Spatial Variability of Yield and Nitrogen Indicators—A Crop Rotation Approach

The division of an arable field into zones of different productivity requires a reliable, discriminatory tool. This hypothesis was validated by analyzing the spatial variability of yield and N indicators in the crop rotation of winter oilseed rape (WOSR)/winter triticale (WTR) during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 in a field of 30 ha (Przebędowo, Poland). The direct, measurable variables were: yield, N accumulated in—seeds/grain and crop residues, mineral N in spring, and harvest. The basic N indicators were total N uptake (TN), N-partial factor productivity, and N balance (Nb). The attainable yields of WOSR and WTR were 4.93 and 6.51 t ha−1, and a yield gap of −2.04 and −2.10 t ha−1. The management of 50 kg of the non-used N by crops, i.e. nitrogen gap (NG) could cover 36% and 65% of the yield gap (YG), respectively. The Nb, based on N input (Nin = Nmin + Nf) and TN, was the key field indicator, defining both yield and NG. Geostatic parameters, i.e., the nugget to sill ratio, spatial dependence range, and mean correlation distance, were very stable (≤0.2–0.17; 94–100 m; 28 m for WOSR and WTR). The spatial stability of Nb, irrespective of the crop and growing conditions, corroborates its suitability for discriminating high and low-productivity field zones.

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Residual effect of clover-rich leys on soil nitrogen and successive grain crops

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.2137/145960608784182308 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 73 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. NYKÄNEN ◽

A. GRANSTEDT ◽

L. JAUHIAINEN

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Clayey Soil ◽

N Uptake ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Red Clover ◽

N Leaching ◽

N Fixation ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Biological N Fixation

Legume-based leys form the basis for crop rotations in organic farming as they fix nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere for the succeeding crops. The age, yield, C:N, biological N fixation (BNF) and total N of red clover-grass leys were studied for their influence on yields, N uptake and N use efficiency (NUE) of the two sequential cereal crops planted after the leys. Mineral N in deeper soil (30-90 cm) was measured to determine N leaching risk. Altogether, four field experiments were carried out in 1994-1998 at two sites. The age of the ley had no significant effect on the yields and N uptake of the two subsequent cereals. Surprisingly, the residual effect of the leys was negligible, at 020 kg N ha-1yr-1. On the other hand, the yield and C:N of previous red clover-grass leys, as well as BNF-N and total-N incorporated into the soil influenced subsequent cereals. NUEs of cereals after ley incorporation were rather high, varying from 30% to 80%. This might indicate that other factors, such as competition from weeds, prevented maximal growth of cereals. The mineral N content deeper in the soil was mostly below 10 kg ha-1 in the sandy soil of Juva, but was 5-25 kg ha-1 in clayey soil of Mietoinen.;

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The The response of soil physicochemical properties to tillage and soil fertility resources in Central Highlands of Kenya

Italian Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.4081/ija.2020.1381 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Milka N. Kiboi ◽

Felix K. Ngetich ◽

Anne Muriuki ◽

Noah Adamtey ◽

Daniel Mugendi

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Aggregate Stability ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Tithonia Diversifolia ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Central Highlands

To attain agricultural sustainability, use of soil resources and tillage requires equal consideration for chemical and physical components of soil fertility. We assessed responses of selected soil physical and chemical properties to tillage and soil fertility amending resources. The study was carried out in Meru South and Kandara sub-counties located in the Central Highlands of Kenya for four cropping seasons. The experimental design was split-plot with tillage as the main factor - conventional (D15) - and minimum (D0) tillage and soil fertility resources (SFR) as sub-factors - mineral fertilizer (F), crop residues + fertilizer (RF), residues + fertilizer + animal manure (RFM), residues + Tithonia diversifolia + manure (RTiM), residues + Tithonia diversifolia + phosphate rock (Minjingu) (RTiP), residues + manure + legume intercrop (RML) and control (no input). Compared with control, aggregate stability was significantly higher on average under SFRs with sole organics by 19% in Meru South. Total N and available P were higher under integration of fertilizer and organics in both sites. Calcium increased under sole organic or integration with fertilizer in Meru South and under sole organics in Kandara. Magnesium significantly increased under all SFRs compared with control in Kandara. Soil organic carbon significantly (P=0.02) increased under D0 by 6% compared to D15 in 0-5 cm depth in Kandara. Application of RTiM had the highest SOC in all depths’ at Meru South. SOC significantly increased under RTiP and RML by 11% in 0-5 cm depth and under RML by 13% in 5-10 cm depth at Kandara. Mineral-N (NO3–-N and NH4+-N) was higher under D0 at planting compared with D15 in Meru South. In Kandara, NO3–-N and NH4+-N were significantly higher by 17% and 30%, respectively under D0 compared with D15 at planting during SR16 season. Higher mineral N was recorded under F application on the 30th and 45th days in both sites. The highest mineral-N content was on the 45th day after planting during SR16 season and on the 30th day during LR17 season at Meru South. In Kandara, NO3–-N and NH4+-N were highest on the 45th day and 30th day, respectively, during SR16 season. During LR17 season, mineral-N was highest on the 30th day in Kandara. The study highlights that minimal soil disturbance and organic inputs use or integration with fertilizers are feasible alternatives for improving soil fertility in the Nitisols of Central Highlands of Kenya.

