ARS | Publication request: MINERALIZATION OF MANURE ORGANIC NITROGEN

Submitted to: Agricultural Research Service Publication
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2004
Publication Date: March 15, 2004
Citation: Griffin, T.S. 2004. Mineralization of manure organic nitrogen. Proceedings of First Annual Ontario N Conference.

Technical Abstract: There are many sources of plant-available nitrogen (PAN) in grain and forage production systems. Principle among these sources are nitrogen (N) fertilizer, legume crops capable of fixing atmospheric N, soil organic matter N (SOM-N), and both mineral and organic N fractions of livestock manures. Although the management of synthetic N fertilizer has received considerable attention, the release or mineralization of N from organic compounds in manure and soil can be equal to or greater than fertilizer N inputs in many cropping systems. Using aerobic incubation methodology, quantitative relationships have been developed describing the effects of temperature, soil moisture, and soil texture on organic N mineralization. The impact of manure composition as a controlling factor is not as clearly defined. Scaling upwards from controlled incubations to field- or farm level prediction of N availability remains a substantial challenge, as does reconciling current recommendations with information from the research base, and estimating nitrogen available from past manure applications.