Effect of fertilization and irrigation upon NPK composition of corn leaves,on corn yields,and available k in soil

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) was grown for three consecutive years on Congaree loam to measure the effects of rates of N, P, and K fertilization and irrigation on the nutrient concentration of leaves, the level of available K in the soil, and on the yield of corn. Plant nutrients consisting of 0, 56, 140, 224, and 280 kg N/ha; 0, 15, 37.5, 60, and 75 kg P/ha, and 0, 28, 70, 112, and 140 kg K/ha were applied in a central composite rotatable design in each of the three years. All plant residue was removed each year when the corn was harvested, and the plots remained fallow during the winter months. One half of the experiment was irrigated when there was a 50% depletion of available soil moisture in the 0‐ to 46‐cm soil depth.

Leaf composition was affected by fertilization and irrigation. A rapid decrease in available soil K in the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth was evident the first year with all rates of added K. The decline in available soil K was unaffected by irrigation and levels of applied N and P.

There were consistent yield responses each year to added N, no response to added P, and a response to added K only during the second year.     

Colluvisols under cultivation in Schleswig-Holstein. 1. Genesis,definition and geo-ecological significance

In Schleswig-Holstein, F.R.G., two typical soil associations from loamy boulder marl and loamy pleistocene sands were mapped and ecologically characterized in order to show the necessity of an adequate classification of Colluvic Cumulic Anthrosols (Colluvisols). More than 50% of the original soils have been altered by erosion. The depth of the colluvic wM horizon ranges between 10 cm and more than 100 cm. The amounts of soil organic matter and plant available nutrients are much higher in the Colluvisols than in the haplic soils. Soil classification does not deal with all these aspects with regard to mapping of colluvic soils. In the German soil classification adequate and ecologically significant definitions and instructions of the nomenclature of colluvic soils are not available. Therefore, a proposal is presented to classify colluvic soils. In addition the threshold value of 0.6% soil organic matter in sandy parent material is too low in order to distinguish a Bv from a M horizon; 1.0% would be a more acceptable value. It would be necessary to investigate yield on erodic, non-erodic and colluvic soils in order to determine the effect of erosion and accumulation on crop yield.     

水旱轮作地区土壤长期休闲与耕种的肥力效应

长期定位试验水旱轮作地区土壤长期休闲和耕种对土壤肥力的影响研究结果表明，长期休闲土壤有机质、全N含量显著高于连续种植作物的土壤，其差异随土壤深度的增加而减小；休闲地15cm以上土层土壤N素矿化势高于耕种地；耕种土壤连续施入猪粪、作物秸秆等有机肥可保持与休闲土壤相当或远高于休闲土壤的有效磷水平，单施化肥或不施肥料的耕种土壤有效磷均低于休闲土壤；休闲和耕种对15-30cm土层土壤缓效钾含量无影响响，15cm以上土层土壤缓效钾含量休闲高于耕种；休闲土壤速效钾含量在整个耕作层（30cm）均高于耕种土壤；休闲土壤PH值略低于耕种土壤。     

Effects of biosolids from tomato processing on soil fertility and wheat growth in a Greek alfisol

The effects of biosolids from tomato processing on soil properties and wheat growth were investigated in an Alfisol from central Greece. Biosolids were mixed with soil from the surface (Ap) or subsurface (Bt) horizon in plastic containers at rates of 1%, 5%, and 10% by dry weight (d.w.; equivalent to 10, 50, and 100 Mg ha^–1). Biosolid treatments were compared to an NH₄Cl application (50 mg N kg^–1) and an untreated control in (1) a 102 d incubation experiment at 28°C to determine biosolid nitrification potential and (2) a 45 d outdoor experiment to evaluate effects on soil fertility and wheat growth. Mineralization of biosolids in the incubation experiment resulted in accumulation of nitrate‐N and indicated that biosolids were able to supply N that was in excess of crop needs in treatments of 5% and 10%. After 45 d of wheat growth, available soil nutrients (N, P) and P uptake by wheat were distinctly lower in the Bt than in the Ap horizon. However, soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, nitrate‐N, extractable P, and exchangeable K increased with increasing rate of biosolid application in both soils. These were followed by corresponding increases in wheat nutrient uptake and biomass production, thus demonstrating the importance of this organic material for sustaining production in soils of low immediate fertility. Compared to the NH₄Cl treatment (50 kg N ha^–1 equivalent), biosolid application rates of 5% and 10% had higher available soil nutrients, similar or higher nutrient uptake and higher wheat biomass. But only an application of 10% biosolids provided sufficient N levels for wheat in the surface soil, and even higher applications were required for providing sufficient N and P in the Bt horizon.     

