Agronomy Journal 95:592-596 (2003)
© 2003 American Society of Agronomy
PRODUCTION PAPERS
Effects of Injected Liquid Cattle Manure on Growth and Yield of Winter Wheat and Soil Characteristics
Theodora Matsi*,a,
Anastasios S. Lithourgidisb and
Athanasios A. Gagianasc
a Land Reclamation Inst., Natl. Agric. Res. Foundation, Sindos 57400, Greece
b University Farm, Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Thermi 57001, Greece
c Agron. Lab., School of Agric., Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
* Corresponding author (matsi.lri{at}nagref.gr)
Received for publication January 24, 2002.
 |
ABSTRACT
|
|---|
Liquid cattle (Bos taurus) manure should be applied to soils in such a manner that would improve soil fertility and crop production without causing salinity problems or increasing NO-3 levels. This study investigated the influence of liquid cattle manure on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yecora) germination, growth, and nutrient utilization. Four treatments were applied in the same plots in a 4-yr field experiment with winter wheat: (i) application of 40 Mg ha-1 yr-1 liquid dairy cattle manure (wet weight basis) before sowing; (ii) single application of 120 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as inorganic fertilizers before sowing; (iii) as in ii, but with split application of N, half the amount before sowing and the rest at tillering; and (iv) no fertilization. The biological evaluators used to compare the effect of the treatments were (i) number of seedlings per square meter at tillering for the first year only and (ii) dry biomass at heading and harvest; plant concentration and uptake of N, P, and K; and grain yield for every year of experimentation. The results showed that application of manure did not affect seed germination but resulted in a significant increase in dry biomass at the two growth stages and in grain yield and nutrient uptake, similar to the inorganic N and P fertilization. The amounts of soil available NO3-N and P were significantly increased while at the end of the field experiment, soil salinity, organic C, and total N levels remained unchanged.
|
INTRODUCTION
|
|---|
THE APPLICATION of cattle manure to soil can increase the soil available macronutrients N, P, and K (Sutton et al., 1979, 1986; Tran and N'dayegamiye, 1995); plant yields; and the concentration of the macronutrients in plant tissue (Lund et al., 1975; Evans et al., 1977; Pratt and Laag, 1981; Beauchamp, 1983; Sommerfeldt and Mackay, 1987).
The quantity of immediately available N was found to be higher in liquid than solid cattle manure (Sutton et al., 1986). Nitrogen contained in manure is generally less available to crops than that contained in N fertilizers (Jokela, 1992). According to Beauchamp et al. (1982), almost 24 to 33% of the ammoniacal N of the liquid cattle manure was lost by volatilization as NH3 during a week after manure application to soil in early May. Beauchamp (1983) found that the availability of liquid cattle manure N to corn (Zea mays L.) ranged from 33 to 60% of that of inorganic fertilizer N and that injection of the manure increased its efficiency. Improved efficiency was attributed to reduced NH3 volatilization (Beauchamp, 1983).
Manure application rates to soil depend on many factors, including the crop, amount of manure available, manure composition, amount of land available for spreading, quantity of soil available nutrients, and the fraction of manure nutrients that could become available. Heavy application rates can have adverse effects on soils and plants (Chang et al., 1991). Excessive loadings of cattle manure (liquid or solid) may increase soil salinization and NO-3 contamination of ground waters (Lund et al., 1975; Evans et al., 1977). To avoid adverse effects of manure on the environment, manure should be managed with caution. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of liquid dairy cattle manure on winter wheat (Yecora) and soil salinity and fertility.
|
MATERIALS AND METHODS
|
|---|
Soil
Soil sampling in the fall of 1996 was performed in a field located near Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The site was located at 22°59'6.17'' N, 40°32'9.32'' E. The soil of the experimental site was a calcareous loam (Typic Xerorthent). Four soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from the site. Each sample consisted of six subsamples. The samples were air-dried, ground (2 mm), and analyzed, in duplicate, for selected physicochemical characteristics (Table 1). Particle size analysis was performed by the hydrometer method (Bouyoucos, 1962). Electrical conductivity was measured in the saturation extract (Rhoades, 1996) and pH in water at a 1:2 soil/water ratio. Organic C was determined by the wet oxidation method of Walkley and Black (1934) and CaCO3 with a volumetric calcimeter (Allison and Moodie, 1965). Kjeldahl N was determined as described by Bremner (1965a), and NO3-N was extracted with 2 M KCl and determined by the ultraviolet spectrophotometric screening method (Clesceri et al., 1998). Olsen P was extracted by 0.5 M NaHCO3 (pH = 8.5), and in the extract, P was quantitatively determined by the molybdenum blue–ascorbic acid method (Olsen and Sommers, 1982). Exchangeable K was extracted with 1 M ammonium acetate (pH = 7) (Thomas, 1982) and determined by flame emission spectroscopy.
