Nutrient Dynamics in Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems: Effects of Stocking Rates and Nitrogen System Fertilization on Litter Decomposition and Release

Current fertilizer recommendations often neglect nutrient cycling across crop rotations. This study aimed to assess the decay rate and nutrient (N, P, K) release patterns of sorghum, black oat, and corn residues (omitido) in an integrated crop–livestock system. The experiment used factorial treatmen...

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Published inAgronomy (Basel) Vol. 14; no. 9; p. 2009
Main Authors de Bortolli, Marcos Antonio, Assmann, Tangriani Simioni, de Bortolli, Betania Brum, Maccari, Marcieli, Bernardon, Angela, Jamhour, Jorge, Franzluebbers, Alan J., Soares, Andre Brugnara, Severo, Igor Kieling
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.09.2024
Subjects
Agricultural management
Agricultural practices
Agricultural production
Analysis
Cattle
Corn
Crop rotation
Crops
Cycles
Decay
Decay rate
Decomposition
Design
dry matter decomposition rates
Efficiency
Fertilization
Fertilizers
Grain crops
Immobilization
Litter
Livestock
Nitrogen
Nutrient cycles
nutrient cycling
Nutrient dynamics
Nutrient release
Pasture
Potassium
Residues
Soil fertility
Sorghum
Stocking rates
system fertilization
Brazil
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Summary:Current fertilizer recommendations often neglect nutrient cycling across crop rotations. This study aimed to assess the decay rate and nutrient (N, P, K) release patterns of sorghum, black oat, and corn residues (omitido) in an integrated crop–livestock system. The experiment used factorial treatments based on two sward heights (high and low) and two nitrogen fertilization levels (N-pasture at 200 kg N ha−1 and N-corn at 0 kg N ha−1). Litter bags were collected at various intervals from each crop to measure nutrient release patterns and decomposition rates. The results showed that pasture height and nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced decomposition and nutrient release, affecting the subsequent grain crop phase. Potassium was released rapidly and in high amounts. Nitrogen fertilization during the pasture phase prevented nitrogen and phosphorus immobilization in black oat residue and reduced immobilization in corn residue. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for nutrient cycling and decomposition rates in fertilization strategies to enhance the sustainability of integrated crop–livestock systems.
ISSN:2073-4395
2073-4395
DOI:10.3390/agronomy14092009