Effect of the Manure Levels , Depth and Method of Applying Using Ditch Opener and Manure Laying Machine on Some of Soil Physical Properties

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in silty loam soil at Agricultural research station, College of Agriculture during the corn growing season of 2015. The aim of study was to determine the effect of manure (cattle residues) levels (0, 20 and 40 ton ha-1), the depth of manure application (10, 20 and 30 cm), and the method ofmanure application (mixing with soil and subsoil laying) on soil bulk density and soil water content. The manure was added at certain treatments by using a ditch opener and manure laying machine which was designed and manufactured in the Agriculture Machines and Equipment Department, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah in 2015. The field was plowed perpendicularly, and the treatments were arranged in RCBD with split-split plot design with three replicated using drip irrigation system. Corn (Zea mays L.) seeds were planted on the manure rows. All plots received NPK fertilization with the same levels. At the end of growing season, soil samples (0-30 cm) were collected to examine soil bulk density and soil water content. The results showed that, lower bulk density and higher water content were obtained at level of 40 ton ha-1compared with the levels of 0 and 20 ton ha-1. The soil bulk density decreased from1.23 to 1.20 Mg m-3 and the soil water content increased from 26.33 to 30.23 % whenthe depth of application increased from 10 to 30 cm. Mixing manure with soil resulted in lower value of bulk density and higher value of water content compared with subsoil laying method. Mixing manure with soil down to the depth of 30 cm amount of 40 ton ha-1 improved the soil bulk density which reached lower value of 1.14 Mg m-3 and soilwater content increased to 36.19% among all other treatments.