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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390119
Research Project: Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Effects of gypsum-amended poultry litter on nutrient release and crop yield

Author
item POWELL, A - Auburn University
item PRASAD, R - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
item CHAKRABORTY, D - Auburn University
item Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2021
Publication Date: 11/7/2021
Citation: Powell, A., Prasad, R., Watts, D.B., Chakraborty, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2021. Effects of gypsum-amended poultry litter on nutrient release and crop yield [abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov. 7-10, 2021, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The United States is the largest producer of broilers and two thirds of U.S. broilers are grown in the southeastern region. Poultry litter (PL) is a highly valuable fertilizer and has been historically land applied as a means of disposal. However, nutrient losses in runoff and phosphorus loading in soils is a major concern for the eutrophication of surface waters. Previous studies have found that top dressing land applied PL with gypsum can reduce phosphorus losses. Gypsum is also thought to improve nutrient mineralization in PL when it is used as a bedding material. Additionally, gypsum can add important macronutrients to the soil and improve soil structure. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of land applying poultry litter that received gypsum bedding on nutrient release and crop yield for corn. Litter treatments (7) used in this study received different bedding treatments including decaked litter, pine shavings, gypsum, and Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT). Litter and control treatments were applied prior to planting at a rate of 200 lbs N per acre. The control was fertilized with granular urea at an equal nitrogen rate. After the corn was mature, a combine was used to harvest grain samples from the middle rows of each plot and to determine yield. Additionally, corn was hand harvested from each plot to determine biomass. Yield (bushels/acre) was significantly higher for PL that received gypsum than litter that received PLT for the North Alabama trial.