Levels Of Manure Application Research Articles

Expected effects of climate change on the soil organic matter content related to contrasting agricultural management practices based on a crop model ensemble for locations in Czechia

The organic matter stored in soils is a major carbon pool with fundamental importance for the global atmospheric carbon balance. Its decomposition contributes not only to the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere but also to the release of minerals that serve as nutrients for plants growing in these soils. SOC is an indicator of soil fertility, reflecting the influences of agricultural practices on this property. Using crop models, the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) can be simulated under the assumption of different climate scenarios and different agricultural practices. The conventional agricultural practice in Czechia includes short crop rotations of mainly cereals and oil-seed rape, mineral fertilisation and removal of crop residues for technical and energy use. However, the conventional approach is often associated with soil degradation and constant depletion of soil carbon stocks. Based on the standard crop rotation method, we compared the conventional practice (CR1) to an alternative practice (CR2), in which more effort is made towards stabilising soil carbon stocks by including cover crops in the rotation, organic fertilizers and leaving crop residues in the field. We used an ensemble of crop models (APSIM, DAISY, DSSAT, HERMES, and MONICA) to assess the carbon loss from two typical agricultural soils (Chernozem and Cambisol) at three locations in Czechia under current and future climate conditions (RCP 8.5, as represented by five global climate models). The ensemble simulations revealed that using CR2 could lead to an average increase in the SOC content by 15.427 kg/ha for Chernozem and 12.624 kg/ha for Cambisol until 2080. With the use of CR1 the SOC values on average decreased by 34.462 kg/ha for Chernozem and 24.096 kg/ha for Cambisol until 2080. The 1990 value was taken as the SOC reference level. Furthermore, both the increase (CR2) and decrease (CR1) amounts SOC stabilised after 2050. As such, even at the cost of high levels of nitrogen fertilisation and the associated risk of nitrogen leaching (CR2), the additional carbon that can be stored in soils is limited. The differences due to the different climate models are negligible in the case of CR1, while in the case of CR2, the different climate scenarios (baseline vs. future) yielded different SOC equilibrium levels, with a lower level (by 4.400 kg/ha on average) under the RCP 8.5 scenario for both soils. The results showed that carbon can be sequestered by increasing organic inputs. The crop models predicted that CR2 could lead to a higher SOC content, which occurs at the cost of high manure application levels and increased risk of nitrogen leaching.

The use of animal manure for improving chemical properties of degraded Ultisol, yield, and secondary metabolic of Zingiber montanum

Ultisols in Indonesia have the potential for agricultural development, but the soils have low pH and nutrient contents that hinder plant growth and yield. Using animal manure can be an alternative to improve soil productivity and crop yields. This study aimed to examine the effects of animal manure on the chemical properties of Ultisol, yield, and secondary metabolic of <em>Zingiber montanum</em>. The treatments tested were combinations of types of manure (cow and chicken manure) and manure application levels, namely P0 (control), P1 (cow manure 20 t/ha), P2 (cow manure 40 t/ha), P3 (cow manure 60 t/ha), P4 (chicken manure 20 t/ha), P5 (chicken manure 40 t/ha), and P6 (chicken manure 60 t/ha). The results showed that the application of chicken manure of 60 t/ha increased N and P contents of the soil, and the application of cow manure of 60 t/ha increased soil cation exchange capacity. The application of cow manure of 60 t/ha gave the highest plant height, the number of leaves, and the number of at 18 weeks after planting, while the application of chicken manure dose of 60 t/ha produced the longest plant roots. The highest fresh and dry rhizome weight was observed for the 60 t/ha cow manure treatment. The highest secondary metabolic levels in each parameter were found in dry rhizomes (phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin) and fresh rhizomes (phenolic and flavonoid), with the highest tannin compound in the treatment of 40 t chicken manure/ha. The application of chicken manure at a dose of 60 t/ha resulted in a strong antioxidant yield in fresh and dry rhizomes.

