Net nitrogen mineralization from a Gray Luvisol under diverse cropping systems in the Peace River region of Alberta

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
N. G. Juma ◽  
J. A. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
N Mineralization ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Mineralization Rate ◽  
River Region ◽  
Gray Luvisol

Proper management of crops on Gray Luvisols requires knowledge of net soil N mineralization during the growing season. Soil samples from a long-term field experiment at Beaverlodge, Alberta, were used to determine the kinetics of net N mineralization in soil samples from different crop rotations. The cropping systems established in 1968 consisted of (i) continuous barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (CB); (ii) barley–forage (BF) [bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)]; (iii) continuous bromegrass (CG); and (iv) continuous legume (red clover) (CL.). The BF rotation was generally alternated every 3 yr, and each phase of the rotation (BF and BF) was present in every year. Soil samples from each cropping system were sampled to a depth of 15 cm in 1984. Net N mineralized during a 20-wk laboratory incubation at 30 °C and optimum moisture ranged from 32 to 207 mg kg−1 soil and followed the trend BF < CB = CG = BF < CL. The potentially mineralizable N (N0) ranged from 29 to 364 mg kg−1 soil; the mineralization rate constant (k) ranged from 0.04 to 0.26 wk−1; and the ratio of N0 to total N (active fraction) ranged from 1.1 to 11.4%. The net N mineralization rate of CL soil was 10-fold greater than that of the other cropping systems at the end of 20 wk of incubation. This suggests that the CL cropping system provides more N than other cropping systems during the growing season. Results support the observation that forages improve the N-supplying power of Gray Luvisols. Key words: Gray Luvisol, Typic Cryoboralf, N mineralization potential, cropping rotations, active N fraction

SEASONAL PATTERNS OF NITROGEN FIXATION AND DRY MATTER PRODUCTION BY CLOVERS GROWN IN THE PEACE RIVER REGION

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 847-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. RICE
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
River Region ◽  
Gray Luvisol

Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) and red clover (T. pratense L.) were established in field plots on an Orthic Gray Luvisol (Hazelmere CL) and a Black Solod (Landry CL) in 3 consecutive yr, 1972, 1973 and 1974. Data were collected in the 2 yr following the year of establishment. The factors measured included seed and forage yield, dry matter production rate, potential nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction), soil temperature, air temperature, soil moisture and NH+4-N and NO−3-N content of the soil. Based on calculations using the theoretical C2H2:N2 ratio of 3:1, alsike clover annually fixed 20.8–143.0 kg N/ha, and red clover fixed 15.3–77.3 kg N/ha on the Orthic Gray Luvisol. Also, alsike clover fixed more N2 earlier in the growing season than red clover. The estimate of annual N2(C2H2) fixation by both clovers on the Black Solod was less than one half that on the Orthic Gray Luvisol. There was little difference between the N2(C2H2) fixation by clover crops harvested for forage and those used for seed production. However, the amount of N2(C2H2) fixed always equalled or exceeded the amount of nitrogen removed in the seed, but only occasionally exceeded the amount removed in the forage. Yield and N2(C2H2) fixation varied widely among years, suggesting considerable climatic influence. However, the measured climatic and soil factors were not consistently correlated with potential nitrogenase activity. The seasonal pattern of potential nitrogenase activity appeared to be influenced by the phenological development of the plant. Activity commenced early in May, increased to a maximum about mid-June (flower initiation), and then decreased and generally remained low for the remainder of the growing season. Significant deviations from the usual seasonal profile of potential nitrogenase activity occurred in years with periods of moisture stress or with above average precipitation and soil heat units.

