保护性耕作对土壤物理特性及玉米产量的影响

保护性耕作措施是干旱区农田提高作物产量的新型耕作技术。为了探讨其区域适应性,在2004～2007年期间,以毛乌素沙地南缘的靖边县北部风沙区农田为研究对象,选用了免耕、秸秆覆盖、覆膜和传统翻耕(CK)4种措施,采用完全随机试验设计进行了田间定位试验研究。结果表明,秸秆覆盖和免耕地的地温在春播初期略比传统翻耕低0.1℃,但随后迅速回升,覆膜在玉米生长期都高于其他措施。耕作措施对播种前土壤容重没有显著影响,而对收获后土壤容重影响显著,与传统翻耕相比,免耕降低了表层土壤容重1.65%,但次层20～40 cm容重增加了1.8%。3种保护性耕作措施均增加了土壤含水量,顺序依次为秸秆覆盖>覆膜>免耕>翻耕,且在作物需水关键期免耕和秸秆覆盖下的土壤含水量相对稳定,保证作物需水,提高水分利用率,分别为8%、22.0%和13.3%。使作物分别增产4.44%、13.14%和19.26%。因此,保护性耕作在风沙区有利于改善农田土壤物理条件,提高作物产量,适于在风沙区推广。     

轮作绿肥对盐碱地土壤性质、后作青贮玉米产量及品质的影响

为明确种植和翻压绿肥改良和培肥盐碱地的效果,采用田间试验研究了种植和翻压毛叶苕子(Vicia villosa Roth.)、田菁(Sesbania cannabina Poir.)、草木樨(Melilotus officinalis L.)、紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)、箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)和黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)6种绿肥对中度苏打盐碱地土壤理化性质、返还土壤的N、P_2O_5和K_2O数量、后作青贮玉米(Zea mays L.)鲜草产量及蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明:与对照(不种植绿肥)相比,绿肥生长后期可显著提高土壤含水量1.0%~6.2%,使pH降低0.03~0.43,EC降低0.12~1.50 mS×cm~(-1);翻压绿肥可返还土壤N 15.6~195.4 kg×hm~(-2)、P_2O_5 5.3~58.8 kg×hm~(-2)和K_2O 34.5~127.9 kg×hm~(-2),使土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾分别提高0.42~1.86 g×kg~(-1)、0.05~0.34 g×kg~(-1)、0.5~32.3 mg×kg~(-1)、0.42~4.65 mg×kg~(-1)和3.8~26.1 mg×kg~(-1);与对照相比,青贮玉米的鲜草产量和蛋白质含量分别增加1 294~19 391 kg×hm~(-2)和0.4~23.9 mg×g~(-1)。总体而言,种植和翻压豆科绿肥在保蓄土壤水分,降低土壤pH和EC,提升土壤有机质含量和N、P_2O_5、K_2O养分数量(特别是N素数量),提高青贮玉米鲜草产量与蛋白质等方面的效果均显著优于禾本科绿肥,其中以适应性强、生长快、生物量大的毛叶苕子处理的改良、培肥土壤,生产优质牧草的效果最好;其次是草木樨处理。种植和翻压豆科绿肥可有效改良中度苏打盐碱地,显著提高土壤肥力,提供无机养分替代部分化肥,提高优质牧草的生产,是适合大同盆地中度苏打盐碱地经济、有效和环保的改良模式,对稳定耕地面积、保证粮食安全具有重要意义。     

Long-term effects of farmyard manure and sewage sludge on some soil biochemical characteristics

