Nitrogen Mineralization Rates and Kinetics in Soils Freshly Amended with Green Manures

Long term incubation studies to determine the nitrogen (N) mineralization rates and kinetics in soils freshly amended with some commonly used green manures such as Sesbania rostrata. Gliricidia maculata. Leucaena leucocephala and Azolla pinnata are scarce. A long term aerobic study was, therefore, conducted by incubating soils freshly amended with the above-mentioned green manures in PVC columns at 35 ± 1 C and with 0.01 Mpa moisture content. The soils were then leached at periodic intervals for up to 36 weeks.
The N-mineralization rates were greatest during the first week and decreased with time in all soils. The green manure amended soils leached 247 mg kg⁻¹ more NO₃+ NO₂– N than the unamended control. In general, the total N mineralized (mean 61%) was almost twice that of net N mineralized (mean 30%) in the amended soils. The percent N mineralized (total and net), however, varied with the nature of green manure incorporated into the soil. It was greatest in the soil amended with sesbania and lowest in the soil amended with azolla. The kinetic parameters derived using the double exponential model indicated that green manure amended soils possessed significantly higher N-mineralization potentials and rate constants compared to the unamended control. The kinetic parameters also varied with the nature of green manure incorporated into the soil. Among the various parameters lignin content, lignin to N ratio and lignin + polyphenol to N ratio of the green manures were the key factors governing the rate of decomposition and subsequent N mineralization from the amended soils.     

Effect of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Fertilization on Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Nitrogen Uptake and Yield

Little is known about the effect of combined phosphorus and nitrogen (P‐N) fertilization on the N requirement of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.). This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of varying levels of P and N, as well as the interaction P × N, on the N uptake, yield and N apparent utilization efficiency under field conditions. Split‐plot design experiments were conducted in the mid‐western Pampas in Argentina. Four levels of N (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg N ha^?1) and three levels of P (0, 12 and 40 kg P ha^?1) were applied to two Typic Hapludolls over two growing seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99). N uptake and soil N‐NO₃ contents were determined at the V₇, R₅ and R₉ growth stages. The sunflower yield ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 Mg ha^?1. The total N requirement was around 45 kg N Mg^?1 grain, and this result suggests that it is not necessary to use different N requirements (parameter b) for fertilized crops when a yield response is expected. To achieve a 100 % yield maximum a N supply (soil plus fertilizer) of 181 kg N ha^?1 at P₄₀ was needed. However, at P₀, the highest yield was about 80 % of the maximum yield with a N supply (soil plus fertilizer) of 164 kg N ha^?1. P application increased the apparent use efficiency of the supplied N.     

Effect of Microbial Activity and Nitrogen Mineralization on Free-living Nitrogen Fixation in Permanent Grassland Soils

Free‐living nitrogen (N) fixation can be important for sustainable soil fertility, particularly in extensively managed soils with low abundance of leguminous plant species. However, the factors affecting free N₂‐fixation in situ are still poorly documented. We investigated the role of microbial active biomass activity, particularly substrate‐induced respiration (SIR) and net N mineralization, on the free‐living N₂ fixation in soils under a semi‐natural grassland ecosystem in France. Analysis of replicated bulk soil and rhizospheric soil samples obtained from sites experiencing contrasting grazing regimes revealed highly significant negative relationships (P < 0.01) between free‐living N₂‐fixation and SIR or N‐mineralization with a significant rhizosphere effect. The study has demonstrated that the activity of free‐living N₂‐fixers is more important in soils having low active microbial biomass and low N‐mineralization rates in these permanent grasslands.     

Effect of soil-N and urine-N on nitrate leaching under pure grass,pure clover and mixed grass/clover swards

