ARS | Publication request: Cropping system and broiler litter application impacts on soil nutrient dynamics and soil quality

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 18, 2006
Publication Date: November 12, 2006
Citation: Adeli, A., Sistani, K.R., Tewolde, H., Rowe, D.E. 2006. Cropping system and broiler litter application impacts on soil nutrient dynamics and soil quality [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts. Paper No. 278-2.

Technical Abstract: Crop rotation and broiler litter applications can influence and maintain high yield production of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.), but relative impact of these management practices on soil nutrient dynamics and soil quality is lacking in the literature. The effects on soil of broiler litter fertilization rate (0, 4.5, 9.0 and 13.4 Mg ha-1) in three cropping systems: CCC, continuous cotton; MCC, corn-cotton-cotton; CMC, cotton-corn-cotton were studied for three years. The experimental site was in a replicated split-plot design and managed with conventional tillage. In all cropping systems, soil surface (0-15 cm) total C and N concentrations increased with increasing broiler litter applications and their magnitudes strongly decreased with increasing soil depth possibly due to the clayey textured soil. At high broiler litter application, surface soil (0-15 cm) C concentration increased by 4 % and 18% as compared to control with continuous cotton and corn-cotton systems, respectively. At the end of the third year, averaged across broiler litter rates, soil C concentration was 8% greater with inclusion of corn in the rotation than continuous cotton cropping system. At high broiler litter application and with inclusion corn in the system, soil residual NO3-N at the surface 0-15 cm depth was 20% lower than those with continuous cotton system indicating greater N extraction from the soil by corn. In term of management of soil quality, broiler litter application to cotton with inclusion of corn in the rotation may improve soil quality and crop production.