Effect of repeated hog and cattle manure application on soil quality in east central Saskatchewan
Date
2001-02-22
Authors
Assefa, B.A.
Grevers, M.C.J.
Schoenau, J.J.
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Abstract
The effect of repeated (4 years) manure applications on some soil quality indices such as pH, EC, SAR, bulk density, and aggregation was evaluated. The study was conducted at two sites (Burr and Dixon) in the Black Soil Zone near Humboldt in east central Saskatchewan. The study was initiated in 1996 and the sites received manure annually for the last four years. Sites were soil sampled in the spring of 2000 and the above properties were analyzed. The treatments used were: check (no manure application), low rate, medium rate, and high rate manure applications based on nitrogen requirement. The responses of crops to the manure additions were documented. The results of the analysis of the chemical and physical properties of the soils following the repeated manure applications are discussed in this paper. It was observed that pH and EC were not much affected by repeated manure applications. However, there was an increasing trend in the soils' salinity and an increased sodicity (SAR) was observed. Soil bulk density decreased at the Burr sites and soil aggregation decreased at all sites. From the results obtained it was concluded that soil structure deterioration could be a concern due repeated manure applications because of considerable sodium accumulation and therefore, salinity and sodicity should be monitored in a given long-term manure application scheme.
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long-term, salinity, sodicity, soil structure
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Soils and Crops Workshop