Improving Water Quality by Precision Application of Manure and Promising Pollutant Mitigation Options
Date
2022-03-08
Authors
Asgedom, Haben
Schoenau, J.
Soolanayakanahally, R.
Akhter, F.
Derdall, E.
Svendsen, E.
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Abstract
Manure production is one of the main nutrient source to crops. Statistics Canada estimated 182 million Mg of manure produced in 2006. The manure production is expected to increase as livestock operations expand. Though manure is a valuable nutrient source for crops and improves soil conditions, it could be source of nutrients and other contaminants to waterbodies transported via runoff. Field and lab experiments were initiated in 2021 at the University of Saskatchewan's Livestock Forage Center of Excellence (LFCE) near Clavet, southeast of Saskatoon and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) - Saskatoon Farm. Three fertilizer management practices (Precision rate application of solid cattle manure - PRASM, Flat rate application of solid cattle manure - FRASM, Flat rate application of anhydrous ammonia - FRAA) were applied at contrasting micro-watersheds. Twenty-seven runoff collection frames (RCF) were inst alled and in-season rainfall simulations were conducted nearby the RCF. Runoff collected from the RCF were transported to AAFC Saskatoon Farm and let pass-through amended soil columns (control, soil + solid manure / straw derived biochar, soil + gypsum). Water samples were analysed for phosphorus (dissolved organic P, soluble reactive P, total P), nitrogen (NH4-N, NO3-N), other micro and macro nutrients (K, SO4-S, Mg, Ca, Na), pH, and EC. Trace elements analysis was considered for selected treatments. Mitigation potential of fertilizer application methods, gypsum and biochar observed in the first-year experiment will be presented.
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Manure, Soil Conditions, Management
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Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop