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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #346536
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Residual effect of poultry litter on soybean productivity following wheat cropping

Author
item LIN, YARU - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
item Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2017
Publication Date: 2/5/2017
Citation: Lin, Y., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2017. Residual effect of poultry litter on soybean productivity following wheat cropping [abstract]. Southern Branch American Society of Agronomy Meeting. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Continuous cultivation of crops with consumption of chemical fertilizers may lead to serious soil erosion and fertility decline. Poultry litter application and double cropping are management practices that could be used with conservation tillage systems to increase yields compared to conventional mono-cropping systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield response to poultry litter application compared to inorganic N fertilization following wheat cropping at four locations in Alabama (two with Marvyn loamy sand and two with Lucedale fine sandy loam). At each location, the experimental design was a randomized complete block with eleven treatments replicated four times. Fertility treatments for winter wheat included an unfertilized control (P0N0), inorganic N fertilizer (135 kg ha-1, P0N135), poultry litter at the rate of 45 kg N ha-1 plus 90 kg ha-1 inorganic N (P45N90), poultry litter at the rate of 90 kg N ha-1 plus 45 kg ha-1 inorganic N (P90N45), and poultry litter at the rate of 135 kg N ha-1 (P135N0). All wheat treatments were double cropped with soybeans (no N fertilizer was added) and compared to a winter fallow treatment. Overall, wheat-soybean double cropping increased soybean yield compared to the fallow treatment. Combination of poultry litter and inorganic N fertilizer produced yields of wheat equivalent to or greater than that of inorganic N fertilizer, and the residual poultry litter in soil slightly enhanced soybean productivity.