better understand soil-water management needs of this soil. The main objective was to determine a comprehensive hydrologic balance for the claypan soil. Specific objectives were a) to determine effect of tillage management on select water balance components including water storage and evaporation, b) to quantify relationship between soil water status and crop variables such as emergence and yield, and c) to verify balance findings with predictions from a mechanistic model, specifically HYDRUS 1-D. The study utilized three replicates of an ongoing project in Labette County, Kansas in which till and no-till plots had been maintained in a sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] – soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation since 1995. Both crops are grown each year in a randomized complete block design. The sorghum plots were equipped with Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) probes to measure A horizon water content and neutron access tubes for measurement of water throughout the profile. Precipitation, evaporation, and perched water depth were determined at the field scale. Drainage was estimated as negligible after performing hydraulic conductivity measurements on the clayey subsoil. Runoff was determined as the residual in this water balance. Cumulative differences in the hydrologic balances as a result of tillage management were found to be minimal over an entire growing season. However, tillage treatment differences were seen in early season evaporation, surface water content, and the resulting residual runoff values. The chisel-disk treatments had greater evaporation leading to reduced runoff when compared with no-till. There was interaction between tillage treatment and time for surface water content measurements. No effect of tillage treatment was found for whole-profile water content. Crop variables were unaffected by tillage other than the first days emergence, and first days tillering being greater for chisel-disk treatments. No correlation between stored water and crop variables could be found. All aspects of field measurement were well supported by the predictions of the HYDRUS 1-D model.

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Charles W. Rice / The sequestration of atmospheric CO[subscript]2 into soil through no-till management is an economic and viable method for reducing greenhouse gases, but maintaining no-till practices are necessary to sequester C in the long-term. Our study focused on the effects of a single tillage operation on soil organic C and N and aggregation in no-till soils when no-till practices are immediately resumed after tillage. Three locations in western Kansas were selected that had been in continuous dryland no-till for at least 5 years – Wallace, Tribune, and Spearville. Tillage treatments were administered in 2004 and consisted of no-till (NT), disk plow (DP), sweep plow (SwP), and chisel plow (CP). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil samples were taken at 0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm depths. Composite samples were taken from each block prior to tillage and tested for whole soil organic C and N. Further soil samples were collected in spring 2005 at approximately nine months after tillage (MAT) and again in fall 2005 at approximately 12 MAT and tested for whole soil organic C and N and aggregate size distribution. Bulk density was measured for each plot and depth prior to sampling at 12 MAT. Twelve MAT samples were also tested for aggregate-associated C and N. The DP tillage had a greater C concentration than NT and CP when averaged over depth and time, but C mass did not vary between tillage systems. Changes in whole soil C and N over time varied by location, but the differences were similar between tillage treatments. Tillage treatments DP and SwP also had a greater mass of macroaggregate (250-1000 [Mu]m) associated C relative to CP (but not to NT) for Wallace in the surface 0-5 cm at 12 MAT. No other differences between tillages in aggregate-associated C were observed. A single tillage event did not have a significant impact on aggregate size distribution. The greatest amount of aggregate-associated C and N existed in the large microaggregate (53-250 µm) fraction. Changes in aggregate distribution or aggregate-associated C or N did not directly correlate to changes in whole soil C and N. We therefore conclude that a single tillage operation using these implements will not result in a measurable loss in sequestered C over time for dryland soils in a semi-arid climate such as western Kansas.