During six annual drainage periods (DP_O to DP₅), the drainage water, the NO₃ concentration of the drainage water and the total leached N were compared under bare soils and under ryegrass/white clover, pure ryegrass and pure white clover stands in 80 deep lysimeters with 3m² area. For each soil cover, the sensitivity of the variables to the soil N supplying capacity at sowing was measured, using a set up of 32 lysimeters. This initial capacity to supply mineral N (SoilN) varied from 90 to 230 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The stands were managed in a simulated rotational grazing system, without addition of fertilizer N. During the first drainage period after sowing (DP₀), N leaching increased significantly with the initial SoilN under the bare soils, the pure grass and the mixture, but was not influenced under the pure clover. In the following drainage periods, N leaching increased according to the sequence pure grass (1–5 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), mixed swards (1–19 kg N), pure white clover (28–140 kg N) and bare soils (84–149 kgN ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). It was only slightly greater under the mixture than under the pure grass, despite the N harvest and the N animal returns were much higher. Under the mixed stands, N leaching became independent of the initial SoilN in DP₁ and DP₂ and decreased with increasing initial SoilN in DP₃, DP₄ and DP₅. This inversion of the SoilN effect in time and the limited amounts of leached N demonstrated that adaptations in the ecosystem tend to counteract the SoilN effect on the N losses. In the mixed stands, the accumulated N leaching represented 12 and 21% of the accumulated N at harvest for the initially rich and poor soils, respectively and 32% of the accumulated N harvest in the mixed clover, whatever the initial SoilN. N leaching also represented 13% of the urine-N above 80 kgN ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The low values of N leaching under the mixed swards make them sustainable for environment quality. Mechanisms which regulate the N fluxes are discussed, using published data on the soil and some results concerning the harvests in the same experiment.     

Beet vinasse applied to wheat under dryland conditions affects soil properties and yield

The effect of six doses of beet vinasse (0, 3, 6, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹, respectively) on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cajeme) yield in dryland conditions (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) for 3 years on a Typic Xerofluvent was studied. The results showed that at low doses, beet vinasse is of agricultural interest due mainly to its organic matter concentration. The application of this byproduct to the soil increased soil microbial biomass and mineralization of its organic matter increased NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil. This caused an increase in grain yield in the three seasons. When the vinasse was applied with high doses, NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil, soil microbial biomass, soil structure, bulk density, electric conductivity, nutrient uptake, crop yield and grain quality were negatively affected. We assume that the high amounts of monovalent cations, particularly Na⁺, and of fulvic acids, which had been transported into the soil by the vinasse, destabilized the soil structure. This may have led to anaerobic soil conditions being presumably responsible for restricted N mineralization or even for denitrification. This explains the lower N supply to the crops reflected by the low N concentrations in the leaves of treatments A4 and A5.     

Standorterhebungen zur Stickstoffdynamik nach Anbau von Körnerleguminosen

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

Effects of cover crops on soil mineral nitrogen and on the yield and nitrogen content of maize

Current agricultural practice favours winter cover crops, which can not only optimize N management in field crop rotation; but also affect subsequent crops. Three field experiments were carried out in Eastern Slovenia to examine the effects of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), winter rape (Brassica napus ssp.oleifera (Metzg.) Sinsk), subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) as winter cover crops on the mineral N (N_min) content of soil and on the yield and N content of subsequent maize (Zea mays L.), fertilized with 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Italian ryegrass and winter rape decreased soil N_min contents before winter and in spring more than both clovers. In contrast, clovers accumulated significantly higher amounts of N in organic matter and had lower C/N ratios than winter rape and especially Italian ryegrass. In comparison to the control (bare fallow without cover crop), clovers increased the whole above ground maize dry matter yield, maize grain yield and N contents in whole above ground plants and in grain. The yields and N contents of maize following winter rape were on the same level as the control, while yields and N contents of maize following Italian ryegrass were, in two of the experiments, at the same level as the control. The effects of Italian ryegrass on the maize as subsequent crop in the third experiment were markedly negative. Maize in the control treatment exploited N much more efficiently than in treatments with cover crops. Therefore, cover crop N management should be improved, especially with a view to optimizing the timing of net N mineralization in accordance with the N demands of the subsequent crop.     

