Animal manure is typically applied to meet the N needs of crops. This can lead to overapplication of P and K. We evaluated the impact of a change from N‐based applications of manure and compost without incorporation to a P‐based (crop‐removal) management system with immediate incorporation of manure on (i) silage corn (Zea mays L.) yield and quality, and (ii) soil test NO3, P (STP), and K (STK). A 5‐yr field study was conducted with annual spring applications of composted dairy solids (46 and 74 Mg ha−1), liquid dairy manure (68 and 196 kL ha−1), and inorganic N fertilizer (0 and 112 kg ha−1). Shifting from N‐ to P‐based manure and compost management reduced the corn yield by 7 to 13% and protein by 8 to 9%, suggesting that fertilizer N is needed for P‐based management. Shifting from N‐ to P‐based manure management reduced soil NO3–N at silage harvest by 39% vs. 21% for compost. After 5 yr, STP increased four‐ and sixfold and two‐ and fourfold for N‐ and P‐based manure and compost management, respectively, reflecting positive P balances (lower than anticipated yields). Soil test K increased three‐ and twofold with N‐ and P‐based manure and compost management, respectively. Both STP and STK remained unchanged with inorganic N fertilization. We conclude that a shift from N‐ to P‐based compost and manure management, with immediate incorporation of manure, leads to reduced soil P and K buildup and, for manure, also soil NO3, but supplemental inorganic N fertilization is required to ensure that crop N needs are met.
Concerns about P enrichment of soil, streams, and lakes, NH 3 emissions from surface-applied manure, and increasing N fertilizer costs have resulted in greater adoption of manure incorporation at rates that approximate P removal. A 5-yr field study was conducted comparing the influence of annual spring applications of N-vs. P-removal-based compost (74 and 46 Mg ha −1 wet basis, respectively), liquid dairy manure (196 and 68 kL ha −1 , respectively), and sidedress N fertilizer (0 and 112 kg ha −1 ) on soil pH, soil organic matter (sOM), respiration, NO 3 -N, and soil test P (sTP) and K (sTK) in a corn (Zea mays L.) silage cropping system on a calcareous central New York soil. Manure was incorporated with tillage in the P-removal-based system. After 5 yr, soil pH (0-20 cm) remained unchanged compared with its initial level in 2001 regardless of the application rate or source. In P-based manure and inorganic N plots, sOM declined with time but increased by 4 g kg −1 with N-based compost. solvita CO 2 respiration increased only for N-based compost (41 g mg −1 ), which was greater than for P-based manure (32 g mg −1 ) in April 2005. After 5 yr, topsoil (0-20 cm) sTP and sTK were greatest with N-based compost and manure. These results show the benefits of compost application for sOM accumulation and respiration, the benefits of P-based applications for management of sTP and sTK, and the negative impact on sOM because of tillage incorporation of manure at P-based rates. Manure injection rather than tillage-based incorporation might counteract this negative impact.Abbreviations: SOC, soil organic carbon; SOM, soil organic matter; STK, soil test potassium, STP, soil test phosphorus. In New York, dairy farming is the largest agricultural industry (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2009). Manure generated on the dairy farms is typically land applied as liquid or semisolid material. When manure is surface applied at rates to meet the N requirement of a corn crop, the typical result is overfertilization of P and K due to the lower N/P and N/K ratios of manure than plant tissues. Overapplication of P and K increases STP and STK with time (Eghball 1999;Wu and Powell, 2007;Sadeghpour et al., 2016), which may be desirable if initial STP and STK are low but can lead to an increased risk of P runoff (Kleinman et al., 2002) and high-K forages (Cherney et al., 1998) with time.Some farms separate solids for reuse as bedding or to be composted for sale or application to distant fields. Composting is a useful option to reduce the volume of fresh manure and reduce odor issues (Eghball, 2002). Other advantages of composting are reduced numbers of viable weed seeds and pathogenic microorganisms (Diacono and Montemurro, 2010). A major disadvantage of compost is the loss of C and N during the composting process itself, resulting in N/P and N/K ratios that can be greater than the expected ratios for crop needs than untreated manure (Eghball, 2002 Core Ideas• Annual application of manure to corn at P-removal based rates will reduce P...
