Litter Nitrogen Research Articles

Effects of Fencing on Vegetation and Soil Nutrients of the Temperate Steppe Grasslands in Inner Mongolia

Grazing exclusion has been widely implemented in degraded grassland. However, the changes of plant communities and soil nutrients in response to fencing are still controversial. Thus, the effects of free grazing, 17 and 36 years of fencing on the plant biomass and litter biomass, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and stocks of plant, litter and soil were investigated in the temperate steppe grasslands of northern China. The results indicated that fencing increased the aboveground live biomass and litter biomass. In addition, fencing increased C, N and P stocks of aboveground live biomass, litter biomass and soil. Although root biomass and its nutrient stocks were also significantly increased by 17 years of fencing, they were decreased with fencing extending from 17 to 36 years. Moreover, there were no significant differences in aboveground live biomass and soil N and P stocks between 17 and 36 years of fencing. Litter biomass and its C, N and P stocks were positively correlated with soil C, N and P stocks. Our results demonstrated that 17 years of fencing is an effective way to restore vegetation and soil nutrients in the temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia, but a longer fencing duration has no further positive effects on biomass production and soil nutrients accumulation.

Phytomass and Carbon and Nitrogen Reserves in the Upland Oak Forests of the Southern Forest Steppe

The current state of the solonetz and ground elder–sedge types upland oak forests of in the Tellermanovsky forest has been studied. The phytomass of forest stands was estimated based on model trees with allowance for the types of their development (according to the original classification). The content and stocks of carbon and nitrogen in phytomass, forest litter, and soil have been evaluated. It was found that the phytomass of oak forests in similar plantations is lower than that before the period of oak drying (in the 1970s to the early 1980s). The mass of fallen leaves and forest litter corresponds to the previous values due to the development of the lower tree layers. The studied oak forests differ most sharply by the stocks of carbon and nitrogen in the phytomass and much less by their reserves in the soil, capacity and rate of the annual cycle. The content of carbon, nitrogen, and nonstructural carbohydrates in the organs of the oak in these oak forests is similar.

Study on the Morphological Change and Reduction of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in Litter and Compost of Cowshed

Litter and compost were obtained at a cowshed of a livestock farm in Andong city in Korea. The morphological change of nitrogen and phosphorous from these samples were examined and suggested a more useful and realistic way for reducing them. Constituents and their content of sample were identified by XRF. The nitrite ion (NO2 −), nitrate ion (NO2 −) and phosphate ion (PO4 3−) and ammonium ion (NH4 +), total phosphorous (T-P) and total nitrogen (T-N) released from sample were analyzed using ion chromatograph and UV/Vis spectrometry. As the results of this study, the ammonia in the early stage of cow excretion is a need to make an ammonia gas state that can be immediately volatile by increasing the pH. Nitrogen and phosphorous, the main source of nutrition in green algal bloom can be reduced by transforming insoluble salts such as calcium phosphate (CaHPO4·3H2O) and struvite (NH4MgPO4·6H2O), respectively, with addition of Ca and Mg after stimulating fermentation of compost.

Study on the Morphological Change and Reduction Plan of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in Litter and Manure of Cow House

Study on the Morphological Change and Reduction Plan of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in Litter and Manure of Cow House

Depth Differentiation of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycling in Litter and Soil in Central Amazonia: Availability of Organic P May Limit the Response to Increasing Atmospheric Co2

Depth Differentiation of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycling in Litter and Soil in Central Amazonia: Availability of Organic P May Limit the Response to Increasing Atmospheric Co2

THE EFFECTS OF BEDDING MATERIAL CONTAINING PEAT MOSS ON BROILER PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND FERTILIZING VALUE OF THE LITTER

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of alternative bedding materials on broiler production performances and litter quality in plant production. A 40-day experiment was carried out on 6885 broilers of ROSS 308 provenience. The broilers were reared on bedding material which consisted of cellulose pellets, wood chips, peat moss, and pH stabilizers. Feeding, zoohygienic and zootechnical measures met technological normative for this provenience. During the experiment, health status and mortality of broilers were observed. Litter pH, moisture, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in litter were determined at the end of experiment. Average live weight of broilers at the end of the trial was 2620 g. Mortality of chickens was 1.52%. The results of the study indicated that use of specified bedding material was beneficial for broilers production parameters. The results of investigation of litter quality indicate that it can provide similar benefits to inorganic fertilizers in terms of plant growth.