Manure
Liquid manure was collected during the winter and early spring, stored in an open tank, and injected into soil in November (see next section). Manure analysis for certain chemical characteristics had been conducted for three consecutive years before beginning of the experiment and repeated during the first 2 yr of the experiment (Table 2). The analyses revealed that total amounts of N, P, and K in manure and other characteristics were similar over the years, and their mean values were taken as the basis for manure application rates.
Manure samples collected from the tank were analyzed for pH, acidified with 4 M HCl, dried at 60 to 70°C until constant weight, and ground. To determine organic matter, the samples were placed in a 500°C oven for 12 h. The ash was dissolved in 10 mL of 2 M HCl and filtered, and the filtrate was assayed for its elemental composition. Boron was determined by the azomethine–H method (John et al., 1975); total P by the molybdenum blue–ascorbic acid method (Olsen and Sommers, 1982); K by flame emission spectroscopy; and Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the dried samples, total N was measured by the Kjeldahl method (Bremner, 1965a), and NH4–N and NO3–N were extracted with water and determined in the extract by a semimicro-Kjeldahl procedure, which involved direct-stream distillation, by addition of MgO (NH4–N determination) and after reduction by Devarda's alloy (NO3–N determination) (Bremner, 1965b).
A 4-yr experiment with winter wheat (Yecora) was established in the fall of 1996 in the field, which had been cultivated with winter wheat the previous year. The treatments were (i) injection of 40 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (wet weight basis) liquid dairy cattle manure before seeding (manure); (ii) application of 120 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as single basal dressing before seeding; (iii) application of 60 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as basal dressing before seeding and 60 kg N ha-1 yr-1 at tillering; and (iv) no fertilization (control). Experimental plots (6 by 10 m) were arranged in randomized blocks with six replications. The treatments were established at the same plots every year.
The manure treatment applied 120, 26, and 90 kg ha-1 yr-1 N, P, and K, respectively (see previous section). Manure was injected into the soil at equidistant rows (20 cm apart) using a liquid applicator (Zunhammer–Gülle Technik, Munich, Germany). Fertilizers (inorganic and manure) were applied 2 d before wheat was planted in the third week of November. Climatic conditions during the cultivation period are reported in Table 3.
The number of seedlings per square meter was measured at tillering during the first year. Aboveground biomass was collected from a 0.1-m2 area at heading (April) and maturity (June). All plant parts were dried at 60 to 70°C until constant weight, ground to pass a 0.2-mm sieve, and analyzed in duplicate for total N by the Kjeldahl method (Bremner, 1965a), P by the molybdenum blue–ascorbic acid method (Olsen and Sommers, 1982), and K by flame emission spectroscopy. Plant uptake of N, P, and K was calculated. Grain yield was determined by harvesting the rest of the experimental plot, an area of almost 60 m2. Straw remaining in the field was incorporated into the soil.
After harvest, composite surface (0–30 cm) soil samples, consisting of three subsamples, were collected from each experimental plot. The samples were air-dried, ground (2 mm), and analyzed in duplicate for NO3–N by extraction with 2 M KCl and determination with the ultraviolet spectrophotometric screening method (Clesceri et al., 1998) for Olsen P (Olsen and Sommers, 1982) and exchangeable K (Thomas, 1982). In the soil samples of the fourth year, electrical conductivity in the saturation extract (Rhoades, 1996), organic C (Walkley and Black, 1934), and Kjeldahl N (Bremner, 1965a) were also determined.