 Changes in some soil biochemical properties were investigated following repeated applications of aerobically digested sewage sludge (SS) under field conditions over 12 years, and compared with those of an adjacent soil cultivated and amended with 5 t ha^–1 year^–1 (dry weight) farmyard manure (FYM) for at least 40 years, as well as with those of an adjacent uncultivated soil, in order to ascertain changes in soil quality. A short-term aerobic incubation was used to determine the potential of the samples to mineralize the organic C supplied. Results indicated that cultivation caused a reduction in total, humified and potentially mineralizable organic C, total N, light-fraction (LF) C, total and water-soluble carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), microbial biomass C, specific respiration, hydrolytic and urease activities, and an increase in the heavy metal content. Total and water-soluble carbohydrates and phenolic compounds expressed as a percentage of total organic C (TOC) were similar in the differently managed plots. Of the two amendments, FYM treatments showed higher amounts of TOC and N, LF-C, total and water-soluble carbohydrates, phenolic substances, CEC, specific respiration of biomass, hydrolytic and urease activities, similar amounts and characteristics of humified organic matter and lower concentrations of Cu, Zn and Cr. Both FYM and SS were inadequate treatments for the restoration of soil organic matter lost as a consequence of cultivation. Received: 20 October 1998     

Long-term effects of metal-containing farmyard manure and sewage sludge on soil organic matter in a fluvisol

Our aim was to establish the long-term effects of repeated applications after 20 y of organic amendments (farmyard manure at 10 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹, and urban sewage sludge at two different rates, 10 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ and 100 t ha⁻¹ every 2 y) on the quality of a sandy and poorly buffered soil (Fluvisol, pH 6). Chemical characteristics and biodegradability of the labile organic matter, which is mainly derived from microbial biomass and biodegradation products of organic residues, were chosen as indicators for soil quality. The organic C content had reached a maximal value (30.6 g C kg⁻¹ in the 100 t sludge-treated soil), i.e. about 2.5 times that in the control. Six years after the last application, the organic C content and the microbial biomass content remained higher in sludge-treated soils than in the control. In contrast, the proportion of labile organic matter was significantly lower in sludge-treated soils than in manure-treated and control soils. The labile organic matter of sludge extracts appeared less humified than that of manure-treated and control soils.     

Effects of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer on the dynamics of soil microbial biomass in a tropical dryland agroecosystem

Changes in the soil microbial biomass following applications of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer, alone and in combination, were studied for two annual cycles in a rice-lentil crop sequence grown under rainfed tropical dryland conditions. During the two annual cycles the microbial biomass C range (g g^-1) was 146–241 (x = 204), 191–301 (245), 244–382 (305), and 294–440 (365) in control, fertilizer, manure and manure+fertilizer plots, respectively. The corresponding ranges for microbial biomass N (g g^-1) were 16.5–21.0 (19.5), 20.4–38.2 (26.0), 23.0–34.6 (27.0) and 26.2–42.4 (33.3), and for microbial biomass P (g g^-1) 4.4–8.2 (7.0) 6.0–11.2 (9.6), 11.2–22.0 (17.0), and 10.0–25.4 (18.3). The maximum increase in the microbial biomass, due to these inputs was observed under the manure+fertilizer treatment followed, in decreasing order, by manure alone and fertilizer alone. Within individual crop periods the levels of microbial biomass decreased sharply from the seedling to the flowering stage and then increased slightly with crop maturity. The maximum levels of microbial biomass C and P were observed during the summer fallow. The maximum accumulation of microbial biomass N occurred in the early rainy season, immediately after the soil amendments. Microbial biomass C, N, and P were positively related to each other throughout the annual cycle.     

Short-term green manure and tillage management effects on maize yield and soil quality in an Andisol

Andisols are very important land resources supporting high human population density. Maize (Zea mays L.) production on Andisols located in the Purhepecha Region of central Mexico is representative of the highlands conditions of Mexico and Latin America. Farmers struggle with low crop yield and low soil nutrient availability. A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of green manures either tilled into the soil (CT) or cut and left on the surface as a mulch (ZT), on maize yield and soil quality. Green manure treatments were: vetch (Vicia sativa L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and none. No extra N was added to maize. Green manure and tillage had a significant effect on maize grain yield, N uptake and P uptake with CT vetch performing better than ZT oat. Soil organic C and total N were significantly higher under ZT than under CT management. Soils with vetch had higher P concentration. Soil under ZT oat had the highest infiltration rate and penetration resistance compared with other treatments. There appears to be a trade off between soil productivity and intrinsic soil physical properties among soil treatments.     