Long‐term‐fertilization effects on soil organic carbon,physical properties,and wheat yield of a loess soil

The large dryland area of the Loess Plateau (China) is subject of developing strategies for a sustainable crop production, e.g., by modifications of nutrient management affecting soil quality and crop productivity. A 19 y long‐term experiment was employed to evaluate the effects of fertilization regimes on soil organic C (SOC) dynamics, soil physical properties, and wheat yield. The SOC content in the top 20 cm soil layer remained unchanged over time under the unfertilized plot (CK), whereas it significantly increased under both inorganic N, P, and K fertilizers (NPK) and combined manure (M) with NPK (MNPK) treatments. After 18 y, the SOC in the MNPK and NPK treatments remained significantly higher than in the control in the top 20 cm and top 10 cm soil layers, respectively. The MNPK‐treated soil retained significant more water than CK at tension ranges from 0 to 0.25 kPa and from 8 to 33 kPa for the 0–5 cm layer. The MNPK‐treated soil also retained markedly more water than the NPK‐treated and CK soils at tensions from 0 to 0.75 kPa and more water than CK from 100 to 300 kPa for the 10–15 cm layer. There were no significant differences of saturated hydraulic conductivity between three treatments both at 0–5 and 10–15 cm depths. In contrast, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the MNPK plot was lower than in the CK plot at depths of 0–5 cm and 10–15 cm. On average, wheat yields were similar under MNPK and NPK treatments and significantly higher than under the CK treatment. Thus, considering soil‐quality conservation and sustainable crop productivity, reasonably combined application of NPK and organic manure is a better nutrient‐management option in this rainfed wheat–fallow cropping system.     

Response of common bean,upland rice,corn, wheat,and soybean to soil fertility of an Oxisol

Plant nutrient deficiencies are the main yield‐limiting factors in highly weathered acid soils around the world. Five greenhouse experiments were conducted on an Oxisol to identify nutrient deficiencies in common bean, upland rice, corn, wheat, and soybean. The treatments consisted of 13 fertility levels including an adequate level and remaining without application of one of the essential plant macro‐ or micronutrients. Dry matter yield of tops of all the crop species was affected by fertility treatments; however, significant effects of treatments were obtained in the case of common bean, upland rice, and corn. Based on tops dry weight under different treatments compared to adequate fertility level (AFL), the most yield‐limiting nutrients were in the order of phosphorus (P) > calcium (Ca) > magnesium (Mg) > boron (B) > zinc (Zn) for common bean, P > molybdenum (Mo) for upland rice, and P for corn. For the wheat crop, there was substantial decrease in tops dry weight in the absence of Ca, P, and potassium (K) nutrients. In the case of soybean, substantial tops dry weight reduction was due to deficiency in the order of P >Ca>Zn.     

Effect of tillage practices on wheat performance in a semi-arid environment

Sodosol soils are at risk of degradation under existing fallow management practices involving tillage. Topsoil erosion exposes horizons with reduced infiltration and low concentrations of plant nutrients. Conservation management systems are needed on these soils to avoid a reversion to low intensity grazing. This paper reports on a 4 year study (1986–1989) of the effects of tillage practices on profile soil water and crop yield in a Sodosol (Typic Natrustalf) in central Queensland, Australia. The tillage treatments were: zero till fallow (weed control by herbicides), reduced till fallow (chisel plough/scarifier or herbicides) and conventional till fallow (chisel plough/scarifier) in two linked experiments. In the first experiment, wheat was grown in three contour bays (approximately 1 ha), and in the second, wheat was grown in replicated plots (30 m × 6 m) to allow statistical comparisons.

