Yield and environmental effects of summer pig slurry applications to irrigated alfalfa under mediterranean conditions

Published source details Salmerón M., Cavero J., Delgado I. & Isla R. (2010) Yield and environmental effects of summer pig slurry applications to irrigated alfalfa under mediterranean conditions. Agronomy Journal, 102, 559-567.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Water: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link
	Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic Action Link

Water: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled in 2006–2008 in an irrigated alfalfa field in Spain found that similar amounts of nitrate were lost from plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Nutrients: Similar amounts of nitrate were lost from plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer (0.2–0.47 mg/L). Methods: Lysimeters (5 m² and 1.5 m deep) had organic fertilizer (pig slurry: 170 or 340 kg N/ha/year) or inorganic fertilizer (phosphorous-potassium: 200 kg/ha/year; phosphorus pentoxide and potassium oxide: 150 kg/ha/yr). Water samples were collected from lysimeters (100 mL/week).
Crop production: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled in 2006–2008 in an irrigated field in Spain found higher alfalfa Medicago sativa yields in plots with organic fertilizer, compared to inorganic fertilizer. Crop yield: Higher alfalfa yields were found in plots with organic fertilizer, compared to inorganic fertilizer, in one of two comparisons (21 vs 20 Mg/ha). Methods: Plots (5 m²) had organic fertilizer (pig slurry: 170 or 340 kg N/ha/year) or inorganic fertilizer (phosphorous-potassium: 200 kg/ha/year; phosphorus pentoxide and potassium oxide: 150 kg/ha/yr). Yield was measured in each plot (mown to 8 cm height).
Soil: Use organic fertilizer instead of inorganic

A replicated, randomized, controlled in 2006–2008 in an irrigated alfalfa field in Spain found no differences in nutrients between soils with organic or inorganic fertilizers. Nutrients: Similar amounts of nitrogen (3%), phosphorous (0.3%), and potassium (3%) were found in plots with organic or inorganic fertilizer. Methods: Lysimeters (5 m² and 1.5 m deep) had either organic fertilizer (pig slurry: 170 or 340 kg N/ha/year) or inorganic fertilizer (phosphorous-potassium: 200 kg/ha/year; phosphorus pentoxide and potassium oxide: 150 kg/ha/yr). Soil was sampled before sowing alfalfa (April 2006), at the start of the second growing season (February 2007), and at the end of the two growing seasons when the slurry was applied (November 2007 and 2008).