EFFECT OF STORAGE TIME ON WEED SEEDLING EMERGENCE AND NUTRIENT RELEASE IN CATTLE MANURE

• Published in: Experimental agriculture 1998-07, Vol.34 (3), p.277-285
• Main Authors: RUPENDE, E., CHIVINGE, O. A., MARIGA, I. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities, botany, ecology, damages, economic importance; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Parasitic plants. Weeds; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Weeds
• ISSN: 0014-4797; 1469-4441
• DOI: 10.1017/S0014479798343057

An experiment to determine weed spectrum, weed seedling numbers, temperature and nutrient changes in manure heaped for one to five months was undertaken over two seasons. Weed seedling numbers in manure heaped for one to five months decreased significa ntly by 65–70%. The weed spectrum comprised 17 broadleaf weed species of which Amaranthus hybridus, Leucas martinicensis and Nicandra physalodes were most prevalent. There were six grasses with Eleusine indica and Cynodon dactylon being dominant. Temperature increased from 20 °C in the unheaped manure to averages of 34 and 42 °C in manure heaped for three and five months respectively in the two seasons. In both season s nitrogen and potassium became more available as the period of manure heaping increased while phosphorus decreased. It was concluded that heaping manure for three months significantly reduces weed seed viability and enhances the availability of some nutr ients.