Manure Application Methods Research Articles

Methods of poultry and vermicompost manure application and its effect on growth and yield of red okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Bundelkhand

Methods of poultry and vermicompost manure application and its effect on growth and yield of red okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Bundelkhand

The fate of 17β-estradiol in snowmelt from a field with a history of manure application: A laboratory simulation and field study

17β-estradiol is a naturally occurring estrogen, and livestock manure applied to agricultural fields is a major source to the environment. Liquid swine manure is widely applied to agricultural fields in the Canadian Prairies, a region where the majority of the annual runoff occurs during a brief snowmelt period over frozen soil. Transport of estrogens from manure amendments to soil during this important hydrological period is not well understood but is critical to mitigating the snowmelt-driven offsite transport of estrogens. This study quantified the concentration and load of 17β-estradiol in snowmelt from an agricultural field with a history of manure application under manure application methods: no manure applied, manure applied on the sub-surface, and on the surface, using a laboratory simulation study with flooded intact soil cores and a field study during snowmelt. A higher concentration of 17β-estradiol was in the laboratory simulation than in the field (mean laboratory pore water = 1.65 ± 1.2 μg/L; mean laboratory flood water = 0.488 ± 0.58 μg/L; and mean field snowmelt = 0.0619 ± 0.048 μg/L). There were no significant differences among manure application methods for 17β-estradiol concentration. Laboratory pore water concentrations significantly increased over time, corresponding with changes in pH. In contrast, there was no significant change in the field snowmelt concentrations of 17β-estradiol over time. However, for both laboratory simulation experiments and field-based snowmelt experiments, mean concentrations of 17β-estradiol were higher with subsurface than surface-applied manure, and the cumulative load of 17β-estradiol was significantly higher in the sub-surface than in surface applied. The mean cumulative load from the field study across all treatments (6.91 ± 3.7 ng/m2) approximates the magnitude of 17β-estradiol that could be mobilized from manured fields. The sub-surface application of manure seems to increase the persistence of 17β-estradiol in soil, thus enhancing the potential loss to snowmelt runoff.

Comparison of manure application methods on nutrient and metal loss to snowmelt

Manure injection is well documented to reduce rain-driven nutrient losses, but the effect on snowmelt-driven losses is less studied. This study examined the surface application versus injection of liquid swine manure on phosphorus (P), nitrate‑nitrogen (nitrate-N), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) release from soils to snowmelt. Manure was applied in the fall of 2021 to four replicated plots of surface-applied or injected treatments, and boxes were installed to collect snowmelt in each plot, including four unmanured (control) plots. In the spring of 2022, the snowmelt was collected from each box for 10 days, volume was recorded, and analyzed for dissolved reactive P (DRP), nitrate-N, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg, and Ca concentrations, and pH. The mean daily snowmelt volume and snowmelt depth ranged from 2.9 to 25.2 L, and 2.7 to 23.3 mm, respectively. The mean snowmelt DRP concentrations for manure injected, surface-applied, and control treatments were 0.66 ± 0.07, 0.89 ± 0.07, and 0.65 ± 0.07 mg L−1, respectively. The mean DRP concentration did not vary among the manure application methods for the first 5 days of snowmelt. However, DRP was significantly higher in the manure surface-applied treatment, compared to both control and manure-injected treatments on days 7 and 8, compared to the control on day 6, and compared to the manure-injected on day 9. The effect of the manure application method on nitrate-N (3.27 to 3.60 mg L−1) and metal concentrations in the snowmelt was not significant. The cumulative loads (mean across application methods and sampling days in kg ha−1) of DRP (0.56), nitrate-N (4.03), and metals [Zn (0.11), Mn (0.01), Fe (0.18), Mg (8.03), Ca (21.70)] mobilized with snowmelt flooding did not significantly vary among the manure application methods. Results suggest that DRP, nitrate, and metal loads were primarily controlled by the snowmelt volume rather than their concentrations. Therefore, land management practices that reduce the volume of snowmelt discharge could be more effective for reducing the P, nitrate-N, and metal loss to snowmelt from manured soils.

