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

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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Effects of Cover Crops, Compost, and Vermicompost on Strawberry Yields and Nitrogen Availability in North Carolina

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech03447-16 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 604-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John E. Beck ◽

Michelle S. Schroeder-Moreno ◽

Gina E. Fernandez ◽

Julie M. Grossman ◽

Nancy G. Creamer

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Organic Production ◽

Organic N ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N

Summer cover crop rotations, compost, and vermicompost additions can be important strategies for transition to organic production that can provide various benefits to crop yields, nitrogen (N) availability, and overall soil health, yet are underused in strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) production in North Carolina. This study was aimed at evaluating six summer cover crop treatments including pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), soybean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), pearl millet/soybean combination, pearl millet/cowpea combination, and a no cover crop control, with and without vermicompost additions for their effects on strawberry growth, yields, nutrient uptake, weeds, and soil inorganic nitrate-nitrogen and ammonium-nitrogen in a 2-year field experiment. Compost was additionally applied before seeding cover crops and preplant N fertilizer was reduced by 67% to account for organic N additions. Although all cover crops (with compost) increased soil N levels during strawberry growth compared with the no cover crop treatment, cover crops did not impact strawberry yields in the first year of the study. In the 2nd year, pearl millet cover crop treatments reduced total and marketable strawberry yields, and soybean treatments reduced marketable strawberry yields when compared with the no cover crop treatment, whereas vermicompost additions increased strawberry biomass and yields. Results from this study suggest that vermicompost additions can be important sustainable soil management strategies for transitional and certified organic strawberry production. Summer cover crops integrated with composts can provide considerable soil N, reducing fertilizer needs, but have variable responses on strawberry depending on the specific cover crop species or combination. Moreover, these practices are suitable for both organic and conventional strawberry growers and will benefit from longer-term studies that assess these practices individually and in combination and other benefits in addition to yields.

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Predicting Loblolly Pine Growth Response from N Fertilizer, using Soil-N Availability Indices

Soil Science Society of America Journal ◽

10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600050043x ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 46 (5) ◽

pp. 1096-1099 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Russ Lea ◽

Russ Ballard

Keyword(s):

Loblolly Pine ◽

Growth Response ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil N Availability

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Water and Nitrogen Budget Dynamics for a Maize-Peanut Rotation in Florida

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.13916 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 2003-2020

Author(s):

Maria I. Zamora Re ◽

Sagarika Rath ◽

Michael D. Dukes ◽

Wendy Graham

Keyword(s):

Crop Rotation ◽

Root Zone ◽

N Uptake ◽

Irrigation Scheduling ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

N Leaching ◽

Soil N ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Irrigation Treatments ◽

