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Title: Management Practices to Improve Productivity of Degraded/Eroded Soils

Author
item Mikha, Maysoon
item STAHLMAN, PHILLIP - KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
item Benjamin, Joseph
item GEIER, PATRICK - KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Extension Reports
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2009
Publication Date: 4/24/2009
Citation: Mikha, M.M., Stahlman, P.W., Benjamin, J.G., Geier, P.W. 2009. Management Practices to Improve Productivity of Degraded/Eroded Soils. 2009 Kansas Fertilizer Research Extension Report. Pages 115-117.

Interpretive Summary: This study is being conducted near Hays, KS, to investigate and compare restorative potential of degraded/eroded soils with two nitrogen (N) sources. Dried beef manure and urea fertilizer were each applied at rates of 60 and 120 lb/a N to an eroded upland soil farmed with two tillage practices, no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Preliminary data suggest manure addition increases productivity of eroded soils (about 2.0 fold) in the Central Great Plains Region.

Technical Abstract: Productivity of degraded/eroded soils can be restored by using organic amendment, such as manure, and improved soil management. A study is being conducted near Hays, KS, to investigate and compare restorative potential of two nitrogen (N) sources. Dried beef manure and urea fertilizer were each applied at rates of 60 and 120 lb/a N to an eroded upland soil farmed with two tillage practices, no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). Winter wheat yields in 2008 were significantly higher for the manure N source than for fertilizer N. Wheat yield was not significantly different between the two tillage practices. Preliminary data suggest manure addition increases productivity of eroded soils in the Central Great Plains Region.