The program SPSS (version 10) was used to conduct an analysis of variance (ANOVA), (blocks x treatments) for each year. Bartlett's test was performed to check for homogeneity of variances of each parameter among years, and LSD test was used to detect significant differences among means. For each parameter that variances were not statistically different among years, a common LSD value was calculated and used for comparisons among treatments within the same year or among years within the same treatment. In contrast, for each parameter that variances were statistically different, different LSD values were used for comparisons among treatments, only within year.
|
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
|
|---|
Effect of Liquid Cattle Manure Application on Wheat Growth and Grain Yield
The N, P, Zn, Fe, Mn, and B content of the manure was relatively constant at the five different sampling dates (Table 2). Ammonium N was almost 40% of the total N while NO3–N was negligible. Trace amounts of Cr and Ni were found, and Pb and Cd were below 0.2 and 0.02 mg kg-1 (wet weight basis), respectively.
Manure application did not influence seed germination. These results were different than those of Adriano et al. (1973) and Bell (1977). The number of wheat plants at tillering in 1997 was similar in control (317 plants m-2), manure (321 plants m-2), and fertilizer (318 plants m-2) treatments. The lack of significant differences most likely was due to low application rate and uniform manure injection, which results in dilution and reduced toxicity.
Aboveground dry biomass of wheat at heading, in manure treatments, was significantly increased relative to control, in all years, and was similar to that of fertilizer treatments, single or split N application (Fig. 1)
. The same was evident for the aboveground biomass at harvest, except from the second year (data not shown). Grain yield (Fig. 2)
and plant uptake of N, P, and K (Table 4) were also significantly increased relative to control, on either manure or fertilizer application, in all years except for the second year. Increased plant biomass, yield, and N, P, and K uptake, observed in manure treatments, were attributed to enhanced soil fertility (see next section) and improved soil physical condition. Grain weight, expressed as a fraction of total biomass (harvest index), remained unaffected by manure or fertilizer (data not shown). In almost all cases, aboveground biomass, grain yield, and plant uptake of N, P, and K were similar between the single and split application of N fertilizer.
View larger version (36K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig. 1. Aboveground dry biomass of wheat at heading during the 4 yr. F test was significant at p = 0.03, p = 0.02, p < 0.01, and p = 0.05, for the years 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. Manure, injection of 40 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (wet weight basis) liquid dairy cattle manure before seeding; N-single + P, application of 120 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as single basal dressing before seeding; N-split + P, application of 60 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as basal dressing before seeding and 60 kg N ha-1 yr-1 at tillering.
|
|
View larger version (34K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Fig. 2. Grain yield of wheat during the 4 yr. F test was significant at p = 0.02, p < 0.01, and p = 0.04, for the years 1997, 1999, and 2000, respectively, and not significant for 1998. Manure, injection of 40 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (wet weight basis) liquid dairy cattle manure before seeding; N-single + P, application of 120 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as single basal dressing before seeding; N-split + P, application of 60 and 26 kg ha-1 yr-1 N and P, respectively, as basal dressing before seeding and 60 kg N ha-1 yr-1 at tillering.
|
|
The amount of the aboveground biomass at heading was the highest in 1999 (Fig. 1), and the highest yields were observed in 1999 and 2000 (Fig. 2). The lowest biomass production and yields were found in 1997. High yields in 1999 were attributed to climatic conditions during the spring (Table 3). This is important since spring climatic conditions are the main factors that affect winter wheat growth under Mediterranean conditions.
Liquid cattle manure has previously been reported to increase yields, and this has been attributed to the macronutrients contained in manure (Lund et al., 1975; Culley et al., 1981; Pratt and Laag, 1981; Sutton et al., 1986; Motavalli et al., 1989). In almost all cases, the reported manure application rates were higher than those used in this study, which were 40 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (wet weight basis) or 3.3 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (dry weight basis). Increased corn yields, similar to the yields resulted from the recommended inorganic fertilization, were obtained on addition of dairy cattle slurry at rates up to 336 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (wet weight basis) for 5 yr (Sutton et al., 1986). According to Lund et al. (1975), continuous application of liquid dairy cattle manure at 45 t ha-1 yr-1 (dry weight basis) for 3 yr produced excellent yields of coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.). Pratt and Laag (1981) reported that maximum sudangrass (Sorghum sudanese L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yields were observed when 21 t ha-1 yr-1 (dry weight basis) liquid feedlot manure was applied for 4 yr. Also, Culley et al. (1981) and Motavalli et al. (1989) reported that uptake of N, P, and K by corn plants was increased with increasing rate of liquid dairy cattle manure, applied for more than 2 yr, at levels similar to the inorganic N, P, and K fertilization.
