Increased Dryland Winter Wheat Yields by Nitrogen Fertilizer Topdressing and its Relationship to Soil Moisture,Available N,P and K in Northwestern China

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in northwestern China as a monoculture is hampered by unfertile soil and drought. With the fast-developing Chinese chemical fertilizer industry, many farmers now use more nitrogen (N) fertilizer as topdressing for winter wheat in early spring, in addition to a basal dose of N fertilizer applied in the previous autumn at seeding time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the increase in grain yield of dryland winter wheat by early spring N fertilizer topdressing, and its relationship to soil moisture, available N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Field experiments with no N fertilizer topdressing (F_b) and N fertilizer topdressing (F_b+t) treatments were carried out over two growing seasons at 54 site-years to assess the relationship between increase in winter wheat grain yield by early spring N fertilizer topdressing and soil moisture, available N, P and K in Changwu county, Shaanxi province, China. Compared to F_b treatment, the F_b+t treatment produced grain yields lower at 10 site-years, and increased by <10% at 21 site-years and by >10% at 23 site-years. The results indicated that topdressing N fertilizer could increase wheat grain yield when soil nitrate-N accumulation in the 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm depths was less than 121.7, 36.4 and 24.1 kg N ha^?1, and soil moisture content in the 40–60, 60–80 and 80–100 cm depths was more than 15.7%, 16.7% and 16.9%, respectively. The findings also suggested that it is not necessary to analyze soil for ammonium-N, available P and K before topdressing N fertilizer. It is necessary to analyze 0–60 cm soil profile for nitrate-N and 40–100 cm depth for soil moisture before topdressing N fertilizer for winter wheat in dryland areas of northwestern China.     

Importance of soil mineral N in early spring and subsequent net N mineralisation for winter wheat following winter oilseed rape and peas in a milder climate

Abstract

Nine biennial field experiments, 2000–2004, in south Sweden, 55–56°N, with winter wheat following winter oilseed rape, peas, and oats, were used to estimate the impact of a future milder climate on winter wheat production in central Sweden, 58–60°N. The trials included studies 1) on losses during winter of soil mineral nitrogen (N_min, 0–90 cm soil), accumulated after the preceding crops in late autumn, 2) on soil N mineralisation (N_net) during the growing season of the wheat (early spring to ripeness) and 3) on grain yield and optimum N fertilisation (Opt-N rate) of the wheat. Average N_min in late autumn following winter oilseed rape, peas, and oats was 68, 64, and 45 kg ha^?1, respectively, but decreased until early spring. Increased future losses of N_min during the winter in central Sweden due to no or very short periods with soil frost should enhance the demand for fertiliser N and reduce the better residual N effect of winter oilseed rape and peas, compared with oats. Their better N effect will then mainly depend on larger N_net (from March to maturity during the winter wheat year). Owing to more plant-available soil N (mainly as N_net) Opt-N rates were lower after oilseed rape and peas than after oats despite increased wheat yields (700 kg ha^?1) at optimum N fertilisation. In addition to these break crop effects, a milder climate should increase winter wheat yields in central Sweden by 2000–3000 kg ha^?1 and require about 30–45 kg ha^?1 more fertiliser N at optimum N fertilisation than the present yield levels. Increased losses and higher N fertilisation to the subsequent winter wheat in future indicates a need for an estimation of the residual N effect at the individual sites, rather than using mean values as at present, to increase N efficiency.     

Influence of inorganic soil N,yield potential,and market class on irrigated spring wheat response to N

Abstract

Fertilizer N recommendations for small grains are frequently based on soil test N but data is limited for irrigated spring wheat. The relative grain yield response of irrigated spring wheat to N as affected by inorganic soil N (NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N), yield potential and market class was evaluated in thirteen Southern Idaho field experiments involving N rates. Experiments were conducted on silt loam soils from 1978 to 1986. Preplant soil NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N to a depth of 60 cm and ranging from 27 to 142 kg/ha accounted for approximately 73% of the relative yield variability. NO₃‐N and NH₄‐N were significantly correlated (r=.72). NH₄‐N with NO₃‐N did not account for more of the relative yield variability than using NO₃‐N alone.

