Nitrate leaching in the semiarid prairie : Effect of cropping frequency, crop type, and fertilizer after 37 years

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R P Zentner ◽  
R. De Jong ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Fallow Period ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
P Fertilizer

A high NO3 concentration in drinking water can be a health hazard. Further, leached N represents an economic loss to the producer. Although NO3 leaching to ground water would be minimal on the semiarid prairies, leaching can occur especially where frequent summer fallowing is practiced. We used a crop rotation study, initiated in 1967 on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem, at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine the influences of fallow frequency, crop types, and fertilizer on nitrate leaching after 37 yr. Nitrate distribution was measured to 4.5 m depth by 0.3-m increments, in 10 cropping systems in fall 2003. We deduced that some NO3 leached beyond the rooting depth (1.2 m) of spring wheat (Triticum aetivium L.), especially under a fallow-wheat rotation receiving N and P fertilizer. The amounts of NO3 leached tended to be greater and to be located deeper in the soil profile as fallow frequency increased (e.g., fallow-wheat > fallow-wheat-wheat > continuous wheat, all receiving N and P fertilizer based on soil test). However, in this semiarid environment, NO3 leaching was not great, being highest under fallow-wheat (N + P) (180 kg N ha-1 leached in 37 yr). In fallow-containing systems inadequate fertilizer N or P resulted in reduced crop growth and N uptake leading to a tendency for greater leaching of the NO3 (about 145 kg N ha-1 in 37 yr) mineralized during the fallow period than when such a system received N and P based on soil tests (about 66 kg N ha-1 leached in 37 yr). In continuously cropped treatments there was little evidence of leaching. Replacing wheat grown on fallow with the shallow-rooted flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in a fallowwheat-wheat (N + P) rotation resulted in greater NO3 leaching in the flax system (156 vs. 66 kg N ha-1 ) due to less N uptake by flax. In contrast, when the wheat grown on fallow was replaced with fall rye (Secale cereale L.) there was no leaching, perhaps because the fallow period was much shorter (12 mo compared with 20 mo for spring wheat) and also because the fall-seeded crop used soil NO3 in the fall and early spring reducing opportunities for leaching. Key words: Wheat, flax, fall rye, lentil, cropping frequency

Effects of the timing of ploughing-in temporary leguminous pastures and two winter cover crops on nitrogen mineralization, nitrate leaching and spring wheat growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Francis ◽  
R. J. Haynes ◽  
P. H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
First Year ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYTwo field experiments at Canterbury, New Zealand during 1991–93 investigated the effect of the timing of ploughing a 4-year-old ryegrass/white clover pasture and the effect of two winter cover crops on subsequent N mineralization, nitrate leaching and growth and N uptake of the following wheat crops.Net N mineralization of organic N (of plant and soil origin) increased with increased fallow period between ploughing and leaching. The total amount of N accumulated in the profile by the start of winter ranged from 107 to 131 and from 42 to 45 kg N/ha for fallow treatments started in March and May respectively. Winter wheat (planted in May) had no effect on mineral N contents by the start of winter, whereas greenfeed (GF) oats (planted in March) significantly reduced the mineral N content in one year.Cumulative leaching losses over the first winter after ploughing-in pasture varied markedly between years in relation to rainfall amount and distribution. Leaching losses were greater from the March fallow (72–106 kg N/ha) than the May fallow treatments (8–52 kg N/ha). Winter wheat did not reduce leaching losses in either year. GF oats did not reduce losses in 1991/92, but losses in 1992/93, when major drainage events occurred late in the winter, were only c. 40% of those under fallow.Incorporation of a large amount (> 7 t/ha dry matter) of pasture or GF oat residue in spring depressed yield and total N uptake of the following spring wheat, largely due to net N immobilization which could be overcome by the application of fertilizer N.First-year treatments had very little residual effect in the second year. Leaching losses over the second winter (mean 142 kg N/ha) were largely unaffected by the extent of first year leaching losses. Second year leaching losses were greater than first year losses, probably due to the greater amount of mineral N at depth in the soil before the start of the second winter.

scholarly journals Quantifying nitrogen losses in oil palm plantations: models and challenges

