Early nitrogen supply as an alternative management for a cover crop-maize sequence under a no-till system

Abstract Optimizing agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer use by crops and enhancing crop yields are challenges for tropical no-tillage systems since maintaining residues on the soil surface alters nutrient supply to system. Cover receiving N can provide superior biomass, cycling plant residue mineralization. The aims this study were (i) investigate application forage cover or as a substitute sidedressing (conventional method) maize (ii) mineral in rates biomass decomposition release. treatments comprised two species, i.e., palisade grass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] ruzigrass ruziziensis (R. Germ. C.M. Evrard) Crins], four applications: control (no application), live 35 days before seeding (35 DBS), (iii) 1 DBS, (iv) conventional method (N maize). maximum release grass. 81 47% higher at DBS compared with (7 Mg ha ?1 ), followed pattern observed (249 189 kg ). Mineral increased regardless species. Maize grain AE not affected when was applied (average 13 54 yield) method. However, decreased yields. Overall, be its maize.