Nitrogen release dynamics and carbon sequestration by legume and non-legume cover crops under pure and mixed planting conditions

Sadra, Shayesteh; Mohammadi, Gholamreza; Mondani, Farzad

doi:10.2478/agri-2023-0002

Abstract

Synchronizing crop residue decomposing and releasing nitrogen with subsequent cash crop needs provides benefits for ecosystems, but it is difficult to carry out. This study aimed to investigate the trend of decomposition of vetch (Vicia sativa), rye (Secale cereale) and mixed (rye + vetch) cover crop residues as well as nitrogen release after incorporating them into the soil during 12 weeks of the potato growth season by using the mesh bag method. Vetch residues decomposed very quickly in the spring and their nitrogen is released due to their higher nitrogen content and consequently a lower Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratio. However, rye residues decomposed at a slower rate compared to mixed treatment, and their nitrogen content was immobilized mainly due to a higher C/N ratio. A better understanding of cover crops residues decomposition dynamics leads to maximizing the cover crop effects and higher nutrient uptake by subsequent main crops. The results of this study showed that the input level of nitrogen fertiliser can be reduced by implementing management strategies in farming potatoes and using cover crops, which will reduce the harmful environmental effects and increase the economic benefit for farmers.

References

Abera, G., Wolde-Meskel, E., & Bakken, L. R. (2014). Unexpected high decomposition of legume residues in dry season soils from tropical coffee plantations and crop lands. Agronomy for sustainable development, 34(3), 667 − 676. doi: 10.1007/s13593-013-0172-7.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alonso-Ayuso, M., Gabriel, J. L., & Quemada, M. (2014). The kill date as a management tool for cover cropping success. PloS one, 9(10), e109587. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0109587.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Anugroho, F., Kitou, M., Nagumo, F., Kinjo, K., & Tokashiki, Y. (2009). Growth, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake of hairy vetch as a cover crop in a subtropical region. Weed Biology and Management, 9(1), 63 − 71. doi:10.1111/j. 1445-6664.2008.00319.x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barbera, V., Poma, I., Gristina, L., Novara, A., & Egli, M. (2012). Long-term cropping systems and tillage management effects on soil organic carbon stock and steady state level of C sequestration rates in a semiarid environment. Land Degradation & Development, 23(1), 82 − 91. doi: 10.1002/ldr.1055.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bremner, M. 1970. Nitrogen Total, Regular Kjeldahl Method. Methods of Soil Analysis, Part2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Wisconsin, USA: Madison publisher. pp. 610 − 616.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Brennan, E. B. & Boyd, N. S. (2012). Winter cover crop seeding rate and variety affects during eight years of organic vegetables: II. Cover crop nitrogen accumulation. Agronomy Journal, 104(3), 799 − 806. doi:10.2134/agronj2011.0331.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Büchi, L., Wendling, M., Amossé, C., Necpalova, M., & Charles, R. (2018). Importance of cover crops in alleviating negative effects of reduced soil tillage and promoting soil fertility in a winter wheat cropping system. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 256, 92 − 104. doi:10.1016/j. agee.2018.01.005.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Constantin, J., Beaudoin, N., Laurent, F., Cohan, J. P., Duyme, F., & Mary, B. (2011). Cumulative effects of catch crops on nitrogen uptake, leaching and net mineralization. Plant and Soil, 341(1), 137 − 154. doi:10.1007/s11104-010-0630-9.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cookson, W. R., Beare, M. H. & Wilson, P. E. (1998). Effects of prior crop residue management on microbial properties and crop residue decomposition. Applied Soil Ecology, 7(2), 179 − 188. doi:10.1016/S0929-1393(97)00032-2.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Crews, T. E. and Peoples, M. B. (2005). Can the synchrony of nitrogen supply and crop demand be improved in legume and fertilizer-based agroecosystems? A Review. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 72(2), 101 − 120. doi:10.1007/s10705-004-6480-1.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dabney, S. M., Delgado, J. A. & Reeves, D. W. (2001). Using winter cover crops to improve soil and water quality. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 32(7 − 8), 1221 − 1250. doi:10.1081/CSS-100104110.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
