Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment (Jan 2019)

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Budgets on Claypan Soil Receiving Turkey Litter and Inorganic Fertilizer Applications

  • Daniel W. Sweeney,
  • Gary M. Pierzynski,
  • Phillip L. Barnes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2134/age2019.08.0070
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Core Ideas Nitrogen and P budgets may provide insight regarding fertilization with turkey litter. Total P outputs were greatest with N‐based turkey litter application. Nitrogen‐based turkey litter application increased soil storage of N and P. Unaccounted‐for N was substantial regardless of nutrient source. Only with N‐based turkey litter application was there any unaccounted‐for P. Nutrient budgets may provide insight for management of N and P in poultry wastes and commercial fertilizers applied to claypan soils. The objective of this study was to calculate budgets for N and P as affected by turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) litter and inorganic fertilizer applications and by incorporation by tillage. The experiment was conducted from 2005 to 2007 near Girard, KS. The soil was a low‐slope (1%) Parsons silt loam overlying a claypan B horizon. During the 3‐yr budgeting period, total N outputs as surface runoff or as grain removal were not affected by treatments varying in nutrient source or tillage. Total P outputs in surface runoff and as grain removal was greatest in the N‐based turkey litter (TL‐N) treatment. Nitrogen and P stored in undecomposed grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] stalks were unaffected by treatments. However, the change in soil storage of total N and P was greater in the TL‐N treatment compared with the control, the inorganic fertilizer only (Fert), or the turkey litter P‐based (TL‐P) treatments. Unaccounted‐for N in all treatments receiving inorganic fertilizer and/or turkey litter exceeded 170 kg ha−1 over the 3‐yr period. The N that was not accounted for was greater with the TL‐N treatment than in the Fert or P‐based, incorporated treatment, with the TL‐P value being intermediate. The only treatment that showed unaccounted‐for P was TL‐N. Thus, unaccounted‐for N losses may affect all nutrient sources, but unaccounted‐for P losses likely only occur when litter application is N based.