Long-term yield trend and sustainability of rainfed soybean–wheat system through farmyard manure application in a sandy loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

A long-term (30 years) soybean–wheat experiment was conducted at Hawalbagh, Almora, India to study the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on grain yield trends of rainfed soybean (Glycine max)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system and nutrient status (soil C, N, P and K) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplaquept). The unfertilized plot supported 0.56 Mg ha⁻¹ of soybean yield and 0.71 Mg ha⁻¹ of wheat yield (average yield of 30 years). Soybean responded to inorganic NPK application and the yield increased significantly to 0.87 Mg ha⁻¹ with NPK. Maximum yields of soybean (2.84 Mg ha⁻¹) and residual wheat (1.88 Mg ha⁻¹) were obtained in the plots under NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) treatment, which were significantly higher than yields observed under other treatments. Soybean yields in the plots under the unfertilized and the inorganic fertilizer treatments decreased with time, whereas yields increased significantly in the plots under N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments. At the end of 30 years, total soil organic C (SOC) and total N concentrations increased in all the treatments. Soils under NPK + FYM-treated plots contained higher SOC and total N by 89 and 58% in the 0–45 cm soil layer, respectively, over that of the initial status. Hence, the decline in yields might be due to decline in available P and K status of soil. Combined use of NPK and FYM increased SOC, oxidizable SOC, total N, total P, Olsen P, and ammonium acetate exchangeable K by 37.8, 42.0, 20.8, 30.2, 25.0, and 52.7%, respectively, at 0–45 cm soil layer compared to application of NPK through inorganic fertilizers. However, the soil profiles under all the treatments had a net loss of nonexchangeable K, ranging from 172 kg ha⁻¹ under treatment NK to a maximum of 960 kg ha⁻¹ under NPK + FYM after 30 years of cropping. Depletion of available P and K might have contributed to the soybean yield decline in treatments where manure was not applied. The study also showed that although the combined NPK and FYM application sustained long-term productivity of the soybean–wheat system, increased K input is required to maintain soil nonexchangeable K level.     

Seasonal pattern of denitrification under an irrigated wheat-maize cropping system fertilized with urea and farmyard manure in different combinations

Under semiarid subtropical field conditions, denitrification was measured from the arable soil layer of an irrigated wheat–maize cropping system fertilized with urea at 50 or 100 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 (U₅₀ and U₁₀₀, respectively), each applied in combination with 8 or 16 t ha^–1 year^–1 of farmyard manure (FYM) (F₈ and F₁₆, respectively). Denitrification was measured by acetylene inhibition/soil core incubation method, also taking into account the N₂O entrapped in soil cores. Denitrification loss ranged from 3.7 to 5.7 kg N ha^–1 during the growing season of wheat (150 days) and from 14.0 to 30.3 kg N ha^–1 during the maize season (60 days). Most (up to 61%) of the loss occurred in a relatively short spell, after the presowing irrigation to maize, when the soil temperature was high and a considerable NO₃^–-N had accumulated during the preceding 4-month fallow; during this irrigation cycle, the lowest denitrification rate was observed in the treatment receiving highest N input (U₁₀₀+F₁₆), mainly because of the lowest soil respiration rate. Data on soil respiration and denitrification potential revealed that by increasing the mineral N application rate, the organic matter decomposition was accelerated during the wheat-growing season, leaving a lower amount of available C during the following maize season. Denitrification was affected by soil moisture and by soil temperature, the influence of which was either direct, or indirect by controlling the NO₃^– availability and aerobic soil respiration. Results indicated a substantial denitrification loss from the irrigated wheat–maize cropping system under semiarid subtropical conditions, signifying the need of appropriate fertilizer management practices to reduce this loss.     

