Using legumes to enhance nitrogen fertility and improve soil condition in cotton cropping systems

Many Australian cotton growers now include legumes in their cropping system. Three experiments were conducted between 1994 and 1997 to evaluate the rotational effects of winter or summer legume crops grown either for grain or green manuring on following cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Non-legume rotation crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton, were included for comparison. Net nitrogen (N) balances, which included estimates of N associated with the nodulated roots, were calculated for the legume phase of each cropping sequence. Faba bean (Vicia faba — winter) fixed 135–244 kg N ha⁻¹ and soybean (Glycine max — summer) fixed 453–488 kg N ha⁻¹ and contributed up to 155 and 280 kg fixed N ha⁻¹, respectively, to the soil after seed harvest. Green-manured field pea (Pisum sativum — winter) and lablab (Lablab purpureus — summer) fixed 123–209 and 181–240 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, before the crops were slashed and incorporated into the topsoil.In a separate experiment, the loss of N from ¹⁵N-labelled legume residues during the fallow between legume cropping and cotton sowing (5–6 months following summer crops and 9 months after winter crops) was between 9 and 40% of ¹⁵N added; in comparison, the loss of ¹⁵N fertilizer (urea) applied to the non-legume plots averaged 85% of ¹⁵N added. Little legume-derived ¹⁵N was lost from the system during the growth of the subsequent cotton crop.The improved N fertility of the legume-based systems was demonstrated by enhanced N uptake and lint yield of cotton. The economic optimum N fertilizer application rate was determined from the fitted N response curve observed following the application of N fertilizer at rates between 0 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ (as anhydrous ammonia). Averaged over the three experiments, cotton following non-legume rotation crops required the application of 179 kg N ha⁻¹, whilst following the grain- and green-manured legume systems required only 90 and 52 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively.In addition to improvements in N availability, soil strength was generally lower following most legume crops than non-legume rotation crops. Penetrometer resistance during the growth of the subsequent cotton crop increased in the order faba bean, lablab, field pea, wheat, cotton, and soybean. It is speculated that reduced soil strength contributed to improvement in lint yields of the following cotton crops by facilitating the development of better root systems.     

Productivity and residual effects of legumes in rice-based cropping systems in a warm-temperate environment: I. Legume biomass production and N fixation

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of temperate legume species in rice-based cropping systems in a warm-temperate environment in Nepal. Over the period 1994–1996, various legume species were grown during the winter season (October–May) in the Kathmandu valley (27° N, 1350 m asl) with the aim of evaluating their biomass production and N fixation. A wide range of legume species including food, feed and green manure crops proved to be very well adapted to the winter growing conditions in this environment. The cultivation of temperate legume crops therefore, constitutes an alternative to traditional cropping practices such as growing wheat or leaving the land fallow. The temperate species appeared to capitalise on generally favourable growing conditions such as long growing season, low pest and disease pressure, high radiant energy receipt and cool night temperatures. However, performance varied greatly between species and years. Total dry matter yields ranged from 2 to 20 t ha⁻¹ obtained with lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) and bitter lupin (Lupinus mutabilis), respectively. Highest seed yields were produced by fababean (Vicia faba) (5 t ha⁻¹) and field pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) (3 t ha⁻¹) in the first season. Nitrogen yields and quantities of N fixed ranged from 18 to 481 kg ha⁻¹ and from 0 to 463 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Large amounts of N were fixed by species such as fababean, Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and bitter lupin. Early sowing in autumn was shown to be beneficial for some crops such as fababean, vetch (Vicia benghalensis) and Persian clover. In these cases, it is, therefore, important to reduce the turn-around interval after rice. Further research is required to fully determine the potential of temperate legume species in these environments with particular emphasis given to the identification of the most adapted cultivars and to reduce the need for irrigation of these winter crops.     

Maximizing yields in rice–groundnut cropping sequence through integrated nutrient management

Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve crop productivity and sustain soil health and fertility. The present research was conducted to study the effects of application of green manures [sesbania (Sesbania aculeate Poiret) and crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.)] and farmyard manure on productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its residual effects on subsequent groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop. Rice and groundnut crops were grown in sequence during rainy and post-rainy seasons with and without green manure in combination with different fertilizer and spacing treatments under irrigated conditions. The results showed that application of green manures sesbania and crotalaria at 10 t ha⁻¹ to rice compared to no green manure application significantly increased grain yield of rice by 1.6 and 1.1 t ha⁻¹, and pod yields of groundnut crop succeeding rice by 0.25 and 0.16 t ha⁻¹, respectively. There was no significant difference between the application of crotalaria or farmyard manure at 10 t ha⁻¹ on grain yields of rice, but pod yields of subsequent groundnut crop were greater with application of green manure. There was no significant effect of different spacing 20×15,15×15,15×10 cm² (333 000; 444 000; 666 000 plant ha⁻¹, respectively) on grain yield of rice. Pod yields of groundnut were significantly greater with closer spacing 15×15 cm² (444 000 plants ha⁻¹) as compared to spacing of 30×10 cm² (333 000 plants ha⁻¹). Maximum grain of rice was obtained by application of 120:26:37 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in combination with green manures, whereas maximum pod yield of groundnut was obtained by residual effect of green manure applied to rice and application of 30:26:33 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in combination with gypsum applied to groundnut crop.     

