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Field Evaluation of Nitrogen Availability from Fresh and Composted Manure
Author(s) -
Muñoz Gabriela R.,
Kelling Keith A.,
Rylant Karen E.,
Zhu Jun
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.2134/jeq2007.0219
Subject(s) - manure , compost , crop , agronomy , nutrient , nitrogen , fertilizer , zoology , nitrate , environmental science , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Prediction of manure nitrogen availability to crops is key to ensuring adequate production while minimizing potential adverse environmental impacts. This field study estimated first‐year and residual N availability from several manures subjected to various levels of processing, and evaluated the applicability of the presidedress soil N test (PSNT) in fields receiving the different manures using corn ( Zea mays L.) as the test crop. Plots received several rates of fresh (FP), dried (DP), or composted (CP) poultry ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) manure, composted cow ( Bos taurus ) (CC) manure, ammonium nitrate (AN), or no N. Crop yields and N uptake from plots where CC was applied were undistinguishable from controls in most years, whereas poultry manures significantly increased corn production. Average apparent first‐year N availability, as measured by fertilizer equivalence, was 57, 53, 14, and 4% for FP, DP, CP, and CC respectively. Apparent second‐year N availability, as measured by relative effectiveness, was 18, 19, 12, and 7% for FP, DP, CP, and CC; however, for CC both first‐ and second‐year estimates of apparent N recovery (ANR) could statistically not be separated from the controls. Apparent nitrogen avail‐ability was greater for less processed manures and for CP compared to CC, emphasizing that producers should know the source and level of compost stability when these materials are used as a primary nutrient source. The PSNT successfully (87% correct) identified sites with a critical value of 24 mg kg −1 that were N sufficient across a variety of N amendments from those that would have benefitted from additional N input.