Under canopy distribution of cattle manure on maize using a traveller boom equipped with drop tubes: first results

An experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the applicability of an alternative system for managing and distributing beef cattle manure during irrigation on maize when the crop is present in order to reduce the negative effects on air and water quality. For this purpose a traveller boom equipped with drop tubes was used for the distribution of wastes (liquid separated) mixed with irrigation water (fertigation) on the soil surface. First analysis on leaching water samples seem to indicate that the percolation water quality is better due to a reduction in nitrate nitrogen losses. Besides, the alternative technique reduces the emissions of ammonia in the air and consequently the diffusion of bad odours in the atmosphere.