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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330339
Title: Grain yield response to poultry litter application under a wheat-soybean double cropping system

Author
item LIN, YARU - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
item Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2016
Publication Date: 11/7/2016
Citation: Lin, Y., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2016. Grain yield response to poultry litter application under a wheat-soybean double cropping system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Poultry litter application and double cropping are management practices that could be used with conservation tillage systems to increase yields compared to conventional monocropping systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield response to poultry litter application and compare it to inorganic N fertilization under a double cropping system. The study was conducted from 2014 to 2016 on a Marvyn loamy sand (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult) and a Lucedale fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Rhodic Paleudult). At each location, the experimental design was a randomized complete block with six treatments replicated four times. Fertility treatments for winter wheat included an unfertilized control (P0N0), inorganic N fertilizer (135 kg ha-1, P0N135), poultry litter at the rate of 45 kg N ha-1 plus 90 kg ha-1 inorganic N (P45N90), poultry litter at the rate of 90 kg N ha-1 plus 45 kg ha-1 inorganic N (P90N45), and poultry litter at the rate of 135 kg N ha-1 (P135N0). All wheat treatments were double cropped with soybeans (no N fertilizer was added) and compared to a winter wheat fallow treatment. Poultry litter plus inorganic N significantly increased wheat yield at both locations compared to poultry litter application alone. The P90N45 treatment resulted in the highest wheat yield compared to other poultry litter treatments, while no differences were observed when compared to the inorganic N only treatment (P0N135). Double cropping increased soybean yield for both locations, soybean following wheat had significant higher yield than that of the fallow treatment. This study suggests that a combination of poultry litter and inorganic N fertilizer use for a wheat-soybean cropping system could potential provide sustainable yield production.