Chapter 13—Cropping Systems PDF

10/27/2014 Chapter 13—Cropping Systems Key Concepts Continuous cropping and crop rotation are two cropping systems Crop rotations provide several advantages Cropping systems can be monoculture or polyculture The Conservation Reserve Program provides soil conservation Continuous Cropping Continuous c...

10/27/2014 Chapter 13—Cropping Systems Key Concepts Continuous cropping and crop rotation are two cropping systems Crop rotations provide several advantages Cropping systems can be monoculture or polyculture The Conservation Reserve Program provides soil conservation Continuous Cropping Continuous cropping—same crop is grown for + two+ wo years on same land – Economic incentives – Greater specialization 1 10/27/2014 Crop Rotations Crop rotation—sequence Sequence of different crops grown over years on same land – Advantages include pest control, increased soil quality, rotation effects, and less risk Monoculture Monocu Growing a single crop within a field during the growing season Grain crops such as corn, soybean, rice, and wheat are grown as monocultures Advantages include specialized machinery, target chemicals, efficient fertilizer systems, and specialized varieties Polyculture Poly more Growing two crops together on the two or more same land during the growing season Utilize more soil and environmental resources Challenging to manage Advantages include yield stability, diversification of income, and better use of resources or 2 10/27/2014 Strip Cropping Polyculture Growing crops in monocultures in adjacent strips within a field Common form is contour strip cropping for soil conservation on sloping erodible lands – Annual row crops in alternating strips with perennial crops http://www.uwec.edu/geography/Ivogeler/w111/strip.jpg Mixed Intercropping Polyculture Two or more crops are grown together at random Fits best in forage production systems Examples include companion crops, wheat/pea mixtures, alley cropping, and silvopasture Living Mulches annual grain crops into living but Planting annual grain suppressed perennial sod Sod can recover following harvest Provides year‐round ground cover Limited use because of management challenges 3 10/27/2014 Multiple Cropping Systems Sequential production of two or more different crops from the same Same piece piece of land each year Often practiced in long growing season areas Utilize both summer and winter annual crops Double crops… Cover Cover Crops Multiple cropping system Crop is introduced during or following harvest of cash crop Can be used to cover soil during winter Advantages include soil protection, enhancing soil fertility, and reducing weed growth ↓ red clover Nothing/weeds) 4 10/27/2014 Green Manure Crops Grown to plow under to improve soil quality Legume crops are especially effective Concepts of cover cropping and green manuring are linked Conservation Plantings Several programs funded by federal and state governments Diversify the landscape Increase environmental quality CRP converts highly erodible cropland to vegetative cover 36 million acres enrolled in CRP (2007) M Riparian buffers Conservation Reserve Shelter belts Program · CRP for · 3 Riparian water be every bufers-areas were to grazed other other plants prevent animals shelter belts-plants that placed · only months can year of are erodi ng hold the river banks soil down or protect area of land /trees around houses for wind protection 5