轮耕对土壤物理性状和冬小麦产量的影响

针对华北地区土壤连续单一耕作存在的主要问题,进行了土壤轮耕效应的研究。试验选择冬小麦夏玉米玉两熟区连续5 a免耕田,设置免耕、翻耕和旋耕3种轮耕处理（即免耕一免耕,免耕一翻耕和免耕一旋耕）,冬小麦播种前进行耕作处理。研究结果表明：多年免耕后进行土壤耕作（翻耕、旋耕）可以显著降低土壤体积质量;旋耕显著降低0～10 cm土壤体积质量,翻耕则降低0～20 cm体积质量;随时间变化各处理土壤体积质量差异逐渐降低。翻耕、旋耕均显著增加了0～10 cm土壤总孔隙,同时翻耕显著增加了10～20 cm土壤总孔隙;翻耕、旋耕显著提高了5～10 cm毛管孔隙。0～10 cm土壤饱和导水率表现为旋耕＞翻耕＞免耕,翻耕、旋耕在5%水平上显著高于免耕;10～20、20～30 cm土层均表现为翻耕＞旋耕＞免耕,且10～20 cm翻耕5%水平上显著高于免耕;饱和导水率与体积质量呈显著线性负相关。翻耕、旋耕有效穗数与免耕相比分别提高了24.1%、22.3%;冬小麦的实际产量表现为：旋耕＞翻耕＞免耕,翻耕、旋耕分别比免耕增产11.8%、16.9%。总之,长期免耕后进行土壤耕作有利于改善土壤物理性状,提高作物产量。     

Effect of tillage systems and polyacrylamide on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield in arid regions differing in fine soil particles

A field study was performed for two consecutive seasons to evaluate the effect of polyacrylamide (PAM), tillage systems and particle size on soil physical properties and wheat grain yield. The PAM rates were 0, 10 and 20 kg ha^?1 while the tillage treatments included no-tillage (NT), moldboard plowing (CT1), and chisel plowing (CT2). Soil fine particles size of two locations were A (25.2 silt + clay) and B (38.5 silt + clay). Location B reported higher organic matter and total porosity while lower in bulk density. The CT1 and NT treatments denoted better soil organic matter percentage. The CT1 presented maximum infiltration rate compared to other tillage systems. No tillage showed better soil water contents while the minimum was in CT1 of location A and CT2 of location B. Increasing the PAM rate increased total porosity, infiltration rate and soil water content while decreased soil bulk density. Possibly, the presence of compacted layer in location A hindered the effect of PAM. At location B, the CT2 with PAM of 20 kg ha^?1 had the highest grain yield compared to other tillage systems. The PAM is beneficial for soil and water conservation and can be used in agriculture.     

Effects of traditional and biodynamic farmyard manure amendment on yields,soil chemical,biochemical and biological properties in a long-term field experiment

We studied the effects of applications of traditionally composted farmyard manure (FYM) and two types of biodynamically composted FYM over 9 years on soil chemical properties, microbial biomass and respiration, dehydrogenase and saccharase activities, decomposition rates and root production under grass-clover, activity and biomass of earthworms under wheat, and yields in a grass-clover, potatoes, winter wheat, field beans, spring wheat, winter rye crop rotation. The experiment was conducted near Bonn, on a Fluvisol using a randomised complete block design (n=6). Our results showed that plots which received either prepared or non-prepared FYM (30 Mg ha^–1 year^–1) had significantly increased soil pH, P and K concentrations, microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, decomposition (cotton strips), earthworm cast production and altered earthworm community composition than plots without FYM application. Application of FYM did not affect the soil C/N ratio, root length density, saccharase activity, microbial basal respiration, metabolic quotient and crop yields. The biodynamic preparation of FYM with fermented residues of six plant species (6 g Mg^–1 FYM) significantly decreased soil microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient compared to non-prepared FYM or FYM prepared with only Achillea. The biodynamic preparation did not affect soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity and decomposition during 62 days. However, after 100 days, decomposition was significantly faster in plots which received completely prepared FYM than in plots which received no FYM, FYM without preparations or FYM with the Achillea preparation. Furthermore, the application of completely prepared FYM led to significantly higher biomass and abundance of endogeic or anecic earthworms than in plots where non-prepared FYM was applied.     

