不同盐分土壤环境下绿肥腐解及养分释放动态研究

通过尼龙网袋埋田法研究了绿肥苕子、黑麦草在不同盐分滨海盐渍土壤中的腐解及养分释放规律。结果表明,不同盐分地块黑麦草干物质残留率、总有机碳含量和C/N总体高于苕子。苕子氮、钾在最初15天内快速释放,不同盐分地块的残留率分别为20.4%～34.0%和13.2%～18.1%,黑麦草钾在前45天释放了近90%,氮、磷释放持续整个腐解过程。低盐分地块绿肥钠的最终残留率为5.2%～7.6%,高盐分地块为36.2%～49.2%。不同盐分地块绿肥镁、钙、锌残留率以黑麦草高于苕子。铜的释放主要集中于前45天,之后趋于停滞。镁、铁、锰分别在腐解45～60天或45～75天出现养分富集现象。整体来看,禾本科绿肥干物质及养分残留率均高于豆科绿肥,高盐分明显阻滞了绿肥氮、钙、镁、铁、锰、铜和锌养分的释放。     

三种不同绿肥的腐解和养分释放特征研究

利用网袋法模拟研究旱地条件下箭筈豌豆（Vicia sativas L.）、苕子（Vicia villosa Roth. Var.）、山黧豆（Lathyrus palustris L. Var. Pilosus ledeb） 三种绿肥的腐解和养分释放特征。结果表明,三种绿肥均在翻压15 d内腐解较快,腐解率均在50%以上,之后腐解速率逐渐减慢,翻压70 d时,箭筈豌豆、苕子和山黧豆的累积腐解率分别达71.7%、67.3%和74.1%。氮和钾在翻压10 d内释放较快,碳和磷在翻压15 d内释放较快,之后释放速率均减慢。箭筈豌豆、苕子和山黧豆在翻压70 d时的碳累积释放率分别为71.3%、67.0%和74.1%。三种绿肥的养分累积释放率均是K>P>N,在翻压70 d时钾的累积释放率均在90%以上,磷的累积释放率为73.3%～78.7%,氮的累积释放率为59.9%～71.2%,其中山黧豆的氮和磷累积释放率高于箭筈豌豆和苕子,而三种绿肥钾的累积释放率无显著差异。养分释放量结果表明,箭筈豌豆和苕子的养分累积释放量表现为K>N>P,而山黧豆表现为N>K>P,不同绿肥的养分累积释放量不同,山黧豆的氮累积释放量最高,箭筈豌豆的磷和钾累积释放量最高,苕子各养分的累积释放量都最低。     

硅对猪屎豆、高丹草生长与养分释放规律的影响

为探讨施硅对猪屎豆和高丹草生长与自然还田条件下的降解规律及养分释放特征,开展了施用硅肥(SiO₂)42.4 kg/hm²对猪屎豆和高丹草绿肥生长、养分含量影响的试验,在自然条件下采用尼龙网袋法研究了施用硅后猪屎豆和高丹草还田3～168 d有机碳降解率以及氮、磷、钾释放规律。结果表明:施用硅肥显著提高了猪屎豆和高丹草的产量、硅含量,提高了猪屎豆中氮和高丹草中钾的含量,与未施用硅相比,施用硅分别提高猪屎豆和高丹草的产量27.87%和24.90%;分别提高硅含量82.75%和29.15%;分别提高养分(N+P+K)累积量30.60%和28.80%;猪屎豆中氮和高丹草中钾分别提高15.79%和7.51%;施用硅后显著降低猪屎豆和高丹草还田3～56 d有机碳降解率、氮释放率以及猪屎豆干物质降解率;与未施用硅相比,还田后56 d分别降低有机碳降解率8.90%和7.46%、氮释放率7.85%和12.11%、猪屎豆干物质降解率12.53%;绿肥施用硅后还田在自然条件下2种绿肥的降解规律差异不显著,高丹草干物质、有机碳表现出比较高的的降解加速度,猪屎豆还田后28 d氮、磷、钾的释放率比高丹草的高出5.80～18.13个百分点。研究结果为进一步提高绿肥土壤培肥效果奠定基础。     