Interactions between non-flooded mulching cultivation and varying nitrogen inputs in rice–wheat rotations

A 3-year field experiment examined the effects of non-flooded mulching cultivation and traditional flooding and four fertilizer N application rates (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and 0, 60,120, and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ for wheat) on grain yield, N uptake, residual soil N_min and the net N balance in a rice–wheat rotation on Chengdu flood plain, southwest China. There were significant grain yield responses to N fertilizer. Nitrogen applications of >150 kg ha⁻¹ for rice and >120 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat gave no increase in crop yield but increased crop N uptake and N balance surplus in both water regimes. Average rice grain yield increased by 14% with plastic film mulching and decreased by 16% with wheat straw mulching at lower N inputs compared with traditional flooding. Rice grain yields under SM were comparable to those under PM and TF at higher N inputs. Plastic film mulching of preceding rice did not affect the yield of succeeding wheat but straw mulching had a residual effect on succeeding wheat. As a result, there was 17–18% higher wheat yield under N0 in SM than those in PM and TF. Combined rice and wheat grain yields under plastic mulching was similar to that of flooding and higher than that of straw mulching across N treatments. Soil mineral N (top 60 cm) after the rice harvest ranged from 50 to 65 kg ha⁻¹ and was unaffected by non-flooded mulching cultivation and N rate. After the wheat harvest, soil N_min ranged from 66 to 88 kg N ha⁻¹ and increased with increasing fertilizer N rate. High N inputs led to a positive N balance (160–621 kg ha⁻¹), but low N inputs resulted in a negative balance (−85 to −360 kg ha⁻¹). Across N treatments, the net N balances of SM were highest among the three cultivations systems, resulting from additional applied wheat straw (79 kg ha⁻¹) as mulching materials. There was not clear trend found in net N balance between PM and TF. Results from this study indicate non-flooded mulching cultivation may be utilized as an alternative option for saving water, using efficiently straw and maintaining or improving crop yield in rice–wheat rotation systems. There is the need to evaluate the long-term environmental risks of non-flooded mulching cultivation and improve system productivity (especially with straw mulching) by integrated resource management.     

Residual effect of poultry litter applied to cotton in conservation tillage systems on succeeding rye and corn

The burgeoning poultry industry in the southeastern US is presenting a major environmental problem of safe disposal of poultry litter (PL). In a comprehensive study, we explored ways of PL use in conservation tillage-based cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems on a Decatur silt loam soil in north Alabama, from 1996 to 1999. The study reported here-in presents the residual effects of PL applied to cotton in mulch-till (MT) and no-till (NT) conservation tillage systems in 1997 and 1998 cropping seasons on N uptake, growth, and yield of rye (Secale cereale, L.) cover crop and rotational corn (Zea mays L.) in 1999. Rye was grown without additional N, whereas corn was grown at three inorganic N levels (0, 100, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹). Poultry litter was applied to cotton in 1997 and 1998 at 0, 100, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹. Residual N from PL applied to cotton in 1997 and 1998 produced up to 2.0 and 17.3 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively, of rye cover crop and corn biomass (includes 7.1 Mg ha⁻¹ of corn grain yield) without additional fertilizer. Therefore, in addition to supplying crop residues which reduce soil erosion, increase soil organic matter, and conserve soil moisture, the rye cover crop was able to scavenge residual N left by the cotton crop, which would otherwise, be at risk of being leached and pollute groundwater resources. Poultry litter applied to cotton also increased corn grain quality as shown by up to 100% increase in grain N content compared to the 0N treatment. Using PL with a slower rate of N release compared to inorganic fertilizer to meet some of the N requirements of corn, will not only reduce N fertilizer costs for corn, but will also reduce the risk of nitrate N leaching into groundwater. The maximum amount of crop residues added to the cotton based cropping system by residual N from PL and inorganic N was 21.3 Mg ha⁻¹. This will lead to an increase in soil organic carbon and soil structure in the long term and a reduction in soil erosion, thereby further improving soil productivity, while at the same time, protecting the environment from nitrate pollution and soil degradation. Our study demonstrates that cotton under conservation tillage system in combination with rye cover crop and rotational corn cropping could use large quantities of PL thereby avoiding serious potential environmental hazards.     