Long-term farmyard manure application effects on properties of a silty clay loam soil under irrigated wheat–soybean rotation

Increasing importance has been placed on the use of agricultural soils for the mitigation of atmospheric CO₂ through sequestration of soil C. Although crop productivity is sustained mainly through the application of organic manure in the Indian Himalayas, little information is available on C sequestration, C content in different aggregate size fractions and soil water transmission properties (infiltration and saturated hydraulic conductivity) as affected by long-term manure addition. We analyzed results of an 8-year experiment, initiated in 1995–1996 on a silty clay loam soil, to determine the influence of fertilizer and fertilizer + farmyard manure (FYM) application on those important soil properties. The overall increase in soil organic C (SOC) content in the 0–45 cm soil depth in NPK + FYM treatment as compared to NPK and control treatments was 11.0 and 13.9 Mg C ha⁻¹ at the end of 8 years, respectively. Application of FYM significantly reduced soil bulk density and increased mean weight diameter (MWD) and SOC contents in different aggregate size fractions. Soil organic C content in macroaggregates was greater than in microaggregates. The response of SOC content to FYM application was dependent upon inorganic fertilization and more upon balanced application of NPK than N only. Steady state infiltration rate under NPK + FYM (1.98 cm h⁻¹) was higher than under unfertilized (0.72 cm h⁻¹) and NPK (1.2 cm h⁻¹). Soil water sorptivity (calculated from Philip's equation) under NPK + FYM (1.06 cm min^−0.5) was higher than under NPK (0.61 cm min^−0.5). We conclude that hill farmers in northern India should be encouraged to use FYM along with chemical fertilizers to increase SOC content and improve soil physical properties.     

不同覆盖材料土壤生态效应与玉米增产效应研究

田间试验研究不同覆盖材料土壤生态效应与玉米增产效应结果表明,小麦秸秆、地膜、高粱秆片和纸板覆盖均有显著保水作用及明显水分表聚现象,即0～10cm表层土壤含水量明显高于下层土壤,地膜覆盖兼有显著增温效应,而小麦秸秆、高粱秆片和纸板覆盖土壤温度却明显低于对照。除纸板外其他覆盖材料均不同程度增加0～2 0cm土层土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量,且以秸秆覆盖增幅最大。各覆盖处理均显著增加玉米株高、茎粗和叶面积指数,不同程度提高玉米生育前期倒1、2、3叶净光合速率。小麦秸秆、地膜、高粱秆片、纸板覆盖处理分别比对照增产19.4 %、17.2 %、16 .1%和13.3% ,其增产原因主要是由于穗长和穗粒数的增加所致     

碱化盐土掺砂对土壤理化性状和玉米产量影响的研究

为解决内蒙古河套平原黏性碱化盐土土壤黏重,作物难以正常生长、产量低下等问题,对河套平原黏性碱化盐土进行了土壤耕层(0~20 cm)掺砂的土壤改良试验,研究掺砂对土壤理化性状和玉米产量的影响。结果表明:试验区土壤掺砂可以降低土壤容重,改变土壤机械组成和土壤质地,提高了黏性碱化盐土的通气孔隙度,改善土壤的通气透水性,降低土壤全盐量和碱化度,有效改善玉米生长环境,提高了玉米的产量。掺砂20%处理的土壤容重从1.64 g/cm3(CK)降低到1.49 g/cm3,土壤通气孔隙度从8.57%提高到18.17%,达到正常范围,使土壤砂粒、粉粒、粘粒含量比例趋向适中,土壤质地由壤质黏土转变为黏壤土,土壤全盐量下降了13%,碱化度降低了21%,玉米产量提高了301%。综合分析,掺砂20%处理对当地碱化盐土改良效果较为适宜。     

深松耕和绿肥还田对云南坡耕地耕层土壤物理性状的影响

利用间作、深松耕和绿肥还田对土壤耕层结构不同的改善作用,将三者集成于同一系统中以发挥各自优势并催生彼此间的协同效应,从而建立适宜持续改善坡耕地耕层结构的耕作措施.于2016～2019年以滇东北规模化种植模式玉米间作马铃薯为研究对象,在此基础上集成利用深松耕与绿肥还田措施.本试验设置6个处理,分别为:T1.玉米单作(对照...     