还田时期对绿肥用油菜腐解与养分释放规律的影响

探讨绿肥用油菜还田时期对干物质腐解与养分释放规律的影响,以期为华北地区油菜用作绿肥及后茬作物减氮增效提供理论依据。采用尼龙网袋埋田法研究了绿肥油菜初花期(G1)、盛花期(G2)和角果成熟期(G3)还田的干物质腐解与养分释放规律。结果表明,G1 处理油菜还田干物质量比G2 和G3 处理显著减少45.43% 和46.87%;G1 和G2 处理还田时碳含量低于G3 处理,G1 处理氮和磷含量最高,分别为28.17 和5.21 g/kg,钾含量表现为G1>G2>G3,G1 与G3 处理差异显著。绿肥油菜还田后分快速、中速和慢速腐解3 个阶段,持续期分别为还田后0 ～ 17、18 ～ 45 和46 ～ 123 d,阶段内累积腐解率分别达44.27% ～ 66.87%、12.56% ～ 29.18% 和4.49% ～ 13.81%,最终累积腐解率达60.53% ～ 91.87%;G1 和G2 处理间腐解率无显著差异,但显著高于G3 处理。绿肥油菜还田后碳、氮、磷和钾释放率与腐解率对应亦表现为前期快速释放、中期缓慢释放、后期趋于平稳的规律,且养分累积释放率均表现为钾> 碳> 氮> 磷。经腐解,G1 处理碳、氮、磷和钾累积释放率分别为94.70%、92.97%、88.76% 和93.26%,G2 处理分别为84.25%、86.32%、86.51% 和92.52%,G3 处理分别为72.52%、59.97%、68.54%和87.67%;G2 处理氮、磷和钾释放量最高,分别为125.15、22.88 和50.42 kg/hm²,且G2 处理氮、磷释放量显著高于G1 和G3 处理,G2 处理的钾释放量与G3 处理无明显差异。综上所述,华北地区绿肥油菜在盛花期还田干物质量大且氮、磷、钾释放量最高,是最适宜的还田时期,可为下茬作物减施化肥提供技术支撑与理论依据。     

不同轮作体系土壤残留硒锌对小麦产量与营养品质的影响

采用盆栽试验,通过玉米-小麦和大豆-小麦轮作,探讨了不同种植模式中,土壤残留硒锌对小麦产量与营养品质的影响。结果表明,土壤中残留硒锌对小麦生物量和产量的影响与作物轮作体系有关。玉米-小麦轮作,土壤残留硒锌并没有表现出增加小麦产量的趋势,而大豆-小麦轮作,土壤残留硒锌对小麦生物量和产量呈增加趋势。土壤残留硒锌可改变作物体内元素组成。玉米-小麦轮作,土壤残留硒锌有利于小麦籽粒对氮、钾、硫、钙、铁、锌、硒、铜元素的吸收累积。大豆-小麦轮作,土壤残留硒锌促进小麦对钾、硫、镁、铁、锌、硒、铜、锰、硼的吸收,而氮、磷、钙吸收减少。     

旱地不同绿肥品种和种植方式提高土壤肥力的效果

【目的】黄土高原旱地土壤贫瘠,夏闲期雨热资源难以被充分利用。本研究通过田间试验研究不同夏季绿肥品种及其种植方式对绿肥鲜重、绿肥养分还田量、土壤养分含量、土壤酶活性、土壤水溶性有机碳和微生物量碳含量的影响,旨在筛选出适宜当地夏闲期种植的绿肥品种及种植方式,为促进黄土高原地区农业可持续发展提供理论依据和技术支持。 【方法】本研究采用随机区组设计,以夏季裸地休闲为对照,设绿肥 (绿豆、长武怀豆、毛叶苕子、油菜) 和绿肥种植方式 (麦后播种、麦田套种) 为研究因素,共 9 个处理。绿肥盛花期全区齐地收割地上部并称重计鲜草产量,分析绿肥地上部氮磷钾含量;每个小区采集 50 株绿肥下长、宽、深均为 20 cm 的土体中的根系,称重并进行分析;绿肥收获翻压 20 天后,于各小区采集 0—20 cm 土壤样品,测定土壤养分含量,土壤微生物量碳,土壤水溶性有机碳含量以及主要酶含量。【结果】绿肥麦后播种生物量要高于麦田套种;麦后播种以怀豆和油菜生物量较高,套种以油菜生物量显著高于其他处理。不同种植方式下绿肥总养分还田量与生物量规律类似;麦后播种长武怀豆显著提高了氮素和磷素还田量,麦后播种油菜显著提高了磷素和钾素还田量;套种时氮、磷和钾还田量由高到低顺序为油菜 > 毛叶苕子 > 绿豆 > 长武怀豆,不同绿肥间差异达到显著水平。翻压油菜土壤有机质、速效磷及速效钾含量都要显著高于休闲处理;麦后播种长武怀豆并翻压 2 年后,0—20 cm 土壤有机质、总氮、矿质氮、速效磷及速效钾含量较休闲分别提高了 12.4%、22.2%、95.9%、28.6% 和 11.2%。种植绿肥与休闲相比,土壤水溶性有机碳和微生物量碳含量均有所提高,其中套种油菜增加达显著水平,麦后播种各绿肥间土壤微生物量碳含量差异不显著,但都显著高于休闲。与休闲相比,麦后播种绿肥均提高了土壤酶活性;套种绿肥除绿豆处理的脲酶和过氧化氢酶低于休闲外,其他处理均提高了土壤酶活性。土壤各测定指标与绿肥生物量之间均有显著或极显著的正相关关系,表明土壤肥力的提高主要取决于还田绿肥的生物量。【结论】长武怀豆和油菜翻压入土后,能够增加土壤的养分含量和酶活性,培肥效果优于绿豆和毛叶苕子。麦后播种绿肥的生物量、养分还田量显著高于套种,土壤养分含量及土壤酶活性也较高。所以在黄土旱塬地区可选择麦后播种长武怀豆和油菜可有效改善土壤肥力。     

