Technical Note: Manure Infiltration as Affected by the Total Solids Content of Manure

Abstract

Knowledge of manure infiltration in soil is essential for studying the liquid and nutrient distribution in soil following manure applications. In this study, field tests were conducted to measure infiltration characteristics of liquid hog manure with different total solids (TS) contents. The experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil in Manitoba, Canada. The manures used had seven different TS contents, ranging from 0.38% to 8.80%. The infiltration characteristics of water were also measured, which allowed for a comparison between manure and water. The infiltration characteristics studied included Kostiakov constants and steady-state infiltration rate. Measurements were done using a double-ring infiltrometer. The results showed that the TS content had little effect on the Kostiakov constants and steady-state infiltration rate of manure. The Kostiakov constants of manure, regardless of TS, were similar to those of water, while the steady-state infiltration rates of the manures were approximately one-third that of water.