Sediment and Nutrient Losses from Field-Scale Cropland Plots Treated With Animal Manure and Inorganic Fertilizer

A field-scale plot study was conducted at Virginia Tech's Prices Fork Research Farm, to evaluate the transport of nutrients in runoff from manure and fertilizer applied at P-based agronomic rates to cropland planted to corn. Simulated rainfall events representing 2- to 10-year storms in southwest Virginia, occurring 1 and 2 days following manure and fertilizer application were used to generate runoff. Plots were treated with surface applied poultry litter, surface applied and incorporated dairy manure, incorporated inorganic fertilizer, and no fertilizer (control). Application rates were based upon agronomic phosphorus (P) requirements of corn. The concentration of total suspended solids and nutrients decreased from the first to the second simulated rainfall event; however, the edge-of-field mass loss or yield increased due to increased runoff volume. Surface application of dairy manure resulted in 25–50% lower runoff volumes and 35–60% lower total suspended solid yields when compared to surface applied poultry litter. Surface applied poultry litter produced the greatest total P and dissolved reactive P losses. Results of this study suggest that manure applied based on crop P requirements can still yield significant edge-of-field nutrient losses, if rainfall occurs soon after application.     

Measuring Water-Extractable Phosphorus in Manures to Predict Phosphorus Concentrations in Runoff

Water-extractable phosphorus (WEP) in manures can influence the risk of phosphorus (P) losses in runoff when manures are land applied. We evaluated several manure handling and extraction variables to develop an extraction procedure for WEP that will minimize pre-analysis manure-sample-handling effects on WEP measurements. We also related manure WEP determinations to runoff dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations found in previously conducted field simulated rainfall experiments using the same manures to evaluate WEP as a predictor of P runoff losses. Dairy and poultry manure WEP concentrations increased with manure-to-water extraction ratio and shaking time. Relative to fresh manures, drying and grinding dairy manures before analysis usually decreased WEP concentrations, while WEP in poultry manures was often increased. Pre-analysis handling effects on WEP were minimized at the 1:1000 extraction ratio with a 1-h shaking time. Relationships between manure WEP and runoff DRP concentrations were strongly influenced by season of year and WEP extraction procedure. The best prediction of DRP concentration in spring runoff experiments was with manure WEP concentration at the 1:1000 extraction ratio. With fall runoff studies, DRP concentrations were best predicted with WEP application rate rather than concentration. These seasonal differences can be explained by the greater percentage of rainfall that ran off in the fall compared to the spring. For all studies, runoff DRP concentrations were strongly related (r² = 0.82) to the ratio of runoff to rainfall volumes, confirming that models need to take runoff hydrology into account as well as manure WEP in P-loss risk assessments.     

Injecting Poultry Litter into Orchardgrass Hay

Traditional surface application of poultry litter leaves nutrients vulnerable to loss through volatilization and runoff. However, injection can increase capture of these nutrients in agricultural fields. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of poultry litter injection on orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) hay yield and quality. Poultry litter was injected or surface applied using the Subsurfer poultry litter injector at the recommended agronomic rate (high) and half that rate (low) in 2012 and 2013 in an established field of orchardgrass. Soil was sampled to 15 cm and analyzed for soil nitrate. No significant differences in soil nitrate were detected between treatments. Although not always statistically significant, first cutting orchardgrass yields tended to be greater with surface litter application. Injected treatments had greater protein concentrations than their respective surface treatment, showing greater nitrogen uptake, when protein was weighted by yield. Protein was the same for high surface and low injected treatments showing that similar nitrogen (N) uptake was achieved.     