Concentrations of N, P, and K in the aboveground biomass were inconsistently affected by manure or fertilizer application. Phosphorus concentration remained unchanged in all cases, with a mean of 1.9 g kg-1 in biomass at heading and 2.9 g kg-1 in grain and 0.62 g kg-1 in straw at harvest. The same was evident for N and K concentrations in the aboveground biomass at heading and in the grain at harvest. The average concentrations of N and K were 20 and 13 g kg-1 in wheat biomass at heading, respectively, and 25 and 4.0 g kg-1 in wheat grain at harvest, respectively. Potassium concentration in straw at harvest was increased by manure application in all 4 yr. Manure and fertilizer increased N in the straw at harvest in the first, second, and fourth year of the study (Table 5). Sutton et al. (1986) had similar results and reported that manure did not consistently increase corn leaf N and P. Evans et al. (1977) had more consistent results and reported that manure relative to unfertilized and fertilized plots increased the N, P, and K concentrations in corn ear leaves, grain, and stover.
Effect of Liquid Cattle Manure Application on Some Soil Characteristics
Soil NO3–N and Olsen P, at the end of the growing season, were increased by applying manure or fertilizer (Table 6). It is worth noting that manure and fertilized plots had similar amounts of residual NO3–N in the surface 30 cm of soil. As far as exchangeable K was concerned, manure increased K in 1998 only. Culley et al. (1981), Pratt and Laag (1981), and Sommerfeldt and Mackay (1987) had similar results and reported that manure increased soil nutrient concentrations.
Soil electrical conductivity, organic C, and total N at the end of the experiment were not influenced by manure (Table 7) and remained at levels similar to those determined at the beginning of the experiment (Tables 1 and 7). Evans et al. (1977) and Sutton et al. (1979) observed increases of soil electrical conductivity at levels that could be considered high but only after heavy applications of liquid manure for 2 to 3 yr. Chang et al. (1991) observed the same effect after a long period of soil application of cattle feedlot manure. As far as soil organic C and total N was concerned, dry matter content of the liquid cattle manure, such as that used in this study, is usually low compared with that of the solid cattle manure (Sutton et al., 1986). Increases in soil organic matter resulting from liquid cattle manure have been associated with high application rates over long periods of time. According to Culley et al. (1981), soil organic C was significantly increased by applying liquid dairy cattle manure at 31.2 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (dry weight basis) for 5 yr. Also, according to Chang et al. (1991), soil organic matter and total N were increased after 11 annual applications of cattle feedlot manure at rates equal or higher than recommended.
In conclusion, soil incorporation of liquid dairy cattle manure, at rates equivalent to the recommended N and P fertilization for winter wheat, can enhance wheat growth and increase grain yield at levels similar to those of inorganic N (single or split application) and P fertilization. Also, manure use can improve soil fertility, with respect to NO3–N and available P, without increasing soil salinity.
|
REFERENCES
|
|---|
- Adriano, D.C., A.C. Chang, P.F. Pratt, and R. Sharpless. 1973. Effect of soil application of dairy manure on germination and emergence of some selected crops. J. Environ. Qual. 2:396–399.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Allison, L.E., and C.D. Moodie. 1965. Carbonate. p. 1379–1396. In C.A. Black et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Beauchamp, E.G. 1983. Response of corn to nitrogen in preplant and sidedress applications of liquid dairy cattle manure. Can. J. Soil Sci. 63:377–386.
- Beauchamp, E.G., G.E. Kidd, and G. Thurtell. 1982. Ammonia volatilization from liquid dairy cattle manure in the field. Can. J. Soil Sci. 62:11–19.
- Bell, R.G. 1977. Characterization of an agent in aqueous extracts of beef cattle manure that inhibits the germination of barley seeds. J. Environ. Qual. 6:163–164.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Bouyoucos, G.J. 1962. Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analysis of soils. Agron. J. 54:464–465.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Bremner, J.M. 1965a. Total nitrogen. p. 1149–1178. In C.A. Black et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Bremner, J.M. 1965b. Inorganic forms of nitrogen. p. 1179–1237. In C.A. Black et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA, Madison, WI.
- Chang, C., T.G. Sommerfeldt, and T. Entz. 1991. Soil chemistry after eleven applications of cattle manure. J. Environ. Qual. 20:475–480.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Clesceri, L.S., A.E. Greenberg, and A.D. Eaton. 1998. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 20th ed. Am. Public Health Assoc., Washington, DC; Am. Water Works Assoc., Denver, CO; and Water Environ. Federation, Alexandria, VA.
