Influence of crop rotation on selected chemical and physical soil properties in potato cropping systems
Honeycutt, C.W.; Clapham, W.M.; Leach, S.S.
American Potato Journal 72(12): 721-735
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-0589 DOI: 10.1007/bf02849157
Crop yields are often increased through crop rotation. This study examined selected soil chemical and physical properties that may constitute the N and non-N related effects of crop rotation in potato cropping systems. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. Norwis) was grown continuously and in two-year rotations with annual alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. Nitro), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), white lupin (Lupinus albus L. Ultra), and oat (Avena sativa Astro). Hairy vetch contributed more residue N than any other crop rotation, ranging from I 10 to 119 kg N ha-1. Inorganic N concentrations in potato soils were related to the previous crop's residue N contents, and were highest following vetch and alfalfa and lowest following oat and potato. The highest mineralizable N concentration was found following vetch (46.6 mg N kg-1). Saturated soil hydraulic conductivity in potato following all rotations ranged from 9.88 to 11.28 cm h-1 compared to 5.71 cm h-1 for continuous potato. Higher soil water contents were maintained in the 30 to 45 cm depth for all rotations compared to continuous potato. Thus several parameters indicate substantial N effects associated with particular crop rotations. Soil hydraulic conductivity and soil water status may also represent significant components of the rotation effect not directly related to N for these cropping systems.