Intercropping of Corn with Soybean, Lupin and Forages: Silage Yield and Quality

Intercropping of corn with legumes is an alternative to corn monocropping and has a number of advantages, for example, lower levels of inputs, lower cost of production and better silage quality than monocrop systems. An experiment was carried out at two sites in 1993 and 1994 to investigate the effects of seeding soybean or lupin alone or in combination with one of three forages (annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) on silage yield and quality. The intercrop plots received 90 kg ha⁻¹ less nitrogen fertilizer than monocrop plots, which received 180 kg ha⁻¹. Corn biomass yield had a variable response to the treatments, but showed no change at most site-years. Soybean and lupin biomass yields were decreased by intercropping (80–98 % for soybean, and 94–100 % for lupin). However, when corn growth was limited due to poor establishment at one site in 1994, soybean was able to grow well and produce yields similar to those of monocropped soybean. The three underseeded forages did not grow well during the period examined (up to silage harvest) and had no effect on the yield of any crop. Total silage yields were similar to corn monocrop biomass yields even during 1994 at the site with low corn population densities because soybean was able to compensate for reduced corn growth.     

Intercropping corn with soybean, lupin and forages: weed control by intercrops combined with interrow cultivation

Intercropping corn with legumes is an alternative to corn monocropping and is a possible way to reduce the use of inputs, such as herbicides, while maintaining current weed control levels. Two experiments were carried out at each of two sites in both 1993 and 1994. The first experiment investigated the effects of seeding soybean or lupin alone or in combination with one of three forages (annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; and red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) on weed control. The second experiment examined the effects of seeding date (simultaneous with corn or 3 weeks later) and number of rows of large-seeded legumes (one or two) seeded between the corn rows, on weed control. Whenever seeding of legumes/forages was delayed, weekly interrow tillage operations were used to control weeds until legume/forage seeding. The density and biomasses of monocot weeds, either on or between the corn rows, were not affected by cultivation or intercropping. The density and biomass of dicot weeds on corn rows were reduced by some intercrop systems. For the various cropping systems tested, the dicot weed biomass and density between corn rows were most affected (in some cases reduced by 73-100% of the weedy control). A more effective dicot weed control was observed in delay seeded treatments, which allowed extra interrow cultivations. Intercrops that included soybean were also more successful at reducing weed populations than those containing lupin. Underseeded forages did not reduce weed biomass or density.     

Potassium Management for Brown Midrib Sorghum × Sudangrass as Replacement for Corn Silage in the North-eastern USA

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (SxS) as a replacement for silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the north‐eastern USA. Recent studies suggest it is suitable for both rotational grazing and as a hay crop and could compete with corn harvested for silage in years when wet spring conditions prevent the timely planting of corn. However, little is known about its suitability as forage for non‐lactating cows that require low potassium (K) forages to prevent health problems. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of K fertilizer management (0, 112 or 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 cut^?1) under optimum N management (112–168 kg N ha^?1 cut^?1) on yield, quality and K concentrations of BMR SxS over a 2‐year period. Field trials were established on a fine loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Fragiaquepts with medium K‐supplying capacity and characteristic of a large region in New York. Potassium application did not affect dry matter yields in either of the 2 years. Averaged over 2 years, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) significantly increased with K addition with similar but non‐significant trends observed in each of the years individually. The digestibility of NDF was unaffected by K application. Crude protein (CP) concentrations showed a significant decrease with K application in 2002 and similar trends were observed in 2003, although differences were not significant at P ≤ 0.05. The changes in NDF and CP did not significantly impact forage quality expressed as milk production per megagram of silage. Potassium application increased forage K concentration up to 13 mg K kg^?1 dry matter (in the first cut in 2003). Forage Ca and Mg concentrations decreased with K addition except for the first cut in 2002 where differences between 112 and 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 treatments were not significant. Without K addition in the 2‐year period, K concentrations in the forage decreased from 23 g kg^?1 for the first cutting in 2002 to 15 g kg^?1 for the second cut in 2003. Low K forage was obtained for all second‐cut forage unless 224 kg K₂O ha^?1 cut^?1 had been added. First‐cut forage was suitable only when no additional K had been applied. These results suggest low K BMR SxS forage can be harvested from initially high K soils without loss in dry matter yield as long as no additional K is added.     