Foliar sprays of concentrated urea at maturity of pigeonpea to induce defoliation and increase its residual benefit to wheat

The pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) crop retains appreciable amounts of green foliage even after reaching physiological maturity, which if allowed to defoliate, could augment the residual benefit of pigeonpea to the following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a pigeonpea–wheat rotation. The effect of addition of leaves present on mature pigeonpea crop to the soil was examined on the following wheat during the 1999/2000 growing season at Patancheru (17°4′N, 78°2′E) and during the 2001–2003 growing seasons at Modipuram (29°4′N, 77°8′E). At Patancheru, an extra-short-duration pigeonpea cultivar ICPL 88039 was defoliated manually and using foliar sprays of 10% urea (30 kg/ha) and compared with a millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) crop, naturally senesced leaf residue and no-leaf residue controls. At Modipuram, the effect of 10% urea spray treatment on mature ICPL 88039 was compared with the unsprayed control. At both locations, the rainy season crops were followed by a wheat cultivar UP 2338 at four nitrogen levels applied in a split plot design, which at Patancheru were 0, 30, 90 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and at Modipuram 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹. At Patancheru, urea spray added 0.5 t ha⁻¹ of extra leaf litter to the soil within a week without significantly affecting pigeonpea yield. This treatment, however, increased mean wheat yield by 29% from 2.4 t ha⁻¹ in the no-leaf residue pigeonpea or pearl millet plots to 3.1 t ha⁻¹. At Modipuram, the foliar sprays of urea added more leaf litter to the soil than at Patancheru. Here, increase in subsequent wheat yield due to additional pigeonpea leaf litter was 7–8% and net profit 21% more than in the unsprayed control. The addition of pigeonpea leaf litter to the soil resulted in a saving of 40–60 kg N for the following wheat crops in both the environments. The results demonstrated that pigeonpea leaf litter could play an important role in the fertilizer N economy in wheat. The urea spray at maturity of the standing pigeonpea crop significantly improved this contribution in increasing wheat yield, the effect of which was additional to the amount of urea used for inducing defoliation. The practice, if adopted by farmers, may enhance sustainability of wheat production system in an environmentally friendly way, as it could reduce the amount of fertilizer N application to soil and enhance wheat yield.     

Model predictions of winter rainfall effects on N dynamics of winter wheat rotation following legume cover crop or fallow

Winter rainfall in a Mediterranean region varies from year to year. Both release of inorganic N from soil organic matter (SOM) or a legume cover crop (LCC) and subsequent nitrate movement in the soil profile are strongly affected by winter rainfall, through its effects on soil water status and on vertical flux. N accumulation of a LCC also varies over years due to weather effects on growth. Thus, these two factors need to be taken into account for efficient use of SOM-N and LCC-N in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation. To determine how winter weather might affect the performance of wheat-fallow rotations that include an LCC grown and incorporated during the fallow year, we used the CERES-wheat model and a 46-season weather record to simulate N dynamics of 2-year unfertilized and irrigated winter-LCC wheat systems with high LCC (236 kg N ha⁻¹) or low LCC (118 kg N ha⁻¹) inputs. Unfertilized and fertilized fallow-wheat controls were also simulated. Within a given LCC input value, coefficients of variation for total seasonal N supply (the sum of predicted wheat N uptake, N leaching and inorganic soil N at wheat maturity) over years were <15%, despite the fluctuating winter rainfall (CV 48%). Average N leaching was predicted to be highest in the high LCC input system (108 kg N ha⁻¹), followed by the low LCC input system (86 kg N ha⁻¹) and midseason-intensive and planting-intensive fertilized wheat-fallow systems (82 and 72 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively), and least in the unfertilized wheat-fallow system (54 kg N ha⁻¹). N leaching exceeded 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in 4, 20, 16, 18, and 29 seasons out of 46 seasons, respectively, in the unfertilized and planting-intensive and midseason-intensive fertilized wheat-fallow rotations and in wheat rotations with low and high LCC inputs. There was no difference in predicted wheat yield among the four systems with N inputs from fertilizer or LCC, but yield was lower in the unfertilized wheat-fallow rotation. If the goal of use of LCC was to attain the same yield level as high LCC input or fertilized wheat system while diminishing the risk of N leaching, the low LCC input case met this goal in the short term. However, a simple balance sheet using the model showed that the N balance of the low LCC input system was −147 kg N ha⁻¹ season⁻¹, if we assumed 50% of LCC-N was derived from atmospheric fixation. The low-LCC-input system could therefore fail to maintain inherent soil N fertility in the long term unless nearly 100% LCC-N was derived from fixation.     

Site-specific nutrient management for intensive rice cropping systems in Asia

Irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield increases in Asia have slowed down in recent years. Further, yield increases are likely to occur in smaller increments through fine-tuning of crop management. On-farm experiments at 179 sites in eight key irrigated rice domains of Asia were conducted from 1997 to 1999 to evaluate a new approach for site-specific nutrient management (SSNM). Large variation in initial soil fertility characteristics and indigenous supply of N, P, and K was observed among the eight intensive rice domains as well as among farms within each domain. Field- and season-specific NPK applications were calculated by accounting for the indigenous nutrient supply, yield targets, and nutrient demand as a function of the interactions between N, P, and K. Nitrogen applications were fine-tuned based on season-specific rules and field-specific monitoring of crop N status. The performance of SSNM was tested for four successive rice crops. Average grain yield in the SSNM increased by 0.36 Mg ha⁻¹ (7%) compared to the current farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) measured in the same cropping seasons or 0.54 Mg ha⁻¹ (11%) compared to the baseline FFP yield before intervention. Average nutrient uptake under SSNM increased by about 10% in the same seasons or by 13% (N) and 21% (P, K) compared to the baseline data. Yield increases were associated with a 4% decrease in the average N rate, but larger amounts of fertilizer-K at sites where the previous K use was low. Average N use efficiencies increased by 30–40%, mainly through the use of improved in-season N management schemes. Across all sites and four successive rice crops, profitability increased by US$ 46 ha⁻¹ per crop or 12% of the total average net return. The performance of SSNM did not differ significantly between high-yielding and low-yielding climatic seasons, but improved over time with larger benefits observed in the second year. Average profitability increased from US$ 32 ha⁻¹ pre crop in the first year to US$ 61 ha⁻¹ pre crop in the second year due to improvements in the SSNM approach and re-capitalization of P and K applied in the first year. SSNM required little extra credit for financing, and remained profitable even if rice prices are somewhat lower than current levels. Further, scope for improvement exists at many sites by alleviating other crop management constraints to nutrient use efficiency. Profit increases ranged from US$ 4 to 82 ha⁻¹ per crop among eight rice domains. However, profit decreases occurred in about 25% of all cases, indicating that a certain minimum level of crop care is required for SSNM to be profitable. Yields at sites with labor-saving direct-seeding of larger fields were about 1 Mg ha⁻¹ lower than those achieved at sites with labor-intensive transplanting and good management, raising concern about future trends in rice production. SSNM has potential for improving yields and nutrient efficiency in irrigated rice to close existing yield gaps. The major challenge for SSNM will be to retain the success of the approach while reducing the complexity of the technology as it is disseminated to farmers. The nature of the approach will need to be tailored to specific circumstances in different countries. In some areas, SSNM may be field or farm specific, but in many areas it is likely to be just region and season-specific.     

Effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass yield and efficiency of energy use in crop production of Miscanthus

The perennial C₄ grass Miscanthus has been proposed as a biomass energy crop in Europe. Effects of crop age, irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass and energy yields and N content of Miscanthus were investigated and the energy costs of production determined. After an establishment period of 1 year, cultivation of Miscanthus resulted in a dry matter production of over 37 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ over a period of 4 years. Irrigation and nitrogen level greatly affected Miscanthus biomass yield. In absence of N fertilization, irrigation did not modify biomass yield and the effect of irrigation increased with the increase in N level. The average N response ranged from 37 to 50 kg biomass kg⁻¹ N applied. Because the calorific value of Miscanthus biomass (16.5 MJ kg⁻¹) was not affected by irrigation and N fertilization, energy production depended exclusively on biomass yield. Maximum energy yield was 564 GJ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Without N supply and irrigation, energy yield was 291 GJ h⁻¹. Net energy yield, calculated as the difference between energy output and input, but without inclusion of drying costs, was 543 GJ ha⁻¹ with N fertilization and irrigation and 284 GJ ha⁻¹ without; the ratios of energy output to input in crop production were 22 and 47, respectively.     

The efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser for rice in Bangladeshi farmers’ fields

Bangladesh is currently self sufficient in rice (Oryza sativa L.), which accounts for approximately 80% of the total cropped area, and 70% of the cost of crop production. However, farmers are increasingly concerned about the perceived decline in productivity, expressed as the return on fertiliser inputs. Agronomic efficiency is a measure of the increase in grain yield achieved per unit of fertiliser input that can provide a way to quantify the observation of farmers. This study indicates that the yields achieved where only P and K fertiliser were applied ranged from 3–5 t ha⁻¹, indicating good soil fertility, particular in terms of soil N supply (37–112 kg N ha⁻¹). However, at recommended rates and at rates used by farmers, the yield response to application of fertiliser N was low. Data shows that grain yields were significantly correlated in both years (R² = 0.77 and R² = 0.67) with plant uptake in nitrogen. The internal nitrogen use efficiency seems to confirm that sink formation was limited by factors other than nitrogen. Low agronomic efficiency (5–19 kg grain kg⁻¹ N) was caused by poor internal efficiency (45–73 kg grain kg⁻¹ N), rather than low supply of soil N or loss of fertiliser N. Thus, often the applications of large amounts of N fertiliser (39–175 kg N ha⁻¹) by farmers to increase yields of high yielding variety Boro rice were not justified agronomically and ecologically. A rate of 39 kg N ha⁻¹ is very low, hardly an environmental threat. No one single factor could be identified to explain the low internal efficiency. Therefore, it is concluded that the data presented tend to confirm the indication that yields are limited by a factor other than nitrogen, which could be crop establishment, plant density, water or pest management, micro-nutrients deficiency, poor seed and transplanted seedling quality, varieties and low radiation.     

