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Nitrogen-dynamics in organic farming of field-grown vegetables with organic fertilizers, with particular consideration of flat coverings for an early and extended cultivation period
Project
Project code: 2803OE031
Contract period: 07.04.2004
- 03.10.2009
Budget: 185,951 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Intensive organic farming of vegetables relies on the application of organic nitrogenous materials. Since the BSE crisis, different plant-based organic materials are regarded as an alternative to animal-based organic fertilizers.Commercially available plant-based organic fertilizers and coarse meal of legumes were compared in field trials and investigated in terms of their fertilizing effects on various vegetable cultures. In the first test year, different plant-based fertilizers, a self-produced compost, and a horn fertilizer were tested in a series of pre-trials at the research station for vegetable farming in Bamberg, a branch of the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture at Veitshöchheim. In the subsequent vegetation periods, the N-turnover of various materials and their yield effectiveness were investigated. With an early culture also the influence of flat covering was checked. Analog to the main cultures in the research station, field trials were conducted on regular farms. At the research station, fallows were integrated in the field plots of selected fertilizer treatments, and different N-fractions were examined. Research planning was coordinated and results were exchanged with project 03OE102 'Synchronization of N-mineralization from mulch with N-uptake of field-grown vegetables by optimized management of green manuring with legumes'. The yields achieved in the pre-trials with spinach and white cabbage show that several plantbased fertilizers can be used as an alternative to horn fertilizers. In the subsequent field trails, the fertilizers used in the early cultivation of kohlrabi proved to have different effects on the crop (fresh matter yield and N yield, net N utilization, Nmin content). In terms of net N utilization, for example, the sequence coarse meal of castor cake > Maltaflor®, yellow lupine > faba bean > blue lupine became apparent. The fleece cover was shown to affect the yields but not the Nmin content or the net N utilization. For the other cultures (root celery, leeks, and spinach) a clear distinction among the fertilizers used could not be established. Dividing the fertilizer application showed no positive effect. It was confirmed that the N supply of vegetable crops by means of coarse meal of legumes may be possible. The plant-based fertilizers were mineralized predominantly fast, evident from the high Nmin content of the soil shortly after fertilization. In the fallows, a short temporary increase of microbial N was observed partially, in particular after fertilization with coarse meal of blue lupine.
In co-ordination with project 03OE102, a clearly different mineralization behavior was observed in the soils of the various locations.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
Funding programme
Excutive institution
LWG - Institute of commercial and recreational horticulture (IEF)
