Cattle Farmyard Manure Research Articles

Cesium-137 concentration of forage corn and Italian ryegrass in a double cropping system under different rates of cattle farmyard manure application after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011

Radioactive 137Cs concentrations of forage corn (Zea mays L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in a double cropping system under continuous cattle farmyard manure (FYM) application were observed for more than 2 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in 2011. The experiment field is located 110 km southwest of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, and the soil contains 137Cs of 920 Bq kg−1 on average. For crop cultivation, nitrogen fertilizer was applied in addition to FYM. The 137Cs concentrations in corn decreased significantly between 2011 and 2012, but only differed significantly between 2012 and 2013 for the plot with no FYM application. For Italian ryegrass, no significant differences were observed between the harvest in 2012 and 2013 despite the FYM application rate. To minimize corn 137Cs concentrations, the FYM application rate should be more than and equal to 30 Mg ha−1 when FYM is used as the major nutrient source. Exchangeable potassium oxide (K2O) greater than around 0.3 g kg−1 was mostly maintained with the FYM application rates. Corn 137Cs concentration appeared to increase at exchangeable K2O levels below 0.15 g kg−1. These results suggest that continuous FYM application can maintain soil nutrients including K2O and thereby control radioactive Cs transfer from the soil. FYM application rate of 30 Mg ha−1 is within the levels recommended by the prefectural governments around Fukushima Prefecture for crop production before the accident. These levels are sufficient to decrease the radioactive Cs concentrations for corn. However, unlike corn, differences in soil chemical properties by FYM application did not affect 137Cs concentrations in Italian ryegrass in this study, although low exchangeable K2O seemed to increase concentrations of stable 133Cs. Further experiments should be conducted to understand the observed differences between corn and Italian ryegrass.

How do emission rates and emission factors for nitrous oxide and ammonia vary with manure type and time of application in a Scottish farmland?

The use of livestock manure as an organic fertiliser on agricultural land is an attractive alternative to synthetic fertiliser. The type of manure and the timing and method of application can however be crucial factors in reducing the extent of nitrogen lost from the system. This is important not only to enhance crop production, but in controlling gaseous emissions, including nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3). Emissions of N2O and NH3 were measured for 12months from two experiments at an arable site in Scotland, to determine the effect of manure type and the timing (season) of application. Emission factors (EFs) were calculated for each manure applied in each season, and compared to IPCC standard EFs of 1% for N2O and 20% for NH3. Cattle farmyard manure, broiler litter, layer manure, and cattle slurry by surface broadcast and trailing hose application were applied to one experiment in October 2012 (autumn applications) and one in April 2013 (spring applications). Experimental areas were sown with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and manures were applied at typical rates. Crop yield was recorded to allow calculation of N2O and NH3 emission intensities. Mean annual N2O emissions across all manure treatments were greater from autumn (2kg N2O–N ha−1) than spring (0.35kg N2O–N ha−1) applications, and in the spring experiment were significantly lower from cattle slurry than other treatments. Ammonia emissions were generally greater (though not significantly) from spring than autumn applications. Significantly greater NH3 emissions were measured from layer manure than all other manures at both times of application. N2O and NH3 EFs were highly variable depending on the season of application and manure type. The mean autumn and spring N2O EFs across all manure treatments were 1.72% and −0.33% respectively, and mean NH3 EFs across all treatments were 8.2% and 15.0% from autumn and spring applications, respectively. These results demonstrate large deviation from the IPCC default values for N2O and NH3 EFs, and the considerable effect that manure type and time of application have on N2O and NH3 emissions.

