Patterns of Nutrient Dynamics within and below the Rootzone of Collard Greens Grown under Different Organic Amendment Types and Rates

The knowledge about nutrient dynamics in the soil is pivotal for sustainable agriculture. A comprehensive research trial can retort unanswered questions. Dynamics of nutrients sourced from organic amendment types (chicken manure, dairy and MilorganiteTM) applied at different rates (0, 168, 336, 672 kg total N/ha) were monitored within below rootzone collard greens cultivated on a sandy loam Prairie View, TX, USA. Macro- micronutrients (e.g., TN: nitrogen, P: phosphorous, K: potassium, Na: sodium, Ca: calcium, Mg: magnesium, B: boron, Cu: copper, Fe: iron, Zn: zinc) analyzed solution samples collected during six sampling periods rootzone. As hypothesized, significantly (p < 0.05 and/or 0.01) affected crop Chicken manure released more TN, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Fe than other two amendments. application chicken MilorganiteTM resulted higher below-the-rootzone leachate concentration Ca leachates manure. Dairy treatments had lowest concentrations Mg; whereas, Cu leachates. level P (i.e., 4% as compared to 2 0.5% manures, respectively, might have reduced formation Vesicular-Arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae—a fungus with ability dissolve resulting slow release treatment treatments. Patterns varied rain irrigation events under effects water time lapse applications’ types. All macronutrients present leached rootzone, except Na. dynamic was element-specific influenced by amendments’ type rate.