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Chemical and Stubble‐Mulch Fallow Influences on Seasonal Soil Water Contents
Author(s) -
Tanaka D. L.
Publication year - 1985
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/sssaj1985.03615995004900030039x
Subject(s) - loam , mulch , agronomy , environmental science , summer fallow , soil water , residue (chemistry) , soil science , chemistry , biology , agriculture , ecology , biochemistry , cropping
A study was conducted in the northern Great Plains to determine the effect of chemical and stubble‐mulch fallow of a Williams loam (fine‐loamy mixed, Typic Argiborolls) on soil water contents during 14‐and 21‐month fallow periods. Soil water contents to a depth of 1.70 m were measured by use of the neutron‐scatter technique for two 14‐and three 21‐month fallow periods. The amount of surface residue after harvest ranged from 0.6 to 3.6 Mg/ha during the study. Chemical fallow maintained more surface residue than stubble‐mulch fallow, but no significant differences in soil water contents to 1.70‐m soil depth occurred between the treatments. Gain in soil water occurred after harvest and over the first winter with soil water loss generally occurring during summer for 14‐ and 21‐months of fallow. No gain in soil water contents occurred over the second winter when chemically fallowed for 21‐months. Precipitation frequency and distribution may be just as important as quantity and position of surface residue for chemical fallow to effectively store more soil water than stubble‐mulch fallow.