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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390121
Research Project: Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Identification of optimum side dress nitrogen rate for dryland corn using poultry litter as starter fertilizer

Author
item SINGH, R - Auburn University
item PRASAD, R - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
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: Singh, R., Prasad, R., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2021. Identification of optimum side dress nitrogen rate for dryland corn using poultry litter as starter fertilizer [abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov. 7-10, 2021, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Side dress nitrogen (N) application in combination with pre plant poultry litter (PL) application is a sound N management strategy for row crops such as corn (Zea Mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but further research is needed to optimize the side dress N rate. Field trials were conducted in 2020 and 2021 across Alabama at four locations for corn and at one location for cotton to investigate the effects of side dress N application rate on crop yields and corn grain nutrient composition using PL (4.5 Mg/ha) as a starter fertilizer. Side dress N rates for corn included: 0, 84, 140, 196, and 252 kg/ha applied at V6 and for cotton: 0, 28, 50, 62, 78, and 95 kg/ha applied at first square. Treatments were arranged in a split plot design with four replications. Corn grain samples were collected from each plot at R6 stage and analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu. Both crops did not respond to higher side dress N rates. There was a significant treatment ' location interaction for corn grain yield in 2020. In season N application of 84 kg/ha provided optimum corn grain yield at three out of four locations. In cotton, the highest lint yield was attained with side dressing of 28 kg N/ha. No consistent effect of side dress N rate was observed on corn grain nutrient composition in 2020. Complete results from the study will be presented.