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Soil Management/Nutrients/Pollution/Eutrophication/Slurry/FYM/ Agitation,…
Soil Management/Nutrients/Pollution/Eutrophication/Slurry/FYM/ Agitation
Macronutrients
large quantities
Nitrogen (N)
Function
chlorophyll (Photosyntesis)
Component of amino acids (Protein %)
Component of DNA (Growth & Repair)
Component of ATP (Energy)
Sufficient
Dark green vegetation
High protein
Deficient
Pale green or yellow (lacks chlorophyll)
Necrosis (death)
Phosphorus (P)
Function
Growth and reproduction.
Energy transfer in plants
Sufficient
Vigorous growth
Early maturing
Resistance to diseases
Increased stalk/stem length
Deficient
Stunted growth
Wilting
Discoloured bluepurple leaves
Potassium (K)
Function
Synthesis protein (Make)
Translocation of carbohydrates
Disease resistance
Sufficient K:
crop yield
Increased root growth
Deficient
Reduced crop yield
Scorching of leaves (browning)
Poorly developed root system
Weak stalks = lodging
Lodging: Cereal crops bend over due to:
Low Potassium
Excess Nitrogen (Seed Head too heavy)
Poor Weather
Difficult to harvest the crop.
Reduce the yield.
Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Nutrient Deficiency
Deficiency - lacking some element
Reason for Soil Nutrient Deficiency:
Low fertile soil (sandy)
Incorrect pH
Poor Nutrient Management
deficiency of micronutrients can cause problems with the plant and also with the livestock that will eat the plant.
Availability of soil nutrients
Most nutrients are available between pH 6 and 7.
increasingly acidic or alkaline the availability of particular nutrients is reduced.
Why test soil?
determine the nutrients that are available or deficient
tested for
Variety of nutrients (Phosphorus, Potassium)
Lime requirement (Tonnes/Acre)
pH
How to take a soil sample?
Area divided into 2-4 Ha regions
Use a soil auger
Take at least 20 samples that are 10cm deep
Take samples in Shape of a W in the field.
Areas to Avoid when Sampling
These areas can give false nutrient and pH Results
Poached Land
Gaps/Entrances
Troughs
Hedgerows
3 Months After Slurry/Fertilser
Soil Index Systems
Index 4 – Very Fertile Soils
Index 3 – Soil Feeding the crop & Replacing off-takes
Index 1 & 2 – Building soil fertility
Chemical Fertiliser
Straight (simple) : Contains only one of the essential elements
CAN – Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
granulated form=uniform spreading
Nitrate and ammonium ions.
Calcium buffers pH
Fast-acting nitrate immediately available for crop.
hygroscopic.
Hygroscopic: The ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere
Urea
Higher concentration of N.
Less fertilizer = less cost and labour
Must be converted from urea->ammonium->nitrate before available to crops.
Slower crop response.
Undergoes volatilization (Sunlight)
Volatilisation: the ammonium ions converted to ammonia gas, which is then lost to the atmosphere.
Compound Fertiliser
Combination of two or more straight fertilisers
Advantage:
One fertilizer application needed (provides all nutrients).
Target nutrient deficiency
Suited to crop Sown
Disadvantage
Expensive
Hazards
Oxidising: can cause the combustion of other materials.
Volatilisation: can produce toxic gases.
Can cause irritation or burning to eyes, skin and respiratory system.
Storing fertilisers
Store 10 m away from a waterway or drain (no risk of flooding).
do not store beside other combustible materials (straw) or chemicals
• Store the same type together in the same place.
• Do not store near heat or heating systems.
Controls used:
Wear goggles Wear gloves and Overalls
Use respiratory protection
Fertiliser application
Placed in soil
Applied when seeds are sown. Seed drill sows seed and then fertilizer close to seeds..
Broadcast
Fertiliser spread on the soil and then harrowed in. can take place prior to sowing.
Top-dressing
Spread on established crop.
Organic Manures
Slurry
Liquid manure, animal dung and urine.
• Collected in tank underneath slatted floor in winter
• Similar nutrient levels as FYM.
• Contains less OM (no straw).
• Spread using a slurry spreader.
Low emission Slurry Spreading
Better Utilisation of Nutrients
Less Volatilisation
Expensive
• Absorbed quickly as it is in liquid form.
• Faster growth response.
• Can contribute to the spread of pests, diseases and weeds (docks)
Slurry agitation
Drowning and gas poisoning
. Bacteria digest the slurry anaerobically produces the following gases: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ammonia (NH4), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2)
Agitation releases these dangerous gases
Risks
Gasses are released during the first 30 minutes
H2S is the most dangerous gas
suffocate humans or livestock in minutes.
Precautions
Remove livestock and people from slatted shed.
Keep shed well-ventilated and open doors .
Agitate on a windy day.
Agitate from outside the shed.
Humans or livestock not to enter sheds 30-60 mins after agitation and
Wear breathing apparatus.
Have fences or barriers to prevent anyone falling in (or livestock)
Farm yard Manure (FYM)
Animal dung, animal urine and straw from winter bedding.
• Releases nutrients slowly
• Contributes to organic matter.
• Helps maintain soil structure.
• Nutrient level quite low
• Applied using a muck spreader.
Pollution
Eutrophication
enrichment of a habitat or environment
with nutrients.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
oxygen needed to break down
organic material in a water sample.
minimised by not spreading
• Within 1.5 m of a watercourse
• Near watercourses, bore holes, springs or wells
• No chemical fertilizer between 15 September -15 January
• No organic fertilizer between 15 October -15 January
• No FYM between 1 November-31 January
Land is waterlogged
heavy rain is forecast within 48 hrs
Sustainable land use:
Crop rotation
• Nutrient management programmes
• Soil testing
• Min-till/no-till
• Protection of beneficial organisms
• Drainage of land
Mr P Reynolds