Production and Decomposition of Cover Crop Residues and Associations With Soil Organic Fractions

The decomposition of plant residues, the changes in the total organic carbon (TOC) and the fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) occur differently in irrigated areas. The objective of this study was to quantify the biomass production, the decomposition of cover crops residues and relate them with the changes n the content and fractions of SOM in an irrigated area of vegetable crops. Six types of cover crop treatments were evaluated: brachiaria (B); sunn hemp (S); millet (M); B + S; B + M; S + M, plus an additional treatment (native area), with 4 repetitions. The production of fresh (FB) and dry biomass (DB), the rate of plant residue decomposition, TOC, SOM fractions and the coefficient of SOM (QSOM) were quantified. It was observed that the greatest and the lowest volume of crop residues were from the B and S cover crop, respectively. The cover crops in monoculture presented great decomposition rates and short half-life when compared to mixtures of cover crop. The TOC and QSOM were great in the 0 to 0.05 m soil layer, and in the M + S cover crop mixture, when compared to the 0.05 to 0.1 m soil layer and to other cover crops. Among the SOM fractions, the humin predominated in the most superficial soil layer (0 to 0.05 m).

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Sweet corn in no-tillage system on cover crop residues in the Brazilian Cerrado

Australian Journal of Crop Science ◽

10.21475/ajcs.20.14.06.p2189 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 947-952

Author(s):

Kaiê Fillipe Guedes Miranda ◽

José Luiz Rodrigues Torres ◽

Hamilton Cesar de Oliveira Charlo ◽

Valdeci Orioli Junior ◽

João Henrique de Souza Favaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Plant Residue ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Residue Decomposition ◽

Tillage System

In recent years, the growth of the cultivated area with sweet corn in conventional tillage system in Brazil expanded, although crops can be grown on different residues of cover crops, which improve nutrient cycling and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production and to quantify the rate of plant residues decomposition of different cover crops, and correlate the results with the production and grain yield of sweet corn in an area located in the Cerrado biome. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with eight treatments: PM - pearl millet; SH - sunn hemp; SG - signal grass; PM + SH; PM + SG; SH + SG; PM+ SH + SG; FW - fallow (spontaneous vegetation), which preceded the cultivation of sweet corn. Fresh biomass (FB) and dry biomass (DB) of the cover crops were evaluated, as well as the rate of plant residue decomposition. Sweet corn productivity, straw and corncob weight, and grain yield were also determined. Pearl millet presented a better performance in FB production, decomposition rate, residue half-life (T½ life) in soil, yield, corn cob strawweight and yield of sweet corn. Pearl millet, when mixed with other plants, presented reduced rate of residue decomposition and increased residue T½ life. The FW presented the lowest biomass production, with great rate of decomposition and low T½ life. Cover crops grown before sweet corn in soils of good fertility did not affect crop agronomic characteristics. Pearl millet is the best cover crop adapted to Cerrado Brazilian climatic conditions to be used in monoculture or in mixtures with other plants.

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Nutrient cycling of different plant residues and fertilizer doses in broccoli cultivation

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-0536-20210102 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 11-19

Author(s):

José Luiz R Torres ◽

Fernando R da C Gomes ◽

Antônio Carlos Barreto ◽

Valdeci Orioli Junior ◽

Guilherme Deodato França ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Life Time ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Plant Residue ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Residue Decomposition ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

Sunn Hemp

ABSTRACT The decomposition and release of nutrients from plant residues that precede the cultivation of vegetables can positively affect the morphological parameters and crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant residue decomposition and the cycling of macro and micronutrients of four cover crops preceding the broccoli production (single head Avenger hybrid). A 4x3 factorial scheme was implemented including four cover crops: signal grass (SG), pearl millet (PM), sunn hemp (SH), mixture PM+SH; and three doses of mineral fertilizer: 0, 50 (200 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 50 kg ha-1 of K2O, 75 kg ha-1 of N) and 100% of the recommended fertilizer dose (400 kg ha-1 of P2O5, 100 kg ha-1 of K2O and 150 kg ha-1 of N). Fresh (FB) and dry biomass (DB), residue decomposition, nutrient cycling of cover crops, the number of leaves, head height (HH), stem diameter (SD), head diameter (HD), head fresh-biomass (FB), head dry biomass (DB) and broccoli yield were evaluated. The FB production from PM (25.9 t ha-1), SG (23.3 t ha-1) and mixture PM+SH (23.9 t ha-1) were similar, while the largest production of DB occurred in the SG (11.9 t ha-1). The lowest rate of decomposition and the greatest half-life time of residues occurred where PM was present. The accumulation and nutrient cycling follow the sequence K>N>Ca>Mg>P>S and Mn>Zn>B>Cu for all cover crop treatments evaluated. The highest SD (51.95; 51.44 and 50.67 mm), HD (187.97; 187.41 and 183.48 mm), FB (1.01; 1.00 and 0.97 kg), DB (0.08; 0.07 and 0.07 kg) and broccoli yield (25.3; 24.9 and 24.7 t ha-1) was observed in the 100% dose of mineral fertilizer and on the residues of SH or PM+SH mixture, respectively.

