ARS | Publication request: Comparison of Phosphorus Levels in Pasture Treated with Alum-Treated and Untreated Poultry Litter

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 14, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Research has shown that aluminum sulfate additions to poultry litter result in decreased phosphorus runoff. However, more information is needed about the effects alum-amended litter has on the availability of phosphorus in the soil. A field study was conducted to compare soil phosphorus levels (Mehlich III and water soluble P) in pasture treated with halum-amended litter, untreated poultry litter, and NH4NO3. Untreated and alum-treated poultry litter (10% alum by wt.) were applied at four rates of application (0, 2.24, 4.49, 6.73, and 8.98 mg ha**-1 rates), as was NH4NO3 (0, 65, 130, 195, and 260 kg N ha**-1 rates) for three years to tall fescue plots. Soil cores (0-5 cm) were taken throughout the study. Mehlich III-P and water soluble P values fluctuated seasonally in the litter treated plots, although there was an increasing yearly trend in these values . Plots fertilized with alum-amended poultry litter had the lowest tMehlich III and water soluble P values when compared to untreated litter plots. The lowest soil P values were found in the plots treated with NH4NO3.