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Cropping Systems Effects on Mycorrhizal Colonization, Early Growth, and Phosphorus Uptake of Corn
Author(s) -
Vivekanandan M.,
Fixen P.E.
Publication year - 1991
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/sssaj1991.03615995005500010024x
Subject(s) - tillage , agronomy , crop rotation , cropping system , loam , colonization , plough , phosphorus , biology , human fertilization , crop , soil water , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
A field study was established in 1986 on a Viborg silty clay loam (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic Pachic Haplustoll) soil in eastern South Dakota. The objectives were to quantify the influence of crop rotation, tillage, and residual P (254 kg P ha −1 applied in fall 1985) on the incidence of vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) of corn ( Zea mays L.) and to define the relationship between VAM colonization, early growth response to P, and early P uptake of corn. Plant and root samples were collected periodically from plots that varied in tillage and previous crop. Crop rotation and tillage influenced the early growth and P uptake of corn. Large differences in early growth response to P were observed among cropping systems. Average relative growth response as compared with the check during both years ranged from 360% for the moldboard (MP) corn‐fallow rotation to 7% for the ridge‐plant (RP) corn‐soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) rotation. Early dry‐matter production and P uptake in the check plots were highest in the RP corn‐soybean system and lowest in the MP corn‐fallow system. Generally, VAM colonization rates were significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.10) in the RP systems than in the MP systems. Considerable reduction in VAM colonization rates were found with P fertilization ( P ≤ 0.01) in all cropping systems. An inverse relationship was measured between VAM colonization and relative early growth response to P ( Y = 647.0 − 49.4 X + 0.97 X 2 ; R 2 = 0.92; Y = growth response in percent, X = percent root length colonized). Considering early dry‐matter production, P uptake, and mycorrhizal association the RP corn‐soybean system appears to provide a good environment for P nutrition of corn during early vegetative growth.