In: 19 th ISTRO Conference 20012, Montevideo .

Uruguay

Spatial variability in soil chemical properties in a outdoor pig production system.

Santiago MONTEVERDE, Amabelia DEL PINO, Jos PIAGIO
Universidad de la Repblica. Montevideo, Uruguay. smonteverde.uy@gmail.com

Outdoor pig production can be an alternative to animal welfare issues, contamination and biosecurity of confined systems. For grazing systems it is essential to consider the conservation of natural resources. The effects of management practices that change the spatial variability of soil chemical attributes may influence future performance and land use alternatives.
OBJECTIVES Study the spatial variability of soil chemical properties in a outdoor pig production system, after 12 years installed, comparing the soil characteristics in different management zones with a control soil without pigs. METHODOLOGY Site: Canelones, Uruguay. Soil: Typic Argiudoll. Soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected in a control area and 6 plots (1500 m2), with 3 different areas of management per plot (n = 24). The areas were: service (drinkers, feeders and shelters), distant grazing, and intermediate (Figure 1). Four plots were sampled in a 5x5 m grid (n = 240). Analysis: soil organic carbon (SOC), NO3-N, NH4-N, Available P (Bray 1), soluble P, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC).

Figure 1. Sampling areas in each plot

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The system generated large inputs of nutrients to the soil. In the service area, NO3-N, available and soluble P, and EC increased significantly in relation to the control, while SOC and NH4-N decreased. (Table 1). In the grazing area only increased statistically in relation to the control available P, but SOC ,NH4-N and pH were lower than control.
Area Service Intermediate Distant grazing Control SOC (g kg-1) 22,6 2,1 b 22,5 2,5 b 22,8 3,3 b 27,4 2,6 a P Bray 152 47,6 a 107 11,5 a 50 5,1 b 25 2,6 c P solution 3,66 1,24 0,11 0,05 1,7 a 0,3 a 0,1 b 0,1 b NO 3 -N (mg kg-1) 2,1 0,8 a 1,2 0,5 ab 0,8 0,2 b 0,9 0,1 b
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NH 4 -N 0,6 0,1 b 0,5 0,1 b 0,5 0,1 b 1,2 0,5 a

Nmin 2,7 0,8 a 1,7 0,5 b 1,3 0,3 b 2,0 0,5 ab

CE S cm-1 541 138,2 a 347 92,9 ab 263 12,7 b 306 55,4 b

pH 6,1 0,1 ab 5,9 0,1 b 6,0 0,1 b 6,4 0,1 a

Table 1. Average concentration ( SD) of SOC, P Bray, soluble P, mineral N, pH and EC (0-15 cm) in the three areas within plots and control.

The spatial variability in the SOC and nutrient content, generated patches and areas clearly different, showing similar patterns in the 4 plots (Figure 2). The concentration of N, P and EC was influenced by the distance to installations and tended to decrease with the distance from the service area, whereas SOC and pH were not affected (Figure 3). Available and soluble P, which increased significantly in the service area were highly correlated with NO3N and EC. The animals retained less than 50% of the N inputs to the system. The remainder N was not detected in organic form in the soil, and was probably lost (leaching, volatilization and denitrification). Leaching of NO3 was likely to cause the pH fall in the grazing area. Nutrient inputs affects soil salinity, however, the highest EC in the service area was lower than the critical level for slightly saline soils.

Figure 2. Spatial distribution of soil properties in the four plots. Diagram created by linear interpolation between the samples values (5 x 5 m grid).

Figure 3. Variation of soil properties as a function of the distance from the service area (100%)

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The system generated spatial heterogeneity of soil chemical properties, consistent with the different management areas. The service area concentrated the greatest impacts. SOC reduction was a significant environmental impact. With large inputs of nutrients, losses of N, and high concentration of soluble P, increased the risk of eutrophication and pollution of groundwater. Is unlikely that the system accumulates significant amounts of N for the subsequent crops. It is necessary to modify the system to reduce the negative environmental effects and take into account the spatial variability generated by the pigs, to design field sampling plans, avoiding fertilizer application when not needed.