Manure Application Technology in Reduced Tillage and Forage Systems: A Review

Abstract

Managing manure in reduced tillage and forage systems presents challenges, as incorporation by tillage is not compatible. Surface-applied manure that is not quickly incorporated into soil provides inefficient delivery of manure nutrients to crops due to environmental losses through ammonia (NH3) volatilization and nutrient losses in runoff, and serves as a major source of nuisance odors. An array of technologies now exist to facilitate the incorporation of liquid manures into soil with restricted or minor soil disturbance, some of which are new: shallow disk injection; chisel injection; aeration infiltration; pressure injection. Surface banding of manure inforages decreases NH3 emissions relative to surface broadcasting, as the canopy can decrease wind speed over the manure, but greater reductions can be achieved with manure injection. Soilaeration is intended to hasten manure infiltration, but its benefits are not consistent and may be related to factors such as soildrainage characteristics. Work remains to be done on refining its method of use and timing relative to manure application, which may improve its effectiveness. Placing manure under the soil surface efficiency by injection offers much promise to improve N use efficiency through less NH3 volatilization, reduced odors and decreased nutrient losses in runoff, relative to surface application. We identified significant gaps in our knowledge as manyof these technologies are relatively new, and this should help target future research efforts including environmental, agronomic, and economic assessments.

Transport of dissolved trace elements in surface runoff and leachate from a Coastal Plain soil after poultry litter application

“…Our study confirms the well-established observation that incorporation of litter diminishes the incidental transfer, or wash off, of surface applied constituents (Maguire et al 2011). During the second rainfall event, concentrations of As and Zn in surface runoff from the broadcast and disked treatments Table 3 Mean trace element concentrations in surface runoff and leachate from two rainfall simulation events.…”

Liquid Cattle Manure Application to Soil and Its Effect on Crop Growth, Yield, Composition, and on Soil Properties

“…However, this depends on the properties of the LCM and soil, where manure is applied, and also on the rate, manner, timing of application and weather conditions and interactions among these factors (Beauchamp et al, 1982;Mannheim et al, 1995;Pain et al, 1990;Reijs et al, 2007;Rochette et al, 2006;Sorensen, 1998;Thompson et al, 1990aThompson et al, , 1990b. Soil incorporation of LCM, mainly by using injection techniques, seems to reduce NH 3 volatilization drastically and such techniques are now applicable not only to arable soils but also to grasslands, no-tillage and forest systems (Maguire et al, 2011a(Maguire et al, , 2011b. Due to the high quantity of immediately available N, LCM can be as efficient as inorganic fertilizers in satisfying plant needs in respect to N, when it is applied at equivalent rates (Kaffka & Kanneganti, 1996;Lithourgidis et al, 2007;Matsi et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2006).…”

“…Numerous researchers (Beauchamp, 1983;Beauchamp et al, 1982;Carter et al, 2010;Dell et al, 2011;Hansen et al, 2003;Maguire et al, 2011aMaguire et al, , 2011bMannheim et al, 1995;Misselbrook et al, 2002;Pfluke et al, 2011aPfluke et al, , 2011bPowell et al, 2011;Ross et al, 1979;Webb et al, 2005Webb et al, , 2010 agree that soil incorporation of LCM as soon as possible after its application or LCM surface banding or injection are preferable than the conventional surface broadcast application, for arable land but also for grassland, no-tillage and forage systems, although in the latter cases, using injection techniques, there is the possibility of grass sward damage and soil disturbance . However, Laws et al (2002) reported that shallow disc injection and, in particular, trailing shoe application of cattle slurry to grassland improved silage quality and reduced herbage contamination, without damaging it (except of the case of LCM injection on tall swards) compared with the conventional surface broadcasting.…”

“…They suggested that shallow injection should be used on short swards wherever is possible, preferably after cutting, whereas slurry can be applied by trailing shoes on taller swards. In addition, Maguire et al (2011aMaguire et al ( , 2011b reported many techniques that facilitate the incorporation of liquid manures into the soil with restricted or minor soil disturbance, such as shallow disk injection, chisel injection, aeration infiltration and pressure injection.…”

Nutrient loads and sediment losses in sprinkler irrigation runoff affected by compost and manure

“…As such, the N and P cause or accentuate eutrophication of surface waters (Correll 1998). One must recognize, however, that from undulating surfaces common under moving-lateral irrigation systems nutrient-containing runoff from some areas may directly enter surface water bodies while runoff from other areas may not (Kleinman et al 2011).The P fractions in surface water are of greatest concern, at present. The dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) form is the P fraction soluble in water while ferric-oxide strip phosphorus (FeO P) can indicate the P fraction that is available to algae and has been referred to as bioavailable P (Sharpley 1993).…”