Dry Matter Production and Productivity as Influenced by Staggered Sowing of Mustard Intercropped at Different Row Ratios with Chickpea

In a 2‐year experiment on Typic Ustochrept soils of the North Plain Zone of India, the effect of different row ratios (3 : 1, 6 : 2, 4 : 1 and 8 : 2) and staggered sowing of mustard (simultaneous and 15 days later) was studied in intercropping of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Nodule number, dry weight, grain yield, protein content and yield were higher in monocrop chickpea compared with intercropping. Among row ratios, except for protein content in grain, all the above parameters were significantly higher in the 4 : 1 intercropping of chickpea + mustard. Similarly, delayed sowing of mustard by 15 days also gave higher plant dry weight (1.80–2.36 g plant^?1), nodule number (0.41–1.56 and 0.5–3.0 at 55‐ and 70‐day stages, respectively), protein yield (63 kg ha^?1), grain yield (290 kg ha^?1) and biological yield (1104 kg ha^?1) than sowing with chickpea. Widening the row ratio and pairing of the rows of mustard were also found to be beneficial in increasing chickpea growth and yield. Like chickpea, sowing of mustard as a monocrop gave higher growth and yield. Delayed sowing by 15 days reduced the growth and yield of mustard drastically. Productivity, measured in terms of land equivalent ratio, was higher for intercropping of chickpea and mustard in the 4 : 1 row ratio than for sowing of chickpea and mustard in sole stands. Interestingly, the land equivalent ratio was also higher in the simultaneously sown crop than for staggered sowing.     

Energy Input and Output Analysis of four Field Crops in California1

Four crops, corn (Zea mays L.), sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) were grown in irrigated plots at the experimental farm of the University of California, Davis, in 1980 and 1981. Six fertilizer N levels ranging from 0 to 280 kg ha^?1 were used to estimate the most efficient N input for each of the tested crop in terms of energy input and output analysis. Calculations of cultural energy input costs in relation to potential ethanol yield showed production requirements of: corn 30.9 GJ ha^?1, sweet sorghum 30.4 GJ ha^?1, fodder beet 49.4 GJ ha^?1 and sugarbeet 41.0 GJ ha^?1. Highest average energy inputs were for liquid fuels for operations 35%, irrigation 23% and fertilizer nitrogen 19%. Fodder beet had the highest fermentable carbohydrate yield at 13.05 Mg ha^?1 followed by sugarbeet at 11.5 Mg ha^?1. Sweet sorghum and corn yields were lower at 9.71 and 8.09 Mg ha^?1, respectively. Crop production inputs of energy per liter of potential ethanol were: corn 6.42 MJL^?1 sweet sorghum 5.25 MJL^?1, fodder beet 6.35 MJL^?1 and sugarbeet 5.95 MJL^?1.     

Hybrid and N Fertilization Affect Corn Silage Yield and Quality

We determined the effect of N fertilization on dry matter (DM) yield, predicted milk yield, and forage quality of fresh (green chopped) and ensiled forage of two brown midrib (BMR) hybrids, a leafy hybrid, and a conventional silage hybrid. Increasing N rates from 0 to 200 kg ha^?1 increased corn grain, stover and whole plant DM yield and milk yield. The forage yield and quality response to N was similar for all hybrids. Nitrogen fertilization increased forage crude protein (CP) concentration but had little effect on other forage quality components. BMR hybrids, F377 and F657, had the lowest grain, stover and whole plant yield but had the highest digestibility and predicted milk yield Mg^?1 of forage. Predicted milk yield ha^?1 was similar for the BMR, leafy and conventional hybrids. Ensiling reduced starch concentration compared with green chopped forage, but effects on other forage quality variables were less consistent. Hybrid and N fertilization affects were similar for green chopped and ensiled corn forage.     