不同绿肥种植模式下玉米秸秆腐解特征研究

【目的】玉米是中国第一大粮食作物,如何处理大量的玉米秸秆成为玉米种植区面临的关键问题之一,深入研究冬种绿肥对玉米秸秆腐解释放的影响,对农业可持续发展具有重要意义。【方法】采用尼龙网袋法,通过对红壤旱地空闲 (YCK)及紫花苜蓿(YZ)、 黑麦草(YH)、 肥田萝卜(YL)绿肥种植模式下玉米秸秆177 d的腐解量和养分释放的监测,分析玉米秸秆腐解速率及碳、 氮、 磷、 钾的释放规律。【结果】四种种植模式下,玉米秸秆腐解及养分释放均呈现前期快后期慢的规律,7 d的腐解和养分释放速率均达到最大。翻压177 d时,四种种植模式下(YCK、 YZ、 YH、 YL)玉米秸秆累积腐解量分别为23.41、 21.22、 20.86和20.95 g,玉米秸秆碳累积释放量分别为12.38、 11.07、 11.18、 11.36 g ,与YCK种植模式相比,YZ、 YH、 YL种植模式秸秆累积腐解量分别显著降低了9.3%、 10.9%、 10.5%,碳累积释放量则分别显著降低了10.6%、 9.7%和8.3%; 各处理氮累积释放量分别为479.46、 513.04、 442.58和530.20 mg,相比YCK种植模式,种植绿肥对玉米秸秆氮累积释放量的影响不显著,而YH种植模式较YZ和YL种植模式则显著降低了13.7%和16.5%。各处理磷累积释放量分别为58.10、 57.91、 58.47和59.47 mg,且YL种植模式较YCK种植模式显著提高了2.35%; 翻压 28 d时,各处理钾累积释放量为487.20、 444.85、 456.94和434.55 mg,分别占加入量的100.0%、 91.3%、 93.8%和89.2%,且三个种植模式均显著低于YCK种植模式,42 d时各处理的钾均全部释放。从玉米秸秆碳与氮、 磷、 钾比来看,翻压177 d时,与YCK种植模式相比,YZ和YL种植模式玉米秸秆碳氮比显著增加了102.8%、 91.6%; YZ、 YH、 YL种植模式碳磷比分别显著增加了48.4%、 72.4%、 147.0%。翻压 28 d时,YH种植模式玉米秸秆碳钾比较YL种植模式显著提高。【结论】玉米秸秆腐解及其养分释放速率均在翻压后第7天达到最大值,之后腐解和养分释放速率减缓。与空闲相比,种植绿肥能显著减缓玉米秸秆腐化和秸秆中碳和钾的释放,而种植紫花苜蓿和肥田萝卜能促进玉米秸秆氮素释放,种植黑麦草则减缓了玉米秸秆氮素释放。种植肥田萝卜能显著促进玉米秸秆磷素释放。冬季种植肥田萝卜既对玉米秸秆还田后氮素释放有一定促进作用,又能增加红壤中磷的有效性,同时还能减缓玉米秸秆钾的释放,使钾释放更为长效,是一种土壤培肥和秸秆养分释放较好的绿肥种植模式。     

