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Title: GRAIN YIELD AND MINERAL ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF MAIZE GROWN ON HIGH PHOSPHORUS SOILS AMENDED WITH WATER TREATMENT RESIDUAL

Author
item Codling, Eton
item MULCHI, CHARLES - DEPT NATURAL RES, UMD
item Chaney, Rufus

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2006
Publication Date: 2/2/2007
Citation: Codling, E.E., Mulchi, C.L., Chaney, R.L. 2007. Grain yield and mineral element composition of maize grown on high phosphorus soils amended with water treatment residual. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 30:225-240.

Interpretive Summary: Application of poultry litter to cropland resulted in excess buildup of soil phosphorus in the poultry producing areas of Maryland. The potential for phosphorus movement from poultry-litter amended soils into surface waters heightens the need to manage elevated phosphorus concentrations. Adding Al rich drinking water treatment residue in a greenhouse study reduced water extractable phosphorus concentration and induced P deficiency in container grown wheat. Objectives of the current investigation were to determine the effect of water treatment residue on grain yield, leaf and grain mineral nutrient concentrations in corn (Zea mays L.) grown under field conditions and to examine pH, water and Mehlich 3-extractable phosphorus and 0.01M calcium chloride extractable Al concentrations in the water treatment residue amended soils at two sites. Poultry litter was amended with 0, 5.6 and 11.2 Mg ha-1 of water treatment residue and applied to two sites prior to planting with corn in 1998. Additional rates (16.8 and 33.6 Mg ha-1) of water treatment residue were applied directly to half of each plot on site I in 1999. Results indicated that water treatment residue application did not adversely affect corn grain yields or alter concentrations of mineral nutrients in leaves and grain. Water and Mehlich 3-extractable P and calcium chloride extractable Al concentrations were unchanged with water treatment residue application in both years on both sites. Further studies are needed concerning optimal annual dosages and long term loading rates for direct soil application of water treatment residue to reduce soluble phosphorus.

Technical Abstract: The potential for P movement from poultry-litter amended soils into surface waters heightens the need to manage elevated P concentrations. Amending of high P soils with Al rich drinking water treatment residue in a greenhouse study reduced water extractable P levels and induced P deficiency in container grown wheat. Objectives of the current investigation were to determine the effect of water treatment residue on grain yield, leaf and grain mineral nutrient concentrations in corn (Zea mays L.) grown under field conditions and to examine pH, water and Mehlich 3-extractable P and 0.01M calcium chloride extractable Al in the amended soils at two sites. Poultry litter was amended with 0, 5.6 and 11.2 Mg ha-1 of water treatment residual and applied to two sites prior to planting with corn in 1998. Additional rates (16.8 and 33.6 Mg ha-1) of water treatment residue were applied directly to half of each plot on site I in 1999. Results indicated that water treatment residue application did not adversely affect corn grain yields or alter concentrations of mineral nutrients in leaves and grain. Water and Mehlich 3-extractable phosphorus and calcium chloride extractable Al concentrations were unchanged with water treatment residue application in both years on both sites. Further studies are needed concerning optimal annual dosages and long term loading rates for direct soil application of water treatment residue to reduce soluble phosphorus.