scholarly journals Evaluation of selected legume cover crops for biomass production, dry season survival and soil fertility improvement in a moist savanna location in Nigeria

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. Abayomi ◽  
O. Fadayomi ◽  
J. O. Babatola ◽  
G. Tian
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Moist Savanna ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement

scholarly journals Biomass Production and Potential Fixed Nitrogen Inputs from Leguminous Cover Crops in Subtropical Avocado Plantations

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Terry J. Rose ◽  
Lee J. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
N Losses ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Tree Crop ◽  
Nitrogen Inputs ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

Nitrogen (N) fertiliser is applied to perennial horticultural crops to increase yields, but subsequent N losses in subtropical plantations may be high due to intense rainfall and warmer temperatures. While legume cover crops could potentially contribute N to the tree crops and reduce fertiliser-N requirements, few studies have quantified potential fixed-N inputs from cover crops legumes in tropical or subtropical tree crop systems. To address this, we investigated growth and N fixation of summer-growing Pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W. C. Greg cv. Amarillo) and winter/spring dominant white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Haifa) grown as a mixed species cover crop in two commercial subtropical avocado (Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass) plantations. Legume biomass was assessed prior to mowing of the inter-row (fortnightly in summer and every 6–8 weeks over winter) and N fixation was estimated using the 15N natural abundance technique. Biomass production was 7377 kg ha−1 (930 kg ha−1 for white clover and 6447 kg ha−1 for Pinto peanut) at the first site over the 14-month period from December 2014 to January 2016, and 4467 kg ha−1 (1114 kg ha−1 for white clover and 3353 kg ha−1 for Pinto peanut) at the second site over the same period. Estimation of N fixation was not possible at the first site, due to a lack of difference in isotopic discrimination between the legume shoots and the reference plant (kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Chiov.)) material. While legume shoots accumulated 157 kg N ha−1 (38 kg ha−1 for white clover and 119 kg ha−1 for Pinto peanut) across the season at site 1, the % N derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) in legumes was relatively low (50–60% in Pinto peanut during the warmer months and around 30% in autumn and early spring, and from 13 % in April to 69% in September for white clover). The low %Ndfa in the legumes may have been due to low rainfall or molybdenum (Mo) deficiency. Ultimately the legume cover crops contributed an estimated 50 kg fixed N ha−1, which could partially offset fertiliser N requirements of the tree crop. Our results demonstrate the need to quantify N fixation in legume cover crops to assess potential N benefits as opposed to relying on typical measurements of legume biomass and N accumulation.

scholarly journals Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harun Cicek ◽  
Martin H. Entz ◽  
Joanne R. Thiessen Martens ◽  
Paul R. Bullock
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Sweet Clover ◽  
Wheat Production ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

Cicek, H., Entz, M. H., Thiessen Martens, J. R. and Bullock, P. R. 2014. Productivity and nitrogen benefits of late-season legume cover crops in organic wheat production. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 771–783. When full-season cover crops are used in stockless organic rotations, cash crop production is compromised. Including winter cereals in rotations can widen the growing season window and create a niche for late-season cover crops. We investigated the establishment and biomass production of relay-cropped red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L. ‘Norgold’) and double-cropped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. ‘Iron and Clay’), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.), lentil (Lens culinaris L. ‘Indianhead’), soybean (Glycine max L. ‘Prudence’), pea (Pisum sativum L. ‘40-10’), and oil seed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as well as wheat response to these crops under reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) at three locations in Manitoba, Canada. Red clover, sweet clover and pea produced from 737 to 4075 and 93 to 1453 and 160 to 2357 kg ha−1of biomass, respectively. All double crops, with the exception of soybean at 2 site years, established successfully under both RT and CT. The presence of cover crops increased wheat N uptake at stem elongation, maturity and yield, even when the biomass production of cover crops was modest. We conclude that late-season cover crops enhance the following wheat yield and facilitate reduced tillage in organic crop production.

scholarly journals PRODUÇÃO DE FITOMASSA E EXTRAÇÃO DE MACRONUTRIENTES POR PLANTAS DE COBERTURA CULTIVADAS NA ESTAÇÃO SECA

Nativa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 619
Author(s):  
Ana Lúcia Scavazza ◽  
Marcio Roberto Soares ◽  
José Carlos Casagrande ◽  
Simone Daniela Sartorio de Medeiros ◽  
Paulo Henrique Pizzi de Santi
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cajanus Cajan ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
South Central ◽  
Crotalaria Spectabilis

