Reducing Ammonia Volatilization with Different Aerator Configurations.

Currently the most effective method to reduce ammonia emissions following slurry application is incorporation with conventional tillage, but this method does not allow for the benefits of conservation tillage. Several configurations of soil aerators have been used to incorporate liquid manures, but the optimal configuration has not been determined. The overall objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of multiple aerator configurations on ammonia volatilization, N availability, and corn crop N uptake when swine manure was applied. The treatments consisted of manure applied before aeration or banded directly behind the aerator with the tines angled at 0 or 10 degrees. Ammonia volatilization was measured using the dynamic chamber technique. Pre-side dress N test, corn stalk nitrate test, and grain yield were also measured. Initial results show that using an aerator to incorporate manure substantially lowers ammonia emissions compared to broadcasting manure.