Effect of crop rotations on NO3 leached over 17 years in a medium-textured Brown Chernozem

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. De Jong ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
C. Hamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Legume Green Manure

High NO3 concentration in drinking water can be a health hazard, but properly fertilized rotations containing cereals and pulses or perennial grasses reduce the risk of NO3 leaching. Over fertilization, and sometimes under fertilization, frequent summer fallowing, and use of legume green manure may increase the risk of NO3 leaching in subhumid areas. We used a crop rotation study, initiated in 1987 on a medium-textured Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine the influence of cropping frequency, legume green manure, wheat class and grass hay crop on NO3-N leached beyond the rooting depth of cereals (1.2 m) after 17 yr. Nitrate distribution in the soil to 2.4 m was measured in 1987 and again in 2003. All rotations received N and P fertilizer based on soil tests, and were generally managed using no-tillage. The period had 4% more precipitation than the long-term average (367 mm) with 5 yr exceeding the average by >13%. A comparison of NO3-N content below 1.2 m depth in 1987 and 2003 showed no significant (P < 0.05) leaching has occurred, although the legume (Lens culinaris L.) green manure-wheat-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system showed evidence it may eventually leach NO3. Contrary to expectations, continuous-wheat, because of higher N applied and possibly because net N mineralization is small under no-tillage, tended to leach more NO3 than fallow-containing rotations (P = 0.09). Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn) reduced NO3 content to 2.4 m because it is a perennial with deep and extensive roots. There was no effect of wheat class on the amount of NO3 leached. Key words: Cropping frequency, wheat class, lentil green manure, crested wheatgrass

Water use efficiency of spring wheat in the semi-arid Canadian prairies: Effect of legume green manure, type of spring wheat, and cropping frequency

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kröbel ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. Zentner ◽  
B. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Kröbel, R., Lemke, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R., McConkey, B., Steppuhn, H., De Jong, R. and Wang, H. 2014. Water use efficiency of spring wheat in the semi-arid Canadian prairies: Effect of legume green manure, type of spring wheat, and cropping frequency. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 223–235. In the semi-arid Canadian prairie, water is the main determinant of crop production; thus its efficient use is of major agronomic interest. Previous research in this region has demonstrated that the most meaningful way to measure water use efficiency (WUE) is to use either precipitation use efficiency (PUE) or a modified WUE that accounts for the inefficient use of water in cropping systems that include summer fallow. In this paper, we use these efficiency measures to determine how cropping frequency, inclusion of a legume green manure, and the type of spring wheat [high-yielding Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) vs. Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS)] influence WUE using 25 yr of data (1987–2011) from the “New Rotation” experiment conducted at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. This is a well-fertilized study that uses minimum and no-tillage techniques and snow management to enhance soil water capture. We compare these results to those from a 39-yr “Old Rotation” experiment, also at Swift Current, which uses conventional tillage management. Our results confirmed the positive effect on WUE of cropping intensity, and of CPS wheat compared with CWRS wheat, while demonstrating the negative effect on WUE of a green manure crop in wheat-based rotations in semiarid conditions. Furthermore, we identified a likely advantage of using reduced tillage coupled with water conserving snow management techniques for enhancing the efficiency of water use.

Quantifying short-term effects of crop rotations on soil organic carbon in southwestern Saskatchewan