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Effects of Spring-sown Cover Crops on Establishment and Growth of Hairy Galinsoga (Galinsoga ciliata) and Four Vegetable Crops

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.44.3.730 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 730-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Virender Kumar ◽

Daniel C. Brainard ◽

Robin R. Bellinder

Keyword(s):

Seed Production ◽

Short Duration ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Snap Bean ◽

Yellow Mustard ◽

Swiss Chard ◽

Galinsoga Ciliata

Hairy galinsoga [Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake] has become a troublesome weed in vegetable crops. Field studies were conducted in 2006 and 2007 in central New York to determine the effects of: 1) spring-sown cover crops on hairy galinsoga growth and seed production during cover crop growth grown before subsequent short duration vegetable crops; and 2) cover crop residues on establishment of hairy galinsoga and four short-duration vegetable crops planted after cover crop incorporation. The cover crops [buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), brown mustard (Brassica juncea L.), yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and oats (Avena sativa L.)] were planted in May and incorporated in early July. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Swiss chard [Beta vulgaris var. cicla (L.) K. Koch] were transplanted and pea (Pisum sativum L.) and snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were sown directly into freshly incorporated residues. Aboveground dry biomass produced by the cover crops was 4.2, 6.4, 6.8, and 9.7 mg·ha−1 for buckwheat, brown mustard, yellow mustard, and oats, respectively. Cover crops alone reduced the dry weight (90% to 99%) and seed production of hairy galinsoga (98%) during the cover crop-growing season compared with weedy controls. In 2006, only yellow mustard residue suppressed hairy galinsoga emergence (53%). However, in 2007, all cover crop residues reduced hairy galinsoga emergence (38% to 62%) and biomass production (25% to 60%) compared with bare soil, with yellow mustard providing the greatest suppression. Cover crop residues did not affect snap bean emergence, but reduced pea emergence 25% to 75%. All vegetable crops were suppressed by all cover crop residues with crops ranked as: pea > Swiss chard ≥ lettuce > snap bean in terms of sensitivity. The C:N ratios were 8.5, 18.3, 22.9, and 24.8 for buckwheat, brown mustard, yellow mustard, and oat residues, respectively. Decomposition rate and nitrogen release of brown mustard and buckwheat residues was rapid; it was slow for oats and yellow mustard residues. Spring-sown cover crops can contribute to weed management by reducing seed production, emergence, and growth of hairy galinsoga in subsequent crops, but crop emergence and growth may be compromised. Yellow mustard and buckwheat sown before late-planted snap beans deserve further testing as part of an integrated strategy for managing weeds while building soil health.

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Effect of No-Till or Conventional Planting and Cover Crops Residues on Weed Emergence in Vegetable Row Crop

Weed Technology ◽

10.1614/wt-03-205r ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1023-1030 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

R. Edward Peachey ◽

Ray D. William ◽

Carol Mallory-Smith

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Row Crops ◽

Hairy Nightshade ◽

No Till ◽

Weed Emergence ◽

Planting System

The effect of planting system and cover crop residues on weed emergence in irrigated vegetable row crops was studied in field experiments from 1995 through 1997. Vegetable crops were either no-till planted (NTP) through cover crop residues or conventionally planted (CP) into soil with cover crop residues incorporated. NTP reduced emergence of hairy nightshade by 77 to 99% and Powell amaranth emergence by 50 to 87% compared with CP. Cover crop treatments were much less important than planting system in regulating weed emergence. Tillage in the spring did not increase the number of viable seeds near the soil surface. Hairy nightshade emergence ranged from 0.6 to 9.8% of the intact seeds in CP compared with 0 to 0.1% emergence of the seeds in the NTP plots. Powell amaranth emergence ranged from 4.9 to 6.5% of the intact seeds in CP contrasted with only 0.4 to 0.9% emergence of the seeds in NTP plots.

