Use of Cowpea to Manage Soil Phosphorus Accumulation from Poultry Litter Applications in a Cool-season Vegetable Rotation

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)] cover crops were grown in a rotation with broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and turnip greens [Brassica rape L. var. (DC.) Metzg. utilis] to evaluate the legume's ability to remove excess P from soils when poultry litter was used as a fertilizer. Fertilizer treatments were litter to meet each crop's recommended preplant N requirements (1X), litter at twice the recommended rate, and urea at the IX rate as the control. Following the vegetable crops, cowpeas were planted on half of each replication, while the other half was fallowed. The cowpeas were harvested for green-shell seeds and then underwent a simulated haying operation. Soil samples were taken at 0-to 15-cm and 15- to 30-cm depths at the onset of the study and after each crop to monitor plant nutrient levels. The cowpeas effectively lowered soil N levels but not soil P levels. However, there was no consistent evidence of an increase in soil P or K levels with litter applications. All three vegetable crops were successfully grown using poultry litter, although the 1X rate appeared inadequate for maximum production of broccoli and turnip greens.

Download Full-text

Using Cowpea to Manage Soil Phosphorus Accumulation from Poultry Litter Applications in a Cool-season Vegetable Rotation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.37.3.496 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 496-501 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Clydette M. Alsup ◽

Brian A. Kahn ◽

Mark E. Payton

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Spinacia Oleracea ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Cropping System ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soil Test ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Soil Test P ◽

Turnip Greens ◽

Vegetable Rotation

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cover crops were grown in a rotation with broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and turnip greens [Brassica rapa L. var. (DC.) Metzg. utilis] to evaluate the legume's ability to remove excess P from soils when poultry litter was used as a fertilizer. Fertilizer treatments were: 1) litter to meet each crop's recommended preplant N requirements (1×); 2) litter at twice the recommended rate (2×); and 3) urea at the 1× rate as the control. Following the vegetable crops, cowpeas were planted on half of each replication, while the other half was fallowed. The cowpeas were harvested at the green-shell seed stage and then underwent a simulated haying operation to remove remaining shoot material from the field. Soil samples were taken at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths at the onset of the study and after each crop to monitor plant nutrient concentrations. The cowpeas lowered soil test N concentrations at both soil sampling depths, but had no consistent effect on soil test P concentrations. Soil test P at the 0-15 cm depth was not increased by litter at the 1× rate but was increased by litter at the 2× rate relative to the urea control, regardless of cropping system. Poultry litter was effective as a fertilizer for all three vegetable crops, but the 1× rate appeared inadequate for maximum production of broccoli and turnip greens.

Download Full-text

Using Hairy Vetch to Manage Soil Phosphorus Accumulation from Poultry Litter Applications in a Warm-season Vegetable Rotation

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.37.3.490 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 490-495

Author(s):

Clydette M. Alsup ◽

Brian A. Kahn ◽

Mark E. Payton

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Cropping System ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Soil Test ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Soil Test P ◽

Vegetable Rotation

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crops were grown in a rotation with sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa Bonaf.) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. Reticulatus group) to evaluate the legume's ability to remove excess P from soils when poultry litter was used as a fertilizer. Fertilizer treatments were: 1) litter to meet each crop's recommended preplant N requirements (1×); 2) litter at twice the recommended rate (2×); and 3) urea at the 1× rate as the control. Following the vegetable crops, hairy vetch was planted on half of each replication, while the other half was fallowed. The vetch was removed from the field in a simulated haying operation in the spring. Soil samples were taken at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm depths at the onset of the study and after each crop to monitor plant nutrient concentrations. The vetch sometimes raised soil test N concentrations at the 0-15 cm depth. Soil test P concentrations at the 0-15 cm sampling depth in the vetch system were consistently lower numerically, but not statistically, relative to comparable plots in the fallow system. Soil test P at the 0-15 cm depth was usually increased by litter at the 2× rate relative to the urea control, regardless of cropping system. Yields of both vegetable crops were similar among all cover crop and fertilizer treatments.