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 193-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Order Kinetic ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Crop Residue Decomposition ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Crop management practices can have a major influence on soil fertility and soil organic C (SOC) sequestration. We need to accurately measure and estimate changes in SOC in the short term (<20 yr). A 10-yr crop rotation experiment, conducted on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, in southwestern Saskatchewan, was sampled in 1990 (3 yr after initiation of the study) and in 1993 and 1996, to measure SOC changes under nine crop rotation treatments. Minimum tillage practices were used. The stubble was cut high to enhance snow trap and N and P fertilizer applied based on soil tests. Grain and straw yields of the cereals, and hay yields of the crested wheatgrass (CWG) [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaeertn.] were measured annually. An empirical equation which uses two simultaneous first order kinetic expressions, one to estimate crop residue decomposition and the other to estimate soil humus C mineralization was used, together with crop residue (straw and estimated root) C inputs, to estimate SOC changes over the 1987 to 1996 period. The estimated SOC values for the 1990 to 1996 period were generally similar to the measured values (r2 = 0.64, P < 0.0001). Significant (P < 0.10) changes in SOC were not observed below 15 cm depth, perhaps because shallow tillage (10- to 12.5-cm depth) is practiced. A change from cropland to CWG did not increase SOC, and this treatment, chemical fallow-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-spring wheat (F-WW-W), and F-high-yielding (Hy) Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat-Hy (F-Hy-Hy) rotations, had the lowest SOC gains among the rotations. The CPS wheat had a higher harvest index (0.46) than hard red spring (HRS) wheat (0.39), but it increased SOC less than the comparable HRS wheat rotation between 1990 and 1996 indicating that higher grain yields do not always equate to higher SOC. Weather conditions were favourable for cereals from 1990 to 1996 and we measured significant increases in SOC (up to 5.5 Mg ha−1 in 6 yr). This is encouraging for producers who may be contemplating participating in "C trading", although this also suggests that periods of less favourable weather will limit gains in SOC. Summerfallowing once in 4 yr in this semiarid environment did not reduce SOC gains compared to continuous wheat (Cont W). For example, a F-W-W-W rotation gained 4.88 Mg C ha−1 in 6 yr while continuous wheat gained 5 Mg ha−1. Growing Indianhead lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) as a legume green manure crop (GM) with wheat in a GM-W-W rotation did not increase SOC more than F-W-W. The efficiencies of conversion of residue C to SOC were high, ranging between 9% for frequently fallowed systems to 29% for continuously cropped systems, likely due to the favourable weather conditions experienced. Key words: Carbon sequestration, legume green manure, crested wheatgrass, harvest index effect, C conversion efficiencies

Quantifying carbon sequestration in a minimum tillage crop rotation study in semiarid southwestern Saskatchewan

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
A. J. VandenBygaart ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
W. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Century Model ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Scientists and the agricultural community require methods of quantifying C sequestration in soils. This is important in assessing the impact of crop management practices on emission of greenhouse gases and for “C trading”. Using simulation models may be a more effective method of quantification as compared with in situ measurements. A 17-yr crop rotation experiment being conducted on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in which soil organic C (SOC) was being monitored periodically, was used to assess the effect on C sequestration of cropping frequency, wheat class, legume green manure (LGM), flexible cropping based on available water, and regrassing of crop land. Prior to the study, the experimental site had been cropped to fallow-wheat (F-W) for the previous 60 yr. Crop management in this experiment involved minimum tillage, snow trapping, and N + P fertilization based on soil tests. Three models [Century, the Introductory C Balance model (ICBM), and the Campbell model] were tested for their effectiveness in simulating SOC trends. Because growing season precipitation was average to above average, yields, and thus C inputs from residue, were also above average, and consequently SOC increased in most systems for the first 10 yr before reaching a new steady state. SOC gains (kg ha-1 yr-1) in the 0- to 15-cm depth in 17 yr were directly proportional to cropping frequency (F-W-W = 135, F-W-W-W = 332, and Cont W = 441); LGM-W-W gained SOC at a much higher rate than F-W-W (329 vs. 135 kg ha-1 yr-1 ); Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), although it yielded 26% less than Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat, gained SOC at a higher rate than CPS wheat (135 vs. 0 kg ha-1 yr-1). Further, 2 yr of conventionally-tilled fallow in 17 yr (flexible system) markedly suppressed SOC gain by 46% compared with Cont W (441 vs. 236 kg ha-1 yr-1). There was a 282 kg ha-1 yr-1 gain in SOC under crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) (CWG) but most of this gain occurred in the last 7 yr. Though having their inherent weaknesses, the ICBM and Campbell models performed equally well in simulating SOC trends (r2 = 0.55**), but Century was less effective (r2 = 0.21*), in part because of its limited ability to simulate yields. Because C input, and thus yield, is one of the main factors influencing SOC gains, and since measured yields are used in the ICBM and Campbell models, while simulated yields are used by Century, the ICBM and Campbell models have an advantage over the Century model in this comparison. Efficiencies of conversion of input C to SOC increased with cropping frequency, and were higher for LGM-W-W than for F-W-W, and for systems with CWRS wheat rather than CPS wheat. Efficiency of conversion was 8% for F-W-W, 15% for LGM-W-W and 21% for Cont W. Key words: ICBM model, Century model, Campbell model, C sequestration, legume green manure, regrassing

