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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #115643
Title: EFFECTS OF BROILER LITTER IN AN IRRIGATED, DOUBLE-CROPPED, CONSERVATION-TILLED ROTATION

Author
item GASCHO, GARY - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item Hubbard, Robert
item BRENNEMAN, TIMOTHY - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item JOHNSON, ALVA - ARS (RETIRED)
item SUMNER, DONALD - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item HARRIS, G - UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2001
Publication Date: 6/20/2001
Citation: GASCHO, G.J., HUBBARD, R.K., BRENNEMAN, T.B., JOHNSON, A.W., SUMNER, D.R., HARRIS, G.H. EFFECTS OF BROKER LITTER IFN AN IRRIGATED, DOUBLE-CROPPED, CONSERVATION-TILLED ROTATION. AGRONOMY JOURNAL. 93:1315-1320(Refereed Co-author#15). 2001.

Interpretive Summary: Animal wastes pose a major threat to soil, surface water, and ground water quality. Excess loadings of nitrogen and phosphorus from animal wastes applied to land may result in eutrophication of water bodies or contamination of drinking water. Technologies are needed to utilize nutrients contained within animal wastes without contaminating the environment. Broiler production is increasing rapidly in the Southern Coastal Plain, partially due to the availability of crop land for disposal of the litter. Since little research has been conducted with broiler litter in irrigated, conservation-tilled, intense cropping systems on the sandy Coastal Plain soils, we initiated a double-crop study with summer crops of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for grain and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and winter crops of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oil seed canola (Brassica napus L.). Positive yield and gross value responses to broiler litter were found for cotton, pearl millet for grain, wheat and canola. Soil analyses indicated fertility of the plots was enhanced by litter application. However broiler litter is not a balanced fertilizer for crops. In most cases P concentration is too great relative to N and soil test P in increased in the surface soil. It would appear prudent to limit biyearly or even yearly applications to about 5 Mg ha**-1 and supply additional nutrient requirements with commercial fertilizers. The study showed that with the exception of peanut, broiler litter can be a valuable amendment for conservation-tilled crops in the Southern Coastal Plain. This research is important to animal producers and land managers because it provides information which will assist them in using animal wastes while reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

Technical Abstract: Little research has been conducted with broiler litter in irrigated, conservation-tilled, intense cropping systems on sandy Coastal Plain soils. double-crop study with summer crops of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), pear millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for grain and peanut (Arachis hypog L.) and winter crops of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oil seed canola (Brassica napus L.) was conducted. Following cotton, the plots were winter fallowed. All crops were grown each year. The research was conducted on a Tifton loamy sand (Plinthic Kandiudults)in 41.8 m**2 plots arranged in a randomized complete block design. Positive yield and gross value responses broiler litter were found for cotton, pearl millet for grain, wheat and canola. Using gross return of harvested crops the mean value of a Mg of sta house broiler litter was estimated to be $41.56 when application was made t all crops and $67.66 when none was applied to peanut. Those values were greater than the values assigned by calculation of the costs of the nutrie if purchased as commercial inorganic fertilizers. Soil analyses indicated t fertility of the plots was enhanced by litter application. However, broiler litter is not a balanced fertilizer for crops. In most cases, P concentrati is too great relative to N and soil test P is increased in the surface soil High concentrations can add to P in water bodies via erosion and runoff. It would appear prudent to limit biyearly or even yearly applications to about Mg ha**-1 and supply additional nutrient requirements with commercial fertilizers. With the exception of peanut, broiler litter can be a valuable amendment for conservation-tilled crops in the Southern Coastal Plain.