The performance of no-tillage systems depends, among other factors, on the quantity and quality of residues added to the soil. In Southern Brazil, the main cover crop anteceding summer crops is black oat (Avena strigosa, Schieb). The growth of this grass is often limited by N deficiency. In this situation, nitrogen fertilization is a possible option to increase the efficiency of this cover crop in no-tillage systems. Main goal of this study was the evaluation of effects of N rates applied on black oat and biomass production, the amount of nutrient uptake (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), as well as the C/N ratio in the produced residues. The experiment was carried out during 1998, 1999, and 2000 at the Federal University of Santa Maria, on the experimental area of the Soil Science Department, Santa Maria county, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, on a typic Hapludalf with a sandy loam A horizon and 19 g kg-1 organic matter. The experimental layout was a completely randomized block design in four replicates, with treatments that consisted in seven N rates (0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, and 240 kg ha-1) applied to the black oat. Urea, used as N source, was spread out manually and in up to four split applications. Lime, P and K fertilization, based on crop needs, was applied at constant rates in all treatments. Nitrogen fertilization of black oat gave rise to a quadratic response in biomass production and nutrient contents stored in the oat shoots, while N responded linearly. The plant N recovery was low (around 33 % of the total N applied) in a three year average. Under the highest N dose, the amounts of recycled P and K was 70 and 88 % higher than in oat without N application. At the estimated N application rate of 120 kg ha-1, the amount of recycled Ca increased by 95 % and the recycled Mg by 90 %, compared to the treatment without nitrogen fertilizer. The C/N ratio of the produced residues decreased by about one unit for each 10 kg ha-1 of applied N. In conclusion, N fertilization is a viable alternative to increase the quality and quantity of black oat biomass added to soils in no-tillage systems; besides, it improves nutrient cycling.
conservation systems; C/N ratio; nutrient uptake; Avena strigosa
