Zone-subsoiling effects on infiltration, runoff, erosion, and yields of furrow-irrigated potatoes

Sojka, R.E. and Westermann, D.T. and Brown, M.J. and Meek, B.D. (1993) Zone-subsoiling effects on infiltration, runoff, erosion, and yields of furrow-irrigated potatoes. Soil & Tillage Research. 25:351-368.

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Abstract

Soil compaction is a problem in many Pacific Northwest fields. We hypothesized that zone subsoiling
would improve potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. 'Russet Burbank' ) yield or grade, increase
infiltration, and decrease bulk density, runoff, and erosion of furrow-irrigated fields, while maintaining
trafficability and irrigability of furrows. A 2 year study was established on a Portneuf silt loam
(coarse-silty, mixed, mesic Durixerollic Calciorthids). In the fall, plots were in wheat stubble (1988)
or bean stover (1989), and were either disked (10-12 cm ), chiselled (25-30 cm ), or moldboard
plowed (20-25 cm ). Fall tillages were split in spring, half of each plot receiving in-row zone subsoiling
(46 cm ) after planting potatoes. The effect of zone subsoiling on infiltration in 1989 was small because
of variation across fall tillages. In 1990, zone subsoiling increased infiltration by 10% across fall
tillages. Erosion decreased up to 278% with zone subsoiling. Zone subsoiling reduced erosion more
effectively than it increased infiltration, shown by a two- to three-fold decrease in the sediment loss
to water infiltrated ratio. Zone subsoiling increased infiltration and reduced erosion more in 1990
when the study was conducted on a slightly steeper slope with higher water application rates than in
1989. In 1989, zone subsoiling increased the yield of grade 1 tubers by 3.8 t ha-1 (4.6%), but the total
yield was not significantly increased. In 1990, zone subsoiling increased the total yield by 4.2 t ha-1
the yield of grade 1 tubers by 5.6 t ha-1 (7.7%). With zone subsoiling, the percentage of large
grade 1 market-grade tubers increased by 3.3% in 1989 and 5.7% in 1990. Zone subsoiling requires
some extra attention by the irrigator early in the season to insure uniform furrow irrigation, but it can
potentially conserve both soil and water while improving grade and yield.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0788
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Potato Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Erosion Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Infiltration Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Runoff losses Soil > Erosion Soil > Subsoiling Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:53
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2016 21:56
Item ID:	589
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/589