Swine effluent irrigation rate and timing effects on bermudagrass growth, nitrogen and phosphorus utilization, and residual soil nitrogen.
Maximizing utilization of effluent nutrients by forage grasses requires a better understanding of irrigation rate and timing effects. This study was conducted in 1998 and 1999 on a Vaiden silty clay (very-fine, smectitic, thermic Aquic Dystrudert) soil to determine the effects of swine lagoon effluent irrigation rate and timing on bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] growth, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) recovery, and postseason soil profile NO3(-)-N. Treatments consisted of swine effluent irrigation at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 ha-cm. Two additional treatments included 2.5 ha-cm applied on 1 September and 1 October in addition to a base summer rate of 10 ha-cm. In both years for early to mid-season irrigation, bermudagrass dry matter yield quadratically increased with increasing swine effluent irrigation rates. Averaged across years, effluent irrigation in October resulted in 30% less dry matter than in September. For late-season irrigation, apparent N recovery averaged 59% less and P recovery averaged 46% less with a delay in irrigation from 1 September to 1 October. The greatest quantity of soil NO3(-)-N was associated with both the greatest effluent rate and October irrigation treatments. Minimal yield benefit was obtained when effluent was applied at rates greater than 10 ha-cm during the summer months. Late-season irrigation, especially after 1 October for areas with similar climatic conditions, should be avoided to maximize synchronization of nutrient availability with maximum growth rates to minimize potential offsite movement of residual soil N and P.
Adeli
A
A
USDA-ARS, Waste Management and Forage Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA. aadeli@ra.msstate.edu
Varco
J J
JJ
Rowe
D E
DE
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D031744:Cynodon / Q000254:growth & development*; D008372:Manure; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014881:Water Supply
D008372:Manure; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen