Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) Green Manures as a Potential Source of N for Maize Production in the Tropics

Use of cheap, N-rich, and environmentally benign legume green manures to correct N deficiency in infertile soils is a very attractive option in the humid tropics. Understanding the influence of management and climate on their effectiveness, and quantifying their contribution to crop productivity, is therefore crucial for technology adoption and adaptation. Mineral N buildup and the contribution to N uptake in maize were studied in an Ultisol amended with fresh Gliricidia leaves. Net mineral N accumulation was compared in mulched and incorporated treatments in a field incubation study. The 15N isotope dilution technique was used to quantify N supplied to maize by Gliricidia leaves in an alley cropping. Mineral N accumulation was slow, but was much greater after incorporation than after mulching. Also, N buildup was always higher in the topsoil (0 to 10 cm) than in the subsoil (10 to 20 cm). More NO3-N was leached than NH4-N, and the effect was greater in the incorporated treatment. Surface-applied Gliricidia leaves significantly increased N uptake by maize, and supplied >30% of the total N in the stover and >20% of that in the corn grain, even in the presence of hedgerows. Thus Gliricidia leaf mulch has immense potential to improve productivity in tropical soils.

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Optimizing combining green manures and pelletized manure for organic spring wheat production

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2018-0049 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (4) ◽

pp. 638-649 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mohammed Z. Alam ◽

Derek H. Lynch ◽

Gilles Tremblay ◽

Rosalie Gillis-Madden ◽

Anne Vanasse

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Red Clover ◽

Green Manures ◽

Common Vetch ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Wheat Production ◽

The Impact

Well-planned crop rotations and targeted use of organic amendments are critical to success in organic wheat production. The impact of green manure (GMr) type, GMr termination timing, and “Acti-Sol” [pelletized dehydrated poultry manure (DPM); 5-2-3] on organic wheat productivity and quality was evaluated from 2014 to 2016 in Truro, NS, and Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, QC. Crops prior to wheat were soybean or GMr of hairy vetch/oat (HVO), common vetch/oat (CVO), and red clover (RC) (NS site), and HVO, red clover/oat (RCO), and oat (QC site). Trials were split-split-plot designs with treatments of precrops, GMr termination (fall vs. spring), and DPM at 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg total N ha−1. Wheat yields ranged from 1500 to 1800 kg ha−1 if unfertilized with DPM and following soybean or oat precrops. All legume GMrs (HVO, CVO, and RC/RCO) and DPM applications increased grain yield (2000–4200 kg ha−1) and protein content (13%–16%), wheat total N uptake [49–60 kg N ha−1 (QC); 87–125 kg N ha−1 (NS)] and soil mineral N content mid-season and postharvest, and responses were consistently greatest following HVO. Timing of GMr incorporation largely had no impact. Applying DPM at 80 kg N ha−1 was an effective substitute for a GMr precrop.

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Effects of green-manure and tillage management on soil microbial community composition, nutrients and tree growth in a walnut orchard

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96472-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ningguang Dong ◽

Guanglong Hu ◽

Yunqi Zhang ◽

Jianxun Qi ◽

Yonghao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Green Manure ◽

Rhizosphere Soil ◽

Green Manures ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C ◽

Nutrient Contents ◽

Walnut Tree

AbstractThis study characterized the effect of green manures (February orchid, hairy vetch, rattail fescue and a no-green-manure control) and the termination method (flail or disk) on nutrient contents, enzyme activities, microbial biomass, microbial community structure of rhizosphere soil and vegetative growth of walnut tree. All three selected green manures significantly enhanced the water content, organic C, total N and available P. The rattail fescue significantly decreased the mineral N. Total organic C, total N, mineral N and available P were significantly greater under flail than under disk. Hairy vetch and February orchid significantly improved levels of soil β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activity, whereas rattail fescue improved only β-glucosidase activity. All of the green manures significantly decreased phenoloxidase activity. β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activities were significantly greater under flail relative to disk. The termination method had no significant effect on phenoloxidase activity. The different types of green manures and termination methods significantly altered the soil microbial biomass and microbial community structure. The green-manure treatments were characterized by a significantly greater abundance of Gram-positive (Gram +) bacteria, total bacteria and saprophytic fungi compared to the control. Hairy vetch significantly decreased the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) while February orchid and rattail fescue increased their abundance compared to the no-green-manure treatment. The abundance rates of Gram+ bacteria, actinomycetes, saprophytic fungi and AMF were significantly greater in soils under flail than under disk. In terms of vegetative growth of walnut tree, hairy vetch showed the greatest positive effects. The growth of walnut tree was significantly greater under flail relative to disk. Our results indicate that green-manure application benefits the rhizosphere soil micro-ecology, rhizosphere soil nutrient contents and tree growth. Overall, the hairy vetch and flail combined treatment is recommended for walnut orchards in northern China.

