Characterization of Growth, Nitrogen Accumulation and Competitive Ability of Six Tropical Legumes for Potential Use in Intercropping Systems

Legume cover crops can be successfully used as intercrop or relay crops in low-input farming systems. To select appropriate species for intercropping, experiments were conducted in the savannah zone of Côte d'Ivoire during the wet seasons of 1997 and 1998 to determine the growth and nitrogen (N) accumulation of six cover legumes as well as the characteristics indicative of competitive ability. The species included the erect growing Crotalaria juncea and Cajanus cajan , the creeping species Mucuna pruriens var. cochinchinensis and Calopogonium mucunoides and the bushy herbaceous species Aeschynomene histrix and Stylosanthes hamata . Marked differences in phenology were observed as S. hamata and C. juncea flowered around 45–55 days after sowing (DAS) and the other species around 80–95 DAS. C. juncea and C. cajan produced close to 9 ton dry matter ha^–1, whereas the other species produced less than half this amount. The average estimated amount of accumulated N, based on leaf material, was around 70 kg ha^–1 for all species except S. hamata and A. histrix , which only produced around 25 kg ha^–1. Based on morphological characteristics, C. juncea , C. cajan and the short-lived M. pruriens were identified as potentially most competitive, indicating that productivity and competitive ability are strongly linked. The implications of these findings for intercropping systems in upland rice production are discussed.     

Integrated Nitrogen Management with Green Manures in Rice-Chickpea Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during wet and dry seasons of 1987–88 and 1988–89 to evaluate the performance of green manures with and without fertilizer nitrogen in lowland rice and their residual effect on succeeding crop of chickpea grown under rice-chickpea cropping system. Incorporation of Ipomea carnea (green leaves), Cassia tora and Parthenium hysterophorus (green young plants) ca. 5 t/ha fresh weight significantly improved yield and yield components namely panicles per hill, panicle length, grains per panicle and test weight of transplanted rice. The results showed that at least 20 kg/ha fertilizer nitrogen applied to rice could be replaced by incorporation of 5 t/ha fresh weight green manure. Supplementation of 60 kg N/ha through urea to the green manures treated plots proved to be the best in respect of grain yield and was comparable to the yield obtained under 80 kg N/ha as urea alone. Plant N-uptake followed the similar pattern of rice grain yield. Residual fertility in terms of available nitrogen increased under the green manure treatments, whereas urea nitrogen alone made no impact on fertility build-up. Green manures showed significantly higher residual response than fertilizer N alone to seed yield and N uptake of chickpea.     

Nitrogen Balance of Legume-Wheat Cropping Sequences

In a lysimeter trial the legumes faba bean ( Vicia faba ), red clover ( Trifolium repens ), and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) were grown for two years, followed by winter wheat on all plots in the third year. Plots fertilized with mineral nitrogen and a rye/maize – wheat cropping sequence were included for comparisons. These four cropping sequences were replicated twice in 1982–1984 and 1985–1987, respectively. Two soils, a loamy sand and a sandy loam were used.
On average of both soils:
– N fixation during two years was 461 kg N/ha, 803 kg N/ha, and 790 kg N/ha for faba bean, red clover, and alfalfa, respectively.
– Leaching of nitrogen occurred mainly during the periods of winter fallow or, in case of the perennial legumes, after incorporation of residues into the soil and planting of wheat. Average leaching for all 6 years was 49, 28, and 29 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for faba bean, red clover, and alfalfa, respectively.
– In the period of wheat growth and before planting the new crop (1.5 years) in 1984/85 51–64 kg N/ha and 1986/87 68–94 kg N/ha were leached after growing legumes. Leaching was less for rye/maize fertilized with mineral N, 41 kg N/ha in 1984/85, and 51 kg N/ha in 1986/87, respectively.
– Winter wheat grown after legumes took up 18 kg N/ha < 47 kg N/ha < 65 kg N/ha on average of both soils and 2 years (1984, 1987) after faba bean, red clover, and alfalfa, respectively. This indicates a nitrogen recovery of 24–44% of the legume N potentially available, and consequently a loss by leaching from 56 to 76 %.
On the sandy loam amount of drainage water and N leaching were lower, and faba bean and wheat yields higher than on the loamy sandy soil.     

