Pea Residues Research Articles

Interactions of mustard plants and soil microorganisms after application of sugarcane filter cake and pea residues to an Andosol

AbstractIn a pot experiment using a strongly P‐fixing Andosol from Nicaragua, the effects of sugarcane–filter cake application on the growth of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) were compared with those of 13C‐labeled pea residues. The application of pea residues led to a 50% increase and the application of filter cake to a 30% decrease in soil organic matter–derived microbial biomass C compared with the control. In contrast, the application of filter cake resulted in a four times higher content of substrate‐derived microbial biomass C than that of pea residues. The application of organic substrates generally increased microbial biomass N. Mustard growth led to significant increases in microbial biomass P in the control, but also in the organic‐amendment treatments, which always resulted in decreased microbial biomass C : P ratios. Mustard growth also led to increased contents of Bray‐1‐extractable P, but this increase was only significant in the filter cake treatment. The application of pea residues had no effect on the yield of shoot C, but a positive effect on the yield of root C in comparison with the nonamended control. In contrast, the application of filter cake significantly depressed yields of shoot C and root C, due to N immobilization, presumably due to the high concentration of lignin.

The effect of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on the contribution of residual legume and fertilizer nitrogen to a subsequent wheat crop

This study investigated the residual contribution of legume and fertilizer nitrogen (N) to a subsequent crop under the effect of elevated carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]). Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) was labeled in situ with 15N (by absorption of a 15N-labeled urea solution through cut tendrils) under ambient and elevated (700 μmol mol–1) [CO2] in controlled environment glasshouse chambers. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and its soil were also labeled under the same conditions by addition of 15N-enriched urea to the soil. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was subsequently grown to physiological maturity on the soil containing either 15N-labeled field pea residues (including 15N-labeled rhizodeposits) or 15N-labeled barley plus fertilizer 15N residues. Elevated [CO2] increased the total biomass of field pea (21 %) and N-fertilized barley (23 %), but did not significantly affect the biomass of unfertilized barley. Elevated [CO2] increased the C:N ratio of residues of field pea (18 %) and N-fertilized barley (19 %), but had no significant effect on that of unfertilized barley. Elevated [CO2] increased total biomass (11 %) and grain yield (40 %) of subsequent wheat crop regardless of rotation type in the first phase. Irrespective of [CO2], the grain yield and total N uptake by wheat following field pea were 24 % and 11 %, respectively, higher than those of the wheat following N-fertilized barley. The residual N contribution from field pea to wheat was 20 % under ambient [CO2], but dropped to 11 % under elevated [CO2], while that from fertilizer did not differ significantly between ambient [CO2] (4 %) and elevated [CO2] (5 %). The relative value of legume derived N to subsequent cereals may be reduced under elevated [CO2]. However, compared to N fertilizer application, legume incorporation will be more beneficial to grain yield and N supply to subsequent cereals under future (elevated [CO2]) climates.

Carbon mineralization in saline soils as affected by residue composition and water potential

In saline soils under semi-arid climate, low matric and osmotic potential are the main stressors for microbes. But little is known about the impact of water potential (sum of matric and osmotic potential) and substrate composition on microbial activity and biomass in field collected saline soils. Three sandy loam soils with electrical conductivity of the saturated soil extract (ECe) 3.8, 11 and 21 dS m−1 (hereafter referred to EC3.8, EC11 and EC21) were kept at optimal water content for 14 days. After this pre-incubation, the soils were either left at optimal water content or dried to achieve water potentials of −2.33, −2.82, −3.04 and −4.04 MPa. Then, the soils were amended with 20 g kg−1 pea or wheat residue to increase nutrient supply. Carbon dioxide emission was measured over 14 days; microbial biomass C was measured at the end of the experiment. Cumulative respiration decreased with decreasing water potential and was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in soils at water potential −4 MPa than in soils at optimal water content. The effect of residue type on the response of cumulative respiration was inconsistent; with residue type having no effect in the saline soils (EC11 and EC21) whereas in the non-saline soil (EC3.8), the decrease in respiration with decreasing water potential was less with wheat than with pea residue. At a given water potential, the absolute and relative (in percentage of optimal water content) cumulative respiration was lower in the saline soils than in the non-saline soil. This can be explained by the lower osmotic potential and the smaller microbial biomass in the saline soils. However, even at a similar osmotic potential, cumulative respiration was higher in the non-saline soil. It can be concluded that high salt concentrations in the soil solution strongly reduce microbial activity even if the water content is relatively high. The stronger relative decrease in microbial activity in the saline soils at a given osmotic potential compared to the non-saline soil suggests that the small biomass in saline soils is less able to tolerate low osmotic potential. Hence, drying of soil will have a stronger negative effect on microbial activity in saline than in non-saline soils.