Inorganic N in the first 30 cm and the second 30 cm were significantly correlated (r=.69) but N in the first depth increment accounted for more of the relative yield variability. The linear regression coefficient relating inorganic N in the first 30 cm to relative yield of unfertilized spring wheat was almost twice as high as the coefficient for the second 30 cm increment (.50 vs .27). Results indicate that inorganic N below 30 cm should be weighted differently than N in the first 30 cm when determining the N requirements of irrigated spring wheat.

Yield potential significantly affected the relative yield response to N. The response to N was not significantly affected by spring wheat market class (hard red vs soft white).

For estimating fertilizer N requirements, the results provide little justification for the current widespread practices of (1) using the combined NH₄‐N and NO₃‐N inorganic soil test N values when NO₃‐N alone has as much predictive value and (2) assigning equal weight to inorganic soil N at all sampling depths.     

Changes in N leaching and crop production as a result of measures to reduce N losses to water in a 6‐yr crop rotation

The effects of various measures introduced to increase nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency and reduce N losses to water in a 6‐yr crop rotation (winter wheat, spring barley, green manure, winter wheat, spring barley, spring oilseed rape) were examined with respect to N leaching, soil mineral N (SMN) accumulation and grain yield. An N‐use efficient system (NUE) with delayed tillage until late autumn and spring, direct drilling of winter wheat, earlier sowing of winter and spring crops and use of a catch crop in winter wheat was compared with a conventional system (CON) in a field experiment with six separately tile‐drained plots in south‐western Sweden during the period 1999–2011 (two crop rotation cycles). Total leaching of NO₃‐N from the NUE system was significantly 46 and 33% lower than in the CON system during the first and second crop rotation cycle, respectively, with the most pronounced differences apparently related to management strategies for winter wheat. Differences in NO₃‐N leaching largely reflected differences in SMN during autumn and winter. There was a tendency for lower yields in the NUE system, probably due to problems with couch grass. Overall, the measures for conserving N, when frequently used within a crop rotation, effectively reduced NO₃ concentrations in drainage water and NO₃‐N leaching losses, without severely affecting yield.     

Effects of three N strategies on tillering and yield of low shoot density winter wheat

Abstract

Application of nitrogen (N) in early spring is often recommended for low shoot density winter wheat in northern temperate areas such as Sweden. Regional N-strategy field trials in such areas generally show no relationship between early N and grain yield but the effects on shoot numbers and other yield components are seldom investigated. This study quantified the effect of three N fertilization strategies on the number of tillers at GS30-31 and the grain yield of winter wheat with low shoot density in early spring, in order to evaluate the importance of early N application. The investigations were carried out from 1999–2002 in four annual field experiments on a clay soil in south-west Sweden using winter wheat (cvs. Kosack and Tarso) with shoot densities in early spring ranging from 360–850 shoots m^?2. A positive relationship between time of first N application as number of days before GS30 and increase in number of shoots from GS20-21 to GS30-31 was observed. The relationship was strongest in experiments with the lowest shoot density in early spring (360–560 shoots m^?2) and the additional increase with each day of earlier availability of N before GS30 was 11 shoots m^?2. In wheat with this low shoot density in early spring, N was needed before GS30 to avoid yield reductions. Whether N was applied and available 24 or 13 days before GS30 did not affect yield, despite significantly more shoots being present at GS30-31 with earlier N application.     

EUF-extrahierbarer Stickstoff und dessen Beziehung zu Stickstoffaufnahme und Ertrag von Weizen

EUF extractable nitrogen and its relation to nitrogen uptake and yield of wheat The investigations were focussed on the question whether nitrogen extracted from soils by EUF may reflect nitrogen availability for cereals. Soil samples were taken from the upper soil layer of farmers' fields differing in soil type and texture. Samples still taken in the autumn after the harvest of sugar beets as well as samples taken under cereals in January had relatively high contents of EUF extractable organic N and low contents of NO₃. Decrease in EUF extractable N during spring (March until end of May) under winter wheat was significantly correlated with the N uptake of the wheat and with grain yield. In the plots not treated with fertilizer N the organic N of the EUF-extracts was as a mineralizable N source more important for crop nutrition than the EUF extractable NO₃. The correlation between the EUF extractable N in spring and the grain yield of wheat was highly significant (r = 0.79***). In this correlation 20 different locations were implicated. Similar good correlations were found between the EUF extractable N and the N uptake of wheat.     

