Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Soil nitrogen mineralization in a soil with long-term history of fresh and composted manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Long-term effects of fresh (FM) versus composted (CM) beef manure application to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on potentially mineralizable nitrogen (N 0 ), and mineralizable nitrogen (N) pools, were evaluated in a clay loam soil in southern Alberta, Canada. A suite of laboratory-based indices were evaluated for prediction of soil N supply. The treatments were three rates (13, 39, 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt.) of FM or CM containing either straw or wood-chip bedding, 100 kg N ha−1 as inorganic fertilizer, and an unfertilized control. Treatments were fall-applied annually for 8 years (1998–2005). Soil samples (top 15 cm) were collected in spring 2006. The medium and high rates of organic amendment resulted in increases in N 0 , and readily (Pool I) and intermediate (Pool II) mineralizable N pools in ranges of 140–355 % compared with the average of the fertilizer and control treatments. Fertilizer application had no significant effect on mineralizable N pools, but increased the mineralization rate constant (k) compared with the control. Application of FM and use of straw bedding resulted in a greater quantity of readily available and intermediate mineralizable N, and also increased the rate of N turn-over as indicated by greater values of k, compared with CM and wood-chip bedding. Among laboratory-based measures of soil N supply, CaCl2–NO3 (r2 = 0.84) and NaHCO3-205 (r 2 = 0.79) were strong predictors of plant N uptake (PNU). Increased soil mineralizable N did not translate into greater barley dry-matter yield or PNU. Composted beef manure and use of wood-chip bedding can be recommended as alternatives to FM and use of straw bedding for barley production is Southern Alberta.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (1995) Alberta fertilizer guide.Agdex 541-1. AARD, Edmonton

  • Beauchamp EG (1986) Availability of nitrogen from three manures to corn in the field. Can J Soil Sci 66:713–720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blake GR, Hartge KH (1986) Bulk Density. In Klute A (ed) Methods of soil analysis. Part 1—physical and mineralogical methods, 2nd edn. American Society of Agronomy, Madison

  • Carter MR, MacLeod JA (1987) Biological properties of some Prince Edward Island soils: relationship between microbial biomass nitrogen and mineralizable nitrogen. Can J Soil Sci 67:333–340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang C, Entz T (1996) Nitrate leaching losses under repeated cattle feedlot manure applications in southern Alberta. J Environ Qual 25:145–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang C, Janzen HH (1996) Long-term fate of nitrogen from annual feedlot manure applications. J Environ Qual 25:785–790

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang C, Cho CM, Janzen HH (1998) Nitrous oxide emission from long-term manured soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 62:677–682

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen BT (1992) Physical fractionation of soil and organic matter in primary particle size and density separates. Adv Agron 20:1–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobo JG, Barrios E, Kass DCL, Thomas RJ (2002) Decomposition and nutrient release by green manures in a tropical hillside agroecosystem. Plant Soil 240:331–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curtin D, Campbell CA (2008) Mineralizable nitrogen. In: Carter MR, Gregorich EG (eds) Soil sampling and methods of analysis, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 599–606

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtin D, Wen G (1999) Organic matter fractions contributing to soil nitrogen mineralization potential. Soil Sci Soc Am J 63:410–415

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drinkwater LE, Cambardella CA, Reeder J, Rice CW (1996) Potentially mineralizable nitrogen as an indicator of biologically active soil nitrogen. In: Doran JW, Jones AJ (eds) Methods for assessing soil quality. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, pp 217–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Eghball B, Wienhold BJ, Gilley JE, Eigenberg RA (2002) Mineralization of manure nutrients. J Soil Water Conserv 57:470–473

    Google Scholar 

  • Flavel TC, Murphy DV (2006) Carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates after application of organic amendments to soil. J Environ Qual 53:183–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeze BS, Heigh JT, Larney FJ, Olson AF (1999) Economics of windrow composting and land application of manure. Proc. Manure Management’99. Saskatoon, SK, pp 311–320

  • Gee GW, Bauder JW (1986) Particle-size analysis. In Klute A (ed) Methods of soil analysis. Part 1, 2nd edn. Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA and SSSA, Madison, pp 383–411

