Priorities of Soil Management for Extreme Events and Drought

Charles W. RiceUniversity Distinguished Professor

Soil MicrobiologyDepartment of Agronomy

Grazing Lands

 (Mark Nearing, personal communication)  

Variation in Crop YieldsKansas Sorghum Production

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Kansas Wheat Production

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1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

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Irrigated Corn in Kansas

Assefa, Roozeboom and Rice

Conservation Agriculture Cropping Systems

•Restores soil carbon•Conserves moisture•Saves fuel•Saves labor• Lowers machinery costs•Reduces erosion• Improved soil fertility•Controls weed•Planting on the best date• Improves wildlife habitat

Conservation practices to mitigate and adapt• NT wheat had 3.4 in. more water than CT wheat at

planting.– 30% higher yield: 36 versus 28 bu ac-1

• Enhanced soil organic matter content maximizes crop water use efficiency

• Time of planting, seeding configuration and plant populations

• Choice of crop species, depending on site-specific considerations

• Vegetative barriers and terraces may enhance water storage, reduce evaporation, and minimize risks of wind erosion

Lal et a., 2012. Adapting agriculture to drought and extreme events. J. Soil Water Conserv. 67:162-166.

Conservation practices to mitigate and adapt to drought and climate variability

1. Erosion prevention and protection from extreme weather events, which may be more damaging in the future.

2. Irrigation infrastructure to reduce water losses and increase irrigation efficiencies.

3. More diverse cropping systems to adapt to variable climates and new pest and disease pressures.

4. Develop crop varieties that are drought-tolerant and more resistant to heat stress, with higher N-use efficiencies.

5. Improve the synchronization of planting and harvesting operations with shifts in the hydrologic cycle (rainy season).

6. Manage soil and crops to increase water-use efficiencies.

7. Value agricultural commodities for their water footprint or environmental traits.

8. Increase soil C sequestration to improve soil functions.

9. Increase N-use efficiencies for cropping systems.

10. Apply the concepts of precision/target conservation to increase conservation effectiveness across spatial and temporal variability.

Chuck RicePhone: 785-532-7217Cell: 785-587-7215 cwrice@ksu.edu