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Organic amendment effects on tuber yield, plant N uptake and soil mineral N under organic potato production

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170508002330 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (03) ◽

pp. 250-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Derek H. Lynch ◽

Zhiming Zheng ◽

Bernie J. Zebarth ◽

Ralph C. Martin

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

N Availability ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Soil Mineral ◽

Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

Available N ◽

Organic Potato ◽

Certified Organic

AbstractThe market for certified organic potatoes in Canada is growing rapidly, but the productivity and dynamics of soil N under commercial organic potato systems remain largely unknown. This study examined, at two sites in Atlantic Canada (Winslow, PEI, and Brookside, NS), the impacts of organic amendments on Shepody potato yield, quality and soil mineral nitrogen dynamics under organic management. Treatments included a commercial hog manure–sawdust compost (CP) and pelletized poultry manure (NW) applied at 300 and 600 kg total N ha−1, plus an un-amended control (CT). Wireworm damage reduced plant stands at Brookside in 2003 and those results are not presented. Relatively high tuber yields (~30 Mg ha−1) and crop N uptake (112 kg N ha−1) were achieved for un-amended soil in those site-years (Winslow 2003 and 2004) when soil moisture was non-limiting. Compost resulted in higher total yields than CT in one of three site-years. Apparent recovery of N from CP was negligible; therefore CP yield benefits were attributed to factors other than N availability. At Winslow, NW300, but not NW600, significantly increased total and marketable yields by an average of 5.8 and 7.0 Mg ha−1. Plant available N averaged 39 and 33% for NW300 and NW600, respectively. Soil (0–30 cm) NO3−-N at harvest was low (<25 kg N ha−1) for CT and CP, but increased substantially both in season and at harvest (61–141 kg N ha−1) when NW was applied. Most leaching losses of NO3−-N occur between seasons and excessive levels of residual soil NO3-N at harvest, as obtained for NW600, must be avoided. Given current premiums for certified organic potatoes, improving yields through application of amendments supplying moderate rates of N or organic matter appears warranted.

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Remedial Application of Urea Eliminates Yield Losses in Wheat Waterlogged during Stem Elongation

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture10010023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 23

Author(s):

Jinfeng Ding ◽

Peng Liang ◽

Desheng Guo ◽

Dejun Liu ◽

Mingxiao Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Stem Elongation ◽

N Uptake ◽

Urea Solution ◽

Yield Losses ◽

Factor Productivity ◽

Kernel Number ◽

Total N ◽

Partial Factor Productivity ◽

Partial Factor

Waterlogging remains a critical constraint to wheat production in areas with high rainfall. Exogenous application of nitrogen (N) can effectively diminish the adverse effects of waterlogging, but varies with specific events. To provide highly efficient remedial strategies, this pot study investigated the effects of urea application following 10 days of waterlogging initialing at the stem elongation stage (Zadoks growth stage, GS33). The remedial measures included foliar spray of urea solution at a single dose (0.108 g urea per pot) at the 0th day after finishing waterlogging (FU1) and twice at the 0th and 7th day (FU2), and soil surface spray of urea solution at single and double doses when soil water content was approximately 80% of field capacity (SU1 and SU2, respectively). Waterlogging significantly reduced grain yield, total N uptake, and N partial factor productivity (by 11%, 18%, and 11%, respectively), but subsequent remedial measures improved these to variable degrees. Reduction in grain yield owing to waterlogging could be effectively alleviated and even eliminated using these remediations. Grain yield and N partial factor productivity were higher under FU2 and SU2 than FU1 and SU1. Among all treatments, plants under SU2 exhibited the highest total N uptake and top-dressing N recovery. Diminished yield losses were attributed to (1) increased kernel number per spike resulting from increased spikelet fertility and kernel number per spikelet and (2) increased photosynthetic production by delaying senescence (improved chlorophyll content and maintained green leaf area) of the top leaves. This study suggests that urea application for a brief period of time following waterlogging during the stem elongation stage has remarkable remedial effects.