Barley–hairy vetch mixture as cover crop for green manuring and the mitigation of N leaching risk

Adopting mixtures of legumes and non-legumes can be an efficient tool to merge the advantages of the single species in the fall-sown cover crop practice. Cover crop mixtures are supposed to provide an additional benefit in reducing N leaching risks as compared to pure legume thanks to the N trapping skill of the non-legume companion, but to our knowledge no data are available on the effect of mixed cover crops on N leaching. For this reason, in a three-year study we investigated the effect of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) grown in 100% pure stands or in 50:50 mixtures on the N leaching below the rooting zone as compared to the bare soil. The NO₃-N concentration in the soil solution was monitored by suction cup lysimeters placed at 0.9 m depth during the whole growing cycle and after cover crop incorporation into the soil and the amount of leached N was calculated on the basis of estimated drainage.The mixture showed variable biomass accumulation and proportion in the biomass accumulated by companion species across years, but a rather constant N accumulation, with a biomass C/N ratio intermediate between those of the pure crops. In all years, the N trapping effect of the mixture was clear as it decreased NO₃-N leaching at the same level of pure barley, both during its own growing cycle and after cover crop incorporation into the soil. Pure vetch showed the highest N source potential as green manure but no NO₃-N leaching mitigation effect as compared to the bare soil. Thus we demonstrate here that a mixture of barley and vetch, which was already known to be a “self-buffered system” able to guarantee a good and rather stable N accumulation, is also a “buffering system” for the agroecosystems in the Mediterranean conditions by acting as a N trapping crop able to reduce N leaching.     

Interaction Amongst Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Genotype, Soil Type and Inoculant Strain with Regard to N2 Fixation

The nitrogen (N₂)‐fixing bacterial inoculant strain for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] is not indigenous to South African soils. The interaction between soybean genotype, soil type and inoculant strain, however, has a definite influence on soybean production and compatibility should be optimized. This paper reports a growth chamber study using three different soybean genotypes (Barc‐9, Avuturda and Talana), three Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant strains (WB108, WB112 and WB1) and three soil types (Avalon, Arcadia and sand) to evaluate the effectiveness of N₂ fixation by different genotype × soil type × inoculant strain combinations, using different measuring parameters. These parameters included nodule fresh mass (NFM), amount of N₂ fixed (P_fix), as determined by the ureide method, seed protein content (SPC), average seed mass per plant (SMP) and average foliar N content (FNC). The comparison amongst the three‐way interactions, genotype × soil type × inoculant strain, did not differ significantly for the parameters used. Significant two‐way interactions were soil × inoculant for FNC, P_fix and SMP; soil × genotype for FNC and SMP, and inoculant × genotype for FNC (P < 0.05). The soil × inoculant strain interaction was significant for P_fix (P < 0.05). NFM, P_fix, FNC, SMP and SPC correlated positively with soil pH and negatively with soil clay content and soil NO₃^– and NH₄⁺ content (P < 0.05). SPC was significantly different (P < 0.05) for soil type, genotype and inoculant strain. P_fix and NFM did not reflect the protein content of the seeds, indicating that nodule evaluation should be used with caution as a N₂ fixation parameter. Low soil pH and high mineral N content inhibited N₂ fixation. NFM correlated negatively with the clay content of the soil. This finding confirms that soybean production in South Africa can be improved by appropriate selection of genotypes and inoculant strains for their compatibility in different soils.     

White lupine as a beneficial crop in Southern Europe: I. Potential for N mineralization in lupine amended soil and yield and N2 fixation by white lupine

Two experiments were carried out at Pegões (central Portugal) to determine the potential N mineralization in a pulse amended disturbed and undisturbed soil incubated at several temperatures, and to evaluate for 2 years the yield and N₂ fixation capacity of sweet lupine (Lupinus albus L. cv. Estoril) inoculated with a mixture of rhizobia strains or nodulated by indigenous soil bacteria and submitted to conventional tillage or no-till practices. A completely randomized block design for soil mobilization with three replicates was used for the laboratory study, and completely randomized blocks for inoculation and tillage treatments with four replicates were used for the lupine yield and N₂ fixation experiment. Residue N immobilization occurred immediately after mature residue return to the soil independent of temperature, and was greater at 7 °C especially in the disturbed topsoil. Greater immobilization was also observed by doubling the amount of mature residue incorporated in the soil. This was expected since soil microorganisms would be in direct contact with the fresh organic matter and would be provided with more organic carbon under these circumstances. Nitrogen mineralization proceeded after 5 days of amendment. Potential N mineralization was higher at 25 °C than at 18 or 7 °C, for both conventional and no-till practices. At 25 °C, 42% of buried residue-¹⁵N was released over 210 days, at a smaller rate than 18 °C (49%) over 81 days. Lupine yield and N₂ fixation capacity were similar in plots that were not inoculated and those receiving the mixture of three rhizobia strains. White lupine had an efficient symbiosis with indigenous soil rhizobia at pod-filling (>99%, >100 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) which was not affected by tillage. At this stage, plant residue including visible roots and nodules accounted for a soil N input of +96 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (91% of crop N), showing the large soil N benefit by the crop at this stage. The lupine residue at pod-filling stage can be used as a green manure under the conditions of organic farming systems. The apparent N “harvest” index of the pulse at pod-filling was only 9% though at maturity phase it should result in a higher value and the legume will show a lower fertilizer N value.     

