Published in Agron. J. 96:1761-1764 (2004).
© American Society of Agronomy
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
Production Papers
Tillage and Residual Nitrogen Impact on Wheat Forage
P. J. Wiatraka,*,
D. L. Wrighta and
J. J. Maroisb
a Dep. of Agronomy, North Florida Res. and Educ. Center, Univ. of Florida, 155 Research Rd., Quincy, FL 32351
b Dep. of Plant Pathology, North Florida Res. and Educ. Center, Univ. of Florida, 155 Research Rd., Quincy, FL 32351
* Corresponding author (pjwiatrak{at}mail.ifas.ufl.edu)
Received for publication March 22, 2004.
 |
ABSTRACT
|
|---|
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) forage yield and quality can be affected by management of the previous crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate two tillage systems [no-till (NT) and conventional (CT)] and residual response to four N rates (0, 67, 134, and 202 kg ha–1) applied to the previous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop. The experiment was conducted on a Dothan sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults) in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997. Greater wheat dry matter yields were obtained from CT than NT in 1995–1996 (6.3 and 5.4 Mg ha–1, respectively), while tillage did not influence yields in 1996–1997 (7.5 and 8.0 Mg ha–1 for CT and NT, respectively). Wheat yields were not influenced by N application to the previous cotton crop. The in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) was not influenced by tillage or N application to the previous cotton crop. With increasing N application to a previous cotton crop, neutral detergent fiber (NDFt) and neutral detergent ash-free (NDFaf) increased in wheat forage under CT and decreased in NT. Nitrogen concentration of wheat increased with N application to the previous crop. Concentration of P was greater from CT than NT in 1995–1996, while tillage did not influence P concentration in 1996–1997 growing season. Increasing N application rates to the previous crop decreased NDFt and NDFaf in wheat grown in NT and increased N concentration in dry matter of wheat grown in both tillage systems. Generally, NT is a viable option for growing wheat forage following cotton.
Abbreviations: CT, conventional tillage • IVOMD, in vitro organic matter digestion • NDFaf, neutral detergent fiber ash-free • NDFt, neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis • NT, no-till • ST, strip till
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|---|
R ESIDUAL N MUST BE considered in cropping systems due to increases of this nutrient in soil (Grant et al., 2002) and risk to the environment (Woolfolk et al., 2002). López-Bellido et al. (2000) noted that the carryover effect of N fertilizer can be substantial. However, crops differ in their yield potential and in the amounts of nutrients that they remove from the soil (Grant et al., 2002). According to López-Bellido et al. (2000), the traditional use of high rates of N fertilizer by farmers to meet crop requirements in wet years may be excessive with greater N loss due to denitrification, runoff, and leaching during the periods of heavy winter rain. Therefore, N management plays a key role in improving crop yield and quality, environmental safety, and economics of crop production (Campbell et al., 1995). Current fertilizer N recommendations developed for tilled systems may be inadequate for optimum production of wheat under NT (McConkey et al., 2002) and needs re-examination due to the potential effects of surface residue on N transformations and crop development (Weisz et al., 2001).
Crop rotation and tillage are two management practices that can influence the N dynamics of soil–plant systems (Soon et al., 2001). Gan et al. (2003) showed that crops grown in previous years impact the amounts of residual nutrients available for subsequent plant growth. Crops differ substantially in the amount of N returned in the crop residue for use by subsequent crops primarily due to amount and N concentration of residue (Grant et al., 2002). When released in synchrony with crop N demand, crop residue N is a particularly desirable source of N as losses to the environment are minimized (Stute and Posner, 1995). Huggins and Pan (1993) noted that developing cropping systems that use N efficiently is important for reducing costs of N fertilizer inputs and for minimizing nitrate contamination. An efficient cropping system will attempt to balance crop demands for N with timing and rate of N supply so that crop yield is optimized while N is neither overdepleted from the soil nor accumulated in quantities that result in the potential for contamination of ground or surface waters (Grant et al., 2002). Staley et al. (1990) noted that N losses under NT exceed those under CT. However, Smith and Sharpley (1993) stated that differences in crop residue N availability associated with residue placement should have minor agronomic and environmental impact.
