- Manure is very suitable for plants that remain in the field for a long time. This is the case, among others, in the case of winter rapeseed, which remains in the fields for 10 – 11 months.
- By how much can fertilization be reduced if manure is applied to rapeseed?
Manure for rapeseed – it's worth it, but you need to remember a few things
There is no need to remind you that manure has great properties that improve soil quality – after all, it builds organic matter, and therefore directly contributes to soil fertilization. In this respect, its advantage over mineral fertilizers is unquestionable. However, the availability of nutrients is completely different, so there is no option to abandon mineral fertilization after manure fertilization. However, you can lower the dose of mineral fertilizers.
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In weaker locations, manure can be applied immediately after rapeseed, but in stronger locations, manure should preferably be applied a year or two before establishing the plantation. However, if we plan to sow rapeseed after fertilizing with manure, remember not to apply the fertilizer at the last minute before sowing. Manure should be applied at least 2 weeks before sowing, preferably 3 – 4 weeks. This is about the date of plowing, which should be done some time in advance of sowing, so that the soil settles properly.
Manure for rapeseed should not be fresh, it is definitely better to use already fermented fertilizer. Why? the application of manure with a large amount of straw promotes the development of soil bacteria, which may contribute to the immobilization of nitrogen not only in the manure, but also in the soil.
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How much time to mix the manure?
By how much can the doses of mineral fertilizers be reduced?
Of course, in the case of manure application, mineral fertilization can be reduced, but within common sense. Reducing the dose of fertilizers must take into account the amount of nutrients available from manure in the first (or subsequent) year. In the case of nitrogen, a maximum of 40% will be used in the first year. ingredient (30 – 40%). Therefore, it will be safe to reduce the dose of nitrogen fertilizer by 25 – 30%.
The same applies to phosphorus and potassium. The use of phosphorus in the first year after fertilization is approximately 25%, i.e. 1/4 of the total amount of this ingredient supplied in manure. In turn, the use of potassium is approximately 50% (up to 70%). Therefore, in the case of these ingredients, it will be safe to reduce the dose of mineral fertilizers by a maximum of 40 – 50%.
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How much time between lime and manure?
Several factors determine how quickly manure will decompose, primarily the type of soil (manure decomposes faster in light sites, much slower in heavy sites), the level of moisture, but also the depth of plowing. On lighter soils, the manure should be plowed deeper, also under the rapeseed.
Regardless of the dose of manure, we must be aware that fertilizing with it is an investment for two or even three seasons. There is never a situation where all the ingredients of this fertilizer are available in the first year. While full decomposition takes two seasons on light soils, up to three years on heavy soils.
