Liquid Cattle Manure Effect on Corn Yield and Nutrients’ Uptake and Soil Fertility, in Comparison to the Common and Recommended Inorganic Fertilization

Liquid dairy cattle ( Bos taurus ) manure effect on corn ( Zea mays L.) yield and nutrients’ uptake and soil fertility were studied, in comparison to the crop’s common and recommended inorganic fertilization, by means of a 5-year field experiment. The treatments applied each year in the same plots were: (i) manure, (ii) common inorganic fertilization, (iii) recommended inorganic fertilization, and (iv) no fertilization. Each year from each plot, surface soil samples were collected before sowing, corn aboveground biomass was collected at silage, they were analyzed, and grain yield was determined at harvest. Upon all kinds of fertilization, corn silage yield increased in comparison to control and ranged between 51 and 194, 50 and 190, and 39 and 189% for the manure, recommended, and common inorganic fertilization treatment, respectively. Similarly, grain yield and the macro- and micronutrients’ plant uptake were increased. Soil fertility improved regarding the NO 3 -N, which upon organic or inorganic fertilization increased 10–46% in comparison to the control. Manure application significantly increased K by 32–81%. However, in the case of P, an excessive increase was observed, which was two to three times higher than the inorganic fertilization (30–44 mg kg −1 ). Consequently, repeated annual applications of liquid cattle manure to soil can enhance crop yield, nutrients’ uptake, and soil fertility, at levels higher or similar to the common or recommended inorganic fertilization for the crop. However, the possibility of P build up should also be considered.