Conservation tillage is compatible with manure injection in corn silage systems

Abstract

Adoption of conservation tillage practices has increased over the past 30 yr in the United States. Research is needed to evaluate if reduced tillage practices are compatible with manure injection on dairy farms. Two corn (Zea mays L.) silage studies were conducted in New York to evaluate the impact of zone tillage depth and tillage intensity on early plant growth and soil nitrate-N, corn silage productivity and quality, and nutrient uptake at harvest. Treatments included three zone tillage depths (0, 18, and 36 cm; with aerator seedbed preparation) for Study 1 (2012-2013) and three tillage intensities (no tillage, reduced tillage [aerator seedbed preparation without zone tillage], and intensified reduced tillage [aerator seedbed preparation plus zone tillage at 18-cm depth]) for Study 2 (2014)(2015)(2016). Manure was injected in the spring, and all fields had a manure and zone tillage history. Zone tillage depth did not affect early plant growth, soil nitrate-N content at V5-V6, corn silage yield, quality, corn stalk nitrate test (CSNT)-N, or nutrient removal with harvest. The CSNT-N levels exceeded 2,000 mg NO 3 -N kg -1 , confirming sufficient N for each treatment. Study 2 showed no impact of tillage intensity on corn growth, yield, or nutritive value, and CSNT-N levels always exceeded 2,000 mg NO 3 -N kg -1 . These findings show that, on fields with a history of manure addition and reduced tillage, manure injection followed by planting without further seedbed preparation or zone tillage can maintain yields and quality and can conserve N while reducing soil disturbance and tillageassociated fuel, equipment, and labor costs.

Reducing Topdressing N Fertilization with Variable Rates Does Not Reduce Maize Yield

“…The soil variability (i.e., SOC content) did not significantly interact with treatments (Figure 4). This result confirms the hypothesis according to which livestock and crop farming are peculiar systems where the large availability of slurry applied at sowing masks any possible effect of SOC variability [11,36]. In this context, the N fertilization rate at topdressing can effectively reduce N losses and lead to economic and environmental sustainability.…”

“…In the present case study, located in eastern Lombardy (Italy), maize production is experiencing relevant variability, being caused mainly by the low price on the market and pest control regulations and limits, which results in increased imports from countries outside the EU [31]. It was observed that dairy farmers hardly adhere to the organic recommended fertilizer application rates due to the high availability of manure and slurry [28,[32][33][34][35][36]; however, to ensure high crop yields, topdressing mineral N is used despite the purchase and environmental costs [37]. Even considering the current subsidized rates, mineral fertilizers still represent a substantial budget item in European farms [38].…”

Application of bio and chemical fertilizers improves yield, and essential oil quantity and quality of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) intercropped with mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

“…In recent decades, non‐judicious long‐term application of chemical inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, has increased environmental pollution (Kumar, Lai, Battaglia, et al, 2019; Kumar, Lai, Kumar, et al, 2019; Battaglia et al, 2021) and negatively affected yield and quality of crops in some cases (Gomiero et al, 2011; Seleiman et al, 2021). The unprincipled use of these inputs has attracted attention and led to the emerging adoption of integrated management in sustainable agriculture systems (Fahad et al, 2021).…”

Potential of Liquid Organic Fertilizer on Flowering, Yield of Shallots (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum) and Soil Quality

“…Treatment of 50% inorganic fertilizer and 50% liquid organic fertilizer showed the highest total soil nitrogen compared to the other treatments, namely 0.19%,while the lowest nitrogen was in the treatment of 25% Inorganic Fertilizer and 75% liquid organic fertilizer 0.13%. This is because nitrogen is a nutrient easily decomposed and leached by microbial factors to decompose organic matter [19][20][21]. The results of the potassium analysis test showed that each fertilizer treatment was able to increase available potassium (Table 5).…”