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Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency Determined by the 15 N Dilution Technique in Maize Followed or Not by a Cover Crop in Mediterranean Chile

Author

Listed:
  • Osvaldo Salazar

    (Departamento de Ingeniería y Suelos, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile)

  • Renato Diaz

    (Programa de Magíster en Manejo de Suelos y Aguas, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile)

  • Adriana Nario

    (Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, La Reina, Santiago 7600713, Chile)

  • Ximena Videla

    (Comisión Chilena de Energía Nuclear, La Reina, Santiago 7600713, Chile)

  • María Alonso-Ayuso

    (Departamento de Suelo y Agua, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEAD-CSIC), P.O. Box 13034, 50080 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Miguel Quemada

    (Departamento Producción Agraria, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid & CEIGRAM, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) in a maize crop is a determining yield factor, but its negative impact on the environment is also known. Therefore, it is necessary to propose mitigation strategies that allow an improvement in the N fertilizer efficiency (NFE), such as the use of cover crops (CC) and the adjustment of the fertilizer dose. The objective of the study was to determine NFE using 15 N isotopic techniques and nitrate (NO 3 − ) leaching in a maize–fallow versus a maize–CC rotation with optimal and excessive doses of N in the Mediterranean area of Chile. The treatments were a combination of crop rotation (maize–fallow versus maize–CC of Lolium multiflorum ) with the optimal dose of N (250 kg ha −1 ) or excessive dose (400 kg ha −1 ). We found that the optimal dose of maize–CC rotation contributed to reducing the losses of N by leaching and improving the NFE. Using the optimal dose decreased the dissolved inorganic N (DIN) emission intensity by 50% compared to the excessive doses. Even if grain yield was higher (19 t ha −1 ) when applying the excessive N dose, the NFE (28%) was lower than when applying the optimal dose (40%). In the maize–CC rotation with optimal dose, yield was 17 Mg ha −1 . The excessive N dose generated higher DIN content at the end of the maize season (177 kg N ha −1 ). In conclusion, replacing the traditional autumn–winter fallow in the maize monoculture with a CC with optimal N dose contributed to improving NFE and reducing N leaching in a Mediterranean agricultural system. Consequently, it is a strategy to consider as it has positive advantages in soil and N management, helping to reduce diffuse pollution of surface and groundwater bodies.

Suggested Citation

  • Osvaldo Salazar & Renato Diaz & Adriana Nario & Ximena Videla & María Alonso-Ayuso & Miguel Quemada, 2021. "Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency Determined by the 15 N Dilution Technique in Maize Followed or Not by a Cover Crop in Mediterranean Chile," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:8:p:721-:d:604291
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kishan Mahmud & Dinesh Panday & Anaas Mergoum & Ali Missaoui, 2021. "Nitrogen Losses and Potential Mitigation Strategies for a Sustainable Agroecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Salazar, Osvaldo & Wesström, Ingrid & Youssef, Mohamed A. & Skaggs, R. Wayne & Joel, Abraham, 2009. "Evaluation of the DRAINMOD-N II model for predicting nitrogen losses in a loamy sand under cultivation in south-east Sweden," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(2), pages 267-281, February.
    3. Salazar, Osvaldo & Balboa, Liliana & Peralta, Kiri & Rossi, Michel & Casanova, Manuel & Tapia, Yasna & Singh, Ranvir & Quemada, Miguel, 2019. "Effect of cover crops on leaching of dissolved organic nitrogen and carbon in a maize-cover crop rotation in Mediterranean Central Chile," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 399-406.
    4. Salazar, Osvaldo & Nájera, Francisco & Tapia, Wilson & Casanova, Manuel, 2017. "Evaluation of the DAISY model for predicting nitrogen leaching in coarse-textured soils cropped with maize in the Mediterranean zone of Chile," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 77-86.
    5. Quemada, M. & Lassaletta, L. & Jensen, L.S. & Godinot, O. & Brentrup, F. & Buckley, C. & Foray, S. & Hvid, S.K. & Oenema, J. & Richards, K.G. & Oenema, O., 2020. "Exploring nitrogen indicators of farm performance among farm types across several European case studies," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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