Reduced nitrogen leaching by intercropping maize with red fescue on sandy soils in North Europe: a combined field and modeling study

Abstract

Aim To study maize (Zea mays L.) growth and soil nitrogen (N) dynamics in monocrop and intercropped systems in a North European climate and soil conditions with the support of a simulation model. Methods Field data for 3 years at two sites/soil types in Denmark and three main factors: (i) cropping history (maize or grass-clover), (ii) maize monocrop or intercropped with red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) and (iii) three fertilizer N rates, were used to calibrate and validate the DAISY model for simulation of crop growth and soil N dynamics. Field and model results were used to study the treatment effects on the maize systems. Results Intercropped maize had 15-37 % lower N leaching than monocrop maize. Maize intercropping following a maize crop was achieved without yield loss at the standard N rate or higher, while red fescue offset N leaching. Maize intercropping following grass-clover needed less N, thereby greatly reducing the N leaching. Conclusions The hypothesis that maize intercropping with fertilizer N rates applicable to monocrop maize decreases N leaching without significant yield loss was largely supported given the effect of cropping history and soil type. The applicability of DAISY was extended to provide better analyses of intercropping systems and complex management options to reduce N leaching across northern Europe.

Effect of poplar trees on nitrogen and water balance in outdoor pig production – A case study in Denmark

“…The accumulated drainage simulated by Daisy of 620-723 mm is within the typical values for coarse sandy soils reported by other studies (Askegaard et al, 2005;Eriksen, 2001;Manevski et al, 2015), whereas CoupModel simulated 568-958 mm, which was probably overestimated at the higher end. Even though the two models generate relatively similar predictions of the nitrate leaching, they do produce rather different predictions of drainage and evapotranspiration (as reported in Table 4).…”

Environmental life cycle assessments of producing maize, grass-clover, ryegrass and winter wheat straw for biorefinery

“…precipitation, seasons, methods of fertilizer application, crop rotation history and changes in soil N; hence uncertainties exist. For instance, under different agro-climatic conditions nitrate leaching for maize was reported between 10-214 kg N/ha/y (Manevski et al, 2015);…”

Crop rotation modelling—A European model intercomparison

“…In contrast, the low simulation quality in maize yields is due to the fact that modellers have little experience in simulating the wide range of maize varieties (FAO, 2015). Maize parameterisation in European models is often poor, possibly due to the calibration of crop models with observations (a) from nearby field sites only, (b) under ample water and nutrient supply, and (c) generated decades ago with lower yield potentials (Reidsma et al, 2009;Manevski et al, 2014).…”