Effects of Organic and Plant Residue Quality and Orchard Management Practices on Decomposition Rates of Residues

Goh, K. M.; Tutua, Shane Sarere

doi:10.1081/css-120029724

Cited by 27 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We selected bark mulch for this study thinking that it might increase the duration and decrease the costs that are problematic with mulch GMSs. Hardwood bark is inherently resistant to decomposition, locally available in much of the northeastern United States, and persists longer than other biomass mulches such as hay-straw or grass clippings (Goh and Tutua, 2004;Whitford et al, 1989;Yao et al, 2005). During the initial years of our study, nutrient release from the bark mulch did not increase soil nutrient availability compared with the other GMS treatments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Long-term Effects of Four Groundcover Management Systems in an Apple Orchard

Atucha¹,

Merwin²,

Brown³

2011

horts

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Groundcover management systems (GMSs) are essential for fruit production, but very few long-term studies have evaluated orchard GMS sustainability. We evaluated four GMSs—pre-emergence soil-active herbicides (PreHerb), post-emergence herbicide (PostHerb), a turfgrass cover crop (Sod), and hardwood bark mulch (Mulch)—in an apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchard over 16 years of continuous observation. There were no consistent long-term trends in fruit yields among GMSs, although during the first 5 years, yields were lower in trees on Sod. Tree growth was greater in PostHerb and Mulch than in Sod during the first 5 years, and during the next decade, trees in Mulch plots were consistently larger than in other GMSs. Total soil nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) content, C-to-N ratios, and essential plant nutrients were much greater in the Mulch soil after 16 years of treatments. Long-term responses of trees to groundcover vegetation indicated that apple trees respond adaptively to compensate for weed and grass competition. Year-round elimination of surface vegetation with residual soil active herbicides may be unnecessary or even detrimental for orchard productivity and soil fertility in established orchards. Post-emergence herbicides that reduce weed competition primarily during the summer months may offer an optimal combination of weed suppression and soil conservation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Long-term Effects of Four Groundcover Management Systems in an Apple Orchard

Atucha¹,

Merwin²,

Brown³

2011

horts

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is documented that plant parts differ in their fiber content and rate of decomposition (Quemada and Cabrera, 1995; Palm and Rowland, 1997). The structural components of straw are found in different proportions depending on crop species (Goh and Tutuna, 2004; Hadas et al, 2004), and likewise, different portions of straw (soluble carbohydrates, cellulose, lignin) break down at different rates, affecting the availability of C and N as residue decomposes (Hadas et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is no single indicator of straw quality that can predict residue decomposition in soil (Giller and Cadisch, 1997; Kumar and Goh, 2000). The structural components of residue, C and N content, and C/N ratio are known to be indicators of residue decomposition and N mineralization (Baggie et al, 2004; Goh and Tutuna, 2004). High hemicellulose is linked to rapid decomposition and high lignin content, high C/N ratio, and low total N are associated with slower breakdown (Wagner and Wolf, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Composition of Residue from Cereal Crops and Cultivars in Dryland Ecosystems

Stubbs

Kennedy²,

Reisenauer

et al. 2009

Agronomy Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cropping systems in the dryland farming region of eastern Washington State are dominated by winter and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Excessive levels of residue may be an obstacle in the adoption of conservation farming systems. Decomposition of cereal crop residues is associated with fi ber and nutrient content, and growers have observed diff erences in decomposition among cultivars; however, little information exists on their residue characteristics. Cultivars of spring barley (SB), spring wheat (SW), and winter wheat (WW) grown at four locations over two crop years were analyzed for neutral detergent fi ber (NDF), acid detergent fi ber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), C, and N contents, and winter wheat decomposition was tested in a laboratory incubation study. Acid detergent lignin was highest in spring barley (9.9%), and least in winter wheat (9.2%) and hard white spring wheat (9.5%). Fiber components and nutrient content varied by location, precipitation zone, and cultivar. Residue in the drier year of the study had lower NDF, ADF, ADL, C, and C/N ratio. Foot rot (Fusarium spp.)-resistant winter wheat cultivars had higher NDF, ADF, and ADL than susceptible cultivars. Laboratory incubation studies showed decomposition of winter wheat straw in soil was correlated with ADF (R 2 > 0.66, P = 0.002) and total N (R 2 > 0.67, P = 0.04). Fiber and nutrient characteristics of residue from wheat and barley cultivars currently produced in the Pacifi c Northwest can be used to predict residue decomposition in cropping systems that conserve soil and water, and enhance build-up of organic matter.

show abstract

“…Decomposition of residues generally follow 1st order kinetics where the rate of transformation of a substrate (i.e., the residue) is proportional to the substrate concentration (Minderman 1968). However, within agro-ecosystems many biotic and abiotic factors can affect decomposition rates and subsequent N min including microbial activity and carbon use efficiency (CUE), biochemical composition of residues, edaphic soil properties, environmental conditions and management practices such as inputs and tillage (Baggie et al 2004;Cambardella and Elliott 1993;Goh and Tutuna 2004;Johnson et al 2007;Robertson and Groffman 2007). Greater knowledge in this area will assist agricultural professionals become more efficient nutrient managers by adopting and tailoring cover crop management practices to meet farm and environmental stewardship goals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Short-term nitrogen mineralization from warm-season cover crops in organic farming systems

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and aims Further understanding the factors which influence cover crop decomposition is needed to tailor management practices to achieve production and environmental stewardship goals. Methods Short-term N min from warm-season cover crops in organic farming systems was assessed with a variety of field and lab-based measures including: residue biochemical composition, extractable inorganic N, ion-exchange resin membranes, potential C min and N min . Results Residue biochemical composition and environmental conditions appeared to be the primary factors affecting short-term N min in our study. Legume-dominated cover crops demonstrated greater potential N min than grass cover crops with higher C:N ratios. However even cover crops with C:N ratios >40:1 were predicted to result in mean net N min rather than immobilization. Sorghumsudangrass demonstrated a greater ability to moderate nitrate loss from the top 0-15 cm of soil over the fall season compared to the other cover crops evaluated. Conclusions The difference in potential N min of low and high C:N ratio cover crops was not as appreciable as expected. Our data suggests that the microbial community reduced its carbon use efficiency (CUE) due to suboptimal soil moisture. Further investigation into the impacts of soil moisture on residue decomposition in agroecosystems is needed to better understand and manage short-term C and N cycling.

show abstract

Effects of Organic and Plant Residue Quality and Orchard Management Practices on Decomposition Rates of Residues

Cited by 27 publications

References 31 publications

Long-term Effects of Four Groundcover Management Systems in an Apple Orchard

Long-term Effects of Four Groundcover Management Systems in an Apple Orchard

Chemical Composition of Residue from Cereal Crops and Cultivars in Dryland Ecosystems

Short-term nitrogen mineralization from warm-season cover crops in organic farming systems

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About