After termination, cover crop residue can suppress weeds by reducing sunlight, decreasing soil temperature, and providing a physical barrier. Experiments were implemented to monitor horseweed suppression from different cover crops as well as two fall-applied residual herbicide treatments. Results suggest that cover crops, other than forage radish in monoculture, can suppress horseweed more consistently than flumioxazin + paraquat or metribuzin + chlorimuron-ethyl. Cover crop biomass is positively correlated to weed suppression. Subsequent experiments were designed to determine the amount of weed suppression from different cover crop treatments and if carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratios or lignin content are also correlated to weed suppression or cover crop residue thickness. Results indicate that cereal rye alone and mixtures containing cereal rye produced the most biomass and suppressed weeds more than hairy vetch, crimson clover, and forage radish alone. Analyses indicate that lignin, as well as biomass, is an important indicator of weed suppression. While cover crops provide many benefits, integrating cover crops into production can be difficult. Hairy vetch, a legume cover crop, can become a weed in subsequent seasons. Multiple experiments were implemented to determine germination phenology and viability of two hairy vetch cultivars, Groff and Purple Bounty, and to determine when viable seed are produced. Almost all germination occurred in the initial cover crop growing season for both cultivars. Both cultivars had <1% of viable seed at the termination of the experiment. These results indicate that seed dormancy is not the primary cause of weediness. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Cover crops are grown in the time between cash crop production, such as corn or soybeans. These crops are not grown for profit but mainly for environmental benefits such as reducing erosion and increasing soil organic matter and water infiltration. Another benefit of cover crops is the ability to suppress weeds. Cover crops can suppress weeds while they are actively growing by competing for resources such as light, water, and nutrients. After the cover crops have been terminated, or killed prior to cash crop planting, the residue can form a mulch layer on the soil surface which acts to suppress weeds by reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the soil surface, decreasing soil temperature, and providing a physical barrier to slow weed growth. Horseweed is a problematic weed for growers to control and the number of herbicide options that growers can utilize is decreasing due to herbicide resistance. This weed has small seed and multiple germination periods, which cover crops have the ability to target. Experiments were designed to compare horseweed suppression from different cover crop monocultures and mixtures with suppression obtained from two fall-applied residual herbicide programs. The cover crop species used were cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, and forage radish. The cover crops were planted and herbicides applied in the fall. Data collected included horseweed counts, visible suppression ratings, and horseweed biomass taken in the following corn or soybean growing season. All cover crop treatments suppressed horseweed as compared to the nontreated check, with the exception of forage radish alone. The fall-applied herbicides did not perform as well as the cover crops. Results indicate that integration of cover crops is a viable tactic for horseweed management. As cover crop biomass increases the level of weed suppression also increases. Experiments were implemented to measure the level of weed suppression and to determine if the composition of the cover crop residue is important in weed suppression. Monocultures and mixtures of the same four cover crop species listed above were grown prior to corn and soybean production. At cover crop termination, samples were taken to determine biomass, carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio, and lignin content. Cereal rye and mixtures containing cereal rye provided > 55% weed suppression 6 weeks after cover crop termination. Analyses also indicated that lignin, as well as biomass, is an important predictor of weed