Winter and growing season nitrogen mineralization from fall-applied composted or stockpiled solid dairy manure

Abstract

Adequate characterization of nitrogen (N) mineralization with time from manure and other organic sources is needed to maximize manure N use efficiency, decrease producer costs, and protect groundwater quality. The objective of our 2-year field study at Parma, ID, was to quantify in situ N mineralization with time as affected by a one-time fall application of solid dairy manure, either composted or stockpiled. The experiment included five treatments: a non-N fertilized control, two first-year rates of stockpiled solid dairy manure (21.9 and 43.8 Mg ha -1 , dry wt.) and two rates (53.1 and 106.1 Mg ha -1 , dry wt.) of composted dairy manure (hereafter termed compost). Net N mineralized (mineralization less immobilization) was determined to a depth of 0.3 m by repeatedly measuring soil inorganic N (NH 4 -N ? NO 3 -N) concentrations in buried polyethylene bags. Overwinter mineralization was measured between amendment incorporation in fall and sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) planting the following spring. In-season mineralization was measured in situ for seven consecutive incubation periods during the c. 220-day growing season for furrow-irrigated sugarbeet. Net N mineralized often varied among amendments and from year to year through mid-season, likely due to seasonal variation in soil temperature, annual differences in amendment properties, and other factors.

Compost and soil moisture effects on seasonal carbon and nitrogen dynamics, greenhouse gas fluxes and global warming potential of semi-arid soils

“…2a) was probably an artefact of the disturbance of the soil during the mixing of compost and soil right before the incubation. The disturbance caused temporary destruction or discontinuum of soil macro and micro pores and microbial mortality (Lehrsch et al 2016). This confirms reports that soils need to be preincubated (Guntinas et al 2013) before the start of an incubation experiment.…”

“…Response of inorganic N to organic N additions from compost during the summer (Table 4) is the effect of major microbially mediated processes which are enhanced by increased temperature in the summer season (Lehrsch et al 2016). The addition of the highest compost rate (45 Mg ha −1 ) during the summer (Table 4) enhanced SOM and the high temperature boosted microbial activity which fueled the highest N mineralization also observed by Masunga et al 2016. Other studies have shown similar results where N mineralization increased with SOM addition (Campbell and Souster 1982) and temperature (Stanford et al 1973).…”

“…The disturbance of the soil caused temporary destruction or discontinuum of soil macro and micro pores and microbial mortality (Lehrsch et al 2016), resulting in higher CH 4 emissions. Generally, upland soils act as sinks for atmospheric CH 4 (Pachauri et al 2014).…”

Winter Wheat Yield, Quality, and Nitrogen Removal Following Compost- or Manure-Fertilized Sugarbeet

“…Urea was applied to the conventionally fertilized treatment (Fert) Thereafter, in-season net N mineralization was measured (described later) by installing seven buried bags in bed centers in each plot and periodically retrieving one set of bags on each of seven subsequent dates. The net N mineralization determined during the sugarbeet growing season has been reported by Lehrsch et al (2016) and will not be discussed hereafter.…”

Managing crop nutrients to achieve water quality goals

“…The use of fertilizers, while providing a source of readily available nutrients, may be susceptible to leaching and runoff losses if not utilized by the plant during the growing season. Manures and other organic sources can become available over time as organic forms of N are mineralized throughout the growing season (Lehrsch et al 2016). Late season release of nutrients can enhance losses from the system, as they may not be utilized by crops.…”