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lénaïc Pardon ◽  
Cécile Bessou ◽  
Nathalie Saint-Geours ◽  
Benoît Gabrielle ◽  
Ni’matul Khasanah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N

Abstract. Oil palm is the most rapidly expanding tropical perennial crop. Its cultivation raises environmental concerns, notably related to the use of nitrogen (N) fertilisers and associated pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While numerous and diverse models exist to estimate N losses from agriculture, very few are available for tropical perennial crops. Moreover, there has been no critical analysis of the performances of existing models in the specific context of tropical perennial cropping systems. We assessed the capacity of 11 models and 29 sub-models to estimate N losses in a typical oil palm plantation over a 25-year-growth cycle, through leaching and runoff, and emissions of NH3, N2, N2O, and NOx. Estimates of total N losses were very variable, ranging from 21 to 139 kg N ha−1 yr−1. On average, 31 % of the losses occurred during the first three years of the cycle. Leaching comprised about 80 % of the losses. Based on a comprehensive Morris sensitivity analysis, the most influential variables were soil clay content, rooting depth and oil palm N uptake. We also compared model estimates with published field measurements. Many challenges remain to model more accurately processes related to the peculiarities of perennial tropical crop systems such as oil palm.

Effect of crop rotations on NO3 leached over 17 years in a medium-textured Brown Chernozem

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. De Jong ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. Hamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Legume Green Manure

High NO3 concentration in drinking water can be a health hazard, but properly fertilized rotations containing cereals and pulses or perennial grasses reduce the risk of NO3 leaching. Over fertilization, and sometimes under fertilization, frequent summer fallowing, and use of legume green manure may increase the risk of NO3 leaching in subhumid areas. We used a crop rotation study, initiated in 1987 on a medium-textured Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine the influence of cropping frequency, legume green manure, wheat class and grass hay crop on NO3-N leached beyond the rooting depth of cereals (1.2 m) after 17 yr. Nitrate distribution in the soil to 2.4 m was measured in 1987 and again in 2003. All rotations received N and P fertilizer based on soil tests, and were generally managed using no-tillage. The period had 4% more precipitation than the long-term average (367 mm) with 5 yr exceeding the average by >13%. A comparison of NO3-N content below 1.2 m depth in 1987 and 2003 showed no significant (P < 0.05) leaching has occurred, although the legume (Lens culinaris L.) green manure-wheat-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system showed evidence it may eventually leach NO3. Contrary to expectations, continuous-wheat, because of higher N applied and possibly because net N mineralization is small under no-tillage, tended to leach more NO3 than fallow-containing rotations (P = 0.09). Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn) reduced NO3 content to 2.4 m because it is a perennial with deep and extensive roots. There was no effect of wheat class on the amount of NO3 leached. Key words: Cropping frequency, wheat class, lentil green manure, crested wheatgrass

scholarly journals Quantifying nitrogen losses in oil palm plantations: models and challenges

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 5433-5452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lénaïc Pardon ◽  
Cécile Bessou ◽  
Nathalie Saint-Geours ◽  
Benoît Gabrielle ◽  
Ni'matul Khasanah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Total N

Abstract. Oil palm is the most rapidly expanding tropical perennial crop. Its cultivation raises environmental concerns, notably related to the use of nitrogen (N) fertilisers and the associated pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While numerous and diverse models exist to estimate N losses from agriculture, very few are currently available for tropical perennial crops. Moreover, there is a lack of critical analysis of their performance in the specific context of tropical perennial cropping systems. We assessed the capacity of 11 models and 29 sub-models to estimate N losses in a typical oil palm plantation over a 25-year growth cycle, through leaching and runoff, and emissions of NH3, N2, N2O, and NOx. Estimates of total N losses were very variable, ranging from 21 to 139 kg N ha−1 yr−1. On average, 31 % of the losses occurred during the first 3 years of the cycle. Nitrate leaching accounted for about 80 % of the losses. A comprehensive Morris sensitivity analysis showed the most influential variables to be soil clay content, rooting depth, and oil palm N uptake. We also compared model estimates with published field measurements. Many challenges remain in modelling processes related to the peculiarities of perennial tropical crop systems such as oil palm more accurately.

