Long-term straw management and N fertilizer rate effects on crop yield, N uptake and N balance sheet in a Black Chernozem
Date
2012-03-13
Authors
Malhi, S.S.
Nyborg, M.
Solberg, E.D.
Dyck, M.
Puurveen, D.
Leach, D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
A field experiment with barley monoculture (1983-1996), and wheat/barley-canola-triticale-pea
rotation (1997-2009) was conducted on a Black Chernozem [Albic Argicryoll] silty clay loam at
Ellerslie, Alberta, to assess the influence of straw management (straw removed [SRem] and straw
retained [SRet]), N fertilizer rate (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N ha-1) and N source (urea and polymercoated
urea [called ESN]) under conventional tillage on seed yield, straw yield, total N uptake in
seed + straw and N balance sheet. On the average, SRet produced greater seed yield (by 205-220
kg ha-1), straw yield (by 154-160 kg ha-1) and total N uptake (by 5.2 kg N ha-1) than SRem in
almost all cases in both periods for both N sources. There was a considerable increase in yield
and total N uptake up to 75 kg N ha-1 rate. Urea produced greater straw yield (by 95 kg ha-1) and
total N uptake (by 3.3 kg N ha-1) than ESN in the 1983-1996 period. The N balance sheets over
the 1983-2009 study duration indicated large amounts of applied N unaccounted for ranging
from 696 to 1334 kg N ha-1, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system
through denitrification and/or nitrate leaching, and from the soil mineral N pool by N
immobilization. In conclusion, the findings suggest that long-term retention of crop residue may
gradually improve soil productivity.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop