Pathogen die-off rates following manure application under Ontario field conditions

Posted in: Ontario Pork by admin on September 24, 2012

A field study to examine the decline of manure-derived pathogens under field conditions was established in the spring of 2011.  Sentinel chambers were used to facilitate the study of “captive” populations of organisms within field sites without the confounding losses due to runoff-induced movement from the sites.  The overall objectives of the study included the following.

1. Measurement of die-off rates of manure-derived organisms under field conditions following spring, late summer and fall manure application using the sentinel chamber technique.
2. Comparison of these die-off rates to population changes in the bulk soil which result from both die-off and transport mechanisms.
3. Assessment of the effect on pathogen survival of manure surface application versus incorporation, and application times (spring, summer and fall).
4. Measurement of concurrent changes in nutrient (N, P) levels at the same field sites to assess the contradictory impacts on nutrient and pathogen risk management.
5. Comparison of measured die-off rates to pre-planting and pre-harvest waiting times for food safety
6. Provision of the information for manure management recommendations to
   1. reduce surface and groundwater impacts from manure application, and
   2. improve food safety by reducing the risk of food-borne illness resulting from pathogen contamination of irrigation water or soils in which food crops are grown.

© Prairie Swine Centre

• Home
• Jobs
• About
• Research
• Training
• Publications
• Contacts