Nutritive Value and Nutrient Uptake of Sorghum–Sudangrass under Different Broiler Litter Fertility Programs

Abstract

Broiler (Gallus gallus) litter fertility regimes and nutrient removal by sorghum-sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] are not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine broiler litter fertility regimes for sorghum-sudangrass that would maximize nutrient removal and produce comparable forage nutritive value compared with inorganic fertilizers while reducing potential soil nutrient accumulation. A randomized, complete-block experiment with four replications and four treatments (litter applied at recommended nitrogen [N] rate [Litter-N], recommended phosphorus [P] rate plus supplemental inorganic N [Litter-P1N], recommended P rate [Litter-P], and inorganic fertilizer [INORG]) was established. Acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), P, Cu, Fe, and Zn were determined. Treatments did not affect ADF, NDF, Cu, or Fe in 2001, whereas ADF and NDF were similar for INORG and Litter-N in 2002. Greatest P concentrations were observed in Litter-N and Litter-P plots. Crude protein was greatest for INORG plots, similar for Litter-P1N and Litter-N treatments, and lowest for Litter-P plots. Treatments affected Cu and Zn: Forage from Litter-N plots contained 44% greater forage Cu than those from Litter-P plots in 2003. Iron concentration for 2003 was 60% higher than for 2001 in Litter-N plots, and there were 22% and 30% increases in P uptake in 2003 compared with 2001 for the Litter-N and Litter-P1N plots, respectively. Lower rates of broiler litter, applied based on the P requirement and supplemented with inorganic N, can produce similar forage nutritive value to that fertilized with inorganic fertilizer only or broiler litter applied to meet crop N requirements.

Effects of Different Cultivars and Fertilization Treatments on Some Corn Silage Quality Parameters

“…The highest values were obtained from inorganic and ½ organic + ½ inorganic fertilizer treatments (Table 5 and 6). The results obtained from many researches, that are made on the effects of organic, inorganic and ½ organic + ½ inorganic fertilizer treatments on the silage quality parameters are supporting our findings (Ibeawuchi et al, 2007;Lanyasunya et al, 2007;Fateh et al, 2009;Nazlı, 2011;Yolcu, 2011;Nasım et al, 2012) while some researches provide different results (Sleugh et al, 2006;Tavassoli et al, 2010;Ahmad et al, 2011). The similarities and differences in the research results regarding the fertilizer treatments may be due to the ecological conditions and the differences and similarities of the genetics of the cultivars used in these researches.…”

Effects of Broiler Litter Management Practices on Phosphorus, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Arsenic Concentrations in Maryland Coastal Plain Soils

“…The long-term application of broiler litter to soils may exceed soil P concentrations that are required for crop growth (Moore 1998;Sleugh et al 2006). Excess P from these fields could run off and/or be leached into shallow groundwater supplies and negatively impact the environment (Kingery et al 1994;Sims and Wolf 1994).…”

“…The Maryland poultry industry provides approximately 33% of the cash income in the state (Maryland Agricultural Statistics 1996). Broiler production generates approximately 400 million kg of litter (a mixture of chicken manure, wasted feed, and bedding) per year, which is generally applied to fields in close proximity to the production houses (Moore 1998;Codling, Chaney and Mulchi 2000;Sleugh et al 2006).…”

Herbage Nutritive Value of Tall Fescue Fertilized with Broiler Litter and Inorganic Fertilizer

“…Commercial production in Mississippi alone generates approximately 897,000 Mg/year of broiler litter (a mixture of manure, wasted feed, and locally available bedding material), having a N‐P 2 O 5 ‐K 2 O fertilizer equivalent of approximately 2.9‐1.5‐3.0 (wet weight basis) with 19% moisture content (9). The utilization of litter represents an opportunity to produce high quality forage for livestock, reduce potential nutrient loss to the environment, and remove nutrients added by the manure through hay production (10,16,18). High growth rates under high fertility and an extensive rooting system make tall fescue valuable in nutrient recycling systems (11).…”

“…Trace elements, Cu and Zn, added to poultry diets to improve weight gain and prevent disease (6), are largely excreted in the manure. Because Cu and Zn are assimilated in small quantities by plants, heavy metal accumulation has been reported in litter‐amended soils (16,18). Runoff or leaching loss of Cu and Zn can increase potential risks to surface and ground water quality.…”