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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #358218
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Integration of poultry litter and mineral N on growth and yield of winter canola

Author
item LIN, YARU - Auburn University
item Watts, Dexter
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item HOWE, JULIE - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2018
Publication Date: 2/6/2018
Citation: Lin, Y., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A., Howe, J.A. 2018. Integration of poultry litter and mineral N on growth and yield of winter canola [abstract]. American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Canola (Brassica napins (L.)) has the potential for being used in a double-cropping system as a winter crop in the Southeastern US, but little information is known about its nitrogen management in this region, especially when using poultry litter (PL) as a nutrient source. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate canola growth and yield response to poultry litter fertilization compared to inorganic N fertilization. This study was conducted from 2016 to 2017 at two locations (Shorter, AL – on a Compass loamy sand and Prattville, AL – on a Lucedale fine sandy loam) using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Fertility treatments consisted of an unfertilized control (P0U0), inorganic N fertilizer urea at 180 kg N ha-1 (P0U180), PL at 68 kg N ha-1 plus 112 kg N ha-1 urea (P68U112), PL at 112 kg N ha-1 plus 68 kg N ha-1 urea (P112U68), and PL at 180 kg N ha-1 (P180U0). Integration of PL and urea application significantly increased canola growth (plant height and aboveground biomass) and grain yield, while no differences in leaf greenness was observed when compared to a single PL application or the control. The P68U112 treatment resulted in an equivalent or slightly greater aboveground biomass, grain yield, and N uptake compared to the recommended urea treatment. Therefore, a combination of PL and inorganic N could potentially reduce the usage of chemical fertilizer without decreasing winter canola yield.