Effects of tillage method on soil physical properties, infiltration and yield in an olive orchard

The long-term effects of two different tillage systems, conventional (CT) and no tillage (NT), were studied in an olive orchard in Santaella (Southern Spain) for 15 years. In both tillage systems, two distinct zones developed in the orchard in relation to soil physical properties; one underneath the tree canopy, and the other in the rows between trees. Surface soil organic matter content, bulk density, cone index, macroscopic capillary length and hydraulic conductivity showed significant differences between tillage systems and positions. After 15 years, the NT treatment achieved greater bulk density and cone index values than CT. This compaction reduced the infiltration rate of NT soil with respect to CT, particularly in the rows between trees. Despite that reduction, the NT soil retained a moderate infiltration potential. That may be explained by the high infiltration rates and macroporosity of the zone beneath the tree, the temporary effects of tillage on infiltration and probably by the self-repair of soil structure in the Vertisol studied. Yield was not affected by tillage except in one year with very low precipitation, where NT significantly yielded more than CT. The reduction in infiltration in NT must have been compensated by unknown factors that improve the tree water supply in drought years.     

不同耕作措施对东北玉米农田土壤物理性质的影响

为了揭示耕作措施对东北玉米田土壤物理性质的影响,本研究进行了连续4年的田间定位试验,探明了深松(ST)、免耕(NT)以及传统耕作(CT)对东北玉米田土壤物理指标(土壤容重、土壤三相比、土壤结构指数以及颗粒组成)的影响。结果表明：与传统耕作相比,深松处理能够显著降低0～20 cm土层的土壤容重(P<0.05),下层土壤(20～40 cm)各处理间差异不显著,其中免耕处理土壤容重最大;同时,深松处理降低了0～40 cm土层的土壤固相比例,显著增加气相比例(P<0.05),而免耕处理增加了下层土壤(20～40 cm)的固相比例,降低了液相比例;深松处理可以显著提高下层土壤的结构指数,平均增加28.3%(P<0.05),另外,深松处理的土壤三相结构距离为15.0,显著低于其他两个处理(18.4和17.7)(P<0.05),使得耕层土壤物理结构更加接近理想状态,免耕与常规耕作处理间的差异不显著;深松可以增加0.002～0.2 mm粒级的比例,0～40 cm土层中土壤颗粒0.002～0.2 mm等级中所占比例大小依次为深松>免耕>传统耕作。种植玉米后,深松耕作措...     

土壤消毒措施对土壤物理特性及黄瓜生长发育的影响

采用田间试验方法,研究了垄沟式太阳能消毒、石灰氮麦秸、垄鑫3种土壤消毒方法对日光温室土壤物理特性及黄瓜生长发育的影响。结果表明,垄沟式太阳能消毒处理对土壤物理特性未产生较大影响,处理后粗粉粒含量较对照降低9.5%,砂粒两个粒径(0.1～0.5mm、0.5～1.0mm)含量较对照分别增加39.4%、117.7%,其余组分无明显变化;石灰氮麦秸处理后黏粒含量增加163%,细粉粒两粒径(0.001～0.005mm、0.005～0.01mm)含量较对照分别增加52.1%和116.8%;施用垄鑫处理后土壤黏粒含量较对照降低65.8%,细粉粒两个粒径含量较对照分别降低33.0%、32.2%。不同处理对土壤微团聚体的形成均有一定阻碍作用,其中石灰氮麦秸处理对土壤团聚体的形成影响最大,其次是垄鑫处理,垄沟式太阳能消毒处理影响最小。3个土壤消毒处理都能提高黄瓜平均叶片数、平均株高、叶绿素含量和黄瓜产量,其中垄沟式太阳能消毒处理能显著提高黄瓜生物学指标,有良好的增产效果。     