Fertilizer Rates

HighlightsDSSAT simulations of final N uptake, biomass, and yield for a maize-peanut rotational field experiment with three irrigation treatments and three N fertilizer rates had good performance for the irrigated treatments (average nRMSE of 9%) but greater error for the rainfed treatments (average nRMSE of 15%).Experiments and DSSAT simulations demonstrated that N fertilizer and irrigation applications were reduced by 26% and 60%, respectively, when using a 247 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate and a sensor-based irrigation schedule rather than conventional practices of 336 kg N ha-1 and a calendar-based irrigation method, with no impact on yield.Simulations demonstrated that N leaching during the crop rotation was reduced by 37% when an N fertilizer rate of 247 kg N ha-1 and sensor-based irrigation scheduling were used versus conventional practices.Soil N increased (=15 mg kg-1) when maize and peanut residues decayed and then leached during the fallow season. Cover or cash crops planted immediately after the maize and peanut harvests have potential to take up this N and reduce leaching.Abstract. Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for crop growth and yield; however, excessive N applications not taken up by crops can result in N leaching from the root zone, increasing N loads to waterbodies and leading to a host of environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to simulate water and N balances for a maize-peanut (Zea mays L. and Arachis hypogaea L.) rotational field experiment with three irrigation treatments and three N fertilizer rates. The irrigation treatments consisted of mimicking grower irrigation practices in the region (GROW), using soil moisture sensors to schedule irrigation (SMS), and non-irrigated (NON). The N fertilizer rates were low, medium, and high (157, 247, and 336 kg N ha-1, respectively) for maize with a constant 17 kg ha-1 for all peanut treatments. DSSAT maize genetic coefficients were calibrated using the SMS-high treatment combination under the assumption of no water or N stress. The other eight treatment combinations were used as independent data for model validation of the crop coefficients. All soil hydrologic parameters were specified based on measured values, and default DSSAT peanut genetic coefficients were used with no calibration. For the irrigated treatments, DSSAT models had good performance for N uptake, biomass, and yield (average nRMSE of 8%) and moderate performance for soil water content (average nRMSE of 18%). Soil nitrate RMSE was 21% lower than the standard deviation of the observed data (5.8 vs. 7.2 mg kg-1). For the rainfed treatments, DSSAT had greater error (average nRMSE of 15% for N uptake, biomass, and yield, and average nRMSE of 31% for soil water). Soil nitrate RMSE was 11% greater than the standard deviation of the observed data (8.0 vs. 7.2 mg kg-1), and nRMSE was >30% during the crop rotation. Simulations estimated that N leaching over the crop rotation was reduced by 24% on average when using the 247 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate compared to 336 kg N ha-1 across the irrigation treatments. Furthermore, N leaching was reduced by 37% when using SMS to schedule irrigation and the 247 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate for maize and 17 kg N ha-1 for peanut compared to conventional practices (GROW and 336 kg N ha-1 for maize and 17 kg N ha-1 for peanut). Moreover, this management practice reduced N fertilizer use by 26% and irrigation water use by up to 60% without negative impacts on yield. Observed and simulated soil N increased during maize and peanut residue decay, with simulations estimating that this soil N would leach below the root zone during the fallow season. This leaching could potentially be reduced if a cover crop or cash crop were planted between the maize and peanut crops to take up the mineralized N. Keywords: Agricultural best management practices, Bare fallow, BMPs, Maize-peanut rotation, N balance, N fertilization, N leaching, Sandy soils, Sensor-based irrigation scheduling, Water balance.

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Soil Nitrogen in Response to Interseeded Cover Crops in Maize–Soybean Production Systems

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10091439 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1439

Author(s):

Yesuf Assen Mohammed ◽

Swetabh Patel ◽

Heather L. Matthees ◽

Andrew W. Lenssen ◽

Burton L. Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Management Strategies ◽

N Leaching ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Soil N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Poor Growth ◽

The Impact

Improved agronomic management strategies are needed to minimize the impact that current maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production practices have on soil erosion and nutrient losses, especially nitrogen (N). Interseeded cover crops in standing maize and soybean scavenge excess soil N and thus reduce potential N leaching and runoff. The objectives were to determine the impact that pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) (PC), winter camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) (WC), and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) (WR) cover crops have on soil N, and carbon (C) and N accumulation in cover-crop biomass. The cover crops were interseeded in maize at the R5 growth stage and in soybean at R7 in four replicates over two growing seasons at four locations. Soil and aboveground biomass samples were taken in autumn and spring. Data from the maize and soybean systems were analyzed separately. The results showed that cover crops had no effect on soil NH4+-N under both systems. However, winter rye decreased soil NO3−-N up to 76% compared with no-cover-crop treatment in the soybean system. Pennycress and WC scavenged less soil N than WR. Similarly, N and C accumulation in PC and WC biomass were less than in WR, in part because of their poor growth performance under the interseeding practice. Until PC and WC varieties with improved suitability for interseeding are developed, other agronomic practices may need to be explored for improving N scavenging in maize and soybean cropping systems to reduce nutrient leaching and enhance crop diversification.

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Influence of two different cover crops on soil N availability, N nutritional status, and grape yeast-assimilable N (YAN) in a cv. Tempranillo vineyard

Plant and Soil ◽

10.1007/s11104-015-2387-7 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 390 (1-2) ◽

pp. 143-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Eva P. Pérez-Álvarez ◽

Teresa Garde-Cerdán ◽

Pilar Santamaría ◽

Enrique García-Escudero ◽

Fernando Peregrina

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Cover Crops ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil N Availability

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Influence on wine biogenic amine composition of modifications to soil N availability and grapevine N by cover crops

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture ◽

10.1002/jsfa.8349 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 97 (14) ◽

pp. 4800-4806 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Eva P Pérez-Álvarez ◽

Teresa Garde-Cerdán ◽

Maria João Cabrita ◽

Enrique García-Escudero ◽

Fernando Peregrina

Keyword(s):