The Influence of Row Spacing and Seeding Rate on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Forage Turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

The effects of four row spacings (17.5, 35.0, 52.5 and 70.0 cm) and five seeding rates (50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 viable seeds m^?2) on seed yield and some yield components of forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) were evaluated under rainfed conditions in Bursa, Turkey in the 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 growing seasons. Plant height, stem diameter, pods/terminal raceme, total pods/plant, seeds/pod and primary branches/plant were measured individually. The number of plants per unit area was counted and the lodging rate of the plots was scored. The seed yield and 1000‐seed weight were also determined. Row spacing and seeding rate significantly affected most yield components measured. The number of plants per unit area increased with increasing seeding rate and decreasing row spacing. Plant height was not greatly influenced by row spacing and seeding rate, but higher seeding rates reduced the number of primary branches and the stem diameter. The number of pods/main stem was affected by row spacing and but not by the seeding rate. Also, the number of seeds per pod was not affected by either the row spacing or the seeding rate. In contrast, the number of pods per plant clearly increased with increasing row spacing, but decreased with increasing seeding rate. The plots seeded at narrow row spacings and at high seeding rates were more sensitive to lodging. Seeding rate had no significant effect on seed yield in both years. Seed yield was similar at all seeding rates, averaging 1151 kg ha^?1. However, row spacing was associated with seed yield. The highest seed yield (1409 kg ha^?1) was obtained for the 35.0‐cm row spacing and 200 seeds m^?2 seeding rate combination without serious lodging problems.     

Effect of Deep Placement of Slow-release Fertilizer (Lime Nitrogen) Applied at Different Rates on Growth, N2 Fixation and Yield of Soya Bean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)

A new fertilization method with deep placement of slow‐release N fertilizers, such as coated urea and lime nitrogen (LN) (calcium cyanamide) at 20 cm depth was found to promote soy bean seed yield. In the present study, the effect of deep placement of LN was investigated on different parameters such as growth, N accumulation, N₂ fixation activity and yield of soy bean by applying LN at different rates in the rotated paddy field of Niigata, Japan. In addition to the basal fertilizer, ammonium sulphate (16 kg N ha^?1), deep placement of LN was conducted by applying various amounts such as 50 kg N ha^?1 (A50), 100 kg N ha^?1 (A100) and 200 kg N ha^?1 (A200) at 20 cm depth in separate plots. A ¹⁵N‐labelled LN fertilizer was also employed for each of the above treatments to calculate N utilization from LN in separate plots. Soya bean plant growth and N₂ fixation activity were periodically analysed. Both plant growth and N accumulation were found to increase with LN treatment compared with control plants. An increase in N₂ fixation activity was found in the A100 plots. The total seed yield was the highest in the deep placement of LN with A100 (73 g per plant) compared with other treatments. The visual quality of harvested seeds also showed that A100 enhanced the quality of seeds compared with other treatments. Thus, it is suggested that N fertilization management with particular reference to optimum amount of fertilizers is important for maximum growth, N₂ fixation and enhancement of seed yield of soy bean.     

