Effects of a catch crop on leaching of nitrogen from a sandy soil: Simulations and measurements

Lewan, Elisabet

doi:10.1007/bf02185490

Cited by 69 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Perennial ryegrass does not produce seeds during the first year, usually survives the winter (in contrast to the other two Lolium species), and is not overcompetitive. The yield reduction due to perennial ryegrass undersown at the same time or shortly after the main crop, with seed rate 7 to 10 kg ha -1 (6.2 to 8.9 lb ac -1 ), is usually less than 3% (Jensen 1991;Andersen and Olsen 1993;Wallgren and Lindén 1994;Valkama et al 2015), whereas it is between 5% and 20% when using Italian or annual ryegrass (Andersen and Olsen 1993;Lewan 1994;Breland 1996b;Lyngstad and Børresen 1996;Ohlander et al 1996;Känkänen and Eriksson 2007). Other grasses of interest for undersowing, but still not widely used, are rye fescue (Festulolium braunii L.; NilsdotterLinde et al 1994), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.; Bergkvist et al 2002), timothy (Phleum pratense L.; Känkänen and Eriksson 2007), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.; Känkänen and Eriksson 2007).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ability of cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from arable land in southern Scandinavia and Finland

Aronsson¹,

Hansen²,

Thomsen³

et al. 2016

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

106

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This review summarizes current knowledge from the literature and experimental studies on the role of cover crops (CCs) in reducing nitrogen (N) leaching and phosphorus (P) losses to waters under the marine and humid continental climate conditions of southern Scandinavia and Finland. Field leaching studies from 11 sites indicate that undersown ryegrass (Lolium spp.) CCs are robust, with average N uptake in aboveground CC biomass of 7 to 38 kg N ha -1 (6.2 to 34 lb N ac -1). Use of CCs sown at harvest (e.g., crucifers) is restricted to southern Scandinavia for climate reasons. The mean relative reduction in N leaching reported for all CCs investigated was 43%, but it ranged between 62% increase instead of a reduction after a red clover (Trifolium pratense) CC on a clay soil to a reduction of 85% to 89% with a perennial ryegrass CC on sandy soils in Denmark (36 to 51 kg ha -1 [32 to 46 lb ac]). The data indicate that CCs do not substantially reduce total P losses by runoff and leaching. The effects of CCs on total P leaching varied between a relative increase of 86% and a decrease of 43%. Climate conditions involving freezing-thawing during winter increased the risk of losses of dissolved P from CC biomass. CCs have been implemented to varying degrees into agri-environmental programs. They are mandatory in Denmark and subsidized in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. CCs are grown on 8% of arable land in Denmark, 5% in Sweden, 1% in Finland, and 0.5% in Norway, but CC area is now increasing dramatically in Finland due to a new subsidy program. In all countries there is a need, and potential, for increased use of CCs, but there are several constraints, particularly reduced interest among farmers. There is a clear need to identify CC systems and develop implementation strategies for appropriate distribution of CCs on different soils and regions with respect to required reductions in N leaching and P losses. For this, more knowledge is required, especially about the effect of CCs on P losses (e.g., the effect of species with different partitioning between shoot and root biomass and the effects of CC systems with harvesting of biomass). There is also a need to devise balanced solutions for maintaining and increasing the frequency of CCs in crop rotations to exploit the possible benefits of CCs in reducing nutrient losses.Key words: cover crop species-nitrogen leaching-perennial ryegrass-phosphorus leaching-phosphorus surface runoff Helena Aronsson is a senior lecturer with extension duties and Barbro Ulén is a professor,

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ability of cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from arable land in southern Scandinavia and Finland

Aronsson¹,

Hansen²,

Thomsen³

et al. 2016

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

106

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“…The introduction of catch crops could mitigate N losses from soils (Martinez and Guiraud, 1990;Vos and Putten, 2001), but during the year there are always fallow periods or low crop growth phases where N is not taken up by plants (Rodrigues, et al, 2002). On the other hand, the progressive accumulation of soil organic matter could increase the risk of soil N losses (Lewan, 1994;Aronsson and Torstensson, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crops use-efficiency of nitrogen from manures permitted in organic farming

Rodrigues¹,

Pereira²,

Cabanas³

et al. 2006

European Journal of Agronomy

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The current increase in the organic agriculture sector has created a new market for fertilisers approved for organic farming. Off-farm N sources for organic farming are scarce considering the restriction on the use of chemical fertilisers. Thus, when some commercial products are allowed for organic agriculture, commercial opportunities became available. In this study we compare the behaviour of Vegethumus (Veg) and Phenix (Phe), which are two manures allowed for organic farming, with several other manures, ammonium nitrate (AN) and control treatments. A three year field trial and a pot experiment were carried out in order to estimate dry matter yield, N uptake, and N nutritional status of the crops, as well as soil N availability by using anion exchange membranes inserted into the soil. Apparent N recoveries in the field trial were 6.3 % and 58.2 % in Veg and AN plots, respectively, after the application of 380 kg N/ha in the previous 5 growing seasons. In the pot experiment the ANR of Veg and Phe were -5.0 % and 13.6 %, respectively, while in AN pots it was 37.1%. The other organic manures used in the pot experiment gave higher apparent N recoveries than Veg and Phe if their C:N ratios or inorganic-N contents were taken into account. This work stresses that the use of manures approved for organic farming must first be carefully considered by farmers, with reference to price and agronomic value.

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“…In the context of our study, catch crop is a crop sown between seasons of regular plantings to make use of temporary idleness of the soil. It improves soil quality, eliminates erosion, decreases nutrient losses, lowers infection pressure of diseases and pests, and improves weed management (Liebman and Dyck 1993, Lewan 1994, Poggio 2005. The development of summer catch crop stands and their biomass production relies, however, particularly on the amount of precipitation, availability of soil water, and on sowing date (Gregorová 1992, Lütke Entrup and Oehmichen 2000, Brant et al 2005.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Competition of some summer catch crops and volunteer cereals in the areas with limited precipitation

Brant¹,

Neckář²,

Pivec³

et al. 2009

Plant Soil Environ.

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Competitive ability of six summer catch crops (Brassica napus, Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Sinapis alba and Trifolium incarnatum) in volunteer winter wheat based on field trials was experimentally tested during the years 2004-2007 in central Bohemia (Czech Republic). The production of aboveground biomass and plant cover of sown catch crops, volunteers and weeds was assessed on experimental plots. General linear models revealed significant influence of catch crops, year and their interaction on dry-mass of the volunteers. The lowest average values of volunteer biomass at the end of growing season (average from [2004][2005][2006][2007] were recorded on plots sown with S. alba (124.7 kg/ha) and P. tanacetifolia (186.3 kg/ha). The average biomass of volunteer plants in stands of S. alba was significantly lower than the biomass of volunteers in stands of L. perenne, L. multiflorum and T. incarnatum. The lowest average biomass of weeds was recorded also in S. alba stands. In the context of our study, catch crop is a crop sown between seasons of regular plantings to make use of temporary idleness of the soil.

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Effects of a catch crop on leaching of nitrogen from a sandy soil: Simulations and measurements

Cited by 69 publications

References 17 publications

The ability of cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from arable land in southern Scandinavia and Finland

The ability of cover crops to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses from arable land in southern Scandinavia and Finland

Crops use-efficiency of nitrogen from manures permitted in organic farming

Competition of some summer catch crops and volunteer cereals in the areas with limited precipitation

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