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Johnathon D. Holman / Kraig L. Roozeboom / Replacing fallow periods with cover crops can provide many benefits including soil quality improvements and reduced nitrogen fertilizer requirements. Field experiments were established near Garden City, KS with winter wheat and fallow phases as main plots, thirteen legume or non-legume cover crops, continuous winter wheat, and fallow as subplots, and cover crop termination method as sub-subplots. Treatments containing triticale had greatest water use efficiency (19.9 kg ha[superscript]-1 mm[superscript]-1) and aboveground biomass (3550 kg ha[superscript]-1), but subsequent winter wheat yields were reduced due to a reduction in volumetric water content. Increased soil residue through greater cover crop biomass resulted in increased precipitation storage efficiency during the fallow period, but water requirements to produce biomass depleted soil moisture more than growing a low biomass crop or fallow. In years of above-average precipitation, low biomass cover crops might be grown with little to no negative effect on subsequent wheat yields. A second field experiment was established near Manhattan, KS with fallow, double crop soybean, and four cover crop treatments planted after wheat harvest in a winter wheat-grain sorghum-soybean no-till cropping system, with five nitrogen treatments applied to the sorghum crop to estimate nitrogen contribution of the cover crops. Greatest above ground biomass production and nitrogen accumulation was observed with sorghum-sudan grass. At the 0 kg ha[superscript]-1 N rate, grain sorghum yields were reduced 1200 kg ha[superscript]-1 following sorghum-sudan grass, while all other cover crop treatments provided a 20-30 kg ha[superscript]-1 N equivalent benefit. Sorghum yields might be reduced following large biomass producing cover crops when nitrogen is limiting, but a small nitrogen benefit might be realized following low C:N ratio cover crops. Cover crop productivity and their subsequent effects on grain sorghum performance were evaluated in field studies established near Manhattan and Hutchinson, KS in 2008 and 2009. Sixteen summer or fall cover crop species were planted in no-tillage winter wheat stubble and evaluated for biomass production, nitrogen concentration, and nitrogen accumulation. Summer annual grass species produced the greatest biomass, 3392 kg ha[superscript]-1 and greater, and legume species accumulated the greatest amounts of nitrogen, averaging 43 kg ha[superscript]-1. Grain sorghum yields were 867 kg ha[superscript]-1 greater following summer cover crops compared to fall cover crops. Cover crops had a significant effect on sorghum performance, with yields 1240 kg ha[superscript]-1 greater following legume cover crops.

Research tasks. To accomplish the research objective, the following tasks were set: 1. To establish the effect of long-term reduced tillage on soil productivity (physical, chemical and biological properties); 2. To determine the conditions of agrocenosis components’ competition for solar radiation; 3. To identify the influence of tillage intensity on weed incidence in a crop stand; 4. To ascertain the impact of tillage of different intensity on the productivity of agrocenoses (yield, 1000 seed weight, etc.) and on biometric indicators (plant height, maize ear length). / Tyrimų uždaviniai. Tyrimų tikslui pasiekti numatyta nustatyti: 1. Ilgalaikio žemės dirbimo supaprastinimo įtaką dirvožemio derlingumui (fizikinėms, cheminėms ir biologinėms savybėms); 2. Agrocenozės komponentų konkurencijos dėl saulės spinduliuotės sąlygas; 3. Žemės dirbimo intensyvumo poveikį pasėlio piktžolėtumui; 4. Skirtingo intensyvumo žemės dirbimo poveikį agrocenozių produktyvumo (derlingumas, 1000 sėklų masė ir kt.) bei biometriniams rodikliams (kukurūzų augalų aukštis, burbuolių ilgis).