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A comparison of chickpeas and pasture legumes for sustaining yields and nitrogen status of subsequent wheat

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/a96072 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 305 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

I. C. R. Holford ◽

G. J. Crocker

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Crop Residues ◽

N Uptake ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Wheat Crop ◽

N Fixation ◽

Soil N ◽

Red Clay ◽

Mineral N ◽

Positive Effects

Six treatments were compared for their effects on wheat yields, nitrogen (N) uptake, protein content, and fertiliser N requirements in a long-term rotation study on a black earth and a red clay in northern New South Wales. Three of the treatments were lucerne, subterranean clover, and snail medic, all grown simultaneously from 1988 to 1990 and all followed by 3 years of wheat. The other 3 treatments were biennial rotations of chickpea–wheat and long-fallow–wheat as well as a continuous wheat monoculture, all lasting 6 years. With the exception of the first wheat crop, which experienced very low growing-season rainfall, lucerne was more beneficial than other legumes to following wheat crops in terms of yield, protein content, and fertiliser N requirement. Clover closely followed lucerne in the magnitude of its positive effects, whereas medic and chickpea produced much smaller effects. Because of the amount of N removed in the chickpea grain, it appeared that the small positive effects of chickpea were due to soil N sparing or rapid mineralisation from crop residues rather than any net contribution of N fixation to soil N accretion. Average yields of the 3 wheat crops following lucerne and clover were much higher than average yields 20 years previously following lucerne, even though average yields of continuously grown wheat have declined over the past 20 years. However, lucerne eliminated the need for N fertiliser for no more than 2 following wheat crops, and clover for only the first wheat crop. It appears that the longer duration of lucerne benefits reported in earlier studies was due to the higher background soil N levels as well as the lower yield potential in the earlier years. Nevertheless, lucerne lowered the fertiliser requirement of the third wheat crop by more than 50%. In contrast to lucerne, annual legumes are probably most beneficial if grown in alternate years with wheat. The large benefits of long fallowing particularly on the black earth were apparently caused by its enhancement of soil moisture and mineral N accumulation. However, these N effects were surprisingly large considering the degree of depletion of organic matter in long-fallowed soils.

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NO3- uptake and C exudation – do plant roots stimulate or inhibit denitrification?

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19445 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pauline Sophie Rummel ◽

Reinhard Well ◽

Birgit Pfeiffer ◽

Klaus Dittert ◽

Sebastian Floßmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

N Uptake ◽

Root Exudation ◽

Soil Surface ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Plant N Uptake ◽

Mineral N ◽

Double Labeling ◽

Total N ◽

Organic C

Growing plants affect soil moisture, mineral N and organic C (Corg) availability in soil and may thus play an important role in regulating denitrification. The availability of the main substrates for denitrification (Corg and NO3-) is controlled by root activity and higher denitrification activity in rhizosphere soils has been reported. We hypothesized that (I) plant N uptake governs NO3- availability for denitrification leading to increased N2O and N2 emissions, when plant N uptake is low due to smaller root system or root senescence. (II) Denitrification is stimulated by higher Corg availability from root exudation or decaying roots increasing total gaseous N emissions while decreasing their N2O/(N2O+N2) ratios.We tested these assumptions in a double labeling pot experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) grown under three N fertilization levels S / M / L (no / moderate / high N fertilization) and with cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L., moderate N fertilization). After 6 weeks, all plants were labeled with 0.1 g N kg-1 (Ca(15NO3)2, 60 at%), and the 15N tracer method was applied to estimate plant N uptake, N2O and N2 emissions. To link denitrification with available C in the rhizosphere, 13CO2 pulse labeling (5 g Na213CO3, 99 at%) was used to trace C translocation from shoots to roots and its release by roots into the soil. CO2 evolving from soil was trapped in NaOH for &#948;13C analyses, and gas samples were taken for analysis of N2O and N2 from the headspace above the soil surface every 12 h.Although pots were irrigated, changing soil moisture through differences in plant water uptake was the main factor controlling daily N2O+N2 fluxes, cumulative N emissions, and N2O production pathways. In addition, total N2O+N2 emissions were negatively correlated with plant N uptake and positively with soil N concentrations. Recently assimilated C released by roots (13C) was positively correlated with root dry matter, but we could not detect any relationship with cumulative N emissions. We anticipate that higher Corg availability in pots with large root systems did not lead to higher denitrification rates as NO3- was limited due to plant uptake. In conclusion, plant growth controlled water and NO3- uptake and, subsequently, formation of anaerobic hotspots for denitrification.