Možnost použití sušených organických a organominerálních hnojiv jako náhrady za chlévský hnůj u raného květáku

Experiments were conducted in field plots to evaluate the effects of three alternative dried organic, or organomineral, fertilizers on yield and quality of the early maturing cauliflower variety, ‘Gameta’. Plots were established in Žabčice (South Moravia, Czech Republic) in 2005–2007. We used the following fertilization treatments: Agormin T, Agro, Dvorecký agroferm, cattle farmyard manure and solo mineral fertilizers, compared to an unfertilized control. All plots, except the control, were fertilized to achieve the same level of nutrients, as determined by the soil analyses and the chosen target yield. We assessed the following traits at harvest: weight of above-ground mass, marketable yield, head weight and head diameter. Levels of ascorbic acid, nitrates, dry matter and mineral ions (potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium) were measured in the heads. Agormin T significantly increased the weight of above-ground mass and total marketable yield. All organic fertilizers significantly increased head weight and head diameter in comparison to both the unfertilized control and mineral fertilizers. Ascorbic acid levels were not significantly affected by the fertilizers. The highest value of ascorbic acid was observed for farmyard manure, the lowest for Dvorecký agroferm. Dried fertilizers had no positive effect on ascorbic acid levels and total solids, as compared to farmyard manure. In contrast, Agormin T resulted in significantly lower levels of dry matter. Solo mineral fertilization resulted in the highest levels of nitrates in cauliflower heads. Fertilization with Agro and farmyard manure significantly increased the levels of nitrates in heads, as compared to the control, but all values were under the hygienic limit. The different fertilizer treatments did not have any significant effects on the levels of mineral cations. The dried granulated fertilizers Agormin T, Agro and Dvorecký agroferm were shown to be good alternatives to bulky farmyard manure for early ripening cauliflower. Only Agormin T decreased the dry matter content in heads.

Compatibility of Rhizobium inoculant and water hyacinth compost formulations in Rosecoco bean and consequences on Aphis fabae and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum infestations

The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris is an important crop for food security and nitrogen fixation through Rhizobium symbiosis. Commercial Rhizobium inoculants are being promoted to fix nitrogen and enhance bean production in the Lake Victoria basin. Rhizobium symbiosis depends on nutrients, especially phosphorus, which is widely applied as diammonium phosphate (DAP) in the Lake Victoria basin. Water hyacinth, Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae) is being developed into compost, with perceived benefits of improving crop production and limiting its disastrous spread in Lake Victoria. High nutrient content in water hyacinth compost can stimulate Rhizobium nodulation and nitrogen fixation, consequently improving plant growth and pest resistance. However, it is not yet established whether Rhizobium inoculants and water hyacinth composts are compatible options for plant growth promotion and pest suppression in beans. A field experiment with two trials was conducted to assess the compatibility of commercial Rhizobium inoculant, DAP, cattle farmyard manure (FYM), and four formulations of water hyacinth compost i.e., water hyacinth only (H), with molasses (H+Mol), cattle manure culture (H+CMC) or effective microbes (H+EM). Rhizobium inoculated plants had high number of root nodules when grown with H+CMC and H+EM. Plants were large in size with short development period when grown with the composts, especially H+CMC and H+EM. Those grown with H+EM produced high number of flowers. Rhizobium inoculated plants had high anthracnose incidence than non-inoculated ones when grown with H+CMC. Those grown with H+EM had low anthracnose incidence, but was high in FYM. During flowering, Rhizobium inoculated plants had higher Aphis fabae population than non-inoculated ones when grown in FYM or without fertilizer. Those grown with H+EM had the lowest A. fabae population. Yields in water hyacinth compost were improved, especially for H+CMC in the second trial. DAP treated plants had more flowers and pods having heavy seeds, with low anthracnose and A. fabae infestations; but had low germination rates that reduced the yields. In conclusion, the commercial Rhizobium inoculant is predominantly compatible with water hyacinth compost formulations containing effective microbes and cattle manure culture, which could enhance tolerance of bean plants to aphids and possibly to anthracnose disease. These two water hyacinth compost formulations need further investigation for their potential in enhancing food production and alleviating the water hyacinth problem in the Lake Victoria basin.

