Nitrogen Mineralization Response to Tillage Practices on Low and High Nitrogen Soils

Moore, Amber and Tarkalson, D.D. (2010) Nitrogen Mineralization Response to Tillage Practices on Low and High Nitrogen Soils. pp. 65-68. USA-ID-Shoshone, 2010/03/09. In: Proceedings of the Idaho Nutrient Management Conference, March 9, 2010, Shoshone, Idaho. University of Idaho.

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Abstract

Decomposition rates directly affect carbon and nitrogen ratios, which can affect nitrogen mineralization rates. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of tillage method and nitrogen rate on nitrogen available to sugar beets planted after a cereal crop. This two-year field study conducted in Kimberly, Idaho, consisted of three tillage methods (moldboard plow, chisel plow, and strip tillage), two tillage timings (fall and spring), and four fertilizer N rates plus a control. Soils from each plot were sampled shortly after nitrogen fertilization and incubated at average seasonal temperatures for Kimberly, Idaho to monitor nitrogen mineralization patterns. In 2008, we found that at N fertilizer rates of 0, 50, and 100 lbs N per acre, intensive tillage (moldboard plow and chisel plow) in the spring had the greatest potential for decreasing plant available nitrogen and increasing soil carbon, while intensive tillage in the fall slightly increased plant available nitrogen. No tillage method or tillage timing effects were detected in 2009, likely due to unexpectedly high residual nitrogen concentrations in the soil. It appears that tillage method and timing are more likely to impact nitrogen mineralization in growth limiting (low N) environments.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	1362
Subjects:	Soil > Tillage Soil > Chemistry > Nitrogen
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2010 19:06
Last Modified:	06 Dec 2010 22:59
Item ID:	1387
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1387