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Presentation
97-PVAMU_2022_LGRS_Thapa&Melaku_Nov17.pdf
PVAMU (2022)
  • Nigus Demelash Melaku, Prairie View A&M University
  • Binita Thapa, Prairie View A&M University
Abstract
Understanding how selected climate-smart agriculture practices, e.g., soil amendments, affect soil moisture dynamics and sweet corn growth has become imperative in our efforts to mitigate climate change and achieve food security. Water and nutrients can be conserved through proper near-real-time soil moisture monitoring and appropriate irrigation scheduling. A field research study was conducted in spring 2022 to evaluate the impacts of soil amendment types and rates on sweet corn growth, carbon sequestered, and dynamics of soil water content within and below the crop root zone at PVAMU Research Farm. The experiment was laid out following a factorial design with three replications, two rates of biochar (2.5 and 5 t ha-1 ), and two types of manure (chicken and dairy) applied at three different rates (0, 112, and 448 kg total N ha-1 ). Soil moisture sensors (10HS) were installed at each plot to monitor soil moisture within (the top 15 cm) and below the root zone (35 cm). The soil moisture sensors recorded the volumetric water content every 15 minutes. The results of the analysis showed that the application of soil amendments affected the soil moisture dynamics throughout the crop growing season. Also, the results showed that the manure rates significantly affected the sweet corn cob length. Sweet corn produced tassels and silks earlier in chicken manure-treated plots compared to dairy manuretreated plots. Also, the sugar content was significantly affected by both biochar and manure rate. There were no interactions between the major treatments of the experiment. The findings of this work could benefit farmers of the region by adopting some of these beneficial climate-smart management practices.
Disciplines
Publication Date
Fall November 17, 2022
Citation Information
Nigus Demelash Melaku and Binita Thapa. "97-PVAMU_2022_LGRS_Thapa&Melaku_Nov17.pdf" PVAMU (2022)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nigusdemelash-melaku/27/