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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137832
Title: PEANUT YIELD RESPONSE TO POULTRY LITTER AND MUNICIPAL SLUDGE APPLICATION

Author
item Balkcom, Kipling
item ADAMS, J - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item HARTZOG, D - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/23/2002
Publication Date: 3/1/2003
Citation: BALKCOM, K.S., ADAMS, J.F., HARTZOG, D.L. PEANUT YIELD RESPONSE TO POULTRY LITTER AND MUNICIPAL SLUDGE APPLICATION. COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS. 2003.

Interpretive Summary: The use of poultry litter and sewage sludge as a nutrient source continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of these organic by-products as a source of nutrients for peanut production. Poultry litter was applied on 13 on-farm sites and composted municipal sludge was used in three of these on-farm experiments. At each experiment, commercial fertilizer was also applied. Seven of 13 sites had increased yield as a result of poultry litter. Fertilizer increased yield in only two experiments. Sludge increased yield in only one experiment. No treatments had any influence on total sound mature kernel percentage (TSMK).

Technical Abstract: The use of poultry litter and sewage sludge as a nutrient source continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of these organic by-products as a source of nutrients for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. From 1995 to 1998 poultry litter was applied on 13 on-farm sites and composted municipal sludge was used in three of these on-farm experiments. Fertilizer was also applied in all experiments. Rates of poultry litter ranged from 1.9 to 7.2 Mg ha-1. Composted sewage sludge rate was 2.0, 4.0, and 8.1 Mg ha-1. Commercial fertilizer was mixed and applied at 180, 40, and 111 kg ha-1 for N, P, and K, respectively. Phosphorus and K were also supplied separately at a rate of 40, and 111 kg ha-1, respectively. Seven of 13 sites had increased yield as a result of poultry litter. Fertilizer increased yield in only two experiments. Sludge increased yield in only one experiment and only the highest rate. At one site, poultry litter gave a higher yield than fertilizer when both increased yield above the control. Treatments did not influence total sound mature kernel percentage (TSMK).