De Sousa, A. (1961). Micro-determination of potassium with EDTA. Microchimica Acta, 49, 644 − 46. doi:10.1007/BF01217522.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Frankenberger, W. T. & Abdelmagid, H. M. (1985). Kinetic parameters of nitrogen mineralization rates of leguminous crops incorporated into soil. Plant and Soil, 87(2), 257 − 271. doi:10.1007/BF02181865.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Frasier, I., Noellemeyer, E., Figuerola, E., Erijman, L., Permingeat, H., & Quiroga, A. (2016). High quality residues from cover crops favor changes in microbial community and enhance C and N sequestration. Global Ecology and Conservation, 6, 242 − 256. doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2016.03.009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gabriel, J. L. and Quemada, M. (2011). Replacing bare fallow with cover crops in a maize cropping system: Yield, N uptake and fertiliser fate. European Journal of Agronomy, 34(3), 133 − 143. doi:10.1016/j.eja.2010.11.006.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gabriel, J. L., Alonso-Ayuso, M., García-González, I., Hontoria, C., and Quemada, M. (2016). Nitrogen use efficiency and fertiliser fate in a long-term experiment with winter cover crops. European Journal of Agronomy, 79, 14 − 22. doi:10.1016/j.eja.2016.04.015.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gee, G. W. and Bauder, J. W. (1986). Particle size analysis. In: Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1: Physical and Mineralogical Methods.’, 2nd Agronomy 9(1). A.S.A., Inc., S.S.S.A. Inc., Madison Publisher, Wisconsin, USA.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ghosh, S., Wilson, B., Ghoshal, S., Senapati, N., and Mandal, B. (2012). Organic amendments influence soil quality and carbon sequestration in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 156, 134 − 141. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2012.05.009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hayden, Z. D., Brainard, D. C., Henshaw, B., and Ngouajio, M. (2012). Winter annual weed suppression in rye–vetch cover crop mixtures. Weed Technology, 26(4), 818 − 825. doi: 10.1614/WT-D-12-00084.1.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hayden, Z. D., Ngouajio, M., and Brainard, D. C. (2014). Rye– vetch mixture proportion tradeoffs: Cover crop productivity, nitrogen accumulation, and weed suppression. Agronomy Journal, 106(3), 904 − 914. doi:10.2134/agronj2013.0467.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hua, K., Wang, D., Guo, X., and Guo, Z. (2014). Carbon sequestration efficiency of organic amendments in a long-term experiment on a vertisol in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China. PloS one, 9(9), e108594. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0108594.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chahal, I., Vyn, R. J., Mayers, D., and Van Eerd, L. L. (2020). Cumulative impact of cover crops on soil carbon sequestration and profitability in a temperate humid climate. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 13381. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-70224-6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ibewiro, B., Sanginga, N., Vanlauwe, B., and Merckx, R. (2000). Nitrogen contributions from decomposing cover crop residues to maize in a tropical derived savanna. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 57(2), 131 − 140. doi: 10.1023/A:1009846203062.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jackson, M. L. R. and Barak, P. (2005). Soil chemical analysis: advanced course. UW-Madison Libraries Parallel Press. 930p.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jahanzad, E., Barker, A. V., Hashemi, M., Eaton, T., Sadeghpour, A., and Weis, S. A. (2016). Nitrogen release dynamics and decomposition of buried and surface cover crop residues. Agronomy Journal, 108, 1735 − 1741. doi:10.2134/agronj2016.01.0001.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jahanzad, E., Barker, A. V., Hashemi, M., Sadeghpour, A., Eaton, T., and Park, Y. (2017). Improving yield and mineral nutrient concentration of potato tubers through cover cropping. Field Crops Research, 212, 45 − 51. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2017.06.023.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jarecki, M. K. and Lal, R. (2003). Crop management for soil carbon sequestration. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 22(6), 471 − 502. doi:10.1080/713608318.