Interspecific competition,N use and interference with weeds in pea–barley intercropping

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were intercropped and sole cropped to compare the effects of crop diversity on productivity and use of N sources on a soil with a high weed pressure. ¹⁵N enrichment techniques were used to determine the pea–barley–weed-N dynamics. The pea–barley intercrop yielded 4.6 t grain ha⁻¹, which was significantly greater than the yields of pea and barley in sole cropping. Calculation of land equivalent ratios showed that plant growth factors were used from 25 to 38% more efficiently by the intercrop than by the sole crops. Barley sole crops accumulated 65 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts, which was similar to 73 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea–barley intercrop and significantly greater than 15 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea sole crop. The weeds accumulated 57 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts during the growing season in the pea sole crops. Intercropped barley accumulated 71 kg N ha⁻¹. Pea relied on N₂ fixation with 90–95% of aboveground N accumulation derived from N₂ fixation independent of cropping system. Pea grown in intercrop with barley instead of sole crop had greater competitive ability towards weeds and soil inorganic N was consequently used for barley grain production instead of weed biomass. There was no indication of a greater inorganic N content after pea compared to barley or pea–barley. However, 46 days after emergence there was about 30 kg N ha⁻¹ inorganic N more under the pea sole crop than under the other two crops. Such greater inorganic N levels during early growth phases was assumed to induce aggressive weed populations and interspecific competition. Pea–barley intercropping seems to be a promising practice of protein production in cropping systems with high weed pressures and low levels of available N.     

Submergence tolerance and yield performance of lowland rice as affected by agronomic management practices in eastern India

Rice is subjected to excessive waterlogging and flash-flooding on large areas in south and south-east Asia. Besides cultivars, submergence tolerance of plants is influenced by various agronomic practices. A field experiment was conducted at Cuttack, India during 1994–1995 to study the effect of method of stand establishment (direct seeding and transplanting), vigour of seed (low and high-density) or seedlings (N-fertilized and unfertilized), plant population (normal and 50% more) and N fertilizer (single basal and split application) on yield performance of lowland rice under conditions of natural submergence and simulated flash-flooding (impounding up to 90 ± 3 cm depth for 10 days at vegetative stage). Flooding reached a maximum depth of 80 cm in 1994 and 52 cm in 1995 under natural submergence. The crop performance was better in 1994 due to timely sowing in dry soil and delayed accumulation of water (43 days after sowing) than in 1995 when sowing was done late in saturated soil followed by early water accumulation (28 days after sowing). Grain yield of rice decreased by 30.0–33.6% due to simulated flash-flooding compared with natural submergence, and by 21.4–33.1% due to transplanting in July compared with direct seeding in May-end/early June. The yield of direct-sown crop increased by using high-density seed of 22.9–23.0 mg weight (5.2–9.0%), higher seed rate of 600 m⁻² (2.2–2.3%) and basal fertilization at 40 kg N ha⁻¹ (19.4–25.7%) compared with low-density seed (19.4–20.1 mg), 400 seed m⁻² and no N, respectively. The yield of transplanted crop increased by using N-fertilized seedlings of 0.49–1.65 g weight (29.5–38.5%), higher number of seedlings at 155 m⁻² (3.5–16.7%) and basal fertilization at 40 kg N ha⁻¹ (31.9–32.5%) compared with unfertilized seedlings (0.19–0.79 g), 115 seedlings m⁻² and no N. Split application of 40 kg N ha⁻¹ — 50% each at basal and top dressing (105–115 days of growth after flash-flooding) — improved yield significantly (10.1–13.1%) over single basal application under simulated flash-flooding, but not under natural submergence conditions. Regression analysis indicated that relative contribution of various factors in increasing grain yield was in order: N fertilizer > seed density > seed m⁻² in direct-sown rice, and N fertilizer > seedlings m⁻² > seedling dry weight in transplanted rice. It was concluded that grain yield of flood-prone lowland rice can be increased by establishing the crop early through direct seeding using high-density seed and basal N fertilization.     

Pig slurry applications to alfalfa: Productivity,solar radiation utilization,N and P removal

A field study was carried out over 4 years at one site in the Low Po Valley, Northern Italy, to examine the effect of various levels of pig slurry applications on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity, solar radiation utilization, and nutrient removal. Treatments consisted of three liquid pig manure rates, estimated to provide in total 300, 450 and 600 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (PS300, PS450, PS600, respectively), and one unfertilized control (named as Control). Treatments were applied on the second and third year of crop stand (1994 and 1995), whilst during the subsequent fourth and fifth years of crop stand (1996 and 1997) the residual effects of previous treatments were investigated. Regardless of crop age and year-to-year variability, pig slurry tended to increase annual forage production during the 2 years of fertilization and the subsequent biennium of stand duration. Overall, the forage dry matter production, accumulated over four growing seasons and 17 cuts, was 39 000 kg ha⁻¹ for the Control, 44 500 kg ha⁻¹ (+14%) for PS300, to 49 800 kg ha⁻¹ (+28%) for PS450 and 45 800 kg ha⁻¹ (+17%) for PS600. Nitrogen concentration in shoot dry matter was not influenced by the treatment applied. P concentration, on the other hand, was substantially increased by all three rates of pig slurry application, with an evident residual effect observed during the last 2 years of crop stand. However, the evident increase of P availability, assured by pig slurry fertilization, resulted in most of cases in luxury consumption of P by the crop plant. A strong linear relationship was found between cumulative forage dry matter and accumulated incident global solar radiation. Pig slurry fertilization increased significantly the slope of the regressions with respect to the Control. Since enhanced N and P availability may reduce the carbon costs for sustaining root nodules and symbiotic organisms, it seems likely that the crop plant must gain advantage in terms of dry matter produced per unit of radiation intercepted. However, further research is needed to clarify whether the effect of manure is attributable to improved alfalfa efficiency in converting intercepted solar energy into forage dry matter, to enhanced canopy cover thus higher radiation capture per unit of soil area, or to a combination of both mechanisms.     

