P. Clotuche et A. Peeters, Nitrogen uptake by Italian ryegrass after destruction of non-fertilized set-aside covers at different times in autumn and winter, J AGRON CR, 184(2), 2000, pp. 121-131
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture/Agronomy
Journal title
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE-ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ACKER UND PFLANZENBAU
The introduction of the European set-aside into the rotation can modify the
nitrogen availability for subsequent crops. With a view to evaluating this
effect, three non-fertilized covers were sown in May 1995. These covers we
re ploughed in at three different times: October 1995, December 1995 and Ma
rch 1996. The ploughed-in nitrogen quantities did not vary greatly with des
truction time. The greatest quantities were incorporated into red clover pl
ots and the smallest quantities into perennial ryegrass plots. The C/N of p
erennial ryegrass was on average 24 and that of red clover 14.
The soil cover by clover just before ploughing is significantly related to
the ploughed-in nitrogen quantities.
An Italian ryegrass was sown as the subsequent crop to the set-aside. Overa
ll, during the whole year 1996 and 1996-1997, there was no difference betwe
en the yields for different destruction times except for the first cut of 1
996.
The highest production was obtained after red clover and the lowest after p
erennial ryegrass. The relationship between the nitrogen amount or C/N of t
he ploughed-in material and the nitrogen export for the annual harvest of I
talian ryegrass showed highly significant correlations in 1996 as well as f
or the 2-year harvest. Two multiple regressions were calculated in order to
take into consideration the characteristics of the ploughed-in material of
the set-aside.
The measured percentage of soil cover by clover before ploughing and the an
nual nitrogen export of Italian ryegrass were also significantly related in
1996 and for both years.