suppression after termination. While cover crops have many benefits, there can be some complications. Hairy vetch is a legume cover crop species that has the ability to suppress weeds but can also become weedy in subsequent crops. Experiments were performed to track germination and seed viability of two hairy vetch cultivars, Groff and Purple Bounty as well as determine when seeds are added to the soil seedbank. Over the course of the experiment, Groff had greater germination than Purple Bounty by 30% in the initial germination periods. Both cultivars had <1% of seed still viable at the end of the experiment. Also, both cultivars produce viable seed in mid-June. The results from these experiments indicate that seed dormancy is not the primary cause of weediness in hairy vetch and that if proper termination occurs prior to mid-June, seeds will not be added to the soil seedbank.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Este trabalho objetivou relacionar a produtividade agroindustrial da cana-de-açúcar com o aproveitamento do nitrogênio (N) das adubações sucessivas em cana-planta e soqueiras, em sistema de cultivo mínimo sem o revolvimento do solo ou escarificações das entrelinhas na reforma do canavial ou após os cortes, respectivamente - e quantificar a contribuição da palhada proveniente da colheita mecanizada na nutrição da cultura. O experimento foi instalado em março de 2005, em um Latossolo Vermelho Eutrófico muito argiloso da Fazenda Santa Terezinha, Jaboticabal, SP e foi conduzido durante quatro ciclos agrícolas consecutivos até julho de 2009. O delineamento experimental na cana-planta foi blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (doses de N-uréia 0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 no sulco de plantio, juntamente com 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e K2O) e quatro repetições (parcelas de 48 sulcos x 15 m). Nos ciclos de 1ª a 3ª soqueiras, as parcelas de cana-planta foram subdivididas em outros quatro tratamentos (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 de N) e quatro repetições (subparcelas de 12 linhas x 15 m). Na 3ª soqueira a adubação com N foi de 100 kg ha-1 em todas as parcelas, visando detectar efeitos residuais das fertilizações anteriores na produtividade da cana no 4º ciclo. Em todas as parcelas dos ciclos de soqueiras também aplicou-se 150 kg ha-1 de K2O como KCl. Na dose 80 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta, foram instaladas microparcelas contendo uréia e/ou material vegetal marcado com 15N, simulando os resíduos anteriores à reforma (palhada, PAR ou rizomas, RAR da variedade RB855536) remanescentes no solo após o cultivo mínimo. O objetivo foi avaliar a contribuição do fertilizante-15N e dos resíduos vegetais-15N na nutrição nitrogenada da cultura em ciclos consecutivos. Após o corte da cana-planta, novas microparcelas contendo palhada pós colheita (PPC-15N, variedade SP81-3250) foram dispostas nos tratamentos 800 e 80150 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta e soqueiras, respectivamente, para avaliar a contribuição do N-PPC na nutrição da cultura e a influência do N aplicado em soqueiras na disponibilização do N-PPC. Um estudo complementar foi desenvolvido em sacos telados contendo PAR-15N em cana-planta (dose 80 kg ha-1 de N) e PPC- 15N em soqueiras (doses 80-0 e 80-150 kg ha-1 de N), visando quantificar a decomposição dos resíduos durante os ciclos agrícolas e possíveis diferenças na intensidade da decomposição devido às aplicações de N em cana-planta e em soqueiras respectivamente. Nos quatro ciclos consecutivos avaliou-se a: i) produtividade agroindustrial (TCH, Mg de cana ha-1 de colmos e TPH, Mg ha-1 de pol) e características tecnológicas da matéria-prima (pol % cana e fibra %) em função dos tratamentos de N em cana-planta e soqueiras; ii) recuperação do 15Nuréia, 15N-PAR, 15N-RAR e 15N-PPC pela parte aérea da cultura (colmos, folhas secas e ponteiro) e o balanço de carbono (C) e N no sistema solo-planta e iii) decomposição da PAR e PPC pela redução da matéria seca (MS), do C, 10 macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S) e carboidratos estruturais (lignina, celulose e hemicelulose). A TCH e TPH foram influenciadas pelas doses de N no plantio e nas soqueiras subseqüentes. Houve resposta