Winter Wheat Yield,Quality, and Nitrogen Removal Following Compost- or Manure-Fertilized Sugarbeet

To efficiently use nitrogen (N) while protecting water quality, one must know how a second-year crop, without further N fertilization, responds in years following a manure application. In an Idaho field study of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) following organically fertilized sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.), we determined the residual (second-year) effects of fall-applied solid dairy manure, either stockpiled or composted, on wheat yield, biomass N, protein, and grain N removal. Along with a no-N control and urea (202 kg N ha^?1), first-year treatments included compost (218 and 435 kg estimated available N ha^?1) and manure (140 and 280 kg available N ha^?1). All materials were incorporated into a Greenleaf silt loam (Xeric Calciargid) at Parma in fall 2002 and 2003 prior to planting first-year sugarbeet. Second-year wheat grain yield was similar among urea and organic N sources that applied optimal amounts of plant-available N to the preceding year’s sugarbeet, thus revealing no measurable second-year advantage for organic over conventional N sources. Both organic amendments applied at high rates to the preceding year’s sugarbeet produced greater wheat yields (compost in 2004 and manure in 2005) than urea applied at optimal N rates. On average, second-year wheat biomass took up 49% of the inorganic N remaining in organically fertilized soil after sugarbeet harvest. Applying compost or manure at greater than optimum rates for sugarbeet may increase second-year wheat yield but increase N losses as well.

Abbreviations CNS, carbon–nitrogen–sulfur     

Nitrogen uptake,nitrate leaching and root development in winter‐grown wheat and fodder radish

Early seeding of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been proposed as a means to reduce N leaching as an alternative to growing cover crops like fodder radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of winter wheat, seeded early and normally, and of fodder radish on N dynamics and root growth. Field experiments were carried out on a humid temperate sandy loam soil. Aboveground biomass and soil inorganic N were determined in late autumn; N uptake and grain yield of winter wheat were measured at harvest. Nitrate leaching was estimated from soil water samples taken at 1 m depth. Root growth was measured late autumn using the core break and root washing methods. Winter wheat root growth dynamics were followed during the growing season using the minirhizotron method. The 2013–2014 results showed that early seeding of wheat improved autumn growth and N uptake and reduced N leaching during the winter compared with the normal seeding time. Early‐seeded wheat (WW_early) was, however, not as efficient as fodder radish at reducing N leaching. Proper establishment of WW_early was a prerequisite for benefiting from early seeding, as indicated by the 2012–2013 results. Early seeding improved root growth throughout the 2013–2014 growing season compared with normal seeding time, but had no significant effect on crop grain yield. Our results indicate the potential of using early seeding as a tool to limit drought susceptibility and increase nutrient uptake from the subsoil.     

CO2浓度升高、氮和水分对春小麦养分吸收和土壤养分的效应

研究了 2种CO2浓度水平 ,2种土壤水分处理和 5种N肥施用水平对春小麦 (TriticumaestivumL cv DingxiNo. 8654)养分吸收和土壤速效养分的影响。结果表明 ,高CO2浓度 (700 molmol-1)明显降低春小麦对氮(N)的吸收 ,低N时降低更为明显 ,但对磷 (P)、钾 (K)吸收的影响不明显。小麦对N、P、K吸收 ,干旱处理明显比湿润处理低。CO2浓度增高对土壤速效N的影响与土壤水分状况有关。湿润处理 ,CO2浓度增加的处理速效N量比当前CO2浓度的处理低 ;而干旱处理 ,施N 50、100、150mgkg-1时 ,速效N则较高。高CO2 浓度对土壤速效P、K量的影响不明显 ,而低N和水分不足 ,土壤速效P、K量较高     

秸秆还田对土壤氮素转化的影响

利用原状土柱田间培养法 ,测定了冬小麦、夏玉米农田土壤氮 (N)素的年净矿化量 ;利用氯仿熏蒸浸提茚三酮反应氮法测定了土壤微生物量氮的数量 ;利用连续流动分析仪测定了土壤表层无机氮的含量。结果表明 ,在冬小麦秸秆覆盖、夏玉米秸秆翻埋的土壤中 ,第 1年土壤氮净矿化量为N 210kg/hm2,第 2年为 179kg/hm2,2年的净矿化量均基本与同期施氮量相当。在秸秆不还田的土壤中 ,第 1年土壤氮净矿化量为N 164kg/hm2,第 2年为248kg/hm2,年际变化较大。翻埋玉米秸秆导致小麦季土壤表层无机氮数量增加 ,引发土壤氮矿化的正激发效应 ;表层覆盖小麦秸秆对玉米季土壤表层无机氮的影响不明显。秸秆还田后 ,每个生育期开始时 ,土壤微生物量氮比不还田土壤的增加 72 %～ 2.34% ,每个生育期结束时增加 34%～ 72%。在实施秸秆还田的最初 2年内 ,土壤微生物量但氮处于动态调整阶段 ,尚未达到新的稳定状态     

