Effect of liquid cattle manure on corn yield, composition, and soil properties

Published source details Lithourgidis A.S., Matsi T., Barbayiannis N. & Dordas C.A. (2007) Effect of liquid cattle manure on corn yield, composition, and soil properties. Agronomy Journal, 99, 1041-1047.
Share Tweet Email

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Crop production: Add manure to the soil Action Link
	Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Soil: Add manure to the soil Action Link

Crop production: Add manure to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2005 in an irrigated maize field in Greece found higher maize yields in plots with added manure, compared to plots without added manure. Crop yield: Higher maize yields were found in plots with added manure, compared to plots without added manure, in two of three comparisons (11–14 vs 10–12 Mg/ha). Methods: Plots (5.6 x 8 m) had liquid cow manure (80 Mg/ha/year) or no added fertilizer (six plots each). The manure was incorporated into the soil with a disk harrow (12–15 cm depth) within two hours of application. Grain yield was measured at the end of October (two rows/plot, 12.8 m²).
Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2005 in a maize field in Greece found similar crop yields in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Crop yield: Similar maize yields were found in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer (12–14 vs 12–13 Mg/ha). Methods: Plots (5.6 x 8 m) had organic fertilizer (liquid cow manure: 80 Mg/ha/year) or inorganic fertilizers (260 kg N ha/year and 57 kg P/ha/year) (six plots each). Fertilizers were incorporated into the soil with a disk harrow (12–15 cm depth) within two hours of application. Grain yield was measured in two rows (12.8 m²) in each plot, at the end of October.
Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2005 in an irrigated maize field in Greece found similar amounts of carbon and nitrogen in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Organic matter: Similar amounts of organic carbon were found in soils with organic or inorganic fertilizer (5.7 vs 5.5 g C/kg). Nutrients: Similar amounts of nitrogen were found in soils with organic or inorganic fertilizer (0.81 vs 0.79 g Kjeldahl N/kg, 0–30 cm depth). Methods: Plots (5.6 x 8 m) had organic fertilizer (liquid cow manure 80 Mg/ha/year, before sowing) or inorganic fertilizer (260 kg N/ha/year and 57 kg P/ha/year, before sowing) (six plots each). Fertilizers were incorporated with a disk harrow (12–15 cm depth) within two hours of application. Soil samples were collected at the end of the growing season in 2005 (three samples/plot, 0–30 cm depth).
Soil: Add manure to the soil

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2005 in an irrigated maize field in Greece found similar amounts of organic matter in soils with or without added manure. Organic matter: Similar amounts of carbon were found in soils with or without added manure (5.7 vs 5.3 g/kg). Nutrients: Similar amounts of nitrogen were found in soils with or without added manure (0.81 vs 0.72 g N/kg). More phosphorus and potassium was found in soils with added manure, compared to soils without added manure (15–21 vs 4–11 mg P/kg; 67–85 vs 46–75 mg K/kg). Methods: Plots (5.6 x 8 m) had liquid cow manure (80 Mg/ha/year) or no added fertilizer (six plots each). The manure was incorporated into soil with a disk harrow (12–15 cm depth) within two hours of application. Soil samples were collected at the end of the growing season in 2005 (three samples/plot, 0–30 cm depth).