Effect of straw and fertilizer nitrogen management for spring barley on soil nitrogen supply to a subsequent potato crop

Citation

Zebarth, B.J., Scott, P., Sharifi, M. (2009). Effect of straw and fertilizer nitrogen management for spring barley on soil nitrogen supply to a subsequent potato crop. American Journal of Potato Research, [online] 86(3), 209-217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12230-009-9074-2

Abstract

The effect of straw management (straw removed or retained) and fertilizer N rate (0, 80 or 160 kg N ha-1) on a preceding barley rotation crop on N availability to the subsequent potato crop was evaluated in two years. Nitrogen fertilizer application increased barley grain and straw yield and N uptake, and generally decreased straw C:N ratio. Barley N rate increased residual soil nitrate at harvest in one year, but not in the subsequent spring. Barley management had no effect on assays of soil N supply or on total tuber yield, tuber specific gravity, plant dry matter accumulation or petiole nitrate concentration for an unfertilized potato crop. However, straw retention reduced potato plant N accumulation in both years, and reduced soil nitrate content in vegetation-free plots in one year, compared with straw removal. In this cool, humid environment, management of a barley rotation crop has limited short-term effects on N supply to a subsequent potato crop. © 2009 Potato Association of America.

Publication date

2009-06-01

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