Nitrogen Residual Effect of Winter Cover Crops on Maize in Uruguay: Conventional and Isotopic Evaluation

Cristina Mori Alvez (), Carlos Perdomo Varela and Amabelia del Pino Machado
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Cristina Mori Alvez: Soil and Water Department, Agronomy College, University of the Republic, Av. Garzon 780, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
Carlos Perdomo Varela: Soil and Water Department, Agronomy College, University of the Republic, Av. Garzon 780, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay
Amabelia del Pino Machado: Soil and Water Department, Agronomy College, University of the Republic, Av. Garzon 780, Montevideo 12900, Uruguay

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-26

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the nitrogen (N) residual effects of winter cover crops (CCs) on soil N availability and corn ( Zea mays L.) performance over two growing seasons and at two sites in Uruguay. Both conventional and isotopic methods were used to assess the N residual effects of two legume monocultures, a legume–grass mixture, an oat monoculture, and a control without CCs. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots, where CCs were applied to main plots and N rates (0 and 100 kg ha⁻ 1 ) to subplots. An isotopic trial with 15 N was included to measure fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE). Results varied between sites: at Site 1, legume monocultures enhanced soil N availability and, along with N rate, significantly increased corn yield and N uptake. At Site 2, only the N rate affected these variables. Site 1 had a low crop 15 N recovery, averaging 9.5% due to weeds and heavy rainfall, while Site 2 showed higher recovery, notably when corn succeeded lupine (35%) and mixture CCs (40%). The soil’s top layer and corn grain showed the highest 15 N concentration. The study suggests that specific CC combinations tailored to site conditions may optimize corn yield and NUE.

Keywords: legume cover crops; nitrogen use efficiency; residue quality; N residuality; sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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