Agronomic approach to evaluate the nitrogen use efficiency of liquid, solid, and composted swine manures in corn–soybean rotation

Abstract

Evaluating the nitrogen (N) use efficiency of animal manure is essential to optimize its application for profitable crop production without impairing the environment. A four-year field study was conducted under corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation in a Brookston clay loam soil using the yield control approach. Treatments included inorganic fertilizer (IN), and liquid (LM), solid (SM), and composted (CM) swine manure applied at the rate equivalent to an available N of 200 kg ha−1 and a non-fertilization control (CT). Seven N use indices were employed to evaluate N use efficiency. LM obtained comparable corn yields relative to IN. Corn yield in SM was inconsistent from one year to another, and CM had minimal agronomical value in our study. Soybeans with IN posed the highest grain yields of 3,468 and 3,761 kg ha−1 in 2005 and 2007, respectively. In contrast to grain yield and total N uptake, the gain N removal of either corn or soybeans was comparable between the two alternative years. The distinctions between N supply dynamics of manures and their influences on yield, grain N removal, and total above-ground plant N uptake of corn were well discriminated by N use efficiency (NUE), N uptake efficiency (NUpE), N utilization efficiency (NUtE), N agronomic efficiency (NAE), and N recovery efficiency (NRE), but not by N physiological efficiency (NPE) and N harvest index (NHI). Legacy effects on soybean yield from the preceding corn were detected by NAE and NRE. Based on grain yield in conjunction with N use efficiency parameters, the IN performed the best, followed by LM. The NUE, NUpE, NUtE, NAE, and NRE parameters used to evaluate chemical fertilizer N were also applicable to evaluate manure N efficiency.

Assessment of phosphorus status in a calcareous soil receiving long‐term application of chemical fertilizer and different forms of swine manures

“…The initial property of the soil in 2004 showed that the soil contained 28%, 35%, and 37% sand, silt, and clay, respectively. The soil pH was 6.2; organic carbon was 2.27%; CEC was 18.8 cmol kg −1 ; total N was 0.2%; Olsen P was 7.1 mg kg −1 ; and extractable Mg, Ca, and K were 390, 2430, and 131 mg kg −1 , respectively (Hao et al., 2015; Niu et al., 2023). The continuous cultivation of corn and soybean, and application of different P‐containing fertilizers since 2004 significantly changed the soil chemical property (Table 1).…”

“…Before the experiment was established in 2004, corn was grown for 3 years with an annual application of only 150 kg N ha −1 . This was done to reduce the variation in soil test P and other nutrients (Hao et al., 2015; Niu et al., 2023). Afterward, the field was divided into three blocks with a spacing of 16 m between blocks, and 9‐m spacing between treatment plots.…”

“…The fertilizer and swine manure treatments were always applied to the corn phase of the yearly corn-soybean rotation. Detailed description of the manure preparation, properties, and the experimental design can be found in Hao et al (2015) and Niu et al (2023).…”