Risk factors associated with the prevalence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli in manured soils on certified organic farms in four regions of the USA

IntroductionBiological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), including untreated amendments are often used to improve soil fertility and are particularly important in organic agriculture. However, application of untreated manure on cropland can potentially introduce foodborne pathogens into the soil and onto produce. Certified organic farms follow the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards that stipulate a 90- or 120-day interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, depending on whether the edible portion of the crop directly contacts the soil. This time-interval metric is based on environmental factors and does not consider a multitude of factors that might affect the survival of the main pathogens of concern. The objective of this study was to assess predictors for the prevalence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (non-O157 STEC) in soils amended with untreated manure on USDA-NOP certified farms.MethodsA longitudinal, multi-regional study was conducted on 19 farms in four USA regions for two growing seasons (2017–2018). Untreated manure (cattle, horse, and poultry), soil, and irrigation water samples were collected and enrichment cultured for non-O157 STEC. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictors of non-O157 STEC in the soil up to 180 days post-manure application.Results and discussionResults show that farm management practices (previous use with livestock, presence of animal feces on the field, season of manure application) and soil characteristics (presence of generic E. coli in the soil, soil moisture, sodium) increased the odds of STEC-positive soil samples. Manure application method and snowfall decreased the odds of detecting STEC in the soil. Time-variant predictors (year and sampling day) affected the presence of STEC. This study shows that a single metric, such as the time interval between application of untreated manure and crop harvest, may not be sufficient to reduce the food safety risks from untreated manure, and additional environmental and farm-management practices should also be considered. These findings are of particular importance because they provide multi-regional baseline data relating to current NOP wait-time standards. They can therefore contribute to the development of strategies to reduce pathogen persistence that may contribute to contamination of fresh produce typically eaten raw from NOP-certified farms using untreated manure.

Influence of manure application method on veterinary medicine losses to water

Veterinary medicines are routinely used within modern animal husbandry, which results in frequent detections within animal manures and slurries. The application of manures to land as a form of organic fertiliser presents a pathway by which these bioactive chemicals can enter the environment. However, to date, there is limited understanding regarding the influence of commonly used manure application methods on veterinary medicine fate in soil systems. To bridge this knowledge gap, a semi-field study was conducted to assess the influence of commonly used application methods such as, broadcast, chisel sweep, and incorporation on veterinary medicine losses to waters. A range of veterinary medicines were selected and applied as a mixture; these were enrofloxacin, florfenicol, lincomycin, meloxicam, oxytetracycline, sulfadiazine, trimethoprim and tylosin. All the assessed veterinary medicines were detected within surface runoff and leachates, and the concentrations generally decreased throughout the irrigation period. The surface runoff concentrations ranged from 0.49 to 183.47 μg/L and 2.26–236.83 μg/L for the bare soil and grass assessments respectively. The leachate concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 309.66 μg/L and 0.33–37.79 μg/L for the bare soil and grass assessments respectively. More advanced application methods (chisel sweep) were found to significantly reduce the mass loads of veterinary medicines transported to surface runoff and leachate by 13–56% and 49–88% over that of broadcast. Incorporating pig slurries reduced the losses further with surface runoff and leachate losses being 13–56% and 49–88% lower than broadcast. Our results show that manure application techniques have a significant effect on veterinary medicine fate in the environment and as such these effects should be considered in the decision-making processes for the management of manures as well as from a risk mitigation perspective for aquatic compartments.

Manure Application Timing and Incorporation Effects on Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Corn

Manure application influences ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas emissions; however, few studies have quantified the effects of manure application methods and timing on NH3, nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) fluxes simultaneously. We evaluated surface-applied liquid manure application with disk incorporation versus injection on NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes in central Wisconsin corn silage (Zea mays L.) plots during pre-plant (PP) and sidedress (SD) application windows from 2009 to 2011. Manure treatments were PP injection (PP-Inject) and injection at sidedress time (SD-Inject) to growing corn, along with two incorporation times for PP surface application (within 24 h—PP-1-hr; within 3 days—PP-3-day). Mean NH3 emissions were 95% lower for injected treatments compared to surface application in both years, with larger losses for PP-3-day and SD-Surf. While N2O fluxes were generally low, larger increases after manure application were associated with injection and triggered by soil moisture/temperature changes. Mean CO2 and CH4 were unaffected by manure treatments and influenced more by weather. Overall, injection conserved more available soil N while contributing to modest N2O emission, suggesting manure injection may offer greater agri-environmental benefits on the whole over surface application.

