Influence of Liquid Cattle Manure on Micronutrients Content and Uptake by Corn and their Availability in a Calcareous Soil

Abstract

The effect of soil application of liquid dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure on Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and B content and uptake by corn (Zea mays L.) and their availability in a calcareous soil was studied. The field received 9 yr of liquid cattle manure in two fertilization experiments, initially with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (1996–2000), followed by a similar experiment with corn (2002–2006). The treatments, practiced on the same plots every year since 1996, included: (i) soil incorporation of liquid dairy cattle manure before sowing at a rate equivalent to the recommended N‐P inorganic fertilization for each crop; (ii) application of the recommended inorganic N‐P fertilization for each crop, before sowing; (iii) identical to ii, but with split N application; and (iv) no fertilization (control). Surface soil samples were analyzed at the beginning of each corn‐growing season and in the spring of 2007. Corn samples, collected at the R3 growth stage, were also analyzed. The results showed that concentrations of all micronutrients in corn were not affected by fertilization. However, following manure application in 2005 and 2006, micronutrients' uptake by corn was significantly increased compared to the control, and was similar to levels for the inorganic fertilizer treatments. After 9 yr of manure application to soil, DTPA extractable Cu, Zn, and Mn and hot water extractable B were significantly increased. In addition, soil total and dissolved organic C were significantly increased and dissolved organic C was significantly correlated to DTPA extractable metals.

Accumulation of copper and zinc in soil and plant within ten-year application of different pig manure rates

“…These indicated that Cu and Zn concentrations in crops were not influenced by soil total or DTPA Cu and Zn. The same outcome was reported for Cu and Zn concentrations in maize following the addition of liquid swine manure (Berenguer et al 2008) and liquid dairy cattle manure (Nikoli et al 2011). Essentially, plant appeared to be capable of restricting heavy metal translocation from soil to roots and internal transport to avoid excessive heavy metal-induced damage (Ahumada et al 2009).…”

“…According to recent studies, repeated application of poultry litter (Schomberg et al 2008), pig slurry (Novak et al 2004, Berenguer et al 2008 or cattle manure (Lipoth andSchoenau 2007, Benke et al 2008) can substantially increase the Cu and Zn contents in the upper soil layer. Moreover, several researchers have investigated the impact of liquid swine or solid cattle manures on the absorption of Cu and Zn by different plant species (Zhou et al 2005, Hanč et al 2008, Nikoli and Matsi 2011, Legros et al 2013. For example, the result of Lipoth and Schoenau (2007) showed that Cu concentration in the straw of wheat (3.11 mg/kg) at the highest rate of swine effluent was significantly higher than the control (1.90 mg/kg).…”

Liquid Cattle Manure Application to Soil and Its Effect on Crop Growth, Yield, Composition, and on Soil Properties

“…In any case, increases of these plant parameters are expected after repeated annual applications of LCM to soil for many years and/or at high rates (Evans et al, 1977;Nikoli & Matsi, 2011 Table 2. Field experiments: liquid cattle manure (LCM) application rates, the plant species studied and the duration of the experiment.…”

“…Therefore, it can serve directly as a source of micronutrients, upon its use as basal dressing for crops, increasing micronutrients plant uptake and probably concentration (Brock et al, 2006;Nikoli & Matsi, 2011). In addition, an indirect effect of LCM on the availability of the soil native micronutrients cannot be excluded.…”

“…In addition, an indirect effect of LCM on the availability of the soil native micronutrients cannot be excluded. Application of the LCM to soil for a long period and/or at high rates can increase the soil organic matter especially the dissolved fraction (Antil et al, 2005a;Culley et al, 1981;Nikoli & Matsi, 2011), since a considerable part of the organic matter of manure (around 20 %) exists in its liquid phase (Japenga et al, 1992). Consequently, soil application of LCM can enhance solubilization of metal micronutrients through their complexation with the dissolved organic matter and consequently increase availability to plants (Japenga et al, 1992).…”