Effects of Dairy Lot Scrapings and Composted Dairy Manure on Growth, Yield, and Profit Potential Of Double Cropped Vegetables

Abstract

Government regulations and public pressure have resulted in the use of composting as an alternative waste handling system for dairies. Utilization of locally-produced manures by vegetable production operations may increase crop yields with less conventional fertilizer. Despite its ability to stabilize nutrients and lower manure volume, composting has costs in time and equipment, so some growers prefer using uncomposted manure. Dairy manure compost at 22 (LC), 45 (MC), or 90 (HC) Mg·ha−1 or uncomposted dairy lot scrapings at 45 Mg·ha−1 (DL) were tilled into soil before seeding a dryland muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) crop. All plots, including an unamended control (UC), were fertilized with a total of 23N-14P-0K (kg·ha−1). After removal of the cantaloupe in late summer, a drip irrigated broccoli (Brassica oleracea var.botrytis Mill.) crop was planted into the identical plots, and sidedressed with 112 kg·ha−1 N. Muskmelon yields from DL, LC, MC, HC, and UC plots were 9.6, 6.9, 4.1, 9.0, and 2.9 Mg·ha−1, respectively. Broccoli yields from DL, LC, MC, HC, and UC plots were 4.2, 3.6, 4.4, 4.1, and 2.2 Mg·ha−1, respectively. All rates of compost or manure increased yields of cantaloupe, and the subsequent broccoli crop. Use of the manure resulted in highest increase in potential net income from sales of muskmelon and broccoli.