Nitrogen transformations and ammonia loss following injection and surface application of pig slurry: a laboratory experiment using slurry labelled with 15N-ammonium

2001 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. CHADWICK ◽  
J. MARTINEZ ◽  
C. MAROL ◽  
F. BÉLINE

A laboratory experiment was designed to determine the fate of 15N-labelled slurry ammonium (15NH4-N) and compare soil inorganic-N distribution following surface applied or injected pig slurry. A system of cylindrical volatilization chambers equipped to allow continuous trapping of ammonia (NH3) was used. Undisturbed soil columns were placed in the chambers prior to the application of slurry. A nitrogen balance including soil, air and plant analysis was established for both treatments, 8 days after application. Average cumulative emissions of NH3 were 15% and 11% of the total ammoniacal-N added with the surface and injected treatments, respectively. After 8 days 55% of the 15NH4-N applied through slurry injection was recovered in the soil inorganic-N pool: 37% as 15NH4-N and 18% as 15NO3-N. These figures compare with only 25% 15NH4-N recovered with the surface applied slurry treatment: 7% as 15NH-N and 17% as 15NO3-N. Immobilization into soil organic-N accounted for 8% of the 15NH4-N applied for the injected treatment and 6% of the surface applied slurry-15N. 15N uptake by the grass was 2% and 7% for the injected and surface applied treatments, respectively. The percentage of added 15N accounted for was 76% for the injected treatment and 53% for the surface applied slurry treatment.

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. K. Soon ◽  
M. A. Arshad

A field study was conducted to determine the effects and interactions of crop sequence, tillage and residue management on labile N pools and their availability because such information is sparse. Experimental treatments were no-till (NT) vs. conventional tillage (CT), and removal vs. retention of straw, imposed on a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)-canola (Brassica rapa L.)-field pea (Pisum sativum L.) rotation. 15N-labelling was used to quantify N uptake from straw, below-ground N (BGN), and fertilizer N. Straw retention increased soil microbial biomass N (MBN) in 2 of 3 yr at the four-leaf growth stage of barley, consistent with observed decreases in extractable soil inorganic N at seeding. However, crop yield and N uptake at maturity were not different between straw treatments. No tillage increased soil MBN, crop yield and N uptake compared to CT, but had no effect on extractable soil inorganic N. The greater availability of N under NT was probably related to soil moisture conservation. Tillage effects on soil and plant N were mostly independent of straw treatment. Straw and tillage treatments did not influence the uptake of N from its various sources. However, barley following pea (legume/non-legume sequence) derived a greater proportion of its N from BGN (13 to 23% or 9 to 23 kg N ha-1) than canola following barley (nonlegumes) (6 to 16% or 3 to 9 kg N ha-1). Fertilizer N constituted 8 to 11% of barley N uptake and 23 to 32% of canola N uptake. Straw N contributed only 1 to 3% of plant N uptake. This study showed the dominant influence of tillage on N availability, and of the preceding crop or cropping sequence on N uptake partitioning among available N sources. Key words: Crop residue, crop sequence, labile nitrogen, nitrogen uptake, pea, tillage


1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. MACMILLAN ◽  
T. W. SCOTT ◽  
T. W. BATEMAN

The response of corn (Zea mays L.) to manure that had been treated to minimize odor was investigated in a greenhouse trial with two silt loam soils of pH 4.2 and 7.1. Pretreatment of manure resulted in sources initially high in organic N and NH4+, but low in NO3−. One pretreatment gave high initial NO2− concentrations. In soil at pH 4.2, NH4+ was the major N source utilized by corn grown to 36 days, and dry matter yields were superior to those from soil at pH 7.1 where soluble NO3− was the major source of N. At pH 7.1, NO2− remained in significant quantities and decreased dry matter yields at 6 wk. Soil inorganic N concentrations varied between soils and was attributed to soil pH differences. Rate of NO2− disappearance decreased with increase in soil pH, and NH4+ accumulation increased with decrease in soil pH, whereas NO3+ production was favored by neutral pH conditions. Some NO3− production was observed in pH 4.2 soil after 36 days' incubation


2011 ◽  
Vol 183-185 ◽  
pp. 1061-1065
Author(s):  
Cai Yan Lu ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Shao Jun Wang ◽  
Ming Fen Niu ◽  
Di Zhang

The amount of soil inorganic N declined significantly with increasing of sampling depth and sampling time (P < 0.001). Compared with CK, application of untreated pig manure and slurry increased significantly the amount of soil inorganic N by 76.0% and 156.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with CK, application of untreated pig manure increased significantly the amount of soil NH4+-N by 33.7%, however, application of untreated pig slurry decreased remarkably that of soil NH4+-N by 7.4% (P < 0.001). Application of untreated pig manure and pig slurry increased significantly the amount of soil NO3--N by 86.9% and 198.0%, respectively compared with CK, (P < 0.001). Soil NO3--N accounted for the majority of soil inorganic N irrespective of fertilization treatment or sampling time, its percent were 80.13%, 84.27% and 92.63% in the CK, pig manure and pig slurry treatments, respectively. This result indicated that application of untreated pig manure and slurry increased significantly the amount of soil inorganic N, especially soil NO3--N, which occurred the potential risk of nitrate pollution.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1258-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidat Yaffa ◽  
Bharat P. Singh ◽  
Upendra M. Sainju ◽  
K.C. Reddy

