Effects of Broiler Litter and Nitrogen Fertilization on Uptake of Major Nutrients by Coastal Bermudagrass

Abstract

Land application of poultry litter provides essential nutrients for hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] production, but ammonia (NH 3) volatilization and N mineralization influence the amount of litter N available for plant uptake. Our objective was to determine the combination of broiler litter and fertilizer N, which maximizes the yields of forage and N, P, and K by 'Coastal' bermudagrass. Studies were conducted for 3 yr (1999-2001) in pastures at Newton and Mize, MS that differed widely in soil test P (STP) due to history of litter application (0 vs. 301 yr, respectively.). Litter rates of 0, 4.5, 8.9, 13.4, and 17.9 Mg ha 21 were obtained by up to four monthly (April-July) applications of 4.5 Mg ha 21 and were supplemented with ammonium nitrate (NH 4-NO 3) to provide the same total N in each treatment. At Newton, combining litter with fertilizer N increased forage yield by 10% in 1999, 25% in 2000, and 34% in 2001, as compared to fertilizer N. At Mize, K uptake increased as litter rate increased in 2001 only. These responses to litter were related to increased soil P and K at Newton, and increased soil N, P, and Ca at Mize. Averaged across years, maximum P uptake of about 40 kg ha 21 was obtained by applying 8.9 Mg litter 1 134 kg N ha 21 at Newton and 4.5 Mg litter 1 202 kg N ha 21 at Mize. Safe and effective management of major plant nutrients in broiler litter may require the use of commercial N fertilizer.

Double-cropping annual ryegrass and bermudagrass to reduce phosphorus levels in soil with history of poultry litter application

“…The results are presented by Brink et al (2008) and were used to calculate the annual rate of nutrients applied in the litter (Table 1). A rate of 4.48 Mg ha -1 litter is consistent with the P requirement of Coastal bermudagrass, which can remove as much as 60 kg ha -1 P yr -1 (Read et al 2006). Assuming 50% of litter N was available for plant uptake in each growing season, 8.96 Mg ha -1 would provide half the annual N requirement to produce yields in the range of 9-13 Mg ha -1 (about 269 kg ha -1 ; Brink et al 2004).…”

“…Litter use as fertilizer on producer farms is a common practice; however, imbalances between the quantity of nutrients applied in broiler litter and the relative inefficiency in nutrient utilization by crops contributes to build-up of soil nutrients, particularly P (Gaston et al 2003;Read et al 2006). Forage crop production provides a means of removing P from soils and reducing the rate and extent of P accumulation, provided manure is applied when environmental conditions are favorable for plant growth .…”

“…Nevertheless, STP will remain high in these soils unless the added P is either tied-up through soil amendments or assimilated by plants. Phytoremediation strategies to minimize the potential risks of high soil P on the environment include (1) substituting fertilizer N additions for litter N to enhance the growth and overall nutrient uptake by forage crops (Evers 2002;Read et al 2006), and (2) the cessation of litter application and continued harvest and biomass removal until STP returns to a target level (Novak and Chan 2002). Improved hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon L.…”

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

“…In contrast, a 2.5-year bermudagrass field study showed that forage yield with broiler litter was 64, 48, and 67 % of yield with ammonium nitrate applied at the same N level in these three years, respectively (Woodard and Sollenberger, 2011). 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.…”

Broiler chicken litter application timing effect on Coastal bermudagrass in southeastern U.S.

“…), which is a common practice in southeastern U.S. The application dates selected for this study did not impact P uptake compared to N uptake, possibly because initial soil P levels were high or because bermudagrass requirements for P were relatively low compared with the quantity applied in the BCL (Brink et al 2002;Pant et al 2004;Read et al 2006).…”