Poultry litter and tillage influences on corn production and soil nutrients in a Kentucky silt loam soil

Broiler chicken (Gallus gallus) manure, a rich source of plant nutrients, is generated in large quantities in southeastern USA where many row crops, such as corn (Zea mays L.), are also extensively grown. However, the use of broiler manure as an economical alternative source of nutrients for corn production has not been extensively explored in this region. This study was conducted to examine the use of broiler litter as a source of nutrients for corn production, as influenced by tillage and litter rate, and any residual effects following application. In addition, the consequence of litter application to soil test nutrient levels, particularly P, Zn and Cu, was explored. The treatments consisted of two rates of broiler litter application, 11 and 22 Mg ha⁻¹ on a wet weight basis, and one rate of chemical fertilizer applied under no-till and conventional tillage systems. Treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Corn was grown with broiler litter and inorganic fertilizer applied to the same plots each year from 1998 to 2001. In 2002 and 2003, corn was planted no-till, but only N fertilizer was applied in order to make use of other residual litter nutrients. Soil samples were taken yearly in the spring prior to litter application and 4 years after the cessation of litter application to evaluate the status of the residual nutrients in soil. Two years out of the 4-year experiment, broiler litter application produced significantly greater corn grain yield than equivalent chemical fertilizer application and produced similar grain yield in the other 2 years. Corn grain yield was significantly greater under no-till in 1999, but significantly greater under conventional-till in 2000, and no difference between the two tillage systems were observed in 1998 and 2001. With 4 years of litter application, Mehlich-3 P increased from an initial 18 mg kg⁻¹ to 156 mg kg⁻¹ with 11 Mg ha⁻¹ litter and to 257 mg kg⁻¹ with 22 Mg ha⁻¹ litter. For every 6 kg ha⁻¹ of P applied in poultry litter Mehlich-3 P was increased by 1 mg kg⁻¹. Modest increases in Mehlich-3 Cu and Zn did not result in phytotoxic levels. This study indicated that an optimum rate of broiler litter as a primary fertilizer at 11 Mg ha⁻¹ applied in 4 consecutive years on a silt loam soil produced corn grain yields similar to chemical fertilizer under both no-till and conventional tillage systems and kept soil test P, Cu and Zn levels below values considered to be harmful to surface water quality or the crop.     

Microbial biomass turnover and enzyme activities following the application of farmyard manure to field soils with and without previous long-term applications

Summary We studied the build-up and turnover of microbial biomass following the addition of farmyard manure to an unmanured soil and to soils from a long-term experiment in which different levels of farmyard manure had been applied for the last 23 years. The application of farmyard manure at 15–90 t ha^-1 to previously unmanured soil increased the microbial biomass during the first 3 months of incubation but a gradual decline occurred with further incubation for up to 12 months. Microbial biomass C was positively correlated with soil organic C and ranged from 1.8% to 2.2% of organic C after 12 months of farmyard manure applications. Biomass turnover increased with the application of farmyard manure, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 year^-1 with various levels of manure. Amendment of soils from the long-term manure experiment with various levels of farmyard manure led to a build-up and decline in biomass C as seen in the unmanured soils, but biomass C was higher in all treatments compared to the corresponding unmanured soil treatments. Biomass turnover was greater compared to the unmanured soil treatments and it decreased with increasing levels of farmyard manure. The average soil respiratory activity increased with increasing levels of farmyard manure, but respiratory activity per unit of biomass C decreased with increasing levels of manure. Enzyme activities were greater in long-term manured soils compared to unmanured soils amended with various levels of manure. There was a significant correlation between biomass C and enzyme activities.