Chemical composition of two maize varieties at different levels of green manure application

Abstract This study evaluated the chemical composition of two maize varieties at different levels of green manure application. The bucket experiment was laid in 2 × 3 factorial arrangement comprising two maize varieties (Oba super 2 and Suwan I) and three green manure application levels (0, 6.3 and 12.6 t/ha). The results showed that Oba super 2 had a lower (p < 0.05) Crude Protein (CP) (8.91 %) content, but had a higher (p < 0.05) ether extract (8.83 %) and ash (9.83 %) contents as compared to Suwan I. Maize fertilised with 6.3 t/ha of green manure had the highest CP (10.13 %) and ash (9.96 %) contents. Interaction effect of variety and level of green manure application showed that the least CP content (7.61 %) was recorded for unfertilised Oba Super 2 maize, whereas the highest CP content (10.21 %) was recorded for Suwan I maize fertilised with 12.6 t/ha of green manure. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), hemicellulose and cellulose contents of the two maize varieties evaluated. However, the Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (32.33 %) in Oba Super 2 variety. The rising amounts of green manure applied significantly (p < 0.05) increased both the NDF and ADF. There was no consistent variation in the NDF content as influenced by interaction of both factors with the highest (60.67 %) NDF content recorded for unfertilised Oba Super 2 maize. Calcium, potassium and phosphorus contents declined with the increasing amount of green manure added. Our results show that the green manure application improved the nutritional qualities of the planted maize and should be used in practice.

Growth components and chemical composition of some improved dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties as influenced by manure application

Field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of swine manure application on the growth components and chemical composition of nine varieties of improved dual-purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). The experiment was laid out as a 2 x 9 factorial design with two levels of manure application (0kg ha-1 and 5kg ha-1) and nine varieties of improved dual-purpose cowpea at three replicates. Agronomy parameters and dry matter yield of the cowpea were determined six weeks after sowing. Results showed that unfertilized variety IT- 332 recorded highest leaf proportion (57.27) above others. Varieties IT-193 with manure (80.00 cm) and IT-297 without manure (30) recorded significantly higher (P<0.05) values for plant height and leaf number respectively. Dry matter yield of cowpea ranged significantly higher (P<0.05) from 7.20 t ha-1 in variety IT-817 without manure to 14.85 t ha-1 in variety IT-321 with manure. The average crude protein content of improved cowpea varieties ranged significantly (P < 0.05) from 97.69 g kg-1 dry matter in unfertilized IT-817 and IT-834 to 141.17 g kg-1 dry matter in fertilized IT-819. The study showed that application of swine manure into cowpea increased the dry matter yield and chemical composition which is necessary to provide sufficient feed for ruminants that can be used as a supplement during the dry season.

Effects of swine manure application and row spacing on growth of pearl millet (<i>Cenchrus americanus</i>) during the establishment period and quality of silage produced in Southwest Nigeria

The effects of swine manure application and row spacing on dry matter yields of Cenchrus americanus (pearl millet) at 6 weeks after sowing and chemical composition, fermentative characteristics and in vitro gas production of silage produced from the forage were studied. The design was a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 row spacings (0.5 and1.0 m) and 2 levels of manure application [no manure (Control) and swine manure at 5 t/ha (22% DM; 0.34% N on DM basis)] replicated 3 times. Swine manure application had no effect (P>0.05) on dry matter yield but a row spacing of0.5 m produced higher (P<0.05) dry matter yields than 1.0 m spacing (mean 7.05 vs. 5.57 t DM/ha). Fresh forage from manured treatments had significantly higher crude protein concentration (114.9–124.2 g/kg DM) than from unfertilized plots (86.2–95.1 g/kg DM). After being ensiled for 42 days, CP% in the forage had declined by 16–18% but relative differences remained. Quality measurements indicated that silages from the various treatments were all of acceptable standard although CP% of silage from Control plots was barely high enough to provide a maintenance diet. This study suggests that, under the experimental conditions, planting of pearl millet at a spacing of0.5 m rather than 1.0 m would increase DM yields obtained in the first 6 weeks of growth, while application of swine manure would not affect yields but would increase CP% of forage produced. The laboratory study indicates that the forage produced could be ensiled successfully although there was significant loss of crude protein during the process. Since there were no significant increases in DM yields of forage, other benefits, e.g. increase in N concentration, improved soil organic matter, etc., would need to be considered in justifying the additional cost of drying and applying the manure.

