Biomass yield and nitrogen content of annual energy/forage crops preceded by cover crops

RESUMO – O sistema plantio direto é uma estratégia sustentável de produção que preconiza a manutenção da cobertura vegetal como prática conservacionista do solo. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de plantas de cobertura sobre atributos fisiológicos e agronômicos do milho na região sudoeste da Amazônia. Foram avaliadas 15 estratégias de sucessões de culturas com o milho e a influência sobre o rendimento de biomassa, de grãos, altura de plantas e inserção da espiga, índice de espiga, massa de 100 grãos, teor foliar de nitrogênio e clorofilas total, a e b em plantas de milho. Observou-se efeito das plantas de cobertura sobre o rendimento de grãos, de biomassa fresca e seca, na massa de grãos e nos teores de clorofila. Os efeitos sobre os teores de clorofila foram mais pronunciados na clorofila b e nos estádios fenológicos finais da cultura. O feijão-de-porco promoveu as maiores produtividades de grãos (7.539,3 kg ha-1) e potencial de silagem (16,2 Mg ha-1 de biomassa seca). A adequada escolha das espécies que compõe um sistema de plantio direto é preponderante para o apropriado desempenho agronômico do milho na região sudoeste da Amazônia.Palavras-chave: Zea mays, intensificação ecológica, sustentabilidade, integração lavoura-pecuária, plantio direto.CROPPING SYSTEMS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CORN PLANTS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN AMAZONABSTRACT- A sustainable strategy for agricultural systems is the use of cover crops in no-tillage systems, as a conservationist soil practice. This paper aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of different cover crops on some physiological and agronomic attributes of corn crop in the Southwestern Amazon region. The effects of 15 cover plants on the biomass and grains yield, plant height, ear insertion height, ear index, mass of 100 grains, leaf nitrogen content and a, b and total chlorophyll levels of corn plants were evaluated. A randomized complete block design was used with four replications. Grain yield, fresh and dry biomass yield, mass of 100 grains and chlorophyll content were affected by some cover crops. Jack bean promoted the highest grain yield (7,539.3 kg ha-1) and biomass yield (16.2 Mg ha-1 dry matter) among the options assessed. Cover crops provided different levels of total, a and b chlorophyll levels, on the corn plants. Some cover crops presented the potential to improve the agronomic performance of the succeeding corn crop in the Southwestern Amazon region. The proper agronomic performance of corn in a no-till system depends on the adequate choice of cover plants to compose the system.Keywords: Zea mays, ecological intensification, sustainability, crop-livestock system, no-till.

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Genotypic Differences in Root System Size in White Mustard in Relation to Biomass Yield and Soil Nitrogen Content

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201866040871 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 871-881

Author(s):

Martin Hajzler ◽

Jana Klimešová ◽

Petra Procházková ◽

Tomáš Středa

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Content ◽

Root System ◽

Soil Nitrogen ◽

Root Length ◽

Biomass Yield ◽

System Size ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Genotypic Differences ◽

White Mustard ◽

Root System Size

Growing catch crops is one of the possible strategies to decrease erosion and nitrogen loss from soil profiles. Biomass yield and root system size have significant impacts on the soil nitrogen content. a three‑year field experiment with eight varieties of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) was established to evaluate the effects of genotype and environment on biomass yield, soil nitrogen content and rooting parameters. Significant effects of genotype were found for root length density (RLD), root surface density (RSD) and specific root length (SRL) in the plow layer (0 – 20 cm) and for root system size (RSS), measured by electrical capacitance method, during three phenological phases. Higher biomass yield in varieties with higher RLD and RSD values during ripening and a larger RSS during flowering were found in dry conditions. Relationship of the root system and biomass yield to nitrate and ammonia nitrogen content varied in different environments. We found a significant relation between the RSS and ammonia nitrogen content in more fertile environment on average over the three years. The nitrate nitrogen content was related to the RLD, RSD and SRL in favorable year at shallow soil depths (0 – 20 cm).

