scholarly journals The Effects of Crops Together with Winter Cover Crops on the Content of Soil Water-Stable Aggregates in Organic Farming

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1035
Author(s):  
Mihkel Are ◽  
Tanel Kaart ◽  
Are Selge ◽  
Endla Reintam
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

The stability of the soil aggregates is an important soil quality indicator, as it affects the soil’s overall functionality. As the soil aggregates are highly affected by agricultural practices, it is essential to know how crops interact with the aggregation process. Therefore, for obtaining more knowledge, this research was conducted in Estonia in an organic crop rotation field experiment from 2012/2013 through 2015/2016 to study the effects of crops (potato → spring barley undersown with red clover → red clover → winter wheat → pea) under different treatments (TC—control; TW—winter cover crops; TW+M—TW with farmyard manure 40 Mg ha−1 per crop rotation). The results showed that in the topsoil (5–10 cm), the soil water-stable aggregate (WSA) content (determined by the wet sieving method) from highest to lowest was following: pea (61.7%), winter wheat (61.6%), spring barley (61.5%), red clover (59.3%), potato (57.1%); whereas in the subsoil (30–35 cm): potato (50.6%), pea (48.5%), red clover (47.9%), spring barley (47.7%), winter wheat (46.4%). Therefore, potato was a noticeable crop, as among the crops, it had the lowest WSA content in the topsoil, while highest in the subsoil. The results shown gave an assumption that the after-effects of some crops (foremost with pea) were noticeable in the soil properties during the following crop. In the topsoil, the differences between crops were significant among crops just for TW and TW+M treatments. In TW, potato was lower than spring barley and winter wheat, but not significantly lower than pea or red clover. In the subsoil, significant differences between crops were observed for TC and TW treatments: in TC, potato was just significantly greater than red clover (but similar to other crops), and in TW, significantly greater than winter wheat. Furthermore, in the topsoil the soil organic carbon (SOC) content was not significantly affected by crops, and the use of winter cover crops generally increased the SOC content while concurrently decreased the WSA content and the soil maximum water holding capacity. This was probably caused by the additional tillage operations which cancelled out the possible benefits for the soil aggregates. As a consequence of the constantly declining SOC content, caused by the weakened soil aggregates, the plant-available P and K contents, especially in the absence of manure applications, decreased as well, probably due to the combination of fixation and removal of plant biomass. Therefore, it is expected that by continuing this trend, the plant growing conditions decline, which in turn will have a negative effect for the aggregate formation and carbon sequestration, which are essential for plant growth.

Do green manures as winter cover crops impact the weediness and crop yield in an organic crop rotation?

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Madsen ◽  
Liina Talgre ◽  
Viacheslav Eremeev ◽  
Maarika Alaru ◽  
Karin Kauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Green Manures ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Residual Dry Matter, Weeds and Soil Aggregates after Winter Cover Crop

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Edleusa Pereira Seidel ◽  
João Henrique Silva Caetano ◽  
Arthur Schafer Karpinski ◽  
Willian Dos Reis
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Common Vetch ◽  
Winter Cover

Soil quality maintenance in a no-tillage system (NTS) depends on cover crops. They are essential for crop rotation, affect several soil attributes, and contribute to phytosanitary control. However, cover crop efficacy is influenced by their root function and the presence of plant straw on soil surfaces. The objective of this study was to compare various winter cover crops in terms of their effects on dry mass yield, straw persistence after 40 d, weed incidence, and soil aggregate stability. The soil tested was an Oxisol Ustox Hapludox in Western Paraná State, southern Brazil. A randomized block design was used with four replicates and six treatments (fallow, black oat, fodder turnip, field pea, common vetch, and fodder turnip + black oat). Cover crops were managed 88 d after sowing. Dry mass (DM) and residual dry mass (RDM) were measured at 20 d and 40 d after harvest. Aggregate stability and weed type and density were evaluated after 40 d of management (DAM). The results showed that black oat obtained the lowest decomposition; therefore, a potential species to be used in the system of crop rotation in the no-tillage. The consorted of fodder turnip and black oat provided relatively higher dry mass yields and improved soil aggregation. Cover crops reduced the incidence of weeds, being important for no-till sustainability.

