Nitrogen (N) is one of the vital elements for potato production. As well as common synthetic fertilizers, turkey manure compost (TMC) is more commonly used as a source of N for potato production in Minnesota. The aim of this study was to compare traditional N sources and applications (urea broadcast, Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) broadcast, and ESN banded at hilling) to TMC broadcast prior to planting on yield and quality of Russet Burbank in Minnesota. The TMC treatment resulted in a similar marketable yield compared to the urea and ESN treatments. The TMC also increased the percentage of the >170 g tuber yield. French fry color quality was not affected by N treatment in either year. The TMC was a good nitrogen source that is readily available and provides a good sustainable option for potato production. Further work should examine what benefits conventional fertilizer can have when used with TMC.

The effects of pH upon methane production from anaerobic digestion of dairy cattle manure were investigated. One liter digesters were maintained by daily adjustment at the following pH levels: 7.6, 7.0, 6.0, 5.5, and 5.0. After 33 weeks of incubation the working volume of the digesters was increased to 3 liters. Digesters were incubated on a rotary shaker at 37°C. Digesters were loaded at the desired volatile solids concentrations, without an inoculum, and maintained from day one by daily additions and withdrawals to achieve a 3 day retention time. After 50 weeks of operation the manure from a second dairy was utilized as substrate. Active digestion was achieved at all pH levels except pH 5.0. Biogas production was evident in 4 to 6 days after incubation. Biogas production was highest at pH 7.0 with manure from both dairies (3.047 ± 0.403 liters per liter of digester per day with Dairy II manure and 1.43 ± 0.09 liters per liter per day with Dairy I manure). Methane production was also highest at pH 7.0 (1.43 ± 0.292 liters per liter of digester per day with Dairy II manure and 0.611 ± 0.057 liters per liter per day with Dairy I manure although the highest percentages of methane in the biogas occurred at pH 7.6 (65.9 ± 5.2 from Dairy I manure and 50.4 ± 4.6 from Dairy II manure). Dairy II manure produced significantly more biogas and methane at all pH levels. This increased production could not be attributed solely to differences in volatile solids concentrations of the two substrates. Total volatile acid concentrations were highest at the highest pH levels and were higher with Dairy II manure as a substrate. Digesters at all pH levels had volatile acid concentrations above 2000 mg/liter normally considered inhibitory for methane bacteria (2314-2890 mg/liter with Dairy I manure and 5.708-7.434 mg/liter with Dairy II manure). The results reported here indicate that stable methane digestion of dairy cattle manure can be established maintained at 37°C with a 3 day retention time. Digestion at pH levels as low as 5.5 continued for periods up to 24 months without a failure. High levels of volatile acids did not cause digester failure. Characteristics of the manure have significant effects on biogas and methane production.

