Influence of dicyandiamide on nitrogen transformation and losses in cow-urine-amended soil cores from grazed pasture

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagrati Singh ◽  
S. Saggar ◽  
N. S. Bolan
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
N Transformations

In New Zealand, urine deposited by grazing animals represents the largest source of nitrogen (N) losses, as gaseous emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and leaching of nitrate (NO3−).We determined the effect of dicyandiamide (DCD) on gaseous emissions from pasture with increasing rates of urine-N application, mineral N transformations and potential leaching of N using undisturbed soil cores of Manawatu sandy loam at field capacity. The treatments included four levels of urine-N applied at 0 (control), 14.4, 29.0 and 57.0 g N/m2 with and without DCD at 2.5 g/m2. Results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in NH3 and N2O-N emissions as urine application was increased. The addition of DCD to corresponding urine treatments reduced N2O emissions by 33, 56 and 80%, respectively. The addition of DCD with urine to the intact soil cores at field capacity moisture content resulted in a significant increase in the soil ammonium-N (NH4+-N) concentration but little change in NH3 emissions. Addition of DCD to urine reduced potential NO3−-N leaching by 60–65% but potential NH4+-N leaching increased by 2–3.5 times. There was no difference in pasture dry matter production with and without DCD treatments.

scholarly journals Microbial N Transformations and N2O Emission after Simulated Grassland Cultivation: Effects of the Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate (DMPP)

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Feng Duan ◽  
Xian-Wang Kong ◽  
Andreas Schramm ◽  
Rodrigo Labouriau ◽  
Jørgen Eriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Ammonia Oxidation ◽  
Nitrification Inhibitor ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Ammonia Oxidizing Archaea

ABSTRACT Grassland cultivation can mobilize large pools of N in the soil, with the potential for N leaching and N2O emissions. Spraying with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) before cultivation was simulated by use of soil columns in which the residue distribution corresponded to plowing or rotovation to study the effects of soil-residue contact on N transformations. DMPP was sprayed on aboveground parts of ryegrass and white clover plants before incorporation. During a 42-day incubation, soil mineral N dynamics, potential ammonia oxidation (PAO), denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA), nitrifier and denitrifier populations, and N2O emissions were investigated. The soil NO3 − pool was enriched with 15N to trace sources of N2O. Ammonium was rapidly released from decomposing residues, and PAO was stimulated in soil near residues. DMPP effectively reduced NH4 + transformation irrespective of residue distribution. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) were both present, but only the AOB amoA transcript abundance correlated with PAO. DMPP inhibited the transcription of AOB amoA genes. Denitrifier genes and transcripts (nirK, nirS, and clades I and II of nosZ) were recovered, and a correlation was found between nirS mRNA and DEA. DMPP showed no adverse effects on the abundance or activity of denitrifiers. The 15N enrichment of N2O showed that denitrification was responsible for 80 to 90% of emissions. With support from a control experiment without NO3 − amendment, it was concluded that DMPP will generally reduce the potential for leaching of residue-derived N, whereas the effect of DMPP on N2O emissions will be significant only when soil NO3 − availability is limiting. IMPORTANCE Residue incorporation following grassland cultivation can lead to mobilization of large pools of N and potentially to significant N losses via leaching and N2O emissions. This study proposed a mitigation strategy of applying 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) prior to grassland cultivation and investigated its efficacy in a laboratory incubation study. DMPP inhibited the growth and activity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria but had no adverse effects on ammonia-oxidizing archaea and denitrifiers. DMPP can effectively reduce the potential for leaching of NO3 − derived from residue decomposition, while the effect on reducing N2O emissions will be significant only when soil NO3 − availability is limiting. Our findings provide insight into how DMPP affects soil nitrifier and denitrifier populations and have direct implications for improving N use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts during grassland cultivation.

