Offered Papers Theme B: Grassland and the Environment

Description

Animal manure is an excellent plant nutrient source for pastures but increasing soil P level over time is a major environmental problem (Sims et al., 1998). The increase in residual soil P is due to the difference in N-P ratio in the manure and forage crop requirements (Robinson, 1996). All the N in animal manure is normally utilised but only from 20 to 40% of the P is taken up. With moderate rates of manure application, nitrogen becomes the limiting nutrient for grasses. The objective of this study was to see if combining commercial N fertiliser with broiler litter would enhance forage yield and P uptake sufficiently to reduce residual soil P levels.

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Reducing Soil Phosphorus Buildup from Animal Manure Application

Animal manure is an excellent plant nutrient source for pastures but increasing soil P level over time is a major environmental problem (Sims et al., 1998). The increase in residual soil P is due to the difference in N-P ratio in the manure and forage crop requirements (Robinson, 1996). All the N in animal manure is normally utilised but only from 20 to 40% of the P is taken up. With moderate rates of manure application, nitrogen becomes the limiting nutrient for grasses. The objective of this study was to see if combining commercial N fertiliser with broiler litter would enhance forage yield and P uptake sufficiently to reduce residual soil P levels.