The influence of a long-term black medic (Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crop on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and nutrient uptake in flax (Linum usitatissimum) under zero-tillage management

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 1071-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Turmel ◽  
M. H. Entz ◽  
M. Tenuta ◽  
W. E. May ◽  
G. P. LaFond
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Linum Usitatissimum ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Medicago Lupulina ◽  
Micronutrient Uptake

Turmel, M. S., Entz, M. H., Tenuta, H., May, W. E. and LaFond, G. P. 2011. The influence of a long-term black medic ( Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crop on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and nutrient uptake in flax ( Linum usitatissimum ) under zero-tillage management. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 1071–1076. Leguminous cover crops are becoming a popular way to increase the sustainability of agricultural systems. Previously, cover crops have been found to increase colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphorus and micronutrient uptake. Long-term field studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that self-regenerating black medic (Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crops increase AMF colonization and early nutrient uptake in flax (Linum usitatissimum). Field experiments were established in 2000 (Manitoba) and 2002 (Saskatchewan) using a flax–wheat (Triticum aestivum)–oat (Avena sativa) rotation. In a second experiment, intact soil cores were harvested from the plots in spring and tested for soil disturbance and cover crop effects under controlled environment conditions (CEC). Both seedling flax crops sampled from the field in 2005 and 2006 and flax growth in CEC showed high levels of AMF root colonization, but no significant influence of the cover crop on AMF colonization by arbuscules or hyphal structures was detected. The AMF enhancing practices used in the experiments (i.e., zero-tillage and inclusion of mycorrhizal crops) may have contributed to the lack of cover crop effect on AMF colonization. The cover crop had no effect on macro- or micronutrient uptake by flax except during drought conditions (Winnipeg 2006), where flax biomass was reduced by 38% and the total uptake of N, P, Zn and Cu was decreased by 34, 30, 31 and 35%, respectively, in the medic treatment.

scholarly journals Temporal Change of Soil Carbon on a Long-Term Experimental Site with Variable Crop Rotations and Tillage Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Laamrani ◽  
Paul R. Voroney ◽  
Aaron A. Berg ◽  
Adam W. Gillespie ◽  
Michael March ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
No Till

The impacts of tillage practices and crop rotations are fundamental factors influencing changes in the soil carbon, and thus the sustainability of agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to compare soil carbon status and temporal changes in topsoil from different 4 year rotations and tillage treatments (i.e., no-till and conventional tillage). Rotation systems were primarily corn and soy-based and included cereal and alfalfa phases along with red clover cover crops. In 2018, soil samples were collected from a silty-loam topsoil (0–15 cm) from the 36 year long-term experiment site in southern Ontario, Canada. Total carbon (TC) contents of each sample were determined in the laboratory using combustion methods and comparisons were made between treatments using current and archived samples (i.e., 20 year and 9 year change, respectively) for selected crop rotations. Overall, TC concentrations were significantly higher for no-till compared with conventional tillage practices, regardless of the crop rotations employed. With regard to crop rotation, the highest TC concentrations were recorded in corn–corn–oats–barley (CCOB) rotations with red clover cover crop in both cereal phases. TC contents were, in descending order, found in corn–corn–alfalfa–alfalfa (CCAA), corn–corn–soybean–winter wheat (CCSW) with 1 year of seeded red clover, and corn–corn–corn–corn (CCCC). The lowest TC concentrations were observed in the corn–corn–soybean–soybean (CCSS) and corn–corn–oats–barley (CCOB) rotations without use of cover crops, and corn–corn–soybean–winter wheat (CCSW). We found that (i) crop rotation varieties that include two consecutive years of soybean had consistently lower TC concentrations compared with the remaining rotations; (ii) TC for all the investigated plots (no-till and/or tilled) increased over the 9 year and 20 year period; (iii) the no-tilled CCOB rotation with 2 years of cover crop showed the highest increase of TC content over the 20 year change period time; and (iv) interestingly, the no-till continuous corn (CCCC) rotation had higher TC than the soybean–soybean–corn–corn (SSCC) and corn–corn–soybean–winter wheat (CCSW). We concluded that conservation tillage (i.e., no-till) and incorporation of a cover crop into crop rotations had a positive effect in the accumulation of TC topsoil concentrations and could be suitable management practices to promote soil fertility and sustainability in our agricultural soils.

