Effects of liquid hog manure on soil available nitrogen status, nitrogen leaching losses and wheat yield on a sandy loam soil of western Canada

Abstract

Nikiema, P., Buckley, K. E., Enns, J. M., Qiang, H. and Akinremi, O. O. 2013. Effects of liquid hog manure on soil available nitrogen status, nitrogen leaching losses and wheat yield on a sandy loam soil of western Canada. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 573–584. Manure can improve soil quality and enhance crop yields. However, excessive manure use may contribute to nitrate ( ) leaching, particularly on coarse-textured soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of liquid hog manure (LHM) on wheat yield, soil available N and leaching on a sandy soil in Manitoba. Manure treatments included three rates of LHM applied to supply 64 (low), 128 (medium) and 192 kg N ha−1 (high) in 3 consecutive years (2002–2004). Unamended plots were used as a control. Available nitrogen was measured three times during each growing season at soil depths of 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–90, and 90–120 cm. Undisturbed soil core lysimeters were used to measure leaching. Crop yields (grain and straw), N-uptake and N use efficienc...