Efficient use of nitrogen from livestock manure
Problem: Nitrogen is often a yield limiting factor in organic arable crops. Therefore, it is important to apply available nitrogen sources, such as livestock manure, efficiently based on crop-specific needs. Solution: Optimum use of nitrogen from livestock manure requires knowledge on crop-specific nitrogen demand, yield optimisations and response of crops to different amounts of ammonium-N. Outcome: Optimized application of nitrogen from livestock manure will reduce nitrogen losses and result in higher yields.
Practical recommendation: Nitrogen application from livestock manure to winter and spring crops has different effects on crop yields depending on the pre-crop and the amount of ammonium-N provided. The results above show that nitrogen availability from livestock manure is limited. Based on the results, the following recommendations can be made: • If the pre-crop is not nitrogen-fixing, apply 20 to 60 kg of ammonium-N from livestock manure prior to sowing of crops. • Livestock manure application to a spring crop after nitrogen-fixing clover-grass is not yield effective and may bear the risk of nitrogen losses. Link: http://orgprints.org/31052/1/PA_037_Utilization_of_Nitrogen_QR.pdf
OK-Net Arable – Organic Knowledge Network Arable
Ongoing | 2015-2018
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Belgium