不同氮素处理对中麦175和京冬17产量相关性状和氮素利用效率的影响

本研究旨在了解我国黄淮和北部冬麦区不同施氮量和施氮模式对氮高效吸收和利用的影响,以及中麦175和京冬17产量对不同施氮处理的响应。2013-2014和2014-2015连续两年在河北吴桥和北京顺义两地种植两品种,观测不同施氮量和基追比处理下,冬小麦的群体特性、产量相关性状,以及氮素吸收效率(NUpE)和氮素利用效率(NUtE)。在吴桥点设0、60+0、120+0、120+60、120+120、120+180 kg hm?2 (基肥+拔节肥) 6个处理,在顺义点仅设前5个处理。在总施氮量0~240 kg hm?2 (吴桥)和0~180 kg hm?2 (顺义)范围内,随施氮量增加,归一化植被指数(NDVI)和气冠温差(CTD)提高,群体总粒数和成熟期生物量增加,进而产量提高;但继续增加施氮量会导致粒重、开花前干物质向籽粒转运量、转运率、对籽粒贡献率、收获指数、氮肥偏生产力、氮素吸收和利用效率降低。在不同施氮水平下,中麦175的产量和稳定性均优于京冬17,表现出穗数多、穗粒重稳定性好、群体活力持久、生物量和收获指数高、花前干物质积累量高和花后干物质转运能力强、氮素吸收效率高,这可能是其高产高效的重要基础。考虑到产量回报和经济效益,推荐中麦175和京冬17在黄淮麦区(北片)施氮量为180~240 kg hm?2,在北部冬麦区施氮量为120~180 kg hm?2。灌浆中后期,NDVI和CTD与穗数、产量和生物量相关性高,可作为快速评价品种氮肥敏感性的指标。     

Effect of spring fertilization on ecosystem services of organic wheat and clover relay intercrops

Nitrogen (N) deficiency and weed infestation are main factors limiting yield and yield stability in organic wheat. Organic fertilizers may be used to improve crop performance but off-farm input costs tend to limit profitability. Instead, forage legumes may be inserted into the crop rotation to improve the N balance and to control weed infestation. In opposition to simultaneous cropping, relay intercropping of legumes in organic winter wheat limits resource competition for the legume cover crop, without decreasing the performance of the associated wheat.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of spring organic fertilization on the performance of intercropped legumes and wheat, and on services provided by the legume cover.Two species of forage legumes (Trifolium pratense L. and Trifolium repens L.) were undersown in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Lona) in five organic fields during two consecutive crop seasons. Organic fertilizer was composed of feather meal and applied on wheat at legume sowing. The cover crop was maintained after the wheat harvest and destroyed just before sowing maize.Spring organic nitrogen fertilization increased wheat biomass (+35%), nitrogen (+49%), grain yield (+40%) and protein content (+7%) whatever the intercropping treatment. At wheat harvest, red clover biomass was significantly higher than white clover one (1.4 vs. 0.7 t ha⁻¹). Nitrogen fertilization decreased forage legume above-ground biomass at wheat harvest, at approximately 0.5 t ha⁻¹ whatever the specie. No significant difference in forage legume biomass production was observed at cover killing. Nitrogen accumulation in legume above-ground tissues was significantly higher for white clover than for red clover. Both red and white clover species significantly decreased weed infestation at this date. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased weed biomass whatever the intercropping treatment and decreased nitrogen accumulation in both clover species (−12%).We demonstrated that nitrogen fertilization increased yield of wheat intercropped with forage legume while the performance of legumes was decreased. Legume growth was modified by spring fertilization whatever the species.     