Land Application of Manure Can Influence Earthworm Activity and Soil Phosphorus Distribution

Earthworms can influence incorporation of animal manures and composts into the soil. As this activity can decrease the potential for phosphorus (P) loss in runoff and increase plant nutrient availability, we evaluated the effect of manure application on earthworm activity. Earthworm activity (as indicated by surface casts of Lumbricus terrestris) and soil P distribution were determined as a function of superphosphate, manure, and compost (dairy and poultry) applied at rates of 0, 50, 100, and 200 kg P ha^–1 yr^–1. Surface earthworm cast production was greatest in the wet and warm months of May to July. For instance, average annual cast production was 24,520 and 13,760 kg ha^–1 with respective applications of dairy manure and compost (100 kg P ha^–1) compared with 9,090 kg ha^–1 when superphosphate was added. This increased activity was accompanied by lower Mehlich 3 P (130 mg kg^–1) at the surface (0–5 cm) of soils treated with 100 kg P ha^–1 yr^–1 dairy manure than those treated with superphosphate (210 mg kg^–1) but greater concentrations at 5 to 10 cm deep (95 and 50 mg kg^–1, respectively). While there may have been greater downward movement of organic P added in manure and compost, the stimulation of L. terrestris activity by application of manure or compost has the potential to redistribute surface-applied P within the soil profile to a greater extent than when equivalent applications of P are made in the form of inorganic fertilizer.     

Phosphorus Runoff from Coastal Plain Forest Soil in Louisiana

Although not a common practice, poultry litter (PL) may be used for forest fertilization. Despite usually low soil phosphorus (P) and runoff under forest, repeated or high rates of PL application may cause appreciable P loss. Phosphorus in natural runoff under loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) fertilized with PL, downslope P enrichment of surface soil, and P runoff during simulated rainfall (a) 5 years post-application and (b) where straw was harvested were measured. Relationships of runoff P (dissolved reactive, dissolved, and total) concentration and load to soil P (Bray 2 and water-extractable in two depths) and hydraulic conductivity were examined. Post-application loss of P was lower than reported for pasture. There was little downslope P movement. Runoff P was related to the corresponding form of soil P (R² = 0.28–0.48) but likely affected by P leached from the O horizon. Loads could be estimated from regressions.     

Concentrations of Free and Conjugated Estrogens at Different Landscape Positions in an Agricultural Watershed Receiving Poultry Litter

Animal hormones can enter the aquatic environment along with runoff as a result of manure or litter application on agricultural landscapes. Our understanding of the transport of these hormones and their concentrations at various points along the watershed drainage is however limited. We investigated the transport of naturally produced poultry hormones in an agricultural watershed located on coastal plain soils of Delaware receiving land application of raw poultry manure. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of free and conjugated forms of estrogens in agricultural runoff at selected landscape positions in the agricultural watershed. Estrogen concentrations were determined for surface water, soil water, and runoff sediment. Estrogen forms that were analyzed were: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2?? and E2??), Estriol (E3), and their sulfate and glucuronide conjugates. Poultry litter application occurred at a rate of 9 Mg ha^?1 in early spring (April 2010). Sampling was performed for surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and sediment for nine storm events extending over 187 days before and after manure application (March?COctober 2010). Runoff was collected from the field edge, upland and lowland riparian positions and from the stream. Samples were analyzed by for liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Concentrations of estrogens were low (<20 ng l^?1) for most of the samples and decreased from the field edge into the riparian zone. Estrogens were not detected in soil water and runoff sediments. Overall, this study suggests that manure application practices at our sites in Delaware such as incorporation of litter into the soil likely reduced the concentrations of estrogens in runoff and reduced the threat posed to aquatic ecosystems.     

Impact of Time to First Rainfall Event on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Following Manure Applications

Use of inorganic fertilizers and manures are known to result in the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere, and rainfall events can also increase GHG emissions from soils. The objective of this study was to examine how the time between fertilizer or manure application and the first rainfall event affects carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and methane (CH₄) fluxes. Swine manure, poultry litter, and urea were surface applied to plots. Rainfall was simulated 1, 4, 8, 15, or 29 days after application. Gas fluxes were determined before and after each rainfall simulation. Postrain CO₂ fluxes were the greatest from poultry litter at 4 to 8 days after fertilization, and all fertilizer treatments produced similar N₂O emissions with a peak 4 days after fertilization. These data seem to indicate that if manures are applied during drier periods of the year, GHG emissions can be minimized, in addition to reducing nutrient runoff losses.     

