Phosphorus in pulse production

Non-Peer Reviewe

Impact of repeated manure applications on metal load and plant availability in Saskatchewan soils

Non-Peer Reviewe

Crop yield response and recovery of nutrients applied as thin stillage in a Black Chernozem

Non-Peer ReviewedRapid increase in ethanol production from cereal grain to substitute fossil fuel has resulted also in different types of byproduct associated with its production. One of these byproducts is thin stillage. Thin stillage is found to contain all essential plant nutrients which can promote its use as soil amendment/organic fertilizer. Consequently, The aim of this study was to examine the effect of thin stillage versus urea application on crop yield and nutrients recovery in Black Chernozem soil. The experimental treatments included: 3 rates of thin stillage (16800; low rate, 33600; medium rate and 67200 L ha-1; high rate) using two methods of application: injected or broadcasted) and 3 rates of urea-N (50, 100 or 200 kg N ha-1). An unamended control was included. Treatments were applied for 2 consecutive years. In both years and per unit of N added, the thin stillage produced equivalent or higher yields than urea. This is explained by other nutrients in thin stillage, including phosphorus, that would contribute to plant nutrition and yield. Significant impact of method of thin stillage application on nutrients recovery was evident in both years, especially with the low rate of application. This study demonstrated that thin stillage byproduct can be effective amendments to provide nutrients to plants and enhance the production

Composted versus fresh distillers grain and solubles derived manure as nutrient source for canola

Non-Peer Reviewe

Use of a nitrification inhibitor to improve crop recovery of manure nutrients

Non-Peer ReviewedIntensive hog operations generate large amounts of manure that must be dealt with in a manner that is both economically and environmentally sound. The objective of the research described is to evaluate the effect of adding a nitrification inhibitor as means of enhancing crop recovery of manure nitrogen. A long - term swine manure field trial located on a Black Chernozem (Cudworth Association) near Dixon, SK was used in the study. A nitrification inhibitor (DCD) was added to liquid swine manure that was applied using low disturbance injection in the spring of 2005. The application rate of nitrogen in this treatment was ~ 75 kg N . ha-1 per year. This was compared to the same rate of liquid swine manure applied without the inhibitor. The efficacy of the nitrification inhibitor was evaluated by measurement of plant nitrogen recovery. As well, PRS™-probes (anion and cation exchange membranes) were used to assess ammonium and nitrate supply rates in the soil during the growing season as affected by treatment. Plant samples were also taken biweekly during the growing season to quantify biomass production and measure plant nitrogen uptake in the selected treatments. Data obtained in the 2005 season indicates that the nitrification inhibitor was effective in keeping more of the manure nitrogen in the ammonium form during the 2005 season at the Dixon site. However, significant increases in crop nitrogen recovery, and yield responses were not observed from the use of the nitrification inhibitor at the Dixon site. This may be explained by conditions during the growing season that were not conducive to high potential losses of nitrate by leaching or denitrification

Second-year decomposition and nutrient release characteristics of ten annual crop residues in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada

Non-Peer Reviewe

Hog manure – a dilute fertilizer with extra’s

Non-Peer ReviewedHog manure is valued as a source of plant nutrients but there is concern that land application of large volumes of hog manure applied repeatedly over many years, may deteriorate the quality of local soils, reduce crop production and lead to pollution of the environment. A major field research project has been initiated to determine the long-term impact of hog manure applications on the quality of the soil and to determine optimal application rates of hog manure in Saskatchewan

Amending soil with combinations of biochar and manure: impacts on soil properties, barley yield, and nutrient uptake

Non-Peer Reviewe

An interdisciplinary study of the extent of soil degradation in southern Africa

Non-Peer Reviewe

Spring wheat response to zinc and copper applied to eroded soils

Non-Peer ReviewedA response to added N and P was not observed in a growth chamber experiment using soils sampled from eroded knolls. Subsequent soil tests indicated very low levels of available copper and zinc in some of the soils. A second growth chamber experiment was set up to determine if micronutrient deficiencies may have limited yield. Soil was collected from a number of eroded knolls in a farm field near Lanigan, and wheat yield response to added zinc and copper was measured. There was little response to copper, but earlier maturity and increased yield was observed on several of the soils where zinc had been applied