Three experiments were conducted to 1) develop appropriate methods for livestock manure estrogen analysis; 2) determine estrogen removal in different manure treatment systems; and 3) determine estrogen removal from dairy manure in pilot scale reactors. In Experiment I, the recoveries of 17à -estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) were evaluated in double distilled water and dairy manure after a base extraction and analysis of estrogens by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay. The recoveries of E2 were 104% (ELISA) and 97% (YES) in double distilled water. 112% of E2 and 79% of E3 in flushed dairy manure and 118% of E2 in anaerobic digester effluent were recovered with ELISA. 67% and 140% of E2 in flushed manure and anaerobic digester effluent, respectively, were recovered with YES assay. In Experiment II, samples were collected from a full-scale manure handling system incorporating separation and aeration (Separation/Aeration), an anaerobic digester receiving dairy manure (Anaerobic Digester), and four conventional dairy and swine manure storages. 70% of E2 (230 vs. 769 μg/cow/day) and 86% of E3 (78 vs. 552 μg/cow/day) mass were removed from the Separation/Aeration system when the effluent was compared to the influent; the ratio of E2 to total estrogenicity (E2-eq) averaged 76%. In the Anaerobic Digester, 38% of E2 (592 vs. 954 μg/cow/day) and 30% of E3 (338 vs. 483 μg/cow/day) mass were removed; E2 contributed more to E2-eq in the influent than in the effluent (43 vs. 26%). There was no significant difference for E2-eq (431 vs. 284 ng/g of total solids) and E2 (248 vs. 73 ng/g of total solids) concentrations between barn and pti in conventional dairy manure storages; E2 contributed more to E2-eq in barn manure than in pit manure (54 vs. 30%). In swine manure storages, both E2-eq (2852 vs. 1551 vs. 148 ng/g of total solids) and E2 (1933 vs. 808 vs. 89 ng/g of total solids) concentrations decreased (barn vs. primary lagoon vs. secondary lagoon; no significance analysis); the change of E2 ratio to E2-eq was not consistent between barn and lagoon manures between farms. In Experiment III, samples were collected from six pilot scale reactors: two aerated reactors (60% and 100% aeration; AER60 and AER 100), a nitrifying/denitrifying reactor (NDN), an enhanced biological phosphorus removal reactor (EBPR), an anaerobic digester (AD), and a nitrifying reactor (NI) following AD. The influent had higher mass of E2 and E2-eq than the effluent with all reactors. Estrogen removal efficiencies were expressed in two ways: % and %/aerobic hour (or hour) of the influent mass. Higher ammonia nitrogen removing reactors had higher E2 and E2-eq removal in %, higher E2 removal in %/aerobic hour, and the same E2-eq removal in %/aerobic hour compared to those with lower ammonia nitrogen removal. Estrogen removal efficiencies (both in % and %/aerobic hour) were similar in nitrifying and denitrifying reactors. Reactors with aeration supported greater estrogen removal than those without. Reactors with influent anaerobic digestion pretreatment had the same E2 and E2-eq removal in % but higher E2 and E2-eq removal in %/aerobic hour compared to those without. In conclusion, the aerobic treatment system removed more estrogens than the anaerobic one, which means aerobic conditions support more estrogen degradation than anaerobic conditions. The change of the ratios of E2 to E2-eq varied in different livestock manure treatment systems, which reflected different removal rates of E2 and other estrogenic compounds. The pilot scale reactors significantly removed E2 and E2-eq in dairy manure. Ammonia nitrogen removal rates and aeration are the two main factors influencing E2 and E2-eq removal. / Ph. D.

Crop production, soil system, water quality, and economic impacts of four corn silage production systems were compared through a field study including 16 plots (4 replications of each treatment). Systems included a rye cover crop and application of liquid dairy manure in the spring and fall. The four management systems were: 1) traditional, 2) double-crop, 3) roll-down, and 4) undercut. In the fourth system, manure was applied below the soil surface during the undercutting process. In all other systems, manure was surface-applied. In the third system, the rye crop was flattened with a heavy roller after manure application. Simulated rainfall was applied within 48 h of manure application. Measured constituent concentrations in runoff were compared with water quality criteria. Costs and returns of all systems were compared. The undercut system reduced loadings of all nutrients, but increased total suspended solids (TSS) concentration as compared with all other systems. The mean volume of runoff from the undercut system was less than half that from any other system, which influenced all constituent loadings. Mean TSS concentration in runoff from the undercut system was over three times the mean of any other system. The roll-down system had no significant effect on water quality as compared to the traditional system. The undercut system was reasonably effective in keeping phosphate phosphorus levels below the criterion set for bathing water. None of the systems generally exceeded nitrate nitrogen concentration criteria. However, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, fecal coliform and e. coli criteria for drinking, bathing, shellfish harvest, and aesthetics were regularly exceeded by all of the systems. There were no differences among the treatments in effects on bacterial concentrations. The double-crop system produced significantly higher net returns than all other systems only if the value of the rye crop was $92.31/Mg or more. There were no significant differences in net returns of the traditional, roll-down, or undercut systems. / Ph. D.

