Cultivation of wheat following pea and triticale/pea mixtures increases yields and nitrogen content

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in 2004–2007 at the University of Podlasie Zawady Experimental Station (52°06′N, 22°50′E), Siedlce, Poland, to examine the effect of either post-harvest residues or residues and straw of spring triticale (Triticale), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and their mixtures containing the following proportions of both components: 75+25, 50+50, 25+75% on the subsequent crop of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A field experiment was designed as split-blocks with three replicates. Residue mass, straw mass as well as N, P, K, Ca and Mg amounts were determined in the residues and straw. The residue amount of spring triticale was the greatest. N, Ca and Mg amounts in the residues of spring triticale/field pea mixtures were similar or higher whereas P and K amounts were similar or lower compared with spring triticale residues. Spring triticale straw contained less N, P, Ca and Mg than the straw of either field pea or spring triticale/field pea mixtures. Grain yield, yield components, N content and N uptake in the grain of winter wheat following field pea and spring triticale/field pea mixtures were significantly higher compared with winter wheat following spring triticale. Increasing proportions of field pea in mixtures with spring triticale cultivated as previous crops significantly increased winter wheat grain yields as well as N content and uptake. The residues of the previous crops combined with the straw significantly increased winter wheat grain yield, number of ears per m², number of grains in an ear, thousand-grain weight and N content and uptake. The highest winter wheat grain yield and N uptake were determined following an application of residues and straw of field pea and 25+75% spring triticale/field pea mixture. The grain of winter wheat after field pea had the greatest N content.     

Aerial accumulation and partitioning of nutrients by hard red spring wheat

Abstract

Periods of maximum hard red spring (HRS) wheat (Jriticum aestivum L.) nutrient demand need to be determined in order to develop best nutrient management practices, and to provide data for nutrient uptake modeling. Aerial (aboveground biomass) whole plant samples of irrigated HRS wheat were collected from the field at 16 growth stages and separated into leaves, stems, heads, and grain for dry matter determinations and analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu concentrations. Accumulation curves were computed for each plant part for the growing season from compound cubic polynomial models based on accumulated growing degree units (GDUs). Total aerial accumulations of dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu were 14400, 116, 30.8, 103, 9.2, 9.3, 15.2, 32.3, 0.18, 0.58, 2.05, and 0.045 kg/ha, respectively. Grain at maturity accumulated greater than 78% of the total aerial N, P, and Zn, while it contained less than 20% of the aerial accumulated K, Ca, Cl, and Fe. Nitrogen and Fe were rapidly accumulated near 200 GDU, while P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, and Cu were most rapidly accumulated near 600 GDU. Accumulation rates were 183, 2.9, 0.90, 0.72, 0.008, 1.41, 0.29, and 0.12 kg/ha/d for dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cl, respectively, and 136, 1.7, 0.48, 0.13, 0.004, 0.78, 0.20, and 0.02 g/ha/d, respectively, during grainfill. This plant information suggests the timing of in‐season nutrient applications, and when integrated with other agronomic practices could improve overall nutrient management for HRS wheat in the northern Great Plains.     

Aerial accumulation and partitioning of nutrients by hard red spring wheat

Abstract

Periods of maximum hard red spring (HRS) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) nutrient demand need to be determined in order to develop best nutrient management practices, and to provide data for nutrient uptake modeling. Aerial (aboveground biomass) whole plant samples of irrigated HRS wheat were collected from the field at 16 growth stages and separated into leaves, stems, heads, and grain for dry matter determinations and analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chloride (Cl), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations. Accumulation curves were computed for each plant part for the growing season from compound cubic polynomial models based on accumulated growing degree units (GDUs). Total aerial accumulations of dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu were 14400, 116, 30.8, 103, 9.2, 9.3, 15.2, 32.3, 0.18, 0.58, 2.05, and 0.045 kg/ha, respectively. Grain at maturity accumulated greater than 78% of the total aerial N, P, and Zn, while it contained less than 20% of the aerial accumulated K, Ca, Cl, and Fe. Nitrogen and Fe were rapidly accumulated near 200 GDU, while P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Zn, Mn, and Cu were most rapidly accumulated near 600 GDU. Accumulation rates were 183, 2.9, 0.90, 0.72, 0.008, 1.41, 0.29, and 0.12 kg/ha/d for dry matter, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and Cl, respectively, and 136, 1.7, 0.48, 0.13, 0.004, 0.78, 0.20, and 0.02 g/ha/d, respectively, during grainfill. This plant information suggests the timing of in‐season nutrient applications and, when integrated with other agronomic practices, could improve overall nutrient management for HRS wheat in the northern Great Plains.     

