Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T03:41:49.987Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Practical lessons for successful long-term cropping systems experiments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2010

William F. Schillinger
William F. Schillinger*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Dryland Research Station, P.O. Box B, Lind, WA 99341, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Many lessons in long-term cropping systems experiments are learned from practical experience. I have conducted large-scale, long-term, multidisciplinary dryland and irrigated cropping systems experiments with numerous colleagues at university and government research stations and in farmers' fields in the USA and in developing countries for 25 years. Several practical lessons learned through the years are outlined in this short commentary. While some of these lessons learned may be intrinsically obvious, results of many cropping systems experiments have not been published in scientific journals due to fatal flaws in experimental design, improper transitioning between phases of the experiment and many other reasons. Ongoing active support by stakeholders is critical to maintain funding for long-term cropping systems studies. Problems and unexpected challenges will occur, but scientists can often parlay these into opportunities for discovery and testing of new hypotheses. Better understanding and advancement of stable, profitable and sustainable cropping systems will be critical for feeding the world's projected 10 billion people by the mid-21st century.

Keywords

long-term cropping systems experimentscrop rotationsworld food needs
Type
Commentary
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 1 - 3
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Johnston, A.E. 1997. The value of long-term field experiments in agricultural, ecological, and environmental research. Advances in Agronomy 59:291–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Peterson, G.A., Westfall, D.G., and Cole, C.V. 1993. Agroecosystem approach to soil and crop management research. Soil Science Society of America Journal 57:1354–1360.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Tanaka, D.L., Krupinsky, J.M., Liebig, M.A., Merrill, S.D., Ries, R.E., Hendrickson, J.R., Johnson, H.A., and Hanson, J.D. 2002. Dynamic cropping systems: an adaptable approach to crop production in the Great Plains. Agronomy Journal 94:957–961.Google Scholar
4.Lawrence, D., Christodoulou, N., and Whish, J. 2007. Designing better on-farm research in Australia using a participatory workshop process. Field Crops Research 104:157–164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Cady, F.B. 1991. Experimental design and data management of rotation experiments. Agronomy Journal 83:50–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Drinkwater, L.E. 2002. Cropping systems research: reconsidering agricultural experimental approaches. Horticulture Technology 12:355–361.Google Scholar
7.Schillinger, W.F., Smith, T.A., and Schafer, H.L. 2008. Chaff and straw spreader for a plot combine. Agronomy Journal 100:398–399.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A. 1984. Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.Google Scholar
9.Soane, B.D. and Ball, B.C. 1998. Review of management and conduct of long-term tillage studies with special reference to a 25-yr experiment on barley in Scotland. Soil and Tillage Research 45:17–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Wienhold, B.J., Pikul, J.L., Liebig, M.A., Mikha, M.M., Varvel, G.E., Doran, J.W., and Andrews, S.S. 2006. Cropping system effects on soil quality in the Great Plains: Synthesis from a regional project. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 21:49–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Kirkegaard, J., Christen, O.J., Krupinsky, J., and Layzell, D. 2008. Break crop benefits in temperate wheat production. Field Crops Research 107:185–195.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Chivenge, P.P., Murwira, H.K., Giller, K.E., Mapfumo, P., and Six, J. 2007. Long-term impact of reduced tillage and residue management on soil carbon stabilization: Implications for conservation agriculture on contrasting soils. Soil and Tillage Research 94:328–337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.DeAngelo, B.J., de la Chesnaye, F.C., Beach, R.H., Sommer, A., and Murray, B.C. 2006. Methane and nitrous oxide mitigation in agriculture. Energy Journal (Special Issue) 3:89–108.Google Scholar
14.Richter, D.D., Hofmockel, M., Callaham, M.A., Powlson, D.S., and Smith, P. 2007. Long-term soil experiments: Keys to managing Earth's rapidly changing ecosystems. Soil Science Society of America Journal 71:266–279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Anderson, R. 2003. An ecological approach to strengthen weed management in the semiarid Great Plains. Advances in Agronomy 80:33–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Young, D.L., Kwon, T.J., and Young, F.L. 1994. Profit and risk for integrated conservation farming systems in the Palouse. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 49:601–606.Google Scholar
17.Cook, R.J., Schillinger, W.F., and Christensen, N.W. 2002. Rhizoctonia root rot and wheat take-all in diverse direct-seed spring cropping systems. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 24:349–358.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Hobbs, P.R. 2007. Conservation agriculture: what it is and why is it important for future sustainable food production. Journal of Agricultural Science 145:127–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar