Kreshnik Bejleri, Joshua McGrath, and Frank Coale. 0214 H.J. Patterson Hall, Bldg. 073, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, Dept. of Environmental Science & Technology, College Park, MD 20742-5825
Incorporation of broiler litter after application in corn production systems can greatly reduce nutrient losses relative to no-till systems. However, the benefits of no-till to soil quality and crop production are well known. This study was conducted on Maryland's coastal plain to demonstrate that currently existing conservation-tillage can be successfully used to partially incorporate poultry litter, preserving surface residue and soil conservation conditions, while reducing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus losses compared to no-till. Broiler litter was applied at a N-based rate and immediately incorporated into the soil using commercially available conservation-tillage implements to achieve four tillage treatments: 1) no- tillage; 2) vertical tillage (Great Plains Turbo-Till); 3) chisel-disc; and 4) strip-tillage. Runoff plots (32.5 m2) were isolated in three replications of each treatment and natural runoff was collected over two growing seasons. Results from the runoff study will be presented.