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Cover crop rotation influence on nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) density and onion yield

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v90i3-4.1009 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 90 (3-4) ◽

pp. 215-220

Author(s):

Nelson Semidey ◽

Luisa E. Flores-López

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Pigeon Pea ◽

Cyperus Rotundus ◽

Plant Residue ◽

Mature Stage ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Velvet Bean ◽

Crop Species

Velvet bean [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort.) Meer.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth], sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] and tropical pumpkin or calabaza [Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne) Poir.] were evaluated as cover crops for the control of nutsedges in rotation with onion (Allium cepa L.) at the Lajas Agricultural Experiment Station during the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. In each year of study, the four cover crops were grown until mature stage, and plant residue was disked or removed from soil surface before onion planting. Cover crop species had no significant influence (P < 0.05) on nutsedge density, mainly represented by Cyperus rotundus L. and C. esculentus L., neither six weeks before onion planting nor after nine weeks of cropping during 1998-99. Disc incorporation of all cover crops suppressed nutsedge density more than removal of plant residues from soil surface. Onion produced greater yield (30,030 kg/ha) after calabaza rotation than after pigeon pea (21,090 kg/ha) or sorghum (18,940 kg/ha) in 1998-99. In 1999-2000, plots grown with velvet bean, pigeon pea and calabaza had less nutsedge than the untreated controls two weeks before incorporation of plant residues. Plots with these three cover crops also had lower density of nutsedges than plots with sorghum. Nutsedge density was not significant at three, six, and 10 weeks after onion planting. In 1999-2000, onion yields among cover crop rotations were not significantly different, with an average of 5,837 kg/ha. Cover crop allelopathy, as well as nutsedge interference, may have reduced onion production during the second year of planting.

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Using cover crops to offset greenhouse gas emissions from a tropical soil under no-till

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479721000156 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

João Paulo Gonsiorkiewicz Rigon ◽

Juliano Carlos Calonego ◽

Laércio Augusto Pivetta ◽

Gustavo Castoldi ◽

Juan Piero Antonio Raphael ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Greenhouse Gas ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Total N ◽

No Till ◽

Sunn Hemp

Abstract Crop rotations under no-till (NT) have been a strategy to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhancing the cropping system efficiency. However, there is still controversy on the role of grasses and legumes, and species diversity and their impacts. This study aimed to assess the GHG emissions, SOC, and Nitrogen (TN) in a soybean production system managed under NT in rotation with different species in the fall–winter and the spring seasons. Main plots during the fall–winter were (1) Triticale (x Triticosecale) and (2) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Subplots established in the spring were (a) Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), (b) Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), (c) Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), plus a (d) Fallow treatment. Soybean was grown every year in the summer, in sub-subplots. The GHG emission was affected according to crop species. In the spring, Sunn hemp emitted more nitrous oxide (N2O) (0.82 kg ha−1) than fallow (0.58 kg ha−1); however, the high C and N inputs by the legume and also other cover crop residues reduced the relative emissions compared with fallow. Growing pearl millet or Sunn hemp as a spring cover crop increases SOC by 7% on average compared with fallow. The N2O emission of Sunn hemp accounted for only 0.28% of the total N accumulated in the legume residues, notably lower than IPCC estimates. In the fall–winter, Triticale increased SOC by 7%, decreased CO2 emission by 18%, and emitted 20% lower GHG to produce the same soybean yield compared with sunflower. Soybean rotation with triticale in fall–winter and Sunn hemp or pearl millet in spring decreases GHG emissions. Our results indicate that the right choice of species in rotation with soybean under NT increases SOC and may offset GHG emissions from tropical soils. It may be an important tool in mitigating potential global warming.

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Areawide management of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), using selected cover crop plants

CABI Agriculture and Bioscience ◽

10.1186/s43170-021-00069-0 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Robert L. Meagher ◽

Rodney N. Nagoshi ◽

Shelby J. Fleischer ◽

John K. Westbrook ◽

David L. Wright ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Frugiperda ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Fall Armyworm ◽

Crop Plants ◽

Larval Feeding ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Sunn Hemp ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass

Abstract Background Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is a migratory moth that annually migrates northward each spring from sites in southern Florida and southern Texas. This caterpillar pest feeds on and damages row, turf and vegetable crops in the eastern and central U.S. Before migrating in spring, it feeds on cover crops in central and eastern Florida and expands its populations. Our objective was to use multi-year studies to compare fall armyworm populations that develop in cover crop plants. Methods A series of field experiments and a laboratory feeding study were conducted to compare infestation and feeding and of fall armyworm on different cover crop plants. Field experiments had plots planted with corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a standard cover crop in Florida, and two alternative cover crops, sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers spp. unguiculata]. Another trial compared populations in sorghum-sudangrass and in mixtures of sorghum-sudangrass with buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) or pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone). Fall armyworm larvae were fed and allowed to develop on different sunn hemp germplasm in a laboratory trial. Results Field populations of fall armyworm were highest on corn, followed by sorghum-sudangrass. Sunn hemp and cowpea had larval populations 70–96% less than on sorghum-sudangrass, suggesting replacement of this cover crop with either plant species might help reduce areawide populations of resident or migratory fall armyworm. Larvae collected from cover crop plots had parasitism levels that averaged 30%, with Chelonus insularis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) emerging as the most commonly-collected species. Larval feeding on different sunn hemp germplasm lines resulted in no difference in weight gain. Conclusions Replacing sorghum-sudangrass with sunn hemp varieties or germplasm should be acceptable as a replacement cover crop for areawide management of fall armyworm.

