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Crop sequences, nitrogen fertilizer and grazing intensity in relation to wheat yields in rainfed systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2010

J. RYAN ,
M. SINGH ,
M. PALA ,
R. MAKHBOUL ,
S. MASRI ,
H. C. HARRIS  and
R. SOMMER
J. RYAN*
Affiliation:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria
M. SINGH
Affiliation:
Formerly ICARDA, now at Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
M. PALA
Affiliation:
Formerly ICARDA, now retired in Ankara, Turkey
R. MAKHBOUL
Affiliation:
Formerly ICARDA, now retired in Aleppo, Syria
H. C. HARRIS
Affiliation:
Formerly ICARDA, now retired in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
R. SOMMER
Affiliation:
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria
*
*To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

The Mediterranean region is experiencing unrelenting land-use pressure, largely driven by population growth. Long-term cropping system trials can guide crop and soil management options that are biophysically and economically sustainable. Thus, an extensive cereal-based rotation trial (1983–98) was established in northern Syria, to assess various two-course rotations with durum wheat (Triticum turgidum Desf.). The alternative rotations were: continuous wheat, fallow, chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lentil (Lens culinaris), medic (Medicago spp.), vetch (Vicia sativa) and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) as a summer crop. Ancillary treatments were: nitrogen (N) fertilizer application to the cereal phase (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha) and variable stubble grazing management (zero or stubble retention, moderate and heavy grazing). Both phases of the rotation trial occurred each year. The soil is a fine clay, thermic Calcixerollic Xerochrept. Seasonal rainfall was the dominant factor in influencing overall yields. Rotations significantly influenced yields, being highest for fallow (2·43 t/ha), followed by watermelon (similar to fallow), vetch, lentil, medic and chickpea, and least for continuous wheat (1·08 t/ha). Overall, yields increased consistently with added N, but responses varied with the rotation. The various stubble grazing regimes had little or no effect on either grain or straw yields. While the trial confirmed the value of fallow and the drawbacks of continuous cereal cropping, it also showed that replacing either practice with chickpea or lentil, or vetch for animal feed, was potentially a viable option. Given favourable economics, legume-based rotations for food and forage could contribute to sustainable cropping throughout the Mediterranean region.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 148 , Issue 2 , April 2010 , pp. 205 - 216
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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Footnotes

†

Deceased.

References

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