Short Communication: Comparative soil water use by annual crops at a semiarid site in Montana

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Miller ◽  
J. A. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Annual Crops

Miller, P. R. and Holmes, J. A. 2012. Short Communication: Comparative soil water use by annual crops at a semiarid site in Montana. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 803–807. Results for soil water use in the semiarid northern Great Plains are presented in detailed tabular format for 15 crops in an ideal environment for comparative water use assessment. The effective rooting depth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varied relative to spring wheat; it was often similar and never less. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) averaged 43 mm greater soil water use below 0.9 m compared with spring wheat. Conversely, lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) averaged 27 mm and 48 mm less soil water than spring wheat to a 1.2-m soil depth, respectively. Observed differences in effective rooting depth for alternative crops carry important implications for wheat-based cropping systems.

Economics of spring wheat production systems using conventional tillage management in the Brown soil zone – Revisited

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Risk Averse ◽  
Brown Soil ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Growing Conditions

Producers in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian Prairies have historically used fallow (F)-based cropping systems with mechanical tillage methods to produce spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W). However, in the past two decades government policies and programs have changed, as have cropping practices, market opportunities, and weather patterns. This study re-examines the economic merits of these conventional cropping systems under today’s conditions in regard to the optimal cropping frequency, value of applying N and P fertilizer at soil test rates, and the possible advantage of replacing monoculture wheat with lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (Lent) or flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) (Flx) grown in mixed rotations. The analysis draws on data from a long-term crop rotation experiment that was established in 1967 on an Orthic Brown Chernozem at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. All cropping systems were managed using conventional tillage practices, which attempted to conserve as much surface crop residue as possible (i.e., stubble mulch tillage techniques were used). The findings for 1985–2002, a period characterized by above normal precipitation, were compared with those reported previously for the 1967–1984 period when growing conditions were less favorable but more typical for this area. Net returns during 1985–2002 were highest for W-Lent ($93 ha-1 yr-1) and lowest for F-Flx-W ($38 ha-1 yr-1). Net returns for well-fertilized F-W, F-W-W, F-W-W-W-W-W, and Cont W during this same period were similar, averaging about $52 ha-1 yr-1 or 44% less than for W-Lent. These results contrast with those reported for the previous 18-yr period when F-W and F- W-W generally produced higher net returns than Cont W. Within the F-W-W systems, the application of both N and P fertilizer increased the 18-yr (1985–2002) mean net returns by $18 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of N only, and by $32 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. For Cont W the application of N and P fertilizer increased the mean net returns by $71 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. These economic benefits from N and P fertilization were much higher than those reported in 1967–1984 due to the more humid growing conditions and the increased rate of N fertilizer prescribed by the soil testing lab since 1991. Further, our findings showed that only if producers were highly risk averse, do not subscribe to all-risk crop insurance , or if the price for wheat was high or price for lentil low, would the monoculture wheat systems be preferred to W-Lent. However, producers who are highly risk averse would still opt for the cropping systems that included some summerfallow. Our findings support the recent trends in land use practices by area producers towards more diversified and intensive cropping systems which are less reliant on frequent fallowing. Key words: Crop rotations, wheat, lentil, flax, summerfallow, production costs, net returns, income variability

scholarly journals Relative Efficacy of Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizers in Dryland Spring Wheat

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga S. Walsh ◽  
Robin J. Christiaens
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Nitrogen ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Relative Efficacy ◽  
Use Efficiency

The study was conducted in 2012 and 2013 at three locations in North Central and Western Montana (total of 6 site-years) to evaluate the relative efficacy of three liquid nitrogen (N) fertilizer sources, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN, 32-0-0), liquid urea (LU, 21-0-0), and High NRGN (HNRGN, 27-0-0-1S), in spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). In addition to at-seeding urea application at 90 kg N ha−1to all treatments (except for the unfertilized check plot), the liquid fertilizers were applied utilizing an all-terrain vehicle- (ATV-) mounted stream-bar equipped sprayer at a rate of 45 kg N ha−1at Feekes 5 growth stage (early tillering). Three dilution ratios of fertilizer to water were accessed: 100/0 (undiluted), 66/33, and 33/66. The effects of N source and the dilution ratio (fertilizer/water) on N uptake (NUp), N use efficiency (NUE), spring wheat grain yield (GY), grain protein (GP) content, and protein yield (PY) were assessed. The dilution ratios had no effect on GY, GP, PY, NUp, and NUE at any of the site-years in this study. Taking into account agronomic and economic factors, LU can be recommended as the most suitable liquid N fertilizer source for spring wheat cropping systems of the Northern Great Plains.

