Abstract
ABSTRACT This study determined the nutrient composition of horse manure and examined the agronomic implications of applying it to pastureland. Horse manure and wood shavings bedding mix obtained from diverse equine operations was sampled from 20 truckloads (~150 m3). Manure was applied once at 817 m3 ha−1 onto replicated bovine pasture plots and compared for forage yield, soil fertility levels and weeds species, with unamended plots over a five-year period. On average, the manure had a carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 32, mean 72% moisture content, and concentrations (g kg−1 dry weight) 17.5 nitrogen (N), 3.4 phosphorus (P), 13 potassium (K), 8.8 calcium (Ca), 3.7 magnesium (Mg), and 2 sulfur (S). Manure application increased soil test levels of P, K, Ca, and zinc (Zn), soil pH, organic matter content, pasture forage yields and clover biomass. Horse manure application increased Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.) biomass, while dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg.), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.), and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) biomass decreased. Except for increasing the amount of horsenettle on pastureland, findings demonstrate that horse manure is a valuable agronomic resource when applied to a low fertility soil.
Published Version
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