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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381046
Research Project: GxExM Systems Approach to Crop Disease Management

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Mineral composition of corn ear as affected by poultry litter fertilization

Author
item SINGH, RAJVEER - Auburn University
item PRASAD, RISHI - Auburn University
item Balkcom, Kipling
item GUERTAL, ELIZABETH - Auburn University
item LAMBA, JASMEET - Auburn University

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2020
Publication Date: 12/15/2020
Citation: Singh, R., Prasad, R., Balkcom, K.S., Guertal, E.A., Lamba, J. 2020. Mineral composition of corn ear as affected by poultry litter fertilization [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mineral composition of corn (Zea Mays L.) ear (including grain, cob, and husk plant parts) impacts its nutritional value and potential use as human food and animal feed. There are limited reports on the influence of poultry litter (PL) on nutrient composition of corn ear. The study investigated the mineral content of corn ear under surface broadcast application of PL and conventional fertilizer (CF) urea at equivalent N rates of 0 (control), 168 or 336 kg ha-1 in the single vs. split application timing. In single application, target N rate was applied before planting, whereas in split application, one-fourth of the target N rate was applied before planting and the remaining three-fourth was side dressed at knee high/six leaf stage. The study was conducted at three locations for a total of five site-years in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Ear samples were harvested at physiological maturity each year and analyzed for contents of 11 mineral elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu). Compared to CF, PL, did not elevate the ear concentrations of the measured elements regardless of application rate and timing. Ear N concentration was dependent on the level of its availability in the soil. However, ear levels of P, K and other mineral elements were not in proportion to their soil levels rather dependent on ear N content. Results indicated that optimal levels of plant-available N (PAN) in the soil irrespective of whether derived from PL or CF ensures maximum accumulation of ear N along with P, K, and other elements.