Effect of straw management, tillage timing and timing of fertilizer nitrogen application on the crop utilization of fertilizer and soil nitrogen in an irrigated cereal rotation

In irrigated grain-growing soils on Canada's prairies, straw management can affect nitrogen (N) fertility and long-term soil organic matter reserves. We conducted a 2-year field experiment in southern Alberta, on a Dark Brown Chernozemic Lethbridge loam (Typic Boroll), to determine the effects of straw removal, tillage, and fertilizer timing on crop uptake of soil and fertilizer N. During the study (1991 and 1992), the crop was oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), respectively, in an experiment that had been in a wheat-wheat-oat-wheat rotation since 1986. Five straw-tillage treatments were: straw-fall plow, straw-pring plow, no straw-fall plow, no straw-spring plow and no straw-direct seeding. Fertilizer N was applied in fall or spring. Ammonium nitrate (5 at.% ¹⁵N) was added at 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in fall 1990 or spring 1991. For oat (1991), plant N derived from soil was higher under fall plow than under spring plow, higher with tillage than direct seeding, and unaffected by straw removal. The plant N derived from fertilizer was not affected by straw removal in fall plow treatments, but under spring plow, it was higher with straw removal. The plant N derived from fertilizer showed a significant straw-tillage × fertilizer timing interaction; with fall incorporated straw, plant N derived from fertilizer was 44.0 kg N ha⁻¹ for spring-applied, and 30.6 kg N ha⁻¹ for fall-applied N, but in other straw-tillage treatments there was no effect of fertilizer timing. Cumulative fertilizer N recovery (plant + soil) over the 2 years averaged 64.2%, and was unaffected by straw-tillage treatment. Fertilizer N recovery, however, was less with fall-applied N (61.3%) than spring applied N (66.8%). At mid-season, fall plow treatments had higher soil inorganic N and inorganic N derived from fertilizer than spring plow treatments, apparently because of less immobilization. The fall plow treatments also retained higher inorganic N after harvest. Straw removal and fertilizer timing did not influence soil inorganic N and soil inorganic N derived from fertilizer. N removal in straw (16 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) could deplete soil N in the long-term. Long-term effects of tillage timing on soil N will depend on the relative amount of N lost by leaching with fall plowing and that lost by denitrification under spring plowing. With direct seeding, crop yield and uptake of soil N was less, and N losses by denitrification could be greater. Application of N in spring, rather than fall, should enhance crop N uptake, reducing N losses and enhancing long-term soil organic N.     

Tillage-induced environmental conditions in soil and substrate limitation determine biogenic gas production

Tillage changes soil environmental conditions and controls the distribution of residues in the soil, both actions that affect the production and emission of soil biogenic gases (CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄). The objective of this study was to determine how tillage-induced environmental conditions and substrate quality affect the mineralization rate of easily metabolizable compounds and the subsequent production of these gases. Carbon compounds, with and without nitrogen, were applied to soil cropped to maize under tilled and no-till systems. Following substrate application in the spring and summer, biogenic gases were measured periodically at the soil surface (flux) and within the profile (concentration) at 10-, 20-, and 30-cm depths (i.e., within, at the bottom of, and below the plough layer). Strong CO₂ and N₂O responses to sucrose and glycine in both the field and the laboratory indicate that the soil was C- and N-limited. Surface fluxes of CO₂ and N₂O were greater in soils amended with glycine than with sucrose and were greater in tilled than no-till soils. Transient emission of CH₄ following the addition of glycine was observed and could be attributed to inhibition of N mineralization and nitrification processes on CH₄ oxidation. Laboratory and field measurements indicated that the larger substrate-induced CO₂ emission from the tilled soils could not be attributed to differences in the total biomass or the basal respiratory activity of the soils. Thus, there appears to be no underlying difference in the functional capacity of the microbial communities under different tillage regimes. Comparison of gas profiles indicates relative accumulation of CO₂ at depth in soils under no-till, as well as greater decline in profile CO₂ content with time in the tilled compared to the no-till soil. These results support the conclusion that greater CO₂ efflux from the tilled soils resulted from more rapid gas diffusion through the profile. Hence, the observed differences in gas fluxes between tilled and no-till soils can be attributed to differences in physical environment.     

