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The Effect of Reservoir Cultivation on Conventional Maize in Sandy-Loam Soil

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Vejchar

    (Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, 161 01 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Jan Velebil

    (Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, 161 01 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Karel Kubín

    (BEDNAR FMT, Lohenická 607, 190 17 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Jiří Bradna

    (Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, 161 01 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Jan Malaťák

    (Department of Technological Equipment of Buildings, Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Maize grown on sloped areas is susceptible to surface runoff and soil erosion, especially if traditional technology with tillage is employed. As a result, other solutions are being sought that address this risk and are acceptable to farmers. The combination of inter-row cultivation with the formation of small reservoirs appears to be a suitable alternative solution applicable in traditional corn cultivation. In the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, three plots of land in southern Bohemia, Czech Republic, were selected for testing, on which this approach was tested. During the field experiments, three variants were compared each year: inter-row cultivation with reservoirs, inter-row cultivation only, and a control without any mechanical intervention. All variants were subjected to rain simulation, from which the surface runoff was evaluated. The highest retention of runoff was manifested with reservoir cultivation by 2.4–4.2 min, compared to the cultivated variant, and 2–4.2 min compared to the control. This result would correspond to a difference of 5.7–9.8 mm retained precipitation and 4.6 to 7.3 mm, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity of the soil was evaluated after canopy closure. The lowest values were invariably reached in the reservoirs, up to 88% lower than with the cultivated variant and 79% lower than the control. The fresh matter yield of forage maize was shown to be inconclusively higher by up to 10% in 2020 and 2022 in cultivation with reservoirs. However, the dry matter yield was always lower in the variant with reservoirs compared to inter-row cultivation only. Overall, reservoir cultivation appears to be an effective method for the retention of rainwater on agricultural land with a slope up to 6° without a significant effect on the yield of maize.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Vejchar & Jan Velebil & Karel Kubín & Jiří Bradna & Jan Malaťák, 2023. "The Effect of Reservoir Cultivation on Conventional Maize in Sandy-Loam Soil," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:6:p:1201-:d:1164404
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ladislav Menšík & David Kincl & Pavel Nerušil & Jan Srbek & Lukáš Hlisnikovský & Vladimír Smutný, 2020. "Water Erosion Reduction Using Different Soil Tillage Approaches for Maize ( Zea mays L.) in the Czech Republic," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Nuti, R.C. & Lamb, M.C. & Sorensen, R.B. & Truman, C.C., 2009. "Agronomic and economic response to furrow diking tillage in irrigated and non-irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(7), pages 1078-1084, July.
    3. Florin Nenciu & Marius Remus Oprescu & Sorin-Stefan Biris, 2022. "Improve the Constructive Design of a Furrow Diking Rotor Aimed at Increasing Water Consumption Efficiency in Sunflower Farming Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, June.
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