Exploring alternative crop rotations to continuous winter wheat for agricultural intensification in the US central Great Plains

Low productivity, yield stagnation, and reduction of water use, altogether with increased susceptibility to climate variability represent a challenge for agricultural producers in the United States (US) central Great Plains. In this context, a more holistic assessment of the cropping systems should...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agricultural systems 2024-04, Vol.216, p.103879, Article 103879
Main Authors: Massigoge, Ignacio, Baral, Rudra, Cominelli, Sofía, Denson, Ethan, Helguera, Paula García, Guareschi, Cesar, Simão, Luana M., Rud, Joaquín Peraza, Pires, Carlos B., Dille, J. Anita, Lollato, Romulo P., Min, Doohong, Patrignani, Andres, Ruiz Diaz, Dorivar A., Hefley, Trevor, Lira, Sara, Prasad, P.V. Vara, Rice, Charles W., Hatfield, Jerry, Ciampitti, Ignacio A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crop diversification
Glucose-equivalent
Nitrogen management
Rotation productivity
Summer fallow
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Summary:Low productivity, yield stagnation, and reduction of water use, altogether with increased susceptibility to climate variability represent a challenge for agricultural producers in the United States (US) central Great Plains. In this context, a more holistic assessment of the cropping systems should be considered as a critical aspect for developing more sustainable rainfed agricultural systems in this region. The objectives of this study were to: i) quantify the fallow precipitation storage efficiency for a continuous winter wheat rotation (traditional rotation), ii) analyze and compare glucose-equivalent yields and economic results for different cropping sequences, and iii) determine efficiency components of the rotation for components such as precipitation use efficiency (PUE) and nitrogen (N) partial factor productivity (PFPN) for different cropping sequences and N management. A three-year field experiment (2019–2022) was conducted near Manhattan, Kansas (US), under rainfed conditions. Treatments included eleven crop rotations, combining forage and grain purpose crops, and two N management, standard and progressive. An economic analysis based on the yield data combined with historical budgets was developed to compare income, expenses, and economic margins of different cropping systems. No-till summer fallow represented low (
ISSN:0308-521X
1873-2267
DOI:10.1016/j.agsy.2024.103879