Effect of Different Levels of Cattle Manure on Biomass, Seed Yield and Crude Protein Content opf Rhodes Grass

The experiment was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center (ATARC) and Negele Arsi Farmers Training Center (FTC) with the objective of assessing the effect of different levels of cattle manure on biomass and seed yields and crude protein (CP) contents of Rhodes grass. The treatments were three levels of manure application (5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and a control (with no manure application). The result indicated the highest (p<0.05) biomass, seed yield and CP contents for the treatments with cattle manure as compared to the control, The values increased with the increment in the rate of the cattle manure. However, treatments with higher levels (10 t/ha and 15t/ha) of cattle manure application didn't produce significant differences in yields and CP contents as compared to the lower level (5t/ha) of manure application. The lower yields and CP contents of the control treatment indicates that the soil did not have enough nutrients to sustain optimal performance of the grass. Economic analysis also indicated that the benefits from Rhodes grass can be increased through application of cattle manure. The marginal rate of returns of 3.33 and 20.90 were produced for forage biomass and seed yields respectively at 5 t/ha of cattle manure application. This indicated that cattle manure application at the rate of 5 t/ha is the most economical when compared with the other rates. Further study is required to determine the seasons and manure application frequencies in the year for optimum yield, minimizing the risk of nutrient leaching, and environmental impact. Keywords: Biomass yield, Cattle manure, Seed yield, Rhodes grass DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-9-06 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Screening of plant growth promotion ability among bacteria isolated from field-grown sorghum under different managements in Brazilian drylands.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a multipurpose grass cultivated in drylands due to its adaptation to drought. However the characteristics of sorghum-associated bacteria are not known in the Brazilian drylands. The aim of this study was to isolate and evaluate the plant growth promotion potential bacteria from field-grown sorghum under two irrigation and manure application levels in a Brazilian semi-arid reagion. Sorghum was irrigated with 3 or 1mm day-1 and fertilized or not with liquid goat manure. Bacteria were obtained from surface-disinfected roots applying two nitrogen-free semi-solid media. The bacteria were evaluated for the presence of nifH gene, 16S rRNA sequences, calcium-phosphate solubilization, production of auxins and siderophores and for sorghum growth promotion. We obtained 20 out of 24 positive bacteria for nifH. The isolates were classified as in six different genera. All isolates produced auxins "in vitro", six bacteria produced siderophores and three Enterobacteriaceae solubilized calcium-phosphate. At least ten bacteria resulted in the increased total N content in the sorghum shoots, comparable to fertilization with 50mg N plant-1 week-1 and to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5. Enterobacter sp. ESA 57 was the best sorghum plant-growth promoting bacteria isolated in this study.

Growth and Yield Responses of Cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to Different Nitrogen Levels of Goat Manure in the Humid Ultisols Environment

A field trial was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria between May and July in both 2015 and 2016 to evaluate growth and yield responses of cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) to different nitrogen levels of goat manure. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design involving five treatments and replicated three times. The treatments were cured goat manure applied at levels of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N ha-1. Growth parameters were collected on vine length (cm), vine girth (cm), number of branches, number of leaves and leaf area index (LAI). Yield parameters assessed were fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), number of fruits per plant and fruit yield (t ha-1). Goat manure application significantly (P < 0.05) influenced growth parameters positively, which led to the enhancement of the fruit yield. Goat manure application levels of 200 (20.85 t ha-1), 300 (20.85 t ha-1) and 400 (26.21 t ha-1) kg N ha-1 had similar (P > 0.05) fruit yield, but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of 0 (12.34 t ha-1) and 10 (16.96 t ha-1) kg N ha-1. It thus recommended that goat manure at 20 kg N ha-1 is more appropriate for cucumber production in the humid ultisols environment.

Effect of Repeated Application of Manure on Herbage Yield, Quality and Wintering Ability during Cropping of Dwarf Napiergrass with Italian Ryegrass in Hilly Southern Kyushu, Japan

The effects of two levels of manure application (184 and 275 kg N ha−1 year−1) on herbage yield, quality, and wintering ability during the cropping of a dwarf genotype of late-heading (DL) Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) oversown with Italian ryegrass (IR; Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were examined and compared with chemical fertilizer application (234 kg N ha−1 year−1) for 4 years to determine a sustainable and environmentally harmonized herbage production in a hilly area (340 m above sea level). No significant (p > 0.05) differences in growth attributes of plant height, tiller density, percentage of leaf blade, or dry matter yield appeared in either DL Napiergrass or IR among moderate levels (184–275 kg N ha−1 year−1) of manure and chemical fertilizer treatments. IR exhibited no significant detrimental effect on spring regrowth of DL Napiergrass, which showed a high wintering ability in all treatments. In vitro dry matter digestibility of DL Napiergrass tended to increase with increasing manure application, especially at the first defoliation in the first three years. Manure application improved soil chemical properties and total nitrogen and carbon content. The results suggested that the lower rate of manure application of 184 kg nitrogen ha−1 year−1 would be suitable, which would be a good substitute for chemical fertilizer application with an equilibrium nitrogen budget for sustainable DL Napiergrass and IR cropping in the hilly region of southern Kyushu.

