Swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) production in confinement requires economical and environmentally safe waste management systems. Anaerobic lagoons require periodic removal of effluent for land application to avoid lagoon overflow in humid regions. The objective of this experiment was to determine the utilization potential and the environmental effects of applying swine lagoon effluent to ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Effluent loading rates to apply approximately 335, 670, and 1340 kg of N ha−1 yr−1 were evaluated. The experiment was a randomized complete block with three replications and was conducted for 6 yr on a loamy, siliceous, thermic Arenic Paleudult (two replications) or a fine‐loamy, siliceous thermic Typic Paleudult (one replication). The highest application rate resulted in additions of N, P, and K at about 4, 10, and 8 times, respectively, the normally recommended fertilizer applications for high yields of bermudagrass hay.Effluent loading rates altered dry matter yields with the high and medium rates being similar (15 800 and 14 200 kg ha−1) but greater than the low rate (10 800 kg ha−1). Severe winters injured stands most on the medium and high loading rates and were associated with soil characteristics. Concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn were increased in forage by increased effluent loading rates, while Cl−, Cu, Fe, and Na varied. Effluent loading rates significantly increased in vitro dry matter disappearance 3 of the 6 yr and N concentrations all years, especially from the low to medium loading rates (quadratic effect). High applications of effluent greatly increased the concentration of nitrates in the forage to levels that approached, but did not exceed, concentrations unsafe for ruminants. The medium and high rates resulted in large additions of elements not recovered in the forage and could have environmental implications as to effects on the soil, groundwater, and surface runoff.

Effluent from animal waste lagoons can degrade water quality if allowed to discharge into surface waters. To determine the feasibility of using swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) lagoon effluent as a source of water and nutrients for crop production, effluent was applied via sprinkler irrigation to ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] on Norfolk and Wagram soils (Paleudults) at rates to supply 335, 670, and 1340 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for 6 yr. Soil nitrate concentrations to a depth of 300 cm showed significant differences in the order high > medium = low rate. At the high rate, 56% of the applied N could not be accounted for by crop removal or increased N content of the soil to a depth of 210 cm. Evidence of P movement to a depth of 60 cm was obtained. Calcium and Mg concentrations in the topsoil were reduced due to relatively high rates of application of Na+, K+, and NH4+. Soil pH was correspondingly reduced. Soil nitrate data suggest that groundwater pollution by nitrate would result from the high rate and possibly from the medium rate.

Rates of swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) waste used for crop production must be sufficient to supply adequate nutrients but must not pose a surface or groundwater pollution hazard. To determine acceptable rates, plots of predominantly tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L. Schreb) on a Cecil soil (Typic Hapludults) received no treatment (C); commercial fertilizer (F) at 201‐34‐65 kg N‐P‐K ha−1 yr−1, swine manure slurry (M) supplying 670 kg N ha−1 yr−1, or swine lagoon effluent (E) applied by sprinkler irrigation to supply 600 (E1) or 1200 (E2) kg N ha−1 yr−1 for 4 yr. The waste treatments, chosen to evaluate acceptable maximum application rates when land is limited, resulted in much higher applications of N, P, K, and other nutrients than are normally used for temperate species. Runoff from E2 had an annual mean concentration of 13 mg L−1 NO3‐N but the low runoff volume resulted in mass transport of only about 10 kg NO3‐N ha−1 yr−1. Concentration of P was significantly higher with E2 (9 mg L−1) and M (6 mg L−1) than with the other treatments. The runoff quality from E1 was not significantly different than that from F. Soil NO3‐N concentrations to a depth of 200 cm showed significant differences in the order E2 = M > E1 > F = C. For E2, 49% of the applied N could not be accounted for by crop removal, increased soil NO3‐N, or runoff. Mehlich 1 extractable P was greater with E2 than with the other treatments. Extractable soil K and Na were increased by E1 and E2 but treatments had little or no effect on extractable Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, or on total N, organic matter, or pH. Analysis of runoff and soil NO3‐N data indicate that M, E2, and perhaps E1 supplied excess N. Consequently, surface and groundwater pollution hazards may be created by applying manure and effluent at the rates studied. Pollution by runoff was more likely when rainfall occurred soon after manure or fertilizer application.

Swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) waste can be a nutrient source for crops when applied as a manure slurry or lagoon effluent. Limited land area for disposal may result in high application rates. Yet rates must be controlled to ensure stand persistence if perennial crops are grown and if groundwater quality (NO3 concentrations) are to be considered. Also, safe concentration of elements in the resulting forage must be assured if used for animal feed. A 4‐yr study was conducted to determine the effect of applying swine waste as manure slurry or lagoon effluent on persistence of a temperate forage mixture of predominantly tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Treatments were: a commercial N‐P‐K fertilizer (F), consisting of 201 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (67 kg ha−1 in three applications) and 34 and 65 kg ha−1 of P and K, respectively; 670 kg of N ha−1 yr− as a swine manure slurry (M); and supplying approximately 600 (E1) and 1200 (E2) kg of N ha−1 from swine lagoon effluent. Subtropical grasses invaded all treatments by the third year but the E2 treatment had greatest infestation averaging 53% of the dry matter and tall fescue averaging only 39%. Dry matter yields were similar between F and M treatments averaging 7750 kg ha−1 yr−1 while applying N as effluent (E1) increased yields 3430 kg ha−1 above M. Doubling the N loading rate (E2 vs. E1) did not increase yields (P ≤0.05). Concentrations of the 11 elements analyzed (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Na) showed a treatment × year interaction. Forage Zn was consistently increased by M treatment compared with F or E1 treatments and forage Cu was elevated by M treatment the last 2 yr of the study. In vitro dry matter disappearance was similar (670–685 g kg−1) among all treatments, but forage NO3‐N concentration from the E1 and E2 treatments, and after the second year for the M treatment, was considered unsafe for ruminants (> 700 mg NO3‐N kg−1). The M, E1, and E2 treatments added large quantities of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Na, and Cl) that were not removed in the forage.