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

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.

Download Full-text

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.;

Download Full-text

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

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.300 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 90-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Abdul R. Bah ◽

Zaharah A. Rahman

Keyword(s):

Alley Cropping ◽

N Uptake ◽

Tropical Soils ◽

Gliricidia Sepium ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Green Manures ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Maize Production ◽

Total N

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.

Download Full-text

Post-Harvest N2O Emissions Can Be Mitigated With Organic Amendments

Frontiers in Environmental Science ◽

10.3389/fenvs.2021.712013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

S. Rothardt ◽

R. Fuß ◽

I. Pahlmann ◽

H. Kage

Keyword(s):

Oilseed Rape ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Crop Residues ◽

N Uptake ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

N2o Emissions ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Mineral N ◽

Microbial Decomposition ◽

The Impact

After the harvest of winter oilseed rape and faba bean crops, considerable high soil nitrate values may be built up before winter in central to north European regions. High precipitation and a low N uptake by the subsequent crop in fall cause a high risk of N2O emissions and nitrate leaching. Microbial decomposition of crop residues or high carbon amendments may immobilize mineral N temporarily and may prevent losses by direct N2O emissions. Five treatments, including crop residue removal and application of different organic amendments after harvest, were tested in a field trial in Northern Germany to elucidate the potential of this mechanism as a mitigation option. N2O emissions and the soil mineral nitrogen status were monitored from August to March for three consecutive years. Observed emissions ranged from 0.1 to 3.4 kg N ha−1 in 180 days. An empirical model approach was applied to separate the impact of spatially and temporally heterogeneous environmental conditions between the plots of the field experiment from treatment effects in the subsequent statistical analysis of N2O emissions. Results show that the exchange of the initial crop residues with organic amendments with high C:N ratios (i.e., winter wheat straw and sawdust) after the harvest of faba bean or oilseed rape can reduce N2O emission during fall and winter by up to 45%.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Dynamic analysis of the impact of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on biomass and N uptake in two contrasting genotypes of rice

Functional Plant Biology ◽

10.1071/fp17278 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (7) ◽

pp. 696 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jingjing Wu ◽

Herbert J. Kronzucker ◽

Weiming Shi

Keyword(s):

Elevated Co2 ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

N Uptake ◽

Yield Response ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Rice Cultivars ◽

Total N ◽

The Impact

Elevated CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) in the atmosphere often increase photosynthetic rates and crop yields. However, the degree of the CO2 enhancement varies substantially among cultivars and with growth stage. Here, we examined the responses of two rice cultivars, Wuyunjing23 (WYJ) and IIyou084 (IIY), to two [CO2] (~400 vs ~600) and two nitrogen (N) provision conditions at five growth stages. In general, both seed yield and aboveground biomass were more responsive to elevated [CO2] in IIY than WYJ. However, the responses significantly changed at different N levels and growth stages. At the low N input, yield response to elevated [CO2] was negligible in both cultivars while, at the normal input, yield in IIY was 18.8% higher under elevated [CO2] than ambient [CO2]. Also, responses to elevated [CO2] significantly differed among various growth stages. Elevated [CO2] tended to increase aboveground plant biomass in both cultivars at the panicle initiation (PI) and the heading stages, but this effect was significant only in IIY by the mid-ripening and the grain maturity stages. In contrast, CO2 enhancement of root biomass only occurred in IIY. Elevated [CO2] increased both total N uptake and seed N in IIY but only increased seed N in WYJ, indicating that it enhanced N translocation to seeds in both cultivars but promoted plant N acquisition only in IIY. Root C accumulation and N uptake also exhibited stronger responses in IIY than in WYJ, particularly at the heading stage, which may play a pivotal role in seed filling and seed yield. Our results showed that the more effective use of CO2 in IIY compared with WYJ results in a strong response in root growth, nitrogen uptake, and in yield. These findings suggest that selection of [CO2]-responsive rice cultivars may help optimise the rice yield under future [CO2] scenarios.

Download Full-text

Frequency Versus Quantity: Phenotypic Response of Two Wheat Varieties to Water and Nitrogen Variability

Journal of soil science and plant nutrition ◽

10.1007/s42729-021-00467-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Olivia H. Cousins ◽

Trevor P. Garnett ◽

Amanda Rasmussen ◽

Sacha J. Mooney ◽

Ronald J. Smernik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Carbon Allocation ◽

N Uptake ◽

N Availability ◽

Soil N ◽

High Moisture ◽

Mineral N ◽

Wheat Varieties ◽

The Impact

AbstractDue to climate change, water availability will become increasingly variable, affecting nitrogen (N) availability. Therefore, we hypothesised watering frequency would have a greater impact on plant growth than quantity, affecting N availability, uptake and carbon allocation. We used a gravimetric platform, which measures the unit of volume per unit of time, to control soil moisture and precisely compare the impact of quantity and frequency of water under variable N levels. Two wheat genotypes (Kukri and Gladius) were used in a factorial glasshouse pot experiment, each with three N application rates (25, 75 and 150 mg N kg−1 soil) and five soil moisture regimes (changing water frequency or quantity). Previously documented drought tolerance, but high N use efficiency, of Gladius as compared to Kukri provides for potentially different responses to N and soil moisture content. Water use, biomass and soil N were measured. Both cultivars showed potential to adapt to variable watering, producing higher specific root lengths under low N coupled with reduced water and reduced watering frequency (48 h watering intervals), or wet/dry cycling. This affected mineral N uptake, with less soil N remaining under constant watering × high moisture, or 48 h watering intervals × high moisture. Soil N availability affected carbon allocation, demonstrated by both cultivars producing longer, deeper roots under low N. Reduced watering frequency decreased biomass more than reduced quantity for both cultivars. Less frequent watering had a more negative effect on plant growth compared to decreasing the quantity of water. Water variability resulted in differences in C allocation, with changes to root thickness even when root biomass remained the same across N treatments. The preferences identified in wheat for water consistency highlights an undeveloped opportunity for identifying root and shoot traits that may improve plant adaptability to moderate to extreme resource limitation, whilst potentially encouraging less water and nitrogen use.

Download Full-text

Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2013-130 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (4) ◽

pp. 771-783 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Harun Cicek ◽

Martin H. Entz ◽

Joanne R. Thiessen Martens ◽

Paul R. Bullock

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Crop Production ◽

N Uptake ◽

Red Clover ◽

Reduced Tillage ◽

Sweet Clover ◽

Wheat Production ◽

Late Season ◽

Legume Cover Crops

Cicek, H., Entz, M. H., Thiessen Martens, J. R. and Bullock, P. R. 2014. Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 771–783. When full-season cover crops are used in stockless organic rotations, cash crop production is compromised. Including winter cereals in rotations can widen the growing season window and create a niche for late-season cover crops. We investigated the establishment and biomass production of relay-cropped red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L. ‘Norgold’) and double-cropped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. ‘Iron and Clay’), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L. ‘Indianhead’), soybean (Glycine max L. ‘Prudence’), pea (Pisum sativum L. ‘40-10’), and oil seed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as well as wheat response to these crops under reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) at three locations in Manitoba, Canada. Red clover, sweet clover and pea produced from 737 to 4075 and 93 to 1453 and 160 to 2357 kg ha−1of biomass, respectively. All double crops, with the exception of soybean at 2 site years, established successfully under both RT and CT. The presence of cover crops increased wheat N uptake at stem elongation, maturity and yield, even when the biomass production of cover crops was modest. We conclude that late-season cover crops enhance the following wheat yield and facilitate reduced tillage in organic crop production.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

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

Download Full-text