Swine manure has been a well document source of plant nutrient when applied in appropriate rates. Currently, most nutrient manegement plans focus on the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus or both in order to calcluate manure application rates. However, it must been noted that swine manure contains other constiuents that need to be identified. Excess sodium dissolved in soil solutions can cause a crusting of the seedbeds and deteriorate root-zone permability of water and air; impacting germination and seeling root development and impair internal drainage within Saskatchewan Soils. Using saline surface or ground water in a swine production facility definitely can increase the sodicity potential. One mid-size farm in southwestern Saskatchewan using sodic ground water creates effluent soium absroption ratio (SAR) rnaging from 19 – 28 (mmol/l)exp0.5. Current guidelines suggest the SAR values greater than 5 (mmol/l)exp0.5 may cause soil sodicity.

Under what conditions can land application of swine manure pose a soil sodicity problem? The first concern to take into account is the “Landscape and Soils”. Soil surveys have documented the evidence of solonetiz soils within certain regions of Saskatchewan. What are the consequences of manure application in these areas. A seconf concern is sodicity concentration at the Soil Point of Delivery. The injection of leaves liquid manure dispersed in narrow bands where the soils solutions will assume the character of the manure. High levels of sodium in manure, will result in high levels of sodium within the soil band. Third, effluent treated soil may develop soil crusting problems. Fourth, benchmark soil sampling. Soil sampling before and during manure application serve to distinguish areas that may be at a greater risk. Fifth, benchmark ground water sampling. The potential for ground water contamination is low is manure is applied relative to crop nutrient uptake. Certain soils, namely solonetzic soils can utilize effluent, however the utilization of effluent cannot be based soley on nutrient content. Once created soil sodicity problems are costly to rectify.