Urea and legume residues as 15N-N2O sources in a subtropical soil

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 287 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Gomes ◽  
N. Brüggemann ◽  
D. P. Dick ◽  
G. M. Pedroso ◽  
M. Veloso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
N2o Formation ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
15N Labelling ◽  
Subtropical Soil

In this work, we used the 15N labelling technique to identify the sources of N2O emitted by a subtropical soil following application of mineral nitrogen (N) fertiliser (urea) and residues of a legume cover crop (cowpea). For this purpose, a 45-day incubation experiment was conducted by subjecting undisturbed soil cores from a subtropical Acrisol to five different treatments: (1) control (no crop residue or fertiliser-N application); (2) 15N-labelled cowpea residue (200 μg N g–1 soil); (3) 15N-labelled urea (200 μg N g–1 soil); (4) 15N-labelled cowpea residue (100 μg N g–1 soil) + unlabelled urea (100 μg N g–1 soil); and (5) unlabelled cowpea residue (100 μg N g–1 soil) + 15N-labelled urea (100 μg N g–1 soil). Cores were analysed for total N2O formation, δ15N-N2O and δ18O-N2O by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry, as well as for total NO3–-N and NH4+-N. Legume crop residues and mineral fertiliser increased N2O emissions from soil to 10.5 and 9.7 µg N2O-N cm–2 respectively, which was roughly six times the value for control (1.5 µg N2O-N cm–2). The amount of 15N2O emitted from labelled 15N-urea (0.40–0.45% of 15N applied) was greater than from 15N-cowpea residues (0.013–0.015% of 15N applied). Unlike N-poor crop residues, urea in combination with N-rich residues (cowpea) failed to reduce N2O emissions relative to urea alone. Legume cover crops thus provide an effective mitigation strategy for N2O emissions in relation to mineral N fertilisation in climate-smart agriculture. Judging by our inconclusive results, however, using urea in combination with N-rich residues provides no clear-cut environmental advantage.

Chromium(VI) leaching from large undisturbed soil lysimeters following application of a simulated copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA) timber preservative

Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Carey ◽  
V. J. Bidwell ◽  
R. G. McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
First Order ◽  
Copper Chromium ◽  
Soil Lysimeters

Copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) solutions are commonly used in New Zealand as a means of preserving softwood timbers such as Pinus radiata. With stock working solutions of CCA salts in timber treatment plants frequently 10&percnt; w&sol;v or more, there exists a potential for spillage and leaching of these compounds to groundwater. High concentrations of Cr(VI) (up to 52 mg Cr&sol;L) were found in the leachates of large undisturbed soil lysimeters where a Templeton sandy loam (Immature Pallic) had received surface applications of a simulated copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) timber preservative. Leaching was produced by using a combination of natural and imposed rainfall simulation over the lysimeters for a period of 102 days after CCA application. An average of 26&percnt; of the applied chromium was collected in the leachates after 102 days. Of the mean 74&percnt; of Cr(VI) still retained within the soil profile after leaching ended, almost half was located in the top 100 mm of the profile. No copper or arsenic was detected in any of the lysimeter leachates, with soil analysis indicating that these elements had been retained within the soil profile. In an incubation study, soil cores sampled from the same Templeton sandy loam and split into alternate 50-mm segments (to 450 mm) were stored at 10&ring;C for 102 days after addition of an identical CCA solution. These were periodically extracted for available chromium. Results showed that the reduction of dichromate&sol;chromate anions (Cr2O72–&sol;CrO42–) to the strongly sorbed chromic cation (Cr3&plus;) was largely first-order and greatest in surface layers where soil organic matter contents were largest. After 102 days, &lt;1&percnt; of the added Cr(VI) was still extractable in the 0–50 mm soil cores whilst ≈60&percnt; of Cr(VI) in the 400–450 mm cores (or deeper) was still extractable after the same period. A linear systems model comprising a series of conceptual mixing cells was used to describe the individual and mean Cr(VI) leaching breakthrough curves (BTCs). This State-Space Mixing Cell model proved effective in simulating the Cr(VI) leaching using first-order kinetics to quantify rate-limited local solute adsorption coupled to advective-dispersive transport. The solute mass involved in the model process was ≈30&percnt;. The bulk of the remaining 70&percnt; of applied dichromate was assumed to have undergone reduction to the non-mobile chromium cation. This study shows that there exists a significant potential for Cr(VI) to be a serious threat to groundwater in the event of a large uncontained spillage of a concentrated CCA solution. This potential can be significantly lessened if the Cr(VI) is reduced after retention in an organic matter rich layer.

