The effects of different autumn-seeded cover crops on subsequent irrigated corn response to nitrogen fertilizer
ABSTRACT
A common crop rotation in the west Iran is wheat-fallow-corn. The fallow period after wheat harvest (during fall and winter) can lead to soil erosion, nutrient losses (e.g. nitrate leaching) and offsite movement of pesticides. This period is an ideal time to establish a cover crop. In order to investigate the effects of different autumn-seeded cover crops on subsequent irrigated corn response to nitrogen fertilizer, field studies were carried out during the 2007-2008 growing season at the Agricultural Research Farm, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The experiment was conducted in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots consisted of four cover crops including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) and a control (no cover crop). The sub plots consisted of two fertilizer N rates (0 and 250 kg ha-1). Cover crops were grown for nearly 5 months and then were incorporated into the soil as green manures. The results indicated that corn plant traits including seed yield, the number of seeds per ear and leaf chlorophyll content were significantly influenced by cover crops. Whereas, the cover crops had no signif-icant effects on the number of ears per plant, 100-seed weight and harvest index of corn. Among the cover crop species, common vetch produced higher dry weight and showed the highest positive effects on the corn plant traits. Dry weight produced by this cover crop was 56.41, 120.16 and 124.19% higher than those of winter rye, berseem clover and alfalfa, respectively. Common vetch enhanced seed yield, the number of seeds per ear and leaf chlorophyll content of corn by 46.30, 21.95 and 8.52%, respectively, compared to control. All of the corn traits under study, except the number of ears per plant and harvest index were significantly improved by nitrogen fertilizer. In general, this study revealed that the autumn-seeded cover crops, especially common vetch can be used to improve corn yield. However, the cover crops should be supplemented with nitrogen fertilizer to obtain optimal results.
A common crop rotation in the west Iran is wheat-fallow-corn. The fallow period after wheat harvest (during fall and winter) can lead to soil erosion, nutrient losses (e.g. nitrate leaching) and offsite movement of pesticides. This period is an ideal time to establish a cover crop. In order to investigate the effects of different autumn-seeded cover crops on subsequent irrigated corn response to nitrogen fertilizer, field studies were carried out during the 2007-2008 growing season at the Agricultural Research Farm, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. The experiment was conducted in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots consisted of four cover crops including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) and a control (no cover crop). The sub plots consisted of two fertilizer N rates (0 and 250 kg ha-1). Cover crops were grown for nearly 5 months and then were incorporated into the soil as green manures. The results indicated that corn plant traits including seed yield, the number of seeds per ear and leaf chlorophyll content were significantly influenced by cover crops. Whereas, the cover crops had no signif-icant effects on the number of ears per plant, 100-seed weight and harvest index of corn. Among the cover crop species, common vetch produced higher dry weight and showed the highest positive effects on the corn plant traits. Dry weight produced by this cover crop was 56.41, 120.16 and 124.19% higher than those of winter rye, berseem clover and alfalfa, respectively. Common vetch enhanced seed yield, the number of seeds per ear and leaf chlorophyll content of corn by 46.30, 21.95 and 8.52%, respectively, compared to control. All of the corn traits under study, except the number of ears per plant and harvest index were significantly improved by nitrogen fertilizer. In general, this study revealed that the autumn-seeded cover crops, especially common vetch can be used to improve corn yield. However, the cover crops should be supplemented with nitrogen fertilizer to obtain optimal results.
Cite this paper
nullMohammadi, G. and Ghobadi, M. (2010) The effects of different autumn-seeded cover crops on subsequent irrigated corn response to nitrogen fertilizer. Agricultural Sciences, 1, 148-153. doi: 10.4236/as.2010.13018.
nullMohammadi, G. and Ghobadi, M. (2010) The effects of different autumn-seeded cover crops on subsequent irrigated corn response to nitrogen fertilizer. Agricultural Sciences, 1, 148-153. doi: 10.4236/as.2010.13018.
