HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Long, F. L. Articles by Hermanson, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Long, F. L. Articles by Hermanson, R. E. Agricola Articles by Long, F. L. Articles by Hermanson, R. E.

Effect of Soil-Incorporated Dairy Cattle Manure on Runoff Water Quality and Soil Properties¹

ABSTRACT

Effects of cattle manure application on quality of runoff water and soil properties were studied on 0.04-ha plots cropped with millet (‘Gahi-1’ pearl millet [Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum.]) and rye (‘Abruzzi’ rye [Secale cereale L.]) and instrumented for measuring and sampling runoff water. Manure applied at the rate of 45 metric tons ha^–1 year^–1 (dry weight) for 3 years and incorporated into the surface 15 cm of soil did not result in runoff water biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) values exceeding those for untreated soil. Nitrate levels in runoff water were not affected by the manure application and averaged less than 2 mg/liter of NO₃-N. There was a slight accumulation of nitrate in the soil profile due to the manure applications. After 3 years, nitrate averaged 0.15 and 0.08 meq NO₃/100 g greater in the manured plots than in the check plots at the 0- to 45-cm and 45- to 90-cm depths, respectively. Nitrate accumulated in the millet forage above the safe level for feeding cattle, but not in the rye forage. Soil pH was increased to a depth of about 60 cm by manure application. Periodic carbon analysis of the soil indicated that organic matter was being decomposed fairly rapidly, and at the end of 3 years only 38% of the applied carbon remained.

Key Words: animal waste • biochemical oxygen demand • soil pH • water pollution

¹ Contribution from Soil and Water Research, Southern Region, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture; and Department of Agronomy and Soils, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, AL 36830.

² Soil Scientists, USDA, Auburn, Ala., and Agricultural Engineer, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, formerly at Auburn University.

Received for publication April 25, 1974.