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Maize Production and Soil Properties Change in Alley Cropping System at Different Nitrogen Levels

The Agriculturists ◽

10.3329/agric.v7i1.5252 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 41-49

Author(s):

Md Abiar Rahman ◽

Md Giashuddin Miah ◽

Hisashi Yahata

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Alley Cropping ◽

Cropping System ◽

Woody Species ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Similar Amount ◽

Maize Production ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C ◽

Nitrogen Levels

Productivity of maize and soil properties change under alley cropping system consisting of four woody species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan and Senna siamea) at different nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate) were studied in the floodplain ecosystem of Bangladesh. Comparative growth performance of four woody species after pruning showed that L. leucocephala attained the highest height, while C. cajan produced the maximum number of branches. Higher and almost similar amount of pruned materials (PM) were obtained from S. siamea, G. sepium and C. cajan species. In general, maize yield increased with the increase in N level irrespective of added PM. However, 100% N plus PM, 75% N plus PM and 100% N without PM (control) produced similar yields. The grain yield of maize obtained from G. sepium alley was 2.82, 4.13 and 5.81% higher over those of L. leucocephala, C. cajan and S. siamea, respectively. Across the alley, only one row of maize in the vicinity of the woody species was affected significantly. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N and CEC in alley cropping treatments especially in G. sepium and L. leucocephala alleys compared to the initial and control soils. Therefore, one fourth chemical N fertilizer can be saved without significant yield loss in maize production in alley cropping system.

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Residual effect of clover-rich leys on soil nitrogen and successive grain crops

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.2137/145960608784182308 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 73 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. NYKÄNEN ◽

A. GRANSTEDT ◽

L. JAUHIAINEN

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Clayey Soil ◽

N Uptake ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Red Clover ◽

N Leaching ◽

N Fixation ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Biological N Fixation

Legume-based leys form the basis for crop rotations in organic farming as they fix nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere for the succeeding crops. The age, yield, C:N, biological N fixation (BNF) and total N of red clover-grass leys were studied for their influence on yields, N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) of the two sequential cereal crops planted after the leys. Mineral N in deeper soil (30-90 cm) was measured to determine N leaching risk. Altogether, four field experiments were carried out in 1994-1998 at two sites. The age of the ley had no significant effect on the yields and N uptake of the two subsequent cereals. Surprisingly, the residual effect of the leys was negligible, at 020 kg N ha-1yr-1. On the other hand, the yield and C:N of previous red clover-grass leys, as well as BNF-N and total-N incorporated into the soil influenced subsequent cereals. NUEs of cereals after ley incorporation were rather high, varying from 30% to 80%. This might indicate that other factors, such as competition from weeds, prevented maximal growth of cereals. The mineral N content deeper in the soil was mostly below 10 kg ha-1 in the sandy soil of Juva, but was 5-25 kg ha-1 in clayey soil of Mietoinen.;

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Organic amendment effects on tuber yield, plant N uptake and soil mineral N under organic potato production

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170508002330 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (03) ◽

pp. 250-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Derek H. Lynch ◽

Zhiming Zheng ◽

Bernie J. Zebarth ◽

Ralph C. Martin

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

N Availability ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Soil Mineral ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Available N ◽

Organic Potato ◽

Certified Organic

AbstractThe market for certified organic potatoes in Canada is growing rapidly, but the productivity and dynamics of soil N under commercial organic potato systems remain largely unknown. This study examined, at two sites in Atlantic Canada (Winslow, PEI, and Brookside, NS), the impacts of organic amendments on Shepody potato yield, quality and soil mineral nitrogen dynamics under organic management. Treatments included a commercial hog manure–sawdust compost (CP) and pelletized poultry manure (NW) applied at 300 and 600 kg total N ha−1, plus an un-amended control (CT). Wireworm damage reduced plant stands at Brookside in 2003 and those results are not presented. Relatively high tuber yields (~30 Mg ha−1) and crop N uptake (112 kg N ha−1) were achieved for un-amended soil in those site-years (Winslow 2003 and 2004) when soil moisture was non-limiting. Compost resulted in higher total yields than CT in one of three site-years. Apparent recovery of N from CP was negligible; therefore CP yield benefits were attributed to factors other than N availability. At Winslow, NW300, but not NW600, significantly increased total and marketable yields by an average of 5.8 and 7.0 Mg ha−1. Plant available N averaged 39 and 33% for NW300 and NW600, respectively. Soil (0–30 cm) NO3−-N at harvest was low (<25 kg N ha−1) for CT and CP, but increased substantially both in season and at harvest (61–141 kg N ha−1) when NW was applied. Most leaching losses of NO3−-N occur between seasons and excessive levels of residual soil NO3-N at harvest, as obtained for NW600, must be avoided. Given current premiums for certified organic potatoes, improving yields through application of amendments supplying moderate rates of N or organic matter appears warranted.

