Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increase in application of liquid pig manure(LPM) in agriculture as nutritional source has become a social issue due to its influence on water quality. Also, proper application methods have not been developed with respect to indigenous properties of LPM and soil physical properties. Therefore, we conducted this experiment to observe the infiltration characteristics and distribution of dissolved organic compounds of LPM in soils having different soil textures. METHODS AND RESULTS: To do this experiment, we collected three different soils and LPM. We analyzed the physical and chemical properties of both soils and LPM to determine the dilution ratios of LPM. The LPM diluted to 4 different ratios with distilled water was applied to the top of soil column. Infiltration rates were observed by time and depth until the amount of effluent collected from the bottom of the soil columns were stabilized while maintaining the hydraulic head 3 cm above the soil column. The results showed that infiltration rates increased with increasing dilution ratios in the order of sandy, loamy sand, and sandy loam. The time required to reach steady state was increased with decreasing sand contents clay. CONCLUSION: The size and amount of the dissolved organic compounds in LPM that can determine the efficiency as fertilizer and environmental problems as nonpoint pollution source in water quality have not been investigated with respect to behavior and transport of them in soil. Therefore, it requires further research how we can properly apply LPM as valuable fertilizer substitute for inorganic fertilizers.