Biogenic Amine ◽

Cover Crops ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil N Availability

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Spraying Leaves of Pear Nursery Trees with Urea and Copper Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Alters Tree Nitrogen Concentration without Influencing Tree Susceptibility to Phytophthora syringae

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.20.2.331 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 331-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Laywisadkul ◽

C.F. Scagel ◽

L.H. Fuchigami ◽

R.G. Linderman

Keyword(s):

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid ◽

Nitrogen Concentration ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

N Content ◽

Soil N Availability ◽

Susceptibility To Infection ◽

N Concentration ◽

Nursery Trees ◽

The Relationship

Recent field observations by growers suggest that increased nitrogen (N) content in nursery trees resulting from foliar sprays with urea in the autumn increases tree susceptibility to infection by Phytophthora syringae. We investigated the effects of soil N availability and spraying pear (Pyrus communis ‘OHF 97’) trees with combinations of urea, chelated copper ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CuEDTA), and phosphonate-containing fungicides on stem N concentration and susceptibility to infection by P. syringae. Increasing soil N availability increased susceptibility to P. syringae and increased N and amino acid concentration in stems. Spraying trees with urea in the autumn increased concentrations of N and amino acids in stems and had no significant effect on tree susceptibility when stems were inoculated with P. syringae before or after urea sprays. Spraying trees with CuEDTA decreased stem N concentrations and had no significant influence on tree susceptibility to P. syringae when stems were inoculated before or after CuEDTA sprays. These results suggest the relationship between tree susceptibility to P. syringae and tree N concentration may be specific to the form of N, delivery method, or timing of N applications. Trees had higher N concentrations in stems in November than in October and were more susceptible to P. syringae when inoculated in November, suggesting that environmental factors and increasing tree dormancy may be responsible for changes in susceptibility to the pathogen. Spraying trees with fungicides containing fosetyl-aluminum in October or November decreased tree susceptibility to P. syringae. The effects of fungicides containing fosetyl-aluminum on susceptibility were similar regardless of whether trees were sprayed or not with urea or CuEDTA, suggesting that these fungicides can be used in combination with urea or CuEDTA sprays for reducing disease severity caused by P. syringae without impacting growers' objective of increasing tree N content with urea or enhancing early defoliation with CuEDTA.

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Development of an Online Tool for Tracking Soil Nitrogen to Improve the Environmental Performance of Maize Production

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13105649 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 5649

Author(s):

Giovani Preza-Fontes ◽

Junming Wang ◽

Muhammad Umar ◽

Meilan Qi ◽

Kamaljit Banger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

N Uptake ◽

Growing Season ◽

Weather Data ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

N Losses ◽

Online Tool ◽

Support Tool ◽

Soil N Availability

Freshwater nitrogen (N) pollution is a significant sustainability concern in agriculture. In the U.S. Midwest, large precipitation events during winter and spring are a major driver of N losses. Uncertainty about the fate of applied N early in the growing season can prompt farmers to make additional N applications, increasing the risk of environmental N losses. New tools are needed to provide real-time estimates of soil inorganic N status for corn (Zea mays L.) production, especially considering projected increases in precipitation and N losses due to climate change. In this study, we describe the initial stages of developing an online tool for tracking soil N, which included, (i) implementing a network of field trials to monitor changes in soil N concentration during the winter and early growing season, (ii) calibrating and validating a process-based model for soil and crop N cycling, and (iii) developing a user-friendly and publicly available online decision support tool that could potentially assist N fertilizer management. The online tool can estimate real-time soil N availability by simulating corn growth, crop N uptake, soil organic matter mineralization, and N losses from assimilated soil data (from USDA gSSURGO soil database), hourly weather data (from National Weather Service Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis), and user-entered crop management information that is readily available for farmers. The assimilated data have a resolution of 2.5 km. Given limitations in prediction accuracy, however, we acknowledge that further work is needed to improve model performance, which is also critical for enabling adoption by potential users, such as agricultural producers, fertilizer industry, and researchers. We discuss the strengths and limitations of attempting to provide rapid and cost-effective estimates of soil N availability to support in-season N management decisions, specifically related to the need for supplemental N application. If barriers to adoption are overcome to facilitate broader use by farmers, such tools could balance the need for ensuring sufficient soil N supply while decreasing the risk of N losses, and helping increase N use efficiency, reduce pollution, and increase profits.

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