Broiler litter application rate and time impacts on corn ear mineral composition

Authors: SINGH, RAJVEER - Auburn University; PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University; Balkcom, Kipling; LAMBA, JASMEET - Auburn University; Watts, Dexter

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2023
Publication Date: 3/13/2023
Citation: Singh, R., Prasad, R., Balkcom, K.S., Lamba, J., Watts, D.B. 2023. Broiler litter application rate and time impacts on corn ear mineral composition. Agronomy Journal. 115:932-944. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21292.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21292

Interpretive Summary: The mineral composition of a corn ear impacts its nutritional value and potential use as human food and animal feed. Whether the application of broiler litter (BL) can enrich corn ears with supplied mineral elements compared to conventional fertilizers is not well studied. Auburn Univ. scientists and ARS scientists in Auburn, AL conducted a 2-yr study to investigate the mineral composition of corn ears as affected by nutrient source (BL or urea), application rate (0, 168, and 336 kg total N ha-1), and application time (single or split) at three locations in Alabama, USA. Broiler litter, regardless of application rate and application time, did not increase any elemental concentrations in the corn ear. However, corn fertilized with urea had the highest corn ear concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu across all locations. Corn ear N concentration was dependent on the level of plant-available N in the soil. Other corn ear mineral elements were not dependent on their soil levels. Thus, these results indicate growing corn with an adequate supply of soil plant available N, regardless of source, ensures maximum accumulation of corn ear N and other mineral elements to maximize corn's nutritional value.

Technical Abstract: The mineral composition of a corn (Zea Mays L.) ear impacts its nutritional value and potential use as human food and animal feed. Whether the application of broiler litter (BL) can enrich corn ears with supplied mineral elements compared to conventional fertilizers is not well studied. A 2-yr study investigated the mineral composition of corn ears as affected by nutrient source (BL or urea), application rate (0, 168, and 336 kg total N ha-1), and application time (single or split) at three locations in Alabama, USA. Corn ear samples were collected at physiological maturity each year and analyzed for total nutrient contents of 11 mineral elements. Broiler litter, regardless of application rate and application time, did not increase any elemental concentrations in the corn ear. Corn fertilized with urea had the highest corn ear concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu across all locations. Corn ear N concentration was dependent on the level of plant-available N (PAN) in the soil. Corn ear concentrations of P, K, and other mineral elements were not dependent on their soil levels but the corn ear N concentration. Thus, growing corn with an adequate supply of PAN in soil, irrespective of the source, ensures maximum accumulation of corn ear N and other mineral elements.