Premium
Nitrogen Utilization of Selected Cropping Systems in the U.S. Northeast: II. Soil Profile Nitrate Distribution and Accumulation
Author(s) -
Guillard Karl,
Griffin Gary F.,
Allinson Derek W.,
Yamartino William R.,
Rafey M. Moosa,
Pietrzyk Stephen W.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1995.00021962008700020011x
Subject(s) - agronomy , loam , dactylis glomerata , red clover , cropping system , cover crop , avena , growing season , crop rotation , crop , secale , biology , environmental science , poaceae , soil water , ecology
High rates of N fertilizers and limited crop uptake of N during the growing season can result in excessive accumulation of soil nitrate (NO − 3 ). Soil NO − 3 can be decreased with efficient cropping systems. Experiments were conducted in Connecticut from 1987 through 1990 on a Paxton fine sandy loam soil (coarse‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Dystrochrept) to determine the effects of N rate and cropping system on soil NO − 3 . Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.), red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), a double‐crop system of oat ( Avena sativa L.) followed by tyfon [ Brassica rapa L. × B. pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.], maize ( Zea mays L.) followed by a cover crop of winter rye ( Secale cereale L.), and a fallow system received preplant N at 0, 112, 224, 336, and 448 kg ha −1 . Each system was evaluated for two consecutive growing seasons and repeated three times. Nitrogen was applied only in the first growing season. Soil NO − 3 at the first autumn sampling generally increased for all systems as N rate increased. Mean spring soil NO − 3 levels were only 23% of previous autumn NO − 3 levels. By the second autumn sampling, soil NO − 3 values were near background levels except in the fertilized fallow system. At the two highest N rates, oat‐tyfon produced the smallest overwinter change in soil NO − 3 storage. An oat‐tyfon double crop, orchardgrass, or red clover system should decrease soil NO − 3 more effectively than maize or a noncropped fallow when soil NO − 3 accumulations are greater than those produced from N inputs equivalent to 224 kg ha −1 .