Intensification and diversification of cropping systems influence nutrient demand, cycling, and distribution within the soil profile (Grant et al., 2002) and increase yield potential by influencing nutrient availability (Campbell et al., 1990). Intensive cropping combined with reduced tillage systems and fertilizer management targeted to the production level of the system can increase organic matter content and improve quality of soils (Campbell et al., 1996). Conventional tillage techniques can result in dry seedbeds and increase the risk of soil erosion (Entz et al., 2002). However, NT crop establishment maintains soil water available for germinating seeds and increases seed establishment, especially when postseeding precipitation is absent (Allen and Entz, 1994). Gemtos et al. (1998) noted that NT methods present many advantages in terms of timeliness, lower economic cost, and energy consumption, and appear to be a good alternative practice. Tillage is declining in wheat production systems (Carr et al., 2003); NT technologies that reduce the turn-around time for wheat cultivation after cotton have been developed (Sheikh et al., 2003). López-Bellido et al. (2000) observed that the continuous NT treatment is an environmentally appealing alternative to conventional tillage with a view to obtaining good wheat yields in dry years. They found that in the frequent wet periods, however, CT may provide better growth and higher wheat yields.
Annual forages play an important role in the feed supply (Entz et al., 2002).Winter wheat is a well-adapted crop for the semiarid southern Great Plains (Unger, 2001) and may be grown for grain or forage only, or for both forage and grain (Redmon et al., 1995). The use of wheat as a forage crop is aimed at reducing competition between areas devoted to grain and forage crops (Arzadun et al., 2003). Wheat pasture is a valuable source of high-quality forage (high in protein, energy, and minerals, and low in fiber) and wheat fall–winter forage is comparable to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for crude protein and digestibility (Hossain et al., 2003). Little research has been conducted on residual N from the previous cotton crop on winter wheat. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the response of wheat forage production seeded in NT and CT to N applied to the previous cotton crop.
|
MATERIALS AND METHODS
|
|---|
Field trials with ‘Pioneer 2684’ wheat were conducted from 1995 to 1997 on a Dothan sandy loam at the University of Florida's North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL (30°36°N lat, 84°33'W long). Treatments consisted of two tillage systems for wheat (NT and CT) and four N rates applied to the previous cotton crop (0, 67, 134, and 202 kg N ha–1). Tillage establishment for this study began with wheat seeded in NT and CT in 1994. However, only wheat seeded in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 followed a previous cotton crop. Cotton was established in strip-till (ST) and CT following NT and CT in wheat, respectively. Wheat followed cotton in cotton–wheat–cotton–wheat rotation. The NT and CT in wheat were established following ST and CT in the previous cotton crop, respectively. The N treatment in cotton, in the form of ammonium nitrate (34–0–0, N–P–K), was applied at 67 and 134 kg ha–1 4 wk after planting, and 202 kg N ha–1 was divided into 134 kg N ha–1 (applied 4 wk after planting) and 68 kg N ha–1 (applied 3 wk later).
Before seeding wheat, all plots were fertilized with 28, 24, and 70 kg ha–1 of N, P, and K, respectively. The NT sections of the study were broadcast sprayed with glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] 2 wk before seeding wheat in 1995 and 1996. Conventional sections were subsoiled, disc-harrowed, and s-tine harrowed 3 d before seeding wheat in both years. The NT and CT sections were seeded with wheat at 101 kg ha–1 in 18-cm row widths using a Great Plains No-till Drill (Great Plains Mfg., Assaria, KS) on 23 Nov. 1995 and 1996. The subplots were 6.1 m long and 3.7 m wide. All wheat treatments were side-dressed with ammonium nitrate (34–0–0, N–P–K) fertilizer at 78 kg N ha–1 at the end of January in both years. Herbicides were applied to control winter weeds. The study was broadcast sprayed with diclofop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) phenoxy] propanoate} at 2.3 L ha–1 on 4 Mar. 1996 and thifensulfuron-methyl + tribenuron-methyl {methyl 3-[[[[4-methoxy-6methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-2-thiophenecarboxylate + methyl 2-[[[[N-(4-methoxy-6methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)methylamino] carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate} at 36.5 mL ha–1 on 11 Feb. 1997.
Wheat samples for forage were cut 2 to 3 cm above the ground level at the kernel soft dough stage from each plot using a sickle bar mower (Garden Way, Troy, NY) on 22 and 14 April in 1996 and 1997, respectively. After cutting, wheat samples were placed in a air-forced drier at 60°C, weighed, and ground to pass through a 1-mm screen. In vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) on these samples was performed by a modification of the two-stage technique (Moore and Mott, 1974). Neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis (NDFt) and NDFaf were determined using the procedure of Golding et al. (1985). For N and P analysis, samples were digested using a modification of the aluminum block digestion procedure of Gallaher et al. (1975). Sample weights were 0.25 g each, catalyst used was 1.5 g of 9:1 K2SO4/CuSO4, and digestion was conducted for at least 4 h at 375°C using 6 mL of H2SO4 and 2 mL H2O2. Nitrogen and P in the digestate were determined by semiautomated colorimetry (Hambleton, 1977).