Microbial inputs at the litter layer translate climate into altered organic matter properties.

Plant litter chemistry is altered during decomposition but it remains unknown if these alterations, and thus the composition of residual litter, will change in response to climate. Selective microbial mineralization of litter components and the accumulation of microbial necromass can drive litter compositional change, but the extent to which these mechanisms respond to climate remains poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by studying needle litter decomposition along a boreal forest climate transect. Specifically, we investigated how the composition and/or metabolism of the decomposer community varies with climate, and if that variation is associated with distinct modifications of litter chemistry during decomposition. We analyzed the composition of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in the litter layer and measured natural abundance δ13 CPLFA values as an integrated measure of microbial metabolisms. Changes in litter chemistry and δ13 C values were measured in litterbag experiments conducted at each transect site. A warmer climate was associated with higher litter nitrogen concentrations as well as altered microbial community structure (lower fungi:bacteria ratios) and microbial metabolism (higher δ13 CPLFA ). Litter in warmer transect regions accumulated less aliphatic-C (lipids, waxes) and retained more O-alkyl-C (carbohydrates), consistent with enhanced 13 C-enrichment in residual litter, than in colder regions. These results suggest that chemical changes during litter decomposition will change with climate, driven primarily by indirect climate effects (e.g., greater nitrogen availability and decreased fungi:bacteria ratios) rather than direct temperature effects. A positive correlation between microbial biomass δ13 C values and 13 C-enrichment during decomposition suggests that change in litter chemistry is driven more by distinct microbial necromass inputs than differences in the selective removal of litter components. Our study highlights the role that microbial inputs during early litter decomposition can play in shaping surface litter contribution to soil organic matter as it responds to climate warming effects such as greater nitrogen availability.

Responses of mass loss and nutrient release in litter decomposition to ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays an important role in litter decomposition, but the direction and magnitude of its effect remain inconsistent. To determine the responses of litter decomposition and C and nutrient release to UV radiation, a meta-analysis that comprised 544 observations in field experiments was performed. The change in UV radiation had significant effects on litter mass loss and litter nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release in field studies, and litter types affected only the magnitude of UV radiation changes on mass loss and nutrient release. In addition, mass loss and nutrient release varied as the decomposition process continued: UV enhancement accelerated litter decomposition only after 4 months of decomposition, whereas the effect of UV attenuation on litter decomposition decreased with decomposition time. The inhabitation of UV attenuation on litter decomposition increased with a decrease in precipitation. Overall, the different responses of mass loss and nutrient release in litter decomposition to changes in ultraviolet radiation may cause different C and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere.

Influence of Climate and Duration of Stream Water Presence on Rates of Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics in Temporary Streams and Surrounding Environments of Southwestern USA

Ephemeral and intermittent streams are increasing with climate and land use changes, and alteration in stream water presence or flow duration will likely affect litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in channel and riparian zones more than uplands. To investigate the influence of varying climate and stream flow regimes on rates of decomposition and associated nutrient dynamics, we used a space-for-time substitution design in which we deployed a common leaf litter across a range of ephemeral to seasonally- intermittent stream reaches (10) and landscape positions (channel, riparian, upland) in Arizona, USA over an 18-month period. We also measured soil physio-chemical properties and nutrient dynamics associated with these reaches and positions. Consistent with expectations, rates of litter decomposition (k) decreased significantly in the channels as cumulative percentage (%) of water presence decreased below 40%. Indeed, differences in cumulative duration of water presence as well as channel bed material silt content explained 80% of the variation in k across flow regimes. In contrast, decay rates of the common litter across sites were surprisingly similar in upland and riparian positions despite large differences in climate, specifically precipitation (160-516 mm). Relatively similar litter nitrogen immobilization and soil moisture in upland and riparian environments helped to explain the lack of difference in k and soil nutrient dynamics in these environments. Collectively, our findings indicate that stream water presence may be a more important indicator of ephemeral and intermittent stream function than stream flow alone and that riparian zones in these dryland regions may be less responsive to changes in climate and associated subsidies of stream flow.