Effects of nitrogen carriers,nitrogen rates,and maturity on composition of smooth bromegrass

Abstract

Magnesium and Ca concentrations in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L) were not affected by late‐winter applications of N. Magnesium concentrations were constant until rapid growth in mid‐May then they declined until early June harvest. Highest seasonal concentrations were found in the fall regrowth. Calcium concentrations declined as plants matured in spring. Highest seasonal Ca concentrations were found in the fall regrowth. Nitrogen, P, and K concentrations and K/(Ca+Mg) ratios were increased by N applications during early spring but did not differ significantly by early June harvest. Nitrogen and P concentrations decreased as plants matured in spring and fall. K concentrations and K/(Ca+Mg) ratios changed inconsistently from sampling date to sampling date. Forage yields were approximately doubled by 67 kg N/ha and tripled by 202 kg N/ha. Significant yield differences were related to different N carriers.     

Effects of various cover crops after peas on nitrate leaching and nitrogen supply to succeeding winter wheat or potato crops

In organic farming systems, it has been demonstrated that grain pulses such as peas often do not enhance soil N supply to the following crops. This may be due to large N removals via harvested grains as well as N‐leaching losses during winter. In two field‐trial series, the effects of legume (common vetch, hairy vetch, peas) and nonlegume (oil radish) cover crops (CC), and mixtures of both, sown after peas, on soil nitrate content, N uptake, and yield of following potatoes or winter wheat were studied. The overall objective of these experiments was to obtain detailed information on how to influence N availability after main‐crop peas by adapting cover‐cropping strategies. Cover crops accumulated 56 to 108 kg N ha^–1 in aboveground biomass, and legume CC fixed 30–70 kg N ha^–1 by N₂ fixation, depending on the soil N supply and the length of the growing period of the CC. Nitrogen concentration in the aboveground biomass of legume CC was much higher and the C : N ratio much lower than in the nonlegume oil radish CC. At the time of CC incorporation (wheat series) as well as at the end of the growing season (potato series), soil nitrate content did not differ between the nonlegume CC species and mixtures, whereas pure stands of legume CC showed slightly increased soil nitrate content. When the CC were incorporated in autumn (beginning of October) nitrate leaching increased, especially from leguminous CC. However, most of the N leached only into soil layers down to 1.50 m and was recovered more or less by the following winter wheat. When CC were incorporated in late winter (February) no increase in nitrate leaching was observed. In spring, N availability for winter wheat or potatoes was much greater after legumes and, after mixtures containing legumes, resulting in significantly higher N uptake and yields in both crops. In conclusion, autumn‐incorporated CC mixtures of legumes and nonlegumes accomplished both: reduced nitrate leaching and larger N availability to the succeeding crop. When the CC were incorporated in winter and a spring‐sown main crop followed even pure stands of legume CC were able to achieve both goals.     

Ertragsreaktion von wintergerste im internationalen organischen stickstoffdauerdüngungsversuch (IOSDV) WROClaw-swojec

Wintergerste in der Fruchtfolge: Zuckerrüben--Sommerweizen--Wintergerste reagierte auf die mineralische N-Düngung stärker als auf die organische Düngung. Der maximale Kornertrag (5,10 t/ha) wurde bei 135 kg N/ha der organischen Düngungsvariante mit Biokompost zur Zuckerrübe erreicht. Winter barley cultivated in crop rotation: sugar beet, spring wheat, winter barley reacted more on differentiated rates of mineral nitrogen than on various organic fertilization. Winter barley yielded highest (5,10 t/ha) upon the effect of 135 kg N/ha after vermicompost application under sugar beet.     

