Estimating Nitrogen Mineralization of Composted Poultry Manure, Organic Fertilizers, and Green Manure Crops for Organic Sweet Corn Production on a Sandy Soil Under Laboratory Conditions

• Published in: HortTechnology (Alexandria, Va.) Va.), 2012-02, Vol.22 (1), p.37-43
• Main Authors: Johnson, Heidi J., Colquhoun, Jed B., Bussan, Alvin J., Laboski, Carrie A.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1063-0198; 1943-7714
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH.22.1.37

Organic sweet corn ( Zea mays ) production is challenging for growers because of the high nitrogen (N) requirements of sweet corn and the relatively low N content of organic soil amendments. Total N supplied and rate of mineralization throughout the growing season are two important aspects in determining the optimal N management program. Green manure (GrM) crops, composted manures, and commercially available organic fertilizers are used to manage N in organic production systems. Using a combination of these tactics can optimize N while minimizing cost. In this study, we used combinations of composted poultry manure (CPM) and two organic fertilizers (one high N and one with a balance of nutrients) with three GrM crops [rye ( Secale cereale ), alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ), and pea ( Pisum sativum )] in a loamy sand soil for a 112-day laboratory incubation study. Total plant available N (PAN) was quantified at six times throughout the 16 weeks to determine total N mineralized and rate of N release from each of the management programs. The CPM and the high N organic fertilizer mineralized completely within the first 6 weeks of the study, while only 65% of the other organic fertilizer mineralized by the end of the study. Total N mineralized from pea grown as a GrM for 48 days was comparable to the amount of N mineralized from rye suggesting that pea as a GrM crop should not receive an N credit in field production on a sandy soil. Significant quantities of PAN were mineralized from alfalfa residue, the equivalent of 80 lb/acre, although this is not sufficient for sweet corn production. The combination of alfalfa and the high N organic fertilizer provided sufficient N for sweet corn production and the mineralization rate closely matched sweet corn need. The release of N from CPM, even in combination with GrM crops, was asynchronous with sweet corn crop need.