Historical role of manure application and its influence on soil nutrients and maize productivity in the semi-arid Ethiopian Rift Valley

Maize yield dynamics generally involve temporal changes, because increasing soil organic matter through manure application influences maize yields over the longer term, while inorganic nutrient application controls shorter term yields. These temporal soil properties and yield changes have been measured with long-term experiments. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), long-term experiments (more than 20 years) are rare due mainly to lack of funds. Farmers in the semi-arid northern Ethiopian Rift Valley (NERV) apply manure to maize fields in the long term. The relationships between the manure application levels, nutrient supply, soil nutrient levels, maize grain yields, and above-ground plant nutrient uptake levels were investigated by field measurement, interviews with farmers, laboratory analyses, and 2-years’ yield trials. The farmers applied on average 6.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 of manure over 16.8 years on average. Significant linear or curve-linear correlations were found (1) between the annual nutrient supply and soil nutrient levels and (2) between the soil nutrient levels and maize productivities with minor exceptions. The regression equations determined from the yield trials proved 3.0 and 4.0 Mg ha−1 of maize yields can be expected when soil available N contents were 3.9 and 5.1 mg kg−1 in an ordinary rainfall year in NERV. For the farmers who apply 6.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 manure, they are recommended to use 30 kg ha−1 yr−1 additional Urea to attain 3.0 Mg ha−1 maize yields. These types of assessment methods do not require much cost, and yet it can provide long-term scientific information in SSA.

Studying the Effect of Implement of Two Plowing Depths and Manure Mixing with Soil on the Soil Moisture Content

A field experiment was carried out in silty clay soil at Agricultural Research Station of Garmat Ali in order to study the effect of the plowing depths and manure application on soil moisture content at different soil depths (0-10 (d1), 10-20 (d2), 20-30 (d3), 30-40 (d4), 40-50 (d5) and 50-60 cm (d6)) and two periods (after plowing and after harvesting the sunflower crop). The experiment was conducted using an implement of plowing and manure mixing with soil, which consists of two main parts (two moldboard plows and two subsoilers).The implement was designed and manufactured in the Agriculture machines and Equipment Department in 2015. The treatments used in the study were included two levels of manure application (0 and 45.5 ton ha-1) and two plowing depths of moldboard plow (M) with three plowing depths of subsoiler (S). They were 20 cm of moldboard plow with 20, 30 and 40 cm of subsoiler (M20S20, M20S30 and M20S40), and 30 cm of moldboard plow with 10, 20 and 30 cm of subsoiler (M30S10, M30S20 and M30S30). The results showed that the soil moisture content (MC) was significantly decreased with increasing the plowing depths by the moldboard plows and subsoilers especially after soil plowing. While, the MC significantly increased with increasing the soil depth after the plowing and after harvesting the crop. In contrast, mixing the manure with soil at level 45.5 ton ha-1 by the manufactured implement increased the soil moisture content by 10.73% after the plowing and by 2.33% after the harvesting the sunflower crop compared with untreated soil with manure.

Differential responses of soil nematode community to pig manure application levels in Ferric Acrisols.

Excessive pig manure application probably degrades arable soil quality in some intensive pig farming areas. The responses of the nematode community to dosages of pig manure were investigated in Ferric Acrisols under 3-season peanut monoculture. Varying dosages of manure (1.75, 3.5, 7, 14 and 28 t·ha−1·yr−1) in combination with chemical fertilizer were applied to field plots, and chemical fertilizer alone was also applied as a control. With increasing manure application, the abundance of bacterivores and omnivores-predators increased, the abundance of plant parasites decreased, and fungivores abundance exhibited hump-shaped variation. Simpson diversity index and plant parasite index/maturity index of the nematode communities increased to a maximum level at a manure application rate of 3.5 t·ha−1·yr−1 and then sharply decreased. The changes in the soil nematode community were further determined to be correlated with chemical properties; available phosphorus had the strongest quadratic correlation with the two indices, implying that available phosphorus had a better indicative effect than other soil properties to nematode community. Available phosphorus in soil was deduced from 49 to 64 mg·kg−1 with the best nematode communities. Our results emphasized the importance of regular applications of manure in agriculture field to balance nematode diversity and build healthy agro-ecosystems.