Lauko eksperimentas buvo vykdomas nuo 1999 metų pagal šią schemą: A veiksnys: Šiaudų įterpimas: šiaudai pašalinti (-Š), šiaudai susmulkinti ir paskleisti (+Š). B veiksnys: Žemės dirbimo sistemos. Eksperimentas buvo atliktas Lietuvos žemės ūkio universiteto bandymų stotyje. Eksperimentas vykdytas 2010 metais. Atlikus tyrimus nustatyta, kad šiaudų įterpimas ir žemės dirbimo sistemos neturėjo esminės įtakos piktžolių daigų skaičiui. Daugiausiai daugiamečių piktžolių daigų rasta sekliai purentuose variantuose, o mažiausiai – tiesiogiai sėjant į neįdirbtą dirvą. Trumpaamžių piktžolių daigų kiekiui esminės įtakos turėjo šiaudų paskleidimas (+Š). Trumpaamžių piktžolių daigų skaičius buvo 43 procentais mažesnis nei dirvoje, kur šiaudai buvo pašalinti (-Š). Nustatyta, kad šiaudų paskleidimas neturėjo esminės įtakos vasarinių rapsų piktžolėtumui, nustatytam prieš derliaus nuėmimą. Esminių skirtumų buvo rasta skirtingose žemės dirbimo sistemose, sekliai purentuose laukeliuose. Palyginus seklųjį purenimą kultivatoriumi plokščiapjūviais noragėliais ir lėkštiniais padargais (KL) bei seklųjį purenimą rotoriniu kultivatoriumi (RK) su giliu arimu (kontrolė) (GA), piktžolių kiekis padidėjo 1,5 ir 1,6 karto. Daugiamečių piktžolių esmingai padidėjo laukeliuose, kur buvo sekliai arta (SA). Šiaudų paskleidimas turėjo esminės įtakos trumpaamžių piktžolių kiekiui. Dirvoje su šiaudais, palyginus su laukeliais be šiaudų, trumpaamžių piktžolių sumažėjo 1,3 karto. Esmingai trumpaamžių piktžolių kiekis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Field experiment was carried out since 1999, as follows: Factor A: Insert a straw: straw removal (-S), straw, shredded and spread (+S). Factor B: tillage systems. The experiment was carried out in Lithuanian University of Agriculture Experimental Station. The experiment was conducted in 2010. It was determined that straw incorporation and tillage system had no significant effect on the number of weed seedlings. Most perennial weed seedlings found in shallow scratch in the treatments, while at least - when sown directly into uncultivated soil. Short-lived weed seedlings had a substantial impact on the quantity of straw spreading (+S). Short-lived weed seedling density was 43 percent lower than in the soil, where straw was removed (-S). It was found that the spreading of straw had no significant effect on weed control in spring rape, before the harvest. Significant differences were found in different tillage systems, shallow scratch boxes. Compared shallow scarification autum cultivator tines and implements Disc (KL) and a rotary cultivator shallow scarification (RK) with deep plowing (control) (GA), weeds grew 1.5 and 1.6 times. Perennial weeds has increased substantially in the fields, where it was shallow plowing (SA). Spreading straw had a substantial impact on short amount of weed. The soil with straw, as compared with the boxes without straw, weeds, fallen short 1.3 times. Substantially short amount of weeds growing through tillage systems. Studies have shown that both... [to full text]

Le besoin d'une intensification accrue des systèmes agricoles rend nécessaire l'identification des contextes et options permettant à des modes de mise en valeur intensifs et durables de se développer. Cette question est cruciale dans des contextes de petite agriculture familiale et de pression élevée sur les ressources naturelles, dont les zones tropicales humides d'Asie constituent un exemple typique. Dans cette région, l'agriculture de conservation (AC) est considérée comme un moyen de parvenir à cet objectif. Dans ce contexte, notre travail avait pour objectif d'évaluer dans quelle mesure l'AC peut constituer une réponse efficace et adaptée aux contraintes et besoins de petits producteurs familiaux dans une région montagneuse caractérisée par une forte pression sur les ressources naturelles et un taux de pauvreté élevé. Nous avons d'abord effectué un diagnostic des facteurs critiques de durabilité associés à la diversité régionale des systèmes agricoles conventionnels incorporant une production de maïs sur pente. Nous avons développé une approche originale combinant différentes méthodes d'analyse multivariée et de classification. Cette approche nous a permis d'identifier des types de systèmes agricoles aux performances contrastées en termes d'atteinte d'objectifs de durabilité. Les caractéristiques territoriales à différentes échelles, de l'écorégion au village, ont été identifiées comme prévalant sur les caractéristiques biophysiques des parcelles et l'accès aux moyens de production à l'échelle de l'exploitation pour expliquer la diversité des systèmes de culture sur pentes. Nous