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Nitrogen dynamics in conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems with inorganic fertilizer or legume nitrogen inputs

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Summary

Nitrogen (N) dynamics were studied in conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems on the Georgia Piedmont. Nitrogen inputs in the form of ammonium nitrate (95 kg-N/ha) and winter legume (crimson clover) residues were compared. The legume provided adequate N for summer crop (grain sorghum) production, but water use by the legume reduced the ability of sorghum to utilize the N. Legume N inputs became availabe to plants more gradually than fertilizer inputs. Weed growth and potential denitrification activity were higher in legume-N treatments than in fertilizer-N treatments. Tillage affected the timing of N avaialbility more than the total amount of available N. Summer crops took up more N under conventional tillage while winter crops took up more N under no-tillage. Denitrification activity was higher under no-tillage but was not a significant output from the agroecosystems. Leaching losses of N differed seasonally between treatments but were not significant in any of the agroecosystems.

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Author notes

  1. Peter M. Groffman

    Present address: Department of Crop and Soil Science, Michigan State University, 48224, East Lansing, Michigan, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia

    Peter M. Groffman, Paul F. Hendrix & D. A. Crossley Jr.

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  2. Paul F. Hendrix
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  3. D. A. Crossley Jr.
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Groffman, P.M., Hendrix, P.F. & Crossley, D.A. Nitrogen dynamics in conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems with inorganic fertilizer or legume nitrogen inputs. Plant Soil 97, 315–332 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02383222

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02383222

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