Biological N Fixation and N Transfer in an Intercropping System between Legumes and Organic Cherry Tomatoes in Succession to Green Corn

Gabriela Cristina Salgado,Cesar Augusto Santana,Ivani Pozar Otsuk,Gláucia Maria Bovi Ambrosano,Fabrício Rossi,Takashi Muraoka,Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin,Edmilson Jose Ambrosano

doi:10.3390/agriculture11080690

Gabriela Cristina Salgado, Cesar Augusto Santana + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11080690

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the transfer of N from different legumes to cherry tomatoes in the intercropping system under residual straw of the previous green corn crop using the 15N natural abundance method. We also investigated the temporal variation in nitrogen transfer to a cherry tomato, the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of legumes, and the N concentration of green corn cultivated in the intercrop succession. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with eight treatments and five replications, described as follows: two controls consisting of a monocrop of cherry tomato with or without residual straw, cherry tomato and jack bean, sun hemp, dwarf velvet bean, mung bean, and white lupine or cowpea bean in intercropping system. The BNF was responsible for more than half of the N accumulated in the legumes. The N of legumes was transferred to cherry tomato in similar quantities, and the leaves and fruits of cherry tomato received more N transfer than shoots. It was shown that N transfer increases with the growth/development of cherry tomatoes. The intercropping system with legumes did not affect the 15N natural abundance of leaves and the aboveground biomass of green corn cultivated in succession.

Highlights

IntroductionBiological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by legumes (rhizobium symbiosis) has received attention as a source of nitrogen (N) that can replace a portion of synthetic N fertilizer in a rotation or intercropping system
Introduction published maps and institutional affilBiological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by legumes has received attention as a source of nitrogen (N) that can replace a portion of synthetic N fertilizer in a rotation or intercropping system
Our aim was (a) to investigate the transfer of N from different legumes to cherry tomato in the intercropping system under residual straw of the previous green corn crop using the 15 N natural abundance method, and (b) evaluate the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of each legume tested and (c) the N concentration and 15 N natural abundance of green corn cultivated in succession

Summary

Introduction

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by legumes (rhizobium symbiosis) has received attention as a source of nitrogen (N) that can replace a portion of synthetic N fertilizer in a rotation or intercropping system. This method can be used in organic farming and is environmentally friendly [1]. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for plants and is required in large quantities. Nitrogen can be a limiting factor for increased productivity in organic agriculture. Low N availability and other nutrients from organic fertilizers might justify the lower productivity of organic agriculture than conventional agriculture [8,9]

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