Nitrogen and Sulfur Recycling and Diagnostic in Cover Crop-Maize Systems

• Published in: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2021-03, Vol.21 (1), p.801-812
• Main Authors: Carciochi, W. D., Crespo, C., Eliceche, M., Barbieri, P. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Avena sativa; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cereal crops; Chlorophyll; Corn; Cover crops; Crop residues; Crop yield; Cropping systems; Crops; Ecology; Environment; Fertilization; Fertilizers; Grain; Grasses; Legumes; Life Sciences; Nitrogen; Nutrients; Nutritional status; Original Paper; Plant Sciences; Recycling; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Sulfur; Vicia villosa; Zea mays
• ISSN: 0718-9508; 0718-9516
• DOI: 10.1007/s42729-020-00402-y

It remains uncertain how oat ( Avena sativa L.) and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.) impact both nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) recycling in cover crop-maize ( Zea mays L.) systems as well as N and S diagnostic methods in maize. Field trials were conducted at three sites in the southeastern Argentinean Pampas to evaluate the effect of oat, hairy vetch, and bare fallow combined with four N and S fertilization treatments (unfertilized, N-, S-, and NS-fertilized) on maize. Soil N and S content at maize sowing, chlorophyll meter reading (CMR) at silking, and grain yield were determined. Overall, soil NO 3 − -N content (0–60 cm) at maize sowing was hairy vetch > bare fallow > oat, while SO 4 −2 -S content was hairy vetch > bare fallow = oat. Maize yield response to N was predicted from soil NO 3 − -N content ( R 2  = 0.80). The CMR was negatively correlated with cover crop residue quality (carbon (C)/N and C/S ratios). Also, CMR accurately predicted variations in maize grain yield. In the unfertilized treatment, maize yield was hairy vetch > bare fallow > oat, in two of the three sites. There was no yield response to N or S with hairy vetch. Oat and hairy vetch differentially affected N and S recycling in cover crop-maize cropping systems. Soil NO 3 − -N and SO 4 −2 -S content at maize sowing combined with CMR are reliable diagnostic tools to assess maize N and S, allowing for sustainable fertilization management.