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jensen, E. S. (1996). Barley uptake of N deposited in the rhizosphere of associated field pea. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 28(2), 159 − 168. doi:10.1016/0038-0717(95)00134-4.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jiang, C. M., Yu, W. T., Ma, Q., Xu, Y. G., and Zou, H. (2017). Alleviating global warming potential by soil carbon sequestration: A multi-level straw incorporation experiment from a maize cropping system in Northeast China. Soil and Tillage Research, 170, 77 − 84. doi:10.1016/j.still.2017.03.003.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Justes, E., Beaudoin, N., Bertuzzi, P., Charles, R., Constantin, J., Dürr, C., and Mary, B. (2012). Cover crops to reduce nitrate leaching. Effect on water and nitrogen balance and other ecosystem services. Paper presented at the Proceedings-International Fertiliser Society. Doi:10.1007/s11104-009-9966-4.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Justes, E., Mary, B. and Nicolardot, B. (2009). Quantifying and modelling C and N mineralization kinetics of catch crop residues in soil: parameterization of the residue decomposition module of STICS model for mature and non mature residues. Plant and Soil, 325(1), 171 − 185. doi:10.1007/s11104-009-9966-4.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kallenbach, C. M., Grandy, A. S., Frey, S. D., and Diefendorf, A. F. (2015). Microbial physiology and necromass regulate agricultural soil carbon accumulation. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 91, 279 − 290. doi:10.1016/j.soilbio. 2015.09.005.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kremen, A. (2006). Nitrogen mineralization from brassica cover crops. M.S. thesis. Univ. of Maryland, College Park. Kuo, S. and Sainju, U. M. (1998). Nitrogen mineralization and availability of mixed leguminous and non-leguminous cover crop residues in soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 26(4), 346 − 353. doi:10.1007/s003740050387.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lange, M., Eisenhauer, N., Sierra, C. A., Bessler, H., Engels, C., Griffiths, R. I., and Gleixner, G. (2015). Plant diversity increases soil microbial activity and soil carbon storage. Nature Communications, 6(1), 6707. doi:10.1038/ncomms7707.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Liu, C., Lu, M., Cui, J., Li, B., and Fang, C. (2014). Effects of straw carbon input on carbon dynamics in agricultural soils: a meta-analysis. Global Change Biology, 20(5), 1366 − 1381. doi:10.1111/gcb.12517.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
McLean, E. D. (1982). Soil pH and lime requirement. In Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties, 2nd ed. Agronomy 9(1). A.S.A. Inc., S.S.S.A. Inc., Wisconsin, USA: Madison Publisher, pp. 199 − 209.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Murungu, F. S., Chiduza, C., Muchaonyerwa, P., and Mnkeni, P. N. S. (2011). Decomposition, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization from winter-grown cover crop residues and suitability for a smallholder farming system in South Africa. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 89(1), 115 − 123. doi:10.1007/s10705-010-9381-5.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nelson, D. W. and Sommers, L. E. (1983). Total carbon, organic carbon, and organic matter. Methods of soil analysis: Part 2 chemical and microbiological properties, 9, 539 − 579. doi:10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c29.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nevins, C. J., Lacey, C. and Armstrong, S. (2020). The synchrony of cover crop decomposition, enzyme activity, and nitrogen availability in a corn agroecosystem in the Midwest United States. Soil and Tillage Research, 197, 104518. doi:10.1016/j.still.2019.104518.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Olsen, S. R., Cole, C. V., Watanabe, F. S. and Dean, L. A. (1954). Estimation of available P in soils by extraction with NaHCO3, USDA Cir, 939: 939.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parr, J. F. and Papendick, R. I. (1978). Factors affecting the decomposition of crop residues by microorganisms. Crop residue Management Systems, 31, 101 − 129. doi:10.2134/asaspecpub31.c6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parr, M., Grossman, J. M., Reberg-Horton, S. C., Brinton, C., and Crozier, C. (2011). Nitrogen delivery from legume cover crops in no-till organic corn production. Agronomy Journal, 103(6), 1578 − 1590. doi:10.2134/agronj2011.0007.