Download Full-text

Potential of Cool-Season Legumes for Removing Excess P From Poultry Litter Application

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.4.605a ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 605A-605

Author(s):

D.R. Earhart ◽

M.L. Baker ◽

V.A. Haby

Keyword(s):

Sandy Loam ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Red Clover ◽

P Uptake ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Cool Season ◽

Soil P ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

P Concentration ◽

Application Rates

Phosphorus (P) concentration in surface waters from non-point agricultural sources is an increasing resource management concern. This study was conducted at Overton, Texas, on a Bowie fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) to evaluate cool-season legumes for P uptake following poultry litter (PL) application rates on spring vegetables. Treatments were PL rate (0, 1X, 2X, 4X) and a commercial blend (CB) for comparison. Cool-season legumes, consisting of crimson clover, berseem clover, hairy vetch, and red clover, were the subplots. The vegetable crop in Spring 1995 was watermelon. The 1X PL rate was 2.2 t·ha-1 and the CB was 44.8N-0P-32.5K kg·ha-1. Dry matter yield was decreased by the 4X PL rate. Plant P concentration increased linearly as PL rate was increased. The greatest P uptake (4.1 kg·ha-1) was at the 2X rate. Hairy vetch had the greatest yield (1,875 kg·ha-1), plant P concentration (0.53%), and P uptake (9.6 kg·ha-1). PL rate increased soil P concentration at all depths. The least amount of P accumulation was from CB and was equal to the control. Hairy vetch appears to have the capability of removing a greater amount of P and reducing soil concentration when compared to the other legume species tested.

Download Full-text

Effect of Cropping System on Residual Soil P from Poultry Litter Application

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.4.604f ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 604F-605

Author(s):

M.L. Baker ◽

D.R. Earhart ◽

V.A. Haby

Keyword(s):

Sandy Loam ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Cropping System ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Cool Season ◽

Residual P ◽

Soil P ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Rate Of Increase

When poultry litter (PL) is applied to meet the nitrogen (N) needed for plant growth, phosphorus (P) can accumulate, leading to non-point source pollution of surface water. This study was conducted at Overton, Texas on a Bowie fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) to investigate the use of warm- and cool-season forage legumes in rotational cropping systems to remove excess P. Cropping systems were: spring legume—fall vegetable (SL-FV), spring vegetable—fall legume (SV-FL), and spring vegetable-fall vegetable (SV-FV). Warm- and cool-season legumes were Iron and Clay cowpea and crimson clover, respectively. Poultry litter rates were 0, 1X, 2X, 4X, and commercial blend (CB) as subplots. Fertility treatments were applied to vegetable plots only. The crop, IX PL and CB rate for each season were: spring 1995—watermelon, 2.2 t·ha-1, 48.8N—12.2P—28K kg·ha-1; fall 1995—turnip, 8.3 t·ha-1, 89.6N—24.4P—28K kg·ha-1; spring 1996—tomato, 6.7 t·ha-1, 100.9N—17.1P—78.5K kg·ha-1. Soil P increased at all depths sampled (0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm) as PL rate increased. Residual P from CB was equal to the control. Through spring 1996, soil P concentration in the surface 0-15 cm was increased by all systems. System SV-FL reduced P accumulation by 35.6 mg·kg-1 when compared to SL-FV and 44.7 mg·kg-1 when compared to SV-FV. Residual P continued to increase as PL rate increased. Rate of increase was reduced by a system of SV-FL.

Download Full-text

Soil Phosphorus Removal as a Function of Cropping System

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.4.595b ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 595b-595

Author(s):

D.R. Earhart ◽

M.L. Baker ◽

V.A. Haby

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Cropping System ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Vegetable Crop ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Fertility Treatments ◽

