Progress 09/15/98 to 09/30/04
Outputs
TERMINATION REPORT Tile drainage of clayey soils increased crop yields by 5 - 15% depending on the amount and distribution of rainfall during the growing season. Low crop yields in undrained plots were partly due to unfavorable soil physical conditions and to high risks of soil compaction. Adverse effects of soil compaction caused by simulated harvest traffic were more to severe on undrained than drained soils and were attributed to restricted oxygen diffusion rates during the seedling stages of crop growth. Tile drainage reduced soil organic carbon pool, especially in the surface layer. However, differences in carbon pool were not statistically significant.
Impacts
The data indicate that installing tile drainage is beneficial to improving crop yield even in medium-textured or loamy soils (e.g., Miamian soil). Further, for this crust-prone soil, the best grain yields are obtained with chisel tillage.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The drainage x tillage experiment at the Waterman Farm in Columbus, Ohio was continued during 2003. The experiment involves two tillage methods (e.g., no-till and chisel plow) and two drainage systems (e.g., tile drain and no drain). These four treatments are replicated three times. The highest grain yield (7.4 Mg/ha) was obtained for chisel plow with tile drainage. In comparison, corn grain yield for chisel plow without drainage was 6.1 Mg/ha. Therefore, tile drainage increased corn grain yield by 21% in the chisel tillage system of seedbed preparation. In comparison to chisel tillage, corn grain yield was extremely low with the no-till system. Low yield was attributed to poor crop stand, heavy weed infestation and inundation. The lowest yield was observed for no-till undrained soil. The data from this long-term experiment show an increase in corn grain yield by drainage from 5 to 20%, depending on the rainfall amount and its distribution.
Impacts
The data indicate that installing tile drainage is beneficial to improving crop yield even in medium-textured or loamy soils (e.g., Miamian soil). Further, for this crust-prone soil, the best grain yields are obtained with chisel tillage.
Publications
- Tan, Z.X., R. Lal, N.E. Smeck, F.G. Calhoun, R.M. Gehring and B. Parkinson. 2003. Identifying associations among soil site variables using canonical correlation analysis. Soil Sci. 168: 376-382.
- Mueller, L., N. Fausey and R. Lal. 2003. Comparison of methods for estimating maximum soil water content for optimum workability. Soil Tillage Res. 72: 9-20.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The long-term field experiment established at the Waterman Farm in Columbus was continued during 2002. Neither drainage nor tillage experiments had a significant impact on corn grain yield. The mean corn grain yield was 2.90 Mg/ha for drained plots compared with 2.92 Mg/ha for undrained plots. Similarly, the mean grain yield was 2.4 Mg/ha for no till compared with 3.4 Mg/ha for chisel till treatments. In contrast with the grain yield, corn stover yield was influenced (10% level of probability) by the drainage treatment. Mean stover yield was 5.3 Mg/ha for drained compared with 4.1 Mg/ha (a decrease of 23%) for undrained treatments. In accord with the grain yield, the harvest index (HI) was also affected by neither drainage nor tillage treatment. The low yields were due to drought and below normal rains in central Ohio.
Impacts
The data provides a basis for developing guidelines for sustainable management of soils with impeded drainage and seasonally high water table. Differential response of tillage methods to drainage treatments requires additional research on specific processes involved especially with regards to soil structure and the oxygen diffusion rate.
Publications
- Jacinthe, P.A., R. Lal and J. Kimble. 2002. Effects of wheat residue fertilization on accumulation and biochemical attributes of organic carbon in central Ohio Luvisol. Soil Sci. 167: 145-157.
- Hao, Y., R. Lal, L. Owens, R.C. Izaurralde, M. Most and D. Hotham. 2002. Effects of cropland management and slope position on soil organic carbon pools at the North Appalachian Experimental Watersheds. Soil & Tillage Res. 68: 133-142.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The long-term experiment on drainage-tillage interaction was continued at the Waterman Farm in Columbus. The mean corn grain yield for the drained plots was 7.6 Mg/ha compared with 6.0 Mg/ha for the undrained treatment, an increase of 26.7% by drainage. The mean grain yield for no-till plots was 7.5 Mg/ha compared with 6.2 Mg/ha for the chisel till treatment, an increase of 21% by adopting no-till. These data show that most appropriate management for Miamian soil in central Ohio is tile drainage and no-till system of seedbed preparation.