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Fate of carbon and nitrogen from plant residue decomposition in a calcareous soil

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/3357-pse ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 52 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 137-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

F. Nourbakhsh

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Properties ◽

Plant Residue ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Order Kinetic ◽

Nitrogen Transformations ◽

Plant Materials ◽

Carbon And Nitrogen ◽

Residue Decomposition ◽

N Concentration ◽

Order Kinetic Model

Carbon and nitrogen transformations in soil are microbially mediated processes that are functionally related. The fate of C and N was monitored in a clay-textured soil (Typic Haplocambid) which was either unamended (control) or amended with various plant materials at the rate of 10 g residue C/kg soil. To evaluate C mineralization, soils were incubated for 46 days under aerobic conditions. Nitrogen mineralization/immobilization was evaluated at the end of eight-week incubation experiment. All CO2 evolution data conformed well to a first-order kinetic model, Cm = C0 (1 – e–Kt). The product of K and C0 (KC0) was significantly correlated with some chemical and biochemical properties of the plant residues, including N concentration (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), C:N (r = –0.64, P < 0.05) and lignin:N (r = –0.81, P < 0.001). Among the plant residue composition characteristics, N concentration (r = 0.96, P < 0.001), C:N (r = –0.69, P < 0.01) and lignin:N (r = –0.68, P < 0.01) were significantly correlated with the net rates of N mineralization/immobilization (Nm/i).

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Strategies to terminate summer cover crops for weed management in no-tillage vegetable production in southeast Brazil

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/wsc.2021.58 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Roberto Botelho Ferraz Branco ◽

Fernando de Carvalho ◽

João Paulo de Oliveira ◽

Pedro Luis da Costa Alves

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Weed Management ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

No Tillage ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Jack Bean ◽

Organic Mulch ◽

Sunn Hemp

Abstract Cover crop residue left on the soil surface as organic mulch in no-tillage crop production provides several environmental benefits, including weed suppression. Thus, many farmers who use cover crops attempt to reduce the use of agricultural inputs, especially herbicides. Therefore, our objectives were to study the potential of different cover crop species to suppress weeds and produce an in situ organic mulch, and evaluate the effect of the organic mulch with and without spraying glyphosate on weed suppression for vegetable (tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) growth and yield. Five cover crop treatments (sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor] and a no-cover crop (control)) were used in the main plots; and spraying or no spraying glyphosate on the flattened cover crop in the sub plots of split-plot experimental design. Organic mulch from pearl millet, sorghum and sunn hemp resulted in lower weed biomass during the early season of both tomato and broccoli than jack bean and no-cover crop (control). Spraying glyphosate after roller crimping reduced weed biomass by 103 g m−2 and 20 g m−2 by 45 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) of tomato, respectively and resulted in a better tomato yield compared to non spraying. Glyphosate reduced weed biomass by 110 g m−2 in the early season of broccoli (30 DAT), but did not affect yield. Terminating high biomass cover crops with a roller crimper is a promising technique for weed management in vegetable crops, which has the potential to reduce or even eliminate the need for herbicide.

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Study of C, N, P and K Release from Residues of Newly Proposed Cover Crops in a Spanish Olive Grove

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10071041 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1041 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana ◽

Miguel Ángel Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres ◽

Rosa Carbonell-Bojollo ◽

Manuel Moreno-García ◽

Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Soil Cover ◽

Brachypodium Distachyon ◽

Nutrient Release ◽

Grab Sampling ◽

P Release ◽

Olive Groves ◽

C And N

Cover crops (CC)s are increasingly employed by farmers in olive groves. Spontaneous soil cover is the most commonly used CC. Its continuous utilization changes ruderal flora. It is necessary to study new CCs. Living CCs provide C and nutrients to soil during decomposition. Information on this issue in olive groves is scarce. A 4-year field study involving grab sampling of Brachypodium distachyon, Sinapis alba and spontaneous CC residues was conducted to study C and nutrient release from cover crop residues. Throughout the decomposition cycles, C, N and P release accounted for 40 to 58% of the C, N and P amounts in the residues after mowing. Most K was released (80–90%). Expressed in kg per hectare, the release of C and N in Brachypodium (C: 4602, N: 181, P: 29, K: 231) and Sinapis (C: 4806, N: 152, P: 18, K: 195) was greater than that in spontaneous CC (C: 3115, N: 138, P: 21, K: 256). The opposite results were observed for K. The Rickman model, employed to estimate the amount of C, N and P in residues, yielded a good match between the simulated and measured values. In comparison to spontaneous CC, the newly proposed CCs have a higher potential to provide soil with C and N.

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