Effect of N, P and cropping frequency on nitrogen use efficiencies of spring wheat in the Canadian semi-arid prairie

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kröbel ◽  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
R. L. Desjardins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
Available N ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Semi Arid

Kröbel, R., Campbell, C. A., Zentner, R. P., Lemke, R., Desjardins, R. L. and Karimi-Zindashty, Y. 2012. Effect of N, P and cropping frequency on nitrogen use efficiencies of spring wheat in the Canadian semi-arid prairie. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 141–154. Knowledge of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is useful for determining fertilizer requirements. We used balance and difference methods to determine the effect of N and P fertilizer on nitrogen use efficiencies for continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Cont W) and fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) in a 39-yr crop rotation study conducted on a Brown Chernozem at Swift Current in semi-arid southwestern Saskatchewan. In the balance method, NUE was estimated as yield (Y), or grain N content (GN), divided by either fertilizer N (FN), or FN+soil test N (SN), or FN+SN+growing season net N mineralization (Nmin). Most reasonable results [calculating NUE as either (Y or GN)/(FN+SN+Nmin)] were unaffected by fertilizer or rotation and averaged 10.9 kg grain kg−1available N and 0.3 kg grain N kg−1available N, respectively, for the different fertilizer treatments of Cont W and F-W-W. Using the difference method, where check values are deducted from treatment values in the numerator, Cont W had greater NUE than F-W-W (roughly 2:1). Variations in NUE were not easily explained in the rotation experiment because of the confounding effect of concurrent increases in available moisture and FN availability in the last decade. However, results from a semi-controlled lysimeter experiment at Swift Current showed that irrigation increased NUE, while increasing FN decreased NUE curvilinearly. Of the methods used to assess NUE, the simplest (Y/FN) was the least accurate. However, data needed for more accurate estimates are less likely to be available to the farming community.

Legume green manure as partial fallow replacement in semiarid Saskatchewan: Effect on carbon fluxes

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Curtin ◽  
H. Wang ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
V. O. Biederbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Residue Decomposition ◽  
Crop Residue Decomposition ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, largely due to burning of fossil fuels, may accentuate the risk of global warming. Scientists are optimistic that with appropriate management soils can function as sinks for C and contribute to CO2 abatement strategies. The objective of this study was to determine if soil C can be increased using an annual legume green manure (GM) as partial fallow replacement in a fallow-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-wheat (F-W-W) rotation in the Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan. In 1995 and 1996 we measured soil C fluxes in all phases of F-W-W and GM-W-W rotations, which were two of the treatments in an experiment initiated in 1987 on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem. The GM, Indianhead black lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) was estimated to add 1800 and 1400 kg C ha−1 in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Annual inputs of C in residues of the wheat crops were two to three times those of GM. Comparison of CO2 emissions from GM with those from the fallow phase of the F-W-W system suggested that GM largely decomposed in the interval between incorporation (mid-July) and freeze-up in fall. Fluxes of CO2 from the wheat phases of GM-W-W closely matched those from the corresponding phases of F-W-W, confirming that there was little carryover of undecomposed GM to the following growing season. Our results suggest that, in a 3-yr rotation, partial fallow replacement with legume GM may have only a minor impact on C sequestration because the increase in C inputs is relatively small (~ 25% in this study) and GM decomposes rapidly in the soil due to its narrow C:N ratio (12–13). Green manuring may, however, play a more significant role in enhancing soil C levels in a F-W system, where relatively large increases in C inputs could be achieved using currently-available legume species. Key words: Carbon sequestration, carbon dioxide emissions, crop residue decomposition, wheat, summerfallow, lentil