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Paul, E. and Clark, F. E. (1989). Soil microbiology and biochemistry. Academic Press. 1 − 10. DOI:10.1016/b978-0-12-546805-3.50004-7.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Peoples, M. B., Herridge, D. F. and Ladha, J. K. (1995). Biological nitrogen fixation: an efficient source of nitrogen for sustainable agricultural production? In: Ladha, J.K., Peoples, M.B. (Eds.) Management of biological nitrogen fixation for the development of more productive and sustainable agricultural systems. Springer Sciences+Business Media, B.V., pp. 3 − 28. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-0055-7_1.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Quemada, M. and Cabrera, M. L. (1995). Carbon and nitrogen mineralized from leaves and stems of four cover crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 59(2), 471 − 477. doi: 10.2136/sssaj1995.03615995005900020029x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Radicetti, E., Mancinelli, R., Moscetti, R., and Campiglia, E. (2016). Management of winter cover crop residues under different tillage conditions affects nitrogen utilization efficiency and yield of eggplant (Solanum melanogena L.) in Mediterranean environment. Soil and Tillage Research, 155, 329 − 338. doi:10.1016/j.still.2015.09.004.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ramirez-Garcia, J., Gabriel, J. L., Alonso-Ayuso, M., and Quemada, M. (2015). Quantitative characterization of five cover crop species. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 153(7), 1174. doi:10.1017/S0021859614000811.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rosecrance, R. C., McCarty, G. W., Shelton, D. R., and Teasdale, J. R. (2000). Denitrification and N mineralization from hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop monocultures and bicultures. Plant and Soil, 227(1), 283 − 290. doi:10.1023/A:1026582012290.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Roth, R. T., Ruffatti, M. D., O‘Rourke, P. D., and Armstrong, S. D. (2018). A cost analysis approach to valuing cover crop environmental and nitrogen cycling benefits: A central Illinois on farm case study. Agricultural systems, 159, 69 − 77. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2017.10.007.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ruffo, M. L., and Bollero, G. A. (2003). Modeling rye and hairy vetch residue decomposition as a function of degreedays and decomposition-days. Agronomy Journal, 95(4), 900 − 907. doi:10.2134/agronj2003.9000.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sainju, U. M., Whitehead, W. F., and Singh, B. P. (2005). Biculture legume–cereal cover crops for enhanced biomass yield and carbon and nitrogen. Agronomy Journal, 97(5), 1403 − 1412. doi:10.2134/agronj2004.0274.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sarrantonio, M. and Scott, T. W. (1988). Tillage effects on availability of nitrogen to corn following a winter green manure crop. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 52(6), 1661 − 1668. doi:10.2136/sssaj1988.03615995005200060029x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Seman-Varner, R., Varco, J. J. and O‘Rourke, M. E. (2019). Winter cover crop and fall-applied poultry litter effects on winter cover and soil nitrogen. Agronomy Journal, 111(6), 3301 − 3309. doi:10.2134/agronj2019.02.0133.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shipley, P. R., Messinger, J. J. and Decker, A. M. (1992). Conserving residual corn fertilizer nitrogen with winter cover crops. Agronomy Journal, 84(5), 869 − 876. doi:10.2134/agronj1992.00021962008400050020x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schipanski, M. E., Barbercheck, M., Douglas, M. R., Finney, D. M., Haider, K., Kaye, J. P., and Tooker, J. (2014). A framework for evaluating ecosystem services provided by cover crops in agroecosystems. Agricultural Systems, 125, 12 − 22. doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2013.11.004.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schomberg, H. H., Endale, D. M., Calegari, A., Peixoto, R., Miyazawa, M., and Cabrera, M. L. (2006). Influence of cover crops on potential nitrogen availability to succeeding crops in a Southern Piedmont soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 42(4), 299 − 307. doi:10.1007/s00374-005-0027-8.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sievers, T. and Cook, R. L. (2018). Aboveground and root decomposition of cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 82(1), 147 − 155. doi:10.2136/sssaj2017.05.0139.