Soil nitrogen and moisture as influenced by composts and inorganic fertilizer rate

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Gagnon ◽  
R. R. Simard ◽  
M. Goulet ◽  
R. Robitaille ◽  
R. Rioux
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil Inorganic

The addition of compost may mitigate soil degradation and contribute to the soil nutrient supply in spring cereal monoculture. A field study was carried out in eastern Quebec, Canada, to assess the impact of composts from four sources and ammonium nitrate (AN) applied at different rates in spring on soil moisture and inorganic N in spring wheat production (Triticum aestivum L. 'Messier'). The experiment was conducted in 1994 and 1995 on two different soils: a Kamouraska clay (Orthic Humic Gleysol) and a Saint-André sandy loam (Fragic Humo-Ferric Podzol). Composts were applied at rates of 0, 90, 180 and 360 kg total N ha−1. Ammonium nitrate was applied at 0, 45, 90 and 180 kg N ha–1. Treatments in which AN was added to composts were also included. Thirty days after N application, profile soil inorganic N increased linearly with rates of commercial composts and AN but not with farm composts, whereas at harvest, residual soil N was not affected by composts but was increased by AN. The relative contribution of the compost organic fraction was negligible in the first year of application. Soil inorganic N at 30 d after fertilizer applications was significantly related to plant N uptake at harvest (r2 = 0.74), suggesting useful index of compost N availability. Large amounts of compost raised soil moisture content of the sandy loam by 3–5%, particularly under dry climatic conditions. Commercial composts have a small N fertilizer value, whereas composted dairy manure should be considered preferable as a soil amendment. Key words: Dairy manure compost, shrimp wastes, peat moss, wheat

scholarly journals Organic matter amendments improve soil fertility in almond orchards of contrasting soil texture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yocelyn B. Villa ◽  
Sat Darshan S. Khalsa ◽  
Rebecca Ryals ◽  
Roger A. Duncan ◽  
Patrick H. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Loamy Sand ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Soil Inorganic

AbstractThe effects of organic matter amendments (OMA) on soil fertility in permanent cropping systems like orchards is under-studied compared to annual cropping systems. We evaluated experimentally the impact of OMAs on soil fertility in almond (Prunus dulcis) orchards over a two-year period with annual applications. Two OMAs, derived from composted green waste (GWC) or composted manure wood chips (MWC), were applied as surface mulch and compared to a control at two sites with different soil textures (sandy loam and loamy sand). OMAs increased soil moisture content (0–0.1 m depth) at both sites by 27–37%. Both amendments increased soil inorganic N at the sandy loam (GWC: 194%; MWC: 114%) and loamy sand (GWC: 277%; MWC: 114%) sites the month following application, but soil inorganic N concentrations quickly decreased to values similar to those of control plots. After two-years, the GWC and the MWC amendments increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 112% and 29%, respectively, in the sandy loam site, but no change was observed in the loamy sand site. The greatest increase in soil extractable K occurred in the GWC-amended plots at the sandy loam site even though the initial K concentration of MWC was higher. Both OMAs increased soil organic carbon (SOC) after two years, but the SOC increase in the GWC-amended plots was greater. Our results suggest that OMAs can significantly improve soil fertility after one or two annual applications, and that fertility gains appear to be dependent on soil texture than the nutrient concentrations of the OMA.

Growing season nitrogen dynamics in manured soils in south coastal British Columbia: Implications for a soil nitrate test for silage corn

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
J. W. Paul
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Dairy Manure ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Coastal British Columbia ◽  
Soil Inorganic

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

scholarly journals Predicting Nitrogen Availability in Irrigated Potato Systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Snapp ◽  
A.M. Fortuna
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Tuber Yield ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
N Supply ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic

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.

Tillage, crop residue and crop sequence effects on nitrogen availability in a legume-based cropping system

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. K. Soon ◽  
M. A. Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Microbial Biomass N ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Crop Sequence ◽  
Extractable Soil ◽  
Soil Inorganic

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

Effects of spent mushroom substrate on soil chemical conditions and plant growth in an intensive horticultural system: a comparison with inorganic fertiliser

Soil Research ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. C. Stewart ◽  
K. C. Cameron ◽  
I. S. Cornforth
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Spent Mushroom Substrate ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Variable Effect ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Inorganic Fertiliser ◽  
Industry Applications ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Soil Inorganic

Between November 1991 and 1993, 4 consecutive vegetable crops (sweetcorn, cabbage, potato, and cabbage) were grown in Lincoln, New Zealand. The treatments included spent mushroom substrate (SMS, a by-product of the mushroom industry) applications before each crop at rates of 0, 20, 40, or 80 t/ha (moist), both with and without 1 rate of inorganic fertiliser for each crop (120-338, 40-100, 53-100, and 60-114 kg/ha, respectively, of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur). SMS applications caused a rapid increase in soil inorganic N concentration, but after this it had a variable effect. There was some evidence of N immobilisation following initial SMS applications of 20 t/ha. SMS applications increased both soil pH and CEC, whereas inorganic fertiliser decreased both. Sweetcorn and cabbage yields were increased by SMS when inorganic fertiliser was not used, and potato yield was increased irrespective of fertiliser use (i.e. yield increases of 38%, 82-96%, and 26-46%, respectively, for sweetcorn cob, cabbage head, and potato tuber fresh yields). Inorganic fertiliser increased crop yields by a greater amount than SMS. A lack of soil inorganic N was the major limitation to crop growth following SMS applications, so crops may require additional N with SMS.

