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Title: EFFECTS OF POULTRY LITTER ON THE QUALITY OF A COASTAL PLAIN SOIL AND RUNOFF WATER

Author
item WIGHT, JASON - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
item GASTON, LEWIS - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
item Kovar, John
item COOPER, DARREN - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
item ROBBINS, M. - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
item CLASON, TERRY - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
item ROBINSON, DONALD - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2001
Publication Date: 10/25/2001
Citation: WIGHT, J., GASTON, L.A., KOVAR, J.L., COOPER, D.C., ROBBINS, M.L., CLASON, T.R., ROBINSON, D.L. EFFECTS OF POULTRY LITTER ON THE QUALITY OF A COASTAL PLAIN SOIL AND RUNOFF WATER. ASA-CSSA-SSSA ANNUAL MEETING ABSTRACTS. 2001. CD-ROM. MADISON, WI.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Benefits of poultry litter on bermudagrass and loblolly pine productivity and measures of soil quality were examined in a 7-year study on Ruston soil (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudults). Potential off- site transport of P was also examined. Triplicate 0.0039 ha pasture and forest plots were annually amended with 0, 5, 10 and 20 Mg/ha litter. Hay yields increased significantly with litter rate, however, growth of trees to age 11 has not shown a response. Indicators of soil quality, including OC and microbial activity, generally increased with application rate. Bray 2 P in surface 0 to 15 cm soil increased 190, 340 and 790 mg/kg in the 5, 10 and 20 Mg/ha treatments, however, there has been little downward migration of P below 45 cm. Increased soil P is reflected in P in runoff. For example, most recent average concentrations showed increases of 0.8, 3.4 and 4.5 mg / L dissolved P relative to runoff from control plots (average pasture and forest). Although surface soil Bray 2 P is correlated with concentration of P in runoff, water extractable P (as described by a mixing cell model and Langmuir isotherms of P loading into surface runoff) may offer better prediction of potential off-site transport. Preliminary data suggest that inclusion of P release from poultry litter may broaden the applicability of this approach.