EFFECTS OF CROP ROTATIONS AND FERTILIZATION ON YIELDS AND QUALITY OF SPRING WHEAT GROWN ON A BLACK CHERNOZEM IN NORTH-CENTRAL SASKATCHEWAN

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. ZENTNER ◽  
C. A. CAMPBELL ◽  
K. E. BOWREN ◽  
W. EDWARDS
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Total N ◽  
Crop Sequence ◽  
Legume Green Manure

Effects of rotation length, crop sequence, and fertilization on yields and quality of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were examined for eight crop rotations over a 27-yr period (1960-1986) on an Orthic Black Chernozem at Melfort, Saskatchewan. The silty clay loam soil had an initial organic N content of about 0.55% (0-to 15-cm depth). During 1960-1971, fertilized plots received N and P based on general recommendations for the region; thereafter, fertilizer was applied based on soil tests. Yields of wheat grown on fertilized fallow were similar for fallow-wheat, fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W), and a 6-yr fallow-wheat-legume hay rotation (avg. 2519 kg ha−1 in 1960-1971 and 3036 kg ha−1 in the wetter 1972-1986 period). In contrast, yields of wheat grown on fertilized stubble in a F-W-W rotation (avg. 2113 kg ha−1 in 1960-1971 and 2775 kg ha−1 in 1972-1986) averaged 34% higher than yields of continuous monoculture wheat due to fewer observed weed and disease problems. Fertilized stubble wheat yields in F-W-W averaged 88% of comparable fallow wheat yields, while continuous wheat averaged only 66%. Fertilizer increased fallow wheat yields by 14-18%. Stubble wheat yields were increased 11–16% for 3-yr rotations and 26% for continuous wheat during 1960-1971 when relatively low rates of N fertilizer were applied, and 22–31% and 49% for these same rotations, respectively, during 1972-1986 when moisture was more favorable and soil test criteria were used. Inclusion of grass-legume hay or legume green manure crops in the rotations provided no yield benefit for subsequent wheat crops in this fertile soil. The yields of wheat from fertilized rotations increased significantly with years of study reflecting the higher fertilizer rates used in later years and use of improved production technologies. Wheat yields of unfertilized treatments generally increased or showed no trend with time, thus providing no evidence of declining soil fertility. Crude protein concentration and total N yield of the grain were significantly increased by fertilization and inclusion of a grass-legume hay crop in the rotation. Total grain P yield of wheat was also influenced by fertilizer and by rotation, while volume weight of grain was unaffected by treatment.Key words: N and P fertilizer; grass-legume hay; legume green manure; crop sequence; protein

Nitrate leaching in the semiarid prairie : Effect of cropping frequency, crop type, and fertilizer after 37 years

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R P Zentner ◽  
R. De Jong ◽  
R. Lemke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Fallow Period ◽  
Cropping Frequency ◽  
P Fertilizer