Emission factors for ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions following immediate manure incorporation on two contrasting soil types

We carried out four replicated field experiments to measure the impacts of immediate incorporation of solid manures on emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Four manures: cattle farmyard manure (FYM); pig FYM; layer manure and broiler manure were applied to the soil surface or immediately incorporated by mouldboard plough, disc or tine. Two of the experiments were carried out on a clay soil and two on a sandy soil to find out whether soil type interacted with incorporation technique to influence emissions of NH3 or N2O. Ammonia emissions were measured for 1 or 2 weeks while N2O emissions were measured for 60 days in one experiment and for a complete year in the other three experiments.Immediate incorporation by plough reduced NH3 emissions by c. 90% and by c. 60% by disc and tine (P < 0.001). There was no effect of soil type on NH3 abatement efficiency by plough or tine but the disc was less effective on the coarse sandy soil.Cross-site analysis indicated no effect of incorporation by disc or tine on emissions of N2O–N after 60 days but incorporation by plough increased direct emissions of N2O–N compared with surface application of manure (P < 0.001). Direct emissions of N2O–N, at c. 0.67% of total N applied, were substantially greater at the coarse-textured site than at the heavy clay site (0.04% of total N applied; P < 0.001). The impact of incorporation on total annual direct emissions of N2O–N differed in the three experiments where emissions were measured for a full year. There was no effect of incorporation on N2O–N emissions in the first experiment on the clay soil, and in the second experiment at this site incorporation by plough or disc, but not tine, reduced direct emissions of N2O (P = 0.006). However on the sandy soil direct emissions of N2O–N were increased when manures were incorporated by plough (P = 0.002) but not when incorporated by disc or tine.These results confirm that immediate incorporation of solid manures by plough is the most effective means of reducing NH3 emissions following the application of solid manures. The results also indicate that immediate incorporation of solid manures to reduce NH3 emissions does not necessarily increase emissions of N2O. However, the impacts of immediate incorporation on emissions of N2O may be related to soil type with a greater possibility of emission increases on coarse sandy soils.

Manure management practices applied to a seven‐course rotation on a sandy soil: effects on nitrate leaching

AbstractThis experiment tested whether it was possible to incorporate broiler litter (BL) or cattle farmyard manure (FYM) into a 7‐yr arable rotation on a sandy soil without causing an increase in nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N) leaching. Four manure treatments (with adjusted fertilizer inputs), varying in frequency and timing of application, were imposed on the rotation and compared with a control that received inorganic fertilizer according to recommended rates. Over seven winters, the annual average NO3‐N leached from the inorganic fertilizer treatment (control) was 39 kg/ha in 183 mm drainage. Total manure N loadings over the period of the experiment ranged between 557 and 1719 kg/ha (80–246 kg/ha/yr) for the four treatments. Three of the four manure treatments significantly increased NO3‐N leaching over the rotation (P &lt; 0.001). Annual applications of FYM (1719 kg/ha manure N or 246 kg/ha/yr) increased NO3‐N leaching by 39%. We hypothesize that this was due to increased mineralization of the organic N accumulating from repeated FYM applications. BL applied each year (1526 kg/ha manure N or 218 kg N/ha/yr) increased NO3‐N leaching by 52% above the control; BL applied 5 of 7 yr (972 kg/ha manure N or 139 kg N/ha/yr on average) and including inadvisable autumn applications increased leaching by 50%. BL applied in late winter or early spring every 2–3 yr (557 kg/ha manure N or 80 kg N/ha/yr on average) resulted in NO3‐N leaching similar to the control. This suggests that to avoid additional NO3‐N leaching from manure use in an arable rotation, manure should not be applied every year and autumn applications should be avoided; there are real challenges where manure is used on an annual basis.

