Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
05:55
How to Create Conditioned Taste Aversion for Grazing Ground Covers in Woody Crops with Small Ruminants
Published on: April 30, 2016
7.4K
Transitioning from conventional to cover crop systems with minimum tillage does not alter nutrient loading.
Thomas Badon1, Joby M Prince Czarnecki2, Beth H Baker3
1Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State Univ., 32 Creelman St., Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|July 8, 2022
Summary
Minimum tillage and cover crops did not significantly reduce nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) loading in surface runoff. While concentrations of N and P decreased slightly, overall nutrient loading remained unaffected in this mid-southern US study.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Conventional row-crop systems contribute to nutrient loading, impairing water bodies in the mid-southern US.
- Sustainable agricultural practices are crucial for mitigating environmental impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of minimum tillage and winter cover crops in reducing nutrient loading (N and P) in surface runoff.
- To assess the impact of these conservation practices on a corn-soybean rotation system.
Main Methods:
- A split-field approach was used on production fields in northwestern Mississippi.
- Investigated the effects of minimum tillage and cover crops on nutrient loads, discharge, and suspended solids in surface runoff.
Main Results:
- Minimum tillage with cover crops did not significantly affect overall N or P loading, discharge, or suspended solids.
- A decrease in total N concentration (36%) and total P concentration (27%) was observed, but only under specific conditions (presence of cover crop biomass for N).
- These reductions in concentration did not translate to significant reductions in total nutrient loading.
Conclusions:
- Minimum tillage and cover crops are unlikely to significantly reduce N and P loading during the transition to conservation production systems in the mid-southern US.
- The presence of aboveground cover crop biomass is a critical factor for observing reductions in total N concentration.
Related Concept Videos
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
21.0K
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
21.0K
01:22Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
97
Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
97
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
40.4K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
40.4K
01:27Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
321
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
321
02:57Plant Tissue Culture
38.4K
Plant tissue culture is widely used in both primary and applied science. Applications range from plant development studies to functional gene studies, crop improvement, commercial micropropagation, virus elimination, and conservation of rare species.
38.4K
02:23The Soil Ecosystem
21.6K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
21.6K