The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split plot treatment arrangement with four replicates. The main effects were tillage systems for wheat and subplots were N rates applied to the previous cotton crop. Because years were sequential with potentially cumulative effects on soil and plant parameters, years were considered fixed effects. Tillage and N rates for the previous cotton crop were considered fixed. Replicates and interactions including replicates (replicate x year and replicate x year x tillage) were assumed to be random effects. Data were analyzed using the general linear models (SAS Inst., 1989), and means were separated using Fisher's Protected Least Significant Difference Test (P 
0.05). Linear and quadratic responses were characterized using regression analysis.
|
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
|
|---|
A year x tillage interaction was found for wheat dry matter yield (Table 1). Wheat dry matter yields were greater from CT than NT in 1995–1996, while tillage did not influence yields in 1996–1997 (Table 2). The results from 1995–1996 agree with Soon et al. (2001), who noted higher biomass of wheat from CT than NT. The NT system, due to surface placement of crop residue (Smith and Sharpley, 1993), may reduce yields through decreased N availability (Rao and Dao, 1992). Our research showed that wheat dry matter yields were not influenced by N application to the previous crop (Table 1). However, Wiatrak et al. (1996) observed an increase in wheat yields with increased N to the previous crop. The results of this study indicate that greater wheat dry matter yields, due to higher N availability, may be expected from CT than NT in some years.
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Table 1. Analysis of variances with mean square (MS) for wheat dry matter yield, IVOMD, NDFt, NDFaf, and N and P concentrations at Quincy, FL, in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
|
|
View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Table 2. Wheat dry matter (DM) yield and P concentration under conventional (CT) and no-till (NT) systems at Quincy, FL, in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
|
|
Tillage and N application did not influence IVOMD (Table 1). This indicates that similar IVOMD concentrations would be expected regardless of tillage practice to the wheat crop and N application rates to the previous cotton crop. Wiatrak et al. (1994) also found that IVOMD in corn (Zea may L.) was not influenced by tillage. However, they noted that IVOMD of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] was lower with ST than CT.
A tillage x N application interaction was observed for NDFt and NDFaf (Table 1). Maximum wheat NDFt in CT could be expected with application of 182 kg N ha–1 to the previous cotton crop (Fig. 1). However, with every 1 kg N ha–1 applied to the previous cotton crop, we would expect a 0.06 g kg–1 decrease in wheat NDFt concentration in NT. A maximum wheat NDFaf concentration would be expected with 172 kg ha–1 in CT (Fig. 2). In NT, one would expect a minimum concentration of NDFaf in wheat at 170 kg N ha–1 applied to the previous cotton crop. Compared with corn and pearl millet, Wiatrak et al. (1994) observed that NDF was not influenced by tillage. However, Alley et al. (1993) found that NDF in corn would decrease with increased N rate. Generally, NDFt and NDFaf in wheat forage would be expected to increase in CT and decrease in NT with increasing N rates to the previous cotton crop. This could be attributed to increased carbohydrates and lignin that are indigestible or slowly digested in wheat seeded in CT compared with NT.
View larger version (14K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig. 1. Influence of N rates applied to the previous cotton crop on wheat NDFt at Quincy, FL, in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
|
|
View larger version (15K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig. 2. Influence of N rates applied to the previous cotton crop on wheat NDFaf at Quincy, FL, in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
|
|
An interaction of year x N application to the previous cotton crop was found for wheat tissue N concentration (Table 1). The maximum wheat forage N concentration was at 166 and 147 kg N ha–1 applied to the previous crop in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 growing seasons, respectively (Fig. 3). Wiatrak et al. (1996) also reported that the N concentration in wheat increased with N fertilization to the previous crop. Our research showed that tillage did not influence N concentration in wheat (Table 1). Gilliam and Hoyt (1987) also noted that crop N uptake for NT was not different than that observed for CT. However, Soon et al. (2001) noted that N uptake by wheat was greater under NT than CT due to greater crop utilization of soil N under NT than CT. In contrast, Smith and Sharpley (1993) observed reduction in residue N availability with surface placement of crop residue compared with soil incorporation. Moreover, Staley et al. (1990) noted that N losses under NT exceed those under CT. These results suggest that the N content in wheat is expected to increase with increased N to the previous crop; however, the influence of tillage has been variable and must be further defined.
View larger version (13K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig. 3. Influence of N rates applied to the previous cotton crop on wheat tissue N concentration at Quincy, FL, in 1995–1996 and 1996–1997.
|
|
A year x tillage interaction was observed for P concentration in wheat (Table 1). The concentration of P was greater from CT than NT in 1995–1996, while tillage did not influence P concentration in 1996–1997 (Table 2). The influence of N application on P concentration in wheat forage was not significant (Table 1). According to Grant et al. (2002), P availability may be influenced by depletion or accumulation of P, based on past cropping and fertilizer management. They found that the preceding crop may influence P availability through residue effects and impacts on vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae activity. The results show that the concentration of P in wheat from NT and CT is not consistent and more research is needed to further define this influence.
|
SUMMARY
|
|---|
Wheat dry matter yields and P concentration were inconsistent from year to year when compared between tillage systems. Wheat yields were greater in CT than NT in some years. Since there was no yield response from previous crop N fertilization, it appears that the application 106 kg N ha–1 to wheat was adequate for yield. The concentration of P was greater under CT than NT in the 1995–1996 vegetation season due to slower P release under NT. Tillage and N application to the previous cotton crop did not influence the IVOMD concentration in wheat forage. With N application to the previous cotton crop, N concentration in wheat increased in both years. Nitrogen release during spring wheat growth could have contributed to increased N concentrations without increasing dry matter yield. Results of this study showed that residual N decreased NDFt and NDFaf in wheat under NT and increased N concentration (improving in terms of crude protein) in wheat under NT and CT. Overall, NT is a viable option for wheat forage production.
|
NOTES
|
|---|
This research was supported by the Florida Agric. Exp. Stn. and approved for publication as Journal Series no. R-10123.
|
REFERENCES
|
|---|
- Allen, C.L., and M.H. Entz. 1994. Zero-tillage establishment of alfalfa and meadow bromegrass as influenced by previous annual grain crop. Can. J. Plant Sci. 74:521–529.
- Alley, S.E., G.L. Mullins, and D.W. Reeves. 1993. Response of tropical corn to nitrogen and starter fertilizer in conventional and strip tillage systems. p. 69–71. In P.K. Bollich (ed.) Proc. Southern Cons. Tillage Conf. for Sustainable Agric., Monroe, LA. 15–17 June 1993. Louisiana Agric. Exp. Stn. ms. no. 93–86–7122. Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA.
- Arzadun, M.J., J.I. Arroquy, H.E. Laborde, and R.E. Brevedan. 2003. Grazing pressure on beef and grain production of dual-purpose wheat in Argentina. Agron. J. 95:1157–1162.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Campbell, C.A., B.G. McConkey, R.P. Zentner, F. Selles, and D. Curtin. 1996. Long-term effects of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic C and total N in a clay soil in southwestern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Soil Sci. 76:395–401.
- Campbell, C.A., R.J.K. Myers, and D. Curtin. 1995. Managing nitrogen for sustainable crop production. Fert. Res. 42:277–296.
- Campbell, C.A., R.P. Zentner, H.H. Janzen, and K.E. Bowren. 1990. Crop rotation studies on the Canadian prairies. Publ. 1841. E. Res. Branch, Agric. Canada, Ottawa, ON.
- Carr, P.M., R.D. Horsley, and W.W. Poland. 2003. Tillage and seeding rate effects on wheat cultivars: I. Grain production. Crop Sci. 43:202–209.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Entz, M.H., V.S. Baron, P.M. Carr, D.W. Meyer, S.R. Smith, Jr., and W.P. McCaughey. 2002. Potential of forages to diversify cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94:240–250.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Gallaher, R.N., C.O. Weldon, and J.G. Futral. 1975. An aluminum block digester for plant and soil analysis. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 39:803–806.
- Gan, Y.T., P.R. Miller, B.G. McConkey, R.P. Zentner, F.C. Stevenson, and C.L. McDonald. 2003. Influence of diverse cropping sequences on durum wheat yield and protein in the semiarid Northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 95:245–252.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Gemtos, T.A., S. Galanopoulou, and C. Kavalaris. 1998. Wheat establishment after cotton with minimal tillage. Eur. J. Agron. 8(1–2):137–147.
- Gilliam, J.W., and G.D. Hoyt. 1987. Effect of conservation tillage on fate and transport of nitrogen. p. 217–240. In T.J. Logan (ed.) Effects of conservation tillage on groundwater quality: Nitrates and pesticides. Lewis Publ., Chelsea, MI.
- Golding, E.J., M.F. Carter, and J.E. Moore. 1985. Modification of the neutral detergent fiber procedure for hay. J. Dairy Sci. 68:2732–2736.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Grant, C.A., G.A. Peterson, and C.A. Campbell. 2002. Nutrient considerations for diversified cropping systems in the Northern Great Plains. Agron. J. 94:186–198.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Hambleton, L.G. 1977. Semiautomated method for simultaneous determination of phosphorus, calcium and crude protein in animal feeds. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 60:845–852.
