Denitrification estimates in monoculture and rotation corn as influenced by tillage and nitrogen fertilizer

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming X. Fan ◽  
Angus F. MacKenzie ◽  
Melissa Abbott ◽  
François Cadrin

Denitrification in agricultural soils results in loss of N for crop growth and production of N2O, a greenhouse gas. Agricultural management must be evaluated for denitrification losses in order to develop minimum N loss systems. Field estimation of denitrification losses is necessary to evaluate crop management effects. Two methods of field denitrification measurements, a soil core (SC) incubation and an in situ closed chamber (CC), were assessed in monoculture corn (Zea mays L.) and corn in rotation with soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Relative estimates of denitrification by the two methods depended on soil texture, with the CC method showing more treatment effects. Denitrification losses were higher with no-till than conventional tillage at one site, and were generally higher with corn than soybean. Nitrogen losses were linear with added N in monoculture corn plots, and ranged from 1.1 to 4.1% of added N. Losses were not related to added N in corn following alfalfa or soybean. Ratios of N2O/(N2O + N2) as measured with the SC method were lower at the Ste. Rosalie (1) site than at the Chicot site (0.95 to 2.84), but ratios of N2O/(N2O + N2) measured with the CC method were similar for the sites, from 0.46 to 1.20. Denitrification losses measured by either method were related to soil moisture and nitrate content in the soils. Corn production should be carried out with conventional tillage and minimum fertilizer N rates for minimum denitrification. Key words: Rotations, corn, soybean, denitrification, closed chamber, soil core

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
E G Gregorich ◽  
P. Rochette ◽  
P. St-Georges ◽  
U F McKim ◽  
C. Chan

The ways in which agricultural soils are managed influence the production and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O). A field study was undertaken in 2003, 2004, and 2005 to quantify and evaluate N2O emission from tilled and no-till soils under corn (Zea maysL.) and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr) in Ontario. Overall, N2O emission was lowest in 2003, the driest and coolest of the 3 yr. In 2004, the significantly larger annual N2O emission from no-till soils and soils under corn was attributed to an episode of very high N2O emission following the application of fertilizer during a period of wet weather. That the N loss by N2O emission occurred only in no-till soils and was large and long-lasting (~4 wk) confirms the strong effect that management has in reducing fertilizer N losses. In 2005, tilled soils had significantly larger N2O emission than no-till soils, most of which was emitted before the end of June. Because the tilled soils were better aerated , nitrification was likely the primary process contributing to the larger emission. Relatively low N2O emission from soybeans suggests biological N fixation does not appear to contribute substantially to the annual N2O emission. Further study of methods to reduce N2O emission in agricultural systems should focus on improving N use efficiency within a particular tillage system rather than looking to differences between tillage systems. Key words: Tillage, corn, soybeans, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, biogenic gas emission, nitrification, denitrification, fertilization


2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. C. Mendes ◽  
M. Hungria ◽  
M. A. T. Vargas

In Brazil, Bradyrhizobium inoculation has successfully replaced the use of N fertilizer on soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] crops. However, with the expansion of no-tillage cropping systems in the Cerrados region, the idea that it is necessary to use small N rates at the sowing to overcome problems related with N immobilization has become widespread, mainly when soybean is cultivated after a non-legume crop. In this study we examined soybean response to small rates of N fertilizer under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems. Four experiments (a completely randomized block with five replicates) were carried out in a red yellow oxisol, during the periods of 1998/1999 and 1999/ 2000, under NT and CT. The treatments consisted of four urea rates (0, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha-1 N). All treatments were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains SEMIA 5080 and SEMIA 5079, in the proportion 1 kg of peat inoculant (1,5 x 10(9) cells g-1) per 50 kg of seeds. In both experiments, soybean was cultivated after corn and the N fertilizer was band applied at sowing. In all experiments, N rates promoted reductions of up to 50 % in the nodule number at 15 days after the emergence. Regardless of the management system, these reductions disappeared at the flowering stage and there was no effect of N rates on either the number and dry weight of nodules or on soybean yields. Therefore, in the Brazilian Cerrados, when an efficient symbiosis is established, it is not necessary to apply starter N rates on soybean, even when cultivated under notillage systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
J. J. Frazão ◽  
A. R. Silva ◽  
F. H. M. Salgado ◽  
R. A. Flores ◽  
E. P. F. Brasil

