Developing a nitrogen fertilization program based on green manure supplemented by a manure-based starter fertilizer in organic grain production

Description

In a wheat/grain corn/soya rotation, green manure as the main source of nitrogen, complemented in the grain corn year by a quickly available manure-based nitrogen starter fertilizer, can be used to obtain profitable organic grain corn yields while limiting phosphorus pollution. The project was conducted at IRDA’s Organic Agriculture Innovation Platform.

Objective(s)

• Evaluate different fertilization scenarios using green manure and animal manure to meet nitrogen requirements in a wheat/grain corn/soya rotation while limiting phosphorus pollution
• Determine the quantity of nitrogen provided by the green manure and animal manure
• Determine phosphorus inputs under the different scenarios in order to prevent or correct phosphorus saturation of the soil
• Characterize, in situ and on continuous basis, the nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in the soil from the first to last frost for three years
• Determine the impact of the different scenarios on nitrogen uptake and crop yields, as well as on the agronomic, biological, and physical characteristics of the soil