Plant residue and cropping system effects on N dynamics in a Gray Luvisolic soil

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
N. G. Juma ◽  
J. A. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
N Mineralization ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
N Dynamics ◽  
Total N

Soil samples from differing cropping systems were amended with 15N-labeled plant residues having varying carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratios to quantify N dynamics in a Gray Luvisolic soil. For non-amended cropping systems a significantly greater amount of total N was mineralized from the continuous legume (CL) than from the continuous grass (CG), barley/forage (BF) rotations, or continuous barley (CB) cropping systems. The addition of the fababean (Vicia faba L.) plant residue resulted in net N mineralization from most of the cropping systems. After 20 wk, 14.0%, 10.5% and 7.1% of the 15N was mineralized from fababean, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and fescue (Festuca rubra L.) amended residues, respectively, when averaged across cropping systems. Key words: Crop residues, cropping systems, Gray Luvisol, N mineralization, 15N, soil amendments

The effects of diverse cropping systems on aggregation of a Luvisolic soil in the Peace River region

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Broersma ◽  
J. A. Robertson ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Water Drop ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Wet Sieving

Aggregate distribution and stability of surface soil were determined for different cropping systems of a Luvisolic soil in the Peace River region of Alberta. Gray Luvisolic soils have inherent problems that include weak platy structured surface horizons which are underlain by compact sub-soils. The cropping systems consisted of (i) continuous barley (CB) (Hordeum vulgare L.); (ii) barley/forage (BF), 3 yr of barley followed by 3 yr of forage (mixture of bromegrass [Bromus inermis Leyss] and red clover [Trifolium pratense L.]); (iii) continuous grass (CG) (bromegrass); and (iv) continuous legume (CL) (red clover). The barley/forage rotation consisted of two phases, the barley phase (BF) and forage phase (BF). Each phase was present every year. Aggregate separation by dry-sieving with a rotary sieve indicated that the CL cropping system had fewer large aggregates and more small aggregates than the other cropping systems. The CG, BF and CB cropping systems had more larger aggregates and were similar to each other. Wet-sieving, by contrast, resulted in the CG cropping system having greater amounts of large aggregates while the CL, BF phases, and CB cropping systems were similar with more smaller aggregates. Wet-sieving of the different aggregate size fractions from the rotary dry-sieve indicated that the cropping system aggregate stability was in the order of: CG > CL > BF ≥ BF ≥ CB. The stability of the BF cropping system was greater than that of the BF as it had recently come out of the BF phase (3 yr of forage production). Aggregate stability for the cropping system soils was consistent among the evaluation method of wet-sieving and the McCalla water-drop method. Inclusion of forage crops are important in maintaining or improving soil structure of Luvisolic surface horizons. Key words: Luvisolic soil, cropping systems, aggregation, aggregate stability, Peace River region

scholarly journals Relationship between mineral N content and N mineralization rate in disturbed and undisturbed soil samples incubated under field and laboratory conditions

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Sierra
Keyword(s):  
N Mineralization ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Feedback Mechanism ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Mineralization Rate ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
N Content ◽  
Undisturbed Samples

An investigation of in situ N mineralization, using undisturbed soil samples, indicated a negative relationship between the mineral N content [(NO3+NH4)-N] at the beginning of the experiment and the mineral N produced during it. This suggests that a maximum value of mineral N accumulation in intact soil cores could be calculated from the relationship between mineral N content and N mineralization rate. This value would be related to the size of the mineralizable N pool. If this hypothesis is true, the amount of mineralizable N could be estimated from in situ incubations and utilized in the modelling of N mineralization in the field. The aim of this work was to verify this hypothesis. The relationship between the mineral N content and the N mineralization rate was analysed for in situ and laboratory incubations of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples. A negative relationship between the two variables was only obtained for the experiments carried out with undisturbed samples (in the field and laboratory incubations) when the soil moisture content was not limiting for N mineralization. Futhermore, in undisturbed samples, a negative relationship between mineralization rates of consecutive incubation periods was observed, i.e. the soil sample producing relatively more, during a given period, produced relatively less in the following period. This relationship suggests a feedback mechanism operating in N mineralization which would be related to a mineralization-immobilization process in soil microsites. Thus, the N mineralization pattern was more complex than that described by initial hypothesis. The possible consequence of this feedback mechanism on in situ N dynamics is discussed.

scholarly journals Agronomic and Economic Performance of Maize, Soybean, and Wheat in Different Rotations during the Transition to an Organic Cropping System

