Progress 04/01/01 to 03/31/06
Outputs
Three cropping systems were evaluated on 4 soils for 5 years. The systems were : (1) winter wheat, double-crop soybean, full season corn (3 crops in 2 years); (2) winter wheat, double-crop soybean, full season corn, full season soybeans (4 crops in 3 years); and (3) winter wheat, double-crop soybean, winter barley, double crop corn (4 crops in 2 years). Cropping systems 2 and 3 were all no-till while system 1 utilized chisel and disk tillage prior to planting wheat. Cropping systems with all no-tillage increased soil organic matter in the surface 5 cm. Soil water holding capacity was directly associated with yield levels of corn, wheat, barely and soybeans, and illustrated the need for site-specific 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. All cropping systems lost money on the Bojac 2 soil with the continuous double cropping system (system 3) exhibiting the greatest loss ($326/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. 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. Nitrogen and carbon accumulation are occurring in these long-term no-till systems, a positive environmental benefit.
Publications
- Alley, M. M. 2007. Integrated Plant Nutrient Management. 48 pgs. The International Fertilizer Industry Association, Paris, final editing.
- Alley, M. M., D. G. Westfall and G. L. Mullins. 2007. Integrated Nutrient Management Experience/Concepts from USA. 31 pgs. In M.S. Aulakh and C. A. Grant (eds.) Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustainable Crop Production, The Haworth Press Inc., New York. In press.
- Alley, Marcus, Gregory Binford, Steven Phillips, and Deanna Osmond. 2006. Agricultural management of enhanced efficiency fertilizers: eastern coastal states. In Abstracts 2006 International Annual Meetings [CD-ROM], ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Byers, Catherine, J. Spargo and Marcus Alley. 2006. Phosphorus, potassium and micronturient stratification in long-term no-till soils. In Abstracts 2006 International Annual Meetings [CD-ROM], ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Spargo, John T., Gregory K. Evanylo, and Marcus M. Alley. 2006. Repeated compost application effects on P runoff in the Virginia Piedmont. J. Environmental Qual. 35(6): 2006. Spargo, John, and Marcus Alley. 2006. Nitrogen status in continuous no-till soils of the Virginia Coastal Plain. In Abstracts 2006 International Annual Meetings [CD-ROM], ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Vines, Karen A., V. G. Allen, Mark Alley, Jospeh P. Fontenot, and David Wester. 2006. Nitrogen fertilization of legumes in tall fescue pastures affect soil and forage nitrogen. [Available on-line] www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/. 8 pgs.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Field and laboratory research was initiated in 2005 to address concerns regarding nitrogen (N) leaching losses, sequestration and turn-over in long-term no-till grain cropping systems. In order to compare N leaching losses between long-term no-till grain cropping systems and systems utilizing tillage, four long-term no-till sites paired with four tilled sites were selected in the Coastal Plain region. The four soil series represent major soil series utilized for grain crop production in the Coastal Plain. All sites are on commercial farms. Three passive capillary samplers (lysimeters) to collect soil water that leaches below the root zone were installed 1.0 m below the soil surface at each site, for a total of 24 samplers. Leachate collection began in November after fall rains provided enough moisture for leaching to occur. Leachate will be analyzed for nitrate-N and ortho-phosphate. To compare tillage system for sequestration of N and C, fifty sites across three soil
series with a history of no-till ranging from 2 to 15 years were selected for sampling and measurement of organic and inorganic N contents, total C, and bulk density. Thirty two sites have been sampled to date, with the remainder of the sites to be sampled in 2006 at the same point in the crop rotation as those sites sampled in 2005. Initial analyses show that total N and C contents are increasing in the surface 0-2.5 cm layer with duration of no-till, but total N and C contents in the surface 0-15 cm layer are not related to duration of no-tillage. Also, biosolids additions increased soil N and C contents. A separate project was initiated to determine if no-till small grain yields and fertilizer use efficiency can be improved in no-till wheat production. Two experiments were established in the autumn of 2005 to compare fertilizer placement and rates at wheat planting. The hypothesis of these trials is that placement of nutrients; especially N and P, below the surface mulch layer in
no-till production systems will provide superior fall growth and enhanced nutrient use efficiency compared to surface broadcast treatments. Initial observations indicate that placement of all fertilizer rates either behind the no-till coulter or before the double-disk openers, between the double-disk openers with the seed, or over the row behind the planter press wheel did not reduce stands at any rates utilized. Visual observations, plant nutrient uptake and grain yields will be taken from these experiments.
