Effect of poultry litter on silage maize (Zea mays L.) production and nutrient uptake

Abstract

In Chile, the availability of poultry manure has recently increased as a result of expanding poultry production. The application of this organic waste on agricultural land is desirable since it not only helps recycle nutrients but also solves the problem of its disposal. A two year field study was undertaken to compare the effects of poultry litter (PL) and traditional mineral fertilizer on the growth of silage maize (Zea mays L.). The effects of adding mean annual PL rates of 10, 15 and 20 Mg ha -1 , with and without mineral fertilizer, were compared with those of two rates of conventional mineral fertilizer and a control treatment (no fertilizer). Crop yield showed a positive response to the fertilized treatments and fluctuated between 26.30 and 37.13 Mg ha -1 ; values for the controls ranged between 17.12 and 23.80 Mg ha -1 . The yield averages obtained with the PL treatments were 13.85 and 9.05 Mg ha -1 higher than the controls in the first and second year respectively. Nutrient uptake was similar with the PL and conventional fertilizer treatments. The mean of apparent efficiency of N recovery (AENR) for the PL treatments was higher than that of conventional fertilizer treatments, suggesting PL to be an appropriate N supply that suffers only small N losses. The highest AENR was obtained with the lowest PL dose, indicating this to be the most appropriate rate. In conclusion, PL is an efficient alternative to conventional mineral fertilizers for silage maize production.Additional key words: N efficiency recovery, nutritional needs, soil fertilizer. ResumenEfecto de la aplicación de cama de broiler sobre la producción y absorción de nutrientes en maíz para ensilaje (Zea mays L.)La disponibilidad de estiércol o cama de broiler (CB) en Chile ha aumentado, como resultado del incremento en la producción de carne de ave. La utilización de este residuo orgánico en la actividad agrícola es beneficiosa, contribuyendo al reciclaje de nutrientes y disminuyendo su acumulación en zonas de producción. Para comparar el efecto de la aplicación de CB y fertilizantes convencionales sobre la producción de maíz para ensilaje, se realizó un experimento de campo durante dos años consecutivos. Se comparó el efecto de la aplicación de CB en dosis de 10, 15 y 20 Mg ha -1 , incluyendo en algunos casos la aplicación de nitrógeno, con la utilización de dos dosis de fertilizantes convencionales y un control sin fertilización. El rendimiento mostró una respuesta positiva a la fertilización, fluctuando entre 26,30 y 37,13 Mg ha -1 ; en tanto que en el control fluctuó entre 17,12 y 23,80 Mg ha -1 . El rendimiento medio obtenido con la CB fue 13,85 y 9,05 Mg ha -1 mayor que el control sin fertilización para el primer y segundo año, respectivamente. La absorción de nutrientes fue similar entre los tratamientos con CB o fertilizantes convencionales. La eficiencia de recuperación aparente de N (AENR) media para los tratamientos con CB fue mayor que la obtenida con fertilización convencional, lo cual sugiere un suministro adecuado y bajo ...

The Effect of Poultry Litter Application on Agricultural Production: A Meta-Analysis of Crop Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Fertility

“…Mitchell and Tu (2005) reported that no differences in relative yields were observed when broiler litter was applied at the same total N rate as ammonium nitrate. Hirzel et al (2007) found similar results with corn silage; yield averages obtained from PL additions were comparable to that of urea. Watts and Torbert (2011) also reported that soybean yields were increased 8 out of 9 years when PL was used as a nutrient source.…”

“…Thus, poultry litter may be a valuable nutrient source for row crop production systems. Numerous studies have proven that poultry litter can be used as an effective fertility source (Hirzel et al, 2007;Mitchell and Tu, 2005;Reddy et al, 2004;Tewolde et al, 2009a;Watts and Torbert, 2011;Wiatrak et al, 2004). However, poultry litter may produce yields different to that of commercial fertilizer sources.…”

“…Another pasture study indicated that land application of PL provided essential nutrients for hybrid bermudagrass production with no differences in dry matter yield and N uptake compared to that of ammonium nitrate, whereas greater P and K uptake were observed with PL application (Read et al, 2006). Hirzel et al (2007) also evaluated the influence of PL application on nutrient uptake for corn silage. They reported that no differences in nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) uptake were observed between PL or urea application, and thus suggesting PL to be an adequate nutrient source.…”

Direct and Residual Effects of Different Poultry Compost and NPK Fertilizer Applications on Drought-Tolerant Maize Production

“…The increased soil moisture would enhance the availability and mobility of soil nutrients than in the dry season; an added advantage for increased grain yield. These results agreed with the observation on the residual effects of cattle manure by Silva et al (2003) and poultry manure by Reddy et al (2004) and Hirzel et al (2007) on the grain yield of maize. …”

Evolución a Corto Plazo De Las Propiedades Químicas en Dos Suelos De La Zona Centro Sur De Chile Fertilizados Con Diferentes Fuentes De Calcio

“…Dentro de las propiedades químicas, la acidez del suelo, asociada con las concentraciones de aluminio (Al) e hidrógeno (H), y la disponibilidad de bases de intercambio como calcio (Ca), magnesio (Mg), potasio (K) y sodio (Na), que contrarrestan esta acidez, son reportadas como un componente importante de la fertilidad del suelo (Castro y Crusciol, 2013;Fageria y Nascente;2014;Moreira et al, 2015). Otros componentes de importancia en las propiedades químicas del suelo son también los nutrientes esenciales fósforo (P), nitrógeno (N), azufre (S) y micronutrientes (Hirzel et al, 2007;Hirzel et al, 2010;Castro y Crusciol, 2013).…”