HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ranells, N. N. Articles by Wagger, M. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Ranells, N. N. Articles by Wagger, M. G. Agricola Articles by Ranells, N. N. Articles by Wagger, M. G.

Nitrogen Release from Crimson Clover in Relation to Plant Growth Stage and Composition

Dep. of Soil Sci., North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC 27695

^* Corresponding author.

Increased N-use efficency and economic savings may result from a better understanding of N release patterns from legume residues. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted on a Cecil fine sandy loam (clayey, kaolintic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult) to examine the effects of crimsom clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) growth stage on dry matter accumulation, N concentration, and chemical composition in relation to N release under no-tillage management. Crimson clover was harvested in the spring at four growth stages (late vegetative, early bloom, late bloom, and early seed set). Air-dried plant material in 1-mm mesh nylon bags was placed on the soil surface; retreived at 1–, 2–, 4–, 8–, and 16-wk intervals; and analyzed for total N, C, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin concentrations. Averaged over 2 yr, dry matter production increased from 2.3 to 5.6 Mg ha–¹, and N concentration declined from 30.2 to 21.2 g kg–¹ as crimson clover matured from late vegetative to early seed set growth stages. Cellulose concentration increased by 66%, hemicellulose by 37%, and lignin by 87% from late vegetative to early seed set. Estimated clover N release at the 8-wk retrieval was 28, 40, 40, and 54 kg ha–¹ in 1989 and 51, 67, 73, and 55 kg ha–¹ in 1990 for the late vegetative, early bloom, late bloom, and early seed set growth stages, respectively. Results indicated that allowing crimson clover to attain the late bloom stage prior to desiccation and planting of the summer crop can maximize clover top-growth N content and subsequent N release.

Received for publication June 28, 1991.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Soto, P. Luna-Orea, M. G. Wagger, T. J. Smyth, and A. Alvarado Foliage Residue Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) Plantations for Heart-of-Palm Production in Costa Rica Agron. J., September 19, 2005; 97(5): 1396 - 1402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Wiatrak, D. L. Wright, J. J. Marois, W. Koziara, and J. A. Pudelko Tillage and Nitrogen Application Impact on Cotton following Wheat Agron. J., January 1, 2005; 97(1): 288 - 293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J.O. Odhiambo and A. A. Bomke Grass and Legume Cover Crop Effects on Dry Matter and Nitrogen Accumulation Agron. J., March 1, 2001; 93(2): 299 - 307. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]