Long-term studies find benefits, challenges in alternative rice straw management

Bird, J; Eagle, A; Hair, M; Horwath, W; van Kessel, C; Zilbert, E

Long-term studies find benefits, challenges in alternative rice straw management

Authors

Jeffrey A. Bird
Alison J. Eagle
Mike W. Hair
William R. Horwath
Chris van Kessel
Eric E. Zilbert

Authors Affiliations

J.A. Bird is Post Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley; A.J. Eagle is Staff Research Associate, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Kearney Agricultural Center; M. W. Hair is Post Graduate Researcher, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis and UCCE; W.R. Horwath is Associate Professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; C. van Kessel is Professor and Chair, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis. The California Energy Commission Farm Energy Assistance Program, Ducks Unlimited and the California Rice Research Board funded this research. We would like to acknowledge the generous contributions made by Canal Farms, Steve Dennis, Steve Scardaci, Marian Llagas, Bruce Linquist, Sylvie Brouder, Jim Hill and the UC DANR Analytical Laboratory; E.E. Zilbert is Assistant Research Agronomist.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 56(2):69-75. DOI:10.3733/ca.v056n02p69. March 2002.

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Abstract

California state legislation passed in 1991 mandated a phased reduction of rice straw burning in the Central Valley, to reduce air pollution. In 1993, UC Davis scientists launched an 8-year research project on the long-term effects of various alternative means of managing rice straw. Burning, incorporation into the soil, rolling, and baling and removing the straw were compared, with and without winter flooding. None of the various practices reduced grain yields on our experimental plots, but there was an increase in weeds when straw was incorporated, and in particular when the fields were not winter flooded. However, when straw is incorporated, nutrients are returned to the soil and less nitrogen fertilizer can be applied, resulting in lower production costs and less potential for water pollution. In addition, waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway benefit significantly from the wetlands created when fields are flooded during the winter.

References

Bird JA. Soil organic matter dynamics under alternative straw management practices. Ph.D. dissertation 2001. UC Davis: p.220. (AAT 3007663)

Bird JA, Eagle AJ, van Kessel C, Horwath WR. Immobilization and fate of fertilizer and straw nitrogen in soil: Effects of winter flooding and straw incorporation in rice. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 2001. 65:1143-52.

Bird JA, Pettygrove GS, Eadie JM. The impact of waterfowl foraging on the decomposition of rice straw: Mutual benefits for rice growers and waterfowl. J Appl Ecol. 2000. 37:728-41. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.2000.00539.x

Bird JA, van Kessel C, Horwath WR. In press. Nitrogen sequestration and turnover in SOM fractions under alternative straw management practices. Soil Sci Soc Am J

Bossio DA, Horwath WR, Mutters RG, van Kessel C. Methane pool and flux dynamics in a rice field following straw incorporation. Soil Biol Biochem. 1999. 31:1313-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(99)00050-4

[CRARB/CDFA] California Rice Air Resources Board and California Department of Food and Agriculture. Progress Report on the Phase Down of Rice Straw Burning in the Sacramento Valley Air Basin. 1999 Report to the Legislature 2000.

Eagle AJ. Rice yield and nitrogen dynamics as affected by alternative residue management practices and winter flooding. M.Sc. thesis. 2000. UC Davis: 91p.

Eagle AJ, Bird JA, Hill JE, et al. Nitrogen dynamics and fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency in rice following straw incorporation and winter flooding. Agron J. 2001. 93:1346-54.

Eagle AJ, Bird JA, Horwath WR, et al. Rice yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency under alternative straw management practices. Agron J. 2000. 92:1096-103.

Elphick CS, Oring LW. Winter management of California rice fields for waterbirds. J Appl Ecol. 1998. 35:95-108. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00274.x

Hill JE, Brandon DM, Brouder AM, et al. Agronomic implications of alternative straw management practices. Winter Flooding and Straw Management: Implications for Rice Production 1994–1996. Agron Progress Rep, Ag Exp Stat and Cooperative Extension. 1999. UC Davis: 116p.

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