linear na produtividade agroindustrial da cana-planta às doses de N do plantio e na média dos quatro ciclos agrícolas. Porém, não houve interação entre as doses de N em cana-planta e soqueiras. O tratamento 120100 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta e soqueiras proporcionou a maior TCH acumulada nos quatro ciclos consecutivos, porém o tratamento 12050 kg ha-1 de N foi o mais viável economicamente. A recuperação do N-uréia de plantio foi mais alta no primeiro ciclo (24, 7 kg ha-1 ou 31% da dose aplicada) decrescendo ao longo ciclos agrícolas subsequentes (5%; 4% e 3%, respectivamente). O balanço de N após os quatro ciclos (2006 a 2009) indicou 43% (34,4 kg ha-1) de recuperação do Nuréia pela parte aérea da cultura, 0,2% permaneceu nos rizomas, 20% no solo e 37% foram contabilizados como perdas. Para os resíduos vegetais PAR e RAR as recuperações na parte aérea foram de 28% e 23% da quantidade inicial (14,2 e 7,4 kg ha-1, respectivamente). Em média, 0,2% do N-resíduos vegetais permaneceu nos rizomas, 52% no solo e 22% foram perdas. A soma da recuperação do N-PAR e NRAR de foi de 24,4 kg, ou seja, 39% da contribuição total de N destes resíduos, indicando serem fontes de N a longo prazo para a cana-de-açúcar. Houve correlação entre a recuperação acumulada do N-uréia e N-resíduos vegetais com a evapotranspiração acumulada dos quatro ciclos agrícolas. A recuperação do N-PPC pela parte aérea da cultura praticamente dobrou após três ciclos, devido à aplicação de N em soqueiras, 17% vs. 31% (6,9 e 12,6 kg ha-1 de N, respectivamente). O restante do N-PPC permaneceu nos rizomas (0,3% e 0,4%), no solo (69% e 61%) ou resultaram em perdas (13,4% e 7,6%). Não houve alterações nos estoques de C e N do solo com a adição de N-uréia ou N-resíduos vegetais. A decomposição da PAR e PPC foi influenciada pelas aplicações de N em cana-planta e soqueiras e pela ação biológica ao longo dos ciclos agrícolas avaliados. Essa degradação ocorreu devido à redução da relação C:N, do crescimento de raízes sob a palhada, perdas de MS, C, N, macronutrientes e carboidratos estruturais da palhada ao longo dos ciclos agrícolas. Para a PAR e PPC, a degradação da MS foi de 96% e 73% após quatro e três anos, respectivamente. Os macronutrientes que apresentaram maiores liberações foram o K 98% e 92%; Mg 97% e 70% e o Ca 95% e 55%, da quantidade inicial dos nutrientes (kg ha-1) aplicadas via PAR e PPC, respectivamente. Após quatro ciclos agrícolas os teores (g kg-1) de lignina, celulose e hemicelulose da PAR decresceram 60%, 29% e 70%. Para a PPC a redução foi de 47%, 35% e 70% em três ciclos. A degradação dos carboidratos estruturais foi influenciada pelas condições climáticas ocorridas durante os ciclos agrícolas e pela composição bioquímica inicial dos resíduos (carboidratos e nutrientes totais). Não houve diferença na degradação da MS da PPC devido à aplicação de N em soqueiras, porém houve diferença na degradação do C, na liberação de Ca, na concentração de raízes e na decomposição da lignina quando se realizou a adubação com N sobre a palhada em soqueiras / This work aimed to relate the agroindustrial yield of sugarcane with nitrogen (N) fertilization in successive cropping cycles in plant-cane and ratoons under minimum tillage system - without soil plowing or interows scarification in crop renewal and after the harvesting seasons, respectively - and to quantify the contribution of straw from mechanical harvesting on crop N nutrition. The field trial was planted in March 2005 in a very clayey Rhodic Eutrustox at Santa Terezinha Farm, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State and was conducted during four consecutive cropping cycles until July 2009. The plant-cane trial was designed as randomized blocks with four treatments (N-urea in increasing rates 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 at planting added to 120 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O) and four replicates (48 furrows of 15 m length). For the ratoon-cane trial, (1st to 3rd ratoons) the plant-cane plots were subdivided into other four treatments (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 N) and four replicates (12 rows x 15 m). The N fertilization of the 3rd ratoon was leveled to 100 kg ha-1 in all plots in order to detect residual effects of previous N fertilizations on sugarcane yield in this cycle. All ratoon cycles also received 150 kg ha-1 K2O as KCl. It has been installed microplots containing 15N-urea and/or 15N-labeled plant material at the 80 kg ha-1 N dose in plant-cane, simulating the crop residues prior to renewal (trash PAR or rhizomes, RAR of RB855536 variety) and which remained in soil after minimum tillage. The objective was to assess the contribution of N-fertilizer and N-residues in sugarcane N nutrition in consecutive cycles. After the plant-cane harvesting, new microplots containing post harvest trash (PPC-15N, variety SP81-3250) were placed in treatments 80-0 and 80- 150 kg N ha-1 in plant-cane and ratoons, respectively, aiming to assess the contribution of N-PPC in crop nutrition and the influence of N applied to ratoons in the N-PPC availability for sugarcane uptake. An additional study was conducted in litter bags containing PAR-15N in plant-cane (dose 80 kg ha-1 N) and PPC-15N in ratoons (doses 80-0 and 80-150 kg N ha-1) in order quantify the decomposition of trash during the crop cycles and possible differences in the decomposition rates due to N applications in plant-cane (PAR) and ratoons (PPC), respectively. In the four consecutive cycles were evaluated: i) Agroindustrial yields (TCH, Mg cane ha-1 stalks and TPH, Mg ha-1 of sugar) and raw material quality (pol% cane and fiber%) in plantcane and ratoon treatments; ii) Recovery of urea-15N, PAR-15N, 15N- RAR and 15NPPC by crop above ground parts (stalks, dry leaves and tips) and carbon (C) and N balances in the soil-plant system and iii) decomposition of PAR and PPC as reduction of dry matter (DM), C, nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and structural carbohydrates (lignin cellulose and hemicellulose). The agroindustrial yields (TCH and TPH) were influenced by N rates at planting and subsequent ratoons. It hás been found linear response in crop yield due to N rates at planting and in the average of four crop cycles. However, no responses were detected in the interaction between 12 N doses in plant or ratoon cane. The highest accumulated yield (TCH) in four consecutive cycles was obtained in treatment 120-100 kg ha-1 N in plant-cane and ratoons, but treatment 120-50 kg ha-1 N has been found as the more economically viable. The recovery of N-urea applied in plant-cane was higher in the first cycle (24, 7 kg ha-1 or 31% of the applied dose) and decreased over subsequent crop cycles (5%, 4% and 3% respectively). The N balance after four cycles (2006-2009) showed 43% (34.4 kg ha-1) of total N-urea recovery by the crop above ground parts, 0.2% was found in the rhizomes, 20% in soil and 37% were counted as losses. Cane trash N-PAR and N-RAR recoveries in the above ground parts were 28% and 23% of the initial amount of N applied as crop residues (14.2 and 7.4 kg ha-1, respectively). On average, 0.2% of N-plant residues remained in the rhizomes, 52% in the soil and 22% were accounted as losses. The total recovery of N-PAR N-and RAR was 24.4 kg, or 39% of the total N of these residues, indicating that they are long term N sources for the sugarcane crop. There had been found a close correlation between the cumulative recovery of N-urea and N-residues with the accumulated evapotranspiration of the four crop cycles. The N-PPC recovery by sugarcane above ground parts almost doubled after three cycles due to N application in ratoons, 17% vs. 31% (6.9 and 12.6 kg ha-1 N, respectively). In other compartments, 0.3% and 0.4% of N-PPC remained in the rhizomes, 69% and 61%) in the soil and 13.4% and 7.6%) resulted in losses. There was detected no major changes in soil C and N stocks C due to the addition of N-urea and N-residues. The decomposition of PAR and PPC was influenced by N fertilizations in plant-cane and ratoons cane and by biological action over the cropping cycles. The major effects detected as trash decomposed over the agricultural cycles were the reduction in residues C:N ratio, sugarcane root growth under the trash blanket, and losses of DM, C, N, macronutrients and structural carbohydrates. The DM degradation of PAR and PPC was 96% and 73% after four and three years respectively. The nutrients that showed higher release rates were K 98% to 92%, Mg 97% to 70% Ca and 95% to 55% of