Long-term effects of inorganic and organic fertilizer sources on yield and nutrient accumulation of lowland rice

Deceleration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield over time under fixed management conditions is a concern for countries like Bangladesh, where rice is the primary source of calories for the human population. Field experiments were conducted from 1990 to 1999 on a Chhiata clay loam soil (Hyperthermic Vertic Endoaquept) in Bangladesh, to determine the effect of different doses of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with cow dung (CD) and rice husk ash (ash) on yield of lowland rice. Two rice crops—dry season rice (December–May) and wet season rice (July–November) were grown in each year. Six treatments—absolute control (T₁), one-third of recommended fertilizer doses (T₂), two-thirds of recommended fertilizer doses (T₃), full doses of recommended fertilizers (T₄), T₂+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₅) and T₃+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₆) were compared. The CD and ash were applied on dry season rice only. The 10-year mean grain yield of rice with T₁ was 5.33 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the yield with T₂ was 6.86 t ha⁻¹ per year. Increased fertilizer doses with T₃ increased the grain yield to 8.07 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the application of recommended chemical fertilizer doses (T₄) gave 8.87 t ha⁻¹ per year. The application of CD and ash (T₅ and T₆) increased rice yield by about 1 t ha⁻¹ per year over that obtained with chemical fertilizer alone (T₂ and T₃, respectively). Over 10 years, the grain yield trend with the control plots was negative, but not significantly, both in the dry and wet seasons. Under T₃ through T₆, the yield trend was significantly positive in the dry season, but no significant trend was observed in the wet season. The treatments, which showed positive yield trend, also showed positive total P uptake trend. Positive yield trends were attributed to the increasing P supplying power of the soil.     

Soil fertility management in irrigated rice systems in the Sahel and Savanna regions of West Africa: Part I. Agronomic analysis

Yield, input use, productivity and profitability of irrigated rice systems were analyzed based on surveys in Senegal (Thiagar and Guédé), Mali (Office du Niger) and Burkina Faso (Kou Valley). The objective was to determine agronomic factors contributing to farmers' fertilizer-use efficiency and productivity, given current farmer practices. (A second paper addresses profitability and risk issues). Grain yields were highly variable, within and across sites. Minimum grain yield was 0.2 t ha⁻¹ (Thiagar), maximum recorded grain yield was 8.7 t ha⁻¹ (Office du Niger). The yield gap between actual farmers' yield and simulated potential or maximum attainable farmers' yield ranged from 0.6 to 5.7 t ha⁻¹ (Kou), 1.8 to 8.2 t ha⁻¹ (Thiagar), 0.3 to 6.3 t ha⁻¹ (Office du Niger), 0.8 to 5.7 t ha⁻¹ (Guédé), indicating considerable scope for improved yield. Physiological nitrogen efficiency (δ grain yield/δ N uptake) was mostly between 40 and 80 kg grain kg⁻¹ plant N. Apparent recovery of fertilizer N was highly variable (average: 30–40% of applied N). Timing of N fertilizer application by farmers was extremely variable and often did not coincide with critical growth stages of the rice plant. Other agronomic constraints included: use of relatively old (>40 days) seedlings at transplanting (Kou, Office du Niger), P and/or K deficiency (Office du Niger), unreliable irrigation water supply (Kou, dry season), delayed start of the wet growing season resulting in yield losses of up to 20% due to cold-induced spikelet sterility (Kou, Guédé, Office du Niger), weed problems (Thiagar), and late harvesting (Thiagar). Discussions during meetings with farmers at the survey sites revealed that farmers lacked knowledge on (i) optimal timing, dosage and mode of fertilizer application, (ii) optimal sowing dates to avoid yield loss due to cold- or heat-induced sterility, and (iii) the importance of N as the main limiting factor to yield. Possibilities to achieve a sustainable increase in rice productivity and profitability in West African irrigation systems are discussed.     

