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Short-term and seasonal soil nitrogen dynamics and recovery by bermudagrass irrigated with 15N labelled swine lagoon effluent

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Abstract

Aim

Rapid and efficient utilization of swine (Sus scrofa domestucus) lagoon effluent nitrogen (N) by crops is necessary to minimize N losses and environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics and fate of effluent N applied to bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) pers.) using 15N tracer technology as influenced by irrigation date.

Methods

Anaerobic swine lagoon effluent was labeled with enriched (15NH4)2SO4 and applied to an acid silty clay soil. Microplots (1 × 1 m) were established for each irrigation event (main plots) and soil was sampled and bermudagrass was harvested on day 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 (subplots) following irrigation. Soil sampling coincided with harvests to monitor effluent derived 15N transformations.

Results

Application in July when bermudagrass growth was most active resulted in a plant 15N recovery of 59 %. Crop recoveries for June and September irrigation events were equal at 33 %. Nitrification of effluent NH4 +-N occurred rapidly within 24 h to 48 h following application. Rapid losses of effluent 15N within 1 d suggest a high probability for NH3 volatilization, while losses following rainfall and high soil moisture content in June infer denitrification was most active. Lack of 15N detection in the 30 to 60 cm soil depth indicated a low probability of leaching losses, while unaccounted for 15N was 45, 5, and 30 % for irrigation events in June, July, and September, respectively.

Conclusion

Bermudagrass recovery, dynamics and fate of effluent N applied to an acid soil varied with environmental conditions affecting crop growth and N uptake and soil N transformations.

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Abbreviations

N:

Nitrogen

NH4 + :

Ammonium

NO3 − :

Nitrate

TKN:

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen

WFPS:

Water-filled pore space

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tobacco Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Keyuan Jinsilu, 11, Qingdao, 266101, People’s Republic of China

    Jiuquan Zhang

  2. Plant and Soil Sciences Department, Mississippi State University, Box 9555, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    Jac J. Varco

  3. Waste Management and Forage Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA

    Ardeshir Adeli

Authors
  1. Jiuquan Zhang
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  2. Jac J. Varco
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  3. Ardeshir Adeli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jac J. Varco.

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Responsible Editor: Liz Shaw.

This publication is a contribution of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, Mississippi State University

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Zhang, J., Varco, J.J. & Adeli, A. Short-term and seasonal soil nitrogen dynamics and recovery by bermudagrass irrigated with 15N labelled swine lagoon effluent. Plant Soil 410, 437–451 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-3041-8

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