Phosphorus distribution and availability in response to dairy manure applications

Abstract

As livestock operations become larger and concerns about water quality become greater, attention must be paid to the composition of animal manure and its potential impact on the environment. One current concern involves the amount and forms of phosphorus (P) being added to land with manure. The objective of this experiment was to determine the forms and availability of P in soils receiving 4 years of continuous dairy manure applications. Soil samples were collected from lysimeter plots established in 1991 to study the impact of dairy manure applications on surface water and groundwater. Soil P was fractionated into available (NaHCO₃), iron (Fe)‐ and aluminum (Al)‐bound (NaOH), and calcium (Ca)‐bound (HC1) forms. These data were related to manure application rates, soluble P concentrations, and anion exchange membrane (AEM) bound P. Results indicate that the potential to move P by leaching through these loessial soils is very low even at high manure application rates. Large manure additions resulted in increases in all P forms; however, the inorganic pools increased more than the organic pools. The AEM values were a good tool for predicting potential P movement by soil erosion or runoff with membrane bound P being strongly correlated with manure application rate (r²=0.82) and available P (NaHCO₃). Best management practices for manure disposal need to consider the potential for P movement through erosion and runoff, and the AEM technique provides a means for evaluating this potential.     

Transport Of Fecal Bacteria From Poultry Litter and Cattle Manures Applied to Pastureland

Land applications of manure from confined animal systems and direct deposit by grazing animals are both major sources of bacteria in streams. An understanding of the overland transport mechanisms from land applied waste is needed to improve design of best management practices (BMPs) and modeling of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Plots were established on pasturelands receiving phosphorus-based livestock waste applications to measure the concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli), fecal coliform (FC), and Enterococcus present in overland flow at the edge of the field. The flow-weighted bacteria concentrations were highest in runoff samples from the plots treated with cowpies (1.37×10⁵ colony forming units (cfu)/100 ml of E. coli) followed by liquid dairy manure (1.84×10⁴ cfu/100 ml of E. coli) and turkey litter (1.29×10⁴ cfu/100 ml of E. coli). The temporal distribution of fecal bacterial concentrations appeared to be dependent upon both the animal waste treatment and the indicator species, with peak concentrations occurring either at the beginning of the runoff event or during peak flow rates. BMPs could be selected to reduce peak flows or first flush effects depending upon the litter or manure applied to the land. The commercial Biolog System was used to identify the dominant species of Enterococcus present in the cowpie source manure (Enterococcus mundtii 55%) and in the runoff collected from the transport plots treated with cowpies (Enterococcus faecalis 37%). The identification of predominant species of Enterococcus that are associated with specific sources of fecal pollution could greatly assist with identifying the origins of NPS pollution.     

Influence of Soil Properties and Manure Sources on Phosphorus in Runoff during Simulated Rainfall

Runoff from agricultural fields amended with animal manure or fertilizer is a source of phosphorus (P) pollution to surface waters, which can have harmful effects such as eutrophication. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of soil P status and the P composition of manure sources on P in runoff and characterize the effects of manure sources on mass loss of dissolved reactive P, total dissolved P, and total P in runoff. Soil boxes set at 5% slopes received 7.5 cm h^?1 of simulated rainfall for 30 min. Study soils included a Kenansville loamy sand (loamy siliceous subactive thermic Arenic Hapludults, a Coastal Plain soil) and a Davidson silt loam (kaolinitic thermic Rhodic Kandiudults, a Piedmont soil). Soil test P concentrations ranged from 16 to 283 mg P kg^?1. Sources of P included broiler litter, breeder manure, and breeder manure treated with three rates of aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) 0, 3.9, and 7.8 kg m^?2, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and an un-amended control. All manure sources were surface applied at 66 kg P ha^?1 without incorporation. Water extractable P represented an average of 10 ± 6% total P in manure. Runoff samples were taken over a 30-min period. Piedmont soil contained greater amounts of clay, aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) concentrations, and higher P sorption capacities that produced significantly lower dissolved reactive P, total dissolved P, and total P losses than the Coastal Plain soil. Runoff P loss did not differ significantly for low and high STP Coastal Plain soils. Water extractable P in manures accounted for all dissolved reactive P lost in runoff with dissolved reactive P correlating strongly with water extractable P concentration (r² = 0.9961). Overall, manures containing the highest water extractable P concentrations contributed to the largest amounts of dissolved reactive P in runoff. Manure treated with 3.9 and 7.8 kg m^?2 of Al₂(SO₄)₃ (alum) decreased dissolved reactive P in runoff by 29%. While this soil box runoff study represents a worst-case scenario for P loss, highly significant effects of soil properties and manure sources were obtained. Management based on these results should help ameliorate harmful effects of P in runoff.     