Effect of crop residue, nitrogen rate and fungicide application on malting barley productivity, quality, and foliar disease severity

Turkington, T. K., O'Donovan, J. T., Edney, M. J., Juskiw, P. E., McKenzie, R. H., Harker, K. N., Clayton, G. W., Xi, K., Lafond, G. P., Irvine, R. B., Brandt, S., Johnson, E. N., May, W. E. and Smith, E. 2012. Effect of crop residue, nitrogen rate and fungicide application on malting barley productivity, quality, and foliar disease severity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 577–588. The productivity and quality of the malting barley cultivar AC Metcalfe and leaf disease severity were evaluated under three residue types [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.)], two nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (50 or 100% of soil test recommendation for N), and two fungicide treatments (no fungicide or fungicide applied) at seven sites across western Canada from 2006 to 2009. Residue type had a significant effect on leaf disease severity, which was increased when barley was the previous crop compared with canola and field peas. In general, emergence, head counts, grain yield, kernel weight, test weight, kernel plumpness were lowest for barley grown on barley residue compared with canola and field pea residue. Fungicide application reduced leaf disease severity and increased yield, kernel weight, test weight, and kernel plumpness, while decreasing dockage and thins. However, the magnitude of the impact of fungicide on one or more of these parameters was lower compared with planting barley on field pea or canola residue. Overall, increasing the N rate from 50 to 100% had no effect on leaf disease levels and only increased yields slightly compared with not planting barley on barley residue. However, the 100% rate of N did significantly increase grain protein levels. In contrast, planting barley on field pea residue did not result in a consistent increase in grain protein.

Performance assessment of the cellulose absorption index method for estimating crop residue cover

Accurate and quick field estimation of crop residues is important for carbon sequestration and biofuel production programs. Landscape-scale assessment of this vital information has resorted to the use of remote sensing technology. The cellulose absorption index (CAI) technique has outperformed other indices for discriminating bare soil and crop residue in the Midwest, but has not been tested in the Pacific Northwest and the Central and Northern Great Plains regions of the United States. The objective of this study is to assess the performance of CAI in these regions. Malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), durum (Triticum turgidum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fallow following spring wheat and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) were used in the assessment. Using a portable ground-based spectroradiometer, as well as transect line and photo-grid methods, crop residue cover was measured after the 2009 harvest season. Samples were collected for laboratory analyses. Linear regression analysis showed CAI explained 41% to 55% of the variation in the residue cover. Field pea and fallow residue cover had better correlation with CAI than did small grain crop residues. Field and laboratory measurement of CAI showed that varying pea residue cover responded significantly different than other crop residues. The performance of CAI was affected by the type of crop rather than by location and soil type in the regions. Among other measured parameters, percentage crop residue cover, hemicellulose, and residue amount were most correlated with CAI. Results document that CAI can quickly and effectively estimate percentage of residue cover in the regions.

Carbon and nitrogen mineralization dynamics in different soils of the tropics amended with legume residues and contrasting soil moisture contents

