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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411121
Research Project: Agronomic and Engineering Solutions for Conventional and Organic Conservation Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern U.S.

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Cotton yield response to conventional fertilizer and poultry manure combinations under different cover crop management methods

Author
item Kichler, Corey
item Watts, Dexter
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Kornecki, Ted
item PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2024
Publication Date: 2/3/2024
Citation: Kichler, C.M., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A., Kornecki, T.S., Prasad, R. 2024. Cotton yield response to conventional fertilizer and poultry manure combinations under different cover crop management methods [abstract]. Southern Branch American Society of Agronomy; Atlanta, GA February 3-5, 2024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cover crop residue management and supplemental nitrogen application timing and source are critical aspects of maximizing cotton production. Different types of fertility sources are available, including poultry litter, that can be used alone or in combination with conventional fertilizers, depending on cost and availability. This experiment investigated three different surface residue management techniques (rolled/crimped, mowed, mowed + incorporation) along with three different nutrient regimes, each provided 101 kg of total nitrogen per hectare. A no nutrient treatment was also included as the control to create a total of twelve treatments (3x4) in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Nutrient treatments included 101 kg N ha-1 as poultry litter pre-plant (PL), 67 kg N ha-1 as poultry litter at pre-plant + 34 kg N ha-1 as liquid urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) at sidedress (PLUAN), and 34 kg of N ha-1 through granular fertilizer at pre-plant + 67 kg N ha-1as liquid UAN at sidedress (FERT). Data show the mowed+incorporation residue method resulted in lower yield over two growing seasons with 2095 kg ha-1 compared to 2565 and 2455 kg ha-1 for roll/crimped and mowed, respectively. On average, the PLUAN treatment yielded significantly higher by 14% over PL treatment but was statistically similar to the FERT treatment. These results indicated that there may be yield advantages to growing cotton in management systems with surface residue compared to incorporation of residue when utilizing both poultry litter and conventional fertilizers sources.