Influence of Liquid Cattle Manure on Micronutrients Content and Uptake by Corn and their Availability in a Calcareous Soil

Abstract

The effect of soil application of liquid dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure on Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and B content and uptake by corn (Zea mays L.) and their availability in a calcareous soil was studied. The field received 9 yr of liquid cattle manure in two fertilization experiments, initially with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (1996–2000), followed by a similar experiment with corn (2002–2006). The treatments, practiced on the same plots every year since 1996, included: (i) soil incorporation of liquid dairy cattle manure before sowing at a rate equivalent to the recommended N‐P inorganic fertilization for each crop; (ii) application of the recommended inorganic N‐P fertilization for each crop, before sowing; (iii) identical to ii, but with split N application; and (iv) no fertilization (control). Surface soil samples were analyzed at the beginning of each corn‐growing season and in the spring of 2007. Corn samples, collected at the R3 growth stage, were also analyzed. The results showed that concentrations of all micronutrients in corn were not affected by fertilization. However, following manure application in 2005 and 2006, micronutrients' uptake by corn was significantly increased compared to the control, and was similar to levels for the inorganic fertilizer treatments. After 9 yr of manure application to soil, DTPA extractable Cu, Zn, and Mn and hot water extractable B were significantly increased. In addition, soil total and dissolved organic C were significantly increased and dissolved organic C was significantly correlated to DTPA extractable metals.