Sunday, February 1, 2009

Tillage and Poultry Litter Application Influence on Nutrient Accumulation in Corn Soil.

R.A. Gilfillen, W.T. Willian, and N.S. Rowland. Agriculture, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd #41066, Bowling Green, KY 42104

Poultry litter can be a valuable resource when applied at rates required by a given crop. However, nutrients being present in higher concentrations than needed, or not available when needed, are concerns for producers when using organic fertilizers.   During 2005-07, silage corn plots were established under no-till and conventional till conditions with three fertility treatments superimposed over the tillage treatments.  Fertility treatments were  ½ rate of poultry litter at N rate and ½ inorganic N (HM), poultry litter applied at the N rate (FM), and inorganic fertilizers (I).  Soil samples were taken from 0-15 cm at corn harvest. Over the three year observation very few differences were seen between tillage treatments.  Interactions existed between tillage and fertility for available Mg and Cu, along with organic matter and CEC.   Differences were observed between fertility treatments in the following measurements:  water pH, available P, K,  and Zn.  Water pH was greater in treatments receiving poultry litter than inorganic fertilizers alone.  Available P and Zn were higher in treatment FM than I.  Available K was higher in treatment FM than either HM or I.  Indications are that poultry litter applied at the N rate (FM)  resulted in gave excess levels of available P, K, and Zn in comparison to the inorganic fertilizers (I).