Atmospheric ammonia (NH₃(g)) poses an environmental concern mainly due its ability to form fine particulate matter (PM2.5 with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers) in the form of ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and ammonium sulfate ([NH₄]₂SO₄). These forms of PM2.5 may reduce visibility, contribute to eutrophication through deposition, and be detrimental to human health through inhalation. A more complete understanding of ammonia emissions may bring significant PM2.5 reductions within grasp. According to recent studies, one of the largest contributors to atmospheric ammonia is dairy cattle excreta. In this study, seven lactating Holstein cows were subjected to four feeding trials with diets containing 14.5, 15.5, 17, and 18% crude protein (CP). The first objective was to determine the effect of protein content/intake on ammonia fluxes to the atmosphere from each stage of manure handling at a flush dairy. The second objective was to examine the effect of manure handling itself on ammonia fluxes. We examined four different stages of manure handling: 1. Fresh mixture of urine and feces to represent what may be scraped from a barn floor 2. Diluted mixture of urine and feces to represent what is flushed from a barn floor 3. Solids portion of a diluted mixture of urine and feces to represent what is retained by a solids separator at a dairy 4. Liquid portion of a diluted mixture of urine and feces to represent the permeate from a solids separator at a dairy Ammonia fluxes from scraped manure began low and rose to higher fluxes and peaked at an average of 25 hours after mixing urine and feces. Fluxes from flushed manure showed the same behavior. The average pH values for the scraped and flushed manure were relatively low at 6.87±0.17 and 7.05±0.13, respectively, and unfavorable toward ammonia versus ammonium. Fluxes from the separated solids and liquid manure, whose pH values were higher at 8.70±0.30 and 8.55±0.19, respectively, peaked almost immediately. For a time period of 18 hours after beginning flux measurements from the separated liquid manure, fluxes stayed relatively constant. Compared to hours 0-9, fluxes from the separated solids manure decreased 11% in hours 9-18. These results indicate that ammonia fluxes from the scraped and flushed manure were initially limited by the relatively low pH of the slurries, until they aged and released carbon dioxide, after which fluxes became controlled by temperature. Fluxes from the separated solids and liquid manure, however, were temperature-controlled from the start, as this manure had already undergone some aging and the initial pH was more favorable to ammonia loss. Multivariable regressions predicting the mass of ammonia lost to the atmosphere as a function of total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and temperature (T) show that fluxes from the scraped and flushed manure are very sensitive to temperature compared to the separated solids and liquid manure. The same regressions show that ammonia fluxes from the separated solids and liquid manure are predicted well by TAN and T (R² = 0.906 and 0.812, respectively), indicating that dietary protein manipulation, which affects TAN content of the manure, may have a greater effect in this stage of handling. Regressions predicting the mass of ammonia lost to the atmosphere as a function of crude protein intake show crude protein intake is a poor predictor of the overall ammonia flux from a flush dairy. Low correlation coefficients from these regressions are likely a result of cow-to-cow variability in the effect of crude protein intake on ammonia emissions. Significant reductions in ammonia fluxes are possible; however, they will require new regulations on manure handling at flush dairies or incentives for flush dairies to pursue alternate means of manure handling with low emissions. Dairies can begin attacking the problem of excessive emissions by lowering the dietary protein content for older cows to reduce the mass of TAN excreted in their manure, thereby reducing ammonia fluxes in accordance with Henry's law. Once manure is excreted on the barn floor, dairies must encourage mixing between urine and feces and use the natural acidity of the feces in delaying emissions by converting aqueous ammonia in the urine to ammonium. Dairies can achieve well-mixed slurries