Cover crop species affect mycorrhizae-mediated nutrient uptake and pest resistance in maize

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebony G. Murrell ◽  
Swayamjit Ray ◽  
Mary E. Lemmon ◽  
Dawn S. Luthe ◽  
Jason P. Kaye
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
European Corn Borer ◽  
Pest Resistance ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Corn Borer ◽  
Maize Growth

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plant nutrient uptake and chemical defense production, both of which can improve plants’ ability to resist insect herbivory. Cover crops—non-commercial species planted in between cash crops in a crop rotation—can naturally alter both soil nutrients and AMF. We tested whether different cover crop species alter AMF colonization, plant nutrient status and plant–insect interactions in a subsequent maize crop. Cover crop species were either non-mycorrhizal, non-leguminous (canola, forage radish), mycorrhizal non-leguminous (cereal rye, oats), mycorrhizal leguminous (clover, pea) or absent (fallow). We measured the cascading consequences of cover crop treatment on maize root AMF colonization, maize growth and performance of an herbivorous insect (European corn borer) feeding on the maize. Maize AMF colonization was greater in plots previously planted with mycorrhizal (rye, oats) than non-mycorrhizal (canola, radish) cover crops or no cover crop (fallow). AMF colonization was linked to increased plant phosphorous and nitrogen, and maize growth increased with low plant N:P. Induced jasmonic acid pathway plant defenses increased with increasing maize growth and AMF colonization. European corn borer survivorship decreased with lower plant N:P, and insect development rate decreased with increased induced plant defenses. Our data describe a cascade in which cover crop species selection can increase or decrease mycorrhizal colonization of subsequent maize crop roots, which in turn impacts phosphorus uptake and may affect herbivory resistance in the maize. These results suggest that farmers could select cover crop species to manage nutrient uptake and pest resistance, in order to amend or limit fertilizer and pesticide use.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi diversity and transpiratory rate in long-term field cover crop systems from tropical ecosystem, northeastern Brazil

Symbiosis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Sombra Barbosa ◽  
Tancredo Augusto Feitosa de Souza ◽  
Edjane de Oliveira Lucena ◽  
Lucas Jónatan Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Lídia Klestadt Laurindo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Tropical Ecosystem ◽  
Term Field

scholarly journals Mustard and Other Cover Crop Effects Vary on Lettuce Drop Caused by Sclerotinia minor and on Weeds

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 1019-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany A. Bensen ◽  
Richard F. Smith ◽  
Krishna V. Subbarao ◽  
Steven T. Koike ◽  
Steven A. Fennimore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Weed Seed ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sclerotinia Minor ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Lettuce Drop

Mustard cover crops have been suggested as a potential biofumigant for managing soilborne agricultural pests and weeds. We conducted several experiments in commercial lettuce fields in the Salinas Valley, CA, to evaluate the effects of mustard cover crops on lettuce drop caused by Sclerotinia minor and on weed density and seed viability. In a long-term study, we measured the effects of white and Indian mustard cover crops on the density of S. minor sclerotia in soil, lettuce drop incidence, weed densities, weed seed viability, and crop yield in head lettuce. We also tested broccoli and rye cover crop treatments and a fallow control. Across several short-term studies, we evaluated the density of S. minor sclerotia in soil, lettuce drop incidence, weed densities, and weed seed viability following cover cropping with a mustard species blend. Numbers of sclerotia in soil were low in most experimental locations and were not affected by cover cropping. Mustard cover crops did not reduce disease incidence in the long-term experiment but the incidence of lettuce drop was lower in mustard-cover-cropped plots across the short-term experiments. With the exception of common purslane and hairy nightshade, weed densities and weed seed viability were not significantly reduced by cover cropping with mustard. Head lettuce yield was significantly higher in mustard-cover-cropped plots compared with a fallow control. Glucosinolate content in the two mustard species was similar to those measured in other studies but, when converted to an equivalent of a commercial fumigant, the concentrations were much lower than the labeled rate for lettuce production. Although mustard cover cropping resulted in yield benefits in this study, there was little to no disease or weed suppression.