Sap test to determine nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations in aboveground biomass of winter cover crops

Abstract

In the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado, winter cover crops (WCC) are used to reduce soil erosion and scavenge residual soil‐N. Some San Luis Valley farmers are beginning to use WCC as a source of over‐winter or early‐spring grazing. Common WCC used by farmers, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) are reported to accumulate high levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^‐‐N) in aboveground biomass that can be toxic to animals. Evaluation and calibration of a quick Cardy Meter² Sap Test (CMST) for determination of NO₃ ^‐‐N status in the field will facilitate the management of these WCC. Field and growth chamber studies were conducted to correlate the CMST with laboratory procedures and with plant and soil parameters. In field and growth chamber studies, the CMST was correlated with standard dry tissue NC₃ ^‐‐N laboratory analysis (P<.001) and with soil inorganic N content (P<.05). These field and growth chamber studies show that the CMST can be a tool in helping farmers identify fields where WCC aboveground biomass is accumulating potentially toxic levels of NO₃ ^‐‐N. Additionally, plant parameters such as nitrogen uptake, biomass, and grain yield of WCC grown under growth chamber conditions were correlated with the CMST readings conducted at the growth stage, Feekes five (P<.05). The growth chamber results suggest that if WCC are grown for grain production, the CMST can help identify the needs for additional nitrogen (N) fertilizer application at Feekes five.     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in an 11-Year Study of Conventional and Organic Wheat Cultivation

Abstract

Resource conservation with respect to nitrogen (N) was compared in organic and conventional cultivation of winter and spring wheat. Sustainability was measured in the nitrogen use efficiency of plant‐available N. The amounts of N entering each system and the amounts removed in the harvested crop and remaining as unused mineral nitrogen in the soil at harvest were determined. Net surpluses and losses during the growing season were also monitored, and the environmental variables influencing N harvest in the different cultivation systems were identified. The study was carried out in three different cultivation systems: conventional animal production (CONV), organic animal production (ORG1), and organic cereal production (ORG2). On average for all years and sampling occasions in winter wheat, there were approximately 60 kg more mineral nitrogen left in the soil during the growing season in CONV than in ORG1, and coefficients of variation were higher in CONV. The maximum values were considerably higher in CONV than in ORG1 (p=0.06–0.09), which increased the risk of leaching in the former, particularly in winter wheat cultivation. Nitrogen use efficiency in winter and spring wheat cultivation was 74% in whole crop conventional winter wheat and 81% in organic. Nitrogen use efficiency in harvested winter wheat grain was 44% for CONV and 49% for ORG1. ORG1 spring wheat was as efficient as ORG1 winter wheat, whereas ORG2 spring wheat used 73% of N in the whole crop and 39% in grain. Multivariate regression analysis showed that climate affected CONV and ORG1 winter wheat differently. High temperature in May increased grain yields in ORG1, but the converse was true for CONV. Large unused mineral N reserves at harvest coincided with large N harvest in CONV winter wheat. Residual fertility effects from the preceding crop produced high yields in ORG1 winter and spring wheat but had no effect in CONV. Generally, an increase in N reserves between plant development stages 13 and 31 was positive for both CONV and ORG1 winter wheat. Both winter and spring wheat require most N during this period, so the potential for improvement seems to lie in increasing mineralization (e.g., by intensified weed harrowing early in stage 13 in winter wheat and between stages 13 and 31 in spring wheat). Cultivation of winter wheat in ORG1 was a more efficient use of nitrogen resources than CONV. CONV efficiency could be improved by precision fertilization on each individual field with the help of N analysis before spring tillage and sensor‐controlled fertilization.     

