Project Number: 6406-32000-009-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 09, 2000
End Date: May 31, 2005

Objective:
Determine the fate of phosphorus and nitrogen in soil and water as affected by single and split applications of litter during the growing year and their potential hazard to human water source. Determine the effects of litter applications on degraded crop lands with low soil carbon contents. Determine effects of storage, time and other environmental factors on concentrations and forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in litter stacks.

Approach:
On lands commonly used for litter disposal in Mississippi and Alabama, quantify the different forms of phosphorus in the soil profile up to 1 meter depth. Factors measured include presence or absence and type of crop cover, years of litter application, soil slope and aspect, moisture levels/ profile, soil temperature, carbon contents, and agronomic management. In paired field comparison on soils in Alabama and Mississippi measure the influence of presence/absence of litter applications on crop lands with low soil organic carbon and with decreased productivity. Litter is incorporated in Spring applications at recommended and double recommended rates. Soil parameters are measured monthly during the growing year and once under the winter ground cover of ryegrass. In stacked litter, the biological activity, pH, nutrient concentrations and forms are measured on samples. Other variables measured include nutrient status of litter when stacked, number of bird batches on the litter, air/stack temperatures, and age of stack.