Can Leguminous Cover Crops Partially Replace Nitrogen Fertilization in Mississippi Delta Cotton Production?

Petroleum prices impact cotton nitrogen (N) fertilization cost. A field study was conducted from 2005 to 2007 to assess the interactions of cover crop (none, Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativumspp.arvense) or hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth)) and N fertilization (0, 67 or 134 kg N/ha applied at planting) on N availability and cotton yield under reduced-tillage management. Nitrogen content in desiccated residues averaged 49, 220, and 183 kg N/ha, in no cover crop, Austrian winter pea, and hairy vetch, respectively. Seventy percent of N in the above ground cover crop was derived from biological N fixation. In 2005, cover crops decreased cotton yield, while fertilizer N had no effect. In 2006, cover crops did not affect yield, but yield was positively correlated with N rate. In 2007, in no N plots, cotton yields were 65% higher in cover crops than in no cover crop. However, yield from N fertilized cover crop plots were similar to N fertilized no cover plots. These results indicate that leguminous cover crops can provide over 150 kg N/ha, but this N may not be as effective as fertilizer N for lack of synchronization between cotton N requirements and N release from residues.

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Cover Crops Suppression of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Cotton

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2017.97 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 60-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Matheus G. Palhano ◽

Jason K. Norsworthy ◽

Tom Barber

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Palmer Amaranth ◽

Cotton Yield ◽

Cotton Production ◽

Seed Cotton ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Seed Cotton Yield ◽

Weed Emergence

AbstractWith the recent confirmation of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-resistant Palmer amaranth in the US South, concern is increasing about the sustainability of weed management in cotton production systems. Cover crops can help to alleviate this problem, as they can suppress weed emergence via allelochemicals and/or a physical residue barrier. Field experiments were conducted in 2014 and 2015 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center to evaluate various cover crops for suppressing weed emergence and protecting cotton yield. In both years, cereal rye and wheat had the highest biomass production, whereas the amount of biomass present in spring did not differ among the remaining cover crops. All cover crops initially diminished Palmer amaranth emergence. However, cereal rye provided the greatest suppression, with 83% less emergence than in no cover crop plots. Physical suppression of Palmer amaranth and other weeds with cereal residues is probably the greatest contributor to reducing weed emergence. Seed cotton yield in the legume and rapeseed cover crop plots were similar when compared with the no cover crop treatment. The seed cotton yield collected from cereal cover crop plots was lower than from other treatments due to decreased cotton stand.

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Cover crop management effects on soybean and corn growth and nitrogen dynamics in an on-farm study

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300003891 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 71-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

D. L. Karlen ◽

J. W. Doran

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Root Zone ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Early Season ◽

On Farm ◽

Ridge Tillage

AbstractCombining cover crops and conservation tillage may result in more sustainable agricultural production practices. Objectives of this on-farm study were to quantify effects of cover crops on growth and nitrogen accumulation by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr,] and corn (Zea mays L.) on a Nicollet loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludoll) near Boone, Iowa, Our farmer-cooperator planted soybean in 1988 using ridge tillage into an undisturbed strip with a hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L. Roth) cover crop and into a strip where previous crop residue and a negligible amount of cover crop had been incorporated by autumn and spring disking. In each strip, we established four plots for soil and plant measurements. Our cooperator planted corn on the same strips in 1989 into a cover crop that consisted of both hairy vetch and winter rye (Secale cereale L.). We determined the source of N accumulated by the corn by applying 67 kg N/ha of 15N depleted NH4NO3 fertilizer. In the absence of cover crops, early season soil NO3-N levels in the top 30 cm were higher, and corn growth and N accumulation were more rapid. At harvest, the corn grain, stover, and cob together accounted for 36 and 39 percent of the 15N fertilizer for the ridge tillage and disked treatments, respectively. We suggest that lower net mineralization of organic matter or greater denitrification losses before planting reduced the availability of soil N, This created an early season Nstress in corn grown with cover crops that was not overcome by broadcast fertilizer N applied three weeks after planting. Our on-farm research study has helped focus continuing efforts to determine if non-recovered fertilizer N is being immobilized in microbial biomass, lost by denitrification, or leached below the plant root zone.

