Ryegrass–Bermudagrass Production and Nutrient Uptake when Combining Nitrogen Fertilizer with Broiler Litter

Abstract

difference in nutrients applied vs. crop nutrient requirements results in the soil buildup of excess nutrients, es-A common problem when broiler litter is applied to pastures in pecially P (Sims, 1995). Water quality problems can the southeastern USA is the buildup of soil P because of the difference occur if P enters surface water in runoff (Sharpley et in N-P-K ratio of the broiler litter and forage crop requirements. A study was conducted to test the theory that if the N requirement of al., 1993). the forage crop is only partially met by the broiler litter, application Perennial pastures are an ideal recipient of animal of commercial N fertilizer would stimulate plant growth to remove manure (Edwards, 1996). Annual land preparation and excess soil P and K. A small-plot study was conducted for 2 yr combinplanting are not required. The forage sod protects the ing 9 Mg ha Ϫ1 broiler litter applied in October with various combinasoil from erosion and provides a firm surface for manure tions of 56 kg N ha Ϫ1 applied in December, March, May, and July to application equipment and grazing animals during wet an annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.)-'Coastal' bermudagrass weather. In the southeastern USA, mixtures of cool-[Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pasture system. Yield increased from and warm-season forages provide a year-long growing 8.9 to a maximum of 13.4 Mg ha Ϫ1 when 56 kg N ha Ϫ1 was applied up season and sink for N mineralized from animal manure to three times a year. Nitrogen uptake was directly related to the amount throughout the year. Essentially, all of the P and K in of N fertilizer applied, with a maximum of 285 kg N ha Ϫ1 removed following four applications. The most P and K was removed when N was broiler litter is available for plant uptake (Wilkinson, applied in December and March or March and May. These treatments 1979).removed 23% more P and 43% more K than when no commercial

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

“…In agriculture, the main reasons for applying PL include the organic amendment of the soil and the provision of nutrients to crops (Evers, 2002;Singh et al, 2004;Warren et al, 2006). This is an effective way of recycling nutrients.…”

Phytoremediation of High-Phosphorus Soil by Annual Ryegrass and Common Bermudagrass Harvest

“…), ARG removed only about 7 kg P ha −1 (Sistani et al 2003). However, results from Evers (2002), Rowe and Fairbrother (2003), McLaughlin et al (2005aMcLaughlin et al ( , 2005b, Kratochvil (2006), and Whittington et al (2007) may be more typical, with maximum P uptake by ARG ≥ 40 kg ha −1 annually. Yet, year-toyear variability in results may be twofold or more (McLaughlin et al 2005a(McLaughlin et al , 2005b.…”

“…Not surprisingly, the rate of P uptake by bermudagrass or ARG is positively related to the rate of fertilization with PL (Robinson 1996;Brink, Rowe, and Sistani 2002;Gaston et al 2003;Read et al 2007Read et al , 2009). In part, this reflects increasing yield with greater soil fertility so that P uptake can be increased with use of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (Evers 2002;Read et al 2006). Furthermore, there is evidence that P uptake by bermudagrass is positively related to the level of soil P (Robinson 1996;Vervoort et al 1998;Gaston et al 2003).…”

“…For example, Kratochvil (2006) found that P uptake by every crop studied (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.; cereal rye, Secale cereale L.; corn, Zea mays L.; and ARG) increased with increasing soil P. Among various pasture grasses, this behavior may be pronounced with ARG (Robinson 1996;Abe and Ozaki 1998;Sharma et al 2004;Sharma and Sahi 2005). Thus, including ARG as a cool-season double crop to increase the annual rate of soil P drawdown has been considered in several studies (Evers 2002;Sistani et al 2003;Kratochvil 2006;Read et al 2007;Whittington et al 2007;Read et al 2009). …”

Agro-Industrial Waste Management: A Case Study of Soil Fauna Responses to the Use of Biowaste as Meadow Fertiliser in Galiza, Northwestern Spain

“…This type of manure contains a high percentage of dry matter and is richer in organic matter and nutrients than other types of manure [42]. Usually, poultry manure is used as a fertiliser for crops of high economic importance, such as corn, soy, hay, and horticultural crops [43].…”