Community-based approaches to support the anchoring of climate-smart agriculture in Tanzania

We assess the impact of community-based approaches to promote adoption of integrated climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices based on soybean cultivation combined with mulching, intercropping, crop rotation, manure application and rhizobium inoculation methods. We use quasi-experimental data of farmers participating in Farmer Field Business Schools (FFBS) and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Iringa region of Tanzania. Farmers received technical training and financial support for the initial adoption of soybean production, and women's empowerment supported household's continuous involvement in CSA practices. We find a positive effect for farmers participating in the trainings provided by the FFBSs and receiving microfinance services from VLSA members on the adoption rates of several CSA practices, and this effect became more pronounced for households with higher scores on women empowerment. Farm-level improvement in soybean production and market-level incentives for soybean sales should also strengthen household income, consumption and nutrition levels to maintain CSA practices. Community-based platforms create critical external conditions for introducing CSA practices, but women's empowerment is indispensable for intrinsic incentives for anchoring their adoption.

Subsurface Manure Injection Reduces Surface Transport of Antibiotic Resistance Genes but May Create Antibiotic Resistance Hotspots in Soils.

Compared to surface application, manure subsurface injection reduces surface runoff of nutrients, antibiotic resistant microorganisms, and emerging contaminants. Less is known regarding the impact of both manure application methods on surface transport of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in manure-amended fields. We applied liquid dairy manure to field plots by surface application and subsurface injection and simulated rainfall on the first or seventh day following application. The ARG richness, relative abundance (normalized to 16s rRNA), and ARG profiles in soil and surface runoff were monitored using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Within 1 day of manure application, compared to unamended soils, soils treated with manure had 32.5-70.5% greater ARG richness and higher relative abundances of sulfonamide (6.5-129%) and tetracycline (752-3766%) resistance genes (p ≤ 0.05). On day 7, soil ARG profiles in the surface-applied plots were similar to, whereas subsurface injection profiles were different from, that of the unamended soils. Forty-six days after manure application, the soil ARG profiles in manure injection slits were 37% more diverse than that of the unamended plots. The abundance of manure-associated ARGs were lower in surface runoff from manure subsurface injected plots and carried a lower resistome risk score in comparison to surface-applied plots. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that although manure subsurface injection reduces ARGs in the runoff, it can create potential long-term hotspots for elevated ARGs within injection slits.

Determinants of Soil Fertility Information Needs and Access Among Smallholder Farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya

ABSTRACT Soil fertility decline is a significant challenge to the agroecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Accurate and demand-driven soil fertility information is vital for improving agricultural production. We achieved two objectives, i) identifying soil fertility information needs and access and ii) assessing socioeconomic determinants of soil fertility information needs and access among smallholder farmers in the central highlands of Kenya. We sampled 397 smallholder farming households in Murang’a and Tharaka-Nithi counties. We found high soil fertility information need indices among farmers in the two regions. The main soil fertility information needs for farmers in Murang’a County were knowing the correct method of manure application, knowing sources of information, and how to determine soil fertility levels. In Tharaka-Nithi County, farmers’ information priorities were how to apply conservation agriculture, knowing soil erosion control methods, and how to apply animal manure. We found mixed results on soil fertility information access ranging from low to high across different information items and study sites. The binary logistic regression results highlight the influence of farmer perceptions and other factors on soil fertility information need and access. To promote soil fertility information access, agricultural policies should consider site-specific information priorities and socioeconomic contexts.

Influence of Manure Application Method on Veterinary Medicine Losses to Water

Influence of Manure Application Method on Veterinary Medicine Losses to Water

Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds from Land-Applied Beef Cattle Manure as Affected by Application Method, Diet, and Soil Water Condition

