Optimizing cover crop and fertilizer timing for high maize yield and nitrogen cycle control

Agricultural soils can be affected in their ecological functions by in-field traffic of agricultural machinery. A three-factorial research design was carried out in a field experiment to test the effect of slurry tanker filling level (filled, half-filled, empty), tire inflation pressure of the slurry tanker (high: 300 kPa, low: 100 kPa), and ground covering (+cover crop, −cover crop) on tire track and soil penetration resistance (averaged, 0–20 cm, 21–40 cm) after application on the fields in spring. Additionally, the effect on grain yield of the subsequent culture was considered. The total weight of the tractor slurry tanker combination was 16,470 kg (empty), 25,940 kg (half-filled), and 34,620 kg (filled). The low tire inflation pressure of the slurry tanker increased the mean tire–soil contact area by 75% (filled), 38% (half-filled), and 16% (empty tanker). The results obtained show a significant effect of tire inflation pressure and ground covering on the measured parameters. The tire inflation pressure reduction effect on track depth was highest in the filled slurry tanker (−17.8%). With increasing wheel load, the effect of reduced tire inflation pressure on soil penetration resistance (0–20 cm) increased. In the subsoil (21–40 cm), the effect of tire inflation pressure was much lower, indicating that a reduction of tire inflation pressure preserves the upper layers rather than the lower ones. Furthermore, cover crops are linked to a higher degree of soil deformation after traffic with the tractor–slurry combination due to their loosening effect on the topsoil. Tire tracks were 15.0% deeper in the cover crop field than in the field without a cover crop. It is assumed that cover crop mixtures with different types of root mass can influence the mitigation of soil compaction in an ameliorative way.

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Effect of winter cover crop species and planting methods on maize yield and N availability under irrigated Mediterranean conditions

Field Crops Research ◽

10.1016/j.fcr.2011.05.006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 123 (2) ◽

pp. 89-99 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

M. Salmerón ◽

R. Isla ◽

J. Cavero

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Maize Yield ◽

N Availability ◽

Crop Species ◽

Planting Methods ◽

Winter Cover Crop ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Mediterranean Conditions

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DSSAT Nitrogen Cycle Simulation of Cover Crop-Maize Rotations under Irrigated Mediterranean Conditions

Agronomy Journal ◽

10.2134/agronj13.0560 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 106 (4) ◽

pp. 1283-1296 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Montserrat Salmerón ◽

José Cavero ◽

Ramón Isla ◽

Cheryl H. Porter ◽

James W. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Cycle ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cycle Simulation ◽

Mediterranean Conditions

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ON-FARM EXPERIMENTS WITH MAIZE-MUCUNA SYSTEMS IN THE LOS TUXTLAS REGION OF VERACRUZ, SOUTHERN MEXICO. II. MUCUNA VARIETY EVALUATION AND SUBSEQUENT MAIZE GRAIN YIELD

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479702001114 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. EILITTÄ ◽

L. E. SOLLENBERGER ◽

R. C. LITTELL ◽

L. W. HARRINGTON

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Growth Period ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Mucuna Pruriens ◽

Los Tuxtlas ◽

Southern Mexico ◽

Maize Production ◽

Maize Grain ◽

On Farm

Despite interest in mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) as a green manure/cover crop, biomass production of its accessions has been poorly quantified, including in the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz, Mexico where smallholders have used maize (Zea mays)-mucuna systems increasingly since 1991. This on-farm research compared the biomass production of three mucuna varieties (white-, mottled-, and black seeded) in a rotational maize-mucuna system. Mucuna was sole-cropped during the first season (on eleven and five fields in 1996 and 1997 respectively), and its impact on the second-season maize yield was measured (on seven fields in 1996). White and mottled varieties produced equal biomass (7.92 and 6.74 t ha−1 in 1996 and 1997 respectively), and more than the black variety (6.85 and 4.90 t ha−1 in 1996 and 1997 respectively). Mucuna increased 1996/97 second-season maize grain yields by 50 % (from 0.97 to 1.46 t ha−1). Plots previously cropped with white and mottled varieties produced greater maize yield (1.55 t ha−1) than did black-variety plots (1.29 t ha−1). The research confirmed the higher productivity of the white and mottled varieties and the potential of the rotational system. Allocating the more desirable first-season growth period to mucuna and the riskier second season to maize is problematic, but the system may have potential in the region as a short-term fallow that permits second-season maize production.

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The Effect of Residues of Plant Rotation Patterns with Cover Crop Legums on Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics and Corn Products During Two Seasons of Planting

Asian Journal of Applied Sciences ◽

10.24203/ajas.v8i5.6305 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Matheus Rupa ◽

Donatus Kantur ◽

Masria

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Carbon Storage ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Soil Organic Carbon Storage ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Rotation Pattern ◽

