SCR 66 Treatment Rates
There are two significant challenges that must be understood before large-scale application of composted dairy manure is accepted as a best management practice on rangeland systems associated with military installations; 1) What is the optimum rates per acre and 2)What is the fate of nutrients introduced via compost in association with water quality.
To answer these two challenges, researchers have established a series of experiments to evaluate the impact of rate of compost on vegetation response and nutrient loading. It must be kept in mind that these landscapes are significantly impacted and runoff during rain events tends to be higher than "healthy" rangeland systems.
The following graphic depicts the current rate study being conducted on Fort Hood. Vegetation response and water quality are being monitored to provide data to answer these two questions.
| Control 25 acres |
30 yds3/ac 5 acres |
25 yds3/ac 5 acres |
20 yds3/ac 5 acres |
| 5 yds3/ac 20 acres |
10 yds3/ac 20 acres |
15 yds3/ac 20 acres |
Based upon the limited amount of research conducted on fertilization on rangelands, cooperators currently believe that 15 yds3/ac is a viable estimate in relation to the amount of nutrients applied and the potential for losses of nutrients in runoff. This study is being conducted to verify these initial beliefs.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|