Temporal dynamics of soil nitrate-N after termination of forage phases in corn-forage rotation

Abstract

Efficient N-fertiliser management during the corn (Zea mays L.) phase in corn-forage rotation requires information on temporal dynamics of N release from forage biomass. The influence of forage phase, in corn-forage rotation, and no- versus conventional-till on (1) in situ temporal dynamics of soil nitrate-N (NO3-N) during corn phase and (2) corn grain yield was investigated in this study. The data used were collected from a crop rotation (corn-forage) experiment, with superimposed tillage treatments, established on a silt loam soil in 1988 and continued until 1994. The cropping treatments were continuous conventionally cultivated (CT) corn, rotations involving corn and forages (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.; and bromegrass, Bromus inermis L.) and continuous minimally tilled corn with under-seeded red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). The forages were grown for 6 years and corn was re-introduced in these plots under no- and conventional-till systems. Soil NO3-N in the top 30 cm depth, determined six times during the corn phase, was significantly influenced by previous forage species and tillage system. Regression analysis indicated soil NO3-N under continuous CT corn did not show significant temporal changes. In the rotations, soil NO3-N after tillage or herbicide treatment, i.e. in no-till, increased with time until 45 days after tillage (DAT), reached a plateau between 45 and 65 DAT, and then decreased with time. During the plateau, soil NO3-N in rotation plots ranged from 17 to 33 mg kg–1 compared to 15.7 mg kg–1 in the continuous CT corn. Tillage increased soil NO3-N concentration in alfalfa plots whereas an opposite trend existed in the bromegrass plots. Soil NO3-N in the rotation plots increased at rates ranging from 0.71 to 1.63 mg kg–1 day–1. The interaction involving forage species and the temporal dynamics of soil NO3-N accounted for 68–77% of variability in corn grain yield.