127-8 Effects of Biosolids Types On Nitrogen Availability Under Varying Tillage Practices.



Monday, October 17, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Jinling Li, Gregory Evanylo and Xunzhong Zhang, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Biosolids are typically injected or incorporated into soils by tillage; however, little research has been conducted on biosolids effects on nitrogen (N) availability, with the elimination of tillage for crop production. We conducted a three-year field study to investigate the effects of lime-stabilized and anaerobically digested biosolids on crop yield and N availability in a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation under both conventional and no-tillage practices. Research was established on an Orangeburg loamy sand (Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kandiudults) soil in 2009-2011. During each growing season, pre-sidedress nitrate test, corn ear leaf total Kjeldahl N, corn and soybean grain yield, end-of-season corn nitrate test, soil total N were determined to reveal biosolids effects. Both biosolids treatments increased soil inorganic N immediately prior to the high N uptake period by corn, plant tissue N at silking, post-season corn stalk nitrate N , grain yield and soil total N by the end of the growing season. Biosolids N availability were influenced by tillage practices, as no-till apparently slowed down the mineralization of biosolids organic N, and incorporation of biosolids into soil could reduce ammonia volatilization. These results indicated that both biosolids types could maintain high N availability under no-tillage practices.
See more from this Division: S04 Soil Fertility & Plant Nutrition
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