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

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.

scholarly journals Production and Decomposition of Cover Crop Residues and Associations With Soil Organic Fractions

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
José Carlos Mazetto Júnior ◽  
José Luiz Rodrigues Torres ◽  
Danyllo Denner de Almeida Costa ◽  
Venâncio Rodrigues e Silva ◽  
Zigomar Menezes de Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Residue Decomposition ◽  
Sunn Hemp

The decomposition of plant residues, the changes in the total organic carbon (TOC) and the fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) occur differently in irrigated areas. The objective of this study was to quantify the biomass production, the decomposition of cover crops residues and relate them with the changes n the content and fractions of SOM in an irrigated area of vegetable crops. Six types of cover crop treatments were evaluated: brachiaria (B); sunn hemp (S); millet (M); B + S; B + M; S + M, plus an additional treatment (native area), with 4 repetitions. The production of fresh (FB) and dry biomass (DB), the rate of plant residue decomposition, TOC, SOM fractions and the coefficient of SOM (QSOM) were quantified. It was observed that the greatest and the lowest volume of crop residues were from the B and S cover crop, respectively. The cover crops in monoculture presented great decomposition rates and short half-life when compared to mixtures of cover crop. The TOC and QSOM were great in the 0 to 0.05 m soil layer, and in the M + S cover crop mixture, when compared to the 0.05 to 0.1 m soil layer and to other cover crops. Among the SOM fractions, the humin predominated in the most superficial soil layer (0 to 0.05 m).

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

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.

Crop and cattle responses to tillage systems for integrated crop–livestock production in the Southern Piedmont, USA

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Franzluebbers ◽  
J.A. Stuedemann
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Surface Residue ◽  
Tillage Systems

AbstractIntegration of crops and livestock has the potential to provide a multitude of benefits to soil and water conservation and nutrient cycling efficiency, while reducing economic risk and increasing profitability. We conducted a field study from May 2002 to October 2005 to determine crop and cattle responses to three management factors on a Typic Kanhapludult in Georgia, USA. Summer grain/winter cover [sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL. Moench) or corn (Zea maysL.)/rye (Secale cerealeL.)] and winter grain/summer cover [wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)/pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucumL. R. Br.)] were managed with either conventional tillage (CT) or no tillage (NT) and with or without cattle grazing of cover crops. All crops were successfully established, irrespective of tillage and cover crop management. Although pearl millet was often lower in the plant stand with NT than with CT, plants compensated with greater biomass on an area basis. Across years, grain yield of sorghum (1.9 Mg ha−1during three seasons) and corn (7.3 Mg ha−1in one season) was 25% greater under NT than under CT when the cover crop was not grazed. Wheat grain yield (2.7 Mg ha−1during three seasons) was unaffected by tillage and cover crop management. Unharvested stover production of summer grain crops was greater with NT than with CT (6.5 versus 4.1 Mg ha−1;P<0.001). Grazing rye rather than allowing it to accumulate as surface residue reduced summer grain yield 23% and reduced standing grain-crop dry matter 26% under NT, but had no effect under CT. In contrast, grazing pearl millet rather than allowing it to accumulate as surface residue increased wheat standing dry matter yield by 25±14% (mean±standard deviation among 3 years and two tillage systems). Ungrazed cover crop production was greater under NT than under CT for rye (7.0 versus 6.0 Mg ha−1;P=0.03) and pearl millet (10.2 versus 7.6 Mg ha−1;P=0.01). Calf daily gain was either greater or tended to be greater under NT than under CT on rye (2.27 versus 2.09 kg head−1d−1;P=0.15) and pearl millet (2.05 versus 1.81 kg head−1d−1;P=0.05). Total cattle gain per grazing season was either greater or tended to be greater with NT than with CT on rye (350 versus 204 kg ha−1;P=0.01) and pearl millet (324 versus 277 kg ha−1;P=0.15). Net return over variable costs was greater with grazing than without grazing of cover crops (US$302 versus −US$63 ha−1;P<0.001). Livestock grazing of cover crops had variable effects on subsequent crop production, but increased economic return and diversity overall. Therefore, an integrated crop–livestock production system with conservation tillage is recommended as a viable option for producers to diversify farming operations to avoid risk, improve ecological production of crops, and potentially avoid environmental damage from soil erosion and nutrient loss.

scholarly journals Cover crop rotation influence on nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) density and onion yield

1969 ◽  
Vol 90 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 215-220
Author(s):  
Nelson Semidey ◽  
Luisa E. Flores-López
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Cyperus Rotundus ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Velvet Bean ◽  
Crop Species