Forage double cropping can be a beneficial practice for dairy farmers in the northeastern United States, providing an additional, harvestable crop plus many environmental benefits. Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) are forage double crop options in New York that require nitrogen (N) management. From 2013 to 2016, 62 N‐rate trials were conducted across New York with five N rates (0, 34, 67, 101, and 135 kg N ha−1) applied in four replications at spring dormancy break. Forage was harvested at flag‐leaf stage in May (Feekes stage 9). Soil samples were taken prior to N‐application at dormancy break. Management practices and field characteristics were evaluated as predictors (using classification tree analyses) for yield and the most economic rate of N (MERN) at dormancy break, determined using a quadratic plateau model. Approximately one‐third of the sites did not respond in yield to spring N application, averaging 4.3 Mg DM ha−1. Of the remaining sites, ∼80% had MERNs ranging from 47 to 112 kg N ha−1, averaging 77 kg N ha−1, with yields at the MERN from 2.2 to 6.9 Mg DM ha−1, averaging 4.2 Mg DM ha−1. Yield could not accurately be predicted statistically. However, low‐yielding sites lacked fall manure application and well‐drained soils. We conclude that forage winter cereal fields with well‐drained soils, recent manure applications, and timely planting may not need additional N at dormancy break, while others require approximately 19 kg N ha−1 per Mg DM ha−1. Core Ideas N management is needed for optimum performance of forage winter cereal crops in New York. Yields of 1.0 to 6.9 Mg DM ha−1 were found in New York (4.1 Mg DM ha−1 average). Winter cereals required approximately 19 kg of N per 1 Mg DM for optimum forage yield. Soil drainage, manure history, and planting date affected N needs. Nitrogen rates beyond plant needs for optimum yield can increase crude protein.
Core Ideas Nitrogen application mid‐season cannot overcome drought stress later in the season. Except for crude protein, under‐application of N did not impact forage quality. Soil organic matter decreases in a chisel‐disked corn silage system regardless of N fertilizer rate. Use of compost, cover crops, and conservation tillage can offset soil organic matter losses. Under‐applying N by 30 kg N ha−1 was economically more detrimental than over‐applying. Under‐ or over‐application of N fertilizer to corn (Zea mays L.) has adverse economic and environmental consequences. A 5‐yr study was conducted to determine the impact of N fertilizer on corn silage yield, quality, soil properties, farm economics, and nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE). Corn silage yields were 12.9, 14.2, and 14.7 Mg ha−1 with most economic rate of nitrogen (MERN) of 90, 95, and 114 kg N ha−1 in 2001, 2003, and 2004 (the three responsive years), respectively. In 2002 and 2005 (non‐responsive years), yields averaged 9.1 Mg ha−1. Yield increased by 3.3 Mg ha−1 with each 10 cm of precipitation in July and August. At the MERN, NUE ranged from 16 (2001) to 25.8 kg DM kg N−1 (2004), reflected in greater soil NO3–N (0–20‐cm depth) at harvest in 2001 as well (23 vs. 8.9 mg kg−1 in 2004). Soil NO3–N at silage harvest in responsive years ranged from 8.9 (2004) to 23 mg kg−1 (2001) in 2001 and in non‐responsive years averaged 22 mg kg−1. Soil NO3–N at harvest was not a good indicator of crop N responsiveness or NUE. Nitrogen addition beyond the MERN decreased NUE and soil pH, and increased crude protein (CP). Under‐application decreased CP and yield in N‐responsive years and increased NUE. Soil organic matter (SOM) was decreased regardless of N rate. Overall, application of 30 kg N ha−1 below the MERN was economically more detrimental than fertilizing the same amount above the MERN.
Forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a viable alternative to corn silage (Zea mays L.) in double cropping rotations with forage winter cereals in New York due to a later planting date and potentially earlier harvest date of forage sorghum than is typical for corn silage. Our objective was to determine whether harvest of brachytic dwarf brown midrib forage sorghum can take place before the currently recommended soft dough harvest time while maintaining dry matter (DM) yield, forage nutritive value, and total mixed ration performance. Seven trials were conducted on 2 research farms in central New York from 2014 to 2017. Forage sorghum received 1 of 2 fertilizer N rates at planting (112 and 224 kg of N/ha). Stands were harvested at boot, flower, milk, and soft dough stages. Forage samples were analyzed for nutritive value and substituted for corn silage in a typical dairy total mixed ration at varying amounts using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Timing of harvest affected yield and forage nutritive value for each individual trial and across trials, and the effects were independent of N fertilizer application rate. Averaged across trials, yield ranged from 10.7 Mg of DM/ha for the boot stage to 13.5, 15.2, and 15.8 Mg of DM/ha for the flower, milk, and soft dough stages, respectively. For individual trials, yield either remained constant with harvest beyond the flower stage (4 trials), or beyond the milk stage (1 trial), whereas for 2 trials yield increased up to the soft dough stage. At the later harvest stages, DM, starch, and nonfiber carbohydrates were increased, whereas crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and 30-h neutral detergent fiber digestibility were decreased. Without adjusting for DM intake, substitution of corn silage by forage sorghum harvested at the soft dough stage resulted in stable predicted metabolizable energy allowable milk, whereas the reduced starch content of earlier harvested sorghum resulted in less metabolizable energy allowable milk with greater substitution of corn silage for sorghum. Forage sorghum can be harvested as early as the flower or milk stage without losing DM yield, allowing for timely planting of forage winter cereal in a double cropping rotation. However, energy supplementation in the diet is needed to make up for reduced starch concentrations with harvest of sorghum at flower and milk growth stages.
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