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Effects of the timing of ploughing-in temporary leguminous pastures and two winter cover crops on nitrogen mineralization, nitrate leaching and spring wheat growth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. S. Francis ,
R. J. Haynes  and
P. H. Williams
G. S. Francis
Affiliation:
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand
R. J. Haynes
Affiliation:
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand
P. H. Williams
Affiliation:
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Summary

Two field experiments at Canterbury, New Zealand during 1991–93 investigated the effect of the timing of ploughing a 4-year-old ryegrass/white clover pasture and the effect of two winter cover crops on subsequent N mineralization, nitrate leaching and growth and N uptake of the following wheat crops.

Net N mineralization of organic N (of plant and soil origin) increased with increased fallow period between ploughing and leaching. The total amount of N accumulated in the profile by the start of winter ranged from 107 to 131 and from 42 to 45 kg N/ha for fallow treatments started in March and May respectively. Winter wheat (planted in May) had no effect on mineral N contents by the start of winter, whereas greenfeed (GF) oats (planted in March) significantly reduced the mineral N content in one year.

Cumulative leaching losses over the first winter after ploughing-in pasture varied markedly between years in relation to rainfall amount and distribution. Leaching losses were greater from the March fallow (72–106 kg N/ha) than the May fallow treatments (8–52 kg N/ha). Winter wheat did not reduce leaching losses in either year. GF oats did not reduce losses in 1991/92, but losses in 1992/93, when major drainage events occurred late in the winter, were only c. 40% of those under fallow.

Incorporation of a large amount (> 7 t/ha dry matter) of pasture or GF oat residue in spring depressed yield and total N uptake of the following spring wheat, largely due to net N immobilization which could be overcome by the application of fertilizer N.

First-year treatments had very little residual effect in the second year. Leaching losses over the second winter (mean 142 kg N/ha) were largely unaffected by the extent of first year leaching losses. Second year leaching losses were greater than first year losses, probably due to the greater amount of mineral N at depth in the soil before the start of the second winter.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 124 , Issue 1 , February 1995 , pp. 1 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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