Sustainable practices are needed in vegetable production to maintain yield and to reduce the potential for soil erosion and N leaching. We examined the effects of tillage [no-till (NT), chisel plowing (CP), and moldboard plowing (MP)], cover cropping [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) vs. winter weeds], N fertilization (0, 90, and 180 kg·ha-1 N), and date of sampling on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yield, N uptake, and soil inorganic N in a Norfolk sandy loam in Fort Valley, Ga. for 2 years. Yield was greater with CP and MP than with NT in 1996 and was greater with 90 and 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N in 1996 and 1997. Similarly, aboveground tomato biomass (dry weight of stems + leaves + fruits) and N uptake were greater with CP and MP than with NT from 40 to 118 days after transplanting (DAT) in 1996; greater with hairy vetch than with winter weeds at 82 DAT in 1997; and greater with 90 or 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N at 97 DAT in 1996 and at 82 DAT in 1997. Soil inorganic N was greater with NT or CP than with MP at 0- to 10-cm depth at 0 and 30 DAT in 1996; greater with hairy vetch than with winter weeds at 0- to 10-cm and at 10- to 30-cm at 0 DAT in 1996 and 1997, respectively; and greater with 90 or 180 than with 0 kg·ha-1 N from 30 to 116 DAT in 1996 and 1997. Levels of soil inorganic N and tomato N uptake indicated that N release from cover crop residues was synchronized with N need by tomato, and that N fertilization should be done within 8 weeks of transplanting. Similar tomato yield, biomass, and N uptake with CP vs. MP and with 90 vs. 180 kg·ha-1 N suggests that minimum tillage, such as CP, and 90 kg·ha-1 N can better sustain tomato yield and reduce potentials for soil erosion and N leaching than can conventional tillage, such as MP, and 180 kg·ha-1 N, respectively. Because of increased vegetative cover in the winter, followed by increased mulch and soil N in the summer, hairy vetch can reduce the potential for soil erosion and the amount of N fertilization required for tomato better than can winter weeds.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
J. W. Paul

Spring soil nitrate and ammonium dynamics in south coastal British Columbia soils were examined with respect to the potential to develop a soil nitrate test for silage corn (Zea mays, L.). Soil nitrate and ammonium contents were measured to 90 cm depth in two soils from April to July of two growing seasons. Treatments included a control, spring application of either 300 or 600 kg total N ha−1 as liquid dairy manure, or 200 kg N ha−1 as inorganic fertilizer. Significant amounts of ammonium were present until late May following manure and until mid-June following fertilizer application, requiring simultaneous determination of both nitrate and ammonium concentrations to assess soil inorganic N contents during this period. Most of the changes in soil nitrate over time occurred in the top 30 cm, suggesting that sampling to 30 cm depth would be sufficient in most cases for a soil nitrate test in this region. Most of the increase in soil inorganic N associated with the spring application of manure occurred by 1 June. A soil nitrate test in early to mid-June when the corn is at the six leaf stage appeared to be most suitable for use in south coastal British Columbia to determine if additional fertilizer N is required. A sample taken at this time will measure soil nitrate contents just before the period of rapid corn N uptake, after most of the additional inorganic N associated with spring manure application is already present in the soil as nitrate, and after nitrification of the manure ammonium has occurred. Key words: N recovery, preplant nitrate test, pre-sidedress soil nitrate test


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Snapp ◽  
A.M. Fortuna

Growers lack practical decision aides that accurately predict nitrogen (N) credits for organic sources to adjust fertilizer rates. The simulation model, DSSAT, was used to predict N supply in relationship to N demand in irrigated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Tuber yield and soil inorganic N levels were substantially higher in the simulations than in field experiment observations, indicating the need for model improvement. DSSAT was successful at predicting relative mineralization rates and potato N uptake for different organic and inorganic N source combinations. Interestingly, both simulation and field experiment observations indicated that combining a high quality organic manure at 5000 lb/acre (5604.2 kg·ha-1), total applied N 250 lb/acre (280.2 kg·ha-1), and a fertilizer source of N 160 lb/acre (179.3 kg·ha-1) markedly increased yields and lowered leaching potential. Simulated tuber yield for the combined treatment was 660 cwt/acre (74.0 t·ha-1) with 48 lb/acre (53.8 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the profile at harvest, whereas the highest simulated N fertilizer response was to 235 lb/acre (263.4 kg.·ha-1), which produced 610 cwt/acre (68.4 t·ha-1) with 77 lb/acre (86.3 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the profile at harvest. The synchrony of N release and uptake for combined manure and fertilizer treatments may explain the efficient N uptake observed. Common soil types and weather scenarios in Michigan were simulated and indigenous soil N mineralization was predicted to be 6 lb/acre (6.7 kg·ha-1) inorganic-N in the topsoil at planting, similar to observed levels. The increasing aeration associated with a sandy versus a sandy loam soil only slightly increased the predicted rate of mineralization from organic inputs. Simulated soil inorganic N levels with different organic inputs was modestly increased in a warm spring [4.5 °F (2.50 °C) over normal temperatures] compared to a cool spring (-4.5 °F less than normal temperatures). For Michigan irrigated potato systems, DSSAT simulations indicate that the most important factor determining inorganic N supply will be the quality and quantity of organic inputs, not environmental conditions.


