Cantidad, cobertura y descomposicion de residuos de maiz sobre el suelo | Quantity, coverage and decomposition of corn residue on soil
2002
Velazquez G, J. de J. | Salinas G, J.R. | Potter, K.N. | Gallardo V, M. | Caballero H, F. | Diaz M, P.
In Mexico, the use of crop residues varies considerably among and within regions, and it is not limited to use simply as litter. The problems in adopting conservation tillage are diverse, but one of them lies in the lack of information on management and conservation of crop residues, which are frequently used to feed cattle, a use that competes with conservation tillage. In experiments with rainfed corn in several locations of western Mexico, the relationships involving quantity of residues, soil cover, and decomposition in the management of residues were studied. The results provide elements for decision-making and highlight important differences for residue management and degree of soil cover depending on climatic conditions. The regression models obtained permit the estimation of percentage of soil cover when the amount of residue on an area is known. The amount of residues remaining on the field at the end of a cycle varies greatly depending on the length of time they remain on the field, management practices and local climate. Finally, using a thermal constant to interpret the effect of temperature on the decomposition of residues gave better results than using accumulated number of days residues are left on the field.
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