Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Cropping systems with all no-tillage increased soil organic matter in the surface 5 cm during the 5 year period of study. Soil water holding capacity was directly associated with yield levels of corn, wheat, barely and soybeans, and illustrated the need for site-specific management, especially with corn plant populations and nitrogen management. No-till winter wheat yields were 270 to 400 kg/ha lower than for wheat planted with conventional tillage, but no-till yields improved during the 5 years of the study as planting practices improved. Economic analyses of the project data set used variable costs associated with the production of all crops over the 5 years, farm-gate prices for the grains during the time of production, and machinery costs from standard agricultural economics farm budgets. Net revenue per ha varied by soil and cropping system during the 5-year period of study. All cropping systems lost money on the Bojac 2 soil with the continuous double cropping
system (system 3) exhibiting the greatest loss ($325/ha). The low water holding capacity of the Bojac 2 soil resulted in low yields of various crops throughout the course of the experiment. Net revenue was positive for cropping systems 1 and 2 on the Bojac 1 soil with systems 1 and 2 returning $132/ha and $191/ha, respectively. Rotation 3 on the Bojac 1 soil had a net revenue loss of $62/ha. All three cropping systems produced positive net revenue on the Wickham 3 and Wickham 4 soils. However, system 3 produced significantly less net revenue than systems 1 and 2. In addition, system 2 produced higher net revenue than system 1 on both the Wickham 3 ($373/ha vs. $295/ha) and Wickham 4 ($333/ha vs. $231/ha) soils. System 3 produced net revenue of $115/ha on the Wickham 3 soil and $92/ha on the Wickham 4 soil. Higher yields for all crops on the Wickham soils are the main reason for the positive net returns for all cropping systems on the soils. System 3 produced the least positive net
returns due to lower yields in this continuous double cropping system. Machinery costs were developed by selecting a machinery complement for the various cropping systems for an 810 ha size farm. Fixed machinery costs were $104,929, $64,273, and $140,109 for cropping systems 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The continuous double cropping in system 3 required the largest amounts of machinery to conduct planting and harvesting operations in a timely fashion. Cropping system 2 (4 crops in 3 years, all no till) required the least amount of machinery as the amount of any one crop that had to be planted or harvested within a specific time period was reduced with this cropping system. For specific crops within the various cropping systems, barley was least profitable followed by wheat, due to relatively low prices during the 5 year time span of the project. The project data supports the recommendation to move to continuous no-till to improve soil quality and to consider using a 4 crop in 3 year
rotation to reduce machinery cost and increase net revenue.
Impacts
The economic analysis provides growers and advisors data on which to make decisions for reducing tillage and changing cropping systems in the mid-Atlantic region. These data also illustrate to grain buyers that the price levels associated with barley and wheat production during this 5-year period of study are not conducive to maintaining production in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain region, except on very productive soils.
Publications
- Yang, Jinzhong, and Mark Alley. 2005. Mechanistic Model for Describing Corn (Zea mays L.) Plant Leaf Area Distribution. Agronomy J. 97: In press.
- Yang, Jin-zhong, Mark Alley and Jon Roygard. 2004. Year-to-year and maturity variation in rainfed soybean yield by planting dates. Agricultural Sciences in China. 3:186-191.
- Alley, Mark and James Pease. 2003. Future agronomic crop production systems and fertilization in the United States. Paper published in Spanish. Futuros sistemas agronomicos de produccion Y fertilization en estados unidos. p. 247-252. In XI Congresso De Appresid. II Simposio de Fertilidad y Fertilizacion en Siembra Directa. 26 al 29 de Agrosto de 2003. Rosario, Argentina.
- Alley, M. M. 2003. Systems approach to site-specific production research, Growing Higher Yields session of the InfoAg 2003, July 30-August 1, 2003. Adams Mark Indianapolis Airport Hotel, Indianapolis, IN. Paper available on-line. http://www.farmresearch.com/infoag/ia_SpeakerInfo.asp?SPID=195.
