DOI: 10.23637/rpg5-fym-01
title: Dataset: Park Grass Experiment organic manure chemical composition 1856-2017

description: Details of the chemical composition of the organic manures applied to the Park Grass Experiment, 1856-2017. Farmyard manure (FYM) has been applied one year in four since 1905 at 35t/ha to plots 13, 19 and 20, from cattle housed on cereal straw. Fishmeal was applied one year in four to plot 13, 1907 - 1999, then replaced by poultry manure from 2003. The fishmeal/poultry meal has been analysed routinely since 1931, the FYM since 1969. This dataset gives details of the chemical composition: % total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and S, and %C for FYM, and the total amount of each element applied. There is also limited mean data for earlier periods and trace element data for fishmeal in 1983. 

In the early years of the experiment, straw, sawdust and FYM were applied annually to other plots: FYM (plots 1 and 2) 1856-1863; straw (plot 13) 1856-1897; sawdust (plots 4, 6, 8 and 10) 1856-1862. There is limited information about these early applications.

The FYM applied every four years supplies on average 230 kgN/ha, 47 kgP/ha and 283 kgK/ha; the fishmeal/poultry manure 64 kgN/ha, 20 kgP/ha and 14 kgK/ha. For comparison, the standard inorganic fertilizer treatments on Park Grass receive 0-144 kgN/ha, 17 kgP/ha since 2017 (previously 35kgP/ha), and 90 kgK/ha.
description: Total concentration of nitrogen in FYM determined in fresh sample (not dried) at normal moisture content by Kjeldahl digestion. Total carbon determined by combustion in oven-dry samples. Total P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and S determined in oven-dry samples by digestion with 6M HCl, the extracts analysed by ICP-OES.
description: An Excel file with annual data, 1931-2017 and some earlier data. Frictionless CSV files are also provided for users who prefer the CSV format.
description: Two samples, A and B, were taken of the FYM applied each year, from the front and back of the trailer containing the FYM. 

In the early phase of the experiment, three other organic manure treatments were applied to various plots, which were then discontinued. Chopped straw was applied annually to plot 13, 1856-1897 at 2.24t/ha. Sawdust was applied annually to plots 4/1, 4/2, 6, 8 and 10, 1856-1862 at 2.26t/ha. FYM was applied annually to plots 1 and 2, 1856-1863 at 35t/ha. This treatment was discontinued because un-rotted manure accumulated on the plot surface. The present FYM treatment to plots 13, 19 and 20 started in 1905. The earlier inorganic fertilizer treatments to plots 13, 19 and 20 had altered the herbage composition and soil by the time the FYM was applied. The acidity on plot 13 is from the earlier application of ammonium salts, not the FYM (Warren and Johnston, 1964). There is no treatment on Park Grass with FYM dating back to the start to the experiment, unlike the Broadbalk and Hoosfield experiments.
description: Early mean data from Warren, R.G. and Johnston, A.E. (1962), Rothamsted Report for 1961, Table 9. Additional data from the Park Grass White Books, and the Rothamsted Library Archive. The majority of the data was compiled from sample analysis data sheets. In accordance with the Joint Code of Practice for Research at Rothamsted, data processing in e-RA follow rigorous standard operating procedures to ensure the quality and correctness of data collected in the field through to depositing in the e-RA database. Data checked by Paul Poulton and Andy Gregory. 

The Analytical Chemistry Unit follows the Joint Code of Practice (JCoPR) and participates in European Quality Assurance programmes. All performance is strictly monitored using certified external standards alongside in-house standard materials. Standards and check samples are monitored and recorded.