Abstract
In a series of experiments pig slurry was applied to swards which were subsequently grazed or conserved. Analyses for copper were performed on plant and soil samples. Pot experiments were conducted to assist in the interpretation and generalisation of results.
Increases in herbage copper, which could be attributed to contamination by slurry, varied from less than 4 µg/g to greater than 100 µg/g. Management factors, season, rainfall pattern subsequent to spreading and herbage composition influenced herbage copper levels.
Uptake of copper by herbage occurred to an insignificant extent in the field under circumstances where uptake of zinc was easily demonstrated. Factors influencing uptake in pots included herbage composition and soil type: slurry copper was no more toxic to germinating ryegrass seedlings than was mineral copper.
Recoveries from soil of copper applied to pig slurry were low: added copper appeared to be totally extractable with aqueous 0.5 M EDTA
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© 1981 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
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McGrath, D. (1981). Implications of Applying Copper-Rich Pig Slurry to Grassland — Effects on Plants and Soils. In: L’Hermite, P., Dehandtschutter, J. (eds) Copper in Animal Wastes and Sewage Sludge. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8503-2_10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8503-2_10
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