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Improved Nitrogen Management for an Intensive Winter Wheat/Summer Maize Double‐cropping System
Author(s) -
Qiu Shaojun,
Ju Xiaotang,
Lu Xing,
Li Ling,
Ingwersen Joachim,
Streck Thilo,
Christie Peter,
Zhang Fusuo
Publication year - 2012
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/sssaj2011.0156
Subject(s) - straw , agronomy , leaching (pedology) , environmental science , cropping system , nitrogen balance , nutrient management , soil fertility , manure , green manure , fertilizer , compost , crop yield , crop , crop residue , nitrogen , nutrient , soil water , agriculture , chemistry , biology , soil science , organic chemistry , ecology
Improving N and straw management to achieve high crop yields, minimize nitrate leaching, and balance soil fertility presents challenges in winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)/summer maize ( Zea mays L.) double cropping systems on the North China Plain. A long‐term field experiment was designed to study crop performance, nitrate leaching, and N balance under three N management approaches (conventional farming practice, improved N min , and N balance methods) with two straw management options (straw removal and return), and two types of organic amendment (cattle [ Bos taurus ] manure and municipal waste compost). Grain and straw yields and C/N ratios were determined in each crop, together with N uptake and residual NO 3 –N in the top 2 m of the soil profile. Over six successive crops of the study (October 2006–September 2009) 32 to 93% of applied N was saved without reducing either wheat or maize yields and less NO 3 –N accumulated in the top 1 m of the soil (the root zone) or leached 1 to 2 m down the soil profile when the two new N management approaches were used in comparison with conventional N management. Straw return did not affect crop yield or NO 3 –N accumulation but the N rate with straw return in the improved N min method increased due to N immobilization induced by the straw. Moreover, in the hot and wet maize seasons, chemical fertilizer N rate in the N balance method can further decrease by reducing the target residual NO 3 –N in the 0 to 1 m root zone and by increasing the percentage availability of total N in organic amendments in future studies.