两种禾本科冬绿肥生长规律及腐解特征比较

在山东临沂研究了冬播绿肥黑麦(冬牧70)和大麦的生长发育、养分吸收规律,并通过原位培养法比较了绿肥翻压后腐解及养分释放的差异。结果表明,冬牧70和大麦在返青后均迅速积累干物质,大麦的快速生长期在3月下旬,冬牧70的快速生长期在4月上旬,冬牧70进入快速生长期后的生长速率高于大麦。两种绿肥的养分吸收规律与干物质积累规律一致,冬牧70和大麦的氮、磷、钾吸收量基本一致。两种绿肥在翻压30 d内快速腐解,腐解率和氮素释放率达到了80%以上,大麦的腐解速率高于冬牧70,而矿质营养元素的释放率低于冬牧70,根据腐解和养分释放规律确定两种禾本科绿肥的适宜翻压时间为4月上旬。     

鸡粪等有机肥料的养分释放及土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响

采用室内培养法研究鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料的矿化率和速效氮、磷、钾养分释放特性,并探讨施用有机肥料对土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响.结果表明,鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料当季(120d)有机碳矿化率分别为87.5%、71.9%和55.4%,碱解氮释放量分别为39.9%、20.6%和35.3%,速效磷释放量分别为24.6%、61.3%和34.8%,速效钾释放量分别为78.8%、36.8%和41.5%.供试条件下土壤有效铜、锰含量增加,但有效锌含量降低,施用鸡粪可使土壤有效铁含量增加,而施用牛粪和猪粪则使土壤有效铁含量降低.     

豆科绿肥对渭北旱塬土壤养分及生态化学计量学特征影响

渭北旱塬是我国重要的农业生态区,但土壤贫瘠、水土流失严重,亟需培肥土壤、改善生态环境。为探究渭北旱塬地区夏闲期种植并翻压豆科绿肥后土壤养分及其生态化学计量学特征的变化规律,采用田间定位试验,分别设置了3种豆科绿肥(绿豆、大豆和长武怀豆)和4个施氮水平,连续6年种植并翻压绿肥后,分析了土壤中养分含量,采用生态化学计量学方法计算了不同条件下的生态化学计量比值。结果表明:与对照(休闲)处理相比,长期种植并翻压豆科绿肥能显著提高土壤有机碳、全氮和碱解氮等养分指标含量,3种养分分别提高了4.47%~15.35%、5.21%~6.25%和11.00%~14.35%,且均以怀豆处理提升效果最佳。翻压绿肥短期内(2周后),土壤全氮含量的提升幅度大于有机碳和碱解氮。怀豆处理的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、全磷和有效磷含量在短期和长期内均显著升高,培肥效果最为明显。翻压绿肥后,短期内土壤C∶N降低,但从长期效应来看,翻压绿肥提高了土壤C∶N,有利于土壤有机质的积累,能有效改善土壤养分平衡状态。土壤C∶P和N∶P与土壤C、N含量变化关系较为密切。夏闲期长期种植并翻压绿肥明显改善了土壤碳、氮养分状况,是渭北旱塬地区土壤培肥的有效措施。     

几种绿肥的根系分泌物对土壤锌的活化效应

由于北方石灰性土壤锌有效性低,作物锌含量无法满足人体营养需求.前期研究发现种植绿肥可提高后茬小麦锌含量且后者与自身吸锌量正相关,但机制尚不明确.通过田间试验测定绿肥(黑麦豆、绿豆、高丹草)地上部锌含量,水培试验收集分析绿肥根系分泌物组成,土壤浸提试验测定根系分泌有机酸对土壤pH值及土壤锌的影响,从而揭示绿肥吸锌能力及其...     

Relationship between plant responses to high Na and ameliorative effects of supplemental K and Ca

The ameliorative effects of supplemental potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) were investigated from the viewpoint of water and nutrient status. Sodium (Na) stress resulted in poor water status in barley, maize and kidney bean and nutrient imbalance in all species, with small effects observed in soybean and kidney bean. Supplemental K and Ca effectively improved plant growth, especially in eggplant, green pepper, Chinese radish and spinach. Supplemental K or Ca ameliorated the nutrient status of all species. Supplemental Ca showed the greatest effect on growth improvement, increasing not only Ca concentration but also K concentration. However, maize and kidney bean could not maintain adequate water status under Na stress and exhibited greater growth suppression. From these results, we concluded that supplemental K and Ca is effective for the growth amelioration of plant species in which high Na salinization induces nutrient imbalance but does not affect water status.     

