Effect of green manure on the yield,N uptake and floodwater properties of a flooded rice,wheat rotation receiving15N urea on a highly permeable soil

Field studies were conducted for two years on a rapidly percolating loamy sand (Typic Ustochrept) to evaluate the effect of green manure (GM) on the yield,¹⁵N recovery from urea applied to flooded rice, the potential for ammonia loss and uptake of residual fertilizer N by succeeding crops. The GM crop ofSesbania aculeata was grownin situ and incorporated one day before transplanting rice. Urea was broadcast in 0.05 m deep floodwater, and incorporated with a harrow. Green manure significantly increased the yield and N uptake by rice and substituted for a minimum of 60 kg fertilizer N ha^–1. The recovery of fertilizer N as indicated by¹⁵N recovery was higher in the GM + urea treatments. The grain yield and N uptake by succeeding wheat in the rotation was slightly higher with GM. The recovery of residual fertilizer N as indicated by the¹⁵N recovery in the second, third and fourth crops of wheat, rice and wheat was only 3, 1 and 1 per cent of the urea fertilizer applied to the preceding rice crop. Floodwater chemistry parameters showed that the combined use of the GM and 40 kg N ha^–1 as urea applied at transplanting resulted in a comparatively higher potential for NH₃ loss immediately after fertilizer application. The actual ammonia loss as suggested by the¹⁵N recoveries in the rice crop, however, did not appear to be appreciably larger in the GM treatment. It appeared the ammonia loss was restricted by low ammoniacal-N concentration maintained in the floodwater after 2 to 3 days of fertilizer application.     

Use of nitrification inhibitors (neem and DCD) to increase N efficiency in maize-wheat cropping system

A 2-year field experiment was conducted to study the effects of the nitrification inhibitors dicyandiamide (DCD) and neem cake on the efficiency of applied prilled urea nitrogen in a maize-wheat cropping system. Prilled urea (PU), neem cake coated urea (NCU) and DCD blended urea (DCDU) were applied to maize at two levels (60 and 120 Kg N ha^–1) and two methods (all preplant and split) of N application along with a no-nitrogen control and their relative residual effect was studied on succeeding wheat grown with three levels of N as PU.In 1990 maize responded well to N up to 60 kg N ha^–1; at this level PU increased maize yield by 1.03 t ha^–1, whereas NCU and DCDU increased maize yield by 1.55 and 1.18 t ha^–1 over the control, which was equivalent to an application of 127 and 94 kg N ha^–1 as PU, respectively. Furthermore, when the results were averaged over two years of study, residual N from the application of NCU and DCDU at 60 kg N ha^–1 left after maize cropping increased the grain yield of the succeeding wheat crop grown with 60 kg N ha^–1 as PU by 1.97 and 1.68 t ha^–1, respectively, over a no nitrogen control or 60 kg N ha^–1 as PU applied to the maize. This was equal to an application of 96 and 82 kg N ha^–1 as PU to wheat.Thus, neem cake increased the efficiency of urea N applied to maize and benefits were also seen in the succeeding wheat yield in the maize-wheat cropping system.     

Urea management for lowland transplanted rice as affected by application of farmyard manure

Farmyard manure (FYM) applied to rice-growing soils can substitute for industrial fertilizers, but little is known about the influence of FYM on the effectiveness and optimal management for industrial N fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted in northern Vietnam on a degraded soil in the spring season (February to June) and summer season (July to November) to determine the effect of FYM on optimal timing for the first application of urea. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two rates of basal incorporated FYM (0 or 6 Mg ha^–1) in factorial combination with two timings of the first application of 30 kg urea-N ha^–1 (basal incorporated before transplanting or delayed until 14 to 16 d after transplanting). The FYM was formed by composting pig manure with rice straw for 3 months. Basal incorporation of FYM, containing 23 kg N ha^–1, increased rice grain yield in both seasons. The yield increase cannot be attributed to reduced ammonia loss of applied urea-N, because FYM did not reduce partial pressure of ammonia (pNH₃) following urea application in either season. Basal and delayed applications of urea were equally effective in the absence of FYM, but when FYM was applied rice yields in both seasons were higher for delayed (mean = 3.2 Mg ha^–1) than basal (mean = 2.9 Mg ha^–1) application of urea. Results suggest that recommendations for urea timing in irrigated lowland rice should consider whether farmers apply FYM.     

Studies on the substitution of inorganic fertilizers with organic manure and their effect on soil fertility in rice—wheat rotation

Field studies on the substitution of N and P fertilizers with farm yard manure (FYM) and their effect on the fertility status of a loamy sand soil in rice—wheat rotation are reported. The treatments consisted of application of 12 t FYM ha^–1 in combination with graded levels of N and P. Application of fertilizer N, FYM and their different combinations increased the rice yield significantly. There was no significant response to P application. The magnitude of response to the application of 12 t FYM and its combined use with each of 40 kg and 80 kg N ha^–1 was 0.7, 2.2 and 3.9 t ha^–1 respectively. Application of 120 kg N ha^–1 alone increased the yield by 3.9 t ha^–1, and was comparable to rice yield obtained with 80 kg N and 12 t FYM ha^–1. This indicated that 12 t FYM ha^–1 could be substituted for 40 kg N as inorganic fertilizer in rice. In addition FYM gave residual effects equivalent to 30 kg N and 13.1 kg P ha^–1 in the succeeding wheat. The effect of single or combined use of inorganic fertilizers and FYM was significantly reflected in the build up of available N, P, K and organic carbon contents of the soil. The relationship for predicting rice yield and nutrients uptake were also computed and are discussed.     

Fertilizer requirement of rice-wheat and maize-wheat rotations on coarse-textured soils amended with farmyard manure

Field experiments with rice-wheat rotation were conducted during five consecutive years on a coarse-textured low organic matter soil. By amending the soil with 12t FYM ha^–1, the yield of wetland rice in the absence of fertilizers was increased by 32 per cent. Application of 80 kg N ha^–1 as urea could increase the grain yield of rice equivalent to 120 kg N ha^–1 on the unamended soil. Although the soil under test was low in Olsen's P, rice did not respond to the application of phosphorus on both amended and unamended soils. For producing equivalent grain yield, fertilizer requirement of maize grown on soils amended with 6 and 12 t FYM ha^–1 could be reduced, respectively to 50 and 25 per cent of the dose recommended for unamended soil (120 kg N + 26.2 kg P + 25 kg K ha^–1). Grain yield of wheat grown after rice on soils amended with FYM was significantly higher than that obtained on unamended soil. In contrast, grain yield of wheat which followed maize did not differ significantly on amended or unamended soils.     

Response of dryland wheat to fertilizer nitrogen in relation to stored water,rainfall and residual farm yard manure

Yield response of dryland wheat to fertilizer N application in relation to components of seasonal water (available soil moisture and rainfall) and residual farm yard manure (FYM) was studied for five years (1983–84 to 1987–88) on a maize-wheat sequence on sandy loam soils in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, India. Four rates of N viz. 0, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha^–1 in wheat were superimposed on two residual FYM treatments viz. no FYM (F₀) and 15 t ha^–1 (F₁₅) to preceding maize. FYM application to maize increased the residual NO₃-N content by 19–30 kg ha^–1 in the 180 cm soil profile. For a given moisture distribution, F₁₅ increased attainable yields. Over the years, F₁₅ increased wheat yield by 230 to 520 kg ha^–1. Response to fertilizer N was lower in FYM amended plots than in unamended plots. Available soil moisture at wheat seeding and amount and distribution of rainfall during the vegetative and the reproductive phases of crop development affected N use efficiency by wheat. Available soil moisture at seeding alone accounted for 50% variation in yield. The residual effect of FYM on wheat yield could be accounted for by considering NO₃-N in 180 cm soil profile at seeding. The NO₃-N and available soil moisture at wheat seeding along with split rainfall for two main phases of crop development and fertilizer N accounted for 96% variation in wheat yield across years and FYM treatments.     