Nitrogen accumulation efficiency: Relationship between excess fertilizer and soil‐plant biological activity in winter wheat

The point at which nitrogen (N) applied approaches 100% recovery in the soil once plant and microbial sinks have been saturated has not been determined in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production systems. In dryland winter wheat, subsoil accumulation has not been found to occur until N rates exceed that required for maximum yield. Many conventional N rate experiments have not properly evaluated subsoil N accumulation due to the lack of equally spaced N rates at the high end of the spectrum over which accumulation is expected to occur. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) determine when soil profile accumulation efficiencies reach 100% in continuous winter wheat production and (ii) to evaluate the potential for nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃ ^‐N) leaching in continuous winter wheat when extremely high rates of fertilizer N are used. Two field experiments (T505 and T222) were conducted for two years using ten N rates (preplant‐incorporated) ranging from 0 to 5376 kg N ha¹. No additional preplant fertilizer was applied in the second year. Following the first and second year wheat harvest, soil cores were taken to 2.4 m and bulk density, ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N) and NO₃‐N were determined. Crop N‐use efficiency (NUE) (N uptake treated ‐ N uptake check/rate applied) and soil profile inorganic N accumulation efficiencies (NAE) [net inorganic N accumulation in the soil profile/(fertilizer applied ‐ net N removed in the crop)] changed with fertilizer rate and were inversely related. Priming (increased net mineralization of organic N pools when low rates of fertilizer N are applied) may have occurred since increased NUE was observed at low N rates. The highest N‐accumulation efficiencies were at N rates of 168 and 448 kg ha^‐1 in experiments T505 and T222, respectively. At both T222 and T505, no subsoil accumulation of NH₄‐N or NO₃‐N beyond 100 cm was observed for any of the N treatments when compared to the 0‐N check, even when N rates exceeded 448 kg ha^‐1.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN APPLICATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS,YIELD AND LEAF NITRATE CONTENT OF GREENHOUSE LETTUCE CULTIVATED DURING THREE SEASONS

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., cv. ‘Parris Island’) was grown hydroponically in autumn, winter and spring under five levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization. Plant biomass was highest in spring and lowest in autumn at N rates of 200 and 260 mg L^?1, respectively. Increasing N application correlated positively with rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal carbon dioxide (CO₂) conductance and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal CO₂ conductance, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were higher in spring than in autumn or winter. Nitrate concentrations within the leaves increased with increasing N application in all seasons. It is concluded that lettuce growth and yield is higher in spring than in winter or autumn due to enhanced photosynthesis thanks to increasingly favorable photoperiod. Regardless of season, high N rates promote yield but increase leaf nitrate concentrations. Therefore, for the production of healthy produce the recommended N rate should be based not just on yield but also on the nitrate content.     

Nitrogen yield and nitrogen fixation of winter faba beans

Introducing autumn-sown legumes into Central European farming systems could be beneficial for addressing two challenges for European agriculture, i.e., the substantial deficit of protein sources for livestock and expected changes in agroclimatic conditions. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conucted under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria to assess nitrogen (N) yield and N fixation of several winter faba bean varieties from different European countries as compared to a spring faba bean. Winter wheat was used as a reference crop for estimating atmospheric N fixation. Winter faba beans were susceptible to frost damage especially in the harder of the two winters. Winter faba bean varieties could not achieve a higher grain yield and a higher grain N yield than the spring faba bean but had a higher grain N concentration (except for one variety). Grain yield and grain N yield of faba beans were severely impaired by drought in one year (with a mean of varieties of 8.3 g N m^?2, winter wheat: 6.4 g N m^?2); in the other year, grain N yield of faba beans considerably surpassed that of winter wheat (with a mean of varieties of 21.5 g N m^?2, winter wheat: 8.8 g N m^?2). After harvest, faba beans left higher nitrate residues in the soil, especially in the subsoil, and higher amounts of N in above-ground residues compared to winter wheat. Faba beans showed high N fixation under optimum conditions (with a mean of varieties of 21.9 g N m^?2) whereas drought considerably impaired N fixation (with a mean of varieties of 6.3 g N m^?2; with no differences between autumn- and spring-sown faba beans). In conclusion, growing winter faba bean varieties in eastern Austria did not result in higher grain yield, grain N yield, and N fixation compared to growing a spring faba bean.     