avons ensuite exploré dans quelle mesure des données collectées sur des sites de démonstration en AC pouvaient être utilisées pour évaluer les performances de prototypes de systèmes de culture en AC. L'AC pratiquée à un niveau de fertilisation suffisant n'a pas eu d'impact négatif sur les rendements la première année après conversion. Elle a significativement amélioré productivité et efficacité agronomique la seconde année après conversion. Toutefois, cette amélioration des performances agronomiques n'était pas suffisante, aux conditions économiques actuelles, pour assurer une meilleure rentabilité économique que l'agriculture conventionnelle sur un horizon de deux ans, du fait de l'augmentation des coûts de production associée au passage à l'AC. Les perspectives scientifiques issues de ce travail comprennent (i) l'utilisation des données issues de dispositifs de démonstration dans une perspective de modélisation pour prendre en compte, dans l'évaluation des systèmes de culture, les processus à l'origine de leur performances en fonction des variations de contexte biophysique et économique et (ii) l'évaluation de la capacité de l'agriculture de conservation à tamponner la variabilité des performances des systèmes de culture. La principale implication pratique pour l'intensification durable de l'agriculture dans le contexte du Nord Vietnam est la prise en compte de la diversité des systèmes agricoles dans le prototypage et la diffusion de systèmes de culture innovants. Une nouvelle hypothèse est qu'il est nécessaire d'envisager la valorisation au moins partielle des plantes de couverture, une conversion par étapes et/ou des incitations permettant de compenser l'augmentation de coûts générée par le passage à l'agriculture de conservation pour que celle-ci devienne économiquement attractive pour de petits producteurs familiaux dans un horizon de deux années. / The global need for further agricultural intensification makes necessary to identify contexts and options for sustainable intensive land uses to develop. This question is crucial under contexts of smallholder farming and high pressure on natural resources, such as in Asian humid tropics. In this region conservation agriculture (CA) is considered a leeway towards sustainable intensification. Within this context, our work aimed at preliminary assess to which extent CA fits the needs and constraints of smallholder farmers in a mountainous region where the high level of pressure on natural resources adds-up to a high poverty rate.We implemented a diagnosis of sustainability gaps associated with the regional diversity of maize based agricultural systems on sloping land. We applied an original methodological approach combining diverse classification tools. We identified contrasted types of farming and cropping systems for management practices, performances and sustainability issues. The local diversity in maize cropping systems resulted from multi-scale interactions between territory-related factors, farm/farmer characteristics and field biophysical conditions. Territory-related factors were of prevailing importance over plot biophysical conditions and farm/farmer related characteristics to drive diversity of cropping systems.We subsequently investigated to which extent data collected at CA-demonstration sites can be used to assess performances of CA-based cropping system prototypes over a 2-year period. Within the context of our study, CA associated with sufficient fertilization levels did not depress yields the first year after conversion. The second year, CA significantly increased maize productivity and agronomic efficiency. Such improvement of agronomic performances was not sufficient to ensure better economic performances than conventional agriculture over two years, due to the increase in production costs associated with transition to CA.Main scientific perspectives from our work include (i) coupling CA-demonstrations with modeling to account in cropping system evaluation for processes driving their performances across variations in biophysical and economic conditions (ii) assessment of CA capacity to buffer variability in cropping system performances. Main implication for CA-based sustainable intensification in tropical humid highlands of Vietnam is the need to tailor technical proposals to the identified diversity of agricultural systems. To make conversion to CA worth for farmers within a period of two years, a major assumption is the requirement for cover plant valorisation, implementation of stepwise transition to CA, and/or tailoring incentives to support smallholder farmers in overcoming costs associated with conversion to CA.