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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #360901
Research Project: Maximizing Long-term Soil Productivity and Dryland Cropping Efficiency for Low Precipitation Environments

Location: Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center

Title: Macronutrients in soil and wheat as affected by a long-term tillage and nitrogen fertilization in winter wheat-fallow rotation

Author
item SHIWAKOTIA, SANTOSH - Oregon State University
item ZHELJAZKOV, VALTCHO - Oregon State University
item Gollany, Hero
item KLEBER, MARKUS - Oregon State University
item XING, BAOSHAN - University Of Massachusetts

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2019
Publication Date: 4/6/2019
Citation: Shiwakotia, S., Zheljazkov, V.D., Gollany, H.T., Kleber, M., Xing, B. 2019. Macronutrients in soil and wheat as affected by a long-term tillage and nitrogen fertilization in winter wheat-fallow rotation. Agronomy. 178(9):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9040178.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9040178

Interpretive Summary: The insights gained from the long-term impacts of tillage and N fertilization on soil fertility are crucial for the development of sustainable cropping systems. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of 75 years of tillage methods and N fertilization rates on macronutrients in soil and wheat tissues in a winter wheat-summer fallow rotation. The experiment included three types of tillage (disc, sweep, and moldboard) and five N rates (0, 40, 80 ,120, and 160 Ib/ac). Soil and tissue samples were analyzed. The concentration of total nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon, and extractable phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium in the soil, and the total concentration of the same nutrients in wheat grain and straw. Soil nitrogen concentration was significantly greater under the disc plow than under the moldboard. The phosphorus concentration in upper 8 inches soil depth increased with increased nitrogen fertilizer rates. Comparison of experiment plots to nearby undisturbed grass pasture revealed decline of phosphorus (32%), soil organic carbon (34%), magnesium (77%) and calcium (86%), in the top 4inches soil. The results suggest that disc plow with high nitrogen rates could reduce the macronutrient decline in soil and plant over time.

Technical Abstract: The insights gained from the long-term impacts of tillage and N fertilization on soil fertility are crucial for the development of sustainable cropping systems. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of 75 years of tillage methods and N fertilization rates on macronutrients in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues in a winter wheat- summer fallow rotation. The experiment included three types of tillage (disc, DP; sweep, SW; and moldboard, MP) and five N application rates (0, 45, 90 ,135, and 180 kg/ha). Soil and tissue samples were analyzed for the concentration of total N, S, and C, Mehlich III extractable P, K, Mg, Ca in the soil, and the total concentration of the same nutrients in wheat grain and straw. Soil N concentration was significantly greater under DP (1.10 g/kg) than under MP (1.03 g/ kg). The P concentration in upper 20 cm soil depth increased with increased N rates. Comparison of experiment plots to a nearby undisturbed grass pasture revealed a decline of P (32%), SOC (34%), Mg (77%) and Ca (86%) in the top 10 cm soil. The results suggest that DP with high N rates could reduce the macronutrient decline in soil and plant over time.