DIFFERENCES IN ACQUISITION OF ORGANIC NITROGEN IN SOILS BETWEEN BOK CHOY AND TOMATO

Seedlings of bok choy and tomato were grown in soils with different nitrogen (N) sources [no N (−N), ammonium sulfate (AS), and cattle farmyard manure (CM)]. Comparison between soils treated with −N and CM indicated that the growth and N accumulation in bok choy were significantly enhanced by CM treatment, whereas no difference was found in tomato. In the rhizosphere soils, the highest protease activity was detected in CM treatment irrespective of species. Correlation analysis between rhizospheric protease activity and total N accumulation of plant treated with –N and CM showed a significant positive correlation only for bok choy. The determination of amino acid absorption rate in excised roots indicated that glycine was taken up at a significantly higher rate in bok choy than tomato. This study suggested that at least two possible factors affected the acquisition of organic N: rhizospheric protease activity and ability to absorb amino acids in roots.

N and C transformations in stored cattle farmyard manure, including direct estimates of N2 emission

Nitrogen and carbon dynamics during the storage of cattle farmyard manure (FYM) throughout 52 days were evaluated in terms of mass balance, considering solid, liquid and gaseous components. The objectives were: (i) to quantify NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 emissions to supplement existing empirical evidence; (ii) to improve our understanding of the N and C transformations and the main factors that control these processes; and (iii) to provide the first measurement-based estimates of N2 emissions from stored cattle FYM. Approximately 1.5% of the initial total N was emitted as NH3 and 1.0% as N2O. Losses of N2 via denitrification were estimated to be greater than N losses via NH3 and N2O, at 5.2% of initial total N. The main C loss was as CO2, accounting for ca. 10% of the initial total C content, with CH4 emissions accounting for <1%. Heap temperature and rainfall strongly influenced gaseous emissions from this type of storage.

Changes in microbial biomass indices after 10 years of farmyard manure and vegetal fertilizer application to a sandy soil under organic management

The main objective of the second Darmstadt trial was to investigate the effects of vegetal fertilizers on soil properties and crop yield in comparison with farmyard manure. The experiment consisted of seven treatments: (i) inorganic fertilizers, (ii) vegetal organic fertilizers, (iii) vegetal organic fertilizers equivalent to biodynamic preparations, (iv) cattle farmyard manure, (v) cattle farmyard manure with addition of biodynamic preparations, (vi) high level of cattle farmyard manure, and (vii) high level of cattle farmyard manure with biodynamic preparations. The soil properties analyzed were pH, soil organic C, N, P, and S, soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, basal respiration and fungal ergosterol. The application of vegetal fertilizers had slightly negative effects on soil organic C, no effects on crop yield (potato, winter rye) and microbial biomass, but positive effects on ergosterol in comparison with farmyard manure. The increase in ergosterol was caused by straw return in the vegetal, but also in the inorganic fertilizer treatments. The biodynamic preparations did not affect the contents of soil organic C and total N. The low effectiveness of vegetal fertiliser in maintaining soil organic C levels is of particular importance for organic cropping systems and should be examined further under different site conditions.

Shear strength of repacked remoulded samples of a calcareous soil as affected by long-term incorporation of three organic manures in central Iran

Improvement of soil organic matter content and its effect on soil mechanical properties is a key goal for sustainable agriculture. This study examines the effects of seven-year incorporation of organic manures (municipal solid waste compost; air-dry sewage sludge; cattle farmyard manure) on shear strength parameters (cohesion, c; internal friction angle, φ ) of a silty clay loam soil. Disturbed samples collected from the topsoil of experimental plots to which the organic manures had been added at three rates (25, 50 and 100 t ha −1 ) were remoulded at two gravimetric water contents (WC) of 17.1 and 20.9%. Three intact samples were removed from the large soil specimen and the shear tests were conducted using direct shear box. To study the effect of WC on the shear strength of the soils with different bulk densities (BD) arising from the organic manure management, an index of consistency (IC) was introduced, defined as the ratio of WC of a soil to its plastic limit (PL). By increasing WC from 17.1 to 20.9%, c was almost doubled, whereas φ significantly decreased, but only by 13%. The changes in c due to changes in WC were explainable using effective stress theory. The relationships of c and φ with IC were linearly increasing and decreasing below the plastic limit, respectively, with some evidence of a plateau or non-linearity above this level. The results showed that for soils having different organic matter contents (or BD), the change in shear strength parameters with WC could be unified and explained using the IC concept.