Impacts
Nutrient trading programs between point and non-point sources of nitrogen loading to surface and ground waters is proposed as a potentially efficient way to achieve improvements in surface water quality. Trading of credits for sequestration of carbon to reduce carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere is another proposed program. This research will quantify the amounts of nitrogen and carbon that are being sequestered when grain crops are produced with no-tillage as compared to using tillage, establishing a basis for a credit. Measurement of nitrate leaching losses in this project will allow us to evaluate the assumption that nitrate losses to ground water will not be increased by adoption of no-tillage methods.
Publications
- Alley, Mark. 2005. Nutrient uptake efficiency relative to location in the root zone and stratification. In Proceedings 570, the International Fertiliser Society, York, United Kingdom. p. 1-31.
- Alley, M. M. and J. T. Spargo. 2005. Nitrogen cycling in long-term no-till coastal plain soils of the Mid-Atlantic. USDA Conservation Initiative Grant Annual Progress Report. 40 pgs.
- Spargo, J. T. and M. M. Alley. 2005. Soil organic matter contents after long-term no-tillage management for grain crop production in the Virginia Coastal Plain. In Agronomy abstracts [CD-ROM computer file]. Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, WI.
- Thomason, W. E., and M. M. Alley. 2005. Using the Virginia Cooperative Extension climate analysis web tool to develop a corn planting strategy. Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 424-003.
- Thomason, W. E., C. A. Griffey, M. M. Alley, S. B. Phillps, E. S. Hagood, D. A. Herbert, and E. L. Stromberg. 2005. Growing hulless barley in the Mid-Atlantic. Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 424-022.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Economic analyses of the project data set used variable costs associated with the production of all crops over the 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 study period. 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. With respect to costs, major differences in fixed costs associated with machinery were responsible for lower net revenue associated with cropping system 3. 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 time span of the economic analysis. Corn and soybeans were most profitable due to relatively good yields on most soils and relatively higher prices.
Impacts
The economic analysis provides growers and advisors data on which to make decicisions 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 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 the mid-Atlantic, not only for economic benefits but also for improving soil quality. The Climate Analysis Tool enables growers and advisors to make data-based decisons for crop planting dates and selection of the most appropriate maturity hybrids and cultivars on almost 2 million acres of crops in Virginia.
Publications
- Anderson-Cook, C. M., M. M. Alley, J.K.F. Roygard, R. Khosla, R. B. Noble, and J.A. Doolittle. 2002. Differentiating soil types using electromagnetic conductivity and crop yield maps. Soil Sci. Soc. America Journal 66:1562-1570.
- Alley, M. M., J. Peaase, and J. Miller. Soil carbon, nitrogen, bulk density and aggregate stability as influenced by cropping systems of varying intensity. 2003. 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. Climate Analysis Web Tool. [On-line] Available at http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ClimateAnalysis.woa. (Verififed 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/442-501/442-501.html (Verified 8 November 2002).
- Grisso, Robert, Mark Alley, Phil McClellan, Dan Brann, and Steve Donohue. 2002. Precision farming: a comprehensive approach. Virginia Coop. Ext. Pub. 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 (18.5m x 615 m [60 ft. by 2000 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 indicate the need for site-specific fertilization and planting. The continuous no-till cropping systems are showing increased organic matter accumulation compared to the system with conventional tillage prior to wheat.
Impacts
"Site-specific" management for N fertilization for corn, wheat, and barley is leading to higher yields on soils with higher water-holding capacity, and reduced potential for leaching losses of N fertilizer on soils with low water-holding capacity.
Publications
- Roygard, J.K.F., Alley, M.M. and Khosla R. 2002. 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 Polytechnic Instit. & State Univ., 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 Polytechnic Instit. & State Univ., 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).
- Roygard, J. K. F., and M. M. Alley. 2001. Corn yields and water balance in the Virginia Coastal Plain. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM, computer file). Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, WI (October 2001).
- Roygard, J. K. F., and M. M. Alley. 2001. Cropping system intensity effects on grain yields and profitability in the Virginia Coastal Plain. In Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM, computer file). Amer. Soc. Agronomy, Madison, WI (October 2001).
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