HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Moorman, T. B. PubMed Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Moorman, T. B. Agricola Articles by Singer, J. W. Articles by Moorman, T. B. Related Collections Cover Crops Crop Systems

INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS

Enhancing Nutrient Cycling by Coupling Cover Crops with Manure Injection

USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2110 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011

^* Corresponding author (jeremy.singer{at}ars.usda.gov).

Coupling winter small grain cover crops (CC) with liquid manure injection may increase manure nutrient capture. The objectives of this research were to quantify manure injection effects using target swine (Sus scrofa) manure N rates of 112, 224, and 336 kg N ha^–1 on CC plant density, fall and spring shoot biomass, N, P, and K uptake and subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) yield. A winter rye (Secale cereale L.)–oat (Avena sativa L.) CC was established before fall manure injection. Manure injection lowered mean CC plant density 25% because of CC mortality in the injection zone. Fall CC dry matter (DM) was 26% lower in the manure treatments than the no manure CC control, although no difference was detected for N (9.4 kg ha^–1) or P (1.4 kg ha^–1) uptake. No difference was detected for spring DM between CC no manure and manure treatments. Shoot DM, N, P, and K uptake increased 29, 41, 31, and 25% from the CC manure 112 to CC manure 224 with no increase above CC manure 224. Cover crop N uptake was higher in CC manure vs. no manure (60.1 vs. 35.6 kg ha^–1). Cover crop P and K uptake were also higher in CC manure vs. no manure (9.2 vs. 6.6 kg P ha^–1 and 41.3 vs. 30.0 kg K ha^–1). Corn grain yield was unaffected by CC and responded positively to manure application (11,022 with manure vs. 9,845 kg ha^–1 without manure). Coupling manure injection and cover crops can increase nutrient capture without lowering corn yield.

Abbreviations: CC, cover crop • DM, dry matter • LSNT, late spring nitrate test • M, manure treatment.

¹ Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Received for publication July 10, 2008.