Bruce W. Beasley

Barley dry matter yield, crop uptake, and soil nutrients under fresh and composted manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding

Limited information exists on the effect of fresh versus composted beef cattle manure containing straw or wood chips on barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient status in the Great Plains region of North America. Barley was grown on an irrigated clay loam soil in southern Alberta from 1999 to 2001. The treatments were three rates (13, 39, 77 Mg dry material per hectare) of fresh manure (FM) or composted manure (CM) containing either straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding, one inorganic (IN) fertilizer treatment (100 kg N ha-1, 17 kg P ha-1), and a control treatment; applied in the fall of 1998, 1999, and 2000. Dry matter yield was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by manure type or bedding material. Crop protein was 7% higher under FM (12.7 g kg-1) than CM (11.9 g kg-1) in 2001, and crop N uptake was 11 to 13% higher for CM-ST (171.3 kg ha-1) and FM-WD (174.9 kg ha-1) than CM-WD (154.7 kg ha-1) over the 3 yr. Soil available N was 20 to 261% higher for FM than CM at the 39 and...

Available nitrogen and phosphorus in soil amended with fresh or composted cattle manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding

Limited research exists on the effect of fresh versus composted beef cattle manure containing straw or wood chips on available N and P in the Great Plains region of North America. Barley was grown (1999-2007) on an irrigated clay loam soil in southern Alberta where organic amendments and fertilizer were applied annually for 9 yr from 1998 to 2006. The treatments were three rates (13, 39, 77 Mg dry wt. ha-1) of fresh manure (FM, stockpiled for up to 2 m) or composted manure (CM) containing either straw (ST) or wood chip (WD) bedding, one inorganic (IN) fertilizer treatment, and a unamended control. The soil was sampled in the fall of 1999 to 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007 and was analyzed for soil inorganic N (SIN), NO3-N, NH4-N, and soil test P (STP). Soil mineralizable N was also determined on surface soil samples collected from 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2007. Manure type had a significant effect on SIN, NO3-N, STP, and soil mineralizable N, but the effects varied with year or bedding and rate (SIN), rate or yea...

Soil salinity and sodicity after application of fresh and composted manure with straw or wood-chips

Limited information exists on the effect of fresh versus composted beef cattle manure containing straw or wood chips on salinity (EC), soluble salts (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO4), sodicity (sodium adsorption ratio, SAR), and potassium adsorption ratio (PAR) status of soil in the Great Plains region of North America. A site on a clay loam soil under irrigated barley (Hordeum vulgare) in southern Alberta was used for this study. The treatments were three rates (13, 39, 77 Mg ha-1 dry material) of fresh manure (FM) or composted manure (CM) containing either straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding, one inorganic (IN) fertilizer treatment, and a control (CON) treatment. All treatments were applied in the fall of 1998, 1999, and 2000. Soil sampling was conducted in the fall of 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 prior to manure and fertilizer application. Our results indicated that applying CM to irrigated barley for 3 yr at rates up to 77 Mg ha-1 should not cause an increase in any of the salinity variables compared with FM. C...

Short-Term Nitrogen Leaching Potential Of Fresh and Composted Beef Cattle Manure Applied to Disturbed Soil Cores

Although fresh beef cattle (Bos taurus) manure has traditionally been applied to cropland in southern Alberta, there has been a recent increase in application of composted manure to cropland in this region. Nitrogen leaching from fresh manure (FM) versus composted (CM) beef cattle manure application has not been investigated in this region. Our objective was to compare short-term (# 23 d) N leaching potential of NO3 -N and NH4 -N under increasing rates (0, 13, 39, 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt.) of FM and CM applied to a clay loam soil under uniform soil and simulated environmental conditions. Amendments were applied and incorporated into repacked 15-cm soil (surface Ah horizon) cores, incubated for 15 d, and then leached under constant-head and saturated conditions in the laboratory. An unamended control (CON) was also used. Leaching potential of NO3-N and NH4-N depended on how the N leaching variable was expressed: peak concentration vs flow-weighted mean concentration (FWMC) vs mass loss vs recovery in leachate. Peak concentrations of NO3-N were at least 90% greater for CM (125.8 mg L−1) than FM (66.3 mg L−1) and the CON (60.5 mg L−1) treatments. The FWMC of NO3-N was significantly (P # 0.05) greater for CM (21.0 mg L1) than FM (16.3 mg L−1). Recovery of NO3-N in leachate as a percentage of total N applied was significantly greater for CM (4.7%) than FM (0.8%). Peak concentrations of NH4-N, FWMC of NH4-N, mass loss of NO3 and NH4, and recovery of NH4, were similar between FM and CM. These results suggest that short-term N leaching potential of CM was greater than FM for peak concentration, FWMC, and recovery of NO3-N.