Decomposition of black pine (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold) deadwood and its impact on forest soil components

Deadwood decomposition is a complex and dynamic process with large implications for biogeochemical cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in forest soil and litter. Moreover, it affects functional and structural diversity of fungal and bacterial communities in these components. Mesocosms with deadwood blocks at progressive decay classes were set in a black pine forest and incubated for 28 months in the field with the aim to assess the impact of deadwood decomposition on i) CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes; ii) C and N pools and allocation among deadwood, litter and soil; iii) the fungal and bacterial structural diversity and activity.CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes from deadwood were monitored throughout the field incubation; deadwood biomass loss and decay rate for each decay class were calculated. The stock of C and N, enzyme activities, fungal and bacterial communities in deadwood, litter fractions (fresh, fragmented and humified) and soil at two depths were measured.Emissions of CO2 and CH4 increased over the deadwood decomposition advancement and the decay reached the maximum rates in the last decomposition classes. N2O fluxes were low and showed either production (prevalent in the first year) or consumption. Independent of the decay class, 20% of C stored in deadwood was lost as CO2 in the atmosphere, whereas 32% was transferred to the fragmented and humified litter fractions in the last decay class. A corresponding increase of cellulose and hemicellulose degrading enzymes was found in deadwood, also favored by substrates accessibility through fragmentation and successional changes in fungal and bacterial communities.Deadwood, litter fractions and soil components were clearly distinguished in terms of chemical and microbiological properties and activities. Fragmented and humified litter fractions were the only components responsive to the advanced stage of deadwood decomposition, being directly affected by the physical redistribution of fragmented organic matter.

Effects of experimental nitrogen enrichment on soil properties and litter decomposition in a Neotropical savanna

AbstractThe amount of reactive nitrogen has more than doubled in terrestrial ecosystems due to human activities such fertiliser application that is predicted to increase dramatically in coming decades. We conducted a 3‐year experiment in a Neotropical savanna in which we determined the effects of increased N deposition on litter decomposition in plots subjected to different levels of N addition (50 kg N ha−1 year−2, 20 kg N ha−1 year−2, or no N addition). For this, we compared the litter decomposition from the bunchgrass Tristachya leiostachya using litter collected from plots with different N addition treatments. Five randomly selected bags of litter from each N addition treatment (origin) were distributed to each plot (destination). We also compared litter nitrogen (N) concentration and indicators of microbial activity (basal respiration, carbon of microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, enzyme activity) in all plots. We found that nitrogen addition influences litter decay, but in idiosyncratic ways that differ between years. In year 1, litter decomposed faster in high‐N addition plots than in low‐N and control plots, regardless of its origin. In contrast, litter from high‐N addition plots decomposing fastest in year 2, regardless of its destination. Finally, there was no effect of either litter origin or destination on the rate of decomposition in year 3. Litter collected in high‐N addition plots had a concentration of N 12–17% higher than litter collected in other plots and higher in 2009 than in other years. Four years after the beginning of the fertilisation experiment, concentration and the microbial activity in the soil did not differ between the treatments. Our findings suggest that the levels of N addition predicted for Neotropical savannas can alter litter N concentrations and the process of litter decomposition, but that the direction and magnitude of these changes may be challenging to predict since that precipitation can influence the mechanisms regulating decomposition in the Cerrado.

In situ litter decomposition and nutrient release from forest trees along an elevation gradient in Central Himalaya

Litter plays a central role in the nutrient budgets of forests by supplying inflow to nutrient turnover through decomposition. However, studies of litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems are limited, particularly for the central Himalaya forest ecosystems with wide importance for stability and nutrient dynamics under global change. A one-year-long in-situ litter decomposition experiment was conducted with multiple tree species, dominating forests along an elevation gradient from 1300 to 2500 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) in central Nepal. The main aim was to examine the litter mass loss, factors affecting the decomposition process and the nutrient dynamics of the studied tree species, based on the litter bag method and physico-chemical analyses of the litter and the soil over time. The results showed that litter mass loss decreased with elevation, being the highest at low elevation (63.65%), followed by middle (46.59%) and high elevation (44.48%). The litter from deciduous tree species decomposed more rapidly than that from evergreen species, with Alnus litter decomposing the fastest (1.42 yr−1) and Pinus litter decomposing the slowest (0.53 yr−1), whereas the other species were in the order of Engelhardia > Castanopsis > Eurya > Lyonia > Quercus > Rhododendron > Schima. The contents of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the initial litter (i.e., freshly fallen leaves), as well as weather factors (precipitation and temperature) were the best predictors of litter mass loss. The nutrient release from the litter was not discerned throughout the annual decomposition process, however, the release rate at the end of the study period followed the order of P > K > C > N, indicating that litter is a potential sink of N due to its slow release rate. This study may serve as a baseline for long-term research on nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems of central and eastern Himalaya, which is imperative for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem stability and for mitigating climate change impacts.

