U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research: Lubbock, TX
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Lubbock, Texas Cropping Systems Research Laboratory Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Cotton, Jonitem
                                            MOORE-KUCERA, JENNIFER - Texas Tech Universityitem
                                            Acosta-Martinez, Veronicaitem
                                            Burow, Gloria
  Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
                                    Publication Type: Abstract Only
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 7/21/2011
                                    Citation: Cotton, J.E., Moore-Kucera, J., Acosta Martinez, V., Burow, G.B. 2011. Responses of Enzyme Activities in Sandy Soils to Cropping System Changes in a Semiarid Region[abstract]. Enzymes in the Environment. July 17-21, 2011, Bad Nauheim, Germany.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Sandy soils under agricultural production found in the Southern High Plains of the United States are typically low in organic matter (<1%) due to the low organic inputs of intensively-tilled continuous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) monoculture cropping over the last 50 years.  This has resulted in soils that are less productive due to reduced fertility and water holding capacity and that are prone to erosion, especially aeolian.  Although alternative cropping options are limited due to a semiarid climate and the limited irrigation capacity of the depleted Ogallala aquifer, drought tolerant crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) offer viable alternative cropping systems that are both economically and environmentally beneficial.  In order to better understand short-term changes in soil functioning related to a transition from cotton to sorghum cropping systems, this study evaluated the effects of 2 high-tonnage yield forage sorghum cultivars with different cell wall composition (typical and reduced lignin content) under 2 deficit irrigation levels (rain-fed non irrigated and supplemental irrigation at 2.88 mm day-1) and 2 biomass removal rates (100% and 50% removal).  After 2 years, soil (0-10 cm) under sorghum cropping systems had higher enzyme activities (ß-Glucosidase, ß-Glucosaminidase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Phosphodiesterase, Arylsulfatase) and microbial biomass (C and N) compared to continuous cotton.  Certain enzyme activities (ß-Glucosidase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Phosphodiesterase) were higher under irrigated sorghum than non-irrigated.  However, no differences were detected due to sorghum cultivar or the amount of biomass removed.  This study demonstrated that over a short time period soil enzyme activities were more sensitive to changes in cropping systems than to differences in biomass incorporation to soil, sorghum cultivars, and water irrigation levels.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov