Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #217295
Title: Broiler Litter Application Method and Antecedent Time to Runoff Initiation Effect on Nutrient and E. coli Losses from Tall Fescue Pasture

Author
item Sistani, Karamat
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item Way, Thomas - Tom
item Bolster, Carl
item Warren, Jason
item Pote, Daniel

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2007
Publication Date: 11/5/2007
Citation: Sistani, K.R., Torbert Iii, H.A., Way, T.R., Bolster, C.H., Warren, J.G., Pote, D.H. 2007. Broiler Litter Application Method and Antecedent Time to Runoff Initiation Effect on Nutrient and E. coli Losses from Tall Fescue Pasture. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Many studies have indicated the advantages of manure incorporation into soil in contrast to broadcast application to reduce nutrient losses. However, subsurface application of poultry litter through injection banding into a perennial forage system has not been evaluated. We used rainfall simulations to examine; 1) the effect of broiler litter application method on nutrient and E. coli losses in runoff from tall fescue pasture in the Appalachian Plateau; 2) to determine the impact of antecedent time from litter application to runoff initiation on nutrient and E. coli losses in runoff. Runoff plots were constructed on Hartsells fine sandy loam (Typic Hapludults) soil with permanent ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) pasture in Crossville, AL. Broiler litter was applied at a rate of 8.97 Mg ha-1 by either broadcast application or by subsurface banding. Additional plots were included which received a broadcast application of commercial fertilizer (19-19-19) applied at a rate of 296 kg N ha-1 corresponding to the N applied with the broiler litter treatment. To examine the impact of antecedent time to runoff initiation on nutrient and E. coli losses, the runoff events were initiated on a weekly basis from week 1 to week 4 on separate sets of plots after litter application. Inorganic N and E. coli concentrations in runoff were significantly greater from broadcast litter application than subsurface litter banding. Fertilizer treatment had runoff with greater NH4-N than NO3-N in all runoff events. The loss of total phosphorus (TP), NO3-N, and total suspended solids (TSS) from subsurface litter banding was 78%, 49%, and 67% less than broadcast litter application method, respectively. About 81% of the runoff TP concentration was in the form of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) for both litter-application methods. Therefore, the guidelines aimed at increasing the time between litter applications prior to rainfall events should be considered an effective best management practice.