Impacts
The data provides a basis for developing guidelines for sustainable management of soils with impeded drainage and seasonally high water table. Differential response of tillage methods to drainage treatments requires additional research on specific processes involved especially with regards to soil structure and the oxygen diffusion rate.
Publications
- Jacinthe, P.A., R. Lal and J. Kimble 2001. Organic carbon storage and dynamics in croplands and terrestrial deposits as influenced by sub-surface tile drainage. Soil Sci. 166: 322-335.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
The on-going experiment to study the impact of sub-surface drainage with tillage method on corn grain yield was continued during 2000. Drainage treatment had no significant impact on corn grain yield for no till method of seedbed preparation. However, lack of sub-soil drainage significantly reduced biomass and grain yields of corn for the chisel method of seedbed preparation. The reduction in biomass yield on undrained compared with drained plots was 2% in no till and 27% in the chisel till treatment. In other words, methods of seedbed preparation had no effect on corn growth and biomass yield in drained plots but chisel till reduced biomass yield in the undrained treatment.
Impacts
The data provides a basis for developing guidelines for sustainable management of soils with impeded drainage and seasonally high water table. Differential response of tillage methods to drainage treatments requires additional research on specific processes involved especially with regards to soil structure and the oxygen diffusion rate.
Publications
- Vaje, P.I., B.R. Singh and R. Lal. 2000. Leaching and plant uptake of N from volcanic ash soil in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. J. Sust. Agric. 16: 95-112.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
The drainage experiment established in 1995 was continued through 1999. The experiment involves two drainage treatments (undrained and drained) and two tillage treatments (no till and chisel). The growing season during 1999 was extremely dry. Therefore, crop growth and yield were primarily affected by tillage rather than the drainage treatments. The grain yield of 10.3 Mg/ha in no till was significanlty more than the 8.4 Mg/ha obtained for the chisel till treatment. In accord with the grain yield, there were also significant differences in plant height which was 1.98 m in no till and 1.8 m in chisel treatment. The data on leaf analyses showed significant differences in leaf tissue content of K. The leaf K content was 0.64% in the undrained treatment compared with 0.46% (significantly different at 5% level of probability) in the drained plants. There were no differences in other nutrient elements.
Impacts
The data from these experiments have important applications to a large proportion of cropland in Ohio that is prone to excessive wetness during early spring. The yield reduction due to wetness can be as much as 10% during the seasons with wet spring. During 1999, however, crop growth and yield in drained plots were poor and plants suffered from the K deficiency. These data support the case for sub-irrigation.
Publications
- Kaihura, F.B.S., I.K. Kullaya, M. Kilasara, J.B. Aune, B.R. Singh and R. Lal. 1999. Soil quality effects of accelerated erosion and management systems in three ecoregions of Tanzania. Soil & Tillage Res. 53: 59-70.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
The drainage-tillage experiment established on the University Waterman Farm, Columbus, OH was continued during 1998. The impact of four treatments involving combinations of two tillage (no-till and chisel till) and two drainage (undrained and tile drained) systems were studied on corn growth and yield, drainage outflow, surface runoff and erosion, and on nitrate losses in drainage water. Grain yield was 8.5 Mg/ha for drained plots compared with 6.8 Mg/ha for the undrained treatment. The average grain yield was 7.2 Mg/ha for no-till compared with 8.1 Mg/ha for chisel till. The harvest index was 39.3% for undrained versus 49.5% for the till-drained treatment. The project will be continued during 1999.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Akis, R., Lal, R., and Fausey, N.R. 1998. Drainage and tillage impacts on nitrate movement in percolating waters. Agron. Abst., Madison, WI. p. 185.
- Lal, R., and Fausey, N.R. 1998. Drainage and tillage effects on leaf tissue nutrient contents of corn and soybeans on Crosby-Kokomo soils in Ohio. Drainage in the 21st Century: Food Production and the Environment. Proc. 7th Intl. Drainage Symp., 8-11 March, 1998, Orlando, FL: 465-471.