Erosion rates and nutrient losses affected by composted cattle manure application in vineyard soils of NE Spain

Land preparation for mechanisation in vineyards of the Anoia–Alt Penedès region, NE Spain, has required major soil movements, which has enormous environmental implications not only due to changes in the landscape morphology but also due to soil degradation. The resulting cultivated soils are very poor in organic matter and highly susceptible to erosion, which reduces the possibilities of water intake as most of the rain is lost as runoff. In order to improve soil conditions, the application of organic wastes has been generalised in the area, not only before plantation but also every 3–4 years at rates of 30–50 Mg ha^− 1 mixed in the upper 30 cm.These organic materials are important sources of nutrients (N and P) and other elements, which could reduce further fertilisation cost. However, due to the high susceptibility to sealing of these soils, erosion rates are relatively high, so a higher nutrient concentration on the soil surface increases non-point pollution sources due to runoff.The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of applied composted cattle manure on infiltration, runoff and soil losses and on nutrients transported by runoff in vineyards of the Alt Penedès–Anoia region, NE Spain. In the two plots selected for the analysis, composted cattle manure had been applied in alternate rows 1 year previous to the study. In each plot soil surface samples (0–25 cm) were taken and compared to those of plots without manure application. The study was carried out at laboratory scale using simulated rainfall. Infiltration rates were calculated from the difference between rainfall intensity and runoff rates, and the sediment and total nitrogen and phosphorus were measured for each simulation. In addition, the influence of compost was investigated in the field under natural rainfall conditions by analysing the nutrient concentration in runoff samples collected in the field (in the same plots) after seven rainfall events, which amount different total precipitation and had different erosive character.Compost application increases infiltration rates by up to 26% and also increases the time when runoff starts. Sediment concentration in runoff was lower in treated (13.4 on average mg L^− 1) than in untreated soils (ranging from 16.8 to 23.4 mg L^− 1). However, the higher nutrient concentration in soils produces a higher mobilisation of N (7–17 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 20–26 mg L^− 1 in treated soils) and P (6–7 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 13–19 mg L^− 1 in treated soils). A major part of the P mobilised was attached to soil particles (about 90% on average) and only 10% was dissolved. Under natural conditions, higher nutrient concentrations were always recorded in treated vs. untreated soils in both plots, and the total amount of N and P mobilised by runoff was higher in treated soils, although without significant differences. Nutrient concentrations in runoff depend on rainfall erosivity but the average value in treated soils was twice that in untreated soils for both plots.     

Integrated Fertilizer Management: Influence on Soil Nitrogen,Available Phosphorus,Potassium, Nutrient Uptake and Maize Yield

A field experiment was conducted on an Alfisol (kandic paleustalf) in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria, for two seasons to assess the influence of inorganic and organic fertilizers on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nutrient uptake and maize yield. The treatments consisted of three rates of organic fertilizer 0, 5 and 10 t ha^?1 in the form of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) applied at 0 and 120 kg ha^?1. Maize (Zea mays) was used as the test crop. The results showed that the combined application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure and 120 kg ha^?1 NPK fertilizer enhanced the uptake of N, P and K better than other treatment combinations. Application of 10 t ha^?1 poultry manure alone gave the highest grain yield, which was 67.02% higher than the control in the first season. Complementary application of 5 t ha^?1 poultry manure with 120 kg ha^?1 NPK 20–10-10 was recommended for grain yield.     