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Control of Legume Cover Crops in No-Till Corn (Zea mays) and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00024982 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 57-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Randall H. White ◽

A. Douglas Worsham

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Cotton Yield ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

No Till ◽

Legume Cover Crops ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Stand Height ◽

Clover Seed

Eight herbicide treatments per crop were evaluated for hairy vetch and crimson clover cover-crop control in no-till corn and cotton at two locations in North Carolina. Paraquat alone or combined with dicamba, 2,4-D, or cyanazine, and cyanazine alone, controlled clover the best in both crops. All herbicide treatments, except glyphosate alone, controlled at least 89% of hairy vetch in corn. However, only 2,4-D and cyanazine alone or combined with glyphosate controlled greater than 89% of hairy vetch in cotton. Except for poor control of hairy vetch and crimson clover by glyphosate alone, reduced legume control did not consistently decrease corn or cotton yield. Weed control was reduced in crimson clover treated with glyphosate alone, but control was similar among the remaining herbicide treatments. Effectiveness of legume control did not influence the N concentration of corn or cotton. Corn stand, height, and yield were greater in hairy vetch than in crimson clover. Seed cotton yield did not differ between vetch and clover.

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Quantitative characterization of five cover crop species

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859614000811 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 153 (7) ◽

pp. 1174-1185 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. RAMIREZ-GARCIA ◽

J. L. GABRIEL ◽

M. ALONSO-AYUSO ◽

M. QUEMADA

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

N Uptake ◽

C:N Ratio ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Erosion Control ◽

Species Selection ◽

N Fixation ◽

Catch Crop ◽

Crop Species

SUMMARYThe introduction of cover crops in the intercrop period may provide a broad range of ecosystem services derived from the multiple functions they can perform, such as erosion control, recycling of nutrients or forage source. However, the achievement of these services in a particular agrosystem is not always required at the same time or to the same degree. Thus, species selection and definition of targeted objectives is critical when growing cover crops. The goal of the current work was to describe the traits that determine the suitability of five species (barley, rye, triticale, mustard and vetch) for cover cropping. A field trial was established during two seasons (October to April) in Madrid (central Spain). Ground cover and biomass were monitored at regular intervals during each growing season. A Gompertz model characterized ground cover until the decay observed after frosts, while biomass was fitted to Gompertz, logistic and linear-exponential equations. At the end of the experiment, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and fibre (neutral detergent, acid and lignin) contents, and the N fixed by the legume were determined. The grasses reached the highest ground cover (83–99%) and biomass (1226–1928 g/m2) at the end of the experiment. With the highest C:N ratio (27–39) and dietary fibre (527–600 mg/g) and the lowest residue quality (~680 mg/g), grasses were suitable for erosion control, catch crop and fodder. The vetch presented the lowest N uptake (2·4 and 0·7 g N/m2) due to N fixation (9·8 and 1·6 g N/m2) and low biomass accumulation. The mustard presented high N uptake in the warm year and could act as a catch crop, but low fodder capability in both years. The thermal time before reaching 30% ground cover was a good indicator of early coverage species. Variable quantification allowed finding variability among the species and provided information for further decisions involving cover crop selection and management.

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Performance, economics, and adoption of cover crops in Wisconsin cash grain rotations: On-farm trials

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300007578 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 2-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Ellen B. Mallory ◽

Joshua L. Posner ◽

Jon O. Baldock

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Red Clover ◽

Ground Cover ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

N Source ◽

Short Season ◽

On Farm

AbstractCover crop performance depends largely on management factors that must be customized to particular farm situations and, therefore, is suited for on-farm research, with farmers involved in both management and evaluation. Cover crop sequences that were successful in a research station study were tested over a variety of soils and management strategies in collaboration withfarmers. The two-year cover crop sequences consisted of a short-season crop followed by a cover crop in year one and corn in year two. The cover crops themselves were evaluated by their agronomic and economic performance and their acceptance by farmers. Four cover crop systems (companionseeded red clover, sequentially seeded hairy vetch, sequentially seeded oat, and fallow) were compared for ground cover, above-ground biomass and above-ground nitrogen yield, subsequent corn grain yield, and N fertilizer replacement value (N-FRV). Cover crops were essential for erosion control following vegetable crops and tillage, but were not necessary following small grains. Companion-seeded red clover produced the most ground cover, yielded up to 133 kg N/ha, and had a higher average N-FRV than sequentially seeded hairy vetch on sandy loam soils, but was not preferred by farmers who harvested small grain straw as well as grain. Sequentially seeded hairy vetch gave excellent cover when no-till seeded, produced more than 125 kg N/ha in half the siteyears, and had a higher average N-FRV than companion-seeded red clover on silt loam soils. First-year N-FRV for the legume cover crops averaged 67 kg N/ha over both soil types. The participating farmers indicated that their decisions to adopt cover crops would be based primarily on their need for ground cover, and secondarily on the profitability of using cover crops as an N source. However, when valued solely as an N source for the next year's crop (and not for any potential long-term benefits), cover crops were not an economical alternative to N fertilizer. We suggest focusing future cover crop research and extension efforts on outreach to farmers growing crops that do not provide sufficient ground cover, such as short-season vegetable crops, and optimizing the cover crop system to maximize its erosion control benefits and increase its profitability over N fertilizer.