Seasonal drought in tropical agroecosystems may affect C and N mineralization of organic residues. To understand this effect, C and N mineralization dynamics in three tropical soils (Af, An1, and An2) amended with haricot bean (HB; Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and pigeon pea (PP; Cajanus cajan L.) residues (each at 5 mg g−1 dry soil) at two contrasting soil moisture contents (pF2.5 and pF3.9) were investigated under laboratory incubation for 100–135 days. The legume residues markedly enhanced the net cumulative CO2–C flux and its rate throughout the incubation period. The cumulative CO2–C fluxes and their rates were lower at pF3.9 than at pF2.5 with control soils and also relatively lower with HB-treated than PP-treated soil samples. After 100 days of incubation, 32–42% of the amended C of residues was recovered as CO2–C. In one of the three soils (An1), the results revealed that the decomposition of the recalcitrant fraction was more inhibited by drought stress than easily degradable fraction, suggesting further studies of moisture stress and litter quality interactions. Significantly (p < 0.05) greater NH 4 + –N and NO 3 − –N were produced with PP-treated (C/N ratio, 20.4) than HB-treated (C/N ratio, 40.6) soil samples. Greater net N mineralization or lower immobilization was displayed at pF2.5 than at pF3.9 with all soil samples. Strikingly, N was immobilized equivocally in both NH 4 + –N and NO 3 − –N forms, challenging the paradigm that ammonium is the preferred N source for microorganisms. The results strongly exhibited altered C/N stoichiometry due to drought stress substantially affecting the active microbial functional groups, fungi being dominant over bacteria. Interestingly, the results showed that legume residues can be potential fertilizer sources for nutrient-depleted tropical soils. In addition, application of plant residue can help to counter the N loss caused by leaching. It can also synchronize crop N uptake and N release from soil by utilizing microbes as an ephemeral nutrient pool during the early crop growth period.

Residual Effects of Compost and Green Manure of Pea with Other Organic Wastes on Nutrient-Use Efficiency of Successive Rice after Wheat

Adoption of legumes in cereal-based cropping systems and improvement of organic fertilizers are important to reduce chemical fertilizer use. We supplied compost and green manure (GM) of green pea plant residue (GP), without supplementation or supplemented with dried chicken manure (CM) and/or rapeseed oil residue (RR), for wheat and examined the effects of compost and GM (remaining fertilizer) on the rice of pea–wheat–rice system in two factorial pot experiments. Additions of pea residue resulted in an increase of 30% grains of rice compared to without addition, and compost increased 25% grains against GM. Supplementation increased 63–70% of rice grains as compared to the control. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) recovery efficiencies were correlated with yield, which suggested that composting and supplementation enabled effective nutrients accumulation in plant, resulting in better yield. Therefore, it is recommended that composting of GP with CM plus RR improves effectiveness of pea on rice of a pea–wheat–rice system.

Decomposition, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization from winter-grown cover crop residues and suitability for a smallholder farming system in South Africa

Increasing land degradation has prompted interest in conservation agriculture which includes growing cover crops. Besides providing soil cover, decaying cover crops may release substantial amounts of nutrients. Decomposition, N and P release from winter cover crops [grazing vetch (Vicia darsycarpa), forage peas (Pisum sativum) and oats (Avena sativa)] were assessed for suitability in a cropping system found in the smallholder irrigation sector of South Africa. Nitrogen and P contribution to maize growth by cover crop residues was also estimated. Decrease in mass of cover crop residues was highest in grazing vetch (7% remaining mass after 124 days) followed by forage peas (16%) and lastly oats (40%). Maximum net mineralized N and P were higher for grazing vetch (84.8 mg N/kg; 3.6 mg P/kg) than for forage peas (66.3 mg N/kg; 2.7 mg P/ha) and oats (13.7 mg N/kg; 2.8 mg P/kg). Grazing vetch and forage pea residues resulted in higher N contribution to maize stover than oat residues. Farmers may use grazing vetch for improvement of soil mineral N while oats may result in enhancement of soil organic matter and reduction land degradation because of their slow decomposition. Terminating legume cover crops a month before planting summer crops synchronizes nutrient release from winter-grown legume cover crops and uptake by summer crops.

Maize yield response to the combined application of tundulu rock phosphate and Pigeon Peas residues in Kasungu, Central Malawi.

Malawi is endowed with several large deposits of rock phosphate (RP) occurring in the southern part of the country that remain unexploited due to limited knowledge on their agronomic usefulness. A study therefore, was conducted to assess the potential of improving maize yield through use of Tundulu Rock Phosphate (TRP) and pigeon pea residues. Maize yield responses to sole application of either pigeon pea biomass or TRP and the application of these in combination were evaluated. In the study, researcher designed but farmer managed trials involving eight farmers were mounted on farm. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design. The results indicated a non significant maize yield increase from 683 kg ha-1 in the control (sole maize) plot to 1,396 kg ha-1 (104.4%) in the treatment where TRP was applied. Maize yield was increased significantly (p<0.05) from 683 kg ha-1 in the control (sole maize) plot to 1,999 kg ha-1 (192.7%) in the treatment where pigeon pea biomass was applied in combination with TRP and that maize yield was increased significantly from 683 kg ha-1 in the control plot to 1,887 kg ha-1 (176.3%), in the treatment where sole pigeon pea biomass only was applied. The result suggests that the combined application of legume biomass and TRP to the soil can improve maize yields to some extent. Key words: Malawi, maize, rock phosphate, biomass, Cajanus cajan.