HighlightsThe largest contributors to odor activity values (OAV) were heptanoic acid (23.5%), hexanoic acid (17.6%), indole (14.7%), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) (9.50%).Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) were greater from plots where manure was surface-applied than from plots with incorporated manure.Emissions of DMDS and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) (0.318 and 0.074 µg m-2 min-1, respectively) were greater for plots with manure from beef cattle fed a diet containing 30% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS).Rainfall immediately after manure application influenced the types and amounts of VOC that were emitted.Abstract. Land application of beef cattle manure may result in the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diet, land application method, soil water condition, and time since manure application on VOC emissions. Manure was collected from feedlot pens where cattle were fed diets containing 0%, 10%, or 30% wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). The effects of manure application method (surface-applied or incorporated) and soil water condition (saturated or wet) on VOC emissions were measured over a 48 h period. Heptanoic, hexanoic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids contributed 23.5%, 17.6%, 9.26%, and 3.39% (0.034, 0.258, 0.030, and 0.014 µg m-2 min-1), respectively, to total odor activity values (OAV). The aromatics indole and skatole contributed 14.7% and 8.84%, (0.005 and 0.0004 µg m-2 min-1), respectively, to total OAV. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) contributed 9.50% (0.013 µg m-2 min-1) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) contributed 5.68% (0.030 µg m-2 min-1) to total OAV. Emissions of the sulfur compounds (DMDS and DMTS) were substantially greater for the 30% WDGS diet. With the exception of heptanoic acid, flux measurements were greater from the plots where manure was surface-applied than from the plots where manure was incorporated. Emissions of each VOC were greater on the first day following manure application when a saturated soil water condition was present. VOC flux values were found to rapidly decrease following manure application. Effective best management practices for reducing VOC emissions are to incorporate manure soon after application and to delay land application when there is a high probability of rainfall. Keywords: Air contaminants, Air quality, Environmental management, Land application, Manure management, Odor control, Odor emission, Odor evaluation, Volatile organic compounds, Volatile fatty acids.

Influence of manure application method on gray forest soil fertility, crop yield and quality

The article presents the results of field experiments on deepening the arable horizon of gray forest medium loamy soil to increase its fertility through applying organic fertilizer under PY-3-35 layer plow to a depth of 2527 cm. Low mineralization of organic fertilizer during layer cultivation under oxygen deficiency conditions contributed to accumulation of humus in soil by 6.6 t/ha more than during conventional plowing, and by 7.5 t/ha - than during disking. It also improved water-physical and biological properties of soil: number of water-resistant aggregates increased by 4.6 and 5.3 %, soil density lowered by 0.03 and 0.04 g/cm3, number of earthworms increased by 3...6 individuals, expanded reproduction of fertility was provided, productivity of arable land increased by 7.0 and 6.7 % and crop quality increased compared to conventional plowing and disking, respectively. Deep manure incorporation extended life of organic fertilizer up to 5 years, while after conventional plowing and disking this process lasted only 2...3 years. It is not economically and environmentally beneficial, since frequent application requires a lot of fuel, and a large amount of harmful chemical compounds contained in combustion products is dumped into the environment.

Effect of Sheep Dropping Manure Application Rate and Methods of Propagation on the Growth and Yield Component of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativum) in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study was conducted at Crop Production Nursery Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kogi State University Anyigba. The study area which is Kogi State, to determine the effect of sheep dropping rate and staking on the yield and yield component of cucumber. Staked and unstaked and four treatment levels (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg per hectare) were evaluated. The study was conducted as a 2x1 factorial laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatment means were separated using least significant difference (LSD0.05). The result generated from the study showed that number of fruits, number of marketable fruits and weight of fruits. Staking had no significant effect on number of fruits, but showed significant effect on number of branches, number of leaves and plant height. The staked treatment constantly performed better with higher values than the non-staked treatment. Result obtained from data analysis shows that Cucumber growth, yields and yield components were enhanced with the incorporation of Poultry droppings across various treatment rates. Hence for maximum production of cucumber staking and optimum sheep dropping should be adopted.

Manure Application Method Affects Ammonia and Greenhouse Gases

Manure Application Method Affects Ammonia and Greenhouse Gases

Early growth and dry matter partitioning of yellow passion fruit as affected by time of application and method of poultry manure placement

