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Contribution of Cover Crop Residue Decomposition to Peach Tree Nitrogen Nutrition

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Abstract

Cover crop nitrogen (N) cycling has an important role in agricultural production and contributes to peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] N nutrition. This study evaluated black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) residue decomposition dynamics, N recovery from cover crop residues, and N compartmentalization in peach tree organs. A 2-year field trial was developed with labeled (3.6–4.0 atom% 15N excess) cover crop shoot biomass application in a 5-year-old peach orchard. The region’s climate is warm temperate (Cfb), and the soil is classified as a Typic Hapludalf. Litter bags with unlabeled shoot residues were also deposited in the orchard to assess biomass, carbon (C), N, lignin, cellulose, and non-structural biomass decomposition dynamics. After 13 months, the leaves, trunk, and roots showed the greatest proportion of N derived from residues (Ndfr) (35.4, 25.1, and 22.4%, respectively) while the greatest concentrations of 15N and Ndfr occurred in roots <2 mm (0.0376 and 0.94%, respectively). The N derived from cover crop shoots in the second production cycle was similar among tree organs. Ryegrass residues presented the highest decomposition constant (k) values for dry matter, total organic carbon (TOC), cellulose, and lignin. Hence, black oat residues presented a higher half-life (t½) for dry matter, TOC, total N, cellulose, and lignin. The N derived from black oat and ryegrass residues in mature trees was expressively low (<1%) and similar between species. Within organs, the highest Ndfr occurred in peach leaves during the flowering stage, when the greatest residue decomposition rate also occurred. Soil N and plant internal N reserves are the major N sources for newly formed organs, but greater contributions to tree N nutrition may occur with long-term cover crop residue deposition and different plant species.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge all students and staff for their contributions to the development of this research. Thanks to Alden D. Smartt for the assistance in the English revision.

Funding

This study was financed (grant and scholarships) in part by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Embrapa Clima Temperado - Pelotas, and Embrapa Uva e Vinho.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Ave, Santa Maria, RS, 97105900, Brazil

    Adriele Tassinari, Lincon Oliveira Stefanello da Silva, Sandro José Giacomini, Betania Vahl de Paula & Gustavo Brunetto

  2. Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, 1366 West Altheimer Drive, Fayetteville, AR, 72704, USA

    Gerson Laerson Drescher

  3. Department of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 1346 Admar Gonzaga Highway, Florianópolis, SC, 88034000, Brazil

    Rodolfo Assis de Oliveira

  4. Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 44 Giuseppe Fanin St, 40127, Bologna, Italy

    Elena Baldi & Moreno Toselli

  5. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - Embrapa Grape and Wine, 515 Livramento St, Bento Gonçalves, RS, 95701008, Brazil

    George Wellington Bastos de Melo

  6. Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul, IFRS, Campus Restinga, 285 Alberto Hoffmann St, Porto Alegre, RS, 91791508, Brazil

    Jovani Zalamena

  7. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - Embrapa Temperate Climate, BR 392 Highway Km 78, Pelotas, RS, 96010971, Brazil

    Newton Alex Mayer

  8. National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research, Republic Ave, 2780157, Lisbon, Portugal

    Corina Luisa de Abreu Fernandes Carranca

  9. Federal University of Santa Maria - Campus Cachoeira do Sul, 1345 Ernesto Barros St, Cachoeira do Sul, RS, 96506-310, Brazil

    Paulo Ademar Avelar Ferreira

  10. Department of Rural Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 1346 Admar Gonzaga Highway, Florianópolis, SC, 88034000, Brazil

    Arcângelo Loss

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  1. Adriele Tassinari
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  2. Lincon Oliveira Stefanello da Silva
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Correspondence to Gerson Laerson Drescher.

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Tassinari, A., da Silva, L.O.S., Drescher, G.L. et al. Contribution of Cover Crop Residue Decomposition to Peach Tree Nitrogen Nutrition. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 21, 2124–2136 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00508-x

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