Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system

Letusa Momesso; Carlos A.C. Crusciol; Rogério P. Soratto; Carlos A.C. Nascimento; Ciro A. Rosolem; Luiz G. Moretti; Eiko E. Kuramae; Heitor Cantarella

doi:10.1007/s10705-021-10158-1

Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system

Letusa Momesso^*, Carlos A.C. Crusciol, Rogério P. Soratto, Carlos A.C. Nascimento, Ciro A. Rosolem, Luiz G. Moretti, Eiko E. Kuramae, Heitor Cantarella

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Optimizing agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use by crops and enhancing crop yields are challenges for tropical no-tillage systems since maintaining crop residues on the soil surface alters the nutrient supply to the system. Cover crops receiving N fertilizer can provide superior biomass, N cycling to the soil and plant residue mineralization. The aims of this study were to (i) investigate N application on forage cover crops or cover crop residues as a substitute for N sidedressing (conventional method) for maize and (ii) investigate the supply of mineral N in the soil and the rates of biomass decomposition and N release. The treatments comprised two species, i.e., palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] and ruzigrass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins], and four N applications: (i) control (no N application), (ii) on live cover crops 35 days before maize seeding (35 DBS), (iii) on cover crop residues 1 DBS, and (iv) conventional method (N sidedressing of maize). The maximum rates of biomass decomposition and N release were in palisade grass. The biomass of palisade grass and ruzigrass were 81 and 47% higher in N application at 35 DBS compared with control in ruzigrass (7 Mg ha⁻¹), and N release followed the pattern observed of biomass in palisade and ruzigrass receiving N 35 DBS (249 and 189 kg N ha⁻¹). Mineral N in the soil increased with N application regardless of cover crop species. Maize grain yields and AE were not affected when N was applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or 1 DBS (average 13 Mg ha⁻¹ and 54 kg N kg⁻¹ maize grain yield) compared to conventional method. However, N applied on ruzigrass 35 DBS decreased maize grain yields. Overall, N fertilizer can be applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or its residues 1 DBS as a substitute for conventional sidedressing application for maize.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-14
Journal	Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
Volume	121
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-021-10158-1
Publication status	Published - Sept 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
LM received a scholarship from CAPES ? Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP ? S?o Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N?use efficiency via an integrated soil?plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305?8]; FAPEG?Goi?s Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015?10267001479]; and FAPEMA?Maranh?o Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK?02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).

Funding Information:
LM received a scholarship from CAPES – Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP – São Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N—use efficiency via an integrated soil—plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305–8]; FAPEG–Goiás Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015–10267001479]; and FAPEMA–Maranhão Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK–02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

Funding

LM received a scholarship from CAPES ? Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP ? S?o Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N?use efficiency via an integrated soil?plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305?8]; FAPEG?Goi?s Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015?10267001479]; and FAPEMA?Maranh?o Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK?02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). LM received a scholarship from CAPES – Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP – São Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N—use efficiency via an integrated soil—plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305–8]; FAPEG–Goiás Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015–10267001479]; and FAPEMA–Maranhão Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK–02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).

Keywords

Brachiaria spp
Cover crop
Food production
Nitrogen supply
Tropical agriculture
Zea mays

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Momesso2021_Article_EarlyNitrogenSupplyAsAnAlterna (1)Final published version, 1.21 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system",

abstract = "Optimizing agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use by crops and enhancing crop yields are challenges for tropical no-tillage systems since maintaining crop residues on the soil surface alters the nutrient supply to the system. Cover crops receiving N fertilizer can provide superior biomass, N cycling to the soil and plant residue mineralization. The aims of this study were to (i) investigate N application on forage cover crops or cover crop residues as a substitute for N sidedressing (conventional method) for maize and (ii) investigate the supply of mineral N in the soil and the rates of biomass decomposition and N release. The treatments comprised two species, i.e., palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] and ruzigrass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins], and four N applications: (i) control (no N application), (ii) on live cover crops 35 days before maize seeding (35 DBS), (iii) on cover crop residues 1 DBS, and (iv) conventional method (N sidedressing of maize). The maximum rates of biomass decomposition and N release were in palisade grass. The biomass of palisade grass and ruzigrass were 81 and 47% higher in N application at 35 DBS compared with control in ruzigrass (7 Mg ha−1), and N release followed the pattern observed of biomass in palisade and ruzigrass receiving N 35 DBS (249 and 189 kg N ha−1). Mineral N in the soil increased with N application regardless of cover crop species. Maize grain yields and AE were not affected when N was applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or 1 DBS (average 13 Mg ha−1 and 54 kg N kg−1 maize grain yield) compared to conventional method. However, N applied on ruzigrass 35 DBS decreased maize grain yields. Overall, N fertilizer can be applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or its residues 1 DBS as a substitute for conventional sidedressing application for maize.",

keywords = "Brachiaria spp, Cover crop, Food production, Nitrogen supply, Tropical agriculture, Zea mays",

author = "Letusa Momesso and Crusciol, {Carlos A.C.} and Soratto, {Rog{\'e}rio P.} and Nascimento, {Carlos A.C.} and Rosolem, {Ciro A.} and Moretti, {Luiz G.} and Kuramae, {Eiko E.} and Heitor Cantarella",

note = "Funding Information: LM received a scholarship from CAPES ? Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP ? S?o Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N?use efficiency via an integrated soil?plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305?8]; FAPEG?Goi?s Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015?10267001479]; and FAPEMA?Maranh?o Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK?02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Funding Information: LM received a scholarship from CAPES – Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP – S{\~a}o Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N—use efficiency via an integrated soil—plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305–8]; FAPEG–Goi{\'a}s Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015–10267001479]; and FAPEMA–Maranh{\~a}o Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK–02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, The Author(s).",

year = "2021",

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doi = "10.1007/s10705-021-10158-1",

language = "English",

volume = "121",

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T1 - Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system

AU - Momesso, Letusa

AU - Crusciol, Carlos A.C.