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Cox ◽  
John Hanchar ◽  
Jerome Cherney
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
High Input ◽  
Price Premiums

Crop producers transitioning to an organic cropping system must grow crops organically without price premiums for 36 months before certification. We evaluated red clover-maize, maize-soybean, and soybean-wheat/red clover rotations in organic and conventional cropping systems with recommended and high inputs in New York, USA to identify the best rotation and management practices during the transition. Organic compared with conventional maize with recommended inputs in the maize-soybean rotation (entry crop) averaged 32% lower yields, $878/ha higher production costs, and $1096/ha lower partial returns. Organic maize compared with conventional maize with recommended inputs in the red clover-maize rotation (second transition crop) had similar yields, production costs, and partial returns. Organic compared with conventional soybean with recommended inputs in soybean-wheat/red clover or maize-soybean rotations had similar yields, production costs, and partial returns. Organic compared with conventional wheat with recommended inputs in the soybean-wheat/clover rotation had similar yields, $416/ha higher production costs, and $491/ha lower partial returns. The organic compared with the conventional soybean-wheat/red clover rotation had the least negative impact on partial returns during the transition. Nevertheless, all organic rotations had similar partial returns ($434 to $495/ha) so transitioning immediately, regardless of entry crop, may be most prudent. High input management did not improve organic crop yields during the transition.

Net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in trembling aspen forest soils on the Boreal Plain

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 2262-2268 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Carmosini ◽  
K J Devito ◽  
E E Prepas
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Mineral Horizon ◽  
Net Nitrification ◽  
Winter Activity ◽  
Aspen Forest

In situ net N mineralization and net nitrification rates were measured in organic forest floor (LFH) and mineral horizons of mature and logged trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands on the Boreal Plain in western Canada. Cumulative May to September mineralization for mature and logged plots was 1354 ± 534 and 1631 ± 1584 mg N·m–2, respectively, in the LFH horizon and 810 ± 394 and –305 ± 3957 mg N·m–2, respectively, in the mineral horizon. Net nitrification in mature and logged plots was 86 ± 142 and 658 ± 435 mg NO3-N·m–2, respectively, in the LFH horizon and 67 ± 50 and 409 ± 325 mg NO3-N·m–2, respectively, in the mineral horizon. Monthly mean NH4-N concentrations in the LFH tended to be higher in logged plots than in mature plots. Winter net N mineralization and nitrification rates in the LFH of mature plots were up to 7% and 11% of growing season net rates, respectively. In comparison, these rates in logged plots were up to 127% and 59% of the growing season net rates, respectively, indicating that winter activity may make a large contribution to annual net mineralization and nitrification after logging.

REGRESSIONS FOR ESTIMATING STRAW YIELDS AND N AND P CONTENTS OF SPRING WHEAT AND N MINERALIZATION IN A BROWN LOAM SOIL

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. CAMPBELL ◽  
R. P. ZENTNER ◽  
F. SELLES
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Growing Season Precipitation

Data from an 18-yr crop rotation study carried out on a Brown loam soil at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, were used to estimate equations that relate spring wheat straw yields, and N and P content of grain and straw to moisture use (MU). Moisture use was defined as soil moisture content in 0- to 120-cm depth at seeding, less soil moisture content at harvest, plus growing season precipitation. Grain yields were also related to straw yields and to N content of the straw. Potential net N mineralization (Nmin) in summerfallow (periods during the growing season with negative Nmin omitted) was related (r = 0.74**) to precipitation received during the spring to fall period. An attempt to relate apparent net Nmin (determined by N balance) in cropped systems to growing season precipitation or to MU was not successful. Highly significant linear regressions were obtained for straw yields, grain N and P contents vs. MU, and for grain yield vs. straw yield (r = 0.66** – 0.83**), but the other relationships were less reliable (r = 0.41** – 0.55**) though still significant. We discussed how these relationships might be used to estimate fertilizer N requirements, for examining N immobilization-mineralization, and for estimating residue sufficiency for erosion control on summerfallowed land. Key words: Straw:grain ratio, N uptake, P uptake, crop residues, N mineralization