Soil water drying and recharge rates as affected by tillage under continuous barley and barley-canola cropping systems in northwestern Canada

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Azooz ◽  
M A Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Sandy Loam Soil ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Silt Loam ◽  
Silt Loam Soil ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
The Impact

In areas of the northwestern Canadian Prairies, barley and canola are grown in a short growing season with high rainfall variability. Excessively dry soil in conventional tillage (CT) in dry periods and excessively wet soil in no-tillage (NT) in wet periods could cause a significant decrease in crop production by influencing the availability of soil water. The effects of CT, NT and NT with a 7.5-cm residue-free strip on the planting rows (NTR) on soil water drying (–dW/dt) and recharge (dW/dt) rates were studied in 1992 and 1993 during wet and dry periods to evaluate the impact of NTR, NT and CT systems on soil moisture condition. The soils, Donnelly silt loam and Donnelly sandy loam (both Gray Luvisol) were selected and soil water content by depth was measured by time domain reflectometry. Water retained at 6 matric potentials from –5 to –160 kPa were observed. In the field study, –dW/dt was significantly greater in CT than in NT in the silt loam for the 0- to 30-cm layer during the first 34 d after planting in 1992. The 0- to 30-cm soil layer in CT and NTR dried faster than in NT during a period immediately following heavy rainfall in the silt loam in 1993. The drying coefficient (–Kd ) was significantly greater in CT and NTR than in NT in the silt loam soil in 1993 and in the sandy loam soil in 1992 in the top 30-cm depth. The recharge coefficient (Kr) was significantly greater in NT and NTR than in CT for the silt loam soil. The NTR system increased the –dW/dt by 1.2 × 10-2 to 12.1 × 10-2 cm d-1 in 1992 and 1993 in the silt loam soil and by 10.2 × 10-2 cm d-1 in 1993 in the sandy loam soil as compared with NT. The dW/dt was 8.1 × 10-2 cm d-1 greater in NTR in 1992 and 1993 in the silt loam soil and was 1.9 × 10-2 greater in NTR in 1992 than in CT in the sandy loam soil. The laboratory study indicated that NT soils retained more water than the CT soils. The NTR practice maintained better soil moisture conditions for crop growth than CT in dry periods than NT in wet periods. Compared with NT, the NTR avoided prolonged near-saturated soil conditions with increased soil drying rate under extremely wet soil. Key words: Water drying, water recharge, water depletion, wet and drying periods, hydraulic properties, soil capacity to retain water

PROPAGATION AND MANAGEMENT OF GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM PLANTED FALLOWS IN SUB-HUMID EASTERN ZAMBIA

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. CHINTU ◽  
P. L. MAFONGOYA ◽  
T. S. CHIRWA ◽  
E. KUNTASHULA ◽  
D. PHIRI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Tree Survival ◽  
Maize Yields ◽  
Bare Root ◽  
Soil Inorganic

Gliricidia sepium features prominently as a soil replenishment tree in planted coppicing fallows in eastern Zambia. Its usual method of propagation, through nurseryseedlings, is costly and may possibly hinder wider on-farm adoption. We compared fallows propagated by potted and bare root seedlings, direct seeding and stem cuttings, in terms of tree coppice biomass production, soil inorganic N availability and post-fallow maize yields under semi-arid conditions. We hypothesized that cutting fallows initially in May (off-season) would increase subsequent seasonal coppice biomass production as opposed to cutting them in November (at cropping). The tree survival and biomass order after two years was: potted = bare root > direct > cuttings. The post-fallow maize productivity sequence was: fertilized maize = potted = bare root > direct > cuttings = no-tree unfertilized controls, across seasons. However, farmers may prefer directly seeded fallows owing to their cost effectiveness. Soil inorganic N and maize yield were significantly higher in May-cut than in November-cut fallows. Preseason topsoil inorganic N and biomass N input correlated highly with maize yields. This implies that bothparameters may be used to predict post-fallow crop yields.

Effects of Untreated Pig Manure and Slurry on the Accumulation of Soil NH4+-N and NO3--N in Large-Scale Pig Farm

2011 ◽  
Vol 183-185 ◽  
pp. 1061-1065
Author(s):  
Cai Yan Lu ◽  
Yi Shi ◽  
Shao Jun Wang ◽  
Ming Fen Niu ◽  
Di Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Nitrate Pollution ◽  
Sampling Time ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Sampling Depth ◽  
Soil Inorganic N ◽  
Pig Farm ◽  
Soil Inorganic

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.

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