scholarly journals Effects of Long-Term Cover Cropping on Weed Seedbanks

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Nichols ◽  
Lydia English ◽  
Sarah Carlson ◽  
Stefan Gailans ◽  
Matt Liebman
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Crop Biomass

Cool-season cover crops have been shown to reduce soil erosion and nutrient discharge from maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production systems. However, their effects on long-term weed dynamics are not well-understood. We utilized five long-term research trials in Iowa to quantify germinable weed seedbank densities and compositions after 10+ years of cover cropping treatments. All five trials consisted of zero-tillage maize-soybean rotations managed with and without the inclusion of a yearly winter rye (Secale cereal L.) cover crop. Seedbank sampling was conducted in the early spring before crop planting at all locations, with three of the five trials having grown a soybean crop the preceding year, and two a maize crop. Two of the trials (both previously soybean) showed significant and biologically relevant decreases (4,070 and 927 seeds m−2, respectively) in seedbank densities in cover crop treatments compared to controls. In another two trials, one previously maize and one previously soybean, no difference was detected in seedbank densities. In the fifth trial (previously maize), there was a significant, but biologically unimportant increase of 349 seeds m−2. All five trials' weed communities were dominated by common waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.)], and changes in seedbank composition from cover-cropping were driven by changes in this species. Although previous studies have shown that increases in cover crop biomass are strongly correlated with weed suppression, in our study we did not find a relationship between seedbank changes and the mean amount of cover crop biomass produced over a 10-years period (experiment means ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1), the stability of the cover crop biomass production, nor the amount produced going into the previous crop's growing season. We conclude that long-term use of a winter rye cover crop in a maize-soybean system has the potential to meaningfully reduce the size of weed seedbanks compared to winter fallows. However, identifying the mechanisms by which this occurs requires further research into processes such as seed predation and seed decay in cover cropped systems.

Impact of cover crop in pre-plant of apple orchards: relationship between crop health, root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Manici ◽  
M. Kelderer ◽  
F. Caputo ◽  
F. Nicoletti ◽  
F. De Luca Picione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Rhizospheric Bacteria ◽  
Replant Disease ◽  
Crop Health

Manici, L. M., Kelderer, M., Caputo, F., Nicoletti, F., De Luca Picione, F. and Topp A. R. 2015. Impact of cover crop in pre-plant of apple orchards: relationship between crop health, root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 947–958. Replant disease of fruit tree orchards has a multifactorial etiology, mainly due to the decline in soil biodiversity along with an increase in root rot pathogens, which can be principally countered with appropriate cropping practices. Therefore, a study on the impact of cover crops on plant health of young fruit trees in long-term orchards was performed. Bioassays were performed over two consecutive growing cycles using soil from a multigeneration apple orchard affected by replant disease. First, a cycle was performed with three cover crops (alfalfa, barley, marigold) and apple rootstock plantlets; at the end, the above-ground part of the plant was removed and root residues left in the soil. In the second cycle, an apple orchard planting was simulated upon the first experimental design. Changes of diversity and composition of root inhabiting fungi and rhizospheric bacteria were evaluated as well as apple plant growth response to the pre-plant treatments. Results suggest that one cycle with alternate plants was sufficient to induce changes at the rhizosphere level, despite soil microbial resilience caused by the same long-term soil management. Rhizospheric bacteria were generally affected by plant genotype. Findings suggest that all three different cover crops can harbor almost all fungal species that colonize apple in replanted orchards (Fusarium spp., Pythum spp., binucleate Rhizoctonia sp., Cylindrocarpon-like-fungi and a several nonpathogenic saprophytic fungi named “other”), but their infection frequency varied according to the host plant. A single pre-plant break treatment did not overall differ significantly in plant growth of subsequent apple tree; however, break with marigold, which increased abundance of nonpathogenic root inhabiting fungi more than other cover crops, gave significantly higher plant growth than obtained after barley. This study provides evidence about cover-crop potential to increase soil diversity in long-term permanent cropping systems and to manipulate root colonizing fungi involved in crop health.