Effect of macropore flow on the transport of surface-applied cow urine through a soil profile

Soil Research ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Silva ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
H. J. Di ◽  
N. P. Smith ◽  
G. D. Buchan
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Macropore Flow ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Total N ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
Cow Urine ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Leaching Experiments ◽  
Soil Pores

A field lysimeter experiment was conducted to determine the effect of macropore flow on the transport of surface-applied cow urine N through soil. The lysimeters (500 mm diameter by 700 mm depth) used for this experiment were collected from Templeton fine sandy loam soil (Udic Ustochrept), which had been under ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture for 9–10 years. The effect of macropore flow on urine-N leaching was determined by leaching experiments under 0.5 kPa and 0 kPa water tensions (suctions) imposed on top of the lysimeter using a disc tension infiltrometer. The 0.5 kPa suction prevented soil pores >600 µm diameter from conducting water and solutes, while the 0 kPa suction allowed conduction under ‘field saturated’ condition. Pores >600 µm diameter transmitted about 98% of the total nitrogen (N) leached below 700 mm depth. The main form of N transmitted under 0 kPa was ammonium (NH4 -N), accounting for 10.5% of the total N applied at 0 kPa suction. This was significantly higher than the amount of NH 4 -N leached at 0.5 kPa suction, which accounted for 0.17% of N applied. The urea-N in the leachate reached 16 mg/L at 0 kPa suction, and accounted for 1.6% of the total N applied. No urea was detected in the leachate at the 0.5 kPa suction. The concentrations and amounts of nitrate (NO3 -N) leached were very low and did not differ between the two suctions. The forms and amounts of N leached were affected by the interactions of macropore flow and N transformations in the soil, and the environmental conditions during the two leaching events. From this work, it is recommended that stock should be removed 1–2 days before irrigation water is applied as this will allow animal urine to diffuse into soil micropores and thus decrease N leaching by macropore flow.

scholarly journals Nutrient dynamics in paddy soil under rice culture mesocosm studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Islam ◽  
MA Khan ◽  
MA Rouf
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Chemical Fertilizer ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Fertilizer Treatment ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Soil Columns ◽  
Undisturbed Soil

The objectives of this study were to determine the nutrient losses through the soil columns with the variation of soil and fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a net house of Sher-e-BanglaAgriculturalUniversity, Dhaka, Bangladesh during July–November to study the effect of fertilizer and manure on the growth and yield of T. aman rice and leaching loss of nutrients through undisturbed soil columns. The experiment consists of 2 factors i.e. soils and fertilizer plus manure. Two soils (S1= SAU Soil and S2= Sonargaon Soil) with 4 levels of fertilization, as F0: Control, F1: 100% N120P20K45S20 (FRG 2012), F2: 50% NPKS + 5 t/ha cowdung, F3: 50% NPKS + 2.1 t/ha poultry manure were used in the experiment. T. Aman (BR11) rice was grown in the soil cores. Altogether, there were 8 treatment combinations and the treatment combinations were replicated 3 times. Twenty four undisturbed soil cores collected in PVC pipes were placed at the bottom of the perforated plastic containers and two holes of each plastic container were connected to a conical flask that was used to collect column leachate.  Leachates were collected at 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75 DAT (Days after transplanting) and analyzed for N, P, K and S. The leachate N, P, K and S concentration varied with different soil, fertilizer and time. The higher N and S concentrations were found in the leachate of SAU soil and higher leachate K concentrations were obtained in Sonargaon soil. The higher amounts of N leaching were observed during 45–55 DAT and higher leachate N concentrations were found in F1 treatment. Higher leachate K concentrations were found in 100% chemical fertilizer treatment and higher leachate K concentrations were found at 35DAT in all fertilizer treatments. The leachate P concentration increased at 35 DAT and then decreased. Results revealed that soil had no significant effect on the yield and yield parameters. The yield contributing characters and yields were significantly affected by fertilizer and manure application. The highest effective tillers/core (17.0), plant height (105.6 cm), panicle length (23.70 cm), grain yield (0.046 kg/core) and straw yield (0.053 kg/core) of T. Aman rice were found from F1 (RDCF) treatment. The highest 1000-grain wt. (23.70 g) was obtained from F2 and filled grain/panicle (121.8) from T3 treatment and the lowest in F0 treatment. The highest grain yield was found by the application of recommended dose of chemical fertilizer which was statistically similar to F3 (50% NPKS + 2.1 ton poultry manure) treatment. The combined effects of soil and fertilizer were not significant but the highest grain (0.049 kg/core) and straw yields (0.056 kg/core) were recorded from S2F1 (Sonargaon Soil + 100% NPKS) treatment combination.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(2): 199-205, December 2017

