1. Roller-Crimper Termination for Legume Cover Crops in North Carolina: Impacts on Nutrient Availability to a Succeeding Corn Crop.
- Author
-
Parr, Mary, Grossman, Julie M., Reberg-Horton, S. Chris, Brinton, Carrie, and Crozier, Carl
- Subjects
COVER crops ,LEGUMES ,CORN industry ,BIOAVAILABILITY ,PLANT nutrients ,NITROGEN in soils ,BIOMINERALIZATION ,ION exchange resins - Abstract
Nitrogen (N) release from roll-killed legume cover crops was determined for hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatumL.), and a hairy vetch + rye (Secale cerealeL.) biculture in an organic corn production system in North Carolina, USA. Cover crops were planted at two locations in fall 2008 and 2009, roll-killed in May, and no-till planted with corn (Zea maysL.). Inorganic soil N and mineral N flux were determined using potassium chloride (KCl) extractions and ion-exchange resin (Plant Root Simulator, PRS) probes at 2-week intervals for 12 weeks and compared to fertilized controls of 0 and 168 kg N ha−1. In 2009, greater plant available N under hairy vetch than under either 0 N control or crimson clover was found, with peak soil N occurring between 4 and 6 weeks after roll kill. Available soil N under crimson clover mulches was less than or equal to 0 N, suggesting net immobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF