UTILIZATION OF CATTLE MANURE CONTAINING WOOD SHAVINGS: EFFECT ON SOIL AND CROP

Abstract

A 7-yr study was conducted to determine the effects of repeated annual applications of manure containing softwood shavings (M + S) at 50 t ha−1 on the soil and its productivity, relative to manure without shavings (M) at 50 t ha−1 and nitrogen fertilizer (F) at 67 kg ha−1. The EC, OM, total N and C:N ratio of the soil of the M + S and M + S + F plots to 60-cm depth were not significantly greater than those from the M plots, and in some instances they were significantly less. The NO3-N and total N and available P contents of the soil from the M + S treatment were significantly lower than those from the M treatment. Immobilization of N in the M + S and M + S + F treatments was indicated. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'Gait') straw and grain yields and protein content of the grain were generally greater under the M than under the M + S treatment. When N fertilizer was included in the M + S treatment (M + S + F) the yields were similar to those of M, and the protein content increased. If manure with shavings is used for fertilizer, supplemental N should be applied to offset N immobilization. Key words: Manure disposal, manure, manure with wood shavings, nitrogen, crop yields