- Thomason, W., M. Alley, E. Stromberg, S. Hagood, and A. Herbert. 2004. No-tillage small grain production in Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 424-005, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/grains/424005/424-005.html
- Pease, Jim, and Mark Alley. 2004. Mid-Atlantic Regional Cropping Systems Project: Preliminary 1998-2002 Economic Results. Farm Business Management Update, April-May 2004. Dept. of Ag and Applied Economics. Available on-line. http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/fmu/2004-04/mid-atlantic.html
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
The two major project thrusts during the reporting period were determination of soil properties related to soil quality after 5 years of the various crop rotations, and the development of a web tool for climatic data summarization and analysis. Soil samples were collected from the 0.0-2.5 cm and 2.5-7.5 cm layers in the seven treatments and 4 soils in the experiment using bulk density core rings. Samples were collected immediately below the surface organic residue. Analyses included bulk density, aggregate stability, and soil carbon and nitrogen content. Soil bulk density values in the 0.0-2.5 cm layer were lowest in rotation 3 (continuous no-till, double-cropping each year) the system which added the most organic matter to the soil. Bulk density values in the 2.5-7.5 cm layer showed only slight differences with crop rotation, with no significant trends. Aggregate stability of the soils was a function of clay content in the different soils rather than being influenced
by crop rotation. Soil carbon and nitrogen contents increased with the use of no-till and the more intensive cropping system of rotation 3. Total carbon in the 0.0-2.5 cm layer (averaged across all soils) increased from approximately 3,000 kg/ha in rotation 1 (3 crops, 2 years, tillage) to over 4,000 kg/ha in rotation 3 (continuous no-till, double-cropping). In the 2.5-7.5 cm layer, total carbon increased from approximately 5800 kg/ha in rotation 1 to over 6500 kg/ha in rotation 3. Soil N contents followed the same trend. Decreasing tillage and increasing cropping intensity leads to improvements in soil carbon and nitrogen contents in the surface soil horizons which are both indicators of improved soil quality. The development of the web-based climatic analysis tool enables advisors and/or growers to access weather records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather stations across Virginia. Up to 70 years of temperature and precipitation data are available at
some locations. These data are available on-line through the Southeast Regional Climatic Center. Our Climate Analysis tool allows users to access data for the three sites nearest their location, summarize the data for a user selected time period, and do simple statistical analysis to determine the probability of various rainfall and temperature events. In addition, growing degree days can be calculated, summarized, and analyzed for probability of occurrence.
Impacts
These data provide growers and advisors support for reducing tillage and increasing cropping intensity in agronomic crop production systems in the mid-Atlantic region, not only for economic benefits but also for improving soil quality. The Climate Analysis Tool enables growers and advisors to make data-based decisions for crop planting dates and selection of the most appropriate maturity hybrids and cultivars on over 2 million acres of crop production in Virginia.
Publications
- Anderson-Cook, C.M., M. M. Alley, R. Khosla, R.B. Noble, and J. A. Doolittle. 2002. Differentiating soil types using electromagnetic conductivity and crop yield maps. Soil Sci. Soc. American Journal 66:1562-1570.
- Alley, M. M., J. Pease, and J. Miller. 2003. Soil carbon, nitrogen, bulk density and aggregate stability as influenced by cropping systems of varying intensity. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM, computer file). American Soc. Of Agronomy. Madison, WI (November).
- Alley, M. M. , J.K. F. Roygard, and J.A. Mitchell. 2003. Climate Analysis Web Tool [On-line] Available at http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ClimateAnalysis.woa. (Verified 21 Nov. 2003).
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Yield data for corn, wheat, barley, and soybeans were obtained from commercial farm scale (18.5 m x 615 m [60 ft. by 200 ft.]) strips for the three cropping systems under evaluation. Cropping systems include two completely no-till systems that are compared to the standard system with conventional tillage winter wheat. Strips are laid out across soils with plant-available water-holding capacities that vary from 8.9 cm (3.5 in.) to 17.8 (7.0 in.) to a 1.2 m (4 ft.) depth. Yield data are obtained with a Global Positioning System (GPS) yield monitor-equipped combine, and soil moisture data are measured to a 1.2 m (4.0 ft.) depth throughout the growing season. Yields are closely associated with plant-available water-holding capacities and show the need for soil-specific management. Nitrogen use efficiency is increased by variable rate fertilizer applications. Soil quality is increasing under the continuous no-till system and an economic analysis is being conducted.
Impacts
Yields by soil type illustrate the need for soil specific management, and enable growers to assess the potential benefits of variable rate planters and variable rate nitrogen fertilizer applications. More efficient use of nitrogen fertilizers improves economic returns to growers and reduces potential adverse environmental impacts.