Root decomposition at high and low N supply throughout a crop rotation

Soil nitrogen (N) dynamics can be modified by cover crops in rotations with cereals. Although, roots are a major source of N, little is known about the dynamics of root decomposition of cash and cover crops. The objective of this study was to assess the effects that cover crop species have on i) the decomposition of spring wheat roots during the growth of cover crops, and ii) the decomposition of cover crop roots during the growing season of spring wheat. The experiment aimed also at comparing three non-winter hardy cover crops of varying shoot C/N ratios under low and high N input levels of 6 and 12 g N m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. The experiment included spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as the main crop and non-winter hardy cover crops (yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as well as bare soil fallow treatment. Minirhizotrons were used to non-destructively assess the spatial and temporal patterns of root growth and decomposition from 0.10 to 1.00 m. Simultaneously, we grew all crops in soil columns to measure destructively C and N content in the roots. We concluded that wheat root decomposition was not affected by cover crop species. In contrast, during the growing season of wheat root decomposition of yellow mustard was on average twice as high for phacelia and sunflower as a consequence of a higher production of roots with a significantly higher C/N ratio compared to the other cover crops.     

Effectiveness of Sulphuric Acid and Gypsum for the Reclamation of a Calcareous Saline-Sodic Soil Under Four Crop Rotations

As a low‐cost strategy, the cultivation of certain salt‐tolerant crop species on calcareous saline‐sodic soils, i.e. phytoreclamation, has enjoyed great attention in recent years. A lysimeter study was carried out to evaluate whether a phytoreclamation approach alone, or in combination with some booster dose of either gypsum or sulphuric acid, is sufficient to reclaim a calcareous, moderately saline‐sodic soil. Four crop rotations, rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–sesbania (Sesbania aculeata L.); rice–berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.); Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sesbania–berseem were tested against three treatments: (T₁) control, (T₂) sulphuric acid application 25 % of soil gypsum requirement (SGR), and (T₃) application of gypsum 25 % SGR. To decrease the sodium adsorption ratio of the saline‐sodic soil well below the threshold level, especially from deeper depth, a booster dose of gypsum or sulphuric acid 25 % SGR was quite effective. Rice–berseem and Kallar grass–alfalfa rotations were more promising in combination with inorganic amendments than the rest of the rotations. The study also suggests that better yields of wheat and rice crops can be obtained with the application of inorganic amendments like gypsum or sulphuric acid. However, Kallar grass yield was somewhat suppressed with these amendments.     

Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and residues of oil and protein crops

Oil and protein crops are of growing importance in cropping systems. This study was carried out to compare oil crops of linseed, rapeseed, sunflower and protein crops of faba bean and white lupin for grain production, residual plant dry matter and nitrogen. Two field experiments with either oil or protein crops were conducted in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Total dry matter production, grain yield, residues, N concentrations and mineral N in the soil were measured. Dry matter production and distribution as well as N uptake and residues varied greatly among species and between years. In 1993, oil crops gave up to 3 t ha⁻¹ grain and 16 t ha⁻¹ residues with sunflower, while in 1994 up to 5 and 11 t ha⁻¹, respectively, were recorded with winter rape. Protein crops showed an opposite reaction in years. Nitrogen uptake and residual N amounts were correlated with dry matter production. Plant residues of oil crops contained 20–140 kg N ha⁻¹; those of protein crops up to 80 kg N ha⁻¹. Despite the variation of residual plant N the variability of mineral N in the soil at harvest was hardly influenced by crops and amounted to only 20–50 kg NO⁻₃-N ha⁻¹.     

Nitrogen use efficiency and fertiliser fate in a long-term experiment with winter cover crops

The use of winter cover crops enhances environmental benefits and, if properly managed, may supply economic and agronomic advantages. Nitrogen retained in the cover crop biomass left over the soil reduces soil N availability, which might enhance the N fertiliser use efficiency of the subsequent cash crop and the risk of depressive yield and pre-emptive competition. The main goal of this study was to determine the cover crop effect on crop yield, N use efficiency and fertiliser recovery in a 2-year study included in a long-term (10 years) maize/cover crop production system. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and vetch (Vicia sativa L.), as cover crops, were compared with a fallow treatment during the maize intercropping period. All treatments were cropped following the same procedure, including 130 kg N ha⁻¹ with ¹⁵N fertiliser. The N rate was reduced from the recommended N rate based on previous results, to enhance the cover crop effect. Crop yield and N uptake, soil N mineral and ¹⁵N fertiliser recovered in plants and the soil were determined at different times. The cover crops behaved differently: the barley covered the ground faster, while the vetch attained a larger coverage and N content before being killed. Maize yield and biomass were not affected by the treatments. Maize N uptake was larger after vetch than after barley, while fallow treatment provided intermediate results. This result can be ascribed to N mineralization of vetch residues, which results in an increased N use efficiency of maize. All treatments showed low soil N availability after the maize harvest; however, barley also reduced the N in the upper layers before maize planting, increasing the risk of pre-emptive competition. In addition to the year-long effect of residue decomposition, there was a cumulative effect on the soil’s capacity to supply N after 7 years of cover cropping, larger for the vetch than for the barley.     

Effects of 15N Split-application on Soil and Fertiliser N Uptake of Barley, Oilseed Rape and Wheat in Different Cropping Systems

In intensive farming systems, farmers split up and apply the N fertilization to winter cereals and oilseed rape (OSR) at several dates to meet the need of the crop more precisely. Our objective was to determine how prior fertilizer N application as slurry and/or mineral N affects contributions of fertilizer‐ and soil‐derived N to N uptake of barley (1997), oilseed rape (OSR; 1998) and wheat (1999). In addition, residual fertilizer N effects were observed in the subsequent crop. Since autumn 1991, slurry (none, slurry in autumn, in spring, in autumn plus in spring) and mineral N fertilizer (0, 12 and 24 g N m⁻²) were applied annually. Each year, the treatments were located on the same plots. In 1997–1999, the splitting rates of the mineral N fertilization were labelled with ¹⁵N. Non‐fertilizer N uptake was estimated from the total N uptake and the fertilizer ¹⁵N uptake. All three crops utilized the splitting rates differently depending on the time of application. Uptake of N derived from the first N rate applied at the beginning of spring growth was poorer than that from the second splitting rate applied at stem elongation (cereals) or third splitting rate applied at ear emergence or bud formation (all three crops). In contrast, N applied later in the growing season was taken up more quickly, resulting in higher fertilizer N‐use efficiency. Mineral N fertilization of 24 g N m⁻² increased significantly non‐fertilizer N uptake of barley and OSR at most of the sampling dates during the growing season. In cereals, slurry changed the contribution of non‐fertilizer N to the grain N content only if applied in spring, while OSR utilized more autumn slurry N. In OSR and wheat, only small residual effects occurred. The results indicate that 7 years of varying N fertilization did not change the contribution of soil N to crop N uptake.     

Effect of N Fertilization Rate on Sugar Yield and Non-Sugar Impurities of Sugar Beets (Beta vulgaris) Grown Under Mediterranean Conditions

For three successive growing seasons (1999–2001), a completely randomized block design experiment was established at the surrounding area of each of four sugar beet processing plants of Hellenic Sugar Industry SA, Greece (a total of 12 experiments). Nitrogen was applied at five rates (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹) and six replications per rate. Nitrogen fertilization had site-specific effects on quantitative (fresh root and sugar yields) and qualitative (sucrose content, K, Na, α-amino N) traits. When data were combined over years and sites, fresh root and sugar yields were maximized at high N rates (330.75 and 295 kg N ha⁻¹ respectively), as derived from quadratic functions fitted to data. In three trials, increased N rates had negative effects on root and sugar yield. These sites were characterized by high yield in control plots, light soil texture (sand > 50 %) and low CEC values. When data were converted into relative values (the ratio of the trait values to the control mean of each experiment), root and sugar yield was found to be maximized at higher N rates (350 and 316 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively). Sucrose content was strongly and linearly reduced by the increased N rates when data were combined but a significant reduction with increasing N rates was found in only two sites. Non-sugar impurities (K, Na, α-amino N) were positively related to the increased N rates when data were combined. Sodium and α-amino N showed to be most affected by N fertilization as positive relationships were found in six and eight of 12 locations, respectively. Increased N supply resulted in higher soil NO₃-N concentrations (0–90 cm depth) at harvest which were related with amino N contents in sugar beet roots (in 1999 and 2001).     

Strategies to Improve the Use Efficiency of Mineral Fertilizer Nitrogen Applied to Winter Wheat

Recovery of fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to winter wheat crops at tillering in spring is lower than that of N applied at later growth stages because of higher losses and immobilization of N. Two strategies to reduce early N losses and N immobilization and to increase N availability for winter wheat, which should result in an improved N use efficiency (= higher N uptake and/or increased yield per unit fertilizer N), were evaluated. First, 16 winter wheat trials (eight sites in each of 1996 and 1997) were conducted to investigate the effects of reduced and increased N application rates at tillering and stem elongation, respectively, on yield and N uptake of grain. In treatment 90‐70‐60 (90 kg N ha^?1 at tillering, 70 kg N ha^?1 at stem elongation and 60 kg N ha^?1 at ear emergence), the average values for grain yield and grain N removal were up to 3.1 and 5.0 % higher than in treatment 120‐40‐60, reflecting conventional fertilizer practice. Higher grain N removal for the treatment with reduced N rates at tillering, 90‐70‐60, was attributed to lower N immobilization (and N losses), which increased fertilizer N availability. Secondly, as microorganisms prefer NH₄⁺ to NO₃^? for N immobilization, higher net N immobilization would be expected after application of the ammonium‐N form. In a pot experiment, net N immobilization was higher and dry matter yields and crop N contents at harvest were lower with ammonium (ammonium sulphate + nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide) than with nitrate (calcium nitrate) nutrition. Five field trials were then conducted to compare calcium nitrate (CN) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) nutrition at tillering, followed by two CAN applications for both treatments. At harvest, crop N and grain yield were higher in the CN than in the CAN treatment at each N supply level. In conclusion, fertilizer N use efficiency in winter wheat can be improved if N availability to the crops is increased as a result of reduced N immobilization (and N losses) early in the growth period. N application systems could be modified towards strategies with lower N applications at tillering compensated by higher N dressing applications later. An additional advantage is expected to result from use of nitrate‐N fertilizers at tillering.     

Rice–weed competition in response to nitrogen form under high and low transpirational demand

Implementation of water-saving irrigation practices in lowland rice results in increased availability of nitrate (NO₃⁻) in the soil and favours germination of upland weeds. Since plant species show a specific preference for either ammonium (NH₄⁺) or NO₃⁻ as nitrogen (N) source, changes in both soil NO₃⁻ concentration and weed flora may affect the competition between rice and weeds. Further, the transpirational demand of the atmosphere might affect growth and competitiveness of lowland (wetland) and upland (dryland) weeds differently due to their adaptation to different ecological environments. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of N source on growth, N uptake and competition between rice and common upland and lowland weeds under high and low vapour pressure deficit (VPD). Two rice (Oryza sativa) varieties (NU838 and KD18) differing in growth characteristics and two weed species (Echinochloa crus-galli and Solanum nigrum) differing in their natural habitat were selected and grown hydroponically as monoculture or mixed culture at low or high VPD. N was supplied as 75%/25% or 25%/75% NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻. N uptake rates were measured in the first week, whereas dry matter (DM), N concentration in the plant, total N uptake and the activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase in the fresh leaves were determined two weeks after the onset of treatments. Independent of N source, both rice varieties and E. crus-galli took up a larger share of NH₄⁺, whereas S. nigrum took up a larger share of NO₃⁻. N uptake of rice and E. crus-galli was hardly affected by N source, whereas high NO₃⁻ led to significantly higher N uptake rates and total N uptake of S. nigrum. NU838 showed a higher competitiveness against weeds than KD18. In competition, high NO₃⁻ decreased the competitiveness of E. crus-galli against NU838 but increased the competitiveness of S. nigrum against NU838. High VPD did not affect DM but increased N uptake of S. nigrum, leading to increased competitiveness of the weed at high transpirational demand. Competitiveness for N uptake appears to be an important trait as the relative N concentration in mixed plant communities was correlated with the activity of N-assimilating enzymes and leaf growth, with a stronger response in rice than in weeds. Our results support the hypothesis that increased availability of NO₃⁻ in aerobic rice soils may be advantageous for the competitiveness of upland weeds, especially at high VPD, whereas it may be disadvantageous for common lowland weeds.     

