Compost and Manure Effects on Fertilized Corn Silage Yield and Nitrogen Uptake under Irrigation

Lehrsch, G.A.; Kincaid, D.C.

Compost and Manure Effects on Fertilized Corn Silage Yield and Nitrogen Uptake under Irrigation

2007

Lehrsch, G.A. | Kincaid, D.C.

Dairy manure increases the yields of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from eroded, furrow-irrigated soils and may increase corn (Zea mays L.) silage yield from steeper eroded areas under sprinkler irrigation. In a 2-year field study in southern Idaho on Portneuf silt loam (coarse silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcid), the effects of a one-time, fall application of 29 or 72 Mg ha(-1) of dry manure or 22 or 47 Mg ha(-1) of dry compost on subsequent silage yield and nitrogen (N) uptake from previously eroded, sprinkler-irrigated hill slopes were evaluated. In October 1999, stockpiled or composted dairy manure was disked to a depth of 0.15 m into plots with slopes from 0.8 to 4.4%. After planting field corn in 2000 and 2001, a low-pressure, six-span traveling lateral sprinkler system was utilized to apply water at 28 mm h(-1) in amounts sufficient to satisfy evapotranspiration to 6.4- x 36.6-m field plots. Yields in 2000 were 27.5 Mg ha(-1), similar among all rates of all amendments and a fertilized control. In 2001, compost applied at oven-dry rates up to 47 Mg ha(-1) increased yield compared to controls. Silage yield in 2001 increased initially then decreased with increasing manure applications. Where compost or manure was applied, regardless of rate, 2-year average N uptake was 15% greater than controls. Regardless of treatment or year, yields decreased linearly as soil slope increased.

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