Impact of rice straw management practices on yield,nitrogen uptake and soil properties in a wheat-rice rotation in northern India

To study the long term effects of rice straw management practices in a wheat-rice rotation, experiments were started from the dry season (Nov–May) of 1984 to wet season (July–Nov) of 1989. Each year, six straw management practices, viz. control (C), straw incorporation (SI), straw mulch (SM), straw burning (SB), animal manure incorporation (AM), and straw and animal manure incorporation together (SI+AM) were imposed to wheat crop and their subsequent residual effect was studied on the following rice crop under three levels of N, viz. 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha^–1. The rate of straw and animal manure used was 5 t ha^–1 on dry weight basis.The wheat yield and N uptake did not vary significantly under control and SB throughout the experimental period. But, the production level of wheat and N uptake were consistently higher under AM and SM over these two treatments. The SI+AM which had significantly lower wheat yields and N uptake over the AM during the first crop, became equal to that of AM and SM during the second and third crops, and out yielded these two treatments from the fourth crop onward. Straw incorporation which produced wheat yield and N uptake even less than control and SB during the first two crops, resulted in wheat yield and N uptake equivalent to AM and SM from the fourth crop onward.None of the straw management practices had residual effects on the yields and N uptake during the first rice crop, except SM which reduced the rice yields and N uptake in the first two crops. However, AM and SI+AM in the second crop; AM, SI+AM and SI in the third crop; and AM, SI+AM, SI and SM from the fourth crop onward had significant and positive residual effects on rice yields and N uptake. Among these four treatments, SI+AM produced residual effects which were significantly higher than the remaining three treatments. Considering the production levels of wheat and rice, SI+AM treatment resulted in savings of 60 kg N ha^–1 each for wheat and rice.After five years of experimentation, the maximum soil build-up of organic carbon; available N, P and K; and DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn was observed under SI+AM, followed by AM and SM and it was minimal under SB and control treatments. The treatments of AM and SI+AM also resulted in a high percentage of water-stable aggregates of 70.25 mm in diameter (80.9%), larger mean weight diameter (0.82 mm), higher porosity (54.2%) and lower bulk density (1.19 Mg m^–3).     

Yield,water use and nitrogen uptake for different water and N levels in winter wheat

In an effort to establish an optimum combination of water and nitrogen for winter wheat a field investigation was carried out on a coarse loamy sand soil during 1984–85 and 1985–86 to assess effects of irrigation regime (IR) and N application on yield, water use and N uptake. The treatments compromised all combinations of three irrigation regimes (IR) based on ratios of irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation viz.1.2 (I-1), 0.9 (I-2) and 0.6 (I-3) and four rates of N, viz. 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^–1. Grain yield increased with increase in frequency of irrigation. In spite of wide differences in weather during the two years, scheduling of irrigation at IW/CPE = 1.2 gave the highest wheat yield on the coarse-textured soil. During 1984–85, the rainless year, grain yield under I-1 was 20 and 32 per cent higher than I-2 and I-3, respectively. With increasing N rate the yield and water use efficiency increased progressively upto 180 kg N under I-1 and upto 120 kg N ha^–1 under I-2 and I-3 regimes. During 1985–86, the wet year, grain yield response to IR was relatively low. Irrespective of IR, yield increased progressively upto 180 kg N ha^–1 during the wet year. Irrigation water regimes and N application also influenced leaf area index and root growth of wheat. The yield of unfertilized wheat was relatively less affected by seasonal rainfall and IR.Both N uptake and grain yield of wheat were found to increase linearly with increase in water use. Water use efficiency was highest under I-1 regime at all levels of N in the dry season of 1984–85 and under I-3 regime in the wet season of 1985–86. Increase in N uptake with increasing N rates was significantly higher under I-1 than I-2 and I-3 regimes. The N use efficiency being maximum at 60 kg N ha^–1, decreased at higher N levels irrespective of IR.     

