科研之友
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摘要
With increasing removal of maize (Zea mays L.) stover for cellulosic biofuels, livestock bedding, and feedstuffs, there exists a need to address natural resources-related issues such as soil erosion, nitrate leaching, and loss of organic matter content. Perennial groundcover (PGC) offers a potential solution for alleviating these problems associated with maize stover removal from conventional cropping systems. We conducted a field study to ascertain the costs of PGC establishment on the primary crop of economic interest and groundcover success under a maize or soybean (Glycine max L.) crop. To test this concept, we established either Kentucky bluegrass (KB) (Poa pratensis L.) or creeping red fescue (CF) (Festuca rubra L.) as living mulch (LM) concurrently with either maize or soybean, documenting impacts on crop maturity, stand density, leaf area index (LAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), grain yield, grain quality, yield components, and stover C and N. First-year maize and first-and second-year soybean in the no LM control yielded on average 13.00, 3.38, and 4.86 Mg ha(-1), respectively, 30, 84, and 27% greater than LM systems. However, yield did not significantly differ in the second site-year between the no LM and LM maize. Moreover, PGC treatments did not affect expected ethanol yield in the second year, averaging 5459 L ha(-1) in Year 2 over all treatments. These results indicate that further research is needed to achieve both groundcover establishment and subsequent natural resources benefits in row crop production while minimizing impact on yield.
- 出版日期2017-6