Velvet bean [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort.) Meer.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth], sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] and tropical pumpkin or calabaza [Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne) Poir.] were evaluated as cover crops for the control of nutsedges in rotation with onion (Allium cepa L.) at the Lajas Agricultural Experiment Station during the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. In each year of study, the four cover crops were grown until mature stage, and plant residue was disked or removed from soil surface before onion planting. Cover crop species had no significant influence (P < 0.05) on nutsedge density, mainly represented by Cyperus rotundus L. and C. esculentus L., neither six weeks before onion planting nor after nine weeks of cropping during 1998-99. Disc incorporation of all cover crops suppressed nutsedge density more than removal of plant residues from soil surface. Onion produced greater yield (30,030 kg/ha) after calabaza rotation than after pigeon pea (21,090 kg/ha) or sorghum (18,940 kg/ha) in 1998-99. In 1999-2000, plots grown with velvet bean, pigeon pea and calabaza had less nutsedge than the untreated controls two weeks before incorporation of plant residues. Plots with these three cover crops also had lower density of nutsedges than plots with sorghum. Nutsedge density was not significant at three, six, and 10 weeks after onion planting. In 1999-2000, onion yields among cover crop rotations were not significantly different, with an average of 5,837 kg/ha. Cover crop allelopathy, as well as nutsedge interference, may have reduced onion production during the second year of planting. 

scholarly journals Nutrient cycling of different plant residues and fertilizer doses in broccoli cultivation

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
José Luiz R Torres ◽  
Fernando R da C Gomes ◽  
Antônio Carlos Barreto ◽  
Valdeci Orioli Junior ◽  
Guilherme Deodato França ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Residue Decomposition ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Sunn Hemp

ABSTRACT The decomposition and release of nutrients from plant residues that precede the cultivation of vegetables can positively affect the morphological parameters and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant residue decomposition and the cycling of macro and micronutrients of four cover crops preceding the broccoli production (single head Avenger hybrid). A 4x3 factorial scheme was implemented including four cover crops: signal grass (SG), pearl millet (PM), sunn hemp (SH), mixture PM+SH; and three doses of mineral fertilizer: 0, 50 (200 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 50 kg ha-1 of K2O, 75 kg ha-1 of N) and 100% of the recommended fertilizer dose (400 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 100 kg ha-1 of K2O and 150 kg ha-1 of N). Fresh (FB) and dry biomass (DB), residue decomposition, nutrient cycling of cover crops, the number of leaves, head height (HH), stem diameter (SD), head diameter (HD), head fresh-biomass (FB), head dry biomass (DB) and broccoli yield were evaluated. The FB production from PM (25.9 t ha-1), SG (23.3 t ha-1) and mixture PM+SH (23.9 t ha-1) were similar, while the largest production of DB occurred in the SG (11.9 t ha-1). The lowest rate of decomposition and the greatest half-life time of residues occurred where PM was present. The accumulation and nutrient cycling follow the sequence K>N>Ca>Mg>P>S and Mn>Zn>B>Cu for all cover crop treatments evaluated. The highest SD (51.95; 51.44 and 50.67 mm), HD (187.97; 187.41 and 183.48 mm), FB (1.01; 1.00 and 0.97 kg), DB (0.08; 0.07 and 0.07 kg) and broccoli yield (25.3; 24.9 and 24.7 t ha-1) was observed in the 100% dose of mineral fertilizer and on the residues of SH or PM+SH mixture, respectively.

scholarly journals Residual Nitrogen and Kill Date Effects on Winter Cover Crop Growth and Nitrogen Content in a Vegetable Production System

2001 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary R. Cline ◽  
Anthony F. Silvernail
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Content ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Nitrogen Contents

A 4-year field experiment examined how monoculture and biculture winter cover crops were affected by prior inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization of sweet corn (Zea mays) and by kill dates associated with tillage methods. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) biomass production and N content remained relatively constant with (N+) or without (N0) prior N application. In N+ treatments, biomass production of winter rye (Secale cereale) and a vetch-rye biculture were significantly greater than vetch biomass production. Rye responded to prior N fertilization and recovered N from residual inorganic N fertilizer at an average annual rate of 30 kg·ha-1 (27 lb/acre), excluding contributions of roots. Nitrogen contents of vetch and biculture cover crops were similar in most years and were significantly greater than those of rye. Nitrogen contents in vetch and biculture treatments were not increased by the residual inorganic N fertilizer addition of the N+ treatment. In the biculture treatment prior N application increased total biomass production but decreased the percentage of vetch biomass. Monoculture vetch biomass production was significantly increased by delaying cover crop kill dates for 8 days in mid-May. However, such delays also significantly lowered vetch foliar N concentrations and consequently did not significantly affect vetch N content. No significant effects of delays on rye or biculture cover crops were detected. It was concluded that prior fertilization of sweet corn with inorganic N affected various cover crops differently and that delaying vetch kill dates 8 days increased biomass production but did not affect N content.

scholarly journals Fate of carbon and nitrogen from plant residue decomposition in a calcareous soil

