Controlled traffic farming with no tillage for improved fallow water storage and crop yield on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Article

Wang, Qingjie, Chen, Hao, Li, Hongwen, Li, Wenying, Wang, Xiaoyan, McHugh, A. D., He, Jin and Gao, Huanwen. 2009. "Controlled traffic farming with no tillage for improved fallow water storage and crop yield on the Chinese Loess Plateau." Soil and Tillage Research. 104 (1), pp. 192-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2008.10.012
Article Title

Controlled traffic farming with no tillage for improved fallow water storage and crop yield on the Chinese Loess Plateau

ERA Journal ID5270
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsWang, Qingjie (Author), Chen, Hao (Author), Li, Hongwen (Author), Li, Wenying (Author), Wang, Xiaoyan (Author), McHugh, A. D. (Author), He, Jin (Author) and Gao, Huanwen (Author)
Journal TitleSoil and Tillage Research
Journal Citation104 (1), pp. 192-197
Number of Pages6
Year2009
PublisherElsevier
Place of PublicationAmsterdam, Netherlands
ISSN0167-1987
0933-3630
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2008.10.012
Web Address (URL)http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198708002031
Abstract

On the semi-arid Loess Plateau of northern China, water is typically the biggest constraint to rainfed wheat production. Controlled traffic, combined with zero tillage and residue cover has been proposed to improve soil water, crop yield and water use efficiency. From 1998 to 2005, we conducted a field experiment comparing the water storage and wheat productivity of controlled traffic farming and conventional tillage farming. Three treatments were studied: controlled traffic with no tillage and full residue cover (NTCN), controlled traffic with shallow tillage and full residue cover (STCN) and random traffic with traditional tillage and partial residue cover (CT). Compared to CT, the controlled traffic treatments significantly reduced soil bulk density in 10-20 cm soil layer, significantly increased soil water content in the 0-150 cm soil profile at sowing, 9.3% for NTCN, 9.6% for STCN. These effects were greater in dry seasons, thus reducing the yearly variation in water conservation. Consequently, mean wheat yield of NTCN, STCN and CT were 3.25, 3.27 and 3.05 t ha-1, respectively, in which controlled traffic treatments increased by 6.9% with less yearly variation, compared to traditional tillage. Furthermore, controlled traffic had greater economic benefits than conventional tillage. Within controlled traffic treatments, NTCN showed better overall performance. In conclusion, controlled traffic farming has a better performance with respect to conserving water, improves yields and increases economic benefits. No tillage controlled traffic farming appears to be a solution to the water problem facing farmers on the Loess Plateau of China.

Keywordsamelioration; available water capacity; bulk density; compaction; controlled traffic; permanent beds; zero tillage; macropore density; Vertosol
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020370901. Geomorphology and earth surface processes
300207. Agricultural systems analysis and modelling
300202. Agricultural land management
Public Notes

© 2008 Elsevier B.V. Permanent restricted access to published version due to publisher copyright policy.

Byline AffiliationsChina Agricultural University, China
University of Queensland
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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