The effect of long-term fertilisation on arylsulphatase activity and sulphates (VI) content in a lessive soil

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of long-term mineral–organic fertilisation on the dynamics of arylsulphatase (EC 3.1.6.1) activity, the enzyme taking part in the mineralisation of sulphur compounds in soil. The soil under study was sampled in 2001–2004 three times over the vegetation period, at the beginning, in the middle and just before harvest. Plants were cultivated in the crop rotation: potato, winter wheat, spring barley and maize. The split-plot experiment was carried out as a two-factor one (fertilisation with cattle farmyard manure in five doses and fertilisation with mineral nitrogen in four doses). Samples were analysed for carbon of organic compounds, total nitrogen and pH in KCl, according to commonly used methods. Arylsulphatase activity was assayed according to Tabatabai and Bremner, and sulphates as described by Bardsley–Lancaster and modified by COMN-IUNG. Sulphur was abundant in this soil, and therefore the plants should be well supplied with this element. The highest arylsulphatase activity and sulphates (VI) content were found in the case of fertilisation with 60 t · ha−1 farmyard manure. Significant correlations were noted between the parameters under study.

Effects of fertilizer and spatial heterogeneity in soil pH on microbial biomass indices in a long-term field trial of organic agriculture

In the Darmstadt long-term fertilization trial, the application of composted cattle farmyard manure without (CM) and with (CMBD) biodynamic preparations was compared to mineral fertilization with straw return (MIN). The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of spatial variability, especially of soil pH in these three treatments, on soil organic matter and soil microbial biomass (C, N, P, S), activity (basal CO2 production and O2 consumption), and fungal colonization (ergosterol). Soil pH was significantly lower in the MIN treatments than in the organic fertilizer treatments. In the MIN treatments, the contents of soil organic C and total N were also significantly lower (13% and 16%, respectively) than those of the organic fertilizer treatments. In addition, the total S content increased significantly in the order MIN < CM < CMBD. The microbial biomass C content was significantly lower (9%) in the MIN treatments than in the organic fertilizer treatments. Microbial biomass N and biomass P followed microbial biomass C, with a mean C/N ratio of 7.9 and a mean C/P ratio of 23. Neither the microbial biomass C to soil organic C ratio, the metabolic quotient qCO2, nor the respiratory quotient (mol CO2/mol O2) revealed any clear differences between the MIN and organic fertilizer treatments. The mean microbial biomass S content was 50% and the mean ergosterol content was 40% higher in the MIN treatments compared to the organic fertilizer treatments. The increased presence of saprotrophic fungi in the MIN treatments was indicated by significantly increased ratios of ergosterol-to-microbial biomass C and the microbial biomass C/S ratio. Our results showed that complex interactions between the effects of fertilizer treatments and natural heterogeneity of soil pH existed for the majority of microbial biomass and activity indices.

Establishing relative release kinetics of faecal indicator organisms from different faecal matrices

