EFFECT OF LONG-TERM PIG SLURRY AND SOLID CATTLE MANURE APPLICATION ON SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Chemical and biological properties were evaluated in 1987 on an acidic silty loam soil following a long-term field study established in 1978 and cultivated with silage corn. Treatments included a control, solid cattle manure (20, 40 and 60 Mg ha−1 FYM) and pig slurry (60, 120 m3 ha−1 SLU) applied every 2 yr and annually, respectively. No fertilizer was applied. The results of this study have shown that neither treatment significantly affected soil pH values, total-N contents and C:N ratios compared to the control. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil was significantly higher with FYM treatment than with control or SLU application. The highest rates of FYM and SLU have also increased (P < 0.05) soil organic carbon, microbial activity and potentially mineralizable nitrogen. The soil microflora populations (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, ammonifiers and nitrifiers) were greatly improved by both treatments. There were no significant differences in organic matter content or the relative amount of humic and fulvic acids between FYM and SLU plots. In spite of these results, FYM application (40 and 60 Mg ha−1) did affect more significantly the distribution of organic carbon in HA and the E4/E6 quotients than SLU additions. Humic acids extracted from SLU amended soils had a lower C content and lower E4/E6 ratios than humic acids from FYM soils. Long-term SLU application did not contribute to decreased organic matter content, CEC and humic acids yield, probably because of optimal organic residues returned to the soil by the corn crops. The FYM application generally improved soil chemical and biological properties. For a sustainable soil productivity, long-term SLU application should then be avoided in rotation in which small amounts of plant residues are returned, especially on soils with low organic matter contents. Key words: Organic matter, microbial activity, nitrogen mineralization potential, CEC, solid cattle manure, pig slurry