Assessment of the nitrogen requirements of maize (Zea mays L.) in Southern Guinea Savanna agroecology of Nigeria

During the growing seasons (May to October) of 1987 and 1988 respectively five and four different rates of N were tested on maize (Zea mays L.) at 12 different field sites across the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Nitrogen was applied through granular urea (size +14 mesh), ordinary prilled urea (–35 mesh) and calcium ammonium nitrate. Marked differences existed among experimental sites in maize grain yield response to N with Yelwa and Ta-Hoss in Plateau State having the highest response at 60 and 90 kg N ha^–1 respectively.During 1988, at five experimental sites the yield was maximized with 120 kg N ha^–1, while at three other sites the yield maximization occurred at 90 kg N ha^–1. During 1987, the corresponding number of sites was two and six with 120 and 90 kg N ha^–1 rates, respectively. Plant height and cob number exhibited a linear relationship with yield. Differences in yield in response to application of different N sources were non-significant.Contribution from the Nationally coordinated fertilizer use programme funded by Federal Government of Nigeria     

Effect of green manuring with Sesbania aculeata and nitrogen fertilization on the performance of direct-seeded flood-prone lowland rice

Green manuring of rice with dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) is widely practised under irrigated puddle-transplanted conditions. In flood-prone lowlands, the rice is established through direct seeding early in the season and flooding occurs after 1–2 months of crop growth following regular rains. The low yields are due to poor crop stands and difficulty in nitrogen management under higher depths of water. The effect of green manuring with dhaincha intercropped with direct-seeded rice vis-à-vis the conventional practice of incorporating pure dhaincha before transplanting was investigated under flood-prone lowland conditions (up to 50–80 cm water depth) at Cuttack, India. Treatment variables studied in different years (1992, 1994 and 1995) were: rice varieties of different plant heights, crop establishment through direct seeding and transplanting, varying length of periods before dhaincha incorporation, and urea N fertilizer levels. Dhaincha accumulated 80–86 kg N ha^-1 in pure stand and 58–79 kg N ha^-1 when intercropped with direct-seeded rice in alternate rows at 50 days of growth. The growth of rice improved after dhaincha was uprooted manually and buried in situ between the rice rows when water depth was 10–20 cm in the field. The panicle number was lower but the panicle weight was higher with dhaincha green manuring than with recommended level of 40 kg N ha^-1 applied as urea. The grain yield was significantly higher with direct seeding than with transplanting due to high water levels (>60 cm) immediately after transplanting. Dhaincha manuring was at par with 40 kg N ha^-1 as urea in increasing the yield of direct-seeded and transplanted crops. The highest yield of direct-seeded crop was obtained when 20 kg N ha^-1 was applied at sowing and dhaincha was incorporated at 50 days of growth. The results indicate that green manuring of direct-seeded rice with intercropped dhaincha is beneficial for substituting urea fertilizer up to 40 kg N ha^-1 and augmenting crop productivity under flood-prone lowland conditions.     

Response of lowland rice and common bean grown in rotation to soil fertility levels on a Varzea soil

Brazil has approximately 30 million hectares of lowland areas, known locally as Varzea, but very little is known about their fertility and crop production potential. A field experiment was conducted for three consecutive years to evaluate response of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in rotation with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on a Varzea (low, Humic Gley) soil. Rice was grown at low (no fertilizer), medium (100 kg N ha^–1, 44 kg P ha^–1, 50 kg K ha^–1, 40 kg FTE-BR 12 ha^–1), and high (200 kg N ha^–1, 88 kg P ha^–1, 100 kg K ha^–1, 80 kg FTE-BR 12 ha^–1 fritted trace element-Brazil 12 as a source of micronutrients) soil fertility levels. Green manure with medium fertility was also included as an additional treatment. Average dry matter and grain yields of rice and common bean were significantly (P < 0.01) increased with increasing fertilization. Across the three years, rice yield was 4327 kg ha^–1 at low fertility, 5523 kg ha^–1 at medium fertility, 5465 kg ha^–1 at high fertility, and 6332 kg ha^–1 at medium fertility with green manure treatment. Similarly, average common bean yield was 294 kg ha^–1 at low soil fertility, 663 kg ha^–1 at medium soil fertility, 851 kg ha^–1 at high fertility, and 823 kg ha^–1 at medium fertility with green manure treatment. Significant differences in nutrient uptake in bean were observed for fertility, year, and their interactions; however, these factors were invariably nonsignificant in rice.     