P Accumulation

A factored experiment was established at the Texas A&M Univ. Research and Extension Center at Overton in Spring 1995. The objective was to investigate the use of warm- and cool-season legume cover crops in vegetable cropping systems for reducing phosphorus (P) accumulation from poultry litter (PL) and commercial blend (CB) fertilizer. PL rates were based on soil test nitrogen (N) requirement of the vegetable crop and percent N content of the litter. This was considered the 1X rate. Fertility treatments were applied to the vegetable crop only. PL was applied at O, 1X, 2X and 4X rates. CB was applied at recommended rates for N, P, and K. The vegetable crops were: Spring 1995—watermelon; Fall 1995—turnip; Spring 1996—tomato; Fall 1996—collard; Spring 1997—squash. The legumes were: spring—Iron and Clay cowpea; fall—crimson clover. Dry-matter yield of cowpeas and clover was not affected by fertility treatment in any of the years studied to date (Spring 1995, 1996, 1997). Plant concentration of P for both cover crops was increased all 3 years as rate increased. PL applied at the 1X rate maintained P levels in the surface 0—15 cm of soil at 60 mg·kg-1 over the five-season study period. CB maintained levels of P equal to the control. A cropping system of spring vegetable—fall legume greatly reduced P accumulation. A reduction in P was also noted from a system of fall vegetable—spring legume, but not as pronounced. The greatest accumulation was with a system of spring vegetable—fall vegetable.

Download Full-text

Cotton Gin Trash, Rice Hulls, and Poultry Litter as Soil Amendments in Mid-south Vegetables

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.894d ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 894D-894

Author(s):

Tina Gray Teague ◽

Gail S. Lee

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Soil Amendments ◽

Poultry Litter ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Yield Response ◽

Snap Bean ◽

Rice Hulls ◽

Turnip Greens ◽

Yield Trials ◽

Cotton Gin

Soil fertility studies conducted in commercial vegetable fields to examine alternative uses of mid-south agricultural wastes as soil amendments included work with poultry litter, cotton gin trash, and rice hulls. Poultry litter applications ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 Mg·ha–1 resulted in significant increases in spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and collard yields grown in soils damaged by precision leveling or in sandy soils with low organic matter; however, positive yield response to litter applied to undamaged soils was variable. Raw rice hulls applied at rates ranging from 2 to 44 Mg·ha–1 resulted in reduced cabbage yield. Trials with cotton gin trash and cover crops on yield of cabbage, broccoli, southern pea, snap bean, and cucumber indicate significant problems with weeds following use of raw gin trash. Composting alleviated most weed problems, but no yield response was apparent at composted gin trash rates ≤9.6 Mg·ha–1. High rates (60 Mg·ha–1) of composted gin trash on damaged soil significantly improved cabbage yield. There were increases in soil pH and Ca levels. Research was supported by a SAREIACE grant.

Download Full-text

Improved Plant Diversity as a Strategy to Increase Available Soil Phosphorus

10.24047/bc103143 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 43-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Crusciol ◽

João Rigon ◽

Juliano Calonego ◽

Rogério Soratto

Keyword(s):

Crop Yields ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Cropping System ◽

P Availability ◽

P Fractions ◽

Crop Species ◽

Soil P ◽

Residue Decomposition ◽

Available Soil Phosphorus ◽

Crop Residue Decomposition

Some crop species could be used inside a cropping system as part of a strategy to increase soil P availability due to their capacity to recycle P and shift the equilibrium between soil P fractions to benefit the main crop. The release of P by crop residue decomposition, and mobilization and uptake of otherwise recalcitrant P are important mechanisms capable of increasing P availability and crop yields.

Download Full-text

NLEAP Computer Model and Multiple Linear Regression Prediction of Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Systems

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.12.2.250 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 250-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hudson Minshew ◽