scholarly journals Changes in the Soil Microbial Hydrolytic Activity and the Content of Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen by Growing Spring Barley Undersown with Red Clover in Different Farming Systems

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Jaan Kuht ◽  
Viacheslav Eremeev ◽  
Liina Talgre ◽  
Maarika Alaru ◽  
Evelin Loit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Organic Systems ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Conventional Systems

The experiments were carried out during 2012–2017. There were 5 crops in rotation: Red clover, winter wheat, pea, potato and barley undersown (us) with red clover. There were 5 cropping systems in the experimental setup: 2 conventional systems with chemical plant protection and mineral fertilizers; 3 organic systems which included winter cover crops and farm manure. The aim of the present research was to study the effect of cultivating barley undersown with red clover and the preceding winter cover crop on the soil microbial hydrolytic activity, the change in the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (Ntot) compared to the same parameters from the field that was previously under potato cultivation (forecrop of barley in the rotation). The cultivation of barley with red clover (barley (us)) had a positive impact on the soil micro-organisms activity. In organic systems the soil microbial hydrolytic activity increased on average by 19.0%, compared to the conventional systems. By cultivating barley (us) the soil microbial hydrolytic activity had a significant effect on the SOC content only in organic systems where winter cover crops were used. Organic cultivation systems had positive impact on the soil nitrogen content; Ntot in samples taken before sowing the barley (us) was higher by 17.4% and after the cultivation of barley (us) by 14.4% compared to conventional systems, as an average of experimental years. After cultivation of barley (us) with red clover the soil microbial hydrolytic activity had no effect on the soil Ntot content in either cultivation systems.

scholarly journals Effect of Fertilizers on the Yield of Alternative Small Grains

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Željko Dolijanović ◽  
Dušan Kovačević ◽  
Snežana Oljača ◽  
Svetlana Roljević Nikolić ◽  
Srđan Šeremešić
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Wheat Variety ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Control Treatment

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of organic farming technologies on the yield of alternative types of wheat: hard wheat (Triticum durum), spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) and a common variety of (soft) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare). The experiment was carried out during 2010-11 and 2011-12, at the Radmilovac experimental field of the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade, according to the randomized block design in four replications. In addition to the control treatment (without fertilizers), microbiological fertilizers were applied in topdressing (alone) and in combination with organic fertilizer before sowing. Crops were grown under a four-crop rotation on leached chernozem in the rainfed water regime. The average yields of the varieties examined were not significantly different depending on the growing year, whereas fertilization showed a highly significant effect on the grain yield. The combined application of microbiological and organic fertilizers resulted in the highest yields in both years (5,209 and 4,992 kg ha-1, respectively). The selected wheat varieties exhibited different responses to the treatments applied. The highest yield was observed in the common soft wheat variety examined (5,170 and 5,611 kg ha-1), whereas the lowest in durum wheat (3,138 and 2,429 kg ha-1). The analysis of experimental factor interactions showed that statistically significant effects on the yield could be attributed to the year-fertilization interaction. The wheat yields obtained are similar to those observed in the conventional production system due to favorable weather conditions and a proper selection of the type and sequence of crops that are part of the four-crop rotation (winter wheat, maize, spring barley + red clover, and red clover).

scholarly journals Long-term effect of farming systems on the yield of crop rotation and soil nutrient content

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
INDREK KERES ◽  
Maarika Alaru ◽  
Viacheslav Eremeev ◽  
Liina Talgre ◽  
Anne Luik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Organic System ◽  
Wheat Field

