Long Term of Cattle Manure Amendments and Its Impact on Triticale (X. Triticosecale Wittmack) Production and Soil Quality

Enrique Salazar Sosa,Hector I Trejo Escareno,Jesus Luna Anguiano

doi:10.4172/2329-8863.1000223

Abstract

Organic amendment is a good alternative to improve soil fertility to maintain or increase crop forage and grain production. After several times of organic applications (crop cycles), it is important to follow soil physical and chemical parameters to avoid soil pollution such as salinity and nitrate. The main objective of this study was to maintain good triticale forage production and soil quality after seven years in plots where two factors were studied: cow manure amendments; 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 t ha-1 and one chemical level with 150-100-00 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium, respectively just to compare manure amendments. After this, to decrease soil salinity and high levels of nitrate, triticale forage was planted in the same plots using two varieties without manure and chemical fertilizer application. Triticale variables measured were green forage and ential (Ph) and Nitrates (NO3). Results indicated that triticale forage production was high in all plots were cow manure was applied after three years than the control and chemical fertilizer level, also, the chemical soil parameters such as, salinity and nitrate decrease to adequate levels of: 4 mmhos cm-1 in salinity and less than 20 ppm of nitrates. Triticale forage production was better in all plots with cow manure application with more than 25 mg ha-1, that’s the triticale average production in this region and more than 100% of the control and chemical fertilizer plots. According to these results, cow manure amendments is a good alternative to get high triticale forage production and maintain a good soil quality.

Highlights

IntroductionDairy cattle manure and other organic fertilizers used in agriculture has the potential to be a cost-effective source of nutrients for crops
In Mexico, a production of 61 million tons of manure (INEGI, 1997) considering only the feedlot cattle and partial barn, where the main basins of this important residue are the Laguna Region, the Juarez Valley and other areas of the estimated northern and northeastern Chihuahua.(Cortez, 2007).Dairy cattle manure and other organic fertilizers used in agriculture has the potential to be a cost-effective source of nutrients for crops
The amount of manure nutrients available in the soil for plants, is perhaps one of the most common questions without exact answer because of the many physical, chemical and biological factors involved in the process of decomposition of organic materials.(Lozano,2002)

Summary

Introduction

Dairy cattle manure and other organic fertilizers used in agriculture has the potential to be a cost-effective source of nutrients for crops. Land application determines an increase in fertility as well as improved physical properties. This organic waste is accumulated in the places where these are generated or applied commonly to score some agricultural land, which can cause degradation of the quality of soil and groundwater. The amount of manure nutrients available in the soil for plants, is perhaps one of the most common questions without exact answer because of the many physical, chemical and biological factors involved in the process of decomposition of organic materials.(Lozano,2002). One of the most precise ways is by evaluating the decomposition of manure in the field directly (Flores et al, 2003)

Objectives

Methods

Results