Cover Crops Increase N and P Cycling and Rice Productivity in Temperate Cropping Systems

Cover crops can determine positive benefits on soil fertility and rice productivity, although scant attention has been devoted to evaluating the effects of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) incorporation straw with different N fertilization levels P availability crop yields in temperate cropping systems characterized by poorly developed soils. In this study, cover grown before a mono-cropping system (NW Italy) on: (i) yield components; (ii) apparent fertilizer recovery optimal level vetch; (iii) temporal variation available forms during growth season, have investigated. The cultivation increased grain productivity 12%, while reducing mineral requirements 33%. Combined residues, provided input 178 18 kg ha−1, respectively, representing readily source for plant uptake over whole particularly under anaerobic conditions. This results better synchronization nutrient demand, leading quality performance.