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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #231376
Title: Composted Poultry Litter as an Amendment for Substrates with High Wood Content

Author
item MARBLE, CHRIS - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item GILLIAM, CHARLES - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item SIBLEY, JEFF - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item FAIN, GLENN - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item OLIVE, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2008
Publication Date: 9/14/2008
Citation: Marble, C., Gilliam, C., Sibley, J., Fain, G., Torbert III, H.A., Olive, J.W. 2008. Composted Poultry Litter as an Amendment for Substrates with High Wood Content. In: Proceedings of the International Plant Propagator Society, September 14-17, 2008, Denver, CO. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Whole Tree (WT) and Clean Chip Residual (CCR) are potential new nursery substrates that are by-products of the forestry industry containing high wood content. Initial immobilization of nitrogen is one limitation of these new substrates, however the addition of composted poultry litter (CPL) to substrates containing high wood content could balance initial nitrogen immobilization and provide an inexpensive fertilizer source for growers. This study evaluated the growth of five woody nursery crops being grown in WT, CCR, and pinebark (PB) with the addition of CPL or peat as a substrate amendment. Results indicate that woody nursery crops can be grown successfully in WT and CCR substrates 6:1 (v:v) with CPL. Use of CPL in WT and CCR substrates provides an alternative to traditional PB plus peat based combinations in container plant production while providing poultry producers an environmentally sound means of waste disposal.

Technical Abstract: Whole Tree (WT) and Clean Chip Residual (CCR) are potential new nursery substrates that are by-products of the forestry industry containing high wood content. Initial immobilization of nitrogen is one limitation of these new substrates, however the addition of composted poultry litter (CPL) to substrates containing high wood content could balance initial nitrogen immobilization and provide an inexpensive fertilizer source for growers. This study evaluated the growth of five woody nursery crops being grown in WT, CCR, and pinebark (PB) with the addition of CPL or peat as a substrate amendment. Results indicate that woody nursery crops can be grown successfully in WT and CCR substrates 6:1 (v:v) with CPL. Use of CPL in WT and CCR substrates provides an alternative to traditional PB plus peat based combinations in container plant production while providing poultry producers an environmentally sound means of waste disposal.