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Effects of 3‐nitrooxypropanol manure fertilizer on soil health and hydraulic properties
Author(s) -
Owens Jennifer,
Hao Xiying,
Thomas Ben W.,
Stoeckli Jessica,
Soden Courtney,
Acharya Surya,
Lupwayi Newton
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.1002/jeq2.20276
Subject(s) - manure , agronomy , environmental science , fertilizer , chemistry , biology
Supplementing beef cattle with 3‐nitrooxypropanol (3‐NOP) decreases enteric methane production, but it is unknown if fertilizing soil with 3‐NOP manure influences soil health. We measured soil health indicators 2 yr after manure application to a bromegrass ( Bromus L.) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) mixed crop. Treatments were: composted conventional manure (without supplements); stockpiled conventional manure; composted manure from cattle supplemented with 3‐NOP; stockpiled 3‐NOP manure; composted manure from cattle supplemented with 3‐NOP and monensin (3‐NOP+Mon), a supplement that improves digestion; stockpiled 3‐NOP+Mon manure; inorganic fertilizer (150 kg N ha –1 and 50 kg P ha –1 ); and an unamended control. Select chemical (K + , Mg 2+ , Mn + , Zn + , pH, and Olsen‐P), biological (soil organic matter, active C, respiration, and extractable protein), physical (wet aggregate stability, bulk density, total porosity, and macro‐, meso‐, and micro‐porosity), and hydraulic (saturation, field capacity, wilting point, water holding capacity, and hydraulic conductivity) variables were measured. The inclusion of monensin decreased soil Zn + concentrations by 70% in stockpiled 3‐NOP+Mon compared with stockpiled conventional manure. Active C and protein in composted conventional manure were 37 and 92% higher compared with stockpiled manure, respectively, but did not vary between 3‐NOP treatments. 3‐Nitrooxypropanol did not significantly alter other soil health indicators. Our results suggest that composted and stockpiled 3‐NOP manure can be used as a nutrient source for forage crops without requiring changes to current manure management because it has minimal influence on soil health.