Evolved Resistance to Glyphosate in Junglerice (Echinochloa colona) from the Tropical Ord River Region in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A. Gaines ◽  
Andrew Cripps ◽  
Stephen B. Powles
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Acetolactate Synthase ◽  
Glyphosate Resistance ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
Susceptible Population ◽  
River Region ◽  
Resistant Population ◽  
Chemical Fallow

The objective of this study was to determine whether a junglerice population from the tropical Ord River region of northwest Australia was glyphosate resistant, and whether alternative herbicides labeled for junglerice control were still effective. Seed samples collected from the field site were initially screened with glyphosate in the glasshouse, and surviving individuals were self-pollinated for subsequent glyphosate dose-response studies. Glyphosate resistance was confirmed, as the suspected resistant population was found to be 8.6-fold more resistant to glyphosate than a susceptible population based on survival (LD50of 3.72 kg ha−1), and 5.6-fold more resistant based on biomass reduction (GR50of 1.16 kg ha−1). The glyphosate-resistant population was susceptible to label-recommended doses of all other herbicides assessed, including three acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) –inhibiting herbicides (fluazifop-P, haloxyfop, and sethoxydim), two acetolactate synthase (ALS) –inhibiting herbicides (imazamox and sulfometuron), paraquat, and glufosinate. Glyphosate resistance has previously evolved in numerous species found in glyphosate-resistant cropping systems, no-till chemical fallow, fence line, and perennial crop situations. Here we report the evolution of glyphosate resistance in a cropping system that included annual tillage. The evolution of glyphosate resistance in junglerice from a tropical cropping system further demonstrates the need for improved glyphosate stewardship practices globally.

Soil tests for predicting the N requirement of corn

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. G. Beauchamp ◽  
B. D. Kay ◽  
R. Pararajasingham
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Available N ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
N Requirement ◽  
Corn Grain

Several soil N tests were compared with the one currently used for predicting the N requirement for corn in Ontario. The current test involves a measurement of nitrate (NO3−, 0–30 cm) before N fertilizer sidedressing. The study was done to determine the efficacy of other tests for N fertilizer prediction. The tests chosen varied in the quantity of N “extracted” and included hot KCl-extractable NH4+, anaerobically released NH4+, extractable NH4+ following autoclaving in CaCl2 solution and total N of soil sampled to a depth of 30 cm. The 3-yr study was conducted on a sloped (simple) field site, which provided a wide range in soil organic matter (SOM) contents. A corn crop was grown each year following a barley crop with or without red clover cover crop residues incorporated in the spring and with or without N fertilization. Corn grain yields were obtained at the end of the growing season. Grain yields were lowest at the shoulder and backslope locations and highest at the footslope and toeslope locations. Corn plant shoot biomass and N content and soil mineral (NH4+and NO3−) N (0–30 cm) were measured biweekly to provide an estimate or index of available N. Plant and soil samples were taken at the summit, shoulder, backslope, footslope and toeslope locations providing a wide range of SOM levels, which, in turn, provided a range in available N for comparing the various soil N tests. The increase in estimated available N during the growing season was most rapid in the 120–180 day of year (DOY) period and substantially slower in the 230–260 DOY period. An available N index (AVN) was obtained by averaging the N measured with three plant and soil samples taken in the late August to early September period. Thus, the AVN was determined during a period when the increase in available N was relatively slow. Regressions of corn grain yield (not fertilized with N) on AVN produced R2 values ranging from 0.61 to 0.93. Values of R2 for AVN vs. the soil tests ranged from 0.34 to 0.88 where red clover crop residues were not involved. The AVN values were less correlated with the soil N test values where red clover cover crop residues were incorporated with R2 values ranging from 0.11 to 0.92. It was concluded that the hot KCl test would be a suitable alternative to the currently used soil NO3− test because of relatively simple soil sample preparations and storage, and analytical procedures. Key words: Soil N tests, corn, available N index, soil organic matter, landscape location

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document