Zero till provided consistent advantages in grain yield in all 4 years compared with conventional till. Zero till also outyielded reduced till as well as conventional till in the plot experiment. The average yield increase of 0.5 t ha⁻¹ in zero till compared with convention till was associated with greater water use and increased water use efficiency. Tillage practice caused only marginal differences in the available water content in the root zone (0–100 cm) at sowing; zero and reduced till contained, on average, an additional 4 and 8 mm, respectively, compared with conventional till. The tillage treatments had no effect on plant available water capacity. Some of the soil water that accumulated during the fallow drained beyond the root zone in all treatments and was not available to the following wheat crop. At the conclusion of the experiment, soil water accumulation in the 100–180 cm soil layer was 86 mm in zero till, 39 mm in reduced till and 40 mm in conventional till.

Results indicate that zero till can be a more productive wheat farming practice than conventional mechanical tillage. The increase in water storage below the root zone of the wheat crop shows that there may be benefit in using a deeper-rooting crop or pasture species in rotation with wheat, particularly after zero till fallows.     

A soil test based n recommendation model for dryland wheat

Abstract

Since soil test based N recommendations are not practiced in Morocco, this study was conducted to develop a N recommendation model based on soil nitrate level and other parameters for dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in common rotations in shallow (Rendolls), moderately deep (Calcixerolls) and deep (Chromoxererts) soils of Settat Province in Morocco. Sixteen N‐P Factorial experiments were conducted. Significant grain yield increases due to N fertilization averaged 76% over the check plot yields in all sites and in both seasons. Uptake of N was highly related to soil nitrates only in deeper soils with r² values of 0.89, 0.76, and 0.64 for 20‐, 40‐ and 60‐cm deep profiles. Apparent uptake efficiency of fertilizer N averaged 34% in the drier year and 50% in the wet year. Relative yield was a linear function of initial soil nitrate content in 20‐, 40‐ and 60‐cm profiles with r² values of 0.87, 0.94, and 0.89, respectively. For maximum grain yield 18, 31, and 50 kg of nitrate N/ha were required in 20‐, 40‐ and 60‐cm profiles, respectively. Nitrogen mineralization potentials were 144, 164, and 179 mg/kg for the above soils, respectively. A model based on critical level of soil nitrates, initial level of soil nitrates and apparent uptake efficiencies of soil and fertilizer N was developed to predict the fertilizer N requirement of wheat in deeper soils. If legume or mixed volunteer pastures preceded the wheat crop, the N fertilizer requirement was lower.     

Soil‐test values after eight years of tillage research on a Norfolk loamy sand

Abstract

Long‐term effects of alternate tillage systems on soil‐test values for Coastal Plain soils were unknown. Therefore, soil pH, organic carbon, and Mehlich I extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations measured during an eight‐year tillage study on Norfolk loamy sand (fine‐loamy, silicious, thermic, Typic Paleudults) have been summarized. Yields for corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are also summarized to provide an indication of nutrient removal by the crops. Soil‐test measurements after six years showed no significant differences in Mehlich I extractable nutrient concentrations for the 0‐ to 20‐cm depth between disked (conventional) and nondlsked (conservation) tillage treatments, but for pH, P, Ca, and Mg, the tillage by depth of sampling interaction was significant at P‐0.05. Stratification did not appear to affect crop yield. Soil organic matter concentration in the Ap horizon nearly doubled after eight years of research at this site. This change occurred within both tillage treatments, apparently because high levels of management produced good crop yields, residues were not removed, and even for the disked treatment, surface tillage was not excessive. These results show that long‐term average yields for corn and soybean on Norfolk soil will not be reduced by adopting reduced or conservation tillage practices. They also show that nutrient levels can be maintained at adequate levels for crop production on Coastal Plain soils by using current soil‐test procedures and recommendations for lime and fertilizer application.     

