Crop residue cover and manure incorporation. II. Factors influencing cover reduction
2004
Shelton, D.P.
Manure incorporation represents a compromise between best management practices for soil erosion control and manure management. Manure needs to be incorporated into the soil for odor control, maximum availability of nutrients, and control of potential manure runoff. However, disturbance of the soil and crop residue should be minimized for soil erosion control. This field study was conducted to: 1) determine the influence that commercially available soil-engaging components used to simultaneously apply and incorporate manure have on the reduction of crop residue cover (Part I - companion article); and 2) determine and evaluate some of the factors that may influence the amount of residue cover reduction that occurs with these components (Part II - this article). Four configurations of chisel and sweep injectors, two different disk-type applicators, and a coulter-type applicator were used in residue from irrigated corn (Zea mays L.), non-irrigated corn, corn that had been harvested as silage, soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.), and oats (Avena sativa L.). Spacing between injector/applicator units, applicator profile width at the soil surface, and field speed all had a significant influence on the amount of residue cover reduction and soil disturbance that occurred. Residue cover was reduced by an average of 82% when sweep points were used on a manure injector, compared with a 71% reduction when chisel points were used, a highly significant difference. Results of this research indicate that manure application/incorporation equipment must be selected, adjusted, and operated with the dual objectives of residue and manure management, if a balance between manure incorporation and soil erosion control is to be achieved.
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