Cropping systems including legume cover crops favour mineral–organic associations enriched with microbial metabolites in no-till soil

Soil Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murilo G. Veloso ◽  
Deborah Pinheiro Dick ◽  
Janaina Berne da Costa ◽  
Cimélio Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Microbial Metabolites ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

Long-term carbon (C) stabilisation in tropical and subtropical soils under no-tillage (NT) rests on the formation of mineral–organic associations (MOAs) that can be enriched with microbial metabolites. In this work, we assessed the role of long-term tillage and cropping systems and mineral N fertilisation in enriching MOAs with microbial metabolites in a subtropical soil. For this purpose, we sampled a sandy clay loam Acrisol up to 1 m depth involved in an ongoing 30-year-old experiment under two different tillage systems (conventional tillage and NT) in the presence and absence of legume cover crops and mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisation. The soil samples were subjected to particle size fractionation and n-alkane analysis. The NT and the presence of legume cover crops in the surface soil layer (0−5 cm) increased the abundance of plant-derived lipids (i.e. compounds with n-alkane chains of 25−33 C atoms) in the whole soil. Microbial-derived lipids (i.e. compounds with shorter n-alkane chains (15−24 C atoms)) were more abundant in the clay fraction of the surface (0−5 cm) and sub-surface soil layers (20−30 and 75−100 cm) in NT soil receiving high-quality residues of legume cover crops. However, N fertilisation decreased the abundance of microbial-derived lipids in the clay fraction of the 0−5 and 20−30 cm soil layers. Our findings highlight the role of N-rich residues of legume cover crops, but not of mineral N fertilisation, in the long-term stabilisation of C in MOAs in NT soils through the action of microbial residues.

scholarly journals Legume Cover Crop Effects on Temperate Sugarcane Yields and Their Decomposition in Soil

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Paul M. White ◽  
Gregory Williams ◽  
Howard P. Viator ◽  
Ryan P. Viator ◽  
Charles L. Webber
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
The Us ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Sunn Hemp ◽  
Legume Cover Crop

Sugarcane is commercially produced on 340,000 ha in the US and is valued at over $1 billion US annually. Cultural practices that improve sugarcane sustainability are needed to maintain yields in fields with degraded soils. Historically, leguminous rotation crops provided organic matter and biologically fixed nitrogen (N) for subsequent sugarcane crops. Currently, sugarcane is usually grown as a monoculture with only a short, 6-month fallow period. The objective of these field studies was to determine how growing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) as cover crops during fallow affected the yield of subsequent sugarcane crops. A companion laboratory study investigated the decomposition rate of cover crops in soil at different temperatures. Cowpea and sunn hemp production produced 12.8 t/ha dry matter and 250 kg N/ha. Cowpea generally improved plant cane yields, but the effects of sunn hemp varied. However, neither cowpea nor sunn hemp reduced cane or sucrose yields consistently, and mineral N additions may have a role in mitigating yield gains or losses. Based on laboratory data, the average half-life for cowpea and sunn hemp would be 3 months. Overall, using legume cover crops should be viewed as an important component of sustainable sugarcane practices.

Benefits of winter legume cover crops require early sowing

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gselman ◽  
B. Kramberger
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops

Winter cover crops are beneficial, especially legumes that can supply nitrogen (N) to the next crop. The purpose of this study, involving separate experiments carried out at 2 different locations in north-eastern Slovenia, was to determine the most appropriate sowing time (early, early autumn SD1; late, mid autumn SD2; very late, late autumn SD3) for winter legumes (Trifolium subterraneum L., T. incarnatum L., T. pratense L., and Vicia villosa Roth) for the optimal yield of beneficial dry matter and soil N cycling. The control treatment used Lolium multiflorum Lam. For legume cover crops in SD1, from 915.0 (T. subterraneum) to 2495.0 (V. villosa) kg herbage dry matter yield (HDMY)/ha, 52.3 (T. pratense) to 148.4 (T. incarnatum) kg accumulated N (AN)/ha, and 14.5 (T. pratense) to 114.5 (T. incarnatum) kg symbiotically fixed N (Nsymb)/ha was obtained to the end of autumn. Until the spring ploughing-in, which was before maize sowing, legume cover crops in SD1 yielded 1065.0 (T. subterraneum) to 4440.0 (T. incarnatum) kg HDMY/ha, 74.9 (T. subterraneum) to 193.0 (V. villosa) kg AN/ha, and 4.7 (T. subterraneum) to 179.0 (V. villosa) kg Nsymb/ha. All parameters in SD2 were significantly lower than in SD1, whereas the SD3 sowing was not suitable for the legumes. The benefits of legume winter cover crops with regard to symbiotic N fixation were achieved only by early sowing; however, the amount of soil mineral N in late autumn and in early spring was decreased under L. multiflorum more than under the legumes.

