Cereal-forage crop rotations and irrigation treatment effect on water use efficiency and crops sustainability in Mediterranean environment

Martiniello, P.

doi:10.4236/as.2012.31007

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Changes in SOC content with longer crop rotations (3-5 years) were positive as average in the Mediterranean North region (14.7%) and in the Atlantic and Boreal regions (11.8%). In the Mediterranean North region, SOC content changes in more diverse rotations compared to the simple rotations (2 years) ranged from −9.1% in Central Italy [40] to 24.9% in Southern Italy [55], and in the Boreal and Atlantic conditions from −12.5% in southwestern Finland [65] to 61.9% in The Netherlands respectively [70]. The benefits of diverse rotations regarding SOC contents are likely due to yield improvements or improvements in pest and disease control as well soil health, i.e., the improvement of soil quality though a better soil management [87].…”

Section: Crop Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 96%

Diversified Arable Cropping Systems and Management Schemes in Selected European Regions Have Positive Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Content

et al. 2019

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In the last few decades, various crop diversification strategies and management practices have been promoted to improve or at least maintain environmental quality and agroecosystem services. We conducted a data-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of alternatives for crop diversification and environmentally friendly farming management for arable crops in four selected European pedoclimatic regions and typical cropping systems in the Atlantic, Boreal, Mediterranean North, and Mediterranean South regions. The dataset was retrieved from 38 references and included data on site-specific environmental conditions, soil tillage, crop rotation, fertilization, and final soil organic carbon content (SOC). No tillage (NT) was more effective (7%) in increasing SOC content than minimum tillage (MT) across the studied depths (from 5 to 40 cm). Conservation tillage as whole, including NT, MT, and rotational tillage (RT) positively affected SOC content in the top 10 cm (28%) in comparison with conventional tillage (CT). Compared to monoculture, longer crop rotations (3-5 years) and the introduction of legumes resulted in higher increases in SOC contents (18%), that were higher in semiarid conditions (11%) than under humid and sub-humid climates (3.2%). The effect of fertilization on SOC contents was higher in the Mediterranean North region (28%), and organic fertilization showed the highest increases (25%) compared to the control with mineral fertilization. Higher increases in SOC contents with tillage and fertilization management were found in sites with lower SOC contents in the control treatment (conventional tillage and mineral fertilization respectively). The data analysis indicated that various European arable agroecosystems benefit both from diversified cropping systems and the adoption of environmentally friendly farming management and are thereby capable to increase SOC contents.

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Section: Crop Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 96%

Diversified Arable Cropping Systems and Management Schemes in Selected European Regions Have Positive Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Content

et al. 2019

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“…For example, Bonciarelli et al [23] reported an average yield increase of 18% in a long-term crop rotation in Central Italy (Perugia) with winter and summer cereals in rainfed humid conditions. In the semiarid conditions of Southern Italy, Martiniello et al [43] showed that crop rotations with an introduction of legume crops were more effective in increasing CP compared to wheat monoculture, both in rainfed (48%) and irrigated conditions (37%).…”

Section: Crop Diversificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversification and Management Practices in Selected European Regions. A Data Analysis of Arable Crops Production

et al. 2020

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In the European Union, various crop diversification systems such as crop rotation, intercropping and multiple cropping, as well as low-input management practices, have been promoted to sustain crop productivity while maintaining environmental quality and ecosystem services. We conducted a data analysis to identify the benefits of crop associations, alternative agricultural practices and strategies in four selected regions of Europe (Atlantic, Boreal, Mediterranean North and Mediterranean South) in terms of crop production (CP). The dataset was derived from 54 references with a total of 750 comparisons and included site characteristics, crop information (diversification system, crop production, tillage and fertilization management) and soil parameters. We analyzed each effect separately, comparing CP under tillage management (e.g., conventional tillage vs. no tillage), crop diversification (e.g., monoculture vs. rotation), and fertilization management (e.g., mineral fertilization vs. organic fertilization). Compared with conventional tillage (CT), CP was higher by 12% in no tillage (NT), in fine- and medium-textured soils (8–9%) and in arid and semiarid sites located in the Mediterranean Region (24%). Compared to monoculture, diversified cropping systems with longer crop rotations increased CP by 12%, and by 12% in soils with coarse and medium textures. In relation to fertilization, CP was increased with the use of slurry (40%), and when crop residues were incorporated (39%) or mulched (74%). Results showed that conversion to alternative diversified systems through the use of crop rotations, with NT and organic fertilization, results in a better crop performance. However, regional differences related to climate and soil-texture-specific responses should be considered to target local measures to improve soil management.

