Test 2 Flashcards
Weeks 4-7
cropping systems definition
crops and crop sequences and the management techniques used on a particular field over a period of years
cropping systems importance
farm management, productivity, and net return
5 types of cropping systems
- double cropping
- intercropping
- monocropping
- relay intercropping
- strip cropping
double cropping
planting a second crop right after harvesting the first one
intercropping
two or more crops in one field at the same time
monocropping
one crop in a field at one time; can also be continuous cropping
relay intercropping
different crops are planted at different times in the same field; both crops spend at least part of the season living together in the field (ex. dropping cover crop seed into soybeans)
strip cropping
two or more crops in the same field, planted in strips (width varying)
factors influencing the selection of a cropping system
climate, topography, soil, strip till for corn to reduce weed and pest problems, cost, labor, nutrient availability, pest pressure
5-7 advantages of crop rotation
helps break pest cycles, better for soil health, legumes supply nitrogen, fewer pest problems, yield increase, spreads out labor needs, reduce financial risk
three main tillage systems
conventional, reduced/conservation, no-till
conventional (full) tillage
10% or less residue on surface
reduced / conservation tillage
11-90% residue on surface
no-till
100% residue on surface
5 advantages of conventional tillage
1) turn under residue
2) incorporate chemicals and fertilizers
3) restoring pastures
4) improve fertility
5) breaks up compaction
4 disadvantages of conventional tillage
1) evaporation of soil moisture
2) compaction and plow hardpan
3) compromises biodiversity
4) requires more fuel and labor
3 methods of conservation tillage
1) strip-till
2) ridge-till
3) mulch-till
strip-till
tillage in strips where the seed furrow will be
ridge-till
ridges or raised beds where the crop is planted on the top of the ridge
mulch-till
mixing crop residues in the soil while still leaving some on the surface (includes chisel plows, disks, etc.)
5 advantages of conservation tillage
1) conserve moisture, nutrients, OM, and soil health
2) increase microbial life
3) helps with erosion and water infiltration
4) less trips across the field
5) helps maintain soil structure
3 disadvantages of conservation tillage
1) cold soil temperature
2) potentially more pest issues
3) more pests = more cost
5 advantages of no-till
1) potentially increase yield
2) more biological activity
3) better moisture infiltration
4) less machine traffic and compaction
5) helps keep soil cool
3 disadvantages of no-till
1) can be hard on equipment
2) ponding and anaerobic conditions
3) weed control through herbicides
anaerobic conditions
no oxygen in the soil
plant and soil conservation practices
terraces, cover crops, no-till, CRP
the role of conservation in tillage
disturbs soil less, soil moisture management
irrigation system definition
getting water fed to plants
irrigation importance
helps meet the water requirements of cash and turf crops
soil moisture
available water, field capacity, permanent wilting point
available water holding capacity
water available for plants to use; point between FC and PWP
field capacity
max amount of water in the soil
permanent wilting point
plants die of thirst; minimum amount of water in the soil
environmental factors affecting irrigation in agricultural systems
soil, climate, crop type, crop development, wind
irrigation scheduling
using a selected water management strategy to prevent the over-application of water while maximizing net return
lab #6 formula
Q x t = d x A
(flow rate x time = depth of water applied x area irrigated)
