Apple Orchards

NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY FOR APPLE TREES FROM CHICKEN MANURE AND COMPOST

The purpose of this three-year study (1999-2001) was to evaluate the impact of manure (5 and 10 T/acre rates) and compost (0.5, 1, and 5 ton/acre rates) applications to the soil fertility of transitional and certified organic apple orchards. Soils were sampled every three months during the growing season for pH, soil salinity, organic matter, P, K, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, and B concentrations. Soil nitrate and ammonium levels were measured once or twice a month throughout the growing season.Manure application reduced soil pH (and soil Ca levels on one farm), while increasing soil salinity and organic matter levels. In addition, manuring increased soil nitrate, ammonium, P, K, Zn, Fe (on one of the two farms only), Mg, and B concentrations. Compost applied at the highest rate increased soil P, K, and B levels but did not impact soil nitrate, ammonium, pH, salinity, organic matter, Zn, Fe, or Mg contents.Based on this study, we recommend application of 5 T manure/acre for optimum improvement of soil fertility. The higher manure application rate is not recommended due to potential problems with soil salinity, boron toxicity, and phosphorus runoff. The compost application rates were not as effective as the manure treatments in providing soil N and other nutrients for apple trees.Co-Principal Investigator: Rick J. Zimmerman

Farmers: Steve Ela and Kris Kropp

Funding from the Colorado Organic Crop Management Association and a Farmer/Rancher Grant-FW00-032 from WSAREPowerPoint Presentation: Nutrient Availability for Apple Trees from Chicken Manure and Compost

Link to full Report: http://wsare.usu.edu/pro/frg_high/FW00-032.htm