Influence of Long-Term (9 yr) Composted and Stockpiled Feedlot Manure Application on Selected Soil Physical Properties of a Clay Loam Soil in Southern Alberta

ABSTRACT Land application of composted feedlot cattle (Bos taurus) manure may have differential effects on soil physical properties compared to stockpiled manure because of the differences in the composition, particle size, and decomposability of these materials. Our objective was to determine the effect of long-term (9 yr) composted (CM) versus stockpiled (SM) manure application on selected soil physical properties. Intact soil cores were taken from CM, SM, and unamended control treatments from a long-term field experiment in the fall of 2007. Soil bulk density, plant available water (PAW), and soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity at low (0–34 kPa) water potentials were determined on the soil cores. Water retention at the 0 to 10 cm depth was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for SM than CM between -5 and -34 kPa, suggesting an increase in transmission and storage pores in the SM treatment. In contrast, water retention at the 10 to 20 cm depth was greater for CM than SM at -1 and -5 kPa, indicating an increase in transmission pores for this treatment. Based on the results of our study, application of CM instead of SM will likely not improve most soil physical properties measured, with the exception of water retention at certain water potentials in the top two depths. However, organic amendments will likely improve most soil properties measured compared to unamended soils.

Transport of Residual Soluble Salts and Total Sulfur through Intact Soil Cores Amended with Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure for Nine Years

ABSTRACT Composting of beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure may increase the soluble salt (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and total sulfur (S) content and increase transport through the soil. Little research has been conducted on comparing transport of these chemicals through soil amended with composted (CM) manure versus fresh feedlot manure stockpiled for up to two months (FM). Our objective was to determine if the transport of these chemicals was greater for CM compared to FM when annually applied at 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil. Intact soil cores were taken from a field experiment in the spring of 2007. Deionized water was applied to the soil cores in the laboratory under steady-state (4.9 cm d−1) and unsaturated conditions. Residual chemical concentrations in effluent were measured and breakthrough curves and cumulative mass loss curves obtained. The peak concentrations of K and total S; flow-weighted mean concentration (FWMC) and mass loss for Na, K, and total S; and recovery of Mg, Na, K, and total S were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for CM compared to FM. However, peak concentrations, FWMCs, and mass loss of Ca and Mg were similar for both manure types. Treatment effects on these two soluble salts were likely masked by high natural Ca and Mg already in the soil. Analysis of co-variance also suggested greater cumulative mass loss of most chemicals (except Ca) for CM than FM at pore volumes between 0.25 and 2.5. However, our findings could not be explained by the differences in chemical content of the amendments or soil, or greater cation exchange capacity for CM than FM. The greater unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (at 7 mBar) of soil amended with CM compared to FM was the likely cause of greater transport of Na, K, and total S; and may be related to a physical effect of finer particles increasing water flow for composted manure.

Transport of Residual Nutrients Through Intact Soil Cores Amended With Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Manure for Nine Years

Although fresh beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure has traditionally been applied to cropland in Western Canada, application of composted manure has recently increased, and the environmental impact of increasing application of composted manure is unknown. Our main objective was to compare the effect of fresh versus composted feedlot manure on transport of residual nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), chloride (Cl), and total reactive P (TRP) to subsurface soil. Fresh and composted feedlot manure was annually applied at 0 and 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil in a replicated field experiment. Intact soil cores (0-30 cm depth) were taken from the field in the spring of 2007, and the residual soil chemicals were eluted from the soil cores by applying deionized water to obtain breakthrough curves. Although mean values for peak and flow-weighted mean concentrations, and mass loss of NO3-N, Cl, and TRP were, in general, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher for the amended cores compared to the unamended control, there were no significant differences between fresh and composted manure. Asymmetrical breakthrough curves and peak concentrations prior to one volume for NO3-N and Cl indicated preferential transport in macropores, whereas a gradual increase in concentration for TRP indicated transport by matrix flow. The cumulative mass of NO3-N and Cl were described using an exponential equation with asymptote and negative rate constants, and reflected a rapid initial release of these chemicals followed by a steady-state condition. In contrast, TRP loss from amended cores was best fit with an exponential growth equation and positive rate constant, and reflected a gradual slow release of this chemical. Mean peak concentrations exceeded the Canadian drinking water guideline of 10 mg NO3-N L−1 by 44 fold for composted manure (438 mg L−1), 34 fold for fresh manure (339 mg L−1), and 15 fold for the unamended control (153 mg L−1). The P sorption index was similar for fresh and composted manure, but mean values were significantly lower for the amended compared to unamended soil cores. Our findings suggested no statistical evidence for more transport of these nutrients for composted compared to fresh manure but there was a greater risk of transport for amended compared to unamended soils, particularly for macropore transport of NO3-N and Cl.