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Nitrogen Management in a Maize-Groundnut Crop Rotation of Humid Tropics: Effect on N2O Emission

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.453 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 320-327

Author(s):

M.I. Khalil ◽

A.B. Rosenani ◽

O. Van Cleemput ◽

C.I. Fauziah ◽

J. Shamshuddin

Keyword(s):

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Pore Space ◽

Residual Effect ◽

N2o Emission ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Transformations ◽

N Sources

Development of appropriate land management techniques to attain sustainability and increase the N use efficiency of crops in the tropics has been gaining momentum. The nitrous oxides (N2Os) affect global climate change and its contribution from N and C management systems is of great significance. Thus, N transformations and N2O emission during maize-groundnut crop rotation managed with various N sources were studied. Accumulation of nitrate (NO3 –) and its disappearance happened immediately after addition of various N sources, showing liming effect. The mineral N retained for 2–4 weeks depending on the type and amount of N application. The chicken manure showed rapid nitrification in the first week after application during the fallow period, leading to a maximum N2O flux of 9889 μg N2O-N m–2 day– 1. The same plots showed a residual effect by emitting the highest N2O (4053 μg N2O-N m–2 day– 1) during maize cultivation supplied with a halfrate of N fertilizer. Application of N fertilizer only or in combination with crop residues exhibited either lowered fluxes or caused a sink during the groundnut and fallow periods due to small availability of substrates and/or low water-filled pore space (<40%). The annual N2O emission ranged from 1.41 to 3.94 kg N2O-N ha–1; the highest was estimated from the chicken manure plus crop residues and half-rate of inorganic N-amended plots. Results indicates a greater influence of chicken manure on the N transformations and thereby N2O emission.

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Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) Green Manures as a Potential Source of N for Maize Production in the Tropics

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2001.300 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 90-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Abdul R. Bah ◽

Zaharah A. Rahman

Keyword(s):

Alley Cropping ◽

N Uptake ◽

Tropical Soils ◽

Gliricidia Sepium ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Green Manures ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Accumulation ◽

Maize Production ◽

Total N

Use of cheap, N-rich, and environmentally benign legume green manures to correct N deficiency in infertile soils is a very attractive option in the humid tropics. Understanding the influence of management and climate on their effectiveness, and quantifying their contribution to crop productivity, is therefore crucial for technology adoption and adaptation. Mineral N buildup and the contribution to N uptake in maize were studied in an Ultisol amended with fresh Gliricidia leaves. Net mineral N accumulation was compared in mulched and incorporated treatments in a field incubation study. The 15N isotope dilution technique was used to quantify N supplied to maize by Gliricidia leaves in an alley cropping. Mineral N accumulation was slow, but was much greater after incorporation than after mulching. Also, N buildup was always higher in the topsoil (0 to 10 cm) than in the subsoil (10 to 20 cm). More NO3-N was leached than NH4-N, and the effect was greater in the incorporated treatment. Surface-applied Gliricidia leaves significantly increased N uptake by maize, and supplied >30% of the total N in the stover and >20% of that in the corn grain, even in the presence of hedgerows. Thus Gliricidia leaf mulch has immense potential to improve productivity in tropical soils.

