Publication Date

1997

Location

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Description

Livestock farmers face constraints in efficient manure management because of limited land availability, especially during the growing season, but reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) may provide a solution. We measured yield and apparent N removal of established reed canarygrass with surface-applied dairy manure slurry at three locations in the Upper Midwest, USA. Slurry was broadcast or banded at rates up to 375 m3 ha-1 (1190 kg N ha-1) in single or split applications and N fertilizer was applied at rates up to 448 kg N ha- 1 for comparison. Herbage was harvested three times per year. Nitrogen removal in herbage increased linearly with slurry rate, but yields and crude protein concentrations were lower than with N fertilizer. Apparent slurry N removal efficiencies ranged from 22% to 48%. Reed canarygrass can tolerate high rates of slurry addition, and can provide a window of opportunity for summer manure spreading, but rates should be moderated on coarse-textured soils to prevent nitrate leaching losses.

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Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris Arundinacea L.) Response to Liquid Dairy Manure or Fertilizer N

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Livestock farmers face constraints in efficient manure management because of limited land availability, especially during the growing season, but reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) may provide a solution. We measured yield and apparent N removal of established reed canarygrass with surface-applied dairy manure slurry at three locations in the Upper Midwest, USA. Slurry was broadcast or banded at rates up to 375 m3 ha-1 (1190 kg N ha-1) in single or split applications and N fertilizer was applied at rates up to 448 kg N ha- 1 for comparison. Herbage was harvested three times per year. Nitrogen removal in herbage increased linearly with slurry rate, but yields and crude protein concentrations were lower than with N fertilizer. Apparent slurry N removal efficiencies ranged from 22% to 48%. Reed canarygrass can tolerate high rates of slurry addition, and can provide a window of opportunity for summer manure spreading, but rates should be moderated on coarse-textured soils to prevent nitrate leaching losses.