Purpose Passion fruit cultivation and utilization is fast emerging in Nigeria. Poultry farms are increasing with the corresponding increase in poultry manure production which is relatively affordable by farmers. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of placement method and time of poultry manure (PM) application on early growth and dry matter partitioning of yellow passion fruit. Method PM placement methods were incorporation, top-dressing, bottom-dressing and split combination of top-and bottom-dressing while time of PM application comprised application at transplanting, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT). The experiments were laid out as completely randomized design, replicated five and six times, respectively for PM placement methods and time of PM application. Growth and dry matter yield were determined at two weeks' interval and 20 WAT, respectively. Results Longest vines (78.5 cm) were significantly (p <0.05) produced by plants that were grown in PM incorporated medium. Thickest stems (6.75 mm), highest number of leaves (66.4) and dry matter accumulation were recorded in plants that received PM as top-dressing followed by PM incorporation. Application of PM at transplanting resulted in longest vines (95.8 cm), highest number of leaves (69.5) and dry matter partitioning to leaves, vines and roots. Conclusion PM top placement performed best with respect to early growth parameters and dry matter accumulation followed by PM incorporation, hence PM top placement is recommended for production of vigorous passion fruit vines in container. Poultry manure should be applied at transplanting for vigorous vines and not delayed beyond 4 weeks after transplanting.

Nitrous oxide emissions from manured, no-till corn systems

Using dairy manure and legumes in crop rotations can reduce inorganic N inputs for corn (Zea mays L.), yet these practices can also contribute to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. In two crop rotations we investigated how different (i) organic and inorganic N amendments and (ii) prior legume crops with broadcast manure influenced direct N2O emissions from silt-loam soils planted to no-till corn. We measured N2O fluxes from April to December for two years using closed vented chambers from soils planted to corn with no spring residue to compare inorganic N fertilizer (S-UAN) and two liquid dairy manure application methods: surface broadcasted (S-BM) and injected (S-IM). Emissions were also measured to compare the effect of crop residue of perennial forages, a green manure legume, or soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) from soils all amended with liquid dairy manure. Nitrous oxide emissions were greatest during the 15–45 days after manure was injected compared to broadcasting, and cumulative N2O emissions were larger from S-IM (2.8–2.5 kg ha−1) than S-BM (1.4–0.7 kg ha−1) and S-UAN (0.3 kg ha−1). Cumulative and yield-scaled N2O emissions did not differ among the prior legume treatments. A ranking approach based on random forests, identified the most important variable contributing to N2O emissions in both comparisons as corn growing degree days, indicative of the asynchrony of spring legume termination and manure application with corn planting and N use; and changing environmental conditions for N mineralization and denitrification.

Benefits and tradeoffs of reduced tillage and manure application methods in a Zea mays silage system.

A critical question is whether there are agricultural management practices that can attain the multiple management goals of increasing yields, preventing nutrient losses, and suppressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. No-till and manure application methods, such as manure injection, can enhance nutrient retention, but both may also enhance emissions of nitrous oxide (N2 O), a powerful GHG. We assessed differences in soil N2 O and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions, nitrate and ammonium retention, and crop yield and protein content under combinations of vertical-till, no-till, manure injection, and manure broadcast without incorporation in a corn (Zea mays L.) silage system. During the growing seasons of 2015-2017, GHG emissions and soil mineral nitrogen (N) were measured every other week or more frequently after management events. Crop yield and protein content were measured annually at harvest. No-till reduced CO2 emissions but had no impact on N2 O emissions relative to vertical-till. Manure injection increased N2 O and CO2 emissions, with the magnitude of this effect being greatest for 1 mo post-application. Manure injection also increased soil ammonium and nitrate but did not increase yield or crop quality relative to broadcast application. Similarly, tillage did not affect crop yield or protein content. Despite the tradeoffs between mineral N retention and elevated GHG emissions, manure injection in no-till systems benefits farmers by reducing soil carbon losses as CO2 , retaining mineral N, and maintaining crop yields and quality.

Influence of low-disturbance fall liquid dairy manure application on corn silage yield, soil nitrate, and rye cover crop growth.