References
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[6] Prafiska, J.R., Schmidt, N.P. and Kohler, K.A. (2006) Effects of living mulches on predator abundance and sentinel prey in a corn-soybean-forage rotation Environmental Entomology, 35, 1423-1431. [7] Bruulsema, T.W. and Christie, B.R. (1987) Nitrogen contribution to succeeding sweet corn from alfalfa and red clover. Agronomy Journal, 79, 96-100. [8] Stute, J.K. and Posner, J.L. (1995) Legume cover crops as a nitrogen source for corn in an oat-corn rotation. Journal of Production Agriculture, 8, 385-390. [9] Brophy, L.S., Heichel, G.H. and Russelle, M.P. (1987) Nitrogen transfer from forage legumes to grass in a systematic planting design. Crop Science, 27, 753-758. [10] Lehman, J., da Silva, J.P., Trujillo, L., Jr. and Uguen, K. (2000) Legume cover crops and nutrient cycling in tropical fruit tree production. Acta Horticulturae, 531, 35-72. [11] Dou, Z., Fox, R.H. and Toth, J.D. (1994) Tillage effect on seasonal nitrogen availability in corn supplied with legume green manures. Plant and Soil, 162, 203-210. [12] Hesterman, O.B., Griffin, T.S., Williams, P.T., Harris, G.H. and Christenson, D.R. (1992) Forage legume–small grain intercrops: Nitrogen production and response for subsequent corn. Journal of Production Agriculture, 5, 340-348. [13] Bundy, L.G. and Andraski, T.W. (2005) Re-covery of fertilizer nitrogen in crop residues and cover crops on an irrigated sandy soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 69, 640-648. [14] Ditsch, D.C. and Alley, M.M. (1991) Nonleguminous cover crop management for residual N recovery and subsequent crop yields. Journal of Fertilizer Issues, 8, 6-13. [15] Ditsch, D.C., Alley, M.M., Kelley, K.R. and Lei, Y.Z. (1993) Effectiveness of winter rye for accumulating residual fertilizer N following corn. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 48, 125-131. [16] Vaughan, J.D. and Evanylo, G.K. (1998) Corn response to cover crop species, spring desiccation time, and residue management. Agronomy Journal, 90, 536-544. [17] Kouyate, Z., Franzluebbers, K., Juo, A.S.R. and Hossner, L.R. (2000) Tillage, crop residue, legume rotation, and green manure effects on sorghum and millet yields in the semiarid tropics of Mali. Plant and Soil, 225, 141-151. [18] Ross, S.M., King, J.R., Izaurralde, R.C. and O’Donovan, J.T. (2001) Weed suppression by seven clover species. Agronomy Journal, 93, 820-827. [19] Steinmaier, N. and Ngoliya, A. (2001) Potential of pasture legumes in low-external-input and sustainable agriculture (LEISA): I. Results from green manure research in Luapula Province, Zambia. Experimental Agriculture, 37, 297-307. [20] Fisk, J.W., Hesterman, O.B., Shrestha, A., Kells, J.J., Harwood, R.R., Squire, J.M. and Sheaffer, C.C. (2001) Weed suppression by annual legume cover crops in no- tillage corn. Agronomy Journal, 93, 319-325. [21] Draper, S.R. (1985) International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology, 13, 342-343. [22] McDonald, P.B., Singer, J.W. and Wiedenhoeft, M.H. (2008) Self-seeded cereal cover crop effects on interspe-cific competition with corn. Agronomy Journal, 100, 440-446. [23] SAS Institute (1988) SAS/STAT, Guide for personal computer, Release 6.04. SAS Institute Inc., Cary. [24] Ranells, N.N. and Wagger, M.G. (1996) Nitrogen release from grass and legume cover crop monocultures and bicultures. Agronomy Journal, 88, 777-782. [25] Cherr, C.M., Scholberg, J.M.S. and McSorley, R. (2006) Green manure as nitrogen source for sweet corn in a warm–temperate environ-ment. Agronomy Journal, 98, 1173-1180. [26] Thonnissen, C., Midmore, D.J., Ladha, J.K. and Olk, D.C. (2000) Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems. Agronomy Journal, 92, 253-260. [27] Somda, Z.C., Ford, P.B. and Har-grove, W.L. (1991) Decomposition and nitrogen recycling of cover crops and crop residues. In: Hargrove, W.L., Ed., Cover Crops for Clean Water, Proceedings of an International Con-ference, Jackson, 9-11 April 1991, Soil Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, 103-105. [28] Vigil, M.F. and Kissel, D.E. (1995) Rate of nitrogen mineralized from incorporated crop residues as influenced by temperature. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 59, 1636-1644. [29] Mary, B. and Recous, S. (1994) Measurement of nitrogen mineralization and immobili-zation fluxes in soil as a means of predicting net mineralization. European Journal of Agronomy, 3, 291-300. [30] Duiker, S.W. and Hartwig, N.L. (2004) Living mulches of legumes in im-idazolinone-resistant corn. Agronomy Journal, 96, 1021-1028. [31] Wu, F., Wu, L. and Xu, F. (1998) Chlorophyll meter to predict nitrogen sidedress requirements for short-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Field Crops Research, 56, 309-314. [32] Nageswara Rao, R.C., Talwar, H.S. and Wright, G.C. (2001) Rapid assessment of specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) using a chlorophyll meter. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 186, 175-182. [33] Chang, S.X. and Robison, D.J. (2003) Nonde-structive and rapid estimation of hardwood foliar nitrogen status using the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. Forest Ecology and Management, 181, 331-338. [34] Mauromicale, G., Ierna, A. and Marchese, M. (2006) Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlo-rophyll content in field-grown potato as affected by nitrogen supply, genotype, and plant age. Photosynthetica, 44, 76-82. [35] Boote, K.J., Gallaher, R.N., Robertson, W.K., Hinson, K. and Hammond, L.C. (1978) Effect of foliar fertilization on photosynthesis, leaf nutrition, and yield of soybeans. Agronomy Journal, 70, 787-791. [36] Hesketh, J.D., Ogren, W.L., Hageman, M.E. and Peters, D.B. (1981) Correlations among leaf CO2-exchange rates, areas and enzyme activities among soybean cultivars. Photosynthesis Research, 2, 21- 30. [37] Lugg, D.G. and Sinclair, T.R. (1981) Seasonal changes in photosynthesis of field-grown soybean leaflets. 2. Relation to nitrogen content. Photosynthetica, 15, 138-144. [38] Boon-Long, P., Egli, D.B. and Leggett, J.E. (1983) Leaf N and photosynthesis during reproductive growth in soybeans. Crop Science, 23, 617-620. [39] Buttery, B.R. and Buzzell, R.I. (1988) Soybean leaf nitrogen in relation to photosynthetic rate and yield. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 68, 793-795. [40] Evans, J.R. (1989) Photosynthesis and nitrogen relationships in leaves of C3 plants. Oecologia, 78, 9-19. [41] Griffin, T., Liebman, M. and Jemison, J., Jr. (2000) Cover crops for sweet corn production in a short-season environment. Agronomy Journal, 92, 144-151. [42] Harris, G.H., Hesterman, O.B., Paul, E.A., Peters, S.E. and Janke, R.R. (1994) Fate of legume and fertilizer nitrogen-15 in a long-term cropping systems experiment. Agronomy Journal, 86, 910-915. [43] Ladd, J.N., Amato, M., Jackson, R.B. and Butler, J.H. (1983) Utilization by wheat crops of nitrogen from legume residues decomposing in soils in the field. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 15, 231-238. [44] Mueller, M.M. and Sundman, V. (1988) The fate of nitrogen (15N) released from different plant materials during decomposition under field conditions. Plant and Soil, 105, 133-139. [45] Kuo, S. and Jellum, E.J. (2002) Influence of winter cover crop and residue management on soil nitrogen availability and corn. Agronomy Journal, 94, 501-508.