Spectral Composition of Sunlight Affects the Microbial Functional Structure of Beech Leaf Litter During the Initial Phase of Decomposition

AimsThis study tests whether different spectral regions of sunlight affect the microbial decomposer assemblage in surface leaf litter in a beech understorey over the first 6 months following leaf senescence.MethodsWe performed a litterbag experiment employing filters attenuating combinations of UV-B, UV-A, blue, and green light as well as the whole spectrum of sunlight. We measured changes in microbial biomass and community structure, litter mass loss and litter chemistry during the first 6 months of decomposition.ResultsFungal and total microbial biomass were highest in the treatment excluding UV radiation, blue and green light. Exclusion of UV-B radiation decreased the fungal:bacterial biomass ratio and litter nitrogen content. Bacterial biomass was lower in the dark treatment compared to treatments receiving at least part of the solar spectrum. Our filter treatments affected microbial functional structure from the beginning of the experiment, whereas mass loss was only significantly affected after 6 months of decomposition and no effect was found on litter carbon content.ConclusionsThis study proves that sunlight, in a spectrally dependent manner, affects both microbial functional structure and biomass in temperate deciduous forests early in the decomposition process, with bacteria tending to dominate in sunlight and fungi in dark conditions. We found sunlight to be important in the decomposition in temperate forest understoreys despite the low irradiance characterizing these environments. However, long-term studies are required to estimate the relative contribution of sunlight among factors affecting the eventual incorporation of decomposing leaf litter into forest soils.

Production, decomposition and nutrient contents of litter in subtropical broadleaved forest surpass those in coniferous forest, Meghalaya

Litter plays a crucial role in forest ecosystem functioning as its production and decomposition govern the pools and fluxes of forest nutrient cycling. The release of nutrients through litterfall and decomposition influences forest productivity. Therefore, these two factors are considered to be important indicators of forest ecosystem health. Such processes vary across different ecosystem types because of natural as well as anthropogenic factors. Hence, studying such processes would help in better understanding and management of forest ecosystems. Litter production and decomposition rates between a broadleaved and a coniferous forest ecosystem of Meghalaya in Northeast India were compared. We selected six subtropical broadleaved forest stands in Muthlong, Ialong, Nongbah, Mukhla, Nongkrem and Mawnai, and six adjacent coniferous forest stands dominated by pine. We estimated leaf litter production, decomposition and nutrient release, and analyzed the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the litter of both the forest types. The study revealed that litter production and decomposition rates, and the litter nitrogen and phosphorous contents were significantly higher in the broadleaved forest compared to the pine forest. The variability in the litter characteristics was greater in the broadleaved forest compared to the coniferous forest indicating that the former is functionally more dynamic than the latter. Such dynamism in the broadleaved forest could be an important factor for providing greater ecological services compared to the coniferous forest, which nevertheless requires an in-depth study.

Interactive Effects of White-Tailed Deer, an Invasive Shrub, and Exotic Earthworms on Leaf Litter Decomposition

Herbivore overabundance and species invasions could alter decomposition rates in temperate forests, with consequent effects on carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, and other ecosystem processes. At local scales, herbivores, invasive plants, and soil macroinvertebrates can be important drivers of decomposition, but interactive effects among these different groups are unknown. We tested for the effects of white-tailed deer, Amur honeysuckle, and earthworm activity (manipulated via mesh exclusion) on litter decomposition rates and loss of litter nitrogen (N) in five hardwood forest sites in southwestern Ohio. Each site consisted of a 20 × 20-m deer exclosure paired with a deer access plot; honeysuckle was removed from half of each plot. Effects of earthworm activity were tested using paired litter boxes of fine mesh (0.25 mm; earthworms excluded) or coarse mesh (10 mm; earthworm access). Restriction of earthworm activity in fine mesh treatments slowed litter decomposition and increased retention of N in the litter layer compared to coarse mesh. Deer access interacted with mesh treatments, with faster decomposition occurring in deer access, coarse mesh treatments relative to others. Greater earthworm biomass in deer access plots relative to deer exclosure plots corresponded with more rapid litter decomposition. Honeysuckle presence did not affect litter decomposition, but did increase litter N retention. The interactions between deer and earthworm activity indicate that reductions in deer populations may slow litter decomposition rates, increasing complexity of habitat structure at the soil surface, which relates to habitat for plants and animals.

