Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems

For legume green manures (GM) to be effective, environmentally sound N sources for horticultural crops in the tropics, their N release must be in synchrony with crop N demand. Decomposition and N release of surface applied (mulch) or incorporated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and indigofera (Indi...

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Main Authors: Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen, Midmore, David J., Ladha, Jagdish K., Olk, Daniel C., Schmidhalter, Urs
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Wiley 2000
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/167097
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author Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen
Midmore, David J.
Ladha, Jagdish K.
Olk, Daniel C.
Schmidhalter, Urs
author_browse Ladha, Jagdish K.
Midmore, David J.
Olk, Daniel C.
Schmidhalter, Urs
Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen
author_facet Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen
Midmore, David J.
Ladha, Jagdish K.
Olk, Daniel C.
Schmidhalter, Urs
author_sort Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description For legume green manures (GM) to be effective, environmentally sound N sources for horticultural crops in the tropics, their N release must be in synchrony with crop N demand. Decomposition and N release of surface applied (mulch) or incorporated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria L.) GM were studied in six field studies conducted at three locations in Taiwan and the Philippines between 1993 and 1995. Litter bags and inorganic N soil samplings were used in order to understand tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crop responses to GM N. Resulting soil N contents were compared with a control (no GM, no fertilizer). The N content of 60 to 74 d soybean GM varied between 110 and 140 kg N ha−1 and that of indigofera between 5 and 40 kg N ha−1. Nitrogen‐15‐labeled soybean GM was traced in the soil and in organic matter fractions (humic acids, calcium humates, humins) in one of the field studies. Soybean and indigofera decomposed rapidly, losing 30 to 70% of their biomass within 5 wk after application, depending on GM placement, season (wet vs. dry), and location. Soil nitrate contents increased corresponding to GM N release at all locations and seasons, with a maximum increase of 80 to 100 kg NO3–N ha−1 with incorporated soybean. The peak N release occurred 2 to 6 wk after GM application in two of the three locations, and 5 to 8 wk in the third location. The apparent decline of GM N release at all locations and seasons 8 wk after application was only partly caused by tomato N uptake. At tomato harvest, 30 to 60% of the GM 15N was found in the soil, and was found mostly in humins. Comparable N release dynamics across seasons and locations suggest a possible N fertilizer substitution by incorporated soybean GM for basal N application and first side dressing to tomato. With respect to season and location, GM N should be supplemented with N fertilizer starting after 8 wk to ensure optimal tomato yields.
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spelling CGSpace1670972025-12-08T09:54:28Z Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen Midmore, David J. Ladha, Jagdish K. Olk, Daniel C. Schmidhalter, Urs biomass decomposition green manures mineral uptake mulches nitrogen nitrogen fertilizers organic matter soil philippines taiwan For legume green manures (GM) to be effective, environmentally sound N sources for horticultural crops in the tropics, their N release must be in synchrony with crop N demand. Decomposition and N release of surface applied (mulch) or incorporated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and indigofera (Indigofera tinctoria L.) GM were studied in six field studies conducted at three locations in Taiwan and the Philippines between 1993 and 1995. Litter bags and inorganic N soil samplings were used in order to understand tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) crop responses to GM N. Resulting soil N contents were compared with a control (no GM, no fertilizer). The N content of 60 to 74 d soybean GM varied between 110 and 140 kg N ha−1 and that of indigofera between 5 and 40 kg N ha−1. Nitrogen‐15‐labeled soybean GM was traced in the soil and in organic matter fractions (humic acids, calcium humates, humins) in one of the field studies. Soybean and indigofera decomposed rapidly, losing 30 to 70% of their biomass within 5 wk after application, depending on GM placement, season (wet vs. dry), and location. Soil nitrate contents increased corresponding to GM N release at all locations and seasons, with a maximum increase of 80 to 100 kg NO3–N ha−1 with incorporated soybean. The peak N release occurred 2 to 6 wk after GM application in two of the three locations, and 5 to 8 wk in the third location. The apparent decline of GM N release at all locations and seasons 8 wk after application was only partly caused by tomato N uptake. At tomato harvest, 30 to 60% of the GM 15N was found in the soil, and was found mostly in humins. Comparable N release dynamics across seasons and locations suggest a possible N fertilizer substitution by incorporated soybean GM for basal N application and first side dressing to tomato. With respect to season and location, GM N should be supplemented with N fertilizer starting after 8 wk to ensure optimal tomato yields. 2000-03 2024-12-19T12:57:01Z 2024-12-19T12:57:01Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/167097 en Wiley Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen; Midmore, David J.; Ladha, Jagdish K.; Olk, Daniel C. and Schmidhalter, Urs. 2000. Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems. Agronomy Journal, Volume 92 no. 2 p. 253-260
spellingShingle biomass
decomposition
green manures
mineral uptake
mulches
nitrogen
nitrogen fertilizers
organic matter
soil
philippines
taiwan
Th o ¨ nnissen, Carmen
Midmore, David J.
Ladha, Jagdish K.
Olk, Daniel C.
Schmidhalter, Urs
Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title_full Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title_fullStr Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title_full_unstemmed Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title_short Legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
title_sort legume decomposition and nitrogen release when applied as green manures to tropical vegetable production systems
topic biomass
decomposition
green manures
mineral uptake
mulches
nitrogen
nitrogen fertilizers
organic matter
soil
philippines
taiwan
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/167097
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