[1] Hartwig, N.L. and Ammon, H.U. (2002) Cover crops and living mulches. Weed Science, 50, 688-699. [2] Vyn, T.J., Faber, J.G., Janovicek, K.J. and Beauchamp, E.G. (2000) Cover crop effects on nitrogen availability to corn following wheat. Agronomy Journal, 92, 915-924. [3] Trohen, F. and Hobbs, J.A. (1991) Soil and water conservation. Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 4, 83-84 and 5, 108-109. [4] Bugg, R.L., Wackers, F.L., Brunson, K.E., Dutcher, J.D. and Phatak, S.C. (1991) Cool-season cover crops relay intercropped with canta-loupe: Influence on a generalist predator, Geocoris punctipes (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 84, 408-416. [5] Nicholls, C.I. and Altieri, M.A. (2001) Manipulating plant biodiversity to enhance biological control of insect pests: A case study of a northern California vineyard. In: Gliessman, S.R., Ed., Agroecosystem sustainability: Developing practical strategies. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 29-50. [6] Prafiska, J.R., Schmidt, N.P. and Kohler, K.A. (2006) Effects of living mulches on predator abundance and sentinel prey in a corn-soybean-forage rotation Environmental Entomology, 35, 1423-1431. [7] Bruulsema, T.W. and Christie, B.R. (1987) Nitrogen contribution to succeeding sweet corn from alfalfa and red clover. Agronomy Journal, 79, 96-100. [8] Stute, J.K. and Posner, J.L. (1995) Legume cover crops as a nitrogen source for corn in an oat-corn rotation. Journal of Production Agriculture, 8, 385-390. [9] Brophy, L.S., Heichel, G.H. and Russelle, M.P. (1987) Nitrogen transfer from forage legumes to grass in a systematic planting design. Crop Science, 27, 753-758. [10] Lehman, J., da Silva, J.P., Trujillo, L., Jr. and Uguen, K. (2000) Legume cover crops and nutrient cycling in tropical fruit tree production. Acta Horticulturae, 531, 35-72. [11] Dou, Z., Fox, R.H. and Toth, J.D. (1994) Tillage effect on seasonal nitrogen availability in corn supplied with legume green manures. Plant and Soil, 162, 203-210. [12] Hesterman, O.B., Griffin, T.S., Williams, P.T., Harris, G.H. and Christenson, D.R. (1992) Forage legume–small grain intercrops: Nitrogen production and response for subsequent corn. Journal of Production Agriculture, 5, 340-348. [13] Bundy, L.G. and Andraski, T.W. (2005) Re-covery of fertilizer nitrogen in crop residues and cover crops on an irrigated sandy soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 69, 640-648. [14] Ditsch, D.C. and Alley, M.M. (1991) Nonleguminous cover crop management for residual N recovery and subsequent crop yields. Journal of Fertilizer Issues, 8, 6-13. [15] Ditsch, D.C., Alley, M.M., Kelley, K.R. and Lei, Y.Z. (1993) Effectiveness of winter rye for accumulating residual fertilizer N following corn. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 48, 125-131. [16] Vaughan, J.D. and Evanylo, G.K. (1998) Corn response to cover crop species, spring desiccation time, and residue management. Agronomy Journal, 90, 536-544. [17] Kouyate, Z., Franzluebbers, K., Juo, A.S.R. and Hossner, L.R. (2000) Tillage, crop residue, legume rotation, and green manure effects on sorghum and millet yields in the semiarid tropics of Mali. Plant and Soil, 225, 141-151. [18] Ross, S.M., King, J.R., Izaurralde, R.C. and O’Donovan, J.T. (2001) Weed suppression by seven clover species. Agronomy Journal, 93, 820-827. [19] Steinmaier, N. and Ngoliya, A. (2001) Potential of pasture legumes in low-external-input and sustainable agriculture (LEISA): I. Results from green manure research in Luapula Province, Zambia. Experimental Agriculture, 37, 297-307. [20] Fisk, J.W., Hesterman, O.B., Shrestha, A., Kells, J.J., Harwood, R.R., Squire, J.M. and Sheaffer, C.C. (2001) Weed suppression by annual legume cover crops in no- tillage corn. Agronomy Journal, 93, 319-325. [21] Draper, S.R. (1985) International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology, 13, 342-343. [22] McDonald, P.B., Singer, J.W. and Wiedenhoeft, M.H. (2008) Self-seeded cereal cover crop effects on interspe-cific competition with corn. Agronomy Journal, 100, 440-446. [23] SAS Institute (1988) SAS/STAT, Guide for personal computer, Release 6.04. SAS Institute