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Singh, G., Dhakal, M., Yang, L., Kaur, G., Williard, K. W. J., Schoonover, J. E., and Sadeghpour, A. (2020). Decomposition and nitrogen release of cover crops in reduced- and no-tillage systems. Agronomy Journal, 112(5), 3605 − 3618. doi:10.1002/agj2.20268.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Singh, G., Williard, K. W. J., and Schoonover, J. E. (2018). Cover crops and tillage influence on nitrogen dynamics in plantsoil-water pools. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 82(6), 1572 − 1582. doi:10.2136/sssaj2018.03.0111.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Stute, J. K. and Posner, J. L. (1995). Synchrony between legume nitrogen release and corn demand in the upper Midwest. Agronomy Journal, 87(6), 1063 − 1069. doi:10.2134/agronj1995.00021962008700060006x.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tautges, N. E., Chiartas, J. L., Gaudin, A. C., O‘Geen, A. T., Herrera, I., and Scow, K. M. (2019). Deep soil inventories reveal that impacts of cover crops and compost on soil carbon sequestration differ in surface and subsurface soils. Global Change Biology, 25(11), 3753 − 3766. doi:10.1111/gcb.14762.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thilakarathna, M. S., Serran, S., Lauzon, J., Janovicek, K., and Deen, B. (2015). Management of manure nitrogen using cover crops. Agronomy Journal, 107(4), 1595 − 1607. doi: 10.2134/agronj14.0634.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thorup-Kristensen, K., Magid, J. and Jensen, L. S. (2003). Catch crops and green manures as biological tools in nitrogen management in temperate zones. Advances in Agronomy, 79(79), 227 − 302. doi:10.1016/S0065-2113(02)79005-6.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tonitto, C., David, M. B. and Drinkwater, L. E. (2006). Replacing bare fallows with cover crops in fertilizer-intensive cropping systems: A meta-analysis of crop yield and N dynamics. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 112(1), 58 − 72. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.07.003.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tosti, G., Benincasa, P. and Guiducci, M. (2010). Competition and facilitation in hairy vetch-barley intercrops. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 5(3), 239 − 248. doi:10.4081/ija.2010.23
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Unger, P. W. and Vigil, M. F. (1998). Cover crop effects on soil water relationships. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 53(3), 200 − 207.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Valkama, E., Lemola, R., Känkänen, H., and Turtola, E. (2015). Meta-analysis of the effects of undersown catch crops on nitrogen leaching loss and grain yields in the Nordic countries. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 203, 93 − 101. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2015.01.023.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Walkley, A. and Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37(1), 29 − 38.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wang, Y., Hu, N., Xu, M., Li, Z., Lou, Y., Chen, Y., and Wang, Z. L. (2015). 23-year manure and fertilizer application increases soil organic carbon sequestration of a rice–barley cropping system. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 51(5), 583 − 591. doi:10.1007/s00374-015-1007-2.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Weidhuner, A., Afshar, R. K., Luo, Y., Battaglia, M., and Sadeghpour, A. (2019). Particle size affects nitrogen and carbon estimate of a wheat cover crop. Agronomy Journal, 111(6), 3398 − 3402. doi:10.2134/agronj2019.03.0164.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Westermann, D. T. (2005). Nutritional requirements of potatoes. American Journal of Potato Research, 82(4), 301 − 307. doi:10.1007/BF02871960.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wortman, S. E. (2016). Weedy fallow as an alternative strategy for reducing nitrogen loss from annual cropping systems. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 36(4), 61. doi: 10.1007/s13593-016-0397-3.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhu, B., Yi, L., Hu, Y., Zeng, Z., Lin, C., Tang, H., and Xiao, X. (2014). Nitrogen release from incorporated 15 N-labelled Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.) residue and its dynamics in a double rice cropping system. Plant and Soil, 374(1), 331 − 344. doi:10.1007/s11104-013-1808-8.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Nitrogen release dynamics and carbon sequestration by legume and non-legume cover crops under pure and mixed planting conditions

Abstract

Paradigm

My account