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“…The inclusion of food or forage legumes in cropping rotations enhances the sustainability and efficiency of the agricultural production through biological nitrogen fixation, disease breakdown and improvement of soil physical properties in Mediterranean regions (Peoples et al 2005;Martiniello 2012). Since the late 19 th century, pastures based legumes have been grown widely in rotation with cereals and other crops in Australia where production of a range of recently developed grain legume such as narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolious L.) has also been increasing rapidly (Donald 1965;Siddique and Sykes 1997;Siddique et al 1999;Doyle et al 2000;Howieson et al 2000).…”

Section: Comment [S1mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the initial assessment of experiment data, and experience gained elsewhere from concurrent cropping system experiments in other rainfed areas of Syria (Ryan et al 2010;2012;Christiansen et al 2011), a number of treatments were introduced. These additional treatments were as follows: a) using a split-plot design the wheat plots included treatments of 0 and 60 kg N ha -1 as urea (1991/92), b) introducing lentil to the alternative non−cereal phase (1990/91) as a food legume of increasing importance in dryland areas, c) incorporating vetch for grazing or harvested for grain/straw (1992/93), in addition to the original cut vetch for hay (vetch grain and straw were assessed by a 10 × 5 m strip left to grow to maturity) using a split-plot design, and d) addition of watermelon as a summer crop (1992/93) grown by residual soil moisture from a winter fallow.…”

Section: Comment [S1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential legume alternatives to fallow and wheat monoculture for Mediterranean environments

et al. 2015

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Growing populations and intensification of land-use in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) are prompting a need for viable alternatives to fallow and cereal mono-cropping systems common in dry areas of this region. The sustainability and economic viability of such rotations can only be assessed accurately by using long-term trials. A two-course rotation experiment was established in 1986 in north-eastern Syria, comparing yields and profitability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when grown after wheat, fallow, a grazed mixture of medic species (Medicago spp.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cut for hay, over 10 growing seasons. Lentils (Lens culinaris Medik.) were introduced into the experiment in 1990. On average over the course of the experiment, the highest wheat grain yields were obtained following fallow (2.57 t ha–1), the lowest in continuous wheat (1.14 t ha–1), and intermediate following medic and vetch (1.90–2.01 t ha–1). Compared with wheat grown after fallow, wheat grain yields declined following vetch, medic and lentils in only three of the 10 seasons, which were drier than average. Yields of wheat after lentils were generally lower (2.22 t ha–1) than after vetch (mean 2.56 t ha–1) and after medic (2.40 t ha–1). Inclusion of grain legumes in the rotations boosted profits considerably because of their high grain prices and valuable straw. Replacing fallow with vetch for hay production increased the average gross margin by US$126 ha–1 year–1, and growing vetch for hay in rotation with wheat produced greater profit than continuous wheat, by $254 ha–1 year–1. The wheat–vetch-for-grain and wheat–lentil rotations were especially profitable, at least twice as profitable as wheat–fallow and three times continuous wheat. This experiment adds to the growing body of field data in Syria and in Australia showing that forage and grain legumes are excellent alternatives to wheat–fallow rotation and continuous wheat production in areas that experience a Mediterranean-type climate, and help support more efficient and sustainable cropping systems.

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Cereal-forage crop rotations and irrigation treatment effect on water use efficiency and crops sustainability in Mediterranean environment

Abstract: ABSTRACT

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Diversified Arable Cropping Systems and Management Schemes in Selected European Regions Have Positive Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Content

Diversified Arable Cropping Systems and Management Schemes in Selected European Regions Have Positive Effects on Soil Organic Carbon Content

Diversification and Management Practices in Selected European Regions. A Data Analysis of Arable Crops Production

Potential legume alternatives to fallow and wheat monoculture for Mediterranean environments

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