Effect of plant age on in-soil decomposition and nitrogen content of sunn hemp tissue. Issue 21 (30th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baitsaid, A.; Schaffer, B.; Vargas, A.I.; Li, Y.; Liu, G.
• Is Part Of: Communications in soil science and plant analysis. Volume 49:Issue 21(2018)
• Page Start: 2680
• Page End: 2688
• Publication Date: 2018-11-30
• Subjects: Crotalaria juncea L. -- cover crop -- nitrogen mineralization -- neutral detergent fiber -- acid detergent fiber; Soil science -- Periodicals; Plants -- Chemical analysis -- Periodicals; Agricultural chemistry -- Periodicals; 631.405
• DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2018.1526954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-3624

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The effects of plant age at the time of mowing on sunn hemp ( Crotalaria juncea L.) tissue decomposition, nitrogen (N) release, and fiber content in Krome very gravelly loam were assessed. Combined leaf and stem tissue from 42-, 77- or 112-day-old sunn hemp plants was placed in mesh bags and buried below the soil surface in the field. Bags were removed bi-weekly and dry weights, N concentration, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations in buried sunn hemp tissues were determined. There was a rapid decrease plant tissue dry weight during the first 14 days after tissue was buried, followed by a slow gradual decrease. The amount N per hectare was much lower for 42-day-old than 112-day-old sunn hemp. Tissue of the youngest plants decomposed the quickest. Forty two-day-old tissue had a higher N concentration, N mineralization rate, and lower NDF and ADF than 77- or 112-day-old tissue. Mowing and soil incorporation of a 42-day-old instead of a 77- to 112-day-old sunn hemp cover crop prior to planting a cash crop can be beneficial for a fast-growing cash crop planted soon after soil incorporation of the cover crop.