Effect of long‐term fertilization and manuring on potassium release properties in a Typic Ustochrept

A long‐term fertilizer experiment, over 27 years, studied the effect of mineral fertilizers and organic manures on potassium (K) balances and K release properties in maize‐wheat‐cowpea (fodder) cropping system on a Typic Ustochrept. The treatments consisted of control, 100% nitrogen (100% N), 100% nitrogen and phosphorus (100% NP), 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (50% NPK), 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (100% NPK), 150% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (150% NPK), and 100% NPK+farmyard manure (100% NPK+FYM). Nutrients N, P, and K in 100% NPK treatment were applied at N: 120 kg ha^—1, P: 26 kg ha^—1, and K: 33 kg ha^—1 each to maize and wheat crops and N: 20 kg ha^—1, P: 17 kg ha^—1, and K: 17 kg ha^—1 to cowpea (fodder). In all the fertilizer and manure treatments removal of K in the crop exceeded K additions and the total soil K balance was negative. The neutral 1 N ammonium acetate‐extractable K in the surface soil (0—15 cm) ranged from 0.19 to 0.39 cmol kg^—1 in various treatments after 27 crop cycles. The highest and lowest values were obtained in 100% NPK+FYM and 100% NP treatments, respectively. Non‐exchangeable K was also depleted more in the treatments without K fertilization (control, 100% N, and 100% NP). Parabolic diffusion equation could describe the reaction rates in CaCl₂ solutions. Release rate constants (b) of non‐exchangeable K for different depth of soil profile showed the variations among the treatments indicating that long‐term cropping with different rates of fertilizers and manures influenced the rate of K release from non‐exchangeable fraction of soil. The b values were lowest in 100% NP and highest in 100% NPK+FYM treatment in the surface soil. In the sub‐surface soil layers (15—30 and 30—45 cm) also the higher release rates were obtained in the treatments supplied with K than without K fertilization indicating that the sub‐soils were also stressed for K in these treatments.     

Effects of 30 years of cropping and tillage systems on surface soil test changes

Abstract

A common belief is that no‐till systems with adequate fertility will improve soil quality over other tillage systems. The objectives of this study were to determine if crop phase, tillage systems, and n rate in a long‐term rotation affected soil chemical analyses in the surface 15 cm of soil and to evaluate the trend in chemical analyses. To test this hypothesis, surface soil samples were taken from a long‐term (30‐year) cropping and tillage study. This study was initiated in 1965 on a Harney silt loam soil in Central Kansas with every phase of the wheat‐sorghum‐fallow (WDF) rotation included each year. Tillage systems included clear‐till (CT), reduced‐till (RT), and no‐till (NT). In 1975, four nitrogen (N) rates (0, 22, 45, 67 kg N ha¹) were incorporated by subdividing the tillage plots. Topdressed N, as ammonium nitrate, was the only fertilizer added throughout the duration of the study. Soil samples were taken at depths of 0 to 7.5 and 7.5 to 15 cm in all plots in 1965 and in 1995. In 1998, soils on 1997 sorghum plots were samples in 2.5‐cm increments to 15 cm. Samples from all dates were analyzed for pH, available phosphorus (AP), and organic matter (OM), and deviations from the controls from 1965 to 1995 were assessed by subtracting 1995 results from 1965 results. The change in soil pH showed a crop phase by sample depth interaction. In the wheat phase, pH in the top 7.5 cm increased by 0.19 and increased by 0.28 in the 7.5–15 cm layer. In the fallow phase, pH increased by 0.04 and 0.35 in the top 7.5 cm and 7.5–15 cm layers, respectively. The pH change for sorghum was intermediate for both depths. The increase in overall pH from 1965 to 1995 was unexpected and contrary to normal expectations of a decrease over time. Soil OM was not changed significantly over the 30 years of the study, suggesting that OM buildup or depletion is very slow under this cropping system on a nearly level soil with minimal soil erosion. Increasing the rate of N application significantly reduced pH in the upper increment samples, but had little effect on pH below 10 cm. The NT system had the lowest surface increment in pH, but differences among tillage systems were minimal below 7.6 cm. The AP was highest for NT in the surface increment, but for CT at deeper depths. Likewise, OM was highest for NT in the 2.5 cm increment and the CT at deeper increments. Under the present N management, pH may reach levels where herbicide effectiveness and phosphorus availability could be affected adversely. Deep tillage by one‐way or mold‐board plowing might be an interim solution to raise the pH before liming is implemented or P fertilizer is added to maintain adequate AP throughout the top 15 cm. Nitrogen management may need to be changed to some form of band‐type placement to reduce the total N applied. Under the conditions of this study (WSF, reduced tillage, and 57 cm annual precipitation), soil OM increased very slowly.     

