Fresh Market Tomato Yield and Soil Nitrogen as Affected by Tillage, Cover Cropping, and Nitrogen Fertilization

Sustainable practices are needed in vegetable production to maintain yield and to reduce the potential for soil erosion and N leaching. We examined the effects of tillage [no-till (NT), chisel plowing (CP), and moldboard plowing (MP)], cover cropping [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) vs. winter weeds], N fertilization (0, 90, and 180 kg·ha-1 N), and date of sampling on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield, N uptake, and soil inorganic N in a Norfolk sandy loam in Fort Valley, Ga. for 2 years. Yield was greater with CP and MP than with NT in 1996 and was greater with 90 and 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N in 1996 and 1997. Similarly, aboveground tomato biomass (dry weight of stems + leaves + fruits) and N uptake were greater with CP and MP than with NT from 40 to 118 days after transplanting (DAT) in 1996; greater with hairy vetch than with winter weeds at 82 DAT in 1997; and greater with 90 or 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N at 97 DAT in 1996 and at 82 DAT in 1997. Soil inorganic N was greater with NT or CP than with MP at 0- to 10-cm depth at 0 and 30 DAT in 1996; greater with hairy vetch than with winter weeds at 0- to 10-cm and at 10- to 30-cm at 0 DAT in 1996 and 1997, respectively; and greater with 90 or 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N from 30 to 116 DAT in 1996 and 1997. Levels of soil inorganic N and tomato N uptake indicated that N release from cover crop residues was synchronized with N need by tomato, and that N fertilization should be done within 8 weeks of transplanting. Similar tomato yield, biomass, and N uptake with CP vs. MP and with 90 vs. 180 kg·ha-1 N suggests that minimum tillage, such as CP, and 90 kg·ha-1 N can better sustain tomato yield and reduce potentials for soil erosion and N leaching than can conventional tillage, such as MP, and 180 kg·ha-1 N, respectively. Because of increased vegetative cover in the winter, followed by increased mulch and soil N in the summer, hairy vetch can reduce the potential for soil erosion and the amount of N fertilization required for tomato better than can winter weeds.

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Tillage, Cover Cropping, and Nitrogen Fertilization Influence Tomato Yield and Nitrogen Uptake

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.2.217 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 217-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Upendra M. Sainju ◽

Bharat P. Singh ◽

Syed Rahman ◽

V.R. Reddy

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

N Uptake ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Vicia Villosa ◽

Cover Cropping ◽

Tomato Yield ◽

Leaf N Concentration ◽

Dry Fruit

Management practices can influence tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield and N uptake. The effects of tillage (no-till, chisel plowing, and moldboard plowing), cover crop [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) vs. none], and N fertilization (0, 90, and 180 kg·ha-1 N) on transplanted tomato yield and N uptake were studied in the field from May to August in 1996 and 1997 on a Norfolk sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Typic Kandiudults) in central Georgia. Plowing increased fresh and dry fruit yield and N uptake in 1996 and N fertilization increased yield and N uptake in 1996 and 1997. Plowing also increased stem and leaf dry weights and N uptake from 40 to 118 days after transplanting (DAT) in 1996. Fertilization increased stem weight and N uptake with or without hairy vetch from 54 to 68 DAT in 1996 and stem and leaf weights and N uptake at 68 DAT in 1997. Both hairy vetch and N fertilization increased leaf N concentration in 1997. Recovery of N by the plants was lower with hairy vetch than with N fertilization, but was similar to or greater with 90 than with 180 kg·ha-1 N. We conclude that reduced tillage, such as chisel plowing, with 90 kg·ha-1 N can sustain tomato yield and N uptake, with reduced potentials of sediments and/or NO3 contamination in surface and groundwater.

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Strip Intercropping of Rye–Vetch Mixtures: Effects on Weed Growth and Competition in Strip-tilled Sweet Corn

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2018.83 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (1) ◽

pp. 114-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carolyn J. Lowry ◽

Daniel C. Brainard

Keyword(s):

Sweet Corn ◽

N Uptake ◽

Corn Yield ◽

N Availability ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Cereal Rye ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Strip Intercropping ◽