John Selker ◽

Delbert Hemphill ◽

Richard P. Dick

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Nitrate Leaching ◽

Cover Crops ◽

N Uptake ◽

N Leaching ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Crop N Uptake ◽

Mlr Model

Predicting leaching of residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in wet climates is important for reducing risks of groundwater contamination and conserving soil N. The goal of this research was to determine the potential to use easily measurable or readily available soilclimatic-plant data that could be put into simple computer models and used to predict NO3 leaching under various management systems. Two computer programs were compared for their potential to predict monthly NO3-N leaching losses in western Oregon vegetable systems with or without cover crops. The models were a statistical multiple linear regression (MLR) model and the commercially available Nitrate Leaching and Economical Analysis Package model (NLEAP 1.13). The best MLR model found using stepwise regression to predict annual leachate NO3-N had four independent variables (log transformed fall soil NO3-N, leachate volume, summer crop N uptake, and N fertilizer rate) (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.57). Comparisons were made between NLEAP and field data for mass of NO3-N leached between the months of September and May from 1992 to 1997. Predictions with NLEAP showed greater correlation to observed data during high-rainfall years compared to dry or averagerainfall years. The model was found to be sensitive to yield estimates, but vegetation management choices were limiting for vegetable crops and for systems that included a cover crop.

Download Full-text

Roles of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms from Managing Soil Phosphorus Deficiency to Mediating Biogeochemical P Cycle

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10020158 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 158

Author(s):

Jiang Tian ◽

Fei Ge ◽

Dayi Zhang ◽

Songqiang Deng ◽

Xingwang Liu

Keyword(s):

Phosphorus Deficiency ◽

Soil Phosphorus ◽

Biological Molecules ◽

P Deficiency ◽

Soil P ◽

Soil Systems ◽

Intensively Managed ◽

Phosphate Solubilizing ◽

P Fertilizers ◽

P Cycle

Phosphorus (P) is a vital element in biological molecules, and one of the main limiting elements for biomass production as plant-available P represents only a small fraction of total soil P. Increasing global food demand and modern agricultural consumption of P fertilizers could lead to excessive inputs of inorganic P in intensively managed croplands, consequently rising P losses and ongoing eutrophication of surface waters. Despite phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) are widely accepted as eco-friendly P fertilizers for increasing agricultural productivity, a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the role of PSMs in P geochemical processes for managing P deficiency has received inadequate attention. In this review, we summarize the basic P forms and their geochemical and biological cycles in soil systems, how PSMs mediate soil P biogeochemical cycles, and the metabolic and enzymatic mechanisms behind these processes. We also highlight the important roles of PSMs in the biogeochemical P cycle and provide perspectives on several environmental issues to prioritize in future PSM applications.

Download Full-text

173 Grazing Cover Crops: Effects of Cattle Removal Date on Forage Production and Cattle Performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.168 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 94-94

Author(s):

Russell C Carrell ◽

Sandra L Dillard ◽

Mary K Mullenix ◽

Audrey Gamble ◽

Russ B Muntifering

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Production ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Forage Production ◽

Cool Season ◽

Total Gain ◽

Cattle Performance

Abstract Use of cool-season annual cover crops through grazing has been shown to be a potential tool in extending the grazing season, while still mitigating environmental risks associated with warm-season row crop production. Although data describing the effects of grazing on soil health are not novel, effects of grazing length on animal performance and cover crop production are limited. The objective was to determine cattle performance and forage production when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve, 1.2-ha pastures were established in a four species forage mix and randomly allocated to be grazed through either mid-February (FEB), mid-March (MAR), or mid-April (APR) with a non-grazed control (CON). Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock and a 1:1 forage allowance was maintained in each paddock using put-and-take steers. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination of average daily gain (ADG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for forage production, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Fiber fractions were measured using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences in forage mass were detected between CON and FEB (3,694.75 vs. 2,539.68 kg/ha; P < 0.003), CON and MAR (3,694.75 vs. 1,823.45 kg/ha; P < 0.001), and CON and APR (3,694.75 vs. 1,976.23 kg/ha; P < 0.001). Differences in total gain/acre were detected between APR and MAR (212.24 vs. 101.74 kg/ha; P < 0.0001), APR and FEB (212.24 vs 52.65 kg/ha; P < 0.0001), and FEB and MAR (101.74 vs. 52.65 kg/ha; P < 0.003). No differences were detected for tester ADG (1.23 kg/day, P = 0.56), NDF (44.9%, P = 0.99), or ADF (27.2%, P = 0.92) among treatments. These results indicate that cattle removal date effected forage yield and total gain/hectare.

Download Full-text