Identification of cultivars of pasture legumes (Centrosema macrocarpum,C. pubescens and C. sp.n.) by acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cotyledons storage proteins

Summary An electrophoretic procedure was developed for storage proteins which can discriminate cultivars of forage legumes, Centrosema macrocarpum, C. pubescens and C. sp.n. Proteins extracted from cotyledons were separated in 10% polyacrylamide gel containing 10% sucrose. Electrophoretic patterns are presented to illustrate the results that can be obtained with the procedure described. Cultivars of all three species were distinguishable based upon the variation in their acid soluble seed proteins.Joint publiccation of the Department of Food Science, University of Manitoba (No 101) and Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical-CIAT.     

Response of Mustard to Ethrel Spray and Basal and Foliar Application of Nitrogen

In a field trial conducted during 1992–93 and 1993–94, the effect of basal (B) nitrogen (N) (45 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹) and foliar application (F) of water (W) or 10 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 or 600 ppm ethrel (E) (2-Chloro ethyl phosphonic acid) at 70 days after sowing was studied on leaf area index and dry mass at 90 days and pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil vield at harvest of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. T-59. Recommended basal (B) application of 90 kg N ha (BN₉₀) was used as control. On the basis of 2 year data it was found that basal application of 60 kg N and foliar spray of 10 kg N ha ⁻¹ and 600 ppm ethrel gave higher values for growth and yield characteristics and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 12.5 and 14.8%, respectively over control BN_90.     

Response of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Growth, Yield, Oil Content and Its Fatty Acids to Nitrogen Rates and Application Times

A steady and progressive increase in rapeseed yield was observed with each increment in applied nitrogen rates up to 213 kg/ha in both seasons. As for nitrogen application times, the analyzed data showed that adding a split dose (either 1/2 or 1/3) before the third irrigation was a common part between high yielding treatments in 1985/86 season. Nitrogen rates X application times interaction affected rapeseed yield significantly during the first winter season. The highest seed yield of 2.5 t/ha was obtained by adding 213 kg N/ha in two split doses at sowing and just before the third irrigation. The second yield value of 2.47 t/ha was produced under the same N rate when applied in two split doses before second and third irrigation. However, in the second season (1986/87), rapeseed plants did not exhibit significant responses to nitrogen rates X application times interaction.
Chemical analyses showed that rapeseed oil content and its fatty acids (Palmetic, Stearic, Oleic, Linoleic, Linolenic, Arachidic and Erucic) percentages were not significantly affected by either nitrogen rates or application times in both seasons. A very low content of Erucic acid (0.1–0.9 %) in all tested sample was noticed.     

Standorterhebungen zur Stickstoffdynamik nach Anbau von Körnerleguminosen

Field studies on nitrogen dynamics after cultivation of grain legumes Field trials were conducted in order to study the nitrogen dynamics in soil after cultivation of grain legumes and to investigate the possibility of reduction of nitrate leaching due to catch crops or suitable following crops. Accordingly, in 1989/90 soil samples were taken on 12 farms at depths of 0–80 cm in 4 week intervals and analysed for NO₃-N. Furthermore, Brassica napus and Sinapis alba were sown after grain legumes on two farms, and at the experimental station Roggenstein field trials were carried out with different catch crops (Sinapis alba, Raphanus sativus, Lolium multiflorum and Pisum sativum) after grain peas. Considerable amounts of nitrogen (100–150 kg N/ha) in the form of crop residues (straw and grains) were left on the fields cultivated with grain legumes. After harvesting, nitrate content in the soil layer 0–80 cm was on grain legume fields almost twice as high as on fields cultivated with winter wheat. During autumn, the soil nitrate contents increased remarkably. In the soil layer 0–80 cm the maximum values rose to 140 kg N/ha after peas, to 120 kg N/ha after faba beans and only to 65 kg N/ha after winter wheat. The more intensive N-mineralization after peas compared to faba beans is due to a lower C/N-ratio of crop residues and an earlier harvest time of 2-3 weeks of peas. In winter extremely high N-leaching was measured on fallow land after cultivation of grain legumes. Cultivation of catch crops makes it possible to retain up to 110 kg N/ha in plant material. Raphanus sativus and Sinapis alba are most suitable for this purpose due to their high N-uptake even when they are sown late. Ploughing up catch crops in autumn results in a fast mineralization of their immobilized nitrogen. This implies the risk of N-leaching into deeper soil layers during winter, depending on the amount of rainfall and water capacity of the soil. Particularly on soils with low water capacity, early N-mineralization needs to be prevented by cultivating catch crops which freeze off or survive in winter. Cultivation of Brassica napus (winter form) after grain legumes leads to an extensive uptake of soil nitrate before the beginning of the seepage period, and therefore almost excludes enhanced N-leaching.     