- Hossain, I., F.M. Epplin, and E.G. Krenzer, Jr. 2003. Planting date influence on dual-purpose winter wheat forage yield, grain yield, and test weight. Agron. J. 95:1179–1188.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Huggins, D.R., and W.L. Pan. 1993. Nitrogen use efficiency component analysis: An evaluation of cropping system differences in productivity. Agron. J. 85:898–905.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- López-Bellido, L., R.J. López-Bellido, J.E. Castillo, and F.J. López-Bellido. 2000. Effects of tillage, crop rotation, and nitrogen fertilization on wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Agron. J. 92:1054–1063.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- McConkey, B.G., D. Curtin, C.A. Campbell, S.A. Brandt, and F. Selles. 2002. Crop and soil nitrogen status of tilled and no-tillage systems in semiarid regions of Saskatchewan. Can. J. Soil Sci. 82:489–498.
- Moore, J.E., and G.O. Mott. 1974. Recovery of residual organic matter from in vitro digestion of forages. J. Dairy Sci. 57:1258–1259.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Rao, S.C., and T.H. Dao. 1992. Fertilizer placement and tillage effects of nitrogen assimilation by wheat. Agron. J. 84:1028–1032.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Redmon, L.A., G.W. Horn, E.G. Krenzer, Jr., and D.J. Bernardo. 1995. A review of livestock grazing and wheat grain yield: Boom or bust? Agron. J. 87:137–147.
- SAS Institute. 1989. SAS user's guide. SAS Inst., Cary, NC.
- Sheikh, A.D., T. Rehman, and C.M. Yates. 2003. Logit models for identifying the factors that influence the uptake of new ‘no-tillage’ technologies by farmers in the rice–wheat and the cotton–wheat farming systems of Pakistan's Punjab. Agric. Syst. 75:79–95.
- Smith, S.J., and A.N. Sharpley. 1993. Nitrogen availability from surface-applied and soil-incorporated crop residues. Agron. J. 85:776–778.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Soon, Y.K., G.W. Clayton, and W.A. Rice. 2001. Tillage and previous crop effects on dynamics of nitrogen in a wheat–soil system. Agron. J. 93:842–849.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Staley, T.E., W.H. Caskey, and D.G. Boyer. 1990. Soil denitrification and nitrification potentials during the growing-season relative to tillage. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 54:1602–1608.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Stute, J.K., and J.L. Posner. 1995. Synchrony between legume nitrogen release and corn demand in the upper midwest. Agron. J. 87:1063–1069.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Unger, P.W. 2001. Alternative and opportunity dryland crops and related soil conditions in the southern Great Plains. Agron. J. 93:216–226.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Weisz, R., C.R. Crozier, and R.W. Heiniger. 2001. Optimizing nitrogen application timing in no-till soft red winter wheat. Agron. J. 93:435–442.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Wiatrak, P.J., D.L. Wright, J.A. Pudelko, and B.T. Kidd. 1994. Comparison of tillage methods on pearl millet and tropical corn for silage and grain. p. 131–136. In P.J. Bauer and W.J. Busscher (ed.) Proc. Southern Conserv. Tillage Conf. for Sustainable Agric., Columbia, SC. 7–9 June 1994. USDA-ARS Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research, Florence, SC.
- Wiatrak, P.J., D.L. Wright, D.W. Reeves, J.A. Pudelko, and B. Kidd. 1996. Influence of summer grass and legume crops on winter-grown wheat and lupin. Proc. Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla. 55:89–91.
- Woolfolk, C.W., W.R. Raun, G.V. Johnson, W.E. Thomason, R.W. Mullen, K.J. Wynn, and K.W. Freeman. 2002. Influence of late-season foliar nitrogen applications on yield and grain nitrogen in winter wheat. Agron. J. 94:429–434.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
M. T. Bowman, P. A. Beck, K. B. Watkins, M. M. Anders, M. S. Gadberry, K. S. Lusby, S. A. Gunter, and D. S. Hubbell
Tillage Systems for Production of Small-Grain Pasture
Agron. J.,
August 11, 2008;
100(5):
1289 - 1295.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Dhima, I. Vasilakoglou, A. Lithourgidis, S. Papadopoulou, and I. Eleftherohorinos
Tillage System Effects on Competition between Barley and Sterile Oat
Agron. J.,
June 5, 2006;
98(4):
1023 - 1029.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
