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Research Project: Strategies to Optimize Productivity through Enhancement of Plant Stress Tolerance and Agroecological Farming Systems in the Southeastern US

Location: Plant Science Research

Title: Nutrient dynamics in integrated crop-livestock systems: Effects of stocking rates and nitrogen system fertilization on litter decomposition and release

Author
item DE BORTOLLI, MARCOS - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item ASSMANN, TANGRIANI - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item DE BORTOLLI, BETANIA - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item MACCARI, MARCIELI - University Of Santa Catarina
item BERNARDON, ANGELA - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item JAMHOUR, JORGE - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item Franzluebbers, Alan
item SOARES, ANDRE - Federal University Of Technology - Parana
item SEVERO, IGOR - Federal University Of Technology - Parana

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2024
Publication Date: 9/3/2024
Citation: De Bortolli, M.A., Assmann, T.S., De Bortolli, B.B., Maccari, M., Bernardon, A., Jamhour, J., Franzluebbers, A.J., Soares, A.B., Severo, I.K. 2024. Nutrient dynamics in integrated crop-livestock systems: Effects of stocking rates and nitrogen system fertilization on litter decomposition and release. Agronomy Journal. 14(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092009

Interpretive Summary: Complex cropping systems involving the grazing of cover crops and crop residues by livestock present unique challenges and opportunities to efficiently and effectively utilize soil nutrients. An ARS scientist in Raleigh, North Carolina collaborated with principal investigators at the Federal University of Technology in Parana, Brazil to assess how nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium cycle from one phase of a cropping system to another phase of the cropping system in the same year of cultivation. Potassium release from decomposing crop residues was very rapid because it is not biochemically bound to organic tissues like that of nitrogen. Phosphorus release from decomposing crop residues was very slow because it was in low concentration and rapidly reassimilated into microbial biomass. This research provided valuable insights into nutrient cycling that occurs in intensive cropping systems in a subtropical climate. These insights will help develop nutrient management strategies to improve soil fertility and crop yields while reducing environmental impacts.

Technical Abstract: Current fertilizer recommendations often neglect nutrient cycling across crop rotations. This study aimed to assess the decay rate and nutrient (N, P, K) release patterns of sorghum, black oat, and corn residues (omitido) in an integrated crop–livestock system. The experiment used factorial treatments based on two sward heights (high and low) and two nitrogen fertilization levels (N-pasture at 200 kg N/ha and N-corn at 0 kg N/ha). Litter bags were collected at various intervals from each crop to measure nutrient release patterns and decomposition rates. The results showed that pasture height and nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced decomposition and nutrient release, affecting the subsequent grain crop phase. Potassium was released rapidly and in high amounts. Nitrogen fertilization during the pasture phase prevented nitrogen and phosphorus immobilization in black oat residue and reduced immobilization in corn residue. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for nutrient cycling and decomposition rates in fertilization strategies to enhance the sustainability of integrated crop–livestock systems.