  • Gianello C, Bremner JM (1986a) A simple chemical method of assessing potentially available organic nitrogen in soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 17:195–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gianello C, Bremner JM (1986b) Comparison of chemical methods of assessing potentially mineralizable organic nitrogen in soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 17:215–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gregorich EG, Beare MH (2008) Physically uncomplexed organic matter. In: Carter MR, Gregorich EG (eds) Soil sampling and methods of analysis, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 607–616

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin TS (2008) Nitrogen availability. In Schepers J, Raun WR (eds) Nitrogen in agricultural systems. Agron Monogr 49. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, pp 613–646

  • Griffin GF, Laine AF (1983) Nitrogen mineralization in soils previously amended with organic wastes. Agron J 75:124–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haney RL, Hons FM, Sanderson MA, Franzluebbers AJ (2001) A rapid procedure for estimating nitrogen mineralization in manured soil. Biol Fertil Soils 33:100–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hao X, Chang C (2003) Does long-term heavy cattle manure application increase salinity of a clay loam soil in semi-arid southern Alberta? Agric Ecosyst Environ 94:89–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassink J (1995) Prediction of the non-fertilizer N-supply of mineral grassland soils. Plant Soil 176:71–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helgason BL, Larney FJ, Janzen HH, Olson BM (2007) Nitrogen dynamics in soil amended with composted cattle manure. Can J Soil Sci 87:43–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong SD, Fox RH, Piekielek WP (1990) Field evaluation of several chemical indexes of soil nitrogen availability. Plant Soil 123:83–88

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan SA, Mulvaney RL, Hoet RG (2001) A simple soil test for detecting sites that are nonresponsive to nitrogen fertilization. Soil Sci Soc Am J 65:1751–1760

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larney FJ, Blackshaw RE (2003) Weed seed viability in composted beef cattle feedlot manure. J Environ Qual 32:1105–1113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larney FJ, Yanke LJ, Miller JJ, McAllister TA (2003) Fate of coliform bacteria in composted beef cattle feedlot manure. J Environ Qual 32:1508–1515

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larney FJ, Buckley KE, Hao X, McCaughey WP (2006) Fresh, stockpiled and composted beef cattle feedlot manure: nutrient levels and mass balance estimates in Alberta and Manitoba. J Environ Qual 35:1844–1854

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larney FJ, Olson AF, Miller JJ, DeMaere PR, Zvomuya F, McAllister TA (2008) Physical and chemical changes during composting of wood chip-bedded and straw- bedded beef cattle feedlot manure. J Environ Qual 37:725–735

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Littell RC, Henry PR, Ammerman CB (1998) Statistical analysis of repeated measures data using SAS procedures. J Anim Sci 76:1216–1231

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mallory EB, Griffin TS (2007) Impacts of soil amendment history on nitrogen availability from manure and fertilizer. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:964–973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGill WB, Fiqueiredo CT (1993) Total nitrogen. In: Carter MR (ed) Soil sampling and methods of analysis. Lewis Publ, Boca Raton, pp 201–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendham D, Heagney E, Corbeels M, O’Connell A, Grove T, McMurtrie R (2004) Soil particulate organic matter effects on nitrogen availability after afforestation with Eucalyptus globulus. Soil Biol Biochem 36:1067–1074

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller JJ, Beasley BW, Yanke LJ, Larney FJ, McAllister TA, Olson BM, Selinger LB, Chanasyk DS, Hasselback P (2003) Bedding and seasonal effects on chemical and bacterial properties of feedlot cattle manure. J Environ Qual 32:1887–1894

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller JJ, Beasley BW, Larney FJ, Olson BM (2005) Soil salinity and sodicity after application of fresh and composted manure with straw or wood-chips. Can J Soil Sci 85:427–438

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller JJ, Beasley BW, Drury CF, Zebarth BJ (2009) Barley dry matter yield and nutrient uptake for soil amended with fresh and composted cattle manure. Agron J 101:1047–1059

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rynk R (1992) Editor, On-farm composting handbook. Publ. NRAES-54. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, Ithaca

  • Sbih M, N’Dayegamiye A, Karam A (2003) Evaluation of carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates in meadow soils from dairy farms under transit to biological cropping systems. Can J Soil Sci 83:25–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seneviratne G (2000) Litter quality and nitrogen release in tropical agriculture: a synthesis. Biol Fertil Soils 31:60–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serna MD, Pomares F (1992) Evaluation of chemical indices of soil organic nitrogen availability in calcareous soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 56:1486–1491