小麦/玉米/大豆和小麦/玉米/甘薯套作对土壤氮素含量及氮素转移的影响

为探讨小麦/玉米/大豆套作对氮素营养的种间促进机制, 采用叶片¹⁵N富积标记法研究了小麦/玉米/大豆(A1)和小麦/玉米/甘薯(A2) 2种套作系统中不同施氮水平下的土壤培肥效果和氮素转移规律。结果表明,施氮可以提高小麦、玉米的土壤总氮含量,以施纯氮150~300 kg hm^-2处理最高;大豆较甘薯更有利于保持土壤肥力,施氮0、150、300和450 kg hm^-2水平下种植大豆后的土壤总氮含量比种植大豆前(小麦收获后)高38.6%、20.2%、9.4%和16.7%,而种植甘薯则降低总氮含量3.1%、1.8%、14.0%和3.8%。A1系统中小麦和玉米季土壤中NO₃-N含量低于A2系统,且随施氮量的增加而增加;大豆季土壤中NO₃-N含量高于甘薯季。A1和A2系统均存在¹⁵N的双向转移,¹⁵N转移量随施氮量的增加而降低,且A1的¹⁵N净转移量和转移强度高于A2;A1系统中小麦、玉米和大豆的¹⁵N净转移量比A2系统的¹⁵N净转移量分别高3.3%~12.1%、27.0%~166.2%和26.2%~78.7%。玉米与小麦之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从玉米向小麦,玉米与大豆之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从大豆向玉米,玉米与甘薯之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从玉米向甘薯。     

Replacing bare fallow with cover crops in a maize cropping system: Yield,N uptake and fertiliser fate

Cover crops in dry regions have been often limited by low nutrient and water-use efficiency. This study was conducted during 3.5 years to determine the effect of replacing bare fallow by a cover crop on yield, N uptake, and fate of labeled fertiliser in an intensive maize production system. Three treatments were studied: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), vetch (Vicia villosa L.) and bare fallow during the intercropping period of maize (Zea mays L.). All treatments were irrigated and fertilised following the same procedure, and a microplot in each plot was established with 210 kg N ha^?1 of double labeled ammonium nitrate. Crop yield and N uptake, soil mineral N (N_min), and recovery of ¹⁵N in plant and soil were determined after maize harvest and killing the cover crop. Replacing bare fallow with cover crops did not affect subsequent maize yield but affected N uptake. Vetch increased N supply by legume residues after the second year, and the N content in grain by the third. Nitrogen recover from fertiliser was not affected by treatment and averaged 46%. Barley recovered more ¹⁵N during the autumn–winter period than vetch or fallow. Under representative conditions, average barley N content was 47, vetch 51, and spontaneous vegetation content 0.8 kg N ha^?1. Recovery of ¹⁵N in barley comprised 19% of total N content in aerial biomass, while only 4% in vetch. Vetch enhaced soil ¹⁵N recovery more than other treatments, suggesting its presence in a fairly stable organic fraction unavailable for maize uptake or lost. Replacing bare fallow by a cover crop only reduced fertiliser losses in a year with abundant precipitation. Nevertheless, reduction in soil N_min in vetch and bare fallow treatments was similar, showing that N losses can be reduced in this cropping system, either by replace bare fallow with barley or smaller N fertiliser applicationto maize.