Intercropping corn with soybean,lupin and forages: yield component responses

Intercropping systems influence yield variables of the component crops, such as harvest index, hundred seed weight, number of reproductive organs and number of seeds, within each reproductive unit. Two experiments were carried out at each of two sites during 1993 and 1994. The first experiment investigated the effects of seeding soybean or lupin alone or in combination with one of three forages (annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) with corn on the yield components of corn, soybean and lupin. The second experiment examined the effects of seeding date (simultaneous with corn or 3 weeks later) and number of rows of large seeded legumes (one or two) seeded between the corn rows. Corn grain yield was generally not affected by any intercrop treatment, although in 1993 some simultaneously seeded treatments resulted in decreased yields. Soybean grain yield was decreased by most treatments, although some simultaneous seedings produced yields similar to soybean monocrops. Lupin grew poorly as an intercrop component, producing little or no grain. Corn harvest index was not affected by any intercrop treatments. Seeding corn and large-seeded legumes simultaneously resulted in decreases in corn hundred seed weights by as much as 6.6 g compared with the monocropped corn. In 1993 (a year with normal precipitation levels), the hundred seed weight and number of seeds per soybean pod were decreased by intercropping, although the harvest index was not affected. In a high precipitation year (1994), the soybean harvest index was decreased by intercropping, but not the seed components. The underseeded forages, annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and red clover, had no effect on yields or yield components of the other intercropped species.     

Field Pea Seeding Management for Semi-arid Mediterranean Conditions

The effects of seeding rate (30, 60 and 90 seeds m^?2), seeding date (14 January, 28 January and 12 February), seed weight (0.18 and 0.25 g seed^?1), seeding depth (3 and 6 cm), and phosphorus fertilization rate (17.5, 35.0 and 52.5 kg P ha^?1) and placement method (banded or broadcasted) on field pea (Pisum sativum L.) development and seed yields were investigated in irrigated field experiments conducted in northern Jordan in 2000 and 2001. Results and treatment responses were consistent in both years. Seeding rate, seeding date, seed weight and rate and method of phosphorus fertilization had significant effects on most traits measured; planting depth however did not affect any of the traits. Generally a positive correlation was observed between each factor and seed yield and yield components, with the exception of a negative correlation between seeding rate and yield components, and seeding date and yield and yield components. Increase in seeding rate from 30 to 90 seeds m^?2, and increase in P fertilization from 17.5 to 52.5 kg ha^?1 alone increased seed yields by 50 and 41 %, respectively. Each delay of 2 weeks for seeding from mid‐January resulted in reductions of 12 % in seed yields. Overall, the results revealed that a combination of early seeding (14 January), of large seeds at an high seeding rate (90 seeds m^?2), with P fertilizer banding (52.5 kg P ha^?1) maximize field pea yields in irrigated fields in semi‐arid Mediterranean environments. With such management pea seed yields can be as high as 2800 kg ha^?1.     

Impact of Phosphorus from Dairy Manure and Commercial Fertilizer on Perennial Grass Forage Production

Increased recovery and recycling of manure phosphorus (P) by crops on dairy farms is needed to minimize environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to compare P utilization by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) from dairy manure or inorganic fertilizer. The study was conducted from 1994 to 2000 at the Cornell University Baker Farm, Willsboro, NY, on a somewhat poorly drained Kingsbury clay (very–fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Epiaqualfs). The design was a split‐plot in a randomized complete block with two manure rates (16 800 and 33 600 kg ha^?1) and one nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate (84 kg N ha^?1 at spring greenup and 56 kg N ha^?1 prior to each regrowth harvest) as the main plots and grass species as subplots replicated six times. Fertilizer P [Ca(H₂PO₄)₂] was applied to the fertilizer treatment in 1995 and 1996 at 11 kg P ha^?1 year^?1. Orchardgrass P removal averaged 21 % higher than tall fescue P removal for the spring harvest, but orchardgrass averaged 24 % lower P removal than tall fescue removal for all regrowth harvests from 1995–99. Phosphorus herbage concentration in the fertilizer treatment was in the range of 1.9–2.7 g P kg^?1 compared with 2.2–5.3 g P kg^?1 in the manure treatments. Seasonal P removal ranged from as low as 9.2 kg P ha^?1 to as high as 48.5 kg P ha^?1. Morgan extractable soil P in the top 0–0.20 m remained high through 1999, with 29.1 kg P ha^?1 at the highest manure rate in tall fescue compared with 8.4 kg P ha^?1 measured in 1993 prior to the experiment. In 2000, soil P at the highest manure rate in tall fescue dropped to 10.1 kg P ha^?1, following cessation of manure application in 1998. Intensively managed harvested orchardgrass and tall fescue have the potential to remove large quantities of manure P.     