Studies on Nitrogen Economy and Productivity of Wheat as Affected by Rainy Season Legumes under Irrigated Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during July 1986–April 1988 at New Delhi, to evaluate the relative contribution of rainy-season legumes towards the growth and productivity of succeeding wheat ( Triticum aestivum [L.] emend. Fiori & Paol), find out economic optimum dose of nitrogen for succeeding wheat and screen a legume which can be best knitted in wheat based cropping system.
HD 2329 wheat performed better when grown after legumes than when grown after Local fodder sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench). N economy in wheat was greater (65–78 kg/ha) after Sona clusterbean ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba [L.] Taubert) and T-9 blackgram ( Phaseolus mungo L.) over sorghum. The economic optimum dose of N for wheat following pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), groundnut ( Aracbis bypogaea L.), blackgram ( Phaseolus mungo L.) and clusterbean were 110.1, 103.6, 113.7, 109.6 and 92.3 kg/ha respectively.     

大豆不同产量水平生物量积累与分配的动态分析

利用亲本间生物量、产量有较大差异的重组自交家系群体(NJRIKY),在相对控制遗传背景的条件下研究地下和地上部生物量与产量相关的动态,比较高中低产家系生物量累积和分配的动态特征,为大豆高产栽培管理和育种提供生物量动态调控与选择的依据。结果表明: (1) 地下部和地上部生物量与产量显著相关,随生长进程,相关系数逐渐增加,至鼓粒期(R5~R6期)相关系数达到最大,r分别约0.76和0.79;(2) 大田条件2 500~2 800 kg hm^-2以上的高产家系,地下部和地上部生物量显著高于中、低产家系,最大累积值均出现在鼓粒期,地下部和地上部生物量最大值分别为660~700 kg hm^-2和7 200~7 800 kg hm^-2。(3) 两年高产组所包含的家系不尽相同,产量下降的家系相应生物量也下降,这归因于环境所致的生物量累积不足;(4) 高产家系各器官生物量分配动态特征为茎秆、叶柄占同时期全生物量的比例显著高于中、低产家系,R5时分别为30.8%和10.6%,而叶、根比例显著低于中、低产家系,R5时分别为34.1%和9.7%。未来大豆产量的突破有赖于品种生物量与收获指数的综合改良和生长调控技术的继续改进。     

Direct and Residual Contributions of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Legumes to the Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Nigerian Savannah

