Paper details

Title:

Nitrogen-Use Efficiency of Poplar SRC Fertilized with Cattle Slurry

Author(s):

Ceotto, E., Castelli, F., Moschella, A., Diozzi, M., Di Candilo, M.

Document(s):

Abstract:

In Regions characterized by intensive livestock activities, animal slurries are predominantly applied to maize and there is the need to identify alternative crops, suitable to receive slurry applications, in areas unsuited to maize cultivation. This study addresses the following research questions: i) what is the effect of cattle slurry application on poplar productivity? (ii) does poplar use efficiently the N applied in the form of cattle slurry? To explore these questions, a field experiment was carried out over 5 years in the low Po Valley, Northern Italy. Fertilization treatments annually applied were: i) no fertilization (control); ii) cattle slurry 10 mm, i.e., 10 L m-2 (CS10); and (iii) cattle slurry 20 mm, i.e.,20 L m-2 (CS20). The N-use efficiency was assessed by joint evaluation of three indices: the physiological efficiency of applied N (PEN) was 109 kg yield DM per kg N uptake; the recovery efficiency of applied N (REN) was 0.08 kg N uptake per kg N applied; and the agronomic efficiency of applied N (AEN) was 7 kg yield DM per kg N applied. The low values of AEN and REN indicate that poplar is not a first choice crop for cattle slurry fertilization.

Keywords:

efficiency, fertilization, poplar, short rotation forestry (SRF), manure

Topic:

Biomass Resources

Subtopic:

Short rotation forestry and short rotation coppice

Event:

23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

1CO.13.5

Pages:

123 - 126

ISBN:

978-88-89407-516

Paper DOI:

10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CO.13.5

Price:

FREE