Conservation tillage initiative accounting for nitrogen mineralization and its roles in conservation cropping systems
Schoenau, J.J., C.A. Campbell, H. Beckie and S. Brandt. 1998. In Green Plan: Final Project Report. AAFC
Abstract
Research Question:
Nitrogen mineralization is the conversion of organic
forms of nitrogen contained in soil organic matter and
crop residues into the plant available inorganic forms:
ammonium and nitrate. Mineralization is a key component
of overall soil nitrogen supplying power and soil quality
in prairie soils. Being able to accurately predict and
account for mineralization is essential for sound
nitrogen fertilizer recommendations. The inherent ability
of a soil to release nutrients by mineralization can also
be affected by management practices. We set out to
address two important questions surrounding nitrogen
mineralization:
1) What are suitable approaches to
assessing mineralization contributions in prairie soils?
2) How are soil conserving management practices
(rotation, tillage, fertilization) influencing nitrogen mineralization in prairie soils?
