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Nutrient Management Research Database
General Information
Research Title
Research Specifications
Authors
Summary/Abstract from Original Source
Nitrogen and carbon mineralization rates of 19 manure and compost samples
were determined in 1996, with an additional 12 samples evaluated in 1997. These organic amendments were mixed with a soil : sand blend at 2% by dry weight and the amended blends were incubated at constant moisture for 12 (1996) or 24 weeks (1997) at 25 °C. Net N mineralization was measured at 4- (1996) or 8-week (1997) intervals, C mineralization at 4-week intervals in 1997. Pots of the amended blends were also seeded with fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) and watered, but not fertilized, for 17 (1996) or 18 weeks (1997); N phytoavailability was estimated from fescue biomass N and mineral N in pot leachate. An average of 16%, 7%, and 1% of organic N was mineralized in 12 weeks of incubation in 1996, and an average of 15%, 6%, and 2% in 24 weeks of incubation in 1997, in manure, manure compost, and plant residue compost, respectively. Overall, N recovery in the fescue assay averaged 11%, 6%, and 2% of total amendment N for manure, manure compost, and plant residue compost, respectively. Mineralization of manure C averaged 35% of initial C content in 24 weeks, while compost C mineralization averaged only 14%. Within 4 (compost) or 16 weeks (manure), the rate of mineralization of amendment C had declined to a level similar to that of the soil organic C.
Research Highlights
Design and Methods
- 31 Samples from various compost and manure amendments were collected from sources in central and southern California, including the following:
- Pelletized poultry manure
- Aged poultry manure
- Aged feedlot manure
- Poultry manure compost
- Feedlot manure compost
- Crop residue compost
- Municipal yard waste compost
- Dewatered poultry manure
- Dairy manure compost
- Samples were air dried and screened through a 12-mm mesh, then analyzed for total C and N.
- Each sample was then mixed at 2% dry weight with a 1:1 mixture of coarse sand and Yolo silt loam for use in aerobic laboratory incubations and a lath house pot experiment to estimate mineralization rates.
- The rate of C and N mineralization was assessed using aerobic incubations.
- A lath house experiment with bonsai fescue planted in each soil blend was also conducted to analyze N leachate and recovery of N from the amendments.
Results
Highlights of the results include:
- Higher amount of N tended to be mineralized from manures, followed by manure composts, with the lowest amounts of N mineralized from plant residue composts.
- N recovery in the fescue assay was similar, with the highest recoveries occurring in treatments where manure was added, with lower recoveries in manure compost treatments and the lowest recoveries found in plant residue composts.
- C mineralization results from manure and manure composts suggested that both have value in increasing soil organic C content.
Other Considerations
'Bonsai' fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) was used in the lath house study
Additional Information
Tags (links to other subject matter in database)
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