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Fodder qualities of heterotic hybrids from intergeneric crosses between maize and eastern gamagrass

PROCEEDINGS ON APPLIED BOTANY GENETICS AND BREEDING ◽

10.30901/2227-8834-2020-1-17-23 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 181 (1) ◽

pp. 17-23

Author(s):

P. A. Panikhin ◽

V. A. Sokolov

Keyword(s):

Biomass Yield ◽

Theoretical Estimate ◽

Biomass Productivity ◽

The United States ◽

Intergeneric Hybrids ◽

High Yield ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Eastern Gamagrass ◽

Starting Point ◽

High Feed

Green biomass yield and fodder qualities are the starting point in the choice of forage crops. Maize, as a plant with the C4 pathway of photosynthesis, is highly efficient in transforming the energy of light into chemical bond energies, which ultimately leads to the highest yield per unit area of cultivated land. Its grain and green biomass possess good fodder qualities and are actively used in feed rations for cattle, smaller ruminants, and poultry. Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.), a wild relative of maize, is widespread over the plains of North and South Americas. To date, it has received universal recognition among breeders as a forage and fodder crop. More than 10 commercial cultivars have already been developed and cultivated in the United States. Eastern gamagrass is a C4 plant as well, characterized by high yield and high feed value of hay. We decided to combine in our research economically valuable qualities of this plant by developing apomictic intergeneric hybrids. This paper presents the results obtained in the process of assessing fodder qualities of apomictic maize × Tripsacum hybrids, where two maize genomes from the lines participating in hybrid selection for F1 seeds were added to the 36 chromosomes of eastern gamagrass. The maize × Tripsacum hybrid forms, produced during a number of years, persistently demonstrated an apomictic reproduction pattern and heterosis in green biomass productivity. Zootechnical analysis of plant samples showed that the hybrids, in which chromosomes of the lines used in commercial seed production to obtain heterosis in F1 had been added to the 36 chromosomes of eastern gamagrass, exceeded in their biochemical indicators the plants, in which 20 chromosomes from one of the maize lines earlier used in hybridization at our laboratory had been added. A theoretical estimate of green biomass yield calculated per hectare for the maize × Tripsacum hybrids is about 65 tons.

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Nitrogen Content Curves for Small Grain Forage Crops

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/2013.26839 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. 459-467 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. M. Crohn ◽

M. C. Mathews ◽

D. H. Putnam

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Content ◽

Forage Crops

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Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogen and on the yield and nitrogen content of maize

European Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1016/j.eja.2009.05.006 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 103-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Branko Kramberger ◽

Anastazija Gselman ◽

Marjan Janzekovic ◽

Mitja Kaligaric ◽

Brigita Bracko

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Content ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Soil Mineral ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen

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THE USE OF INTERPLANTED COVER CROPS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT IN STRAWBERRIES

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.26.5.482b ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 482b-482

Author(s):

Marvin P. Pritts

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Biomass Yield ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Chemical Methods ◽

Light Levels ◽

Spring Crop ◽

Made In

Non-chemical methods for weed management are becoming important as fewer herbicides are labelled for use and as the market demands pesticide-free produce. We have studied the use of interplanted cover crops in strawberry plantings as an alternative/supplement to chemical weed management. Several different cover crops (tall fescue, marigold and sudangrass) were seeded between rows of newly planted strawberries in late June as runnering was commencing. An additional seeding of sudangrass was made in late July. For comparison, untreated plots and diphenamid treated plots were included in the experimental design. Measurements were taken throughout the season of soil moisture, light levels, crop nutrient concentrations, nematode numbers in soil and crop roots, runner biomass, and weed composition and biomass. Cover crops were incorporated in late fall and the planting was mulched. The following spring, crop nutrient concentrations, nematode numbers in soil and crop roots, weed composition and biomass, yield, individual fruit size, and aboveground strawberry biomass was assessed. The marigolds were too competitive for moisture to be an effective companion cover crop. The early planting of sudangrass was too tall, and fescue was too competitive for nutrients. The untreated plots contained many more weeds than other treatments, nematode levels were higher in the strawberry roots in these plots, and harvesting fruit was very difficult. The late seeding of sudangrass, however, provided significant weed control while not reducing yield relative to herbicide-treated plots.

