scholarly journals Amendment Properties Affect Crop Performance, Leaf Tissue Nitrogen, and Soil Nitrogen Availability Following Soil Treatment by Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Utsala Shrestha ◽  
Keagan J. Swilling ◽  
David M. Butler

Efficacy of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) for soilborne plant pathogen suppression is strongly influenced by soil environment and organic amendment attributes. At the same time, these factors influence soil nutrient availability, crop nutrition, and crop performance, but published information on ASD amendment property effects, including carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and C substrate bioavailability, on crop performance and soil nutrient availability is limited. We evaluated ASD amendment effects on soil N availability, crop N status, and solanaceous crop performance in a series of trials: (1) greenhouse/growth chamber study of amendments (primarily molasses/soybean hulls and wheat bran) formulated at 10:1, 20:1, 30:1 and 40:1 C:N ratios (4 mg C g−1 soil), (2) field study with molasses/soybean hull-based amendments at equivalent C:N ratios/C rates (3) on-farm study with molasses/soybean hull-based amendments (4 mg C g−1 soil) compared to grower-standard control, and (4) field study of labile to recalcitrant amendment substrates at 30:1 C:N ratio (~3.4 mg C g−1 soil). ASD amendment C:N ratio strongly influenced soil inorganic N and the lowest (10:1) ratio was associated with highest soil inorganic N at ASD treatment termination in both trials 1 and 2, which often persisted into the cropping phase. Accordingly, the lowest amendment C:N ratio was also associated with the highest biomass (trail 1), leaf tissue N (trial 2), and crop yield (trials 1, 2) among treatments, even with application of recommended fertigation rates to all treatments in the field study. In trial 3, ASD treatment induced higher soil inorganic N and crop yield than the control, but no differences were observed in plant tissue N. In trial 4, more decomposable ASD substrates reduced soil inorganic N at ASD treatment termination, with the highest soil inorganic N associated with the most recalcitrant amendment, but there was no effect on crop yield. ASD amendment C:N ratio, and to a lesser extent, amendment decomposability, exert a strong influence soil inorganic N and crop performance. Optimization of ASD treatments for disease management will require simultaneous optimization of crop nutrition practices to facilitate more holistic, less confounded assessment of crop performance and to facilitate recommendations for grower adoption.

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. K. Soon ◽  
M. A. Arshad

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


Soil Research ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. C. Stewart ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
I. S. Cornforth

Between November 1991 and 1993, 4 consecutive vegetable crops (sweetcorn, cabbage, potato, and cabbage) were grown in Lincoln, New Zealand. The treatments included spent mushroom substrate (SMS, a by-product of the mushroom industry) applications before each crop at rates of 0, 20, 40, or 80 t/ha (moist), both with and without 1 rate of inorganic fertiliser for each crop (120-338, 40-100, 53-100, and 60-114 kg/ha, respectively, of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur). SMS applications caused a rapid increase in soil inorganic N concentration, but after this it had a variable effect. There was some evidence of N immobilisation following initial SMS applications of 20 t/ha. SMS applications increased both soil pH and CEC, whereas inorganic fertiliser decreased both. Sweetcorn and cabbage yields were increased by SMS when inorganic fertiliser was not used, and potato yield was increased irrespective of fertiliser use (i.e. yield increases of 38%, 82-96%, and 26-46%, respectively, for sweetcorn cob, cabbage head, and potato tuber fresh yields). Inorganic fertiliser increased crop yields by a greater amount than SMS. A lack of soil inorganic N was the major limitation to crop growth following SMS applications, so crops may require additional N with SMS.


2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. CHINTU ◽  
P. L. MAFONGOYA ◽  
T. S. CHIRWA ◽  
E. KUNTASHULA ◽  
D. PHIRI ◽  
...  

Gliricidia sepium features prominently as a soil replenishment tree in planted coppicing fallows in eastern Zambia. Its usual method of propagation, through nurseryseedlings, is costly and may possibly hinder wider on-farm adoption. We compared fallows propagated by potted and bare root seedlings, direct seeding and stem cuttings, in terms of tree coppice biomass production, soil inorganic N availability and post-fallow maize yields under semi-arid conditions. We hypothesized that cutting fallows initially in May (off-season) would increase subsequent seasonal coppice biomass production as opposed to cutting them in November (at cropping). The tree survival and biomass order after two years was: potted = bare root > direct > cuttings. The post-fallow maize productivity sequence was: fertilized maize = potted = bare root > direct > cuttings = no-tree unfertilized controls, across seasons. However, farmers may prefer directly seeded fallows owing to their cost effectiveness. Soil inorganic N and maize yield were significantly higher in May-cut than in November-cut fallows. Preseason topsoil inorganic N and biomass N input correlated highly with maize yields. This implies that bothparameters may be used to predict post-fallow crop yields.