Leaching of nitrate and phosphorus after autumn and spring application of separated solid animal manures to winter wheat

Animal slurry can be separated into solid and liquid manure fractions to facilitate the transport of nutrients from livestock farms. In Denmark, untreated slurry is normally applied in spring whereas the solid fraction may be applied in autumn, causing increased risk of nitrate and phosphorus (P) leaching. We studied the leaching of nitrate and P in lysimeters with winter wheat crops (Triticum aestivum L.) after autumn incorporation versus spring surface application of solid manure fractions, and we compared also spring applications of mineral N fertilizer and pig slurry. Leaching was compared on a loamy sand and a sandy loam soil. The leaching experiment lasted for 2 yr, and the whole experiment was replicated twice. Nitrate leaching was generally low (19–34 kg N/ha) after spring applications of mineral fertilizer and manures. Nitrate leaching increased significantly after autumn application of the solid manures, and the extra nitrate leached was equivalent to 23–35% of total manure N and corresponded to the ammonium content of the manures. After spring application of solid manures and pig slurry, only a slight rise in N leaching was observed during the following autumn/winter (<5% of total manure N). Total P leaching was 40–165 g P/ha/yr, and the application of solid manure in autumn did not increase P leaching. The nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of solid manure N was similar after autumn and spring application (17–32% of total N). We conclude that from an environmental perspective, solid manure fractions should not be applied to winter wheat on sandy and sandy loam soils under humid North European conditions.     

华北潮土冬小麦-夏玉米轮作包气带氮素淋溶机制

合理水氮管理可以实现作物目标产量和品质、维持土壤肥力和降低环境污染。然而,自20世纪90年代以来,我国农田过量施氮和大水漫灌等问题突出,引起农业面源污染日趋加重,地下水硝酸盐污染成为一个普遍现象。本文以华北潮土区冬小麦-夏玉米体系为研究对象,采用数据整合和文献分析的方法,阐明了典型农田硝态氮淋溶的时空特征及影响因素,研究了地表裂隙和土壤大孔隙对硝态氮淋溶的影响,定量了氮素在地表-根层-深层包气带-地下水的垂直迁移通量及过程。结果表明,农户常规管理的冬小麦-夏玉米轮作体系氮素盈余较高(299～358kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1)),导致土壤根区和深层包气带累积了大量的硝态氮。冬小麦季硝态氮的迁移主要受灌溉影响,以非饱和流为主,且迁移距离较短;春季单次灌溉量低于60 mm,可以有效控制水和硝态氮淋溶出根区。冬小麦耕作和灌溉引起的地表裂隙对水氮运移的贡献不大。雨热同期的夏玉米季,土壤水分经常处于饱和状态,再降雨就可以导致硝态氮淋溶出根层进入深层包气带。夏玉米季极易发生硝态氮淋溶事件(占全年总淋溶事件的81%左右),硝态氮淋溶量占全年总淋溶量的80%左右,且单次淋溶事件的淋溶量较高。大孔隙优先流对夏玉米季根区硝态氮淋溶的贡献率在71%左右,这些硝态氮脱离了作物根系吸收范围,反硝化作用对硝态氮去除具有一定作用。在华北气候-土壤条件下,特别应注意冬小麦收获后土壤不应残留过多硝态氮,以避免夏玉米季降雨发生大量淋溶;夏玉米季需要注意施氮与作物需氮的匹配。由于夏玉米追肥困难,生产上提倡一次性施肥措施,控释肥应该能够发挥更大作用。未来气候变化,导致夏季极端高强度降雨事件的频率增加,将会加剧包气带累积硝态氮通过饱和流或优先流向地下水的迁移。合理的水氮管理是从源头上减少硝态氮向深层包气带和地下水迁移的主要措施。     

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.     

Enhancing Environmental Performance with Winter Cover Cropping after Potato Harvest in Eastern Canada

ABSTRACT

In humid climates, the risk of nitrate leaching and topsoil loss due to erosion is high on bare soil in the fall after potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) harvest and in the spring with snowmelt. This 2-year study (2016–2017) compared three winter cover crops. Two of these are used as cash crops (winter rye [Secale cereale L.], winter wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]), and one is a winter-killed cover crop (spring barley, Hordeum vulgare L.). They were all seeded on two dates after potato harvest (end of September or first week of October) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The measured parameters included soil nitrate measured at different times in fall and in the following spring and summer, splash detachment, C and N contents in splashed sediments, cereal straw dry matter yield, and cereal grain yield. In both years, all winter cover crops decreased splash detachment compared with the no winter cover control, with winter rye having the greatest reduction. A similar trend was observed for C and N contents in splashed sediments. There was a trend toward lower soil nitrate following winter cover crops in comparison with bare soil, but the trend was not consistent across trials and sampling dates. Winter wheat grain yield ranged from 4.5 to 7.6 Mg ha^?1, while that associated with winter rye ranged from 3.2 to 5.1 Mg ha^?1. Therefore, winter cereal seeded after potato harvest can constitute a good source of revenue while mitigating the risk of soil erosion and reducing nitrate leaching in some cases.     

不同氮源与镁配施对甘蓝产量、品质和养分吸收的影响

采用田间试验和室内分析相结合的方法,研究不同氮源与镁配施对甘蓝(Brassica oleracea L.)产量、品质和养分吸收的影响。试验在等氮条件下设4个氮源,分别为不施氮肥、100%铵态氮、50%铵态氮+50%硝态氮、100%硝态氮;设4个硫酸镁施用量,分别为0、75 kg·hm-2、150 kg·hm-2、300 kg·hm-2。结果表明,100%硝态氮与中量(150 kg·hm-2)镁配施处理的甘蓝产量比不施肥处理、100%铵态氮与中量镁配施处理和50%铵态氮+50%硝态氮与中量镁配施处理分别增产56.9%、14.7%和5.2%。施用100%硝态氮处理的甘蓝产量略高于50%硝态氮+50%铵态氮处理,比施用100%铵态氮处理和不施肥处理分别增产13.0%和44.2%。施用低量(75kg·hm-2)镁肥的甘蓝产量比不施镁肥增产9.3%,而增加镁肥用量对甘蓝产量没有显著影响。施用100%硝态氮、50%铵态氮+50%硝态氮和100%铵态氮处理的甘蓝硝酸盐含量比不施氮肥处理分别增加84.4%、63.4%和6.9%。100%硝态氮与高量(300 kg·hm-2)镁肥配合施用的甘蓝硝酸盐含量比不施肥处理、100%铵态氮与高量镁肥配施处理和50%铵态氮+50%硝态氮与高镁肥配施处理分别增加101.4%、82.3%和14.1%。施用高量镁肥处理甘蓝硝酸盐含量比不施肥处理增加11.2%。随着硝态氮比例增加,甘蓝维生素C、还原糖、总氨基酸含量相应增加,镁肥施用量对甘蓝维生素C、还原糖、总氨基酸含量影响明显。随着硝态氮比例增加,甘蓝对磷、钾和钙吸收量显著增加;随着镁施用量增加,磷、钾和镁吸收量相应增加。不同氮源与镁肥相互作用对甘蓝维生素C含量,氮、磷、钾、钙和镁养分吸收均有明显的影响。本研究表明,50%硝态氮和50%铵态氮混合与适量镁肥配合施用,既能增加甘蓝产量,提高维生素C、还原糖和总氨基酸含量,又能减少硝酸盐含量,提高甘蓝品质。     

