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Plant uptake of nitrogen from the organic nitrogen fraction of animal manures: a laboratory experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2000

D. R. CHADWICK
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2SB, UK
F. JOHN
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2SB, UK
B. F. PAIN
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2SB, UK
B. J. CHAMBERS
Affiliation:
ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG20 9PF, UK
J. WILLIAMS
Affiliation:
ADAS Boxworth, Battlegate Road, Boxworth, Cambridge, CB3 8NN, UK

Abstract

Twenty slurries, 20 farmyard manures (FYM) and 10 poultry manures were chemically analysed to characterize their nitrogen (N) fractions and to assess their potential organic N supply. The organic N fraction varied between manure types and represented from 14% to 99% of the total N content. The readily mineralizable N fraction, measured by refluxing with KCl, was largest in the pig FYMs and broiler litters, but on average only represented 7–8% of the total N content. A pot experiment was undertaken to measure N mineralization from the organic N fraction of 17 of these manures. The ammonium-N content of the manures was removed and the remaining organic N mixed with a low mineral N status sandy soil, which was sown with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). N offtake was used as a measure of mineralization throughout the 199 day experiment. The greatest N mineralization was measured from a layer manure and a pig slurry, where N offtake represented 56% and 37% of the organic N added, respectively. Lowest (%) N mineralization was measured from a dairy cow slurry (< 2%) and a beef FYM (6%). The mineralization rate was negatively related to the C[ratio ]organic N ratio of the ammonium-N stripped manures (P < 0·01, r = −0·63).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

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