the initial amount of nutrients (kg ha-1) sourced by PAR and PPC residues, respectively. After four agricultural cycles, the levels (g kg-1) of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose from PAR decreased 60%, 29% and 70%, and for PPC the reduction was 47%, 35% and 70% in three cycles. The degradation of structural carbohydrates was influenced by climatic conditions that occurred during the agricultural cycles and the initial biochemical composition those residues (total carbohydrates and nutrients content). There was no difference in DM degradation of PPC due to N application in ratoons, however there were differences in C degradation, in the release of Ca, concentration of roots and in the decomposition of lignin when N- fertilizer has been applied over the trash blanket

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Este trabalho objetivou relacionar a produtividade agroindustrial da cana-de-açúcar com o aproveitamento do nitrogênio (N) das adubações sucessivas em cana-planta e soqueiras, em sistema de cultivo mínimo sem o revolvimento do solo ou escarificações das entrelinhas na reforma do canavial ou após os cortes, respectivamente - e quantificar a contribuição da palhada proveniente da colheita mecanizada na nutrição da cultura. O experimento foi instalado em março de 2005, em um Latossolo Vermelho Eutrófico muito argiloso da Fazenda Santa Terezinha, Jaboticabal, SP e foi conduzido durante quatro ciclos agrícolas consecutivos até julho de 2009. O delineamento experimental na cana-planta foi blocos casualizados, com quatro tratamentos (doses de N-uréia 0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 no sulco de plantio, juntamente com 120 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e K2O) e quatro repetições (parcelas de 48 sulcos x 15 m). Nos ciclos de 1ª a 3ª soqueiras, as parcelas de cana-planta foram subdivididas em outros quatro tratamentos (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1 de N) e quatro repetições (subparcelas de 12 linhas x 15 m). Na 3ª soqueira a adubação com N foi de 100 kg ha-1 em todas as parcelas, visando detectar efeitos residuais das fertilizações anteriores na produtividade da cana no 4º ciclo. Em todas as parcelas dos ciclos de soqueiras também aplicou-se 150 kg ha-1 de K2O como KCl. Na dose 80 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta, foram instaladas microparcelas contendo uréia e/ou material vegetal marcado com 15N, simulando os resíduos anteriores à reforma (palhada, PAR ou rizomas, RAR da variedade RB855536) remanescentes no solo após o cultivo mínimo. O objetivo foi avaliar a contribuição do fertilizante-15N e dos resíduos vegetais-15N na nutrição nitrogenada da cultura em ciclos consecutivos. Após o corte da cana-planta, novas microparcelas contendo palhada pós colheita (PPC-15N, variedade SP81-3250) foram dispostas nos tratamentos 800 e 80150 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta e soqueiras, respectivamente, para avaliar a contribuição do N-PPC na nutrição da cultura e a influência do N aplicado em soqueiras na disponibilização do N-PPC. Um estudo complementar foi desenvolvido em sacos telados contendo PAR-15N em cana-planta (dose 80 kg ha-1 de N) e PPC- 15N em soqueiras (doses 80-0 e 80-150 kg ha-1 de N), visando quantificar a decomposição dos resíduos durante os ciclos agrícolas e possíveis diferenças na intensidade da decomposição devido às aplicações de N em cana-planta e em soqueiras respectivamente. Nos quatro ciclos consecutivos avaliou-se a: i) produtividade agroindustrial (TCH, Mg de cana ha-1 de colmos e TPH, Mg ha-1 de pol) e características tecnológicas da matéria-prima (pol % cana e fibra %) em função dos tratamentos de N em cana-planta e soqueiras; ii) recuperação do 15Nuréia, 15N-PAR, 15N-RAR e 15N-PPC pela parte aérea da cultura (colmos, folhas secas e ponteiro) e o balanço de carbono (C) e N no sistema solo-planta e iii) decomposição da PAR e PPC pela redução da matéria seca (MS), do C, 10 macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S) e carboidratos estruturais (lignina, celulose e hemicelulose). A TCH e TPH foram influenciadas pelas doses de N no plantio e nas soqueiras subseqüentes. Houve resposta linear na produtividade agroindustrial da cana-planta às doses de N do plantio e na média