Effect of addition of organic residues,farmyard manure and fertilizer nitrogen on soil fertility in rice‐wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conducted for 3 crop years (July‐June) at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the effects of Sesbania and cowpea green manuring (GM) and incorporation of mungbean residues after harvesting grain, Leucaena loppings, FYM and wheat straw incorporation before planting rice and application of 0,40,80 and 120 kg N ha^?1 to rice on the soil organic carbon (SOC), alkaline permanganate oxidizable N (APO‐N), 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate extractable P (SBC‐P) and 1N ammonium acetate exchangeable K (AAE‐K) in surface 0–15 cm soil after the harvest of rice and wheat grown in sequence. Green manuring and addition of organic residues prevented the decline in SOC. On the other hand addition of N fertilizer tended to decrease SOC after rice harvest. On the contrary application of green manures, organic residues, FYM and fertilizer N increased APO‐N, which indicates the benefit of these treatments to a more labile soil organic N pool. Also application of green manures, organic residues, FYM and fertilizer N increased SBC‐P. Not much change was observed in AAE‐K by the treatments applied.     

太湖地区稻田绿肥固氮量及绿肥还田对水稻产量和稻田土壤氮素特征的影响

通过田间试验,利用15N自然丰度法,研究了太湖地区水稻土冬季绿肥的固氮量,以及绿肥还田后配施氮肥对水稻产量、稻田土壤供氮能力及土壤氮素淋失特征的影响。试验结果表明,紫云英和蚕豆当季分别能固定氮约32.8和68.8 kg km-2进入稻田生态系统以培肥土壤和供下季水稻利用。蚕豆秸秆还田后基本能满足水稻生长所需的氮,紫云英和蚕豆还田施氮120 kg km-2时,既可保证水稻较高产量,又节约当季化学氮肥45%～55%。紫云英和蚕豆还田不施氮肥处理,整个生长期耕层土壤溶液NH+4-N、NO-3-N和TN浓度均低于配施氮肥的处理;蚕豆还田处理土壤溶液TN浓度高于紫云英还田处理。随氮肥用量增加,NH+4-N、NO-3-N和TN浓度有增加趋势,不同施氮量间差异不显著。绿肥-水稻轮作,紫云英和蚕豆还田土壤氮素淋溶显著降低。配施氮肥增加了土壤氮的淋失量,尤其施氮300 kg km-2处理,土壤淋溶液NH+4-N、TN浓度显著高于施氮0～240 kg km-2的处理。     

Evaluating the efficacy of cyanobacterial formulations and biofilmed inoculants for leguminous crops

Our investigation was aimed towards evaluating the agronomic potential of biofilmed preparations (developed using Anabaena/Trichoderma as matrices with different agriculturally useful bacteria/fungi as partners) and selected cyanobacterial strains (Anabaena laxa (T7) RP8/Calothrix sp.). The formulations were prepared using paddy straw compost:vermiculite (1:1) as carrier and tested as inoculants in mungbean and soybean. The effects of the formulations were evaluated in terms of microbiological, nutrient availability, and plant biometric parameters. The Trichoderma viride–Bradyrhizobium biofilm exhibited 20–45% enhancement in fresh/dry weight of plants over other microbial treatments, while the T. viride–Azotobacter biofilm exhibited highest dehydrogenase activity in the soil and nitrogen fixation. T7 RP8 recorded statistically at par yield values with the T. viride–Bradyrhizobium (T5) biofilm treatment in mungbean. In soybean, among all the treatments, the T5 biofilm recorded the highest fresh weight of plants and available N in soil at harvest. The Anabaena–T. viride biofilmed formulations proved to be the most promising for soybean, recording 12–25% enhanced yield and microbial activity (measured as dehydrogenase activity). This study highlights the promise of cyanobacterial inoculants and biofilmed biofertilizers as promising inputs for integrated nutrient management strategies in agriculture.     

