Water Use Efficiency in Living Mulch and Annual Cover Crop Corn Production Systems

Sanders, Zachary P.; Andrews, Joshua S.; Hill, Nicholas S.

doi:10.2134/agronj2017.08.0475

Cited by 16 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Generally, the simulation models with wheat CC terminated chemically in early April each year suggest that wheat CC system enhanced water storage for the following summer crops in normal, wet, and dry years and that water storage for soybean growing season was better in normal year than dry and wet years (Figure 4). Sanders, Andrews, and Hill (2018) found that living CC system may be most favorable for water storage in soils with high water‐holding capacity in regions with high precipitation. In a dry year, planting a winter CC increased soil water storage for the cash crops (Dabney, Delgado, & Reeves, 2001; Daigh et al., 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

et al. 2020

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The effect of cover crop (CC) on soil water balance and agricultural production is closely related to rainfall amount and distribution in rainfed cropping systems. This study used the root zone water quality model, RZWQM2, calibrated and validated with 4-yr field measurements to predict the effect of planting a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) CC in a no-till rainfed corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation on soil water balance, crop yield, and grain water-use efficiency (WUE) in northeast Mississippi. Seasonal rainfall for 80 consecutive years was classified as 'wet,' 'normal,' and 'dry' years using frequency analysis, and the data sets matched chronologically to wheat, corn, and soybean growth periods were used as an input parameter in RZWQM2 simulations. During autumn and spring (early October to early April), the CC reduced deep drainage by 69 (11%), 53 (15%), and 51 mm (21%) in wet, normal, and dry years, respectively. Averaged across 40 yr, the CC decreased surface evaporation by 64 (32%) and 38 mm (24%) for corn and soybean growth periods, respectively. Wheat CC also improved soil water storage in early crop growth period during April-June in any of the three rainfall patterns. Regardless of rainfall patterns, the increase in WUE can be attributed to a decrease in evapotranspiration during cash crop period without sacrificing cash crop yield in the CC system. Introducing CC into cropping systems is beneficial to reduce annual deep drainage and evaporation while maintaining higher crop yields under different rainfall patterns.Abbreviations: CC, cover crop; ET, evapotranspiration; NCC, no cover crop; RZWQM2, root zone water quality model; WUE, water-use efficiency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

et al. 2020

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“…These reductions have been attributed to competitive N uptake by the intercropped clover and reduced N mineralization during unfavorable environmental conditions, and can have a negative impact on overall corn growth and yield (Andrews et al 2018;Kurtz et al 1952;Liedgens et al 2004;Ochsner et al 2010). Reductions in soil moisture have also been reported in leguminous LM systems due to additional evapotranspiration by the intercropped clover, but this does not seem to dramatically affect percolation (figure 4) (Sanders et al 2018;Ochsner et al 2010;Zemenchik et al 2000). Therefore, reduced soil N is likely the main cause of reduced NO 3 -N in leguminous LM systems (Ochsner et al 2010).…”

Section: Journal Of Soil and Water Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulated nitrate leaching in annually cover cropped and perennial living mulch corn production systems

Andrews¹,

Sanders²,

Cabrera³

et al. 2019

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

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Corn (Zea mays) grown in the southern Piedmont requires 200 to 280 kg nitrogen (N) ha-1 annually and requires up to 0.87 cm of water per day, making groundwater systems susceptible to nitrate (NO 3-) leaching. A perennial white clover (Trifolium repens L.) living mulch (LM) system may reduce NO 3-N leaching by using legume N to replace mineral N, though little information is available on such a system in the southern Piedmont. Therefore, a HYDRUS-1D model was used to simulate water and NO 3-N flux in three cover crop systems. Cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) (CR), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) (CC), and a white clover LM were fertilized with 280, 168, and 56 kg N ha-1. The HYDRUS-1D model was calibrated and validated with observed water contents and NO 3-N data that were collected over two years. Water and NO 3-N flux models were created for each treatment and evaluated using coefficient of determination, percentage bias, and index of agreement, and showed good agreement to observed data. Nitrate leaching below 1 m in 2015/2016 was 23.5, 12.7, and 21.4 kg ha-1 for the CC, LM, and CR treatments, respectively, but was less than 1 kg ha-1 for all treatments in 2016/2017 due to prolonged drought. Differences in leached NO 3-N among treatments were attributed to variation in mineral N application rate and NO 3-N uptake by cover crops. Overall, results suggest that the use of a perennial LM system may reduce NO 3-N leaching when compared to annual CC and CR cover crop systems.

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“…A living mulch system (LMS) is a modified cover crop system in which a legume cover crop grows throughout the cash crop's growing season while contributing enough N to the soil pool to satisfy the needs of the cash crop (Zemenchik, Albrecht, Boerboom, & Lauer, 2000). These systems have been shown to provide a variety of benefits compared with bare soil and full cover crop suppression, including reduced erosion, nitrate leaching, and fertilizer use (as much as 75% less in some field trials), but they function best in areas with ample available water (Hartwig, Ammon, Science, Hartwig, & Ammon, 2002; Nakamoto & Tsukamoto, 2006; Ochsner, Albrecht, Schumacher, Baker, & Berkevich, 2010; Sanders, Andrews, & Hill, 2018; Zemenchik et al., 2000). Due to these benefits, the LMS is being promoted as a potential sustainable alternative to conventional row crop agriculture, but the environmental impacts are relatively unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil trace gas fluxes in living mulch and conventional agricultural systems

et al. 2020

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Row crop agriculture is a significant source of two major greenhouse gases (GHGs) (carbon dioxide [CO2] and nitrous oxide [N2O]) and the air pollutant precursor ammonia (NH3). Fluxes of these naturally occurring trace gases are often augmented by agricultural practices, such as fertilizer application and crop systems management. A living mulch system (LMS) maintains a live cover crop year‐round and is an emerging agricultural system that can reduce pesticide and fertilizer use while maintaining yields. Multiple trace gas fluxes of GHGs and NH3 had not previously been measured together in an LMS of corn (Zea mays L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). This study compared soil gas fluxes in a white clover LMS with two other cover crop systems and a no‐cover‐crop system. Infrared and gas chromatography measurements were taken over 2 yr in northern Georgia. Mean soil CO2 and N2O fluxes (159.7 kg ha−1 d−1 and 0.027 kg N ha−1 d−1, respectively) observed in LMS plots exceeded those from other treatments. Soil temperature, moisture, potentially mineralizable nitrogen (N), and nitrate partially explained these differences. Mean soil NH3 emissions were greater in LMS (0.089 kg N ha−1 d−1) compared with no cover crop (0.038 kg N ha−1 d−1). Increased N2O and NH3 fluxes could be from release of N from decomposition of clover and from release of N into the soil as the corn shades the clover. Although LMS plots did not reduce trace gas emissions, labile carbon content was at least 100 mg kg−1 greater than other treatments after 2 yr, improving soil health.

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Water Use Efficiency in Living Mulch and Annual Cover Crop Corn Production Systems

Cited by 16 publications

References 39 publications

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

Impact of cover crop on corn–soybean productivity and soil water dynamics under different seasonal rainfall patterns

Simulated nitrate leaching in annually cover cropped and perennial living mulch corn production systems

Soil trace gas fluxes in living mulch and conventional agricultural systems

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