Long-term effect of N and P fertilization on a pearlmillet—wheat cropping system

Results of an eight-year study on long-term effect of N and P application in a pearlmillet—wheat sequence is reported. There was little or no residual effect of N on any of the crops. Pearlmillet needed 70 to 80 kg N and wheat required more than 120 kg N ha^–1 every year for optimum grain yield. There was no soluble P build up in soil by continuous P application. Fertilizing wheat every year with 19 kg P and pearlmillet with 13 kg P ha^–1 is considered optimum.Continuous cropping leading to a production of 216 tonnes of biomass ha^–1 in 17 crops and use of high analysis N (urea) and P (triple superphosphate) fertilizers had not impaired the K and Zn supplying capacity of these alluvial soils containing illite clay minerals. The experiment is being continued to monitor the productivity of the soil as affected by continuous cropping.     

Effects of different levels of chemical Nitrogen (urea) onAzolla and Blue-green algae intercropping with rice

Application of higher levels (60 and 90 kg N ha^–1) of nitrogen fertilizer (Urea) inhibited the growth ofAzolla pinnata (Bangkok) and blue-green algae (BGA) though the reduction was more in BGA thanAzolla. Inoculation of 500 kg ha^–1 of freshAzolla 10 days after transplanting (DAT) in the rice fields receiving 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^–1 as urea produced an average of 16.5, 15.0 and 13.0 t ha^–1 fresh biomass ofAzolla at 30 DAT, which contained 31, 31 and 27 kg N ha^–1, respectively. The dry mixture of BGA (60%Aulosira, 35%Gloeotrichia and 5% other BGA on fresh weight basis) inoculated in rice field 3 DAT at a rate of 10 kg ha^–1 showed a mat formation at 80 DAT with an average fresh biomass of 8.0, 5.8 and 4.2 t ha^–1 containing 22, 17 and 12 kg N ha^–1, respectively with those N fertilizer doses.Application ofAzolla showed positive responses to rice crop by increasing the panicle number and weight, grain and straw yields and nitrogen uptake in rice significantly at all the levels of chemical nitrogen. But, the BGA inoculation had a significant effect on the grain and straw yields only during the dry season in the treatment where 30 kg N was applied. During the wet season and in the other treatments performed during the dry season no significant increase in yields, yield components and N uptake were observed with BGA.The intercropping ofAzolla and rice in combination with 30, 60 and 90 kg N ha^–1 as urea showed the yields, yield attributes and nitrogen uptake in rice at par with those obtained by applying 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha^–1 as urea, respectively but, the BGA did not. The analysis of soil from rice field after harvest showed thatAzolla and BGA intercropping with rice in combination with chemical fertilizer significantly increased the organic carbon, available phosphorus and total nitrogen of soil.     

Benefits and risks of using a combination of sewage sludge and chemical fertilizer on rice in acid sulfate soil

Field experiments were conducted in acid sulfate soils in the CentralPlain of Thailand to study a combination of sewage sludge and urea as nitrogensources for rice. Rice yield, nitrogen mineralization, heavy metal availableanduptake were quantified. The experiment design was a split plot in 2×4 factorialdesign. Two rates of nitrogen (75 and 150 kg Nha^–1) were assigned to main plots and four combinationsof urea and sewage sludge as source of N to subplots. The four combinationswerein % of N from urea (U) and from sewage sludge (S), as follows: 33% N from U + 67%N from S, 67% N from U + 33% N from S, 100% N from U + 0% N from S, and 0% N fromU + 100% N from S. Nitrogen mineralization in these treatments was tested in bothopen and closed systems to study N balance at different growth stages of rice.The results showed that nitrogen at 75 kg N ha^–1 gavea better grain yield than at 150 kg N ha^–1 and control(0 kg N ha^–1). At the higher nitrogen applicationrate, an increase in the biomass with reduced grain yield was observed. Amongthe sources of N, the combination of urea 33% N and sewage sludge 67% Nresultedin highest grain yield. Nitrogen mineralization of sewage sludge in acidsulfatesoil was low. Nitrogen mineralization from urea and urea combination withsludgetreatment were greater than sewage sludge application alone. Due to lowextractable heavy metals in sewage sludge applied soil, the heavy metal contentin milled grain and straw were below allowable limits set by US standards.Results indicated that a combination of urea and quality sewage sludge could beused as a fertilizer nitrogen source for rice, without risks associated withtoxic heavy metals.     

