Soil nutrient levels and crop performance at various lateral positions following liquid manure injection

Abstract

A three-year field experiment was conducted to investigate soil nutrient distribution and crop response at different lateral positions relative to center lines of injected manure bands in soil.  Liquid swine manure was injected using coulter- and furrower-type tools at three rates (1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 liter per one meter of manure band).  Levels of available soil nutrients (NO₃-N, NH₄-N, and P₂O₅), soil EC, and soil pH value were measured at various lateral positions across the manure band.  Plant characteristics (number of tillers, number of heads, and length of main stem), plant biomass, and total N and P in plant biomass were measured for crop rows at different lateral positions.  The soil NO₃-N, NH₄-N, P₂O₅ concentrations and soil EC were significantly lower at a farther position from center lines of manure band, especially at the highest rate.  The variations of the soil pH value with the positions were inconsistent.  Plants in the crop row further from a manure band had 25% fewer tillers, 20% fewer seed heads, 10% shorter main stem, 60% less plant biomass, and 25% lower total N in the plant biomass, compared to those in the crop row close to the band.

Keywords: soil, crop, manure, nutrient, lateral position, injection

Citation: Chen Ying, Bereket Assefa, and Wole Arkinremi.  Soil nutrient levels and crop performance at various lateral positions following liquid manure injection.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(1): 1-11.