Effect of Cover Crop Species and Liquid Manure Application Rate on Green Manure Production, Leaf Mineral Content, Fruit Quality and Soil Chemical Properties in Pear Orchard

Cover cropping and liquid manure application are considered as effective ways to replace the use of chemical fertilizer in orchard. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cover crop species and liquid manure application rate on green manure production, leaf mineral content, fruit quality and soil chemical properties in pear orchard. The treatments include rye and hairy vetch as cover crops, two liquid manure application levels based on N and <TEX>$K_2O$</TEX> requirement on each cover crop species, and chemical fertilizer as control. Green manure production was higher in hairy vetch than in rye. K content of pear leaves and soil exchangeable K content increased in N based liquid manure application treatments. The yield was higher in rye + liquid manure and fertilizer treatments, and fruit quality was not different between the treatments. Taking all of these into account, rye + <TEX>$K_2O$</TEX> requirement-based liquid manure application is recommended in pear orchard for not only sufficient nutrient supply but also prevention of any problem related with soil <TEX>$K_2O$</TEX> accumulation in pear orchard in long-term perspective.

청보리 재배 시 콩과 사료작물의 혼파와 우분의 시용이 생산성, 사료가치 및 유기한우 사육능력에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 환경오염을 감소시키고 유기축산물의 생산에 기여할 수 있는 유기조사료를 효율적으로 생산하기 위해 대표적인 동계작물인 청보리에 콩과 사료작물의 혼파와 발효우분을 시용하여 생산성과 사료가치를 평가하고, 토양의 지력 향상과 가축분뇨의 자원화를 위한 가축분뇨의 적정시용수준을 구명하여 단위면적당 유기한우 사육능력을 추정하고자 하였다. 콩과 사료작물의 혼파에 따른 평균 청보리의 건물, 조단백질 및 TDN 수량은 5.09~5.21, 0.48~0.51 및 3.19~3.21 톤/ha으로 단파로 재배했을 경우의 4.28, 0.38 및 2.8톤/ha 보다 유의하게 증가하였으나 혼파구 간에는 차이가 없었고, 발효우분의 질소시용수준이 증가함에 따라 청보리의 평균건물, 조단백질 및 TDN 수량은 무비구(3.97, 0.37 및 2.56 톤/ha)에 비해 100~150 kg N/ha (5.23~5.76, 0.49~0.54 및 3.28~3.55)에서 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.05). 콩과사료작물의 혼파에 따른 조단백질과 ADF 함량은 헤어리베치 혼파구(각각 9.7과 34.5%) >사료용 완구 혼파구(각각 9.3과 33.0%) >청보리의 단파구(각각 8.7과 30.5%) 순으로 유의하게 낮아졌으며 우분 질소시용수준에 따른 청보리의 조단백질 함량과 NDF 함량은 처리수준 간 유의한 차이가 인정되지 않았지만 ADF 함량은 시용수준이 증가함에 따라 유의하게 증가하였고 TDN 함량은 반대로 감소하였다(p<0.05). 콩과 사료작물의 혼파에 따른 청보리에 의한 유기한우 사육능력(체중 450 kg, 400 g 일당증체 목표)은 평균 2.62~2.72두로 유의하게 증가하였고. 발효우분 질소시용수준이 증가됨에 따라 청보리에 의한 유기한우 사육능력은 유의하게 증가하였다(p<0.05). 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때, 청보리 재배 시 콩과 사료 작물의 혼파 하였을 경우에는 단파재배 보다 발효우분의 질소시용수준을 ha 당 50 kg 이상 줄이면서도 건물수량을 포함한 생산성과 유기한우 사육능력 증대는 물론 조단백질 함량 등 사료가치를 향상을 시켜 한우 사양 시 조사료자원의 다양화 뿐 아니라 저투입에 의한 고품질 조사료 생산으로 유기축산물 생산에 크게 기여하리라 사료된다. This study was to assess the effect of sowing mixed legume forage and applying cattle manure on the productivity and feed value of whole-crop barley (WCB) as a representative of winter crops and to estimate feeding capacity of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) per unit area by defining optimal application level of cattle manure for more fertile soil and manure recycling for the purpose of reduced environmental pollution and efficient production of organic forage contributable to production of organic animal products. Sowing mixed legume forage significantly (p<0.05) increased yields of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) for WCB compared to WCB alone sowing, but there was no difference between mixed sowing treatments. The yields of DM, CP and TDN were significantly (p<0.05) highest in 100~150 kg N/hg. The CP and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents were highest in mixed sowing with hairy vetch, followed by sowing mixed forage pea and WCB alone (p<0.05). There were no differences in CP and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents among cattle manure application levels. As nitrogen application level increased, ADF content increased (p<0.05), but TDN content decreased (p<0.05). Feeding capacity of organic Hanwoo (head/ha) weighing 450 kg of body weight with 400 g of daily gain significantly (p<0.05) increased due to mixed sowing with legume forage, and with increasing application levels of fermented cattle manure, feeding capacity significantly (p<0.05) increased. The results indicate that mixed-sowing of WCB and legume forage not only cut nitrogen application level of fermented cattle manure by over 50 kg per ha but also increased their feed value and productivity, and feeding capacity. This would be contributable to diversity of forage resources as well as production of organic animal product by creating low cost and high quality of forage.

