HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) An erratum has been published An erratum has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Doran, J. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Doran, J. W. Agricola Articles by Doran, J. W.

Microbial Changes Associated with Residue Management with Reduced Tillage¹

ABSTRACT

The effects of corn residue on soil microbiological populations for dryland corn (Zea mays L.) production in Nebraska were closely related to placement of residue and soil water and pH regimes. Populations of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi increased two- to sixfold as a result of mulching. The response of fungi populations to residue application was limited by competition from bacteria and actinomycetes as related to changes in soil water content and pH regimes. Counts of nitrifying and denitrifying organisms in the surface soil increased 2- to 20-fold and 3- to 43-fold, respectively, in plots receiving surface applications of corn stover. The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the between-row area differed dramatically from those of the within-row area with the tillplant system. The soil-water content, microbial populations, soil pH, and soil nitrate content of the between-row area were significantly higher than those within-row. Many of these differences were associated with the distribution of residue, soil, and surface applications of lime. Under more uniform moisture and soil conditions in the greenhouse, surface application of corn stover resulted in two- to fivefold increases in microbial populations. The additional responses of microbial populations to residue in the field were related to increased soil water contents. In addition, residues influenced the microbial response to application of both lime and herbicides. The application of residue reduced the inhibitory effect of herbicides on nitrifier populations. The changes in microbial ecology associated with residue management should influence decisions for alternate residue-management and fertilizer practices with reduced tillage.

¹ Contribution from the SEA-AR, USDA, in cooperation with the Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn., Lincoln, Nebr. Published with the approval of the Director as Paper no. 5867, Journal Series, Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn.

² Soil Scientist, SEA-AR, USDA, 116 Keim Hall, East Campus, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 68583.

Received for publication October 9, 1979. Accepted for publication January 29, 1980.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. T. Venterea and A. J. Stanenas Profile Analysis and Modeling of Reduced Tillage Effects on Soil Nitrous Oxide Flux J. Environ. Qual., June 23, 2008; 37(4): 1360 - 1367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Six, S. D. Frey, R. K. Thiet, and K. M. Batten Bacterial and Fungal Contributions to Carbon Sequestration in Agroecosystems Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., February 27, 2006; 70(2): 555 - 569. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Gebhardt, M. R. Gebhardt, T. C. Daniel, E. E. Schweizer, and R. R. Allmaras Conservation Tillage Science, November 8, 1985; 230(4726): 625 - 630. [Abstract] [PDF]