Erosion rates and nutrient losses affected by composted cattle manure application in vineyard soils of NE Spain

Land preparation for mechanisation in vineyards of the Anoia–Alt Penedès region, NE Spain, has required major soil movements, which has enormous environmental implications not only due to changes in the landscape morphology but also due to soil degradation. The resulting cultivated soils are very poor in organic matter and highly susceptible to erosion, which reduces the possibilities of water intake as most of the rain is lost as runoff. In order to improve soil conditions, the application of organic wastes has been generalised in the area, not only before plantation but also every 3–4 years at rates of 30–50 Mg ha^− 1 mixed in the upper 30 cm.These organic materials are important sources of nutrients (N and P) and other elements, which could reduce further fertilisation cost. However, due to the high susceptibility to sealing of these soils, erosion rates are relatively high, so a higher nutrient concentration on the soil surface increases non-point pollution sources due to runoff.The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of applied composted cattle manure on infiltration, runoff and soil losses and on nutrients transported by runoff in vineyards of the Alt Penedès–Anoia region, NE Spain. In the two plots selected for the analysis, composted cattle manure had been applied in alternate rows 1 year previous to the study. In each plot soil surface samples (0–25 cm) were taken and compared to those of plots without manure application. The study was carried out at laboratory scale using simulated rainfall. Infiltration rates were calculated from the difference between rainfall intensity and runoff rates, and the sediment and total nitrogen and phosphorus were measured for each simulation. In addition, the influence of compost was investigated in the field under natural rainfall conditions by analysing the nutrient concentration in runoff samples collected in the field (in the same plots) after seven rainfall events, which amount different total precipitation and had different erosive character.Compost application increases infiltration rates by up to 26% and also increases the time when runoff starts. Sediment concentration in runoff was lower in treated (13.4 on average mg L^− 1) than in untreated soils (ranging from 16.8 to 23.4 mg L^− 1). However, the higher nutrient concentration in soils produces a higher mobilisation of N (7–17 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 20–26 mg L^− 1 in treated soils) and P (6–7 mg L^− 1 in untreated soils and 13–19 mg L^− 1 in treated soils). A major part of the P mobilised was attached to soil particles (about 90% on average) and only 10% was dissolved. Under natural conditions, higher nutrient concentrations were always recorded in treated vs. untreated soils in both plots, and the total amount of N and P mobilised by runoff was higher in treated soils, although without significant differences. Nutrient concentrations in runoff depend on rainfall erosivity but the average value in treated soils was twice that in untreated soils for both plots.     

三种耕作制度下密西西比州两种加入家禽垫料的土壤上磷动态研究

An experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted on a Lexington soil (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic, Ultic Hapludalfs) and a Loring soil (fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic, Oxyaquic Fragiudalfs) in Mississippi from September 1997 to September 2000 on 18 runoff plots under natural rainfall condition to study the phosphorus (P) dynamics in poultry litter amended soils under three management systems combining tillage and planting date treatments to identify effective management practices in southern U. S. A. The management systems in the study were:1) tillage in the fall prior to litter application followed by a delayed planting of fall forages (CT-DP); 2) tillage followed by immediate planting of the fall forage with subsequent litter application (CT-IP); and 3) no-till with planting prior to litter application (NT-IP). The results indicated that there was significant increase in soil P after 3 years of poultry litter application for both Lexington and Loring soils (P <0.05). Based on P budget analysis, the majority of P from poultry litter application (> 90%), was accumulated in both soils. In Loring soil, soluble P mass in the runoff was significantly higher from NT-IP than from CT-DP and CT-IP over the entire study period (P <0.01). For both soils, there were no significant differences in sediment P mass between management systems. For Loring soil, CT-DP and CT-IP were effective management practices to mitigate negative effects due to poultry litter application.     

