Soil biomass and microbial activity in soybean crop area under different cover crops and different soil correction systems

The objective of this work was to evaluate soil biomass and microbial activity and soybean yield under different limestone and gypsum doses and different cover crops. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão, on a Dystrophic Red Latosol, using cultivar Desafio. The experiment consisted of a randomized blocks design, in a split-plot factorial scheme (3x4x3), with three replications. Plots consisted of three gypsum doses: control (without gypsum), recommended dose (2.3 Mg ha-1), and double dose (4.6 Mg ha-1). Subplots consisted of four limestone doses (2, 4, and 6 Mg ha-1) and the control (without limestone). Each block had three different cover crops: Brachiaria, Millet, and allow. The values obtained with the test revealed that brachiaria had better basal respiration in the absence of gypsum. Conversely, millet had better basal respiration in with the gypsum dose. Basal respiration, using brachiaria as cover crop, was higher at the dose of 2700 kg ha-1 of limestone. However, for the fallow and the millet, basal respiration was higher when using the highest limestone dose of 6000 kg ha-1. The variable microbial biomass showed differences between cover crops only in the absence of gypsum. Brachiaria and fallow presented the highest mean for microbial biomass. The use of millet as a cover crop together with gypsum doses increased the microbial biomass. The variables mass of 100 grains and grain yield had higher mean at the limestone dose of 6000 kg ha-1 .

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Microbial activity in soil with onion grown in a no-tillage system with single or intercropped cover crops

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20190849 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Monique Souza ◽

Mónica María Machado Vargas ◽

Bárbara Santos Ventura ◽

Vilmar Müller Júnior ◽

Cláudio Roberto Fonsêca Sousa Soares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Biomass ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Management Practices ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Basal Respiration ◽

Control Treatment ◽

No Tillage ◽

Tillage System ◽

Fda Hydrolysis

ABSTRACT: Microbial biomass is a driving force in the dynamics of soil organic matter, and microbial activity is an indicator of soil quality in agroecosystems, reflecting changes in management practices and environmental conditions. We evaluated the effect of monoculture and intercropped winter cover crops on soil chemical attributes, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO2), urease, β-glucosidase, and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis activity, as well as onion yield in a no-tillage system. Soil is a Typic Humudept, and treatments were control with spontaneous vegetation, barley, rye, oilseed radish (OR), OR + rye, and OR + barley. The soil was sampled (0-10 cm) five times between June and December. There were no differences among treatments for MBC and BR, and the highest values for those attributes occurred in June, when cover plants were in their initial stage. Although, qCO2 was not affected by any treatment, it varied among sampling periods, ranging from 0.62 to 10 µg C-CO2 mg-1 MBC h-1, indicating a low- or no stress environment. Cover crops had little influence on enzyme activity, but FDA was lowered in areas with single crops of barley and rye. Average onion yield in cover crops treatments was 13.01 (Mg ha-1), 30-40% higher than in the control treatment.

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Use of Crop Rotations, Cover Crops and Green Manures for Disease Suppression in Potato Cropping Systems

Global Journal of Agricultural Innovation Research & Development ◽

10.15377/2409-9813.2021.08.12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 153-168

Author(s):

Robert P. Larkin

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Green Manure ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Crop Rotations ◽

Disease Suppression ◽

Green Manures ◽

Rotation Crops

Crop rotations and the inclusion of cover crops and green manures are primary tools in the sustainable management of soil-borne diseases in crop production systems. Crop rotations can reduce soil-borne disease through three general mechanisms: (1) serving as a break in the host-pathogen cycle; (2) by altering the soil physical, chemical, or biological characteristics to stimulate microbial activity and diversity; or (3) directly inhibiting pathogens through the release of suppressive or toxic compounds or the enhancement of specific antagonists. Brassicas, sudangrass, and related plant types are disease-suppressive crops well-known for their biofumigation potential but also have other effects on soil microbiology that are important in disease suppression. The efficacy of rotations for reducing soil-borne diseases is dependent on several factors, including crop type, rotation length, rotation sequence, and use of the crop (as full-season rotation, cover crop, or green manure). Years of field research with Brassica and non-Brassica rotation crops in potato cropping systems in Maine have documented the efficacy of Brassica green manures for the reduction of multiple soil-borne diseases. However, they have also indicated that these crops can provide disease control even when not incorporated as green manures and that other non-biofumigant crops (such as barley, ryegrass, and buckwheat) can also be effective in disease suppression. In general, all crops provided better disease control when used as green manure vs. as a cover crop, but the addition of a cover crop can improve control provided by most rotation crops. In long-term cropping system trials, rotations incorporating multiple soil health management practices, such as longer rotations, disease-suppressive rotation crops, cover crops, and green manures, and/or organic amendments have resulted in greater yield and microbial activity and fewer disease problems than standard rotations. These results indicate that improved cropping systems may enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.