Metabolite profiling of Komatsuna (Brassica rapa L.) field-grown under different soil organic amendment and fertilization regimes

Among agricultural soil fertility management options, the environmental benefits of organic amendments have recently drawn particular attention. However, little information exists about their effects on crop metabolites or quality. Field plots of Komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis) were planted in a fractional factorial design with the following treatments: soil amendments of cattle manure (0, 2 or 4 kg m−2), wheat straw (0, 0.05 or 0.1 kg m−2), fast release nitrogen (N) (0, 6 or 12 g N m−2 of ammonium sulfate), slow release N (0, 3 or 6 g N m−2 of coated ammonium nitrate), phosphorus (P) [0, 5 or 10 g phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) m−2 of lime superphosphate] and potassium (K) [0, 6 and 12 g potassium oxide (K2O) m−2 as potassium sulfate]. Metabolite profiling was carried out using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), which yielded 62 and 67 metabolites in the leaves and the petioles, respectively. Metabolite peak areas were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The first component accounted for 44.1% of the total variance and bore a close relationship to N. The third component accounted for 8.8% of the total variance and was used to distinguish between different levels of manure application. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) of treatment factor effects on individual metabolites showed that the three most significant factors, from highest to lowest, were N absorption, manure amendments and slow release N. The effects of the manure amendments were not fully explained by its attendant N, P or K inputs. This result raises the question as to what mechanisms may bring about the metabolic changes caused by the manure amendment. The current findings will serve to direct further studies on the relationship between crop quality and cultivation procedures and will lead to more efficient quality control methods.

Irrigação, matéria orgânica e cobertura morta na produção de mudas de cumaru (Amburana cearensis)

Conduziu-se um experimento em um viveiro visando estudar os efeitos da irrigação, da adubação orgânica e da cobertura morta no solo, sobre o crescimento das mudas de cumaru (Amburana cearensis), planta nativa de múltiplas utilidades. Cinco quantidades de água foram aplicadas no solo, determinadas em função da evapotranspiração (0,25; 0,50; 0,75; 1,00; 1,25 ET); três níveis de esterco de boi no solo, como fração do volume total do solo (0,25; 0,50; 0,75) e presença e ausência de cobertura morta. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Aos 147 dias após a semeadura, observou-se que, com exceção da altura das plantas, afetada pela cobertura do solo, nenhuma das variáveis estudadas foi afetada significativamente pelos tratamentos utilizados. O cumaru parece adaptar-se às condições adversas de água e matéria orgânica no solo. A presença de cobertura morta no solo além de aumentar a altura das mudas significou uma economia de 41% da água de irrigação utilizada.

