Cover crop nitrogen contribution to organic broccoli production

AbstractNitrogen (N) is a difficult nutrient to manage in organic farming systems, and yield reductions related to N deficiency have been reported in organic systems. Legume-based cover crops offer opportunities for biologically fixed N; however, improved quantification of N contribution is needed for cost-effective N management. A 2-yr experiment was conducted near Corvallis, OR, USA, in 2007 and 2008 to (1) evaluate biomass production and N accumulation from selected cover crop treatments, (2) compare the effects of fall-planted cover crops on broccoli [(Brassica oleraceae L. (Italica group)] yield, (3) estimate the quantity of feather meal-N replaced by cover crops. Cover crop treatments included common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth), oats (Avena sativa L.) and the mixtures phacelia plus vetch, oats plus vetch and a no-cover crop (fallow) treatment as the control. Using feather meal as an N source, four rates of N fertilizer (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha−1) were randomized within each cover crop treatment in a randomized, split-plot design. Cover crop biomass and N accumulation differed between the 2 yr of the study. In 2007, total biomass accumulation ranged from 5000 to 10,000 kg ha−1, whereas in 2008, cover crop accumulation was 1500 to 5000 kg ha−1. Biomass of both phacelia and vetch (in mixtures or as sole crops) was reduced by 80% from 2007 to 2008, whereas oat biomass and weed biomass in the fallow plots was reduced by only 40% between the 2 yr. The accumulation of N was also reduced in 2008, with vetch (either as a sole crop or in mixtures) contributing less than a third of total N produced in 2007. In 2007, vetch and vetch-based cover crop mixtures increased broccoli yield compared with the fallow, providing 100–135 kg fertilizer equivalent N ha−1. But due to decreased cover crop biomass and N accumulation in 2008, vetch and vetch-based mixtures failed to increase broccoli yield, providing <20 kg N ha−1 fertilizer equivalence. In 2007, oats grown as a sole cover crop reduced broccoli yield when no supplemental N was applied. In 2008, both phacelia and oats reduced broccoli yield at all N levels, with estimated N fertilizer equivalence values of −80 to −95 kg N ha−1. Although legume and legume mixtures increased broccoli yield in only 1 yr of the experiment, addition of vetch to the mixtures reduced yield loss in both years compared with oats and phacelia grown as sole crops.

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Soybean Relative Maturity, Not Row Spacing, Affected Interseeded Cover Crops Biomass

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 441

Author(s):

Hans J. Kandel ◽

Dulan P. Samarappuli ◽

Kory L. Johnson ◽

Marisol T. Berti

Keyword(s):

Spring Wheat ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Plant Density ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Soybean Yield ◽

Early Maturing ◽

Crop Biomass

Adoption of cover crop interseeding in the northwestern Corn Belt in the USA is limited due to inadequate fall moisture for establishment, short growing season, additional costs, and need for adapted winter-hardy species. This study evaluated three cover crop treatments—no cover crop, winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and winter camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz)—which were interseeded at the R6 soybean growth stage, using two different soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) maturity groups (0.5 vs. 0.9) and two row spacings (30.5 vs. 61 cm). The objective was to evaluate these treatments on cover crop biomass, soil cover, plant density, and soybean yield. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield was also measured the following year. The early-maturing soybean cultivar (0.5 maturity) resulted in increased cover crop biomass and soil cover, with winter rye outperforming winter camelina. However, the early-maturing soybean yielded 2308 kg·ha−1, significantly less compared with the later maturing cultivar (2445 kg·ha−1). Narrow row spacing had higher soybean yield, but row spacing did not affect cover crop growth. Spring wheat should not follow winter rye if rye is terminated right before seeding the wheat. However, wheat planted after winter camelina was no different than when no cover crop was interseeded in soybean. Interseeding cover crops into established soybean is possible, however, cover crop biomass accumulation and soil cover are limited.