Soil Inorganic

AbstractStrip-intercropping of functionally diverse cover crop mixtures including cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth) is one mechanism by which nitrogen (N) banding can be applied to an organic, strip-tilled system to increase crop competitiveness over weeds. We hypothesized that by targeting hairy vetch, a low C:N legume, to the tilled strip directly in row with future crop establishment, and cereal rye, a high C:N grass, to the untilled strip directly between future crop rows, that N would be preferentially available to the crop. We conducted a field study between 2011 to 2013 in southwest Michigan to examine the effects of rye–vetch mixture spatial arrangement (strip intercropping vs. full-width mixture) on (1) soil inorganic N; (2) weed biomass; and (3) sweet corn (Zea maysL.) biomass, yield, and competitiveness against weeds. We found that as the proportion of vetch biomass in the crop row (in-row, IR) increased, we also saw increasing levels of IR soil inorganic N and greater early sweet corn N uptake and growth relative to weeds. However, sweet corn yield and final biomass were more responsive to vetch biomass across the whole plot (WP) and did not respond to rye and vetch segregation into strips. Increasing vetch WP biomass increased sweet corn final biomass across both years, but only increased corn competitiveness against weeds in 1 out of 2 years and decreased sweet corn competitiveness in the other year. Strip-intercropping of cereal rye and hairy vetch has potential to increase soil N availability to the crop, thereby increasing early crop competitiveness, which may lower weed management costs.

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Evaluating Hairy Vetch Residue as Nitrogen Fertilizer for Tomato in Soilless Medium

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.36.1.90 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 90-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Upendra M. Sainju ◽

Syed Rahman ◽

Bharat P. Singh

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

N Uptake ◽

Dry Weight ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Fruit Number ◽

Tomato Yield ◽

Total Dry Weight ◽

Stem Leaf

The ability of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) residue (100 g/plant) to supply N and to increase yields of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was compared with that of N fertilization (0, 4.1, and 8.2 g/plant N) in a medium containing a mixture of 3 perlite: 1 vermiculite in a greenhouse and a lathhouse. Hairy vetch residue did not interact with N fertilization in affecting tomato yield and medium N concentration. In the greenhouse, leaf dry weight, leaf and stem N uptake, total (fruit + stem + leaf + root) dry weight and N uptake of tomato, and NH4+ and inorganic N concentrations in the medium at transplanting were significantly greater with than without residue. In the lathhouse, fruit number, fresh and dry yields and N uptake, leaf, stem, and root dry weights and N uptake, root length, total dry weight and N uptake of tomato, and NH4+, NO3-, and inorganic N concentrations in the medium at transplanting, and inorganic N at harvest were greater with than without residue. Nitrogen fertilization increased fruit number, fresh and dry yields and N uptake, stem, leaf, and root dry weights and N uptake, root length, and total dry weight and N uptake. The residue was as effective in increasing fresh fruit yield, total dry weight, and N uptake as was 4.4 to 7.9 g/plant of N fertilizer. Tomato yield and N uptake per unit amount of N supplied was greater for the residue than for N fertilization, suggesting that hairy vetch residue can be effectively used as N fertilizer for tomato production.

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Tillage, crop residue and crop sequence effects on nitrogen availability in a legume-based cropping system

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s04-023 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 421-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Y. K. Soon ◽

M. A. Arshad

Keyword(s):

Crop Yield ◽

Crop Residue ◽

N Uptake ◽

Microbial Biomass N ◽

Fertilizer N ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Crop Sequence ◽

Extractable Soil ◽

Soil Inorganic

A field study was conducted to determine the effects and interactions of crop sequence, tillage and residue management on labile N pools and their availability because such information is sparse. Experimental treatments were no-till (NT) vs. conventional tillage (CT), and removal vs. retention of straw, imposed on a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)-canola (Brassica rapa L.)-field pea (Pisum sativum L.) rotation. 15N-labelling was used to quantify N uptake from straw, below-ground N (BGN), and fertilizer N. Straw retention increased soil microbial biomass N (MBN) in 2 of 3 yr at the four-leaf growth stage of barley, consistent with observed decreases in extractable soil inorganic N at seeding. However, crop yield and N uptake at maturity were not different between straw treatments. No tillage increased soil MBN, crop yield and N uptake compared to CT, but had no effect on extractable soil inorganic N. The greater availability of N under NT was probably related to soil moisture conservation. Tillage effects on soil and plant N were mostly independent of straw treatment. Straw and tillage treatments did not influence the uptake of N from its various sources. However, barley following pea (legume/non-legume sequence) derived a greater proportion of its N from BGN (13 to 23% or 9 to 23 kg N ha-1) than canola following barley (nonlegumes) (6 to 16% or 3 to 9 kg N ha-1). Fertilizer N constituted 8 to 11% of barley N uptake and 23 to 32% of canola N uptake. Straw N contributed only 1 to 3% of plant N uptake. This study showed the dominant influence of tillage on N availability, and of the preceding crop or cropping sequence on N uptake partitioning among available N sources. Key words: Crop residue, crop sequence, labile nitrogen, nitrogen uptake, pea, tillage

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Nutrient Management with Cover Crops and Compost Affects Development and Yield in Organically Managed Sweetpotato Systems

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.43.5.1423 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 1423-1433 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Danielle D. Treadwell ◽

Nancy G. Creamer ◽

Greg D. Hoyt ◽

Jonathan R. Schultheis

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Total Yield ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Available N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Organically Managed ◽