2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Nourbakhsh
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Order Kinetic ◽  
Nitrogen Transformations ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Residue Decomposition ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Order Kinetic Model

Carbon and nitrogen transformations in soil are microbially mediated processes that are functionally related. The fate of C and N was monitored in a clay-textured soil (Typic Haplocambid) which was either unamended (control) or amended with various plant materials at the rate of 10 g residue C/kg soil. To evaluate C mineralization, soils were incubated for 46 days under aerobic conditions. Nitrogen mineralization/immobilization was evaluated at the end of eight-week incubation experiment. All CO<sub>2</sub> evolution data conformed well to a first-order kinetic model, C<sub>m&nbsp;</sub>= C<sub>0</sub> (1 &ndash; e<sup>&ndash;Kt</sup>). The product of K and C<sub>0 </sub>(KC<sub>0</sub>) was significantly correlated with some chemical and biochemical properties of the plant residues, including N concentration (r = 0.83, P &lt; 0.001), C:N (r = &ndash;0.64, P &lt; 0.05) and lignin:N (r = &ndash;0.81, P &lt; 0.001). Among the plant residue composition characteristics, N concentration (r = 0.96, P &lt; 0.001), C:N (r = &ndash;0.69, P &lt; 0.01) and lignin:N (r = &ndash;0.68, P &lt; 0.01) were significantly correlated with the net rates of N mineralization/immobilization (N<sub>m/i</sub>).

scholarly journals Effects of Cover Crops, Compost, and Vermicompost on Strawberry Yields and Nitrogen Availability in North Carolina

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 604-613 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Upland rice yield as affected by Brachiaria coverage management

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano S. Nascente ◽  
Luís F. Stone ◽  
Cleber M. Guimarães
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rice Yield ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Proper Time ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Brachiaria Ruziziensis ◽  
Tillage System

An important point in no-tillage system is the time between cover crop glyphosate desiccation and rice sowing. This study aimed to verify the effect of Brachiaria ruziziensis management time before rice sowing on rice yield and its components. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions and consisted of four types of B. ruziziensis management: with Brachiaria and with herbicide (WBWH), without Brachiaria shoots and with herbicide (NBWH), without Brachiaria shoots and without herbicide (NBNH), and with Brachiaria and without herbicide (WBNH), at four times: 30, 20, 10, and 0 days, preceding the rice sowing. The amount of B. ruziziensis dry matter increased as the management was done closer to the rice sowing date. The WBWH and WBNH managements (this one causes the lowest rice grain yield) must be done 30 days before rice sowing; while NBWH management must be done ten or more days before rice sowing. On the other hand, NBNH management (this one favors the best rice grain yield) can be done until rice sowing day. Despite some reduction in rice yield caused by the B. ruziziensis management, when it was done at the proper time the rice grain yield was similar to the control (without Brachiaria sowing and without herbicide application).

Investigating tarps to facilitate organic no-till cabbage production with high-residue cover crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie P Lounsbury ◽  
Nicholas D Warren ◽  
Seamus D Wolfe ◽  
Richard G Smith
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
No Till ◽  
Crop Biomass

AbstractHigh-residue cover crops can facilitate organic no-till vegetable production when cover crop biomass production is sufficient to suppress weeds (>8000 kg ha−1), and cash crop growth is not limited by soil temperature, nutrient availability, or cover crop regrowth. In cool climates, however, both cover crop biomass production and soil temperature can be limiting for organic no-till. In addition, successful termination of cover crops can be a challenge, particularly when cover crops are grown as mixtures. We tested whether reusable plastic tarps, an increasingly popular tool for small-scale vegetable farmers, could be used to augment organic no-till cover crop termination and weed suppression. We no-till transplanted cabbage into a winter rye (Secale cereale L.)-hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop mulch that was terminated with either a roller-crimper alone or a roller-crimper plus black or clear tarps. Tarps were applied for durations of 2, 4 and 5 weeks. Across tarp durations, black tarps increased the mean cabbage head weight by 58% compared with the no tarp treatment. This was likely due to a combination of improved weed suppression and nutrient availability. Although soil nutrients and biological activity were not directly measured, remaining cover crop mulch in the black tarp treatments was reduced by more than 1100 kg ha−1 when tarps were removed compared with clear and no tarp treatments. We interpret this as an indirect measurement of biological activity perhaps accelerated by lower daily soil temperature fluctuations and more constant volumetric water content under black tarps. The edges of both tarp types were held down, rather than buried, but moisture losses from the clear tarps were greater and this may have affected the efficacy of clear tarps. Plastic tarps effectively killed the vetch cover crop, whereas it readily regrew in the crimped but uncovered plots. However, emergence of large and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) appeared to be enhanced in the clear tarp treatment. Although this experiment was limited to a single site-year in New Hampshire, it shows that use of black tarps can overcome some of the obstacles to implementing cover crop-based no-till vegetable productions in northern climates.

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