Tillage incorporation of manure can mitigate nutrient loss but increases erosion potential and damages cover crops. More information on the effects of low-disturbance manure application (LDMA) on corn yield, cover crop establishment, and soil properties is needed to better predict manure management practice trade-offs. Here, corn silage (Zea mays L.) yield, winter rye (Secale cereale L.) establishment, and soil nitrate concentrations were compared for a range of manure application methods, including broadcast incorporation, broadcast/disk, fertilizer N (spring applied at 67, 134, and 202kg N ha-1 ), and a no-manure control, at the University of Wisconsin's Marshfield Agricultural Research Station from 2012 to 2015. Compared with the control, manure and fertilizer N treatments increased corn yield by an average of 1.1- to 1.6-fold and 1.4- to 1.6-fold, respectively. Of the LDMA treatments (sweep-, strip till-, and coulter-injection; aerator/band; broadcast), corn yield was greatest for sweep injection, which did not differ from the high N fertilizer rate (P<.0001). Corn yield averaged across LDMA treatments did not differ from the 134 or 202kg N ha-1 yields. Compared with disking, LDMA maintained more crop residue (P<.0001), with levels comparable to the control. Soil nitrate-N at depths of 0-30 and 30-60cm was influenced by LDMA and fertilizer N; however, leaching to 60-90cm was comparable among treatments. Results indicate that LDMA with injection conserved more N, caused less damage to winter rye, and had similar yields to fertilizer N treatments with improved soil aggregate stability and higher total carbon content.

Towards Country-Specific Nitrous Oxide Emission Factors for Manures Applied to Arable and Grassland Soils in the UK

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors (EFs) were calculated from measurements of emissions from livestock manures applied to UK arable crops and grassland as part of a wider research programme to reduce uncertainty in the UK national agricultural N2O inventory and to enhance regional inventory reporting through increased understanding of processes and factors controlling emissions. Field studies were undertaken between 2011 and 2013 at 3 arable and 3 grassland sites in the UK. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured following the autumn and spring application of different manures (pig slurry, cattle slurry, cattle farmyard manure (FYM), pig FYM, poultry layer manure, and broiler litter) at typical rates, using representative manure application and soil incorporation methods. In addition, ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching losses (1 site on a light sandy soil) were measured to calculate indirect N2O losses. IPCC comparable, direct N2O EFs ranged from −0.05 to 2.30% of total nitrogen applied, with the variability driven by a range of factors including differences in manure composition, application method, incorporation and climatic conditions. When data from the autumn applications were pooled, the mean N2O EF from poultry manure (1.52%) was found to be greater (P < 0.001) than from FYM (0.37%) and slurry (0.72%), with no difference found (P = 0.784) in the EF for bandspread compared with surface broadcast slurry application, and no effect (P = 0.328) of the nitrification inhibitor, Dicyandiamide (DCD). For the spring applications, the mean N2O EF for bandspread slurry (0.56%) was greater (P = 0.028) than from surface broadcast slurry (0.31%), but there were no differences (P = 0.212) in the mean N2O EFs from poultry manure (0.52%), slurry (0.44%), and FYM (0.22%). The study did confirm, however, that DCD reduced N2O emissions from slurries applied in the spring by 45%. EF data from this project have been used in the derivation of robust Tier 2 country specific EFs for inclusion in the UK national agriculture greenhouse gas inventory.

Manure injection and rye double cropping increased nutrient recovery and forage production

AbstractDouble cropping forage cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) with corn (Zea mays L.) and injecting liquid dairy cow (Bos taurus L.) manure in the fall may increase manure nutrient utilization and total forage production. Although potentially economically and environmentally beneficial, these practices have not been widely adopted by Northeastern U.S. farmers. This 2‐yr full‐factorial experiment conducted in Pennsylvania quantified the effects of (a) rye management (RyeM; early terminated cover crop, CC vs. double crop harvested approximately 1 wk later, DC) and (b) manure application method (ManM; unincorporated broadcasted manure, BM vs. shallow disk injected manure, IM) on rye biomass, rye apparent manure nitrogen and phosphorus recovery (ANR and APR, respectively), subsequent corn silage yield, and total forage production (DC + summer corn silage) and the effect of ManM on DC forage nutritive value. Double cropping increased rye biomass 143%, ANR 119%, APR 126%, and total forage production 29–44% compared to CC. While IM did not increase net returns on rye silage production compared to BM, IM improved rye forage nutritive value by increasing ANR by 84%, rye crude protein by 29%, net energy of lactation by 10%, and reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by 10%. Injecting manure also increased summer corn yield 21% and total forage 13% when rye was harvested as DC compared to DC with BM. Farmers adopting DC can increase total forage production and nutrient recovery and, when combined with IM, forage production and rye quality can potentially be improved.