The effect of liquid dairy manure on yield and nutrient uptake in a no-till corn, wheat and soybean rotation in Atlantic Canada

A two year field study was conducted investigating the effect of crop rotation and liquid dairy manure (LDM) fertility on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S) availability to corn silage (Zea mays L), spring milling wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), under no-till conditions. Wheat responded better to inorganic fertilizer than to LDM, in regards to yield, crude protein, and K recovery. Alternatively, soybean responded well to manure applications in terms of yield. Evidence suggests a low risk of nitrate leaching from this system, however, increased K may be an issue with repeated applications of manure. Mehlich 3 available P was suppressed at the highest manure rate, and S availability to corn was affected by previous crop. Further investigation is required to determine the long term effects of crop rotation and surface applied LDM on the ability of the system to maintain efficient nutrient use.