dos quatro ciclos agrícolas. Porém, não houve interação entre as doses de N em cana-planta e soqueiras. O tratamento 120100 kg ha-1 de N em cana-planta e soqueiras proporcionou a maior TCH acumulada nos quatro ciclos consecutivos, porém o tratamento 12050 kg ha-1 de N foi o mais viável economicamente. A recuperação do N-uréia de plantio foi mais alta no primeiro ciclo (24, 7 kg ha-1 ou 31% da dose aplicada) decrescendo ao longo ciclos agrícolas subsequentes (5%; 4% e 3%, respectivamente). O balanço de N após os quatro ciclos (2006 a 2009) indicou 43% (34,4 kg ha-1) de recuperação do Nuréia pela parte aérea da cultura, 0,2% permaneceu nos rizomas, 20% no solo e 37% foram contabilizados como perdas. Para os resíduos vegetais PAR e RAR as recuperações na parte aérea foram de 28% e 23% da quantidade inicial (14,2 e 7,4 kg ha-1, respectivamente). Em média, 0,2% do N-resíduos vegetais permaneceu nos rizomas, 52% no solo e 22% foram perdas. A soma da recuperação do N-PAR e NRAR de foi de 24,4 kg, ou seja, 39% da contribuição total de N destes resíduos, indicando serem fontes de N a longo prazo para a cana-de-açúcar. Houve correlação entre a recuperação acumulada do N-uréia e N-resíduos vegetais com a evapotranspiração acumulada dos quatro ciclos agrícolas. A recuperação do N-PPC pela parte aérea da cultura praticamente dobrou após três ciclos, devido à aplicação de N em soqueiras, 17% vs. 31% (6,9 e 12,6 kg ha-1 de N, respectivamente). O restante do N-PPC permaneceu nos rizomas (0,3% e 0,4%), no solo (69% e 61%) ou resultaram em perdas (13,4% e 7,6%). Não houve alterações nos estoques de C e N do solo com a adição de N-uréia ou N-resíduos vegetais. A decomposição da PAR e PPC foi influenciada pelas aplicações de N em cana-planta e soqueiras e pela ação biológica ao longo dos ciclos agrícolas avaliados. Essa degradação ocorreu devido à redução da relação C:N, do crescimento de raízes sob a palhada, perdas de MS, C, N, macronutrientes e carboidratos estruturais da palhada ao longo dos ciclos agrícolas. Para a PAR e PPC, a degradação da MS foi de 96% e 73% após quatro e três anos, respectivamente. Os macronutrientes que apresentaram maiores liberações foram o K 98% e 92%; Mg 97% e 70% e o Ca 95% e 55%, da quantidade inicial dos nutrientes (kg ha-1) aplicadas via PAR e PPC, respectivamente. Após quatro ciclos agrícolas os teores (g kg-1) de lignina, celulose e hemicelulose da PAR decresceram 60%, 29% e 70%. Para a PPC a redução foi de 47%, 35% e 70% em três ciclos. A degradação dos carboidratos estruturais foi influenciada pelas condições climáticas ocorridas durante os ciclos agrícolas e pela composição bioquímica inicial dos resíduos (carboidratos e nutrientes totais). Não houve diferença na degradação da MS da PPC devido à aplicação de N em soqueiras, porém houve diferença na degradação do C, na liberação de Ca, na concentração de raízes e na decomposição da lignina quando se realizou a adubação com N sobre a palhada em soqueiras / This work aimed to relate the agroindustrial yield of sugarcane with nitrogen (N) fertilization in successive cropping cycles in plant-cane and ratoons under minimum tillage system - without soil plowing or interows scarification in crop renewal and after the harvesting seasons, respectively - and to quantify the contribution of straw from mechanical harvesting on crop N nutrition. The field trial was planted in March 2005 in a very clayey Rhodic Eutrustox at Santa Terezinha Farm, Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State and was conducted during four consecutive cropping cycles until July 2009. The plant-cane trial was designed as randomized blocks with four treatments (N-urea in increasing rates 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 at planting added to 120 kg ha-1 P2O5 and K2O) and four replicates (48 furrows of 15 m length). For the ratoon-cane trial, (1st to 3rd ratoons) the plant-cane plots were subdivided into other four treatments (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1 N) and four replicates (12 rows x 15 m). The N fertilization of the 3rd ratoon was leveled to 100 kg ha-1 in all plots in order to detect residual effects of previous N fertilizations on sugarcane yield in this cycle. All ratoon cycles also received 150 kg ha-1 K2O as KCl. It has been installed