Field experiments were conducted to determine the direct and residual contributions of legumes to the yield and nitrogen (N) uptake of maize during the wet seasons of 1994 and 1995 at the University Farm, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria, located in the Northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria. Nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram contributed to the yield and N uptake of maize either intercropped with the legumes or grown after legumes as a sole crop. Direct transfer of N from the nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram to the intercropped maize was 24.9–28.1, 23.8–29.2, 19.7–22.1 and 18.4–18.6 kg N ha^–1, respectively. However, the transfer of residual N from these legumes to the succeeding maize crop was 18.4–20.0, 19.5–29.9, 12.0–13.7 and 9.3–10.3 kg N ha^–1, respectively. Four years of continuous lablab cropping resulted in yields and N uptake of the succeeding maize crop grown without fertilizer N that were comparable to the yields and N uptake of the succeeding maize crop supplied with 40–45 kg N ha^–1 and grown after 4 years of continuous sorghum cropping. It may therefore be concluded that nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram may be either intercropped or grown in rotation with cereals in order to economize the use of fertilizer N for maize production in the Nigerian savannah.     

N-Dynamik des Bodens, Ertragsbildung und Stickstoffentzug von Winterweizen bei unterschiedlicher Höhe und Verteilung der mineralischen N-Düngung

NO₃ dynamics in the soil, yield formation and N uptake of winter wheat as influenced by dosage and distribution effects of N-fertilizer application
In a 4 year series of field trials carried out with 9 regimes of nitrogen fertilizer application at two trial sites with rather shallow top soil layers but large deviations in soil characteristics, grain yield varied between 50 dt/ ha and 120 dt/ha with nitrogen doses from 0–170 kg N/ha. Soil nitrogen supply for wheat grain formation on unfertilized plots reached 80 kg N/ha/year within the narrow range of 75–95 kg N/ha in different years at both sites which amounts to 1.5 % and 0.5 % of the highly different N-content of the trial sites.
The most successful nitrogen application regimes are characterized by modest fertilizer doses in early spring and the delay of supplemental fertilizer doses until growth stage EC 32. They resulted into modest NO) soil content from EC 29 to EC 32 and/or a noticable decrease of soil NO₃ content during growth stage EC 30–32, which seems to be responsible for the development of only modest stand densities and reduced straw yield, while the delayed supplementation with nitrogen fertilizer overcompensated these effects mainly by increased grain numbers/ear and a remarkable improvement of harvest index.
The contribution of soil borne nitrogen to kernel yield formation started to decrease with even low dosages of supplemental nitrogen fertilization with the exception of the highest yielding season 1987/88. Top levels of grain yield have been regularly obtained with supplemental nitrogen fertilizer dosages about 40 kg N/ha below grain yield nitrogen extraction if they were added within favorable application regimes.     

Competition between Canada Thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.)

This study was conducted to investigate whether density, above-ground biomass and nitrogen (N) concentration of Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. cause serious reductions in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) yield. A 2-year field experiment (1991–93) with four Cirsium densities (0, 4, 16, 64 plants m^–2) was carried out. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of Cirsium density on faba bean yield. Multiple regression analysis showed that the main factors causing faba bean yield losses were the density and above-ground biomass of Cirsium . The results of this study demonstrate that Cirsium competition reduces faba bean yield. The mean faba bean yield losses over the 2 years were 10, 12 and 8% for above-ground biomass, seed and stem, respectively, for a Cirsium density of 16 plants m^–2.     

Intercropping of Corn with Soybean, Lupin and Forages: Silage Yield and Quality

Intercropping of corn with legumes is an alternative to corn monocropping and has a number of advantages, for example, lower levels of inputs, lower cost of production and better silage quality than monocrop systems. An experiment was carried out at two sites in 1993 and 1994 to investigate the effects of seeding soybean or lupin alone or in combination with one of three forages (annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) on silage yield and quality. The intercrop plots received 90 kg ha⁻¹ less nitrogen fertilizer than monocrop plots, which received 180 kg ha⁻¹. Corn biomass yield had a variable response to the treatments, but showed no change at most site-years. Soybean and lupin biomass yields were decreased by intercropping (80–98 % for soybean, and 94–100 % for lupin). However, when corn growth was limited due to poor establishment at one site in 1994, soybean was able to grow well and produce yields similar to those of monocropped soybean. The three underseeded forages did not grow well during the period examined (up to silage harvest) and had no effect on the yield of any crop. Total silage yields were similar to corn monocrop biomass yields even during 1994 at the site with low corn population densities because soybean was able to compensate for reduced corn growth.     