- Culley, J.L.B., P.A. Phillips, F.R. Hore, and N.K. Patni. 1981. Soil chemical properties and removal of nutrients by corn resulting from different rates and timing of liquid dairy manure applications. Can. J. Soil Sci. 61:35–46.
- Evans, S.D., P.R. Goodrich, R.C. Munter, and R.E. Smith. 1977. Effects of solid and liquid beef manure and liquid hog manure on soil characteristics and on growth, yield, and composition of corn. J. Environ. Qual. 6:361–368.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- John, M.K., H.H. Chuah, and J.H. Neufeld. 1975. Application of improved azomethine–H method to the determination of boron in soils and plants. Anal. Lett. 8:559–568.
- Jokela, W.E. 1992. Nitrogen fertilizer and dairy manure effects on corn yield and soil nitrate. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 56:148–154.
- Lund, Z.F., B.D. Doss, and F.E. Lowry. 1975. Dairy cattle manure—its effect on yield and quality of coastal bermudagrass. J. Environ. Qual. 4:358–362.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Motavalli, P.P., K.A. Kelling, and J.C. Converse. 1989. First-year nutrient availability from injected dairy manure. J. Environ. Qual. 18:180–185.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Olsen, S.R., and L.E. Sommers. 1982. Phosphorus. p. 403–430. In A.L. Page et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agron. Monogr. 9. 2nd ed. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Pratt, P.F., and A.E. Laag. 1981. Effect of manure and irrigation on sodium bicarbonate–extractable phosphorus. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 45:887–888.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Rhoades, J.D. 1996. Salinity: Electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts. p. 417–435. In D.L. Sparks et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 3. SSSA Book Ser. 5. SSSA and ASA, Madison, WI.
- Sommerfeldt, T.G., and D.C. Mackay. 1987. Utilization of cattle manure containing wood shavings: Effect on soil and crop. Can. J. Soil Sci. 67:309–316.
- Sutton, A.L., D.W. Nelson, D.T. Kelly, and D.L. Hill. 1986. Comparison of solid vs. liquid dairy manure applications on corn yield and soil composition. J. Environ. Qual. 15:370–375.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Sutton, A.L., D.W. Nelson, N.J. Moeller, and D.L. Hill. 1979. Applying liquid dairy waste to silt loam soils cropped to corn and alfalfa–orchard grass. J. Environ. Qual. 8:515–520.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Thomas, G.W. 1982. Exchangeable cations. p. 159–165. In A.L. Page et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Agron. Monogr. 9. 2nd ed. ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Tran, T.S., and A. N'dayegamiye. 1995. Long-term effects of fertilizers and manure application on the forms and availability of soil phosphorus. Can. J. Soil Sci. 75:281–285.
- Walkley, A., and I.A. Black. 1934. An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci. 37:29–38.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
K. J. Parsons, V. D. Zheljazkov, J. MacLeod, and C. D. Caldwell
Soil and Tissue Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, and Sulfur as Affected by Dairy Manure Application in a No-Till Corn, Wheat, and Soybean Rotation
Agron. J.,
September 10, 2007;
99(5):
1306 - 1316.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. S. Lithourgidis, T. Matsi, N. Barbayiannis, and C. A. Dordas
Effect of Liquid Cattle Manure on Corn Yield, Composition, and Soil Properties
Agron. J.,
June 5, 2007;
99(4):
1041 - 1047.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Zhang, R. Gavlak, A. Mitchell, and S. Sparrow
Solid and Liquid Cattle Manure Application in a Subarctic Soil: Bromegrass and Oat Production and Soil Properties
Agron. J.,
October 3, 2006;
98(6):
1551 - 1558.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. M. McAndrews, M. Liebman, C. A. Cambardella, and T. L. Richard
Residual Effects of Composted and Fresh Solid Swine (Sus scrofa L.) Manure on Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Growth and Yield
Agron. J.,
June 5, 2006;
98(4):
873 - 882.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. S. Lithourgidis, C. A. Tsatsarelis, and K. V. Dhima
Tillage Effects on Corn Emergence, Silage Yield, and Labor and Fuel Inputs in Double Cropping with Wheat
Crop Sci.,
October 27, 2005;
45(6):
2523 - 2528.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
TOP
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
of the liquid dairy cattle manure.