AU - Soratto, Rogério P.

AU - Nascimento, Carlos A.C.

AU - Rosolem, Ciro A.

AU - Moretti, Luiz G.

AU - Kuramae, Eiko E.

AU - Cantarella, Heitor

N1 - Funding Information: LM received a scholarship from CAPES ? Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP ? S?o Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N?use efficiency via an integrated soil?plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305?8]; FAPEG?Goi?s Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015?10267001479]; and FAPEMA?Maranh?o Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK?02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Funding Information: LM received a scholarship from CAPES – Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel [Finance Code 001 and Grant No. PDSE 88881.187743/2018-01]. CACN was supported by scholarship from the FAPESP – São Paulo Research Foundation [Grant No. 2016/12317-7]. This work was undertaken as part of NUCLEUS, a virtual joint center to deliver enhanced N—use efficiency via an integrated soil—plant systems approach for the United Kingdom and Brazil. Funded in the United Kingdom by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [Grant No. BB/N013201/1] under the Newton Fund scheme; and in Brazil by FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/50305–8]; FAPEG–Goiás Research Foundation [Grant No. 2015–10267001479]; and FAPEMA–Maranhão Research Foundation [Grant No. RCUK–02771/16]. The authors would like to acknowledge the FAPESP [Grant No. 2015/17953-6] for partial financing and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for awards for excellence in research to CACC, RPS, CAR, and HC. This publication is publication number 7206 of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW). Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).

PY - 2021/9

Y1 - 2021/9

N2 - Optimizing agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use by crops and enhancing crop yields are challenges for tropical no-tillage systems since maintaining crop residues on the soil surface alters the nutrient supply to the system. Cover crops receiving N fertilizer can provide superior biomass, N cycling to the soil and plant residue mineralization. The aims of this study were to (i) investigate N application on forage cover crops or cover crop residues as a substitute for N sidedressing (conventional method) for maize and (ii) investigate the supply of mineral N in the soil and the rates of biomass decomposition and N release. The treatments comprised two species, i.e., palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] and ruzigrass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins], and four N applications: (i) control (no N application), (ii) on live cover crops 35 days before maize seeding (35 DBS), (iii) on cover crop residues 1 DBS, and (iv) conventional method (N sidedressing of maize). The maximum rates of biomass decomposition and N release were in palisade grass. The biomass of palisade grass and ruzigrass were 81 and 47% higher in N application at 35 DBS compared with control in ruzigrass (7 Mg ha−1), and N release followed the pattern observed of biomass in palisade and ruzigrass receiving N 35 DBS (249 and 189 kg N ha−1). Mineral N in the soil increased with N application regardless of cover crop species. Maize grain yields and AE were not affected when N was applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or 1 DBS (average 13 Mg ha−1 and 54 kg N kg−1 maize grain yield) compared to conventional method. However, N applied on ruzigrass 35 DBS decreased maize grain yields. Overall, N fertilizer can be applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or its residues 1 DBS as a substitute for conventional sidedressing application for maize.

AB - Optimizing agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use by crops and enhancing crop yields are challenges for tropical no-tillage systems since maintaining crop residues on the soil surface alters the nutrient supply to the system. Cover crops receiving N fertilizer can provide superior biomass, N cycling to the soil and plant residue mineralization. The aims of this study were to (i) investigate N application on forage cover crops or cover crop residues as a substitute for N sidedressing (conventional method) for maize and (ii) investigate the supply of mineral N in the soil and the rates of biomass decomposition and N release. The treatments comprised two species, i.e., palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] and ruzigrass [Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins], and four N applications: (i) control (no N application), (ii) on live cover crops 35 days before maize seeding (35 DBS), (iii) on cover crop residues 1 DBS, and (iv) conventional method (N sidedressing of maize). The maximum rates of biomass decomposition and N release were in palisade grass. The biomass of palisade grass and ruzigrass were 81 and 47% higher in N application at 35 DBS compared with control in ruzigrass (7 Mg ha−1), and N release followed the pattern observed of biomass in palisade and ruzigrass receiving N 35 DBS (249 and 189 kg N ha−1). Mineral N in the soil increased with N application regardless of cover crop species. Maize grain yields and AE were not affected when N was applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or 1 DBS (average 13 Mg ha−1 and 54 kg N kg−1 maize grain yield) compared to conventional method. However, N applied on ruzigrass 35 DBS decreased maize grain yields. Overall, N fertilizer can be applied on palisade grass 35 DBS or its residues 1 DBS as a substitute for conventional sidedressing application for maize.

KW - Brachiaria spp

KW - Cover crop

KW - Food production

KW - Nitrogen supply

KW - Tropical agriculture

KW - Zea mays

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M3 - Article

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SN - 1385-1314

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JO - Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems

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ER -

Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

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