Publications
- Grisso, Robert, and Mark Alley. 2002. Precision Farming Tools-Light Bar Navigation. VA Coop. Ext. Pub. No. 442-501. [Online] http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-501.html (Verified 8 November 2002).
- Grisso, Robert, Mark Alley, Phil McClellan, Dan Brann, and Steve Donohue. 2002. Precision farming: a comprehensive approach. VA Coop. Ext. Pub. No. 442-500. [Online] http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-500/442-500.html (Verified 8 November 2002).
- Miller, J. O., J. Pease, J. Roygard, and M. Alley. 2002. Annual grain yield and net return variation among three crop rotations in the Virginia Coastal Plain. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM, computer file). Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, WI (November 2002).
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
Commercial farm scale (18.5 m x 615 m [60 ft. by 200 ft.]) strips for the three cropping systems were laid-out across different soil types and all crops were established, monitored and harvested. Yield data are obtained with a Global Positioning System (GPS) yield monitor-equipped combine. Soil moisture data are measured to a 1.2 m (4.0 ft.) depth throughout the growing season. Large corn and wheat yield variations (70 to 100 percent) were measured between soil types within the same experimental strip and indicates the need for site-specific fertilization and planning. The continuous no-till cropping systems are showing increased organic matter accumulation compared to the system with conventional tillage prior to wheat.
Impacts
Soil quality measurements are showing that increased organic matter accumulation is occurring in the continuous no-till systems that will increase soil water-holding capacity and improve soil structure. These benefits will increase economic efficiency and soil resource sustainability.
Publications
- Roygard, J.K.F., M. M. Alley and R. Khosla. 2001. No-till corn yields and water balance in the mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Agron. J. 94:In press.
- Gaidos, Joan M. 2001. Nitrogen management in no-till winter wheat production systems. Ph.D. Dissertation, Dept. of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, May 2001.
- Lewis, Matthew A. 2001. Soil-specific, late-season nitrogen and potassium applications to increase corn yields in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, April, 2001.
- Anderson-Cook, C., M. M. Alley, J.K.F. Roygard, R. Khosla, R. Noble, and J. Doolittle. 2001. Differentiating soil types using electromagnetic induction and crop yield maps. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM, computer file). Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, WI (October 2001).
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Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
Commercial farm scale (18.5 m x 615 m [60 ft. by 2000 ft.]) strips for three cropping systems have been established. Soil moisture data were collected to a 1.2 m (4.0 ft.) depth throughout the growing season, grain yields measured for corn, wheat, barley, and soybeans, and field soil quality measurements made with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Quality kits. Yield data have been related to soil types, and soil sampling schemes, i.e. grid sampling, whole field composite, or composite by soil type, compared.
Impacts
This project is providing data on two innovative, completely no-till grain crop production systems in comparison to the standard mid-Atlantic system of 3 crops in two years with conventional tillage utilized for wheat production. Soil quality increases have been noted with increasing no-till. Also, our soil sampling comparisons have shown that "composite by soil type" sampling provides fertilizer recommendations as precise as grid sampling programs, but at much less cost. Information from this project will affect profitability and sustainability of grain crop production in the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Publications
- Anderson-Cook, C. M., M. M. Alley, Robert Noble and R. Khosla. 1999. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer recommendation variability for two mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain fields. Soil Science Society of America Journal 63:1740-1747.
- Alley, M. M., R. Khosla, D. L. Holshouser and W. K. Griffith. 1999. Mid-Atlantic cropping systems evaluation: first year results. p. 63 In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Khosla, R. and M. M. Alley. 1999. Soil-specific management: grain yield, precipitation and N-use efficiency. p. 250. In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Gaidos, J. M., M. M. Alley and J. K. Roygard. 2000. The influence of nitrogen fertilization rate and timing on no-till wheat yields and nitrate leaching in the Virginia Coastal Plain. p. 269. In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Roygard, J. K., M. M. Alley and R. Khosla. 2000. Cropping systems intensity effects on soil moisture utilization in the Virginia coastal plain. p. 312. In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Alley, M. M. and R. W. Heiniger. 2000. Experiences with grid and management zone sampling in Coastal Plain soils. p. 356. In Agronomy Abstracts. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
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