Combined pig slurry and mineral fertilization for corn cultivation

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the environmental effects of the use of pig slurry to irrigate the corn crop grown in a typical Red Distroferric Latosol and in leachate composition. Twenty four lysimeters, filled with soil, in a protected environment, received five doses of pig slurry (0; 112.5; 225; 337.5 and 450 m³ ha-1 per growing cycle) combined with two mineral fertilization doses (50 and 75% of the recommended dose - 80 kg ha-1of nitrogen). Corn height and yield were evaluated, as well as nutrients in the soil and in leachate. From the results obtained in the first year of experiment, it was concluded that the concentrations of nitrate increased by increase of pig slurry application, and thus, it would be necessary to develop further studies in medium and long term.

Keywords

• nitrate leaching
• nutrients cycling
• Zea mays L