Abstract

This study examined whether the N release pattern during decomposition of plant materials used as green manures can be modified in the short term through mixing plant materials with different levels of easily degradable compounds. In a lysimeter study, white clover shoots were mixed with perennial ryegrass shoots or chicory roots. Leaching of clover N was decreased more by inclusion of chicory than by ryegrass. However, decreased leaching losses over the non-growing season did not lead to enhanced N uptake by the crop during the following growing season.

Keywords

Chicory; lysimeter; N immobilization; N leaching; N mineralization; perennial ryegrass; plant N uptake; white clover

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil and Plant Science
2012, volume: 62, number: 7, pages: 659-665
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

Authors' information