N, P and K released by the field decomposition of residues of a pea-wheat-sunflower rotation

A common agricultural policy rule has banned the burning of wheat stubble. It might gradually increase the surface under no-till in Europe. The release dynamics of nutrients from the crop residues left on the soil surface has rarely been studied under Mediterranean climate conditions. As part of a long-term experiment started in 1982, a field study was carried out during the agricultural seasons 2001/2, 2002/3 and 2003/4, to determine the decomposition and nutrient release of above-ground residues deposited on a clayey soil in the south of Spain, in which a legume-cereal-sunflower rotation was followed. At the end of its decomposition cycle, the pea residue (Pisum sativum L. cv. Ideal) had lost 60% of its initial mass, durum wheat (Triticum durum L. cv. Amilcar) 35%, and sunflower (Helianthus annus L. cv. Sanbro) 39%. The N release by the pea residue, wheat and sunflower was of 13.5, 6.7 and 8.5 kg ha−1, respectively. The P release was of 2.9 kg ha−1 (pea) and of 0.7 kg ha−1 (sunflower), and the highest content of released K was noted in the sunflower residue, 78 kg ha−1, compared to 22.5 kg ha−1 in wheat and 2.4 kg ha−1 in pea. In pea and sunflower, residue loss and N and P release in most cases followed simple linear and exponential functions, from which the specific decay rates were calculated. The decomposition rates of the different nutrients were higher than those of the residue in pea and sunflower, and the residue semi-decomposition periods, of 138 d in sunflower, and 191 d in pea, indicated a great persistence of the remains. The soil protection was acceptable in the case of wheat and sunflower, but not in pea. The application of the Douglas–Rickman model and the knowledge of the variation in the concentration of the nutrient in the crop remains permitted the estimation of the amount of N and P remaining in them over the intercropping period. In any case, in our climate and with soils rich in K, the release of nutrients from the residue, mainly N, is fairly scant and, in principle, does not seem to be of any interest in the fertilization programmes followed by the farmers in the area.

Bio-active compost from pea plant enriched with chicken manure and oilseed rape cake and its effect on yields and nutrient recovery efficiencies of wheat and rice

Two factorial pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of biodecomposer (BD) and nutrient supplemented compost of pea residue on wheat and rice. Compost was prepared with green pea plant residue (PP), in the presence or absence of BD, without or with dried chicken manure (CM) and/or oilseed rape cake (RC). We assessed the effect of compost on yields and nutrient recovery efficiencies of both crops. Results revealed that BD reduced composting duration and enriched compost with N, P and K. Composts with CM and CM plus RC increased grain yields of wheat and rice. The composts increased grains of wheat and rice nearly 5 and 1.6 times, respectively, above the control. Nitrogen, P and K recovery efficiencies were positively correlated with yields, suggesting that supplementation in composting with CM or CM plus RC enabled effective accumulation of the nutrients, resulting in higher yield. Moreover, BD increased 9.4% of wheat and 6.9% of rice grains. So, composting of PP, in the presence of BD, with CM or CM plus RC is recommend for a pea-wheat-rice cropping system to improve soil fertility and effectiveness of pea on the system.

Nitrogen release from field pea residues and soil inorganic N in a pea-wheat crop rotation in northwestern Canada

