Long-term effects of copper rich swine manure application on continuous corn production

• Main Author: Anderson, Martha Ann
• Other Authors: Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: Virginia Tech 2014
• Subjects: LD5655.V855 1990.A643; Corn; Manures > Research
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/45416; http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11012008-063542/

<p>Three long-term field experiments were established in the spring of 1978 and continued through 1988 to evaluate corn (Zea <i>mays</i> L.) response to high Cu levels from Cu rich swine manure and CuS0₄ applications. The field research was conducted on soils with diverse properties, i.e., on a Bertie fine sandy loam (Aquic Hapludults), a Guernsey silt loam (Aquic Hapludalfs), and a Starr-Dyke clay loam (Fluventic DystrochreptsTypic Rhodudults). Three treatments in the long-term field experiments on the three soils were a control, annual applications of eu as eu rich swine manure, and annual applications of Cu as CuS0₄ equivalent to that in the manure. After the 11 years, 1109 mt ha^-1 of wet Cu rich swine manure were applied for the manure treatment. The Cu rich manure contained an average of 1316 mg Cu kg -I, An average of 325 kg Cu ha - 1 added to the soils from the manure application over the 11 years exceeded U.S.E.P.A. guidelines for safe copper loading levels for cropland by 45 kg ha^-1. Copper concentrations in corn ear leaves were within the normal range of 3 to 20 mg kg^-1 where the 325 kg Cu ha^-1 were applied to the soil as either Cu rich manure or CuS0₄. Concentrations of Cu in the grain were also in the normal range of 1 to 5 mg kg^-1 where the high level of the two Cu sources was applied to soils. There was no decrease in corn yield on the three soils from application of either Cu source.</p> === Master of Science