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The impact of alley cropping Gliricidia sepium and Cassia spectabilis on upland rice and maize production

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/bf00053140 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 213-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

R. H. Maclean ◽

J. A. Litsinger ◽

K. Moody ◽

A. K. Watson

Keyword(s):

Alley Cropping ◽

Upland Rice ◽

Gliricidia Sepium ◽

Maize Production ◽

Cassia Spectabilis ◽

The Impact

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NO3- uptake and C exudation – do plant roots stimulate or inhibit denitrification?

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19445 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pauline Sophie Rummel ◽

Reinhard Well ◽

Birgit Pfeiffer ◽

Klaus Dittert ◽

Sebastian Floßmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

N Uptake ◽

Root Exudation ◽

Soil Surface ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Plant N Uptake ◽

Mineral N ◽

Double Labeling ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C

Growing plants affect soil moisture, mineral N and organic C (Corg) availability in soil and may thus play an important role in regulating denitrification. The availability of the main substrates for denitrification (Corg and NO3-) is controlled by root activity and higher denitrification activity in rhizosphere soils has been reported. We hypothesized that (I) plant N uptake governs NO3- availability for denitrification leading to increased N2O and N2 emissions, when plant N uptake is low due to smaller root system or root senescence. (II) Denitrification is stimulated by higher Corg availability from root exudation or decaying roots increasing total gaseous N emissions while decreasing their N2O/(N2O+N2) ratios.We tested these assumptions in a double labeling pot experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) grown under three N fertilization levels S / M / L (no / moderate / high N fertilization) and with cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L., moderate N fertilization). After 6 weeks, all plants were labeled with 0.1 g N kg-1 (Ca(15NO3)2, 60 at%), and the 15N tracer method was applied to estimate plant N uptake, N2O and N2 emissions. To link denitrification with available C in the rhizosphere, 13CO2 pulse labeling (5 g Na213CO3, 99 at%) was used to trace C translocation from shoots to roots and its release by roots into the soil. CO2 evolving from soil was trapped in NaOH for &#948;13C analyses, and gas samples were taken for analysis of N2O and N2 from the headspace above the soil surface every 12 h.Although pots were irrigated, changing soil moisture through differences in plant water uptake was the main factor controlling daily N2O+N2 fluxes, cumulative N emissions, and N2O production pathways. In addition, total N2O+N2 emissions were negatively correlated with plant N uptake and positively with soil N concentrations. Recently assimilated C released by roots (13C) was positively correlated with root dry matter, but we could not detect any relationship with cumulative N emissions. We anticipate that higher Corg availability in pots with large root systems did not lead to higher denitrification rates as NO3- was limited due to plant uptake. In conclusion, plant growth controlled water and NO3- uptake and, subsequently, formation of anaerobic hotspots for denitrification.

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Residual effects of different green manures on the growth and yield of wheat

Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research ◽

10.3329/ajmbr.v2i4.31006 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 624-630 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tahsina Sharmin Hoque ◽

Farhana Akter ◽

Md Rafiqul Islam

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Vigna Radiata ◽

N Uptake ◽

Vigna Mungo ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Residual Effects ◽

Sesbania Rostrata ◽

Green Manures ◽

Total N ◽

Sesbania Aculeata

Green manures can enrich soils with organic matter and nitrogen. An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate the residual effects of different green manures on the growth and yield of wheat (BARI Gom-26). The experiment containing nine treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were T1 [No green manure + 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN)], T2 (Sesbania aculeata + 75% RDN), T3 (Sesbania aculeata + 50% RDN), T4 (Sesbania rostrata + 75% RDN), T5 (Sesbania rostrata + 50% RDN), T6 (Vigna radiata + 75% RDN), T7 (Vigna radiata + 50% RDN), T8 (Vigna mungo + 75% RDN), and T9 (Vigna mungo + 50% RDN). Residual effects of green manures with RDN significantly increased the yield attributes as well as grain and straw yields of wheat. Further, green manures exerted significant residual effects on grain, straw and total N uptake of wheat. Among various treatments with green manures, the performance of T4 (Sesbania rostrata + 75% RDN) was the best as it produced the highest grain yield (4.28 t ha-1), straw yield (4.74 t ha-1) and total N uptake (108.02 kg ha-1). The use of green manures slightly increased the organic matter content, total N and available P, K, and S contents of the post-harvest soils. As regards to the contribution of various green manures on yield contributing characters and yield of wheat, performances of two Sesbania species viz., S. aculeata and S. rostrata in association with 75% N fertilizer were effective.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 624-630

