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Fallow Nitrate Accumulation in a Wheat‐fallow Rotation as Affected by Tillage System
Author(s) -
Lamb J. A.,
Peterson G. A.,
Fenster C. R.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1985.03615995004900060022x
Subject(s) - tillage , loam , agronomy , plough , mulch , summer fallow , soil water , crop rotation , environmental science , no till farming , mollisol , conventional tillage , alfisol , crop , biology , soil fertility , soil science , agriculture , ecology , cropping
The objectives of this study were to compare NO ‐ 3 ‐N levels for three tillage systems, and to measure seasonal variation in NO ‐ 3 ‐N levels during the fallow period of a winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) crop‐fallow rotation. The study was conducted on two sites, Duroc loam (Pachic Haplustolls) which was broken from native sod in 1970, and Alliance silt loam (Aridic Argiustolls) which had been cultivated 30 to 40 yr prior to establishment of the experiment, at the High Plains Ag Lab, Sidney, NE. No‐till, stubble mulch, and plow (bare fallow) treatments were established in 1970. In the first 2 yr at the Duroc site, the no‐till and stubble mulch tillage system soils accumulated 64 and 73% as much NO ‐ 3 ‐N as the plow soil, respectively. Except 1975 and 1980, the NO ‐ 3 ‐N accumulation from tillage systems from 1974 to 1980 was not different. From 1970 to 1975 NO ‐ 3 ‐N accumulation in no‐till and stubble mulch soils at the Alliance site was different with no‐till and stubble mulch having 67 and 71%, respectively, as much NO ‐ 3 ‐N as plowed soils. From 1976 to 1983, except 1981 and 1982, the NO ‐ 3 ‐N accumulation under the different tillage systems was not different. The fallow portion of the experiments were sampled every 21 d between 1981 and 1983. Neither rate nor the beginning point of accumulation was affected at either site by tillage system. The date during fallow when a soil sample for N fertilizer recommendation was taken was important. A sample taken in July would only have 50 to 60% of the NO ‐ 3 ‐N found at seeding time.