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical Ultisol by using long-term no-tillage in combination with legume cover crops

2016 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cimélio Bayer ◽  
Juliana Gomes ◽  
Josiléia Accordi Zanatta ◽  
Frederico Costa Beber Vieira ◽  
Jeferson Dieckow
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

scholarly journals Labile Soil Organic Matter Pools Are Influenced by 45 Years of Applied Farmyard Manure and Mineral Nitrogen in the Wheat—Pearl Millet Cropping System in the Sub-Tropical Condition

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2190
Author(s):  
Ranjan Laik ◽  
B. H. Kumara ◽  
Biswajit Pramanick ◽  
Santosh Kumar Singh ◽  
Nidhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
N Application ◽  
Tropical Climates

Labile soil organic matter pools (LSOMp) are believed to be the most sensitive indicator of soil quality when it is changed rapidly with varied management practices. In sub-tropical climates, the turnover period of labile pools is quicker than in temperate climates. Organic amendments are of importance in improve the LSOMp for a temperate climate and may be helpful in sub-tropical climates as well. Hence, the status of LSOMp was studied in long term farmyard manure (FYM) amended soils under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) cropping systems in sub-tropical arid conditions. At the same time, we also attempt to determine the impact of mineral nitrogen (N) application in these pools. In this study, dissolved organic matter (DOM), microbial biomass (MB), and light fraction (LF) were isolated in the management practices involving different modes and rates of FYM applications along with the application of nitrogenous fertilizer. C and N contents of the labile pools were analyzed in the soil samples at different periods after FYM applications. Among the different pools, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were changed significantly with different rates and modes of FYM application and mineral N application. Application of FYM at 15 Mg ha−1 in both the seasons + 120 kg ha−1 mineral N resulted in significantly higher MBC and DOC as compared to all of the other treatments. This treatment also resulted in 13.75% and 5.8% more MBC and DOC, respectively, as compared to the amount of MBC and DOC content in the control plot where FYM and mineral N were not applied. Comparing the labile organic matter pools of 45 years of FYM amendment with initial values, it was found that the dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and light fraction carbon were increased up to the maximum extent of about 600, 1200, and 700 times, respectively. The maximum amount of DOM (562 mg kg−1 of DOC and 70.1 mg kg−1 of DON), MB (999 mg kg−1 of MBC and 158.4 mg kg−1 of MBN), LF (2.61 g kg−1 of LFC and 154.6 g kg−1 of LFN) were found in case of both season applied FYM as compared to either summer or winter applied FYM. Concerning the different rates of FYM application, 15 Mg ha−1 FYM also resulted in a significantly higher amount of DOM, MB, and LF as compared to other FYM rates (i.e., 5 Mg ha−1 and 10 Mg ha−1). Amongst different pools, MB was found to be the most sensitive to management practices in this study. From this study, it was found that the long-term FYM amendment in sub-tropical soil along with mineral N application can improve the LSOMp of the soil. Thus, it can be recommended that the application of FYM at 15 Mg ha−1 in summer and winter with +120 kg ha−1 mineral N can improve SOC and its labile pools in subtropical arid soils. Future studies on LSOMp can be carried out by considering different cropping systems of subtropical climate.

scholarly journals Combining Legume Groundcovers and Low Nitrogen Fertilization in a Short-rotation Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) Cropping System: Effect on Productivity, Soil Fertility, and Nutrient Leaching

HortScience ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingqian Lin ◽  
Alexa R. Wilson ◽  
Pascal Nzokou
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Abies Fraseri ◽  
Nitrate N ◽  
Legume Cover Crops

High rates of inorganic fertilizers are used in conventional intensive production systems such as Abies fraseri (fraser fir) cropping systems for Christmas trees. Groundcovers can be used as green mulches, help reduce the use of farm chemicals, and provide several environmental benefits. We investigated the performance of a low-input cropping system by combining two legume cover crops [Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)] in combination with low rates of inorganic fertilizers as a step toward a more sustainable production system. The randomized block design comprised one cover crop and one of three applications of reduced rate inorganic fertilizer (75%, 50%, and 25% of the recommended rate). A conventional system using herbicides for weed control and the 100% rate of inorganic fertilizer was used as a control. Parameters measured included tree morphology, foliar nitrogen concentration, soil mineral nitrogen, and nitrate-N leaching below the root zone. A significant positive growth response (height and diameter) was obtained in all alfalfa-based cropping systems. This was accompanied by foliar nutrient concentrations similar to conventional plots and a reduction in nitrate-N leaching. However, in white clover-based cropping systems, the growth response was reduced (both height and diameter), suggesting competition for soil resources. In addition, the total nitrate-N leaching was higher in this system, suggesting an imbalance between mineral nitrogen availability and use in white clover-based cropping systems. We conclude that if the potential competition between cover crops and trees can be properly managed, legume cover crops can be effectively used to make intensive production tree-based systems more sustainable. Further studies related to mineralization and macronutrient flows are needed before any definite recommendation can be made about the use of these systems in large-scale production systems.

scholarly journals Role of Different Cover Crops on DTPA-Extractable Micronutrients in an Apricot Orchard

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Demir ◽  
Nihat Tursun ◽  
Doğan Işık
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Vicia Villosa ◽  
Sustainable Soil Management ◽  
Fagopyrum Esculentum Moench ◽  
Extractable Micronutrients

This study was conducted to compare the effect of different cover crop treatments on DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) and soil pH in an apricot orchard with clay texture located in Malatya province of Turkey. For this purpose, 5 different experimental groups (Vicia villosa Roth (VV), Vicia pannonica Crantz (VP), Vicia pannonica Crantz and Tritikale mixture (70% + 30%, respectively) (VPT), Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth (PT), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (FE)) and 3 control groups (mechanically cultivated (MC), herbicide treatment (HC) and bare control plot (BC)) were used in the apricot orchards. The soils were sampled from 0–20 cm and 20-40 cm depths in each plot for soil analyses. According to the obtained results, while cover crop treatments reduced pH values of soils according to the bare control, the cover crops increased the Fe, Mn and Zn contents of soils in the 0-20 cm soil depth. The highest Ext-Fe, Mn and Zn contents were obtained in the VV (14.83mg kg-1, 8.42 mg kg-1, 1.03 mg kg-1, respectively) at the 0-20 cm soil depth. As compared to bare control, highest percent increases in Fe, Mn and Zn contents were determined in the VV 27.73%, 31.69% and 37.54%, respectively. The greatest significant negative correlations in the VV treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.985**), between pH and Mn (-0.945**) and between pH and Zn (-0.764*). The greatest significant negative correlations in the VP treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.948**), between pH and Mn (-0.928**) and between pH and Zn (-0.722*). It was concluded based on current findings that cover crops, especially Vicia villosa Roth and Vicia pannonica Crantz could be incorporated into cropping systems to improve micronutrients and to provide a sustainable soil management.

scholarly journals Forms and accumulation of copper and zinc in a sandy typic hapludalf soil after long-term application of pig slurry and deep litter

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 812-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadeu Luis Tiecher ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ceretta ◽  
Jucinei José Comin ◽  
Eduardo Girotto ◽  
Alcione Miotto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Profile ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Surface Soil Layer ◽  
N Requirement ◽  
Cu And Zn

Successive applications of pig slurry and pig deep litter may lead to an accumulation of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) fractions in the soil profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Cu and Zn forms and accumulation in a Sandy Typic Hapludalf soil after long-term application of pig slurry and deep litter. In March 2010, eight years after initiating an experiment in Braço do Norte, Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil, on a Sandy Typic Hapludalf soil, soil samples were collected from the 0-2.5, 2.5-5.0, 5-10 and 10-15 cm layers in treatments consisting of no manure application (control) and with applications of pig slurry and deep litter at two levels: the single and double rate of N requirement for maize and black oat succession. The soil was dried, ground in an agate mortar and analyzed for Cu and Zn contents by 0.01 mol L-1 EDTA and chemically fractionated to determine Cu and Zn. The applications of Pig deep litter and slurry at doses equivalent to 90 kg ha-1 N increased the contents of available Cu and Zn in the surface soil layer, if the double of this dose was applied in pig deep litter or double this dose in pig slurry, Cu and Zn migrated to a depth of 15 cm. Copper is accumulated mainly in the organic and residual fractions, and zinc preferentially in the fraction linked to clay minerals, especially in the surface soil layers.

Effects of intensity of agronomic practices on a soil ecosystem

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.R. Weil ◽  
K.A. Lowell ◽  
H.M. Shade
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Soil Biological Activity ◽  
Agronomic Practices

The combination of several measures (organic matter accumulated, soil porosity, field soil respiration, CO2 evolved during incubation, and mineral N released) shows clearly that soil biological activity was enhanced in the systems that minimized tillage. Surprisingly, the abundance of earthworms, which are considered very sensitive to damage by tillage, did not always follow the same pattern. We do not know the reason for the response of earthworms, but in part it may have been an artifact of the interaction of the collection technique with soil properties such as infiltration rate and temperature. The most dramatic improvement in porosity, organic matter accumulation and N mineralization ability came from five years' continuous growth of grass sod, underscoring the potential role of grass in sustainable cropping systems and the value of grass for soil conservation and improvement.

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