2017/07/01 by Rezvan Karimi, Wole Akinremi, Don Flaten · 18 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Chemistry · Environmental Science · #Agronomy #Biology #Chemistry #Crop #Cropping system #Environmental science #Leaching (pedology) #Loam #Lysimeter #Manure #Nitrogen #Nutrient #Perennial plant #Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics #Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics #Soil science #Soil water #Straw
paper · doi:10.2134/jeq2017.04.0158
published in Journal of Environmental Quality 46(4), 785-792 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2017/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
The application of livestock manure can result in the loss of nitrate‐nitrogen (NO 3 − ‐N) and degrade surface and groundwater. A 3‐yr lysimeter study was set up to compare the effect of cropping system and nitrogen (N)‐ and phosphorus (P)‐based pig manure application rates on the loss of water and NO 3 − ‐N below the root zone. The experiment was a split‐plot design with annual and perennial cropping systems as the main factor. Five nutrient management treatments were the subplots: N‐based liquid pig manure application; P‐based liquid pig manure application, N‐based solid pig manure application, P‐based solid pig manure application, and a control without amendment. The results showed that 40 to 60 kg NO 3 − ‐N ha −1 was lost from the annual plots in 2010 and 23 to 60 kg NO 3 − ‐N ha −1 in 2011, whereas a negligible amount of NO 3 − ‐N was lost from the perennial (<1 kg ha −1 ) plots in both years. The application of solid pig manure on a P basis followed by urea in subsequent years reduced the risk of NO 3 − ‐N leaching over the course of the rotation, likely due to immobilization of N by the straw in the solid pig manure. Our study showed that a perennial cropping system consisting of a mixture of grasses has the capacity to receive and utilize significant amounts of nutrients with negligible amount of nutrient leakages to the adjacent environment. The inclusion of grasses in a crop rotation and their use to take up excess nutrients are sustainable practices that will benefit the environment. Core Ideas Similar amounts of water were lost from perennial and annual cropping systems. Significant amounts of nitrate were lost from annual vs. negligible amounts from perennial crops. Phosphorus‐based solid pig manure reduced nitrate leaching from annual crop.