Upland rice yield enhanced by early nitrogen fertilization on previous palisade grass

Abstract

High grain yields of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) can be achieved in no-tillage systems. However, managing nitrogen (N) fertilization for rice in succession to forage grasses is a challenge because forage residues change N cycling and increase microbial immobilization of N, thereby reducing N availability to the subsequent cash crop. In the present study, two field experiments were conducted to determine if applying all or part of the N fertilizer on preceding palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha) and ruzigrass (Urochloa ruziziensis) or their desiccated residues immediately before rice seeding can supply N to the subsequent rice crop. Forage biomass yield (8–16 Mg ha− 1), N accumulation, and N supply to the subsequent upland rice were highest when all of the N fertilizer was applied on forage grasses at 50, 40 or 35 days before rice seeding (DBS), as opposed to the conventional split application at rice seeding and at tillering. On average, the grain yield of upland rice was 54% higher in succession to palisade grass compared with ruzigrass. The grain yield of rice was higher when N was applied to palisade grass at 35 DBS and ruzigrass at 50 DBS, reaching 5.0 Mg ha− 1 and 3.7 Mg ha− 1, respectively. However, applying N to ruzigrass was less effective for increasing upland rice yields since the yields did not differ from the treatments with the conventional split application. Adjusting the time of N application to forage grasses to increase the grain yields of subsequent upland rice is a sustainable alternative that can promote the economic viability of upland rice production.

Cover crop and early nitrogen management for common bean in a tropical no‐till system

“…Probably, ruzigrass had low N utilization efficiency and its released N was a source for microbial activity, making it unavailable to subsequent common bean (Parton et al., 1988; Rosolem et al, 2004, Rosolem et al., 2017). These findings are in agreement with previous studies (Momesso et al., 2020; Rocha et al., 2019). Lastly, the success of early N fertilization on cover crops is dependent on weather conditions in each experiment‐year (Figure 1).…”

“…However, this application has high risk of N losses because the N is susceptible to NO 3 leaching by rainfall, especially in tropical region that has intense rainy periods (Rosolem et al, 2017;Zhao et al, 2016). From the scientific literature standpoint, studies in the same region with early N applications on cover crops reported similar results in upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield (Momesso et al, 2020) and contrary results in maize and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields (Momesso et al, 2019;Tanaka et al, 2019).…”

Liming Optimizes Nitrogen Fertilization in a Maize-Upland Rice Rotation under No-Till Conditions

“…The resulting increases in soil microbial activity further promote crop residue decomposition to release nutrients and enhance crop yields [17][18][19]. However, crop residues only partially replenish soil nutrients, and the application of N fertilizer in grass crop rotation systems is still necessary to maintain cash crop development and yields [20,21]. N fertilization promotes increased soil organic matter (SOM) and potentiates the effects of liming on plant development, microbial activity, crop residue decomposition, and nutrient cycling.…”

Maize and sorghum root growth and yield when intercropped with forage grasses

“…Despite the lower DM production of ruzigrass, the species has been used preferentially over other grasses, such as Urochloa brizantha, for the production of forage in ICLS because of its ease of management in desiccation, high yield, palatability, quality nutritional value for animal feed, and adaptability to climate conditions during the off-season (Castro et al, 2015;Nascente et al, 2013). Lower DM production by ruzigrass than by palisade grass has been reported previously (Momesso et al, 2019;Momesso et al, 2020) and may reflect the tolerance of guineagrass and palisade grass to poor soils. Studies have shown that palisade grass has a higher tolerance to acid soil and high soil levels of aluminum, higher biomass yield (Fortes et al, 2008;Timossi et al, 2007), and a higher capacity of regrowth and straw persistence than ruzigrass (Felismino et al, 2012).…”