Effects of tillage and plastic mulch on soil water, growth and yield of spring-sown maize

• Published in: Soil & tillage research Vol. 112; no. 1; pp. 92 - 97
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shulan, Li, Pingru, Yang, Xueyun, Wang, Zhaohui, Chen, Xinping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2011; [Amsterdam]: Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass accumulation; biomass production; conventional tillage; corn; crop residues; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Fertility; field experimentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; furrows; General agronomy. Plant production; grain yield; growing season; harvest date; irrigation; Leaf area index; Loess Plateau; mulching; no-tillage; plastic film mulches; plateaus; seed development; soil fertility; Soil science; Soil tillage; soil water; Soil water storage; sowing date; stubble tillage; sustainable agriculture; temperate zones; Tillage. Tending. Growth control; water resources; Water use efficiency; water utilization; Zea mays; China, People's Rep; Biomass accumulation; Soil water storage; Water use efficiency; Loess Plateau; Leaf area index; Monocotyledones; Growth; Biomass; Cereal crop; Water storage; Gramineae; Spring(season); Angiospermae; Plateaus; Loess; Soil tillage; Zea mays; Soil moisture; Sowing date; Plastic mulching; Sowing; Soils; Spermatophyta; Yield; Biological accumulation

▶ No-tillage combined with crop residue mulching was not recommended for spring maize cultivation in the study area. ▶ Ridges covered by plastic film combined with bare furrow may not sustain maize productivity in the long run. ▶ Ridges covered by plastic film combined with furrow mulched by crop re...