by manually mixing the manure or with a sloped floor, channeling urine and feces to a common area. Covering holding tanks containing flushed manure to minimize CO₂ stripping and a rise in pH is one measure that may reduce ammonia fluxes. Finally, requiring nitrification or nitrification and denitrification in on-site storage tanks will biologically convert ammonia to nitrate or nitrogen gas, respectively, reducing fluxes from the separated liquid manure. Although burdensome to dairies, these measures would drastically reduce ammonia emissions from flush dairies. Regulatory agencies may choose to ignore the separated solids manure when considering strategies to reduce ammonia emissions, since ammonia volatilization becomes limited by aqueous ammonia in the first 18 hours following separation. / Master of Science

An increase in population in rural agricultural communities and higher demand for food throughout Bolivia create the need for increased agricultural production. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of the GLEAMS model as a tool for evaluating fertilization and cropping system practices for potatoes in the Andes of central Bolivia, and make recommendations for the continued development of the model as an analysis tool to improve sustainable crop production. Model suitability was evaluated through assessment of model representation of observed potato farms and behavior of simulated soil nitrogen (N) and N transformation trends; validation with field data taken from six agricultural sites in central Bolivia for runoff volume, soil total Kjeldahl N concentration, crop production, and crop N uptake; and sensitivity analysis. Validation of model output with observed values was completed both graphically and by determining the root mean square error standard deviation ratio (RSR) and the percent bias (PBIAS). RSR and PBIAS values for runoff volume were 4.0 and 65%, 4.5 and 4%, and 2.7 and 55% for three respective experimental plot repetitions using a calibrated SCS curve number of 90. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for soil total Kjeldahl N concentration were 3.0 and -2.2%. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for crop dry matter production were 7 and 21%. The RSR and PBIAS, respectively, for crop N uptake were 10 and 21%. The mineralization processes in GLEAMS must be improved before model application to central Bolivia, where agricultural production is highly dependent on mineralization of organic N from soil and applied animal manure. Recommendations for model improvement and development include modification to the process that determines mineralization from the soil potentially mineralizable N pool; validation of the percolation volume and nitrate leaching losses; and improved model representation of banded manure application. / Master of Science / CCRA-2 (Watershed Modeling)

Nutrients of animal manures digested anaerobically for biogas production are highly conserved. The objectives of this study are to evaluate changes in the fertilizer value of poultry manure following digestion. Total kjeldahl N (TKN) was completely recovered during digestion, however, NH₄⁺N was 159 and 151% recovered fran pilot scale plug flow and laboratory scale digesters. This indicates that added organic N is mineralized. Recovered N and K were associated with liquid fractions and P, Ca, Mg and micronutrients were associated with solids of digested slurries. The mineralization of organic N fran soil applied effluent was 2.3 times greater in comparison to influent over a 33.5 week laboratory incubation period. Higher mineralization is due to segregation of decay resistant solids into the settled sludge and the decrease in surface area of suspended solids during digestion. Significantly higher NH₃N volatilization (3 fold to 62%) of land applied effluent compared to influent is due to increases in pH and NH₄⁺N:TKN during digestions. Yields of corn (Zea mays L.) grain at two sites were similar for effluent, influent and urea treatments receiving identical N rates. However, the silage yield of the urea treatment was significantly 19.9% higher than that of the effluent at site 1. Yields and ear leaf N were highly correlated with applied N discounted for NH₃N losses. This indicates that organic N of the effluent and influent become plant available during the growing season. / M.S.

