Question
How much cow/chicken/llama manure should we use to fertilize corn seedling?
Answer
Dear Student,<BR><BR>An absolute answer to your question depends on several factors, principal of which is the nutrient quality of the soil in which the seedlings are growing; how the fertilizer will be handled and applied. Also, fertilizer requirements change throughout the life cycle of the plant. You would need to know the nutrient value of the manure.<BR><BR>I've found a few resources that can guide you in making decisions. <BR>
<P>Good luck with your studies!<BR>Susan McCarthy</P>
Fertilizer requirements for corn:
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/rowcrop/424-027/424-027.html -- an excellent resource providing both nitrogen and phosphorus recommendations.
http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/fieldcrops/g174.htm -- provides guidance for a number of nutrients reflecting expected yields.
http://www.ctic.purdue.edu/Core4/Nutrient/ManureMgmt/Paper63.html -- a research paper looking at manured based soil amendment for corn in a greenhouse setting
http://www.gov.on.ca/OMAF/english/crops/facts/pub363/fertilizing_sweetcorn.htm -- includes information about adjusting mineral fertilizer levels when manures are applied in conjunction
Manure composition and use:
http://cetulare.ucdavis.edu/pubgrape/ng797.htm -- an excellent resource proviing average composition for nitrogen, phosporus, and other nutrients in manures from a wide variety of animals (although not llama)
http://infosource.uwex.edu/recorddetail.cfm?messageid=101209&heading=Garden%20and%20Landscape&headingid=2 -- provides general information about using manure in the home garden
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI7197.html -- provides worksheets to estimate various nutrient amounts for beef, dairy, poultry, and swine manures
http://www.kaimin.org/viewarticle.php?id=4218 -- very general information about llama manure (no composition data)
http://www.iquitosllamas.ca/plant_nutrient.htm -- family farm observations on using llama manure
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