The increase of the efficiency of the nitrogen fertilization promotes reduction of the applied dose and decreases the losses of nitrogen (N) to the environment. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield and the relative chlorophyll index (IRC) in cabbage crop under cover fertilization, using enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizers, compared to urea, in variable doses. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 3x4+1 factorial scheme (three sources, four rates and control), with four replications. The N sources used were: common urea (U), urea treated with urease inhibitor NBPT® (UN) and Kimcoat® polymer coated urea (UK). The N rates used were 0, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg ha-1, divided in two fertilizations at 20 and 40 days after transplantation. Up to 160 kg ha-1 of N, there was no difference between N sources and N rates for both yield and RCI. The enhanced-efficiency N sources (UN and UK) promoted higher averages compared to common urea, possibly due to the higher N losses from common urea. Thus, the use of urease inhibitors or polymers associated with urea is a promising strategy to improve cabbage yield, as well as reducing N losses to the environment.


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wu Ding ◽  
D. J. Hume ◽  
T. J. Vyn ◽  
E. G. Beauchamp

Field studies were conducted to determine the nitrogen (N) fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) when soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) preceded corn (Zea mays L.) in the rotation (S-C), compared to corn preceding corn (C-C). Large, replicated blocks of soybean and corn were established in 1993 and 1994 near Elora, Ontario. In the following year, each large block was subdivided into smaller plots. Fertilizer N was applied at six rates from 0 to 200 kg N ha−1 to the second-year corn crop. Corn grain yield responses to fertilizer N were fitted by quadratic regression. Maximum economic rate of N was calculated for each crop sequence and NFRV's were determined. Corn yields were consistently higher when grown after soybean (S-C) than after corn (C-C). Maximum corn yields were 10.4 and 12.3 Mg ha−1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. NFRVs for S-C, compared to C-C, were 41 and 59 kg N ha−1 in the two years. As a result of these studies and numerous other experiments, recommended fertilizer N rates have been changed to 30 kg N ha−1 less for S-C than for C-C in central Ontario. Key words: Nitrogen credit, corn, soybean, fertilizer N, replacement value, crop rotation


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-829
Author(s):  
CAMILA SENO NASCIMENTO ◽  
CAROLINA SENO NASCIMENTO ◽  
ARTHUR BERNARDES CECÍLIO FILHO

ABSTRACT Splitting nitrogen (N) fertilizer application can be an efficient nutrient management technique to improve productivity and plant quality, as well as to reduce the negative environmental impact caused by N losses. In this context, the present study investigated how the management of N affects the agronomic characteristics of field-grown arugula plants. Nine treatments were assessed in a randomized complete block design, in a 4 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme, with three replicates. The evaluated factors were doses of N (60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1), split N fertilizer applications at side-dress (two and three times) and an additional treatment without a N supply. Maximum height was obtained with the application of 198 kg N ha-1. Nitrate content, fresh mass and productivity increased with increasing N doses. There was no effect of split N fertilizer applications on the characteristics evaluated. Therefore, the supply of 240 kg N ha-1 divided into two portions was considered as the best management strategy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agata Novara ◽  
Valentina Catania ◽  
Marco Tolone ◽  
Luciano Gristina ◽  
Vito Armando Laudicina ◽  
...  

Cover crop (CC) management in vineyards increases sustainability by improving soil chemical and biological fertility, but knowledge on its effects in semiarid soils is lacking. This study evaluated the effect of leguminous CC management on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, soil nitrate content and microbial diversity in a semiarid vineyard, in comparison to conventional tillage (CT). SOC and nitrate were monitored during vine-growing season; soil respiration, determined by incubation experiments, microbial biomass and diversity was analyzed after CC burial. The microbial diversity was evaluated by bacterial and fungal automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and high-throughput sequencing of 16SrDNA. CC increased nitrate content and, although it had no relevant effect on SOC, almost doubled its active microbial component, which contributes to SOC stabilization. An unexpected stability of the microbial communities under different soil managements was assessed, fungal diversity being slightly enhanced under CT while bacterial diversity increased under CC. The complete nitrifying genus Nitrospira and plant growth-promoting genera were increased under CC, while desiccation-tolerant genera were abundant in CT. Findings showed that temporary CC applied in semiarid vineyards does not optimize the provided ecosystem services, hence a proper management protocol for dry environments should be set up.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-813
Author(s):  
Ioanna KAKABOUKI ◽  
Antigolena FOLINA ◽  
Charikleia ZISI ◽  
Stella KARYDOGIANNI