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Managing soil nitrate with cover crops and buffer strips in Sicilian vineyards

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-4-255-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 255-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

A. Novara ◽

L. Gristina ◽

F. Guaitoli ◽

A. Santoro ◽

A. Cerdà

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Content ◽

Lolium Perenne ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

15N Tracer ◽

Vicia Sativa ◽

Soil Nitrate ◽

Buffer Strips ◽

Buffer Strip ◽

Soil Nitrates

Abstract. When soil nitrate levels are low, plants suffer nitrogen (N) deficiency but when the levels are excessive, soil nitrates can pollute surface and subsurface waters. Strategies to reduce the nitrate pollution are necessary to reach a sustainable use of resources such as soil, water and plant. Buffer strips and cover crops can contribute to the management of soil nitrates, but little is known of their effectiveness in semiarid vineyards plantations. The research was carried out in the south coast of Sicily (Italy) to evaluate nitrate trends in a vineyard managed both conventionally and using two different cover crops (Triticum durum and Vicia sativa cover crop). A 10 m-wide buffer strip was seeded with Lolium perenne at the bottom of the vineyard. Soil nitrate was measured monthly and nitrate movement was monitored by application of a 15N tracer to a narrow strip between the bottom of vineyard and the buffer and non-buffer strips. Lolium perenne biomass yield in the buffer strips and its isotopic nitrogen content were monitored. Vicia sativa cover crop management contributed with an excess of nitrogen, and the soil management determined the nitrogen content at the buffer areas. A 6 m buffer strip reduced the nitrate by 42% with and by 46% with a 9 m buffer strip. Thanks to catch crops, farmers can manage the N content and its distribution into the soil over the year, can reduced fertilizer wastage and reduce N pollution of surface and groundwater.

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The productivity and nitrogen economy of artificial ecosystems comprising various comninations of perennial legumes and coniferous tree species

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt9670467 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 467 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

BN Richards ◽

DI Bevege

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Content ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Pinus Elliottii ◽

Podzolic Soils ◽

Limiting Nutrient ◽

Artificial Ecosystems ◽

Araucaria Cunninghamii ◽

Coniferous Tree Species ◽

Pinus Spp ◽

Perennial Legumes

The effect of the perennial legumes Lotononis bainesii, Desmodium uncinatum, and Phaseolus atropurpureus on the growth of the indigenous conifers Araucaria cunninghamii and Agathis robusta and the exotic pines Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, P. taeda, and P. caribaea var. hondurensis was tested over a 5 year period on a lateritic podzolic soil. The legumes grew vigorously but under the dense canopy of the exotic pines began to decline in the third season. They depressed the yield of the exotic pines but stimulated that of the native conifers. They greatly increased the nitrogen content of the standing crop (vegetation plus litter) of native conifers, but had little or no effect on the nitrogen content of exotic pines. No change in soil nitrogen status was detected below a depth of 4 in., but the amount of total nitrogen in the 0-4 in. horizon was increased by Phaseolus and Desmodium, as was the nitrogen content of the whole soil-plant system. These increases occurred mainly in association with the native conifers, since the exotic pines shaded the legumes and reduced their effectiveness. The marked stimulation of the native conifers by the leguminous cover crops confirms previous findings that nitrogen is the primary limiting nutrient for these trees on lateritic podzolic soils in the coastal lowlands of southern Queensland. Exotic pines did not benefit from the presence of legumes, yet produced dry matter yields of 5-6 tons/acre/year. There is evidence of substantial accretion of nitrogen, amounting to 20-45 lb/acre/year, to ecosystems dominated by Pinus spp., even in the absence of legumes; most of this extra nitrogen was contained in the trees.

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