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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184538
Title: APPLYING SWINE MANURE TO ALFALFA AND REED CANARYGRASS

Author
item Lamb, Joann
item Russelle, Michael
item SCHMITT, MICHAEL - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Forage Focus
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2005
Publication Date: 5/1/2005
Citation: Lamb, J.F., Russelle, M.P., Schmitt, M. 2005. Applying swine manure to alfalfa and reed canarygrass. Forage Focus. p. 2.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Perennial forages, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or various perennial grasses that are cut several times during the growing season, could provide an alternative land base and time management strategy for manure applications. Our objectives were to evaluate the response of two N2-fixing (UMN 3097 and 'Agate') and one non-N2-fixing (Ineffective Agate) alfalfa and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) increasing rates of swine manure slurry applied in mid-summer, and to compare commercially available alfalfa cultivars for tolerance to hog manure applied during the growing season. The first experiment, hereafter referred to as the rate experiment, liquid swine manure was applied at five rates (0, 23.4, 32.7, 42.1, and 93.6 ML ha-1) within 4 d after the second forage harvest in July 1998 and 1999. The second experiment, hereafter referred to as the cultivar study, six alfalfa cultivars, Magnagraze, Pioneer 5312, Rushmore, Wintergreen, Winterstar, and WL 325 HQ, were evaluated for response to manures applied at three rates (0, 37.4, and 93.6 ML ha-1) as described above. Manure slurry containing less than 5,000 kg ha-1 organic solids applied 4 d after cutting in July improved reed canarygrass yields and had no effect or slightly improved yields of normal N2-fixing alfalfa. Ineffective Agate yields improved with increasing manure rates, but insufficient N was applied to keep this entry productive. Alfalfa cultivars did not differ in yield response to manure applications. Results emphasized the importance of manure testing to reduce adverse effects on alfalfa and reed canarygrass yields.