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Effect of Winter Cover Crops on Soil Nitrogen Availability, Corn Yield, and Nitrate Leaching

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.267 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 22-29 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

S. Kuo ◽

B. Huang ◽

R. Bembenek

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

N Leaching ◽

Corn Yield ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil N Availability ◽

N Concentration ◽

Fertilizer Rates

Biculture of nonlegumes and legumes could serve as cover crops for increasing main crop yield, while reducing NO3leaching. This study, conducted from 1994 to 1999, determined the effect of monocultured cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch on N availability in soil, corn (Zea mays L.) yield, and NO3-N leaching in a silt loam soil. The field had been in corn and cover crop rotation since 1987. In addition to the cover crop treatments, there were four N fertilizer rates (0, 67, 134, and 201 kg N ha-1, referred to as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively) applied to corn. The experiment was a randomized split-block design with three replications for each treatment. Lysimeters were installed in 1987 at 0.75 m below the soil surface for leachate collection for the N0, N2, and N3treatments. The result showed that vetch monoculture had the most influence on soil N availability and corn yield, followed by the bicultures. Rye or ryegrass monoculture had either no effect or an adverse effect on corn yield and soil N availability. Leachate NO3-N concentration was highest where vetch cover crop was planted regardless of N rates, which suggests that N mineralization of vetch N continued well into the fall and winter. Leachate NO3-N concentration increased with increasing N fertilizer rates and exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standard of 10 mg N l�1 even at recommended N rate for corn in this region (coastal Pacific Northwest). In comparisons of the average NO3-N concentration during the period of high N leaching, monocultured rye and ryegrass or bicultured rye/vetch and ryegrass/vetch very effectively decreased N leaching in 1998 with dry fall weather. The amount of N available for leaching (determined based on the presidedress nitrate test, the amount of N fertilizer applied, and N uptake) correlated well with average NO3-N during the high N leaching period for vetch cover crop treatment and for the control without the cover crops. The correlation, however, failed for other cover crops largely because of variable effectiveness of the cover crops in reducing NO3leaching during the 5 years of this study. Further research is needed to determine if relay cover crops planted into standing summer crops is a more appropriate approach than fall seeding in this region to gain sufficient growth of the cover crop by fall. Testing with other main crops that have earlier harvest dates than corn is also needed to further validate the effectiveness of the bicultures to increase soil N availability while protecting the water quality.

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Investigating tarps to facilitate organic no-till cabbage production with high-residue cover crops

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170518000509 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 227-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalie P Lounsbury ◽

Nicholas D Warren ◽

Seamus D Wolfe ◽

Richard G Smith

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Nutrient Availability ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Winter Rye ◽

No Till ◽

Crop Biomass

AbstractHigh-residue cover crops can facilitate organic no-till vegetable production when cover crop biomass production is sufficient to suppress weeds (>8000 kg ha−1), and cash crop growth is not limited by soil temperature, nutrient availability, or cover crop regrowth. In cool climates, however, both cover crop biomass production and soil temperature can be limiting for organic no-till. In addition, successful termination of cover crops can be a challenge, particularly when cover crops are grown as mixtures. We tested whether reusable plastic tarps, an increasingly popular tool for small-scale vegetable farmers, could be used to augment organic no-till cover crop termination and weed suppression. We no-till transplanted cabbage into a winter rye (Secale cereale L.)-hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop mulch that was terminated with either a roller-crimper alone or a roller-crimper plus black or clear tarps. Tarps were applied for durations of 2, 4 and 5 weeks. Across tarp durations, black tarps increased the mean cabbage head weight by 58% compared with the no tarp treatment. This was likely due to a combination of improved weed suppression and nutrient availability. Although soil nutrients and biological activity were not directly measured, remaining cover crop mulch in the black tarp treatments was reduced by more than 1100 kg ha−1 when tarps were removed compared with clear and no tarp treatments. We interpret this as an indirect measurement of biological activity perhaps accelerated by lower daily soil temperature fluctuations and more constant volumetric water content under black tarps. The edges of both tarp types were held down, rather than buried, but moisture losses from the clear tarps were greater and this may have affected the efficacy of clear tarps. Plastic tarps effectively killed the vetch cover crop, whereas it readily regrew in the crimped but uncovered plots. However, emergence of large and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) appeared to be enhanced in the clear tarp treatment. Although this experiment was limited to a single site-year in New Hampshire, it shows that use of black tarps can overcome some of the obstacles to implementing cover crop-based no-till vegetable productions in northern climates.