氮肥运筹对Y两优1号产量和生物量影响的探讨

【研究目的】探讨不同施氮量和不同施氮时期运筹对超级杂交稻籽粒产量及产量构成的影响。【方法】以超级杂交稻Y两优1号为试验材料,设计不同施氮量和不同施氮时期运筹2个田间试验进行研究。【结果】产量（y1）、穗长（y2）、穗总粒数（y3）均与施氮量（x）呈极显著的二次抛物线相关;每公顷穗数与施氮量显著线性相关。超级稻在各生育时期的生物量随施氮量增加而增加;随着水稻生育期的进程施氮量对生物量的促进作用更加明显;相同基-穗施氮比例（80-20）不同施氮量处理各个时期生物量变化趋势相似,后期生物量增加速度快的处理其产量普遍较高。【结论】该地区Y两优1号产量最高的施氮量为252 kg.hm-2;在施氮量为180 kg.hm-2条件下,基-穗施氮比例60-40和基-蘖-穗-粒施氮比例10-50-25-15的产量达到最高,分别为11649 kg.hm-2和11624 kg.hm-2。     

Biomass Yield and Essential Oil Yield Variations in Java Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.), Intercropped with Food Legumes and Vegetables

Java citronella ( Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt., Family: Poaceae) is a perennial, multiharvest aromatic grass, the shoot biomass of which, on steam distillation, yields an essential oil extensively used in fragrance and flavour industries. It has a long initial lag phase. To utilize the crop resources more efficiently during this lag phase, a field experiment was conducted for two years (1995–97) in semiarid tropical climate to explore the feasibility of intercropping food legumes and vegetables in Java citronella. Among food legumes, greengram ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilez.), and among vegetables, clusterbean ( Cyamopsis psoraloides D. C., syn. Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.), tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and lady's finger ( Abelmoschus esculentus Moench.) as intercrops did not decrease the biomass yield, essential oil yield of Java citronella and produced bonus yields of these crops over and above that of Java citronella. Maximum monetary returns were recorded by Java citronella intercropped with tomato or greengram. Java citronella intercropped with redgram ( Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), horsegram ( Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verd. syn. Dolichos biflorus Roxb.) and brinjal ( Solanum melongena L.) suffered significant biomass and essential oil yield reductions. Horsegram proved to be the most competitive intercrop producing least yields and minimum monetary returns.     

Growth Analysis, Herbage and Seed Yield of Certain Forage Legume Species Under Rainfed Conditions

The need to increase forage production for the growing livestock population in the Mediterranean region necessitates the evaluation of various promising forage species with respect to maximum herbage yield, optimum time for harvest and seed yield. Seven forage legumes, woolly pod vetch ( Vicia villosa subsp. dasycarpa accession 683), narbon vetch (V. narbonensis accession 67), common vetch ( V. sativa selections 2541, 2037, 2020), common chickling ( Lathyrus sativus selection 439) and ochrus chickling ( L. ochrus selection 104) were compared over two years with contrasting rainfall. In both years the entries were sown in November and their primary growths sampled periodically during growth. For each sample, phenology, total dry matter, leaf area index (LAI) and, at maturity, total dry matter, seed yield and harvest index, were recorded.
In both seasons, narbon vetch attained the highest dry matter and seed yields, and there was very limited variability in the maximum dry matter yield of the other entries. In general, the maximum dry matter occurred at 20–50 % podding in woolly pod vetch, 100 % podding in common vetch selection 2541 (local), narbon vetch and common chickling and at maturity in common vetch selection 2037, selection 2020 and ochrus chickling.
Throughout the vegetative to early flowering stages, woolly pod vetch had the highest dry matter yield and LAI. Possible uses of each species as animal feed are discussed.