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Soil tests for predicting nitrogen supply for grassland under controlled environmental conditions

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859614000264 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 152 (S1) ◽

pp. 82-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

N. T. MCDONALD ◽

C. J. WATSON ◽

R. J. LAUGHLIN ◽

S. T. J. LALOR ◽

J. GRANT ◽

...

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Soil Types ◽

Soil N ◽

Soil Tests ◽

Mineral N ◽

N Supply ◽

Supply Potential ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

N Management ◽

Over Time

SUMMARYMineralized soil nitrogen (N) is an important source of N for grassland production. Some soils can supply large quantities of plant-available N through mineralization of soil organic matter. Grass grown on such soils require less fertilizer N applications per unit yield. A reliable, accurate and user-friendly method to account for soil N supply potential across a large diversity of soils and growing conditions is needed to improve N management and N recommendations over time. In the current study, the effectiveness of chemical N tests and soil properties to predict soil N supply for grass uptake across 30 Irish soil types varying in N supply potential was investigated under controlled environmental conditions. The Illinois soil N test (ISNT) combined with soil C : N ratio provided a good estimate of soil N supply in soils with low residual mineral N. Total oxidized N (TON) had the largest impact on grass dry matter (DM) yield and N uptake across the 30 soil types, declining in its influence in later growth periods. This reflected the high initial mineral N levels in these soils, which declined over time. In the current study, a model with ISNT-N, C : N and TON (log TON) best explained variability in grass DM yield and N uptake. All three rapid chemical soil tests could be performed routinely on field samples to provide an estimate of soil N supply prior to making N fertilizer application decisions. It can be concluded that these soil tests, through their assessment of soil N supply potential, can be effective tools for N management on grassland; however, field studies are needed to evaluate this under more diverse growing conditions.

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Influence of paper mill sludges on corn yields and N recovery

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/s02-077 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (5) ◽

pp. 497-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. N’Dayegamiye ◽

S. Huard ◽

Y. Thibault

Keyword(s):

N Uptake ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Paper Mill ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

N Recovery ◽

Mineral N ◽

Total N ◽

N Nutrition ◽

N Efficiency

Mixed paper mill sludges are an important source of N for crop production. An estimate of direct and residual N recovery is necessary for their efficient management. A 3-yr field study (1997-1999) was conducted in central Quebec, Canada, to evaluate mixed paper mill sludges (PMS) effects on corn (Zea mays L.) yields and N nutrition, N recovery and N efficiency. The effects of PMS on soil NO3-N and total N levels were also determined. The study was situated on a silt loam Baudette soil (Humic Gleysol). The treatments included 3 PMS rates (30, 60 and 90 t ha-1 on wet basis) applied alone or in combination with N fertilizer (90 and 135 kg N ha-1, respectively, for 60 and 30 t ha-1). Treatments also included a control without PMS or N fertilizer, and a complete mineral N fertilizer (180 kg N ha-1) as recommended for corn. The previous plots were split beginning with the second year of the experiment, for annual and biennal PMS applications. Similar treatments as above were made on an adjacent site to evaluate N recovery under climatic conditions in 1999. In all years, PMS applied alone significantly increased corn yields by 1.5–5 t ha-1, compared to the unfertilized control. However, corn yields and N uptake were highest from the application of PMS in combination with N fertilizer. Biennial PMS applications at 60 to 90 ha-1 significantly increased corn yields and N uptake, which suggest high PMS residual effect; however, these increases were lower than those obtained with annual PMS applications. The N efficiency varied in 1997 from 13.0 to 15.4 kg grain kg N-1 for mineral N fertilizer and ranged from 3 to 13.7 kg grain kg N-1 for PMS, decreasing proportionally to increasing PMS rates. Apparent N recovery ranged from 1 3 to 19% in 1997 and from 10 to 14% in the residual year (1998), compared to 30 and 49%, respectively, for mineral N fertilizer. Depending on the PMS rate, N recovery varied from 13 to 21% in 1999. The results indicate high N supplying capacity and high r esidual N effects of PMS, which probably influenced corn yields and N nutrition. Annual PMS applications alone or combined with mineral N fertilizer had no significant effect on soil NO3-N and total N levels. This study demonstrates that application of low PMS rate (30 t ha-1) combined with mineral N fertilizer could achieve high agronomic, economic and environmental benefits on farms. Key words: Mixed paper mill sludges, corn yields, N uptake, N efficiency, residual effects, soil N

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