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Cover Crop Effectiveness Varies in Cover Crop-Based Rotational Tillage Organic Soybean Systems Depending on Species and Environment

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9060319 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 319 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura Vincent-Caboud ◽

Léa Vereecke ◽

Erin Silva ◽

Joséphine Peigné

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Future Research ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Cereal Grain ◽

Crop Biomass

Organic farming relies heavily on tillage for weed management, however, intensive soil disturbance can have detrimental impacts on soil quality. Cover crop-based rotational tillage (CCBRT), a practice that reduces the need for tillage and cultivation through the creation of cover crop mulches, has emerged as an alternative weed management practice in organic cropping systems. In this study, CCBRT systems using cereal rye and triticale grain species are evaluated with organic soybean directly seeded into a rolled cover crop. Cover crop biomass, weed biomass, and soybean yields were evaluated to assess the effects of cereal rye and winter triticale cover crops on weed suppression and yields. From 2016 to 2018, trials were conducted at six locations in Wisconsin, USA, and Southern France. While cover crop biomass did not differ among the cereal grain species tested, the use of cereal rye as the cover crop resulted in higher soybean yields (2.7 t ha−1 vs. 2.2 t ha−1) and greater weed suppression, both at soybean emergence (231 vs. 577 kg ha−1 of weed biomass) and just prior to soybean harvest (1178 vs. 1545 kg ha−1). On four out of six sites, cover crop biomass was lower than the reported optimal (<8000 kg ha−1) needed to suppress weeds throughout soybean season. Environmental conditions, in tandem with agronomic decisions (e.g., seeding dates, cultivar, planters, etc.), influenced the ability of the cover crop to suppress weeds regardless of the species used. In a changing climate, future research should focus on establishing flexible decision support tools based on multi-tactic cover crop management to ensure more consistent results with respect to cover crop growth, weed suppression, and crop yields.

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The Correct Cover Crop Species Integrated with Slurry Can Increase Biomass, Quality and Nitrogen Cycling to Positively Affect Yields in a Subsequent Spring Barley Rotation

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10111760 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1760

Author(s):

Paul Cottney ◽

Lisa Black ◽

Ethel White ◽

Paul N. Williams

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Spring Barley ◽

C:N Ratio ◽

Brassica Species ◽

Carbon Accumulation ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Crop Species ◽

N Accumulation

The aim of this study is to identify species of cover crops that cause an increase in biomass and total nutrient accumulation in response to manure/slurry. This could improve nutrient efficiency and intensify the benefits from over-winter cover crops in arable rotations and improve following commercial crop yields. In a pot experiment, sixteen cover crops were grown for 100 days in response to slurry. Growth and nutrient (N, P, K, Mg and S) accumulation were measured, and then residue was reincorporated into the soil with spring barley (Hodeum vulgare L.) sown and harvested for yield. In response to slurry, tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L.) increased N accumulation by 101% due to a significant increase in biomass and % N (p < 0.05) over its relative control plots. Significant interactions between species and the application of slurry were found in cover crop biomass, cover crop and spring barley nutrient uptake, as well as cover crop carbon accumulation, particularly in the brassica species used. Slurry integrated with cover crops both reduced the cover crop C:N ratio and enhanced nutrient cycling compared to the control when soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) and spring barley crop N offtake were pooled. However, this was not observed in the legumes. This study shows that slurry integration with cover crops is a promising sustainable farming practice to sequester N and other macro-nutrients whilst providing a range of synergistic benefits to spring barley production when compared to unplanted/fallow land rotations. However, this advantage is subject to use of responsive cover crop species identified in this study.

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Effect of Cover Crops on Yield and Leaf Nutrient Concentrations in an Organic Honeycrisp Apple (Malus domestica ‘Honeycrisp’) Orchard in Nova Scotia, Canada

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci10615-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (11) ◽

pp. 1378-1383

Author(s):

Mehdi Sharifi ◽

Julia Reekie ◽

Andrew Hammermeister ◽

Mohammed Zahidul Alam ◽

Taylor MacKey

Keyword(s):

Nova Scotia ◽

Malus Domestica ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Red Clover ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Total N ◽

