Making Manure (Continued from Page 12) In manure that has been treated with fly ash or alum, highly water-soluble phosphorus shifts to other forms that are less soluble and therefore more stable. The mechanisms responsible for these shifts are precipitation, absorption, and entrapment. Sci entists believe the shifts are desirable and beneficial because the phosphorus available for crops would be similar over the long term, while its environmen tal losses would be substantially reduced. “Treating manure with alum or fly ash prior to field application can be a management tactic partic ularly useful on farms where manure has to be spread during late fall to early spring. These are sensitive times when crops are not growing, and phosphorus and other nutrients cannot be utilized vhile runoff potential is the highest. With treated nanure, phosphorus would have a better chance to stay in the fields until the crops can use it rather than being dissolved in runoff waters and getting into streams and rivers,” said lead scientist Dr. Zhengxia Dou, at the Center for Animal Health and Productivity at New Bolton Center. Dou was joined in the research by scientists J.D. Toth and James Ferguson, both from Penn.; G.Y. Zhang of the Soil Science Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China; and W.L. Stout, of the U.S.D.A.’s Agricultural Research Service in University Park. The amounts of aluminum or heavy metals in soils that have been fertilized with alum- or fly ash treated manure are well below the natural levels and within government-regulated limits. “Of course, soils and crops in fields receiving treated manures should be monitored through proper testing to safeguard the health of animals and humans,” Dou said. An integrated, whole-farm management program is most effective in helping producers improve nu trient efficiency, enhance productivity, and mini mize adverse environmental consequences. MM ADAMSTOWN EQUIPMENT NEW and USED John Deere Equipment John Deere Parts Shipped Daily Ups 8 Box 456, Bowmansville, Rd., Adamstown, PA 19501 John Deere 717-484-4391 Visit us at www.adamstownequipment.com E-mail - AdamstownEq.@JDDealer.com
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