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Stored Available Soil Water and the Fallow/Recrop Decision—Critical Level Approach
Author(s) -
Goos R. J.,
Johnson B. E.,
Sobolik F. J.,
Schneider R. P.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1984.03615995004800050036x
Subject(s) - seeding , loam , environmental science , water content , agronomy , precipitation , soil water , moisture , crop , yield (engineering) , growing season , soil science , geography , geology , meteorology , biology , materials science , geotechnical engineering , metallurgy
The amount of stored soil water at seeding has long been appreciated as a critical factor in the success of annual spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) production in the semiarid region of the Northern Great Plains. Stored available soil water at seeding, growing season precipitation, and grain yield data from 53 spring wheat experiments in western North Dakota were analyzed by both multiple regression and an interaction chi‐square approach. Soil types were generally fine‐loamy, mixed Typic Haploborolls or Argiborolls. Regression equations explained to little of the variability of the data to be useful in drawing practical guidelines for future fallow/recrop decisions. The results suggest that stored soil moisture data are better analyzed by the interaction chi‐square test, the results of which provide easy‐to‐interpret guidelines for making future fallow/recrop decisions. For example, for a minimum acceptable recrop wheat yield of 1350 kg/ha, the following critical levels were defined: stored available soil water at seeding less than 6.4 cm, crop failure is likely and summerfallow is advised; stored available soil moisture 6.4 to 9.4 cm, approximately equal odds of crop failure or success; stored available soil moisture > 9.4 cm, crop success is likely and recropping is advised.