A laboratory assay for comparative characterization of various faecal matrices with respect to faecal indicator organism (FIO) release using, artificial rain water. Fresh sheep and beef-cattle faeces, dairy cattle slurry and beef cattle farm yard manure (FYM) were collected from commercial units in south-west England and applied to 20 randomized 1 m(2) plots established on permanent grassland. Representative samples from each faecal matrix (n = 5) were collected on four occasions over 16 days. One gram of each sample was transferred to a sterile vial to which 9 ml of standard local rain was carefully pipetted. The vial was then rotated through 360 degrees, 20 times in 60 s to 'simulate' a standardized interaction of the faecal material with rainfall, providing an assay of comparative release potential. Appropriate decimal dilutions were prepared from the eluent. Following agitation, with a sterile spatula, the remaining faecal material and eluent in the vials were vortex mixed for 60 s before decimal dilutions were prepared from the resulting mixture, providing a quantitative assessment of the total FIO in the sample from which percentage release could be determined. Bacterial concentrations were enumerated in duplicate by membrane filtration following standard methods for FIO. Significant differences in release kinetics of Escherichia coli and enterococci from each of the faecal matrices were determined. Differences in release from each faecal substrate and between FIO type (E. coli and intestinal enterococci) were observed in this laboratory study. The order of release of E. coli from the faecal matrices (greatest to least, expressed as a percentage of the total present) was dairy cattle slurry > beef cattle FYM > beef-cattle faeces > sheep faeces. For intestinal enterococci the order of percentage release was dairy cattle slurry > beef-cattle faeces > beef cattle FYM > sheep faeces. This laboratory-based method provides the first data on the relative release kinetics of FIO from different faecal matrices in rain water. This is fundamental information needed to parameterize laboratory-based microbial models and inform approaches to field and catchment risk assessment.

Role of organic fractions on C decomposition and N mineralization of animal wastes in soil

The relative contributions of water-soluble, water-non-soluble, Van Soest-soluble, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fractions of pig slurry (PS), cattle slurry (CS), cattle farmyard manure (FYM), and composted cattle farmyard manure (CFYM) to the overall C and N mineralization of the raw wastes were studied by incubating treated soil for 107 days at 15°C under non-limiting N conditions. The C or N mineralization of soluble fractions was calculated from the difference between C or N mineralization of the raw and non-soluble fractions. The organic N content of raw wastes ranged from 15 to 32 mg N g−1 dry matter and organic C to organic N ratio from 13 to 29. The water-soluble fraction (SOLW) was close to 100 mg C g−1 raw waste C for CS, FYM, and CFYM but reached 200 mg C g−1 for PS. The Van Soest-soluble fraction (SOLVS) was the main fraction for PS, CS, and CFYM (>500 mg C g−1 raw waste C) but only 303 mg C g−1 raw waste C for FYM. Both soluble and non-soluble fractions contributed to C decomposition of slurries, with half to more than half of the decomposed C derived from the degradation of soluble compounds. Most of the C decomposed from FYM was derived from the large NDF fraction, but the contribution from the water-soluble C to the decomposition was also significant. Carbon mineralization of CFYM was due to the degradation of the NDF fraction, whereas soluble C did not contribute. Amounts of N mineralized or immobilized by raw wastes and non-soluble fractions at the end of incubation were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with their organic C to organic N ratio. The contribution of the Van Soest-soluble fraction to N mineralization varied greatly between the four wastes. Finally, large differences in the C degradability and N availability of the water and Van Soest-soluble fractions were demonstrated.

Soil organic matter dynamics and losses in manured maize-based forage systems

Soil organic matter (SOM) produces positive effects on multiple soil properties. Increasing its level also provides an opportunity to reduce atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2). Recycling animal manure and returning crop residue are among the main practices to enhance organic carbon (C) stock in arable croplands. This study analysed data of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks from a medium-term field trial (established in 1992) through a Hénin–Dupuis-based equation to determine the proportion of different organic materials retained in the soil as SOM. The treatments included in the experiment simulated different typical management techniques and implied the application to the soil of various organic materials, i.e. cattle slurry, cattle farmyard manure, maize straw, root, maize and ley stubble. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen (N) (Kjeldhal N) were measured in the 0–30 cm layer during spring 1999 and spring 2003. The relationship between SOC and N stocks measured in 1999 and 2003 and the annual additions of C and N was described by the Hénin–Dupuis-based equation, assuming the presence of two C and N pools (stable and fresh). Our results showed that the application of farmyard manure, slurry and maize straw induced higher C and N content compared to the application of urea without return of crop residue. The different levels of urea application did not produce any significant difference in C and N soil content. We found that approximately 2% of SOC is lost to the atmosphere annually. Furthermore, the amount of C and N retained in the soil each year varied by organic materials: 46% C and 44% N with farmyard manure, 26% C and 11% N with slurry, 28% C and 10% N with root and 6% C with maize straw and ley stubble. These results were used to inform an estimate of C lost or removed to/from atmosphere following manure application and crop residue return for the compilation of greenhouse gas inventories. We found that the most C conservative management is the production and spreading of farmyard manure and that increasing amounts of mineral N fertilizer did not affect the C sequestration extent.