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) varieties can differ in morphology, N2 fixation and straw N content. A study was conducted over 3 site-years to evaluate the influence of pea variety and inoculation with Rhizobium on N release from decomposing pea residues. The litterbag technique was used to measure N release over a 52-wk period starting from the time of pea harvest in one season through part of the following season when wheat was grown. Experimental treatments comprised factorial combinations of three pea varieties and either inoculation with 5 kg ha-1 of a granular inoculant or none, arranged in a randomized complete block design. Neither pea variety nor inoculation affected amounts or patterns of N released. Patterns of N release over time showed mostly net N mineralization in two of 3 site-years, and some net N immobilization in one site-year. The percentages (up to 19 to 24% over time) and amounts (up to 2.3 to 7.5 kg N ha-1) of N released were low, probably due to the combination of low N concentrations (mostly &lt; 1%) in the residues and below-normal rainfall in all 3 site-years. Soil NO3-N and NH4-N (0- to 80-cm depth) in the fall after pea harvest (20 to 39 and 27 to 55 kg N ha-1, respectively) and in spring before wheat seeding (23 to 51 and 16 to 40 kg N ha-1, respectively) were not affected by pea variety or inoculation. However, soil NO3-N was mostly higher after peas than after barley (the control). There is need to measure patterns of N release over several subsequent crops to check if more N is released in the long term. Key words: Crop residue, N mineralization, Rhizobium inoculation, soil inorganic N

Effects of crop rotation, residue retention and sowing time on the incidence and survival of ascochyta blight and its effect on grain yield of field peas ( Pisum sativum L.)

Ascochyta blight is endemic in many regions where field pea ( Pisum sativum) is grown, causing significant losses in grain yield. Crop management is the main method used to reduce the severity of disease and minimise yield losses, but with varying degrees of success. This is likely to be due to variation in the production and survival of inoculum. A 6-year experiment was conducted in which disease pressure was manipulated by crop rotation, residue retention, time of sowing and fungicide treatment. The experiment measured the amount and persistence of inoculum on crop residues and in soil as well as its dispersal in the air during the growing season, and assessed disease development and yield. Aerial inoculum from infected pea residues was the main source of infection, followed by soil-borne inoculum. Soil-borne inoculum declined slowly. The average rate of decline in soil inoculum was 15% per year, suggesting that a break of 6 years is required to reduce soil inoculum by 90%. This slow decline meant that increasing the disease break from 2 to 4 years did not consistently reduce the severity of disease or improve grain yield. By comparison, inoculum on pea crop residues declined rapidly after one season. Aerial inoculum was released from residues in two main periods: in autumn, before the pea crop was sown, and also in spring. Very little aerial inoculum was measured in winter. Rainfall in summer and autumn influenced inoculum release prior to sowing and reduced the disease pressure during establishment of the crop. Aerial inoculum was exhausted once 193 mm of rainfall had been received after 1 December. Delayed sowing was the best strategy for reducing the level of disease by avoiding the autumn peak in aerial inoculum. Disease severity was more than halved and grain yield increased by 6% by delaying sowing by 3–4 weeks. However, in the absence of disease, grain yield of early-sown crops was 20% greater than that of late-sown crops. A strategy of early sowing and the strategic use of fungicide may enable the dual goals of reduced disease and improved yields to be achieved. Early sowing without the disease penalty may be possible in seasons that have high summer and autumn rainfall, which results in the release of ascospores prior to sowing.

Isotopic tracing of phosphorus uptake in corn from 33P labelled legume residues and 32P labelled fertilisers applied to a sandy loam soil

In low input (e.g. organic) farming systems where soil phosphorus (P) fertilisers such as superphosphate are not used, maintaining sufficient available soil P for plant growth can be a major challenge. The use of P accumulating cover crops may increase P availability for subsequent crops. We hypothesised that P release from organic residues of legumes (faba bean (Vicia faba) and field peas (Pisum sativum)) could supply adequate P to meet the needs of a subsequent crop in a low P soil. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the contribution of P by legume green manure to subsequent corn using 33P labelled legume residues and 32P labelled inorganic fertiliser (KH2PO4). The treatments included two rates of P application, (a) 10 kg P ha−1 as legume root and shoot residues or as inorganic fertiliser with and without a C source, and (b) 38 kg P ha−1as a combination of legume shoot and root residues or a combination of root and inorganic fertiliser and inorganic fertiliser alone. An absolute control (zero P) was also used. Shoot dry matter, P uptake and P source (residues or fertilisers) of total P in corn were measured at harvest. Faba bean and field pea residues alone or in combination with fertilisers contributed up to 10% and 5% of the total P uptake by corn respectively, compared with up to 54% by inorganic fertilisers. Incorporation of field pea and faba bean residues with P concentrations higher than those observed under field conditions, may not always lead to adequate net P release to supply the early growth phase of subsequent crops.