Soil Inorganic

A 3-year field experiment was initiated in 2001 to evaluate different organic sweetpotato production systems that varied in cover crop management and tillage. Three organic systems: 1) compost and no cover crop with tillage (Org-NCC); 2) compost and a cover crop mixture of hairy vetch and rye incorporated before transplanting (Org-CCI); and 3) compost and the same cover crop mixture with reduced tillage (Org-RT) were compared with a conventionally managed system (Conv) with tillage and chemical controls. Yield of No. 1 sweetpotato roots and total yield were similar among management systems each year, except for a reduction in yield in Org-RT in 2002. The percentage of No. 1 grade roots was at least 17% and 23% higher in Org-CCI and Org-NCC than Org-RT in 2001 and 2002, respectively, and similar to Conv in 2001 and 2004. Organic and conventional N sources contributed to soil inorganic N reserves differently the 2 years this component was measured. In 2002, soil inorganic N reserves at 30 DAT were in the order: Org-CCI (90 kg·ha−1) > Org-NCC (67 kg·ha−1) > Org-RT (45 kg·ha−1), and Conv (55 kg·ha−1). No differences in soil inorganic N reserves were observed among systems in 2004. Sweetpotato N, P, and K tissue concentrations were different among systems only in 2004. That year, at 60 days after transplanting, tissue N, P, and K were greatest in Org-CCI. In 2001 and 2004, N (4.09% to 4.56%) and K (3.79% to 4.34%) were higher than sufficiency ranges for N (3.2% to 4.0%) and K (2.5% to 3.5%) defined by North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recommendations for all treatments. No tissue macronutrient or micronutrient concentrations were limiting during this experiment. Reduced rainfall during the 2002 sweetpotato growing season may have contributed to the low microbially mediated plant-available N from the organic fertilizer sources. Despite differences in the nutrient content of organic and conventional fertility amendments, organically managed systems receiving compost with or without incorporated hairy vetch and rye produced yields equal to the conventionally managed system.

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Cover crops and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil carbon and nitrogen and tomato yield

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s99-107 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 80 (3) ◽

pp. 523-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

U. M. Sainju ◽

B. P. Singh ◽

W. F. Whitehead

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

N Uptake ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Organic C ◽

Crimson Clover ◽

Tomato Yield ◽

C And N

Cover crops can influence soil properties and crop yield. We examined the influence of legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.)] and nonlegume [rye (Secale cereale L.)] cover crops and N fertilization (0, 90, and 180 kg N ha−1) on the short- and long-term effects on soil C and N and tomato yield and N uptake. We measured organic C and N (long-term effects), potential C and N mineralization (PCM and PNM) and inorganic N (short-term effects) periodically on a Greenville fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic, Rhodic Kandiudults) planted with tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) from April to August in 1996 and 1997 in Georgia USA. Soil C and N concentrations increased early in the growing season with cover crop residue incorporation, but decreased as the residue decomposed. Rye increased organic N and maintained greater levels of organic C and PCM after 3 yr than other treatments. In contrast, hairy vetch and crimson clover increased PNM and inorganic N soon after residue incorporation into the soil and produced tomato yield and N uptake similar to that produced by 90 and 180 kg N ha–1. Nitrogen fertilization increased PNM and inorganic N after split application and tomato yield and N uptake but decreased organic C and N and PCM compared with rye. Compared with 0 kg N ha–1, nonlegume cover crops, such as rye can increase organic C and N and PCM but legume cover crops, such as hairy vetch and crimson clover, can enrich soil N and produce tomato yield and N uptake similar to that produced by 90 and 180 kg N ha−1. Key words: Cover crops, nitrogen fertilization, soil carbon, soil nitrogen, tomato yield

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Growing season nitrogen dynamics in manured soils in south coastal British Columbia: Implications for a soil nitrate test for silage corn

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s96-028 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

B. J. Zebarth ◽

J. W. Paul

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

N Uptake ◽

Dairy Manure ◽

N Recovery ◽

Soil Nitrate ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Total N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Coastal British Columbia ◽

Soil Inorganic

Spring soil nitrate and ammonium dynamics in south coastal British Columbia soils were examined with respect to the potential to develop a soil nitrate test for silage corn (Zea mays, L.). Soil nitrate and ammonium contents were measured to 90 cm depth in two soils from April to July of two growing seasons. Treatments included a control, spring application of either 300 or 600 kg total N ha−1 as liquid dairy manure, or 200 kg N ha−1 as inorganic fertilizer. Significant amounts of ammonium were present until late May following manure and until mid-June following fertilizer application, requiring simultaneous determination of both nitrate and ammonium concentrations to assess soil inorganic N contents during this period. Most of the changes in soil nitrate over time occurred in the top 30 cm, suggesting that sampling to 30 cm depth would be sufficient in most cases for a soil nitrate test in this region. Most of the increase in soil inorganic N associated with the spring application of manure occurred by 1 June. A soil nitrate test in early to mid-June when the corn is at the six leaf stage appeared to be most suitable for use in south coastal British Columbia to determine if additional fertilizer N is required. A sample taken at this time will measure soil nitrate contents just before the period of rapid corn N uptake, after most of the additional inorganic N associated with spring manure application is already present in the soil as nitrate, and after nitrification of the manure ammonium has occurred. Key words: N recovery, preplant nitrate test, pre-sidedress soil nitrate test