Seed germination of the weed Rumex obtusifolius after on‐farm conventional, biodynamic and vermicomposting of cattle manure

AbstractThis study investigated whether composting methods differ in their impact on seed germination of Rumex obtusifolius (broad‐leaved dock). Weed seeds were buried in windrows of cattle farmyard manure, removed at monthly intervals and germinated during the course of 7 months. Composting methods differed in the maximum temperatures reached (63°C for conventional and biodynamic composting and 35°C for vermicomposting), the addition of 1000 m−2 earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for vermicomposting and the inoculation of biodynamic preparations for biodynamic composting. After 1 month in windrows, germination rate of Rumex seeds was significantly higher in vermicompost (48%) than in conventional (28%) or biodynamic compost (18%). After 2 months in windrows, 26% of the seeds germinated in vermicomposting windrows, while those inserted in conventional and biodynamic windrows showed a negligible germination (0% and 2%, respectively). After 3 and 4 months, only seeds under vermicomposting germinated (22% and 3%, respectively). No germination was determined when seeds were inserted for longer than 4 months in any of the treatments. Seeds stored at room temperature germinated at 89% over the course of the experiment. Results suggest that the maximum temperature reached in windrows is not the single main factor reducing weed seed germination during composting.

The effect on N 2O emissions of storage conditions and rapid incorporation of pig and cattle farmyard manure into tillage land

The use of additional straw in animal housing and the rapid incorporation of manure into tillage land have been recognised as potential techniques to reduce ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions. However, there is the potential for these management practices to increase nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions, i.e. 'pollution swapping'. Emissions of N 2 O were monitored during storage of either pig or cattle farmyard manure (FYM) and after application to tillage land at two UK sites. Losses of N 2 O from conventionally stored pig and cattle FYM were 2.6% and 4.3% of the total-N into store, respectively. Following land spreading, N 2 O losses ranged from 0.05) effect of extra straw use during housing on N 2 O emissions following the spreading of pig and cattle FYM. No consistent effect of FYM incorporation on N 2 O emissions was evident suggesting that rapid incorporation (<4h) can only reduce both N 2 O and NH 3 losses under site specific conditions. The results suggest that strategies to minimise N 2 O emissions from solid manure management should focus on storage rather than land spreading, and that there is a need to develop integrated manure management strategies to minimise 'pollution swapping'.

Measurement of concentrations of trace metals in arable soils with animal manure application using instrumental neutron activation analysis and the concentrated acid digestion method

