Shoot pruning of a hedgerow perennial legume alters the availability and temporal dynamics of root-derived nitrogen in a subtropical setting

Yolima Carrillo, Carl F. Jordan, Krista L. Jacobsen, Kathryn G. Mitchell, Patrick Raber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the ecology of tree-based intercropping systems, particularly alley cropping, in temperate settings. Shoot pruning of the tree component is an integral practice to alley cropping. Shoot pruning likely results in an input of belowground C and N to soil, with potential, but unknown impacts on the time pattern of N availability. We evaluated the impacts of pruning of Amorpha fruticosa L. on (a) its root dynamics; (b) mineral N and microbial N, and (c) the fate of root-derived N and its importance in determining N availability. For this, we conducted repeated partial pruning and foliar labeling with 15N under field conditions in Georgia, USA. Pruning altered root dynamics by initially decreasing biomass and later preventing increases, likely due to root death. Pruning modified the time pattern of mineral N by substantially increasing concentrations during the 3 months following pruning. 15N labeling indicated that root-derived N was an important source of this extra N and that pruning caused the availability of root-derived N to microbes to be extended until the following growing season. Greater concentrations of mineral N, a greater pool of microbial N and prolonged microbial access and storage of root-derived N with pruning has the potential to positively impact system productivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-68
Number of pages10
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume345
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgements This research was supported by a grant from United States Department of Agriculture, Southern SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education). We thank Paul Hendrix and David Coleman for the use of their labs and Lisa Dean and Thomas Maddox for sample analyses. We owe special thanks to Leonor Español for valuable assistance in the field. We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

Keywords

  • Amorpha fruticosa
  • Intercropping
  • N
  • Nitrogen
  • Roots
  • Soil microbial biomass

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Soil Science
  • Plant Science

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