Abstract

Background and Aims Catch crops used for mitigating nutrient losses to water can release phosphorus (P) when exposed to repeated freezing-thawing cycles (FTCs). This study sought to evaluate potential P losses from shoots and roots of eight catch crops. Methods Shoots and roots sampled from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis L.) and white radish (R. sativus var. longipinnatus L.) were treated with no freezing, one single FTC, four continuous FTCs and four discontinuous FTCs. All samples were analysed for water-extractable P (WEP), and root samples also for characteristics such as specific root surface area (SSA). Results Freezing-thawing significantly increased potential P losses from both shoots and roots compared with no freezing. The two radish species and white mustard contained significantly higher concentrations of WEP than the other species, among which chicory and phacelia had the lowest WEP. On average, shoots had 43% higher WEP than roots. Cumulative P release from shoots and roots was strongly correlated with their total-P content (p=0.006 and p=0.002, respectively). Cumulative release of P from taproots was correlated with SSA (p=0.03). Conclusions Chicory, and possibly phacelia, appear to be promising catch crops for P.

Published in

Plant and Soil
2013, Volume: 371, number: 1-2, pages: 543-557
Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

SLU Authors

• Liu, Jian

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ulen, Barbro

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bergkvist, Göran

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1716-y

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/39538