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Effect of Wheat Cover Crop and Split Nitrogen Application on Corn Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10081081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1081 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Oladapo Adeyemi ◽

Reza Keshavarz-Afshar ◽

Emad Jahanzad ◽

Martin Leonardo Battaglia ◽

Yuan Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Corn Yield ◽

N Losses ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Application ◽

Use Efficiency

Corn (Zea mays L.) grain is a major commodity crop in Illinois and its production largely relies on timely application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Currently, growers in Illinois and other neighboring states in the U.S. Midwest use the maximum return to N (MRTN) decision support system to predict corn N requirements. However, the current tool does not factor in implications of integrating cover crops into the rotation, which has recently gained attention among growers due to several ecosystem services associated with cover cropping. A two-year field trail was conducted at the Agronomy Research Center in Carbondale, IL in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate whether split N application affects nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of corn with and without a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements and four replicates was used. Main plots were cover crop treatments (no cover crop (control) compared to a wheat cover crop) and subplots were N timing applications to the corn: (1) 168 kg N ha−1 at planting; (2) 56 kg N ha−1 at planting + 112 kg N ha−1 at sidedress; (3) 112 kg N ha−1 at planting + 56 kg N ha−1 at sidedress; and (4) 168 kg N ha−1 at sidedress along with a zero-N control as check plot. Corn yield was higher in 2018 than 2019 reflecting more timely precipitation in that year. In 2018, grain yield declined by 12.6% following the wheat cover crop compared to no cover crop control, indicating a yield penalty when corn was preceded with a wheat cover crop. In 2018, a year with timely and sufficient rainfall, there were no yield differences among N treatments and N balances were near zero. In 2019, delaying the N application improved NUE and corn grain yield due to excessive rainfall early in the season reflecting on N losses which was confirmed by lower N balances in sidedressed treatments. Overall, our findings suggest including N credit for cereals in MRTN prediction model could help with improved N management in the Midwestern United States.

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Corn and soybean yields as affected by cover crops and herbicide timing under no-tillage system

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582013000400020 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 939-946

Author(s):

P. Oliveira ◽

A.S. Nascente ◽

J. Kluthcouski ◽

T.A.P. Castro

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Common Bean ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

No Tillage ◽

Brachiaria Brizantha ◽

Grain Yields ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Tillage System

To achieve better results in the no-tillage system (NTS), it is important to properly manage the cover crop prior to planting by using herbicides, usually glyphosate. The effect of glyphosate on plant coverage is slow, and plants take a few days to die completely. Thus, when applying the herbicide on the same day of planting soybean or corn, cover crops are still alive and standing, causing initial shading on seedlings of the crop and delaying its establishment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of distinct cover crops and their timing of desiccation prior to planting soybean or corn, on crop yield and yield components. Two experiments were installed, one for soybean and another for corn. Each experiment consisted in combining three cover crops (Brachiaria brizantha, common bean or millet) chemically desiccated at two timings before planting the crop (15 or 0 days before planting) under no-tillage system (NTS). Experiments were installed in a completely randomized block design with five replications. Brachiaria brizantha produced the highest amount of biomass; common bean and millet as cover crops allowed higher soybean grain yields; herbicide application under common bean, millet and Brachiaria brizantha 15 days before planting soybean allowed higher crop grain yields; desiccation timing of common bean did not affect corn grain yield; Brachiaria brizantha should be desiccated 15 days before planting corn to allow maximum grain yield; when millet was used as a cover crop, glyphosate application at planting of corn allowed the highest grain yield.

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Chemical attributes and microbial activity of soil cultivated with cassava under different cover crops

Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental ◽

10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v23n8p614-619 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (8) ◽

pp. 614-619

Author(s):

Fernando S. Araújo ◽

Josué R. Barroso ◽

Lucas de O. Freitas ◽

Mauro S. Teodoro ◽

Zigomar M. de Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Soil Microorganisms ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Soil Microbial Activity ◽

Basal Respiration ◽

Management Systems ◽

Chemical Attributes ◽

Cassava Crop

ABSTRACT Conservationist systems of crop management increases the amount of substrate, alters fertility and increases soil biological activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of soil management systems on the chemical attributes and microbial activity of soil under cassava crop. The experiment was set as completely randomized design in a factorial scheme of 2 x 3 x 2, being two systems of cultivation (minimum with only mown; minimum with mown and incorporation), three types of soil coverage (fallow; Crotalaria juncea L.; Canavalia ensiformis L.) and two soil depths (0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m), with four repetitions. The production of dry mass from cover crops, the soil chemical attributes and the soil microbial activity were evaluated. There were no differences between management systems, and the C. juncea cover crop presented superior dry mass production among the soil coverages. The concentrations of soil Ca and K were greater in the fallow coverage and C. juncea areas in the 0-0.10 m soil layer; however, these nutrients differ in the soil layer below (0.10-0.20 m). There were no differences for the basal respiration of soil microorganisms in both soil depths or among soil coverage, but the carbon from microbial biomass was superior in the most superficial soil layer where more substrate is available to soil microorganisms.

