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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #133976
Title: MANURE AS CARBON SOURCE FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND CROP PRODUCTION: SITE-SPECIFIC APPLICATION

Author
item Eghball, Bahman
item GINTING, DANIEL - UNIV OF NEBRASKA
item SHAPIRO, C - UNIV OF NEBRASKA
item Schepers, James
item Bauer, Christopher

Submitted to: Proceedings Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2002
Publication Date: 3/20/2002
Citation: EGHBALL, B., GINTING, D., SHAPIRO, C.A., SCHEPERS, J.S., BAUER, C.J. MANURE AS CARBON SOURCE FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND CROP PRODUCTION: SITE-SPECIFIC APPLICATION. PROCEEDINGS GREAT PLAINS SOIL FERTILITY CONFERENCE 9:22-28. 2002.

Interpretive Summary: The organic matter in manure can enhance the physical and chemical properties of soils, especially infertile soils, as these soils typically contain low levels of organic matter and nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic matter and nutrients in manure on soil organic matter dynamics and crop production. The treatments included applications of site-specific manure (SSM), uniform manure (UM), uniform commercial fertilizer, and a no treatment check. Field strips 40 ft (16 corn rows) wide and 2200 ft long and under center-pivot irrigation were used in three years (1998 to 2000). For the SSM treatment, manure was applied to areas within the field where organic matter was < 2.4%. Manure application resulted in significantly greater soil matter level and a positive organic matter balance in the soil. Fertilizer application resulted in negative organic matter balance in the soil (more carbon lost as CO2 than added from plant biomass). Averaged across years, the UM and SSM treatments produced significantly greater grain yields and N uptakes than the commercial fertilizer treatment. Stalk nitrate concentration was less for uniform manure than fertilizer application indicating over-application of N with the fertilizer treatment. Site-specific manure application is a good method of improving less productive soils or sites within a field.

Technical Abstract: Manure, a renewable resource, is an excellent source of nutrients that can be substituted for synthetic types of fertilizers. The C in manure can enhance the physical and chemical properties of soils, especially infertile soils, as these soils typically contain low levels of organic matter and nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of C and nutrients in manure on soil C dynamics and crop production. The treatments included applications of site-specific manure (SSM), uniform manure (UM), uniform commercial fertilizer, and a no treatment check. Field strips 40 ft (16 corn rows) wide and 2200 ft long and under center-pivot irrigation were used in three years (1998 to 2000). For the SSM treatment, manure was applied to areas within the field where organic C was < 1.4%. Manure application resulted in significantly greater soil C level and a positive C balance in the soil. Fertilizer application resulted in negative C balance in the soil (more C lost as CO2 than added from plant biomass). Averaged across years, the UM and SSM treatments produced significantly greater grain yields and N uptakes than the commercial fertilizer treatment. Stalk NO3-N concentration was less for uniform manure than fertilizer application indicating over-application of N with the fertilizer treatment. Site-specific manure application is a good method of improving less productive soils or sites within a field.