Enhancing Soil Properties and Maize Yield through Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen and Diazotrophic Bacteria

Productivity of maize and soil properties change under alley cropping system consisting of four woody species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan and Senna siamea) at different nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate) were studied in the floodplain ecosystem of Bangladesh. Comparative growth performance of four woody species after pruning showed that L. leucocephala attained the highest height, while C. cajan produced the maximum number of branches. Higher and almost similar amount of pruned materials (PM) were obtained from S. siamea, G. sepium and C. cajan species. In general, maize yield increased with the increase in N level irrespective of added PM. However, 100% N plus PM, 75% N plus PM and 100% N without PM (control) produced similar yields. The grain yield of maize obtained from G. sepium alley was 2.82, 4.13 and 5.81% higher over those of L. leucocephala, C. cajan and S. siamea, respectively. Across the alley, only one row of maize in the vicinity of the woody species was affected significantly. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N and CEC in alley cropping treatments especially in G. sepium and L. leucocephala alleys compared to the initial and control soils. Therefore, one fourth chemical N fertilizer can be saved without significant yield loss in maize production in alley cropping system.

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Corralling, planting density, and N fertilizer rate effect on soil properties, weed diversity, and maize yield

Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems ◽

10.1080/21683565.2018.1516264 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 243-260

Author(s):

Nurudeen Abdul Rahman ◽

Asamoah Larbi ◽

Andrews Opoku ◽

Francis Marthy Tetteh ◽

Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Rate Effect ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Planting Density ◽

Fertilizer Rate ◽

Weed Diversity ◽

N Fertilizer Rate

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Soil properties after 36 years of N fertilization under continuous corn and corn-soybean management

10.5194/soil-2021-26 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nakian Kim ◽

Gevan D. Behnke ◽

María B. Villamil

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Block Design ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Total Carbon ◽

Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽

Continuous Corn

Abstract. Modern agricultural systems rely on inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization to enhance crop yields, but its overuse may negatively affect soil properties. Our objective was to investigate the effect of long-term N fertilization on key soil properties under continuous corn [Zea mays L.] (CCC) and both the corn (Cs) and soybean [Glycine max L. Merr.] (Sc) phases of a corn-soybean rotation. Research plots were established in 1981 with treatments arranged as a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plot was crop rotation (CCC, Cs, and Sc), and the subplots were N fertilizer rates of 0 kg N ha−1 (N0, controls), and 202 kg N ha−1, and 269 kg N ha−1 (N202, and N269, respectively). After 36 years and within the CCC, the yearly addition of N269 compared to unfertilized controls significantly increased cation exchange capacity (CEC, 65 % higher under N269) and acidified the top 15 cm of the soil (pH 4.8 vs. pH 6.5). Soil organic matter (SOM) and total carbon stocks (TCs) were not affected by treatments, yet water aggregate stability (WAS) decreased by 6.7 % within the soybean phase of the CS rotation compared to CCC. Soil bulk density (BD) decreased with increased fertilization by 5 % from N0 to N269. Although ammonium (NH4+) did not differ by treatments, nitrate (NO3−) increased eight-fold with N269 compared to N0, implying increased nitrification. Soils of unfertilized controls under CCC have over twice the available phosphorus level (P) and 40 % more potassium (K) than the soils of fertilized plots (N202 and N269). On average, corn yields increased 60 % with N fertilization compared to N0. Likewise, under N0, rotated corn yielded 45 % more than CCC; the addition of N (N202 and N269) decreased the crop rotation benefit to 17 %. Our results indicated that due to the increased level of corn residues returned to the soil in fertilized systems, long-term N fertilization improved WAS and BD, yet not SOM, at the cost of significant soil acidification and greater risk of N leaching and increased nitrous oxide emissions.

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Cattle manure and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer application effects on soil hydraulic properties and maize yield of two soils of Murewa district, Zimbabwe

Soil Use and Management ◽

10.1111/sum.12152 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 579-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

N. Dunjana ◽

P. Nyamugafata ◽

J. Nyamangara ◽

N. Mango

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Hydraulic Properties ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Cattle Manure ◽

Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽

Soil Hydraulic

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Effect of Farmers` Management Practices on Soil Properties and Maize Yield

Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.3923/ja.2005.293.299 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 293-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

I.M. Tabu . ◽

R.K. Obura . ◽

A. Bationo . ◽

L. Nakhone .

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Management Practices ◽

Maize Yield

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Impacts of Lythrum salicaria invasion on plant community and soil properties in two wetlands in central New York, USA

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b06-009 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 477-484 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Wendy M. Mahaney ◽

Kurt A. Smemo ◽

Joseph B. Yavitt

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Native Species ◽

Community Dynamics ◽

Inorganic Nitrogen ◽

New York State ◽

Lythrum Salicaria ◽

Agricultural Field ◽

Central New York

While the spread of the exotic Lythrum salicaria L. across wetlands in North America is thought to negatively affect the performance and diversity of native species, the actual impacts of L. salicaria invasion on community dynamics and ecosystem properties are not well understood. To determine whether L. salicaria affects community aboveground biomass, native species biomass, or soil properties, we studied two common situations in central New York State where L. salicaria invaded (i) an abandoned agricultural field and (ii) a relatively pristine wetland with low species diversity. In the agricultural site, nearly monospecific stands of L. salicaria and Phalaris arundinacea L. had nearly identical shoot mass (approx. 850 g·m–2) but divergent soil characteristics. Inorganic nitrogen was significantly higher under L. salicaria than under P. arundinacea. The low-diversity site is dominated by Carex lacustris Willd., with distinct areas codominated by either L. salicaria or Typha latifolia L. In this site, we found that areas with a codominant species had significantly more total aboveground biomass than those dominated by C. lacustris, suggesting that L. salicaria invasion does not significantly lower native species biomass. However, most soil nutrient levels did not differ among vegetation zones, indicating that species composition changes did not alter soil properties in the short term. This study supports a growing literature suggesting that L. salicaria invasion may not negatively impact relatively pristine wetlands as previously believed.

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