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Sweet corn in no-tillage system on cover crop residues in the Brazilian Cerrado

Australian Journal of Crop Science ◽

10.21475/ajcs.20.14.06.p2189 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 947-952

Author(s):

Kaiê Fillipe Guedes Miranda ◽

José Luiz Rodrigues Torres ◽

Hamilton Cesar de Oliveira Charlo ◽

Valdeci Orioli Junior ◽

João Henrique de Souza Favaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Plant Residue ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Residue Decomposition ◽

Tillage System

In recent years, the growth of the cultivated area with sweet corn in conventional tillage system in Brazil expanded, although crops can be grown on different residues of cover crops, which improve nutrient cycling and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production and to quantify the rate of plant residues decomposition of different cover crops, and correlate the results with the production and grain yield of sweet corn in an area located in the Cerrado biome. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with eight treatments: PM - pearl millet; SH - sunn hemp; SG - signal grass; PM + SH; PM + SG; SH + SG; PM+ SH + SG; FW - fallow (spontaneous vegetation), which preceded the cultivation of sweet corn. Fresh biomass (FB) and dry biomass (DB) of the cover crops were evaluated, as well as the rate of plant residue decomposition. Sweet corn productivity, straw and corncob weight, and grain yield were also determined. Pearl millet presented a better performance in FB production, decomposition rate, residue half-life (T½ life) in soil, yield, corn cob strawweight and yield of sweet corn. Pearl millet, when mixed with other plants, presented reduced rate of residue decomposition and increased residue T½ life. The FW presented the lowest biomass production, with great rate of decomposition and low T½ life. Cover crops grown before sweet corn in soils of good fertility did not affect crop agronomic characteristics. Pearl millet is the best cover crop adapted to Cerrado Brazilian climatic conditions to be used in monoculture or in mixtures with other plants.

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Cover crop residue diversity enhances microbial activity and biomass with additive effects on microbial structure

10.1101/2021.02.08.430214 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xin Shu ◽

Yiran Zou ◽

Liz J. Shaw ◽

Lindsay Todman ◽

Mark Tibbett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Microbial Biomass ◽

Soil Respiration ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residue ◽

Soil Microbial Biomass ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Soil Microbial

AbstractCover crops have been widely used in agroecosystems to improve soil fertility and environmental sustainability. The decomposition of cover crop residues can have further effects on belowground communities and their activity, which is important for a series of soil functions (e.g., nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition). We tested the effect of plant residues from a range of cover crop species on soil microbial activity and community assemblage. We predicted that cover crop residues would alter the soil microbial community and that a greater diversity of residues would enhance microbial decomposition. In an incubation study, we assessed the effect of crop residue diversity on microbial activity (soil respiration) and its consequent effects on microbial community composition (PLFA). We used either a biodiverse mixture of four cover crop residues (buckwheat, clover, sunflower and radish) or an equal mass of the residues of each of the individual species. The diverse mixture of cover crop residues had a significantly (P < 0.05) greater soil respiration rate, by 57.61 µg C g−1 h−1, than the average of the four individual residues, but did not have a significantly different soil microbial biomass or microbial community structure. This finding could be attributed to a greater diversity of organic resources increasing the number biochemical niches, and hence activating dormant microbial communities to increase microbial activity without affecting microbial biomass or community composition. Greater respiration from similar microbial biomasses suggests that microbial activity might be more efficient after a more diverse substrate input. This study confirms the positive impact of cover crop residues on soil microbial biomass and activity and highlights that mixtures of cover crop residues may deliver enhanced soil functions beyond the sum of individual cover crop residues.

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Climate-smart agriculture: microbiological impacts of plant diversity to soil carbon (C) sequestration.

