Effect of cattle dung patches on soil tests and botanical and chemical composition of herbage

Weeda, W. C.

doi:10.1080/00288233.1977.10427362

Cited by 22 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…As a result of the improved soil fertility and greater microbial activity, nutrients in dung are also available for plant uptake, and influence pasture species composition Weeda 1977;Williams and Haynes 1995). After the initial smothering, Williams and Haynes (1995) observed increased herbage production and greater cumulative herbage under dung pads.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Dung pads increase pasture production, soil nutrients and microbial biomass carbon in grazed dairy systems

Aarons

O’Connor

Hosseini

et al. 2008

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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In grazing systems dung is an important source of nutrients which can increase soil fertility and contribute to nutrient cycling through increased pasture production. Changes in soil chemical and biological properties and pasture production were measured below and around dung pads created in the field. Almost 65% of the total dung P remained after 45 days and about two-thirds of the pad fresh weight had disappeared in that time, indicating that physical degradation is the mechanism of incorporation of dung P. All the pads bar one were completely degraded by 112 days. At this time, soil pH and EC increased under dung pads as did Olsen extractable inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and total phosphorus (Pt), with these changes observed at 0-5 and 5-10 cm depths. Bicarbonate extractable soil organic phosphorus (Po) was not affected by dung and the observed differences in soil Po:Pi ratios were largely influenced by the substantial addition of inorganic P from dung. Dung increased the P buffering capacity of the 0-5 cm soil samples collected at the end of the experiment, potentially contributing to the increased extractable soil P measured under the pads. Dung also changed soil properties in 0-10 cm samples with increases in soil pH, EC, Colwell P and Colwell K recorded even long after the dung had completely disappeared. Microbial biomass carbon increased under dung pads in the 0-10 cm soil samples in the first 45 days after pads were applied. Total herbage production and ryegrass biomass increased significantly under and around the pads by 112 days after dung was applied. The botanical composition changed significantly with increased ryegrass contents observed, but only under the dung pads. This experiment demonstrated that increases in pasture around dung pads in the field are not solely due to animal rejection.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The botanical composition of the pasture changed significantly with increases in ryegrass yields up to 12.7 cm away from the dung and decreases in browntop (Agrostis tenuis Sibth.) under dung (Weeda 1977).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dung pads increase pasture production, soil nutrients and microbial biomass carbon in grazed dairy systems

Aarons

O’Connor

Hosseini

et al. 2008

Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

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“…Dung increased the nutrient content of the soil below the pads (MacDiarmid and Watkin 1972a;Weeda 1977;Dickinson and Craig 1990;Williams and Haynes 1995), with Olsen extractable P and Colwell K almost doubled in the upper soil layers in this experiment. Nutrient movement from the pads into the soil varied depending on mobility of the nutrient.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…A significant increase in Truog soil P under dung was observed within 10 days (MacDiarmid and Watkin 1972a) and within 1 month (Weeda 1977) of the application of pads. Williams and Haynes (1995) reported a significant increase in bicarbonate-extractable P in soil 12 months after the application of cattle dung.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Corrigendum to: Dung decomposition in temperate dairy pastures. I. Changes in soil chemical properties

Aarons¹,

Gourley²,

O’Connor³

2004

Soil Res.

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The effect of dung from cows grazing low and high input systems (2 cows/ha, 35 kg P/ha; 4 cows/ha, 140 kg P/ha) on soil chemical properties in temperate dairy pastures was investigated. Dung was used to create pads, and their effect on soil at 2 depths compared with control areas to which nothing was applied. Most dung had decomposed after 40 days in autumn, and was completely degraded by Day 60 in this temperate environment. Large quantities of the nutrients P, K, Ca, Na, Mg, and S were applied to the soil in these dung pads. The mechanism of movement of these nutrients from the pads into soil appeared to be based on their solubility in water. Phosphorus did not leach from the pads but was incorporated into the soil with the decomposing pad. Calcium, Mg, and S concentrations declined slowly in the decomposing pads. On the other hand, K and Na appeared to leach from the pads, as significant decreases in concentrations occurred during decomposition. Soil pH (1:20 soil:water) decreased under dung pads, although the effect did not last beyond 60 days and was linked to the observed increase in soil EC with depth. Extractable P and K increased considerably in soil under dung pads, but only in the upper 0–5 cm layer. Soil exchangeable aluminium and total organic P were not affected by the presence of dung pads. These results are discussed in relation to nutrient cycling in temperate Australian dairy pasture soils.

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“…In another trial (Weeda 1977) I have shown that recovery of faecal K can be quite rapid -62% in 1.5 months and 80% in 3.5 months. This shows that recycling of K under grazing can be quite rapid and c~n ~ave a major influence on pasture yields, even W1~hin one year.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Weeda¹

1981

New Zealand Journal of Experimental Agriculture

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Effect of cattle dung patches on soil tests and botanical and chemical composition of herbage

Cited by 22 publications

References 8 publications

Dung pads increase pasture production, soil nutrients and microbial biomass carbon in grazed dairy systems

Dung pads increase pasture production, soil nutrients and microbial biomass carbon in grazed dairy systems

Corrigendum to: Dung decomposition in temperate dairy pastures. I. Changes in soil chemical properties

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