An experiment was conducted to determine the accumulation of trace metals, zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), in three types of arable soils (Brown Lowland soil, Andosol and Brown Forest soil) amended with chemical fertilizers (CHF), cattle farmyard manure (CFM) and pig farmyard manure (PFM) over a 5-year period. Two methods were used to determine the total amount of trace metals: the instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), as a non-destructive measurement, and the concentrated acid digestion method (CADM), as a destructive measurement. Results of soil analyses using both INAA and CADM indicated that PFM application resulted in a considerable increase in the amount of Zn in arable soils compared with CHF application, unlike CFM application. Results obtained from the two methods were not fully in agreement for Cr. Based on INAA, soil accumulation of Cr from CFM and PFM applications was not significant in any soil type. In contrast, based on CADM, Cr accumulation was relatively higher in the Brown Forest soil with PFM than with CHF application. The soil types and treatments exerted various effects on Cr, Mn and Fe concentrations. The 5-year application of animal manure did not result in a considerable increase in Cr, Mn and Fe concentrations in soils, whereas longer-term application may lead to a gradual accumulation of Cr and Fe depending on the soil and manure types. The use of CADM in the present study may not always be adequate to assess the accumulation of trace metals in soils amended with CFM and PFM because of the conditions of the measurements, such as sensitivity, dilution level or type of instrument, and not because of the digestion method. The types of soil and manure affect trace metal accumulation in arable soils, and elements in the manure relate to the ability of soils to retain trace metals. It is important that the results of non-destructive and destructive measurements, obtained using INAA and CADM, be evaluated properly.

Different characteristics of nitrogen utilization between lupin and soybean: can lupin utilize organic nitrogen in soils?

It is well known that lupin forms cluster roots, which help in dissolving insoluble P in soils. In nonleguminous species, cluster roots also appear to contribute to the utilization of organic N in soils. In white lupin ( Lupinus albus L.), however, the characteristics of its organic N utilization have not been studied. Therefore, we examined whether white lupin can utilize organic N in soils. Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.), which does not form cluster roots, was used as a control plant. Seedlings of lupin and soybean were cultivated in soils with different N sources (non-N, ammonium sulphate, ammonium sulphate plus cattle farmyard manure, or cattle farmyard manure). The rate of glycine uptake by excised roots was determined in a hydroponic experiment to investigate the ability of lupin and soybean to directly utilize amino acids. Nitrogen accumulation in soybean corresponded to the decrease in inorganic N in the soils. In contrast, N accumulation in lupin was higher than the decrease in inorganic N in the soil, especially with the cattle farmyard manure treatment, indicating that lupin derived more N from an organic N source. Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cultivated with lupin in a pot accessed more available N than wheat with soybean or wheat in monoculture, suggesting that lupin roots themselves or the lupin rhizosphere microorganisms were able to decompose organic N in soils. Excised roots of lupin, especially cluster roots, exhibited higher rates of glycine uptake than roots of soybean. In conclusion, lupin decomposed organic N in the rhizosphere and was able to absorb amino acids from decomposition in addition to any inorganic N produced by further microbial decomposition.

Emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane from cattle manure heaps: effect of compaction and covering

Abstract The effect of compaction and covering during storage of beef cattle (Bos taurus) farmyard manure (FYM) on ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions was determined. Gaseous emission measurements were made over three separate storage periods of between 90 and 109 days. The effect of the different storage treatments on manure chemical composition was also determined. Compaction was carried out as the manure was put into store and the compacted manures covered with plastic sheeting. Compaction and covering significantly reduced NH3 emissions from manure by over 90% during the first summer storage period ( P 0.05 ) . Over the subsequent storage periods NH3 emissions from the FYM were small and unaffected by storage treatment. However, during the second storage period heavy and persistent rainfall during heap establishment and the following week appeared to reduce NH3 emissions markedly. The low ammonium-N content of the FYM in the third storage period may have reduced the risk of NH3 emission and reduced the relative effect of the compaction/covering treatment. Compaction and covering also significantly reduced N2O emissions from cattle FYM ( P 0.05 ) by ca. 30% during the first storage period. Subsequent N2O emissions were unaffected by treatment. Methane emissions from cattle FYM were unaffected by treatment over the first storage period and were decreased by compaction in the second storage period yet was increased by compaction during the third storage period. It would appear that compacting and covering manure heaps does have the potential to reduce emissions of both NH3 and N2O when the manure contains relatively high ammonium-N contents. Additional benefits are that N and K are retained in the manure heap for agronomic benefit.