- Lal, R., and Fausey, N.R. 1998. Sub-surface drainage effects on crop response and soil properties of a lakebed clayey soil in northwest Ohio. Drainage in the 21st Century: Food Production and the Environment. Proc. 7th Intl. Drainage Symp., 8-11 March, 1998, Orlando, FL: 496-503.
- Hemminger, M.D., Lal, R., Fausey, N.R., and Ward, A.D. 1998. Water table management effects on physical and hydrological properties of an Aeric Fragiqualf in Ohio. Drainage in the 21st Century: Food Production and the Environment. Proc. 7th Intl. Drainage Symp., 8-11 March, 1998, Orlando, FL: 419-428.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
The on-going drainage-tillage experiment established at Columbus in 1995 was continued through 1997. The experimental site contains the Crosby and Kokomo soil series, and the field setup involves a two factor factorial design with two levels of drainage (with and without improved sub-surface drainage), two levels of tillage (chisel till and no-till) and three replications. Impact of these treatments have been assessed on water quality, soil quality and crop yield. Water quality assessment was related to the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil solution. Mean annual DOC concentrations in soil solution were 7.33, 6.20, 6.42 and 7.12 mg/L for undrained, drained, no-till and chisel-till treatments, respectively. The mean annual DOC concentration of drain effluent ranged from 2.09 to 2.39 mg/L, while the stream water draining a wooded area had DOC concentration of 4.10 mg/L. Soil core samples analyzed for pH, bulk density and SOC showed no significant
differences among the drainage and tillage treatments. Corn growth during the seedling stage was the poorest in undrained/no-till treatment.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- HEMMINGER, M.D., LAL R., FAUSEY, N.R. AND WARD, A.D. 1997. Effect of water table management on physical and hydraulic properties of an Aeric Fragiqualf in Ohio. Proc. 7th Int'l Drainage Symp. 8-10 March,
- LAL, R. AND FAUSEY, N.R. 1997. Drainage and tillage effects on leaf tissue nutrient contents of corn and soybean on Crosby-Kokomo soil in Ohio. Proc. 7th Int'l Drainage Symp. 8-10 March, 1997, Orlando, FL.
- LAL, R. AND FAUSEY, N.R. 1997. Sub-surface drainage effects on crop response and soil properties of a lakebed clayey soil in northwest Ohio. Proc. 7th Int'l Drainage Symp. 8-10 March, 1997
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
There were two principal projects. The first project involved evaluation of soilorganic carbon (SOC) content and soil physical properties in relation to sub-soil drainage of a poorly drained lakebed soil in northwestern Ohio. The SOC content was higher for undrained (60 Mg/ha) than drained (57 Mg/ha) soil for 0 to 24 cm depth. The cumulative infiltration at 3 hours was 96 cm for drained compared with 26 cm for undrained soil, and the corresponding equilibrium infiltration rate was 0.44 cm/min for drained and 0.09 cm/hr undrained soil. The second project involved evaluation of the drainage x tillage interaction on the transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil solution under corn cultivation. The DOC concentration at 100 cm depth decreased from about 30 mg/L in April to about 5 mg/L in October. The DOC concentration was higher in undrained than drained and in no-till than plowed soil.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SULLIVAN, M. D., ET AL. 1996. Long-term effects of sub-surface drainage on soil organic carbon content and infiltration in the surface horizons of a lakebed soil in NW Ohio. Symp. Proc. Carbon Sequestration in Soil", 12-16 July 1996, OSU, Co SALCHOW, E., LAL, R., FAUSEY, N.
- R., AND WARD, A. 1996. Pedotransfer functions for variable alluvial soils in southern Ohio. Geoderma 73:165-181.
- LAL, R. 1996. Deforestation and land use effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. I. Soil physical and hydrological properties.Land Degradation & Dev. 7:19-45.
- LAL, R. 1996. Deforestation and land use effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. II. Soil chemical properties. Land Degradation & Dev. 7:87-98.