Effectiveness of fall- versus spring-applied urea on barley

Field experiments were conducted in north-central and central Alberta to determine the effect of pellet size and depth of placement on yield and N uptake of barley from fall- and spring-applied urea. The application rate was 56 kg N ha^–1. Fall incorporated commercial urea (0.01 g) gave 792 kg ha^–1 lower yield and 15 kg ha^–1 less N uptake than similarly applied commercial urea in spring on the average for the five experiments. The effectiveness of fall-applied N tended to be greater with large urea pellets (2.5 g), especially when they were placed 15 cm deep. Specifically, the relative yield efficiency of fallversus spring-applied N was 77% when the larger pellets were placed 4 cm deep and 95% when placed 15 cm deep. However, large pellets were less effective than commercial urea when both were applied in spring at sowing or two weeks before.     

Plant response to the management of fluid and solid N fertilizers applied to furrow-irrigated corn

The use of fluid fertilizers has increased in recent years. Plant response to field management practices of fluid and solid N fertilizers in furrow-irrigated field studies has not been well-documented. This research studied the response of corn (Zea mays L.) to several field management practices of fluid and solid N fertilizers applied at several rates. Corn grown with sidedressed applications of the fluid fertilizers, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) and 18-0-0+7Ca, generally had higher grain yields, higher yield efficiencies, higher ear populations, larger seed size, more kernels per ear, and a higher ear leaf N concentration than corn grown with preplant broadcast treatments of urea, ammonium nitrate (AN), and UAN. In 1988, corn grown with 280 kg N ha^–1 of AN applied preplant broadcast had a lower grain yield, yield efficiency, kernels per ear, and ear leaf N concentration, while ear population and kernel size were unchanged, in comparison to split applications of UAN at 224 kg N ha^–1. In 1989, corn grown with three split applications of UAN at 280 kg N ha^–1 had a higher grain yield and produced more kernels per ear without affecting yield efficiency, ear population, kernel size, or ear leaf N concentration compared with treatments at the 224 kg N ha^–1 rate. Use of split, side-dressed N management practices in furrow-irrigated corn should eliminate the need to use excessive N rates while maintaining grain yields and other plant responses, resulting in more efficient N use than traditionally achieved.     

Nitrogen application in dry-seeded delayed-flooded rice in Italy

Dry-seeded delayed-flooded rice in Italy is important in some areas with high sand content. The effects of N application timing and rates on grain yield, milling yield, plant height, total biomass, harvest index (HI) and crop N content were evaluated for dry-seeded delayed-flooded rice in Italy to increase the N use efficiency and to study N fertilizer recommendations. Two widely grown non-semi-dwarf varieties were studied: Drago and Loto. Three N rates were used: 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha^–1. For each rate the fertilizer was applied in seven splits across three growth stages: pre-sowing, pre-flooding and panicle differentiation. Drago produced higher yields and N application at all stages increased yield. Late N application caused the development of secondary sterile tillers, decreasing harvest index. Loto responded to earlier N applications but not to late N applications. In contrast with other trials outside Italy, pre-plant N fertilization was effective in increasing yield. Brown rice and total milled rice yields were higher for Loto. Increasing the applied N rate increased the head rice yield range. With low N no low values were recorded and variation between splits was small. With high N the highest head yield was observed with split application. Height was significantly affected by N rate and split, with a range of 65 to 92 cm and 54 to 86 cm for Drago and Loto, respectively. N application at tillering was more effective. N rate and split affected biomass and decreased HI. Crop N content at maturity was affected by late N application and by total applied fertilizer. N content in the panicle showed lower variation with N split and rate and was negatively correlated with yield. At 120 and 180 kg N ha^–1 all nitrogen applied pre-flooding gave good results in both sites, but the best results were obtained with N split at pre-sowing and pre-flooding, with low yield increase moving from 120 to 180 kg N ha^–1. We recommend late N applications for Drago (medium-late variety), but not for Loto (early variety).     