Yellow melon yield in response to mineral or organic fertilization

Although current recommendations in Brazil suggest the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, there is little information regarding the interaction between them in melon plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral and organic fertilization in the plant development, nutritional status, and fruit yield of yellow melon. The following fertilizations were evaluated: mineral fertilization; bovine manure; bovine manure associated with mineral fertilization; poultry litter; and poultry litter associated with mineral fertilization. Bovine manure and poultry litter were applied at rates equivalent to 15 m³ ha^?1 and 5 m³ ha^?1, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium were applied based on the results of the soil analysis and nitrogen based on the expected yield of 20 to 30 t ha^?1 of fruits. Phosphate and organic fertilizers were applied at the time of preparation of the beds, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied daily through irrigation water. Goldex F1 melon hybrid seedlings were used in the experiment. Plants were collected to evaluate the dry matter production at beginning of flowering, beginning of fruiting, fruit growth, and fruit harvest. Leaves were collected at flowering stage to evaluate the nutritional status of plants. Harvest was made when the fruits reached the intense yellow coloration. Organic fertilizers alone and combined to mineral fertilizer did not affect the dry matter yield of leaves, stems, fruits and shoot, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in melon leaves, the nitrogen accumulation in the plant, and the yield of the yellow melon. The application of bovine manure associated to mineral fertilization showed the lowest values of nitrogen recovery applied. Bovine manure application resulted in increase of nitrogen organic forms in soil.     

Phosphorus and trace metal dynamics in soils amended with poultry litter and granulates

Environmental sustainability of animal agriculture is strongly dependent upon development of approaches to minimize the potential environmental impacts of applying animal manures. The excess manure and its nutrients (primarily phosphorus) in intensive animal production regions may need to be exported to other areas to comply with increased regulations on manure management. In our previous study we generated a variety of granulated products from poultry litter to achieve export of excess litter from the southwestern Ozarks, AR, USA. Our objective in the present study was to determine the effect of the application of poultry litter and granulated litter products on phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) dynamics in two Arkansas soils (Dewitt silt loam and Hector sandy loam). Poultry litter and granulated products were mixed with the surface horizon (0–15 cm) of soils at two application rates: P‐based (100 kg total P per hectare) and N‐based (160 kg plant‐available N per hectare). Soil–litter mixtures were incubated at 25 °C for 21 days. Sub‐samples were removed at 1, 7 and 21 days to determine the solubility and availability of P, As, Cu and Zn in soils. Results suggest that when litter was applied at 100 kg total P per hectare, contents of P, As, Cu and Zn were significantly greater in the soils amended with litter and granulated products than in the control (soil alone). However, the contents of P, As, Cu and Zn did not significantly differ in the soils amended with either normal litter or granulated litter products at total P or plant‐available N‐based application rates. This suggests that poultry litter granulation is a sound management practice that can be used to reduce concerns with fresh litter transport and potentially improve P and trace element balances in intensive poultry production regions, especially when applied on a plant‐available N basis.     

Comparative evaluation of broiler and layer poultry manure for greenhouse lettuce production

Abstract

Disposing poultry manure from broiler and layer flocks by its incorporation into the soil was evaluated on greenhouse lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Paris Island cos). Floor litter that contains the manure mixed with sawdust and wood shaving, was 8 weeks old from broilers and one year old from layers. Broiler manure had 19% moisture and 5.5% N, while layer manure had 22% moisture and 3.7% N. Application of 27.5 ton/ha broiler manure and 18 ton/ha layer manure, on wet basis, gave comparable yield of lettuce as did an application of 100 kg N/ha from NH₄NO₃ in 2 split applications, and an unfertilized treatment. The manure was effective for lettuce growth 10 months after its incorporation in the soil. The highest yield was in manure treated plots, however, the lack of significant response in yield is due to the sufficient levels of soil NO₃‐N and available P. There was no effect on soil EC, pH, and available P due to the treatments; however, soil NO3‐N was significantly increased under all fertilized treatments. Leaf concentration of PO4‐P was not affected by the treatments, but NO3‐N was significantly increased under all fertilized treatments. It may be concluded that broiler and layer poultry manure when disposed of by soil incorporation, are equally effective as a fertilizer for a leafy crop such as lettuce.     

