COVER CROP INFLUENCES ON N MINERALIZATION IN A PIEDMONT SOIL

Authors: Schomberg, Harry; Endale, Dinku; CALEGARI, A - IAPAR, PR, BRAZIL; CABRERA, M - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA; PEIXOTO, R - EMBRAPA, RJ, BRAZIL; MAZA, M - IAPAR, PR, BRAZIL; Weyers, Sharon; Sharpe, Ronald

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2004
Publication Date: 11/2/2004
Citation: Schomberg, H.H., Endale, D.M., Calegari, A., Cabrera, M., Peixoto, R., Maza, M., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Sharpe, R.R. 2004. Cover crop influences on N mineralization in a piedmont soil [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings. 31 October - 4 November 2004, Seattle, Washington. p. 292. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cover crop influences on soil N mineralization in a conservation tillage system were determined during two cropping seasons at the J. Phil Campbell, Senior, Natural Resource Conservation Center, Watkinsville, GA. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), black oat (Avena strigosa Schieb) and rye (Secale cereale L.) were grown as cover crops prior to soybean in 1999 and cotton in 2000. In situ soil N mineralization was measured using intact soil cores with ion exchange resin bags placed in the bottom to capture leached inorganic N. In 1999, N mineralized per period was 40 to 75 % greater following crimson clover, oilseed radish, and black oat than following rye. Rates of N mineralization averaged 1.8, 1.4, 1.3, and 0.9 kg/ha, respectively. In 2000, differences were only significant at the 0.15 level. Nitrogen mineralized per period was 15 to 50 % greater following crimson clover, oilseed radish, and black oat than following rye and rates of N mineralization were lower compared to 1999 averaging 1.02, 0.67, 0.82, and 0.58 kg/ha, respectively.