Nitrogen utilization by lowland rice as affected by fertilization with urea and green manure

Field studies were conducted during two consecutive wet seasons in flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) to determine the effect of green manure on urea utilization in a rice-fallow-rice cropping sequence. Replicated plots were fertilized with 60 to 120 kg of urea N ha^–1 in three split applications (50, 25 and 25%) with or without incorporation of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) (100 kg N ha^–1). During the first crop only 31 to 44% of the urea added was used by the rice. Incorporatingin situ grown dhaincha (GM) into the soil at transplanting had little effect on urea utilization. Forty-four to 54% of the N added was not recovered in the soil, rice crop, or as nitrate leachate during the first cropping season. Incorporation of GM had no effect on fertilizer N recovery. Only about 2% of the urea N added to the first rice crop was taken up by the second rice crop and, as in the first crop, the GM had little effect on residual N, either in amount or utilization.     

Integrated soil management for the savanna zone of W. Africa: legume rotation and fertilizer N

Integrated soil management with leguminous cover crops was studied at two sites in the northern Guinea savanna zone of northern Nigeria, Kaduna (190 day growing season) and Bauchi (150 days). One-year planted fallows of mucuna, lablab, and crotalaria were compared with natural grass fallow and cowpea controls. All treatments were followed by a maize test crop in the second year with 0, 30, or 60 kg N ha^–1 as urea. Above ground legume residues were not incorporated into the soil and most residues were burned early in the dry season at the Kaduna site. Legume rotation increased soil total N, maize growth in greenhouse pots, and dry matter and N accumulation of maize. Response of maize grain yield to 30 kg N ha^–1 as urea was highly significant at both sites and much greater than the response to legume rotation. The mean N fertilizer replacement value from legume rotation was 14 kg N ha^–1 at Kaduna and 6 kg N ha^–1 at Bauchi. W ith no N applied to the maize test crop, maize grain yield following legume fallow was 365 kg ha^–1 higher than natural fallow at Bauchi and 235 kg ha^–1 higher at Kaduna. The benefit of specific legume fallows to subsequent maize was mostly related to above ground N of the previous legume at Bauchi, where residues were protected from fire and grazing. At Kaduna, where fallow vegetation was burned, maize yield was related to estimated below ground N. The results show that legume rotation alone results in small maize yield increases in the dry savanna zone.     

Residual effects of growing mungbean and uridbean on the yield and nitrogen uptake of a succeeding wheat crop

A two year field experiment was carried out at the Indian Agricutural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110012, India to assess the effect of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and uridbean (Vigna mungo L.) residues on the yield and N uptake of a succeeding wheat crop as compared to sorghum fodder. Sorghum produced 3.5–7.5 times more dry matter and removed 2–3 times more nitrogen than mungbean or uridbean during same duration (80 ± 10 days) of their growth. Without N application the grain yield of wheat following mungbean and uridbean (without residue incorporation) was 0.45 and 0.48 t ha^–1 more than the yield of wheat following sorghum fodder. These yields were equivalent to that predicted when 36 and 38 kg urea-N ha^–1, respectively, was directly applied to wheat. The residual effects of these grain legumes were higher when succeeding wheat was fertilized with 60 kg urea-N ha^–1; at this level mungbean and uridbean spared 52 and 43 kg urea-N ha^–1, respectively, in succeeding wheat. The residual effect of mungbean and uridbean further increased when their residue was incorporated in soil; with this practice they spared 94 and 115 kg urea-N ha^–1, respectively, without N application to wheat and 74 and 82 kg urea-N ha^–1, respectively, with an application of 60 kg urea-N ha^–1 to wheat.Mungbean and uridbean, without residue incorporation, increased aboveground plant-N uptake of succeeding wheat by 11.5–34.9 and 10.8–34.0 kg N ha^–1, respectively; whereas with residue incorporation, they increased aboveground plant-N content of succeeding wheat by 26.1–45.8 and 32.7–47.7 kg N ha^–1, respectively.The results of the present study indicate that there is both an indirect sparing effect and a direct residual effect of mungbean and uridbean on the nitrogen needs of succeeding wheat, more so when their residues are incorporated in soil.