scholarly journals Improved nutrient uptake in three Crotalaria species inoculated with multifunctional microorganisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 460-465
Author(s):  
Anna C. Lanna ◽  
Mariana A. Silva ◽  
Alécio S. Moreira ◽  
Adriano S. Nascente ◽  
Marta C. C. de Fillipi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Levels ◽  
Subsequent Crop

HIGHLIGHTS Multifunctional microorganisms promote the nutrient enrichment in Crotalaria plants. Cover crop residues are vital in managing soil fertility. Nutritionally improved cover crops increase soil nutrient levels for the subsequent crop.

scholarly journals Summer Cover Crops and Soil Amendments to Improve Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Okra

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingren Wang ◽  
Yuncong Li ◽  
Waldemar Klassen
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Coal Ash ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Yard Waste ◽  
Organic Soil Amendments ◽  
Sunn Hemp ◽  
Sorghum Sudangrass

A pot experiment with summer cover crops and soil amendments was conducted in two consecutive years to elucidate the effects of these cover crops and soil amendments on `Clemson Spineless 80' okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) yields and biomass production, and the uptake and distribution of soil nutrients and trace elements. The cover crops were sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana), and sorghum sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × S. bicolor var. sudanense) with fallow as the control. The organic soil amendments were biosolids (sediment from wastewater plants), N-Viro Soil (a mixture of biosolids and coal ash, coal ash (a combustion by-product from power plants), co-compost (a mixture of 3 biosolids: 7 yard waste), and yard waste compost (mainly from leaves and branches of trees and shrubs, and grass clippings) with a soil-incorporated cover crop as the control. As a subsequent vegetable crop, okra was grown after the cover crops, alone or together with the organic soil amendments, had been incorporated. All of the cover crops, except sorghum sudangrass in 2002-03, significantly improved okra fruit yields and the total biomass production (i.e., fruit yields were enhanced by 53% to 62% in 2002-03 and by 28% to 70% in 2003-04). Soil amendments enhanced okra fruit yields from 38.3 to 81.0 g/pot vs. 27.4 g/pot in the control in 2002-03, and from 59.9 to 124.3 g/pot vs. 52.3 g/pot in the control in 2003-04. Both cover crops and soil amendments can substantially improve nutrient uptake and distribution. Among cover crop treatments, sunn hemp showed promising improvement in concentrations of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo) in fruit; magnesium (Mg), Zn, Cu, and Mo in shoots; and Mo in roots of okra. Among soil amendments, biosolids had a significant influence on most nutrients by increasing the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mo in the fruit; Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mo in the shoot; and Mg, Zn, and Mo in the root. Concentrations of the trace metal cadmium (Cd) were not increased significantly in either okra fruit, shoot, or root by application of these cover crops or soil amendments, but the lead (Pb) concentration was increased in the fruit by application of a high rate (205 g/pot) of biosolids. These results suggest that cover crops and appropriate amounts of soil amendments can be used to improve soil fertility and okra yield without adverse environmental effects or risk of contamination of the fruit. Further field studies will be required to confirm these findings.