microplots containing 15N-urea and/or 15N-labeled plant material at the 80 kg ha-1 N dose in plant-cane, simulating the crop residues prior to renewal (trash PAR or rhizomes, RAR of RB855536 variety) and which remained in soil after minimum tillage. The objective was to assess the contribution of N-fertilizer and N-residues in sugarcane N nutrition in consecutive cycles. After the plant-cane harvesting, new microplots containing post harvest trash (PPC-15N, variety SP81-3250) were placed in treatments 80-0 and 80- 150 kg N ha-1 in plant-cane and ratoons, respectively, aiming to assess the contribution of N-PPC in crop nutrition and the influence of N applied to ratoons in the N-PPC availability for sugarcane uptake. An additional study was conducted in litter bags containing PAR-15N in plant-cane (dose 80 kg ha-1 N) and PPC-15N in ratoons (doses 80-0 and 80-150 kg N ha-1) in order quantify the decomposition of trash during the crop cycles and possible differences in the decomposition rates due to N applications in plant-cane (PAR) and ratoons (PPC), respectively. In the four consecutive cycles were evaluated: i) Agroindustrial yields (TCH, Mg cane ha-1 stalks and TPH, Mg ha-1 of sugar) and raw material quality (pol% cane and fiber%) in plantcane and ratoon treatments; ii) Recovery of urea-15N, PAR-15N, 15N- RAR and 15NPPC by crop above ground parts (stalks, dry leaves and tips) and carbon (C) and N balances in the soil-plant system and iii) decomposition of PAR and PPC as reduction of dry matter (DM), C, nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and structural carbohydrates (lignin cellulose and hemicellulose). The agroindustrial yields (TCH and TPH) were influenced by N rates at planting and subsequent ratoons. It hás been found linear response in crop yield due to N rates at planting and in the average of four crop cycles. However, no responses were detected in the interaction between 12 N doses in plant or ratoon cane. The highest accumulated yield (TCH) in four consecutive cycles was obtained in treatment 120-100 kg ha-1 N in plant-cane and ratoons, but treatment 120-50 kg ha-1 N has been found as the more economically viable. The recovery of N-urea applied in plant-cane was higher in the first cycle (24, 7 kg ha-1 or 31% of the applied dose) and decreased over subsequent crop cycles (5%, 4% and 3% respectively). The N balance after four cycles (2006-2009) showed 43% (34.4 kg ha-1) of total N-urea recovery by the crop above ground parts, 0.2% was found in the rhizomes, 20% in soil and 37% were counted as losses. Cane trash N-PAR and N-RAR recoveries in the above ground parts were 28% and 23% of the initial amount of N applied as crop residues (14.2 and 7.4 kg ha-1, respectively). On average, 0.2% of N-plant residues remained in the rhizomes, 52% in the soil and 22% were accounted as losses. The total recovery of N-PAR N-and RAR was 24.4 kg, or 39% of the total N of these residues, indicating that they are long term N sources for the sugarcane crop. There had been found a close correlation between the cumulative recovery of N-urea and N-residues with the accumulated evapotranspiration of the four crop cycles. The N-PPC recovery by sugarcane above ground parts almost doubled after three cycles due to N application in ratoons, 17% vs. 31% (6.9 and 12.6 kg ha-1 N, respectively). In other compartments, 0.3% and 0.4% of N-PPC remained in the rhizomes, 69% and 61%) in the soil and 13.4% and 7.6%) resulted in losses. There was detected no major changes in soil C and N stocks C due to the addition of N-urea and N-residues. The decomposition of PAR and PPC was influenced by N fertilizations in plant-cane and ratoons cane and by biological action over the cropping cycles. The major effects detected as trash decomposed over the agricultural cycles were the reduction in residues C:N ratio, sugarcane root growth under the trash blanket, and losses of DM, C, N, macronutrients and structural carbohydrates. The DM degradation of PAR and PPC was 96% and 73% after four and three years respectively. The nutrients that showed higher release rates were K 98% to 92%, Mg 97% to 70% Ca and 95% to 55% of the initial amount of nutrients (kg ha-1) sourced by PAR and PPC residues, respectively. After four agricultural cycles, the levels (g