Evidence for preferential protein depolymerization in wetland soils in response to external nitrogen availability provided by a novel FTIR routine

Abstract. Phragmites australis litters were incubated in three waterlogged anoxic wetland soils of different nutrient status for 75 d, and litter nitrogen (N) dynamics were analyzed by elemental analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). At the end of the incubation time, the N content in the remaining litter tissue had increased in most samples. Yet, the increase in N content was less pronounced when litters had been decomposed in a more-N-poor environment. FTIR was used to quantify the relative content of proteins in litter tissue and revealed a highly linear relationship between bulk N content and protein content. Changes in bulk N content thus paralleled and probably were governed by changes in litter protein content. Such changes are the result of two competing processes within decomposing litter: enzymatic protein depolymerization as a part of the litter breakdown process and microbial protein synthesis as a part of microbial biomass growth within the litter. Assuming microbial homeostasis, DNA signals in FTIR spectra were used to calculate the amount of microbial N in decomposed litter which ranged from 14 % to 42 % of the total litter N for all leaf samples. Microbial carbon (C) content and resultant calculated carbon use efficiencies (CUEs) indicate that microbial N in litter accumulated according to predictions of the stoichiometric decomposition theory. Subtracting microbial C and N contributions from litter, however, revealed site-dependent variations in the percentual amount of the remaining still-unprocessed plant N in litter compared to remaining plant C, an indicator for preferential protein depolymerization. For all leaf litters, the coefficient of preferential protein depolymerization (α), which relates N-compound depolymerization to C-compound depolymerization, ranged from 0.74–0.88 in a nutrient-rich detritus mud to 1.38–1.82 in Sphagnum peat, the most nutrient-poor substrate in this experiment. Preferential protein depolymerization from litter decomposing in Sphagnum peat leads to a gradual N depletion in the early phase of litter decomposition, which we propose as a preservation mechanism for vascular litter in Sphagnum peatlands.

Effects of Liquid Yucca Supplementation on Nitrogen Excretion, Intestinal Bacteria, Biochemical and Performance Parameters in Broilers.

Simple SummaryYucca schidigera had a positive effect on the improvement of economic traits, performance, and carcass characteristics of broilers. Saponin is the main steroidal chemical constituent of Yucca schidigera extract, which physically binds ammonia and reduces its level. Use of natural antibiotic alternatives such Yucca schidigera is necessary to improve growth rates and feed utilization, as well as decreasing nitrogen losses, feed cost, and global environmental pollution.This study was done to determine the impacts Yucca schidigera supplementation to drinking water on the excretion of nitrogen, and subsequently the level of ammonia, intestinal bacterial count, hematological and biochemical parameters, and some performance parameters. A total of 270 one-day old Cobb 500 chicks were equally divided into three groups (90 chicks/group). The first control group (G1) was fed on the basal diets without any yucca supplementation. The 2nd and 3rd groups (G2 and G3) were fed on basal diets with Yucca Plus liquid®, at an 8 h/day supplementation rate of 0.5, and 1 mL/L to drinking water, respectively. The chicks that received yucca showed significant decreases in litter nitrogen content, when compared to controls. The chicks that received liquid yucca had reduced counts of total bacteria (TBC) (p < 0.05), Escherichia coli, and a non-significant increase in the number of lactic acid producing bacteria. They also showed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, increased levels of immunoglobulins M and G, and decreased levels of lipid peroxidation biomarkers, without a harmful effect on liver and kidney function. The chicks that received yucca showed a better feed conversion ratio. In conclusion, the use of natural additives is necessary to decrease nitrogen losses, feed cost, and environmental pollution; without adverse impacts on animal performance. Liquid supplementation of saponins is valuable for the performance, gut health, and welfare of broiler chickens.