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Growth and Distribution of Maize Roots in Response to Nitrogen Accumulation in Soil Profiles after Long-Term Fertilization Management on a Calcareous Soil

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10114315 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 4315 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yunlong Zhang ◽

Tengteng Li ◽

Shuikuan Bei ◽

Junling Zhang ◽

Xiaolin Li

Keyword(s):

Soil Profile ◽

Root Length ◽

Root Length Density ◽

N Uptake ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Inorganic Fertilizer ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Root Distributions

The replacement of inorganic fertilizer nitrogen by manure is highlighted to have great potential to maintain crop yield while delivering multiple functions, including the improvement of soil quality. However, information on the dynamics of root distributions in response to chemical fertilizers and manure along the soil profile is still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal-spatial root distributions of summer maize (Zea mays L.) from 2013 to 2015 under four treatments (unfertilized control (CK), inorganic fertilizer (NPK), manure + 70% NPK (NPKM), and NPKM + straw (NPKMS)). Root efficiency for shoot N accumulation was increased by 89% in the NPKM treatment compared with the NPK treatment at V12 (the emergence of the twelfth leaf) of 2014. Root growth at 40–60 cm was consistently stimulated after manure and/or straw additions, especially at V12 and R3 (the milk stage) across three years. Root length density (RLD) in the diameter <0.2 mm at 0–20 cm was significantly positively correlated with soil water content and negatively with soil mineral N contents in 2015. The RLD in the diameter >0.4 mm at 20–60 cm, and RLD <0.2 mm, was positively correlated with shoot N uptake in 2015. The root length density was insensitive in response to fertilization treatments, but the variations in RLD along the soil profile in response to fertilization implies that there is a great potential to manipulate N supply levels and rooting depths to increase nutrient use efficiency. The importance of incorporating a manure application together with straw to increase soil fertility in the North China Plain (NCP) needs further studies.

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Influence of paper mill sludges on corn yields and N recovery

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s02-077 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

pp. 497-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. N’Dayegamiye ◽

S. Huard ◽

Y. Thibault

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Paper Mill ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

N Recovery ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

N Nutrition ◽

N Efficiency

Mixed paper mill sludges are an important source of N for crop production. An estimate of direct and residual N recovery is necessary for their efficient management. A 3-yr field study (1997-1999) was conducted in central Quebec, Canada, to evaluate mixed paper mill sludges (PMS) effects on corn (Zea mays L.) yields and N nutrition, N recovery and N efficiency. The effects of PMS on soil NO3-N and total N levels were also determined. The study was situated on a silt loam Baudette soil (Humic Gleysol). The treatments included 3 PMS rates (30, 60 and 90 t ha-1 on wet basis) applied alone or in combination with N fertilizer (90 and 135 kg N ha-1, respectively, for 60 and 30 t ha-1). Treatments also included a control without PMS or N fertilizer, and a complete mineral N fertilizer (180 kg N ha-1) as recommended for corn. The previous plots were split beginning with the second year of the experiment, for annual and biennal PMS applications. Similar treatments as above were made on an adjacent site to evaluate N recovery under climatic conditions in 1999. In all years, PMS applied alone significantly increased corn yields by 1.5–5 t ha-1, compared to the unfertilized control. However, corn yields and N uptake were highest from the application of PMS in combination with N fertilizer. Biennial PMS applications at 60 to 90 ha-1 significantly increased corn yields and N uptake, which suggest high PMS residual effect; however, these increases were lower than those obtained with annual PMS applications. The N efficiency varied in 1997 from 13.0 to 15.4 kg grain kg N-1 for mineral N fertilizer and ranged from 3 to 13.7 kg grain kg N-1 for PMS, decreasing proportionally to increasing PMS rates. Apparent N recovery ranged from 1 3 to 19% in 1997 and from 10 to 14% in the residual year (1998), compared to 30 and 49%, respectively, for mineral N fertilizer. Depending on the PMS rate, N recovery varied from 13 to 21% in 1999. The results indicate high N supplying capacity and high r esidual N effects of PMS, which probably influenced corn yields and N nutrition. Annual PMS applications alone or combined with mineral N fertilizer had no significant effect on soil NO3-N and total N levels. This study demonstrates that application of low PMS rate (30 t ha-1) combined with mineral N fertilizer could achieve high agronomic, economic and environmental benefits on farms. Key words: Mixed paper mill sludges, corn yields, N uptake, N efficiency, residual effects, soil N

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