The effects of organic (manure, cover crop) and mineral fertilisers on total yield, soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) dynamics and soil pH changes were studied over 10 years. Five field crops (spring barley, red clover, winter wheat, field pea, potato) were grown organically and conventionally in rotation. The total yield of the five crops fertilized similarly was 24–25% higher in conventionally fertilised treatments than in organic treatments. The higher yielding conventionally fertilised treatments (annual total yield 29.0–29.8 t ha–1) removed 12–18 kg ha–1 P and 45–73 kg ha–1 K per year, which was respectively 28–35% and 28–40% higher than organic treatments. The soil became more acidic in the conventional system (pH 5.4–5.9 versus 5.9–6.3). The highest annual P and K uptake was by potato, followed by winter wheat. Use of winter cover crops and composted cattle manure in the organic system did not maintain the levels of P and K in the soil at baseline.

scholarly journals Winter Cover Crops and Nitrogen Management in Sweet Corn and Broccoli Rotations

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 664-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Z. Burket ◽  
Delbert D. Hemphill ◽  
Richard P. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Residual Fertilizer N ◽  
Winter Fallow

Cover crops hold potential to improve soil quality, to recover residual fertilizer N in the soil after a summer crop that otherwise might leach to the groundwater, and to be a source of N for subsequently planted vegetable crops. The objective of this 5-year study was to determine the N uptake by winter cover crops and its effect on summer vegetable productivity. Winter cover crops [red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale L. var. Wheeler), a cereal rye/Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) mix, or a winter fallow control] were in a rotation with alternate years of sweet corn (Zea mays L. cv. Jubilee) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Botrytis Group cv. Gem). The subplots were N rate (zero, intermediate, and as recommended for vegetable crop). Summer relay plantings of red clover or cereal rye were also used to gain early establishment of the cover crop. Cereal rye cover crops recovered residual fertilizer N at an average of 40 kg·ha-1 following the recommended N rates, but after 5 years of cropping, there was no evidence that the N conserved by the cereal rye cover crop would permit a reduction in inorganic N inputs to maintain yields. Intermediate rates of N applied to summer crops in combination with winter cover crops containing legumes produced vegetable yields similar to those with recommended rates of N in combination with winter fallow or cereal rye cover crops. There was a consistent trend (P < 0.12) for cereal rye cover crops to cause a small decrease in broccoli yields as compared to winter fallow.

Over winter cover crops provide yield benefits for spring barley and maintain soil health in northern Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 126363
Author(s):  
Jonathan Holland ◽  
Jennifer L. Brown ◽  
Katrin MacKenzie ◽  
Roy Neilson ◽  
Simone Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

scholarly journals Soil carbon sequestration and stocks: short-term impact of maize succession to cover crops in Southern Brazil Inceptisol

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. e0304
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Locatelli ◽  
Felipe Bratti ◽  
Ricardo H. Ribeiro ◽  
Marcos R. Besen ◽  
Eduardo Brancaleoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Short Term ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Soc Stocks

Aim of study: To evaluate soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and stock over the succession of maize to winter cover crops under a short-term no-tillage system.Area of study: A subtropical area in Southern Brazil.Material and methods: The experiment was implemented in 2013. The treatments were: seven winter cover crops single cultivated (white-oats, black-oats, annual-ryegrass, canola, vetch, fodder-radish and red-clover); an intercropping (black-oats + vetch); and a fallow, with maize in succession. Soil samples were collected after four years of experimentation, up to 0.60 m depth, for SOC determination.Main results: SOC stocks at 0-0.6 m depth ranged from 96.2 to 107.8 t/ha. The SOC stocks (0-0.60 m depth) were higher under vetch and black-oats, with an expressive increase of 23 and 20% for C stocks in the 0.45-0.60 m layer, compared to fallow. Thus, SOC sequestration rates (0-0.60 m depth), with vetch and black oats, were 1.68 and 0.93 t/ha·yr, respectively.Research highlights: The establishment of a high-quality and high C input cover crops in the winter, as vetch or black-oats in succession to maize, are able to increase SOC stocks, even in the short term. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document