An Alternative Method for Lagoon Closure Using Phyto-Stabilization. Part 2: Impact On Plant Growth, Soils, Soil Solution, and Groundwater.

Swine manure encasement will provide a unique environment for establishment and growth of biofuel crops.  Part two of the presentation describes the impact of manure encasement on soil fertility and chemistry, soil solution and groundwater chemistry, and plant growth.  Lysimeters were installed at 0.5 and 1.5 M among cottonwood, sycamore, switchgrass, and bermudagrass plots established on top of an encased swine manure lagoon.  Groundwater monitoring wells were installed on four sides of the encased lagoon and soil/manure samples were taken to a depth of 1.5 M within each plot.  Solutions were analyzed for ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus, sodium, pH, EC, and trace metals.  Soils were extracted with various extractants and analyzed for the same chemical constituents as solutions.  In addition, soils were analyzed for total nitrogen and carbon.   Groundwater data will be discussed in regard to potential environmental contamination while lysimeter and soil data will be discussed in the context of plant growth.