Na região centro-sul do Estado de São Paulo, informações sobre a adaptabilidade de plantas de cobertura cultivadas na estação seca são escassas. Objetivou-se com este estudo investigar a produção de fitomassa e extração de macronutrientes em plantas de cobertura durante a estação seca, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, no município de Araras-SP.  O delineamento foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, correspondendo a espécies, em seis blocos. Na entressafra de milho 2015/2016, foram cultivadas: crotalária-spectabilis (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth.), feijão-guandu (Cajanus cajan L.), feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformes L.), mucuna-preta (Stilozobium aterrimum Piper et Tray) e milheto (Pennisetum glaucum L.). O milheto foi a espécie que produziu mais fitomassa seca (acima de 8 t ha-1) e a que mais extraiu macronutrientes (185;10;106;42;18 e 8 kg ha-1 de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente), apresentando relação C/N inferior a 25, sugerindo que seus resíduos sofreriam uma rápida decomposição e mineralização.A análise de agrupamento indicou que o feijão-guandu obteve desempenho semelhante ao do milheto. Crotalária-spectabilis apresentou a menor fitomassa seca e extraiu menor quantidade de macronutrientes. Neste estudo, milheto e feijão-guandu foram as espécies que mais contribuíram para cobertura do solo e para a reciclagem de nutrientes na estação seca.Palavras-chave: biomassa, nutrição, relação C/N, safrinha. BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION BY COVER CROPS CULTIVATED IN THE DRY SEASON ABSTRACT: In the south-central region of the State of São Paulo, data on the adaptability of cover crops grown in the dry season are insuficient. The objective of this study was to investigate the biomass production and extraction of macronutrients in cover crops during the dry season, in a Oxysoil (LatossoloVermelho), in the city of Araras-SP. The design was in randomized blocks, with five treatments, corresponding to species in six blocks. In the maize off-season 2015/2016, were cultivated: crotalaria spectabilis (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), pig bean (Canavalia ensiformes L.), velvet bean (Stilozobium aterrimum Piper et Tray) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). Millet was the species that produced the highest dry matter average (above 8 tons ha-1) and the one that most extracted macronutrients (185;10;106;42;18 and 8 Kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, respectively), showing a C/N ratio of less than 25, suggesting that its residues would undergo rapid decomposition and mineralization. The clustering analysis indicated that the pigeon pea had similar performance to millet. Crotalaria-spectabilis presented the lowest dried biomass extracted a smaller amount of macronutrients. In this study, millet and pigeon pea were the species that contributed the most to cover the soil and to recycle nutrients in the dry season.Keywords: biomass, nutrition, C/N ratio, off-season.

Characterization of Legume Cover Crops for Weed Suppression in the Moist Savanna of Nigeria1

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRIDAY EKELEME ◽  
I. OKEZIE AKOBUNDU ◽  
R. OMOSUYI FADAYOMI ◽  
DAVID CHIKOYE ◽  
YEKEEN A. ABAYOMI
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Moist Savanna ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

scholarly journals Investigación y extensión para promover la sostenibilidad en sistemas de granos básicos en zonas de ladera, El Salvador.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Richard Barber
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Grain Crops ◽  
Livestock Feeds ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
Selection Of

We analyzed the priorities for research and extension that would allow farmers to leave an adequate residue cover on the soil surface, without dirninishing the availability of livestock fodder. We evaluated: 1. The identification of the minimum percentage residue cover to reduce erosion and to promote sustainability for different slope gradients, soil cropping systems and agroecological zones. 2. The practices to improve soil fertility. 3. The selection of improved varieties of grain crops and studies on their association with legume cover crops. 4. Modifications in the residue management 5. The production of alternative livestock feeds for the dry season, to reduce the pressure on residues from livestock. 6. The training of farmers on the need to adopt rational systems of residue utilization, to ensure greater sustainability. We found that to promote sustainability in grain cropping systems, it is essential to carry out carry research and extension activities related to the management of both livestock and grain crops.

Grass–Legume Mixtures and Soil Fertility Affect Cover Crop Performance and Weed Seed Production

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C. Brainard ◽  
Robin R. Bellinder ◽  
Virender Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass

Summer leguminous cover crops can improve soil health and reduce the economic and environmental costs associated with N fertilizers. However, adoption is often constrained by poor weed suppression compared to nonlegume cover crops. In field experiments conducted in organic vegetable cropping systems in north-central New York, two primary hypotheses were tested: (1) mixtures of legume cover crops (cowpea and soybean) with grasses (sorghum–sudangrass and Japanese millet) reduce weed seed production and increase cover crop productivity relative to legume monocultures and (2) higher soil fertility shifts the competitive outcome in favor of weeds and nonlegume cover crops. Cover crops were grown either alone or in grass–legume combinations with or without composted chicken manure. Under hot, dry conditions in 2005, cowpea and soybean cover crops were severely suppressed by weeds in monoculture and by sorghum–sudangrass in mixtures, resulting in low legume biomass, poor nodulation, and high levels of Powell amaranth seed production (> 25,000 seeds m−2). Under more typical temperature and rainfall conditions in 2006, cowpea mixtures with Japanese millet stimulated cowpea biomass production and nodulation compared to monoculture, but soybeans were suppressed in mixtures with both grasses. Composted chicken manure shifted competition in favor of weeds at the expense of cowpea (2005), stimulated weed and grass biomass production (2006), and suppressed nodulation of soybean (2006). In a complementary on-farm trial, cowpea mixtures with sorghum–sudangrass suppressed weed biomass by 99%; however, both common purslane and hairy galinsoga produced sufficient seeds (600 seeds m−2) to replenish the existing weed seedbank. Results suggest that (1) mixtures of cowpeas with grasses can improve nodulation, lower seed costs, and reduce the risk of weed seed production; (2) soybean is not compatible with grasses in mixture; and (3) future costs of weed seed production must be considered when determining optimal cover crop choices.

