Circles of live buffer strips in a center pivot to improve multiple ecosystem services and sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the southern Great Plains

Soil health responses of circular grass buffer strips in center‐pivot irrigated agriculture

“…If this continues, the Ogallala Aquifer may not be able to support the irrigation of about 35% of currently irrigated land in the SHP in the next couple of decades. Growers in the region are forced to irrigate only part of the center pivot due to limited water availability (Angadi et al., 2016). Therefore, there is an urgent need for innovative production practices to improve SOM storage, water conservation, and nutrient cycling while reducing soil erosion and supporting crop production in semi‐arid SHP regions.…”

“…Grass buffer strips next to crop strips increase ponding to enhance infiltration rate, control runoff and soil nutrient loss from cropland, and reduce herbicide concentration in runoff water (Caron et al., 2010; Dorioz et al., 2006; Duchemin & Hogue, 2009). Buffer strips of perennial grasses alternating with strips of row crops in a circular fashion could provide multiple ecosystem services to center pivot irrigated agriculture facing water limitations for crop production (Angadi et al., 2016). Aside from acting as a wind barrier (Brandle et al., 2004; Ticknor, 1988), grass buffer strips can retain more resources (water, nutrients), improve soil conditions and water cycling, and control soil erosion, extending benefits to adjacent crop strips (Angadi et al., 2016; Asbjornsen et al., 2014; Schulte et al., 2017).…”

“…Buffer strips of perennial grasses alternating with strips of row crops in a circular fashion could provide multiple ecosystem services to center pivot irrigated agriculture facing water limitations for crop production (Angadi et al., 2016). Aside from acting as a wind barrier (Brandle et al., 2004; Ticknor, 1988), grass buffer strips can retain more resources (water, nutrients), improve soil conditions and water cycling, and control soil erosion, extending benefits to adjacent crop strips (Angadi et al., 2016; Asbjornsen et al., 2014; Schulte et al., 2017). However, the benefits of circular grass buffer strips in center pivot irrigation systems facing water limitations for irrigated crop production have not been documented yet.…”