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifi M, Zebarth BJ, Burton DL, Grant CA, Cooper JM (2007a) Evaluation of some indices of potentially mineralizable nitrogen in soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:1233–1239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifi M, Zebarth BJ, Burton DL, Grant CA, Porter GA, Cooper GM, Leclerc Y, Moreau G, Arsenault WJ (2007b) Evaluation of laboratory based measures of soil mineral nitrogen and potentially mineralizable nitrogen as predictors of field-based estimates of soil nitrogen supply in potato production. Plant Soil 301:203–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifi M, Zebarth BJ, Burton DL, Grant CA, Porter GA (2008) Organic amendment history and crop rotation effects on soil nitrogen mineralization potential and soil nitrogen supply in a potato cropping system. Agron J 100:1562–1572

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifi M, Zebarth BJ, Burton DL, Grant CA, Hajabbasi MA, AbbassiKalo G (2009) Sodium hydroxide direct distillation: a method for estimating total nitrogen in soil. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 40:2505–2520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifi M, Zebarth BJ, Burton DL, Rodd V, Grant CA (2011) Long-term effects of semi-solid beef manure application to forage grass on soil mineralizable nitrogen. Soil Sci Soc Am J 75:649–658

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simard RR, N’Dayegamiye A (1993) Nitrogen mineralization potential of meadow soils. Can J Soil Sci 73:27–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snapp SS, Fortuna AM (2003) Predicting nitrogen availability in irrigated potato systems. HortTechnology 13:598–604

    Google Scholar 

  • St Luce M, Whalen JK, Ziadi N, Zebarth BJ (2011) Nitrogen dynamics and indices to predict soil nitrogen supply in humid temperate soils. Adv Agron 112:55–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stanford G, Smith SJ (1972) Nitrogen mineralization potentials of soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 36:465–472

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Herk FH, Cockwill CL, Gusselle N, Larney FJ, Olson ME, McAllister TA (2004) Elimination of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in beef feedlot manure compost. Compost Sci Util 12:235–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voroney RP, Brookes PC, Beyaert RP (2007) Soil microbial biomass C, N, P, and S. In: Carter MR, Gregorich EG (eds) Soil sampling and methods of analysis, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 637–651

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen G, Schoenau JJ, Mooleki SP, Inanaga S, Yamamoto T, Hamamura K, Inoue M, An P (2003) Effectiveness of an elemental sulfur fertilizer in an oilseed-cereal-legume rotation on the Canadian Prairies. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 166:54–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whalen JK, Chang C, Olson BM (2001) Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization potentials of soils receiving repeated annual cattle manure applications. Biol Fertil Soils 34:334–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams JD, Crozier CR, White JG, Sripada RP, Crouse DA (2007) Comparison of soil nitrogen tests for corn fertilizer recommendations in the humid southeastern USA. Soil Sci Soc Am J 71:171–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willson TC, Paul EA, Harwood RR (2001) Biologically active soil organic matter fractions in sustainable cropping systems. Appl Soil Ecol 16:63–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zebarth BJ, Milburn PH (2003) Spatial and temporal distribution of soil inorganic nitrogen concentration in potato hills. Can J Soil Sci 83:183–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zebarth BJ, Leclerc Y, Moreau G, Sanderson JB, Arsenault WJ, Botha E, Wang Pruski G (2005) Estimation of soil nitrogen supply in potato fields using a plant bioassay approach. Can J Soil Sci 85:377–386

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the GAPS and AGGP programs of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Technical assistance was provided by B. Beasley, G. Decker, D. Janes, and K. Terry. Help provided by Dr. Ravinder Pannu and Dr. Mohammad Reza Ardakani in arranging the data and editing the manuscript is greatly appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental and Resource Studies Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada

    Mehdi Sharifi

  2. Potato Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Z7, Canada

    Bernie J. Zebarth

  3. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada

    Jim J. Miller

  4. Environmental Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada

    David L. Burton

  5. Brandon Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, MB, R7A 5Y3, Canada

    Cynthia A. Grant

Authors
  1. Mehdi Sharifi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bernie J. Zebarth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jim J. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David L. Burton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cynthia A. Grant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mehdi Sharifi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sharifi, M., Zebarth, B.J., Miller, J.J. et al. Soil nitrogen mineralization in a soil with long-term history of fresh and composted manure containing straw or wood-chip bedding. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 99, 63–78 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-014-9618-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-014-9618-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation