Does soybean yield and seed nutrient content change due to broiler litter application?

Authors: SINGH, RAJVEER - Auburn University; PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University; DELANEY, DENNIS - Auburn University; Watts, Dexter

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2021
Publication Date: 7/30/2021
Citation: Singh, R., Prasad, R., Delaney, D., Watts, D.B. 2021. Does soybean yield and seed nutrient content change due to broiler litter application? Agronomy. 11(8):1523. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081523.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081523

Interpretive Summary: Poultry litter (PL) can be used as a low-cost nutrient source alternative to conventional fertilizers for row crop production including soybean (Glycine max L.). However, there is limited information on the associated yield gains and seed nutrient concentration changes induced by PL application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PL on soybean yield and determine whether PL enriches the seed with selected mineral nutrients. Fertilization treatments included three PL application rates (2.2, 5.6 and 11.2 Mg ha-1), urea at 67 kg N ha-1 and an untreated control. A field plot study was conducted for 4 site years as a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soybean yield was similar among the fertilizer treatments in the first year across the study sites. However, PL applied in the succeeding year significantly increased soybean yield compared to urea. Soybean mineral nutrient concentration was influenced by PL, but the response was quite variable among application rate, years, and sites. Repeated application of PL application at 11.2 Mg ha-1 produced the highest seed K and Cu concentrations. The results from this study indicated positive residual effects of PL in subsequent years after application on soybean yield and seed concentrations of selected mineral elements. This indicated grain enrichment with selected nutrients in soybeans grown on farmlands receiving PL.

Technical Abstract: Poultry litter (PL) can be used as a low-cost nutrient source alternative to conventional fertilizers for row crop production including soybean (Glycine max L.). However, there is limited information on the associated yield gains and seed nutrient concentration changes induced by PL application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PL on soybean yield and determine whether PL enriches the seed with selected mineral nutrients. Soybean yield was similar among the commercial fertilizer treatments in the first year across the study sites. However, PL applied in the succeeding year significantly increased soybean yield compared to urea. Soybean mineral nutrient concentration was influenced by PL, but the response was quite variable among application rate, years, and sites. Repeated application of PL application at highest rate produced the highest seed K and Cu concentrations. The results from this study indicated positive residual effects of PL in subsequent years after application on soybean yield and seed concentrations of selected mineral elements. This indicated grain enrichment with selected nutrients in soybeans grown on farmlands receiving PL.