REDUCING PHOSPHORUS LOADING IN TO LAKE ERIE THROUGH UTILIZATION OF MANURE ON SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT
Applied Research
Glen J. Arnold
Field Specislist
Ohio State University Extension
Findlay
Abstract
\r\n The Maumee River watershed contributes 3% of the water but more than 40% of the nutrients entering Lake Erie. Data from the Ohio Tributary Loading Program has identified increasing levels of dissolved reactive phosphorus as the prime suspect in the recurrence of harmful algal blooms within Lake Erie. Livestock manure represents approximately 25% of the phosphorus applied in the watershed and can be a source of dissolved reactive phosphorus. Ohio State University Extension conducted a three year research project on applying liquid swine manure as a spring top-dress nitrogen source for soft red winter wheat. Field-scale randomized block design replicated plots were conducted on farms. Liquid swine manure was surface applied and incorporated on all plots and compared to urea (46-0-0) fertilizer for wheat yield. Manure applications were made using a standard 5,000 gallon manure tanker in early April after the wheat had broken dormancy and field conditions were deemed suitable. A Peecon toolbar was used to both surface apply and incorporate the manure. Urea was surface applied using a fertilizer buggy. Manure was applied at rates to approximate the nitrogen amount in the urea treatments. There was no statistical yield difference between using livestock manure or purchased urea fertilizer as the top-dress nitrogen source. The potential to use liquid manure as a top-dress nitrogen source for growing wheat opens a new window of opportunity to apply manure to farming fields and also more effectively utilize the nutrients in manure and reduce phosphorus loading into Lake Erie.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
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Authors: G.J. Arnold
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Arnold, G. County Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 45875