[Quantity and composition of slurry, and weather affect the nitrogen-use-efficiency]
1998
Walther, U. (Eidg. Forschungsanstalt fuer Agraroekologie und Landbau Reckenholz, FAL, Zuerich (Switzerland))
Nitrogen from slurry can only be utilized when slurry is in the soil. It is easily lost as long as slurry is at the soil surface. Cattle slurry with an ammonium content of less than 1.5 kg NH4-N/m3 should be spread on grassland in quantities of at least 30 m3/ha. The mean temperature should be at most 15 deg. C during 12 hours after spreading, the mean relative humidity at least 65-70%. With more than 1.5 kg NH4-N/m3, a temperature of less than 10 deg. C, a humidity of more than 75% and a higher quantity of slurry would be required for good nitrogen-use-efficiency. This would have undesirable effects on the composition of prairies with wide botanical diversity. Therefore, slurry should be diluted to less than 1.5 kg NH4-N/m3. The described weather conditions are rare in mid-summer; slurry application during rainy weather could improve N-use-efficiency, when the dangers of soil-compaction and superficial run off are respected. More investigations of the factors contributing to N-use-efficiency and N-loss are necessary and should include condition and absorptive strength of the soil surface. The influence of rain during or after slurry application considering amount of rain and run off losses should be inquired.
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