Rapid increases in poultry litter production in concentrated areas has caused litter to be overapplied to nearby cropland at higher rates than the agronomic requirements of crops. Surface and ground water pollution has resulted due to leaching and runoff of nutrients in the litter. One solution to this litter disposal problem is to move litter from areas of concentrated poultry production (litter-surplus areas) to adjoining areas that have the capacity to absorb more litter for fertilizer and animal feed (litter-deficit areas). A linear programming feed cost minimization model was used to estimate the value of litter as a feed for beef stockers and beef cows. The value of litter in beef and stocker rations were estimated by determining the value of alternative feeds replaced by litter. The value of litter for use as fertilizer was estimated by determining the value of commercial fertilizer replaced by litter in selected crop rotations. The services and costs required to make litter available for fertilizer and feed were estimated. A linear programming cost minimization model was used to estimate the costs of moving varying amounts of litter from surplus to deficit counties in Virginia for use as fertilizer. Results indicated that it is economically feasible to establish a poultry litter handling industry. Results indicated more profit potential in moving litter for fertilizer than for feed. The profit potential to a litter handling firm is affected by several factors including the price of commercial fertilizer, waste management requirements, and litter storage subsidies. In order to increase the use of poultry litter for use as fertilizer and feed, it is necessary to educate farmers and the public about the nutritive and economic value of litter as a fertilizer and animal feed. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Soil Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Phospho-composts of different mix ratios (5:5, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1) were produced through thermophilic co-composting of poultry manure (PM) and sewage sludge (SS) with ground phosphate rock (GPR). Composted PM and SS without GPR addition were included as control. Cured phospho-composts were chemically characterised and used for both laboratory incubation and greenhouse studies, respectively for phosphorus (P) mineralisation and bioavailability, over a period of 42 days. Results revealed that Bray-P1 concentration measured in compost amended soils at 14, 21 and 42 DAI differed significantly (P<0.05) and ranged between 5.47 and 11.14 mg kg-1 and between 5.28 and 11.78 mg kg-1 in poultry manure and sewage sludge-based phospho-composts, respectively. The maximum amount of cumulative P mineralised of 16.06 and 9.98 mg kg -1, respectively in PM and SS-based phospho-composts were obtained from the 8:2 mix ratio. The content of the acid detergent fibre of the different phospho-composts showed positive and significant correlation with cellulose, lignin and total organic carbon (TOC). Similarly, cellulose as well as C:P ratio showed significant correlation with both lignin and TOC. The polynomial relationship between cumulative P mineralised and the various GRP and manure mix ratios revealed significant and positive R2- values of 0.731 and 0.613 for PM and SS-based phospho-composts, respectively. The maximum amount of maize tissue P uptake of 0.12 and 0.11 mg pot-1 in PM and SS-based phospho-compost respectively were also obtained from the 8:2 mix ratio while the least amount of 0.04 mg P pot-1 was obtained from GPR and unamended pots. Maize tissue P uptake following the phospho-compost application was significantly affected by the differences in soil type. Tissue P uptake was 0.06 and 0.11 mg P/pot, respectively in low potential and high potential soils with a significantly higher value. The use of the different phospho-composts showed great potential for amelioration of P-deficiency problems in crops while thermophilic cocomposting improved the solubility and bioavailability of P from non-reactive GPR. Keywords: Ground phosphate rock; poultry manure; sewage sludge; phosphocomposts; phosphorus mineralisation; soil fertility management.