Evaluation of Liquid and Dry Aluminum Chloride Treatment of Litter on Litter Quality and Performance of Duck

This study investigated the effects of liquid aluminum chloride (liquid AlCl3) and dry AlCl3 litter treatment of duck litter on litter pH, ammonia (NH3) emissions and total nitrogen (TN) and duck performance. 240 newborn Pekin ducks were randomly assigned to 12 pens (20 ducks per pen) for 42 days. The litter additives consisted of the following four groups with three replications per group using a randomized block design: Control, G1 (50 g liquid AlCl3/kg duck litter), G2 (150 g liquid AlCl3/kg duck litter) and G3 (150 g dry AlCl3/kg duck litter). The liquid and dry AlCl3 were applied by spraying and as a top-dressing, respectively. No significant difference was found on growth performance, however, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P less than 0.05) better in G2. Significant differences (P less than 0.05) were found among duck litter pH at weeks 3, 5 and 6; NH3 emissions at weeks 2, 3, 5 and 6; and TN at weeks 3 and 6. At week 6, NH3 emissions from the duck litter were reduced by 23.1%, 32.2% and 36.7% in G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The addition of 150 g liquid or 150 g dry AlCl3 to duck litter has the potential to increase FCR and TN content while reducing litter pH and NH3 emission.

Dynamics of bacterial community in litter and soil along a chronosequence of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations

As the driver of plantation ecosystem function, microorganisms can decompose plant residues and soil organic matter. To identify dynamics of microbial communities in litter and soil and its influence by vegetation and soil at regional scales, the plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia at different successional stages (13, 19, 29, and 44 y) was selected on the Loess Plateau. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to examine bacterial communities in litter and soil, and changes in vegetation, litter, and soil characteristics were analyzed. With increase of stand age, coverage and biomass of understory vegetation increased significantly and peaked at 44-y. Concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in litter and soil increased significantly, whereas pH values decreased significantly. Composition and diversity of bacterial communities in litter and soil were significantly different. Diversity and richness of litter bacterial communities were higher than that of soils. Relative abundances of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in litter were higher than that in soil; relative abundance of Acidobacteria exhibited the reverse trend. The diversity and richness index of vegetation significantly affected that of litter bacterial communities. Soil C/P significantly affected the Simpson and Shannon index of soil bacterial communities. The C/P and pH of litter and soil were significantly correlated with bacterial composition, primarily including Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes. Diversity of litter bacterial communities was more sensitive to the diversity and richness of vegetation flora than that of soil in the succession of R. pseudoacacia. Canopy density, vegetation, and litter and soil nutrients might directly or indirectly affect bacterial communities. Carbon, phosphorus, and pH may be critical factors influencing the composition of bacterial communities in litter and soil.

Winter Cover Crop and Fall‐Applied Poultry Litter Effects on Winter Cover and Soil Nitrogen

Increasing diversity in monoculture production through inclusion of cover crops (CC) and reducing chemical fertilizer inputs by application of animal manures could increase multiple ecosystem services and agroecosystem function. This study was designed to quantify selected ecosystem services from legume, grass, and biculture CC and poultry litter (PL) in strip‐tilled corn (Zea mays L.). Treatments included hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), vetch‐rye biculture, and winter fallow (WF) all with and without fall‐applied PL. Prior to CC termination and corn planting, aboveground dry matter, N content, and C/N ratios of CC and weed biomass were measured; soil inorganic N (ΣNO3− and NH4+) was analyzed every 2 wk following CC termination. Biculture transgressively over‐yielded in 2014 but not in 2015, accumulated levels of biomass N similar to vetch treatment (Vetch), suppressed weeds as effectively as rye treatment (Rye), and maintained soil inorganic N levels similar to Vetch by the second year of study. Overall, CC yield increased 20 to 30% with fall applied PL. Vetch C/N ratio decreased 14% with PL in 2015, while Rye C/N ratio was unaffected. Average weed C/N ratios were 24.5 with Rye and 16.2 with vetch + poultry litter treatment (VetchPL). Cover crop systems with Vetch showed the greatest soil inorganic N, while Rye inorganic N levels were similar to WF. Winter annual weeds were suppressed at least 92% by CC, and most effectively when Rye was present. Ultimately, optimization of cropping systems including CCs and PL will require consideration of interspecific interactions and variable responses among species.Core Ideas Cover crop yield increased 20 to 30% with fall applied poultry litter. Biculture cover crop optimized yield, nitrogen content, weed suppression, and soil nitrogen. Carbon/nitrogen ratios of vetch and weeds were affected by poultry litter and cover crop treatments. Apparent poultry litter nitrogen recovery was greatest when a legume was present. Soil inorganic nitrogen increased with vetch and poultry litter.