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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #167449
Title: REDUCING SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL CARBON AND PHOSPHORUS BY SITE-SPECIFIC MANURE APPLICATION

Author
item Eghball, Bahman
item Bauer, Christopher
item SHAPIRO, C - U OF NE/LINCOLN

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2003
Publication Date: 11/1/2003
Citation: Eghball, B., Bauer, C.J., Shapiro, C. 2003. Reducing spatial variability of soil carbon and phosphorus by site-specific manure application. Reducing spatial variability of soil carbon and phosphorus by site-specific manure application. In Manure Matters, Volume 9, number 5, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Online: http://manure.unl.edu/adobe/v9n5_03.pdf

Interpretive Summary: Spatial variability can significantly influence crop performance across a field. Manure, a renewable resource, is an excellent source of nutrients that can be substituted for synthetic types of fertilizers. The carbon (C) and nutrients in manure can enhance the physical and chemical properties of soils, especially infertile soils, hence reducing soil spatial variability. Organic C constitutes about 58% of organic matter in the soil. Manure application not only provides nutrients for crops but also improves soil quality since the organic matter in manure improves soil physical and chemical properties. Manure also contains lime that will increase soil pH in areas with acidic soil pH. Therefore one would expect more positive effects of manure application on crop yield than chemical fertilizer application. The results of our studies indicate that spatial variability of soil carbon and P significantly decreased by using site-specific manure application.

Technical Abstract: Spatial variability can significantly influence crop performance across a field. Manure, a renewable resource, is an excellent source of nutrients that can be substituted for synthetic types of fertilizers. The carbon (C) and nutrients in manure can enhance the physical and chemical properties of soils, especially infertile soils, hence reducing soil spatial variability. Organic C constitutes about 58% of organic matter in the soil. Manure application not only provides nutrients for crops but also improves soil quality since the organic matter in manure improves soil physical and chemical properties. Manure also contains lime that will increase soil pH in areas with acidic soil pH. Therefore one would expect more positive effects of manure application on crop yield than chemical fertilizer application. The results of our studies indicate that spatial variability of soil carbon and P significantly decreased by using site-specific manure application.