Impact of organic‐manure combinations on the productivity and soil quality in different cropping systems in central India

In a field experiment, the effect of combination of different organic manures on the productivity of crops and soil quality were evaluated in deep vertisols of central India. Combinations of cattle dung manure (CDM), poultry manure (PM), and vermicompost (VC) vis‐à‐vis mineral fertilizers were tested in four cropping systems involving soybean (Glycine max L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk). The organic manures were applied based on the N‐equivalent basis and nutrient requirement of individual crop. The grain yields of durum wheat and isabgol were higher in the treatment that received a combination of CDM + VC + PM whereas in mustard, CDM + PM and in chickpea, CDM + VC recorded the higher yields. The yield levels in these organic‐manure combinations were similar to the yields obtained with mineral fertilizers. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat and among the nutrient sources, the combination of CDM + VC + PM recorded the highest total productivity. At the end of the 3‐year cropping cycle, application of organic manures improved the soil‐quality parameters viz., soil organic carbon (SOC), soil available nutrients (N, P, and K), soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase), and microbial biomass C in the top 0–15 cm soil. Bulk density and mean weight diameter of the soil were not affected by the treatments. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat recorded the highest SOC and accumulated higher soil available N, P, and K. In conclusion, the study clearly demonstrated that the manures applied in different combinations improved the soil quality and produced the grain yields which are at par with mineral fertilizers.     

Plant‐based fertilizers for organic vegetable production

To ensure high yield and quality in organic vegetable production, crops often require additional fertilizer applied during the season. Due to the risk of contamination of edible plant products from slurry, plant‐based fertilizers may be used as an alternative. The purpose of our work was to develop mobile green manures with specific high nutrient concentrations (e.g., nitrogen [N], sulfur [S], and phosphorus [P]) that are released quickly after soil incorporation and that are easy to handle during storage and application. To distinguish from traditional green manures that are grown to improve soil fertility, the term “mobile green manures” is used for green‐manure crops that are harvested in one field and then moved as a whole and used as fertilizer in other fields. To further investigate mobile‐green‐manure crops for use as efficient fertilizers, pot and field experiments were conducted with cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis) and kale (Brassica oleracea sabellica) supplied with organic matter consisting of a wide range of plant species with varying nutrient concentrations. Further, field experiments were conducted with leek (Allium porrum) and celery (Apium graveolens dulce) supplied with increasing amounts of organic matter consisting of fresh, ensiled, or dried green manures. Results show that garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa), dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria), and fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) harvested with a high leaf‐to‐stem ratio resulted in high P concentration, and cruciferous crops in high S concentration. Dyer's woad, salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) showed high boron (B) concentration, whereas species such as dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), chicory (Cichorium intybus), and garden sorrel showed high potassium (K) concentration. Green manures with high P and S concentrations increased the nutrient uptake and yield of pot‐grown cauliflower and kale. Field experiments showed that the production of cauliflower and kale decreased when the carbon‐to‐nitrogen (C : N) ratio of applied green manure increased. In kale, for example, application of 160 kg N ha^–1 in early harvested lucerne (Medicago sativa) with a C : N ratio of 10 resulted in the highest kale production whereas application of an equal amount of N in late harvested lucerne with a C : N ratio of 20 produced 34% less. Differences in vegetable production were not due to the amount of N applied, but to the N availability. Field experiments with fresh, ensiled, or dry green manure applied to leek and celery showed that the C : N ratio has to be low to get a fast response. Further, these field experiments demonstrate the importance of green manures, which can be stored and are easy to handle during transport, crop application, and soil incorporation. It is concluded that it is possible to produce green manures with high concentrations of S, P, K, and B, and low C : N ratios and that these properties have a great impact on the value of the green manure for vegetable production.     

Residual effects of nitrogen sources,sulfur and boron levels on mungbean (Vigna radiata) in a sunflower (Helianthus annuus)–mungbean system

Field experiments were conducted during spring–rainy (kharif) seasons of 2005 and 2006 on a sunflower–mungbean cropping system at the research farm of the Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. The objectives of this study were to investigate the residual effect of nitrogen sources, sulfur and boron levels applied to sunflower on productivity, nutrient concentrations and their uptake by the succeeding mungbean crop in a sunflower–mungbean cropping system. The experiment with 19 treatments was laid out in factorial randomized block design for both sunflower and mungbean. The residual effects of nutrients applied to sunflower were significant on the succeeding mungbean crop in terms of biometric parameters, yield attributing characters, seed yield and soil nutrient status. The highest mungbean seed yield (961.2 kg ha^?1) was produced with 50 kg ha^?1 sulfur application to the preceding sunflower crop, which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than with 0 and 25 kg sulfur ha^?1. The concentrations and uptake of nitrogen, sulfur and boron were also greater in the succeeding mungbean crop due to the residual effects of nutrients applied to the preceding sunflower crop. The soil nutrient status before and after mungbean indicated that the available nitrogen and sulfur were higher due to application to the preceding crop, while available boron after mungbean was even higher than after sunflower due to its slow release and static nature in the soil.