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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #362035
Research Project: Enhancing Sustainability of Mid-Atlantic Agricultural Systems Using Agroecological Principles and Practices

Location: Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory

Title: Green and animal manure use in organic field crop systems

Author
item CARR, PATRICK - Montana State University
item Cavigelli, Michel
item DARBY, HEATHER - University Of Vermont
item DELATE, KATHLEEN - Iowa State University
item EBERLY, JED - Montana State University
item GRAMIG, GRETA - North Dakota State University
item HECKMAN, JOSEPH - Rutgers University
item MALLORY, ELLEN - University Of Maine
item REEVE, JENNIFER - Utah State University
item SILVA, ERIN - University Of Wisconsin
item SUCHOFF, DAVID - North Carolina State University
item WOODLEY, ALEX - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2019
Publication Date: 12/13/2019
Citation: Carr, P.M., Cavigelli, M.A., Darby, H., Delate, K., Eberly, J.O., Gramig, G.G., Heckman, J.R., Mallory, E., Reeve, J.R., Silva, E.M., Suchoff, D.H., Woodley, A.L. 2019. Green and animal manure use in organic field crop systems. Agronomy Journal. 2002:1-27.

Interpretive Summary: Nutrient management research is considered a high priority among organic farmers. Challenges range from managing excessive amounts of N, P, and other nutrients in some regions to developing strategies for preventing or remediating consistent deficits in others. This review focuses on the reliance of dual-use cover/green manure crops for managing N, particularly legume species; on the use of animal manure and organic composts to maintain or enhance soil fertility; and on unique nutrient management issues in emerging organic no-till strategies. Results will be of interest to scientists to help inform future research on this important topic, and to organic farmers and organizations that support organic farmers including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Technical Abstract: Nutrient management research is considered a high priority among organic farmers. Challenges range from managing excessive amounts of N, P, and other nutrients on organic farms in some regions to developing strategies for preventing or remediating consistent deficits in others. Both crop and livestock enterprises and systems vary greatly across organic farms, but common strategies can be used to maintain soil fertility or correct deficiencies, regardless of the region. We are unaware of any attempt to summarize research done on organic nutrient management in North America. This paper reviews the literature on crop and livestock impacts on soil fertility and nutrient management on organic farms. Particular focus is placed on the reliance of dual-use cover/green manure crops for managing N, particularly legume species, and on the use of animal manure and organic composts to maintain or enhance soil fertility. Research results about emerging organic no-till strategies also are presented, along with the nutrient management challenges encountered with these systems. The goal of this paper is to provide agronomists and others with a state-of-knowledge account of organic nutrient management in North America, as well as to help inform future research on this important topic.