NLEAP Computer Model and Multiple Linear Regression Prediction of Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hudson Minshew ◽  
John Selker ◽  
Delbert Hemphill ◽  
Richard P. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Crop N Uptake ◽  
Mlr Model

Predicting leaching of residual soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) in wet climates is important for reducing risks of groundwater contamination and conserving soil N. The goal of this research was to determine the potential to use easily measurable or readily available soilclimatic-plant data that could be put into simple computer models and used to predict NO3 leaching under various management systems. Two computer programs were compared for their potential to predict monthly NO3-N leaching losses in western Oregon vegetable systems with or without cover crops. The models were a statistical multiple linear regression (MLR) model and the commercially available Nitrate Leaching and Economical Analysis Package model (NLEAP 1.13). The best MLR model found using stepwise regression to predict annual leachate NO3-N had four independent variables (log transformed fall soil NO3-N, leachate volume, summer crop N uptake, and N fertilizer rate) (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.57). Comparisons were made between NLEAP and field data for mass of NO3-N leached between the months of September and May from 1992 to 1997. Predictions with NLEAP showed greater correlation to observed data during high-rainfall years compared to dry or averagerainfall years. The model was found to be sensitive to yield estimates, but vegetation management choices were limiting for vegetable crops and for systems that included a cover crop.

Long-term effect of cropping system and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on production and nitrogen economy of grain crops in a Brown Chernozem

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Average Response ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
N Yield ◽  
P Fertilizer

Assessment of the long-term impact of fertilizers and other management factors on crop production and environmental sustainability of cropping systems in the semi-arid Canadian prairies is needed. This paper discusses the long-term influence of N and P fertilizers on crop production, N uptake and water use of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and the effect of the preceding crop type [flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and fall rye (Secale cereale L.)] on wheat grown on a medium-textured, Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. We analysed 36 yr of results (1967–2002) from eight crop rotation-fertility treatments: viz., fallow-wheat receiving N and P (F-W, N + P), three F-W-W treatments fertilized with (i) N + P, (ii) P only, and (iii) N only; two other 3-yr mixed rotations with N + P (i) F-flax-W (F-Flx-W) and (ii) F-fall rye-W (F-Rye-W); and two continuous wheat rotations (Cont W), one receiving N + P and the other only P. Growing season weather conditions during the 36-yr period were near the long-term mean, but the first 22 yr were generally drier than normal while the last 14 yr (1989–2002) had average to above-average growing conditions. This was partly responsible for grain and N yield being greater in the latter period than in the first 22 yr. The 36-yr average response of wheat grown on fallow to P fertilizer was 339 kg ha-1, while the response to N fertilizer over this period was only 123 kg ha-1. The 36-yr average response of wheat grown on stubble to N was 344 kg ha-1 for F-W-(W) and 393 kg ha-1 for Cont W. Neither flax nor fall rye influenced the yield response of the following wheat crops. Annualized grain production for F-W (N + P), F-W-W (+ N) and F-W-W (+ P) rotations were similar (1130 kg ha-1 yr-1); this was about 15% lower than for F-W-W (N + P), 40% lower than for Cont W (N + P), and 5% lower than for Cont W (+ P). Annualized aboveground N yield for Cont W (N + P) was 57% higher than for Cont W (+ P). Regressions were developed relating straw to grain yields for wheat, flax and fall rye. The amount of NO3-N left in the soil was directly related to amount of N applied and inversely to N removed in the crop. Thus, F-(W)-W (+ N) left about 28% more NO3-N in the rooting zone than F-(W)-W (N + P), while F-W-(W) (N + P) left 20% more than F-W-(W) (+ P), and Cont W (N + P) left 39% more than Cont W (+ P). F-Rye-W (N + P) left much less NO3-N in the soil than any other fallow-containing system and similar amounts to Cont W (N + P). Key words: Yields, grain protein, N and P fertilizer, straw/grain regressions, water use, soil nitrate

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