Climate-smart agriculture: microbiological impacts of plant diversity to soil carbon (C) sequestration.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Shrestha ◽  
Karoliina Huusko ◽  
Anna-Reetta Salonen ◽  
Jussi Heinonsalo
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Am Fungi ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Fungal Colonization ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Diversity Effect

<p>Soil organic matter (SOM) is any material produced by living organisms at various stages of decomposition. SOM enhances soil fertility and quality and influences soil’s ability to fight against soil-borne diseases. Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration into SOM through improved agricultural management practices has been suggested to be a cost effective way to mitigate climate change.</p><p>The build-up of SOM is largely regulated by soil microbial activity. Soil microbes use most plant-derived C and either produce CO<sub>2</sub> or incorporate C into their biomass and after death microbial necromass may contribute to stable SOM. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the root colonizing soil microbes important in nutrient cycling, plant nutrition, growth and composition and maybe soil aggregation. The benefits of microbes including AM fungi should be thus utilized for climate friendly agriculture by magnifying their benefits via better agricultural management.</p><p>Cover crops use is one of the climate friendly agricultural practices. Cover crops if managed right, can provide several benefits e.g. enhanced soil C sequestration, reduced emissions from fertilizer production, weed suppression, better soil moisture retention and microbial activity. Moreover, use of diverse cover crops may favor higher soil biodiversity leading to high SOM content. In this project, plant diversity impacts on soil and root fungal community composition and microbial activity related to soil C sequestration were studied in a field experiment. In addition, special attention was given to AM fungi.</p><p>The field experiment was started in May, 2019 in Viikki Research farm, University of Helsinki. The experiment consists of seven treatments comparing four different levels of biodiversity to conventional monoculture treatments and bare fallow. Eight different species of cover crops representing four functional traits were sown under barley: 1) nitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>)-fixing + shallow rooting , 2) deep rooting, 3) N<sub>2</sub>-fixing +deep rooting and 4) no N<sub>2</sub>-fixing and shallow rooting. Barley and cover crop root samples and soil samples were collected from two growing seasons 2019 and 2020. Root samples were analyzed for AM fungal colonization %. Soil samples were analyzed for soil microbial biomass and microbial respiration in different seasons. Preliminary results showed no significant cover crop diversity effect on AM fungal colonization % in barley root in 2019. Soil microbial biomass and soil microbial respiration showed seasonal variations but not significant cover crop diversity effect. Therefore, fungal communities in soil and root will be examined using Illumina (MiSeq) sequencing targeting the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Soil enzyme activities and carbon use efficiency will be performed to gain insight into microbial activity. Obtained results will show if microbial community and activity is affected by either plant family composition or plant diversity.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of Ambient and Elevated [CO2] in Low Light Levels on Growth, Physiology and Nutrient Uptake of Tropical Perennial Legume Cover Crops

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Virupax C. Baligar ◽  
Marshall K. Elson ◽  
Zhenli He ◽  
Yuncong Li ◽  
Arlicelio de Q. Paiva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Legume Cover Crops ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Perennial Legume

At early stages of establishment of tropical plantation crops, inclusion of legume cover crops could reduce soil degradation due to erosion and nutrient leaching. As understory plants these cover crops receive limited irradiance and can be subjected to elevated CO2 at ground level. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to assess the effects of ambient (450 µmol mol−1) and elevated (700 µmol mol−1) levels of [CO2] on growth, physiological changes and nutrient uptake of six perennial legume cover crops (Perennial Peanut, Ea-Ea, Mucuna, Pigeon pea, Lab lab, Cowpea) under low levels of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD; 100, 200, and 400 µmol m−2 s−1). Overall, total and root dry biomass, total root length, specific leaf area, and relative growth rates were significantly influenced by levels of [CO2] and PPFD and cover crop species. With few exceptions, all the cover crops showed significant effects of [CO2], PPFD, and species on net photosynthesis (PN) and its components, such as stomatal conductance (gs) internal CO2 conc. (Ci), and transpiration (E). Increasing [CO2], from 450 to 700 μmol mol−1 and increasing PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol ּm−2 ּs−1 increased PN. Overall, the levels of [CO2], PPFD and species significantly affected total water use efficiency (WUETOTAL), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEINST) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEINTR). With some exceptions, increasing levels of [CO2] and PPFD increased all the WUE parameters. Interspecific differences were observed with respect to macro-micro nutrient uptake and use efficiency. With a few exceptions, increasing levels of [CO2] from 450 to 700 μmol mol−1 and PPFD from 100 to 400 μmol m−2 s−1 increased nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of all nutrients by cover crop species.

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