Nitrate leaching loss following application of organic manures to sandy soils in arable cropping.

Abstract

Abstract. Experiments were set up at two sites to measure nitrogen (N) leaching loss from applications of separated pig/cattle slurry and cattle farmyard manure(FYM), during winters 1990/91–1993/94 (site A) and from broiler litter and FYM, during winters 1990/91–1992/93 (site B). The manures were applied at a target rate of 200 kg ha‐1 total N during the autumn and winter to overwinter fallow or top dressed onto winter rye. The total N in leachate was calculated from leachate N concentrations, in samples collected using ceramic cups buried at 90 cm, and an estimate of drainage volume. Nitrogen losses were greatest following manure applications in September, October and November but losses following applications in December or January were not significantly elevated above those from untreated controls. Losses were consistently lower from FYM than from broiler litter or separated slurry. The presence of a cover crop (winter rye) significantly reduced overall N leaching compared with the fallow, but only reduced the manure N leaching losses at one site during one winter when a high proportion of drainage occurred late. The incorporation of a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) with manures applied in October did not significantly reduce the manure N leaching.

Efficiency of mitigation measures targeting nutrient losses from agricultural drainage systems: A review

“…Consequently, detailed information on local nutrient flow pathways and drainage systems is highly needed. It should also be emphasised that the mitigation measures discussed in this review only target drainage water, while other mitigation measures, such as cover crops, target the water before it leaves the root zone (Beckwith et al 1998 ) or restored wetlands that target water further downstream (Audet et al 2014 ). Consequently, it is essential that the drainage mitigation measures should complement and not compensate for farm management practices producing high pesticide, N or P leaching that influences other flow paths such as groundwater or surface runoff.…”

Biochar-Swine Manure Impact on Soil Nutrients and Carbon Under Controlled Leaching Experiment Using a Midwestern Mollisols

“…Swine manure is a source of valuable nutrients (Chastain et al, 1999), but mismanagement or improper application to soils makes it a potential environmental threat. The application rate of animal manure is often exceeded beyond the plant requirement (Juergens-Gschwind, 1989), and this excessive manure application to the soil can result in an unintended N leaching loss to groundwater (Beckwith et al, 1998). High liquid manure application to soil could also contribute to heavy metals like copper and zinc accumulation to soil and plant systems that generate a risk of contaminating the animal food chain to a threat (Mantovi et al, 2003).…”

Pyrolisis-MS and FT-IR analysis of fresh and decomposed dairy manure

“…Recently, the negative environmental impacts of manure mismanagement have received notoriety. Manure NO 3 is prone to leaching and can be an important source of pollution to groundwater [2,3]. To achieve a balance of agronomic benefit and minimal environmental pollution, it is necessary to have accurate estimates of the potentially available nutrients in manures and use this knowledge to make correct management decisions.…”