Liming effects of beef cattle feedlot manure or compost

Abstract

Soil pH can be increased by manure or compost application because feed rations usually contain calcium carbonate. This study was conducted from 1992 to 1996 to evaluate effects of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)‐based manure and compost application management strategies on soil pH level. Composted and uncomposted beef cattle (Bos taunts) feedlot manure was applied to supply N or P needs of corn (Zea mays L.) for either a one‐ or two‐year period. Phosphorus‐based manure or compost treatments also received additional fertilizer N (ammonium nitrate) to provide for a total of 151‐kg available N ha^‐1 yr^‐1. Fertilized and unfertilized checks also were included. Manure and composted manure contained about 9 g CaCO₃kg^‐1 resulting in application rates of up to 1730 kg CaCO₃ ha^‐1 in 4 years. The surface soil (0–150 mm) pH was significantly decreased with ammonium nitrate application compared to soil in the unfertilized check or to soil receiving manure or compost. Soil pH was significantly increased with the N‐based management strategy compared with the soil original level. In contrast, 4 yr of P‐based manure and compost application strategy maintained soil pH at the original level. Nitrogen‐based applications resulted in higher soil pH than P‐based. Beef cattle feedlot manure and compost can be good sources of CaCO₃ for soils requiring lime addition.