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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Crop Science Research Laboratory » Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #216594
Title: Nitrogen and P dynamics in a plant, soil and runoff system as influenced by broiler litter management

Author
item Adeli, Ardeshir
item Brooks, John
item Miles, Dana
item ROWE, DENNIS - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item Read, John

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2007
Publication Date: 11/4/2007
Citation: Adeli, A., Brooks, J.P., Miles, D.M., Rowe, D.E., Read, J.J. 2007. Nitrogen and P dynamics in a plant, soil and runoff system as influenced by broiler litter management [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts. p.119.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Poultry litter contains multiple nutrients, including N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and micronutrients and can be considered as an excellent organic fertilizer if properly managed. Offsite movement of nutrients from land applied poultry litter into the water bodies is of national concern. Studies have shown that with proper management practices, broiler litter can be a valuable source of nutrients for crop production with minimal adverse impact on soil and water qualities. This study was conducted on a Mariate silt loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, active, thermic Fluvaquentic Eutrudepts) soil to determine the effects of N-based and P-based broiler litter applications to the forages on dry matter, soil nutrient accumulation, and runoff losses of nutrients. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Treatments included control, N-based, P-based with supplemental N, and commercial fertilizer N and P at recommended rates. Individual plot dimension was 14 ft by 7 ft. There was no significant difference in N removal obtained between N-based and P-based broiler applications. However, P and N use efficiency was greater for P-based than N-based resulting in lowering runoff nitrate N and P by 68% and 65%, respectively in P-based as compared to N-based broiler litter. The concentration of Cu and Zn in runoff was reduced by 30% and 42% in P-based than N-based broiler litter application. Ammonia fluxes from volatilization process were significantly lower in P-based and occurred within the first 3 hr after litter application. Residual soil NO3-N, P, Cu, and Zn concentrations were much greater in N-based than P-based treatments, indicating application of broiler litter based on crop P requirements agronomically and environmentally sound.