Stabilizing Nutrient-Rich Farm Land with Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding of Cover Crops in Diverse Cropping Systems

摘要

A new and innovative process --manure slurry-enriched seeding-- that combines low-disturbance aeration tillage, manure application, and seeding of cover crops in one efficient operation has been in development at Michigan State University since 2003.This new process provides an environmentally sensitive option for manure use in no-till cropping systems. In manure slurry-enriched seeding, low-disturbance aeration tillage is used to create an absorptive surface in unfilled ground that prevents overland flow and soil erosion by fracturing the soil, increasing surface roughness, improving infiltration, and conserving crop residues. In one pass, cover crop seed that has been mixed in the slurry tank with the manure is placed over the aeration slots through drop tubes behind each set of aeration tines. The nutrient-rich, seed-laden slurry quickly infiltrates into the soil matrix. The absorptive soil surface prevents soil erosion and phosphorus runoff. A cover crop soon emerges, capturing nutrients andforming a vegetative barrier to overland flow. The aerated soil resettles with time and is suitable for no-till planting with no additional seedbed tillage. In 2004 and 2005 biomass yields of oil seed radish, oriental mustard, annual ryegrass, cereal rye, and wheat sown in unfilled wheat or corn silage stubble were equal to or greater than conventional seedings.