Codigested dairy slurry as a phosphorus and nitrogen source for Zea mays L. and Amaranthus cruentus L.

Residues from biogas production contain essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) but also organic matter, and should be recycled in crop production. For efficient re‐use as fertilizers, the availability of nutrients for crops and the effect of the residues on soil fertility need to be evaluated. Focusing on the element P, we compared effects of codigested slurry with dairy slurry, highly soluble mineral NPK fertilizer, and a control without any P supply (NK). Codigested slurry used in this experiment was based on anaerobic digestion of dairy slurry, maize silage, and wheat grain. The fertilizing effects were tested in an 8‐week pot experiment on a sandy and a loamy soil using two crop species (Zea mays L., Amaranthus cruentus L.). The plant P uptake was up to 64% greater in the slurry treatments than in the treatment without P. The effect of codigested slurry on P uptake was comparable to that of dairy slurry and mineral P. Plant N uptake from codigested slurry was lower than that from mineral N (NK, NPK), but tended to be higher than from dairy slurry. The water‐soluble and double lactate–soluble P content of the soil was lower in the slurry treatments than in the mineral‐P treatments and accompanied by higher contents of microbial‐bound P. Differences between both organic fertilizers were detected for dehydrogenase activity which was up to 32% lower in soils fertilized with codigested slurry than it was in soils fertilized with dairy slurry. Our results indicate that codigestion of slurries in biogas plants does not substantially alter their fertilizer value as P and N sources for crops.     

The fate of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium in long‐term experiments in Skierniewice

On the basis of long‐term fertilization experiments in Skierniewice, being conducted since 1923 at the Experimental Field of Warsaw Agricultural University, the fate (or balance) of nitrogen for a period of 35 years and that of phosphorus and potassium for 20 years, was studied. The balance includes N, P and K rates applied in mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM), uptake of these nutrients by the crop plants and the changes in the content of total N and total P and of slow release K in the soil during that time. The nitrogen balance shows a loss of this nutrient of 11—14 kg N ha^—1 y^—1, which corresponds to 15% of the applied ammonium nitrate on fields without FYM but to 23% on fields with FYM, in spite of crop yields being considerably greater on fields treated with FYM. The phosphorus balance indicated that in the 0—70 cm soil layer less than 4% of P from superphosphate was not found. In the treatment not fertilized with potassium for many years, the plants took up 49 kg K ha^—1 y^—1 from slow release forms because the fraction of available K did not change during that period. When calculating the potassium balance only 1.6% of K from potash salt were not found in plots without FYM but 12.3% of the applied KCl were not recovered in treatments with FYM. The comparison of the P‐ and K‐uptake from organic and mineral fertilizer in the two crop rotations indicates a higher P‐ and K‐efficiency from FYM than from inorganic fertilizer.     

Role of earthworms in nitrogen cycling during the cropping phase of shifting agriculture (Jhum) in north-east India

We investigated the role of earthworms in the N cycle in a shifting agriculture system under a 5- and a 15-year Jhum system fallow period intervening between two croppings on the same site. Earthworms participated in the N cycle through worm cast egestion, mucus production, and dead tissue decomposition. Soil N was initially depleted by volatilization during slash and burn operations, and subsequently during cultivation processes. These losses were more pronounced under the 15-year Jhum system. We also studied the addition of N to the system in crop residues, through weed recycling, or in compost applied as organic manure under both the 5- and the 15-year Jhum systems. The total soil N made available for uptake by the plant through the activity of earthworms in this agro-ecosystem was higher than the total input of N to the soil through the addition of slashed vegetation, inorganic and organic manure, and recycled crop residue and weeds. Therefore, in highly leached soils of the humid tropics, worm activity is particularly, important because of rapid incorporation of litter into the mineral soils and because of local concentrations of nutrients in the surface soil layers.     

旱地小麦休闲期深翻覆盖对土壤水分及其利用效率的影响

为充分利用休闲期降水, 提高旱地麦田土壤蓄水保墒能力, 达到"伏雨春用"的目的, 本文将耕作蓄水技术与覆盖保水技术相结合, 采用大田试验研究了从前茬小麦收获后15 d或45 d进行深翻及深翻后采取渗水地膜、液态地膜覆盖对旱地小麦土壤水分及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明: 前茬小麦收获后45 d深翻较15 d深翻可显著提高小麦收获后65 d(休闲期)至316 d(孕穗期)土壤蓄水量、播前120~300 cm各土层土壤蓄水量和小麦水分利用效率。休闲期深翻覆盖可显著提高65 d(休闲期)至316 d(孕穗期)土壤蓄水量及播前0~ 300 cm各土层土壤蓄水量, 显著提高小麦水分利用效率, 且均以渗水地膜覆盖效果最好。此外, 前茬小麦收获后45 d深翻较15 d深翻可显著减小播种至拔节期60~300 cm, 拔节至开花期0~60 cm、120~240 cm, 开花至成熟期180~300 cm土壤水分减少率, 且深翻后采用渗水地膜覆盖对拔节至开花期土壤水分减少率调控效应较大。 总之, 旱地小麦休闲期等雨后深翻有利于提高土壤蓄水量与水分利用效率, 深翻后覆盖有较大的调控效应, 且采用渗水地膜覆盖效果更好。因此, 休闲期等雨后(约7月底或8月初)深翻并立即采用渗水地膜覆盖的技术是旱地麦田休闲期蓄水保墒的新途径, 且此技术可为旱地小麦高产、稳产、高效提供保障。     

Long‐term effects of manure and fertilization on soil organic matter and quality parameters of a calcareous soil in NW China

