Changes in Soil Properties and Enzymatic Activities Following Manure Applications to a Rangeland

• Published in: Rangeland ecology & management 2006-05, Vol.59 (3), p.314-320
• Main Authors: Bell, Jourdan M., Robinson, Clay A., Schwartz, Robert C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agricultural soils; Agrology; alkaline phosphatase; cattle; cattle manure; dehydrogenase; Dehydrogenases; enzyme activity; fertilizer rates; grazing; land application; Manure; mineralization; nitrogen; nutrient availability; organic fertilizers; Phosphatases; phosphomonoesterase; phosphorus; potassium dihydrogen phosphate; Rangeland soils; rangelands; Research s; short-grass rangeland; Soil biology; soil enzymes; soil fertility; Soil microorganisms; soil organic carbon; soil phosphorous; Soil samples; soil treatment; urea
• ISSN: 1550-7424; 1551-5028; 1551-5028
• DOI: 10.2111/05-172R1.1

Manure amendments to rangelands may alter soil functions related to nutrient recycling. We investigated the influence of grazing and cattle manure on soil carbon, nitrogen, Mehlich 3 phosphorus, and activities of alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase. Fertilizer treatments (unamended, manure, or urea + potassium dihydrogen phosphate [KH2PO4] fertilizer) were imposed under grazed and nongrazed conditions in a short-grass native rangeland. Manure was applied at rates of ∼ 125 kg N ha−1 and ∼ 42 kg P ha−1, and urea + KH2PO4 was applied at 75 kg N ha−1 and 20 kg P ha−1, respectively. Total aboveground biomass and soil samples at 4 depths (0–200 mm) were collected throughout 2 growing seasons. A controlled environment study also evaluated fertilizer source effects on enzymatic activities at 5 P rates (0–120 mg·kg−1 P as manure or urea + KH2PO4). Amendments significantly (P