kg-1) of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose from PAR decreased 60%, 29% and 70%, and for PPC the reduction was 47%, 35% and 70% in three cycles. The degradation of structural carbohydrates was influenced by climatic conditions that occurred during the agricultural cycles and the initial biochemical composition those residues (total carbohydrates and nutrients content). There was no difference in DM degradation of PPC due to N application in ratoons, however there were differences in C degradation, in the release of Ca, concentration of roots and in the decomposition of lignin when N- fertilizer has been applied over the trash blanket

The presence of competitors and predators as well as plant quality affect which plants an insect feed from. These factors affect food choice through the entire insect life cycle, and is especially important when it comes to nurturing larvae. Females oviposition choice sets the initial stage for larval growth and survival, and it is therefore predicted that there is a strong selection pressure to make them oviposit on the best plants possible. This study looks into the behavior of nutrient driven ovipositing and food choice in the beetles Phratora vitellinae and Lochmaea caprea by offering individuals ten leaves of Salix viminalis, one treated with extra nitrogen in order to increase the nutritional value, and four treated with extra carbon, which should lower the nutritional value. During the choice experiment, only two females of Phratora vitellinae oviposited, making it impossible to draw any conclusion regarding nutrient driven oviposition choice. However, data showed a preference for nitrogen treated leaves and an avoidance of untreated control leaves in almost every case when looking into the largest loss of area for leaves of each treatment. When analyzing the number of leaves of each treatment that is eaten per individual there was a slight preference for nitrogen treated leaves, even though the probability of nitrogen being ranked as most preferred in this case was almost zero. Carbon treated leaves and acetone treated control leaves were equally avoided. For Lochmaea caprea, females fed from a significantly larger numer of leaves than males did (t-test, t=1.86, p=0.0003). An ANOVA showed no significant difference in C:N ratio among leaf treatments (ANOVA, F=9.28E-07, p=0.99). Since plant C:N ratio most likely will increase continuously due to CO2 emissions, the effects an increased carbon concentration in plant tissues has on oviposition and food choice in herbivorous insects is something to look further into. More studies on this subject are therefore needed.

Bottom sediment is an archive of the historical changes in a lake and its catchment. This thesis is apalaeoenvironmental reconstruction of catchment processes in Bolgoda Lake situated in western SriLanka. We studied a sediment core retrieved from this lake. In our study, we focus on multiplephysical and chemical proxies: grain-size, loss-on-ignition, total organic carbon content, C:N ratio,and δ13C stored in the organic matter. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understandingof the palaeoenvironmental conditions in the region and allow a comparison between this site andothers.In the deepest part of the core, we see an overall high sand content, which indicates a period ofhigher discharge into the lake compared to what the other core parts indicate. This is probably aresult of higher precipitation. This is followed by a decline in C:N and a rise in TOC in the second partwhich indicates an increase of primary production in the lake. In the third part we again see a shift inthe C:N indicating a source change back to more terrestrial runoff. The increase in TOC and LOIvalues together with decrease in C:N ratio and a steady increase in δ13C indicate an increase inlacustrine productivity in the upper part of the core.By reconstructing the palaeoenvironmental history in Bolgoda Lake we can conclude that it isprobable that some other factor than diagenetic change affects the lake. Our results indicate thatthese changes most likely are due to more wet periods and anthropogenic activity, mainly throughland use changes.

South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

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