Long‐term applications of inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure influence organic matter as well as other soil‐quality parameters, but the magnitude of change depends on soil‐climatic conditions. Effects of 22 annual applications (1982–2003) of N, P, and K inorganic fertilizers and farmyard manure (M) on total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (TON), light‐fraction organic C (LFOC) and N (LFON), microbial‐biomass C (MB‐C) and N (MB‐N), total and extractable P, total and exchangeable K, and pH in 0–20 cm soil, nitrate‐N (NO ‐N) in 0–210 cm soil, and N, P, and K balance sheets were determined using a field experiment established in 1982 on a calcareous desert soil (Orthic Anthrosol) at Zhangye, Gansu, China. A rotation of irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)‐wheat‐corn (Zea mays L.) was used to compare the control, N, NP, NPK, M, MN, MNP, and MNPK treatments. Annual additions of inorganic fertilizers for 22 y increased mass of LFON, MB‐N, total P, extractable P, and exchangeable K in topsoil. This effect was generally enhanced with manure application. Application of manure also increased mass of TOC and MB‐C in soil, and tended to increase LFOC, TON, and MB‐N. There was no noticeable effect of fertilizer and manure application on soil pH. There was a close relationship between some soil‐quality parameters and the amount of C or N in straw that was returned to the soil. The N fertilizer alone resulted in accumulation of large amounts of NO ‐N at the 0–210 cm soil depth, accounting for 6% of the total applied N, but had the lowest recovery of applied N in the crop (34%). Manure alone resulted in higher NO ‐N in the soil profile compared with the control, and the MN treatment had the highest amount of NO ‐N in the soil profile. Application of N in combination with P and/or K fertilizers in both manured and unmanured treatments usually reduced NO ‐N accumulation in the soil profile compared with N alone and increased the N recovery in the crop as much as 66%. The N that was unaccounted for, as a percentage of applied N, was highest in the N‐alone treatment (60%) and lowest in the NPK treatment (30%). In the manure + chemical fertilizer treatments, the unaccounted N ranged from 35% to 43%. Long‐term P fertilization resulted in accumulation of extractable P in the surface soil. Compared to the control, the amount of P in soil‐plant system was surplus in plots that received P as fertilizer and/or manure, and the unaccounted P as percentage of applied P ranged from 64% to 80%. In the no‐manure plots, the unaccounted P decreased from 72% in NP to 64% in NPK treatment from increased P uptake due to balanced fertilization. Compared to the control, the amount of K in soil‐plant system was deficit in NPK treatment, i.e., the recovery of K in soil + plant was more than the amount of applied K. In manure treatments, the recovery of applied K in crop increased from 26% in M to 61% in MNPK treatment, but the unaccounted K decreased from 72% in M to 37% in MNPK treatment. The findings indicated that integrated application of N, P, and K fertilizers and manure is an important strategy to maintain or increase soil organic C and N, improve soil fertility, maintain nutrients balance, and minimize damage to the environment, while also improving crop yield.     

Influence of fallow, wheat and subterranean clover on pH within an initially mixed surface soil in the field

 To ascertain the cause of the decrease in pH with depth through the surface 15 cm of moderately acidic soils, pH was monitored in layers of an initially mixed surface soil (to a nominal depth of 10 cm) during two consecutive seasons under fallow, wheat, and subterranean-clover plots. Variation of pH-influencing processes within soil layers to 15 cm depth was measured during the first season. Initially, soil pH was relatively uniform within the surface 7.5 cm, although there was an average 0.53 unit decrease of pH from 0–2.5 cm to 10–15 cm depth. Under all plots, residual lime reaction, net organic anion association and oxidation, net manganese oxidation and reduction, and particularly net N mineralisation and subsequent nitrification, tended to decrease with depth through the surface 15 cm of soil. In wheat and subterranean-clover plots, the alkalinity added with the return of 3.9–4.7 t ha^–1 of plant residue dry matter was predominantly released within the surface 2.5 cm of soil. The dominant pH-influencing processes were net N mineralisation and subsequent nitrification, and the return of alkaline plant residues. In the fallow plots, the surface 10 cm of soil tended to acidify due to nitrification. However in wheat and clover plots, alkalinity added to the surface 2.5 cm of soil from plant residues exceeded acidification resulting from nitrification at this depth. The magnitude of the pH gradient through 0–15 cm depth was therefore maintained under wheat, increased under clover, and decreased under fallow. Received: 11 October 1999     

Effects of crop‐straw biochar on crop growth and soil fertility over a wheat‐millet rotation in soils of China

We conducted a pot experiment using a wheat‐millet rotation to examine the effects of two successive rice‐straw biochar applications on crop growth and soil properties in acidic oxisols and alkaline cambosols from China. Biochar was incorporated into soil at rates of 0, 2.25 or 22.5 Mg/ha at the beginning of each crop season with identical applications of NPK fertilizer. In the oxisols, the largest biochar treatment enhanced soil pH and cation exchange capacity, decreased soil bulk density, improved soil P, K, Ca and Mg availability and enhanced their uptake, and increased wheat and millet yields by 157 and 150% for wheat grain and straw, respectively, and 72.6% for millet straw. In the cambosols, biochar treatment decreased soil bulk density, improved P and K availability, increased N, P and K uptake by crops and increased wheat and millet straw yields by 19.6 and 60.6%, respectively. Total soil organic carbon increased in response to successive biochar applications over the rotation. No difference in water‐soluble organic carbon was recorded between biochar‐treated and control soils. Converting straw to biochar and treating soils with successive applications may be a viable option for improving soil quality, sequestering carbon and utilizing straw resources in China.     

