Wednesday, 9 November 2005
5

Nutrient Accumulation in Soils after Application of Poultry Litter to Produce Sorghum-Sudangrass.

Rebecca Gilfillen1, Byron Sleugh2, Todd Willian1, and Holly Henderson1. (1) Western Kentucky University, 1528 Nutwood St, 1528 Nutwood St, Bowling Green, KY 42104-3065, (2) Western Kentukcy University, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Poultry litter can be used to fertilize sorghum-sudangrass pastures and hayfields. If properly managed, litter can be returned to land; however, one concern regarding land application of poultry litter is soil nutrient accumulation. Applying poultry litter to land at recommended crop N rates can lead to an accumulation of P, K, and micronutrients in the soil. This study was conducted from 2001-2004 to observe changes in characteristic soil fertility properties after fertilization with poultry litter and/or inorganic fertilizers. A completely randomized block design consisting of four treatments was utilized: an inorganic N, P, K fertilizer (I), poultry litter applied according to recommended P rate (PPL), poultry litter applied according to recommended N rate (NPL), and poultry litter applied at recommended P rate with supplemental inorganic N fertilizer (NPPL). In the poultry litter applications, plant available P was estimated to be 80% while N availability was estimated at 50% for the first year of the study. Soil samples from sudangrass hayfields were analyzed for pH, NH4+, NO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, PO43-, K+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, and Zn2+. Results from the four year study will be presented.

Handout (.pdf format, 1187.0 kb)

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