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Cover crop contributions to N supply and water conservation in corn production

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300003982 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 106-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Preston G. Sullivan ◽

David J. Parrish ◽

John M. Luna

Keyword(s):

Soil Water ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Water Retention ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Soil Water Retention ◽

Corn Production ◽

Total N ◽

No Till

AbstractWinter annual legume cover crops can reduce nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements and provide a water-conserving mulch to a subsequent crop. A two-year study was designed to test cover crops of rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and big/lower vetch (Vicia grandiflora Scopoli) for their ability to produce N and to conserve soil water for a succeeding corn (Zea mays L.) crop. We measured the cover crops' biomass, N yield, carbon (C) to N ratio, and influence on a subsequent corn crop grown under two tillage regimes (disk tillage or no-till). Nitrogen content in cover crop biomass at time of corn planting ranged from 37 to 187 kg/ha. Pure stands of hairy vetch and a mixture of hairy vetch plus bigflower vetch had generally higher N yields, and rye was lowest. Rye growing in association with hairy vetch had lower C:N ratios than rye growing alone. Legume C:N ratios remained generally unchanged from earlier (disked) to later (herbicide) kill dates, but total N and biomass typically increased in the last 2 to 3 weeks before corn planting. Soil water retention was affected by tillage in some cases; no-till was superior to disk incorporation in each case where there was a tillage effect. Cover crops with greater biomass resulted in greater soil water retention. Among cover crops, uptake ofNby corn was greater from hairy vetch or hairy vetch plus bigflower vetch mixture. Biological immobilization of N appeared to be reducing N uptake by corn grown in rye residues. Corn in nonlegume plots fertilized with 140 or 210 kg N/ha took up more N than corn following legumes, but there was no corresponding yield increase. Corn biomass yields following the cover crops ranged from 8.6 to 18.0 Mg/ha with no additional fertilizer N. In the second year of the study, average corn yields following hairy vetch (15.3 Mg/ha) or hairy-bigflower vetch mixtures (16.4 Mg/ha) were not statistically different from corn yields produced by a 140 kg N/ha fertilizer rate (17.4 Mg/ha). These results suggest N from a legume cover crop can replace or substantially reduce fertilizer N requirements in corn production systems in the Appalachian region.

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Nitrogen contribution of rye–hairy vetch cover crop mixtures to organically grown sweet corn

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170512000014 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 59-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Andrew Lawson ◽

Ann Marie Fortuna ◽

Craig Cogger ◽

Andy Bary ◽

Tami Stubbs

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

N Availability ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Total N ◽

Available N ◽

Laboratory Incubation ◽

N Release ◽

Organically Grown

AbstractOrganic cropping systems that utilize winter grown cereal–legume cover crop mixtures can increase plant available nitrogen (N) to a subsequent cash crop, but the rate of N release is uncertain due to variations in residue composition and environmental conditions. A study was conducted to evaluate N availability from rye (Secale cereale L.)–hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop mixtures and to measure the response of organically grown sweet corn (Zea mays L.) to N provided by cover crop mixtures. Nitrogen availability from pure rye, pure hairy vetch, and rye–vetch mixtures was estimated using laboratory incubation with controlled temperature and soil moisture. Sweet corn N response was determined in a 2-year field experiment in western Washington with three cover crop treatments as main plots (50:50 rye–vetch seed mixture planted mid September, planted early October, and none) and four feather meal N rates as subplots (0, 56, 112 and 168 kg available N ha−1). Pure hairy vetch and a 75% rye–25% hairy vetch biomass mixture (R75V25) released similar amounts of N over 70 days in the laboratory incubation. But, the initial release of N from the (R75V25) treatment was nearly 70% lower, which may result in N release that is better timed with crop uptake. Cover crops in the field were dominated by rye and contained 34–76 kg ha−1 total N with C:N ranging from 18 to 27. Although time of planting and management of cover crop quality improved N uptake in sweet corn, cover crops provided only supplemental plant available N in this system.

