Author(s):
Sailesh Sigdel, Curtis J. Dell, Heather D. Karsten
Abstract:
Ammonia (NH3) loss following manure application is an environmental concern and N loss for crop production. Manure injection typically reduces NH3 loss compared to surface application without incorporation but increases emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) a potent greenhouse gas. Synchronizing manure in spring with cover crop (CC) growth may increase N recovery and reduce N2O emissions compared to applying manure later in the absence of growing crops. We compared two manure application methods: shallow-disk injection (IM) or surface banding without incorporation (BM) to annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) CC at two times: early spring on growing CC (EARLY) or late spring on terminated CC (LATE). The randomized split-plot block experiment was conducted at Rock Springs, PA, during 2021-2022. After manure application, we measured NH3 for 72 hours and N2O throughout the growing season. Aboveground CC biomass, N, and C:N ratio; pre-sidedress soil nitrate, corn (Zea mays L.) stalk nitrate and silage yield were assessed. Averaged across application times, compared to BM, IM reduced cumulative NH3 loss, increased soil N, resulted in 13% greater corn yield but increased yield-scaled N2O. Compared to BM LATE, BM EARLY reduced NH3 loss 43%, increased CC N, reduced N2O emission 50%, but decreased corn yield 11%. When IM was EARLY compared to LATE, CC N increased 84%, cumulative N2O loss decreased 55%, and corn yield was similar. Injecting manure to growing cover crops offers a strategy for reducing detrimental NH3 and N2O emissions and maintaining corn yield.
Funder:
USDA NIFA
Award Title:
Consortium for Cultivating Human And Naturally reGenerative Enterprises: Grass2Gas
Award Number:
2020-68012-31824
Keywords:
ammonia loss, corn silage, cover crop, dairy manure, manure application method, manure application timing, manure injection, manure management, manure nitrogen management, nitrous oxide emission
Project (Abbreviated name):
G2G_Karsten_manure_injection_nitrous_oxide_emissions
Team:
Grass2Gas
Geographic Location:
The study was conducted at the Pennsylvania State University’s Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Farm within the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Dairy Cropping System project at Rock Springs, PA.
Families:
Bovidae, Fabaceae, Poaceae
Species:
Bos taurus, Lolium multiflorum, Trifolium pratense, Zea mays
Data Mirror:
Data Table Column Names and Descriptions
| Table name | Column name | Data type | Units | Column description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | ManMgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | ManTime | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | Plot | string | NA | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | Total kg NH3 N per ha | float | kilogramPerHectare | Total ammonia emmissions measured immediately after manure application until 72 hours post-application using acid traps in each plot. |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_ammonia_loss | dataset ammonia loss pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Corn Silage Yield Mg per Ha DW | float | NA | Corn was harvested for silage on September 16, 2021, and September 15, 2022, from two middle rows, 9.1-m long, using an Almaco SPC-40 (Almaco) plot harvester. A subsample of approximately 1000 g was collected and dried to a constant dry weight at 18˚C to determine moisture content. The weight and moisture content of the field moist corn silage were measured for each plot, and the values were adjusted to determine the corn silage yield per hectare (Mg ha−1 ) on a dry weight basis. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Manuremgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Plot ID | string | NA | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Time | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_corn_silage_yield | dataset corn silage yield pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | CSNT ppm | float | NA | Stalk nitrate concentration. Ten corn plants were randomly selected from each plot before the silage harvest (typically around the half milk line stage), and a 20- cm long section of corn stalk was cut 15 cm above the ground to collect the stalk sample. These sections of stalk were then cut into 2.5 cm segments, composited, dried and tested by ion-selective electrode. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | Field ID | string | NA | The plot designation. The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | ManureMgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | Time | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_corn_stalk_nitrate_test | dataset corn stalk nitrate test pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Biomass Kg per ha | integer | kilogramPerHectare | Dry biomass converted to kilograms per ha. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | C percent in plant | float | percent | The percent of the dry cover crop plant mixture composed of carbon. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Dry Biomass Kg per 0 25m2 | float | NA | Biomass was collected from two 0.25 m² quadrats within each split-split plot, cut at the soil surface, dried to a constant weight at 45°C for at least 72 hours, and ground to pass through a 0.5-mm screen using a Wiley Mill (Thomas Scientific). |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Manmgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | N percent in plant | float | percent | Total nitrogen concentration was measured by dry combustion using an Elementar Vario Max N/C Analyzer, following methods outlined by Horneck & Miller (1998). |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Plot | string | NA | The plot designation. The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Time | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_cover_crop | dataset cover crop pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | Cumulative N2O N | float | kilogramPerHectare | The N2O flux measurements were taken using a vented chamber method with a Gasmet DX4040 FTIR gas analyzer. Values given in kilgrams N2O-N per hectare. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | ManMgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | ManTime | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | Plot | string | NA | The plot designation. The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_nitrous_oxide | dataset nitrous oxide pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | Block | float | number | The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | ManMgmt | string | NA | Dairy manure slurry application method. Target rate was 40,222 L per ha in all plots and years. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | Nitrate mg NO3 N per kg | float | milligramPerKilogram | Soil samples were collected to a depth of 30 cm when the corn reached at least 30 cm in height (approximately V6–V7 growth stage), using a standard slotted soil sampling probe (19 mm diameter) to collect 10 random soil cores from each plot for the surface banding treatment. For the shallow disk inject treatment, a transect method was employed, collecting five cores spaced 15 cm apart perpendicular to the injection bands at three locations within each replicate to create a composite sample of 15 cores. Composited soil samples were then air-dried immediately and sent for NO3-N analysis using specific ion electrode. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | Plot | string | NA | The plot designation. The experiment was a randomized split-plot block design with four blocks. The whole plot (18 m by 27 m) provided comparison of manure management method: injected (IM) versus surface-banded application without incorporation (BM). Within the manure application method, split plots (9 m by 27 m) compared manure application timing treatments, that is, early spring manure application into growing CCs (EARLY) versus late spring manure application to terminated CCs (LATE). The treatment combinations were (1) manure injection in early spring into growing CCs (IM EARLY), (2) manure injection in late spring into terminated CCs (IM LATE), (3) surface-banded manure in early spring on growing CCs (BM EARLY), and (4) surface-banded manure in late spring on terminated CCs (BM LATE). |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | Time | string | NA | Manure application timing. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | Year | float | number | The year the data was collected. |
| data.dataset_pre_sidedress_nitrate_test | dataset pre sidedress nitrate test pkey | integer | dimensionless | A unique primary key for this table. |