Influence of slope and exposition on water balance of loess soils

Laboratory and field measurements as well as deterministic simulation models were used to determine the water components of loess derived soils with different expositions and slopes in the hilly region South of Hannover, Germany. Studies were investigated from 1987-1990 on three positions of a loess slope with 8 % inclination, 200 m length and northern exposition. Crop rotation was sugar beet, winter wheat, sugar beet. Results show that the soil water budget is strongly related to slope position, relief and plant available water in the rootzone. It was found that drainage at the bottom of a slope is often higher than on top of the slope. On slopes with northern exposition groundwater recharge increases with inclination whereas actual evapotranspiration decreases. For slopes with southern exposition the opposite reaction can be expected. The thickness of loess deposits and the root depth determine the plant available water; a sensitivity study demonstrates how groundwater recharge decreases with the amount of plant available water. This reaction is independent of the exposition of the slope. Field and simulation studies show that runoff occurs under sugar beet whenever soil is bare or sparsely covered, rainfall intensity is high and topsoil is sealed. Moreover, in loess derived soils interflow may occur on sites with stagnic horizons. Sensitivity analyses show that this process probably takes place whenever saturated hydraulic conductivity of this horizon is less than 10cm/d.     

田间矿化水灌溉下小麦和甜菜的离子区隔化

通过田间灌溉试验,研究了矿化水灌溉下小麦和甜菜对离子的选择吸收及其区隔化.随着灌溉水中NaCl含量的增加,小麦茎、鞘、叶、颖的离子吸收的选择系数SK,Na逐渐降低,而根和籽粒的SK, Na逐渐增加.小麦和甜菜各器官的离子吸收的选择系数SCl、Na都随灌溉水中NaCl含量的增加而逐渐降低.小麦地上部各器官的SK, Na;SCl, Na都大于根;而甜菜叶的SK, Na大于根, SCl , Na在二者之中的差异不大,由于K+的再转移和分配,甜菜枯叶的Na/K大于叶.小麦和甜菜对离子的选择吸收和运输使Na 和Cl主要分布于对生长和产量影响最小的部分,即小麦的茎和鞘,甜菜的枯叶.     

Leaching and plant offtake of N in field pea/cereal cropping sequences with incorporation of 15N-labelled pea harvest residues

Abstract. Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) were grown in sequence with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in large outdoor lysimeters. The pea crop was harvested either in a green immature state or at physiological maturity and residues returned to the lysimeters after pea harvest. After harvest of the pea crop in 1993, pea crop residues (pods and straw) were replaced with corresponding amounts of ¹⁵N‐labelled pea residues grown in an adjacent field plot. Reference lysimeters grew sequences of cereals (spring barley/spring barley and spring barley/winter wheat) with the straw removed. Leaching and crop offtake of ¹⁵N and total N were measured for the following two years. These treatments were tested on two soils: a coarse sand and a sandy loam. Nitrate concentrations were greatest in percolate from lysimeters with immature peas. Peas harvested at maturity also raised the nitrate concentrations above those recorded for continuous cereal growing. The cumulative nitrate loss was 9–12 g NO₃‐N m^–2 after immature peas and 5–7 g NO₃‐N m^–2 after mature peas. Autumn sown winter wheat did not significantly reduce leaching losses after field peas compared with spring sown barley. ¹⁵N derived from above‐ground pea residues accounted for 18–25% of the total nitrate leaching losses after immature peas and 12–17% after mature peas. When compared with leaching losses from the cereals, the extra leaching loss of N from roots and rhizodeposits of mature peas were estimated to be similar to losses of ¹⁵N from the above‐ground pea residues. Only winter wheat yield on the coarse sand was increased by a previous crop of peas compared to wheat following barley. Differences between barley grown after peas and after barley were not statistically significant. ¹⁵N lost by leaching in the first winter after incorporation accounted for 11–19% of ¹⁵N applied in immature pea residues and 10–15% of ¹⁵N in mature residues. Another 2–5% were lost in the second winter. The ¹⁵N recovery in the two crops succeeding the peas was 3–6% in the first crop and 1–3% in the second crop. The winter wheat did not significantly improve the utilization of ¹⁵N from the pea residues compared with spring barley.     