Transfer of Grain Legume Nitrogen within a Crop Rotation Containing Winter Wheat and Winter Barley

In a crop rotation trial, conducted from 1985 to 1988 at TU-Munich's research station in Roggenstein, the transfer of grain legume nitrogen was evaluated in crop rotations containing fababeans and dry peas as well as oats (reference crop) and winter wheat and winter barley as following crops. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: Dinitrogen fixation by fababeans ranged from 165 to 240 kg N ha¹, whereas N₂-fixation by peas amounted from 215 to 246 kg N ha^?1. In all seasons the calculated N-balance where only grain was removed was positive, with a net gain being on average 106 (peas) and 84 (fababeans) kg N ha^?1. After the harvest of peas 202 kg N ha^?1 remained on the field on average over seasons (158 kg N ha^?1 in the above ground biomass and 44 kg N ha^?1 as NO₃-N in 0–90 cm depth). As compared to peas, fababeans left 41 kg N ha^?1 less due to smaller amounts of nitrogen in the straw. After oats very small amounts of residual nitrogen (33 kg N ha^?1) were detected. After the harvest of grain legumes always a very high nitrogen mineralization was observed during autumn especially after peas due to a close C/N-relationship and higher amounts of nitrogen in the straw as compared to fababeans. In comparison with fababeans, N-mineralization after the cultivation of oats remained lower by more than 50%. During winter, seepage water regularly led to a considerable decrease of soil NO₃-N content. The N-leaching losses were especially high after cultivation of peas (80 kg N ha ^?1) and considerably lower after fababeans (50 kg N ha^?1) and oats (20 kg N ha^?1). As compared to oats, a higher NO₃-N content in soil was determined at the beginning of the growing period after preceding grain legumes. Therefore, winter wheat yielded highest after preceding peas (68 dt ha^?1) and fababeans (60 dt ha^?1) and lowest after preceding oats (42 dt ha^?1). The cultivation of grain legumes had no measurable effect on yield formation of the third crop winter barley in either of the growing seasons.     

Stickstoffverluste unter begülltem Grünland

Leaching of nitrogen from permanent grassland treated with cattle slurry The objective of this study was to determine the effect of cattle slurry and mineral nitrogen fertilization on nitrate contamination of the interflow soil water. Field experiments were conducted at grassland research station ‘Rengen’ in the Eifel area (475 m a.s.L., 7.5 °C mean temperature, 806 mm mean yearly precipitation). In the respective plots soil consisted of 40 cm loamy material over a compact, almost water impermeable soil layer. The 2 × 6 m sized individual plots were prepared 1985 in a way so that surrounding soil was removed down to the compact soil layer about 45 cm deep and the monolith beeing packed by polyethylene sheets, waterproofing the plots down to the water impermeable soil layer. At the open lower ends of the plots near the soil surface and at 45 cm depth respectively, metal sheets were inserted to drain the surface run-off and interflow water into gutters and from there into collecting tanks. Nitrogen fertilization included two cattle slurry treatments (240 kg and 480 kg ha^?1 a^?1 total nitrogen), combination of mineral nitrogen with cattle slurry (200 kg + 160 kg ha^?1 a^?1) and mineral nitrogen treatments without slurry (200 kg - ha^?1 a^?1). Control plots received neither mineral nor slurry nitrogen. The quantification of interflow water and its nitrogen concentration started in 1986. In this year relatively high nitrate concentrations up to 56 mg l^?1 appeared in the interflow water. 1987 nitrogen concentrations dramatically decreased to mean values between 10 and 15 mg l^?1 in all fertilization treatments. Similar levels of nitrate concentrations were observed in the following two years. Total amounts of nitrogen losses did nor exceed 5 kg ha^?1 a^?1 in any of the years from 1986 to 1988, nor were differences observed in nitrate concentration among the fertilization treatments.     

