Can the subsurface poultry litter band distance from the planted row influence crop yield?

Authors: Watts, Dexter; Way, Thomas - Tom

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/2/2018
Publication Date: 2/4/2018
Citation: Watts, D.B., Way, T.R. 2018. Can the subsurface poultry litter band distance from the planted row influence crop yield? [abstract[. Southern Regional Branch American Society of Agronomy Annual Meeting. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Poultry litter (PL) is often used as an alternative nutrient source for crop production in the southeastern U.S. Historically, PL has been broadcast applied on the soil surface, leaving the nutrients susceptible to runoff. Developments made in recent years allow for placing PL in narrow bands below the soil surface. This technological advancement has been shown to reduce P losses and improve crop yield. However, the influence of PL band placement relative to the planted row on yield is not well understood. Thus, a study was conducted at USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in the Soil Bins to evaluate the influence of PL band placement on crop yield. Treatments consisted of subsurface banding PL 0, 10, 20, and 30 cm to the side of the crop row, plus a nonfertilized check, broadcasted PL, and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) banded (20 cm to the side of rows) as controls. Placing PL in subsurface bands increased yield compared to surface broadcasting the litter. No differences were observed between subsurface banding PL and subsurface banding of UAN. When evaluating the influence of row spacing on cotton production, the greatest yield benefit was observed when PL was placed in subsurface bands 20 cm or less from the planted row.