Hot water extractable organic carbon of chernozem under the system of cover crop incorporation and subsequent sowing of spring crops

Abstract

In the agroecological conditions of Vojvodina, there is not enough research on the influence of plowing cover crops as a green manure on the content of labile organic carbon soluble in hot water (HWOC). The aim of the study was to determine the influence of crop rotation of different species of winter cover crops (CC) and spring crops in the subsequent sowing period (corn, soybeans and Sudan grass) on the content of organic matter (OM) levels as well as the dynamic of labile OM. Research was carried out at the Rimski Šančevi experimental station under Chernozem soil type. The winter CC consisted of the combined intercrops: winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. Arvense L.) + triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) (PT) and single-species CC winter pea (P) and control (without CC). Plowing of CC and control plots was carried out at a depth of 27 cm in the last decades of May 2018, and the sowing of maize, soybean and Sudan grass in early June with addition of 50 kg N ha-1 . Sampled was done in October at depth of: 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm. The analysis of variance determined a significant effect of cultivated crops (maize, soybeans and Sudan grass) in the subsequent sowing period on the changes of the HWOC content, as well as the interaction of cover crops and fertilization. The highest value of HWOC was measured in maize (658 µg g-1 ) on the variant P N0 (0-20 cm), and the lowest in the Sudan grass P N50 (20-40 cm). The highest share of HWOC in the total OM content was found in maize (2.56%), while the lowest share was measured in Sudan grass (1.87%).

The importance of introducing cover crops in conventional agriculture

“…Like other Balkan countries (Vojnov et al 2020), livestock production is not developed enough in our country. Even it has a general trend of decline in the number of livestock units (Table 3).…”

Changes in Soil Labile Organic Matter as Affected by 50 Years of Fertilization with Increasing Amounts of Nitrogen

“…Many authors note that intensive cultivation, inadequate fertilization and poor land management are the main factors for the loss of OC [23][24][25][26][27], which causes the destruction of structural aggregates, increases aeration and promotes more intensive decomposition of organic matter.…”

Crops influence on Chernozem soil structure Influence of winter cover crops and different spring crops on soil structure indicators on

“…The intensive form of agricultural production often leads to disruption of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil (Vojnov et al, 2019). In recent decades, the soil has been exposed to intense anthropogenic influence (Vojnov et al, 2020a). Modern understandings of the role of soil in sustainable agriculture start with harmonizing production with natural fertility and soil quality (Ćirić et al, 2014).…”

“…Due to reduced livestock, it is considered that cover crops can be an effective solution in reducing the lack of manure (Vojnov et al, 2020a, Vojnov et al, 2022. Cover crops in such a way can play a significant role in terms of preserving soil quality.…”