Effect of uncertainty on farmers decision making: Case of animal manure use

Due to the high levels of manure application and the poor use efficiency of manure, the European agriculture is held responsible for a considerable negative impact on surface water quality (Langeveld et al., 2007). This problem has emerged particularly in Western-European countries such as the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands and Denmark, facing a large expansion and intensification process in the livestock production since the 1960s (Van der Straeten et al., 2008). Policy measures related to the application of manure on the land encompass two major measures: emission rights, understood as the amount of nutrients which can be applied on the land, differentiated by crop and the N spreading calendars, whereby the manure can only be applied when the crop needs nutrients. The fundamental aim of this pillar is to maximising application rate while avoiding overfertilisation. Maximizing the application rate is related to the economic sustainability of the agricultural sector, by altering the manure surplus, while avoiding overfertilisation is imperative in enhancing ecological sustainability, by preventing nitrate leaching to surface and soil waters. For nitrate policy to meet its target, the farmers should not exceed their emission rights, however make optimal use of their emission right for manure. Consequently, the successful implementation of sink-related measures will strongly depend of the absorptive capacity of farmers towards new ways of nutrient management in general and of animal manures in particular.

Seeding rate for the sorghum‐sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor Moench × Sorghum sudanense [Piper] Stapf.) in the mixed seeding cultivation with corn (Zea mays L.) under a partial tillage condition in Kyushu region, Japan

AbstractIn the Kyushu region of Japan, mixed seeding cultivation of corn and sorghum is promising as a labor‐saving cropping system that makes effective use of forage crop fields in the summer season. In this study, we tested a few levels of seeding rates of a sorghum‐sudangrass hybrid (SSH) in a mixed seeding with corn planted at the standard rate (6.67 plants m−2) under a partial tillage condition in fields where Italian ryegrass had been sown after manure application and its second crop had been harvested. Our results indicate that the appropriate seeding rate of SSH with corn under partial tillage to maximize both the corn yield in the first crop and the annual yield is 1 g m−2, irrespective of the manure application levels. At this rate, the annual yield from the mixed‐seeded plots of corn and SSH was 20% higher than that from plots on which corn was seeded alone.

Comparative study on yield and chemical composition of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) using different levels of manure application

ABSTRACTThe effects of three levels of manure application (0, 4 and 8 ton/10 a) with basic fertilizer (N : P : K = 10:10:10 kg/10 a) on the yield and chemical composition of maize (Pioneer 32K61) and sorghum (FS501) forages were examined in 2 successive years, 2001–2002. Maize was harvested at yellow ripe stage, while sorghum at dough stage. Dry matter yield (DMY) of sorghum was significantly higher than that of maize in both 2001 and 2002. Although, DMY of both sorghum and maize were not significantly affected by manure levels in 2001, they increased with the level of manure in 2002. Maize had higher levels of crude protein (CP) and lower crude fiber concentration than those of sorghum in both 2001 and 2002. Manure application had no effect on chemical compositions of both maize and sorghum except for CP in both years and organic a fraction (Oa) concentration in 2002. The higher manure application might have greater effects on sorghum and maize production because of higher DMY in the second year without any increase in fiber fraction.

Mineral properties and their balance in manure, soil, plant and water of pot‐cultured napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)

AbstractIn order to investigate mineral properties in manure, soil, plant and water of pot‐cultured napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach cv. Wruk wona), napiergrass plants were grown in a sandy soil of 1/2000 a Wagner pots, designated as a plant (P) plot and a without‐plant (WP) plot and were set under the same levels of manure application to compare the mineral properties with a P plot in 2002 and 2003. Plants were treated under four (control, low, medium and high) and three (control, low and high) levels of basal cattle manure application in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphoric acid (TP) concentrations of applied manure were higher than those of sampled manure during the growing period in all application levels in both P and WP plots, while the rate of decrease in each element was higher in P plots than in WP plots. Soil inorganic nitrogen (IN) concentration changed in the same pattern with the soil electric conductivity (EC), was lower in P plots than in WP plots and also decreased greatly from July to August and tended to decrease from August to September in all manure application levels. The contents and concentrations of TN and TP in the whole plant, as well as in each plant part of napiergrass, increased with the increase in manure application and the major nutrient elements of total potassium (TK), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents also increased, where the equivalent ratio of K/(Ca + Mg) was higher in stem with leaf sheath than in leaf blade. In all application levels, TN concentrations of percolating water were consistently lower in P plots than in WP plots and were not significantly different among application levels in P plots, while they increased with the increase in manure application in WP plots. Nitrogen and phosphoric acid use efficiencies by napiergrass in P plots were calculated at approximately 42% and 25–30%, respectively. The significance of accumulated nutrients from the previous cropping by manure application was discussed under the sequence of cropping systems in napiergrass.