EFFECT OF EXCESS FEEDLOT MANURE ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SOIL UNDER NONIRRIGATED AND IRRIGATED MANAGEMENT

Abstract

A long-term field experiment was initiated in 1973 to determine the safe loading capacity of a Lethbridge loam (Dark Brown Chernozemic) with feedlot manure. The effect of 10 yr of feedlot manure loading was examined by analyzing a number of inorganic and organic matter constituents of the Ap horizon. Although soil C, P, and enzyme activities increased as feedlot manure additions to the soil increased, these increases diminished at triple the recommended loading regimes. Phosphatase activity was checked by increased labile phosphorus levels. Levels of adenosine 5′-triphosphate increased but fluctuated with time under various moisture regimes. The C:N ratios, percent monosaccharide C of total soil C, and the ratio of deoxyhexoses to pentoses remained constant while the percentage of manure C retained decreased as feedlot manure loading increased. The distribution between pentoses and hexoses was strongly affected by feedlot manure levels while the deoxyhexose percentage of the sum of the eight monosaccharides determined remained about the same. Feedlot manure additions, at triple the recommended level, increased the labile P as a percentage of total soil P to around 50%. Although mineralization did not keep pace with the quantities applied, the presence of undecomposed manure did not seem to have harmful agronomic effects. Key words: ATP, feedlot manure, labile phosphorus, monosaccharides, organic matter