Additions of ammonium sulfate and urease inhibitor with urea to improve spring wheat and sugar beet yield

Additions of ammonium sulfate and urease inhibitor with urea might have potential to increase yield and quality due to increased supply of sulfur (S) and reduction in volatilization loss of nitrogen (N), respectively. Treatments consisting, (i) urea alone, (ii) urea with ammonium sulfate (UAS) and (iii) homogeneous granular fertilizer containing urea and ammonium sulfate (HBU), and (iv) urease inhibitor treated urea (UI), at two application rates, 134 and 168 kg N ha^?1, were compared for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) production at Glyndon and Ada of Minnesota, USA, during 2014–2015. For both crops, additions of UI had increased yield due to higher soil N availability over urea only in 2015. In 2014, UI also increased the grain protein content over urea and UAS increased sugar content only over HBU in 2015. Spring wheat and sugarbeet yield and quality response to urease inhibitor or supply of S in the form of UAS depends on soil and climatic factors.     

Cover crop effects on soil structure and early sugar beet growth

Cover crops can improve soil properties, especially soil structure, through organic matter input and rooting activity. However, large variations exist among cover crops, which may lead to differences in the extent of these effects. In this study, cover crops with differing properties were compared regarding soil structure and subsequent sugar beet growth. Field experiments were conducted at two Luvisol sites in Central Germany. Four cover crops (oil radish, saia oat, spring vetch and winter rye) were compared with fallow. Cover crop effects on soil water, N_min content, soil structure and subsequent early sugar beet growth were studied. Additionally, sugar beet received either no or optimal N fertilizer application. Rye and radish had the highest and vetch the lowest above- and belowground biomass. Soil water content was hardly affected by cover cropping, while topsoil N_min contents in April were increased. Penetration resistance was lowered, and aggregate stability was increased by the cover crops, especially oil radish, while values after spring vetch were similar to those of fallow. Differences among the cover crops might be because of a differing root biomass. Independent of N fertilizer application, sugar beet biomass in May tended to be higher after all cover crops, in particular under oil radish. The higher aggregate stability and lower penetration resistance were found to be beneficial for early sugar beet growth. Thus, sugar beet can benefit from a 1-year cultivation of preceding cover crops. Modifications of this effect through cover crop root biomass and architecture as well as repeated cover cropping need to be investigated in further studies.     

Utilization of mineral nitrogen in the subsoil by winter wheat

Uptake of nitrogen from the subsoil (30–200 cm) by winter wheat has been measured in field experiments on deep loess-parabrown soils in northern Germany and at Rothamsted (England) for different crop rotations and manuring schemes. The results can be summarised as follows:

• 1 The mineral nitrogen content of the subsoil varies widely depending on farming practice.
• 2 The effective depth limit for N uptake by winter wheat appears to be 150 cm.
• 3 Averaged over 22 sites, 33% of the total N uptake was from the subsoil (range 9–75%); 25% was from the 30–90 cm soil layer and 8% from the 90–150 cm soil layer.
• 4 Decreasing the N supply to the topsoil increased N uptake from the subsoil.
• 5 N uptake from the subsoil is not dependent on water uptake from the subsoil; nitrate is readily transported to absorbing roots by diffusion.
• 6 When deciding on the rate of fertilizer N to apply in early spring, soil mineral N to a depth of 90 cm should be taken into account. For subsequent dressings, the soil mineral N between 90–150 cm depth needs to be considered.

     

Cover crop growth and impact on N leaching as affected by pre‐ and postharvest sowing and time of incorporation

