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Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Matthias Böldt

    (Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Christian Albrechts University, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

  • Friedhelm Taube

    (Department of Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Iris Vogeler

    (Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Christian Albrechts University, 24118 Kiel, Germany
    Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark)

  • Thorsten Reinsch

    (Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Christian Albrechts University, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

  • Christof Kluß

    (Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Christian Albrechts University, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

  • Ralf Loges

    (Grass and Forage Science/Organic Agriculture, Christian Albrechts University, 24118 Kiel, Germany)

Abstract

For arable stockless farming systems, the integration of catch crops (CC) during the fallow period might be a key for closing the nitrogen (N) cycle, reducing N leaching and increasing the transfer of N to the subsequent crop. However, despite considerable research efforts, the fate of N in such integrated systems remains unclear. To address this, a two-year field experiment was carried out in northern Germany with different CC, including frost-tolerant and frost-killed CC. The experiment started following a two-year ryegrass/red clover ley, which was subsequently sown with a cereal (CE) or a grain legume (field pea, PE). This provided two contrasting systems with high residual N in autumn. The results showed high N uptake of the CC, ranging from 84 to 136 kg N ha −1 with PE as the pre-crop, and from 33 to 110 kg N ha −1 with CE. All CC reduced N leaching compared with the control, a bare fallow over autumn/winter. Of the various CC, the frost-killed CC showed higher leaching compared with the other CCs, indicating mineralisation of the CC residue in the later autumn/winter period. The process based APSIM (Agricultural Production SIMulator) model was used to simulate N cycling for a cereal grain legume rotation, including a frost-killed and a frost resistant CC. While the model simulated the biomass and the N uptake by the crops, as well as the reduction of N leaching with the use of CC well, it under-estimated N leaching from the frost-killed CC. The study showed that all CC were affective at reducing N leaching, but winter hard catch crops should be preferred, as there is a risk of increased leaching following the mineralisation of residues from frost-killed CC.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Böldt & Friedhelm Taube & Iris Vogeler & Thorsten Reinsch & Christof Kluß & Ralf Loges, 2021. "Evaluating Different Catch Crop Strategies for Closing the Nitrogen Cycle in Cropping Systems—Field Experiments and Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:1:p:394-:d:474556
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schipanski, Meagan E. & Barbercheck, Mary & Douglas, Margaret R. & Finney, Denise M. & Haider, Kristin & Kaye, Jason P. & Kemanian, Armen R. & Mortensen, David A. & Ryan, Matthew R. & Tooker, John & W, 2014. "A framework for evaluating ecosystem services provided by cover crops in agroecosystems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 12-22.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lagerquist, Elsa & Vogeler, Iris & Kumar, Uttam & Bergkvist, Göran & Lana, Marcos & Watson, Christine A. & Parsons, David, 2024. "Assessing the effect of intercropped leguminous service crops on main crops and soil processes using APSIM NG," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Artemi Cerdà & Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, 2021. "Regional Farmers’ Perception and Societal Issues in Vineyards Affected by High Erosion Rates," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Alberts Auzins & Ieva Leimane & Agnese Krievina & Inga Morozova & Andris Miglavs & Peteris Lakovskis, 2023. "Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Performance of Crop Production in Relation to Crop Rotation, Catch Crops, and Tillage," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-25, August.
    4. Manuel López-Vicente & Sara Álvarez & Elena Calvo-Seas & Artemi Cerdà, 2022. "Sustainability by Function (SbF): A Case Study in a Rainfed Vineyard to Reduce the Loss of Soil Nutrients," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Cezary A. Kwiatkowski & Małgorzata Pawłowska & Elżbieta Harasim & Lucjan Pawłowski, 2023. "Strategies of Climate Change Mitigation in Agriculture Plant Production—A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-27, May.
    6. Cristiano Moisés & Margarida Arrobas & Dimitrios Tsitos & Diogo Pinho & Raiza Figueiredo Rezende & Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues, 2025. "Regenerative Agriculture: Insights and Challenges in Farmer Adoption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-22, August.

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