氮素调控对复种条件下饲用小黑麦-青贮玉米产量和品质的影响

试验采取收获饲用小黑麦后复种青贮玉米的栽培方式,同时进行氮素调控,研究不同施氮量和氮肥类型对复种方式下饲用小黑麦和青贮玉米产量及饲用品质的影响。结果表明,纯氮用量100kg/hm²的缓释氮肥处理小黑麦产量和品质显著优于其他用量尿素处理;青贮玉米生育期较长,中期追肥效果更好,其中,在一定地力基础上,N3(前茬小黑麦纯氮用量150kg/hm²,后茬青贮玉米纯氮用量200kg/hm²)处理青贮玉米产量和品质最优。     

不同肥料配施对青贮玉米产量和品质的影响

采用“3414”最优回归设计,研究了不同施肥处理对青贮玉米品种‘大京九26号’的产量和营养品质的影响。结果表明,适量增施氮肥对提高青贮玉米鲜重产量和干物质产量的作用大于磷钾肥,并显著提高粗蛋白(CP)含量,对改善酸性洗涤性纤维(ADF)、中性洗涤性纤维(NDF)和脂肪(Fat)含量均有有益作用;钾肥对改善青贮玉米营养品质的作用较小;磷肥的增施对营养品质改善不利;在14个处理中,以N₂P₁K₂处理的综合表现较好。本研究结果为冀西北地区高产、优质青贮玉米的栽培技术的制定奠定理论基础。     

Einfluß von Hauptbestandsbildner (Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium X boucheanum Kunth, Lolium perenne L. und Dactylis glomerata L.), Narbendichte, N-Düngung und Zeit auf Ertrag, Energiedichte, P/E-Quotient und Nitratgehalt

The influence of main species (Lolium multiflorum Lam., Lolium X boucheanum Kunth, Lolium perenne L. and Dactylis glomerata L.), sward density, nitrogen and time on yield, energy content, crudeprotein/energy ratio and nitrate content The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of different rates of nitrogen fertilizer and of varied sward density on yield and chemical composition of some non-perennial (Lolium multiflorum, Lolium X boucheanum) and some perennial species (Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata) in a field experiment. Excepted 600 kg N ha^?l - yr^?1 the non-perennial species produced the highest energy yields. At a fertilization level of 400 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1 had sward density an influence on energy yield of Lolium multiflorum. It appeared that almost the energy content of the Lolium species was higher than in Dactylis glomerata. In most cases there were little differences between the Lolium species. There was a positive correlation between the NFEcontent and the content of water soluble carbohydrates and the energy content which was depressed by applying increasing rates of fertilizer. Generally at the lowest rate of nitrogen used (200 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1) there were positive effects on crude protein/energy ratios. The crude protein/energy ratio was higher of Dactylis glomerata than that of the Lolium species. The nitrate content increased to critical values when applying 400 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1. Dactylis glomerata had the highest and Lolium perenne the lowest nitrate content. At high rate of fertilizer, plots with high sward density sometimes had higher nitrate contents than open swards. The results of the experiment indicate that there are differences in quality even between species with high performance. Regarding the quality of grass swards, future attention should be focused on the main species and on sward density.     

Maize Grain Yield Response to Tillage and Fertilizer Nitrogen Rates on a Tara Silt Loam