A high NO3 concentration in drinking water can be a health hazard. Further, leached N represents an economic loss to the producer. Although NO3 leaching to ground water would be minimal on the semiarid prairies, leaching can occur especially where frequent summer fallowing is practiced. We used a crop rotation study, initiated in 1967 on a medium-textured Orthic Brown Chernozem, at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, to determine the influences of fallow frequency, crop types, and fertilizer on nitrate leaching after 37 yr. Nitrate distribution was measured to 4.5 m depth by 0.3-m increments, in 10 cropping systems in fall 2003. We deduced that some NO3 leached beyond the rooting depth (1.2 m) of spring wheat (Triticum aetivium L.), especially under a fallow-wheat rotation receiving N and P fertilizer. The amounts of NO3 leached tended to be greater and to be located deeper in the soil profile as fallow frequency increased (e.g., fallow-wheat > fallow-wheat-wheat > continuous wheat, all receiving N and P fertilizer based on soil test). However, in this semiarid environment, NO3 leaching was not great, being highest under fallow-wheat (N + P) (180 kg N ha-1 leached in 37 yr). In fallow-containing systems inadequate fertilizer N or P resulted in reduced crop growth and N uptake leading to a tendency for greater leaching of the NO3 (about 145 kg N ha-1 in 37 yr) mineralized during the fallow period than when such a system received N and P based on soil tests (about 66 kg N ha-1 leached in 37 yr). In continuously cropped treatments there was little evidence of leaching. Replacing wheat grown on fallow with the shallow-rooted flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in a fallowwheat-wheat (N + P) rotation resulted in greater NO3 leaching in the flax system (156 vs. 66 kg N ha-1 ) due to less N uptake by flax. In contrast, when the wheat grown on fallow was replaced with fall rye (Secale cereale L.) there was no leaching, perhaps because the fallow period was much shorter (12 mo compared with 20 mo for spring wheat) and also because the fall-seeded crop used soil NO3 in the fall and early spring reducing opportunities for leaching. Key words: Wheat, flax, fall rye, lentil, cropping frequency

scholarly journals Green manure effect on the ability of native and inoculated soil bacteria to mobilize zinc for wheat uptake (Triticum aestivum L.)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Costerousse ◽  
Joel Quattrini ◽  
Roman Grüter ◽  
Emmanuel Frossard ◽  
Cécile Thonar
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Soil Bacteria ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Zn Uptake ◽  
Native Soil ◽  
Soil Zn ◽  
Zn Availability ◽  
Stimulation Of

Abstract Purpose Green manuring can increase the plant available fraction of zinc (Zn) in soil, making it a potential approach to increase wheat Zn concentrations and fight human Zn deficiency. We tested whether green manure increases the ability of both the native soil bacteria and inoculated Zn solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) to mobilize Zn. Methods Wheat was grown in a pot experiment with the following three factors (with or without); (i) clover addition; (ii) soil x-ray irradiation (i.e. elimination of the whole soil biota followed by re-inoculation with the native soil bacteria); and (iii) ZSB inoculation. The incorporation of clover in both the irradiated and the ZSB treatments allowed us to test green manure effects on the mobilization of Zn by indigenous soil bacteria as well as by inoculated strains. Results Inoculation with ZSB did neither increase soil Zn availability nor wheat Zn uptake. The highest soil Zn availabilities were found when clover was incorporated, particularly in the irradiated soils (containing only soil bacteria). This was partly associated with the stimulation of bacterial activity during the decomposition of the incorporated green manure. Conclusion The results support that the activity of soil bacteria is intimately involved in the mobilization of Zn following the incorporation of green manure.

Sustain Productivity of Jhum Crops in North East India - A Holistic Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Indrani P. Bora ◽  
◽  
Arundhati Baruah ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
North East India ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
North East ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Legume Green Manure

To make a comparative study on the impact of green manure (legume, non legume and weed species) and inorganic fertilizer on crop yield and fertility status in soil an experiment was conducted for two successive years in shifting cultivation areas of Assam. Among the different green manure studied maximum yield of rice was recorded in legume green manure (1687.6 kg kgh-1) followed by inorganic fertilizer (1566.6 kgh-1) applied plot in initial year. However during successive year productivity was recorded low in fertilizer applied plot compared legume, non legume and weed green manure. Same trend was noticed in productivity of Maize also. Significant increase of nutrient uptake was observed in green manure treated plot. Fertilizer applied plot showed low value during successive year. Acidity of the soil increased due to release of organic acid during decomposition of green manure. Input of biomass to the soil contributed in increment of organic carbon, nitrogen and other mineral nutrients and thus maintaining productivity as well as fertility status in soil.

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