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-13588 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rashmi Shrestha ◽

Karoliina Huusko ◽

Anna-Reetta Salonen ◽

Jussi Heinonsalo

Keyword(s):

Microbial Activity ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Am Fungi ◽

C Sequestration ◽

Fungal Colonization ◽

Soil C ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Diversity Effect

Soil organic matter (SOM) is any material produced by living organisms at various stages of decomposition. SOM enhances soil fertility and quality and influences soil&#8217;s ability to fight against soil-borne diseases. Atmospheric CO2 sequestration into SOM through improved agricultural management practices has been suggested to be a cost effective way to mitigate climate change.The build-up of SOM is largely regulated by soil microbial activity. Soil microbes use most plant-derived C and either produce CO2 or incorporate C into their biomass and after death microbial necromass may contribute to stable SOM. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the root colonizing soil microbes important in nutrient cycling, plant nutrition, growth and composition and maybe soil aggregation. The benefits of microbes including AM fungi should be thus utilized for climate friendly agriculture by magnifying their benefits via better agricultural management.Cover crops use is one of the climate friendly agricultural practices. Cover crops if managed right, can provide several benefits e.g. enhanced soil C sequestration, reduced emissions from fertilizer production, weed suppression, better soil moisture retention and microbial activity. Moreover, use of diverse cover crops may favor higher soil biodiversity leading to high SOM content. In this project, plant diversity impacts on soil and root fungal community composition and microbial activity related to soil C sequestration were studied in a field experiment. In addition, special attention was given to AM fungi.The field experiment was started in May, 2019 in Viikki Research farm, University of Helsinki. The experiment consists of seven treatments comparing four different levels of biodiversity to conventional monoculture treatments and bare fallow. Eight different species of cover crops representing four functional traits were sown under barley: 1) nitrogen (N2)-fixing + shallow rooting , 2) deep rooting, 3) N2-fixing +deep rooting and 4) no N2-fixing and shallow rooting. Barley and cover crop root samples and soil samples were collected from two growing seasons 2019 and 2020. Root samples were analyzed for AM fungal colonization %. Soil samples were analyzed for soil microbial biomass and microbial respiration in different seasons. Preliminary results showed no significant cover crop diversity effect on AM fungal colonization % in barley root in 2019. Soil microbial biomass and soil microbial respiration showed seasonal variations but not significant cover crop diversity effect. Therefore, fungal communities in soil and root will be examined using Illumina (MiSeq) sequencing targeting the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Soil enzyme activities and carbon use efficiency will be performed to gain insight into microbial activity. Obtained results will show if microbial community and activity is affected by either plant family composition or plant diversity.

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Cover Crop Management and Weed Control in Corn (Zea mays)

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00027834 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 425-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Gregg A. Johnson ◽

Michael S. Defelice ◽

Zane R. Helsel

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Weed Control ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Management Systems ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

No Till ◽

Corn Grain

Field experiments were conducted in central Missouri in 1989 and 1990 to evaluate weed control practices in conjunction with cover crops and cover management systems in reduced tillage corn. There was no difference in weed control among soybean stubble, hairy vetch, and rye soil cover when averaged over cover management systems and herbicide treatments. However, mowed hairy vetch and rye covers provided greater weed control in the no-till plots than soybean stubble when no herbicide was used. Differences in weed control among cover management systems were reduced or eliminated when a PRE herbicide was applied. corn population and height were reduced by hairy vetch and rye soil cover. Corn grain yield was reduced in rye plots both years. There was no difference in grain yield between tilled and no-till plots.

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Effect of cereal rye and canola on winter and summer annual weed emergence in corn

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/wet.2020.51 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 787-793

Author(s):

Stephanie A. DeSimini ◽

Kevin D. Gibson ◽

Shalamar D. Armstrong ◽

Marcelo Zimmer ◽

Lucas O.R. Maia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Crop Species ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Giant Ragweed ◽

Corn Grain ◽

Corn Grain Yield

AbstractField experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at two locations in Indiana to evaluate the influence of cover crop species, termination timing, and herbicide treatment on winter and summer annual weed suppression and corn yield. Cereal rye and canola cover crops were terminated early or late (2 wk before or after corn planting) with a glyphosate- or glufosinate-based herbicide program. Canola and cereal rye reduced total weed biomass collected at termination by up to 74% and 91%, in comparison to fallow, respectively. Canola reduced horseweed density by up to 56% at termination and 57% at POST application compared to fallow. Cereal rye reduced horseweed density by up to 59% at termination and 87% at POST application compared to fallow. Canola did not reduce giant ragweed density at termination in comparison to fallow. Cereal rye reduced giant ragweed density by up to 66% at termination and 62% at POST application. Termination timing had little to no effect on weed biomass and density reduction in comparison to the effect of cover crop species. Cereal rye reduced corn grain yield at both locations in comparison to fallow, especially for the late-termination timing. Corn grain yield reduction up to 49% (4,770 kg ha–1) was recorded for cereal rye terminated late in comparison to fallow terminated late. Canola did not reduce corn grain yield in comparison to fallow within termination timing; however, late-terminated canola reduced corn grain yield by up to 21% (2,980 kg ha–1) in comparison to early-terminated fallow. Cereal rye can suppress giant ragweed emergence, whereas canola is not as effective at suppressing large-seeded broadleaves such as giant ragweed. These results also indicate that early-terminated cover crops can often result in higher corn grain yields than late-terminated cover crops in an integrated weed management program.

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