Weed Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn J. Lowry ◽  
Daniel C. Brainard

AbstractStrip-intercropping of functionally diverse cover crop mixtures including cereal rye (Secale cerealeL.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth) is one mechanism by which nitrogen (N) banding can be applied to an organic, strip-tilled system to increase crop competitiveness over weeds. We hypothesized that by targeting hairy vetch, a low C:N legume, to the tilled strip directly in row with future crop establishment, and cereal rye, a high C:N grass, to the untilled strip directly between future crop rows, that N would be preferentially available to the crop. We conducted a field study between 2011 to 2013 in southwest Michigan to examine the effects of rye–vetch mixture spatial arrangement (strip intercropping vs. full-width mixture) on (1) soil inorganic N; (2) weed biomass; and (3) sweet corn (Zea maysL.) biomass, yield, and competitiveness against weeds. We found that as the proportion of vetch biomass in the crop row (in-row, IR) increased, we also saw increasing levels of IR soil inorganic N and greater early sweet corn N uptake and growth relative to weeds. However, sweet corn yield and final biomass were more responsive to vetch biomass across the whole plot (WP) and did not respond to rye and vetch segregation into strips. Increasing vetch WP biomass increased sweet corn final biomass across both years, but only increased corn competitiveness against weeds in 1 out of 2 years and decreased sweet corn competitiveness in the other year. Strip-intercropping of cereal rye and hairy vetch has potential to increase soil N availability to the crop, thereby increasing early crop competitiveness, which may lower weed management costs.


2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
P. H. Milburn

The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial and temporal variation in soil inorganic N concentration in the potato hill, and to discuss the implications of this variation on soil sampling strategies. The experiment was conducted in 1999 and 2000 using four treatments: bare soil with no N fertilizer applied, and a potato crop with no fertilizer N added, with 180 kg N ha-1 applied at planting, or with 120 kg N ha-1 applied at planting plus 60 kg N ha-1 applied at hilling. Elevated (above background) soil NH4+-N concentrations were measured for 40 or more days after planting, therefore in-season sampling should be done for both soil NO3−-N and NH4+-N. There was a period of up to 50 days between planting and rapid crop N uptake during which loss of NO3−-N from the root zone could occur. Split fertilizer application reduced the risk of NO3−-N loss during this time, but resulted in reduced tuber yield in 1999. Strong vertical variation in soil inorganic N concentration was measured in the potato hill as a result of fertilizer banding and soil N mineralization at shallow depths. Soil inorganic N concentrations were elevated in the hill, but not in the furrow, resulting in strong horizontal variation in soil inorganic N concentrations in the potato hill. Despite this variation, a systematic sampling strategy where soil was sampled in the centre of the hill, the centre of the furrow, and mid-way between the hill and furrow, done in combination with elevation control of soil sampling, resulted in an unbiased estimate of soil inorganic N concentration in the potato hill. Key words: Solanum tuberosum, nitrification, nitrate leaching, mineralization, sampling strategies


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Bowen ◽  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
P. M. A. Toivonen

The effects of six rates of N fertilization (0, 125, 250, 375, 500 and 625 kg N ha−1) on the dynamics of N utilization relative to extractable inorganic N in the soil profile were determined for broccoli in three growing seasons. The amount of pre-existing extractable inorganic N in the soil was lowest for the spring planting, followed by the early-summer then late-summer plantings. During the first 2 wk after transplanting, plant dry-matter (DM) and N accumulation rates were low, and because of the mineralization of soil organic N the extractable soil inorganic N increased over that added as fertilizer, especially in the top 30 cm. From 4 wk after transplanting until harvest, DM and N accumulation in the plants was rapid and corresponded to a rapid depletion of extractable inorganic N from the soil. At high N-fertilization rates, leaf and stem DM and N accumulations at harvest were similar among the three plantings. However, the rates of accumulation in the two summer plantings were higher before and lower after inflorescence initiation than those in the spring planting. Under N treatments of 0 and 125 kg ha−1, total N in leaf tissue and the rate of leaf DM accumulation decreased while inflorescences developed. There was little extractable inorganic soil-N during inflorescence development in plots receiving no N fertilizer, yet inflorescence dry weights and N contents were ≥50 and ≥30%, respectively, of the maxima achieved with N fertilization. These results indicate that substantial N is translocated from leaves to support broccoli inflorescence growth under conditions of low soil-N availability. Key words: N translocation, N fertilizer


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