Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Agricultural Science

Selected Works

Dryland cropping system

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Dryland Soil Carbon Dynamics Under Alfalfa And Durum-Forage Cropping Sequences, Upendra M. Sainju, Andrew W. Lenssen May 2011

Dryland Soil Carbon Dynamics Under Alfalfa And Durum-Forage Cropping Sequences, Upendra M. Sainju, Andrew W. Lenssen

Andrew W. Lenssen

Forages grown in rotation with or without cereals to sustain dryland soil water content and crop production may influence C dynamics. We evaluated the effect of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and durum (Triticum turgidum L.)-annual forage cropping sequences on above- (stems + leaves) and belowground (roots) biomass C inputs and dryland soil organic C (SOC), particulate total C (PTC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and potential C mineralization (PCM) at the 0–120 cm depth. Cropping sequences were continuous alfalfa (CA), durum-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) hay (D-B), durum-foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) hay (D-M), durum-Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.)/barley mixture hay …


Tillage And Cropping Sequence Impacts On Nitrogen Cycling In Dryland Farming In Eastern Montana, Usa, Upendra M. Sainju, Thecan Caesar-Tonthat, Andrew W. Lenssen, Robert G. Evans, Robert Kolberg May 2009

Tillage And Cropping Sequence Impacts On Nitrogen Cycling In Dryland Farming In Eastern Montana, Usa, Upendra M. Sainju, Thecan Caesar-Tonthat, Andrew W. Lenssen, Robert G. Evans, Robert Kolberg

Andrew W. Lenssen

Information on N cycling in dryland crops and soils as influenced by long-term tillage and cropping sequence is needed to quantify soil N sequestration, mineralization, and N balance to reduce N fertilization rate and N losses through soil processes. The 21-yr effects of the combinations of tillage and cropping sequences was evaluated on dryland crop grain and biomass (stems + leaves) N, soil surface residue N, soil N fractions, and N balance at the 0–20 cm depth in Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, frigid, Typic Argiboroll) in eastern Montana, USA. Treatments were no-tilled continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), …