- LAL, R. 1996. Deforestation and land use effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. III. Runoff, soil erosion and nutrient loss. Land Degradation & Dev. 7:99-119.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
A new field experiment to evaluate drainage x tillage effects on soil propertiesand crop yield has been established at the research farm in Columbus, Ohio. Four treatments involve two tillage methods (i.e. no-till and chisel plow) and two drainage level (i.e. undrained and tile drainage). Plots have been equipped to monitor tillage effects on the drainage flow, and soil samples have been obtained to establish the antecedent level of soil properties. Initial level of soil bulk density for 0 to 10 cm depth was 1.35 Mg/m3 for no-till/undrained, 1.23 Mg/m3 for chisel plow/undrained compared with 1.40 Mg/m3 for no-till/drained and 1.27 Mg/m3 for chisel plow/drained treatment. Saturated hydraulic conductivity for 0-10 cm depth was 10.6 cm/hr for no-till/undrained, 14.8 cm/hr for chisel plow/undrained, and 15.8 cm/hr for chisel plow/drained treatment. There were no significant differences in corn grain yield due to drainage or tillage treatment. Mean grain yield was about
3.0 Mg/ha for crop stand of 65,000 plants/ha.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
The new H-835 has been implemented by establishing a field experiment at the University Research Farm at Columbus. Specific objectives of the experiment established in Summer 1994 are: 1) to determine the impact of drainage and tillage treatments on soil hydrological and physical properties; 2) to evaluate the comparative effects of improved surface and subsurface drainage on crop growth and yields for different tillage systems and 3) to assess the effects of drainage and tillage treatments on transport of dissolved and suspended pollutants in surface and sub-surface drainage water...Field experiments established at Columbus involve four treatments with three replications. The first corn crop harvested in November 1994 produced an average grain yield of 6.9 t/ha for no-till compared with 8.2 t/ha for chisel plow. Average corn grain yield for the surface drainage treatment was 6.8 t/ha compared with 8.2 t/ha for the sub-surface drainage.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
Water table management effects on soil physical and hydrological properties werestudied on a Ravenna silt loam (fine, mixed, mesic Aeric Fragiaqualfs) in Wooster, Ohio. Principal objectives of this experiment were: (i) to assess infiltration capacity as a function of the distance from the tile line, and soil and crop management treatments, and (ii) to quantify water table management effects on porosity and pore size distribution. Early in the growing season, infiltration rate at 150 cm distance from the tile line was significantly higher than over the tile line. Furthermore, infiltration rate was higher after soybean than after corn. Total porosity at 150 cm distance was less on the tile line or at 300 cm distance. Total porosity and air porosity at field capacity decreased with depth. Aggregation was slightly less at 150 cm distance than at the other distances. Soil surface directly above the tile line was more prone to crusting and surface seal formation than that at
other distances.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
The backfill experiment at Hoytville and the drainage x tillage experiment at Columbus will be discontinued during 1993. A new experiment on drainage and tillage effects on soil properties, crop growth and water quality will be initiated at Hoytville...Soil physical and hydrological properties were measured for the on-going Wooster-based experiment on water table (WT) management. Treatments are three distances from the tile line (e.g. 0, 1.5, and 3.0 m), and four WT zones, e.g., (1) high WT, (2) medium WT, (3) low WT and (4) no WT. Significant differences in infiltration rates were observed relative to the distance from the tile line. In June 1991, infiltration rate at 1.5 m was significantly higher than at other distances. There were also differences in number of macropores (> 0.1 mm). In Zone 1, the number of macropores was 2.5, 3.3 and 1.5/m2 for 0, 1.5 and 3.0 m distances, respectively. There were also differences in infiltration rates due to crops, the rate being
significantly higher in soybean than in corn. Furthermore, infiltration rates measured during spring were generally higher than those measured in summer.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
The on-going long-term experiment being conducted at Hoytville was continued during 1991 to quantify the effects of different filter materials on drainage efficiency and corn grain yield on poorly drained and heavy-textured soil. Drained treatments imposed included tile only, mole drains and tile, gravel backfill and tile, and gravel with moles and tile. Corn grain yield over the 4 year period ending in 1991 was not significantly affected by drainage treatments. The average (mean of 4 years) corn grain yield was 5.3, 5.0, 5.6 and 5.0 Mg ha(superscript -1) respectively for treatments listed in the order above. There were also no differences among drainage treatments on soybean grain yield. The average (mean of 3 years) soybean grain yield was 3.0 Mg ha(superscript -1) for all drainage treatments. Further, drainage treatments had no effect on crop stand of corn or soybean. The biomass production of alfalfa differed slightly among drainage treatments. The dry matter