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Extending Cover Crop Benefits with Zone Till Management in Northern Organic Summer Squash Production

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050983 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 983

Author(s):

Peyton Ginakes ◽

Julie M. Grossman

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Trifolium Pratense ◽

Red Clover ◽

Early Spring ◽

Winter Rye ◽

Hairy Vetch ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic

Winter annual legume cover crops often fail to reach full maturity by spring vegetable planting dates in northern climates, which prevents maximum nitrogen (N) contributions. To determine if delayed termination improved cover crop biomass and N content, we evaluated winter rye + hairy vetch (Secale cereale L. + Vicia villosa Roth) and oat + field pea (Avena sativa L. + Pisum sativum L.) cover crop mixtures in 2015 and 2016, and medium red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in 2016, in zone-tilled organic yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo var. torticollis Harz). In-row regions where cover crops were terminated in early spring during crop row preparation were compared to between-row regions where termination was delayed until legume maturation in late spring. Soil quality (soil inorganic N, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), and potentially mineralizable N (PMN)) was also determined for in-row and between-row regions at four time points throughout the growing season. In 2015, winter rye + hairy vetch biomass N more than doubled between early and late termination times, with 120 and 258 kg N ha−1, respectively. Permanganate oxidizable C was not responsive to cover crop systems or tillage, and only slightly decreased over time in 2016. Soil inorganic N and PMN after cover crop termination in 2016 provided evidence of localized soil N cycling responses to cover crop termination in in-row and between-row regions. The extended growing period for cover crops between crop rows in the first several weeks of crop growth had no negative effect on crop yield, and appeared to enhance soil fertility.

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Soil Inorganic N Leaching in Edges of Different Forest Types Subject to High N Deposition Loads

Ecosystems ◽

10.1007/s10021-011-9448-4 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 818-834 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Karen Wuyts ◽

An De Schrijver ◽

Jeroen Staelens ◽

Lotte Van Nevel ◽

Sandy Adriaenssens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

N Deposition ◽

N Leaching ◽

Forest Types ◽

Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic

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Predicting Nitrogen Availability in Irrigated Potato Systems

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.13.4.0598 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 598-604 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

S.S. Snapp ◽

A.M. Fortuna

Keyword(s):

Field Experiment ◽

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Tuber Yield ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

N Uptake ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Inorganic N ◽

N Supply ◽

Soil Inorganic N ◽

Soil Inorganic

Growers lack practical decision aides that accurately predict nitrogen (N) credits for organic sources to adjust fertilizer rates. The simulation model, DSSAT, was used to predict N supply in relationship to N demand in irrigated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Tuber yield and soil inorganic N levels were substantially higher in the simulations than in field experiment observations, indicating the need for model improvement. DSSAT was successful at predicting relative mineralization rates and potato N uptake for different organic and inorganic N source combinations. Interestingly, both simulation and field experiment observations indicated that combining a high quality organic manure at 5000 lb/acre (5604.2 kg·ha-1), total applied N 250 lb/acre (280.2 kg·ha-1), and a fertilizer source of N 160 lb/acre (179.3 kg·ha-1) markedly increased yields and lowered leaching potential. Simulated tuber yield for the combined treatment was 660 cwt/acre (74.0 t·ha-1) with 48 lb/acre (53.8 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the profile at harvest, whereas the highest simulated N fertilizer response was to 235 lb/acre (263.4 kg.·ha-1), which produced 610 cwt/acre (68.4 t·ha-1) with 77 lb/acre (86.3 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the profile at harvest. The synchrony of N release and uptake for combined manure and fertilizer treatments may explain the efficient N uptake observed. Common soil types and weather scenarios in Michigan were simulated and indigenous soil N mineralization was predicted to be 6 lb/acre (6.7 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the topsoil at planting, similar to observed levels. The increasing aeration associated with a sandy versus a sandy loam soil only slightly increased the predicted rate of mineralization from organic inputs. Simulated soil inorganic N levels with different organic inputs was modestly increased in a warm spring [4.5 °F (2.50 °C) over normal temperatures] compared to a cool spring (-4.5 °F less than normal temperatures). For Michigan irrigated potato systems, DSSAT simulations indicate that the most important factor determining inorganic N supply will be the quality and quantity of organic inputs, not environmental conditions.

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