Effect of different types of organic fertilizers on the chemical properties and enzymatic activities of an Oxisol under intensive cultivation of vegetables for 4 years

The effects of different types of organic fertilizers on the chemical and enzymatic properties of an Oxisol were studied after being fertilized for four consecutive years (26 crops) in a greenhouse under intensive cultivation of vegetables. Seven treatments, consisting of five types of organic fertilizer treatments, one “sequential application” (SA) treatment, and a chemical fertilizer treated plot were compared. The organic fertilizers used were dairy cattle dung compost (DCDC), hog dung compost (HDC), chicken dung compost (CDC), pea residue compost (PRC) and soybean meal (SBM). After 4 years of cultivation, the soils were analyzed for their chemical properties and enzymatic activities. The microbial carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), basal respiration and nitrification rate were also measured. The results showed that the SBM significantly lowered the soil pH, and that the HDC and DCDC raised the soil pH. The SBM and CDC resulted in the lowest soil electrical conductivity. The SBM had no significant effect on soil organic C and total N contents when compared with the CF plot. However, the DCDC resulted in the highest contents of soil organic C and total N. The organic fertilizers applied did not significantly affect the soil available copper, zinc, cadmium, lead and nickel. The effects of the different organic fertilizers on soil enzymatic activities depended on the types of organic fertilizers applied. The SBM and CDC often resulted in a lower microbial C (or N) and respiration rate, while in contrast DCDC and PRC resulted in high measurements. Most of the measured soil enzymatic activities in the SBM treatment, except for acid phosphatase, were the lowest. Differing contents of different heavy metals in the organic fertilizers resulted in different Mehlich III extractable heavy metal contents in the soils. From the point of view of the soil chemical and enzymatic properties, SBM is not an appropriate organic fertilizer for continuous application to an Oxisol.

Dynamics of C, N, P and microbial community composition in particulate soil organic matter during residue decomposition

Decomposing residues can be an important source of nutrients for plants, especially of N and P, but the relationship between N and P release and microbial community dynamics have rarely been studied. Two pea (Pisum sativum L.) residues with contrasting chemical composition, shoots from flowering pea (Pea-Y) with 2.9 mg P and 36 mg N kg−1 and from mature pea (Pea-M) with 0.3 mg P and 13 mg N kg−1, were added at a rate of 20 g kg soil−1 to a sandy soil low in nutrients. Particulate organic matter (POM) was isolated on days (d) 0, 5, 15, 28, 42 and 61 after residue addition and analysed for C, N, P and microbial community structure (fatty acid methyl ester analysis). The recovery of POM from residue-amended soils decreased over time to 30–40% of added amounts for both residues. Apart from d 0, the N concentration in POM was lower in residue-amended soil than in the control. Due to a rapid decrease in P concentration during the first 5 days in Pea-Y and a slow increase over the whole experiment in Pea-M, P concentrations in POM on d 61 were similar in all treatments. In Pea-Y, the dynamics of C, N and P were coupled, with amounts of C, N and P decreasing during the first 15 days and remaining stable thereafter. In Pea-M, a steady loss of C from POM was contrasted by a slight increase in P. As a result, the C/P ratio decreased from 1,330 on d 0 to 390 on d 61. The C/N ratio of Pea-M decreased only during the second phase of decomposition. The different nutrient dynamics in Pea-Y and Pea-M led to similar amounts of N and P in POM towards the end of the incubation. Microbial community composition in the POM in Pea-Y and Pea-M remained distinct from the control, even though it changed over time. POM was shown to be an important source of potentially available nutrients after addition of plant residues. In the unamended soil, stable nutrient amounts in POM suggested very low net nutrient release from native POM compared to POM after residue addition.

Chemical changes and phosphorus release during decomposition of pea residues in soil

To study C chemistry and nutrient dynamics in decomposing residues and P dynamics at the residue–soil interface, young pea (Pea-Y) and mature pea (Pea-M) residues were incubated in a sandy soil with low P availability. The study was conducted in microcosms in which the residues were separated from the soil by a nylon mesh. Controls consisted of microcosms without residues. Residues and the soil in the immediate vicinity of the nylon mesh were sampled after 5, 15, 28, 42 and 61 days. Residue chemistry was studied by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and determination of C, N and P concentrations. Compared to Pea-M, Pea-Y was characterised by higher N and P concentrations, higher percentage of proteins, esters, fatty acids and sugars, and was more easily decomposable in the first 15 days. Pea-M residues had a greater percentage of cellulose and other polysaccharides than Pea-Y and showed a more gradual loss in dry weight. Differences in C chemistry and N and P concentration between the residues decreased with time. The decomposition of Pea-Y and Pea-M residues resulted in an increase in microbial P in the residue–soil interface compared to the control, but available P was increased only in the vicinity of Pea-Y residues.