Organic Carbon Storage

This study aimed to estimate wherewith the residual effect of the crop rotation pattern with the cover crop lagoon on the dynamics of soil organic carbon and maize yield during the two growing seasons in the Kupang region of Indonesia. The treatments evaluated were: maize rotation pattern with several types of seasonal legume cover crops and how to return the legume biomass. The results showed a very significant increase in soil organic carbon and maize yield. The rotation pattern with legumes P. lunatus, M. pririens and C. juncea had a statistically significant effect on increasing soil organic carbon storage and maize yield during the two growing seasons. These three types of legumes still have a positive effect until the second planting season where there is an increase in soil organic carbon storage (at a depth of 0-30 cm) of 0.75-1.19 % C-organic (82.08 to 84.38 t.ha-1 soil carbon storage) compared to C.chayan and control treatment which decreased soil organic carbon storage was greater. About maize yields, up to PS- 2 still showed relatively stable results, namely only a decrease in maize yield (kg.ha-1) of 3.14% -4.19% compared to C. chayan which decreased yields of 15% and without control rotation ) with a reduction in yield of up to 30% . The method of restoring the cover crop legume biomass with the mulching technique was able to increase soil organic carbon storage by 0.71%, and the yield of dry shelled maize (kg.ha-1) on PS-2 only decreased yield by 2.48% compared to the immersion method which reduced the yield up to 11, 02%. This study found that the rotation pattern does not need to be done every planting season. Still, it is sufficient to do it in intervals of two to three growing seasons. The residual effect can significantly guarantee the maintenance of organic carbon stocks in the soil. With the assurance of soil organic carbon stores coupled with proper management, soil productivity is maintained and sustainable. When soil organic carbon increases, it can benefit maize and other food crops.

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El sistema maíz-leguminosa-frijol y la fertilización mineral en terrazas de muro vivo.

Agronomía Mesoamericana ◽

10.15517/am.v10i2.17943 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 59

Author(s):

Néstor F. Nicolás ◽

Sergio Uribe ◽

Ernesto López ◽

René Camacho ◽

Antonio Turrent

Keyword(s):

Common Bean ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Agronomic Management ◽

El Sistema ◽

Completely Randomized Design

With the aim of developing a sustainable agronomic management for the hillside agro-system that includes traditional crops maize and beans, a research was carried out from 1996 to 1998 at two locations in the South of Veracruz, Mexico. The experiment included planting of maize intercropped with two cover crop legumes (Mucuna and Canavalia) during the summer and planting Common Bean cv. Negro INIFAP in the fall. A completely randomized design arranged as split plot was utilized, with the cover legumes as main plots and six fertilizer treatments as small plots. In biomass production Mucuna was significantly superior to Canavalia and thus as nutrimental source. Weed biomass production was 52% lower in the treatments with the cover legumes as compared to the sole maize crop. No difference was found for maize seed yield among main treatments, indicating that the cover crops did not affect maize yield. In common bean the highest yield was obtained in the Mucuna and fertilization dose of 30 kg/ha N and 30 kg/ha P2O5. In conclusion Mucuna was the best cover crop in biomass production, reducing weed competition and favored mineral nutrition in Common Bean.

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Faba Bean and Pea Can Provide Late-Fall Forage Grazing without Affecting Maize Yield the Following Season

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10010080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 80 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bryce J. Andersen ◽

Dulan P. Samarappuli ◽

Abbey Wick ◽

Marisol T. Berti

Keyword(s):

Faba Bean ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Field Pea ◽

Upper Midwest ◽

Crop Species

Faba bean (Vicia faba Roth) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) are grown worldwide as protein sources for food and feed and can be used as cover crops after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, faba bean is underutilized in upper Midwest farming systems. This study was conducted to determine how faba bean relates to pea as a forage, cover crop, and in cycling of nutrients to maize (Zea mays L.) in the following season. Five faba bean cultivars and two pea cultivars, a forage pea and a field pea, were established after wheat harvest in North Dakota, in 2017 and 2018. Faba bean and pea cultivars averaged 1.3 Mg ha−1 of biomass, enough to support 1.5 animal unit month (AUM) ha−1 for a 450 kg cow (Bos taurus L.) with calf, at 50% harvest efficiency. Crude protein content was highest in faba bean cv. Boxer (304 g kg−1), with faba bean cv. Laura and forage pea cv. Arvika having similar content, and field pea having the least (264 g kg−1). Cover crop treatments did not affect maize in the following year, indicating no nutrient cycling from faba bean and pea to maize. Both cover crop species tested provided high protein forage, suitable for late grazing, with a more fibrous crop residue. Faba bean has potential as a cover crop in the upper Midwest while providing greater quality forage than pea.

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Winter Rye Cover Crop with Liquid Manure Injection Reduces Spring Soil Nitrate but Not Maize Yield

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9120852 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 852 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Leslie A. Everett ◽

Melissa L. Wilson ◽

Randall J. Pepin ◽

Jeffrey A. Coulter

Keyword(s):

Cover Crop ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Dairy Manure ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Liquid Manure ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Silage Maize ◽

Significant Difference

In maize-based cropping systems, leaching of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) to drainage tile and groundwater is a significant problem. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a winter rye cover crop planted after silage maize or soybean harvest and injected with liquid manure could decrease soil NO3-N without reducing the yield of the following maize crop. An experiment was conducted at 19 sites with predominant occurrence of Mollisols (15 out of 19 sites) in the upper Midwest USA immediately after soybean or maize silage harvest to compare a drilled rye cover crop and a non-cover crop control. Later in the fall, liquid swine or dairy manure was injected into the cover crop and control plots. Rye was terminated the following spring using herbicide, usually before reaching 20 to 25 cm in height, and incorporated with tillage at most sites, after which maize was planted and harvested as silage or grain. Across sites, soil NO3-N at rye termination was reduced by 36% (range = 4% to 67%) with rye compared to no rye. Nitrogen in aboveground rye biomass at termination ranged from 5 to 114 kg N ha−1 (mean = 51 kg N ha−1). Across sites, there was no significant difference in yield of maize silage or grain between treatments. These results demonstrate in a Mollisol-dominated region the potential of a winter rye cover crop planted before manure application to effectively reduce soil NO3-N without impacting yield of the following maize crop, thereby reducing risk of negative environmental impacts.

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