Effects of tillage on the appropriate fertilizer N applications needed to achieve maximal grain yield are poorly denned. The study objective was determination of relative corn grain yield response to N application rate for four tillage practices: no-tillage (NT), ridge tillage (RT), fall chisel plowing (CP) and fall moldboard plowing (MP). Maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield and N accumulation were monitored over a 6 year period with the same tillage treatment and the same fertilizer N rate applied each year to each plot. Two hybrids, differing in relative maturity rating, were planted each year. Fertilizer N rates ranged from 10 to 190 kg ha^?1 and consisted of 10 kg ha^?1 of liquid starter N applied at planting with varying amounts of fall applied anhydrous ammonia. With only starter fertilizer, grain yields increased with tillage intensity in the order NT ≤ RT ≤ CP ≤ MP. With ≥ 55 kg total applied Nha^?1, 6 year average grain yields were unaffected by tillage. Total N removed in grain annually with only starter fertilizer ranged from 25–85 kg ha^?1 Maximal amounts of N removed, about 145 kg N ha^?1, occurred with 100–145 kg applied N ha^?1 for all tillage treatments under the more favorable climatic conditions. Several interactions affecting grain yield appear climatically sensitive with exception of tillage by fertilizer N interactions. Because of variability in climate, planting dates varied by almost 4 weeks. Relative yield loss due to planting delay were Fertilizer N (mean change ??124 –?275 kg ha^?1 day^?1) > Starter N only and MP (mean ?? 259 kg ha^?1 day^?1) > other tillages in general. Yield loss due to delayed planting ranged from 0.0–275 kg ha^?1 day^?1. Grain yield gains due to early spring soil temperatures were 16.0–21.8 kg ha^?1 index-degree^?1 with MP tillage and averaged 2.7– 16.7 kg ha^?1 index-degree^?1 more than those of other tillage-hybrid combinations.     

Cropping System Affects Polymer‐Coated Urea Release and Corn Yield Response in Claypan Soils

Preplant‐applied, urea‐based fertilizer management in high‐residue, no‐till (NT) corn (Zea mays L.) is challenging because of potential N loss due to cool, wet conditions in the spring and dry conditions during the summer months. Field research evaluated the effects of polymer‐coated urea (PCU) application timing, placement and cropping system on urea release for corn and determined corn yield response to PCU on claypan soils following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping systems [reduced‐till corn following wheat, no‐till corn following wheat with double‐cropped (DC) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and no‐till corn following wheat with a frost‐seeded red clover (FSC) (Trifolium pratense L.) cover crop]. Urea release from PCU was <35 % from fall through winter (November–January) and <20 % for early preplant (February–March) applications until 1 April. By 1 August, less urea was released in some instances from surface applications of PCU following FSC or DC soybean, but release was generally greater than in the absence of soil. No‐till corn following DC soybean or FSC had yields that were 1.01–1.32 Mg ha^?1 greater when grown with PCU compared to urea at 168 kg N ha^?1. Grain yields were similar within no‐till cropping systems with PCU, anhydrous ammonia and sidedressed urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) at 168 kg N ha^?1. Farmers should recognize that high yields may not be obtained if PCU rates are reduced by 50 % (84 kg N ha^?1) in high‐residue (DC soybean or FSC), no‐till production systems. Several N sources such as PCU, anhydrous ammonia and sidedressed UAN worked similarly in high‐residue, no‐till systems, although no differences between N sources were observed in a reduced‐tillage system.     

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.     

Is the Companion Crop Harmless to Alfalfa Establishment in the Highlands of East Anatolia?

This study documented the effects of barley companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage on alfalfa establishment in a highland area. Alfalfa was established with barley at seeding rates of 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^?1 and cut at the milk‐dough and ripe grain stages. In most cases, hay yield and composition of herbage were affected by companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage. Total hay yield increased from 3294 to 5131 kg ha^?1 when the companion crop seeding rate was increased from 0 to 180 kg ha^?1 at the milk‐dough stage. Legume and weed growth was suppressed by the companion crop during establishment, but using a barley companion crop decreased alfalfa plant losses in the seeding year. Few residual effects of barley were seen on hay yield in the subsequent year, but residual effects of companion crop treatments on weed suppression continued in all clippings of the second year. The results suggest that alfalfa should be sown with a barley companion crop in highland areas with adequate moisture. The seeding rate for barley is about the same as that for barley grown alone, and the companion crop could be harvested for hay or grain in the establishment year.