Soybean (Glycine max L.) constitutes a crop that is currently of interest both for its nutritional properties in humans and animals and for its contribution to soil nitrogen. It belongs to legumes, that means that it can take N2 and channel it to the soil, to be assimilable from plants. In addition, its high oil and protein content makes it important because of its nutritional properties. Moreover, soybean is a crop that has a major impact on nitrogen indicators. In this study, set up two same experiments in 2018-2019, in Western Greece. There were identified the effects of different fertilizer application (Control, N80, N100, N120), and different tillage (conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT)), on soil (organic matter, root density, no nodules/soil) and in agronomic (LAI, height, N% in upper parts, Yield, N% in seeds, N uptake in upper parts, N uptake in seed, N total uptake) characteristics. As well as in nitrogen indicators (nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen harvest index, nitrogen agronomic efficiency, effects of absorption, effects of uptake). Soil properties were affected mainly by the tillage. However agronomic characteristics presented more differences between the different fertilizer application and finally the indicators were affected on both the parameters.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Burgess ◽  
G. R. Mehuys ◽  
C. A. Madramootoo

A 3-yr field study in Quebec assessed effects of tillage (no-till, reduced, or conventional) × crop residues (removed or retained) on soil nitrate under corn production. Fall nitrate levels were greatest in plots without residues 1 yr after treatments began, but not thereafter. No-till and conventional tillage had similar values, but sometimes differed from reduced tillage. Key words: Nitrate, corn, no-till, reduced tillage, conventional tillage, crop residues


Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 845
Author(s):  
Lee J. Kearney ◽  
Emma Dutilloy ◽  
Terry J. Rose

Legumes including soybeans (Glycine max L.) can provide substantial nitrogen (N) inputs into cropping systems when grown as a part of a rotation. However, in the wet subtropics where land is fallowed for 4–6 months after soybean crops before planting of sugarcane (Saccharum L. spp. hybrids), climatic conditions over winter can be conducive to rapid mineralisation of N from residues with consequent N losses through nitrate leaching or denitrification processes. Using 15N natural abundance methodology, we estimated N2 fixation in 12 summer-grown soybean crops in the Australian wet subtropics, and tracked the fate of soybean residue-N from brown manure crops (residue from plants at late pod-filling left on the soil surface) using 15N-labelled residue in three of these fields over the winter fallow period. Disregarding two poor crops, N2 fixation ranged from 100–290 kg N ha–1 in shoots at mid pod-filling, equating to 170–468 kg N ha–1 including estimated root N contributions. Following the winter fallow, 61 and 68% of soybean residue-N was recovered in clay and peat soils respectively, to 0.9 m depth at one location (Coraki) but only 55% of residue-N could be accounted for to 0.9 m depth in a sandy soil at another location (Ballina). In addition, around 20% of the recovered 15N at this site was located at 0.3–0.6 m depth in the soil profile. Our results indicate that substantial loss of soybean residue-N can occur during winter fallows in the wet subtropics, suggesting that winter cover crops may be necessary to retain N in fields and minimise losses to the environment.


Soil Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1419 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Clough ◽  
R. R. Sherlock ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
R. J. Stevens ◽  
R. J. Laughlin ◽  
...  

The enigma of soil nitrogen balance sheets has been discussed for over 40 years. Many reasons have been considered for the incomplete recovery of 15N applied to soils, including sampling uncertainty, gaseous N losses from plants, and entrapment of soil gases. The entrapment of soil gases has been well documented for rice paddy and marshy soils but little or no work appears to have been done to determine entrapment in drained pasture soils. In this study 15N-labelled nitrate was applied to a soil core in a gas-tight glovebox. Water was applied, inducing drainage, which was immediately collected. Dinitrogen and N2O were determined in the flux through the soil surface, and in the gases released into the glovebox as a result of irrigation or physical destruction of the core. Other components of the N balance were also measured, including soil inorganic-N and organic-N. Quantitative recovery of the applied 15N was achieved when the experiment was terminated 484 h after the 15N-labelled material was applied. Nearly 23% of the 15N was recovered in the glovebox atmosphere as N2 and N2O due to diffusion from the base of the soil core, convective flow after irrigation, and destructive soil sampling. This 15N would normally be unaccounted for using the sampling methodology typically employed in 15N recovery experiments.


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