High nitrogen rates do not increase canola yield and may affect soil bacterial functioning

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dc.contributor.authorBecker, Fredericken_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMacLaren, Chloeen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBrink, Casper J.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorJacobs, Karinen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLe Roux, Marcellous R.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSwanepoel, Pieter Andreasen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-03T10:01:09Z
dc.date.available2019-10-03T10:01:09Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.descriptionCITATION: Becker, F., et al. 2019. High nitrogen rates do not increase canola yield and may affect soil bacterial functioning. Agronomy Journal, doi:10.2134/agronj2019.05.0359.en_ZA
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/ajen_ZA
dc.description.abstractNitrogen fertilization has a fundamental role in agricultural productivity. However, injudicious N applications to crops are common. It is important to ensure the minimum N required for satisfactory crop growth is applied but that excess amounts are avoided due to potential impacts on agroecosystem functioning. Nitrogen at 0, 60, and 150 kg ha-1 was applied as limestone ammonium nitrate to plots arranged in a randomized complete block design, on three farms to determine the impact of rate and temporal distribution of fertilizer on canola (Brassica napus L.) production in South Africa, and the effect of N fertilizer application on the composition and diversity of soil bacterial communities. The amount and distribution of N had only minor effects on canola growth (P < 0.05) and no effects on yield or harvest index. Splitting fertilizer into two or three applications throughout the season resulted in more mineral N available in the soil later in the season. Increasing the N rate from 60 to 150 kg ha-1 had a significant impact on bacterial community composition. The lower rate favored bacteria that are more able to break down N-containing carbon sources. No effects of fertilizer amount or distribution were observed on either N fixation potential (number of nifH gene copies) or bacterial community diversity. Overall, a low rate of N fertilizer split into multiple applications is recommended for canola production, as higher rates do not increase yield and may have a detrimental impact on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/aj/first-look
dc.description.versionPost printen_ZA
dc.format.extent36 pages : illustrationsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBecker, F., et al. 2019. High nitrogen rates do not increase canola yield and may affect soil bacterial functioning. Agronomy Journal, doi:10.2134/agronj2019.05.0359en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1435-0645 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0002-1962 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.2134/agronj2019.05.0359
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106570
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherAmerican Society of Agronomyen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectNitrogen fertilizersen_ZA
dc.subjectCanola production -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectSoil bacterial communitiesen_ZA
dc.subjectCanola -- Yieldsen_ZA
dc.subjectSoil bacterial functioningen_ZA
dc.titleHigh nitrogen rates do not increase canola yield and may affect soil bacterial functioningen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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