(14) Establishment of Buckwheat as a Summer Cover Crop after Early Vegetables

Buckwheat has historically been used to suppress weeds and improve soil condition, but many of the tricks to success have been lost to history. Buckwheat is inexpensive and particularly effective in short windows between crops. We are documenting the techniques of existing experts and complementing that with research. We surveyed northeastern vegetable and strawberry growers to identify what information they need in order to feel confident that they could succeed with a buckwheat cover crop. Top questions include seed availability, types of weeds controlled, relation to other cover crops, volunteer management, and herbicide tolerance. One question tested experimentally was how to establish a full stand with minimum cost. We tested the minimum tillage requirement following pea harvest. No-till resulted in good emergence but slow growth, and dominance by weeds. Disk incorporating the pea residue resulted in excellent growth, which was not further enhanced by chisel plowing before disking. Buckwheat seedlings are intolerant of waterlogging, so deeper tillage may be important in wet years. Sowing buckwheat immediately after tillage resulted in emergence of 35%, leaving gaps large enough for weeds to grow. Waiting 1 week gave an 80% stand and complete weed suppression. Waiting 2 weeks also gave an 80% stand, but weed growth was advanced enough that weed suppression was incomplete. Therefore, a buckwheat cover crop following early vegetables requires light tillage to permit root growth, and up to a week of decomposition. If those provisions are made, complete weed suppression is obtainable.

Potassium release during decomposition of crop residues under conventional and zero tillage

Nutrient cycling is an important part of integrated nutrient management. The litterbag method was used in field experiments to determine potassium (K) release patterns from red clover (Trifolium pratense) green manure (GM), field pea (Pisum sativum), canola (Brassica rapa) and monoculture wheat (Triticum aestivum) residues under conventional and zero tillage from 1998 to 1999 and from 1999 to 2000. Potassium contained in crop residues ranged from 25 kg ha-1 in wheat to 121 kg ha-1 in pea residues, both under zero tillage. The percentage of K released over a 52-wk period ranged from 65% of pea K under zero tillage to 99% of clover K under conventional tillage, and the amounts released were 20–32 kg ha-1 from wheat, 31–52 kg ha-1 from canola, 28–79 kg ha-1 from pea, and 31–118 kg ha-1 from legume GM residues. In both trial periods, K from wheat residues was released at a faster rate under conventional tillage than under zero tillage during the first 10 wk of residue decomposition. In contrast, K from pea and canola residues was released more quickly under zero tillage than under conventional tillage. The effect of tillage on K release from GM residues was similar to that on pea and canola residues in 1998–1999, but similar to that on wheat residues in 1999–2000. Correlations between K release and residue quality were inconsistent, presumably because K is not a structural component of plant tissue, and therefore its release is probably related more to leaching than to residue decomposition. These results show that crop residues recycle substantial amounts of K for use by subsequent crops in rotation. Key words: Conservation tillage, crop residue quality, crop rotation, organic soil amendments

Stabilization and plant uptake of N from 15N-labelled pea residue 16.5 years after incorporation in soil

The decline of N from 15N-labelled mature pea residues was followed in unplanted soil over 16.5 yr. Eight years after residue incorporation, 24% of the residue 15N input was still present in the soil and, after 16.5 yr, 16% of the residue 15N input remained. A double exponential model successfully described the decay of N from 15N-labelled pea residues. The total residual 15N declined with average decay constants of 1.45 yr −1 for the 30 d to 1 yr period and of 0.07 yr −1 for the 1–16 yr period. Sixteen years following incorporation of the residues, indicator plants growing in residues-amended soils were obtaining 1.7% of their N from residue N. This is, to our knowledge, the longest study on decay of N in soils from 15N-labelled crop residues. The current study thus provides a unique data set for our empirical understanding of N-dynamics in agricultural systems, which is a prerequisite to parameterize and validate N-simulation models.