Inc., Cary. [24] Ranells, N.N. and Wagger, M.G. (1996) Nitrogen release from grass and legume cover crop monocultures and bicultures. Agronomy Journal, 88, 777-782. [25] Cherr, C.M., Scholberg, J.M.S. and McSorley, R. (2006) Green manure as nitrogen source for sweet corn in a warm–temperate environ-ment. Agronomy Journal, 98, 1173-1180. [26] Thonnissen, C., Midmore, D.J., Ladha, J.K. and Olk, D.C. (2000) Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems. Agronomy Journal, 92, 253-260. [27] Somda, Z.C., Ford, P.B. and Har-grove, W.L. (1991) Decomposition and nitrogen recycling of cover crops and crop residues. In: Hargrove, W.L., Ed., Cover Crops for Clean Water, Proceedings of an International Con-ference, Jackson, 9-11 April 1991, Soil Water Conservation Society, Ankeny, 103-105. [28] Vigil, M.F. and Kissel, D.E. (1995) Rate of nitrogen mineralized from incorporated crop residues as influenced by temperature. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 59, 1636-1644. [29] Mary, B. and Recous, S. (1994) Measurement of nitrogen mineralization and immobili-zation fluxes in soil as a means of predicting net mineralization. European Journal of Agronomy, 3, 291-300. [30] Duiker, S.W. and Hartwig, N.L. (2004) Living mulches of legumes in im-idazolinone-resistant corn. Agronomy Journal, 96, 1021-1028. [31] Wu, F., Wu, L. and Xu, F. (1998) Chlorophyll meter to predict nitrogen sidedress requirements for short-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Field Crops Research, 56, 309-314. [32] Nageswara Rao, R.C., Talwar, H.S. and Wright, G.C. (2001) Rapid assessment of specific leaf area and leaf nitrogen in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) using a chlorophyll meter. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 186, 175-182. [33] Chang, S.X. and Robison, D.J. (2003) Nonde-structive and rapid estimation of hardwood foliar nitrogen status using the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. Forest Ecology and Management, 181, 331-338. [34] Mauromicale, G., Ierna, A. and Marchese, M. (2006) Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlo-rophyll content in field-grown potato as affected by nitrogen supply, genotype, and plant age. Photosynthetica, 44, 76-82. [35] Boote, K.J., Gallaher, R.N., Robertson, W.K., Hinson, K. and Hammond, L.C. (1978) Effect of foliar fertilization on photosynthesis, leaf nutrition, and yield of soybeans. Agronomy Journal, 70, 787-791. [36] Hesketh, J.D., Ogren, W.L., Hageman, M.E. and Peters, D.B. (1981) Correlations among leaf CO2-exchange rates, areas and enzyme activities among soybean cultivars. Photosynthesis Research, 2, 21- 30. [37] Lugg, D.G. and Sinclair, T.R. (1981) Seasonal changes in photosynthesis of field-grown soybean leaflets. 2. Relation to nitrogen content. Photosynthetica, 15, 138-144. [38] Boon-Long, P., Egli, D.B. and Leggett, J.E. (1983) Leaf N and photosynthesis during reproductive growth in soybeans. Crop Science, 23, 617-620. [39] Buttery, B.R. and Buzzell, R.I. (1988) Soybean leaf nitrogen in relation to photosynthetic rate and yield. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 68, 793-795. [40] Evans, J.R. (1989) Photosynthesis and nitrogen relationships in leaves of C3 plants. Oecologia, 78, 9-19. [41] Griffin, T., Liebman, M. and Jemison, J., Jr. (2000) Cover crops for sweet corn production in a short-season environment. Agronomy Journal, 92, 144-151. [42] Harris, G.H., Hesterman, O.B., Paul, E.A., Peters, S.E. and Janke, R.R. (1994) Fate of legume and fertilizer nitrogen-15 in a long-term cropping systems experiment. Agronomy Journal, 86, 910-915. [43] Ladd, J.N., Amato, M., Jackson, R.B. and Butler, J.H. (1983) Utilization by wheat crops of nitrogen from legume residues decomposing in soils in the field. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 15, 231-238. [44] Mueller, M.M. and Sundman, V. (1988) The fate of nitrogen (15N) released from different plant materials during decomposition under field conditions. Plant and Soil, 105, 133-139. [45] Kuo, S. and Jellum, E.J. (2002) Influence of winter cover crop and residue management on soil nitrogen availability and corn. Agronomy Journal, 94, 501-508.