Rotation and Fertilization Effects on Soil Quality and Yields in a Long Term Field Experiment

Understanding the complex relationships among soil quality, crop productivity, and management practices would help to develop more sustainable agricultural production systems. In this study, we investigated combined effects of rotations fertilization treatments on quality yield in a long term (about 50 years) field experiment. Crop included continuous corn (Zea mays L.), 2 year corn-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation, 9 corn-wheat-corn-wheat-corn-wheat-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa (Medicago sativa rotation. Fertilization control, mineral with urea triple superphosphate, amendment cattle manure. were factorial experimental design two replications for each rotation six treatment. The had negative main indicators considered (carbon (C) nitrogen (N) pools, microbial biomass activity). On contrary, positive organic carbon (+24%) total (+23%) but resulted impoverished available P (?5%). Positive (+37% C +23% N) activity (+19%) also observed. Soil manure built up (+13%), increased nutrient content (+31% extractable +19% N), including that (+47%), stimulated growth (+34%) (+8%). As compared manure, lesser extent. This study showed use rotations, legume forage crops, may preserve productivity term.