POULTRY MANURE MANAGEMENT IN CROPLAND FOR SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate poultry manure application based on phosphorus loading as compared to nitrogen loading in sweetcorn and fall lettuce cropping system; to study nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics including runoff of nitrate and phosphorus, leaching of nitrate into groundwater and ammonia volatilization from the manure amended fields, and to develop a management model for poultry manure application in Piedmont soils to predict the fate of nitrogen and phosphorus in order to minimize the contamination of the environment by poultry manure application.

APPROACH: A split plot with randomized complete block design and four replications will beused. One of the main plots will hold the mature application based on the nitrogen loading rate. The other plot will be treated with poultry manure based on the phosphorus loading rate. Each main plot will consist of six sub-plot treatments of different poultry manure rates. The five rates will be 0, 50 100, 200 and 400% of the recommended nitrogen or phosphorus, and a control where commercial nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers will be applied as recommended. The manure treatments will be incorporated to reduce ammonia volatilization in respective plots prior to sweet corn planting. The data collected will provide information on comparison of poultry manure application based on nitrogen and phosphorus loading. The subplot treatments will facilitate the determination of the optimum rate or manure application. The nutrient content of the runoff from the plots will be correlated with soil parameters to determine the appropriate soil conditions which minimize the potential of runoff and leaching. After the harvest of the sweet corn, lettuce will be planted. All observations will be considered as independent variables influencing runoff, leaching and volatilization. Soil nutrient availability and yields will be compared between treatments based on nitrogen and phosphorus loading.

PROGRESS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

To evaluate poultry manure application based on phosphorus loading as compared to nitrogen loading in sweet corn (Zea Maize) and to study nitrogen and phosphorus transformations, a field plot experiment was conducted at Piedmont Complex for Agricultural Research and Extension Demonstration in Guilford County, NC. The experimental design is randomized complete block with split plot arrangement of treatments and four replications. The main and subplot sizes are 6 x 14 and 6 x 7 m, respectively. The soil at the experimental site is a Mecklenburg sandy loam. The broiler litter from a North Carolina producer was collected, analyzed for N, P and other elements and used in the study. The litter was weighed and applied in the plots according to the treatments based on phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of sweet corn. The litter rates were 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200% of the recommended phosphorus and nitrogen for sweet corn. Also, a treatment of standard rate of fertilizer N or P was included for comparison. Sweet corn yields were not significantly different under the nitrogen and phosphorus based treatments. Available nitrogen and phosphorus were similar under the nitrogen and phosphorus based treatments. Nitrate leaching under the N and P based loading rates increased with the rate of litter amendment. Volatization of ammonia ranged from 1.48 to 3.90 Kg/hectare during the growing season.

IMPACT: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

Results indicate the possibility of broiler litter application based on phosphorus requirement of sweet corn which will reduce N and P run off and N leaching into groundwater.

PUBLICATIONS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

James Lewis. 1999. Ammonia Volatization and Nitrate Leaching in broiler litter amended Piedmont Soil. MS Thesis, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro.

PROJ NO: NCX-9602660 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: SPECIAL GRANT PROJ. STATUS: EXTENDED
CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 96-38814-2884
START: 01 SEP 1996 TERM: 31 AUG 2000 FY: 1999 GRANT YR: 1996

INVESTIGATOR: Reddy, M.; Li, K.; DeShield, M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
NATURAL RESOURCES & ENV STUDIS
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411