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Research Project: EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND USE OF ANIMAL MANURE TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Location: Animal Waste Management Research

Title: Effects of broiler litter application on nutrient accumulations in soil.

Authors
item Gilfillen, Rebecca -
item Rowland, Naomi -
item Willian, William -
item Sleugh, Byron -
item Tekeste, Mehari -
item Sistani, Karamat

Submitted to: Forage and Grazinglands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 2, 2010
Publication Date: November 1, 2010
Repository URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/55054
Citation: Gilfillen, R.A., Rowland, N.S., Willian, W.T., Sleugh, B.B., Tekeste, M.Z., Sistani, K.R. 2010. Effects of broiler litter application on nutrient accumulations in soil.. Forage and Grazinglands. On line journal. (http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/search/search_action.asp)

Interpretive Summary: Excessive nutrient accumulation in soils due to repeated land application of broiler litter is a growing environmental concern. A four year study was conducted on a Pembroke silt loam soil cropped to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) to evaluate accumulation of soil nutrients from broiler litter application. The design included four fertilization treatments. Broiler litter was applied at recommended nitrogen rate, recommended phosphorus rate, recommended phosphorus rate supplemented with inorganic nitrogen and inorganic fertilizer with no litter application. The treatments did not cause an increase in soil nutrient accumulation litter application on nitrogen rate increased soil phosphorus, copper and zinc by five-fold compared to values at initiation of this experiment. Maximum and minimum orchardgrass yields were observed with nitrogen rate (18,019 kg/ha DM) and phosphorus rate treatments (7189 kg/ha DM). According to our findings, applying broiler litter at the recommended phosphorus rate and supplementing with inorganic nitrogen may be an environmentally sustainable broiler litter management practice.

Technical Abstract: Excessive nutrient accumulation in soils due to land application of broiler litter is a growing environmental concern. A four year study was conducted on a Pembroke silt loam soil (Mollic Paleudalf) cropped to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) to evaluate accumulation of soil nutrients from broiler litter application. A randomized complete block design with four fertilization treatments was used. Broiler litter was applied at recommended nitrogen rate (L-N), recommended phosphorus rate (L-P), recommended phosphorus rate supplemented with inorganic nitrogen (L-P+N) and inorganic fertilizer with no litter application (Inorg). The L-P, L-P+N and Inorg treatments did not cause an increase in soil nutrient accumulation while L-N increased soil phosphorus, copper and zinc by five-fold compared to values at initiation of this experiment. Maximum and minimum orchardgrass yields were observed with L-N (18,019 kg/ha DM) and L-P treatments (7189 kg/ha DM). According to our findings, applying broiler litter at the recommended phosphorus rate and supplementing with inorganic nitrogen may be an environmentally sustainable broiler litter management practice.

   

 
Project Team
Sistani, Karamat
Loughrin, John
Bolster, Carl
Cook, Kimberly - Kim
Lovanh, Nanh
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Air Quality (203)
  Manure and Byproduct Utilization (206)
  Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/24/2013
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