2011 ◽  
Vol 183-185 ◽  
pp. 1061-1065
Author(s):  
Cai Yan Lu ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Shao Jun Wang ◽  
Ming Fen Niu ◽  
Di Zhang

The amount of soil inorganic N declined significantly with increasing of sampling depth and sampling time (P < 0.001). Compared with CK, application of untreated pig manure and slurry increased significantly the amount of soil inorganic N by 76.0% and 156.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with CK, application of untreated pig manure increased significantly the amount of soil NH4+-N by 33.7%, however, application of untreated pig slurry decreased remarkably that of soil NH4+-N by 7.4% (P < 0.001). Application of untreated pig manure and pig slurry increased significantly the amount of soil NO3--N by 86.9% and 198.0%, respectively compared with CK, (P < 0.001). Soil NO3--N accounted for the majority of soil inorganic N irrespective of fertilization treatment or sampling time, its percent were 80.13%, 84.27% and 92.63% in the CK, pig manure and pig slurry treatments, respectively. This result indicated that application of untreated pig manure and slurry increased significantly the amount of soil inorganic N, especially soil NO3--N, which occurred the potential risk of nitrate pollution.


Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Maren Westermann ◽  
Richard Brackin ◽  
Nicole Robinson ◽  
Monica Salazar Cajas ◽  
Scott Buckley ◽  
...  

Nutrient-rich organic wastes and soil ameliorants can benefit crop performance and soil health but can also prevent crop nutrient sufficiency or increase greenhouse gas emissions. We hypothesised that nitrogen (N)-rich agricultural waste (poultry litter) amended with sorbents (bentonite clay or biochar) or compost (high C/N ratio) attenuates the concentration of inorganic nitrogen (N) in soil and reduces emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O). We tested this hypothesis with a field experiment conducted on a commercial sugarcane farm, using in vitro incubations. Treatments received 160 kg N ha−1, either from mineral fertiliser or poultry litter, with additional N (2–60 kg N ha−1) supplied by the sorbents and compost. Crop yield was similar in all N treatments, indicating N sufficiency, with the poultry litter + biochar treatment statistically matching the yield of the no-N control. Confirming our hypothesis, mineral N fertiliser resulted in the highest concentrations of soil inorganic N, followed by poultry litter and the amended poultry formulations. Reflecting the soil inorganic N concentrations, the average N2O emission factors ranked as per the following: mineral fertiliser 8.02% > poultry litter 6.77% > poultry litter + compost 6.75% > poultry litter + bentonite 5.5% > poultry litter + biochar 3.4%. All emission factors exceeded the IPCC Tier 1 default for managed soils (1%) and the Australian Government default for sugarcane soil (1.25%). Our findings reinforce concerns that current default emissions factors underestimate N2O emissions. The laboratory incubations broadly matched the field N2O emissions, indicating that in vitro testing is a cost-effective first step to guide the blending of organic wastes in a way that ensures N sufficiency for crops but minimises N losses. We conclude that suitable sorbent-waste formulations that attenuate N release will advance N efficiency and the circular nutrient economy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Alberto Dominguez-Eusebio ◽  
Oscar Luis Briones ◽  
Yareni Perroni

Abstract Understanding the matter and energy dynamics in environments with strong human influence is essential since it allows us to know relevant ecological drivers in urban green land areas. It has been hypothesized that biogeochemical cycles in urban forests are more open (susceptible to nutrients soil losses) with respect to rural forests near cities. However, it is not clear if this ecosystem function occurs in the same way in systems from different latitudes. Soil nutrient dynamics and microclimatic conditions of an urban and a nearby rural montane cloud forest were registered from January 2016 to July 2017. Our objective was to compare edaphic and micro-climatic factors that drive soil inorganic N dynamics in these forests. Climate was slightly cooler and drier, and soil C, N, P and organic matter were lower in the urban than the rural forest. Seasonal soil inorganic N forms were related to above ground conditions in the urban forest, but to the belowground conditions in the rural forest. Consistently low NH4:NO3 ratio indicated high susceptibility to N soil loss in the urban forest. Our results support the hypothesis that urban cloud forests are functioning as open ecosystems in contrast to the rural forests.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1258-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidat Yaffa ◽  
Bharat P. Singh ◽  
Upendra M. Sainju ◽  
K.C. Reddy

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.


HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1423-1433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle D. Treadwell ◽  
Nancy G. Creamer ◽  
Greg D. Hoyt ◽  
Jonathan R. Schultheis

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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