Strategies for Soil Fertility Improvement of Arable Land in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Yingjie Hu ◽  
Xiangbin Kong ◽  
Yuzhen Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Soil Fertility Improvement

Potensi Covercrop Kebun Sawit Sebagai Sumber Pakan Hijauan Ternak Ruminansia Pada Musim Kemarau di Pelalawan, Riau

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruslan A. Gopar ◽  
S. Martono ◽  
Muhamad N. Rofiq ◽  
Windu N.
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Destructive Sampling ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Ruminant Animals ◽  
Line Intercept

The objective of this experiment was to obtain forage/ cover crops productivity and carrying capacity for ruminant animals in Pelalawan Regency, Riau in the dry season. Data were collected from civil palm oil plantations at the aged 7, 10 and 14 years in the end of dry season with a destructive sampling method. Sampling used line intercept method which every hectare were picked 10 points by using a pair of 1 m2 sized quadrant. The result showed that the number of vegetations/ cover crops in oil palm plantations aged 7, 10 and 14 years was 42 types.The proportion of forage which consist grass, legume and ferns was diverse at each age of oil palm plantations. Forage production under oil palm plantations aged 7, 10 and 14 years were 2,571 kg/ha, 1479.76 kg/ha and 1417.22 kg/ha as fed and amounted to 811.41 kg/ ha, 471, 15 kg/ ha and 456.91 kg/ ha in the dry matter production. Average carrying capacities of oil palm plantations aged 7, 10 and 14 years was 0.36 Animal units (AU)/ha/year, 0.21 AU/ha/year and 0.20 AU/ ha/year.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi jumlah covercrop dan kapasitas tampungnya di kebun sawit sebagai sumber pakan hijauan ruminansia pada musim kemarau di kabupaten Pelalawan, Riau. Pengambilan data dilakukan di perkebunan kelapa sawit yang berumur 7, 10 dan 14 tahun milik rakyat pada akhir musim kemarau. Pengambilan sampel dengan destructive sampling method menggunakan metode garis berpetak memakai kuadran berukuran 1m2 dengan jumlah sampel tiap area sebanyak 10 titik. Berdasar hasil pengukuran diperoleh hasil jumlah vegetasi/ covercrop yang ada di kebun sawit berumur 7, 10 dan 14 tahun sebanyak 42 jenis yang bervariasi tiap umur tanaman sawit. Proporsi hijauan yang ada meliputi jenis rumput, legume dan paku-pakuan bervariasi pada tiap umur kebun sawit. Produksi hijauan yang ada di bawah kebun sawit berumur 7, 10 dan 14 tahun berturut-turut 2.571 kg/ha, 1.479,76 kg/ha dan 1.417,22 kg/ha dalam bentuk segar serta sebesar 811,41 kg/ha, 471,15 kg/ha dan 456,91 kg/ha dalam bahan kering. Kapasitas tampung dari kebun sawit berumur 7, 10 dan 14 tahun adalah 0,36 satuan ternak (ST)/ha, 0,21 ST/ha dan 0,20 ST/ha.Keywords: cover crops, oil palm plantation, forage, ruminant, dry season, Pelalawan

scholarly journals Spring-planted cover crops for weed control in soybean

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Katja Koehler-Cole ◽  
Christopher A. Proctor ◽  
Roger W. Elmore ◽  
David A. Wedin
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Small Grains

Abstract Replacing tillage with cover crops (CC) for weed management in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems with mechanical weed control has many soil health benefits but in the western Corn Belt, CC establishment after harvest is hampered by cold temperatures, limited labor and few compatible CC species. Spring-planted CC may be an alternative, but information is lacking on suitable CC species. Our objective was to evaluate four spring-planted CC with respect to biomass production and weed suppression, concurrent with CC growth and post-termination. Cover crop species tested were oat (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] and yellow mustard (Brassica hirta Moench). They were compared to no-CC treatments that were either tilled pre- and post-planting of soybean (no-CC tilled) or not tilled at all (no-CC weedy). CC were planted in late March to early April, terminated 52–59 days later using an undercutter, and soybean was planted within a week. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with four replications and was repeated for 3 years. Mustards and small grains produced similar amounts of biomass (1.54 Mg ha−1) but mustard biomass production was more consistent (0.85–2.72 Mg ha−1) than that of the small grains (0.35–3.81 Mg ha−1). Relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, mustards suppressed concurrent weed biomass in two out of 3 years, by 31–97%, and small grains suppressed concurrent weed biomass in only 1 year, by 98%. Six weeks after soybean planting, small grains suppressed weed biomass in one out of 3 years, by 79% relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, but mustards did not provide significant weed suppression. The no-CC tilled treatment suppressed weeds each year relative to the no-CC weedy treatment, on average 87%. The ineffective weed control by CC reduced soybean biomass by about 50% six weeks after planting. While spring-planted CC have the potential for pre-plant weed control, they do not provide adequate early season weed suppression for soybean.

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