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Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Changes under Different Cover Crops, Soil Tillage and Nitrogen Fertilization Management

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11020106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 106

Author(s):

Riccardo Massantini ◽

Emanuele Radicetti ◽

Maria Teresa Frangipane ◽

Enio Campiglia

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Color Index ◽

Bare Soil ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Tomato Fruits ◽

Biomass Management ◽

Fertilization Level ◽

Crop Biomass

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interaction effects of winter cover crops (hairy vetch, subclover and black oat) and a bare soil, cover crop biomass management (incorporated into the soil or left on the soil surface as death mulch), and nitrogen (N) fertilization level (0, 75 and 150 kg ha−1 of N) on fruit yield and fruit quality parameters of processing tomato. Hairy vetch residues increased the yield (+57%), color index (+8%) and sugar/acidity ratio (+7%) of marketable tomato fruits compared to bare soil regardless of cover crop biomass management. Black oat residues determined a poor marketable yield, especially in tilled soil (on average, −26%, compared to bare soil) and they had a tendentially negative effect on some parameters of tomato quality (high firmness and titratable acidity, low color index and pH). Subclover residues, when incorporated into the soil, determined similar marketable fruit yield to bare soil, although they had a more favorable effect on the color parameters of tomato fruits. The increasing of the N fertilization level from 0 kg ha−1 of N to 150 kg ha−1 of N always positively influenced the tomato yield and fruit characteristics. The results suggest that hairy vetch, compared to other cover crops, had a positive influence on tomatoes and it could be part of an environmentally friendly management package for sustainable tomato cultivation in Mediterranean conditions.

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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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Insights into mechanisms governing forest carbon response to nitrogen deposition: a model–data comparison using observed responses to nitrogen addition

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-10-3869-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 3869-3887 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

R. Q. Thomas ◽

G. B. Bonan ◽

C. L. Goodale

Keyword(s):

Plant Uptake ◽

Temperate Forest ◽

Growth Response ◽

N Fertilization ◽

N Deposition ◽

Forest Carbon ◽

Biogeochemical Model ◽

N Fixation ◽

N Availability ◽

Fertilization Experiments

Abstract. In many forest ecosystems, nitrogen (N) deposition enhances plant uptake of carbon dioxide, thus reducing climate warming from fossil fuel emissions. Therefore, accurately modeling how forest carbon (C) sequestration responds to N deposition is critical for understanding how future changes in N availability will influence climate. Here, we use observations of forest C response to N inputs along N deposition gradients and at five temperate forest sites with fertilization experiments to test and improve a global biogeochemical model (CLM-CN 4.0). We show that the CLM-CN plant C growth response to N deposition was smaller than observed and the modeled response to N fertilization was larger than observed. A set of modifications to the CLM-CN improved the correspondence between model predictions and observational data (1) by increasing the aboveground C storage in response to historical N deposition (1850–2004) from 14 to 34 kg C per additional kg N added through deposition and (2) by decreasing the aboveground net primary productivity response to N fertilization experiments from 91 to 57 g C m−2 yr−1. Modeled growth response to N deposition was most sensitive to altering the processes that control plant N uptake and the pathways of N loss. The response to N deposition also increased with a more closed N cycle (reduced N fixation and N gas loss) and decreased when prioritizing microbial over plant uptake of soil inorganic N. The net effect of all the modifications to the CLM-CN resulted in greater retention of N deposition and a greater role of synergy between N deposition and rising atmospheric CO2 as a mechanism governing increases in temperate forest primary production over the 20th century. Overall, testing models with both the response to gradual increases in N inputs over decades (N deposition) and N pulse additions of N over multiple years (N fertilization) allows for greater understanding of the mechanisms governing C–N coupling.

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