Priming effect and C storage in semi-arid no-till spring crop rotations

Adoption of less invasive management practices, such as no-till (NT) and continuous cropping, could reduce CO₂ emissions from agricultural soils by retaining soil organic matter (SOM). We hypothesized that C storage increases as cropping intensity increases and tillage decreases. We also hypothesized that pulsed addition of C increases the mineralization of native SOM. We evaluated C storage at the 0- to 5-cm depth in soils from four crop rotations: winter wheat-fallow, spring wheat-chemical fallow, continuous hard red spring wheat, and spring wheat-spring barley on a Ritzville silt loam (Calcidic Haploxeroll). In two incubation studies using ¹⁴C-labeled wheat straw, we traced the decomposition of added residue as influenced by (1) cropping frequency, (2) tillage, and (3) pulsed additions of C. Differences in ¹⁴C mineralization did not exist among the four rotations at any time throughout the incubations. However, differences in total CO₂ production between the continuous wheat rotations and the fallow rotations point to a priming of native SOM, the degree of which appears to be related to the relative contributions of fungi and bacteria to the decomposition of added residue. Addition of non-labeled wheat straw to select samples in the second incubation resulted in a flush of ¹⁴C-CO₂ not seen in the controls. This priming effect suggests C inputs have a greater effect on mineralization of residual C compared to disturbance and endogenous metabolism appears to be the source of primed C, with priming becoming more pronounced as the fungal:bacterial ratio in the soil increases.     

Nitrogen mineralization indicators under semi-arid and semi-humid conditions: influence on wheat yield and nitrogen uptake

The objectives were i) to assess indicators for potential nitrogen (N) mineralization and ii) to analyze their relationships for predicting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth parameters (yield and N uptake, N_up) in Mollisols of the semi-arid and semi-humid region of the Argentine Pampas. Thirty-six farmer fields were sampled at 0–20 cm. Several N mineralization indicators, wheat grain yield and N_up at physiological maturity stage were assessed. A principal component (PC) analysis was performed using correlated factors to grain yield and N_up. The cluster analysis showed two main groups: high fertility and low fertility soils. In high fertility soils, combining PCs in multiple regression models enhanced the wheat yield and N_up prediction significantly with a high R² (adj R² = 0.71–0.83). The main factors that explained the wheat parameters were associated with water availability and N mineralization indicator, but they differ according to soil fertility.

Abbreviations: N: nitrogen; SOM: soil organic matter; POM: particulate organic matter; SOC: soil organic carbon; SON: soil organic nitrogen; POM-C: particulate organic carbon; POM-N: particulate organic nitrogen; N_an: anaerobic nitrogen; N_hyd: hydrolyzable N; NO₃-N: cold nitrate; N₂₀₅: N determined by spectrometer at 205 nm; N₂₆₀: N determined by spectrometer at 260 nm; Pe: extractable P; N_up: wheat N uptake; NO₃-N: inorganic N in the form of nitrate; FR: fallow rainfalls (March-Seeding rainfall); FLR: flowering rainfalls (October-December rainfall); GFR: grain filling rainfall (November rainfall); CCR: crop growing season rainfall (June-December rainfall); PCA: principal component analysis; PC: principal component; MR: multiple regression     

Soil carbon sequestration with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems in the Virginia coastal plain

Carbon sequestration in agroecosystems represents a significant opportunity to offset a portion of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions. Climatic conditions in the Virginia coastal plain and modern production practices make it possible for high annual photosynthetic CO₂ fixation. There is potential to sequester a substantial amount of C, and concomitantly improve soil quality, with the elimination of tillage for crop production in this region. The objectives of our research were to: (1) measure C sequestration rate with continuous no-till management of grain cropping systems of the Virginia middle coastal plain; (2) determine the influence of biosolids application history on C content and its interaction with tillage management; and (3) evaluate the impact of continuous no-till C stratification as an indicator of soil quality. Samples were collected from 63 sites in production fields using a rotation of corn (Zea mays L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)/soybean double-crop (Glysine max L.) across three soil series [Bojac (coarse-loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Hapludults), Altavista (fine-loamy, mixed semiactive, thermic Aquic Hapludults), and Kempsville (fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludults)] with a history of continuous no-till management ranging from 0 to 14 years. Thirty-two of the sites had a history of biosolids application. Five soil cores were collected at each site from 0–2.5, 2.5–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm and analyzed for bulk density and soil C. Bulk density in the 0–2.5 cm layer decreased and C stratification ratio (0–2.5 cm:7.5–15 cm) increased with increasing duration of continuous no-till due to the accumulation of organic matter at the soil surface. A history of biosolids application resulted in an increase of 4.19 ± 1.93 Mg C ha⁻¹ (0–15 cm). Continuous no-till resulted in the sequestration of 0.308 ± 0.280 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (0–15 cm). Our results provide quantitative validation of the C sequestration rate and improved soil quality with continuous no-till management in the region using on-farm observations.