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Predicting phosphorus availability from soil-applied composted and non-composted cattle feedlot manure
Francis Zvomuya1, Bobbi L Helgason, Francis J Larney
1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, 5403 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, Canada T1J 4B1.
Journal of Environmental Quality
|April 28, 2006
Summary
Predicting phosphorus availability from compost and manure is key for farming and the environment. Simple chemical tests on amendments can accurately forecast plant phosphorus uptake and recovery, aiding sustainable nutrient management.
Area of Science:
- Soil Science
- Agronomy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) availability from soil amendments is crucial for crop nutrition and preventing environmental pollution.
- Composted and non-composted manures are widely used soil amendments, but their P release dynamics vary.
- Accurate prediction of P availability is needed for efficient nutrient management and to mitigate eutrophication risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To predict cumulative phosphorus uptake (CPU) in plants using chemical properties of composted and non-composted beef cattle manures.
- To evaluate the apparent phosphorus recovery (APR) from different organic amendments and inorganic fertilizer.
- To identify key amendment properties for modeling P availability from organic sources.
Main Methods:
- A 363-day controlled environment chamber bioassay using canola (Brassica napus L.) grown in pots with amended soil.
- Analysis of chemical properties of eight composted and two non-composted beef cattle manures.
- Statistical modeling, including Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression, to correlate amendment properties with CPU.
Main Results:
- Cumulative P uptake was higher from organic amendments (composted and non-composted manures) compared to the unamended control.
- Apparent P recovery (APR) was lower for composted manure (24%) than non-composted manure (33%), but comparable to inorganic fertilizer (27%).
- Total water-extractable phosphorus (TPH2O) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in amendments were sufficient to model amendment-derived cumulative P uptake (ACPU), explaining 81% of the variation.
Conclusions:
- Soil-applied composted and non-composted manures provide significant P for plant uptake.
- Simple chemical measurements of amendments can accurately predict P availability and plant P recovery.
- This predictive capability supports tailored application rates, optimizing crop nutrition and minimizing environmental P loading.