University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Benedikt Blankenhorn
(2019):
Rotational No-Till vs. Reduced Soil Tillage Cultivation in Organic Soybean.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Ökologischer Landbau (IFÖL),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 108.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- Cover crop based organic rotational no-till (CCORNT) utilizing the roller crimper to spring-sown crops like soybean or maize is an important modern innovation in organic agriculture. The advantages include promotion of soil fertility, increased soil moisture, and an equivalent economic efficiency to cultivated systems. The disadvantages may include problems with perennial weeds, poor biomass development of the cover, decreased yield, and resprouting of mulch layer. In the CCORNT method (variant A), a rye overwintering cover crop (winter rye) was sown in fall, roller crimped at the flowering stage and direct seeded in spring with soybean. No soil cultivation nor mechanical weed control was performed between the sowing of the rye and the harvest of the soybean. In the cultivated method (variant B), the cover crop was also sown in fall followed by soil cultivation with a cultivator (depth of 5 cm) in spring. Soybean was then sown into the prepared soil, as well as subsequent mechanical weed control during the main season. The results showed that the soybean grain yield of variant A was not significantly different with 1.7 to variant B with 2.2 t ha-1. Despite variant A having a lower overall yield and per plant yield, variant A had 40 soybean plants/m², compared to variant B with 25 soybean plants/m². This was attributed to the decreased rowing spacing, 25 cm rows in variant A (because mechanical weed control was unnecessary) and 50 cm rows in variant B. In contrast, variant A had 2632 kg ha-1 plant biomass DM without grain compared with variant B at 2013 kg ha-1 DM, leaving more crop residues behind in variant A. Lastly, net profit of the roller crimper system was equivalent to the standard cultivator model. In conclusion, the CCORNT system has many benefits to soil, soil moisture, and cost of production, without sacrificing yield.
- Beurteilende(r): Friedel Jürgen Kurt
- 1.Mitwirkender: Gollner Gabriele