Effects of water table management on water quality and strip cropped corn-soybean yields

• Main Author: Mejía, Manuel.
• Other Authors: Madramootoo, C. A. (advisor)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1997
• Subjects: Water table > Ontario.; Groundwater > Pollution > Ontario.; Corn > Yields > Ontario.; Soybean > Yields > Ontario.
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=27378

A two-year field study was carried out in eastern Ontario to investigate the effects of water table management (WTM) on water quality and crop yields. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max Merr.) were planted in alternate strips across the three treatments of 50 cm controlled water table (CWT), 75 cm CWT and free drainage (FD). Drainflow volume and nitrate-N concentration of the drainage water were measured. Soil samples were collected and analysed for total N, P, K, available N, soil moisture and organic matter levels. Chlorophyll-meter readings and plant harvest parameters were also measured. Rainfall, soil and air temperatures were recorded throughout the growing seasons. === The obtained data show that in 1995, the CWT plots significantly increased total drainflow, as compared to FD. In 1996, overall drainflow and nitrate concentrations were significantly reduced. Both the corn and soybean yields were higher with WTM than with FD for both years. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)