The Canadian livestock industry generates 150 million tonnes of manure annually and the majority of this manure is land applied. This practice allows the manure nutrients to be recycled to the soil crop system while improving soil fertility. However, land application of manure has the potential to negatively impact soil, water, and air quality if not managed properly. Microbial processes transform the manure nutrients into forms that are susceptible to leaching or volatilization. Balancing the nutrient loss dynamics from fertilized soil is very difficult because the nutrient transformations are affected by the soil environment such as air and water content, pH, and labile carbon content. All of these soil environmental factors can be influenced by manure application practices such as application rate, timing, and manure placement. Knowledge of how these management practices affect the soil environment can help producers make management decisions that reduce the likelihood of soil, water, and air contamination from manure application.<p> Very few data exist on how manure application practices affect odour emissions after spreading. Therefore, the efficiency of subsurface application in reducing odours from manure spreading for both solid and liquid manure was assessed. Flux chambers and dynamic dilution olfactometry were used to measure odour emissions from five livestock manure species applied at three application rates using surface and subsurface application methods. The results indicated that odour concentrations from injected plots were up to 66% (37% on average) lower than concentrations from broadcast applications. Injection seemed to have a larger impact on reducing odours from solid manure than liquid manure, mainly due to efficient manure coverage from solid manure injection. Odours measured immediately after solid manure applications were also 37% lower than from liquid manure applications. In general, odours from both manure types increased with higher application rates, but there was little difference in the odours among low, mid, and high application rates. The specific odour rate (odour emission rate per kg N applied) decreased with application rate due to the reduced surface area available for volatilization of compounds with higher application rates. Based on these results, injection of manure is an effective way to reduce the odour emissions immediately after spreading, particularly for solid manure. However, other factors associated with manure injection, such as the increased power requirement and soil disturbance must be considered when evaluating the overall impact of manure injection versus surface application.<p> The odour data collected in this study described how management practices affected odours immediately after spreading. Knowledge of how these practices affect the emission rate trend over time is required to apply dispersion models to optimize the minimum separation distances for manure spreading activities. The model parameters for an existing volatilization model were determined from field and literature data and the resulting model allowed the effects of application mode (surface vs. subsurface) and manure type (liquid vs. solid) on odour emissions for 48 hours after application to be simulated. The effects of injection depth and a coverage factor on emissions were also simulated. The modeled peak fluxes from liquid manure applications were higher than those for solid manure applications, but the extended duration of odour emissions from solid manure resulted in higher cumulative losses from solid manure applications. While the application rate had no effect on the initial odour flux, higher application rates resulted in higher peak fluxes, higher overall emissions, and longer odour durations for both manure types and application methods. Modest injection depths were shown to reduce odours from both liquid and solid manure applications compared to surface spreading. The percent reductions in cumulative odours due to injection were estimated assuming typical coverage factors. The general predictions of the model developed in this study agree reasonably well with odour emission rate trends reported in literature. Future work should focus on better estimation of the model parameters and the variation of effective diffusivity with time and soil conditions.<p> Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural activities such as land application of livestock manure cannot be ignored when assessing overall emissions from anthropogenic sources. Like odour emissions, the magnitude of the GHG emissions will be influenced by management practices such as manure placement during land application. The GHG fluxes resulting from the surface and subsurface application of liquid and solid manure were also compared within 24 hours of application using a static chamber and gas chromatography. The results showed that carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) fluxes were approximately three times higher from the injected plots than the surface plots for both solid and liquid manure. The elevated CO2-e fluxes were mainly due to a pronounced increase in N2O fluxes which was likely caused by increased denitrification rates. The CO2-e fluxes from the liquid manure applications were also approximately three times higher than the CO2-e fluxes from the solid manure applications, probably due to higher levels of ammonium available for nitrification and subsequent denitrification. The CH4 fluxes were generally low and the treatments had no effect. The measured specific fluxes (total flux per kg N applied) remained relatively constant with application rate, indicating that, in this study, GHG emissions from manure applications were approximately proportional to the amount of land applied manure.<p> While the data from this study showed that manure type and placement influenced short-term nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, manure management practices (particularly slurry injection or solid manure incorporation) have the potential to influence long-term emissions by changing the magnitude and pattern of the nitrogen cycle in the soil-plant system. Management practices also impact the magnitude of other nitrogen losses (ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching) which affect indirect N2O emissions. A model that simulates the environmental conditions and nutrient transformations after manure application may allow a more reliable prediction of the effect of management practices on total GHG emissions. Numerous process-based models have been used to estimate N2O emissions as influenced by agricultural practices in Canada. However, these models do not account for enhanced denitrification that potentially exists after slurry injection or manure incorporation, resulting in an underestimation of N2O emissions. A simple mass balance of nitrogen after application to land showed that enhanced denitrification can increase total N2O-N emissions by a factor of 5. By accounting for the increased microbial activity, slower oxygen diffusion and higher water filled pore space that exists after manure injection, models may better estimate N2O emissions from manure application practices.