Effects of N application on agronomic and environmental parameters in silage maize production on sandy soils

The current nitrogen (N) use in silage maize production can lead to considerable N losses to the environment. Maize growers fear that a reduction of N inputs needed to minimize N losses might depress yields. The objective of this study was therefore to quantify: (1) the response of silage maize dry matter (DM) yields to N, (2) the economically optimal N reserve, and (3) the trade-off between silage maize DM yield and N losses. The indicators of N losses used in this study were the difference between N input and N uptake and the post-harvest residual soil mineral N. Regression models were used to fit DM yields and N uptakes of silage maize measured in 25 experiments on sandy soils in the Netherlands to the sum (SUMN) of the soil mineral N reserve (SMN_early) in March–April, plus mineral N in fertilizer, plus ammonium N in spring-applied slurry. The values obtained for the economically optimal SUMN in the upper 30 and 60 cm of soil were, respectively, 173 and 195 kg N ha⁻¹, when we assumed that the value of 1 kg fertilizer N equals the value of 5 kg silage DM. The economically optimal SUMN was not significantly related to the attainable DM yield. The apparent N recovery (ANR) of maize averaged 53% at the economically optimal SUMN. The ANR rose considerably, however, when N was applied at lower rates, indicating that N losses may be considerably smaller in less intensive maize cropping. When maize was fertilized at 100 kg N ha⁻¹ below the economic optimum, the ANR was 73%, the difference between the mineral N input and the N crop uptake decreased by 57 kg N ha⁻¹ and the soil mineral N residue at the end of the growing season (0–60 cm) decreased by 24 kg N ha⁻¹. The associated reduction in DM yield averaged 16%. Fertilizer prices would have to be as much as four times higher to make maize growers spontaneously reduce the application rates by a 100 kg N ha⁻¹, however. It is concluded that adjusting the N input to a level below the economically optimal rate can reduce the risks for N losses to the environment associated with conventional maize production, with a limited effect on silage yields.     

Rice establishment method affects nitrogen use and crop production of rice–legume systems in drought-prone eastern India

The inclusion of grain legumes in rainfed lowland rice farming systems provides an opportunity to increase food production, household income, and human nutrition of impoverished rice farmers in Asia. We examined the effect of rice establishment method on the performance of wet season rice (Oryza sativa L.) and post-rice crops of either chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) or moong [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] on an Udic Haplustalf in the drought-prone, rainfed lowlands of eastern India. Rice was either direct seeded in lines on moist soil immediately after the onset of wet season rain or transplanted after sufficient rainwater accumulated for soil submergence. Crop establishment method had no effect on rice performance in a season (2001) with normal rainfall. In a drought season (2002), direct seeding resulted in mean rice grain yield of 2.3 t ha⁻¹, whereas the transplanted rice crop failed. The agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer applied to direct-seeded rice was comparable for the 2 years (18 and 24 kg grain per kg N applied). Topsoil inorganic N was markedly higher following chickpea and moong than following a post-rice fallow. Direct-seeded rice had higher yield and accumulation of N following a post-rice legume than following fallow, but transplanted rice derived no such benefit from the legume. Direct-seeded rice was established 1–2 months before transplanted rice, and direct-seeded rice matured before transplanted rice by 8 days in the favorable season and by 26 days in the drought season. The soil nitrate present after legumes and fallow rapidly disappeared, presumably by denitrification, following the onset of rains and soil flooding prior to transplanting. A portion of this accumulated soil nitrate was taken up by the direct-seeded rice before it could be lost. But transplanted rice did not benefit from this inorganic N derived from legumes because virtually all soil nitrate was lost before transplanting. Direct seeding of rice ensured better use of residual and applied N, reduced risk due to drought, and favored intensification with post-rice legumes in drought-prone lowland systems.     

Stable high yields with zero tillage and permanent bed planting?

Subtropical highlands of the world have been densely populated and intensively cropped. Agricultural sustainability problems resulting from soil erosion and fertility decline have arisen throughout this agro-ecological zone. This article considers practices that would sustain higher and stable yields for wheat and maize in such region. A long-term field experiment under rainfed conditions was started at El Batán, Mexico (2240 m a.s.l.; 19.31°N, 98.50°W; fine, mixed, thermic, Cumulic Haplustoll) in 1991. It included treatments varying in: (1) rotation (continuous maize (Zea mays) or wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the rotation of both); (2) tillage (conventional, zero and permanent beds); (3) crop residue management (full, partial or no retention). Small-scale maize and wheat farmers may expect yield improvements through zero tillage, appropriate rotations and retention of sufficient residues (average maize and wheat yield of 5285 and 5591 kg ha⁻¹), compared to the common practices of heavy tillage before seeding, monocropping and crop residue removal (average maize and wheat yield of 3570 and 4414 kg ha⁻¹). Leaving residue on the field is critical for zero tillage practices. However, it can take some time—roughly 5 years—before the benefits are evident. After that, zero tillage with residue retention resulted in higher and more stable yields than alternative management. Conventional tillage with or without residue incorporation resulted in intermediate yields. Zero tillage without residue drastically reduced yields, except in the case of continuous wheat which, although not high yielding, still performed better than the other treatments with zero tillage and residue removal. Zero tillage treatments with partial residue removal gave yields equivalent to treatments with full residue retention (average maize and wheat yield of 5868 and 5250 kg ha⁻¹). There may be scope to remove part of the residues for fodder and still retain adequate amounts to provide the necessary ground cover. This could make the adoption of zero tillage more acceptable for the small-scale, subsistence farmer whose livelihood strategies include livestock as a key component. Raised-bed cultivation systems allow both dramatic reductions in tillage and opportunities to retain crop residues on the soil surface. Permanent bed treatments combined with rotation and residue retention yielded the same as the zero tillage treatments, with the advantage that more varied weeding and fertilizer application practices are possible. It is important small-scale farmers have access to, and are trained in the use of these technologies.     