Field storage conditions for cattle manure to limit nitrogen losses and optimise fertiliser value

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2148 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Viaene ◽  
V. Nelissen ◽  
B. Vandecasteele ◽  
K. Willekens ◽  
S. De Neve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Bulking Agents ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Volumetric Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Storage and application of cattle farmyard manure (CFM) can cause considerable environmental problems through nutrient losses to soil, water and air, if not properly handled. We investigated different storage conditions of CFM at field scale to reduce nitrogen (N) losses to the soil, meanwhile optimising the agronomical quality of the CFM. The treatments differed in terms of storage method (stockpiling, extensive composting or co-composting with bulking agents) and coverage (no cover, plastic or geotextile cover). Over the different treatments, the ammonium-N concentrations under the piles in the 0–90 cm soil layer amounted to a maximum of 4.2% of the initial manure N content. We were able to assess the relative importance of each of the two processes resulting in a higher mineral N concentration under the piles, i.e. direct leaching from the CFM to the soil on the one hand, and a smaller indirect effect of elevated soil temperatures (up to 37°C) under the piles resulting in higher N mineralisation in the top soil on the other hand. NH4+-N was the most important component of mineral N under all heaps due to limited oxygen diffusion to the soil. N leaching and end-product quality were affected by a combination of treatment option (i.e. storage and cover) and initial manure characteristics. When CFM was characterised by a low volumetric moisture content and high C : N ratio, so in case of straw-rich CFM or CFM with added bulking agents, composting led to the least N leaching and most stable end product. When CFM was characterised by a high volumetric moisture content and low C : N ratio, stockpiling and covering (plastic or geotextile) resulted in lower N leaching to the soil. Stockpiling and covering the CFM with a geotextile resulted in a more stable end product than did covering with a plastic.

Corrigendum to: Chromium(IV) leaching from large undisturbed soil lysimeters following application of a simulated copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA) timber preservative

Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 715 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Carey ◽  
V. D. Bidwell ◽  
R. G. McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Rainfall Simulation ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
First Order ◽  
Copper Chromium ◽  
Soil Lysimeters

Copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) solutions are commonly used in New Zealand as a means of preserving softwood timbers such as Pinus radiata. With stock working solutions of CCA salts in timber treatment plants frequently 10&percnt; w&sol;v or more, there exists a potential for spillage and leaching of these compounds to groundwater. High concentrations of Cr(VI) (up to 52 mg Cr&sol;L) were found in the leachates of large undisturbed soil lysimeters where a Templeton sandy loam (Immature Pallic) had received surface applications of a simulated copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA) timber preservative. Leaching was produced by using a combination of natural and imposed rainfall simulation over the lysimeters for a period of 102 days after CCA application. An average of 26&percnt; of the applied chromium was collected in the leachates after 102 days. Of the mean 74&percnt; of Cr(VI) still retained within the soil profile after leaching ended, almost half was located in the top 100 mm of the profile. No copper or arsenic was detected in any of the lysimeter leachates, with soil analysis indicating that these elements had been retained within the soil profile. In an incubation study, soil cores sampled from the same Templeton sandy loam and split into alternate 50-mm segments (to 450 mm) were stored at 10&ring;C for 102 days after addition of an identical CCA solution. These were periodically extracted for available chromium. Results showed that the reduction of dichromate&sol;chromate anions (Cr2O72–&sol;CrO42–) to the strongly sorbed chromic cation (Cr3&plus;) was largely first-order and greatest in surface layers where soil organic matter contents were largest. After 102 days, &lt;1&percnt; of the added Cr(VI) was still extractable in the 0–50 mm soil cores whilst ≈60&percnt; of Cr(VI) in the 400–450 mm cores (or deeper) was still extractable after the same period. A linear systems model comprising a series of conceptual mixing cells was used to describe the individual and mean Cr(VI) leaching breakthrough curves (BTCs). This State-Space Mixing Cell model proved effective in simulating the Cr(VI) leaching using first-order kinetics to quantify rate-limited local solute adsorption coupled to advective-dispersive transport. The solute mass involved in the model process was ≈30&percnt;. The bulk of the remaining 70&percnt; of applied dichromate was assumed to have undergone reduction to the non-mobile chromium cation. This study shows that there exists a significant potential for Cr(VI) to be a serious threat to groundwater in the event of a large uncontained spillage of a concentrated CCA solution. This potential can be significantly lessened if the Cr(VI) is reduced after retention in an organic matter rich layer.

