Effects of Fertilizer, Pig Manure, and Sewage Sludge on Timothy and Soils
1986
Warman, P. R.
Research determined the effect of fertilizer, sewage sludge and pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) manure on timothy (Phleum pratense L.) yield, tissue composition, and soil fertility from 1979 to 1982. Field plots in Quebec on sandy loam and clay loam soils compared 0 fertilizer and annual applications (1979–1981) of two rates of fertilizer (F1,F2 = 110-50-85, 220-50-85 kg ha⁻¹ N-P₂O₅-K₂O), pig manure (PM1,PM2 = 75 150 wet Mg ha⁻¹) or aerobically digested sewage sludge (SS1,SS2 = 150 300 wet Mg ha⁻¹). The F2, PM2, and SS2 amendments produced similar yields and plant uptake of nutrients all 3 yr. Although nutrient uptake by timothy was generally higher on the clay loam, due to higher soil fertility and less leaching losses, the percent recovery of the applied nutrients (excluding N and Mn) was similar at both sites. Based on the K:(Ca + Mg) content and regardless of the treatment applied, a potential grass tetany problem exists in the timothy grown in the clay loam. No metal contamination was found in the soil or timothy following the application of any amendment. Only four soil chemical properties, of 11 measured, were influenced by the treatments on either soil. The PM2 treatment increased NO⁻₃-N, Bray P₂ and extractable K; the SS2 treatment increased Bray P₂ and DTPA Cu. The author, therefore, recommends the application of any of these amendments to timothy at either of the two rates.
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