Leaf Nutrient Concentrations ◽

K Concentration

There is an increasing interest for use of cover crops in orchards; however, the species that are most likely to be successfully implemented and their impact on yield and soil productivity have not been fully explored under Maritimes climate. This study investigated the effect of various cover crops treatments on organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Honeycrisp) yield and leaf nutrient concentrations in Nova Scotia over 3 years. Various cover crop mixtures including legumes, cereals, and grasses were planted using a modified Swiss Sandwich System (SSS). The cover crops treatments did not affect apple yield. In 2012, the input of biomass to the soil was 89% and 144% greater for alfalfa (ALF) and other cover crop treatments than unseeded (CON) treatment, respectively. The pea, oats, vetch mixture (POVM) contributed 24% higher biomass N to soil compared with average of other cover crops in 2012. Soil available K concentration in the tilled strip was increased in the 3rd year of the study compared with the initial values across cover crop treatments. The red clover oats mixture (RCOM), POVM, and Triple Mix (TM) treatments appeared to add the greatest amount of available K to the soil among treatments. The CON, TM, and ALF treatments resulted in higher leaf Mn concentration in only 2012 and CON, sweet clover and oats mixture (SCOM), and ALF resulted in higher leaf P concentration in 2014, compared with other treatments. Cover crops did not compete with apple trees and their most beneficial and consistent contribution was to total C, total N, and K input to the soil.

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Bio-fortified Compost as A Substitute for Chemical N Fertilizer for Growth, N Accumulation, and Yield of Sweet Corn

Akta Agrosia ◽

10.31186/aa.22.2.84-94 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 84-94

Author(s):

Marwanto Marwanto ◽

Shinta Puspita Wati ◽

Atra Romeida ◽

Merakati Handajaningsih ◽

Teguh Adiprasetyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Yield ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Block Design ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Partial Substitution ◽

Inorganic N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Total N

ABSTRACTFinding the appropriate method of fertilizer application to simultaneously enhance farm productivity and ensure ecosystem sustainability has been receiving a lot of attention. A field experiment was carried in the Research Plot Agriculture Faculty Bengkulu University Campus Indonesia in 2017. The purpose of this study was (1) to assess the significant effects of inorganic N fertilizer (IF) substitution with bio-fortified compost (BC) under equal N conditions on growth, N accumulation, and yield of sweet corn, and (2) to determine the appropriate level to which inorganic N fertilizer could be reduced and equivalently replaced by bio-fortified compost to promote sweet corn growth and yield. The treatments consisted of six different proportions of inorganic N fertilizer (IF) substitution with bio-fortified compost (BC). Each treatment was designed on the basis of equal amount of total N input from a combination of both fertilizers (138 kg N ha-1). They were arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replications. They included (1) 100% IF plus 0% BC, (2) 75% IF plus 25% BC, (3) 50% IF plus 50% BC, (4) 25% IF plus 75%, (5) 0% IF plus 100% BC, and (6) no IF and no BC. The results showed that the increasing proportion of IF replaced by BC resulted in an increase for all variables (except for plant height) but they decreased when 100% IF substitution with 100% BC was applied. Among the partial substitution treatments, 50% IF plus 50% BC consistently produced the best growth, N accumulation, and yield increase. Treatments of 50% IF plus 50% BC and 25% IF plus 75% BC produced the highest green cob weight with husk per plot (10.74 – 10.84 kg plot-1), which was 16% to 19% higher than treatment of 100% IF plus % BC. The three partial substitution treatments produced crop yield components as good as treatment of 100% IF plus 0% BC. Treatment of 0% IF plus 100% BC reduced plant growth, N accumulation, and crop yield and its components. The appropriate level to which IF could be reduced and equivalently replaced by BC was at the range of 25% to 75%. Hence, a suitable replacement of inorganic N fertilizer with bio-fortified compost is considered a reasoned way to simultaneously increase crop yield and reduce environmental degradation.Keywords: organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, bio-fortification, chemical fertilizer substitution, bio-fortified compost

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399 Use of Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops for Sustainable Vegetable Production

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.461e ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 461E-461

Author(s):

H.J. Hruska ◽

G.R. Cline ◽

A.F. Silvernail ◽

K. Kaul

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Conservation Tillage ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

No Tillage ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Winter Cover Crop ◽

Winter Cover ◽

Strip Tillage

Research began in 1999 to examine sustainable production of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) using conservation tillage and legume winter cover crops. Tillage treatments included conventional tillage, strip-tillage, and no-tillage, and winter covers consisted of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), and a vetch/rye biculture. Pepper yields following the rye winter cover crop were significantly reduced if inorganic N fertilizer was not supplied. However, following vetch, yields of peppers receiving no additional N were similar to yields obtained in treatments receiving the recommended rate of inorganic N fertilizer. Thus, vetch supplied sufficient N to peppers in terms of yields. Pepper yields following the biculture cover crop were intermediate between those obtained following vetch and rye. When weeds were controlled manually, pepper yields following biculture cover crops were similar among the three tillage treatments, indicating that no-tillage and strip-tillage could be used successfully if weeds were controlled. With no-tillage, yields were reduced without weed control but the reduction was less if twice the amount of residual cover crop surface mulch was used. Without manual weed control, pepper yields obtained using strip-tillage were reduced regardless of metolachlor herbicide application. It was concluded that a vetch winter cover crop could satisfy N requirements of peppers and that effective chemical or mechanical weed control methods need to be developed in order to grow peppers successfully using no-tillage or strip-tillage.

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Cover Crop and Tillage Effects on Production and Nitrogen Nutrition of Sweet Corn

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.669d ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 669d-669

Author(s):

Gary R. Cline ◽

Anthony F. Silvernail

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Nitrogen Nutrition ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Winter Rye ◽

No Tillage ◽

Corn Production ◽

Total N ◽

Foliar N

A split-plot factorial experiment examined effects of tillage and winter cover crops on sweet corn. Main plots received tillage or no tillage. Cover crops consisted of hairy vetch, winter rye, or a mix, and N treatments consisted of plus or minus N fertilization. No significant effects of tillage on sweet corn yields were detected. Following corn not receiving inorganic N, vetch produced cover crop total N yields of 130 kg·ha–1 that were over three-times greater than those obtained with rye. Following rye winter covercrops, addition of ammonium nitrate to corn significantly (P < 0.05) increased corn yields and foliar N concentrations compared to treatments not receiving N. However, following vetch, corn yields and foliar N concentrations obtained without N fertilization equaled those obtained with N fertilization following rye or vetch. Available soil N was significantly (P < 0.05) greater following vetch compared to rye for ≈9 weeks after corn planting and peaked ≈4 weeks after planting. It was concluded that no-tillage sweet corn was successful and N fixed by vetch was able to sustain sweet corn production.

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Mycorrhiza-released glomalin-related soil protein fractions contribute to soil total nitrogen in trifoliate orange

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/100/2020-pse ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 183-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lu-Lu Meng ◽

Jia-Dong He ◽

Ying-Ning Zou ◽

Qiang-Sheng Wu ◽

Kamil Kuča

Keyword(s):

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Total Biomass ◽

N Accumulation ◽

N Content ◽

Total N ◽

Root Box ◽

Area And Volume ◽

Soil Protein

Glomalin released from arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has important roles in soil nutrient cycles, whereas contributing to glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) fractions to soil nitrogen (N) is unknown. In this study, a two-chambered root-box that was divided into root chamber (root and mycorrhizal fungi hypha) and hypha chamber (free of the root) was used, and three AMF species including Diversispora epigaea, Paraglomus occultum, and Rhizoglomus intraradices were separately inoculated into the root chamber. Plant growth, soil total N, N content of purified GRSP fractions, and its contribution to soil total N, and leaf and root N contents were analysed. After four months, total biomass and root total length, surface area, and volume were improved by all AMF inoculations. AMF inoculations dramatically increased soil total N content in two chambers. The N content of purified easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and difficultly extractable GRSP (DE-GRSP) was 0.10 ± 0.01 mg/g and 0.16 ± 0.02 mg/g, respectively, accounted for 15.6 ± 1.6% and 18.1 ± 1.8% of soil total N, respectively. AMF inoculations stimulated the N accumulation in EE-GRSP and DE-GRSP, especially in the hypha chamber. It concluded that GRSP, especially DE-GRSP, acts as a soil N pool accounting for 33.8 ± 1.9% of soil total N in orchards.

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