scholarly journals Urea coated with poultry litter as an option in the control of nitrogen losses

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 398-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Dall’Orsoletta ◽  
Luiz P. Rauber ◽  
Djalma E. Schmitt ◽  
Luciano C. Gatiboni ◽  
Jhonatan Orsolin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Nh3 Volatilization ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Moisture Condition ◽  
N Transformations ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Moisture Condition ◽  
Moisture Contents

ABSTRACT The volatilization of ammonia (NH3) and nitrate leaching (NH3-) are the main processes of nitrogen (N) loss in the soil. The objective of the study was to evaluate N losses by NH3 volatilization and mineral N transformations in the soil with urea coated with poultry litter (urea + litter) compared with other sources of N, under two moisture conditions. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment with a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement with four replicates, five N sources (urea, SuperN®, Kimcoat®, urea + litter and control without fertilizer) and two moisture contents [80 and 100% of field capacity (FC)]. The total volatilized NH3 did not differ between the sources, regardless of the soil moisture condition, ranging from 10.8 to 13.2% of the total N applied. The transformation of NH4+ into NH3- did not vary between the sources, except for the control, but it differed between soil moisture contents, with equilibrium estimated at 31 and 38 days, in the treatments with 80 and 100% FC, respectively. The urea + litter has N losses by NH3 volatilization and speed of transformation of the soil mineral N similar to those of the other sources, and can be used to substitute them.

scholarly journals Effect of cotton - cowpea intercropping on C and N mineralisation patterns of residue mixtures and soil

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 190 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Rusinamhodzi ◽  
H. K. Murwira ◽  
J. Nyamangara
Keyword(s):  
Rate Constant ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
N Mineralisation ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
C Mineralisation ◽  
C And N

Carbon and nitrogen mineralisation potential of mixed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) crop residues produced under intercropping, as well as a reddish-brown soil classified by FAO as Ferralic Cambisol previously under intercrops, were studied over a 10-week incubation period under controlled conditions (25°C and moisture content of 70% field capacity, 125 mm) in the laboratory. Treatments consisted of cotton residues (100 : 0), cowpea residues (0 : 100), and cotton–cowpea residues (50 : 50, 70 : 30, and 30 : 70). These ratios were based on yields obtained in different cotton–cowpea intercrop treatments from a field study. Cowpea residues (0 : 100) released the highest amount of mineral N of 36.4 mg/kg soil, and cotton residues (100 : 0) least, 19.2 mg/kg soil, while the other mixtures were in between. All treatments except for cowpea residues (0 : 100) and the 30 : 70 mixture showed immobilisation of soil N during the first 2 weeks of incubation. The trend for C mineralisation was similar to that of N, and cowpea residues (0 : 100) released the highest amount, 492 mg C/kg soil, while cotton residues (100 : 0) recorded the least, 315 mg C/kg soil. The C mineralisation patterns of cowpea residues (0 : 100) and 30 : 70 treatments were exponential and were well described by the equation: where CE is exponentially mineralisable C fraction, k is the rate constant, and t is time in days. The mineralisation patterns for other treatments were sigmoidal and were well described by the equation: where CS is sigmoidally mineralisable C fraction; t 0 is time in days required for complete mineralisation of CS , while k is rate constant. The amount of N released from soil previously under cotton–cowpea intercrops and sole crops was approximately one-third of the amount released when the residues were incorporated. The highest amount of N released (12.2 mg/kg soil) was from soil previously under sole cowpea, while soil from the 1 : 1 cotton–cowpea intercrop released 9.9 mg/kg soil and soil from sole cotton released 5.9 mg/kg soil. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of previous crop on C mineralisation patterns of the soil. Mixtures slow down N losses and increase nutrient use efficiency of legume residues, especially in the short-term. When cotton is grown as a sole crop, starter N to offset negative effects of initial N-immobilisation at the start of season is required. A better understanding of controlling parameters of decomposition can make it possible to predict C and N mineralisation patterns in mixtures. Reduced C mineralisation in cotton–cowpea mixtures may result in more C sequestration and, hence, SOM build-up and improved sustainability in the long term in intercropping systems.

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