yield of alfalfa was 8.8, 9.6, 9.9 and 9.3 Mg ha(superscript -1) respectively for control (tile only), mole drain and tile, gravel backfill and tile, and gravel with moles and tile treatments. Long-term effects of drainage treatments on soil properties are being evaluated.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
Analyses of the data from drainage experiments at Don Scott field indicated thatneed to make additional observations on several soil and plant characteristics. Ear leaf samples of corn at the initial silk stage and the uppermost trifolium of soybean at the initial flowering stage were analyzed for nutrient content. Measurements were also made on leaf area index and canopy cover in relation to tillage methods and proximity of the tile drain. In soybean, leaf content of zinc was significantly affected by tillage and drainage treatments. The average zinc contents were 58.5 and 63.8mg.L for drained and undrained treatments, respectively. In corn, leaf content of Ca, B and Zn were significantly affected by drainage or drainage x tillage interaction. Similar to soybean, leaf content of Zn was lower in drained than in undrained treatments -- 27.7 vs. 35.1 mg.L...The long-term experiment at Hoytville is continued to assess drainage-induced differences in soil structure,
water retention characteristics, infiltration capacity, sorptivity and transmissivity. Field measurements of infilitration rate has been analyzed using the Philips model. This model is not well suited to express infiltration characteristics of heavy-textured soils. Kostiakov's model or Green Ampt equations are better models for these soils.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
Results of a 5-year study at Don Scott Field near Columbus indicated that the average increase in corn grain yield due to sub-surface drainage was about 8% or 0.6 t/ha. Furthermore, ridge-tillage involving ridges made up and down the slope to facilitate surface drainage produced more grain yield than other tillage methods in 4 out of 5 years. Mean grain yield in ridge tillage was about 12% more than for other three methods of seedbed preparation (5.75 vs. 6.44 t/ha)...Yield effects on poorly drained soils were related to soil properties. Nearness to the sub-surface drain did not increase the spring-time soil temperature. Soil temperature in the early spring was the highest on undrained ridge-till compared to other combinations of drainage x tillage treatments. Accumulative infiltration, infiltration rate and soil-water sorptivity and transmissivity were not significantly affected by the nearness to a sub-surface drain. Numerical values of these infiltration
characteristics were the least in the conventional plow-till system. Beneficial effects of drainage on crop growth are due to properties other than soil temperature and infiltration characteristics.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88
Outputs
Field studies at Hoytville were continued to evaluate the effects of drainage oncrop growth and yield. In addition, growth and yield of corn have been evaluated in relation to drainage-induced soil properties for an experiment sited at Don Scott Field, Columbus. Soil properties evaluated include soil moisture, soil temperature, penetration resistance, infiltration rate, aggregate stability pF curves and plant-available water reserves. Measurements of drainage effects on soil temperature in early spring provide an interesting but commonly misunderstood scenario. Undrained plots have a higher maximum temperature than drained plots. Soil-water sorptivity and transmissivity were significantly affected by tillage but not by drainage. Average corn grain yield for 5 years showed that the proximity to tile drain increased corn grain yield by about 8%.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87
Outputs
In addition to crop growth and measurement of tile outflow and surface runoff, soil samples were obtained to quantify the effects of drainage treatments on root growth and development, penetrometer resistance, soil bulk density, and infiltration rate. Soil samples were also analyzed for organic matter and chemical properties. Despite surface compaction and the platy soil structure caused by the harvesting traffic, macroporosity and soil structure were more favorable under alfalfa than under corn-soybean rotation. Consequently, there were marked differences in water infiltration rate among cropping systems. In addition, time to incipient tile and surface flow, and the peak flow rate were drastically influenced by the backfill.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 07/01/86 to 12/30/86
Outputs
The field experiment comparing hydrologic impacts of continuous meadow (alfalfa-red clover mixture) and continuous row crop (corn-soybean rotation with ridge till) was continued for the third year. Hay yields were taken for 4 cuttings. Stand and yield of corn were determined. Surface runoff and subsurface drainage discharge were measured during application of water by irrigation with sprinklers to create excess wetness. A new field experiment was designed for implementation in 1987. The variables will be conventional fall moldboard plowing for seedbed preparation and ridge till on a site with impaired permeability.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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