In Northern Europe, cover crops are traditionally established before spring crops by undersowing, but some cover crops might also have an effect if preharvest sown before spring crops and even winter crops. The effects of cover crop sowing date, sowing technique and succeeding main crop on biomass production, N uptake, nitrate leaching and soil inorganic N were tested in lysimeters and in the field. Cruciferous cover crops (oil radish, white mustard) were sown preharvest by broadcasting into winter wheat in July and were allowed to grow until a following winter wheat was established in September. Other preharvest cover crops were left in place until late autumn. For comparison, the same cruciferous cover crops were established postharvest after light harrowing. Perennial ryegrass undersown in spring barley was also included. Aboveground N uptake in preharvest cover crops amounted to a maximum of 24 kg N/ha in September before sowing winter wheat. When left until late autumn, preharvest oil radish took up a maximum of 66 kg N/ha, and ryegrass and postharvest cover crops 35 kg N/ha. Preharvest establishment of cruciferous cover crops before a spring‐sown crop thus seems promising. The soil was depleted of inorganic N to the same extent in late autumn irrespective of cover crop type, sowing time and technique within winter wheat or spring barley. However, the reduction in nitrate leaching of preharvest cover crops incorporated after 2 months and followed by winter wheat was only half of that achieved by cover crops left until late autumn or spring.     

Effect of sewage sludge and ammonium nitrate on wheat yield and soil profile inorganic nitrogen accumulation 1

The beneficial effect of sewage sludge in crop production has been demonstrated, but there is concern regarding its contribution to nitrate (NO₃) leaching. The objectives of this study were to compare nitrogen (N) rates of sewage sludge and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) on soil profile (0–180 cm), inorganic N [ammonium nitrate (NH₄‐N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃‐N)] accumulation, yield, and N uptake in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). One field experiment was established in 1993 that evaluated six N rates (0 to 540 kg·ha^‐1·yr^‐1) as dry anaerobically digested sewage sludge and ammonium nitrate. Lime application in 1993 (4.48 Mg ha^‐1) with 540 kg N ha^‐1·yr^‐1 was also evaluated. A laboratory incubation study was included to simulate N mineralization from sewage sludge applied at rates of 45, 180, and 540 kg N ha^‐1·yr^‐1. Treatments did not affect surface soil (0–30 cm) pH, organic carbon (C), and total N following the first (1994) and second (1995) harvest. Soil profile inorganic N accumulation increased when ≥270 kg N ha^‐1 was applied as ammonium nitrate. Less soil profile inorganic N accumulation was detected when lime was applied. In general, wheat yields and N uptake increased linearly with applied N as sewage sludge, while wheat yields and N uptake peaked at 270 kg N ha^‐1 when N was applied as ammonium nitrate. Lime did not affect yields or N uptake. Fertilizer N immobilization was expected to be high at this site where wheat was produced for the first time in over 10 years (previously in native bermudagrass). Estimated N use efficiency using sewage sludge in grain production was 20% (average of two harvests) compared to ammonium nitrate. Estimated plant N recovery was 17% for sewage sludge and 27% for ammonium nitrate.     

Effects of cropping system and rates of nitrogen in animal slurry and mineral fertilizer on nitrate leaching from a sandy loam

Abstract. Leaching of nitrate from a sandy loam cropped with spring barley, winter wheat and grass was compared in a 4-year lysimeter study. Crops were grown continuously or in a sequence including sugarbeet. Lysimeters were unfertilized or supplied with equivalent amounts of inorganic nitrogen in calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) or animal slurry according to recommended rates (1N) or 50% above recommended rates (1.5N).
Compared with unfertilized crops, leaching of nitrate increased only slightly when 1N (CAN) was added. Successive annual additions of 1.5N (CAN) or 1N and 1.5N (animal slurry) caused the cumulative loss of nitrate to increase significantly. More nitrate was leached after application of slurry because organic nitrogen in the slurry-was mineralized.
With 1N (CAN) the leaching losses of nitrate were in the following order: continuous spring barley undersown with Italian ryegrass < continuous ley of perennial ryegrass < spring barley in rotation and undersown with grass < perennial ryegrass grown in rotation = winter wheat grown in rotation < sugarbeet in rotation < continuous winter wheat < continuous barley < bare fallow.
At recommended levels of CAN (1N), cumulative nitrate losses over the four years were similar for the crops when grown in rotation or continuously. When crops received 1.5N (CAN) or animal slurry, nitrate losses from the crops grown continuously exceeded those from crops in rotation. Including a catch crop in the continuous cropping system eliminated the differences in nitrate leaching between the two cropping systems.