Soil organic carbon, nitrate contents, physical properties and maize growth as influenced by dairy manure and nitrogen rates
2012
Iqbal, M. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Inst. of Soil and Environmental Sciences) | Khan, A.G. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Inst. of Soil and Environmental Sciences) | Anwar-ul-Hassan (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Inst. of Soil and Environmental Sciences) | Raza, M.W. | Amjad, M.
This study was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the effect of dairy manure (0, 25 & 50 Mg per ha) and nitrogen rate (200, 250 & 300 kg per ha) on soil physical health indices, soil organic carbon and nitrate contents in maize (Zea mays L.). The samples were taken at 0-10, 10-25 and 25-40 cm depth for determining the nitrate concentration leached below the root zone. The results showed that the plant height, grain yield and biological yield of maize increased by 28.3%, 15.5% and 20.6%, respectively at nitrogen rate 300 kg per ha and 50 Mg per ha dairy manure than the control treatment (DM0 x N200). Dairy manure increased infiltration rate and soil hydraulic conductivity. But it reduced the soil strength that might be due to better soil aeration and upgrading of soil structure. Dairy manure and nitrogen application significantly increased soil organic carbon contents over control at both 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depth. Dairy manure and nitrogen caused greater leaching of nitrate than the control at all depths.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Research Centre