ARS | Publication request: Cropping System and Broiler Litter Application Impacts on Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Quality Characteristics

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 14, 2006
Publication Date: November 12, 2008
Citation: Adeli, A., Sistani, K.R., Tewolde, H., Rowe, D.E. 2008. Cropping system and broiler litter application impacts on soil nutrient dynamics and quality characteristics [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts. p. 151.

Technical Abstract: Crop rotation and broiler litter applications 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 particularly in the Mississippi agro-ecosystem. The effects of broiler litter fertilization rates (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 was investigated in a Catlpa silty clay loam soil at North Mississippi Experiment Station for three years. The experimental design was a split-plot with factorial arrangement of treatments in which treatments were replicated four times. Soil surface (0-15 cm) total carbon (C) and microbial biomass carbon increased with increasing broiler litter applications, and at high broiler litter rate (13.5 Mg ha-1) inclusion of corn into the cropping system significantly increased soil total C and microbial biomass C by 20% and 34% as compared to the continuous cotton system, respectively. At high broiler litter application, inclusion of corn into the system significantly decreased soil total N by 25% as compared to continuous cotton system. Post-harvest soil NO3-N at the top 15 cm soil depth decreased by 24% with inclusion of corn into the cropping system. Regardless of the cropping system, soil surface (0-15 cm) copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations increased with increasing broiler litter applications, and more Cu was removed from the soil with inclusion of corn into the system as compared to continuous cotton. In terms of crop management and broiler litter application, inclusion of corn into the rotation system plays a key role in sequestering C, building up soil fertility, and reducing the potential leaching of NO3-N beyond the root zone which is agronomically and environmentally beneficial.