Author:
Madramootoo Chandra A.,Essien Mfon,Ekwuknife Kosoluchukwu
Abstract
Highlights
Controlled drainage increased grain yields in drier than normal years.
Monthly precipitation has a strong influence on crop yields.
In normal and wetter than normal years, controlled drainage could be detrimental to crop yields.
Controlled drainage generally reduced nitrous oxide emissions and leaching of nitrates in drain outlets.
Abstract. Conventional tile drainage is essential for crop production in Eastern Canada. It is of increasing interest for cereal and grain producers, especially in light of potential agronomic and environmental benefits. Based on data collected over a 13-year period at an intensive maize production site in southern Quebec, we found that controlled drainage has an overall positive effect on grain yield. In some years, depending on precipitation intensities and timing, nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes under controlled drainage were greater than under conventional tile drainage. In other years, controlled drainage had 43% lower N2O emissions. Controlled drainage significantly reduced NO3-N contamination and tended to increase crop yield. It can be a beneficial management practice to be adopted on subsurface-drained croplands. Keywords: Controlled drainage, Crop yield, Environment, Greenhouse gases, Subsurface drainage, Water quality.
Publisher
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)