Effects of long-term legume cover crop incorporation on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, nutrient build-up and grain yields of sorghum/sunflower under rain-fed conditions

Low organic matter, poor fertility and erosion are common features of rain‐fed Alfisols in southern India. Build‐up of organic matter is crucial to maintain sustainable production on these soils. The possibility of on‐farm generation of legume biomass [horsegram; Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] by using off‐season rainfall was examined in two field experiments involving sorghum and sunflower from 1994 to 2003. The effects of this incorporation were assessed on crop yields and soil properties for 10 years together with fertilizer application. Horsegram biomass ranging from 3.03–4.28 t ha^?1 year^?1 (fresh weight) was produced and incorporated in situ under different levels of fertilizer application. Annual incorporation improved the soil properties and fertility status of the soil, which resulted in improved yields of test crops. With biomass incorporation, mean organic carbon content improved by 24% over fallow. Microbial biomass carbon improved by 28% at site I. Long‐term biomass incorporation and fertilizer application resulted in the build‐up of soil nutrients compared with the fallow plots. Application of N and P alone resulted in a negative balance of soil K. A time‐scale analysis of yields showed that incorporation together with fertilizer application maintained a stable yield trend over a 10‐year period in sorghum, whereas fertilizer application alone showed a declining trend. At the end of 10 years of incorporation, the increase in grain yield because of incorporation was 28 and 18%, respectively, in sorghum and sunflower over fallow when no fertilizers were applied to rainy season crops. The incorporation effect was even larger in plots receiving fertilizer. The growing and incorporation of a post‐rainy season legume crop is a low‐cost simple practice that even small and marginal farmers can adopt in semi‐arid regions of the country. Widespread adoption of this practice, at least in alternate years, can restore the productivity of degraded soils and improve crop yields.     

Influence of Sulfur Fertility on Wheat Yield Performance on Alluvial and Upland Soils

Abstract: In recent years, sulfur (S) deficiencies in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) have become more common, particularly on coarse‐textured soils. In Study I, field experiments were conducted in 2001/2002 through 2003/2004 on Mississippi River alluvial soils (Experiment I) and an upland, loessial silt loam (Experiment II) to evaluate the influence of spring S rates of 0, 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 kg ha^?1 and a fall rate of 22.4 kg sulfate (SO₄)‐S ha^?1 on grain yield of three varieties. In Study II, field experiments were conducted in 2001/2002 and 2004/2005 on alluvial soils to evaluate the influence of spring S rates of 0, 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 kg SO₄‐S ha^?1 in fields where S‐deficiency symptoms were present. Grain yield response to applied S occurred only on alluvial, coarse‐textured, very fine sandy loam soils (Study II) that had soil SO₄‐S levels less than the critical level of 8 mg kg^?1 and organic‐matter contents less than 1 g kg^?1 in the 0‐ to 15‐, 15‐ to 30‐, and 30‐ to 45‐cm depths. Soil pH increased with soil depth. Optimum S rate was 11.2 kg SO₄‐S ha^?1 in 2001/2002 and 5.6 kg SO₄‐S ha^?1 in 2004/2005. On the upland, loessial silt loam soil, soil SO₄‐S levels accumulated with depth, whereas organic‐matter content and pH decreased. In the loessial soils, average soil SO₄‐S levels in the 15‐ to 30‐ and 30‐ to 45‐cm soil depths were 370% greater than SO₄‐S in the surface horizon (0 to 15 cm).