Impact of Animal Manure on Soil Chemistry,Mineral Nutrients,Yield, and Fruit Quality in ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple

ABSTRACT

Incorporating deep litter cow and deep litter poultry manures with the top 30-cm soil improved orchard soil chemistry, including nutrient availability, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and biological activity in a ‘Golden Delicious’ apple (Malus domestica Bork) orchard in Zanjan, Iran. Application of deep litter cow manure at 30 t ha^?1 or deep litter poultry manure at 10 t ha^?1 resulted in a higher rate of nitrogen (N) release, and thus increased yield and fruit size, but decreased fruit color. The least leaf minerals were found in the untreated control trees. The control trees showed minor symptoms of N, iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) deficiencies during the following season. Positive correlation existed between the rate of manure applied and the content of soil organic matter (OM). The deep litter poultry manure at 10 t ha^?1 increased the soil K, Mg, calcium (Ca), ammonium-N, and EC levels.     

Transport of phosphorus in surface runoff as influenced by liquid and solid fertilizer phosphate addition

The effects of superphosphate (50 kg P ha^?1), applied as a liquid or a solid, on the transport of dissolved and particulate P in surface runoff from established pasture were evaluated using field plots and natural rainfall. An approximately 3-fold increase in the transport of both dissolved inorganic P and particulate P in surface runoff was measured in 14 weeks following fertilizer application in the solid form (2.9 and 2.9 % of the applied fertilizer P, respectively) compared to the liquid application (1.0 and 1.1 % of the applied fertilizer P, respectively). In addition, the application of solid fertilizer P had a more sustained effect on the concentration of both disolved and particulate P in surface runoff. The results are discussed in terms of the relative abilities of the applied fertilizers to move away from the zone of interaction between surface soil and runoff, their effect on the P enrichment of streams, and their agronomic effectiveness.     

不同施肥模式对菜—稻轮作农田土壤磷素径流损失与表观平衡的影响

采用田间小区定位试验(2015—2016年)研究了自然降雨条件下农户习惯性施肥(T1)、减量施肥(T2)及优化施肥(T3)不同施肥模式对太湖流域菜—稻轮作农田土壤磷素径流流失特征和磷素表观平衡的影响。结果表明:菜—轮作农田地表径流排水主要分布于强降雨(梅雨季、台风季)集中的水稻生长季,与降雨量呈显著线性正相关关系。磷素径流流失也集中在水稻季,各处理条件下,其流失量占周年流失总量的比例达74.75%~81.46%。农户习惯性施肥模式(T1)处理条件下,蔬菜季径流总磷平均浓度(0.55mg/L)显著高于水稻季(0.29mg/L),但磷素径流流失量(0.49kg/hm^2)却显著低于水稻季(2.13kg/hm^2)。减量施肥(T2)和优化施肥(T3)模式处理可显著降低蔬菜季、水稻季径流磷素浓度和菜—稻周年磷素径流流失量。较T1处理,T2和T3处理显著降低菜—稻周年TP径流流失量分别达22.48%和45.66%。菜—稻轮作农田土壤磷素盈余量呈现显著的施肥模式差异和季节差异,周年盈余量高达260.90kg/hm^2,且主要集中在蔬菜生长季(70.63%)。较T1处理,T2、T3处理显著降低周年磷素盈余量达38.47%~64.87%(P<0.05)。同时,虽然蔬菜产量在T2、T3处理下均显著下降,但较T2处理,T3处理对蔬菜、水稻及周年产量均无显著影响。可见,菜—稻轮作种植模式下,蔬菜季施用适量生物炭,稻季不施磷具有磷素减排、维持作物稳产和磷素表观平衡的协同效应。