Effect of N rate,timing and splitting and N type on bread-making quality in hard red spring wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Three different experiments were designed to study the effects of N fertilizer rate, timing and splitting, and the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer on the bread-making quality of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over a 3-year period in Vertisols under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: grain yield, test weight, grain protein content, gluten index and alveograph parameters (W: alveogram index; P: dough tenacity; L: dough extensibility; P/L: tenacity–extensibility ratio). The N rate experiment included rates of 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied on four different sites. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four blocks. For the experiment on N timing and splitting, a single rate of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was used, different fractions being applied at sowing, tillering and stem elongation, at a single site; again, experimental design was a randomized complete block with four blocks. Finally, for the experiment on the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer, a single fertilizer dose of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied in two forms (urea+ammonium nitrate and urea+ammonium nitrosulfate) with one leaf application at ear emergence (zero, 25 kg S ha⁻¹, 25 kg N ha⁻¹, $\text{25}\text{kg}\text{S}\text{ha}{}^{\mathrm{-1}}\text{+25}$ kg N ha⁻¹ and 50 kg N ha⁻¹), also at a single site, using a split-plot design with four replications. Year-on-year variation in rainfall led to marked variations in wheat yield, grain protein content and bread-making quality indices. A close correlation was observed between rainfall over the September–May period and both grain yield and grain protein content (optimum values for both being recorded in the rainfall range 500–550 mm) as well as the alveogram index. A negative correlation was observed between mean maximum temperatures in May and both test weight and alveogram index (W). N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on bread-making quality than on grain yield. The highest values for grain yield were recorded at an N rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹, while maximum grain protein content values were recorded at 150 kg ha⁻¹. Application of half or one-third of total fertilizer N at stem elongation improved grain yield and grain protein content with respect to applications at sowing alone or at both sowing and tillering. Increased N rates led to a considerable increase in W values and to a reduction in the P/L ratio, thus improving dough balance, with a negative effect on the gluten index. Leaf application of N at ear emergence only affected grain protein content and the W index. Soil or leaf application of S had no effect on protein quality indices. The response of grain yield and grain protein content to fertilizer N differed from that reported for temperate climates.     

Responses of field-grown irrigated rice cultivars to varying levels of floodwater salinity in a semi-arid environment

Shallow saline water tables, naturally saline soils and variations in climatic conditions over the two growing seasons, create a harsh environment for irrigated rice production in the Senegal River Delta. At the onset of the growing season, salts accumulated by capillary rise in the topsoil are released into the soil solution and floodwater. Rice fields often lack drainage facilities, or drain from one field to the other, thus building up salt levels during the season. Salt stress may, therefore, occur throughout the growing season and may coincide with susceptible growth stages of the rice crop. The objectives of the present study were to (i) determine varietal responses to seasonal salinity in both the hot dry season (HDS) and the wet season (WS) and (ii) derive guidelines for surface water drainage at critical growth stages. We evaluated responses of three rice cultivars grown in the region to floodwater salinity (0–2, 4, 6, 8 mS cm⁻¹), applied either at germination, during 2 weeks at crop establishment, during 2 weeks around panicle initiation (PI), or during 2 weeks around flowering. Floodwater electrical conductivity (EC) reduced germination rate for the most susceptible cultivar by as much as 50% and yield by 80% for the highest salinity level imposed. Salinity strongly reduced spikelet number per panicle, 1000 grain weight and increased sterility, regardless of season and development stage. The strongest salinity effects on yield were observed around PI, whereas plants recovered best from stress at seedling stage. Floodwater EC <2 mS cm⁻¹ hardly affected rice yield. For floodwater EC levels >2 mS cm⁻¹, a yield loss of up to 1 t ha⁻¹ per unit EC (mS cm⁻¹) was observed for salinity stress around PI (at fresh water yields of about 8 t ha⁻¹). Use of a salinity tolerant cultivar reduced maximum yield losses to about 0.6 t ha⁻¹ per unit EC. It is concluded that use of salinity tolerant cultivars, drainage if floodwater EC >2 mS cm⁻¹ at critical growth stages, and early sowing in the WS to avoid periods of low air humidity during the crop cycle, are ways to increase rice productivity in the Senegal River Delta.