Transport of Metals (Al, Fe) and Trace Elements (Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn) through Intact Soil Cores Amended with Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Manure for Nine Years

ABSTRACT Composting of feedlot cattle (Bos Taurus) manure may enhance metal and trace element accumulation and transport through the soil because these elements are concentrated in manure during composting. Little research has been conducted on comparing transport of metals (Al, Fe) and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn) through soil amended with composted manure (CM) versus fresh feedlot manure (FM) stockpiled for up to two months. Our objective was to determine if the transport of six selected chemicals (Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo) was affected by the composting of cattle manure applied annually at 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil. Intact soil cores were taken from a field experiment in the spring of 2007. Deionized water was applied to the soil cores in the laboratory under steady-state (4.9 cm d−1) and unsaturated conditions. The chemical concentrations were measured in the effluent and breakthrough curves and cumulative mass loss curves obtained. Flow-weighted mean concentrations (FWMC) and mass loss of Al, Fe, Ni, Mo, and Cu, recovery of total applied Al, and maximum concentrations of Fe and Mo were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for CM compared to FM. Although greater chemical concentrations in amendments and soil for CM than FM may partially explain greater transport under CM, we believe that greater unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at 7 mBar for CM was a more important factor.

Influence of long-term application of composted or stockpiled feedlot manure with straw or wood chips on soil cation exchange capacity

ABSTRACT The influence of annual applications of composted (CM) or stockpiled (SM) beef feedlot manure with straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding on cation exchange capacity (CEC) of a clay loam soil in southern Alberta was examined after 1, 8, and 15 years. The hypotheses in our study were that soil CEC should be greater for amended than unamended soils; manure type and bedding should have no effect on soil CEC; and soil CEC should increase with greater manure application rate. After fifteen applications, the CEC was significantly greater for amended than unamended soils. Manure type had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on soil CEC after fifteen applications, and the mean soil CEC was 5% greater for WD than ST. Mean CEC was significantly greater by 7 to 12% for the 77 than the 13 and the 39 Mg ha−1 rates after fifteen applications. The soil CEC was increased by 0.061 cmolc kg−1 for a unit increase in application rate (Mg dry wt. ha−1 yr−1), and 96% of the variation in CEC for amended soils could be explained by application rate. Overall, bedding, rate, or adjusting both bedding type and manure rate (but not manure type), may be possible practices for feedlot producers to manage soil CEC.

Transport of Residual Nitrogen and Carbon through Intact Soil Cores Amended with Stockpiled Feedlot Manure with Wood-Chip or Straw Bedding.

The environmental impact of using wood chips instead of straw bedding with feedlot manure on transport and leaching potential from feedlot manure is unknown. Our main objective was to determine if transport of total N, total organic N, NO-N, and nonpurgeable organic C (NPOC) to subsurface soil was lower for soils amended with feedlot manure if combined with wood chips compared with straw. A secondary objective was to compare transport of N and NPOC with organic amendments versus inorganic fertilizer. Stockpiled feedlot manure (SM) with wood chip (SM-WD) or barley straw (SM-ST) bedding at 39 Mg (dry wt.) ha, and inorganic fertilizer (IN) at 100 kg N ha, was applied annually for 13 yr to a clay loam soil in a replicated field experiment in southern Alberta, Canada. Intact soil cores were taken in fall 2011 (0-30 cm depth) from the three treatments, and the residual N and NPOC were eluted from the soil cores. Total N, total organic N, and NPOC were determined on filtered (1.0 μm) effluent samples that are primarily dissolved fraction but may contain some small particulate N and C. Peak concentrations, flow-weighted mean concentrations, and mass loss of total N, total organic N, NO-N, and NPOC were significantly ( ≤ 0.05) lower by 35 to 86% for SM-WD compared with SM-ST. Mean recoveries were also significantly lower for SM-WD than SM-ST by 0.07 to 8% (absolute difference). The transport behavior was similar for SM-WD and IN treatment, but solute transport was greater for SM-ST than for IN. Application of stockpiled feedlot manure with wood chips instead of straw bedding may be a beneficial management practice to reduce transport and leaching potential of N fractions and NPOC.